More Music

I would like to share with you a song that I wrote earlier this year.  I think that I have it in its final form at this point.  One thing that I have learned in the process is that you write down every idea as you are going. Then you can refine those during the re-writing process.  

I realize that this song will not be to everyone's taste.  But I hope that some of you will enjoy it.  And if you don't, I would rather not hear about it.  Thanks!

There is an edited version of the audio on SoundCloud also.  I have not yet learned to add studio effects to a video. 

Stay Creative! 

Gene

The Play

Several of you asked for photos or video of the play.  Sadly, I have no video of the show, but I do have a few photos.  Since I am a total ham, I am including a video of me singing my solo. It was recorded the day after the final performance. 

First is one of me, in costume playing my baritone ukulele. 

This is the tableau at the end of the play. 

Here is the video that I prepared so you can hear my song.

Next up is a photo of much of the cast during the song

"The Sword of Damocles" 

And finally two snaps of me in costume with admirers

after one of the shows. 

First up, a total stranger.

Second, a longtime friend whose daughter I have acted with in the past. 

We had a great time performing The Rocky Horror Show 

for the weekend leading up to Halloween.

At the cast party, one of the younger performers told me 
"You have been a constant in my life. I think of you as my grandfather" 
I have mixed feelings. I am mostly honored,

 but it does make me feel really OLD.

Until Next Time,  

Stay Creative 

 Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Sunday Song

Last Sunday I sang a duet with my pastor's wife.  I think we did really well (other than one blip I made) so I wanted to share it with you. (if I can get the player to work.)

For the time being, here is a link  Savior Again



Okay, the player is working but you may need to allow QuickTime to run.
I hope you enjoy this.

No Video, just MP3

The video didn't work out. (earlier post.) So here is a link to the audio file. 
Little Gray Donkey.  I may have slightly overdone the reverb when I was editing, sorry. If you want to keep the file, right click and then click "save as" or "save link as" and you can download the file. 

Happy St Patrick's Day

Today I am sharing two (or maybe more) things for St Patrick's day.
First is a prayer called "St Patrick's Breastplate"

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.
By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;*
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the cherubim;
The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,
The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun's life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart's idolatry,
Against the wizard's evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,

The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

___________________________________

Next is a video that I shot just for you, my readers.   Most of you will know this as "Danny Boy" - however the tune predates the words, and is more correctly called "Londonderry Air"  Londonderry,  or County Derry, is one of the six counties that make up Northern Ireland. I apologize for the minor mistakes, but my diagonal neighbor decided to start mowing grass, so another take was out of the question.  The glance to the side near the end is when a neighbor's grandchild walked up the drive. 

Of course then there is this - notice the last name of the first lady that sings.  She is from a very musical Irish family.   I wonder if she is related to me?  This song, in Gaelic, speaks to me - even though I don't speak the language.   I have to say, this is what it can be like if a bunch of Irish folks get together.  This reminds me so much of Saturday nights at my mother's parents house so many times in my youth.



These last two are from some good friends of mine.
In case you feel like dancing, a fiddle and pennywhistle combo. 





And I leave you with An Irish Blessing






Remember that my other penny whistle videos are on the tab "Videos Entertainment" 
Have a wonderful St Patrick's day. (well, what is left of it after watching all of these. (((grin)))

Noise Alert

When a certain friend and I are visiting , sometimes we are both on the computer. If we are aware that a what we are about to load makes noise, we say "Noise Alert" so that the other doesn't get jarred out of the chair. Hence the title of this post. 




Today I am sharing another of my little penny whistle tunes with you. 



This is my Ellis Whistle. It does not jump smoothly to the upper octave.  Different penny whistles have different strong points and different weaknesses.  I really should have gotten out my Burke whistle for this tune. Oh, and YouTube seems to have gotten the music out of sync with the video. LOL.  It really is me playing.


Edited to add: One of the comments asked about a tune for St Patrick's Day.  I am game, give me some requests for Irish tunes. I will try to pick one and get it recorded for St Patrick's Day.

Whistlin' again

Here is a tune for you to enjoy if you like.
This is another of my compositions that I make up as I go.  I hope you enjoy it.

For your entertainment

For your entertainment-  or maybe you will find it hideous.  However,  some of my friends and blog buddies wanted to hear me sing.  Most of you have already heard me on penny whistle.  This is the tune I played with our choir anthem a couple of weeks ago.
Hopefully my singing won't scare anyone away.

More Lanterns (and a ditty)

I had two more Asian fabrics for my quilt.  So I made these two blocks.  They are not yet squared up, but you can see how lovely the fabrics are. I am waiting for my other Asian fabrics that I am getting from Judy at Sew Fun Quilts   She has a great Etsy store with both items she makes AND precut fabrics.  She currently is selling one quilt kit that is darling if you applique.

So here are my blocks in all their glory.  I think this quilt will be AWESOME.  I am just trying to decide how it will be quilted.

Trust me, you haven't seen the last of this quilt! 

and here is the ditty! Yes me on penny whistle again.  Told you I am Irish to the core. 

Lucky, lucky boy! And more......

I am the lucky lucky boy It seems I was one of the lucky ones to win a prize at Soggy Bottom Flats blog. When I first saw her post it only said "Huge Moda Giveaway" Well sir, (and ladies) that certainly got my attention. I entered. (and I do apologize, cause I forgot to tell all you lovelies about it) (hey were did I pick up that British accent? more on that later, if I remember.)

Later she posted that the prizes were going to be 1. A Moda Jelly cake, 2. Bananafana and Pink Fig patterns 3. Some "to dye for" batik half yard cuts. Wheee...now I am more excited.

So when she posted the winners..and I saw MY NAME, I did a happy dance. The lovely prize arrived today.



Yes, a Tranquility jelly cake by Moda. Mmmmmmm..good enough to eat..but no..better to sew with.

Now about that "British accent:" Last night a friend posted a link to Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. The link will take you to the YouTube video. If you don't have tears in your eyes when it is over, you are tougher than I am.
I was as shocked when she started singing as Simon was. (I am ashamed of that, I try to not pre-judge anyone, but sometimes that human nature takes over.) Anyway, I have watched it LOTS of times by now. And when I hear a British accent and turn of phrase, it seems to switch on something in my brain. My one trip to England, many years ago, was a true joy. I wish Miss Boyle lots of success. She deserves it. And I thank her for the music.