Ten Things of Thankful: Mondegreens and Other Delights

Photo: A sky blue circle with a palm tree graphic and the words, "Mele Kalikimaka"

I don't often dream, or if I do, I don't often remember my dreams. I do, however, very frequently wake up with a song running through my mind. Often the song is a new one that we are learning in church choir. Other times, it is one that is familiar but that I'm unsure of all the words. My brain just goes over and over the part I don't know, trying to figure out the words. 

1. I'm thankful for how easily song lyrics can be found, even at 4 a.m. Mele kalikimaka is not a "wise" way (that doesn't make sense) nor is is "a Hawaiian's" way (there are too many syllables for the notes), but it is "Hawaii's" way to say "Merry Christmas!"

2. I'm thankful for the rabbit hole of knowledge one can learn while just trying to change the inner play list. Did you know that (according to Wikipedia) "A mondegreen is a mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase as a result of near-homophony, in a way that gives it a new meaning"? I didn't, but it's definitely a word I need to remember, since I don't seem to remember actual lyrics very well. 

3. I'm thankful that I can sing (however incorrectly) Mele Kalikimaka while enjoying a winter wonderland. As much as I love Hawaii, nothing says Christmas like snow.

Photo: The view of the snowy neighborhood outside my window

4. I'm thankful that mondegreens don't discriminate--and I'm thankful that John can figure out what the real word is!

Photo: A series of texts that read: "Do you have any idea what 'wouldn't great' is on our shopping list? I can't remember what I last told Alexa." "Wooden grate for under the sink" "YES! Thank you!"

5. I'm thankful for beautiful, ever-changing, sunsets.

Photo: A gorgeous sunset sends rays up over the snow-capped mountains

6. I'm thankful for deer. I counted nine one evening in our neighbor's front yard. This morning, one was walking the trail behind our house. 

7. I'm thankful for birds. I should probably fill a bird feeder soon.

Photo: A mourning dove (I think) rests on the branch of a maple tree

8. I'm thankful for quick, easy, inexpensive fixes. We tend to drive vehicles until they don't drive anymore (or at least until it doesn't make financial sense to keep repairing them), and often, as vehicles age, they develop personality quirks. Our van's rear hatch door lift supports recently stopped working, which meant we basically had a guillotine on wheels. Fortunately, before anyone lost a head, we were able to find the right part on Amazon for less than the cost of an oil change, and John was able to install it without any trouble in about 10 minutes. Hooray! (Or, to use voice-to-text's mondegreen, "Who Ray!") 

9. I'm thankful for those who have provided me with guest posts this week--and those that will be featured in coming weeks. If you haven't already, please read Nancy's post about the Quilts of Valor Foundation and Krista's post about Korah Kids. While you are on Nancy's post, be sure to enter the giveaway for a #LightTheWorld Christmas ornament. Your odds are exceptionally good at the time of this writing! 

10. I'm thankful for John. I'm thankful that we are on the same page when it comes to financial decisions, like #8. (My requirements for the first car we bought together--besides desiring that it ran--were that it have seatbelts and a working heater.) I'm a bit more high-maintenance now, but only barely, and fortunately John is equally modest in his wants. I'm thankful that he doesn't mind me telling him at 4 a.m. what the correct lyrics to Mele Kalikimaka are. (Just as I didn't mind when he woke me up earlier by stating in his sleep, "Off the record. . . ") Anyway, whatever words I use to say it, I'm thankful for John!

What are you thankful for this week? Have you heard any good mondegreens lately?

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