Extreme Measures Sing Out Loud & Sing Out Strong at B'nai Shalom, Putnam, Ct.

For many of us this was the very first time hearing this outstanding

A Cappella group

"Extreme Measures"

Singing the music of Chicago, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles & others.... , & doing a great job of making it their own....

http://www.exmuconn.com/

Here's Tina the official MC & the true creative mind behind this really wonderful event.

Beginning at the left is Peg, Gail & Sandra, just a few of our devoted board members, & standing next to Sandra is one of our newest friends Lynn.

Of course how could anyone refuse this friendly hospitality, as Peg shares a nosh or two...

On Saturday April 2nd, just after sunset, a very unique fundraiser was held at the B'nai Shalom

Synagogue in Putnam, Connecticut, a simply beautiful spot, right along the bank of the beautiful Quinebaug River.

The evening started out, with all the pluses, with members of this very welcoming congregation assisting in the parking of cars, to the sincere & welcoming greeters at the door. The synagogue's recreation room was set up in a cabaret style, with the audience seated at circular tables with approximately seven to eight people at each table, facing the stage. This proved to be an excellent approach, as everyone seemed to be not only comfortable as to where they were sitting to view the concert from, but to also have the excellent company of friends, both old & new.

A very energetic group of individuals on the board of this very welcoming conservative congregation in northeastern Connecticut, really did their musical research. The entertainment for the evening was the A Capella group Extreme Measures, which has an appeal to all ages of music lovers. Below is a short bio which the group enjoys sharing-

Extreme Measures, or ExM as their fans know them, is a dynamic & innovative co-ed a capella group. Founded in 2004, ExM has since become a student body favorite at the University of Connecticut..... Performing all genres of music ranging from Classical to Hip Hop, the group prides themselves on vocal diversity, tightly blended harmonies & powerful soloists.

Their newest album Put Your Party Shades On is available now, & a new album will be released soon. http://www.exmuconn.com/

It really is a hard guess for me to say just how many people were in the audience that night, it was packed, but in a comfortable way. The women on the board of B'nai Shalom, certainly did everyone proud, not only were the complimentary dessert refreshments, beautiful & most appealing, but were hand baked on the premises. The additional welcoming touch was each & every tray full of desserts were brought, & offered to every individual table which further enhanced the welcoming quality & tradition of this event. Besides the excellent performance, fine company, & a raffle event, the hospitality of this fine group, truly was an experience beyond compare.

B'nai Shalom can be reached for membership info, & also inquires regarding other upcoming events & information by calling-

860-928-4496 [& leave a message]

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

Reflections In These Sands of Time...

We are all of the beauty, strength & delicacy of any one piece of glass...

Made of sand, pigments, & highly fired...

Polished to a finish, of mere reflected lense....

Simple yet intricate design.....

& basically, basic....

These are my thoughts, for today.....

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

Pondering Early Spring & It's Positive Possibilities

Yes, we ponder & we ponder....

A favorite view from inside Victoria Station, in downtown Putnam, Ct., after today's dental appointment with Deb, "hi Deb". Victoria Station is a lovely cafe', where one can get a fresh brewed cup of excellent coffee, & what ever else may suit one's fancy...

Just one of many daffodils about to show off here at the Peace Garden...

Well here we are in April, as we orbit fast, yet also slow, into springtime, gentle springtime. Enjoy the colors of your world, & wherever you may be, only kindness matters, as we wish you, truly peace.

*Amen*

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

Hopefulness During Challenging Times

A world seemingly upside down.... & at odds with it's self...

Kind of says it all...

As we appriceate & protect nature, we so help to heal the world...

This has been a very difficult time, to say the least, these past couple of weeks. The U.S. has been involved in not one, not two, but three military actions. A massive earthquake & tsunami has struck Japan of which it's results have been most horrible. Add to all of that, which was already awful, the near meltdowns of several nuclear power plants in the southern region of Japan, where the natural disaster has taken the toll of thousands of lives. The poor, poor individuals who's lives have been turned upside down, it's all so massive in it's proportions. Many of us in other locations on the planet, have been reeling in our own personal ups & downs in coming to terms with all of what has come to pass, which is still unfolding in it's devastating reports.

As a determined exercise in creating an uplift personally on this side of the globe, daily exercise is a challenge to stick to, due to distractions & lack of determined disciplined, but today I decided to make a sincere change, to get out there & walk, & continue to allow myself to enjoy the simple gifts of a daily life & just be. Today a solitary walk, & in the future my rescue dog Dolly, who really rescued me, my very special pet companion, she & I will be sure to take more springtime walks together.

May peace & good health be with you, as we continue to offer our support & prayers of health & hope to all the people of Japan, & to the peoples in other Nations of the world experiencing violence, & conflict. *Amen*

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The following is a link to The Japan Times, when one reads it, & comes to terms with the scientific information shared on the nuclear history of this event, be strong, as the information you will learn presents the continued dilema of what does the worldwide community do, to be finally heard....

Japan's deadly game of nuclear roulette | The Japan Times Online

If this link does not work, just do a www search, as it's on the web for us all to become further educated on this urgent issue.

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

Some May Say "Arf Arf", But We know They Are Saying "Go Huskies"!

The cost of these photos were two dogie treats, & a bowl of dinner, a price agreeably paid for at the Peace Garden. Here's Dolly making moi' her pet compaion very happy, as she sits for a most priceless portrait of a pooch who knows how to share the beauty of team spirit! Go UCONN!

Someone here is going to "root, root root for the home team..."

We cetainly hope they will win. Two stong teams, up against each other, & I'm sure you can tell who all the Connecticut Yankees are going to be rooting for this evening....

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"Woof Woof to you too Dolly, yeah your team pulled it off-

UCONN 53

Butler 41

Definitely a beautiful day in the neighborhood-

Congratulations UCONN Huskies & fans, you are the pride of Connecticut, & are our National Champions!!!!!!!!!

This is UCONN's third time in winning the National Championship, we'll be watching for the designation signs along our state highways, honoring this fine team & great coach Connecticut's pride- Jim Calhoun!

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

UCONN In The "Final Four", Project Runway, The Color Purple, & My Dog Dolly

My perky companion here, modeling a smidgen of my favorite color, in a traditional country scarf. Very nice, we all agree...

A fuller view of her fitness & style, very elegant, & with that expressive tail, just pausing with a thought, or two... to root for her favorite basketball team, the UCONN Huskies!

Ah, yes, the gaze to the outside world, of which she was about to return, but not with her new scarf on, which I think we'll put away & save for our fam*'s Passover & Easter gathering... , though she is rather sad that she couldn't quite make it to the Final Four event this weekend. Oh well that's what a TV is for, & when the holiday gathering time arrives, yes Dolly will listen carefully to the narrated details from our family member's adventure, play by play, as she so loves those Connecticut Husky dogs!

Really, what does "Project Runway", "The Color Purple", & my dog Dolly, along with UCONN basketball have to do with one another? Well now, let me tell you our story-

Finally a beautiful & sunny morning in our little corner of the world. It was like a hugh shout out, at the onset of the day, calling out, ever so brightly for color & fashion. Just the other day when I had to jaunt out for a few items, I decided to get some colorful bandanas, some traditional & some with a newer look, the reasoning was to use some as peace flags, & also for an upscale fashion look, for our favorite pooch, of whom you know I am talking...

Being Dolly has quite a few upcoming projects in the wings, our beginning this day, with a dose of my fav color purple, was just right for the energy needed to carry on. First I was off to the post office, & then next, for a sweet arangement of another fav, that very lively springtime flower, the pansey.

"The pansey's a flower that's noble & hardy...."

So everyone, enjoy this day, as it is truly all we have, on day at a time.

May peace be with you, during all of our April showers.... & the continued beauty of this springtime too.

Oh & by the by, our son posted a photo of our favorite basketball team of the day, of which I hope you will enjoy too, as he's one of the alum's in Houston at this Final Four Tournament, with hopefully a good report to share on the event at hand...

Thanks for these photos Zac, enjoy the game, & good luck UCONN, as we're rooting for "yaz" all!

Report just in- UCONN 56 * Kentucky 55 , next game in the Tournment Monday April 4th, we'll keep you posted...

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden

A Favorite Character Known For His Good Looks, Energy & Honest Message- Truly Springtime Is On The Map!

The above photo was sent to us by our eldest son, he & the fam*, are enjoying Tigger's attitude of a springtime that's sure to inspire many a bounce. Due to last night's recent snowfall here, I just couldn't resist this visual v*a*c*a*t*i*o*n*, of the mind, along with a bit of a Flower Show too.

Thanks TJtj, & see "yaz" soon!

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© Mother Lightning of Mother Lightning's Peace Garden