Coming Out of Retirement

Okay, my friends are right. I have failed at 'Retirement'. I am working harder than I ever did in the 'Real' world. The 8am-5pm five days a week world was a piece of cake. 

My Heritage Quilt
Double Wedding Ring
Hand-pieced/Hand-quilted

When I retired in 2005, I had a bucket-list of things I wanted to do that I didn't have time to do when I 'worked'. The problem is that there are too many things on the list. In order to get them done I have to change my mind set. Therefore, I am no longer retired. I am working as always, but my hours vary from day to day. However, I am working not retiring. My work is different. I volunteer at the library, quilt, paint, sell stuff on Etsy, blog, and read. The only way I can get it all done is to work at it.

Garvan Woodland Gardens
Hot Springs, Arkansas

We even take vacations from retirement. 
Sometimes it's a day-trip. 

Crystal Bridge Museum of American Art
Bentonville, Arkansas

Sometimes it's a longer trip to visit family or enjoy each others company.  














I already feel better. I spent today checking things off my list and still had time to read, watch a little (very little) TV, exercise, and nap.

AN EVENING WITH GENTRI

Last night we went to a Community Concert Association concert. It was the last one of the 2017-2018 Season. It was one of the best. 

'Gentri, The Gentlemen Trio' did not disappoint. They were accompanied by Stephen Nelson and a 5-String Quartet from the Arkansas Symphony from Little Rock. Stephen Nelson was one of the highlights. He should have top billing for his performance. For one number, the audience was asked for the name of a current hit song and a classic movie song. They chose 'Wind Beneath My Wings' and 'Dr. Zhivago'. Mr. Nelson combined the two pieces for a new movie: 'Dr. Zhivago Beneath My Wings'. The result was amazing.

The other highlight of the night was a movie of the their original composition, 'Home'. They provided the sound while the movie below played on a large screen behind them. It is about the death of a loved husband who has passed to the other side. He was still able to write a letter to his beloved wife, whom he had to leave behind for a while.

It brought tears to my eyes. (I wasn't prepared. Luckily, Chuck has a handkerchief.)

TODAY: JANUARY 22

Sam Cooke born in 1931, The King of Soul

His first hit “You Send Me,” in 1957, soared to the top of the charts and earned Cooke an appearance on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” in 1959.

Memories Are Made of This: In The Mood

I learned to dance from a 45 rpm record of  Glen Miller's 'In The Mood'. This video shows scenes and dances during the '40's when we were at war.  We were still dancing to this music in the early 50's.  It wasn't until Elvis Presley came along in the mid fifties that dancing changed.  It is still evolving along with the music. How many of these stars to do recognize?

An Afternoon with Muriel Anderson and Others

Sunday afternoon Chuck and I hosted a private concert in Hot Springs Village featuring Muriel Anderson.  She was our guest about this same time last year.  We have been following her since we first heard her at the Acoustic Cafe at the Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. 

She performs her original compositions and many familiar songs on the classical style guitar and the harp guitar.  Muriel was the first woman to win the National Finger-style Guitar Championship. She is one of the world’s foremost finger-style guitarists and harp-guitarists. She plays bluegrass, classical, and international music. She has recorded with many guitar legends including Chet Atkins. She has also performed with Victor Wooten, Les Paul, Tommy Emmanuel, and many others including Nashville Chamber Orchestra.

You can find out all about her at:  http://murielanderson.com/

Album: Nightlight-Daylight

You can buy her newest double CD “Nightlight-Daylight”  that placed first in 11 national award categories by clicking on the link below the album cover.  And...You can also download the free track of  "What the World Needs Now Is Love" at this link:                         www.murielanderson.com/nightlight

On the guitar:

Her original composition on the harp guitar.
If you ever get the opportunity to see her live performance, do not pass it up! You will not be disappointed!

A DAY AT THE RACES

ARKANSAS DERBY DAY at Oaklawn Park Race Track 2015 and we were there.  I had never been to the Derby so I added it to my bucket list and took it off the same day. 





There were over 67,000 people filling the stands and the infield.  We walked through the tunnel to the infield. It was like one big party.  Live music in the Pavilion, families having picnics, and some on blankets or lawn chairs just people watching.  The weather was perfect.  Yes, some wore gaudy hats like they do at the Kentucky Derby.  (Some hats should have been left at home!)

The highlight of the day was the 11th Race when American Pharoah out ran the field in grand style.  He is considered one of the favorite contenders for the Triple Crown this year.  

Chuck bought a 'win' ticket on him and didn't cash it. The odds were 1:9 paying $2.20. He is saving it in case American Pharaoh wins the Triple Crown.  The plan is to buy a winning ticket from each of the 'Triple Crown' tracks.  Then he'll have all four tickets...hmmm!...maybe sell them of EBay.  Okay, we are just dreaming.  We'll keep them as souvenirs.

We had a great time and are putting it on our 'Do it again!' List.

Oaklawn Park from the Infield

Starting gate ready
 to be moved to the track.

Jockey lost his mount
right before he was to be loaded
into the gate.  Not sure what happened?

Whoever heard of Muscle Shoals Alabama?

Not me...until recently.  How could I have 

missed this important place in the history of 

music?  I guess I was distracted by life?

I have heard of it now.  If you haven't, then 

check out the DVD, "Muscle Shoals",  from your 

local library...or buy it from Amazon.  

'Definitely Watch' or 'Do Not Miss' Movie!

SONGS FOR SUNDAY

#1 Pin on My Pinterest-OKLAHOMA wins!

Oklahoma, my very first pin on Pinterest was to my 'Sound of Music' 

Board.  It has been my most popular pin to date!

I still loved it in the 7th grade:)

My first 'live' theater 

experience was

 "Oklahoma". 

My Mom and Dad took 

me to see it when I was 

in the 5th or 6th grade.  




When I saw the movie with Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones, I was 

hooked.  My Mom's family was from Oklahoma and I visited there 

many times as a kid...where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain! 

I love Oklahoma!  So do a lot of other people. So far, 537 have repinned 

it, 63 'heart' it, and 5 have made comments.  (Probably not a record, but 

still a lot of people).  Every morning when I check my phone, someone 

will have repinned or liked it.

Everyone needs a day off...

We are 'off list' today....

We have been 'on list' for six months and it was time!

We did what we wanted when we wanted....

Of course, some of what we did was 'on list', but we gave ourselves permission 'to do it or not to do it'!

We did put up our Christmas tree...it didn't fit in our new house so we put it outside at our entry.  I even put up a couple of wreathes.

We did go to the Tomorrow's Fitness to our 'Silver Sneakers' workout.

We did go to the grocery store.

We did watch 'Elementary' which we had recorded.

We did work in the yard. I planted pansies and Chuck cut a couple of trees and put deer repellent on our new leafless azaleas.

We didn't fix breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  We each did our own thing when we got ready to eat.  

It is amazing what you can get done when you don't have a list:)

Up Up and Away In My Beautiful Balloon...

Keith and Graham

Well, the balloons didn't ascend 





and it wasn't the 5th Dimension...  
It was AIR SUPPLY!!  
How awesome is that?


We headed out with our 'vintage' lawn chairs to the Friday night event for the Legends Balloon Rally at the Hot Springs Memorial Air Field.  

Even though the wind precluded the 25-balloon ascension, there were twelve pilots who braved the elements and inflated their balloons.  We were not disappointed. 

The Hot Springs balloon inflated right in the middle of the crowd. 

The others rimmed the seating area waiting for the sun and the wind to go down.  At just the right time...we counted down 10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1...GLOW! They  glowed and then they twinkled...right up until the stars and Stars came out.

I am still amazed that we got to see Air Supply...Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock...under the stars.  They did all of their cover songs plus more. At one point while Russell took a break Graham sang a guitar solo accompanied by an exceptional keyboardist. Then he and Russell left the stage and meandered among the crowd.  I got as close as I could to Graham and snapped...of course...I didn't get a picture.  It focused, but no picture.



 The best I could do was take a picture of the 'jumbo' screen of Russell after he had autographed a fan's T!









Listen:




We had no idea when we left to see the Balloon Rally that we would come home with a great memory!
The Balloon Festival in Albuquerque is on our 'Bucket List'...we started small and are working our way up!

Photo Album:

One More Song...

All the girls look prettier at closing time...

On the way...well, I had to have the
appropriate costume...
didn't I!  Yes, no doubt.

You guessed it!  We went to see Mickey Gilley at the Woodlands Auditorium at the Ponce de Leon Center in Hot Springs Village last night.  It was not to be missed. Mickey Gilley is a National Treasure.  Only three years ago at the age of 73 he fell while helping a friend move some furniture. He was paralyzed from his neck down.  He was told he would probably never walk again.  And...there he was! 

He walked on stage and stood for some of his songs,  Mainly, he sat in a chair and told us his life story. 

For the 2nd half,
he came out in his
legendary yellow jacket!

He included his cousins...Jerry Lee Lewis and The Reverend Jimmy Swaggert. "I am the youngest and my wife says I am the best looking:)"...yes, the grin is still there. And...best of all, his voice was a strong as ever.  He cannot play the piano for which he was so famous...he told us he couldn't 'hit the licks'.  He has a number of keyboardist's that make up for it.    He was awesome as were his back-up's who have credentials of their own. 
He closed the show with 'Stand by Me'!
No doubt he will be standing a long time
after me:)

 I have been to Gilley's in Pasadena, Texas, outside of Houston. To tell the truth, I can't remember if I saw him there or not.  I raised my hand when they asked if I had been there and seen him.  I remember seeing the "Bulls" (as in, Mechanical...are there still any of those anywhere?)...no I did not ride one of them...that I would have remembered.  

Mickey's show is now in Branson, Missouri.  I think that is what we saw here.  There is no need to make a trip to see it again.  If you get a chance, GO!  

Here's your chance to listen to his music....

We've been to Margaritaville...

Looking for our lost shaker of salt!!!  









We didn't have to go far-just 
across the Arkansas River to
North Little Rock to the Verizon Arena.  







Jimmy Buffett and his entourage hit town Thursday.  The actual show didn't start until 8pm, but the festivities started the day before when the RVers started arriving.  We got there about 5pm on Concert day...just strolled around and watched all of the Parrotheads getting crazy. And, yes

there is a Parrothead Club in Little Rock.




The doors opened at 6:30pm and we made it in by 7pm; had our chicken fingers and beer; and headed for our seats.  We were lucky to get them.  The concert was sold out in 90 minutes.  Chuck stood in line for a couple of hours at the Arena Box Office.  By the time he got to the window the floor and the next tier of seats were sold.  

We actually had pretty good seats.  We were on the west side,up high, but not the "nose-bleed" seats.  We left before the finale to beat the crush and to give our ears and feet a rest.  It was really loud and definitely foot-stomping/hand-clapping music. 

Margaritaville, Montego Bay, Jamaica

I am going to download one of his albums from I-Tunes so I can hear the words to some of his less played songs.  Margaritaville was about it for me...we have actually been to Margaritaville in Jamaica. We can say we've been there, but don't need to go to another one...too touristy.  

Great show...if you ever get a chance-GO!as early in the day as you can.  All of the "fun" is part of the appeal...and if weather permits, wear your craziest beach clothes and flip-flops.  You won't be disappointed. 

Nibblin on sponge cake

Watchin the sun bake

All of those tourists covered with oil

Strummin my six-string

On my front porch swing

Smell those shrimp they're beginnin to boil

Chorus:

Wastin away again in margaritaville

Searching for my lost shaker of salt

Some people claim that there's a woman to blame

But I know it's nobody's fault

I don't know the reason

I stayed here all season

Nothin to show but this brand new tattoo

But it's a real beauty

A Mexican cutie

How it got here I haven't a clue

I blew out my flip-flop

Stepped on a pop-top

Cut my heel had to cruise on back home

But there's booze in the blender

And soon it will render

That frozen concoction that helps me hang on

Chorus:

Wastin away again in Margaritaville

Searching for my lost shaker of salt

Some people claim that there's a woman to blame

But I know it's my own damn fault

Yes and some people claim that there's a woman to blame

And I know it's my own damn fault

Lyrics | Jimmy Buffett lyrics - Margaritaville lyricsn>

A Madrigal..ing We Shall Go!

We seem to be keeping I-40 "hot" lately.  We went back the University of Central Arkansas.  This time we attended the 36th Madrigal Feaste presented by the UCA Chamber Singers. We were treated with an awesome concert of Renaissance music and a dinner of Prime Rib of Beef or Chicken.

 I had never attended a current day Madrigal dinner, but Chuck has been to a couple of them.  John Erwin, the Director of the UCA Choir, was also his church choir director in the mid-70's.  He was the UCA Choir Director then and is still the director.  Madrigals were popular in the 16th and 17th Centuries. 


As we arrived we were announced to the other guests.

The singers arrived in a processional and serenaded us before dinner and during dinner.  The waiters served dessert...a flaming "figgy" pudding...tasting a lot like spice cake with powdered sugar icing.  Then, the Chamber Singers serenaded us with more period Carols as they moved around the room.   







We had a wonderful time!
The music was great 
as were all of the singers. 
We were completely in awe 
by the their talent.  


It is hard to imagine 
the work that went into 
preparing for this
Madrigal Feaste.  


Congratulations to 
Director Erwin and
each and every singer.  


















Also, thanks for the great service provided at the dinner...
...kudos to the servers. 

A Night Out in Conway

Our Program

We joined our cousins at the Oak Street Bistro for a great visit during a delicious dinner.  Then, headed to the Reynolds Performance Hall on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway to see Tommy Emmanuel in concert.  

Can you believe we, as lovers of guitar music and one guitar player in the house, had never heard of Tommy Emmanuel?  That is, until some very good friends saw him on AETN, the Arkansas PBS*, and were totally amazed.  They received an email that he would be performing in Conway on October 6 and we jumped at the chance to see him.

We had watched a You Tube video of Tommy playing, but in concert he totally awesome.  I have never seen nor heard such wonderful guitar music.  He is a wonderful showman and very entertaining. 

Pam Rose

Anthony Snape

He was joined by Pam Rose and Anthony Snape who did the warm-up and later joined him at the end of the show.  They did one song that Pam wrote and then an instrumental trio arrangement of "It's a Wonderful Life".  Tommy said it was Pam's and Anthony's first time to do a guitar trio piece.  That was hard to believe...it's was like they played together every day.  They made it look so easy!


What a great "night out"!  I think it's called a "Date Night" these days :)


*Public Broadcasting System