Courage and inspiration appear in surprising places. I tip my hat to pro football's Chris Kluwe as he takes a public stand against oppression.
Oh, that others, whose societal status creates opportunity for their views to influence others, would raise their voices to rally against discrimination and wrongdoing. Not only celebrities, but other community leaders as well - ministers, mayors, business moguls, doctors, police officers scout leaders and others - who are in a position to call out those who actively work to suppress anyone's civil rights.
Thank you, Chris Kluwe, for speaking out in opposition to bias.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
two trips to the landfill
My friends roll their eyes when I tell them, joyfully, that I have been to the landfill. What is wrong with them? This weekend, I went twice! Two load of brush, branches, leaves, limbs and vines. Every trip to the landfill means hours of work and tangible production.
In my childhood, the landfill was called the dump. My dad would occasionally bring us with him when he hauled a load of junk there. It was a strange and mysterious place, filled with trash and treasures. You just never knew what you might see in the piles of debris. It smelled bad at the dump, and dad always warned of the hazards of stepping on broken glass and sharp metal. Hundreds of gulls circled above as they looked for their own treasures. I don't recall salvaging anything from the "discard pile" but it was amazingly intriguing to look, just in case you might find something wonderful.
Part of the fun was just going somewhere with my dad. The daughters of the family were often delegated to do the "girl" chores at home. So, going to the dump felt like a privilege! Weird to think of it that way now, but I still get a little thrill going there.
It is somehow very satisfying to get sweaty and dirty filling up the back of the truck, and then driving to the dump with the windows open and the radio blaring. My friends don't know what they are missing!
In my childhood, the landfill was called the dump. My dad would occasionally bring us with him when he hauled a load of junk there. It was a strange and mysterious place, filled with trash and treasures. You just never knew what you might see in the piles of debris. It smelled bad at the dump, and dad always warned of the hazards of stepping on broken glass and sharp metal. Hundreds of gulls circled above as they looked for their own treasures. I don't recall salvaging anything from the "discard pile" but it was amazingly intriguing to look, just in case you might find something wonderful.
Part of the fun was just going somewhere with my dad. The daughters of the family were often delegated to do the "girl" chores at home. So, going to the dump felt like a privilege! Weird to think of it that way now, but I still get a little thrill going there.
It is somehow very satisfying to get sweaty and dirty filling up the back of the truck, and then driving to the dump with the windows open and the radio blaring. My friends don't know what they are missing!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
half tag
Sarah tagged me, and here are the answers to her questions.
1. Before blogging, did I write in any other formats?
Yes, but intermittently and privately. I have gone through spells of journaling, and writing bad poetry! I had a blog in the past, but didn't keep up with it for some unknown reason.
2. Why did I start blogging?
Sarah inspired me. She shared her blog with me, and it got me thinking of how I enjoyed it in the past and thought I would give it another go. Sometimes this blogging business is a place to vent or lament. Other times I use it as a resource because it allows me to read interesting posts by others for motivation and inspiration.
3. Did I stop reading blog because the writer's grammar or spelling made me crazy?
Yes. The occasional typo has no impact on me, but consistently poor language skills makes me annoyed. I lose the content because I am so distracted by the errors.
4. Have I met the author of a blog that I follow?
No. I admit to being intrigued by certain authors, however, and wish that I could meet them in person.
5. What is the best thing I ever ate?
That is a tough one. Fresh shrimp, right out of the gulf, cooked over a barbeque grill, perhaps? One dish that is on my mind right now is an Icelandic dessert, made with layers of cookie crust and spiced prunes. Not only is it delicious, but it is especially sweet in my memory because my dear friend, Lois, made it once a year and always shared some with me. It was filled with love, and we ate it together with cups of tea in her kitchen. Over this past weekend, I tried to duplicate it, and because it needs to "age" in the fridge for a few days, it is sitting there tempting me to try it. Like right now! Whether it ends up being anywhere close to her work of art has yet to be seen, but every bite will remind me of Lois.
6. Where would I go for a week, by myself with a Visa card?
I would go wandering through Manitoba to look up some old relatives. I would time my trip to coincide with the Winnepeg Folk Festival because it is a blast! Music, folk dances, art. Cool. I got yelled at by a pedestrian in Winnepeg because I was too slow in observing her in the crosswalk! She let me have it in French, and who knows what she said, but I knew I had committed a major violation.
7. What is my biggest pet peeve of all time?
I am hugely annoyed by hearing people eat when I am not eating. All that crunching, slurping, chewing and swallowing drives me crazy! I know I make the same noises when I am eating, but when it is just one person doing it, I find myself being impatient.
8. Have I visited a place and felt like I belonged there?
I feel that way about South Carolina, specifically the area near Hilton Head Island. I have been there several times, and yearn to return. The beach, the vegetation (live oaks, spanish moss, palms, flowers) and the charm of the old southern buildings - I like it all. And Savannah, Georgia, which is nearby, is always a treat.
9. Do I prefer to pack my own groceries or have them bagged for me?
No real preference, although it is totally disappointing when my bananas get bruised!
10. How large was my graduating class? Did I attend any class reunions?
The 1971 Senior Class of Buffalo, MN had about 130 students. I tried the reunion thing twice. At the five year reunion, I ended up getting sick, going to the hospital, and my husband (who did not attend my school) went to the reunion and got drunk! What??? Then I went to the ten year gathering, and I vowed to avoid any future reunions for the rest of eternity. No fun, too much idle chat with folks with whom I had nothing in common except our alma mater, bad food, blah, blah, blah. My college friends are much more meaningful to me, and I keep in touch with several of them.
11. How do I feel about salon care - coloring, hair styling, pedicure, massage, facials?
I get my hair cut when it gets shaggy, and back in the day, I would get the occasional perm to make my fine, straight hair have some life. I am permanently out of the perm business! And I postpone a haircut until I can't tolerate it any longer, and I am tempted to take the scissors after it myself. I don't do nails. I don't do facials. I don't do massage. What I have learned to love is eye brow waxing! It is the most amazing act of self-indulgence that I can think of! Well, almost...
This is only "half tag" because I am not tagging anyone else!
1. Before blogging, did I write in any other formats?
Yes, but intermittently and privately. I have gone through spells of journaling, and writing bad poetry! I had a blog in the past, but didn't keep up with it for some unknown reason.
2. Why did I start blogging?
Sarah inspired me. She shared her blog with me, and it got me thinking of how I enjoyed it in the past and thought I would give it another go. Sometimes this blogging business is a place to vent or lament. Other times I use it as a resource because it allows me to read interesting posts by others for motivation and inspiration.
3. Did I stop reading blog because the writer's grammar or spelling made me crazy?
Yes. The occasional typo has no impact on me, but consistently poor language skills makes me annoyed. I lose the content because I am so distracted by the errors.
4. Have I met the author of a blog that I follow?
No. I admit to being intrigued by certain authors, however, and wish that I could meet them in person.
5. What is the best thing I ever ate?
That is a tough one. Fresh shrimp, right out of the gulf, cooked over a barbeque grill, perhaps? One dish that is on my mind right now is an Icelandic dessert, made with layers of cookie crust and spiced prunes. Not only is it delicious, but it is especially sweet in my memory because my dear friend, Lois, made it once a year and always shared some with me. It was filled with love, and we ate it together with cups of tea in her kitchen. Over this past weekend, I tried to duplicate it, and because it needs to "age" in the fridge for a few days, it is sitting there tempting me to try it. Like right now! Whether it ends up being anywhere close to her work of art has yet to be seen, but every bite will remind me of Lois.
6. Where would I go for a week, by myself with a Visa card?
I would go wandering through Manitoba to look up some old relatives. I would time my trip to coincide with the Winnepeg Folk Festival because it is a blast! Music, folk dances, art. Cool. I got yelled at by a pedestrian in Winnepeg because I was too slow in observing her in the crosswalk! She let me have it in French, and who knows what she said, but I knew I had committed a major violation.
7. What is my biggest pet peeve of all time?
I am hugely annoyed by hearing people eat when I am not eating. All that crunching, slurping, chewing and swallowing drives me crazy! I know I make the same noises when I am eating, but when it is just one person doing it, I find myself being impatient.
8. Have I visited a place and felt like I belonged there?
I feel that way about South Carolina, specifically the area near Hilton Head Island. I have been there several times, and yearn to return. The beach, the vegetation (live oaks, spanish moss, palms, flowers) and the charm of the old southern buildings - I like it all. And Savannah, Georgia, which is nearby, is always a treat.
9. Do I prefer to pack my own groceries or have them bagged for me?
No real preference, although it is totally disappointing when my bananas get bruised!
10. How large was my graduating class? Did I attend any class reunions?
The 1971 Senior Class of Buffalo, MN had about 130 students. I tried the reunion thing twice. At the five year reunion, I ended up getting sick, going to the hospital, and my husband (who did not attend my school) went to the reunion and got drunk! What??? Then I went to the ten year gathering, and I vowed to avoid any future reunions for the rest of eternity. No fun, too much idle chat with folks with whom I had nothing in common except our alma mater, bad food, blah, blah, blah. My college friends are much more meaningful to me, and I keep in touch with several of them.
11. How do I feel about salon care - coloring, hair styling, pedicure, massage, facials?
I get my hair cut when it gets shaggy, and back in the day, I would get the occasional perm to make my fine, straight hair have some life. I am permanently out of the perm business! And I postpone a haircut until I can't tolerate it any longer, and I am tempted to take the scissors after it myself. I don't do nails. I don't do facials. I don't do massage. What I have learned to love is eye brow waxing! It is the most amazing act of self-indulgence that I can think of! Well, almost...
This is only "half tag" because I am not tagging anyone else!
Monday, May 28, 2012
the surprises of decluttering
Well, my project is not finished, but I made a nice dent in clearing out some old crap, and what nice little surprises I found along the way. Like the passport renewal form that I meant to send in awhile ago. And the photo of the river that I wamt to get framed. Oh, and the mother's day card from my granddaughter. Nice!
I threw away the overgrown ivy that was sitting on the ledge, along with the root-bound philodendron. I filled up a bag of paper going to the recycling bin. I ditched some old receipts and junk mail. Way too much junk mail.
Feels good.
Now if the mail man would stay away for a week or so.....
I threw away the overgrown ivy that was sitting on the ledge, along with the root-bound philodendron. I filled up a bag of paper going to the recycling bin. I ditched some old receipts and junk mail. Way too much junk mail.
Feels good.
Now if the mail man would stay away for a week or so.....
Sunday, May 27, 2012
the clutter
I hate to admit it, but I am a clutterbug. I don't like it, and it overwhelms me, but I have a problem with "stuff." It is mostly the mail, and pieces of paper that seem like they should be kept for some unknown reason. So, today, I started atttacking some of my clutter. I tried to figure out why I am so indecisive when it comes to throwing out the stuff I get in the mail. It is like I want to think about it a little while before I toss it out. Those envelopes can can tossed when they have sufficiently aged on my counter top, but not one day before. On days like today, I give myself a good talking to. "Stop it," I say. "Don't do that anymore." "Make a damned decision about the stupid mail," I scream at myself.
I LOVE AN UNCLUTTERED COUNTERTOP. Another mantra I will add to my list of chants.
I LOVE AN UNCLUTTERED COUNTERTOP. Another mantra I will add to my list of chants.
Monday, April 23, 2012
aahhh, Melissa
I had the pleasure of seeing Melissa Etheridge in concert over the weekend. Total fun. She sang her heart out, and gave us just enough old stuff to make us happy, and enough new stuff to intrigue us for the new album coming out soon. The crowd was enthusiastic and appreciative of her presence and her proficiency at playing her guitar.
It has been eight years now since her breast cancer put her in the spotlight. She looks great, and sounds happy in her life. She speaks of the need for humans to be happy, and to treat our bodies well.
Total enjoyment.
It has been eight years now since her breast cancer put her in the spotlight. She looks great, and sounds happy in her life. She speaks of the need for humans to be happy, and to treat our bodies well.
Total enjoyment.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
On mindfulness
I work at living in the moment, but I often fail. It is hard to be mindful, and to live in the moment when so many things are tugging at my consciousness. I know this is a common complaint for anyone trying to be more aware of the "now." And yet, in the real world, at work for example, how does one be mindful when there are so many tasks and deadlines to manage? So many pressures, from so many directions, and so many phone calls, and, and, and...
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