MY LITTLE TREE

 

little tree 

little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little 
you are more like a flower 
who found you in the green forest 
and were you very sorry to come away?
 see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
i will kiss your cool bark 
and hug you safe and tight 
just as your mother would, 
only don't be afraid 
look the spangles 
that sleep all the year in a dark box 
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, 
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads, 
put up your little arms 
and i'll give them all to you to hold 
every finger shall have its ring 
and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy 
then when you're quite dressed 
you'll stand in the window for everyone to see 
and how they'll stare! 
oh but you'll be very proud 
and my little sister and i will take hands 
and looking up at our beautiful tree 
we'll dance and sing 
"Noel Noel"

(e.e. cummings)

Obviously, the little tree in the video is not silent.

"TEARS IN HEAVEN" - ERIC CLAPTON

Eric Clapton lost his four year old son. He knows.

AGAIN, AGAIN, AND AGAIN - COME TOGETHER AND STOP THE SHOOTINGS

The Maddow Blog

"We're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics," Obama said during a brief address from the White House, where he repeatedly wiped away tears.

"We've endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. Each time I learn the news, I react not as a president, but as anybody else would, as a parent. And that is especially true today," said Obama, the father of two daughters.

Tom and I have close friends who live in Newtown, and we've visited there several times.  The small town is not a place anyone would have imagined such a tragedy happening.  I talked to my friend today to express my sympathy, shock, and horror for what has happened.  Such a terrible tragedy affects the entire community. 

I pray for those who died that they will rest in peace and rise in glory, and I pray for all who love them, that they will somehow find comfort, consolation, and peace.  I join in the prayers of many that the injured will recover and for strength for their families and friends.  I pray for the people in the community of Newtown and that we, as a country, will come together, as President Obama said, beyond politics to find ways to stop this sort of tragedy from happening again, and again, and again, for we can no longer call the mass shootings isolated incidents. 

SO BEAUTIFUL OR SO WHAT

I think he still has it. Do you?

THE GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE - ERIC BOGLE

I hate war. I hope and pray that our two most recent wars will be our last - a foolish hope and prayer perhaps, nevertheless...  

Oh, and one thing more...President Obama, please stop the drone attacks.  Innocent people get killed.  Thank you.

KATE RUSBY - THE LARK

 

Out in the field where the lark it flies,
Over the earth where my heart it lies,
Oh how it sings when the west wind blows,
Out in the field where no-one goes.

Lovely woman with a beautiful voice.

ALL SAINTS DAY

All Saints Day came and is nearly gone.  I intended to write a post in honor of the day, but time constraints prevented me, so I offer you beloved Satchmo with his signature piece.

FARKEL FAMILY FUN

Recently, I was reminded of the Farkel family sketches on the comedy TV show Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in.  I loved the Farkel family, Frank (Dan Rowan) and Fanny (Jo Anne Worley), their kids, and their neighbor Ferd Berffel (Dick Martin).  The children in this sketch from 1970 are Sparkle (Goldie Hawn), identical twins, Simon (Teresa Graves) and Gar (Pamela Rodgers), and Flicker (Ruth Buzzi). I could not make out the name of the boy in the family, nor do I know who played the part in this sketch or the part of the suspicious boy brought in by police officer, Phil McCorkle, who is played by the wonderful Jonathan Winters.  The Farkel children varied in number and  names from season to season.  Enjoy.

PLEASE MOVE THE DEER CROSSING SIGN

This audio clip from Y94 Playhouse Fargo, ND radio station was too funny to not find a way for more people to hear it so thus, this video. A lady asks for help getting deer crossing signs moved to lower traffic areas. "The government can guide deer to lower traffic areas" ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! Kudos to Y94 Playhouse and Donna for the joy that you have given many through laughter.

And from the comments at YouTube:

Don't even get me started on where the government places icy roads.

Thanks to Marthe.

UN AUTRE HENRI LE CHAT

Thanks to Charley F-B for the reminder.

DID MITT HAVE A CHEAT SHEET?

"No props, notes, charts, diagrams or other writings can be used by the candidates; however, they can take notes on the type of paper of their choosing.The candidates cannot ask each other direct questions, but can ask rhetorical questions.The candidates cannot address each other with proposed pledges.Each candidate can use his own makeup artist.No candidate is allowed to use risers or any other device to make them look taller.The Coin Toss: At least 72 hours before the first debate, there will be a coin toss on the order of questioning and closing arguments."

But we all know that rules don't apply to Mitt.  If Bush can get away with a little radio receiver on his back, what's a little cheat sheet in comparison?

Link to video from CBS Chicago.

UPDATE: The Romney campaign says the object was a handkerchief, and another video shows that may indeed be true.   Below is a screenshot from the video.

I offer my apology.

MARY BLACK - "BOTH SIDES OF TWEED"

What's the spring-breathing jasmine and rose?
What's the summer with all its gay train
Or the splendour of autumn to those
Who've bartered their freedom for gain?

Let the love of our land's sacred rights
To the love of our people succeed
Let friendship and honour unite
And flourish on both sides the Tweed.

No sweetness the senses can cheer
Which corruption and bribery bind
No brightness that gloom can e'er clear
For honour's the sum of the mind

Let virtue distinguish the brave
Place riches in lowest degree
Think them poorest who can be a slave
Them richest who dare to be free

A beautiful woman with lovely, pure voice

"For the last quarter-century, singer Mary Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, both at home and abroad. She has shared stages, tv shows and recording studios with some of the most revered performers of her time. She has also played a frontline role in bringing Irish music, past and present, to an increasingly appreciative and ever-growing global audience."  (Jackie Hayden - Music Writer - Hot Press) 

RUTHIE FOSTER - "JOY"

I meant to post the video last night, but I never got around to it.  Enjoy.

FEAST OF HILDEGAARD VON BINGEN

Hildegard von bingen- "O vis aeternitatis" - Artist: Sequentia

O vis Aeternitatis
 
Power of Eternity
you who ordered all things in your heart,
through your Word all things are created just as you willed,
and your very Word
calls forth flesh
in the shape
which was drawn from Adam.
Power of Eternity
Power of Eternity.

Collect of the Day: Hildegard, 1179

God of all times and seasons: Give us grace that we, after the example of your servant Hildegard, may both know and make known the joy and jubilation of being part of your creation, and show forth your glory not only with our lips but in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

DIAMOND JUBILEE - ELIZABETH II (MORPH SEQUENCE)

My brother-in-law sent me the link to the video, which I think is a rather nicely done tribute to the Queen in honor of her Diamond Jubilee.

MARY BLACK - "BRIGHT BLUE ROSE"

Mary Black Live At The Royal Albert Hall

For all of you who must discover
For all who seek to understand  
For having left the path of others  
You'll find a very special hand
 
And it is a holy thing and it is a precious time  
And it is the only way
Forget-me-nots among the snow, it's always been and so it goes  
To ponder his death and his life eternally

Thanks to Tim Chesterton for introducing me to this wonderful singer with the lovely voice.

LITTLE RICHARD - "LUCILLE"

Listen, but maybe not right before retiring.  The music can have an effect similar to caffeine.

LENT IN SILK AND LACE

We've seen Cardinal Raymond Burke wearing splendid red and green vestments, and now we see him arrayed in purple Lenten vestments.  Once again the cardinal wears the tall, gold mitre.  After clicking on the link above, scroll down to see all the posts on the Cardinal Burke.

Orbis Catholicus Secundus reports that American Cardinal [Raymond]Burke celebrated a Pontifical Mass at the Lenten Stational Church of San Nicola in Carcere  (St Nicholas in prison) with outdoor penitential procession and chanting of the Litany of Saints. San Nicola in Carcere is one of the traditional stational churches of Lent.

For the procession, His Eminence wore a very tall golden mitre (mitra aurifregiata), and a penitential purple cope bearing the coat of arms of Pius IX. For the Mass, he wore another tall white mitre and a purple chasuble and Pontifical gloves (chirothecœ). The use of episcopal gloves became customary at Rome probably in the 10th century. Most of these liturgical vestments have been rarely seen after the Pauline changes of the last ‘60s. The revised Caeremoniale Episcoporum no longer imposes on bishops the use of episcopal gloves.

 I wanted you to see the gloves, which all too often seem to be not quite the right color and tend to clash with the other vestments.  These chirothecœ are the best match I've seen yet.  The vestments may seem  somewhat splendiferous for the Lenten period, but think of it this way: Lent is a time of fasting, so the people who attend the services at least get to feast their eyes on colorful silk and beautiful lace during the penitential  season.

Cardinal Burke explains the attraction of masses with elaborate pageantry and lavish vestments in the video below which was posted on the website of the National Catholic Reporter.

MARY BLACK - 'THE HOLY GROUND'

Thanks to Tim Chesterton for introducing me to the beautiful voice of the lovely Mary Black.  She sings the song lyrics from the heart, seemingly without effort.

LOUISIANA ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT ITS BEST

A one and a half minute video clip of Louisiana state Senator Dudley LeBlanc of Vermillion Parish, purveyor of the patent medicine, Hadacol, on You Bet Your Life television show hosted by Groucho Marx.  Alas, according to Wikipedia, by 1951 the company collapsed under a mountain of debt.

Hadacol was a patent medicine marketed as a vitamin supplement. Its principal attraction, however, was that it contained 12 percent alcohol (listed on the tonic bottle's label as a "preservative"), which made it quite popular in the dry counties of the southern United States. 
....

The label on the tonic's bottle clearly stated that the recommended dosage (1 tablespoonful taken 4 times a day) was to be taken "...in a 1/2 glass of water after meals and before retiring". However, some pharmacies in dry counties were known to sell it by the shot-glass and at least one bar in New Orleans' French Quarter was known to sell a "Tassel Cocktail" with Hadacol as an ingredient.

Several popular songs were inspired by Hadacol, including "Hadacol Boogie", performed by Jerry Lee Lewis. 

Video and link sent to me by an old friend.