Old Blue Chair

A old, yet new arrival on my front porch. I've had this chair since Mother's Day 2006. When my sweet hubby and two little darlings, brought this unfinished wood rocking chair home. They placed it on the porch, so I could sit and rock and watch them play. My original intent was to stain it, but needless to say after 3 years of wind, rain, some snow, and lots of heat. It was a mess. I attempted to sand it. It all went well when I could use the power sander on the flat parts, but I poohed out on sanding by hand.

When my Mom came to visit in April, I had decided that we would paint it. I tossed around a few ideas of what color. Should it match the brick ? Should it match the vegetation ? Should it be white, like "all-good-southern-rockers" (chairs not musicians) on the front porch. I asked a few friends & got different opinions. The one I liked best came from my Mom and my dear friend, Sarah. To paint it the color I like and have it stand out. As something special.

"Beach chair blue" is what I call it. What Behr paint calls it ? I can't remember.

Mom and I enjoyed are time together transforming the chair. We spoke often of Dad, and how he loved to work with his hands. He enjoyed the challenge of working with "piece of junk" wood and could see it's potential. The patience he had and the many hours he spent in the basement of their home. Often with Mom's help, sometimes on his own. Sanding, cleaning, staining, sanding some more, til it was just right.

I'd like to think he is proud of my old blue chair.

I love sitting on the beach with a book, sand between my toes, the sound of kids laughter and the waves. Although I have a sand box in my back yard, that brings loads of sand in the house on little feet, I am a ways from the beach. So instead, I'll sit on my front porch, read a book, listening to the laughter of children (maybe a little fighting) & swat some bugs.

All will be well in my Old Blue Chair.

(one of my new favorite songs that should be playing as you read this blog. Check out the "B Keeper favorite tunes" in the left hand column and check your volume)

"Old Blue Chair" by Kenny Chesney

There's a blue rockin' chair,
sittin' in the sand.
Weathered by the storms,
and well oiled hands.
It sways back and forth,
with the help of the winds.
Seems to always be there,
like an ol' trusted friend.

I've read a lot of books, wrote a few songs.
Looked at my life, where it's goin', where it's gone.
I've seen the world, through a bus windshield.
But nothing compares,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
when I sit in that Old Blue Chair.

From that chair I've caught
a few fish and some rays,
and I've watched boats sail,
in and out of Cinnamon Bay.
I let go of a lover,
that took a piece of my heart.
Prayed many times for forgiveness,
and a brand new start.

I've read a lot of books, wrote a few songs.
Looked at my life, where it's goin', where it's gone.
I've seen the world, through a bus windshield.
But nothing compares,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
to the way that I see it,
when I sit in that Old Blue Chair.

That chair was my bed one New Year's night,
when I passed out from too much Malibu and diet,
and I woke up to a hundred mosquito bites. I swear.
Got 'em all sittin' right there, in the Old Blue Chair.

There's a blue rockin' chair,
sittin' in the sand.
Weathered by the storms,
and well oiled hands