Category: Tuesday Tunes

July 12, 2016 46 Comments

England doesn’t have a national anthem; however, unofficially the beautiful “Jerusalem” hymn is seen as such by many English people. “Jerusalem” was originally written as a poem by William Blake in 1804. The lyrics, written by Hubert Parry, were added to music in 1916 during the gloom of WWI when an uplifting new English hymn was well received and needed. “Bring me my bow of burning gold! Bring me my arrows of desire! Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem In England’s green and pleasant land.” “Sea Dreams” 8.5 x 11.5″ acrylic on canvas. by Tonya Rieley Hengerer After visiting a number of wonderful art galleries in the Cotswolds as well as spending the last week in England’s “green and pleasant land,” I was inspired by this country’s many breathtaking landscapes to pass a delightful afternoon painting. This worked out well as Farmguy was watching the Euro Cup. 🙂

Tuesday Tunes

Till the End

July 5, 2016 35 Comments

Most days I feel grateful to live on Green Hill Farm, surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains and pastures as well as my farm animals and pets. It’s not always easy, but I do feel enriched by the work that I do here and the special interactions I have with my animals. **In memory of Clover, Hamish, and Ivy…my beloved sheep who passed away this year.

Tuesday Tunes

June 28, 2016 14 Comments

“Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something; Forgiveness, however, is for those who are substantial enough to move on.” ~Criss Jami, Salomé: In Every Inch In Every Mile “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” ~Pericles

Tuesday Tunes

June 21, 2016 29 Comments

I’ve always loved Van Morrison’s music, especially their song, “Brown-Eyed Girl.” Maybe it’s a favorite, because it reminds me of happy times and the wonderful, relaxed moments of summer. And, being a brown-eyed girl myself, makes me fond of it, too. 😉 Enjoy your Tuesday! “Do you remember when we used to sing Sha la la la […]

Tuesday Tunes

“On the Turning Away”

June 14, 2016 37 Comments

“Don’t accept that what’s happening is just a case of others’ suffering, or you’ll find that you’re joining in the turning away.” ~David Gilmour, songwriter Pink Floyd

Tuesday Tunes

June 7, 2016 17 Comments

Y’all knew it wouldn’t be long until the disco ball showed up again. 😉 Today’s tune is a fun twist on Aretha Franklin’s classic, “Respect.” Singing this version of the iconic song is Melanie Amaro, a Virgin Islander-American, born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1992. Amaro grew up singing gospel music in her church and went on to win […]

Tuesday Tunes

May 31, 2016 16 Comments

“La Vie en Rose” is a song that expresses the bliss of being in love. It brims with pure emotion and beautiful sentiment. To me, it’s one of the loveliest songs ever written. “La Vie en Rose” or the English translation, Life Through Rosy Pink Glasses, was released as a single in 1947 by French singer, Édith Piaf and is one of her most famous and beloved songs. Édith Piaf, also known as “The Little Sparrow,” became an icon of France during World War II. She was a symbol of French passion and tenacity. Piaf’s signature song was about finding love after a trying time, and many people saw it as an anthem of hope as it was released shortly after the end of World War II. “La Vie en Rose” is about a state where everything appears rosy and cheerful because of being in love; thus, creating a feeling of “wearing rose-colored glasses.” When I hear it, I think of it as something more. It isn’t just a song about romance; it’s an anthem of love for life, especially when everything around you is considered a source of joy. Here’s the thing: Life through rosy pink glasses isn’t about being foolishly optimistic. Instead, it’s about a state of bliss, where one is truly able to see things in a positive light. So, here’s to life in pink! “La Vie en Rose” performed by Catherine Carraway Quartet

Tuesday Tunes

May 24, 2016 18 Comments

“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day When it’s cold outside I’ve got the month of May…” ~The Temptations Well, we haven’t exactly had a typical warm and cheerful month of May around these parts, but today is fair and beautiful. And, all of the rain has made my New Dawn climbing rose the loveliest it’s ever been. […]

Tuesday Tunes

May 17, 2016 17 Comments

The Tuesday Tune for today’s post is one of my favorite hymns. “For the Beauty of the Earth” is a Christian hymn by Folliott S. Pierpoint, M.A. (1835-1917). Folliott was born at Spa Villa in Bath, England and was educated at Queen’s College, Cambridge, graduating in classical honours in 1871. “For the Beauty of the Earth” was first published […]

Tuesday Tunes

May 10, 2016 33 Comments

I think we can all agree that music has the power to inspire, uplift, entertain, motivate, and move us. I know it certainly does for me. For those folks who are familiar with this blog, you may recall that I’ve shared posts regarding my love for music and dancing. In my experience, music is like therapy, transforming my mood and motivating me at challenging times. Not only does music soothe or entertain us, but hopefully, it enriches us as well. With this in mind, I’ve decided to add a music post as part of my weekly contribution to this blog. I enjoy all kinds of music, so you never know what you may find here. This musical selection is my first endeavor for Tuesday Tunes. It’s from Act II of Puccini’s opera La Bohème, “Quando Me’n Vo’” or “Musetta’s Waltz.” I hope you enjoy this beautiful and moving soprano aria by Anna Netrebko.