Today marks three years my mother has been gone. Throughout the day I'll be posting songs that she liked and/or that remind me of her. We begin with Helen Reddy and "You and Me against the World".
My papa was lost at sea in December, 1968. Mom married my dad in June, 1971. So, there was a period when it was just the two of us. This song reminds me of that period and, despite hard times, all the fun we had.
Though this video is a few days old, it is well worth watching in its entirety.
#NoMAGA #StopMAGA
Be warned, friends, the campaign ads shown in this video are violent. That's what MAGA is all about, after all, violence...violence and lies. One ad depicts Democrats as Klansmen.
We need to recognize and continually point out that this is not normal political rhetoric, but rather an appeal to voters' bassest instincts, to their lowest nature. By doing so, of course, they demean the very voter's they're trying to win over by saying to them, "You can only understand an action movie or a video game. You can't be expected to understand policy. Vote for me, Heep Big Action Hero, and I'll take care of the mean old bad guys for you.
Any way you slice it, they're despicable. Vote Blue
As you may or may not know, one of my avocation is writing quizzes for FunTrivia. Here's my latest, in the match format. If you're a Donny Osmond fan, give it a whirl.
Here are a couple options for quenching your thirst this warm July Saturday:
Classic Strawberry Daiquiri [Click]
Nonalcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri [Click]
Banana Daiquiri (with or without alcohol) [Click]
And for your listening pleasure:
June Christy: "Something Cool" - YouTube [Click]
It's time to take a break. Sit back, sip some lemonade and let Engelbert calm your mind with his Summer Song.
As usual, the American man in the street shows a lot more commonsense than the media. A new report from a consortium of major universities finds, unsurprisingly to anyone who has a brain and uses it on a regular basis, that the June 27 debate caused exactly zero panicked rush to dump Pres. Biden amongst ordinary folks.
Democrats who are calling for Biden’s removal are playing into a crisis that the media created. There is no statistical support for the idea that voters have left Biden or that there is an urgent need for Democrats to replace their nominee. The Biden debate crisis appears to be a media construct that panicked Democratic elites have played into. President Biden is doing a better job than Donald Trump of holding on to his supporters.
It seems Don Jr. has just as many bats in the belfry as Dear Old Dad. He’s concerned about Marco Rubio as Trump’s running mate. According to Don Jr., once the ticket is elected nefarious forces (he might have named them, I don’t remember) will force Trump into the background and shine the spotlight on Rubio. Uhuh. Well, I guess it’s nice to see filial concern. :P
Actually, I had forgotten about the news item until this morning, when it surfaced. Up to now, I hadn’t given any thought to Trump’s VP pick, but remembering the article got me thinking. You know who the perfect choice would be? Marjorie Taylor Green. Follow me here. My reasoning is that, once the MAGA ticket is thoroughly trounced, her political career will be over. Remember Sarah Palen? After her half a term as governor, she sank without a trace; and, that was a run of the mill presidential campaign. With Trump and Co. plowed under, presumably everybody concerned will be, shall we say, toast.
And, can you imagine the VP debate? Harris would chop Green into mincemeat and Green wouldn’t even know what hit her. Thinking about that gives me a great deal of pleasure. I’d love to see Green put in her place. Even more, I’d love to see her have to go crawling back to Georgia 14 in disgrace – ignorant, bullying piece of filth that she is.
I’ve spent (wasted?) the afternoon tinkering with the blog layout. In its infinite wisdom Blogger has changed the creator interface since The Arty Blog was created in the Dark Ages. So, I have a lot less control over exactly how the thing looks than I’d prefer – which is aggravating. But then, most everything seems to be aggravating nowadays.
I mean, it is the world, right? It’s not that I’m getting old and cranky! 8)
In a televised interview last night, Pres. Biden rejected claims of mental incompetence and calls for him to leave the presidential race that have grown and spread like kudzu since his poor showing in the June Twenty-seventh CNN debate with former president Trump. In a spirited exchange with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, the president discussed recent campaign events and gave a glimpse into his daily workload. Needless to say, Mr. Biden was sharp and in control of facts. He also aserted (rightly in this blogger's view) that he is the candidate who can and shall beat Trump in November.
I have been disgusted and infuriated by the rush, even by some I had long admired, to create an issue where none existed- there have been bad debate performannces before! - and foment panic. Perhaps the President's forceful presentation last night will put such dangerous nonsense to rest once and for all, so we can get on with the business of keeping Trump from being re-elected.
Here's NBC Nwews' summary of today's US jobs report:
After some eight years, I'm back. A lot has happened since I was last here:
We’ve lived through the disaster of the Trump presidency, the Covid 19 pandemic and the 2020 election. A week after Biden was officially declared the winner, my mother had a stroke. She lingered until the evening of July 17, 2021. Since she’s been gone Dad, Sis and I have been desolate. One goes on, of course, but everything seems pretty blank. In the immortal words of Paul Simon:
I have my books and my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
In other words, I read a great deal not, I suppose, that that’s really anything new. Also I’ve been spending a lot of time watching videos concerning Trump, his legal travails and mental health issues cum cognitive decline. That at least has the advantage of keeping my mind off my own troubles.
My first link of the new era for _The Arty Blog_ concerns humans helping their fello creatures:
Over 100 Dolphins Saved from Historic Mass Stranding in Cape Cod
Since we missed A Charlie Brown Christmas when it was broadcast this year, Sis and I watched it last evening, rather late, on DVD while drinking cocoa. Now, that's more like it!
Today we went to have our hair done. The shop had a small Christmas tree and just enough decorations to be festive but not enough to be garish. That, too, helped put me in the holiday spirit.
No snow today, as had been forecast earlier in the week, but there was rain and what might have been sleet. Not too jolly, but definitely wintery. The current forecast doesn't call for snow flurries till Thursday. But, there's still plenty of time for serious snow, a la "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..
The dentist explained that the upper jaw is more porous, allowing the medicine to penetrate more easily to the tooth. The numbness also wears off faster. By contrast, the lower jaw is denser, so it takes longer for the numbing agent to take effect, as well as longer to wear off.
I think of the numbing agent as Novocain, but I could have sworn the dentist said tequila.
Two Thoughts
Tequila might have worked faster as well as being a lot more fun than a needle!
No doubt when Sampson slew one thousand men with the jawbone of an ass, he used the lower jaw.
Profound thoughts from the dentist chair. :P
On breaking out the Christmas records this weekend, the first one I played was In the Swing of Christmas by Barry Manilow. Not only a lovely Christmas album, it's a fine Jazz album as well.
Even with seasonal music, I'm not really in the mood yet. Here's hoping I get a little ho, ho ho into my style in the coming days!
Today we begin the period of preparation for the coming of Baby Jesus, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, who became Man, entering into His creation to redeem us.
We should use this time not only to look forward in joy, but also to look into our own hearts and prepare them to be a place fitting to receive Our Lord.
It's hard in today's world, filled with violence, hatred and distrust. Here in the U.S. protests continue, some peaceful but some otherwise, over the grand jury's decision not to indict a Ferguson, Missouri policeman (who is white) for the fatal shooting of an unarmed teenager (who was black).
Though I am disturbed at the decision, it baffles me how setting fires and looting and other violent, lawless acts can possibly help the situation. I'm not even sure what good peaceful protests can do. The grand jury isn't going to reverse its decision. The people of Ferguson, the county and the state need to engage in some hard thinking and equally hard work if they want to correct the conditions that led to this latest outrage, not to behave like mindless hooligans. But smashing things is always easier than designing and building them.
In this season, perhaps more than any other, we need to concentrate on thinking, on designing and building the kind of environment around us and within us where Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love, the four daughters of Truth in Medieval thought, can thrive.
Today is Thanksgiving here in the United States. Shorn of parades and football games, it is a day of reflection and, well, giving thanks for one's blessings. These things aren't so popular in today's world - perhaps they never really were, I can't tell. But in the mad press of commercialism and politics and celebrity news and all the rest of the rush-rush, gotta fill the twenty-four hour news cycle, exploit-umentary, mostly empty blather of modern life it is nice to be reminded to pause and think.
As you know, Dear Reader, for some time I've belonged to Fun Trivia. Indeed, I received my Old Timer badge for five years of membership in March, though I haven't been active all that time. Took a sabbatical of several months along the way. I'm active now, playing quizzes and games, taking on challenges to earn badges, participating in discussion threads and, rather absorbingly, playing in The Global Challenge,Quizziland's periodic tournament.
I also write quizzes, with twenty-four under my belt. Currently working on Silver, a general quiz with questions from across Fun Trivia to celebrate No. 25. It's not easy. The great majority of my quizzes are on Pop music, with a couple on Literature. One needs to stretch one's wings now and then, I suppose. And naturally, there is a book question and a song question in Silver; those were the first questions I thought of. Still, I'll be glad to get back to my comfort zone. Several Music and Literature quizzes are awaiting my attention. Always so much to do!
Recently I read and enjoyed Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir by Linda Ronstadt. Her descriptions, especially of the Arizona desert where she grew up, are vivid, her portrait of the California Folk and Rock scene in the late '60s and early '70s, equally clear and engaging. This is not one of those dreadful tell-all books. Her friends and romantic interests make brief appearances if at all, though she does tell a funny anecdote involving Jerry Brown and a dinner invitation to Rosemary Cluney's house. Instead, Linda concentrates on her music and the career path it led her on, though not without one or two insights into her inner self, such as her interest in Berlin between the Wars. Warm, gentle, serious yet with a lighthearted touch, Simple Dreams is an easy yet absorbing read.
Today is the feastday of St. Hugh of Lincoln, a Carthusian monk, the first of his order to be canonized (1220).
A man of sanctity, uprightness and great energy, Hugh accomplished much in his life being an abbot, a bishop, a diocisan and educational reformer, a defender of human rights and a diplomat. At the time of the Protestant Reformation, he was the second most venerated english saint, behind only Thomas à Becket.
St. Hugh of Lincoln is the patron saint of sick people and especially sick children, shoemakers and, curiously, of swans.
Here is a beautiful song written by the multitalented Kay Thompson and sung by the angelic voice of Andy Williams.
Have a peaceful Sunday.
I have lived long enough. My way of life
Is fall'n into the sere, the yellow leaf,
And that which should accompany old age,
As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have, but, in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath
Which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not.
Lately, I've been reading and rereading thrillers by Dick Francis, the British champion jockey turned master mystery writer, whose books first came into my hands when I was a teenager in the '70s. I've read a fair number of his 40 plus books, and plan to read them all eventually.
Whether it's one I've read before or a new adventure, every book is interesting, exciting and beautifully written. His descriptions of the English countryside are vivid; his insight into human nature sometimes startling in its acuteness.
Always set against a racing background, each book is nonetheless unique, exploring some different aspect of life. For example, Banker's protagonist works in an investment bank and the mystery involves his job. Similarly in Risk, understanding the protagonist's work as an accountant helps in understanding the mystery. In Proof, the wine merchant protagonist has to solve a murder in the world of wine and spirits.
Of course, jockeys and former jockeys appear as Francis heroes as well, my favorite being Kit Fielding, who stars in Break In and Bolt.
Felix Francis, Dick's son who helped with research especially in latter years, has taken up his father's mantle and is now a successful writer in his own right. I've already read a couple of Felix's books and look forward to reading more.
I love my Crosley CR72 Mission Stack-O-Matic Entertainment Center, though mine is in cherry. It's easy to use and has great sound quality. Most of all, I love the stack-o-matic feature, what is sometimes called a record changer. There's nothing better than putting on a stack of LPs and kicking back to enjoy them. And yet...
And yet, you want to share the music you are enjoying. CDs can be imported into iTunes and from there made into videos and uploaded to YouTube (always assuming YouTube doesn't block them). But so many LPs haven't been reissued on CD. It particularly seems that a lot of Engelbert's LPs haven't been reissued. And an LP is analog, by its nature cut off from the digital world...until now.At Hammachar Schlemmer I found a record player you plug into the computer and, with the included software, convert your vinyl to digital. It's wonderful!
So, I've made a start and have already put up my first vinyl-to-digital transfer on YouTube:
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
In this year, the centennial of the start of "the War to End All Wars," we should reflect with special solemnity on the sacrifices made by both the service members and the civilians caught up in war. And, as we look around the world at the conflicts, the wars destroying countries and lives today, we should pray for God's forgiveness and ask Him to heal our hearts so Mankind can finally reject violence and instead live in peace and love.
I've been jumping around in The Chronicles of Narnia, now on The Horse and His Boy.
Because I slept all morning, I didn't hear till late about the shooting at LAX. Not sure I really want to know the details, but will check the BBC in a minute. Can't help being bewildered whenever another of these atrocities takes place. How? Why? Also, when are Americans going to realize the necessity of strict gun control laws?
As to the title, here it is the Feast of All Saints. I read somewhere that in Medieval England the Christmas season more or less started November First, with the king moving to his winter residence and preparations starting. Even with such a precedent, though, I'm not willing to get into the swing of Christmas till December First. Let November be November, such as it is.
OK, someone explain to me how, with all the security measures in place at American airports, someone was able to walk into a terminal at LAX with an assault rifle in his bag? Needless to say, I would also like to know what the devil anyone needs with an assault rifle?
It is interesting to note that this was not a random act of violence. The shooter targeted members of the Transportation Safety Administration. For a wonder, he was wounded but not killed by police. When he begins to talk, I won't be surprised to find he has a grievence against the TSA. Not that such is an excuse! But it is a change from indiscriminate slaughter of random people. Again though, it's hard to shoot people if you don't have access to fire arms!
I did indeed start The Silver Chair last night and shall finish it tonight. I do love Narnia!
BTW you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a plain, navy blue wool cardigan at L.L. Bean! They have lots of cardigans in lots of lovely colors, but navy seems to be an endangered species. I only saw two for which navy was a choice; though in all honesty, once I'd grumpily picked out a sweater I didn't look at the remaining few. But what I don't get is why this basic color was so hard to find. I mean, how does navy blue go out of style?
I'm not totally thrilled with the cardigan I ended up with, but it should keep me warm at least. Here's the link if you want to take a gander:
1912 Heritage Bird's-Eye Zip-CardiganI've been sleeping a lot the past couple days, which does not make for interesting blogging. However, I have been re-reading, or re-listening to, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis. Tonight I'll start The Silver Chair, also from The Chronicles of Narnia.
Update:Almost forgot! One Night Songs went online last night and has brought me a few nice notes of appreciation.
I've just realized that before this resumption of blogging, my last post was January Seventh! Yikes!Not that you, dear Reader, have missed anything in the intervening ten months. My life is, shall we say, quiet. Still, I had no idea it had been so long. Tempus fugit, as they say.
The hours fly on golden sandals
From the song "Ligia" which is in the movie Quo Vadis
Another lovely afternoon here, sunny and pleasantly cool. We've been having a beautiful October. I suppose November will also be true to form, cold, misty or rainy and dreary. But I certainly can't complain about October.
I finally made it to two hundred thousand points at Fun Trivia and advanced to the next level. Phew! Still no word on my quiz under submission, "One Night Songs." *sigh*
The week is starting auspiciously. Dad got my iTunes restored, hurray! Because the backup from which he did the "restore" is a couple years old, I have a number of CDs to re-import; but, it is a *whole* lot better than starting all over again. That he succeeded in the end is a testament to his determination and, I think, his engineering training that led him to find the problem intriguing. However that may be, I'm very grateful!
Still kind of down, but fighting it. Besides the iTunes restoration, another good thing is that I finally broke through the two hundred thousand point barrier at Fun Trivia. Of course, that's still peanuts, but it's progress. Stilll haven't heard back on my submitted quiz. But, I did need to make a couple minor corrections and resubmit, which sent it back to the end of the queue; so, it'll be a while yet. I'm eager to get this one online, since it will allow me to move on to the next stage of Adventures in Authoring. Don't want to start The Great Quiz Race or any other quest type challenge till I've completed Adventures in Authoring, and I have no idea how much further there is to go in that.
Meantime, I continue to work on more quizzes. Haven't done any actual writing, either songs, poetry or fiction, in some time. But I figure getting the blog re-started is a good first step.
It’s a new year, which traditionally calls for new beginnings.
Tonight I’ll start a new story. Today I’ll start getting serious about exercise and, after my birthday and the lemon Meringue pie Patty usually brings, a bit of weight loss as well. This year I am going to beat the pernicious habit of using bad language. And I’m also going to get back into the good habit of praying, saying the Rosary every day if nothing else. And I’m going to finish * something * - preferably “World Enough and Time.” Didn’t finish anything at all last year.
Not very ambitious goals perhaps. But then I’ve learned to set the bar low. Here’s hoping I have the perseverance to achieve them, modest as they are!
On a more lighthearted note, I’ve discovered a new series, the Royal Spiness books by Rhys Bowen. They are delightful Mystery/Romance stories set in 1930s London. Always love finding new books! They are definitely Chick Lit, but if you enjoy that sort of thing, I recommend them highly.
