Just a Bill

I have a post that is sitting in 'drafts'. It's waiting to be published, like so many others, biding its time. But this post keeps popping up from my sub-conscience. It tries to get my attention again and again. It keeps reminding me of itself in conversations I have with friends. In conversations with family. In conversations with myself. Mostly in conversations with myself. But it has to wait, along with the others, because I am staunchly opposed to posting it right now.

And I have live-out-loud boys, a thoughtful-if-tromping husband who stretches my thoughts to the larger world, a house which drives me to distraction, and a Welsh puppy who noses my elbow and licks my toes.

So .. not yet, shouty post. I am adamant. Despite the fact that it is the reason I have not posted these many months. I am adamant. You will become an actual post one day. Until then, I leave you with this:

Today's conundrum: Am I waiting in vain for that vendor to call-back?

Future conundrum: Will the local NBC all-weather, all-the-time channel ever change its music?

Thanks for perusing; see you again soon.  tIOx

Liszt and Lisitsa

Again, not me. But I have done 'La Campanella'. This performance of 'El Contrabandista' by Lisitsa is inspiring - and as near to perfection as I can imagine.

Reminiscing

While this video is not of me, it has me reminiscing. I think back to the days when this piece consumed my hours at the piano. Good days. Long hours. A happy piece and, below, an exciting performance.

Enjoy.   tIO x



Video via Youtube; property of pianist Natalie Erlich.

...just because it's June - June - June!

A good way to begin the month, I think. It's always made me happy:


Have a wonderful month, lovelies.
Thanks for perusing; see you soon.
tIO x

Dressember

'Dressember' comes but once a year, and I'll be posting about it here. What is 'Dressember', you ask? Here is the official description:

December 1st marks the beginning of 'Dressember' - the challenge for women (or the adventurous male) everywhere to shake up their wardrobe and try ditching the jeans and t-shirts.

We're aiming to wear dresses as often as possible: don't worry if it's not practical in the day, you can go for a skirt/top combo if needed. Or have fun and dress up in the evening in that cocktail dress you never get to wear!

There are no rules, it's all about stretching your wardrobe boundaries, trying something different, and having fun, so just jump on in :-)


Sounds like fun, right? If you would like to participate, please visit the Dressember Facebook page. And please let me know too; we can take on the challenge together!

Thanks for perusing; blog you again soon!  tIO x
PS: If you need inspiration, dive into Eleanor Estes' wonderful book 'the Hundred Dresses'. It was a favorite from my childhood; I read it dozens of times.

No Matter Where You Go...

...there you are. Words to live by.

History is fun!

youtube video by CD101FM

Hope you're having a wonderful month. They might be giants. And what are we going to do unless they are?

PS: We have a lot of history on this Earth. Happy Earth Day!   tIO x

"I'm having a bad, bad day..."

Truly cannot wait to see this. It already makes me giggle uncontrollably.   tIO x

PS: I'm not really having a bad, bad day; I used some gorgeous new MixologyMakeup today and got my hair cut. (Hi, Nancy. xx)
The post title references the lyrics to the title song, 'Despicable Me'.

162

Time for those "brown-eyed handsome" men to make the turn and head for home.




One down, 161 games left in the regular season, sports fans. Hip, hip...   tIO x

Today's conundrum: Who's starting? And can you spell the first-baseman's name without looking at a roster?
Future conundrum: Will we play ball in November again this year?

White Riot

  

The warmer weather has spawned the white riot above us. And immediately, this piece comes to mind, performed by the Empire Brass:

Funnily enough, this little ditty popped in there as well: White Riot.

Happy Saturday, rioters!   tIO x

"Like Ali in the Jungle..."

After downloading this song last week, it's gone to the top of my workout playlist. Time to start the week. Let's go.


Have at it, kids; here's to a wonderful week! (Hope your PT is going well, Ben.)   tIO x

Abed and the Punchdub

Apparently it's been about the humor this week. Here's our Friday installment:

(And I want to start this with you. You know who you are.)


Have a wonderful weekend, blogfriends!   tIO x

A Starter, Main, and Dessert

If you don't at least crack a smile at these two I will be seriously disappointed. Seriously.
And a word of warning: there is some naughtiness and off-color language.




(Thanks to Omniscient and Malinky2Stoatir; via youtube)

May your day be full of laughter and amusement.   tIO x

His Excellency

In honor of his birthday, we are watching this:

and encourage you to read this and visit here.

Hope you enjoy the day!   tIO x

Smooth Operator

"No need to ask." It's Sade: poetry wrapped in dulcet tones and red/hot/blue jazz. Her words carried me through humid summers and frigid winters in my youth. Listening again, I realise there was depth and truth in them that I could not have known then. But I hear it now and it's wonderful. Like a favorite book I've picked-up to read again and found that I'd skipped whole chapters.

In the interim, I have grown older (certainly) and wiser (thankfully). And I have lived. True, I may not have been to Somalia; but in my own way I have collected pearls by the side of the road. I have cherished the day. I have felt like the king of sorrows, experienced the sweetest taboo, and been implored to hang on to my love. And all-the-while wondering how I was going to make a living. It may sound all heart-break and loneliness, but I hear hope and courage. Optimism. With undertones of soundness of spirit. Perhaps I naturally inject a bit more humor into things, but still...  My heart warms when I hear that first song again:


Good Tuesday, blogfriends. Thanks for perusing this blog; blog you again soon.   tIO x

PS: Could I leave Sade alone without Spandau Ballet? No. My girlish memories forbid it.

"Hark upon the gale..."

"Not many colleges can say they've cancelled classes because 'the British invaded'."

"Good Day, Sunshine"

I awoke to this:

Which was followed quickly by this:

And then this appeared:

Sincere thanks to the lovely Town and Country Mom for the honor; I am giddy with delight! 'The Sunshine Award' is "awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blogging world." How encouraging! And as received, my instructions now are as follows: 

1. Post the award on the blog.
2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers.
3. Link to the nominees in a post.
4. Let nominees know they have won this award by commenting on their blogs.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you've received this award.

And so with delight I pass-along this award to the following engaging and inspiring bloggers:
CapeBags

Charlie and Sarah Blog

Collage of Life

Content in a Cottage

High Street Market

Home Girl

ModernJune

Pigtown Design

Pillar Box Post

Preppy Player

Social Climbers

Wellies Make the World Go Round

Have a good day, sunshines.   tIO x

"Baby it's cold outside!"

Truer words from one of my favorite movies:


Only six more weeks of winter!   tIO x

Mid-week Music: "(I Have) Confidence"

Remember that song from 'the Sound of Music', "(I Have) Confidence"? It's been a favorite of mine since I was little. I've had it randomly popping into my head for days now, and finally yielded to the musical gods, aka Rodgers and Hammerstein, to seek it out on youtube. Here it is for your viewing pleasure: (with thanks to superlightstar for posting)


The lyrics: (in case you forgot them)
What will this day be like? I wonder
What will my future be? I wonder
It could be so exciting to be out in the world, to be free
My heart should be wildly rejoicing
Oh whats the matter with me?

I've always longed for adventure
To do the things I've never dared
Now here i'm facing adventure
Then why am I so scared?

Captain with seven children; what's so fearsome about that?

Oh I must stop all these doubts, all these worries
If I don't i just know i'll turn back
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack

The courage to serve them with reliance
Face my mistakes without defiance
Show them I'm worthy
And while I show them I'll show me

So... let them bring on all their problems
I'll do better than my best
I have confidence they'll put me to the test
But I'll make them see I have confidence in me

Somehow I will impress them
I will be firm but kind
And all those children
Heaven bless them
They will look up to me and mind me

With each step I am more certain
Everything will turn out fine
I have confidence the world can all be mine
They'll have to agree I have confidence in me

I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence that spring will come again
Besides what you see I have confidence in me

Strength doesn't lie in numbers
Strength doesn't lie in wealth
Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumber
When you wake up - wake up! - it's healthy

All I trust I give my heart to
All I trust becomes my own
I have confidence in confidence alone
... Oh help! ...
I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which, you see, I have confidence in me!



May you go forth with confidence, lovelies! Spring will come again.
Thanks for perusing this blog; blog you again, soon.   tIO x

"Come with Me"

A little bit of happy on this Friday:



Have a good one.   tIO x