There is never a dull moment at our house! The other day my wife and I are in our room. We hear Ella from the bathroom “We’re playing dentist. The pink kitty has a cavity and having a tooth pulled”. Sam looks at me and says, “You better check on that, I’m not sure what they are doing is dentistry!”
I walk in and the patient is in the “chair.” The flashlight is there to provide light. Andrew’s wearing medical gloves. Ella has a timer she is using as a thermometer. And the drill is on the ground, ready to prepare for cavities.
Looks like dentistry to me …..
We went back to Meijer to swap out bikes for Ella. The one we had came with two left pedals. Rather than just let me grab a right pedal from a box, I had to swap out the whole thing. On the way out, the kids see the penny horse ride. Someone was nice enough to leave a bunch of pennies on the base for kids who wanted to ride. Ella got right up and loved every minute. Andrew lasted about 3 seconds and wanted off. Naturally, Ella got to finish out his ride. (Yes, she is wearing unicorn slippers!)
It didn’t take long for our photos from the kid’s Spring Mini Session to come back. The kids love doing these because they get to pose with a live bunny! Our photographer, Beth, at Enjoy the View always amazes us. The kids were so out of control during the session, we really thought there wouldn’t be any good ones. We were wrong! She was really able to catch some fantastic shots.
After we downloaded the photos, we once again said to each other, “we really need to get these printed so we can hang them on the wall.” Seriously, the last photos that we hung on our wall was when we did family photos at Andrew’s newborn session! So today, Sam and I finally sat down and went through almost four years of pictures to have some printed. We ordered some canvases, and some 8 X 10 prints that we’ll be hanging in the living room.
Andrew was watching me upload pictures on my computer. He wanted to play on his own computer. He opened up the DVD player I use for my classes and I had to stop him. It is the only one I have and cannot afford to have that break. So I went downstairs and grabbed this old laptop my dad had given me a few years back. He was elated.
Because it is old, it is bulky. But it opens and he can bang on the keyboard. He was carrying it everywhere. I took the dog outside earlier and when I turned around, there was Andrew in the yard … with his laptop!
These kids bring me so much joy! There truly is never a dull moment.
I meant to post this yesterday, so consider this … leftovers.
March 14. 3.14. Pi Day!
While a good slice of pie is delicious, it is also one of the great comedic elements of our time. Think about it, a pie in the face is always funny! Many comedians knew this and there are plenty of examples.
Buster Keaton knew it
Laurel and Hardy knew it
Charlie Chaplin knew it
The Three Stooges knew it
Bugs Bunny knew it
Pies were funny on classic TV shows, too! Like The Soupy Sales Show
And I Love Lucy
Bewitched
And even Gilligan’s Island!
Pies were funny in movies, too. Like The Perils of Pauline
Blazing Saddles
And, naturally, the amazing pie scene from The Great Race
Here’s a great shot of director Blake Edwards actually throwing a pie at star Natalie Wood
Even though technically yesterday was Pi (pie) day… I give you permission to grab yourself a slice of your choice. Remember to enjoy a good laugh too!
Today was one of those days I wish I could have stayed home with the kids! It was such a beautiful day. Spring is straight ahead and today was a small tease for us.
This morning, we got up and had some errands to do before I had to head to work. The kids saw the neighbor girls out last week on their bikes and roller skates. Neither of the kids has a bike, and they asked about them. While we were out, we picked them each up one with training wheels.
Before work, I grabbed the tools and began putting them together. Andrew got a cool Paw Patrol one that I have to add a couple pieces to.
It didn’t take him long to figure out the pedals. I think he’s going to be doing a whole lot of riding this spring and summer.
Ella got a Frozen bike. I felt bad because I got the whole thing together and there were two “left” pedals in the box instead of a left and right. So I called the store and asked about just swapping out one of the pedals, but I’ll have to return the entire bike and get an entire new one and rebuild it. Of course, she still had to see if she liked it.
I’ll head back to the store in the morning and get hers all set!
With the nice weather, Sam and I were already talking about things that need to be done in the yard. I have to re-do the stone walkway to our front door because the construction fools did a shoddy job putting them back in place. Sam wants to do something with the flower beds in the front yard, so I may have to look into some sort of barriers for that. She’s also wanting a garden – she will find out how NOT green my thumb is!
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If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know my son Andrew is all about tools. He’s always right there with something to help me and my father-in-law when we work on a project. He still carries around one of my cordless drills (with out the bit, of course).
He has a few “tool boxes” but my father-in-law has a tool bag. I guess He was trying to put the cordless drill in his boxes and it won’t fit. So he asked his Pa about a tool bag. You can only imagine his excitement when Sam’s folks dropped by the house the other night with a nice new tool bag for Andrew’s drill and other tools!
We had quite a few people at the house this week to look at his education plan. We’re hoping that he will be ready for preschool (and they are ready for him) soon. We were going over speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy goals and how to best get what is best for him.
Our Ella turned four last month and we were a week or so late in getting her four year old pictures. We once again took her to see our photographer friend, Beth, at Enjoy the View Photography. This time I did not go with them when the session happened. So they were a surprise to me when I finally got to see them.
This session truly showed her personality. There were pictures of her making silly faces, laughing out loud, and even sticking her tongue out. I joked that we paid for her to make silly faces, but I love that we have them. It is really what she is like right now – silly and sassy. At the end of her session, they had her sit on a swing. There were some fantastic photos there. This one is one of my favorites:
Sweet Baby James Taylor celebrates his sweet 76th birthday today. The man is a legend. The singer-songwriter has won 6 Grammy Awards, has written countless hits, and is one of the most loved singers in America.
Songs like Fire and Rain, Handy Man, You’ve Got a Friend, and How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You made him a household name and a radio favorite. I want to dig into his Sweet Baby James album for a song that he never released – Steamroller.
According to SongFacts.com :
James Taylor wrote this song when he was in a band called The Flying Machine, which issued one single in 1966 before disbanding.He came up with the song after seeing lots of white college kids playing blues songs by the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf – he noticed a disconnect there.This song is a parody of sorts, taking aim at overtly sexual blues metaphors. Taylor has “the steamroller blues” and compares his love machine to a cement mixer, a demolition derby, and even a napalm bomb.
“Steamroller” was never released as a single, but is one of Taylor’s most popular live songs, making its way into most of his setlists. He has done different versions over the years, often having some fun with the last verse. The song was loved by not just fans, but by Rock and Roll Royalty:
Elvis Presley added this song to his live set, and performed it on his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii special. This live version was released as a single (as “Steamroller Blues”) and made #17 US.
Happy Birthday to James Taylor!
I gotta include Elvis here:
Just because – one of my favorite covers – country singer Billy Dean, who keeps his version very close to James’ version.
I apologize for the lateness in this post. Happy International Women’s Day to the female readers of my blog! Thank you for all you do! I am lucky to have a very special woman in my life (my wife, Sam). I can honestly say that I would be a mess without her.
In a previous blog, I mentioned that for Women’s Month our Turntable Talk host (Dave from a Sound Day) has asked us to pick a female singer to write about. I really struggled to pick one. I even posted on Facebook asking my friends to offer up their three favorite singers. I guess I hoped that they would offer up someone that I hadn’t considered (and they did). The results surprised me.
The singers that came up the most were (1) Stevie Nicks, (2) Etta James, and (3 – tie) Pink and Karen Carpenter. Etta was the only one that was in my list of considerations. After looking at the list (and the suggestions) I finally chose who I am writing about and NO ONE mentioned her. Stay tuned for that.
I say all that to say this – in celebration of International Woman’s Day, here are some tunes by some of the gals on my list that I did not choose. I hope you will give them a listen and enjoy them.
Etta James – At Last.
The BEST version of this song!
Ella Fitzgerald – Blue Skies
One of the best and a fantastic arrangement. The Queen of Scat Singing!
Alison Krauss – When You Say Nothing At All
What a voice on this gal. God I love her version of this song.
Aretha Franklin – The House that Jack Built
I could pick so many from her, but I always loved this song! Funky !
Billie Holiday – All Of Me
Billie is an influence of so many singers both male and female. Tony Bennett was always mentioning her style.
Dusty Springfield – You Don’t Have To Say I Love You
My favorite Dusty song. The arrangement and her vocal – you can feel every emotion as you listen.
Sarah Vaughn – Broken Hearted Melody
Often overlooked, but SO good! A huge hit and a great vocal!
Diana Krall – The Look of Love
She is amazing. Her voice gets me every time. Her Christmas album is fantastic. There are so many great songs from her.
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Norah and Diana Krall are very similar in my opinion. Both have smokey and unique voices. Both play piano. Both make great music. This song blew me away the first time I heard it.
Linda Ronstandt – What’s New?
I almost went with Linda. Don’t Know Much, Somewhere Out There, Blue Bayou, Different Drum and so many more great ones to chose from. However, I think the albums she did with Nelson Riddle really showcase her voice. Here is What’s New?
Pat Benatar – Bloodshot Eyes
She can rock and sing! I love her voice. She was such a huge part of the 80’s – Heartbreaker, Love is a Battlefield, Shadows of the Nights, and more! I have talked about her blues album from the 90’s so I thought I would share her cover of Wynonie Harris’ Bloodshot Eyes.
Peggy Lee – Big Spender
Her version of Fever is paramount, but I love Peggy’s song Big Spender! It’s sassy and brash. It is sloppy and teasing. It’s flirty and swings!
Jewel – You Were Meant For Me
Having the pleasure to meet and interview Jewel was a radio career highlight for me. She was such a sweet and wonderful person. I loved talking to her and having her sing on the air less than 6 feet from me was amazing. Here is a Jewel Classic
Keely Smith – On The Sunny Side of The Street
Keely was great with Louis Prima, but she was also a stand out as a solo singer. I love her version of this song.
A daily writing prompt that I often see says, “What was the most memorable part of your day?” or “What made you smile today?” The answer to both of those questions is what follows.
It was just me and the kids today, as Sam had a doctor appointment. We had breakfast together and the TV was on. At one point, the kids turned off the TV and asked to play a Tonie. (If you are not familiar with a Tonie, you can read about it here:
We placed the Elsa Tonie on the machine and it began to play the music from Frozen. Ella and Andrew were dancing around and asked me to dance, too. So there we were twirling around the living room to the music.
Our dog, Daisy, had no idea what we were doing and assumed it was play time. So she kept barking at us and jumping up on us while we were dancing. Ella grabbed a blanket and put it over her head like a hood and said she was Elsa. Andrew grabbed a blanket and I tied it on him like a cape. I did the same thing. We were dancing around like fools to the music.
We all grabbed hands and danced in a circle. I was lifting them up and spinning them around. We were flying in our capes. It was full blown craziness and laughter! We were so into it, we had no idea that Sam had walked through the door. I can only imagine what she thought watching us prance around the room!
I would say the entire dance party lasted about 10-15 minutes, but it was so much fun to watch them dancing and laughing. I was doing the same! What a joy to have such a special time with both of them!
It is a cult classic and one of my favorite movies. The Princess Bride is such a fun movie. It is part fairy tale, part adventure story, part love story, and so much more. It is a film that all can enjoy, and that is why it really didn’t do well at the box office. The marketing department didn’t know HOW to promote it!! That and other wonderful stories are found in Cary Elwes’ book.
Cary says this:
Storm the castle once more
Standing on the stage for the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Princess Bride, I felt an almost overwhelming sense of gratitude and nostalgia. It was a remarkable night and it brought back vivid memories of being part of what appears to have become a cult classic film about pirates and princesses, giants and jesters, cliffs of insanity, and of course rodents of unusual size.
It truly was as fun to make the movie as it is to watch it, from getting to work on William Goldman’s brilliant screenplay to being directed by the inimitable Rob Reiner. It is not an exaggeration to say that most days on set were exhilarating, from wrestling André the Giant, to the impossibility of playing mostly dead with Billy Crystal cracking jokes above me, to choreographing the Greatest Sword Fight in Modern Times with Mandy Patinkin, to being part of the Kiss That Left All the Others Behind with Robin Wright.
In this book I’ve gathered many more behind-the-scenes stories and hopefully answers to many of the questions we’ve all received over the years from fans. Additionally, Robin, Billy, Rob, and Mandy, as well as Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Fred Savage, Chris Sarandon, Carol Kane, Norman Lear, and William Goldman graciously share their own memories and stories from making this treasured film.
If you’d like to know a little more about the making of The Princess Bride as seen through the eyes of a young actor who got much more than he bargained for, along with the rest of this brilliant cast, then all I can say is…as you wish.
I’m sure that reading a physical copy of this book is just enjoyable, but the audio version was just fun to listen to. Many of the people that Cary mentions above make appearances in the audio version.
This is truly a must read for anyone who has seen the movie. I have seen the cast on various talk shows and it always seemed like they had a special bond. As you hear (or read) these stories, you really understand just how much love they have for each other and for this movie.
For you to not love this book would be ….. inconceivable!
For Tune Tuesday we celebrate the 62nd birthday of the Reid Brothers (Charlie and Craig) of The Proclaimers. The group was formed in 1983, but it wasn’t until 1987 that their song “Letter from America” was a top 5 hit in the UK.
In 1988, the group released their best known album, Sunshine on Leith, which included their smash hit I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) and the song I want to feature today. In 1989, Rolling Stone magazine called it “a wonderfully guileless treasure of an album.”
I admit that I only stumbled onto “I’m On My Way” because it was featured in the first Shrek movie. I was familiar with I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), but did not realize that it was the same band. My oldest son loved the Shrek movie, so I bought the soundtrack to play in the car on car trips. The more that song played, the more I liked it. The song was released as a follow up to I’m Gonna Be, but it never charted in the US, even though there were some pop stations that played it.
When I was going through my divorce, I was driving to work with my iPod plugged into the car. I was feeling very depressed and music always seemed to help. When the song began and the first line of the song was sung, it really hit me. “I’m on my way from misery to happiness today,” they proclaimed (pun intended)! It was just what I needed to be reminded of. I was in a miserable situation and so unhappy! I was in the process of moving forward from misery to happiness.
This song still brings a smile to my face every time I hear it. Happy Birthday, Charlie and Craig!
I’m On My Way
I’m on my way from misery to happiness today I’m on my way from misery to happiness today I’m on my way to what I want from this world And years from now you’ll make it to the next world And everything that you receive up yonder Is what you gave to me the day I wandered
I took a right, I took a right turning yesterday I took a right, I took a right turning yesterday I took the road that brought me to your home town I took the bus to streets that I could walk down I walked the streets to find the one I’d looked for I climbed the stair that led me to your front door
And now that I don’t want for anything I’d have Al Jolson sing “I’m sitting on top of the world”
I’ll do my best, I’ll do my best to do the best I can I’ll do my best, I’ll do my best to do the best I can To keep my feet, from jumping from the ground dear To keep my heart, from jumping through my mouth dear To keep the past, the past and not the present To try and learn when you teach me a lesson
And now that I don’t want for anything I’d have Al Jolson sing “I’m sitting on top of the world”
I’m on my way from misery to happiness today I’m on my way from misery to happiness today I’m on my way to what I want from this world And years from now you’ll make it to the next world And everything that you receive up yonder Is what you gave to me the day I wandered
I’m on my way to what I want from this world And years from now you’ll make it to the next world And everything that you receive up yonder Is what you gave to me the day I wandered
I’m on my way, I’m on my way, I’m on my way, I’m on my way, I’m on my way, I’m on my way,
As the “Nostalgic Italian,” I would be wrong to not mention that today is the 346th birthday of Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi. He (along with GF Handel and JS Bach) is considered to be one of the greatest Baroque composers of all time. His work consisted of many concertos for violin, choral works, and even operas. To me, he will forever be known for one amazing work of music – The Four Seasons.
He was born in Venice, one of six children. He had some issues with his health, which many say was what we’d call asthma today. While this prevented him from playing wind instruments, it did not stop him from becoming a virtuoso violinist. It also did not stop him from composing music.
It is estimated that he wrote The Four Seasons somewhere between 1717-1720. The entire piece features 4 concertos featuring 3 movements each. It begins with the season of Spring, then Summer, Autumn and finally Winter. Wikipedia describes the piece:
They were a revolution in musical conception: Vivaldi represented flowing creeks, singing birds (of different species, each specifically characterized), a shepherd and his barking dog, buzzing flies, storms, drunken dancers, hunting parties from both the hunters’ and the prey’s point of view, frozen landscapes, and warm winter fires.
Unusually for the period, Vivaldi published the concerti with accompanying sonnets (possibly written by the composer himself) that elucidated what it was in the spirit of each season that his music was intended to evoke. The concerti therefore stand as one of the earliest and most detailed examples of what would come to be called program music—in other words, music with a narrative element. Vivaldi took great pains to relate his music to the texts of the poems, translating the poetic lines themselves directly into the music on the page. For example, in the middle section of “Spring”, when the goatherd sleeps, his barking dog can be heard in the viola section. The music is elsewhere similarly evocative of other natural sounds. Vivaldi divided each concerto into three movements (fast–slow–fast), and, likewise, each linked sonnet into three sections.
The Four Seasons is one of the best known pieces of classical music. It truly is an amazing work. I had heard it hundreds of times before, but it wasn’t until I set aside about an hour one day and listened to it in headphones that I truly gained a real appreciation for the piece. I recall sitting with my eyes closed and envisioning what season the movement was about. The images that the music conjured up in my mind was something I cannot begin to describe. It really was an amazing experience.
Here is one of MANY recordings of the entire piece:
There is a lot of debate as to whether the concerto was written to go with the sonnets that were written or the other way around. No one knows for sure who wrote the sonnets, but it is believed that Vivaldi wrote them.
As you listen to each concerto, read the sonnets and see if you can picture the things alluded to in them.
Spring
Allegro Springtime is upon us. The birds celebrate her return with festive song, and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes. Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven, Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.
Largo On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.
Allegro Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath spring’s beautiful canopy.
Summer
Allegro non molto Under a hard season, fired up by the sun Languishes man, languishes the flock and burns the pine We hear the cuckoo’s voice; then sweet songs of the turtledove and finch are heard. Soft breezes stir the air, but threatening the North Wind sweeps them suddenly aside. The shepherd trembles, fearing violent storms and his fate.
Adagio e piano – Presto e forte The fear of lightning and fierce thunder Robs his tired limbs of rest As gnats and flies buzz furiously around.
Presto Alas, his fears were justified The Heavens thunder and roar and with hail Cut the head off the wheat and damages the grain.
Autumn
Allegro Celebrates the peasant, with songs and dances, The pleasure of a bountiful harvest. And fired up by Bacchus’ liquor, many end their revelry in sleep.
Adagio molto Everyone is made to forget their cares and to sing and dance By the air which is tempered with pleasure And (by) the season that invites so many, many Out of their sweetest slumber to fine enjoyment
Allegro The hunters emerge at the new dawn, And with horns and dogs and guns depart upon their hunting The beast flees and they follow its trail; Terrified and tired of the great noise Of guns and dogs, the beast, wounded, threatens Languidly to flee, but harried, dies.
Winter
Allegro non molto To tremble from cold in the icy snow, In the harsh breath of a horrid wind; To run, stamping one’s feet every moment, Our teeth chattering in the extreme cold
Largo Before the fire to pass peaceful, Contented days while the rain outside pours down.
Allegro We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling. Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up. We feel the chill north winds course through the home despite the locked and bolted doors… this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights.
I just finished reading this book and loved it. I love Historical Non-Fiction stuff and there was so much in here that I didn’t know. For example, did you know that Pearl Harbor had a hand in the creation of NCIS?
Speaking of NCIS, if you are wondering, Mark Harmon is THAT Mark Harmon from the TV show! He reads the audio book, too.
Here is the Goodreads synopsis:
“A fast-paced debut…Espionage buffs will savor this vibrant account.” — Publishers Weekly
A U.S. naval counterintelligence officer working to safeguard Pearl Harbor; a Japanese spy ordered to Hawaii to gather information on the American fleet. On December 7, 1941, their hidden stories are exposed by a morning of bloodshed that would change the world forever. Scrutinizing long-buried historical documents, NCIS star Mark Harmon and co-author Leon Carroll, a former NCIS Special Agent, have brought forth a true-life NCIS story of deception, discovery, and danger.
Hawaii, 1941. War clouds with Japan are gathering and the islands of Hawaii have become battlegrounds of spies, intelligence agents, and military officials – with the island’s residents caught between them. Toiling in the shadows are Douglas Wada, the only Japanese American agent in naval intelligence, and Takeo Yoshikawa, a Japanese spy sent to Pearl Harbor to gather information on the U.S. fleet.
Douglas Wada’s experiences in his native Honolulu include posing undercover as a newspaper reporter, translating wiretaps on the Japanese Consulate, and interrogating America’s first captured POW of World War II, a submarine officer found on the beach. Takeo Yoshikawa is a Japanese spy operating as a junior diplomat with the consulate who is collecting vital information that goes straight to Admiral Yamamoto. Their dueling stories anchor Ghosts of Honolulu’s gripping depiction of the world-changing cat and mouse games played between Japanese and US military intelligence agents (and a mercenary Nazi) in Hawaii before the outbreak of the second world war.
Also caught in the upheaval are Honolulu’s innocent residents – including Douglas Wada’s father – who endure the war’s anti-Japanese fervor and a cadre of intelligence professionals who must prevent Hawaii from adopting the same destructive mass internments as California.
Ghosts of Honolulu depicts the incredible high stakes game of naval intelligence and the need to define what is real and what only appears to be real.
I have read many books and watched many movies on Pearl Harbor, but was unaware of so much of the stuff contained in this book. If you love history, check this out!
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 