Nicknames

“Ocean” photographed at Island Beach State Park on the New Jersey barrier island coast by Sandy Ross Bender on May 12, 2026.
“Nicknames” composed and performed with guitar and vocals by Sandy Ross Bender on May 15, 2026.

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I’ve always had a nickname,

Sandy is that name,

It hasn’t brought me fortune,

It hasn’t brought me fame.

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A hurricane was named after me,

October two hundred twelve,

A week arrived, before Halloween,

What followed I will not delve.

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A name that puts me at ease,

Despite the havoc caused,

Manhattan was left in shambles,

The city had to pause.

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Here I am before you,

Guitar across my knee,

Reminding you of a storm,

And the power of the sea.

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Lyrics by Sandy Ross Bender

Slow walk home

“Bay wetlands” photographed at Island Beach State Park by Sandy Ross Bender on May 12, 2026.
“Slow walk home” composed and performed with guitar and mandolin by Sandy Ross Bender on May 11, 2026.

In my own time

“Springtime Magic” drawn with ink and painted with watercolors by Sanford Ross Bender
“In my own time” composed and performed with guitar, concertina, and piano by Sanford Ross Bender on May 8, 2026.

Odyssey

“Odyssey” drawn with pen and ink by Sanford Ross Bender in Santorini, Greece .
“Drifting downriver” composed and performed with guitar, concertina, and crash cymbal by Sanford Ross Bender on March 4, 2026.

Calico mandolin

“Calico mandolin” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender on April 29, 2026.
“Just a glimmer” composed and performed with mandolin and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on April 29, 2026.

Time is running out

“Great Horned Owl” drawn with pen and ink by Sanford Ross Bender.
“Time is running out” composed and performed with guitar, banjo, and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on April 27, 2026.

Settle down, grow a garden

“Tulips” photographed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania by Sanford Ross Bender on April 10, 2026.
“Settle down, grow a garden” composed and performed with guitar and banjo by Sanford Ross Bender on April 25, 2026.

Solemn Oath

Fort Knox Historic Site, on the western bank of the Penobscot River in the Town of Prospect, Maine photographed by Sanford Ross Bender on October 14, 2024.
” Solemn Oath” composed and performed with guitar and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on April 23, 2026.

Which way? this way!

“Tyn Church” photographed iby Sanford Ross Bender at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czechia on September 20, 2025.
“Doorway” “photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Prague, Czechia on September 21, 2025.
“Which way? this way!” composed and performed with guitar and mandolin by Sanford Ross Bender on April 16, 2026.

Note: The music is now presented in its original longer duration . SRB

Windows

“West Quoddy Light” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Lubec, Maine on June 1, 2024.
“Windows” composed and performed with guitar and mandolin by Sanford Ross Bender on April 9, 2026.