When I visited Florida (from my native New York City) for the first time in July of 1966, I was amazed to discover that Florida, in the same time zone as my New York City, was an hour behind New York City time.
They were on year round standard time. They didn't jump ahead an hour at the beginning of spring. They had the same time year round. What a concept!
Now, residents of all but a handful of states (Hawaii and Arizona) will find themselves, tomorrow, an hour ahead of themselves, Groggily, they will march into the week ahead bemoaning Daylight time. Why do we need it? Why do we do it?
Spring ahead. Fall back. Which we all do dutifully, if not with grumbling.
After the pain of adjusting, we will forget all about it.
Until the first Sunday in November, when we gain the hour back, and, once again, bemoan the return to standard time.
Standard time.
So what the heck is Standard time? Why is my time zone called Eastern Standard Time during the winter and Eastern Daylight Time during the summer?
On March 19, 1918 (so we are not quite at the 100th birthday of this thing), the United States adopted the Standard Time Act, enacting time zones and daylight time.
In 1919, daylight time was repealed.
But then it returned. Again and again, to the western world. The timeline is fascinating.
Now, Florida, the same state that didn't have daylight time in July of 1966, is wanting to have it year round.
Not so fast, Florida. It seems no state has the authority to authorize year round daylight time.
And since Western Florida is in a different time zone than Eastern Florida, things could get really confusing when Florida interacts with the rest of the eastern United States. (Just ask Indiana, which had a mish-mash of Eastern Daylight, Eastern Standard, Central Daylight and Central Standard times, depending on your county, until 2006. I can tell you from experience it made driving through Indiana during the summer somewhat interesting.)
Last fall, Massachusetts wanted to go on year round daylight time (or even make up their own time zone). That went nowhere, too.
So, for how much longer will we go through this? Maybe until Standard Time celebrates its 200th birthday?
Finally, just to get a laugh we all need, let's watch British comedian and satirist John Oliver's take on the topic.
What do you think of springing ahead/falling back?
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Friday, March 9, 2018
Sap Rising - #SkywatchFriday
Before the recent storms in the Southern Tier of New York.
February 27, sap rises in three Bradford Pear trees. The sky was so blue, and you can barely see, just to the right of the middle tree, a white dot - the moon. It's a bit hard to see, but there is a glow towards the top of the threes - the sap rising.
After the storm some called Riley (which hit on Friday) - these pictures were taken by my guest photographer on Sunday. She lives out in the rural part of the county I live and work in.
She got about 24 inches of snow where she lives. This, incidentally, is a road.
And a neighbor's property.
I wonder how our maple sugaring season is doing here with our strange weather.
Join Yogi and other bloggers who watch the sky each Friday at #SkywatchFriday.
February 27, sap rises in three Bradford Pear trees. The sky was so blue, and you can barely see, just to the right of the middle tree, a white dot - the moon. It's a bit hard to see, but there is a glow towards the top of the threes - the sap rising.
I wonder how our maple sugaring season is doing here with our strange weather.
Join Yogi and other bloggers who watch the sky each Friday at #SkywatchFriday.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
The Backyard - #ThursdayTreeLove
Trees coated in snow - so pretty, and so hazardous. We were not impacted greatly by the snowstorm yesterday - this is a picture from Friday's snowstorm.
Just the day before, it was warm, and winter seemed so far away. But nature has a way of reminding us who is in charge, and it isn't us.
Join Parul and other bloggers from all over the world who love trees at #ThursdayTreeLove
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Join Parul and other bloggers from all over the world who love trees at #ThursdayTreeLove
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Winter Wednesday - Snow No Not Again
Not again.
We fared comparatively well in the nor'easter that hit the eastern United States last Friday, although we had plenty of photo ops anyway - like this picture, taken in Binghamton, New York on March 3. How would you like to be driving (I wasn't, but still) and see this tree leaning over your lane?
And now, we wait. Right now, it's above freezing, but the day has only started.
Another March day in the Southern Tier of New York...
We fared comparatively well in the nor'easter that hit the eastern United States last Friday, although we had plenty of photo ops anyway - like this picture, taken in Binghamton, New York on March 3. How would you like to be driving (I wasn't, but still) and see this tree leaning over your lane?
And now, we wait. Right now, it's above freezing, but the day has only started.
Another March day in the Southern Tier of New York...
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Hamantaschen
Last week, Jews around the world celebrated a holiday called Purim.
In many ways, it has become a children's holiday (complete with children dressing up in costumes and going out to homes for treats of candy and other sweets - a celebration, by the way, totally unrelated to Halloween) but the holiday has a grim, adult theme - the undoing of a villain called Haman, who tried to get all of the Jews living in his country killed by their King. The story is told in the Old Testament Book of Esther.
It is said that Haman wore a three cornered hat, and one of the delights of Purim are three cornered foods, among them a cookie called hamantaschen.
As a college student, I would hand make hamantaschen each year. The dough, traditionally, should have an orange taste to it. The filling, in my family's tradition, was prune (lekvar) but as I was not a fan of prunes (and I'm still not), my choice was poppyseed.
Nowadays, there are hundreds of filling recipes available online, if you are so inclined. Some are not at all traditional.
Candy cane? Peanut butter and chocolate? Cheese and onion? Why not?
I haven't made hamantaschen in many years, so I don't have a picture of this triangular filled cookie to show you, but this recipe sounds a lot like the recipe I used to make.
Maybe one day, I'll start to bake again.
I was hoping to join Bellybytes at Mumbai on a High and Shilpa Gupte at Metanoia for their linky party at #FlavoursomeTuesdays but I'm not feeling the greatest right now, so, perhaps next month.
Do you have a favorite holiday recipe - any holiday?
Monday, March 5, 2018
David Ogden Stiers - #MusicMovesMe
I mourn the passing of David Ogden Stiers in today's #MusicMovesMe post.
But first - who are the 4Mers, or the Music Moves Me folks?
The Head 4M'er is XmasDolly. Her co-4Mers are: Callie of JAmerican Spice, and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥ And last but certainly not least, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy.
Each week we have a theme (unless it is a freebie week, during which we can blog about anything musical) So today, I take a detour into the 1970's and early1980's.
One of my all time favorite shows was M*A*S*H, which took place in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. The show documented various surgeons and nurses and their wartime experiences. One of the surgeons, Charles Emerson Winchester the III (and woe to you if you forgot "the Third"), was an upper-crust Bostonian who started his stint of duty so full of himself you couldn't stand him.
But David Ogden Stiers portrayed Dr. Winchester as a complicated man - one who found his refuge from the war in music. When times were slow, Winchester would listen to classical music in his shared tent on his record player.
In the very last episode of the series, one of the most watched TV episodes of all time (in fact, except for various Super Bowls, it was the most watched), Winchester runs across five Chinese soldiers, and afraid for his life, expects to die. Instead, the soldiers turn out to be musicians, who end up surrendering to him.
Winchester decides to teach the musician prisoners Mozart's Clarinet Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A. (This is long, so you may want to just listen to the very beginning).
But, too soon, the Chinese musicians are led away for a prisoner of war exchange.
Soon after, a shipment of wounded arrives. Winchester recognizes one of the wounded - he's one of "his" musicians. Another medic tells Winchester the other four musicians were already dead.
Winchester retreats to his tent, and starts to play the Mozart record of the Quintet in A he owns - only to pull off the record from the record player and smash it. The music that had been his escape from war was now a reminder of its horrors. In my opinion, this was one of the most powerful scenes in a powerful TV series.
In real life, David Ogden Stiers, who died Saturday at the age of 75 from cancer, was both an actor and a musician. He was the resident conductor of the Newport Symphony Orchestra, and served as a guest conductor for some 30 American orchestras during his lifetime.
I had almost chosen the M*A*S*H opening theme for my "Music Themes of TV and Movie " and today, I would like to close with its theme, written by Johnny Mandel, called "Suicide is Painless".
But first - who are the 4Mers, or the Music Moves Me folks?
The Head 4M'er is XmasDolly. Her co-4Mers are: Callie of JAmerican Spice, and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥ And last but certainly not least, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy.
Each week we have a theme (unless it is a freebie week, during which we can blog about anything musical) So today, I take a detour into the 1970's and early1980's.
One of my all time favorite shows was M*A*S*H, which took place in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. The show documented various surgeons and nurses and their wartime experiences. One of the surgeons, Charles Emerson Winchester the III (and woe to you if you forgot "the Third"), was an upper-crust Bostonian who started his stint of duty so full of himself you couldn't stand him.
But David Ogden Stiers portrayed Dr. Winchester as a complicated man - one who found his refuge from the war in music. When times were slow, Winchester would listen to classical music in his shared tent on his record player.
In the very last episode of the series, one of the most watched TV episodes of all time (in fact, except for various Super Bowls, it was the most watched), Winchester runs across five Chinese soldiers, and afraid for his life, expects to die. Instead, the soldiers turn out to be musicians, who end up surrendering to him.
Winchester decides to teach the musician prisoners Mozart's Clarinet Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A. (This is long, so you may want to just listen to the very beginning).
But, too soon, the Chinese musicians are led away for a prisoner of war exchange.
Soon after, a shipment of wounded arrives. Winchester recognizes one of the wounded - he's one of "his" musicians. Another medic tells Winchester the other four musicians were already dead.
Winchester retreats to his tent, and starts to play the Mozart record of the Quintet in A he owns - only to pull off the record from the record player and smash it. The music that had been his escape from war was now a reminder of its horrors. In my opinion, this was one of the most powerful scenes in a powerful TV series.
In real life, David Ogden Stiers, who died Saturday at the age of 75 from cancer, was both an actor and a musician. He was the resident conductor of the Newport Symphony Orchestra, and served as a guest conductor for some 30 American orchestras during his lifetime.
I had almost chosen the M*A*S*H opening theme for my "Music Themes of TV and Movie " and today, I would like to close with its theme, written by Johnny Mandel, called "Suicide is Painless".
Sunday, March 4, 2018
The Winter Wonderland
My guest photographer, who lives in rural Broome County, New York, took these pictures yesterday.
The snowstorm called "Riley" was kind (comparatively) to where I live. It wasn't so kind in some other parts of New York. My spouse's relatives in Westchester County (just north of New York City) are still without power, as is the entire area where my mother in law used to live. Thankfully, she is up here now.
I can just imagine how many trees are down "downstate".
But my guest photographer, who lives to the east of Binghamton, got, in total, about 24 inches of snow.
For your enjoyment (from the comfort of where your computer is), some pictures I could never bring you.
A neighbor's dog.
The dog in the winter wonderland.
A blue jay.
And a house that gives you an idea of how much snow she got. No one will be sitting on that bench for a while.
Hoping the weather is nicer for you, dear reader!
The snowstorm called "Riley" was kind (comparatively) to where I live. It wasn't so kind in some other parts of New York. My spouse's relatives in Westchester County (just north of New York City) are still without power, as is the entire area where my mother in law used to live. Thankfully, she is up here now.
I can just imagine how many trees are down "downstate".
But my guest photographer, who lives to the east of Binghamton, got, in total, about 24 inches of snow.
For your enjoyment (from the comfort of where your computer is), some pictures I could never bring you.
A neighbor's dog.
The dog in the winter wonderland.
A blue jay.
And a house that gives you an idea of how much snow she got. No one will be sitting on that bench for a while.
Hoping the weather is nicer for you, dear reader!
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Sustainable Saturday - The Fickle Finger of Weather
Binghamton, New York, has had its 15 minutes of fame, thanks to a nationwide cable channel called The Weather Channel.
The fickle finger of weather was about to land on our area.
I need to explain here that Binghamton (where I work) is part of an annual contest called The Golden Snowball, which is a friendly competition between five New York cities for the most snow. We have to do something (besides swear at) with all that snow.
Here's a history of that competition.
Binghamton won last year, in part thanks to a March snowstorm that dumped over three feet (.9 m) of snow on our area. But did the Weather Channel come in to livecast our misery?
Not that I can remember.
No, instead they showed up yesterday, as we were being hit by the edge of what we call a nor'easter. Someone flagged me down at work and said "there's a Weather Channel guy out there!" Accompanied by a co worker, we ran outside.
Nada (he was there, but out of sight of where we could see, as it turns out).
Around 7:30 am, this is what our downtown looked like, towards the beginning of the snow.
The snow was coming down pretty good.
The Weather Channel guy stationed himself a few hundred feet from here.
It didn't look bad at 7:30, but by the time the Weather Channel guy showed up, there was plenty for him to marvel at. He was showing all the snow clinging to these trees, and speculating about if trees would fall, as I found out later.
It's hard to see, but if you look at a yellow traffic sign in the lower right of this photo, there is a roundabout (traffic circle) right behind it, and the Weather Channel man stationed himself on the center, trying to measure snow in planters in the center of the circle.
But back to those fickle fingers...it ended up that many areas got lots more snow than we did.
And we are in next to last place in the Golden Snowball.
Not that I mind.
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| My front steps, afternoon of March 2 |
The fickle finger of weather was about to land on our area.
I need to explain here that Binghamton (where I work) is part of an annual contest called The Golden Snowball, which is a friendly competition between five New York cities for the most snow. We have to do something (besides swear at) with all that snow.
Here's a history of that competition.
Binghamton won last year, in part thanks to a March snowstorm that dumped over three feet (.9 m) of snow on our area. But did the Weather Channel come in to livecast our misery?
Not that I can remember.
No, instead they showed up yesterday, as we were being hit by the edge of what we call a nor'easter. Someone flagged me down at work and said "there's a Weather Channel guy out there!" Accompanied by a co worker, we ran outside.
Nada (he was there, but out of sight of where we could see, as it turns out).
Around 7:30 am, this is what our downtown looked like, towards the beginning of the snow.
And we are in next to last place in the Golden Snowball.
Not that I mind.
Friday, March 2, 2018
Foggy Sunrise - #SkywatchFriday
Yes, it's March.
But where I live, we are having a snowstorm. So, I'd like to take you back slightly in time, to February 21, when one could see the sunrise - and some fog.
The fog clung close to the ground, permitting me to see these Bradford pears, and the sunrise. The fog appears to be just a strip of white by the base of the trees.
I decided to be artistic and take another picture with a chain link fence more prominent.
About 25 minutes later, in downtown Binghamton, New York, my eye spied this reflection of the Broome County courthouse (with a little piece of sky) reflected in the front window of the historic Security Mutual building.
Want to see more? Join Yogi and other bloggers who watch the sky each Friday at #SkywatchFriday.
But where I live, we are having a snowstorm. So, I'd like to take you back slightly in time, to February 21, when one could see the sunrise - and some fog.
The fog clung close to the ground, permitting me to see these Bradford pears, and the sunrise. The fog appears to be just a strip of white by the base of the trees.
About 25 minutes later, in downtown Binghamton, New York, my eye spied this reflection of the Broome County courthouse (with a little piece of sky) reflected in the front window of the historic Security Mutual building.
Want to see more? Join Yogi and other bloggers who watch the sky each Friday at #SkywatchFriday.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Signs of Spring
On the eve of another snowstorm in the Binghamton area of New York State, there are signs of spring everywhere.
Birds sing.
The day length increases daily.
In my back yard, white heuchera.
Pink heuchera, also in the back.
On the side of my house, my early jonquils are starting to come up. I've had these for over 30 years, and they came up our house. I wonder how old they are.
And finally, another bulb that appeared one day and rarely blooms. I've forgotten what it is.
Tomorrow, these may well be covered by snow again, but today they will have one last day of basking in the 50's.
By Friday, we will be having wet, gloppy snow and wind.
Welcome back to winter.
Birds sing.
The day length increases daily.
Pink heuchera, also in the back.
On the side of my house, my early jonquils are starting to come up. I've had these for over 30 years, and they came up our house. I wonder how old they are.
And finally, another bulb that appeared one day and rarely blooms. I've forgotten what it is.
Tomorrow, these may well be covered by snow again, but today they will have one last day of basking in the 50's.
By Friday, we will be having wet, gloppy snow and wind.
Welcome back to winter.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Winter Wednesday -February Ups and Downs
In this strange up and down winter, we reached (unofficially) 73 degrees F (22.7 C) last week.
The next day, this is what happened (taken by my "guest photographer".
That's what February 2018 has been all about.
Snow. Melt. Snow. Melt. We got up to 51 degrees F (10.5 C) Monday. It was in the 50's yesterday. Today? More 50's. Tomorrow? Who knows.
By the weekend we may have another snowstorm. Sure enough this morning, I woke up to a winter weather watch.
Hard to believe because our forecasted high for today is 57 F (13.8C).
Tomorrow, March begins, and maybe after March we will be done with winter for this season.
Maybe.
The next day, this is what happened (taken by my "guest photographer".
That's what February 2018 has been all about.
Snow. Melt. Snow. Melt. We got up to 51 degrees F (10.5 C) Monday. It was in the 50's yesterday. Today? More 50's. Tomorrow? Who knows.
By the weekend we may have another snowstorm. Sure enough this morning, I woke up to a winter weather watch.
Hard to believe because our forecasted high for today is 57 F (13.8C).
Tomorrow, March begins, and maybe after March we will be done with winter for this season.
Maybe.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
A to Z in 2018?
Every April, the blogging world braces for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. This year the signup is March 5.
The premise is simple. On April 1 your blog title and subject begins with "A". On April 2 "B". On April 3, "C". And so forth, with (almost) every Sunday off.
It sounds easy. It isn't, especially when you have to come up with topics for several letters (X, I'm talking to you).
I have five days to decide if I want to join this year. I've participated the last three years (and survived), and it's been enjoyable for me. There are a number of bloggers I read regularly who are also survivors.
I even had a topic planned for this year (I'm not telling what, in case I do sign up.)
But life is intervening, and I am not sure I can make it through. In fact, it will probably take me a week to visit the blogs of all the wonderful people who visited me yesterday. I've just about stopped commenting on comments to my blog, which, in the blogging world, is not "cool". I'm not going to have the time to prewrite many of my posts, which is the key to success.
A to Z requires a LOT of participation. You visit many blogs. You hope many blogs visit you.
It's all about community.
So, do I want to do it anyway? Or try and have to quit?
Today, I am going to take an informal poll: are you planning to participate in A to Z this year?
It won't influence my decision - but I am just curious.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
The premise is simple. On April 1 your blog title and subject begins with "A". On April 2 "B". On April 3, "C". And so forth, with (almost) every Sunday off.
It sounds easy. It isn't, especially when you have to come up with topics for several letters (X, I'm talking to you).
I have five days to decide if I want to join this year. I've participated the last three years (and survived), and it's been enjoyable for me. There are a number of bloggers I read regularly who are also survivors.
I even had a topic planned for this year (I'm not telling what, in case I do sign up.)
But life is intervening, and I am not sure I can make it through. In fact, it will probably take me a week to visit the blogs of all the wonderful people who visited me yesterday. I've just about stopped commenting on comments to my blog, which, in the blogging world, is not "cool". I'm not going to have the time to prewrite many of my posts, which is the key to success.
A to Z requires a LOT of participation. You visit many blogs. You hope many blogs visit you.
It's all about community.
So, do I want to do it anyway? Or try and have to quit?
Today, I am going to take an informal poll: are you planning to participate in A to Z this year?
It won't influence my decision - but I am just curious.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Movie and TV Themes - #MusicMovesMe
Happy dance - I'm the spotlight dancer on today's edition of #MusicMoves Me!
But, first, a confession.
I picked as my theme "theme songs of movie or TV shows". But last week, I realized the "something" in my subconscious that had caused me to think of that theme.
I have a friend who lives in Brooklyn, a man heavily involved in music in his retirement. I've known him for almost 50 years. He's a moderator on a Facebook group I belong to, and don't pay enough attention to, because I've been trying to limit my online time.
But I was subconsciously paying attention to him - because, for the last several weeks, he's been posting daily TV theme shows at the beginning of each day.
"Gulp" I think I plagiarized my friend, sort of. I didn't mean to. Honest! But it's true - there are so many great TV and movie themes out there.
I hope you all had as much fun thinking of your post today as I did.
So, with that in mind, shall we begin? I should have created a You Tube playlist, but I know a couple of my regular readers have trouble with them, so I have posted individual videos.
Let's start with the rousing theme song of the movie "The Magnificent Seven" from 1960, composed by Elmer Bernstein, who received an Oscar nomination. Just thinking of the famous actors who starred in this movie - Steve McQueen, Yul Brenner, Charles Bronson.... how can you not be ready for adventure after listening to this? (And some of my readers may even remember the use of this theme in Marlboro cigarette commercials, back when it was legal to advertise cigarettes on TV in the United States).
Interested in more information? You can find some here.
John Williams really knows how to write movie themes (Star Wars, anyone?). Here is the theme from Jurassic Park, which, for me, was an instant earworm.
And, speaking of John Williams, the first few notes of this movie theme from "Jaws" must be the most recognizable notes in history, next to the opening of Beethovan's Fifth Symphony.
Switching to other favorites of my childhood,I am going to take some liberties here. Yes, I am aware that the song "Moon River" (written by Henry Mancini with lyrics by the incomparable Johnny Mercer) was not the theme of the 1961 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's". But I am going to include it, anyway.
Now that you are all relaxed and asleep, it's time for some James Bond music. This was a hard one, picking between A View to a Kill, Goldfinger, and this one, by Paul McCartney and Wings - Live and Let Die. "Live and Let Die" won out.
But "Goldfinger" was close, and I am going to feature it, too.
"Goldfinger" as sung by Shirley Bassey. Pure 60's, and yes, I owned the 45.
A favorite of mine when I was going to college - Isaac Hayes and the theme from "Shaft" from 1971.
One last movie theme - Chariots of Fire by Vangelis. Last week I promised you an Olympic theme song of many countries, and this is it.
Turning to TV shows, there are so many to choose from, and I only have so much room on my blog.
My first choice is The Sopranos theme song. The song and the group have an interesting history. Here in the United States this British band is known as A3, while in Great Britain they can use their true name, Alabama 3.
Next, I switch to a classic United States TV show that ran from 1959 to 1965, to be exact. The show starred a young Clint Eastwood, and the theme song sung by Frankie Laine: Rawhide.
I can't mention Rawhide without mentioning another Western theme song, one that became a hit, covered by many artists including Johnny Cash - Bonanza. This program lasted 14 seasons on TV, and was a pioneering (no pun intended) TV show in many ways.
Although many think the Ventures performed the original theme song to the hit TV show (now in its second incarnation) Hawaii 5-O, it was actually performed on the original 60's show by the CBS Orchestra.
Miami Vice, composed and performed by Jan Hammer. This is NOT the original version from the TV show but...heck, I love the music.
I will close with the theme for a long running TV show of the 80's and early 90's - Thank You for Being a Friend, the theme of Golden Girls.
Thank YOU for being my musical friend.
And so, there you have it. I ran a little long this week, but it was my theme, and I could do what I wanted. Thank you for singing or listening along!
Join the 4Mers every week for some great music (even when I'm not the spotlight dancer).
The Head 4M'er is XmasDolly. Her co-4Mers are: Callie of JAmerican Spice, and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥ And last but certainly not least, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy.
But, first, a confession.
I picked as my theme "theme songs of movie or TV shows". But last week, I realized the "something" in my subconscious that had caused me to think of that theme.
I have a friend who lives in Brooklyn, a man heavily involved in music in his retirement. I've known him for almost 50 years. He's a moderator on a Facebook group I belong to, and don't pay enough attention to, because I've been trying to limit my online time.
But I was subconsciously paying attention to him - because, for the last several weeks, he's been posting daily TV theme shows at the beginning of each day.
"Gulp" I think I plagiarized my friend, sort of. I didn't mean to. Honest! But it's true - there are so many great TV and movie themes out there.
I hope you all had as much fun thinking of your post today as I did.
So, with that in mind, shall we begin? I should have created a You Tube playlist, but I know a couple of my regular readers have trouble with them, so I have posted individual videos.
Let's start with the rousing theme song of the movie "The Magnificent Seven" from 1960, composed by Elmer Bernstein, who received an Oscar nomination. Just thinking of the famous actors who starred in this movie - Steve McQueen, Yul Brenner, Charles Bronson.... how can you not be ready for adventure after listening to this? (And some of my readers may even remember the use of this theme in Marlboro cigarette commercials, back when it was legal to advertise cigarettes on TV in the United States).
Interested in more information? You can find some here.
John Williams really knows how to write movie themes (Star Wars, anyone?). Here is the theme from Jurassic Park, which, for me, was an instant earworm.
And, speaking of John Williams, the first few notes of this movie theme from "Jaws" must be the most recognizable notes in history, next to the opening of Beethovan's Fifth Symphony.
Switching to other favorites of my childhood,I am going to take some liberties here. Yes, I am aware that the song "Moon River" (written by Henry Mancini with lyrics by the incomparable Johnny Mercer) was not the theme of the 1961 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's". But I am going to include it, anyway.
Now that you are all relaxed and asleep, it's time for some James Bond music. This was a hard one, picking between A View to a Kill, Goldfinger, and this one, by Paul McCartney and Wings - Live and Let Die. "Live and Let Die" won out.
But "Goldfinger" was close, and I am going to feature it, too.
"Goldfinger" as sung by Shirley Bassey. Pure 60's, and yes, I owned the 45.
A favorite of mine when I was going to college - Isaac Hayes and the theme from "Shaft" from 1971.
One last movie theme - Chariots of Fire by Vangelis. Last week I promised you an Olympic theme song of many countries, and this is it.
Turning to TV shows, there are so many to choose from, and I only have so much room on my blog.
My first choice is The Sopranos theme song. The song and the group have an interesting history. Here in the United States this British band is known as A3, while in Great Britain they can use their true name, Alabama 3.
Next, I switch to a classic United States TV show that ran from 1959 to 1965, to be exact. The show starred a young Clint Eastwood, and the theme song sung by Frankie Laine: Rawhide.
I can't mention Rawhide without mentioning another Western theme song, one that became a hit, covered by many artists including Johnny Cash - Bonanza. This program lasted 14 seasons on TV, and was a pioneering (no pun intended) TV show in many ways.
Although many think the Ventures performed the original theme song to the hit TV show (now in its second incarnation) Hawaii 5-O, it was actually performed on the original 60's show by the CBS Orchestra.
Miami Vice, composed and performed by Jan Hammer. This is NOT the original version from the TV show but...heck, I love the music.
I will close with the theme for a long running TV show of the 80's and early 90's - Thank You for Being a Friend, the theme of Golden Girls.
Thank YOU for being my musical friend.
And so, there you have it. I ran a little long this week, but it was my theme, and I could do what I wanted. Thank you for singing or listening along!
Join the 4Mers every week for some great music (even when I'm not the spotlight dancer).
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Civil War Sunday - Brothers At War
Between 2011 and 2015 I featured a weekly Sunday "Civil War Sunday" feature. I'm not a United States Civil War "buff" but I am interested in history in general, and the 2011-2015 sesquicentennial of the 1861-1865 war was an opportunity to learn more about a part of history that many of us need to study more.
Brother against brother...
The state of Virginia, which was one of eleven states to secede from our Union between December of 1860 (South Carolina being the first) and June of 1861 (Tennessee), had more battles fought within its borders than any other state.
Now, in the present, Virginia is developing a wine industry. At a winery I visited in January of 2017, spouse and I bought this bottle of sweet white wine. I admit, it was as much for the label as it was for the wine inside.
The front - brother fighting brother, which was not uncommon, especially in a "border" state like Virginia.
It feels a bit strange that the bloodiest war in our history is commemorated by what locals call a "porch wine", one made to be sipped slowly while visiting with friends. But the message on the back of the bottle is one our country had better heed, as we seem to slip closer and closer to an uncertain future.
We forget history at our peril.
Brother against brother...
The state of Virginia, which was one of eleven states to secede from our Union between December of 1860 (South Carolina being the first) and June of 1861 (Tennessee), had more battles fought within its borders than any other state.
Now, in the present, Virginia is developing a wine industry. At a winery I visited in January of 2017, spouse and I bought this bottle of sweet white wine. I admit, it was as much for the label as it was for the wine inside.
It feels a bit strange that the bloodiest war in our history is commemorated by what locals call a "porch wine", one made to be sipped slowly while visiting with friends. But the message on the back of the bottle is one our country had better heed, as we seem to slip closer and closer to an uncertain future.
We forget history at our peril.
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Sustainable Saturday - Greenway
For the first time this year, I went with my spouse to the Vestal Rail Trail, a rail trail near to where I live in the Binghamton, New York area.
They had been busy while I was hibernating (no, not really, but I don't walk there much in the dead of winter for various reasons.) There were new signs announcing the Two Rivers Greenway. This was the top of one.
This was the bottom of the sign. You can barely see it but there is even a picture of the Vestal Farmers Market on the sign. And it shows the way to the historic Vestal Coal House, where you can "Exercise Your Right to Refreshment!"
Here are some nature pictures I took today on the trail. Here, the snow is melting and a stream is running fast.
A stand of birches, with our normal grayish February sky.
Finally, a beautiful reflection.
Today, we ended up having some rain with sleet mixed in.
But I can smell spring. I can hear the birds singing. I note the increasing day length. The sun rises earlier every day. It will be here. One day.
They had been busy while I was hibernating (no, not really, but I don't walk there much in the dead of winter for various reasons.) There were new signs announcing the Two Rivers Greenway. This was the top of one.
This was the bottom of the sign. You can barely see it but there is even a picture of the Vestal Farmers Market on the sign. And it shows the way to the historic Vestal Coal House, where you can "Exercise Your Right to Refreshment!"
Today, we ended up having some rain with sleet mixed in.
But I can smell spring. I can hear the birds singing. I note the increasing day length. The sun rises earlier every day. It will be here. One day.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Weekend Clouds - #SkywatchFriday
The weather in the Southern Tier of upstate New York has been so changeable.
The clouds of this past weekend prove it.
Saturday's altocumulus clouds over our indoor farmer's market. I loved the pattern they made.
Sunday sunset and a totally different set of clouds.
Join Yogi and other bloggers who watch the sky as they celebrate #SkywatchFriday.
The clouds of this past weekend prove it.
Saturday's altocumulus clouds over our indoor farmer's market. I loved the pattern they made.
Sunday sunset and a totally different set of clouds.
Join Yogi and other bloggers who watch the sky as they celebrate #SkywatchFriday.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Tree on the River #ThursdayTreeLove
Our winter in the Southern Tier of upstate New York has been up and down, up and down.
We had a record high yesterday - 69 F officially (20.5C), breaking the old record of 61 (16C).
Over the weekend, ice broke up on the Susquehanna River in Binghamton, New York.
Today, it was gone, completely, along with all our snow.
But that is all a memory now. Winter, ice and snow are expected back. The temperature is 34 F (1C). It will be snowing soon.
Yet, the tree endures, and awaits the secret signal that will tell it to awaken, to bloom, and to grow leaves once again.
I can't wait.
Join Parul and other bloggers for #ThursdayTreeLove.
We had a record high yesterday - 69 F officially (20.5C), breaking the old record of 61 (16C).
Over the weekend, ice broke up on the Susquehanna River in Binghamton, New York.
Today, it was gone, completely, along with all our snow.
But that is all a memory now. Winter, ice and snow are expected back. The temperature is 34 F (1C). It will be snowing soon.
Yet, the tree endures, and awaits the secret signal that will tell it to awaken, to bloom, and to grow leaves once again.
I can't wait.
Join Parul and other bloggers for #ThursdayTreeLove.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Winter Wonders - I'm Not Fooled
It is 50 degrees F right now (10 C), and supposed to get to a record high today around 70 (20 C).
But I'm not fooled. Tonight and tomorrow the forecast is freezing rain turning to snow, with three to five inches (up to 13 cm) expected. Now, that's more like normal.
To get us into the mood:
These pictures were taken by my "guest photographer" the first week of February.
Snow on the ground is normal this time of year where I live in the Southern Tier of New York State.
One day, spring will be here for good. But not yet.
But I'm not fooled. Tonight and tomorrow the forecast is freezing rain turning to snow, with three to five inches (up to 13 cm) expected. Now, that's more like normal.
To get us into the mood:
These pictures were taken by my "guest photographer" the first week of February.
One day, spring will be here for good. But not yet.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Another Year for Greasy Beans?
I wrote this blog post as I was thinking about what to grow in the 2014 gardening season. I didn't order these beans, and it's probably just as well, because some animal kept eating our beans. We had an almost complete failure of our beans in 2014. But the last two years, we've had good luck with our beans.
We are shrinking our garden this year, but will always make room for beans. So, today, a repeat of this 2014 post:
Greasy Beans in Upstate New York?
We look through catalogs, and ponder, and know that this year's garden will be the best ever. There will be no drought, no rotting from too much rain, no insect pests, and no critter damage. Everything we plant will come up, will flourish, and we will harvest record yields of everything.
Sure.
You must be an optimist in order to garden.
And, your heart must beat faster when you see something new. Will you try it out?
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| North Asheville Tailgate Market, 2012 |
In a North Carolina market, you will find products and produce you won't find in any upstate New York market. That's part of the fun of travel.
Some vendors were selling something called a greasy bean. We saw them for sale, but because we had no cooking facilities in the B&B where we were staying, we couldn't try them. What they are is a pole green bean, without the tight fuzz you find on the pod of the typical green bean. This gives them a shiny, or "greasy" appearance. We were told they had excellent eating qualities, and that they were a bean grown in certain areas of the southeast, including Kentucky, and western North Carolina.
I must have signed up for this catalog somewhere when visiting Asheville, because the last two winters I have received an Asheville seed catalog called Sow True.
Last year, we didn't buy very much mail order,but this year, I decided we needed to support some of the smaller, non GMO catalogs.
So I opened up the Sow True catalog and what did I see: Greasy beans.
The world of beans is fascinating: there are so many kinds to choose from. We've lived in several parts of the United States over the years, and have tried some of these varieties (when we lived in Kansas, we grew dried beans and in Arkansas, we grew yard long beans and crowder peas. ) But here in upstate New York, we do have a shorter growing season (perhaps 150 days) than Asheville (I would estimate between 185 and 195 days). So, our first question was: will these greasy beans even grow here?
We don't know. Some greasy beans, for example, have been grown in the Pacific Northwest with varying degrees of success. But greasy beans here? I've never seen them in any farmers market, not that I've been to every one in this area.
Again, I don't know if they will succeed. But my heart says we should try. Why not? Isn't experimentation part of learning? What do we have to lose but some space in our community garden? And, if we succeed, we have a food unavailable locally at any price.
Have any of my readers tried to grow greasy beans outside of their normal Appalachian range?
Monday, February 19, 2018
Themes of Champions #MusicMovesMe
The Winter Olympics are being broadcast this week. In their second week, I got to wondering - the theme used in United States broadcasts has been the same for so long. Who wrote it, anyway?
It turns out there is more than one Olympic theme, and it isn't the same all over the world. In the United States, actually, there are two different ones.
Smithsonian Magazine had a wonderful article on the Olympic Themes.
But this is not original music. This music comes from a composition called "Bugler's Dream" composed by French composer Léo Arnaud. This is the original.
But, wait, there's more music in store for you. The CBC (Canada) has some of the most beautiful Olympic openings to their broadcasts. This is the one from Rio in 2016.
"We are the Champions" by Queen, has become a standard in United States sports stadium.
There is one final song, which I understand parts of the world use as their Olympic "theme" - but you'll have to wait until next week to hear it.
And now, a little about Music Moves Me (aka "4M").
The Head 4M'er is XmasDolly. Her co-4Mers are: Callie of JAmerican Spice, and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥ And last but certainly not least, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy.
Will you join us today with some music?
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