#Remembering - A Blog Post

I don't usually go back and reread things that I ramble about here.

I do refer to restaurants or quilts...but not usually when I just type.

My blog has truly turned into a private diary for me as the popularity of blogs has died down.

And that's okay.

Today, I revisited a post from a few years ago (not intentional, it just happened) and it about broke me.

And I realized the my life hasn't changed much since that post and that hurts.

I do have a history with anxiety and luckily, I know the signs to head it off...

But that doesn't stop the tears from being reminded about who I am.

And honestly, I am who I am and there isn't much to change there.

What little I can change, I have started talking to my doctor about, but I don't know that it will help much.

What has changed since that post is the number of people who can just be outright mean!

And they are not happy that I won't let that into my life.

Does that make me a bad person?  Maybe. Maybe not.

But I don't and won't have to experience their hatred and meanness.

I am blessed that the few people who do read this blog are in far countries who don't know me.

I can truly use it to just get thoughts onto the screen and cope (a way I deal with anxiety).

Namaste.

#SaturdaySongs - Sound of Silence

I am sharing a song if it...

> Spoke to what is going on in the world today...

> Moved me (for some reason or another)...

> Is a treasure that I just want to share...

> Is just something that I like to listen to... 

NOTE: I am not receiving any compensation for spotlighting these songs. I did not write them, sing them or own them... I am just sharing with others who may love music too. 

"Sound of Silence" 

Performed by Disturbed

Written by Paul Simon 

I have always sang along with this song over the years; however, it didn't make it to my playlist until it was remade by Disturbed.  In all honesty, I am not a Disturbed fan...but I love the range of David Draiman's voice on this version.

Lyrics:

For tonight's performance of the The Sound of Silence
Join us on the stage
To be the odd Garfunkel to my Paul Simon tonight
Please welcome mister Myles Kennedy
Now fire up those lighter and cellphone
And hold them it up in the air people, now it's the time

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools, " said I, "You do not know
Silence, like a cancer, grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells, of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - FrankZ (Frankfort, MI)

Still working through our vacation up north...

We headed over to Frankfort to see a lighthouse and decided to try out FrankZ.

Just regular French Fries - that were really good.

They had a sign in front of the building advertising their "Award Winning Fries".

Chili Cheese Fries

MBB didn't care for them because the Chili was "too sweet".

I thought they were very yummy.

Greek Salad with Gyro Meat

We also had Gyros, but they were nothing special to take pictures of.

I would definitely recommend stopping by just for the fries.

They had a few other things on the minute that we wanted to try, but they were "sold out" (at lunch....).

Namaste.

#SaturdaySongs - Today's Not Yesterday

I am sharing a song if it...

> Spoke to what is going on in the world today...

> Moved me (for some reason or another)...

> Is a treasure that I just want to share...

> Is just something that I like to listen to... 

NOTE: I am not receiving any compensation for spotlighting these songs. I did not write them, sing them or own them... I am just sharing with others who may love music too. 

"Today's Not Yesterday" 

Performed by Shane Filan

Written by David Sneddon, Sane Filan, James Bauer-mein

I have been a fan of Westlive since my first trip to Japan years and years ago...

The only English TV station was doing doing a feature on them and I was hooked.

My trip to Ireland in 2001 allowed me to pick up all of the non-USA versions of their CDs and the internet allowed me to continue my purchases until the band broke up...

Shane released a few solo songs and this one made it to my playlist.

Good news - the band is now back together...

Lyrics:

I know all things have to end
But I don't feel ready
Can you still hear me
Can I do this all again
If I keep my head down
Would you still see me

'Cos I don't think its over
Maybe I'm gonna find a way
No I don't think it's over
Everything that they might say
Forget it all
Today's not yesterday
Today's not yesterday

I know nothing's set in stone
I'll pick up the pieces and try to move on
If you're asking me to go
I'll always listen
You just got to let me know

'Cos I don't think it's over
Maybe I'm gonna find a way
No I don't think, it's over
Everything that they might say
Forget it all
Today's not yesterday
Today's not yesterday

I don't think it's over
Maybe I'm gonna find a way
No-one tells you it's over
Everything that they might say
Forget it all

Today's not yesterday
Today's not yesterday
Today's not yesterday

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - Blue Water Bistro and Pizzeria (Alden, MI)

Another stop on our vacation up north.

We actually ate here twice - once in their sit down dinner and once getting their pizza to go (you can't order their pizza unless you get it to go).

Lasagna

Bruschetta
NOTE: The menu calls this out as GF (which was important for one of us) and yet look at what is one the plate.... Yep, bread.  Definitely NOT GF.  Luckily, they were willing to bring out GF crackers.

Bluewater Trio

Special: Halibut

Smoked Gouda Special with GF crust

Sicilian Special with GF crust

The pizza would be a repeat for us if we ever stay at Torch Lake again in the future.

The restaurant was good, but we would most likely explore other restaurants.

Namaste.

#SaturdaySongs - Where is the Love?

I am sharing a song if it...

> Spoke to what is going on in the world today...

> Moved me (for some reason or another)...

> Is a treasure that I just want to share...

> Is just something that I like to listen to... 

NOTE: I am not receiving any compensation for spotlighting these songs. I did not write them, sing them or own them... I am just sharing with others who may love music too. 

"Where is The Love?" 

Performed by Black Eyed Peas

Written by Allan Pineda, Giorgio Hesdey Tuinfort, Jaime Gomez, Jayceon Taylor, Justin Timberlake, Khaled Khaled, Rakim Mayers, Will Adams

This is another song that I think is just as applicable today as it was when it was released in 2003...

I wish more people would listen, reflect and find the love...

Lyrics:

People killin' people dyin'
Children hurtin', I hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preachin'?
Would you turn the other cheek again?
Mama, mama, mama, tell us what the hell is goin' on
Can't we all just get along?
Father, father, father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me
Questioning
(Where's the love)

Yo what's going on with the world, momma
(Where's the love)
Yo people living like they ain't got no mommas
(Where's the love)
I think they all distracted by the drama and
Attracted to the trauma, mamma
(Where's the love)
I think they don't understand the concept or
The meaning of karma
(Where's the love)

Overseas, yeah they trying to stop terrorism
(Where's the love)
Over here on the streets the police shoot
The people put the bullets in 'em
(Where's the love)
But if you only got love for your own race
(Where's the love)
Then you're gonna leave space for others to discriminate
(Where's the love)

And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how hate works and operates
Man, we gotta set it straight
Take control of your mind and just meditate
And let your soul just gravitate
To the love, so the whole world celebrate it

People killin' people dyin'
Children hurtin', I hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preachin'?
Would you turn the other cheek again?
Mama, mama, mama, tell us what the hell is goin' on
Can't we all just get along?
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questioning
(Where's the love)

It just ain't the same, always in change
(Where's the love)
New days are strange, is the world insane?
(Where's the love)
Nation droppin' bombs killing our little ones
(Where's the love)
Ongoing suffering as the youth die young
(Where's the love)

Where's the love when a child gets murdered
Or a cop gets knocked down
Black lives not now
Everybody matter to me
All races, y'all don't like what I'm sayin'? Haterade, tall cases
Everybody hate somebody
Guess we all racist
Black Eyed Peas do a song about love and y'all hate this
All these protests with different colored faces
We was all born with a heart
Why we gotta chase it?
And every time I look around

Every time I look up, every time I look down
No one's on a common ground
(Where's the love)
And if you never speak truth then you never know how love sounds
(Where's the love)
And if you never know love then you never know God, wow
(Where's the love)
Where's the love y'all? I don't, I don't know
Where's the truth y'all? I don't know

People killin' people dyin'
Children hurtin', I hear them cryin'
Could you practice what you preach?
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questioning
(Where's the love)
(Where's the love)

Love is the key
(Where's the love)
Love is the answer
(Where's the love)
Love is the solution
(Where's the love)
(Where's the love)
They don't want us to love
(Where's the love)
Love is powerful
(Where's the love)
(Where's the love)

My mama asked me why I never vote never vote
'Cause police men want me dead and gone (Dead and gone)
That election looking like a joke (Such a joke)
And the weed man still sellin' dope
Somebody gotta give these niggas hope (Please hope)
All he ever wanted was a smoke (My gosh)
Said he can't breathe with his hands in the air
Layin' on the ground died from a choke
(Where's the love)

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders
As I'm gettin' older y'all people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinemas
What happened to the love and the values of humanity?
(Where's the love)
What happened to the love and the fairness and equality?
(Where's the love)
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
(Where's the love)
Lack of understanding leading us away from unity
(Where's the love)

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - Prost! (Frankenmuth)

We headed north for vacation and stopped at a restaurant in Frankenmuth... Prost!

Appetizer: Swiss Bacon Dip
Very Yummy (and I don't like Swiss!)...

Appetizer: Porchetta

Charcuterie: Built our own - Chorizo, Smoked Gouda, Prosciutto, Balsamic Onion Jam, Cornichon

The Grilled Cheese Royale and house salad
(we split this, so image double everything for a full order)

Charcuterie: Local German Heritage

(Sorry - My memory is failing me on this one.)

Overall, not a bad choice.  Nice to experience, but if we are in Frankenmuth again - we'll probably experience another place.

If you do visit here - be VERY careful if you use the back door.
We had to wait awhile as two people fell coming out the back door and the ambulances were blocking us in.

Namaste.

#SaturdaySongs - Tuesday Morning

I am sharing a song if it...

> Spoke to what is going on in the world today...

> Moved me (for some reason or another)...

> Is a treasure that I just want to share...

> Is just something that I like to listen to... 

NOTE: I am not receiving any compensation for spotlighting these songs. I did not write them, sing them or own them... I am just sharing with others who may love music too. 

"Tuesday Morning" 

Performed by Melissa Etheridge

Written by Jon Craig Taylor, Melissa Etheridge  

This song has been on my playlist for quite a few years now... 

It talks about Flight 93 which was hijacked on September 11, 2001 during the attacks on America...

And though we have made much progress in the LGBTQ+ movement since 2001, it is a good reminder for me that we still have work to do.

Lyrics:

Up and down this road I go
Skippin' and dodgin'
From a 44

10:03 on a Tuesday morning
In the fall of an American dream
A man is doing what he knows is right
On flight 93
He loved his mom and he loved his dad
He loved his home and he loved his man
But on that bloody Tuesday morning
He died an American

Now you cannot change this
You can't erase this
You can't pretend this is not the truth

Even though he could not marry
Or teach your children in our schools
Because who he wants to love
Is breaking your Gods' rules
He stood up on a Tuesday morning
In the terror he was brave
And he made his choice
And without a doubt
A hundred lives he must have saved

And the things you might take for granted
Your inalienable rights
Some might chose to deny him
Even though he gave his life
Can you live with yourself in the land of the free
And make him less of a hero than the other three
Well it might begin to change ya
In a field in Pennsylvania

Stand up America
Hear the bell now as it tolls
Wake up America
It's Tuesday morning
Come on let's roll

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - Bar 145

We have driven by this place many, many times...

Even heard good things about it...

So, we decided to finally give it a try - on their outdoor patio...

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls - interesting and yummy

Baked Pretzel Bites

Apple Pie Burger (award winning) - It was interesting!  Glad I tried it, but probably not a repeat for me.

Loved the Fried Brussel Sprouts!

MBB got one of their specialty burgers, but neither of us can remember what it was called...

Namaste.