Sometimes when I write; I put some type of music or a old movie on in the background that I think will inspire me to write from the depths of my inner most being that can enlighten my readers in such a way that I feel satisfied that I did a job well done.

Just recently I read about an older, very famous celebrity’s 90th birthday celebration that was held at Disneyland in California. And this man was one of my personal favorites throughout my life in many aspects. So I decided to put one of the movies and some jingles that he was most famous for from “Mary Poppins” in the background to give me the feeling of just being a kid again.

I actually sung along with these for sure!

‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’

‘A Spoonful of Sugar’

And it certainly did the trick!

The famed gentleman’s name is Dick Van Dyke. A household name to us Baby Boomers….and for the rest of you…well…you might know him from the many syndicated episodes of the “Dick Van Dyke Show” or “ Mary Poppins” , and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, just to mention a few.

But my closer feeling to this actor was his personality resemblance to my own father that I felt so close to. His thoughts of “old age” from his so handsome advancement to the ripe young age of 90 years young just the other day has so eloquently been recorded in his new book, “Keep on Moving”, and that I’ve requested from Santa on my Christmas list this year.

He had a fulfilling life to say the least and is married to a woman 46 years his junior! I mean for real….she’s probably younger than his grandchildren are…Think about it….but what does that matter?

His longevity is what’s so amazing! And his attitude towards life itself is what really inspired me.

So, another jingle for my inspirational audio recording is:

Take a listen:
‘Chim Chim Cheree’

Does it take you back like it did me?

And……as I listened and wrote….I was so taken back….and I’m sure I had a grin from one end of my face to the other….smiling and feeling the sense of wonderment that only a child would render…..

Ahhhh…..well I need to get back to reality….

So Dick Van Dyke is an amazing fellow…..

And I read a portion of his book; even though I had a feeling, from my own experience with my father, that I pretty much knew what this book was going to be about.

The spice of life – and what you make of it – is really what ‘Life’ is all about…

In his book – “Keep Moving”, Dick Van Dyke offers his own playful anecdotes and advice, as well as insights from his brother, actor Jerry Van Dyke; his friend and creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show, Carl Reiner; and other spirited friends and family. Whether he’s describing the pleasure he takes in his habitual visits to the grocery store; daily trips to the gym; daily crossword puzzles; how he met his late-in-life-love Arlene; or how he sprung back, livelier than ever, from a near-death experience, Dick’s optimistic outlook is an invigorating tonic for anyone who needs a reminder that:

“LIFE SHOULD BE LIVED WITH ENTHUSIASM NO MATTER WHAT THE CALENDAR SAYS!”

Watch this GREAT example of his vitality – (if my children watched this they would say that it was just like my dad at 90)


(quotes from his book: “Keep Moving”)

“You don’t have to act your age. You don’t even have to feel it. And if it does attempt to elbow its way into your life, you do not have to pay attention. If I am out shopping and hear music playing in a store, I start to dance. If I want to sing, I sing. I read books and get excited about new ideas. I enjoy myself. I don’t think about the way I am supposed to act at my age – or at any age.

‘Keep moving.’

– Dick Van Dyke

Couldn’t have said it better myself! That’s what my dad did and I’m going to keep the same tradition going! You can rest assured that I’m going to ‘Keep Moving’!

Valerie