Happy Birthday, Amy!

Some birthday!  Amy is in Florida, working on her birthday.  Somehow that just doesn't seem right.  When I run the country, everyone will get a day off for their birthday.

Alex thought it could be a great idea if we all flew to Florida to surprise her!  How fun would THAT be?  Alex has great ideas  Now!  If we just knew someone with money!!

ANYWAY... Happy birthday, Amy!  We miss you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear Amy!

Happy birthday to you!

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Friday Favorite - Sanctuary

A couple of weeks ago, Michael and I went to World Cafe Live to see Red Horse (Lucky Kaplansky, John Gorka and Eliza Gilkyson).   Lucy sang this song of Eliza's and I thought it was not only exceptionally beautiful, but also exceptionally honest (and revealing), so I thought I'd share it with you as a Friday Favorite.

Sanctuary by Eliza Gilkyson

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow thou art with me

though my heart's been torn on fields of battle thou art with me

though my trust is gone and my faith not near

in love's sanctuary thou art with me

Through desolation's fire and fear's dark thunder thou art with me

through the sea of desires that drag me under thou art with me

though I've been traded in like a souvenir

on love's sanctuary thou art with me

Through the doubter's gloom and the cynic's sneer thou art with me

in the crowded rooms of a mind unclear thou art with me

though I'll walk for a while down a trail of tears

in love's sanctuary thou art with me

Does this song speak to you, too?

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Free Ritas!!!

Every year on the first day of Spring, Rita's Water Ice offers a free regular water ice to their customers.  BUT... there is a downside...

Is it worth it?????  (Chelsea says "YES!" from Indiana - the land of No-Ritas)

P.S.  Today is also the debut of the first national commercial for Ritas.

Did you get your freebie today?

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Happy Birthday, Richard!

Today is Richard's birthday!  40????  Reallly???

I told Julie that he can't be 40!  How could I possibly have a son who's 40???

She said... "I know!  How could I possibly be married to a man who's 40?  I'm much too young!!!"

I totally agreed with her!

Yesterday those of us who could make it, went to Grotto's to celebrate and I (as usual) forgot my camera!  (Nice move, Slick!)

BUT... Julie got some great pictures (as usual).  I think in her next career she should be a "family photographer".  She does such a great job!!!

 Richard did get a picture of my father and Brynn that cracked me up.  She was fascinated by his goatee and kept running her finger back and forth through it.

Thanks, Julie!

 

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Friday Favorite - Kurt Vonnegut Quote

This is only part of the quote, but it's the best part (in my opinion - which is what this is all about, right?)

"Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.  * Kurt Vonnegut *

So... what are you contributing today???


Friday Favorites - This is where it all started.

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Cowboy Junkies

We are hooked on the Junkies!  Michael is more hooked than I am, though.  They are... as Randy Jackson says... "a little sleepy for me, Dawg". 

But... no matter what... you have to love Margo - her voice - her "Margo-essence" (new word).

It starts with the flowers and the table with the black cover.  If Margo's coming... there will be flowers. 

And then... Michael and Margo Timmons (not sure I could work with my brother for so many years) come on stage.  The rest of the band follows and after a huge greeting from the audience... quiet settles over the house like a fog and the concert begins.

Michael says Margo never changes.  My friend Joe and a friend of his met us at the Keswick.  He's another Margo fan (Personally, I think they're both obsessed - not that I'm envious in the least.  Nossir!).  "She's ageless", Michael says.  Joe just stares.

C'mon! Not be catty or anything, but the reason we don't have very many pictures is that the doggone stage is almost black - very little lighting.  I mean really.  In the dark, I'm ageless too!

 Okay... so she's gorgeous!  Doesn't matter if it's in the dark OR the light!  She just is. And sing?  Amazing!

With a wave and a bow... they said farewell until next time....

It was another great night at the Keswick and another great night with the Cowboy Junkies.

Oh!  I forgot to mention that the opening act was Joe Purdy (who performed WITH the lights on.)

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Friday Favorites * The Keswick Theatre

 

Tonight Michael and I went to the Keswick to see the Cowboy Junkies.  The Junkies, were, as usual... wonderful!

BUT

As good as the Junkies were... the Keswick itself,  is even better!

Michael and I attend a LOT of concerts in and around Philadelphia and we both agree that nothing compares to the Keswick!  Really!  (Would I kid you about something soooo important???)

I told Ellen (If you don't know Ellen from the Keswick, you're missing someone special) a couple years ago that we love the music that we hear there.  The sound is amazing!  But... it's the people that make the Keswick feel like home.

At 6:30, it feels like we're heading out for a concert... north on I-95... up the Blue Route to the PA Turnpike.. then out Rte 309 to Glenside (Do you get the message that this is not the most convenient venue we might attend??).  Michael drops me at the door and goes to park and I pass through the glass doors into the theater.

Immediately... I'm home.

The first person I see is Cliff from Security.  My buddy!  I usually try to check in and see how things are going at the school where he works during the day, but tonight, people were coming in the door and I only had time for a quick hug on my way in.  

Ray does whatever-it-is-that-he-does with our tickets and I can hardly wait to find out how his daughter is making out at college - how they've adjusted to her not being at home.  He is the proud Dad as he tells me how well she's doing and how happy he is that she's home for Spring Break.

And as is typical in life, when you think things can't get any better... they do.  Tonight I got to see Ellen!  We don't always get to see Ellen, but when we do, it's a special treat.  Ellen is the face of the Keswick for us - the person we talk to most often on the phone.  We love Ellen!

After catching up with Ellen, we head to the second aisle and greet the greeters and "let them" tell us where our seats are.  We thank than and head down the aisle to the next set of Ticket Checkers.  They move us forward to the next volunteer who looks at our tickets and shines her flashlight on the seats to the left.

Michael and I smile at each other and move into the row of seats to our right ('cause that's where are seats are).  "Pssst!  Over here."  we tell the volunteer.  As she quickly changes direction and shines her flashlight on our row, scanning the seat numbers, we just quietly move into our seats and sit down.  "You're right!' she says, astonished!

We could have told her... 2, 4, 6, etc. over there on the right.  1,3,5, etc.  right over here on the left.  101 - 108, right in the center.. .but we didn't .  We just smiled and let her think she was helping us.  (*wink wink*)  We love to help the helpers!

We're early and so John (also from Security) comes over to talk music for a bit.  This is his first Junkies concert so we tell him about Margo & Michael Timmins and how we LOVE Margo.   He tells us who he's excited to see on the coming calendar and he chastises us for not having tickets for Steve Wynnewood (yet). Shoot!  He's right!  How did we miss THAT one?!?!

I see Greg  (Security... right!)  and ask him if he's ready for the rowdies.  He laughs and points at Michael and me and implies that we fit that category!  PLEASE!  Us???   <evil laugh>

A quick shout-out to Randy on the stage and then... the warm timber of Roy's voice welcomes visitors and lets us know that it's time. 

We spend several hours lost in the wonderful music and then it's time for farewells and our trip home where we spend the next hour talking about the evening - the music - and our wonderful friends at the Keswick.

Thank you to our Keswick family!   We love you!

(and thanks to the Cowboy Junkies as well)

Check out the Keswick's website!

Friday Favorites - This is where it all started.

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Loss

Yesterday Amy's father passed away.  He died quickly - at home.  I think Amy said that her dad was 85.

It doesn't matter how old the ones are that have passed away.   We're never ready to lose the ones we love. 

Below is a poem that I found a long time ago.  Although the origins are a little uncertain, best evidence is that the poem was written by Mary Frye, a housewife from Baltimore, in 1932.  She wrote it for a friend who's mother had just died.

I love it and find it comforting.  I hope it comforts those who visit here also.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
 
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
 
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
 
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
 
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,  
I am the starshine of the night.
 
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
 
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
 
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

~ Mary Frye ~

Rest in peace, Paul

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Friday Favorites * Plunka-plunka-plunka-plunk

I'm a musician only in my mind.  My fingers don't do so well, but that doesn't stop me. Even lack of talent has not deterred me.  I keep trying (and trying.... and trying... you get the idea)

I have several guitars so I can't hardly blame the guitar for my troubles.  It's gotta be me.

In my head, I hear this beautiful (or slammin'.. or funky... or rockin'... depends on the day) music, but when I pick up the guitar all I hear is plunka plunka plunka plunk.

ANYWAY... I do have a couple of favorite guitars, but Michael gave me this one (as he has all of the others) and I love it!!!  I love the sound; the tone - I love the size.

It's a Taylor GS Mini with a laminate back and sides and a Sitka spruce top. It's not as small as a Baby Taylor or a Martin LX-1 or LX-M. I guess you would say it's about 7/8 size. Since I have stumpy short arms (and spine "issues"), it's a great size for me.

You know the bird I told you about last Friday? Well, this is the guitar that I keep in the room with the Bonnie Bluebird. It's a great room for playing the guitar. I think the music sounds better with the lights dim and the house quiet. (and no... it's not better with ear plugs)

I thought maybe I was too old to start playing the guitar BUT... I'm going to be the same age whether I play the guitar or not so... what the heck!  Maybe some day I'll be good enough to play it in front of someone.  (Pray it's not you!)

I think one of the things that makes this one of my favorites is that it represents life to me - that life is meant to be lived - that there is always something new to learn - that there is always hope.

What have you learned lately... or what would you like to learn?

Enjoy your weekend!

Friday Favorites - This is where it all started.

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What happens on March 1st???/

Rita's opens!

Hooray!!!!

I did a drive-by this afternoon and what to my wondering eyes should appear

but unshuttered windows at Rita's!

It must be Spring!

(Punxatawny Phil needs some glasses!)

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