“Punkin’ Seed”

Aww Mondays

Obviously, I have a treat just out of frame that Lucy is lazer-focused on.

North Forest Lights

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a world-class facility that focuses on the works of American artists from the days of the colonies to the present. It is a spectacular place to visit…and it’s free!!! Currently there is an exhibit on the trails around the building called “North Forest Lights”. It consists of five works placed in the forest with special lighting effects and set to music. The trail is approximately one and one half miles long I did not capture images of some of the purely light exhibits because I needed to do long exposures and that would require a tripod and just get in everyone’s way. Here a a few images that I did manage to capture.

This first piece is titled Forest Frequencies. It is a circular maze type structure with lights in the top of the pathway. The work varies in height from about 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 feet. It’s an interesting work that this image doesn’t truly do it justice.

This piece is titled “The Hearth”. The description is, “A bonfire like sculpture to immerse yourself in the warm glow and beating heart of nature.” The work is probably fifteen feet in diameter. The light changes from red to blue and the white lights beyond move and come from all directions. There is music that accompanies this exhibit as well.

This exhibit is a massive tree with lights place throughout the branches. There is a microphone where the couple is standing. You sing into the microphone (not to worry, no one can hear you) and the lights change colors that supposedly reflect the colors of your voice. Interesting.

There is simply no way to do this exhibit justice. This is a light and music show set over a dry stream bed. You stand on a bridge, over the stream bed, and the light show takes place literally at your feet. It is titled, “Memory of Water.” The image and colors change with the music. Awesome is the only word that comes to mind.

If you are in the area between now and April, the exhibit is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday beginning at dusk. There is an admission fee because of the number of staff required to be on the grounds. You can get tickets from the website, http://www.crystalbridges.org. It is worth the trip. I plan on going back and photographing it again later in the year

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The theme this week at 4M is free choice. I get to pick whatever theme and music I want to post. So, in keeping with the light show above, I’ll spend a few minutes talking about the greatest light and music show that is yet to come.

Followers of Christ have a belief and hope of the coming of the Savior. This event is commonly known as The Rapture and it applies only to believers. The Rapture of the church is first mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and the vooice of tf an archangel with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. We Shall Rise! Revelation 1:7 tells us that the entire world will be a witness to this event, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him…”

Chapter 20 of Revelation tells us that there will be a judgment of all mankind and verse 15 specifically says that anyone not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire. I know where I will be “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”, how about you? Revelation 21:1 describes the new heaven and the new earth. In verse four we find that because Satan was bound in chapter 20, there will be no tears, no death, no sorrow, no crying, and no more pain for those who have placed their faith and trust in the Alpha and Omega, Jesus Christ.

That day that I leave this life and step into eternity will begin a life filled with “Joy Unspeakable”!!! Have a blessed week.

The Hearth

Aww…some Mondays

Day Trip – Siloam Springs, AR

Recently my wife and I made a day trip to near-by Siloam Springs, Arkansas which is only a thirty minute drive from our house. Siloam Springs main claim to fame is home to John Brown University, a small liberal arts college. Siloam also has a beautiful park in the center of town and many of the surrounding buildings are undergoing renovation and upscale shops and restaurants are becoming more common. We had lunch at an eatery called 28 Springs, which is located in an Art Deco structure that was formerly car dealership. The food was outstanding and reasonably priced. My wife enjoyed a salad while in savored a Cranberry Quesadilla sandwich. After lunch we shopped a couple of stores, strolled across the street to the park and captured a few images. We left our house about 10:30 a.m. and were back home by 2:30 p.m. I am sure we will return to explore a little more of our neighboring town in the Ozarks.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

The dog days of summer signal the ending of hot weather and a reminder that fall is just around the corner, so the theme for the 4M gang this week is end of summer songs. I thought I would start with a newer arrangement of a classic. Originally released by Johnny Mercer with Jo Stafford, “Autumn Leaves” has been covered by a multitude of super stars and now has a new arrangement by Eric Clapton. Enjoy.

One super group that came out of my young adulthood was Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. When the group split Neil Young released a couple of great albums. One song that fits our theme is Harvest Moon.

Coming straight out of the late sixties was a mixed quartet super-group. The Mamas & Papas biggest hit was California Dreamin’.

One final blast from the past. Nearly every child of the sixties owned the Simon and Grafunkle album Sounds of Silence. One lovely tune to come out of that effort is “The Leaves are Green”. Have a blessed week.