Monthly Archives: May 2025

Music Monday: May 26, 2025

Posted in Holidays, Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Before we get into the spirit of today’s holiday, I want to acknowledge that this month marks the 15th anniversary since one of my favorite shows ended. “Lost”, which premiered in September 2004, concluded its six season run with its final episode on May 23, 2010. It was a beautiful ending to a remarkable series.

There are a handful of TV shows that moved me in indescribable ways and this one is probably at the top of that short list. I have watched hundreds of series in my life and in so many of them, I wanted to be like many of the characters. “Lost” touched me because I was one of them. A person searching for a place to be a part of, to contribute to, in spite of my flaws. A place to heal. A place where we find our constant, as in the person who grounds us. “Lost” was the home we all search for. And it was spectacular.

The cast of “Lost” circa 2004. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Memorial Day 2025 is upon us. And for me it furthers a divide in our country which has existed long before current events. The real split between us is how this day of remembrance gets lost by so many who treat it solely as the unofficial start of summer celebrated with backyard BBQs, beach days & taking advantage of numerous retail sales.

But there is not a person in this country who does not owe a tremendous debt to those who made the ultimate sacrifice which protect & keep those very traditions safe. So in between the hot dogs, potato salad, apple pie & so on, I truly hope everyone pauses a moment to remember those who died and the ones they left behind. It is what this day is actually about.

“Home of the free because of the brave” – Unknown.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Fortunate Son” (1969, written by John Fogerty).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 19, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Lou Gramm turned 75 this month. Born Louis Andrew Grammatico on May 2, 1950 in Rochester, NY, he was the powerful and unmistakable voice of Foreigner for their most successful years-from 1976 to 1990-and rejoined them from 1992 to 2003. Their self-titled debut album was released in March 1977 to immediate success courtesy of the one-two punch of the first two singles, led by “Feels Like The First Time” which peaked at #4 in June 1977. All in all they had nine Top Ten hits and a #1 record 40 years ago-“I Want To Know What Love Is”-which was in the top spot for two consecutive weeks in February 1985.

In January 1987, Gramm released his debut solo record, Ready Or Not. Two more solo albums followed in 1989 and 2009. In 2024, he was inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame with Foreigner.

Top: Foreigner’s 1977 debut album. Middle: Lou Gramm circa 1979. Bottom: The singer circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

On of the greatest rock anthems in existence turned 55 last week. It was released on May 15, 1970 in the UK and performed by the band, Free. It is from their third album, Fire and Water, released a month later. The track features Paul Rodgers on an absolutely scorching lead vocal, an insane guitar performance by Paul Kossoff, an infectious beat courtesy of Simon Kirke on drums along with an unbelievably intense bassline by Andy Fraser, who co-wrote the track with Rodgers.

It marked a complete shift from 1960’s rock to the sound that would come to be known as classic rock because the song is just that powerful and spectacular. Free may have officially disbanded in 1973, but luckily for music Rodgers and Kirke went on to form Bad Company who will finally be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame later this year as part of the Class of 2025.

Free (L-R): Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In March of this year Michael Martin Murphy turned 80. In early 1975 when he was known as Michael Murphy (he added the middle name around 1980 to avoid confusion with an actor by the same name), the singer & songwriter released the first single from his fourth album, Blue Sky – Night Thunder. The track peaked at #3 forty years ago in June 1975. I always loved the song and was thrilled when it became such a point of interest for David Letterman in 2007 during his “Late Show” tenure.

That phenomenal show ended 10 years ago on May 20, 2015. There are a plethora of moments I adore from it, but Letterman’s conversations about this song with his bandleader, Paul Shaffer, especially the musing over the line “gonna leave sod busting behind”, are some of my absolute favorites. They were hilarious and memorable, especially since the song was a favorite of Dave’s. And in a fabulous moment of appreciation, respect and class, he had Murphey perform the song on “The Late Show” 18 years ago on May 22, 2007. I miss Dave so much.

Top: Paul Shaffer (L) and David Letterman on “The Late Show” circa 2014. Middle: Shaffer (L) and Letterman in an IG post from 2024. Bottom: Michael Martin Murphy circa 2012. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Foreigner: “Cold As Ice” (1977, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones).

Foreigner: “Head Games” (1979, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones).

Lou Gramm: “Midnight Blue” (1987, written by Lou Gramm and Bruce Turgon).

Free: “All Right Now” (1970, written by Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers).

Michael Martin Murphey: “Wildfire” (1975, written by Michael Murphey and Larry Cansler).

Michael Martin Murphey:  “Wildfire” as performed live on “The Late Show With David Letterman” on May 22, 2007 (originally released in 1975, written by Michael Murphey and Larry Cansler).

Stay safe & well.

Lucky Number 7

Posted in Decorating by

In the ongoing process to organize my apartment, I have been unpacking some of my collections to finally give them a home. Today’s box uncovered 7 of my ironstone pitchers (and one creamer). Seven. SEVEN! I am actually screaming that number the way Monica did in that episode of “Friends” when she gave her future husband a road map to a woman’s heart LOL.

(Image by me.)

I downsized a lot of my Ironstone years ago, but I did not wish to include my beloved pitchers. Yet somehow I thought I did get rid of a few. With this unboxing I believe I was wrong. Pitchers were the first pieces of Ironstone I started collecting once I realized I could afford them.  I was first introduced to this beautiful pottery thanks to Martha Stewart.  As much as I loved it, I knew if she collected it I could probably never ever afford it.  So I lived vicariously through her. 

In one of the unbelievably lucky moments of my life, I found a free pitcher & bowl set (read about that here) which is technically the first piece I owned. Not one to push my luck, I was pretty sure this set would be the only Ironstone in my home. Ever. I believed I was being pragmatic, not pessimistic, since I had already received such good fortune with my incredible free find. But the universe eventually corrected me.

(Image by me.)

Years later when I went to my first antique warehouse (Stratford Antique Center in Stratford, CT-highly recommend), I found two Ironstone pieces-a pitcher and a sugar bowl-that were quite beautiful & quite affordable. I was on my way.

Over the years I have found plates & platters for next to nothing at estate sales along with a few footed bowls & lidded pieces. I still have a few of them but as I wrote earlier, I have downsized a lot as well. My goal is to keep the pitchers as my main collection so I can enjoy them more while using a few other pieces to anchor everything. Thanks to their neutral white color, Ironstone pieces are perfect to use for any occasion or holiday. My favorite way to use the pitchers is as vases for flowers. Even my beloved lilacs look more elegant. Don’t you agree?

 (Image by me.)

 Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 12, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stevie Wonder was born 75 years ago on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, MI. Out of all the artists who started their career with Motown Records, he is arguably the most successful & most enduring from that iconic label. He is an undeniable powerhouse in soul, funk & pop. This is from my post from May 16, 2022:

“What is left to say about “The Eighth Wonder Of The World”, Stevie Wonder, who turned 72 last week? The child prodigy born Stevland Hardaway Morris on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, MI began his career in The Motor City at age 11 as Little Stevie Wonder. His career grew even bigger as an adult in the 1970’s with three Album Of The Year Grammy awards for Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness‘ First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976). His talent continued to dominate from there and today, with over six decades of musical brilliance under his belt, Wonder continues to show us all how genius is defined.“

Top: Stevie Wonder circa 1963 at age 13. Middle: The artist circa 1972. Bottom: Wonder at the 2025 Met Gala in NYC earlier this month. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Four Tops first album was released sixty years ago in January 1965. The opening track, “Baby I Need Your Loving”, came out in July 1964 which proved to be their first hit, reaching #11 a month later. That prompted the record label to release the group’s follow up eleven months later in November 1965, aptly titled Four Tops Second Album. It features “It’s The Same Old Song” which peaked at #5 in August 1965 and the group’s first #1 record which hit the top spot nearly 60 years ago on on June 19, 1965 for two consecutive weeks.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marvin Gaye released his 10th studio album 55 years ago in January 1970. It consisted of 12 cover songs, with several made famous by other Motown stars like The Temptations (“I Wish It Would Rain” & “Cloud Nine”) and The Marvelettes (“No Time for Tears”) along with a few by other artists including The Beatles (“Yesterday”) and The Young Rascals (“Groovin”). But the title song-originally recorded by The Isley Brothers in 1967-is my absolute favorite track. Gaye’s version is a slower, more soulful take turning the song into a cautionary tale of love’s fickle side. He released it as a single in the summer of 1969 and it peaked at #7 in October of that year.

Marvin Gaye circa 1972. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another Motown song celebrating a milestone this year is by Freda Payne. Fifty-five years ago she teamed up with the powerhouse writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. However, the song was credited to the collective pseudonym “Edythe Wayne” due to the trio’s ongoing dispute with Motown Records. The track peaked at #3 in July 1970, just three months after it premiered in the #93 spot in April 1970. It hit #1 for six weeks (September 19-October 24) that year on the UK charts. It remains an undeniable gem from its decade, and as I wrote on Day 85 of my Lockdown Countdown, “The string interlude arrangement @ 1:37 is one of my all time favorites ever.  It just kicked this song to the next level from great to absolutely glorious.  I have reveled in the beauty of this song from the first time I heard it, and fall more in love with each listen.“

Freda Payne circa 1970. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stevie Wonder: “I Was Made To Love Her” (1967, written by Stevie Wonder, Lula Mae Hardaway, Sylvia Moy and Henry Cosby).

Stevie Wonder: “Superstition” (1972, written by Stevie Wonder).

Stevie Wonder: “Living For The City” (1973, written by Stevie Wonder).

The Four Tops: “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” (1965, written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

Marvin Gaye: “That’s The Way Love Is” (1969, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong).

Freda Payne: “Band Of Gold” (1970, written by Ron Dunbar and “Edythe Wayne”, which was the collective pseudonym for Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 5, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Before we get to the music, I want to give a shout out to a TV anniversary incredibly close to my heart. The pilot episode of the 1970’s cop show, “Starsky & Hutch”, premiered 50 years ago on April 30, 1975. Due to its success, it was picked up for a series and the first season debuted five months later on September 10, 1975. In my post from January 2024, I wrote the following tribute to David Soul:

“A part of my childhood has officially been laid to rest with the death of David Soul on January 4, 2024. “Starsky & Hutch” were two of the coolest cops with the biggest hearts who were also too adorable for words. I would go back & forth in my head each week trying to decide who was cuter. 

But I must admit David’s #1 hit from 1977-“Don’t Give Up On Us”-gave him a slight edge. I am crushed beyond words. Rest in peace you beautiful Soul. Thank you for being one of my tween dreams. Sigh.“

L-R: Paul Michael Glaser (as Starsky) and David Soul (as Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson in the 1975 pilot episode. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bob Seger will celebrate birthday #80 tomorrow. Born Robert Clark Seger on May 6, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, he started making music in a group in 1961. A decade later, he released his first solo album-Brand New Morning-in 1971 after releasing three records as The Bob Seger System from 1969-1970. By 1973, he added The Silver Bullet Band to accompany him and together they made some of the best music of the 1970’s & 1980’s.

I was lucky enough to see him in concert before he officially retired in November 2019. His classic rock legacy includes seven career Top Ten hits, a #1 song in August 1987 (“Shakedown” from the movie, “Beverly Hills Cop”) and ten Top Ten albums including his 1980 release which was #1 for six weeks that year.

It is the title track from that album released 45 years ago that moves me the most. I wrote about it on Day 418 during my Lockdown Countdown:

“The first time I heard this song as an adult it hit me how quickly that time went, how ill prepared I was for the roads I took and probably even for the ones I didn’t. And just like the person in today’s song, “I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then”. A lot of songs deal with teenage angst. But not too many deal with what happens two decades later. That is part of what I love about Bob Seger. And why it has taken me 418 days to feature this song. For those of you still searching for shelter, I hope you find it.”

“Guess I lost my way
There were oh-so-many roads
I was living to run and running to live
Never worried about paying or even how much I owed“.

Top: Bob Seger circa 1978. Middle: His #1 album from 1980. Bottom: Seger circa 2014. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Night Moves” (1976, written by Bob Seger).

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Against The Wind” (1980, written by Bob Seger).

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Fire Lake” (1980, written by Bob Seger).

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Shame On The Moon” (1982, written by Rodney Crowell).

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Like A Rock” (1986, written by Bob Seger).

Stay safe & well.