My Everyday Magic

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

I have a new guitar student, 10. She is keenly motivated to learn classical guitar. After the second lesson she was moved to show me a book about birds with an accompanying CD which she wanted me to borrow and enjoy til next week.

So last night at dinner, with Dh, ds, and his new love, we listened to the bird CD for the first time. It’s about an hour of bird songs, all kinds. Then we put it on again….then again, while we were still around the table. By now we could name a bunch of the birds. Some were “song birds”, some percussionists (woodpeckers), some impressionists (one sounds like our cat Charlie). Some are “alarmists” —the crows and jays. My favorite is the wild call of the Canada Geese. It stirs something deep in my heart.

This all led to a discussion of favorite Disney movies—via the seagull in “Little Mermaid”—and the songs we love from them. Disney <<<< songs <<<< animals <<< birds <<<<

Then, while sitting on the deck, came four Red Tail Hawks flying right over-head, with their unforgettable high-pitched sweet strain. Such wild, magnificent freedom!

Do you have a favorite bird sound/song/call? Whatever sounds you find pleasing or inspiring, or whatever thought or notion that stirs a sense of gratitude and joy in you, I invite you to post a few lines about it in “comments” below. A joy shared is a joy multiplied.

MEM

<3 Reading for the second time River Horse by William Least-Heatmoon about a modern travel author’s voyage from coast to coast by boat and the challenge of finding all the water routes possible. Many references to the “Core of Discovery”.

<3 Keeping an open mind to chile peppers and using them in my culinary adventures—despite my low tolerance for spicy heat!

<3 A dear neighbor who helped us out with kitty-sitting and generously added, “any time!”

<3 Being invited to share my music video on safe street crossing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7M3uFaJ8K4 at two big educational meetings this week!

<3 Being inspired by the Sparkle Fairy’s post yesterday about cleaning, clearing, and lightening up!!!

Fairy wishes and music kisses,

The Song Fairy <3

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

Happy 1st Monday in October—- it’s “Walk and Roll to School” Month, and October 6th, Wednesday, is International Walk and Roll to School Day! “A record 40 countries officially participated in Intl. Walk and Roll to School events in 2009…and more are expected this year. These events raise awareness about the positive ways that walking, bicycling, and skating to school help children, communities, and the environment.” Community Wheel

To help spread the word about street-crossing safety, here’s the video I did with some local kindergartners and the community, “Stop, Look, and Listen”

And then there’s this song by Frances England on her CD Mind of My Own with such a sweet message of kindness. I found it in a review from Boston Children’s Music, 9/27

I’m a red balloon
I’m a full moon rising
I’m an apple tree
I’m a lemon drop
I’m a flower petal
I’m heavy metal
I’m two years old and I’m nonstop
I’m two years old and I’m nonstop

“In the song To Be we hear Frances really appreciating the simple things in life. As parents we all know how sobering it can be to suddenly see the world through our kids’ eyes and realize the beauty of a flower or triumph of climbing a tree.

Frances says: “As a mother of two, it… feels really good to use song writing as a way of reflecting on daily family life. It’s such a precious time but too often we all lose sight of how significant it is because of our crazy schedules. For me, writing and singing these songs serves as a reminder that this stage in our families’ lives is golden.”

That’s a good reminder for all of us.

A final glorious note: this song, an interpretation of which we heard performed by our Ds’s new lady love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPcjjOrKmJw

MEM

<3 Pastels on the Plaza in our little town <<< Enchanting!

<3 Getting to watch the artists—all ages—bent to the cement, absorbed in their brilliant creations!

<3 Then our monthly date to Arts Alive, Dh and I, and getting to hear a variety of appealing music!

<3 Looking for the good and finding it always and everywhere!

<3 A darling new guitar student, embarking on her classical music career!!!

<3 Cats—infinitely intriguing, and our old Charlie with all his dignity and grace.

By sharing some of your “magic”—-whatever is working and feeling good in your life right now—-and posting in comments below, we are all enriched!!

Fairy wishes and music kisses,

The Song Fairy <3

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

What a wonderful time to be alive and together here sharing all the things and ways that make Life so abundantly rich and full of joy!!! Isn’t it amazing how some days you feel on top of the world and a certainty of your purpose here—-and other days you struggle to find meaning and something to be thankful for? But always, if you pause, breathe, reach for joy, joy is always reaching back to you! Joy, Life, Love, God, Source, Beauty—-the essence of Good—Truth—whatever you may call it. It may take a while, and it definitely takes practice, but I believe it is possible, in every moment, to choose our thoughts, and thereby choose what we feel and how we manage our lives.

Back from Seattle and a wonderful family reunion! Thank you, dear Kate, for posting in my absence a former “Music Monday” offering—how cool is that, that MEM can now offer “The Best Of” segments? Sweet!! Zanna mentioned the crickets and the wind in the trees as some of her music magic. These and other music mentions make me smile bigger, breathe deeper!

I love tuning in to all the live music I’ve been treated to lately, each quite unique in some way or other: a duo of young women on dulcimer and fiddle, singing sweet harmonies; a 4-piece rock band; another quartet—this one bluegrass with a woman on the biggest stand-up acoustic bass I’ve ever seen; another rock band with the trap drummer doing most of the vocals; a country rock group with a trap drummer playing with his hands, not sticks…..and most memorable: an elderly man elegantly seated on the sidewalk playing a Japanese “fiddle”.

These were all outside, mostly street musicians. I highly recommend tipping musicians whenever possible, and generously. It feels really good. : )

Have you seen “Fairy Tale” A True Story? Dh and I watched it again last night. It has real fairies!!! I think you’ll love it as I did. It has gorgeous music, too, which blends in so seamlessly with the story that you might not notice it!

“Music should go right through you, leave some of itself inside you, and take some of you with it when it leaves.” –Henry Threadgill

MEM

<3 Going to a “Ladies’ Book Exchange and Potluck with Wines” cooked up by a friend at her house!

<3 Sleeping in my own bed again!

<3 Hearing about my sister’s ballroom dancing : )

<3 Watching a great movie together

<3 Continuing the cleaning and organizing (so what if it’s never really done!)

<3 Being here now.

<3 Me. I just love her. Let’s all have this be one of our posts today—and see how good it feels!!! (Thanks again, B. Fairy!!!)

By sharing some of your “magic”—-whatever is working and feeling good in your life right now—-and posting in comments below, we are all enriched!!

Fairy wishes and music kisses,

The Song Fairy <3

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

* Organizing my stacks of music and buzzing with song energy!

* Corresponding with a psychologist who advocates the power of music in his healing work. His book, Nurturing Your Child with Music is a wealth of ways to enrich your home with music.

* Writing in my music blog about how we are all natural music-makers.

* Grabbing the ukulele to do “Yellow Submarine” and on the verse where ‘the band begins to play’, adding air-instruments—clarinet, tuba, piccolo, etc.!

* Being an enthusiastic audience to the choruses of geese and frog concerts around here these days!

Magic and music are simply everywhere, and I warmly welcome hearing some of yours!

What MUSIC is making YOUR magic? Post comments below.

Fairy wishes and music kisses,

The Song Fairy

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

Greetings of love, joy and peace! And happy wishes for a meaningful and rewarding week!

On Saturday I attended with Dh a friend’s birthday bash for her milestone birthday. She’s a dancer, drummer, photographer, and river raft guide among other things! We were treated to a thrilling front-row show of African and Samba dancers and drummers in full regalia and awesome, top-notch precision. It was truly spectacular! We’re still on a rush from all that good energy!!

Then, when we got home—this was the evening of 9/11—we turned on our PBS station and discovered an incredible singing quartet called “4 Troops”. Have you heard of them? We listened spell-bound to their arrangements and heart-warming performances. Some songs we knew, others we were hearing for the first time. Here’s one of my favorites, “I’m Already There”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmA4NlA5gDA&feature=related

It includes a brief introduction of each of them. The song is by Lonestar. Here’s their version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jm5gfuT9Z4&ob=av3e

I’m happy to discover this music and these groups—-it’s not what you’d usually find me listening to….

Have you found some new music lately? Do you branch out once in awhile and open your mind to new sounds?

Whatever you’re listening to (or not!), I’m glad you’re here right now! Share some magic by posting in comments below and let our community of gratitude wash over you!

My everyday magic:

<3 a sunny day to line dry clothes by

<3 favorite jeans!

<3 compliments for me in these jeans from Dh and Dd!

<3 watching a baby come out of a deep sleep and slowly, fully awaken!

<3 getting asked to teach a ukulele class!

Fairy wishes and music kisses!

The Song Fairy <3

P.S. That milestone birthday?— 50. Let’s hear it for dynamic, mature women role-models!!!

P.P.S. Thanks to the Sparkle Fairy’s “Wishes” post yesterday, you can all expect to have your dearest wishes and desires come true. Expect it! Believe it!! Wonderful things are happening here and now!!!

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

“Music gives soul to the universe,wings to the mind,flight to the imagination, charm & gaiety to life and to everything.” ~Plato

It’s been busy in the studio again. Dh has encouraged me to re-release and promote the Spanish album of music from around the world that I did as part of a year-long project with a K-5 school. We’re almost ready to launch it on CD Baby. What a rush, releasing two albums in less than a month. This recording/producing work takes a huge amount of time, energy, and focus (in case you wondered!) and it makes a huge difference to have a team. My team is Dh, me and for technical support and tons of love, our kids and friends and colleagues. Yay team!

Another crucial part of the process is getting the word out. So again, I want to thank enormously those of you who took the time to add a sweet review these last couple of Music Mondays. This means so much, and I am so grateful. Thank you!!

In the midst of the latest MEM CD giveaway, I discovered that one of our dear MEM posters (and now, CD winners!) is from England, which added to my knowledge of international mailings! : )

A dear regular poster, Sabrina has a birthday this week—Thursday, if I’m not mistaken? We want to hear the BD plans! Any other birthdays this week/month? Happy Birthday! September—what a divine time to celebrate a birthday!!

<3 Our monthly date to “Arts Alive!” on a sunny splendid sensuous evening

<3 Ds finding a new love and lighting up the world with his smile! (his beloved ex made a career move to Alaska)

<3 Dh making frequent forays across the street to shoot baskets with our dear, tall, adult neighbor who is mentally-challenged and who loves sports and esp. BB <3

<3 Enjoying the progress of another neighbor, a one and a half year old bundle of delight

<3 Selling our flex-steel couch to a most appreciative young couple and enjoying the cleared space in our little living room

<3 Life. I just love it!

And I love that you’re here, reading this, and that you can share your magic here, thus creating more magic for yourself and all of us! Know you are loved—it’s true. <3

Fairy wishes and music kisses,

The Song Fairy <3

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

What a treat yesterday to read all about the “FREE LOVE MAGIC” from the Sparkle Fairy!!! Everyday we see more magic—especially when we’re looking for it!!! Kate keeps “raising the bar” with open arms and a heart-full of joy!!! <3

A few days ago I mentioned a special retreat that Dh and I got invited to: a “Tree House Resort” weekend! I came back with bruises and bumps from attempting some of the rope swings, zip rides, and steep ladders to sleep in cozy lofts—-and it was all worth it! One of the highlights: sitting around the campfire after dinner passing guitars around and hearing a wide spectrum of musical offerings from all ages. Two of the youngest, girls aged 8 and 9, wowed all of us with numbers from “Annie”.

Big thanks to those who clicked on the link I shared last Monday and wrote a short and sweet review for my newest children’s music CD! Oh! Here it is again! You can read them and listen to samples! http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/LisaMonet It means a lot to indie musicians to have these reviews—it lends a lot of credibility and really makes a difference. Feel free to add your review if you haven’t yet!

I promised drawings for free CDs to those who posted last Monday, those who wrote reviews that day, and then those who wrote reviews after my post on a subsequent day—Whew! The CDs go out as soon as the winners let me know which title they’d like and tell me where to send it!!! Congratulations to: Carrie, Dawn and Michelle!! And sincere thanks to all who participated!!

BTW, the drawings were conducted with guidance from the fairies and the sweet fingers of the child who drew the names. <3 Having fun with this “game”, I was impressed once again with the powerful energy of actions and rituals done with mindfulness and reverence. Life is so Good, available to each of us in all its abundance and joy!

I encourage each of you, dear readers, to keep up or seek out and find any sacred act that is meaningful to you, be it prayer, circle sharing, card-reading, meditation, chanting, affirmations…. and to keep the faith, keep believing in all that is good and true and wonderful! Thoughts are things! Allow only thoughts of a creative nature into the rich garden of your mind. <3

Know you are loved. It’s true.

Fairy wishes and music kisses,

The Song Fairy <3

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

It’s so good to be back after a weekend away! We went internet/phone/gadget-free for 3 days, slowed down, re-charged and came back refreshed!

Since music is my game, my job, my message, and contributes to some of my main magic, I am super joyed to announce the release of our latest children’s music CD, Circle Time 2, More Songs & Rhymes for the Very Young. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/LisaMonet

This is a re-release in its third edition, and now digitally re-mastered, it’s available for MP3s and digital downloads!

We’ve been wildly celebrating around here and I want to keep that flowing, so we’re doing another CD GIVEAWAY today!! Each of you who posts today will have your name entered in the drawing. PLUS! If you go to the link above and leave a sweet review (after listening to the samples!) your name will be entered twice!

Two of the songs, both originals, I’d like to mention today: “One World” (check out my verse in Russian!), and “I Love You, No Matter What” which I mentioned on MEM Wednesday on Sparkle Fairy’s “Love, Trust, and True Confession’s” post.

That’s pretty much what I’ve been consumed with lately, and I appreciate the opportunity to share it with you—-and now I would love for you to post in comments below and share some of what’s working for you! Big, little, silly, sweet—let’s toot our horns, remember how good Life is and celebrate together!

MEM

being invited to spend two nights in a treehouse!

having a skin condition clear up.

Blue Canoe’s organic cotton tanks and pants!

hugging my kids <3

the magic of you, dear fellow MEM friends

Fairy wishes and music kisses,

The Song Fairy <3

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

Happy Monday! Wishing you the joy of Music and all of its Magic this day and throughout the week!

For those of you with very young children and those of you who homeschool, here’s a user-friendly site with song and game ideas to try. They even include variations and tips for those of us playing and working with  toddlers!

Notice that the link above has “health” and “kids” and “learning” in it. Music: it’s one of the best things we can give our kids!! I’m just sayin’….

I got to hear a first-rate touring band the other night: “Deadwood Revival”, a young four-member group doing some Grateful Dead covers plus many original songs. Watch for them on Austin City Limits and/or Mountain Stage—they’re awesome!

It’s the first quarter of the moon cycle today. Does that bring to mind any songs? Moon Magic—there’s a good title! Who remembers Moon Shadow? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGNxKnLmOH4

Marvelous Moon Music Magic Means More Memorable Meaningfulness!

Sharing your everyday magic here is what it’s all about! Simple or profound, what magic are you grateful for right now? We’d love to have you share it with us by posting in comments below!!

Fairy wishes and music kisses,

The Song Fairy <3

The Song Fairy!

Musical Mondays!

The popular “Porgy and Bess” musical gave us “Summertime” and some other beautiful songs.

We’re in the height of summer and I’m wishing everyone some easy livin’ right about now!

I also hope everyone is having plenty of Chillaxin’ —-and what a great title for a song!!!

* Heading to the river for some easy lounging and cool dipping!

* Making easy frozen juice bars!

* Slowing way down and taking it easy!

* Easing into the day and expecting Good to Happen!

* Remembering to “keep it simple”—always a good plan!

* Reading what other people post here each day—-inspiring, good-feeling, and easy!

* What’s your summer magic?? Post in comments below!

Love, love, love,

The Song Fairy <3

P.S. Last but not least!!! The Winner selected from last Music Monday’s posters is: KATE!! She’ll receive one of my children’s music CDs as soon as she tells me which one she wants and where to send it!!! Thanks to everyone for your posts and comments!!!

P.S.S. And thank you, Nichole and Grace, for sharing your recipes that I asked about last week—-can’t wait to try them and report back! : )