Monday, March 18, 2024

MONDAY MONET MUSINGS

 One of the special outings this past week in New Orleans was attending the MONET EXPERIENCE. Now I had the most unique experience seeing this new type of 3-D presentations in France (2017) in a rock quarry no less. In fact, links for that visit and Monet's Giverny home, and work are below: see darker print.

I had no idea what to expect in this venue in the Big Easy.


Our first room was an introduction to Monet. Monet as a child started with caricatures. Then he started studying art, choosing his color palate and became
instrumental in the 'impressionist' movement.


The next room was a reproduction of a bridge at Giverny bathed in the palette colors Monet loved to use. It was the perfect place for a Kodak moment as I had poised on the real bridge 7 years ago admiring the lily pads and Koi fish in that very same pond.



The 3rd room was filled with Monet's work as if it was in Monet's  Giverny home outside of Paris .









Then, finally there was the big projection room where around the room were beach chairs, benches  and bean bags for people to have a place to sit/ lie down. My other experience was standing /walking around. I much preferred the chance to sit down and become part of the art.

A train was on the wall moving into the station and then the painting turned into the real station while different walls had other scenes changing with the seasons and music... 

It was easy to get lost in Monet's masterpieces... Take a look.




GIVERNY

ORANGERIE

LES BAUX et CARRIERES DES LUMINERES 

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

TUESDAY TUNES: LOSING CONTROL

 I think you'll agree that Kelly Clarkson and Teddy Swims knock one's

socks off with this tune: LOSING CONTROL with this dynamic duo. Doesn't Kelly look fabulous? Heard her show is moving to the Big Apple.



Monday, March 11, 2024

MONDAY MUSINGS: THE RAINBOW MEANINGS

MONDAY MUSINGS : THE MEANING OF THE RAINBOW                                            
During my unseasonal Wisconsin warm stay (75 degrees one day) the skies darkened as a rainstorm brewed. It was a 
perfect setting for a rainbow to appear afterward,,, 

As we parked at the Trumpealeau Hotel, a place where Natureman and I had biked to every season, some band members were departing with their equipment. "Oh no, we missed the music," but the band member said "no worries another group is following us. "And there warming up were 3 very well-known faces in the Driftless region music world Dan Sebranek along with long time friend John Smith and John's daughter Elisi. 

Elisi , John and Dan

Unfortunately, their concert was sold out. Drats. When John was free, I asked him about his upcoming Ireland tours which are a lovely mix of touring and music. Those who have participated always return highly complimentary. John told me to check with his wife re: which tours might have space. When she arrived I introduced myself and handed her my contact info and she said she would send me info re: tour openings and descriptions.

Then out to the back deck to enjoy my frosted mug of root beer. As the rain fell we sought shelter under the eaves and was able to hear the music waft back to us while the clouds lifted and there was that rainbow.

During COVID when we isolated in the End of the Rainbow Valley across the pond in Italy children put drawings of rainbows with the words "Andra tutto bene" ( Everything will be all right) similar to the saying in China during lockdown.  But to me this particular rainbow equates the reason why I am there ... It's just been that kind of trip as if Natureman was making sure the signs were clear

When I returned home South an email was awaiting and I have the last room in the late August trip to Cork, Kerry, and Clare counties in Ireland.  Happy new decade to me!

Take a listen to:   John Smith's Safe Home

               APPALACHIAN RAIN

Friday, March 8, 2024

FOTO FRIDAY: HOO RAY FOR THE RAMEN


FOTO FRIDAY  is a wonderful restaurant surprise in a most unlikely place Sparta, Wisconsin known for being “Bicycling Capital of America.” Located in the scenic Driftless Area, it offers access to over 100 miles of multi-use trails including the Elroy-Sparta State Trail...

But this place gets a 5 star rating...  Wowser. Lucky Sparta.


                        Matsumoto's  Tantanmen Ramen - delish


                beef, pork or vegetarian broth possibilities







Thursday, March 7, 2024

TBT: THE BALTO BOYS

 TBT: I know it's confusing that last week we met for the yahrzeit since that's the Hebrew ( lunar ) calendar and yet tomorrow is when Natureman left this world according to our solar calendar.

Of course, I had to share this Kodak moment of the Balto boys this date but in 2017... 

As they say: A picture speaks volumes... 

These two shared a special bond.





Thursday, February 29, 2024

TBT: NATUREMAN'S 3RD YAHRZEIT

TBT:The drive today from Madison was stunning seeing the familiar coulee and La Crosse brightened by a beautiful blue sky... I was truly blessed to have shared this landscape with my Natureman for almost 20 years. we remember you especially this weekend marking the 3rd anniversary of your passing...                                                                





Wednesday, February 28, 2024

MIDWEEK MUSINGS::COLD as ICE

You might be thinking Wisconsin is on my mind which it is... But that's not my midweek musings...

I  swear I do want to think the best of these creatures we call human beings but sometimes it's just more difficult than others.  When I got into my son-in-law's truck on an airport run yesterday "Cold as Ice"  was playing. Was he playing a super bad joke on me? Seriously, what timing, but I hadn't told him about my last fraud story ... 

You see while checking my monthly charges to write down my donation list, there in July was a charge I had missed from The Walton Center of Performing Arts. NOT only had I missed seeing it, it was much more than any purchase I have made in a long time. Why didn't the credit card folks see this red flag?  After an hour on the phone with the ticket office in northern Arkansas, I was informed 4 tickets were purchased for the Foreigner concert. Guess who sings You're as Cold as Ice? Bingo. Yep,  Foreigner.


These fraudsters used my phone number with one incorrect number AND a very random bogus email address that should have raised an eyebrow with the credit folks. I sure hope these folks had a good time on my dime. (I am being 'sarcastic') Of course, I called Bank of America and reported my findings there as well and they will review my case...

I have had to change my credit card twice since last summer. The sad part is those autopay charities who waited until this year to process my contributions were denied my donations due to the card changes. I sure hope those concert goers get their comeuppance some day. Did I say that? 

For the heck of it: Here's Foreigner singing COLD as ICE, I will never be able to hear it again without thinking fraud is COLD, as COLD as ICE.