Blue " Hallelujah"
Peter Hollen and Jackie Evancho sing a pretty a capella version of Leonard Cohen's iconic "Hallelujah" - this year at YouTube for the holidays ......find it if you can. I think I wrote this "Variation on the Theme" for a memorial to the author's passing this November 7th
Peter Hollen and Jackie Evancho sing a pretty a capella version of Leonard Cohen's iconic "Hallelujah" - this year at YouTube for the holidays ......find it if you can. I think I wrote this "Variation on the Theme" for a memorial to the author's passing this November 7th
A ' Different' Hallelujah
What , sweet angels, do you do
It's Christmas and they don't like you,
And to be truthful, you're not keen on them ?
Skip them, and go find your friends
and play till New Year's parties end
Find the new year full of Hallelujahs
Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah !
When big hurts hurt, they do deplete -
It isn't pretty, isn't sweet
You cry, "Please, Santa, ANY Hallelujah ! "
You pray to find a new insight
it won't run clear, it won't go right
Till you can't even spell out 'Hallelooojah' !
Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah !
I found my son today online
With Bride, too far away, but fine
But why assail me with UN-hallelujah !
And now they'll have to charm this dear,
to find the former welcome here
And still I know I'll know that Hallelujah !
Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah !
His sister's newly-wedded smiles
Just dreams - we are apart by miles
Some one-day moment here - for Holy Yule - yah !
Again a merry company
For Christmas, once again, and we will
Sing ensemble, truly, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah !
The strawb'ry top still spins, my loves !
The spirit's there and more above
A power of its own, sing Hallelujah !
I love the wisdom of my years
The invitation's loud and clear, so
I'll close now and just get back to my Yule - yah !
Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Hallelujah !
May YOUR "Hallelujah" and "Gloria" and "cheers", glow with family spirit this year and always!
elle
Patriot pages
"The Constitution was not perfect when it was framed.
It is not perfect today.
Our Constitution, even our Bill of Rights,
Provides no set formula that fits all peoples around the world.
But they do offer an inspiring example of ageless ideals realized and made to work,
with the eternal message that men and women everywhere
were intended to be free to shape their own destinies."
...Warren Burger, Chief Justice of the United States (1969-1986) at 200th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights, from the Bowling Green, Kentucky "Daily News" January 27, 1991
Patriot Pages ~ May you find, here, patriotic inspiration, refreshers and helpful links ! ~ elle
THE VOTE FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is a holy thing and Voting Day almost here - November 8th. Many places have extended the registration options, in their desire to make it easier to vote, so if you forgot, there may still be time. Check with your local government registrars or League of Women Voters or - "Voters Page" some basics and links to Voting and Elections IF you already feel fine about your own vote, get busy helping others - we are the family of Man and if we can, we should! -elle
LINKS from this page :
- GALLERY OF PATRIOTIC IMAGES FOR PURCHASE
- "Patriots Primer" link to Basics for Americans
- "Veterans Page" of helpful links and other contents
- "Voters Page" some basics and links to Voting and Elections
- Elvis the Wrecker - an Mid-Century, All-American TRUE Story
American Flag by Elle Fagan Price on Request - contact artist. These and other patriotic images and symbols are for sale here at the site and for your enjoyment at the Gallery of Patriotic Images link, above.
Great Seal of the State of Connecticut, my Home State - central to our State Flag, the motto means "They who tranasplanted sustain", a reference to our success as transplants in the New World , symbolized by the grapevines, whose transplanting has always been holy.
Love of Country,
Please do not skip these quotes from Great Men & Women
"...its soul, its climate, its equality, liberty laws, people, and manners.
My God! how little do my countrymen know what precious blessing they are in possession of,
and which no other people on earth enjoy!" -Thomas Jefferson
"All I can hope to teach my son is to tell the truth and fear no man.
The only thing that counts is the right to know, to speak, to think...
that ,and the sanctity of the courts.
Otherwise it's not America" -Edward R. Morrow
"...when shall all men's good
Be each man's rule,
And universal peace
Be like a shaft of light
Across the land"
-Alfred Lord Tennyson
"God grant, that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the Rights of Man,
may pervade all the nations of Earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot
anywhere on its surface, and say, "this is my country."
-Benjamin Franklin
"He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
-William Makepeace Thakeray, and the Bible
"The Constitution was not perfect when it was framed.
It is not perfect today.
Our Constitution, even our Bill of Rights,
Provides no set formula that fits all peoples around the world.
But they do offer an inspiring example of ageless ideals realized and made to work,
with the eternal message that men and women everywhere
were intended to be free to shape their own destinies."
...Warren Burger, Chief Justice of the United States (1969-1986) at 200th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights, from the Bowling Green, Kentucky "Daily News" January 27, 1991
Patriot and the Arts
Grants for the Arts make the news . One headline stated that the President asked for much more than was granted, especially for a Major Project to help America become more familiar with its own Amazing American Artists . I think the project is important to America and the World; the American Arts History. ENJOY MY BLOG ENTRY: "Art in America - a Timeline"
POWERED BY SQUARESPACE
Charles Ethan Porter - Hartford Artist of the Black Elite
Charles Ethan Porter (c. 1847 – March 6, 1923) was born near Hartford, and, among other things, was a protege of Mark Twain, who raised the money to send Mr. Porter to Paris to refine the training of the talented Rockville, Connecticut , Black American native.
He is said to have painted in the Florentine style and always elegantly. His works are found in the leading collections of the world and spotlighted - top honors- in Black American Culture venues.
"Apples", by Charles Ethan Porter.
References to the work of a former neighbor in time and space.
Wikipedia's fine Biography of Charles Ethan Porter at this link - click, please.
Charles Ethan Porter (c. 1847 – March 6, 1923) was born near Hartford, and, among other things, was a protege of Mark Twain, who raised the money to send Mr. Porter to Paris to refine the training of the talented Rockville, Connecticut , Black American native.
He is said to have painted in the Florentine style and always elegantly. His works are found in the leading collections of the world and spotlighted - top honors- in Black American Culture venues.
At one time, his artwork was so much in demand he kept a studio on Fox Hill in Vernon, Connecticut AND one in Hartford.
All sources agree his work was later suppressed by racial discrimination, only to triumphantly re-emerge in these more correct times.
But many of his paintings remain hidden, from those old days, and then rediscovered by descendants.
The new day we enjoy today is making it possible for all to enjoy his fine work once more...... elle
Vernon Historical Society in Connecticut, USA keeps a veritable shrine to his work. The town is very proud of his beginnings there.
The State Historical Society and the Hartford Public Library and the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford are also fine resources, online and off.
Links to Charles Ethan Porter art online...
much of it from our Connecticut Historical or the the Amazing Mr. Driskell of Black American Arts Elite. This one from the Arts Center named for the famed David C. Driskell, http://www.driskellcenter.umd.edu/index.php
Thomas Colville Fine Art, LLC http://www.thomascolville.com/index.cfm?pg=2&pgtitle=Inventory&m=a&k=281
Citizens of Color, 1863-1890: The Black Elite: The 'Talented ... Citizens of Color, 1863-1890: The "Talented Tenth". Charles Ethan Porter. Mounting racism certainly was a barrier that narrowed the ... http://www.hartford-hwp.com/HBHP/exhibit/05/3.html
More about the Elite and the Talented Tenth
I hope you will wish to Link to a Top Source for all things "Charles Ethan Porter" at the Vernon Connecticut Historical Society, located northeast of Hartford; we are apples and ice cream and once a Megapolis for Textiles.
Vernon's Fox Hill with its three-state view was Mr. Porter's home for part of his life.
Mr. Porter's archived writings include recommendation from Mark Twain, courtesy letters of introduction, and the Historical Society here has reverently Archived and shared his work and history.
Mr. Porter's work and life are favorite local school display projects.
Whatever your source, do look up his work - it is truly elegant and top-notch!
Charles Ethan Porter, noted Black American Painter
Purpose
Also named "A Splendid Torch" or, "Purpose" - this is A New Years Inspiration for everyone! A vitamin of a sort, from George Bernard Shaw, one of my least favorite persons, but most favorite storytellers. It is reprinted everywhere under several titles. I hope you enjoy the easy read! Elle
This is the true joy in life,
the being used for a purpose
recognized by yourself as a mighty one; ...
Also named "A Splendid Torch" or, "Purpose" - this is A New Years Inspiration for everyone! A vitamin of a sort, from George Bernard Shaw, one of my least favorite persons, but most favorite storytellers. It is reprinted everywhere under several titles. I hope you enjoy the easy read! Elle
This is the true joy in life,
the being used for a purpose
recognized by yourself as a mighty one;
the being a force of nature
instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of
ailments and grievances
complaining that the world will not
devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that
my life belongs
to the whole community,
and as long as I live
it is my privilege
to do for it whatever I can.
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die,
for the harder I work the more I live.
I rejoice in life for its own sake.
Life is no “brief candle” for me.
It is a sort of splendid torch
which I have got hold of
for the moment,
and I want to
make it burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.