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Showing posts from June 9, 2011

Magical Moment 496, "Fauna Haiku"

Is it the rain drops, Or pitter pat of her feet? Only one ceases. Goodnight, Fauna. ~~~ Deer Hunting Fauna Searching for Fauna

Magical Moment 495, "Betsy Ross"

Today is Flag Day, as well as the birthday of the U.S. Army. I found this pencil drawing that I did back in high school, the date on the back is February 12, 2001 (thanks mom for keeping all my old crap and forcing me to take it back someday). I drew this before thoughts of serving in the Army ever entered my mind, but love of country was always there. I like to draw, though I've never done anything more ambitious than simple pencil drawings like this one. I also recall looking off a picture out of a magazine to guide me, but I can't remember the original artist (so if anyone out there knows...). I think it was originally a painting, and the ladies were inside a cabin of some sort. Betsy Ross helped during the American Revolutionary War to repair uniforms and make tents for the Continental Army. She is credited with creating the first American Flag. Even at a very young age, I remember feeling very proud to see and hear about a woman who contributed so much to history, and a

Magical Moment 494, "There'll Always Be Another"

You know that saying, " A day late and a dollar short ?" That describes how I feel most of the time.  Whether I'm running late for work because I'm stuck in nightmare traffic somewhere in northern New Jersey, or because paying gigs are far and few between, I always feel like I'm running to catch up. And I  like  to run. But the thing is, if you do a lot of it, you get tired. One stressful day, I found myself scurrying to the corner bus in heels, to catch the 164 into the city for a music session. It was hot. I didn't have a phone number to call and say I was behind. And every thing was compounded by the expected scrutiny that comes with being a musician. The job ended up fine. They were late too. It was easy, fun. Worried for nothing. The stress in my shoulders relaxed a little as I headed for thePort Authority bus terminal to go back home. I leaned against the wall of the escalator, closing my eyes for a moment. When I opened them, I saw that my bus had jus

Magical Moment 493, "Searching for Fauna"

Well, my husband has been keeping track of Fauna for me - the 3 week old fawn he discovered at the park where he works as a National Park Ranger. I've seen her twice now and I went back today to try and spot her a 3rd time. I had no such luck, but there are so many neat things around, I always have fun taking pictures of random things! Eddie did see her last night with her mother...nursing! I told Eddie from now he has to carry the camera with him to work! This deer stood in an open meadow with me in plain sight about 50 yards away. He didn't seem frightened at all, in fact, he went back to eating grass without glancing at me again. He hung out for a long time until... Somebody  (we won't say who), scared him off! Perhaps we'll see Fauna again soon. Of course, if I do get close to her again, I won't bring Joy the dog...I mean  somebody  the dog. ~~~ Deer Hunting Fauna

Magical Moment 492, "Love/Hate"

Last night, I experienced the very epitome of my love/hate relationship with New York City: A paying gig! = Love In Brooklyn = Hate (it's not a bad place, just far away) Three hour set = Love Crawling through traffic at snail pace = HATE! It was an uncharacteristically slow night at this small, Caribbean restaurant where I was invited to play for "Jazz Night." I still gave it everything I had though. And my favorite patrons of the evening were 2 young sisters, whose eyes I felt on me with each song I played. I got the sense that one of the sisters wanted to approach and talk to me. I tried to seem as friendly as possible so that she would have the courage to, but she never did. I was beyond flattered however, when each adorable girl took turns putting a tip into my jar. I gave them the very best smile I could and played my hardest until they left.  Love. ~~ http://www.youtube.com/bethsmusicvideos http://www.youtube.com/elizabethgrimes83

Magical Moment 491, "Piercing Sweet Music"

There was an emblem on Google yesterday and still remains today, in honor of Les Paul. He was a musician/songwriter who helped developed the solid-body electric guitar, making the rock-and-roll sound possible. The emblem is an interactive guitar that allows you to strum and pluck using your mouse. I spent a while fiddling with it last night. You can record up to about 30 seconds of music. Here is a link to my composition. I entitled it "Rhythm is Impossible Using a Mouse": http://goo.gl/doodle/z1ieW When I was finished, I looked around my music room where my computer also sits. There is a piano. A guitar. A banjo. A violin. An autoharp. And a keyboard. Two keyboards actually. And still I played the Google guitar for at least a half hour. The Google emblem was a huge success. I even saw its story on the national news. Give people a musical instrument of any kind and they will be drawn to it. Well, just see what happened when this flute like instrument was invente

Magical Moment 490, "The Adventures of Beach Day"

Once upon a time, Joy the Shetland Sheepdog went to the beach. Her instinct told her that she should "herd" the waves that lapped up and down the shore. And so she tried. She tried with all her might to round up the waves and satisfy that urge built deep inside her.  She ran to... And fro... And to again. She discovered countless critters. Horseshoe crabs... Ducks.. Crabs (careful where you step!)... Fish... A Red-winged Blackbird (right?)...  And a white crane resting in the marsh. She found a secluded tropical island, all her own! Unfortunately, it was overtaken by the rising tide a few minutes later. And so she doggy-paddled back. And that was enough adventure for Joy the dog.  Until NEXT time! ~The End~