Thursday, May 31, 2007

Family Fun


My son is a University graduate! Yeah!!!! We had a wonderful time and the best part was that we were all together for a happy occasion. I forgot my camera for the ceremony but everyone says they'll send photos. I was so mad at myself. We stayed an extra day, getting home just yesterday, and my daughter leaves for back out west today, in about an hour in fact.

I missed the kitties.

Halifax is a bit ahead in the signs of spring with lilacs about to bloom. We are freezing here and there is a chance of frost tonight. Come on heat!!!!

Music today is for the graduate. My son likes Sonny's Dream which I already have one version up. Here's another by Valdy. It's All Over Now by Bobby Womack is an appropriate title for the occasion. Here's to you, J.!!!

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Super Women


My, my, it's been a whirl wind around here. I've been invaded with twenty-somethings and it's been fabulous. I've been having a blast. I've had my own friends here for the weekend as well, so we've been partying pretty heartily amogst us all. We've been very physically active along with the festivities with a bocce ball game last night and the above display of athletics this afternoon. My friend and I spent the afternoon at the beach. Again, that was glorious. Everyone has had a wonderful weekend. We leave for Halifax tomorrow for the convocation ceremony. Exciting times!

A big bonus to spring this year and quite early actually is that we have day old ducklings in the pond. I only discovered them this afternoon when the light was not good for photos. I hope to get a couple of shots of them soon. There are one day old teal I think, though they could be mallards. Last year we had a Mama who finally gave up after several attempts at sitting with a raccoon or fox, probably, always getting her nests. This is a great treat.

Music: Drinkin' songs: Well, about drinkin' anyway. This is a very old one from when I was a teenager. Spill The Wine from Eric Burden and War was a popular song in about '69 or '70. Willie Nelson's got a song for the country lovers.........Cath.....Willie's doing I Gotta Get Drunk. A Jockey Full Of Bourbon from Tom Waits is a third selection and my favorite of the three. It's from Beautiful Maladies from 1998.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Coincidences


I got my lawn mowed this morning and spent the afternoon at the beach. It was pure heaven. I'm driving my car down in a bit to pick up some rocks and driftwood that I set aside. A coincidence: I checked the tide tables and it reported low tide at 12:16. I checked the tide table at exactly 12:16. It's a nice hot day and this is going to be a short post as I want some deck time before that drive to the beach and supper. My daughter is arriving home tonight and waking me when she gets in. I'm so excited.

Music today is from Dayna Kurtz. I'm always up for slow jazz ballads. I Got It Bad (And That Aint Good) is a duet with Dayna and Norah Jones and singin' solo is Dayna with Joy of Repetition. I just realized I Got it Bad has been uploaded before. It's worth a listen again, I think.

I've been meaning to put this link up since Tuesday. It was my 200th post on Shutterchance that day. I put up a self-portrait. Another coincidence: Another Shutterchancer, Point, also had his 200th up that day and put up a self portrait.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Bob is Sixty-Six


That big yellow orb that is sometimes present in our skies appeared today. It remained cold till after noon but we've finally hit the seventeen degrees that was forecasted. There's still a north wind blowing so it feels cooler. I went to a country garden at eight-thirty this morning to pick up some plants I had ordered and we nearly froze. I left the plants in the car to stay warm till four.

I went on another superwalk today. I was gone an hour and a half and walked really fast and got the endorphins streaming. Wow!!!!!!!! I have a real hankering to go to the beach. I don't know the tides and will check them for tomorrow. I want to go when the tide is low and I still have to mow because of the coldness today. I'll work it all out. Work starts in a couple of weeks so I have to get to the beach now, as often as possible.

It's Bob Dylan's birthday today. He's sixty-six so became a senior citizen last year. The music today will come from him. The first song is Shooting Star. It's one of my favorite Bob songs and always reminds me of my kids cause they're all shooting stars. A seven minute song with a groove is selection number two. It is Cold Irons Bound from the album, Time Out of Mind. OK, one more.....This one is live from Carnagie Hall in 1961 and is a real treat for Bob Dylan fans. If I don't get a comment after uploading this one, I don't quite know what is wrong. Happy Birthday, Zimmie.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Flowers For Cheer


These tulips are now open but a photo from last week will have to do today. I'm in a state of shock. I just paid for my roof. I knew how much it was going to cost but writing the cheque and handing it over is another story. Taxes and car insurance went out this week too, as well as the regular monthly bills. It's a good thing work will be starting soon.

I got two of the three cd's I was working on finished today. I couldn't mow because the roofers were here so went walking but tomorrow mowing is the main order of business. My kids all like to mow and I don't at all. The problem is my kids no longer live here. My daughter will mow for me when she is here next week, she says. I'll hold her to it if she wants to eat Mama's cooking.

The last coincidence in the series is here today. I had another similar page bookmarked with fifteen coincidences. I'll check to see if they are the same or have overlaps. If there are any extras I will add them. The 21st, a bad day for King Louis XVI
When King Louis XVI of France was a child, he was warned by an astrologer to always be on his guard on the 21st day of each month. Louis ws so terrified by this that he never did business on this day. Unfortunately Louis was not always on his guard. On June 21st 1791, following the French revolution, Louis and his queen were arrested in Varennes, whist trying to escape France. On September 21st 1791, France abolished the institution of Royalty and proclaimed itself a republic. Finally on January 21st 1793, King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine.

Music for today is some of what is included in the cd I'm working on now. One is Cold Engines by Phil Campbell and the other is Beautiful Girl by Jonatha Brooke.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Ignore the Ads


This is my second attempt at a post. When I cut and pasted the nineteenth coincidence , some ads were included. They could not be deleted so I abandoned the post. I'll start again with a new photo and new subject but I'll leave the same music as it's already uploaded.

The photo is of the marshy areas on the way to Morell. I was there about ten days ago and am going back soon. My sister-in-law, the favorite ex, drives that road every day and yesterday, as she's done for years, brought me a bouquet of marsh marigolds. They're really beautiful in a vase that's just made for them. Here's a photo from last year's bouquet. Stunning aren't they?

I'm still in cd compilation mode. Yesterday, I shared some songs from my son's. Today is some from the favorite ex's new one. I made her one about work last week. The one for this week has no particular theme. We have a really symbiotic relationship. She brings me flowers. I supply her with new music. A couple on her new cd are Romance by Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man and No Mermaid by Sinead Lohan.

If I can't get the nineteenth coincidence up withoud ad, ignore the ads.
King Umberto I' double
In Monza, Italy, King Umberto I, went to a small restaurant for dinner, accompanied by his aide-de-camp, General Emilio Ponzia- Vaglia. When the owner took King Umberto's order, the King noticed that he and the restaurant owner were virtual doubles, in face and in build. Both men began discussing the striking resemblances between each other and found many more similarities.
a) Both men were born on the same day, of the same year, (March 14th, 1844).
b) Both men had been born in the same town.
c) Both men married a woman with same name, Margherita.
d) The restauranteur opened his restaurant on the same day that King Umberto was crowned King of Italy.
e) On the 29th July 1900, King Umberto was informed that the restauranteur had died that day in a mysterious shooting accident, and as he expressed his regret, he was then assassinated by an anarchist in the crowd. Sorry about that!!!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Endorphins Are My Friend


I've probably been starting each Monday with something like, "What a day I had today" or something to that effect. I repeat that sentiment today. Our hike was amazing. The leaves are just emerging as well as all those pollen-filled tree flowers such as the one pictured above. The landscape is absolutely stunning right now. I probably said the same thing last year but I think it's prettier at this time of year than in the fall.

We walked for two hours and ten minutes today in very steep terrain. The roads were wet from the weekend of rain. I took one of my friends dogs today and handed her off for a few minutes if I wanted to take a photo. The endorphins were pumping and I'm already sorry I'll miss it next week when we're at my son's convocation. Hmmmm....maybe Sunday.

I'm making a cd for my other son. I brought them some on my recent visit and he's requested more. I like that as I love making them. I made five for different people last week and am working on three now. I'm making a copy of this one for myself too. I like it. One song from the list that I had stuck in my head all day is Enjoy Yourself by Todd Snider. Two more on the cd are Bye Bye Frankie by Scott E. Moore and Got Up This Morning by Sage France and Jolie Holland. Hey Hon, you get a sneak preview. All can be found on Page Two.

Coincidence Number Eighteen: A writer's plum pudding
In 1805, French writer Émile Deschamps was treated to some plum pudding by the stranger Monsieur de Fortgibu. Ten years later, he encountered plum pudding on the menu of a Paris restaurant, and wanted to order some, but the waiter told him the last dish had already been served to another customer, who turned out to be de Fortgibu. Many years later in 1832 Émile Deschamps was at a diner, and was once again offered plum pudding. He recalled the earlier incident and told his friends that only de Fortgibu was missing to make the setting complete — and in the same instant the now senile de Fortgibu entered the room.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Colour Has Arrived


I have a few minutes, I guess. Enough for a start anyway. My son is supposed to be here already. We're having dinner together. I just got home from a friend's in town who made a big last move because they sold their house unexpectedly....one of those offers you can't refuse deals. Anyway I brought them a couple of cd's. One was entitled The Last Move and one is A New Home. I had more "moving" songs than one cd would hold. Sonny Boy is here. I'll continue later.

Sonny Boy is here with three friends. They are going to go fishing on the pond....in the rain. Supper is in the oven so I'm free to be here. Just found out that he's downloading a bunch of things while he's here. Really slows my stuff down

It's still raining but we so need it. I think the grass grew about two inches and the Island is finally green. The photo of Kenz was taken earlier today. Look at that grass and look at that forsythia bush. It's never bloomed this well before.

Music today is some of the music I've been playing making those last cd's. The theme is moving. Gimme Shelter is a Rolling Stones song we all know. Today's version is by Merry Clayton. It's a good one. Rochelle French does a fine job of Po' Boy Long Ways From Home. I already have Guy Davis' version up on Page One. I'm not sure if Rochelle's is the original version but it certainly is an old one.

Coincidence Number Seventeen: A writer, found the book of her childhood
While American novelist Anne Parrish was browsing bookstores in Paris in the 1920s, she came upon a book that was one of her childhood favorites - Jack Frost and Other Stories. She picked up the old book and showed it to her husband, telling him of the book she fondly remembered as a child. Her husband took the book, opened it, and on the flyleaf found the inscription: "Anne Parrish, 209 N. Weber Street, Colorado Springs." It was Anne's very own book. (Source: While Rome Burns, Alexander Wollcott)

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Happy Birthday Mom

'
It's pouring rain today. We haven't had all out rain like this for a long time, though I was on vacation and I think it rained then. It usually drizzles for days instead. This kind of rain is always great, I think. It's more cleansing and nourishing to the earth. Of course I have only half a new roof on and hope that rain isn't sitting trapped between the steel and old shingles. There's not a ridge cap on yet.

The Sixteenth Coincidence is probably one you've heard before. I know I had heard it before. A novel that predicted the Titanic's destiny, and another ship that almost followed
Morgan Robertson, in 1898, wrote "Futility". It described the maiden voyage of a transatlantic luxury liner named the Titan. Although it was touted as being unsinkable, it strikes an iceberg and sinks with much loss of life. In 1912 the Titanic, a transatlantic luxury liner widely touted as unsinkable strikes an iceberg and sinks with great loss of life on her maiden voyage. In the Book, the Month of the Wreck was April, same as in the real event. There were 3,000 passengers on the book; in reality, 2,207. In the Book, there were 24 Lifeboats; in reality, 20.
Months after the Titanic sank, a tramp steamer was traveling through the foggy Atlantic with only a young boy on watch. It came into his head that it had been thereabouts that the Titanic had sunk, and he was suddenly terrified by the thought of the name of his ship - the Titanian. Panic-stricken, he sounded the warning. The ship stopped, just in time: a huge iceberg loomed out of the fog directly in their path. The Titanian was saved.

Today would be my Mother's seventieth birthday. I'm so sorry she didn't get to live to this age. Her death at age sixty from early onset Alzheimers was not fair to such a great, vibrant woman. The photo is of my Mom and Dad in the happy times of their youth. I miss her and hope she knows she's being wished a happy birthday today.

Today's song, My Singing Soul by Soel is dedicated to my mother. Listening to the lyrics is so much the story of my Mother. There's even a line in here about holding her son while he died. Uncanny! Only one song today.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Wanderering Duo


An earlier post today. I've been outside all day gardening and such and now have roofers putting a roof on my house. I have a headache and am tired so don't feel like walking. I may have to though because the roofers are making noise and that's not good for the headache.

I had visitors today. My neighbour has a new dog and he's turning out to being a wanderer. He takes their old dog with him and I think they may getting into trouble. They went onto the road after my house and that's where the trouble might occur. They could get hit by vehicles if they continue to go on the road.

I planted some hardy flowers today but I won't plant anything yet that doesn't tolerate frost. Not with the spring we've been having. I've got a lot of the yard work done and now have to get the mower going. The work never ends around here. You just have to keep on keeping on to stay on top of it all.

Music for the day: Flowerparts by Bob Schneider is appropriate for the day. I know a Canadian singer-songwriter who I really, really like by the same name but was not familiar with this American fellow. I like the music though. True Colors by Cyndi Lauper was a song from the late 80's or early 90's that I always liked. It's up today for all the colourful flowers I planted.

Coincidence Number Fifteen is another one featuring twin brothers. Twins brothers, same heart attack
John and Arthur Mowforth were twins who lived about 80 miles apart in Great Britain. On the evening of May 22, 1975, both fell severely ill from chest pains. The families of both men were completely unaware of the other's illness. Both men were rushed to separate hospitals at approximately the same time. And both died of heart attacks shortly after arrival. (Source: Chronogenetics: The Inheretance of Biological Time, Luigi Gedda and Gianni Brenci)

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Warming Things Up


Our forecasted ten cemtimeters of snow turned out to be less than one centimeter followed by light rain in the morning. Nothing to stop me from my walk. The daffodils are lying over but I think they will spring back up. I cut about thirty last night to replenish and add in the house . I now have six vases full in the downstairs and one up. I can see three from where I sit. They're wonderful. I have a couple tulips in bloom; the earliest ones by the front. The other garden needs a couple more days but this rain did a great job of adding some needed moisture.

I've been getting a fair bit of new latin music lately. I needed some specifically for a cd I made for my aunt and uncle. They should get it today or tomorrow in the mail. I ran across lots more though while I was looking for examples of their easy listening style. I am a huge fan of cumbia style of music. Today's music is some I've recently found. My favorite is Unknown Cumbia and I have no other references. The other, Cumbia En Do Menor, by Lito Barrientos Y Su Orquesta is my other new favorite. It reminds me of old 30's American jumpin' jive music, one of my favorites. The first songs on both of the music pages are jumpin' jive, though nor necessarily straight from the 30's, The original songs are from the thirties. These new cumbias are wonderful on my newest dancing playlists. Update: I have more info on the unknown cumbia. It is "El Macho" by Lisandro Meza.

More Hotel happenings for the number fourteen coincidence: Two Mr. Brysons, same hotel room
While on a business trip sometime in the late 1950s, Mr. George D. Bryson stopped and registered at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. After signing the register and being given his key to room 307, he stopped by the mail desk to see if any letters had arrived for him. Indeed there was a letter, the mail girl told him, and handed him an envelope addressed to Mr. George D. Bryson, room 307. This wouldn't be so odd, except the letter was not for him, but for room 307's just-previous occupant - another man named George D. Bryson. (Source: Incredible Coincidence, Alan Vaughan)

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Fatal Spring

Click to Enlarge

Did I mention the weather yesterday? No, I didn't because I was trying to ignore the forecast and hope that "if you don't acknowledge it, it will go away." We are expecting ten centimeters of snow tonight along with some ice pellets....for good measure. You know it would have to be yesterday that I had my snow tires removed for the season.

The daffodils will recover I suppose though the weight of the snow may make them lie down. The tulips are about to bloom. This may set them back because the temps are supposed to be cold for a few days. I think we are getting some rain as well, but I'm not sure. We've had snow this late before but it's always depressing because we Maritimers need spring after our long winters.

I'll let Calexico tell you about it. Their songs, Cruel and Fatal Spring, describe tonight's weather perfectly.

Coincidence Number Thirteen: Swapped Hotel Findings
In 1953, television reporter Irv Kupcinet was in London to cover the coronation of Ellizabeth II. In one of the drawers in his room at the Savoy he found found some items that, by their identification, belonged to a man named Harry Hannin. Coincidentally, Harry Hannin - a basketball star with the famed Harlem Globetrotters - was a good friend of Kupcinet's. But the story has yet another twist. Just two days later, and before he could tell Hannin of his lucky discovery, Kupcinet received a letter from Hannin. In the letter, Hannin told Kucinet that while staying at the Hotel Meurice in Paris, he found in a drawer a tie - with Kupcinet's name on it! (Source: Mysteries of the Unexplained)

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Foxes

Click to Enlarge

I had a great experience today. I was having car work done and a friend and I went on several walks on the trail near her house. Someone had told her about a foxes den in view from the trail. We found it and I got several photos. There are several mounds of topsoil which contain numerous holes and tunnels to make this an excellent den. The mother was very wary and when I got a little close, she barked and her kits instantly went inside. I cropped/enlarged the photo to get a view, as I was quite far away.

I have to get rear brakes and a new muffler to pass my inspection. Drats! It is possible my muffler is under warranty still. Yeah! Between houses and cars, maintenence is very expensive. I am soon getting a new roof which is quoted at almost eight thousand dollars. Drats!

I can't think of any songs I have about foxes but I have Buffalo Girl by Chris Bathgate. It will have to do for music today. The Theme from Northern Exposure can make you think of foxes as well, or wildlife anyway. Here it is, song number ninety-nine, by David Shwartz.

The Twelfth coincidence: Two brothers killed by the same taxi driver, one year apart
In 1975, while riding a moped in Bermuda, a man was accidentally struck and killed by a taxi. One year later, this man's bother was killed in the very same way. In fact, he was riding the very same moped. And to stretch the odds even further, he was struck by the very same taxi driven by the same driver - and even carrying the very same passenger! (Source: Phenomena: A Book of Wonders, John Michell and Robert J. M. Rickard)

Monday, May 14, 2007

Fields and Trees



My Monday hike today was very, very fabulous. We walked for just under two hours. Next week we have a really long walk planned. We may even take lunch with us. We were through woods and meadows and up and down the hills. It was a wonderful workout. I had two desserts to walk off.

I'm spreading daffodils far and wide. When you have hundreds you share the wealth. They're so bright and sunny and bring cheer. The tulips should be out in a few days; they're my favorites.

I've just had to turn the heat on to get some chill out of the house. Again today, it's very sunny with a cold north wind. I had two sweaters on during my hike. Brrrrr.

Where Do We Go From Here is a question you keep asking your hiking partner when you don't know the area. It is also one of today's songs from Shade Tree. Old Cypress Tree by Shannon McNally and Charlie Sexton is today's other song. Yes, music by a tree and about a tree.

Number Eleven Coincidence: Three strangers on a Train, with complementary last names
In the 1920s, three Englishman were traveling separately by train through Peru. At the time of their introduction, they were the only three men in the railroad car. Their introductions were more surprising than they could have imagined. One man's last name was Bingham, and the second man's last name was Powell. The third man announced that his last name was Bingham-Powell. None were related in any way. (Source: Mysteries of the Unexplained)

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Mother's Day



Oh what a day I've had! I don't know if I'll be able to eat until next week after the wonderful brunch I attended. The problem is I have an oven full of ribs that I was supposed to cook yesterday but cooked today and a friend of my daughter dropped off lobster for Mother's Day. I also have asparagus coming out of my ears (looks really funny). No, there's no wolf at my door.

My son was wonderful company at brunch. I talked to my daughter a couple of times today and I just got off the phone with my son and grandson . I was pretty sad for a time this morning but I'm findingMother's Day a little easier each year. I called my dad this morning but he was out so I talked to my surrogate mom instead. They all know how hard this day has been for me in the past.

For music today the ultimate Mother song....the one from John Lennon. Patsy Cline always reminds me of my mother so here's one for my Mom, Crazy by Patsy Cline.

We're half way through the coincidences and it's one that is pretty well known:
Mark Twain and Halley's Comet
Mark Twain was born on the day of the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1835, and died on the day of its next appearance in 1910. He himself predicted this in 1909, when he said: "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it."

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Super Saturday


I was out and about in the countryside today and didn't have to drive. That was a great treat! I didn't take many photos as I didn't want to ask the driver to stop. I did once though, for a nice photo of a marsh pond.The weather was sunny but only nine degrees and quite windy so not too many people were in their gardens. Driving around was a very nice alternative. I went to a library sale and got a whole box of books. The two friends I went with got a ton as well, so with trading and all, we have books for a year!

Did you like the surprise music? Here's some music from a new-to-me artist. She has a nice, soft and mellow sound yet she sings with some feeling too; very nice. Her name is Mieka Pauley and her songs are Fate Day by Day and All The Same Mistakes. Give her a listen.

My youngest son is my only child at home this year for Mother's Day. We are going to brunch at the same place we went last year. It was wonderful. I'll forget my careful eating for one day, that's for sure.

Here is the ninth coincidence in the series of twenty: A novel that unsuspectedly described the spy next door
When Norman Mailer began his novel Barbary Shore, there was no plan to have a Russian spy as a character. As he worked on it, he introduced a Russian spy in the U.S. as a minor character. As the work progressed, the spy became the dominant character in the novel. After the novel was completed, the U.S. Immigration Service arrested a man who lived just one floor above Mailer in the same apartment building. He was Colonel Rudolf Abel, alleged to be the top Russian spy working in the U.S. at that time. (Source: Science Digest)

Friday, May 11, 2007

Surprise Songs


No time to blog today. I'm going to link a couple of songs as surprises. Here's one, two, three, and four. I'll be back tomorrow.

Coincidence Number Eight: Poker winnings, to the unsuspected son
In 1858, Robert Fallon was shot dead, an act of vengeance by those with whom he was playing poker. Fallon, they claimed, had won the $600 pot through cheating. With Fallon's seat empty and none of the other players willing to take the now-unlucky $600, they found a new player to take Fallon's place and staked him with the dead man's $600. By the time the police had arrived to investigate the killing, the new player had turned the $600 into $2,200 in winnings. The police demanded the original $600 to pass on to Fallon's next of kin - only to discover that the new player turned out to be Fallon's son, who had not seen his father in seven years! (Source: Ripley's Giant Book of Believe It or Not!)

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Thursday Already?


Oh yes, spring has definitely sprung. Everyone who can be outside, is outside. Flowers are in bloom, there are tractors on the roads and that smell of manure is in the country air. Moods have improved all around the Island and that is a good thing. I had a hundred things to do in town so set off in the morning so that I could be home for the afternoon. Cashiers and support staff everywhere I went were pleasant and smiling.

I'm going to spread spring joy after dinner and bring tons of daffodils to the nursing home in my community to put on the tables in the diningroom.

I'm too lazy to check back to see if I have any versions of Sexual Healing up already so will put four versions of what was Marvin Gaye's huge hit just before his death. I had a version by Smokey Robinson as well but I must have deleted it for some reason. Here is the first version by Marvin Gaye. The Soul Asylum version is for the rock lovers and the jazzier, groovier, rhythmic version is from Rockapella. The names should be transposed here in my opinion. The fourth is a sexy, acoustic version by Ben Harper and Jack Johnson. Can anyone guess my favorite? I'd love to hear your guesses and I'll tell you tomorrow.

The Seventh Coincidence: Three suicide attempts, all stopped by the same Monk
Joseph Aigner was a fairlly well-known portrait painter in 19th century Austria who, apparently, was quite an unhappy fellow: he several times attempted suicide. His first attempt was at the young age of 18 when he tried to hang himself, but was interrupted by the mysterious appearance of a Capuchin monk. At age 22 he again tried to hang himself, but was again saved from the act by the very same monk. Eight years later, his death was ordained by others who sentenced him to the gallows for his political activities. Once again, his life was saved by the intervention of the same monk. At age 68, Aiger finally succeeded in suicide, a pistol doing the trick. His funeral ceremony was conducted by the same Capuchin monk - a man whose name Aiger never even knew. (Source: Ripley's Giant Book of Believe It or Not!)

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Early Posting


I need a bit of a break from outdoors believe it or not. Well, not from outdoors per se but from lifting, toting, shoveling, digging, pulling, dumping, that kind of thing. Im not finished with the shed but needed an outdoor job today to get some sun. That part is glorious. My property requires a lot of gardening maintenence with "the beach", both below deck and on the deck and various gardens. I'm feeling my age this spring.

I picked daffodils last night and am having asparagus tonight. Yeah. I knew things would move rapidly ahead once the sun came out. All the conditions were there. We just needed warmth.

I had the front door open and music blasting while I worked. These songs now keep going through my head. I Want to Be Your Mother's Son In Law by Macy Grey and Dance Me To The End of Love by Madeleine Peyroux. I can't believe I have neither one uploaded, actually. Dance Me is hidden on page one, I just can't find it so I've uploaded it again. My aunt and uncle had taped a Madeleine Peyroux concert for me to watch while I was visiting. Very good concert and nice to put a face to the music.

Coincidence Number Six: Twin brothers, killed on the same road, two hours apart
On 2002, Seventy-year-old twin brothers have died within hours of one another after separate accidents on the same road in northern Finland. The first of the twins died when he was hit by a lorry while riding his bike in Raahe, 600 kilometres north of the capital, Helsinki. He died just 1.5km from the spot where his brother was killed. "This is simply a historic coincidence. Although the road is a busy one, accidents don't occur every day," police officer Marja-Leena Huhtala told Reuters. "It made my hair stand on end when I heard the two were brothers, and identical twins at that. It came to mind that perhaps someone from upstairs had a say in this," she said. (Source: BBC News)

Addendum. I know of two men, twins, who lost their legs in vehicle accidents a week apart. One lost his left leg, one his right.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Cleaning Out


I'm kind of exhausted. I've been cleaning my shed since nine this morning. PEI has a spring (and fall) cleanup that has just started this week so I'm taking full advantage and getting rid of some junk. I've already had cars stopping to check out the pile and they took a kitchen sink I had discarded. I'm making this short so that I can sit on the deck to enjoy some sunshine and relax some sore muscles.

Music: Something from a long time ago. Youngin's may not have even heard of Donovan. He has a funky little number about a mountain which reminds me of my cleaning job today. Have a listen to There is a Mountain with references to "shedding the skin and finding a butterfly within." Donavan was popular in the sixties. Treasure Untold by Loudon Wainwright III is for the idea of finding a treasure in other people's junk. There sure is a pile of it at the end of my driveway.

Coincidence Numero Cinque: Just like Edgar Allan Poe's book
In the 19th century, the famous horror writer, Egdar Allan Poe, wrote a book called 'The narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym'. It was about four survivors of a shipwreck who were in an open boat for many days before they decided to kill and eat the cabin boy whose name was Richard Parker. Some years later, in 1884, the yawl, Mignonette, foundered, with only four survivors, who were in an open boat for many days. Eventully the three senior members of the crew, killed and ate the cabin boy. The name of the cabin boy was Richard Parker.

Monday, May 07, 2007

The Pleasures


I've had a wonderful, wonderful day filled with skies, horses and friends. I took one friend to see a newish (one month) baby foal and then went to visit a friend with two horses in a pasture and one more delivered to said pasture while I was there.

The sky was incredible all day. The temps were higher and the sun was around with mackeral clouds but it was still quite windy. My friend and I walked for hours. I took 153 photos and felt those endorphins soaring.....my aim in life. I had a friend waiting for me when I arrived home. A grand day altogether.

The music today is to remind me of the lovely day I had. The Healing Game is from a Van Morrison album of the same name. It is one of my favorite Van Morrison albums. Carie Curtis has a great song, It's a Wonder, that kind of fits in for today. Give it a listen.

Number four in the series of coincidences: Twin Boys, twin lives
The stories of identical twins' nearly identical lives are often astonishing, but perhaps none more so than those of identical twins born in Ohio. The twin boys were separated at birth, being adopted by different families. Unknown to each other, both families named the boys James. And here the coincidences just begin. Both James grew up not even knowing of the other, yet both sought law-enforcement training, both had abilities in mechanical drawing and carpentry, and each had married women named Linda. They both had sons whom one named James Alan and the other named James Allan. The twin brothers also divorced their wives and married other women - both named Betty. And they both owned dogs which they named Toy. Forty years after their childhood separation, the two men were reunited to share their amazingly similar lives. (Source: Reader's Digest, January 1980)

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Walk Around The Lake


Music has taken hold of me this weekend. I can't get enough. My ears are ringing. I did step away for it a bit when I called Brody and sat outside while we talked. I was bundled up in a sweater and jacket but the sun was shining. I wasn't sure if I'd recognize the yellow orb, it's been so long. I've been making playlists getting ready to burn some cd's for some friends.

My computer is acting weird all of a sudden. I just typed the whole previous sentence and only a few words were up on the screen. What's up with that?

The photo above is of a statue in downtown Barrie, Ontario. It's a wonderful sculpture and what I like best is that the "wing feathers" or "fish knives" sway in the wind. I didn't realize that till this recent visit. I've photographed it before but it must have been a calm day.
From Wikipedia: On 12 June - 13 June 1987, a sculpture called Spirit Catcher by Ron Baird was moved to Barrie from Vancouver, British Columbia, where it had been exhibited as part of Expo '86. The sculpture was erected permanently at the foot of Maple Avenue on the shore of Kempenfelt Bay.

Music for today is from the playlist I'm working on. Here is Lee Dorsey with an oldie but goody, Workin' In A Coalmine. Walk Around The Lake is from the band with the coolest name this week, Lost In The Trees. Kind of like me being lost in the music. I think there's a theramine (I don't know the spelling) used as an instrument in this song. I've got to research this band. I've heard two songs and like them a lot.

Coincidence Number Three:
A bullet that reached its destiny years later
Henry Ziegland thought he had dodged fate. In 1883, he broke off a relationship with his girlfriend who, out of distress, committed suicide. The girl's brother was so enraged that he hunted down Ziegland and shot him. The brother, believing he had killed Ziegland, then turned his gun on himself and took his own life. But Ziegland had not been killed. The bullet, in fact, had only grazed his face and then lodged in a tree. Ziegland surely thought himself a lucky man. Some years later, however, Ziegland decided to cut down the large tree, which still had the bullet in it. The task seemed so formidable that he decided to blow it up with a few sticks of dynamite. The explosion propelled the bullet into Ziegland's head, killing him. (Source: Ripley's Believe It or Not!)

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Eyes On The Prize


I'm so patiently waiting for warm weather or even cool weather without wind. Your body just wants to be outside this time of year, gardening. The weather forecast promises an improvement for next week. My son and his friend are here. They've just returned from golfing and said the cool wind was bothersome.

I know I say this quite often but it bears saying again. There sure is a lot of great music out there. Most musicians and groups have their own website and myspace page. Music bloggers provide a wealth of new music every day and then there's internet radio. My computer is never silent unless I am in bed. Music is a constant source of pleasure for me and I can never get enough. Praise to the internet for music fans.

Mavis Staples has a new album out. The four cuts I've heard from We'll Never Turn Back demonstrate the great gospel/soul music I've come to expect from Mavis. I've been a big Staples Singers fan since 1970 and followed Mavis when she went out on her own. Here are a couple of cuts from the new album, Eyes On The Prize and On My Way. Here's a link to the album on Amazon to see the fantastic album cover or to buy the album.

Coincidence Number Two: A falling baby, saved twice by the same man
In Detroit sometime in the 1930s, a young (if incredibly careless) mother must have been eternally grateful to a man named Joseph Figlock. As Figlock was walking down the street, the mother's baby fell from a high window onto Figlock. The baby's fall was broken and both man and baby were unharmed. A stroke of luck on its own, but a year later, the very same baby fell from the very same window onto poor, unsuspecting Joseph Figlock as he was again passing beneath. And again, they both survived the event. (Source: Mysteries of the Unexplained)

Friday, May 04, 2007

An Adventure In Fonts

Sweetness

An earlier than usual post today. My body time is off again and I'm feeling very strange, like I haven't slept for days. I've been like that for three days though today I got up at the normal time. Yesterday I slept an extra 45 minutes and the day before and extra hour and a half. I don't know why I get so affected by these little time changes.

It's too cold and windy for walking or gardening today so I will be dancing. I have to dance the soreness from my body that yesterday's gardening left me with. The high today is 3 degrees and it is supposed to stay cold and cloudy with a chance of showers till Tuesday. We need some sunshine in PEI....time is passing.

I found a website which lists twenty amazing coincidences. I'll give you one each day till their done. I know a couple more I will share.

James Dean's car curse
In September 1955, James Dean was killed in a horrific car accident whilst he was driving his Porsche sports car. After the crash the car was seen as very unlucky.
a) When the car was towed away from accident scene and taken to a garage, the engine slipped out and fell onto a mechanic, shattering both of his legs.
b) Eventually the engine was bought by a doctor, who put it into his racing car and was killed shortly afterwards, during a race. Another racing driver, in the same race, was killed in his car, which had James Dean's driveshaft fitted to it.
c) When James Dean's Porsche was later repaired, the garage it was in was destroyed by fire.
d) Later the car was displayed in Sacramento, but it fell off it's mount and broke a teenagers hip.
e) In Oregon, the trailer that the car was mounted on slipped from it's towbar and smashed through the front of a shop.
f) Finally, in 1959, the car mysteriously broke into 11 pieces while it was sitting on steel supports.

Music for today: Dancable music in case you want to join in and dance with me. Hit the Road Jack by Mo'Horizon from the Putumaya album, Cover the World. It's a great version of that old classic. One just full of dancable rhythm is from k-os. Fly Paper is not as catchy as his big hit Crab Bucket but, as I say, full of dancable rhythms.

Any time I've tried to change fonts in blogger this happens. I can not get back to the default font. Sorry. I find it annoying to read three different fonts,

Thursday, May 03, 2007

First Gardening Day of 2007


I've had a full day gardening and am sure my body is going to react. I've just taken some ibuprophen. Oh, the pleasures of aging. The first photo is of one end of the garden finished and the next is the end that is not. I've had a few stones topple and will get my son's help when he comes around.
Still some work to do there but I'll move to another garden tomorrow and if the rain holds off I should get a lot done. I certainly let things slide when I'm working six days a week and have mentioned before the difficulty of trying to keep up around here. I had to do some pretty intensive weeding out of plants that set out new seed or plants. I have more to do with later emerging plants and this ground hugging thyme of some sort needs division. I'm willing to share, just need the plants picked up.

I began this post at four o'clock. I've had company and other things to do in the interim so do not have time for music today. There are extra photos though and I can provide you to a link to today's photo on my shutterchance blog. It received no comments on this blog but a little editing to make it telephoto and the community that shutterchance is has made it a popular shot today.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Just Ducky


The ducks in this photo are, of course, mallards. They frequent my pond but this morning there were at least four greenwing teals in for a visit. There were three males and one female but there may have been more. I love having ducks living, nesting and raising their young in my pond. I raised them for a few years but it requires one to be home to feed them so that part of my life is over. It was fun though, having ducks running up to see you (actually it was the food I provided) whereas the wild ones don't come up to the house. Last year I had mallards sitting but something, probably raccoons or foxes, kept finding the nest. She'd lay and sit again only to have it robbed once more. She gave up after three robberies.

Our spring is really quite far behind. We've not had much sun and the temperatures are a bit cooler than normal thus our grass is not greening. One of the aunts I visited on my vacation told me, when she called this morning, that she was going to mow today. We are weeks behind this year. I may get out to the garden tomorrow though. Some things are better done before grass starts to grow.

Everyone's talking about the new Rufus Wainwright album, Release The Stars, that is to soon hit the shelves. I'm a big fan of Rufus. I know some people don't like him but I do. This album has been touted to be his best. I was able to find some cuts to the new album before it's release, to share of course. Here's Not Ready to Love and Rules and Regulations. It has been reccommended that the album be played from start to finish....can't help you there. You'll have to get to the record store on May 15th.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Vacation's Over


My aunt and uncle live on the largest freshwater beach in the world and see some fabulous sunsets. This is one of them. The black in the center of the water is ice, which by the time I left, had broken up and blown into the beach. I got as many pictures of sunsets as my grandchildren it turns out.

Islanders woke to snow flurries this morning. Absolutely depressing! That's all I'm going to say about that.

It amazes me how much music there is out there. Just catching up on my favorite music blogs since yesterday has blown my mind. I can't believe how many new artists there are who I've never heard of. I read blogs with new music as well as old artists, many no longer alive. I was reading about Jerry Garcia this morning and right now I'm listening to a fellow called Chris Bathgate that I really like and who is completely new to me. He reminds me of many singers from the past with his mellow, folky sound. You can check him out on The Late Greats. I'm linking you to the whole blog not the songs of Chris Bathgate so check down the songs till you see him.

I traveled Far and Wide and woke up this morning Safe and Sound, alas seeing snow. That's my music for today from respectively, Jeff DeWester and Hawksley Workman.