Santa Bearing Gifts #WordlessWednesday

Saw this Santa in a facility we were visiting earlier this month.

May you have the gift of joy, companionship and good health this holiday season.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

The Old as New #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and it's time for music!

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky above). 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 may be labeled "No Music".)   

Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Today, I want to feature some older Christmas songs, but done in a different way with a couple of modern performers.

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo, from 1996, was my introduction to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO).

What Child Is This, from a live performance of TSO last month. 

Finally, Carol of the Bells, from Lindsey Stirling.

And that's a nearly Christmas wrap.

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

Long Shadow Time #ShadowshotSunday

We have had two consecutive days of sunny weather.  Celebrate!  That only happens if it's cold, and it was. Cold but the sun was so welcome.

For Shadowshot Sunday, I took this picture outside about 3:15 pm (about 1 1/4 hours before sunset).  It's the season of long shadows and I look like I'm walking on stilts.

Joining Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventures for #ShadowshotSunday.

Friday the 13th Sunset #SkywatchFriday

Are Fridays the 13th unlucky?  Perhaps, but for me, I'm hoping not.

Here are some sunset views from today's sunset.

A closeup.

Finally, a temporary frozen pond due to a lot of recent rain (yes, rain).  We were so fortunate compared to other parts of New York State.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.

Keystone Theater #WordlessWednesday

The Keystone Theater in Towanda, Pennsylvania was built in 1886 as Hale's Opera House and had its grand opening in 1887.

It is Northeast Pennsylvania's longest continuously operated theater.  Various famous performers have graced its stage and you can learn more about its history and renovation here.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

Christmas Laughter #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and it's time for music.

 

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky below). 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 may be labeled "No Music".)   

Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Today, I'd like to concentrate on making this holiday season a little less stressful with some funny songs.  Also, I'd like to include a song that will make us think.

A favorite from years ago - Bob and Doug McKenzie with their take on the Twelve Days of Christmas, originally from 1980.  There really isn't a Bob and Doug McKenzie; they were characters played by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas.  I don't know if I should apologize to my Canadian readers but I love this.

This is billed as the Funniest CHRISTtmas Song ever.  Let me know what you think.

The Dropick Murphys and The Season's Upon Us.  I think I've had this on my blog before but it's worth another listen.

This is funny, but also food for some thought, and it's sobering that this song is some 66 years old now.  Give a listen to Stan Freberg and the 1958 classic Green Chri$tmas. (Thank you, John Holton, for introducing this song to me.)

Finally, I can't resist this classic:  the original 1958 recording of The Christmas Song (Christmas Don't be Late) from David Seville and the Chipmunks.  ALVIN!  This was so popular when it came out in my childhood.

And that's a wrap!

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

Corvette Shadow #ShadowshotSunday

From the archives, a picture of a Chevy Corvette (year unknown) at a car enthusiast gathering at a local supermarket parking lot in May of 2023.

We have gone into our "rare to see shadows" time of the year.

I may have known the year of this beauty at one time but that fact is..um, lost in the shadows of my mind.

Joining with Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventures for her #ShadowshotSunday.

Sunset Glow #SkywatchFriday

I didn't even attempt to take a walk yesterday, especially after all my devices started screeching at me about 10am with a Severe Snow Squall warning.  Fortunately, we escaped the worst of the snow squalls where I live in the Southern Tier of New York. (And yes, we escaped the huge snow dumps some other parts of New York State were subjected to.  Whew!)

So instead, please enjoy these pictures, taken on a walk December 3.  This was another rare day when we saw blue sky.

I got there just in time. The sun was getting ready to disappear.

That tree is brown, but it was glowing in the golden hour light, as was the grass.  My photo doesn't do it justice.

A few minutes later, the sun is behind the hills and the clouds glow in the light.

Now, the snowy white skies are back, alas, and this is just another memory..

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.

A Checkerboard Christmas #WordlessWednesday

This past September, my spouse and I had the opportunity to visit the MacKenzie-Childs property in Aurora, New York.  Their store is a checkerboard fantasy, and had a section devoted to Christmas.

So, of course, I had to take pictures.

Enjoy.

Here's to a checkerboard Christmas, as I join up with Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

Music That Makes Me Think of Christmas #MusicMovesMe

What makes you think of Christmas?  This is the theme of this week's Music Moves Me.

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky below). 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 may be labeled "No Music".)   

Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme, but we consider it as a suggestion, not a mandate.  But I got to thinking about what makes me think of Christmas, and, for me, it's the onset of winter.

Snow!  Some years we get over 120 inches where I live and I hope this year isn't one of them.  Here's Darlene Love with her 1962 cover of Winter Wonderland.  I like snow, as long as it is in a video and not in my real life.

Christmas specials on TV.  Here's the Vince Guaraldi trio, singing Christmas Time is Here, from 1965. To me, this song is so soothing.

Let it Snow! is another Christmastime classic, and who can sing it better than Frank Sinatra?

Lights in windows and on houses is another thing that makes me think of Christmas, because so many of our December days where I live are overcast (if not white from snow).   The lights relieve the drearyness of our Decembers.  Here's a song that celebrates the season of lights:  Coldplay and their 2010 song Christmas Lights.

And finally...eggnog, because eggnog comes but once a year.  My favorite is Purity, a regional beverage made in Ithaca, New York.  What a shame that they don't have it in small bottles because it is so rich and perfect.  

And yes, I found a song about eggnog.  Here's The EGG NOG song, from Grant Kirkhope.  I fell in love instantly with this song.

And that is a holiday wrap.

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

November Tree Grove #ShadowshotSunday

Time is rushing by.  It's Sunday and it's time for #ShadowshotSunday, brought to us by Lisa at Lisa's Gardening Adventures.

Here's a small grove of trees and their shadows on a partially cloudy day before our spell of colder weather.

We welcome you to come out of the shadows and join us for #ShadowshotSunday.  The link to join is on the link at the beginning of my post, above.

Hope to see you there on this first day of December.

And tomorrow is all about music.  Hope you will join me again tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Week Skies #SkywatchFriday

We've had a variety of skies this past week.  We even had some sunshine.

I missed this sunset on November 26 and only got this far shot using my iPhone 13mini on almost maximum zoom.   You can barely see the yellow and red of the sunset through the trees, but I liked the look of this picture.

Earlier that day, we had some sun.

Ditto for Wednesday the 27th.

Finally, a typical sky for this time of year where I live in the Southern Tier of New York.  Here's a view of the snow that stuck to the grass on Thanksgiving Day.  So thankful I didn't have to shovel anything but a little slush. 

Thank you, my readers old and new, for visiting and commenting.  I appreciate every one of you.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.

Happy Thanksgiving 2024

Today, a quick thank you for all my readers.

I am grateful for each and every one of you.  Thank you for your continued readership and commenting. 

So much to be thankful for today.  I'm warm.  It's above freezing right now and the snow isn't sticking.  I will see my son later today.

This isn't a picture from today, but was a Thanksgiving dinner from my employer (take out in the parking lot) in November of 2021.  What a kind gesture that was.  

In these uncertain times, it's more important than ever to be kind to our fellow people.

Whether or not you live in the United States, I wish you much happiness today. 

"See" you tomorrow for Skywatch Friday (unless I misdate my post again).

The Historic Hearth #WordlessWednesday

A memory of what may be our last trip for a while, as winter closes in.

This is a hearth in the summit's viewing center at the top of 3,848 ft  Mt. Equinox near Arlington, Vermont.  We visited Mt. Equinox in early September.

If you think you see writing carved into stones on some of the stones (most visible in the lower right) you would be right.  That writing dates from the 19th century, left by hikers who hiked up the mountain before it became private property.  The mountain is currently owned by a monastery.

You can read more about this history in this (religious) blog post.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

I opened my blog this morning and - no Monday post.

Somehow, when I prewrote my Monday post on Sunday, I set it to post early on Sunday instead of early on Monday.

So, if you are looking for my Music Moves Me post, it is here.

And if you weren't looking for it, I hope you stop by anyway. 

While I am at it, why not do my annual posting of my experience with the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line?

(For those outside the United States, that talk-line helps anyone having a problem cooking their Thanksgiving turkey.  It's been running for over 60 years now. )

Today, I ran across this newspaper article about a former Butterball talk-line person being stuck in the country we incorrectly call Turkey for our Thanksgiving because she broke her hip while visiting, and now can't fly safely until sometime in December.

Maybe, for all I know, I talked to her on that now long-ago day.

No, you can't make this stuff up.

It's a Sign! #ShadowshotSunday

 It's a sign!

Taken on Veterans Day (November 11), 2024.

The sun will be a precious commodity until maybe March or April.

Joining Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventures for her #ShadowshotSunday.

So Thankful #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday of Thanksgiving week here in the United States.  So what does that mean?  It means time to go shopping it's time for music!

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky below). 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 may be labeled "No Music".)   

Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme.  On alternate weeks, we can blog on any music theme we want, and this is one of those weeks.  So, without further ado here are some songs mostly about Thanksgiving.

Bing Crosby and I've Got Plenty to be Thankful for.   This is a 1942 hit from the movie Holiday Inn, lyrics and music by Irving Berlin.

Johnny Cash and Thanksgiving Prayer, from 1994, first sung on a TV episode of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman in 1994.

This has little to do with Thanksgiving except its mention of apple pie, but it's a beautiful song.  Here's Dionne Warwick and her 1968 As Long as There's an Apple Tree.

I can't leave without this now classic song:  Adam Sandler and his 1992 The Turkey Song.

Finally, this is a good transition song from Thanksgiving.  Over the River and Through the Woods is a classic Thanksgiving song I learned in elementary school in, of all places, New York City.  Many change into a Christmas song.  Sounds nice either way, although my childhood Thanksgiving travel was more on the #15 bus and D train than on a sleigh.  This version is by the Good and the Beautiful Kids.

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and I hope you do, too (wherever you live).

And that's a delicious Thanksgiving wrap.

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.   If you live in the United States, my wish is for a happy and bountiful Thanksgiving.

Mid November Skies #SkywatchFriday

Some quick looks at the sky from this past November.  Most of these were taken near my home in the Southern Tier of New York.

Sunset November 7.  I almost missed it.

Pennsylvania sky, November 14.

Sky November 17.  The creek below should be a lot higher but we are in a drought.

Another view through the trees, November 17.

A sad milestone as today marks the anniversary of President Kennedy, Friday, November 22, 1963, 61 years ago.  In some ways, to me (I was in elementary school when it happened), it's almost like it was yesterday.  As for today, we are having our first snowstorm of the season.  Goodbye, fall. Hello snow shoveling. Maybe I'll go out later and take a picture.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.

Surprise Flowers of November #WordlessWednesday

 On Sunday I took a look at my back yard and found these.

 Cuphea, which somehow survived a freeze up against the house.

And, my early blooming white Lenten Rose has buds hidden under the leaves.

A joyful moment.  It won't last long - snow tomorrow.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.  

Note:  I may be late in responding but I appreciate your comments and readership and I will respond when I can.

Thinking of the Coming Winter #MusicMovesMe.

 It's Monday, and it's time for music.

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky below). 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 may be labeled "No Music".)   

Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme.  On alternate weeks, we can blog on any music theme we want. This week's theme is picked by Xmas Dolly and is:  a winter related theme to build our music around.  Think cold weather, sports, snow, snuggling with your friends, or anything that says winter to you.

As my regular readers know, I hate winter, which is why I live in a place where winter is long and cloudy.

Winterlude - Bob Dylan, from 1970, is more than a song about winter.

The Bangles and their cover of the Simon and Garfunkel song "Hazy Shade of Winter." As a Simon and Garfunkel fan, I have to admit I like this cover better.

What could be the opposite of winter?  Well, dreaming of something warmer.  Here are the Mamas and the Poppas with their 1965 hit California Dreaming.

Now for a brief intermission.

Not quite a musical selection, but I have to share this 1958 Barrel Jumping competition video.  Well, it does have music. 

This doesn't, but it supposedly is from 1897.  "Snowball Fight". 

Back to our theme, with the Doors and Wintertime Love, from 1968.

 Finally, a tribute to the Winter Olympics, here is Andrea Bocelli at the Turin 2006 closing ceremony singing Because We Believe.  

And that's a wrap!

Remember, I may not get to you right away, but I will.  Eventually.  Thank you for your patience.

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