It's a sad day for us here as Mum remembers her brother. It's been two years since he passed and Mum says the grief is still so raw that it feels like only yesterday.
So we're sharing some photos in his memory.
This is Mum and my uncle John in the early 1970s. Mum likes the photo but hates the way she looks. John was a happy smiley baby as you can see.
Happy siblings in the early 70s
John when he moved to Sweden, early 2000s
Mum and John musical ambitions 1985/86
John iair-guitaring and headbanging during the 90s in a rock club.
In our hearts always
Mum finds it difficult to write these days that's why our blog posts now contain very little text. It pains her because she wanted to write a lot more about her beloved brother but says she can't.
He was a talented guitarist, musician and songwriter. He did it because he loved it and always said he wasn't interested in becoming famous.
So here's a couple of music excerpts of John playing guitar we'd love to share. The volume is quite low though so you may have to adjust it a little.
Have a listen if guitar solos are your thing and you'd love to hear it, but not too loud as it might blow your ears off!
1. I am looking forward to ______________________this month. 2. I am in need of __________________. 3. _________ is my go-to _________. 4. When the weather is _________, I _________
Marie
1. I am looking forward to the new season of Outlander this month. 2. I am in need of a break. 3. Music is my go-to when I need to vent my pain and anger, or when I feel totally alone and sad. For the last two years, ever since everything has gone downhill for me, the music of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell has been helping me a lot. Chris was an amazing singer/songwriter, and he understood what it is to be depressed. He was definitely a poet and I can relate to most of his lyrics. I find his wonderful heartfelt voice so calming.
4. When the weather is cold, I love it. I feel calmer because I'm not hot and sticky and there's not much noise out!
Athena
1. I am looking forward to watching more bird TV this month and more chicken snacks. 2. I am in need of some exercise (says Mum). 3. My mum's lap is my go-to when I want to warm up. I get lots more attention and love too. 4. When the weather is too hot, I don't like it. Just like Mum!
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It's our own music choice today but Mum has, in fact, come up with a theme of throwback music videos from 4 decades. These are all favourite songs of Mum's. She was born in 1966, so here are the Beatles first from that year.
THE BEATLES - Eleanor Rigby
Such a haunting song...
Next, the 1970s.
JOHN MILES - Music
From 1986 - the 80s were her decade she says
SPANDAU BALLET - Through The Barricades
And the 90s weren't that great for her Mum says but there were some good tunes around like this one. Mum says she remembers dancing to this during her clubbing days (though she can't remember much from that time MOL)
KULA SHAKER - Hey Dude
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The theme for Mewsic Monday is - pick our own!
So here is what Mum and I have been listening to this week.
MARTIN AND SHIRLIE - FLY ME TO THE MOON
Husband and wife Martin and Shirlie Kemp have recorded a swing album. For those who do not know, Martin was in Spandau Ballet (one of Mum's fave 80s bands) and Shirlie was backing singer and dancer for Wham! and also one half of 80s pop duo Pepsi and Shirlie.
FLOOR JANSEN ON BESTE ZANGERS - SHALLOW
Floor Jansen is one of Mum's favourite female vocalists and since 2013 has been the official lead singer of Finnish Symphonic Metal band Nightwish. Floor, who is Dutch, performed on the Dutch TV show Beste Zangers and amazed everyone with her extraordinary vocal talent. Floor can sing anything - Classical, Rock, Metal, Pop, etc, as she clearly demonstrated on the show. Watch her performance of Shallow from A Star is Born.
FLEETWOOD MAC - LANDSLIDE
Another great band that Mum likes and Landslide is a truly beautiful song, by one of Mum's favourite all-time singers, Stevie Nicks. Mum tells me she has been pretty much inspired by Stevie throughout her life - her music, her voice, her lyrics and her mystical style.
And now here's something a little different. Mum and I have separate YouTube channels that we're trying to grow. Mum says she can understand why her channel didn't excite viewers to subscribe because basically, there was nothing for them to get excited about and she rarely posted on it. This was mostly because she wanted to concentrate on my channel (understandable!)
The truth is we're puzzled as to why my channel doesn't have a huge following and that other feline channels do. I mean, the videos Mum has made of me are entertaining enough, and she always picks audio tracks that totally match the mood of the vid. Not forgetting - I am such a star with my purrfect feline beauty and pawmazing purrsonality.
Mum now makes reaction videos and it looks like she is finally getting more viewers. She made a reaction video to the Floor Jansen "Shallow" Beste Zangers' performance, which you can see below. After that, you will see a video of mine from my own channel. I think Mum picked the right track for it 😻
Hope you subscribe to both channels. You would make our Monday not so blue if you do!
Purrs xx
We are joining Mewsic Moves Me with Curious as a Cathy
Athena Cat Goddess is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Amazon Associates Disclosure: Athena Cat Goddess is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Mum wanted to brighten up this selfie by using the BeFunky Digital Art Cartoonizer. I can't think why. Am I not bright enough already? I have to admit, it looks good, though! I love how my furs look 😻
Mum was feeling sad yesterday because 21 December would have been granddad's 79th birthday. He passed a few months before I was born. So Mum got creative in his memory and made this little REACTION VIDEO for Elvis Presley's song "Wooden Heart". This song reminds her so much of her childhood. Elvis will always remind her of her father and she misses him. We hope you are having a great time rocking with Elvis up there, Granddad! 🌈
Today is What if Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day It amazes me that humans seem to think they're so special because they have opposable thumbs. Some of them appear to think themselves superior to animals because of this. So what? Just because you evolved to have opposable thumbs does not make you cleverer than a cat (or dog or any other animal). Just because you can open things and turn things and hold stuff, it doesn't matter to us because we can do things you can't. So there!
1. My favourite kind of music is rock and metal, but I also love listening to a lot of movie soundtracks like the ones by composer Hans Zimmer. These days I just can't get enough of the Outlander Soundtrack by Bear McCreary. 2. I don’t believe in a lot of things, but I avoid the news and papers because I don't trust what they tell me. It's all brainwashing and propaganda. 3. My ideal day is a good day writing or doing something creative with Athena close by and taking a nice nap with her in the afternoon. This is what I do on most days as I work from home (or trying to earn from home). 4. Don’t let anyone stop you doing what you believe in. As long as you don't harm anyone, that is.
Athena's Answers
1. My favourite kind of music is orchestral and some classical. I also like a bit of pop and light rock. After George Michael died in 2016, Mum played a lot of his music. She was a big fan of his during the 80s and 90s. His beautiful voice soothes and relaxes me. 2. I don't believe in thinking too much about the past and future. I prefer to live in the moment with Mum. 3. My ideal day is staying close to Mum and eating lots and napping on Mum's bed. When she joins me for a nap it's even better! 4. Don't let every human into your life as some are bad and don't like cats.
Click HERE to see other links in the Friendly Fill-Ins hop
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It was a very warm day yesterday and Mum was complaining because she wants Autumn to feel like autumn! As you all know by now she is not a summery person and feels more at ease in fall and winter clothing. Lots of layers to feel safe and comfy in and boots, not sandals! And she's bought a new coat and wants to wear it
She complains that she never knows what to wear and I'm so glad I'm not human, I can tell you! I wear the same outfit every day, come rain or shine!😻
1. I have a sieve for a brain - I am getting very forgetful these days.
2. Cats make me happy.
3. I’m surprised that it's so warm right now in England. Last night was really mild for October and I woke up sweating.
4. To make a long story short (or to cut), I lost my mind - I have this song in my head, from my teenage years and one of my fave bands from that era - Spandau Ballet. Could be the story of my life really.
Athena
1. I have so much sympathy for my mum as it seems so tough to be human.
2. Mum giving me treats and cuddles make me happy.
3. I'm surprised that Mum's books aren't a success as she is a good writer!
4. To make a long story short, cats rule.
FREE TODAY ON KINDLE, MUM'S CAT TIME TRAVEL FANTASY!
On Saturday night Mum watched the Eric Clapton documentary Life in 12 Bars which was shown on BBC 2 here, which was really good. It brought back memories.
Mum was and is a great fan of Clapton's music. She got into him during the late 80s when her brother, my Uncle John (a brilliant guitarist too), started listening to him. They were both young then and were bored with the pop music around at the time and they had a passion to make it in the music business themselves. Actually, Mum did, as a singer, but my Uncle didn't much care to be famous, though he is a great musician.
Anyway, Mum loves guitars (though she can't play herself) and she has a long list of favourite guitarists but there is something about Clapton's guitar playing that touches her. Deeply. When she hears him play those amazing solos, it's as if he is bleeding out her own pain. It was like that then, and now, after many years of not listening to him, she's started to again. And you know what? It's still the same. Her pain is always there. Yeah, Mum is a bit of a tortured soul. Always has been as you all know by now. Yeah, Mummy's got the blues...
So here are a few Clapton tracks she loves and the solos are amazing. Picture Mum doing some air guitar now. Yeah, funny 😻
We are joining our friend Stunning Keisha and others for Music Moves Me blog hop and also our own ThrowBack the Music.
Music always evokes memories for you humans (and for us kitties too). It becomes the soundtrack of our lives. So, a while back I had an idea for a new regular feature on this blog.
For Throwback Thursday, why not do a post about your favourite song (or songs) that conjures up memories from your past? Or it can be a favourite album that takes you right back.Then you write a short piece about that particular time (if you want to). And if you wish, how about linking to us when you post? (Actually, it would be greatly appreciated if you could!)
The Day Princess Diana Died
On this day, 20 years ago, Princess Diana tragically died in a car crash in Paris so Mum wanted to write a post in honour of this remarkable lady. Mum says she isn't a supporter of the monarchy, but she did like and admire Diana because she was different and was so in touch with the common people and wasn't afraid to show her emotions. It's just really sad that the princess was only 36 when her life ended. So incredibly sad that she never got the chance to see her beloved boys grow up. William and Harry had a wonderful mother and she would have been the most amazing grandmother.
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
On the night Diana died, Mum was with her other soulmate kitty Suzy at her flat (apartment). Suzy actually still lived at home with Mum's mother and brother, but that weekend she was staying with Mum because Granny was having some work carried out at the house. At the time, Mum was living the life of a vampire, sleeping all day and staying awake all night, (though please note, she wasn't actually a vampire and she never lusted after blood!) Just after midnight, the movie mum was watching on TV was interrupted by a news flash that the princess had been involved in a car accident. Mum's first thought was how unlucky Diana was as over the past few months the princess seemed (according to the press) to have found happiness at last. Mum hoped Diana would be alright and the injuries she'd sustained weren't going to be serious. A few hours later the dreadful news that Diana had passed away was to shock the whole world. A week later Mum actually joined millions of others at the funeral in London. I'll let her tell you about it below.
" I wasn't going to attend the funeral but a friend at the time wanted to go so I went and, looking back, I'm glad I did. As I'm a bit of a history buff, I feel honoured to have been a part of history.
Even now, 20 years on, I can still remember the surreal quietness and stillness of it all. It was a crisp early autumn day, slightly misty morning and my late dad drove us there early as he used to work in London. After we had breakfast at a cafe he dropped us off at Hyde Park. We made our way along the Serpentine towards Kensington Palace and then Kensington High Street and found a space to stand in the crowd and wait for the procession.
At just after 9am the funeral procession began and we waited in stunned silence for the cortege to pass. I heard the horses' hooves clicking on the ground in the distance. Cries of "Diana" from a few grieving women pierced the eerie silence.
The clicking of hooves got nearer and nearer and I was lucky to be at the front of the crowd and could see it all so clear. I immediately caught sight of the flowers with the "Mummy" card on it. It was heart wrenching. At this point, as it was at the beginning of the almost 2 hours procession from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey, there were no royals walking along behind the coffin. They would join the cortege later, so I didn't get to see the two young princes. Not that I wanted to. I think it was unfair that they had to endure the torture of walking behind their mother's coffin, with the eyes of the crowd and the world watching. I don't know how they did it. I wouldn't have been able to. But I'm not here to judge. They were very brave.
After the cortege went past, we started walking and made our way to Hyde Park and found a space on the ground to sit and watch the live broadcast of the funeral on two giant screens.
We watched the entire funeral there, and though I felt immense sadness I couldn't cry, though others around me did. When Diana's brother Earl Spencer had said those words about the royals and everyone around me rose to their feet and clapped, I did too. I'm glad I was part of that.
It's a moment in time that will live on in my memory forever, something to tell my kids and grandkids (though I don't see myself having any), but I'm happy to share with my furkid instead!"
💜💚💖
Here are a few tracks that remind Mum of the summer of 1997
Where were you when you heard that Princess Diana had died?
On this day 19 years ago Mum lost her beloved angel cat Suzy (the fur daughter before me) so we are dedicating this Throwback The Music post to her.
If you remember a few months back I had an idea for a new regular feature on this blog and came up with Throwback The Music.
Copy this badge and link-up if you want to share your Throwback the Music story.
Music always evokes memories for you humans (and for us kitties too). It becomes the soundtrack of our lives. So seeing as it's Throwback Thursday, why not do a post about a favourite song of yours that conjures up memories from your past? Or it can be a favourite album that takes you right back. Or a list of fave songs that remind you of a certain time in your life. Then you answer a few questions to make it easier to write up your post. Or maybe don't answer questions (which can be of your own choosing) and just write about your memories that relate to your chosen track(s). And if you wish, how about linking to us when you post? (Actually, it would be greatly appreciated if you would!)
I've asked Mum to tell us about music which reminds her of Suzy. Not specifically music that she was listening to when Suzy crossed the bridge, but music or any songs that reminded her of her precious girl.
She's chosen a few tracks from YouTube which you can see below. Suzy came into Mum's life as a young kitten. She was adorable as you can see. Apologies for the poor quality of most of these photos but they were taken back in the very olden days of the 1980s and 90s.
The year was 1985, it was summer and it was the year of Live Aid. Mum's favourite bands of the time were Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet, and of course Wham/George Michael.
She liked a lot of other artists too but here's the end of the concert from Wembley before everyone switched over to watch the concert live from the United States.
Here is the Live Aid Finale from Wembley. So sad that some of the people we see on this stage are no longer with us too 😿
As the 80s drew to a close Mum got more interested in Rock music and began to look back to the 1960s for music inspiration. She's always loved sixties music and most of the bands from that era. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, etc. But she also rediscovered The Doors after watching The Doors Movie by Oliver Stone. Jim Morrison soon began to inspire her poetry and other writing.
There are so many songs that remind Mum of the years she spent with Suzy, but that would make one very long post. So to keep it short, here are two songs that sadly will always remind Mum of the days she lost her sweet little girl 💚 Even though Mum isn't really a Robbie Williams fan she does love this song a lot.
And she isn't a Celine Dion fan but this song always reminds her of the loss of Suzy and makes her cry.
Today I am dedicating my post to my cousin Molly. We aren't blood cousins, but she was my mum's brother's cat. Sadly she passed away a year ago and so we are posting this as a tribute to her. We never met, but Mum has met her and she really loved her. She was her little furry niece after all. Cats are drawn to Mum and Molly always loved it when she visited Uncle John in Sweden. She was always sad when she saw Mum packing her suitcase to fly back home. My uncle used to say that Molly would be a bit quiet after Mum and Gran had left. Molly was such an affectionate cat and loved her daddy so much. My Uncle John is a musician and songwriter and she always liked to hang around while he was recording. Molly always liked to listen to Mum recording her vocals for their recording project. Molly was their Number 1 fan. And even when Mum practised her vocal exercises*, Molly wanted to hear. I don't know why. Mum's vocal exercises scared me when I was a tiny kitten and heard her doing them for the first time. In fact, she doesn't do them anymore because of me I think. But then again, maybe it's because she doesn't sing much these days. Sweet Molly, we hope you are running free over the Rainbow Bridge with Suzy and Granddad and every other soul you have known and loved. Purrs xx 💖
ROCK STAR KITTY
This video is very funny. It was filmed some years ago when Molly was younger.
Mum made this photo art to be included on Saturday for our Caturday Art hop. She used the Sadness effect in LunaPic and added a grunge frame in BeFunky.
It's a sad day for music once again. Chris Cornell, another musician from my Mum's younger days, has passed away quite young. Mum tells me that back in the 1990s she was really into the grunge scene. Her favourite bands from that scene were Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. For those of you that don't know, Chris Cornell was the singer of Soundgarden. Here is one of their songs.
He also sang one of the best James Bond themes ever:
Here I am on Mum's bed the other day enjoying some early evening sun puddles...
Mum didn't know what to title this blog post. She wanted it to sound catchy. Then this song from her teenage years popped into her head: Wham! "Ray of Sunshine" (Rest in Peace, George Michael 💚😿)
I had an idea for a new regular feature on this blog. Music always evokes memories for you humans (and for us kitties too). It becomes the soundtrack of our lives. So seeing as it's Throwback Thursday, why not do a post about a favourite song of yours that conjures up memories from your past? Or it can be a favourite album that takes you right back. Then you answer a few questions to make it easier to write up your post. And if you wish, how about linking to us when you post? (Actually, it would be greatly appreciated if you would!)
Copy this badge and link-up
I've asked Mum to tell us about a special album that she's been playing a lot lately. She's chosen the George Michael album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1*
Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1*
Mum says: "This has to be my all time fave George Michael album. In the 80s, I really loved Wham. I went to their gigs and was sad when they broke up in 1986. I was at the Final gig. It was amazing. Even though it was a really hot day, I enjoyed myself immensely. Unfortunately, on the way home, I twisted my ankle." After Wham called it a day, Mum went on to follow George Michael's solo career and she loved the more mature sound of his second solo album Listen Without Prejudice and has been playing it a lot after George Michael tragically passed away on Christmas Day last year. How old were you when this album was released, Mum? It was in 1990 and was 24. What were you doing? Working as a quality controller at a dress manufacturer and singing in a pop duo with another girl, hoping we'd be the next Pepsi and Shirlie. Did you have a loving pet at this time? My beautiful black and white cat Suzy. She was my first soulmate cat. I loved her so much.
What was your greatest wish at this time? I dreamed of being a successful singer and escaping my dreary job. I loved singing and it always made me feel good. It was an escape from the problems at home. I really longed to be on stage singing and I needed to be famous. Looking back, it seems so egotistical now, but I wanted it so bad. Maybe it was due to the fact that I was really bullied at school. Maybe it's because I craved attention. I always felt my parents didn't love me enough. Fame isn't important to me now, of course. But I wouldn't mind a bit of success for once and not have to resign to the fact that I'll be the struggling artist forever 😞
After George Michael passed away, I began listening once again to his beautiful music. I will always love his earlier music. It's true that I wasn't much of a fan later (I was more into rock and metal during the 90s). Listen Without Prejudice floods my mind with so many memories. I become that young woman again - bursting with hope and dreaming of better future. But always prone to depression. That's something that doesn't seem to change. This is one of my favourite tracks. Hearing it now, two decades later, it makes me feel so good.
FREEDOM 90 from Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1
💜💚💖
Thanks for telling me about your younger days, Mum. Apparently, today is also National Cat Lady Day (or was it yesterday?) Anyway, here is a photo of my cat lady Mum and me...
And how about a photo of Mum back in the day with her beloved Suzy. Look at Mum's 80s hairdo!!! 😻
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