Barry Manilow in Wichita

Barry Manilow performed in Wichita Thursday night, and Greg and I went. The ticket prices were such that almost anyone who wanted to see him could have afforded to go. They were as low as $9.99. They also provided glow sticks, which I guess are common at Manilow concerts.



We were joking that Greg was expecting a truck show and was going to be very surprised when Manilow took the stage. But I think he had fun just seeing the stage, setup and all.



I'm not a huge Manilow fan, but we all know some of those songs. And I love his attitude. I heard him interviewed on a show a few years ago and the host asked, "Do you just think, 'Oh God, they want to hear "Mandy" again?'" Manilow said, "No, I think, 'Thank God, they want to hear "Mandy" again."



The glow sticks were cool to see throughout the arena.



The sets were very "broadway," but always interesting.



He told a really touching story about his grandfather taking him to a place in Times Square where you could record your own voice. It was a good show.
-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

Surrender

I am incredibly grateful for my life. The blessings are plentiful. Each day I'm amazed at just being alive, much less anything more. I lead a charmed life.

These days I'm also trying to figure out some challenges. I say that, but in reality, I'm befuddled about what to do. So, I'm really doing nothing except waiting for an answer.

However, one of Patsy's Rules for Living is that it's almost always wrong to do nothing. So I've decided what I need to do is surrender. Then I'm doing something, although perhaps not the traditional "something."

Your good thoughts and prayers are appreciated as these roads are traveled.
-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

What Else I've Forgotten

Tonight I was looking through some photographs on a laptop I don't use regularly. So, there are photos from the last few years, separated by days/weeks/months between downloads. It gives a compressed sense of time.

I rarely download onto this machine except when I'm travelling. So, there are photos from various trips, some of which I can no longer identify. Like this building. I don't know where this was taken. But, I am certain I loved the lines of the windows.

In some cases I have a faint memory of taking the photo, but I can't place where I was at the time. It makes me wonder what else I've forgotten.

-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

Beauty Leads to the Divine

I've been thinking a lot the last few months about the importance of beauty in our lives. We seek it in so many places.

A friend said something to me one night about beauty being a pathway to the divine. I think that may be part of the attraction.

I'm still thinking about it all. But I know I need more beauty in my life. It's why I seek flowers, art and more. It all boils down to beauty.

-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

Brother Claude Ely

I sometimes think about what we will leave behind when we depart this world. Many people leave their influence through children, grandchildren, etc. Even after we are gone, and our direct descendants are gone, the influence remains. Others leave writings, recordings or other tangible bits behind.

When I heard a story about a book written by Brother Claude Ely's great nephew, I thought how wonderful it was that he had gathered the information and created this book. People have all kinds of lives we can't imagine. But, they create them. And live them. In this case, Brother Claude's life has been captured in these pages - at least part of it.


Brother Claude Ely was a preacher/musician born in 1922, who is still remembered in the areas where he ministered. It seems he was quite a striking figure - a big man with big ideas and a big voice. His music is considered to be one of the examples of gospel music that influenced rock and roll.

He went across the country, holding revivals and tent meetings. Many of his recordings were done during live church services and include the shouting mixed in with the music - a hallmark of the Pentecostal churches in the south.

Ely came to religion when he experienced a miraculous healing from TB when he was a young man. He was always passionate about his chosen profession.

His signature song was this one, "Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down." It was covered by multiple people, most famously perhaps by Johnny Cash. Ely died in 1977, during a church service, falling backwards off the bench while playing the organ.

-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

The Music Lesson

I get some good-natured ribbing from people about my love of art. I was recently in a museum and when I could tear myself away from the Impressionist exhibit looked at this painting: "The Music Lesson," by Dutch painter Gerard tor Borch (1617-1681).

Because I know Dutch painting of this era is filled with symbolism, I started looking for the meanings. Here are just a few in this painting:
1. The students with instruments are looking at each other. This would be unusual in this time frame, to look so directly at one another, so it suggests amorous attention.
2. The woman is wearing brighter clothes than you usually see in portraits of couples in this era, so we know they are not married. This makes the gaze all the more charged.
3. He is playing a lute. The lute is very suggestive. It could indicate marital bliss, or it could indicate lust.
4. Her foot is resting on a foot-warmer. These are used to indicate courtship rituals or female lustfulness.

This is just one little example of what I love about art. What we see might well have meant something different to people in the time in which it was painted. I love learning all those little tidbits, and I've picked them up just reading in museums.

It's "The Rest of the Story" in pictures!
-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

Church Holds Cornhole Tournament

When I saw this sign on a Toledo church, I couldn't believe it. I actually turned around and went back to make sure I had read it right. Then, still disbelieving, I did a search to make sure the slang meaning I associated with "Cornhole" was "common knowledge." It is.

I'm assuming they're playing the game and not having lots of anal sex. I did not inquire, even though it was a Sunday morning and there were people around.

But the larger question is why would you put this on your church sign - on a major road - in giant letters? Why? It's difficult for me to imagine that no one in that congregation knows the meaning of this phrase.  Maybe their goal is to get publicity and I'm playing right into their hands.

Regardless, I remain shocked anyone would use this on a church sign. And I don't shock easily.

-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

A Little Humor Goes a Long Way

I recently stayed at a hotel chain I haven't stayed in for a long time. I had some trepidation, but the room was actually quite nice.

However, I'm guessing they must have some issues with theft of towels. Honestly, I didn't know anyone actually stole towels from hotels. Why would you do that? They're generally not very nice, and that's certainly the case in this hotel.

But, I thought their approach was quite nice. Instead of saying, "Don't Steal," they found a more fun way to do it.

-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

St. James Tea in Wichita

I met this little lady at the St. James Tea a few weeks ago.



The St. James Tea in Wichita is one I've wanted to attend for years. The timing just never worked out until this year. Fortunately, my friend, Jan, and I were able to go. She had been before. It was a perfect day.

When we walked through the church and over to the area where the tea was being held, we were guided on the path by this wonderful scene.



Just inside the door was this nice vignette.



The tea goodies were on tables in the center of the room, with beautiful flowers.



Ladies charged with pouring tea were stationed at each end of the tables.



The trays of food were continually replenished and you could help yourself to whatever you fancied.







We were quite taken with these little chocolate mice. I'd seen photographs of them in magazines, but never actually seen any that someone had gone to the trouble to make.











They had round tables set up all over the room, all with tablecloths, and you could sit down and enjoy yourself. Some people came and went as the day went on, and some - like us- stayed for an extended while.



There were a number of young girls attending in beautiful dresses. This little girl was at our table for awhile with her mom and grandmother. She was really sweet. You can see she has a white chocolate mouse, as well as the traditional dark chocolate one!



There was a fashion show twice that day. We caught the second part of it the first time and stayed for the second show to see the rest.



It appealed to all ages.



Ladies in their church bring treats for the tea. They also have sales of various things along the edges of the room, and a silent auction. I managed to bring home five more cookbooks. They were only $1 each. How could I resist?




-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

We Know

One of the books I keep close at hand is Thomas Moore's, "Care of the Soul." When I feel a bit lost or confused sometimes I pick it up and flip to one of the many flagged passages.

I did that recently and turned to something I didn't have highlighted, but that was just what I needed to see. It said, "The soul has no room in which to present itself if we continually fill all the gaps with bogus activities."

It seems life is filled with many bogus activities. I try to be in the moment and appreciate every breath I'm allowed, but it's a bit more difficult when shopping for toilet paper than when standing in a beautiful forest.

We often find so many reasons to not do the very things our soul is crying out for. But we know. At our core, we know what we need. We always know.

We know when we should end a relationship or start a new life or pick up a book. We just ignore that voice that whispers to us, more insistently all the time. The universe keeps providing us with clues - from conversations, events, and even books. Eventually we have no choice but to heed the demands. And we stop filling our time with bogus activities. and let the soul present itself.

Then we think... I needed this.

We always know.

-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

Weird Al in Wichita

A friend shared a Weird Al concert ticket with me a few weeks ago.



I have to say it was a jam-packed, brilliant, fun show.



We pretty much started smiling from the first moment and never stopped. His show is very high energy. I can't even remember how many costume changes there were.



A little Nirvana, of course...







It was during this number, in the animal print/red suit, that he came out into the audience and sung to some of the women. I was lucky enough to be one of htem.





He's very expressive!





This gentleman came out on stage and held the harmonica for Weird Al to play. It was a funny bit.





Amish Paradise, of course



He had all the Jim Morrison mannerisms down pat.









Ace Jackalope met up with a storm trooper afterward.



-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

Still Packaged After All These Years

You just never know what you're going to find at the thrift store. I didn't even know such things were manufactured, and it looks like it hasn't been for a few decades. For fifty cents I brought it home because it looks useful.

Of course, I am struck by the knowledge that someone bought this - probably in the 1970s at the latest - and here it is still in the package. No one has ever actually used it. Until now. It's about to find its way into my bright yellow kitchen.

-----
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest