I haven’t talked about music for a while so I thought I’d check in and see what you are all listening to, as well as what is on your list for the future. Me? I’ve been listening to a lot of Christmas music because I’m working on a Christmas-themed book and am trying to get into the mood. But I’ve been adding to my list of must-get music. Here’s my list in no particular order:

*Adele. Have you heard her??? The woman is AWESOME. Love, love, love her. Want the entire music and her backlist cds NOW.

*Foo Fighters has a new cd out as well. I’ve loved them ever since a research trip to Tennessee. My husband and I were driving with the top down through the most beautiful setting. Lots of trees, a rolling creek, a twisty, windy road. Perfect. Must get.

*Evanescence. I heard today that after five years Evanescence finally has a new cd. Like Adele, the lead female singer has a voice that brings it all. Can’t wait to hear what’s in store for us.

*Nickelback has a new album coming out–on my birthday, no less. Nickelback can be hit or miss with me due to lyrics but I love the edgier guitar riffs etc of this band. Yes, I am a child of the 80s. The lead singer’s raspy voice is great, too.

Slowing things down a bit… My next choice may surprise a few people.

*Duets II with *shock* Tony Bennett and his wide range of partners including Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga. It’s definitely not my typical choice of music but I love enough of the partners he sings with that I’d love to have the entire album.

And last but not least (for now, anyway)

*Amy Winehouse. I was never an Amy Winehouse fan. Oh, I saw her in magazines and read about her, of course, but her troubled life and struggle with drugs, while sad, also turned me off her. Little did I realize (how, I’m not sure) that some of my favorite songs were–you guessed it–Amy Winehouse songs. Back in Black? LOVE IT. And yet I didn’t have a clue who sang it. Yeah, I know, color me clueless. I’m a mom of two teens, what did you expect? But I am now an Amy Winehouse fan and as a mother it breaks my heart and angers me that someone of her talent is gone from us forever due to something as insidious as drug addiction. Yet another sad example of someone needing to just say no.

Okay, so, I have a book to finish but those are my current music I-wish-I-hads at the moment. What are yours???

Kay

We all know what’s coming up. Ten years ago the world watched a horrible tragedy unfold as the twin towers were attacked on September 11.

I remember EXACTLY where I was. I’d come home from dropping my daughter off at preschool only to hear the news. I rushed to turn on the television and couldn’t believe my eyes. The first tower had already been hit and as the reporter stood somewhere with the tower in the background I watched as another plane disappeared behind the second tower. The blast rocked everything but the reporter, having not seen the second plane, thought the explosion had occurred in the first tower. I sat on the arm of our couch, unable to breathe, because I knew exactly where that plane had gone. The smoke barreling out of the second tower was proof.

Like so many others I watched the screen, horrified by what I saw and yet unable to look away. The schools were on lockdown, and despite being assured that the kids weren’t watching the news, the first words out of my son’s mouth was, “Why did the planes hit the buildings?”

How do you answer that question in a way a six year old can understand? To be honest, I still can’t answer it.

The next few days will be filled with shows and news reports on the tragedy and the aftermath faced by the families of 9/11. Please know many are STILL fighting the battle. First responders aren’t receiving proper benefits even though they rushed TOWARD the danger, not away from it. They are suffering from a multitude of cancers caused by the toxic dust and exposure to all they faced that day. Even more, the ones who are still with us also suffer the emotional trauma of caused by what they witnessed firsthand.

Please, take a moment to say a prayer for all the families. Wouldn’t you want the same done for you?

My question for this post ala Alan Jackson– Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Alan Jackson – Were Were You
Kay

Yup. I’m a day behind as always. LOL But with December comes my annual tradition of posting my TWELVE FAVES OF CHRISTMAS. Nope, it’s not Oprah’s list and you will not receive a car or a fabulous vacation at the end of this blog. However if Oprah reads this and would like to gift me with those things, well, thank you! I’d like a new Camaro and an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii. (The new car is the dream car of my about-to-be-driving teen but the vacation? That’s alllll me.)

Anyway, in case you’re new to Kindred Spirits Blog, every year I post twelve of my favorite items. Some are cheap little nothings I’ve found useful, some are expensive somethings I’ve discovered in the last year. All are things I’ve rapidly grown to depend on or in one particular case-want. Regardless, they’re my favorite. And here are the first two items::

December 1 (or #12) This is the item I *want* to receive for Christmas. (Hear that, honey??? ) For several years I’ve heard about the benefits of Netflix, well, now I’d like to experience them first-hand. I’m a total movie lover but with our satellite bill going up-up-up, I’m sick of paying a fortune for barely any movie channels at all. There are also some old shows I’d love to catch up on.

So #12 of my TWELVE FAVES OF CHRISTMAS is a subscription to Netflix.

From the Netflix website::: “Unlimited TV episodes & movies

For only $7.99 a month, instantly watch unlimited TV episodes & movies streaming over the Internet to your TV via an Xbox 360, PS3, Wii or any other device that streams from Netflix. You can also watch instantly on your PC or Mac too! Plus, get unlimited DVDs by mail for just $2 more a month – exchange each DVD as often as you want!”

Sounds like my kind of thing. And the price???? Just right!

December 2 (#11) This is the most expensive item on my list but, honestly, I love, love, love mine. I spend a lot of time on the computer and/or traveling for various reasons whether it’s for work or simply to haul my family around from place to place.

My pick for #11 is most definitely an iPad. I use mine to write (via Pages and a wireless keyboard), surf, connect with friends on Facebook, listen to music, watch movies, email, whatever. It’s an anything goes kind of thing and the portability is fabulous. And having run out of space looooong ago for books, I love the ease of downloading books to read, then ’storing’ them for later. No muss, no fuss and no griping from the dh because my to-be-read stack has grown again. (Or should I say ‘groan’ again from the weight? LOL) Having hit that age where I’m doing the arm-stretch thing to be able to see clearly, reading on the iPad is a breeze. I just zoom until I can see. (And, no, I don’t have stock in Apple, but I should!)

Oh, and if you really want to gift yourself or someone else with the above, you can use Netflix ON your iPad and watch it anywhere. It’s a definite win-win. (Um, honey? You reading??? LOL Subtle, aren’t I?)

So that’s it for the first two days of December. Look for more of my TWELVE FAVES OF CHRISTMAS very soon!

Kay

I grew up in the 80s (and 90s), the decade of big hair and great bands and fun music.

The other day while dd and I were cooking, we blasted the 80s channel on the TV and danced to non-stop favorites from my, um, younger years. Heh. Anyway, between Journey’s DON’T STOP BELIEVING, Rick Springfield’s JESSIE’S GIRL and lots of other favorites, we had a blast.

What favorite songs mark your era?

Kay

And a WINNER!!! My sincere apologies. I totally forgot to draw a winner for May’s Blog Contest. So, are you ready???

The winner is RobynL!!! Robyn, please email me privately with your shipping information.

Now for the blog…. I’m always on the hunt for new music to listen to while I walk. I like a variety of music but when I exercise the music has to be fast, upbeat and fun. You know what the next questions are going to be, don’t you?

What are YOU listening to? What do YOU recommend?

Kay