In my teens, my taste in music turned mostly to "rock and roll." One of the firsts that I remember, from my junior high days, was Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets. It was always played at our dances.
Of course I was a fan of Elvis Presley! My favorite aunt, Aunt Jo, was in the Army and was stationed at Fort Hood when Elvis served there. She said that he was so polite and very soft spoken.
There were so many songs that I loved in my teens, and I had a pretty good record collection. I mostly liked slow songs, but not exclusively. Of course I watched Dick Clark and Bandstand every day after school.
My brother liked country music, and for a couple of years I listened to a lot of his records.
One group that I never really cared too much for were The Beatles. They had a few songs I liked, but I wasn't a big fan.
Since those days, my taste in music has leaned more toward country, although I don't care for the newest country artists.
I had planned to expand on my music tastes a bit more, but after thinking so much about it when I couldn't sleep at night, I have become totally bored with the subject. So, as this is my blog, I am taking the liberty of cutting this short.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
MUSIC THROUGHOUT MY LIFE
I have always loved listening to music, mostly vocal music. While never a fan of opera or rap, I like most other types.
When I was a child, we always cleaned house on Saturday mornings. My mother always had the radio on, and we would listen to the hits of the time as we cleaned. Some of my mother's favorites were DEAR HEARTS AND GENTLE PEOPLE, sung by Bing Crosby; HARBOR LIGHTS by Sammy Kaye; RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET, also by Sammy Kaye, I think; OLD LAMPLIGHTER by various artists; WAYWARD WIND by Gogi Grant; and THEY CALL THE WIND MARIAH, by Ed Ames. There were many others, but those were the ones I remember.
In the late forties or early fifties, every Friday night we watched Your Hit Parade on television., My favorite singers on this program were Gisele MacKenzie and Snooky Lanson. One of my favorite songs from that time period was THIS OLD HOUSE.
In my younger years, my brother and I would go to the movies every Saturday afternoon. Most of those movies were westerns, and they all had their theme songs. For Roy Rogers it was HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, for Gene Autry it was BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN, and of course the Long Ranger galloped onto the screen to the sound of WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE.
A few years later westerns nearly took over television, again with catchy theme songs; MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE, BIG IRON, RINGO, BATTLE OF PALADIN/HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL, RAWHIDE, HIGH NOON, GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY, SHIFTING, WHISPERING SANDS and MULE TRAIN.
Other movie songs I really liked were BORN FREE and BLESS THE BEASTS AND THE CHILDREN, as well as most of the songs from South Pacfic.
As I grew older, a different type of music began to appeal to me. I will list some of those songs in my next blog.
Any of these bring back memories for you?
When I was a child, we always cleaned house on Saturday mornings. My mother always had the radio on, and we would listen to the hits of the time as we cleaned. Some of my mother's favorites were DEAR HEARTS AND GENTLE PEOPLE, sung by Bing Crosby; HARBOR LIGHTS by Sammy Kaye; RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET, also by Sammy Kaye, I think; OLD LAMPLIGHTER by various artists; WAYWARD WIND by Gogi Grant; and THEY CALL THE WIND MARIAH, by Ed Ames. There were many others, but those were the ones I remember.
In the late forties or early fifties, every Friday night we watched Your Hit Parade on television., My favorite singers on this program were Gisele MacKenzie and Snooky Lanson. One of my favorite songs from that time period was THIS OLD HOUSE.
In my younger years, my brother and I would go to the movies every Saturday afternoon. Most of those movies were westerns, and they all had their theme songs. For Roy Rogers it was HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU, for Gene Autry it was BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN, and of course the Long Ranger galloped onto the screen to the sound of WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE.
A few years later westerns nearly took over television, again with catchy theme songs; MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE, BIG IRON, RINGO, BATTLE OF PALADIN/HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL, RAWHIDE, HIGH NOON, GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY, SHIFTING, WHISPERING SANDS and MULE TRAIN.
Other movie songs I really liked were BORN FREE and BLESS THE BEASTS AND THE CHILDREN, as well as most of the songs from South Pacfic.
As I grew older, a different type of music began to appeal to me. I will list some of those songs in my next blog.
Any of these bring back memories for you?
Sunday, April 28, 2013
STILL KICKING, JUST NOT AS HIGH
It has been several months since I added to my blog. I have written an entry in my mind several times, but decided that it was sounding too much like a pity party. I will just touch on some of the things which have impacted my life in the last year.
The day before Memorial Day I discovered a large blister just below my collar bone. Within a few minutes my arms were breaking out, itching, and even burning some. By the time Wayne got home from church, I was in a lot of pain. Shingles. I had heard of them, but hadn't realized exactly what they were. I have never experienced such pain in my whole life. Wayne took me to the emergency room, where the doctor on duty confirmed what I already had figured out. He gave me a shot and a prescription. They didn't work. Since the next day was a holiday, I had to wait another day to see my family doctor. Dr. Bartlett gave me a prescription for a different pain medicine, one which he said was used specifically for Shingles. Six weeks later they were mostly gone. I say mostly, because I still have pain in my left, upper arm. I have been told that it may get better and it may not; depending on the damage to the nerves in my arm.
Later in the year my ex husband, Jim, the father of my two older children, passed away after months of fighting cancer. He had known from the time he was diagnosed that a cure was not to be. I had often gone to his home with Danny to visit, both before and after he learned of the cancer, and I am glad that we had those times. We did a lot of laughing, and I think he enjoyed the visits as much as I did. Terri called me his last morning to tell me that he was sinking fast, and I was able to be there for her when he passed. Thank God for my husband, Wayne, who understood perfectly and did not feel threatened by our friendship.
In November, Wayne flew to Baltimore to be with Garret, Kate, and Nora for Thanksgiving and Nora's first birthday. I stayed home to dog and cat sit. If we had not had the dogs, we could both have driven there. We didn't feel that we could afford to pay to board two dogs weighing nearly one hundred pounds each. I will get to go some other time.
We didn't have a real family Christmas this year. Weather was bad, and nobody had a lot of extra money to spend. With phone and Skype, we got to share Christmas with everyone.
I was hoping that this year would be so much better than last, but in February our dog, Jackie, had several bad seizures, and we had to have her put to sleep. The vet believed that she had a brain tumor, so we felt that was the kindest thing we could do for her. She was over twelve years old, and we couldn't bear to let her suffer. I still miss her.
Teddy is showing his age, and I dread the day we lose him.
I'm still hoping this year will be better than last year, but I'm not holding my breath.
The day before Memorial Day I discovered a large blister just below my collar bone. Within a few minutes my arms were breaking out, itching, and even burning some. By the time Wayne got home from church, I was in a lot of pain. Shingles. I had heard of them, but hadn't realized exactly what they were. I have never experienced such pain in my whole life. Wayne took me to the emergency room, where the doctor on duty confirmed what I already had figured out. He gave me a shot and a prescription. They didn't work. Since the next day was a holiday, I had to wait another day to see my family doctor. Dr. Bartlett gave me a prescription for a different pain medicine, one which he said was used specifically for Shingles. Six weeks later they were mostly gone. I say mostly, because I still have pain in my left, upper arm. I have been told that it may get better and it may not; depending on the damage to the nerves in my arm.
Later in the year my ex husband, Jim, the father of my two older children, passed away after months of fighting cancer. He had known from the time he was diagnosed that a cure was not to be. I had often gone to his home with Danny to visit, both before and after he learned of the cancer, and I am glad that we had those times. We did a lot of laughing, and I think he enjoyed the visits as much as I did. Terri called me his last morning to tell me that he was sinking fast, and I was able to be there for her when he passed. Thank God for my husband, Wayne, who understood perfectly and did not feel threatened by our friendship.
In November, Wayne flew to Baltimore to be with Garret, Kate, and Nora for Thanksgiving and Nora's first birthday. I stayed home to dog and cat sit. If we had not had the dogs, we could both have driven there. We didn't feel that we could afford to pay to board two dogs weighing nearly one hundred pounds each. I will get to go some other time.
We didn't have a real family Christmas this year. Weather was bad, and nobody had a lot of extra money to spend. With phone and Skype, we got to share Christmas with everyone.
I was hoping that this year would be so much better than last, but in February our dog, Jackie, had several bad seizures, and we had to have her put to sleep. The vet believed that she had a brain tumor, so we felt that was the kindest thing we could do for her. She was over twelve years old, and we couldn't bear to let her suffer. I still miss her.
I'm still hoping this year will be better than last year, but I'm not holding my breath.
Friday, October 28, 2011
GARRET
It has been nearly two months now since Garret returned to the states from Iraq. I haven't gotten to give him a hug yet, or even see him in person, but that is okay. For now, it is enough to know that he is no longer in the war zone. This is the picture his wife took of him on the way from the airport to their home. Think he is glad to be back?
He sent us a few pictures while he was gone, and I am looking forward to seeing more when we can visit, hopefully, in the Spring. I want to hear more about his experiences, too, although because of the nature of his job, there will be a lot of things he will not be able to share with us.
Their first child is expected near Thanksgiving, and they have been busy preparing for her arrival. I am not sure which one of them is the most excited.
Kate, nee Kalee, has been busy making all kinds of delicious things from the apples they have picked at nearby orchards, and she has lots of good food put up for the winter. Can't wait to taste her homemade applesauce and apple butter.
This is such a special time for them, and while I wish we lived closer so we could share in it more, I do think though, that maybe it is even more special for them to live through this without nosy and interferring grandparents. lol Now, I did offer to act as mid-wife as I have had experience in helping with the birth of puppies, but alas, my offer was turned down. Maybe next time. (but I'm not holding my breath)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
LEFT OR RIGHT
Are you left or right handed? My mother and brother were left handed, and I am right handed, as was my father. Two of my children are right handed, and one is left handed. There are some things that I can do with either hand, such as iron clothes or sweep the floor. I imagine that is because while my natural tendency is to do these things right handed, I learned to iron and sweep from my left handed mother. I also shoot a rifle or shotgun left handed, but a hand gun right handed.
My older son is left handed, but he also uses the right hand for some things. He plays guitar left handed, kicks a football left handed, bats left handed, throws a ball right handed but a frisbee left handed.
My older son is left handed, but he also uses the right hand for some things. He plays guitar left handed, kicks a football left handed, bats left handed, throws a ball right handed but a frisbee left handed.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
UPDATE ON GARRET
It has been nearly a week and a half since Garret left for Iraq, and I am feeling much better about the situation. We have been talking with him nearly every day via Skype, and it has helped to hear his voice. He was in Qatar for a couple of days, and I was glad when he got away from there. It was very dry and dusty, and he had already picked up a cough from the poor air quality. He sounds better since arriving in Baghdad, although I saw where they were having wind and dust there today.
He started his new job immediately upon arriving in Baghdad, didn't even get to settle in his quarters before flying out on a training mission, but has had a little down time since then.
Anyway, I miss him so much, but I am not worrying quite as much.
He started his new job immediately upon arriving in Baghdad, didn't even get to settle in his quarters before flying out on a training mission, but has had a little down time since then.
Anyway, I miss him so much, but I am not worrying quite as much.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
WAR AND FAMILY
I have been thinking about this posting for some time, trying to get my thoughts in order. Because I feel so emotional about this, my mind keeps rushing back and forth. I'm not sure that I am really ready to do it, but here goes.
My ancestors came to this country in the 1600's. I think they have fought in nearly every war our country has been involved in. I know they fought in some of the Indian Wars, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. In fact, family members fought on opposite sides in the Civil War. I'm not really sure about World War I, but we were well represented in World War II. My brother was excused from the draft when his time came, as he had some weaknessess left in his muscles from the polio he suffered as a child. There were cousins in Viet Nam, a war I did not believe we should be involved in.
As I believe I have mentioned before, I was a tomboy growing up. Besides playing cowboys and Indians, I also played cops and robbers and of course, war. I can remember how noble I felt rolling down the bank on the north side of our yard, pretending I had been shot and with my last breath I was holding the American flag high.
But now war is no longer a game, or something to hear family stories about. It is no longer fun. It is real, and it is the scariest thing I have ever had to face. Garret, my youngest, leaves for Iraq in four days. He will be gone for six months.
He and his wife have been busy preparing for his deployment. We were hoping to see him before he leaves, but there was just no way we could arrange it. He certainly didn't have time to come home, and we couldn't afford to go to Maryland. It is probably just as well, he wouldn't like me crying over him all the time. He keeps telling me that he wants to go, and that he is not worried. I know that his job is not the most dangerous, but that is small comfort. He is my child, and I will worry. He is going to see and experience things that he never dreamed of. I hope he is mentally and physically ready for this.
So, we will send him hugs and kisses, and wish him God speed home. We will pray for him, send him mail, and talk to him on Skype when we can. We will be here when Kalee needs to talk, or wants to share thoughts with us. And we will count the days and wait.
I love you, Garret.
My ancestors came to this country in the 1600's. I think they have fought in nearly every war our country has been involved in. I know they fought in some of the Indian Wars, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. In fact, family members fought on opposite sides in the Civil War. I'm not really sure about World War I, but we were well represented in World War II. My brother was excused from the draft when his time came, as he had some weaknessess left in his muscles from the polio he suffered as a child. There were cousins in Viet Nam, a war I did not believe we should be involved in.
As I believe I have mentioned before, I was a tomboy growing up. Besides playing cowboys and Indians, I also played cops and robbers and of course, war. I can remember how noble I felt rolling down the bank on the north side of our yard, pretending I had been shot and with my last breath I was holding the American flag high.
But now war is no longer a game, or something to hear family stories about. It is no longer fun. It is real, and it is the scariest thing I have ever had to face. Garret, my youngest, leaves for Iraq in four days. He will be gone for six months.
He and his wife have been busy preparing for his deployment. We were hoping to see him before he leaves, but there was just no way we could arrange it. He certainly didn't have time to come home, and we couldn't afford to go to Maryland. It is probably just as well, he wouldn't like me crying over him all the time. He keeps telling me that he wants to go, and that he is not worried. I know that his job is not the most dangerous, but that is small comfort. He is my child, and I will worry. He is going to see and experience things that he never dreamed of. I hope he is mentally and physically ready for this.
So, we will send him hugs and kisses, and wish him God speed home. We will pray for him, send him mail, and talk to him on Skype when we can. We will be here when Kalee needs to talk, or wants to share thoughts with us. And we will count the days and wait.
I love you, Garret.
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