I cannot believe this is the 14th installation of my annual Christmas Music Marathon. There are very few things in this life that I have done for fourteen years. Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Each year, the day after Thanksgiving I post a photo and at least one video per day until Christmas Day that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas. I hope it allows you to take a few minutes to slow down, enjoy a song of the season and reflect on friends, family, memories and the joy that is inherent in the celebration of the birth of Christ. I do have one tradition associated with this marathon and that is I start each marathon with the same song. With everyone scrambling for Black Friday sales and traveling for Thanksgiving I am reminded of how busy Bethlehem must have been on Christmas Eve. People were required to travel their city of origin for a census that was to be used for tax purposes. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem while Mary was expecting her first child at any moment. Bethlehem was flooded with people and there was not a room to be found. You can read the whole store in the second chapter of the gospel of Luke. I’ve always wondered what is was like to “Take a Walk Through Bethlehem”. Let the marathon begin.

Dumpster Enclosure

I am going to combine Aww Monday with Monday’s Music Moves Me this week.

Yes, we’re still on track to welcom our newest great-grandson to the word in late Cecember or early January. Saturday there was a baby shower at the church for four grand daughter and mother-to-be.

This image is my wife (Nana), or grand daughter (mother-to-be) and our daughter (to be known as Nina). They are quite a trio when they get together.

Paternal grandmother, Nana, Mother-to-be, Nina, and the other maternal great grand mother (our son-in-law’s mother). There was a large group in attendance and numerous gifts, many of which I have no idea of their purpose. It was an Aww…some event.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

How appropriate is it that this week’s theme is music about food, FAMILY, and friendship. I choose family. In a few short weeks we will be singing “Welcome to The Family”! Yes, there will be photos.

When the great-grandson arrives there is sure to be discussions about who he looks like. Does he have his Papa’s hair or his mothers skin tone. One thing we all pray for is that he has his heavenly Father’s eyes and heart. Eyes to see a need and a compassionate heart to help. Eyes to read God’s Word and hide them in his heart. Yes, his Father’s Eyes.

What can I contribute to this child’s life that is worthwhile and lasting? Maybe I’ll Buy a Boy a Baseball! Have a blessed week.

Ozark Autumn 2.0

I am going to feature the same event in Aww…some Monday and Monday’s Music Moves Me. Last Wednesday night Joe Bonamassa was in town for a concert. I bought tickets in April and have been looking forward to this event for months. He did not disappoint. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Joe Bonamassa, he is one of the best blues gutiarists to ever step on the stage. At the age of 12 he opened for BB King. At the age of 26 he recorded his first album, Blues Express, and it is still being sold. He has had 27 no.1 hits on the blues charts. Joe has shared the stage with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, BB King, and Albert King.

Last Wednesday night Joe took the stage at 8:00 pm (no opening act) and played for just over two hours without a break. It was an Awe…some evening.

Ozark Autumn

It turns out that our next door neighbor loves cocker spaniels as much as I do. Meet Murphy, the newest addition to the neighborhood. He is a gorgeous red cocker spaniel pup. The word is, he always has his nose to the ground hunting for new scents and he can be a little independent. Well, that’s what cockers do. Welcome to the neighborhood Murphy.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week is a freedom of choice week at 4M and I have decided to spin some tunes you have probably never heard. There is a message in each song. There is love, broken hearts, anger at politicians among the subjects. These are not tunes for the dance floor, they are songs written from the depth of the soul. Here we go.

Just a little someting my wife put together.

Big Boy Toy

The truck on the left is mine. My previous truck, on the right, now belongs to my grandson as a graduation present from electrical lineman school. A tradesman needs a truck!

Aww…some Monday – Birthday Boy

This young man had a birthday last week. He turned 20!

And he’s 6-4″. The Big Guy also has completed his trade school training as an electrical lineman and is in the process of finding his first “Adult” job. Considering the current job market of skilled trades, it shouldn’t take long.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week the theme at 4m is music from the movies. I am going to take my cue from Curious-As-A-Cathy and make my selections from a single film…Dirty Dancing.

I took social ballroom dancing in junior high and high school. I developed a love for music and dancing during those years. I still like both, but old age and a knee replacement ahs severely hampered my ability and desire to hit the dance floor, but not my love for a good dance beat.

These clips will take you back to a great movie and some of the songs will take you all the way back to the mid 50’s. Here we go.

Have a blessed week!