Sing a song

There are an awful lot of shows out there that promote singing.

There is American Idol, one that I have never gotten into. There is America's Got Talent, a show that brings all sorts of talent to the stage but many singers. There is the new show called The Voice in which four judges have their backs to the singers, determining their talents from their voices and not their looks, and if they like what they hear, they turn around (many times the judges are surprised at the singer's appearance once they do look at him or her.)

We have quite the musical talent in our family.

I feel as though I am an amazing singer - but only at church where God is all right with any voice that sings out the praises. I certainly would not feel comfortable getting up in front of the congregation and singing a solo but I do belt out the words with the rest of the congregation.

My daughters love to sing - especially while driving. Funny, when I am with them they argue about what CD to listen to. "I don't know all the songs on this one," says one daughter. "Put in a CD that has all the songs I know so I can sing, too." And of course with them controlling the music, I know none of the songs. If I had my choice, we would listen to 1970s music so I could at least enjoy the songs but it is easier to let them have their way so I do not have to listen to arguing, even it does mean listening to weird music.

Both of my boys were in jazz choir at Aurelia High School and liked it real well but we heard once from another singer in the group that they turned off the microphone one of my sons used so his voice could not be heard. (Even after hearing that, my son continued to be a part of the group and continued to do his best.)

And then there is my husband. Let's just say he will not be recording any songs any time soon - and we hope, no time. He sounds a little like a strangled turkey when he sings; he puts the blame on his music teacher for not teaching him (I wish I could have seen the comments she must have written on his report card about his lack of tone. Just how does one change that?)

He does like listening to music and there are certain songs that when they come on the radio, he sings along with.

We give him a bad time and are positive he is only acting like he cannot sing but he tells us that he is doing his best.

We also laugh and tell him maybe he should go on one of those singing shows - we would love to see what the judges would saying about his toneless singing. One of Simon Cowell's quotes to a contestant on American Idol once was "You sound like a cat trapped in a vacuum cleaner. Awful." I'm afraid he may something similar to my husband if he ever had the chance to hear him.

I love listening to good singers - and even the bad ones (honey) which gives us something to laugh about. Music and laughter are two of the greatest things to enjoy in life.