A to Z: T is for Triumph

"World of Fantasy" kicking us off our look at the Canadian Rock and Roll inducted band Triumph.

Next up is the song "Spellbound" 

"Follow Your Heart" above and "Somebody's Out There"

Why don't you "Lay it on the Line"

Hope you enjoyed!

A to Z Challenge: Education

Education is very important to my Mom. She wanted my brother and myself to go to the best public schools we could go to. She was proud of me for getting my undergraduate and Masters degree. Yes having her children gain a solid education was important to her but there is more to the story.

Her education was important too! What she achieved really impresses my Dad. English is not my Mother's native tongue. My Mom gave up a lot to live in America. Life in her country isn't bad. She didn't come here to escape something. She didn't come here because America was better. She didn't come because she had to come. My Mom simply came to America to be with my Dad.

Everywhere we lived my Mom was working on her education. She could speak it when my Dad and her met. My Mom not only Mastered English but got a degree in it!

Now she is proud of her Granddaughter for her grades and wants her to continue her education into college when that day comes. Me, I am just dreading the expenses.

A to Z Challenge: Weir and back to the Deadheads

I was blown away when I went to my first Grateful Dead concert 25 years ago this Summer. The adventure of me working my way to the front row, the Steve Miller Band opening up, the special guests (Bruce Hornsby), the lights, the music and the fans. It was a magical event that happened each summer until Jerry Garcia passed away. I went to Furthur, Phil Lesh & Friends, but they fell short. There were some other versions that might be pretty cool including the current Dead & Company.

We had our separation. Then I heard Bob Weir released an album of Cowboy based songs. My first musical experience was old cowboy songs on vinyl.

I was ready for an evening of escape. I made the drive. There was even a small collection of vendors in the parking lot. Not as cool as I remember for the old Stadium shows, but something. I missed vendors.





The opening with just Bob and his guitar for a few songs was more intimate than any stadium show. His band was good with a strong Americana vibe to it.

Below he performs a couple days later at Wanee covering Little Feat..

Another from Wanee with his touring band "Cassidy"

"Playin' in the Band" a week earlier in Austin..

Yes a member of the Grateful Dead, not quite the same as the old shows, but a touch of magic. Just enough to send me back home.

A to Z Challenge: Snakes

I live in Florida so snakes are common. You can run into snakes almost anywhere. This snake decided to join us in the Church yard for Easter..



It was a non-venomous snake. The snake was treated properly, everyone was able to get a good look and then everyone left the snake alone.

My daughter last held a snake about two years ago. This Spring she was able to hold a few more at our trip to Alligator Alley.



They even let me hold the snake...





This snake was a tickler...





Notice the smiles on her face. My daughter has been able to hold alligators, birds, kangaroos, monkeys, snakes, and even fed a baby tiger. I've been lucky enough to fill her life with adventures and still hope to add a few more adventures into her life.

My wife is not a fan of snakes. Two years ago, I had someone comment that wrapping a big snake around a  young child wasn't a good idea, that the snake was stronger than I thought and could squeeze at anytime. Yes there is some risk to it. Even if a smaller snake decided to bite it would upset my daughter, which would surely earn me an earful from my lovely wife and her Irish temper. So yes there is risk. However, look at the smiles!



I win she is happy, she is learning to respect snakes (and other animals), she is making memories and having adventures. As for me I'm spending quality time with my daughter.

A to Z: Queen Quiz

It is a good think  I'm not in school anymore this might have been my answer...



If you were the teacher would you mark it wrong?
Would you give credit for creativity or heck even knowing who Queen is?

I stumbled on this in facebook so I don't know how if this was a real quiz.

Ever answer a quiz with an answer like that?

The student is a Champion..

It's a miracle...

Stay tuned for the next A to Z post coming tomorrow....

A to Z Challenge: Orioles, Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore the city where I watch my first Major League Baseball game. I came to the area at the right time for some great talent.

The place I saw my first game and several more through the years...

Eddie Murray provided many memories..

Of course there was Cal Ripken Jr..

Here are some highlights from 2000-2015...

Do you like baseball? Where did you see your first Major League Baseball game?

A to Z: Maybellene Battle of the Bands

Today's A to Z letter is M which fits nicely for music! Speaking of music it is time for the Battles of the Band! 

It is a simple game to play. I pick a song and then I pick to covers. You tell me which one you like the best. I count them up and tell you the results in another post. The post will be on Sunday, April 24. If you like the game check out the other players here.

Chuck Berry recently passed away so it is fitting he would show up in a Battle of the Bands. Besides being one of the first rock songs "Maybellene" the song also starts with a M fitting in perfectly with the A to Z theme.

Here is Chuck's version. It is for your reference and entertainment. Please don't vote for it.

Vote for one of the contenders below!

Contender One: Marty Robbins

The co-founder of the Battle of the Bands had  a battle not to long ago featuring Marty Robbins against Marty Robbins. I'm not going to do that with this battle, but chalk up another M to this post.

Contender Two: Gene Vincent

Which one gets your vote? Marty of Gene? Please vote in the comments. Pretty good music post featuring three legendary artists. 

A to Z: Lizard Adventures

So last year I posted a video about lizards that chill. Staying on that theme I thought I would share some lizard adventures.

This lizard wanted to fish..





This one made friends with my daughter..



At least we don't have lizards like this..



Wonder what M will bring?

A to Z Challenge: B is for Lonnie Brooks

Today's letter for the A to Z Challenge is B. My post fits the letter in two ways. One Lonnie's last name starts with a B and this is about the Blues. Lonnie Brooks was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010. Sadly he passed away on  April 1.

I actually was able to see Lonnie Brooks perform 15 years ago at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Form. He performed in the Blues Tent which was a very intimate setting to experience an artist perform.

Lonnie passed way at 83 and had started his career in the 1950s. Two of his early singles where recorded by The Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Here is The Fabulous Thunderbirds cvering Brooks' "The Crawl"

Here is Lonnie with "Voodoo Daddy"

Here he is live...

The Blues world lost a great one. He will be missed and I hope he can Rest in Peace. His family legacy lives on with his sons Ronnie Baker Brooks and Wayne Baker Brooks.

A to Z Challenge: Reflections on the 2015 Challenge

Overall thoughts?

In the four years I have been doing the A to Z: Challenge it has grown quite a bit! Over 1500 is a lot of bloggers. I'm sure I have only reached a fraction of those bloggers. The visitors, that I know, who have stopped by my blog I have visited. The ones who are on my feed (okay those are mostly the same). I was able to visit a few sites from the A to Z facebook page. Kudos for the page! Also I have been working my way through the sign up list on the A to Z page to visit different blogs. It is a slow process. I will definitely have plenty of blogs to visit during an A to Z; road trip. Has the challenge grown too big?Visiting some of the blogs I found a few people didn't finish the challenge. I can certainly understand that. Those blogs and writers reminded me the challenge is truly a challenge. Is there a blog I should not miss? Feel free to let me know in the comments.

Thoughts on my blog and the challenge

As a writer of my blog I found the challenge did help me find a balance among topics I had been searching for in my blog. Like always I tried to keep my posts true to what readers may find on my blog the other 11 months of the year. Two of my most successful posts of the challenge also featured photography by me so I was pleased with that. The other two most successful were my Battle of the Bands post but they double dip blog hops.

What I liked the most?

I was able to stumble across a couple of my old writing friends in the challenge. Probably through my own fault I lost track of what they were doing so it was nice to visit their blogs. One of them is Phillip Veghese Ariel's writings and another is Julie Du Pre's Precious Monsters. I was also a winner of Liz A's Laws of Gravity blogs. Everyone likes to win! Well it has been a great challenge and now another 11 months until the next A to Z; Challenge.

A to Z Challenge: ZZ Top

I am ending the challenge with a little Rock and Roll band from Texas. I hope everyone enjoyed the challenge.

Here they are with "Gimme All Your Lovin'"...

I think during the challenge we all wanted a little love for our blogs. Did your blog get the love you were looking for?

This song I am dedicating to Joanne's Word Splash who did a Texas theme during the challenge.

Her L selection was on LaGrange visit it if you would like. I dedicate the next one to all the ladies. I heard this is what you like?

What is your favorite ZZ Top song? What is your favorite ZZ Top Z
Memory? Please share in the comments.

I will leave you with this treat. The late great blues man John Lee Hooker with ZZ Top performing "Boom Boom."

Thanks for visiting I hope you enjoyed!

A to Z Challenge: Yes the band

Guess I have a progressive music theme going this week sharing yesterday about the Landless Theatre Company and their prog metal Sweeney Todd. Perhaps not metal but progressive still the same today's topic on the A to Z: Challenge will be the band YES!


Here they are performing "And You and I"...

Here is a vintage performance of "Yours is no Disgrace"..

 I came up a few years later and the song that turned me on to this group was "Owner of a Lonely Heart"..

Hope you enjoyed the videos. Have you ever heard of Yes? What are your favorite Yes songs?
Please feel free to share in the comments.

Yes! One more day left in the challenge. Please stay tuned to this blog because I have another Battle of the Bands post coming up on May Day and some other fun stuff to blog about!

A to Z: Is for Violent Femmes

Thought I would return to the blog with some music this weekend! Violent Femmes start with V so they are my choice for V Day on the A to Z: Challenge!

They are probably best known for their song "Blister in the Sun"

But I can go on and add a few more videos for your musical pleasure! Here is "American Music"

Here they are with "Kiss Off"...

Do you remember the Violent Femmes? Have a favorite song by them?

Well the A to Z: Challenge will continue on Monday. I have work today, a possible road trip tomorrow, so Monday could be interesting stay tuned!

   

A to Z Challenge: U is for Upside

Sometimes it is too easy to look at the downside of things. Sometimes it is because they hit you in face! Sometimes people point it out! However, most of the time there is an upside. Sometimes the upside hides or is hard to find. Sometimes it is hard to realize what the upside is.

Kind of like the saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." The lemonade would be the upside.

Life isn't always easy. Troubles come and go. But look out for the upsides!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you find the upside!

A to Z Challenge: T is for Temple, Shirley Temple

Today is the 87th anniversary of Shirley Temple's birth. She passed away in February of 2014 and you can read my tribute to her here. Clips of "Curly Top," "The Good Ship Lollipop," and part of The Kennedy Center Honors can be found there.

Today on her birthday I will once again pay tribute to her. However, I will be sharing different clips.

Here she is with the extended version of "Animal Crackers in My Soup"

She had a long and successful career leaving behind a great legacy to choose from which makes a blog log this easy. Here she is with "When I Grow Up"

Here is a short interview with Regis and Kathy Lee..

What are your favorite Shirley Temple movies? Favorite moments? Please feel free to share in the comments. Thanks for visiting and I will have a new post soon!

A to Z: S is for snakes

Today is Earth Day so it would be fitting that I blog about an animal. Today's subject is snakes. Some people find snakes neat and interesting animals. A lot of people find snakes to be terrifying serpents. I tend to find them interesting creatures who deserve respect like most wild animals.

I try to share this with my kids. Earlier this month my daughter had the opportunity to hold an albino Burmese Python.



My daughter's mom was not impressed with me letting her hold the snake. She tends to be on  the terrifying serpents point of view. Looking at my daughter's smile she appears to be enjoying holding the snake.

Where we live it is not uncommon to see snakes. I've told her to be on the lookout for them, If she sees one to leave it alone and come get me, Because I want to see the snake!



It is important to observe what is around you.  I take my daughter fishing and swimming and humans are not the only ones who enjoy fishing and swimming.

I believe a healthy respect of animals is important than an unhealthy fear.Worse is someone who doesn't have any fear and quite a bit of foolishness.

Here is an article about someone who was bitten by a Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) because they found one and kept it on their bed in a pillow case. I wouldn't even recommend doing that with a non-venomous snake.

Venomous snakes inject venom which caused the guy to go to the hospital. Snake venom can kill people! A python like the one my daughter is holding is a constrictor which kills it's prey by squeezing it to death. Snakes have teeth! Just because a snake is not venomous or a large constrictor it should be treated with respect,

Have you had any experiences with snakes? Have a favorite snake? Do you think they are neat? Do you fear them?

Thanks for visiting!

A to Z Challenge: R is for Ribbit

My blog has gone to the frogs today!


Kermit the Frog takes the Ice Bucket Challenge..

Here is a tree frog hanging out..




Here is a frog making a ribbit or a call

Here is a clip from my favorite frog movie..

I like the singing better than their ribbits.

A to Z Challenge: Q

Today is the letter Q in the A to Z: Challenge so I decided to select Q from the James Bond movie and novel franchise.

Here are some quick clips from Q in the movies..

A new Q is introduced in the movie Skyfall...

A bit of trivia for all the book lovers out there. The character Q never appears in Ian Fleming's novels. However a Q Branch is mentioned.

Below James Bond meets Q in From Russia with Love..

Are you a fan of the James Bond novels or movie? What is your favorite Q moment from one of the films?

Thanks for visiting! I will be back tomorrow with another A to Z post! 

A to Z Challenge: Percy Sledge

I would have done this post earlier if it wasn't for the challenge. However, a few days late might be a better way to show tribute to a great singer.

The 74 year old musical legend passed away April 14, 2015. He has been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and roll Hall of Fame. He is also honored in the Delta Music Museum. Percy was a Pioneer Award Recipient from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation and his album Blues Night won a Blues Music Award for Best Blues/Soul album

He is best known for this song..

Here is a news clip about his death..

This song from 1974 was probably his last hit called "I'll Be Your Everything"

His songs had some great advice like "Take Time to Know Her"

I know I have a lot of music fans who visit my blog what are your favorite Percy Sledge songs? Do you have any Percy memories? Please feel free to leave comments.

Percy Sledge certainly will be missed. He had a voice that won't be replaced. His songs will live on.
Thanks for visiting and I will continue on with the A to Z Challenge on Monday!

A to Z Challenge: Oceans

Above is a picture of the Atlantic Ocean taken by me a couple (probably a few) of years ago. Location Neptune Beach, Florida if anyone is wondering. The Oceans change constantly. They wash away things. Things crumble into them. Things wash up from them. Oceans get moody. Still something about oceans that are a constant for me.

Maybe the ocean is a parallel or a refection of my life, my dreams, and my existence. Don't our lives change constantly? Doesn't life wash up surprises on us? Don't we loose things in this journey?

I don't live on the beach but it is a very short drive. Funny thing is the area I am at is known for the white sands. The white sands are due to the Appalachian Mountains that have been reduced to sand. Ironically I moved here from an area in the Appalachians.



Above Perdido Key on the Florida Alabama border I believe.

The Gulf being a little moody..



Above is the Gulf of Mexico from Pensacola Beach, Florida. Maybe I will just sail off into an ocean..



The view of Destin, Florida from a boat in the Gulf of Mexico...