MUSIC TO MY EARS 

Music is music to my ears. If you were to look at my playlist you would see anything from lullabies to Club, Soul, Classical, New Age, Gospel; it is a salad bowl of anything goes, in several languages. Of course, like most people, I sort my music into specific playlists, but when I am out walking, I listen to all my songs in alphabetical order so there is A LOT of diversity. “A Lovely Night” to “Zero”; Disney, Chicago, Rush, Earth, Wind and Fire, Big Generator.  There is “Christmas Island” by Jimmy Buffet, (the song I’ve listened to the most: 292 times!) and “By the Light of the Moon” by D Simonet (that I still have not listened to).

This mix up is a result of the fact that I just plain love music. I am not much of a musical instrument player even though I took lessons in piano, organ and flute. But my mind is programmed to HEAR music. There is no such thing as “background” music in my world. For example, I cannot read a book while music is playing because I am concentrating on the musical instruments, how they are playing separately and/or the harmonious sounds…then just add a singer and I can do nothing else but be all ears.

It is a known fact that often, listening to music conjures thoughts or moods that one attaches to specific songs, melodies or words. For example: when I hear “Amazing Grace” I am back in my sandbox as a child, belting it out, “You are my Sunshine” is my marriage mantra, “Back to the Islands” transports me to St John where I love spending time with my family. “Better together” is for Eddie, “Mexico” for Brian and Melanie “Cheeseburger in Paradise” for Scott, “Hallelujah” for Matthew and Deborah, “Butterfly Kisses” for Kaitlyn and “How Deep is the Ocean” for Olivia and Avery. And for every birthday we must play “(They say it’s your) Birthday” (Beatles).                        

You must understand what I am saying. After all, who of us cannot say that at one time or another a song or snippet of a tune gets stuck in your mind? Over and over the melody rolls around inside your head. Yes, Willie sometimes “Always on my Mind” can be an experience. Music can move you to tears, send you dancing, relax your senses and soothe your worries. It lulls babies to sleep, reminds the elderly of younger days, inspires one to work out and searches for or has found the most sung about topic: Love.

Music resonates across all language and ages. It must be an important facet of life as the mediums used during my lifetime have spanned from records (they took up so much room) → 8 track tapes (what are these?) → cassette tapes (Walkmans/all those tapes!) → CDs (now coasters) → downloads/streaming (cloud anyone?). But this is just proof that music will always have an effect on us.

So go ahead. Turn up the tunes! Let your fingers snap, hands clap and feet tap! Carpe this Diem!

 SPRING SONG

As I write this in early March, it is a balmy 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind is spitefully brisk and biting and the need to go outside requires bundling up. Yet, although cold, the air is clear and crisp, the sun bright and the sky blue-blue. Slowly, the period of extended light has been increasing microscopically every day since winter solstice (as Eddie likes to remind me starting December 21) and now it is noticeably brighter at 6:30 PM!

I know, I know. This is nothing new and it happens every year, but the slow, small, subtle signs of impending Spring is a joy to me. Spring is almost here! Even before it has arrived, I can imagine the sweet smell of buds bursting open on the magnolia tree in the brilliance of more light; I can hear the joyous cadence of chickadees and robins calling one another to explore the new warmth; I can feel the vibrations of anticipation that adds bounce in our steps; I can see new beauty popping out all around waking up from the long, frozen, crusty winter. Blades of green grass shooting up! Iris’ peeping out of the dirt! Leaves slowly unfurling on the trees! The scent of splashing raindrops washing all things new! Spring is the season of renewal; new life; new beginnings. Who does not love Spring? Spring begs you to throw open your windows and draw up the blinds so the wonderful revival of weather can come indoors. The aromas, sensations, sights and sounds of Spring! If I had created the calendar, March would be the first month; the month that begins the year.

This reoccurring, exciting, anticipated phenomenon, Spring, comes every year regardless of what is happening in the world. Just when you think you have had more than your share of cold, bleak winter, Spring comes around the corner and embraces us with refreshing, reinvigorating revitalization. Sometimes it is earlier, sometimes later or sometimes Spring teases us with a day here and another there, but reassuringly, it always comes. It is this sense of expectancy that keeps us going during drowsy, frosty, chilly days; the ice will melt (!!) and the earth will thaw. Just as the word itself indicates, Spring will spring!

The good book says there is a season for everything, a time for every purpose under heaven. Spring is the season for healing, laughing, planting and building up each other. Dance a little, search a little, mend, embrace and love one another.

So, for the next few weeks I’m going to consciously pay attention to: warm rays of the sunshine on my face; the sound of crashing ocean waves throwing salty mist; gentle, shifting breezes with the fragrant smell of new buds sprouting; rustling leaves filling out the trees; chirping birds building nests for their young.

Breathe deep, my friends. Do not doubt the remarkable continuance of the seasons. Spring is near. Carpe Diem!

~ “Spring adds new Life and new Beauty to all that is” – Jessica Harrelson