I dedicate this post to all people everywhere who would be happy to skip the holidays, who feel the holiday blues, who have arrived at this time of year again, only to hunker down and get through it. I feel your pain.
Nothing bad ever happened to me at Christmas time. I had an intact family, plenty of food and plenty of stuff. I went to church, had plenty of friends, always enjoyed my presents and so forth. So my holiday blues are not logical, but they are real, and I GET IT.
So I just want to use this space to say to all of you who are suffering right now that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. And IT'S OKAY not to feel perky cheery haphaphappy this time of year. It really is. You will get through it, we will get through it and everything will be okay. The earth will keep revolving, the sun and the moon will do their thing, mountains will still be high and rivers low, people will be people, and it will all be okay.
DONA NOBIS PACEM. Peace peace peace.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
New National Anthem
I am a homesick American, presently living in Canada. I miss a lot of things, but one thing I don't miss is our national anthem. Don't get me wrong, I love our national anthem. As a Baltimorean, I take special pride in imagining Francis Scott Key penning the lyrics from my harbor as the bombs were actually bursting in air above the skies of my city.
But to me, the words are a bit jingoistic, too military. And the tune! Good grief, I don't think there are many people who have the vocal range to sing the whole thing comfortably. You either have to start too low for yourself so that you can hit that hight note at the end, or do what a lot of people do an just start singing at your comfortable range and then squeak out that high note on "land of the FREE!" if you haven't forgotten the words and still have the breath to make it to the end.
(Oh! And it really irks me when people have to show off their vocal range on that song, and add all sorts of vibrato and extra vocal wiggles and jiggles to it. Just sing it straight, why don't ya? The song is not about you and your voice! It's about our country!)
So, I propose a new American National Anthem: America the Beautiful. Singable. Short. A tribute to the land and the people, not just the military might that makes the US what it is.
In case you have forgotten, here are the lyrics. Well, not all the lyrics, just the two verses that I like.
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
end of blog entry
But to me, the words are a bit jingoistic, too military. And the tune! Good grief, I don't think there are many people who have the vocal range to sing the whole thing comfortably. You either have to start too low for yourself so that you can hit that hight note at the end, or do what a lot of people do an just start singing at your comfortable range and then squeak out that high note on "land of the FREE!" if you haven't forgotten the words and still have the breath to make it to the end.
(Oh! And it really irks me when people have to show off their vocal range on that song, and add all sorts of vibrato and extra vocal wiggles and jiggles to it. Just sing it straight, why don't ya? The song is not about you and your voice! It's about our country!)
So, I propose a new American National Anthem: America the Beautiful. Singable. Short. A tribute to the land and the people, not just the military might that makes the US what it is.
In case you have forgotten, here are the lyrics. Well, not all the lyrics, just the two verses that I like.
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
end of blog entry
My New Favorite Holiday
I have a new favorite holiday. Veteran's Day, otherwise known as Remembrance Day in Canada.
(OK I have to stop here and just say that it REALLY annoys me when my computer tells me my American spelling is wrong, and tries to change "favorite " to FavOUrite" and "color" to "colOUR" and so forth. Leave my American spelling alone, will ya! I am a good speller! Go correct something else! Correct the lousy weather, or the date of Thanksgiving, or something.
end of rant.)
ANYWAY, I think Veteran's Day is the perfect holiday because you can't argue with it. I mean, it seems to me that regardless of your philosophical views about war, or your political opinions or what have you, you can't disagree with the fact that millions of people risk their lives and make huge sacrifices to fight for their country. This one day is our chance to reflect on this sacrifice and where it has brought us. Reflect, remember, appreciate. Can't go wrong, it seems to me. A day set aside for gratitude, how beautiful is that?
Think about it:
No presents.
No family obligations.
No elevated plane fares.
No expectations.
No extra-long church service.
A chance to see a a parade.
Lots of concerts.
Some stores actually close for the day.
No school.
Then again, for people with family members involved in war past or present or future, the day could be anxious or lonely or sad. For this I am sorry and I hope that the pride, reflection, singing, and staying-still of the rest of us will lend you some comfort and strength.
Blessings to all.
(OK I have to stop here and just say that it REALLY annoys me when my computer tells me my American spelling is wrong, and tries to change "favorite " to FavOUrite" and "color" to "colOUR" and so forth. Leave my American spelling alone, will ya! I am a good speller! Go correct something else! Correct the lousy weather, or the date of Thanksgiving, or something.
end of rant.)
ANYWAY, I think Veteran's Day is the perfect holiday because you can't argue with it. I mean, it seems to me that regardless of your philosophical views about war, or your political opinions or what have you, you can't disagree with the fact that millions of people risk their lives and make huge sacrifices to fight for their country. This one day is our chance to reflect on this sacrifice and where it has brought us. Reflect, remember, appreciate. Can't go wrong, it seems to me. A day set aside for gratitude, how beautiful is that?
Think about it:
No presents.
No family obligations.
No elevated plane fares.
No expectations.
No extra-long church service.
A chance to see a a parade.
Lots of concerts.
Some stores actually close for the day.
No school.
Then again, for people with family members involved in war past or present or future, the day could be anxious or lonely or sad. For this I am sorry and I hope that the pride, reflection, singing, and staying-still of the rest of us will lend you some comfort and strength.
Blessings to all.
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