Great New Year

Rural Prince Edward Island has looked like this for a week or so but is to change overnight. We're going to usher in the New Year with a big blizzard. We had a storm last year too but it started early in the day on NYE and a lot of snow fell. I was upset with my son last year for driving into town in the midst of the storm. This year it is 7:30 and hasn't even started to snow yet. People will be able to get to their parties and find themselves storm-stayed there, at a New Years Eve party. Nothing wrong with that!

I'm happy to be heading to a new year. That is the time I always get the clean slate feeling. Some people get it in September when school begins but I feel it more in January. I don't make resolutions but pray a bit and think about what I hold hope for in the future for both the world and myself. I'm a Capricorn and my birthday is near so it's become a time of passage for me each year

Music to end a new year could be from a large varied pool of songs in my mind. I've chosen songs from a few categories. I want to say goodbye to 2008 in a formal way so Melody Gardot will help say it for me in Goodnite. I'd love to party, but at the same time, don't want to be out in a storm so have decided to stay home. I'll play this song instead and groove a little bit - World Party by The Waterboys. I can usher in a new year just fine when I think that maybe a good part of the world sees this time as a new beginning and will strive, just like me, for a Great New Year! All my hopes and prayers for a Great New Year is now on it's way to you.

Rain, Rain Go Away

My goodness, I have a hard time keeping up here. I have an hour this morning and that is more than enough time for jot something down.

We are having a moment of dry in the midst of tropical storm Hannah. It rained most of the night and most of the morning so far and is to continue. I just had a look at Environment Canada's radar and more rain is definitely in our future. Talk yesterday was for heavy wind but we're not getting that. It would be awful if we did as we would lose a lot of trees I think. The ground is so saturated with a month of rain that trees would be toppling as the roots are in a kind of soupy soil.

The photo was taken at another time but it could have been taken today as the pond is quite muddy. Since it is not raining at the moment my son just left to go fishing. I showed him the radar but he just looked at the fact that it's not raining now. I don't think he's gotten a km. down the road and we're in the midst of a downpour.

Our farmers are in a very bad situation. With all the rainfall, there has been no harvesting taking place. Potato crops are rotting in the ground. Some fields are like lakes. It's very disheartening!

Here's a song from The Waterboys for young son - Fisherman's Blues. Ben Taylor from The Ben Taylor Band is bringing an appropriate song, Rain. Doesn't he sound like his dad, James Taylor? Dancers in the Rain by Emilie Simon song of a different mood. Music for all tastes.

Sorry this post is a little disjointed. I've been on the phone with my grandchildren - so much fun!

Party Time

It's afternoon and I feel right about being here. My day is happening; not unknown and about to begin. I haven't done anything exciting though, just the usual first-day-off chores. Chicken and Ribs are in the oven again, laundry is in the washer and dryer. I've been cleaning. No fun at all. I had company for a while and got a bit behind on the schedule but I'll get everything done.

The fun will be tonight. Some friends in Charlottetown are having a party. I have a bedroom reserved in a great inner porch or sunroom. A really cool spot. My friend's parties are always great times. There will be a live band and dancing. I'll have my dancing shoes on and bells on my toes. Speaking of bells on my toes makes me think of Tipsy Gipsy by Stephane Grapelli. Let's Get Together by the Youngbloods comes to mind too so extra time and feeling good about being here brings extra songs today.

We've had stronger than gale force wind the last two days. Very strong winds and it's cool too. That's a bit of a drawback for my friend's party. Only the smokers will venture out to the back yard. A nice back yard can be like an extra room but if the weather isn't suitable, it won't do.

World Party by the Irish group, The Waterboys is the song pick for today. It's from their new album. I don't like to drink Scotch and Soda at all but it's title makes a good party song. Here's a fabulous old version of a song by that name by The Kingston Trio. I really, really like the way this song is so smooth and satisfying - like good chocolate can be.....and a good party.

Mushroomy Monday

I went on a five kilometer hike this morning but not in my usual woods. I went to a new spot and I'm very glad I did. I got a couple of pounds of chanterelles. Oh, boy!!!! I thought they would be passed season by now but since it's been fairly wet the season is still apon us. I found they keep very well in the fridge whic is good because I have lots. I have cooked and frozen them in the past, as well. Yum, yum, yum!!!

The walk would have been wonderful even without the mushrooms. I get complete joy being in the woods. The ferny, mossy smell overpowers me every time. I walked very quickly on the two and half km. up the trail so the endorphens were raging. I walked more slowly on the way bach as I was having to stop to gather the mushrooms.

I usually match the music theme to the rest of the post somehow but not today. Today's music theme is 'boat' which has absolutely nothing to do with the woods, mushrooms or hiking. Yesterday when I listened to The Waterboys I also listened to their song, Strange Boat. That made me think of Lyle Lovett's, If I Had a Boat. I have that but also a version by The Holmes Brothers, which I'm putting up today. Funny thing: both songs are both 3:06 in length.

Music to Live By

The kids were driving around a golf course on a golf cart when I talked to them last night. They are staying with a friend from here who is a golf pro in Jasper. He had to work so they were hanging out with him. When I call tonight they will be on the road back to Calgary. They had a great time with the Chuckies and Girlie even got to work on time.

I've been making cd's this morning. One has the theme of Higher Ground and one has the theme of Workin' For a Living. Soul of a Man by Ollabelle is on the first. I thought I had it up already but apparently not. I like Ollabelle a lot and don't feature them enough. Since I've provided a link, check them out. You can play their music while on the site. Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys is a song from the Workin' For a Living cd. I like their sound and have provided a link to them too.