Sunday Drive: Creator of the Stars of Night

An awe-inspiring presentation of this ancient hymn from St. John's Episcopal Church in Boulder, Colorado:

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Annunciation, 1898
Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), 
African-American artist.
Click to enlarge.

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Buttigieg Accepts Cabinet Nomination

Mayor Pete speaks after President-elect Biden announces his nomination as the next Secretary of Transportation.  His appointment must be confirmed by the Senate following the inauguration of Biden as the 46th President next month.

 

A gay man nominated for a job in the Cabinet, my stars.  Unthinkable forty years ago when I came out.  But I have lived to see this day. 

Wow.

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No Doubt About It: Biden Wins the Presidency

[We have] faced difficult times before in our history. I know we’ll get through this one, but together. That’s how we get through it, together. So as we start the hard work to be done, may this moment give us a strength to rebuild this house of ours upon a rock that can never be washed away. As in the Prayer of St. Francis, for where there is discord, union, where there is doubt, faith, where there is darkness, light. This is who we are as a nation. This is the America we love and that is the America we’re going to be. So thank you all and may God bless you. And may God protect our troops and all of those who stand watch over our democracy.

And God bless the Electoral College!  Meeting in their respective state capitals today, the electors ratified the election of Joe Biden as the next President according to the Constitution, 306-232.  And for once, there was not a single faithless elector among them.  So my hat is off to them; the election system may need changes in future, but for now the good old Electoral College has preserved democracy and guaranteed Uncle Sam a new lease on life.  Well done!

My longtime truckbuddies will have noticed I haven't blogged very much since the election.  It's partly because the colder weather has put me in something of a hibernating mood; and also I simply haven't thought it worth disrupting my peace of mind to rant about the blatant lies and seditious attempts at subverting our democracy - even overthrowing the lawful government of this republic - that have the support of far too many would-be fascists in high places and among the citizenry.  I have instead tried to stay calm and do my part in keeping our little home running smoothly and happily, turning all the other stuff over to the Lord to handle - and He does seem to be doing a good job with it.

I also pray daily for Joe and Kamala to find the strength and wisdom to lead this sadly divided nation back to the path of justice, unity, and peace.  There is much that needs mending and fixing in this old house; but now we can breathe again, and begin again to build that more perfect union - which is always a work in progress.

Here are Joe's thoughts on that subject, in a speech given today after the Electoral College finished voting - a real "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" speech that warmed your Head Trucker's heart:

Lift up your hearts:  the dark night is ending, a brighter day is coming.  You take care fellas, and stay safe.

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Sunday Drive: Ave Maria, Il Volo

Grazie to my truckbuddy Frank, who tipped me to this exquisite rendition of the beloved hymn to the Virgin Mother: 

 

The Third Sunday of Advent 

The Song of Mary - The Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; 

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: 

the Almighty has done great things for me, 

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him 

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, 

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, 

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, 

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, 

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, 

to Abraham and his children for ever.

--Luke 1:46-55

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R. I. P.: Charley Pride

Country music legend Charley Pride died today, age 86.  The first black country singer to receive widespread acclaim, Pride racked up a long string of number-one country music hits in the 1970s and 1980s, and accumulated numerous awards and honors throughout his career.  His last appearance was just a month ago in Nashville, where he received the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.  Here he sings one of his greatest hits with contemporary country artist Jimmie Allen:

 

Here he sings the same hit song on the Lynn Anderson Show in 1971:

 

 In this 2017 interview, Pride talked about his roots and his music:

 

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Sunday Drive: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

The well-known aria from Part I of Handel's Messiah, as performed by American mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry:

 

 The Second Sunday of Advent 

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R. I. P.: Pat Patterson

Pro wrestling champion Pat Patterson has died at age 79.  In 2012, he came out to his wrestling colleagues in this clip that was first broadcast a couple of years later:

   

I never heard of Pat until now, but God rest his soul.  It just goes to show - we're everywhere.

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Sunday Drive: Once in Royal David's City

As performed by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge:

The First Sunday of Advent

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Thanksgiving Memories

 The Thanksgiving cover of the Saturday Evening Post in 1927, illustrated by J. C. Leyendecker, certainly resonates with your Head Trucker.  How about you?

Click to enlarge.

Here's wishing all my truckbuddies a safe and happy Thanksgiving with those they love.

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Sunday Drive: Thanksgiving Song

 Written and performed by an American treasure:  Mary Chapin Carpenter.

 

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Sunday Drive: Schubert, Serenade

Things are going to be all right. Healing is under way. Have faith.

 

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