On September 23, 1957 Mark Allen Joseph joined the human race at 7:11am MST and twin sister Mary Ellen followed four minutes later after a brief stretch alone without a womb mate to curl up with.
It's been a hell of a ride, all the trail blazin and hell raisin, the lessons learned, all the life and living shared. The laughter and sass, the unspoken understandings, special and particular to twins.
Here's to twins, Mary and Mark. Happy Birthday you crazy puddin head twins!
Thanks for the memories, the joy and sterling times only twin brother and twin sister could understand and feel and hold close to the heart. The soul, the spirit, the tandem times of life double up, double the love, double the care and closeness.
Long live twins and the precious place only twins are allowed.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
The Eve of 9/11
What a time line. Life in these United States before the day of darkness in our untouchable land of milk and honey. People waking up to begin a new day, pouring a cup a coffee, fixing a bowl of cereal, deciding what to wear to work or school.
Making plans and keeping appointments. The calls, conversations and usual activities.
Living out an average day, nothing special no warning. Just another day in paradise.
Who knew? Who would have thought the next day would hold such unforeseen, unimaginable moments. Ripping families apart, tearing, twisting, crashing, crushing blow after blow to countless innocent lives. Bring them back, let this be just a bad, bad dream. Oh My God. This can't be happening. Has it already been five years since the plotting of distruction on so many?
All of a sudden from one day to the next we find out this land, yours and mine, becomes vulnerable to acts of hatred, terrifying to those who call America home. The melting pot of the world, taking in huddled masses, the tired and poor in pursuit of a better way of life, opportunities, happiness and liberty. Who knew such chaos would take place the following day? Who knew such ugly, unspeakable acts of cruelty would transpire? The panic, fear that would unfold the next day as the whole world watched in disbelief would change everything from one day to the next.
God help us all.
Making plans and keeping appointments. The calls, conversations and usual activities.
Living out an average day, nothing special no warning. Just another day in paradise.
Who knew? Who would have thought the next day would hold such unforeseen, unimaginable moments. Ripping families apart, tearing, twisting, crashing, crushing blow after blow to countless innocent lives. Bring them back, let this be just a bad, bad dream. Oh My God. This can't be happening. Has it already been five years since the plotting of distruction on so many?
All of a sudden from one day to the next we find out this land, yours and mine, becomes vulnerable to acts of hatred, terrifying to those who call America home. The melting pot of the world, taking in huddled masses, the tired and poor in pursuit of a better way of life, opportunities, happiness and liberty. Who knew such chaos would take place the following day? Who knew such ugly, unspeakable acts of cruelty would transpire? The panic, fear that would unfold the next day as the whole world watched in disbelief would change everything from one day to the next.
God help us all.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Be Nice
Wouldn't it be nice if nobody ever felt unloved,slighted,mad,frustrated,overheated,cheated,overworked,underpaid,
mistreated,misjudged,abused,neglected,forgotten,disrespected,abandoned? Would it be nice?
If everybody was more about
RESPECT,Being Fair,peace,kindness,LOVE,compassion,
balance,tolerance,forgivness,patience,tenderness,simplicity?
Wouldn't it be nice?
mistreated,misjudged,abused,neglected,forgotten,disrespected,abandoned? Would it be nice?
If everybody was more about
RESPECT,Being Fair,peace,kindness,LOVE,compassion,
balance,tolerance,forgivness,patience,tenderness,simplicity?
Wouldn't it be nice?
Saturday, August 12, 2006
A Little Shumn Shumn
One thought after the other, hopefully in a positive direction. Moving forward, feeling like blazing a trail, no regard or consideration for failure. Have at it, just do it and all that jazz. Make something happen, make something good happen.Make someone happy, recognize, acknowledge, accept, appreciate, care and more of the same.
Moving about looking for the next best thing... Of value, significant, interesting, insightful, funny, fascinating, ferocious, precious, bright, beautiful, brilliant, spiritual, sounds, sights, smells, tastes, all senses, sensations ready at the helm, watching and waiting on the ready alert.
Moving about looking for the next best thing... Of value, significant, interesting, insightful, funny, fascinating, ferocious, precious, bright, beautiful, brilliant, spiritual, sounds, sights, smells, tastes, all senses, sensations ready at the helm, watching and waiting on the ready alert.
Friday, August 04, 2006
The Question Is
QUESTION IS…
Where would we be without certain things in our lives? Where would we be without priceless things to enjoy and feel good about and take comfort in from this cruel, crazy, beautiful world?
Where would we be without the fluttering butterfly, so simple, splendid and majestic? Where would we be without singing birds? A candid choir of natural sound. Without our awesome pets, good friends and family who loves us, where would we be? Without the brilliant sun that shines radiantly from God’s eye, the feel of a gentle breeze as if from the sweet breath of an angel, where would we be?
Without sweet freedom, freewill, choices, awareness of goodness, kindness and Grace, compassion, respect and reverence for life, I ask you, where would we be?
Where would we be without certain things in our lives? Where would we be without priceless things to enjoy and feel good about and take comfort in from this cruel, crazy, beautiful world?
Where would we be without the fluttering butterfly, so simple, splendid and majestic? Where would we be without singing birds? A candid choir of natural sound. Without our awesome pets, good friends and family who loves us, where would we be? Without the brilliant sun that shines radiantly from God’s eye, the feel of a gentle breeze as if from the sweet breath of an angel, where would we be?
Without sweet freedom, freewill, choices, awareness of goodness, kindness and Grace, compassion, respect and reverence for life, I ask you, where would we be?
Monday, July 31, 2006
Soul Music
When I was a kid I thought “soul music” was exclusive to black people and only “hippies” listened to the music of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. I don’t know if my conservative catholic school upbringing in the 60’s had anything to do with my ignorance or just sheltered me from the vast world out there. I’ve since come to appreciate that just as a rose is still a rose by any other name so to is “soul music” color blind and the river that crosses cultures. “Colored music” represents the shades and hues found in musician’s names, song titles and lyrics. “Soul music” comes from the spirit and core of its creators and takes on its own distinctive meaning to the listener each listener.
The origins of “soul music” is a combination of Gospel music and rhythm and blues with roots that go deep into Africa and Europe, into the far reaches of our world and can be heard loud and clear in a broad spectrum of music.
In downtown Albuquerque one summer evening in the mid-70’s, where several blocks of Central Avenue, also known as “The Mother Road” and Route 66 were blocked off for what was called at that time “Saturday Night Downtown”. I stopped to listen to a group of mariachi’s perform when I heard someone comment on what a soulful sound mariachi’s make and how the sound of the trumpet player was the most soulful sound she had ever heard. I had to think about that. I thought about how shortsighted I had been for thinking that soul music was just something people like Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes and the Temptations did. It was an epiphany for me when I realized soul music was really about passion, pain, joy and any number of intense feelings we live with in our lives.
Another time I was walking around the cemetery where my twin brother, Mark is buried. I thought I was alone in the cemetery except for all the dearly departed resting in peace. It was a profound feeling of isolation and melancholy but what was even more profound were the sudden sounds of a bagpipe player waling out “Amazing Grace” up on a grassy hill off in the distance. The sound suddenly burst into the stillness of the cemetery sending a chill up my spine, it was the most soulful, sorrowful and hauntingly beautiful sound I have ever heard. I stood in awe of the moment. It was like a dream as the air resonated with strong, vibrant yet piercingly, mournful music.
Switching gears we take a spin, a musical colorful cruise for the fun of it, a joy ride with musicians and music filled with color, limitless, boundless color.
Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen both rode in a “Pink Cadillac”, “Lets Stay Together” with Al Green, Lee Greenwood, James Brown and Jackson Browne, Barry White, The Average White Band and Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire. Many a song has been created with our country’s red, white and blue in mind. “Off we go into the Wild Blue Yonder,” one song rings, while Nat King Cole crooned about “The Orange Colored Skies.”
“A White Christmas”, a red nose reindeer… and “Silver Bells”, are all the rage in December. Fleetwood Mac sang about “Silver Springs” and Bob Seager ran with The Silver Bullet Band. Dobey Gray, The Indigo Girls, and Simply Red laid bare, their true colors along with Leon Redbone. UB40 liked “Red Red Wine” and my hometown enjoys the colorful music of; Red Wine, Los Blue Ventures and Purple Haze.
Leon Russell and George Benson each have their own take on a “Lady Blue.” Blue Oyster Cult had a rugged sound and Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes asked, “What Does It Take”? The New Riders of The Purple Sage, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath played rock hard. Pink Floyd, Pink and The Red-Hot Chili Pepper’s just tell it like it is where Snoopy’s association with “The Red Baron” is magic.
“Blue Eyed Soul” has been plentiful with the likes of Elvis “Don’t Step on My Blue Suede Shoes” Presley and “Blue Christmas”. I couldn’t believe Boz Skaggs was white the first time I heard “Lowdown”. The “Fab Four” invaded the US in their “Yellow Submarine” and a Green Apple record label followed. So many Blues singers and musicians past and present, black and white, conveying intense feelings of regret, remorse, love gained and love lost, expressing excitation, exhilaration and inspiration. The list goes on as familiar stories are told with passion and pain, joy and grief.
The Moody Blues sang about “Knights in White Satin.” Melba Moore and Melissa Manchester referred to “Midnight Blue” in two different songs. More out of the blue include; “Jackie Blue,” “Blue Moon,” “Blue Monday” and “Blue Velvet.” Willie Nelson and Elton John both sang about “Blue Eyes” while Crosby, Steels, Nash and Young sang about “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes”. No way can I not mention one of my all time fav’s; “Crystal Blue Persuasion” by Tommy James and the Shondell’s.
Procol Harum did an obscure number called “Whiter Shade of Pale, and ”Carlos Santana sings about a “Black Magic Woman” in addition to Ella Fitzgerald, so smooth with “That Old Black Magic”. Alannah Myles was sassy doing “Black Velvet” and “A Black Pearl” was big during the summer of 1969. There was a “Black Bird” singing in the dead of night while a “White Bird” flew it’s way into A Beautiful Day and “Una Paloma Blanca” enjoyed a spotlight in the 70’s with Tony Orlando and Dawn who “Tied A Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree”. The Rolling Stones sashayed about with “Brown Sugar”. Barbara Streisand made beautiful music in “A Star Is Born” and “Evergreen”. The late 60s spawned “My Green Tambourine” the national anthem of flower children everywhere. “Green-eyed Lady.” And Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” were a couple of eye catchers while “Green Sleeves” carved a place for itself in the elegant world of romantic classics.
Three Dog Night declared; “The world is black, the world is white, together we grow to see the light.” Diversity celebrated in harmony as Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney echoed thoughts of peace in “Ebony and Ivory”.
“Pink Polka Dots” and “Purple People Eaters”, bubble gum music at it’s best. Nothing got couples dancing closer together then Chicago’s, “Color My World,” a popular love song in l975 and Homecoming theme song for many a High School around the country including Del Norte High School, my alma mature in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have no doubt, overlooked several colorful musical mentionables... in any case I had a great time retracing memories while recalling the wonderful world of music that has accompanied me through life. The heart and soul of good music, heard loud and clear, softly, quietly in countless styles of music. Music that tugs at your heartstrings, exciting crown jewels of the music world. Lyrics coinsiding with rhythm and ryme, taking you away. Exuberant. Lush, rich, colorful and comforting. Call it soul, r & b, c& w, classical, jazz, rock, rap, rave pop, punk, gospel...if it stirs the soul, its “Soul Music”.
TURN IT UP!
The origins of “soul music” is a combination of Gospel music and rhythm and blues with roots that go deep into Africa and Europe, into the far reaches of our world and can be heard loud and clear in a broad spectrum of music.
In downtown Albuquerque one summer evening in the mid-70’s, where several blocks of Central Avenue, also known as “The Mother Road” and Route 66 were blocked off for what was called at that time “Saturday Night Downtown”. I stopped to listen to a group of mariachi’s perform when I heard someone comment on what a soulful sound mariachi’s make and how the sound of the trumpet player was the most soulful sound she had ever heard. I had to think about that. I thought about how shortsighted I had been for thinking that soul music was just something people like Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes and the Temptations did. It was an epiphany for me when I realized soul music was really about passion, pain, joy and any number of intense feelings we live with in our lives.
Another time I was walking around the cemetery where my twin brother, Mark is buried. I thought I was alone in the cemetery except for all the dearly departed resting in peace. It was a profound feeling of isolation and melancholy but what was even more profound were the sudden sounds of a bagpipe player waling out “Amazing Grace” up on a grassy hill off in the distance. The sound suddenly burst into the stillness of the cemetery sending a chill up my spine, it was the most soulful, sorrowful and hauntingly beautiful sound I have ever heard. I stood in awe of the moment. It was like a dream as the air resonated with strong, vibrant yet piercingly, mournful music.
Switching gears we take a spin, a musical colorful cruise for the fun of it, a joy ride with musicians and music filled with color, limitless, boundless color.
Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen both rode in a “Pink Cadillac”, “Lets Stay Together” with Al Green, Lee Greenwood, James Brown and Jackson Browne, Barry White, The Average White Band and Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire. Many a song has been created with our country’s red, white and blue in mind. “Off we go into the Wild Blue Yonder,” one song rings, while Nat King Cole crooned about “The Orange Colored Skies.”
“A White Christmas”, a red nose reindeer… and “Silver Bells”, are all the rage in December. Fleetwood Mac sang about “Silver Springs” and Bob Seager ran with The Silver Bullet Band. Dobey Gray, The Indigo Girls, and Simply Red laid bare, their true colors along with Leon Redbone. UB40 liked “Red Red Wine” and my hometown enjoys the colorful music of; Red Wine, Los Blue Ventures and Purple Haze.
Leon Russell and George Benson each have their own take on a “Lady Blue.” Blue Oyster Cult had a rugged sound and Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes asked, “What Does It Take”? The New Riders of The Purple Sage, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath played rock hard. Pink Floyd, Pink and The Red-Hot Chili Pepper’s just tell it like it is where Snoopy’s association with “The Red Baron” is magic.
“Blue Eyed Soul” has been plentiful with the likes of Elvis “Don’t Step on My Blue Suede Shoes” Presley and “Blue Christmas”. I couldn’t believe Boz Skaggs was white the first time I heard “Lowdown”. The “Fab Four” invaded the US in their “Yellow Submarine” and a Green Apple record label followed. So many Blues singers and musicians past and present, black and white, conveying intense feelings of regret, remorse, love gained and love lost, expressing excitation, exhilaration and inspiration. The list goes on as familiar stories are told with passion and pain, joy and grief.
The Moody Blues sang about “Knights in White Satin.” Melba Moore and Melissa Manchester referred to “Midnight Blue” in two different songs. More out of the blue include; “Jackie Blue,” “Blue Moon,” “Blue Monday” and “Blue Velvet.” Willie Nelson and Elton John both sang about “Blue Eyes” while Crosby, Steels, Nash and Young sang about “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes”. No way can I not mention one of my all time fav’s; “Crystal Blue Persuasion” by Tommy James and the Shondell’s.
Procol Harum did an obscure number called “Whiter Shade of Pale, and ”Carlos Santana sings about a “Black Magic Woman” in addition to Ella Fitzgerald, so smooth with “That Old Black Magic”. Alannah Myles was sassy doing “Black Velvet” and “A Black Pearl” was big during the summer of 1969. There was a “Black Bird” singing in the dead of night while a “White Bird” flew it’s way into A Beautiful Day and “Una Paloma Blanca” enjoyed a spotlight in the 70’s with Tony Orlando and Dawn who “Tied A Yellow Ribbon Around the Old Oak Tree”. The Rolling Stones sashayed about with “Brown Sugar”. Barbara Streisand made beautiful music in “A Star Is Born” and “Evergreen”. The late 60s spawned “My Green Tambourine” the national anthem of flower children everywhere. “Green-eyed Lady.” And Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” were a couple of eye catchers while “Green Sleeves” carved a place for itself in the elegant world of romantic classics.
Three Dog Night declared; “The world is black, the world is white, together we grow to see the light.” Diversity celebrated in harmony as Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney echoed thoughts of peace in “Ebony and Ivory”.
“Pink Polka Dots” and “Purple People Eaters”, bubble gum music at it’s best. Nothing got couples dancing closer together then Chicago’s, “Color My World,” a popular love song in l975 and Homecoming theme song for many a High School around the country including Del Norte High School, my alma mature in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have no doubt, overlooked several colorful musical mentionables... in any case I had a great time retracing memories while recalling the wonderful world of music that has accompanied me through life. The heart and soul of good music, heard loud and clear, softly, quietly in countless styles of music. Music that tugs at your heartstrings, exciting crown jewels of the music world. Lyrics coinsiding with rhythm and ryme, taking you away. Exuberant. Lush, rich, colorful and comforting. Call it soul, r & b, c& w, classical, jazz, rock, rap, rave pop, punk, gospel...if it stirs the soul, its “Soul Music”.
TURN IT UP!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Flickering Flame 11/04
Expect this and get that.
Love, the endless well we draw from,
Refreshing our hearts and weary souls.
Drink until you are full and thirst again.
The worst pain I've ever known,
The best joy I've ever felt,
It's true, It's you, the sun,
The moon, and the stars.
The flame of life, flickering,
Dancing along, unforgiving, potent, bold,
The tiny flame flickers, casting light so brilliant and real.
Love, the endless well we draw from,
Refreshing our hearts and weary souls.
Drink until you are full and thirst again.
The worst pain I've ever known,
The best joy I've ever felt,
It's true, It's you, the sun,
The moon, and the stars.
The flame of life, flickering,
Dancing along, unforgiving, potent, bold,
The tiny flame flickers, casting light so brilliant and real.
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