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Hopeful Songs on Dismal Days Music

Symphony of Sorrowful Songs: Amazon Review

Even in a story as sad a Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, we were able to find a touch of humor. Here is the #1 Amazon review for the 1992 review of Henryk Górecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs with soprano Dawn Upshaw. [1] The Beatles’ song “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” from their Abbey Road album (1969) features […]

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Hopeful Songs on Dismal Days Music Poland

Symphony of Sorrowful Songs: Background

Henryk Mikołaj Górecki Dawn Upshaw Helena Wanda Błażusiakówna A biography of Helana can be found here: https://www.gosc.pl/doc/6457342.Lamentacja-twardej-Heleny She was a brave young woman who fought in the underground resistance against the German occupiers. The Success of Henryk Gorecki and Dawn Upshaw’s Recording

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Hopeful Songs on Dismal Days Music

Symphony of Sorrowful Songs

Elder G suggested this early morning music for Spiritual Reflection: Gorecki – Symphony No. 3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs) Haunting yet deeply comforting, this piece touches on grief but ultimately offers a quiet sense of peace. First Movement Text: A 15th-century Polish lament, written from the perspective of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, mourning the […]

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Agriculture Curated Absurdity Music

On-Form Eileen

On-Form Eileen features promently on the back page of the St. Cleve Chronicle (Friday, January 7th, 1972) This accomplishment was archived by Jethro Tull on the album “Thick as a Brick.” A little background….. The Cover Art World Enlightenment does a great job preserving the newspaper. You can view each page (and each article) on […]

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Collapse of Democracy/Civilization/etc. Gravediggers of American Democracy Late Stage Capitalism

The Happy Taxpayer

The nightmare of federal income taxes has begun early this year. Just for the record, I don’t mind paying my federal income tax as long as I know that the money will be wisely and judicially spent, and the 1% can continue trickling down their wealth. Anyhow, I landed on the Turbo Tax web site, […]

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Adventures of the Elders Curated Absurdity Heros Mildly Interesting

WLBOTT and a Breath of Fresh Air

For several decades I’ve had this fantasy[1]: [1] Elder G: UC#4, are you sure you understand the concept of “fantasy?” [2] Admittedly a daunting challenge. I could sweeten the deal by making her an honorary Elder of WLBOTT. In 1975, she moved to WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to host and produce Fresh Air, which was […]

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America Brotherhood/Sisterhood History

Should We Abandon All Hope Now?

And avoid the rush later? WLBOTT: Good morning, Elder G. Is today the day we abandon all hope? Elder G: Good morning, John! Let’s not abandon all hope just yet. Shall we embrace the absurdity and see where it takes us? WLBOTT: Okay, let’s keep some hope in reserve. What would be an appropriate amount […]

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Adventures of the Elders Agriculture Food Gods, Goddesses, and Mythical Heros Texas

Our Epic Quest and the Oracle of the DMV

WLBOTT engaged in a epic quest yesterday, fully consuming the corporate offices (hence no BLOTT). We were in search of the Lost Texas Driver’s License. Phase I: Panic Phase II: Fear of Consequences If you’re not wealthy or well-connected in Texas, you don’t drive without your license. Phase III: Sally Talks Us Down “Everybody just […]

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America Collapse of Democracy/Civilization/etc. Current Events Gravediggers of American Democracy Late Stage Capitalism

Nothing Left to Lose

Three quotes are on my mind this cold, drizzly morning: “The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose.”- James Baldwin”Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” – Kris Kristofferson “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”- Jesus […]

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Food Ukraine

The Serenity of Dzembronya

I came across a lovely, peaceful video of a woman preparing a feast of Vareniki (Pierogi). The woman lives in the Carpathian mountains of eastern Ukraine, in a small village of Dzembronya, in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. The video reminds me of Ashe County, North Carolina, perhaps at the turn of the last century. Life is […]