Musical Mondays - There Is Going To Be An Uprising

For a while I have toyed with the idea of somehow incorporating music into my blog.  To be honest I thought seriously about creating a completely new blog yet the more I pondered on this idea the more I thought to myself I did not have the time to give it.  I am somewhat of a perfectionist and already with my sluggish ways the last couple months, I am being a bit hard on myself.  Thus I came up with the idea of Musical Mondays. 

I am always amazed at how powerful music can be.  It has the ability to say so much to so many and often different messages.  A good example of this is the song I have chosen as my first post.  I am sure many of you watched the Grammys last night.  I will be honest and admit that the only reason I was adamant on seeing them was that I knew Muse would be performing and rarely do I miss a chance to see them.  I was not exactly planning on doing a Muse song as my first entry as it is Valentines Day and I would think that a song of love would be a bit more appropriate.  Yet to tell the truth I am not much in a Valentine mood today and after I heard the bit that Glenn Beck did today on Muse:  Well lets just say that I had to take up for my boys. 

I know that I do not speak much on politics here at Mother Moon and that is mainly because it can cause a bit of a stir sometimes.  Yet there are moments when I feel that I must speak and lets just say this is defiantly one of them.  I want to make it perfectly clear that I do not nor will I ever watch Glenn Beck on Fox news.  I find his approach to "news" to be over melodramatic and a joke.  Yet when I was looking online today for any entries on Muse's performance last night a blimp on Beck's opinion was one I came upon.

Muse performed their song "Uprising" which speaks about the need and urgency for people (not just Americans) to stand up for what is right and just, especially when the "government" of the said country is not playing straight.  It is the perfect song for any revolution to have as their fight song. It speaks of  disgust with the strong arm of any government or bully trying to control the "little people".

What miffed me about Beck was his comparison in earlier times (about a year ago when the song first came out) of Muse and the Tea Party.  After he viewed their performance last night on the Grammys I guess they did not live up to the squeaky image he thought they should have.  My first thought was haven't you seen or heard these guys before.  One: I doubt they would appreciate being linked with the Tea Party and especially not with Beck himself as I would think he represents something they speak of so often in their politically charged songs.  Beck stated that unlike the Tea Party who wishes to restore the system, Muse calls for a revolution to take over the system. 

A fair assumption I guess, equating the song with the thought of revolution.  However, using Egypt as an example, they somewhat brought forth a peaceful revolution (as peaceful as they could) and in the end their government is in the process of restoration. 

Isn't that what restoration is?  If something has been built on for so long in a unstable manner, isn't it best if it is torn down at least to the solid foundation and rebuilt so that it will continue to grow in a healthy manner.  I could go on and on in regards to Beck and those similar who love to spout lots of pretty words and make references to things and color them so that those who do not know any better think they are so wonderful and true.  The ones who cry as if they are truly touched by the need to educate America on what we need to do to be the country that our fore fathers intended;  when in truth they really just want everyone to look to them as the savior. 

I am all for standing up for what is right, for allowing everyone to have a voice and also helping everyone to understand.  I have a problem with media who continues to pump forward a message that is created by few facts and largely by how they think it should be interpreted. 

 The "real truth" :  is it possible to really find it anywhere?  I do not know anymore.  I have found that reading all perspectives somehow helps to give one a rounded view and allows one to come to their own conclusion.  Yet even with that one does not know for sure if that is even right.  We can not simply go by what one view states.  We have to listen to all the voices and in the end allow our own hearts and own minds to come up with what we feel is just and right. 

In fairness to all sides I have posted the link to The lyrics to Uprising as well as to a link to Glenn Beck and his view.  I believe everyone has a right to their opinion.  There is also a clip on Beck's link of Muse's performance last night.  If you did not get a chance to catch it, I would watch it as it was quite entertaining as always.

In closing I will admit that this was a bit of a thorn in my side and something that I felt I needed to air.  I have never been much of a Fox News fan and well I guess the mother hen took over when they started to mess around with my boys.  Yet one of the biggest reasons I enjoy Muse so much is the passion that they integrate into their music.  Not only can it be heard musically via the wonderful craftsmanship of the musicians, it is also heard in the the powerful lyrics that they join with it.  Uprising is one of those songs that no matter what the cause one may be fighting for it makes you want to jump up and keep going until you reach the goal you are pursuing. 

Listen

There is a privacy about winter

 which no other season gives you....

 In spring, summer and fall

people sort of have an open season on each other;

only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.

 ~Ruth Stout

I know that so many have had more than enough of old man winter and his crazy ways.  The snow falls this season seem to be one for the record books in so many cases.  However I have found that such times offer a wonderful time for quiet and peace.  A time to reflect on the ending of the cold and the warmth that is soon to come with the approaching spring. 

Soon the warmer days will come and the small buds of green will peek through mother earth to emerge once again for yet another turn of the yearly wheel.  We will soon forget the woe and grumbling we had in regards to the snow and all its bother.

 

Days will become longer and we will seek to find things to do to fill up the time with activity.  We will no longer have enough time to silently sit and wonder about the questions and thoughts that circle our minds.  We will be far too busy with the things that warmer weather and sunshine bring to us. 

In the last few weeks of winter... take a few moments to enjoy the silence it brings.  Take a few moments to think what it may be that he is trying to tell you as he covers the earth with his fluffy white blanket.  There are so many times that nature tries diligently to tell us things, yet too often we do not listen.  Even when we are put in a place where there is silence and no other activity can be done, we still do not open our ears to hear what may be being whispered to us ever so softly. 

What a Difference a Week Can Make

Last week at this time, although I was feeling quite under the weather we were enjoying a wonderful day of mid 70 degree weather.  I could see the signs of spring everywhere from the subtle nudges of the budding trees to the melodic songs of the birds as they lazily perched on their branches soaking up the warmth. 

What a difference a week can make.  I managed to drag myself out the following Monday to the doctor as the impending winter storm to come had me quite worried that if I did not I would be stuck inside with my massive sinus headache for the time the storm and any remnants it brought remained.  I was lucky I had as I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and given adequate meds to keep me busy for the next few days. 

Although I did not feel much like doing anything I managed to gas my car up and purchase the necessities I might need if by the chance the ice storm they warned about was to hit. 

*  Salt to melt any ice that may cover my porch so that I would not fall and bust my butt. 

*  Extra water just in case the pipes burst from the below 0 zero temps that we were to have

*  Extra food - as I knew that there was a good possibility I would be stranded for a few days

I checked my post box as I thought it may be a few days before I was able to get into town and do it.  I was greeted with a wonderful surprise from Faerie Moon Creations ; A pair of earrings that I simply had to have had arrived.  A nice little bright spot in my day. 

My oldest son arrived at my home early afternoon to help me out with the chores that were just a bit to cumbersome to manage in my condition.  He filled up the generator with gas and moved it to a suitable position for me to use it if I did lose electricity in the coming days.  He carried the salt and water I had purchased earlier into the house.  Best of all he sat with me for a couple hours and just visited.  We shared an enjoyable visit over coffee and soon he was off and I was left to wait for the storm to arrive.

As evening fell the sleet began to fall.  For a good two hours it hit the windows and tinkled on the vent over the stove.  I welcomed its sounds as it was better than the ice that had previously been fore casted and which I had feared.  It is always hard to see the trees and such covered with a thickness of ice that makes them bend and too often break under its weight.  Shortly after 11 pm the snow began to fall and it was silent.  I went to bed shortly thereafter.

The next morning when I awoke the snow was still falling and the winds had joined in.  Gusts of 45 to 60 could be heard howling outside.  Glancing outside and in spots seeing the dried grass of our yard I did not think we had received too much snow yet as I observed more I realized that it was drifting quite well in places, especially behind my car.

Although the weather was frightful Winston still had to occasionally go outside and do his duty.  Being the lab he is he simply loved the cold and snow that was falling.  He would dart out the door, almost falling from the slickness that was on the back steps. Like a kid on Christmas he bounded across the yard trying to place his paws in each part of snow that had accumulated.  Yet the wind brought with it funny sounds and strange scents that brought him back inside quickly. 

Vincent finally arrived home early morning.  The roads had not been as bad where he came from yet as he arrived home he stated that we were definitely getting more than most.  I started a pot of chicken soup and we settled in for the day until the storm had passed.

When it was over we received 11 inches with drifts 4 to 5 feet.  My car is still snowed in and I have not left the house except once when Vincent and I ventured out on Wednesday to replenish my bird seed supply.  Yesterday as the temperatures warmed I realized that a small pipe had busted and the plumber was called early to fix it.  Feeling much better I cleared the three foot snow drifts from my back porch and made sure that a heat lamp was placed under the house where the break had occurred.  I filled the empty bird feeders which I have to say made the bird estactic.  A chore I can already see I will have to repeat again today. 

We received an additional 2-3 inches of snow yesterday yet it was a quiet gentle snow which I simply enjoyed.  Again this evening they say we may receive a bit more then one more blast next week. 

It seems like the last 7 days have been more.  So much has occurred.  You would think that being home and unable to go anywhere I would have been able to catch up on reading past blogs (which I have some) and been able to write everyday.... Yet it was Wednesday until I really felt back to myself and then I had to try and catch up on back housework. 

Imbolc came and gone and I am not even sure if the groundhog saw his shadow.  Today once again the sun is shining and it is the first day since last Saturday that we are to get above freezing.  I am looking forward to the slow thaw that it will aid in.  I intend to go and shovel a path to the garage as well as to the driveway.  The drift behind my car.... I am not sure what I will do about it.  A neighbor has promised to try and come over with his tractor and move some if time permits. 

I know that our winter plight is far from some that many of you have experienced.  Ours has only been one week where many of you have had this going on for months now.  So I will cease with my whining.  To those of you who are still under your piles of snow and those of you who still have more to come I send warm wishes and hopes that spring will soon decide to return to us again to melt the coldness that winter has so willingly shared with so many this year.  I wish also for the tender greenness to return the warmth that is so spring to slowly come back. The days are slowly lengthening and such signs are slowly becoming more evident.  Although many of us sit under a blanket of white Spring is close by just waiting to come forth. 

Hope all of you have a very blessed weekend.  Stay warm and go Green Bay. 

Blessed Imbolc