songbird's crazy world

 With so many things postponed or canceled.... The Bronx Zoo is open, mostly outdoors and mask compliant.  Covid restrictions meant we had to obtain timed tickets for entry to the holiday  lights show.   We arrived early enough to see the World of Birds exhibit. (Yeah, a girl named "Robin" loves birds.  Go figure...) These guys tried to follow us out! He's just being mellow: Next, we walked over to the zoo's center, where the sea lions were having fun. We admired the architecture of the zoo... And posed with a rhino.   Yes, that really is us under all that fabric... But the real deal is the holiday light show.  The whole park is decked out in lights, with numerous trails representing different parts of the world  - Africa, Asia, the ocean, etc. I hadn't realized I caught the moon through the trees. Drew thought the baboon looked "possessed" because of the way its eyes glow. Flamingos?  In the Bronx? The centerpiece, of course, is the Christmas tree. It p

 Hail the conquering hero!

Loving my new apartment, but....  I'm still going through the boxes and crates my sisters packed when they emptied my room.

 And Marie wants songs about the New Year. Well, as it turns out, I have a great playlist for New Year's Eve. Shall we start with Johnny Mathis?  I believe he has a question to ask us. Some romantic thoughts from Bing Crosby: Some cheer from Abba: After the year we've had, Barry Manilow puts it all into perspective. And we close it out with a classic from Rod Stewart.

  I wonder what he ordered?

 For today's post I will limit myself to a single Christmas song.  It was a song written right after 9/11, a song that comforted a broken NYC at Christmas, a song that felt like a hug when we really needed one. Yes, I am talking about Rob Thomas'  "A New York Christmas". It has become  a staple.  But did you know the royalties from the song go to a charity?  Yes, Rob and his wife Marisol founded Sidewalk Angels , and the proceeds of the song go directly to the charity:   Sidewalk Angels Foundation is dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to over 20 no-kill animal shelters and animal rescues, across the country, that help to fight for the rights and fair treatment of those with no voice. Rob Thomas made me cry on Friday.  He sang an acoustic version of the song on a radio broadcast... Every year, my favorite NYC DJ, Scott Shannon, does his final broadcast  of the year at  Blythesdale Children's Hospital . It's a party for the children and a

  Happy Holidays! Welcome to  Saturday: 9 . What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme! Saturday 9: Happy Holidays! (from the archives) 1. As you can see, Sam loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. Yet some children are reluctant to climb into Jolly Old St. Nick's lap. Did you enjoy the tradition or were you shy? Or did you by pass it altogether -- either because you wrote him a letter or because your family didn't celebrate Christmas? Jewish girl, we didn't celebrate Christmas.   But I do remember getting a candy cane from Santa at a movie theater when I was 4.  We had just

 Character from Adam Sandler's days on Saturday Night Live. ..

 All four versions for your listening pleasure, starting with Parts 1 and 2 Part 3 Part 4

  1. What's something about Christmas that most people like, but you don't? Elaborate.  Let's just say that I am happy to enjoy Chinese food and a movie on Christmas Day and leave it at that.  Less stress. 2. Tell us about one cherished tradition from your childhood and if you'll make it happen this year?  My grandma always made homemade potato latkes.  Mine came from the supermarket this year. 3. In 1941 FDR declared December 15th Bill of Rights Day. Citizens were encouraged to fly the flag and gather for prayers and other ceremonies as appropriate. Did you know this? Will you fly a flag? Can you name all the rights and protections guaranteed in the first ten amendments of the US Constitution? Of the ten, which  two  do you value most? If you need a list you'll find one  here.  There are five freedoms set forth in the First Amendment, and I cherish them all.      Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of      religion, or prohibiting the free ex

 Let's start with Peter, Paul and Mary's call for social justice. Leslie Odom Jr. gives some jazz to a traditional tune. This one you need to watch.... More Maccabeats Bohemian  Hanukkah And a Star Wars Hanukkah ere are the lyrics, taken from the Hanukkah blessings and traditional songs. Lyrics: (CHANUKAH BLESSINGS) Baruch ata Hashem Elokeinu, ברוך אתה יי אלהנו Blessed are You, Lord our God, Melech haolam מלך העולם King of the universe Asher kidishanu bemitzvotav אשר קדשנו במצוותיו Who has sanctified us with His commandments Vitzivanu lehadlik ner shel Chanukah וצונו להדליק נר של חנכה And commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light She'asa nisim la'avoteinu bayamim שעשה נסים לאבותינו בימים Who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days haheim baz'man hazeh ההם בזמן הזה at this time (SEVIVON, SOV SOV SOV) Sov, sov, sov, sevivon, sevivon סוב סוב סוב סביבון סביבון Spin, spin, spin, dreidel, dreidel Chanukah hu chag tov, sevivon חנכה הוא חג טוב סביבון

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.  An  eight-day long holiday. We celebrate the victory of the Maccabees over the conquering Greek/Syrian army.  We are told that the Greeks defiled the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.  Eventually the Maccabees reclaimed the Temple.  They sought to rededicate the Temple, but there was a problem. There was only one jar of holy oil, just enough for a single day, but it would take 8 days to make more oil.  The single jar of oil burned for 8 days. On Hanukkah we light a menorah.  The menorah has 8 slots for candles representing  each day of the holiday, plus a ninth slot for the shamash, the candle used to light all the others.  On the first night of the holiday, we say a prayer, then light the shamash , and use the shamash to light a single candle.  On day two, we light the shamash and two candles.  And so on. Then there's the dreidel .    Dreidel  is a Yiddish word; in Hebrew we call it a sivivon .  We can play games with the dreidel .  More than just a t

  Santa Baby  Welcome to  Saturday: 9 . What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to  answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions! Saturday 9: Santa Baby  (1987) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it  here . 1) In this song, Madonna refers to Santa as "baby," "honey" and "cutie." What's the most recent endearment someone called you? Honestly, I don't recall...     2) At the top of her list are a fur coat, a new convertible and a yacht. If you could receive any of those luxury items, which would you choose? The yacht, I think.  I'd like to spend more time out on the

 

  Happy Hanukkah!

  1. What do you think it means to have the holiday spirit?  I've never really thought about that phrase. I guess it means enjoying the people you're with and the traditions you have. Perhaps I could add -- a generosity of spirit. 2. What's one thing you've baked this month? Have you eaten the finished product? How much baking do you do around the holidays? What baked sweet something does your family insist is on the menu during this season of the year?      I  haven't done any baking this year, though I did find out just how quickly my new toaster oven can turn a  frozen bagel into a lump of charcoal. Reality is that I'm more of a "place your order at the bakery" type.  So we need rainbow cookies and cannoli from the Italian bakery, and rugelach and black and whites from the kosher bakery. Maybe a chocolate mousse cake? 3. Your most recent 'half-baked' idea? I'll take a pass on this one. 4. Where were you the last time you 'baked&#

 All set for tomorrow night...

 

 Saluting Harry Chapin on his birthday. Please consider donating to    Long Island Cares   (the charity he founded) or to your local food bank.

  The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)   Welcome to Saturday 9.  What we've committed to our rea ders is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so to speak.  We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme! Saturday 9: The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) 1966    Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it  here . 1) The bridge that inspired this song is The Queensboro Bridge in New York City. Are you near a bridge right now as you answer these 9 questions? Interestingly, I am not too far from the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.  Yeah, we renamed it after a former Mayor of NYC.  ("How am I doing?") However, I am actually closer to a bridge that leads to Jo