Monthly Archives: January 2025

Music Monday: January 27, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Less than a month into the new year and already a loss. Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band, passed away on January 21 at age 87. He was a multi-instrumentalist and true musical virtuoso who added such a unique and resounding piece to what turned out to be an incredible group of musicians.

Born August 2, 1937 in Canada, he & the rest of The Band-Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson-formed in 1957 and a year later were the backing band for singer Ronnie Hawkins until 1963. By 1965, The Band were backing Bob Dylan during his electric phase. While he was recuperating from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in 1966, The Band rented a house in upstate New York where they recorded their first album, Music From Big Pink, released in 1968. The Band broke up in 1977 and their last concert in 1976 was captured in the film, “The Last Waltz”, released in 1978.

The Band circa 1975 (L-R): Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

After that Hudson played as a session musician, reformed The Band for a brief stint (with all but Robertson in attendance), did some solo work & performed with his wife, Maud, who died in 2022. According to the AP’s report on his death, Hudson faced financial struggles in the later years of his life including bankruptcy, foreclosure & an auction to sell his personal items in 2013 when he could no longer afford a storage unit. Like the other three members of The Band, Hudson had sold his interest in the group to Robbie Robertson who had been called out on several occasions by both Levon Helm and Rick Danko for taking advantage of his so called brothers while they were struggling at their lowest points. Robertson also refused to acknowledge their contributions to the songwriting process.

When he died in 2023 his net worth was allegedly around $50 million dollars, yet did nothing to assist Hudson at the very least by paying for the back rent on the storage unit to save his belongings. By that time they were the last two surviving members after Helm’s death in 2012. Whatever brotherhood existed in The Band during their 19 years together, it does not seem Robertson had any part of it once the group disbanded. By comparison one of his biggest admirers, Eric Clapton, agreed to give his Derek & The Dominoes bandmate Bobby Whitlock songwriting credit in 2017 for a few tracks for the group’s only album, 1970’s Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, just ahead of its 50th anniversary reissue. Moral of the story: it is never too late to be a decent human being. And Hudson seemed to be one of the good ones who deserved a better ending to his story.

Eric Garth Hudson: August 2, 1937 – January 21, 2025.

Top: Hudson in the late 1970’s. Bottom: The musician circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Band: “The Weight” (1968, written by Robbie Robertson).

The Band: “I Shall Be Released” (1968, written by Bob Dylan).

The Band: “Up On Cripple Creek” (1969, written by Robbie Robertson).

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Sugar And Spice…Well, Really Just Sugar

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When I bought my first house many years ago, I started collecting pitchers-any size, any shape, any color. I lined them up on top of my natural wood kitchen cabinets for pops of color. Eventually I streamlined the collection to all white once I discovered some Ironstone ones I could afford. As I scoured antiques stores for them, I saw an Ironstone sugar bowl and decided my life needed those as well.

Over the years I began expanding that collection to include other patterns & styles as well. This vintage blue & white bowl is one of the first that started that trend. These colors are just so classic together.

(Image by me.)

So many china patterns have a gold detail. I prefer silver like this one. Such a sweet detail on the handles…

(Image by me.)

…and on the outline of the top of the bowl…

(Image by me.)

…and on the top on the lid.

(Image by me.)

I also adore the scalloped detail at the top & the bottom of the piece.

(Image by me.)

Isn’t the name of the pattern just lovely, too?

(Image by me.)

It reminds me of the Johann Haviland Bavaria Germany Blue Garland pattern (below). I had a 20 piece set that I eventually donated when I downsized and sold my house.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I currently have several other sugar bowls in my collection, with many sharing subtle shades of blue as its primary color. I am not sure if I should display them together with their creamers which would leave this bowl out of that grouping as I have yet to find a mate to pair it with. That means I would be able to use the bowl elsewhere in my home as I do love this piece so. But where to do that is what I struggle with,

I would love to know what you do with a special piece of china to highlight it on its own in your house. Please share in the comments below along with any pictures of some of your beloved items.

Until next time, stay safe & well.  

Music Monday: January 20, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog 2025

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Happy 80th birthday to Sir Roderick David Stewart. Born on January 10, 1945 in London, the man more informally known as Rod Stewart has been one of the most solid, most consistent and most fabulous voices in all of music & a staple of the classic rock genre. He continues to bring his love of soul, Motown and R&B to every note he gives us. And I have loved nearly every minute of it and yes, that includes “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy”. It was 1978, after all.

His is one of the earliest voices I can recall hearing in my childhood. His distinctive raspy sound never disappoints me and always takes me on a virtual trip over across the last six decades he has been a part of. Influenced by the voices of Little Richard, Sam Cooke & Otis Redding, Stewart brought that inspiration to his early days on his first official single of “Good Morning, School Girl” in 1964. That was followed by his days as a member of The Jeff Beck Group (1967-1969) and The Faces (1969-1975) which not only gave Stewart an incredible foundation in his career but also forged lifelong friendships with Beck (who inducted Stewart into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994) and Ron Wood.

Stewart embraced the video era of the 1980’s which eventually made way to one of the best acoustic concerts with 1993’s Unplugged…And Seated where he was joined by Wood. Stewart has embraced so many different musical genres including the pivot to his Great American Songbook series starting in 2002 and his collaboration with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019. And yet I still cannot wait to see what he does next. Happy birthday, Rod Stewart.

Rod Stewart 1971
Rod and Ron 1970
Ron and Rod unplugged
Rod Stewart Philharmonic

Top: Rod Stewart circa 1971. Second: Ron Wood (L) with Stewart circa 1970. Third: Wood (L) joins Stewart (R) for his MTV “Unplugged” performance filmed in February 1993. Bottom: Stewart in the studio with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Faces: “Stay With Me” (1971, written by Rod Stewart and Ron Wood).

Rod Stewart: “Maggie May” (1971, written by Martin Quittenton and Rod Stewart).

Rod Stewart: “My Heart Can’t Tell You No” (1988, written Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan).

Rod Stewart: “Downtown Train” (1989, written by Tom Waits).

Rod Stewart: “Maggie May” (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) (2019, written by Martin Quittenton and Rod Stewart).

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Music Monday: January 13, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog 2025

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sam Moore, the surviving half of the “Sam & Dave” musical duo, passed away on January 10, 2025 at the age of 89. The higher tenor voice to partner Dave Prater’s lower baritone one, the men were amongst the most successful R&B/soul performers at Stax Records in the 1960’s with hits like “Soul Man”, “Hold On I’m Coming” and “I Thank You”. Their live shows were legendary and inspired many including Al Green, Steve Winwood, Tom Petty and others.

The duo split up in 1970 but reunited the following year. Unfortunately they did not attain the success they previously had. A resurgence in the men’s popularity came in 1979 courtesy of The Blues Brothers cover of “Soul Man”. After Prater’s death from a car accident in 1988, Moore continued performing including at the 25th anniversary concert for The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2009 with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Moore & Prater were inducted in 1992.

Sam and Dave
Sam Moore

Top: Sam Moore (L) and Dave Prater (R) circa 1967. Bottom: Moore circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Last summer J.D. Souther & Karla Bonoff announced a joint tour together. They had been friends since their Laurel Canyon, California days in the 1970’s where both had found success- first as songwriters for The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, respectively-before prospering in solo careers.

Sadly the tour never took place due to Souther’s death on September 17, 2024 at age 78. I adored him forever, going back to his Top Ten solo hit in 1979 (which I featured on Day 232 of the Lockdown Countdown) and his 1981 Top 20 duet with James Taylor, “Her Town Too”. I was thrilled when Souther branched out into to acting in movies like 1989’s “Always” and TV shows like “Thirtysomething” & “Nashville”.

The announcement of his tour with Bonoff put her back on my radar and reacquainted me with her beautiful voice. I first discovered her music through Linda Ronstadt who recorded three of Bonoff’s songs for the 1976 album, Hasten Down The Wind. But it was her stunning version of “The Water Is Wide”-featured in a 1997 episode of my favorite soap, “Another World”-that put me in Bonoff’s orbit for many years. I do not know why or how I let her fall from my view in the last decade or so but once I found her again last summer, I discovered her 2020 holiday album, Silent Night. It is wonderful, especially her version of “The First Noel” which was featured on Day 13 of my 2024 Christmas music countdown.

Bonoff, who turned 73 last month, released her self titled debut album in 1977 which included the three songs on the Hasten album. I love them all but today’s pick is my favorite. I have included Ronstadt’s version as well not just for her incredibly stunning voice but to share the video also. It is a great look at her in the studio with her band so we actually watch the magic of the performance happen there. And moments like that need to be seen.

Karla and JD
Linda JD

Top: A show announcement from J.D. Souther’s Facebook page for a performance by he & Bonoff in July 2024. Middle: A picture of the two singers circa 1979 that Bonoff posted on her Facebook page with a tribute to Souther after his death in September 2024. Bottom: Souther (R) on stage with his one time girlfriend, Linda Ronstadt (L). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Sam & Dave: “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” (1967, written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter).

Linda Ronstadt: “Lose Again” (1976, written by Karla Bonoff).

Karla Bonoff: “Lose Again” (1977, written by Karla Bonoff).

J.D. Souther: “You’re Only Lonely” (1979, written by JD Souther).

Stay safe & well.

How To Display A Special Family Heirloom

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I have a collection of mismatched china which has been handed down to me from family along with special pieces I have purchased myself over my many years of antiquing & thrifting.  I love them all but most sit in boxes as I struggle with how to add them to my apartment decor. I remember the advice I heard on a decluttering show by master organizer Peter Walsh about taking special pieces out of boxes where they go unseen and give them a place of honor in your home.  That is a goal I would like to accomplish this year.  

To help me with that, I decided to go through each piece and/or collection and find the perfect way to display them. Perhaps it will also help me finally decide I no longer want some of my items and donate them to give someone else a chance to love them properly.  The first piece I want to display with honor is this beautiful rose platter that belonged to my paternal grandmother, Ida.  She received it as a wedding gift from her mother in 1934.  Isn’t it wonderful?

Platter 5

(Image by me!)

The biggest problem I have with it is the pattern.  As pretty as the roses are, red is my least favorite color. So except for a few Christmas pieces, I do not have any red in my home.  I do not have an entirely neutral Pottery Barn like look, but that is the dominant tone along with softer shades of colors I love like blue, yellow and pink. I am also not a huge fan of gold but I do not mind it as the detail on both of the grip sides.   

Platter 7

(Image by me!)

I have not been able to find out too much about the brand by the stamp on the back, but I did find dinner plates for sale on Replacements.com if I ever choose to add them. I am sure with a deeper dive I will find more pieces to peruse.

Rose platter back seal

(Image by me!)

Luckily since the pattern is sparse, I believe it will blend in as a subtle pop of color wherever I display it. I could go the traditional route and place it in a hutch. However, I live in an adorable but smaller sized apartment and I only want one of those which I would like to use just for my white Ironstone. The platter is also quite big (16 x 11 1/2) and heavy so I would never be comfortable hanging it on a wall. I am also considering using it on my coffee table on top of some large books.

For more inspiration, I turned to-where else?- Pinterest. I discovered I really love the look of placing the platter in a basket. But my kitchen is a small galley style one so devoting a lot of room to a decor corner does not seem prudent. I could use a platter rack, but I am not sure about relinquishing that much wall space for a display. And since I cook less & less these days, I do not spend enough time in there to justify relegating the platter to that room just because it is a serving piece. Below are some ideas I am considering. I really love that not all are limited to the kitchen:

Basket 2

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.) 

diy basket ideas vintage dishes

(Image courtesy of DIY Beautify.)

decor steals basket

(Image courtesy of Decor Steals.)

wire basket

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Platter rack

  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.) 

I would love to know which idea you like best. Please share in the comments below or tell me how you display cherished items in your home.

Until next time, stay safe & well.  

Music Monday: January 6, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to the first edition of Music Monday for the new year.

Blog 2025

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Welcome to 2025, everyone.

If you have been here for a while you know I am not much for resolutions. I try to find a word or a phrase to guide me for the year. Not surprisingly, I usually find said inspiration in a song. This year is no different.

My process is to think about it for most of December and once I have chosen my song, I know it will be the first one I listen to in the new year to start it off right. The track I chose for 2025 alludes to a state of mind of peace and happiness as well as the path to get there. And the older I get the easier it is to see I have the choice and ability-albeit temporarily-to keep MY world as safe and as peaceful as possible by limiting the amount of time I let THE world in.

That is a powerful force to realize and utilize which I plan to do a lot more this year. I started doing this during the pandemic lockdown and it really helped me cope. I continued keeping myself fairly isolated in the figurative sense since then but there is a lot more I can do to improve on it. Plus, this year’s song also takes me back to an absolutely glorious scene from one of my favorite shows of all time. It drives the point home about our ability to make the choices that are best for us.

“Wash away my troubles
Wash away my pain
With the rain in Shambala
Wash away my sorrow
Wash away my shame
With the rain in Shambala“.

lost-van-scene
Lost van Jin and Sawyer

Above: The sublime van ride scene in “Lost” S3 E10, “Tricia Tanaka Is Dead”. Top: Charlie (L) and Hurley (R) (Dominic Monaghan and Jorge Garcia). Center: The ride. Bottom: Jin (L) and Sawyer (R) (Daniel Dae Kim and Josh Holloway). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elvis Aaron Presley was born 90 years ago on January 8, 1935. At 19 years old he recorded his first record which put him on the path that led to his throne as The King. He changed music, pop culture and how we saw ourselves reflected back in the world he created. And we were all the better for it.

Singer, actor, Army veteran, entertainer, legend. He not only introduced rock & roll to the mainstream, he also brought it to life. What more can be said that has not already been said about this stunning mountain of a man except that he is missed every single moment there is air around us. And thank you seems like such a small phrase which does not come close to the amount of gratitude he is due.

All hail 90 years of The King.

Elvis A
Elvis B
Elvis C

Top: Elvis at the beginning circa 1957 when he introduced the world to his hip shaking moves. Middle: The King and his guitar circa 1958. Bottom: A moment from the 1968 TV special. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Three Dog Night: “Shambala” (1973, written by Daniel Moore).

Elvis Presley: “That’s All Right” (1954, written by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup).

Elvis Presley: “Can’t Help Falling In Love” (1961, written by Luigi Creatore, Hugo Peretti and George David Weiss).

Elvis Presley: “Suspicious Minds” (1969, written by Mark James).

Stay safe & well.