Finding the Joy

This month I am making December a little more joyful with NaBloPoMo!

Today's question is: 

What do you do when you're down to bring yourself a little joy?

         When I am down, I tend to find myself some comfort food, crank my tunes on Spotify to full blast, and lose myself in my artwork.   I find my Zen in art, music, and food.  

       I have always been soothed by music.  After my mom died I would play the piano for hours, playing every single piece of music I possessed.   My soul is soothed by music, my heart filled with unbridled joy, which ultimately results in the unleashing of boundless creativity.

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Drum Haiku

Harmonious beats

Pounding driving pulsating

Throbbing percussion

Inspired by the prompt at

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A War of Change

 

           During the 2012 season, Brian Kelly led his Fighting Irish of Notre Dame football team all the way to the championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.  That amazing season was marked by a YouTube “Fire Up” video with pictures of their journey accompanied by a song that I will associate with fall and Notre Dame Football forever after.

       While contemplating the music that most reminds me of fall, “War of Change” performed by Thousand Foot Krutch instantly came to mind.  After all with the trees adorning the majestic colors of fall, preparing for their ultimate descent, and the oncoming winter, the song’s lyrics and driving forceful beat are the epitome of the season change that transforms the world outside from summer greens to the rich red, orange, and gold of fall, to the bared branches of winter, to the ultimate rebirth of spring.   The song captures the sizzle and vibrancy of fall and brings the season to life for me.  After all, life is all about change.  Nothing ever stays the same.

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The Rhythm of the Marketplace

     The marketplace was bustling today.  I had a monstrous list of things I wanted.  My little boy looks forward to market days with so much to see and do!  Still after traipsing through the stalls and waiting in endless lines, he becomes restless.  

     While waiting at the bakers he became fascinated with the metal wastebasket reserved for the wrappings that accompany the samples.  He stood drumming happily on the lid a musical rhythm to the amusement of those surrounding us.   With him occupied, I busied myself filling my basket and purchasing an assortment of fresh-baked breads for the upcoming week.

This is a fictional tale in response to the picture prompt for the  Write Tribe 100 Words on Saturday writing prompt.  A special thank you to Vidya Sury for providing the picture for today's prompt.

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The Music in Me

I am taking part in The Write Tribe Festival of Words 8th – 14th December 2013. 

     Ever since I could remember music has been the driving force of my life.  It has always been playing in the background.  It is as if my soul needs it to thrive.  I love all types of music.  I love the music that touches my heart and mimics my very thoughts and emotions.  I  crave  music that excites me, gets my blood pumping faster, and my body and head pulsating to the beat.  Somehow I doubt my love for that driving beat will ever change.

        When I was little I remember loving my records and record player.  I could spend hours listening to music.  One song played right after another.  I would dance.  I would sing along.  If I wasn’t playing music, my mother was and lots of it.  Growing up my mom and I went to lots of concerts becoming great friends of many who made their life in the music industry.  I even fancied at one point wanting more than anything to be part of that industry heading straight to Nashville, Tennessee to study music business at Belmont University following high school.  I didn’t plan on becoming homesick or disillusioned, but I was and came home.

 

         When I was about 10 I made up my mind that I wanted to play the piano that stood in the living room.  My mom bought me music books and I began teaching myself.  I learned to read music in class at school and applied that knowledge to my efforts at home.  I would sit at the piano for hours playing every single song in every songbook one right after another.  By the time I was in my 20’s I had mastered the classics and preferred playing them because they provided a challenge.

 

         All through school I sang in the choir and loved it.  When I left school I sang in the choir at church.  Around that time I decided I wanted to take my music to the next level and decided to take piano lessons.  I remember that first lesson.  I took one of my favorite songbooks containing pieces composed by Bach and to my tutor’s amazement played almost perfectly the “Canon in D”.  She taught me which fingers to use where and my playing was perfected.  With her at my side I explored all the classical composers.

      While growing up one of my main musical influences were the tight harmonies of the Oak Ridge Boys.  From the age of about 11 years old on, my family spent almost every weekend and school holiday on the road with the Oak Ridge Boys.  They became dear friends and like family.  They were a significant part of my childhood and through them I met many other illustrious performers across genres in the music industry, attended music award shows, and had some amazing experiences making memories that I cherish to this day.

         These days music is still the backbone of my existence whether I am writing, commenting, creating artwork, or doing housework music is playing full blast in the background.  I type faster to a beat.  My thoughts flow and my creativity soars.  With music, I am inspired and I always want MORE!

Tuesday Tunes: This is Halloween!

      I couldn’t possibly let Tuesday Tunes pass me by this week.  With Halloween around the corner, everyone needs a little Marilyn Manson in their lives!!  So in the spirit of the coming holiday filled with candy, witches, goblins, and ghouls I hope you will enjoy this little tribute!

Tuesday Tunes: Roar!!

         It’s time for Tuesday Tunes and today I am spotlighting Katy Perry’s smash hit “Roar”.  Written by the singer, the gist of the song is about standing up for you when faced with conflicts in life.  It is something each one of us need to do at one time or another.  It is important to have a backbone and not allow others to walk all over you.  There is a certain determination felt throughout the song.  The accompanying video promoting the song is creative genius and revolves around a Tarzan motif. 

         When I first heard “Roar” and seen the video I have to admit that I wasn’t immediately blown away by it like I had been by some of her past hits.  The song “Roar” had to grow on me.  It rose above the noise of the competition and finally stood out on its own merit.  It demanded my attention and because of that I am spotlighting it today.  Compared with the competition of other songs in the mainstream now, it is one of the best.  Enjoy!

Tuesday Tunes- The Fox

      It is time for another round of Tuesday Tunes.  This week I am spotlighting a song that is taking the world by storm and is the biggest thing at my daughter’s junior high lately.  The song is performed by a Norwegian comedy duo from Bergen, Norway known as Ylvis.   When their video “The Fox” went viral on You Tube in September it quickly caught on gaining them worldwide attention.  My daughter came home from school and told me all about it, and then I brought up You Tube and checked out the video for myself.

       To be honest, the video and the song amuses the hell out of me.  It gives me the giggles.  It is so random.  Something about it makes me feel giddy and like acting like a complete idiot.  I wasted little time downloading it on my phone and often will randomly ask my daughter “What does the fox say?” before erupting in a fit of giggles.  My son thinks it is annoying and hates it which just makes us love it more.    We dance to it, sing along to it, and laugh our happy asses off to it.  It is great fun to sing at my daughter’s bus stop early in the morning.  Mind you, it is so dark when my daughter ventures out at the butt crack of dawn that I go with her to make sure she is safe and because she doesn’t want to be alone in the dark.   Quite honestly, I don’t want her alone in the dark.   Once the other kids start arriving on the scene, I sneak off for home in the cover of darkness because that is the kind of mom I am.  Before that, we have a merry time being silly.  It helps keep us warm in the increasingly colder morning temperatures we have been experiencing lately.  After all, what does the fox say?

           This morning I am not surprised to discover “The Fox” is rapidly climbing Billboard’s chart of hot 100 top songs.  After only 4 weeks on the charts the song is at number 8 and on the rise.  The song is red hot and I love it.  It is different.  The beat is catchy.  Once you hear it, it will be stuck in your head, as it is stuck in mine.  It may just drive you batty, but at least you will have a smile on your face.  Happy Tuesday Tunes!!

Tunes Tuesday- Every Time We Say Goodbye

 

   It is Tunes Tuesday and the first day of October!  My kids are off to school, and after a nice three day weekend my husband is back to work and I am here with my menagerie of dogs once again.

     The song that resonates with me most today is the classic “Every Time I Say Goodbye” performed by Ella Fitzgerald.  Every time I say goodbye to that man of mine I die just a little, but every time we say hello I am once again restored.  I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss my husband when he is on the road.  Once he
is gone the kids and I fall into a day to day routine until he returns.  It has always been hardest the day he leaves for me.  I love it when he is home, and I always want him to stay.  I want the good times to last. Unfortunately time goes so fast when he is home.   We are always so busy.  Before we know it, it is time to say goodbye once again and I die just a little.  I often wonder if he feels the same.  Unfortunately, this is his job and the life we chose so we make the best of it because the bills keep a coming demanding payment.

    
    From the moment we part I focus on all I need to do.  I keep busy.  I hope someday the time will come when we say more hellos than goodbyes.  Until then, I will take it one day at a time and burn up the air waves from my cell phone to his. 

Tuesday Tunes: Hail to the King or Are You Sick of It?

        It is time for Tuesday Tunes and today I am in the mood for some hard rock and heavy metal.  I know, I don’t appear the type but I will admit I love all kinds of music and do try to spotlight the best of the best and my personal favorites.  So sit back, relax, and crank your speakers because you are in for a treat.

        When I met my husband he loved Metallica.  While I love a couple of their songs I don’t prefer a steady diet of the stuff.  Last night while checking the Billboard charts for music to spotlight I happened onto a song performed by Avenged Sevenfold that blew my socks off.  An American rock band that originates from Huntington Beach, California, Avenged Sevenfold has a sound reminiscent of Metallica, at least in this song.  “Hail to the King” starts off with amazing guitar riffs that literally get your blood pumping and fire you up from the get go long before the drums start pounding the driving beat that is prevalent throughout the song. It is one bad assed song and I love it.  I love the intricate guitar solos and the driving force of the drums.  It is my kind of rock song. I am caught up with the music until the last guitar riff fades.

 

      Even though Memphis, Tennessee based band, Skillet, has been around since 1996, I have obviously been under a rock as usual.  I happened across their latest single “Sick of It” quite by accident and LOVED it.  I simply cannot get enough of it and immediately downloaded it to my phone.  My phone is full of music that I must listen to and this song has joined the ranks of a quick favorite.  I love the driving force and energy of the song, the vocals which begin whispery and explode with power at the bridge.  Now that this American Christian rock band is on my radar, I will be exploring more of their music with little doubt that I will love it. They have a great sound.  Starting in October they are touring with Nickelback, another one of my favorites and I can just imagine what an amazing concert that will be.   I hope you have enjoyed Tuesday Tunes this week as much as I have.  Until next time, crank the tunes, and rock on!

Tuesday Tunes: Your Love Amazes Me

    16 years ago on September 12 I married the love of my life and best friend.  With the anniversary so close it seemed only appropriate to highlight our song this Tuesday Tunes.

      We have been through a lot over the years.  A full, happy life mixed with an even mix of celebration and struggles.  We have overcome the trauma of losing family members to deaths grip and celebrated the births of both of our kids.  16 years later, we are still together and I still love that man just as much today as I did the day I said “I do”.  

     "Your Love Amazes Me" performed by John Berry was extremely popular when we got married and after that when we attended other weddings, when this song played, we danced and the rest of the world melted away and only the two of us remained.  Pure magic!

7 Things I Can't Live Without

I am taking part in “The Write Tribe Festival of Words 1st to 7th September 2013". 

1.      I would be lost in this life without my husband and children.  They are the reason I get up in the morning and persevere.   I love them with every fiber of my being.

2.      When my husband is on the road I count on my four dogs for warmth and companionship, and they don’t disappoint.  I always sleep on my side.  My rat terrier, Puppy Love, always snuggles up against my back.  My Boston terrier, Jolly, is my teddy bear and the two small dogs (the Chihuahua Zoe, and the Min Pin Tia) snuggle around my feet.  We all dive deep under the covers and stay warm.  I would miss my dogs.  They are a part of my family with their unique personalities.  There isn’t a one of them I could live without.

3.      I don’t think I would be me if I didn’t have a book nearby to read.  I have loved books since I was very small. 

4.     My computer is my link to the outside world and I would be a fish out of water without it for long.  With it I explore my creativity with my writing, photography, and the bit of web design I have dabbled in.  I play computer games and listen to music.  Last but not least I connect with friends from all over the world, some which have become a very important, vital part of my existence. 

5.     A very important link to my husband is my cell phone.  I am not sure how I ever lived without a cell phone in the past.  These days my cell phone is my primary phone.  Why pay for a house phone and a cell phone?  So I don’t.  My cell phone goes everywhere I go.  I love my stopwatch/timer app that keeps track of how many minutes I am pedaling on my exercise bike and when to turn the meat on the grill.  I check the weather, my bank account, and who died from my phone.  It is another link to the outside world that I use constantly.

6.     I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have my tunes.  They are safely stored on my cell phone and whenever I hear a song I instantly love I download it to my phone.  I write better to music.  I work better when listening to music.  Music is the heartbeat of my existence and an integral part of my soul.  It makes me happy when I am sad and makes life one big party.

7.     I can’t live without food.  I admit it, I love to cook and I absolutely suck at dieting.   I love to create in the kitchen and I am good at it.  I love to try new recipes and tackle new culinary challenges.  We all have to eat right?  While I hate the drudgery of the cleanup, I love the creation of great food, the satisfied expressions on my family’s faces, and the accomplishment I feel when my French baguettes come out of the oven perfect.  I love trying new things and the thrill when I get it right.