With many thanks to Jackson Browne and The Chieftains for this alternative holiday message from “a heathen and a pagan.”
Dec 25 – An Alternative Holiday Song: The Rebel Jesus
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Category Archives: music
High Coo – Dec 18 – Ball of Confusion
What a crazy world we live in! What a crazy Christmas/X-Mas season.
https://edgeofhumanity.com/2022/12/18/ball-of-confusion-the-temptations-1970/
Thank you, Edge of Humanity! Your song recommendation and YouTube link brought back some great memories. I especially enjoyed the current, this century, photos in the music video that corresponded to last century lyrics. I highly second this creative recommendation.
Today’s senryu: Ball of Confusion
mental dissonance
seasonal competition
non-violent night?
Another fun and confusing seasonal YouTube worth checking out is this Violent Night movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a53e4HHnx_s
universalpictures.com
Is Jesus the Reason for the Season?
Best coin ever spent
High Coo – Nov 2 – Day of the Dead
Dead Guitarist at The Blue Habanero in Richmond, VA – photo taken by author
Today’s haiku: Day of the Dead
Let us remember
loved ones departed – and our
future reunion
“Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated November 2. On this day, it is believed that the souls of the dead return to visit their living family members. Many people celebrate this day by visiting the graves of deceased loved ones and setting up altars with their favorite foods, drink, and photos….The main tradition for Day of the Dead sees families gather to honor and remember their loved ones who are no longer with us. Celebrated as a sacred and joyous occasion, there is plenty of food, lots of flowers, visits with family members and nostalgic stories about those who have died.” https://nationaltoday.com/day-of-the-dead/
Today, I honor my departed ancestors, friends and teachers who have “crossed over” and “continued” to the next phase of their life journey. I’m especially remembering my grandparents, father and younger brother today. I look forward to our reunions.
I respect that your experience may be different from mine. Many cultures honor their ancestors with holidays like the Day of the Dead. For example, see the chart below:
La Catrina mural at The Blue Habanero in Richmond, VA – photo taken by the author
High Coo – Oct 29 – Feed the Birds Day
“Today, the British Royal Society for the Protection of Birds celebrates Feed the Birds Day. R.S.P.B. advises people to put out food and water for birds regularly. These can be kept in safe environments where the birds can land, rest and replenish themselves. Birds can be in danger of malnutrition during colder months. The weather naturally limits the amount of food the birds get access to in the wild.
WHY RSPB FEED THE BIRDS DAY IS IMPORTANT
- It raises awareness – The holiday contributes to the conservation of wild birds. People are made aware of the problems birds encounter and how to help them.
- It protects birds – People are more likely to help birds as a result of the holiday. Birds have easier access to food and water, which makes it easier for them to survive.
- It helps the environment – Birds play a vital role in the ecology. They aid in the maintenance of a healthy environmental balance. Protecting them contributes to environmental protection.”
See https://nationaltoday.com/rspb-feed-the-birds-day
And let us not forget Mary Poppins song to Feed the Birds
Though her words are simple and few
“Listen, listen”, she’s calling to you
“Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag”
Songwriters: R.M. Sherman, R.B. Sherman
For non-commercial use only.
Data From: Musixmatch
Today’s haiku: Feed the Birds
we all need some help
from time to time – remember
to pay it forward
For more information on how to feed the birds see advice from Wild Birds Unlimited at https://www.wbu.com/get-started/
High Coo – Oct 26 – Storied Strings p.3
Every musical instrument has a story to tell.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is currently offering the original exhibition Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art (https://vmfa.museum/pressroom/news/vmfas-original-exhibition-storied-strings-guitar-american-art-opens-october-8/)
Today’s haiku: GUITAR QUESTION
admire the beauty,
feel the shape – oh what stories
will you sing today?
High Coo – Oct 25 – Storied Strings p.2
Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art
OCT 8, 2022 – MARCH 19, 2023, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Highly recommend this creative historical display in Richmond, VA. (https://vmfa.museum/exhibitions/exhibitions/storied-strings-guitar-american-art/)
This project includes beautiful paintings, photos, and many guitars and musical recordings. Examples include:
Today’s homage haiku: Storied Strings p.2
pretty troubadour
with musical companion
your song sets us free
High Coo – Oct 24 – Storied Strings
Attended the VMFA’s Original Exhibition Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art. VFMA is the very impressive Virginia Museum of Fine Arts based in Richmond, VA. See https://vmfa.museum/pressroom/news/vmfas-original-exhibition-storied-strings-guitar-american-art-opens-october-8/
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. For additional information, visit www.VMFA.museum.
I will share more in the days to come.
In the meantime, here is today’s haiku: Storied Strings
Pluck, slide or strum it
fingerpick, if you prefer –
music anywhere
High Coo – Oct 18 – Happy Birthday Peter Boyle
“A bold, blunt instrument of hatred and violence at the onset of his film career, Peter Boyle recoiled from that repugnant, politically incorrect ‘working class’ image to eventually play gruff, gentler bears and even comedy monsters in a career that lasted four decades.” https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001967/bio
Known most for his roles in the comedy movie Young Frankenstein and the hit TV show Everybody Loves Raymond, Peter Boyle was a delight to watch and a source of laughter for many years.
“Boyle’s death (December 12, 2006) had a tremendous effect on his former co-stars from Everybody Loves Raymond, which had ceased production less than two years before his death. When asked to comment on Boyle’s death, his cast members heaped praise on Boyle. Ray Romano was personally affected by the loss, saying, ‘He gave me great advice, he always made me laugh, and the way he connected with everyone around him amazed me.’ Patricia Heaton stated, ‘Peter was an incredible man who made all of us who had the privilege of working with him aspire to be better actors.’ …
After Boyle died, his widow Loraine Alterman Boyle established the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund in support of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF).” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Boyle
Today’s haiku: Happy Birthday Peter Boyle
We laugh and we cry –
you humbly role modeled while
“Puttin on the Ritz”
High Coo – Oct 14 – Tim Minchin’s 9 Life Lessons
Following on yesterday’s advice to Celebrate Failure, I’m pleased to share Tim Minchin’s 9 Life Lessons address to his alma mater, the University of Western Australia. But first, a quick review of the greatest philosophers who led me to Tim’s supremacy.
It all started with Allan Sherman‘s song in 1963, Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (aka the Camp Granada Song). From there I graduated to Dr. Demento and Weird Al Yankovic. And while I also love Bo Burnham, Tim Minchin is truly the best when it comes to musical comedy delivering a life philosophy worth singing about.
So, if you’re still with me, here are Tim Minchin’s 9 Life Lessons:
- You don’t have to have a dream
- Don’t seek happiness
- Remember, it’s all luck
- Exercise (you can’t be Kant)
- Be hard on your opinion
- Be a teacher
- Define yourself by what you love (not what you’re against)
- Respect people with less power than you
- Don’t rush (it all ends with death so take your time and enjoy the ride)
Listen to Tim’s 11-minute university address video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9AXbWGoIZk via MotivationArk’s YouTube channel.
Check out his website here https://www.timminchin.com/ and his biography here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Minchin
Yes, I’m a fanboy! 🙂
Life Matters 