I'm not braggin but...

Do I have a beautiful grandson or WHAT?!  Ok, I am braggin. :)

For more pics of this cutie pie, click here:
http://gottalovejude.blogspot.com/

By the bed, by the light that you read by...

Far Far Away is probably my favorite Wilco song and here singing it is a young Jeff Tweedy, along with Wilco bandmate, John Stirrat, (from Uncle Tupelo days), Ken Coomer, one or two musicians I don't recognize, and last but not least the late Jay Bennett. I never tire of hearing this song of mournful longing.



Far, far away
From those city lights
That might be shining on you tonight
Far, far away from you
On the dark side of the moon

I long to hold you in my arms and sway
Kiss and ride on the CTA
I need to see you tonight
And those bright lights
Oh, I know it's right
Deep in my heart
I'll know it's right

By the bed, by the light that you read by
By the time that I get home to say good night
I need to see you again
On the dark side my friend
On the dark side

Play it again Sam


Wilco today (left to right)
Nels Cline, Pat Sansone, Mikael Jorgensen, Glenn Kotche, Jeff Tweedy, and John Stirratt

The three J's

My dad Jesse, my son Jake, and my grandson Jude. The three J's I like to call 'em. They're all part of the past, present, and future. From one generation to the next to all the generations to come a piece of each will continue to live on in the other. Knowing that is possible and knowing that is true means the world to me.

















Happy Anniversary WS

A year ago today I began this blog as a way to document moments in time, record memories, and be able in a sense to return and relive them whenever I wanted. And, for someone whose memory can stand a little jogging now and then a blog or any other manner of keeping memories alive is a really good thing. In trying to come up with a name for my site I remembered the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, Magnolia, hence the name Whippoorwill's Singing.

Magnolia, a song of simple lyrics but deep meaning was written by JJ Cale and recorded wonderfully by Poco. I dearly love the song and a one year anniversary seems like as good an excuse as any to listen to it again. 



Click below for the original post of a year ago.
http://whippoorwillsinging.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-whippoorwills-singing.html

A book for mom

Big thanks to Mandy for spending countless hours at her computer creating the lovely photo book below (and suffering through an optical migraine because of it). You did a GREAT job Mandy! Can't wait to see Grandma's face at the party when she sees it...she's gonna love it!!

Click here to view this photo book larger

My kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder

Those words and the meaning behind them get me every time. Crossing the bridge into work this morning I turned on the radio just in time to hear KDHX's Roy Kasten play my favorite Jeff Buckley song "Lover, You Should've Come Over".  OMG, how I love that song...and the man who sings it! Jeff Buckley had a voice like no other and when I hear him sing I always think of all the beautiful music we've surely missed out on.
So much talent, so much grace.

Lover, You Should've Come Over - Live in Chicago 1995


Other Jeff Buckley favorites




One of many mini documentaries on Jeff Buckley

a fun Friday with Jude

The fun began Friday afternoon with Jude accompanying Mark and I to Chava's Mexican Restaurant in Soulard. Quite naturally, he was a big hit with the ladies (and no Mark I'm not talking about you). After being ewed, awed and made over by the waitresses Jude settled down to his usual dinner of green beans while Mark and I enjoyed our favorite flash fried tacos dish, the De Guadalajara. Yum, Chavas is the BEST mexican restaurant around. And that Jude? He's the BEST grandson around!!

Chavas Mexican Restaurant in Soulard

Chavas was a little chilly but Jude was snug as a bug

hanging out after dinner with Jude keeping a wary eye on Lucy

Super baby! The BEST grandbaby around!

someone looks a little sleepy (and it's not Jude) :-)

http://chavasmexican.com/

Settled down like rain

Seeing The Jayhawks in Chicago last Friday was just what I expected... wonderful! I couldn't have asked for anything more. Long time fans from far away places came to see them perform for their second night at the Vic Theater. The Jayhawks are a band that began their journey together long ago and a band that many never expected to play as a band again but as Gary Louris himself said recently "We're not a museum piece...but a living, breathing unit that still feels like it's on its game and can make a great record that stands next to the other ones." And as to why the band decided to play as a living, breathing unit once again...he had this to say "We realized we were still a great band." I love that and I hope they continue to realize they're still a great band.

Mark put it into words best Friday night when he said listening to the Jayhawks is like listening to one voice. And I thought yeah that's exactly it. That's what it is about this band. And it's not that singer/ songwriters Mark Olson and Gary Louris' voices sound the same. They don't. It's the way their voices complement and blend so harmoniously together that turns their distinct voices into one. One would never be the same or complete without the other. And I for one am so very happy to hear them together again.

The video below includes images from Chicago, along with the Jayhawks song "Settled Down Like Rain", and, what an appropriate name for the song I think as hearing it tends to settle me down, not unlike a calm gentle rain.

"Over My Shoulder" followed by Grand Funk Railroad's "Bad Time"

"Tampa to Tulsa" (performed by drummer Tim O'Reagan)

A recent article about the Jayhawks:
http://www.suntimes.com/mobile/3300679-463/louris-olson-jayhawks-band-jan.html

January Recap

Bye bye January, hello February. Boy oh boy, this has been some winter so far... lots of cold, lots of snow, lots of days off for teachers... which brings to mind a question I've been asking myself lately. Why am I not a teacher? Oh well, in spite of the wintery weather (and Emily rubbing it in when I have to go to work and she doesn't) January was, minus a mishap or two, all in all a pretty good month.  

We must really like The Jayhawks

Is it crazy to drive nearly 5 hours to Chicago in the dead of winter to see a band perform and then turn around and drive another 5 hours home the next morning? Well, maybe a little but when it's a band like The Jayhawks, who cares. Besides...I always say I like a long drive.

The Jayhawks performing one of their most popular songs
"Blue" at the House of Blues.

Mark Olson and Gary Louris performing "Saturday Morning

on Sunday Street" -- I love these guys.

More great Jayhawks songs:

Mama Campisi with a side of crooner

Mark and I accidentally stumbled (sort of) into Mama Campisi's on the Hill Saturday night. We had another place in mind for dinner (the pizza place next to Chava's) but couldn't find a close enough spot to park. We finally found a spot further away, got out of the car, realized it was very cold, saw Mama's on the corner, and the rest is history. We weren't sorry. It turned out to be a fun evening. I can honestly say I've never been met at the door before by a crooner with a tiny rose. That's what happened at Mama Campisi's Saturday night. The crooner (they call him GB) sings Frank, Dean and Tony. The songs My Way, What Kind of Fool, Fly Me to the Moon, All of Me, Thats Amore, are just a few of the 40's, 50's and 60's hits he sings. Truth be told GB was a bit of a ham and after the third or fourth time crooning at our table became a bit of an annoyance but all in all he was a hoot and a lot of unexpected fun on a cold Saturday night on the Hill.

http://www.mamacampisis.com/

Happy Birthday Kayvon

Kayvon, Mel's grandson and the first great grandchild of the family turned 6 years old January 12th. Pictures of his birthday party were taken at Gateway Fun Park in Collinsville. Happy Birthday Kayvon!

Like being in a winter wonderland

Spending two days up north last weekend was like being in a winter wonderland. I've never been much into winter vacations, even short ones, mainly because I despise cold weather but this was one mini-trip in winter I thought was just great. Even the cold weather didn't stop Mark and I from thoroughly enjoying our time in Iowa. Actually, staying at the NauView House may have been the nicest Christmas gift I've ever had. There was a feeling of solitude, serenity, and even spiritualness of where we were. Montrose, IA and Nauvoo, IL have a rich history I previously knew nothing of and found very interesting. And the house itself? Perfect. I'd recommend staying at the NauView House to anyone. It's a house with a panoramic view from every room and even with all the windows (and there are many!) it was warm and cozy and not at all drafty like one might expect. I loved the area (in spite of the temps) and I loved the house. And the view at night across the river of the illuminated Mormon Temple and tiny town of Nauvoo against a brightly backlit sky? Priceless. :)

Heading further into winter:

Sometimes you just can't pick 10 (part 1)

Who doesn't love music? Mark and I sure do. While recently talking about our favorite songs of 2010, Mark suggested I post my Top 10 favorite songs of the year. In return, I suggested he post his Top 10 favorite songs of the year. tit for tat I say...

Below is a list of Mark's Top 17 songs of 2010 (because sometimes you just can't pick 10).  

1. Tragedy - By Peter Wolf - Midnight Souvenirs
A duet with Shelby Lynn and somewhat of a comeback for Peter Wolf of J. Geils fame.

2. Twenty Miles - Deer Tick - Black Dirt Sessions
Best song of a very strong EP.

3. Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
Similar sounding to The Avett Brothers.

4. Anchor - Alejandro Escovedo - Street Songs Of Love
Lots of good songs on this album.

5. Head Full Of Doubt/Room Full Of Promise - Avett Brothers - Live Volume 3
Unusually good live album. Missed them when they came to St. Louis (but Jake and Ryan didn't).

6. Down In The Bowery - Alejandro Escovedo - Street Songs Of Love
More Alejandro. This song is about his son. Saw him do it live...great tune.

7. Shadow People - Dr. Dog - Shame Shame
Discovered the song by seeing the video first. That doesn't happen often.

8. Loredo - Band Of Horses- Infinite Arms
It was tough to pick a best song from this CD. It was the Number 1 selling CD for a couple weeks.

9. Santa Fe - Drive-By Truckers - The Big To-Do
These guys just keep turning out great songs...despite losing Jason Isbell.

10. Anyone's Ghost - The National - High Violet
Been described as "southern gothic". They might have that genre all to themselves. More great songs on the CD. Very popular band right now.

11. I Won't Be A Stranger - Theodore - Hold you Like a Lover
Local St. Louis band. They released a CD of songs they had been performing live for sometime. Holds up well against the national acts.

12. Comin' Through - War On Drugs - Future Weather
Gosh, whatta a catchy song.

13. The High Road - Broken Bells - The High Road
Debut album from these musical veterans of other bands. Surprised we didn't hear this song in a TV commercial.

14. All Night Long - South San Gabriel - Eyas
Will Johnson takes the Lionel Ritchie song and makes it his own. He honestly does.

15. Written In Reverse - Spoon - Transference
These Austin, Texas rockers are really kickin' it in this one.

16. Out Go The Lights - Spoon - Transference
2nd song from Spoon. This is a simple song, but they really get into a groove.

17. If Time was For Wasting - Dylan LeBlanc - Pauper's Field
This young guy's debut CD sounds something like Gregg Alman's "Laid Back" album. Everytime I listen to this song I draw new comparisons. Maybe a Bob Dylan sound from "Nashville Skyline"?

12 songs from above are included in playlist below...



Thanks very much guest blogger Mark! Great job! muah! ;-)
x

Sometimes you just can't pick 10 (part 2)

Ok, now for my favorite songs of 2010 (in playlist below). Like Mark, I too had a hard time picking just 10. Picking a favorite album of 2010 would be easy though. I'd pick The National's High Violet (2 songs of which are included below). Maybe I like the album because I've always been drawn to sad bastard melodrama type music and High Violet has plenty of it. Or maybe Matt Berninger's oh-so-baritone and slightly sexy voice draws me in. Or maybe (and most likely) it really is just a great album. Heck, even harsh music critic Pitchfork liked High Violet (they gave it an 8.7). Pitchfork so rarely likes anything so that's gotta mean something.

My 2010 Top 17 Playlist

Why the sad face little buddy?

Last night my grandson Jude came by for a visit. A sweeter boy there never was, sweet...and serious. I love everything about Jude. In fact I love him to pieces. He's added a slice of joy to my life I never could have imagined. But being that he's such a serious little guy he always makes me work for a smile. I try everything. I blow on his tummy, tickle his toes, lift him up in the air and call him "Superman", make silly (and semi-degrading) noises and faces in hopes of a smile (or even a smirk), bribe him with toys, play horsey, pat-a-cake, and peek-a-boo, use my super duper high pitch baby voice, cluck and clack, say dadadada and mamamama and other such nonsense. I've tried everything, short of standing on my head (this I just cannot do).

I don't know, maybe I'm trying too hard. He's probably so puzzled and perplexed by my over the top behavior he doesn't know whether to smile, or cry. That's it! He's confused. I've confused my poor sweet grandson. I know how it is when people talk so fast and loud I have to wait till they come up for air to get a word in and sometimes I still can't. Smiling probably works the same way! Well, next time I see the little guy I'm going to try a new approach. I'm going to be calm and serious, like him, and we'll just see which one of us cracks a smile first. And, maybe, hopefully, it won't be me. :)

It's still Christmas to us

ahhh, beautiful panoramic views, free flying majestic eagles, wood burning stove, glass(es) of wine…oh wait! We're not there yet. heehee

But we soon will be! Montrose, Iowa that is. Mark and I will soon be traveling north to this little river town (population 957). It may be January to most but its still Christmas in December to us! In lieu of gifts on December 25th we chose a little weekend getaway as our gift to each other. Our getaway will take us to Montrose where we'll be holed up in a house called NauView (named aptly for being located across the Mississippi River from Nauvoo, Illinois). Get it? The house in Montrose is called NauView because as you look across the river you have a view of Nauvoo. Pretty clever, eh? Ok, read it one more time. Being that Mark and I are heading north it’s likely to be brrrrrrr very very cold but nothing sounds better to me right now than kicking back, taking it easy, and staying warm next to a wood burning stove enjoying a nice glass of wine with my boyfriend. Depending on how cold it is we may be sitting next to that wood burning stove for a very long time. :)  As an added bonus I'm looking forward to seeing an abundance of eagles. The owner of the house assured me the eagles are stunning this time of year. Hopefully she’s right and I come home with some magnificent pics to share. I can’t wait!!

Pics copied from the NauView House website:
(I'm sure mine will be much better, haha)

"Get Down River" by the  Bottle Rockets please stop playing thru my head

view from the NauView House deck...I think I see Nauvoo

looking forward to using that wood burning stove

the kitchen where Mark will cook all my meals...hahaha

bedroom 1

bedroom 2

bedroom 3...too bad my twins aren't going too. ha, right.
(somebody has to take care of the animals)

a mini game room (made for a munchkin) but hey it's a game room!

something tells me this picture wasn't taken in january

A little history:
Founded in 1832, Montrose, Iowa, has a long and interesting history. When the first Mormon settlers began arriving in Commerce, Illinois (later known as Nauvoo) the settlement across the Mississippi River that became know as Montrose, was more than 5 years old.

As Nauvoo grew and flourished in the early 1840’s, Montrose also grew. Many Latter-day saints settled on the west side of the river. When the Saint were driven from Nauvoo, they congregated in the area around Montrose, before heading west to Council Bluffs, and later the valley of the Great Salt Lake.

Sounds like we may run into some Mormons or Saints...or both, oh my. 

If you like pina coladas

a song for Mark from his new favorite movie...[wink]

Soundtrack:
http://reelsoundtrack.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/all-34-songs-from-the-grown-ups-soundtrack/

2010 - a year in review

It's hard to believe 2010 is over. Each year seems to go by faster and faster. Maybe age makes life seem more fleeting. Maybe that's what it takes before we realize how precious every day, week, month, and year God gives us is. I'm not sure. I just know I'm thankful to have each year and be where I am surrounded by people I love, more thankful than ever.

In place of posting a monthly recap for the last month of 2010, here's one for the whole year of 2010.

lalala Lola (no, not that Lola)

as usual, click pic to expand

Sunday night we celebrated Jake and Emily's birthday at Lola in downtown St. Louis. I'd been to Lola a couple times before but never for dinner. It's an interesting place with a different kind of menu. Silly me; I always thought crêpes were just some sort of breakfast thing or dessert or something. Actually Lola's is located in what used to be "Crepes in the City", a popular downtown eatery that closed over a year ago. I think it's pretty cool that Lola decided to keep crepes around for the people who loved them so much. The crepes on their menu include:

Lola
Ratatouille and Goat cheese, topped with crème fraiche

Madahari
Roasted chicken, spinach, roasted red pepper, topped with our Feta cream sauce

Lolita
Pancetta, asparagus, and carmalized onion, topped cherry tomatoes & Lola’s white sauce

Salome
Smoked salmon, capers, red onion and tomato, topped with dill crème

Jezebel
Balsamic glazed wild mushrooms topped with lola’s white sauce

Marilyn
Sliced roasted roma tomatoes, smoked mozzarella and herb pesto

For the big birthday celebration I chose the Madahari with a small spinach salad on the side. The crepe was good but my spinach salad was excellent. Yum! Jake and Emily didn't choose crepes at all. Jake had a steak (could he be any less adventurous?) and Emily chose a lobster dog (now that's adventurous!). You go girl! :-)

Lola now has an absinthe bar with organic martinis. Read about it:
Lola unveils its new lounge this weekend

Lola's website: http://www.welovelola.com/

Holiday scrapbook

It was a good Christmas and that's about all I have to say about that.

Happy 25th Birthday Jake and Emily

Happy 25th Birthday to Jake and Emily...one day late. Love you both soooooooooooo much!

A holiday funny

This SNL skit's a little dated but still cracks me up.
(this is not for kiddies)

Dogs love Christmas too :)

Better than a poke in the eye

The results are in... my department (Inside Sales) won 2nd place for the annual Holiday Decorating Contest! Last year we came in 3rd for our elf wall (i.e., Christmas Tree of Wins). This year, though we didn’t nab the coveted 1st place position as planned, we did manage to move up a notch to 2nd. I guess that’s kinda like winning a Silver instead of a Gold, or maybe an Emmy instead of an Oscar? Any which way, 2nd place is better than 3rd and it's definitely better than a poke in the eye. Because as everyone knows...a poke in the eye really hurts.

Last year breakfast was the third place prize. This year for second place we'll get lunch, which really makes me wonder about that 1st place prize. Could it be dinner? And maybe a bottle of fine wine...or just wine? I don’t know…nobody’s talkin around here.

Without further adieu, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners…


Come on...elves are cuter than Charlie Brown and gang right?
Though it is hard to beat psychiatric help for 5 cents I guess.



Elves are Santa's helpers, yes?
Shouldn't that count for something (like 1st place)?



This years 3rd place winners...Suckas. ;-)

 ***

Another day, another competition…
The Holiday season wouldn’t be complete without its annual heartwarming Ugly Sweater Contest. And this year’s winners are:
Scott (left) who walked away in first place with his amazing holiday outfit (I’m thinking the santa shorts cinched it) while Kenny (2nd to left) strutted his stuff into second place. A special thanks go to Marianne and Regina, our runners up. Love those snowflake earrings.

It's a good thing I love sloths

"Which one doesn't belong?"

Yes, it's a good thing I love sloths since I sorta live with one (see above). Sloths are the cutest! I'm pretty sure I could watch sloth videos all day. I can't get enough of these strange yet adorable critters (see below).


OMG, now I know what I really want for Christmas (no offense Lola)

 
If only Lola would poo once a week... (I'd have a much nicer lawn)


That's it!  Lola, I'm trading you in for the real thing.

The very best present

The very best Christmas present this year is . . .

without a doubt, my grandson Jude. 'Nuff said. :-)

Thank you dad

Christmas isn't the same without dad; life isn't the same. Sometimes it feels as if he's just away on a long trip and I have to remind myself he isn't coming back. Thoughts of not talking to him, seeing him, laughing with him, or even patting his hand again can be hard. It's difficult to lose a parent, no matter how old you become. It changes the balance of life. It can change the way you feel about living. Since dad passed away I think more about my own mortality. His passing also left me with the crystal clear realization that my loved ones won’t always be here. Of course I already knew this but sometimes knowing and accepting are two different things. Accepting is the hard part. If only I could I would go back and let dad know how important he was while he was still here. Because once someone is gone from your life it's impossible to say the things you wish you’d said or do the things you wish you’d done. If only I could...

I'd go back and tell dad how much his kids remember the little things he did -- like the time in 1966 when we moved into a new house and he carved our names on the front porch walk. I remember Mel was 12 that year, Jeff was 10, and I was 5. I wish I had told him how much we loved him for doing that.

I'd go back and tell dad how the way he always signed the gifts we gave him with the name of who they were from and the date given meant something. I wish I had told him how important that made us feel.

I'd go back and tell dad what a kick we got from his quick wit and humor, his quirky ways and expressions, and especially his sly smile as he’d mischievously say his name was John Henry Jackson. I wish I had told him what joy he gave us in life.

I'd go back and tell dad how much we enjoyed our long drives with him and how just being near him felt good. I wish I had told him we knew words weren't always necessary and how riding without them was sometimes appreciated and never uncomfortable with him.

I'd go back and tell dad how we treasured him for his quietness, his outward calm, and gentle ways. I wish I had told him he was the one person that could make us feel calm in a not so calm life.

I'd go back and tell dad we loved him for who he was, for his tinkering, inventing, ginseng and mushroom hunting, metal detecting and treasure finding, exploring and walking in the woods, his appreciation for country, nature, barns, trees, birds, dogs, cats, and his lifelong sense of wonder. I wish I had told him what a truly special man he was to us.

I'd go back and tell dad we knew he loved us without his even saying so. I wish I had told him his smiling eyes when we came in the door and his words of “be careful” every time we walked out the door were just a couple ways we knew.

I'd go back and tell dad that no matter where we are he is always near. I wish I had told him it was going to be ok when he had to leave and that we understood and believed.

I think most of all, if I could, I'd go back and tell dad thank you, thank you so much for being our dad.   

driving with dad

We love you dad.


On my way home from Upper Alton Cemetery today I saw three deer out of the corner of my eye. They were in a grassy area behind a building, just barely off its parking lot. I turned my car around and sat and watched them a while. Thankfully, they were kind enough to let me take pictures before dashing off into the woods. Just the sight of them lifted some of the sadness I was feeling and made me feel better. My dad loved deer and thought they were beautiful gentle creatures. I love them too and couldn't have been happier to see them than I was at that moment. Somehow I think I was meant to see them today...maybe as a little sign from dad that he already knows all the things I wish I'd said. 


deer on left, middle, and a tired one on the right



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