Meri's Musings

On this day in 1980, John Lennon was murdered. Assassinated by a deranged fan outside The Dakota, where Lennon lived with wife and muse Yoko Ono and had been a stay-at-home dad  for their young son Sean. I remember waking up to the news and feeling stunned.  Horrified.  I felt stricken,  knowing that all however-unlikely hope  for a Beatles reunion was now moot. It angered me that such senseless acts of violence existed and that this cultural icon's life ended in such a gruesome and tragic way.  It felt so personal. The assassin had ripped a hole in the fabric of my life, tore the threads of melody that sang stories of loves found and loves lost, tales of youthful fascination with things counter to the dominant culture, taking a stance against war and discrimination, in favor of peace and justice. When the Beatles first invaded American shores, John wasn't my favorite Beatle. I'll freely admit to being into ...

I find so much sustenance from music. Joy, really. There's nothing like being alone in the car, with That Old Time Rock 'n' Roll blasting, to lift your spirits. Music weaves seamlessly into the soundtrack of favorite movies, but more importantly, becomes the soundtrack of your life. There are those musical events that stand out. Concerts you're glad you attended. The first I remember, one I'm so privileged to have attended, was a night of Dave Brubeck. He died today at 91, a day before his 92nd birthday. He was a legend in the jazz world, becoming the first jazz artist to sell a million albums. His long-time musical partner, alto sac player Paul Desmond, wrote the saxophone melody for the Dave Brubeck Quartet's memorable piece "Take Five," a jazz classic in 5/4 time. The piece became the title song for the album.  I, as an adolescent, fancied myself a sophisticate and intellectual, so o...

When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom "Let it be." -  Lennon/McCartney               Retablos -- tin paintings with religious themes -- are done to as a thank-you note to a saint  for intervening in  people's lives. For more Virgins, visit Rebecca's A Virgin a Day . Be sure to read Steven's comment regarding what Paul McCartney said about the impetus  for this work. As for me, I think that when we dream, there are many image threads woven through them.  Some people appear as themselves -- Paul's mother, for example -- and the dream may be taken at  a very literal level. Other times, people are stand-ins for archetypes, like the all loving Mother Goddess who comes to you in dreams to impart  wisdom and crucial information that the conscious mind is not absorbing. From "virgin sightings" both historical and contemporary, we know that many believe that Mo...

Before you decide I've gone 'round the bend, let me explain. I was feeling camera-lust. I wanted to capture details. And you know how I love blue. And as for the You-Tube video, well it speaks for itself. I don't endorse the suggestion at the end, though I have discovered a strange Showtime series on On Demand called "Weeds." Goo goo guh joob. AND IF YOU WANT TO BE AMAZED by a whale birthing post, click HERE to visit Kendalee's Dance of a Painted Lady.