Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

If you haven't noticed yet, most of the songs I pick fall into one of two categories.
One being:
*usually autumnal or a bit slow - melancholy, if you will.
*or have a significant meaning for me.

Sometimes the songs fall into both categories.
Other times, it is simply something new that I'd like to share.

Today I am picking this song for no particular reason.
It is not new and does not have an emotional significance.

I'm picking it simply because it is a great song.
And every time I hear it, I get chills.

Today's song is I've Been Loving You by Otis Redding.
(and everytime I hear 'Otis', I hear Duckie from Pretty In Pink talking about Otis in my head. Inflection and all.)

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment, by Rav

Today, my baby turns 29. We had a great time in Baltimore this weekend, attending the Paolo Nutini concert. Some of you have asked, and no, we do not live in Baltimore. We are about an hour from there. I will leave exact details of the weekend for Tabba to post at a later date, but I must say one thing. Those of you who thought that Paolo was hot, I regret to inform you that I have seen him in person, from about 15 feet away. He is one of the ugliest men I have seen. I really mean that too. U-G-L-Y, he ain't got no alibi.... Anyway, today's song is a song that is special to me and Tabba. It was our wedding song, and has always been a song that we enjoyed. This is not the original version of this song. It has been covered by a very handsome guy, unlike Paolo Nutini. Anyway, enjoy It's Your Love, originally performed by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, here performed by this highly attractive guy, who sometimes sings flat, and off key....



I love you Tabba, happy birthday!

Sunday (Morning) Song of the Moment

** Edited**
I removed the original youtube video of this song that I had posted after I discovered that it did not contain the entire song....I added a better youtube version.

So sorry this one is a wee late. Today was spent in the delights of crisp blue skies, a quick nip on the skin from just the slightest bite of cold in the morning air.
The air smelled of possibility.

We took the kids to our favorite diner. The kids ate well.
Rav dove into some Pumpkin pancakes that were to die for.

If you were to ask me, at the age of 21, if I saw myself with two kids and a husband at 28, I probably would have wrinkled my nose,shrugged my shoulders and said
You just never know.

I try to, on a daily basis understand this world we live in.
I struggle with trying to make sense of, not necessarily for myself anymore, but for these two precious souls who are in my care.

I've been looking back lately, smiling and nodding at accomplishments and personal growth.
I sometimes cringe at the car wrecks I've found myself involved in.
I remember on more than one occasion wondering if I'd ever make it through.
And I always have.

Sure I might have a few battle scars - visible and not.
And for all that I have learned, there is still so much more to learn.

I'm itching for the journey ahead, whatever that may be.
Knowing me and the way things go
it'll be one amazing, scary, wild, and completely enjoyable ride.

I hope you enjoy the song. It's nothing newly discovered or obscure.
On The Road to Find Out ~ Cat Stevens
It just fits right into a quiet little spot in my heart and mind right now.
And I just thought I'd share.

I hope you all are enjoying this early fall, day.

Sunday Morning of the Moment

My pick for this morning is New Shoes by Paolo Nutini.
I'm so happy to have run across him in the past few weeks.
I desperately needed something new.

I particularly love that you can hear hints of his Scottish accent in the song.
Yes, that's right. He's Scottish.
Go figure.

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

I may have picked this song before. In fact, I think I did use it on one of the weeks where I couldn't select just one - and I added it in a list of many that week.

But there can be no substitute for actually listening to the song.

I want to send this out to two lovely women.
There was a time when I desperately longed for lovely, strong, fun, intelligent women in my life.
I lived in envy of other women who had a group of "girls".
And I have recently accumulated some amazing, amazing women friends.
I am ever so grateful for them.

I dedicate this to the lovely Mrs. S. Whom I adore.
She is a dear, dear woman.
She is a teacher of young men in a catholic high school in our small state.
She is a devoted, amazing mother.
She jokes about how she has a degree in French.
And when we get that huge influx of French come in to our country, she will be in high demand. (I'm sure she is in high demand, anyway.)
She offers her home, her table, her meals, and her affection to my little family whenever we visit.

I also dedicate this to Jess (not to myself, Jess. But to the other Jess - and she knows who she is).
Jess who heard this song playing in our house one night and was moved by the music enough to ask who it was.
Jess who is embarking on a new adventure and who I know will do well.
The adventure will not take her to Paris.
But it is an adventure nonetheless.
She is scared and excited.
And I am so proud of her for taking such a leap.
She is courageous, fun, and smart, smart, smart.
I'm so glad to have met you and look forward to spending more time getting to know you even more.

So, J'ai Deux Amors by Madeleine Peyroux is sent out to these fine women.
I am thinking of you both this morning.
Won't you all join me for a stroll through Paris with these two lovely women?
We'll lock arms as we walk, we'll throw our heads back and laugh, we'll long - maybe just a little for the moment to never end, we'll lift each other up, we'll relish in the light that we each radiate.
You won't be disappointed.

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

Last night, Rav & I joined his parents, his three older brothers and their wives at a wedding for a childhood friend of all of the Ravioli brothers. (if you'd like to check out my brother-in-laws post on the wedding and some pictures of the famiglia de Ravioli, check out fatmarc)

It is very rare that all 8 of us (the brothers and the wives) are together in one room anymore because of busy lives, geography, kids, etc.
So when we all get together it really is a treat.
And we are often looked upon as that table or oh, those people.
It's not a bad thing. In fact it's quite funny.

The wedding took place in a beautiful church in center city Philadelphia.
The bride and groom were stunning.
Both families looked wonderful, proud, and happy.
The bride is of Philippine descent and it was lovely to see some of her culture blended into the ceremony.
All of the guests made the walk to the venue which was just a few blocks away.
And the reception venue was absolutely gorgeous.

Rav & I have become quite the wedding connoisseurs lately, as we have been to approximately 11 weddings in 4 years.
And this wedding was pretty tops for many reasons.

The friendship, love, and harmonious blending of different cultures, backgrounds, orientations was so elegantly pulled off.
And there are many details I could delve into.
But the bottomline is that all of the exterior things, the things that categorize people really shouldn't matter.
And this couple got that - gets that.
At the end of the day, love is love. It has no bounds and it doesn't exclude.
It is there in the beginnings and endings of the days despite the petty trappings we try to confine love to.
Love doesn't always conform and love doesn't look for norms.
Love just is.

When we were seated at our tables we were given a card that thanked the guests for celebrating, it offered an email address where you could send any pictures you have taken of the day to share with the bride and groom. And on the back of the card was this wedding favor:

In lieu of favors we have made a donation to "Freedom to Marry" to support those who are denied the right to enter the institution of marriage. Today we celebrate the finest and most noble expressions of marriage - love, commitment, and responsibility - while rejecting discrimination and prejudice.
http://www.freedomtomarry.org/

I thought this to be the most noble gesture two people could make on a day to beat all noble gestures.

My heart forever melts for this couple who so rightly love each other and love others so eloquently. I raise my glass to J & K. A couple so deserving of a love and life full of endless possibilities.

This song is for them (it is the song they danced to) and for all of those who have someone but by some ridiculous right-wing agenda cannot enter into the institution of marriage.

I hope you enjoy Forever by Ben Harper

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

As you know, I've been struggling for content. And a silly little story came to mind that I thought I would share.
Picture it.
Delaware.
2007.
In an elementary classroom about 20 families squeeze in the hot, cramped art room.
Some sit down at tables.
Some stand around the perimeter of the room.
They are all there to take interest in pre-reading for their soon-to-be kindergartners.
As the princpal addresses the families, the famiglia de Ravioli is hanging in the back.
The kids in seats at the table.
The parents propping themselves up against the counter.
The kids are behaving.
The parents are listening.
And then their daughter......she makes her presence known.
Their daughter dressed in her little pink and purple plaid halter dress and her Janna's.
She couldn't look more like a little girl if she tried.
She is sitting primly in her seat, staring straight ahead at full attention, listening to the principal.
And then. Then.
She busted one.
A loud one.
She turns to her parents, who despite themselves and their daughter are giggling and laughing up a storm, she beams a beautiful smile and says Ooops! I tooted!!
Yes, Jess. I even detected a mighty wind. As mighty as it could be coming from a 3 year old.

And that brings me to the song for this week.
It's pretty standard.
But it always makes me happy to hear it.
Enjoy!

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment - the big 3

Friday was spent running around on errands to get ready. And we spent the whole day doing it.
The whole day.
From the time we got up to the time we went to bed.
Yesterday even found us spending much of the early part of the day getting ready.
And then at 1:00 p.m. it was on.
A big birthday bash for Gracie who turns 3 today.
And for Connor who turns 5 on the 27th.
We went all out for this one (which we don't usually do).
But I wanted to have a good time.
So we also invited a lot of "adult" friends.
And we enjoyed a lot of "adult" beverages.
The weather was beautiful. Perfect actually.

Perfect actually. That describes my Gracie - I call her Gracie-goo, Googie, Goog, Poogie, Poog. Pick one. We call her it.
She was born 3 years ago today.



My sweet, loving, caring, even-tempered (but a fireball) of a little girl.
The little girl I was so upset to find out we were having, but couldn't imagine my life without.
You can read her birth story here if you would like. Or if you haven't already, you can read the story as to how she got her name.
She is such a joyful girl with the most beautiful spirit.
And I'm glad she came to me -to us. I know that her path to get to me was a long one. But she's here now. And we're both better for the long wait.




These are for her. The first song, Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder I put on one of her very first CD's that I made for her. And the second one is from the O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack. It's Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby by Alliso Krauss, Gillian Welch, and Emmylou Harris. I used to sing this to Gracie over and over and over. And it is still one of her favorites. If she curls up on my lap for a snuggle and I start to sing it, you can tell she slips into a memory, a comfortable place, and is soothed. I prefer the album version of the song. But I have to take what I can get.
Enjoy.

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

So many days, I come here to bloggy-bloggy land. And so many days I get so many wonderful comments.

Comments from so many lovely, lovely people. Comments and personalities that lift me up, carry me through, make me laugh, make me think in new ways.
Not only that, so many of these lovely people who comment offer up fascinating stories, mindsets, thougts, introspective, personal, and pee-in-your-pants-and snort-at-the-same-time funny posts.
The giving that I have found here is endless.
And beautiful.

Last night, I found The Color Purple on TV. I haven't seen the movie in years and it's been just as long since I've read the book.
And in watching the movie, I found a song that I had forgotten about, but want to send out to all of you who are my sisters out here.
I don't feel I have adequately acknowledged just how much your support of me, my family, my thoughts has meant to me.
And today, I'm trying to do just that.

Here is my song. From me to all of you.
And you all know who you are.

And I take you all with me during the day. You pop up in little tidbits of real life. And I love it.
Enjoy your song. And go shake your shimmy, sistas!
Miss Celie's Blues sung by Tata Vega for The Color Purple

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

I don't know about all of you, but the next month to month and a half are going to be insane.

Let me amend that.
Every weekend from here on out is going to be insane.

My dad & I caught up with each other via a phone conversation. And I know at the end of it, I felt like we were deeply immersed in the Cat's In The Cradle song.
That's just not a good feeling.

I find that I tell my kids about 9,000,000 times a day
One more minute.
Hold on a second.
Maybe another time.
Not right now.
We'll see.
I'm not sure.
In a hot second!!
Wait.
You get the picture.

Sometimes, I long for rainy days where staying in PJ's until dinnertime is mandatory.

Those days where you don't feel bad about being packed on the couch like sardines.

Days where you eat your weight in snacks.

Days where you wake up, look outside and say

Today is a day made for coffee mugs, homemade pancakes, and tickle fest after tickle fest.


This is what I wish for you all too.

The summer obligations are exciting. I enjoy celebrating new beginnings for friends. Family "vacations", graduation/anniversary parties.

But it's nice to have a weekend all of our own.

Especially in the summertime.

For now though, we'll have to pretend.

So, here's my song. For all of you out there.
Busy or not so busy.
But those that just want to take the day one minute at a time.
Those who want to stop time,
take the time to walk slowly,
and those who want to smell the flowers.

It's got a good vibe. And a little lighter from my normal picks. I don't want to depress anyone, for I know that I lean toward heavier things.

Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

This week's song is a wee song. And one that I sang
over and over
and over and over
to Gracie.
And, I believe, this was the first song that she sang on her own.

First let me apologize for the quality of the video that I chose today. But I searched high and low for an album version of this song. There were none to be found. So, this is the best video I could find.

I hope you enjoy one of Gracie's favorites...... Anthony by Nickel Creek.

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment - father's day edition

This was taken about 50 minutes after Connor was born. Rav was so young. Well, I was young too. But Rav was even younger. It seems like a lifetime ago that this picture was taken. And it seems like just a mere 5 minutes ago it was taken. If that makes any sense.

Rav & I were elated to become parents. It wasn't planned. But this picture marks an amazing time in our lives. We were becoming a family. We were still figuring it all out (well, to some extent, we still are).

At this time, Rav was working full-time and attending college full-time to complete his degree. There were days that I woke up wondering how I did what I did. But more often, I often wondered how Rav did what he did. Everyday. With no complaints.





This picture was taken a month or so after Gracie was born. She was a snuggle-bunny. She always wanted to be close. This picture is a rather amazing artifact, because for the first 7 months of her life, she wanted no one but Momma. And in all the excitement of her birth, we managed to not get a picture of Rav holding her. Which makes me rather sad.

Rav has been amazing to watch as a father - a Dad. Countless hours spent rocking and singing to Connor. Playing silly boy games.
He's always here. He works so hard. And he is 150% devoted to the kids. To me. To our family.
I know. I know just how lucky the kids are to have Rav as a Dad. I know just how lucky I am to have Rav as my husband, my love. And anyone who knows Rav is lucky to know him. For he is probably the most loyal person I've ever met.
He is kind, generous, heartfelt, funny, and gentle. Even a bit cheesy sometimes. But he's just an all around great guy.
I know that I could search the Earth and find many a good guy. But, in my searches, I could never find a guy who is strong enough to be a man for me or a Dad for my kids

like Rav.

Happy Father's Day, baby.

I struggled with a song today. Rav knows that I have struggled with a song for today. I had a couple that would be so fitting, but they were not to be found on Youtube.
So, here is my pick..... Loving Wings by Dave Matthews Band.
For my Rav. And for all of the other Dads out there today.
From me.
To YOU.

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

I wish I knew how to adequately start this post.
Quite frankly, I'm a wreck.
I'm smiling.
I'm joking.
On the outside.
On the inside, I'm trying to make pieces fit.
And the fact that Connor is with us and is OK, should be enough.
But there are things that come back to me in my mind's eye that I can't shake off.
There's the knowledge of the fact that your son tip-toed on a razor's edge.
And seconds, which seem so insignificant in the course of days, years, and lives could have made all of the difference in my world.
And they have.
We were lucky.
We are lucky.

If you've been reading here for any length of time, you know just how important music is to me. Upon the birth of both of the kids, I have made several, several CD's for them.
And the song that always brings me back to being a first time Momma, huddled in the soft cocoon of Connor's nursery, rocking and holding for what seemed years on end was and is Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) by John Lennon. I wanted to save this song and share it on his birthday. But I think it is most fitting to share today.

Again, thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes. It means so much. You'll all never know just how comforting it has been.

Enjoy the song :)

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

I wanted to pick this song a few months ago. And I'm not sure which song bumped it off.

My old boss at the University of Delaware was a music collector. She loves music. She appreciates the art of being a musician and the art of a song. Her knowledge of music blew me away. She introduced me to some things, I introduced her to some things.
It was a common language she & I shared. And language that not many people I know personally, speak.
She always had an eclectic mix of CD's in her bag that she carried or in her car. And I would love to pick through some of her CD's to see what new goody I could find.

I remember one evening we were discussing Nawlins (New Orleans) and different stories about different artists from that area. She handed me a CD to pop in and she mentioned the name of the artist. When she said his name, it rang a bell. Somewhere in the far recesses of my mind. When I played the CD, I knew the voice. But barely.
It was a voice I could not decide if I liked or not.
I kept listening though.
And I became more and more certain that I had heard it before. But just not sure where I had.
The unusual voice and the crafty way in which he played the piano was hitting a nerve. In a good way.

A few days later, I went out and bought the only CD that I could find of his.
And thus began my love affair with Fess.

Today, I'm sharing Whole Lotta Love by Professor Longhair.
This song makes me want to get my white girl dancing groove on.
I hope you enjoy. Grab your man, grab your woman, grab your kids, grab your dog and stand him back on his back legs, hold his front paws in yours - grab whatever.....crank up the music and dance like nobody's watching.
It does a soul good.

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

Today is starting out a bit rough.
We were out late last night with the kids enjoying dinner with another couple at their house.
And as I type, we are packing up to head down to one of Delaware's beaches and then stopping in to visit my Dad, Eileen, and my brothers at their beach place on our way back home for dinner.

I got thinking about all of the times as a little girl, during my summers off, that my Dad & I would jump on his Harley Superglide and ride to the beach. The feeling of closeness and freedom. The wind-blown cheeks and hair. The exhilaration. I miss riding.

So for all of you ladies (and gents) that love the feeling of the open road via the backseat of a Harley (or any other motorcycle) this one is for you.
Unknown Legend by: Neil Young

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

There were only 2 requests for songs, so I feel I have to honor them both.

Jen R. asked for Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Very nice choice.



And Jen from One Plus Two has asked for Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. Another great choice.


Have a great day everyone and enjoy!

They Didn't Have You Where I Come From

Today is a special day. Today, I, Rav, will choose the Sunday Morning Song of the Moment. But first, I have a few words to say (and if you know anything about me, then you know that I can never say just a few words). I try to show my appreciation for my lovely wife, the mother of my children, everyday. But I know that I often take her for granted. I don't always "get" what it takes for her to do what she does everyday, and still greet me with a smile when I walk in the door. We made the decision that it would be best for Tab to stay home with the kids, and not work. This was the best decision for our children. They get from her, what they would fail to get in a daycare. I am not knocking daycare, but nothing beats some good 'ole home grown mommy lovin'.
Prior to meeting Tab, I had a vague idea that I would like to get married some day and have children. Tab has discussed that we met at summer camp, so I won't go into that. But I recall that the first time I met her, what I wanted became crystal clear. I knew that I wanted to be with Tabitha. The first time we kissed, I had a clear picture in my head of us getting married. I knew, without a doubt that she was the one.
Once you get to know Tabitha, she is a lot of things, more than she may seem at first glance. Tab is sensitive and empathetic. She is kind and caring. She has a heart that is just so great. She sees things in a way that I wish I could. Everyday, I am thankful that we met and that I was able to convince her to date and then marry me. Not that she had much choice, after all, I did hit her over the head with a club and drag her to my cave.
Tab, I can never show you how thankful I am that you are here. I can never show you how much I love you. But I will spend the rest of my life trying.
To all of you mothers reading this I also have a few words to say on behalf of men. We will forget important dates. You will open that present and look into the box, and oh yes, it will be an iron. A nice iron, high tech and all that, but an iron none the less. We will smile, as you open that box, in anticipation. knowing that you really needed a new iron and quite pleased with ourselves that we found this totally awesome iron. Despite what may be in that box, an iron in my case, it was put there with love in our hearts and you in our minds. We do appreciate you for what you do and thank god that we decided you wanted to stay home instead of us, because we would have gone crazy long before now. We love you all.
Without (much) further ado, the Sunday Morning Song of the Moment today is a song by the Dixie Chicks called "Lullaby". This is a sweet song which is beautiful and has touching lyrics.
The video was made by someone and posted to youtube. It uses a lot of the same images over and over, so just sit back and listen, and watch if you want to.

Sunday Afternoon Song of the Moment

I'm a little late pulling this one together. As I have been out of the loop, with finding new music lately, I'm pulling an old one out and dusting it off.

I've talked in-depth of my love for Bob Marley & the affectionate, warm memories that the music conjures up - the fact that these songs were my lullabies, basically. My dad played Bob non-stop. And I believe I am all the better for it. We watched documentary videos about Bob that my dad had in his library. I haven't seen those videos in years.

I still listen to these songs frequently. On a daily to weekly basis. I never tire of them. They balm my soul, they make me happy, they make me think, they make me feel. These songs course through me, like my blood through my veins. That is how much they are apart of me.

When I decided to search for this song on Youtube (thinking it would not be difficult to find), I almost felt as if I were cracking open a sacred time capsule of sorts. These videos are so sacred - the fond, happy memories that are wound up and tied to them. And when I played this video, which I haven't seen in an excess of twenty years, I was all chills, on the verge of tears, and smiling like I haven't smiled before. I remember this video/song vividly. I remember thinking how serene, happy, and genuine Bob looked. I remember thinking that if I could go anywhere at that moment, I would love to be transported to that video. To be near him, to feel his smile upon me like sunshine, to giggle and laugh like I never have before. To feel the peaceful, joyful childlike, blinded love and concern that was synonymous (in my mind) to Bob. In a safe, little place where we could all feel happy and beautiful for our likes and differences. Because, well, we all are. To feel childhood. If only for three to four minutes . The childhood that I had to leave behind when my family fell apart. The childhood I had only when I was with my Dad.
These songs, these videos will always hold the nearest and dearest part of me. And the endless hours listening and enjoying with my Dad.

Oh, and besides the shots of his beautiful smile. My favorite part is the end. Where he's dancing his signature dance...and leading the children. Like the pied piper. To a better place.

I hope you enjoy today's song. Is This Love by: Bob Marley and the Wailers

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

Since I've been using Youtube now for my Sunday songs, I had contemplated going back & trying to find Youtube videos for songs I've already posted. But I felt like that was cheating a bit. However....the fact that today this song resonates with me the same if not a little more is a sign it should be reshared. And the video is so endearing.
Going back to the song that started it all, on a whim I found it on Youtube. And while I was going to post something serious in light of April 30th for the one day blog silence, I think this is just as fitting.
It's full of love.
And I thought it would be great to go back and share the song rather than just the lyrics on a blog page.

It's full of love.
And it is oh-so fitting.

Love has no bounds.
It has no shape, no color, no end.
I wrap you all and everyone in this country (those who walked away from Virginia Tech, those who did not, those who are rich, those who are poor. Those who are angry, who are sad, who are suffering, those who are happy) in a blanket of love. And hope that tomorrow and everyday following will shine brighter for us all.
Please, take a minute and enjoy this wonderful, sweet, beautiful song.

Sunday Morning Song of the Moment

Today is Earth Day. And I thought it only fitting to share three songs with great messages. The first is The 3 R's by Jack Johnson, the second is With My Own Two Hands by Ben Harper and the third is Disappearing World by David Gray. I couldn't just choose one. Sorry....I'm jamming a ton of music down today. I hope you enjoy the songs though - they're not too obscure, so you may have heard them already. The second video takes a approx. 48 seconds before the song starts. But do be patient. It's worth it. Enjoy!!