"Doing the garden, digging the weeds..."

"Doing the garden, digging the weeds
Who could ask for more?"

--Paul McCartney wrote these lines when he was sixteen.

An interesting "stripped down" version.

Live for the Love of it,

Sasha A. Palmer (aka Happy)

Everyone's Irish Today: a Boithrin Green

Near Banbridge town, in the Country Down,
One morning last July
Down a boithrin green came a sweet cailin,
And she smiled as she passed me by...

An old boithrin--Irish for "a narrow country lane"--bordered by fuchsia hedges, runs to a small burial ground set among traditional pastures, and passes a holiday cottage on the way. Not far from Tahilla, Ireland.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Live for the Love of it,
Sasha A. Palmer (aka Happy)

Image attribution: John Gibson

Love this song

I remember watching this concert on TV...I was seven :)
Bell-bottoms, orange shirts, and simple songs that don't get old. 
I translated the lyrics, so you can sing along if you like. 

"Ruby Steed" written by Mark Fradkin, composer
Michael Plyatskovsky lyricist  
performed by Valentin D'yakonov

Live for the Love of it,
Sasha A. Palmer (aka Happy)

На заре Ранним утром на заре За рекой По траве Ходит в поле красный конь Красный конь ходит Жарким солнцем залитой Машет гривой золотой Моё детство Красный конь Ходит Ярким солнцем залитой Машет гривой золотой Моё детство Красный конь А в лугах Как звенит в лугах роса Только тронь На ветру Полыхает на ветру Красный конь гордо По земле копытом бьёт Тишину из речки пьёт Моё детство Красный конь Поманю Протяну тому коню Я ладонь И скажу Отвези меня домой Красный конь рядом Ты наверно неспроста Как людская доброта Моё детство  Красный конь Рядом Ты наверно неспроста Как людская доброта Моё детство Красный конь

Translated by Sasha A. Palmer At sunrise In the early morning at sunrise ‘Cross the stream On the grass In the field there walks a ruby steed Ruby steed walks there Bathing in the burning sun Back and forth it swings its golden mane Childhood years of mine The ruby steed Walks there Bathing in the burning sun Back and forth it swings its golden mane Childhood years of mine The ruby steed Meadows ring With the early-dew how meadows ring Simply touch In the wind It is blazing in the wind Ruby steed prideful Stomps the ground with its strong hoofed feet Drinks the quiet from the flowing stream Childhood years of mine The ruby steed I shall wave To that steed, I’ll give it my Open palm And I’ll say I am ready now, please take me home Ruby steed by my side  I believe that you’re meant to be Like the kindness of humanity Childhood years of mine The ruby steed By my side I believe that you’re meant to be Like the kindness of humanity Childhood years of mine The ruby steed

"but I never wave bye-bye"

In 1986 I watched "Bad Blood" ("Mauvais Sang") by Leos Carax. 
It had a great scene with the soundtrack of David Bowie's "Modern Love."
It was the first time I heard David Bowie.

I was fourteen, and both the movie and the song made a huge impression.
I still love them today.
It's "love that comes quickly, strikes quickly, but which lasts forever."

Live for the Love of it,
Sasha A. Palmer (aka Happy)

100 Years Young

Happy Birthday, Frank!

Live for the Love of it,

Sasha A. Palmer (aka Happy)

"tread a troubled track"

I know so little. About anything, really. 

I've never heard Amy Winehouse. Heard the name, never heard her sing. Until today. 

She's a whole world I've been missing. Incredible singer.

She was so young. 




Live for the Love of it,
Sasha A. Palmer (aka Happy)

Set free the song...

SET FREE THE SONG

 that swells within your heart.

Why keep it quiet when it’s meant to be

unchained and roaming? To the world impart

your soulful secret. Share the melody

lest your unyielding fragile human frame

breaks like a solid dam that cannot tame

the mighty torrents of the purest joy…

Unleash the song of the undying praise

for one true King who reigns with love. Employ

the instruments of music. For they raise

the hymn of glory to the One on high.

He, in His shining greatness, won’t deny

a single gift. Our voices, weak and strong,

our handmade trumpets, harps and violins,

our drums and cymbals He’ll accept. Your song

and that of angels are divinely kin...

Unlock your heart and let your life proclaim

the endless wonder of His holy name.

Inspired by

The Psalms

150

A Call to Praise God with Musical Instruments

Live for the Love of it,

Sasha A. Palmer (aka Happy)

Wishing Upon a Star

To be sung to the tune of “When You Wish Upon a Star…”

To all folks from near and far

Let us tell just what we are:

Students, teachers, H.S.A.–

We’re O.L.V.

Dreamers, learners we embrace,

We’re a truly special place,

Once you’re here, you’ll want to stay

At O.L.V.

Cyber friends,

The going has been tough,

Our funds are not enough–

Consider helping.

We don’t dwell in Fairyland,

No, we’re here, in Maryland.

We’re still here at O.L.V.–

"The place to be."

Cyber friends,

We humbly ask of you:

Please, send a check or two,

The sky’s the limit.

Be “a bolt out of the blue,”

Do “step in and see us through,”

And one day your dearest dream

Will too come true.

     I’m in charge of a fundraiser for my kids’ school.  A school rich in history, cultural diversity, and character.  A school in which former students eagerly enroll their own kids – that kind of school.

     Our Lady of Victory is open to everyone.  Its academic excellence and great atmosphere draws in students from various religious backgrounds as well as children from nonreligious families. 

     O.L.V. is, however, a Catholic school and, like most Catholic schools across the country, it experiences financial difficulties.    

     We–parents, students, teachers–remain positive and hope for the best, but the school could use all the help it can get.  And I could use all the ways of raising money I can come up with.

     Whether you are a Marylander or not, Catholic or not – please, consider supporting a very special school.  Help it stay afloat and get through tough times.  Spread the word.  Any contribution will be greatly appreciated.

Please, make your checks payable to Our Lady of Victory School,

write T.H.A. Fundraiser on the memo line,

and mail the checks to:

Our Lady of Victory School

4416 Wilkens Ave.

Baltimore, MD 21229

Thank you.


Image credit: Wikipedia 

Shared on dversepoets 

"The Adventures of Elektronik" and "The Winged Swings"

“The Adventures of Elektronik” was released the year I started school.  I think I became interested in the movie when I grew a bit older.  Whenever it happened, I fell hard.  They say it’s a ‘cult film.’  I’m not fond of this word – “cult” – but I guess, that’s what it really was.  A “Harry Potter” of my time.  No summer was complete without “Elektronik” shown on TV.  We acted the movie out.  We sang songs from it.  We all had our favorite characters.  

There are some “bad guys” in the movie, but they are bad in a funny way, they are not scary bad (the horrific computerized images of evil had not been invented yet,) and you know for sure they cannot win.  It’s a sprinkled with magic happy tale about childhood, friendship, and growing up to be a good person. 

I like “Harry Potter,” but I miss “Elektronik.”  Maybe, I’m partial, because I’m nostalgic.  There must be something more to it though, because my young daughter - a huge “Harry Potter” fan – loves “Elektronik”, too.  I’m glad she does. :-)

Here’s one of the songs from the movie.  It's called "The Winged Swings."  Music by Yevgenij Krylatov.  I’ve translated the lyrics.  (The original lyrics are by Yurij Entin.)  Performed by Elena Shuenkova, a chorister of the Bolshoi Theater Children’s Choir.  Enjoy! 

Spring has come, the snow is melting,

Days are long, the sky is bright,

And the old swings are waiting,

They are ready to take flight.

Leave to winter all your care,

Grab the old swings instead,

Touch the clouds, feel the air,     } (2 times)

Only happiness ahead!               }

Refrain:

The old swings are flying,

They’re reaching for the sky,

They’re not afraid of trying,    

They fly, they fly, they fly!     

Childhood years are not forever,

We get taller every day,

Friends can’t always stay together,

Some will fly so far away,

But as long as we’re growing,

Eagerly the wings we spread,

Friends are near, winds are blowing,     } (2 times)

Only happiness ahead!                           }

Refrain

The old swings are flying,

They’re reaching for the sky,

They’re not afraid of trying,     } (2 times)   

They fly, they fly, they fly!       }     

Live for the Love of it,
The Happy Amateur 


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_the_Elektronic