Apr 2023 – willowdot21

Sunday Stills. Views from the Road.

THIS IS PART OF TERRI WEBSTER’S SUNDAY STILLS.

all photos © willowdot21

Travels on roads at home and abroad 💜

Happy Clappy Song Lyric Sunday.

This week Jim Adams has asked us for Gospel Music for Song Lyric Sunday.

Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Gospel music is characterized by dominant vocals and strong use of harmony with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century

Hymns and sacred songs were often repeated in a call and response fashion, heavily influenced by ancestral African music. Most of the churches relied on hand-clapping and foot-stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Most of the singing was done a cappella. The first published use of the term “gospel song” probably appeared in 1874.

The original gospel songs were written and composed by authors such as George F. Root, Philip Bliss, Charles H. Gabriel, William Howard Doane, and Fanny Crosby. Gospel music publishing houses emerged. The advent of radio in the 1920s greatly increased the audience for gospel music. Following World War II, gospel music moved into major auditoriums, and gospel music concerts became quite elaborate.

Black and Southern gospel music are largely responsible for gospel’s continued presence in contemporary Christian music, with soul music by far the best-known popular music variant. The styles emerged from the African-American music and American folk music traditions and have evolved in various ways over the years, continuing to form the basis of Black church worship even today. It has also come to be used in churches of various other cultural traditions (especially within Pentecostalism) and, via the gospel choir phenomenon spearheaded by Thomas Dorsey, has become a form of musical devotion worldwide. Southern used all-male, tenor–lead–baritone–bass quartets. Progressive Southern gospel has grown out of Southern gospel over the past couple of decades. Christian country music, sometimes referred to as country gospel music, is a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair. It peaked in popularity in the mid-1990s. Bluegrass gospel music is rooted in American mountain music. Celtic gospel music infuses gospel music with a Celtic flair, and is quite popular in countries such as Ireland. British black gospel refers to Gospel music of the African diaspora produced in the UK. Read more here.

So I could be picking a song that many others might pick but it is my favourite Gospel song. Here are three versions all very different.

The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in Soweto, South Africa, by David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, and producers Andrew Kay, David Vigo and Cliff Hocking in 2002. The more than 30-member ensemble blends elements of African gospel, Negro spirituals, reggae and American popular music. The group performed at the first of the 46664 concerts for Nelson Mandela and has since toured internationally several times. Read more here.

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Peter James Hollens (born March 4, 1980) is an American singer/songwriter, producer and entrepreneur. He has been involved with a cappella music since 1999 when he and Leo da Silva founded the University of Oregon’s a cappella group, On The Rocks, known as the first official collegiate acappella group in Oregon. He regularly releases new music videos to his YouTube channel. With over 5 million followers and 2.8 million subscribers, his content has received over a billion total views since 2011. Read more here

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Read about Celtics Pipes Rock here !

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“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn published in 1779 with words written in 1772 by English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton (1725–1807). It is an immensely popular hymn, particularly in the United States, where it is used for both religious and secular purposes.

Newton wrote the words from personal experience; he grew up without any particular religious conviction, but his life’s path was formed by a variety of twists and coincidences that were often put into motion by others’ reactions to what they took as his recalcitrant insubordination. He was pressed into service with the Royal Navy, and after leaving the service, he became involved in the Atlantic slave trade. In 1748, a violent storm battered his vessel off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland, so severely that he called out to God for mercy. While this moment marked his spiritual conversion, he continued slave trading until 1754 or 1755, when he ended his seafaring altogether. Newton began studying Christian theology and later became an abolitionist. Read more here.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
This grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Traditional

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And one for the road.

Sister Act is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Emile Ardolino and written by Paul Rudnick (as Joseph Howard). It stars Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer forced to join a convent after being placed in a witness protection program. It also features Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, Mary Wickes, and Harvey Keitel.

Hail holy Queen enthroned above
Oh, Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love
Oh, Maria

Triumph all ye cherubim
Sing with us ye seraphim
Heaven and earth resound the hymn
Salve, salve, Salve Regina

Hail holy Queen enthroned above
Oh, Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love

Triumph all ye cherubim
Sing with us ye seraphim
Heaven and earth resound the hymn
Salve, salve, Salve Regina

Our life, our sweetness here below
Oh, Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe
Oh, Maria

Triumph all ye cherubim
(Cherubim)
Sing with us ye seraphim
(Seraphim)
Heaven and earth resound the hymn
Salve, salve, Salve Regina

Alleluia

Mater amata intemerata
Sanctus sanctus dominus
Virgo respice, mater respice
Sanctus sanctus dominus

Ave Maria
(Alleluia)

Our life, our sweetness here below
Oh, Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe
Oh, Maria

Triumph all ye cherubim
(Cherubim)
Sing with us ye seraphim
(Sweet Seraphim)
Heaven and earth resound the hymn
Salve, salve, Salve Regina
Salve Regina, Salve Regina

lyrics at

HAPPY CLAPPY SUNDAY 💜💜

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS April 29, 2023: Yesterday.

Well it is time for LindaGHill to bring us our prompt for SoCs this week. She said “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “yes.” Find a word that starts with “yes” or use the word “yes” as is. Bonus points if you start your post with the word you choose. Enjoy!”

Yesterday’s tears all shed and dried As useless now as when first cried!
Guard your words don’t open your mouth
If you say something wrong you’ll let all hell out.

Keep your head down, avert your eyes
Consider the consequences of your replies.
Keep a lid on emotions don’t say too much
Think twice, beware of raw nerves they may touch.

Don’t comment, yet don’t be too quiet
That’ll be seen as sulking and cause a riot.
You should have flown when you had the chance,
You were a fool to stay and follow the dance.

Things were not as they seemed
Not the fairytale you had dreamed.
Below the surface paddling like mad
To catch the freedom you once had

Fears behind the smile on your face.
Your eyes your saving grace
At being happy you make a play
You wish you’d realised yesterday

MetaVerse or MetaCurse?

We carry our lives about in our hands
All our appointments,contacts and plans.
What would we do if all connectivity dropped
Never to return would all our lives come to a stop.

How would we cope if EPOS was gone
Could we cope with mental arithmetic for long.
So many can’t spell or tally a bill
So caught up in games they’ve lost all free will.

There doesn’t seem to be anyway back
Of common sense there is a huge lack
We’ve all become lazy on A.I. depending
It’s getting too late for against it defending.

A.I. can write stories and blogs
Create pictures, watch us and keep logs
Are we all too lazy or too blind to see
We’ll all end up useless and hands free.

Three Things, Tranquil Thursday.

Maggie at from cave walls said. “I was again inspired by another Mary Oliver quote this morning:

“I believe in kindness.
Also in mischief.
Also in singing,
especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.”

—Mary Oliver

Today’s questions are simple and straightforward.

Do you often extend kindness to others?
Yes indeed I do and as often as I can

When was the last time a kindness was extended to you?

Daily my husband does something truly kind.

What was the last mischievous thing you did?

Do you know I really don’t remember. How boring is that.

How often do you sing with just your voice? No radio, no music, no accompanying voices?

Every day , several times a day.

K.L.Caley’s #writephoto Flags and Footprints.

Well Morgarna, Merlin and Gail have had a very busy fortnight….not as busy as mine though so here we have a two fa one!

Well all had been quiet for a few days after their return Avril the chicken seemed to behaving normally apart from a huge appetite for feed! Merlin and Morgarna were keeping a close eye on the chicken for any abnormalities but so far she seemed to be very much a chicken, she had not grown anymore since their return and Gail absolutely loved her.
“Do you think it was just a blip finding that egg” Morgarna asked Merlin, they were sitting in the lab checking Avril’s DNA,
” Well” Merlin replied ” she looks like a chicken, eats like a chicken and has the DNA of chicken…. I’d say yes she’s a chicken “
Morgarna’s drained her coffee and lit a cigarette…” Well for now we’ll just have to accept she’s a chicken but we’ll just have to keep an eye on her! “
Merlin was about to answer when Gail poked her head around the open door.
” Can you two come out into the garden I have something to show you both!”

Merlin did not look too pleased but Morgarna couldn’t help but laugh, “What the, where did these come from? “
There were eight chickens and a cockerel running around in the garden, well to be fair in a huge wire fenced chicken run!
Gail was smiling ear to ear and holding Avril in her arms. “I have got these guy and girls as company for our girl ! “
“Did you not think to ask ” Merlin’s eyes flashed angry.
“Well I did but I knew what your reaction would be. Look I will be looking after them and we will get lots of eggs ….they won’t be any bother to you honestly! “
Merlin threw his arms up in the air and turned to walk back to the lab muttering as he went. ” You may as well get some pigs, sheep, a cow or two and a goat!”
Gail’s eyes lit up and she opened her mouth to speak but Morgarna winked and put her fingers to her lips and Gail took her meaning!

Later that afternoon Morgarna was sitting in the conservatory sipping a very nice Shiraz she helped herself to at the hotel . She was watching Gail introducing Avril to the new arrivals and was glad to see that they were actually all getting on quite well. She was just on her way to get a refill when she heard the C.O.T.A.S. ringing in the lab. She filled her glass and wondered in to see what was happening.

Merlin ended the conversation as Morgarna came in and put the C.O.T.A.S down on the top. “I’ve got a job for you Morgs it’s Leonardo he’s woken up in a Taverna in Tuscany right now! “
Lighting a cigarette Morgarna said “I bet he’s been fiddling with the time continum again, we should of confiscated his time machine! ”

“I know he’s such a pain but we need to get him back he’s right in the middle of painting the Mona Lisa and she get annoyed if she’s kept waiting.” Merlin looked at Morgarna with his pretty please eyes and she blew smoke in his face and grimaced ” Not much choice is there, will you keep a close eye on those chickens I don’t want Gail upset”
Merlin stifled his coughing and nodded in the affirmative! ” I’ve replenished your bag for you! ” He said handing it over.
Morgarna took it and thought to herself …I’ll just make sure everything is in there before I go he’s let me down before. When she was satisfied Morgarna threw her bag over shoulder and went off to say goodbye to Gail and Avril and the new chickens. Seconds later the anomaly arrived “Chow Bella look after those chickens” said Morgarna as she jumped.

Morgarna landed in an alleyway filled with tables and chairs, flags of many nations were fluttering above. A sign in front of her read Trattoria.

The alleyway was silent and empty, except for four people frozen in time, which was very strange because it was a beautiful evening and the place should of been absolutely buzzing.
Walking up to the Trattoria Morgarna opened the door and went inside. It was also totally deserted, no sound no people. Turning on her heels she went back out into the alley and headed up towards the main street. Reaching the corner she was knocked back by the noise and bustle , locals and tourists at the bars and restaurants everything was as it should be on a summer evening in San Gimignano , behind her silence and stillness.
Right she thought to herself let’s get this mess sorted. Taking her cigarettes and lighter out of her bag she lit one and returned to the Trattoria.

Leonardo was sitting in the kitchen drawing on the table and humming to himself. He looked up as Morgarna entered, “Oh! Bellisima how wonderful to see you , you’re looking very sexy!” He reached out to touch her hips but she slapped him back “Don’t you Bellisima me you rogue what are you up to now”
Tilting his head to one side and grinning he replied ” honestly I am not up to anything. I was trying out one of my inventions when everything went black , then the whole world flipped then turned sideways and I ended up here.”
“Okay but where are all the people that were here ….” Morgarna looked out of the window, then back to Leonardo, “exactly what were you doing when this happened. “
“Well I was trying to reverse time and see if I could shift it at all.”
Morgarna thought for a second then took her mobile and rang Merlin.

Seconds later the anomaly arrived and grabbing Leonardo by his arm she jumped taking him with her … shouting “No Morgarna”
They landed back in his rooms , which were totally ram packed with confused people who as far as they knew had minutes before been sitting in the late afternoon sun enjoying food, drink and good company.
With a wave of her hand everyone in the place was suddenly asleep in a huge heap on the floor.
“Right Leonardo tell me, without touching anything exactly what you did!

Morgarna and Leonardo had jumped back to the house and they were sitting in the Lab with Gail and Merlin.
“So” Merlin said ” let me get this straight you time shifted sideways and took everyone , barr four people back to your studio? “
“Yes Merlin my friend that’s exactly what happened! Can you fix it?”
Merlin was not in a good mood and his eyes were burning into Leonardo.
“I have told you before don’t mess with things you don’t understand… I am running out of patience! You have your place in history, no one can take that from you! But if you carry on I will erase you completely myself! “
Leonardo looked like a sulky child but he did agree to behave and hand over his paperwork and time machine to Merlin. So Merlin and Leonardo went back to San Gimigarno, Merlin reversed the time flip, he wiped everyone’s mind, they all finished their evening believing they’d had the best night of their lives! The rest of the town went on totally unaware of what happened in the alley. Meanwhile Morgarna went back to Leonardo’s time and took all his writings and his time traveling mechine. So by midnight all was well everyone back where they should be and the flags gently fluttered.

Merlin and Morgarna were sitting in the garden watching the chickens, ” you know since the cockle arrived the girls, even Avril have been laying”
“No ” replied Morgarna did that start while I was away?”
Merlin nodded , ” yes indeed ”

“Where is Gail Merlin “
“I gave her the car she’s having a day at the beach.”

It was a beautiful day and Gail was happily walking along the beach , her feet in the cool clear water the sun shining down , she felt happy she felt at peace.
Then she saw paw prints in the sand and she decided to follow them …..

This is part of K.L.Caley’s#writephoto Flags and Footprints.

Ronovan Writes SIJO Wednesday Poetry Challenge #59. Use FAMILY as your inspiration this week.

They make the house too crowded, no room to move too loud
Balling and squabbling until a common enemy threatens one or all.
Then nature shows blood is thicker than water and roots run deep.

PART OF RONOVANWRITE’S WEEKLY SIJO CHALLENGE

Wordless Wednesday: Through the glass Darkly.

PART OF HUGH’S WORDLESS WEDNESDAY.

#TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge No. 317, 4/25/23

WELCOME TO #TANKATUESDAY!

短歌火曜日

This week for Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka prompt , after last week’s well deserved excesses for her Birthday Colleen said: “Let’s go back to our roots and write a tanka poem (or two, or three) this week. I want you to find your own inspiration. Choose a photo, take a photo, share a walk with us… or a moment in time that was important to you. Capture this moment in a tanka or two.”

Tanka are written in a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure, or s-l-s-l-l. Tanka consists of 5 lines written in the first-person point of view from the perspective of the poet. The third line is considered your “pivot,” but let it happen anywhere, or exclude it. It is not mandatory. If you use a pivot, the meaning should apply to the first two lines, as well as the last two lines of your tanka. Tanka is untitled and does not rhyme.