Thoughts of May #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday.  It's time for music!

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1. Ely Oaks & Bluesfest	2. Songbird’s Crazy World
3. StacyUncorked	4. Ramblin' with AM
5. Driller's Place	6. CAAC
7. Adventures in Weseland	8. The Sound Of One Hand Typing
9. Lone Star Cats	10. Kinley Westie

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Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky above). We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   

Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week we have a theme.  This week's theme is  "Things in a song that make you think of May".

This first song is an oldie but goodie - Julie Andrews Vanessa Redgrave (thank you, readers, for noticing this error) singing The Lusty Month of May from Camelot.  Because May...well, thoughts turn into certain directions.

It can also be the month of storms.  Here is Billy Joel with Storm Front, from 1989.

This song takes place in July, but just thinking of a day like this makes me think of May.  Some years, we have some of our warmest weather in May and you want to go to a park.  Here, from 1972, is Chicago and Saturday In The Park.

And, since today is the Cinco de Mayo how about this song from WAR:  Cinco De Mayo. 

Finally, May means flowers to me.  I love this song, and it makes me think of May.  Since I had this song on my blog not that long ago, I chose this live performance from 2013. The sound quality isn't the best, but I liked hearing the modern Cowsills.  Sadly, several of them, including lead singer Billy Cowsill, have passed away.

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.

May the 4th Be With You #ShadowshotSunday

In honor of this May the 4th, which some call Star Wars Day ("May the fourth be with you") here's a photo from last April.  

This picture was taken at the Rochester, New York celebration of last year's total eclipse of the sun.  Although the sun didn't cooperate (sunny days the day before and day after, thick clouds during eclipse) we had a good time at the Rochester Museum and Science Center's indoor displays.

Joining up with Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventure for her #ShadowshotSunday. 

Natural Black and White #SkywatchFriday

Spring is gradually winning its battle with winter here in the Southern Tier of New York.  Athough we haven't had severe weather like other parts of the country, we've had some grim looking skies.

Photos taken April 26 right before a rainstorm.

If not for the green grass, you'd think this was taken in black and white.

Same sky from a different direction.

After the rain - puddles.

More puddles. 

I like how this reflection came out, even if it didn't fit the B&W theme.

May May bring true spring at last.  At least today, it has.

Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday, a day early.

Zooming (In on the Birds of Spring) #WordlessWednesday

As today will be a busy day for me, I decided to depend once again on my guest photographer and her great pictures of birds.  These were all taken in the last couple of months in the Southern Tier of New York State.  Thanks go once again to my guest photographer, who has a DSLR, for these excellent captures.

Ruffled Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) .

Cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum). 

Finally this bird is not well loved by those of us who have backyard feeders, but you have to admit that in the right light, they do have a certain beauty.  They also have an important role in our local ecosystem as both an eater of insects and a prey bird.  This is the common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, a bird that is actually considered in near threatened status despite me seeing them all the time where I live.

On a side note, I participated in the annual  Blogging from A to Z Challenge for nearly 10 years.  I was unable to this year since I can't blog daily at this time, but, on days I did post I followed the alphabet letter of the day.  This is the final day (Z) of the Challenge. I hope you enjoyed my April posts and have the time to check out some of the 2025 A to Zers.

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1. Wordless Wednesday	2. My Mind's Eye	3. messymimi's meanderings
4. OF MICE AND raMEN	5. MCow	6. Image-in-ing
7. Keith's Ramblings	8. Senior Salon	9. Jackie's Photo Blog
10. A ShutterBug Explores	11. Ana Linden	12. Animal Shelter Vol. Life
13. Suzana	14. The Doglady's Den	15. SuzetteB
16. InkTorrents	17. Ramblin' with AM	18. Teddy - One Spoiled Cat
19. Stippie & Peachy	20. My GBGV Life	21. Sognafaret
22. 15andmeowing	23. Moonwashed Musings	24. Tabby Cat Day
25. Gattina	26. Deb Nance	27. Brian's Home ~ Forever
28. The Cat Blogosphere	29. Wordless Wednesday	30. Midweek News
31. Driller's Place	32. The LLB Life	33. Kitties Blue
34. Dandy Duke	35. klara, Brussels	36. Fools Rush In
37. DonnaleeQ	38. Rupam	39. Rusty Ring
40. Carmen	41. Enduring Horizon	42. Plant Postings
43. CatSynth	44. Laughs	45. Marvelous Marv!
46. Time's Decay	47. Curious as a Cathy	48. Rock Lizard
49. ES #74 #WW	50. Myrtle Beach Sunrise	51. Morning Walk
52. School Holidays	53. Roentare Photo Blog	54. His Daily Photo
55. Melbourne Candid	56. Ruby Rose & Angels	57. ANPITS
58. Feline Fiction

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Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday. 

XC Birthday #MusicMovesMe

It's spring, and it's Monday.  It's time for some music!

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1. Driller's Place	2. Bluesfest
3. Songbird’s Crazy World	4. StacyUncorked
5. Ramblin' with AM	6. CAAC
7. Adventures in Weseland	8. Aww Mondays
9. Birgit

This linky list is now closed.

What is a blog hop?
Get the code here...

Linky Tools  |  Linky Blog 2013

Today I am joining up with other Music Moves Me bloggers (and you can join us at the linky above). We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   

Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week we have a theme.  This week's theme is  "You Pick".

And I'm picking an XC (90 in Roman numerals) birthday - Herb Alpert, who celebrated his 90th birthday on March 31 - while on a tour.  Yes, he's still playing trumpet, and is still touring with a new Tijuana Brass.  He's also been a successful businessman as co-owner, with Jerry Moss, of the former A&M Records.

Here are some favorite songs of mine, along with a song that has become viral on Tik-Tok (which I do not use).

The Lonely Bull, from 1963. 

A song given to Herb by Burt Bacharach - This Guy's in Love with You.  This 1968 song became Alpert's first #1 hit single, proving Alpert's versatility.  Here, he sings lead vocals.

Another #1 song for Alpert - Rise, from 1979.   In other words, he reached #1 for both an instrumental performance and a vocal performance on the top 100 charts.  I'm not sure any other artist has done that but I'm sure I'll be told if it has been done since.

Tijuana Taxi.  Honk!

One last song.  I promised you the song that has gone viral on Tik Tok and here it is - Ladyfingers from 1965.  How wonderful that new generations are finding this song, and Herb Alpert.

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next time for another episode of Music Moves Me.

The Shadows Know It's Spring #ShadowshotSunday

Taken this past week and proving that the shadows know it is spring.

Daffodils in early morning light.

More daffodils. 

Tulips.

With our spring skies, it's nice seeing shadows outside once again.

Joining up with Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventure for her #ShadowshotSunday.

Vroom (Goes Spring) and Violets #SkywatchFriday

Spring has sprung and wow has it sprung where I live in the Southern Tier of New York.  In fact, it's almost too hot (dare I say that, after having had snow flurries last week?) I suspect our spring flowers will be rushing - vrooming if you will - through their bloom time.  I just want to yell "stop" and freeze them in time.

Our skies have been beautiful.  These picture were taken April 23.

This isn't just an evergreen tree.  It's an evergreen tree with a nest in it.  And if you have really keen eyes, you may even see an eagle, but don't get eyestrain trying to do it.

I can't zoom on it too much more but the eagle is in the far right of the photo, about in the mid line between top and bottom of the photo.

To rest your eyes, here is a flowering quince.

A friend drove me to a place I needed to visit yesterday, and on the way home, we passed these Bradford pears.  I didn't realize that I had also caught a sky reflection on the hood of her car.

Beautiful!

Look to the sky.
 

Let's close this out with one more picture, as I love violets so much.

Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday.