Music: Hope

Not Christmas or at least not a typical Christmas song but the message is about having hope where you are.  Without the birth of Jesus there would be no hope.

Music: Christmas

In search of good Christmas music I found Chris Tomlin.  Actually we heard/sang one of his combos at church today.  And a very good friend suggested his Christmas music.  Enjoy.

Music: Comfort Ye!

Todays reading, Luke 3. Comfort Ye!  Listen and then read Luke 3.  Encouraging!

Music: Christmas

It doesn’t even feel like Christmas!  But I guess it really is.  Here is an unusual Christmas song.  It’s by the Ravenettes.  Interesting!

Music: Christmas

So, what is your favorite Christmas song?  Or are you one of those, I hate Christmas songs, person?  I have to admit I loved Christmas music years ago when I was younger and before life took its toll on me.  Does that make me somewhat cynical?  Yes, I suppose it does.  I tolerate it now.  Wish I had not lost my love of Christmas in general.  I guess that’s just life.
After saying that, I still need to post a song.  Here’s one that’s just interesting.  I posted it last Christmas when I posted a very different song each day of December.  Enjoy!

Music: A Favorite Christmas Carol

Silent Night, presented by the Winans of course.  They give it such a soulful presentation.  enjoy,

Music: Soulful Messiah

This music is dated but still very much some of my favorite.  Starting out with the Hallelujah Chorus.  Listen and enjoy.

Music: Christmas

December 1 and it’s time to play Christmas music.  I’m starting with my favorite genre, jazz.  Today is Ahmad Jamal, who I had the privilege of seeing at The Blue Note in Georgetown.  Get in the spirit and listen or maybe listen and get in the spirit.

Music: I Need You to Survive

I need everyone to listen to this song.  More importantly I need everyone to really hear what this song says.  We’ve gone so far away from where we need to be.  Something my dear mother always said, “ just love them, then love them some more!”  

Music: Here’s to Life

One of my all time favorite tunes.  This song has been the perfect toast many times, so listen and raise a glass.  Love your loved ones a little more!

Music: When You Cry

Missing Jetta on this Thanksgiving.  Well, every Thanksgiving because it was her favorite.  I love you, my sister!

Music: Together We Stand

I had to share this song.  We recently left a church that seemed to preach separation and it’s time to stand together.  We have been fortunate to find a church that fits, very multi cultural and it feels like home.

Music: In Harm’s Way

Another Winans song.  Great words.

Music: I Believe

I believe, do you believe?

Music: Desde Que O Samba E Samba

I love music from Brazil.  I have a Pandora station with just Brazilian music.  This is one tune i especially  like.  Listen, I hope you enjoy.  It’s a very pure simple sound.

Music: This is Why I Sing

I love this song by Kirk Franklin.  I hope you will listen.

Music: Lord, I Need You

This has to be my theme song.  Seems like I need this more than ever.

Music: Oh the 70s Were Sweet

This is one of those slightly less popular soul groups from the 70s.  Enchantment, this was one of their less popular songs but I loved it. Where Do We Go From Here.  Enjoy, I sure do.

Music: Oceans, Again

I can’t get enough of this song and how it comforts me when my burdens seem very heavy.  Listen again.

Music: Gershwin

Gershwin will always inspire me.  It’s great classical music with a mid century modern feel.  Think on that while you listen.  I attempted to play these when I still played piano.  The second was the only one I did half way decently.  The other 2 were out of my league.

Music: Lean on Me

Kirk Franklin did this song, and its not the lean on me from the 70s and 80s.  I really like it.  I hope you do.

Music: Search Me, O God

This was inspired by my old friend Mark Bradford.  He had Psalms 139 on his blog and I couldn’t help but think of this hymn.  Do you remember it?

Music: Opeth

This is a most amazing piece.  It calls to you.  A bit of solitude and melancholy, two things I need to survive.  If I get cranky I probably need these two.  ENJOY, I am.  Thanks, Son!

Music: Every Praise

The name says it all.  Enough said!

Music: The Love of God

This is a beautiful hymn.  I am reminded of it from time to time.  It was also sang at my father's funeral.  Lost daddy way too early.  I was only 23 when he died quickly and unexpectedly.  He was a great daddy!

Enjoy!

Music: His Eye Is on the Sparrow

This one is one of the reasons my dear mother felt safe when her world as she knew it started closing in on her as she aged.  She became fearful as her body became frail and her memory failed.  But she knew this to be true that if God watches out for tiny sparrows how much more would He watch out for her.  I've listened to this particular one over 100 times just to have the closeness of my mother.  Believe me, she's resting in peace!!

Music: Naima

Then there was John Coltrane!  Naima.  Enjoy!

Music: Always and Forever

Another great tune from the 70s.  I love this one, too.

Enjoy!

Music: The Amazing Luther Vandross

For some reason I have related to R&B especially during high school and college.  This song by Luther Vandross is a great example.  It's long but very much worth the time.  Listen to the end, it's worth the wait!

Music: For Helena

This song has saved us many a time from a cranky baby.  This has to be one of Helena's favorite songs.  It's a swaying and moving song.  Baby girl loves to sway with the music.  Enjoy, you've heard it before but this time imagine a 16 month old swaying to this.  Uptown Funk.

Music: It's You That I Need

It's a song from my youth.  I have always loved music like this.  It is not for everyone although I really can't understand how someone might not like this.  It ones date me but I could care less!  I'm enjoying it.  You can too.

Music: It Is Well With My Soul

How is your soul?  We have been attending a wonderful church on Saturdays in Denver, Colorado Community Church, and the lead pastor, Robert Gelinas, has preached a series on how is your soul.  It is over but oh how wonderful.  It was just what I needed!  Great church, diverse church!  I truly feel fed when I go.  We will go as long as the weather allows.  So, I ask, How is your soul?

Music: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

A hymn for my soul today.  How's your soul today?

Music: Bill Evans

I really do love piano.  I love the way it sounds.  I can imagine how it feels when I hear others play.  All this because I spent a multitude of hours playing from age 5-19.  I gave it up at that point.  Always wish I had stuck with it.  I just couldn't imagine not getting a degree that would give me a career.  But as it turns out I ended up a stay at home mom and never used my degree.  Music would have kept my heart happy.  Enough of the regret.  I still am having a wonderful life.  It's always the what if???...

Here is an amazing jazz pianist.  I hope you like this half as much as I do.

Music: Oceans

I LOVE this song.  The words are so good.  Enjoy and I hope it speaks to you.  Oceans

Music: Etta Jones

This lady knows how to sing jazz/blues.  She is often confused with Etta James but there is a clear difference in their voices.  I love her voice and can tolerate Etta James' voice at best.  I woke up with this song in my head.

So, I couldn't find the song that was in my head so I chose this one.  I love this one too!  Enjoy!

Music: Congregational Singing

Congregational singing. This is what I call this music.  It's very popular music, we all know ALL the words and it sounds great when people come together and sing.  Enjoy, sing along I am!

Music: Psalms 42

As a deer panteth for the water so my soul longer after Thee, You alone are my heat's desire and I long to worship Thee.  I've heard this song, even read Psalms 42, but it meant so much more today.   We have been going to Colorado Community Church and enjoying it so much.   It is a church that really understands worship.  Enjoy!

Music: From 1981

1981 was a good year.  I married the love of my life.  I also really liked Steely Dan, still do.  This was in the top 100 of 1981.  Enjoy!

Music: Reminiscing

Isn't reminiscing what music helps us do?  Then it's only appropriate that this song from the 70s would be a good one.  It was during college, I had lived through a sad break-up and I was so grateful to have my sister close.  She was there for me.  That being said a lot of these 70s songs remind me of time spent with my Jetta.  Still miss her so much.

Enjoy this flash back.

Music: Bill Charlap

This time of year I love this old tune.  It's beginning to look like autumn here in Colorado.  Cool nights and the turning leaves have already begun.  Enjoy a beautiful rendition of Autumn in New York.

Music: Peaceful

Bill Evans, one of the best jazz pianists.  I have a wonderful Pandora station that is my go to station.  It happens to be Bill Mays Trio which is the basic jazz trio.  But I love them.  Bill Evans my be considered more famous and I love both.  This is a jazz standard and is well known. My Foolish Heart.  Enjoy.

Music: You Don't Know

Yes, two posts in one day.  This one was for yesterday.  Sorry, out of order!  You won't recognize this artist.  It's a young Marvin Gaye singing jazz.  Enjoy!  It is a rarity.

Music: Feel Good Music

This music always makes me feel good.  Of course it's "my" kind of music.  So if you love r&b especially from the 70s you will love this tune.  Isley Brothers, great musicians!  They are very soulful, have some funk when needed, and one of the best guitarists rating right up there with Jimi Hendrix.  They actually were instrumental in discovering Jimi Hendrix.  Enjoy!

Music: A Favorite! Burning Bush

The music hits me first, then the words seal the deal!  I am not a racist, never have been, and this song speaks for me!  Read the words, listen to the music, and the musicality.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

What does it take to
show an illustration
Of the hurt and the pain of a nation.
One glowing look upon a ragged canvas
Tells the story of our past and present situation

That old bush just keeps on burning
Nobody seems to show they're learning
That old bush just keeps on burning.
I wonder will we ever feel the flame.

Our way of life on total exhibition
Shows the way in which we live of an
Imperfect nation.
This tree of life so far from perfeciton
Share a little love to improve our situation.

That old bush just keeps on burning
Share the hope for future learning
I wonder will we ever feel the flame

Flow of light could really stand a listen
Bring the dark to the light, show us
What we've been missing.
Not many men are satisfied
Without no light, there ain't no pride

There's gonna come a time,
Things that are on your mind.
Trust and you will find
Everything in your mind
True love is here to find
Simple as number 9
Multiply you will find
Peace and love all the time.

Music: Houston

I don't live in Houston, never have, but have a few relatives there.  Hurricane Harvey has been such a bad hurricane.  My prayers go out for all the people in Houston, and mostly my family!  I love all the Julia Taylor relatives.

Music: Just a Song That Says Why Me Lord

Why me lord, can be taken two different ways.  It is either why me as in why do I deserve this trouble.  Or why me as in wow so much could be going wrong but I have so much to be grateful  for.  Since about a month ago I have been on a gratitude journey.   What is a gratitude journey?  For me it is a journey to becoming more grateful.  I have so much to be thankful for and I have needed to express more gratitude than worry and frustration.  This was a way for me to get on the right track.  Each day in my bulletin journal I have a saying or a quote to encourage gratitude.  I have a long way to go but I am on that journey.  This song came to my mind today and I'd like to share it.

Enjoy.  I am grateful for God's love and His salvation.

Music: This Song Will Make You Cry in a Sad Way

Drawing and enjoying a quiet afternoon, listening to music and this sad tear-jerker came on.  This song can make even the happiest cry, the most secure relationship yet here you are crying!  It's beautiful and sad.  Enjoy!?!?

Listen very carefully, have a good cry!  It's good for your eyes!

Music: Just Because I Like It

This is such a great tune.  This is the beginning of the funk era.  I'll always love good funky music.  This is a love hate sort of music and I love it.  So, enjoy if you can, hate if you must.

Music: Song With a Number In It

I needed inspiration or just a nudge and this perked my ears or thought ears.  I LOVED Chicago, back in the day.  It was another music geek group early on.  They became very mainstream but it was their music ability and horns that made them attractive to the high school music group.  I liked them so much that a group of friends and I went to see Chicago at Arrowhead Stadium instead of the prom.  Great night.  So, here is the first song with a number in it that I thought of.

There is another one with a number that I might like better, also by Chicago.

I hope you have enjoyed these two special songs.  Which do you like?  

 But this one is my all time favorite.  Truly talented musicians.

Music: Last Song on My iTunes

I gave the first song on iTunes, so here is the last one on iTunes.  Such a classic, Prince!  There is nothing classic about Prince, yet he is classic and always will be.  He can't be put into any category or class.  He is somehow above that.  His music is in a class of its own.  He was a music genius.  Needless to say I am/was a fan.   RIP, Prince!

Enjoy!

Music: Those Memories From the 60s, RIP Glen Campbell

Well, Glen Campbell went home today.  I wouldn't say I was a huge fan. But having a musical life I did appreciate his beautiful voice.  This was one of the tunes I liked.  I'll generally like anything melancholic.  After all I am definitely melancholic.  This other tune, he wrote late in his life as he dealt with Alzheimer's.  It's definitely a tear jerker.  God bless his family and friends and fans.

Music: First Song On My iTunes

Music often inspires.  When it doesn't or I'm too much into my head I have to use ideas like this to share music.  That's why the first song on my iTunes is today's selection.  Being part of my list it has to have some background and it does.  Today's is Abaddon's Bolero, Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

It is a long tune.  But it builds.  Give it a listen.  This takes me back to high school.  I was part of the "music" group in high school.  I spent time in the practice rooms and sang in the choir and obviously played the piano in a serious way.  My group LOVED ELP.  They were doing what we all wished we could do, make amazing music that took a boatload of talent.  Their music mixed our beloved classical music with the rock of the 70s.  It still has a great sound today.  Good music has no expiration date.  That works here.  Yes, of course there are sounds that represent a certain "era".  But overall this is great music.  If you like this, you must listen to From the Beginning.

As you can tell, now the music is inspired.  Enjoy!

Music : Reminds Me of My Daddy

My daddy had a massive heart attack when he was 66 and I was 23.  It's been a lot of years without him.  Still wish I had had more time with him.  My memories are less than I wish they were.  And life has filled in so many more memories some of those other memories are faint at best.  I will always think of Daddy when I hear this song.  Not exactly sure why.  It wasn't his favorite or anything.  I remember being in the car with him when it came on.   Just a song from the era when I was 5-7.

I hope you take a couple minutes and relive the music of the early 60s.

Music: A Childhood Memory

Music is a language I understand.  It means a lot to me.  In the next many posts I will share the range of music in my life and share a lot of music.  It will be quite varied, I am too!

This first one is one of earliest memories that wasn't a hymn.  Don't get me wrong there will be hymns but I see this as an introduction to what music has meant to me since I can recall.  Stick with me, you will be surprised by the huge variety of music that is me.

EARLY MEMORY

We had the Readers Digest selection of romantic strings.  I loved this sound.  Why?  Who knows!  But this was one of my earliest memories of music I loved.  Enjoy!  I did and still do.

A Re-post From 2014, Still Works!

Happy Birthday to the BIL

Today is my BIL's birthday.  This man is an amazing man.  He has been in my life since I was 5 years old.  He and my sister married when I was 6.  Besides being like the brother I never had, he gave me away when I married in 1981.  My dear father had passed away and he was the man of the hour.  He has always been there and has been the man of great honor all these years.  So it is with great pleasure that I dedicate this blog post to the BIL.

A Jetta cake for the BIL years ago.

Can you see the resemblance?  Another Jetta creation.

For all the time you have helped, comforted, supported, loved unconditionally, given freely, listened, and last but not least entertained in your own wonderful creative way, I love you dearly!    Thank you for being the wonderful husband to my sister, father to niece and nephew and Papa to 6 wonderful grandchildren, and of course the best uncle to my three children and brother(in-law) to my husband.  You are truly the best, a prince I believe my sister called you!!!

Happy Day!

Still applies after all these years!

An Era Passing...

No one said it would be easy losing loved ones, but it's been 2 years for Mother and almost 4 years for Jetta.  It doesn't seem any easier.  In some ways it just shows my weaknesses more.  It's like I am missing a leg and an arm.  I don't handle things as well because it seems that all my weak spots are being pressed and prodded.  Things about myself that I don't like are more visible now.  Did Jetta and Mother really help me that much?  I guess they did.  I really miss them.  There are times when I feel like I might not be ok without them, but I know I will.  It is just sometimes the loss seems to hit me especially hard, no rhyme or reason.  I am going through one of those times now.  I know I am not the only one going through this and everyone handles it differently.

On a lighter note I am looking forward greatly to going to OKC to see my Jo and Judy and Winford.  It will be so nice to go to our "regular" place to eat with Jo and Max.  Then I will LOVE sitting and visiting with Judy and Winford in a relaxed comfortable environment.  I always sleep really well in the room that Mother slept in.  Her spirit is still there.  No, she's not there but she had enough love to leave some behind.  I will eat at Cool Greens, LOVE that place.  And like last time I will go get macarons at a tea shop on Western.  Hilary wants Mutts, YUM!  It will be very good to see old places.

Winter has returned and I sure don't  mind.  We need the moisture so we don't have a devastating fire season.

Enough of my dreary feelings.  Better days coming.

Clouds

I love clouds.  I've been fortunate enough to experience interesting clouds.  After having lived in OKlahoma for many years I've seen lots of clouds.  But some of my best pictures of clouds have been from an airplane.

Clouds are pretty amazing.  I have plenty but more later.

Here's To Life

Here's to life, here's to love, here's to you.................

Remembering Jetta, my heart still breaks to say that.  She's been physically absent from my life for almost 4 years!  Why does it feel fresh?  This song again says it all.  "Funny how the time just flies how love can go from warm hellos to sad good-byes and leave you with the memories you've memorized to keep your winters warm.  For there's no yes in yesterday and who knows what tomorrow brings or takes away as long as I'm still in the game I want to play, for laughs for life for love.    So here's to life and every joy it brings, here's to life to dreamers and their dreams...may all your storms be weathered and all that's good get better, here's to life! here's to love! here's to you!"

Jetta, you are always right here, in my heart!  I love you !  You are sorely missed!

Kitties

I have the pleasure of corralling 2 kitties.  They truly have a mind of their own and I love them both so much.  They definitely have different personalities.  We have been away for one night and we both dreamed about Maestro.  Sweet little Maestro has a sweet personality for a cat.  Mr Kitty is a different story.  He is more catlike.  But even with their odd personalities they are still great companions.  Here are a few pics to prove this.

The last two are grandkitties.  Is that a word?  I just made it one.

Revelation Song

I love this song and it never grows old.  It always seems like a good song.  I hope someone else enjoys listening to it.

Lyrics

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is Thee
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be
To You the only one who's King

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You

Filled with wonder awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery

Oh, You're worthy, mystery
You are worthy

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You, I will adore You

I Love Our Church

We couldn't find a church to call our own in Oklahoma.  We looked and there was not one that seemed right.  Moved to Colorado and fell in love with the closest one to our house.  Since then we have made some of the best friends we will ever find!  Amazing!  Our services are great and we have the best two pastors!  This is also a good song.

Sleepless Nights

I think at one time or another everyone suffers from insomnia.  This is my turn.  I do get a little sleep but just not enough.  At this point the fear of  being dead tired and not falling asleep keeps me from even attempting to fall asleep.  Nights can be so long!  There are all these ways to overcome this, but I haven't found anything that works.

This song is great!  Enjoy!  Happy sleeping!

Prayer of St Francis

Sometimes you just need a prayer that covers it all.  This is the one for me.  Life gives us all things that try us in every way.  When there are trials the question is, "was that necessary?".  The older I get the more I realize that almost every time for me the answer is yes.  I can find a blessing in every trial. While the trial is going on it doesn't seem like a blessing but it can be.

Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

Emily Madden

My sweet neighbor from Oklahoma is leaving tomorrow to go be what we all wish we had the courage to be.  She will be participating in the World Race, 11 countries in 11 months!  It will test her in all ways.  Most of us will never be tested like this.  I could not be more proud of the wonderful young woman she has become.  If anyone sees this, help me remember her in prayer.

Here she is being "cool" with a truly cool man, John Gleason.

Emily, I love you!  Go get em!

Burning Bush

I LOVE Earth Wind and Fire, have many of their songs on my hard drive, the one in my head.  Here is one that I had forgotten and it is so pertinent for our situation today.  It's a new year and we all need to heal as a nation.  Listen to it all, read the words, who's with me???  Let's heal!

Burnin' Bush

Earth, Wind & Fire

What does it take to show an illustration
Of the hurt and the pain of a nation.
One glowing look upon a ragged canvas
Tells the story of our past and present situation

That old bush just keeps on burning
Nobody seems to show they're learning
That old bush just keeps on burning.
I wonder will we ever feel the flame.

Our way of life on total exhibition
Shows the way in which we live of an
Imperfect nation.
This tree of life so far from perfection
Share a little love to improve our situation.

That old bush just keeps on burning
Share the hope for future learning
I wonder will we ever feel the flame

Flow of light could really stand a listen
Bring the dark to the light, show us
What we've been missing.
Not many men are satisfied
Without no light, there ain't no pride

There's gonna come a time,
Things that are on your mind.
Trust and you will find
Everything in your mind
True love is here to find
Simple as number 9
Multiply you will find
Peace and love all the time

New Years Song

A good new year song.  Hope this has been a good one, and next year all you can make of it.