VEGANGELICA

How lovely, to think that my song went along with you in your mind on the train ride home!

I'd never heard Big Star's "For You" before. I do like the violin and cello playing as well as the song's warmth and intimacy.

I think he *is* singing the song to *you*, Liz.

__________________

ribbons

Aw, thanks, Erica - I certainly wouldn't mind, if only I had a fireplace!

VEGANGELICA

This got me thinking a couple days ago, Liz, and I determined to write you a Valentine's Song based on this comment you made (and a few others ). So here you go: the lyrics for a song that I would like to imagine your dream man singing to YOU.

In reality, I may have to substitute as the singer...but, eh, reality isn't perfect.

* * *

“Hearth” for Elizabeth Lucia

You don’t need a fireplace or fancy home.
I just want to be with you alone,
cuddle up on the couch, watch kittens play,
do whatever you want if it will make your day.

No need for any defenses.
You can drop all pretenses.
Know that I’m not in this for me.
You’ll never be secondary.

When you're needing warmth
to which to turn your face,
I’ll be your fireplace.

Go ahead, plug in your electric guitar.
I won't limit who you are.
The person you most like to be,
you can be her with me.

Find your future and your inner child,
every part of your life reconciled.
I love all of you and them,
girl who’s the mother of the woman.

When you're needing warmth
to which to turn your face,
I want to be your fireplace.

So place your feet up,
sip from your iced coffee cup,
and read a favorite book.
Dream of a lover, love being a mother.
I’ll be your comfy nook.

When the cold and chill leave
feather frost on the panes
and the fire in your heart wanes,
I’ll stoke the flames for you
to warm you through and through,
and make you feel, make you feel,
make you feel like you again.

You don’t need a fireplace or fancy home.
I just want to be with you alone,
cuddle up on the couch, watch kittens play,
do whatever you want if it will make your day...

So place your feet up,
sip from your iced coffee cup,
and read a favorite book.
Dream of a lover, love being a mother.
I’ll be your comfy nook.

Place your feet up,
sip from your iced coffee cup,
and read a favorite book.
Dream of a lover, love being a mother.
I’ll be your cozy nook

when you're needing warmth
to which to turn your face,
I’ll be your fireplace.

* * *
Happy Valentine's Day, Liz!

__________________

ribbons

Erica, I’ve been sitting here for over an hour trying to the think of words to convey how much it means to me that you wrote “Hearth” with me in mind, from such a compassionate standpoint … I am pretty much choked up right now so I know the words will come across clumsily … but I am incredibly grateful and touched that you would create something so meaningful and beautiful for my benefit. But that’s you. You’re a wonderful person and I love you very much and hope you had a Happy Valentine’s Day, too. You deserve everything good in your life. I'm going to print the lyrics of “Hearth” and keep in them in a very special (private) place I have … and will look at them whenever I crave reminding of the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me.

I am really moved beyond words. Thank you, Erica, for this beautiful song - I'll never forget you did this.

Love,
Elizabeth Lucia
xxxooo

VEGANGELICA

I feel the same about you, Liz, and I also feel you deserve to have everything good, too.

I am very happy for you that you have created so much joy in your life, such as by having and raising your kids. I know that love for and from a child is irreplaceable and invaluable. Yet it's nice to have a special connection with a partner, isn't it, someone who knows all aspects of you and loves you? A real comfort that is hard to put into words (though I tried) -- at least that's the dream!

I want you to have it all. You deserve to have many love songs written for you. You are very welcome for the lyrics.

Now all I need to do is actually make the song. I know I'll have to use a good, strong bass line, and I've been thinking of all the different genres I might try to combine ... maybe soul-oriental-rock-with-a-little-jazz-improv-thrown-in?

Love,
Erica

(P.S. Lucia suits you perfectly)

__________________

ribbons

Good morning and thanks so much again, Erica. I'm still amazed and in a mild state of shock! Drinking an iced coffee right now, so perhaps that’ll help snap me out of it. A “good, strong bass line” and “maybe soul-oriental-rock-with-a-little-jazz-improv-thrown-in”? Sounds good to me!

I'd like you to know the line about plugging in [my] electric guitar has me dreaming about Fender Telecasters (always my favorite guitar) ... like one of those matte inca silver Teles with a rosewood neck, except I'd customize it with a chrome pickguard for pizazz. I'm getting picky already!

VEGANGELICA

It's fun to dream. Who knows? Maybe your dream will come true!

I looked online for images of matt inca silver Fender Telecasters with a rosewood neck and a custom chrome pickguard, which sounds deliciously elegant, Liz.

Then I noticed THIS guitar, a Fender "Silver Sister" Stratocaster:



^ Purrrr. I feel this "Silver Sister" is *very* attractive. I like that it has a humbucking bridge pickup with single coil neck and middle pickups, too.

It only costs...$830!!!!

So I think I'll be sticking with my $120 metallic red Squier Affinity Strat by Fender.



Cheap, but nice

__________________

ribbons

Hey Erica, your $120 metallic red Squier Affinity is cool, especially for that price! That "Silver Sister" Strat is a beaut. I could never afford a genuine Tele or Strat at this stage!

But continuing on with the dream...

Here is somebody's Inca silver Tele, but it has a maple neck and of course no chrome pickguard. I prefer rosewood necks in general because they're more porous and have more of a textured "feel" to them.

VEGANGELICA

Liz, what about...

a Fender Blacktop Telecaster HH electric guitar in Silver with a Rosewood fretboard (and both pickups are humbuckers, hence the HH)
for $425 (due to a current 15% sale) with free shipping at MusiciansFriend.com??



Tempting? Tempting?

I like trying to make dreams attainable.





Here's a German man playing a silver Fender Blacktop Telecaster HH with rosewood fretboard
so you can see and hear it in action:

__________________

ribbons

Erica, thanks so much for letting me know about the blacktop Tele – it’s a great guitar for the money. Tempting, tempting!! Unfortunately my credit card is melting at this time. Just charged two round-trip air fares for my daughter to come home for her birthday and to go on a spring break vacation with her college friends in March. That and the juggling of two school tuitions and all other monthly expenses, expected and unexpected. Have I complained enough yet? But I really appreciate your thoughtfulness in telling me about it – one day when I am better positioned to get a lump sum together for a “fun” purchase (along with an amp!), that’ll be at the top of my list.

And I now have something much more valuable and cherished than any guitar -- which is your song, *my* song, "Hearth". Thanks so much again, Erica - can't tell you enough how much it means to me. I am still walking on air!