It's not Unusual...

I love the Carpenters.  There, I've said it.  Karen Carpenter had one of the best voices ever-to me anyway.  But it wasn't just that clear sweet voice; it was her lyrics.  Karen sang of love-not sex and her song, 'Superstar' and still can tear me up with it's raw longing.  When Barry Manilow sings 'Even Now' or 'Mandy', it's impossible not to recognize the love and desire in his words.  Diana Ross put her undying love right out there when she proclaimed that there 'Ain't no Mountain High Enough,' to keep her from gettin' to him.  Now that's a whole lot of climbing and swimming!  When Bob Seger sees the 'young hawk flyin' I sigh and clearly recognize his need for freedom.  Hearing George Michael vowing his dedication in, 'Father Figure,' used to make me dream of someone having my back that hard.  The raw passion and romantic images that some of my favorite artists conjure up for me take me to places far away- nostalgic, dreamy places.

Such a contrast to much of what is on the radio now.  Between backin' it up, droppin' in low, gettin' sexed up, and worse, we'll, you get my drift.  I miss the romance and passion from my old crony musicians.  Now, I'm no prude.  I'm a huge Prince fan and nobody did the explicit any better than him-rest in peace.   I've hauled my 'American thighs' to the AC/DC show, fist pumped with Kid Rock and have seen Madonna 5 or maybe 6 times.  I want to go party with Pitbull in Miami-hey, a girl's gotta have goals!  And I love Barry White and everything he stands-or lays for.

So I betcha you'll never guess who I want to see next... Give up?  TOM JONES.  Yep, he's on my list-at the top.  It's where I'm at these days.  No judgment or comments from the peanut gallery.

Love is my Religion...

One of the most peaceful days I have ever spent was visiting the Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi.  Respectfully clad, we checked in our shoes and wandered about marveling at the pristine beauty and breathtaking architecture.  Words cannot describe the feeling as we were invited to pray.  It was an experience that I'll never forget.

So it is with great sadness that I hear that London was once again the target of an attack and this one being specifically for religious reasons.  In looking up the name of the Mosque pictured above, I read about the recent renaming of it.  The Shiekh in an effort to promote tolerance has renamed the Zayed 'Mariam Umm Eisa' which translates into English as 'Mary, Mother of Jesus.'  I don't understand these acts at all.  Not a political person, my dumb bunny brain just wants us all to get along.

A tune by Ziggy Marley best describes my thought.  Ziggy says:

Well, I'm done searching now.
I found out what this life is worth, yeah.
Not in the books did I find,
But by searching my mind, yeah.

Love is my Religion.

Prayer go out to not only these victims but for all those effected by the tragedies in London recently.  It is a wholly unnecessary shame. 

Enjoy your week and pray that this violence can somehow be stopped.  xo

Reminding Me...

Have you ever had what I call a 'perfect morning?'  Where it just all seems to come together?  I did, last Saturday at the beach house.  Allow me to share in the perfection..

Awaking to a quiet morning with Randy already fishing, I sat for a full hour, enjoying my coffee, reading a book and watching the sun rise over a flat calm beach.

Soon, I felt motivated to take on the only task I had scheduled for myself that morning.  Reluctantly,  I planned to head to 'town', rent a carpet scrubber and git 'er done.  But stepping outside, the glorious sunshine lifted my mood.  I popped the top off of Rocky and hit the road, but not before admiring the wildflowers that seemed to have popped up overnight. In town, I hoisted the cleaner in the Jeep and resolved to get to work...

Two hours and three antique stores later, I scored a vintage Rolling Stone magazine featuring Guns n Roses on the cover.  I noticed the 'open' sign on the local bakery and decided to drop in for a snack.  Got a great cup of coffee and some fresh baked butter cookies.

Making my way home I noticed a dude on a bike, doing the two thumb texting thing.  Distracted biking?  At least he had a helmet on.  My next visual came in the form of a big, burly Harley guy who pulled over his bike, unzipped his leather jacket and pulled out a Yorkshire Terrier.  Yep, a tiny Yorkie.  Snapped on a leash and proceeded to walk his puppy.  So cute!

Next up was a huge yard sale where the owners had apparently fallen victim to late night QVC and other infomercials.  The owner was sweet and I escaped that madness with a book purchase.

Cruising up the shoreline sippin' my Joe and munchin' butter cookies-gluten be damned, I got all teary when my favorite Bob Seger song came on.  'Roll me Away' indeed.  Arriving back at the beach, I thought it would be a great time to take Mickey for a beach walk and search for shoreline treasures.  He was only too happy to oblige..

By now, the procrastinator in me put off my carpet job till the next morning-today was just too good too waste.  Again, I marveled at the perfection of my complete sensory stimulation. 

What a great day to be alive.

One Sweet Day...

Never had I imagined
Living without your smile.
Feeling and knowing you hear me
It keeps me alive.

Although the sun will never shine the same
I'll always look to a brighter day.
Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep
You will always listen as I pray.

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day.

Mariah Carey 1995