Aww Mondays

Happy Trails to You
This final post of my local trail trilogy involves a trail that is a favorite of ours. It begins a couple of blocks from the town square and ends at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. The paved trail is about a mile long. Once you reach the museum there are a couple of additional miles of trails on the grounds that lead you past large pieces of art. But it’s autumn in the Ozarks and God is putting on a much more colorful display than any of the exhibits.

Crystal Bridges is a beautiful piece of architecture that houses a world class collection of art by American artists. If you are in the area, it is a must visit destination.

My wife and I spent Halloween afternoon on the trail. I didn’t bring my tripod so I didn’t get a photo of us together and now the leaves are gone and winter is just around the corner. The colors were simply spectacular this year.



Monday’s Music Moves Me
This week is a freedom of choice week and 4M, so I am going to take the opportunity to shamelessly plug something coming soon to Driller’s Place.
Eleven years ago I began what I now call my Christmas Music Marathon. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving and continuing through Christmas I post at least one photo, one video, and a short comment regarding Christmas. The purpose of this annual project is to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of Christ. As a society we have become so busy, so over saturated with the commercial side of the season that we have lost the real reason for the celebration. If you want to get a better idea of how this is going to work you can scroll back to December posts of 2018 or 19. Prior to 2018 I was posting on e-Blogger. I made the transition to WordPress in January of 2018 so there are only two years of marathon posts here.

This year the photos will concentrate a little more on family photos from Christmas past. Lucy and I will take you on a journey through the years around the Christmas tree. The songs will come from secular and inspirational sources, so if you are a fan of Christmas and tired of the same old mall music, stop by here any day between Thanksgiving and Christmas to hear music that celebrates the true meaning of the season.
Needless to say 2020 has been and very different and difficult year for people worldwide. Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on our society as people have sheltered in their homes, sports were canceled, restaurants were closed, even churches quit meeting in worship services. It might leave some to ask, “Where Are You Christmas?”
Another question that we often here is, “What does Christmas mean to you?” Well the next few weeks I hope to answer that question and by Christmas day you will know what Christmas is to me. Have a blessed week.
It was nice seeing Crystal Bridges again. Our leaves are gone, too, except for a few maples still trying to hang on to theirs. After today’s wind, probably all bare. I really enjoyed the Pentatonix song, especially towards the end when they were showing videos of their children. I think Christmas is going to be extra meaningful for many this year – but on the flip side, so difficult for those who have lost family and friends to this dread virus this past year.
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Christmas will indeed take on different meanings or people this season.
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What a lovely place, and thank you for the music!
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Crystal Bridges is one of our favorite places to visit locally.
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We had spectacular leaves too this fall, but they were early and the snowstorm ended their run early too. Christmas music is wonderful and looked forward too every year, but they already started playing it on many radio stations a week ago which is way too early. We look forward to it after Thanksgiving. Have fun putting your marathon together.
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I started this marathon in order to introduce something other than the usual mall playlist. Even the local mom & pop stores are putting out their Christmas gear right now.
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Miss Lucy is so adorable. They do bring such joy into our lives as we do theirs.
You know how much I love your Christmas Marathons. I know you’re going to move each year over to WordPress. Right? Of all the posts you have those are the most precious.
Jesus is the reason for the season.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week. 🙂
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I had never really thought about moving the old posts over here. I am not even sure that I know how that works. It’s a great idea, so I guess I’ll have to look into that possibility.
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Such a beautiful post. Very nice. Thanks for sharing all the pics and the music.
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Glad you enjoyed today’s offering. Stop by often for the marathon.
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Lucy is such a sweet pup! Our fall here in the NW was unbelieveably gorgeous! Have a wonderful day!
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Lucy is a special little girl in this house.
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I’m going to do a Christmas song marathon, too. 🙂 I like that you’ll be focusing on CHRIST for the season. Despite the weirdness surrounding COVID and not being able to go to church or other normal public things, Jesus is with me every single day. Christmas never leaves my heart even if the world thinks it’s not happening this year because of social restrictions. Your song picks have me stoked for more Christmas mewsic to come. Jesus is the reason for the season. Let’s praise in His good name every day in December and all the days that follow. Thanks for joining the dance floor and for the reminder of your big mewsic extravaganza starting the day after Thanksgiving. Incidentally, I really like the Pentatonix song – just beautiful!Have a boogietastic week!
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I think we’re going to be visiting each other’s blog a lot during the holiday season.
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What a stunning photo of Lucy! That art gallery is amazing, and the colors are spectacular! Your wife sure looks like she is enjoying the Fall stroll, I can’t blame her, that is one beautiful trail.
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Lucy can be pretty photogenic.
We enjoy several of the trails in the area but walking around Crystal Bridges is a special treat.
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Open up your blogger blog and move over each one with the same date and time and then just copy and paste that into each new post on WordPress. You’ll have the right dates and just to each year until your done. Then you’ll have them. 🙂
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