Inspired by January #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and it's time for music!

But first, who are the Music Moves Me Bloggers? 

We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome.  

Our optional theme for this week is: "Learn something about this first month of the new year and build your playlist around that for your music inspiration." 

Here are some facts about January, as discovered by using AI.

January is named after Janus, the two-faced Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and doorways, looking to the past and future. 

The Anglo-Saxons called it Wulfmonath (Wolf Month) because hungry wolves roamed for food. 

In the Northern Hemisphere, where I live, January is considered the coldest month of the year.

So, what songs am I inspired to feature this January Monday?

For beginnings: Chicago and their 1969 hit Beginnings.  

For changes:  Like a Rolling Stone, the 1965 hit from Bob Dylan.  How I loved this song when it came out, especially when one of the New York City radio stations played all six minutes of it. 

Two faces:  Smiling Faces, from 1971 with The Undisputed Truth covering a song by The Temptations. 

Wolf: 1982 brought us Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran. 

Cold:  The Rolling Stones - She's So Cold 

Foreigner - Cold as Ice.    

Park Shadows on a January Afternoon #ShadowshotSunday

The sun came out for a while on Friday, and I took a walk in our local park.  I had to take a couple of pictures of the long shadows of January.

Let's compare them in color and black and white.

 Which do you like better?

I've decided I'm finally going to experiment a little with black and white, and see.

Joining up today with Lisa at This and That: A Blog, for her #ShadowshotSunday.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day January 15 2026 and Skywatch Friday

Today is two memes for the price of one.  I hope you stay for both of them.

First, held every 15th of the month, is Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, where flower gardeners from all over the world post what is blooming in their homes and/or gardens.  This is hosted by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. 

It's a winter storm day in my zone 6a Southern Tier of New York garden.  

The other day,  I was pleased to discover that the recent warming spell melted almost all of our snow, revealing my white early blooming Lenten Rose.  I took this picture yesterday, before more snow came. 

Flower buds count, right?

As for my indoor flowers, call it January sparse:

Phalaenopsis, purchased several weeks ago in a membership warehouse.   I've killed several orchids over the years but the one that did the best for me, lasting several years (purchased one Black Friday), finally died late last year.   

Chocolate solder, one of my small succulent plants in my home office.  It has a flower stalk (see middle of photo).  Sorry for the blurriness. I tried retaking this three times and best I can seem to do.

Finally, (cheating, perhaps but it's January), dried flowers on one of my two African violets.  Now, today is also #SkywatchFriday, hosted by Yogi.

Last Sunday, during our relatively warm spell, I took some puddle pictures.

Looks like black and white, but this is in color.

Nice to have puddles, which mean it's above freezing.  No puddles today, though.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Footprints #WordlessWednesday

Our snow has melted, but will be back later tonight.

In the meantime, I wanted to show you some animal footprints from my yard after one of our earlier snows.

Isn't it interesting to know who walks on your property?

 I had to convert these to black and white so you could see the prints better.

Enjoy! (and if you can ID any of them, I'd enjoy knowing.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday. 

A Cure and Two Inductions #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday and it's time for music!

But first, who are the Music Moves Me Bloggers? 

We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome. 

Today's  theme is:  You Pick!  Sadly, I must begin with two inductions into Rock and Roll Heaven.

I just couldn't think of music I wanted to feature so I decided to let You Tube decide for me.  You Tube, I found, has something called My Mix, which they base on music videos you have listened to.  Even though some of the music picked is not from genres I prefer, I found an interesting mix to cure (no pun intended) my blogging block.

Interestingly, the first song was by the Cure.  I had forgotten I was going to write up the induction into Rock and Roll Heaven of guitarist and keyboardist Perry Bamonte, who died on December 24 at age 65 after a short illness.  So, let's start with what You Tube picked as my tribute.

You Tube's pick for me was 1987's Just Like Heaven.

As I was writing this post, the news came about the death of Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, at age 78 from lung issues possibly related to his battle with cancer.

This is his final performance of the Dead's classic Touch of Grey. 

Now, back to You Tube's picks for me. From 1986, Higher Love - Steve Winwood

1982's Mad World - Tears for Fears was chosen for me, although I must say that I slightly prefer Gary Jules' 2001/2003 cover.

Finally, from 1985, Something About You - Level 42

I am closing on a somber note today.  One of our former Music Moves Me members, Mary, of the music blog JingleJangleJungle, is declining after several years of battling cancer. If you are so inclined, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Mary was always so upfront about her health battles on a different blog devoted to same, and had a great sense of humor.   I am reminded of this post from another Music Moves Me member from several years ago.

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me. 

Floor Rainbow #ShadowshotSunday

 Back in October, I saw this rainbow shadow on my living room floor. 

Perhaps it isn't technically a shadow but I think the reflection in the center of the photo could count as one.

The rainbow comes from prismatic stickers we have on our window that are said to keep birds from striking the windows.

Joining Lisa at This and That: A Blog for her #ShadowshotSunday. 

Early January Sunrise #SkywatchFriday

The sky has been so dreary this week where I live in the Southern Tier of New York State. The norm is white skies with little sun or blue showing.  So I was surprised when I looked out on January 5 and saw a beautiful sunrise already in progress. 

I apologize for the blurry pictures.
 

It was a treat seeing this, although we ended up with still another dreary day.

But then again, it's January, and we also have a break from our colder than normal weather.

At least yesterday we finally got some sun.  I even took a puddle picture yesterday, which I hope I remember to post later this month.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.