5 on Friday -- Set 305

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

After being on a medical leave that lasted for one year and three weeks, I'm just finishing up my final week with Wednesdays as a mid-week buffer. Next week my Wednesdays will move to half days, and by March I'll be back to full time hours.

I've been extremely grateful for this ease-back return-to-work schedule, as I'm managing three separate but connected conditions: multiple chemical sensitivities (which were the most pressing problem at the time my medical leave began,) chronic pain and chronic fatigue.

I've been careful to get loads of rest as I built up my stamina for the work week, while at the same time changing what I do with my break time, which now includes going for a walk away from my desk.

So far, so good!

Even though last weekend was a long weekend, I find I'm much more in the mood to celebrate this Friday. 

1 - New Sensation - INXS 

2 - Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me) - Rod Stewart 

3 - Let's Go! - The Cars 

4 - Roller - April Wine 

5 - The Song Remains the Same - Led Zeppelin 

If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

5 on Friday -- Set 304

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

Heading into Valentine's Day weekend, here are five songs about the course of true love from the Great White North.

Wishing you a romantic Valentine's Day!

1 - Lovin You Ain't Easy - Michel Pagliaro 

2 - Pretty Lady - Lighthouse 

3 - I'm on Fire You, Baby - April Wine 

4 - Try - Blue Rodeo 

5 - In Perfect Dreams - k d lang 

If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.

5 on Friday - Set 177

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

It's that time again, kiddies! Time to revel in all things Canadian.

Happy Canada Day to all of my fellow Canadian bloggers, readers, fellow writers and authors. Have a great long weekend.

1 - The First Cut is the Deepest - Keith Hampshire

English-born Keith Hampshire grew up in Calgary, Alberta and does my favorite version of this song. He also used to host a TV show called Music Machine in the mid-70s if anyone remembers that (I do!)

2 - Pieces of You - Lennie Gallant

Lennie Gallant is an Acadian singer-songwriter from Prince Edward Island (where Brad and I are headed for our vacation next week! Yay!)

4 - I'm on Fire For You Baby - April Wine

I LOVE this song. Love it. April Wine hails from right here in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

4 - Summer Fling - k d lang

Adore this one, also. What a perfect summery song. 

5 - Live Without Me - Raoul and The Big Time

This is a new video shot by my Ryerson buddy John M. Tran, and directed by Ryerson buddy Adam Greydon Reid. Looks great!

Song starts at the 2:22 mark.

CLICK HERE to watch the video

Thursday Thirteen - 143 - 13 Songs About Canada By Canadian Artists

As we head ever closer to the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, here is a tour across the country I'm honoured to call home:

1 - We are First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

Hina Na Ho Ho (Celebration) - Susan Aglukark



2 - We love hockey.

The Hockey Song - Stompin' Tom Connors



3 - We stride through our days with our past in every heart beat.

Cape Breton fiddle music - Buddy MacMaster and Ashley MacIsaac



4 - We carve our future through The True North, strong and free.

Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot



5 - 'Mon pays, ce n'est pas un pays, c'est l'hiver' ('My country is not a country, it's winter')

Montreal -40°C - Malajube



6 - We stand on guard for thee.

Hero - Nickleback



7 - 'And for those who like to rock, a rocking chair in the middle.'

Oowatanite - April Wine



8 - We define who we are by who we are not.

American Woman - The Guess Who



9 - We show the kiddies how it's done.

YYZ - Rush



10 - We shrug off genius as mere poetry.

Dance Me To The End of Love - Leonard Cohen

CLICK HERE to watch Dance Me To The End of Love














11 - 'Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, Il sait porter la croix!' ('As in thy arm ready to wield the sword, So also is it ready to carry the cross.')

Time For Mercy - Jann Arden



12 - With glowing hearts we see thee rise.

Departure Bay - Diana Krall



13 - O Canada! Our home and native land!

Home - Michael Bublé



Janet says Thanks for the reference to the Friendly Giant - I always called for the rocking chair before my brother.

Anthony North says It's always good to celebrate one's country.

MommyBa says Canada's always been on top of my list as the best place to go to in the world.