A Season Full of Ups and Downs and Unknowns

This Grizzlies season has been full of many ups and downs and unknowns; it’s been a season full of emotion for the players, the fans and the coaches.

Marc Gasol got to play hard in front of Zach Randolph, who watched him try and break a record from the bench. Fans cried as their beloved Marc Gasol was traded and it was the first time there was not a Gasol on the team since the Grizzlies moved to Memphis. Super fans Bongo Lady and Growel Towel Carol became double trouble as the two became seat mates. They cried together with Marc Gasol’s mother, when she came to a game to watch Pau shortly after Marc was traded. They held hands.

LeBron James gave Briane Miller, an assistant equipment manager for the Memphis Grizzlies, his shoes during a game, she cried, he hugged her and the story went viral.

Rookie Jaren Jacks Jr. hula hooped on Beale street and won over Memphis fans with his charm, moxie and basketball skills.

The fans have embraced Joakim Noah, Jonas Valanciunas and many other new Grizzlies.

The Japanese media was here most of the season watching Yuta Watanabe.

Chandler Parson hardly played and then came back and played hard.

Mike Conley is the last man standing of the core four, and it is unknown if he will be back in next season.

People said the Grizzlies were fun to watch again by the end of the season and that the games were more exciting.

It has been a season full of shocks, including Thursday when the Grizzlies sent Chris Wallace and Bickerstaff out to speak to the media and a few hours later, fired Bickerstaff and reassigned Wallace.

It is an evolving process. We will see what next season brings.

As always you can follow Geoff Calkins in the Daily Memphian for excellent coverage.

https://dailymemphian.com/section/sports/article/4426/Calkins-No-words-to-explain-how-the-Grizzlies-treated-Wallace-and-Bickerstaff

https://dailymemphian.com/article/4444/New-Grizzlies-leadership-addresses-changes-new-philosophy

WINNIE THE HIPPO GROWING SO FAST!

Winnie the baby hippo plays with her mother Binti while on exhibit at the Memphis Zoo. Winnie was born in the spring of 2017 and as she has been one of the favorites at the Memphis Zoo. Winnie is growing fast from 70 lbs. to an anticipated 3,000 lbs. Her mother Binti stays close and is very protective of her big baby. The hippopotamus is among the most dangerous animals in the world as it is highly aggressive and unpredictable.

Vespers with the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Gower, Missouri- The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, is a group of young Catholic cloistered nuns living a secluded life in the rolling hills and farmlands north of Kansas City.

They have chosen to come away from the world and spend their days working in silence-- except for when they are singing sacred music. These are women are seeking a conversion of life. “We are in a sense reaching back through time and conserving that way of life for the future,” Mother Cecilia said. The Benedictine way of life has given the church thousands of saints, she said.

It is within this contemporary monastery that these sisters are working on their latest album of sacred music to raise money to build their church. These singing nuns gained national attention when four of their albums topped the classical charts.

The convent was built on land donated by a local farmer.  According to Sr. Scholastica, the sub-prioress of the order, on the day the nuns first visited the land in 2007 to inspect it, they spotted a cloud formation of a very clear dark-gray arm and hand pointing down to the property.  Above the "hand" floated a bright white dove.  "It was a truly astonishing sight. Yes, this is where God wanted us," she said.

Their days are filled with silence, chores, prayers, chanting and song while they wait for God to come to them in whispers. Wearing distinctive habits and veils that cover all but their pretty faces and hands, they make their deep commitment to be a bride of Christ, visible to all who come into contact with them.

Each night the nuns have Vespers in their tiny chapel. Evening prayer is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office. Candles are lit; the pious nuns quietly process into the hallowed space in a very orderly way. They begin to express ancient soulful rituals as they chant, bow and sing, "with the help of the angels." 

Their numbers are growing, as are their financial needs. They continue to expand and create a holy atmosphere conducive to a powerful inner life.

They have attracted women from all over the globe. Their average age is 29, including Sister Wilhelmina who will be 93 just after Easter. “It is a great blessing to have her wisdom and experience to guide us” said Sister Scholastica.

The nuns recently started a campaign to build their own church. "The monastery church is the focal point of every community, a place where the faithful may come partake of the prayer that is constantly offered there” the sister explains. The decision to build the $6.5 million church is a practical one, they have run out of room.  They have raised half the money needed. The hope it will be finished this fall, just in time for more candidates arrive.

They rely on the money they make from their music and donations. They recently got a glimpse of the changing world when received a large donation in bitcoin.

Written By Karen Pulfer Focht

Former story, photos and video at:

http://www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/benedictines-of-mary-queen-of-the-apostles

Their CDs can be purchased and donations can be made at http://benedictinesofmary.org //////

©-Karen Pulfer Focht-Not For Use Without Written Permission

Jerry Lee Lewis Through The Later Years

As a photojournalist in Memphis, I have covered Jerry Lee Lewis many times over the years.  I moved to Memphis in the late 80's and I have always enjoyed watching Jerry Lee Lewis perform. I consider myself a fan as well.

I was originally introduced to him by my fellow coworker Jim Kingsley, who has since passed away. Jim who was a stereotypical newsman, was also in the inner circle of Elvis Presley. Jerry was married to his sixth wife Kerry Lynn McCarver at the time. I remember Lee (Jerry Lee Lewis lll) as a toddler.

Lewis is passionate about his music and loyal to his fans.

I have photographed him in clubs, festivals, on Donald Trumps yacht and have been lucky enough to visit his ranch many times. I watched him get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and I watched the IRS remove his piano from his home when he owed back taxes.

Jerry Lee has lived a turbulent life and he has a wild reputation. While I admit he is a bit of a flirt, I can say my personal experience with him has been that he has always been a kind man and a gentleman, each and every time I have interacted with him. It has always been my pleasure to photograph him.

I recently watched him bring in the new year once again at age 82, at his namesake club, Jerry Lee Lewis Cafe and Honky Tonk on Beale Street in Memphis. I realized what an honor it has been to cover him for 30 years. I still get a kick out of watching him and he still gets a kick out of playing for his fans who come from all over the world to see him. You can see in the video that he stills smiles at the end of Great Balls of Fire, his signature song that he must have sung thousands of times since it was a hit in the 50's.

I have decided to share a glimpse of my photo collection in this photo gallery (above) and share a current video in this blog space below.

©Karen Pulfer Focht- Photojournalist