Pat Milliken lost his home in the Tea Fire

My friend, Pat Milliken lost his home in the Tea Fire on November 13, 2008. Fortunately, Pat was able to save himself and his guitars. However, he lost everything else including his own original recorded music.

His music spans throughout all genres and his heart is one that is pure and golden. Pat is the most kind, sincerest, real person I know and I can say that with confidence being I've known him for over 40 years. He has always been one to give and not ask for anything in return.

But now it's his turn. He needs a home. Nothing much, according to most standards, just a home surrounded by nature and peace. Not much to ask for coming from a man who just lost everything.

How to help?

Offer a home, a place of serenity for a musician whose whole life has been devoted to love and serenity. Or listen to and purchase some of his music (see links below). Motif is a wonderful, beautiful album of Pat's instrumental, original pieces that are beyond words...

My love and heart goes out to you, Pat.

Always your friend, Sheryl

Links to Pat Milliken:

• Pat Milliken - Motif - CD Baby
• Pat Milliken - Motif - Sevensouth
• Pat Milliken, Guitar Teacher & Performance in Santa Barbara
• "Dreams" by Pat Milliken (MySpace)

To Connie - I Believe

I recently met a lady who has provided me strength without expecting anything in return. I'm not quite sure how to express my appreciation for her kindness and insight but the following words came to mind...

"Remember to stay strong and true to those who love and deserve you."

I don't know many Connie's, in fact the only other Connie I know of personally is my cousin. But there are three things I've found to be characteristic of the Connie's I know to be true... they are independent, strong and stand up for what they believe.

The song playing is by Connie Talbot, who I first heard on America's Got Talent and also portrays the same characteristics and gifts. It's called, "I Believe". For those who can't hear the song, the words are...

I believe for every drop of rain that falls

A flower grows

I believe that somewhere in the darkest night

A candle glows

I believe for everyone who goes astray

Someone will come

To show the way

I believe, I believe

I believe above a storm the smallest prayer

Will still be heard

I believe that someone in the great somewhere

Hears every word

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,

Or touch a leaf or see the sky

Then I know why, I believe

Everytime I hear a new born baby cry,

Or touch a leaf or see the sky

Then I know why, I believe

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

I lost another friend

Wow... how sad and hard life can be... I lost another friend. But I can't even begin to imagine how someone feels to lose his two brothers in one month. Two words, of many, to describe Davy were also used to describe one of his favorite musicians, Todd Rundgren... "perpetual adolescence".

Steven, I wish I could tell you something that would help you, but I can't find the words. Rags and Davy had hearts of gold which only could have come from a true heart like yours. I wish I could say something to make you feel better, but my tears are the only expression I have. And this song...

Being a musician himeself, with a big heart, it was hard to pick one song to dedicate to him. So, I went with my heart. I chose "This Is Your Song" by Ronan Keating.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

I hope you have a day you deserve... wonderful and caring, surrounded by all that love you.

I'm sorry I'm not with you, but I want you to know how much I love you and appreciate all you have taught me.

Father's Day Prayer of Remembering

"Fathers young, fathers old

Remembering good times are our gold.

Value earned through guidance given

Helping us go forth in livin'.

Each father adding to our trove

A treasure chest of love untold.

Remembering fathers in our lives

Taking time to realize.

Fatherly love brings wealth to living

Remembering this, we go forth in giving.

Fathers young, fathers old

We remember you all

As life unfolds."

By Susan Kramer

"The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I call him Dad!"

~ Author Unkown

URGENT! Bone Marrow donor needed!

"He who saves one life,
it is as if he saved the whole world."
~ Talmud

I have a friend who just found out she has leukemia and is in need of a bone marrow transplant.

I've always known her to be a strong person, a fighter who always held strong through the toughest times.

I wish I could provide more information as to how to help her personally, but until I get approval from her family I ask anyone who reads this to help in any way possible.

A site I have found to be a valuable resource of information is the American Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR,org).

Other sites with helful information are...

• The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry
• National Marrow Donor Program
• The Caitlin Raymond International Registry (Patient Search Center)
• Bone Marrow Transplant InfoNet (BMT InfoNet)

With my sincerest thanks for any prayers and help this post may provide... Meesharie

Eat, Pray, Love

For Mother's Day I received some beautiful gifts. The first being the gift of being a mother to an amazing son. I know I have mentioned it before, but it's worth repeating over and over and over again. I'm not meaning to brag by any means, I just feel so fortunate to have been given such a wonderful child.

Along with seeing the beautiful faces of him and his girlfriend and receiving the most endearing hugs, I got some yummy brownies that they made from scratch. Yes, my son knows how to cook as does his girlfriend. Yummy!!

They also gave me a book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I can't remember the last time I read a book and I admit I was a little hesitant to start this one. I have no idea what it's all about, they wouldn't tell me and neither would my mom, who has already read the book, but it's definitely my kind of book. Chapters are short and among the seriousness is a sense of humor. The author focuses her first four chapters from her bathroom floor while sending you off to many places she's going through in her mind. Note: This is MY interpretation which may be completely different as I read further, but to me it's a remarkable one that I can relate to completely! (Have I mentioned how my son also seems to have the knack for giving the "perfect" gift?)

Included with the book was a bookmark of The Pirates of the Caribbean with, of course, the handsome Johnny Depp!

Then there is the card. A black and white picture of 2 kitties cuddling in a hammock on the front (I love kitties!) and inside he wrote to me the following...

Happy Mother's Day!

No matter what you think or say, you have been a great mother to me and I don't know how or where I'd be if someone like you hadn't raised me and taught me the true lessons in life.

Thank you for always supporting me and what I do.

Love, Cody.

"Eat, Pray, Love" is not only the title of what I'm sure is going to be an amazing book, but it also defines what I believe to be the basis of love.

Happy Mother's Day!

How do I say "Thank You" to my mom and pay tribute to my son who made me a mother? The only way I can find is through a poem for my mom, and a song for my son.
To my two angels... I love you both with all my heart!

I know I haven't been an easy child,

But love for you lies underneath my whims;

There is no way I could be tame or mild:

I need sometimes to shout and wave my limbs.

You're the wall I need to test my height,

The countervailing force to test my strength,

The chain I hammer at with all my might,

Even though you have increased its length.

It's tough, I know, to be both Mom and Dad,

To raise me all alone, just hit or miss;

To have to play at once good cop and bad,

And give me grief before my goodnight kiss.

But love against the odds is stronger still:

I need your fierce, proud love, and always will.
by Nicholas Gordan

My Hero...

For my Uncle Leonard...
 

I haven't seen or heard from my Uncle Leonard in years and I miss him very much. He is my hero, just like the man in Big & Rich's video, "The 8th Of November". Why? There are lots of reasons, but the main one is because my Uncle came from a small farm in Minnesota and when his number came up in the Vietnam draft he chose the front line for one year. A true Norwegian... strong and mighty, yet humble and loving, he went with full honor, as the Norwegians I know would do. I have no idea what he must have experienced in the time he spent in Vietnam, but this video seems to pull me close to what I can only imagine he went through.

So, this goes out to my Uncle Leonard. I love you and want you to know that you are and always will be my hero...

"Romeo and Juliet" by Dire Straits

A few years ago I met up with my first boyfriend. It had been over 20 years since we've seen each other and it goes beyond saying that quite a lot has happened since then. However, there was one thing that hadn't changed and that was the look in his eyes. The only way I can describe it is through the song, "Romeo and Juliet" by Dire Straits. I never knew that he thought of this as "our song". And I thought I was the romantic one!

Don't Forget to Dance for my sister

To my sister, on her birthday...

To my sister... I love you and I am so proud of you. You have accomplished so much with so little and I have and always will admire your stamina and determination.
I found a card you wrote to me when I was in college, over twenty years ago. Inside was a poem. Reading it again reminds me of another card you sent to me. It ended with a quote from The Kinks, "don't forget to dance, don't forget to smile".
So, this is my gift to you. It's not much, but it's from my heart. I love you and I am honored to have you as my big sister... Happy Birthday! 

Sometimes I get lonely
and thinking about you helps remind me
that there is a person I cherish so very much
always close in spirit
even when you are so far away
 But sometimes it hurts even more
to think of you...
your laugh, your touch...
and to remember just how much
I miss your gentle face,
your tender ways
your presence in my life.

Pat Milliken

I knew there was a reason for my late night postings...
"Dreams" by Pat Milliken at the Santa Barbara Songwriter Showcase on Oct 10, 2007
Pat is an amazing guitar player and friend. Listen and enjoy the most beautiful, relaxing music you may ever hear!

Paul Potts

My sister sent this video to me and it absolutely blew me away! The singer's name is Paul Potts and he ended up winning "Britain's Got Talent" and performed before the Queen. 

For my Dad

A Dad moment!

I haven't mentioned him much but it doesn't mean I don't love him. The "him" I'm talking about is my dad. He was my hero. My "Knight in Shining Armor", and then I grew up. I saw what he tried to hide from me and now that I am older I understand why he did what he did. He taught me so much and yet I pushed him away. And although he doesn't show it very well, I know he loves his children. So this one is for you Dad... I love you.

Promise Yourself by Christian D. Larson

Love is a hard feeling to truly express, at least for me. I'm never quite sure if those I love really know how much they are loved... how much they mean to me.

I'm posting this poem again because I neglected to mention the person who gave it to me... my mom.

When I was in my late teens she gave me a little book called, "Keep Your Face to the Sunshine, A Collection of Creeds". There were a couple of poems she had placed a star next to and this was one of them.

Promise Yourself...

Promise yourself to be so strong

that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity

to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything

and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best

and expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and

press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and

give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself

that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry,

too noble for anger,

too strong for fear and

too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

~Christian D. Larson

I love you, mom

A few of my favorite quotes...

From the TV show, Brothers & Sisters...
Justin: I Can listen while pouring.
Tommy: You can barely listen while hearing.

"I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead."

~ Mark Twain

"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."

~ William Shakespeare

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues."

~ Abraham Lincoln

And last, but certainly not least, a quote about teeth from a man who has stolen many a heart, including mine, and who's little girl and I share the same birthday...

"I've got loads of cavities. I had a root canal done eight years ago that's unfinished. It's like a rotten little stub, but I like it. It's like when the Indians would make something beaded, they would always put imperfections on it."

~ Johnny Depp

Bohemian Acid

Finally! Something to make me smile. A cool, new rendition of the classic "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Needless to say he reminds me of my son. Enjoy the fun!

It's still difficult to put my thoughts into words but I found my horoscope for this week rather interesting.

GEMINI
" 'I do not wish to hear about the moon from someone who has not been there,' wrote 19th-century wit Mark Twain. That's an extreme statement of how important it is to formulate conclusions based on first-hand knowledge rather than on hearsay and random opinions. In the coming weeks, this principle will be even more crucial to your mental health than it usually is. In my astrological opinion, you need to significantly increase the proportion of information you acquire through your direct perceptions, as well as from people who've had intimate contact with the things you're curious about." - Rob Brezny's Free Will Astrology (Week of August 9)

Check out your own horoscope at Rob Brezny's Free Will Astrology

I will miss you, Michael...

"Evening Cross" by woodsy

The world lost another beautiful soul on July 14th, 2007. I can't seem to find the words to describe how much he touched my heart so for now I'm leaving it up to one of his favorite bands, Guns N' Roses.

My dearest Michael, thank you for sharing your kind and sweet heart with me. I will always cherish my memories of you and hold you near and dear in my heart forever.

I dedicate the following Guns n Roses song, "Don't Cry" to my friend Michael...

 

  

The "F" word - Hank Williams Jr. & Kid Rock

Happy Birthday, Mom!
This is for my mom. It's her birthday today, July 5th, and I have never, ever heard her say the "F" word! (unlike her daughter who can swear like a sailor!)
I love you, Mom... more than words, or a song, can say.
Forever and always!

Tribute to Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash and his music was the one thing my family never argued about.  We listened to a lot of country music growing up and I still love it.  Especially when I see the smile on my mom's face when his music plays. This is a tribute to a man who now lays to rest with the best.