Carol of the Day - Christmas Eve

I went to high school in Atlanta, Georgia and sang alto in the school's choir. Every year at Christmas, the choir participated in the traditional Episcopal Lessons and Carols service. I loved this service, particularly the beginning when a soprano stood at the back of the darkened chapel and sang the first verse of Once in Royal David's City. The choir joined in soon after and then proceeded into the chapel with candles. It was so beautiful and still gives me chills.

Carol of the Day

This so reminds me of my childhood -- my mom and dad -- the piles of Christmas presents under our tree, my Christmas long dress, the parties my parents had, taking the guests' coats and bringing them to my parents' room, jumping on the piles of furs with my sister. My father worked through much of Christmas -- he was a retailer for a very high-end department store -- but he was always home on Christmas day, and he'd play Perry Como and Andy Williams, all the songs that now pipe out of elevators and into malls over and over but they weren't cheap then. I'm so grateful for these memories --

Carol of the Day

Swoon.

Carol of the Day

Oh, Otis, Otis, Otis -- you make me think about an old boyfriend and trying a little tenderness even when you sing Christmas songs --

Carol of the Day

A Break from Carol of the Day

My Brightest Diamond | I Have Never Loved Someone | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.



I have never loved someone the way I love you 
I have never seen a smile like yours 
And if you grow to be a king or clown or pauper 
I will say you are my favorite one in town 

I have never held a hand so soft and sacred 
When I hear your laugh I know heaven’s key 
And when I grow to be a poppy in the graveyard 
I will send you all my love upon the breeze 

And if the breeze won’t blow your way, I will be the sun 
And if the sun won’t shine your way, I will be the rain 
And if the rain won’t wash away all your aches and pains 
I will find some other way to tell you you’re okay


-- My Brightest Diamond


via OnBeing

Carol of the Day (for my dad, of course)

I'm posting it again and saying it again: Mario Lanza makes me glad to be Italian.

(It might tell you to go to YouTube to listen -- click on it anyway and listen!)

Carol of the Day

Is there anything better than those mouths open, faces lifted up to the snowing sky?

Carol of the Day

I don't care how many times I've heard it. I still love this man's voice and this song.