Archive for February, 2012
Up In the Air
In our Matrika Mom & Baby classes, we sing a very unique song, “Up in the Air Junior Thunderbirds.” I added this to the class as I remember my mother singing this to my sister and I as she let us fly up on her shins and I wanted to add this fun and exciting experience to my classes. One day I got it into my head to go online and get the lyrics to this song so that I could print them out and give them to my moms. I was somewhat disturbed to find that I had, actually, through my memory, created completely unique lyrics. So, although I thought I was remembering them word for word from when my mother sang them, it turns out I only have the tune right and the basic structure of the song.
We sing:
Up in the air junior Thunderbird
Up in the air, upside down
Up in the air junior Thunderbirds
With our noses to the ground
Well, here is a link to the original lyrics. You will notice that they are close in spirit, but not really the same song that we sing.
Here are the original lyrics to Up in the Air Junior Birdmen:
Up in the air, Junior Birdmen
Up in the air, Birmen true
Up in the air, Junior Birdmen
Spread your wings up in the blue
Up in the blue
And when you hear that grand announcement
That you’ve won your wings of tin
You’ll be glad that you’re a Birdman
And you sent your box tops in
Just three boxtops, and one thin dime.
Enjoy mammas! No matter what you sing, enjoy some playtime on the floor with your wee ones today.
On the Dark Side of Good
My dear readers, I have suggested in the past that a truly “good read” can’t be all that serious, but I have just read, perhaps, one of the finest books I have ever read and it is, by all definition, a truly dark book. But, since I feel so strongly that it is a beautiful piece of literature that, as dark as it is, ultimately affirms life, so I’m going to recommend it as a “Good Read” anyway. You have been warned!
Title: Stone Upon Stone
Author: Wieslaw Mysliwski
Translated from the Polish by Bill Johnston
This next recommendation is dark, but the tone of the writing is comedic and it does not feel as heavy as Stone Upon Stone (no pun intended). But, it also stretches the limits of darkness allowable for a truly “good read” and I don’t recommend it for anyone who is sad or currently in a therapeutic process of any sort. No reason to torture yourself, even for a truly excellent novel.
Title: The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine
Author: Alina Bronsky
Translated from the German by Tim Mohr
Both of these recommended books are available through the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, for those of you who are local to the Burgh! And, the Bronsky book is available as an e-book through the Library as well.
Enjoy!
These recommendations are made by Sharon Fennimore Rudyk, Director of Yoga Matrika. Yoga Matrika is an intimate little space in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh for exploring meditation, yoga and movement. You are welcome to join us!