Winter has arrived.

 

Winter Winds, Chopin, Pentatonix

 

Last rays of sunset

Lace through bare trees.

As light fades, a chill wind

Swirls fallen crumbled leaves,

Once so bright and drifting

With a dancer’s flourish.

In darkness, the clouds roll back

As a scroll of gray and black. 

The reigns of summer and autumn

No longer tower and burn.

Midnight reveals

A treasure chest of winter:

Ice and snow prepared

To lay a frozen ruin to the land.

 

  https://youtu.be/pHlqEvAwdVc

 

Wednesday Words, from 2012. We bloggers are blessed. to be surrounded by so much talent.  The Wednesday Words were a writing challenge for bloggers to make a change with a different something.  

 

Star Spangled Banner

 

Flag that was flown over the battle of Fort Henry, in Smithsonian

 

Chris Stapleton, 2023 Super Bowl

Little guy singing his heart out.

                                                                Pentatonix 

No one took a knee.  Not one. The athletes were told that they would be fired on the spot.  I don't think any of them wanted to take a knee. Peer pressure is a cruel thing to force on players.  

Now, what?

Hallelujah

 

Some of Cohen's writing

Songs from my age are precious to me and others.  They spoke to our lives and experiences. Not that they were tender love songs, but the songs were meaningful.

Leonard Cohen composed and sang "Hallelujah" all around the world. Other artists arranged and re-arranged the lyrics by bits, keeping the general flow and sincerity of the song.  I wonder if he could have known the impact this song has had?

Pentatonix, a music acapella group, performed the song with their unique vocal combinations.  Here, an 11 yr. old girl, Kaylee, performed with them on stage. Kaylee has ADHD and Autism, a girl with tremendous talent.  

History shows the artists through time who have struggled with difficulties which were kept hidden or undefined them.  But when we hear how they fought "the devils" to write or paint their treasures we can appreciate how they wrestle with much.

Musicians And The Stigma Of ‘Mental Illnesses’ Association Of Mental Illness And Stigmatization 

1.Suicide Of Kurt Cobain And Bipolar Disorder 

2.Jim Morrison And Drug Abuse 

3.Ludwig van Beethoven And Bipolar Disorder 

4.Maroon 5 Lead Singer And ADHD 5.

5.Sinead O’Connor And Bipolar Disorder 

6.Beyonce, Depression

7.Demi Lovato depression and Bipolar Disorder

8. Van Gogh, Gauguin, Pollock

And many more.

So, this precious 11 yr. old girl with ADHD and Autism rises above the broad spectrum of possibilities that defeat others. 

Gotta keep our eyes and ears open for this talented girl Kaylee.

With words alone

sheet music "Jesus is King"

The first musical instrument was the voice. In these vocals below, voices rule. Each are performing songs I really enjoy: Radioactive by Imagine Dragons (and sung by Pentatonix), You Raise Me Up performed by BYU Vocal Point, and Amazing Grace performed by Peter Hollens.  Each is about 4 minutes.

Radioactive performed by Pentatonix, (Imagine Dragons)

BYU Vocal Point, You Raise Me Up, 

Peter Hollens Acappella Amazing Grace 

Singing and songs fill the spirit with a deep emotion. I need music like this. We all need music that lifts our spirits.

Merry Christmas to All

Just a few days. Did you have a count down when you were a child? One that said "Christmas, just 6 days..."

Pentatonix: Mary did you know?

Flash Mob: Hallelujah Chorus

Merry Christmas to all

And 

To all a Good Night.

See you after the New Year.