Don't Dwell On it...Dwell Because Of It (Be Infectious)

So, today I was talking to some beloved friends I haven’t seen in quite awhile and I was thinking about some things to write.  I wanted to "try hard to keep it simple". Kind of my oxymoron for the day.  So, we were talking about being infectious…in a good way.  It used to be a saying in our home group at the Broadbents after I came home from the hospital.  Dave and Tina used to call me that because I was sick a lot and funny…I think? As you know if you follow me here or know me at all, I have had traumatic surgeries and get sick quite a bit.  No complaints, though.  I can’t take conventional medicine, but I do take medicine of a different sort.  I can't take pills...but I am a pill!  PIMP LOL...  I used to take so much medications to stay alive?  That I wasn't living anymore, you know what I mean?  Got to where I couldn't do anything without the pills.  And my saying was: I have a "Pill Will"!  Give me a pill...and I will.  At least now I can joke about it.  There was a time when even talking about it was extremely painful...getting off all of it about killed me...had to almost die...to live! But, my medicine now?  Heavy intravenous daily shots of humor, hope, music, service and most important…my faith in God.  And I am infectious.  You get around me?  You might catch it!  PIMP LOL…  So, back to the story.  After we parted, I was thinking about what they said about how far I had come.  To me, it seemed like very small steps and so very far to get yet, because I am always with me every moment.  Duh! And they aren’t.  It’s like watching hair growing or a flower blooming.  Or a watched pot.  They saw me today as God sees…the whole picture after years and not just the little steps.  They had more distance than I have had.  We have to remember to distance our self from, well?  Our self!  We need that once in awhile to get the whole picture over time.  It got me thinking about how we sometimes have to live with things in our life that are extremely tough, but that doesn’t mean we have to dwell on or in them.  Dwell because of them…dwell with them…not on them….or in them.  Because that well that you’re living with can be very deep.  Dwell with or next to…not where you can fall in and drown…cuz d’well is deep.  Now, that’s deep! TNT LOL...   Be infectious today.  Spread that love, that smile, that humor…spread your self...just not too thin.  Step outside yourself once in a while to be yourself again.  Dwell because…not on!  If you want to dwell on something?  Make it d'well of God.  Sounds cliche', right?  Well, for me it means just this one thing:  see God in everything and dwell on that part of it.  His part!  You can't drown in that.  His water is life...d'well of life.  Dwell because of life.   He will keep you afloat!   Try hard to keep it simple!  Last thoughts:  my photo above to the right?  Is a drawing from my friend, Amanda Wilson...teaches Zumba and sings amazingly!   The other photo?  Trace deep in thought!

Sweet 16 Parties, Inspiration And The Sweet Truth About Character

So, birthdays at 16, inspiration and the truth about character all have something in common.  The're all sweet!!  And here's I came to that conclusion and those three subjects at this late hour.  Tonight, I went with my family to a Sweet 16 party for Lydia, a dear, lovely young lady who is an inspiration to me as a singer and individual. Just being invited and going was such an honor to me.  So much that having a blast was an added perk and joy.  I love to talk with her and I love her heart and her freedom and her honesty…a sweet girl with character.  It was wonderful to be part of her Sweet 16 and actually be able to enjoy it a bit because I am still pretty sick and dizzy.  And, by the way?  Why DO they say “pretty sick”?  It should be “ugly sick” right?  I mean who is pretty sick?  Sick isn’t a pretty thing.  Pretty sick is an oxymoron.  Which reminds me of another comment tonight.  Someone was speaking of a rich young man who sings and has such a girl’s voice that it hurts and he said the following while referring to his voice…”awww, that poor boy with the million dollar bank account”.  What?  Another oxymoron?   Okay, back to more of the Sweet  evening.  Another young man, very unexpectedly, came up to me and was graciously expressing to me how our music and videos have inspired him…and all the while tears of joy are raining inside me…he had no idea how much he was so used by God tonight to inspire us.  Why?  Well, let’s just say that we all need sweet inspiration…so glad he took time to so freely give his sweet words to the ears of my heart!  Ears of the heart?  What? An oxymoron you ask?  No!  The heart has the capacity to use all the senses…the heart can feel and hear and smell and see and, well, you get it!  Sweet!!  And, finally, another young friend asked me tonight if I would be a character reference for them because I am honest!  Easy answer!  Go right ahead and use me as a reference.  Everyone else refers to me as a character.  Being a character comes easy for me!  Honestly!  What?  It does.  I'm quite a character...PIMP LOL!  Well, to be truthful?  It’s a privilege and pleasure to be a character with character!  It really is!  No matter what character we are playing in all of our roles in life?  We should be a character with character!  You can still have humor with honor and still be a character with courage!  No oxymorons there.  Just the truth!  Sweet!!!  So, wonderful Sweet 16 party!  Who knew I was going to get so many gifts tonight, too?  He did!  Sweet!!!  Oh, and did I mention?  I got to dance!  Sweet!  Good night and sweet dreams!  Oh, and two more things?  I got an another unexpected gift before we left the party...a box of lovely clothes from a sweet lady.  And lastly, the photo at the beginning is how my heart and soul felt from all the inspiration...beaming!   Sweet inspiration is healing like music and humor...hope at it's best!   Just a little side note I added:  Today is Sunday and I thought this would be perfect to add to this post.  Today Pastor Erick spoke on...  You guess?  What else?  You guessed it!  INspiration!  The fact that I wrote this Friday and he spoke Saturday night and today on the same thing?  Well, that spoke to me!  That, in itself inspired me!  Just for us to be on the same wavelength.  Cool!   If you think about the word inspire?  The word spire it to raise to a high point or the summit...to rise or extend to the highest point.  And, well, the word "in"?  Well, we all know what that means.  So, we are inspired when that word or deed or unexplained God moment (epiphany) made such a high and sharp point in our life that it went into our very heart and soul.  Cut right through!!  Get the point? TNT LOL...  INspire today!  Thank you, Lydia, for inspiring so many of us, and for parents who brought her up...uprightly!  Happy 16th Birthday!  Sweet!    Trace

Bears And Prepositions And Mouse Cheese

On the news this morning, I heard about this crazy law about bears and it got me thinking about how we deal with the bears in our life… animals and humans and  even those days that are bears or trials that can be a bear.  You know what I'm talkin' 'bout.  I've often said, "Man!  That's a bear of a job or that yard work is gonna be a bear after weeks of no mowing.  PIMP LOL...you get it.  Anyway, back to the news. The story went something like this:  A bear was climbing over the fence and eating the bird seed in the feeder and anything else.  To make a short story shorter…here’s the end of the story: in our neighborhood, I guess it’s against the law to shoot a bear in your own backyard “until” he is attacking you.  Wrong preposition…I think they meant ‘before” he is attacking you.   Right?  If he is attacking me, let’s see…I’m dead?   Grin and bear it?  NO.  And I love bears…at a distance or on TV or all fluffy and stuffy lying around my daughter’s bedroom or the house.  But, alive and in my back yard?  Nutha story!  My definition of “until” is different for bears…  Speaking of prepositions, I learned about those from a most wonderful teacher in Pennsylvania.  She told me that anything a mouse can do to a big chunk of that holey Swiss cheese? You know!  Like "in", "up", "around"...and the list goes "on" and "on"...  Get it?  Those are prepositions!  I never forgot that.  I can see it in my head.  Funny the things that fill up that holey head of ours.  Cheesy!  But, really, the whole idea of a preposition is to place something before…BEFORE!  Right!  Prepose a set of words or something.  Like: to put “out” the light!  Good choice of prepositional phrases, cuz it’s either his light being put out or mine.  PIMP LOL…  So, my preposition for bear is not “until” he attacks, but “before” he attacks, so I can live to talk about it “after”, right?  I can live to do some more prepositions…like, walk “around” the back yard, go “through” the back yard, or “into” the yard.  How ‘bout “to” the back yard.  I’d be “out” of my mind if I waited “until” it attacked.  I would also be “under” ground and “over” and “out”.   Speaking of “over” and “out”?   I’m gone.  Got lots of R&R (recording and resting) to take care “of” today!  Cuz, I’m “into” music and we’ve been sick “around” here, so I’m “up” for some rest.  I'm "behind" on all that stuff!   “Upon” completion of reading this blog post and “before” you go on “with” the rest of your day…remember…  If you are having one “of” those days…or came “across” a bear of a person…grin!  And bear it!  Prepose the growling.  Don’t wait “until” the person growls…smile “before” that happens!   That will chase “off” the bear in most humans.  A smile will cut right “to” the heart and through all the tough skin and fluff.  Now, “paws” for a minute…  I bet you remember prepositions now…TNT LOL PIMP    Have a fun day!  I couldn’t bear it if you didn’t!!!!      Trace

"Spokes"person For Wheels, Clothespins, Cards And Song Capsules

This past couple years have been going by so fast.  That's what I was thinking when I heard this old song I had  in my album collection and burned to the computer.  I am the "spokes"person for the song "The wheels of life keep turning so much faster...". PIMP LOL... We all feel like that, sometimes, right?  Right?  Seriously, though? That song is off the "Brother To Brother" album by Gino Vannelli.  Excellent! Speaking from one "Spokes" Sister to Brother or Sister to Sister about "Brother To Brother"?  Extremely cool, that is. Oh, brother! You get it!  Speaking of the wheels of life…I remember as a kid, putting playing cards on my bicycle spokes with clothespins to get a cool sound.  Did you ever do that?  Or balloons?   Or other creative noise making!  That was just before moving into Mini Enduros and race cars, that is.  My, the wheels in my head are turning round and round now and some memories flood in.  Seeing a lot of myself spinning my wheels and up on two wheels sort of pictures in my head.  Whew!  I used to love to race around Merritt Island, or anywhere.  Had a '69 Camaro and some trucks.  Enjoyed that freedom in driving around and singing.  It was my first sound room.  My place to sing freely!  That’s what I love about music…God made music so that it mysteriously absorbs and captures in a “song capsule” everything we are doing and thinking and smelling and seeing and feeling at that time.  All our senses… including the 7th one, nonsense, are included in that memory of the song.  How cool. If you get a chance check out this album.  It is quite a few years back, but worth the look and listen, without a doubt.  Speaking of wheels?  I am going to burn some rubber and get out of here and get some more music recorded.  Almost have our new jazzy/bluesy weddings song finished and I need some rest.  I sure don’t want to be the “spokes”person for sickness again this week.  Good night!  Oh, and one last comment?  My thoughts a couple mornings after I wrote this:   News Flash: We interrupt your life this morning for this special announcement from the “spokes”person of “the wheels of life keep turning so much faster”. Feeling “tire”d or "chain"ed and want to get a "handle" on the bars of life? Shift gears and go with the flow, get a tandem bike, or get off your bike and walk! Just don’t quit! Finish the race.   Trace

My First Sound Round...

A Penny For Your Thoughts And Stamps...don't let your thoughts lick you! Just My 2 Cents!!

Ever been knee deep in collecting your thoughts and every time you almost have a complete set, somebody gives you a penny for some?  Some even give their 2¢ and they don’t even want to hear your thoughts!  PIMP LOL…so, what to do with this collection?  I’m thinking it’s like collecting stamps. One side you get the full picture. The other side… sticky situation.  Don't let your thoughts or anyone else’s thoughts about you…lick you!  My stamp of approval? My 2 cents worth?  Prayer! Knee deep!  That’s what I had to do.  Because I collected too many thoughts this past several months…if you know what I mean.  Knee-deep, for sure.  This morning, while I was finishing up my newest blog post and some emails, I got to thinking again.   Ever felt like you say too much with computers, emails and texting at your fingertips?  Yes? No?  Stuff you would never say on the phone or after thinking or time away from the thoughts?  My computer is being put on restriction...a punishment for awhile.  Grounded...or, I should say ungrounded…as in unplugged!  Or, undergrounded…as in, buried!  Then, I can't put my thoughts in writing...or, at least?  Some of them.  You know?  The stamp collecting thing?  The sticky side… thoughts that can get you into a sticky situation.  Not the whole picture.  And when you don’t know the whole story and can’t see the whole picture, bend an ear and find out…tak to that person…instead of emailing or texting something you shouldn’t or aren’t sure of.  Causes sticky situations.  If it is impossible to talk to the person, you know, bend their ear? Do it.  If not, bend down on your knees…and bend His.  I also came up with a double-check idea for myself that really works.  I always send myself emails or other stuff I write first before I actually post or email to others.  And then read them later in a different state of mind…unless they are something simple.  If they don’t send me to a good place?  Then, I don’t hit the send button!   And, by the way?  Actually I should ground myself, not the computer, I guess…for being ridiculously human…when I rush and write things I might later wish I hadn’t…so the doublecheck idea and the bended knee, Bended Ear” plan allows me to be uniquely and wonderfully human…instead!   PIMP LOL…and the   grounded thing?  Is a good thing…because getting grounded…getting in a tough spot…trouble?  Lets you know you need to get grounded in prayer.

I think, for a few days, maybe weeks, I am going to be still and quiet and just collect my many and,  often, random thoughts. Random House Publishing Company needs them for a joke book they are putting together.  PIMP LOL…  Besides?  Every time I almost have a complete set, somebody gives me a penny for some.  Some people give me their 2 cents and they don’t even want to hear my thoughts!  Tough choice…keep them to myself?  Or share them?   Well, like I said up above…share the right ones.  The ones that send me to a good place…  It really is like collecting stamps…one side you get the full picture…other side…”sticky” situation.  When you have that thought licked?  You only see the whole picture…the right side of things.  Have a thoughtful day!  Fill it with deep thoughts.  Better to be deep in thought…then shallow in words.  I’m already deep in thought.  Fathom that?  That really sends me…  How ‘bout you?  Stop by my other posts and pages and comment.  I’m still giving away a free album to new followers.   Thanks, everyone for thinking of me.  A penny for those thoughts?  TNT LOL    What?  I promise not to give you my 2 cents.      Trace

Cell Phones (my first and my daughter's first)

So, it was after 11:00 last night, and I am better, but still swirling with these sinuses!  So, I just sat down and was relaxing on the couch.  Our phone rings and we only have a home phone.  But, my daughter got a cell phone for Christmas this year from her Aunt and Uncle…the first one in our family.  So, back to my story, my home phone rings and I can see the number on the TV in my mind and I see it’s my daughter’s cell phone.  Not thinking, I get up…it doesn’t register because that concept of a cell phone in our family is still very new.  I go to the other room, pick it up, say hello and get an ear full of laughing…hilarious devious laughing.  She wanted to see if I would call out since she is just in the next room, and say very funny Garnet Rose, now go to sleep.  Or not think and get up.  What do you think?  Duh!  I got up.  My excuse?  I am very sick and dizzy!!! PIMP LOL…  The next 2 paragraphs are the two short stories of our first experiences with her new cell phone…which, by the way, is an old number regiven out by AT&T, which was supposed to be fixed and changed to Wireless Caller.  There sure are a lot of folks called Wireless Caller.  Popular name!  So her cell name says Louis somebody!!  So, that’s a good excuse…  Who in the world is this Louis calling at 11:00 at night, right?  By the time I got to the phone I realized it, but answered it anyway!!  PIMP LOL...  Oh, and the photo with this blog post?  It's my first cell phone.  You'll find the story to that...as you read on.

The first story of my daughter’s new cell phone was the day after she got it for Christmas:  ‎1st chance to use the cell phone in an emergency.  Our PT Cruiser tire partially split this morning before leaving to exchange the new cell phone because the keyboard kept sticking.  So, before exchanging the phone, they carefully drove to get a new tire.  I told them they had to call me to let me know they made it to the tire place.  How cool  Excitement over using the new cell phone? Priceless.  Excitement over using my kids Christmas money until our next payday? $93 worth! But, interestingly interest-free! PIMP LOL

The second story on her new phone was New Year's Eve:  Called my girl on her 1st cell phone (an LG) to say Happy New year!  Very cool for me.  That call?  Priceless!  The call I got at 2:35a.m., which lasted until 30 minutes later?  Pricemess.  The LG called TG (me) with 4G…accidentG!  She was having fun at a lock-in and didn’t realize the lock wasn’t on!  We’re just learning about these cell phones.  She didn’t even know she called me. It was an “in the pocket” call…between LG & TG…coverage by AT&T!   PIMP LOL… Make your day & year?  In the pocket! 

I can say that here it is…3 weeks later….and no more mishaps or minutes used accidentally…although, the touch screen does have to be cleaned so much.  It’s touchy like that!  We have used it 3 times in an emergency without having to ask someone else…yay!  And, a ton of texting…glad it’s unlimited, or it could get taxing…that texting.  TNT LOL. 

Have a fun day.  The photo on this top of this post?  It is my first cell phone.  Why?  Because it actually got struck during a tornado cell that  hit at our previous house on the river.  Came right through the phone wires and burnt up the wall and the inside of the phone.  For real!  It was my first “cell" phone!  PIMP TNT LOL    Have a fun day!  “Cell”abrate life today!  And the last photo here at the end of this post?  It's me "text"uring.  That's what we do when we have no text money left on our cell phones, right?  PIMP LOL...gotta be creative.  Get it?  Text u ring...  Okay!  Forget it.  But, really...every time I hear the ring of "Crazy Train", I know she is getting a text and I'm? Well, I'm just getting crazier.  I think I even started singing it.     Trace

Bugs, Dust Bunnies And Vacuums

Been fighting a huge bug in our house for over a week…so, this morning after some much needed rest…my girl and I are going to attempt to get rid of the bugs in our house.  Just kidding…no bugs!  Just dust bunnies.  And our dust bunnies?  Have been know to attack!  TNT LOL…  Vacuum here we come.  I wonder if they make vacuum for heads and sinuses.  I want it...I want it…PIMP LOL… My sinuses and my stomach have been so sick from the inner ear pressure that I have been feeling green, if you know what I  mean…spinning like on a ship in the ocean and sea sick.  I’d like to take a vacuum and remove the green from my head so I don’t feel green.  Yuck!  That is so gross.  PIMP LOL…  But, really?  I was feeling so bad and made myself go out for a much needed medicine...a message at church yesterday.  Thanks much, Erick.  Got to me…like always.   And my other medicine?  Well, music!  It’s my soothing and healing medicine for everything that ails me…physically and spiritually and emotionally…sometimes, even intellectually…when my brain hurts from thinking.  Which, yes?  That does happen a lot to me.  I wonder why?  When I am well, it is easy to have music going and sing and record and create vids or whatever.  When I am sick?   I still push because I am more used to health problems than most, but I have to think of it as a real medicine.  Which, by the way, I cannot take any meds from my condition.  A real medicine has to be swallowed…you have to take the first step and take it in if you really want to get well…especially when you feel yucky.  And, especially, when it hurts to swallow…physically and spiritually.  The two work hand in hand!  Like medicine, music has to get in you to work. Like God, too.  It is just so cool.  So, music…is not just for sick times…for all times…but, during sick times?  You really notice the power of God and His creation of music as a medicine for all parts of our being…and all of our parts?  Flood into each other.  Something that affects our physical?  Affects our spirit!  Something that affects our emotions?  Affects our mind.  Affects our spirit.  Affects our body.  You see what I mean.  We are 4 parts in 1.  Glad God is in all.  So, He gave us His word, Jesus, as our way of salvation…our path to God.  He gave His creation of music and humor as our salvation from sickness…it is our path to healing…  So, Christ is our gift from Him that deserves our highest praise…and music and humor to me?  Is that expression of highest praise…in all forms and styles…and feelings…when it brings a smile to your face, His face and others…  There is a direct connection the way He made us that sends that smile right to the soul…medicine.  Tears can do the same things…  I love the way all things connect…  I was helping my girl with a Science project and was reading Pythagoras.  Read about him when you can.  He was big on numbers, the heavens and music…geometry, atronomy and harmony!  And the connection between them all and our Creator.   Really cool stuff to take in. He was a little off on religion, but seeking.  Interesting stuff…  Have a fun day.  Gotta go tackle some dust bunnies and vacuum.  I’d like to try to vacuum my sinuses.  What!  Well, it sucks having this flu bug, but, having a vacuum?  Sucks more… I don’t say sucks because I don’t like it, so when something sucks, we say, “that vacuums”!  So, have a day that doesn’t vacuum!  No matter how you look at it? A vacuum really does suck more... Because a vacuum sucks up all the dust bunnies, but it sucks vacuuming when you are sick.   Join my blog for a free album...or a free laugh...or free useless information...PIMP LOL...and harmonize with someone today...whether musically or spiritually!  Make someone laugh or smile.    Trace 

Small note after vacuuming: my daughter and I both realized?  We don't feel that great yet.  The floors are clean, but we are worn out.  The dust bunnies are gone, but not the bug!  PIMP LOL...so, I am off to try to rest and breathe and she is resting by playing Halo Reach.  Maybe after I stop spinning a little, I will play her a round of Halo Reach.  You know?  Reach out?  Let the medicine get in you...

Another added note after finally laying down: So, I am finally getting to lay my head down on a very soft pillow & watch video games after fighting dust bunnies & a bug today. I now know where they got the word pillow from. Laying your head on a soft is like taking a "pill" and feeling "o" wow! Pill-o. Except I would have called it pillwow...like the Shamwow! Just sayin'!   

Get Down With Your Wooly Self

I'm not pulling the wool over your eyes when I say that I posted 2 completely unique songs and videos on my Facebook wall and here at the end of this blog post.  They are the b.a.s.i.c. band originals and totally different from each other in song style and video drama technique.  I wanted to do this why?  Because?  Well?  Because it's okay to be different.  Okay to have many sides.  To be unique.  And the best way for me show how I feel or who I am?  Besides my clothing style or decorating style or talking? Is our music and video creations.  Speaking of different?  A little funky?  My outfit about said it all this morning, right?  Wool fingerless gloves, wool toboggan with U.S. flag (a Brandon Gray borrow), antique blue/green wool coat, jeans, flowered Henley, 4-inch boots...need I say more?  It's okay to be yourself...even if it is your wooly self! PIMP LOL…so lend me your ears, your eyes and your soul for these two songs and videos..."One Heart" and "Ignore Me"...see and hear them with your creative heart!  Now, get down with your wooly self.  And don't feel sheepish about being yourself.  You are made wonderfully unique by our Creator.  So, be creative yourself and just be you!   If you are interested in our music?  Look down the right side and you'll several links to album "No Stranger To The Blues"...a mixture of all the styles of music we love...cooked up together in 14 original songs.  Some songs are an amalgamation of styles...like juze (jazz and blues)...and many other blends...recipes...melting pots for soul music...a little rock, a little jazz, a little funky, a little country...a little blues...you get it!   Or follow me here and leave a comment and get one sent to your email free.  And, like I said?  I'm not pulling the wool over your eyes.  What you see and hear?  Is what you get!  So, get down...with your wooly self, that is!  PIMP LOL 

Baa bye now!  Trace

 

Oh, and a side note?  Since this post is about music and being creative and unique?  I give my girl, Garnet Rose, props for her fabulous singing...the best.  And, Brandon Gray? Has a band, "The Winter Failure".  Great stuff.  Worth taking time to listen.  Uniquely talented!