Though I am not Jewish, I learned the term “mashugana” at a restaurant in Pittsburgh called Gullifty’s, where they make a great dish by that name. It starts with potato pancakes on the bottom, then a layer of hot corned beef, topped with coleslaw and Russian dressing. Mmmwaw! (She blows a kiss to the Chef.) Delicious! I asked the waitress what “mashugana” meant and she said it means “all mixed up, or crazy.” If that translation is not right, please feel free to correct me. I just like the word and on this day— today, it describes how I am feeling. After a long weekend of travel and a somewhat frenetic pace, I am just out of sorts or sort of out of it. But I have a cure!

I have long believed that music can calm the soul and stir the heart. It is my drug of choice. I have a DVD of Paul Simon’s 1991 Concert in Central Park. For whatever reason, watching Paul Simon in this concert is like bread with my wine, or sweetener for my coffee, or the best sex you almost never had. Most of all it is like being with an old friend who never let you down, who never released that invisible tether that holds two people together.

Paul Simon does not have a classical singing voice. He is a poet who happens to sing. But his voice is as gentle as a soft rain that falls on a hot summer night soothing your spirit, or like the rhythm of the road as you drive along scorching asphalt. I’ll drive with you to Mexico, Baby. In my dreams today, I will “wake up down in Mexico,” as he sings in the song. In this concert Paul Simon pulls together a blend of cultural rhythms and excellent artists for a musical feast. Michael Brecker, who was an incomparable jazz saxophonist, is entrancing. Watching these musicians and background singers as they pour out melodic harmonies adds to the table of enjoyment. But it is Paul Simon’s talents that abound.

He brings lyrics to us that resonate with honesty and introspection and stay with us for years. In the song Hearts and Bones he sings, “Tell me why, why won’t you love me for who I am, where I am? He says ’cause that’s not the way the world is, Baby. This is how I love you, Baby.” Simple but honest. It is the simplicity of his style and the depth of meaning in his lyrics that will make him timeless.

Well, that is my “fix” for today. If you have a favorite music DVD, take it out and revisit your friend, or listen only to the avowed favorites on your iPod. It is comfort food for the soul. And I am not feeling “mashugana” for these moments.

—cher

For all of you John Sandford fans, who have spent the last decade or so reading about the adventures of super-sleuth Virgil Flowers, a new author by the name of G. J. Lau has just released his first major novel, entitled The Magpie’s Secret. If you like the quirky, yet lovable character of Virgil Flowers, then you are bound to like Lau’s main character, Frank Martinelli. The author skillfully weaves his own experiences as a Viet Nam-era veteran, and a career government employee into the personality of the novel’s lead protagonist, thereby creating a compelling and believable story.

The Magpie’s Secret, which is set in the author’s (adopted) home turf of Eastern Maryland, introduces its readers to Frank Martinelli, an affable, yet deeply troubled, retired government employee whose life had been inextricably changed by the tragic dis-appearance of his young daughter many years ago. Although Frank spends most of his time simply going through the “motions of life”, attempting to reconcile his past with a bleak outlook of his future, he his shocked back to reality by a startling revelation, and an ominous warning from an old Army buddy he hasn’t seen for forty years. As the story develops, Frank is forced to finally deal with the “demons” of his past, and to figure out why those past events have come back to threaten his very life. It doesn’t take long before Frank realizes he has become an unwitting player in a very sinister game of political intrigue.

G.J. Lau’s, The Magpie’s Secret, is written is an easily readable style, similar to books by Sandford or Patterson, and is one of those novels that is hard to put down once started. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for great character development and an interesting story line. I suppose that the best thing I could say about The Magpie’s Secret is that I’m anxiously awaiting it’s sequel. Fortunately, G.J. Lau skillfully leaves his readers with just enough dangling “threads” to his story line that could be followed-up in many intriguing directions.

The author has suggested that those interested in reading this novel can get the e-book at Smashwords for 99 cents using this coupon code: YS92W. The offer is good until April 13, 2011. Please visit G.J. Lau’s blog The Windroot Press for more insight to this author.

Rich

Image by Buou via Flickr

Rich and I are both suffering with acute sinus infections. Yep, we like doing things together but this is a bit much. Neither of us has much strength to help the other although we do try. We went to the doctor’s this morning. Do you realize (ladies) how difficult it is to get a man to go to the doctor’s? Took all the strength I had!  Why is that?

So we each came home with a stack of prescriptions, some of which will knock us out, I’m sure. That doesn’t leave much time for cogent blogging but we are reading you nevertheless.

If you have any suggestions for a more speedy recovery, please leave them here. All are welcome as neither of us is a good patient. I want Dr. House and I want him now! Plus I would get the added benefit of gazing into those mysterious blue eyes. That’s okay, Rich’s blue eyes are even better, just a little red and droopy right now.

GET ME HOUSE!

—sniffling cher

My taste in music is very eclectic, but from the first time I heard Ray LaMontangne And The Pariah Dogs sing, I was hooked. This year they won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album for “God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise.” Here is one of the songs from that album. Hope you enjoy!

—-cher

Once in a great while a truly outstanding film comes along that is deserving of the accolade “Oscar Winner“.  The King’s Speech, starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush is one such film that merits the title of  “Best Picture”.  In a nutshell, the movie is the fact-based story of   Prince Albert, the Duke of York, an intrinsically shy man with a stuttering problem, who is thrust upon the British throne when his brother, King Edward VIII,  abdicates in order to marry an American  with a checkered past, Wallis Simpson.  Prince Albert, who is suddenly and unexpectedly crowned  King George VI, courageously toils long and hard with his new-found friend and speech therapist Lionel (played by Geoffrey Rush)  to overcome his stuttering and fear of public speaking.  The new king’s ascension to the throne comes at a particularly bad time (1938), when  Britain is being challenged by threats from Nazi Germany.  A nationally broadcast speech by King George VI becomes a vital necessity in uniting the British in the upcoming war effort.

As the son of English parents, who emigrated to the United States shortly after the end of the war, the story of King George VI  strikes a familiar chord.  Although grateful for the opportunities afforded them by their adopted country, my parents (especially my mother) never lost their love for King George.  In my youth, my parents would tell me about the shock and betrayal felt by the British people when it became known that King Edward VIII, the heir  apparent for decades, would abdicate in favor of his younger brother.  It was well known at the time that the king’s brother, who was shy and reclusive due to his stuttering problem,  had an overwhelming sense of duty, and would accept the great responsibilities that he neither asked for nor wanted.  As it turned out, King George VI not only overcame his stuttering problem and fear of public speaking, but he became a beacon of courage and determination in standing up to the threat of Nazi Germany, even during Britain’s darkest days.  All of the British people, my parents included, rallied together to fight the Germans for their king and for their country.  During the entire war, even during the endless days and nights of the German bombing , King George VI refused to leave London and to forsake his duty to his British subjects.  He stood fast, and he expected his countrymen to do the same.

While growing up in America, my mother would often use  King George VI as an example of courage in the face of adversity.   If a shy and retiring man with a stuttering problem could overcome his physical disabilities to rally an entire nation to defeat a powerful  enemy sworn to its destruction,  then I should be able to finish my algebra homework, or complete my term paper, or even play the guitar.   While my young friends were given Eisenhower or Washington or Abraham Lincoln as examples of courage in the face of adversity, I was given King George VI.   The Oscar-nominated film, The King’s Speech, is well worth seeing.

Rich

While I really enjoyed the film Pulp Fiction, the primary reason for me to re-watch it any time is to see John Travolta dance. Let’s face it; the man can move. So this is my offering to you for a Friday evening, the dance of Uma Thurman and John Travolta that will always be a favorite. Wherever you are, and perhaps if you are watching Pulp Fiction, get up and dance…after you watch Travolta’s moves. Enjoy!

And in the film Michael…..

—cher

Set aside the frenetic pace that this season can bring, and take a few moments to refresh yourself with this video. Smile, count to three…and continue.  A Happy Holidays preparation cocktail for you:

—-cher

Music has always been an integral part of my life. As a very young child I watched as my parents danced romantically through our house to the songs of Glenn Miller, or they would swing dance to Bill Haley and The Comets when Rock ‘n Roll entered the scene. Watching my parents dance was magical and showed the essence of their love. They had no rules and either could be the initiator. Sometimes my Mom would take my Dad’s hand as he walked by, giving him that beguiling smile, and their dance would begin. The photos of those moments in my mind are freeze-framed in timeless wonder.

My brother and I were fed this appreciation of music and dance the same way other parents taught their children a love for the outdoors through camping or hiking. Our parents would talk often about Judy Garland and play songs on the stereo, not only Judy’s, but Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. We were young but a part of each of our musical souls absorbed this and into our futures it extended.

One weekend I came home from college, and after our parents had gone out for the evening, my brother Denny called me out of my room and said, “Sis, you have to listen to this.” He had discovered Simon and Garfunkel. We lit candles and listened without speaking to “The Sounds of Silence” and “To Emily Whenever I May Find Her.” Every song was gently poetic and we drove across America in our musical fantasies. The sharing of music became one of our strongest bonds.

My own children grew up with me listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and each in their turn has asked for the Déjà vu CD on a Christmas list as their own memories became cherished. When Santana came out with “Supernatural” my children tried to claim him. I had to tell them there was no Santa Claus and that he was mine! Of course there were the Beatles, and the “Abbey Road” CD was my favorite, so that was played endlessly. At my son Brian’s wedding he chose the song, “In My Life” for the mother-son dance. I could not hold back the tears. My daughter chose the song “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” for me at her wedding so I could dance as I had at home, and the memories came flooding back in abandon and delight.

In this family music is still a strong bond. Once after a family tragedy, my daughter put together a compilation of songs on a CD that she hoped would cheer me. It did. Now she asks me to burn CD’s for her and I do. So music and the memories made through sharing can be great bonds. There is always music playing in our house, and every once in a while, my kids catch me dancing in the kitchen.

—cher

There are times lately when I watch TV and suffer mental whiplash. We are inundated with politics and commercials filled with rhetoric that I just do not want to hear. My cure for this is to stream in a film I know I will love, no matter how many times I have seen it. My film of choice recently was “Magnolia.” It is a drama made in 1999 but it is a classic. The superb cast includes Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore, Jason Robards, Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly. Each one is stellar in their performance. Cruise won a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor in this role and was nominated for an Oscar.

The plot involves vignettes of their lives which are seemingly dissimilar but are actually connected on some level. The story weaves through their lives during a single day in the San Fernando Valley, and each character has depth rarely seen in most films. The viewer is drawn in as a voyeur while profound events occur for each of them. Just a word of caution: The opening scene with Tom Cruise contains adult content. That was fine with me because it shows how his character evolves, but certainly not meant for children.

Part of what makes this film so unique is the use of music in one of the best film sequences I have seen. Aimee Mann does the vocals, and the one I am sharing with you here is called “Wise up.” The song is apropos for the film, but many of us can also relate to it in our own lives.

The title is “Magnolia.” The meaning given to this particular flower is beauty, nobility, and perseverance, all of which you will find in this film. If you are like me, seeing this once will not be enough.

—cher

For several reasons I was feeling blue yesterday and this morning. I talked it out my husband, with my friend Judie, The Rogue Artist, and another friend. All of them lifted me up, so I am back on level. As many of you may know, I love to dance and love watching great dances. I also love music which is often my panacea for curing everything except the flu, well…that and the economy. So I am posting a terrific video here that I hope you will enjoy as much as I do.

—cher

Call us late to the game, but we don’t watch much TV other than news. What we do is stream in videos or series that we find, and suddenly we become addicted. And so it was with the FX series, “Rescue Me” starring Denis Leary. Once we began watching this series, we went through the first four seasons in days. While Denis Leary is known for his salty comedic wit, he is also a mesmerizing dramatic actor.

The series “Rescue Me” was designed to portray New York firefighters post 9/11. It brings heartfelt attention to those firefighters and families who lost co-workers and loved ones on 9/11 and the emotional debris with which they struggle in the aftermath. They pull no punches and this is not for the faint of heart. But the excellence of acting within the cast, particularly Denis Leary as firefighter Tommy Gavin, may be some of the finest acting witnessed on TV or any medium for that matter.

What the public may not be aware of are the magnanimous gestures of Denis Leary. Sure, we have seen that biting comedic style, but Leary has a real heart for firemen. His foundation, the Fund For New York’s Bravest distributed over two million dollars to the families of the 343 firemen killed in the 9/11 attacks. He didn’t stop there. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Leary donated more than a dozen boats to the New Orleans Fire Department to aid in future disasters and his foundation rebuilt the entire NOLA firehouses.

We already have the 2009 series in our queue and the 2010 episodes began in June of this year. Do yourself a favor and catch this series. It is gritty, sometimes funny and often grips your heart till you think you can’t breathe. Denis Leary is a multi-faceted man. You may love or hate his political statements, but you can never deny his talent or his heart.

—cher

I love the film “Chicago” and sometimes when I want to watch something with superb music and a great cast, this is the film I watch. John C. Reilly‘s rendition of “Cellophane” is like old vaudeville with a hint of Charlie Chaplin. Fabulous!

—cher

This voice of this beautiful child, Jackie Evancho from our city of Pittsburgh, is thrilling. She must have a God-given talent. I won’t say anymore. Just watch this astonishing video.

—-cher

I have this recurring dream of one day going to Tuscany and becoming Diane Lane in the 2003 film, “Under The Tuscan Sun.” No, I’m not reviewing the film, but anyone who believes that dreams can come true should see this movie. I have always wanted to go to Italy. Actually, it is more than that. I want to live in Italy long enough to experience the magic of Tuscany. I don’t want to do touristy things, though I know it is considered incumbent upon visitors to foreign countries, let alone Italy, so rich in history, to do just that. Not I, said she. I want to grow grapes; shop in out of the way markets; buy fresh flowers and radiate warmth and happiness as never before.

This is where dreams can take us. They give us the ability to reach beyond the practicality of the here and now. They give us the freedom to believe that magic is possible. Still. I will not read newspapers. I will not own a TV. I will commune with nature, friends and love Under the Tuscan sun. I will wrap myself in an Italian skirt with a flowing red silk scarf around my neck, over a silken white blouse, while wearing Italian-made sandals. Music will be everywhere, along with aromas of luscious foods in the comfort of small café’s. And I will learn to speak Italian. I’ve had two years of Latin and two years of Spanish. Somewhere in-between perhaps I can develop enough Italianesque language to communicate. And for those of you who don’t know me, I talk with my hands. I’m so animated that the Italians may want to learn my hand language. We can share and laugh and love.

So what is life without dreams? A whimsical fancy of mine is to one day live in Tuscany. Stop by. I’ll have espresso ready and perhaps you, too, will hear the music under the Tuscan sun as my red silk scarf sails along with me in a breeze sent from the sea.

—cher

Diana Krall may be one of the finest vocalists around. She has a gentle passion which is pervasive in her music. There are times when we become distracted by the seemingly frivolous things in life. When that happens, we lose moments which are meant to be shared and savored. Don’t let the train move so quickly and enjoy the quiet nights and thoughts of giving and loving and enjoying that which is truly purposeful and meaningful in your life. To do less is to lose the essence of beauty in heart, mind and spirit.

—cher

I do believe in angels and perhaps no song exemplifies it more than this one by Sarah McLachlan.  So if you are in need of one, listen to this lovely song and if you feel a warmth around you, it just may be that an angel has been placed to comfort you.

—cher

In one of discussions on BlogCatalog yesterday, someone posed the question about what films they had seen more than any other. I posted two films, then thought more about it and added “What Dreams May Come.” The film stars Robin Williams in a dramatic role. There is definitely that fine line between comedy, which Williams does so well, and drama, where he truly shines. He is reminiscent of Chaplin in that regard. Chaplin could make you laugh just by his cane-swinging walk, or bring you to tears in his silent sadness.

There is a genius within Robin Williams. His stream of consciousness in doing stand-up, particularly in the early years, was surpassed only by Richard Pryor. When Williams is doing a dramatic role, I often wonder what darkness may lie beneath the comedic man he has so often presented to us. To be truly comedic, one may need to have gone into the darkness and found the box labeled  “humor” as a coping mechanism. Whatever it was, I can only say that in the film, “What Dreams May Come,” Williams brought a gentle man to the screen who gave us a glimpse of what heaven may be like and a love so deep that it clutches your heart.

No, I would not call this a “chick flick.” Anyone with a heart would enjoy this film. So put it on your list of rentals and see what dreams may come to you.

—cher

Rich and I will be blessed to have our 9th grandchild in the very near future. There have been some complications for our daughter-in-law along the way, so we ask that you keep Tiffany and her baby in your prayers. While we are not sure just what her name will be (so many to choose from!), Tiffany has said that her middle name will be Grace, born through the Grace of God. This is a love letter to my son Brian, to our lovely Tiffany, to the new baby and to her beautiful siblings, Fletcher, Megan, Taylor and Morgan. We know this baby will be born at the right time and we anxiously await her arrival. Paul Simon sings in this song, “…her eyes as clear as centuries, her silky hair was brown. Born at the instant the church bells chimed; the whole world whispering, you’re born at the right time.”

—cher

Update: Addison Grace was born May 31st at 2:28 p.m. and weighs 4lbs. 6oz. Addison was indeed born with silky brown hair! Mom, dad and baby are doing fine.   

During the following interview with Mr. Berkman, he refers to Asaf Avidan and his song about King David. It is an important parallel to many of the insights Mr. Berkman offers. Listen, if you will, to the haunting melody of this song and remember it as Tony Berkman discusses the TedXTelAviv Conference.

“And the people all said sit down! Sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat!” Nicely, Nicely sings it best from Guys and Dolls!

—cher