Christmas Winter #MusicMovesMe

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

Who are the 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 link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome. 

This month's theme is "Whatever Christmas music moves you" . 

Here in the Northern hemisphere, winter began yesterday.  So, it's quite logical, given that so many Christmas songs originated in the snowy places, that many popular Christmas songs mention winter and/or snow.

So, in honor of the winter solstice, some wintry Christmas songs and some that aren't. 

Winter Wonderland was made famous by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, as one of our Music Moves Me bloggers (Debbie Doglady) reminded us earlier in the season, so let's start with this original, recorded in October of 1934. 

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1945.   It was written in the midst of a heat wave.  It was an immediate hit and has been covered by hundreds of artists.

 Of course, there is Irving Berlin's White Christmas, from the 1942 movie Holiday Inn.  It is one of many popular secular Christmas songs written by those of the Jewish faith.  This is the original, sung by Bing Crosby.

Christmas wasn't a happy time for Irving Berlin, though. His newborn son, only three weeks old, died on December 25, 1928.  He would visit his son's grave each Christmas.  

More on this song at this link.

The last three songs are a bit, shall we say, out of the ordinary. 

I fell in love on first listening of this song,  The Midnight Piper of Midwinter, from H.A.i. lander/H3rbBeatz"and decided to use it although the video, and possibly the song, apparently, was AI generated. You Tube has labeled this as synthetic content. Still....what do you think?

Here, for real, because You Tube brought this to my attention, is The Altai Band from Mongolia and a Mongolian version of Jingle Bells.  Lots of snow here but the singers seem so warm and snug.

For my last song I am deviating from my own theme.

Finally, just because I can, is a twisted favorite of mine, Weird Al Yankovic and his 1986 now-classic song Christmas at Ground Zero.  This is a parody of Phil Spector "wall of sound"  songs that came about because Weird Al's record label kept insisting that he record a Christmas album.  This song was the result.

And that's a Christmas wrap!  Oh wait, not yet.  There's a bonus song for you. 

The Waitresses and Christmas Wrapping. 

I wish all my readers who celebrate Christmas a most happy one.

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

Holiday Shadow #ShadowshotSunday

A display of a menorah and several dreidels at a local office.

I like the modern design of the menorah. The sentiments expressed are all, I think, essential to a good life.

Joining Lisa at This and That: A Blog, for her #ShadowshotSunday.
 

 

Almost Missed Sunset #SkywatchFriday

A couple of days ago, I was returning from an appointment.

I wondered if we were going to have a nice sunset, but when I got home I was busy doing things and forgot all about the sunset.  Forgot, anyway, until my spouse said "look at that sunset!"  Actually, it was the afterglow, as I call it.  The sun had already set.

I ran outside.

See the reflection on water at the bottom of the photo?

Thank you, spouse, for noticing.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.

Hanukkah Around Town #WordlessWednesday

These are pictures taken in various places this past week celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

I am thankful for the support of our community for those of various faiths.  

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday. 

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day December 2025

Welcome to my December 2025 Garden Bloggers Bloom Day post. (If you are looking for my Music Moves Me post, click here).

On the 15th of each month, bloggers gather to show what is growing in their gardens and/or homes.  In my Zone 6a garden in the Southern Tier of New York, plants sleep under a blanket of snow, including my white Lenten Rose, which blooms early. It was already budded out at the beginning of the month.

 I should have taken a picture before the snow came, but let's pretend the picture below is current because I'm not going to dig into the snow to find a photo op.

 Here is a picture from a previous year showing its buds.  Hopefully, the buds won't be killed before it can bloom (possibly in February).

Otherwise, all I have to offer is this African violet blooming in my dining room.  I guess I've lost my houseplant mojo.  In the past couple of months I've killed two African violets and seriously injured a Thanksgiving cactus.  Another Thanksgiving cactus gave me all of two buds and dropped both of them.

But strangely...back in 2019 I was given a planter by my employer that had various plants including a small Thanksgiving cactus.  The cactus never showed signs of blooming until the other day, when I saw a flower bud on it.

With plants, you just never know.  That's so much of the fun of gardening.

Joining up each 15th of the month with Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. 

Is anything blooming for you?  If so, why not join us?

 

A Modern Hanukkah #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday.  It's time for some holiday music! 

Who are the 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 link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome. 

This month's theme is "Whatever Christmas music moves you" . Let's expand it today to include Hanukkah, which started last night at sundown.  I like modern a cappella Hanukah songs.

I think you'll enjoy these competing 2025 releases by two Jewish a cappella groups playing homage to KPop Demon Hunters. I've had one of these on my blog already, but it enjoys a second play.  First, Six13 and Golden: A KPop  Demon Hunters Chanukah. 

Another take on the theme:  HanuKpop Demon Hunters from the Maccabeats.  

On a different theme, here are Y-Studs and A Very Jonas Hanukkah. 

Want different music? 

Here's a modern song written by Stephen Schwartz:  The Hanukkah Song We Are Light, ft. The New York City Children's Chorus.  Stephen Schwartz, a musical theater lyricist and composer, has written for a number of plays and movies including Wicked, Wicked for Good, and Godspell. 

A more traditional song from The Maccabeats - I Have a Little Dreidel.  Well, at least it starts out traditional....proving that you can use all types of genres to celebrate Hanukkah.

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Finally, get up and dance to the Miami Boys Choir and Chanukah Lights! 

And that's a wrap.  It's a sad wrap for me because of the horror at Bondi Beach this weekend.  May the memories of those killed be a blessing for their families and communities, and may the heroes of the day that helped saved lives be rewarded for their caring and bravery. May all those who were injured recover quickly and completely.

Hate will not win. 

Join me again next week for more holiday music at Music Moves Me. 

Shadowy Christmas Lobby #ShadowshotSunday

From earlier this week, a building lobby decorated for Christmas.

Joining Lisa at This and That: A Blog, for her #ShadowshotSunday.

Snow and Sky #SkywatchFriday

 I don't bring you anything spectacular today, just a taste of December 10 skies where I live in the Southern Tier of New York State.

Peaceful.

In the snowy valley.

 

Snow on the roof.

Tracks in the snow, human and animal.  Any trackers out there?

Yesterday was miserable - wind, cold.  I hope today is better.

Joining Yogi and other sky watchers for #SkywatchFriday. 

Christmas at A Restaurant #WordlessWednesday

Yesterday, I ate lunch at a local restaurant. 

It was decorated for Christmas.

With our dreary weather, it's wonderful to see cheery decorations.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday. 

 

RIP Steve Cropper #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and it's time for music! 

Who are the 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 link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome. 

This month's theme is "Whatever Christmas music moves you" 

Yes, I know.  December is for holiday music.

But today I must also cover the induction into Rock and Roll Heaven of Steve Cropper, guitarist, record producer, songwriter and member of the Mar-Keys, The Blues Brothers, and Booker T and the MG's.  Cropper passed away December 3 at the age of 84. He had fallen recently, although the actual cause of death has not been released at the time of this writing.

During his lifetime, Steve Cropper won two Grammy Awards for songs and earned many additional honors including being named #36 on Rolling Stones Greatest 100 Guitarists of All Time.  He toured with various artists during his lifetime, and was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2005.

First, to honor this month's theme, here is a Christmas song called Rockin' and Rollin' on Christmas Day recorded by the group Chicago, with Steve Cropper on guitar.

Cropper appeared on Otis Redding's Merry Christmas Baby.  Cropper and Otis Redding, it is said, had a special musical bond that transcended friendship.

Cropper co-wrote Redding's major hit (Sitting On) The Dock of the Bay, one of my favorite songs.

The next couple are instrumental hits by Booker T and the M.G.'s. 

Time is Tight. 

From 1962, Green Onions. 

Performing Soul Man with the Blues Brothers.  

Finally, appearing in a series of cameos in a Blue Brothers movie.

And that's a wrap! 

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

The Last 13 #ShadowshotSunday

December 7, 2025, the 84th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. 

This isn't a picture of Pearl Harbor - I've never been there.  This is also Shadowshot Sunday, and I'm posting a peaceful picture taken in July, 2024 in Acadia National Park in Maine.

But December 7, 1941 was a peaceful Sunday, until it wasn't.  Here is more about it.

Pearl Harbor Day was the day that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which was not yet one of the 50 United States.  Japan declared war on the United States shortly after the attack. The United States declared war on Japan the next day, and Germany declared war on the United States three days later.

The official death toll of Pearl Harbor was 2,403.

December 7 is a day meaningful to the generation that preceded mine - the generation that is sometimes called "The Greatest Generation".  In the same way, November 22 is that date for my generation -  the day that President Kennedy was assassinated.  Newer generations have their own day where everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing.

But the anniversary of Pearl Harbor may not live on for too much longer.  Eyewitnesses to the attack are dying of old age, as are the military members who survived.  I recently heard a news report that said that only 13 veteran survivors of Pearl Harbor are still alive.  All of them are aged 100 or above.

Here is an interview with one of the last 13.

Their sacrifices made it possible for me to enjoy a peaceful day at Acadia National Park in 2024.

We must continue to remember.

Joining Lisa at This and That: A Blog for her #ShadowshotSunday.
 

Winter Weather Arrives #SkywatchFriday

No matter what the calendar says, winter has arrived in my area of the Southern Tier of New York.

These pictures were taken between December 2 and December 4. 

Sometimes the sky is blue.

But sometimes, you wouldn't even believe the picture was taken in color, no filters applied.

Between snow squalls.

A snow squall is on its way.  That isn't fog.

And calendar winter isn't even here yet. 

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.
 

Deer in Snow #WordlessWednesday

Today, I am using photos provided by my guest photographer.

These were taken in her rural back yard.

You'd think it was winter and not fall, but our really cold air arrives on Thursday.

 

 

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.
 

Where You Tube Leads #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, it's the first day of December, and it's time for music!

Who are the 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 link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome. 

This month's theme is "Whatever Christmas music moves you" which I, personally change to "Whatever holiday music moves you" as I do one or more Hanukkah music posts during December.  But Hanukkah doesn't start until sundown on Sunday, December 14.  And the really cool part of that is that those of the Jewish faith celebrate two Hanukkahs in 2025.  Hanukkah 2024 ended on January 2 and then, December 14, we get another eight days to celebrate.

 

In honor of that, I am starting this holiday month long celebration with the Maccabeats and their 2025 Hanukkah release-HanuKpop Demon Hunters.  I'm not big into KPop but I thought this was quite enjoyable.

From here, I let You Tube lead the way.  This is what I came up with.

Hopefully, you all have a good sense of humor.  This video is a bit long for the skit, I think,  but there are some nice, funny moments in it.  Here is Carol of the Bells done Shepherd Boomwacker style by a church group.  I had never known these tubes were called boomwackers.

 Straight No Chaser and 12 Days of Christmas. Sort of.

Finally, have you seen a good Random Act of Culture or flash mob recently?  Here are two. This first one is from 2010 but it hasn't aged at all.  Here is the Opera Company of Philadelphia with the Hallelujah Chorus. 

Let's wrap up with this from 2013, the USAF Band Holiday flash mob at the National Air and Space Museum, performing Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring/Joy to the World.

And that's a wrap!

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