Gardening and Garden Songs for Self-Care: Focus on the Growth
More than a year into the pandemic, you may be feeling extremely fatigued. We’ve all adapted to a “new normal,” but many of us are looking for any sign of hope we can find. Although many things are slowly becoming more “normal,” there are still many unknowns that we face. How can we cultivate a…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone
Mood: Slow, Positive Themes: 60s songs, Feeling good Tempo: Slow Genre/Style: Showtune, Jazz In life, we can easily identify when things are going wrong and are challenging for us and others. Those prolonged periods of turmoil can leave us feeling drained and down. When going through those tough times, it can be hard to take…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “I Can See Clearly Now”
Mood: Slow, Hopeful, Optimistic Themes: 60s songs, Showtunes Tempo: Slow Genre/Style: Reggae and Soul Written in 1972, Johnny Nash’s song “I Can See Clearly Now” shows a person beginning to see clearly the problems that they are facing while also looking towards the future. Nash collaborated with Bob Marley early in his career. He took…
Read MoreFor Covid-19 Commemoration: “Auld Lang Syne”
We often think of “Auld Lang Syne” as a song for New Year’s Eve. Traditionally sung at the stroke of midnight among cheers and clinking glasses, the song provides an opportunity to say goodbye to the old year with fondness. This song may also feel strangely appropriate in March 2021, one year after the Covid-19…
Read MoreMaking Grief and Memorial Playlists
Grief and mourning are two different experiences that accompany loss or change. While grief is a personal, internal experience, mourning involves the things we do to recognize a loss or express our grief. What is grief? Grief is the collection of thoughts and feelings we have internally when we experience loss. These feelings vary over…
Read MoreEasy Songwriting Activity: “Winter Wishlist”
Looking for something new and fun to do during these bleak winter months? Want a break from the heaviness all around us from the pandemic and political unrest? Trying out some songwriting can be a fun and creative way to discover your friends’ and family’s favorite winter activities while also acknowledging some of the things…
Read MoreYou’ve Got Options: Holiday Music in the Pandemic
We often think of the winter holidays as a lively, joyful, and exciting time in our families and communities. That’s what Hallmark shows us, right? Sometimes, though, the holidays can bring a combination of joy and stress from trying to coordinate and plan for all of the familial traditions. And in some years, we can’t…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “Buon Natale”
Mood: Cheerful, Celebratory Themes: Holidays, Winter Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Holiday Nat King Cole is well known for his popular hits like “L-O-V-E” and “Unforgettable,” but his music has also become quite the holiday musical staple, with his holiday tunes reemerging on the Billboard charts year after year. It’s a helpful reminder that even though things…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “A Change Is Gonna Come”
Mood: Slow, pensive, hopeful Themes: Civil rights, song of change Tempo: Slow Genre/Style: Soul, R&B Sam Cooke is considered to be the King of Soul. The subjects of his songs range from light to serious, and he knew the power that music has to address difficult subjects and create a sense of unity within a community. Sam Cooke…
Read MoreTechnology You Can Use to Improve Older Adult Loved Ones’ Lives
Since older adults are at a high risk for contracting the coronavirus, it’s unwise to spend a lot of time around other people right now and increase the risk of catching COVID-19. At the same time, we want to stay connected to each other. Technology can help immensely, but some of our older loved ones may…
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