With God as my witness
Here I sit w/my broken arm…But I still have my left hand, (I’m counting my blessings 😉 )…At least I can still blog w/o fear of breaking anything else … I guess I could fall out of my chair 😉 … Not !!!
This song will always be one of my fav’s !!!!The best line of this song is, “When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God.”it gives me chills…Merry Christmas to all and Blessings for your New Year <3 …
It’s hard to believe Christmas is 3 days away…I still love this holiday for so many reasons !!! Great memories of Christmas Past !!!! They weren’t all perfect but they all were memorable. Christmas is a very hopeful holiday. So much to look forward too. I love the songs, midnight mass, family & food. Friends are so important to the Celebration of Christmas.
I think I’ll add some music for this post. This is probably my favorite song at Christmas time…
This year has been so great !!! We added to our family. Down below is our 3rd son, Matthew with his beautiful bride Mz. Hannah. This is a picture from the wedding. Connie and Missy (carrying our 8th grand baby in April) they’re 2nd in from the left. Mz. Valerie and Kirk are next to them. Maggie is laughing at something, (she is so adorable). Fernando is next to Connie. Lauren is next to Missy.
We are just blessed to be included in this group of people. We had so much fun at the wedding and added to our memories with our, “Dancing Family”. Thank you all so much for being a part of our world.
Their wedding was absolutely stunning !!!! The venue, the stairs OMG (Can’t believe I forgot to get a picture on the stairs) right out of my movie “Gone With the Wind”.
I was going to go to Alaska for our 45th (coming up next August) but I’m pretty sure I’m going to spend it out in Virginia. Such a beautiful place !!!!
I almost forgot one of the most amazing parts of this day…The gift the Bride & Groom got for the us. Matthew gave this to me at the start of the wedding. Well there are just no words for this present and it will be forever a memory imprinted on my heart. Thank you so much for this treasure Matthew & Hannah…
The rosary has a picture of us in the medal. It was my favorite wedding picture from our wedding. Thank you so much Hannah & Matthew for all the great memories of your Wedding !!!! I absolutely loved everything about being the mother of the groom. The Mother/Son dance was my moment. That was just the best and I’ll have that memory for a lifetime !!!! I must post the video again, I love watching this. Y’all made it so very special. I love you to the moon and am so grateful for you Hannah being a part of this family…Welcome
OMG we had the best day ever. Everyone knows wedding’s can be stressful leading up to the day. Traveling, finances, yadayadayda. I must say all went pretty smoothly with the getting there and the stuff. At the rehearsal dinner I asked my son (the professional dancer) what song we were dancing too. He told me, “A Simple Man,” by Leonard Skynard. That night I went home and watched it on Youtube b/c the song was not familiar. It was a good song and I knew I would cry, but that’s just what I do. I’m a cryer …
Fast forward to the reception Mother/Son Dance. I’m not a great dancer but I can hold my own and my son is an amazing dancer so I knew he would make me look great.
I’m just going to post the video and let it speak for itself, but I will tell you I will never forget this moment in time. I have never felt more loved. This was just so amazing !!!!!
This is one of my favorite movies and short story. I use to tell the kids when I die I know I will have gone to heaven if Patrick Swayze is standing there to greet me and we dance to that song. I had no idea this was the song we were going to dance to and there was no rehearsing before we did this . It was a total surprise and I he made me look great.
Thank you so much Matthew for the memory of a lifetime…More wonderful moments of this great day. I have to give a shout out to our new amazing and wonderful daughter. Thank you so much for joining our family and I know you are his person and I’m so grateful for you !!!! I love you Hannah.
It’s a great day…Our son is getting married to his perfect person, lovely Ms. Hannah…Stay tuned for more pics, kind of got the wait going on right now but grateful everything has gone perfect with the travel day and rehersal … Their venue is stunning. I’ll share pics of the venue and the song for our Mother/Son dance. I’m sure I’ll be crying a lot today …Blessings for a wonderful wedding day..
I’m just happy the dress made it out here safely…
What a great prompt, Disco. Probably my favorite music b/c I love to dance and I was in that generation totally. My husband of 44 years was not into disco at all and it almost ended our relationship. Thankfully it did not. I just went dancing with my brother-in-law, RIP and it was good b/c he (the boyfriend/husband) wasn’t jealous at all because he was married to my oldest sister.
Thanks so much for a great prompt this Sunday, Mr. Jim…I’m all over it and I’m definitely in for this SLS
My song for today is one of my all time fav’s of the disco era. Macarthur’s Park by Donna Summer. That song gets me dancing and singing. Been so long since I even remember this time in my life. Then when I saw the prompt for today, I knew right away what song I was going to choose. The husband likes Richard Harris‘s version of the song. I like the disco version better…
Song by Donna Summer
Spring was never waiting for us, dear
It ran one step ahead
As we followed in the dance
MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again
Oh, no
I recall the yellow cotton dress
Foaming like a wave
On the ground beneath your knees
The birds, like tender babies in your hands
And the old men playing Chinese checkers by the trees
MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again
Oh, no
MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left my cake out in the rain
And I don’t think that I can take it
‘Cause it took so long to bake it
And I’ll never have that recipe again
Oh, no, oh
I’m going be singing this song all day and doing a little disco dancing too. It’s Sunday, so it’s dinner at grandmama’s house and this will get me pumped to get dinner on. Love singing and dancing whilst I’m cooking. The menu for today is Bowtie Chicken Pesto w/Honey Butter Biscuits and Sweet Peas. I’m also going to put together Blueberry Hand Pies with my new, “Pampered Chef” Air Fryer.
The weather is great, which is kind of boring and it’s not so much fun to watch but my people are coming over and the grand babies will be able to play outside, so it’s all good. I know you should really love a beautiful Sunday like today, but being the weather geek that I am know this is a bore… 🙁 I’ll just remember the crappy days of January and I’ll be grateful for today 🙂 …
Enjoy your Sunday and let’s get ready for Memorial Day Weekend <3 …
I’m all about music !!! I sing all the time, it will define my day, my moment in time. I attach song’s to the relationships of mine. I’ll hear a song and I’ll remember something in my life and it will remind me of one of my kid’s or the husband. My mom gave me that gift. She loved to sing and IDK how many instruments she could play but I know she played the piano, the french horn and she was the leader of the band w/the hat and the baton. This post is for you mom <3…
This one’s for you Lizzie <3….
This ones for you Matthew…I will always remember you in my kitchen and your dancing, and you loved Michael Jackson !!!!
Last but surely not least I have a couple for you Connor. I remember the AC/DC and the Winter Classic, and the Killer’s. I think you danced to this song and I just loved it. I’m not sure about the AC/DC song, but I do remember “Thunderstruck” and it reminds me of you and our Chicago Blackhawk days …
I love the memories of all of the songs we have made together. These are just a couple of the songs that when I hear I think of my kiddos <3 Love you all, Mom <3 …
These are my people. They are all grown up now, but I have been blessed and it has been an honor to be your mom…
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there. I had a wonderful Mother’s Day albeit a bit sad. I lost my mom last month but I’m so happy for her. She lived a great life and taught me so much about being a mom and a wife and just about everything I ever needed to know about how to navigate my life.
I talk to her everyday and I’ll take her with me as my guide. She was my person …She really is going to be a tough act to follow so I’ll try to but it won’t be easy. She could always forgive anyone and accept w/o judging. IDK how she did that. I’m pretty sure her Catholic faith showed her the way.
She was a retired nurse and she use to speak to me about a, “Happy Death.” I thought how could that ever be a happy occasion. She showed me how in her own passing. I spoke to her on the Saturday that she was going into the hospital b/c she had a spike in her blood sugar. She was 91 years young and there was absolutely no fear in her voice. She knew what was going on and I’m sure she knew what the outcome was going to be. I could hear it in her voice, and she wasn’t scared at all, nor was I. She would’ve hated failing and going in and out of the hospital. She got her, “Happy Death” and it was on Divine Mercy Sunday. I was literally pulling into church when I last talked to her. A happy death is also one of the promises of the Rosary which is a prayer I absolutely love, love, love …
What a wonderful day to go to heaven on, “Divine Mercy Sunday.”
She walked the walk and really believed in everything she taught me and I am so at peace with everything. I talked to her practically everyday, sometimes 2 to 3 times a day. Usually if I was cooking and needed her guidance through a recipe or a sickness that I needed a nurses perspective on. Then I thought, “Patti, she’s 91 maybe she’s not as sharp on that anymore, but she was b/c if she didn’t really know she would say that.
Mom I’m going to miss you every minute of every day b/c I already do and it seems as time goes by the hole in my life w/o you is just getting bigger. But I know what you’d say and you would tell me just get busy with today. Don’t worry I’m fine, I home and I showed you what a, “Happy Death” was.
I was blessed to have you for a mother and I’m so glad I picked you. That was another thing, she told me that you pick your mom when you are up in God’s pocket and I believe her, b/c she knew all kinds of stuff like that. I know we will meet again and you have our baby, Sean Patrick with you and now you are both pefect.
Watch over us mom and help me be the best, like you were. I’ll love you forever and I will take all you taught me about family, motherhood and just living the rest of my journey… I hope I make you proud…
I don’t know how she did it, but she got more beautiful as she aged. I hope I got those genes. Even in death she looked absolutely angelic. I’m sure she went straight to heaven.
My featured pic on this post was my Mother’s Day Present from my amazing daughter the nurse…I love you Lizzie !!!! That was a beautiful memorial to mom !!! I love it 😉
Rest in Peace dear mom and I like how you put an,”Amen” to it on April 16th… 😉 Way to go mom…
A beautiful spring Sunday afternoon, albeit still a bit chilly for my world. March is a wonky month in Chicago, but this week it looks like it has chosen to be spring and a maybe bit warmer.
Today’s prompt is Bluegrass/Country and I’ll probably throw a couple of song’s in today. My first one is from The Charlie Daniels band, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” We saw them perform this twice, once in Chicago and the other time was at summer fair…
The Devil Went Down to Georgia
The devil went down to Georgia, he was lookin’ for a soul to steal
He was in a bind ’cause he was way behind
And he was willin’ to make a deal
When he came across this young man sawin’ on a fiddle and playin’ it hot
And the devil jumped up on a hickory stump
And said, “boy, let me tell you what”
“I guess you didn’t know it but I’m a fiddle player too
And if you’d care to take a dare, I’ll make a bet with you
Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy
But give the devil his due
I’ll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul
‘Cause I think I’m better than you”
The boy said, “my name’s Johnny and it might be a sin
But I’ll take your bet, you’re gonna regret
‘Cause I’m the best there’s ever been”
Johnny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard
‘Cause Hell’s broke loose in Georgia, and the devil deals the cards
And if you win, you get this shiny fiddle made of gold
But if you lose, the devil gets your soul
The devil opened up his case and he said, “I’ll start this show”
And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow
And he pulled the bow across the strings
And it made a evil hiss
Then a band of demons joined in
And it sounded something like this
When the devil finished, Johnny said, “well, you’re pretty good, ol’ son
But sit down in that chair right there
And let me show you how it’s done”
“Fire on the Mountain” run boys, run
The devil’s in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in a bread pan pickin’ out dough
Granny, does your dog bite? No, child, no
The devil bowed his head because he knew that he’d been beat
And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny’s feet
Johnny said, “Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again
I done told you once you son of a bitch, I’m the best that’s ever been”
He played “Fire on the Mountain” run boys, run
The devil’s in the House of the Rising Sun
The chicken in a bread pan pickin’ out dough
Granny, will your dog bite? No child, no
Another Country/Bluegrass song I found comes from a group I just now discovered thanks to the husband. I’m really shocked I never knew about these guys as a group til now but that doesn’t surprise me as the husband introduces me to a lot of different genre’s on the Music Scene…He’s older than me 😉 and has time for these kind of interests.
The second song I’m choosing for today is again from the Highwaymen and it is, “The City of New Orleans.” This song was written by Steve Goodman, another Chicago Native… This song also has a more personal meaning for me as my 1st job was working for the Illinois Central (Gulf) Railroad in Chicago. My dad got me the job as he was the comptroller for ICG. When he started out he was just a union worker down in Southern Illinois. There’s so much history that comes from the Railroad. This song for example mentions the Illinois Central which was its name until they merged with something w/Gulf in the name. Hence was born the Illinois Central Gulf.
City of New Orleans
Riding on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central, Monday morning rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail
All along the southbound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
Rolls along past houses, farms and fields
Passin’ trains that have no name
Freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles
Good morning America, how are you?
Say, don’t you know me? I’m your native son
I’m the train they call the City of New Orleans
I’ll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done
Dealin’ card games with the old men in the club car
Penny a point ain’t no one keepin’ score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels rumblin’ ‘neath the floor
And the sons of pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their father’s magic carpets made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep
Are rockin’ to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel
Good morning America, how are you?
Say, don’t you know me? I’m your native son
I’m the train they call the City of New Orleans
I’ll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done
Nighttime on the City of New Orleans
Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Half way home, we’ll be there by morning
Through the Mississippi darkness
Rolling down to the sea
But all the towns and people seem
To fade into a bad dream
And the steel rail still ain’t heard the news
The conductor sings his songs again
The passengers will please refrain
This train got the disappearing railroad blues
Good night, America, how are you?
Say, don’t you know me? I’m your native son
I’m the train they call the City of New Orleans
I’ll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done
I worked the in the Electrical Engineering/Commuter Division, Randolph Street Station in Chicago, before I left the workforce for Homemaking and Motherhood. It was a great union paying job and I have many good memories from that past life…
I hope you will enjoy all of the music from today…Blessings to all on a great new week and Happy Spring !!!!
Yay for music and song lyric sunday…Been off the blog for a bit, but always love the music challenges so I think I’ll jump in. You’ll have to forgive me Mr. Jim as I am feeling for a different genre. I guess it has to do with being in the cold, rainy March weather. Couldn’t be any farther from seashore weather than I am.
I’m feeling more like country and Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, and Willy & Waylon, “The Highwaymen.” Totally loving Kris, and this song <3 . What a great musician and song writer. Love Johnny Cash, less he reminds me too much of someone I don’t have any use for anymore and I’ll leave it at that. Willy and Waylon always make me feel good so for today it’s going to be them and the song I’m choosing is, “Me and Bobby Mcgee.” Kris Kristoferson wrote that you know. What an amazing talent and really a great guy to dream about…shhhhh, don’t let the husband know b/c he’s really my guy I dream about. Kris is probably looking his age now and the husband is still gorgeous and he’s all mine <3 …
I just really fell in love with this song and the video…Blessings on your Sunday and your week. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do !!!
The lyrics are a bit different from this video, but I like their version better than Janis Joplin’s song lyrics…
Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin’ for a train
When I’s feelin’ near as faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained
And rode us all the way into New Orleans
I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana
I’s playin’ soft while Bobby sang the blues
Windshield wipers slappin’ time, I’s holdin’ Bobby’s hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew
Freedom is just another word for nothin’ left to lose
Nothin’, don’t mean nothin’ hon’ if it ain’t free, no-no
And feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues
You know feelin’ good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee
From the Kentucky coal mine to the California sun
There Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Through all kinds of weather, through everything we done
Yeah, Bobby baby, kept me from the cold
One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away
He’s lookin’ for that home, and I hope he finds it
But, I’d trade all of my tomorrows, for one single yesterday
To be holdin’ Bobby’s body next to mine
Freedom is just another word for nothin’ left to lose
Nothin’, and that’s all that Bobby left me, yeah
But feelin’ good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues
That feelin’ good was good enough for me, mmm-hmm
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee
La-da-da, la-da-da-da, la-da-da-da-da-da-da
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da, Bobby McGee, yeah
La-da-da-da-da, la-da-da-da-da
La, la-la-la-da-da- Bobby McGee, oh yeah
La-da-da, la-da-da, la, da-da, la, da-da
La-da-da, la-da-da, la-di-da
Hey now, Bobby now, now Bobby McGee, yeah
Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord, lo-da-da, na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na
Hey now, Bobby now, now Bobby McGee, yeah
Well, I wanna call him my lover, call him my man
I said, I call him my lover, did the best I can, come on
Hey now, Bobby now, hey now Bobby McGee, yeah
Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, a Lord, oh
Hey-hey-hey, Bobby McGee, Lord
Todays prompt is a love song for humankind…I nominate, “We Are the World” and there are just too many stars to give it to just one. I really think that’s what I really love about this song. A whole lot of ego in one room, but I think that’s what makes it fun to watch. All of the stars bringing their own drama to their line . Each one trying to out sing the one before them. 😉 It’s interesting though, enjoy…