Dolly’s Coat of Many Colours

There’s very few ways in which Dolly Parton isn’t 100% amazing, including her book distribution programme. As a lover of books for my entire life, this is something I think is possibly even better than Jolene.

The story is right here and like many other things she’s done it is inspirational. Thinking about all the books she’s sent and all the lives she’s changed while I’ve whiled away another snow day reading childhood favourites and napping makes me feel particularly lazy.

Anyway, as one of the books I’ve reread says tomorrow is another day and another chance for some Dolly type self improvement.

My Happiness Depends On Me

One of my very favourite singers is Dolly Parton and one of my very favourite songs of hers is Jolene and one of my very favourite performance of it was when she sang at Glastonbury in 2014. I watched her performance on BBC4, which broadcast the show live, and my husband, who had been a little ambivalent about her before then saw why I’ve been such a fan.

I think it’s one of the saddest songs ever written, and, in a twisted way, one of the most beautiful songs about love for a man I’ve ever heard. Dolly is begging Jolene not to take her man just because she can, and pleads with her that her happiness depends on Jolene’s decision.

I won’t go into the rights and wrongs of leaving one’s happiness in the hands of a decision another woman takes regarding your man, but suffice to say it’s probably not the healthiest message to send to anyone. My happiness depends on me, and whatever I decide to do.

Changing my mindset from expecting those around me to make me happy to realising my own actions and thoughts were what would make me happy – a feeling of being in control instead of hoping other people would deliver happiness to me – has brought me great peace of mind.

I often wonder about Jolene’s happiness. I hope she turned out ok in the end.