Indian Summer!

What a wonderful "Indian Summer" day it's been! I did a whole lot of gardening and outdoor chores. Friends dropped by unexpectedly and we had a grand time. We had refreshments on the deck as it was wonderfully warm and sunny. We took a drive to the beach and encountered two hang gliders playing in the breeze. They steered themselves up and down the coast. A couple in leathers, on one motorcycle, were there too. They had seen them as they were driving along and knew they were about to glide along the beach so took the first road that looked like it was going to the shore. Turned out my son was at the next beach up so was under them too.

I got two of the lilies planted finally but am waiting on one as it still has three buds that are going to bloom. I want to keep it on the porch to bring it in on heavy frost nights. I don't have enough knowledge about lilies to know if I am giving it the correct treatment.

If you like scat singing I have a link for you. I found this fabulous YouTube video of Sarah Vaughan and just love it. The control that woman had and the rich voice. I just love Sarah Vaughan. I haven't had any of her up in a while and I think she has some autumn songs....

I haven't featured any Madeleine Peyroux for a while. I heard she has a new album coming out. My aunt and uncle had taped an evening's concert of Madeleine and her band for me to see when I was visiting them in the spring. It was fabulous. She has a kind of peculiar phrasing but it's what sets her apart. Here's This Is Heaven To Me and I'll Look Around. She always has a great band which in itself is worth a listen.

The above paragraph is from a July '07 post and that has the perfect music for today's hang glider post. If the links above don't work go there through this link. Here are a couple more that have already been featured on the blog. Nothing new today. Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer by Ry Cooder and Try Your Wings by Blossom Dearie. That will have to do tonight. I want to continue this wonderful day.

We Love Spring Rain

I had a wonderful time with my little break yesterday. I planted sweet peas in pots though I'm not finished. I took 39 photos of the cats on the garden wall. A friend dropped in for a visit and I felt satisfied with the day. I had gone to town in the morning to run errands and outdoors was such a call when I came home. It's hard to confine me for too long. I've told you that one of my favorite all time songs is Don't Fence Me In. I've got tons of versions of the song and I've linked my favorite.

We're having wonderful spring rain this afternoon. It didn't start here till right before noon but I heard all morning on the radio that it was raining in Charlottetown. It's funny how many locations have their own micro-climate. We're just across the water from Ch'town and they get so much more rain and snow. The grass has greened in the last couple of hours and the daffodils have grown higher. I have quite a few open now and some forced forsythia in bloom as well. I trimmed back a huge forsythia bush and have a huge bunch taller and bigger around than me in a florist bucket that I will give to friends when it is in bloom. The bunch I have blooming, I cut a week ago.

Had to have a little break here. Windows Media Player was stuck in Limbo somewhere, necessitating a restart of the computer. It may be complaining of too much use or something. All seems well now so I can proceed with today's music. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today is my favorite Randy Newman song. Here's a version by David Grey, one by Nina Simone, and one from the great Randy Newman himself. Didn't realize those were up already. Madeleine Peyroux's live version is here too and here's some new songs for today; Karen Dalton with one version of Little Bit of Rain and one by Fred Neil. I was reminded of Karen Dalton because in this song I think she sounds like Madeleine Peyroux.

Three

Just signed up for a blog action day on the environment. Participants post something on the environment on Monday. My photos are primarily of our environment and I should be able to write something that fits.......if I remember.

I'm sleepy right now. I got up at three, went back to bed at four-thirty but never got back to sleep so rose again, at the usual five-thirty, to start the day. I had been on a normal schedule for about a week so am disappointed that this is starting again. I have to be to work very early tomorrow morning so will get to bed early and sleep. Even if I wake early tomorrow, I'll be well rested.

Any chance to put up Randy Newman is one I'll grab. This was already up at one time but is gone. I Think It's Going To Rain Today is a wonderful song that describes the day here and we have three versions. Randy Newman, Nina Simone and Madeleine Peyroux. Which one do you like?

Storm Has Hit

I'm writing in the middle of a thunderstorm. Now that Blogger auto-saves this shouldn't be a problem. I can't believe that Tuesday was the last time I posted. I've been incredibly busy and have not had a moment. I've not had time for a proper supper tonight. Peanut butter, whole wheat bread, milk, avacados and lime, and cherries will have to suffice. I'm eating the avacado now.

This thunder storm is causing havoc across the island and somehow, again as I've stated here, it is so far passing us by. We see lightning at both sides of the sky and are dry here. There is news of a boat having overturned in Ch'town Harbour. I just visited my workplace and there is a big, whole weekend, outdoor event happening. They are sitting in cars, waiting to see if things will be moved indoors, a couple of miles up the road. Glad I'm off and not helping make these decisions. I'm waiting for visitors who are coming tomorrow instead of tonight.

Music: Well songs are still disappearing from both pages. I'm so sad about it. I wasn't putting them out for download - just listening. I 've already put up a couple of versions of I Think It's Going To Rain Today. They're probably gone now. Here's a slow mood one fron Madeleine Peyroux and for a long, up-tempo song let's hear Pop Staples and the Staple Singers with A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall.

It has just started raining and I like to think my music has something to do with it. God it's now really thundering and it scared the cat away. I probably shouldn't be at an open window at the computer. As a matter of fact, go to page two for the links. I'll link them later.

Heaven To Me

Went on a hike today that the other two hikers with me estimated to be around eight kilometers. It was really fantastic. The endorphins were surging through my body along with wood odours and the smell of meadows full of wildflowers. I'm tired now and think I'll be laying back in front of the TV tonight. I hope, in my two channel universe, that something good is going to be on the tube. I do have good books on the go and would be just as happy to go to bed early and read.

We are supposed to have hot, sunny weather all week. I would imagine the mood on the island will be much happier. I love rain but it can get you down if there is too much.

I had nice farm-fresh, just picked veggies for my supper. I am lucky to have a market garden within walking distance. After the great hike and fabulous supper, I feel really good and healthy. I was the only non-smoker in this afternoon's group of four. Yeah!

Music: I haven't featured any Madeleine Peyroux for a while. I heard she has a new album coming out. My aunt and uncle had taped an evening's concert of Madeleine and her band for me to see when I was visiting them in the spring. It was fabulous. She has a kind of peculiar phrasing but it's what sets her apart. Here's This Is Heaven To Me and I'll Look Around. She always ahs a great band which in itself is worth a listen.

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.

Icy Clean Up

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There was a large fire in downtown Charlottetown on Friday. There is a crane there today tearing down the buildings. I stopped for a few photos. It was warm yesterday and today but on Friday and Saturday supposedly there were huge icicles everywhere - even on the firemen.

The photo in the middle with the frozen couch is of Rose's Barber Shop. My boys always had their haircuts from Rose when she worked for someone else and a couple of years ago she branched off on her own. My youngest had his first haircut from her. I believe four businesses were burned out and neighbouring businesses had water damage. All very sad.

I have my reservations to go to see my grandkids and my aunts next month. I am a surrogate daughter to one aunt and uncle who never had children. I talked to them for an hour yesterday and told them I'd call today with the dates and times. They were so excited. After I'd hung up after today call, my uncle called just to say goodbye again. They're very eccentric and I'm absolutely crazy about them. They're such fun!

Music today: In playing with the Latin dance music yesterday I was reminded of the Thalia version of La Vie En Rose. Grace Jones also does a fabulous dance version. Check them out on Page Two. Here are Page One links to the Madeleine Peyroux version as well as the first we came to know by Edith Piaf. These are dedicated to Rose from Rose's Barber Shop.

Blue Alert

I forgot my camera at a friend's house and miss it terribly. I feel lost. It kind of replaced cigarettes in that it was always there for something to do with my hands and concentration if I needed it. I've wanted it several times today.

Way too cold to be walking today. Sunny but windy and cooooold. Did a bunch of dancing instead and in ways, it's more fun. If the weather is fabulous walking is great but if it's too cold or damp or windy it can feel like a chore. Right now an added bonus is the music that goes with the dancing. I never really got onto the mp3 player that I bought after Christmas. I'm always photographing while I walk and the wires and earbuds were just in the way. I need a course in earbud management.

For music I have comparisons or covers, as they're commonly called. Leonard Cohen's song Blue Alert is the song. The singers are Anjani, his sometimes back-up singer and Madeleine Peyroux. Which one do you like?

I clicked this link on a blog I was reading to see a very cool wave. I'm passing it on.

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.