My Magical New Orleans Memories

One year ago today, I was in the most magical of cities...NEW ORLEANS.

Best place I've ever visited, and it's the ONLY place I've ever been to that felt just as much like HOME as my own city.

The FOOD there was FANTASTIC!
The MUSIC was MARVELOUS!!
The PEOPLE were a potpourri of PLEASANTNESS!!!

While I was there it rained a bit (especially at night). That didn't stop me though. Neither did it stop the street musicians from performing on practically every corner, nor did it close the clubs on Frenchmen Street where I bounced in and out of each, enjoying the variety of local artists. In all of the bouncing from place to place, the only money I spent was for ONE Sprite. Didn't even have to pay to get into the clubs. As long as I could find a seat...I was set. Entertainment on a budget...that's how I roll!

In one of the clubs, I enjoyed a female guitar-playing vocalist (whose name escapes me at this point). Along with CDs that she had available for purchase, she had guitar picks that the audience could FREELY take. Say no more...I took one (pictured here). It's my small reminder of the GRAND experience I enjoyed on a rainy night in New Orleans once upon a time.

Looking forward to going back again, and again, and again.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's the best souvenir that you've ever brought back from a trip?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Life Goes Better With A Song

Anyone who knows me well knows how much I absolutely love MUSIC. At home I actually listen to music far more than I watch television. I can go DAYS without turning on "the boob tube," but not a day goes by when I don't listen to or sing a song...or both.

Thanks to Pandora, getting my daily "music fix" is easy. I tune in and out flow my favorites, along with some new stuff every now and then. I typically listen on "Shuffle" mode because I prefer variety, but every now and then I pick one of my "stations" and listen that way.

You may be wondering what type of music I listen to. Again, anyone who knows me well knows that my listening taste is about as eclectic as I am, so my artists are all over the board.

Lucky for you, I'm gonna list all of my current Pandora stations so that your day can be complete. :-)

Ready? I've got a lot of 'em.

Here goes:

2Pac (Tupac)

Adele
Alexander O'Neal
Alicia Keys
Anita Baker
Antonio Vivaldi

Blackstreet
Bob Marley
Boney James
Brian Culbertson
Bruno Mars
Byron Cage

Candy Dulfer
Carl Thomas
Casting Crowns
Chante Moore
Chris Botti
Corinne Bailey Rae
Curtis Mayfield

D'Angelo
Daryl Coley
Dave Hollister
Donald Lawrence
Donny Hathaway
Dorinda Clark-Cole

Earnest Pugh
Earth, Wind & Fire
Eric Benet
Erykah Badu

Fantasia
Fryderyk Chopin

Gap Band
George Howard
Ginuwine
Grover Washington, Jr.

Hall & Oates

India.Arie
Israel & New Breed

Jagged Edge
Jaheim
Jesse Cook
Jhene Aiko
Jill Scott
Joe
Johann Sebastian Bach
John Coltrane
John P. Kee
Jonathan Nelson
Justin Timberlake

Kelly Price
Kem
Kenny Barron
Kim Burrell
Kirk Franklin

Ledisi
Leela James
Loose Ends
Ludwig van Beethoven
Luther Vandross
Lyfe Jennings

Martha Munizzi
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Sapp
Mary J. Blige
Maxwell
Maze & Frankie Beverly
Mercyme
Michael Jackson
Mike Phillips
Motown

Norman Brown

Ohio Players
Ottmar Liebert

Pink
Prince

Raheem Devaughn
Regina Carter
Rhian Benson
Ricky Dillard & New G
Rihanna
Robin Thicke

Sade
Simply Red
Stevie Wonder
Sting

Tank
Teddy Pendergrass
Teena Maria (this was the very FIRST station I added. She's my All-Time FAVORITE artist!)
The Four Tops
The Isley Brothers
The O'Jays
The Spinners
The Temptations
The Winans
Tony!Toni!Tone!
Tyrese

Urban Comedians

Vesta
Vicki Yohe

Will Downing

Yolanda Adams

So there ya have it folks! As you can see, I've got plenty to sing, dance (or hum) along to on any given day.

Now it's your turn. Let the DIALOGUE begin: I seem to be missing artists that begin with Q, X and Z. Got any suggestions? If not, then tell me this...who are your top seven musical artists?

Talk (or sing) to me!

Til next time...

Choir of ONE

Today at church I had the pleasure of speaking briefly with one of our former members. She moved away a few years ago, happened to be visiting, and decided to attend service with her old church family.

As we were speaking she mentioned how EVERY TIME she hears the song "Because of Who You Are" she thinks of me.

One year for our annual "Women's Day" service, I sang that song. I have always LOVED it because it expresses EVERYTHING I feel about our Lord. It was a sheer BLESSING to have been selected to sing it that year.

She told me that she thought (and still thinks) that I sang it better than Vicki Yohe herself. WOW! That's says a lot because Vicki's voice is simply BEAUTIFUL.

It's no secret to those who know me that I absolutely LOVE music...and I especially love to SING.

No, I'm not the BEST singer in the world, but I sing from my heart and have fun with it. That's all that really matters in the grand scheme of things...right?

So on this "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 13" - I am THANKFUL that God puts a song in my heart...EVERY DAY.

As you listen to the this one, close your eyes and let the words penetrate your soul...reflecting on the AWESOMENESS of God and ALL He is.

Then Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's your FAVORITE song to sing? Doesn't have to be Gospel.

Talk to me (or SING to me)!

Til next time...

La La La...

Today is Sunday and on Sundays in my home we typically honor God musically by listening only to Gospel music.

We listen to far more music here than we watch television, so on any given day, if you happen to stop by you will more than likely hear a melodious tune or two flowing out the windows.

Today is no different.

I pulled up Pandora, selected one of my favorite Gospel artist stations and then came to the computer to write.

I am currently in the process of writing two books, along with posting more consistently here at my beloved blog, The Dialogue Den.

The Gospel tunes were flowing and do you know...I couldn't write a thing. The music was a MAJOR distraction.

Mind you, I have never been able to work, write, or study in complete silence. Yet one thing I have learned about myself over the years is that the music can not be one with words, or even a melody that I am too familiar with. If either of those things are present, my thoughts go completely to the song and away from what I should be focusing on. Why I thought I could focus today with Gospel music playing is beyond me.

So...I grabbed the remote and quickly searched for another station. I knew exactly what I needed...CLASSICAL.

Interestingly though, even with classical music I have to be selective.

I enjoy Beethoven as much as the next person, but because I am so familiar with his work, I can find myself humming right along to Moonlight Sonata, Für Elise, or Symphony #5.

Instead, I chose to go with another of my other classical faves...Vivaldi. Man, I love his music sooo much! As you can probably guess, I am extremely fond of The Four Seasons, yet I can pretty much listen to anything of his and stay focused on the task at hand while doing so.

At this moment, a lil diddy by Bach is playing. You know how Pandora is...even though I am specifically on the Vivaldi station, Pandora tends to throw in a little bit of everything. Gotta admit, I was pretty impressed with myself. As I was listening my ears were instantly aware of the change. I can always tell Bach's music by his use of the harpsichord. That's one of those lovely instruments that we just don't hear in today's music. What a shame.

With all that being said, I shall dive back into my other writing projects. So much to write...so little time.

Now it's YOUR turn.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you listen to music while reading, writing, working on projects? If so, do you have a particular genre that works best?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

TGIGF!!!

Today is Good Friday and for ME, it's doubly good.

Today is my son's 18th birthday and it is an absolute blessing to be his mom. Yeah, he's made me sprout a few more grey hairs than I'd like to have, but...I imagine that comes with the territory of parenting a male teenager.

On a global scale, to day is "Good Friday" because it's the day that Christians remember Christ's ULTIMATE sacrifice for us. On that day some two thousand plus years ago, He was pierced in His side, had nails hammered into His hands and feet...had a crown of thorns jammed onto His head...and much much more. And he felt ALL OF THE PAIN...ALL OF IT! He endured pain that I simply can not imagine. And He did it for ME...as unworthy as I am...yet He loved me enough, and deemed me to be worthy enough, that He would die FOR ME.

Just thinking about that, brings me to tears. Especially at a time when I'm not feeling very "worthy" to certain folks. Christ's death on the cross, ASSURES ME that I am.

WHEW!!!

Something about today made me think back to when I first accepted Christ, and as a young girl of only ten years old, I asked Him to "come into my heart."

I began attending church at a very young age with my grandparents, as members of Trinity Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

I still remember how we would stop by the little store next door (not even sure if it's there anymore), and I would be allowed to either get a roll of Life Savers or a box of Luden's Wild Cherry Cough Drops (which were really just cherry flavored CANDY). I think I'd go through an entire box of those through service. Awful...I know.

As the years went by, the Lord began moving upon my heart in the way that He sees best suited for a child.

I remember going to a play, I think it was called "The Great White Throne Judgement," and something in that play made me want to know God. I wanted Him to LOVE me, and I wanted to be with Him in heaven one day. That's a whole lot to process for a ten year old child, but I knew that those things were what I wanted.

Then one day I heard a song on the radio. That song spoke to my heart like no other song ever had before. I listened to it, and my heart was ready. Ready to tell folks that I loved Jesus and wanted to be baptized.

And so it was.

On that first Sunday in January, 1979...I was BAPTIZED, as an outward showing of my inward faith in Christ.

So much has changed since that day.

I wish I could say that I have lived a life that reflects my decision so many decades ago, but the truth of the matter is...I haven't. I know that none of us are perfect, nor will we ever be...yet some of us have strayed further off the "Christian path" than others. I am one of the "some."

That's a huge part of what makes "Good Friday" so important.

On my own, and with the life I've led...there simply would not be a chance for me to see heaven. My life has been one that, without Christ, would have me heading straight to hell after this life is over.

Oh, but the blood. The precious blood of Jesus.

Because of Him, I have been redeemed...bought for a price that I could NEVER afford to pay.

Because of the blood that Christ shed for me...when I close my eyes for that last time in this life...I will open them in the presence of God in the next...for ALL ETERNITY. And THAT is worthy of a HALLELUJAH!!!

Now I would be remiss if I failed to say that Christ's death on the cross was not the end of the story. Yes, it is mind-blowing to think about the fact that He loved me (and YOU) enough to endure the agonizing pain that He did...even unto death. But what makes me lift my hands in worship and open my mouth with praise, is the fact that His death on that cross was not THE END. Nope. Not in the least.

Three days later...early one Sunday morning, He rose...with all power in His hands. He walked amongst the people and proved to them that He was who He told them he was before His crucifixion. You see...I don't serve and worship a DEAD Savior. I serve and worship a Savior who LIVES. That fact gives me more comfort than most folks can imagine.

I could go on and on about how THANKFUL I am, and how GRATEFUL I am...but we'd be here all day, and then some. The beauty though, is that God knows, and He is all who matters.

So...I'll leave you with the song that moved me to accept Christ, and still moves me every time I hear it. I wish I could say that it was a powerful sermon that grabbed me, but MUSIC has always spoken to my soul when words could not. So it's no surprise that God chose MUSIC to be the path which ultimately led me to Him. I'm not sure that this song has EVER been played or sung in a church, and I don't care. God, in His OMNIPOTENCE can make ANYTHING and EVERYTHING work for His good. So even though this was a song sung by a "secular" group, it still gives God His glory...and brought THIS soul to Christ.

Enjoy...and remember...Jesus is LOVE.

After the song, let the DIALOGUE begin: How were YOU led to Christ? Through song, a sermonic message, missionary work? Or something else?

Talk to me, and more importantly...talk to God!

Til next time...

Coffee, Tea, and...

So it's been a little over a month since my trip to New Orleans. Man, I can hardly wait to go back!

I still have LOTS to write about my time there and tonight I'm going to take a little time to do just that.

***

Saturday night I hung out at my favorite Starbucks in L.A.

It's the one where I met "Joe" thirteen years ago, and every now and then I go because it simply brings back so many special memories. I also love the vibe. Good music playing and intellectual Black folks fill up the place. There aren't too many Starbucks that I've been to that have those elements. For this reason, I drive 14 miles just to be in that environment. Love it!

Although I'm not much of a coffee drinker (except for one cup a day at work), I do drink a lot of tea. That's what I typically get at Starbucks.

While I was in New Orleans, I got very acquainted with the nearby Starbucks on Canal and Royal. Not so much because of the coffee or tea, but because of the clean public restroom and outlets for me to charge my phone.

One day while charging my phone and sipping on the boxed apple juice that I'd purchased, I sat back and enjoyed the music being piped through the speakers. It didn't take long for me to realize that this particular Starbucks had vibe of its own, not exactly like my favorite one here in L.A., but one that made me wanna hang out for a bit.

So as I sat there chillin', I heard the live version of Erykah Badu's "Tyrone" come on. Now I've heard the song a number of times, so I am very aware of the fact that at the very beginning she comes right out and says, "I'm gettin' tired of your shyt..."

The song is blaring, and she's about to start singing. I'm wondering if they're gonna bleep the word out. Well, as I continued to listen I quickly learned that the song would be played IN ITS ENTIRETY...profanity and all. I wasn't bothered by it, and simply thought, "Well alrighty then. That's the way things are done here."

I sat and enjoyed the song...listened to it come to an end, and do you know...they played that song AGAIN!!! Back to back!

At that point I was convinced...this wasn't Kansas, and this IS how things are done in New Orleans. Cool!

Suffice it to say...I now have a second favorite Starbucks.

Now, Let the DIALOGUE begin: Are you a regular Starbucks goer? If so, do you have a favorite. If so, which one?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Here's the song. If profanity offends you, I thank you for reading today's post and you may want to stop here.

Well Wha'da'ya Know?!?

Isn't funny how you can hear something, or read something, or watch something and develop your own thoughts about it. Then you speak with someone about the same thing and come away with a completely different perspective.

That happened to me today.

My masseuse and I somehow got into a discussion about our "Gemini men".

At one point she had me nervous because she was describing my "Joe" to a tee. Finally, she told me her guy's birthday and I think she even let his name slip a time or two and I was able to exhale.

One of the things that both our guys have in common is the way that they are like light switches...almost "Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde-ish". The moods switch on and off IN AN INSTANT. Although Joe and I have been friends for 13 years, it's only been over this past 13 months that I've discovered how to handle him and the mood switches. Now that I know how he operates, and how I should react, things have been sooo much easier...and better.

As she and I continued the discussion, she says, "You know, there's a song about a woman who's in love with a man and he's like two people in one body. It's old skool."

I said, "Do you mean that 'Two Lovers' song?"

"YES! That's the one!!"

Wow, I've heard that song so many times and never realized that the "two lovers" are the same person. Now that I've read the lyrics, it makes TOTAL sense, and it most definitely describes me & Joe.

Here they are in case you're curious:

Mary Wells - Two Lovers

"Well, I've got two lovers and I ain't ashamed
Two lovers and I love them both the same

Let me tell you 'bout my first lover
He's sweet and kind and he's mine all mine
He treats me good like a lover should
And makes me love him
I really, really love him, oh I love him so
And I'll do everything I can to let him know

But I've got two lovers and I ain't ashamed
Two lovers and I love them both the same

Let me tell you 'bout my other lover
Well, you know, he treats me bad, makes me sad
Makes me cry but still I can't deny
That I love him, I really, really love him, oh I love him so
And I'll do everything I can to let him know

Darlin', well, don't you know I can tell
Whenever I look at you that you think that I'm untrue?
'Cause I say that I love two but I really, really do
'Cause you're a split personality
And in reality, both of them are you, baby

Well, I've got two lovers and I ain't ashamed
Two lovers and I love them both the same
Two lovers and I ain't ashamed"



How 'bout that!?!

Now, Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever heard a song that you thought meant one thing, only to later discover that it meant something completely different?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Coming To The Stage...

Three weeks ago a friend had her birthday celebration at a nearby karaoke spot. Anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE karaoke. Well...actually...I love singing...whether I am at karaoke or not.

Anyhoo...I went and had a GREAT time.

I loved the fact that it was so close to my home. Usually I travel 15+ miles away from home to sing karaoke, but that's because I typically go with a different group of friends so we tend to go in THEIR neighborhood.

About this new spot, I also love the crowd.

The BEST singers get applause, and so do the "not-so-best" singers. I happen to fall somewhere in the middle.

Oh...and it's FREE to sing. Sure, there's a bar and the drinks are usually flowin', but I don't drink, so...there goes that. Sometimes I'll get an overpriced Sprite, just to say that I've purchased SOMETHING. But last night I only had water.

Did you catch that? I said, "last night."

Yep folks, I have such a good time at this place that I have gone THREE FRIDAYS IN A ROW!

The first night I went I sang "Square Biz" by my FAVE, Teena Marie.
Last week I sang, "Video" and "The Truth" by India.Arie
Las night I sang, "The Way" by Jill Scott, and even had some dudes offer themselves to be my background singers. Funny...didn't know that I needed any background singers, but I'm a good sport and they made it fun.

Will I be back NEXT Friday? It's kinda tough to say this early in the week, but...well...you know the rest.

Bottom line is this...I simply LOVE to sing and I will sing ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: If I DO go to karaoke again next Friday, what should I sing?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Walking to The Beat

So it appears that I was a bit "ambitious" in my "365 Posts in 365 Days" plan. Although my heart, mind, and fingertips were willing...unfortunately, my finances and the internet were not.

At that very end of Wednesday night's post, I ran out of data and couldn't afford to buy more until I got paid on Friday. Friday came, and so did my plans for that night, which meant that I wasn't able to get a post in. So here I am...2 days behind, if we don't include today. No worries...I'm still determined to "get 'er done!"

Today's post was inspired by my afternoon walk. Now that my plantar fasciitis has gone away (THANK GOD!!!) I have resumed my evening walks, hoping to reach my goal of 500 miles walked by 12/31/15.

What I found interesting today is how things have changed. When I began walking as exercise back in July 2012, I would rarely walk without music. I had to have it. And if for some reason, I accidentally left my earbuds behind, it would throw me all out of whack. It was like my feet just couldn't move without the music.

Later on down the line, for safety reasons, I started walking with just ONE ear plugged.

Fast forward to NOW, and I rarely walk with music anymore.

Instead, I now allow nature to be my soundtrack.

If I'm out on trail, I choose to listen to birds chirping or the sounds that rustle in the brush (which typically freaks me out, but thankfully none of the creators of that rusting have eaten me).

If I'm at the beach, the crashing waves accompany my footsteps.

And if I'm walking through the neighborhood, I am met with a variety of sounds that make me smile. Whether it's the chatter of children, or the television in someone's living room, or dinner being cooked in the kitchen...I am always left wondering..."What's their story?"

As I said before, the shift has been quite interesting. If someone had told me 2.5 years ago that I'd be walking WITHOUT my beloved music, I wouldn't have believed them. But...here I am.

Anyhoo...

Let the DIALOGUE begin: If you are one who runs or walks for exercise, do you prefer music or to go without?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Looking for Caller #...

So get this!

Pretty much everyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE music. And I especially love hearing music performed LIVE in concert. When my favorite artist, Teena Marie was alive, I saw her perform as often as I could. I will always remember the very last time I saw her. She was performing at a school fund raiser as a favor to a friend. I was so close up front I could almost touch her. As a result, I got some great pics.

I think that event may have been in May. That December, she left us. December 26th to be exact.

Since then, I haven't really found a new "FAVE" but there are a few artists that I'm kinda diggin'. One of those is Leela James. She's fairly young (31) with a sultry soulful sound that is taking her up the music charts. Hers is music the way it used to be. Music the way it should be.

So today, as I was out running errands, I pulled into a parking lot and just sat for a minute before I went inside the store. I was listening to my favorite station, Radio Free 102.3 KJLH. Saturday mornings are great because they play a variety of old skool classics.

The song that was playing ended and the radio announcer said that he was looking for "Caller #23" to win 2 tickets to see Leela James in concert.

WHAT?!?

I started dialing.

Busy.

Hung up. Tried again.

Busy.

Hung up. Tried again.

Ringing.

He answered, "You are caller #14."

Gasp.

Dialed again.

Busy.

Dialed again.

Busy.

Dialed again.

Ringing.

He answered, "Hello. Who is this?"

"Am I caller #23?"

"Yes, and who am I speaking with?"

I tell him my name.

He asks, "Do I know you?"

"No, but we can be friends."

He laughed and asked, "Have you won anything from this station in the past 60 days?"

"No."

He then proceeded to take all of my info and told me when I could come by and pick up the tickets.

HOW EXCITING!

Now...I just need to figure out who I'm gonna go with. I have someone in mind, so we'll see how that goes.

In the meantime, here's the song that I am sooo looking forward to hearing her sing LIVE:



And with that...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Who would YOU like to see in concert?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Now Throw Your Hands in the Air!

Oh my goodness! What a day this has been!

So my birthday is tomorrow (unless you're on the East coast which means that you are already 52 minutes into MY day), and this morning I celebrated with my friends Judy and Wendy. We went to go hear my FAVORITE band DW3. These guys are FANTASTIC! Today marks the 5th time that I've seen them perform since last December.

Here are a few things that I love about them:

1. They can SANG! That's the urban version of "they sing very well."
2. They sing a great variety of songs like old-skool R&B, new R&B (only the good stuff though), and when they perform in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, they throw in a few Latin hits.
3. They are so "down to earth". They don't walk around with their noses up in the air. They actually engage with the audience and today I even got to take pics with two of the band members, Damon Reel (one of the lead vocalists) and Rick Marcel (the mean guitar player...and I mean mean as in...he can play your socks of with that guitar mean).

So we sang, danced in our seats (because the venue where we were doesn't really allow actual dancing), and just had a GRAND ol' time!

If you've never heard these dudes perform, I say, "What are you waiting for?!? GO!!!" I'm including the link to their website so that you can see for yourself what all the hype is about. You'll thank me later. ;-)

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you have a favorite band whose performances you just HAVE to go see when they're in your town?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

http://www.dw3soul.com/

(Day 18/21)

Keep Calm and Listen to MUSIC

In just a couple of hours we will put the lid on yet another Monday.

Monday's are sooo difficult for me.

Even though I try to "get my mind right" on Sunday night, all that goes out the window on Monday morning, for reasons that I won't go into but if you've followed this blog for any length of time then you know exactly what I'm referring to.

So...

I went into work today and really needed to find a "happy place" that would allow me to function and get my job done.

MUSIC took me to that place.

I worked with one earbud plugged in and just let "MyPod" play on shuffle. It was just what I needed.

I'm sure that I would've made it through the day WITHOUT music, but I'm so glad that I didn't have to.

Aside from actual PHYSICAL human beings in my life...food, my Bible, and MUSIC are my BEST FRIENDS. Without them, I'd be lost.

So...how was YOUR day?

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What gets YOU through a tough day?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Luther WHO?

The year was 1984. I went to a concert at the Universal Amphitheatre with my best friend Vivian and...my parents...and I should probably say my brother Donald as my mother was quite pregnant with him when we went to the concert. Now YOU tell ME...how cool could I have been to have attended a concert with...my PARENTS!?! Sooo not cool! But here was the deal... Me & Viv were there to see DeBarge (our future husbands), and my parents were there to see some guy named Luther Vandross. Luther WHO??? Luther Vandross. Whatever. So anyhoo...the concert begins and out comes the opening act...this Luther guy. Me & Viv huffed & puffed hoping that he'd hurry up , do his thing and get off the stage so that we could see DeBarge. The music starts and it's the prettiest piano music I'd ever heard. Then out come these women dressed in beautiful ball gowns...really classy. And then...the Luther guy starts singing. Whoa! We were blown away after the first song. This guy was pretty good. Then he sang another song, and another, and another. Wow! Where'd this dude come from? He was amazing! He sang his last song and I wasn't ready for him to go. He could've done the whole show for all I cared. Who was that other group that we came to see? DeBarge WHO? DeBarge WHAT? I wanted more Luther...Luther VANDROSS. This man was a STAR, and in just a short span of time, all the world came to know that. Luther Vandross was not only a star, but he became a LEGEND. Luther had a style that was solely his. I find it funny when I talk to people about his music and they ask, "Who do you like better, BIG Luther or Skinny Luther?" I'm a BIG Luther girl all the way. I loves me some BIG Luther!!! In honor of his birthday today, I listened to my favorite CD of his: Live at Radio City Music Hall 2003 If you are a Luther fan and don't have this CD, you MUST get it. It is FAAANTASTIC. I can listen to it on repeat and never get tired. So there you have it folks. The story of how I was introduced to the lovely sound that was (and thankfull, still is) Luther Vandross. He would have been 61 today. Let the DIALOGUE begin: Are you a Luther Vandross fan? If so, which do you prefer, Big Luther or Skinny?

Talk to me! Til next time...

Goodbye Melvin, Hello MELODY!!!

Ok. So those who know me well know that I have this habit of naming my possesions. You know...kinda like how people name their cars (mine by the way is named Kenya). And the way that people name boats...well, I name a few other things, especially...my iPods. And I've had a few.

I won my first iPod at work. It was a shuffle and it held 200 songs. I thought, "Wow...200 hundred songs...that's a lot." Lemme tell ya...that thing was filled to capacity in no time, but it didn't have a name.

The shuffle suited me well but once I spotted the nano with the color screen, I had to have it. So with my tax return money that year I bought one for myself as a treat. It was blue and sooo pretty. Something that pretty just HAD to have a name. So I named it Azure. And Azure went everywhere I went.

Well...we had another contest at work and guess what...I won an iPod touch. The funny part though is that I was so happy with Azure I wasn't really even that interested in the touch. It just seemed way to "gadgety" for my taste. Took me some time to even open it up.

Then the folks at work started telling me about the features, so I decided to check it out. I was IN LOVE!!! And my love's name was MELVIN.

Yes, MELVIN. A soulful name from the 70's that you just don't hear anymore. And MELVIN was full of soul.

So into my drawer went Azure, and into my pockets, purse, palm, went MELVIN.

That was...until a couple of months ago. Melvin died :-(

Water damage, so they said.

So for months I've gone without my iPod and have had to make do with CDs. Just not the same.

After finally saving enough money, I bought a new one. And once again, I've found LOVE!!! This time, in MELODY. That's the name of my new iPod. And she's pictured here. Ain't she purdy???

Even as I'm writing this post, I've got her playing right next to me in my little portable speakers. She is an absolute dream. As a mother of three, it's rare that I buy anything for myself...but this time...just this once...I had to get something for ME...and I am sooo glad that I did. It's been great on my morning walks. The time just flies by when I've got Melody plugged in.

The protective cover that I bought speaks volumes. It's colorful (which I find music to be), and there are lots of hearts (which reflect my great love for music).

I even applied the protective film thingy perfectly on the first try...no bubbles.

So there you have it folks. Yeah, this post is pretty long. But anybody who knows me will attest to the fact that I could go on for days when it comes to music. But for now, I'll stop here.

Let the DIALOGUE begin! Do you name objects?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Sharing My Praise & Worship Playlist

Most people who are writing anything today are writing about this being the 10th anniversary of the 9/11/01 attacks on our country...recounting where they were, who they were with, how they felt, etc.

My writing on this day is of a different twist.

I woke up this morning and prayed as I do each day. In my prayer I included the victims, their families, the men and women who risked their own lives to save the lives of others, our country, and the leadership of our country.

Then I went to church (as I do 99.9% of the Sundays during the year).

Many people probably stayed home on this day, for one reason or another. But you see, the best way to overcome the enemy is to keep giving God glory, honor, praise and worship...especially at a time when those things are NOT expected. And hear me clearly when I say "enemy". I'm talking spiritual enemy...NOT a race or religion of people. We are ALL God's creation...PERIOD!

So MY day, has been one of PRAISE and WORSHIP, through song. On my iPod (yes, I have a new one which I'll be blogging about soon), I have a Praise & Worship playlist. Today, I wanted to share it with YOU.

I know that this may sound morbid to some, but as a believer in Christ, my Lord and Savior, I am certainly not afraid of death. Not that I'm hoping for it any time soon, because I have a lot more work to do here on earth, lots more people to help and share the Gospel with. However, whenever I am called home to be with the Lord, I would love it if my friends and family would listen to my playlist.

EVERY song is uplifting.
EVERY song gives God glory.
EVERY song makes me happy when I hear it (and of course, when I sing along...which you KNOW I do).

So here they are. Not in any special order. I tend to listen on shuffle so that I get a surprise every time I listen.

You Who Reigns - GB5
You Loved Me (Live) - Karen Clark Sheard & Kiera "Kiki" Sheard
You Are The Living Word - Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ
You Are Good - Israel & New Breed
You Are God Alone - Marvin Sapp
Worshipper In Me - Marvin Sapp
We Offer You Praise - Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers
We Offer Praise - Rodnie Bryant & CCMC
We Are One - Daryl Coley
Unconditional - Kirk Franklin Presents One Nation Crew
With Long Life - Israel and New Breed
To Our God - Judith Christie McAllister
Thou Art A Shield For Me: Psalm 3 - Byron Cage
Thirsty [Reprise] - Marvin Sapp
Thirsty - Marvin Sapp
Still Say, Thank You -Smokie Norful
Shout Unto God - Marvin Sapp
Safe In His Arms - Milton Brunson
Sáciame Señor/Yo Sé Que Estás Aquí - Donnie McClurkin & JoAnn Rosario

Rivers Flow - Marvin Sapp
Revelations 19:1 - Stephen Hurd
Praise Him In Advance - Marvin Sapp
Our Father You Are Holy - Ricky Dillard
Nothing Else Matters (Album Version) - Israel & New Breed
No Greater Love - Fred Hammond
Never Would Have Made It - Marvin Sapp
Moving Forward - Israel Houghton
Matthew 28 - Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers
The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow - Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Choir featuring Kim Burrell

Lord I Lift Your Name On High - Donnie McClurkin
Just To Be Close To You - Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ
Jesus I Love You - Norman Hutchins
Inhabit My Praise/Oh the Presence of the Lord - Praise & Rodney Posey
In The Sanctuary - Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers
I Will Bless The Lord (Reprise)- Byron Cage
I Will Bless The Lord - Byron Cage
I Trust You - Fiya & James Fortune
I Told the Storm - Gerg O'Quin 'n Joyful Noyze
I Smile - Kirk Franklin
I Do Worship (Live)- John P. Kee
I Calll you Faithful - Donnie McClurkin
I'll Trust You, Lord - Donnie McClurkin
I'll Run to You - Vicki Yohe
Holy Spirit - Earnest Pugh
He Loves Me - Kirk Franklin
Great Is Your Mercy - Donnie McClurkin
Goin' Up Yonder - Ruben Studdard
Glory To Your Name - Byron Cage
Friend of God - Israel & New Breed
Falling In Love With Jesus - Kirk Whalum
Faith - Ricky Dillard & New G Christian & Gospel
Don't Give Up On Jesus - Daryl Corey / Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Crazy Praise - Monique Walker
Can't Live - Second Baptist Mass Choir
Calvary - Richard Smallwood & Vision
Blessed & Highly Favored - The Clark Sisters
The Best In Me - Marvin Sapp
The Heavens Are Telling - Karen Clark Sheard & Kiera "Kiki" Sheard


Let the DIALOGUE begin! If a friend of yours left a playist for YOU to listen to once their time here on earth was over, would you listen to it?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Lady Tee

My girl is gone.

Lady Tee. Teena Marie.

Anyone who knows me knows that she was my all time FAVORITE singer. I've seen her in concert sooo many times, and had a blast every time.

From the Budweiser Superfest, to Universal Amphitheatre, The Grove of Anaheim, The Greek Theatre, and even at a little elementary school where she performed at The Concert By the Canyon. That was my girl.

On our long trips to Palmdale I would load up the car with all of my Teena Marie CDs and would sing all the way up there and all the way back home. The kids hated it, but that's just the way it was. Over time they actually began singing along.

My friends used to joke with me and call me her stalker. Wherever she was, I wanted to be there. Sometimes I'd make it. Sometimes not. They know...if they're with me and a Teena Marie song comes on, don't even TRY to stop me...I'm singin' it!

My phone has been going crazy with everbody checking to see if I'm ok. I am.

I'm so grateful for the things that I have to remember her by:

My Lady Tee T-shirts
My Pics WITH Lady Tee
My Pics OF Lady Tee
and...most of all...the MUSIC of Lady Tee.

The choir in Heaven just got a whole lot stronger.