Monday's Music Moves Me: Christmas Music, Santa Songs

 Welcome to my blog! This Month's theme for Monday's Music Moves Me is Christmas Songs. I am breaking it up into many themes and this week I selected Santa Songs. 

                                                  Mariah Carey with Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson

"Oh, Santa" 

It wouldn't be Christmas without "Santa Shark"

Bruce Springsteen "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"

The Beach Boys "Little Saint Nick"

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Holiday Blues: Farewell to the Family Pet

Maybe I should have gone for the Christmas song on my Battle of the Band perhaps I jinxed myself.  Like most people the Holiday's are a busy time of year. I have a lot going on at work, outside of the work, my daughter's performance, family and the list goes on.

Christmas was going to be busy in a good way. My daughter and I both having important parts in the Christmas Eve late service. I was planning to get her a new laptop and few more items on her Christmas list. That was before it all came crashing down.

                                                   Our cat in his younger days...

     

I had just gotten home from work and a delivery man had just arrived.  I got out of my car and signed for the package. While I was signing I heard our cat, Bandit meowing from inside. It was unusual for him to meow that loud. Granted he was sick the day before actually turning down treats. He had been vomiting before that. I thought he was just sick and would get over whatever he had. A cat vomiting isn't unusual they get fur balls. When I got inside I could tell my little buddy wasn't doing well. Didn't think it was as dire as it was but  I did think he needed to see someone. I called a few Vet's and they were all about to close so they all recommended an emergency animal hospital. The cat had moved eight feet I put an extra pad of carpet in his carrier and got him to move into it. I contacted the wife to make sure my daughter would be picked up. The ride to the animal hospital was about 30 minutes. I took the ride nice and smooth, talking to bandit. He talked back with some meows and he appeared to get calmer.

At the animal hospital I filled out all the paper work. It was just like going to urgent care. We waited in the waiting room. I opened the carrier and petted him. He wasn't going anywhere. I think I even got him to purr. We both watched as some lady carried a big dog to back. Finally they called us back.

I knew from the get go the evening was not going to be cheap. It was $95 just to be seen. They told me there were 2 or 3 animals ahead of us. They took his temperature the old fashioned way, he meowed a couple of times to say that wasn't nice. Well his temperature came in low and they stated he was dehydrated. He jumped the line as they said he was critical. They wanted to give him an IV and get him warmed up. The price went up to $214. Then they came back and started talking about life support options.

I'm like my cat is going to be fine. They are going to give him some fluids and find out what is wrong with him. Then they come back with the medical plan. $1300 to $2300. At this point the cat is already back in the treatment area. That's crazy money for a cat. However he was more than a cat. They needed an $1800 dollar deposit to take care of him.

$1800 is a lot of money too me. What do I do take him home and hope he makes it? Mind you I have a wife who loves that cat, a stepson who won't admit it who loves that cat, and an 11-year old daughter who has spent 8.5 years with that cat. What do I tell my daughter? I pull out my card and pay the $1800. They had to keep him overnight. They did let me see him before I left. He was in a cage close to the nurses station. A heat lamp shining in the cage and a blanket on him. He was alert. I saw his paw bandaged and an IV attached. Pitiful thing to see a cat with an IV. I got the chance to pet him a few more times before I left.

He was going to be alright and I would be picking him up on Thursday. Most of the time being a Dad is a great thing. This night it wasn't so great. I went home and told my daughter Bandit is in the hospital. I told her somethings are more important than a nice Christmas and I asked her if Bandit was more important. She agreed. I told her he was in critical care, I spent a lot of money and the Doctors were working on him.

Somehow everyone got to sleep. Somewhere past 2:30 my phone rang. I missed the call. I called it back and it was the animal hospital. They were using a breathing tube to keep him alive. He had turned for the worst. They said it didn't look good. I'm relaying this to my hysterical wife.
The Doctors are asking me what I want to do. I'm like save my cat. While we are on the call it gets worse. They tell me his heart stopped. Nothing left to do he has expired. I ask if we can see him and the financial questions. Also discuss his cremation. My wife is getting dressed and I go to wake my daughter.

By this point the whole Dad thing kind of stinks. I've never seen anything flex to people like Bandit. He flexed to all of our personalities. He would let Evelyn carry him around like a ragdoll his entire life. He didn't play rough with her. He knew Mama didn't play. He knew me as playtime (and food). He could be himself with me. Claws came out occasionally. My daughter would laugh at us playing because we would chase each other around. She loved it when he would get on his hindlegs and chase me like he was a bear.

Anyway I woke her up and told her what happened.  It was not a fun conversation. We got dressed and drove to the animal hospital. We got to see Bandit one more time and say our goodbyes. He was already on his way to Cat Heaven. We drove home our hearts low and my debt higher. Still in shock he had turned sick so fast. They think his kidneys went bad. They said his vitals and everything were coming up. The believe he had a seizure, stroke and a blood clot. I just hope he knows he was loved.

Monday's Music Moves Me: A Week Before Christmas

It is Monday and time for the Monday's Music Moves Me blog post. This month is Christmas/Holiday music. Last week I used a selection of songs I have used on my Battle of Bands Post and you can revisit that post here. My current Battle features a couple of interesting versions of Silent Night and there is still time to check it out and vote here.


Earlier this month we actually had snow, which is a rarity where I live..

Wasn't quite enough to make a snowman, so no "Frosty"

Probably my favorite Christmas song of all time.."Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer"

Soon Santa will come to visit..."Here Comes Santa Claus"

Well I hope you enjoyed the songs! They go well with a cup of Hot Cocoa, Coffee or Eggnog.

Thanks for the visit and come back soon!

Holiday Reading and a Giveaway

Last Holiday Season I finally read "A Christmas Carol." I knew the Dickens classic well through television, movie and theater productions of the famous Holiday tale. I reviewed several theater productions of this story so it was probably past time for me to read the book.

The most unique version of the story I witnessed was a one man version at the Olney Theatre. It was quite the performance. Holiday memories

This year I am reading John Grisham's "Skipping Christmas" which I just found out was turned into a movie called "Christmas with the Kranks."  I will let you know what I think about it when I finish reading the book.

Well, I have talked about doing a giveaway on my blog before and now I am doing one. I am giving away a copy of "Skipping Christmas" using my facebook writer page.

Here is a link to the giveaway:  http://www.giveawaytab.com/mob.php?pageid=171327449557105

If you are using a mobile device this one might work if the other one does not: http://www.giveawaytab.com/giveaway2/mobile.php?pageid=171327449557105


If your interested in the used book please enter the contest and good luck!

I am also curious what are you reading this Holiday Season? Any all time favorite Holiday books? Feel free to share in the comments.

Battle of the Bands: I Believe in Father Christmas

You know I couldn't let the Holidays go without at least one themed Battle of the Band. My first Christmas season I did "Run, Rudolph, Run" and "Happy Xmas The War is Over."  Last year it was The Grinch and "Christmas Cookies".  What will it be this year?



Earlier this month Greg Lake passed away. I paid tribute to him here. His song "I Believe in Father Christmas" feels like it would  fit tonight.

I will pick to covers of the song, You my readers decide the winner by voting in the comments and sometime around the Winter Solstice I will count up the votes and declare the winner in another post. If you like this battle check out the other ones. Stephen has the best list of participants at his site.

Contestant One: U2

Contestant Two:  Vertical Horizon

U2 or Vertical Horizon? Who gets your vote? Vote in the comments and we will have a winner soon! Happy Holidays!

Battle of the Bands: You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I saw white stuff blowing across the road and huge drifts. I took a picture of it..



I guess winter is here! To get in the Holiday spirit I picked a joyful classic "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." The rules are simple I pick a song and present a couple of bands battling it out with the song. You pick the one you like best by casting your vote in the comments. The why's and other comments are always welcomed.

Please check out the other battles:

 list of Battle of the Bands participants..

 I snagged it from STMcC Presents 'Battle of the Bands': 

@ ‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘TOSSING IT OUT’ by clicking HERE.
@ ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ by clicking HERE.
@ 'BOOK LOVER' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CURIOUS AS A CATHY' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE SOUND OF ONE HAND TYPING' by clicking HERE.
@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLE OF THE BANDS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THIS BELLE ROCKS' by clicking HERE.
@ 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN' by clicking HERE.
@ 'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'ANGELS BARK' by clicking HERE.
@ 'JINGLE JANGLE JUNGLE' by clicking HERE.
@ 'WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME' by clicking HERE.
@ 'J.A. SCOTT' by clicking HERE.
@ 'NOVELBREWS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'HOLLI'S HOOTS AND HOLLERS' by clicking HERE. 
@ 'QUIET LAUGHTER' by clicking HERE. 

It's a win win really. They get another visit and they treat you with some more battles featuring cool songs, musicians and bands!

The original from 1966..

Fun facts it was originally sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, who was the voice for Tony The Tiger. The song was written by Dr. Suess and Albert Hague.

Challenger One: Jim Carrey

Challenger Two: Straight No Chaser

Vote in the comments! I'll be back soon with a new post. Now I don't know about Sea-sick crocodiles but me and Santa Gator have a lot of work to do before Christmas..

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July. I was able to celebrate Independence Day twice. Once on Saturday locally and again today in Washington.

Here are the local fireworks...



Here are a taste of the fireworks in Washington...

However, I enjoyed being with family and friends the most!

Holiday Poetry

Well the Holiday's are here. Most of my latest poems deal with them. So, I thought I would share a few with you. I hope you enjoy.

My latest is a Tanka poem I wrote called Holiday Lost.

I wrote a fun Haiku on Holiday Leftovers on Hubpages.

Those were this year's efforts.

Here is my original Holiday Haiku Sweet Holiday Spice.

Season's Greetings!

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I was blessed enough to have a fantastic Christmas with my family. This whole Holiday Season has been special driving with my daughter and watching the Christmas Lights. Christmas Eve I spent doing some last minute shopping. Our family went to a late night church service which was beautiful. It was special to be back at the church we were married at, to see old friends, to see a beautiful service. Christmas Day was filled with wonderful gifts. No big ticket items. However, everyone was happy.

We didn't let the roast or turkey thaw. So, we really didn't have anything special plan. A friend came over with dinner cooked and we shared a bottle of wine. Really, they made our Christmas better. We spent the day listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas Movies. Simply, having a wonderful Christmas Time.

Seasons Greetings to you and yours!

First Snow

We had are first snow storm of the winter today. We got 2-4 inches where it got past the trees.
Not a big storm but definitely measurable and it does count. I was thinking it wouldn't get cold enough for it to stick until tonight, however I was wrong.

It is a pretty snow and happened on a day I didn't have to go anywhere. It is getting close to the Holidays so hopefully it will put people in the holiday mood. My stepson was supposed to march in a parade today. However, that parade was cancelled so my wife got to sleep in, he got to play on the computer, and I got to snuggle with my daughter. It's pretty cool she likes to watch football with me so I can't complain.