Keep it Short! #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and it's time for music.  It's also Groundhog Day, but wouldn't you rather listen to music than hear everyone fussing over a poor groundhog that was yanked out of the ground to make an inaccurate guess of when winter will end?

I thought you would.  So.... 

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.  

Today, our optional theme is:  "February is the shortest month of the year. With that, use “short” in song titles or lyrics for your music choice inspiration. "

I'm going to try something a little different.  What about some short songs?  Maybe songs under two minutes?

Perhaps the shortest one I know is The Beatles and Her Majesty. 

Come to think of it, there is also Golden Slumbers. 

 Van Halen and Eruption.  

Queen with Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon  

Here is a song I loved as a child.  Stay, from Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs.  

Herman's Hermits and I'm Henry the VIII I Am.   I've seen them in concert several times and I so enjoy singing this with the audience.

Tenacious D and a tribute to a local rocker - Dio, a tribute to Ronnie James Dio. 

Finally, it's over two minutes, but I just have to include The Royal Teens and Short Shorts.

And that's a wrap!

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

Flamingo Mailbox #ShadowshotSunday

On this first day of February, when snow lies on the ground and in piles around my house, my memories turn to a January, 2020 trip to Florida. 

Flamingo mailbox in Dunedin, Florida. 

Tomorrow, the groundhog will (allegedly) tell us if we will have an early spring, or six more weeks of winter. 

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

The Blue and the Grey #SkywatchFriday

How skies can change in a matter of hours...

Yesterday, it started out sunny and cold.

I had to take a couple of quick pictures.

Later that day, clouds and some snow flurries rolled in.  Yes, these are color pictures. 

There is snow on those hills, although you really can't see it.

Now, the sun hides once more, and we are under a cold weather advisory until Sunday.

Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday.

The Kindness of Neighbors #WordlessWednesday

 Like many in the United States this past weekend, I ended up with over a foot of snow to shovel.  The snow has also resulted in this Not So Wordless Wordless Wednesday post.

Monday dawned, and it was time for snow removal.

For this year we had hired a man to do our snow removal.  My spouse can no longer help with snow removal.   The snow removal person texted us early Monday morning and advised that his snow blower had just broken down.  He wouldn't be able to help us.  Said it was too much to shovel.

We had another service on standby.  We couldn't get hold of them.  (They never did call back).

Someone spouse called recommended we try to contact one of his relatives.  No response.  I'm sure the relative was out doing snow removal.

So, it was up to me.  I bundled up and grabbed my shovel.  The snow was so fluffy and light.  It may have been what skiers call champagne snow.  I made believe it was vanilla ice cream.  I was cutting vanilla ice cream for a nice ice cream sandwich.

But it was a lot of vanilla ice cream and I was making slow progress.  I knew what to do - work in layers.  Each shovel full was to be 1/3 of the snow in front of me.  Shovel, fling snow, repeat. Repeat.  Repeat.   But then, I noticed two things.

First, my driveway had been partially plowed by someone unknown (I still don't know, incidentally.)

And, second, coming up the street on foot was one of my neighbors.  He called out, telling me to wait, he was coming to help me.

This neighbor did more than help me.  He  told me to go inside and rest.  Then he shoveled the rest of my walk.  He did the rest of the driveway.  I thanked him profusely. (Incidentally, he said he wasn't the person who plowed my driveway, but has a suspicion who did it - another neighbor just up the street).

I'm so grateful.  And I'm also hoping it doesn't snow for the next several days.

There is still kindness in this world

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

Songs I Picked for Today #MusicMovesMe

It's an after-snow 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.  

Our theme for this week is "You Pick". A lot of the United States is experiencing the aftermath of freezing rain, snow, cold temperatures.  It's a good day to listen to some songs about some topics we may not like to think about, but if you look at the number of You Tube views each song has achieved, just maybe these songs call to us in different ways.

Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads (released 1981 in the United States).

London Calling - the Clash, from 1980 

Land of Confusion - I choose the 2005 cover by Disturbed rather than the 1986 original by Genesis, but I like both.  Sadly, this song is still relevant in 2026.

 We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel, from 1989. 

Wrapping up with 1987's It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) from R.E.M.

Before I go, I have to share some sad news.  Mary Burris, a blogger that had been part of Music Moves Me for years, passed away at the age of 60 on Friday.  She had battled cancer and other complications the past 11 or so years, and is finally at peace.  

And that's a wrap.

Join me again next week for another episode of #MusicMovesMe. 

Snowy Day Orchid Shadow #ShadowshotSunday

A memory.

A beautiful flower shadow for what should be a snowy and ice-cold day. 

The orchid is starting to drop its flowers now.  I hope I can keep it alive and have it rebloom one day. 

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

Ordinary Week? #SkywatchFriday

Some would call it ordinary, but I wouldn't.

Friday, January 16, I took a walk in our local park.

These skies look so ordinary, except for these facts:  First, there is blue sky.  Second, you can see the sun. And third isn't about the sky, but the ground.  It isn't covered in snow.  More about that a little later.

Monday and Tuesday, we had clear enough skies to see the aurora.  I've seen pictures on Facebook from several areas of our county.

But I struck out at home.  Or maybe I didn't but it was too dim when I went outside to look.  I did capture three stars, which look like white dots if you look hard enough.

We had a warm wave earlier this month.  The snow melted.  But the bitter temperatures are returning. 

Also, this coming Sunday, we are supposed to get between six and 12 inches (15.24 to 30.48 cm) of snow. Over 200 million people are going to be affected by this storm.  For us,  it is going to get cold.  Our county is already setting up warming shelters for people who have lost power.

At least we aren't supposed to get ice. Cross fingers.

Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.