Caleigh O'Shea's Blog, page 37

Stirring Sounds

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach, German-Jewish poet and author

[image error]

The Thunderer (Concert March) by John Philip Sousa

We’re midway through the season for Community Band now, and I find myself pondering its attraction.

More and more people turn up every week to listen to our concerts in the park. Some are on walkers or oxygen; some bring their dogs; some choose to sit in their cars. Little kids run around playing tag or catching fireflies.

All profess to enjoy the sound.

And why not?

Every week, as the size of our audience grows, the number of area musicians who join us increases, too.

We’re about a hundred strong now.

And every week the range of music deepens, from traditional marches to spiritual hymns to patriotic tunes to pop and rock favorites.

We rehearse for an hour and a half (!) one day a week; our performance lasts another hour or so on a different day.

My logical brain tells me this is impossible. You can’t learn 10 songs by glancing over them and playing them through one time.

Yet we’re doing it.

The Impossible.

I look at our group and marvel at how many would be considered “old.”

Gray hair, glasses, stooped bodies, paunches in the middle.

But they’re a long way from being washed up.

When our director whips out her baton, we sit up straighter. Focus harder. And somehow manage to produce a sound that at times takes your breath away.

Nobody has to be here. We don’t get paid, and there are any number of other things we could be doing.

But playing in Community Band is one of my Bucket List items, and I can’t imagine not participating.

I might be the least-experienced player in the band. I’ve only been playing flute for two years; even our high schoolers have five-plus years beneath their belts.

But nobody seems to mind. There are no criticisms, no “mean girls” making snide remarks, no singling out over a wrong note or rhythm.

Nobody’s judging me for not knowing the last few of the highest notes on my instrument. Or all the alternate keys or trills. For not catching EVERY note in a run.

Instead, I see genuine smiles, lots of camaraderie, sharing tips and tricks.

Happiness. Contentment.

And satisfaction.

For in the end, music elevates us from everyday drudgery and lets us catch a glimpse of heaven.

Sunday’s Gem — Dalmatian Stone

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein

Looking like the coat of a “fire engine dog,” Dalmatian Stone is comprised of feldspar and quartz and presents in shades of pale gray, cream, or beige-brown with black or brown spots of iron oxide, tourmaline, or other minerals.

[image error]

Thanks to http://www.healingcrystals.com for this photo of tumbled Dalmation Stones

Mistakenly referred to as “Dalmatian Jasper,” this fairly common igneous rock is found in Mexico and is a 5.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness (ranging from 1 to 10).

Ancient peoples used Dalmatian Stone as a protection amulet. It’s believed to boost the immune system, assisting with bowel disorders and skin problems.

The energy of Dalmatian Stone brings childlike joy and playfulness into your life. It’s said this stone is a “people stopper,” in that even strangers will notice you wearing it and will turn around for another look!

Dalmatian Stone readily accepts dye and can be found in bright colors such as blue, red, green, and purple. Often made into beads, it’s especially elegant when paired with black stones like Onyx or Obsidian.

[image error]

I made these 3.5-inch Dalmatian Stone and Obsidian earrings just yesterday.

While not a traditional or natural birthstone, nor a zodiac gem, Dalmatian Stone is beneficial for those who are overly analytical. It’s also a wonderful sleep aid, protecting against nightmares. It’s thought to convert negative into positive energy, helping you let go of old ways of looking at the world.

Dalmatian Stone is a good stone for veterinarians, calming and soothing animals. It helps athletes deal with sprains and cartilage problems. It cleanses the aura and dysfunctional energies, renewing your faith in others and lessening a desire for revenge.

Opening the base, sacral, and earth Chakras, Dalmatian Stone helps you move forward and discover your true purpose in life.

Feng Shui experts say Dalmatian Stone uses earth energy and should be placed where you rest, so you’ll feel safe and protected.

Clean your Dalmatian Stone with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water.

Note: The claims here aren’t meant to take the place of medical advice. They’re based on folklore and other sources, and likely “work” best if one’s belief is strong enough!

Swooping In

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. ~Anne Lamott, American novelist

Dallas here.

It’s happened again. We got a BAT in the house!

Mama and I had just settled down for a nice snoozle when she heard a rattling sound.

At first, she thought it was me, scratching my nails on the floor. But then she saw something fly past her head and she couldn’t hop out of bed fast enough.

“BAT!!” She hollered and raced into the hallway, shutting me inside with the critter.

Gee, Mama, what were you thinking?

Next thing I knew, Mama was back with her butterfly net.

As she opened the door, I escaped, standing just close enough to watch the show.

There was Mama, net in hand, swinging and shouting at Battie, who was swooping and gliding like an airplane in an acrobatics show.

Mama opened a window, hoping Battie would realize he was inside and should have been out, but it didn’t work. She kept trying to snag him in her net, but she got herself so dizzy, she stumbled out of the room … right into Grandma!

It’s a good thing the two of them steadied each other, or they’d have both been on deck.

When Mama got her bearings back, she peeped in her room. No bat.

Uh-oh.

Eventually, after combing the house, she saw him swooping up the stairs. She stunned him with the rim of her net, dropped the net part over him, scooped him up while he was making that angry clicking noise, and carried him outside.

After the eviction, she turned on me.

“Why didn’t you help?” she asked. “Don’t you know bats don’t belong inside?”

Sorry, Mama, No. Birds fly outside, and you don’t chase them down with a net. What’s special about this funny webbed bird?

The next day, Mama called an exterminator.

Part Two

Dallas again.

The exterminator (AKA “Batman”) gave Mama a free estimate, then announced he’d tackle her bat problem for $1260.

What?? When Home Advisor says the Illinois average is $218??

Thanks, but No Thanks.

So, Mama called another guy, who offered to remove Battie and his kin for $2500.

Seriously.

Sorry, Sport, but you’re going in the WRONG direction.

Grandma’s got a call in to a contractor.

I’ll let you know how that goes.

Farewell (of sorts)

Where is the good in goodbye? ~Meredith Willson, The Music Man

WordPress has decided to end its weekly Photo Challenge. It’s been running this feature since 2011, though I just joined the fun at the beginning of this year.

I imagine those of us who enjoyed a dare are sad to see it come to an end.

The final challenge is “All-Time Favorites” and asks us to share our favorite photos. Nope, not gonna happen — there are too many photos to wade through, too little time in which to do so, and I’d have far too much trouble choosing just one.

So here’s my interpretation of goodbye instead.

[image error]

Farewell, my pretty

You served me admirably

Rest in peace, okay?

 

Note: It’s been almost two years since an accident totaled my car. My scrapes have healed, but my heart remains heavy for the car that gave its life for me. During the summer months, there are more of us on the roads and some are driving distracted. Please be mindful!

Mangled Again

[image error]

Careless lawn service

Twisted metal spout again

Might need new glasses.

Note: This is my interpretation of Twisted, the WordPress Photo Challenge for the week. The exact opposite of a straight line, I suppose. Anyway, I took this one this morning, after the lawn guys ran over the gutter downspout yet again. Sign.

Sunday’s Gem — Fluorite

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein

The only common mineral with perfect cleavage in four directions is Fluorite, also called fluorspar.

[image error]

Blue Fluorite (courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Composed of calcium and fluorine, Fluorite is a 4 on the Mohs scale of hardness, with 10 being the hardest. It’s found in China, Mexico, Canada, England, Germany, South Africa, and several other countries.

Known as the “genius stone,” Fluorite is believed to help in absorbing new information; it’s thought to stir creativity and encourage both hemispheres of the brain to work in harmony. Students can use it to improve memorization and retention.

Ancient Egyptians carved Fluorite into vases and statues. American Indians, Celts, Germans, and Russians carved Fluorite into amulets and dining ware. Emperor Nero reportedly paid $250,000 (in today’s prices) for one Fluorspar cup. In the 1700s, hydrofluoric acid diluted with water was used to alleviate kidney disease, shrink varicose veins, grow hair, and cure sores on the fingers and in the nostrils.

Fluorite is the state mineral for Illinois, which once served as the country’s leading producer of Fluorspar. This highly protective and stabilizing mineral is widely used for manufacturing, glazing (Teflon is made from one of its derivitives), metal production, and optical equipment like telescopes.

Pure Fluoride is colorless. When other elements substitute for the calcium, various colors result, including purple, green, blue, yellow, and rainbow. As expected, each color carries its own particular metaphysical properties and is attuned to specific Chakras.

For instance, blue Fluorite heals the Third Eye and Throat Chakras, brings a calm rational energy, and fosters communication skills. Green Fluorite resonates to the Heart Chakra, helps release emotional trauma, and clears negative energy from the environment. Purple Fluorite heals the Third Eye Chakra and helps increase self-confidence.

[image error]

Purple Fluorite specimen (thanks to http://www.healingcrystals.com for this photo!)

While Fluorite isn’t a traditional birthstone, it’s the Zodiac stone for Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20). Feng Shui experts say Purple Fluoride uses fire energy and should be placed in the south area of a home or room.

Because Fluorite is so soft, it’s best to buy it in protected settings like pendants or brooches. Avoid wearing Fluorite jewelry while cleaning or exercising, clean it with soapy water and a soft cloth, and store apart from other jewelry.

Note: The claims here aren’t meant to take the place of medical advice. They’re based on folklore and other sources, and likely “work” best if one’s belief is strong enough!

Snow Zoomies*

[image error]

Nothing like some snow

To send even an old dog

Into wild zoomies!

Note: This is my interpretation of Liquid, the WordPress Photo Challenge for the week. We’re supposed to share a photo of liquid in whatever state we’d like. If memory serves me correctly, this shot from December 2014 captured one of our early snowfalls, and my dog gleefully joined me outside as big, fat flakes swirled down from the sky.

*The “zoomies” are sudden bursts of crazy energy that are totally normal for healthy dogs.

Mother’s Day, 2018

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving, American writer

[image error]

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his. ~Oscar Wilde, Irish poet

Happy Mother’s Day! Remember, even if you don’t have children, you’re probably mothering something, whether it’s a pet, a garden, or even a novel. Thanks so much for accompanying me on my writer’s path!

Clouds

You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds. ~Henry David Thoreau, American essayist

[image error]

Don’t give up the ship

You’ll find your place in the world

These things just take time.

Note: The theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is your Place in the World. “Where do you belong?” is the question we’re supposed to interpret. I’m finding this one hard. There are many places that call to me, and I’m often accused of having my head in the clouds! I took this shot in July 2015.

Bottoms Up!

Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza. ~Dave Barry, American author and columnist

[image error]

Highly unlikely

I’ll start brewing craft beer soon

But what a great name!!

Note: This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge theme is Unlikely. We’re asked to capture the unexpected, the everyday in an unlikely place, the unpredictable. My pen name is O’Shea, and when I spied this Irish stout on the grocery shelves recently, I knew I needed its photo. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll get back to Ireland and look up the brewers!