Sunday Song, American Pie

** no video... the music and words are enough **

If you would like to comment on the song, please wait for the Sunday post, which will be up shortly. I would love to read your comments or email about the music selection and I am certainly willing to take requests.

My Songbook

Partly Cloudy - Hi 96 Lo 71 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 76 Lo 58 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: American Pie, Don McLean

WKRP in Cincinnati has been released on DVD. I am patiently waiting for Laura's review. Because of licensing issues a lot of the music has been changed and I fear that it will interfere with my affection for the show because the music was such an important part of it. So, as I have been contemplating that purchase I started thinking about music that has become part of the "American Soundtrack"...

I can not recall the first time I heard the song American Pie. I have no doubt it was while listening to WSAI-AM. Back then-- WSAI wasn't talk radio, it was rock n roll. Back then we didn't have FM stations to hear our favorite rock songs in stereo... much less iPods. Jim Scott was the guy everyone listened to in the morning getting ready for school or heading off to work... Funny... Jim Scott is still on local radio... the Big One... WLW.

I think... I can not swear to this... I think... American Pie was the first song that I committed all the lyrics to memory... Why does this song create such a feeling of wonder? As an adult I can appreciate this song is about more than the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper; I believe it is a look back at a loss of innocence... But as a kid... what was my attraction to the song?

Ramble:

The names in this ramble have been changed to protect the innocent, the not so innocent and me.)

Have you ever been to a real funeral? No... not a Catholic funeral or Methodist or even Baptist... I'm not even talking Unitarian... I mean a real funeral... an Appalachian funeral. When I was a girl I attended a funeral in the beautiful mountains of Virginia. As with any death, it was a sad occasion because this man was the patriarch of the family. It was the first time I had ever been to this place where he had been born. Now I must tell you this man was old and feeble when I knew him. He worked in the coal mines when he was young. He served during World War I. He had a tattoo of an anchor on his forearm.... always reminded me of Popeye. For the longest time, he was the only person I knew that had a tattoo... funny. He divorced his first wife- unheard of in the 1920's and buried his second wife - the cancer and third wife -I can't recall how--- lots and lots of relatives were created from these marriages. He always had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and he always had a twinkle in his eye-- not the kind of twinkle of a nice old man... but one of a man that in his younger years that had seen it all... done it all... lived his life by his terms... I remember his laugh...

In any event, he died... emphysema--- black lung--- no doubt a combination of working in the coal mines and smoking three packs of cigarettes a day.... (this is not an editorial on smoking--keep your rude comments.)

Fast forward... being in the mountains of Virginia was breathtaking. You could see for miles up on top of that mountain. Green green valleys below and blue blue skies above... God knew what he was doing when He created earth- simply spectacular. When we arrived we went from house to house...visiting family... folks I had never met... some I had never even heard about... Keep in mind this was rural Virginia in a Gap where Virginia meets Tennessee and Kentucky.... the homes were small... yes... there were sofas on the front porches... trucks up on cinder blocks and washers out in the yard... there were also clothes lines with sheets drying in that country air... it was all very stereotypical... but the part of the stereotype that isn't discussed is the kindness you find in those mountains. It was odd... everything was foreign and yet so familiar.... the faces... the voices...the cadence of their speech... the way they laughed... "Well, honey, I'm your Aunt Annie. I'm so and so's sister... I guess that would make me your great great Aunt Annie." Then someone else, "I'm not related to you, but I was engaged to your grand daddy, I bet you didn't know that, but he went and married someone else more city-fied." This went on and on... and with each stop... we were fed... not snacks... freaking meals... and everything made in bacon grease... (This needs to be a separate post.)

The patriarch was dressed in his finest suit. He looked handsome, much better than the last time I had seen him. At the funeral home... these same folks we had been visiting with the day before were completely different... The women were crying... waling... throwing their arms around the man in the coffin... touching his hands... screaming that he was a saint. Please note: this man was not a saint... remember that twinkle in his eye I mentioned? Well, he was a womanizer, a cheat, a gambler and at times not a very nice person... The sobbing and crying went on for the duration of the wake.... I remember having an awful headache... I remember music... at the time I absolutely hated it... Bluegrass... I remember thinking to myself how horrible it was... thankfully, I was taught to have manners so I did not roll my eyes or cover my ears or make obnoxious comments.... but the worst part is, I missed out... Here my family... sitting together... playing banjos and fiddles and singing and I missed it...

I don't have much of a point to this story... it's just one I like to tell now and again to keep track of this part of me. Actually, maybe I do... listen to the music... always. You may not like it today... but it may mean something to you tomorrow...

Now, the list. I've been adding to this list for about 3 months. I've been thinking about my own mortality... I want to take this opportunity to discuss the music that I would like played at my wake... I don't believe I'll have a big turnout and I certainly don't want the waling... especially if I go before Michael. Screeching and waling do not work for Michael. Rob, I ask you to take charge of making the tape. Some on the list will be recognized as Sunday Songs. So, in no particular order here goes... (Rob, I'll leave you to arrange them in an order that makes sense- I'll understand if you need to make some cuts due to time constraints and or lack of interest due to low attendance numbers.)

Rhapsody In Blue, George Gershwin - one of my favorite pieces.

Every song on the album Sinatra at the Sands, Frank Sinatra - he was the coolest man to ever walk the face of the earth. I want him singing at my funeral.

Anything from The Sound of Music and The King and I -musicals are a big part of my soul.

Unchained Melody, The Righteous Brothers

Under Pressure, Queen & David Bowie -- for grins and chuckles you can follow this with Vanilla Ice...

Heaven, The Psychedelic Furs

Half Acre, Hem

Fire Thief, Hem

Jackson, Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

God Is In The Roses, Rosanne Cash

Ticket to Ride, The Beatles

Hello, Goodbye, The Beatles

Wouldn't It Be Nice, The Beach Boys

God Only Knows, The Beach Boys

Graceland, Paul Simon

Blister In The Sun, Violent Femmes

South Central Rain,R.E.M

September, Earth, Wind & Fire

Sweet Dreams, Patsy Cline

Mambo Italiano, Rosemary Clooney

Skateaway, Dire Straits

Crash Into Me, Dave Matthews Band

Star Wars Theme, John Williams

Kathy's Song, Simon & Garfunkel

Love Song, The Cure

California Dreamin', Mamas and the Papas

Monday, Monday, Mamas and the Papas

I Don't Like Mondays, Boomtown Rats

Rainy Days and Mondays, The Carpenters --- Do you suppose I don't like Mondays?

Ain't No Sunshine, Bill Withers

Just You 'n' Me, Chicago

Kung Fu Fighting, Carl Douglas - to my days living in Norwood

Afternoon Delight, Starland Vocal Band - because this song makes me laugh

It's A Sunshine Day, The Brady Kids - for my love of television of the 70's

Dancing Queen, Abba

Foo Fighters, Learn to Fly

U2, 40

U2, New Year's Day

U2, Gloria

U2, I Will Follow

U2, Rejoice

U2, Beautiful Day

U2, Two Hearts Beat as One

U2, A Sort of Homecoming

U2, Bad

Turn, Turn, Turn, The Byrds

The aria, Flower Duet from Puccini's Madama Butterfly

Can't Find My Way Home, Blind Faith

Melissa, The Allman Brothers - one of the prettiest songs

Midnight Rider, The Allman Brothers

Rolling Stones, Sympathy For The Devil

Gangsters, The Specials - not Gangsta

Summer Breeze, Seals & Crofts

I Say A Little Prayer, Dionne Warwick - No one can be sad when Dionne sings

The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia, Vicki Lawrence

Joy to the World, Three Dog Night -- When Jimi's sister passed away, Scott kept saying that our lives paralleled the movie The Big Chill... he said that when we were... 20 something... ah.... funny...

Try A Little Tenderness, Three Dog Night

Into the Mystic, Van Morrison

Moondance, Van Morrison

Mack The Knife, Bobby Darrin

Sunrise, Norah Jones

I Can See Clearly Now, Johnny Nash

Baby, Now That I've Found You, Allison Krauss & Union Station

Cluck Old Hen, Allison Krauss & Union Station -- pure Bluegrass

Knock Three Times, Tony Orlando & Dawn

Linus and Lucy, Vince Guaraldi Trio

The Christmas Song, Mel Torme

Burning With Optimism's Flames, XTC

Easy Come, Easy Go, Bobby Sherman - because Bobby Sherman was always my favorite on Here Comes the Brides

Turn The Beat Around, Vicki Sue Robinson - This is the only disco song on this list... sorry... I hated this song when it was on the charts... it has grown on me...

Do You Remember, Jack Johnson

Half Breed, Cher - I idolized Cher when I was little.

Cosmopolitans, Erin McKeown

Thank You, Sly & the Family Stone

Once In A Lifetime, Talking Heads

Take Me To The River, Talking Heads

Frozen Charlotte, Natalie Merchant

Solsbury Hill, Peter Gabriel

In Your Eyes, Peter Gabriel

Friends in Low Places, Garth Brooks

Oye Como Va, Santana

Should I Stay or Should I Go?, The Clash

Love Rollercoaster, Ohio Players

Superstition, Stevie Wonder

Texas Flood, Stevie Ray Vaughan

Voodoo Chile, Stevie Ray Vaughan

Canary in a Coalmine, The Police

Spirits In The Material World, The Police

Ohio, Over the Rhine

What I'll Remember Most, Over the Rhine

Blue Moon of Kentucky, Patsy Cline

Sara Smile, Hall & Oates - I've always loved the name Sara- the melody of this song captures the reason why.

The Space Between, Dave Matthews Band

Crash Into Me, Dave Matthews Band

Deacon Blues, Steely Dan

Classical Gas, Glen Campbell

Sukiyaki Song - Ue Wo Muite Arukou, Kyu Sakamoto

America, Ray Charles

God Bless America, Kate Smith

Take Five, Dave Brubeck Quartet

Piano Man, Billy Joel - now for the sing alongs

American Pie, Don McLean

Freebird, Lynyrd Skynyrd --- no... not really... never cared for Southern Rock. I just wanted to use this photo of old people lighting up at a concert

and finally...

Glory Be to Jesus

Back to the Cross

Ave Maria - I'm not Catholic, but this song when sung perfectly is like listening to angels

Amazing Grace

Shout outs and Special Requests:

No blogs this week... I just want to say hello to Cindy in Montana- It was great to see you while you were in town and I'll do my best to add more pictures to my posts. I am planning a picture post for the near future too.

Also, I ask that you say a prayer for Michael's step-sister, Lisa. She has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and is having surgery on Wednesday.

American Pie, Don McLean

A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they’d be happy for a while.

But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn’t take one more step.

I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride,
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died.

So bye-bye, miss American pie.
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Did you write the book of love,
And do you have faith in God above,
If the Bible tells you so?
Do you believe in rock ’n roll,
Can music save your mortal soul,
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Well, I know that you’re in love with him
`cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym.
You both kicked off your shoes.
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues.

I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck,
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died.

I started singin’,
"bye-bye, miss American pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Now for ten years we’ve been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone,
But that’s not how it used to be.
When the jester sang for the king and queen,
In a coat he borrowed from James dean
And a voice that came from you and me,

Oh, and while the king was looking down,
The jester stole his thorny crown.
The courtroom was adjourned;
No verdict was returned.
And while Lennon read a book of Marx,
The quartet practiced in the park,
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died.

We were singing,
"bye-bye, miss American pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Helter skelter in a summer swelter.
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter,
Eight miles high and falling fast.
It landed foul on the grass.
The players tried for a forward pass,
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast.

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
While the sergeants played a marching tune.
We all got up to dance,
Oh, but we never got the chance!
`cause the players tried to take the field;
The marching band refused to yield.
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?

We started singing,
"bye-bye, miss American pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

Oh, and there we were all in one place,
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again.
So come on: jack be nimble, jack be quick!
Jack flash sat on a candlestick
Cause fire is the devil’s only friend.

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage.
No angel born in hell
Could break that Satan's spell.
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite,
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

He was singing,
"bye-bye, miss American pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
And singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news,
But she just smiled and turned away.
I went down to the sacred store
Where I’d heard the music years before,
But the man there said the music wouldn’t play.

And in the streets: the children screamed,
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed.
But not a word was spoken;
The church bells all were broken.
And the three men I admire most:
The father, son, and the holy ghost,
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died.

And they were singing,
"bye-bye, miss American pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die.
"this’ll be the day that I die."

They were singing,
"bye-bye, miss American pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, "this’ll be the day that I die."

Have a great week everyone!

Surrender is Imminent.........

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats brushed off a White House veto threat and pleas for patience from the top U.S. commander in Iraq Wednesday and pushed toward a vote demanding that troops begin coming home this fall.

Late Wednesday, the House was expected to pass a $124.2 billion war-funding bill that would require troop withdrawals to begin Oct. 1 with the goal of completing the pullout six months later. The complete article can be found here.

I believe myself that the secretary of state, secretary of defense and — you have to make your own decisions as to what the president knows — that this war is lost and the surge is not accomplishing anything as indicated by the extreme violence in Iraq,” Mr. Reid said. The complete article can be found at the New York Times.

If this is such a lost cause, why are you willing to fund one second more of this war??????

• Come on... we Americans can all just hang a white bed sheet from our porches instead of Old Glory...
• Come on... we can tell our brave fighting men and women keeping watch over us that despite the good work they are doing in Iraq to come home --- all is lost.
• Come on... despite General Petraeus telling us that the strategy in place needs more time to work --- all is lost.
• Come on... Harry says the war is lost...

Come home young men... wave the white flag with us... we as Americans can not beat terrorism... it is better to run and hide... it is better that the terrorists come here... it is better that we surrender...

And for those of you too young to remember or for those of you who refuse to remember...

This is what surrender looks like to those we leave behind...



This is what it looks like once we have left...




You pieces of fecal matter--- THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE LEAVE... WE ARE NOT THE ENEMY... WE ARE TRYING TO LIBERATE AND SPREAD FREEDOM!!!

4/29/07 UPDATE: Linda has a great piece up from the Neil Boortz radio show... go and listen... now!

Sunday Song, Defying Gravity

If you would like to comment on the song, please wait for the Sunday post, which will be up shortly. I would love to read your comments or email about the music selection and I am certainly willing to take requests.

Defying Gravity

Mostly Sunny - Hi 86 Lo 62 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 81 Lo 60 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Defying Gravity, From the Musical - Wicked - Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth

Last April I went with a few of my favorite women to Chicago to shop and see Wicked. The sets, the costumes, the story line... so much fun. The song Defying Gravity was the climax of the production--- our hearts were soaring by the time this song started and when Elphaba defied gravity by flying... well, I left the show feeling anything was possible.

Ramble:

Thoughts of the massacre at Virginia Tech have had me preoccupied. So much has been said and written...news, opinions, blogs... I really do not have much to add to the discussion.

Let me just say this... I agree with those that state if someone had been carrying a firearm there is no doubt fewer souls would have been lost. However, I believe the bigger question and debate is over something else that I have not seen covered anywhere-- I suspect because it is such a taboo topic. I also suspect I will get some serious hate mail for this, but I qualify my thoughts based on personal experience (the liberal way of having a debate--I have personal experience...therefore I can talk about it)... This massacre is what happens when we are not given the opportunity to institutionalize people that can not be left on their own. It has already been established that this young man was disturbed. I don't know what the right answer is... Asylums of yesterday were inhumane... would we as a society allow that to occur today? I imagine a good percentage of homeless folks are mentally ill. Is it humane to allow someone that is mentally ill to live on the streets- homeless? The question has been asked "Why did he do this?" The answer is pretty simple. He was demented... disturbed... sick... mentally unstable... and needed to be institutionalized- he was a threat to himself as well as others.

In Memoriam: Virginia Tech Remembers

I was saddened to hear that one of our finest and elite was lost in South Carolina on Saturday. The Blue Angels have always made my heart soar. The entire team is from the Navy and Marines... our finest...

I was surprised to hear that the pilot was killed, but after reading this most recent report, I have no doubt this pilot stayed with the jet to minimize injury to civilians.

BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) - A Navy Blue Angel jet crashed during an air show Saturday, plunging into a neighborhood of small homes and trailers and killing the pilot, the county coroner said.

Witnesses said the planes were flying in formation during the show at the Marine Corps Air Station and one dropped below the trees and crashed, sending up clouds of smoke. At least one home was on fire.

Raymond Voegeli, a plumber, was backing out of a driveway when the plane ripped through a grove of pine trees, dousing his truck in flames and debris. He said wreckage hit "plenty of houses and mobile homes."

"It was just a big fireball coming at me," said Voegeli, 37. "It was just taking
pine trees and just clipping them."

The complete article from AP

The following video is about 16 minutes long... I hope the Blue Angels do not cancel the remainder of their schedule. I am sure they will have to investigate what occurred and caused the accident, but we need these ambassadors of our military to tour our country... airshows are the best place to go to feel American... to get a sense of patriotism... to tear up while singing our National Anthem... and most importantly to thank these fine men and women.

Everyone deserves the chance to fly!
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I'm flying high
Defying gravity

Defying Gravity

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap!

It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!

Quick - come with me. Think of
what we could do together.

Unlimited
Together we're unlimited
Together we'll be the greatest team
There's ever been
Glinda - Dreams, the way we planned 'em

If we work in tandem:

There's no fight we cannot win
Just you and I
Defying gravity
With you and I
Defying gravity

They'll never bring us down!
Well? Are you coming?

I hope you're happy
Now that you're choosing this

You too I hope it brings you bliss

I really hope you get it
And you don't live to regret it
I hope you're happy in the end
I hope you're happy, my friend:

So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:
"Everyone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I'm flying high
Defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!

I hope you're happy!

Look at her, she's wicked!
Get her!

Bring me down!

Have a great week everyone!

Who's Your Daddy

Well... thank Gawd it's not Alec Baldwin!!

My husband said it best... "You don't speak to a child like that... You don't speak to ANYONE like that -- regardless."

In addition to liberal, and useless idiot, I will now add words such as immature, narcissistic and psycho to my repertoire when a conversation comes up about Alec Baldwin.

Washington Post

Oh... I'm sorry, you didn't hear the voice message that Alec left for his daughter? Ah... well in addition to the threats he made to his 11 year old daughter, he called her a "rotten thoughtless little pig"... you know-- what every little girl wants to hear from her daddy...

Alec has already posted an "apology" on his website. I'm so proud of him... He managed to apologize for nothing, while at the same time blaming his ex spouse... oh and he managed to get in a plug for his new book..

Thank you to everyone who has posted messages of support and understanding. Naturally, it is not best for a parent to lose their temper with their child. Everyone who knows me privately knows that I have endured a great deal over the last several years in my custody litigation. Everyone who knows me privately
knows that certain people will go to any lengths to embarrass me and to disrupt my relationship with my daughter.

In such public cases, your opponents attempt to take a picture of you on your worst day and insist that this is who you are as a person. Outside the doors of divorce court, I have friends, I have respect from people I work with and I have a normal relationship with my daughter. All of that is threatened whenever one enters a court room.

Although I have been told by numerous people not to worry too much, as all parents lose their patience with their kids, I am most saddened that this was released to the media because of what it does to a child. I'm sorry, as everyone who knows me is aware, for losing my temper with my child. I have been driven to the edge by parental alienation for many years now. You have to go through this to understand. ( Although I hope you never do.) I am sorry for what happened. But I am equally sorry that a court order was violated, which had deliberately been put under seal in this case.

Once my book is published, I'm sure more people will understand the incredible strains created by parental alienation.

In the meantime, I'm sorry to anyone who's taken offense from this episode.

Isn't that nice? Isn't that thoughtful?

Cross posted at Proud To Be Out Of Touch

Sunday Song, This One's For The Girls

If you would like to comment on the song, please wait for the Sunday post, which will be up shortly. I would love to read your comments or email about the music selection and I am certainly willing to take requests.

This One's For The Girls

Scattered Thunderstorms - Hi 77 Lo 59 for Baghdad, Iraq
Rain/SNOW!! - Hi 50 Lo 36 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: an encore of This One's for the Girls, Martina McBride

I turned 42 on Easter Sunday. I'd like to say I'm not upset about getting another year older, so I will... I'm not upset. I don't feel like I'm 42... I don't look like I'm 42... It's a freaking number... so... I spent time with my 13 year old niece and she is aching to grow up... The 42 year old aunt can not tell the 13 year old niece enough to enjoy every second of her teenage life... savor it... learn- learn from her successes and failures, listen to mom and dad, laugh, love, cry, choose your role models carefully, strive for excellence in everything you do. It's all part of it-- yeah... including the endless crushes- at least she has moved on past Johnny Depp. Does the 13 year old niece listen?... Thankfully, the 13 year old niece is smart that way... unlike the 42 year old aunt that is typing this....She never listened to anyone....

Ramble:

NOTE: Because my computer crashed while I was working on this post [and I neglected to hit the save button because I was on a serious roll] here is the Reader's Digest version-- I doubt any of it will make sense... but it is 4:30am and the insomnia has worn off and now I want to go get some sleep.

In general, women annoy me- main reason- high maintenance. Women complain about their spouses... worse, some call their spouses names... this is a direct reflection on the name caller...not callee... you picked him sweetheart... that must make you an idiot... Despite my annoyance, it is important to have girlfriends... Men are the hunters and women are the gatherers... we like to nest... we like details.. [high maintenance]. My husband is the most important person in my life, but if I discuss a problem with him... he wants to fix it [that's what men do].... sometimes women just need to talk through something... nothing needs fixing...

I have discovered over the past couple of years some pretty amazing women that are quite gifted at writing. Here are my favorites and I hope you visit all of them.

The Lasso of Truth - Wonder Woman started blogging around the same time I did. She is incredibly bright. Her posts are articulate and pithy. She is Canadian; she is an atheist; she is a conservative... She makes for an interesting thought provoking read and will debate anyone with a differing opinion.

The Trouble with Angels - I visit Diane and Mel when I just want to kick back. Going to their blog is like going to the home of a friend where you are comfortable enough to go to her kitchen and fix your own soda without asking for permission. Diane maintains a game called Dead Guy on the Sidebar... which I don't play... I stink at it. Diane is also the person that can read a manual and voila... she can do it... Pick one... Learn to Crochet in 3 easy Steps or Rebuild Your Car Engine Without Mussing Your Makeup---Diane is your girl.

SeeJaneMom - Wow.... Jane. Jane is like a mama bear protecting her cubs. She is smart, sarcastic, and she writes angry- she IS fighting for her children and her husband, the Marine. Her posts are biting... compelling... thought provoking... She is currently my favorite read.

Laura's Miscellaneous Musings - Laura also started blogging around the same time I did. Laura is my calm. She quietly points out important headlines and provides her own thoughtful commentary. I visit Laura to get the latest on Disneyland or a detailed review on a movie classic. Laura offers subtle insight that can not be found elsewhere.

DragonLady's World - former Air force, this gal introduced me to the term "link-whore". For that I am eternally grateful. (How am I doing?) DL is also a great source for a good joke.

Semper Gratus - Gunn Nutt loves our military men and women. She tirelessly provides information on her blog not to mention all the volunteer work she does. We should all be so dedicated.

The Reign of Ellen - Ellen like Wonder Woman had taken a bit of a break, but she has recently returned and I am so happy. First and foremost, she is a mom and she writes about her daughter and her own parenting skills... Unlike so many other mommy blogs... Ellen makes herself incredibly vulnerable. She really puts it out there for you- she uses herself as an example...She writes about depression. Also... her artwork is tremendous. Visit her blog if for only one reason... check out her children's books. Her illustrations are sweet.

-Jo... read this one.

Shallow and Tacky - I go here to get my fill of empty calories... This is my bag of Lays potato chips and pound of M&M's... funny funny stuff here.

Last Girl on Earth - Deni is a musician and lives in NYC... She is energy and wide eyed wonder-- she is an ambassador for her town. I vicariously live through her... note to self... I need to add her myspace site to my sidebar...

There are others... go to my sidebar and click on the drop down menu for "Places I Go".

Thank you ladies!

This One's For the Girls, Martina McBride

This one's for all you girls about thirteen
High school can be so rough, can be so mean
Hold onto, on to your innocence
Stand your ground when everyone's giving in

This one's for the girls

This is for all you girls about twenty-five
In a little apartment, just trying to get by
Living on, on dreams and spaghetti-o's
Wondering where your life is gonna go

This one's for the girls
Who's ever had a broken heart
Who's wished upon a shooting star
You're beautiful the way you are
This one's for the girls
Who love without holding back
Who dream with everything they have
All around the world
This one's for the girls

This is for all you girls about forty-two
Tossing pennies into The Fountain of Youth
Every laugh, laugh line on your face
Made you who you are today

This one's for the girls
Who's ever had a broken heart
Who's wished upon a shooting star
You're beautiful the way you are
This one's for the girls
Who love without holding back
Who dream with everything they have
All around the world
This one's for the girls

Yeah, we're all the same inside (same inside)
From 1 to 99

This one's for the girls
Who's ever had a broken heart
Who's wished upon a shooting star
You're beautiful the way you are
This one's for the girls
Who love without holding back
Who dream with everything they have
All around the world
This one's for the girls
Yeah, this one's for the girls

Kurt Vonnegut

I'm a little behind, but I just read that Kurt Vonnegut has passed away. I'm embarrassed to report that my knowledge of Kurt Vonnegut comes from the Rodney Dangerfield movie Back to School.

A couple of years ago we visited New York City. Our last evening there we had dinner at a quaint little French restaurant called Montparnasse. As we were chatting and sipping our cocktails and commenting on how arrogant our little Frenchy French waiter was behaving, an older man came up to our table and said to me, "My wife likes your handbag." I was so tickled I looked at them both and thanked them. I said something ignorant like "Well, orange is the new black!" The gentleman and his wife politely laughed and she said, "I like orange too." Once they left the restaurant I said to Michael and the rest of our family, "I know that guy. He is an author." I kept equating him to Fahrenheit 451... Ray Bradbury... I then had an epiphany and said, "He was in Back to School!"

We then realized that this handsome couple was none other than Kurt Vonnegut and his wife, photographer, Jill Krementz.

I can not say I agreed with him on any level politically or socially. I can say that he was one of the many reasons we fell in love with New York City.

Rest in peace Kurt Vonnegut...

The Classics

You Are a Classic Martini

You area sophisticated drinker, who knows that simple quality is over-rated. You're a knowledgeable drunk, but sometimes you're a know-it-all when you're blasted. You should never: Drink and gossip. You tend to forget who's standing right behind you! Your ideal party: Has a real bartender. But no one mixes a better drink than you. Your drinking soulmates: those with a Chocolate Martini personality Your drinking rivals: those with a Margarita Martini personality

What Flavor Martini Are You?

Three Years Ago

U.S. Army Sgt. Keith Matthew "Matt" Maupin was captured in Iraq three years ago today. Please keep him in your prayers.

Please pray for his parents, Keith and Carolyn Maupin, who are beacons of hope and pillars of strength in our community.
The 2nd Annual Dinner and Dance Fundraiser --- Let Us Never Forget Scholarship Fundraiser will be held this evening.

WCPO

Community Press

Yellow Ribbon Support Center - go here for details on the dinner/dance and to also see what the Maupin's and our community are doing to keep hope alive.

And just in case anyone has forgotten, Matt was captured by terrorists.

Matt Maupin has been promoted in absentia three times, most recently to Staff Sergeant.

photo courtesy of 724th Transportation Company

"LOVE NEVER LOSES IT'S WAY HOME"

Sunday Song, 40

If you would like to comment on the song, please wait for the Sunday post, which will be up shortly. I would love to read your comments or email about the music selection and I am certainly willing to take requests.

HE Set My Feet on Solid Ground

Partly Cloudy - Hi 93 Lo 68 for Baghdad, Iraq
Partly Cloudy - Hi 46 Lo 28 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: 40, U2

I had just come back from the mall. I couldn't wait to listen to the album I had purchased--War by U2. I ran down to my basement bedroom, stripped the album out of the confines of the shopping bag, and then threw the bag on the bed where it landed on my Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls- wonderful over sized dolls that my grandfather had won in a raffle for me.

I carefully removed the plastic from the album. I stared at the angry boy on the cover- it's the same kid from their album Boy only a little older. What an incredible photograph. I should be so lucky to capture that kind of emotion on my 35mm Pentax.

I opened the album jacket and on the left were the lyrics to all the songs... ah... don't look... not yet... on the right side there was a black and white photo of the band-- the lighting was bleached and the edges were not sharp-- not quite a dreamy landscape, but the imagery emoted cold and barren emptiness... besides I couldn't really see Larry Mullen's face... I always had a thing for drummers...

I pulled the black vinyl disc from it's sleeve and gingerly placed that brand new album on my ultra cool Soundesign Stereo.... I sat on the floor and listened to the words as I poured over the album reading the lyrics ... looking intently at all the information given... memorizing all the names of the additional musicians and the producer of the album. Right or wrong, it was the first history lesson that gave me cause to pay attention--Sunday Bloody Sunday. I had been awakened to a world outside my own.

I look back and I am saddened that my nieces and nephews will not be able to experience music in that manner.... Art work on a CD cover is too small to appreciate and an iPod doesn't smell like new waxed cardboard and vinyl....

Ramble: (this is a long one... get your coffee...)

My journey into the Christian faith is probably more common than I think. As a child, I really wasn't exposed to religion of any kind- as an adult I can reflect back and I now realize that the adults of my childhood were dealing with their own demons and struggling with their own beliefs or lack there of. On occasion, my grandfather would take my brother and me to church when we were little. I think those were the times when he was trying to get right with God and out of some sense of obligation wanted to make sure we made it to Heaven too. I still have the little pocket New Testament Bible that was given to me by the pastor. I once went to Sunday school at my great grandmother's church. That was horrific. I was mortified and scared to death after that lesson- I must have been seven or eight years old. It was made quite clear to me that I was going to burn in hell unless I got right with God. On her death bed my great grandmother (Mamaw) spoke in tongues as had been witnessed by me as a child and it always freaked me out.

My grandmother never spoke about her beliefs. I know she was raised Episcopalian. I know she was baptized as such. The only story she tells dealing with faith was when her daughter died. My namesake died from Leukemia at the tender age of five. Unlike my friend Tony and his family, my grandmother's heart hardened and she became angry with God when the minister was unable to provide her with words of comfort and to make sense of her loss. I don't think she has ever forgiven Him for taking her daughter so soon.

One day when I was seven or eight we had a knock on the the door. My mother opened the door and it was two handsome young men in dark suits smiling and holding bibles. Yes, the Mormons had arrived and their timing was impeccable. We didn't realize it, but we were needy- not just for basic necessities, but for something greater. We were starved for something to fill our hearts and these 19 year olds on their mission trips explained that the Bible and the Book of Mormon were to be read hand in hand, that the book of Mormon was modern day prophecy set in America- that Joseph Smith was a modern day prophet of God. At the same time these two young men were providing sustenance for our souls they were providing much needed father figures to two young impressionable children - Terry and I. Being in the church, we found that to the Mormons, family is the most important thing. We all wanted that desperately. My mother was eventually baptized as a Mormon, but as we grew older we slowly drifted away from the church.

The following events are somewhat out of sequence since much of this happened in the same time frame. Please understand that I have left a lot out... in addition to LDS and Buddhism, I explored several Christian faiths. I stuck with YF because it was non-denominational. Also understand this was a short time span in my life, but the most confusing and volatile part of my adolescence--- wait I take that back.

In my teens, a knock came once again on our door. We weren't as needy monetarily. As a teen I was starving for something... And I opened the door and this time two handsome young men in dark suits were smiling and holding bibles ready to discuss the word of God. I let them in... after all, they were pretty cute and I knew they were either 18 or 19 years old... not that much older than me... Elder Brady was soooo cute. Elder Stephens was cute too, but not as cute as Elder Brady. Needless to say, I became involved in the church again as did my mother and brother. Slowly, my brother and mother drifted away from the church and it's teachings. I continued to attend. I would go with a girl named Laurie. Her parents were non practicing Catholics.

Simultaneously to me going back to the Mormon church I started attending a Youth Fellowship Group with the United Methodist church down the road from me. There, I met other teens (from my school and surrounding areas) that were rock solid in their faith. Their FAITH. What did I believe? I dunno....

In this same time frame, my mother asked me to attend a Buddhist convention in Chicago. She thought it would be fun. On the long drive up to Chicago I learned how to chant. I learned that you chant for others, not yourself. In this unselfish act, you make yourself open to having good things happen to you. Concurrently with this lesson I found out my actions in life good or bad will lead to similar results-- I do good things for others, good things will happen to me... bad things for others will lead to bad things happening to me--- yeah... Karma. I eventually learned about The Four Noble Truths - suffering, origin of suffering, the end of suffering, a path to ending suffering. Needless to say, To a teen looking to be unique and non conforming-- Buddhism seemed pretty appealing. As a side note, I met Patrick Duffy at the convention. Since I did not watch Dallas I had no idea who he was, but the other kids I was hanging out with were thrilled!

The church elders approached me and asked if I would take a trip with the rest of the Mormon kids to Temple in Washington D.C. I had already been baptized in the church. I was a tithing member... Anyway, we were to do baptisms for the dead- folks that died without the chance to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. This had to be spring break---maybe my sophomore year in high school?? I'll have to go look at the photos. The trip to Washington was a blast. Temple is extraordinary. You can not believe how beautiful it is inside. Moroni on top of the highest point... One of my friends on the trip explained the three kingdoms to me... telestial, terrestrial, and celestial. LDS believes that not everyone has been given the chance to hear the word of God. Those that die prior to hearing his teachings are provided the opportunity to decide where they wanted to go when we go to Temple and do the baptisms for the dead. We are baptized in their name... the dead have a direct ticket to the celestial kingdom if they so choose. The room where the baptisms are held is immense. You walk up steps to get in the water... as I recall everything was gold.... spectacular. I was submerged a few times in the name of various dead folks... One of the names was Elizabeth Taylor... The name struck me as funny... I pictured Dan Akroyd on Saturday night live doing his caricature of Elizabeth Taylor choking on a chicken bone. I knew right then and there this was wrong and it was impossible for me to take the name of someone else and be baptized on their behalf. I said nothing at the time, but upon my return home, I spoke with the bishop and it was decided that I would leave the church. I have never regretted that decision. I miss the folks in the church. Never will you find people that are kinder, never will you find people that are more devoted to their families.

I eventually lost interest in Buddhism too- I found it to be a narcissistic religion and as a teenager it worked for me... I simply stopped chanting and burning incense.

I continued with the Youth Fellowship group. One night while alone in my room for reasons that are known to only the Lord and me, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and I have never regretted that decision. I'm not the Christian I should be, but I do not deny God and I pray to him often. He knows my heart. Shortly after I accepted Jesus Christ and became born again... I quickly became a backslidin' Christian. I struggle to this day to be the Christian He wants me to be... but it is a struggle.


Happy Easter. He is risen.


Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

Thanks to Richard at Let Freedom Reign I have been introduced to The Right Brothers. Kimosabe, YOU are going to love them. Go visit The Right Brothers at their MYSPACE website to hear such gems as: In Luv With Ann Coulter, The List, Stop Global Whining and Bush Was Right.

Update: Ben and Noah bake Easter cookies and explain the meaning of Easter.

Housekeeping:

- added a link to some of the MySpace music sights I peruse.
- added some more blogs to Places I go

Psalm 40 **New Living Translation**

1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.
4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.
5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.

6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—
you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
7 Then I said, “Look, I have come.
As is written about me in the Scriptures:
8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart.”

9 I have told all your people about your justice.
I have not been afraid to speak out,
as you, O Lord, well know.
10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

11 Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles surround me—
too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
I have lost all courage.

13 Please, Lord, rescue me!
Come quickly, Lord, and help me.
14 May those who try to destroy me
be humiliated and put to shame.
May those who take delight in my trouble
be turned back in disgrace.
15 Let them be horrified by their shame,
for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

16 But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”
17 As for me, since I am poor and needy,
let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
O my God, do not delay.

King James Version

Three Things Meme

It looks like DragonLady did it to her....
In turn, she did it to me.
Diane has gone and tagged me with another meme.......

click on any of the photos for a larger view....

Three Things That Scare Me:

1. Falling Up stairs... the thought of having my front teeth broken freaks me out.

2. Our nation destroyed by the Left

3. Large Kentucky bugs... I kid you not... these bugs are prehistoric... and freaking huge


Three People Who Make Me Laugh:
1. Michael

2. My niece

3. My grandmother

Three Things I Love:

1. Michael

2. My family... warts and all

3. Our Kitties

Three Things I Hate:

1. Rude behavior

2. Laziness

3. The intellectually dishonest that say they support our troops but not the mission.

Three Things I Don’t Understand:

1. Rude Behavior

2. Laziness

3. LiberalCommiPinkoMoonbatHippies over the age of 30







Three Things On My Desk:

1. A Far Side Calendar

2. A stack of photos I need to categorize

3. A stack of CD's I need to upload to our computer so I can download them onto my iPod







Three Things I’m Doing Right Now:

1. This Meme

2. shhh... having a cup of green tea (it's not Sunday)

3. Freezing! It's 29 degrees outside and not much better inside... at least that's what it feels like.

Three Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. Go to the Greek Isles

2. Learn to speak Japanese

3. Visit Okinawa again- with Michael, my mom, my brother and his family





Three Things I Can Do:
1. Almost anything crafty.... scrapbooking, card making, embroidery, etc... (that's a stool I made and painted for my youngest niece)

2. Sing badly

3. Draw - pencil, charcoal, pastels



Three Things I Can’t Do:
1. Play a musical instrument.

2. Speak Japanese

3. Cook

Three Things I Think You Should Listen To:

1. Michael when he is on a rant about liberalism

2. Bill Bennett's radio program Morning in America

3. Ronald Reagan speeches

Three Things You Should Never Listen To:

1. Rosie O'Donnell -She should read this article by Popular Mechanics discussing the 9/11 Conspiracy

2. AlGore

3. Any LiberalCommiPinkoMoonbatHippies over the age of 30


Three Things I’d Like To Learn:

1. Speak Japanese

2. Crochet

3. Play the piano since singing does require some natural talent....

Three Favorite Foods:

1. Yes.

2. Anything involving chocolate

3. Comfort food

Three Shows I Watched As A Kid: (just 3??)

1. Eight Is Enough

2. Donny and Marie

3. Carol Burnett Show






I'll pass on tagging anyone, so if you would like to play- please do so... just let me know if you do.

The Lasso of Truth

So... my conservative girl from the great white north is back... she didn't write or call... Like others, I thought she had died... but like a superhero... she is back from the dead and thankfully... just in the knick of time...

Welcome back Wonder Woman. We have been waiting for you.

Sunday Song, Half Acre

This song may sound familiar to you... Are you having a difficult time placing it? Well... go here. Watch this and then you will know...

Pay It Forward

Partly Cloudy - Hi 75 Lo 56 for Baghdad, Iraq
Partly Sunny - Hi 72 Lo 53 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Half Acre, Hem



This song is so haunting. The melody and lyrics linger in my mind the way I savor and delight in the taste of chocolate on my tongue. I always want more...

Ramble:

I just don't have it in me to blog right now... This must come in phases as some of my regular haunts have also been infrequent in their writing. For me the past 4 weeks or so have been a real struggle.

Let me say this... be nice... be nice to each other. Being polite and smiling and letting folks merge and waving to someone that has a bumper sticker that says they have a loved one in harms way goes a long way... be nice... slow down... be nice. Someone looks like they are in a hurry and late? Let them get in line ahead of you. Work to not be impatient with someone... we have no idea what is going on in their life... There is so much cruelty in the world and we have taken on this awful mentality of "everyone else does it." Bull crap.

The video I wanted to play was not available to be embedded (link is underneath the Sunday Song video--- this includes the Liberty Mutual commercial). However, the video I did embed is quite charming. Let yourself go... play in the revolving doors and make up skits in the car... be nice.

And now... few photos we took at Kentucky Down Under....






Half Acre

I am holding half an acre
Torn from the map of Michigan
And folded in this scrap of paper
Is the land I grew in

Think of every town you've lived in
Every room you lay your head
And what is it that you remember

Do you carry every sadness with you
Every hour your heart was broken
Every night the fear and darkness
Lay down with you

A man is walking on the highway
A woman stares out at the sea
And light is only now just breaking

So we carry every sadness with us
Every hour our hearts were broken
Every night the fear and darkness
Lay down with us

But I am holding half an acre
Torn from the map of Michigan
I am carrying this scrap of paper

That can crack the darkest sky wide open
Every burden taken from me
Every night my heart unfolding
My home


Have a great week everyone!

P.S. The Answer to yesterday's trivia question = The Foundations.