It’s sadly humorous. The way so many fall into (actually they leap into) a trend under the guise of edginess and non-conformity. For example, a website based on what they call edgy discord. But there are almost a half million edgy discord members. Granted, a half million people is still a fraction of the overall population. But it’s certainly not what I’d call a … The rest of the story…
Category Archives: Words and Music
Who wants to listen to (much less, sing) a bunch of old songs with a bunch of thee’s, thy’s, and thou’s? I mean, not only is that stuff not cool, it just sounds weird. Yeah, the old hymns lyrics say stuff that nobody even understands anymore. Right? Well, old hymns lyrics might be hard to understand. But not impossible. Most of the old hymns … The rest of the story…
One day, way back when, as I sat in my college dormitory room in Manhattan, Kansas, I looked out the window and saw feathery, floating flakes of snow. An early Autumn snowfall had just started. So, I knew it wouldn’t last. Or maybe wouldn’t even stick around at all. So, as I did at just about every opportunity, I flipped open my nifty spiral … The rest of the story…
It has been a wonderful day. Elgielene and I started this marriage journey 34 years ago, today. And we were able to enjoy some simple things we love in some new places. Plus, it was particularly special because it’s Friday. And our wedding was on a Friday. And it was cold. Not as cold as our wedding day. But the cold made the memory … The rest of the story…
Back when I used to perform, nightly, in an island-themed restaurant, one crowd favorite was a song by Jimmy Buffett. The lyrics talked about volcanoes erupting and what would happen when they do. Words like, “Ground she’s movin’ under me. Tidal waves out on the sea. Sulphur smoke up in the sky. Pretty soon we learn to fly.” And then the chorus said, “I … The rest of the story…
They build them tall. Because they don’t want you to see what’s going on behind there. And they don’t want anyone who cares about what’s going behind there to be able to make eye contact or interfere. And there are guards to keep caring people out so parents can kill their kids in peace. I wrote a song about those guards who stand behind … The rest of the story…
I think about what she said, more often, these days. I’m talkin’ about what my Grandmother said, as I sat on her front porch snapping green beans with her. It was during a couple of years when my brother and I lived with our Dad’s parents while he worked on setting up a new home life. Dad and Mom divorced when I was about … The rest of the story…
OK, let’s say it’s Good Deeds Day. And let’s say you’ve been a good deeds do-er. Now, what would you like as your reward? And who would you like to present that reward to you? Or would you prefer that Good Deeds Day didn’t exist? If you’re a Christian, I hope you stand firmly in the “didn’t exist” category. Here’s why. Check out verses … The rest of the story…
In 2009 I wrote AND produced 10 lullaby songs in 10 days. Those songs became my first collection of lullaby songs for kids called “Lullabye Bye.” And one of those songs was called “Blue Celtic Cloud.” And when I shared my Celtic art on CD’s, way back when, it turned out to be one of the more popular songs on the disk. Here’s that … The rest of the story…
I’m gonna share something that’s really out there. And I mean this is extremely radical info. So put on your flack jacket, crash helmet, and seat belt. It’s gonna be a short, but bumpy ride. Last warning. Are you dressed and ready to head out there? OK. Here goes. As I type this, it’s early Monday morning. I’ve been up since 2:42. But that’s … The rest of the story…
I can hardly believe it’s already been almost 4 years. But the calendar doesn’t lie. And the metadata in the documents I saved doesn’t either. Yeah, almost 4 years since I produced rough cuts to several new songs. And I have a couple of main reasons why I call them “rough cuts.” One of those songs is called “I Can Do.” And, yes, it’s … The rest of the story…
In 2011 I started producing the songs for my second collection of original lullabies for kids. (psst…adults love ’em, too) Many people, who bought the first collection, Lullabye Bye, asked me to write some more with a country and western “feel.” And while I’m not a fan of what passes for country and western these days, I AM a fan of the true western … The rest of the story…
You’re more than matter. And you matter because of that. Not because of the color of your skin. Not because of how much money you have or where you were born. And not because you’re the most perfect specimen ever conceived here on planet Earth. Your significance is measured by the highest standard in existence. God’s love and wisdom. He created you in His … The rest of the story…
I can understand why someone might be sad and lonely during this “most wonderful time of the year.” But I believe those are the people who don’t understand what the celebration of Christmas is about. And it’s no wonder so many people don’t understand that message when they’re constantly bombarded with touchy feely messages of what it’s “all about.” Going home for the holidays. … The rest of the story…
The older I get, the more I realize how “slower than Christmas” is one of those old expressions based on a kid’s perspective. Because, for me, it feels like just a few weeks ago it was Christmas 2022. And here we are, on the brink of Christmas 2023. And I can see 2024 on the horizon. Yeah, 2023 flew by. But at least it … The rest of the story…
OK, the Christmas spirit ghost just flew past. And he haunted me, with that reverberating laugh of his, as he regurgitated his annual rebuke of my Christmas joy. “Bah! Funderbug!” Sure, he’s a Christmas spirit ghost. But that’s just mean. But, in his defense (which isn’t my typical perspective), he probably heard me playing my song, “The Christmas Spirit.” It’s sort of a parody … The rest of the story…
An annual Christmas tradition, in the FunderHaus is special movies time. “Christmas in Connecticut” and “White Christmas” and “The Bishop’s Wife” and a few others all lead up to “It’s A Wonderful Life.” And you might recall, in Wonderful Life, how George Bailey (aka: James Stewart) received a copy of Mark Twain’s “Tom Sawyer” at the end of the movie. Inside he read a … The rest of the story…
I’ve never enjoyed writing pro life songs. And I wish none existed. OK, I said it. And I’m not taking it back. But I’ll explain why I’m so anti pro life songs. Because I’d much rather write songs about all the glorious things of God’s creation. You know; love, flowers, whimsy, and everything else that delights your senses and sensibilities. But every day it’s … The rest of the story…
The irony of the so-called social media connection idea is how much more disconnected we are these days. And don’t try to defend your dozens of daily posts as how connected you are. Because that’s a fading facade. Social media connection is mostly a digital soliloquy. Sure, you can “reach out” and get in touch with someone, in a hurry, if you need or … The rest of the story…
My “earthen vessel” challenges me to a duel every day. I’m sure you can relate. Because everybody faces challenges. But the daily duel is OK because it’s not like I’m alone in the wilderness. I’m not without power. Can you still relate? Do you sometimes (or often) feel the temptation to simply give up and give in? And that’s probably a rhetorical question. Because … The rest of the story…