It's been a year since I started this journey and I have found it rewarding and challenging. In my initial research I couldn't find any blogs out there in the internet universe from the grandfather's viewpoint. But then again, I can be cyberspace - challenged! I did eventually find one comrade-in-arms in the UK. Check out Square Sunshine at http://square-sunshine.blogspot.co.uk. Some great writing and views not only about his grandchildren but about every day stuff. Thanks for the inspiration, MH.
After a year of writing, I have found that the subject matter has evolved from being just about the grandchildren to include other things important to me as an aging (but still alive and curious) baby boomer. So while I will continue to write, sparked by my 4 grandchildren's adventures and pearls of wisdom, you will likely see some other topics sprinkled in when the spirit moves me. My daughter is right - writing is cathartic and something that just needs to be done. I am learning as I go. Thanks and love to my daughter.
A big hug and kiss to the 4 darlings that have motivated me by just being themselves - Love Monster, Smirker, Spiderman and Batman. You are the best.
And thanks to all those that have read my words during this experiment in letting go (I can just hear Love Monster and Smirker, singing "Let it Go, Let it Go".) Actually very apropos. I hope you continue to keep reading and let others know if you so choose.
Until next month - after our trip to Ireland! Another pint of Guinness please!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
You Really Got Me
I recently read an article entitled "It's Not Music To Your Ears?"It focused on several studies that have been done indicating there are people who are indifferent to music. They have no physical response nor do they feel any emotional pleasure in hearing music. It's not that they have an inability to distinguish pitch or tones (known as Amusia), but these people simply do not like music. They don't seek it out nor do they own any music. It's called Music Anhedonia. One person surveyed said listening to music was exhausting and likened it to going to the gym!
I was astonished - flabbergasted - speechless. I could not wrap my mind around this phenomena. I guess it makes sense that, like everything else, not everyone will like a particular idea or thing. But I simply cannot identify with anyone that doesn't care for music at all. Ironically, I had been considering writing about my love of music and this article helped provide an additional perspective.
Now I am not a professional musician. I am not proficient with any instrument although I love to play around with both the piano and hammered dulcimer. I enjoy singing in the church choir but as a member of the chorus only and not as a soloist. I have not studied music on an academic level. But I have a real appreciation and heart felt passion for music.
What is it about music that evokes a positive, pleasurable response? More interesting to me - why do people respond on different levels to the marriage of carefully crafted tones and lyrics - even to the same song?
Many of us respond instantly to a certain song because of the beat or rhythm. It's catchy. We all like patterns. Some like the melody. Some may find the lyrics resonate with them. Still others like a song because it, or more likely the artist, is fashionable or trendy (#1 on iTunes). Then there is the song that brings back memories of high school, college or a certain boy or girl. We all have those.
I am well aware that all music is not beautiful, meaningful nor makes one feel good. There are plenty of tunes that fail to strike a chord within me - one way or the other. And there are those that make my stomach churn every time I hear them on the radio. I can't change the channel fast enough. I suspect my wife finds it annoying that I feel the need to go from station to station until I eventually stop - because I am now content with what I am hearing. God knows I need something soothing while I drive, although that's another story.
For me, there have been countless songs over the years that have made me want to hear them over and over again. Just some of those on the brink of perfection -
- Anything from The Byrds (my favorite band of all time)
- Van Morrison - Coney Island or Rave on John Donne (it's the poet in me)
- Nora Jones - Come Away With Me (joy in my heart)
- Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler - Local Hero/Wild thing (heavenly guitar)
- Bon Iver - Beth/Rest (check out Justin Vernon's music and lyrics)
- Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb (amazing guitar again)
- Sarah McLachlan - Angel or Answer (beautiful)
- K.D. Lang - Simple (or anything from 49th Parallel)
- Bruce Hornsby - Fortunate Son/Comfortably Numb Medley (genius)
- AC/DC - Thunderstruck (no one plays the guitar as simply and as voraciously as Angus Young)
- John Rutter - Requiem - The Lord is My Shepherd (heavenly)
- Handel - Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus (spiritual and timeless)
Just a few that bring joy to my hear....and a window of what is on my iPod.
But have you ever heard a song and the moment the music starts you become completely lost in it? Nothing else around you matters. Your mind seems to become one with the song - captivated by every note, every word, every nuance and pattern to the music, wondering how it is possible for it to even exist, to have been created? I know others are not hearing the song like I am. There are 3 pieces of music (so far) that have struck me in this way:
#1 - It was the summer of 1964. I was with my family just returning from a vacation in our Ford station wagon. In fact, we were pulling into our driveway and I was listening to WLS on my transistor radio (remember those?) and they are playing for the first time a song by a British group called The Kinks - "You Really Got Me". With that penetrating 5 note riff, I was hooked. I couldn't get my parents to open the door fast enough so I could turn on our radio and hear it at a much higher decibel level! And I still love hearing it 50 years later. How is that possible? That was the first time.
#2 - It was 1991. I was with my wife and our 2 children vacationing in Stratford, Ontario, Canada to see Shakespearean theater. We were in a small shop in downtown Stratford looking at novelty items and such when I hear this music playing that I just couldn't let go of - ethereal, haunting, like nothing I had heard before. And the nightingale voice - strong, piercing, enchanting. It was the first time I had experienced goosebump-inducing music. The song was "The Old Ways" from the album The Visit by Loreena McKennitt, a Canadian born singer/songwriter. I also listened to Bonny Portmore and Cymbeline before my family wisked me away. The beauty of her music was and is rooted in my soul. I listen to her musical voyages whenever I need a good dose of serenity.
#3 - It was Christmas time in 2012 and we were invited to a holiday gathering by our financial advisor. The entertainment was provided by a local chorus and their program included, along with various popular lay and sacred holiday music, a piece of music unknown to me - "Sure On This Shining Night". It is based on a 1934 poem by James Agee. The rapturous, flowing music was composed by Morten Lauridsen. I was, and am, forever changed somehow by hearing its' harmonies and lyrics. My favorite version of this piece is by The University of Utah Singers. Please check it out and listen. I don't know why, but it brings me to tears every time I hear it. It is the most beautiful song I have ever experienced.
Sure On This Shining Night
Sure on this shining night
Of star made shadows round,
Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground.
The Late year lies down the north.
All is healed, all is health.
High summer holds the earth.
Hearts are whole.
Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand'ring far
alone
Of shadows on the stars.
Why do I feel what I feel about any particular song - be it indifference, misery or pleasure?
I honestly don't have an answer. And perhaps there is no answer. It just is....music....
You Really Got Me!
I was astonished - flabbergasted - speechless. I could not wrap my mind around this phenomena. I guess it makes sense that, like everything else, not everyone will like a particular idea or thing. But I simply cannot identify with anyone that doesn't care for music at all. Ironically, I had been considering writing about my love of music and this article helped provide an additional perspective.
Now I am not a professional musician. I am not proficient with any instrument although I love to play around with both the piano and hammered dulcimer. I enjoy singing in the church choir but as a member of the chorus only and not as a soloist. I have not studied music on an academic level. But I have a real appreciation and heart felt passion for music.
What is it about music that evokes a positive, pleasurable response? More interesting to me - why do people respond on different levels to the marriage of carefully crafted tones and lyrics - even to the same song?
Many of us respond instantly to a certain song because of the beat or rhythm. It's catchy. We all like patterns. Some like the melody. Some may find the lyrics resonate with them. Still others like a song because it, or more likely the artist, is fashionable or trendy (#1 on iTunes). Then there is the song that brings back memories of high school, college or a certain boy or girl. We all have those.
I am well aware that all music is not beautiful, meaningful nor makes one feel good. There are plenty of tunes that fail to strike a chord within me - one way or the other. And there are those that make my stomach churn every time I hear them on the radio. I can't change the channel fast enough. I suspect my wife finds it annoying that I feel the need to go from station to station until I eventually stop - because I am now content with what I am hearing. God knows I need something soothing while I drive, although that's another story.
For me, there have been countless songs over the years that have made me want to hear them over and over again. Just some of those on the brink of perfection -
- Anything from The Byrds (my favorite band of all time)
- Van Morrison - Coney Island or Rave on John Donne (it's the poet in me)
- Nora Jones - Come Away With Me (joy in my heart)
- Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler - Local Hero/Wild thing (heavenly guitar)
- Bon Iver - Beth/Rest (check out Justin Vernon's music and lyrics)
- Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb (amazing guitar again)
- Sarah McLachlan - Angel or Answer (beautiful)
- K.D. Lang - Simple (or anything from 49th Parallel)
- Bruce Hornsby - Fortunate Son/Comfortably Numb Medley (genius)
- AC/DC - Thunderstruck (no one plays the guitar as simply and as voraciously as Angus Young)
- John Rutter - Requiem - The Lord is My Shepherd (heavenly)
- Handel - Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus (spiritual and timeless)
Just a few that bring joy to my hear....and a window of what is on my iPod.
But have you ever heard a song and the moment the music starts you become completely lost in it? Nothing else around you matters. Your mind seems to become one with the song - captivated by every note, every word, every nuance and pattern to the music, wondering how it is possible for it to even exist, to have been created? I know others are not hearing the song like I am. There are 3 pieces of music (so far) that have struck me in this way:
#1 - It was the summer of 1964. I was with my family just returning from a vacation in our Ford station wagon. In fact, we were pulling into our driveway and I was listening to WLS on my transistor radio (remember those?) and they are playing for the first time a song by a British group called The Kinks - "You Really Got Me". With that penetrating 5 note riff, I was hooked. I couldn't get my parents to open the door fast enough so I could turn on our radio and hear it at a much higher decibel level! And I still love hearing it 50 years later. How is that possible? That was the first time.
#2 - It was 1991. I was with my wife and our 2 children vacationing in Stratford, Ontario, Canada to see Shakespearean theater. We were in a small shop in downtown Stratford looking at novelty items and such when I hear this music playing that I just couldn't let go of - ethereal, haunting, like nothing I had heard before. And the nightingale voice - strong, piercing, enchanting. It was the first time I had experienced goosebump-inducing music. The song was "The Old Ways" from the album The Visit by Loreena McKennitt, a Canadian born singer/songwriter. I also listened to Bonny Portmore and Cymbeline before my family wisked me away. The beauty of her music was and is rooted in my soul. I listen to her musical voyages whenever I need a good dose of serenity.
#3 - It was Christmas time in 2012 and we were invited to a holiday gathering by our financial advisor. The entertainment was provided by a local chorus and their program included, along with various popular lay and sacred holiday music, a piece of music unknown to me - "Sure On This Shining Night". It is based on a 1934 poem by James Agee. The rapturous, flowing music was composed by Morten Lauridsen. I was, and am, forever changed somehow by hearing its' harmonies and lyrics. My favorite version of this piece is by The University of Utah Singers. Please check it out and listen. I don't know why, but it brings me to tears every time I hear it. It is the most beautiful song I have ever experienced.
Sure On This Shining Night
Sure on this shining night
Of star made shadows round,
Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground.
The Late year lies down the north.
All is healed, all is health.
High summer holds the earth.
Hearts are whole.
Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand'ring far
alone
Of shadows on the stars.
Why do I feel what I feel about any particular song - be it indifference, misery or pleasure?
I honestly don't have an answer. And perhaps there is no answer. It just is....music....
You Really Got Me!
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