A Burl Ives Moment

I wore my Abominable Snowman and Yukon Cornelius earrings today. They were a gift from my friend and colleague Susan about ten years ago. She made them for me using Shrinky Dink plastic. They were perfect today, rehearsal day at school for our holiday concert.

My class is singing Silver and Gold in the concert, one of the songs that Burl Ives sang in the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a movie I watched every year as a child, starting in 1964 when it first appeared. My dad often watched with me. He loved Burl Ives, the actor-folk singer who played the narrating non-abominable Snowman.

Silver and gold, silver and gold
Ev'ryone wishes for silver and gold
How do you measure its worth?
Just by the pleasure it gives here on earth.

Silver and gold, silver and gold
Mean so much more when I see
Silver and gold decorations
On ev'ry Christmas tree.

Burl Ives sang many sentimental songs, the sort that would bring a tear to my dad's eye. And then my dad would ask, "Do you know my favorite Burl Ives song?"

It's just my funny way of laughin'

Yes, my funny way of laughin'

Your leavin' didn't bother me

It's just my funny way of laughin'

Yes, my funny way of laughin'

I'm really happy as can be

One day soon I'm going to watch Rudolph, and listen to Ives' crooning. At some point, I'll feel tears welling up in my eyes. Just my funny way of laughing. Something I inherited from my dad.