Eric Whitacre's Musical Rendition of Goodnight Moon

I am a huge fan of modern classical composer/conductor/musician Eric Whitacre. His music is beautiful and ethereal, and listening to his compositions can be as captivating and soothing as getting lost in a really good book.

One of my favorite pieces by Whitacre is his musical rendition of Margaret Wise Brown’s children’s classic, Goodnight Moon, from his 2012 CD Water Night. When my boys were little, we read this book every single night. My memories of Goodnight Moon are intertwined with recollections of baby kisses, nighttime cuddles, and the simple sweetness of my boys as infants and toddlers. The text of the book soars with the melody and wraps the listener in an amazing blend of music, words, and (in my case) poignant memories. It is simply beautiful!

Please check out Whitacre's website here, where he talks about reading Goodnight Moon to his own young son. And here's an excerpt of Goodnight Moon, performed by Whitacre's wife, soprano Hila Pitmann. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.☺

Have a great week, and Happy Writing!

POETRY FRIDAY: A Poem for September

Thanks to Linda at Teacher Dance for hosting Poetry Friday today!

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Autumn is my favorite season. Although it is still HOT here in South Carolina, I can see glimpses of fall in the yellowing leaves and occasional cool breezes. On the sports fields around town, soccer and football players hone their skills and the coaches’ whistles mingle with the scent of freshly mown fields. I am eagerly anticipating a visit to my favorite apple orchard, Sky Top near Hendersonville, NC, where apple picking is already in full swing. And although our summer was wonderful, I am really, *really* looking forward to saying goodbye to temperatures in the 90s.

For Poetry Friday today, I am sharing a poem I wrote at my son’s soccer practice last week. I hope you enjoy it!

September

by Becky Shillington

Summer’s deep green slowly ripens to gold.

Mornings are cooler,

Nights come sooner,

And the sky blooms autumn blue.

Whistles and shouts echo across fields,

School bells ring in a new year of learning,

And apples and pumpkins pop up everywhere.

Bands march under Friday night lights and

Life hunkers down for the season ahead,

As fall shouts, “Ready or not, here I come!”

poem and photo ©2015 by Becky Shillington 

Also, I am happy to share some exciting writing news: I’ve started a column called “Word Play” for a local magazine, YC Parenting. Here is the link to my first column, if you’d like to check it out, and here is a link to an article on stretching with children that I also wrote for this issue. I am enjoying this new challenge and looking forward to writing more for my wonderful editor/creative director extraordinaire! ☺

Have a happy Labor Day weekend, and Happy Writing!