I was so excited when the Music Blog Hop was announced hosted by the fabulous Carla @Creatin in the Sticks.
This was the challenge that Carla gave us: "Create something to do with MUSIC. Do you have a song that inspires you or a tune you listen to when you sew? Do you love a particular instrument or know someone who does?Maybe something, anything, is music to your heart.
Does your Mary have a lamb? Do you have music fabric you need to use? You decide!
The theme is really your own interpretation, surprise us!"
The entire schedule for this blog hop is at the end of the post.
Music has been a part of my life as long as I remember. My father listened classical music. When I was 13 I received a record player for Christmas and 4 records, Sound of Music, West Side Story, South Pacific and Camelot. I listed to those over and over, and could sing the lyrics to every song.
When I got to Middle School I wanted to take chorus for an elective, but I mother said I could take Home Ec instead, that I could sing anytime I wanted. While I resented it at the time, I am glad that I learned how to sew and cook.
After we had moved to California our family life got pretty chaotic and music and books were my solace. I would play music for hours in my room. I joined the choir in my church, and taught myself to play the piano, when I was the only young person in the Sunday School room some Sundays. I recently joined a music group at the community center across the street from me and we perform at various nursing homes.
From the very first time I heard Neil Diamond I loved him. For my 21st birthday the guy I was dating at the time took me to a Neil Diamond Concert in San Diego.
When I first started dating John, my husband he played me Neil Diamond songs on his guitar, and I instantly knew he was the one for me. He also played Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Peter, Paul and Mary, James Taylor, and a little John Denver.
This was the guitar he had when I first met him and the one I still have today. It is a handmade Goya, a Swedish guitar made in the 60's.
John played throughout our marriage, until he injured his right hand fingers in a woodworking accident. While the fingers healed, the sensation was gone and he found it too hard to play.
He said this this song, Juliet reminded him of me.
And also this one, Play Me
When John was upset about life, he would play this one.
Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Official Audio)
YouTube · BobDylanVEVOMar 11, 2019
When he got to these lyrics, he sang them so convincingly I thought he was going to walk out the door:
… So it ain't no use in calling out my name, gal
Like you never done before
And it ain't no use in calling out my name, gal
I can't hear you anymore
I'm a-thinking and a-wonderin' walking down the road
I once loved a woman, a child, I'm told
I give her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don't think twice, it's all right
John treated my passion for Neil Diamond by taking me to at least 19 Neil Diamond Concerts throughout the years. I went to 3 more without him, but he always bought me tickets. In the early days I couldn't afford to get programs, but I do have 15 programs from the concerts. It was easier counting the programs than the albums, CDs and tapes that I have.
When this blog hop was announced, I asked for this day, November 16 specifically. This would have been our 47th anniversary. John, the love of my life, passed away last April 29th. And this is what I made to honor John, and the music he always brought into my life. When he could no longer play the guitar, he loved watching The Voice, America's Got Talent and American Idol, and loved watching different musicians and bands on You Tube.
The top picture on the left is John playing for our oldest daughter, and the picture on the right is her daughter, Kyleigh sitting on John's lap. The bottom right is our grandson John. A number of years ago we had some family pictures taken, and John wanted to bring his guitar for a picture too.
I love different songs for different reasons, some for the lyrics, some for the guitar playing or instruments. Sometimes my playlist comes up and every song that comes up reminds me of John. The other day I had Still, by Lionel Richie, How Deep is Your Love by the Bee Gees, When I Fall in Love by Nat King Cole, and I Say a Little Prayer by Aretha, and I might have a Christmas song like Mary Did You Know.
Be sure and visit the other bloggers and see their creations and stories, the entire schedule is below.
Monday, November 14th
Tuesday, November 15th
Wednesday, November 16th
Thursday, November 17th
Thanks for stopping by!
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