Thursday, January 29, 2015

The Four Tops


The Four Tops  were a Motown group in the 60s who managed to hang on and have some success into the late 70s. Their two biggest hits were I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) in 1965 and Reach Out I'll Be There in 1966.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Tops

I can somewhat recall both songs, even though I wasn't into pop music in a very big way.

So ... what caused me to google them out of the blue?

This ... ↓



That's right, I noticed that I had four tops on our guest bed ... ↑↑↑

I frequently change during the day, especially in winter, and often leave my clothes readily available to meet my next perceived need without putting them away each and every time.

So, let's go through this, shall we?

On the left is a hoodie that I usually wear to bed at night during the cold months. Our thermostat allows the temperature to go down to 15°C/59°F at night, so keeping warm can be a problem, especially for a bald-headed guy. Aside from the head, we have two somewhat thin blankets on the bed, which are enough to keep my hotter wife warm (yes, she's a hottie), but I sometimes require a bit more cover, so the sweatshirt serves as an extra blanket for me without encumbering her.

Third from the left is my very warm sweater-hoodie. I wear this, especially in the early morning when I get up long before the thermostat is set to go up to 20°C/68°F, so I really have to bundle up. This morning I got up ~4AM, so I really bundled, wearing both my night hoodie plus my sweater hoodie.

('ll repeat the picture to save dear reader from having to scroll too much in order to follow my ramblings.)


Sometimes on cold mornings, I keep the sweater hoodie on under my coat when I take the kids to the bus stop. But if I plan to go for a walk afterward the bus picks them up, I'll just wear the liner (second from left) under my coat. I will also often wear it indoors when I need something over my shirt but don't need the heavier sweater-hoodie.

Finally, is the lighter sweater on the far right. I will likely wear this when I am going to a place where I want to be slightly more presentable. For example: when I go grocery shopping, I will open my coat (and sometimes doff it entirely) and want to look a little better than the liner allows.

So, that's my story of the four tops. Kind of pedantic, I know, but this is my life, and now you know what an eccentric old codger I am — just in case there was a small doubt in your mind. lol

Oh ... I do tidy up the guest bed and put away my clothes from time to time: only to start all over again.

12 comments:

MARY G said...

Down vest and extra thick socks are also good.
ONly you would have made the music/sweater link. Love it.

Country Gal said...

My goodness man you change in a day more then I do lol It is funny what things make us thing of other things isn't it? Cute post , Thanks for sharing , snowing here today and mild . Have a good day !

Hilary said...

Ha.. I'm always cold at night and bring a heavy robe to bed. But I can see where the hoodie would work too.

As a kid, I always confused the Four Season and the Four Tops. You just added to my confusion with the line "Motown group in the 60s who managed to hang on.." A tune immediately started running through my head.. but it belongs to the Four Seasons. "Let's hang on to what we've got.."

Judy said...

Thanks for bringing back a good memory. As for all the hoodies--my goodness. My thermostat is set at 73F, all year long and in the winter, goes down to 68F at night. I am old--I deserve to be comfortable, LOL.

TexWisGirl said...

that made me laugh! i don't do winter coats down here - i just layer a couple of tops like a hoodie and a jacket.

KGMom said...

Now, go into your dining area and see if there are plates or platters on the table. Next the garden for beetles. And...let's see..WHO is next.
I'll stop.
One of your eccentricities includes leaving (or lining up) clothing on the bed. One of mine includes playing word games.

Ginnie said...

I can just see you wooing Cuppa with "Sugar pie honey bunch" in the early morn !! Followed closely by the same old excuse... "can't help myself".

Mara said...

You had better not come and stay here then: you would need polar equipment! My bedroom is a balmy 3-5 degrees Celsius and if the heating is on low, it will be about 12-15 degrees in the rest of the house.

Mind you, I do use a hot water bottle in bed!

Pearl said...

huh, me I just get blue-footed and bone cold until I shower.

wow, easiest capcha ever. doesn't break the brain at all.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Inliked the comparison, John, because not only did ai like the Four Tops, but also tops. And, like you, ai have several on hand now that we are in colder temps.

Jimmie Earl said...

I pile my clothes on the cedar chest at the foot of my bed. They are readily available there when I need them. On laundry day, I go through them an wash any that need it. The undies and shirts and things go into the hamper daily, but the hoodies, and sweatshirts go on the cedar chest. You have a good plan. Now find me a song about a cedar chest!!LOL!

Regenia said...

This was a fun post. Love it!