2016: The Year the Music Died?

I'm not sure if I can adequately express just how great a role music has played in my life. I often talk about the soundtrack of my life and the songs that are inextricably woven with my memories and how certain songs immediately conjure up those memories. Although neither of my parents played any instruments, both were/are consummate music lovers. In February, my Poppy passed away and as I've always been a daddy's girl, it seemed as though part of me passed away also. Consequently, 2016 was a very difficult year for me.

Although one often feels that time grinds to a crawl when experiencing grief, time wasn't standing still and after losing my Poppy, any loss seemed much more personal to me as I was immersed in my grief. Several musicians that shaped my memories and the soundtrack of my life during my teen-aged years through the 80s passed away. David Bowie, Merle Haggard, Prince, George Michael and Debbie Reynolds all impacted my life in different ways through their music and I'm so glad they shared that music with the rest of us. 

[Side note: Although she isn't a musician, Carrie Fisher should be added to this list. I was at lunch with nieces and nephews to whom I have done my best to instill a love for all things Star Wars when I first heard of her passing and I just cried. In 1977, A New Hope was the first "grown up" movie I saw in a theatre on the big screen. From that first chord of the amazing orchestration to seeing that hologram of the first female action hero I'd pretend to be while playing to the destruction of the Deathstar.....this film was life changing for me. May the Force be with her and with us all!]

Just as I was beginning to think that maybe the music really HAD died, I started to think back over all the wonderful memories of me and my Poppy as I was growing up and that soundtrack started to play in the background. Faintly, but it was there. Just as time marches on, the band plays on as well. 

Although my new year won't feel like it has started until February 5th, I hope that all of you are surrounded by love and light and you have music blasting that makes you smile and want to shake your booty off! Remember, until our time is done, we're adding on to that soundtrack of our lives. Make it great, make it memorable and make it SING! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BONUS CONTENT TO COME:

Tomorrow I will post the track list from Vol I, Soundtrack of my Life: the early years (songs and memories of my Poppy)!

I Know This Much is True

No, it's still not a blog about 80's music! When and if I write one, it will have to be totally awesome, so it might take me awhile to hammer that one out.

However, this is just a short list of things that are hard and fast truths in my world.


- If you pair salty and sweet together, I will always say "yes, please"!
- Songs with la la la's, la-di-da's, nah-nah-nah's, etc...always make me smile.
- I'm a sucker for a man with a full bottom lip, dark hair and blue eyes. It's a trifecta I cannot resist.
- Caramel is my kryptonite.
- Conies from Coney I-Lander in Tulsa will always be my favorite food to eat.
- I am unable to say, "no" to my nieces or nephews (unless it's something that will harm them).
- I take my picture better than anyone else.
- Empire Strikes Back is THE. BEST. FILM. of all the Star Wars films. There is no argument.
- I am a geek.
- The only thing I know for sure is that I don't know anything for sure.
- I totally think like a dude.
- Patty Griffin is the best songwriter.


It's not a comprehensive list, but it was something I was talking about with a new friend and things like that tend to make it into my blog. Will the new friend make it into the blog? Maybe........

Links I Like....and want to share with you all!

I haven't done a link-sharing blog in a loooooong time, so I've decided to write a short post and include a few of my current favorite links.

Justin TV- http://justin.tv

I discovered this channel while looking for a place to watch a free, live-stream of OU games. What a goldmine! In addition to the game, there are a few channels which constantly stream programs and movies I love. The only draw back is there's no set viewing schedule.....where ever the channel is when you log in, is where you start.....and it contines from there. But, it's free, so the "draw back" is in no way a complaint from me! Here are some channels I watch often.

Cartoon Palace-this channel constantly streams feature length cartoons. So far, they've been Disney and Pixar.....and they aren't just old movies....this morning, they've had "Up" in the streaming loop. If you have kids, you'll love this channel!

True Crime- this channel streams shows like Forensic Files and all sorts of documentaries about serical killers, forensic science, etc......

BBT Seasons 1-3i this channel isn't always online, but he streams the first 3 seasons of Big Bang Theory when he is......that show is hysterical!!!! Sheldon is my favorite!

Star Wars, Episodes I-VI- a constant, live-stream of all 6 Star Wars movies. Although I don't care too much for episodes I-III, I still enjoy this channel!

Go check it out and search around........not a disappointment at all!