Garden Bloggers Bloom Day August 2018

Devastation all over our area from flooding.  Not our house, but others, many others, mainly to our south, east, west.

I woke up at 4:30 this morning.  The skies were clear.  But, several hours before, it was a way different story.

The rain came again.  Rain storm after rainstorm.  Like much of the Northeast, we have enough rain to spare where I live (zone 5b) in the Binghamton area of upstate New York.  As I write this, the county I live in is under a state of emergency (although my house is safe - at least, unless it rains again.) but our area managed to make the NBC Evening News. 

I wrote my post the day before"just in case".

Here are some soggy pictures for your enjoyment for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.  I was astounded to find I still had one daylily blooming, and my turtlehead had its first bloom opening.

So I decided to also run some pictures I took a couple of days ago, before the flash floods started.  These are all still blooming but just aren't photogenic right now.

Black petunia.

Glad.

White marigold.

Dahlia.

Tall phlox.

Cleome.

As far as that rain:  You hear so many people say "I've lived here 30 years and I've never seen anything like this."  Well, yes.

This isn't like rain I've ever seen before. Day after day, the sky is dark, and when the rain comes down, it comes down.   And now I think, what if a tropical storm comes through?


So many Americans have survived floods and fires and my heart goes out to those facing those situations today.  Some may even be participants in this monthly Garden Bloggers Bloom Day meme hosted each month by Carol at May Dreams Gardens.  On the 15th of each month, we show what is blooming in our houses or gardens.

I would much rather think of beauty, and flowers like these double impatiens.

Now, please go and visit others participating in Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, while I continue to hope that the rain finally stops, before anyone else in my area makes the local news because they are homeless, or because their hamlet was wiped out by floods.

Another Milestone

This is my 3,200th blog post.  You could say my blog is aging.  Perhaps entering its true maturity?

3200 posts, over a little more than nine years.  Next April will mark my 10th blogaversary, and I've been posting daily since late April of 2011.

I didn't plan on any of this, but here I am and here you are, my reader.   And you know what? Without you, dear reader, I wouldn't be here.

So thank you, everyone reading this.

Every few years, we go through a little mini crisis of meaning.  For me, at 65, it's not the same as it was when I was younger. But, it's more pressing as I know time is running out.

The phone rang early one morning two weeks ago, about 10 minutes before I normally wake up.  Spouse was already at work. I didn't get to it in time, and the answering machine picked up.  When I got there, a man's voice was speaking, saying something about a person being taken to the ER.  In my still-dazed mind, I thought my spouse had had a heart attack at work.

Turns out it was someone at the long-term facility where my 90 year old mother in law lives.  She was being sent to the emergency room (ER).  Again.  Fourth time since the beginning of April.  The first ER trip is what landed her in where she lives now. At least this call wasn't at 1:30 am, like the last one was.

For my mother in law, these haven't been the golden years for a few years. (She spent five days in the hospital with pneumonia in both lungs, by the way, but survived this latest crisis.

As I witness what is happening to her, it makes me think about what I have done with my life so far, and what (if I get that chance) I could do in the future.

Lemon Supreme Day Lily, purchased in July 2018

Not high anxiety.  Not yet.  Maybe just call it a yellow alert.  And I'd rather see a yellow daylily than a yellow alert, any day.  But I'm thinking of this, even as I plan post #3201.  Maybe I'll call today Lemon Supreme, like this beautiful lily I bought in July.  It isn't much now but I'll hope for next year.

Please come back tomorrow, for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day and post #3201.

Rock of Animals #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and I welcome you to #MusicMovesMe.

But first:  This is my 3,199th blog post, meaning tomorrow will be my 3,200th blog post.  What do you think I should do to celebrate?

I'm not sure yet, but I'll try to think of something good.  And now, back to our regularly scheduled music post.

Who are the #MusicMovesMe bloggers? Every other week we have a theme, and on alternate weeks, we can blog about any music we wish.  We are headed by our head Engineer XmasDolly.  Her co-conductors are:  ♥Callie of JAmerican Spice♥, (who right now is only able to post occasionally due to vision issues - please keep her in your thoughts as she takes this journey) and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥   Also, co-conducting  is  ♥Cathy from Curious as a Cathy♥ although she will become a temporary head Engineer later this month.   And, (last but not least), there's little ol' me.

This month, our Guest Conductor is Marry Burris of Jingle Jangle Jungle and she has declared the theme for today:  Songs/Artists with Animals in the Song Titles/Band Names.

That's a pretty broad category, and I can't wait to see what others on this train have picked!

I am going to take a really broad definition of "animals" and include anything living.

First, I wish I could have included the Beatles and I Am the Walrus - but apparently, this is one of the songs that is taken off of You Tube as soon as it is put on, so no I Am the Walrus.

This is the first song that came to my mind: See You Later, Alligator, as performed in 1956 by Bill Haley and His Comets

Elusive Butterfly - a 1966 hit by Bob Lind.

The band Whitesnake performs Still of the Night and - well, the last few seconds make it clear what the song is about, in case you weren't able to figure it out.

Surfin' Bird by the Trashmen - one of my spouse's childhood favs.  Yes, the Bird is the Word! 

One of my childhood faves - The Tokens and The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

Barracuda by Heart

BONUS if you have 17 minutes to spare, check this song out.  If you don't, why not just listen to the first two minutes and the last two? Iron Butterfly - and the full version of  (OK, OK, you don't have to listen to all of it - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.

Have a wonderful Monday.

And Meanwhile

It's interesting going on social media today and seeing what is trending.  You would think, on this first anniversary of the tragic clash between white nationalists in Charlottesville and those opposing them, ending in the death of a 32 year old woman, Heather Heyer (and a commemorative march in Washington DC called Unite the Right) that would be big news.

But apparently, the really big news on Twitter right now is a rapper who apparently sampled the song of a music legend without permission, and the fans of both going after each other.

Yes.  It's so much easier to ignore the true hate, to ignore what is happening around us.  It's hard to take a look back. 

Today, my post is political.  Tomorrow, I return to my normal upbeat programming.

It's necessary to pause today, though, especially if you are a member of one of the groups these neo-Nazis targeted that day, which I am.

Today, some more memories of Charlottesville, Virginia, eight months before that day, August 12, 2018, that opened eyes.

The Charlottesville Freedom of Speech Wall.

The Founding Fathers of our country.

The downtown mall on a quiet January weekday morning.  This is not the street where Heather Heyer was killed. Part of that street has been renamed in her honor.

This may have been the door to a bank - I don't remember

So peaceful.  But that peace was just surface.  I didn't know that then.  I do now.

It was the calm before the storm that still continues.  Maybe one day, this sign will be what Virginia is known for, again.

Don't be fooled; the forces of evil are regrouping.  We all must pay attention to what is presented today.

"If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention".

RIP, Heather Heyer.

Our job is to make sure you did not die in vain.

Charlottesville Redux

In January of 2017 my spouse and I visited Charlottesville, Virginia, blissfully unaware that, on August 11 and 12, 2017, we would be watching Charlottesville after neo-Nazis marched, tiki torches in hand.  And then, on the 12th, some of their ilk stood, armed, visible from a nearby synagogue while worshippers arriving for Saturday services.

It wouldn't be long before the whole country would be watching.

Later that day, someone drove their way through a crowd and mowed an innocent young woman down.

And what followed sticks in our memories here in the United States.

These things took place within walking distance of where some of these pictures were taken.

What happened to friendship that day?

I don't know if this Seat of Harmony was still downtown that horrific day.

Here's a sign telling us more about that seat. 

Did that seat watch as neo-Nazis marched past it on an August summer night?  Did people sit on it in shock and tears in the following days?

A sign on a dorm door at the nearby University of Virginia is chilling, in 20-20 hindsight.

Today C'Ville, as the locals call it, is on lockdown, with no one knowing what to expect.  

We can not allow hatred to grow unchecked.

More memories tomorrow.

RIP Heather Heyer.  RIP too many things.

Balloon Festival #SkywatchFriday

After a month of high humidity and above normal rain, interspersed with some sunny days a cold front has come through to give us some relief.  But there is rain in the forecast again for next week.

Still, life goes on.

Last weekend, our area celebrated the 34th Spiedie Fest, a balloon and food rally whose proceeds benefit charity. The festival  celebrates a local food called the spiedie.

There's music,too.

And, of course, where there are hot air balloons, there's also the sky.  The day before, it had rained so much that the first day of the festival was actually cancelled, the first time that's every happened.

But Saturday, the skies cleared out for a day.  And, last Saturday night, the balloons finally launched.

Up, up and away.

This balloon is in shadow, but, after all, I was watching the sky.

Here's that balloon in the sky.

What's wonderful about this rally is that it is small, and you can get so close to the balloons as they are being inflated and prepared for flight that you can almost touch them.

And then, after the balloons are up, there's still more to see.

And more, as we approach sunset.

Then, a final cloud farewell.

Have you ever been in a hot air balloon?


Join Yogi and the other bloggers who watch the sky each Friday at #SkywatchFriday.

Willow - #ThursdayTreeLove

Consider the weeping willow tree (tree on the right side of the photo).

Otsiningo Park, Binghamton, New York, August 2018

The branches are flexible.   It's one of the first tree to show life at the end of our harsh winters.

They grow where many trees won't, in moist conditions at the edges of lakes or ponds.

It can be a girl's name.

And the trees are just plain beautiful.


The bark is medicinal - nature's Aspirin (ASA), in fact.

What else do you want in a tree?

Join Parul of Happiness and Food and bloggers who love trees each second and fourth Thursday of the month at #ThursdayTreeLove.

Rainy Day Daylilies #WordlessWednesday

The daylily season is almost over for my beds.

We've had a rainy summer and Friday was no exception.

Many times daylilies look beat up after a rainstorm, but not these.

Enjoy.  The season is all too short.

Join Esha and other bloggers for #WordlessWednesday.

So What is a Spiedie, Anyway? #FlavoursomeTuesday

Every part of the world has its own food specialty.  In the Binghamton, New York area, it is something called a "spiedie", a food perfect for #FlavoursomeTuesday.

A spiedie is a marinated meat - the traditional lamb, or other choices such as chicken, pork, venison - called "spiedino" in Italy - marinated in oil, herbs and vinegar - grilled and then served on Italian bread. 

This is the food that launched a three day festival in Binghamton, New York this past weekend.   And I'm a little amazed to realize that until this year I had never seen any of the cooking contest.

But first, a confession - As delicious as they are, I rarely eat them. I have a problem with swallowing (I've had to have my esophagus stretched once already) where I can't eat certain dry foods. Served in bread, I find them hard to swallow.  So if I eat them, I skip the bread.

But many people love them.  Here's a brief history.

Back in 1983, a cooking contest for spiedies was first held - it quickly evolved into the three day festival we celebrate the first weekend of every August, complete with music, balloon launches, and more.

In 2013, the Spiediefest Facebook page published the winning recipes from that year's competition. A few of them are below:  Enjoy!

Ray Parkes, pork division winner (he also won this year, and here he is being interviewed).

3 pounds pork sirloin, cubed
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup olive oil
¾ cup cider vinegar
¼ cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon black pepper
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons kosher salt
4 cloves garlic, chopped finely
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Add ingredients to cubed meat and mix thoroughly. Marinate for at least 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
Cook over white coals til done. Serve on Italian bread. Take cook out for a drink.

I am not sure who she is but I loved her competition booth!

Don Wright, poultry division winner
6 pounds chicken
Fresh lemons
Red wine vinegar
1 cup corn oil
6 cloves of garlic, minced
Parsley
Basil
Oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Combine ingredients and marinate for 2-3 days, mixing occasionally


Teresa Lockwood and Kathy Lockwood, lamb division winner
5-7 pounds lamb
6-7 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 cup fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
1 cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 ½ tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons oregano, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
Equal amounts olive oil and red wine
Mix all spices into meat until evenly distributed. Add wine and oil mix. Marinate 48-72 hours, adding oil and wine as needed to keep meat moist.
Cook, being careful not to overcook - meat should be pink in the middle.

WBNG (a local TV Station), celebrity division winner (the women in the middle)
 All Purpose Spiedie Marinade
1/2 cup olive oil
¼ cup vinegar
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon oregano, hand-crushed
1 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon horseradish
¼ to ½ cup lime juice or lemon juice (optional; add during the final hour of marinating)
Place everything except juice in a blender or jar with tight-fitting lid and mix until completely blended. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag, add meat and place bag in the refrigerator. Turn bag several times while marinating. Times: 2-4 hours for beef, 1-2 hours for chicken or pork, ½ hour for shrimp. For use as a basting sauce, mop onto meat or kebobs during grilling or roasting.

Joining up with #FlavoursomeTuesdays (hosted by Bellybytes and Metanoia) 

Up, Up, Up and Away with #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and I welcome you to #MusicMovesMe.  Today is a "freebie" so we post whatever we wish.

Who are the #MusicMovesMe bloggers? Every other week we have a theme, and on alternate weeks, we can blog about any music we wish.  We are headed by our head Engineer XmasDolly.  Her co-conductors are:  ♥Callie of JAmerican Spice♥, (who right now is only able to post occasionally - please keep her in your thoughts) and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥   Also, co-conducting  is  ♥Cathy from Curious as a Cathy♥   And, (last but not least), there's little ol' me.

This weekend, the Binghamton, New York area held its annual Spiediefest and Balloon Rally.  As part of this, once the sun came out, we had music, both rock (from the 1970's) and country.

Friday, the Spiediefest was cancelled due to weather, but the scheduled group (KC and the Sunshine Band) were moved indoors, and (I understand) really rocked the house.  Unfortunately, we were not able to attend.  Sunday, the group was Cheap Trick.  We were intending to go, but again, fate intervened, and we ended up leaving before concert time.

So - ta da, guess what groups I'll be featuring today?

KC and the Sunshine Band - it was hard for me to find a video of the song I wanted that had good sound quality.  I hope this live "Shake Your Booty" from 1976 does the trick.  The band is still fronted by Harry "KC" Casey, who has aged just a bit, if you look at the more recent videos.

And there is "Keep It Coming, Love".

Switching to Cheap Trick - from 1979, my favorite of theirs - Dream Police.

 A live performance of  I Want You to Want Me, date not given.

For more on spiedies, please visit my blog tomorrow.  Suffice it to say they are the proud regional food of our area of New York State.

And for balloons - you are in luck.  Yes, there are songs about hot air balloons and songs that mention them in the lyrics.

Of course, there is "Up, Up and Away" by the 5th Dimension, from 1967.  Our Spiediefest balloons don't get this high in the air, though.

One I had forgotten about, but remembered, was North Sea Oil, by Jethro Tull, dating from 1979. This briefly mentions hot air balloons.  We had the album (when albums were vinyl) and spouse played it a lot.

Finally, my own video from Saturday, which is a bit blurry and I apologize.

I'm sorry I wasn't able to bring you any of the live music - maybe next year things will work out better.  I shouldn't complain about the heat compared to some other parts of the nation, but I take a medicine that can cause some sun sensitivity (and can also mess with my potassium levels) and I do have to be a bit cautious.

Thank you for boogieing with me - and please visit some of the other Music Moves Me participants to see what floats their boat - or launches their balloon.

The Spiediefest - Their Beautiful Balloons

Have you ever been up close to a hot air balloon launch?

I've never ridden in one but, the first weekend in August, Binghamton, New York hosts a Spiediefest, including live music, rides, and (weather depending) hot air balloon launches.

Because this balloon rally is relatively small (this year about 25 balloons participated) you can literally get close up, almost close enough to touch.

A basket, on its side.

A peek, inside the basket.  And no, they aren't that big.  The passengers are really crammed in.

Upright.

Balloon stretched out.

Inflation begins.

Here is a video of the last part of the inflation.

Ready for launch.

Here are some of the other balloons.  In this one, you can see the glow of the fire as the balloon gets ready to launch.

And one final picture.

I'll share more with you another time.

Would you like to ride in one of these beautiful balloons?  At this festival, it will set you back $200 per person.  Maybe one day.....

The Spiediefest - A Teaser

Today I'm posting a little teaser.  An appetizer, if you will.

If you read my Friday post, you know that Binghamton, New York is having a festival called the "Spiediefest" this weekend.

Today, I spent some of the day there.

I parked in a neighborhood I lived in over 30 years ago and walked in with my spouse, crossing the Chenango River.

When you enter the park and go through the security check, at first, you think "where is everyone?  It's so peaceful."

In fact, we've been having rain.  So much that the first day of the festival was cancelled (yesterday).  That's a first for the festival, as far as I know.

But don't be fooled by the peace.  Soon enough you are in the middle of things.

And you see a truck.  And more trucks, with different logos, but like this truck.

You are in for a treat.  Here's your teaser. Come back to my blog tomorrow (hopefully), Tuesday, and Friday, and find out just what these people are up to.

A Walk in the Park #SkywatchFriday

Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, New York hosts a Spiedie Fest the first weekend of each August.

What is a spiedie, and shouldn't we be watching the sky for Skywatch Friday?

Over 100,000 people will visit Otsiningo Park this weekend to see balloon launches, listen to KC and the Sunshine Band, Cheap Trick, and other performers, and enjoy many other activities.

But that's one weekend out of 52.  What about the other 51?

You might come to the park to enjoy the Chenango River.

Or gaze at geese.

Or watch them put up Spiedie Fest tents.

Yellow Jewelweed

Or, even enjoy a wildflower or two.


But, if you love crowds, balloons and music, head over to Binghamton, New York this weekend for the Spiedie Fest.  You won't regret it.

Join other bloggers who love the sky at Yogi's #SkywatchFriday.

Throwback Thursday - The Non Persistance of Vision

Back in 2015, I wrote several blog posts on what I had been learning in a falls prevention class.  As my regular readers know, I have fallen several times in the past few years.

I am extremely nearsighted, and I learned about the importance of vision at an early age. I've been wearing glasses since I was four.  Since the age of around eight, my non corrected vision has been in the realm of what the State of New York considers legal blindness.  Fortunately (at least up to now), it has been correctable with glasses.

At one class, we were treated to a talk by Diane McMillan of AVRE in Binghamton, New York.  Diane is dual-certified as a low vision therapist and a vision rehab therapist, and personally suffers from a couple of disabling eye diseases.  So, not only can she talk the talk, she also knows, from personal experience, what "it is like".

What is AVRE?
"AVRE is a private, non-profit organization that serves people with sustained and severe vision loss. People of all ages, from infants to seniors, can and do benefit from our services. We offer a range of learning. living, and working options for people with sustained and severe vision loss."

There are many eye diseases that can affect vision. Anyone suffering from these conditions becomes more prone to falling.  In fact, a blogger I enjoy, Amy Bovaird , has blogged at length about her life with a vision disability, her adventures (if I can call them that) in falling and how her life has strengthened her faith.  Amy's blog is Christian faith-centered but there are other bloggers with vision impairments who blog from a more secular viewpoint.

It turned out that a couple of people in my class suffer from macular degeneration.  Diane explained it so well, complete with pictures taken that show the way people with macular degeneration will see a particular picture vs. people with healthy eyes, that I understand it better now.  Amy Bovaird's blog has a lot of information about macular degeneration.

We also learned about glaucoma.

Diane's message was a message of hope.  She taught us (noting I am not a medical professional, or vision professional, and you should have annual eye exams, always):

1.  Be self aware.  Test yourself monthly (it only takes a couple of minutes) with something called an Amsler Grid.  Diane told us that you have any problems (the website describes what you are looking for when you use the grid) consider this an emergency and contact an eye care professional immediately.  In general, if anything is amiss, err on the side of caution and report it to your eye care professional immediately.  Sometimes, a timely exam can be the difference between a good outcome, and the opposite.

2.  Have that annual eye exam!  The eye cancer someone I know made a full recovery from was detected on an annual eye exam.

3.  If you are diagnosed with an eye disease, all is not lost.  Some conditions can be treated.  Other conditions may not respond to treatment, but with proper training, and assistance, you can still lead a worthwhile life.  The two women in my class with macular degeneration were proof of that.

#3, especially, resonated with me, because I have always dreaded the day the eye doctor will say "we no longer have a prescription for you."  I hope that day never comes.

But if it does come, I hope I will understand it is not the end, but rather, a new beginning.

Wildflower Spectacular

It's been a while since I've featured my "guest photographer", who lives out in the countryside of upstate New York.

Come with her (and her sister's dog) on a walk from earlier in July.

Butter and eggs.

The wildflowers have been beautiful.  This is a neighbor's wood pile.  My friend helps look after a neighbor who is an elderly veteran.  He's made sacrifices for his country - and it goes without saying that neighbors taking care of neighbors should be part of who we all are.  

Daisies and lilies.

More wildflowers.  I don't know what these "bells" are.

Years ago, I used to have a "Wildflower Wednesday" feature on my blog.  I still love to take pictures of wildflowers.   Perhaps I should feature more of them - more nature, less stress for us all.

A worthy goal.

And thank you for accompanying my friend on her walk.

It's a wonderful way to start August, isn't it?

New York Alligator

After a day Monday that began with a phone call informing me that my mother in law was being taken to the emergency room and ended with her hospitalized with double pneumonia and other issues, I decided to take it easy today.

I am sharing this photo I took Saturday in Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, New York.

I suspect someone saw the same thing in this log as I saw, but added two stones for eyes and some "prey".

Does it look like an alligator to you?

My mother in law is slowly getting better, but there seems to be a lot of pneumonia going around recently, possibly due to our recent weather conditions.

Perhaps that is a blog post for another time.

Cricket Day

I've used my nine years of blogging to track when I hear the first crickets chirping each year.

The chirp of the crickets is the first sign of fall coming, and it always makes me a little sad.  I like to think summer is endless.  What a fantasy (here in upstate New York.)

This year, I heard crickets, for the first time, on July 30.  Here are some cricket milestones of the past:

July 29, 2009
July 22, 2010
July 30, 2011 
then, there were two dates in 2012, perhaps due to an early spring
May 21, 2012
July 25, 2012
August 3, 2014
July 28, 2015 
July 24, 2016

Something strange happened in July of 2010, but they were here for good by July 22.

That's one reason why I like to blog - the blog becomes a kind of garden journal.  I'm no good at diaries or journals, but blogging is something I do keep up with.  At least for now.  I may have to be abandoning my daily schedule in the near future, but I will leave that for a future post.

So, what does this pattern of dates mean?  Not much, perhaps.  There are other markers of changing climate, such as the trees turning color later and later each year.   Also, the fall color show seems to be getting worse and worse.

But for now, I know the end of summer is approaching.  It isn't here yet.  But it will be.  Nature has reminded us that nothing is permanent.

And, with crickets (hopefully not the sound echoing through an empty blog) I end another July (day 31) Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost.

Music in a Silent Languge #MusicMovesMe #BlogBoost

It's Monday and, today, I welcome to #MusicMovesMe.  Every week a group of music loving bloggers bring you music for your listening pleasure. 

Our honorary conductor of the month, Michelle (Naila Moon), has picked the theme for today.

But first, who are the #MusicMovesMe bloggers? Every other week we have a theme, and on alternate weeks, we can blog about any music we wish.  We are headed by our head Engineer XmasDolly.  Her co-conductors are:  ♥Callie of JAmerican Spice♥, (who right now is visiting when she can - please keep her in your thoughts ) and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥   Also, co-conducting is  ♥Cathy from Curious as a Cathy♥   And, (last but not least), me.



For July 30 we are asked to post two songs in "sign language" and two without.

I decided to take a slightly different track.   I am a hearing person; I have no family members who are Deaf (although my father lost his hearing in one ear as a toddler).  I have no training in ASL or any other signed language.  And, I think we all agree that a hearing impaired person would experience music in a different way from one who is not hearing impaired.

The purpose (I think) of an interpreted video is to bring music into a more visual medium.  Increasingly, in addition, Deaf musicians are gaining footholds in the music community.

Because I don't have the knowledge of any signed language to know if the language is being signed correctly, I tried to take care in selecting videos.  Signed language (ASL is only one of them) is an actual language, not someone trying to communicate in English using their hands and facial expressions.  It would therefore make sense to prefer videos of native signed speakers, people for whom the signed language was their first language or one learned early due to a hearing loss in childhood.

First up is a Deaf rapper, Signmark, and his song "Speakerbox".  Signmark signs while a hearing rapper speaks the rap.

I came across a Deaf performer by the name of Rosa Lee Timm, who did a this video of a Melissa Etheridge song, I've Loved You Before.

And finally, Deaf rapper Sean Forbes in a fun video, "Let's Mambo" with Deaf actress Marlee Matlin.

Thank you, Naila, for allowing me to explore this aspect of music that is new to me.

Visit other music bloggers on the linky and see how they intepreted this prompt.

Day 30 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #BlogBoost.