TUESDAY TUNES:IT'S MY LIFE

 Bon Jovi is responsible for this TUESDAY TUNE. Lyrics included.

IT'S MY LIFE 

MONDAY MUSINGS:SMILES ABOUND

 MONDAY MUSINGS left this volunteer pretty exhausted as this past weekend ARMOM: Arkansas's Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic and the Pulaski County Master Gardener's Spring Plant sale coincided on the same two days but in different cities.

What's a girl to do? I just made sure I arrived early to help restock the empty plant shelves with what remained in the Little Rock greenhouse and then headed over to the dental clinic to interpret in Conway Saturday . 

Both events had excellent attendance with a lot of happy customers.  

As of 2AM Saturday, yes I said a.m., there were already ~350 folks in line for the dental clinic which means by the end of day 2 over 1500 patients had been seen, treated and helped by some 500 volunteers. 

It's a shame more young doctors don't volunteer as more restorative and extractions could have happened.  Over a million and a half dollars in care was provided over the 2 days.

As for the Master Gardener greenhouse project: Well  ~ $18,000 of plants were grown and sold. Those earnings help sponsor the other Master Gardener community projects. 

Kudos to all those volunteers.

There's a lot to smile about for these two community projects in my life.

FOTO FRIDAY: NEIGHBOR SURVIVES THE STORMS...

 

FOTO FRIDAY:  'Hair- on' / Heron survives our stormy weather. Did you ever think about where birds go during wild winds?

Hidden Valley Creek Pleasant Valley resident survives storm...

TBT: STILL HAVE YOUR BRAINS?

 TBT: Remember when we marched for the environment and sciences. My buddy Chris knitted this cap for me to use during the protests against dumbing us done. 

I guess enough people weren't fortunate enough to be able to wear one...

Look at what's happening to the market and who is buying stock after creating tariffs for the countries whose products we need...

TUESDAY TUNES: CAN WE TALK?

TUESDAY TUNES: Can we talk?  No matter our age we also have to work on our actions matching our words, don't you think?  Talking is a good place to start...

Tevin Campbell's CAN WE TALK?

My new charge this week is Elwood. Poor guy needs a forever home as unfortunately even as chill as he is, the other dog in the adoptee's home wasn't happy with his presence.  

Doesn't Elwood look he's saying , "Can we talk?"

FOTO FRIDAY:: YOU'VE GOT MAIL

 

FOTO FRIDAY: Can you tell this recipient is beyond excited to find this package awaiting her return from northwest Arkansas. 

Great timing had it dropped off after the rainfall. 

Yes, flowers need water but not this kind....

'Can't wait to frame her!

tUESDAY tUNES: WHAT A VIDEO: Hello Ms Johnson

tUESDAY tUNES 's video is something else too... Jack Harlow 

Hello Ms Johnson. See what you think!

MONDAY MUSINGS: BEST IN SHOW

A terrific addition to the northwest Arkansas adventure was to experience the Best in Show exhibit at the Momentary in Bentonville. 

It did not disappoint. The photographers caught the essence of our infatuation with our pets. 

Here are some examples from the hundred + pieces of work.

Who says owners and their pets don't look alike?

Or that we become our pets...

Even our pet fish become objets d'arte.

This bathing part of the collection was a hoot. Our pets also have bad hair days but are such characters. These guys were photographed being in shelters as they reclaimed their pride in a clean look  ...  

There was also a section of how to adopt/ sponsor our homeless pets and art activities for the kiddos.

 What a wonderful exhibit!

"Through Best in Show, Momentary visitors will have the opportunity to explore the role that furry (and feathered) friends have played in culture and how they stand in as representations of status, power, loyalty, compassion and companionship through the perspectives of 25 global artists. Works on view will include examples by William Wegman, famed for his portraits of his Weimaraners; Walter Chandoha, the world’s first professional cat photographer; and Sophie Gamand, known for her touching, sensitive photographs of dogs taking baths.

Organized by Fotografiska Museum New York, the contemporary museum of photography, art, and culture, Best in Show celebrates and acknowledges constant companions, their presence in Western art and popular culture, and their multifaceted relationships with humans."

"We are thrilled to share that as part of the Best in Show experience, domesticated pets are welcome in the galleries!  To ensure a pleasant visit for all, we kindly remind guests to be mindful of pets and other visitors.

A few important guidelines:

• Pet Clean-Up:  Owners are responsible for reporting all pet messes immediately to staff.
• Leash Policy:  Pets must stay on a leash no longer than five feet or in a pet carrier.  Even hand-carried pets must remain on a leash. Retractable leashes will not be allowed.
• Size and Behavior:  There is no size restriction; however, all pets must be domesticated and well-trained.  We will ask disruptive pets to exit the building.
• While allowed in the galleries, pets will not be allowed in the Tower Bar or RØDE House.

Thank you for including your furry companions in this unique exhibition.  We love to have all of you with us!"

FOTO FRIDAY: KAWS ANYONE?

FOTO FRIDAY: WHO IS KAWS?

To think an X for eyes is an identifier for KAWS ...

WEDNESDAY MUSING: SUMMER LODGING

SUMMER MUSINGS early but not early enough... As warm as winter is / as beautiful as fall and spring are in Arkansas, summer can be uncomfortably HOT. So while in the Midwest I checked out the possibility of summer digs.

New condos required year leases and the industrial feel was a bit 'too' 'cold ' for me. It seems AirBnB situations might be the best possibility although many already have reunion/ wedding/ fishing dates booked not allowing for a full month rental. So I'll have to think about that heat getaway earlier for next year.

My June is already filled with Utah, Arizona and Cali. BUT I am looking into a NYC musical play date for July. Anybody interested?

Meanwhile, I will just enjoy digging in the dirt and keeping my new transplants watered in between Spring rainfalls. 

HAPPY SPRING!

TUESDAY TUNES: LONG TIME COMING

 Charles Yang shares his symphonic version of Sam Cooke's

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME   

 We all know it's been a long time coming. Speak up when you see injustice...

MONDAY MUSINGS : THERAPY & COULEE FRIENDS

What a therapeutic week being back in the Coulee! Friends from a different lifetime yet so happy for the opportunity to catch up and talk about everything : our families, projects, interests, work and you betcha even politics?! 

Dinner, Cemetery visit and Shul with Family Sam, Abby and Kylie

Work Colleagues: Janis & Don

A Breakfast date with Maureen & Chef Bob and his infamous French toast.

Shul friends for a hug and a wonderful Sabbath yahrzeit service with Barb officiating. Told it was the largest attendance since the holidays. Thank you for honoring Irv and his yahrzeit with your presence. 

Jazzerbuddies: a class and Java Vino coffee afterwards with the non snow birds and for those who stayed for lunch, loved the extra visiting time !

Other Friends thru Natureman Donna and her musical buddies, then Royce & Lynn with Carol & Roger

Happy Bookers Connie, Susie, Jo Ellen and the BDay Girl Nancy at the Red Pines celebrating Nancy's 3/4 century!

And to those who encouraged me to sleep around... Heidi & Scott, Carol & Roger, and Karol. You are all such great hosts and friends.

Thank you all for your care and hugs

                  It was so wonderful spending time with you all!

TBT: LAST FAMILY VISIT in DA COULEE

MARCH 2021

Today I will get to see some very special people who have driven all the way from Georgia. It’s been over a year and 4 months since we were all together at the Thanksgiving table in the End of the Rainbow Valley.  It means so much to have them here for the week!

Little did we know we would be missing one of these smiles the next Thanksgiving ...

FOTO FRIDAY:VISITATION

 

FOTO FRIDAY: Visitation where it's really quiet...

Taking the time to ponder.

TUESDAY TUNES: MAKING MUSIC

 TUESDAY TUNES: TURKEY IN THE STRAW is the way this little group of musicians always start their jamming session. I was fortunate to be invited to join Donna from Houstn MN and friends for a musical evening.

In the old days they played at Jules, a popular long-standing coffee shop, but they have been meeting in the cafe section of The People's Food Co-op for the past 12 years.

What an assortment of instruments! Here's a short clip:

MONDAY MUSINGS: PRESERVING HISTORY

'The 1923 North Little Rock Cherry- Luter Estate home known as Castle on Scenic Hill'   had over a hundred folks coming to see the estate's insides last week.  Kudos to its owners a local minister and his wife for being so brave to share it with us.

Curiosity couldn't be dampened by the raindrops as groups of 8-10 were admitted at a time due to gawk at its small floor plan firsthand.

17" limestone walls prevent the present-day owners from having central air.  So windowbox units dot the back side of the home.

On the southwest end there is a cool round tower.

There's also a two-story carriage house, a pavillion, and a natural stone wall around the perimeter.

Thanks also to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program for sharing this gem with the public.

I'm sticking with Central Air - Just saying. You know this is Arkansas.

FOTO FRIDAY: NOT EGGS''ACTLY WHAT I WANTED

 

FOTO FRIDAY this week features eating out and ordered the most valued item: EGGS. The menu even states there's an  additional 50  cents extra per egg and here's how mine arrived... 

Gelatinous, not eggs'actly over easy...  The restaurant subtracted $1.10 from my bill.  Seriously? I won't be back.

TBT: BACK IN THE MIDWEST

TBT: College buddy Adrienne shared this pic of us on a jaunt to Chicago when we all went to see Jersey Boys, a fun musical about the lives of the Four Seasons with great tunes.

Usually, I stop in Chicago when I head to the Midwest albeit this year the Yahrzeit trip will go through Dallas since the cost is so prohibitive to fly into La Crosse. Now I fly into Madison to rent a car and drive to La Crosse. 

Flying is not getting easier..

TUESDAY TUNES: COOL

TUESDAY TUNES: Sometimes one feels so cool, no matter the age. Jonas Brothers make even us Seniors  COOL!

If you want to go also go down Memory Lane with the Jonas Brothers, here's Carpool Karaoke

FOTO FRIDAY: WHEN YOU'RE 64

 FOTO FRIDAY:WHEN YOU'RE 64

Had the 64 yo Dallas birthday boy visiting this week and including a bday dinner with 3 desserts. 

No worries cuz the bday boy hit tennis balls with his niece for 2 hours the previous day. So- in addition to a yummy dinner at the new Root with a piece of delicious carrot cake, a scoop from Scoops of Death by Chocolate and a piece of Loretta's of New OrleansKing's cake with praline there was a very special surprise of finding the Baby. Never too old for dessert especially when you're 64!