Ruby Tuesday #11 & Heads or Tails #29

Make time for Small Reflections
Scroll down for Ruby Tuesday & HoTs
NaBloPoMo - Day 11

Belated Fun Monday

Janis was yesterday's Fun Monday hostess, and the the task was 'to salute our Veterans and show our appreciation ... including a patriotic photo.

Remembering those who served ...

Collage created in PSE6 with posters selected from the Veterans Day Poster Gallery

This is my 28th ...

This week's prompt is:
HEADS - Where or TAILS - Wear
purposefully combined with my 11th

Do you remember
the original Where's Waldo series?

Can you find Waldo below?

Click for others participating

in Heads or Tails and Ruby Tuesday this week.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

***My 401st post is below this one, so please stop by & comment to collect an animated 'Thank You' to enjoy and/or share with others.

Thought for Today
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." Cynthia Ozick

Ohmygosh ... it's my 401st post here today!

Make Time for Small Reflections
I didn't realize it until after I'd created & published today
so read on (or scroll down) for more ...
NaBloPoMo-Day10

It's the 2nd Monday of the month and that means it's ...

'Retired Ladies Lunch'

... so (since time is limited for posting & visiting today), I've decided to pass on Fun Monday. I do plan to post about Veteran's Day tomorrow on both blogs however ... so perhaps that would count belatedly since the hostess, Janis, writes that the task is 'to salute our Veterans and show our appreciation ... including a patriotic photo.

I've managed to get the unread posts in Google Reader down to 450 and am hoping to focus on catching up again. In addition, there are many Peace Posts I've not yet had the opportunity to visit ... and I'd like to make that a priority too.

I do have this lovely award

... from Mary of Mary's Writing Nook that I'd like to share with all my 'bloggy friends' ... and if you missed them over the weekend there are links to awards I've received & shared in Sunday's Unconscious Mutterings.

Milestone Revision & Addendum

Until I'd published this post earlier (with some Blogthing Fun that I've deleted & will share another day as time permits), I didn't realize that I missed the 'milestone' of my 400th post yesterday ... so this is my 401st post at Small Reflections & I've decided something special is in order.

That said (for the reasons mentioned above) ... time is limited today and I've yet to create & share a Monday Motivator post at Sacred Ruminations. It will be my 271st post there ... for a total of 671 posts overall (plus 10 more at Blog Rolls & Bling) ... so perhaps (since I celebrated my 1st Blogoversaries at Small Reflections and at Sacred Ruminations recently), waiting for the next milestone makes more sense?

Yup ... methinks that's what I'll do ... but in the meantime this is for YOU when you leave me a comment today. Whether you're an old friend or a new one ... I'm happy you dropped by to help me celebrate. If you click on the image to save it to your computer then upload it to Photobucket, you'll get the HTML code to make it 'animated' on YOUR blog too ;--)

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give." George MacDonald

Unconscious Mutterings #30 and more ...

NaBloPoMo-Day9

Make Time for Small Reflections
Photo Hunt: Together is in the next post.
Click for Haiku Friday #87 and SkyWatch/HF#88

This is the 302nd issue of ...

I'm participating for the 30th 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 ;--)

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

1. Coverage :: Election (it's a relief to have all the 'mud-slinging' behind us ... hopefully)
   
2. Cynical :: not for me ... ever!
   
3. Gust :: y WINDS are blowing outside today in So Cal!!!
   
4. Improvised :: alternatives or creative solutions
   
5. V :: irginia is my name-o
   
6. Guests :: Hospitality
   
7. Brutal :: Gentle
   
8. Grant :: us PEACE in our times as we choose 'Peace in every step' (as advised by Thich Nhat Hanh) ... no matter what is going on around or within us
   
9. Pull :: 'taffy'
   
10. Streaming :: digital data of all kinds
    

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

1. Coverage ::
2. Cynical ::
3. Gust ::
4. Improvised ::
5. V ::
6. Guests ::
7. Brutal ::
8. Grant ::
9. Pull ::
10. Streaming ::

Click for 'others 'muttering' today.

If you missed them, click for my Blog Blasts for Peace:
Sacred Ruminations- The Strength of Gentleness
Small Reflections-A Revolution of Music,
Blog Rolls & Bling - What if? (a Colorful Alternative to Bombs)
and shared by me last June:
Thirteen Thoughts on the Topic of Peace
Peace in Every Step

Thanks for the lovely graphic Mary!

FYI: I shared awards with all my bloggy friends in yesterday's Photo Hunt ... also at Sacred Ruminations in
'All Over the World' and 'Bloggy Love Galore' ...

I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." John Fitzgerald Kennedy

PhotoHunt#29 and more ...

NaBloPoMo-Day8

Note: Haiku Friday #87 is in the next post. If you're looking for Sky Watch #19 or Haiku Friday #88 ... you'll find them at Sacred Ruminations.

This is my 29th

(My 28th- for Blue was at Sacred Ruminations)

This week's theme is Together

I know this isn't an original photo, but when I thought about today's theme earlier this week ... these videos are what came to mind & after the election ... nothing else compared. Whether or not you've seen them before, they're reminders of this moment in history. The first is all the more poignant because it was created in 3 days by Will.i.am after Obama's 'Primary' defeat to Hillary in New Hamshire. I hadn't seen the second one until this morning when I went looking for the code for the first. A new Will.i.am video was featured on the Oprah Show yesterday and is available at iTunes today.

ZeFrank has begun a campaign with Obama supporters reaching out to McCain supporters to work together.

Check out 52 to 48 with love

Click for others participating in Photo Hunt this week.

Look what Kitten shared last week with her friends!

I want to thank her for this lovely award and for the song she shared with it on her blog as I pass this along to all MY friends with the same song below ... just because.

Enjoy ...

If you missed them, click for my Blog Blasts for Peace:
Sacred Ruminations- The Strength of Gentleness
Small Reflections-A Revolution of Music,
Blog Rolls & Bling - What if? (a Colorful Alternative to Bombs)
and shared by me last June:
Thirteen Thoughts on the Topic of Peace
Peace in Every Step

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." Elisabeth Foley

Haiku Friday #87 - NaBloPoMo Day 7

Make Time for Small Reflections
My 19th SkyWatch/88th Haiku Friday
is at Sacred Ruminations.

Look what Mama Zen
left for me yesterday on
her blog ... calling me

(here I quote her words)
'... most dedicated blogger
I know' ... Isn't she

sweet to pass along
this award and say such nice
things about me too?

She received it from
Petra Michelle where I learned
there are 'rulez' ... I shall

give myself some time
to reflect & soon I will
name my successor(s).



Yesterday I blogged
about peace on all three sites
and appreciate

those who visited
one (or all) ... leaving your thoughts.
Each was different ;--)

At Small Reflections
I focused on 'music' as
one pathway to peace ...

gentleness at my
Sacred Ruminations blog
also leadership ...

at Blog Rolls & Bling
on a 'lighter note' I shared
an alternative

to traditional
'warfare' that might make you smile ...
so when you have time

I invite you to
click the individual
links and possibly

share your own ideas
about peace in future posts
on your blog as well.

NaBloPoMo-Day7

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week go to A Mommy Story.
Click for SkyWatch/Haiku Friday at Sacred Ruminations.

(To see my previous Haikus, click on the Haiku Friday label below this post or in the sidebar under About Me where you'll find a 'directory' of my Haikus on both blogs).

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response." Mildred Barthel

Dona Nobis Pacem - A Revolution of Music

Make Time for Small Reflections
5th Blog Blast for Peace
November 6th, 2008

Today I join Mimi Lenox and many other bloggers in the 5th Blog Blast for Peace ... and invite YOU to join the wave today on your Blog. Just click Mimi's link and read the directions for getting your own Peace Globe to personalize and publish. Then follow the directions to share with others through her official sites ... and visit others blogging for peace today.

My Small Reflections Peace Globe is #1127

"Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself". Henry Ward Beecher

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." Victor Hugo

"Music expresses feeling and thought, without language; it was below and before speech, and it is above and beyond all words." Robert G. Ingersoll

Click for links to ...
My other Blog Blasts today:
at Sacred Ruminations and Blog Rolls & Bling
and last June:
Thirteen Thoughts on the Topic of Peace
& Peace in Every Step

Click for others participating in
the 5th Blog Blast for Peace!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body."
Oliver Wendell Holmes

NaBloPoMo-Day6

Almost WW#53 - Dreaming of Change & Peace

Make Time for Small Reflections
NaBloPoMo-Day5

"Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights." Pauline R. Kezer
Decision '08 Presidential Results

Click for others participating in Wordless Wednesday today.
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Five great enemies to peace inhabit with us: avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride. If those enemies were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace." Francesco Petrarch

Ruby Tuesday #10 and a Reminder

Make time for Small Reflections
NaBloPoMo - Day 4
Fun Monday is in the next post here at Small Reflections.
Check out some 'bloggy love' and 'random things'
at Sacred Ruminations today where
I'm doing NaBloPoMo as well.
This is Day 4!

If you haven't yet done so ...
be sure go to Vote today!

7:54am addendum
A big thanks to Hootin' Anni who suggested I allow 'pop up' comments for the time being (since 'in line commenting' has stopped working) and it seems to solve the problem ... so now you can leave comments again! I do get by with a bit of help from my friends ;--)

This is my 10th Ruby Tuesday

Remembering my garden in bloom ...

Click for others participating in Ruby Tuesday.
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong."
Richard Armour

Morning Musings & Fun Monday #25

NaBloPoMo - Day 3... have YOU?
Check the top of my sidebar for
voting info & resources.

Make Time for Small Reflections
Scroll down for Fun Monday

We finally got some rain (including thunder & lightning in some places and mudslides in others) on Saturday and Sunday. Apparently thousand of folks voting early in Los Angeles County spent up to 4 hours waiting in line each day because they figured it could be worse on Tuesday when they had to get to work.

Interestingly, the news reports this morning show that the folks who have arrived early at the polls this morning (thinking they'd find long lines again) were surprised to see how few others showed up around 4am with them today, however more people are arriving steadily as it gets closer to opening time at the polls.

8:50am addendum - Thought I'd update this post ... just because. The line to vote early in Norwalk, CA (in LA County) is now stretching around the block ... so it looks like another big day of early voting there. In Orange County where I live, early voting ended last Thursday.

The news says the next storm could arrive Monday afternoon and rain through Tuesday. How strange to have had dry weather for several months and experience wet weather like this around the election. I'm relieved to have voted already, and I hope inclement weather doesn't discourage anyone from going to the polls.

Mike Golch of Rambling Stuff and Sandee of Comedy Plus shared this Full of Grace blog award recently and I'd like to pass it along here to all my regular readers today.

Bee Dancer is today's Fun Monday hostess, and she writes:

"I'm relatively new to blogging, & I'm sure this has come up before, but I'd really like to know WHY you blog. Tell me how you got started or why you got started and why you keep it up. Plus there's a photo requirement: Post a picture of the one person/place/thing that most symbolizes the town or area where you live."

Photo source: Flickzzz

Most of you know that I live in Southern California a block and a half from the Pacific Ocean, so this is what my late afternoon view looks like when I take a short walk. If you've not seen them before (or wish to look again), you can click for additional views of Molly playing at Dog Beach in a previous Fun Monday about our favorite walk.

The short answer to Why I Blog is that it's fun. I've written in journals for DECADES but seldom share much of anything I write with anyone because I write for an audience of one ... me. Over the years, I've been told I could publish my work, but I didn't (and still don't) have much confidence about that.

I started blogging a few months after attending a week-long Writers Retreat in Taos, New Mexico during the summer of 2007 ... with support & encouragment from friends I met there. At that time I'd never even SEEN a blog and had no clue what I was getting into ... but it seems I took to it like a duck takes to water & that's one of the reasons I use Lisa's photo in my 'Welcome Note' at the top under the 'header' created from a photo I took at Hennsington Garens near the Mabel Dodge Luhan House & Retreat Center ... when I spent considerable time writing.

Some time ago (in July of 2008), I responded to the question of Why I Blog in greater detail when Rebecca of Reba's Ramblings celebrated her Blogoversary by asking visitors to address the eternal question. Back then I wrote (in part):

It's clear to me that blogging ...
1. provides a way for me to experiment with sharing what I write ... without having to sit face to face with someone as I do this thing, and I've discovered that I'm much more of an introvert than most people (including myself) generally realize
2. allows me to become accustomed feedback from a variety of readers and get over my tendency to keep what I write to myself
3. introduces me to others who write (and take photographs)
4. keeps my mind active and learning new things all the time
5. stretches my imagination and my boundaries
6. fills free time with interaction when I'm alone
7. opens my eyes to what is ... and what might be ... if only
8. expands my world and opens me up to new possibilities & experiences
9. allows me to make & interact with 'virtual' friends

Of course, sometimes 'life' intervenes and takes precedence over blogging, but once things calm down this Blogosphere remains ... inviting us each to share & engage as much or as little as we choose. I'm still thinking about changing my 'storyteller' moniker and possibly my avatar ... but thus far I've not yet come up with anything I like better. When (or if) I do ... perhaps a clearer direction will emerge as well, but for now I'm content to continue in the same vein and see what emerges.

I enjoyed celebrating by 1st Blogoversary recently at Small Reflections and Sacred Ruminations and am participating in NaBloPoMo for the 2nd year ... but actually I've not missed a day of posting here since I started. I've published 394 posts on this blog and another 264 posts at Sacred Ruminations for a total of 658 posts in just 378 days. Those totals surprise ME and, of course, they don't include the additional 9 posts on my 3rd blog, BlogRolls&Bling ;--)

Click for others participating in Fun Monday today.

If you haven't yet done so ...
be sure to get ready to Vote on Tuesday!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Mankind will never see an end of trouble until... lovers of wisdom come to hold political power, or the holders of power... become lovers of wisdom." Plato, The Republic

NaBloPoMo-Day 2 ... UM#29

... have YOU?

Make Time for Small Reflections
Click for ... Camera Critters and Smiley Saturday

This is the 301st issue of ...

I'm participating for the 29th 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 ;--)

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

1. In love :: with life & living each moment
   
2. Be my guest :: and 'mutter' along with us today ;--)
   
3. Number one :: writing rule from Natalie Goldberg is "Keep the pencil moving."
   
4. Swallowed whole :: hook, line, and sinker ... (I guess it's all those years I was married to a Bass fisherman) ... I'm hoping that all Americans are THINKING FOR THEMSELVES and voting out of 'intention' rather than 'fear' in this election.
   
5. 50 percent :: half
   
6. Made in :: the shade ... (an expression used by my brother throughout his life that still makes me smile)
   
7. Supplement :: Vitamins
   
8. Right for :: the benefit of all, rather than greed of the few
   
9. Endless :: optimism and determination
   
10. Ceramic :: pottery made of clay
    

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

1. In love ::
2. Be my guest ::
3. Number one ::
4. Swallowed whole ::
5. 50 percent ::
6. Made in ::
7. Supplement ::
8. Right for ::
9. Endless ::
10. Ceramic ::

Click for others 'muttering' today.

Even though I'm still hoping for more than light drizzles here at the beach, apparently some areas in Southern California did get rain yesterday and those in recently burned areas experienced mudslides. We do have another storm offshore so it's possible we'll see some rain showers Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning, but I certainly don't wish more problems on anyone ... so if I have to water my yard by hand, so be it. In addition, I don't want the weather to keep anyone from voting.

I'm participating in NaBloPoMo again this November and this is Day Two. It seems that both of my blogs are listed on the Blogroll there (probably because I participated on both last year), so I'm thinking of just letting that be ... hoping I can keep up with posting on two blogs for 30 days like I did a year ago when all this was new and I didn't really have a clue what I was doing.

Click for My Ning Page

If you haven't yet done so ...
be sure to get ready to Vote on Tuesday!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote - a very different thing." Walter H. Judd

NaBloPoMo begins today - CC#32 and SS#26

Make Time for Small Reflections

This is my 32ndMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here.

This dog, Rusty, lives in the next block inland
and but loves to come visit Molly when we're out front.

Click for others participating in Camera Critters this week.

This is my 26thIt's been a BUSY & challenging week,

... yet enjoyable in many ways as well.

1. Thanks to everyone who left 'remedy suggestions' and 'well-wishes' while I dealt with a lingering sinus headache for several days last week. Fortunately, the weather has shifted from dry to damp ... finally! My it's a thing of the past at the moment and I'm hoping we get some measurable rain out of the storm cell off the coast of Southern California because we do need it.

2. Have you seen this hilarious dance video featuring facsimiles of both McCain & Obama? I can't help but wonder how they DO this kind of thing because it looks so realistic.



3. I've not had time or opportunity to do much blog visiting this week so I don't have my usual 'smiley' links to share ... but if you've not yet seen it, I encourage you to click to check out the Andrew Zuckerman video: Wisdom ... It's well worth your time!

4. Of course I've been participating in Blog 365 all of 2008 ...

... so it seemed natural to participate in NaBloPoMo again this November ... just because.

Click for My Ning Page

5. I hope you've thought about making a Peace Globe and participating in the upcoming 5th Blog Blast for Peace on November 6th. If you need some help adding text to the graphic, let me know and I'll be happy to help out. If you haven't heard about it or need details, click to read my post about it and/or find more details by clicking the logo at the top of my sidebar.

6. I've voted ... have you?
Here in California we had 'early voting' from October 19th-28th ... so I went to the polls at the local City Hall Thursday afternoon to cast my ballot. It feels good to have done this early, and if you have that option where YOU live ... (and you've decided how to cast your votes on all the candidates & ballot measures) ... I encourage you to do so. I feel so relieved on a personal level.

Now my only remaining challenge is to remain calm in the face of all that is beyond my control. Currently my walking meditation is that people will vote with 'intention' rather than out of 'fear' ... with the kind of America they envision for the future in mind. I believe that together we CAN make a difference ;--)

If you're still undecided on candidates or ballot measures & need additional information, here are some links to assist.

• League of Women Voters
• Project Vote Smart
• Vote 411.org Election Information

Once you've cast your ballot, go to Mommy Wizdom's and sign the Mr. Linky there to participate in the Election Night Blog Party 2008! Click for details.

Click for others participating in Smiley Saturday.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be."
Sydney J. Harris