A Voice and Memories from the Past

Judy Collins is one of my all-time favorite singers and songwriters.

She has been well known as a folk artist for decades, as well as a social activist.

So many songs she has sung brought such peace and gentleness to my soul over the course of a lifetime.

I also admire her always defending and fighting for those who are less fortunate.

Some of my favorite songs she has sung include  "My Father," "Suzanne," and "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?"

  People, places, and things from our past become alive again when they are revived in our memories.

That became true for me recently when Judy Collins gave a concert with an old friend of hers, Stephen Stills, another well known folk artist.

They came to a Tanglewood, a venue in Western Massachusetts, that is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Music lovers set up chairs, blankets, and picnics on an expansive lawn, dotted with beautiful, old trees.                                              

Along with other concert-goers, we sat in the shade of one of the trees.                                                                                                 

There's a huge open-sided shed where guest artists perform and the music flows out onto the lawn.

Colored umbrellas create a kaleidoscope of color as well as provide shelter from the sun.

           

Judy's voice has changed from her early days but, to me, it's still clear and powerful.
One song she sang at the concert,  titled "Maria," told the story of a young Dreamer and her family.

It was  poignant,  clear, and very tragic.  She sang it a cappella.

The audience sat, transfixed, as she sang the story about hard-working immigrants coming to America to make a better life for their daughter, Maria.

Even the birds seemed to be silenced while the song told the heart-wrenching struggle of the immigrant family.

That song, alone, was worth the price of the $26 admittance.

Born on May 1, in 1939, Judy Collins is now 79 years old and still contributing mightily to the music world as well as to what is going on around us.  

How incredible it is that she is still striving to make the world a better place.  

How many of us can say that about our own lives?

What a thrill it was for me to hear her once again.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FOLK SINGER?

A New Glass Rooster Comes Home to Roost

Remember the story of Chanticleer, the beautiful, fierce, and proud rooster in the Nun's Priest Tale, a story within Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales?

Chaucer was a Middle English poet who lived a long, long time ago.  His Chanticleer dominated the barnyard as well as seven lovely hens who adored him.

(The name Chanticleer is also spelled Chaunticleer.)

The rooster had some lessons to learn in life and learn them he did!

Well, a new rather large and handsome glass rooster has come home to roost at our house.

He's about a foot tall.

During a recent stop at a Goodwill Store, he was spotted sitting on a table across from the cash register.

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After making a purchase of several items, I had to wait and see if there would be enough money left to buy the rooster. Luckily, there was.

So, he was aptly named Chanticleer but there are no lovely hens around here for him to croon over.

He is simply king of the kitchen table!

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ROOSTERS?

Happy Father's Day to Dads Everywhere

 It's not easy being a daddy.


As a matter of fact, it's probably the hardest job a man will ever undertake.

However, it's also the most meaningful and rewarding job in the world.

It's been 29 years since my own father died. He taught me so many things in life.

I know now that his life was not easy but he did the best he could with what he had.

Despite the passage of years, I can still see him smiling and cracking jokes.

 He used to feed the birds in our yard and he passed the love of doing that to me!

Today I also honor my own husband, who has been a wonderful father; my son, who followed in hub's footsteps with dedication, hard work ethic, kindness, and sacrifice; and my son-in-law who is also an  extraordinary daddy.

A shout-out also goes to my beloved brothers-in-law (one living and two on the other side); my uncle and all the others who have gone before him;  my late grandfathers and all the other men who have touched my heart throughout life.

 Happy Father's Day to all of them and to all the daddies out there who think of others before themselves.

This is your day so may it shine!

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS FATHER'S DAY?