Pineapple Rag

One of my favorite Scott Joplin tunes is "Pineapple Rag." I can play it on the piano and it's the tune I play when I want to impress people. When I play it, people think I'm a great pianist. Little do they know that it took me five years to learn and it's the only tune I can play from memory. Sigh.

Nevertheless, it's a wonderful piece of music. In fact, all the Joplin rags are delightful. If you've got the blues and you need a pick-me-up, just listen to a Joplin rag and you'll feel amazing. Music is medicine for the soul.

Listen to the "Pineapple Rag" on youtube. Enjoy!

Sunday Sermon: Faith

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

James 2:14-17

A Bird in the Hand

In my teen years I was a devoted fan of Mad Magazine. I really enjoyed the song parodies. Here is my parody of the Beatles hit tune "Yesterday" I call it "Tweety Bird."



Tweety Bird
Smeared in mustard with a side of curd
Scrump-deli-ishus is the only word
Oh, I must eat that Tweety Bird

Tweety Bird
Singing swinging in a cage pampered
Granny konks me 'til my vision's blurred
Oh, I must eat that Tweety Bird

When that anvil fell on my tail
I screamed in pain
He said, "Now take that, Puddy Tat!"
Then waxed insane

Tweety Bird
Some consider you a harmless nerd
But you're sadistic and a tad absurd
Oh, I must eat that Tweety Bird

Making the Rounds in Cyber Space

My fellow writer Shawn Underwood posted this on her website and I just had to share the fun.

TRUTHS FOR MATURE HUMANS:

1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.


2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning algebra really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Bad decisions make good stories.

9. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

10. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.

11. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

12. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?

13. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

Sunday Sermon: Wings Like Eagles

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40 28-31

My Favorite Emily Dickinson Poem

We Blog/Web Log

For all you bloggers out there, check out the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I'm having a blast reading the blogs and learning about other bloggers out here in cyberspace. Make a comment, become a follower, share the love. The blogging universe becomes one big happy family.

You don't need to have a blog to enjoy the challenge. Read a blog and just say hello. The only downside is that you will spend hours on the computer when you should be watering your plants or practicing the cello.

Sunday Sermon: Live in Harmony

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

I Peter 3:8-9

Random Thoughts

(Stream of Consciousness)

I switched from a blue pen to a red pen. Such a huge difference in perspecitve. I like the color red against black and white. Symbolism. Red: blood, violence, death, pain, suffering. Red: love, passion, excitement, anger, fear. Red: beauty, flowers, sunsets, tabasco sauce.

THIS IS TOTALLY ME!

I've been telling people for years that my brain can only hold so much information. The older I get, the more post-its I use.

Sunday Sermon: Jesus and Money

Jesus said:

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?

No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Luke 16:10-13

"I Put a Spell on You"

Oy vey! Let me just say right now: Casey Abrams has definitely "put a spell on me"! I was watching American Idol last night and Casey toasted my spark plugs! He brought down the house with his rendition of "I Put a Spell on You." He was amazing.

I've never called in to vote for someone despite the fact that I've been a fan of Idol for years. But after Casey's performance, I called in and voted over and over and over...

I believe that this performance was one of the absolute best in Idol history, right along with Fantasia's performance of  "Summertime."

Jeepers Creepers! I can't wait to see what Casey does next!