Lo and behold the Lord has come and to us a child is born. May the season bring us peace and understanding, more than tolerance but a true compassion for one another. We are the living God and though friends and family may be scattered and some departed, we are the true transformation with the light of our saviors generous soul to warm and embrace all in his love.an extended our hand to those that are with us now. Are you in the hands of the great spirit, the great I am. Even the smallest voice is heard in the realm of Spirit. The universe is here to answer even the smallest of prayers. This season I pray for peace in the hearts of all. And in the love our neighbor are passage to Bethlehem is a bridge of hearts.
Angels Among Us – Saints Within
Natural Enchantment is the remembered elegance of one’s soul. We are at once the echo of the divine and the pursuit of our affirmation on earth; all entwined in the struggle of being loved, and dealing with what we find unlovable in ourselves.
I’ve been giving some thought as to what it is we do that makes us happy. Is it the people we love or the people who love us: sharing in the cherished history of friendship? Is the angel we seek the one whose can turn it all around and sniff out danger ahead and whack it with a big sword? Or is it the one who floods the senses with a huge amount of love that we can’t seem to give ourselves? Among us our human angels, who’ve stepped in to say, “I am here, you are not alone.” Maybe it’s all about what we choose to believe.
There is a great love for each of us. I try to remember this when I see those that are hurt, and broken, their cords to Life Source entangled in a belief system that keeps them there.
We seek to be free, they say, and I remembered that song by Donavan.
“Calves are easily bound and slaughtered, never knowing the reason why, but whosoever treasures freedom, like the swallow learns to fly Why don’t you have wings to fly with, like the swallow so proud and free? How the winds are laughing, they laugh with all their might Love and laugh the whole day through and half the summer’s night
Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona, Don a Do, Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona, Don a Don”
The long somber trailers rumbled through town, filled with unsuspecting cows going to slaughter, their moon eyes were dilated with confusion and lost lonely emptiness slumped their gaits in down trodden despair. We have all felt like that at one time.
There among the pieces of sanctioned misery, for all those who have lost, or never had their freedom; there is a promised land. Out of the ruinous catastrophes of their seemingly hopeless lives there is a light. If one can Remix wonder with the beat of humanity; then you will have something that resonates in the now, transcends the devastations of the suffering, and clasps hands with the ones who can take the simplest of moments to soothe themselves again.
“To all you souls, who’ve lost your hope when the world you dreamed about is falling down. Would it mean a thing if you heard me sing about the ways a good life could be found. And the glowing embers still alive.” – Michael Tomlinson
New CD due out this Winter -2016 – http://michaeltomlinson.com/
Thanksgiving Remembered
Tis the season for making funny TV shows about the horrors and humor of Thanksgiving family dinners. Although quite funny, and eerily embarrassing to the core of all sensibility, there is one resonating theme; families, no matter how dysfunctional, are still family. With all our heritage flukes and phopauxs and oftentimes malentendus brut, and I only say them in French so as not to spark any further feuds; there is a bond. A great lineage wheel spinning that washes, and rinses, and sometimes repeats.
I have long thought that the celebrations of gathered kin folk has missed the mark as to the lovely connotation it deserves. One of treasured belonging to something unique and deeply faithful to God, and family. Isn’t it amazing that we are all here at this time together? We are sharing moments that will never return. All of my grandparents, great aunts and uncles were gone by the time I was 24 years old. No more of the elegant dinners Auntie Mimi made for us where we each got our own Cornish game hen. Never would there be grandmas banana bread and custard cups, or feeding squirrels with grandpa Ralph, or watching Auntie Edna mixing up her words after a few martinis, “I am so hungry, all I had today was beaners and weens, ” was a classic.
We all grew, moved away, started families and began our own traditions. Back then we performed out little songs, dressed up for the occasion, ate off of fine silver and drank out of crystal glasses in that little apartment in Minneapolis. All of the memories were grand, as time illuminates them from the past, as they should in reverence, and respect for a bygone era.
I look forward to the holidays, after for many years I now have great aunts again, in laws, and nephews, nieces and many cousins, who breathe life back into the seasons with a fresh reminder; the faces might have changed but family love continues.
Prince of Peace
Release Sneak Preview of Prince of Peace
From Prince Of Peace CD – Soon to be released on November 30th, 2013
- Prince of Peace Christmas CD by Laura Botsford
Ambient Classical Christmas Music with Symphonic Movements and Melodic Middle Eastern vocals, transcendent woodwinds, brass and eclectic world beat percussion.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
On Amazon
On itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/prince-of-peace/id775350416
On CD Baby
Troubadours of Peace
Long ago, in a place of tranquility, we met the troubadours of peace and gathered in the halls of Discovery, waiting for the day that they would be called forth to sing of our humanity. Our great souls and the potentiality of every living being began there for me. Among the newly anointed was one Ritchie Havens, he will always be in the ethers of time a true Ambassador of Peace. I was only seventeen at the time and unable to travel to the great Woodstock event that marked and led forever the possibility of great numbers gathered together harmoniously without trouble, sharing, caring for each other and truly exampling the best of the human spirit.
I did however go on to be part of other great gatherings, The very first rainbow festival in Colorado. The first Rainbow Gathering of the Tribes, a four-day event in Colorado in July 1972, was organized by youth counterculture “tribes” based in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Twenty thousand people faced police roadblocks, threatened civil disobedience, and were allowed onto National Forest land.
My friend Roxann or as we called her back then, Roxio, baked bread in a wood stove at the first gathering in Colorado. (Photo by Richard Nelson)
My friend, Bobbie Bumper, guided people up the mountain to the camp sites.
Both of these amazing women traveled the country and the world, and taught me how to play the guitar.
We Love You
Rainbow Spirit The Heart of Fire
The SONGBOOK of Culture Magic is here
Unicorn Giraffe Score
New Orchestration of Unicorn Giraffe
This lovely arrangement of Unicorn Giraffe was done by KMG Music of the Heart Strings Quartet- The Sheet music is for two violins, cello and viola. It is for sale for all classical enthusiasts looking for a children’s piece to add to their repertoire. Can you imagine a world where the most different of sorts find friendship? Are you one that might be so unusual that you think it impossible to find a place belong? The Unicorn Giraffe thought so until he realized that he had to like himself first before others would like him. He had to believe that what set him apart from the others , is what made him so unique. The love he sought was there in him, and only until he realized this would his life be fulfilled. There is a light within you may if ever be near.
More Music from the potential collaborative play
Verse1
Once upon a time in a distant land, there lived a Unicorn Giraffe
He was the only one of his kind that he knew of, he was the only one of his kind that he could see, He was a lonely he.
He would graze in meadows date palm leaves he would eat, then in the afternoon when it was hot, he’d go down to the stream, He’d go down to the stream, Child of the river.
Verse 2
Yet at night, when the stars burned bright, he would sit, he would sit beneath the moon and he sang a sad little song that went like this, He’s sing, send a friend to join me send a friend to know me, send a friend along, send a friend along.
Verse 3
And All the birds they echoed in his wish as did the frogs, the mice and the silver fish, they sang, glubb, glubb, ribbit, Iiee, la tweet.
Well the days seem to spin by although he was lonesome he ceased to cry, rather he sang a different tune, beneath the hopeful gentle moon.
And it came to pass, but not too soon, beneath this hopeful, gentle moon there came another giraffe, he didn’t have a unicorn, that was alright, for it’s what you are inside, it’s what you are inside not what you look like and together they sang.
Chorus*
There’s a light that shines within me, may it always be quite near, it’s my best and truest friend then there’s you my dear.
Four Piece Orchestral Sheet Music can be bought on Bandcamp.com
Autographed books of the story are on the Etsy Store
Unicorn Giraffe is also on Blurb with a full preview.
The Original Song – written in 1972 and recorded on a little radio recorder in Inglewood California so my audio isn’t that great. I added the strings last year.
Play open for collaborative mini grant visit my website to be inspired
Over the Rainbow
Surely a dream must have a song, this is a classic common tale that we all share.
Why do I love this song? is it because it reminds me of my childhood? Or perhaps speaks of dreams coming true? Yes, all the best of life fulfilled eventually, after the longing, in the sweet sadness of life’s woes and disappointments.
There in the heart of everyone is this universal truth, somewhere we can escape to, someplace where we can live our dreams. It is a common calling that comes with being born. No matter your fortune, good or lack of, there is always something we want to make right, to have or be delivered from. In a world of such diverse contrasts, it is an ignitable presence in all of our lives that resonates at our core and surely seeks a hopeful distraction.
When I was young, the elders spoke of believing in oneself, and if you did that your dreams would come true. I’ve come to believe that as I got older my beliefs were shaken most by those that didn’t embrace this truth; and when my dreams coming true depended on them believing as well, then that was where all my troubles began.
Yes, it is challenging to continue from a center of well being in the midst of chaos, heartache when people let you down. When I finally accepted that people have their own perspectives, their own paths, and the right to them, that I started feeling better. We can not control the behavior of others, we can only be as it is said, “The change we want to see in the world.” There is great peace in knowing this.
Maybe the rainbow is really just our hearts, and minds choosing to be happy just for the fun of it.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?
Chet Baker
Where did you go? Why wasn’t the music enough for you?
Like so many, to many musicians in the 50’s all lost in a sea of heroin
adrift in dissonance, loaded and stoned by the denial of your own light Beauty Bashed and Broken life
banal and though somehow you survive inbetween the vinyl grooves and romantics like me
and now that I find your left over dreams, I wonder just what does this that mean?
Are you just a note away from coming back and doing it right this time?
maybe I’m old fashioned, maybe you married an angel and ain’t coming back
But the moonlight over Vermont lights your way, the autumn leaves rustle, waiting in new sheet music then
just around daybreak I see you coming with the wind, you belong to me, my funny valentine.
There is that long ago and faraway feeling of you younger than springtime once again.
Through the clouds, over the rainbow , your soul, time after time, to finally be all that you are.
I’ll be waiting, when you come back with that silver lining.
Love, your little girl blue
Wishing Wall
Wishing Wall by Laura Botsford
Ambient Jazz fusion with horns and eclectic percussion harmonized with world culture voices and rocking retro riffs. Ideal for easy listening, meditative soul exploration and inspirational motivation. Permission only if the picture is linked as well to CD Baby purchase.
About the Writing of Wishing Wall
I began realizing what was happening when I wrote Swedish Prince. In a mystical touchstone moment of encountering my Father’s Spirit in the song as it unfolded, I recognized that he was encouraging me to return to what I have always loved; writing songs. So here I went on this wonderful adventure of taking each brick in my wall and returning myself into the wish-fold of my bliss and the belief that some things lost, can be found again.
Tevers Tune, is from the album Wishing Wall. This Jazz/Ambient Fusion with playful sounds are woven with threads of retro instrumentation, with just the right touch of ethereal voices.
Ambient Jazz fusion with horns and eclectic percussion harmonized with world culture voices and rocking retro riffs; ideal for easy listening, meditative soul exploration and inspirational motivation. I believe that we engage in the mystery of crossing paths and soulfully connecting circles of friends all enveloped in a spiral of ribbons in the sky, laced artfully through serendipitous music, prayers and wishes.
Each circle is completely different from the other and netted in their own time. What is curious to me is the ongoing adventure of who I will have the honor of meeting next through the wishing wall.
Sojourns and Sweet Dreams- Laura
Tevers Tune
In celebration of our brothers 6oth birthday! I wrote a song for him on the new CD. He recently was pretty sick and was in the hospital for a couple of weeks so I am contributing all purchases of this song to him. To help out Steven Reinhardt, just click the link and it will take you to the site. Steven loves vintage toys and quirky things, so the middle break in the song is all about this treasured part of his personality
Balancing on Light Beams
Balancing on Light Beams is from the Wishing Wall CD.
Ambient Jazz Fusion with lyrical piano and soft ethereal dreamy vocals. It is a smooth ride of easy listening, meditative soul exploration that will take one away from it all into a peaceful place.
To Sing the Light Fantastic
To Sing The Light Fantastic
Laura Botsford
I wasn’t a very quite child by nature. I talked a lot, and thought everyone should listen to me. I thought that it was expected of me to keep the conversation going, or maybe I was a little to precocious to know any better. Fortunately for me I believed in everything I said and felt confident in expressing myself. Oftentimes I emulated the best of my made up characters from my imagination; trying on personalities like hats. I was creating myself from plays, and movies that I admired; I was the song that I wrote on, inventing harmonies for the present moments I found myself in. I always sang. That was who I liked being best of all. Life was a musical, and when it wasn’t, I was bored, detached from who I really was. It was a more than a pastime; it was a state of being.
And all my favorite, invisible friends gathered in the basement just to hear me sing. Looking back on this, I can see all the room aglow with inspiration. Performances were born out of this sweet spot. Incandescent lights appeared calling me to sing to them. I sang with heroic exuberance. In that basement I found my concert space and I was content in knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up. Now to get there was a different matter. All roads carry turning points, filled with lessons if we stay awake and embrace them openly. I was a vast sea of ideas without a map. There were things I saw around me that were illuminated by songs. Patience my dear for the sound is a treasure somewhere in the sands of your timeless soul. If you feel the rhythm then you will find your way.
Halley’s Comet last appeared in the inner Solar System in 1986 and will next appear in mid-2061. Seventy Five years between gigs. Songs travel without time, they are buried in the sand, on the doorsteps of relationships, good and hard times and in dreams. They are found in newspapers and paintings; maybe just a melody that is a wisp of a phrase. They move in and take over, like a hunger or a voice you can’t get out of your head. The nature of a song is in the very breath of Spirit and most times takes up collection from the depths of ones soul.
The heart of a song is in the mist and silence is the only way to catch it as it streaks by. A good song tells a story, it weaves a spell, it tells the truth, it inspires and can change one’s life forever. Some songs are prayers while others are celebrations, and always a song seeks to sing the light fantastic, from it’s own timeless place.
poetstreets.com 