Announcing The Winner Of The October Book Giveaway!

Drum roll, please!

The winner of the October Book Giveaway 2013 is...

NOBODY! 

That's right. Not even one. single. person. entered the contest. I guess I'll just keep the book then. 

~ Love & Light ~

World Of Color: Exploration #7

For today's exploration I examine the world of color. This assignment from the book, How To Be An Explorer Of The World: Portable Art Life Museum by Keri Smith, was a little more challenging than I had anticipated. Picking up the color swatches from my local Lowes hardware store was easy enough, but when it came time to assign the colors to things in my life, it took some time.


Exploration #7:


WORLD OF COLOR


Collect paint chips from a paint or hardware store. Find colors you respond to in the world. Attempt to match them using the chips. (You can also match the colors using a portable paint set.) Make notes of where you saw the colors.

My color swatches

In the following list I will give the name of the swatch as selected by the paint company followed by the name I gave.

1. Dark Truffle- Milk Chocolate

2. Summer Tan- Vanilla Latte'

3. Peach Smoothie- Barbie Doll Skin

4. Freckles- Himalayan Salt Lamp

5. Sangria Red- High School Lipstick

6. Hibiscus Tea- My Blush

7. Cherry Pickin'- Fall Leaves

8. Grape Juice- Blueberry Smoothie

9. Mountain Top- Couch Pillows

10. Purple Rain- Eggplants

11. Evening Twilight- Fireplace Ash

12. Hang Ten- Taos Blue

13. Backstroke- Fabric In Guatemalan Rug

14. Enchanted Green- Fuzzy Bed Blanket

15. Wild Basil- New Eyeshadow

16. Grass Stain- Cactus

17. Olive Martini- My Eye Color

18. Appletini- Reflection Of Yellow Tree Leaves In River

Blueberry Smoothie

Taos Blue

Reflection Of Yellow Tree Leaves In River

I noticed I picked things that are comforting to me when I was choosing things to match to the colors...fuzzy blanket, Taos, food, pillows, etc. I thought about the fact that, just as we do with sounds and smells, when we see certain colors in the world, we relate them to things and experiences from our lives. 

"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it." -Alice Walker, The Color Purple

~ Love & Light ~

P.S. Today is the last day to enter the NPLH October Book Giveaway! Winner to be announced tomorrow!

Kava! Kava! Rah Rah Rah!

Kava from Mass Spectrum Botanicals

Kava is definitely one of my favorite herbs. I like consuming it as a tea and prefer the Yogi Tea brand (you can get Yogi Tea at most grocery stores and specialty health food stores). I like Yogi Tea Kava because it is blended with cinnamon and other herbs that mask the intense (not palate pleasing to most) flavor of Kava.

Kava Kava (Piper Methysticum)

  Kava grows as a shrub in the South Pacific Islands and has large heart shaped leaves. It has been used for centuries to treat painful stomach cramps, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety. Because of Kava's medicinal qualities, it is valuable to Healers and Shamans and used during religious rites. 

Kava ceremony in Fiji

The Kava plant is part of the pepper species and thrives in tropical locations like Hawaii, the Philippines, and the Samoa Islands, along with other tropical locations. Kava Kava is non-addictive, which makes it a great substitute for chemical relaxants or alcohol. It is actually known for providing relaxation and euphoria without compromising mental alertness. In many cultures it is custom to drink a mug before sunset to insure a restful sleep.

Kava: Nature's Relaxant by Hasnain Walji, PhD.

In addition to its relaxing properties, Kava is also great for treating menstrual cramps in women, reducing anxiety, and to ease arthritic and rheumatic pains. The root is processed into elixirs, powders, pills, pastes, teas, and candies. If you are in a region where Kava grows, you may even buy the fresh root at markets (we probably won't be seeing the fresh root for sale here in Oz). It is important to remember, that like all herbs, if used in excess, Kava can have side effects, so always stick to the recommended doses. 

Kava powder

I love the rich, earthy, and pungent smell of cinnamon spiked Kava tea. After a long day, it is exactly what I need to slow the endless thoughts running through my mind and take a load off. Run a hot bath, light some candles and sip a mug of Kava. Heaven. 

~ Love & Light ~

P.S. Tomorrow is the final day to enter the NPLH October Book Giveaway! Enter to win now! Good luck.

Archaeological Dig: Exploration #6

It's time for the sixth exploration from the book, How To Be An Explorer Of The World: Portable Art Life Museum by Keri Smith. I had a lot of fun with this one!

Exploration #6:

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG

Re-create objects from your childhood using found objects or readily available materials (such as cardboard, glue, string, tape, leaves, wood, or rocks). You may choose to re-create your childhood room on a miniature scale using found materials. 

My first idea was to make a replica of my childhood dog, Cassidy, from dryer lint. It only took a few minutes of trying to shape the lint before I realized it wasn't going to hold a shape (not to mention Cassidy was a living creature, not an object). Scrap that idea. The next thing that came to mind when thinking of my childhood was our first Nintendo game system. The day my parents brought that thing home from the store was one of the happiest days of my little girl life. 

I set about making a little Nintendo game system. 

My Nintendo box

It was hard to get decent pictures because the crayon wax is so reflective.

Playing Mario Brothers with my sister, Sara, is such a fond memory of mine. She was Mario and I was Luigi. We got so good that we could beat all the levels and play them through again. Of course, we eventually moved on to more advanced games and newer gaming systems, but Mario Bros. will always be my first memory of having a hand in manipulating the images in the TV. Truly a magical experience.

Well, that wraps up exploration #6. I'll be back soon! 

~ *~

Playing with the scale and material of objects can transform their meaning in interesting ways and bring things into the realm of imagination. When we see something that is different than we expect we are forced to develop a new relationship with it, one that asks us to question "that which we think we know" or "that which we see" while also adding a playful element. Try playing with different materials to see how the meaning is affected. - Kerri Smith

~ Love & Light ~

Protect Yourself With Citrus Fruit

This is the time of year when people start dropping like flies, taken down by the flu, strep throat, or other illnesses that can keep us from work and play. But what can we do to avoid getting sick this winter? Some people will get the flu shot, others take preventative supplements like Airborne or Emergen-C. Drinking herbal teas is another popular way to boost the immune system, as is ramping up doses of vitamins. These are all sound options and I myself will be doing at least a few of them (no flu shot for me, thank you) but there is one ally we often overlook when it comes to our winter health care- citrus fruit!

Once a common Christmas stocking stuffer, citrus fruits are "in season" during the winter months, providing us with a tasty treat during a time when our food staples offer less variety. The fresh scent and flavor of a ripe orange or grapefruit can lift the spirits on those cold, grey winter days.

Vitamin C is essential to immune system maintenance, and guess where you can load up on it? That's right! Citrus fruits! If we keep our immune system in fighting shape throughout the winter we can avoid getting sick, no matter how many times we are exposed to viruses.

Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes (among other citrus fruits) aren't exactly exciting or exotic. They don't come in fancy packaging or convenient pill form. But they DO provide one of the best forms of defense against germs and illnesses, and that is why you should stock up and make them a part of your daily diet. 

I admit that citrus fruit isn't one of my favorite foods. I rarely get a craving for it, and honestly should be eating more. This winter I plan to do just that. Blood oranges are my favorite of the citrus group and I look forward to their arrival at the market every December.

 A healthy salad is a great way to fit fruit into the day. Below is a recipe taken from Martha Stewart Recipes. This salad is delicious and full of immune boosting nutrients that will help keep you healthy and full of energy all winter long. 

ESCAROLE, BLOOD ORANGE, AND WALNUT SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 large blood orange

* 1 medium head escarole, outer leaves discarded, remaining leaves torn into 1 1/2 inch pieces (about 10 cups)

* 2 celery stalks, cut 1/4 inch thick diagonally

* 1/2 cup celery leaves, preferably tender inner leaves

* 1/3 cup walnut halves, coarsely chopped 

* 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

* 2 teaspoons champagne vinegar

* 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

* 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1

Cut ends off orange, then cut off peel, pith, and outer membrane following the curve of the fruit. Cut between each membrane to remove whole segments, and place in a small bowl. Squeeze juice from membranes into another bowl (you should have about 2 tablespoons juice.) Discard membranes.

Step 2

Cut each orange segment in half, and toss with escarole, celery stalks and leaves, and walnuts in a large bowl. Add reserved juice, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat. Serve immediately. 

* Serves 4 

~ Love and Light ~

The First Thing You See: Exploration #5

As you may have guessed, it's time for my latest exploration project from the book, How To Be An Explorer Of The World: Portable Art Life Museum by Keri Smith. I went out yesterday to gather the materials for my task. It was at this point that I began to suspect Keri Smith was plotting to clean all the trash from the Earth, in the guise of an art project.

Exploration #5:


THE FIRST THING YOU SEE

Start a collection based on the first thing you see on your walk, whatever that is. You decide what the connection between the objects is (can be based on shape, color, size, etc.).

For this assignment I decided to leave my neck of the woods and headed toward Springfield. I ended up at the old train tracks that my friends and I used to play on when we were children. I parked my car at Nathanael Greene Park and headed down the tracks.

starting down the tracks

The first thing that caught my eye was a flattened soda can. Rules are rules, so I picked it up and placed it in the plastic bag I had brought along. My collection would be discarded beverage cans. I wasn't sure how many of these I would be able to find on the old tracks, but if kids still used them as a place to hang out and play make believe, I might be in luck. Sure enough, my hunch was correct. The old tracks proved to be a hotbed of garbage (yes, I realize how sad this fact is). 

I walked along collecting can after can and before long I had reached the bridge over Scenic road. I debated going on, but decided against it. Along with all the trash littering the abandoned tracks was a plethora of broken glass. Protected by only my thin moccasins, I headed back to the car (I had collected plenty of old cans anyhow).

The bridge. My stopping point.

Once home, I set about finding a creative way to display my collection. The following photos show what I came up with.

The Can Collection

After tying the cans with festive string, I hung them from the deck railing.

And then attempted a few artsy shots.

And that concludes exploration #5. What did I learn from this assignment?

1. People around here like to drink Diet Coke and cheap beer

2. Picking up litter can be fun

3. The closest thing to time travel is visiting your childhood haunts

In a 1960's IBM film about the computer there is a good description of the creative process...

The narrator states that the artist is never bored. She looks at everything and stores it all up. She rejects nothing; she is completely uncritical. When a problem confronts her she goes through all the stuff she has collected, sorts out what seems to be helpful in this situation, and relates it in a new way, making a new solution. She prepares for leaps by taking in EVERYTHING. -Corita Kent

P.S. There is still time to enter the October Book Giveaway! Will you be the winner? Enter and find out on October 31st 2013. 

~ Love & Light ~

Spooky Movie Month

Here at Chigger Chalet, October is spooky movie month. We watch at least one horror movie or scary themed TV series show a night. With a week left before Halloween, I have decided to share my favorites with you.

*Note that this isn't my all time favorite horror film list, just the best we've seen in October 2013.


SPOOKY MOVIE (AND A FEW TV SHOWS) TOP TEN:

10. The Host (2006 Korean film) The Koreans know horror and they hit one out of the park with The Host. It would probably be more accurate to describe this one as thriller instead of horror but it fits nicely into the spooky movie month theme.

9. The Cabin In The Woods (2012) I added this to the list as Mark's pick. I typically love a good teen scream but I wasn't wild about this one. Mark, on the other hand, liked it so much that I just couldn't leave it off the list.

8. The Walking Dead (TV series 2010- ) Zombies! Zombies! And more zombies! Another one I'm not crazy about ( I enjoyed the first season but at this point I'm getting bored) but have been faithfully watching each week. This one is so popular with everyone I know that it had to be included.

7. Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010) The perfect comedy horror! This film was one we watched with no expectations and ended up really enjoying. It is the perfect mix of teen scream and cheesy comedy. 

6. Practical Magic (1998) This is a classic I watch every October. Love it.

5. Carrie (1976) Mark and I hadn't seen this one in so many years that it was almost like we were watching it for the first time. Before you run out and see the 2013 re-make give the classic a viewing.

4. House On Haunted Hill (1959) If you enjoy spooky old black and white films, this one fits the bill. It won't leave you with goose pimples but it will strike up an appreciation for the days before CGI. 

3. The Craft (1996) Another witchy classic I try to watch every October. Mark summed it up perfectly when he asked, "Is this the 90's answer to a scary Clueless?" Yes, yes it is. 

2. Being Human (TV series 2011- ) Oh the antics that ensue when a vampire, werewolf, and ghost are roomies! This series aired first in the UK (with a different cast and slightly different story) and was so popular that the US version followed shortly. Not exactly horror, but suspenseful and engaging. I realize it sounds ridiculous but it is actually really good. 

1. American Horror Story (TV series 2011- ) Season three, Coven, is currently airing on Wednesday nights. I gave this series the #1 spot on the list because it is spooky, perverse, original, and has a stellar cast! 

I take spooky movie month VERY seriously. Some would say it's an obsession. This is but a fraction of the films we have watched this month, but for their own unique reasons I wanted to give them a spot on the list. 

Well, I'd like to stick around and discuss these films all day, but October isn't over yet and I've still got movies to watch! Until next time.

P.S. Don't forget to enter the October Book Giveaway! I'll be announcing the winner on October 31st.

~ Love & Light ~

Daily Walk: Exploration #4

As promised, I remain dedicated to finishing all of the explorations from How To Be An Explorer Of The World: Portable Art Life Museum by Keri Smith. My latest assignment is called Daily Walk.


Exploration #4:


DAILY WALK


Collect objects only on your way to work or school every day. (Try to collect thirty.)


Well, I work at home and don't go to school, so I am just going to have to go out on a few walks strictly for the task. Honestly, it isn't like I need an excuse to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Fall weather!


I was going to walk the Finley River walking trail for this exploration, but then at the last minute decided I might have better luck if I walked down by the old Ozark Mill. It didn't take long to find thirty objects.

Old Ozark Mill

Leanne's 30 Objects

This is what I found:

1. A windshield wiper 

2. Blue cloth with attached stuffing

3. The security tape from a CD

4. Spiky ball from a sweet gum tree

5. Wad of purple thread

6. Metal wire

7. Air Head candy wrapper

8. Rubber from a gasket

9. An acorn

10. Soda cup lid

11. Beef jerky wrapper

12. Small white flowers

13. Clover

14. The sticker from a hot/cold insulated bag

15. A piece of a red solo cup

16. A torn page from a phone book

17. Chunk of styrofoam

18. The price tag off a cowboy hat

19. Beverage straw

20. A hair comb

21. Flattened Pepsi can

22. Broken hair band

23. An empty whiskey bottle

24. Nut and bolt

25. Buckeye

26. Piece of a tennis ball

27. A blue rock

28. Bottle of White-Out

29. Red flower

30. Speckled leaf

I liked this project for several reasons. First of all, it got me to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Secondly, I helped to clean up trash from the area, and last of all, I liked creating a piece of 'art' from cast away objects. 

Do you ever collect things when you are out enjoying nature? What is the coolest or most unusual object you have found on the ground? If you get a chance, please share in the comments section below. That's all for now! 

Every morning when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand-new hours to live. What a precious gift! -Thich Nhat Hanh

P.S. Don't forget to enter the No Place Like Home October Book Giveaway! The winner will be announced on Oct. 31st 2013! 

~ Love & Light ~

The Law Of Attraction or If I Suppress One More Negative Thought My Head Might Explode!

Since the release of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne in 2006, it seems everyone has been talking about "The Law". From our family and friends, co-workers, even Oprah, you have probably heard that if you want to better your life, you simply need to employ The Law Of Attraction.

What exactly is The Law Of Attraction? Simply put, through positive thinking, you can create life changing results. Do you want perfect health, riches, love, or career success? By visualizing that they are yours, the Universe has no option but to make it so. The same holds true for negative thinking. If you walk around with a bad attitude then you will attract more of the same into your life.

So does it work? That depends on who you ask. Millions of people around the globe believe it does, and work hard to live their lives by The Law. If you were to ask one of them, you'd likely hear how their lives have changed for the better, from finding true love to curing disease. If you're a skeptic, like me, you will find yourself asking if those things wouldn't have happened regardless. I mean, if you're in a coffee shop and a man asks you on a date, is that because you were visualizing it so, or simply coincidence? Honestly, we will never know. There is no scientific evidence to back the claims.

What we do know, is that many famous, happy, and successful people credit their triumphs to The Law. Some of the world's great thinkers employ The Law, and freely share the methods that helped them to achieve their goals. Just check out Prentice Mulford, Charles Haanel, Winston Churchill, Robert Collier, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Buddha, Albert Einstein, Jack Canfield, Bob Doyle, Thomas Troward, William Walker Atkinson, Elizabeth Towne, Wallace D. Wattles, William Quan Judge, Annie Besant, Israel Regardie, Napoleon Hill, U.S. Anderson, and Esther and Jerry Hicks, to name a few.

But even with all of the believers, many people criticize The Law, pointing out its lack of testability.

What do I believe? I think that going through a day (much less the rest of life) with only positive thoughts is WAY harder than it sounds, but when I do, my days are better and things seem to go my way. I think that whether or not The Law will make you rich or get you that house in Malibu you dream of, it can't hurt to practice the basic principles. Treat others as you wish to be treated, have gratitude for the things currently in your life, visualize yourself succeeding (hey, it works for Olympic athletes), and think positive. You may never know if the good that comes to your life is due to The Law Of Attraction or chance or Karma or whatever. In some things you just have to have faith. 

For the few who haven't seen The Secret movie, you can watch it here...

All that we are is a result of what we have thought. - Buddha

P.S. Don't forget to enter the October Book Giveaway! I will announce the winner on Oct. 31st. Good Luck!

~ Love & Light ~

Light: Exploration #3

I'm plugging away at my assignments from the book How To Be An Explorer Of The World: Portable Art Life Museum by Keri Smith. Today I bring you the third task, which is all about light.

Exploration #3:

LIGHT

Collect objects based on how they reflect light. List the different qualities, such as refelctive, translucent, refracting, mottled, etc. (try to collect thirty objects.)

Leanne's Thirty Objects

I selected thirty items from inside Chigger Chalet and a few from the deck. I made sure to include items from every room in the house.

1. Sunglasses (Walgreens)= tinted,tinged

2. Hourglass (gift from sister Sara)= translucent

3. Mason Jar (Price Cutter)= glassy, luminous

4. Red Bottle (Maj-R Thrift)= red shadow, subdued

5. Glass Skull (Walgreens)= crystalline, 

6. Om Candle (gift from Carrie and Phil)= dull, rayless

7. Purple Vase (Grandma Jernigan's house)= purple shadow, absorptive

8. Silver Bowl (gift from Chris)= isolated glow

9. Wood Buddha (antique store in Northern California)= Silhouette 

10. Soapstone Owl (It's A Beautiful Day)= soft, muted

11. Abalone Shell (KC Metaphysical Fair)= refracting, bright, iridescent, changing colors

12. Pinecone (nature)= points of light, crevice shadows

13. Jar Of Buttons (here and there)= refracting, zigzag

14. Lime= (gift from Yenzel accompanied by a bottle of rum) mottled

15. Miniature Cast Iron Pail (mom)= muted, absorptive

16. Pig Ear (pet store)= shiny

17. Beach Rock (beach in San Simeon, CA.) = textured, soft

18. Turkey Feather (gift from Chris)= bending, shifting

19. Glass Pendant (gift from mom)= orange and green shadow, tinted

20. Jasper Wand (Aquarius Bookstore)= dark, solid, thick, rock like

21. Amethyst And Quartz stone (given to me by Fran)= purple shadow, murky 

22. Large Quartz Crystal (Hawaii)= reflective, refracting, variegation, prism

23. Mini Eiffel Tower (gift from mom's trip to Paris)= cutouts of light, dark, silhouette

24. Silver Ganesha (It's A Beautiful Day)= bright points, changes color

25. Dry Leaf (back deck)= shiny, see through, orange, textured

26. Champagne Cork (a recent toast)= textured, dimension

27. Gray River Stone (New Mexico) = dark, thick, dull

28. Rose Colored Stone (unknown)= translucent, cloudy, frosty

29. Dram Of Oil (homemade)= Traps light, tinted shadow

30. Strength Tarot Card (tarot deck given to me by Amber)= matte, dull

Point of view from the other side

This was an interesting task. If anything, it got me to bring out some things that have been sitting around collecting dust and to use a thesaurus. I included where each item came from and who gave it to me because that is what I found myself thinking about as I gathered them together. It's plain to see I am a wee bit sentimental. 

While we are talking about light, I will mention that the bridge over the river on McCracken street has already been decorated for the holidays. I snapped a shot this morning. 

Bridge over the Finley

I have been enjoying the most beautiful light show during the days while I sit outside and write. The way the light sparkles off the small waves in the river never gets old. 

Light dancing on the river

Well, task number three is completed. Now it's your turn! 

No ideas but in things. ~ William Carlos Williams


P.S. Don't forget to enter the No Place Like Home October Book Giveaway! Winner to be announced on October 31st, 2013.

~ Love & Light ~

October Book Giveaway!

To celebrate my favorite month, I wanted to do something extra fun and decided on a book giveaway! Starting today, October 21st, through October 30th, you can enter to win The Self Health Revolution by J. Michael Zenn. With winter coming and our activities moving indoors, it's always nice to curl up on the couch with a good book. 

From the back cover:

The 

Self Health

Revolution

Will Reveal:

How to reverse your chronological age by 10 years

3 simple things you can do to get fit and stay thin forever

A forgotten remedy that will get rid of aches and pains forever

One thing you can do now to extend your life by 15 years

The little-known reason most people feel tired and run down

One thing that will instantly add vigor and passion to your sex life

The hidden ingredient in our food that is causing us to get fat

 Sound like something you're interested in? Enter the contest today, it's simple! HOW DO I ENTER? By following the three easy steps below.

1. "Like" the Leanne Retana Facebook page

2. "Share" the giveaway on your own Facebook page

3. In the comments section below state your favorite thing about fall and leave an e-mail address where I can contact you if you are the winner!

*One entry per person

The winner will be randomly selected (basically I'm gonna draw a name from a hat :) on October 31st, 2013. I will then contact the winner by e-mail to see where they would like me to ship the book.

Good luck!

~ Love & Light ~

 

Experience Log: Exploration #2

I'm going to try really hard to post all of my assignments from the book How To Be An Explorer Of The World: Portable Art Life Museum by Keri Smith, no matter how simple or time consuming they are. It's my lame version of Julia and Julia.

Yesterday I completed the second exploration. It was slightly more involved than the first, but still very easy. I'm hoping some of you will do it too and submit your results in the comments section below.

Exploration #2:

EXPERIENCE COLLECTION

Make a list of things that you notice on your travels or experiences you have. They could be very brief notes including location, time, date, etc.

Leanne's Experience Collection

I waited in the car for a few minutes while Mark ran into an office building to run an errand. I had no plans to go anyplace else that day, so I took the opportunity to do the assignment. The sketch is my view from inside the car. I'm hoping that over the weekend some of you will take a few minutes to make an experience log too. I'd really enjoy seeing through your eyes and I'm sure the other readers would as well. That's all for today!

Every experience is unrepeatable. -Italo Calvino

~ Love & Light ~

Fare Thee Well, Shepherd Of The Hills

Usually, when I blog about a business or entertainment, it is in the hope that readers' interest will be piqued leading them to go try it for themselves. I'm afraid it is too little too late for The Shepherd Of The Hills, but how can I not write about such a wonderful part of the Ozarks culture?

It began with a book written in 1907 by Harold Bell Wright, a story based on the mountain people he had come to know when vacationing in the Ozark hills (specifically, Branson,MO). He titled it, The Shepherd Of The Hills. The story itself is wonderful... romance, drama, comedy, and the excitement of the Baldknobbers! You should definitely give it a read. Reading not your thing? That's okay, you can watch the movie adaptation starring John Wayne as Young Matt. Although, according to Wiki the movie departs markedly from the book, which leads me back to the theatrical performance of The Shepherd Of The Hills in Branson, Missouri. Seeing Harold Bell Wright's story performed live on the stage is the only way to do it! Unfortunately, tonight is the last show and then the production will be closing permanently (unless a very wealthy angel takes it over). *crossing fingers* 

The Shepherd Of The Hills has been performed outdoors on a stage nestled in the trees, high on a hill in Branson, Missouri since 1959. That's four generations, literally MILLIONS of people, who have enjoyed the theatrical performance over the years. For so many folks in the Ozarks, it is a family tradition. Children who saw the show in the 1960's returned decades later to share it with their grandkids.

 Many of the cast and crew grew up on the stage, performing together for years. I've heard tell that some even met, fell in love, and married after having grown close performing together night after night.

These are fine actors...as good as any broadway cast!

I couldn't write about this show without mentioning the animals. We saw about 40 horses, a dozen mules, and a small flock of sheep throughout the show. Being outdoors and having the animals on the stage really lends to the enchantment. You witness the story being told and performed in the exact hills the author wrote of, acted by locals who have a true understanding of this land and its people. You breathe in the dust, manure, gun powder and if God sees fit, the rain. All of your senses are engaged during the show. 

I had heard the show was closing several weeks ago and made a mental note to get tickets. Somewhere along the line I lost track of time and it wasn't until Mark opened the Wall Street Journal yesterday and saw a write up about the show closing that I remembered. Shoot! How would we ever get tickets on the penultimate night? Mark called anyway, and a miracle had happened. Two seats had just opened up due to cancellation and he just happened to be the next call on the line! The woman who took the call assured him that had he tried even five minutes later it would have been for naught, the final two nights were sold out. We felt really lucky that we would be able to see this story of the Ozarks at least once. 

It rained. During the entire show, if it wasn't raining it was spitting on us, and it was great. Not a person left because of the weather. As a matter of fact, the rain may have actually added to the show in some strange indescribable way. It mattered not; it could have been snowing, and we had a great time. I felt regret that I was only seeing it for the first time, and now, the curtains were closing. I had no idea that such a gem even existed in Branson. It occurred to me that this was the case for a lot of other folks and probably the reason the show won't keep running. 

The thing I love the most about The Shepherd Of The Hills in Branson is that, in telling the story of the Ozarks, night after night, for fifty some-odd years, the play itself became a part of our culture and history; something that I am very sad to see go. Something that I am extremely happy I got to experience even just once. 

The Shepherd Of The Hills Branson, Missouri 2013

~ Love & Light ~