Harmonicahelps.….. from a contented Busker.

  This is September 30th, a day officially appointed to remember First Nations’ experiences with Assimilation, the dreadful Indian Act and residential schools, the pet project of government and church. Sad stuff. Have we moved forward?

  Image thanks to my brother Scott. Bay Street broker hits the waters in number 25. Today I received an email of condolence from some old friends out of London. They had heard from Jim, Pat’s Brother, about my Mother’s quiet passing on September second. This brought up memories of Pat’s Mother Marj, parenting four kids and filling in the gaps which had to be there because of her husband Bill’s business demands and travels as a high executive with Labatt Breweries of Canada. I enjoyed many helpful talks and snacks with Marj, either before or after some adventure with Jim, my buddy. He and I would work together at summer camp, visit Great Britain together, date our sweethearts together, attend law school together. Jim would stay at the laws as a Patent Attorney. I left my practice after 13 years, and put on the blue collar for another 35. Remembering Marj, I remember hearing about the pact made between the two women, as Jim and I entered Kindergarten in 1956. They would look out for ...

 

And Ray Steven's wanted to join in too...

  Busking in front of Waterloo Bridgport Walmart. Up comes an old acquaintance of more than 24 years in KW. Knows all my family. Carlos is on the streets. A forceful Gospel minister. Many lives changed at Laurier University. A couple of Pastors moved way forward in understanding. Often discussions with me about our shared faith. He shows a big smile and says that he has a gift for me. No strings attached. It will blow my socks off. And it did. A Lee Oskar Harmonica in A. I had been looking for that key. Had not raised the scratch. Howboutdat? Carlos said he never got the hang of it. Never hardly used it. HHMMM. The product was first manufactured in 1983 in collaboration with Tombo Manufacturers of Japan. On the street https://histocall.blogspot.com/2022/05/loose-change.html

 

  Universal agreement in Dance. Do we still have it? Lodged in tendons, bones, muscles and reflex. Smiles, feather boas, kerchiefs, polished shoes, top hat and cane. Stairways, lots of them.

  How could a crowd ever forget this? They didn’t.

  Pat Murphy, a guy who can get a hold of your heart .   Residing in Ayr, ON. With camera, mike and guitar he does his thing many a Sunday. Here the imagination takes us to an antique scene in an old drugstore. Where a classic song was birthed. In the Sweet Bye and Bye.

  We all want to agree, to join together, to emote, to sing, to have peaked moments. Of unabashed Joy.

  Bev Blair, nee Roberts, passed away peacefully at University Hospital on the second day of September. She was pre-deceased by husband Jack Blair in June of 2010. Surviving sons are Douglas of Kitchener and Scott of Toronto. Grandchildren are Lauren Hodgson and Jordan Blair (with Doug) and Jake Blair and Peter Blair (with Scott). Daughters-in-law are Hilary Blair and Zoe Adrian. Remembering also Kelly McConville, mother to Jake and Peter. Bev was an enthusiastic and well humoured resident of Kensington Village Retirement Home in London. Previously a homemaker at 171 Regent Street for over 57 years. She had been past women’s President at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club and a key program leader at London Curling Club. She served many behind the scene roles for Tom Munro Sporting Goods, her husband’s enterprise in Downtown London. Spiritual partnership with Colborne Street United Church and previously Robinson Memorial United Church. Traveler with Jack to many memorable destinatio...

  It was Chicago Mom and Dad on a break From job From household Yankees were in town. Same Hotel Elmwood Inn, I think. Over breakfast Dad had  Special words with Yogi Berra Micky Mantle Roger Maris. (great names all) Fantastic for a fan. Evening's entertainment in the Lounge Tony Bennett Stool at the ready Crooning with ease And flair. Piano guy’s a plus. Then came overtime. Tony just having fun. "Tell me folks Whatdya want I'm staying." Flowers from sister Whitney, in honour of Bev. September 2022.

 

  Not in some tiresome puffing Wind all spent ere long Agile the tongue With sweet single note joy. Slurring dynamics For song. Song the conveyor of happy. Song the uplifter of mood. Hands boxed and Windpipe and passage Amplify well, understood? Chug if you will And some slurring. Bend with a bluesy accord. Gifted you come to the Session Gifted, you must thank the Lord. Yes Girl, excel in the tandem Bow to the Strummer's delight Partners, so keen in the giving Not just another dull night. Not just rehearsing the same-old. Improvise, you'll put it through Harp shines And gives us the Glory Has one much better to do? Note: I wish Indiara Sfair every success. She is a wonderful inspiration. I marvel always at her delightful wanderings through song, tempo and tireless agility. The Creator looks at her Sessions and smiles...Doug Blair, aspiring busker

  Performed 2010 Musicians worldwide inspired by Grandpa Elliott Small. Playing out in the Open...for folks. Playing for Change.

 Thank you John Pinette

  Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. Captain and Doctor on HMS Surprise. Seafaring fiction in the Napoleonic Wars. Better methinks than Horatio Hornblower. To catch the French And gain the prize We round the Horn And trust  That able winds will Bring us close To their proud run Abaft. We have the guns We have the speed And we shall have Last laugh.

 

 

  Christelle Berthon

Remembering the haunting lament of Keely Smith.

  The Danish Side (written @ 2009) My mother is not much of a story-teller. Dad has that propensity. Mom was always the good listener, sitting often at the kitchen table, hearing out the teen-age boy with his many challenges. I always treasured her support. Words, though few, were appropriate and loving. She was extremely artistic. Oil paintings of scenes and still life. Tasteful backyard gardens. The finest of popular music on the high fidelity record player - Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Keelie Smith, Julie Andrews, Percy Faith, Mantovani and Henry Mancini.There were times when she had to be both mother and father, Jack taking to the road in his Regional Manager's position with Dominion Rubber. On one such occasion she suffered the undeserved guilt of being on the watch when her son was on a construction site and throwing stones with another boy. An errant stone took out about sixty percent of the vision in my right eye. Mom had not had an easy upbringing. At age fourteen she ...

 

  Failing in health and confined to a wheelchair, the old composer struggled to rise when the audience applauded him and his work. In a strained voice he said, It is not me, not mine. It's HIS and FOR HIM. Give God the Creator all the praise. As told by radio Gospel broadcaster David Jeremiah in a series on Worship. https://issuu.com/dewane/docs/worship

  Jordan in Brazil scene near Drayton @ St. Jacobs our best work, Jordan and Lauren Quebec City Scott and Zoe in Costa Rica Creativity. Mom with her oil paints and music Dad the North pickerel and carvings Brother and his wife The photo shots worldwide Daughter the wool miles of crochet Son the views treasured on high flight. Hilary and water colours gladly. Me with my bright harps and poems. All get the itch to be making All get the views in the head All could be straining for fortune Love to make beauty instead.

  ( Photo thanks to friend Bob Geddes, Lake Huron shoreline) Three full days And Mother gone She went to sleep And just passed on The Doctor said The end was soon No harsh rescue Just let her swoon With pain dissolved With dreams of Home And Heaven’s applause For her life’s poem. Of goodwill shared And laughter much A valiant spouse And sons to vouch That she was good And she was kind The tears will flush All left behind. But talk not of A loss or waste Her Graduation Now makes haste. Remembering Bev Blair, 1926-2022, always some reason to sing ( Good time now to read 2 Corinthians chapter five.)

  Sunday Morning's Quiet (plus harmonica) -  September 04, 2022   A hush so fine Just geese who stir The folks in tents Are still a blur The night was cool Not overmuch They need our help They need our touch. Just happened quick No life-style here But friends are made Strange times found dear. And we can smile And give a word Perhaps some food Or music heard. quiet needed

 

  Good Old Lake Huron in September   Thank you Bob Geddes. Colours and balance here are wonderful. Under the Glory A Kincardine story As summer retreats With a sigh. So quick the warm season And more-so the reason Commune with the gulls As they fly. at  September 03, 2022  

 

  Whole Summers Spent Listening to these Three* Simple in instrumentation Topics the ordinary stuff Given a dais and magical tune For Jet Plane and Right Field and Puff. Surely the masters of Folk Song Cultures sprang forward anew Here’s what we value in our common lot You can sit down and sing too. Laugh if the funny bone tickles Cry if you hit a sore spot Human emotion in all its rich tones Artists who share what they’ve got. (* Peter, Paul and Mary) https://youtu.be/zslUua_jGy4

  Right on my plate Lord I see that The clues of hesitancy, pain And dread for next morning. But you put me here Ordinary travels, plans So let’s do this...here, now. Together.

  But he engages and people respond. Have a good day Ma’am I’m standing here With beauty to give With honest good cheer. Forget that I’m homeless Forget that I’m odd Another quaint traveller Kindly handled by God.