The ramblings of a man who loves God, family, friends, reading, music and cooking, but not necessarily in that order except of course for God and family.
Friday, January 30, 2009
The big reveal for the week of January 26, 2009
No guesses received this week, I hope that the next topic will be more enlightening than peace. With all the hope hype going on, I must have missed the boat on that one.
Here are this weeks answers:
The writer: Steven Stills
The four members of the group: (CSNY) Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
The name of the song: Find the cost of Freedom
The name of the album: 4 Way Street
Enjoy the clip below from some amazing musicians.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Home from Cuba
Monday, January 26, 2009
obscure Musical Lyric for the week of January 26/09
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Hello from Cuba
Cuba is beautiful, and there are some very strange people that visit, I'll take the time when I get home to blog about them all, but oh my some crazies.
I am not missing the snow, I am so enjoying the warm weather and the shorts and T-shirts never mind the cold drinks, no umbrellas.
My beloved and I have been blessed with some amazing time together just to talk and rest.
Enjoy next weeks obscure lyric, I had fun planning it. I'll see some of you on Thursday, my baby girl on Wednesday.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The big reveal for the week of Jan.19/09
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tuesday musings (#20)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of January 19/09
Friday, January 16, 2009
The big reveal for the week of January 12, 2009
I had two responses to the questions this week. Both of them were correct. Dan G-G. replied first will all the correct answers followed by Brad F. who also had the correct information. Here are your answers:
The writer and singer: Van Morrison.
The 1980 album: Haunts of Ancient Peace
Song co-written with Robbie Robertson: 4%Pantomime
Name coined by Richard Manuel (at The Last Waltz): Van the Man and Belfast Cowboy
Monty Python film: The Holy Grail
There are no videos of this song, that's how obscure it really is. This was a difficult one, except for you George Ivan Morrison fans (that's his real name). Next week will be a bit more of a challenge as I am planning on celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. as Jan.19th is a day set apart to honour him, at least in the U.S. Speaking of the U.S. I'm off to Cuba next week, but check the blog as I am already writing the posts for the lyrics and reveals for when I am gone. Have an awesome weekend and enjoy the week. Hopefully it will warm up soon. As we travel this journey of peace through music, enjoy the quote below that is attributed to both Golda Meir and Indira Gandhi:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
6 sleeps to Cuba

I am so ready for this trip. Well, I'm not really ready, my beloved is ready and I have some things to get ready. I am emotionally ready to go. A really cool thing happened, one of my colleagues, who shall remain nameless (Peter, one of the three), has offered to send several (up to ten, I think) soccer balls with me to distribute to kids in Cuba. Since we will be visiting in the home of one of the musicians, I think I may have the opportunity to give away some of the balls.
Soon enough, I will be there, away from here reading Hemingway, enjoying the breeze, the warm water and time alone with my beloved. Now that's a holiday.
Cuba Libre Indeed!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tuesday Musings (#19)
April 3, 2008 was a day of great sorrow for my family and for many friends. One of our friends passed away that day and three days later her husband was charged with 1st degree murder.
It will be a fundraiser for Woolwich Community Services and Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. Out of a terrible tragedy, much good has come. Through this tragedy a family lost their only child and was "given" a new extended family that when we sat down for dinner on Dec.26 there were 19 of us present. For some who had no extended family close by, a new family was created to provide brothers and sisters.
In the Bible, the story is told of Joseph (yes, the guy with the multicoloured coat) who was sold into slavery by his brothers who then lied to his father by saying he (Joseph) was dead. Things really worked out well for Joseph in the end and a quote is attributed to him as follows: "man meant it for evil, God meant it for good". What good can come from this tragedy? If you only knew how much good has already come you would be amazed. The concert in memory of Valerie will be just one of those things that are good and came about because of this tragedy. Others will benefit from the concert and your attendance. There continues to be much pain and there is a difficult road ahead. We know that by standing together as a "family" with the help of many and with Emmanuel (God with us) walking beside or sometimes carrying us, we will honour the memory of Valerie.
Happy Tuesday everyone
Monday, January 12, 2009
Obscure lyric for the week of Jan.12, 2009
The song comes from an album released in 1980 and re-released just last year, with a different arrangement (alternative take) on this song between recordings. Once again, this week, I am taking a look at "peace" for inspiration for my song choice. The singer was born in 1945 and was the lead singer for a band named "Them". This artist was ranked in the top 100 by Rolling Stone.
I would like to know the following:
The writer and singer:
The name of the 1980 album:
What song this person co-wrote with Robbie Robertson:
What Richard Manuel called him after his singing at a mutual performance:
What Monty Python film is referenced in this song (unintentionally I think):
The album it is from did not receive positive critical review as it delved into spiritual issues which (the spiritual issues) apparently were not well received by critics. No matter what they said, the words call out for relief, respite, rest and sleep. In this world we live in there is a significant need for all of those. Here in North America we are somewhat isolated and insulated from the terrors that have seized people in many areas. No matter where you stand on Gaza, Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and the many other places of unrest, there is a need for peace, relief, respite, rest and sleep.
Have a great week, this is my last week of work before we leave for a week in the sun. It's a little but funny (no it's not Reginald Dwight, I just love the way those words roll off the tongue) that after two weeks of holidays at Christmas, I still need a vacation. If time permits, I will write the blog ahead of time and program it and the big reveal to come out at 7:00 a.m. on the following Mondays and Fridays until I return from the land of Che and Fidel.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The new year is here, Cuba here I come

Friday, January 9, 2009
The big reveal for the week of January 5, 2009
Here are your answers:
The song: What's going on
The singer: Marvin Gaye
The writer(s): Marvin was given writer status along with Obie Benson and Al Cleveland.
The record label: Tamla Records, a subsidiary of Motown.
Here is a portion of the song sung by the incredible Marvin Gaye, check out the horn section and the clothes.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tuesday Musings (#18)
I was thinking about a very serious word that I recently discovered and planned on musing on it this morning and then last night happened. I donned my team Canada jersey for the final game of the World Junior Hockey Tournament and watched as the boys from all over Canada beat the Swedes in our game. I watched from the edge of my seat until the last two minutes of the game, then I used the whole thing, when I wasn't standing and screaming at the tv. My beloved thought I was having multiple heart attacks or breathing problems, it was just my expressions of angst during the game.
I always watch the whole thing and especially the line up of players and management with arms linked around shoulders singing O Canada when we win. I usually have tears in my eyes by that time, not because of the hockey game, but because I love this country so much.
I was not born here. I love everything about my heritage. I was born in Ireland and come to Canada almost 40 years ago. I am a citizen of this country and I consider myself a Canadian. I do not believe in hyphenating in that some would consider themselves Irish-Canadian. I am Canadian. This country was a choice for our family and I have had the privilege of raising a family of Canadians.
And so, I leave you with this little reminder from Joe on this awesome day when 20,000 in person and millions across the country joined as one and said:
Monday, January 5, 2009
Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of January 5, 2009
I'm going to have several themes this year with the obscure lyric thing, probably on a monthly basis. For the month of January I'm planning on looking at the themes that I have wished for you and my family: peace, joy, good health and happiness. The world is in a bleak state and peace can be achieved if we choose to achieve it. It must start with me, not with me expecting someone else to start. I must defer to others, I'm not talking about being a doormat, though.
Here is this weeks lyric:
The song was chosen by Rolling Stone as one of the top 100 songs ever. The song was released in 1971, yes I know it's old, but it is timeless. It speaks of the singers and writers plea for peace both on the world stage and the personal stage at home. The singer (who was also given co-writer status even though he did not write it) has left us tragically. The singer was quoted as saying, "If I was arguing for peace, I knew I'd have to find peace in my heart".
I would like to know the following:
The name of the song:
The singer:
The writers of the song:
The label it was first released on:
Have a great week, may this start to the New Year bring about opportunities for peace and may that peace start with each one of us individually. I'll try to bring some hints on Wednesday.