I'm Back: This post is a real treat: My photos accompany a beautiful song sung beautifully!

Hello my friends

Yes I know: it's been a while. Who knows how time goes and why and what happens when we allow it to fly by unnoticed or allow it to be occupied (ie stolen) by the mundane, unimportant and wasteful? Well, no more!! I am the master of my own time, and that's all we will say about it.

For my first post in this new era, there is a treat awaiting all of you.

A while ago I was asked by a folk singing couple if they could use some of my street photos as backing for a song by Bette Midler, The Rose, in a video they wished to produce. The Rose? How could I say no? I had already heard these wonderful artists doing their rendition of this fantastic song, which was the title track and name of the movie starring Bette Midler (if you haven't seen the movie, then please please get hold of the DVD).

And the result? Well when I first saw the video I was speechless. Susan and Colin Parrish had transformed my photos. Well, they were the same images: they hadn't changed. But as I watched them roll by and listened to that heart achingly beautiful song, I was blown away by the power and the beauty of the two very different art forms combined. And the message they wished to convey, and that which is inherent in this song, is there for all to see: Everyone is a flower, a rose. We all have that seed within us to become a beautiful bloom. We are all special, no matter what. I have tried to live this ideal, and I am grateful to Colin and Sue for allowing me to join with them in presenting this simple but profound idea to you all. I urge you to listen closely to the lyrics. They never cease to inspire and move me.

Both they and I have had very positive feedback from people who have seen the video. I hope you will enjoy it as much as they have. It's on YouTube and here is the link. After watching this video I am sure you are going to want to know more about these wonderful artists and their group Takin' Time. So, you can find their website here. I am lucky enough to have both their albums. Wonderful songs sung wonderfully.

It's good to be back on this blog. I hope it's good for you too!!
Peace
Paul

I Just Act Like I Don't Remember and Mary Acts Like She Don't Care

I come from down in the valley where mister when you're young
They bring you up to do like your daddy done
Me and mary we met in high school when she was just seventeen
Wed ride out of that valley down to where the fields were green

Wed go down to the river
And into the river wed dive
Oh down to the river wed ride

Then I got mary pregnant and man that was all she wrote
And for my nineteen birthday I got a union card and a wedding coat
We went down to the courthouse and the judge put it all to rest
No wedding day smiles no walk down the aisle
No flowers no wedding dress
That night we went down to the river
And into the river wed dive
On down to the river we did ride

I got a job working construction for the johnstown company
But lately there aint been much work on account of the economy
Now all them things that seemed so important
Well mister they vanished right into the air
Now I just act like I don't remember, mary acts like she don't care
But I remember us riding in my brothers car
Her body tan and wet down at the reservoir
At night on them banks I'd lie awake
And pull her close just to feel each breath she'd take
Now those memories come back to haunt me, they haunt me like a curse
Is a dream a lie if it don't come true
Or is it something worse that sends me
Down to the river though I know the river is dry
Down to the river, my baby and I
Oh down to the river we ride


Thanks Bruce, for the music and the lyrics that are truly poetry