July 2024 Edition

Culture & News

Alice Moseley Folk Artist

Alice Moseley (1909-2004) was a school teacher and folk artist born in Birmingham, Alabama. Once married she moved to Memphis, Tennessee and Pope, Mississippi. The family finally settled in Bay St. Louis in the 1980s. Mrs. Moseley discovered her gift of painting later in life while in her sixties. She would continue to grow her artistic collection until her nineties.

She was a folk artist which is a genre that focuses on story-telling with a unique perspective and commentary. Many of these artists are self-taught, like Mrs. Moseley. Her beautiful work involves scenes from the American South.

The museum dedicated to her work includes images of nature, baptism, rural and city life scenes. Her love of music is evident with paintings that honor Elvis Presley and Blues legend W.C. Handy. She uses bright colors, excellent details, and a warm welcome in her work. It instantly makes you feel a part of the activities portrayed. Her humor is visible in a painting that depicts the nursery rhyme about the old lady in the shoe, who had so many children, she didn’t know what to do.  

She has a painting that remembers Joe, the family’s hunting dog titled “Until To-day I Thought I Was Folks.” It shows Saint Peter directing traffic between people and pets to different sides of heaven. Joe was considered a beloved member of the family. When he passed, Mrs. Moseley felt sadness, because he would be labeled a pet in heaven. She decided to express her feelings about this situation in the painting. It is one of my favorite paintings in her collection. And I bought a lovely print copy of it.

This museum is small but mighty. I greatly enjoyed viewing her collection. The museum is free to the public as Mrs. Moseley believed people should not have to pay to see her work. The city of Bay St. Louis has continued to honor her wish. You should definitely visit this museum! To view the online images click here. See the slide show posted below.  

Art/Film/Literature News

Sound of Hope

The movie Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot is a based upon the true story of church members in East Texas who adopted 77 at risk children. The movie releases to theaters on July 4th, 2024. See the movie trailer posted below. I look forward to watching this film!

Business/Non-Profit/Inspirational News

Toni Basil Still Dancing

Toni Basil is a singer, dancer, and choreographer. She’s known for her 1980s hit song Mickey. Today, Ms. Basil is in her eighties and shows no signs of slowing down on the dance floor. The inspirational video posted below shows the maintenance of her dance moves well into her seventies!

Book Review

Ty’s Travels: Beach Day

Ty takes another adventure with the use of his imagination. In the book: Ty’s Travels: Beach Day! (My First I Can Read, 2021, 32 pages, kindle edition) he turns the family’s backyard into a glorious day at the beach. I love this series! 

News Videos (6)

“I’ve never heard of guys being surveilled at their house.”- Jay of Green Beret Chronicles

“Also, because it’s a sign there are people in this country right now, who are like a fifth column for Vladimir Putin.” – Hillary Clinton, Former U.S. Secretary of State (2009-2013)

“But Netanyahu like Graham, is forgetting that what he can get away with today in Gaza, will not be forgotten tomorrow in the rest of the world, particularly inside the Islamic world.” -Colonel Douglas Macgregor

“But I have thought it would be really useful if the geniuses of Silicon Valley made it possible so that you could look up your address and see okay, what’s, where my money (tax payer dollars) going?” -Jane Mayer, New Yorker Magazine

“We need to stop saying we compete with China, that implies that they follow the rules. They don’t. They’re not a competitor, they’re an enemy.” – Mary Kissel, Former Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State