For my nephew - In The Morning of the Magicians

My nephew is an amazing artist. I recently asked him what his favorite song was and he said "In The Morning Of The Magicians" by The Flaming Lips. The song speaks of such sorrow as well as beauty and it did surprise me at first that it would be his favorite. Then I realized how much sorrow he has endured in his life and I understood. It hurts me some to listen to it because I know of his pain... he lost his father at a young age... and yet he has endured and succeeded in spite of, or maybe because of that pain. To me this song is so heartfelt and sad yet there is a beauty inside it. Ahhh, yes.. my nephew is a true artist!

Bonnie Hunt parody of American Idol audition

This has got to be the FUNNIEST parody EVER of American Idol! Bonnie Hunt is AMAZING!!

Jason Castro - I Am Second

Something has lit that spark inside of me to start sharing again. I don't know how or why I work like that but I've found its best to let it happen without too much concern.  So, here is my second post in 2 days... woo hoo!

Happy 22nd Birthday, Cody!

It's my son's 22nd birthday and I made this video for him. He's in Hawaii right now and hasn't seen it yet so I hope he approves!

Happy Birthday, Cody!

I am as I always have been, so proud of you!

Stay strong and true and know that so many love you!

Always and forever, Mom

In Memory of my Father... Oct 31, 1934 to July 6, 2009

This is one of the hardest posts I have ever made. How can I not know what to say about a man who raised me and taught me so many things? Maybe once I stop crying the words will find their way.  Music has always been an avenue for me to feel and relate my thoughts so why stop now?

My dad passed away after a long battle with lung cancer on July 6, 2009. There are many things I will always remember and hold close to my heart about my dad and one is when he played this song for me and my son, about ten years ago. There was a look in his eyes which was sad yet proud and is one of the values he taught me and I will always honor... to remember the "little man". 

Kevin Skinner on America's Got Talent

My mom taught me many things and one of them was to never judge a book by its cover.  We all have gifts and there are angels among us  so be kind and treat others as you would like to be treated. Even a chicken catcher has talent... ever tried to catch a chicken?  Kevin Skinner caught many chickens by hand and he can sing from his heart and soul... Much love to you, Kevin Skinner!

Where did we go right? Happy Father's Day, Dad!

For my Dad on Father's Day...
 
"In a world turned upside down.... where did we go right? "

People are crazy

My parents are so opposite yet very loving and when raising me, they taught me some very good morals. I love them both very much and until I find the words to describe how much they both mean to me I give you this song (don't I always have a song?) Thank you for teaching me the message in this song :)

What's New Pussycat by Mike Myers at the White House

A wonderfully, funny performance 0f Burt Bacharach's song, "What's New Pussycat" by Mike Myers performed at the White House in front of President Obama.  I LOVE IT!!

Dancing With the Stars group dance to "The Clapping Song"

This year's Dancing with the Star's group dance was pretty much a "free for all" dance with the contestants and their dance instructors pretty much on their own. I especially love Ty Murray's "signature" bull riding dance with Chelsie Hightower. (For those who may not know, Ty Murray is a Professional Bull Rider champion and married to Jewel.)

My Brother...

I wrote this a few years ago. As you may have realized by now, writing doesn't come easy for me, but I have moments when it just pours. This was one of those moments.
I am not denying my parents' role in my life, they have done a great job with what they were given. They had to because I was their child. But my brother and sister didn't have to do anything for me but yet they did and I am so grateful.

My Brother
 
My strength
My friend
My truth
My ally
My guidance
My heart
My eyes
My teacher
My hero
My musician
My poet
My storyteller
My icon
My mainstay
My sounding board
My shoulders
My backbone
My lessons
My right
My wrong
My listener
My supporter
My role model
My light
My laughter
My forgiver
My protector
My father
My life

Thank you for all you have done for me. You have been my totem pole, always strong and supportive. As an uncle and a teacher you have instilled your honesty and integrity in my son. I am so grateful to have you in my life and so proud to have you as my brother!

I love you with all my heart... your little sis

Below is a song by Steve Vai titled, "Brother".   It is a song I feel very close to and says so much even without words...

Not that I have nothing to say, but...

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...