Sunday, December 31, 2006

Turning Over A Leaf


I turned over the pretty leaf on the road one day when taking a walk. The back was not coloured at all. All of the leaves from that tree were the same with the back of the leaf being whitish grey and the front colourful. Some people want the perfect leaf only to find when it's turned over, it's not what they expect. It's just dull and colourless but it's still the same leaf.

My daughter leaves again today. I'll miss her lively presence. Things will be quieter and quieter.

Music for today: New Years Eve by The Walkmen, a link to Take Me As I Am by the October Project, and Just My Soul Responding by Smokey Robinson.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Titles Are Hard


There's ice on the pond. We had below freezing temps overnight and finally some ice is forming. Not all that long ago, when the kids were young, we would be skating on the pond during Christmas vacation. It's proof to me that the weather has changed a lot because I've not been able to skate on the pond since Feb. or March 2003. Even then, there was a large open area. It would not have been suitable for children.

Lots of visitors have been around. It's great but I haven't done my promised visits to others. I find it very easy to stay home. Tomorrow night is a friend's annual Eve Eve Party. We'll definately be making an appearance at that. It's big and crowded and the dance floor is always packed and we have a blast. We're tired of leftovers so we're eating out first. Not turkey or ham or lobster....anything else is fair game.

A couple of songs for the music page. Just random favorites......I've been listening to latin all day but these are not. The first is a song I love. I have the Blind Boys of Alabama version up already but this one I love the best. It's People Get Ready by Phoebe Snow and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison was a lways a favorite of mine. When I first heard A Night in San Fransisco and heard this version with Brian Kennedy beginning and Van coming in, I almost melted. It's SUCH a great version! Enjoy!

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Generations


Playing With Toys

We have a baby in the house for the night. My daughter's friend and her six month old are here. The baby's very sweet. My daughter was going to take him for the night but I'm glad Mama came along. The wee one hasn't been well so best to be near his mom.

My friend from the Arctic was here for a great visit this afternoon and helped me install and use an external hard drive. I can now stop making cd's to save the music collection. I may put the music and photos on dvds as well.

You'd think I was really embracing the techno age with the external hard drive but what is amazing is that I bought and set up an mp3 player yesterday. It's the last straw. People will now be subjected to me singing off key to the music playing on earbuds in my ears. The world is not ready but I can't help but sing....and dance.....no, the world is not ready for me with an mp3 player.

Music: From I'm Your Man, the tribute to Leonard Cohen, is Teddy Thompson's version of Tonight Will Be Fine. Another great cover is of Carole King's Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
by Amy Winehouse. I love the percussion in it and both fine songs are worth a listen. I keep finding I've already uploaded songs that I recommend so I just link them...easier for you.

It is twenty thrree years today I lost my brother to the side effects of a bone marrow transplant. A song for him too...

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

James Brown


Could there be a worse Christmas for soul and blues lovers with, after Dutchie Mason's passing, we hear the news of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown? I couldn't believe it, really. I truly wanted to name my firstborn after him but got reasoned out of it.

Today's music, of course, is all from James. One I'd never heard him do, Your Cheatin Heart, is already up. Here's the link. The other two......well let's say I've danced to these tunes tons of times and still when I have serious house-cleaning to do, they're first in the cd selection. This version of Sex Machine is pretty darn good and Get Up Offa That Thing is such a classic. I knew heaven was going to be special this weekend.

Oh the food in this house! Turkey, ham, lobster, potato salad, leftover mashed potatoes and veggies, fruit, desserts, drinks, candies and chocolate and nuts and on and on and on.....I'll feel guilty later but for right now, I'm enjoying it. My kids just arrived with their biggest friend and made a dent in the turkey and bread but only a dent.

My grandson is three today. The alien age, I think.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Prime Minister of the Blues, Dutch Mason

I wish I could enlarge the above image that I picked up off the internet. I don't know how I forgot to put in a paragraph about Prime Minister Dutch Mason in my post earlier today.

I woke this morning to hear the news that my Maritime hero, Dutch Mason, had died. I was shocked. Even though he had been ill for years, to hear such news surprised and saddened me. I've been a Dutch Mason fan since the early 70's years in my Saint John years where he played often. I have most of his albums and lots of great memories of his always wonderful and unique performances.

Once, in the early 80's, I was working evenings and Dutch was booked to play a week at a Charlottetown nightclub. I took a week's vacation and went every night and was so glad I did. He was remarkable.

The last time he played in PEI, a lot of my friends were in various places in the club on a hot summer night. No one was dancing and I wasn't about to be the one to begin. Everyone headed outdoors during the intermission and I arranged that everyone (my friends) get up on the first beat of the first song after intermission and head to the dance floor. We all did and the party began. We had a real blast. I got an autograph from Dutch that night and saw the really devastated appearance of his hands. He was no longer playing at that time in the early 90's.

The last time I saw/heard Dutch was in Nova Scotia. About four years ago, S and I went on a little overnight camping trip to Joggins and Parrsboro to satisfy my fossil jonesing. Turned out that Dutch was playing at the Ships Theater in Parsboro that night. We were too late to get tickets but the Ships Theater is an old boat with a tarp for a roof. We sat out on the deck on that hot summer night and drank beer and listened to the master. While everyone was inside sitting in their seats, we were outside, inches from Dutch sitting in his wheelchair, waiting to be introduced. I kept my cool and didn't fawn or bug the man.

He was truly a master and was aptly named the Prime Minister of the Blues by BB King. I want to have my old albums preserved digitally or on cd somehow. They've always been considered treasures of mine as there really aren't a lot of those old albums around.

You'll certainly be missed Dutch Mason, but you'll get to join your old friend Rick up there and I can well imagine Heaven's going to be filled with the blues tonight.

For Dutchie fans here's a link back to Hard Times on my music page and I'm uploading Nine Below Zero, Walkin Blues and Baby Please Don't Go for today. I've also included them on my Christmas Eve playlist that I make every year tha I'm about to burn so we can all hear it tonight. I wish I could have a copy of Dutch's version of Alright, OK on my computer. He does a better job of that song than anyone, in my opinion.

CBC's Worst Segment Ever


I was subjected to the worst radio segment I've ever heard on CBC this morning. Michael Enright had voice coaches attempt but not succeed to teach him to sing and it was truly awful. I was in the bathtub and momentarily thought of hauling the radio in to stop the pain. Luckily I couldn't reach that radio. That we Canadians paid for this CBC piece and were subjected to this crap was beyond belief. Thankfully the music for the rest of the program was good, preventing Michael Enright of having had the absolute worst program of the year, just segment. Heather Bambrick saved Michael's butt; she was fabulous!

I have a favorite Christmas song version and I can't find it. I usually hear Tom Jackson's version at least once during the season on CBC, but not this year. Crash Test Dummies has a pretty good version. Here's The Huron Carol. For a Christmas present, a great version of Besame Mucho from the vaults. My Christmas collection may be exhausted, but never versions of this great song. Here's Nana Mouskouri.

A young people's party here tonight. They can party here late into the night because nothing wakes me but the smell of smoke, so they smoke outside, and thumping which has stopped now that the boys aren't 14 and 15 and wrestling anymore. I'll have a great time until 10 or so then turn in and dream of sugarplums. All sounds good to me.....a Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 23, 2006

The Twenty Third of December

It has been a very quiet day today but things will pick up tomorrow. The kids are partying with their dad's family tonight. I had a nap, ate chocolate, visited a senior's home and plain old relaxed. This is such a change for me but not unwelcome. I needed some easier time and I'm getting what I wished for.

I'm not into Christmas music but have a bit that could qualify. The Pogues, Fairytale of New York is a good example. It's not really a traditional Christmas song but is popular this time of year. Sarah MacLaughlan's version of Joni Mitchell's River will never match Joni's raw emotion but is worth a listen. It's good at any time of year but is more popular during the winter. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is the traditional and this version by Christine Aguilara is pretty nice.

Tomorrow the kids are here and are having friends in in the evening. It will be nice to have some noise.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Helpful Hints


I had to pass on these helpful hints from ny friend Mrs. Dash. We can all use help during this busy holiday season. Seem like I can't change the colour of the following text so it must be highlighted to read.

1. If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto! The blockage will be almost instantly removed.

2. Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.

3. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by
simply using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed
for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember
to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent
you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze
button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.

7. Have a bad toothache? Smash your thumb with a hammer and you will
forget all about the toothache.

8. Sometimes, we just need to remember what the rules of life
really are: You only need two tools - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

9. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

10. Never pass up an opportunity to go to the bathroom.

The Fifties


The fridge is full, the presents are finished and Christmas can now happen.

Our dinner party with old friends of thirty years was wonderful. In the early 80's we had a series of 50's parties. We looked at the photos from those parties last night and oh, they were great! Two of our friends are no longer with us and to see photos of those two having fun and looking like they'd live forever was awakening in itself. Out last party was "The Prom" and we had photos taken under the 1950 sign. I was pregnant at the time so I looked like the pregnant high school girl at the prom. Too funny!

I suggested that now we're all in our 50's we should resume the 50's parties but with the 50's meaning something different all together. No, we won't be discussing menopause or our aches and pains.

I don't have 50's jive music in my collection but have a couple of songs from that era that bring back my childhood. Catch A Falling Star by Perry Como and Que Sera Sera by Doris Day.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Togetherness


My darling daughter has made it home from Calgary. They left Saturday morning and arrived yesterday morning. She's all in one piece - not even road weary, just glad to be home.

I actually have to cook and feed people for the next week seeing that I have two children home so I have to get some groceries today. The cupboards have been pretty bare. I have a dinner party in town this evening so will go in early and get final preps for Christmas and food. A rarity these days is that the dinner party is not a potluck. I am not supposed to bring anything except something to drink because they're serving wine, which I am allergic to. It will be great not to cook for once.

I've made a cd of dinner music for tonight and while going through some music I found some I'd forgotten about. It's not dinner music but one cut for today is God's Gonna Cut You Down by Johnny Cash. It reminds me of Dylan's, Gotta Serve Somebody. Another cut is an old one that I always liked. Some would consider it cheesy but I like it....One Less Bell To Answer by The Fifth Dimension.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Free at Last

Kenz At Night

I'm officially unemployed. My feet and legs are very happy and plan to thank me next week when it will no longer hurt to walk. Now, I have to get ready for Christmas. A bit of baking, a trip to the attic for decorations, cleaning and shopping should do it. I'm attending a dinner party tomorrow so will go in early and take care of the groceries and shopping and the rest, I just have to get at it. Time is drawing near.

We blew second round in trivia last night after placing first in the first round. It goes without saying though, that we had lots of fun. We are not going next week even though there is trivia. We'll all be busy eating leftover turkey.

Music: Let Me Down Easy by Bettye LaVette and Bruce Springsteen's Long Time Comin'

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Halleluja


It's finally here...the last party of the year at my work. I have a finish up day for the year next week and then that's it. Whew! It's been a siege to say the least. S. is coming out to volunteer and have a free dinner and then we're coming back here to have a drink or two and celebrate another year finished. Did I say Whew!?

I heard from my daughter last night. They were close to entering Manitoba, making good time and there was not a blizzard. It was snowing but not too bad. Our weather is warm and sunny. People are complaining about the lack of a white Christmas. Bah!

On the radio right now is kd lang's version of Leonard Cohen's song, Halleluja. The song before that was Ray Charles', Halleluja, I Love Her So. The segment is a kind of special on the word Halleluja. I have lots of versions of Halleluja and a few up on the music page. I also have Ray's song up already. Here are a few more Hallelujas in honour of the last Christmas party. To add to Allison Crowe, kd, Jeff Buckley's versions are a powerful one by Rufus Wainwright and the original by Leonard Cohen himself.

Friday, December 15, 2006

Worry Mode Approaching

Three more days of party hosting then I'm free.....!!!! Free at last.......!!!!

My daughter is leaving on Saturday to drive across the country....in winter. I will be a mess until she arrives home. She could have flown but wants the adventure of driving across the country with her friends. I asked her why she didn't choose the summer to do that. It's a long ride in cold, snowy weather. We've not had the snow or cold in the east but western and central Canada has. We're back up to 8 degrees - very springlike and much appreciated by me.

Music today: It Takes a Worried (Wo)Man from my favorite Friday album, The Skiffle Sessions and You Are Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

A Freeze on Aging

Taffy, another dog friend at his freezing pond.
Mine is not freezing yet and I wanted ice photos.

Having those few days off was really necessary for me and brought my bad week to a great end. I will be finished work on Sunday with maybe a day to get things sorted out and put away till spring. It's been intense to say the least.

We didn't do very well at trivia last night. We crossed out lots of correct answers after our discussions....but what do you do? It was S's birthday yesterday and mine is in three weeks. I don't like them so much any more. My friend who shares my birthday; day and year, had her head on my shoulder kind of wimpering about it too. Maybe next week I'll suggest we cancel aging this year.

Music: Young Man's Blues, a short ditty from Mose Allison and Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) by Louis Prima.


Monday, December 11, 2006

Music Stats Again

Not the one I'm thinking of, Xenmate. I think I deleted it.

It's music stat day, interesting as usual but no big surprises as there have been in the past.
  • Three songs received no plays this month. One was My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas. One other month it received none and then the next month it was 22, then 2, now zero again. Al Green's version of A Change Is Gonna Come was another. I have lots of versions of the song up there and the rest received plays but NOT AL GREEN???? The third was the lively, Mirada Latina by Vilma Diaz y la Senora
  • Those receiving 20 hits were: Shirley Hornes version of There's A Boat That's Leavin' Soon For New York, Harpo's Blues by Phoebe Snow, Baila Moreno by Mana and Zuchero, Old Fashioned Morphine by Jolie Holland, Heartbeat by Jose Gonzales, Llave de Paso by Negra Luca, both The Haircut and Lies by The Waifs, and Music by Leela James.
  • Heart Attack and Vine by Tom Waits received 22 hits
  • With 24 hits were S'Wonderful by Diana Krall, Buona Sera by Louis Prima, Alison Crowe's version of Halleluja, Sunshine on a Rainy Day by Zoe, and God Planned It by Billy Preston.
  • Back Home To Me by Sophie Millman got 26 hits this month as did Leonard's own version of Dance Me To the End of Love. Back Home to Me was up here last month as well, with 32 hits.
  • Lila Down's, Quisas, Quisas, Quisas is on the list again with 28 plays; down a bit from last month's 30. It is the only song that has been consistantly played more than 20 times per month, every month.
  • With 30 hits is the powerful Llorona by the powerful Chevala Vargas.
  • Sonny's Dream by the Wonderful Grand Band received 34 plays. I can contribute those to my two sons, according to their comments about the song but now that they can be downloaded and one of the son's did download it, it will most likely be down next month.
  • The biggies this month were The Pussycat Song by th Asylum Street Spankers which got 60 plays and the long time favorite of someone, Don't Lie by The Black Eyed Peas. It is way down this month though receiving 84 hits after it's record breaking 410 hits last month and over 200 the month before.
Music for today: Something that you don't get often from me....music from a country singer. Bells Are Ringing by Mary Chapin Carpenter is very nice I think, so is up today. In keeping with bells is a song by Our lady of Bells. It's hard to choose one but here's Adeline.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Home At Last


The photo is of a sunset this week. It was really spectacular and a photo does not do it justice.

S and I had fun yesterday with lunch, shopping, trivia, dinner and a short visit with a friend. A great day! We won at trivia so this is three wins in a row for our team. We each had gift certificates for lunch and the trivia win so we could afford to go out for supper.

I'm ready to send all the long distance Christmas gifts off to make the Canada Post deadline. I received some in the mail yesterday from my aunt and uncle. I've finished four cd's for them and want to do one more today to get them in the mail tomorrow. With cleaning and laundry, I'm going to have a busy day. It is such a treat to have a Sunday at home.

Music: Bells Are Ringing by Mary Chapin Carpenter and New Religion by Alice Smith.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Almost Over, Thank Goodness!


This has been the weirdest week I've ever had. I've had two falls, I hit my head three times yesterday, my keys locked themselves in the car, I had two days of allergy attacks to I don't even know what, my favorite skirt got burned from embers jumping from the fireplace, and even the fact that I have two prime days off in the Christmas party season....just overall weird. I find it weird that I've been accident prone. I'm very stable on my feet and don't normally fall down. I'm a Capricorn after all and Cuidado means careful. With that combination and me falling it's just plain weird. Yesterday at the bank about five people in line and a bunch of bank staff came running to help me up. I was so embarassed. They said they would put a mat down.

Luckily, due to my wonderful organizing abilities ha, ha, there hasn't been a hitch at work, other than me walking around with bumps and bruises and red eyes from the allergies. The party- goers called all the staff in last night to give us a standing ovation and booked for next year on the spot. At least something is going well.

I'm going to town today and S. and I are going out to play. We'll do some shopping too. I have gifts to get off in the mail by Monday.

For music some old blues today. Fats Waller doing Your Feets Too Big and Rolled and Tumbled Blues by Rosa Hemphill and Mississippi Fred McDowell.

Hoping I can stay upright this weekend and that I get some much needed rest and recouperation, I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Busyness

Busy, busy busy.....almost like a squirrel at a birdfeeder. Work is all consuming but I have the weekend off so I'll recouperate and relax. Much needed and much desired because I'm feeling a bit burned out. I fell on ice last night and need some body mending too. My elbow has a big egg on it, and I hurt my hip and wrists. Thank goodness for ibuprophen.

Music? A rocky Ben Harper with Burn to Shine and by the wonderful Nina Simone, Ain't Got No.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

A Tuesday Change

We got snow last night. You can see how much from the photo. Winter is here for a day or two then Thursday is going to be eight degrees. Snow makes driving a pain but it is very pretty. .

I'm not going to trivia tonight. Being the dedicated, responsible employee that I am, I decided not to leave the veggies and liquor in the car overnight at minus eight degrees. I hauled 50 pound bags of turnips and carrots in and carried numerous cases of beer and bags of groceries in and I'm now too exhausted to go back to town. The trivia master has my contribution of a week's trivia questions for some week I'm not there. Here's her chance to use them.

I'm All Right by Madeleine Peyroux and To Go Home by M. Ward are the musical picks for today. I'm All Right To Go Home but I'd rather be going to trivia.....just too tired.

It's not been a great day. Weird things kept happening. My keys locked themselves in the car. Toyota rescued me and says it happens from time to time. My keys were on the seat and I heard the click, which is not supposed to happen by itself. Weird things like that. I think it's a good thing to stay home when weird things are happening.

Monday, December 04, 2006

A Day Fit For Dogs


Ulu, Another Dog Friend

We're having our first snow. It started late this afternoon and there have already been fender benders between here an Ch'town. My favorite ex (sister-in-law) was just here and her sister and nephew had a near miss avoiding a big truck that ended up in the ditch. The snow season always starts this way and continues until people slow down, realizing that it's winter. I have an appointment for Friday to have my tires changed over, being like the herd and waiting till the last minute. I have an excuse of course. The only day I go to town is Tuesday and my car is full from work related stuff so I can't fit tires in the car and I don't want to go in any other day so I am .......joining the herd and waiting till the last minute.

I've actually started Christmas things. I am right now working on my fourth cd for my aunt and uncle. They like and appreciate the music I burn for them and I have fun getting songs together just for them. They like jazz and latin and there's a whole lot I have and like that they don't like at all so it's a challenge too. Last year they said, "No more Ray Charles." OK!

Music: Something from CD1 and 3 for my aunt and uncle, jazz then latin. Diana Krall's version of A Case of You is the extra track from the great album, Live in Paris, that they gave me for Christmas a few years ago. They will love Chevala Vargas. I've sent them some over the years and more now....Piensa En Mi. I love the beginning of this song as I always think it's Besame Mucho. It sounds so much like it at the start.....then there's her laugh.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Happy Birthday O and J

Blogger wasn't allowing photo uploads yesterday and what's a post without a photo. Here's one of Kenz on the beach.

Our weather has changed dramatically, as we all knew it would. We didn't get the snow that was predicted but we got very cold and windy weather and now they say tomorrow it will snow. There's no use complaining about it so I won't but I feel like it a lot because I really don't like winter.

Work is going very well with everyone happy about their parties and staff happy making some money. Good combination.

My two youngest are having their birthdays today. My son is having a milestone birthday at twenty-one and my daughter is twenty-three. This is the first year they haven't been together for their birthday and will be feeling that sadness. I miss them both and am sending out a big Happy Birthday.

Music: For the weather and for missing my kids, Al Jarreau and Mark Knoffler's version of Ain't No Sunshine. My kids have grown up hearing the many versions of this song that I collect, so here's a version of Baby It's Cold Outside. This one is very interesting - Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel. I love Leon's voice.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Get Me Through December

Inky was yesterday. My friends have three live kitties and these three as well.

Last night's first Christmas party of the year went very well. I had two new waitresses and one volunteer was one hour late but it all worked very well and the forty people had a great time. The first one of the year is always a bit stressful because nothing is routine yet and I was afraid of forgetting something but I didn't. Phew!

We are expecting our first snow tonight. I don't have snowtires on yet and a steep driveway so I may be in trouble. Perhaps I'll get a ride with the cook. Or call my tire place at 8 to see if I could possibly get an appointment. They will probably just laugh.

Music: I've waited a long time to put this up. Get Me Through December by Alison Krauss with Natalie MacMaster is one of the nicest songs ever. I was born without Christmas spirit and that's what I ask for year after year. Just get me through December. In honour of the Christmas perty season, here's One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer, this version by Snooks Eaglin.

No links anymore due to lack of interest.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Yeah To Coffee


This is a photo of Inky, a friends huge fluffy black cat. Her eyes look very spooky in this photo.

I drink only one coffee a day but find it absolutely necessary to wake me up. I had to have fasting blood work taken and finally did it this morning. Phlebotomists aren't on duty till 7am and since I get up at 5:30, I'd kept putting it off. Anyway, I went in this morning and truly, without that cup of coffee, I'm hardly safe on the road. Twice I found I was way over the center line, kind of daydreaming, certainly not awake and alert. Caffeine is magic!

The temperature is eleven today and is going to be thirteen tomorrow. This is so fantastic, especially when the rest of Canada is having very cold weather and huge snowstorms.

Music: Please Wake Me Up and for the last day of this month, November, both by Tom Waits. Both songs have weird sound effects.

For a link, a very cool video about billiards and dominoes.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Wednesday Already?


Finally the spell of being third is broken with a win at trivia last night. Yeah. We blew everyone else out of the water too with a very good score. It's about time.

Does anyone have any idea why Putfile requires you to hit next page so many times?

This will have to be my usual blogging time for the next while, not that I like it at this time of day. I prefer the afternoons.

My car's springs are to the limit with all the supplies I bought for work yesterday. The trunk, back seat, and front passenger seat are all stacked high. I had to refuse to give a friend a ride home last night because I couldn't possibly get him into the car. I don't have a small car and bought my Camry specifically for the size of the trunk.

Music for today: Mountain O' Things by the Duhks and Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall.

A link: Could come in handy during the Christmas season and for my kids who are fending for themselves. The Science of Cooking.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Big, Big News


I should be out taking photos as pickings are slim. That won't be happening for a while so cows will have to do in the meantime. I do have LOTS of great cow photos and I hardly ever put one up. Thank God, some are saying.

I have good news. I don't know when this started but Putfile is now allowing you to download the music files. S and I both tried it (her on her Mac) and encountered the same thing. This is the text shown:

Download File: To download the file "John-Mayer---Waiting-On-The-W-orld-To-Change" you must click the NEXT PAGE link located below until the download link shows.

Status: Your are on page 1 of 10 before the download page. NEXT PAGE

You actually press "next page" ten times then you can download the song. This is fantastic to me. It's kind of weird having to go through the rigamarole of pressing Next Page ten times but you can now download the music.

No one ever comments on anything about the music so I have no idea if the listeners are also the readers or what but I am personally so pleased that the songs can now be downloaded. From the blogging beginning I wanted to share music because I love it so much myself and it literally moves me spiritually. I want it to move other people. I know that it doesn't always transfer that way but if I can have someone feel joy or pleasure from a song that I recommend, I feel further moved.

Another way to think of this is that I've done all the hard work getting this music to you. Take advantage of it. I have no idea if it will last.

For such an auspicious occasion, another version of Besame Mucho is in order. Sending Kisses to Putfile is Mina. I heard this next song on the radio yesterday and really liked it. I knew of Diane Reeves more as a jazz singer before but never heard this song which is not really jazzy but womany, Endangered Species. I love it!

For a link I feel like reiterating my music page but will also add a photograph I liked. Try out the day and night buttons on the top. All photoblogs should have this feature.

Oh my, I'm ready to publish and tried to upload the music and I've been sent to a new page (I hope not ten). This could be disasterous. It also says that all files are automatically removed after 30 days. You now have fair warning. My clicks on the 11th will now be obsolete. It is now called PutStuff. Oh my, I hope this continues to work. All this great news then this "fly in the ointment".

Sunday, November 26, 2006

New and Old


There was ice in the pond and in puddles this week but the days have been warm and sunny over all. We have it luckier than the rest of Canada having not seen snow yet like in the Prairies and unlike the West Coast, we can drink out water.

The show at the Confed Center was very good on Friday night. Both musicians are known for their finger picking guitar work but are very different. I especially liked Matt Anderson but he was more of an opener for JP Cormier. They had equal billing but not equal show time.

Work was exhausting yesterday but I walked around outside in the glorious sunshine for a while and the energy that brought was inspiring. It's back to six days a week on Tuesday so I will need all the energy I can get.

Music: A couple by John Mayer, his popular Waiting On the World To Change and Love Song For No One.

Link: A way to hear new music, not quite like Pandora but kind of neat.....Musicovery

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Fire and Ice

This is the collage of the school house fire I wrote about a couple of weeks ago.
It looks very hot.


Very heavy frost overnight last night. It didn't get above zero till about ten am.
I took this photo at 9:23. It looks very cold.

I'm very excited to be going to see some live music tomorrow night. A couple of musicians are playing at the Confederation Center Theater, a nice, soft seat venue. I saw one of them, JP Cormier there in February during the ECMA's. The other, blues guy Matt Andersen, we tried and tried to get in to see at that time but he was always sold out. Speaking of February and live music, I found out last night that Van is playing in Calgary on the 27th of February. I called my daughter immediately but for some reason she's not as excited as I would be. She is suggesting that I come visit her at that time. I just might.

I had my walk today but had several stops so didn't really get a long cardio session happening. It is quite nice, warm and sunny after the cold night with the heavy frost. The Island beauty will release endorphins even if your walk is not so fast or prolonged so I'm feeling pretty sweet.

Music: One of the many live versions of Moondance by Van Morrison is always in order. Today's photos are of fire and ice. I have no such song but I do have Fire and Rain by James Taylor, a great oldie, in my opinion.

For a link I have a great photographer who photographs Burning Man and sorts the photos into categories. I've always been extemely interested in Burning Man and would love to go sometime so I like this site. I have the photo a day page of the official Burning Man site on my blogroll so visit it every day. Those photos are from many photographers. Today's is very cool.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Who Do You See?


Went to visit a friend today. His crystal ball is rigged up so that there is a face in it. Cool, eh? Got some other photos of it as well. I'll go a mile (or 50 km) for a photo challenge. A Leather-Bound Book was the subject in Jorj.org this week. This is my entry.

Came third at trivia last night with a large mixed team. We inherited one guy who had 12 show up for his team. We came third last night, Saturday and last Tuesday. Awful position, third times three!

Saturday, my start-back day for work is looming so near. Six days of hard work a week is so daunting right now.

Music: Reasons Why (trying to figure out that third times three) by Nickle Creek with it's lovely harmonies is first and the lovely song, Caledonia by Mary Black is second simply because I drove through Caledonia this morning.

I've already given two links this post. Enough, don't you think?

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Blue Skies


Still trying to get all my music onto disc. I'm up to the I's and just finished Irma Thomas. I think I probably should have an external hard drive instead of all this work. I need a computer friend to manage that however, so for now it's burn and burn.

No walk today. A brisk north wind and temperatures of 2 Celcius will keep walkers and runners in unless they're super dedicated, which I am not.

The new beta Blogger is working out rather well other than the complicated signing in sessions that have to be used EACH TIME you want to blog. As a whole it seems to be quicker for uploading the photo and for final publishing.

A piece of news on the radio all day is a woman warning everyone to store potting soil outdoors because it can catch fire spontaneously. The fire marshall agrees and says it is because of the fertilizer in potting soil. I have some indoors so will be moving it out to the barn at least. Interesting!

Music today: Word of the passing of old blues singer, Ruth Brown. Here she is in Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean. One burned today is Grace Potter and the Nocturnal's live version of Skinny Woman.

For a link here are two pages featuring artist's Rene Magritte and Willem de Kooning.

Monday, November 20, 2006

It's Monday Already


With 4.5 Celcius, we're back to late fall temperatures. There is even talk of flurries around midnight. I won't stay awake to check. Still planning the walks but it won't be as pleasant.

Just got a phone call about someone finding a cat. I'll be checking it out in a few minutes. I've given up hope but still follow all leads....just in case. Clarkie!!!!!!

The American Thanksgiving celebration was wonderful with twenty-two around the huge table. There were two turkeys, a ham and everything to go with them. The desserts were to die for and after eating them we all felt that to die for might not just be an expression. Everyone was really stuffed and happy, full of good cheer and family and friendship.....wonderful indeed!

Music today: Giver by Patrick Watson and Get Up Stand Up by John Lee Hooker and Richie Havens.

For a link, something fun for a Monday, The Indian Shankar Drum Machine.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Friday Again


I don't want this wonderful weather to end!!! It won't be so easy to take the glorious walks to the beach if it is colder, windier or full of snow. Each walk this week has been one hour twenty minutes with about fifteen minutes cooling down on the beach. I feel so good when I get home and would like it to continue. Work begins again in one week so it would great to have the upcoming week be nice enough to get an endorphin store.

The house smells great with ribs slow-cooking for a girl's night tomorrow. I'm having left over roast beef for supper but now I want ribs. I'm doing a vegetable dish for a gathering I'm attending on Sunday. That will be the end of my socializing till after Christmas with the heavy work schedule coming up......back to six days a week.

Music today: Sand by Damien Rice for the beach theme the last few days and one that's not related to the theme at all but a great song if you like world music is Mamadiyel by Daby Balde. It's definitely African and had African percussion but great fiddling that is not African makes this a very interesting song, in my opinion.

Fifteen Strange Coincidences is interesting as well.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Warm Again

No Horizon

The endorphins were out in full force today. I'd love to know if speed of walking increases the number of endorphins or not. The beach was so nice. The sea smell hit me at least five minutes before I could see water and stays in my memory now. I wish I could photograph smells.

I had company today for lunch and after Oprah, both unexpected but welcome. Isolation is so easy and something to guard against but.....it's so easy.

Got invitations to two different art show openings from two friends about to show. One is on Tuesday so I will attend for sure. It's hard to have shows this time of year in this province with such a small population. I'll be sure to buy something from them both.

Music today: Here's another Iris Dement. You've heard me wax poetic about her song, Our Town, though I like someone elses version better than hers. This one, a slow ballad, is Easy's Gettin' Harder Every Day. I saw The Duhks (pronounced Ducks) in 03, the first year they were together, I think, and loved their energy. Here's a cut from this Winnipeg band, Down to the River, and in my case today, Down to the Beach.

The Link: I need quotations sometimes. A good source is Wikiquote.


Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Magical, Magical

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What a day....and it's going to get warmer for Thursday and Friday. The normal daytime temp for this time of year is 3 or 4 degrees and it was 18 degrees this afternoon. I managed to get two walks in today, the second one being to the beach. It is such a magical place to be. I took my shoes off, rolled up my pants, and waded a bit. The ground was cold but the water wasn't bad.

Blogger Beta is giving me problems as I somehow knew it would. I can only get in through my e-mail, not the normal way. I so need a geeky friend.

We were a mixed team of part MacADNski, part Victoria Bar Clams and Chris, a friend who really doesn't have a team and plays on different ones every week. We came third, with the Brain Waves coming first after a perfect second round.

One musical selection today is the funky, Nothing But the Water by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. I'm not sure how to categorize the second choice, Afternoon Delight by the Starlight Vocal Band. I know this afternoon at the beach was an afternoon delight and that's why I've chosen the song. I could never be a music blogger.

Speaking of music bloggers........ I visit about forty music blogs a week and I visit two daily. This is one of them, Keep the Coffee Coming.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Birds On a Wire


I switched over to the new blogger beta. The only difference I see is the ability to tag or lable posts. I'm not sure what drag and drop features they have. I always drag and drop my link. Ha...the only day I didn't, I got it wrong...com instead of .ca.

We are expecting warmer and warmer temperatures over the next few days with a high of twenty possible for Friday. Is that fantastic or what! Winter could take a vacation this year as far as I'm concerned. It's hard to get out walking in the snowstorms or deep freezes we so often get. Would like a couple of snowshoeing days though.

Trivia tonight. We still have a pitcher of beer from two weeks ago cause we forgot about it the first part of the evening. We are most likely going to be part of the Brainwaves again so will be Brainskis once again.

Music: My brother sent this song today thinking it would be good to post. Well it is when you've been talking about trivia. Games People Play by Joe South is an oldie but goody. Some music from a Leonard Cohen tribute....Tonight Will Be Fine By Teddy Thompson. I have a lot of the cuts from this....love the Leonard!

Link: All things Leonard Cohen. Really a lot of stuff to look through.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Mixing It Up

My Granddaughter

Opening up today, I see they want everyone to sign over to the new beta version of Blogger. I think I'll wait a few days. I need some geek help. My geek friend moved to Calgary a few weeks before my daughter. He probably has a phone and I can find his number but he's not into blogging.

Having a rather lazy day. I'd forgotten that today was a government holiday and had planned to do some work/work. Most places are closed because of Remembrance Day falling on a Saturday. Retail stores were closed on Saturday so must be open today.

I did prune one of my trees today that has an insect. I found out yesterday that my blue spruce has a pine borer. The tree has had problems since it came to grow here and I thought it was doing better but now this insect has damaged it further. Hopefully it will recover.

Music: It's been nice to listen to some male vocalists. I've been listening to so many females in the past ten days making the five cd's for the Women's Festival. I have Mose Allison, Greg Brown and Bill Morrissey together in one folder because they are influences on one another, have all played together and are similar to my ears. I have songs from them all on the music page and am playing that folder right now. Here's one singing about the other....Greg Brown doing Mose Allison Played Here.

Yesterday the CBC had a special on Bob Dylan or as I say to my oldest son, The Bob. Three guests sang his praises and each picked their musical choice for the show. The last one picked Not Dark Yet which is one of my top three Dylan songs. I love Dylan, you know I do, but Greg Brown's version is even better in my opinion. I already have this up so am linking it here. Gives me an extra song to post today so from the same folder here is a short one, Everybody's Crying Mercy by Mose Allison.

Link: I've been following the first Painting a Day Blogger for the last couple of years. He is listed on the side. Many have followed in his footsteps and there is what I guess you would call an aggregator listing several sites that feature A Painting a Day. I check it every day in my blogroll then check out individual paintings. Enjoy, if you like paintings. If you can afford to buy them, enjoy them even more.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Cigarettes?


It's four o'clock and I've had to turn on the light. Dark comes earlier and it's been overcast and has started to rain. I had a nice afternoon with company. My friend smokes so we spent a lot of time outdoors which was both brisk and crisp. It is ten months today since I quit smoking. I still don't mind people smoking around me. It doesn't tempt me. I'm pretty sure I have it beat. I still get a bit edgy at times and I know a cdigarette would take that feeling away. Those are my hardest times...those edgy feelings and knowing how easy it would be to take them away.

Music: Nervous Tic by Andrew Bird and Nicotine by Ani DeFranco.

Link: I may have linked this when I wrote a post about Van a while back but not since I started putting a daily link up. YouTube fans already know how to find these things but here are some videos of live Van Morrison. These are all put up by one person and there are many more by other people. I could watch them for hours.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Statistics For the Month




A few photos of last night's wonderful retrospective. Everyone, I can say with assurance, had a great time and wants the festival to continue. They'll have to do something about that is what we say. It was fun seeing everyone searching out photos of themselves in the displays of women's fest memorabilia and in the magazine Common Ground and seeing the changes in all of us through the twenty-four years this event covered. A great, successful event. Whew!!!!

Music stats today cause it's the 11th of the month.
  • These four songs would have disappeared without my click. Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters. Hold On by Neko Case. Johnny Cash's version of Four Strong Winds and Yes We Can Can by the Pointer Sisters.
  • Getting 20 hits: Katie Melua's great version of Blues in the Night, Bob Dylan's, Buckets of Rain, and Dos Gardenias by Marie Rita Mariano.
  • With 22 hits: Sunshine on a Rainy Day by Zoe, Kate Rusby's version of Our Town, that great song, Joy, by Bettye LaVette.
  • Leonard's own version of Dance Me To the End of Love got 24 hits this month.
  • For several months in a row, Quisas, Quisas, Quisas, did well. It got 30 plays this month.
  • Back Home to Me by Sophie Milman got 32 hits.
  • The hilarious Pussy Cat Song got 34 plays.
  • The Kris Kristopherson/Steve Earl version of Sunday Morning Coming Down got played 38 times this month. Hope those weren't just on Sunday mornings.
  • This is totally bizarre for the second month in a row. Don't Lie by the Black Eyed Peas got 410 hits this month. It has now been played from my page 694 times. I'd guess someone has it bookmarked. It was played 234 times last month.
No music or links today. The clicking/statistics took long enough.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Day Two With No Title

My brother sent this photo to me today. This is the building I went to elementary school in almost fifty years ago. It was burned in a controlled fire as it had been a condemned building for a few years. I love the photo. My sister sent some too that are more firey. How do you spell that? I'm going to try to make a collage of hers but it will take a while as I have to save them all first, etc and I actually need to get away from the computer. STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER! I've been here all day with playlists, e-mail, and various other things. I'ts been pouring all day so I don't feel guilty about not walking but still..........

I have one playlist left to burn. I'm listening to it now and this is the song playing.....# 807 by Pieta Brown. Today's other cut is from a band I've played a bit of on here. I like them and they're doing an oldie in this cut. Down By The Riverside by Ollabelle.

Link: A game I play from time to time to keep the old brain sharp. Geosense is a fabulous geography game that also teaches you geography because the more you play it the more your brain remembers and retains the locations on the map. It's also fun to have two people take turns of games if you like competition because you learn locations by watching another play.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Titleless Today

My Boy and His Boy

We are going to have a couple of rainy days. Good excuse for holing up with playlists and lots of music to fill them. The dance ones take the longest because you have to dance them through to make sure they flow properly in the dance. Hard to explain but they take a LOT longer than regular listening cd's. We have an hour and a half segment where we are mingling, with free food and wine. We next have the wonderful cabaret and retrospective planned, then the dance.

We had three more team members show up last night and a loner from the team we played with the previous two weeks. Our team name is The MacADNskis and the other team is the Brain Waves. For the last two weeks we were the Brainskis. Last night we were MacAdnskiWave. Complicated but oh so much fun. We didn't place in the Remembrance Day/War trivia but had a great time catching up with our winter team members.

I'm listening to great music. Is that a surprise? I've been concentrating and working with women performers and I'll feature one. The other is from an old and true, from my point of view. Bob Dylan with a live version of Desolation Row for my son.....and grandson if he's sitting beside him. Lady Marmalade is an old 70's song by Patti LaBelle. I have that old version on album, tape and cd. Today shares a version by Christine Aguilara, Lil Kim, Mya and Pink. I have both on the dance playlists as they dance equally well.

Link: Was it yesterday that I linked to a photographer because I like his photos of ducks? I've had this photo bookmarked for a while. I've never explored the website any further than this photo but maybe I will now. Anyway I LOVE this duck photo.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

For Da Birds


I'm feeling exceptionally lazy today and managed only the basic chores and a bit of outdoor work. With my normal high energy level it's perfectly ok to have a lazy day now and then. The cats were outside with me and were communing with the birds. It's so cool to have trained cats. I worked very hard on them the first couple of years and it's all paid off as I don't worry about them catching the birds that I've invited for supper.....the bird's supper, not the cats'.

Musical selections today are for the birds. This little Be Good Tanya's song, The Littlest Birds, became famous when it was featured in a Gap commercial. A Bird's Song by Ingrid Michaelson is a nice relaxing number, my kind of music today.

For a linkI've chosen Van der Woning Photography. He may be listed in my regular links, I'm not sure. He is a canadian photographer that I've had bookmarked for years because he takes really great photos of ducks. He has lots of categories other than "swimmers" so check him out.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Respect


You knew I'd have a bird picture up today. The cats are enthralled with the birdfeeders. They usually sleep away most of the day but were on window duty all morning.

The endorphens were roiling through my body after my walk today. I think the faster I go, the more that are released. It could be all in the head but the smile on my face is welcome no matter the source. Yesterday I didn't make it to the beach but had a two hour dance workout. That will make your endorphens smile too.

I had a meeting scheduled here for ten this morning. The person couldn't make it but didn't bother to call till quarter to twelve. That pisses me off more than almost anything. My time wasn't my own all morning and the person who neglected to call just doesn't recognize the importance of that.

Still working on playlists for the Festival. Respect Yourself by The Staple Singers is on one you can be assured and is on the music page today. Bloody Motherfucking Asshole is a strong sentiment to the person who didn't call beforehand to cancel the meeting but as a song by Martha Wainwright, it's a great choice.

For a link: On 09 October, the link was Rules For Being Human. Today, Guidelines For Cats. I'm not sure if my cats have read this but they certainly follow many of the guidelines listed.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Don't Worry, Be Happy


This morning I found my prescription glasses that have been lost over six months. What a relief! When something like that is lost it's always a little bit present in the back of your mind. I've now freed up some space in those packed file cabinets up there. I'm not really a worrier because I learned long ago that worrying truly is a waste of time and emotion but the lost glasses have kind of been nagging at me.

Today's music can see to that with I Ain't Gonna Worry My Life Away by bluesy, Merry Clayton and Dylan's song, I Shall be Released covered live by Neil Young, Sarah McLachlan and Phish.

I have a friend coming for dinner. I should be out picking apples for a dessert of some kind but it is cold and so much easier to stay indoors. What I really should do is leave a note on the door and walk to the beach. I don't worry much but I sure have my share of feeling guilty of things like procrastination or laziness.

An exciting thing today, I am cleaning the cobwebs off the birdfeeders and filling them. I wasn't able to feed the birds after Clarke came to live here. The girls will be very happy to get to watch birds again and the birds will have their old feeding station back.

The link today: A mapping system that I found a while ago that lets you see the world in different categories than just geography. It is a very, very interesting site.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Remembrance


Just got back from a drive in the country. My camera batteries ran out after one photo of my friend's dog so got no photos of the leafless landscape. It was very pretty today with a very low ceiling of big fluffy clouds.

Still laughing thinking of the really fun Women's Fest meeting last night. The committee consists of parts of two generations of organizers. Our "second generation" is known for having more fun than sense at out meetings. A member of the "first generation" is a professional facilitator and she had quite a time keeping us under control.......but we sure had a great time. Less than a week now till the event. It's going to be wonderful. I have to do some playlists and make a few phone calls to performers and my part will be done. I'll sit back and enjoy after that.

Music: Part of the celebration next week will include a tribute to women from the community who have passed on. To the Fallen by Ruthie Foster makes me think of remembrance. We are using another song but this one would be appropriate too. Since I'm working on an upbeat
playlist and this is playing right now and remembrance is the theme, Thinking of You by Sister Sledge will do.

Link: All things or a lot of things, anyway, Bob Dylan.

Blogger was down for most of the day. I lost my post earlier. It's a pain, pain, pain, I tell you.

Friday, November 03, 2006

No Time Left


Thought about going to the beach for the daily walk today....until I got outside. Its very cold and windy, not beach weather at all! Was trying on clothing yesterday and have gained weight already since stopping work so I may be having two or three walks per day. I'm sure as heck not giving up eating. It weird having been thin my whole life to have my whole body change after giving up smoking ten months ago. Healthier, I guess.....

Music: Another of my thirteen versions of A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke who I believe is the writer of the song but I'm not positive of that. It's a great song whomever wrote it. Another song that I have a lot of versions of is Baby It's Cold Outside, a song appropriate for today. Here's a version by James Taylor and I believe, Natalie Cole. I'll check that fact out and also who wrote A Change is Gonna Come.

No time for a link today. The phone hasn't stopped since I started this post.