War protest: Sade's "Why Can't We Live Together?"

As one of the most unique sounds that came out in the 1980s is the group from Britain, Sade. The song written by Timmy Thomas, "Why can't we live together?", beautifully performed by Sade in their Diamond Life album, still fascinates and the lyrics ring true.

Sade (collectively, the vocalist Sade Adu and her band) composed 8 out of 9 tracks in their award-winning debut album, Diamond Life (1984). What grabs your attention is not only the singer's stunning looks and cool vocals, but also the band's music itself - rhythmic style, laden with jazz and African beat. Seen as sexy and intelligent, Sade have enjoyed a great success in the U.S. and Europe.

Like most anti-war rock & roll songs, "Why can't we live together?"
contains simple lyrics to remember and a clear message: World Peace. Unlike most anti-war songs, this song delivers an unforgettable percussion buildup and instrumental accompaniment.

It's a classic.

"Why Can't We Live Together"

Tell me why tell me why tell me why
Umm why can't we live together
Tell me why tell me
Umm why can't we live together
Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together

No more war no more war no more war
Umm just a little peace
No more war no more war all we want
Is some peace in this world

Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together

No matter no matter what color
Umm you are still my brother
I said no matter no matter what color
Umm you are still my brother

Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together

Everybody wants to live
Everybody's got to be together
Ooh everybody wants to live
Everybody's got to be together

Ooh Ooh laaa laa laa laa
Everybody's got to be together
Everybody wants to be together

I said no matter no matter what color
Umm you are still my brother
I said no matter no matter what color
You are still my brother

Everybody wants to live together
Why can't we be together

Gotta live together
Together!

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Song for Occupy Movement: What's Going On

When there's a peace movement in the country, we think of John Lennon's famous phrase: "Give peace a chance."

As the momentum of the Occupy movement spreads in the major cities around the United States, there is one inspiring song that captures the gist of why people protest. This song is timeless and forever empowering.

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yeah

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going
What's going on
What's going on

Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Mother, mother
Everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Come on talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
What's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you ya, what's going on

Right on, baby
Right on, baby
Right on, baby

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Get to know the persimmon fruit

Persimmon is a deciduous tree, which can grow up to 25 ft. in height. Scientifically known as Diospyros virginiana, the persimmon trees grow best in places with moderate winters and mild summers.

During the fall season, trees bear numerous fruits that vary in shape and size. Persimmon fruits come in spherical, heart, or squash shapes and weigh from as little as a few ounces to more than a pound. The color of the fruit is generally orange - ranging from light yellow-orange to dark orange-red depending on the variety. The entire fruit is edible, except for the seeds and the calyx. However, the skin is usually removed before consumption.

Persimmon fruits are classified into two general categories: "astringent" and "non-astringent".

Originated from China, the oriental fruit is popular in Japan known as "hachiya". An unripe "hachiya" contains a hight level of tannin making it taste tart. As the persimmon fruit matures (soften and color deepen), the tannin level goes down, leaving the fruit sweet and delicious. Astringent persimmons are harvested when they are hard and ripe. They can continue to ripen at room temperature. The hard astringent variety can be stored in the refrigerator for several months.

On the other hand, the non-astringent persimmon fruit containing less tannin is treated with alcohol to remove astringency. They are ready to be harvested when they are ripe and slightly soft. The non-astringent variety can only last a few days at room temperature.

Although persimmon fruit is not well known in other parts of the world, the fruit is gaining attention for its nutrients. It's low in calories and fats but serves as a rich source of dietary fiber. This remarkable fruit contains vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, all of which are necessary for health.

calcium
iron
potassium
manganese
copper
phosphorus
protein
catechins
vitamin A (for eyes and skin)
vitamin C (tooth, gum, tissue growth & repair)
B-comple vitamins

Like many fruits, persimmons can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked. Fresh picked persimmons can be cut into quarters like an apple. Dried fruits are eaten as snacks or used in desserts. Persimmons are also used in recipes for puddings, pies and cakes as well in health drinks and jams.

Here's an excellent recipe for cookies using ripe persimmons.

2 ripe persimmons, pureed
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Dissolve baking soda in persimmon pulp and set aside.
Sift flour, spices and salt together, set aside.
Cream together butter or margarine and sugar until fluffy, beat in egg and persimmon. Stir in dry ingredients. Stir in nuts and raisins.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

However you want to consume the persimmon fruit, you'll be delighted by its sweet taste!

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The power of music on living things

Music is a form of communication as well as entertainment for all living things.

We all know that music has a powerful effect on human's emotions. The ancient Greeks even believed that music has the power to form character.

We also know that animals have their own form of music - birds sing songs, humpback whales vocalize stanzas, bats squeak supersonic melodies, etc.

In an experimental study on tamarin monkeys in Central and South American rain forests, psychologist Charles Snowden recorded the tamarin calls and composed music tailored to those monkeys.

As expected, tamarins didn't show any reaction to human songs, but they clearly displayed signs of emotions and reacted strongly to Snowden's composed music for tamarins.

Although plants don't make their own music, they do respond to music. In 1968, researcher Dorthy Retallack used many musical styles to show the effects of music on plant growth. She drew an interesting conclusion, the plants grew well in every type of music, except rock and roll. The plants that were exposed to rock or acid rock withered and died.

How can plants "listen" to music?

Music is made up of sound waves that are frequencies oscillating through air. It has been discovered that plant stomata respond to music.

The function of stomata is to allow gases, such as carbon dioxide, water vapor and oxygen to move into and out of the leaf. It has been found that resonant frequency causes stomata to open under the influence of music or specific tones.

However, if rock music or high pitched tones that cause the plant to vibrate, the stomata will close and open after a lapse of time. Thus, the wrong kind of music will interrupt the natural rhythmic process of photosynthesis in a plant, which in turn affects plant growth.

All living things have a natural gift to be influenced by music. Yes, music is that powerful!

Think of the mood you'd like to be in before you select your next song!

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