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Post by winter on Nov 24, 2012 13:22:27 GMT -5
In the spirit of the holiday, I wanted to express humble gratitude to those of you who embraced a stranger with such kind, encouraging words. A simple thank you from my heart. I am grateful for everyone here who posts words, ideas, pics, vids that are special to them - often opening a new window for me. I am grateful to Adam for so many things but maybe especially for modeling authenticity, warmth and kindness in a business where it's often not 'cool' and posturing is the norm. The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.
― Oscar Wilde Nikki - Your precious dragonfly pic reminds me of the Garden's resident dragonfly. Thank you. Mika - I cost you something though you say otherwise. Know you are special and not alone; you quietly inspire me. Somewhere along the way, someone is going to tell you "there is no 'I' in team." What you should tell them is, "Maybe not. But there is an 'I' in independence, individuality, and integrity." - George Carlin |
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mirages
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Post by mirages on Nov 24, 2012 13:45:19 GMT -5
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annala
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Post by annala on Nov 24, 2012 18:04:29 GMT -5
Such a wealth of postings and images today - and I hardly know where to begin - but I want to start with your posts, Mika. You are right in that there seems to be a number of us animal lovers on this site. The Fiona Apple post is particularly touching for those of who have had cherished pets, as we know the unconditional love and companionship that they can give us simply by just being themselves. And on your post on the effect of different languages and styles in music was sort of wonky, but yet interesting too. For myself, I love Italian opera, and I'm sure part of the appeal to me is the use of vowels in singing that lend themselves to the beauty of musical expression. Somehow the staccato and clipped expressions in English or other languages can't always quite do it. One of the YouTubes that I love of Adam's is when he is singing "Shir LaShalom" in Hebrew during a High Holy Day presentation. Here he sings with two other women and also a background chorus, but when he is singing on his own, his voice just soars in sublime purity and clarity. I never tire of listeing to this performance (even though I don't understand the words at all). And now, Nikki, that stunning bird. I really only know North American birds, so I don't know the identity of this bird - but I think it is a blackbird of some sort and most probably a bird of the tropics. If I took the time, I could maybe figure it out - but for now I just wanted to point out that many blackbirds can have a beautiful irridescent sheen - even those pesky common blackbirds and grackles - just have to get past their "pesky-ness" and look at an individual closely. Yesterday ("Black Friday") a couple of birding friends and I went out to Panoche Valley - a wide flat valley used mainly for sheep ranching out in the middle of nowhere west of Hollister CA and nestled between rugged hills on either side. We saw eagles, ravens, falcons, and two roadrunners, one of which came right up to our car and walked right around it ("roadrunner" indeed!). But our prize was a flock of Mountain Bluebirds - birds of the American West, primarily in drier mountains and the Great Basin - some of these birds spend their winters here in Panoche. These small bluebirds are like pieces of sky dropped down to Earth - and they glow with such an intense blue that no picture can do justice. It's kind of like seeing and hearing Adam live. I appreciate and treasure his performances on YouTube, his albums and such, but seeing and hearing him live brings a whole other dimension. Seeing Mountain Bluebirds wild and free is the same sort of thing in order to really appreciate their magic and beauty. So, here's a picture of a Mountain Bluebird, very typically posed on a barbed wire fence in the midst of barren ranchlands.  And the male really is that blue! |
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nikki
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Post by nikki on Nov 24, 2012 19:34:05 GMT -5
What an incredibly beautiful page to wake up to on a hot, sunny, Sunday morning :wub: Warmth, kindness and simple pleasures. Hoopla, here is Kay's quote, which I loved as well, and is well worth repeating (I hope you don't mind, Kay, since you didn't post it here): Just wanted to say that you guys are all so awesome. If I commented everytime I laughed at the humor, marveled over the artistry, drooled over a picture, were awed by the dedication, relished a piece of information, enjoyed your company, nodded in agreement etc etc then you'd see me on every page. Consider yourselves ALL so very appreciated! , Nikki's comments made a lot of sense. I can think of musical equivalents from my era to those of today who grate on my nerves. But it is the lack of diversity on radio that I find the hardest to deal with. Like Nikki, I vividly remember listening to bublegum pop mixed with what are now classics. And that photo of Adam could be spammed on every page and I'd be happy. Guess it wouldn't be considered "spam" ;D. Annala, I lived in Mauritius for two years when I was a very young girl. There were many exotic things, including having a pet chimpanzee, eating fresh lychees and tamarinds, drinking sugar sap as the cane was cut in the fields, the wooden floors being polished with a half dried coconut shell, voodoo - and trying to trap red cardinals all day using a washing basket and string (we never caught any). That is my only birding experience so far. Winter, thank you. I've enjoyed knowing more about you. This is for you:  |
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annala
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Post by annala on Nov 24, 2012 19:48:38 GMT -5
Quick - ooops! - for whatever it's worth. :-/
I should have written that Panoche Valley is east of Hollister, not west. If you go west from Hollister, you'll reach Monterey Bay.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2012 20:42:16 GMT -5
That's a purple starling! They are so gorgeous! I love birds, I just find all animals really fascinating. I wanted to be a zoologist (specifically a cryptozoologist) when I was younger but I was crap at biology  |
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nikki
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Post by nikki on Nov 24, 2012 23:20:05 GMT -5
^^^^ ooooh, thank you  A man of many talents, despite the Biology blip! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2012 1:33:11 GMT -5
I've not seen one in person but if you look at videos they almost don't look real, especially the eyes. The most gorgeous animals ever though are birds of paradise, I want one!!!
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Post by seoulmate on Nov 25, 2012 3:54:06 GMT -5
oooooooh.... BEAUTIFUL BIRDS!!!!! :2tears: :2tears: You guys have to watch this!!  It looks best full screen.... And I promise I won't post anymore bird youtubes! |
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nikki
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Post by nikki on Nov 25, 2012 4:38:58 GMT -5
seoulmate, it's just so lovely to have you in the Moon Garden, post away. :wub: I imagine it's a topic close to your heart :-/. 
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