FOTO FRIDAY: A PORCH GUEST

FOTO FRIDAY : A new critter decided to take up residence under the front porch. Take a look.

Lasr FOTO FRIDAY was:THE GREENING OF AMERICA

TBT:LADY LUCK

TBT: LADY LUCK shone upon me in letting me know what unconditional love IS. Seven years ago we went for a Family photo to be taken in the La Crosse Public Library. 

I met my Natureman z"l in '02 and our furry Balto z"l after the flooding in Texas when so many dogs lost their homes.

 I am so lucky to have had these 2 Baltos in my life. I am so glad we  went to take a family pic... 

 

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: RIDVAN

 MIDWEEK MUSINGS this week is extra special on my path of learning more about world religions, which unite us all... Yesterday I was invited to join a program of readings, music, movement and of course, food at Central Arkansas's BaHa'i  Center as part of their 12 days of celebrating Ridvan from April 21st to May 2nd.

Ridvan is the holiest and most joyous of the Ba' Hai faith as it marks when Baha'u'llah declared his mission as G-d's messenger. 

Slides and readings shared the story of beautiful rose gardens and bird song as perhaps Baha'u'llah had seen and heard near Baghdad's Tigiris River and named Ridvan  (Paradise). This holiday's first, ninth, and twelfth days are especially holy as believers don't go to work on those days

.

Although the community is much smaller in Little Rock now than in the '70's when this Baha'i community began here, in larger cities like Chicago's suburb of Wilmette, there's a huge Temple. But the size of their lovely gathering place here in Hillcrest is welcoming as its believers' hearts are large and welcoming to all.

There were 6 of us visiting from our international film class. What a treat!  I so appreciate being able to spend time enjoying their holiday on the first day of Ridvan.

                               Thank you so much for sharing...

tUESDAY tUNES: A NEW FLAME

 tUESDAY tUNES made it happen. It's about time.  You are the first to know I have a new boyfriend and his name is Marco Ferrero.  How can one not fall in love with a guy with this voice? I fell hard.Listen and you'll know why...

TU BOCA Y MI BOCA

Here is a COMPILATION of his, in case you, like me, want more...

MONDAY MUSING: THE SOUND OF FREEDOM?

MONDAY MUSING reflects on a new musical program, FREEDOM, in Little Rock presented by the River City Men's Choir, which has a lot of very talented male, mostly senior musicians who use their vocal cords as their instrument- 

Some have been participants for over 3 decades as you can see...

"Freedom" features a female guest soloist, Satia Spencer,  who truly delivered the soul. Even the choir let loose as much as they could. It was awkward. As I scoured those enjoying the free concert in St James sancturary, most had white hair and as you can guess, were white. The only black male in the balcony around me was Satia's big brother. 

It still amazes me that such a large choir in the South has perhaps one member who is not a white man.  Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas with a large black population. How are there not black males who'd try out for the choir? 

After the concert, I commented on how ironic to have black gospel songs in the program with only one minority member.  My friend commented that one of their black choir members had moved, but he was often featured. Whoa! 

THIS is 2026 and we are sitting in a program about freedom and the faces definitely don't reflect the country we live in... We can usurp others' music yet truly reflect the political climate of those white, protestant men running the White House... G-d help us.

More performances: Monday the 20th at 7pm

                                  Thursday the 23rd.  7pm

St James United Methodist Church

321 Pleasany Valley Dr.

Little Rock, Ar 72212

FOTO FRIDAY : THE GREENING OF AMERICA

FOTO FRIDAY: The day of all our greenhouse efforts has come to fruition as the annual Pulaski County Master Gardeners Plant sale today and tomorrow (MAY 17&18  2026)

Did you know that upon leaving office every President is able to take cuttings from their favorite plant to give to friends. 

Now adding green at my address will be one of those many cuttings from President Obama...

(Greenhouse is located off of Markham between War Memorial Stadium & UAMS  on 7th & Palm Streets. Signs posted...  )

Proceeds go to support Master Garadener projects throughout the city.

TBT: THE JOURNEY OF LIFE

 TBT:  Last year at this time my Wisconsin book club was visiting my new home here in Arkansas. We had a wonderful time making new memories. FYI it's strawberry shortcake time again here... 

Last night I joined a ZOOM call with 4 of the Happy Bookers as we discussed our upcoming trip to Croatia. Yes, Croatia.

 I am truly blessed...