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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/profile/blog/heartburn/month/5-1-2019
Rated: 13+ · Book · Family · #2058371
Musings on anything.
BCOF Insignia

My blog was filled up. I'm too lazy to clean it out. So I started a new one.
May 22, 2019 at 6:05pm
May 22, 2019 at 6:05pm
#959464
         The Voice has ended another season. It was disappointing in the end, and I feel like I wasted my time. The ones I liked the best were eliminated earlier, and some I didn't like at all made it to the final four. All the coaches and others predicted the actual winner weeks before, and we were told her song was streamed most often. It was an expected ending; no thrill of anticipation was left.

         Even the runner-up was one I would have eliminated several rounds before. My favorite performances of the evening were the Jonas Brothers, Toby Keith, Travis Tritt, and Taylor Swift. Keith and Tritt sang with contestants. I love Sarah McLaughlin, but her duo with the winner, Mae Lynn, only served to make Mae Lynn's voice seem coarse and second-rate. That was a bad pairing. And while some of the performers got a little classier and more stage worthy with costumes and make-up, Mae Lynn turned sort of slutty. Even the film of them not singing showed her in low cut revealing underwear that was too tight around her midsection. There was one exception; one night she wore a spectacular red evening dress that fit her very well and looked very classy. Taylor Swift's pink dress was very cute.

         I like watching the coaches and their relationships the best. I have learned to like Adam and Blake after all these years. I became a Shakira fan as a result of The Voice, not to mention Usher. I am a big Kelly Clarkson fan now. She's got a lot of personality and character. I will continue to watch because of that, and seeing new people being coached. But I won't be as intent or devoted as in the past. Part of the reason may be the way they revamped the show this past season. Some of it is because people my age don't use Twitter or stream music as much as the younger generation. So the final choices are not the general public's, but just the choice of the media savvy younger generations.
May 20, 2019 at 1:37pm
May 20, 2019 at 1:37pm
#959340
         I had the good fortune yesterday to travel to a concert by the Raleigh Bell Ringers. Though based in North Carolina, they travel around the country and sometimes to Europe for concerts. They are a group of volunteers with a very expensive collection of hand bells and an equipment truck to haul them. They make money from ticket sales and the sale of CD's and the usual concert paraphernalia to raise funds for travel expenses and the purchase of more bells.

         The bells can be made of brass, bronze, or aluminum depending on size. They can cover many octaves. I think we heard about 7 octaves. At least one song did not use the clappers at all, but the bells were struck with mallets instead. A bass bell can weigh up to 17 pounds in bronze or 11 in aluminum. The aluminum has a purer sound, no undertones. Bells include chimes. The techniques vary song to song, so the same bells produce a variety of sounds. At times it sounded like violins or drums, but it was all bells.

         We heard Bohemian Rhapsody, complete with fog machine, laser lights dancing on the wall, and flames. The conductor chatted while all the players went offstage, returning with tie dyed shirts, hats, purple wigs and tie dyed gloves. They danced and had fun while they played the song impeccably. The encore was Flight of the Bumblebee which had me going "Woe" out loud. They wore yellow striped gloves for that, and one guy had a yellow striped stocking cap with antenna. Another guy wore a hairband with flower petals. Halfway thru, one guy on the treble bells put on a beekeeper's hat and netting.

         This takes a lot of time and work from volunteers. They start fresh each January with auditions for everyone, including ones who've been there since 1990. Some of them are music teachers, some play in local hand bell choirs, and a couple lead their own local groups. They practice every week all year for 3 1/2 hours a week, except Christmas break. When they first start the year, they have sectional practices as well, or all newcomers practice. They can play all parts, although some can't handle the heavy bells for a whole song or repeated songs. They always have substitutes built in by not using every person on every song, and learning all parts. Part of the interview/audition process is looking at their schedules for the whole year to be sure they are available for concert commitments. They work their own choirs and vacations around this group. Many of them, like the conductor, are self-employed, or do computer work or consulting work which is flexible.

         They get a lot of their music, which is not readily available like piano music, by doing test recordings for composers and arrangers. If they like it, they request permission to use it, or they form a relationship with the arranger, who will then do special arrangements just for them. They grew in popularity by ding a live show of Stairway to Heaven on the radio. Since they formed, hand bells have become increasingly popular in the U.S. and are springing up all over the place. Many churches now own their own bells. Europe is the primary source for the manufacture of bells.

         If you have a chance to see them near you, please, do. You will be amazed.
May 15, 2019 at 11:36pm
May 15, 2019 at 11:36pm
#959070
         What is your favorite piece of furniture and why?

         My first thought was of my bed. I can snuggle up under my blankets and hide from the rest of the world, at least until my back hurts from lying down too long. (Obviously, I've had experience.) Then I thought of the recliner where I've spent many an afternoon over the years feeling sick, or evenings watching old movies. Of course, I like the dresser--any dresser would do--that holds my unmentionables out of sight. Or the desk with the computer where I spend many hours a day. Maybe it's the old hand-cranked Victrola downstairs out of sight, or the old sewing table (minus the machine) that I use as a night stand.

         No, finally I realize I like to eat, so it must be the kitchen table where I prepare food and set my plate for dinner. I then remembered the dining table. It was my mother's table. The dining room is small, so we can't add the extra leaf that is stored in the foyer closet. But that table, as is, accommodates 8. We can squeeze in extra chairs and reduce elbow room. These days with so many little ones and an old man in the family, we have a lot of spills and mishaps, so I keep it well covered.

         That table has been the center of many family gatherings, holidays and birthdays, even funeral meals. When my mother was alive, it held her cooking, which everybody loved, including her potato salad and home canned vegetables. We've entertained friends, family, immigrants, and near strangers at that table. A lot of tall tales, gossip, and laughter have taken place at that table. We've also sat around that table, shedding tears and our memories. No subject was taboo. We didn't always agree, but we forgave and bonded.

         I guess that table represents my family. It reminds me of the love, the sorrow, the heartbreak, our differences, and acceptance. We've asked the blessing over the years at that table. I believe we were blessed.
May 13, 2019 at 6:57pm
May 13, 2019 at 6:57pm
#958888
"Don't forget to drink water and get some sun. You're basically a houseplant with more complicated emotions."

         The unknown writer of the above quote realized some basic truth. Life goes on. Even in the midst of grief and tragedy, the world keeps spinning. People still get hungry, the house still needs cleaning, the laundry still needs to be done. A simple thing like drinking water and getting some light is essential to get through the down moments of our lives.

         Farmers probably relate to this easily. No matter how bad the crop prices or the weather, they still have to feed the animals and stack the hay. They have to put a fire in the stove or the kids will be cold. They can't allow themselves to wallow in self-pity.

         For us city dwellers, we have pets to tend. A simple act like drinking a glass of water or washing our hair keeps us from sinking into despair. A shortage of light has been shown to influence depression and suicide. So if the new job goes away because the company shut down or they consolidated, or if we get bad news about Grandma, a walk in the park can be helpful.

         When we find ourselves getting down in the dumps, we just need to remember that we're houseplants and need a little simple care. It may not bring us instant joy, but it will keep us afloat.
May 12, 2019 at 10:06pm
May 12, 2019 at 10:06pm
#958842
         I saw the remake of True Grit Friday Night. I was surprised, but it was pretty good. They did manage to stick to the story, but present it in a new and interesting way with more detail from the book. I truly enjoyed it. Jeff Bridges, as disgusting as he was, did a great job as Rooster Cogburn. Matt Damon did a better job than Glen Campbell, but didn't sing. In fact the music throughout the film was a slow instrumental version of Leaning On The Everlasting Arms. Steven Spielberg was a producer, so that may account for the original feel to an old story.

         Many remakes just rewrite the story or modernize it. Some, like historical fiction, have to stay close to the original. The Virginian for instance, has been made into a movie four times, but it gets worse each time, and the actors get further away from the lovable hero of the original.

         Stagecoach has been done at least twice, the first time in 1939 when John Wayne was still lean and good-looking. The second version was the same story, but with different actors came different characterization, which were still interesting. I think it's time to do it again. I nominate Hugh Jackman and Matt Damon, with Kurt Russell as the sheriff. I don't believe The Ox Bow Incident has ever been redone, and it's such a good story. It should be remade, although it will be hard to top or break even with the first one.

         I love it when TCM runs the remakes back to back. A film addict, like me, can really study them that way.

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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/profile/blog/heartburn/month/5-1-2019