Mellow

Yesterday I found myself in a rather mellow state, feeling at once relaxed and perhaps a bit sad. For the week prior, I was in Las Vegas, Nevada, enjoying a five day family love, +100ºF heat, and sunshine feast. Coming back to the cool humidity, back to the grind of work, back to the ailing and aging pup - it's been a weird transition. So yesterday afternoon I did what I've learned I can do when I need a pick-me-up: I asked my friends for a little help.

The request was simple, posted on Facebook in the early afternoon when most of us are at work: "What's a song you like to listen to when feeling mellow? I'm compiling a list for Spotify and would love suggestions!" I was overwhelmed and touched by all of the responses. I believe it's the best comment thread in the history of Facebook comment threads. BAR NONE.

Here's the list of songs in my "Mellow" playlist, with credit where it's due:

Becca Binford: Pretty (Ugly Before) - Elliott Smith
Danielle Ward: Damien Rice "delicate" and "cannonball"
Gary Powell: ‎"Shouldn't Have Took More Than You Gave" - Dave Mason
Jed Herzog: "Girl from Ipanema" -Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto
Lauren Kelley Magee: Erykah badu "on and on"
Ryan Visser: Pots and pans, the last goodbye - The Kills, Aguas de Marco by Ella and Jobim, remember the mountain bed (Wilco & Billy Bragg)
Latice Fuentes: The Head and the Heart: Rivers and Roads
Ryan Armstrong: Silent Shout - Knife
Derrick Jordan: rope on fire by morphine
Rodney Hines: Six String Poet by David Benoit

When I listen to "Mellow," I'll not only enjoy the music, but also be reminded of all the wonderful people in my life.

Come to think of it, I should rename that playlist... "Fortunate"