MONDAY MUSINGS: INSPIRATION

We all need to be inspired so MONDAY MUSINGS is just that - a very special place to sponsor the arts. This past week I was introduced to Inspiration Point Fine Arts Center in northwestern Arkansas in a town known for years for its Passion Play, in the once quiet small town of Eureka Springs.  Yet, this is Inspiration Point's 76th season.

Sitting on the outskirts of the town, a new state-of-the-art amphitheater gifted by the Waltons, replaces the old dilapidated ones where I enjoyed the fruits of their program, the 2026 Opera in the Ozarks program consisting of:

 an operetta Candide by Leonard Bernstein, 

2 one-act Puccini operas Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi,

and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera: Le nozze di Figaro.

*and there was even a traveling children's play off site : Monkey See, Monkey Do... 

A pre-play discussion by the actors is offered on the front patio sheltered by the building..

/Indoors during inclement weather

Truly, I have been inspired and filled with an opera experience which my own city, the capital of the state, Little Rock, does not offer. Private funds are needed for everyday upkeep, housing for its students and staff, salaries, their kitchen, etc. 

"The Opera in the Ozarks Orchestra comprises young professional musicians from across the country. The instrumentalists enter fully into the artistic and social life at The Point.  Rehearsals began June 14 and culminate with their final performance is July 24.  After the main stage operas have opened, opportunities for chamber music, practice and relaxation abound.  First-year musicians receive a stipend of $1500; housing and all meals for the period of the six-week contract are included."

These amphitheater opera tickets were affordable to the public @ $40/ ticket so many more can experience opera and the fruits of these budding new artists. There is even a double cast so these music students can hone their craft by switching roles.  

Truly, I have been inspired and filled with an opera experience which my own city, the capital of the state, Little Rock, does not offer. Private funds are needed for everyday upkeep, housing for its students and staff, salaries, its kitchen, etc. 

Go patronize their programs, be inspired, and whether you can/ cannot be their in person, do help support their programs monetarily. 

It takes a village... 

                                                                                    

 The views are stunning... whether its day/night time.

FOTO FRIDAY: A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHICKEN

 FOTO FRIDAY: A new 'shroom for me that I found in the Eureka Springs Thursday market. 

Take a look...

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY

TBT: CARMEL BY THE SEA

TBT: All week long pics from my Carmel by the Sea visit have been popping up from a couple of years.  So many great memories. 

I'm so lucky to also have kids also living up in the San Fran area. Love their cooler temps !

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: SIBERNIK

On to Šibenik in this week's MID WEEK MUSING. Šibenik takes the title of being the oldest Croatian town on the Adriatic Sea.  Documentation as early as 1066 shows it was founded by Slavs, not Romans or Greeks. A historic town indeed being chosen a UNESCO site since 2000.

The most impressive was the all-stone Cathedral of St James which took over 100 years to build without using mortar, mixing Gothic with Renaissance styles.

impressive doors ...

                                           covered its façade...  

                                         mouldings and statues galore...

In almost all of the towns, we would see these unusually shaped corners. Note the newer triangular additions. Any clue why this change was made? >

Croatia was my first time seeing these modern architectural features. They are to prevent male tourists from relieving themselves in these corners. The angle will reflect the pee back at its perpetrator... You gotta love modern man/not.

Although we navigated a lot of stairs, I personally chose not to navigate up to the St. Michael's Fortress as I was fortressed out. But it dates back to the 11th century guarding Šibenik.

The Aussies and I did climb plenty of stairs to reach the restored Medieval  Mediterranean Garden at St Lawrence monastery also tied to the Franciscan Monastery. Small but sweet, where we could see emerging herbs and medicinal plants, pomegranate trees in an interesting medieval pattern. Dragutin Kiš, landscape designer, helped in 2007 with this effort after the garden had lain dormant for ~100 years. 

There's a coffee shop where one can enjoy a coffee/ cold drink and enjoy the environs. I loved their sign...

The beds are aligned forming a cross in its paths.

You are spared flower shots for now, but no worries since Foto Friday's approaching.

Interesting sculptures also dotted our šibenik walking tour...

Old meeting                                                           the new... 

Nice visit...

tUESDAY tUNES: BLACK IN AMERICA

This tUESDAY tUNE came across my screen thanks to buddy Martina . Take a listen to Dusty Rivers singing  " Black in America, This skin."  Some songs speak volumes...

BLACK IN AMERICA 

MONDAY MUSINGS :HVAR

MONDAY MUSINGS ON HVAR:

After visiting the spectacular Blue Cave* we continued towards Hvar, "the longest island in Croatia, the sunniest in all Europe(2724 hours of sunshine per year) and is considered  among the most beautiful islands in the world. "

Upon arrival, we joined a guided tour of Hvar and learned why this amazing town is a must see on the historical map of Croatia. 

Charming cobblestone streets greeted us with narrow walkways/ alleys ...

                                                                   

Hannibal Luciċ," a local nobleman lived in Dalmatia under Venetian rule also was a prominent Croatian poet and playwright known as the author of Robinja ( The Slave Girl), the first secular drama in Croatian lit. He was influenced by Petrarchan traditions, involved in local governance and construction projects on the island.

Franciscan Monastery

Unfortunately, the Franciscan Sisters' monastery and their museum were closed and we couldn't see their intricate lace work made from threads of the agave plant.

"Lacemaking in Croatia (Croatian: Čipkarstvo u Hrvatskoj) is a tradition dating back to the Renaissance when lacemaking began spreading throughout the Mediterranean^[1] and continental Europe. Throughout the years, Croatian lace has become notable for its unique patterns and designs. In 2009, UNESCO recognised lacemaking in Croatia as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.^[2]

Today in Croatia, there are several centres of lacemaking tradition, most notably the Adriatic towns of Pag and Hvar, the northern town of Lepoglava, and the Sveta Marija village in the Međimurje County."

Hvar lace

This lacework makes extra monies for the manifold projects of the Franciscan Sisters.

water well

 The phenomenal stonework   never ceased to      amaze   me, no matter which island   we visited.

 Hvar was no different and all the towns were so    clean...

With the realization our visit was fleeting,  I became a real tourist and spent time also perusing shops, buying lavender goods from nearby fields and sampling various olive oil flavors. 

              Obviously,  I am just another fish in the sea... LOL

* In case you missed the Blue Cave posting, here's the link.

BLUE CAVE

TBT & FOTO FRIDAY: LUCY EVANS NATURE CENTER

TBT & FOTO FRIDAY : Visited a special place on the Pacific byway called the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center in Palo Alto on the edge of the South Bay. 

The Center is only open weekends although the boardwalk trail is open daily takes one through pristine wetlands on the Pacific Flyway so it's great for birdwatching.  15 miles of flat trails for walking, running/ biking. 

Can you spot the new addition?

a mosaic wash roomWe

.