By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Have You Seen This? Kid tricked into doing yardwork
370688f6d086710846b903adcf35aa948940b3dfbd806c830c7eaa35a0fa0d5a
Have a yard full of leaves? All you need is a leaf blower to affix to the back of a toy Jeep and let your kids go to work an act of pure parenting genius. - photo by Angie Treasure
BACKYARDS EVERYWHERE As a little girl, I was always envious of the large, obnoxious toys bandied about by other children in the neighborhood.

I felt like I rarely owned the trendy gift that was being pushed by major toy makers every holiday season. Furby, Tickle-Me Elmo and Nintendo 64 never made their way from Santas sleigh to my familys Christmas tree.

One particular item I remember coveting was a Barbie Power Wheels Jeep, one of those hunks of bubble gum-colored plastic with a motor that could barely get you over large cracks in the sidewalk. I remember my cousin having one and it caused me much angst, or as much ennui as can be experienced by someone whose age has not yet crossed over into double digits.

I think my parents may have been more inclined to buy me a Barbie Jeep if they had made the same discovery as Jarrad Provost on YouTube: It can be used for your own parental gain.

Have a yard full of leaves? All you need is a leaf blower to affix to the back of a toy Jeep and let your kids go to work an act of pure parenting genius.

The time for ridding your yard of fallen leaves may have passed this season, but lets just say Ill be writing this one down for future reference.
Sign up for our E-Newsletters
Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
638421_Screenshot_1.png
Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
Latest Obituaries