Monday Mixtape: [don't mess with Texas rainstorms edition]
It's time for a new look here on Mondays. Tracks are loosely related by theme and very much influenced by whim. This week I'm thinking a lot spring showers because Austin -- wonder of wonders! -- has been blessed with so much rain this week. Also, a Texas thunderstorm is nothing to trifle with.
Here's my contribution to your week, a small taste of Goethe's daily prescription of little songs, good poems, fine pictures and reasonable words. Enjoy!
track 1:new-to-me song from new-to-me group,
I first heard this song this week on NPR's Song of the Day. If you've been around here a while you already know I'm a sucker for bluegrass/"new"grass. The Steel Wheel's bio states that they are the perfect blend of blues and bluegrass -- apparently this is my audio sweet spot. I love strong, tight harmonies, grungy vocals offset by sparse and/or elective instrumentation. And, really, Texas thunderstorms wouldn't stand for some melancholy East coast rainy day sort of song.
track 2: photograph
track 3: liturgical installation
(from National Geo. site): Texas Thunderstorm, Photograph by Scott M. Lieberman, Associated Press
Lightning flashes within a cloud near Tyler, Texas. Cloud-to-cloud lightning is one of the most common types; it travels between positive- and negative-charged areas of clouds.
This looks about exactly like the lightening bolt I saw driving home Monday night. The one that split a tree across the roadway. It occurred to me in that moment, that we must all be a bit crazy to take this kind of power for granted.
track 3: liturgical installation
Easter installation, 2010, by Peter and Joyce Majendie, at Spreydon Baptist Church (New Zealand). I love the transformation of the variety of umbrellas to the white on Easter Sunday.
An excerpt from the online description:
COVERINGS AND GOINGS SPREYDON BAPTIST CHURCH, EASTER 2010. The old worn, broken umbrellas that were here on Good Friday, have been replaced by twice as many new white ones – the extravagance of God’s love and grace.
On Friday, there was the opportunity to place a small black umbrella in the cross of stone. The cross of stone is still there, but is now covered by new life. The black umbrellas, still under the covering but held in God’s 'hand’, have been replaced by full colour.
track 4: rainy day movie list
Click here: Top 10 Movies to Watch on a Rainy Day: by Andrew Murphy
Since my son Andrew first wrote this for us in October 2010, the post has become one of my most visited pages out of the over 700 options at this site! Definitely worth a re-read. Get your Neflix finger ready!
track 5: that Sylvia Plath poem...again.
If I were ever to change the name of this blog, I'd be tempted to switch out Elizabeth Barrett Browning for this poem by the tragically observant Plath. Maybe call it A Certain Minor Light, or something of that sort. Pinky-swear you'll ready every word? Please!
Black Rook in Rainy Weather
On the stiff twig up there
Hunches a wet black rook
Arranging and rearranging its feathers in the rain.
I do not expect miracle
Or an accident.
To set the sight on fire
In my eye, nor seek
Any more in the desultory weather some design,
But let spotted leaves fall as they fall,
Without ceremony, or portent.
Although, I admit, I desire,
Occasionally, some backtalk
From the mute sky, I can't honestly complain:
A certain minor light may still
Leap incandescent
Out of the kitchen table or chair
As if a celestial burning took
Possession of the most obtuse objects now and then --
Thus hallowing an interval
Otherwise inconsequent
By bestowing largesse, honour,
One might say love. At any rate, I now walk
Wary (for it could happen
Even in this dull, ruinous landscape); sceptical,
Yet politic; ignorant
Of whatever angel may choose to flare
Suddenly at my elbow. I only know that a rook
Ordering its black feathers can so shine
As to seize my senses, haul
My eyelids up, and grant
A brief respite from fear
Of total neutrality. With luck
Trekking stubborn through this season
Of fatigue, I shall
Patch together a content
Of sorts. Miracles occur,
If you care to call those spasmodic
Tricks of radiance miracles. The wait's begun again,
The long wait for the angel,
For that rare, random descent.
bonus track: encaustic painting
emerald-reflections
You can see why I added this, right?
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Before I go, I should tell you that I love to hear what poems, pictures, songs and reasonable words you are enjoying. Please do stop by the comment box and share a bit with me.
Hoping that whether your days are full of rain or shine, you have a great week!