Through the vale of eternity,
For you must know
'ere you go - I go with thee.
~
Corn is the gold that
will shine in the Summertime,
Leaves are the emeralds
You find in the Spring.
At Autumn they turn and
As copper they burn,
Then fall like the diamonds
That bleak Winter brings."
- Sabbat/"Mythistory"
My favorite time of year . . .
Here's a playlist that has grown considerably since my cassette tape days that were limited to what I had in
my collection, but now I can search or "run into" songs that fit easily to each season :).
Though the emphasis is on Autumn (Fall) and Winter, and any subject that it pertains to them, if it be
flights of fantasy or metaphors for the internal and introspective, or simply "sounding" autumnal.
Some of it is "dark", stark, as bare trees or the gloomy mist creeping over mountains. The songs conjure
visions of autumn, if aggressive, passive, melancholic, beautiful, epic or joyous, as the subjects go through
winter and the holidays as it lightens up with contemporary and different takes on holiday songs - suffice
to say this is a very different seasonal and holiday playlist. Each part of the season reflecting internal
moods, happy and sad, tragic, lonely as-well as joyous, hopeful, manifesting the emotions of the music . . .
I know that some folks have a difficult time with the holidays, some hate them, others would like to enjoy
it, but for various reasons can't. For others, it's the best time of year, as I love these holidays, often it's
been a disappointment of my own making and I'm not able to enjoy it to its fullest, but I am always hopeful
that my life will get back on its feet and keep moving forward, and that the years to come will bring that joy
promised, and for those I care about :). So every emotion and mood is covered here, much like the music.
songs that reflect it, so please listen to the playlist while you read.
But this time I have divided it up into several parts (Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V - note that those
numbers are "active") so that you can listen to any particular season, which also makes it easier for me to
edit and add more songs (as always, the track lists can be found below with links to their lyrics).
The essays are divided up in Five Parts as well to match each playlist, so it will be easier to digest it all.
Please read and listen to each part at your leisure . . .
Also, please take a look at this essay on a laptop, tablet or desktop computer to fully enjoy in its intended format :)
And be sure to click on active words, and images to enlarge.
| Also note that all this was written between 2016 and 2018 ~ Augmentations have been created between 2016 and 2023. |
The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.
My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.
Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.
~ Seasons End: Part I ~
In twilight premature
Thunderheads are rumbling
In a distant overture"
- Rush/"Jacob's Ladder"
have always loved the rain,
I've ridden bicycles through it to work for miles, or walked, while everyone else
ran through it in a panic. When it's not freezing cold, I don't mind. I love it when
everything looks clean, fresh. I feel invigorated, I feel cleansed.
In Southern California, the rain is much less these past few years, so spring and summer rains are rare
(that's a bit scary). But wind or rain has always helped me sleep better (another rarity), but it can add to the melancholia as well. Many poets and movie makers have taken those moody scenes and made them famous, but poets fall from their own tragedy as lovers and romantics do, as the rain pours down on them, or looking out the windowpane, seeing the shadows run on the wall, on the faces of the lost, hoping to see the one we love so much, coming from the downpour to our doorstep. Or being that person to save a heart.
Even with broken hearts and tragedy, the dark clouds and rain wash away the heat, sweat and stickiness that I cursed throughout the summer, but the autumnal rains finally come. The cooler temperatures are
very much welcomed, though I am spoiled by the 55 to 65 degrees of SoCal, its not a real fall/winter like so many others experience, with its turning leaves and multi-colored trees that scream out loud and clear summer is over. Here its tempered by the heat, and foliage that has gotten used to the odd weather. With few trees showing their rebirth, trickled down on well manicured lawns (or if you live in the boonies of the high deserts, the depressing "stone" gardens of front yards, or "drought tolerant landscaping" with varied colorful succulents and artificial turf). Though Claremont California (a city on the edge of LA county I have lived, worked, visited or passed through), where I loved to hangout at my favorite record and video store in the Village, and many places to eat and see a movie, has plenty of various trees and giant oaks that reach over - on either side of Indian Hill Blvd., and around the various College campuses in the area, that change with the season, and the town is beautifully decorated at Christmas time.
My childhood around the Los Angeles area conjures vague memories of turning trees in autumn showing their colors, on my block, and in parks. A bit more in my 7 years of living in Louisiana (and the beautiful moss hanging from thick gnarled trees to climb, and helped decorate Halloween lawns). And the few times on trips to National Parks with my family. In California you have to look deeper for it. Those picture postcard scenes of gold, red and brown jewels floating down to gather-up and jump in the pile.
It's a fond memory of me and my father raking the leaves in Gretna Louisiana, in the front lawn of our home on Stumpf Blvd. and the huge backyard that me, my little brother and friend from across the street would play.
And days in and around downtown LA, Santa Monica and Venice, with water-colored streets bleeding reflected lights, and it's silly people dressing too heavy, while others have smiles melding with the
weather as a relief, as a welcome to the difference, and others dwelling on the loneliness, with their stories of the big city. With all the heartbreak and joy, splashing through the downpour, or a lite rain to feel
refreshed. Sometimes we all need to wash off all the muck we dwell in.
Or the month I lived with my Aunt in Hansville Washington with its lush forests and hidden homes, across Puget Sound from the mainland, with mists of rain just about every day. Also a visit to a nearby Historical
Lighthouse. And visiting Seattle (and on the peninsula, the city of "Poulsbo"), every-other day it rained
lightly, or heavily for an hour or 2, and why everything was soo green, even in the city, where concrete, brick and the overhead rail columns among the streets, there were trees everywhere. It was such a very beautiful city to visit, and back in Hansville there were many trails to explore and the spectacular sites of Bald Eagles playing with one another in the sky. Or seeing lit-up Cruise ships on Puget Sound heading to Canada and Alaska late at night or coming in 4am at sunset :).
The rain comes, and its tapping on the window sill, from the roof to the outdoor furniture, off the leaves, to the moist ground or concrete, closing my eyes to its song. The clouds growing thicker and the battle begins, with thunder and lightning. Forming the Thunderhead "Cumulonimbus" clouds where God and nature clash, and lets out its tremendous voice upon the world, washing and cleansing the dirt from all,
with a loud snap from the distance with its lightshow for all to see, with wide eye watching natures
unbelievable creations with the air. Creating visions in my head that I can not describe, and hearing the soundtrack in my head with each strike, with the downpour, and now another year older thinking of the one I loved from afar. That seems a lifetime ago.
With the gloom, I'd later call it in my adult life; "Opeth Weather", as if a reflection of the album covers and the music. As others felt the gloom, I did too, but I felt the joy also, a relief from the heat that depressed
me, beating down on my brow and squinting eyes. Now to wash away the heats intensity, to embrace the sadness as much as the joy, putting on long-sleeves, smelling the pines and other trees, remembering a
time I shared with someone who was very special, dreaming of the life we would have together that never happened.
I never thought it would ever go
I cursed the gloom that set upon us, 'pon us, 'pon us, 'pon us
But I know that I love you so"
- Led Zeppelin/"Rain Song"
~ Seasons End: Part I ~
Chapter 1: Spring Reigns
Chapter 2: Falls Rain Eternal
As morning shadows play
And listen to the rain
Wash the long night away
Face to face we'll awake
To see another day
And with hope in our hearts
Embrace this shade of gray
This pleasant shade of gray"
- Fates Warning/"Pleasant Shade of Gray: Part XII"
"Seasons End . . ."
Chapter 1: Spring Reigns
Chapter 2: Falls Rain Eternal
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2DU3TBNutEd7e-PDHuKlE0IdU9NG0K6N
The Ice Storm; Expanded motion picture soundtrack - Open
Frost* - Hyperventilate (Instrumental)
Prelude to the Rains of Spring thru Autumn . . .
Vanden Plas - January Sun
Marillion - Easter
Jethro Tull - Songs from the Wood
Wintersun - Awaken from the Dark Slumber (Spring)
Part I: "The Dark Slumber"
Part II: "The Awakening"
Fates Warning - Pleasant Shade of Gray: Part I
Album info.
Fates Warning - Pleasant Shade of Gray: Part II
Opeth - Prologue/April Ethereal
Antonio Vivaldi - Four Seasons: Spring
Pain of Salvation - Pluvius Aestivus (Summer Rain)
Fates Warning - Pleasant Shade of Gray: Part IV
Peter Gabriel - I think it's going to rain today
Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song
Uriah Heep - Rain
Trouble - Rain
Jim Matheos - Remembering Rain (Instrumental)
Anekdoten - Sad Rain
Artension - The Wind and the Rain
Opeth - Eternal Rains Will Come
King's X - Let It Rain
Jack Foster III - High and Dry in the Rain
Brother Ape - After rain
Beardfish - Where The Rain Comes In
Electric Light Orchestra - Summer and Lightning
Savatage - Summer's Rain
Pendragon - If i Were the Wind (and you were the rain)
Everon - Harbour
While Heaven Wept - La Mort D'Amour (Ver I)
Fates Warning - Pleasant Shade of Gray: Part III
Peter Murphy - Mercy Rain
Alcatrazz - Will you be home tonight
New England - Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya
Concrete Blonde - Rain
Queensrÿche - Another Rainy Night (Without You)
Rush - Bravado
King Crimson - Matte Kudasai
Peter Gabriel - Red Rain
Story behind song.
Green Carnation - Rain
Jethro Tull - Dun Ringill
Devin Townsend Project - Rain City
Dream Theater - Trial Of Tears
- "I. It's Raining"
- "II. Deep in Heaven"
- "III. The Wasteland"
I: New York
II: London
UK - Nevermore
Electric Light Orchestra - Standin' in the Rain [full single]
Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch; Blade Runner 2049 - Rain
Subsignal - And The Rain Will Wash It All Away
Fates Warning - Pleasant Shade of Gray: Part VII
Fates Warning - Pleasant Shade of Gray: Part VIII (Instrumental)
Jethro Tull - Stuck In The August Rain
Camel - Rain Dances (Instrumental)
Scott Walker - It's Raining Today
B.J.Thomas - Raindrops keep falling on my head
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Cloudscape - And then the rain...
Labyrinth - Falling Rain
Redemption - Let It Rain
Harakiri For The Sky - Calling the rain
Melancolia - Rain
Ne Obliviscaris - Of Petrichor Weaves Black Noise
Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - Tears of Autumn Rain
Novembers Doom - Rain
Fates Warning - SOS
Saturnus - Rain Wash Me
October Tide - 12 Days Of Rain
Katatonia - New Night
Lake of Tears - So Fell Autumn Rain
Atrocity - Calling The Rain
Dead Soul Tribe - Lady Of Rain
Pain of Salvation - Enter Rain
Shadow Gallery - Act IV: Rain
Queensrÿche - Jet City Woman
The Who - Love Reign O'er Me
Havasi (featuring Lisa Gerrard) - The Storm
Camel - Storm Clouds (Instrumental)
Nevermind the Name - Clouds (Instrumental)
Saga - No Regrets (Chapter Five)
Rush - Jacobs Ladder
Swallow the Sun - The Clouds Prepare for Battle
While Heaven Wept - Sorrow of the Angels
Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade of Gray: Part XII
Anthropia - Those Days Are Always Rainy
Anthropia - Breeze in the Leaves (Epilogue)
Sonus Umbra - Let It Rain
Trouble - After the Rain
Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
Kings X - Sunshine Rain
Heather Findlay - Forget the Rain
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Times Like This
OSI - Standby (Looks Like Rain)
Fates Warning - Rain (Uriah Heep cover)
Melissa Dykes - The Renewal
Dark Sanctuary - Funerailles
Ken Nordine - Looks Like It's Going To Rain
Shadow Gallery - Rain (acoustic version)
Novembers Doom - Sadness Rains
While Heaven Wept - September
THE DAY is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.
My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.
Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)
~ Seasons End: Part II ~
i never thought there was anything else but you
summerland
the wind is getting cold
summerland
you're finally getting old"
- Kings X/"Summerland"
In 2017 things have changed, so far for the better as I wrote last year that Thanksgiving had come and gone without seeing my immediate family because of our "issues". But I'm getting older, close friends have either moved on, some I miss terribly, and remembering those that have passed away. As well as those who are farther away living their lives (either the family life or having tough times of their own).
Its mid-September as I write this. Summer is hanging on as the evening temps cool down on the 1st day of Autumn in the Fall Equinox (in the Western hemisphere). Heavy to light clouds come and go, with a
little sprinkling of rain, but its getting me in the mood to visit Mom, Brother and the Corgi's :).
I have already had a little of this but, as I had written last year in November; The winds have started through the curtains as strong gusts push against the walls, which also soothes me in my slumber. As it whistles through
my cracked window to let in the fresh air of the evening. It's bringing a smile to my face, and feeling I can
finally shed the heat for good. Though I know California temps of summer can come back and linger
throughout October (was a time that it wouldn't go past the 31st), and Fall can bring a gloom of loneliness for me and many others. I know that I too have to get on my feet again, tackle the situations at hand, and improve this life, to live and focus on a stable future.
It is November 2017 and a new Thanksgiving has passed and it was nice to be with my immediate family again. Though it was unusually warmer and hinting the "feeling" of autumn, Mom yet again made an
excellent dinner and my favorite dish of candied yams with baked marshmallows on top. It was good to relax without any worries or pressures. So far it's been a good weekend, and 3 different pies help the mood even more :).
I have decided to remove what I had written those few years ago, I need to start a new chapter and not look back but for glances. But I want to keep your spirits up, in hopes that someone reading all this knows that
they are not alone, sometimes the autumn gloom falls on the best of us, or those that don't feel too keen
on the on-coming holidays for whatever reasons you may have. But again this can all be looked at as
a "Cautionary Tale", time waits for no one, the leaves will turn colors, and blow away before you realize it.
But in spring life comes back and maybe that "change" will bring you to that place you need to be, and
make those important changes in your life - maybe we can make those changes right now, given the doors
are cracked open and we have our chance to make things right, for our souls, to heal, and actually make
ourselves happy. Then we can work on the healing with others, making amends and how we can all move
forward together without the anger and living in yesterday's that are gone.
Live in the moment, on the road that takes us forward, not to where "we were before", but something new.
A new horizon that is just over that hill, and the want to pursue it with a new purpose.
With all my heart, I hope YOU understand this, and that you can find your bliss again, find the courage to look within, the mirror reflection, and take all you have and find happiness, or the happiness you never had, and now you can know what it really feels like, and through the clouds breaking, as the leaves fall and as the sun sparkles between, the sun finally shines on you and you breathe-in the clean air :).
My favorite time of year seems to have come a bit late again as Thanksgiving is here, but the sorrow is thick as the clouds looming in the distance. It will be one alone, though the past few years with my
immediate family has been contentious, along with a good meal - there will be none this holiday, which my Mom makes very well, but I seem to have nothing to say of interest, except occasionally with my
younger brother, until there's a football game on and the door maybe open but its an invisible barrier that allows for no admittance of conversation (well, it makes sense that you gotta' be focused on the game, and make room for yelling at the TV, which I can hear him 3 counties away :p). Though I just learned my Mom visited with her family in Louisiana, and that my brother will be going in a few weeks, hopefully for
Christmas, as he would be able to see a lot more family which I'm sure will be VERY emotional for him.
But the air seems always filled with tension, waiting for someone, or my own mouth, bringing up a subject that will steer the conversation off a cliff. Sometimes the stays are too long, sometimes not enough when we all get along. Or when I want it to all work out, the words come, the shattered encouragement, the
condescending and hypocritical advice, the tension mounts and all I want to do is escape.
I know many families deal with this kind of thing during the holidays (though I hear about more families getting along and having good time), but I don't want emotions to rise. I want everyone to get along and
really try to be civil, but "feel" it, not put it away for the moment - but leave it behind, burn it and try
something new, really LOVE each other unconditionally because we are family, flesh & blood. Because it's
right, it should supersede over differences and malcontent. It should last all year 'round.
Through the year, was everything from wasted time, disappointments from those that were to contact me for a professional venture in the film production industry that just faded away (that I thought I landed
after a conference call to meet the other members, as my contact assured me I was "in". And I even kept in touch often, maybe he was tired of waiting from the other members to get the "Green Light" and had no
new news to report).
It was yet another tough year, dealing with a lot that was thrown at me, no matter how hard I fight it all to
fight forward, but somehow I survived. I made it through another year, I always get through it bruised and
beaten, but here I am.
- Nov./Dec. 2018 & revised 2021
Again in Nov. 2017, I am getting a bit more in the mood to do Illustrations because a new venture with friends, a way to show off our worx, and network, to possibly get noticed and hired on in a studio. So I am
chipping away at a new portfolio again and will do my best to move forward and move to LA county (edit:
Nope, won't be going back to the county I was born, I hope i'll be San Diego county bound in 2020, as that
"venture" was short lived).
Through your Autumnal blues, and all you deal with within your own lives, all you workout to live better . . .
Here's hoping that you find inspiration from the music. Or at least, carries you through the seasons and soothes the autumnal blues :).
That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see’st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west;
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the deathbed whereon it must expire,
Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
~ Seasons End: Part II ~
Chapter 3: Summers End
Chapter 4: Autumn falls
here is nowhere
Searching home still
Turning past me, all are gone
Time is now . . ."
- Opeth/"Dirge for November"
~ "Seasons End . . ." ~
Chapter 3: Summers End
Chapter 4: Autumn Falls
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2DU3TBNutEeFsOHMG3BWAFmZs6ijxiHs
Jimmy LaValle; Spring OST - Main Theme
Yes - Awaken
The Sirens - Embracing the Seasons
Renaissance - A Song For All Seasons
Dream Theater - A Change Of Seasons
Aphrodite's Child - Spring Summer Winter and Fall
Jethro Tull - Beltane
Heart - Dog and Butterfly
Opeth - Spring MCMLXXIV
Entwined - The Sacrifice Of Spring
Julia Fischer; Antonio Vivaldi - The Four Seasons: Summer
Jack Foster - When Summer's Here
Anathema - Summer Night Horizon
Triumph/Rik Emmett - Midsummers Daydream
Uriah Heep - July Morning
Katatonia - July
Manitou - August Sky
Autumn - Summer's End
Zebra - Wait Until the Summer's Gone
Hostsonaten - Edge of Summer (Instrumental)
Bob Catley - The End Of Summer (Galadriel`s Theme)
Jim Matheos - The Last Light Of August (Instrumental)
Yes - Roundabout
Lunatic Soul - Summerland
King's X - Summerland
Subsignal - Ashes of Summer
David Minasian - Summer's End
Judas Priest - Last Rose of Summer
Evergrey - Where August Mourns
Wintersun - The Forest That Weeps (Summer)
Type O Negative - September Sun
Swallow the Sun - Before the Summer Dies
Black Sabbath - Southern Cross
Paradise Lost - Return to the Sun
While Heaven Wept - September (Instrumental)
While Heaven Wept - The Death of Love (Ver II)
Subsignal - The Last Light of Summer
White Willow - The Last Rose of Summer
Chris Cornell - Seasons
Wyrd - Autumn
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi - Concerto No. 3 in F major, Op. 8, RV 293, "L'autunno" (Autumn)
Enya - The First of Autumn (Instrumental)
Lists - Autumn
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Close to Home (Instrumental)
Sabbat - Mythistory
Cruachan - The Harvest
Opeth - Forest of October
In Mourning - Past October Skies
Wyrd - October
Ashes of Life - Autumn Days
Insomnium - The Lay of Autumn
Depressive Age - Autumn Times
Under The Sun - Gardens of Autumn
Labyrinth - A Midnight Autum's Dream
Pain of Salvation - Imago
The Edgar Winter Group - Autumn
Vangelis - La Petite Fille de la Mer (Instrumental)
Frank Sinatra - Autumn leaves
Emerson Lake & Palmer - C'est La Vie
George Winston - Autumn; Woods (Instrumental)
Xerxes - Falling Leaves
No lyrics :(
Steve Hackett - Please Don't Touch suite
- "Hoping Love Will Last"
- "Land of a Thousand Autumns"
- "Please Don't Touch"
Strawbs - Autumn
I "Heroine's Theme"
II "Deep Summer Sleep"
III "The Winter Long"
John Williams (Guitarist) - Vivaldi: Concerto For Lute in D Major: II. Largo Rv 93
King Crimson - The Inner Garden I
Opeth - Dirge For November
Melancolia - November Part 1 (Instrumental)
Forest of Shadows - November Dream
Peter Gabriel - Mercy Street
Sarah McLachlan - Touch (Instrumental)
Mostly Autumn - The Spirit of Autumn Past
Hostsonaten - Trees in November (Instrumental)
Artension - You Are My Heart (Ode to Autumn)
Moody Blues - Forever Autumn
Spock's Beard - Ghosts Of Autumn
Divine Regale - Leaves
The Gathering - Leaves
Alpha Tiger - When Autumn Leaves Fall
In the Silence - Beneath these falling Leaves
Leaves' Eyes - Leaves' Eyes
Sentenced - We are but falling leaves
Devin Townsend Project - Blackberry
Hostsonaten - Leaves in the well (Incl. riverbank prelude)
Agalloch - A Poem by Yeats
Agalloch - The Melancholy Spirit (Instrumental)
Dismal Euphony - An Autumn Leaf In The Circles Of Time
Lake Of Tears - Forever Autumn
Sarah Longfield - Autumn Air (Instrumental)
Jethro Tull - Pibroch (Cap In Hand)
Yes - Leaves of Green
Genesis - Evidence Of Autumn
Autumn - The Scarecrow
Katatonia - In the White
King Crimson - Inner Garden II
Opeth - Drapery Falls
Agalloch - In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion
Tony MacAlpine - Autumn Lords (Instrumental)
Empty Tremor - Autumn Leaves
Vangough - Stay
Manitou - Coven (Autumn Arrives)
Arch / Matheos - Midnight Serenade
Nosound - Winter Will Come
District 97 - All's Well that Ends Well
Paradise Lost - Sun Fading
Hostsonaten - Open windows to autumn (Instrumental)
Esbjörn Svensson Trio - Eighty-Eight Days In My Veins
White Willow - Lines on a Autumn Evening
Kansas - Reason to Be
Sabbat - Happy Never After (Outro)
The brilliant moon and all the milky sky,
And all that famous harmony of leaves,
Had blotted out man's image and his cry.
A girl arose that had red mournful lips
And seemed the greatness of the world in tears,
Doomed like Odysseus and the labouring ships
And proud as Priam murdered with his peers;
Arose, and on the instant clamorous eaves,
A climbing moon upon an empty sky,
And all that lamentation of the leaves,
Could but compose man's image and his cry."
- "The Sorrow of Love" by William Butler Yeats
~ Seasons End: Part III ~
Time is ticking slower
No-one saw it coming
Like a shadow across the land
Will you stand here with me
Hold my hand and you will see
Brace for heavy landing
And the sky will come crashing down
And the stars will drown
Hold my hand and you'll see"
- White Willow/"Red Leaves"
Saw it red and beckoning me, with leaves falling on the ground and upon me.
I looked up as the leaves fell through the sparkle of the sun gathering clouds reflecting the light.
But the sky burns from orange to red. Forlorn looking across the land for my fair one, the sorrow mirrors the red streak across my mind, a lost time through my hands. I look at them, age'd and scarred with limbs in pain as time measures across a past so empty, where no one was ever there to enjoy the
fruits of my labours, only to wither.
Brittle are the branches holding me mocking the reflection of a wandering crow.
I've pulled out feathers one by one and pecked at the reflection knowing how I failed to fly, to gather twigs for our nest before the chill, with each word I break my wings, and the fall will leave the ground drowned in red, flowing across the land in benediction.
A time of redemption upon us all who rejected the resurrection, to save us to escape the rain instead of letting it wash the pain away - the blood will seep within wood and stream, waiting for nature,
where beauty still clings.
I ask for baptism, resurrect me along with your spirit and pierce me, but save me directly, as I kneel
before Thee.
Save my life so that I can serve, and with sword I may yield to my one true love beneath your grace that is forevermore and beyond all, for you have never betrayed.
With the blade within my soul consecrated by the fealty of your grace be upon me so that I am true as Your light that has bathed me.
For the one who I defend with this tempered steel and the ache that lingers.
Like the ice that hangs onto the last remnant of winter.
I see her dressed in crimson as my heart, adorned in scarlet she is my blood and I breathe her.
Each day of this season, as the air is clean and pure and her hair shone golden from the sun she so desperately needs to shine. Yet time burns away as the leaves turn, fall, and wither red to brown.
But I will be reborn in the coming moon, when the winds die and the cold melts away.
My raven wings will grow again, and fly to her with a new joy.
The angry red sky becomes again amber, and then bright as the sun her smile that she holds, in the respite of the harsh winters snow she loathes.
To find colours of green and gold, in the bluest of skies and deep as the water below, and all its hues to find ourselves renewed . . . may the fall and winter be together, a new life sanctified by our Lord in all its shades of the coming weather, and the glow of her sunshine forever.
As a man cleaved to his woman, the one I long to rest my head upon her breast
and listen to the pulse of her life, and to hold her with all my strength and never to let her fall, only within my arms to recline and find rest. As leaves rest upon the earth...
To feel the beat of my red heart.
The two now will become one.
Thy will be done.
Amen.
It's autumn again
And how I desperately wait.
It's been months, please return
As you did the last autumn
The leaves are falling down
Like my hopes, with passing days.
You were the spring I cherished
Oh! It's autumn again.
~ Seasons End: Part III ~
Chapter 5: November Red
Chapter 6: Winter comes
far wiser creatures play,
and in their veins and sinews,
live the Gods of yesterday.
A God of many faces
yet none of them are known
existing in all places at all times -
His glory shown in the majesty of nature,
let the Hymn to Pan be sung
for the myth is but a History Of A Time To Come."
- Sabbat/"Horned is the Hunter"
"When I think about the constant journey through life
When it always feels like fall
When the wind slowly turns to north
And the flowers die
It's raining in my dreams"
- Opeth/"Den Ständiga Resan"
There is something that I hope will not be lost
The leaves will change, they'll start to fall
I still wonder if it mattered much at all
When my world starts to fade
I can only hope that every choice I made
Will endure, and carry on
... into the coming dawn"
- Kansas/"The Coming Dawn"
~ Seasons End: Part III ~
Chapter 5: November Red
Chapter 6: Winter comes
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2DU3TBNutEcb0AWUTH_NT65Z5QVHlRbE
Opeth - Den Standiga Resan
Focus - Elspeth of Nottingham
Jim Matheos - The Air of Autumn (Instrumental)
Crimson Jazz Trio - Inner Garden
Strawbs - Prologue/Autumn: I Heroine's Theme/ II Deep Summer's Sleep/ III The Winter Long:
Acoustic Ver I
Rush - The Trees
Jethro Tull - Jack In The Green
Novembers Doom - Dance of Leaves
Sabbat - Horned Is the Hunter
Dark Forest - Autumn's Crown
Manitou - Coven (Autumn Arrives)
Opeth - Atonement / Reverie Intro
Opeth - Reverie / Harlequin Forest
Fires in the Distance - The Climb
Melancolia - November Part 2 (Instrumental)
Novembers Doom - Autumn Reflection
Kenji Kawai/Israel Philharmonic Orchestra - Myung's Theme/ Macross Plus OST
Dark Arts - Autumn Red
No lyrics available :(
Space Tide - Autumn Red
White Shape - Autumn Reds
Kyoto Red Leaf - Autumn
Dante - November Red
Ewan Dobson - Autumn Red
Agent Fresco - The Autumn Red
Threshold - Autumn Red
Arnold Bax - (for two pianos) Red Autumn
White Willow - Red Leaves
Arnold Bax - (orchestra) Red Autumn
Atrocity - Introduction
Atrocity - Sky Turned Red
Opeth - When
Autumn Leaves - Autumn Fever
Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - Autumn's Grief
Paradise Lost - Grey
Embraced - The Beautiful Flow Of An Autumn Passion
Immensity - Adornment
Steve Howe - Vivaldi: Concerto In D (Second Movement)
Paatos - Falling
Black Tape for a Blue Girl - Apotheosis (Instrumental)
Loraine - Heaven (Instrumental)
Autumn Tears - The Widowtree
Lycia - The Morning Breaks So Cold And Gray
Wyrd - The Hounds Of The Falls
Opeth - Demon of the Fall
Forest Shadow - Eternal Autumn
Swallow the Sun - Autumn Fire
As Autumn Calls - Haunted
Witherfall - Curse of Autumn
Depressive Age - The Story (Autumn Times II)
Beyond The black - Forget my name
Ihsahn - Until I Too Dissolve
Alter Bridge - Watch Over You
Hostsonaten - Autumn's last breath / The gates of winter (Instrumental)
Frank Sinatra - Autumn In New York
Sarah McLachlan - Out of the Shadows
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Air Of December
Saga - Voila! (Instrumental)
Enya - White is in the Winter Night
Mystery - Beneath the Veil of Winter's Face
Kansas - The Coming Of Dawn (Thanotopsis)
Frost* - Snowman
District 97 - Snow Country
Suspyre - Still Bending the Violet
Haken - Crystallized
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Skating (Instrumental)
Badlands - Winter's Call
Power Of Omens - As Winter Falls
Gary Moore - Over the Hills and Far Away
Clint Mansell; The Fountain OST - First Snow
Conditioned Response - Winter
No lyrics available :(
Warlord - Winter Tears
Demons & Wizards - Winter Of Souls
Drudkh - Night Woven of Snow, Winds and Grey-Haired Stars
Lyrics are in Urkrainian
Mono - Pure as Snow (Trails of the Winter Storm)
Story in booklet.
Pure Reason Revolution - Voices in Winter / The Realms of Divine
Winds - Where The Cold Winds Blow
Enya - And Winter Came (Instrumental)
Sting - Balulalow
Kate Bush - Snowflake
Sarah McLachlan - Song for a Winters Night
My Dying Bride - Two Winters Only
Jim Matheos - Silent Snow, Secret Snow (Instrumental)
Vast - Winter In My Heart
Anathema - Emotional Winter
Katatonia - Midwinter Gates (Prologue)
Novembers Doom - Winter Solstice
Opeth - Master's Apprentices
Wintersun - Time
Into Eternity - Timeless Winter
Fates Warning - When Snow Falls
Secrets of the Sky - Winter
Hope it returns to Yt/Has been deleted
Agolloch - Ghosts Of The Midwinter Fires
Secret Garden - Lament for a frozen flower (Instrumental)
Entwined - Red Winter
Hostsonaten - The Crystal Light (Instrumental)
Sabbat - Mourning has Broken
Seasons End: Part IV
Draped within a fate I could not change,
and always welcoming Winter's EPILOGUE."
- Opeth/"Karma"
There was a time my Father would take the family to the local mountains, from Chino to the edge of Mt. Baldy or Mt. San Antonio, and me and my brother would play in the snow until our fingers couldn't take it any longer. I can imagine the Corgi's would have a blast! (I believe we took our late Cocker Spaniel "Corky" to the snow, decades ago). We had also gone to the California Sierra's once, when visiting many National Parks which my father loved, the beauty of nature, and to see all the snow that would melt and become our drinking water, being filtered through rock and soil downstream, then get mixed with the sludge and garbage of Los Angeles and wherever else. But it was all stunning to see nature still wild and untouched, and streams as if they were never seen by man. Beauty still hung on . . .
When I landed and waited for my girl to pick me up from the airport, the 1st snow started coming in a vertical flurry, it was all very new to me and I was taken by the moment. At my hotel, it was weird to see long streams of ice from the edges of the roof, and ice on the banisters and railings. I loved it :). Though the weather wasn't cold enough for the snow to stick around for my visit, I had a great time.
I'm not sure if this holiday season will be "full of joy", but I'm glad the weather is brisk, the heat would just get me more down.
It was soo cool to see the heavy snow fall, and as unexpected as being a 9-10 year old in Louisiana when it snowed in Gretna/Jefferson Parish, just never thought we'd see the day in my local town. You can see for yourself, complete with annoying DJ voice from yours truly . . .
snow_in_riverside_county_dec_2014.mp4 |
That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see’st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west;
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death’s second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the deathbed whereon it must expire,
Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
~ Seasons End: Part IV ~
Chapter 7: Winter is here
Chapter 8: Mid Winter Dreams
Feel the cold of winter in your hair
Here in a world of your own
In a casing that's grown
To the children's delight
That arrived on the night"
- Genesis/"Snowbound"
~ Seasons End: Part IV ~
Chapter 7: Winter is here
Chapter 8: Mid Winter Dreams
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2DU3TBNutEf5fdOUCkZVnbwFsQTx8iHH
James Newton Howard; Snow Falling On Cedars OST - End Titles
Kansas - Lonely Wind
Memories Of Machines - Warm Winter
Blackmore's Night - Winter (Basse Dance)
Dead Soul Tribe - The Coldest Days Of Winter
Winter Isle - Three years of winter (Instrumental)
Fires in the Distance - Reflections in the Ice
7days - The Darkest Winter
Gojira - Born In Winter
Opeth - Karma
DGM - Winter Breeze
Accept - Winter Dreams
Cairo - Silent Winter
Bloon - Gloomy Winter
No lyrics available :(
Devin Townsend Project - Winter
Tori Amos - Winter
Renaissance - Winter Tree
Mazzy Star - Flowers In December
Opeth - The Throat Of Winter
Katatonia - Sistere
Leperous - Painful Detour
Yes - South Side Of The Sky
Led Zeppelin - No Quarter
Crescent Shield - North For The Winter
Symphony X - A Winter's Dream: Prelude & Ascension
Howard Blake (sung by Peter Auty) - Walking In The Air (from: The Snowman)
Genesis - Snowbound
Rainbow - Snowman (Instrumental)
Alcatrazz - The Yeti (Bigfoot)
Fates Warning - Giant's Lore (Heart Of Winter)
Rush - By-Tor And The Snow Dog
Zebra - Bears
Alcatrazz - Polar Bear
Demons & Wizards - Wolves in Winter
Steve Hackett - Wolflight
Insomnium - Stained In Red
Allen/Lande - Lady Of Winter
Crimson Glory - Lady Of Winter
Symphony X - Lady Of The Snow
Liz Story - Greensleeves (What Child Is This?)
White Willow - Snowswept
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Footprints in the Snow
Michael Hedges - Ursa Major (Instrumental)
Sting - Soul Cake
Origin of song :)
Halford - Winter Song
Leave's Eyes - Winter's Poem
George Winston - Night: Snow / Midnight / Minstrels
Tarja Turunen - Boy And The Ghost
David Sylvian & Holger Czukay - Plight (The Spiraling of Winter Ghosts)
Oh No Ono - Icicles
Lustre - The First Snow
Soup - The Boy and the Snow
Mogwai - Hound Of Winter
Sting - The Hounds Of Winter
Opeth - The Baying of the Hounds
Insomnium - Winter's Gate
Apathy Noir - Cold Endless Winter
Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - Dance Of December
Doomraiser - In Winter
The Darkest Winter - The Darkest Winter Ep
No lyrics available :(
Dynasty of Darkness - Frozen
Wintersun - Intro & Winter madness
Ne Obliviscaris - As Icicles Fall
Agalloch - Falling Snow
White Willow - Snowfall
Tori Amos - Winter's Carol
Kate Bush - Misty (Video)
Frost* - British Wintertime
Sarah McLachlan - In a Bleak Mid Winter
In The Name - Dead of Winter
Green Carnation - Lullaby in Winter
Oceans of Slumber - Winter
Paradise Lost - The Longest Winter
Witherfall - The Long Walk Home (December)
Katatonia - Dancing December (Instrumental)
Ashes of Life - Dying in the Snow
Winterleaf - Leaves of Winter
Bjørn Riis - Winter
The Wishing Tree - Midnight Snow
Dan Chadburn - Whispers the Falling Snow (Instrumental)
Bing Crosby & David Bowie - The Little Drummer Boy (Peace On Earth)
Ed Ames - Do You Hear What I Hear
Nat King Cole - Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Andy Williams - O Holy Night
Blackmore's Night - Mid Winter's Night
Owain Phyfe & The New World Renaissance Band - Drive The Cold Winter Away
Lindisfarne - Winter Song
Wintersun - Loneliness (Acoustic with orchestration mix)
Dark Sanctuary - Ame de Décembre
The Heather Findlay Band - I am Snow
No lyrics available :(
Enya - Amid the Falling Snow
Swallow the Sun - The Womb of Winter (Instrumental)
Swallow the Sun - The Heart of a Cold White Land
Kamelot - Seasons End
Lumina Vocal Ensemble - Nowell sing we, Anon C15 carol
Jethro Tull - Fire At Midnight
Kate Bush - 50 Words for Snow
Seasons End: Part V ~ Epilogue
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear"
- Greg Lake/"I believe in Father Christmas"
hristmas is one of my fave times of the year, not because of gifts, but just the
"feeling" and trying to be grateful for all that I have, its not much, but many are
going through very difficult times. I have had sad memories as well, I'm sure
like most, but I've always had a deep glowing warmth and joy of seeing Christmas
decorations, elaborate Christmas Trees that have really been amazing, for the care and detail they have put into it all. And streets filled with homes decked out with lights (and the newer trend of technology synced to music). And our home filled with the smell of pine and Moms cooking :).
But most important to me is this person born into the world. Though I dwell on my own worries and even if the holidays have been a let-down, I have to remember my faith, remember at all times that I can be a
better person to all around me, and to remember those who have helped along the way and be grateful for each day that I breathe. And think of those I love and care for, that they too are watched over, blessed, and pray that they have safe and wonderful lives ahead of them, that I think of them always - all year 'round.
I have gone through soo much in my life (and many others that have dealt with things I can not imagine), but there is the one constant that has never betrayed me, and carried me when I could not make it on my own, and come through at the brink. Through many miracles, and manifestations that I must be grateful for (from old friends, wise words of comfort and advice, to those that I have worked with on freelance art gigs :), and I hope to give back and pay forward one day. But, thank you my Lord, for coming into this
world, and the wonderful people that have been kind. You and Christ have been my greatest gifts.
wouldn't wear, because even though I was young, I knew what "styles" I felt comfortable in, and I didn't want to get picked on at school, looking like a geek even more than I had already. Though my entire family knew very well that I drew every single day, and built model kits of cars, planes, tanks, etc. Oh well.
But I remember that it really bummed me out (be sure to think about that sad, lonely kid that no one really knows in the corner during family get-together's, you'll make a new friend by getting a "special gift" for anyone left out - if you can afford it, but you'll make a child very happy :), and don't forget to donate food and toys too! Good for the soul and for those in need). But then again, playing with some of my cousins, talking with my older relatives and just "being there" was an annual treat . . .
I made up for it by stuffing myself with Christmas dinner, a second helping, a 3rd, snacks, hors d'oeuvres and pastries (I had hollow legs to fill!) with plenty of sodas and punch all night long :).
I miss my families, both in Louisiana (my Mom's side) and here in California (my Dad's side of the family) and the cross cultural food of American and Spanish/Honduran cuisine (my Mom's yummy pork, chicken and beef Tamales! Honduran style!). I don't get to see them as often as I should.
Hopefully things will change and I will have the opportunity to see them all in the coming years. My Mom and Brother got to visit family in Louisiana this year (at different times) as Autumn came and went. Which always warms my heart that they all stay close, especially since my brother was born in New Orleans :).
I try not to seem tepid about visiting my immediate family during the holidays, its more wary, but I'm always hopeful that everyone will get along, and that I do not overstay my welcome. We will see if it was meant to be this year in 2016, and that its filled with the spirit of the holidays.
A magical feeling you could not foresee
A feeling so devastating
From that moment on your life's a comedy
And suddenly you're light as a feather
You're falling like a leaf from a tree
The things you thought you needed are fading
Your reason to be"
- Kansas/"Reason to Be"
parents, or just depressed, never having a special someone during the holidays. You start questioning
yourself, how unnatural not to have someone to spend Christmas snuggling up watching Christmas
movies with popcorn etc. . . . yet I still LOVED the holiday, and hoped the next year would be better. As I say
over and over, Time waits for no one, and I've seen too many winters alone.
These days I have things to work on, hearts to mend, and a life to create while me and my love deal with
our individual lives. I pray that we are blessed with all we "really" need, and we find life is much too short
and fragile. And that the gifts we are searching for are within, its always been there. A gift ready to be
unwrapped.
It was my place all year round to make special prayers, find solace and where I needed to find peace.
It's love and miracles out of nowhere
think no one is really interested in the details of what happened, and also may come off as a "selfish"
story. I did warn that this essay may be a downer, and I don't want this to seem too dark, but in the end, it
has a somewhat "happy ending", a conclusion of hope.
I saved it for posterity, to know it happened. But yes, I was part of it, it is personal and it was hard to deal
with because I have never experienced this kind of situation before. But all got through it with the grace of
God. I know what happened, and so does my creator, and that will have to suffice.
There are "details" that I am omitting that were scary, and life threatening, life changing that I did not
expect, and I even tried to deny that people could be that cruel and cold to screw-up someone's life, when only a few weeks later, we would be needed to take care of a life, where no one would show-up to take care
of their own family member in their day-to-day needs . . . and that's the VERY short version.
I think the only people that will totally understand, or have any empathy to its realities is people that care
for family members 24/7, or its their job as a caregiver, how rough it is for all involved. Not just the person that is very sick, but family and friends that deal with all that comes with it. I am not a "family member", but I was put into this situation to make a choice (and with help from a phone call to a friend/parishioner
of the ill person and a close friend), and though I decided to do the right thing, it was a hard thing to face.
There was also mind boggling "bad advice" from friends and anger from family members, to daily stress
and worries. But I methodically prayed each day and night to get through it all, and for this person that I
questioned why did this man had to deal with all this pain. But I saw things come together as little miracles
to big ones that I cannot deny happened.
Believe what you will. I am here as witness to all the miracles and strength we BOTH had to endure through this ordeal. With help and encouragement from the will of our Father in heaven, and those He blessed to
help my roommate recover, and continues to help to this day. I learned, that His love is greater than
anyone, and that He is the ONLY one I can trust and count on.
thought he'd be back in a few hours. It became a "Month" and 2 weeks, and he was moved to 3 different
hospitals, and 3 more times back home and back to emergency care.
Through this ordeal I would learn of my own courage, helplessness and be brought to my knees to realize I
had no power in any of this. But, please forgive me if what you just read made it sound like I was selfish
and only thinking of myself - It's more like; I faced myself, including that I had more confidence in my
Lord for my friend "Paul" who was suffering great, unbearable pain, that this Christ who has been in my
life since I was a child, was going to reach into Paul's body, in the hands and minds of his Doctors and
Nurses, who would resurrect Paul's organs and give him more strength than he thought he could ever have
to endure the pain. My strength was for him, not me, and I gave it all my mind, heart and soul, that he
WOULD be healed by the power of this Lord of our lives, that Paul devoted all his life to. I was determined
that my prayers would be answered without question. I always had this "relationship" with Him, but
became stronger with a very unfortunate situation . . . which was probably meant to be, to show His power
when all seemed hopeless.
What was to come, was nothing I have ever been witnessed to, other than seeing a miracle of prayers to
remove cancer from my Father, and the experience of being homeless and having the wherewithal to
survive. For Paul, for me, and how our lives would entwine and bring out of me something I never thought
I had in me. But the most important thing I did was give up . . . give up my pain, my worry, as the week
turned to 2, and more, without any reprisal to have me leave this home and roof over my head that I may
have taken too much for granted. I gave up and gave-in to my Christ. And when I did that, I am here to
tell any of you, those that believe, those that are skeptical, lost, angry, sad, indifferent or just think this is
all lunacy, fantasy. I am the testimony of all that I had seen . . .
Everyday was "miraculous" :'D. Each day that passed was a miracle for me and Paul. For Paul, through his
pain, diagnosis, and days in hospital trying to recover, was my never-ending prayers for something MUCH
greater than myself, for someone else, and trusting in this Lord that brought miracles out of nowhere.
But in reality it was probably many prayers from many people, and great deeds to be there for him.
I prayed every moment I could, to reach in and methodically help Paul in all manner of thought to have my
prayers help him in body, mind, spirit and strength to live, heal, be healed and be back home. With hopes
that one day, Paul would ride his motorcycle again, but with an air of freedom and independence he had
never felt before, and possibly see places he's always wanted to see. I wanted that for him, and prayed
hard to have it for him in his future, because I would not give up - he HAD to live, endure, but live to see
another day, the sunrise, his rock garden, his home, his books and telescopes, writing about his life and
family heritage, to see the wonder of stars and read the scriptures again. It was time to come home, but not
quite yet to His home, Paul had more to do here on earth, I believe that. And I prayed that the Holy Spirit would fill him with new life and purpose.
Through all this, and I admit, under great duress (and an important phone call to another friend of Paul's
and church member "Duanne" for words of encouragement), when Paul finally came home, I realized to
my fear that he needed help and there was no one around to give him 24/7 care (while I also worked), With
those words from Duanne, I did what I had to do for Paul and become a temporary caregiver. It was not
easy, and often scary.
But I did what I could because there was no one else that could be there for him at his beck and call. It was
like it wasn't my own will to do this, I believe it was more Christ than me. He gets the glory here.
I have always said important prayers under a starry night around 12am or later in the backyard (that I call
the "UFO Landing Strip", as Paul, an ex-Air Force mechanic in his younger days, where stone tiles formed
a geometric landing field-look with its "runway lights" made of faint blue solar powered lights), many a
time seeing comets or meteorites go streaking by, or little streaks between clouds etc. But being on
that precipice, at the 11th Hour, and nowhere to go but take that "leap", I had more of a confidence in what
I was praying for, a bit of desperation to be sure but, a stronger purpose, more focused, what was
important, vital.
For all my friends, my ex and her daughter, families of my close friends, production associates, and of
course my family, my Mom, Brother, "Chester & Sophie", people we met on our jobs who needed blessings
for various reasons. But especially for Paul to recover, to heal, and come back home to enjoy his home, and
his independence and freedom with a new outlook on life and living it.
And for myself, to do something to sustain my life - and whatever the Lord wanted of me, and lead me
on to His purpose, not so much mine (but I still hope that I am able to be blessed in doing something
creative).
And if it wasn't cloudy or overcast, my prayers would be answered, at-least 97% of the time, a meteorite
would streak across Orion's Belt, or right over my head, and I'd just breakdown and get on my knees with
the deepest thanks to my Creator, with joy, agony and tears gushing from my eyes. But they were tears of
joy and great humility - through me like a sword through my very soul. I knew that my Lord was hearing
my words, and in a way I can't explain, soothed my heart, knowing that all would be taken care of.
Me and my friend/co-worker Dale (also a friend/parishioner of Paul) would share our grieving to strangers on our jobs who we felt were compassionate enough for an open ear, where it passed that fire, that torch to
light to others who would say prayers for Paul. Who were blessed by this Babe, born in a manger, who held
the light of heaven in His heart, had a special light in His soul for anyone who would receive it and share its
light. And I was closer to its light than ever before, and my prayers for all were being answered, but also for
the future blessings, and whatever was to become of us. Including those prayers from the kindness of
strangers for the 3 of us as well.
But we passed the torch and helped light the way for anyone in its path, to non believers along with any
stranger, or anyone who had the faith. If it was telling my story people on our 9 to 5 job, or you. Tiny lights
one by one, like seeing cities lights blink on and on from up high. You don't have to believe in this great
being, I just want you to be filled with hope, with warmth. I want you to feel something greater than just
being a spec of dust in the universe.
Food for the soul and heart.
I must mention that many kind people (and strangers to me) came through by cooking food for Paul, but it
was the 1st person who was part of "Compassionate Service", a volunteer Christian Service that cooked
food for people in need, especially those home after hospitalization - the gentleman in his P.J's and coat
dropped off some delicious Swedish Meatballs, in which he said "Oh! No one said Paul had a roommate, I'll let them know that they should prepare dinners for you too!" :D. I insisted they worry about Paul, and I was able to take care of my own meals, but he was very kind to mention it was no trouble to do so.
So for a few weeks (and a lovely, tasty Christmas Dinner!) we were blessed by the kindness of these people,
their awesome foods and deserts. Forever indebted to them for their hospitality and blessings!
Also a HUGE thank you to friends of Paul; "Chris and Sean" for going out of their way to be there when
Paul needed them the most! For rides, errands, and the "Wheelchair", and the stories and laughs :).
And a BIG thanks personally to Duane, my fellow Concept Designer and fellow "Brother" of Paul's church
who was able to help me with scans and email details with my Art that had to be sent to my Director from
a miraculous freelance Gig that he blessed me with and the right place, right time. Thank you Duane and
Anthony!
I leave you with a "Star" . . .
I've seen things in the universe that are probably explainable, but they are nevertheless spectacular,
strange and of beauty that you wonder how all these things come together in your life.
Again, I'd be under the night/early morning sky saying prayers, but 2 special prayers were said the nights
before last, and the one night, right after I was done, with that tinge of "doubt" that I might not see a
meteorite; one came with the likes I had never seen before (even though many were amazing), a long
"golden", shimmering streak across the night sky directly in front of me! Then the next night, again, right
after my prayer . . .
15+ years ago, I lived near Venice beach, I used to go to it around midnight, across the sand carrying my
bike on my shoulder and sitting at a lifeguard tower, watching the waves come in and looking at the stars.
One night, I actually saw about 50-70 yards from me, a piece (maybe 3 inches in diameter) of, um . . .
"spacestuff" floating down from the sky, on fire, as a cinder and fading out before hitting the ground
near the shore.
2 days ago, after my prayer, approximately 25 yards away, I saw the same thing, this time the piece of
space stuff was maybe, 5 to 8 inches in diameter! I broke down and cried and gave my deepest thanks for
his "Voice", and indeed He answered prayers to bring back Paul, more alert and keen, strong and before
Christmas, right before Christmas Eve :'). Paul fought the good fight, tooth and nail with encouragement
of our Lord.
I have seen flashes of light, star bursts, very faint waves of light like the aurora borealis, satelites slowly
make its way through the stars, to various meteorites that were quick, to the most magnificent things I've
ever seen, including things I can't explain. So He is the infinite, He is the thousands of stars I see, the
different parts of Him, all that I can't explain, and all its elements that make the universe. And He speaks
to me in the things I see, and the words I try to remember when I read them. I do my best to understand
and take it into my soul.
Now, you may think this is all made-up, but really, what would be the purpose to lie about ANY of it? YOU
are my friends, and I just want to share these small miracles with you, with hopes you can see and feel the
wonders I have seen, and not lose hope :).
I am not here to convert any of you, but I am here to present the truth, YOU will make of it what you will, but
I am here to give testimony. I've seen and bear witness to things that were out of my hands, and seen
blessings of all shapes and sizes. Paul and I have found strength and courage when we were giving up in
our "minds", but not in our hearts, but something made us go on, because we could not just give in. But
speaking for myself, I had to give it all to God. I think this is just part of the reason for this season, and it's
not just about Christmas gifts or decorations, it's about being with family, faith, hope, love. Believing in
something greater than yourself, because we fail time after time, but WE can be better, more humble and
see our fellow men in a different and better light. Pass it on, pass the torch, don't give into hate, anger, and throw any bitterness lingering away before it eats you up and all that's left is ashes. Because all these
miracles exist, you just need to find them, by living each day.
But I give YOU this hope, especially if you are dealing with your own toils, sacrifices, hard times and
dealing with tragedy, family issues, self-doubt, loneliness, you don't feel like you belong, hoping that you
would find your purpose, and soo many other things I can't fathom. I want you to know YOU are not alone,
and that I pray for YOU, and I want you to feel that you can endure and accomplish anything. I have been
where you are, but never lose hope, don't reason those people and voices that doubt YOU. They don't know
you or what you are exactly going through. But WE do what we need to do, we get-up, dust ourselves off,
and find a way to move forward. WE have to find motion, to move ourselves forward. I'm doing what I can
to heed these words myself. But WE can never lose the fight, so fight forward, no matter what it takes. But
don't hurt yourself or the ones you love. Find honor in your movement, find the best in you to reach those
goals, and you will find you shine and give light to yourself, and all around you :).
. . . . Its Love, and Miracles out of Nowhere, but it comes from somewhere.
- December 24, 2018: 2:45am (with embellishments on November 21, 2019)
VERY Special thanks to; Michael S., Sean H., Chris Z. & "Lucy" (to our shock, Chris passed away only a few weeks later. I believe there is a special place waiting for him for all the help he has given to people), Bob M., Duane L., Steve C., Dale B., Chris W., Tim & Holly E., and Anthony P., as well as those who were kind strangers that prayed for us (Paul, Dale and least, myself), the food, and to Christ. All part of this faith, hope, love and light that transcends. Thank you Lord for bringing all these people together to share that light in efforts to share Your greatness, among the hearts of men and women to do good in a cynical and jaded world ~ there IS always Hope. You gave us strength when we were trying to pick ourselves up . . . I humbly and deeply thank You.
https://youtu.be/KaD9hC9iI7g
The Lamp
https://youtu.be/fmmvaMIz2lY
And where there is darkness, there is light
https://youtu.be/_j6XnB4vyZ8
for all He has done, and finding the right people that healed Paul back to health, as I continue to pray that
his recovery will be in full, and have many, many years ahead of him still.
"It's so simple, I mean right before your eyes
If you'll only look through this disguise
It's always here; it's always there
It's just love and miracles out of nowhere;
Love and miracles out of nowhere"
- Kansas
where I tried to watch every version of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol". And it was a must to watch
"Its a Wonderful Life", which I could identify with every year if good or bad, its always very cathartic.
There were the obvious cartoons I'd watch (as my younger brother said when he was in his early 40's;
"We'll be watching these cartoons when we're in our 90's!" :D). But there were also the rare and unusual
ones that my brother and I would watchout for when we all lived at home, or when we used to have phone
conversations catching up on things.
But one of my fave animations was from 1971, which for a few years after, was a staple on TV. The
animation had a great unique style and must've been a chore to create, though I see a lot of jaded folks
(mostly younger) criticize it today, but they forget the skills it took before CG to create animation like this.
A very condensed version of "A Christmas Carol", produced by Chuck Jones, which also won a Academy
Award in 1972 . . .
"There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,' returned the nephew. 'Christmas among the rest.
But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -
apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that - as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.
And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"
Creating Claus
Why Christmas.com: http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/fatherchristmas.shtml
And more for your kids! Keep track of Santa :D
https://santatracker.google.com/village.html
| The |
e a s o n . . . . https://youtu.be/8lA_Y35OY1Y
~ Epilogue ~
Merry Christmas to you all, Happy Holidays and may your life be full of good things and to those around you. And have a prosperous New Year! :D
Hosanna in excelsis!
~ Seasons End: Part V ~
Chapter 9: Deep in Winter
Chapter 10: Epilogue ~ Seasons End
Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”
- Charles Huffam Dickens
Read: A Christmas Carol
By the holy oak whereon it grows.
Seven druids dance in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells."
- Jethro Tull/"Ring out Solstice Bells"
~ Seasons End: Part V Epilogue ~
Chapter 9: Deep in Winter
Chapter 10: Epilogue ~ Seasons End
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2DU3TBNutEe4f4yorQWQBsK6-hhYN_tI
Opeth - Face In The Snow
The Northquest Players - Hornby Winter Soul Song (Instrumental)
Agalloch - Dead Winter Days
Draconian - Silent Winter
Katatonia - Palace of Frost
Pink Floyd - Terminal Frost (Instrumental)
Subsignal (featuring Marcela Bovio) - The Blueprint of a Winter
Martin Best Ensemble - Als I Lay on Yoolis Night | English Medieval Christmas Song
Michael Hedges - Prelude To Cello Suite #1 In G Major (Instrumental)
The Revels Children Chorus - Verbum caro factum est
Trans Siberian Orchestra - Appalachian Snowfall (Instrumental)
A Christmas Carol (1984) God Bless Us, Everyone
Savatage - Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)
Shadow Gallery - Christmas Day (Act II)
Greg Lake - I Believe in Father Christmas
Ulver - Christmas
Xerxes - Christmas Layers (Instrumental)
Nightwish - Walking in the Air
Itzhak Perlman; Antonio Vivaldi - Four Seasons: Winter (RV 297)
Jethro Tull - Ring Out Solstice Bells
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)
Sting - Cherry Tree Carol
Sarah McLachlan - The Christmas Song
John Payne - I Saw Three Ships
No lyrics available :(
Ragnarok Juletide - A Sparrow On A Christmas Morning
Steve Vai - Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental)
Marillion - The Carol Of The Bells
Ronnie James Dio & Tony Iommi - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Trans Siberian Orchestra - Boughs Of Holly (Instrumental)
Halford - Come All Ye Faithful
Theocracy - Christmas Medley
Jon Anderson - 3 Ships
Jeff Scott Soto and friends - We Wish You A Merry Xmas
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here (Instrumental)
The Jigsaw Seen - Pretend It's Christmas
No lyrics :(
Jordan Rudess - A Christmas Carol Medley (Instrumental)
Jethro Tull - Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow
Terzo - Dream Theater Xmas Medley contest 2012 (Instrumental)
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Christmas Time Again
Stryper - Winter Wonderland
Neal Morse & The Prog World Orchestra - Shred Ride Sleigh Ride (Instrumental)
Solid Brass - Suite of Medieval Carols (Brass Instrumental)
Discantus: dir. Brigitte Lesne - Alleluia; Ave Maria (Gregorian)
Rainbow - Difficult to Cure; adaption: Beethoven's 5th Symphony "Ode to Joy"
Neal Morse - Carol Of The Bells
Stride - What Child Is This
Halford - Oh Holy Night
Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe - The Meeting
King's X - Everywhere I go
Kansas - A Glimpse of Home
Katrhine Brandt (soprano) - Sweet was the songe the virgine sung
Jethro Tull - A Christmas Song
Cales - The Last Winter Dance
Wintersun - When Time Fades Away/Sons Of Winter And Stars
I. "Rain of Stars"
II. "Surrounded by Darkness"
III. "Journey Inside a Dream"
IV. "Sons of Winter and Stars"
Novembre - Winter 1941
Celtic Frost - Winter: Requiem, Chapter Three: Finale (Instrumental)
Opeth - By The Pain I See In Others
Sarah McLachlan - Silent Night
Dan Chadburn - O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental)
Emmie Beckitt & Rick Wakeman - Welcome a Star
John Mark McMillan - Baby Son
Take No Glory - This Christmas Time
Danny Donnely - Be Filled
Kansas - Miracles Out of Nowhere
Kings X - Faith, Hope Love
Trouble - The Skull
Brendan Perry - Wintersun
Sam Phillips; A Midnight Clear OST - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Enya - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Iona - Encircling
Rick Wakeman - O Little Town of Bethlehem
Theocracy - Bethlehem
Kansas - The Light
King's College Choir - Coventry Carol
Blackmore's Night - Christmas Eve
Bob Catley - Last Snows of Winter
Red Sea - Last Days of Winter
Pelican - Last Day of Winter (Instrumental)
Frostbite Orkings - Bye Bye Wintertime
Wintersun - Loneliness (Winter: Epilogue)
Opeth - Epilogue
"There it was.
The final destiny.
A sunrise that never came,
Still the night lamp that never faded away.
Farewell was the word,
And the afterglow was the brave morning.
Rising and telling everyone
About the beauty of its prologue".
Marillion - Seasons End
Jim Matheos - Winter's Thaw (Instrumental)
Mark Isham - A Midnight Clear Suite/OST
All is well, the searching is over, let the truth be known
Let it be shown (please give me a glimpse of home)"
- Kansas/"Glimpse of Home"
Visit again and check regularly for added songs throughout the holidays.
Please be sure to support all the bands and vocalists by buying their CD's, seeing them in concert and purchasing their merchandise to make sure they have a nice Christmas, and in-turn let their music get you through the harshest Autumn and Winter :). May your spirits guide you, always.
Bless you all!
And . . .
"So watch the old world melt away
A loss regrets could never mend
You never miss it till it's gone
So say goodbye, say goodbye
We'll tell our children's children why
We grew so tall and reached so high
You never miss it till it's gone
So say goodbye, say goodbye
To seasons end"
- Marillion/"Seasons End"