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!

TBT: SHERMAN KIDS IN TEXAS

TBT: A couple of years have passed since one of our kids tied the knot in the big D in Texas...

Here are the Sherman kids from Grant Street enjoying the betrothal rehearsal dinner of the guy in the middle's son. 

We are looking forward to October when my other brother's eldest will tie the knot in da Rock.

I love happy occasions to get together!

MIDWEEK MUSINGS: UNRELENTING AGENDA

 MIDWEEK MUSINGS are not going to dwell on the words and actions of those in power with their 'unrelenting agenda 'because my blood pressure and state of faith in government has reached a different status.

Reading James Carville's letter to the New York Times suggestion of a 'political strategy retreat' makes a whole lot of sense. Democrats need to step back and 'Let 'em burn'.  Really sound advice. Let the Repubican party try to remedy what they have wrought. Let them implode without our interference.

We will know when it's time to step back in...

Here's an entertaining clip:

CARVILLE

TUESDAY TUNES: SOMETHIN' 'BOUT A WOMAN

 TUESDAY TUNES  with Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims lets us know that There's Somethin' 'Bout a Woman... You betcha there is!

MONDAY MUSINGS: WEEPING TIME

MONDAY MUSINGS this week is due to my addiction to social media reels ie, FB and following a variety of people. 

One in particular, sociologist Dr. Bertice Berry has a distinct voice filled with depth, soul, and wisdom. 

We can't possibly catch everybody's wise words dispersed each day but Berry's knowledge  encompasses our country's history and behavior that goes beyond a month of recognizing a people who helped build our country.  We consciously know Black History doesn't stop just because a month was designated for it.

Go back to 1859, March 2nd & 3rd  in Savannah, Georgia at a race track where the largest sale of slaves took place in this country. 

Take a listen to: youtube's clip

WEEPING TIME

or a shortened version from FB if you're on it.

FACEBOOK WEEPING TIME

MISSING MUSINGS: CARING FOR OUR FUR BABIES

MISSING MUSINGS: We have another problem manifesting in our society, and it seems a bit trivial compared to so many others... Just as we are responsible to the children we bring into this world, we are also responsible for the pets who share our households.

Evidence is in the number of furry friends needing adoption.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, people wanted company and welcomed the presence of pets. Then, when folks returned to their worksites, pets became a burden and our kennels are overflowing. Every day furry friends are dropped off in the countryside, many pregnant. 

So sad. Besides deworming and vaccinating this population, the next step is neutering. Besides donating to help with these efforts we also need to consider getting a rescue dog rather than overbred' pure breeds'. Ask anybody who has a rescue dog what wonderful pets they make.

My last charge is Wiggles, ~1 1/2 years old  watched as her first litter of 4 puppies died. She 's recuperating with me this week and next week will go to her new forever home.  

I was in a resale shop last week who takes some of their profits to help sponsor rescue dogs before they find new permanent homes the following was framed in their store.

 A picture may speak a 1000 words .