
Out listening to the Boatband at the Beehive in Honeywall, Stoke-on-Trent. Black and white sketch but the lighting was very dim.
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Out listening to the Boatband at the Beehive in Honeywall, Stoke-on-Trent. Black and white sketch but the lighting was very dim.

Lighting detail on the ceiling of Hanley Library, Stoke-on-Trent. I love the design. We were singing “this little light of mine” at a monthly choir practice and it really chimed that the image went so well with the music. It’s as if the sun is encouraging people to read and to use the library to enjoy all sorts of experiences.

During one choir performance we all had to get out a kazoo and play along with the song we had been playing. I’ve had it in my bag ever since and when I fished out my sketchbook today I found it again so I seranadedvthevart group with tunes like the starwars theme, Dr Doolittle, the Bare necessites and a few others. I had everyone in stitches.
By the way I looked up the spelling of kazoo. AI SAID:
The correct spelling of the musical instrument is “kazoo“. The word refers to a simple, handheld musical instrument that produces a buzzing sound when the player hums into it, according to Dictionary.com.
It started so well

I had a shower, struggled as usual to get ready to go out. Honestly five minutes to put my shoes on. Then I decided to drive to choir practice because I can’t walk fast enough. But got stuck in a line of traffic. It’s only a few hundred yards but I couldn’t get round the corner, then had to park a distance away from our meeting room.
I enjoyed the singing and didn’t trip up over my handbag despite getting my foot trapped in its strap. Then lunch with some friends in the restaurant there.
I’d taken the car so I could also go shopping. I can’t carry much and I needed to resupply as I was almost out of groceries. I managed to park badly in the disabled bay, half over the line. I apologise to anyone I obstructed but my arms don’t seem to pull well on the steering wheel. I chatted with someone sitting outside who was obviously in need of help. I could only offer to get him a sandwich, but that was better than nothing.
Home and I had to clean and dry the fridge which had a pool of cold water in its base? I think I’d moved the thermostat dial by accident and it’s not been cold enough. Then I hauled the food into the fridge slowly. I had several bags so I didn’t need to carry much at a time.
By then I was shattered and fell asleep in front of “escape to the country”, escaping my own time line and waking up just in time for an episode of “star trek voyager” where time paradoxes abounded.
But, half way through I remembered choir practice tonight, so had to go out again. I’m tired now because we have to stand up to sing if we can and I use that as an exercise class, I’m not mobile enough and I need to make an effort.
Now I want to go to sleep but need tea. I was going to try and make scrambled eggs on toast. But porridge seems as appealing and easily done in the microwave.
That was a full on day. I’m shattered. But I need to socialise with people. Most of the week I just sit and watch TV. I’m thankful when I can fight anxiety and escape for a while. Singing helps sanity!

Tonight I went to choir, I was tired and had been to the doctors for tests, I was OK but it had wound me up. Singing helps calm my mind, helps me relax, and make me concentrate where usually in the day I’m struggling to.
When I got there I found that there was one soprano and several altos so I decided to have a go at some of the higher parts. I surprised and survived the experience. I’m really glad I tried, I stretched up to some top notes I’ve not managed before. In the end I got a bit of a sore throat but a lot of enjoyment. It also boosted my confidence. I think everyone should try singing.

What way do I go?
Left or right, don’t know
The path of life ain’t straight
It tangles round my feet
Like the lyrics of a song
Don’t know it’s length, how long?
I’ll be upon this earth
But I hope it’s full of mirth!

Choir was hard tonight, we were somehow bad with our timing, a bit out of tune and spent 40 minutes going over one piece of a song. We all seemed a bit tired, and our section was singing the main tune (we generally sing the backing part). It didn’t help that were singing “to make you feel my love” by Bob Dylan, but some of us were singing the Adele version!
By the time we had finished we had warmed up to the rehearsal and sounded a lot better.
Being in a choir is great for your mental health and helps you socialise, you can find lots of local choirs in the UK, so why not try it out?

I just went to see “A complete unknown”, a biopic of Bob Dylan early career up until he started using electric guitar at the Newport folk festival in 1965.
It showed his collaboration and love of Joan Baez and his other girlfriend Suze Rotolo. There was wonderful singing in the film by all the cast. A lot of songs that I only vaguely remember from the 1960’s because I was only a young child. But certain songs like “Blowing in the wind” are strong memories. I also remember Joan Baez songs as my hubby used to play them a lot. Time plays tricks with memories but so much came sweeping back into my mind as I watched the film.
Music is a wonderful form of communication. This was a brilliant film. If you can go and see it. X

Tonight’s choir practice was a monthly event, based at Hanley Library in Stoke on Trent. I almost missed it because of my car problems but friends gave me a lift. It was due to be the last practice but the librarian has got extra funding for an extra 3 months. X
We sing various songs including north American Indian, south African and Maori pieces as well as traditional English songs, sometime we tackle Welsh songs like Canon Lan. We had a cheerful evening, I even tried to play the kazoo. It’s good to socialise and singing is good for mental health and memory.

Spring will be well underway when we perform for one night only in St Thomas’s church Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent
We had a good rehearsal yesterday, we sang a song from the film Grease full of wop bada do wop a bing bang boom! Or something like that. It’s so fast my tongue was tripping over the words, but it got better as we went on. Then we sang the oompah pah song from Oliver! Fun and good for stretching your lungs. There will be much more to learn over the following weeks. My music sheet shakes when I hold it, I might need a music stand!