Thursday Thirteen #25 - 13 Circular Images

13 Circular Images

I found these cool circular images at Flickzzz while back while thinking about the 3rd One Single Impression prompt but didn't use them at that time. On this Wednesday evening as I considered possible topics for a T-13 ... knowing I'll be rushing out of the house early for my Photoshop Elements class in the morning, my mind was spinning in circles and I remembered these photos. I hope you find them as intriguing as I did. Enjoy!

As I did last Thursday, I've posted this early so as to free up time for other things in the morning ... and I'll be doing my T-13 visits in the afternoon when I return home after class. In case you missed hem, I've shared examples of what we've learned in my two Haiku Friday posts last week (Volume 39 and Volume 40) ... along with Wednesday's Almost Wordless Photo Fun post this week.

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Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!


View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Get the Thursday Thirteeen code here!

For easy access, I’ve listed more T-13 links along with the
Thursday Thirteen Blogroll to the bottom of my sidebar.

Thought for Today
"Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." Albert Einstein

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - Photo Fun

ALMOST

(This is my 28th)

In yesterday's Photoshop Elements class
... we started with this 'leaning' photograph
taken at Sea World

Unfortunately I didn't save Step 2 yesterday and my version of Photoshop Elements doesn't have a 'straighten tool' so I can't replicate that step at home right now, but you'll note the guy is standing straighter in the image below. Imagine turning the photo above to the right ... making it a 'diamond shape' within a white square. The next step was to use the 'cloning tool' to fill in the 'white space' around the photo (created in the 4 corners) with water (without inadvertently destroying or creating another dolphin tail or person). Finally we resized and cropped the image to make the 5x7 below.

Pretty nifty, eh?

I shared more lessons learned
at Sacred Ruminations today in another
almost Wordless Wednesday/(belated) BYBS/SLS post.

Click for other WW participants this week.

Thought for Today
"The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn." John Lubbock

Heads or Tails #7 - Quotes & Images of Peace

Hosted by Skittles at Heads or Tails

This week's theme/prompt is:
HEADS *OR* TAILS - Peace *OR* Piece

"One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means." Martin Luther King, Jr.

"First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others." Thomas A. Kempis

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Click for others participating in HoTs this week.

Next week's theme/prompt is:
TAILS - Tell about your job or one you've had

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Thought for Today
"Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict -- alternative to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence." Dorothy Thompson

Fun Monday #7 - My Collections

Mariposa is today's hostess and she writes: "FUN Monday is for us to have some FUN on a Monday...so I'm going to get into your minds and do just that...have some FUN! "

She wants us to write about our
Collections...
but most of all
she wants this to be a FUN Monday!!!!!

1. I mentioned & shared photos of my 'mug collection' last week after my 6th Fun Monday 'jerk' poem, and I seem to recall previously sharing some photos of 'holiday mug favorites' on my other blog last December, but I don't seem to be able to find it at the moment so am unable to provide a link. Here are just a few more from one cupboard ...

Many of these mugs came to me a 'gifts' from family members, friends, and former students over the years... and I tend to hold on to 'stuph' indefinitely rather than get rid of things. As a result, I have an overabundance of mugs ... (some on display and others in cupboards like the one pictured above). Although I no longer do much entertaining at all, I don't seem to be able to let any of these mugs go.


2. Books surround me. I have multiple bookcases in every room of my house ... literally. Here is a split photo showing the upper & lower shelves of just one. All are filled with books I've read and annotated. In addition, just about any horizontal surface in my house collects stacks of unread books. Some have told me my house resembles a library with lots of comfortable seating.


3. Along with the books written by others, I've got about 30 years worth of journals I've filled with daily writing of my own ... collecting Memories. All I need do is pick one up and read to return to moments from my past.

4. Giraffes of all sizes and shapes inhabit my living space with me ... metal, wooden, glass, ceramic, fabric, and a variety of other media ... together with framed paintings, drawings and plaques with giraffes on them. Then there are giraffe throw pillows, t-shirts, sweatshirts ... and more mugs with giraffes. There's even a photograph of a giraffe sculpture (in my sidebar) that I happened upon in Taos last summer ... and the one below I found at another blog a while back.


5. In addition, I have miscellaneous collections of ... silver jewelry (bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings) some with stones and some without ... comfortable shoes along with a variety of purses in different sizes & colors ... scarves & accessories for 'accents' to change the look of my clothing ... and photographs (LOTS of photographs). I've got my Mom's collection of LP records and sheet music ... and the cedar chest my Dad gave her their first Christmas together filled with her belongings.

Throughout my life I've been a 'collector' of all sorts of stuff and the truth is that things seem to accumulate themselves around me in my house and in my car ... so my environment is consistently 'cluttered' ... even though I've been making a concerted effort to simplify my surroundings in recent months. I've stopped shopping for anything other than consumables ... groceries, gasoline, pet food & treats, etc. ... so hopefully I'll eventually succeed in getting rid of all that I no longer need or want by sticking with the process of letting a few things go each and every day and not bringing any new items in ;--)

Click for others participating in Fun Monday this week.

Thought for Today
"The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed -- it is a process of elimination." Elbert Hubbard

CameraCritters#5 & UnconsciousMutterings#6

Misty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here:

Introductory Information

A totally 'tuckered out' Molly ...

... definitely knows how to 'recover quickly'
after enthusiastic play ;--)

Click for others participating in Camera Critters today.

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I'm participating for the 6th time today.
How about you?

What comes to YOUR mind?
If you'd like to play here, copy and paste the clues in comments along with your responses ... or post on your blog and let me know so I can visit ;--)

Here are MY responses:
I say ... and you think ... ?

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Concentration :: game we played as kids ... and a necessary life skill
   
2. Relocated :: moved from one place to another, often without choice
   
3. Clot :: leads to STROKE and probable disability
   
4. Joints :: hang-outs with music and friends ... as in juke-joints (and methinks I just officially dated myself as ancient)
   
5. Satellite :: moons circling planets
   
6. Money back :: guarantee
   
7. Kittens :: cute little furry things that become cats
   
8. Shady :: place to sit on my patio and read on a warm Spring day like today ... enjoying my garden and a bit of leisure time outdoors
   
9. Drain :: rhymes with brain
   
10. Stroke:: of genius (as in a creative idea) ... or see #3 above
    

Your turn! I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Concentration ::
2. Relocated ::
3. Clot ::
4. Joints ::
5. Satellite ::
6. Money back ::
7. Kittens ::
8. Shady ::
9. Drain ::
10. Stroke::

Click for others participating this week.

Thought for Today
"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." Gilda Radner

Smiley Saturday#3 and other Stuph

It's a beautiful sunny warm day here at the beach in Southern California so it's hard for me to stay indoors for long ... hence this post is being created and published later than usual for a Saturday because Molly & I took a walk and I did some gardening a little while ago. I spent time earlier this morning doing my best to 'catch up' with comments & blog visits from last week (though I still have more that 650 unread posts in Google Reader and fear I'll never figure that out without just 'marking all as read' and moving forward ... something I don't really want to do). That acknowledged, this has been a wonderful week!

Monday was 'Retired Gals' lunch so I caught up with friends!


Tuesday and Thursday were my first two Photoshop Elements sessions and I learned lots ... then shared in my T-13 and my two Haiku Friday posts ... one on this blog (illustrating animal manipulation techniques) and the other at Sacred Ruminations (showing how we changed 'effects' on portraits).

In addition to Fun Monday (with Lois' Favorite Mug Meme) & HoTs and T0Ts, on Wednesday I created and shared (almost wordless) One Single Impression photos & haikus on the theme of 'warm' ... about puppies on this blog and about sunsets on the other.

I've chatted with my sister several times this week ... most recently several times yesterday while they were getting their RV serviced.

My Hydrangea looks BEAUTIFUL with lots of large lavender blossoms even though it's smallish. I posted a photo in my BYBS post last Sunday, but they're even bigger and more gorgeous today.

Each of those things make me SMILE just thinking about them ... and they might bring a smile to your fact too if you have time to check them out.

Finally, here are links to RHD Mom's Friday Funny and to Baby~amore's cleverly conceived, humorous T-13 in which she shares lessons learned from her mom. Both generated laughter in addition to smiles for me.

Click for others participating this week.

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(found at the Daily Meme)

Words Ending in ING ~ I Ask, You Answer

1. Avoiding...you answer?

2. Baking...you answer?

3. Camping...you answer?

4. Decorating...you answer?

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My responses:

1. Avoiding ... housecleaning activities today.

2. Baking ... something I just don't do any more, ever!

3. Camping ... takes me back to my youth and Big Sur, Lake Havasu, Yosemite, and Big Bear.

4. Decorating ... best left to those who know about such things.

If you'd like to play, copy and paste the clues into the comments box share your responses here ... or on your own blog and leave me a link so I can visit you.

Click for others participating this week.

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I found this Quiz at Chuck's. Her 'blogging type' was 'Artistic and Passionate' but look at my results! I admit I'm surprised because this isn't exactly how I perceive my 'blogging' style, but what the hey? I'm certainly 'principled' ... I just don't know how 'logical' I am. However, I'm curious what other results there might be ... so please play along and share ... either in comments or on your own blog, leaving a link here.

Your Blogging Type is Logical and Principled

You like to voice your well thought out opinions on your blog. And if someone doesn't what you write, you really don't care! Serious and blunt, sometimes people take your blog the wrong way. But you're a true and loyal friend to those who truly get you.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

Thought for Today
"A laugh is a smile that bursts." Mary H. Waldrip

Haiku Friday #39 - Simple Photo Manipulation

Yesterday in my

T-13 I shared a few
things I learned about

using Photoshop
Elements on the first day
of my 5 week class.

On day two I learned
how to take a duck like this
and isolate it

then do the same thing
with these bunny rabbits and
the leaping cheetah

copy and paste each
in a different background ...
resize & rotate

move and duplicate
them so I could create the
funny 'scene' below

starting with this yard
I added the rabbits then
ducklings ... finally

this unlikely 'cat'
'layering' the images ...
repositioning

each until I felt
satisfied ... ultimately
saving the files

to a flash drive so
I could share today in my
Haiku post like this.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Click to see other things I've learned
and shared in Volume 40 at
at Sacred Ruminations

~ ~ ~

For a Mr. Linky to other Haiku Fridays
go to A Mommy Story or
Playgroups are no Place for Children.

To see more previous Haikus,
click on the Haiku Friday label below this post
or in the sidebar under About Me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thought for Today
"Learning is the discovery that something is possible." Fritz Perls

Thursday Thirteen #24 - Tuesday's class

13 Topics from Tuesday's
Beginning Photoshop Elements 6 Class

1. Basic Photo Editing Terms - we covered 23 of those, most of which I'm already familiar. Did you know that JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group? JPEG (the format is commonly used to save photographs) retains all color information in an image but compresses file size by reducing redundancies.

2. Overview of and introduction to the Editor Screen - including the shortcuts bar ... welcome screen ... system menu ... options bar ... tool box ... photo bin ... palette bin ... edit, create, & share modes ... layers palette ... etc.

3. Keyboard Shortcuts for the various 'tools' - some are obvious like Z for zoom and H for Hand while others are more obscure like V for Move and Y for Red Eye removal.

4. Shortcut Command Icons for new, open, save, print, undo, and redo and memorable ways to remember the last two.

5. How to work with the Palette Bin for effects and layer ... minimizing and restoring for various options.

6. Working the Zoom Tool for Standard Edit & Quick Fix ... dragging the tool to magnify ... using Fit Screen or Control O to restore photos to normal size ... and zooming with the Mouse Wheel (including how to edit preferences).

7. Repositioning the areas of a zoomed photo using the Hand Tool and using the Space Bar with the Mouse to resposition when another Tool has been selected.

8. Multiple methods for removing Red Eye caused by a reflection of the subject's retina by the camera flash.

9. How the Quick Fix Screen differs from the Editor Screen - using general fixes & options ... resolving lighting and color issues including variations in the shortcuts bar, welcome screen, system menu, options bar, tool box, photo bin, palette bin & categories, edit modes, and mode buttons.

10. Using Quick Fix Tools including rotating images ... smart fix ... red eye fix ... levels ... contrast ... lightening & darkening shadows ... along with tools like zoom ... hand ... quick select ... brush ... and crop. Use of the Cancel & Commit functions along with Undo and Redo.

11. Previewing with various before & after view settings.

12. Cropping and resizing photos to save and print and straightening images horizontally & vertically.

13. Saving an image in the JPEG format, specifying a filename & location, adjusting the level of compression for the quality desired.

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In closing, much of the information in the first class was 'review' for me, but the instructor's pacing was good and she included enough helpful hints and shortcuts to make the time worthwhile. I'm looking forward to Thursday's class ... though I'm not excited about leaving the house at 7:30 again to get there by 8:00 (and neither is Molly).

As I did on Tuesday, I'm going to post this early so as to free up time for other things in the morning ... and I'll be doing my T-13 visits in the afternoon when I return home after class.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!


View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Get the Thursday Thirteeen code here!

For easy access, I’ve listed more T-13 links along with the
Thursday Thirteen Blogroll to the bottom of my sidebar.

Thought for Today
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty." Henry Ford

(Almost) WW/OSI - Week 11: Warm

ALMOST

(This makes #26 for me)

Week 11 - The prompt is Warm

What is warmer than
a young puppy looking for
a place to snuggle?

Who could resist these
canine visitors ... not me!
Each one tugs my heart ;--)

(Photo source - Puppy a Day widget)

Click for others participating this week:
One Single Impression
Wordless Wednesday

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And here's one more for good measure ...

Is there something wrong
with this 'hunters' photo? Look
closely and you'll see ;--)

More than 'warm' it seems
this fox may be smarter than
'scent hounds' and hunters

or perhaps someone
decided to 'play' with the
'pix' digitally?

(Photo from Flickzzz)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Click for my other (almost) WW/OSI Week 11 post
at Sacred Ruminations

Thought for Today
"I am often surprised by the cleverness, and now and again by the stupidity of my dog; and I have similar experiences with mankind." Arthur Schopenhauer

It's my 6th Heads or Tails and Ten on Tuesday

Hosted by Skittles at Heads or Tails

This week's theme/prompt is:
HEADS - Any Tom, Dick Or Harry

Note of explanation: Because I'm starting my Photoshop Elements class Tuesday morning at 8am ...(after being unexpectedly hijacked by social interaction today), I'm creating and publishing this Heads or Tails post EARLY (after noting some participants do this all the time). I suspect I'll be rushing to get out of here in the morning and, of course, Molly will need her walk before I leave. I'm definitely having second thoughts and can't believe I actually signed up for a 5 week class that meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8-11:30. What was I thinking?

Anyway ... I've taken a 'literal' approach to the theme ... doing 'the obvious' with this week's prompt and am wondering how many similar (or even identical) posts I'm likely to encounter ... when I visit Tuesday afternoon ... once I return home.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Meet Tom who looks 'worried' even though it's Springtime ... nowhere near the end of November. Methinks he must have heard alarming 'stories' that have him 'on edge' today.



Here's the only Dick that comes to mind ...

And who can resist this Harry?

Click for others participating in HoT this week.

Next week's theme/prompt is:
HEADS *OR* TAILS - Peace *OR* Piece

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The prompt this week is
10 Things I'm Really Good At

1. Meeting new people and making friends.

2. Keeping an upbeat, positive attitude toward life and living ... even in the face of difficulty and/or challenges.

3. Reading fiction (and nonfiction) for fun and pleasure.

4. Writing Haiku ;--)

5. Creating poetic pieces with strong rhyme & rhythm patterns.

6. Growing roses and other flowers (as long as you don't take me away from home where the weather's wonderful).

7. Teaching myself what I need to know, when I need to know it ... and/or asking for help when I'm in over my head.

8. Generating 'messes' (and ignoring) them in my workspace when I'm engaged in an interesting task.

9. Waking early in the morning without an alarm clock.

10. Writing in my journal and BLOGGING ... though I'm finding it more challenging all the time to visit everyone as often as I'd like. I always seem to be playing catch-up because 'life' gets in the way of this 'virtual' world.

Click for other participants in ToT this week.

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Thought for Today
"You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self. Don't turn away from possible futures before you're certain you don't have anything to learn from them." Richard Bach

Fun Monday #6 and Favorite 'Mug' Meme

(Thanks to Betty for this nifty Fun Monday graphic)

Sauntering Soul is hosting Fun Monday today.

She writes: I know we all try to be sweet and kind to people the majority of the time. But let's face it....we also know that sometimes we can be a big jerk. It could be that you experience road rage from time to time. Perhaps you empty the coffee pot at work some mornings and don't feel like taking the time to start a new pot for the next person. Or maybe you don't return phone calls on a timely basis when you know someone needs a response from you. Have you ever "accidentally" ruined a favorite shirt of your spouse just because you didn't care for it? Come on - it's confession time! List the small things you do that make you a jerk and elaborate just a bit on each one. Please tell me I'm not the only jerk around here!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Disclaimer:
I signed up yesterday to participate (before I tried to write something) then got busy posting on my other blog ... eventually running out of time to create my Fun Monday post last night. This morning I stared at the blinking cursor a long time before deciding 'poetry' might be my only hope ... and here's the result. It's a little after 7:35am and I'm out of time ... so it's either 'dump it' and tell Sauntering Soul to remove my link from the list ... (sharing the 'Mug Meme' I did create yesterday that's in the 2nd half of this post) or publish & let it be. Decisions ... decisions ;--)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Once upon a time I was
'jerkier' than now because
I knew I was right about
everything ... I had no doubt!

Actually (if truth be told)
my 'facade' looked brave & bold
but beneath the surface my
actions served to justify

my existence here on earth.
Long ago my 'truth' and mirth
were 'discounted' ... labeled as
'Pollyanna-ish.' It has

taken me a long time to
recognize this 'fact' and do
what I can to remember
who I am and why I'm here.

I could argue 'my case' and
'win' with ease! Please understand ...
'offense' seemed the best 'defense'
and I could be quite intense!

Worried I might 'disappear'
if not 'mirrored' ... I let fear
shape my choices throughout life
even in the role of 'wife.'

Only when 'the worst' did not
kill me after all ... forgot-
ten resources surfaced to
point 'the way.' So now I do

what I can, releasing fear
purposefully ... trusting clear
intuition from within
... powering my life. Chagrin

once caused me embarrassment
at how I was 'different' ...
but these days I've learned to be
more comfortable 'as me'

and although I hold some 'strong'
opinions (which might be wrong)
I can 'share' and 'listen' too ...
without forcing 'thoughts' on you ;--)

Click for other participants in Fun Monday this week.

* * * * * * *

Favorite Mug Meme

Tagged by Phyl a while back ...
I've had this one on the 'back burner' for a while
since learning of Lois' Meme ...
I don't seem to be able
to decide on just
one!

Here are a few of my favorites
in my rather extensive mug collection.

but truth be told
the two mugs below get used
most regularly ... the 'ceramic Starbuck's mug'
for my 1st cup while the Cuisinart Brewer finishes
and the taller stainless steel mug for the next
because it keeps my coffee
hot a long time.

I tend to use the other mugs primarily
for 'tea' in the afternoons and/or
hot chocolate in the evenings.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~


If you decide to participate, please leave a link and/or
respond in comments below so I can visit ...
and take a copy of this Friendship
Award with my blessing.

Here are 'the rules' according to Phyl who writes:
"Alas, there is a new meme in Blogland...and you know me...I gotta do this one...cause well, I am a coffee addict...lol. I found it here. Lois' Morning Mug Meme Rules: Most folks drink some sort of a morning beverage, be it coffee or tea, and most likely from a mug.

1. Please share a photo of your favorite mug(s).
2. Tell a story about how it became your favorite. Include what you drink with this mug.
3. Be sure to link to Lois and the person who tagged you for this meme!
4. Leave a comment for Lois so she can follow her meme.

Optional:
5. Signing Phyl's Mr. Linky will get you another point at Technorati & get you a return visit from her :)

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Thought for Today
"One ought every day at least to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

CameraCritters#4 and UnconsciousMutterings#5

Misty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here:

Introductory Information

An Inquisitive Visitor

(Clicking on the image will enlarge the photos)

This little bird bugged the heck out of Molly one morning
hanging around outside my kitchen window
obviously captivated by something
for about 15 minutes.

Click for others participating in Camera Critters today.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I'm participating for the 5th time today.
How about you?

What comes to YOUR mind?
If you'd like to play here, copy and paste the clues in comments along with your responses ... or post on your blog and let me know so I can visit ;--)

Here are MY responses:
I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Track :: follow
   
2. Snake :: in the grass
   
3. Assignment :: special
   
4. Blockbuster :: film or theater production
   
5. Bombastic :: pretentious or grandiose
   
6. Adventure :: rafting down the rapids
   
7. First time :: for everything ;--)
   
8. Aged :: cheese or wine
   
9. Grip :: backstage job
   
10. Shortcut:: often isn't what it seems
    

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Track ::
2. Snake ::
3. Assignment ::
4. Blockbuster ::
5. Bombastic ::
6. Adventure ::
7. First time ::
8. Aged ::
9. Grip ::
10. Shortcut::

Click for others participating this week.

Thought for Today
"If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything." Win Borden

PhotoHunt#3 - SmileySaturday & Saturday9 #2

Since this is a 'free' week ...

here's a rose from my garden for
all you Mom's out there;--)

Happy Mother's Day

Click for others participating this week.

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I'm smiling this morning because a good friend plans to walk the annual Mother's Day Weekend Craft Fair in Sunset Beach today for two reasons:

1. she's always wanted to go but somehow it never works out to get there

2. she knows it's something I've done with my sister (who's currently traveling in Ohio with her husband and therefore unavailable this year) for decades

I'm leaving to pick her up as soon as I get this posted and I'm sure we'll have a delightful time!

Click for others participating this week.

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Today's Topic is What Do You Notice?

1. What is the first thing you notice about a person (that you are attracted to) when you meet them? Personality & attitudes ... are they friendly & outgoing, reserved & shy, funny, serious, etc.

2. What has been your worst illness or injury? I live with Epstein-Barr ... have for more than a decade.

3. Have you ever had a secret crush and then told the person? If yes, how did it go? No ... I'm rather forthright so if I like someone I say so ;--)

4. What was the last drink that you ordered at a pub or a bar? a glass of White Zinfandel while waiting to be seated to dine

5. What car have you owned that was your favorite? a brand new 1968 yellow Volkswagen Beetle

6. What is your favorite holiday? my birthday ... celebrated my 63rd most recently in February and shared with blogging friends here.

7. Have you ever had sex with someone that in retrospect was (and stayed) a stranger? Nope

8. Who is your favorite female singer? Barbra Streisand

9. How often do you read the newspaper? Once upon a time I read it daily ... for decades, but haven't read one for at least 12 years and certainly don't miss it!

Click for others participating this week.

Thought for Today
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare,
And he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Haiku Friday #37 - Focus on Thinking

Happy Mother's Day

I hope that you're all
planning something delightful
in addition to

whatever else your
family does ... Make it a
day to remember!

Thanks to Scylla at Law & Motherhood for this cool Haiku button

Many of you moms
diligently raising kids
may be in'trested

in the T-13
I posted here yesterday
highlighting clear 'signs'

of 'improved' thinking ...
observable ... yet precise
methods to measure

and facilitate
growth ... development ... in your
children and yourselves

as you interact
with 'curriculum' and those
who might be engaged

in the process of
education in our schools.
Listening to the

thought-provok