Welcome! I hope I bring a spot of calm and happiness into these uncertain times. I blog about my photography adventures, flowers, gardening, the importance of chocolate in a well lived life, or anything else on my mind.
Spring is gradually winning its battle with winter here in the Southern Tier of New York. Athough we haven't had severe weather like other parts of the country, we've had some grim looking skies.
Photos taken April 26 right before a rainstorm.
If not for the green grass, you'd think this was taken in black and white.
Same sky from a different direction.
After the rain - puddles.
More puddles.
I like how this reflection came out, even if it didn't fit the B&W theme.
May May bring true spring at last. At least today, it has.
As today will be a busy day for me, I decided to depend once again on my guest photographer and her great pictures of birds. These were all taken in the last couple of months in the Southern Tier of New York State. Thanks go once again to my guest photographer, who has a DSLR, for these excellent captures.
Ruffled Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) .
Cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum).
Finally this bird is not well loved by those of us who have backyard feeders, but you have to admit that in the right light, they do have a certain beauty. They also have an important role in our local ecosystem as both an eater of insects and a prey bird. This is the common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, a bird that is actually considered in near threatened status despite me seeing them all the time where I live.
On a side note, I participated in the annual Blogging from A to Z Challenge for nearly 10 years. I was unable to this year since I can't blog daily at this time, but, on days I did post I followed the alphabet letter of the day. This is the final day (Z) of the Challenge. I hope you enjoyed my April posts and have the time to check out some of the 2025 A to Zers.
Today
I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us
at the linky above). We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music
each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most
welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video,
please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)
Every
other week we have a theme. This week's theme is "You Pick".
And I'm picking an XC (90 in Roman numerals) birthday - Herb Alpert, who celebrated his 90th birthday on March 31 - while on a tour. Yes, he's still playing trumpet, and is still touring with a new Tijuana Brass. He's also been a successful businessman as co-owner, with Jerry Moss, of the former A&M Records.
Here are some favorite songs of mine, along with a song that has become viral on Tik-Tok (which I do not use).
The Lonely Bull, from 1963.
A song given to Herb by Burt Bacharach - This Guy's in Love with You. This 1968 song became Alpert's first #1 hit single, proving Alpert's versatility. Here, he sings lead vocals.
Another #1 song for Alpert - Rise, from 1979. In other words, he reached #1 for both an instrumental performance and a vocal performance on the top 100 charts. I'm not sure any other artist has done that but I'm sure I'll be told if it has been done since.
Tijuana Taxi. Honk!
One last song. I promised you the song that has gone viral on Tik Tok and here it is - Ladyfingers from 1965. How wonderful that new generations are finding this song, and Herb Alpert.
And that's a wrap!
Join me again next time for another episode of Music Moves Me.
Spring has sprung and wow has it sprung where I live in the Southern Tier of New York. In fact, it's almost too hot (dare I say that, after having had snow flurries last week?) I suspect our spring flowers will be rushing - vrooming if you will - through their bloom time. I just want to yell "stop" and freeze them in time.
Our skies have been beautiful. These picture were taken April 23.
This isn't just an evergreen tree. It's an evergreen tree with a nest in it. And if you have really keen eyes, you may even see an eagle, but don't get eyestrain trying to do it.
I can't zoom on it too much more but the eagle is in the far right of the photo, about in the mid line between top and bottom of the photo.
To rest your eyes, here is a flowering quince.
A friend drove me to a place I needed to visit yesterday, and
on the way home, we passed these Bradford pears. I didn't realize that I
had also caught a sky reflection on the hood of her car.
Beautiful!
Look to the sky.
Let's close this out with one more picture, as I love violets so much.
Today
I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us
at the linky above). We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music
each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most
welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video,
please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)
Every
other week we have a theme. This week's theme is "Spring Colors". And am I ever Ready for them!
A sample of my daffodils, taken yesterday
Where I live, spring explodes in a symphony of colors. There is the purple of crocus and Lenten rose, the yellow of forsythia and daffodils, and the red of primrose and tulips.
There is the green of newly sprouted grass, and the light green of newly unfurled leaves. Meanwhile, we welcome back birds that have overwintered in warmer climes.
So today, as I listen to the trilling of red winged blackbirds, I am choosing some songs mentioning spring or color.
I know so well the feeling of finally seeing blue sky again after our dreary winter white/grey skies. Here, from 1977, is ELO's Mr. Blue Sky.
On the sunshine theme, how about Pink (it's a spring color!) and her daughter Willow Sage Hart in 2021's Cover Me In Sunshine?
In the early spring, wild onions sprout. Here's an instrumental: Green Onions, from Booker T and the M.G.'s from 1962.
How about another show song - Ethel Merman and Everything's Coming up Roses, from the 1959 musical Gypsy. OK, no color in the title or lyrics but - roses.
Speaking of red roses, how about Bobby Vinton and his 1962 hit Roses are Red, (My Love) which mentions both red roses and blue violets?
I'll wrap today's set with Bobby Darin's 18 Yellow Roses.
