Sunday, July 25, 2010

Where do you find rhythm?


Check out this round piano with keys that actually worked. This week we attended thirteen year old, Madison's string concert. She plays the bass. The concert was lovely. Listening to the violinists reminded me of my grandfather, who I only knew briefly when I was a child. My earliest memory is of stepping into his two room, musty smelling cabin on the banks of the Missouri River in St. Charles. He chewed tobacco, and I was amazed that he could aim a stream of grasshopper juice right into his brass spittoon from way across the room. He was a fiddle player and wow, could that old man with a shock of white hair play.

Bill and I often go to the free concerts on Sunday evenings in the park. We listen to a variety of music and bands from bluegrass to big band. My favorite, of course is old time rock and roll. Makes me want to boogie. But the older I get the more I have discovered music everywhere ...not just in the Ipods in our kids ears, or is that MP3 players? I don't even know the difference. In my day they were called hand held transistor radios and you didn't have to pay to download your songs.

I hear music in the thrum of the lawn mower outside, and I hear rhythm in the slapping waves at sea. When a thunderstorm roars through it is like a cacophony of sounds, cymbal crashes, lightning flashes, pounding rain, slapping windshield wipers.
We drove home in a storm last night, and it made me think of this piano and the almost imperceptible rocking rhythm of the ship. Back home, for two days, I sat at the computer and had the urge to gently, almost imperceptibly move my head from side to side. I've got rhythm. I've got music down in my soul.

Other than an instrument or a song, what is musical for you?

16 comments:

Pat Wahler said...

There's music in the sounds of nature. Birds singing, hummingbird chatter, leaves blowing in the breeze, the ocean as it possesses a beach and then releases it, coyote howls in the night, crickets chirping, tree frog songs...well, I guess you get the picture!

Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com

Linda O'Connell said...

Pat,
You just wrote a lovely nature POEM.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Mmmmm....the ocean, the breathing of a sleeping baby, my dogs' tails tapping things as they wag, wag, wag; cars on the interstate before dawn. Rain, thunder. And my hubby snoring. :)

Linda O'Connell said...

Lisa,
Hubby's snoring does have a percussive sound, ah, but the dogs tail won me over. You are right on all accounts.

BECKY said...

Wind chimes tinkling and clanging, birds singing, locusts doing whatever it is they do!

Bookie said...

I would add the hum of the refrigerator...click of computer keys...clip clop of a horse and wagon on brick streets...eggs knocking when they are boiling...shrill screams of fire engine maybe....the high heels of an ex-boss as she stomped down the hall, I still hear those....

Susan said...

Hmmmmm, interesting question, Linda. I'd have to say the chorus of birds in the early morning hours. How sweet the sound! Also, the laughter of little children. Susan

Linda O'Connell said...

Becky,
Yes, wind chimes make me smile and relax, birds serenade but locusts drive me crazy!

Linda O'Connell said...

Claudia,
I know exactly what you mean about the high heels. I had a principal like that once. Yes! Eggs knocking as they boil; I would have never come up with that one.

Linda O'Connell said...

Susan,
When laughter of little children reaches a crescendo, their giggles build and belly laughter occurs, it makes me clap my hands.

Tammy said...

This reminds me of a group poem--where everyone adds a line! I've been enjoying all of them so much because people keep mentioning ones I love but wouldn't have thought to put. In addition to so many above, I love the rhythmic snap of sandals and the soundlessness of snow.

Linda O'Connell said...

Tammy,
You pegged it, slap of sandals. Ooooh the soundlessness of snow reminds me of singing to ones' self. The tune is everybody's choice. Thanks.

Lynn said...

I think there's rhythm in just about everything, you just have to listen. I like your new blog look.

Terri Tiffany said...

The pine trees behind my home when the wind blows through them:) I love your blog--thank you so much for finding mine. It is always nice to connect with another Chicken Soup writer! I will have to go read yours:) and oh yeah-- I love that old time rock and roll too! We are never too old for it!

Linda O'Connell said...

Hi Lynn,
Yes indeed, if only more people would stop and listen. Thanks for the nice comment.

Linda O'Connell said...

Hi Terri,
Welcome and thanks for stopping by. I am so techno challenged. I can write, I can type, I can't figure out how to do a link. But I will continue to give it my best shot. Oh yes, the wind in pine trees reminds me of camping at St. Andrews State Park in Panama City, FL. I envy you having the gulf water at your door.