I just read that he has died at 88. For those of you NOT older than dirt, he and Eydie Gorme were very popular singers for a long time. Their “I Just Want to Stay Here and Love You” is my husband’s and my song, and we played it at our wedding a hundred years or so ago.
“I don’t want to go to the party with you. I don’t want to go to the dance. I don’t want to go anywhere with you. I just want to stay here and love you.”
We don’t have a large accumulation of snow, but you can’t see where our driveway begins or ends and we’re snowed in. It’s 35 and quite windy. I called, texted, and sent carrier pigeons to let our Lunch Buddies know we couldn’t get there today.
The thing I’m most worried about now is our dental appointments Tuesday. They emailed my husband and texted me yesterday, and we both confirmed we were planning to be there Tuesday. Now this. With the forecast for more snow showers, I’m not sure what to do. The dentist charges $150 if you don’t cancel 3 days before. They don’t work today, Sat, or Sun. I have texted them about the problem and we’ll just have to see what happens. We can’t afford to pay for services NOT rendered, but I realize the dentist suffers losses when his patients don’t show up or give him a chance to schedule someone else in our place. Did I tell you I’m not fond of winter?
I just finished getting the makings of beef stew in the crock pot for tonight. We are safe and warm on top of our ridge line, so I have no complaints. Nothing excited planned for the day. Our local schools are open, so the streets must be reasonable, although we can’t get down to the street in front of the house. Maybe it will warm up, or rain will take the snow away….
Laundry, wood-burning, reading, listening to music – NICE day.
I hope YOU have a good one, too.
Stay safe and warm!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Dorky Dogs” – BoredPanda.com – Liucija Adomaite and Justinas Keturka
American Idol – ABC
I’m excited because tonight is the finale on American Idol. I don’t usually watch the show, but this season there were two contestants who grabbed my heart. The two men have formed what will be a life-long friendship, starting with wanting to honor their fathers on the show.
One was Oliver Steele, (@oliversteelemusic on YouTube) but he was eliminated from the competition recently. The other is Iam Tongi, a really sweet 18-year-old young man from Hawaii. His voice and style are really distinctive, putting his own spin on whatever he sings. The whole audience explodes each time he sings.
Even without wins, both men have won in life. I expect both to have long, happy careers. Both write their own music. Iam has just dropped a single, “I’ll Be Seeing You” in honor of his dad, who passed recently. Oliver performed an original song, “Too Soon” on American Idol.
I promised you pictures of the garden, and I’ll share them in the next post, as soon as I process the pictures I just took.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Filed under music
Trusted House Sitters
I’m feeling “bummed”, plus “stupid”, this morning.
“Bummed” because one of my favorites on American Idol was eliminated last night. “Stupid” because I shouldn’t allow myself to get so ‘invested’ in a TV program that I know can only have one winner.
I don’t usually watch things like this. Lately it has been an escape for ‘the world being too much with us,’ and I fell hard for two contestants: Iam Tongi and Oliver Steele.
Iam Tongi is 18, from Hawaii. He lost his dad very recently. They bonded by singing together with Iam playing the guitar his dad bought for him with his holiday paycheck. His dad got sick and didn’t have long to live. They recorded several songs and posted them online. Iam’s dad died and Iam tried out for American Idol to honor his dad’s memory. He has captured the hearts of many during the competiton and he made it to the Top 5 last night.
Oliver Steele also entered the competition because of his dad. His dad is alive, a former singer, songwriter and musician. He had a massive stroke and lost the use of the left side of his body. He was there for his son’s audition. He was hospitalized soon after Oliver entered and has since started dialysis, but was able to attend his son’s performances last night.
Oliver is not only talented, his heart is huge. When Iam’s guitar broke, Oliver was really supportive. He got them both through the duet they shared and they have become friends for life. When the announcements were being made last night, Iam was named to the Top 5 and took the lei from around his neck and put it around Oliver’s neck as he left the stage. Oliver was eliminated from the competition a few minutes later.
SO. I’m happy Iam made it to the Top 5. In my mind, Oliver is also a winner – in life. I hope that he has garnered the attention of people who can help him achieve his dreams. I wish him all the best. He really got my heart.
Now I’ll continue cheering for Iam.
Quora
I’ve never been caught up by American Idol before. I’ve watched some clips and been impressed by the talent, but never actively watched and rooted for contestants before.
I started this because my husband is really into violent movies with the sound turned up so high that I went into the office and wore my earphones at my computer as a defense. :0)
I immediately fell for two contestants: Iam Tongi and Oliver Steele.
Iam is Hawaiian, but is living in Seattle, having had to move from his home due to too-high prices. He lost his dad – who taught him to love music and sung with him, providing harmony – a couple of months ago. His dad bought him a guitar, using his holiday paycheck. Iam’s voice is soothing. He is creative, making every song his own. I REACT to everything he sings, feeling happy or tearing up.
Oliver is a singer, song writer, and musician. His dad was the same, but had a stroke that made him lose the use of the left side of his body. Oliver is trying to take care of his dad. He has a distinctive voice and style, and is also a wonderful human being. When Iam’s guitar broke right before their duet, Oliver supported Iam, got him through the song, and they have become friends for life.
The Top 7 competition was last night. Iam was voted into the Top 7. Oliver was not, but was the Judges’ Choice to continue in the group as #8.
I wish both of them could win the competition. I hope that both of them have garnered enough attention that they both get music contracts. Time will tell.
They have both won my heart. I feel motherly (though I’m old enough to be grandmotherly) toward both of them and wish them the best that life has to offer. Their next performance is this coming Sunday, May 7th.
Filed under music
Roxitron via Instagram
I’ve really gotten caught up on the singing contest shows this year. I never watch them live, preferring to watch the YouTube videos when I can make the time.
I’ve never felt ‘invested’ in them before, and I find I’m almost on the edge of my seat this time, regarding ‘American Idol’ and ‘The Voice.’ It really amazes me how much talent we have in our world. Something that is getting through to me is that if a person has something special, something to which people react emotionally, it doesn’t matter if they ‘win’ the contest. They may make it anyway because people want to hear more. I’m hoping there is lots of good news to come for many of these talented people.
Filed under music
Mom.com
I’m feeling lazy today. It’s dark, cool, and rainy today here. A GREAT excuse for just doing what I want, rather than being “productive.” :0)
So far, I’ve been watching ‘reactions’ on YouTube. I had never heard of ‘reactions’ until last week. I stumbled upon the category, discovering that there is a whole industry out there! These people can work from home, get a following, monetize their efforts, and actually make a living.
I’m amazed that some of them survive, to be honest. Many of them are too interested in their ‘image’ and I find that very annoying. I’m there to see what their reaction is to music I like, NOT for them to tell me or try to show me how ‘cool’ they are. Most of them are too lazy to do any research. It only takes a second to find out who the singer is, a short background, etc., but they ask inane questions or act like ignorance is something to be proud of. I have looked at a lot and won’t be back.
There are several I’ve found, however, who do their homework, either before, during, or after, who really want to know about the person who is performing. Their facial reactions tell a whole story. They follow that with some beautiful thoughts or real, raw, honest reactions to what they have just seen and heard. I find that fascinating and have decided to subscribe to a select few and ask them to react to some songs I think are special.
This morning I’ve been gratified by the reactions to Chris Stapleton singing the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl. I knew who he was, but I didn’t know he’s won 8 Grammy awards. His performance was stellar and made me proud to be a citizen of this country. The reaction of the listeners at the event told the story of how his voice and his interpretation affected people. It was beautiful to see and hear.
I hope that the sun is shining wherever you are today and that you’re enjoying every ray. :0)
Filed under music, Reaction Videos
I’ve always loved music, always amazed that hearing a song from when I was a teenager transports me back mentally and emotionally. I get up and dance – the years dropping away – when I hear one of my old songs. Sometimes I’m truly surprised after I finish and I see an old woman looking back at me in the mirror…
I play some of my favorite songs when I’m playing in my art room. It makes me feel that anything is possible, calming my soul so I can concentrate on enjoying colors and textures and ideas.
Music makes it possible for me to spend time on my elliptical trainer (though I haven’t done that for awhile.) I COULD play music when I’m doing my daily yoga session, but then I would have to wear earphones so I didn’t bother my husband.
My massage therapist plays wonderful background music that helps me relax while she finds all the sore spots and kneads them away.
Lately I’ve been watching and listening to videos on my computer of all the talent contests, delighted when someone’s voice makes me soar.
Music is a quality of life thing. Simply magical.
Filed under music
I listen to both of these over and over. They are both so talented and just fill my heart when they sing. I hope that both of them are very successful.
I guess you can tell by my posts that I’ve been enjoying listening to a lot of music lately. Music is magic, in my opinion, transporting us to another place, either taking us back to where we were when we first heard it, making aches, pains, concerns simply drop away, or take us to the place the singer takes us in a new song, or their take on a classic that makes us hear the words in a different way.
I’m lucky because I have a lot of coping mechanisms that give me some relief from the hostility and frustration and helplessness I feel about what is going on in our beautiful world or to keep me calm in the face of any unpleasantness or concerns I feel about what is going on in my personal world.
What coping mechanisms help you?
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, coping mechanisms
Filed under Hauser - Cello, music
Our little town of Greenwood is celebrating Independence Day today. My husband and I steer clear of crowds, so we’ll stay home today. For many years I rented a spot on the square to sell my wares. I met a lot of nice people doing that, happy to see so many people out with their kids, having a good time. The city also puts on a fireworks display.
Happily, our neighbor down in the valley behind us usually sets off a bunch, too, so I can enjoy my “own, private fireworks display”, sitting on my porch with my feet up, coffee cup in hand.
This year is confusing. Greenwood – and I guess many other places – celebrating the holiday today. The actual holiday is tomorrow. Will people get the day off on Monday?
When I first heard this song, chills ran up and down my spine. My heart was in my throat as I listened. The chills continued throughout. This song says everything, as far as I’m concerned. I still get chills. I hope you enjoy it, too.
A Heart-filled Independence Day – whenever and wherever you are celebrating.
This filled my heart to overflowing this morning. I hope this link works for you. If not, please try https://biggeekdad.com/2020/12/andrea-bocelli-hallelujah/
Filed under music
Bono-SayingImages.com
Music is a quality of life thing. I have seen the faces of people I love when one of their favorite songs plays. They are transported back to a time of wonderful memories. They smile. Their eyes get dreamy. And the feelings simply spill out. It’s a beautiful thing.
I’ve seen people in nursing homes ‘come alive’ when their favorite music is played. The years fall off. Their eyes are animated. Some will actually get up and dance. Those who cannot still ‘bop’ in their chairs.
Music is a miracle.
I create ‘mini-concerts’ via YouTube when I have the time, giving myself a needed rest and relaxation. I choose one musician I love and play a medley of greatest hits, or combine several. By the time I am finished, I feel renewed, ready to tackle whatever awaits.
We are rich when we can ‘teleport’ to when we were teenagers. or escape via the lyrics of a beautiful song, or bop along with favorite tunes that DEMAND you get up and shake whatever you have. (I’m glad no one can see me do this, too!)
How lucky we are to have so many talented people who give us joy!
Filed under music, quality of life, taking care of yourself
Our son lives and works in Thailand. He has recently rented a house out in the country there, wanting privacy to be able to play his music without bothering anyone or always having to have earphones on.
He sent me a pic of his new music room –
He has two guitars – they are still in the living room, he says. He also plays the drums and a bit of keyboard. (You can see it there if you look carefully.) His big thing now is recording every day sounds and incorporating them in various fashions, repetitions, etc., to music he composes. He can build the music to his heart’s content, adding track after track to enrich the sound. He says I probably won’t be a fan of his new stuff. :0)
Being old and traditional, I love to hear him play one or more of the instruments, playing something he composed, or singing a cover of a song he likes. I’m happy that he now is starting to feel free to experiment and play in his music room, creating something he likes. He is thinking about starting a YouTube channel.
I can’t wait.
Filed under Family, music, quality of life
Wallpaperhi
Filed under memories, Mother Nature, music
My friend, Marsha, sent me this. I had to share –
If the arrow doesn’t work for some reason, the URL is –
Filed under music
YouTube
Filed under Favorite Videos, music
creativeartworksblog 