It’s the end of March, the weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer. And it’s finally Spring. Hopefully, it feels that way where you are.
Happy Easter! It’s a time of renewal and rebirth, a time for peace. For this week’s serenade, I have a couple of classics from Cat Stevens, or, if you prefer, Yusuf Islam as he’s now known. I imagine his new name stirs up some feelings for some people. Who am I to judge? I call myself Pandora Spocks, for corn’s sake. 😉
What I know is that Morning Has Broken is a sweet reminder of mercies that are new every morning. And for that, I’m grateful.
And as long as we’re talking Cat Stevens, I couldn’t resist this performance of Peace Train from the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. I saw the whole show, and this was the surprise highlight.
This Easter, suppose we embraced peace. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family, no matter what holiday you celebrate. Be sure to hug the ones you love.
Tonight’s song is two great tastes that taste great together. The Foo Fighters join my hero Joan Jett for two of her most iconic songs, Bad Reputation and I Love Rock & Roll. These classic punk tunes came out in the early 80s, and they aren’t going away anytime soon.
I’ve always said that when I grow up, I want to be Joan Jett. She was revolutionary, decades ago challenging the notion that women couldn’t be bad-ass rockers. And she never gave a damn about her bad reputation. How amazing to free yourself from the concern over what other people think!
That attitude is really the very heartbeat of rock & roll.
It’s also the heartbeat of the new heroes, teenagers who, in the face of tragedy, terror, and abuse from adults who happen to disagree with them, continue to sound off, to call out the hypocrisy they see, and to call for change to make the world a better place.
They don’t give a damn about their bad reputation either. They just want to feel safe. And they’re not going away anytime soon.
I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend. Be sure to hug those you love.
I LOVE St. Patrick’s Day! On my bucket list is to pay someone to play Galway Girl in a pub in Galway on St. Patrick’s Day. So far, this first video is as close as I’ve gotten. It’s a joyous street celebration!
Tonight, in celebration of all things Eire, I’ve assembled some of my favorite Irish music by some of my favorite Irish bands. If you’re not familiar with them, it’s a sampling of what’s out there.
To me, the perfect place to celebrate the day is in an Irish bar listening to traditional music. A few St. Patrick’s Days ago, Mr. R and I spent hours at the James Joyce Irish Pub, a wonderful bar in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood.
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We listened to great music and tossed back way too many little green shots before we staggered back to our hotel in the wee hours of the morn. At one point, Mr. R paid the guy to sing Dirty Old Town. Here it is by The Pogues.
You can’t celebrate the day without Irish Rover. This traditional version is by the Dubliners with The Pogues. Just ignore the bad teeth, it’s brilliant.
The Dropkick Murphys are undoubtedly my favorite jig-punk band, and I was thrilled to go see them last time they came through town. This is Rose Tattoo.
Again, here are The Pogues, with If I Should Fall From Grace With God. Does it seem like the Irish have something of a fixation on death?
Finally, and if you’re still here, you’re awesome, here’s a set from my favorite Irish band, The Prodigals, at their home bar, Paddy Reilly’s on the lower east side of Manhattan. I actually DID get to see them here once, and it was magical.
Pull up a stool and raise your pint glass. Sláinte, hug those you love, and have a happy Saturday night.
It’s the second weekend of March, and we’re ‘springing forward’ tonight. Don’t forget. And if the Florida legislature has their way, this will be the last time Mr. R and I have to change our clocks. They’ve voted to remain on Daylight Savings Time from now on.
Which, on the one hand, is great. My feeling is, just pick one time and let me know. On the other hand, however, when everyone else ‘falls back’, the entire state of Florida will be all jacked up. The 6:30 national news will come on at 7:30. The Times Square ball will drop at 1:00 am New Years Day. Everything will be all wonky.
But who am I to complain? Just a lowly taxpayer. The state legislature also came up with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which Gov. Rick Scott signed, in response to the outcry following the horrific events of a few weeks ago. While far from perfect, it’s a good start, particularly from a Republican governor to whom I usually refer as a dick with eyes.
The legislation limits gun sales to persons over the age of 21, among other things. It also allocates serious fundage for mental health initiatives. And it sets aside money to beef up school security.
Of course, there are those against the plan. The NRA is even suing the state, citing 2nd Amendment violations. I hesitate to wade into politics. Everyone is so hateful. But I’m for a little reform.
Some will call me a liberal. Go ahead, if that makes you feel superior. I’m neither Republican nor Democrat. I’m a registered Independent voter. I just look around for somebody who makes sense. And I have guns in my home. Nobody’s trying to take away your guns. We’re just trying to keep kids safe. I’d hope that, at least, is something we all have in common.
I’m feeling all punky tonight. So this little song from The Interrupters speaks to my soul. Wherever you fall on the issues, I hope you take a moment to see it from the other side. And hugs your kids tight. Because some parents in Parkland can’t do that tonight.
His birthday happens to be the same day as one of my brothers’, and that’s really neither here nor there. But around this time, I always start thinking about how thankful I am to have him in my life.
I always refer to Mr. R as my ‘happily ever after.’ And he is.
I spent a long time married to my nightmare. Last week, I alluded to my #MeToo story. Nightmare is the star of that tale.
After that ended, a few years down the road when I had my feet under me a little, I thought it might be nice to meet someone new. I wasn’t looking for someone who made me happy–I didn’t aim that high. I just hoped for someone who didn’t make me unhappy.
But my broken road led me to a man who makes me laugh every day, from our first date, when he ordered a strawberry daiquiri with an exaggeratedly deep voice, to the songs that he intentionally butchers (most recently, changing the words to We Built This City to We Milk These Titties), and more than I could possibly tell you about. He brings me flowers all the time, just because he wants to. He makes me feel loved and cherished, honored and protected. And I’m beyond thankful for him.
That’s what I think of when his birthday rolls around. I have a couple of gifts for him: a nice leather messenger bag to use in his real estate work, a Starbucks gift card for his espresso, and a bakery decorated carrot cake (in spite of the fact that he’d diabetic). But really, on his birthday, I’m reminded that he is a gift to me.
We’ll be going out to a nice dinner Sunday night. We have reservations at the Capital Grille, and they know it’s his birthday. Tonight, we’ll just chill here at home.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Hug those you love. Happy Saturday night!
“Bless The Broken Road” (originally by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn’t see how every sign pointed straight to you
[Chorus:]
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
(Yes He did)
I think about the years I spent just passing through
I’d like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You’ve been there you understand
It’s all part of a grander plan that is coming true.
[Chorus]
Yeah.
Now I’m just rolling home
Into my lover’s arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.
Adventures in Date Night 
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