OCTOBER 8: Happy Columbus Day!

Taking a brief respite from the serious pursuit of Autumnal Poetry and Ghost Stories for a bit if silliness.

Today's selection is appropriate to the U.S. observance of the day.  This is what what I learned in elementary school (probably 1st or 2nd grade), and if you went to Public School in the 1960s and 1970s there is a chance you too might have this little ditty tucked away in the deep recesses of your brain, along with the Patches Pal Pledge and the words to the Super Chicken Theme Song.

Tomorrow we'll get back to the literature.  Given what we know about Columbus, and given the changes in political and social appropriateness, this song is long out of place.  But for today, let's just relax and have a bit of nostalgic fun.

Enjoy Columbus Day Song! (with apologies to whatever long gone maker of school room music books was responsible for this)

Recording (c) Judith Cullen 2012
NOT for Commerical Use

OCTOBER 7: Selection from "True Irish Ghost Stories" ~ Part 2

More from St. John Seymour and Harry Neligan's compilation of true tales from across the Emerald Isle of "Haunted Houses, Banshees and other Supernatural Phenomena" entitled True Irish Ghost Stories.  In today's selection, a reckless Irish Lord gets a second chance to mend his wicked ways.  Will he take it?  What happens if he doesn't?

Selection from True Irish Ghost Stories ~ Part 2

Recording (c) Judith Cullen 2012

NOT for Commerical Use

OCTOBER 6: Selection from "True Irish Ghost Stories" ~ Part 1

This is one of many, many stories from St. John Seymour and Harry Neligan's compilation of stories of "Haunted Houses, Banshees and other Supernatural Phenomena" entitled True Irish Ghost Stories.  In this particular account, and enraged ghost or demon is dispacted in a very uniquely Irish manner by the local Parish Priest. 

Selection from True Irish Ghost Stories ~ Part 1

Recording (c) Judith Cullen 2012

NOT for Commerical Use

Told you there'd be stories!  Another tomorrow.

OCTOBER 5: "Into the Twilight" by W.B. Yeats




Yarralumla: Autumn Twilight


I do adore Yeats!  I had a whole pile of other possible things for today sitting out to try on my tongue this morning. Ultimately this book ("Celtic Twilight") fell open to the last page by accident and I thought " What is that?"  read it (it had been a long time) and then answered myself "THAT is today's post!"

Found the lovely photo on an edublog site that was shut down over two years ago, so hopefully no one will get their knickers in a bunch that I used it.  It's a beauty!

Into the Twilight by W. B. Yeats

Recording (c) Judith Cullen 2012
NOT for Commerical Use

Wee stories for the weekend!

OCTOBER 3: "El Dorado" by Edgar Allan Poe

It is just not October with out a little Poe. Or a lot of Poe.  There will be a lot more of Poe this month, so let's start out with this one ... a gentle favorite. It sometimes feels like the cycle of bills and paying them is like the search for the mythic City of Gold.  But lately I have discovered that less is actually much -- much more.

Eldorado by Edgar Allan Poe

Recording (c) Judith Cullen 2012
NOT for Commerical Use

OCTOBER 2: "The Coach of Life" by Alexander Pushkin

Years ago, when I still thought international law was where I was going (I now shake my head in wonder at that notion) I studied Russian, and my dear college roomate Jeri landed me a bunch of book on Russian literature.  The yen for the dashing legal life passed, disabused by the call to the arts, but the books remained and years later I discovered the loveliness of Pushkin's prose and poems.  Thanks Jeri!

Everything else I looked at this morning was far more "spookable" and we have a lot of month before us, so I chose this one.  It's a little more reflective, but still in good tone for the season.  Enjoy!

The Coach of Life by Alexander Pushkin

Recording (c) 2012 Judith Cullen
NOT for Commerical Use

OCTOBER 1: "The Stolen Child" by W.B. Yeats



"The Stolen Child" by Telzey

A new month and a new project.  Have a platter full of recording to do this month. I decided just this morning that doing a short "wake up" track each day was just the way to get warmed up and motivated.  Plus, it's a great month for stories and poems of the mythic and super natural!

So, let's begin the "spookable month" with a favorite! 

The Stolen Child by W.B. Yeats

Recording (c) Judith Cullen 2012
NOT for Commerical Use