So it seems that corona lockdown makes us all a little weird…
I have no idea how these videos made their way into my YouTube list, but there’s a genre apparently called “bardcore” – a sort of medieval imagining of popular songs. It appears to have sprung up in April, but there are a lot of songs if you look for them.
This is the first one I watched…
…and this one made me laugh out loud…
Most seem to be instrumental, so it’s your choice whether you want Sweet Dreams
or to be Thunderstruck!
😀
I participated in another Couch Choir song collaboration recently – managed to learn the part and actually get it recorded! This is the result – enjoy. 🙂
After a long afternoon yesterday, my Babe and I are taking it easy today. Not sure that I would have believed, twenty (or even ten!) years ago, that unexpected exertion on one day would lead to exhaustion the next, but…here we are!
Came across this just now 🙂
I’m not one to advocate ignoring troubles for the sake of pretending to be joyful. I prefer to look at what’s happening, decide what I can do about it, and remind myself of what’s good in my life in the process.
So, rejoice!
Even in the midst…
And if your day is just that much harder right now, and you need some roses…
“So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 (TPT)
The last few weeks have had their issues – the car was complaining (it’s OK now!) and health problems have meant that any trips out have to be fairly short, with built in escape routes… we have to be able to go home straight away if necessary. Consequently, our normal shopping day routine was different this fortnight.
We would normally get our shopping from Aldi, possibly stop in at Coles, and lately have been getting a coffee (and yes, something sugary 🙂 ) at our favourite cafe. This time we did the Aldi run, which was smaller than normal, then dropped off Sweet Bean at the barber down the road. His beautiful curls were becoming impossible to handle, so had to be shorn 😦
The barber is across the road from a service station that sells Krispy Kremes, so I indulged in some doughnuts and a cup of coffee – not spectacular, but OK.
The doughnuts were lovely – if you get an original glazed, zap it in the microwave for about ten seconds. Yum!
With the rain we’ve had lately, a coffee and doughnuts, and some shows to catch up on, my last couple of days have been good – even if they weren’t our usual routine. I’m not too good with change… but sometimes it works!
In 1971 the public library in Troy (USA) opened its doors. To celebrate, the librarian wrote to many famous people, asking them to write a letter to the children of Troy about their thoughts on books and the importance of libraries. You can find these online – letters from people such as Neil Armstrong, Isaac Asimov, or Dr Seuss!
I wonder what the response would be today? Books are easily accessible online (I have an extensive list of ebooks, which I haven’t quite got around to reading…), but there’s nothing quite like picking up a paperback and snuggling into bed on a cold day. Or walking into a secondhand bookstore, where there’s that faint smell of old books, faded leather, and possibly a whiff of the glue that holds the pages to the spine…
I’ve always loved the library. As a child I would ride my bike there on a Saturday, to return or take out my quota of books, or just to spend time surrounded by my literary friends, in the hush of the stacks, forgetting about the outside world for a time. In my mind I still have a clear snapshot of that library.
I love books!
Anyone who has walked through our door knows this to be true…
I can remember buying the latest Trixie Belden mystery with my pocket money, back when they were 50c, then 75c, then $1.50! I still have those books. And what about those brochures you got at school every so often, where you could order books, then get them in a package delivered some time later? What an adventure – such excitement when they arrived! I can’t remember if it was the Scholastic book club – it was a long time ago – but that’s what seems to be the school book club now.
During coronavirus lockdown, the libraries were closed. Even now, activities are restricted. We can get new books, but can’t stay in the library. Before the lockdown libraries had a full range of programmes, which included storytime, makerspace, and various tutorials. The library of today has had to diversify to survive, and that’s OK – it’s great to have so much choice. I’d hate to see the basis of the library concept lost in the mists of time, though – real, live paper books, that you can hold in your hand, and feel the weight of – there’s nothing else like it! 😀
Libraries as we know them – freely accessible public libraries – are still necessary. Not only do they provide a place for people who may not have the means to access a variety of books, or have a quiet place to study, but they are generally staffed by knowledgeable, enthusiastic and helpful people. If you don’t know where to look or what to look for, ask a librarian! They can point you in the right direction, or order the book you need if it’s not already available. I’ve got books reserved at the moment that I wouldn’t have been able to buy, I’ve asked for the library to order books that they didn’t have, and I’ve been able to “try out” books in a series, which I later bought because I knew I liked them.
Quite apart from anything else, without libraries, and library sales, I wouldn’t have all the books I have on my shelves!
Long live libraries, and all who read in them!
(and live…)
He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
– Ezekiel 37:3
“Yahweh, you are my soul’s celebration.
How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness
you’ve done for me?
You kissed my heart with forgiveness, in spite of all I’ve done.
You’ve healed me inside and out from every disease.
You’ve rescued me from hell and saved my life.
You’ve crowned me with love and mercy.
You satisfy my every desire with good things.
You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again
like a flying eagle in the sky!”
– Psalm 103:2-5
Yesterday was one of those days that start with such promise, then quickly devolve…
Due to illness, we haven’t used the car for a few weeks. Yesterday was meant to start with a lovely morning out, back in time for breakfast, then the rest of the day for other things. Unfortunately, our car protested… strange sounds rising from the depths, with no indication (at least to us!) of what they were or where they came from. It’s been looked at now, and hopefully will be OK, but yesterday’s schedule ground to a halt fairly quickly.
You know when you build yourself up for something good, then problems get in the way to derail the plans? It can be hard to get back into the “happy” headspace. We did eventually get a lift to sort out our needs ( a few things to restock in the house) – a kind neighbour who took time out of her day for us.
This was a sign at one of the shops – seemed apropos…
We finished our “morning” (it was past noon by then) by getting some coffee and a muffin, so at least I got my anticipated breakfast!
Some snapshots of my wait for coffee…
Hidden birdhouses and disintegrating lanterns…
…and the guardian of the door.
It turned out all right in the end.
Much like life, really…
Peter spoke up and said, “But Lord, where would we go? No one but you gives us the revelation of eternal life.
(John 6:68)
This week I watched a Songs of Praise that was filmed for Easter, in Jerusalem. Most of the songs were ones I’ve sung (or heard) many times, but there was also a hymn that I’ve not come across (this is from an earlier show – couldn’t find the one from Jerusalem).
Christ’s death and resurrection is the centrepiece of Easter, and we sing a variety of hymns telling the story. This one reminded me of the wonder of resurrection – the world right now is weary, and it feels like any new life might be tired and colourless, straining to break clear of the dirt…
And yet, every year, new growth shoots from the ground, green and vibrant, ready to become mature and fulfill what it was made for.
Love has come again.
And Love has brought new, green, growing life – every day, whenever we need it!
I referenced Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood in a post recently, and I’ve just been watching a full episode on YouTube. It’s quite soothing. His voice is gentle and kind, and there’s no flashing lights and CGI. There is imagination, and kindness. Also interesting lessons to learn!
I can’t think of a kids’ program today that is so simple, but with different layers. Admittedly, it’s been a long time since I watched shows for small children 🙂
I didn’t grow up watching this, as American kids seem to have, so I probably don’t have such a deep appreciation as I’ve seen in comments and articles online. What I have seen shows a kind, gentle man, who spoke to children with respect and helped them to navigate a sometimes scary and difficult world. I’m well past childhood and I felt soothed as I watched…
He spoke to children about real world problems, but in a way that they could understand, and speaking to the fears that a small child might have. Some of these are just as applicable today, whether about death,
divorce,
the violence on TV (with a little word to the adults),
or just the importance of recognising your own feelings, and apologising where necessary.
There’s also this clip, showing mothers breastfeeding, which I can’t see being filmed today… It’s a wonderful way to show children what breasts are for, though, without making it strange or uncomfortable.
Could there be a TV show made today that helps children in a similar way?
…or – how about we as adults decide to be that kind of neighbour?
a bit of creativity, a bit of eco consciousness, a bit of inspiration.... hopefully not a lot of pompousness and blathering :D
i'm not entirely sure what's going on here... let's travel along and see...
