I do not know what this is all about. Neither do I know why it is saved on my computer. But, it is an interesting picture. So I’ll share it with you…so you can ponder it with me!

I had said that I wasn’t going to watch the inauguration. I was being a sore loser. And, I still am not thrilled, but I changed my mind and watched it anyway. It seemed like the ‘American’ thing to do.

I only want to comment on the music in this post. I may or may not comment on some other thoughts later.

First up was Aretha Franklin. She attempted My Country, Tis Of Thee. Now, Y’all, she was not good. Even if you like her style of singing…she was not good. She was way off pitch several times, and she didn’t come close to hitting some of the higher notes. Plus the fact that she added in all those riffs that are not part of this traditional American song. I like Aretha doing Aretha songs. Now she can do those just fine, BUT, this time…she blew it! And the hat…words fail!

Next was a beautiful quartet made up of YoYo Ma,cello, Itzhac Perman, violin, Anthony McGill, clarinet, and Gabriela Montero on piano. The song was “Air and Simple Gifts” and it was arranged for this occasion by John Williams. It was beautiful.

You may be familiar with the song “Simple Gifts’…it is an old Quaker Hymn. The words are especially beautiful. Simple Gifts” was written by Elder Joseph while he was at the Shaker community in Alfred, Maine in 1848. These are the lyrics to his one-verse song:

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free,
‘Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain’d,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be asham’d,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.
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Several Shaker manuscripts indicate that this is a “Dancing Song” or a “Quick Dance.” That is apparent with such lines of the song as “turn, turn will be our delight” and “turning, turning we come round right”. These are dance instructions.

Two additional, later non-Shaker verses exist for the song, as follows:
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‘Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
‘Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we’ll all live together and we’ll all learn to say,
(refrain)
‘Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
‘Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of “me”,
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we’ll all live together with a love that is real.
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The United States Navy Band, the Sea Chanters, did a beautiful job on the Star Spangled Banner. It was sung in the normal traditional way, with nothing added…the way that song should always be sung.

The Marine Band also performed all the other musical selections.

I know there were many concerts and musical affairs going on all over the city. These were the only ones I can comment on. However, if you did not hear the quartet do “Air and Simple Gifts” it is available on You Tube. You owe it to yourself to hear this beautiful work.

In the light of all the celebration surrounding BO’s inaugaration, I feel little has been said to properly honor President George W. Bush.

I searched several newspapers, and other publications to find a favorable report of his presidency. I am well aware of the fact that the ‘majority of Americans’ feel like his presidency is nothing to honor. However, I disagree with the’majority of Americans’, and I feel George W. Bush is owed quite a debt of gratitude by this same ‘majority.

I did find an article that I agree with…but, it wasn’t an American paper…it is The Telegraph in London, England. This was written by Andrew Roberts 1/15/09.
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“In the avalanche of abuse and ridicule that we are witnessing in the media assessments of President Bush’s legacy, there are factors that need to be borne in mind if we are to come to a judgment that is not warped by the kind of partisan hysteria that has characterised this issue on both sides of the Atlantic.

The first is that history, by looking at the key facts rather than being distracted by the loud ambient noise of the
24-hour news cycle, will probably hand down a far more positive judgment on Mr Bush’s presidency than the immediate, knee-jerk loathing of the American and European elites.

At the time of 9/11, which will forever rightly be regarded as the defining moment of the presidency, history will look in vain for anyone predicting that the Americans murdered that day would be the very last ones to die at the hands of Islamic fundamentalist terrorists in the US from that day to this.

The decisions taken by Mr Bush in the immediate aftermath of that ghastly moment will be pored over by historians for the rest of our lifetimes. One thing they will doubtless conclude is that the measures he took to lock down America’s borders, scrutinise travellers to and from the United States, eavesdrop upon terrorist suspects, work closely with international intelligence agencies and take the war to the enemy has foiled dozens, perhaps scores of would-be murderous attacks on America. There are Americans alive today who would not be if it had not been for the passing of the Patriot Act. There are 3,000 people who would have died in the August 2005 airline conspiracy if it had not been for the superb inter-agency co-operation demanded by Bush
after 9/11.

The next factor that will be seen in its proper historical context in years to come will be the true reasons for invading Afghanistan in October 2001 and Iraq in April 2003. The conspiracy theories believed by many (generally, but not always) stupid people ?

Yes, I do know Christmas is over. But, the memories and pics linger on. I did not get these posted before Christmas, but I had promised my 3 little buddies I would put these on my blog. So here they are…better late than never!
My K-4 kids on stage for their program…

K-4 teachers: Jana, Dawn, the old lady, Donnell, Debbie. No one told me about the vests…

Me and Mack, my sweet friend in K-3

Benj and Luke and me…ready to ride with Santa…don’t ya think we’ll fit right in with the other reindeer?