Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Hope Return


I LOVE music. I LOVED making and receiving mixed tapes and now even with all of the technology out there I still enjoy making a mixed CD(some of my techie friends laugh at me for this).

Hope Return or Return Hope (Got Barrack?) is a mixed CD I put together to help my emotional fragility deal with the sadness in the world. Over the last few weeks there have been heart wrenching tragedies (massive school shooting, suicides, murderers) take place. I don't kid myself and understand there are plenty of random acts of unspeakable cruelty happening all of the time. I tried to compile a series of songs that combat that cruelty and return hope to my heart. This mix explores: innocence, beauty and those mystical moments when time dissolves, death (it's only a matter of time for each of us), and finally hope returning through realization. 

We are all in the same boat called LIFE. Why not be kind?  A little LOVE and kindness can go a long way! I hope you enjoy the mix :)

“My God, a moment of bliss. Why, isn't that enough for a whole lifetime?” Dostoevsky
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”  Mother Teresa


Hope Return or Return Hope

Old Pine – Ben Howard
“Memories are the best thing you will ever have...free as the birds that fly with weightless souls….so happy hearted….”    HNW Commentary: God this entire song is just beautiful.


Wildflowers – Tom Petty
“ …Far away from your trouble and worry …you belong somewhere you feel free”


Old Dirt Hill – Dave Matthews
“I hear scream and shout out loud of innocence..days when all we did would never end..that’s just a kid..that’s what I miss…”


That Summer Feeling – Jonathan Richman
“When there are things to do not because you gotta…When you run for love not because you oughta ..When you trust your friends with no reason notta…The joy I've named shall not be tamed”


And it Stoned Me – Van Morrison
“On the way back home we sang a song…But our throats were getting dry..Then we saw the man from across the road..With the sunshine in his eyes”


The Indie Queens are Waiting-Dan Mangan
“because my days are numbered too”


Bridge Over Troubled Water –Simon and Garfunkel (Cover by Johnny Cash and Fiona Apple)
“I will ease your mind”

Through my Prayers – Avett Brothers
“If you have love in your heart let it show why you can…now I understand but now my only chance to talk to you is through my prayers…“I only wanted to tell you I cared….”


Who by Fire – Leonard Cohen
Who by very slow decay…and who shall I say is calling..”

 Naked as We Came – Iron and Wine
“One will spread our ashes around the yard”


I Will Follow you into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie
“There is nothing to cry about. ..We will hold each other soon”

Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) – Monsters of Folk
“Dear God I know you have you reasons…I know I am thinking aloud… but if your love is still around why do we suffer?”


Only if For a Night – Florence + Machine
And although I was burning..You're the only light…Only if for a night.” 


If I had a Boat – James Vincent McMorrow
“Once I had a dream, it died long before…Now I'm pointed north, hoping for the shore”


One Red Thread – Blind Pilot
“I had to say there was a mile or two…I had the itch to fly so I flew”

Sounds like Hallelujah – The Head and the Heart
“For the first time singing Hallelujah..”

Simple Song – Shins
“I know that things can really get rough, When you go in alone. Don't go thinking you gotta be tough,And bleed like a stone.Could be there's nothing else in our lives so critical, As this little home.


Awake My Soul – Mumford and Sons
“Lend me your eyes I can change what you see… but your soul you must keep totally free”

With my Own Two Hands – Ben Harper
“I can make a kinder place with my own two hands”

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Gift-Vol 1-Let's Dance-Inspiration from Hafiz

I LOVE Hafiz.

His poetry changed my life.

As I read
I found a friend
I felt less alone
I felt understood
I felt LOVE.

 As I read 
a poem-
a song
would  
fill my mind-
like they were meant
 to be coupled
or married. 

The Gift 
Vol 1
Let's Dance
is a CD I made
of each marriage.

I gave
 The Gift-Poems by Hafiz
to many of my close friends and family along with my CD.
I was hoping that they would be inspired too
to create
their own Volume!


The Gift
Vol 1
Let's Dance
Inspiration from Hafiz
(December 2009)

(My friend Jennifer gave me The Gift- Poems by Hafiz for a Christmas gift in December of 2009. How wonderful! Thank You!)

Pg#    Poem Name                          Song Title and Artist
34     The Sun Never Says               You are My Sunshine-Norman Blake (Jimmie Davis Cover)
                                                        Joyful Girl-Soulive (Ani D Cover)
90     The Scent of Light                   Your Adorable Beast- Bobby Bare Jr.
119   Stop Being So Religious          Change of Ideas- Bad Religion
177   The Great Religions                 Missed the Boat - Modest Mouse
182   Cucumbers and Prayers          Party at Ground Zero-Fishbone
199   Two Giant Fat People             Blue Canoe-Blue Mountain
202    Elegance                                Stay Positive- HoldSteady
213    And for No Reason               Grapevine Fires- Death Cab for Cutie
229    Then Winks                           Crazy-Alanis Morissette (Seal Cover)
270    The God Who only Knows    Let's Dance - MWard (David Bowie Cover)
Four Words (Come Dance with Me)
302    Where Great Lions Love       Do Your Thing - Isaac Hayes
to Piss


Friday, October 26, 2012

Farting Rainbows- Vonnegut Tribute



When all else fails there are unicorn farts.
Taste the rainbow.
Smell the rainbow.


Inspired by:
Kurt Vonnegut Man Without a Country
“I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.” 
― Kurt VonnegutA Man Without a Country



Sunday, September 16, 2012

100 memories I love about my grandfather




I was walking my dog Truman yesterday at Fort Ben State Park. It happened to coincide with my grandfather's six year death anniversary. I started to feel sad. Memories were flowing. It was bitter sweet. I decided in that moment, inspired by my sister Tara's 100 things she loves about life post(http://www.facebook.com/tara.williams.560), to start a list of 100 memories I love about my grandfather. Below is my journal entry and a list of 100 things.

9/15/2012
I can't believe it has been six years since grandpa died. I miss him. I miss his kindness. I miss the connection we had (although I believe we will always have-I feel his presence in so many moments of my life). I have many great memories of him. We always had so much fun together. I remember him squeezing my hand before he died... (my mom's voice echoes in my memory "dad -Heather is here-squeeze her hand if you feel her.").  I guess he felt me. I won't forget that last moment.. the strength in heart... eternity..beyond body.. I thought to myself he had the best heart I had ever met....so here is my stream of consciousness of my memories.

1. IUPUI hospital room. He recited a poem to his oncologist.


                              It Couldn't Be Done

Edgar Guest 

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
  But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
  Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
  On his face.  If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
  That couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
  At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
  And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
  Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
  That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
  There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
  The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
  Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
  That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.


2. Coming to many of my cross country meets. Taking our entire team out for hot chocolate.
3. Taking me painting with him.
4. Always including me in his work-I helped him do his little lawn care business. Walking down the alley.
5. The many Sanibel Island trips
6.Birthday parties-special plate
7. Participation Sister's dinner-Pizza King (I hope you remember this Tara)
8. Not strangling Tara and I for doing cartwheels down the fairway at Glen Miller Park Golf Course
9. Zest for life
10. Always believing in me
11. Letting us pick out our favorite cereal from the grocery store
12. Christmas Eve Service
13. Accepting death with humor-I remember saying when visiting when he was very sick.." I will see you later grandpa" and he said "better sooner than later" and then winked at me.
14. Never being angry
15.Swiss steak
16. Persimmon pudding
17. Strawberry rhubarb pie
18. Compassion
19. Always finding the best in people
20. Never talking ill of anyone
21. Jeopardy and wheel of fortune
22. Playing Dominoes
23. Celebration, FL-lost tooth..still had a smile
24. "Don't tell your grandma I am this high up on the ladder"
25. Encouraging me to go to engineering school
26. Love of Purdue
27. Casablanca-the movie
28. Legally Blonde-I loved how he laughed so hard at this movie-completely unexpected
29. Paint car
30. Trips to the reservoir just to watch the birds
31. His amazing detailed memory
32. His amazing family tree/"second cousin once removed" lingo/memory?!
33.Financial orderliness
34. Never asked ...why me?
35. Good attitude
36. WWII stories
37. Deer hunting story at the dinner table..(Mandy I hope you remember this)..grandma saying "Brooks you couldn't even hurt a flee".
38. Mints/Wintergreen-do they spark in the dark
39. Red light to green. Poof.
40. Kind and appreciative to everyone
41. Miracle Whip
42. Eastlands
43. Handing out Christmas gifts
44. Burning wrapping paper...violin on mantle
45. Casablanca lilies
46. Vegetable garden in the alley behind Jimmy's house
47. Homemade applesauce
48. Late night Doppler Radar
49. Farm at Salem
50. "oh Canada" the farm woman
51. Raspberry Sunday from the Mucky Duck
52. Milkshakes from Alesops
53. Getting to work in Richmond on a remediation project and staying with my grandparents.It was winter-I had many layers on- I had to wear Carhartts- I remember running into their house after work-having to go to the bathroom-well I couldn't get all of the layers off  and I  peed before getting all of my layers off...I remember telling my grandparents..they found humor in it.."just wait until you get old-we do it all of the time"
54. Little Shebas
55. One of the last days that he was still aware-he said if he were to do it all over again he would want to be a meteorologist.
56.Old dog scamp
57. Always so interested in what Aunt Caroline and Uncle Steve were doing..I could always tell he was proud
58. Sulky racing
59. Pudding pops
60. Driving us with grandma to get our nails done
61. Driving us with grandma to Knollenburgs
62. Children's museum
63. Old spice
64. Sitting with grandpa in his chair
65. Always waiting patiently while the girls got their hair cut by Marty
66. Playing Stars
67. Fort Morgan
68. Charlotte, NC Gymnastics meet
69. Grape Vine Wreaths
70. Going to visit Milly's cabin on the stream in OH
71. How in the hell did he have all of the units/conversions memorized
72. Powerball
73. Bird watching from our deck at Cedar Cliff house
74. Napping/Snoring in his chair
75. Birth right Quaker
76. Loved sitting in the front seat and being his navigator
77. Driving to get spring water from Glen Miller Park
78. POW licence plate-connecting with other POW's on trips to FL
79. Writing the "Capture" story about his WWII POW experience for me when I was in seventh grade (I still have it)
80. Being the principle at my middle school-Dennis
81. Always encouraging me to do good in school and caring about my interests
82. Snap dragons
83. Sweet peas
84. Old sprinkler
85. Hula hoops/three ring circus
86. Driving to Dr. Fox's estate and taking care of it
87. Building the bookshelf around our TV in the basement of the Cedar Cliff house
88. Going through the Miller's drive through for Milk
89. After eights
90. Staining the wood beams with him at the new Quaker Church
91. Bowling-Special Bowling Ball
92. Taking Tara and I to Saturday morning gymnastics and Ms. Bradshaw art lessons
93. Life in Salem graveyard-showing us where he was going to be buried
94. 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration
95. Clipping the roses
96. Old leather shoes
97. Hooded Purdue Sweatshirt
98. Not having to say anything but understanding everything
99. The way he took pictures..always made me laugh..he never really gave a crap..
100. "Heather there will be good days and bad days..you just have to keep living"

These are just a few of my memories.



Sunday, September 2, 2012

Beautiful Act



Life is Experience.
a moment
a collection
a collage
a circus 
perhaps
laugh
hope
to
be
beautiful
act.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Rising Moon



Am I afraid
to
slow down
one
moment
to
the
next
without
contemplation
of
what
has
been
or
what
is 
to
come
just
what
it
is
what
we
have
now
live
it
experience
it
LIFE.

Am I afraid
of
LIFE
in
this
moment
no.
what has been
yes
what is to come
yes
why
why
why
moment then
moment now
moment tomorrow
ALL
the
same.

Don't
be
afraid
live
LIFE
to
the
end
of
time
forever
in
the 
reflection
of
the
sunset
in
the
ripple
of
water
behind
the
rising 
moon.

I am
not
afraid
of
eternity
LIFE
in
the moment
the sunset
the reflection
the ripple
the wave
the
 rising
 moon.

no more
no less.

beauty

reflects
in
the 
eye
of
the
beholder.

Journey 
into
the
mystic.

"The flip side of fear is understanding." -Rick Steves


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Unfettered Mind


May 2010-Unfettered Mind-19
Purity of mind exists within this perfect instance of the One.
 I Breathe...
I am all things and no thing in this moment.


Friday, August 24, 2012

Sun Shine Memories


Warm
Sun
Memories
Home
Shine
Forever
Under
Water
Waves


Clouds

Burst

Shapes

Imagine
Castle
Dream
Drift



Away



To

Capture

The
Moment



To

Find
The
End
of
Time

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Loneliness, Light, Love

Listen, silence
the Mind
Opens
Alone
Death
Will Find
you in
Time.
To
Begin again.
Death
Whispers
Everywhere
There is a
Door
There is a 
Path
to the 
Light
LOVE
each moment
This world
Speaks
Loudly
Death
Whispers
Softly
to
open
your
Universe
to find
the End of Time
Kairos.

11/24/11-written at Crown Hill.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

A Moment of Reflection Through a Sound

The Snow Crunched
Beneath my foot
Where have I been
What have I seen
Am I lost
Again
Center Yourself
Why
A
Tear...
of Joy
A
Tear...
of Ecstasy
I am completely
Absorbed
Beneath my foot.
The Snow Crunched
The Sound
Where am I
Where have I been
Goose bumps
The Tear
I am centered
Complete Joy
Complete Ecstasy
Happiness
found
in
moment
of
reflection
through
a
sound.
Crisp
Reality?
Time
no more.
End of Time
Found
in
a
Moment
of
Reflection
I cry
Complete Joy
Complete Ecstasy
Happiness.

(1/16/2011)
Inspired by an unexpected moment in the Indy airport parking lot-the sound took me back to a particular childhood memory at Cedar Cliff. The senses are interesting.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Divine Dance

I have had a glimpse
Perhaps a peek
Into the Mystic
The Divine Dance
The Everything
The Nothing
A higher vibration
The mind opens
The heart expands
You stare
In wonder
Ecstasy
Complete awe
A door
Into this space
Exists.
Let go
Dissolve Ego
Spirit Speak
This mystery
Life
Alive
Now.
What more?
One self
Saw the
World
Eyes shut
Believed Time
Time
Crumbles 
Again
and 
Again
and
Again
I have had a glimpse
Perhaps a peek
Into the Mystic
The Divine Dance
The Everything 
The Nothing
A higher vibration
New self feels....
What I (we) have already known-forever
Eyes open
Time no more
End of  Time.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

LOVE. What else is there? Keep searching...


LOVE. What else is there?
Keep Searching...

1.       New York- Snow Patrol
...If our hearts are never broken, then there is no JOY in the mending…there is so much this hurt can teach us both….

2.       Poison Cup- MWard
…If Love is a poison cup then drink it up because a sip or spoonful won’t do nothing for you but mess you up….

3.       Skinny Love- Bon Iver
…And I told you to be patient and I told you to be kind now all your love was wasted then who the hell was I….

4.       Somebody that I Used to Know – Gotye
…But you didn’t’ have to cut me off make it like it never happened and that we were nothing and I don’t even need your love.. but you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough…

5.       Volcano- Damien Rice
…Don’t drag my love around volcanoes melt me down what I am to you is not what you mean to me…

6.       Dance me to the End of Love- The Civil Wars (Leonard Cohen)
…And dance me to the end of love. Please dance me to the end of love….

7.       Stay Young Go Dancing- Death Cab for Cutie
…When she sings I hear a symphony and I am swallowed in Sound as it echoes through me, I’m renewed oh how I feel alive….

8.       Human- Killers
…Let me know is your heart still beating…

9.       We are Young- Fun
…Let’s set the world on fire we can burn brighter than the sun…The moon is on our side..

10.   Cosmic Love – Florence and the Machine
…The stars the moon they have all been blown out you left me in the dark…I took the stars from my eyes then I made a map. I knew somehow I could find my way back. I heard your heart beating you were in the darkness too. So I stayed in the darkness with you…

11.   Yellow-Vitamin String Quartet (ColdPlay)
…Beautiful…

12.   The Dreaming Tree- Dave Matthews
…Now Progress takes away what forever took to find…

13.   Broken Horse – Freelance Whales
…Bundle up and come with me. Now down the road to the burnt down barn we could make a blanket of coats and breathe our souls into the neighbors front lawn…

14.   Bless your Tombstone Heart-The Low Anthem
…Bless the Debts our hearts must weigh…

15.   Till Kingdom Come-ColdPlay (Johnny Cash)
…Hold my hand inside your hands I need someone who understands I need someone someone who hears for you I have waited all these years..say you’ll come and set me free…

16.   Wonderwall- Ryan Adams (Oasis)
…I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now…

17.   Make you Feel My Love – Adele (Bob Dylan)
…I could offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love..I could hold you for a million years to make you feel my love….

18.   First Day of My Life- Bright Eyes
…I think I was blind before I met you I don’t  know where I am or where I have been but I know where I want to go..I need you and wonder if I could come home…I am glad I didn’t die before I met you….

19.   Crazy Love (Van Morrison)
…It make me righteous and it make me whole It made me mellow down into my soul…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE…CRAZY LOVE. 


This post was inspired by a friends blog-in one week she had a devastating fire destroy several historical  family barns, felt the loss of LOVE, and drove through a Tornado. Despite all of these experiences in one week this is what she closed her blog with:  

What a week. I woke this morning with the simple idea running through my head that life really shouldn't be so complicated.
It's all about LOVE.
Love god.The details aren't really that important. 
Love one another. Treasure the time with each person we meet.
Love what you are doing. Whatever we are engaged in-do it with passion and fervor.
The teacup is already broken and any give moment can change your life. I get it. I experienced all this week. Fire, tornadoes, broken hearts..

Here's to the next time and just loving....

My mind works in songs..Keep searching for LOVE it's ALL AROUND. LIFE is BEAUTIFUL. Surrender to LOVE. Let Go. Enjoy the Ride!!!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

You are Beautiful World said the Universe.

You are Beautiful
World
said
the
Universe.
The
People
Will
Awake
Slowly
from
their
Dream
to
Experience
Your
Beauty.

Don't
Be
Sad
World
said
the
Universe.
The
People
Will
Choose
LOVE
to
Heal 
the
Wounds and
Hurt
They have caused
Deep
in
their
Slumber
of
Hate
and
Unhappiness.

You are Kind
World
said
the
Universe.
The
People
will
Feel
your
Kindness
Reflect
in 
their
Souls
as
they 
Discover
the
Truth
in
Time.
Again and Again
and Again.
The
People
Forget
While
They
are 
Sleeping
through Reality
What they
have
Always
Known.

You are Patient
World
said 
the
Universe.
The
People
will
See
Clearly
Through
their
Hearts
Only then
can
their
Minds
Find
the
End of Time.

2/3/2011
Inspired by- the You are Beautiful sign in Fountain Square, Indianapolis (in above picture)


Thursday, February 16, 2012

Create Your Reality


Imagine the Place..then Fly There....

End of Time Collection: 11/28/09
Inspired by Mary Poppins Chalk Drawings

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Oh Fortunate One are We


Oh Fortune
Oh Fortunate
One
Are
We.
Sit
Still.
In
Stillness
One
Will
Find
We.
Oh Fortune
Oh Fortunate
One
Are
We.
Forever
Dance
In
Existence
Forever
Dance
In
Your
Soul.
Sit Still…
Dance!?
Become
One
With
We.
Oh Fortune
Oh Fortunate
One are
We.
Revel in
Existence.
Forever
Dance
Into the
Stillness
 of your
Soul…
To
Find
The End
Of
Time.
Kairos.














(coolest sit still couch I could find)
12/24/2011
Inspired by: Dan Mangan's-Oh Fortune Album and Feelings on Christmas Eve

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Honest Heart

Keep simple. Keep kind. Keep an honest heart and an open mind.


Life Illuminated


















Life Illuminated:
As Conversation Flows and the Hours Pass Unnoticed

2/28/2010: End of Time Collection

Whispers through an Orchestra


Take me away
Just take me away
Into my space
My silent universe
To the outside
My beautiful existence
                Light
                Meaning
                Belief
Inside
The  world dances
Each pulse, slowly
Whispers
Through an
Orchestra
                Of movement
                                The wind blows
                                                The tree sways
                                                                The leaves fall
Music is created
Alive
Another dimension
Opens
For a moment
Forever is found


















-11/20/2011