Songs about Places #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and it's time for music!

Today I am joining up with other  Music Moves Me bloggers,  a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post may be labeled "No Music".)   Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme.  Today our theme is "you pick" and I decided to do some songs about places or songs mentioning a place in the title.

Let's start with the 1982 hit from Toto - Africa.

Allentown, from Billy Joel, also from 1982.

1979's London Calling, from the Clash.  I shook my head a little (well, more than a little) when this song was chosen for commercials advertising the 2012 London Olympics. The title "London Calling" came from BBC News broadcasts to occupied countries during World War II.

From 1968, Wichita Lineman from Glen Campbell.

Another Billy Joel song, because I can - Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway), from 1976.

I'll end with kind of a strange song which I happen to like.  Here's The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway from Genesis.  This was from a concept album of the same name released in 1974 by Genesis. The plot confuses me but I like the song.

BONUS:  A BBC broadcast from April 10, 1940. It's over 15 minutes long. If you want some chills, all you have to do is listen to the first couple of minutes with Big Ben tolling and the catchphrase "London calling...."

And that's a wrap!  

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day September 2024

Welcome to the September 2024 edition of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, brought to us each month thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

In my zone 6a garden in the Southern Tier of New York State, the weather has been mostly sunny and rain free the past few days, allowing us to dry out.  The weather in early and mid September is usually some of the best (in my opinion, anyway) we get during the year.

Fall is just about here, and the flowers that I associate with fall are blooming or getting ready to bloom.

Japanese anemone.  Right now this is the first and only bloom.

My sedum is coloring up.

This is a hardy purple mum we've kept alive for (I think) three seasons now, thanks to it being in a pot.  We store it in the garage over the winter, although it may not be necessary.  We also have a hardy yellow mum but it is a bit behind in opening blooms.

Our Turtlehead (purchased in 2012 in Asheville, North Carolina at a farmers market) is starting to finish up but still is attracting bees.

I blogged briefly about my New England aster "Pink Blush" several days ago.  It is still deciding when to open but I decided to include it (taken September 14).

Zig Zag goldenrod, purchased from a nursery near Ithaca, New York that specializes in native plants.

Garlic chives.

This may be my last reblooming day lily.

I've featured my variegated geraniums more than once for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.  I am going to try to propagate these, especially the one with green leaves bordered by white.  I have a gigantic one in my back yard that is several years old, but we just can't carry it inside any more.  I did sucessfully take a cutting last winter and that's the plant you are seeing.  There are two other variegated geraniums in this pot and they aren't sold locally.

Red petunia.  It's rare I have petunias blooming this late in the season.

Variegated lantana.  After a less than spectacular year last year, they've had an excellent year in 2024.

Finally, another geranium.

Before you go, why not click on the link above to Carol's blog and visit flower gardeners from all over the world who participate in this meme?

Hope to "see" you October 15.

Shadow of September 11 #ShadowshotSunday

Yes, it's Saturday, but because tomorrow is September 15, I will be participating in Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, brought to us by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.  I hope you'll also join me tomorrow for some lovely flower pictures.

So, I am posting my Shadowshot a day early.

Taken this past September 11, I saw these shadows along a sidewalk of the shopping center near where we exercise walk.

Joining Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventures for her #ShadowshotSunday.

Next week, back to my normal Sunday schedule.

The Mountain of Peace and Joy #SkywatchFriday

I had known about 3,855 ft above sea level Mt. Equinox in southern Vermont for the last four years but we had never visited it.  This year, during a brief visit to Vermont over Labor Day, we decided to do it.

The only way to get up Mt. Equinox is via a privately owned toll road.  I thought the entrance fee was a bit steep (no pun intended) but spouse and I decided to drive to the top, anyway. 

I blogged about approaching the mountain last week.  

It was clouding up fast and I didn't know what we would find at the top.  How about coming along with us?

But first, a little background, much of which we didn't know when we started the drive.

The mountain, some surrounding land, and the toll road is privately owned by the Carthusian order of Roman Catholic monks.  Founded in 1084 C. E. by German born St. Bruno, who died in 1101, these monks live an austere life in silence.  They eat one meatless meal a day (bread and water only on Fridays), wear hair shirts, and spend much of their lives in prayer.  The monastery, needless to say, is not open to the public.

This charterhouse, as they call it, is the only one in North America.

But, as you climb the mountain on the beautifully maintained toll road, there is an overlook where you can see the monastery if your vision is sharp.

Continuing on the road.

But I know you want to get to the top and see if the clouds had closed us in, so let's do it.

But first one more photo, with goldenrod.

Here we are at the top.

We can see for miles and miles!  To be exact, we can see the states of Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  On a really clear day, if you are fortunately, you might see into Canada and Montreal's Mt. Royal.

Even more treats await us at the top.  There is a welcome center, a gift from the monks,  named after Saint Bruno.  Here's the sign that welcomes you, wishing you peace and joy.

The trip was worth the toll on the private road.

As for what else awaited us at that building, that is worth its own post. Maybe one day.

Joining Yogi and other skywatching bloggers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.

As Fall Approaches

As we approach fall, some recent sightings.

 My late summer turtleheads, beloved by bees, my yard.

Goldenrod is a staple of late summer, and there are over 100 different varieties.  Here are three:

a.  Zig zag goldenrod in my back yard.

b.  Canada goldenrod (or so says my plant ID app) growing on Mt. Equinox in Manchester Center, Vermont.

c.  Grass leaved goldenrod (per same app), also growing on Mt. Equinox. 

One of my hardy mums, blooming.  I think this one is three years old.   

Apples, farm in Bennington County, Vermont.

What looks like a Jerusalem artichoke plant, my yard.  I didn't plant this.  I wonder if a bird did.

My Japanese anemone (not shown) have buds but no open flowers yet. Ditto for my New England Aster variety "Pink Crush" but here's a sneak preview.

It's been chilly, with some daytime lows in the 40's (5 to 6 degrees C) but so far, but summer returned yesterday.

We will enjoy it while we can.

Monuments of September 11 #WordlessWednesday

I have written a lot of 9/11 posts.  I know people who were personally affected (a man who lost his son and a man who lost his best friend) and had some indirect connections to others who died that sad, sad day.  

This year I'm keeping the post simple, in keeping with the Wordless Wednesday meme.

May those who perished, including those who died years later (and are still dying even today), forever rest in peace.  May their loved ones find healing. 

May we never forget. 

Taken September 11, 2016, at a cemetery in Putnam Valley, New York (Putnam County).  

The actual monument at the cemetery. Some 126 resident lives were lost, between Putnam County and its neighbor Westchester County.

One more monument, in Naples, New York, taken the fourth week of September, 2022.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday on this sad 23rd anniversary.

RIP James Earl Jones

 I am saddened - another great has passed away.

James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader, Mufasa in the Lion King, and"This is CNN" passed away yesterday at the age of 93.

Here, a short tribute. I chose videos because....that voice.  But were you aware that Jones was a stutterer?  Or that he won three Tony' awards, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe, plus an honorary Academy Award (Oscar) making him an "EGOT".

Mufasa in The Lion King.  He was the only cast member to appear (so to speak) in both the original movie and the 2019 remake.

Jones voicing Darth Vader in various Star Wars movies.

James Earl Jones' speech in Field of Dreams.

This is...CNN.

May this talented actor rest in peace.

Smile #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, and it's time for music!

Today I am joining up with other  Music Moves Me bloggers,  a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post may be labeled "No Music".)   Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme.  On alternate weeks, we can blog on any music theme we want. This week's theme is based on these "National (whatever) Day" you find on calendars.  We can pick from  Dimples, Cow Appreciation, or Sugar Cookie Day. 

Hmmm....

Yes, these are all real things.  Cow Appreciation Day in July was originally created by the fast food chain Chick-fil-A to encourage people to eat more chicken.  National Sugar Cookie Day is also in July.

National Dimples Day "celebrates the dimples that make smiles even more beautiful."  Now, beautiful smiles are something we could all have more of in our lives I am going to devote today's playlist to songs about smiles, songs with Smile in the title, or videos that will make you smile. 

But before I begin, I again pay tribute to the late king of bossa nova Sérgio Mendes, who passed away September 6 at the age of 83 from long COVID.  He brought Brazilian beats to the world with his band Brasil '66.

My first selection is his song Your Smile

When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles with You) Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra.  I tried to find an original recording from 1929.  This may be it.  I hope this plays outside the United States.

Smile - I chose the 1954 cover by Nat King Cole.  This song was adapted from music composed by Charlie Chaplin for his 1936 film Modern Times.  In 1954, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons took the music and added lyrics inspired by Chaplin's Little Tramp character. 

Speaking of Charlie Chaplin and the Little Tramp, I thought this clip (with sound!) would make you smile, whether or not you have dimples.

Sarah Smile - Hall and Oates.

Your Smiling Face - James Taylor, from 1970 was a big hit, but did you know that James Taylor parodied that song on Sesame Street with Oscar the Grouch's help?  Here's Your Grouchy Face, guaranteed to make each of your dimples happy.

Finally, You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile from the 1982 Broadway play/later made into a movie Annie.  This version is sung by Peter Marshall. 

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.

Seasonal Produce Shadows #ShadowshotSunday

Taken in the past week.

Lots of different types of pumpkins.

You will never lack for a pumpkin if you live in this part of New York State.

Large gourds.  To me, they resemble a flock of long necked birds at rest.

Joining Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventures for her #ShadowshotSunday.

Sergio Mendes RIP

 Sadly, it is time to induct another musician into Rock and Roll Heaven even though he wasn't strictly a rock musician.

Sérgio Mendes, the king of bossa nova and Brazilian jazz music passed away yesterday at the age of 83.  The cause of death was complications from long COVID.

Mendes released more than 35 albums, many of which went gold or platinum, won three Grammy awards and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the movie song "Real in Rio"  Forced to flee from Brazil in 1964 during a military coup, he found success in the United States.

Here is a sampling of his music.

His cover of The Look of Love, a song from the movie Casino Royale.  Dusty Springfield was nominated for an Academy Award for this song but Mendes and Brasil '66 performed it on the Academy Award telecast in April, 1968, helping to launch his mainstream music career in the United States.

Fool on the Hill, also from 1968.

 

Mas que Nada, originally recorded in the mid 1960's, was given a 2006 update featuring the Black-Eyed Peas.

Mendes toured with Herb Albert.  Here is Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 being introduced by Herb Alpert and then singing Out of My Head.  Sadly, the relationship was strained after Alpert married Lani Hall, one of Mendes' vocalists. Mendes accused Alpert of stealing Hall, who had been pursuing a solo career at that point, from his group.

I thought I would include a 1967 performance of Mas que Nada, introduced by Eartha Kitt.

Why not end this tribute with Real in Rio?

RIP, Sergio Mendes.

Approaching the Mountain #SkywatchFriday

We spent a couple of days in Vermont this past Labor Day, and decided to drive to the top of Mount Equinox.

Mount Equinox is between Arlington (one of the homes of Norman Rockwell) and Manchester Center, Vermont.  It is the tallest peak in the Taconic range, some 3,855 feet above sea level.  It is the second highest point in southern Vermont.  The name supposedly originates from 1823 and a visit around the autumnal equinox by one Captain Alden Partridge.

From its peak, on a clear day, you can see Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York.  It is said that, on an especially clear day, you can see all the way to Montreal, Quebec.

These photos were taken before, and at the beginning of our drive. 

We began our adventure in Arlington, Vermont.  (I don't think the peak shown is Equinox.)

On our way to the mountain.

Uh oh, the clouds are building.

Did we get to see what we had come for?  Or will we be clouded out?  Join us next week and see.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.

One More Pondering About Porchfest

It's festival season in the Binghamton, New York area.

We had Porchfest the last Sunday of August.  The last Saturday of August we had our garlic festival (we didn't go this year).  This weekend is Colorscape in Norwich, New York (well worth the 30 mile drive) and LUMA. Next weekend is Blues on the Bridge.  That isn't all, either.

But one close to my heart is Porchfest.  I don't know the organizers but I do know one of the performers who comes year after year.

What is a Porchfest?  It's a neighborhood celebration of music and the arts, organized by the community.  People open up their porches to musicians, who play half hour or hour sets.  There are vendors, some closed streets, and a family friendly atmosphere. My thanks and congratulations go to all the hard working people who get it done every year, in the tradition of the first Porchfest, held in Ithaca, New York in 2007.

Its slogan is "The West Side is the Fest Side" because it takes place on the West Side of Binghamton, New York.  .

This first performer we saw grew up here but lives in Brooklyn now. Give her a nice round of applause, especially because we had no intention of hearing her.  The band we wanted to hear, several doors down, didn't show.  No band? No problem, just walk around and find another one.  I enjoyed this talented solo artist who sang covers and original material, playing either an electric guitar, keyboards, or a ukulele.  

Her name is Chelsea Bolles.  She sang a song about her grandmother's dementia that touched me.  I can't seem to find a good version online but I would be certain it's on Tik Tok, which I don't use.

Or, you could wake up the city with this heavy metal band.

I think you are getting the idea now.  It was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

It's a lot more than that, though, and it circles back to the origins of the original Porchfest.

How many of us know our neighbors?  Or people a few blocks away from us?  Where I live, more and more houses seem to be becoming rentals.  There's nothing wrong with renting or renters, but, instead of having people living next to you for years, it is a too-often annual parade of tenants.  We've become the old timers of our block.

With a Porchfest, you get out, walking from street to street.  When you stop at a house playing music you like, you may see people you haven't seen for a while.  You may even meet and like a  neighbor.  It's not forced.  It becomes natural.

Our Porchfest takes place several miles from where I live.  It's too bad it isn't in my neighborhood, but I've seen enough of these interactions in the years I've gone to Binghamton's to know the value of the festival.

It's a lot of work, though, organizing it.  Each year it grows bigger.  Shuttle buses and golf carts now run.  Police give protection. Vendors have to be selected (all family friendly).   Schedules (and there are schedules so you don't have two loud bands playing right next to each other and so you have an idea of where you want to go) have to be compiled.  There is the need for a lot of volunteers day of, and fundraising, too.  There are sponsors but a lot of money from individuals is also needed.

The good news?  There will be another Porchfest in Owego, New York on October 6. That's only 20 miles from here.

Hopefully, the idea will continue to grow and grow.  We need this.

Sebastopol Goose #WordlessWednesday

I was visiting Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard in Fly Creek, New York, which is near Cooperstown, New York.  From the outside looks a bit over-the-top touristy but it's actually a true working water powered cider mill dating from 1856.  They sell hard and soft cider, delicious molasses cookies, pies, cheese, great apple wine, and gin made from apples.

They have various domestic birds - chickens, ducks, and geese.  This is a Sebastopol goose, a breed that originated in Germany.  It's healthy although it looks like it's been in a fight. They are friendly and good mothers, You can learn more about this breed here.  They are in a threatened status, with less than 5,000 known to exist at the present time.  And yes, they like apples.
  

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

Range Anxiety

No, it isn't fear of kitchen stoves.  No, it has nothing to do with Home on the Range and fear of deer or antelope.

Range anxiety is the fear of not finding a place to recharge if your electric vehicle (EV) is low on charge.   I recently got exposed to range anxiety through the experience of family visiting us in a rental EV.

They hadn't planned on an EV but the rental car agency had run out of gas powered cars by the time they got to the counter (and yes, they had a reservation) and their choice was rent the EV or not have a driving vacation.  They chose the former, and were given the EV with a rushed few-second introduction.

My spouse has driven an EV a couple of times, locally, when he needed a loaner during his car being serviced.  We knew about some of the quirks, but trying to help our family out gave us a crash (oops, perhaps bad choice of words) course that still has my head pounding.

Not long after they embarked, they noticed that the number of miles left before a charge was needed dropped rapidly if they turned on the wipers (it was raining) or used the air conditioner (it was muggy). 

About halfway through their drive up to where we live, they decided they wanted to charge up the car.

One uses an app (there are several) to find a charging station. Fortunately, there was one near where they stopped for lunch.

Unlike gas stations, where you can buy gas for any gas vehicle using the same nozzle, you have to have a compatible charging port for your make and model of EV.  It seems that many EV charging stations can charge Teslas (there is a reason for that) but not other makes. Their rental was not a Tesla. 

They had been told by the rental agency that they needed a charging station that accepted "type 2"/ "CCS" connectors.  (If I am using incorrect terminology, please feel free to correct me). Fortunately, the station they found accepted their charging port, and they got a needed boost - but it wasn't charged to 100%.

Why?  It takes a while to charge an EV with a public charger.  They didn't have a while.

By the time they got to our house, they wanted to give the car another charge before they left for the second leg of their trip.  That's when the fun started.  They found a charging station on the app but they couldn't locate it.  The only charging stations we (gas car owners) knew of were Tesla stations.  

I helped them search online on my computer.  Yes, our area has charging stations but it was so hard to figure out if they had compatible chargers.  Some of them, too, were in neighborhoods I didn't feel comfortable directing my family members to, as they would have to stand by the chargers for perhaps a couple of hours or more.

Finally....inspiration.

We called the local dealer for their make of car.  And, lo and behold, the dealer was most helpful.  They offered our family members the use of a charger at no charge.

The local search was over

Sadly, it wasn't a high speed charger, but it did get them where they felt comfortable getting on the road.

Didn't know there was a different kind of charger hidden under a cover below the circular port

After this experiences, I've joined the community of Americans who would never consider an EV.  We wouldn't even consider a hybrid at this point (assuming we could afford one). I support EV's-in theory.  But not in today's reality. Why have the ability to use electricity if you have to go through what our family members did?

Interesting that Pew research finds a correlation between how close to a public charger a citizen is and their support of EVs.

My family member said to me before they left "Now I know what range anxiety is."

Yes, range anxiety - it's a real thing.

Do you own a hybrid or EV?  I'm curious about your experience on road trips.

Residency at the Fair #MusicMovesMe

 It's September, it's Labor Day, and it's time for music.

Today I am joining up with other  Music Moves Me bloggers,  a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post may be labeled "No Music".)   Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme.  On alternate weeks, we can blog on any music theme we want. This week's theme is "You Pick".

Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits played their 14th concert at the annual New York State Fair on August 26.  Perhaps that's not a residency like Elton John in Las Vegas or Billy Joel at New York City's Madison Square garden but let's call it a residency. 14 years deserves some kind of recognition.

Here are some photos taken August 26.

Peter Noone, the lead singer of Herman's Hermits, is 76 now and I love his showmanship.  He and his band still do about 200 concerts a year.

Here, he holds up an album cover with his (much younger) portrait in the front.

This is my third time traveling to the Fair to see them.

We got there an hour before the concert started and there were only seats in the back.  First come, first served, and he joked about his fans being old.  And him being old.  And how people growing up in his neighborhood dreamed of visiting Syracuse, New York one day. (Yes, I know he was kidding.)

Herman's Hermits could be considered a cover band.  Many of their hits were covers but, as Simon Cowell would say, they made these songs their own.  Here, for example, is the setlist for their 2021 NYS Fair performance.

Here's a selection, including some covers of hits by other artists Peter did portions of.

(not my video)  Herman's Hermits:  Listen, People, from 1965.

Also from 1965, Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter.  He had a little slip up in the video.  This is a cover of a 1963 song from a television play, but Herman's Hermits made it an international hit.

One other cover that also was a hit for them - Silhouettes, first sung by the Rays in 1957. 

Now, the covers he did.

Rolling Stones - Start Me Up

Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

Finally, although the group didn't perform this song at this concert, I heard it at a different concert.  In honor of Labor Day (sort of), here's No Milk Today from 1966.  Fun fact, this was a B side for another Herman's Hermit's cover - the song Dandy, first done by the Kinks.

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.