Aww…some Monday’s Music Moves Me

Aww…some Mondays

This past week we spent a couple of days in Branson, MO. We stayed at a facility on the campus of College of the Ozarks in Hollister, MO which is about five miles from Branson. College of the Ozarks is a small liberal arts college and every student is on a work study scholarship. Everything made from the products generated by the students goes back to the school to reduce the cost of tuition. The students graduate debt free. The school maintains a bakery/mill, dairy barn, livestock, greenhouse, an outstanding restaurant. The students maintain fresh vegtable gardens that supply the restaurant. The facility housing the restaurant also has 15 suites where you can spend a relaxing time away from the crowd. the whole place is just a delight. It is perfect for a special getaway. The image below was our suite.

The morning we left for home we stopped by the gift shop, stained glass shop/gallery, and greenhouse. It was a great parting visit before we hit the road home.

This is a giant Staghorn Fern. I have never seen one before but I would love to have the space to grow this magnificent plant. If you ever have the chance to visit College of the Ozarks and spend the night in the Mabee Lodge, just do it!

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This is a freedom of choice, whatever floats your boat week at 4M so I am going back for a little Red Dirt music. Red Dirt music began in my home state of Oklahoma. Every 20 years or so Country Music attempts to re-set itself and return to it’s more traditional roots with simpler arrangements. The current state of the brand is filled with AI, auto-tune, rapper inspired lyrics, rhythms and artists. Country music in the 70’s became heavily orchestrated. Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and others brought back some of the old school sound. Red Dirt music artists are resetting the sound to a more traditional feel but with some contmemporary lyrics and phrasing. Here are a few examples. Have a blessed week.

Aww…some Monday’s Music Moves Me

Aww…some Monday – County Fair

This past week has been county fair week in our area. Our fair is not huge and the main event for me is found in the livestock building where the kids are showing off their animals. I was there the morning that goats were being judged. I think this is one advantage that country kids have over city kids. Raising an animal practically birth to show ready teaches a child a wealth of life skills. They learn to provide for another living being. The kids are responsible for feeding, watering, grooming, providing shelter, exercising and everything associated with caring for another. I find that far more valuable than X-Box or Travel ball world champion.

This was my pick as the prettiest goat at the fair.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

It’s a freedom of choice week at 4M, so I don’t have to base my selections on a specific theme. With that in mind, I’m going to feature a group that I have really enjoyed the past year or so and played a couple of their songs here before. Once more, I give you Red Clay Strays. Have a blessed week.

Aww…Monday’s Music Moves Me

Aww…some Mondays

Butler, MO – Bates County Courthouse

Recently we were in the Kansas City, MO area visiting relatives. On the way home we took a short side trip into Butler, MO. My wife wanted to visit a crochet/quilting supply store. When we arrived on the town square I was stunned by the county courthouse. Small town county courthouses, built on a square make for some very good images and this one certainly did not disappoint. I probably spent thirty minutes just walking around the square and taking photos. I did not have my normal camera with me, so I just pulled out my IPhone and captured a few images. As you can tell, it was a gorgeous day, with blue skies and just enough clouds to make for awesome backgrounds.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

Sep 28th Recently, was International Talk Like a Pirate Day, a fun modern holiday.  It would be fun to see where the seven seas take each of you as you share with us songs relating to pirates.  I am going to abandon ship and the pirate theme this week to sail my own course.

One of my favorite artists is Vince Gill. He’s been a country music icon for the better part of fifty years and recently launched a new project. Like most song writers, he has a collection of songs that have never been recorded. Vince has pulled some of those songs out of the desk drawer, brought a collection of world class session players together, and recorded an EP every month for the past year. He just released volume eleven. I am going to share a few songs from several EP’s in the project. You can make me walk the plank for my music mutiny this week, but this is my story and I’m sticking to it. Have a blessed week.

Aww…some Monday’s Music Moves Me

Aww…some Monday

Our next door neighbor has a huge evergreen tree that is a literal bird condominium and a couple of the residents happen to be American Goldfinch. They come into our flower garden, pick the petals off the zinnias and dine on the seeds. They are truly beautiful creatures. I’m not an expert, but based on the colors I would say this is a male and a female.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

September is National Happy Cat month. You don’t have to have a cat or any animal to share some songs about these adorable four-legged creatures! With that said, we don’t have a cat. We have Lucy. Lucy is our nine year old American Cocker Spaniel and the best dog we have ever owned.

Okay, so what do I do with this music theme? We don’t own a cat, so how about a song from Cat Stevens…

or a song with Cat in the title…

or a song from Three Dog Night. Have a blessed week.

Aww…some Monday’s Music Moves Me

Aww…some Monday

This past week my wife and I drove across town to The Momentary. The Momentary is an art gallery, restaurant, bar/lounge, and outdoor music venue. One of the recent exhibits is truly something special. It is titled, “The Beginning of Convenience” and is a tribute to the small grocery stores that many of us grew up with and there is a nod to the local mega business of Walmart Inc. Everything you see in the following images is either made from felt fabric or covered in felt fabric. Artists name is Lucy Sparrow and the exhibit will be here until July 2027. I cannot imagine the hours required to make everything in this display as it covers over a thousand square feet. The photo area and snack bar are special treats to see.

Just a reminder, everything you see is either made from felt fabric or covered in felt. It is truly an amazing and fun exhibit to explore.

So, if you have a reason to be in Bentonville, AR in the next ten months, this is a fun side visit and it’s free!!

Monday’s Music Moves Me.

This week at 4M the theme is whatever music moves you. It’s also Labor Day so I thought a couple of tunes celebrating the value of work and the American worker. Here you go. Have a great holiday and a blessed week.