As I sit here in my recliner looking out my bedroom window, wondering where Christmas has gone, I ask myself if I should venture out for my walk.
“It’s a bleak-looking day and awfully chilly. Stay inside where it’s warm and comfy.”
But then I remember that my wonky knee could use the exercise and time is fleeting. In just 83 days the beautiful blushing bride of nature will arrive and winter will be nothing but a distant memory.
“Credited for my award-winning fruitcake” was probably the last thing I heard my speed date say before I zoned out, my head hitting the table with an impressive “thud”.
“DING!” went the timer and my arm automatically shot up as I shouted out “Check, please!” Everyone looked at me like I was crazy. “Yeah, I’m crazy alright for agreeing to go along with my friend Nadine’s cockamamie idea of speed dating the day after Christmas …. and she never even showed up!”
I looked up to see my next date arriving – an Elvis impersonator replete with spangled jumpsuit, a ton of hair and heavy cologne. Whoever invented the jumpsuit should be pummeled with one of Elvis’ belt buckles. “Well, hello there, little lady. I do believe fate has brought us together. You are the spittin’ image of my darlin’ Priscilla.”
“Oh Lord! Get me out of here!” my mind screamed. Quickly I jumped up.
“Hey, toots! Number 9! Whaddya think you’re doing? You can’t just break outta line like that!” shouted the hoody-wearing overseer with the pronounced nose. He pointed an accusatory finger at me looking every bit like Charon the Ferryman from the River Styx.
I shoved passed him, walking out into the cold December night. “You are such a pathetic loser” I murmured to myself. “Another wasted night and this time during the holidays! Wonder if there’s anything to do other than just go home?”
Looking around I noticed a movie theater down the street. “Well, better than nothing.” As I got closer I saw the movie was “A Hard Day’s Night” and it was about to start. Cool! I got my ticket and bought some popcorn. There were clusters of people sitting here and there so I chose a secluded seat in the back. I liked sitting by myself, away from weirdos.
Just as the theater lights dimmed, some guy walked in and sat right next to me. “Jeez!” I’m thinking, rolling my eyes. “Of all the seats, you had to choose that one!”
Looking straight ahead, eating my popcorn, I assess the situation. I never know what to do at times like this. Do I change seats and risk him saying something nasty? Do I stay put and pretend everything’s normal? What if he’s a pervert?
“This is all your fault, Nadine” I whispered.
“Excuse me. Did you say something?” asked the guy next to me.
The charming English accent caught my attention; I turned my head slightly in its direction. In my excitement, I immediately began choking as I inhaled a puff of popcorn. The guy sitting just inches from me was a carbon copy of my one true love – George Harrison.
“Are you ok?” he asked. “Here, have some water.”
Finally able to breath and talk again, I said “I’m awfully sorry! You shocked me. Has anyone ever told you you look exactly like George Harrison?”
“All the time. It’s a curse. And has anyone ever told you you look exactly like Priscilla Presley?”
“All the time; it’s a curse.”
We both sighed heavily in resigned commiseration and turned our attention to the movie. We laughed through the whole thing, totally enjoying ourselves and lost in the moment; there was definitely a connection between us. When it was over we left together and decided to get a drink to celebrate the holidays.
We walk to a swinging little bar and who happens to be there? None other than “No-Show Nadine”!
Spotting me and my guy from the movie theater, she came running over, gushing like a schoolgirl. “Oh my God! Has anyone ever told you you look exactly like George Harrison? Giving ‘George’ the once-over, she drooled. “Mighty slim pickings here tonight. Wanna dance, handsome? Olivia won’t mind, will ya, hon?”
Wanting nothing more at that moment than to escape Nadine, ‘George’ grabbed my hand and we ran from the club, laughing and tripping over ourselves just like in the movie.
It’s our final edition of “In The Groove: Sounds Of The Season” and we’re celebrating the holidays with something George would definitely dig! Please stop by and join in the fun! https://rhythmsection.blog/
And just like that, it’s almost over! All that remains are the crumbs of Christmas cookies, discarded wrapping paper and the sighs of 2023 as it creeps closer to the back door. Some of us may still have family to visit or get-togethers with friends …. and let’s not forget New Year’s Eve. If you’re like me and my mister, you’ve opted to eschew the party hats and noisemakers in favor of a more relaxed and intimate setting.
But that doesn’t mean we’re going to roll over and play dead this week …. not by a long shot! Have you forgotten the Sicilian Curveball? Well then, I think it may be time to serve up one final pitch right about now.
Gather ’round the fire pit and turn up the volume; welcome to the RockingSounds Of The Season! We will not go out with a whimper here In The Groove!
Now remember …. as is my style I have prepared a holiday banquet of treats for you – one might say “The 12 Rocking Days of Christmas”. This is an audio/visual feast, my friends! The videos are intended to be viewed throughout the week, not ingested whole unless that’s the way you roll. If that is your preference, then by all means ….. belly up to the bar. ‘Tis the Season, after all!
I’m opening today with an American group based in Omaha, Nebraska. This is a neoclassical new-age music ensemble founded in 1974 known primarily for its Fresh Aire series of albums which blend classical music with elements of new age and rock, and for its modern recordings of holiday music. They are wildly popular, having sold over 28 million albums in the US alone.
Strap yourselves in, kids; it’s’ gonna be one hell of a sleigh ride!
This is Mannheim Steamroller!
“Deck the Halls“
“Faeries from NutcrackerSuite”
“Hallelujah“
“Sleigh Ride“
And now, from the world of Heavy Metal ….. oh, did you think I wouldn’t go there? Ho! Ho! Ho! Think again! Here are four of the greats!
We’re going to church, boys and girls, so show some respect. This is Dio (with Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath fame) and a few other guys) with “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”.
Here we have an old Chuck Berry number …. “Run, Rudolph Run” …. hopped up a bit featuring Lemmy (Motörhead), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) & Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
A little something called “Very Merry Led Zeppelin” …. a Led Zepp Medley, if you will.
Nobody even think of leaving just yet. This is “Carol of the Bells” by Metallica.
My final featured group today is another US-based band founded in 1996 and based in Tampa, Florida. This rock band gained popularity when they began touring in 1999 after completing their second album, “The Christmas Attic”. In 2007 the Washington Post referred to them as “an arena-rock juggernaut whose music is like a meeting of Pink Floyd, Yes and the Who at Radio City Music Hall”. They have sold more than 10 million concert tickets and over 10 million albums and are known for their elaborate concerts and light shows.
I bring you TSO – Trans-Siberian Orchestra!
“A Mad Russian“
“Christmas Eve/Sarajevo“
“Siberian Sleighride“
“Wizards in Winter“
This is it, kids …. the final In The Groove 2023 for The Rhythm Section. I think you’ll agree it is a true Sicilian Storyteller smorgasbord that will take you right into the New Year!
Enjoy your holiday week, my friends! Stay safe, happy and healthy always.
My friend Clive at Take It Easy …. https://cliveblogs.wordpress.com …. posted these two videos on his site last week; to me they represent what Christmas is all about. I wanted to share them and their distinctive messages with you.
The first one is a delightful advert by the people at Hafod Hardware, a shop in the Welsh town of Rhayader. Everything about it is perfection – the story that revolves around 2-year-old Arthur starting his day, helping his grandparents in their shop and the clever and imaginative ending, including the ubiquitous and endearing 👍🏼 greeting,
The second video was made for the song “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year” by Ingrid Michaelson and Zooey Deschanel. The animation is truly unique …. totally charming and endearing. I’ve never seen anything like it! I hope you enjoy these videos as much as I did.
My warmest wishes to you all, dear friends, for a very Merry Christmas!
“Merry Christmas, Happy New Year” by Ingrid Michaelson & Zooey Deschanel featuring some of the most charming, adorable and lovely animation I have ever seen! This is a real delight! ❤️
Yesterday my MC had just emailed his estranged wife andwas hoping for a reply, a Christmas miracle. Here’s where we left off. Let’s continue:
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Push send and cross my fingers that Annie hasn’t changed her email address. Going to bed and will say a prayer for a Christmas miracle…..
I woke up early again today; it’s Christmas morning. I’m anxious and afraid to check my email. Can I bring myself to read beyond the first couple of words? Instead, I decide to wait just a bit and pour myself a cup of coffee. I sit looking out the window as the woodpeckers hop from branch to branch finding their way home.
Did Annie get my email? Will she answer me? I guess I can put off the inevitable for only so long. I decide to check my computer; nothing. My heart is shattered and I crumble onto the chair . What a fool I was to wait so long to reach out to her.
It’s early afternoon now and the luscious aroma of roasting turkey is wafting through every room in the house; I can’t bear the thought of eating Christmas dinner alone. When everything is done cooking, I’ll pack up all the food and bring it to the soup kitchen; at least someone will reap the benefits of my stupidity.
I clean up, get dressed and pour myself a glass of wine. Perhaps I’ll sit by the tree and listen to some Christmas music while the turkey finishes doing its thing. The happy tunes coming from the radio do not match my mood and then, as if by simply willing it to happen, a melancholy song starts up. I never thought I would be spending Christmas like this …. alone, broken-hearted and in tears.
I hastily wipe at my eyes with the back of my hands and turn off the radio. No more music today. Time to see how the dinner is coming along. On my way into the kitchen, I glance out the window at the woodpeckers. Standing by the once useless wheelbarrow, suitcase in hand, is my Annie. She gives me a slow, sweet smile and a little wave.
Without stopping to think “Is this real?”, I flew down the stairs and out the back door. Thank you, God, for second chances.
It’s Christmastime today at Song Lyric Sunday, my favorite time of the year!
One of the greatest personal moments in music is when I hear an instrumental and the combined qualities of that piece get my imagination going to the point where I see an entire story unfolding. Surely it happens quite often with classical pieces since most are instrumental.
So where am I going with this? Well, in his post today, Jim asked what our favorite Christmas song is and mine happens to be an instrumental. From the first notes to the last, as the excitement builds, this song is, for me, the epitome of Christmas. Yes, there is a version with lyrics and they’re pretty good ones, but I prefer the original instrumental. Can you guess which song I’m talking about? Hang on a bit longer, please, and I’ll play it at the end of this post. First, I want to talk about something else.
Today in Song Lyric Sunday, the suggestion for “Anything Christmas” comes from our friend Clive at Take It Easy.
Since I’m The Sicilian Storyteller it should be obvious that I am extremely proud of my heritage. I want to say “Mille grazie, Jim & Clive” for the opportunity to play some Italian Christmas songs and to wish our readers “Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo a tutti!”
My first song for today’s “Anything Christmas” prompt is a fun Italian/American favorite Christmas song.
“Dominick the Donkey” is a novelty Christmas song recorded by Lou Monte in 1960 (written by Ray Allen, Sam Saltzberg and Wandra Merrell). This beloved Italian Christmas song describes a donkey who helps Santa Claus bring presents (made in Brooklyn, of all places!) to children in Italy “because the reindeer cannot climb” Italy’s hills. The song was listed at No. 14 in Billboard’s “Bubbling Under the Hot 100” list in December 1960.
Lou Monte was an Italian-American singer best known for a number of best-selling, Italian themed novelty records which he recorded for both RCA Records and Reprise Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He also recorded on Roulette Records, Jubilee Records, Regalia Records, Musicor Records, Laurie Records, and AFE Records.
Let’s have a little fun with Lou Monte and “Dominick The Donkey”.
Then, while surfing the net, I found this. There wasn’t much info, just what the composer/singer offered up. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did, even if you’re not Italian …. AYYY!
“The Other Italian Christmas Song” by Eddie Napilillo
I stayed up all night and wrote this so people could enjoy it this Christmas! It’s kind of an Adam Sandler Hanukkah Chanukah Song parody. It was fun making it and clearly expresses that everyone, all religions ethnicities and beliefs, is welcome in an Italian family home at Christmas! Merry Christmas everybody! Peace and love to you and your families! Please forgive my lyric reading and sloppy playing!!! I mispronounced some names too… lol.. No Mic, no reverb or affects, just iMovie, an iSight camera, and a $20 acoustic guitar. – Eddie Napolillo
🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟 🎄 🌟
From the ridiculous to the sublime …. my next song for you today is a traditional Italian Christmas carol called “Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle” (“From Starry Skies Thou Comest”) or, more colloquially, “You come down from the stars”, written in 1732.
The melody and original lyrics for the hymn were written by Alphonsus Liguori, a prominent Neapolitan priest and scholastic philosopher (later canonized) who founded the Redemptorist missionary order. While staying at Convent of the Consolation, one of his order’s houses in the province of Foggia in southeastern Italy, he wrote the beautiful Christmas song, “Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle”. Over the years, this song became the most popular Christmas carol in Italy.
Many artists have recorded this carol and they are all lovely. In my opinion no one sings it more sweetly than the great Andrea Bocelli; it is his version I have chosen for you today. If you would like to follow along, I have provided the lyrics in both Italian and English.
Here is Andrea Bocelli with “Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle”
LYRICS
You come down from the stars, O King of heaven Tu scendi dalle stelle, o Re del cielo
And come to a cave in the cold and frost E vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo
And come to a cave in the cold and frost E vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo
O my divine Child, I see you here trembling O Bambino mio divino, io ti vedo qui a tremar
O blessed God O Dio beato
Ah, how much it cost you to have loved us Ah, quanto ti costò l’averci amato
Ah, how much it cost you to have loved us Ah, quanto ti costò l’averci amato
To you, who are the Creator of the world A te, che sei del mondo il Creatore
Clothes and fire are missing, oh my Lord Mancano panni e fuoco, o mio Signore
Clothes and fire are missing, oh my Lord Mancano panni e fuoco, o mio Signore
Dear chosen little child, how much this poverty Caro eletto pargoletto quanto questa povertà
The more I fall in love Più m’innamora
Since he made you poor love again Giacché ti fece amor povero ancora
Since he made you poor love again Giacché ti fece amor povero ancora
Oh, did you think I forgot about my favorite Christmas song? Never! Did you guess what that song is? Well, let’s play it now and we’ll see if you were right. Here is the incredible Boston Pops Orchestra with its awesome rendition of “Sleigh Ride”.
Seventy-five years after Leroy Anderson created “Sleigh Ride” (1948), the song is still ranked as one of the 10 most popular pieces of Christmas music worldwide!
Thanks to Jim at Song Lyrics Sunday for always coming up with great prompts and to Clive for his suggestion today of “Anything Christmas”. Merry Christmas to all; may your day be joyous and wonderful and filled with terrific music!
Taking a short break tocelebrate Christmas with my family. Rebooting an old favorite from 2021; some of you have seen it; many haven’t. 💫
My Dear Annie,
It took about ten minutes of me staring at a blank computer screen before I started typing this email – and that’s just today. I’ve been doing the same thing every day for the last eight months. I’ll type a paragraph, then delete it. The idea of reaching out to you began thirty seconds after you left our house and closed the door on our life together. I have about a thousand thoughts and questions swirling around in my brain, much like the snowflakes dancing in the wind in our backyard.
I got up early and made myself a cup of coffee, then sat by the kitchen window and watched the birds at the feeders. You’ll be happy to know the red-headed woodpeckers have returned, just as they always do. How I wish you would return to me, too.
I held my coffee cup up to my nose and inhaled the rich aroma of dark roast. I’m drinking from that cup you gave me ages ago with COOL BEANS scrawled across the front. I use it every day and always think about you (not that I need a reminder) and I’ve decided that today will be the day I must summon the courage to write to you to say “I’m sorry”.
You see, tomorrow is Christmas Day and I can’t think of a better time to tell you what’s on my mind. If I don’t do it today who knows if I ever will? I miss you, Annie. I miss you so damn much it literally hurts. My heart aches for you and my stomach churns when I realize what a first class jerk I was to let you slip through my fingers.
I don’t know what I was thinking. No, I take that back; I do know. I was thinking aboutmyself – me, myself and I. What a stupid, selfish idiot I was. I’m sure you’d agree with that assessment. I’m equally sure there’s a spot for me in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest fool ever. How could I expect you to put your dreams and plans on hold while I pursued mine?
If I’ve come to realize anything over these last few months it’s the fact that what I want in life isn’t more important than what you want and all my achievements are not worth a damn without you.I am so sorry for not seeing that sooner.
When I finally realized how empty my life was without you and how much I yearned to be sharing and living our dreams together, you were long gone. I don’t blame you one bit; if I was you, I would have left me, too. I’m useless without you and I’m so ashamed that I put myself before you.
Do you remember that old wheelbarrow we found last year buried under weeds and ivy? It was missing its wheel and was of no use to anyone. You had the brilliant idea of transforming it into a planter instead of throwing it away. I have also lost my wheel, my direction in life and I find I can’t do anything without it, without you. I need you to help bring me back to life, to give me purpose. I need your forgiveness.I need you.
I was driven by my obsession for success and power more than anything else – more than putting you first, more than your deepest desire to start a family. How could I have deprived you of that? How could I have deprived us of that? How could I have been so blind not to see that was exactly what I wanted too? Well, I screwed up royally. All thesuccess and power I ever wanted are mine now but they are hollow victories. The price was too dear – losing you and everything that was and might have been, that should have been. I wake up alone in our bed and come home to an empty house. And all day, every day, I simply exist like a wheelbarrow without a wheel.
I have no idea where you are, how you are or what you’re doing. I pray that you haven’t lost all faith in me, even though that may be what I deserve. That would surely destroy me because my love for you is stronger than ever. I wouldn’t blame you for not believing what I’m about to say but I would do anything, give up everything just to have you by my side once again. I am empty inside without you and I’m begging for a second chance. My one hope that I cling to every day is the fact that I haven’t been served with divorce papers …. yet. Please tell me there’s a chance for us, a chance that you can possibly forgive me.
Christmas Day. What a blessing it would be to have you back, to have you tellme we’re going to be okay! How grateful I would be for the opportunity to show you how much I love you and need you in my life!
Don’t laugh but I’m going to attempt to prepare my very first Christmas dinner by myself. I bought a small turkey, all the fixings and a lovely bottle of wine .… just enough for two. It would give me the greatest joy to share the day with you and every day after that, to hold you in my arms and make all the sorrow go away.
Annie, if only you could sprout wings and fly home tome like the woodpeckers! Will you come home for Christmas? Please come back to me and never leave.
I love you so very much.
Charlie
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Push send and cross my fingers that Annie hasn’t changed her email address. Going to bed and will say a prayer for a Christmas miracle.
It’s time once again for The Unicorn Challenge. Our mission: to write a story in 250 words or less in response to the photo prompt. This is my story and I’m sticking to it. 🦖 🎄 🦕
When our son was still in elementary school, he demonstrated a great ability and clever imagination for art. He had a penchant for cartoon characters of his own creation which he drew on his book covers and all over his school notebooks.
My husband and I encouraged his artwork and we kept him well-stocked in supplies, including a drafting table, paints and copious amounts of drawing pads. His main character was a T-rex called “Monstroid” …. a Jurassic lawman who was not above getting down and dirty.
When our son was about twelve years old, he asked permission to paint Monstroid on his bedroom wall. I had no problem with that; I’d rather he paint his own wall than someone else’s. Thirty-something years ago, graffiti was considered vandalism, not the street art it has become today.
The story of Monstroid grew in my son’s head, along with other dinosaurs, friend and foe alike. It got to the point where every wall in his room was covered with his creations; dinosaurs grazed on one wall while epic prehistoric battle scenes appeared on another wall. I didn’t mind; the boy was hurting no one and I would never suppress his natural ability for art …. just as I would never squash our other son’s talent for music.
Our son is now a television cameraman – another form of art. However, he never lost his love of painting and Monstroid is alive and well on the bedroom walls of each of his three kids.
Tom has invited us to participate in this Mansionic Pioneer Poem prompt. Happy to do so, Tom! The first words of each line are the rhyming words. Each line must be 5 syllables or less. The last two lines of the poem are the same as the first two lines, only written in reverse. Here’s my poem.
Welcome to Birthday Thursdays here in The Rhythm Section. Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on that 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 Frank Zappa Born December 21, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland
It’s six for A Six today, all coming together to form one story: One prompt for GirlieOnTheEdge’s Six Sentence Story, four Fandango’s One Word Challenge prompts and one photo prompt from Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge. Yes Siree Bob, that makes six! 🎄 🦌 🎅🏼 🦌 🎄
It was a long time ago, probably 30 years now, but I remember that night like it was yesterday, as if someone had taken a permanent marker and etched the whole event on my brain for all eternity; at the time I was quite active in my church, so much so that I somehow managed to get myself elected president of the parish council, a situation I found myself in because it’s a tremendous challenge for me to say “no” and, as a result, I end up getting involved in projects I’d rather not be doing.
My committee and I were decorating the rectory meeting room and setting the tables for the parish council’s Christmas dinner when I realized the wine I bought for the function had gone missing; now, I am a very organized person, certainly no scatterbrain, and when I found there was no room whatsoever in the refrigerator or freezer for the bottles of wine, I placed them in a covered box in the garage attached to the rectory knowing they would stay safe and cold, so how they could have disappeared was a total mystery.
Faced with the inability of turning water into wine and with no time to go to the store, I decided to check the rectory storage room hoping to find wine left over from a previous dinner and I was rewarded with an entire case of red wine sitting on a shelf in the corner just waiting for me; well, never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I saw this new-found wine as divine intervention and placed two bottles on each table, quite pleased with myself for having saved the night at the last minute.
When the priests arrived for the party, they looked around the room in approval, nodding and smiling, but that was short lived when I suddenly saw one priest, Fr. Bob, heading my way and he didn’t look happy which made me wonder what was causing his consternation; now, in my defense, I am not a member of the clergy and have no way of knowing these things but the wine I found in the storage room was not just any ordinary, run-of-the-mill wine – no siree – it was blessed communion wine, meant solely for the purpose of Holy Communion and definitely not for a party, albeit a church Christmas party!
When Fr. Bob asked me (rather belligerently, I might add) how I could have made such a careless mistake, my mind went blankand everything I tried to say ended up sounding like a lame excuse; what was supposed to be a great accomplishment for me as parish council president turned into the most mortifying experience of my life and just when I thought the evening could not get any worse, it did.
The man I hired (from a so-called “reputable” agency) to play Santa Claus went AWOL, leaving his sleigh and a slightly inebriated-looking reindeer abandoned in the snow-covered backyard of the rectory; after a search of the grounds, Santa was found in the monsignor’s car in the garage, drunk as a skunk, passed out in the back seat and clutching my missing bottles of wine …. and if you give me a Bible, I will place my right hand on it and swear that everything you just read is entirely true (except the part about the tipsy reindeer; I added that because I simply couldn’t ignore the adorable graphic accompanying this story).
We headed out last night to buy our Christmas tree. It’s not like me to wait this long to decorate; it was just one thing after the other this year and before I knew it, Christmas was one week away and we still didn’t have a tree.
There’s one place in town we always go to; it’s run by the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and I’d rather give them my money than some fancy nursery. At least I know all proceeds go to an excellent cause.
Right after Thanksgiving the VFW starts selling Christmas trees. A certain number of trees are immediately sent to our forces stationed overseas and others are donated to hospitals, nursing homes and other groups in need of trees to decorate. There’s a home for mentally challenged adults in my town as well as a religious retreat house run by Franciscan friars; both places receive multiple trees from the VFW.
We arrived at the tree lot around 3:30, just after the kids got home from school, and I was shocked to see some mighty slim pickings. Just the other day when I drove by there were hundreds of gorgeous trees – Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir and others. Where the heck had they all gone?
That’s exactly what I asked Phil, one of the volunteers who was working the lot last night. He told me that many of the trees were sold already, which was completely understandable; then he recounted something that just blew my mind.
The lot had been robbed the night before! Some clowns with a metal cutter snipped their way through the fence and in the middle of the night made off with about 150 trees! They were obviously organized and came with the manpower as well as the horsepower to make off with that many trees. They probably headed over to New Jersey or Connecticut to sell the trees at a huge profit.
Only despicable trash, the lowest of the low, would steal Christmas trees from the veterans! That’s like snatching a kid’s candy cane or taking an old man’s walker. It’s a real cheap shot and now the VFW was out thousands of dollars!
So, there we were on December 19th, standing in the middle of the VFW tree lot staring at a bunch of Charlie Brown Christmas trees. I actually thought about going home, climbing up to the attic and dragging down my mother’s old silver aluminum tree she used years ago when they were all the rage. But then Phil said something that brought me back down to earth.
“Sorry for the measly selection. If you head over to Redwood Nursery, I’m sure you’ll find a lot of beautiful trees to choose from.”
This guy and the VFW had just lost a ton of money and he was willing to sacrifice another sale just so I could have a gorgeous Christmas tree in my house. Wow, talk about the “Spirit of Christmas”!
We walked around the lot until we found a tree that was practically begging for us to take it home. Phil tied it onto the top of my car and we headed home.
We placed our new tree in a stand full of water and sat down for dinner. When we returned to the living room to decorate, that wonky tree looked a little fuller and stood a bit prouder and I knew it wasn’t my imagination playing tricks on me.
One little tree was all it took to remind me of the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Eve is five days away and I have no idea where the year went! I love the holidays, especially this week leading up to Christmas …. the baking, wrapping, watching old holiday movies on TV, visiting with friends, attending church services, taking the little ones to see Santa. It is a truly magical time of year.
Welcome back to In The Groove: Sounds Of The Season! To help make your Christmas week even more meaningful and festive, I thought it would be nice to feature some of our most popular and well-loved holiday songs and Christmas Carols. I hope you enjoy my selections and come back to this page whenever you’re in the mood for some wonderful holiday music.
For me Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without my favorite cookies – Viennese walnut crescents, so buttery they just melt in your mouth. That’s the way I feel about certain performers and the Christmas songs we all love. There was a big problem, though: I couldn’t choose just one single song from each artist – they’re all too good – so I’m breaking with tradition and posting a few complete albums. I think there’s a nice selection of music for you to listen to and, just like delicious cookies, there’s more than enough to sample and satisfy your musical cravings anytime during these last weeks of 2023. Let’s begin with a real beauty:
Here is Nat ‘King’ Cole and this is “King Of Christmas”
From December 9, this is “Christmas With André Rieu 2023″ a compilation of the full concert.
This is Frank Sinatra with “O Jolly Christmas”
Here is “The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sings Christmas Carols”
From 1968, this is “Snowfall – The Tony Bennett Christmas Album”
Under the direction of Arthur Fiedler, here is The Boston Pops and “Christmas Album”
The beautiful voice of Connie Francis from her album “Merry Christmas [Fantastic Christmas Carols]
The soothing sounds of “Classical Winter” – Classical Music Selections
Enjoy the week doing all the things that bring you peace and happiness …. including listening to great music. I’ll be back In The Groove on December 26th with something completely different; I predict you’re going to be sufficiently blown away! It’s just what we need for The Rhythm Section’s final week of 2023.
Waves of glorious flaxen hair rippled over her shoulders, swaying and bouncing with every high-heeled, leggy stride she took.
Never one to shy away from attention, especially that of the male population, she confidently waltzed down Fifth Avenue toward Saks, stunning in red Jimmy Choo thigh-high boots, a snow-white fur coat, and a single strand of pearls.
Admiring looks didn’t intimidate her; they titillated her, challenged her to be more daring and quite a bit risqué. It was all a game and she loved to play.
As she strolled the avenue, stopping to look at the exceptional Christmas displays in the store windows, she noticed the reflection of a man leaning drowsily against a parked car. Accustomed to men looking her way, she thought nothing of it at first but found herself glancing at his image more often than usual. Sliding her Ray Bans a little down her nose, she gave this mystery man’s reflection a furtive peek. Intriguing.
Repositioning her glasses, she continued window shopping, collecting all the longing glances cast her way and storing them in her bag like so many colorful Christmas lights. Every so often she’d linger at a quaint little shop or gallery, acutely aware of her mystery man shadowing her along the way. Now this was starting to get interesting. Slowly she removed her shades and gave his reflection a long look.
Why not? Slipping her sunglasses on, she turned around to a vision that caught her breath …. from head to toe the epitome of elegance and charm. Raven hair, tanned skin, black cashmere coat draped over his arm, charcoal grey pinstripe suit, crisp white shirt, black and silver Art Deco tie and Italian shoes …. not black but the exact color of his suit. Nice touch; the paragon of haute couture.
She smiled. He smiled. She turned slowly, giving him ample time to fall into place beside her.
She continued walking, no longer followed by a mysterious shadow but side-by-side with an intriguing companion. Together they would take the road wherever it led them.
We’re really getting close, kids! Only two more chances to play Name That Tune after today. Have you been naughty or nice? Are you checking off the days until Santa arrives? I know I am. 🎅🏼
But the big question is ….. “Can you name today’s tune and who sang it?”
Ok, get those thinking caps on; I have a feeling you may need them today.
And …. we’re off! Here are your five clues:
This 1957 Christmas song was co-written by a very well-known crooner who’s infinitely more famous for singing songs than writing them.
Today’s featured performer had a career spanning decades (as a singer, dancer, entertainer, TV host, Academy Award-winning actor and Chairman of the Board) and was as popular in his day as the Beatles were in theirs.
This song was not an immediate hit; ok, the fact is it never even made the charts but it has since become a popular little Christmastime tune. Is it in the top 10? Nope. The top 20? Doubtful. But if you like Christmas standards then you’ll know this one.
Our featured song is all about Christmas food, festivities and traditions; the title mentions two types of evergreen plants; one has bright red berries and the other one’s berries are white. PSA: Do not eat the berries; they are pretty but they’re also pretty poisonous and nobody wants to spend Christmas in the emergency room getting their stomach pumped!
Today’s artist was born Dec 12, 1915 in New Jersey and is probably solely responsible for putting Hoboken on the map.
Two evergreen plants with berries
So, who thinks they got it right? Let’s find out! Scroll on down for the big reveal.
That’s right, kids! It’s none other than Hoboken’s own Frank Sinatra singing a song he co-wrote called “Mistletoe And Holly”. How about we give a listen right now.
Well, I thought that was rather charming and after hearing Dino on Friday and now Frank, I’m definitely in the Christmas spirit! How about you? Are you decorating, wrapping, cooking and getting ready for the big day?
I hope you’ve been enjoying the wonderful holiday music this month. Everyone is so busy these final days of 2023 but there’s still more to come before we ring in the new year so stick around. You owe it to yourselves to stop and hear the music!
I’ll be back on Tuesday with more Sounds Of The Season; I have some of your old favorites scheduled so when you feel the pressure of the holidays starting to get to you, click on a video and enjoy the music. 🎄 ✨
And so the time came to pass that the young woman was too heavy with child to continue the journey. They had traveled many miles with still more land to cross and she knew her time had arrived to deliver her babe.
She told her husband she could endure no more of this pilgrimage and, reluctantly he agreed; while it was important for them to return to their hometown, the safety and comfort of his wife and their unborn baby were of the utmost concern. But they were strangers in a strange land and knew no one. The husband stopped at the first house they saw.
The couple waited patiently, the young woman suffering in silence as her baby wrestled inside her, anxious to make an appearance. Finally, the owner of the house answered the door and, holding up a lantern for a better view, quickly assessed the situation. He knew this young couple needed his help.
Quietly the homeowner informed the husband that he had no room in his house for them; the disappointment on the face of the husband was obvious, even in the darkness of the late hour. The young woman tried to maintain some propriety but could no longer stifle her pains of labor and let out a deep, low moan. Both men knew the time for her to be delivered was imminent.
The homeowner hesitated only a second, then led them to a lowly cellar. Apologizing, he offered them this place and they gratefully accepted…..
Today we have a treat for you: Keith is back in the house!
Keith Allen, AKA The Nostalgic Italian, has written another guest post which we’re sure you’ll find interesting and entertaining. With ten days to go until Christmas, it’s guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit. Today Keith is talking about one particular Christmas song that’s become his favorite. It’s a great song and I like the fact that it isn’t one of those songs you hear constantly during the season.
OK, I’ve said enough! I’m going to hand the reins over to Keith for another edition of Be Our Guest. Take it away, Keith!
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Thank you, Nancy, and Happy Holidays to you, dear readers! When I heard that The RhythmSection was going to feature holiday music throughout the month of December, I had to be a part of it! I am one of “those” people who can listen to Christmas music all year. It always seems to brighten my spirits and put me in a good mood.
I love Christmas music so much that I wondered if I’d actually be able to pick just one song to write about. Off the top of my head, I could pick something from Elvis, Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Helms, Jim Croce, Brenda Lee, and so many more. It will come as no surprise to those who know me that I picked a cut from my favorite singer …. Dean Martin.
Dean recorded two Christmas albums. The first was “A Winter Romance” for Capitol Records in 1959. It had some Christmas songs as well as “winter” themed tunes on it.
His second Christmas album was for Reprise Records (Sinatra’s label). “The Dean Martin Christmas Album” was the fourth of five albums he released in 1966. The release of the album in October and Dean’s TV show in November, 1966 were accompanied by what Billboard described as a “merchandising avalanche”. Billboard said Dean as running the “hottest streak of his career” and added that Reprise planned to sell $4 million of his records over the Christmas sales period. Billboard later reported that Martin had sold 850,000 albums in December, 1966.
Of all of the holiday songs he recorded, there is one that has always stood out to me as his best. From the opening notes, I am smiling; I am talking about “A Marshmallow World”. I am aware of the MANY other versions of the song; although Darlene Love’s version is a close second, I personally believe that Dean’s version is the ultimate version of this song! It is the perfect song for him and he delivers it in his very own style. He sounds like he is having so much fun with it.
The song itself had been around long before Dean recorded it in 1966. It was written in 1949 and while the song is about winter and is commonly regarded as a Christmas song, the lyrics make no mention of the holiday. The imagery in the song really stands out to me. It compares a snowfall to marshmallows and mounds of whipped cream covering the ground. It is such a beautiful thing that the singer “waits for it the whole year ’round.” It was first a hit for Bing Crosby in 1950 reaching #24 on the charts and done by many others afterward.
Here now is Dean Martin’s “A Marshmallow World” (Official Audio)
Dean recorded it just once, for his 1966 album, but he performed it more than a few times on his show. If you want to see just how much fun he has singing it, you need look no further than the following clips. As you watch each of them, you can’t help but love how he can have so much fun with it in one version and then make you swoon with another.
This is “A Marshmallow World”, duet by Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra (The Dean Martin Show)
From The Dean Martin Show, another version of “It’s A Marshmallow World”
For our final song, here is Dean Martin and “A Marshmallow World” – Live, Christmas 1971
To me, Christmas isn’t Christmas without “A Marshmallow World”!
Thanks again to Nancy and the good folks here at The Rhythm Section. I wish you all the Merriest Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!
Thanks, Keith! It’s always great to have you join us. Just like you said …. with only ten days until Christmas, I’m really feeling the spirit!
I have to admit, when you approached me about doing a holiday song and sent me a copy of your post, I wasn’t sure I even knew “A Marshmallow World”. Then as I thought about it, I remember saying to my husband “Yeah, I think I know this song!” It was really great to hear it again and you’re so right about this song being the perfect one for Dino’s voice. You really hit it out of the park this time, Keith! Thanks for a great holiday song!
Just a reminder, friends, to stay with us for the rest of December; we’ve got lots more holiday music coming up, all the way through December 31, as well as a couple of surprises. It won’t be the same without you!
Once again, a big “thank you” to our friend, Keith!
Today Sadje is asking us “What do you see?“ Using her image along with Eugi’s word prompt “boundless” and Fandango’s word prompt “back”, this is my response.
Image credit: Jr Korpa @Unsplash
I stand at the doorway and watch as she stretches her legs from her car seat in the back of her daddy’s car, grunting with that Little Engine That Could determination until her fur-trimmed black ankle boots finally reach the curb. With the boundless spirit of a 3 year old, she runs up the path to our front door, stops for a second to wave at our North Pole decorations, and gaily calls out “Grammy! Grampy! It’s your Kukla! I’m here!” …. my nickname for our youngest granddaughter, Colette. She flings herself into my arms and we share a big warm Kukla Hug. Her hugs are the best and I don’t want to let go. Eyes smiling, she excitedly tells me she saw Santa and the elves outside and asks if we can bake Christmas cookies today. Every day with her really is the most wonderful time of the year.
“What is this place, Draco, and why have I never seen it before?”
“Ah, Natalia, this is the most prized room in the castle! Very few know of its existence …. only those whom I trust implicitly with my deepest secrets, those whom I know will never speak of this room to another living soul.”
“Oh, dearest Draco! Tell me truly. Does this mean you love me?”
“Love you, Natalia? No, my dear. It’s not love that rules my vampiric heart, but lust.”
And with that he ravished her atop the sarcophagus before sinking his teeth into her comely neck.
Welcome to Birthday Thursdays here in The Rhythm Section. Each week I will feature someone from the world of music whose birthday falls on that 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 Charlie Rich Born December 14, 1932 in Colt, Arkansas
Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge is asking us to write a Six Sentence Story and to include the word “farm”. This is my story.
My Tree
Early in our marriage, Bill and I inherited my parent’s ginormous artificial Christmas tree which we used for about ten years until it died; at that point our boys were very young and we thought it would be a nice family outing to go to one of the local nurseries to pick out a live tree, which was something we did for about four years until one Thanksgiving, while celebrating at my sister’s house in Rhinebeck NY, my brother-in-law mentioned they were going to Wonderland Farm the next day to get their Christmas tree (and you can bet my ears perked up at hearing a delightful fantasy name like that …. Wonderland Farm …. an utterly irresistible place if ever there was one and I definitely had to go!).
Well, it turned out that Wonderland Farm was a wholesale grower of Christmas trees, meaning people like you and I could go there, walk around the grounds until we found the perfect tree for our house, chop it down, drag it to the baling machine where it got bound and gagged and tied to the top of the car, then we had to drive the 90 miles home (the whole time checking to see if the tree was still on top of the car), drag the tree into the garage, saw off an inch or two from the bottom and let the tree sit in a bucket of water for a couple of days before bringing it inside to decorate; being totally unfamiliar with this activity and having young boys who thought it would be “awesome” to act like Paul Bunyan for a couple of hours, we decided to join in the tree chopping fad – a new family tradition that lasted for about three years until the back-breaking, ass-freezing novelty wore off.
Once we stopped cutting down our home-grown trees, we weren’t quite ready to bite the bullet and go cold turkey by putting up a fake tree, so back to the local nurseries we went for a few more years until that fateful day when I was un-decorating by myself and, while struggling to get the tree out the front door to the curb, I lost my balance and fell backwards into our partially frozen juniper bush; my hands and clothes were sticky from pine sap, I was a disheveled and scratched mess from wrestling my way out of the juniper, there was a trail of pine needles from my living room to the front curb, I was exhausted and achy and I’d had quite enough …. the perfect storm, the live Christmas tree coup de grâce.
The following weekend the family hopped into the car and drove to the Christmas Tree Shop where we bought a nice big artificial tree which we lugged home and immediately tossed into the attic where it remained until the following December which turned out to be a huge mistake because when we finally opened the box, we discovered it was not the gorgeous fake evergreen we saw on display but a namby pamby shade of pink aluminum which was never going to fly in my house, so we packed it all up and returned to the Christmas Tree Shop where we were told “No refunds after 90 daysof purchase”; logically, I knew that but it was still a bit of a blow because the store was to blame for the mislabeled box, so once again we found ourselves wandering around looking for a Christmas tree and we found something I’d never seen before – a skinny tree, fully decorated and lit, with its own storage bag, meant to fit neatly in the corner of a room – and we scooped that baby up and brought it home.
That skinny tree served us well but (you knew there was a ‘but’ coming, didn’t you?) for a skinny tree, that damn thing weighed a ton and lugging it up from its storage spot in the basement really took its toll on Bill’s rotator cuff [we still have that skinny tree neatly packed away in its storage bag and stashed in a corner of the basement and every time I go into that back room, it scares the hell out of me because I forget it’s there and it looks like a body bag up against the wall!]; now I was asking myself what we would do for our next tree and the answer came to me while at the dentist one day and I spotted his lovely 3-foot tall fiber optic tree with twinkling lights which seemed to speak to me in Morse Code saying “Buy me and put me right by the fireplace and surround me with nutcrackers”, so that’s exactly what I did and there it served us very well for a couple of Christmases …. until I saw something while searching for stocking stuffers on Amazon that turned out to be a veritable game changer.
There on Amazon was a gorgeous tree the likes of which I had never seen before and I read all about it (not once but twice) and ordered it yet I was still surprised when a package was delivered that resembled an extremely large pizza box which contained something that looked like a wreath that melted like the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz …. it sure didn’t look like a Christmas tree and I was beginning to wonder if I’d made a mistake or if Amazon had sent the wrong item …. but after laying out all the parts on the floor (which consisted of the melty-looking tree, a base and a pole), it all began to make sense and it was incredible to see it all come together; there’s no way I can adequately describe how wondrous this tree was in person or how amazingly easy it was to assemble so if anyone is interested in seeing for themselves just how easy it really is, go to Amazon.com and search for “Prextex Premium 6 ft Pre-Decorated Christmas Prelit Pop Up Tree” – but I must caution you …. you may very well want a Christmas tree or two just like this for your very own home .… and I absolutely couldn’t blame you!
Dectina Refrain: This refrain is written as follows: 1st line – 1 syllable, 2nd line – 2 syllables 3rd line – 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines; the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines as one stand-alone line.
Welcome back to In The Groove: Sounds Of The Season! This week we are celebrating along with our Jewish friends the holiday of Hanukkah. Settle in now with your favorite beverage and a comfy blanket; we are about to begin.
Hanukkah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, delicious fried foods, dreidels and chocolate coins; the Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication.”
In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs instead of mitzvah (commandment) observance and belief in God. Against all odds, a small band of faithful (but poorly armed) Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, rededicating it to the service of God.
When they sought to light the Temple’s Menorah, they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity. To commemorate these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah.
At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash (“attendant”), which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night, just one flame is lit. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Hanukkah, all eight lights are kindled.
Very special thanks to my friend David ben Alexander (The Skeptic’s Kaddish) for lending a helping hand in selecting today’s videos. David, you made my “job” immeasurably easier! חנוכה שמח! תודה לך חברי היקר
The stage has now been set; let the music begin!
“I Have a Little Dreidel” (“The Dreidel Song”) is a playful song that is often sung during Hanukkah. It celebrates the spinning of the dreidel, a traditional Hanukkah game, and is a catchy tune that children and adults enjoy.
“Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah”: This song is a cheerful and lively song that celebrates the holiday and its traditions. It is often sung as a part of Hanukkah celebrations and is known for its festive spirit.
“Ma’oz Tzur” (מָעוֹז צוּר): Also known as “Rock of Ages,” this traditional Hebrew song is typically sung during Hanukkah to praise and thank God for delivering the Jewish people from their enemies. The song has several verses and is often sung with great emotion and devotion.
“Haneirot Halalu” (הַנֵּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ) is a Hebrew song recited or sung after the Hanukkah candles are lit. It expresses gratitude and joy for the miracle of Hanukkah and the opportunity to kindle the lights. It is a short, simple, and beautiful melody that is often part of the Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony.
Thank you, David! Now for two videos of my own because you can never have enough holiday music!
This is “Happy Hanukkah” by Matisyahu
Live from the Levon Helm Studios, this is Woodie Guthrie with “Happy Joyous Hanukkah”.
Wishing all my friends who observe Hanukkah a most blessed, peaceful and happy celebration!
I hope you enjoyed today’s edition of Sounds Of The Season. Please join me again next week as we continue this holiday edition of In The Groove.
Today at Song Lyric Sunday, Jim is asking us to choose a song that was recorded in one take. Ok, let’s do it!
In my mind, I can’t imagine anyone not being a Beatles fan …. not to the exclusion of all other bands, mind you …. just an ordinary fan. With that thought in mind, I’m sure you’re all eager to know that the Beatles recorded not one but four songs in one take. The amazing thing about that is the lead singer for each of the four songs was a different Beatle!
Let’s see which four songs were recorded in just one take and who sang which song:
On February 11, 1963, Ringo took lead vocals for the first time on “Boys”, a hit song for the Shirelles written in 1960 by Luther Dixon and Wes Farrell. As usual, Ringo also played the drums. On that day the Beatles recorded ten songs for the first album “Please Please Me”, which was released on March 22, 1963.
Next up is Paul. On March 1, 1964, he did his greatest Little Richard impression on “Long Tall Sally” with George Martin joining in on piano. The song was written by session musician Henry Strzelecki and originally released in 1959. The Beatles version was released on June 1, 1964 on a 4-song EP that included “Matchbox’, “I Call Your Name” and “Slow Down”.
On October 18, 1964, George sang lead on a cover of the Carl Perkins song “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby”, originally written way back in 1936 by Rex Griffin. The take was so well done, there was no need for another. That was a very productive recording session, with the Beatles completing three songs in just five takes!
The last of the songs is one by John singing “Rock and Roll Music”, which Chuck Berry wrote and recorded in 1957. George Martin once again joined in on the piano (as he often did); it was such a clean and crisp recording, only one take was needed.
Nothing new here for the Beatles; they had performed all these songs in their Hamburg days so the group was used to playing them. Yes, you’re right if you’re saying “But, Nancy … Ringo wasn’t in Hamburg– Pete Best was the Beatles drummerback then“. And I would reply that Ringo had sung “Boys” with his previous band so it was only natural that he be given the lead for that song again with the Beatles. These songs were also Rock & Roll or Rockabilly covers – a genre the Beatles loved to listen to and play, which they did with extreme ease.
Many people mistakenly believe that the Beatles routinely recorded songs in one take when in reality it happened only four times in their entire career. Let’s listen to my favorite of the four “one take” songs …. John’s version of “Rock and Roll Music” from “Beatles For Sale”.
Rock And Roll Music (Remastered 2009) The Beatles Beatles For Sale
Written by: ChuckBerry Recorded: October 18, 1964 Producer: George Martin Engineer: Norman Smith Released: December 4, 1964 (UK),December 15, 1961 (US) Available on: Beatles For Sale Anthology 2 Live At The BBC
Personnel John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar, piano Paul McCartney: bass guitar, piano George Harrison: acoustic guitar Ringo Starr: drums George Martin: piano
The prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is to include the words “to me”. This is my response.
Whenever there’s an upset in my life, I ask myself the same question: “How could this be happening to me again?”
Sometimes I wonder if I’m a total sap to give myself entirely to a friendship and at some point end up getting hurt. I don’t know …. maybe I’m delusional but I expect people to treat me the same as I treat them. Perhaps “expect” is too strong a word; after all, do I really have the right to expect people to behave a certain way just because I think they should?
Someone once told me my expectations are unrealistic and that I can’t “will” someone to act or react a certain way simply because I want them to. Perhaps he was right. I think about his words when I feel hurt or angry.
So, yes, I was hurt once again by a friend going behind my back and lying to me. This leaves me wondering if I bring this sort of behavior on myself or if I’m just unfortunate with some of the friendships I have made?
One thing I simply cannot tolerate is lying. I have a personal pact with myself never to tell lies. I know people lie all the time; is it too much to ask those near and dear not to lie to me?
Writing about this recent hurt is cleansing and I have decided I will put it behind me. What gives me some small amount of satisfaction is the fact that the person who lied to me knows that I know. This friend certainly went to a lot of trouble to cover all the tracks but they weren’t 100% successful. First of all, I am nobody’s fool and I catch on fast. Secondly, when you involve a third party into the plot, things can go horribly wrong very quickly. And last, my friend slipped up by making a comment online which I saw through immediately; as I said, I am nobody’s fool. The plotting and scheming behind my back compounded with the lie is particularly vicious; it was entirely intentional. You can’t get much lower than that.
Well, while I am going through this cleansing period, I am not above admitting that I hope the liar(s) are squirming and feeling guilty about stabbing me in the back. This was a grievous act on their part; could an admission and an apology be on the way?
There’s nothing quite as poignant as the sight of a dying swan, when her beauty wanes like that of faded silken cloth.
A life of such magnificence she leads, dressed in only the most majestic and royal of attire, bestowed so easily by nature while other breeds look so ordinary in comparison.
Confident in her beauty, she floats like a downy queen; she renders no judgement on the world nor assumes a superior attitude. Hers is a graceful, peaceful existence.
She rises above the tumult and silently, in a sweetly romantic character, will she take to heart a mate for all her life. No other and never another will she need, for they are soulmates of the seas.
With wings and elegant necks entwined, they swim the waters together, no fear, no discord. In unison they fly with wings of angels, ever one with the other.
The finches and skylarks in admiration glance down from the trees and sing to the beauty of the swans.
Their love comes to fruition; their cygnets hatch like tiny balls of feathered fluff.
But now the song of the swan is almost over, come full cycle but far too soon for her mate has fallen victim to the fisherman’s nets and weights and has been dragged unceremoniously to the depths of the lake.
Now she is alone with only a broken heart until the time comes for her to rest and in silence she will close her eyes for one long and final sleep.
The Elephant's Trunk 