Music

Beard rhythms

Classic Dolly

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I’ve always wanted to post this tune as it was a favorite of mine from my youth. Dolly always brought me awe as she brought me joy. She does so more today than ever. I can’t think of any better time than this moment to post the beautiful song.

Dolly Parton – Coat Of Many Colors – Released 1968 (video date 1983)

Here comes the sun!

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It’s the Spring equinox for 2022 and we are happy it’s here!

Boyce Avenue – Here Comes The Sun – Acoustic Beatles Cover – 2020

 

Tomorrow I’ll be planting sunflowers, the National flower of Ukraine. We support Ukraine.

Sunflowers posted in support of Ukraine

Peace is possible

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The struggle for peace is real. Often it seems like the same fucking shit, different year.

However peace is achievable even if it’s just in my own community. I can start by sharing love and peace with those I meet today. I’ll just start right now with a deep breath and a smile.

Plastic Ono Band / John Lennon – Give Peace A Chance – 1969 (remastered)

Close to you

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I am at loss for words when it comes to the  memories this song brings to me. I was young and hadn’t yet gotten to the age of falling in love. Yet this song gave me a comfort, and a glimpse of what romance must be just from the beauty of the music. I knew every single word of this song and could sing it from start to finish. Of corse I could because I had listened to it daily on my handheld transistor radio. A radio I still have to this day.

Still in its carrying case.

The station you ask? Oh that would have been AM 1240 WROV. The radio? Yes it still works. It was at my side for years and even survived a few bicycle crashes. My brother found it in a drawer when cleaning out our mother’s house after I moved her out here to live with me. He saved it from the sale for me as he knew how much I treasured it as a young boy.

I post the tune today as I can’t think of a better song to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day. I send you love and hope that you in turn spread love to everyone you see and touch today.

Carpenters – (They Long To Be) Close To You – 1970

Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue
That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue
That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Wa, close to you
Wa, close to you
Ha, close to you
La, close to you
(….oh and yes Karen was not only the vocalist, but also the drummer. )

May Peace be …

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I was so young when The Youngbloods originally recorded (1966) and then released (1967) this song I do not remember it. However this song is part of my life’s soundtrack and I do remember it being popular as it was re-released by The Youngbloods again in 1969 and finally making it to #5 in the charts.

The tune has a longer history dating back to a performance of it in 1964 by The Kingston Trio and also having been recorded after that date by a number of artists including Jefferson Airplane and David Crosby. However it is this version by The Youngbloods that has remained the most popular and remembered.

I post it today as I find we are at another one of those turbulent times that reminds us that security is but an illusion and peace can sometimes seem elusive. For me what  I have to remember is that hate cannot rid us of hate, only love can do that.

I must take a deep breath and take time to respond and not to react. I must strive to understand, accept, respect, have empathy, forgive, share, have patience, give and love. I must remember that truth always reveals itself, even if it takes longer than I want it to. I must strive to learn, to grow and to teach. I must smile, I must smile on you and even smile on those with whom I differ. I must remember that I am human and I have more in common with others than I sometimes realize, as they are human as well.

I mustn’t claim to have all the answers because I don’t. I must stand for righteousness without acting, feeling or being superior. I must remember that actions speak louder than words. I must be kind. I must be an example of what is good by being just that which is good. I mustn’t judge, nor throw stones. I must help those in need. I must love, love unconditionally.

The Youngbloods – Get Together – 1966

May peace be with you my brother, my sister, my friend.

1988 Copa Key West

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I danced my ass off to this one right there on one of the best dance floors in the entire world at The Copa Key West. Damn this one was fun.

Kon Kan – I Beg Your Pardon – 1988

This song is the question to Lynn Anderson’s answer from her hit Rose Garden.

Thank You For Being A Friend

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Back a little before Christmas I had my 89 year old mom out to Macy’s for a little seasonal shopping. While in the women’s department with her I heard a different take on Gayla Peeve’s classic I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas and was quite taken with it. Some artist I didn’t know had given that 1950s song a new tropical twist and I couldn’t get it outta my head, so when I got home I had some searching to do. It took some time and wasn’t easy to find, but find it I did and posted it here on this here blog thingy on December 10, 2021. It was by a group I wasn’t familiar with called Lake Street Dive. Man did they give that old Christmas tune a new life. After finding it I bought it on iTunes to add to my library.

After finding it I also followed Lake Street Dive on YouTube and am glad I did. Today a new Lake Street Dive cover popped into my feed and they knock it out of the park. Not only did the memories of Betty White and The Golden Girls make me tear up but the passion and emotion that which they put into their take on Thank You For Being A Friend also made me tear up with emotions of joy and hope.

Lake Street Dive – Thank You For Being A Friend – 2020 (posted to you tube January 4, 2022 in memory of Betty White)

And to all of you who are reading these words, Thank You for being my friend.