Yes, reality tells me that fairy tales are not really all that important in the whole scheme of life, but it is fun to dream. It’s just that all of us have different ideas of what really defines a fairy tale. Adventures and exploration can take place in my own neighborhood or the other side of the globe.
I’ve always said that I’m lucky that I’m easily amused and could entertain myself in a cardboard box. After all, lots of dreaming can be done inside a box.
Click on image for a larger view
Three components here:
1) talented gymnast 2) late evening prairie 3) Scripture
I had the gymnast blended with the prairie, but something was missing. Found my old Bible, randomly opened it up to a page and Proverbs was in front of my eyes.
Click on image for larger view.
There’s just something about summer nights that brings back memories of youth and local baseball/softball programs. From chilly nights early in the season to warm and humid nights filled with the aroma of bug spray and sweat along with youthful chatter from the dugout.
These programs help develop more than just physical skills. You can’t win by yourself, you need your teammates and you must learn to work with others. These experiences also develop relationships which enrich the summer experience beyond the field.
It is also important to enjoy the now. It is highly unlikely that any college recruiter or professional scouts are watching these games so why not keep it all about the kids who are learning the sport together. Yes, some will be better players than others, but that’s the way it is in life. Some will always need to work harder and that is a life skill that will reap tremendous benefits in the long run.
Please take advantage of any opportunity to support local youth programs. It will be money and time well spent.
You gotta love summer…
All images by Joyce Meyer – RJMeyerArts
Life… such a miracle.
What? No carnival?
Education has been a part of the county fair since its beginnings. All ages enter home-grown products and projects for judging through 4-H or the Open class, hoping to win the coveted purple grand champion ribbon. These items entered did not just happen overnight, as research and hard work have been utilized to give the best possible effort.
The Yellow Medicine County Fair, held in Canby, Minnesota, is a free fair with its grounds and exhibits open to the public. The fair board works very hard, year round, to provide educational opportunities, entertainment and still keep the county fair affordable and family friendly.
The arts have been added as this year with displays and demonstrations educating the fair audience on a variety of art forms. Different styles of painting, photography, fiber arts, sculpture and mixed media were presented in two-hour slots of time. A free movie was shown at dusk which, for me, is reminiscent of the old drive-in movie days.
For the music lovers, jazz , old-time , blue-grass, Native American drum and dance group entertained audiences.
Scandinavian comedy was represented by an extremely talented and hilarious duo with local connections that always leave its audience in stitches.
A history element was also added with a very interesting father/daughter history of magic show that was spell-binding and included fun involvement with the audience. Highly recommend this team of magicians. Rope making and yarn spinning were demonstrated to give a glimpse of how the pioneers did these tasks many years before our time.
It was also fascinating to see the program put on by the Raptor Center from St. Paul, Minnesota. Real birds that had been injured so could not survive in the wild were brought out for an educational event with a dust of humor.
Add races and a ranch rodeo… I’m sure I’m missing a few events.
Carnival rides are extremely expensive and this county has been burnt the past two years in a row with rides that never showed up as contracted. Would you keep throwing money this direction after such experiences? An appeal was made to community groups and organizations to help fill this void. Maybe you were that person or group and I applaud you.
So, rather than taking one glance and saying, “Nothing at the fair this year,” maybe you took advantage of the events and programs that were at the fair.
The Yellow Medicine Fair board needs volunteers to help with planning and executing these events so that it doesn’t become merely a time to judge 4-H projects.
Maybe you are that person…?
I start uploading this image and gaze upon the flyer notifying me of my 40th year high school class reunion. Where did the years go?
The last year of high school… a-h-h-h-h…
…and a lifetime ahead of you.
Thank you to the Runnings store in Canby, MN for hosting RJMeyerArts in their window for the Canby Hat Daze Sidewalk Art Gallery. Sidewalk Art Gallery will be up through Sunday, June 15, 2014. Stroll along the streets of Canby and enjoy the talents of local area artists. Yellow information sheets are posted in store windows for this self-guided tour.
It has taken me quite a while to come up with the very first post for our new website RJMeyerArts. As I reflect upon my life I have found that it has been a long and winding road (to quote the Beatles). Mistakes, I’ve had a few... (Thanks, Frank Sinatra) well, probably quite a few. But, hey, mistakes are there for a purpose, and we just need to make the best of them. Hence, the need for acceptance. Acceptance of our own particular stage in life. Acceptance of doing whatever we can with our God-given talents. Acceptance of the fact that we are here for a purpose.
The above blend of images from Cruz de Ferro in northern Spain along the Camino de Santiago, depicts a pilgrim with her own thoughts and reflections. It’s all of a personal nature, as is life. Life is a journey and has its mountains, valleys and “bumps in the road” of various kinds. You just keep moving forward. (Click on the links above for more information and history)
No matter what happens, I sincerely hope we can all enjoy the view as we move forward with RJMeyerArts.
This website is a work in progress… check back for updates!
RJMeyerArts 