~ Written by Danielle N. Bilski ~

In February 2020, I wrote this poem for one of my closest friends at that time who supported me through many challenges in the short time we knew one another. I was sad to lose contact with them about eighteen months ago. Sincerely, I only wish them well.

It’s a beautiful piece that I am very proud of. Today, I decided to make a couple of small adjustments (replacing the words ‘when’ and ‘see’ which were repeated multiple times) and I’d like to share it here for you to also enjoy. May you remind every rare green star in your life, whenever you get the opportunity, how special they are which they might not see within themselves just yet.

You are all amazing! Thank you for sharing this moment with me.

With my love and gratitude always,
Danielle.

A green star

Like a green star in the darkest sky,
I admire your one-of-a-kind presence from afar.
It is a wonderful thing you do not yet know,
how extraordinary you truly are.
When you shut out the noise around us,
the rhythm you move to is yours alone.
You feel like you have too much to carry on your own,
I see within this galaxy your soul continues to evolve.
Every time you are shooting by,
I find a light inside your eyes.
I marvel in the creation you have left behind,
once you are gone and weary from another night.
As daylight makes you disappear,
promise that you will never lose your way.
One day my friend, the moment will come,
you will discover the you I find every day.

copyright 2020, Danielle N. Bilski

Author’s note: Although there are no truly green stars in the universe, some astronomical objects such as Antares in the constellation of Scorpius, the sigma Cassiopeiae star system, planetary nebulae, Uranus, and the Sun can appear greenish when observed under certain viewing conditions at particular times.

Source: ‘Green star (astronomy)’, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_star_(astronomy), viewed 4 December 2022

©2022 My time with you

~ Written by Danielle N. Bilski ~

This week, it was my turn to create the quiz for the group I share morning tea once a week in the new community I moved to this year. The topic is music history. It was a lot of fun and I thought I’d share it here for everyone to enjoy. Best of luck!

MUSIC HISTORY QUIZ . (Thursday 1st December, 2022)

1. Who wrote ‘Waltzing Matilda’?

2. In the lyrics of ‘Waltzing Matlida’, what do the words matilda and jumbuck refer to?

3. True or false? More recordings exist of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ than any other Australian song.

4. What bird is mentioned in the chorus of the song ‘True Blue’ by John Williamson from 1982?

5. What is the title of the first commercial single Elvis Presley released in 1954, before ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ in 1955?

6. In 1941, who released the song titled ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’?

7. In 1996, Natalie Cole who is the daughter of the late Nat King Cole recorded a duet of ‘When I Fall in Love’ with her father’s original recording from which year?

8. What 1939 film was the song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ written for, which was sung by Judy Garland?

9. Established out of a farmhouse in 1980 to 1984, what does community radio call sign 2REM stand for, referring to its original location?

10. What colour are the roses Louis Armstrong sings about in the first verse of ‘What a Wonderful World’ released in 1967?

11. Which late Australian folk singer and her band released the song titled ‘The Carnival is Over’ in 1965?

12. What is the name of the composer and impresario of musical theatre who has written twenty one musicals including ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Cats’, and ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’?

Scroll for the answers

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THE ANSWERS

1. Who wrote ‘Waltzing Matilda’?

ANSWER: Australian poet Banjo Paterson, written in 1895. The first recording of the song was in 1926 by Queensland-born John Collinson in London.

2. In the lyrics of ‘Waltzing Matlida’, what do the words matilda and jumbuck refer to?

ANSWERS: Matilda refers to the swag slung over one’s back. A jumbuck refers to a stray sheep to eat.

3. True or false: More recordings exist of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ than any other Australian song?

ANSWER: True, according to the Sounds of Australia registry where it was added to the National Film and Sound Archive in 2008.

4. What bird is mentioned in the chorus of the song ‘True Blue’ by John Williamson from 1982?

ANSWER: ‘Hey true blue, is it me or you, is it mum and dad, is it a cockatoo?’

5. What is the title of the first commercial single Elvis Presley released in 1954, before ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ in 1955?

ANSWER: That’s All Right.

6. In 1941, who released the song titled ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’?

ANSWER: The Andrew Sisters – LaVerne, Maxene and Patty from Minneapolis, Minnesota USA

7. In 1996, Natalie Cole who is the daughter of the late Nat King Cole recorded a duet of ‘When I Fall in Love’ with her father’s original recording from which year?

ANSWER: 1956. It won two Grammy awards in 1996: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Best Instrumental Arrangement with Accompanying Vocals.

8. What 1939 film was the song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ written for, which was sung by Judy Garland?

ANSWER: The Wizard of Oz produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

9. Established out of a farmhouse in 1980 to 1984, what does community radio call sign 2REM stand for, referring to its original location?

ANSWER: Radio Ettamogah. It was originally allocated 107.9 MhZ, and moved to 107.3 MhZ around 1989-90 when the FM frequency was changed to accommodate more radio stations. It has moved three times – to Borella Road, East Albury; Wagga Road Lavington; and to its current location in Garland Ave.

10. What colour are the roses Louis Armstrong sings about in the first verse of ‘What a Wonderful World’ released in 1967?

ANSWER: Red roses.

11. Which late Australian folk singer and her band released the song titled ‘The Carnival is Over’ in 1965?

ANSWER: Judith Durham and The Seekers

12. What is the name of the composer and impresario of musical theatre who has written twenty one musicals including ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Cats’, and ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’?

ANSWER: Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was given the title of Baron Lloyd-Webber in 1997 and he is now properly referred to as Lord Lloyd-Webber.

©2022 My time with you