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OK, you’ll enjoy this story much more if you use your best Irish or Scottish accent as you read. Even if you read it to yourself and you don’t read it out loud. You’re already doin’ it. Aren’t ya? Yeah, the way that power of suggestion works is a mystical phenomenon.
And speakin’ of a mystical phenomenon.Have you ever heard of the Blue Celtic Cloud?
Some say it’s not just a vapor. Not just part of the sky. And some will swear the Blue Celtic Cloud is even more than just a mystical phenomenon. They’ll swear it’s a living, shimmering “entity” that floats above the verdant highlands and rugged coastlines of Eire.
In fact, I heard a story about it. And I’ll share the story with you now. Word for word.
(by the way, your accent is delightful)
Anyway…
Rhiannon, a young druidess, was the guardian of the aforementioned Blue Celtic Cloud. She had inherited this sacred duty from her grandmother, Maeve. And Maeve had whispered tales of the cloud’s power into Rhiannon’s ears ever since she was a child.
Maeve told her the Blue Celtic Cloud was no ordinary puff of vapor. Not at all. Because it contained the dreams and hopes of the Celtic people. And it could transform those dreams and hopes into healing rain to nourish the earth and all who with open hearts to music.
And one crisp morning, during the last few days of Spring, as a mist kissed the heather-covered hills, Rhiannon felt a drop of water on her forehead. The Blue Celtic Cloud was swirling with a luminous energy. Even as the rest of the world was quiet and still.
Emerald greens, rich purples, and sunlit golds shined from within.So, Rhiannon chanted ancient incantations she learned from her grandmother. And the Blue Celtic Cloud descended and surrounded her in a soft, glowing mist.
A gentle rain began to fall. But the strange thing about it was that Rhiannon didn’t get wet. Because the rain fell directly into her heart. Or at least it felt that way. And she could also feel the dreams and hopes of the Celtic people as beautiful music also found its way to her heart. And, without even realizing it, the song made her smile.
It sure was a whimsical, wonderful mystical phenomenon. But sadly, Rhiannon had no one to share the song with. So, she sang it to the Blue Celtic Cloud. And she asked the Cloud to send it to someone, someday, some way, who could and would pass it on to others.
And the Blue Celtic Cloud promised to do just as she asked.Finally, hundreds of years later, the Cloud found an unsuspecting, but willing, songwriter to write down the words and compose the song.
And that’s how the ninth song on my Lullabye Bye collection of lullaby songs for kids came about. Cross my heart and hope to fly.
Listen to a sample of “Blue Celtic Cloud,” as well as all the other songs in the Lullabye Bye collection here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV4pKjLJWgg)
And it shouldn’t take a mystical phenomenon for you to jump on over to the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop to get your special kids their very own Lullabye Bye coloring, drawing songbook. And did I mention, there’s a link, in the book, to download all the songs?
Well, there is. So, download your Lullabye Bye book in the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop right now.
Stay tuned…
The post Mystical phenomenon, in this song, goes on and on appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
When I was a kid, I’d almost always be the first one to get up. And I’d sneak into the kitchen and pour myself a bowl of cereal. Not every day was a cereal day. Because moms knew growing kids need a variety of nutrients. But a bowl (or two) of that tasty goodness could take you all the way to lunch. Of course, that was back before cereal (and just about all other food) was so manipulated with additives and preservatives. But that’s a whole ‘nother rabbit hole.
Anyway…
Even as a kid I’d savor my cereal day alone time.And there only the sound of my own crunching on Cheerios, or corn flakes, or whatever was available. And I’d stare out the window. Because I loved to watch the birds and squirrels as they gathered up and ate their food. There was so much hustle and bustle right out in the front yard. But it was also so peaceful and quiet.
Back then, kids weren’t allowed to have coffee. At least not in our household. But I didn’t mind. Because that “grownup” beverage tasted awful to me. And I never needed that caffeine boost to wake up.
These days the first thing I do, in the morning, is get a drink of water from my ProPur (now Pro One) gravity filter. Then, I pour some more of that wonderful water (with fluoride filtered out and minerals left in) for my coffee. And I enjoy the aroma as the brewing begins. That first cup, with a bit of honey and cream or butter, wakes up the first layer of brain cells where my imagination lives. And as those cells roam around freely inside my head, groups of words start to form.
And on a Saturday morning, 11 years ago, this group of words formed.
Saturday Morning Breakfast CerealSaturday morning breakfast cereal
Floating in a big, blue bowl…
Oaty oat circles spinning in spoonfuls
Milk dripping out of control.
Saturday morning sunshine prisms
Sparkle on a glass of juice,
Bouncing like BB’s clicking on concrete
Luminous lights let loose.
Saturday morning cartoon silliness
Playing on the TV screen…
Bozos and birdbrains, rockets and robots
Every week the same routine.
Saturday morning breakfast cereal
Wakin’ up a sleepyhead…
Saturday morning breakfast cereal
The reason to get out of bed.
© 2013
And that’s just one of about 110 pages of rhymes and drawings you’ll find in my book: “Ginormous Humongous Tremendous Book of Poems and Short Bedtime Stories For Kids“
But I have to warn you, it might be the most expensive coloring and drawing book of poems and short stories you’ve ever seen. Because there’s more delight packed into this one book than you’re likely to see in another book anywhere. Well, at least until my next one comes out. Anyway…here’s your link, if you dare…
(https://www.amazon.com/Ginormous-Humongous-Tremendous-Bedtime-Stories/dp/1661314422)
Stay tuned,
The post Cereal day so far, far away appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
For a long time I sang for my supper. And breakfast, lunch, and snacks. And I sang for my monthly bills, my gasoline consumption, and even my cool clothes. When you can pay your way as a musician, do you know what they call you? Yeah, somebody who should get a real job. Wait a second! That’s not right. They call you a professional musician. Or professional entertainer. Or something like that.
For 25 years I played just about every kind of venue a professional musician could play. And I’d take all the paid bookings I could fit into my calendar. Sometimes the feast would include 7 nights a week and additional day gigs on the weekend. And sometimes the famine would be a weak weekender.
But I got to live the life of a professional musician.And I didn’t have to compete with free.
But once every Tammy, Jane, and Mary had a computer with the power to rip music off discs and send it all around the globe for free, the professional musician days were changed forever.
At first I despised what had become of the world of music. And, on certain levels, I still do. But then, technology began to offer ways for singer/songwriters to keep more of their intellectual property. Of course, it’s a pipe dream to think anyone can hold on to all of their intellectual property any more. But when you can at least offer it up in ways that aren’t so easy to rip and steal, you gotta try.
So, in the past few years I started offering my music collections in physical books. I haven’t been actively trying to sell downloads and certainly not discs for a while. And if you’re one of those people who’ve supported my efforts by buying my books, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I want you to know YOU are the kind of person who I want to keep on producing music for.
As my circumstances permit, I hope to have more stuff you haven’t heard before. In the meantime, you’ll find my physical music offers in links below. And here’s my ode to the…
Invisible Song MachinesThe times will come in everyone’s life
When changes have to occur.
The reasons could be obvious, or
They might even be a blur.
One of those times is happening now.
It’s somewhere behind the scenes…
Where the melodies quickly become
Invisible song machines.
Value is lost down deep in a world
Increasingly wanting “free.”
So, I’m moving my music around
To places listeners can see.
Places where I think they’ll connect
With those who connect with me.
If you believe I’ve got it all wrong
Then certainly, by all means,
Continue to get your free songs from
Invisible song machines.
© 2019
Use this link (and share it with everybody you know) to jump on the Rhyme and Reason Bandwagon and get my really refreshing rhymes and reasons delivered to you with no chargeroo.
Some other complimentary stuff, too.
Stay tuned,
The post Professional musician times before these reasons and rhymes appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
I don’t fly the unfriendly skies anymore. Because I don’t wanna be stuck in an unsanitary tube, soaring through the air at 35000 feet up, with a passenger list that includes people who hate each other and God.
But, hey, that’s probably just me.
Anyway…
Here’s why I bring up my aversion to airline travel (the same is true for just about any mass transit).
Whatever happens in this world is temporary. When you know you’re gonna live forever with the one, true, living, loving Creator of heaven and earth, you should be able to trust Him and be of good cheer. One day you’ll leave this world full of hardships and filthiness and live forever in a real paradise. And it won’t be some Hollywood, make-believe, physics-defying world of mystical magic. It’ll be a real place with real human beings and real surroundings.
And most importantly, the real God.
Wait. You ARE going. Right?
Please tell me your name is already on the passenger list?Because your ticket has already been paid for and all you gotta do is sign your name, so to speak. Yeah, you definitely need to confirm you wanna make the trip. And all it takes is humility. If you wanna know more about it, I’ll be glad to share whatever I can to help. Because I’d sure like to see you, one day, in that…
Real ParadiseI don’t believe
In magic…hocus pocus.
I do believe
My treasure’s where I focus.
Jesus, Redeemer, Creator of Heaven
Tells every dear Christian who dies…
We will be with him forever and ever.
Now I call that real paradise.
You can receive
A blessing you can’t pay for.
What would you waste
Another single day for?
Jesus, the Savior, and Great Overcomer
Will love you and open your eyes.
There is no sin that His blood will not cover.
Now, I call that real paradise.
Instrumental…
I love the way His promise won’t forsake me.
And there’s no end to where His Grace will take me.
Jesus, the Lamb, without spot without blemish,
The Truth who the world still denies.
The world is against me, but Jesus is for me.
Now I call that real paradise.
© 2001-2009
Stay tuned,
Enjoying my radically rational Rhyme and Reason world? Then, follow the links to even more rooms and regions.
Buy books and music from me:
- (https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B008R08LUG/allbooks)
- https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/author
- https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/singer-songwriter
Or tell those you care about to jump on the Rhyme and Reason Bandwagon: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com OR Subscribe to the Rhyme and Reason Podcast: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-podcast
The post Passenger list includes you if you want it to appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
I remember Ted Kennedy’s shaky voice, during a eulogy for his brother Robert, as he quoted George Bernard Shaw who said, “Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.” I’m not sure Ted OR Robert were capable of anything more than why and why not questions. I hope so. But I won’t know until I leave this world. And maybe then it won’t matter. But I DO know that KNOWING why is awesome.
Because knowing why melts away a lot of the wondering in the world.And the biggest why question is the one about our existence. Why are we here? If you don’t KNOW the answer to that, you’re liable to come up with all sorts of foolish stuff. Not the least of which (in fact, maybe the most of which) is how everything came from nothing.
Foolishness. And for one main human reason. And one main supernatural reason.
The human reason is: there’s NO such thing as nothing.
The supernatural reason: something from nothing isn’t natural. It doesn’t happen. So, if it DID happen, it would have to be supernatural. Above that which is natural. Outside of all that is natural. Beyond everything that is natural.
Supernatural!
Uh-oh. That takes us toward a supernatural Designer. Because all of creation is FULL of design. And you can’t logically look at design and say it happened all by itself. You know, automatically, it had a designer. And this highly complex world, solar system, galaxy, and universe we live in is held together by design. Not accidentally.
I pondered that sort of thing, way back in 1987, when I still hadn’t found the love of my life. And I wrote a poem (because, yeah, that’s what real thinking men do) about my questions. A lot of why questions. But I ended the poem with an acknowledgment of my ability to KNOW even when I didn’t have an answer. And here’s how it went/goes…
Knowing WhyI pause; I wonder,
And see myself through a magnifying glass.
l ask a question,
And give myself a test that I may never pass.
I yearn for freedom;
I don’t belong in a complicated life.
My needs are simple;
A mountain home and perhaps a loving wife.
So why can’t I make this happen?
Why don’t my dreams come true?
Why is the picture always fading?
And why can’t I change my view?
Why don’t things change no matter how I try?
And why do I constantly ask myself why?
I sit. l listen,
And try to hear all the music in my head.
A song; a feeling.
I need someone to understand what I’ve said.
When I’m being optimistic
I know I’ll be fine.
Asking why is realistic;
Knowing why, divine.
© 1987 (August 26)
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Your support means more than you know. And in case you’d like to know how you can…
Buy books and music from me:
- (https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B008R08LUG/allbooks)
- https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/author
- https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/singer-songwriter
Or tell those you care about to jump on the Rhyme and Reason Bandwagon: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com OR
Subscribe to the Rhyme and Reason Podcast: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-podcast
The post Knowing why makes me a happy guy appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
I think about what she said, more often, these days.
I’m talkin’ about what my Grandmother said, as I sat on her front porch snapping green beans with her. It was during a couple of years when my brother and I lived with our Dad’s parents while he worked on setting up a new home life.
Dad and Mom divorced when I was about four and my brother was two and a half. Since he was given custody of us, he asked our Grandparents to take care of us, most of the time, so he could find another wife and someone who could be the “mother figure” in our lives. This was, of course, before feminism ruined so many households. But that’s another topic for another time.
Anyway…
Back to what my Grandmother said.
And I don’t think enough old people tell young people this stuff these days.I remember it like it was yesterday. Despite the fact that it was decades ago. Grandmother sat on her porch chair, the metal clamshell style, with a large enameled metal bowl, full of green beans from their back yard garden, in her lap. I sat in the other chair with a smaller bowl in my lap. And we snapped green beans. And she talked while I listened.
“Enjoy this peaceful, wonderful day, and don’t take it for granted,” she said. “Because, one of these days, you might be my age and most of, or all of, the people you love will be gone for good.”
I remember thinking to myself, “Why do old people talk this way?” Of course, being a pre-schooler, I couldn’t have seen how Grandmother was speaking from experience. I was too young to grasp the depth of her advice. But, even a young age, I had enough respect for my elders to listen and pay attention.
And for some reason, I enjoyed snapping green beans.
Now, let’s fast forward to THESE days.
I’m about 10 years older than Grandmother was when she gave me that advice. And as of 2021, the fullness of her prediction came true. All those people I loved, except for my brother, are gone for good. In February, it’ll be three years ago already that Mom was the last to go.
They’re all gone.But I’m one of the fortunate ones in this world. Because I have the hope of seeing them again. Because my Grandparents AND my parents believed in and trusted Jesus.
I know. At first you thought I was just gonna share a little of my good ol’ Americana story. But then I had to go and spoil it all by saying something about Jesus. (side note: for some reason Frank and Nancy Sinatra popped into my mind)
But here’s the thing.
I would never have any nostalgic stories to share if it wasn’t for Jesus. And neither would you for that matter. Because He created us. For crying out loud, without a Manufacturer, there are NO manufactured goods. Without a Designer, there’s no design. Without a Creator, there’s no creation. You get the idea. Right?
The image of sitting on the porch with my Grandmother came into my head after I read about a Christian brother whose wife died a couple of days ago. And this has recently happened with a couple of my other friends, too. Fortunately, each of them has the hope of seeing their wives again. And that hope is because of their faith in Jesus.
If you’re reading this without that kind of hope, I hope that changes for you very soon.
Because these days the end of this world is closer than you’ve ever known.You don’t know, for certain, you’ll even make it to lunch. And without the hope of life after death, that uncertainty will only lead to torment. And even though most people in the world ignore the solution to that problem, it’s so easy to avoid. But the solution requires humility. The kind of humility that selfish people don’t wanna think about.
Humility that says there IS a God of creation, you’re NOT Him, and He IS the source of faith, hope, and love.
Most people who read what I write or listen to what I say already know this. But if you just happened to land on my website, or someone else sent you this message, maybe you need to hear that your problems DO have a solution. And if it makes sense and you want the problems solved, don’t put it off. Remember…
“Enjoy this peaceful, wonderful day, and don’t take it for granted. Because, one of these days, you might be my age and most of, or all of, the people you love will be gone for good.”
There’s no difference when going first to last.
Lord we need you like generations passed.
Give us strength for this life.
And help us always focus our gaze,
With our eyes on the Prize, because these…
Are the Bible days.
(from the song of the same name)
By the way I can always use your support to help me keep the nearly 3000 posts I’ve shared on my website available to the world that needs to see and hear about the one, true, living, loving God of creation. So, see if one of my books suits your fancy. Get one for yourself or for someone you love. Here’s a link to check ‘em out:
(https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B008R08LUG/allbooks)
Stay tuned,
The post These days will be gone. Will you go on? appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
I can hardly believe it’s already been almost 4 years. But the calendar doesn’t lie. And the metadata in the documents I saved doesn’t either. Yeah, almost 4 years since I produced rough cuts to several new songs. And I have a couple of main reasons why I call them “rough cuts.” One of those songs is called “I Can Do.” And, yes, it’s one of the many songs I’ve written where I swim upstream against current trends. But so be it.
It’s part of my job description to swim upstream against the trends of the world.And, no, I don’t get some sort of surreptitious pleasure from going against the grain. In fact, I wish my worldview and songwriting style were more the norm. But that ain’t gonna happen. So I know those opportunities I passed up on, back in the day, for recording deals, are the only ones I’ll ever have.
But I know the One who created me, AND made sure I can live forever, is much more pleased with my choice. And He said the world hated Him before it ever hated me. So, I’m in the best of company.
Anyway…
Back to those songs. There are seven of them. So far. And I have a deep and abiding desire to produce them from rough cuts to smooth. But, to my constant consternation, for six years, respiratory issues have kept me from accomplishing that goal. And my wife and I have moved to two entirely different parts of the country to hopefully help alleviate those issues.
Right now I’m gaining some cautious optimism that maybe I’m making some progress (Your prayers are desired and appreciated). And I hope I can do some recording, soon, and make some tracks. Sadly I’ve had that hope dashed against the rocks a few times in the past six years. But the thing about real hope is, it springs eternal.
So, that being said, here’s a snippet of lyrics from a little song in B flat called…
I Can DoOutside the lines the grass is greener.
But that will not change my demeanor.
Because my life runs like a river.
I’ll take what all my days deliver.
I know the morning sun will shine,
And so, I’ll draw another line.
I’ll keep a box of all my most important things
Inside my heart where they can be
A constant song of joy to me.
I love the sound of optimism when it sings.
I can do…what I need to. I know it’s so, so I can do!
The rest is reserved for when I fully produce this song and the others. Until then, you can dive into lots of my other songs, AND all kinds of books, when you click or tap this link:
(https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B008R08LUG/allbooks)
Stay tuned,
The post I Can Do. And in B flat, too appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
They’re not scary when you use even a little of the wisdom and discernment your Creator is willing to give you. I’m talking about health headlines. But if you read them without wisdom and discernment, as if they’re actually full-blown facts, you might start feeling like calling up the suicide hotline.
Because the vast majority of news sources would prefer you to stay locked down, inside your house, and in front of your computer or TV with fear in your heart. Of course, I could just be a conspiracy nut. And, in that case, skip the rest of this raving rant. Save yourself some more time for the fear news.
But check out these health headlines from today 1/4/2024 before you go:* FDA probes side effects of weight-loss drugs * Possible Ozempic side effects including hair loss and suicidal thoughts probed by FDA * FDA examining side effect reports with Lilly, Novo obesity drugs * Highly contagious measles exposures in Philadelphia announced in unvaccinated residents * Flu misery, COVID on the rise due to lack of vaccination * ‘Take prevention seriously’: SC urges caution as respiratory illness remain high * SC flu cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise following holiday season * As flu cases spike, local hospital adjusts visiting policies
For 50 years I’ve been writing and talking about how this kind of world could and would happen. At first it was innocuous “laws” and policies to simply “provide protection” from accidents. You know. Helmets for motorcycles. And seatbelts for cars. I’m not against those, by the way. But the “laws?” Not so much.
I’m not gonna bore you with some decades long timetable. Because all that data probably wouldn’t change 1 mind out of 10. Probably wouldn’t turn 1 person’s heart, out of 10, toward their Maker.
I CAN tell you the news isn’t likely to get better any time soon.And that includes health headlines, business headlines, and political headlines. So, I just recommend that you at least scan the headlines and bullet points on major news sites. And don’t be surprised when you see how similar, almost eerily similar, they are to each other. It all reminds me of the lyrics I wrote over 25 years ago. It was a song called Cliché. Here’s a verse…
We want to live in a fat-free environment, and
We want to make sure the ozone is intact.
And so we watch all those service commercials, and
It’s just so easy to sit back and react.
Is it just melodrama…for me to feel this way?
I wonder…is it just me?
Or does it all sound so cliché?
Does it sound that way? So cliché?
Cliché, and 12 other songs are included in my Do Right songbook journal. Get yourself a copy on Amazon today. It won’t build your immune system. But it might help you connect with the One who designed that system.
Stay tuned,
The post Health headlines today keep common sense away appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
With all the randomness in the universe, and our cute, little solar system, it’s a wonder that we can predict the moon phases with such accuracy. But we’re so good at it (and by “we” I mean earthlings) that we … Read the rest
The post Moon phases and my mind glazes appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
I don’t know why it is. But fat, old guys seem to be the typical Harley riders. And before you look for the page turn or delete button, I’m not gonna ramble on about fat, old guys on motorcycles. I’m … Read the rest
The post Fat old guys out in front of your eyes appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
It’s not a new cop show. Nope. The Grace and Glory I’m talkin’ about is found in the one story that makes ALL history possible. And this is true whether you believe in the God of the Bible or not. … Read the rest
The post Grace and glory in a singular story appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
Just about everybody has a bedtime routine. It makes sense. Because humans are creatures of habit. Like brushing your teeth and changing into pajamas. Those activities just become something you do without having to put a lot of thought and … Read the rest
The post Bedtime routine is that time in between appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
It’s 33 miles in a round trip. And I read where it’s apparently America’s only “urban byway.” And that means it’s a scenic byway (on the National Register) closer to an urban area (Denver) than any other anywhere. And since … Read the rest
The post Lariat Loop where the eagles swoop appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
I remember, even way back in the 20th century when I was a kid, how pastors could get fire-and-brimstone fired up. And how they’d want some feedback. So, a lot of them would say something with particular emphasis and ask, … Read the rest
The post Can I get an Amen? Yes, again and again. appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
Infinitely creative. That’s the way you might imagine somebody who could conjure up designs for the universe and everything in it. And if you found out that the same person could get it all built in only six days, you … Read the rest
The post Infinitely creative with love that’s qualitative appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
My songwriter journal Over the years I’ve seen my songwriter journal go from a spiral notebook to what your reading right now. This blog post. I remember carrying my nineteen cent Bic pen around in my teeth like a chewed … Read the rest
The post Songwriter journal for the bright eyed and nocturnal appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
Don’t do these things “Don’t” is a book with a list of things not to do. The funny thing is…you can’t do these things. Even if you wanted to. There’s also a song about it (which you can hear in the Rhyme and … Read the rest
The post Don’t drink a cola up your nose or put a building on your toes appeared first on Tony Funderburk.
Put on Your Music Pajamas There once was a little kid named Meep who didn’t like to sleep. He thought the whole world would disappear while his eyes were closed. Could a simple, silly pair of music pajamas change Meep’s mind about what … Read the rest
The post Music pajamas mamas llamas and the Bahamas appeared first on Tony Funderburk.