CLOSE ENOUGH
     © 2005 Linda Titolo
(for Roger on our 25th wedding anniversary)

I hear your voice in subtle shades,
Complex flavor, chardonnay,
That I would savor all my days,
And never tire of more.
Sometimes I catch your impish smile,
The kind that crinkles both o’ your eyes,
And it assures me all the while,
That love is at the core.
It’s the warmth of your touch.
It’s love at first blush.
When you feel this alive,
It’s close enough.

Before we started going out,
My heart would find you in a crowd,
And each new meeting left no doubt,
We enjoyed those moments.
And as we chatted I could tell
Shyness hid what we both felt.
That yearning built in every cell
Till we could finally own it.
In my room after dusk,
In the pulse of the blood,
We let fire have its way.
We were close enough.

Close enough.
Close enough.

Now, I remember, oh so clear,
All those times you soothed my fears,
Between the laughter and the tears,
Sharing life’s adventures.
I let a little heaven in,
That day I let our life begin.
I wrapped my heart in your big grin,
In sweet dreams of splendor.                 
Yeah, we go through so much,                            
But love’s not used up,
‘Cause the heart always aches
To be close enough.
Yeah, the heart always aches
To be close enough.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals, Guitar
Roger Cornell: Vocals
John Mock: Bouzouki, Bodhran

IN MY OWN WAY
     © 2007 Linda Titolo

I’m not good at waiting for fate to arrive,
I harvest as much as I can.
So why should I mind the fine lines round the eyes.
That pain in my shoulder means I’m still alive.
I’m gathering all of my birthdays,
To faithfully keep in my own way.

I’m attracted to butter the ultimate gold,
Despite, its scale tipping form.
And a steak on the barbie drips fat on the coals.
I like to absorb it with sourdough rolls.
But there’s pounds when the taste of a scone fades.
That’s how I get in my own way.

Sometimes I’m foolish.
Sometimes I’m brave.
Sometimes I follow my heart.
We all want the chance
To just be ourselves
With someone who likes who we are.

My lover and I have been closer than blood,
Harmonious blend with distinctions.
As if we were crayons a melt in the sun,
Running together yet never quite one.
Finding our true selves in what we’ve become,
And holding each other for always.
We’re living each day in our own way,
Living each day in our own way.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
John Mock: Lead Guitar, Conga

SENTINEL
     © 1999 Linda Titolo

I stand on the cliff o’er the westerly coast,
Chilled to the heart by the wind,
Watching the sea at the breaking of day,
Watching the ships take my fam’ly away.
I stand a sentinel, alone.

Parents and kinsmen, all are gone.
My duty seemed so clear.
Keep the land ‘gainst their return,
Though life be hard, I will stand firm.
I stand a sentinel, alone.

Striding the moor,
Where curlews fly,
Accepting my choice to remain.
Will young ones be told?
I braved empty bowls,
I kept their land whole,
And I had a name.

At home at the hearth, I stoke up the fire.
My rocking chair squeaks on the slate.
I’ll mend the roof where the moss has grown,
Where the wind intrudes with a frosty moan,
And with the patience of ancient stones,
I stand a sentinel, alone.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals
John Mock: Synth Strings, Pennywhistle

SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY
     © 2004 Linda Titolo & Roger Cornell

It’s true I’ve bloomed on rainy days.
Never knew the reason,
Till it didn’t take long for us to fall
When we met out of season.
It’s your love that I was waiting for,
So, Baby, I say let it pour.

Chorus
On a rainy day, we’ll put the world on hold.
Set our hearts aglow, when you can get away.
Ah that rainy day will be worth the wait.
I’ll save it for a rainy day.

Spring and summer you’ve been gone.
Your work takes sunny weather.
But you said you’re dreamin’ of the time,
When we can be together.
Now that autumn rain is rusting leaves,
I hope you’ll come and play with me.

Chorus twice
On a rainy day, we’ll put the world on hold.
Set our hearts aglow, when you can get away.
Ah that rainy day will be worth the wait.
I’ll save it for a rainy day.

Save it for a rainy day.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals
John Mock: Guitar, Recorder, Bodhran

CARDBOARD HABIT
     © 1999 Linda Titolo & Roger Cornell

A shoebox full of plastic cows
And one with yo-yo strings,
My folks thought they were teaching me
To organize my things.

They didn’t recognize the trap.
I had no will to quit.
Spend my time at the five and dime
To score a cardboard fix.

Chorus
I have a cardboard habit.
They’re crammed in every nook.
Stacks and stacks of empty boxes,
Spend my lifetime hooked.

I was caught collecting cartons
Behind a liquor store.
Said I needed them for moving.
They gave me fifty more.

Chorus
I have a cardboard habit.
They’re crammed in every nook.
Stacks and stacks of empty boxes,
Spend my lifetime hooked.

Corrugation, that’s essential.
They may be empty, but they’ve got potential.

Found a place that sells containers,
And luggage kits galore.
Went to buy a box for ribbons,
And now I own the store.

I have a cardboard habit,                            
Cardboard habit,                          
Cardboard habit.                          

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
John Mock: Electric Guitar, programmed the Kit Drum on a DR-660

BEES ARE HIS FRIENDS
     © 2000 Linda Titolo

It’s late in the season, there’s frost on the mums.
Man in the orchard is tending his hives.
Bees move slow in the afternoon chill,
But they’ll keep each other alive.
They’re buzzing their mantras out loud,
Tasting ripe apples left strewn on the ground.
The man smiles, as one alights on his hand.
He knows that bees are his friends.

His father taught him a long time ago,
Care for his bees like a shepherd his lambs.
Other kids teased him, then ran away.
Fear made them misunderstand.
He let the bees dance on his skin,
‘Cause friendship was worth the occasional sting.
Felt they transcended the need to pretend.
He knows that bees are his friends.

Bees never hold grudges.
They settle things square.
Their justice is bumbles or barbs.
They always know just who they are.

He checks one more time that his bees are secure.
Soon he’ll retire, take supper alone.
He’ll eat in the kitchen, his mulligan stew,
Cornbread with buttery foam.
His bees share their gold in a jar,
And the gift of their candles illumines his dark.
In the spring they’ll emerge to go buzzing again,
And he’ll tend them then,
From the start to the end,
He knows that bees are his friends.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals, Guitar
John Mock: Concertina

TOO GOOD AT LETTING GO
     © 2004 Linda Titolo

Thought you were a coward,
‘Cause you wouldn't face me,
Seemed that you erased me from your mind.
Or did I touch some hurt that has refused to heal,
So you felt you had to leave me behind?
When I tried to make things better,
Don’t know what you heard.
Did I remind you of those you lost before?
And I wonder I’d really like to know,
Who did you see?
You hardly knew me.

Are you too good at letting go?
Does giving up come way too easy?
Guess it's smart to walk away,
If there's nothing you can do.
But when you're gone at the first
Shadow of pain at hello,
That's when you know
You're too good at letting go.

I admit that I was angry
When I said good-bye.
I couldn't rise above my point of view.
But from the deepest heart of sadness, I'll find a way
Think kindly on the days I had with you.
Lately when I meet someone
I'm tempted to retreat
Too quickly to discover who they are.
When fear tells me not to love again,
Before I run,
I ask the question.  

Am I too good at letting go?
Does giving up come way too easy?
Yes, it's smart to walk away,
If there's nothing you can do.
But when you're gone at the first
Shadow of pain at hello,
That's when you know,
That's when you know,
That's when you know
You're too good at letting go.
Too good at letting go.
Too good at letting go.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
John Mock: Lead Guitar, Conga

ASHES, ASHES, ALL FALL DOWN
     © 2000 Linda Titolo

The battle here at Gettysburg
Goes badly for our cause.
I’m stationed on the leading line.
My brother’s on the other side
Of our divided house.
And to the deadly game we’re bound.
Ashes, ashes, all fall down.

As boys we brothers always fought.
We found no middle ground.
Up the stairs and through the hall
‘Cause fighting was its own reward
Till Mother threw us out.
Our sisters chanted circling round.
Ashes, ashes, all fall down.

I saw my brother ‘cross the field.
I had him in my sights.
With shaking hands I stood and stalled,
And caught myself a mini ball.
I spared my brother’s life.
Blue and Gray don’t matter now
As we approach our final hour,
On hills forever battle ploughed,
Where too much mem’ry soaks the ground.
Ashes, ashes, all fall down.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals
John Mock: Harmonium, Pennywhistle, Bodhran, Conga

ESPRESSO COMING SOON
     © 2006 Linda Titolo & Roger Cornell

Our coffee doesn’t win us friends
At our bait and tackle store,
‘Cause local folks have picky tastes,
They’ve known the best that’s poured.
We promise we’ll provide a better brew,
Espresso coming soon.

We get two hundred days of rain.
The moisture greens our lawn,
But moody feelings overflow
When sunshine is withdrawn.
Our friendly cup o’ jo will cure the blues,
Espresso coming soon.

It’s the most essential food.
It’s liquid attitude.
It’s a steamy mocha whip.
It’s mother’s milk with kick.

Beside the bait and fishing gear,
And racks of Field and Stream,
Our tables will be full of lovers
Sharing latte dreams.
We can beat Seattle’s best saloons,
Espresso coming soon.

Espresso coming soon,
Espresso coming soon,
You can chase away the blues,
with our better brew,
Espresso coming soon,
Espresso coming soon,
Espresso coming soon.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals, Guitar
John Mock: Mandolins, Conga, Shakers, Guiro (Fish)

WASH ‘N’ WEAR HEART
     © 1999 Linda Titolo & Roger Cornell

Well, I’ve been through the spin cycle, Kid.
I showed every wrinkle and scar.
My colors all bled with the pain of regret,
Till I got me a wash ‘n’ wear heart.

With my fabric unguarded by trust,
I was open to cutting remarks.
Found it hard to maintain, when tears left a stain,
So I got me a wash ‘n’ wear heart.

It’s safer to dress
In permanent press,
Till the thread of our love is secure.
Then I would display
My finest array
For someone I trusted for sure.

I’m just happy to hang in the sun,
With a confident weave to my garb.
Little hurts are repelled by a durable shell.
I wear real well, when I’m under love’s spell.
I got me a wash ‘n’ wear heart.
I got me a wash ‘n’ wear heart.
I got me a wash ‘n’ wear heart.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals
Roger Cornell: Vocals

I’LL BE WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO
     © 1999 Linda Titolo

I’m waiting for the latest word.
My flight has been delayed.
I’ve traveled more than halfway home to you.
Our words of steel once split the air.
We forged a fragile peace.
I still care because we spoke the truth.
I’ll be with you when you go.

I see you, Dad, with stubby pencil,
Keeping ledgers straight.
You wanted books to balance to the dot.
You demanded excellence.
It took its toll on friends.
You always spoke your mind despite the cost.
But I’ll be with you when you go.

We only saw each other from the corners of our eyes.
I didn’t want to see we were alike.

I know you always hoped that death
Would find you in a dream.
I know this moment isn’t what you planned.
I got the call this morning late.
I’m stuck here on this plane.
If you can’t wait for me, I’ll understand.
All accounts are closed.
We let our sweetness show.
So even if you find yourself alone,
I’ll be with you when you go.
I’ll be with you when you go.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: Vocals
John Mock: Steel String & Classical Guitar

Album “In My Own Way”

Production Credits:
Produced and arranged by
Linda Titolo and John Mock

Recorded, mixed and mastered by John Mock
at John Mock Studios, Nashville, TN

Art design and cover photos by John Mock
with additional photography by Linda Titolo and others

Writing Credits:
All songs written by Linda Titolo except “Cardboard Habit”, “Save It For A Rainy Day”, “Wash ‘n’ Wear Heart”, and “Espresso Coming Soon” written by Linda Titolo and Roger Cornell.

Performers:
Linda Titolo: vocals, steel string guitar
Roger Cornell: vocals
John Mock: steel string, electric and classical guitars, bouzouki, mandolin, harmonium, concertina, synth strings, pennywhistle, recorder, bodhran, conga, shakers, guiro (fish)

Special Thanks to John Mock, studio engineer, photographer, and musician extraordinaire. This album wouldn’t exist without you.