Tuesday Musings (#10)

It's remembrance day. My Grannie Lee (my Moms, Mom) called it Armistice day and she could recall the first Armistice day.  Thank you to all the veterans who gave so much for our life and liberty.

I'm sitting here this morning (it's now afternoon) at home on remembrance day. I have rewritten this post too many times. Usually I just say what's on my mind without too much evaluation. Something is stopping me from saying what I think I want to say. Maybe that's the point: too many times I am concerned about the things I say and what others will have to say whether or not they dislike my words or even me.

Why should I care what you think of my writing or my thoughts? Why should I care if you like it or not? I don't write for you, I write for me. You may choose to read or not. Why do I give all this power away? 

Hmm, too many questions for a day off that just happens to be my birthday. Did the veterans ask what the "enemy" thought? I think they just went ahead and did the job that was assigned to them. I have mused too much, I'm going to enjoy my day off and be thankful for the blessings of living in a free country, for now. I'm going to enjoy the blessings of the love of my family and look forward to spending a wonderful dinner time with them.

Happy Tuesday everyone. 

Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of Nov.10/08

Good Monday morning music fans and Happy Birthday to my sister Margaret, one of my closest friends. Yesterday was my daughters birthday, so to honor her 18th birthday, I have chosen a song that was in the top 100 songs released in 1990. However, the song was originally released in 1972.

I guess I better go

I can save myself a lot of useless tears

pain will double if you leave me now

'cause I don't know where to look for love

I guessing that this one is tough. I have taken the lyrics from two different stanzas, so you really have to think about this one. I'll try to come up with some hints by Wednesday. By the way, when the song was released in 1972 and in 1990 it went to # 1 in the charts. I would like to know the following:

1. who released the song in 1972.

2. who released the song in 1990.

3. the name of the song.

4. the writer of the song.

5. the name of the 1972 album.

Have a great week, enjoy the crisp, cool days.

Tomorrow is Remembrance day. I choose to wear a poppy because it reminds me of the sacrifice by many. I appreciate that many young men and women the age of my children and younger have died for the freedoms that I enjoy. I try to thank a veteran when I see one. Soon, unfortunately, they may all be gone. Lest we Forget.

Birthday weekend

It's been a busy time this weekend. It's my baby's birthday today, she just turned 18. It's also my sister Margaret's birthday tomorrow. She is ten years and one day older than I. I will be one year older on Tuesday. My great nephew turned 2 on the 6th and Jdub had a birthday on the 8th.

It's great to celebrate these milestones. We like to make a big deal about birthdays and Alex had breakfast in bed with her presents. She got cards from my sister Margaret and from Oma and Opa too. Josh called and serenaded her with the traditional big brother happy birthday.

All in all, it's been a great family day.

Embarrassed by Riches

I heard someone (Marie W.) speak in our church today about the work being done with the folks who live in a squatter village in Bastion, Ecuador. I was shocked and embarrassed by the amount of "things" that I have amassed over these almost 51 years. These resilient people depend on "us" for so much and they appear to be so happy with so little. If you would like to see what some people are doing to assist them check out the link at 

http://lifechangeadventures.org/ecuador09/

Seeing scores of people(men, women and children) enjoying a simple craft that was made from things we will regularly throw away completely embarrasses me as I await the things that I will receive on my birthday in a few days. The question is what will I do with the riches I have? Jesus is quoted by Dr. Luke when He tells a parable and I paraphrase what He says: "to whom much is given, much is expected". I am having a very difficult time reconciling my possessions and dreams for a home renovation when I see photos of someone who lives on "nothing".

Even the opportunity to support a child or family seems too little. What in the world am I doing to assist those less fortunate? What are you doing to assist those less fortunate? If you would like more info, please chat with me, I will put you in touch with those people who are assisting the folks in bastion.  

The U.S. election: part 2

The attached clip is from a blog entitled www.tundratabloid.blogspot.com  and details a documentary "from Clinton to Obama" by a Swedish television crew. I do not agree with all that I read on the Tundra Tabloid, but this video appalled me. This video is what I was/am most afraid of with the extreme polarization of some american people and politics with the most recent election. What I find most heinous is the reverse racism that is displayed by this teacher. 

I will pray that people will come together and work as one for the ideals that have been set out in their constitution. I will pray for our own country that we will learn from the foibles of others and never look down on anyone but build them up. I will pray for wisdom for the leaders as they govern.

Our responsibility is to pray for those in positions above us, like our political leaders.

The big reveal for the week of Nov.3/08

It's Friday morning and the rain or snow has yet to fall. I have enjoyed the last few days of warm weather and sunshine. The weekend is almost here which will give us to time to rest between out five day shifts. I can't believe that I stumped most of you this week, either that or you found it too easy that you chose not to reply. Oh well, the trivia will continue weekly as long as I can find songs to write about. The answers:

The name of the song: Hide in your Shell.
The name of the album: Crime of the Century.
The name of the writers: Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson.
Who sang lead vocals: Roger Hodgson.
Who sang back up vocals: Christine Helliwell, Vicki Seibenberg and Scott Gorham.

The winner this week was Steve B. (again) who admitted that the band was a favourite of his when he was younger. For the record, I'm pretty sure that I am older than him and they were a favourite of mine when I was in high school(Lakeport High) so he must have been a fan when he was quite young.

I'll work on something that he might not know on the weekend for next week. Have a great weekend, enjoy family and friends "cause you know who your friends are by looking in their eyes". If you know what song that is from, let me know? I have a memory of a dj playing that at the end of his show back in the 70's. It's birthday weekend in our house, it is my daughters 18th (where did the time go), my sisters and mine too. Might be a bit of fun to be had this weekend.

"Brass bands are all very well in their place -- outdoors and miles away"

The U.S. election

I am one of those people who prefers not to discuss political stuff. I have my opinions and I, like my father, will "fight to allow you yours". But (there I said it again) you knew I couldn't leave this one alone, didn't you? Fortunately for most of you reading this, you do not reside in the U.S. A further boon is that most of you are not U.S. citizens, at least most of you have not admitted to that. Do not read this as being disparaging remarks against the U.S. or its citizens, it is not. I have many friends who are U.S. citizens and I love them dearly, this is not an anti U.S. tirade either. By the way, I have no interest in discussing the winner or loser, the future will determine the ability of the winner to lead the juggernaut that the U.S. is.

What troubled me most about this election was the polarization of people based on their choices. There appears to be no middle ground, the prevailing attitude in that political arena seems to be "either you are for me or against me". I do not see one iota of co-operation or collaboration. One side wins and they thumb their noses at the "losers". Rodney King said it best, "why can't we all just get along". If you don't know who he is just google him and see what happened to him.

I challenge you all to remember this day and see where the U.S. stands in less than two years and what affect it will have on our Canada. I am so thankful that I live here where differing yet plural opinions are allowed. Anyone caught speaking against this winner will be charged as a racist, or worse as a heretic. There is a new "opiate of the masses" I suggest. Or maybe it's the same, just in different clothing. Once again, be careful what you ask for, my friends.

Tuesday musings #9

When people hear that I have started blogging there has usually been an incredulous response something like this, "you're blogging, who wants to read what you have to say?" and those are the kind ones. Some are shocked, some surprised, some have thought that this is a waste of "my" time. Well, it's my time and I like doing it and I have something to say, beyond the puns and music jokes.

I don't write for other people (with the exception to the obscure lyric trivia group). I write for myself. What amazes me about some people is how they think they know me, and to be honest, even those of you who do read this thing regularly don't know me(by the way, thanks to G for calling me after last weeks musing, I appreciated that call more than you know). I can already hear the chorus from "simply red" as I type. If you didn't get that last reference, then go to last weeks trivia answer.

I guess the questions that I need to answer are as follows:

1. Do I want you to know me?
2. Do you really want to know me anyway?
3. Why haven't I allowed myself to be more open?
4. Can I trust you with who I really am?
5. What happens when I become open and my trust is breached(it happens)?

There are few people who know me as well as "my beloved". I have not opened up as much as I should (or should I?)to my children, and certainly not to my few friends. Who made the rules about all this anyway?

We (you, I and everyone else) live in multiple communities and there are rules for each community and they are usually different for each community i.e. current home, home we grew up in, in-laws home, work, church(place of worship), volunteer agencies, vacation spots and the list is likely very long.

The rules dictate what and how we should act and what our level of "intimacy" and transparency should be in each different community. I wonder what would happen if we minimized the rules once in a while and became real with each other just for a moment? I think that we would develop real intimacy in relationships then maybe, just maybe we would eliminate the politics that come with all these relationships. If that could be accomplished we would in no way accomplish Nirvana (the state not the band), what we might arrive at is honesty and trust and be willing to "share" with each other and for each other.

I know some of you are thinking that we would all end up sitting around in a circle singing "kumbya". Go ahead, laugh if you will, your greatest fears may also be your greatest desires as in: to know and be known (to paraphrase Maslow).

Well, I've opened the door just a little bit again this time, I can hear the hinges creaking, just like a cottage screen door, I guess it's time for a little oil.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of Nov.3/08

Good Monday morning music fans. What a wonderful weekend. It was gorgeous where I was in Niagara on the Lake. Please feel free to check out the blog about the weekend that shows some pictures from the beautiful bed and breakfast that we stayed at called Applewood Hollow. We had a great time with the ref and miss Jenny and had the most amazing breakfasts served by Jane (with a little help from Brian).

This weeks song is a golden oldie (at least for me). It was a favourite of mine and many others in the latter years of high school. The album it's from may have been the band's best, if you ask me. The album was released in 1974 (it was their third). I can see myself driving down Linwell road singing the first "hit" while listening to either CHUM FM or Q107 with Dave Marsden (Marsden on the radio). This one should not be too obscure.

But what you see is just illusion

you're surrounded by confusion

saying life's begun to cheat you

I would like to know the following(and since I think this one is easy, I want some obscure information, you may need to check the liner notes):

The name of the song:

The name of the album:

The name of the writers:

Who sang lead vocals:

Who sang back up vocals:

I'll do my best to get some hints in on Wednesday. Those of you who were around in the 70's should get this one. Have a great week, looks like we may still have some warmer weather before the real ugly stuff comes.

Applewood Hollow

We had an awesome time this weekend. We visited Applewood Hollow and saw Brian and Jane and their beautiful bed and breakfast again. I'll add lots of photos to allow you to see what a beautiful spot they have. After several wine tastings in the Beamsville area, we had dinner at Murphy's in Port. We visited lakeside Park and watched what appeared to be a Goth wedding, or was it just some adults playing on halloween? Oh my what a wonderful world (I love Sachmo).

We arrived late, but Brian and Jane were there waiting to welcome us with hugs all around and we quickly made ourselves feel like we were at home. A long night of "Apples to Apples" along with some fruit of the vine followed before we retired for the evening.

The next day we visited many wineries and discovered the pleasures of Red wine and dark (70%) chocolate. We discovered a lovely Irish Pub in Niagara on the Lake (The Irish Harp) and enjoyed what tasted like some great home cooked meals. Back to Brian and Janes for more "apples" and euchre and then it was time for us to leave.

What a great weekend of talk, visiting and as the Irish say "Craic". Craic is all that is fun, chatting, laughter and good fellowship and we had all of that and more this weekend. Thanks again Brian and Jane., we'll be back and whenever you need a break, feel free to visit us in Elmira.

I'll be sure to tell everyone I see that if they need a beautiful place to visit in a gorgeous home with fabulous food that all they need to do check out Brian and Jane at http://www.niagara.com/~jandres/

You will do well to spend a night or two at this most relaxing bed and Breakfast.