Sunday's Serenade: Marty Robbins

Happy Father's Day! I'm dedicating today's installment of Sunday's Serenade to my dad. He would sing (and sometimes whistle) El Paso by Marty Robbins around the house, out in the yard, in the car, at the lake....well, you get the picture. This is a treasured memory from my childhood.

Sunday's Serenade: Tony Bennett

Truly, Fly Me To The Moon sung by Tony Bennett has always been a favorite of mine. Just perfect for a Sunday Serenade and I also think it is the perfect "first dance" for any wedding. Enjoy! 

Turquoise Moon Gallery - Chased By Sioux

Chased By The Sioux

Jimmie Brown

First People Gallery

Sunday's Serenade: Frank Sinatra

Happy Mother's Day 2009!

I am dedicating today's installment of Sunday's Serenade to my mother.  Thankfully, she brought Frank Sinatra into our lives by singing many of his hits in our home such as this one, I've Got the World on a String.  

Sunday's Serenade: Norah Jones

She is the daughter of Ravi Shankar and was mentored by Willie Nelson; it's no wonder musician/singer/songwriter Norah Jones has become a household name.  I hope you enjoy today's selection, Cold, Cold Heart. 

Hunger and Hope: Ethiopia

Night Flight of Dread and Delight

Skunder Boghossian

Ethiopia, 1964

Oil on Canvas with Collage

Moon Like A Rolled-Out Bread

by Raj Nandy

In a country devastated by famine and pestilence,
And children dying of malnutrition everyday !
When an Ethiopian gazed up at the sky at night,
And beheld the full moon before his sight -
No romantic thoughts did cross his way !
In a land of hunger, only hard prose prevails !
When poetry and verse loses its sanity,
And only hard prose protrude like the ribs -
From half-naked and starved humanity !
He tried to sing to forget his hunger,
But words failed to flow from those parched lips any longer !
And his soul hung on to his body for dear life,
Perhaps death could only give respite !

The full moon looked like a rolled-out bread !
And if only a small crumb could break and fall,
Perhaps it would be enough tonight - to feed them all !
And if by some miracle of fate,
The hungry millions of this earth,
Could lay their hands on that entire bread,
Before the arrival of any relief vans,
They will surely gobble it up, as soon as they can;
Such are the torments of hunger pangs !

Yet the full moon did shine brightly tonight,
As the Ethiopian gently closed his eyes,
God willing, and if his luck holds,
He may survive this one more night !

copyright 2008

Sunday's Serenade: k.d. lang

From Canada, k.d. lang is a Grammy Award winning pop and country singer.  I hope you enjoy this week's selection, Constant Craving, it's one of my personal, all-time favorites.

For The Times They Are A Changin'

Stop  the presses!  The Internet has now become the main news source. A recent survey has found that 40% of its respondents prefer online sources to get their daily dose of news instead of the daily print. 

 

The end of print journalism will mean many things. For those of us old enough to still care about going out on a Sunday morning for our doorstop edition of The Times, it will mean the end of a certain kind of civilized ritual that has defined most of our lives.

 

More importantly, the use of those read rags and the roles they have played, how will we replace their function?  Recycling newspapers makes us feel good.  We become environmentally and economically righteous by doing so.  I can only assume we will have to make substitutions accordingly.

 

1. Lining the bottom of the bird cage – Instead of reciting the current headlines, Tweety will become well versed in computer applications.  No one ever reads those manuals. Right?

 

2. Cleaning windows – No, Bill Gates is not the go-to here.  A window cleaned with a newspaper gives a streak-free, lint-free shine.  I suppose we’ll just have to become use to that certain fog-type effect as we gaze out onto the garden only to realize the bright and sunny day when we walk out.

 

3. Gift wrap – Nothing quite says “Happy Birthday” like a gift cleverly wrapped from the Sunday comics.  It makes me shudder to even consider plastering Sponge Bob Square Pants or Dora the Explorer all over any gift.  Besides, who really recycles gift wrap?  It’s tacky. 

 

4. Packing material – You know your breakables are safe when they are wrapped in layers of newspaper. And, there are many uses for those papers after unpacking.  Sure it’s available in bright colors and, yes, it’s fun to pop, but have you actually ever lined kitty’s litter box with bubble wrap? 

 

5. Fly swatter – A folded newspaper has much more surface area, therefore, you have a much better shot at ridding your home of those annoying flying pests.  Later, roll that same newspaper into a fire log. No fuss, no muss compared to its plastic counterpart.

 

This is just a small sampling of how we will have to adjust our lives without newspapers.  But, I believe the absence of this source for news it is more about tradition and routine.  I, for one, have the memory of being taught to read and teaching my children to read from the daily comic strips.  Where will Nancy and Family Circus go? 

Leisurely perusing the newspaper over a cup of coffee for community news such as the high school scoreboards, the society page and upcoming events will become a thing of the past. Marriages, births and deaths may escape us.  However, the collapsing tradition of the daily newspaper is just one sign – for the times they are a-changin’.

Earth Day 2009: Mother Earth

Seven Grandmothers

Jim Nelson

JNelson Studio

click painting for larger view

Mother Earth

by James Orvil Beady

With fire in her belly her head in the clouds 
Cloaked with robes of blue green waters 
Where is she from Who placed her here 
And how was her path determined 

She is mother to all 
Host to the living mourner of the departed 
She drinks the blood of the fallen 
And stores the dead in her belly 

Here from the beginning 
Her age and history remain her closely guarded secret 
Her sunrises cannot be counted 
Her twilights are without number 

Her hosts are countless yet she provides for them all 
Who is her counselor 
Who is her mentor and guardian 
Who is her provider 

She rejoices in happiness yet is witness to all evils 
Can anyone understand her workings 
Or predict her future 
Is she immortal 

Her virtues are patience and tolerance 
Her fury unmatched and unequaled 
In anger she knows no compassion 
Her beauty is boundless 

Her mountains crowned with frost 
Her glamour the sparkling oceans 
The stars her halo the clouds her veil 
And the green meadows are the pastures for her children 

 Copyright 2003

Sunday's Seranade: Michael Buble

I have always been a huge fan of these fabulous crooners: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Dean Martin. It's nice when a fresh new cat comes on the scene like Michael Buble to carry on the tradition. Please enjoy Michael as he sings Sway.

Inescapable Journey: The Life of a River Man

Below is a review of the most exciting book I have read in quite some time. I encourage all who have a true love for the great outdoors to take advantage of this opportunity to obtain your own copy of this book directly from the author to benefit Idaho Rivers United.


If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting IRU member Bob Finkbine, no matter how brief your encounter, chances are that you’ll never forget him. A history teacher by trade and a river rat and wilderness explorer by choice, Bob is one of those guys with more stories to tell than there are campfires to tell them at.

So last fall — just in case anyone has managed to miss spending time around a fire with him — Bob wrote about his life of river running and other adventures in a self-published autobiography: Inescapable Journey: The Life of a River Man.

Filled with plenty of humor and reflections from many nights spent in the wild, Bob’s book has touched those who know him, and has entertained many who don’t. “…I choose to share my stories because they tell of my haphazard journey into old age and toward a bonding with the land,” says Bob, who at age 75 joined IRU for our 2006 fund raising river trip to Costa Rica.

Inspired by IRU’s efforts to protect Idaho’s rivers, Bob chose to donate all proceeds from his book (collected voluntarily from friends, family members and acquaintances — the book has no set price) to IRU. He’s not even recouping printing costs.

Bob’s friends have responded. Since the book rolled off the presses last fall, donations in-lieu of payment for books have come to IRU from Arizona to Connecticut, and from France to Alaska. So far, Bob’s book has raised more than $3,000 for IRU and has brought more than 60 new members into the fold.

Copies of Inescapable Journey are still available. If you want one, just send Bob a note at robertatwell1034@msn.com. When you receive your book, just send IRU a check for whatever amount you’re inspired to give.

Turquoise Moon Gallery - Buffalo In The Snow

Buffalo In The Snow

John Nieto

Nieto Fine Art

Sunday's Serenade: Katie Melua

Katie Melua performs, Blues in the Night, an American classic written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer.  Enjoy your Sunday.

Turquoise Moon Gallery - West Wing Sunset

West Wing Sunset

Kevin Miller

49"x69" acrylic on canvas

One Vision Art Studio

click on painting for larger view

Hummingbirds II

In my post Hummingbirds, I spoke of the mating and nest building of a female Ruby-Throated hummingbird here at the ranch. Since then, she has laid 2 tiny white eggs and sits her nest most of the day. She has come accustomed to my presence and allows me to get rather close.  Within the next two weeks, I hope to be providing pictures of the two new hummingbird babies.    

Sunday's Serenade: Diana Krall

Sit back, relax and enjoy the soothing sounds of Diana Krall as she performs Joni Mitchell's A Case of You.

Bloggers Unite: Earth Hour 03/28/09

Remember to turn off the lights at 8:30 pm for one hour this evening.  

Support Earth Hour.

The Turquoise Moon Gallery - Charreada

Charreada

SJ Shaffer

47"x25" acrylic on wood

Shaffer Gallery

click on painting for larger view

Bloggers Unite: It's A Good Thing

Bloggers Unite is a community that cares. 

Bloggers Unite is an attempt to harness the power of the blogosphere to make the world a better place. By asking bloggers to write about a particular subject on 1 day of the month, a single voice can be joined with thousands to help make a difference; from raising awareness for cancer, to an effort to better education systems or supporting 3rd world countries.

Bloggers like you!

Lets face it, the most important part of Bloggers Unite are the bloggers themselves. Without bloggers like you none of this could be possible. We at Bloggers Unite are proud to be a part of a movement to make the blogosphere a vehicle for greatness. We as bloggers have not only the opportunity but the ability to spread the word about organizations and topics like no other group or organization has ever been able to before. Our reach is worldwide and our information is shared instantly over the world wide web. The BloggersUnite team want to thank you for your participation and we welcome you into our family. A single voice can only yell so loud but an entire blogoshpere can make a difference like never before.

Please, take the tour of the Bloggers Unite website, join us and we'll change the world together.
 

Turquoise Moon Gallery - Mayan Migration

Mayan Migration

Dennis Numkena

7'x7' oil on canvas

numkena.com

click painting for larger view

Cloudbusting

"Cloudbusting" is a song that was written, produced and performed by the British singer Kate Bush. The song is a look at a special relationship between a boy and his father. It describes psychologist Wilhelm Reich's arrest and imprisonment through the eyes of his young son, Peter. Reich's son later wrote his father's story in the book A Book Of Dreams, published in 1973, on which the song is based. Wilhelm Reich is the inventor of the cloudbuster, a rain machine. The original cloudbuster, built by Reich, is featured during this production and on the record cover.

The music video, directed by Julian Doyle was conceived by Terry Gilliam and Kate Bush. The video features Canadian actor Donald Sutherland playing the role of Wilhelm Reich, and Bush playing the part of his young son, Peter. In the UK it was shown at some cinemas as an accompaniment to the main feature. Kate Bush's lyrics can be found here. Enjoy!

Hummingbirds

Spring is definitely upon us. Just last week I was observing a couple of male Ruby Throated hummingbirds as they vied for the attention of a little female. They were fussing and dive-bombing one another until the stronger prevailed.  I grabbed my camera and caught this little guy defending his turf.  

Now, I have always watched Discovery and Animal Planet and I have seen the mating habits of most species roaming this planet. However, I had never seen hummingbirds mate until that day. Such grace in mid-air.

I walked out onto the porch yesterday and found the little female building her nest in a wind chime made of horseshoes.  I carefully snapped a shot to document the success of the mating.  Stay tuned, love is in the air.

Click photos for a closer look

The Turquoise Moon Gallery - Gracias

Gracias

RC Gorman

First People

Click on painting for larger view

Bloggers Unite: International Women's Day

Phenomenal Woman

Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me. 

The Turquoise Moon Gallery: Coyote

Coyote Self-Portrait

John Nieto

Nieto Fine Art

Click on painting for larger view

Righteousness: Patricia Tye

Please welcome my special guest author, Patricia Tye. Patti has recently published her first book and has more in the works.

RIGHTEOUSNESS is a poignant, suspenseful story about Tom Black and Sara Dobbs’ journey to save one of the world’s largest legacies that includes a
groundbreaking discovery ─ a potential cure that can save his client’s life.

Reclusive multibillionaire, David Sims, is dying from cancer so he must settle his estate quickly and quietly. Without any living relatives, he entrusts his lawyer, Tom Black to bring four people to Michigan for a meeting that will change their lives forever.

Word leaks out and Black and Dobbs, an Afghanistan battle-trained FBI special agent, find themselves on a collision course with criminals intent on killing the heirs and stealing Sims fortune. They travel to Austin, Lake Tahoe and Silicon Valley to solve the overwhelming case and restore Sims legacy.


From the Author…

The coolest part of writing a novel is that you decide the story, the characters, the setting and the intrigue. If you’re like me, you’ll write down everything about your characters on separate pages. Not only to flesh them out, but to remember them all.

As a fiction writer, you also decide what happens -- the good, the bad and the ugly. The most difficult task was to create the evil characters, but it was also the most fun and creative aspect. In the beginning, I wrote several possible endings and as I came close, I didn’t use any of them. The story and the characters produced a more powerful ending that I had planned.

My next project has already begun and it’s a mystery, taking a few characters from Righteousness along with me.

Patricia Tye


To learn more about Patti, her writing or to order a copy of this thrilling novel, please click here to view her blog. --MK