tapestry
a piece of thick textile fabric with pictures or designs formed by weaving colored weft threads or by embroidering on canvas, used as a wall hanging or furniture covering.
used in reference to an intricate or complex combination of things or sequence of events.
On Sunday, John and I began a simple enough discussion at lunch time. We talked about pivotal songs that totally changed music for us. Now I have to say, modestly, that I have a wide musical genre range that I like. Old hymns, Hebraic music, pop, rock, bossanova, new age, country, blue grass, classical, jazz. Likely genres too that I don't even know I like. I love music that speaks to something within and have always been deeply moved by music. My dad was, my Granny was and both taught me to be open and to really listen to the words and the music.
In 8th grade, I had the first of two teachers who proved to be mentors in my life. Lynn Campbell taught composition and she used the contemporary music artists who spoke most deeply to her at that time as tools in the classroom. We listened to Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Denver and likely many others but it was Carole King's Tapestry that stuck with me hardest.
So I mentioned this album on Sunday and how I'd always meant to find a copy to own and John thoughtfully pulled it up on YouTube after lunch. I told him that I honestly sometimes forget the era I live in, as I'd never thought to look for that album on YouTube.
This week, I share Carole King's "Tapestry" album.
"My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue, an everlasting vision of the ever changing view." ~ Carole King
I read the Wikipedia biography of Carole King and wasn't in the least surprised to read how very much talent she had. She'd been a songwriter for over 20 years when she made her first solo album. "Tapestry" was her second album and it exploded on the music charts. King is one of the most lasting and prolific and has won more awards than any woman in the history of music which is something you'd think someone would mention now and then wouldn't you? Do read her biography if you're in the least interested in her rather astonishing music career.
"As I look back at the entire tapestry of my life, I can see from the perspective of the present moment that every aspect of my life was necessary and perfect. Each step eventually led to a higher place, even though these steps often felt like obstacles or painful experiences." ~ Wayne Dyer
I find as I get older that I reach for the same few cookbooks over and over again. How nice it is to see a dated recipe with personal notes about how I altered or what I felt should be altered the next time I opted to make a recipe. It is indeed a journal of sorts. Read this article from Southern Living about how a writer is using her cookbooks during this season of being isolated at home.
These flour-free peanut butter cookies are yummy...We have made them using Splenda in place of the sugar but either way they are delicious and if you're wanting a dessert but need to conserve flour this is a good option. So easy a child can mix them up!
"I have come to believe that we do not walk alone in this life. There are others, fellow sojourners, whose journeys are interwoven with ours in seemingly random patterns, yet, in the end, have been carefully placed to reveal a remarkable tapestry. I believe God is the weaver at that loom." ~ Richard Paul Evans
The winner of the Grace Livingston Hill book is Frances Moseley. Contact me at teaccheney@gmail please with your mailing address...and Congratulations!
6 comments:
I love all kinds of music but opera. Music is huge here and live music is our Christmas gift to each other every year. My grandmother was a professional musician so it is in my blood. She taught me all kinds of things that no piano teacher does. She taught me cords and how to play improv. I will always have that part of her.
I had the Tapestry on 8 track when I was in college.
It’s a good one!
My father was born in 1911 and music was always a part of our lives. He taught us to dance by waltzing on his feet at first, before dancing hand in hand. Mom would sit by the toaster each morning listening to what I believe was called 'The House Party' on the radio in the Ohio Valley. They would play tunes from 1900 to the 50s. We had a record player that played our old 33 1/3 records then in 56 Dad got us a small brown Bakelite record player that only played 45s. To our astonishment he got the record Shake Rattle and Roll as one of the 45s he picked out to go with our Christmas gift of the record player. :) We knew all the old hymns and our parents favorite songs from their growing years. Plus in school we had a weekly music lesson and learned many more folk songs and so many others there. Plus the patriotic songs were sung a lot as were the ones associated with every yearly holiday. Dad played the trumpet and piano at home as did all of us including Mom. We always think of music as the background sound of our lives..as least the live inside our homes. In summer a barge would come and dock at each town along the Ohio river and give free concerts. They allowed people to come aboard after wards and try the kettle drums and such. What a treat! Church as always filled with so many beautiful favorites and Mom would greet us each morning with usually either the song You are My Sunshine or Sleepy Time Girl. Yes music across the board from the folk songs to the musicals to any other venue so enriches our lives doesn't it. Sarah
It's early morning (before sunrise) as I read this, so I have my earbuds in and am listening to Carole King on YouTube as I type. I know some of her work, but Tapestry is new to me.
My mother was musical, always singing. She taught herself to play guitar and was in a band when I was in my early teens. I do not play an instrument, but I sing all the time. Never performed, just sing to kids and make up random lyrics as situations warrant. I have been known to sing bits of soundtracks to customers at the theater - totally appropriate, I think. Lol.
I was a child of the 70s, so classic rock is my favorite genre, though I know and enjoy many others. Not a fan of much country or rap. Silas has decided he loves rap. Sigh.
My kids grew up with 70s music (Jess named Layla for the Eric Clapton song by the same name). They've both branched out, but their childhood is rooted in Eric Clapton, REO Speedwagon, Bob Seger, Styx, many others, including, dare I say, Meatloaf. Jess and I have "our" song, American Pie by Don McLean. She says when she thinks of my favorites, one is always American Woman by Guess Who. I guess I turned that up a lot in the car. Lol.
Like smells, music holds many feelings and memories for us.
I asked Gramps if he wanted drive thru for breakfast. His reply was Georgis is opening the state. Said, I thought that was a little far to for breakfast since we live in NY state. Gramma D
Lana, How interesting! I knew you had a piano but not that you were proficient at it yourself.
Rhonda I was thinking as I wrote that post about all the 8 track albums Daddy had.
Sarah our lives were exposed to lots of different music styles. Granny had the most diverse tastes of all. Daddy was more rock and roll and country. His father was a first class blue grass player but never played professionally. And Mama's taste ran more towards Herb Alpert and Xavier Cugat and Andy Williams.
Tammy how awesome that your mom was musical, too. And I love Guess Who. "These Eyes" were my favorite of the songs. Katie picked and Amie picked up on John's love of the Beatles...
Dora, I laughed at that breakfast trip!!
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