It’s all about the dreams…

Just came across this beautiful video and wanted to share…

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.

 

Yes, it’s about the dreams…

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Street Bard in Ukraine

Was sent this video and I wanted to share it with you. It’s a form of music that was outlawed during the Soviet Regime. The singers sing traditional songs on the Ukrainian national instrument– the Bandura (Sometimes they play the Kobza as well). They remind the people of the glorious past of the Ukrainian Nation.

Personally I love this instrument-the way it sounds is haunting. I have one myself but have yet to learn how to play it. I have figured out a way to copy the sound and I used it at the end of this song.

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My Father the Lion Tamer

The Lions I Am Learning From

 

Cats are fascinating animals. They’re lone predators so they are equipped to hunt and kill by themselves. This means they’re smart, have sharp teeth, a startling quickness, mindbending flexibility and the most vicious weapon of all – retractable claws.

Carrying concealed weapons in public is illegal but not for cats. That’s why some people have a tough time trusting them.

One never knows…

It’s why I was even more in awe when I saw my father first tame a lion. (Okay, it wasn’t REALLY a lion. But those retractable claws make EVERY cat a lion!) I don’t remember where it was, perhaps on an uncle’s farm, but I remember…

The ferocious feline was suspicious of us. My father reached a hand slowly forward. The carnivorous beast stared back, but my dad’s hand reached below the chin and softly touched…

The magic began…

The cat slumped to the ground and rolled onto its back. Its paws against its chest. It purred loud enough to be heard from a couple feet away.

My father continued drawing small circles on the cat’s throat. The cat closed its eyes.

 I watched in wonder and it was indelibly burned into my grey matter. Never had I seen a predator so utterly subdued. This wasn’t Francis of Assisi, it was my dad!

I leaned over and placed my finger by his and began doing the same thing.

The cat opened its eyes and lifted its head.

I continued and he laid back down.

I had seen my father do that “trick” on multiple cats always with the same result.

Try as I may, the effect just isn’t as pronounced and sometimes doesn’t work at all when I do it.

 Somewhere in all this there is a lesson of peace. My father lived it…

I’m still learning…

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