The Lost Moon Rock

Seems that some past employees of the Natural State have got a lot of 'splaining' to do as to how and why they lost one of our national treasures. The "Goodwill Moon Rock," a 1,142 gram stone encased in a Lucite ball and presented to Arkansas in the 70s, has not been seen since about that time. Governor Pryor's special assistant, Richard Howell says he has no clue at to what happened to the rock after he turned it over to the governor's office way back then. Howell does remember borrowing it for some family and local school show and tells, but he always returned it. In fact, he can't imagine anyone asking him to please search his home for the prized moon rock brought back from the 1972 Apollo 11 Mission. It also appears that Pryor and other members of his past staff can't even recollect anything to do with the rock. Well, I remember it. I didn't get to see it or touch it or show and tell it, but I do remember reading about this national treasure coming to our state. Sad to see our national treasures treated so haphazardly by state stewards.

Betcha I could have kept up with the Moon Rock... like I've kept up with the bottle of volcanic ash from the monumental eruption of Mount St. Helens that killed 57 people and spewed chaos over 11 states way back in 1980. But, I give a 'hill of beans' about stately, historical stuff...and that's saying it nicely.

  

Making Memories in the Smokies

 

The other week #3 and me headed to the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Really nice area to connect with the family and enjoy great adventures. Reminds me of the Branson, MO area I made memories of long ago and still enjoy visiting every once in a while. We delighted in all the tourist traps, ate delicious food, and checked out the great outdoors as we made family memories so sure to be cherished for many years to come. Our spectacular leased mountain home, nestled serenely on the countryside, was especially wonderful, as we kicked back and entertained numerous Ms. PacMan tournaments with a state of the art, antiquated video machine. And, what do you do to make memories on your family vacations??

On A Quest For Some Interesting Artwork In the SOMA Area

While on my quest for the best latté in the Central Arkansas area, I have come across some very interesting artwork on South Main Street in downtown Little Rock. Or, should I say the SOMA area...which sounds a little like the ever so famous SoHo area of Manhattan, NY well known for its local artists, trendy stores, and tons of historic personality. I like it! Our very own SOMA area is cropping up on South Main and the interesting artwork I wonderfully stumbled onto is from the public (yet privately owned) art display at The Bernice Garden.

Oh, and I'm still on a quest for the best latté in the area, however The Boulevard Bread Company, located next door to The Bernice Garden, makes a pretty darn good one! Check them both out...can't wait till the newness wears off so I can get into the highly acclaimed Root Café which is right down the way...in the SOMA area...as we (in the know) now say...

On A Quest For the Best Brisket In The South

My son Aaron tried the Brisket Roadies recipe yesterday and called this morning to tell me what a huge hit it was at their Father's Day table. Hey Aaron, when did I ever steer you wrong? The spices, red wine, and hours of slow cooking make this brisket the most tasty and tender meat dish ever. And, because it can be made well ahead of party time is just another reason to try this fantastic recipe. Luv sharin' it again...maybe you'll email me or comment below to tell me what a big deal it was at your next party or wing ding! 

On A Quest For Some More Farkleberry Fodder

A packed house at the Darragh Center, Main Little Rock Library last night with lots of reminiscent Farkleberry Follie Folks found in the crowd! The cheese, fruit, and scrumptious snacks along with pretty darn good wine and beverages were a big hit as well as the specially made Hello Folly video and distinguished panel of Farkleberry Follies skit creators, Craig Douglass, Ben Combs, and Bill Lancaster. Did I say distinguished? When asked why the Follies haven't been around for the last decade, Lancaster said, "A man can only drink so much whiskey!" Gee, Bill...why didn't y'all creative wizards switch to beer and last a few more years?? We do miss the Follies!

However, if you donate at least $25 to benefit the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies you will receive a Hello Folly video as a thank you gift so you can keep on laughing out loud for a good while.  And, thanks to the Butler Center, a wide variety of materials related to Arkansas history and culture is collected (like the Leroy Donald Collection) and made available to researchers and the general public like you and me!

It's always fun to laugh and poke fun at our fine politicking people of Arkansas and, as the panel agreed last night, it's nice to reminisce but, there will always be satirizing opportunities aplenty like the Arkansas Lottery or the number of state issued vehicles to name a couple. As for me, I'm just wondering who might become the next Arnold or Weiner livin' in the Natural State.

How Many Willie Nelson Concerts Should One See In A Lifetime?

Well, once is not enough...and about thirty times is way too many. So, I would venture to say that at least ten times should be just about right. So, that means I have definitely gone over the limit to see this living legend who warbles like a nightingale, plays a guitar (at 78) like nobody's business, and rocks the stage better that most!

I'm really glad that the last time (I hope) I saw Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown was Saturday night at the North Shore Park in downtown NLR Argenta area. Willie (yes, I can call him Willie) was just as cordial, exciting, charismatic, and talented as the first time I saw him back in the 70s. Temperatures in the park reached well over a hundred, the crowds were as nice and feisty as ever (#3 had to wrestle with only four rowdy dudes who were coveting our almost front-row-lawn-chair seats) but, the beer was cold and the stages were all rocking with wonderful and talented younger friends (and relatives) of Willie. I am now in love with Jamey Johnson who sings and plays just like Willie as well as Lukas Nelson who sings and plays just like Stevie Ray Vaughan.

You better hurry up and get your times to see Willie in...surely he can't keep on doing these summer long picnic tours forever...or maybe he can...all the younger pardners seem to keep this cowboy ageless.

On A Quest For the Best Chicken Salad

It has often been said...Any fool can mix a salad, but a wise chef knows it's not just the mixing that matters, it's the combination of ingredients that gives one's salad that magical tasty blend!

While thumbing through an old cookbook from The Vineyard (the restaurant of long ago which was located in the Arkansas Arts Center), I found this delicious chicken salad recipe. The combination of baked chicken, sour cream, and TARRAGON take this recipe over the top and makes this the best chicken salad I've ever had!!!

How to make Chicken Salad...Vineyard style:
4 boneless chicken breasts
Cavender's Greek Seasoning
1 pint sour cream
1 pint mayonnaise
3 ribs celery, chopped
4 scallions, sliced
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
Slivered almonds for garnish

1. Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts. Sprinkle liberally with the Cavender's Seasoning and place on a baking sheet generously prepared with a non stick spray.
2. Bake in a 325 degree F oven for about 20-30 minutes or until done.
3. Allow to cool and then dice.
4. In a large bowl, mix chicken, sour cream, mayonnaise, celery, scallions, and tarragon.
5. Garnish with tarragon or slivered almonds. Refrigerate and serve cold with a gelatin salad, homemade cheese wafers, and a blueberry muffin...Vineyard style!