Turning 21

The Family went to Disney World in 2003. While in one of the gift shops I captured this image of our middle granddaughter. I thought, “What could define the American child better than Mickey Mouse ears and a large McDonald’s drink. Well on April 16th this young lady turned 21. She is a senior in college and on target to graduate a semester early. Her interest is in sports medicine.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Let me thank the admins of 4M for allowing me to host this month, even with my limited coding skills. For my final theme I have chosen to honor the granddaughter featured above and challenge you to pick songs from artists born in April. Let’s hear what you found. Have a blessed week.

First up is American Idol’s first winner and star. Yes, Kelly Clarkson was born in April. The middle granddaughter is a very well balanced young woman. She has never been a drama queen and takes pretty much everything in stride. She is stronger than some people might think.

Of the four grandchildren Em is the “Old Soul” of the bunch and most resembles an only child. Since I am an only child, we get along great and probably understand each other better than others. She likes country and pop music from days gone bye and has taken a liking to “vinyls”. So in honor of her country tastes I have chosen fellow Okie, Vince Gill, for the next tune.

Our birthday girl has a strong Christian faith and is going on a mission trip later this year. It seems only fitting to close this post with a couple of April born Christian artists. First up is Matthew West making a guest appearance in a Casting Crowns video, “Nobody”. As Christians, we are nobody, trying to tell everybody about somebody who saved our soul.

Still Proud

Batter Up!

Aww Mondays

Lucy went to the vet for her annual check up and a couple of vaccinations. Our vet is still offering curb service only, so they come out and pick Lucy up, take her inside and provide the required services then bring her back to the car. It takes about twenty minutes. Her check up was great and she is a slim and trim 17lbs. which is small for a cocker spaniel, but she is only 12 inches tall at the shoulders. I opened the paper work and the vet had written a note “Lucy looks great!!.” Yes, I think she looks pretty good too.

Spring Soccer

It’s springtime in the Ozarks and that can only mean soccer is in the air. We no longer have any grand kids playing high school sports but I still like photographing the action. This image is from a recent girls junior varsity match up. The home team is in black and this day was not a good one for them. Maybe next week will be better.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Well, the honor of hosting April’s 4M themes has fallen to yours truly. It has been said that April showers bring May flowers. I believe there is even a song with that lyric. So today the challenge is to make it rain people. I suppose the first question is, “Have You Ever Seen It Rain.”

Have you ever noticed that rain seems to have a rhythm of it’s own? A thunder storm is different than a spring shower.

Somebody ought to write a rain song.

If you have seen the rain and the rain has a rhythm, and someone has written a rain song, the only qustion that remains is, have you ever sang in the rain?

Spring!

Aww Mondays – Always Been a Dog Person

I suppose I have always been a dog person. I am probably under two years of age in this image and the I am pretty sure the dog does not belong to me, but that never stopped me from befriending a canine.

The very first dog of my very own was the black cocker spaniel we named Muggs. I am about six years old in this photo and Muggs was a family member all the way through my high school graduation.

Meet Ranger. Yes, I found a stray wandering through base camp, in Vietnam and adopted him. He stayed around for a few months, but when I got reassigned, Ranger stayed behind with the guys in the barracks.

Four years ago our most recent canine joined the family. Lucy is actually the 4th Cocker Spaniel that has been in my life and the breed is definitely my favorite. The “House Princess” is priceless and we wouldn’t trade her for anything. She is so much company and entertainment that we don’t know what we would do without her. So, you see, I’ve always be a dog person at heart.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Welcome, welcome, welcome. The guest conductor responsibilities for the April edition of 4M falls to yours truly. I don’t know if this is going to end well, but let’s give it a whirl. This first Monday of the month is a free choice week, so let’s see what you’ve been listening to lately. I have a free Spotify account and my playlists include 90’s country, 60’s pop, Classic Rock, a Dwight Yoakam list, Eric Clapton list, Blues, Southern Gospel, and a Contemporary Christian play list. So where do we begin?

Yesterday was one of the greatest days in human history. All of Christianity is based on the events surrounding two dates; Christmas, which marks the birth of Christ and Resurrection Sunday (Easter) which marks the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior. In celebration of the fulfillment of prophecy and an anthem that every Christian can claim, I give you, “Ain’t No Grave”.

I can rejoice in the fact that on the day that I draw my last breath on this earth, I will draw my first breath in eternity at the feet of my Savior and hear His voice say, “Well done good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord.” I pray that you will be there too. Have a blessed week.

Aww…some Monday

Raise The Bar!!!

Yes, our college freshman grand daughter has won her second straight high jump competition and raised the bar one inch over her previous victory. At this rate, she will be jumping between 5′-7″ and 5’9″ by the end of the outdoor season. She is ranked No. 1 in the conference. Yes, Papa is proud. We’re not talking major college, NCAA championships or Olympic Trials here, we are just thrilled that she has been able to continue her athletic career in college after what COVID did to her senior year in high school. We are excited about her success as a freshman and how athletics has enhanced her college experience and brought her new friends. The great news is that we will be traveling to see her compete later in the season and yes, I am loading the camera, my lenses and will try to find a reasonable place to sit and capture the moment. Stay tuned for further developments.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Our hostess at 4M for the month of March has been Marie at XmasDolly. For the final installment of the month she has chosen to honor her mother with songs by Dean Martin, Glen Miller, and Frank Sinatra. My mother was a big band Glen Miller fan and she loved Dean Martin’s voice and dad liked him for his sense of humor and roles in western movies. She was never a fan of Ol’ Blue Eyes. When Martin and Sinatra were in their prime many songs were not recorded by a single artist. A song might be written and several vocalists would record it at the same time. You might find different arrangements of the same tune on the top 40 in the same week. I thought I might try to find a couple of lesser known Dean Martin numbers for your enjoyment. Dean’s acting talents landed him co-starring roles in several western movies, including The Sons of Katie Elder, and Rio Bravo. One Dean Martin you probably have never heard comes from a scene in Rio Bravo, My Rifle My Pony, and Me.

In 1965 Dean had a hit with “Houston”. While the song was written by Lee Hazelwood, it sounds as if there is a Roger Miller influence.

Speaking of Roger Miller, here is Dean doing Roger justice with a unique arrangement of King of the Road.

World War II gave us the Big Band era of music and the Glen Miller Orchestra was among the biggest of them all. Big bands is where a lot of recording vocalists started their careers. One of Glen Miller’s lesser know hits a number with a patriotic feel and title to it, “American Patrol’.

Arguably the biggest hit and signature song for Glen Miller was “In the Mood’.

Well, since neither of my parents were big Sinatra fans, I’m going to let the other blog hoppers post the music of the Chairman of the Board. Have a blessed week.

Encore;

Among Christians this is Holy week. It was Christ’s last week on earth prior to his crucifixion. Yesterday was Palm Sunday marking Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Today is the day that Christ cleansed the temple by throwing out the money changers. Tuesday Christ taught in the temple and was confronted by the religious leaders of His day. Wednesday, Judas met with authorities and betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver. Thursday, Jesus prepared to celebrate the Passover. On Friday He was arrested, tried and crucified. Our Lord spent Saturday in the tomb and Sunday morning He rose from the grave and declared victory over death. All of this was done that you and I might have access to eternal life in His presence in Paradise. Please consider finding a place of worship this Easter Sunday and celebrate the Good News.