Raige Creations

Lavender, one of my favorite scents and it's color one of my favorites too. I tried the lavender diffuser for relaxation, the lavender soap before bed to sleep more soundly. It obviously didn't work on me, as I had to (finally) see my doc about my new and exciting anxiety and loss of the ability to sleep soundly. Nights had been keeping me up. Still, all that lavender and his suggested medication was not quite enough. However, the past couple weeks I have finally let myself relax. Turns out removing yourself from a toxic environment and exploring another path that seems so much better for me is the trick. It has been challenging, yes. But challenging in an exciting and positive way. And in the evenings I have been relaxing, finally. One evening, sitting just listening to music, I was in such a relaxed state. I was in that in-between state of awake and sleep. It had been a long time since I just relaxed, enjoyed chilling to music. So relaxed, dozing off. Then I heard this song. ...

Well, it seems the best laid plans of mice and men  are in play here. We are weathering a storm just 2 days days before a planned trip to a wonderful mountain retreat for a wedding. A wedding we CANNOT MISS - it is our daughters wedding!  Despite my huge effort to travel BEFORE the storm (see above - daughter's wedding I CANNOT MISS), an argument with the poor airline customer service rep, and hours on the phone, we are stuck here with a storm,  now named IAN , I had just finally convinced the airline to waive the change fees and fare difference exorbitant price, as at the time there were no warnings yet, it was all for nothings as just then we found out the last seat was taken. No more empty seats before the storm was due to arrive. At some point, between closing hurricane shutters and filling water vessels, hubby shared this gem of a song with me. Hurricane Gilbert hit Jamaica in 1988. I don't mean clipped, I mean went across the entire country from one end to the oth...

Wow, I hadn't heard this song in YEARS! And here it was...but modern, heavy, cool! We watched Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw - our Saturday night 'date' movie. I wasn't real excited to watch it, but when it started with this song, my mood changed. Was this that song I used to LOVE? Wait, it IS Time in a Bottle , but ROCKIN'!! Okay, this could be a good movie then, if they picked that song , my warped thinking was (it was almost midnight....) And I actually enjoyed the movie, even though it was a completely predicable ridiculous action movie, it was entertaining.  This version, the cover of this oldie but goodie, it was not bad! The song is one of the few songs I learned to play with few mistakes (mostly) on the piano. I have a music box that plays this song. I love this song, and have since the 1970's. I always loved the original Jim Croce song. Yes, it is one of those AM Radio songs I heard playing in the kitchen when I was young. But this cover w...

 A little positive thinking for this Monday. Here we are staring at only a few full work weeks until that cozy holiday, Christmas, coming up. One we hope we can at least see a small group of family or friends.  I am honestly tired of thinking about yesterday, and each day, these days. Though each day does bring a little bit more hope, I am struggling through the todays lately. I have had enough of this stress. Yes 2020 has tested all our strengths, revealed our weaknesses. We have many of each. Just when I think a today may be alright, the day 'explodes' with something that has happened, some news, and I am stressed again.  Tomorrow is all we have to look forward to. It will soon be here, we sure hope. And tomorrow will be better, it has to be. If each day can get a little better, we may just be ok. Here's hoping it WILL be better than before. There is so much potential in tomorrow. We can open our eyes, and see things in a different way. I like having this song in my h...

 Aimlessly scrolling this morning, while I enjoy my coffee, I came across this: I sang it to hubby, and yup, he said bang bang . No finger guns though. Perhaps he wasn't the finer gun type. But me? Well.... Now -  I am the warrior ...well I am the warrior...and heart to heart you'll win...if you survive..... Finger guns and all. I am right there, back in 1984, with my besties...back then we didn't call each other that. We called each other sisters, BFFs perhaps. We were a group of 8, then 10. The Great 8 Plus 2 . Inseparable in those crazy years, gathering at one of our houses (whosever parents were out of town, preferably, but not necessarily. We could cause a bit of trouble with or without parents around).  I even had the half a head of short hair, half a head of longer hair, hair cut - oh so 80's style. One of my friends cut my hair in this "hip" style, and cut part of my ear along with it! I am missing a little bit of my left ear. We were definitely shooti...

It is never a bad way to end the weekend, watching The Big Lebowski . That we did, for the I don't know how many-eth time. We have seen it a lot. (Plus a little Monty Python , always a good time for that really.) But now back to work from my completely do nothing vacation, well staycation really. Honestly, I did a little more than nothing, but not much. I hardly cooked, didn't go anywhere but the grocery store, did minimal laundry (that still needs to be folded). I sat on the couch most of the time. I successfully lounged and read several kindle fun books. So this is a nice way to ease in to tackeling my work emails, a nice tune from Bob Dylan . (website here if you want to get lost in Bob ) Besides hubby requested it, and it is kinda nice to hear him sing along, even if he is immitating Bob, he is a bit better than Bob. But, if I have to play it again, and read him the lyrics, having heard him say one too many times 'What is that he said there?' , I may ...

As the daily news keeps plugging the negatively and violence, this past weekend we were reminded that when we work together we can accomplish huge things. We can go to SPACE ! We were reminded to look to the stars to remind us how small we really are, and to strive for big goals regardless of the hurdles. And soon, we could possible hitch a ride with a commercial spaceship!!! Of course, what other song is appropriate when thinking about going off to space? This past weekend, we were reminded we can get the heck off this earth and live in space by none other than NASA with  SpaceX and of course Bob and Doug  - the astronauts . (NO NOT Bob and Dough  McKenzie , though I could not get them out of my head whenever someone mentioned Bob and Doug taking off... , and I was tempted to use their song , but really Bowie's is better, imho, so take off, eh ? You hoser !).  It didn't sink in to me that we (humans) have been in space, living there in the ...

A very special installment of Music Monday. In these unusual times, special installments are to be expected. I am now working remotely and therefore have 2 extra hours in my day that I am not sitting in traffic. (You may just see more blogs from me) These times are unusual, our lives have suddenly changed. For one thing, I have noticed that we all are more aware of what is gong on in our bodies. And other people's bodies. Every little pain, every time we go up the stairs and have a little trouble breathing, every cough, every time someone near us coughs. We start asking the questions at the slightest tickle in our throats: Am I just hot or do I have a fever? Has anyone else taken their temperature a million times each day?  (asking for a friend....) Did that person REALLY just sneeze on me???  Do I have the COVID Virus? Many more I know, but let's get to the music! Brilliant, right? As with most Barenaked Ladies songs, the tune gets stuck on your head. ...

Yes, we did it. We got  a pup. Or should I say toddler. He is a doggy toddler. We named him Biko. He is a rescue doggy, and it has been quite the journey so far. I keep reminding myself of The 3's - 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months .  It has proven to be true and helpful to remember the stages. We are approaching the 3 months soon, so of course I had to do a Music Monday with the inspiration song, even though I mentioned on FB that because he chewed my laptop charger, a sock of mine, a bra of mine, hubby's earbuds, my running shoes, and now countless toy ducks in less than 10 minutes, he didn't deserve mention. But here I am, dedicating a blog to the loving and quite gentle, though energetic, coconut loving, Boxer-Pit-Something else mix, Biko. Named after a Youtube music listening session and going through a long list of names. We thought Biko was a good fit. He is a rescue, and was abused, and had a skin irritation. We took him in when others just couldn't. Biko roll...

I asked for suggestions, and a great cousin of hubby's said she was listening to  Led Zeppelin  yesterday. This request led to an evening of the band for me and hubby last night, and nearly all day streaming the band at work, until I found one that spoke to me, that fit. This one does, more or less . But seriously, so many good songs to choose from. So many! So many that brought back memories of my brother . He was the one who first introduced me to this band. Through his closed bedroom door. He was a musician, a true connoisseur of good rock music. So many hubby had stories about. He knows stories of the band members, and he introduced me to The Song Remains The Same movie . If you have a couple hours, check it out! It is worth it, I believe. The concert was at Madison Square Gardens, this video a part of it. They put on a great show, excellent musicians. And, story from hubby, Robert Plant didn't even realize he was rubbing his fingers through most of the concer...

A surprise suggestion, this song was. I asked a friend-who-is-family for some ideas, as I wanted to do a Music Monday this week, but was having trouble picking a song. Just didn't have any that felt right at the time. So this friend, who by the way is someone we (hubby first actually) 'met' online. Communicated for quite a while before actually meeting in person. But you just know when you click with someone and we are going on over 8 years of friendship, I believe, though it feels like we have known each other forever. She has been a wonderful addition to our extremely small circle of friends. She is 'auntie' to my kids, she is who I vent to almost on a daily basis via messages, she is always willing to listen unconditionally. And that, my dear readers, is hard to find these days. She became family. Source So after complaining I was not inspired by any songs, she said she would see what songs came on over dinner with her Mama, and give me some ideas. Her Ma...

My Bro - he never stopped ROCKIN' You can't mention the band Rush without me thinking of my older brother. I would have never heard Rush if it hadn't been for my brother. I didn't listen to that type of music usually. But at home, it was all we heard from behind his closed door. " The musicians band ", as I was told it was, I learned through my brother, and I learned to really enjoy actually. Well that, and Led Zeppelin , Yes , Deep Purple , Boston , Black Sabbath etc. A far cry from the pop music a young tween girl normally listens to.  I think of hearing music blasting from his bedroom when we were younger, door always closed, stereo always very loud. So loud it was like the door wasn't closed at all. It was the 80's, so all played on an old fashioned turn table and massive speakers that nearly took up his entire room. And I certainly didn't appreciate it then, but honestly, I did learn a lot about music from my brother. Even if he ...

Seriously - the only reason I picked this one is the last line in the song. It totally took me off guard, as I was enjoying some great old music Friday afternnoon , because I took off from work and was doing some much needed 'chilling'. It is a nice background song. I was just scrolling the internet, with this on in the backgroung, and enjoying the peace and relaxation of no work on a Friday afternoon. And of couse I was blogging too. And well, I hear the the last line, and it stopped me and I even said out loud 'did he really just say that'?  So enjoy this song, sit back, relax, go about your business with it playing.  And then hear what I would have told anyone of the  hovering office space invaders and paper pushers   if they approached me if I was working Friday afternoon. Here are the lyrics if you would like to see it, and use it as well.

Friday! We all wait for it, especially those of us who had to go back to 9-5 jobs. This has been a particularly long week.  Our office recently moved in to a new building, thus a new floor plan. Gone is my office, and I am back to cubicle working. In other words, every 15 minutes I have some paper pusher coming to my desk and hovering until I notice they are there. Even hovering while I am on the phone. Or obviously busy doing something for the paper pusher who is still standing there ahead of them.  So much so a co-worker who was waiting on me to sign a check told one aggressive hovering office space invader  : 'Give her a minute she is doing something'.  This particular week, for whatever reason, was chock full of hovering office space invaders and paper pushers . Constantly interrupting me. Add the phone that seldom rings suddenly was ringing far too much - some cubiclists decided to stay at their desks and call me instead.  Dare I say, I was a...

With all that is going on in the world, I heard this song yesterday and absolutely love the message, the lyrics, the simple melody, the calmness of it. I said to hubby - "This is a beautiful message I wish I had told my sons , well my girl too, years ago. Maybe I should do this as a Music Monday and share it with them now!" As you all know, I have not been blogging for a while now, and so when he agreed I was a bit surprised! He is all for completely unplugging these days, with all the hacking, the people out there that can just steal your identity, and use the things you share against you. So I have been mainly quiet. Though with the current political circus going, on I have had to work hard to hold my toungue, for fear of unwelcome comments and unneccessary online drama. But to this he agreed, as he loved this message too. And he feels just as strongly as I do about what I hint at below. All I will say about it is that is is a sad day when a man is rewarded for sexua...

This song brings back memories of Easter and church for me. It was played many Easters at our church when I was growing up. My father was the organ player, and I loved to hear him play this in practice at home, and then again at church. When I heard it playing Cat Sevens version on the radio, I loved it. A church song playing on the radio - how cool. I was then, and still am, a Cat Stevens fan . I was a kid then, I thought AM radio was cool. I still do actually - it WAS cool back in the 70's. Whatever it takes to bring the idea to the masses that we should give thanks. It was said by the editor of the hymnal it was first published in (In 1931) that:  " there was need for a hymn to give thanks for each day ." There IS a need to give thanks each day. A habit I have been trying to keep up with. So give thanks, even though it is Monday. Give thanks that we have..... beautiful music , sunshine , rainfall , wind , chocolate (I am sure you all have...

Beautiful random music brought on by the wonderful nature of wind. I love windchimes. We love windchimes, hubby, kids and me. They are beat up, sure, but looks hardly matter when they fill the air with such beautiful sounds. Our old place, 2 places ago, we hung our windchimes up and enjoyed the beautiful music. For about a week. Then, our upstairs neighbor complained to the managment company about them and we were asked in no uncertain terms to take them down. What kind of crap was that? Seriously. I won't linger there on those negative thoughts and feeling. I don't want to harbour those things. I am so thankful that we have a better place to live now. One that has no such restrictions. I am so thankful that we have a windchime up now. And this weekend's project? Re-stringing a winchime. And emptying out the warehouse where 2 more project windchimes are. Nothing like the porchfull of winchimes we had more than 10 years ago, but a decent collection st...

I have always been a fan of Train , loved their first album way back in 1998 when their debut album came out. I will never forget listening to that in our old bedroom, with all 3 kids piled in our bed, and taking naps to it. They are a poetic band, as I have mentioned before , which is part of the appeal for me. Too 'poppy' most of the time for hubby, and now the kids, but I still like them. I have been nostalgic lately. Especially since I have been unpacking things that have been in boxes in the warehouse for more than 3 years! Things I forgot we had, games like dominoes and Monoply we used to play with the kids, curtains I made for their playroom over 10 years ago! I have been enjoying looking back on memories, listening to old music. Which is why I bring back this band. The times where we napped on weekends to this band make me feel warm and comfortable, and full of love. It is sad to me that the issues in this song are even more extreme than they were back th...

Merry Christmas to everyone and Joy to the World! I am glad Music Monday fell on Christmas this year, so that I could share with you a song that is sort of Christmassy, and plenty groovy. (I don't know about you but I am kind of sick of Christmas music...thank you Three Dog Night for spreading joy in a groovy way.)  Yesterday, I was so thankful Christmas Eve was a Sunday. You see, here where I am now, Sunday is a day where businesses are closed and it truly is a relaxing day. No running to the store, to pick up last minute things. No shopping till midnight, no grasping for that 'little something' you wanted to get. If you hadn't finished Saturday, you are out of luck. It is an adjustment, as living stateside you are accustomed to being able to shop on Sundays. Once you don't have that "luxury", you are forced to simply relax on Sundays. And it is a perfect way to spend Christmas Eve. Thus you get a Music Monday this week, as I have today to relax ...

So two whole days just flew right by.... Really, I did try to get a Music Monday done, but there was just so much other crap to be done. The days just slipped right on by. So here we are, Hump Day . What other song would fit? Plus, when you happen to mention ' doing the humpty hump ' more than once in a week, well this song HAS to get the heck outta your head. And I DID reference this song more than once this week....so you know things are a bit crazy..... source And why the heck not dance? I find in times of great stress, even the thought of dancing eases the stress a little , especially in the kitchen while making dinner (which I do regularly...). As Mr. Humpty Hump says: I'm spunky. I like my oatmeal lumpy. So, outta my head, into yours.  This little retro hip hop rap ditty is sure to get you through this hump day.