Flowers for fireworks

“Zinnia profusion” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender on August 1, 2025.
“Flowers for fireworks” composed and performed with guitar and banjo by Sanford Ross Bender on July 4, 2026.

Optimistic Blues

“An uplifting cloud” photographed at Honeymoon Island State Park along the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas County, Florida by Sandy Ross Bender on June 26, 2026.
“Optimistic blues” composed and performed with guitar and clarinet by Sandy Ross Bender on June 28, 2026.

Shell tree

“Shell tree” (assembled by anonymous artist ) photographed by Sandy Ross Bender at Honeymoon Island State Park along the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas County, Florida on June 26, 2026.
“”Shell tree trio” composed and performed by Sandy Ross Bender with clarinet. concertina, and guitar on June 28, 2026.

Undercurrents

“Pelican watch” photographed by Sandy Ross Bender in South Carolina on November 18, 2016.
“Undercurrents” composed and performed with concertina and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender on June 19, 2026.

Toast to our health

“Stained glass goblets and shot glasses” photographed by Sandy Ross Bender on May 24, 2026.
“Toast to our health” composed and performed with vocals, concertina, and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender on June 13, 2026.

Spinning Islands

“White conch shell” drawn with colored pencils on textured pper by Sandy Ross Bender on June, 2015.
“Spinning Islands” composed and performed with vocals and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender on June 14, 2026.

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I am going down to the Florida Keys,

Where hurricanes abound,

Spinning islands like a string of pearls, 

Wind sweeping waves into the sound.

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Mangroves and hardwood hammocks,  

Encircling the reef periphery,

Moonshine turning turquoise tides,

A wind quartet in lunar synchrony.

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I am not searching for sunken treasure,

In the deep blue depths, divers plumb.

I am looking for seashells that sparkle,

Along the shifting beaches, I comb,

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We could share a pail of whelks and cowries,

That drift in with the evening tide,

Gaze into conches and mother of pearl mollusks,

Discovering the sea, side by side.

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Lyrics and music – Sandy Ross Bender, June 14, 2026

Blackbird Pond

“Reflection” photographed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania by Sanford Ross Bender on May 22, 2022.
“Blackbird Pond” composed and performed with guitar, banjo, redwing blackbird, and pileated woodpecker on June 4, 2026.

My lawnmower stopped working

“Mending meadow” painted with watercolor and gouache by Sanford Ross Bender on September 3, 2006
“My lawnmower stopped working”composed and performed with vocals and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on May 31 and June 1, 2026.

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My lawnmower stopped working,

So, I let the grass grow high.

My neighbors are complaining,

That it would soon touch the sky.

I always wanted a forest,

And the birds that it would bring.

The minstrels will follow,

The troubadours will sing.

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The lawnmower was the pushing kind.

Like the mower that my father had.

He liked the clinking of the blades,

Without the fumes and noise that was so bad.

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Never had I thought of ghosts before.

But now I am in belief.

My father appeared to mow the lawn,

And now, I can sigh in relief.

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Lyrics and music by Sanford Ross Bender

The magic we made together

“Winding oak” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Tyler State Park, Bucks County Pennsylvania on May 16. 2026.

The magic we made together” composed and performed with concertina and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on May 28, 2026.

Sunnier days

“Improvising Cellist” sketched in concert with pen and ink by Sandy Ross Bender on May 17, 2026.
“Sunnier days” improvised and performed with banjo and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender in tribute on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026.