The Observation Deck

A passing front spawned this micro band of clouds that had three tails hanging that were swallowed by one large swirl that was in full rotation. Then suddenly it fell apart.

The cloud stayed stationary over my house for about 1 hour, then moved off.

Clouds - Joni Mitchell

Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
and feather canyons everywhere, I've looked at cloud that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
from up and down, and still somehow
it's cloud illusions I recall.
I really don't know clouds at all.

Moons and Junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
When every fairy tale comes real; I've looked at love that way.
But now it's just another show. You leave 'em laughing when you go
and if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.

I've looked at love from both sides now,
from give and take, and still somehow
it's love's illusions I recall.
I really don't know love at all.

Tears and fears and feeling proud to say I love you right out loud,
dreams and schemes and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say
I've changed.
But Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
from win and lose, and still somehow
it's life's illusions I recall.
I really don't know life at all.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
from up and down, and still somehow
it's life's illusions I recall.
I really don't know life at all.



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Jim -

You have a very nice voice!

The picture is stunning.

sharon kinsella wrote:Jim -

You have a very nice voice!

The picture is stunning.

As do you.

Every once in a while I get inspired.


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there were clouds like this hovering over LHS stadium for a while as well.

I'm thinkin' that only Jim would look at that picture of tornadic activity and think Joni Mitchell.

I'd be thinking the words of "Gimme Shelter" from the Stones.

As to Jim's singing? Never heard him, but here's a good opportunity to suggest an Observer sing-along one of these days. How 'bout it Obie?
Maybe Bela, or some similar place? I know of at least one banjo player in the neighborhood...

Gary-

You haven't heard Joni's latest interpretation of her song.

The most popular recording of "Clouds" was Judy Collins' version, which was rather sweet and flat. Joni Mitchell's latest take is as powerful, nuanced and wild as the clouds Jim shot.

It's a great song.

Pete Seeger does a great cover of it, as well, and adds an additional verse.

It may well be the best song of our generation.

How about Joni Mitchells song that says "They paved over heaven and put in a parking lot".

That song kept going through my head the week Patrick Ryan Demro was quoted from his meetings as saying that 5 of our parks should be turned over from development.

Funny how music resonates in our souls.

"Big Yellow Taxi"

A cautionary refrain that Lakewoodites should remember;

"Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."

dl -

Thank you.

At my age you tend to remember this differntly than what they are.

But talk about an appropriate song - it just kept going through my head.

But I wouldn't be opposed to paving some parking lots and building three level parking lots to bring in some new businesses!!! Now that song is running through my head!!

We were on our way home from a festival in Parma Hts. about the time you posted this picture Jim! And looking for animals in the clouds!!! It was beautiful! I couldn't help but wonder why Lakewood doesn't do some fab festival like that? They had Shout playing, homemade food, gambling, rides, games, etc. I wish we could do that here!! A La Pita and a Melt stand.....

dl meckes wrote:Gary-

You haven't heard Joni's latest interpretation of her song.

The most popular recording of "Clouds" was Judy Collins' version, which was rather sweet and flat. Joni Mitchell's latest take is as powerful, nuanced and wild as the clouds Jim shot.

Totally agree. Joni Mitchell owns that song to me....which is apropos since she wrote it.

Jim, thanks for the lovely clouds and Joni Mitchell's amazing poetry.

Kate McCarthy wrote:Jim, thanks for the lovely clouds and Joni Mitchell's amazing poetry.

Kate

Glad I could do it.

The Lakewood Observer is all about sharing.

It was something I thought a good friend would get a kick out of.

The clouds, brought it all to the front mof my mind.

Amazing the connections the human mind can make.

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Thanks for the memory.
XO

OR

Clouds, by Courtney Love and HOLE

Rows and flows of angelf hair.
And ice-cream castles in the air.
And feather canyons everywhere.
Looks at clouds that way.
Moons and junes and ferris wheels.
The dizzy dancing.
Way you feel when every fairy tale comes real.
I looked at clouds that way.
But now they only block the sun.
They rain and snow on everyone.
So, so many things I could have done, but clouds got in the way. Angel dust gets in your eyes and hair, on acid stars - you're getting there.

I looked at life that way.
But now, its just another show. You leave them laughing, when you go.
Don't, don't let them in, don't, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.
Now my friends are acting strange.
They shake their heads, man, they say I've changed. Well, looks like I'm lost and rearranged from living fairy, fairy lies.
Looked at life from both sides now.
From up and down and still somehow.
It's just an illusion I recall. I really don't know, I really don't know, I really don't know, I really don't know, I really don't know clouds at all. Why are we here terrified? Terrified......


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