Love & Roses

Portland Oregon

The City of Roses

The climate here in the Pacific Northwest is ideal for growing roses.  

 

Our Summers are warm and dry,

while our winters are mild, yet rainy.                                                                     

 

Rose gardens are prevalent here, 

and roses are frequently found growing along the roadside, and along highway medians.  

The International Rose Test Garden is also located in our area.

http://www.rosegardenstore.org/thegardens.cfm

I have always loved roses.   I don't recall having a rose bush in our yard when I was a child.

And I don't know all the ins and outs of being a great rose gardener.

I just know I love them and am always learning more.

I think my love began when I lived in Nebraska when I inherited a handful of rose bushes from the previous home owners.

I tended and added to the rose garden in the 13 years I lived there.  I was sad to leave my roses behind, but was excited to begin a new garden in a climate that was perfect for them.

This year my sister and I are both planting the 2011 Official Rose of the Portland Rose Festival Sweet Spotlight. 

Since moving to Salem, I have planted 7 roses plants, including the 2 given to me by my sister this past weekend.  

I am glad to have someone that shares my affection for this beautiful plant.

The other rose I planted this year is the Chihuly Rose.

This rose was named for Dale Chihuly the famous glass artist.  http://www.chihuly.com/home.aspx

If you seen the glass flowers in the Bellagio in Las Vegas then you have seen Chihuly's work.

Even though this is more a floribunda rose, 

(I usually prefer Hy-Brid tea roses)  

I was drawn to the rich colors of the blossoms and couldn't resist giving this a try. 

As I was planting the roses, my daughter (#7) and I had a chance to talk about the flowers and why I liked them.  She admitted hating yard work and gardening.  She also said she didn't like roses due to the thorns.  

I shared how I would prefer to be outside, digging in the dirt to doing housework any day.  

I will tolerate the thorns, pricks, pokes, and scratches I get in tending my roses any time.  The reward is the blooms I get to enjoy later in the year.

I told her Roses are a lot like love.  

It isn't always easy. 

Sometimes it even hurts.

But if you are patient, 

stick with it, 

give it some attention and care, 

you will find joy in the work.  

I reassured her the best is yet to come when 

we cut the blooms in the Spring and Summer.

My daughter also asked me, "Do you and dad have plans for Valentine's Day?"  

I said, "No, we don't."

She said, "That's sad. You should do something."

I tried to explain to her that for me it wasn't as much about what you do for your significant other on that ONE day in February.  I thought it was more about what you do for each other throughout the year.

I saw this example lived out in my parents relationship.  Mom and dad always did little things for each other throughout the year.  It was the small things, the little surprises throughout the year that make a difference over the long haul.  I remember mom putting notes in dad's lunch box for him to find later in his day.  And dad would on occasion bring mom a single red rose.  It was their tradition.

When I was with dad in the hospital last October I had the opportunity to take him outside for a bit of sunshine, as we came back in he spotted the gift shop.  

He said, "I want to by your mom a rose."  

He was very specific, "I just want one red rose, not a bunch of them, and not in a vase, just one red rose." 

His wheel chair wouldn't fit easily into the small gift shop so I said, "okay dad, I'll go in and see if they have one."

I waited nearly 10 minutes for the floral attendant.

I explained my dad's wishes and she hooked me up with one, single, beautiful, red, rose for mom.

When I walked out of the shop, dad said, "I don't have my wallet with me, but I'll pay you back."

I chuckled and told him, "Dad, its okay!  I've got it."  He said in his firm yet loving way, "NO!  I want to give your mom a flower and I'll pay you back."

He was so excited for mom to return so he could surprise her.  I used a sonic cup as a vase and tried to hide the rose behind some items on the shelf.

I know the surprise meant as much to mom to receive as it meant to dad to surprise her.  

The love my parents shared for over 50 years has extended to us 7 kids, their 19 grand kids, and everyone they met.

Their love was contagious.  

When they learned a favorite nurse was working late on her birthday, they both agreed to pass the one, single, red, rose along.  

The surprise gift brought tears of joy to the birthday girl on a very long, hard day.

 When it came time to bury my dad last December the mortuary began explaining the multitude of floral options for the casket.  Mom interrupted the flower schpeel in the same firm, yet loving way dad had with me and said, "I know exactly what I want. One, Single, Red, Rose. And we'll provide it."

Then mom shared the story and tradition her and dad had shared for so many years.

It was then I realized where I developed a love for roses,  It was from my parents and the love they shared.

To everyone out there whether you are married, single, widowed, divorced, or still longing for that special someone remember, how much money you spend on February 14 is NOT what is important.

What makes a difference is the amount of care, and attention you give throughout the year to the loved ones in your life.

I suggest you make time this year for little surprises.

The Best is Yet to Come!

Happy Valentine's Day

Steppin' out with DWNTWN 

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Learning about tires

I am learning more than I wanted to know about tires today.


There are all season tires, performance tires, and heavy load tires.
Tires ares designed for rain, snow, and heat.
There is even a noise rating for tires.

I came into our local tire dealer today because of one simple reason.
My tires won't hold air.
And although the very informative gentleman behind the counter was quite enthusiastic about sharing his vast knowledge with me,
I had 2 simple requests;
To purchase 2 all season adequate tires that fit my Eos,
and
I wanted them to hold the appropriate amount of air pressure without leaking.

I don't want 4 tires just so all the treads will match.
And I don't want 3 tires, although I probably need 3.
I just want 2 for this month.

He looked at me like who is this crazy lady who is not at all concerned with matching tire treads.
I suppose some people (mostly men I judge) care about matching tire treads.
And I know women who pay great attention to matching their hand bag and accessories.

I don't fall into either category.
I simply look for function and sometimes design.
I guess it goes back to me being practical.

http://steppinoutwithdwntwn.blogspot.com/2011/01/being-practical.html

So here I sit in a tire store surrounded by men excited about tires,
or as one guy phrased it, "the new road rubbers" he is getting.

I was just waiting quietly, avoiding eye contact, but mostly blogging (thank heavens for free wireless!)
When the tire technician assigned to my car approached me and said he could not find the tire key lock.
His suggestion was for me to go to Volkswagen and get another one.
After pressing him on what exactly the tire key lock was,
What the key lock looked like,
and why wouldn't the same local tire dealer put it back where it belonged the last time it was used, He walked away.
My questions must have persuaded him to look again....

Voila!
He found it!
It was right where it was supposed to be!

I could write a book about the times I have located an apparently lost item that someone simply didn't look for....
But I hope I'm not here that long!

I am trusting the Goddess (Eos) will be ready for a top down drive in a matter of minutes!
Or at least an hour!
A sunny day awaits!





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Riding the bus & Doing the right thing

I never had to ride the bus to school.
My mom got up every morning and drove us kids.
All 7 of us would pile into the wood paneled station wagon,
big kids in the seats,
little kids tossed in the back,
and off to school we'd go.
There weren't seat belt or child restraint laws back then, just words of caution.   Sit down,   hush up,   and hang on!

For decades I did the same for my kids, hauled them to school.
There wasn't a bus to ride.
Yes, I was part of the mini-van, soccer mom set.
Although I never fit into that mold very well.
Then we got the big blue Dodge Ram Van that seated a small army, a menagerie of critters, and two shopping cart worth of groceries.  Well, not at the same time!  I couldn't trust the kids to not eat all the food before we got home!  I really didn't fit in with the soccer mom set then!

But let me get to the point...
Some of the best talks I've had with my kids have taken place while running my mom taxi service, making trips to and from school, and going to and from practices.  I suppose it is largely due to the confined space and their inability to be silent.  Regardless of why,
those were treasured times.
I have missed those opportunities the past 4 years or so here in Salem.  We have an awesome bus service, and while I am thankful I didn't have to take 4 kids to 3 different schools, I have missed the opportunity to hear their stories.

However this year is different...
This year the youngest, #8, was selected to the honor jazz choir.  Hooray!
The honor jazz choir has class at 7:00am in the morning.  BOOO!

I realize getting out of bed at 6:30 to take her to school is not that early for many people.
But I like to complain about it... just a little bit.

I have to admit that I don't mind so much.  It has been a real gift to be up, out the door, and spending a small slice of my day, one on one with my daughter.  We've seen some amazing sunrises, taken a very curvy, downhill street in thick fog, and had a couple near accidents with inattentive trash truck drivers.  But for the most part our morning drives are uneventful and somewhat quiet.
This morning was no different.  Neither one of us said more than a sentence or two until we arrived at our destination.

The mini van in front of us was extra slow in advancing up the line for dropping off students.  Laura wondered aloud, "why are they taking so long?"
I said, "maybe they are having a conversation with their mom."
She wrinkled her nose at me.
Then she noticed, "Oh, its Preston!  I feel sorry for him.  He doesn't have any friends."
"Oh" is all I said.

She continued, "I let him sit by me on the bus ride home because no one else will."
Noticing Preston was half as tall as my lanky daughter I said,
"You can protect him too."
She grinned.
As we moved to the front of the drop off line she admitted,
"he is pretty annoying though."
I told her, " I am glad you are doing the right thing even if he is annoying."
As she shut the car door she said, "I love you mom."

I love her too!



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Families in Transition

Do you still live in the city or town you were born in?
How many times have you moved in your life?

Growing up I imagined I would live and die in the same city.
I never thought I would venture too far from the tree lined streets where I grew up.
But that hasn't been the case.

The world is getting smaller.
Travel is easier and more affordable.  When I was a child the only people I knew that flew on airplanes were the extremely rich.

Communication and technology fit in the palm of our hands.  Gone are the days of rotary dial phones and party lines.  Do you remember party lines? Sharing a phone line with a neighbor on the next block?

Times have changed that is for sure!

Being the parent of 8 children, all with varied interests and talents,
I suspected they would move away.
I didn't believe they would live and die in the small town they spent most of their school years.
I thought some might, but not all 8.
Little did I know that it would be me that would move away before the kids had much of a chance to.

Our move began 5 years ago this month with my husband heading west ahead of me and the kids.
Our family has been in transition, criss crossing the country, ever since.

http://jbrownflash.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=BpDwAy4BAAA.1eu8omwO3jeGckRoOOHPGw.9FZNMXaQ2k6NLzLr48CbJA&postId=8847057403118256080&type=POST

Most of the moves have been due to college or university changes, graduations and job acquisitions.
Some of the moves are due to lack of employment, and some are transfers within employers.

From last July through this coming April there will have been 6 times I have helped a child move.
I Hate Moving! 
I hate the physical act of packing, pushing, pulling, carting, heaving, and hauling STUFF!
I think all this moving is what makes me continually reassess my own possessions.
I am always asking myself,
"Do I NEED this?"

Can I toss this or recycle it?
Who else might need this?"

I have become a pitcher. 
I pitch anything and everything I can't envision needing within a year's time.

I do have a few exceptions.
I like rocks. 
And some shells.

Well and maybe sticks. 

Sticks,
stones,
and seashells catch my eye.

Especially Heart shaped ones.

I will admit to a number of small bowls around the house filled with rocks.

I have begun limiting the number of rocks and shells I bring home.
Only the best ones make it into my pocket.

I've opted for just taking a picture of most of them.
I probably have enough for a rather large coffee table picture book. 

But I can't imagine anyone else wanting to leaf through such a book. 

I have promised my kids I will throw them out my collection before I die, or heaven forbid, before we have to move again.

But I am getting off track.  I was writing about transitions...


The most recent move has been for #4. 
She is in phase 1 of moving to San Francisco. 

I say phase 1 because her first step was to vacate her awesome downtown Portland apartment. 
I loved the old building and her corner apartment with huge windows! 
I was intrigued by the old brick work in the basement.  I wonder about the builders and how long ago the place was built.

She is sharing apartment space with friends until phase 2, the big move south down I-5 that will take place in a couple of weeks.

Its a lot of work moving.
I am sad to see her going so far away,
but I am excited for her at the same time.

Last summer child #2 moved to the Seattle area.
I think things are stable enough with his job that he will be there for a while, but I don't even try to predict transitions any more.  I just keep my fingers crossed.

I sure couldn't have predicted that within the next few months #3 and her family will be moving west and joining us in the area.

Its not easy or cheap to move halfway across the country,
but I am happy to help them move and bring them closer to us. 
I look forward to having them with us.

I never imagined 5 years ago that most of our adult children would be up and down the I-5 corridor within a half day or a days drive of us. 
I am fortunate. 
I would love to have my oldest and her family closer as well. 
But that doesn't seem as likely. 

I also have to realize the four kids still at home and approaching college age,
may not be here much longer.
They have their sights set on leaving home.
(I guess that means I have done my job!)
Oddly enough, some of the younger ones talk of moving back to Kansas or Nebraska.

I guess I simply need to make sure I have good tires on the car and gas money in savings.

This family,
as large as it is,
will always be in transition!





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No time for the fun things!

Do you have trouble making time for the things you enjoy?
I'm guessing for most of us the answer is, 'yes'!
If my time these past few days was measurable my cup would be filled to the brim!


I feel as if I am continually leaning over to sip from the cup's edge to keep it from overflowing.
I can't pick the cup up and take a long drink, nor can I take my eyes off of it or I'll have a mess on my hands for sure.
When life gets busy like this I know what I need to do:
Make Lists
Stay on Task
Don't get down on myself
And
Let go of expectations.
Everything will get taken care of...eventually.
And then I can get back to the fun things of life!







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Giving the Gift of Life

 I am going to give blood today.
There is a National appeal for blood donors at this time.
http://www.redcrossblood.org/national-appeal

I used to be a regular blood donor giving every 56 days.
I began donating in high school at age 17.
Our school had regular blood donor drives.
Honestly, I began because it was a reason to get out of class,
And they gave us snacks!

Somewhere along the way I stopped donating.
I'm not sure why exactly.
Perhaps, It was due to having more kids, and less time.
Add to that I was anemic much of the time and more often than not, they couldn't accept my weak blood.
So I just stopped trying.

I don't have a rare blood type.
In fact, my blood type, A+, is the second most common type.
I suppose that could also means it is in higher demand.
Its time I get back to giving blood.

Its been about 7 years since I last tried to donate blood.
I am glad that I am healthy enough to donate once again.
At least I feel more healthy.
I don't feel anemic like I have in the past.
I guess I'll know in about an hour or so whether I am able to give today.

If you haven't given blood before,
or if like me you have gotten away from being a regular donor,
check out your local Red Cross and Give the Gift of Life by donating blood.

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Wal-mart & a face full of Fix-a-Flat or Nothing says Love Like....

I generally don't title a blog until I am finished writing it.
Mostly because when I begin to write,
I am never certain of where my mind is going or where it might end up.
Today is no different.

This blog could go a number of different ways.
But as I begin I am thinking about ...

Wal-mart & a face full of Fix-a-Flat

or

Nothing says Love Like a Giant Green Frog.

I will begin by saying today has been a good day.

Up early, worked out, felt great, headed to Tai Chi, got done in time to pick up #7 from school at 11:00am, then made out my grocery list for the week.

There are 5 days til payday. 
That means we are extremely tight on spendable cash.
I imagine we are not the only ones living paycheck to paycheck. 
This month is especially tight so I made the decision to go to Walmart.

I want you to know that I don't make the decision to go to Walmart lightly.
I mostly avoid Walmart, like the plague! 
I won't go into all the reasons why, at least not in this blog.
But today was one of those days were I needed inexpensive auto products
and
inexpensive groceries.
Where can you buy both under the same roof? 
Walmart.

You see... it all starts with me needing new tires for my car.

My tires have worn out their tread and burned up the highways from Oregon to Nebraska & Kansas this past year.   They are getting too thin to hold air,
at least for more than a day.
I am tired of putting a dollar in the air compressor machine down the hill at the Shell station.  I, for one, think air should be free!
I knew I needed fix-a-flat and groceries.

As I parked my car, I prayed the prayer I pray every time I go shopping.
"Please God, let me buy only what I truly NEED."
I generally pray this pray twice before ever stepping foot in Walmart.

The first thing I spotted coming down the isle toward me was a woman with an enormous green frog in her cart.  I first thought,
What the heck is that?
Then I wonder...
Why on earth would anyone ever buy that thing?
Does she really need that?
If she is giving it to someone, will they NEED it?
I think not!
(I won't comment on the numerous people I saw shopping in their pajamas even though it was 12:15pm.)  I purchased only the items on my list and came in under my estimated costs. 
I was happy.

I arrived home ready to tackle the issue of my leaking tire.  I thank my parents for raising me to be self-sufficient and am equally thankful my dad taught me how to take care of cars.  I was prepared!

I assume anyone reading this is familiar with the fix-a-flat product.  If not, very simply it is designed to inflate and seal a leaky tire.  Not the ideal solution to the problem, but a good one when you are in a 'fix'.

And I was in a fix, as new tires were not immediately in my budget.

I proceeded to carefully attach the fix-a-flat to the tire's valve stem.
I believe my mistake, (and I admit it was my mistake), was the tire was not deflated enough to accept the contents of the can.  The tire pressure was higher than the pressure coming out of the can.
Pressure backed up and the hose attached to the fix-a-flat scrung loose. 
(sprung...is that at word? Spell check doesn't seem to like it.)
I took what felt like a quarter of a can's contents right in the face,
including my eyes. 
I became a sticky, rubbery mass of goo.
What made it worse, I couldn't see.

I'm not sure what my daughter and her friends thought when I stumbled in the house. 
But I was glad they were there to help.
They located my contact case, solution, and towels.
My daughter asked, "are you okay?"
At that point I wasn't sure. 
I told her, "I am just trying to handle a problem systematically and not panic." 
(I was trying to set a good example for her and her friends)
I could feel her look at me strangely.
I say 'feel' because I couldn't actually see.
Yet I noticed the pause in her voice.
She said, "I'd be panicking!"
I evidently looked as bad as I felt!


I cared for my eyes first,
then my skin,
before tackling the sticky, rubbery goo in my long hair.

I remembered as a child my mom using peanut butter to remove gum from my hair.
I know it isn't the peanut butter that does the trick with gum,
it is more the oil in the peanut butter.
I grabbed all the hair care conditioners and oils I had and headed for the shower.

I am happy to report that I now feel mostly normal.
My eyes are a bit watery
and I lost a handful of hair,
but I am no worse for the wear.

I imagine my dad up there somewhere saying,
"By damn Girl, (in a slight southern drawl)
What were ya thinkin?"

And that makes me smile!

Another day...
Another lesson learned.

Don't buy a giant green frog at Walmart,
you don't NEED it!
And whoever you might be planning to give it to doesn't want it!





Steppin' out with DWNTWN
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Mushrooms: A Look Through a Kansas Girl's Lens.

I spent most of my day today writing a book.
I think I like it.
Its not a traditional book.
I am not exactly traditional.
At least not when it comes to what I find creative.
I am not an author,  nor do I consider myself a writer.
I think of myself as a story teller.
I just tell MY story.
So here is the story of how I came to 'write' a book today.

I simply set out on a path to fill a need.
I spent a week waiting in a doctor's waiting room one day,
then waiting in an exam room,
then waiting in the waiting room lab,
then waiting in the lab, then....
Well you get the idea.
I left that day, (it felt like a week) tired of looking at drab paintings,
medical posters,
warnings to wash your hands,
turn off your cell phone,
cover your mouth,
and my only visual alternative...,
9 month old magazines that had been read 27 times too often.

I didn't know how to approach my physician regarding my idea, and while my husbands work space wasn't as bad I thought it could use a bit more color, some interesting things on the walls,
and hopefully I could make it more cheerful.
He liked the idea and was very supportive.
I began by framing some photos of local parks, playground equipment,
and a lighthouse on the coast.
I used familiar sights, common items.
I hung them around his office space and they were well received.  I then created calendars with family pictures, favorite sights, and some macro photography.
I had fun creating things that might help alleviate someones boredom, and perhaps remind them of some time or place that they had been or seen.
If nothing else, the pictures might be a conversation starter.

Well the photos are now familiar, and unless you come at the beginning of the month, the calendars are familiar too.   I haven't stopped taking pictures,
so I also have an abundance of photographs on my external hard drive.

At my husbands suggestion, encouragement, and perhaps even some pestering.  I finally got around to fulfilling his request and decided to 'tell my story' with photographs in book form.

My first book (I have 2 more in mind) uses my pictures of mushrooms.
I know what you must be thinking...Mushrooms?  Like Toadstools?

Mushrooms aren't exactly a common item to photograph.
And for this Kansas Girl,  when I began,
I had no idea there were so many different kinds of mushrooms.

In order to photograph mushrooms, you first have to find them.
It involves, camping, and hiking through the woods,
generally in the rain.  I like both those activities,
and the rain is what makes it great!

I've taken hundreds of photos throughout Oregon, and only used a small amount of them in the book.
It's not a technical book containing information, facts, or details.
It is simply a book that tells my story of why and where I hike, hunt, and shoot mushrooms.

It begins with the first mushroom I saw while camping at Silver Falls State Park over 2 years ago.

For my 48th birthday, I gifted myself with my first ever weekend away.
Yes, that's right, alone ... on my birthday.
(Okay, I wasn't alone the whole time. The family was worried about me and HAD to join me for 1/2 the time. There is a lot more I could share about that awesome weekend, but I already blogged about that a couple years ago.)

I wish I could tell you about the whole book and show you all the pictures, but I am not technologically savvy enough to figure that out yet.
Here are a few pictures from my hunts.
These are not necessarily my best photos, but they are some of my favorite finds.

The elusive
Violet Cort!
My absolute favorite mushroom find so far.

The two largest mushrooms I have ever found!

They were 12 inches and about 9 inches tall.










I like these itty bitty guys growing from the underside of a tree branch.

This was the most unique mushroom.
It was translucent and fuzzy!
A very strange find indeed.



Hunting for and finding mushrooms is fun for me.
As a kid growing up in Kansas, I rarely saw wild mushrooms, and when I did see them either my brother was kicking them into the neighbors yard, or dad was swinging a golf club or a rake at them to rid the yard of the eye sore.

I am anxious to get back out there and resume the hunt!
I hope you can join me some day!

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Dizzy & the Dentist

This morning has been a challenge.
I woke up with vertigo.
I get these spells 2-3 times a year and it generally hits me about mid February.
This year it has come early.
Although I suspected it was coming on yesterday,
I didn't expect it to be this bad....yet.
It's disorienting and very annoying to have your whole world spin at the slightest movement of your head.
I started on some meds to help alleviate the dizzy spells, but all I had at home were the kind that make me drowsy.

Drowsy & Dizzy!
A great combo to wake up to!

I probably shouldn't drive when I feel this way,
I am sure the Surgeon General would not recommend I operate heavy machinery or a motor vehicle while in this condition.
But #8 had a dental appointment this morning, and my car, while it does have a motor, isn't that big.


Oh the joys of parenting!


I want to crawl back in bed and sleep until my world stops spinning, but that's not allowed for moms.
Moms just tough it out.

As soon as I am done here I am heading to the pharmacy to get the meds that rid my head of all the spinning,
and as a side effect hype me up!

In spite of my current state, I am still hoping for a productive day ahead!

Jobs, Blogs and the continued search

I have been applying for jobs recently without success.
I am not alone in my inability to find work.
Oregon has a 10.6% unemployment rate.
We rank #7 among the 50 states.
My teenage son and daughter are also looking for work.
It makes searching for a simple minimum wage job difficult.
Recently Home Depot opened a new distribution center with a need to fill 200 positions.
Over 8000 people applied.
I don't have much hope I will get an interview any time before I turn ... 60.

So the other day when I learned of a position opening up for Ghost Blog Writers was opening up,
I decided to apply. 
After all, I enjoy writing.
Even if they don't like my style of writing, its worth a try.
What the heck.
My odds can't be worse than 1 out of 8000, can they?

I put together a resume. I hadn't done that in a very long time.
I felt quite old as I was trying to recall my jobs, the dates, duties, and all the details of my former work.
I sent it in with a sample of my writing.
And I heard back in the form of a Sample Test Blog, my first assignment.
It was more vague than I anticipated and I was uncertain of where to begin.
The topic: How to use video effectively in social media (as coming from XYZ Media Company)
I wasn't even sure how to begin.
I was uncertain of my audience.
I didn't know what my specific goal was.
I had no clue where to focus my writing, or how to begin.
I generally write just for me.  Can I writer for someone else?
Can I write about a topic I am not familiar with?
I had so many questions.
But this morning I just put pen to paper, or I guess I should say, I put fingertips to keyboard.
Here is what I wrote:

A picture is worth a thousand words. We have all heard that and most likely we can all agree that statement is true.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what is a video worth? Some say a video is worth a million words. Some claim a video is worth an encyclopedia. 

We simply say, “Video is priceless”. 

Video has the ability to make the unimaginable real.  We are an eye-minded people who learn more from video, both pictures and words, than just words alone, or just pictures alone.  Videos can take us to a place we have a difficult time imagining and can tie our worlds together.

Did you study World War II in High school?  Have you studied the Holocaust?  Most of us have, regardless of our age, or the generation we grew up in.  We read about history in books.  History is referenced on news programs, and replayed on cable television.  We have easy access to, historical filmstrips, and images, maybe even an old scratchy movie films.  However, the striking video clip from the movie Schindler’s List is what many of us think of when we now hear the word Holocaust.  The memory of the little blond girl in the red coat easily comes to mind.   Video is like a recall button, at the mention of a word, it plays back in our mind.  Video lingers in our memory and becomes a part of us.

Videos aid in making our world smaller.  Video can connect us to others, creating shared experiences.

We have all gazed up into the sky at a full moon and marveled at how it appears to hang there as if suspended by a magical rope.  It is picturesque.  But that image pales in comparison to watching the Apollo 11 Mission of 1969.  The world watched and listened as Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon and said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.  Through video we all are able to share that experience and feel connected because of it.  It doesn’t matter whether we watched that clip huddled around a black and white television in 1969, in high definition on the History Channel, or a clip found on YouTube.  Video brings imagination to life, and bridges the gap between the words we read, the words we hear, and the things we can only imagine. 

Are you looking for that recall button that creates a link between you and others?  Video can help tie the world together through shared experiences.  And it’s all right at our fingertips. With recent developments in technology, small digital movie cameras, and cell phones that take video clips, you too can share your own videos in a matter of minutes.

There are many ways videos can be shared through social media allowing you to connect and link with the world. Sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube give businesses and individual’s easy access to thousands of people through a common site.

Create the priceless experience you have been looking for.  Share your video today.

I sent my test assignment off via email and will wait to hear back.

I am not sure how I feel about this.  I think I could learn to write for others rather than myself.

But I guess that is for someone else to determine, not me.

 In keeping with what I wrote regarding the use of videos in social media I wanted to add my own video.
This, for me, is an example of how we tie the world together, share experiences and stay connected with our friends, family and loved ones.
 Each time I think of my dad, I also think of my awesome family, the work my dad did at the Lord's Pantry, and how we all came together to celebrate his life.
Miss you dad!

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

Steppin' out with DWNTWN

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Searching for some Sun!

Yesterday the clouds broke
and the sun remembered how to shine,

at least for a little while.

Today is quite foggy out
making the day feel eerie
or at least gloomy.

I can't help but long for more sun and the warmth it brings.

A sunny day always puts a smile on my face.

Since I don't have the sunshine today,
I am left to simply remember.

It has been 3 months since our trip to Florida.
3 months since I was able to lay on a warm sandy beach soaking up the rays.
3 months since I could play in the warm waters of the Atlantic ocean.
3 months since we enjoyed the awesome hospitality of good friends.

3 months isn't very long,
but today it feels like 3 years.

Perusing the photos I took while in Florida has helped put the smile back on my face.

I have so many that are my favorites I have to break them down into categories; plants, scenery, people, buildings, signs....
Or maybe I should break them down by location; St Augustine, St. Cloud, Winter Park, Orlando...

I think today I am drawn to the unique sights and signs that caught my eye.

I grew up in a big city in Kansas.

What I learned about fishing, I learned from fishing by the edge of the bank of some farm pond in the middle of a cow pasture.
I know even less about fishing when it comes to deep sea or ocean fishing.
So naturally this sign caught my eye.
I like the polite tone it takes for something so gruesome!

Brown being my last name,
I noticed the taxidermy sign.
I am curious though what a stuffed fish would look like after having to poke its eyes out.









I like a nice bar.
A place to relax,
have a drink,
watch the crowd.

Add to that comfy flipflops, coconut oil, warm sunshine, ocean breeze, and you got yourself a great Tiki Bar!
Of course, it is important to know your limits! 

 I was curious why one shouldn't feed catfish to Pelicans.

Will catfish cause indigestion?

Is it okay to feed the Pelicans any other type of fish?

I left Florida not knowing the answers to my questions.
This is why I must go back.

 I am also curious if every State has a branch office of the AANR.
Or do they only have branch offices in the States where the weather is warm enough to have a large number of nudists?
Is there a branch of the AANR in Minnesota or Wisconsin?

I would wager money there is NOT one in North Dakota!

 Gatorland should be a must stop for every tourist that goes to Orlando.
It is hokey, and interesting at the same time.
I was captivated by the awesome birds not to mention the enormous gators.
I may have to dedicate a blog to the birds alone.
I liked this bird though.  She appears to be the Vanna White of Gatorland!

 I miss our friends and hate the fact that they have moved so far away from us.
However, the community of St. Cloud is wonderful and I am glad they live somewhere warm and sunny when we go visit them.



Along with Gatorland, Ron Jon Surf Shop is another must on the tourist list of things to do in Florida.
We took the Golden Frau from Thunderhead Brewery of Kearney Nebraska along for the ride (a shameless plug for my good friend Trevor).

I am intrigued by the names people choose to give their water vessels.

This one caught my eye!

 Our last night in Florida we came across this sign.

It reminded me of #6 and made me think of all my kids.
I knew then it was time to pack my bags and head for home.



I look forward to more misadventures with friends and family on the opposite coast!






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The Game On Diet

I started The Game On Diet today.
I am playing this game at the invitation of my oldest child.
As best I can tell, there are a couple dozen ladies playing the game.

The rules are easy to follow.
Or I should say...
On paper the rules look easy to follow.

Giving up Alcohol will be challenging due to my fondness for craft beer and living in Beervana, aka Oregon.

However giving up alcohol will only be mildly challenging.
My greatest challenge will be giving up Diet Coke.
I did petition for 1 diet soda a day and the rules committee agreed, thankfully!

Aside from shedding a few pounds, I am hoping that the next 4 weeks of competition help me get into a better routine.  Team members earn points by establishing a new healthy habit and eliminating an unhealthy habit.
This past year I have found it too easy to sit at home, sifting & sorting through closets, cooking & cleaning for the family and seldom venturing out.
This isn't good for me.
I need to be connected to people.
I need to get out into the world and explore.
I need to feed my creative spirit and share myself with others.

 I think just playing Game On has already helped me feel more connected.

(Points are also earned for communication between those playing.)

Our group is spread throughout the United States,
yet we are linked together by 1 thing, the person who invited us to join.

Ladies from Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Colorado and perhaps even more states have joined to support one another in living a more healthy lifestyle.

There are new moms, working mothers, and grandmoms.
There are high school teens, and school teachers.
There are those who have full careers, those looking for work, and those who are retired.

Each individual person has their own story to tell and is uniquely valuable to our group.
I look forward to the communication aspect of this competition as much as anything else.


I read somewhere, "It isn’t gravity that keeps this orb from flying apart.
It’s the act of knowing each other,
caring for each other,
wishing each other well."

With the technology we have at our fingertips today we are able to tie the world together in ways that we could not have before.
When we share our story,
listen to others tell their story,
give support and care to one another,
we tie the world together.


So...
Game On ladies!










Steppin' out with DWNTWN

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