What would you do, if I sang outta tune… would you stand up and walk out on me?
This song is forever embedded in my long-term memory. Now Country Man’s. Is it not enough that he jolts me awake each Sunday morning blasting old country songs as he flips pancakes in his skivvies? I suppose not, since I am currently being serenaded with off-key, off-lyrical renditions of this old tune.
If you’re not sure what I am referring to, Netflix so kindly chose The Wonder Years as its newest instant streaming series. And we are oh-so-thankful. Because nothing says nostalgia like October and the The Wonder Years around here.
Nostalgia, indeed. It’s a mysterious yearning that is hard to describe, because it is as unique to each person as the person themself.
October autumn reminds me, like many, of Halloween. Of Goosebumps books and scary movies.
Of the cold chill while trick-or-treating up and down streets, secretly hoping to see that one crush as you wipe your frozen wet nose across the sleeve of your costume.
But nostalgia is a funny thing. It’s a mosaic representation of the past merging with present, a delight in the feeling of the momentary blast to the past, but a yearning for right now to never change. To never end.
Right now, you are the character in your very own masterpiece.
I look at my husband, playing the role of the strong and handsome one while singing old country songs, smiling wide and raising his eyebrows as he does his Jimmy Stewart impersonations that he knows will make me laugh, no matter what… Now ya see here, girl, ya see, life is a funny thing, and things have gotta change, ya see?
I look in the mirror and see a female character. She is very blessed, very happy with the crazy reflection. Very happy.
What I am feeling is, someday I will look back on these days as some of the most challenging but also the best there ever was.
These are our Wonder Years.
What a knockout adorable picture of the both of you.
That’s a great song. Great post – again.
Wish I had your writing skills!
~d.
Thank you so much! Love that new gravatar of yours, btw.
I LOVED The Wonder Years growing up. Thanks for reminding me of them. For many of us going through challenging times and happy times all mixed in a bowl, these are the wonder years indeed. Fantastic post. Kx
Exactly! Thank you for stopping in!
Ahhhhh the Wonder Years, that tv show always gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. Great post!
Thank you! And you described the feeling well – warm and fuzzy!
So sweet! What a great perspective!
Thank you!!
You and Country Man are as precious as your reflections on life are. Loved it.
Thank you so much! Opening pheasant season next weekend!
What a beautiful post, with a lovely picture of you two! You write beautifully, thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Dounia!
What a great photo of you two! I love the post as well…I get the comment, “Your name is Winnie? As in Winnie Cooper from the Wonder Years? Radical!” on a daily basis.
So many people grew up with and loved that incredible show.
No, she was named after YOU.
Well, I’m showing my age. When I read those lyrics, I just thought of the Beatles song – not the Wonder Years (although I do remember that show!).
Great picture of you two – and wonderful post!
Nostalgia is a difficult feeling to describe, isn’t it?
It really is! It’s such a strong feeling, too. And while I grew up listening to the Beatles (and Tom Petty), I will always think of The Wonder Years when that song plays. Ahhhh…
I heard a great quote the other day, “What a wonderful thing it is that the best years of our life haven’t even happened yet.” May that be true for both of you! Love the picture
And you as well! Great quote, thank for sharing and stopping in!
Your central definition of nostalgia is dead-on. A delightful post! And a terrific portrait of you two as well.
I *am* hearing that song in my head now too. However, it’s competing with an image of Groucho Marx saying out of the side of his mouth, “how the pancakes got in his skivvies I’ll never know . . . ” (see paragraph 1 above
). Afraid that dates me and *my* nostalgia!!
Thanks for a great read.
I love your comments! I have heard of Groucho Marx, but cannot recall any of his work. Thank you for stopping in!
These are the Wonder Years indeed, Enjoy them so that in later life you can look back on them and live them again in your memory. Nostalgia is alive and well and living in Wellington, NZ.
BTW love the photo of you two, Keep making memories!
Always good to hear from you, Judith!
A great looking couple. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to get that image of your husband in his skivvies out of my head. Great writing! Again!
Haha, thanks for the laugh!
How funny … I saw your tweet about having ‘butthead’ in your mind, and I had a nice trip down memory lane. I loved The Wonder Years. And now that I read this post … well, a’ha!
May you continue to see the wonder in your live within South Dakota and beyond.
Nicely written. Great picture!!
lol! I have been tempted to say butthead way too much lately… could be worse
Thanks for stopping in! Hope you and your hubby are having a nice day.
I love that you are wise enough to realize that these are our best days – all of them!
Just beautiful.
MJ
Thank you, MJ
So true, this is a thought that I have often. It is so important to live fully in the moment, before it becomes a past memory. Lovely post. -kate
Thanks Kate! It’s such a strange feeling when it comes, isn’t it? Makes ya stop and think a moment.
Kind of like an out of body experience where you’re watching yourself as a movie character, knowing that this is something you don’t ever want to forget.
It really is! Great way of putting it.
You and Country Man make a lovely couple. What a great photo!
I was a big fan of The Wonder Years too. Every year is a wonder year if you are inspired by life and look at it with amazement.
I never want to look back and think, “I missed it”. Thanks for stopping in (and totally agree with your outlook)!
Love the Wonder Years, love the song, love this post! What a beautiful couple!!
I had a feeling you’d love the show as well!
We don’t have Netflix anymore – so glad I got a good fill of Winnie & Kevin back in the day!
Can I tell you how much I love your blog? You put into words thoughts I’ve often had but am far too ineloquent to express. You & CM are truly a love match. Just like me & the hubs!
Speaking of which, now that my mister has turned 40, he’s given us a new nickname.
“The Old Man & The C.” Get it? Cute, right?
I love hearing from couples who have a few years on us – SO inspiring to hear you talk of your growing love for one another! It really really is.
Fun reading your blog! I admit I came over from Susan Beth’s just because I liked the name, LOL. It is nice to be married to your bestie. I’ve been married to mine for 19 years and I still love him like in the beginning…..only better. You two are very cute!
Thank you for stopping over, Ursula, and for sharing your story. Here’s to many more years of love and happiness with our beloveds!
Ahh, the Wonder Years. Loved that show.
Great picture of you and Country Man!
Thank you, TBI!
How do you do it? You manage to convey such beautiful and meaningful things with your words that just stir my soul. Just LOVED everything about this post. Enjoy your Wonder Years!
Thanks Maineiac!
Husband cooking pancakes. What a wonderful sight
Oh, it is! And the singing is interesting, too
Thanks for stopping in!
Great photos. What a wonderful hubby you have, cooking pancakes and singing to you as well. Funny the things we will remember later in life. Keep making those memories.
Thank you, Mylene. It is funny, what we remember later on. Hoping these are among the treasures! Thank you for stopping in.
Agreed. Words to live by…these years are the wonder years…. (whatever the year!). Adorable photo!
So true! Thank you, Julia!
Great post….and ya know I love your man’s locks!!
Hope that didn’t sound too weird?
lol, of course not!
Excellent! Love this post.
Thank you Ranch Wife!
Funny, I just recently found myself watching an episode of The Wonder Years on an old TVtime channel. I forgot how good it was. I watched it growing up. But I think being older now, one can appreciate the show and its lessons even more. The episode I watched – which particularly resonated with me – was about the parents. There was a line in it that said, “Before they were mom and dad, they were Norma and Jack…” This really hit me as I’ve become a parent myself and realized how much you as a couple change over the years. Thanks for the reminder of such a great show.
Oh, so true! It’s funny, the moment you realize Mom and Dad are not just Mom and Dad. Thank you so much for sharing, Leah.
I love that your husband does Jimmy Stewart impersonations. The two of you are just the sweetest looking couple!
Aw, thanks friend! Can you tell we don’t take pictures together often, haha
He’s been harvesting late, so when that’s done and hunting picks up stronger, more pictures to come. Can’t wait!
Thanks for letting me know about Netflix and the Wonder Years. We loved that show.
Yes, it’s been such a good trip down memory lane!
The Wonder Years are on Netflix?! I have been waiting ages to re-watch all of those amazing episodes… thanks for letting us know!
Hi Jessica! Yes, it is, finally!
Look at all your amazing comments! I love that you shared that beautiful photo of you and your husband with us … and believe me, you WILL look back on these Wonder Years and wish you could replay them — in all their Jimmy Stewart glory!
lol, his Jimmy Stewart impression is completely irresistible to me (he has no idea). I cannot help but to laugh. I hope that when we’re old, if we are so fortunate, that he will be doing his goofy impersonations even then
My heart aches for the moment even now! I cannot think of looking back.
Thank you so much for stopping in Betty!!
My husband and I fell in love with South Dakota a couple of months ago, when on a vacation. No wonder you two look so happy and healthy! You are living in Paradise. Enjoy!
Love it, thank you so much for stopping in Renee!
The Netflix line-up at our house now has “Wonder Years” added, thanks to your tip! It is indeed wonderful to to appreciate each moment in which we live, and through which we love. Cheers to you and your Country Man.
Yes, enjoy the trip down memory lane! We sure have been
Thank you so much for stopping in!
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Oh, wow, a man doing Jimmy Stewart impressions (as opposed to Andrew Dice Clay impressions). Hold onto him! I don’t know why but my husband always says, “Well, your money’s not here. Your money’s in Bill’s house.” (It’s a Wonderful Life)
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post. My husband and I are looking to start a new (or old) TV series and I’m thrilled to know Wonder Years is among Netflix’s new instant-streaming series. Nostalgia City here I come.
haha, enjoy Nostalgia City! I will be checking out Freaks and Geeks once The Wonder Years is done
For those of us who grew up in the sixties, the Wonder Years series took us back to a time when our lives seem so structured and measured, in a space and time that was not. Confronted with anti-establishment sentiment, with the Vietnam War, and the civil rights movement, the every-day regularity of life in our personal “Wonder Years” makes the TV series seem so sweet.
I often think of my Mom when I watch the show, knowing she was around Karen’s age at the time.
Thank you for stopping in!
Hi there! Nice to see you.
Lovely post – enjoy making the happy memories.
I didn’t picture you two so young or looking like that. Precious!
Funny! It’s nice to “meet” you
Thank you so much for stopping in, Katie!
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