Under the Weather

I'm under the weather again; or still; not sure which is the more correct application. I was looking around for some old posts to rest of the week with, and I came up with an interesting surprise. I always get sick this time of year.

Apparently, in this post from 2010, all I could do was snap a picture of the clouds in the sky and write the following 3 sentences;

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today. So I'm taking the day off to finish a good book. Talk at you all tomorrow.

Well, it's 4 years later and once again I am just finishing a book for next Monday; as always; and I've got another one to start about an exhibit in Coney Island in 1905 for the following week. So I guess it's just a case of the same old thing, just a different year. Hope everyone is warm and well fed.

Synchronicity -

I have nothing to say today; a very unusual occurrence to be sure. Most days I have something to say; although whether or not what I do say is worthwhile, or not, is for others to judge. The fact remains that I usually have something to say; just not today.

The only thing interesting to relate here is that this Norman Rockwell painting graced the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on July 19, 1930. That’s 84 years ago today. I wasn't looking for synchronicity; it found me. 

I always loved Norman Rockwell, his illustrations graced the covers of the Boy Scout magazines I got when I was younger. His pictures always told a story beyond what you saw. For instance, when I look at this one I see more than an old man fishing.

I see contentedness in his posture; the way his hands are laid across his stomach, and the way the pipe is securely held between his teeth while he slumbers. I also see the loyalty and love of his dog, who is gazing expectantly at the water, waiting for the fish to break surface so that he can bark and wake the old man. The two are a team; where one goes, the other follows faithfully. Ah, if only life were filled with such trust.

A Southern Snow

We came home in the driving snow on Saturday night. That is, we were driving and it was snowing. It was a southern snow; which never seems to amount to much; yet has a profound effect on us northern transplants. It brings out the Christmas in us; notwithstanding that Christmas has passed us by already. There is a joy in remembering the bite of the cold; all the while knowing that this is just a southern snow; and as such it will be gone shortly after the sun rises in the morning.

To give you an idea of the contrast in weather we experience here in North Carolina, this is a picture of Coddle Creek Church; not 8 miles from our home; just one week ago. It an be unsettling... 

But, Midnight never seems to be fazed by these changes at all; just as long as he gets his tuna!

And the next morning - all is bright and sunny once again. A typical North Carolina snow event. And did I mentioned that it thundered?

No Book Today

For obvious reasons reading has been a bit difficult these past few days. So, this is a day off. I was going to post a re-run, but this was actually easier. It's my Nick Nolte pose. See you tomm'w.

Dean Martin - Live 1964

I am taking the day off; I have a sore throat, so it hurts when I type. This is a most unusual clip of Dean Martin from a 1964 TV special which I have never seen. What makes it so unusual is the slow, almost jazz-like, deliveries of the standards which Mr. Martin performs here.

"Everybody Loves Somebody", which had been previously released in this slower version in the late 1940's, was currently topping the charts, even eclipsing the Beatles in that pivotal year. So, I have to wonder why he chose to do the older arrangement. Mr. Martin initially resisted the turning of the tide towards rock n' roll, even telling his 14 year old son, Dean, "I'm gonna' knock your 'pallies' off the charts." On August 15, 1964 he did it; topping the Billboard charts for about 8 weeks with "Everybody Loves Somebody"; right in the middle of Beatlemania.

His soulful renditions of "Volare", and "On an Evening in Roma", are among his most earthy performances of those numbers. Never ceasing to clown around, and clearly a bit inebriated, he manages to slip in a reference to Jerry Lewis, as well as to kid his piano player, Ken Lane, who wrote "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime", before closing with a short, but very bluesy rendition of "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You".

Enjoy the show; they just don't make 'em like this anymore....

"The Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars

Not much to add to this one. It's self-explanatory! The sound quality is not that great, but you get the drift. There is a better version at the link posted below, but it's surrounded by advertisements, and I didn't like the way it looked. I could've "cropped" it- but, hey, "today I ain't doing anything."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLexgOxsZu0

Santa's Going Home

Santa has finished his rounds here on the East Coast and as soon as he has finished with the rest of the country he's headed home to take a few well deserved days off. Then it's back to work for the bearded one, getting ready for next Christmas. The reindeer will all be vacationing for a few days at an undisclosed location in the Pacific Northwest, along with the elves. We wish them all the best. See you guys next year!

As for me, it's a day off. Well, it's really one big day off, only today I get presents. I'll also be getting back to reviewing books and movies, as well. I've just been enjoying the holiday season this year, which is unlike me, and I decided to just "go with it."

So, here’s a heartfelt "Merry Christmas" to all of the people in 59 countries who read this blog daily in 83 languages/dialects. You continue to amaze me simply by stopping in, let alone e-mailing me! May your holiday be filled with all that is good. Talk at you tomorrow!

The Rolling Stones - "Far Away Eyes"

The Rolling Stones have never been ashamed of their fondness for country music. All of their albums contain at least one country music song. From "Exiles On Mainstreet", with "Sweet Virginia", to "Beggar's Banquet", with "Prodigal Son", the Rolling Stones have always paid homage to their country influences. Let's not forget "Country Honk" from 1969's "Let It Bleed", which was the original version of "Honky Tonk Women." Sometimes, as in this 1978 MTV video of "Far Away Eyes", from the album "Some Girls", this homage has been a bit tongue in cheek. But no one does country as well as some of the English bands, like Squeeze, or even Pete Townshend with Ronnie Lane on their 1977 album "Rough Mix."

Me, I just want the day off, so enjoy the video. It's one of my favorites. Watch Jagger's facial expressions, as well as the bored look upon the faces of Charlie Watts, while he keeps the beat, and Bill Wyman, who is primarily a jazz bassist, as he leads the band. The lyrics are also a treat.

Day Off

I'm taking a day off to finish the book that I will review here tomorrow, I promise.

The White Stuff - 6" and More On the Way

Woke up to the predicted 6" of snow. More is on the way, with freezing rain and sleet by the evening. So, I'm taking the day off to read, relax and probably do nothing.


This is my street at 7AM. When the sleet begins, with the freezing rain, this will all become a sheet of ice. Kind of humbling in a way. 2 wheels, 4 wheels, they're all nothing when pitted against the forces of nature. A great day to slow down. Stay warm!

"Blue Skies" / Day Off

The skies are a perfectly clear blue and it is a beautiful fall day. So I'm taking a day off. Nothing to do, just a day off. I feel like that old Irving Berlin song that Al Jolson used to sing, "Blue Skies." I'll see you tomorrow or Monday. I promise. Thanks!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djd1XfwDAQs

Blue Skies

I was blue, just as blue as I could be
Ev'ry day was a cloudy day for me
Then good luck came a-knocking at my door
Skies were gray but they're not gray anymore

Blue skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see

Bluebirds
Singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds
All day long

Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you're in love, my how they fly

Blue days
All of them gone
Nothing but blue skies
From now on

I should care if the wind blows east or west
I should fret if the worst looks like the best
I should mind if they say it can't be true
I should smile, that's exactly what I do


Written By ANDREW COCUP, TOM FINDLAY, IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics are © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

No Post Today

No post today. Taking a day off from thinking to enjoy some music instead. Here's a video from Paolo Nutini, one of my favorite performers. This song was originally a slow, sad song about wanting to go back, you know, getting a second chance. But somehow, when they showed up at Borders Books, for a live performance to promote an album, the song took on a whole new tempo, sound and direction. Luckily, someone was there to record it!

http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=11T8qRgum0g

Sitting On An Island

Just a temporary bump in the road. Feeling a little lost today. I'll just do something extra special tomorrow and make up for it. See you then!

Taking the Day Off - Gone Fishin'

It's 92 degrees at 11 o'clock in the morning. I'm taking the day off, just like the old man in this wonderful Norman Rockwell drawing.