It's a strange world we live in where elephants make music, cranes dance, and some bugs carry their own flashlights. And yet I think in such small and insignificant realms when thinking of things "I" can accomplish.

Today's list of things to do:
Wash the dishes
Wash a load of laundry
Dry a load of laundry
Try a new crockpot recipe
Put the clean clothes away
Get cleaned up for work
Work at the library for four hours
Collapse

How pathetic a list is that? And this is a creative, energized, kick-ass day. Yet too often this is all my energy allows. Some say its age. Some say it is Florida (perennial retirement mode). Some say I'm stressed and need to relax even more.

I think what I need is motivation. When cleaning house I usually play my Queen CD and get alot more accomplished. If music can soothe the savage breast, soften rocks, bend a knotted oak. Perhaps it can get a lazy woman to move her butt. The soundtrack from "Chicago," the movie, seems to produce similar stimulation. But I keep trying to sing with it and then I want to dance. Not a pretty sight.

Maybe some inspiration. I picked up a copy of Julia Cameron's "Heart Steps: Prayers and Declarations for a Creative Life." The title tires me out just reading it. But I have Chicago playing, so I can handle it.

The titles of her segments are big chunks to swallow without reading anything more.
1. The Universe responds to my dreams and needs
2. I have the power to receive great abundance
3. The dreams of my heart are the dreams of the Universe dreaming through me.
4. The great Creator creates through me
5. The Universe watches over me with care....

I stumbled on the concept that the Universe even knows I exist! Power to receive great abundance? Is that a good thing? I wish the Universe, if it is dreaming through me, would also provide instructions on how to accomplish those dreams! And, if it cares so much why is one of my good friends tooling around in a wheelchair, another is facing death by lung cancer (4-6 months to live) and my husband, well you've heard that story.... Not to mention that my brother -- MY BROTHER -- is a Republican! He voted for Bush -- twice! And my knee hurts.

It seems my abundance has been rather negative.

Oh I know that whole story about 'cup is half empty' attitude colors what I see. So what abundance have I received --

• April was a good month with three major markets publishing my writing.
• The sandhill cranes that live next door have two babies that we're watching grow up. I haven't seen any of them dance, but then I think the dance usually precedes the kids and parenting.
• Derrol and the riluzole seem to be getting along well and he starts the lithium soon. We live in hope that it will arrest the progression of the ALS.
• I have good friends who AREN'T dying or fighting disabilities -- yet.
• I wasn't one of the 70-plus people the county laid off/fired/let go in order to balance their budget.
• I don't live in China
• So far no hurricane has blown us away.
• The clothes washer and the dishwasher are working nicely.
• My two sons not only love me, they like me, too. And I like them (I adore them).
• My husband loves me. I love him. His bad habits aren't any worse than mine.
• I've been reading some good books lately. Thank you Universe for Highlanders.
• I was never married to Julia Cameron....

I guess if elephants can play music, bugs can flash their tails, and cranes can dance, I should be able to get the Universe, the Great Creator to help me do more than the laundry.

Beatles now selling diapers

One of the exciting, thrilling things about getting old is you've seen a lot of history. And being a student when Beatlemania first hit the world ranks right up there with Neil Armstrong's moon walk.

Today I get an email from my son saying, "News that might just ruin my day: The Beatles have sold licensing rights to use their song, All you Need is Love, to Luvs for a commercial. Doesn't that just make your day?"

Like his father, music is of prime importance to him. And also like his father, they are stalwart Beatles fans. Their tastes diverge from that point, but on that they agree. Beatles rock.

I remember the Beatles funky haircuts, their British appeal, their innocence and their smiles. I remember the Fab Four on the Ed Sullivan show -- I saw the show when it originally aired.

Lately I've been missing John and George and lamenting Paul's too public divorce while wondering what Ringo was up to. Almost like distant relatives, I think of them now and then. They played a major role in my formative years and changed the music landscape forever.

Now their music is used to pimp diapers. "All you need is Luvs...."

How the mighty have fallen!

My husband's response, "At least it isn't Michael Jackson who sold the song and will get the money."

One blogger commented that many of us thought the first Beatles song to be used to sell diapers would be When I'm 64 and the diapers would be Depends. Somehow I like the humor of that.

But "All you need is Luvs" just ruins, just overrides the thrill of a song that yes, I could actually remember the lyrics to, but more importantly it became a rallying cry for my generation who were sick of corporate greed, war, government, and wanted to get back to basics.

Now there will be a generation of kids who will associate that rallying cry to nappies, diapers, and baby poop.

Wikipedia describes the Beatles hit All You Need is Love this way:

"All You Need Is Love" is a song written by John Lennon with
contributions from Paul McCartney[1] and credited to Lennon/McCartney. It
was first performed by The Beatles on Our World, the first ever live global television link. Broadcast to 26 countries and watched by 350 million people, the programme was broadcast via satellite on June 25, 1967. The BBC had commissioned the Beatles to write a song for the UK's contribution and this was the result. It is among the most famous and significant songs performed by the group.

Now after the 60s has become a memory of druggies and flower children instead of a generation of activists, our music is reduced to sound tracks for commercials, who wins?

Corporate greed.

And that's the pits about getting old, you live long enough to see your life turned into a commercial.

Dancing Horses, Who Knew?

---

Do horses like music? I can’t imagine such a beautiful, perfect animal not also appreciating a catchy tune. Thanks to YouTube, here is a video of Anky van Grunsven, the queen of Kur, giving a gold medal performance. I think the horse is into the music, don’t you?

I’m hearing from owners and horse lovers that, yes, horses are natural music lovers. From a horse in Indianapolis who dances to Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” to Kur (Dressage set to music,) and equestrian ballet, horses have been jamming.

Anotoine de Pluvinel choreographed and Robert Ballard provided the score for “Le Carrousel du Roi,” an equestrian ballet in 1610, which was part of the engagement celebration for Louis XII of France and Ann of Austria.

In 2000, crowds appreciated a re-enactment of Le Carrousel du Roi sponsored by Kate van Orden, assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

In a more modern interpretation than Le Carrousel du Roi, JoAnna Mendl Shaw put together dancers, horses and riders for her Equus Project. On their website, the concept is described as “a unique form of choreographic investigation that partners dancers with horses and their riders." It "merges the artistry of dance with the athletics of equestrianism.” They are teaching two clinics in June: A June 9-10th clinic for Equestrians and June 18-22nd, a Dancers' Intensive that introduces dancers to the artistry of dancing with a four-legged (equine) partner. Find out more on their website.

Janet Marlow's Relaxation Music for Horses: seems to be the recording of choice in many horse barns. Feel free to add your opinion to whether horses like music or not.

P.S. Note the addition of cinnamon roll recipes on the previous blog for Wednesday, May 9, matey.