Coincidence?

Sometimes things just show up out of the blue. Like this video of Born to Love You by Lanco. But I’m not a believer in “coincidence.” I believe everything happens for a reason. To show us something. To learn. To grow. To be healed. To bring us joy …

This singer looks so much like my brother when he was in college. The eyes and even the mustache. I’ve been feeling his presence lately and then I saw this. Coincidence? I think not.

Like one of the lyrics in this song, he was a wild child. I’m pretty sure he’s rockin’ out in some other dimension right now. Have fun, Mike!

Enjoy the music.

Be good to yourself and each other. Namaste’

 

Love and Paragraphs

The smoke and haze from the wildfires burning around our state are keeping me indoors today as much as possible. So it’s an uncomplicated Sunday. No place that I absolutely have to be other than here.

Music is always playing in the background of my days. It keeps me grounded. And, yes, I’m one of those people who will stay in the car just to hear a song finish.

Allow me to share this selection that I think is simply beautiful by Chris Standring, from his Love and Paragraphs album. Enjoy!

Be good to yourself and others. Namaste’

 

 

TBT

Well, my dear readers, it’s Throwback Thursday again. I hope this finds you all well and thriving.

This image is from my days in Tucson. So hot there now that I won’t be going back until winter. Can you blame me????

It’s hard to get a perspective of how large this stone thunderbird is. It’s on a busy road and I didn’t have a lot of time to get the image without getting run over … ha!

I am inspired by the artist who did this, especially what is inscribed under the wings:

“The eyes of the future are looking back at us. To protect what is wild is to protect what is gentle.” (Truth).

Namaste!

Just Breathe

Willie Nelson has always been a man whom I respect. I love his music … all of it.

Yes, there are a lot of other great contributors to the country music scene, but no one outshines Willie in my mind. He’s such a storyteller and, in many ways, a real messenger.

This morning as I was listening to Pandora radio, one of his songs came on that I’ve only heard a few times. I really listened to the lyrics this time.

Just breathe. Maybe that’s what we all need to do these days. Take a few minutes to just breathe.

Take good care of yourself and each other. Namaste’

 

 

 

 

Lyrics in My Head

Lately hubby and I have been listening to Pandora radio and have found some really good stations. We set up an instant mix of some of our favorites like Michael Buble, Yanni, Nat King Cole, The Piano Guys, Flamenco Guitar, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, George Strait, and some really classic oldies.

The 60’s was a great time for me and the music from that decade is something I’ll always love. “When She Was My Girl” by the Four Tops played today and it brought back some fond memories of high school, friendships, adventures and first love. I can’t get the lyrics out of my head, but that’s OK. I’ll let them play as long as they want to.

Enjoy … and remember to be good to yourself and each other. Namaste’

Parrot Head

Many years ago my son took me to a Jimmy Buffett concert. He and I are both big fans. Jimmy’s fans are called Parrot heads. Yep, that’s me!

When I need a mood lifter, I listen to one of his songs. One of my favorites is Creola from his Floridays album: 

Be good to yourself and each other. Namaste’

 

 

Swept Away

Several years ago, my WS took me to a concert of one of my favorite performers in the whole world … Yanni.  This was the third time I’d seen him in concert and AMAZING is an understatement.  Yanni has some of the best musicians in the world and I never get tired of hearing his music.

I first heard him at a wedding years ago, (late ’80’s), and had to ask the DJ who was behind the music.  He showed me the CD and I immediately went out and purchased one.  I’ve been hooked ever since.  In fact, when WS and I got married, we had our DJ play Swept Away at our reception for the balloon release.

When my daughter was in high school, I got two tickets to see Yanni in concert and the friend I was going to take couldn’t go, so I asked my daughter to accompany me and she said, “Ugh, no way!”  Well I finally convinced her to go with me.  I took my opera glasses so I could see him up close, not knowing exactly where our seats would be.  It turned out that we were in the first row of the balcony.  Yanni came out on the stage, my daughter snatched the opera glasses and wouldn’t give them back the whole night.  Needless to say she fell in love with Yanni, too.  Not sure if it was his music or his looks.  For a teenager, who knows, right?  All she kept saying was “he’s hot!”

Today’s photo is of the program cover from the last concert we went to in 2005.  I tried really hard not to drool as I was taking the picture 🙂 I’m thinking I might have to make this my desktop wallpaper 🙂 Hope you enjoy his music, too.  Namaste’

 

 

 

A Beautiful Surprise

It was way too hot today to be out scouting for photo ops in the desert or any of the outdoor venues, so WS (wonderful spouse) and I went to one of the local malls.  Mmmmm … nice and cool inside.  They also had a food court – lots of restaurants to choose from (grin).  We had the great fortune to sit front row of a wonderful guitarist and singer, Diane Davis.  I wish we could have stayed all afternoon but of course, we had the doggies to get home to.  So I asked if I could photograph her and she said she didn’t mind.  I think this shot captures her very pleasant essence.  Namaste’

 

Are You Lucky?

May the Best Luck of Your Past be the Worst Luck of Your Future ~ Walter Renwick Hughes

Walter “Ren” Renwick Hughes was my father-in-law.  Technically my ex-father-in-law.  I loved that man like he was my own father.  For those of you as old as I am (past 60), if you can picture Clark Gable, you will have an idea of what Ren looked like … pencil-thin mustache, jet black hair and a smile that would wiped away the blues for everybody around him.   Unfortunately he was killed in a car accident when my son, his first grandchild, was only two weeks old.  But I’m sure Ren “sees” Stephen and all of his other grandchildren all the time.  I don’t know that I can give Ren the entire credit for the quote above but it was a toast that he gave at every family gathering.  I can still see him holding up his champagne glass.

I took today’s photo of my lucky bamboo plant because I’m feeling particularly grateful, very lucky and most humble for wonderful people (family and friends) in my life.  Being part of the blogger community has opened me to so many new friends and their perspectives on life.  You guys are simply the best.  Yeah, I’ve thrown a couple of song plugs in here because I’m a parrot head (Jimmy Buffett fan) and a huge fan of Tina Turner.  A parrot head because I love the messages in Jimmy Buffett’s songs, not to mention his sometimes Caribbean, sometimes Cajun sounds.  When Jimmy plays and sings, you just can’t help but want to dance and sing along with him.  And Tina … well, her story is the epitome of rising from the ashes; the ashes of a destructive relationship with Ike, her former husband.  She’s proof that you can’t keep a good woman down.  Her music career spans 50 years.

And then there’s The Gang of Six; the wonderful people I met through a grief support group after my brother passed.  I saw them today and it’s always like no time has passed even though we only get together once a month.  Our discussion of forgiveness and dumping unwanted baggage was very profound; perfect timing for all of us.  Is there really any other timing but perfect?

I could go on and on, but I think I just did 🙂 I appreciate you ALL.  Namaste’