The big reveal for the week of Mar.23/09

Good morning, Friday is finally here. It has been a long one and the newly added grey or is it gray skies have not helped. Apparently today and tomorrow are going to be sunny and warmer. I am definitely looking forward to that.

I only had two guesses this week. Both were from the same person, so Brad F. got the correct answers to the questions this week.

Here are your answers:

The singer: Larry Groce
The song: Junk Food Junkie
His current gig: he is the host of a National Public Radio program called Mountain Stage

Enjoy this video representation of the song:



Have a great weekend. Enjoy the rest and the sunshine.

"Play the music, not the instrument"

Tuesday Musings (#28)

It's Tuesday morning, outside my window the sun is beginning to break free of the darkness and barely perceptible beams of light are beginning to stream across the sky.

I love this time of the morning. I have never been a morning person. For most of my life I have had great difficulty getting up in the morning. Over the last two years I have chosen to make early rising a habit. I have begun to appreciate that the early morning hours are a great blessing.

So why the change? I decided some time ago that I would read through the bible in a year. There are lots of different versions and this year I am reading through the bible in a chronological order. There is also a sense of invigorating energy for me when I rise and get my day started. I am excited to see what events await me and what the demands of my way will be.

Making changes in ones life(my life) are not always easy. Choosing to take a different tack can be a challenge all in itself. getting out of a rut is a great thing. I have chosen by now being an early riser to see the sunrise, the start my day the way I want. I fight less traffic(there is barely any at the time I leave my house). I accomplish more in the day that I have in the past and while I am tired by the end of the day, I feel like I have done more than just go to work.

For me, this choice has empowered me to accomplish many things and I feel good about it.

Happy Tuesday everyone..................now get out of bed!

Obscure Lyric for the week of March 23/09

Good morning music fans. I have a great one for you this week. I have been in a sombre mood lately and it's time to drag the music into the world of smiles and laughter. I think this one is great, it's older (sorry Gary) you will just have to deal with it this week.

I can see the rays of sunshine coming over the buildings across the street and that is a beautiful sight. it looks like another week of sunshine which is great for making sap apparently. I saw the crescent moon this morning hanging low in the sky as I drove in, it was an awesomely powerful sight.

Here are this weeks lyrics:

Oh yeah, in the daytime I'm Mr. Natural

just as healthy as I can be

But when that clock strikes midnight

and I'm all by myself

I work that combination on my secret hideaway shelf

and I pull out some fritos corn chips

Dr. Pepper and an ole Moon Pie

This one is a strange one, it was the only "hit" by the writer and can be found on Dr. Demento's compilations. It was released in 1976. It's a funny song and deals with something that I have been known to enjoy once in a while. I will definitely try to have some hints on Wednesday.

I would like to know:

The name of the song:
The writer:
The writers current gig:

Have a great week. Enjoy the sunshine. Apparently, spring has arrived. I am not getting rid of snow tires yet. I am sure there will be a few more blasts of the white stuff. I certainly think we have had enough, but I'm not in charge of the weather.

Another senseless (is there an acceptable one) murder

It's Sunday morning. I'm reading yesterday's papers. I got home late last night and didn't have time to read them because we are at the Home and Garden show in the big city yesterday. Enough about my weekend.

The headline cries out "Justice for Stefanie" after a "teen" is convected of first degree murder. Because the murderer was a "teen" at the time of the death, her name or her co-accused cannot be named because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

So here we go again, a jealous girl over what appears to be a prolonged period of time uses the withholding of sex from her boyfriend until he agrees to kill their target of the girls jealousy.

The cry for Justice should not be the question.

Why should be the question. What did this girl believe in that she determined that it was acceptable to force someone else to kill someone whom she clearly hated or was threatened by? This apparently "normal" kid with a 90% average in school somehow determined that this "rival" should be eliminated. What brings us to the place where the ending of the life of someone else is acceptable? More and more I see the stories of killing, brother against brother, nation against nation and wonder when God is going to step in?

There's the rub. I want God to step in, which by its very assumption means that I know better than God himself. Trust me, I do not and do not even mean to convey that I know better. My frail and very human heart and mind want it to stop. I think I know enough of the heart of God that He wants it to stop too.

God in His wisdom will set a timeline when all of this will end, and in the meantime, we are called to love Him and our neighbours with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. That would suggest that forgiveness rather than justice is required here.     

The big reveal for the week of Mar. 16/09

Good morning folks.

No guesses this week, I figured this one would be really easy. I'm gonna have to look closer at the songs I choose from now on. As noted in a previous post, I would like to hear from you, the readers if you have any ideas for the obscure lyrics. I have a really fun one for next week.

I have been on much of an emotional roller coaster the last few weeks starting on Valentines day. In fact, the last year has been kinda crazy. If you have been reading the blog for some time you will know some more about my state of mind. I am struggling with the insensitivity and carelessness of people (and I include myself as one who has been and continues to be careless with the feelings of others). More on my exploration and self reflection when the time comes.

Here are this weeks answers:

The name of the song: Mothers of the Disappeared.

Who sings it: kinda trick question: Bono of U2.

Who it is written about: The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina about the "children" who disappeared during their "dirty war". 

The album name: The Joshua Tree.

The album producers: Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.

I hope this inspires you to speak out.

   

Have a great weekend. Enjoy the peace we have in Canada. 

A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be.

Sharing a moment with my boy

I had an awesome experience with my boy the other night. he told me about a piece of music on YouTube that he wanted me to hear and see. So, there we were, he in Virginia and I here at home watching the following video and both of us almost in tears because of the beauty of the music. It was one of those special "understanding" moments between me and my boy. We both love music and while he is a much better (by a long stretch) musician we enjoy it together. Seeing each other on Skype was just beautiful.

Of course, the singer is Josh Groban and the exquisitely talented violinist is Lucia Micarelli. I think you might also know the very famous Canadian on the piano. 

I don't think my Josh realizes how much I appreciated those almost 6 minutes of "silence" together. I miss him when he is away at school and moving on with his life and I also know that letting go began the moment I first held him. His entire life has been my learning to let him become the person he was designed to be.

Here is the video and the first verse in english of this beautiful love song:

I’ll miss you, if you go away

I’ll miss your serenity

Your words like songs in the wind

And Love, that you take away.

 

Getting close to a haircut

Apparently my stylist, barber, hair cutter person reads this blog every once in a while to see what crazy things are going on in my head. Usually she is concerned with what's going on, on my head, I am so pleased that she is concerned about what is going on in my head too.

If you knew her you would see that she is such a giver. She helped prepare this house for the big renovations and is one of the few (I think there are two) people that helped who would not let me take a photo. Oh well, when you read this give me a call and you can run your hands through my hair once again.

You see what happens when you go for a walk with my beloved.

Say hello to Ricky and maybe the two of you should come and visit and enjoy some "40 Creek" or is it Rum? I dunno, just no sour cream for Rick, right?  

See you soon, Mrs. C.

Tuesday Musings (#27)

Good Tuesday morning and happy St. Patricks day to all who are Irish and the rest of ye who wish you were Irish.

I've been doing some remembering lately. I'm not entirely sure why, but I've had a great deal of wonderful memories brought to the forefront of my mind over the last days and weeks. I have had memories from different part of my life just spring into my head and I have been enjoying them completely.

I was thinking about our family trips to Florida. When the kids were small we used to drive to Florida every other spring for a vacation with Oma and Opa(my wonderful in-laws) and we'd pull the kids out of school for approximately the last week of April and first week of May. We had awesome times, no visits to Mickey or other "attractions" just family fun on the beach or fishing in the inter coastal waterway just behind the tiny one floor motel we used to stay at.

This motel was originally part of a veterans hospital after the 2nd world war and was the coolest place(until the decided to keep snakes in the lobby). We got to know some of the regulars who were all retired and late afternoon they would meet in the "shop" out back and enjoy their pre-dinner drink. They would treat our kids to snacks and enjoy helping them fish and taught them where to buy a dozen shrimp for a buck (for bait).

Other memories have been related to music and the choir I used to sing in. I developed great friendships and had much fun at the expense of the basses. I miss those times and the weekly gatherings that meant so much to my learning and appreciation of chorale music.

They are all gone now, except in my memory. maybe that's the best place for them, the memories are all good and they all bring a smile.

Looking back, I have so much to be thankful for. I would guess that I have been able to do more in my life with my kids than most people have had the privilege to. My kids remember those times with fondness also. Which brings me to today. I remember going to the St. Patricks day Parade with my Dad and enjoying that time alone with him. Oh to have that time back, impossible in the real world, but very alive in my memory.

I think I need to create more memories for my family...........road trip anyone?

Happy Tuesday everyone

Obscure lyric for the week of Mar. 16/09

Good morning music fans, tomorrow is St. Patricks day. To all Irish and to those wish you were Irish, Happy St. Patricks day. Oh how I wish I was in Dublin and going to the parade. I'm not, so I'll just have to make do with enjoying some immense memories of days gone by.

I hope you like this weeks choice, it will be a lot easier than last weeks. I know that was bad to choose a song that was barely released, that was to counter the usual choices of songs sometimes released before some of you were born. I want to do something different after this weeks blog and I'm going to give you the readers the ability to submit ideas for the "Obscure lyric" either by way of a theme or a musical choice.

For this week though, we're still in Ireland. This song tells a tale that could be written about many countries in our world not just the one suggested by the author(s). In this continuing age of violence against peaceful people, the imagery is staggering and painful.

In the wind we hear their laughter

In the rain we see their tears

in the trees our sons stand naked

through the walls our daughters cry

If you have been reading this blog for the last while you will know that I have been struggling with the increased violence in this world. The people of Ireland, in spite of recent violence, has attempted to drag itself out of the muck and mire of hatred and for that the leaders need to be congratulated. When all has been said, it comes down to you and I with regards to hatred. Do we hold on to ancient grudges or do we forgive. Do we stand against those who would subjugate others for their own financial gain and other pleasures or do we sit in our comfortable pews and couches and ignore the pleas of the living. Now that I have that off my chest:

I would like to know the following:

The name of the song:

Who sings it:

Who it is written about:

The album name:

Who produced the album:

Have an awesome week. Find ways to bring peace to the world that you exist in. Enjoy all the glorious sunshine that is coming our way this week. And to all my family, friends and fellow sojourners on this path, I wish you:

"Beannactaí na Féile Pádraig ar ár muintir agus ar ár gcairde uile."

One of my heros

I don't ascribe the word hero to too many people. In fact, I can barely think on one or two that deserve to be referred to as a hero. Both of the two that come to mind have endured much in the way of physical illness and so far both are surviving.

One was diagnosed with a rare cancer a few years ago and the doctors cut a 10 pound tumor out of her. Today she is a walking, talking, teaching miracle. I haven't talked to her in a few weeks/months but need to in order to encourage her physically and spiritually. Our families have been close for many years and in spite of many changes our love for each other has grown over these years.

The other is a friend living in South Carolina. I talked to him this evening. He is young (65 years of age or so) and has recently had a few strokes. He is/has been in great physical shape. He always ate well, worked hard at his job, loved his family so much (and still does) and yet he has been stricken with the results of multiple strokes.

We used to attend the same church in St. Catharines and we also sang together in choir. While I was practicing with the choir for our Easter cantata this afternoon and then listening to it this evening, I was struck with the need to call him and chat. His usual strong voice was weak and almost whispery. I regaled him with my memories of times our families spent together and joked about our antics during choir practices and then reminded him of the immense impact that he has had on my life. 

His love for God and his family inspired me many years ago and his example has become part of the passion that burns within me for families today. 

I am reminded that this existence is but a flutter of butterfly wings and we are gone. I need to remind myself that my relationships and friendships are precious and that with the beating of the diaphanous wings time will end and this earthly vessel will be gone. 

In this time, so close to the one year anniversary of the loss of a friend, I am reminded of the precious need to value my friends and family. I have to go and make a few calls.