In the spirit of better late than never, my spouse and I, along with a couple of in laws, visited a local treasure, the Roberson Museum, for its annual Home for the Holidays yesterday afternoon.
I thought you might enjoy these ornaments from a needlework based tree even though Christmas 2025 is gone and it's New Year's Eve.
Here is a video if you want to see more of the exhibit.
Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday, and wishing all my readers a Happy New Year.
Now that it's winter, any day with shadows is a treasure.
Wishing other shadow photographers a Happy New Year.
Joining Lisa at This and That: A Blog, for her #ShadowshotSunday.
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" . It's also the final Music Moves Me for 2025. I, for one, am happy to leave 2025 in the rear view mirror. We've lost so many people who enriched our world, including too many musicians. In fact, I will have to delay another Rock and Roll Heaven induction until January, so I hope you'll also join me on January 5.
For me, one song and one song only defines New Year's Eve. That is Auld Lang Syne, and today, I present two covers (so to speak) of this classic song.
Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians took Auld Lang Syne from a Scottish folk song with words by Robert Burns to the theme song of New Year's Eve, starting with their radio broadcasts in 1929. I heard this song every year live from New York's Waldorf-Astoria, a place this native New Yorker has never been to. This recording is from 1947. Guy Lombardo certainly earned his nickname of Mr. New Year's Eve.
The Times Square (New York City) ball drop, ushering in 1953. I was a baby (and not there). Guess the song that starts playing partway through the video.
These are the words of the song.
First verse:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Second verse:
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup!
and surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus
Third verse:
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pou’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin’ auld lang syne.
Chorus
Fourth verse:
We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin’ auld lang syne.
Chorus
Fifth verse:
And there’s a hand,
my trusty fiere!
and gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak’ a right gude-willie waught,
for auld lang syne.
And that's a wrap. Happy New Year to all my blog readers!!
Join me again next year for another episode of Music Moves Me.
Sunrise on December 21.
Winter has begun on the calendar, although, where I live, the weather was already wintry.
The next day we saw blue sky, and then, Tuesday, we were hit by a snowstorm. We are going to have another storm later today, but our weather is not anything like what the people on the West Coast are suffering through with the atmospheric river. I hope all of the bloggers I read from that part of the United States are safe. Floods are a terrible thing.
Finally, Happy Boxing Day for those who celebrate.
Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year, as this is the last Skywatch post of 2025.
We are going to have a White Christmas after all.
There's snow place like home. Wishing all my readers who celebrate a seasonal holiday at this time of year much happiness.
Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.
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.
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.
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.
A couple of days ago, I was returning from an appointment.
These are pictures taken in various places this past week celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
From earlier this week, a building lobby decorated for Christmas.
Joining Lisa at This and That: A Blog, for her #ShadowshotSunday.
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.
In the snowy valley.
Yesterday was miserable - wind, cold. I hope today is better.
Joining Yogi and other sky watchers for #SkywatchFriday.
Yesterday, I ate lunch at a local restaurant.
Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.
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.
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.
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.
And calendar winter isn't even here yet.
Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.
Today, I am using photos provided by my guest photographer.
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.