Music For Kids: Recent Episodes
Tony Funderburk
Hey, hey, it’s May and May Day. So, what do you say? I say hey! Let’s talk about the May birthstone. And in case you didn’t already know, it’s the beautiful emerald.
Emerald for a May birthstone makes sense when you learn more about it.Because the emerald is considered a symbol of rebirth. And superstitious people believe it has the power to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. Side note: Elizabeth Taylor owned an emerald pendant that sold for $6.5 million in 2011. So, it apparently was quite the specimen. But Liz still got old and died. Weird, right?
Anyway…
Let’s get back to more practical reasons why an emerald makes a great May birthstone. First, I read how the word emerald comes from the Greek word “smaragdus.” And that translates into green. So, it makes sense that a green gem would be appropriate for the time of year when everything blooms and leaves turn to green.
And second, a polished emerald sparkles like dew on a verdant grass lawn. And while I’m waxing poetic, a couple of years ago I wrote this rhyme that fits nicely into this time of year:
Emerald EmbraceI sat upon an emerald.
The green glow glazed my eyes.
And I beheld the art of God,
His brushstrokes in the skies.
The neon shone through bright chartreuse,
And pine and malachite,
And all the way into my heart
That still and liquid night.
I know, for God, the painting was
A glimpse of what will be,
In Heaven’s emerald embrace,
With Him eternally. © 2022
So, Happy May to you. And Happy May birthday. Oh, and if your kid’s birthday is this month, you should get them the Kiddin’ Around collection of songs. I don’t recall any references to emeralds. But one of the songs is called “Green Monkey.” The color green comes up quite a bit in the lyrics, and it’s a fun, springy tune.
See and listen to a video demo of the songs in the collection here: (https://youtu.be/dTZTtsyZQdk)
And download all 10 songs for $10 at this link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L6MAH2QKHU5J8
Stay tuned,
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Being a parent, especially one with a baby or young child, can be isolating.
That was a headline that caught my eye this morning. And maybe it’s just me (I doubt it), but that kind of parent seems like the selfish type.
But the article included some reasons why being a parent can be isolating.Now, hold on to your hat. Because there are some terrifying things parents do that bring on this problem:
- be sure bills are paid
- feed the kids
- navigate nap times and illnesses
- jam-packed extracurricular schedules and homework
- clean the house
And the article said a survey showed how, due to the demands of parenthood, 66% of the respondents feel isolated, lonely, and “burned out by their responsibilities as a parent.” And “38% of respondents said they don’t have anyone to support them in their parenting role.”
The survey reveals a lot of wimpy parents.Now, my wife and I didn’t experience the blessing of kids. So, on one level, I’m disqualified to pass judgment on parents who DID have kids. But here’s the thing. Stats, from all kinds of sources, say the average American household, in recent years, has about three people. So, for households with kids that means either 2 parents and a kid or 2 kids and a parent.
Any way you look at it, that’s not a lot. So, why all the “overwhelming feeling of exhaustion,” as described by an associate clinical professor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing. She said it like this:
“In this specific role of being a parent, it’s that ability to never really feel like you’re above water. And then that causes other things to start happening. Like feeling more detached from your children and less like you’re a good parent. Loneliness can really exacerbate a lot of those feelings.”
When I was a kid, WAY back in the 20th century, lots of households included more than one kid. In fact, many kids I grew up with came from families with 4 or 5 kids. And that was the case in both households I grew up in.
And even after I flew the coop I never heard my parents mention how burned out and isolated they felt during their full-time parenting years. It wasn’t because they never dealt with any serious issues. Every family has those. No, I believe selfishness has increased exponentially in recent years. Especially since “things” are easy and relationships aren’t.
I hope you’re not a parent who’s feeling detached from your kids.Because kids need parents (and grandparents, aunts, and uncles) who will help them transition into confident, responsible adults. So, my recommendation is to take the focus off self and put it on serving others. Just as the Navy commercials used to say, “It’s not just a job. It’s an adventure.”
And the best gift you give kids is the knowledge of what it takes to live forever. That’s when you store up your treasures in Heaven where no bank, no foreign power, and no tyrannical government can ever take the away from you.
One of the next best gifts you can give kids is a world of imagination they can find in words and music. And it just so happens I know where you can get some mighty fun words and music. In my “Kiddin’ Around” Collection. See and listen to a video demo of the songs here: (https://youtu.be/dTZTtsyZQdk)
And download all 10 songs for $10 at this link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L6MAH2QKHU5J8
Stay tuned,
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Information inside your cells determined whether you’d have brown or blue or green eyes. And it determined whether you’d have black or brown or blonde hair. AND whether you’d be a boy or a girl (Those are the only choices, by the way). Take a trillion trails of that information, see where it goes, and I believe you’ll come to the same conclusion I did: “Whoa, dude. That sounds complex. My head just exploded.”
And that’s just ONE trillion trails.You could take a lot more than that and still remain in the cells of one, single person. Yeah, you’re gonna need to stock up. Because that’s gonna be a long journey.
Think about the thoughts and memories you have floating around in your mind right now. Those thoughts and memories have no physical parts. In fact, you can’t feel, smell, taste, hear, or see them. And here’s the thing. They didn’t create themselves. Information can’t do that. It’s too complex.
I know I keep saying that, but I just can’t help myself. It’s tru. The information in the DNA of each of your cells is basically equal to a library with 4000 books. It’s like your body isn’t a single star. It’s a whole constellation.
So, to say that much data stored in the 37 trillion cells in your body happened by chance mutations is ludicrous (Not to be confused with “Ludacris” although he IS ludicrous).
Anyway…
Why would you (or anybody) prefer to believe in chance, circumstance, and some sort of mutations dance? And why wouldn’t you (or anybody) prefer to believe in the living, loving God who wants us to live forever? Chance, circumstance, and mutations don’t care whether you live or die. So they certainly don’t care if you live forever. In fact, they only contribute to your hopelessness. Until they eventually erase it altogether.
So. Whatcha gonna do with this information?Toss it aside? Make fun of it? Sure, those options are at your disposal. But you could also check out scientific links I’ve shared. Don’t take my word for it. And see if your belief system is challenged. Who knows? Maybe your belief system will change. That happens a lot when people open their eyes to the truth.
If it hasn’t already happened for you, I hope it does REAL SOON.
Through the trillion trails of starlight
Caught up in the constellations
Grows a great, galactic garden,
Fiery flowers in formations.
Watered with the words of wisdom,
The Designer deemed to say,
With love we can look and listen
To the Milky Way Bouquet.
© 2017
Milky Way Bouquet is an instrumental included on the popular collection of lullabies called “Lullabye Bye.” Get all the songs, in the unique songbook and coloring and drawing book for kids by the same title, from this link:
(https://www.amazon.com/Lullabye-Bye-Tony-Funderburk/dp/B08BWFWSLN)
Stay tuned,
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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,
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I just read a short article about a Milky Way black hole problem. And you’d better brace yourself. Because this is a serious problem. Here’s a snippet from that article: “A black hole with millions of times more mass than … Read the rest
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I hope you haven’t fallen into the SNAP trap. Because it’s obviously difficult to impossible to escape. And just imagine the horror you’d face without the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Brought to you by your most benevolent and trustworthy government. … Read the rest
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Warning. Blatant and obvious bias just ahead. I’m a musician. And I’m gonna share information with you that emphasizes the powerful, therapeutic advantages of music. So, you might feel yourself being drawn toward buying some of my music. And I … Read the rest
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Dream Town. I remember playing a multi-timbral sound on my fairly new Korg Triton keyboard several years ago. And the ethereal setting immediately set my imagination in motion. It was one of those magical moments songwriters love almost as much … Read the rest
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From here to Timbuktu. You’ve heard that expression or something like it. Right? Well, I’m not gonna give you a history lesson on where the expression originated or if it’s even a real place. But it DID inspire a toy … Read the rest
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Just like yours and mine, the unborn baby heart rate is improved with good breathing. At least that’s true if you can believe scientific observations. Sure, it sounds like crazy talk. But scientific observations, based on the obvious observations and … Read the rest
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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
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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
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Horse songs tend to have catchy rhythms. I guess it’s because of the hoofbeats. rimshot Thanks folks. I’ll be here all week. Be sure to tip your bartender and waitresses. Yes, I said waitresses. Don’t git yer stirrups all tangled … Read the rest
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Time flies. And time drags. And yet it’s all the same 24 hours every day. But circumstances are what can make those hours feel like they last forever. Or pass by in the blink of an eye. And events can … Read the rest
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Hey, I’m just kiddin around over hear. Fuggetaboudit. Can you pick up on my Brooklyn accent in that headline? Or is it the Bronx. I can never remember which one of those New Yorkers talks like dat. But I hope … Read the rest
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Morning Lullaby What? Whoever heard of a morning lullaby? And who wants to go to sleep in the morning anyway? No, it’s not actually like that at all. You know me. I get these silly notions in my head, and … Read the rest
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Sing along songs for little buckaroos Way back in history…all the way back to the early 2000’s…there lived a seasoned songwriter. And he wrote whole collections of sing along songs for kids. Parents from far and near would buy those … Read the rest
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What are Timbuk Toys? It’s more like, who is Timbuk Toys? And it’s just a place where little kids can get just about any toy their little hearts desire. You know. A toy store. In the Denver, Colorado metro area. … Read the rest
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Memories of the Windy Saddle I remember, almost eight years ago, Elgielene and I had lunch in a little downtown spot in Golden, Colorado. It was called the Windy Saddle Cafe. Small town atmosphere, fresh made food, and good coffee. … Read the rest
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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
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Drifting sands are rhythm in my hands This morning, like too many mornings this year, I woke up before getting enough sleep. And I’m dealing with some issues that restful, recuperative sleep would help. So, of course, I decided to … Read the rest
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Kiddin’ Around… it’s one of the CD’s in my children’s songs collections… …and a lot of people have gotten it for their kids. Thank you all for that, by the way. But I remembered, this afternoon, that I had some … Read the rest
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How Does A Singer Songwriter Start Making Sense Of It All? When you were a kid, did you ask “why” about a lot of stuff? Or do you have a kid or kids who ask a lot of “why” questions? … Read the rest
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