Aww…some Monday

This is our eight year old great grandson. The shirt he is wearing is around 70 years young. My parents belonged to a square-dance club in Oklahoma and the men wore beaded western shirts to some of the events. As a young boy of 7 or 8 years of age, who wanted to be just like his dad, I wanted a beaded shirt. My grandmother made matching shirts for my father and me while my mother did the bead work. Our family was never big on photos when I was young, there are no photos of me wearing this shirt. This is the first time this shirt has been modeled and photographed and you are among the first to see this little heirloom! Here are a few of the bead details.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme this week at 4M is freedom of choice. I chose to continue the theme inspired by the shirt above, 1950’s country music. This ought to be fun.

First up is the man that many still consider the king of country music. Hank Williams had four number 1 hits in 1953. Sadly, on January 1 of that year, he passed away at the age of 29.

If you’re wondering, “What is this square dance thing?”, here is an example of classic traditional square dancing. There is a fancy version that looks like it combines clogging or lord of the dance with square dancing.

In the early 60’s Ray Charles took some of the top country songs of the 50’s and put a new spin on them. The album, Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music became a classic. One of my favorite cuts is Born to Lose. Enjoy.

Aww…some Monday

Memorial Day was originally intended to honor the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. It has evolved into a day of remembrance for all who have passed on. Friday, we made a three hour drive to visit the grave sites of my parents, maternal grand parents, my great grand parents and a few other family members in Henryetta, OK.

While walking among the headstones, I found this brother and sister monument and the story tells us that he was killed in France during World War I.

Three generations of my family are at rest in this cemetery.

I even found the doctor who brought me into this world!

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme this week at 4M is freedom of choice, so I may mix it up just a bit. Since this is Memorial Day, I do feel the need for something a little patriotic.

Aww…some Monday

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme this week is international artists and I can think of no one more global than Sir Elton John. His song book is as endless as his talent and he’s been doing for nearly 60 years. Here are a few songs that never made it to the radio, but they are awesome melodies and lyrics none the less.

Two versions of the same song.

Last Track Meet of the Season Earns Team State Championships

Aww Monday & More

A happy belated Mother’s day to all of the moms out there. There are three in my family, my wife, our daughter, and our oldest granddaughter. As a result we have one daughter, four grand children, and two great grand children, so far. We gathered Saturday evening for a dinner of smoked pork loin and grilled chicken by your truly. It was a great evening. Sunday, after church we reassembled at our house for a late breakfast before everyone headed home.

There was our 51st wedding anniversary, but it kind of got lost in the shuffle. The wife and I exchanged cards late in the afternoon and just reflected on how God has blessed our lives and the family He has built around us. Life has been very good…very good.

Back at the Track

Thursday was the high school state championship track meet and it was held at a local high school. The meet started around 9:00 am and ran into early evening. I left at 2:30 and the sprints, hurdles, and short relays had not begun. The highlight of my photo adventure was the high jump. I managed to get three very nice images. I will be delivering all of my images to the track coach today. The team won the boys and girls state championships.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

A couple of weeks ago I featured a 90’s country female vocalist that was a great talent but never reached the popularity of a Trish Yearwood or Reba McIntire. Today I thought I would move to the male side of the genre and maybe expand beyond the 90’s. Let’s face it, the 90’s started with Alan Jackson and Randy Travis. Then Garth Brooks came along and nobody could touch him for popularity. One artist I always liked was Neal McCoy. He had a smooth sound and an easy going nature. Here is a song that I selected for our 50th anniversary celebration.

Travis Tritt came on the scene in the early 90’s as a final hurrah for the “Outlaw Country” genre. Long hair, no hat, no glitter suits, and a little southern rock sound made him popular with many but never a superstar.

Ricky Van Shelton came out of the 70’s with a traditional country sound that included the pedal steel guitar. Here, he teams up with Dolly Parton for a blast from the past.

This list wouldn’t be complete with out the late, great Toby Keith. Toby arrived on the scene in the early 2000’s with what is still my favorite Toby Keith. When I was a little boy, we all wanted to be cowboys.

51 years and counting

Aww…some Monday

May 11, 1974

November 2024

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme this week at 4M is things that make you think of May. I may be a week early, but May 11, is our wedding anniversary and this year it shares the spotlight with Mother’s Day. So what music was popular in 51 years ago. The most popular song at any wedding, including ours, was Paul Stookey’s, The Wedding Song.

Leading the pack

The week prior to Easter I was back at a local high school track meet. There are only two left, conference finals are this week and state championships are next week. Fortunately, both meets will be at local tracks and I am hoping to attend. They will be all-day events and I’m not sure I will last that long. Wish me luck. Okay, here are a few images from the most recent event.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Every era and genre of music has it’s super stars and those who are very good but become under appreciated. Linda Ronstadt and Janis Joplin were the queens of rock music of the 60’s while superb vocalists like Carley Simon, Bonnie Raitt, and Rita Coolidge never truly reached the upper tier of artists.

90’s country saw Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, and Shania Twain fill large arenas, while vocalists like Mary Chapan Carpenter, and Patty Loveless never attained the same kind of fame and fan base. One of my favorite female entertainer of this era is the lady I am about to feature and the good news is, pure country is making a comeback and she is is getting recognized once more. She never left and she never quit working, the industry has changed. Enjoy

Easter Desserts

Homemade Keylime pie & Strawberry/cherry glazed cheesecake!