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  Taking a break from the usual daylight activities created space to investigate a recent exhibit at the Nelson showcasing a unique multi-cultural and multi-faith dialog.   The works presented are but a cross-section of shared astronomical knowledge, preserved and advanced by Muslim scientists during the European dark ages.  Re-emerging during the Renaissance, thanks to the invention of the printing press, they communicate discoveries though beautifully crafted books, instruments, and images. Mapping the Heavens  is part of the World Religions Initiative at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This exhibition is co-organized with the Linda Hall Library and is available for viewing through January 11, 2025.

Jackson Dean is one of our more favorite rising stars just now and this was a rare opportunity to catch him outside of the glitz and glam of an arena show.  Indeed, we had been trying to catch up with him, in just this type of format, for more than a year.  Each attempt was thwarted for one reason or another and we had kind of given up hope.  Then comes Q104 (KBEQ-FM) with their annual Christmas show featuring none other than this elusive musician. Hosted by PBR Big Sky at the Power & Light District, with proceeds going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, this proved the perfect opportunity to catch his act, up close and personal, and unplugged.  This is the true test of the talent of any musician, to get up on stage with nothing more than their voice, instrument and stage lighting. Jackson Dean did not disappoint either. A country musician who is not entirely country, he is rhythm and blues, and a little...

An evening with the  Kansas City Repertory  interpretation of the Charles Dickens tale, "A Christmas Carol," turned out an excellent performance in this 43rd rendition the classic.  A diverse representation of performers stood for nary a slip in their execution.  The narrator stumbled a couple of times but recovered so quick, it was hard to accept that it had really occurred. When you have that many lines, it is hard not to miss one here and there though. Early in the opening acts of the show, a phone voiced its annoying melody.  However, nobody on stage missed a beat, or even blinked, as the device quickly silenced.  Technology is hard for some, I suppose.   It was not for the production though! A revolving set appeared well manicured and suitable for every angle of the production, and actors flowed seamlessly across and between scenes.   Extending into the audience as well, extras sometime enhanced the lighting and sound, prior to thei...

This date after Thanksgiving our crew remained a bit more local, visiting the  Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens .  The experience is quite a contrast with the effort last year in St Louis.   Many of the displays stand out nicely, as do a few very intentional arrangements in random locations.  They are well-placed for interaction and photographs. However, sidewalks lined with lighting stretch in random directions without any sort of guidance, seemingly without intent or construct.   The paths occasionally intersect, sometimes through tunnels of light, which is the highest level of interactivity.  Treats are available for purchase at multiple locations, but only one contains enough warmth to encourage folks to linger any length of time. Other fires pale in comparison, making the only other temperature refuge beyond the main building, Santa's workshop.  He was very busy there, enjoying the company and a photo shoot among the y...

  A random encounter with wassailers in Weston found them shuffling along peddling their vocal wares on the opening day of festivities at Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard .  They had chosen the perfect day, with a bright shining sun and temperatures lurking about 0ºC, though seemed a bit confused about their role. This gang of carolers were attempting to apply house wassailing to the setting.  As this was an orchard, wassailing etiquette dictates they wander about reciting their incantations and singing to the trees of the fields in an effort to promote a good harvest for the coming year.   Shoppers appeared undeterred, mostly ignoring the misguided cretins.  They were entirely too obsessed with the small row of merchant tents where freezing sellers made every effort to hoard what little warmth they could.  In the big house, aka barn, others huddled around the cider tanks, with offered a variety of food, libations, and a more infused sort o...

A super short weekend in Arkansas found them ready for the Christmas season.  The Stone County courthouse lawn stood fully decked out in an array of lights all around on the one and only night out and about. The journey south was fraught with delays.  Multiple accidents in multiple locations necessitated multiple detours.  Some were more equipped to handle these scenarios, but they were not the type of situation I wanted to be involved with, given recent circumstances.  Add to that, steady rain south of Harrison, and the anticipated 7-hour trip took 9 hours. Rain persisted throughout much of the following day.  Forecasters insisted it would stop by around 1:00 PM.  It did not and just about the time I hit the trail, it picked up again.  According to others, the downpour proved significant.  The remains of the canopy above Mossy Bluff Trail offered decent protection from a complete drenching though.   It was actually quite a bit more peac...

A forecast of little more than continuing rain did not deter our trek over to Central Avenue in Kansas City, KS for the annual Dia de Muertos celebration.  The memories of last year commanded a follow-up on this cultural festivity in the hometown. The afternoon had been relatively rain-free with the sun peeking through from time to time. Arriving around 4:30 pm, we almost immediately wished that we had come sooner.  Within an hour of arrival, heavy rain sent folks scurrying for cover. We were fortunate enough to have stopped about that time to enjoy a little delicious local flavor, under a canopy, and from the very same folks as in the year before.   In spite of uncooperative weather, a general air of warmth and amiability filled the streets of Central Avenue, overcome only by opportunities to enjoy music, dancing in the streets, and some of the most delicious food and treats to be found anywhere. The lineup proved every bit as enjoyable as the y...

A variety of points of interest lay east of the Kansas portion east of J.C. Hopper's Great Interstate Canal.  A slightly different path home offers a new view with every passing. We slept well with the rain sprinkling over the Grain Bin Inn late overnight.  Looking out the next morning, you could see and smell that it had rained.  The air felt fresh and clean, but the earth remained parched from the summer drought this year. Ellinwood, host of the annual After Harvest Festival, is but one of numerous little towns that dot the prairie.   Many of them cling to life, celebrating the highlights of their past through murals of more prosperous times. A little further down the road, the Rice County Courthouse stands immediately and exactly in the center of the county, after beginning life in Atlanta . The final resting place of this 1910 courthouse is Lyons , Some folks discovered Salt in 1887, while drilling for gas.  Not exactly what Vásquez de Coronado and...

A week that seemingly began under adverse terms had been filled with signs of hope on numerous occasions.  We were fortunate enough to have witnessed about six rainbows, which was about six more than we had seen in the previous six months.  One last showing of hope glowed brilliantly on the morning of our departure, doubling and tripling as we watched in awe. On our way out of state, we stopped in to visit a registered state historic site known as the Koshare Museum & Trading Post , built by the La Junta Boy Scout troop in 1949.  Hosted by Otero College, the structure is, and remains, the largest self-supported log roof in the entire world, baffling many architects.  Artifacts are currently not on display, due to governmental interference, but the kiva is accessible, along with a multitude of original Native American art works. There is still very little to note beyond that point.  Lamar offers quite a bit, though the side tri...

A visit to a local Native American museum in Colorado revealed some interesting facts and inspiring artwork, in spite of their lacking ability to display artifacts. Having read about the collection online, we were very much looking forward to visiting the Koshare Indian Museum in La Junta, Colorado.  Excitement turned to disappointment when we were greeted by a plain white sign indicating the government was up to their usual antics.  The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act  does serve a greater purpose.  However, there should probably allowances for special situations, if nothing else, in the interest of continuing to educate and inform, while in process. In spite of the mandate, the space is not lacking in form or artistic presence. One of the most notable features is the largest self-supported log roof in the world.  Spanning an 18-meter room, six hundred and twenty logs support their own weight of 36...

A rainbow stretched across the horizon, commending our efforts of the day, though the level of exertion really did not warrant such a fantastic display; or did it? The agenda for the day included a little shooting, getting some hairs cut, taking some people photos, and enjoying superior company and good food.  At the end of it all, a run into town for the latter to treat our hosts.  The first point on the agenda became somewhat complicated on the third point of our safety poster, however.  Interference lurked on the horizon. The wind was the perfect sort of calm for our plans, although the weather man suggested it would not remain that way for much longer.  Attempting to wait out those loitering near the line of fire proved in vain. They were entirely too close for comfort though, so we set off on a mini-Safari to address the issue with those we did "not wish to destroy." Out at the fence line, they were found amicable and cooperative enough, receiving ou...

Midway through adventuring about Colorado, our hosts surprised us with a different sort of experience, leading to a familiar destination at 4,300 meters above sea level. A journey to the summit of Pike's Peak by way of the  Cog Railway  is quite possibly the most interesting method of topping the behemoth named for explorer Zebulon Pike, who just happened to have wandered about the area, though never actually set foot on the mountain.  There is no need for concern about driving off the side or wearing out a perfectly good pair of boots in an effort to reach the top, following this path. Whilst enjoying amazing views from safely inside the transport, the conductor presented an interesting history of the mountain, the explorer, and the railway.   The entire ordeal only consumed about an hour on this perfectly clear day.  We found things very breezy and the temperature a crips 0 °C on top, discouraging too much lingering outdoors.  Add in another hour to get b...