New years eve 2008

The sun is shining and it's cold out there today. I finished up all my shopping earlier this morning for tonight's dinner and the kitchen people are here putting their finishing touches on our kitchen.

We're hosting dinner tonight with our close friends and it looks like it will be a great evening. The kids have places to go and we will celebrate the year and God's goodness tonight with an amazing dinner. It will be an interesting time discussing this year, however we are alive and that's a good thing.

It's almost time for me to start prepping. I'm responsible for the prosciutto wrapped shrimp on the barbeque, the grilled vegetables and the pork roast with sherry/red currant jelly gravy. My beloved is making my brother in laws amazing Caesar salad and the guests are bringing the wine and the rest of the meal. 

I have everything timed so that we will start to eat at 7:15 and should leave the table at about 10:00 p.m. Lots of time to have cappuccino and wait for the ball to drop. Traditions are so important, but they are not as important as the reality that we need to bring to our friendships.

Happy new year. 

Tuesday Musings (#17)

Happy Tuesday everyone.

I can't believe that it's almost the new year, but the signs are all around to confirm it. The world Junior hockey tourney as well as a multitude of hockey tourneys are coming to an end. The tv ads for the related shows are on. The liquor store parking lots are busy and I assume the stores are too. I thought we were in a recession. We have been looking to complete our renovations and have found most of the furniture stores busy and the expensive ones really busy (and not very competitive).  

New years brings to mind many things, I have many memories from early adult of going to dinner/dances and house parties and all kinds of strange goings on. My most fond memories have been the last seven years. Since then we have spent the evening with our closest friends, Steve and Roseanne aka "the carpenter" and "the bonnet babe" and have recently been joined by two other close friends, Doug and Jenny aka "the ref" and "miss Jenny".

We are hosting this year and we will enjoy a nice dinner and great company, loads of laughs and a few trips down memory lane. I guess that is what I am musing on today. Memories. I really like to take the opportunity around this time of year to review and consider. I don't consider the what if's, I consider what occurred and then where am I going for the following year. This has been a crazy year to say the least. I have learned much, been challenged significantly by words, things and actions that I have never even thought I would experience. Some have brought immense physical and emotional pain. Some have brought significant personal and spiritual growth. 

I am looking forward to see what is in store for me(us) next year. I will press on towards the goal and I will not quit. No matter what obstacles are placed in my way, I know that they have been reviewed by God before they are or will be placed before me.  With that in mind, I look to the future with anticipation of great things. If I am once again challenged with difficulty, I know that I will not be alone.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of Dec.29/08

Do you believe that it is December 29, 2008 already? Where did this year go. I am so sure that the years just fly by as I get older. My kids are now adults and time keeps on tickin' "into the future". By the time I complete the "big reveal" it will be 2009. I don't know about you, but I am struggling with where the years have gone? Somehow, I have missed several years as they have flown by and I'm feeling quite lost. I need to slow down, take stock and do more than review, I need to change priorities. There are people that I consider important that I have not seen in years.

This weeks song was recorded in 1969, the year I came to Canada, just think I will celebrate 40 years in Canada this coming year, thanks for celebrating with me. The song was written by John Keen, obviously that's not part of the question. The song was originally called "revolution" but they did not wish to have the song confused with another song of the same name sung by another band from England.

here are some of the lyrics:

hand out the arms and ammo

we're going to blast our way through here

we've got to get together sooner or later

because the revolution's here and you know it's right

So what is this revolution? There appears to be some "change" happening south of the border. I'm not talking about the political change, I am talking individual change and I wonder what change am I going to make this year. O yes I'm talking about resolutions, but I'm talking about things that I'm willing to do.  

Before I get too far off track, I had better ask some questions:

What is the name of the song?

Who wrote the song?

What famous guitar player was behind the formation of the band?  

Who played bass and was named Bijou Drains in the credits?

Revolution/Resolution, you say Tomato, I sat tomato. It's all semantics to me and I'm always up for some antics. If you could change one thing in your life/character during this next year, what would it be? Would you be more patient would you be more kind, would you be less envious, would you be less boastful, would you be not so rude or selfish? What character trait would you change? What part of the revolution in kindness or love would you like to increase this year?

Have a great week. If you are working, enjoy the relative quietness 'cause you may be part of a handful that are there. if you are not working, like me, enjoy the rest of the holidays. 

The big reveal for the week of Dec.22/08

Wow, it's Friday already and I missed doing a Christmas post. I guess that I spent all of the trivia time doing Christmas music made up for my busy schedule and not writing about Christmas. I trust that each of you had an amazing Christmas time with family and friends. I enjoyed the time with my family and hosted dinner for my in-laws yesterday. We had loads of food and this was my first full meal done in the new kitchen. We enjoyed it and the new appliances worked so well.

Only one person wrote in this week and yes Lori S. you are correct, the song is "O come, O come Emmanuel".  I really liked the verse that I chose as it speaks of His coming and dispersing the gloomy clouds of night as well as the shadows of death being put to flight. We celebrate Christmas in many ways, the primary reason is to celebrate the coming of Messiah whose birth and eventual death paved the way for eternal life.

Here are the answers:

The name of the song/poem: O come O come Emmanuel.

The original language it was written in: Latin.

The meaning of the title: Emmanuel means "God with us".

I will bring something new in the new year for the obscure lyric. I pray that each of you will have a blessed new year as well as one with continued Peace, Joy and good health. My practice has been to place a quote about music at the end of the big reveal, I wanted something different for this one and found this quote from that famed philosopher and theologian............ Dr. Seuss. 

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?"

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night

Tuesday Musings (#16)

Good morning and Happy Tuesday.

I've been thinking a lot about Christmas and all that surrounds it for a while (haven't we all). I really love Christmas for it's significance in my faith, for the family gatherings, for the music, for the happiness that I see in most people, for the simple memories and the new ones too. I love A Charlie Brown Christmas as noted in a previous post.  

I've been thinking a lot about the Peace that was promised to be delivered to us at the first Christmas. Oftentimes in the midst of a war or conflict the opposing sides will agree to a period of time during Christmas where the hostilities will be put on hold. The prophet Isaiah who lived in the second half of the 8th century before Christ wrote these words in the ninth chapter of his writings: "for unto us a child is born.....and His name shall be........... Prince of Peace......" among other things.  

So, what is peace? Is it just the absence of conflict? In reading about this word Peace, I knew that the Hebrew word for peace is Shalom, which comes from the root word of Shalam which I learned is usually used in the context of restitution. The verb Shalam means to make whole or complete, the noun Shalom has the more literal meaning of being in a state of wholeness or with no deficiency. (Thanks to the good folks at the Ancient Hebrew Research Center for some of this info).

So, we've got Peace, restitution, wholeness and with no deficiency. What does this peace mean to me? It means that I have the opportunity to make restitution to those I may have hurt or harmed along the paths I have tread. It means wholeness, being without loss. It means walking through this Christmas season being whole despite the losses I have endured over the years. It means that I come to this Christmas offering my best without reservation.

May the Prince of Peace bring you just that.

Happy Tuesday everyone  

Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of Dec.22/08

Wow Christmas week is finally here. I realized that the songs I chose for the Christmas obscure lyric were sad either because of their content or because the writers of all of them have passed from this world to the next already. Some have passed before their time, or at least in our opinion. We do not hold the keys to door that opens to invite us into the next stage of eternity, we answer the door when it is knocked on and the next chapter of the journey starts.

Death is difficult. I'm writing this on Sunday morning. Today is the shortest day, the longest night and also the Winter Solstice. There are services held tonight everywhere for people who have difficulty during the Joy of the Christmas season because they are grieving. Over the past few years I have lost family members, friends and colleagues. This time can be very difficult for me. Both my parents passed away at Christmas time, in different years. My beloved lost an uncle in Holland last week.

This weeks song is a Christmas favourite. I have sung it every Christmas that I can remember. I have had the privilege of singing it to a different tune as a solo. It was a combination from various antiphons, not originally written in English and the writer is apparently unknown. It was translated to English in 1851. I have chosen the particular verse because it speaks of the Advent of one who will banish gloom and death. In this season of Joy while many of us still struggle with significant losses, it is warming to know that someone cares and loves us at this Christmas.

O come thou dayspring come and cheer

our spirits by thine advent here

disperse the gloomy clouds of night

and deaths dark shadows put to flight

I would like to know the following:

The name of the song/poem:

The original language it was written in:

The meaning of the name in the title:

May your Christmas be Merry and Bright. May this journey into some of the obscure songs of Advent help you as you prepare for the time set aside with family and friends. May that time be filled with Joy. If you attend services, may the glow of the candles, the hearing of the Promise through reading and the participation in the singing of favourite carols bring you Peace.

From my house to yours we "Wish you a Merry Christmas".

Once again in the words of tiny Tim,

"Merry Christmas one and all"    

Renovations are almost complete

Almost completed, a little late, but I built in an extra week just in case they could not deliver. There are a few things left to be completed and the entire kitchen will be done. Oops, I can see a broom and a few other things still in there, but as for now it is usable or should I say functional. I'm starting to cook in there tonight. I'm surprising the kids with French Onion Soup for tomorrows dinner, they've asked for it and I'm doing some of the work tonight.

Ask me in a few days/weeks whether or not I will provide references for the folks that built my kitchen. The 24 hour rule may become a 14 day rule. I want to enjoy Christmas and New Years with my family and friends before I make a determination of my support of the cabinet people.

We do love it and have already had the pleasure of an impromptu gathering on Friday during the storm.

The big reveal for the week of Dec.15, 2008

Good morning it's Friday and it is snowing like crazy out there. Here is the big reveal for this week. I knew this would be a tough one this week, no one even tried a guess. Here are the answers:

The name of the song/poem: I heard the Bells on Christmas day.
The writer of the poem: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The writer of the music: John B. Calkin.
The world event: The U.S. Civil War.

Here is the next stanza from the song, it clearly is contrary to the previous one. Just as Christmas is contrary to the darkness and bleak appearance of difficulty.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead nor does he sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

for Peace on earth good will to men

As Christmas nears, may the Peace of Christmas and the light of goodwill replace the dark of whatever ails you these days. Many of us have suffered loss this year and in years previous. The type of loss does not matter, it is all loss. May we all move from the sorrow of loss to the joy of remembrance. May this Christmas bring you the many little joys that is the remedy for loss.

I will have something for next weeks blog, I just have not chosen it yet, in fact in may not be related to Christmas. Then again, I may be inspired by something else.

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year"

Merry Christmas one and all

Tuesday Musings (#15)

Good Tuesday morning all. I did not ask permission from my wife and/or kids before completing this post. I'm sure they will forgive me. Recently, someone said to me "are there any normal families" and I responded by saying, well mine is not.

Normal and families is as much an oxymoron as Iron Butterfly (In-A-Gadda-Da- Vida) or Jumbo Shrimp(mmmm I love shrimp). There is no such thing as a normal family. Take my family for example, my beloved and I came from diametrically opposed backgrounds in so many ways and we've been blessed with 27 years of marriage and are still going strong. My kids are so different it's amazing that they came from the same den. I was there and I can prove that they did. They have such different personalities, the one that should act like a baby acts like a first born and the first born often acts like the last born (I didn't call him a baby).

I have been exposed to so many families over the years that my scientific (not really) research proves one thing, no one is normal and oh by the way, who decides what normal is anyway? I am not about to tread through the minefield of traditional and not so traditional families, that is not the purpose of this post. If you know me, then you know where I stand on that discussion on family.

Then there is the family that pastes the happy face on for social occasions and we all know that most of us have done that on some or more than some occasion. I can think of walking into church and seeing the phony smiles and realizing that they(or was it us) have just had a huge fight in the van (thankfully we don't have one of those anymore). They have to paste the happy smile on just to show that they are a normal family.

Or maybe it's just me. Maybe the whole world really is "normal" and we're not. If that's the case, I'll stay with abnormal. At least we're real and not phony. Normal is just a setting on your dryer anyway.

Happy Tuesday everyone and Merry Christmas.

Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of Dec.15/08

Monday is here. The new week is upon us. Can you hear the bells pealing and calling us to service in our busy lives? As Bob Cratchett moves carefully from his home to his cold work place you and I move with ease to our places of employment. Times have changed, for some it is "hard times" and not so easy for others. Will it be duck or pigs cheek you have for Christmas dinner? Looking back I have lead a life of full as others have lead a life of want. I feel the weight of the guilt as I move through my paces.

I have chosen a song this week that was written as a poem in 1864. The music was written in 1872. Those of you who are familiar with history may know the importance of those dates. It was a time of strife then much as it is now. There were wars and rumours of wars. Brother fought against brother and none were secure.

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth I said

for hate is strong and mocks the song

of peace on earth good will to men

I realize that the writers of the songs for the first three weeks of my foray into obscure Christmas lyrics are dead. It is not meant as a portent of anything. I spent several hours last evening at a service of remembrance with friends as we remembered those who have died this year and those who we miss who have passed in years gone by. It was refreshing to not have to paint the happy face on, just so no one else would be uncomfortable. We all shared a mutual feeling, loss and the pain that goes with it.

So why the sad lyrics? The state of the world is not good. But, and I mean it this time, there is hope. This season that we call Christmas means hope. The hope for no fear (be not afraid), the hope for joy (I bring you glad tidings of great joy) and the hope of a new tomorrow (unto you is born this day, a saviour).

The whole meaning of Christmas is hope, so while we sit in darkness and feel the pain of loss, the flicker of a candle begins to bring a little light to our darkened world. That candle lights another candle and so on and soon the room is flooded with light. Just wait til you see what the big reveal brings on Friday.

Here is what I would like to know:

The name of the song/poem:

The writer of the poem:

The writer of the music:

What world event was going on when the poem was written:

Have a great week, remember to see the Hope of Christmas, not the bleak life that appears to be real.

Renovations are continuing

Well, I have not commented on the renovations in a while. Most of the work is completed with the exception to our kitchen. We had a commitment that the cabinets would be completed by Dec.11, 2008. Unfortunately that date has passed and a new date has been given. The provider (who shall remain nameless) made some excuses and then gave me a new date, next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I guess that is three dates. The photo directly to the left is what the kitchen looks like currently, the floor is in, the electric is done, the crown moulding is done, it's a giant canvas awaiting the hickory cabinets to be painted on. That was my poor attempt to sound artistic.

I'm trying to be really patient and grace filled in this process. The problem is that the longer we live without a kitchen, the more we spend on either prepared food or restaurant food and I am so sick of restaurant food. I will begin to bill them for the costs if they go beyond next week.

I have, however, made it clear to them that the kitchen will be completed before the week of Christmas. There is no way that I want people in my house finishing things while I am trying to prepare for Christmas. 

I'm just a little frustrated, can ya tell. the photo to the left shows how our bedroom looks now. We had the walls painted, added new trim and crown moulding and our new bedroom suite finally arrived. The matching blinds are ready to be installed when all the other work has been completed.

The living room is completed, with the exception of a final coat of paint. I am really pleased with all that we have been able to do in these past few months and the final product in the kitchen will be awesome.

I asked the Lord to give me patience and He is using circumstances to teach me patience. He is much wiser than I am. 

The big reveal for the week of Dec. 8/08

Wow it's Friday, only thirteen days to Christmas and only six days of work left for this year, at least for me. I'm looking forward to the break. I started blogging soon after my surgery and those of you who read this know how much I need a break this year.

I have only had a few responses this week. Once you see the answers, you will probably know what I'm talking about. You're gonna love the video for this one. I found out that the album (33 rpm vinyl) is the favourite Christmas albums of one of the regular readers, how 'bout them apples.

The movie is probably my all time Christmas favourite. I like to watch it and just enjoy the beauty of the simplicity of the story, and do they tell the story? I discovered in my research, that there are numerous mistakes in the film that they wanted to fix, but the writer and Charles Schulz would not allow them. The simple nature makes the story so real and to be honest, life is full of mistakes. There is no one who is perfect. I recently had a discussion about walking on water(not the frozen kind) and the only other person to walk a bit on water lost his perspective and went into the water. Don't lose your perspective this Christmas.

Here are your answers:

The name of the song: Christmas time is here.
The writer of the music: Vince Guaraldi.
The writer of the lyrics: Lee Mendelson.
The first group to record it (trick question): The Vince Guaraldi Trio
The famous Christmas movie: A Charlie Brown Christmas



The first person to get most of the details right was Scott G. He was followed by Steve B. after the awfully gracious hints. I love this movie so much I'm gonna add another few clips this morning. Here's the peanuts gang telling us what Christmas is really all about.



The weekend is almost upon us, may you find that the real meaning of Christmas fills your homes and hearts and that the peace that all of us are searching for is found.



May the warmth of family, friends and peace give you that special glow, not just for the next thirteen days but for the years to come.

"Christmas time is here, spirit in the air, oh that we could always see such spirit through the year"

Merry Christmas one and all

Tuesday Musing (#14)

Good Tuesday morning everyone. Well the weather outside is lovely and the snow is pretty and the rain is on its' way. Oh well we have no control over the weather unless we choose to move to Phoenix. Not a bad idea, I'll bet the hockey tickets are cheaper, too.

"sticks and stones will break your bones and words will never hurt you" is such a mistruth. I have learned that words will hurt, the tongue is the most powerful muscle in the body. No one is exempt from being a recipient of the verbal attacks that can so easily be unleashed. More importantly, none of us (the writer included) are prevented from using the tongue to inflict punishment on others by way of the power of words.

So what to do in this quandary? An old colleague used the phrase "choose my words with an eye dropper" and this is a good start, but it isn't perfect. It only takes one word to destroy a person, their character and their life. So measurement is not the answer. The answer is to control the tongue and this is achieved by surrendering my attitudes and discriminatory behaviours and placing the wants, needs and concerns of others before my own.

"ancient words, ever true, changing me and changing you, I will come with an open heart, Oh let the ancient words impart"

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Obscure musical Lyric for the week of Dec.8, 2008

Good Monday morning music fans. It's cold out there and was all weekend. Oh well, it's here to stay so we might as well get used to it and dress appropriately. I trust you had a wonderful weekend. I had a good one with a team Christmas dinner out in the sticks of Maryhill and then a family dinner in St. Catharines. Great food, fun and craic(fun) as the Irish say.

Christmas is creeping closer every day. For the most part you can see it in the eyes and attitudes of the people milling around. It's so nice to see people enjoying themselves as they shop for others.

This weeks song is a classic. It's actually a jazz song that was written in 1964 or 1965. The music has been used in movies and it was re-recorded by a Canadian singer for their Christmas album last year.

Snowflakes in the air

Carols everywhere

olden times and ancient rhymes

of love and dreams to share

I would like to know:

The name of the song:

The writer of the music:

The writer of the lyrics:

The name of the group that recorded it first:

The famous Christmas movie it is in:

Have a great week, I'll try to add some hints on Wednesday. only 17 sleeps 'til Santa comes. Make sure you are extra good for the rest of this month.

The big reveal for the week of Dec.1/08

Well, it's Thursday afternoon as I write this. I am completely busy on Friday morning, so I need to do this now before my next life appointment. I'm actually looking forward to this one as I get to spend time with my six year old friend painting miniature goalie masks. He's a really cool dude, a bit of a cowboy and loves the Calgary Flames, but I love him so no matter what he likes, I love spending time with him.

This weeks song was sad for a few reasons as I stated in the blog on Monday. The song is very much in the same vein as Taxi and Sequel by Harry Chapin, except it was not written by Harry. Like Chapin, the writer suffered and early and untimely death, his was due to cancer, unlike Harry's. The story is apparently autobiographical and tells of lost love and meeting again and then parting again. Here are your answers:

The singer: Dan Fogelberg

The song: Same Old Lang Syne

The album: The Innocent Age

The Soprano Sax Player: Michael Brecker

Sadly, Dan Fogelberg passed away approximately one year ago, on Dec.16, 2007. He was a writer of songs and music that I really appreciated. I have always been drawn to storytellers, I guess I understand things better that way. He died of prostate cancer and his bereaved wife works very hard at trying to get the message out for people to get tested so that they do not have to suffer as this family did. We really are living legacies, let's do everything to keep that legacy living.

The first person to answer all the questions this week was The Chief (aka Don R.) Congrats and all the best to you, Mrs Chief and the family as Christmas comes near. Enjoy all those special moments with the family.

To all of you, have a great weekend. Enjoy the chill of early winter and the warmth of family, friends, maybe a fire and a pleasant libation. It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

"Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and brings tears from the eyes of woman"    

Tuesday Musings (#13)

Good Tuesday morning to you.

I have decided to read "Christmas" related material for the month of December. I've started with "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. It has been so long since I have read it. I sat down by the fire last night with a nice cup of tea and began to read the foreword in the particular version I recently purchased. I am also planning on taking a tour through the gospels, particularly the book of Luke as well as through the old testament passages that prophesied the birth of Jesus.

The Christmas season is regularly referred to as Advent. It's called Advent for a reason, Advent comes from the Latin Adventus which means arrival or approach. So as I anticipate the arrival or approach of the Christmas season I need to prepare myself for the season.

For most, it's baking, shopping, looking at lights or whatever suits their fancy and it usually keeps us way too busy. In the midst of this crazy mixed up world that we call 2008, I have decided to take time to read both the secular and religious texts about this time.

Interestingly (that's for you Perry D.), A Christmas Carol speaks of one man's(Scrooge) journey from darkness to light or from loss to redemption during the story. Just as the story of Christmas tells the story our loss and redemption and the choices we get to make. I will take the time to read and enjoy the texts and hopefully grow and be redeemed.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

"Merry Christmas one and all"