Monday, July 31, 2006

Pink and White





My garden is pretty boring at this time of year. It's lovely and colourful in spring but I don't have a lot of variety now. The cats like it though, as do the bees. These aren't great pictures of the bees but another day I'll get better ones.

My niece and I went to visit a friend who just moved into a new place. He has a long and really nice woods road that goes through the property and wonderful vistas from his doors, of fields, pastures, cow and calves, and gorgeous skies. I've certainly found a new favorite hiking place for S and I and can't wait to get back. I forgot my camera today and missed some great shots.

Worked like a dog at home all morning but got in visits to two friends and spent some time with my niece so, all in all, a pretty nice day off.

Music for such a fine day: A bluegrass number by Alison Krauss and Union Station, though she's not singing this one, Pastures of Plenty. I have several versions of Summertime and it's time for a version that couldn't be any further than bluegrass, this one by Albert Ayler.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

One More Day, One More Dollar




I can't sleep. I wish I could because I'm facing a very busy 14 hour day at work and would prefer to begin it well rested. Today was insane and tomorrow promises to be much more so. My son is home from university and I saw him for ten minutes before work and ten minutes before I went to bed. He said he would stop into work before heading back to Halifax. My daughter and her friend with the eight day old baby stopped in today but I couldn't visit, even for a moment. They say to make hay when the sun shines and I guess that's what I'm doing. I sure can't wait till Monday though.

Still featuring pictures from Thursday night's walk on the beach and music for today: Sand by Damien Rice and an old, old blues number by Mary Dixon, You Can't Sleep in My Bed.

Forgot to tell you that we came first in Trivia again last week. Was really fun too but sadly, the last week that Brody would be there. He's visiting my son this weekend in Ontario then back up north.

Friday, July 28, 2006

Working and Stiff


Last night's walk on the beach was lovely. We didn't get wet except for water we splashed upon ourselves because the tide was low but it was at a very pretty time and we enjoyed it a lot.

After this very busy week I have a very packed weekend in store. Tons of people about, one event on Sunday expecting about 150 people and I'm short one waitress. Omph! Thank goodness for last night's foray to the beach and today's relatively easy day. I moved my office to the basement but it was pretty relaxed overall.

I hope my 50-something body lasts the summer. It's tough, going at the pace that I do.

Music: My Hands by Jewel and When I Stop Dreaming by Johnny Cash. Johnny has a little talk before the song, about work. Work is what we're consumed with for much of our lives and is necessary but darn, it sure is hard to make a living. Fiona Apple's, Extrordinary Machine (I'm talking about my body) is way back on the music page. I'd recommend playing that one any day, not just days when you're - thinking about my body. I found it to be one of the "songs of the year" that I put on quite a few playlists and still play a lot.

Have a good weekend..............and don't work too hard!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Hot, Hot, Hot


Wow it's hot! Menopause should only happen in winter in my opinion. Not that I get cold then either but it's been such a hot summer! I'm kind of wilting. I guess it could be tiredness with two late nights and a cup of coffee yesterday afternoon which affected last night's sleep. We had great rain on the weekend but it just didn't do it's job of cooling us off. Those who know me know I love the heat so it is unusual for me to complain about it.

Well, I'm back after eating my supper. My niece, who loves hot food, is here and my daughter, who doesn't, is away so you guessed it. We just had a madras curry chicken for supper.....super hot. Don't they say to fight fire with fire? Actually we're going out for ice-cream in a bit and maybe a swim. I don''t know where the tide is; that's why the maybe.

For music, Damien Rice with Volcano and Jack Johnston and Ben Harper's High Tide or Low Tide.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Rocking On



Putfile, where I upload my music has a new feature. I can e-mail a song to someone directly from Putfile. For some reason, S., who has a Mac can't get my music on the putfile page but I e-mailed her a song through the new service and she can play it. I guess it's a round-about way to download the music. I'm not sure what anyone else sees when they're on my putfile page once you click the song you've chosen to hear. My page is different. You may be able to e-mail it yourself. Check it out.

Yesterday poured rain all day and it's going to rain off and on all day today. In honour of this wonderful rain, I'm uploading one of my favorite Dylan songs, Buckets of Rain, and for the reggae lovers, Ain't No Sunshine by Kenneth Boothe.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

A Simple Life


I love getting off work right on time, coming home, and having a bit of a ritual. Grab a beer and three kitties who like to roll on a beach and have their bellies rubbed. Call your best friend and find out about her day and tell her about yours. Discuss important, earth shattering issues for a half hour and then get supper.

Such a simple life really, and it's mine.

Music today: It's kind of unbelievable but I don't have a Joni Mitchell song anywhere on my music page. I love Joni Mitchell. I fell in love with her in 1973. I knew her before that but 1973 is when I fell in love with her. I was a college student and lived in a party house. When I needed to do papers or study I went to the apartment of two guys who were at my house partying. They had all the Joni Mitchell albums and all the Leonard Cohen albums. Can you imagine the influence that has had on me. Anyway, Joni wrote this song in the 70's and recorded it. It was meant for an older woman and found it's real place in the world when Joni recorded it for her standards album by the same name, Both Sides Now. I cried the first three times I heard this version.

Such a simple life really, and it's mine.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Music, More or Less

Ms. MacKenzie going trucking

I have my music back! My stereo has been in the shop since o5 April and is not fixed. The techie had a solution however. I bought a $29.95 DVD player and hooked it up to my system and I have music. I played a CD and could hear music all over the house again. Yeah!!!

I went through my music page yesterday and found some songs missing due to lack of interest. They disappear after six months of not getting a hit. I think it is sooner because at least one hasn't been up there for six months. If you have any favorites, play them once in a while to keep them up. If you'd like any of the following missing songs back up, let me know.
  • Battle of New Orleans I have Nitty Gritty Dirt Band as the singers but that has been disputed.
  • Akua Tuta by Kashtin. I so love the rhythm in this song.
  • Four Strong Winds by Ian and Sylvia. Such a classic and with everyone "going out to Alberta."
  • What a Wonderful World by Renee Olstead. I have different taste than everyone, I think.
  • Dance Me to the End of Love. Leonard's version got 12 hits. I like hers better.
  • Father and Son by Cat Stevens. Johnny Cash and Fiona Apple's version got 14 hits.
Songs with the most hits are:
  • 64 - Black Eyed Peas - My Humps
  • 57 - Mana Zucherro - Baila Morena
  • 86 - Kanye West - Gold Digger
  • 56 - Prince - Black Sweat
There are several with One, Two , Three and even Zero. I don't know what to think, really. Is anyone playing the music? Is it a waste of time to put it up? I'm kind of discouraged but will upload one appropriate song today. Music by Leela James says a lot about what has become of music through music videos etc. She wants us to get back to the MUSIC!

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Tired and Blurry


Yesterday I worked a twelve and a half hour day. Way too much for me, especially with a late night the night before. I work with a great crew though and that makes all the difference. Everyone was perky and uncomplaining. One person was missing a dinner party but I fed her well and she was getting some food saved from the party so she was ok.

I'm not so ok about missing a dinner party. I have a group of friends who have a get together every year at one friend's beach house. They had me pick the day this year so that I could make sure to have it off. Well that date is this Sunday and a couple of weeks ago, I booked it for a neighbour's 25th aniversary. I just couldn't refuse the booking. Of course my friends are disappointed; I bring dessert and I am feeling bad about it. I truly shouldn't let work come first but this year is very slow and the board is hinting at taking a staff person away so I need to bring in the money.

Three of us in this group are celebrating having been friends for thirty years and we will somehow manage to do that. We all moved to PEI 30 years ago and got jobs at the same place. When we decided to celebrate 25 years it actually took us two years to do it and celebrated 25 years in our 27th year. We got together often in those years but not specifically to celebrate our friendship.

Music for today: The Weakness in Me by Joan Armatrading and Help Me ( a real favorite) by Junior Wells.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Can Hell Be This Hot?


Well I was with a pretty excited bunch of people last night. Brody said, "This better be in your blog." The reason for all the excitement - we came first in trivia! Nine out of ten on each round. Three 50 plus members and two almost 30 is a very good combination. Us oldies recognized clues like Napolean Solo (The Man From UNCLE) that the youngins didn't know at all and vice versa.

What felt really good was beating Gordon and Rex whom we were tied with after round one. They are both geniuses and know it and sure didn't like that we beat them. We love it because Gordon was formerly on our team and now is with another genius and not with us. We miss his brain. He is a geography, history and political specialist and really, really smart.

The worst of this perfect team is that Brody will be leaving at the end of the month to go back up north. I asked his friend to join us permanently and he said he would.

S and I had supper last night sitting on the deck at the yacht club. It was really nice. The weather has been very hot and I had been running around shopping, banking, etc. Sitting in a sea breeze was pretty darned nice.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Twenty Minutes Till A Glorious Swim



Spent the last hour laying under the trees in the shade. Didn't even bother with a hammock, just laid on the grass. Bella and Kenz were with me. My great mood of Friday didn't last till today. Actually I'm cranky. I very rarely am but it's just one of those days where things are not in a good flow. For instance I had to work for a short time this morning totally unexpectedly for someone else's error. Not a good thing on your only day off.

I'ts very hot today and I've been zoomin' like a mad woman getting those once a week chores done. I mowed which is a two hour job so the hour under the shady tree was just what I needed. I'm going for a swim in a bit and am kind of kicking myself for deciding not to join some friends to catch some live music tonight. It's just that Steve is having such a great time as trivia master that he doesn't end trivia until almost 11:30 and with a half hour to get home, Tuesdays are late nights. Two in a row would probably do me in.

Music for today: Solo Tu by Lila Downs and Crepuscular Solidao by Bonnie Raitt and Cesaria Evora.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Brava!


S. and I went to the play, Marion Bridge, last night. It was excellent. The three women in the play are friends of ours and we've seen them in plays before but they were really amazing in Marion Bridge. The roles were perfect for each individual woman. There is no way they would be able to switch roles. It's only playing till the end of July. Melissa is a blueberry grower and she'd never be able to do the play in August and Christina is going to the middle East in August to teach for two years. If anyone has the opportunity to see this trio perform this critically acclaimed play, run don't walk to The Arts Guild in Charlottetown.

Music for today: Ain't it Funny, a really moody song from kd lang that I found this week from the album Drag. I love these moody ballads and who does them better? Something from the Moody Blues is appropriate too - The Actor.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Wowzers


Did you ever have one of those days where you wake up and everything is terrific and in technicolor? Well, those are great days and I'm having one of them. I had an unplanned meeting a half hour before my usual time to go to work, worked non-stop all day long, and left a bit late but had an absolutely fantastic day all around. It was super busy but I connected with everyone today in a really positive way and got a lot accomplished. Some days you just kind of glow. I wouldn't mind a couple more days like this....in a row.....maybe a week of them.

For music, you know I need James Brown but I only have him on album, tape, and CD other than one song which won't do for today. We definitely need something lively. How about native Nova Scotian, Dutch Mason's version of Dust My Broom, and oldey but goodie; the song, not Dutch. The MP3 is not complete but is good and lively. Something else lively and also an oldey but goody is Tower of Power's, I Got the Chop. Something newer for you youngins will be Tegan and Sarah's I Want to Be Bad.


Thursday, July 13, 2006

Life in the Country




We are having a welcome day of rain after hot humid weather. I so love rainy days when they're spaced between hot sunny days.

One of the photo challenges this week was animals. I used cats of course, but since then there have been lots of animals crossing my path.

The cows are back in the field behind my house. They are only in there for a couple of days at a time every few weeks so it's nice to see them. It was fun when my neighbour had dairy cows instead of beef cattle and my kids were young. Dairy cows are accustomed to being handled every day and when we were outside they were at the fence waiting for garden weeds and apples to be thrown over for them. We had names for them because they have such distinct personalities and you could easily tell them apart. Beef cattle just eat; they're constantly munching and hardly even look up.

The sheep had started to come over to the fence when I stopped for a photo but the smell or feel of grass distracted them so they all stopped and began munching; that's their job.

The rabbit was in a field at work munching away when we were leaving for the day. He didn't seem to be frightened at all. One of the waitresses walked down the driveway and it didn't seem to bother him. He just kept munching.

I think I just uncovered a theme here...farm animals and eating....hmmmm.

Please don't think I'm weird for having this song in my library but today's upload just has to be Mairzy Doats. I can't help it. I always loved that song and sang it to my kids forever.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Six Long Months


A milestone today - six full months without a cigarette after smoking for forty one years. I wish I could say it was a year because it feels like a year. I can say I'm never going to smoke another one again in my life and believe it. It's been hard for moments but only for moments. I'm done.

We had a great time at trivia last night. There were three age 50+ and three 28 -29 year olds on the team and that is a great mix. All bases covered. We came third but team second passed their prize on to us so we start next week with a free pitcher of beer.

Music today: The Body Breaks by Devendra Banheart and Long Time Comin' by Leela James.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Satisfied




What a day off! I worked like a slave with housework in the morning so that I could go to the beach for the afternoon. I was having a dinner party so prepared all the food in the morning too. The beach was great though we didn't go for a swim as the tide was out. Rock picking became a workout. I didn't plan to bring any rocks home but brought about a quarter of a ton.

My photos are of a hazy beach. Perhaps I should have posted rock photos. Winter might be the right time...when I'm missing the red earth.

Dinner was wonderful.....good food, great company and lots of laughter. Took the kitchen table out to the deck and stayed out till the mosquitoes took over. A really good day off. Trivia tonight with Brody joining us.

Today's music: Still Water by Daniel Lanois and Your Naked Body on the Beach by Hawksley Workman.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Hoping for Beach Weather




I visited a friend last night who has the most amazing gardens. It was late in the day with not a lot of light so my photos aren't great. My friends shared the soft shell clams that they had dug earlier....yum yum.

Best news of all about yesterday, better than my walk in the woods, lovely gardens and soft-shelled clams is that I slept through the night. I woke at my usual 5:30 but didn't come down till 6:00. I found my daughter still on the phone after talking to her boyfriend all night.

Looking forward to my day off tomorrow. If the weather is fit I'd like to go to the beach but if it's not there is no shortage of great things to do on this island.

Uploads today deal with being taken out: Take Me Out by Scissor Sisters and Everywhere I Go by Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

The Cool Woods




Today's highlight was going into the woods with the people in the sketching workshop at work. It was ridden by mosquitoes but other than that, pure wonder! The stream was beautiful, shiny and dappled light and dark with tiny fish dashing about and that sound that only a stream has. I want to call it dappled too.

I love the woods. I grew up with woods as my playground; trees, streams, and fields, as my toys. S. and I go to the woods often, whenever we can. Last year was great in that we were able to go in the winter and very early spring because of our lack of snow. This was a great day and I like the pictures of S. It was March 31st. The above photo is the same stream in winter. You can even see the dappling.

My only regret was I didn't take my camera for the walk today. I never go to work without it and took some pictures in the morning while I was in the front garden. Next time.

Todays uploads are, Take Me Home and This One's From the Heart from Tom Waits' 1982 album One From the Heart.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Arting and Farting Around


This has been an arty week so far. I've sold three paintings at work and just came home from attending two art openings. Seeing new paintings is always inspiring. Both artists are favorites of mine. I have only one of John Burden's paintings. It was given to me as a birthday gift a few years ago. I have several of Greg Garand's paintings and his show was spectacular. What is really cool is that he has owed me a painting for about three years and has not forgotten which I thought he had. He is to do a painting of some land of mine but it turns out he couldn't find the land. I saw some new work by a friend of mine, Karl MacKeeman, who is doing a sketching workshop for me on Saturday and a couple more this month, a couple in August and is showing with us in September. He doesn't have a website for me to link but he sure has some nice new work. I may go this week on my town day to pick out what I'd like in September.

My niece went to the openings with my friend and I and that was fun. She's 17 and living with me for the summer. I can't believe she chose to hang out with me and not my daughter who is going to the Blues and Jazz Festival tonight. On the way home she said she didn't feel like a teenager anymore because it was 8:30 and she was thinking about going to bed. She's doing a fairly hard physical job for the summer and it's her first job so it's kind of tough but she sure is learning a lot.....like it wouldn't be a good idea to stay out till 3am when you have to work in the morning. Good for her!!

Music for tonight: Nina Simone's, Mood Indigo and Dr. John's, Blues in the Night.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Weiners



Ah, it feels good. Turns out that our trivia team were third place winners for the spring season. We had a team of nine last night and tied for second after the 1st round but blew the second round and didn't place. Everyone had an extra drink except me.....I had to drive. I'll have my drinks paid for again next week though. Winning (third) is good.

A couple of us have decided to play for the summer which we've never done before. Our favorite trivia master is hosting for eight weeks then goes back to the Northwest Territories to teach. He was so happy to be home last night. Even if he hadn't kept saying so, you could see it in his face.

Upload for today: Akright OK, You Win by Bette Midler and if I still have Peggy Lee's version I'll put it up too. Ten minutes later: I guess Bette's version was already up there but Peggy's wasn't so here's Peggy and look back for Bette's. Probably corresponds to another trivia win.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Bad Kitty





Bad Kitty


It is 1:28 in the morning and I can't sleep. I've been up for about a half hour already and eaten some pickles but maybe I should be drinking warm milk.

On Saturday night I called the cats to come in. It took them a while to come and they came from the side of the house where they don't usually hang out unless they are up trees. Kenz was limping and still is and Clarke has scratches on his nose. We have had this mean and nasty stray around for a couple of years. He attacks the cats and I would say he is the likely culprit. In the pictures, you can see Clarke's scratched nose, then Kenz and the bottom one is Bad Kitty. That's what we call him. It's funny but Clarke looks like him other than Clarke has long hair and Bad Kitty is short haired.

Because of this disease ridden stray problem, it's important that the cats are up to date on their immunizations and are about two weeks overdue so this is a good reminder to me. It's a real fun day when you take three cats to the vet at once.

Upload for tonight is Insomnia, if I can find it. I know I have that song but there is no bell ringing to tell me where to look.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Back in Business


A panic for nothing. Apparently if there is a power bump in the middle of the night and your computer turns off, you have to reset your power bar. I never had to do that before. My modem was still working and flashing (I used my nieces laptop which is hooked to my modem) so I would never think of resetting the power bar but after getting that suggestion, I did it and am back in business. Weird but wonderfully simple.

Now back to regularly scheduled programming. Uploads today: S'wonderful by Rod Stewart and a version by Yohoudi (sp) Menuhin & Stephane Grapelli. Diana Krall's version may be up already but if it's not I'll save it for when something else wonderful happens to me.

Crisis Situation

My lifeline to the world, my best friend, my computer, is dead. I am hoping that Staples, where I bought it, took Saturday as their Canada Day holiday, not today. The last time I had a broken computer I got depressed and depondent. We don't want that again!

Having it broken is one thing. I just don't want to have lost all of my music. I don't care so much about the photos except for the ones of the grandchildren. Losing the music would be very hard.

I am using my niece's laptop by the way.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Hoya


Well I certainly can't wait for my day off tomorrow. I'm exhausted. I think I need more than one day off a week though. It's hard to fit mowing, housework, and pleasure in one day. Last year my best friend and I did something fun every Monday just so that I would have some pleasure to my summer other than just work. We already have one Monday outing planned and a couple of evening events that aren't on Mondays.

This week we have to see our old trivia master who has been away for a year. They want everyone to be there and have a special evening planned. He and his wife have recently become parents for the first time so we're hoping they bring the baby in for a quick look. Thursday I have a friend who is having an art show opening and he specifically called and asked me to come so I feel I will right now. On Thursday I may feel different.

Discovered a wow new group that I'll post a song of today. The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band is a trio so the big refers to the sound I think. High, high energy with slide guitar. I say wow! I'll post That Train Song and if anyone wants more, let me know. Also a different version of Dylan's, Outlaw Blues, which is from Exclusive Outtakes From No Direction Home - The Soundtrack.

Really cool blog entry entitles Strange Statues Around the World. Some truly unusual, some truly awesome.