what makes people happy?

This was filmed back in the fall with Thanksgiving in mind, but it's something that is good to think about any day.  I love that so many of the people seem to think HAPPY = THANKFUL!


There's so many things to be happy and thankful about from the biggies like family, love and health to the little ones like hot coffee, spring flowers and hearing your favorite song on the radio.

A merry heart does good like a medicine.  

Proverbs 17:22a

What makes YOU happy?

tunes i like tuesday: poetry man

Many times I sit down Monday evening and write my Tunes I Like Tuesday posts but last night was busy, I was worn out and, frankly, I wasn't sure what I wanted to share.  I still wasn't sure what to write about when I read this afternoon that Phoebe Snow had passed away today at the age of 60.


Anyone who was around in the mid-70s will remember her most popular song, "Poetry Man" from her 1974 eponymous release. Phoebe Snow's sound was everything I liked then and still like... bluesy, jazzy, soulful. I loved "Poetry Man" as a girl and it still remains a favorite.


Phoebe dropped out of the music scene to care for her severely brain-damaged daughter, Valerie, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 31.  By all accounts, Snow never regretted her decision to care for her daughter instead of pursuing her music career. Phoebe's manager, Sue Cameron, is quoted as saying,

"Phoebe was one of the brightest, funniest and most talented singer-songwriters of all time and, more importantly, a magnificent mother to her late brain-damaged daughter, Valerie, for 31 years. Phoebe felt that was her greatest accomplishment."

Honestly, that just makes me like her even more.


Take a moment to have a listen to "Poetry Man" and enjoy the musical gift that Phoebe Snow has left us with.

driving me to empty nesterdom

Summer 1997

Summer 2010

How is it possible my babies are halfway through Drivers Ed and will be behind the wheel in just a month?  

Countrymouse and I move through these last years of parenting as we know it half holding our breath.  How can something be so exciting and so dreadful at the same time?  We already have these little sneak previews when all the boys are away somewhere or another for a weekend.  We love these moments... working around the house together, shopping, dining out, listening to music, unabashed "adult time".  Do we enjoy these times so much because they are a treat or because they are a glimpse into what our lives will be like just a few years down the road?  I miss my two oldest sons terribly and don't see them nearly as often as I'd like. What will it really be like when they've all flown the coop?  

tunes i like tuesday: falling slowly

I enjoy a good movie but it seems that I never take the time to actually watch them. I even opened a Netflix account thinking that would help me out.  The reality is that I select movies, they arrive and then they sit around for a few weeks until I make myself sit down and watch them.  This past weekend I finally got around to watching a movie that's been on my list (and on my counter) to see for quite some time.  Once, released back in 2007 (though it's only been on my counter since mid-March), is a Romeo and Juliet style romance about two star-crossed musicians. 


I love, love, love the soundtrack and bought it when it first came out.  I was thrilled when "Falling Slowly" was nominated and won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song and the soundtrack went on to be nominated for a Grammy.  Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, who tour together as The Swell Season, truly make beautiful music together.  


I have a soft spot for Indie films and with such a brilliant soundtrack, I knew I'd love the movie. Yeah... well, not so much.  After seeing the film I read some reviews about it.  I felt badly for not liking it to begin with but after reading that this the film made all sorts of "Top Movie" lists, I really felt badly.  Steven Spielberg was even quoted as saying "A little movie called Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year".


Oh well. In full disclosure, I didn't dislike the movie, I just didn't like it. I watch movies to be entertained, inspired or just downright escape.  This movie didn't do any of those things for me.  The soundtrack, however, does all those things and is well worth a listen.  I'm sharing "Falling Slowly" with you here today but I would have been happy sharing any of the songs from this album. 


What do you think?  Have you seen the movie?  Thumbs up or down?  What about the music?  Are there any other soundtracks that are on your Must Listen To list?

silliness

Dear Noah,
We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving till 5.
Sincerely,
Unicorns


Dear Twilight fans,
Please realize that because vampires are dead and have no blood pumping
through them, they can never get an erection.
Enjoy fantasizing about that.
Sincerely,
Logic


Dear Yahoo,
I've never heard anyone say, "I don't know, let's Yahoo it” I’m just saying......
Sincerely,
Google


Dear Windshield Wipers,
Can't touch this.
Sincerely,
That Little Triangle


Dear Saturn,
I liked it, so I put a ring on it.
Sincerely,
God


Dear Osama Bin Laden,
Marco....
Sincerely, 
United States


Dear World of Warcraft,
Thank you for ensuring my son's virginity.
Sincerely, 
Parents Everywhere


Dear Batman,
What was your power again?
Sincerely, 
Superman


Dear Customers,
Yes, we ARE making fun of you in Vietnamese.
Sincerely, 
Nail Salon Ladies


Dear Ugly People,
You're welcome.
Sincerely, 
Alcohol


Dear Mr. Gump
WTF are you talking about? There's a little diagram on the lid that tells
you EXACTLY what you're gonna get....
Sincerely, 
Jenny


Dear World,
Please stop freaking out about 2012. Our calendars ends there because some
Spanish d-bags invaded our country and we got a little busy ok?
Sincerely,
The Mayans


Dear iPhone,
Please stop spell checking all of my rude words into nice words. 
You piece of shut.
Sincerely,
Every iPhone User


Dear Giant Spider on the Wall,
Please die. Please die. Please die. Please die. CRAP! Where did you go?
Sincerely,
Terrified


Dear Trash,
At least you get picked up...
Sincerely,
The Girls of Jersey Shore


Dear Man,
It's cute, but can you pick up peanuts with it?
Sincerely,
Elephant


Dear Dr. Phil,
Look man, there's only room for one fake doctor in this world 
and I was here first.
Sincerely,
Dr. Pepper


source

life

image

tunes i like tuesday: hit 'em up style

I am posting my Tuesday Tunes a day early this week because I am happily sharing the spotlight over at XmasDolly's Monday's Music Moves Me.  Have a listen here and then head over there to check out the other tunes people are talking about this week.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops have been recording for about 5 years now, but I only heard about them last December when my brother and his wife brought their album, Genuine Negro Jig to my house during a visit. I wished I had heard them sooner!  These guys make me want to get up and move.  Their sound is a combination of traditional black string-band music from the Carolinas, folk and bluegrass.  Even though their sound is definitely old-time, they bring a breath of fresh air to the music community.


They do a delightful cover of Blu Cantrell's 2001 R&B hit, "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops)".  As I've mentioned before, I love hearing different interpretations of the same song. Click on the link above if you haven't heard the original or need a reminder. What's your take?  I actually like both versions.  I think my mood would dictate which one I played but on any given day, I think I'd pick the Chocolate Drops' version. 

remember to dance with the daffodils