Somewhere Over The Rainbow

I was deeply saddened at the news of Natasha Richardson's untimely death. She was so young, attractive and gifted, but more importantly she seemed more grounded than the typical Hollywood starlets. My heart and love go out to her family, especially her young sons.

I absolutely loved Natasha in the Parent Trap when Lindsay Lohan was still an adorable child.

"Any man's death diminishes me,

because I am involved in Mankind;

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

it tolls for thee."

~~John Donne~~

As I ponder the death of any man, the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow wafts through my head--NOT the song as sung by Judy Garland--but the song as it is sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

It is the only version of the song I like and I want it played at my funeral. Please take a few minutes to listen.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Video sent by filipegodinho

Israel (IZ Bruddah) Kamakawiwo'ole, the amazing 750 pound Hawaiian, has a voice that transports me to another time and place. I didn't even know I liked ukulele music until I heard IZ's version of this song.

He died in 1997 at age 38 of respiratory problems brought on by his morbid obesity. Despite his short life, his gentle ukulele playing and hauntingly beautiful voice made him a musical legend.

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To borrow from yesterday's comics in the Deseret News, my blog "keeps claiming it needs its CYBER-SPACE!!" So I've given it space, because "I've got so many things to wrap my mind around, my brain is unraveling!" (from Ziggy and Hi & Lois)