Looking for Inspiration

I’m having a rather “bah, humbug!” morning over here today. I’ll try not to take it out on you.

It all started when I went looking for some information on a new store which has come to the Mall in Columbia. It’s called The Inspiration Company. (Or maybe it’s “The Inspiration Co”.)

Images from The Mall in Columbia social media

Now open! @theinspiration_co has arrived at The Mall in Columbia, bringing uplifting jewelry and positive vibes to your shopping experience. Come explore their inspiring collection today!

My first thoughts: well, we can all use some inspiration right about now, but - - I’m dubious that it can be purchased at a suburban shopping mall.

Places I have found inspiration: at the library, in nature, in human connection, in music and art, and sometimes in church.

Places I have never found inspiration: temples of commerce and purveyors of mass-produced goods.

Still, I wanted to find some shred of the positive in this story so I went to their website to learn more about them. I was not inspired.

I could enumerate my thoughts for you but it’s just not that important. It’s a store at the Mall.

Let’s move on.

There’s a Chrysalis Kids concert this morning at 11 am at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Tickets are free but you must register.

Image from IAT social media

For a description of the concert and what to expect:

Chrysalis Kids: Sunnyland Band

For more about Slim Harrison visit his website - - it’s fascinating!

One last local tidbit. As I was searching for something completely unrelated, I learned about this:

Screenshot of New York Times article, 1968

It looks like Columbia had a college before Antioch, and it was in the same location - - the building we now call Historic Oakland. From what I can tell it never truly got off the ground. One thing that both colleges had in common: a commitment to a nontraditional curriculum and ways of learning.

Do you know anything about this academic venture? Let me know.

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