Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae
Beautiful Ellie Mae

Freddie, the French Bulldog

Freddie, the French Bulldog
Lazing on a sunny afternoon

The artist

The artist
Ollie Mac

Ollie and Annie

Ollie and Annie
Azorean grandmother

Acrylics and watercolors

Acrylics and watercolors
Cannabis and sunflowers

Papa and Ollie Mac

Papa and Ollie Mac
Priorities, Baby

Acrylics and watercolors

Acrylics and watercolors
Hollyhocks

Mahlon Masling Blue

Mahlon Masling Blue
My friend and brother.

Mark's E-mail address

bellspringsmark@gmail.com

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Music to My Eyes

Music to My Eyes
I used to think that people who spent free time on computers, were either “surfing” or “chatting” and never the twain shall meet.  I would be lying if I said that members of my family were as pleased at the amount of time I spend on Terra Jean, my computer, as they would like, but such is my life: International Blogster, Esquire.  International?  OK, I know Maine is in our country, but it’s so far north.  
Earlier, I posted onto my blog with the awareness that it was there for ANYBODY, regardless of whether or not anyone was reading it.  Made no difference, I assured myself [smugly], I write for myself.  I have been doing it all my life, only now I am relocating it from my brain to my blog.
I write partly because I view the English language as one of the most fascinating “jigsaw puzzles” available, and partly because I have never been able to make music with instruments, so I have to rely on words.  I heard music the other day in “Ross and Costco” (thanks, Lynda) and I heard it tonight in “The Reason for the Season” (thanks, Judy).  
After all, I hear it all over in my travels, as though it were an 808 drum, setting the beat for my listening pleasure.  I liken it to shooting pool.  If I make one really stylish shot, at any point during my game, I feel as though I have achieved great success.  The outcome of the game need not rely on the eight ball for definition.  
In writing a piece, regardless of length, one particularly pleasing turn of words, is all that I require, to seal the deal.  So just as JT is always in search of a title, I am always in search of a phrase.  If I come up short, it’s always nice to know, I am only a click away from my dash, for some music to my eyes.  Right now my eyes are scanning the band for the latest hits, and the hits just keep on coming.  

7 comments:

  1. This is really lovely. I appreciate your writings :)

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  2. I write for many of the same reasons that you articulated so well. I, for one, am glad to have stumbled upon the writing that you do "for yourself".

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  3. Here is a turn of phrase that particularly pleased me: "I write partly because I view the English language as one of the most fascinating 'jigsaw puzzles' available, and partly because I have never been able to make music with instruments, so I have to rely on words."

    You hit a nail right on its shiny, little head with that one. Thanks. And hope you had (are having still, maybe, with the time difference) a Merry Christmas!

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  4. I know I can't play musical instruments either (and for those outside the family, let me add, Mark and I have several siblings - but especially one - who are uber talented in the music making world) - and so words have always been my music. I can create the music via writing and I can listen to the music via reading -
    Looking forward to seeing you later today, big bro!

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  5. I just started a comment that instead turned into a blog post...love it when that happens!
    The nutshell is that I have long been the type of reader to rush along - chasing the story and the plot without stopping to even notice the writing style, the words, or the phrasing. Seems this realization - as so nicely put in your post - is going to add another distinct layer of enjoyment to my reading experiences!

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  6. And so the wheel spins…I got the idea from the music provided by the sites I visit, and you take it from there. (No references to carrying the football, out of deference to anyone who might be a Seahawks fan, and if you do not know what I am talking about, all the better.)

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  7. I meant to add, that I do not know, specifically, what an 808 drum is. The reference is contained in a song by an artist, whose name I am afraid to mention, for for fear of losing credibility.

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