welcome back

welcome back !!!!

- please do not start singing that silly song from the tv show welcome back kotter...

Welcome back to spring! and welcome back honey bees, wild canaries and warm days and sunshine! Redding has its good season, it is spring! I love how we have an early spring, it will be warm and sunny here long before most other California towns. We have many more warm days here, yes sometimes too warm! But it really great for growing flowers and farming food. I love my garden, it always give me peace and meaning in my life, no matter what the garden is my comfort, and in it there is room for everything and everyone. I can bring my thoughts, good or bad, and I can loose them out there and even make some needed pruning on them. We all have too much to think about, it is good to let the worries drop off like bad fruit, so that new growth can find its way out our lovely branches.

We can travel the hour to Chico easily from here, that little college town world famous for its Sierra Nevada Brewery, but really has many other beautiful sights to see, the blooming dogwood trees are too many to count. These trees blossom large5 and 6 pedaled flowers in pinks and whites will loosen from the tree and drift gently and serenely down to the ground looking like something out of Disney's fantasia, they are surreal with beauty. But the Chico dogwood is not the only blooming tree, you can drive from Redding all the way to Willows there are orchards of peaches, and apricots and almonds here, with the popcorn flowers popping daily in cheery pink colors, the cherry trees with their large white flowers will emerge any day now, and that brings back the busy buzzing bees, and it feels once again like spring. Chico has a great college feel, it has wonderful antiques stores, and quaint houses, and many great place to dine out, I get lost in Chico, even with a guide! So I usually stay close to home.

At home I have so many pressing issues each day, I have worked since I was a young child, at the age of 13 I was a "people" sitter, with no insult to the elderly, I really enjoyed and still do. Working has always been my thing, I feel like I have had good experiences in all types of jovs, hospitality, restuarant, education, retail, corporate business sales, and balancing that with college, being free lance artist, and mother and house keeper- the hats I can't hide. We wear our jobs on our faces, and I often believe they age us, and mold us, with or without us knowing, unless we find our serenity, our place in the sun. The perfect job I have not yet found, but I would believe that it will show its' face soon, and then life again will find balancec for me.

Until then, for sanity, I will sit in my yard on a sunny day, and soak in all its beauty. I will stare at the flowers and count the bees, I will look for new shoots of raspberries and new bulbs starting up with purple faces of Iris and watch for the Easter Lillie's to reappear from the ground. I recommend saving those Easter Lillie's that you see in the pots, yes when you think they are done, and dead, please don't throw them away, they are not dead! they are resting, and will be more than content to sleep in your yard and wait until the same time next year and blossom up nicely for your decorations the very next year. ( I can hear them - I am not dead yet..!)

There is always work to do in the yard, pulling weeds, getting dirty, getting the yard to look inviting, and fertalizing. I like to see the flower push out, and I think of the wonder of the movie Totoro by Miyazaki, if you have not enjoyed this wonderful childrens animated film you really must see it, we love it. I caught myself doing the Totoro dance to celebrate my fruitless apricot making flowers this year-- yea! I am sure you can find clips of it on YOUTube, its really great to see it all at once, it has this other worldly charm about it.

Birds, birds wonderful sounding birds! Yes we have wild canaries, you can not believe it, but we do. In spring you can hear their hallmark singing if you are patient enought, its fantastic. That is Redding for you, I have seen so many neat wild birds here. I do love seeing the black and white wood peckers, they would come to eat the sakatia bugs, I even like the blue jays with their loud croaks. I have collected many bird houses that bring such activity in the spring, it is wonderful to see the babies peek out and then finally make the yard their home, usually eating all of my green grapes left on the vine. That is fine with me, we cant possibly eat them all. The little birds with their tiny beaks, how can they fit the grape in, I do not know but are happy to sit and eat sun warmed grapes right off the vine.

I like the serenity of the garden, it has always been my muse, the enchanted garden has been my greatest hope. It started when I was in my earliest days in Livermore, and we had a back yard with lots of hiding spots, behind Eucalyptus trees, and in garden at my grandmothers house. She had lots of nice tall trees, and utilized spaces with clever gardens ripe with delicious fruits and veggies. Then there was the real enchanted forest, the one that once you experienced it, you became part of some Once UPON a time story, and you transform into this purist that lived long ago, and had the rugged yet natural life of a homesteader. I know that few will ever go there with the eyes of a child, or with my families eyes, but all that did were swept away with its beauty, and taken in by the simple charm of the backdrop of Rock Creek, and its farmhouse built with the hands of the people who would love that land for the nearly one hundred years. I cannot describe the beauty of that place it is indescribable, and also because it is appreciated by time. Not only has time made the land more valuable, yes that is true, but really a person would have to take the time to walk in the woods, and on the trails, and have a guide that knew every plant and every flower to know how to describe it.

I have a memory that I keep fresh in my heart, it is of my Great Grandmother Nina Bell Taylor, walking with me in the woods past her house, not to the creek or to the berry patch or to the animals, but another place where she said we would find a flower she called the Lady Slipper, and I thought what a funny thing to look for. What was it, a shoe, a tiny elf shoe? I wondered if we would see a Gnome or elf or fairy, and I had my heart set on finding one. We walked in the soft bedding of the thistles and dirt, under the cool canopy of the giant furs and pines, until after much searching she said, I found one! She reached down under a leaf very near the ground, and pushed away the other growing plants, and grasses, and plucked a single flower from the ground, it was so tiny I had to look at it several times to even see that part that resembled a " lady slipper". I could not believe that I with my closer to the ground eyes, and ability to find all the other tiny flowers, could not see the one flower that she wanted. I was even more surprised that we picked it, because we were taught to never disturb the forest, for it was not ours to destroy, and we were never allowed to pick flowers at random and then waste them. My Grandmother and her mother always said that the flowers were there to feed the animals or the bees, and I was neither, and neither did I need to pick them. That was good advice, and I respected these women in my life, they were the women of great power and wisdom to me.

I believe that the kind of people that have the patience to love and grow a plant into the greatest gift that brings good food to the table is next to God, and they are the gifted ones, here to help us. They often learned the skills from the days when you had to live off your land and buying the goods you need was just not an option for you, you had to make do, you had to make your own goods, and even if you could afford to buy it, you would make it yourself, because you knew it was just better quality to do it yourself. That is not what the baby-gloomers and the dooms-dayers are saying now, that same group of people that were brought up by people who said, don't complain, don't talk about it, and do it yourself, are having the toughest time seeing the forest for the trees. They could benefit from some nature therapy, I know I need sunshine and exercise! I can't live wihtout it like my friends in the garden, even bringing in some fresh cut flowers into the house can make me happy, more than anything the fragrance of flowers for me is enchanting, I brought in some fresh cut hyacinth from my yard, and placed them near a sitting spot inthe front room. They have a strong lilac scent that is better than any-perfume you can place in the house, and for me it is mind candy, or soul medicine, it just makes me feel better!

Life is the same, even as it was one hundred years ago, we all still need to eat and work to survive, and the basics never change. Just like the seasons, we expect the trees to bloom out in spring after a long cold winter, its a sign that spring will be coming, the trees have a great way of welcoming the season, and the bees. They put on there best face, and dress up right, and look their best for the bees are coming! Thank God they do! Bees are wealth of the land, they are the great workers for the fruit that heals and give us jams and jellies and pies and juice and all that is really great, and we really should celebrate each year when we see this traditional headdress of blossoms on the trees. Bees are so small on this earth but they do the biggest job of all, and we know without them we would not survive. I have a good friend who says, count every bee you see everyday, and thank God for them everyday. I do!

I hope that we can find time to remember the garden, and enjoy the trees, because somewhere inside this great serene place there is a lady slipper blossom, it is so tiny only a fairy could wish to wear it, and it is as it has been for the centuries to come. If the great families that came before us could survive so much before us, and make the work and meals appear for them we too can find this time to make the very best of what is here to enjoy. We have the same gifts still to enjoy, because we are one of the few who will have our own to teach the very same values, by just walking into the woods and finding its tiny gifts.

Return to the garden and lounge in the lap of luxury, as the seasons change, you will see that nature is responding to the time as it always has been and we too can find that grace in significant small blossoms in our heart, thinking of the cheery times we will be able to share soon.

Meet me in the garden, I will be waiting for you there.

L

Think of Me...

Stories, stories, stories …something to read, something to inspire, and something to really enjoy- today I think I will do what my favorite radio show did to me, I will pull my favorite lines from my meanderings. Comment and then try to repair my mistakes, oh and do I have a pile of those! Why is it, I cannot see the stupidest mistakes, but if I am proofing my daughters English essay on the science of water technology on earth, I can nitpick on every little hint of bad grammar! Forgive me, for I know not what I do. Which leads me first to this little anecdote- I am still wondering what was I thinking to work for this guy!

From 12-09-2009: But today, someone said to me, with a heavy Latin accent, no one in America speaks English!! And I was astounded at his revelation of all Americans, and he continued to respond to my correction of his advertisement- printed with many oddities in grammar, spelling, text but also the word lent on it. I said, lent what is lent? In the sentence it was clearly not, the Christian season before Easter, and I said, what is this word? He said, lent! and went on to proclaim, that we all said it. In his own way, it was clear that he wanted to get by, as much as I find this resourcefulness fun, it is vital in print that we use properly spelled words, esspecially in advertising, its NOT negotiable. The printed word needs to represent, what we mean the most, and lent is the way he heard, Length, only if he had ever heard it said phonetically, or read it , he would have known, but unfortunately for him, this was just another reason for anger, and it was as if he stigmatized himself, I will always relate lent to length now, hes changed my definition in my head. Slang does this, it takes words and re negotiates their meaning, and often we can sound very old, or very un-cool, by using slang that is from a particular era. Slang is not what I think of as proper English, and usually is not the standard for publishing in print or for media. Does the Bible have slang in it?

I understand that many of us are frustrated with the world and the way it is, and how we can’t control it. The generation gap widens each time words are changed and used in order to separate the young from the old. I know I should have patience with anyone who wants to discuss events and have opinions, no matter what their rhetoric might be, but there is a fine line between optimal accents that allow someone to know your background, and being intolerant of the language that you communicate with. Being good or bad with it, it is your words that people hear first, and no matter who you are, or how well dressed you are, your education will show in the words you choose. It is said that when you put junk in you can only get junk out, meaning - junk food will, only produce a person with a personality of a Twinkie. This is true of junk-media, music, and books, you cannot possibly expect to speak better or command the English language without the study of all genres, and not excluding the classics as a base.
In this United States, we have forgotten the question of what language do we speak, is it English? Webster's Dictionary has a new video that automatically opens and plays when you use the web site. And it proclaims that our language is a mongrel of a language. What an image that is, and coming from our book of definitions, I almost find that thought detrimental to my ability to see myself with any culture what so ever.
It was Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect of the 20th century, who said, it is us who designs our own life, we make our buildings we make our cities and towns; we make the blueprints, for our beautiful lives. We do. I was happy with this, it was a point I felt needed to be made so that my mistake of working there wasn’t so severe, I learned something very important. I don’t know enough about writing, or English to ever stop learning, and I will not hesitate to talk about with my kids. But I also can see that people are free to say whatever they want, and I can’t really look at others by simply what they say, for I can be judged myself. People make statements, and they want us to react, and that is when we need to stand up for ourselves, similar to this time when I felt this was important to write:
02-11-2009
I wrote a book about the first American Panda, and within the pages I weave a consistent thread of knowledge that animals are unable to defend themselves against the threat of the hunter with a gun, who just kills for the sport. It is never a nice thing to see an animal caged in a zoo, unless this animal needed the first-aid, and attention to live and now survives well by the care and love of educated people. So when did PETA decide to make humans the enemy? How did we all get on the black list for being supremacists and have to defend our rights to have pets, to eat meat, or to wear leather? When did this start? This will require some research on my part and know that I will be following up on the people of PETA and their ways. I will be provoking some serious questions and debate the rights of people who stomp on other peoples freedoms.
What is this, the people of PETA think that if you own a pure bread dog you may as well be in the KLU KLUX KLAN? Wow, that's harsh! Isn’t that just a little strong? For those who probably might think that the Klan is just about white supreme idiots, how does that relate to animal worshiping, or animal training, or animal showing. If I saw that, in front of any animal show I would have to accuse them of being the kkk. I would say that they are in fact doing the same thing, creating a group of people who are evil in the ways of actively hurting others freedoms, they discriminate against others by actively and grossly exaggerating the facts. Would those animals be able to survive in the wild without the care of humans? Where would they live in the wild? Domesticated animals are a part of the fabric of the Human Spirit, and this is more of an attribute, animals are vital to the lives of people . How is loving your pet, taking care of it and showing it, linked to the terrorism of the kkk? When you watch the story of Gandhi they demanded that no one buy products that hurt people, his wife said, beauty that causes pain is not worth it. I agree, we should not hurt helpless animals, but helpless people, who is in pain here? In this case I would say it was the people, and the animals have no idea what the kkk is. I guess that is what they wanted us to think. I still have issues with Peta, they continue to say the strangest things to bring up animal suffering at the hands of humans. Nature is cruel too, but we won’t even talk about that… I have a Daughter that belongs to Peta… she gets stickers, and even submits artwork! Freedom comes in so many forms, I would have not believed that this is what it has become today, the right to say and do whatever you want, and the right to undo what many believe is a wholesome living, called farming. What would my own Grandmother say? Well if you don’t know, I will tell you, she’d say, we never did that on our farm! And get on with it! When did life become so controversial?
I keep saying that we make a good life, and then wait for someone to outlaw it!
In closing I need a good laugh and a bitter sweet memory, I sometimes really miss my little life as a Berkeley Girl working at the Sandwich City, and I know I miss the Marvelous Marin days, with the rolling hills, the great shops and beaches. I had some very funny stories that have always brought me to smile, like watching Neil Schon speed off in his Ferrari, while my Mustang’s headliner blew-up, and BFF ‘n I said, hold up the roof…When I was taken to meet Prince at his Purple Rain concert dressed in horrible 80’s garb, or when I sat in front of Eric Clapton and he looked at me while he sang Good night Irene, some things we never forget, because they were really fun or embarrassing. And then some things we remember because we wish we could just go back and change them. In the movie 13 going on 30, the main character, realizes that she was not the person she thought she was, growing up, and she lost the chance to love someone because she was a child making childish choices. Even as adults we can do that, like I mistakenly told Todd Rungeran that the wait for a table at the Sausalito Houlihan’s would be, two hours, simply because I did not recognize him…

(Hello it’s me, I’ve thought about your for a long long time …Think of me…).Or when I ran up on stage to dance with Chris Isaak! Sometimes we just let ourselves off the hook, and act silly! But we should never regret the past, there is no changing it.
We all want to know what love is, and we want someone to show it to us.
I believe that the city streets and the countryside has its own secrets that can’t possibly be learned anywhere else but there, and just as different and strange the land and the animals are in both places, people are pretty much the same where ever you go. It’s family that makes a difference. In the way we talk, and see the world, in the lessons of home and pets and manners, and in humility, we come by it all by honest experience, and no one is immune to it. Everyone has miracles in their life, and heartaches.
Our heart goes with us, where ever we go, so we always know that love lives in us. It is also in our tears, and our smiles, our music we play and listen to, and our letters and our artwork; it is in our homes and the places we go for retreat.
Love and Pandawishes.

You know you're from SAN FRANCISCO when…
Basic Info
Type:

1.You say "the city" and expect everyone to know that this means San Francisco.

2.You have never been to the the Golden Gate Bridge or Alcatraz.

3.You can get into a four-hour argument about how to get from Union Square to the Embarcadero at 3:30 on the Friday before a long weekend, but can't find Wisconsin on a map.

4.Hookers and the homeless are invisible.

5.The BART or MUNI makes sense.

6.You believe that being able to swear at people in their own language makes you multi-lingual. 7.You've considered stabbing someone just for saying "Frisco".

8.If you have lived in San Francisco for more than ten years. Not including living at home with your parents.

9.You call an 5' x 7' plot of patchy grass a yard.

10.You consider Marin "upstate". 11.You think Golden Gate Park is "nature."

12.Your family immigrated here to give you a better future.

13.You're paying $1,200 for a studio the size of a walk-in closet and you think it's a "steal." 14.You've been to Oakland twice and got hopelessly lost both times.

15.You pay more each month to park your car than most people in the U.S. pay in rent.

16.You haven't seen more than twelve stars in the night sky since you went away to camp as a kid.

17.You go to dinner at 9 and head out to the clubs when most Americans are heading to bed. 18.Your closet is filled with black clothes.

19.You haven't heard the sound of true absolute silence since the 80s, and when you did, it terrified you.

20.You pay $5 without blinking for a beer that cost the bar 28 cents.

21.You take fashion seriously.

22.Being truly alone makes you nervous.

23.You have 27 different menus next to your telephone.

24.Going to Berkeley is considered a "road trip." 25.America east of the San Francisco Bay is still theoretical to you.

26.You've gotten jaywalking down to an art form.

27.You take a taxi to get to your health club to exercise.

28.Your idea of personal space is no one actually standing on your toes.

29.$150 worth of groceries fit in one paper bag.

30.You have a minimum of five "worst cab ride ever" stories.

31.You don't notice sirens anymore.

32.You live in a building with a larger population than most American towns.

33.Your doorman is Russian, your grocer is Korean your deli man is Israeli, your building super is Italian, your laundry guy is Chinese, your favorite bartender is Irish, your favorite diner owner is Greek, the watchseller on your corner is Senegalese, your last cabbie was Pakistani, your newsstand guy is Chinese and your favorite falafel guy is Egyptian.

34.You're suspicious of strangers who are actually nice to you.

35.You secretly envy cabbies for their driving skills.

36.You think $5.00 to cross a bridge is a fair price.

37.Your door has more than three locks.

38.Your favorite movie was filmed downtown. 39.You consider eye contact an act of overt aggression.

40.You run when you see a flashing "Do Not Walk" sign at the intersection.

41.You're 35 years old and don't have a driver's license.

42.You ride in a subway car with no air conditioning just because there are seats available.

43.You're willing to take in strange people as roommates simply to help pay the rent.

44.You know where to get the best Pho in the Tenderloin...45.You have bought a home anywhere but in San Francisco.

46.When you're away from home, you miss "real" pizza and "real" bagels.

47.You know the differences between all the different Irving Street Pizzas.

48.You're not in the least bit interested in going to the Embarcadero on New Year's Eve.

49.Your internal clock is permanently set to know when Alternate Side of the Street parking regulations are in effect.

50.You know what a massage parlor really is.

51.You know how to fold the San Francisco Chronicle in half, vertically, so that you can read it on the subway or bus without knocking off other passenger's hats.

52.Someone bumps into you, and you check for your wallet.....

53.You cringe at people who ask you for directions back to their hotel when San Francisco is only 7 miles by 7 miles and they are two blocks away from their hotel and they have a map marked "you are here".

54.Film crews on your block annoy you, not excite you.

55. People from other states cant tell a polar bear from a peanut, but they know you're from San Francisco the second you open your mouth.

56. When you are able to make a right turn at a red light.. you think it's the best thing ever.

57. Rather than waiting safely on the sidewalk to cross the street, you wait inches away from speeding traffic waiting to cut through it.

58. Your local news is national news.

59. You walk a mile in 13 minutes and think that everything should be open 24/7.

60. You go clubbin' at 1015...

61. You think you know better than everyone else in the world.. when in reality.. well.. you do.

62. Yellow light means speed up.

63. Red light means speed up because you know have that 1 second pause until the other light turns green.

64. Communicating with people on the road only takes one finger.

65. You order your dinner and have it delivered.. From the place across the street.

66. You cross the street on a greenlight, and if you get hit by a car you blame the driver for "not watching where they're going.

67. You can tell a gunshot from a firecracker and not get scared, but when you go to the burbs you get scared of hearing a cricket.

68. You have asked a bum for some spare change before he was able to ask you and he pulls out a $100 dollar bill.

Thats the San Francisco, CA- I remember with one thing left out, can drive all three briges in one day, and figure out how to pay non of them..:)

favorite things

When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad....

I am not Julie Andrews, and my life is not a musical for sure. I live as a wife, mother and homemaker in Redding California. My husband and children moved up here in 2001,to purchase our first house, and rear our 3 children. After living and working in the beautiful Sonoma and Marin county, we really believed we could manage the climate and the economics of Shasta County. We bought our house for an amazing price, with a nice piece of land able to plant essential fruit trees and flowers, near a good school, and we found jobs right away. The cost of living was so different compared to the wealthy area of Petaluma and Santa Rosa where we were.

I was allowed to teach art, with my art docent experience, and eventually worked in an aferschool program leading teens in art and helping with writing and homework.The teachers were nice, class rooms were small, and it was so special to be in the feel of a small town, I really loved letting my children walk to school the most Each day had struggle and progress, and it seems as if my most beloved dreams came true.

It was an adult - second half of life feeling. Working, raising kids, making rules and watching the years mold us. We made new friends easily, we loved our Church, everyone knew everyone! We found our days off in -hot weather--sweetly quenched in the cool lakes near by. It was an easy for us to drive the 15 minutes to historic Whiskey town, even though it was a tourist spot, it was relaxing, it offered camping, hiking, sailing, swimming, fishing and taking postcard like photographs, the season pass to park is only 20$. We saw our first mountain lion in the park, and it was not uncommon to see Eagles, deer, and friendly lizards and squirrels. We escaped lakeside on our bad days and good days, to the soft sand, worries went out with the waves.

Steve caught trophy winning trout, and delicious local salmon that we feasted upon. My Father would visit twice a year, and it was great to see the kids camp out with him so close to home. It all felt so perfect. Sometimes we really don't know how perfect life is, until it is not so perfect. I wish sometimes we could see that the moments in life, that are in the past are still there, we still have them, and life is still that good. We think about the little details that bother us, and we sacrifice the bigger picture for it. Time flew by, and looking back now is sometimes very melancholy for me.

In the 8 years past, kids grow up and go to college, tiny toddlers become towering teenagers, and the troubles that were not foreseen are clear as ever in the economic recession that has halted and reversed a once flourishing fishing community. We know that seasons bring change, and that even in the best of circumstances, things will change and we are responsible for our own growth, but environment is more influential that we realize. In 2001, a month after we moved here, the dreadful 9th month 11 day experience changed the way everything traveled, and the world saw terrorists, and my first grader has gone to school everyday, since we have been to war. Everyday, of his school life, it has been in the news, it has been a subject to worry about, and in the back of every ones mind we wonder when will it end. The environment for teachers turned hostile with " no child left behind" and the cuts to programs, the political climate has gone from bad to worse with severe backlash against anyone who disagrees with the President, or the policy of war.

Where do we go now? There are no hiding places, we finally plugged the television back in, and even though we can't afford all the amenities teens want( l.o.l. who can?), we do allow as much freedom of choices that any progressive parent can. I still compare my childhood environment, with my kids, and my kids are so sure that I had it best. Can kids today really plug into what we as kids of baby boomers had to deal with?

Let's take stock kids, no computer social networking....period, no cell phones, parents for the most part trusted us because they were from the 50's, we went out to movies, we bought our clothes at stores, and school was different too. The rules our kids are taught about everything, from the "no touch" rule, to -- the no colored hair rule...kids have it a lot different today. The good part is, college really is for everyone now, and if you spend even a few days in classrooms, you will see that smart kids are cool, and drugs are out! Alleluia! Kids today have it good! Okay,so we had the threat of war, and we had fear of other countries, and lack of information, and we thought it was so-American to have Movie Star presidents, now we just have famous Presidents...

Actually kids have it great, and just don't know it! This is a universal truth, we all don't know how good we have it, when we are in throws of growing and changing. It takes eyes in the back of our heads, to be in the know! I have had the recent experience to sit with a 95 year old, married couple. Believe it or not, life has not changed all that much, since they were kids, in fact it does sound like our "Recession" can not be as bad as their "depression" was! Our health care is about the same, because people are still dying from cancer, old age, and poverty. But the words that they said to me, rang true, like a bell that tolls. I listened to her say, in her quaint elderly repetitive way, "We had a good life, we always had fun as a family, my kids were all really good, we loved each other" I looked back and smiled, and said yes you had a good life. Then she'd ask me, "How many kids do you have, are they doing well?" I told her their ages, and said yes;in my heart I knew I had feelings that could detail all the pitfalls and letdowns...only I knew. She said, "Kids are just like their parents, you can always tell good kids, by the good parents". It rang a bell for me, when I get to 95, I will remember only what people tell me. At the end of your life, you can only hope for a little less pain, you can hope that people are willing to sit and listen to you. While we are young, we manage to avoid people, listen very little, and sometimes cause extreme pain as teens.

I guess that why, at any age we find time to remind ourselves of our favorite things,music helps, movies can too. And we can ask those older than us why we made the choices that we did, so when it all starts to become too difficult, or it starts to slip away we can say it was all worth the it, it was a journey. Having hinds feet for this life, is when we allow God to be the front feet, and we are the back feet. I like that we don't just ride on the back of life, looking back, we are -connected and one with all that life is. We don't have to preach to teach, we can just walk on, keep on keeping on, and this is joy. Because we make the path, for others to walk on, it has been there for us. Taking time to talk to the elders in our life, can bring a great perspective on how good life is for us all right now.

For in life we need three things for happiness
something to do
someone to love
and something to hope for

something to hope for being the most important, never loose site of that.

Good News, or Mews as my daughter says!

I haven't posted a new blog for how long! wow-- what is my excuse?
Top ten reasons why I haven't blogged

10. I am too lazy to think of a good subject!
9. I m feeling totally inferior to the other bloggers out there that actually get 20 comments and tons of hits
8. I am busy with writing letter to Lowes, and BBQ tek about my defective and recalled BBQ that caught fire on CHRISTMAS`
7. Having my husband home everyday is so distracting, that I get almost nothing done
6. Subjects for blogging are too political even for me, and I don't want to loose any friends
5. As an Arbonne consultant I want to look like a professional, and be a good likeness of the products
4. Writing to myself is futile, and I have yet to publish my book that I have worked on for ten years
3.I have had less than good coffee that does nothing for me
2. Twitter is pretty good, because writing one line is easier to proof than my ramblings
1. Facebook is by far more fascinating, addicting and more provocative than it should be, considering no one really cares,...



Well there are ten subjects I could write about, and I still dont feel like writing!

I wanted to write ALL about the Christmas BBQ fire, and then I felt like the newspaper article was good-- enough. Now we actually have a new fancy, giant, expensive WEBER BBQ in our garage as of today, thanks to the letter and the fire. What does that teach, we should all have fires and complain? I hope that its really tha they care, and I am pleased to think that, but I doubt that they can do that for everyone-- what about all those that I wanted to warn, will they get the same treatment? Did I do this just for me? I hope not. I hope that nobodies BBQ burns a fire in their house, and we have a season of safety learned from our mistake.


Facebook, ahh I want to log in now, what is it about that thing! Pictures, comments, and people! I refuse to do the games, I don't want to admit I sit here , and I am sure we will be hearing in the news that butts are growing thanks to FACEBOOK. They did get sued and settled at least once, but really, I think the people I have friended,have more reasons to HATE me, now that they read my posts. I wonder why people who I like are silent and people I dont even know, can comment and see my comments. I know there are virus' and x rated photos and all sorts of stupid things on there, it is the bowling alley for the fingers. Only the losers are sitting on there, but the big wigs will advertise spend money and lie just like in magazines and media. We will read and learn from the same companies we were trying to avoid-- but don't because, now its on facebook.

Twitter, great! now I can write a line and wonder if I can write a line!-- I have to have the headlines, for my life. I guess that is great if we were reading once a day or once a month, but this is fodder for the bs news that baits your mind with short stupid catch phrases and then you go to read it and it means something completely different. But I do love thinking for just a moment that I am reading something from the Dali Llama or Eric Idle, Steve Vai or Ashton... as if! I like it - but then I get all-- weirded out- they don't know me, but I can read what they write-- I quickly sign out, like I am some kind of a freak in a peep show.

Coffee is getting more important, I love it, but I have an odd habit now. I hate making it, because I dont get expensive coffee I like, and water is metallic here. ut I will pour it, cream and sugar it and then, let it sit there, and get cold. And drink maybe three sips, at most. And then wonder why- I have a head ache. I do not like microwaved coffee either, after watching the science of fat and calories and grossness that grows in stale coffee-- I shiver to think of my veins. Peets coffee, soo soo soo good, and yet soo so soo far away.

I am a new Arbonne consultant! I love it! I love this job, I love my skin and I am looking for those who want to hear about the opportunity- email me! It really is that good! I can say, it is the best products I have ever- used. If you don't know my skin, my story about my skin-one word might help. Accutaine. Make a living looking your best, and invite others to do the same; make time for the life you really want!

Politics are out of control. I love my country, I believe that we are in trouble, but I don't delude myself to believe that lighting a fire with the people I love, will actually change the way, congress and the government works. I know that the best way to change the world, is to be the light myself, light my own fire, and let it shine for all to see, and don't expect others to do more than I can do myself. I pray for this time, the people that are suffering, and like me, I hope that we can all just get back to work soon.

Of the silly things I write, and the serious things that are occurring, I hope that I will achieve my goals this year, and be the kind of person I have designed myself to be: Mother, Friend, Sister, artist, Deacon, lover, and believer-of the dream, my dream and yours, there is plenty for all.

In the words of my cousin who is doing great things, learning traveling and being a great humanitarian, I love my life.



What will you wish to do before you die? Now is the time to make sure it get's done.
TAKE CARE

LIZ

Baby Panda Makes His Public Debut

Baby Panda Makes His Public Debut


Happy New Year!

LOVE THOSE PANDAS!

the Grinch BOOK!! Seuss was Genius!

I love this !! please enjoy it at least once!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3v-kz4lWrA

 

 

 

hugs to you and yours

 

 

Merry Christmas!  love you!

Reshaping Learning from the Ground Up | Edutopia

Reshaping Learning from the Ground Up Edutopia


Read this from the author of FUTURE SHOCK

Pioneering independant thoughts!

I am all for it!

The one question ....

  This is a long tale about the question of what we pay attention to, how we speak, what we say, is it just subjective =/  what ev i tink-<-- do we really do that?

 

 Its almost Christmas!  Hustle and bustle of shoppers at the stores, everywhere there is lights and decorations, we get out the music we've waited all year for, and the television shows transform with tales of joy and laughter and hope, along with advertising that is almost convincing!  Wow, I can forget so many important things, focusing on my Christmas--Holiday; I need to say a few times a day, Jesus is the reason for the season, and this year I have taken on an actual Charity event!  I know!, not just hide behind my Church event, but get behind the event I love the most, even if I feel like its not saving the planet from what ever is in fashion,  it's great to do something like this!

 

Working hard at anything, is the best distraction from dark shadows that can envelope us. Those same shadows, darken the bright future of our brilliant country, the United States of America. For example,  I like to listen to NPR, this afternoon while waiting for my kids, Neil Conan discussed how people tend to believe only the extremist stories about religion, and a Mormon woman said that she felt the sting of prejudice when so many were sure she belonged to a polygamist group when actually- it could not be further from the truth.  Christmas is full of fake realities about religion, and so much of it is sold to us! But why blame society, we buy it,  I forget that Church is now trademarked with scandal ...even if we dont admit it, because those who love it, and attend will negotiate the stigma for the reality, we know better, it is called faith.  But even that sounds trite...and I do apologize if you read into that, but a wealthy man would not apologize for his Mercedes, so I should actually show my faith with the similar openness.

 

  I recently gave up my feud with the television,  bought a digital antenna, and now I get my fair share of network news, in high definition and stereo, just in time to catch the Tiger tales, and well, it's not like that story is any better in HD.  So I face-book with a select group of friends, and family and one second after I log in, I only miss them more!! And now I spent more time genuinely wondering what they actually get from my short updates on my life, and now I don't bother to send them emails, or the long lost letter.  And a few people, just hear too much from me, and probably are too nice to say anything, but I don't know who they are, so I just pray that they dont -"unfriend" me, which by the way, is the new word for Webster's Dictionary this year.  If you like useless knowledge that is a doosey!

 

I found solitude on face-book, and went on to, twitter, where I can mindlessly read the twitteriffic tweets of people I will never ever meet or know, or that know me.  I find it funny that the same people who really would never want you to see them in tabloids or take their photo, will leave notes for the whole world to see, and allow others to directly send them-teeny emails...I get information, from the opinions, and of course its completely subjective, and should not be taken seriously, yes of course.  One thing, I do find it really odd that serious writers for news shows are complaining that news could not possibly be coming out of the short sweet tweets, because they want to be the source with long articles and unnamed sources.  All the while, they are still reporting stories about these famous people, and because of that the anchors and stations, tweet, and the news is actually faster now that everyone with a cell phone has this capability. We are continuously being told, we can't know anything on our own, we need others, and we wonder why our children are all rushing into college and the state of the economy is falling apart.  We negotiate the emails, the facebooks, and the phones and the blackberries, for the sole purpose of staying close, while I am sure that I talk less to the people that I would normally remember to pick up the home phone, and dial out to.

 

We can think for ourselves, but even that has its stigmas, many that don't conform, are largely collected into groups that conservatives believe are ruining others lives.  If you let someone ruin your life, is it someone elses fault?  Being against a political party, or a politician, can bring all of us to a good discussion, but putting that person in charge of your life, and aggressively blaming the opposition for what might seem like a wrench in the system, is just another way to stand in shadow, and hide from the light of opportunity to see, a little competition is healthy for all of us.  So where am I going with this, why do I need to point out, the distractions of Christmas, and the stigma of the ways we communicate, in public, and in print?  I am in dire need to post the thoughts that have given me a headache for the past two weeks... and just so you all know, I listened-- I tried, and I negotiated my best, but I was truly lost in translation.

 

I think that the spoken word, is a powerful way to communicate, and highly negotiable. You can really get the full impact of the person and the story when you get it in person, you can ask questions, and you can respond with your own personal views. People who travel can use hand signs, and motions and pointing, but we find ways to make our thoughts known. And the best part is, we don't have to type, tweet, or check our spelling!  People can hear our grammar they can tell our brain power by our choice of words, and possibly even get an idea of our heritage, by our accent.  We can recognize many accents here in America,  people who speak with a southern drawl, with a New York hip, or Western red neck, these voices can evoke charm,  just as definitive as the Queens English, or the French sophisticate, often we enjoy the sound of the accent.  I for one, absolutely love, the Australian tone of voice, the speech that has this smile built in, for the majority of the well spoken adults.  I am going to go out on a limb here, and not stigmatize, but take the position that if the accent is so strong that I can't negotiate a conversation,  I will often, secretly-resolve, not to try to talk to the person, and just smile and say, uh huh, and hope they do the same.

But today, someone said to me, with a heavy Latin accent, no one in America speaks English!! And  I was astounded at his revelation of all Americans, and he continued to respond to my correction of his advertisement- printed with many oddities in grammar, spelling, text but also the word lent on it.  I said, lent what is lent?  In the sentence it was clearly not, the Christian season before Easter, and I said, what is this word?  He said, lent! and went on to proclaim, that we all said it. In his own way, it was clear that he wanted to get by, as much as I find this resourcefulness fun, it is vital in print that we use properly spelled words, esspecially in advertising, its NOT negotiable.  The printed word needs to represent, what we mean the most, and lent is the way he heard, Length, only if he had ever heard it said phonetically, or read it , he would have known, but unfortunately for him, this was just another reason for anger, and it was as if he stigmatized himself, I will always relate lent to length now, hes changed my definition in my head.  Slang does this, it takes words and re negotiates their meaning, and often we can sound very old,  or very un-cool, by using slang that is from a particular era.  Slang is not what I think of as proper English, and usually is not the standard for publishing in print or for media.  Does the Bible have slang in it? 

 

I understand that many of us are frustrated with the world and the way it is, and how we cannot not control it.  The generation gap widens each time, words are changed and used in order to separate the young from the old. I know I should have patience with anyone who wants to discuss events and have opinions, no matter what their rhetoric might be, but there is a fine line between optimal accents that allow someone to know your background, and being intolerant of the language that you communicate with.  Being good or bad with it, it is your words that people hear first, and no matter who you are, or how well dressed you are, your education will show in the words you choose.  It is said that when you put junk in you can only get junk out, meaning - junk food will, only produce a person with a personality of a twinkie.  This is true of junk-media, music, and books, you can not possibly expect to speak better or command the English language without the study of all genres, and not excluding the classics as a base.

 

In this United States, we have forgotten the question of what language do we speak, is it English?  Webster's Dictionary has a new video that automatically opens and plays when you use the web site.  And it proclaims that our language is a mongrel of a language.  What an image that is, and coming from our book of definitions, I almost find that thought detrimental to my ability to see myself with any culture what so ever.

It was Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect of the 20th century, who said, it is us who designs our own life, we make our buildings we make our cities and towns, we make the blueprints, for our beautiful lives. We do.

 

 And  I have a DVD that Santana says, that our voice is our instrument, that we play for others, and we can choose to use it for peace or for hate.  When you sing your Christmas carols, when you say Merry Christmas, when you say thank you, you are not in a dress rehearsal for something else. Our words are our gifts of our talents, and each time we praise someone it is as generous as the wrapped surprise under the tree.  Take note of something nice, or beautiful , or worthy of a meaningful moment, to say, I really like that about you, it changes our focus from inward, to positive and outward, if we look for the complements!

 

this is my new years resolve , to teach with carefully chosen words, from this day forward.  To learn a new word a week, realistically!  And to make sure that I allow fair-trade negotiations of people's words, especially for friends and family. No more taxing arguments !  :)

 

Merry Christmas!! 

 

All the best in this season of hope! 

 

May you carry it with you all year-

 

Peace

 

LIZ

 

 

Its a wonderful life- Tiger...

Time to blog,

no time to sleep,

 

 time to think

no time to eat

 

time to talk,

 no time to chat

 

time to check my email,

 no time to write

 

time to read your comments,

 no time to reply

 

time to wonder,

 no time to worry

 

time to work,

 no time to burn

 

time to be happy,

 no time for pain

 

time to live fully,

 no time to be sad

 

time to decorate,

 no time to party

 

time to eat,

 no time to cook

 

time to sell,

 not time to waste

 

time to go 

no time to blog--

 

so much to say, so much to know-

but really we just need to let it all go.

 

Enjoy the moments we have,

 and know

 

Its a wonderful life...

 

 

keep up the good work

 we are all doing the best we can

 

and if your not--  there is no better time to start...

 

 

 

Christmas can change your heart, find time,

find yourself,

find your heart,

find your friends,

 find a moment,

 find the good things,

 find your sense of humor,

find something to do,

find a reason,

 find a way

 

put on something special,

put on the town

put on your smile

put on the radio

putting on the ritz

 

 

THANK YOU- FRIENDS AND FAMILY-

 

 keep in touch

 

 

 

love and pandawishes

 

liz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manly Make overs Mejia's Tuxedos

Thanksgiving Wishes

			Click to Play	Just a little note to let you know- we are thinking about you this fine day- and thankful for your friendship! LOVE always Liz Steve and (bigger) kids
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stormy weather

Last night I dreamed that I was sailing around town, on a four post bed, seeing the sights, and feeling freedom, but still very alone, on my journey.  I met some friends I had not seen for a long time, and was happy to see them.  But, after a short ride, they broke my vehicle bed, and I was stuck in a strange place, and had to ask for help from people I never met before.  When I was  told my vehicle bed was fixed, and ready to fly, I noticed to my sadness, it had been altered so greatly, it was never the same.  The four posts were cut down to two, and the old ones, tossed out.

 

I was left to go on with what I had, and I wondered if I should be grateful, or sad.

 

I have arrived at a new chapter in my book of life.   As I write this, I know I set my pace, and I need much more help from friends and family than I am willing to admit.  But I ask God first, I pray , and I have a new strength, that I found recently, spending time with a nice female friend. I set out on a new adventure, filled with mystery, and hope.  I feel like a pirate, as I cast out my sail, and drift a bit, feeling like I am going so very very slowly,  pirates are not highly educucated, but often very experienced, and "savvy" as  Jack Sparrow would say.  I can be savvy, it is fashionable now, to have a notion of thrift.  We who have always loved the idea of spending a little less, will always laugh when our common sense comes into fashion sense.  We're now in a retro 80's style - and if that wasn't a thrown together look, it was a "cheap" look to say the least.  It is with great love that one can shop for used goods, it brings you to humble yourself, when you know, you were not the first to have enjoyed this item of clothing, or furniture, now we can even get used cars, and used houses...and the separation of classes continues. But savvy, is an element of sassy in savvy, that comes when someone says, where did you get that, and you make your choice on what to say.  I love to say, that I bought it a Macy's or that I spent a fortune...and then see the look on their faces.  Its a different look if you say, oh I got this for a dollar at this great store downtown!

 

What is wrong with giving something away, for someone else to use, if you are not using it?  We can all see that life of many good items will go on far after we thought it would not be a usable item.  I sold a car once, a Ford Van, much to my children's dismay.  The family car, complete with windows that don't roll down, lack of air conditioning, damaged fenders, and even childrenized seats...I loved that van, it saved me, but it was -embarrassing!  I was astounded when we sold it, that the van lived on in my area for years, and I new it was mine, because they did not take off one of my stickers!  It was like a ghost that floated around town, reminding me of my past.  It reminded me, that I had given that a second change to go onward, and in that  generous gesture ( we sold it for less than 800!) I to had a new chance to try again.

 

Second chances are  always there, we can ask for them, and we can take them, but in those moments where we know we are offering them, and we have thought we did it for someone else, it is a serendipitous moment, and we feel it when we let go of the old, and embraced the new. It may just be new to us, and to be new to us is enough, to make it good again, useful, and full of promise.

 

I see stormy skies today, outside it is bitter cold and winter, but spring gives the world a second chance to show how much we have changed.

 

Second chances....there is always hope.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank You From Panda Publishing
http://artislifeupgraded.blogspot.com/

working hard---

What have you been up to?

Have you been working?

Does this economy effect you?

Wayne Dyer says, what ever you squish out when you are under stress, is really what you are--
well
We've got stress, we are affected by the economy and we are back to what we do best

OUR BOOKS!

were working on web sites here--

and we have much to say and sell!

Just for now I will offer up this link
http://happyitstore.books.officelive.com/


We have something for everyone-- a book for those who want one, and a way to publish your own book should you have one!

It really is a wonderful life-
one person can make a difference



thank you for supporting us!

LIZ

Fw: Today's Prayers

 

 I feel like  we are getting bombarded with problems these days

 like were at bat, and no one asked if we were ready--

 they pitches keep coming, and as soon as we look  away one hits us right in the head,

they get faster, they get curved

 they get better and getting us to swing when we shouldn't

 

But then I remember-

 I am on Gods team

I have been training for this- day---I knew it would get tough- I knew I would have to use my knowledge

This is nothing new, I watched so many before me go through this same problems,

 

and you know when I summon up my courage, I know I am OK

 and that is when I hit one --it goes right out of the park-

 

I smile, i feel the world smile, and the sun shines brighter-0-0

go ahead, --fire on at me

I might need  the practice--

 Go ahead-- pitch it!

I might need to learn to concentrate harder-

 Pitch your best-- one-- life-give me your best -

 I will like the opportunity- to learn-- I am going to NAIL IT!

 --

Because I am not going anywhere!!!!!!  Until my turn is up!

 ~ I am just one on this great team-

and after me --there is a line stronger - younger faster and they will stand in line forever to fight for the team...

 

I will take my turn at bat, I will not buckle, and when I get hit, I am not afraid---that is when I know!

 I am the coach, and even on the sidelines I am a valuable part of my team.

 

I can --cheer, I can give the signals because I know many are watching and my team still depends on me.

 

There is a balance, after I have worked hard on the team, then I am the coach.

 

I teach with my actions, I teach with my stamina, I cant talk my way out anything, and there are no excuses.

 

But when I am good just when all the bases are loaded and it seems all could be lost, I am on FIRE!!  I love the chance

   I set up to the plate, I focus, and !!connect!!---I get to RUN as hard as I can--

 

 

`until I get home.  

 

 SO go head run, RUN!  RUN LIKE YOUR TEAM DEPENDS ON YOU!!! 

 Because this is what you were made for!  And you know you can handle anything that crosses your plate. 

 

 

(((HUGS))))

 

LIZ

 

 

 

 

Welcome to 2009

What shall we find interesting to listen to, when we at this point think we have heard it all. Once it has become stated that we now know it all, and that no one may discuss topics of the day, as interest, but as reactions to the guffaw in what might be the biggest smite upon the faces of the ever-present stubbornest colony of the republican Obama haters.

Belonging to a pitchfork carrying colony of protesters will always sway your observers to wonder, what is this? And if your case is protested loudly and with enough vigor, all who must be forced to recon with you, but alas, how can we protest without one hand on the peace pot, the other with the spoon ready to reinforce the spin. Spin it your way, but it still needs a pot, it takes two, therefore what would you do with nothing to complain about? I for one will shy way away from our brethren in fierce combat for the belief that our enemy is our own. For who is really to say, such mutiny? I heard recently, in every success, someone must back down and fail, and let the others succeed. With grace, we should give faith a fighting chance.

Isn't it enough to just be who we are? When will it ever be enough? We like to imitate God, as pitiful humans, I have noticed. We tell ourselves we are as great, and we indulge our self in every favor that portrays us as divine beings. Some even tout that they can levitate, and read futures or bring cards out that tell stories of personal battles to come. This is not a show of Gods-gifted talents, because non shall brag. None of us, is free from the truth, none of us is as great as God , we cant make trees, or flowers, or butterflies or rain and certainly stars and galaxies are out of our real reach. We can look, and ponder, we cannot make something true. We can talk about it, study it and take it down to the DNA, but we cannot make it happen from nothing. We don't look at the dirt, take it in our hand, and say, today, I think I make...another species. And arguably those that do make "DNA creations", will be asked, is it from GOD?

If we knew our limitations, in the framework of what we see, and what we actually control, by simply being outwardly obtrusive, and painfully dictating, we ourselves would not be obedient to this kind of subversive torture. It is necessary to revive the basic faith in human nature, and the strength in kindness.

Your mother would be firm with you, if she was telling you not to touch the stove, but you would not believe her until you actually touched it and felt its unforgiving scar. That scar, you see, you feel and you don't forget, you don't blame the scar for that pain, and you don't think it just can be told to improve, and become different than what it is. The scars that have changed this country, remain, and are deeper than ever, some scars and burns are recent enough that when we look at them, we know, it was us that did this.

It was not that long ago, that we had such demeaning issues at the core of the USA, no one would have ever believed that a man of color, could be in the house that deserves and commands the respect of the entire world. It was not that long ago, that we did treat women, children, and races outside the look of white as second class citizens. These people are not just historic figures, they are still alive today, the can still share their stories and we don't shove them aside to appease ourselves. We don't pretend that the scar inflicted surely doesn't flinch, each and every time, if feels like might-or- we hit it over and over and over.

Isn't it enough to accomplish this --great country? Just to be here at all.... to sit in the arms of chairs where great men have sat, and know you are one of them. Not one of them was perfect, not one of them was loved by every man or every woman, and not one of them escaped the suffering inflicted so cruelly as to those who put themselves in public office, and fight for the people on the front lines of the public newspaper's, and now the instant messages of the Internet, and the ghastly comments sludging their way across the public forums , where real information meets, the crime of yellow journalism. Not unlike the youth in our military that enlist for the punishment of discipline in honor of our beloved flag, and its rights?

When will it be enough to know that it is our hope that keeps us alive? And that no matter what they do it, with what ever evil words they utter, or promises to hurt us, or destroyed places it is not but our own choice the leads us to our destiny. It is our money that we print, is still our greatest triumph of our men and women that brought us thus far, nothing can take away the good things that have transpired from the greatest of tribulations, we have filtered through some of the best and finest achievements, with beautiful and intelligent people from all over the world. It is not ours to worry about, it was not our Award that is so coveted by others, nor is it up to us to judge. This is the time to realize, some things are out of our reach, and not of our making! This might be the release we need, the exit and the escape hatch we are looking for.

Within all of us, the mind, the body, the soul, is a simple belief that we are. We come to know who we are, and that life force what ever you may call it, whispers in our ear from time to time. Those of us, who listen to it, get information divine, or information clouded from the divine with personal ego. If we only listen to our voices, we center our self in a padded cell, fit only for the safety of our personal opinions. Open the window and see, we are not really making the sun rise faster or time stop, when we have our greatest moments of control, even in our greatest achievements in science or health, no one has ever made time or space.

It is not science fiction to look at the sky and see that we are of no great size or shape in that comparison, why do we fight like we are unique? Billions of us, but we are not staring at a different moon or sky, we just have different thoughts. Different voices, this is so minute, so-- simple, and yet so dividing. Understanding , listening and loving cant change the sad truth of those that will not allow others to have their own choices for liturgy of peace.

When the sky opens up, and the stars start to fall from the sky, and all that we knew is upside down, will we blame the Nobel peace prize? Will we blame, the government, our parents, our health-care, will those that think that everyone who discouraged them in their life -- did this? When the time comes, will you be the one that doesn't know how to have faith, when it gets really scary? Those of us, who believe and stand strong, will still be here, and still be singing the songs of faith. Because some of us will aways worry , and some will aways care, and some will always panic.

What are you? What is it that you stand for? Do people look at you and say, wow, you have really done so much with your life, that you could influence others and be a catalyst for a million trillion people? I do hope so-- I hope today that you believe that you are amazing and you can be happy, in that one smile you share it makes a world of a difference.


Thanks for being a friend, I sure love you.

Good things will always prevail.










Thank You From Panda Publishing
http://artislifeupgraded.blogspot.com/

ten things I love

You did not think I was just going to post things I did not like did you??

 

 

Of course not, and besides, that's yesterdays news....

 

 

 

 

Top ten list of things I love!

 

 

 

10. I love getting photos in my email from relatives

 No matter what the photo is I love it!  I just love it-  Photos are great- and if you haven't heard my publisher is a great way to make real books of your favorite photos to give to friends and relatives.

 

9.  I love waking up to jazz music and coffee and pastries---nothing is better.  It can be at home or away, as long as I have a great mornings I have great days.  This is not something that can happen everyday, its got to be a day off, or a holiday, everyday would take the special out of it.  But I could get into the routine of, positive music and great coffee everyday.

 

8. I love the way old time radio makes a house feel like a home.  Listening to NPR on a Sunday, and doing chores and fixing a home cooked dinner is as charming as a home made quilt.  So many minutes not wasted, when we are doing and listening and laughing together.  If I am stuck at home at least I can listen to the same things the audience is listening to all over the world.

 

7.  I love the fragrance that certain Meyers soaps give the house.  That familiar scent of geranium,or lavender, or gingerbread gives it  that  warm cozy clean tone after housecleaning.  Like my mothers house, it invites the mind to concentrate on bigger ideas, and focus clearly on fond memories. 

 

6.  I love the way children laugh, and smile.  There is nothing to warm the heart than a face with a smile full of youth, open with opportunities, and bursting with joy.  To have that face look at you in response to your life, is priceless and genuine.  It draws on your heart, divine, nothing can erase it.

 

5.  I love a cozy car ride, lasting at least an hour to a place that means we will meet the family, we have missed for any length of time.  The car time is as fun, as the family visit.  The journey there is as fun as the journey to come home.  The visit, restores the faith in your reason for hard work, and suffering, and the stay reminds us that there is no place like home.  Relish the time together with the ones we love, it does not last forever.

 

4.  I love home made soup and bread, after a ski day, or a hard days work.  If I cant be home to cook , I can get out the slow cooker and add the ingredients to a wonderful stew or pork roast or beans.  Even the unexpected guest or friend will be satisfied when we serve from the largest pot in the house.  Left overs are good too.

 

3.  I love the moments that we pray together.  When as a family we sit and remember to thank our Lord for the life we live, and openly show our hearts to each other, praising the one that made us.  Joy is found in prayer, and so is truth.  Nothing to fear when we pray, nothing to worry, and our yoke is lifted, we are light again.  Grateful.

 

2.  I love going to school with my kids.  The whole feeling of the educational system, whether it be college, High school or a class performance.  Something is special about the effort to learn, the moments in time when hopes are heightened.

 

1. I love life!  OK--this is too hard-- I cant pick one thing.....today now, it would be -- an email from a job offer-- tomorrow it would be the affirmation of a job well done.  Later it could be  invitation to time spent having tea on a dear friends birthday, or an opening of a show for my daughter, it does change but it is not required to be or do anything, it just is.

 

I leave this open, like my heart, to new things and new beginnings, believing the best is yet to come. 
 

Thank You From Panda Publishing
http://artislifeupgraded.blogspot.com/

I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.
George Burns

I am so tired!! top ten : List of things I am really tired of!

Top ten list of things I am tired of! If Mr. Letterman can do it so can I-- Since met him --I cant forget- how some people just get to say and do what ever they want.

There are times when we must be able to talk and converse about rights and wrongs. I am waiting for my funny bone to kick in, but I think this is completely serious.

10. I am so tired of kids tennis shoes being more expensive than the parents shoes...

"They're good shoes. They won't make you rich like me,"~Charles Barkley

9. I am so tired of people who claim to care and be great pillars of fame and society, travel , write books and have television shows---and make their claim on charity, but have no family of their own, or completely ignore the family they do. Charity starts at home. And no pets do not replace family.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.
Audrey Hepburn

There are many truths of which the full meaning cannot be realized until personal experience has brought it home. John Stuart Mill

8. I am tired of hearing how the world is going to end on 2012; who is taking advice from dead people? Even if it was true, even if they had all the knowledge of the Universe, and are claiming to know the secrets, what does that do for us? Another reporter that needs its source checked.

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.
Charles M. Schulz

It is a curious sensation: the sort of pain that goes mercifully beyond our powers of feeling. When your heart is broken, your boats are burned: nothing matters any more. It is the end of happiness and the beginning of peace.
George Bernard Shaw

7. I am so tired of worrying if our Government is doing what it should. You voted for them, you pay their wages, why elect someone to just torture them? If they are not doing their jobs, they why aren't they fired? If we cant fire people or hold them responsible, then why do we even have government. I'd say that is just a mixed message make them do what they promised or hold them accountable. But don't expect miracles, people are people.

There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers, and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands.
Plato

6. I am tired of totally misleading ads for food, like fast food, or restaurant chains. Why does anyone think that food can taste exactly the same--each and every time we buy it? Does anyone understand food, or how it is made or where it comes from, it is impossible to have identical results every time. I also think when the photo shows a sandwich with tons of toppings, and burgers with real tomatoes and salads with real greens and lettuces, it should be just like that photo!! WE ARE HUNGRY FOR REAL FOOD NOT PHOTOS!

Yet food is something that is taken for granted by most world leaders despite the fact that more than half of the population of the world is hungry.
Norman Borlaug

5. TIRED of seeing the biased reporting of the different major television companies, and grafted --out- internat media outlets. One station will report what another station will say, and then debate that it is true and real--news, and then interview a innocent by stander in the street for an "unbiased" opinion--useless.. If it news, it happens to you, or it is important to your life. Debating the right to call people liars, and or judging someone by their lack of honesty is a newsworthy item, but if no one ever wins, agrees or makes a point worth listening to-- then we are soapboxing, and using the media for our own toy.

Everything human is pathetic. The secret source of humor itself is not joy but sorrow. There is no humor in heaven

Mark Twain

4. I am sooo tired of the super rich being touted as our saviors, that is not to say that money wont save you to some extent--YOUR OWN MONEY, but why should someone elses money save us? Honestly- it would never be enough-to save me !
~Oprah cant save us, no she cant, and neither can Warren Buffet or Bill Gates. They cant buy us anything but the proverbial stairway to heaven. It is easier to spend other peoples money, and credit cards are just another way of begging for loans we really cant afford, like kids driving fancy cars but living at home--dont judge people by the car they drive! And living the life of a Rock star seems soo fun- don't forget there is no job security there, and do not get old. ( okay- I dont know anything about this- but what I MEAN IS--"ITS A LONG WAY TO THE TOP IF YOU WANT TO ROCK-N-ROLL", or I just feel for them, its a life--that you probably have to deal with ALOT! the Fame deal) If you think that -- someone elses life and money-- is better than yours, and you insist on knowing what other people make, and obtaining mass amounts of money-- I do hope YOU are prepared to save the world, and not act un-american, or even think about--opening a school, because you will be judged and asked to do for everyone and tell all how you did it, and publish the "secret" to your success--well does that make any sense? NO! Super rich people aren't saviors they aren't "super--friends" and money did not transform them into supernatural beings of light and knowledge. Once you become super rich you do not become God. I bet most of them are hermits.

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.
Warren Buffett

3. I am very sick and tired of hearing that we are all getting sick, and dying. Guess what, we are all going to have to live our life andwe will get sick, and one day- die. We do and eat-and work, and yes there will be germs. If you have not learned by now, to wash your hands, and not spread germs, you have only one excuse, you are a baby. Only infants can't know this, the rest of us, no matter what our intelligence level we are at, can understand we will get sick, and it will effect some worse than others. Healthy lifestyles are going to be better than not healthy ones, we dont need to use fear mongering to keep us from traveling, eating out, or going to group activities. The worst plagues on earth have yet to do much to make a dent in the population. Without illness' our immune systems do not get stronger, and worry will not protect you.

We are not victims of aging, sickness and death. These are part of scenery, not the seer, who is immune to any form of change. This seer is the spirit, the expression of eternal being.
Deepak Chopra

Pay attention to your body. The point is everybody is different. You have to figure out what works for you.
Andrew Weil

2. I am sick to death of the ads on TV, that show --older couples who are old enough to know that sex should be private, but they still insist on telling us that cant do it, and take expensive--drugs to make it happen, and then sell it to me---. They make it look like you can buy love, or sex, or happiness, and it just the other year or two ago, it was disgusting to refer to mens body parts, now its ok to talk about anything! Not to mention the details of what to watch out for if the drug goes wrong, what makes this ok? And we cant look at breasts on the Superbowl but we can learn about what happens to old men?

First you forget names, then you forget faces. Next you forget to pull your zipper up and finally, you forget to pull it down.
George Burns

1. I am really tired of political extremists trying to make me think like they do--stop punishing me for things I never did!

Idealists are foolish enough to throw caution to the winds. They have advanced mankind and have enriched the world.
Emma Goldman

If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself.
Charles M. Schulz

Thank You From Panda Publishing
http://artislifeupgraded.blogspot.com/

I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.
George Burns

cookies for sale--what shape are you in?

Reporters thrive on the world's misfortune. For this reason they often take an indecent pleasure in events that dismay the rest of humanity.
Russell Baker


I am giving up on the news.

I have already given up on Television, and thought I could escape the non-news by just picking the good news from the internet....but this is no longer a choice is it???...Everywhere I go on the net now I have to get "headlines" What is this --Headline news? I see a photo, and then a little line, like--Father shaves daughters head,...in jail, then, I click on it, and think--why did I care? Now you see ads and pages of words and somewhere on your window it shows you this tiny tidbit of information, you thought--- well you can just peek in for a minute and see what the hullabaloo is all about. But then you cringe at the thought that you fell for it, its not even much more than a few lines, and all it does is make you wonder, since when does stuff like this make my personal in box? No wonder it takes me forever to just look at my email. My email, my "public" email gets hundreds a day, granted from facebook, but also from news and media and who knows what else, spammers, people who know my name, but I don't know them! A person could get paranoid if they wanted to! Alas, I am not that-- popular, and even though it is easily downloaded it is even more easily deleted. Yea, I do love the mass deletion methods, and often cheer myself on as I delete a hundred or so at a time....weeeeeeeeee.

Remember when Email was just---plain as can be? Remember when it had three things on it? Inbox, send and trash, what happened? I don't know how they managed to get advertisements and stationary, and applications, and folders, and what is this, an INSTANT MESSAGE ?!! Now I cant even read my email, because someone is talking to me---help! I don't believe in information over load for adults, I know we can handle it. But I thought these advanced Microsoft, cisco, att, yahoo people invented "spam" filters, and you know what-- if I did not put it there, it is spam. If I don't want ads, because I pay--good money for this ridiculously --hoodwinked --inbox, then why do even see ads? Or headlines? Today, I have a whole new inbox! It is like they are punishing me! Remember when it was fun, well guess what-- WE ARE IN CONTROL WE HAVE CHANGED EVERYTHING AND NOW YOU HAVE NOTHING!!! HAHAH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Nkvs3Bgpo
that is what it reminds me of-- I tasted what I was not supposed to. And now....

Yahoo, and ABC and CNN and headline news---all those reporters and up loaders might think that people want to know the sorted ugly---details of every ones hardships, but in fact we would be much better off NOT KNOWING other peoples business!!!! It used to be just the tabloids that spread the downfall of others, has celebrity gossip given into reality--gossip? By Jove....

I might theorize that now that we have the "economic disaster", it is the fault of the internet! I believe that this bad-reporting of evil and garbage has been a catalyst for the internet spawned thoughts that we can say and do what ever we want on cyber space and no one gets hurt, no one needs to know , and no one spells it right, so hey it doesn't even count right? It used to be that--celebrities were celebrated, Presidents were presidential, parties were fun, and news was weather, sports and current updates on things to do in your home town. The common news used to be that no one carried on like a bunch of teenagers commenting on the lives of others. By selling us this mixed media--of sales, gossip, insults, right -wing left wing---"terrorist" lables......feeding us the cookies for bait, and we take it ----they are stealing our freedoms, by stomping on our pursuit of happiness. We have the right to choose our own way of life, it does not always fit into right or left, or white or black or conservative or liberal, we are not insulted by this jargon, we are make to suffer for it. We are dumber for believing it. It is not any different than going to be vaccinated for being stupid, there is not one injection of information that can give you what you need, you can't buy it or sell it or get it quickly, we have to learn to learn, re-learn, re--invent, and keep moving forward.

My generation, we believed what our parents told us, but while we were touring the factory, we got thirsty, we were curious, and we have drunk the fizzy lifting drinks and now what-- we are stuck in the top of the fan, and trying our damnedest to back out of the problems, by sheer force.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKG07305CBs

well its kinda like that-- because--we think we can just do what ever we want and no one notices, because then it hits the fan.... and we realize, that we opened that bottle, we had fun, but at what price? In the movies we find little anecdotes that help us to relate to real world issues, but nothing is as strange as real life. We only wish we could just turn off the political machine, but we can not. We only dream that we can make things better with a bottle of bubbles, as alcoholic as that sounds, its not too far from the truth. Pandora's box, is a great myth, or is it? When do we go too far with words? I say, it is when all we read and say, has such threats of harm and insults of cruelty that our imagination need not be used, then we have forgotten our agreement with civilization. When did it become normal for people to wage war against the people who disagree with us? Well, it seems fitting that the same people who just went to war, sold us a war, and based it on something that proved to be untrue, is now waging a war on those that disagreed with the alternative to war in the first place. Madness!

Being sucked into the reality of the American blender, leaves us all, dead. we should some of us, remain grounded, stay focused and not I repeat not, enjoy the ride.
( and those that insist on getting into the mixer...well)

We at the bottom of the barrel, dream of a better life, by opening the up the bottle of change and drinking in the tiny bubbles, making us drunk with freedom and hope, while we clearly know, we will never escape the grind of harsh realities. At the top, the blender is still spinning faster than ever, and mixing, adding people and words, and color and fat, sex and sugar, and it will never end. Not by the force of our human hands, it will rely on someone to turn off the mixing machine, and decide to stop making money off the products they sell.

BUT---If that was true, if it only takes someone to stop selling us the cookie cutter life, when will we stop buying it?





ps-- they took away my spell check too!! MUTANY!! HAL!!
Thank You From Panda Publishing
http://artislifeupgraded.blogspot.com/