Category Archives: Music

Anyone With a Screw Loose?

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Look hard…it’s there…really…and you can have it back if it’s yours 🙂

….because I found it!  It’s wedged firmly and stubbornly in the tread of my car’s tire.

So now that my mode of transport is off at the tire spa for the day, I am feeling a bit trapped.  Not that I really wanted to go anywhere today, but just knowing that I can’t makes me want to.  Aaahhh….the human condition.  I bet a lot of you reading this feel the same way, and that brings me comfort for some reason.  I like when there are other kindred spirits out there who understand the things that we all go through, who come along and say, “Yep, I feel the same way…”  Even small things like random objects stuck into your tire, draining the tire of its power and buoyancy.

The only thing for this is some good music, and luckily for me and for you, Ireland is chock full of GREAT music.  Happy Friday, everyone, and may your tires be full of air, and may the road beneath you travel smoothly!  Slainte, Lisa

Rule of the Blog: Don’t Let the Blog Rule You

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I love my blog.  I love thinking about what I’m going to write; I love writing in the morning after I eat my omelet; I love looking through my pictures to pick just the right one to insert.  But lately, I have been noticing a strange occurrence that hasn’t happened to me since around 9th grade:  the incessant desire to have someone “like” my post.  Seeing that little orange square light up in the right hand corner, with a number, just waiting for me to click it and see the update.  Pitiful, really.  This really just comes back to a letter my dad wrote me when I was around 14…just be happy with yourself and make good choices, and don’t worry so much about what others are thinking.  Aaagghh!  Have I now reverted to middle school angst?!

Another interesting occurrence is happening also:  I am turning into Lisa Lyons, Roving Reporter.  Like the other day in the restaurant with the cracker basket episode.  I looked at the crackers, looked at my husband, and stated, “This would be a great blog!”  Then I ran out to the car, grabbed the camera, and began to take pictures like I worked for LIFE magazine or something.  🙂

People always say that writers need to live their lives in order to write about life; writers need to “write what they know.”  So it’s important to really live life and be fully awake to what’s going on around you.  But here’s the interesting thing…writing this blog has helped me to do this.  In writing about life and Ireland and music and God, it has made me infinitely more aware of what is going on around me.

All in all, I’m thankful for this blog.  I’m thankful that it’s helping me to wake up.  I hope that it might inspire someone else to do the same.  And yes, I’m still looking in the right hand corner for the lit-up orange “like” button!  🙂    Slainte, Lisa

Singing a New Song

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I want to sing a new song.  Something different, something new, something that I haven’t sung before.  The biggest fear as a songwriter is writing something that sounds like another song.  Yet I’m surrounded by influences, music echoing through my mind all day.

So I guess you take the good, discard the bad, and try to put your own spin on the song the best you can.  And look above for the inspiration, for the creative spark which originates from God.

Here’s a clip of U2 singing “40”, based on Psalm 40, filmed at Red Rocks.  “I will sing, sing a new song.”

Picking a Favorite

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Many different instruments can be used to create the wonder that is celtic music.  Fiddle, tinwhistle, low whistle, guitar, accordian, bodhran drum, uillean pipes, hammered dulcimer, piano…..I’m sure I’m leaving out some, but you get the basic idea.  The other day as I was listening to a recording I tried to decide which instrument was my very favorite…the one I would miss the most if it was missing.  The winner?……..

The tinwhistles and low whistles…without a doubt.  Very expressive instruments that seem to “sing” the Irish melodies with just the right amount of melancholy or joy, depending on the tune.  I have some whistles, and have yet to capture the right sound.  Oh, I can play most of the notes, but there is so much more than that…the small little turns and dips and expression that makes it such a wonderful instrument.  But I’m glad I can’t play them right yet; it gives me something to work on to keep me out of trouble!  🙂

Enjoy whatever kind of music you’re listening to today, and sing to the Lord a new song!  Slainte, Lisa

*Picture via Google images*

Crossed Wires

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We thought that the sound system had finally given up on us…the trusty sound system that had carried voices and instruments for concerts over the last 20 years had had enough.  There was no electricity in the outlets at the outdoor venue in which we were setting up…no time for a sound check before the electricity finally surged back into the lines.  A horrible buzzing sound emitted from the speakers.

Last night, we set the whole system up again in our dining room.  And lo and behold, we discovered that we had put two wires in the wrong places.  The good old sound system sounded crystal clear and was raring to go.  Which of course prompted an impromptu concert at home for my poor children to have to listen to.  🙂

Being hooked up to the right source is crucial; our energy flows, and we feel alive and well and purposeful.  Having our wires crossed, or connecting to bad sources, leads to confusion, unusefulness, and no direction.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10b)

Have a wonderful, God-powered day!  Slainte, Lisa