Music is Healing

Karen Fawcett Ceramics

A hundred years or so ago I played guitar and sang. I wasn’t that great, but I did make some money in college as a part of a group that entertained at corporate events, and there was a place where folk singing was popular. I sang there regularly.

Time Out

I still sing along when I’m listening to music upstairs in my art room. It’s fun because I can really get into the music, bopping around to the beat and humming or singing as I figure out what the next step is in whatever art I’m working on. My husband is downstairs, and is a bit hard of hearing, so he isn’t bothered. :0)

FreePik

It has always amazed me how much POWER music has. It takes you back to where you were, how you felt when you heard it first. It gets inside you and makes you FEEL. Some voices just fill you up and you feel happier. I hear some music and I’m simply unable to sit still. I HAVE to get up and move. I have my MP3 player filled with music that makes me want to move to the beat, so I always take that out with me when I’m exercising on my elliptical trainer.

I have a lot of YouTube videos bookmarked so I can listen to them whenever I would like a boost. Even when the music is sad, I listen and it seems to purge any sadness as I react to the song, so that by the end I feel calmer, more able to deal with any problems or simply enjoy the day.

FreePik

I have CDs to play upstairs. I have Pandora on my phone now with earbuds I can use so I can listen to music if we’re having to wait for an appointment somewhere.

I feel lucky to have so many ways to listen to something that brings me joy.

Two Special Songbirds

I discovered Jess Glynne when she pranked The Voice Coaches, supposedly auditioning. She completely blew me away. Since then, I’ve found lots of songs she has recorded. I’ve never heard a voice like hers. I’ve bookmarked several so I can listen over and over again. I hope you enjoy her, too.

I found Emilie Fosshaug yesterday when I was taking a break between chores. Her voice is rich, full, and as smooth as butter. I hope she goes far in the competition.

Feeling It

Queen Bee

I’ve always loved music, always amazed that hearing a song from when I was a teenager transports me back mentally and emotionally. I get up and dance – the years dropping away – when I hear one of my old songs. Sometimes I’m truly surprised after I finish and I see an old woman looking back at me in the mirror…

I play some of my favorite songs when I’m playing in my art room. It makes me feel that anything is possible, calming my soul so I can concentrate on enjoying colors and textures and ideas.

Music makes it possible for me to spend time on my elliptical trainer (though I haven’t done that for awhile.) I COULD play music when I’m doing my daily yoga session, but then I would have to wear earphones so I didn’t bother my husband.

My massage therapist plays wonderful background music that helps me relax while she finds all the sore spots and kneads them away.

Lately I’ve been watching and listening to videos on my computer of all the talent contests, delighted when someone’s voice makes me soar.

Music is a quality of life thing. Simply magical.

Favorite Female Singer

Theoni Marks on The Voice

Theoni Marks and Lachie Gill

I listen to both of these over and over. They are both so talented and just fill my heart when they sing. I hope that both of them are very successful.

Michael Rivera

He Looks Like Any Other Guy With A Guitar. But When He Starts To Play? UNBELIEVABLE

A Girl Named Tom

I think this group is magnificent. Their harmony is stunning.

Awww

source: email from a friend

It’s 38 and rainy here in Arkansas today, but no ice or snow, and I’m grateful.

Seal – Wikipedia

I’ve been listening to music a lot lately and am newly in love with Seal. He’s magnificent physically; I love his voice; and he melts my heart when he coaches contestants on “The Voice”. He is really supportive and changes lives.

I’m delighted to tell you that my friend Kay is MUCH better after her procedure yesterday morning! She is almost pain-free!

“Vertebroplasty procedure Vertebroplasty is an outpatient procedure for stabilizing compression fractures in the spine. Bone cement is injected into back bones (vertebrae) that have cracked or broken, often because of osteoporosis. The cement hardens, stabilizing the fractures and supporting your spine.”

The only way it could have been better is if they had cleared the red tape sooner so she didn’t have to suffer for so long. I’m going to try to see her today. :0)

If the weather people are correct and it gets to the low 50’s here this afternoon (and the rain stops) I’ll try to get some work done in our planters in the yard. I would like to get at least one planter under better control for the winter.

I hope you’re having a wonderful Saturday.

Thoughts on a Monday 1-3-2022

Tanja Brandt-reddit.com

I’m feeling a bit frazzled this morning – not sure why.

Our son left us a URL to a video featuring Peter Green. He was playing a really soulful guitar and singing, “Fool No More.” I don’t remember ever hearing him before. I think he’s amazing.

Our day is pretty today – lots of sunshine and plenty of cold temperatures. It’s 24 right now. I haven’t switched gears to having winter yet. When we’re home and relaxing in our recliners, I’ve turned on my heat pad to warm my bones. :0) We have several errands to run, and a pretty day to run them in.

We have no evidence yet of more raccoons, but I don’t think we have EVER had just one…

bizwaremagic.com

On my list of ‘things-to-do” today is exercise. I will do my yoga stretches this afternoon and see if I can actually build a habit this time.

Have a nice Monday.

Thanksgiving 2021

tenor

It’s just the two of us this year. It’s 36 degrees, gray, and rainy here. Great time to enjoy being warm and dry indoors. We’ll have a quiet day (hopefully), I’ll cook our turkey breast, stuffing, slice cranberry sauce and make deviled eggs for this evening.

I’m thankful this morning that our son left a message on the chat program, wishing us a happy day. I found a wonderful performance of a man playing two guitars at once masterfully and sent it to him yesterday. Maybe you would enjoy it, too. The musician’s name is Luca Stricagnoli.

This Iconic Rock Song Has Been Covered Many Times, But Not Like THIS. Unbelievable!

If this doesn’t provide a way to listen, here is the URL – https://amazingpandph.com/coolest-song-cover/

RumiArt-etsy.com

This is the turkey who stands beside a tree at the top of our driveway.

Have a wonderful celebration!

We Are the Champions…

If You Haven’t Met Hauser…

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/436497388880407479/

Sound of Silence

‘Gold Rush’ Star Todd Hoffman Sings ‘Sound Of Silence’ and Leaves Everyone In Goosebumps

To be honest, I’ve steered away from any new versions of “Sound of Silence” because I loved the Simon and Garfunkel version and thought that no one else would be able to stir me as much as that one did. I was wrong. I heard this one yesterday. I had never heard of Todd Hoffman. Now I will look up other songs by him on YouTube. I told my husband about this last night because I still had goosebumps after listening to it. I just finished listening to it again this morning and I’m trembling inside. I think this truly special and wanted to share it with you.

God Bless the USA – Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood – “God Bless the USA”

Our little town of Greenwood is celebrating Independence Day today. My husband and I steer clear of crowds, so we’ll stay home today. For many years I rented a spot on the square to sell my wares. I met a lot of nice people doing that, happy to see so many people out with their kids, having a good time. The city also puts on a fireworks display.

Happily, our neighbor down in the valley behind us usually sets off a bunch, too, so I can enjoy my “own, private fireworks display”, sitting on my porch with my feet up, coffee cup in hand.

This year is confusing. Greenwood – and I guess many other places – celebrating the holiday today. The actual holiday is tomorrow. Will people get the day off on Monday?

When I first heard this song, chills ran up and down my spine. My heart was in my throat as I listened. The chills continued throughout. This song says everything, as far as I’m concerned. I still get chills. I hope you enjoy it, too.

A Heart-filled Independence Day – whenever and wherever you are celebrating.

Shall We Dance?

de.pinterest.com – purpleclover.com

Music and dancing make you feel ageless.

I know that when I hear music I first heard when I was a teenager, it takes me back. The years fall off. I feel GREAT. My heart fills, I jump up, and my body moves. Listening and reacting to music can be therapy. Making music is an art.

I hope you listen, sing, dance, and play!

Hallelujah

A good friend sent this to me. I hope this plays for you. It’s absolutely thrilling.

Andrea Bocelli – Hallelujah

Andrea Bocelli – Hallelujah

This filled my heart to overflowing this morning. I hope this link works for you. If not, please try https://biggeekdad.com/2020/12/andrea-bocelli-hallelujah/

The Miracle of Music

Bono-SayingImages.com

Music is a quality of life thing. I have seen the faces of people I love when one of their favorite songs plays. They are transported back to a time of wonderful memories. They smile. Their eyes get dreamy. And the feelings simply spill out. It’s a beautiful thing.

I’ve seen people in nursing homes ‘come alive’ when their favorite music is played. The years fall off. Their eyes are animated. Some will actually get up and dance. Those who cannot still ‘bop’ in their chairs.

Music is a miracle.

I create ‘mini-concerts’ via YouTube when I have the time, giving myself a needed rest and relaxation. I choose one musician I love and play a medley of greatest hits, or combine several. By the time I am finished, I feel renewed, ready to tackle whatever awaits.

We are rich when we can ‘teleport’ to when we were teenagers. or escape via the lyrics of a beautiful song, or bop along with favorite tunes that DEMAND you get up and shake whatever you have. (I’m glad no one can see me do this, too!)

How lucky we are to have so many talented people who give us joy!

 

 

A New Kind of Music Room

Our son lives and works in Thailand. He has recently rented a house out in the country there, wanting privacy to be able to play his music without bothering anyone or always having to have earphones on.

He sent me a pic of his new music room –

 

He has two guitars – they are still in the living room, he says. He also plays the drums and a bit of keyboard. (You can see it there if you look carefully.) His big thing now is recording every day sounds and incorporating them in various fashions, repetitions, etc., to music he composes. He can build the music to his heart’s content, adding track after track to enrich the sound. He says I probably won’t be a fan of his new stuff. :0)

Being old and traditional, I love to hear him play one or more of the instruments, playing something he composed, or singing a cover of a song he likes. I’m happy that he now is starting to feel free to experiment and play in his music room, creating something he likes. He is thinking about starting a YouTube channel.

I can’t wait.

 

 

“Music Is my Refuge”

Maya Angelou – SayingImages.com

“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring…”

Wallpaperhi

“Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain
Telling me just what a fool I’ve been
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain
And let me be alone again

The only girl I care about has gone away
Looking for a brand new start
But little does she know that when she left that day
Along with her she took my heart

Rain please tell me now does that seem fair
For her to steal my heart away when she don’t care?
I can’t love another when my hearts somewhere far away

The only girl I care about has gone away
Looking for a brand new start
But little does she know that when she left that day
Along with her she took my heart

Rain won’t you tell her that I love her so
Please ask the sun to set her heart aglow
Rain in her heart and let the love we knew start to grow

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain
Telling me just what a fool I’ve been
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain
And let me be alone again

Oh, listen to the falling rain
Pitter patter, pitter patter
Oh, oh, oh, listen to the falling rain
Pitter patter, pitter patter”

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: John C. Gummoe

Sung by The Cascades

Listen Here

“God Bless the USA”

My friend, Marsha, sent me this. I had to share –

 

 

God Bless the U.S.A featuring Lee Greenwood, Home Free and The Singing Sergeants*

 

If the arrow doesn’t work for some reason, the URL is –

Feeling It!

PictureQuotes.com via THEMETAPICTURE.COM

One of my favorite things these days while we’re home so much more due to COVID-19 is listening to some of my favorite tunes on YouTube. I have kind of a mini-concert centering on the best songs of one of my favorite artists, or create my own concert, switching from one wonderful song to another from multiple artists. It really lifts my spirits.

I have long thought that music is a kind of magic.

No words are needed – languages aren’t important – age and gender are not important factors – when we hear music, it speaks to us. It fills us up, affects us emotionally, transports us to another part of our life, makes current troubles fade into the background for awhile. It makes us relax, or want to leap up and dance. It makes us nostalgic or brings huge grins to our faces. Years fall off. Aches and pains are soothed or even forgotten.

I absolutely LOVE putting on my earphones while I’m here at the computer, choosing what songs I would like to listen to, and spending the next half hour or so caught up in the treasure of music!

The Magic of Music

onquotes.net via Maria Chivu

I’m really enjoying private ‘concerts’ via YouTube lately. I just click on one of my favorite artists and then am taken back to wonderful memories and good feelings as I do the things I need to do for the day.

I find it amazing how I am suddenly 14 again, dancing on a patio with a bunch of friends from school, swaying to a favorite song while I’m overwhelmed with feelings. I hope that senior centers, nursing homes, retirement places, and other facilities are using this as a way to make people happier.

Excuse me. I’m dancing with one of the first boys I ever thought I loved right now…

Thoughts on a Friday – 12-20-2019

Kanno Hisao

Yesterday I had a wonderful massage, exchanging gifts with my massage therapist and friend, Lynn. It was special for a THIRD reason – she had a CD of Christmas music playing.

I have discovered that I have a HUGE pet peeve – jazzed up (screwed up) Christmas music. I want people to just play or sing it the way it was written. I guess that’s limiting for the artists, but it’s my opinion they should be singing for the listeners, not for their own amusement or amazement. The really beautiful thing was that the CD she played was a series of instrumentals, with different instruments used for different verses of the songs, but played straightforwardly, purely, BEAUTIFULLY.

Lynn and I shared that one of our gifts to each other was that we were singing along MENTALLY, rather than aloud. :0)

I enjoyed every minute of the massage – as I always do – but this time was truly special with the absolutely lovely traditional Christmas music. I felt joy in my heart along with the easing in soreness. Those are true gifts.

Don’t Miss Dana Winner!

If You are Not Familiar with Stjepan Hauser…

Can You FEEL It?

Zen to Zany via Contemplative Monk

Chirp!

email from Marsha Koenig

Music

Womenworking.com

Fats and I are “Walkin’ to New Orleans…”

This time I’m walkin’ to New Orleans
I’m walkin’ to New Orleans
I’m gonna need two pair of shoes
When I get through walkin’ these blues
When I get back to New Orleans

I’ve got my suitcase in my hand
Now ain’t that a shame?
I’m leavin’ here today
Yes, I’m goin’ back home to stay
Yes, I’m walkin to New Orleans

You used to be my honey
Till you spent all my money
No use for you to cry
I’ll see you by and by
‘Cause I’m walkin’ to New Orleans

I’ve got no time for talkin’
I’ve go to keep a-walkin’
New Orleans is my home
That’s the reason why I’m goin’

Yes, I’m walkin’ to New Orleans
I’m walkin’ to New Orleans
I’m walkin’ to New Orleans

I love Fats Domino, and this song runs through my head from time to time, particularly when I’m on the elliptical trainer in my garage, even though I’m listening to other tunes via my MP3 player.

yourellipticals.com

I’m doing 30 minutes on my elliptical every other day now, doing yoga stretches on the alternate days. I like this machine because it’s low impact and doesn’t make my knees, back, or hips hurt – a HUGE help in my efforts to keep moving. I’m now doing a bit over half a mile each session. I don’t push myself to walk faster, though I do have the resistance set to 20, the highest level. I push the User 1 button, get my MP3 player going, and zone out, keeping time to the tunes.

I’m “Walkin’ to New Orleans…..

Our Son’s Music Room

Our son’s music room in Thailand is coming together nicely. He says he’ll probably get a keyboard and guitar next. He has to keep buying, selling and changing his stuff because he needs to travel light in his lifestyle. I’m glad that he can play with his goodies now.

 

I have no idea what the stuff is in the ‘magic box,’ but he sent us a short video of him playing with things, learning some of the wonderful sounds, rhythms, and tunes he can create (if not distracted by all the blinking lights!) I loved watching his head bob in time with his music. :0)