Facts of Five...and Christmas Music~

Ahhh, we finally have our Christmas tree up; my son was convinced we were the last family on this planet to have adorned the house in its Christmas finest.  I certainly assured him we weren't~

So you see, being the Carolina Tar Heel fans we are, the tree is encased with yep, you got it; blue lights! More on that later, however it is time to share the next episode of Facts of Five!

If you are a new follower let me give details of Facts of Five. It was a model I used when I taught students with special needs in a self contained classroom. I presented a category such as ‘Five Cartoons’ or ‘Five flavors of Kool-aid’ and the students had to consider an idea that fit the group. It was fun and thought generating yet in the meantime, I was able to get to know what was important to my students.

So our category for today is ‘Five Favorite Christmas songs~ okay, I’ll begin…

1.) Silent Night- When I was young my three older brothers served in the military. While attending Christmas Eve. service it was customary to light candles at the end of the ceremony and sing this particular hymn. I was positioned next to my mom during this ritual and as I glanced at her face tears were streaming down her cheeks. I was moved to see my mother’s pain and worry that only a parent of children in war can feel. This song is sung by many, but I only see and think of my mom. The song sung by Andrea Bocelli is simply spine tingling but so is the one by Celtic Women... I’ll let you decide for yourself.

2.) Oh Holy Night- Any version will do but oh my gosh… that particular song sung by Johnny Mathis simply melts me into a puddle…have a listen by clicking on the title of the song. I remember my grandmother who always liked when I stood beside her in church because she told me what a great singing voice I had. She was probably just saying that to make me happy, but hey, it did! ...as well as any song sung by ol' Johnny! However, Celine Dion has a lovely rendition of this as well.

3.) Mary did you Know? - is another favorite. It centers on Mary giving birth to Jesus who releases us from all the inequities of the Earth and really isn’t that the essence of this Christmas season? As with all Christmas music, there are a dozen artists who sing a given song, but personally I enjoy Kenny Rogers’ performance which is a duet along with Wyonna Judd. His deep burly voice warms my insides…

4.) Joy to the World- Again, countless presentations but the single from Amy Grant just liberates my heart. Amy Grant is a favorite singer of mine anyway, but the orchestra is magnificent and her voice angelic. I enjoy all of her music as well. But then again, Mannheim Streamroller also conducts a nice version of this particular song...ummm~

5.) White Christmas- by Bing Crosby which may be last but certainly not least. When I hear that smooth voice, goodness gracious turns me into putty. The movie by the same title is also my husband and my favorite movie. We wait until our son is in bed; he goes to bed early Christmas Eve. so Santa won’t find him awake, then we cuddle with popcorn and watch the movie. This is one of our traditions of the holiday season.

While I had a very difficult time pinning down my top five, I’d have to say with confidence; well I think it’s with confidence. I do like Christmas Cannon by Trans Siberian Orchestra, and yeah, I like Jingle Bell Rock by Brenda Lee and oh, I can’t forget God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Bare Naked Ladies…Oh Shoot, I forgot I also like I'll be Home for Chirstmas by Karen Carpenter and Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano...wait a minute, perhaps one of my favorite is Michael W. Smith's What Child is This...

Goodness Gracious, perhaps I can’t decide…regardless, I love Christmas music!
So now, could YOU name your top 5?

Three Things I think I think....

“Truth is one forever absolute, but opinion is truth filtered through the moods, the blood, the disposition of the spectator.”

by Wendell Phillips.

I don’t often dole out my opinions as a result of another fitting quote ‘Opinions are like ass-holes, everyone has them!’ ...while I am NOT a fan of that quote, it serves its purpose and typically if no one really cares to hear my opinions enough to ask, I don’t by and large serve them. So to share these things I think, is an opportunity for individuals to either agree, disagree, or sustain; take your pick~

1.) I was bid ‘good morning’ with the following AOL headline, German Zoo Forces Gay Vultures to Mate with Females. Really? Are we as humans so hungry for authority and control that we can’t allow two birds who have a strong desire to co-habitat alone to honor their natural instincts? Needless to say, I am irritated! Karen Carpenter said it best through her song of the 70’s, Bless the Beasts and the Children, for in this world they have no choice, they have no voice…

Not only are humans discriminating against these specific birds, but isn’t it enough that we abuse animals by forcing them to participate in wretched and vicious behaviors such as dog-fighting and puppy mills? We mistreat them by not taking responsibility to spay and neuter our animals then proceed to cast the puppies and kitties road-side as if they’re garbage. Many mishandle their animals by leaving them alone in the extreme elements to fend for themselves, beat them and starve them. I don’t know about you but whenever I see those SPCA commercials on television, I can’t dive to the remote fast enough to turn off the sadness. Have supremacy craving individuals grown so weary of bullying community members who are different that they’ve now become focused on innocent animals? Well, it infuriates me!

2.) I teach in a year round school and have been ‘tracked out’ for the last two weeks with one more week remaining including two workdays. I’ve developed a suitable routine of checking e-mail while I sip my coffee, then go to my blog and check comments; get my husband off to work. I take my walk and give thought to my writing and settle into the actual writing, then post.

I have had a superlative time meeting new people through the blogging community who possess incredibly innovative and talented skills. These people take astonishing photographs that tell stories of vast complexities, as well as people who eloquently write with their heart. I will truly be sad to return to work where my time and focus will be less than desired to cultivate these new relationships. So to all of my new followers, I welcome you into my blogging world; a humanity that allows me to share reflections of who I am as an individual. While there are too many to name specifically, if you'd like to escape in their wonderful talents please go to the plethora of blogs on my blog site; you'll be glad you did!

3.) Although Thanksgiving has passed, I never did make that list of things I am grateful for. Perhaps it is because I don’t need a specific day to declare my gratitude toward people or things; I hope my daily actions prove my thankfulness. However, I am truly thankful for the social network Facebook. Where else can every distinctive individual who has invested in me and comprised my life show up in one place reading quips of daily happenings, looking at photos of today’s loved ones and partaking in heartfelt emotions? I have facebook to thank which has connected me with all some childhood friends, previous teachers, college buddies, and connections from my world travels. From the help of Facebook, I have co-workers, past students and their families and my own personal family. All these people have felt the pulse of my life, and I have had the opportunity to keep track of the heartbeat of folks who have truly enriched my life!

And these, my friends are not things I think I think, but three things I know I think!