Good Wednesday evening, friend. Here is something that might spark your interest. Bananas are berries, but strawberries aren't: Botanically speaking, bananas qualify as berries, while strawberries don’t meet the technical criteria. Nature loves to mess with us! (Source comes from Why Strawberries Aren't Berries, But Bananas & Other Fruits Are Take care and GOD bless.  P.S. I will get back to the States just as soon as I have more free time.   ... View more

@amendez, very cool fact. I love what you have been posting. Keep up the great, weird, and true facts finds.  Take care, friend, and GOD bless. ... View more

Good Wednesday evening, dear friend. You have within you everything you need to overcome challenges, achieve your goals, and embrace life’s surprises. Remember that even in moments of doubt or difficulty, every step forward—even the tiniest one—is progress. You are capable, resilient, and worthy of great things. The world is a better place with you in it, and your story is far from over. Keep shining! One day, my dear friend, when your shine will be what will encourage others to keep fighting to get through their darkness. Have a blessed night, dear friend. Take care and GOD bless. ... View more

@ErickPandora, Good evening, my friend! Wow, 32°F and colder than Alaska—it seems like Upstate New York, where I call home, has decided to give the Arctic a run for its frosty crown! I love the idea of pairing the moment with a fitting tune. So here we go. Empire State Of Mind (Made Famous by Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys) performed by Hip Hop DJ Masters. Have a blessed evening, friend. Take care and GOD bless. ... View more

@Musicgurlnyc I love to read, I read the Bible (KJV) about 4 times a year, I love mysteries, autobiography's and everything factual history. I also love to play with my 2 cats that were once strays. My brother-in-law Brian and I also work on home projects together. We have built a cookshack, a screenhouse, and this year we will be working on an eight-bed bunkhouse.  Take care and GOD bless. ... View more

@cowgirl7094, thank you, dear friend, "Keep your heart strong, your spirit high, and your smile unwavering. Stay committed to your journey, and before you know it, you'll find yourself right where you've always dreamed of being. Every step, no matter how small, is a stride closer to the life your heart desires." Have a blessed night, take care, and GOD bless. ... View more

@AlyssaPandora, thank you, dear friend, for your great support and friendly reply. If my life experiences can help others overcome their struggles, then they are well worth sharing.  Have a blessed evening, dear friend, take care, and GOD bless. ... View more

@LeonPandora, you're right. Many movies and TV shows have powerful messages within them. I will check that show out for sure. Thank you for your support and your friendly reply.  Take care and GOD bless. ... View more

Good Monday morning, dear friend. “Most storms in life are unforeseeable. They strike without warning. Yet, some of the most profound tempests we face are not our own but those of our loved ones and dear friends. In those moments, we are called to step into their storm—to stand by their side and help guide them back to calmer, more peaceful waters. My dear friend, be willing to extend your hand to that loved one, to journey with them through their storm, and lead them toward tranquility. In life, kindness has a way of finding its way back. When your world becomes a storm, the support and compassion you’ve given will return to help you through.”  Have a blessed day, friend. Take care, and GOD bless.   ... View more

Good Wednesday evening, friend. This evening, we will learn the meaning behind the song Kentucky by Billie Joe + Norah. Enjoy the song as well as the read. “Kentucky” is a traditional folk song covered by Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones for their collaborative album, “Foreverly,” released in 2013. The song reflects a deep admiration and longing for the state of Kentucky, portraying it as a cherished place that holds special significance for the narrator. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the nostalgia and love the singer feels for their home state. The mention of “laurel and redbud trees” emphasizes the natural beauty that is associated with Kentucky. The reference to the “old folks singing in the silvery moonlight” evokes feelings of warmth and community, while the image of hound dogs chasing coons adds a touch of rural charm. However, it is the sentiment expressed in the chorus that truly encapsulates the meaning behind the song. The desire to be buried on a “graceful mountain so high” signifies a longing for a final resting place that is spiritually significant. The singer believes that God will look for them there, suggesting a deep connection between their sense of identity, faith, and the land itself. The gentle, acoustic instrumentation and the beautiful harmonies between Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones enhance the emotional impact of the song. Their voices blend seamlessly, creating a sense of unity and shared sentiment. The stripped-down production allows the lyrics to take center stage, allowing the listener to fully appreciate the heartfelt message behind the song. (Source comes from The Meaning Behind The Song: Kentucky by Billie Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones - Musician Wages Have a blessed night, take care, and GOD bless. ... View more

@amendez, great post; thanks for sharing the info. Have a blessed day. Take care, and God bless. ... View more

@MariaPandora Good evening, dear friend. I agree. The beginning was pretty good, and of course, the inspiring story of how he came up with the lyrics to the song Walk Like An Egyptian. It is ashame the group broke up but when you have more than one star in a group you are bound to butt heads. As far as my personal opinion, if you are in a group then you are all "EQUALS" because you are only as good as the other members.  Thank you for your support and reply. Take care and GOD bless. ... View more

@RockFan89 It's one of my favorites by Katy Perry. Great song of encouragement as well. Take care and GOD bless.   ... View more

@AdamPandora, thanks for sharing, dear friend. Take care and GOD bless.   ... View more

@cowgirl7094, you're welcome, dear friend. I hope things will begin to turn around in your favor soon. Just keep your head up and keep striving for a better tomorrow because it will come, dear friend. I have been in a very dark place in my life, and I have been able to fight through it; that is why I try to encourage others who are going through dark moments in their lives. You were chosen at this particular time in life to do great things and to make a difference, and you will; just don't quit and don't give in to despair.  "Gold’s splendor lies hidden until it faces the purging flames, revealing its purest, most radiant form. Life mirrors this truth, for it is through our trials that we are molded, our inner strength refined. These challenges transform us, enabling us to shine brightly for others, guiding them through their shadows with the light we’ve cultivated in our darkest hours." You will get through your trial, dear friend, with flying colors. Do you know how I know? Because you have it in you to do so; you're strong, you are smart, and you are more than capable.  Have a blessed night friend, take care and GOD bless. ... View more

@cowgirl7094 Sometimes, life can make you feel like digging a deep hole and just covering yourself up. Here is a link I hope you will try. A Word Of Encouragement For Your Day. - Pandora Community And no dear friend, this link is not because I curate it; it is because it has and continues to help me along my life's journey. Have a great day, friend. Take care and GOD bless. ... View more

Good Monday morning, dear friend. I know it has been a while since the last post, but here we are.  Sometimes, a portrait hanging on your wall, or the wall of a loved one's, may not be a good memory of a particular time captured in your life.  "The greatest portrait in your house is the reflection you see in your mirror, for it is the reflection that can change want needs to be changed, it can become even greater than expected, and it can have a life changing impact in the lives of some many others, and it can make ones dreams come true.  Have a blessed day, friend. Take care and GOD bless. ... View more

Good Sunday afternoon, dear friend. Today, we will learn the meaning behind the song Walk Like an Egyptian performed by The Bangles.  Songwriter Liam Sternberg wrote this. He got the idea when he was on a ferry boat and saw people struggling to keep their balance. The way they held out their arms and jerked around made it look like they were doing Egyptian movements, and if the boat flicked, they would all topple over. Sternberg was part of a vibrant '70s music scene in Akron, Ohio, where he wrote and produced for the almost-famous Jane Aire & The Belvederes and Rachel Sweet. That gritty city is the antithesis of Los Angeles, but by the mid-'80s, Akron was in musical decline, and LA was where it was happening, so that's where he pitched his demos. The "Walk Like An Egyptian" demo, with a vocal by Marti Jones, got the attention of Bangles producer David Kahne, who had them record the song. The biggest hit for the Bangles, "Walk Like An Egyptian," gave them a new level of notoriety, but not the kind they wanted. Formed in 1981, they wrote their songs and were a big part of the Los Angeles Paisley Underground movement, which included eclectic acts like Rain Parade and The Dream Syndicate. These Paisley bands did well with critics but never broke big, except the Bangles. Their first album, released in 1984, had a '60s sound with lots of clever, well-constructed songs written by their guitarists, Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson. It did well and earned them a spot opening for Cyndi Lauper. Their second album, Different Light, was their breakthrough, but the big hits were songs written by outsiders. First came "Manic Monday," written by high-profile Bangles fan Prince. Then, "If She Knew What She Wants," written by Jules Shear. Then came "Walk Like An Egyptian," a goofy romp written by another outside writer that the band didn't think would get released as a single because it was "too weird." It shot to #1 and became a sensation, but the group's rock pedigree took a hit. Suddenly, they were known for this quasi-novelty song instead of their compositions. The song does have their stamp on it, though: every Bangle could sing, and three of them get a verse on "Egyptian." The guitar riff is also their distinctive sound, something Vicki Peterson had been developing for a while (check out "He's Got a Secret" from their first album). The Bangles didn't have a problem with the song itself, but when it made them famous, it also made them miserable broke up in 1989 at the peak of their powers. Hoffs launched a solo career that didn't get very far, and Vicki Peterson joined a roots-rock band called the Continental Drifters. In the late '90s, after enough water had passed under the bridge, the Bangles re-united. They still had some bitter feelings about "Walk Like An Egyptian," which came out in a VH1 Behind The Music where they talked about the song as a catalyst for their demise. But as years went by, the song took on a feeling of nostalgia, and the group made peace with it. "These days I feel very differently about it than I did in the '90s, because to me it was such an odd moment," Vicki Peterson told Songfacts in 2018. "I loved doing it. I thought the song was brilliant in the strangest way. I had fun recording it, minus a few hiccups here and there, because it wasn't a great time for us. But, the song itself, I thought, 'OK, we will never write anything like this. This takes the record to another level, so let's do this.'"   She added: "It's so fun to do live because of how it's received by our audience: They are completely in love and having a blast. It reminds them of that time in high school, that time in college, whatever it is that connects to a moment of sheer fun and joy and silliness and dance moves. So, at this point, when we do it, I just have a blast." All members except drummer Debbi Peterson sang a verse. Peterson was originally supposed to sing the whole thing, but producer David Kahne had each member audition the lyrics to determine who would sing what verse. Debbi's sister Vicki Peterson got the first verse, bass player Michael Steele (a girl, despite the name) the second, and Susanna Hoffs the third. This was offered to Toni Basil, but she turned it down. The Bangles needed one more song to complete their album, so they took it. The difficult recording process caused a lot of tension within the band, which tried to share the spotlight in equal measure (literally: they insisted on four spotlights on stage). Leaving Debbi Peterson out of this one was a pivotal moment for the Bangles, who, instead of standing up to producer David Kahne and insisting she have a part in the song, allowed her to be left out. They used a different producer (Davitt Sigerson) on their next album, but the fissures got deeper when Susanna Hoffs became the focus of their look and sound. Their chemistry turned combustible, leading to their 1989 breakup. In the US, this was the #1 song of 1987, according to Billboard's year-end chart. It held the top spot for four weeks. The video for this song made the band superstars, as it aired in heavy rotation on MTV. The Bangles became darlings of the network, but early on, they weren't sold on the medium. Here are some quotes from 1985 where they kvetch: Debbi Peterson: "When you listen to a record, you can imagine what they look like and what they were doing when they recorded, but when you see the video, it ruins it for you." Susanna Hoffs: "I wish they could be more like movies. I wish they could somehow fulfill you, bring you through an experience. "Bangles drummer Debbi Peterson didn't perform on this song at all; percussion was done with a drum machine. When they performed it live, which you can see in the video, Debbi abandoned her drum kit and moved out front with a tambourine as a backing track played the drums. The famous whistling after the guitar solo was machine-made, according to Vicki Peterson. In concert, Debbi would mime it. Bangles bass player Michael Steele was a member of The Runaways, a groundbreaking all-female rock band of the '70s that never had a hit - their story was made into a movie in 2010. Steele was the second Runaway to become a hitmaker, following Joan Jett, whose 1981 cover of "I Love Rock And Roll " was a monster hit. Lita Ford became the third member to make it big when "Kiss Me Deadly" reached #12 US in 1988. (Source comes from Walk Like An Egyptian by Bangles - Songfacts Have a great Sunday, friend. Take care and GOD.     ... View more

@amendez "Good morning! To answer your question from the heart, it isn’t just one song—it’s a living, breathing playlist I began crafting in 2019. Over the years, it has grown and evolved, like a musical diary, with each song whispering its own story to my soul. Even today, I find myself adding new treasures to it—those rare melodies that feel like home."  Here is my musical diary. Enjoy the music dear friend.  MOHLovesAlaska Created Playlist this playlist is 36 songs north of 1900, and like I mentioned earlier it is still growing as I find more gems that speak to my heart.  Take care and GOD bless.   ... View more

@AngelaMCmusic I will share my top three. 1) Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 No. 2 (From "Platoon") performed by The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. (From the 1986 film starring Charlie Sheen Platoon) 2) Promentory by Trevor Jones (Last Of The Mohicans starring Daniel Day Lewis) 3) Aníron by Enya (The Lord Of The Rings triology)  Enjoy the music. Take care and GOD bless. ... View more