bentenlaughing

I love taking photos of clouds in the mountains....they remind me of the wisdom in the meditation practises I've been given...thoughts like clouds - moving - don't attach to them! Ah! See how they dissolve and fly!

Spring has arrived in the Blueys in the land of oz and with it countless Cherry Blossoms! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - in the meantime so little time to write this blog but now that I'm here I'd like to introduce you to some wonderful and gifted friends of mine on the other side of the world. They are the two K's from place names with M's...hmmmmm!? Wonder what that means? Please visit their sites and listen to their great music. One of them is in Michigan and the other in Maryland and I've met neither face to face but we've become great cyber pals and both are truly inspiring jazz artists. Here's the url of my friend and vocalist the cool cool K Anderson Matthews with the sultry tones: Her voice is gorgeous and I'm trying to tempt K (Kathleen) to record a number of my songs..and also songs I've co-written with Kirk Kadish. http://www.myspace.com/kandersonmatthews The other is Kirk Kadish a kool kat indeed: Kirk and I are also completing a CD...in...

A few weeks back late late snow in the Blueys...and only a sprinkle of it to tell the tale! Now Spring has arrived and we're all shaking out the rugs and getting the washing on the line as our mother's before us! Ah the seasons and their great renewal. Welcome to all her visit my blog and whatever the season I send you good tidings. jan.s

Today is a beautiful Blue Mountain's day and I'm listening to Joni Mitchell and also Pattin Griffith. Here's another little collage I did one cold rainy Blueys day awhile back. I first began making them when I lived in London in the early 70's. I had little money and had to invent Christmas gifts and I began creating collages for gifts! Wishing all a beautiful day! Thanks for visiting bentenlaughing! jan.s

On yet another cold old wintery and rainy Blueys day I just found this beautiful blog via my friend Linda Sarah's gorgeous site...oh the warmth one human being can bring to another. http://oohlaladesignstudio.blogspot.com/ I hope you enjoy this site too!

Janice Slater - "Free Your Voice" - voice workshop for Teenagers/Young Adults Sat 23rd August 4-6pm (Max 8 in a class) "Have fun and learn to use your voice in a supportive environment. Explore freeing the natural voice through breathing, play; and working creatively with text while building self-confidence. The workshop is suitable for teenagers/young adults studying English and/or drama. Chosen text is “Romeo and Juliet”. “Voice can be many things. It can be shouting, singing, whispering, humming, and laughing! Your voice is your way of saying things – the energy you bring to communicate! You don’t have to discover it, you already have it! Our voice responds to play, to movement; and thought and feeling – its fuel is the body moving, and the imagination!” Janice Slater Janice has worked with film director Gillian Armstrong, the Sydney Theatre Company and Cate Blanchett; she is a vocal coach/sound designer and script editor having worked as a dramaturge on numerous th...

For years now I've been saying helloe to a lovely local, his wife and to begin with their young son at a cafe where I have my morning coffee. Well since those early helloes, they've left the Blueys and returned and with them brought another young son into the world. Even though Adam mentioned he was a musician we've never gone beyong the helloes...until recently when I asked to hear more of his music and he handed me two demos worth of songs! Wow! Adam Warnock is both an incredibly gifted musician and singer/songwriter. Take a listen! http://adamwarnock.com/ http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=790768