Aww…some Monday’s Music Moves Me

Aww…Monday’s

CockerSpaniel01

Cocker Spaniel…’nuf said.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week’s musical theme is “mail”, “soup” or “vacuum”. Since I had no clue how to work soup or vacuum into the conversation, I chose “mail”. The first song that came to mind is one from my youth/young adult years. I was always fond of vocals with a little gravel in them and “The Letter” was a favorite of mine. Originally recorded in 1967 by The Box Tops, I didn’t hear this song until after I came home from Vietnam in ’68. However, in 1970 last weeks featured musician, Leon Russell and Joe Cocker turned this song into an anthem on the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. Enjoy.

The next song actually has mail in the title. It comes from folk singer, the late Harry Chapin. His clear vocals and simple instrumental arrangements were always a pleasure to listening. His biggest hit was “Cats in the Cradle” that spoke to the issue of parents who don’t spend quality time with their kids, shouldn’t expect the kids to spend quality time with them later in life. The Bible speaks to training a child properly and that they will generally act accordingly. Okay, back to the mail. Harry wrote a song about a man who ordered a bride, sight unseen, through the mail… and we thought internet relationships were risky! The song is appropriately titled “Mail Order Annie”.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, track season is in full swing and spring soccer season is just around the corner. That means that the youngest grand daughter is going to be a very busy young lady. Last spring she won the conference outdoor high jump championship and placed third in the state. This past week-end she finished fourth in the state indoor championships, so we are off to a good start. I like going to the track meets because there is often several events going on at the same time, but they do tend to last all day. I will say that indoor is much more difficult to photograph because of the restricted space and the amateur photographer/grandpa can’t get press credentials to access the infield. So here are a few images of the competitors that I managed to capture. The girls finished second as a team and the boys finished first.

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The girls 4×800 relay team took first place in the state indoor championships.

The youngest grand daughter finished 4th overall in high jump by clearing 5′-0″. She would like to get to 5′-4″ during the outdoor season and defend her conference championship.

I have to admit, I love watching the pole vault. The young man on the right vaulted 16′-6″ then attempted to break the state record at 17′-1″ but just didn’t have enough energy left to make it happen.

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The long jump is another of my favorite events because I was a long jumper in high school. I would much rather jump 21 feet horizontally into a pit of sand than try to catapult myself 17 feet into the air and possibly not land on the cushions below.

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Hurdles requires speed, agility, timing and endurance to be successful. I never did think running over obstacles was good idea. Too many opportunities for a crash and burn.

That’s all for this week. Have a blessed week and stop back on Wednesday to see the Wordless Wednesday post. Later!

26 thoughts on “Aww…some Monday’s Music Moves Me”

  1. Sandee

    Awww, nuff said indeed.

    Love both videos. It’s good to go back to a simpler time.

    I love your actions shots. I know how you love watching all kinds of school sports. Fabulous photography.

    Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.

    Have a blessed Awww Monday and week, my friend. 🙂

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  3. csuhpat1

    Very nice songs. I love track meets. I ran track in high school. I ran the 400-800, I was pretty good. There was this kid who was in my area who used to kill everyone in the 400, true story a year out of high school he ended up winning the Olympic 400 in Seoul. His name was Steve Lewis.

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  4. Cathy Kennedy

    Driller,

    Awww, how sweet! I love Joe Cocker! No one does ‘The Letter’ quite like him. Nice feature with Leon Russell. Furtastic job on the track competition photos! Thanks for sharing the dance floor with the 4M gang, my friend. Have a boogietastic week!

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  8. Alan Bates

    Great pics!! You always do well with your athletic photos (you do well with all your photos!!) You have to be be proud. And they really should give you credentials. Discrimination against bloggers as far as I am concerned.

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  9. XmasDolly

    Joe Cocker is the prince of coolness & rock & roll! Love his stuff for sure. Mail Order Annie with Harry Chapin was awesome. I don’t know when I heard that one last for sure. Loved your photos of the sports starring your granddaughter. I love to go see stuff like that or even on TV. Thanks so much for sharing!

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    1. DrillerAA

      Joe Made gravel in your voice cool and Leon, well Leon was just the best piano player of his day. Although Billy Preston was a pretty fair keyboard player and no one really knew how good Stevie Wonder was at the time.

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  12. Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden)

    C’mon, you should get those press credentials. Love those photographs, and just think, if you could take them at even better angles. Your grandchildren are fortunate to have you in their life. Oh yes, the songs. I way prefer Joe Cocker’s cover of The Letter to the Boxtops (always have). Mail Order Annie was a new song to me, and I was in tears by the end. Hope you had a good week.

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    1. DrillerAA

      Fortunately, spring soccer and outdoor track allow me to get as close to the action as I desire.
      One of my favorite albums is “Organic” by Joe Cocker. It was one of his later endeavors.

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