Do You Hear What I Hear?

So I went to a Jazz Showcase concert last night and can I just say, I am so appreciative of my functioning auditory senses! I love music. I think most everyone does. Would it not be a difficult thing to never know the sound of a piano, a lovely voice, a smooth saxophone? One song I particularly enjoyed was by Duke Ellington called "Mood Indigo." It was just so cool and mellow. There was a part too, where the trombonist and trumpeter switched back and forth, it almost sounded as if they were holding a conversation. I also love the piano in this song. I play the piano, and I think the sounds it makes are marvelous. I love how it can change so drastically with just the way the keys are touched. It can sound sassy and spicy or cool and calm.

What else do I love to listen to? Every morning on my walk to school I listen. If I’m up early enough I love to listen to the sound of the birds chirping. So soft and gentle that it can go unnoticed if I don’t pay enough attention. I like to listen to people too. Not that I eves drop in particular, but I find it interesting the things people say. I think one of the greatest joys of having ears is the ability to understand language and thus communicate freely and quickly.
Two days ago I was walking a dog, a very curious dag named Olly. He was so intrigued by, well, everything around him! Many of a dogs senses are heightened, such as that of smell and sound. At one point he stopped near a bush, there were crickets chirping and chirping and chirping, and he was just fascinated. I became fascinated too. I had never really taken time to stop and listen to the crickets chirp. I was grateful to have a little canine friend to teach me to appreciate sound a little better.
So, these have been some of my experiences with sounds lately. What are some of yours? What have you heard lately that has dazzled your auditory senses? What do you appreciate hearing in your daily life? I’m interested to hear.

"...for those who have eyes which really see, the dawn of each day must be a perpetually new revelation of beauty." Helen Keller


Imagine with me that you are striken deaf and blind. If you like, you can even try to get a feel of what it would be like. Close your eyes and cover your ears. You may even want to walk around a little bit like that, see how it is. Don't worry if someone asks what on earth are you doing, because if they don't speak load enough, you probably won't hear them. Now, if you could have one of those senses back, only one, which would it be. Would you rather see the marvels of the world around you or hear them? In the time it takes you to scroll down, think of an answer.
















































Helen Keller is both deaf and blind. In her wisdom and insight she says, "But of all the senses, I'm sure that sight must be the most delightful."

In this blog, together, we will explore the wonders that are our senses. The magic of sight, taste, sound, smell and touch that we so take for granted. We will begin by learning how to have "eyes which really see." I will quote heavily from an article written by Helen Keller entitled, "Three Days to See." I admire her for her wisdom and she has been an insipiration to me. I encourage you to read it, if not, by the time we are done uncovering the world around us, I'm sure you'll want to see the source that inspired us to do it!

Article credit: http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=1&TopicID=193&SubTopicID=17&DocumentID=1215