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.