Nature's Symphony By Ashley
I have always loved music. My parents tell me I was glued to Donnie and Marie when I was just a mere toddler. If you know who this brother/sister duo is, enjoy taking a step back in time by viewing the link below. If you don’t know who they are, then welcome to the Osmond’s!
I haven’t any recollection of any such gluing, but I’m definitely a little bit country and a little bit rock n’ roll, and a little bit everything in between (except heavy metal…sorry, Metallica). I’ve been fortunate enough to hear Yoyo Ma, Alison Kraus, The Barenaked Ladies, and Post Modern JukeBox in concert. If you haven’t heard of any or maybe just one of these, I encourage you to check them out. I promise you; it’ll put a smile on your face and a pep in your step. Just to make it easy, I’ve included some links to some of my favorite songs by these amazing performers below. 🙂
While I’m happy to share this music with you, it is indeed not the sole reason for this post today. Recently I visited my parents. I love their beautiful home that sits on a twenty-nine-acre lot in the country. This large flat piece of land has pine forests, towering leland cypress, magnolia, oak, peach, and pear trees, as well as a garden that produces the best tomatoes this side of the Mississippi. It also has a well-stocked pond with bluegill, bass, and catfish big enough to swallow…well…let’s just say they are really big!!!
It’s peaceful, it’s serene, and it’s quiet. However, what struck me the most about this visit was that it was not so quiet. Not that it was noisy or unpeaceful, either. Quite the opposite. As I stood by the pond watching my Dad and stepdaughter fish, it was like a conductor lifted his baton, and a concert began. The low rustle of the breeze in the trees cued the crescendo and decrescendo of the cicadas’ chorus. This overture led to the stridulation of the crickets’ wings which beautifully blended with the melodies of the songbirds settling for the night. The occasional bass solo of a croaking frog, not to be outdone by the glub of a catfish, made me smile as they, too, found their way into this musical mayhem. The sun fell below the horizon, I knew if I listened close enough, I could hear the tinkle of each star awakening in the impending darkness and the soft hush of nightfall itself.
Whether you prefer Beethoven, Bocelli, Broadway, or the Blues, I encourage you to take a stroll outside one evening, close your eyes and listen. What does Mother Nature’s symphony sound like in your little corner of the world? I’d love to know!
As promised, here are links to the artists above:
Yoyo Ma:
Alison Kraus:
Barenaked Ladies:
Post Modern Juke Box:
