A Rose by Any Other Name

Hibiscus – Variations on a Theme

 

Image converted to B&W in PhotoShop Elements 15 then post processed using Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 filters.

Soo…what did you do last week-end. I got the yard mowed, took care of the two grand-dogs and hung out around the house. Our youngest granddaughter decided to “Conquer the Gauntlet” in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Conquer the Gauntlet is a timed event that is four miles long, laced with twenty-five obstacles and multiple changes in elevation and water hazards. It is not for the faint of heart and is a favorite activity of many serious cross-fit enthusiasts. This ladder run is something that I remember from basic training in the Army. The granddaughter is the one on the ladder on the far right

No gauntlet race would be complete without a few water hazards. They also serve to cool down the competitiors. Again, the youngest granddaughter is on the far right.

Over the course of the four miles, every muscle and fiber in your being is tested. There is a vertical wall to scale and there is this inclined obstacle that is conquered by means of a rope.

Lexi has been working with her dad at cross-fit as a means of staying in shape for spring track and soccer. This was the first time she has ever competed in this type of event. How did she do, you ask. Well she finished 2nd in her age group. Did I mention that she is 16. She finished 13th among 1600 women contestants and she finished 72nd against all 2600 male and female participants. Somehow the phrase “tough as nails” comes to mind. Have a blessed day.

The youngest granddaughter is pictured here with her parents. Saturday afternoon and evening the local high school celebrated the new school year by having “Tiger Pride”. The event is held at the football stadium. All of the fall sports teams go through fifteen minutes of scrimmage and all of the spring sports teams are introduced. This spring the ladies track team won the state championship. Our granddaughter was the conference champion and runner-up at the state meet in high jump. That is her state championship ring that was presented to her and other members of the team at Tiger Pride.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week is an open week and I am torn between two choices. I could pick up where I left off with the female country vocalists or I could reveal a bit more of my edgy side from the late sixties. What to do, what to do. Maybe a couple of each.

It is no secret that Linda Ronstadt and Trisha Yearwood are my two favorite female vocalists from a country background. Although Ronstadt crossed over into folk rock similar to the Eagles, her roots were firmly planted in country. The first song that Don Henley and Glenn Frey wrote together was covered by Ronstadt and like all of her arrangements, she made it uniquely hers…Desperado. 

Trisha Yearwood, like Ronstadt, can sing anything and like Ronstadt, her voice is timeless. She can take any song and put her stamp on it. There is no mistaking that voice when it comes on the radio…I mean, Everybody Knows!

As a child of the sixties I grew up with The Beatles, Mowtown sound, and The Beach Boys. Near the end of the decade the music had taken on a more serious lyric and complex sound. I’m sure the Vietnam war and other national events contributed to the influences on the music of the day. I listened to Cream, Blind Faith, Santana, Steppenwolf and bands like Emerson Lake & Palmer, but I also liked Sir Elton John, Creedence Clearwater Revival and groups with a bit of blues in their soul. The story of Cream is all wrapped up in this video and their most famous song, “Sunshine of Your Love”.  For me the most special thing about Cream was Eric Clapton…nuff said.

Emerson, Lake and Palmer continued the tradition of great instrumental play and complex arrangements to move rock forward into the decade of the 70’s. One of my favorite bands. “Lucky Man”

Carlos Santana has been a rock/blues legend since the mid-sixties. Along with Eric Clapton he has always been one of the premier guitar players of all time. Santana’s inital mega hit was Black Magic Woman. The very first time I heard this song, I was hooked.

Now you know about my edgy past. Have a blessed week.

Final blooms of summer rendered in color and  B&W. Fall is just around the corner.

Any day with Lucy in it is an awe…some day.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week the theme is songs/artists with animals in the title name. As a child of the 60’s the first thing that popped into my head was “The Animals – House of the Rising Sun”! BOOM! The Animals were on the first wave of the British Invasion of the early 60’s. The Beatles led the assault and were soon followed by the likes of Chad & Jeremy, Herman’s Hermits, etc. But it was The Animals that brought an edge to the music from across the pond and paved the way for groups like The Stones.

Speaking of the Stones, another song comes to mind…Wild Horses.

A blast from the past and the early days of rock n roll gives us the Everly Brothers and “Bird Dog.”

Now we head out to sea where we find a swimming predator, “Barracuda” by Heart. Have a blessed week.