Dr. John's Blog: November 2014

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Changed for good

Listening to these on Kristin Chenoweth's recent PBS "Coming Home" broadcast brought tears to my eyes.

In case the video doesn't show up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGn2LX-bKFA

You will notice me
I'll be leaving my mark
Like initials carved
On an old oak tree
Just wait and see

Maybe I'll write like Twain wrote
Maybe I'll paint like Van Gogh
Hear the column called "I don't know
But I'm ready to start 'cause I'll know in my heart"

I wanna' do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna' do something better with the time I was given
I wanna' try to touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less than something that says "I was here"

I will prove you wrong
If you think I'm all talk
You're in for a shock
'Cause this dream's too strong
And before too long

Maybe I'll compose symphonies
Maybe I'll fight for world peace
'Cause I know it's my destiny
To leave more than a trace of myself in this place

I wanna' do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna' do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna' do something that matters
Say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna' do something better with the time I was given
I know that I will do more than just pass through this life
Leave nothing less than something that says "I was here"
I was here
I was here

SONGWRITERS
GARY BURR, HILLARY DAWN SCOTT, VICTORIA LYNN SHAW

In case the video doesn't show up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEdnIvnCko8

I've heard it said,
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn.
And we are lead to those
Who help us most to grow if we let them.
And we help them in return.
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you.

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun,
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you.
I have been changed for good.

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime.
So, let me say before we part:
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you.
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart.
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you'll have rewritten mine
By being my friend.

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea.
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
In a distant wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you...

Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good.

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done,
You blamed me for.

But then,
I guess,
We know there's blame to share.

And none of it seems to matter anymore.
Like a comet pulled from orbit
(Like a ship blown from its mooring)
As it passes a sun.
(By a wind off the sea)
Like a stream that meets a boulder
(Like a seed dropped by bird)
Halfway through the wood.
(In the wood)
Who can say if I've been changed for the better.
I do believe I have been changed for the better.

And because I knew you...

Because I knew you...

Because I knew you
I have been changed...
For good.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Fine house deux

More shots from 2013 (31.March & 2 & 3.April to be precise - yes there was a typo in the previous post - the pix were from 2013, too). Getting ready for Thanksgiving & putting final touches on the Franklin Nutcracker & the Jean Berger Magnificat & C.P.E. Bach flute concerto in d that I'll be playing in Marinette next month. Certainly hope the snow holds off the week I'll be traveling to & from there.

Hey, I'm napping

This is my centerfold spread

Pet my tummy?

Go away

Saturday, November 15, 2014

A very, very, very fine house

Dipping into the past (10, 13 & 20.Mar.2013 to be precise) for today's photos and a video of a purring, disguised Mimsy. Heading off after lunch to the "Cambridge Community" preview day @ the Harvard Art Museum (now all three collections, the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger & Sachler collections all under one roof. Went to the members-only day on Wed. Interesting how they've kept some of the collections in relatively the same place, with much expanded (and now climate-controlled) galleries elsewhere.