Dolphins having fun
Sharing time with kayakers
Gifting smiles to all
Category: beauty
Almost a Cat-astrophe
Yesterday the sky was filled with dark grey clouds and it looked very unlikely that I should get to see the annular eclipse. If we were lucky, people across the UK would be treated to views of a crescent sun as the moon appeared to partially block out the sun. In other parts of the world the “ring of fire” would be visible from places such as Canada, Greenland and northern Russia.
I was kitted out with polarised lenses for my glasses, and with my trusty camera. The only problem was that although I can look directly towards the sun with my lenses attached I cannot then see the screen of my camera so it was a case of lenses on, look at the sun, lenses off, look at the camera – repeat ad infinitum. I do not have a tripod – a lack I will have to address!
Here are the results: (My camera time is one hour behind)
A Voice to be Heard
I have a voice!
Of course I have. We all have a voice!
But that’s not strictly true. Some people are mute, they never ever speak audibly.
Ah yes, there is a point there, but did you note the subtle nicety that, although someone cannot speak, they can still be ‘heard’.
That can only be a good thing. Everyone should be able to have their voice heard, but we all know that all voices are not equal.
But what can we do about that?
We can carry on speaking, making our voices heard, even when we think our voice is inaudible.
We have to speak the truth. We have to speak the love. We have to speak the beauty. We have to speak the peace. We have to speak the forgiveness. We have to speak the reconciliation.
I have never before watched a Presidential Inauguration all the way through, as it happened. Yesterday I did, and I am glad that I did. There was much common sense, much compassion, and great reason for hope.
Did you hear Amanda Gorman’s poem? Amanda, America’s Youth Poet Laureate, gave a stunning oration and, at the age of only 22, spoke better than the majority of politicians do nowadays. Her words embody the hopes and dreams of all right-thinking people. She is smart, bright, articulate. A lady to watch, learn from, and encourage to do wondrous things in the future.
Her final words spoke volumes, and should speak to all the world, not just to America. Her voice, and ours are voices to be heard.
When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light.
If only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
Song Lyric Sunday – 27 December 2020 – Heart of the Country
Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. Jim has given us Odor /Scent /Smell /Taste this week to be included in the title or lyrics.
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
This week I’m pondering on the final concert, and the final public performance, of The Beatles, Paul and Linda McCartney’s move to the Mull of Kintyre, and the beauty of that part of the world. I was fortunate to live in the Outer Hebrides for two years, based in Ballivanich, on the Isle of Benbecula. Wild, sparsely populated, enduring some tremendously strong winds and wild weather but beautiful, captivating, and instilling a sort of desert fever in those who are lucky enough to experience it.
The Beatles’ final paid concert of their career took place on 29 August 1966 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The band played to an audience of 25,000, leaving 7,000 tickets unsold. They had become disillusioned with live performances, singing the same songs time and again, unable to hear themselves playing. They had upset many fans with John’s statement that The Beatles were more popular than Jesus.
The Beatles’ rooftop concert on 30 January 1969 marked the end of an era for many fans. The group did record one more album, Abbey Road — on which work started the following month — but by September 1969 the Beatles had unofficially disbanded.
To save some money from the taxman and as a bolt hole from Beatlemania, Paul had, encouraged by then girlfriend Jane Asher, bought High Park Farm in Campbeltown, near Argyll’s Mull of Kintyre in 1968. But it was only when newly married to American Linda Eastman in 1969 that he decided to make it a home.
He said: “Going up to Scotland was real freedom. It was an escape – our means of finding a new direction in life and having time to think about what we really wanted to do.”
The farm, which was rustic to say the least, would become home to Linda’s daughter Heather and the couple’s first child Mary. Stella, now a top fashion designer, arrived in 1971.
But it was also the place where Paul’s next music project was born.
The new expanded editions of Wild Life and Red Rose Speedway include never-before-seen pictures of the McCartneys’ life in Campbeltown, which in time would inspire his love letter to the area – Mull of Kintyre – a 1977 Christmas No1.
They released the album ‘Ram’ together in 1971 and formed the band Wings in the same year. The couple were also nominated for an Oscar for their song ‘Live And Let Die’, the theme tune for the 1973 Bond film of the same name.
“When she came to Britain and we got to together the greatest thing about it was we both wanted to be free. We did what we wanted and she took pictures of it all.”
Linda McCartney died after a battle with breast cancer on April 17, 1998. She was 56 years old.
The song I’m offering is Heart of the Country from the album Ram released in 1971.
The video shows some great examples of the free and easy life in their dream home. A great place to raise their children, grow their own food, ride in deserted areas (UK horseriders may note they use American style saddles and tack), and generally enjoy life.
The song aint bad either!
If you want to see more then there is some lovely pics, and music, at the bottom of the lyrics.
I look high, I look low
I’m lookin’ everywhere I go
Lookin’ for a home
In the heart of the country
I’m gonna move, I’m gonna go
I’m gonna tell everyone I know
Lookin’ for a home
In the heart of the country
Heart of the country
Where the holy people grow
Heart of the country
Smell the grass in the meadow
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Want a horse, I want a sheep
I wanna get me a good night’s sleep
Living in a home
In the heart of the country
I’m gonna move, I’m gonna go
I’m gonna tell everyone I know
Livin’ in a home
In the heart of the country
Heart of the country
Where the holy people grow
Heart of the country
Smell the grass in the meadow
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Want a horse, I got a sheep
I’m gonna get me a good night’s sleep
Livin’ in a home
In the heart of the country
I’m gonna move, I’m gonna go
I’m gonna tell everyone I know
In the heart of the country
Heart of the country
Where the holy people grow
Heart of the country
Smell the grass in the meadow
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Song Lyric Sunday – 1 November 2020 – All Of Me
Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. Jim has given us Smart/ Stupid this week to be included in the title or lyrics.
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
“All of Me” is a hit song by American singer John Legend from his fourth studio album Love in the Future (2013).
You couldn’t really hope for a better opportunity to make a video of this song. Take one good looking guy with a great voice, add a beautiful model, Chrissy Teigen, who happens to be the man’s wife. Use a song that was written specifically for the lady. Film it in a fine property alongside Lake Como in Italy, where they were married, and ask them to act naturally!
You may even get to see the bride and groom!
All Of Me
What would I do without your smart mouth?
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You’ve got my head spinning, no kidding, I can’t pin you down
What’s going on in that beautiful mind?
I’m on your magical mystery ride
And I’m so dizzy, don’t know what hit me, but I’ll be alright
My head’s under water
But I’m breathing fine
You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind
‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh
How many times do I have to tell you?
Even when you’re crying, you’re beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I’m around through every mood
You’re my downfall, you’re my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can’t stop singing, it’s ringing, in my head for you
My head’s under water
But I’m breathing fine
You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind
‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh
Give me all of you, oh
Cards on the table, we’re both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it’s hard
‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: John Stephens / Tobias Gad
All Of Me lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Rapid rhyme #33/ Melissa the mouse
I talk to them, they talk to me
in easy stages one two three
First greet them with a bright “Good Day”
and ask them if they’ve time to stay
Then if they have, ask how they are
and have they had to travel far
Are they alone or with their spouse
Do they live in a hole or house
It’s truly magic, meeting friends
the joys of walking show no ends
Some of you may know that I go for a walk most days. I talk to the trees and anything else I encounter along the way. In these days of Covid I have changed my route and now I mostly go through fields, woodland, along the river and canal. I stay away from roads and people as much as possible!
Today I had a real bonus meeting and conversation. Apart from the cattle, horses, swans, spiders, grasshoppers, and birds, that is.
I quite often come across a dead mouse, or vole, and that’s what I saw this morning, and then……she moved. It was a teeny tiny mouse, and her name was Melissa. I know that for a fact because she told me. You may think me a little potty, nuts, crazy, or whatever. I don’t care.
I asked Melissa if I could take a few photographs to remember her by, and she agreed. In fact she was quite happy and so that her friends on Mousebook could see what a big girl she is she asked if I could put a Pound coin alongside her to compare with. A pound coin is 23.43mm diameter. That is 0.922 inches in old money!
Melissa was exploring her neighbourhood for the first time but couldn’t remember how old she was. Baby mice grow up very quickly. After just six days, they have fur and can move and squeak. After 18 days, they are ready to leave the nest. Female mice can start having babies when they are just six weeks old. They can produce 10 litters every year, with up to 12 babies in each litter.
She soon went back to the nest which was accessed by a small hole in the ground. Another of her siblings popped his head out to say a quick hello but disappeared and didn’t want his photograph taken.
Seriously though, folks, isn’t she gorgeous. So much so that I am not sharing her space with any other friends I met today.
A Beautiful Day
Today, as most days are, was a beautiful day. It doesn’t have to be sunny, or warm, or special, it was just beautiful.
I was alive when I woke up, that’s always a good start.
I ate breakfast, hung out some washing, fed the cat, washed the dishes, had a (please pardon the expression; it is crude, but adequately describes nearly every morning, and dates from army days) shit, shave, shower, and shampoo. I went for a walk. Talked to the trees, to spiders, to dogs and cats, and to a couple of humans.
I returned home, had a coffee, and started to read the blogs that I follow. Now, I follow far fewer blogs than (supposedly) follow me. I do, however, attempt to read every single post of every single person that I follow. I like every one of these, but choose fewer to comment on. It is very time consuming, but I enjoy it, and that, surely, is what life is all about!
On one of my regular reads, Ann Koplow’s The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally, Ann’s post was entitled It’s a Beautiful Day. It was, as all of her posts are, very positive. I shall leave you to explore her blog, if you so wish, but that is not my main purpose here.
Ann included a most exquisite piece of music by Tohpati (featuring Moonlight Project), and she commented that ‘It’s a beautiful day to share “It’s a Beautiful Day”, also that It’s a beautiful day when I find out about an Indonesian jazz guitarist and songwriter whose “most significant influence came from Pat Metheny.’
Do you know what, she was absolutely right. (and if you listen to the very end you will also discover that the musicians had a beautiful day too)
Apology to a spider – Rapid rhyme #28
I’m sorry Mrs Spider that I destroyed your home
I merely wished to walk your way whilst on my morning roam
I hope you soon restore the mess that I so rudely made
Please send the bill to me at once, it will be swiftly paid!
Song Lyric Sunday – June 28, 2020 –Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs.
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
Jim’s prompts this week are all about temperature, in that we get to choose from Cool, Freeze, Heat, and Melt. Now, I think that most people are aware that we British don’t do heat very well and this year, so far, we’ve had some pretty high temperatures (for us anyway!) so I thought I would cool off with a Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress. That’s my story anyway!
This Hollies song originally appeared on the album Distant Light, it was released as a single on 17 April 1972, selling 1.5 million copies in the United States and two million worldwide. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1972. Billboard ranked it as the No. 24 song for 1972.
The song is different from most other Hollies songs in that there are no three-part vocal harmonies, instead it was written in the swamp rock style of Creedence Clearwater Revival, in terms of the vocal, rhythm, and melodic style. According to Alan Clarke, the song was written “in about five minutes”. That’s as maybe, but it sure does get people up on the dance floor!
I hope you enjoy this live performance recorded from the television series Midnight Special.
and here, a version with lyrics and exquisite pictures of Charlotte Rampling who, incidentally, was 2.5 inches short of the required 5’9″!
Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
Saturday night I was downtown
Working for the FBI
Sitting in a nest of bad men
Whiskey bottles piling high
Bootlegging boozer on the west side
Full of people who are doing wrong
Just about to call up the D.A. man
When I heard this woman singing a song
A pair of forty fives made me open my eyes
My temperature started to rise
She was a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5’9″ beautiful ‘n’ tall
Just one look I was a bad mess
‘Cause that long cool woman had it all
I saw her heading to the table
Well, a tall walking big black cat
Charlie said, I hope that you’re able, boy
‘Cause I’m telling you she knows where it’s at
Well, suddenly we hear the sirens
And everybody started to run
Jumping under doors and tables
Well, I heard somebody shooting a gun
Well, the D.A. was pumping my left hand
She was holding my right
Well, I told her, don’t get scared
‘Cause you’re gonna be spared
I’ve gotta be forgiven if I wanna spend my living
With a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5’9″ beautiful ‘n’ tall
Well with just one look I was a bad mess
‘Cause that long cool woman had it all
Had it all, had it all, had it all
Had it all, had it all, had it all (she had it all)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Alan Clarke / Roger Frederick Cook / Roger John Reginald Greenaway
Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Carlin America Inc
Skater’s Waltz — A Unique Title For Me
Music to make you smile – thanks to Jim Adams.
Emile Waldteufel’s famous composition from 1882 is known in English as ‘The Skaters’ Waltz’. It was inspired by the sight of Parisians skating on the frozen Seine river. Waldteufel wrote over 200 works, but this is the piece he is best remembered for and this is one of the most famous wintery pieces in classical […]
