Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are encouraged to get creative in 250 words or less using the photo below as inspiration. This is my story
Dear God in heaven! How the hell I’m supposed to get through this book is beyond me!
I’ve been at it now for hours and I’m bored stiff. I don’t know who this guy thinks he is but I’ll tell you what he’s not …. a good writer! I’ve read menus more interesting than this rot!
Jeez Louise! I’ve come across some real clunkers in my day but this one is totally b-o-r-i-n-g. Haul out the woodchipper!
The owner of the small publishing business behind me, Miss Willow Everwood, is my boss; I work there as a proofreader and I really like my job but reading this book is torture. Miss Everwood spotted me dozing off on the chair and demanded I sit on the hard pavement to keep from getting too comfortable and falling asleep. She even said she didn’t want me rooting around inside until I was done with my job.
Well, now my limbs are as stiff as an old hickory stick, my noggin feels like it’s full of sawdust and my butt’s as hard as a slab of redwood. I swear if I have to keep reading this, I’m going to nod off right here in the middle of the sidewalk and start sawing wood.
If I had a rope I’d hang myself from the nearest tree! But I’m not about to get all sappy.
Well, good luck to this Tolkien guy if he thinks he’s going to make it with these creepy Ent people!
It’s true that Miley Cyrus has become a huge musical star, but did you know she has quite the talented family? We’re all familiar with her famous father, Billy Ray Cyrus, her legendary godmother, Dolly Parton – but what of her four talented siblings?
The youngest child in the Cyrus clan is 24-year-old Noah who has carved out quite an impressive career of her own. In terms of fame, Noah is probably second only to Miley. Her breakout hit, “Make Me (Cry)” earned her a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 right out of the gate at the age of 16. Since that time, her career has only grown. Her unique brand of thoughtful pop has made her one of the most enticing young acts in the game today.
In an interview with American fashion magazine V, Noah Cyrus said this about “Make Me (Cry)” and her video co-performer, Labrinth: “It was really conversational. Labrinthhad a chorus, and we started just going back and forth writing lyrics together. It turned into being about a toxic love.” Teen Vogue described the song as “a gut-wrenching power-ballad that will resonate with anyone who has suffered a broken heart, reinforcing the idea that it’s possible to be lonely even when in a relationship and that being with someone can create more pain than being alone.”
The video depicts the two singers waking up in their respective beds with their partners who are seemingly disinterested in their affection. In alternating shots, we see Noah’s sadness, and then Labrinth’s, and back again as they sing about their significant others. As the song reaches its climax, we can see the duo at the same time in split screen; their raging words give off major “wrecking ball” vibes …. deep thoughts from the mind (and pen) of such a young artist.
This is “Make Me (Cry)” by Noah Cyrus featuring Labrinth
Thanks for stopping by and playing a tune with me.
Written for Friday Fictioneers where we’re given a photo and asked to let it inspire us to create something magical in 100 words or less. This is my 100-word inspired creation.
“Ungrateful … bastard … son-of-a-bitch … always telling me what to do … when to do it … waiting on him like a motherless child … picking up after him … cooking three meals a day … seven days a week … cleaning … cleaning … cleaning … and what’s my reward … an unwelcome fuck at 3 AM … pig … I … have … had … enough!”
Carla’s thoughts raced through her head like a locomotive engulfed in flames.
“You gonna cook that pizza or beat it to death?’ he snarled.
Welcome to Birthday Thursdays! Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on this day. There won’t be any chit chat from me, no facts and figures – just some great tunes (and an occasional surprise). Check it out right here every Thursday and enjoy the music.
Happy Birthday to Rosemary Clooney Born May 23, 1928 in Maysville, Kentucky
Written for Six Sentence Story where we are asked to be creative in no more than six sentences using the word “light”. This is my story.
Colette, typically looking away the second I snap a photo! Eyeroll!
We got a late start with spring cleaning in our yard, especially along the side of the house where our attached garage is located; even though the gardeners had cleared a lot of old shrubbery away for some new plants and bushes, it was just not meant to be after we were derailed by the sudden death of my husband’s twin brother on April 2 and me being sidelined since the first week of May by a major sinus infection (the heavy-duty antibiotics have left me “out of commission” and able to eat only extremely light meals or, at times, nothing at all).
In mid-May, we put in a couple of small white azaleas, relocated a baby rhododendron which wasn’t doing well in the far back corner of the yard and planted a bit of Blue Bugle and Lilies of the Valley for lightground cover (along the side of the house, not visible in this pic), but that’s as far as our broken spirits and depleted bodies would allow us go.
When Colette is here with us (Tuesdays, Thursdays and the occasional Saturday or Sunday) and the weather is good, she wants to be outside; hell, even if the weather isn’t good, she wants to be outside – a phenomenon about most children that escapes me as they (well, she definitely) seem to be impervious to heat or cold or rain or snow or wind – all the elements, times when Bill and I would prefer being inside nestled in our recliners with a lightweight blanket.
Speaking of nestled, we discovered that sparrows had made their nest in an old watering can in the corner of Colette’s playhouse; the mama and papa birds are very resourceful, building the new home in a location almost invisible to us, one which I discovered quite by accident when I heard a faint chirping noise coming from the playhouse and …. with my trusty flashlight in hand …. I went to take a peek but was immediately dive-bombed by a wildly protective kamikaze sparrow which, when it sped just inches by my head, had me believing it was a small bat …. terrifying!
Tuesday the temps soared to a scorching 86ºF – a leap from the mild low-70s of just the day before – so it was, according to Colette, the “perfect day for planting!” …. a concept I did not agree with thinking it was too hot and we would be in direct blazing sunlightfor the entire time …. but I did not object (mainly because the child could not be dissuaded and it was far less taxing than yet another round of the Disney edition of Monopoly); armed with our faithful spades, Bill with his macho shovel and pitchfork, we planted another azalea along the side of the house, then Colette and I pulled all the weeds and detritus from the two ancient cement planters on either side of the bench you see in the above photo, replacing all of what was growing in them as haphazardly as Albert Einstein’s hair with two bright pink kalanchoe plants, then stood back to proudly bask in the glory of our gardening prowess.
Of course, manual labor such as that demands a reward and certainly not a monetary one which would be looked upon with disdain and confusion by a 4-year-old whose idea of recompense consists solely of instant gratification in the form of ice cream – the I-don’t-give-a-hoot-how-messy-I-get kind – and after getting Colette situated in her pink fairy chair, pinning up her waist-length hair and snapping on the 15-year-old bib we originally used for our first grandchild, Mckenna, I disappeared into the kitchen and returned with fudge-covered vanilla ice cream pops for Colette and Bill and a lemon ice for me; judging by the look on her face and the twinkling, totally satisfied lightin her eyes (photo below), Colette was over the moon with her sweet, sloppy treat and …. you know …. she was right after all about it being the “perfect day for planting!”
Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag week #21 where we are asked to write about a song by a group or solo singer beginning with the letter I or J.
There was a lot was happening in music in May of 1968 with people making headline news. Gary Puckett and the Union Gap came out with “Young Girl”. Janis Joplin went solo. The Throggs released “Love Is All Around” in the US. Jane Asher reported on a live TV interview that she was breaking up with her boyfriend, Paul McCartney. Hugh Masekela was at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Grazing In The Grass” and Cream started a four-week run at #1 on the album chart with Wheels On Fire.
A little further down the listings, the second album from a heavy-and-hard-rocking band out of San Diego, California entered the album chart for the first time – with a bullet at #117! Ok, not the highest of chart debuts, I admit, but some would say this now-legendary set of tunes became the first heavy metal album to hit the charts and opened the floodgates for many a longhaired, guitar-wielding group to blast us with some serious riffs and overlong guitar solos.
The band was Iron Butterfly and the album was called “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”, baby.
The track was recorded on May 27, 1968 at Ultrasonic Studios in Hempstead, Long Island, New York. The story goes that the recording which is heard on the album was meant to be a soundcheck for the engineer. However, the engineer had rolled the tape and when the rehearsal was completed, it was agreed that the performance was of sufficient quality that another take was not needed.
According to legend, the group members were so stoned when they recorded the track that they could neither pronounce the title “In the Garden of Eden” nor end the track, so it ended up filling the whole side of the album, coming in at a full 17 minutes of psychedelic rock.
However, another side of the recording story says that the drummer was listening to the track through headphones and could not clearly distinguish what the vocalist was singing. He wrote down the name according to what he heard and in the end they went with “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”.
I don’t know about you but I think the first explanation is much more interesting .… and plausible! Well, either way, it didn’t matter. The album that contained the 17-minute title track went on to sell over four million copies in the US alone, with another one million shipped abroad. Not bad for a stoned jam in the afternoon.
The 2-minute, 52 second 45-rpm version of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” was Iron Butterfly’s only song to hit the top 40, reaching #30. The original “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” album has the distinction of being the first album to go Platinum in the US, when the Platinum Award was instituted in 1976. In 2009 the song was named the 24th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.
Originally released by The Everly Brothers, “Love Hurts“, written in 1960 by Boudleaux Bryant, is a song that delves into the pain and anguish experienced when love goes wrong. The emotional depth conveyed through the lyrics and the haunting melody have made it a beloved and enduring piece of music.
The song’s popularity can be attributed to its universal theme of heartbreak. Love is usually portrayed as a beautiful and uplifting experience, but “Love Hurts” acknowledges the dark side of love, where heartache and emotional turmoil take center stage. This raw honesty has struck a chord with listeners of all generations. “Love Hurts” was never released by the Everly’s as a single and can be found on their album A Date With The Everly Brothers.
The song has been recorded as a duet by Greg Parsons and Emmylou Harris, by Roy Obison in 1961 as the B side to “Running Scared”, by English singer-songwriter Jim Capaldi whose version reached #4 in the UK charts and by the Scottish hard rock band, Nazareth.
Performed as a ballad by Nazareth, “Love Hurts” became the most popular version of the song and the only rendition to become a big hit single, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1976.
I’d love to play all the versions of this great song but it is Twofer Tuesday and we can’t have pandemonium erupting on WordPress. After all this time together on The Elephant’s Trunk, I think you can guess which cover I chose to feature today.
This is the wondrous original version of “Love Hurts” by the Everly Brothers.
And this is what it sounded like when Nazareth recorded it:
She’s four now and it seems like yesterday she was barely walking, crawling sideways like a huge pink crab with her undeveloped knees brushing the floor in lightning speed. Her golden blonde hair is loose, flowing almost to the tops of her thighs like the fragrant flowers trailing from a Maypole. We laugh when we worried that these glorious tresses would never grow out and she would forever be the source of jokes by the mean girls in school. But that was not to be as this indescribably beautiful child standing before us with all the presence and attitude of Xena the Warrior Princess will stake her claim and win against any goddess wannabees. No more baby bubble pipes for this one; she has moved into the power bubble zone. She is a force of nature.
intergalactic shifts bound from planet to planet hail the bubble queen
Another popular Motown sound from the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland is Marvin Gaye’s “You’re A Wonderful One”, recorded and released in 1964 on the Tamla label.
In the song, the narrator praises his “wonderful one” for loving him and for “always (being) around”. Gaye is helped along on this song by The Supremes on background. The great group of session musicians known as The Funk Brothers provided the backing on this number; they incorporated elements of Chuck Berry’s “Memphis” into the intro of this song. “Wonderful One” charted at #15 on the pop charts and #3 on the R&B singles chart.
From February 1964, this is Marvin Gaye with “You’re A Wonderful One”.
And this is what was on the B side – “When I’m Alone I Cry” (a very different sound for Marvin Gaye).
Thanks for joining me today for a little Monday Motown Magic.
Growing up, it was just me and my sister – two girls doing girl things. And while we weren’t always best of friends, it was just the two of us. It wasn’t my fault that my mother went into labor smack in the middle of my sister’s 4th birthday party; after making a hasty departure for the hospital, my mother arrived just in time for me to be born …. on my sister’s birthday …. and she’s never really forgiven me. I mean, she says she has but deep down there’s resentment. But I digress.
Bitterness for being born on her birthday aside, we managed to get along ok. And we both had a bunch of little girlfriends who’d come over the house to play and swim in our pool. There’s a definite advantage to having the only pool on the block – even if it was inflatable and barely three feet deep. We always had lots of friends over but there were never any boys around and, if an interloper did show up, he was quickly shown the way out before he had a chance to dip his you-know-what in our pool!
For the first six years of my life, I had very little contact with boys .… except for my cousins and they didn’t count. In elementary school boys were just tolerated; they were looked upon as excess baggage. Of course, that all changed when I hit my teen years and realized boys had potential. I had a couple of crushes early on but nothing earth-shattering. Then, at the ripe old age of 17, I went on a blind date with a guy named Bill and together we learned all about boys and girls, how they were so wondrously different and incredibly well-made for each other. I was stunned by how much I didn’t know about boys.
So, wouldn’t you just know it! God, in his infinite humorous nature, decided to bless me with only boy babies. All those years of playing with my baby girl dolls, changing their diapers fashioned from paper napkins, powdering their petite girlie bottoms, all that didn’t come close to what these boys were packing! It didn’t matter how well I knew Bill’s anatomy; he didn’t wear a diaper and I had never changed one …. at least not a boy’s. Talk about a rude awakening!
Let me just explain something very quickly here. When infant girls are getting their diapers changed, sometimes they pee but it’s a dainty little trickle that gently disappears into the absorbent pad under them. When infant boys are getting their diapers changed, parents put on a hazmat suit because that nozzle has a mind of its own and it is gonna spray wherever it wants.
Oh sure, parents can buy little wee-wee teepees to hold over the wee-wee while their baby boy giggles at them, but most times that thing is flying around like an errant garden hose and the pee goes everywhere. And, of course, that’s where men first learn to pee with no hands – yawning and stretching and placing their hands behind their heads in a very satisfied “look-what-I-can-do” sort of way. Usually in those situations, there will be spillage. I have found, for the most part, the male species is not very discriminating and is quite happy to just “hitsomething“.
Which brings me to the heart of this story.
I love my boys and, in all humility, Bill and I did a good job raising them. BUT, nature will take its course no matter what we do. And let me tell you, there is nothing …. and I mean NOTHING …. like the overwhelming musky, barn-like odor that punches you in the face when you open the door to a boy’s bedroom. For the love of all things holy, what is going on in there? How is it possible for boys …. little or big …. to ravage so many briefs, boxers or tighty-whities in one day, not to mention the now-fossilized face cloths (and sometimes my good hand towels)?
We’re all adults here and you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Well, I finally reached the end of my rope. It became unbearable for me to do my teen sons’ laundry, let alone keep up with it, so I threw down the gauntlet. I led the boys to the laundry room where I proceeded to write on my washing machine with a Sharpie. In all the corresponding receptacles were the words “DETERGENT GOES HERE.” “BLEACH GOES HERE.” “SOFTENER GOES HERE.” I’m sure they didn’t believe me when I said I was done doing their wash. After two weeks of their laundry piling up and them running out of clean clothes and their sheets desperate enough to literally walk off the bed and leap into the washing machine, they finally got the message!
As the old saying goes, boys will be boys, and I never had a problem with what was going on in my sons’ bedrooms …. within reason; if I thought something dangerous was happening, I’d be in there in a flash. I’d just had enough of cleaning up their messes. Now they’re grown men, good men, married with children, and they get to deal with their own kids’ smells, sprays, spills and secretions.
And when I see them lugging a basketful of laundry to their washing machines, I chuckle and know I did them a huge favor.
You may recall back on May 1 I shared a couple of photos with you of my houseplant, a philodendron called Prince of Orange. At that time I promised to share its growth progress with you; today I have a couple more pix.
Houseplants don’t usually shoot-up overnight like Jack and the Beanstalk so the progress is slow; I think I’ll notice considerably more growth than you will see in these pix but maybe not. It’s impossible for me to know how things look through your eyes so please tell me what you see.
I also have another houseplant which my sister-in-law gave me a few months ago. That one goes by several different names including Swiss Cheese Plant and MexicanBreadfruit but its most common name is Split-leaf philodendron. Its leaves grow similarly to the Prince of Orange philodendron – tightly coiled, slowly unfurling – but the Split-leaf has one strange feature the Prince of Orange does not …. hairy branches! Talk about an interesting houseplant, this one’s it!
This coming week I will repot the Split-leaf into a little bigger pot. When repotting a houseplant, you don’t want to move it into a new pot that’s too much larger than its existing one. That’s a difficult temptation to resist and a common mistake people make when repotting. We want fast results but a too-big pot will not achieve that. If there’s too much room for the roots in the pot, the plant could go into ‘shock’ and become dormant; sometimes a re-potted plant will die. When repotting houseplants, size definitely matters.
In truth, most houseplants are pretty hardy and can tolerate whatever comes their way. One of the things to remember is to never overwater your houseplants, even the ones that prefer a moist soil. Cacti and succulents react poorly to overwatering. A houseplant that is dried out – even shriveled up – will quickly perk up with a little water but an overwatered plant is very prone to root rot, which is difficult if not impossible to treat. My husband calls me the “plant rescuer” because I find nearly dead houseplants in supermarkets or CVS or even nurseries, take them home and give them some TLC. They bounce back fairly quickly and that really makes me happy.
OK, I’ve talked enough about these two plants; let’s do an unveiling, shall we? If you’d like to read the entire post from May 1 about my Prince of Orange (which also has a slew of funnies from the Bluebird of Bitterness, here’s the link:
But if you’d rather not, here are the two photos from May 1 of my Prince of Orange, followed by photos I took today:
Brand new at home
Photo from May 1
Now today’s shots:
Photo from today, May 18, 2024
Photo from today, May 18, 2024
Can you see the folds starting to open, unfurling the leaves? That waxy cluster of red/orange “shoots” in the center of the plant will open into a new green leaf. It’s pretty cool to watch but we can’t hurry nature.
Now here are a couple of pix of my Split-leaf philodendron …. the one with the hairy branches. When I took this photo, I put the plant on my roll top desk in the corner of my sunroom for better light but I forgot to remove the table runner on top of the desk; that may be a distraction but I think you’ll be able to spot the hairy legs!
Split-leaf philodendron, May 15, 2024
Looking down into Split-leaf, May 15, 2024 Check out those hairy legs!
It’s fascinating to me how these two philodendrons unfurl and almost “shed” their casing to allow for new leaf growth. As far as I know neither of these plants will bear flowers but anything can happen with some sun, water and TLC.
Thanks for visiting my sunroom and checking out my phabulousphilodendrons! I will post again when something cool develops!
“Come, I want to show you my playroom” He stands, holding out his hand. I let him lead me back out to the corridor. On the right of the double doors, where we came in, another door leads to a staircase. We go up to the second floor and turn right. Producing a key from his pocket, he unlocks yet another door and takes a deep breath. “You can leave anytime. It’s fine, whatever you decide.” I tell him to just open the damn door. He opens the door and stands back to let me in. I gaze at him once more. I so want to know what’s in there. Taking a deep breath, I walk in. The first thing I notice is the smell of leather. Suspended from the ceiling is an iron grid, eight foot square at least, and from it hang all manner of ropes, chains, shackles. There’s a startling assortment of paddles, whips, riding crops and funny-looking feathery implements. And it feels like I’ve time-traveled back to the sixteenth century and the Spanish Inquisition.” ~ Excerpts from Chapters 6 & 7, Fifty Shades of Grey, Book 1
The book gets even more interesting …. so I’m told.
There are toys and then there are toys.
There’s a classic soul ballad that speaks to the powerlessness of love. The lyrics describe a person who is willing to do whatever their partner wants them to and be completely under their control. It’s a sensual, titillating, smooth song about the all-encompassing nature of love. But is it “love” or something else, something more? The singer expresses that he would do anything to make his partner happy and would go to any lengths to remain in the relationship. He is a toy, a puppet in her hands.
I wonder if there’s a “safe word” mentioned in the lyrics of this song. “Red” is a common safe word, while “pickle” and “radish” are also popular …. so I’m told. In this song the safe word would probably be “string”, but I’m just speculating.
My featured song for today is “I’m Your Puppet“, a song written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham. The best known version is the one recorded by James & Bobby Purify which reached #5 on the US R&B chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1967. The song was featured on their 1967 album, James & Bobby Purify.
The duo released a re-recorded version as a single in 1976 which reached #12 on the UK Singles Chart. The single ranked #46 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1976.
It’s been a long time since I heard this song but when the theme of “toys” was suggested, it was the first song I thought of – not “Red Rubber Ball” or “Pinball Wizard” or even “Puff The Magic Dragon”. And after listening …. really listening and reading the lyrics …. my eyebrows raised a few times. What’s going on here? Is it the sweet and charming song I thought it was almost 60 years ago? You be the judge.
From the album James & Bobby Purify, this is “I’m Your Puppet”.
Lyrics
Pull the string and I’ll wink at you, I’m your puppet I’ll do funny things if you want me to, I’m your puppet
I’m yours to have and to hold Darling you’ve got full control of your puppet
Pull another string and I’ll kiss your lips, I’m your puppet Snap your finger and I’ll turn you some flips, I’m your puppet
Listen, your every wish is my command All you gotta do is wiggle your little hand I’m your puppet, I’m your puppet
I’m just a toy, just a funny boy That makes you laugh when you’re blue I’ll be wonderful, do just what I’m told I’ll do anything for you I’m your puppet, I’m your puppet
Pull them little strings and I’ll sing you a song, I’m your puppet Make me do right or make me do wrong, I’m your puppet
Treat me good and I’ll do anything I’m just a puppet and you hold my string, I’m your puppet
Darling, darling, pull the strings, let me sing you a song any day I’m your puppet baby, you can sing for me all night long
“It Was A Very Good Year” Written by: Ervin Drake Recorded: 1965 Producer: Sonny Burke Conductor: Gordon Jenkins Arranger: Gordon Jenkins Released: December 1965
Available on: September Of My Years (1965) Sinatra At The Sands (1966)
Personnel: Frank Sinatra – vocals Featuring Gordon Jenkins and his Orchestra
Ervin Drake’s “It Was A Very Good Year” was written in 1961 and originally recorded by Bob Shane of The Kingston Trio that same year but it was Frank Sinatra’s rendition in 1965 that made the song legendary with his Grammy Award-winning version.
The nostalgicand melancholic song recounts the type of girls with whom the singer had relationships at various years in his life: when he was 17, “small-town girls … on the village green“; at 21, “city girls who lived up the stair“; at 35, “blue-blooded girls of independent means“. Each of these years he calls “very good“. In the song’s final verse, the singer reflects that he is older and in the autumn of his years, and he thinks back on his entire life “as vintage wine”. All of these romances were sweet to him, like a wine from a very good year.
Sinatra’s version of the song, which won Best Vocal Performance, Male, also took home the Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist by Gordon Jenkins. The song became Sinatra’s first #1 single on The Adult Contemporary chart and reached #28 on Billboard Hot 100.
Ervin Drake commented on Sinatra’s rendition saying, “Someone played it to me down a telephone. It wasn’t a great phone line but I knew I’d heard a masterpiece and I fell in love with it. I’ve never stopped loving it.”
This is Frank Sinatra with “It Was A Very Good Year”
May your Saturday be smooth sailing. Thanks for stopping by.
Written for The Unicorn Challenge (with a timely lead-in from yesterday’s Friday Fictioneers). Here we are challenged to be creative in 250 words or less using the photo below. This is my story.
He walked on the beach with his dog just as he always did. He saw the sign but ignored it, happy to see someone had vandalized it. Damn rules!
He threw the ball but when the dog returned, he had a purse hanging from his mouth. He dropped the purse and ran back to where he found it.
Looking in the purse, the man saw a cell phone. Hers. Last call was to him. Chasing the dog, he saw a body sprawled on the rocks near the water.
And before he got any closer, he knew it was his wife.
A flood of questions hit him like a tsunami. What happened? Why didn’t he get her call? What was she doing here …. not just here on the beach .… here in Cannes?
She was supposed to be in Lyon finalizing the sale of her late mother’s apartment. Her mother died five years ago and for reasons only she could explain but never did, she refused to get rid of the place.
He quickened his pace to the body. The dog kept nudging her head and running around wildly on the deserted beach. The man looked at her phone again; there were numerous calls to someone named Roman. An unfamiliar name.
He heard a voice. “Monsieur! You are not supposed to be here with that dog! There are rules.” The local gendarmerie. Then louder, more urgently – “What have you done, monsieur? Do not move! Ici! Dépêchez-vous!”
My friend Clive at Take it Easy reminds us about Mental Health Awareness Week. We’re in the midst of it here in The States and it’s coming up next week in the UK. But really … there’s no timeline for mental health awareness and it doesn’t take a huge time commitment or expensive exercise equipment. A doctor friend of mine likes to say “When you wake up, get up. And when you get up, do something.” Simple enough, even for this old bird! Stay healthy, my friends!
Today for the first time I am featuring the “friends” aspect of Friends & Family Friday.
The story starts on May 4, 1968, on the British television talent show “Opportunity Knocks,” where a talented 17-year-old Mary Hopkin began performing, going on to win six episodes in a row. Mary had no way of knowing that the iconic British model Twiggy was watching one of those performances on her television at home. That weekend Twiggy was talking to a friend about Mary’s performance on the program, a friend who was soon to establish a record label with his band. That friend was Paul McCartney. Just two days later, Mary received a telegram asking her to call Apple Corps. Hesitant at first, she was persuaded by her mother to call the number on the telegram.
“So I rang up and was put through to this guy with a Liverpool accent” Mary later recalled. It was, of course, Paul McCartney and the next day Mary was on her way to London to sign a contract. The young Welsh singer was one of the first to sign with the Beatles’ Apple label. Mary’s stint with Apple resulted in two albums – Post Card and Earth Song/Ocean Song, a slew of well-crafted singles and an EP released in Indonesia. Mary later admitted her association with Apple ended mainly because of Paul McCartney’s micro-management of her career.
One of Mary Hopkin’s songs on the Apple label is the exquisite “Martha” written by Harvey Andrews – a song about a lonely woman who sits by her phone waiting for someone to call. Martha listens in on her neighbors’ conversations, feeding on their despair. She appears to be a nosy, manipulative and unhappy person who is consumed with the lives of others while neglecting her own. Her behavior is likely the result of a broken heart and a shattered life. The song paints a sad and eerie picture of a woman who has lost her way and is happy only in the misery of others.
This is Mary Hopkin with the hauntingly stunning “Martha”.
Thanks for stopping by and catching some tunes with me.
Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are asked to write something creative in 100 words or less using the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.
He walks on the beach with his dog, just as he always does. They have a routine. He tosses the ball, the dog brings it back. It’s all very natural and civilized.
Except for this night.
When the dog returns, he has a purse hanging from his mouth. He drops the purse and runs back to where he found it.
Looking in the purse, he sees a cell phone. Hers. The last call dialed was to him. He chases the dog; there’s a body sprawled on the rocks near the water.
Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are challenged to write something creative in 100 words or less using the photo below. This is my story in 100 words.
They walk five miles to work every other day, softly conversing in Italian. They unlock the side door and go directly to the closet. Dragging out their supplies, they stop talking and address their task.
Kerchiefs holding back their hair, hands protected by rubber gloves, they uncap their jars of Murphy’s Oil Soap and add a small amount to their buckets of water. It doesn’t take much of the lemon-scented solution to polish every pew.
These are the church ladies. They labor silently for three hours. When done, they leave the church in darkness except for the luminous bell tower.
Welcome to Birthday Thursdays! Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on this day. There won’t be any chit chat from me, no facts and figures – just some great tunes (and an occasional surprise). Check it out right here every Thursday and enjoy the music.
Happy Birthday to Liberace Born May 16, 1919 in West Allis, Wisconsin
Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag #20, where we are asked to write about a song by a group or solo singer beginning with the letter I or J.
The date was January 24, 1969. Jethro Tull stepped on stage at the Fillmore East to play their inaugural performance in the United States. Tull hadn’t yet reached the point of popularity in The States to warrant a headlining gig; they were the opening act for Blood, Sweat and Tears. That’s who we were there to see. When the opening act started playing, I remember turning to Bill and saying “I could be wrong but I think that guy’s playing a flute!” and that was the beginning of my love affair with Jethro Tull.
Even if their long career stalled at the start of the ‘70s, Jethro Tull would still go down in rock history for that one crucial thing: they proved that the flute could be a killer R&R instrument. Front man Ian Anderson has wielded the instrument – a favorite among middle-school-band girls and wandering minstrels for almost a thousand years – like a madman onstage, aggressively blowing solos usually reserved for guitars or saxophones. But paired with the band’s era-spanning brand of progressive folk music – expertly displayed on 1971’s breakthrough Aqualung album – the flute has become a weapon of mass destruction in Anderson’s hands. Despite the many lineup changes the band has gone through over the years, Jethro Tull’s records have rarely diverted from their ambitious paths. The group infamously won the first-ever Hard Rock/Metal Grammy in 1989. So there!
The track“Aqualung” is a story of homelessness and how society deals with it. Ian Anderson said his wife took photos of the homeless and showed them to him. Many of the lyrics describe actual homeless men. His wife also wrote some lyrics from the photos. Anderson went on to say “Aqualung” is a “guilt-ridden song of confusion about how you deal with beggars, the homeless and our reaction of guilt, distaste, awkwardness, all these things that we feel when we’re confronted with the reality of the situation.You see someone who’s clearly in desperate need of some help, whether it’s a few coins or the contents of your wallet, and you blank them out. The more you live in that business-driven, commercially-driven lifestyle, you can just cease to see them.”
Here’s a bit of history regarding the name of the album/song. An Aqualung is a portable breathing setup for divers (think scuba gear). Anderson’s photos showed a homeless man with breathing problems and the name “Aqualung” came to him. It turns out that Aqualung was a brand name for the deep sea breathing system in a TV show Anderson liked to watch – Sea Hunt. In a 2019 interview, Ian Anderson said, “They tried to sue the hell out of us, the Aqualung Corporation of North America. We apologized profusely and said, ‘Sorry, we didn’t know. We thought ALL underwater breathing apparatus were called Aqualungs because it’s so famous the world over.’ It was an honest mistake. I think they were flattered by the fact that we thought they were the one and only kind of company doing that stuff. They decided not to sue us after all.” Great story!
“Aqualung” was never released as a single simply because it’s too long. Radio at the time was sharply divided between AM, which played the 3-minute pop hits, and FM, where they played what was called deep cuts. The album Aqualung is Jethro Tull’s best-selling with more than seven million units worldwide. It was generally well-received critically and has been included on several music magazines’ best-of lists.
From 1971, this is “Aqualung” by Jethro Tull, from the album of the same name..
And this is Ian Anderson’s Flute Solo from 1976 in Tampa, Florida
That time I found myself in the principal’s office because I screamed at the teacher who tried to put his hand up my shirt, then being assaulted again at home by my mother who accused me of “asking for it”.
Strange sensations came over me and I felt disoriented; I was sweating but I had chills, my vision was blurry, my tongue seemed huge in my mouth …. about three times its normal size …. my head felt like it was under water and my equilibrium was off, making me stumble and lose my balance, walking into the furniture and reeling yet even though I desperately wanted this goddess standing before me, I was unable to reach her.
For no apparent reason, I suddenly remembered when I got home from work earlier that day, I found a new drink in the refrigerator …. 24 mini-cans of some beverage with exotic-sounding names such as Peach Bellini, Pineapple Mule, Mango Meringue, Grapefruit Paloma, Maui Sunset …. and it was totally bewildering to me that I could remember those names but not where I was, who I was, who this woman was and yet I knew for a fact that I drank a couple of those cans of delightful nectar; could be that’s what was messing with my head …. making me be so unsure about some things but entirely certain about others …. not unlike taking quaaludes (the authentic Rorer 714s, not some cheap bootleg shit), dropping acid and then popping amyl nitrate all at the same time like some who-do voodoo cocktail.
I could hear this luscious woman talking but I was unable to reach her, to press her mind-bendingly magnificent body next to mine; her words were garbled and all I could make out was the name “Alex” which was very strange because my name wasn’t Alex .… or maybe it was .… I wasn’t sure of anything except that I definitely downed several cans of exquisite ambrosia with exciting names.
Holding on to the back of the sofa to keep myself from falling, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror and I gasped; I did a doubletake because even though my vision was definitely wonky, it wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t see that I had suddenly transformed into a very attractive black man much like Michael B. Jordan when just half an hour ago I was my usual George Costanza look-alike!
Then without warning the woman’s voice started morphing and began to sound familiar, kind of like my wife Alexis and when I looked up into the mirror I was no longer Michael B. Jordan …. I was back to my old self, plain old Fred Johnson …. and when I looked over at the woman, that voluptuous blonde with the perfect 44 double Ds had been replaced with my short, squatty wife of 37 years; well, that sucked and I quickly determined the only thing I could do was to drink more of those tasty beverages in mini-cans and pray my gorgeous fantasy girl would return but when I yanked open the door of the fridge, I was alarmed to see there was no more voodoo juice left and my heart sank because, as always, I couldn’t control my damn self, I had downed all the mini-cans of ecstasy and now it was just me and short, squatty Alexis.
Whether solo or with Roxy Music, this is one of the few Bryan Ferry tracks that cracks a wide smile, sending up his jet-set image while celebrating it at the same time. Originally recorded by soul singer Dobie Gray, “The “In” Crowd” often gets confused for a Motown number, thanks to the label’s arranger Gene Page, who gave the single the Motown touch. Before Ferry tackled the tune, Ramsey Lewis Trio recorded a live instrumental version in 1964; later, Cheap Trick performed a cover of Ferry’s cover. Confused yet?
In the US, Gray’s powerful version, complete with brass section, reached #11 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chartand #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 20, 1965. Outside the US, “The “In” Crowd” went to #25 on the UK Singles Chart and #8 in Canada.
Bryan Ferry’s 1974 singles release reached #13 on the UK Singles Chart. His album cover for “Another Time, Another Place”, which featured “The ‘In’ Crowd”, is one of the coolest in a James Bond kind of way.
By Dobie Gray in 1964, here is the original “The “In” Crowd”.
And this is what it sounded like when Bryan Ferry recorded it.
And just because it’s my post and I can do whatever I like 😄 this is the RamseyLewis Trio showing us how to do jazz right.
That’s today’s Twofer Tuesday plus one! Thanks for stopping by!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of the great Mel Brooks. Combine that with my fascination with gladiator movies and my own sense of humor and this is the result. Originally written in 2021, I’ve donesome tweaking and now present to you one of my favorite fun stories. I hope you enjoy ‘Maximus Overdrive’!
Maximus Gluteus caught a glimpse of his reflection on a sheet of polished tin which his wife Labia used as a mirror. He had really let himself go! He was a disgrace, not just to himself but the entire world of gladiators.
Originally known as Maximus Biceptis, he was no longer the god-like hero of the arena. Where was that formidable champion of the amphitheater? Gone were the defined, well-built curves visible through his tunic, the muscles straining against the fabric at the forearms, biceps and chest. His sculpted calves, broad back and wide neck were flaccid, as were other parts of his anatomy which Labia was quick to point out.
Maximus was not only popular with the general public; he was greatly admired by the Roman emperor Sartorius for having won many battles against highly skilled adversaries. The emperor was particularly impressed by his heroics and rewarded Maximus with more palaces and riches than he could have asked for; he went so far as to honor Maximus with his prized solid gold chariot and team of Berber horses.
Besides gladiator matches, there was something else the Romans were famous for – partying! Those wild and crazy worshipers of Bacchus, the god of wine, knew how to have a good time. Maximus and Labia threw lavish Bacchanalia and partied like it was 999; debaucheries of every kind were practiced freely and enjoyed by all. Party-goers would spend uninhibited all-nighters dancing, watching circus performers, feasting on fattening foods and decadent desserts, engaging in unbridled sex and, of course, drinking themselves into a stupor.
Labia, a once-famous gladiatrix, was considered an exotic rarity by all who knew her. Attempting to maintain her impressively athletic yet feminine physique, she exercised frequently in the gymnasium and swam in the warm baths. Maximus, however, had become lazy and spiritless. He encamped himself in the large atria overlooking the Mediterranean, reclining for hours on end in the lavish gardens which had been planted with grape orchards, orange groves and trees bearing olives, figs, almonds, walnuts and chestnuts.
Maximus reveled in the good life, laying on his chaise lounge listening to poetry while the palace harpist played softly. Naked dancing nymphs performed for him, slaves fanned him with exquisite peacock feathers and beautiful servant girls fed him cheese, pheasant, figs dipped in honey, meaty chestnuts and wine. A life of gluttony and pleasure suited Maximus; he was a well-sated man.
Maximus became so fat, Labia refused to have sex with him. Even his concubines were repulsed by him but knew they had to do the deed or risk being executed. It got so bad, the poor girls resorted to pulling straws to see who would share their master’s bed. The ladies, however, had little to fear; most nights Maximus was so drunk he was in no condition to get it on …. even with the sensual songs of Marvin Gayeus playing in the background.
It didn’t take long before Labia began spending more and more time away from the palace. She would go for long walks along the seashore with her beloved greyhounds, Lingus and Limbus. It was during one of those walks that Labia first laid eyes on the newest and most popular gladiator who recently transferred to Rome – Maximus Erectus.
He was quite a sight to behold, especially when exercising naked on the beach. To say that he was well-built was an understatement. Erectus was perfection from head to toe. Tall, blond and powerful, sinewy muscles rippled down his arms and legs and across his Herculean back and chest. He was broad-shouldered with a flat, rock-hard abdomen. His body was bronzed from the sun and glistened with sweat. He was one ripped Roman!
Labia stared transfixed at the spectacle before her; even the dogs sat in quiet attention. Finishing up his exercise routine, Erectus ran toward the sea, jumped into the waves and swam for a long while. When he came out, he spotted Labia standing on the beach watching him. Without any hesitation or embarrassment, he walked directly to her. Smiling broadly, he reached down and patted Lingus and Limbus, laughing as they responded by happily wagging their tails. Labia’s tail had already been wagging.
The two struck up a conversation. All the while they were speaking Labia’s eyes kept drifting down toward Erectus’ magnificent member which seemed to take on a life of its own. When Labia mentioned she, too, enjoyed exercising and swimming, Erectus commented that she looked like she was in terrific shape and invited her to join him on the beach whenever she desired a partner.
Now, there’s no denying Labia had a few years on Erectus, but she was still firm and supple. She decided to join him on the beach the following week; it wasn’t long before the duo became partners in every way.
Labia packed her bags and left Maximus Gluteus for her new lover. Tossing everything into the golden chariot, she clicked her tongue and the team of Berbers trotted off. Labia laughed gaily as she shouted over her shoulder, “So long, fat ass!”
But Maximus Gluteus was too drunk to hear her.
That night Emperor Sartorius had a dream that he would be overthrown. He consulted the wisest philosophers and dream interpreters who all agreed this would indeed be his fate. Fearing torture and a slow death at the hands of his enemies, Sartorius made it known that should such an uprising occur, Maximus Gluteus was to be summoned to execute him; he trusted Maximus would end his life as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Sartorius was indeed overthrown and, per his wishes, Maximus was summoned. However, since Labia had absconded with the golden chariot, Maximus had no choice but to travel by foot to emperor’s palace. Alas, his massive weight slowed him down terribly and Maximus did not arrive in time to save Sartorius from an excruciating death.
Due to that unfortunate event, the expression “Lardum Asina” came about. Today we know it as “Lard Ass”.
From the comedic genius mind of Mel Brooks, this is a clip from the movie “History Of The World, Part I” featuring Bea Arthur and Mel Brooks who wrote, directed and produced the 1981 film.
When you listen to the many great tunes of The Temptations, I’m sure the one thing you don’t know or even imagine as possible is that their first seven singles were commercial failures. In contrast their hit soul/R&B single “The Way You Do The Things You Do”, released in 1964 from their album Meet The Temptations, was a huge success. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went to #1 on the Cash Box R&B chart. “The Way You Do The Things You Do” was written by Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers of The Miracles; now that you know that I think you’ll hear that familiar Miracles’ influence.
Otis Williams of The Temptations recalled in 2009: “The first time we heard the song, we loved it. The melody swung, and the lyrics had lots of charm.It was typical Smokey talkin’ about how to get a girl and he made it all work. It got a good response whenever we did it live, so our hopes were up. We knew from past experience that even the best tracks don’t always click.”
I guess after seven flops, Otis knew what he was talking about.
From 1964 here are The Temptations with their first hit, “The Way You Do The Things You Do”.
And this is what was on the B side – “Just Let Me Know” written by Berry Gordy, Jr.
Thanks for joining me today for a little Monday Motown Magic.
Written for Weekly Writing Prompt #363 where we are asked to write something in exactly 42 words, incorporating the word “cabinet”. This is my story in 42 words.
When the landlord came calling for the rent, she pleaded for more time.
He refused and viciously slapped her across the face.
She fell against the cabinet and a rage grew in her like never before.
Daughters-in-law are our grandchildren’s mothers. As such, they carry our fortunes downstream. Under their guidance, our hopes become others’, Giving their force to a much larger dream. How lucky we are to have you for the carer That nurtures the hearts of our hearts, that they may Each be a lover, a giver and sharer, Remaking the world in their image each day. So do we all, like streams from the mountains, In time become joined in the souls we have made, Now mingled forever, eternal companions, Linked by our love in a bond that won’t fade. As you in your noontime your work of love do, We watch from the hillside, grateful for you.
Today’s theme at Song Lyric Sunday is all about songs that reached #2 on the charts but never got to #1. Be sure to stop by and read Jim’s post, “Fell Short“.
On November 21, 1968, I had the pleasure of seeing the debut performance of Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Fillmore East in NYC; I was actually there for the headliners, Deep Purple, but that’s another story. This post is all about CCR.
Here’s one indisputable fact: Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of the biggest commercial successes of the late 1960s and early ’70s. During a time when psychedelic rock, R&B, Motown soul, funk and metal were all on the rise, CCR’s unique blend of driving ’50s-style R&R and classic Americana imagery made them one of the biggest standouts of the era. With John Fogerty’s singular voice and songwriting skill, CCR was in a league all its own, and audiences on both sides of the Atlantic responded by making them a huge draw for albums, singles, and live performances.
Here’s another indisputable fact: Creedence Clearwater Revival has had the most #2 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 without ever having a #1 hit. Somehow, the band that defined their generation wasn’t able to ever sit atop the singles mountain. If nothing else, CCR’s lack of #1 singles is a testament to how fickle the Hot 100 chart can be and how lucky an artist has to be in order to score a #1 hit. Month after month for years on end, CCR would throw classic song after classic song out into the world, scoring nine top ten hits and five #2 singles without ever cracking the top of the chart.
The lack of a #1 hit never seemed to affect the band’s popularity, however, as they landed two #1 albums with Green River and Cosmo’s Factory. The band continued to sell out large venues as a live act, and its last top 10 hit ‘Sweet Hitch-Hiker’ came even as the band was falling apart. No one could say that CCR wasn’t popular enough to get a #1 song, but for whatever reason, they could never quite scale the mountain.
After Proud Mary and Bad Moon Rising stalled out at #2, John Fogerty believed he had the perfect answer: the title track to the band’s upcoming album Green River. But while the album went all the way to #1, the song “Green River” once again got stuck at #2.
To add insult to injury, CCR was beaten out at #1 by a group that wasn’t even a real band! The Archies were based on the characters from the Archie Comics series, which had its own cartoon series on CBS at the time. Manager Don Kirshner originally created The Monkees but was frustrated that the members began taking control of the project. Cartoons couldn’t talk back so Kirshner got session musicians and songwriters to fill in the rest. Just in case you’re wondering, The Monkees have three #1 hits with ‘I’m A Believer’, ‘Last Train To Clarksville’, and ‘Daydream Believer’.
FYI – the remaining two CCR songs that stalled at #2 were both double-A sides: “Travelin’ Band/Who’ll Stop The Rain” and “Lookin’ Out My Back Door/Long As I Can See The Light”. They were beat out by Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” and Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No MountainHigh Enough”, respectively.
From July 1969 this is Credence Clearwater Revival with “Green River’ from the album of the same name.
LYRICS
Well, take me back down where cool water flows, y’all
Although the band members were only together for four years, they managed to accomplish more than many artists do in their entire career – releasing seven studio albums (five of which were on the Billboard Top Ten), and a seemingly endless string of memorable singles (including nine Top Ten hits). The group also performed a historic headlining set at Woodstock and toured the world before disbanding in 1972. In 1993 they were inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame. CCR’s music endures today, on the radio and regularly in films and TV shows. Having sold over 30 million albums in the US alone, Creedence received a rare Diamond certification from the RIAA in 2016, marking 10 million units in sales for their 1976 compilation album, Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits.
Big thanks to Jim for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday.
The Elephant's Trunk 