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.
