Stormy Weather #MusicMovesMe

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

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers. We are 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".  We can chose any music we want. 

Before I go any further, after I wrote this post, I heard of the death of Grammy award winner Kris Kristofferson on September 28, at age 88.  He died at home with his family present.   I will write a tribute blog post in the near future, but here is a tribute post from Variety magazine.

It's the last day of September.  We escaped the wrath of Helene where I live, but I am thinking of people I know that lived in the storm's path.

How about a playlist of stormy weather songs?

Stormy Weather is a song written in 1933 first sung by Ethel Waters.  It was included in a 1943 film called, what else, Stormy Weather.  This is a compilation of music from the movie, including an abbreviated version of the songs Stormy Weather sung by Lena Horne and Cab Calloway singing Jumpin' Jive, dancing by the incomparable Nicolas Brothers, and more.

Stormy, from the Classics IV, isn't about weather storms, but, rather, heartbreak.  Suddenly, it seems, none of the videos on You Tube will play it - a licensing problem?  Strange, as this didn't seem to be the case just yesterday.

1989's Storm Front, from Billy Joel's album of the same title.

Rain, from The Beatles.  I love the sound of this 1966 song so and, for me, it's hard to believe it was a "B" side.

Finally, the Doors, and their 1971 Riders on the Storm.  I know I've had this song on my blog before, but I had this album and probably wore it out. So why not have it on my blog more than once?  It's a long song, but I could listen to it all afternoon.  Sad fact, this song entered the Billboard Top 100 the week the lead singer, Jim Morrison, died. 

And that's a wrap.

I hope that all those I know, virtually or in real life, who weathered Helene are safe and sound.

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

Shadow of Memory #ShadowshotSunday

Taken September 19, 2012, at a tailgate market in Asheville, North Carolina.

(This is what we call a farmers market; as I recall, they differentiate between a permanent market and what is not (tailgate market).

At a tailgate market, also September 2012, at or near the University of North Carolina in Asheville.

My spouse and I visited Asheville twice; this was the second visit.  Here's a post about my first visit in 2010.

And another one. 

Oh, how about one more Asheville visit?  A visit to 12 Bones BBQ and how I acted like a weird person under the influence of Cheerwine. (which, just for the record, is not alcoholic).

I have fond memories of Asheville, and it breaks my heart to see what the tropical storm that was once Hurricane Helene did to the area.  Because I saw firsthand (in 2011) what floods can do, and our flood was only a fraction of what happened to Asheville, Chimney Rock, and other area places too numerous to list, I know they will have a long road to recovery. Not just from the physical damage (and mental damage) from the flood, but the aftereffects.  

I-40 was decimated by washouts and mudslides. It will necessitate major detours.    It's happened before, in 2009-2010.  But this time, even damage to secondary roads is extensive.

We can hope that the recovery benefits the region in the end.

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

Dame Maggie Smith

Today, I want to pay tribute to the actress Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away yesterday at the age of 89 with her family present. 

Aging with grace....

Many remember this award winning actor for her roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in seven Harry Potter movies and Violet Crawley in the Downton Abbey television series and related movies, but her movie career spanned over 60 years.  Smith was in some 50 movies ranging from the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.  She could do it all - dance, sing, comedy. She took on serious roles.  She did theater, movies, television, and acted in various Shakespearean plays, ranging from roles in Othello to Richard III to Twelfth Night.

Today, let's go back a few years. 

Playing a teacher in The Pride of Miss Jean Brodie.

Desdemona in Othello.

She also made appearances on the Carol Burnett show.  Here is one of them.

 Maggie Smith and Carol Burnett sing.

A tribute.

RIP to another great gone.

Blue Sky Sunshine and Bridges #SkywatchFriday

We've had grey skies the past several days (plus rain) where I live in the Southern Tier of New York.  I am craving blue skies and sunshine so why not devote today to a beautiful, sunny day we had earlier in September?

Here are some photos taken at a music festival in Binghamton, New York on September 14.

Taken from the Washington Street Bridge, built in 1886 and now a pedestrian only bridge. This is considered a historically important bridge.  It was closed to traffic in 1969 but there is another bridge nearby, also connecting downtown with the Southern part of Binghamton.

The bridge in this picture is not the Washington Street bridge, but the Riverside Drive Bridge aka Memorial Bridge, built in 1923, carrying Riverside Drive.

A portion of the Washington Street bridge.  I have other pictures elsewhere on my blog but my focus (so to speak) was on the clouds and sky..

The other bridge connecting downtown Binghamton with Binghamton's south side.  I love the reflection in this piture.

One more, also from the walking path along the river.

I'm not ready for the gloom of fall and winter.  Please, blue skies, come back soon!

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.

Banned Book Week 2024

Yet again, I must blog about Banned Book Week.

I've been doing this for years, and it seems things only get worse, years after years.  To quote one of my past Banned Books posts, from 2022:

 For those of us who love to read, we know we live in dangerous times.  The forces of censorship seem to grow stronger every day.  In 2022, we live in a state of constant crisis, which is why I try to keep world events out of my blog.  I strive to bring some peace and beauty to my readers.  But it's hard.  

 In the United States, everything has become political.  We are all, it seems, in crisis mode, with "breaking news" appearing on our television screens multiple times a day.  We are even questioning some of our core values, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  

But censorship is a different thing....

This year, Banned Books Week is September 22-28.

My local library has had a display of banned books up since early September.  I am thankful I had the freedom to photograph it.  Millions of people over the world don't have that freedom. 

No wonder the most banned book of all time is 1984, by George Orwell.

To quote the American Library Association:

The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to defend each person's right to read under the First Amendment and to ensure free access to information....

ALA documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023—a 65% surge over 2022 numbers—as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. Pressure groups focused on public libraries in addition to targeting school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023.

Of the top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023, many of them were challenged due to real or alleged LGBTQIA+ content.

Of other books frequently receiving challenges, these include such classics as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (a perpetual target of book banners), and The Color Purple, by Alice Walker. Even To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck are challenged.

The most challenged book of the 21st century? Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling.

Those who want to destroy our freedoms fear books.  Why?  Because books are powerful, more powerful than any of us realize.They educate us.  They encourage us to dream.  They challenge us to imagine a better world.  Just look at dictatorships around the world.  How many of them allow their citizens to read any book they want?  Free access of information would endanger their reigns.

Knowledge Wins poster, 1916, Westfield Public Library, New York (in public domain)

Knowledge wins.  That's why the book ban people fear books.

Don't let them win.

Little Surprises and Pleasures of Late Summer #WordlessWednesday

From the past couple of weeks, the world around me.

I was wondering if my one autumn crocus, which showed up, unplanted by me, last year, would bloom.  I had seen its leaves back in the spring.  Last week, it just showed up. I took this picture last Thursday.  Now this bloom is fading, but another is springing up.  Happiness!

Friday, this one tree that has decided to turn color.  But color is showing in other trees, now.

September 11, we were at the complex where our farmers market (building shown) is located for a class, and there was a hot air balloon in the sky.

Rare success, I photographed a yellow garden spider and its web in one of our community garden raised beds after almost running into it with my hand.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

What has your week been like?  Good, I hope.

Late Season Garden

Fall arrived on my doorstep on Sunday.  The signs were already there - long shadows, the angle of the son, the shortening daylight, the early trees starting to turn.

 Apples, pears, and concord grapes line the shelves of farm stores, as we begin our farewells to sweet corn and juicy watermelons and cantelopes.  Soon, the scent memory of apple crisp will beckon me to the apple stand, and then the kitchen and oven.

I may even break down and eat an apple cider donut. 

But, in our community garden, it is still summer.  We haven't had any frosts yet and there are (knock wood) none in our immediate forecast.  The second crop of cucumbers are blooming.

Cherry tomatoes.

Soon, it will be time for cabbage.

After three or so years of having our beans eaten by deer, we are having a bumper crop with no sign of deer damage.

I am so happy.

Our second crop of beans is flowering vigorously.  Deer, please stay away.  Frost, ditto.

Asian greens.

In another week, our area's annual scarecrow contest will begin.  

Many here think fall is the best time of year.  That's true in many ways, although I'm always thinking of what comes next.

Enjoy it while we can.

Grandmas and Vanilla Ice Cream #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 from the National Calendar website, either "Gorgeous Grandma Day" or "Vanilla Ice Cream Day." How about some songs celebrating ice cream or grandmas?

I never knew my father's mother.  She passed away some 15 years before I was born.  My father and two of his sisters helped to raise their youngest brother, who was only 10 when his mother died.  Years later, that uncle, who will be turning 100 later this year, told me how grateful he was to my father and sisters for how they became substitute mothers.

I know her only from a picture.

My mother's mother was already in failing health and entered a nursing home when I was seven.  I wish I could have known her better, and my mother then died a handful of years after her mother did.  But, my son was more fortunate.  He knew his father's mother growing up, and into his young adulthood.  It made me very happy to know that.

Now, onto the music.

I'm not big into Broadway but I found this performance of the song "Vanilla Ice Cream" from the play She Loves You, and sung by Laura Benanti, and I was so amused by it. 

Ice cream doesn't have to be vanilla, though.  For example, there is Rocky Road ice cream.  Here's "I Love Rocky Road", from "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Then, there are gorgeous grandmas.

Taylor Swift and a tribute to her grandmother Marjorie Finlay, also a singer, was released in 2020.  Here is "Majorie".

 From 1971, Bill Withers and Grandma's Hands.

Finally, grandmas are more than just grandmas.  As sung on The Muppet Song, John Denver and "Grandma's Feather Bed".

Our world is a better place because of grandmothers and ice cream.

And that's a wrap!

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

Art of Shadows #ShadowshotSunday

The other day, I blogged about a visit to the campus of MacKenzie-Childs in Aurora, New York.

I am not sure I can show you any of the beautiful pottery or other items they make or import, but I liked the shadows in this courtyard.  It's hard to see the planter or the chair with stripes or what they call the Courtly Chec pattern (the checkerboards) but these are some of their signature patterns.

The campus is beautiful.  Check out (no pun intended) this weeping willow. Sorry about the sun glare.

From 2001-2008, the company was owned by Pleasant Rowland, the founder of the American Girl doll company.  She had gone to college at Wells College, just up the road from MacKenzie-Childs, a college which, sadly, closed suddenly this spring.

When MacKenzie-Childs entered bankruptcy, Rowland purchased it from the bankruptcy court and was successful in turning it around.

One more picture.  I can remember visiting perhaps 15 years ago and seeing chickens on the property.  On Thursday's visit, I saw geese, but no chickens, but the chicken house and its beautiful gate remain.

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

Sign of the Times

 I was going to blog about my garden today, but I changed my mind when I saw this.

 Seen today, on an exercise walk.  I edited it to remove the address.

We changed the route of our walk to go past the house - it's not normally a neighborhood we walk in. (There's nothing wrong with the neighborhood; it just isn't on our normal routes.)  I think all the good stuff had been taken by the time we got there.

I have a feeling it drew a lot of customers in.

Funny but not funny.

MacKenzie-Childs Reflective Skies #SkywatchFriday

Sometimes, you don't have to look up to admire the sky.  Sometimes, that involves looking down.

Yesterday, on the way home from somewhere else, we made a short stop at the beautiful MacKenzie-Childs complex just outside of Aurora, New York (on Cayuga Lake, one of the Finger Lakes).  It's a beautiful complex which makes and sells what I would consider high end decorative art.  I love their style, I just wish I afford most of their merchandise. 

Let's take a moment and reflect (so to speak) on the scenery.

In season, their flower plantings are lovely.

Sadly, this pond was green.  I wonder if it is algae, but it didn't ruin the reflection.

Peek-a-boo.

Finally, one more reflection, including a tree that has already turned color.

I'll blog more about MacKenzie-Childs another time.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.

The Wild World Around Us

 Some assorted birds and wildlife taken either in my backyard or locally.

We have had quite a good year for chipmunks, and they are fearless.  This Eastern chipmunk sat a few feet away from me.

Earlier in the summer, a black capped chickadee sat on one of our feeders (top right). At times like this, I wish I had a camera with a good zoom instead of my iPhone 13 mini.

Also earlier this summer, a juvenile Northern cardinal took a rest in another feeder (top right).

Mourning dove on porcupine yard statue.

Rabbit, September 7.

Finally, yesterday, a grey squirrel pole-danced on our feeder pole.  It put on quite the show, trying to get to the seed cake right above the triangular thing, which is a baffle designed to keep away squirrels.  It doesn't always work, incidentally.

I also took a picture of a turtle where we sometimes exercise walk, but I can't seem to find it at the moment.

I am thankful I have these peaceful moments to enjoy the world around me.  Too many people don't have either peaceful moments, or peace.

Tomorrow, why not join me when I join Skywatch Friday and post pictures of the sky?

Confluence Park #WordlessWednesday

Join me today as I share the beauty of a small park where two rivers (the Susquehanna and Chenango) meet in downtown Binghamton, New York.

It's mainly a place to stop a few minutes and relax.  When I worked downtown, I would sometimes walk along the Chenango River's walking path with a workmate.

There is a pollinator garden maintained by the local Sierra Club.

From another angle.  You'd never think you were in a downtown of a small city.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

Blues Not Just on the Bridge 2024

The month of festivals lasting from mid-August to mid-September (and even a bit beyond this year, due to at least one rain delay), continued Saturday with our 23rd annual Blues on the Bridge.  This free concert each September brings both local bands and talent who have performed with nationally known artists to downtown Binghamton, New York.

It seemed like things were so normal.   Well, maybe they are.  The new normal, that is.

But first, the good stuff.

This bridge, built in 1886 and currently only used by pedestrians, was the original bridge the concert was held on.  It's now held on a much sturdier bridge  

The signature statue at each annual concert.

Of course, free is not free.  This event takes a lot of fundraising and t-shirt sales (I proudly own several of the t-shirts from over the years), advertisers, and other promotions.  But we are so fortunate to have this September music fest.

People of all ages comes out.  The weather is usually great.

But then, the world intrudes. Today is the anniversary of a good friend's death and this year I'm missing her and my wisdom.

Yes, I know what she would say about my mood today.  She would tell me to put on my big girl panties and face the world, just like she did during her second and final battle with cancer.

But I also wonder what she would have thought about our current world.

Sunday, the second attempted assassination of a former President and current Presidential candidate in a little over two months.

A city of about 58,000 people in southwest Ohio continue to be terrorized by bomb threats against schools, a hospital, and a college, as the latest episode of what can happen when your city is in the bulls eye of social media, as memes continue to go viral.  I will not mention what the topic of discussion is but, if you don't live in the United States and haven't heard of Springfield, Ohio, you will quickly find out what is happening if you do a search.

Ukraine.  The Middle East. Other places at war.

And the more trivial.

The continued list of major league baseball players who played in my youth but are now dying, grows bigger.  Just think, this year - Bud Harrelson, Carl Erskine, Ken Holtzman, Jerry Grote, Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda,  And now, Eddie Kranepool, back on September 8. Like me, he was from the Bronx.  He played his entire major league career for the NY Mets.  He was only in high school when the Mets signed him.  18 years with the Mets, more than anyone other Mets player.  What amazes me is that I didn't even know he had died until about four days ago.  

I feel like I am getting older by the minute and, come to think of it, I am.

The September 15 death of Tito Jackson, founding member of the Jackson 5 and sibling of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson, added to today's blue mood.  At least I found out about his death right away.

We can wish we lived in happier times, but happier times tend to be an illusion. 

We are at war with each other, and I thought it was appropriate to post a 2021 song from Tito Jackson, called Love One Another.

If only we took his advice.

Enough with the sadness.  Now, I'll take my friend's advice and start the day.

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.