Only When Santa Comes? – Christmas Songs – Christmas Music.

Only When Santa Comes? – Christmas Songs – Christmas Music

Christmas Songs and Christmas Music.

Songs of Christmas and Music of Christmas can be enjoyed all year round.

Generally speaking. Of course there songs of Christmas like Christmas Carols, which are specific to the Christmas season.

But there are other songs, without Christmas in the title, that can induce the mood, and feeling of Christmas.

Such as Soothing, Relaxing Piano Music, and soft,introspective sounds of the Spanish Classical Guitar.

You may be wondering just how Christmas Songs and Christmas Music came to be:

Christmas hymns date to the fourth century and carols to the 13th century. The earliest known hymn in honor of the Nativity is ”Jesus refulsit omnium,” which translates to ”Jesus, Light of All the Nations,” written by St. Hilary of Poitiers, who died in 368. A carol is not, strictly speaking, associated with Christmas. A carol originally meant a cheerful, lively dance. Many carols were associated with different times of the year, including Christmas. In 1223, St. Francis of Assisi traditionally created the first crèche, also known as a manger or nativity scene, and sang carols there. While carols were part of the more secular, less religious Christmas traditions by the 14th century, the earliest known carols date from 15th-century mystery plays, which were folk dramas depicting Biblical scenes. The ”Coventry Carol” is one example that remains popular today. Carols were generally handed down by popular tradition in the vernacular, which is the common language, not Latin, and was used for ceremonial and church occasions. Some carols that have not survived were bawdy or satirical.

The Golden Age of the Carol is considered to have been between 1350 and 1550 AD. Many of these carols are macaronic, meaning they were sung both in Latin and a vernacular language, and some 500 texts survive. By 1600, the tradition of the Waits was incorporated into carol singing. The Waits were the official city watchmen whose job was to patrol the streets at night. At Christmastime, they combined their duty with carols they would play on musical instruments.
The establishment of the Protestant Church, known as the Reformation, encouraged the growth of carol singing. During this time, the first known book of carols, ”Christmasse Carrolles,” was published in 1521. Several other collections were printed over the next century including ”New Christmas Carols” in 1642. In 1649, the Puritans in England, along with Puritan communities in the New World (present-day United States), banned Christmas carols. The Puritans did not observe Christmas, as they saw no Biblical reference to the celebration of Christmas on December 25th. Nevertheless, many people in England celebrated in secret or defied the laws, thus passing on traditions for when the monarchy was restored in 1660.

Bottom line: Christmas Songs and Christmas Music can(and should be enjoyed all year long.

Christopher Strong Bicycle Gourmet’s Tears of Chenonceau

French History is the World’s greatest(and longest running)action adventure movie. Chock full of everything you could want in a Hollywood blockbuster.(expect the SFX, bien sur.) Love, Intrigue, Betrayal, Murder, Assassination, Torture, War,Plagues. And, ocassionally, a few brief periods of peace, happiniess and justice for all.
Although I am, as you are well aware, a “dyed in the wine” Francophile my interest in things Historical here in the land of gastronomy is not massive. However, from time to time, a slice of ancient froogie-dom freezes on my screen. Such an event is the story that I’ve entitled : “The Tears Of Chenonceau.”
Our tale begins during the reign of King Francois 1.

Our interest however, is in the King-to-be, his son. Young (future)Henry2

Like all nobles of his day, had a variety of tutors. And not just the readin’, writin’, ‘rithmatic variety. World history, knowledge of other languages and cultures, knowing which fork to use for the salad were also on the educational menu.
One of young Henry’s tutors was a cultured lady of her day by the name of Diane de Poitiers.

A Noblewoman of considerable power and influence in the court of Francois 1, it was Diane who gave young Henry his farewell kiss when he was sent to Spain.(Owing to the fact that his Mother was dead) That kiss would blossom into a relationship so intense that some future royal documents were signed : “HenriDiane.”
This understandably did not go down well with the Queen. She being Catherine de Medici, of the infamous Italian dynasty, who Henri married in 1533.

https://www.frenchenews.com/posts/bicycle-gourmet-and-the-tour-de-france

Although the Italians did introduce that revolutionary eating instrument – the fork – to the French table, they, and the Medicis’ in particular, weren’t on anyone’s quick-dail in Henri’s court.
So, yet another negative for Catherine to deal with. In addition to the fact that, as a coronation present, Henri had given Diane the magnificent Chateau of Chenonceau – which Catherine had been drooling over.
But wait – there’s more! Catherine was not having success with producing a Royal heir. Which, as you well know, is the primary function of the Queen. Enter an entourage of snake oil salesman/potion peddlers (predictably Italian) each claiming to possess the magic elixir that would enable Catherine to finally have “a bun in the oven.”
To Diane’s credit, she did see to it that Henri paid frequent visits to his wife’s bedroom. And eventually (with or without the Italian fertilizer magicians) 10 children were produced.
And, of course, the rivalry continued. Curiously, Diane and Catherine were actually related. Both being descendants of the La Tour d’Auvergne family.
As Shrewd as she was beautiful, Diane realized that her power and influence could not be challenged by Catherine while Henri was alive. Ok – time now to get out your hankies.
When Henri was mortally wounded in a jousting accident(in which the ribbon he won was Diane’s, not Catherine’s – OOPS!)Catherine asserted her Queenly powers. First refusing to allow Diane access to Henri. (Although he’s alleged to have called out for her. And why would he not?)
Next, when Henri died, Catherine, obviously humming a few bars of “revenge is sweet”, barred Diane from the funeral.
Tout de suite apres, Catherine de Medici banished Diane from Chenonceau to the Château de Chaumont. She stayed there briefly. Living out her remaining years in her chateau in Anet, Eure-et-Loir, where she died at age 66.
And so, dear reader, if you should visit Chenonceau, looking right to see Diane’s garden, and left to view Catherine’s, and if, treading the stones of it’s ancient interior you should feel a certain “tristesse” that you can’t quite describe, you will let me know, won’t you?

Christopher Strong Bicycle Gourmet – Backroads

Christopher Strong Bicycle Gourmet – Backroads really happened by accident.
It all started when I decided to take Paul Simon’s advice – “drop off the key lee, and get yourself free.”
Ok – I wasn’t exactly chained to my life as a film-maker/photographer in San Francisco. But, like most folks from “over there” I dreamed of France.
Not just the food, wine, scenery, and, of course, chocolate. But of travelling through the French Country backroads. With no fixed agenda. No destination in mind.
And so, after letting my colleagues “inherit” my business, I, armed with an airline ticket, a $60 bicycle, and a Pentax spotmatic camera(best 50mm lens ever made) was on my way.
In the years that have followed, I’ve been lucky enough to glide down uncountable KMs of French Country Backroads. Tasting the land and the people, as well as the food and wine. (And, yes, the chocolate.)
I’ve had, and continue to have, truly, the “experience of a lifetime.” Or, more precisley, a “lifetime of experiencing, deeply, another land and it’s people.”
Yes, ok, great for me. But, what about you? Well, that’s why I’ve been sharing my backroads adventures for the past zillion and a half years. And, as that old song line goes: “The end is not in sight.”
“I have taken the road not taken. And that has made all the difference.”
– Robert Frost –
Take that road with me. In THIS VIDEO

Christopher Strong Bicycle Gourmet – Bio Wine Vine

http://soulmuse2.com/gourmet3.html

http://bicyclegourmet.com

BIO WINE ONE – 2014 Maysara Cyrus Pinot Noir
http://bicyclegourmet.com/BO1

Extra ripeness in the vineyard translates to a more generous core of red-black fruits. Blackberry and fresh cracked pepper entwine perfectly with matured and lengthy tannins on the finish. Drinking beautifully now, pair it with darker fowl, grilled meats and salmon.
According to ancient Persian legend, King Jamsheed was able to observe his entire realm by peering into his full wine goblet.

BIO WINE TWO – 2019 Keeler Field Blend
http://bicyclegourmet.com/BO2

A fun blend with both red and white varietals that represents the entire vineyard with hints of spice and strawberry
Varietals: 50% Carbonic Pinot Noir, 25% Carbonic Pinot Gris, 15% destemmed Chardonnay, 10% destemmed Riesling
Alcohol: 11.5%
Sugar Residual: 0.5 g/L

BIO WINE THREE – 2018 Keeler Chardonnay
http://bicyclegourmet.com/BO3

Oregon Chardonnay at its best. Presents wonderful citrus aromas of Meyer lemon peel leading into a layered palate and long finish. “Some waxy aromas with a pithy array of bright citrus fruit and a very layered palate that has a succulent, long and impressively focused drive to the long, commanding finish.” James Suckling.com.
Aging: Aged 14 months on less in 75% French Oak (30% new) and 25% stainless steel
Awards: 93 points, James Suckling
Alcohol: 12.5%
Sugar Residual: 1.9 g/L
Certified: Organic and Biodynamic

Last week’s ORGANIC WINES:

2011-albet-i-noya-marti-reserva
http://bicyclegourmet.com/01
2007-camparo-nebbiolo-d-alba-doc
http://bicyclegourmet.com/02
2019-terra-costantino-de-aetna-etna-blanco
http://bicyclegourmet.com/03

Adam Allan, B.S.A. _ Thoreau The Rebel

Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) was an American philosopher, poet, and environmental scientist whose major work, Walden, draws upon each of these identities in meditating on the concrete problems of living in the world as a human being. He sought to revive a conception of philosophy as a way of life, not only a mode of reflective thought and discourse. Thoreau’s work was informed by an eclectic variety of sources. He was well-versed in classical Greek and Roman philosophy, ranging from the pre-Socratics through the Hellenistic schools, and was also an avid student of the ancient scriptures and wisdom literature of various Asian traditions. He was familiar with modern philosophy ranging from Descartes, Locke and the Cambridge Platonists through Emerson, Coleridge, and the German Idealists, all of whom are influential on Thoreau’s philosophy. He discussed his own scientific findings with leading naturalists of the day, and read the latest work of Humboldt and Darwin with interest and admiration. His philosophical explorations of self and world led him to develop an epistemology of embodied perception and a non-dualistic account of mental and material life. In addition to his focus on ethics in an existential spirit, Thoreau also makes unique contributions to ontology, the philosophy of science, and radical political thought. Although his political essays have become justly famous, his works on natural science were not even published until the late twentieth century, and they help to give us a more complete picture of him as a thinker. Among the texts he left unfinished was a set of manuscript volumes filled with information on Native American religion and culture. Thoreau’s work anticipates certain later developments in pragmatism, phenomenology, and environmental philosophy, and poses a perennially valuable challenge to our conception of the methods and intentions of philosophy itself.

Adam Allan B.S.A. -Shock The Monkey – Fantasy vs Facts

If I had to describe Adam Allan’s controversial book – “Shock The Monkey – Facing the World’s Deadliest Virus” in one sentence, it would be: “Denial is not just a river in Egypt.”
Denial is the central theme of Mr. Allan’s provocative offering. He contends that by embracing fantasys, and not facts, we are “in denial.”
And that the results of this denial are the root of all our problems and confusions.
For Mr. Allan, the main contributor to our denial is a “virus” called: Belief.
“Belief is a virus of pandemic proportions. Deadlier than Dengé. More contagious than Ebola. More common than Cancer. More pervasive than Covid-19.
Every strain of the Belief virus, annoints the believer with a fairytale of superiority. Making all “non believers” inferior. And absolving the believer of any responsibility for the consequences of their fairytale.”
The Author labels beliefs “fairytales” because they lack proof. Which is why, when there is no proof – we must “believe.”
“When you base your life on a fairytale you are viewing the World not as it is – but as you would like it “to be.”
And those words: “to” and “be” are half of our word: BELIEF. The other half: “lief” is an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning “wish.”
So when someone says: “I believe in (my fairytale)”, They are simply saying: “I wish my fairytale to be real.”
In the absence of concrete, repeatable proof, and/or a demonstrable effect, we must “believe”(wish) our fairytale exists.”
As Shock The Monkey continues, Mr. Allan, details the other “complimentary viruses” that aid belief in “Fantasy Fabrication.”
Particularly illuminating is his examination of the profund, but rarely noted contribution of societal programming to the denial imperative.
Progressing past the negatives, and the reasons for them, the Author introduces us to what he calls “Authentic Awareness.” His term for a creative, intuitive, stress free life. An Authentic Life where the viruses of denial have been banished.
Yes, it does sound utopian. But Mr. Allan is not just “waxing philosophical.” Or painting pictures of an unattainable World.He never makes a factless statement. Never advances “theories”. Never traffics in “maybe’s” or “could be’s.”
This insistence on factual proof is certainly why Shock The Monkey has indeed shocked and disturbed so many.
While you may disagree with Mr. Allan’s message – you have no choice but to acknowledge and agree with the facts that support it.
Decide for yourself in this downloadable free copy.

Adam Allan B.S.A. – Inner Peace

Guest Post by Adam Allan, BSA

Adam Allan BSA – Inner Peace
Inner Peace is a strange animal. Everyone is searching for it. Yet no one can agree on exactly “what” it is.
And that’s the reason why the “search for Inner Peace” has created so many millionaires/billionaires.
And, not suprisingly, no matter how much money you invest in the “wisdom” of your chosen guru, Inner peace remains a fog shrouded abstraction. Never materializing.
Govinda, the boyhood friend of Siddhartha in Herman Hesse’s novel had the same experience.
After going their seperate ways for many years,the two were re-united, when Govina became a passenger on Siddhartha’s boat on the Ganges.
Govina: (paraphrasing) “I went to this guru thinking he had the truth. But, finally he didn’t. Then I studied with other gurus. But none of them had the truth. Siddhartha help me!..How do I find the truth?”
Siddhartha : “Stop searching.”
No need to search in this video either.
BTW – My book – Shock The Monkey is out now and FREE.

Your Fellow Human
Adam Allan,BSA
p.s. Never forget: “We’re all in this together.”

Adam Allan BSA – Shock The Monkey – Belief Exposed?

When you first scan Adam Allan’s book – Shock the Monkey – Facing the World’s Deadliest Virus – you’d think it was about covid. Or some other, maybe monkey borne infectious disease. You’d think. But you would be wrong.
The “virus” Mr’ Allan refers to – is belief. Which he says is responsible for the majority of personal and planetary problems.

Now before you blow him off as just another wannabe airhead guru, take a moment to examine your beliefs. What do you believe? and Why? And more importantly how would your life change – if at all – if you didn’t “believe?”

I think you’ll find, as I did, it’s difficult to to find a fact based answer to those questions.

And Mr. Allan is ALL about facts.

His “sound bite” is: “Where there is no proof – There is no truth.” And truth, as Mr. Allan consistently reminds us, is grounded in facts. Repeatable, uncontestable Facts.

“Facts never lie. Never “misspeak.” Never “Spin.” Facts can’t be bribed,corrupted,cajoled, persuaded, or influenced.

Facts tell the Truth. Facts confirm that someone/something is: “True.”

Facts don’t give a rats ass for your precious “beliefs.” They’ll flat out tell you how things are. Not how you want them to be.”

In Shock The Monkey, Mr. Allan reminds us there are no “facts” in belief. And therefore,because they have no proof, they contain no truth.
For that reason, he labels beliefs “fairytales.” Not the Hansel and Gretel kind but what he defines as: “Adult Fairytales.”

“An Adult fairytale is born when an adult, someone of a certain age and life experience, presumed to be rational and present, pretends that a fantasy is real.
And, worse yet, proceeds to base their actions, and therefore their life on this fantasy. Like building a house foundation on quicksand. With the same results.”

Happily, Shock the Monkey is not, despite it’s focus on facts, a dry, boring ,preachy tome.

With intelligence,foresight,logic, and more than a little dose of tongue in cheek humor, Mr. Allan offers a “road map” to what he calls an “Authentic Awareness.”

An awareness that creates a Authentic life. One free of belief, ego, desire and society’s inherited programming. A life without stress,priorities,deadlines and “to do” lists.

Getting to that life starts with checking out Shock The Monkey.
And, since it’s free, why wouldn’t you?

Adam Allan B.S.A – Shock The Monkey Reviewed

In Adam Allan’s book –“Shock The Monkey – Facing the World’s Deadliest Virus” you’ll find no endorsement of NLP, S.M.A.R.T.goals or “vision boards.” No Promotion of “enhanced productivity and “creating your ideal future.” No promises to help you “unleash your inner greatness”, or “make a million and make a difference.”

In fact, Mr. Allan’s rant is exactly the opposite. He contends that the aforementioned, are simply “marketing methods” designed to (in his phrase) “get you into the tent.”

Where you can be sold all manner of “inner work” options.

Safe to say, that Mr. Allan will not be making any friends among the other Authors in his genre.

What he will be, and is doing, with his decidely contrarian approach, is to encourage fact based thought.
Which, as we all know, is usually in second place, or worse, to the desire-based variety.

As he puts it: “When the cookie is irresistible, the cookie monster will find a way to kick logic and reason to the curb.”

In Shock the Monkey – Mr. Allan explains how reason and logic are “hijacked” by belief, ego, desire, and societal programming to convince us that fantasies are facts.

And that, to use the popular expression, is “the rock and the hard place.”
Download a Free Copy of Shock The Money and check it out.

Adam Allan B.S.A. – Bezos Branson and Musk -The Space Cowboys

“Since the dawn of time” – (forgive me for that cliche phrase..but it IS appropriate here) Mankind has gazed up into the heavens.
Wondering – how it all got there? Who created it? What does it mean? And countless other unanswerables.
Particularly difficult for our Neanderthal ancestors. After a hard day of hunter/gathering, chowing down on whatever dino they were lucky enough to club, and adding a few strokes of charcoal to their cave canvas masterpiece, they were undertsandable perplexed by those twinkley things in the sky. “How do we fit in?” was the logical question their stone age brains were posing.
Fast Forward a few thousand years – and mankind STILL hasn’t answered that question. At least not in a universally accepted manner.
But our continuing fascination with all in the sky above, has produced a new variation of our species. The Space Cowboys. Like their Neanderthal forefathers they’re equally ga-ga over all things extra terrestial.
But their fascination has nothing to do with the questions that stumped our Stone Age Ancestors.
I dissect their obsession, and it’s negative implications, in this video.

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Only When Santa Comes? – Christmas Songs – Christmas Music.