Fun Monday #1 - Inspirational Quotes

I borrowed this graphic from Robin's invitation

At Hootin' Anni's this morning, I learned that Robin challenged bloggers for Fun Monday as follows:

"... please share words that inspire and motivate you--brief or bloviatory, silly or serious, from great world leaders to last night's Comedy Central...from a Hallmark greeting card to your favorite book. Choose one, choose many; let the quotes stand on their own or tell where you first read or heard them and how they affected you. There's a lot of leeway with how this topic can be handled."

Regular readers know that I've got quotes in the sidebar of both of my blogs, have shared a few T-13s with favorite quotes, and recently participated in a Favorite Quotes Meme after being 'tagged' by Grandy, and I usually end every post with a Thought for the Day, but here I go again with ...

Quotes that Inspire Me
(Note: I'm trying not to be repetitiously redundant,
but some thoughts bear repeating)

Some of my favorite quotes come from the Dalai Lama:

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."

"We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves."

"Be kind whenever possible. It's always possible."

Others derive from a wide variety of sources:

"It is better to ask some questions than to know all the answers." James Thurber

"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." John Powell

"If we value independence, if we are disturbed by the growing conformity of knowledge, then we may wish to set up conditions of learning which make for uniqueness." Carl Rogers

"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true." Richard Bach

"Be curious, not judgmental." Walt Whitman

"If you're too busy to laugh, you're too busy period." Janet Meyer

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde

"The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter." Mark Twain

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." Henry David Thoreau

"Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For indeed, that's all who ever have." Margaret Mead

"Things are only impossible until they're not." Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek" The Next Generation

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure." Helen Keller

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." Mahatma Gandhi

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss

"it takes courage to become who you really are" e e cummings

"It is never too late to be who you might have been." George Eliot

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." Rumi

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Never participated in a Fun Monday carnival before? You're invited to join in this week (be sure to let Robin know you're a first-timer and she'll make note in the listing).

Additional information from Robin
regarding Fun Monday

Click for background info about the meme's origins

Fun Monday, Who can participate? ALL bloggers who want to! This is a loosely-held meme, with the host or hostess volunteering each week, simply by alerting the current host of their interest. It's never too late to join in, hosts are always generous to add you as soon as they can. Fun Monday has an international following and it's, well, FUN to meet bluddies (blog + buddies) in "far away places."

Fun Monday, What do I need to do to participate? Simply comment to or email the host for the current week. To find out who is hosting, the burden is on you...you simply follow the previous host's posts that will lead you to the current host. On the given Fun Monday, be sure to identify your post with "Fun Monday" somewhere in the title, link back to the host or hostess, and invite others to join. It's also fine to pick up either one of the Fun Monday logos.

Participants this week:

Robin, Pensieve
Janet, From the Planet of Janet
Swampwitch, Anecdotes, Antidotes & Anodes
Lisa, Lisa's Chaos
Jo, This is Jo Beaufoix... - NEXT WEEK'S HOSTESS
Patience, Patience-Please
ChrisB, Ms Cellania
Ellen, The Happy Wonderer
Kaytabug, Lady K
Swampangel65, A Florida Journal
Mariposa, Mariposa's Tales
AOJ & The Lurchers
Carrie, Carrie & the Koehmstedts
Lisa, The Food Snob
Janjanmom, All in a Day's Work
Jan, The Prytz Family
Karina, Candid Karina
Celeste, Ragracers
Sandy, Myanderings
Alison, RDH Mom
Jenn, Simply Jenn
Pamela, The Dust Will Wait
Alix, DC Days
Deb, Deb's Buzz (One Crazy Stitcher)
Molly, Return of the White Robin
Junebug, God Put a Smile on My Face
Kim, Rainy Day Diamonds
Peculiar, How Do We Get There From Here ** FIRST FUN MONDAY! :)
Jenn V., Jenn's Inklings
Joy T., A Spot of T
Nikki, My Husband Calls Me Weird
Rotten Correspondent, Confessions of a Rotten Correspondent
Sauntering Soul
Jientje, Heaven in Belgium
Tiggerlane, The Neophyte Blogger
Beth, The First of Six
Rose, Rose's Garden ** FIRST FUN MONDAY, new blogger & Karina's mom!
Hootin' Anni, Hootin' Anni's
Melanie, Our Happy Happenings
Sayre, SayreSmiles
Jenn, Jenn and the City ** FIRST FUN MONDAY!! :)
Nutso, House of the Purple Worms
Gattina, Writer Cramps
Katie (Kitten), Kitten's Homeschool
Faye, Summit Musings
Hulagirlatheart, Growing Older but Not Up
Kim & Randy, Nekkid Lizard Adventures
Jennifer, Dust Bunny Hostage
IamwhoIam, Dungarees Ablaze
Arkansas Songbird, Quarter Notes
Arie 1965, Beyond My Slab
Rachel, Pink Basement Dweller
Mamalang
Dawn, Colors of Dawn
Terri, My4Kids
Kila, Momto3cubs
Stephanie, MamaDrama
Min, MamaDrama
Storyteller, Small Reflections ** FIRST FUN MONDAY!! :)
Lil Mouse, The Name was Over the Door
Baba, Night Owl
Jamie, Wisink6's Weblog ** FIRST FUN MONDAY!! :)

Sunday's Tennis Haiku

(Photos found at the official Sony Ericsson website
and at the Sportfiles Photo Gallery)

Lindsay Davenport
played her match aggressively
winning in straight sets!


Williams sisters both
in the half with Justine so
Lindsey's path is clear.

James Blake struggled with
Santoro. The muggy heat
took it's toll on both


but Blake managed to
win the match in three sets ... and
tonight he will rest ;--)

Thought for Today
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison

Saturday 'Stuph' and Sesame Street

(Photos found at the official Sony Ericsson Open website)

Miami tennis ...
Djokovic already out
likewise Mardy Fish.

Roddick won HIS match
earlier this afternoon
though his serve was 'off' ...


Tsonga, Monaco,
Acasuso, Youzhny, and
Tipsarevic won

their matches today
along with the Bryan Bros
in their doubles match.


Federer will play

Gael Monfils of France tonight.
Lindsey Davenport


won her match today
and will play Ivanovic
next in the 3rd round.


Other results can
be found at this link if you're
interested ... click!

* * * * *
Sunday morning addendum
Federer won last night's match easily

* * * * *

Regarding Sesame Street

When I took this quiz
my results say that I'm like
that tall yellow bird ;--)

I hope you will see
what this Blogthing says about
YOU ... and share below.

You Are Big Bird

Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around. You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy. You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you. How you life your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper."

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

If you choose to share
your results on your own blog,
leave a link for me ;--)

Thought for Today
"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Abraham Lincoln

HF #25 Hai-kudn't

Friday afternoon
and no haiku yet to share.
Thinking all day long

nothing int'resting
on my mind today and so
I'll just say 'hello' ;--)

I did publish a
haiku on my other blog
earlier today

more creative than
this one so feel free to read
Mom's and Babies there.

I shall leave you with
this sign from a former post
that still cracks me up.

(originally shared 11-15-07)

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

Thought for Today
"When I hear someone say 'Life is hard,' I'm always tempted to ask ... 'Compared to what?'" Sidney J. Harris

(Wordless) Thursday Thirteen # 18

13 Adorable Puppies
(Collages created from my Puppy a Day Widget)

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
"Whoever said you can't buy happiness
forgot little puppies." Gene Hill

Wordless Wednesday - Taos, New Mexico

Click for more Wordless Wednesday participants.
For more of my WW posts, click on the label
or the link in my sidebar.

Thought for Today
"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin

One Single Impression - Spring

Prompt 4: Spring


Tennis champions
leap to make the hardest shots
'springing' from the courts!

(Original photo source: Sportfiles Photo Gallery)


Click for my 'traditional' Spring response to this prompt
and for others participating this week
One Single Impression

Thought for Today
"You don't understand anything until you learn it more than one way." Marvin Minsky

I hope you'll take a moment or two to
check out my 1st and 2nd Make a Wish posts
and consider participating yourself.
I've left an incentive ;--)

Meme Monday #4 - Make a Wish Meme and More

After being tagged by Linda at Are we there yet? who came up with this beautiful meme, Ivanhoe tagged me (and everyone on her Blogroll plus a few new Ultimate Blog Party friends) for this Make a Wish Meme.

After spending a week considering my fondest wish, I've concluded I'm 'content with life as is' although (like many others) I'd love to see Peace On Earth ... so I went with two 'Irish Blessings' that might help us achieve this goal in our lives. I posted my 1st Wish at Sacred Ruminations on Saturday.

So ... here's my 2nd wish!

Here are the Rules:
1. Think about what it is that you want more than anything, what your heart's desire and fondest wish is, and what it is that you would wish for if you were to see the above wishing star flame across the night sky.
2. Right click and SAVE the blank graphic below.
3. Use a graphics program of your choice and place your wish on this picture:

4. Post the Make A Wish Meme and your wishing star on your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag as many people as you like so that there can be wishing stars all across the Blogosphere and ask them to please link back to Linda so that she can see what wishes others have made and share those wishes with others.

I quote Ivanhoe here: "If you don't currently have a graphics program and aren't sure how to put your message on the picture you can either download one for free (Linda used IrfanView which is an image viewer but also allows you to customize and optimize your pictures) or email Linda at mouseski58@yahoo.com, tell her what you're wishing for, and she'll customize the picture for you and email it back to you so that you can then post it."

After creating two of my own (one for here and the other for Sacred Ruminations, I checked Linda's blog and she seems to be collecting the 'wishes' and sharing them in a series of update posts. I hope you'll think about playing along too and let me know when you do.

Thanks to Hootin' Anni for this cool new award!

I'd like to pass it along to all those who
decide to participate in the

Make a Wish Meme!

Thought for Today
"As you think, so you are. As you dream, so you become. As you create your wishes, so they create you." Wendy Garrett

Click to find others participating in
this week's Meme Monday.

Happy Easter (and yet another Tennis Update)

Women's final match
Kuznetsova played well, but
not aggressively

so Ivanovic
won the match in just two sets!
Now I shall watch Fish


play against the Serb,
Djokovic ... and hope it is
an exciting match!

When somebody wins,
I'll return to add a bit
more to this Haiku.


(5:15 PM addendum after the match)

Mardy Fish looked flat
in the first set after ten
hours on the courts

winning matches with
other players who were ranked
well above him ... yet

in the second set
just when Fish looked down and out
Mardy raised his game

surprising us all
once again! In a third set
Fish gave it his all

but the Serb did too.
Djokovic is champion
of this tournament!

Thought for Today
"What makes something special is not what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose." Andre Agassi

In case you missed these ...
there's more 'tennis' info in this week's T-13,
Friday's Haikus (here & here) and in
Saturday's post that also contains
some Easter fun!
Check them out
;--)

Photo sources: Sportfiles Photo Gallery, Yahoo Sports, and
the official Pacific Life Open website.

Tennis Haiku Follow-up and some Easter Fun

Addendum:
(6:30 PM update)
Mardy Fish Serves!

Tennis Update in Haiku!
Ranked at 98
and 'unseeded' ... Mardy Fish
amazed everyone

with aggressive play
winning Federer in two
sets! Tomorrow he

will play Djokovic
in the 'finals' ... Huge surprise!
See him HUG the fans!

Stunning this defeat ...
Roger Federer has been
ranked as number ONE

for almost 5 years ...
two hundred fifty-one weeks!
Maybe the day off

yesterday when Haas
had to pull out and not play
wasn't a good thing?

* * * * *

Four women semi-finalists
Kuznetsova won
Sharapova and will play
Ivanovic on

Sunday afternoon
in the women's final match
here at Indian Wells.

* * * * *

Photo sources: Sportfiles Photo Gallery, Yahoo Sports, and
the official Pacific Life Open website.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Now it's time for some
Easter fun with two Blogthings.
Won't you play along?

What Your Easter Egg Says About You

You are truly optimistic, open, and hopeful. And your optimism gives you the courage to live life adventurously. You love new experiences, ideas, and challenges. You see life as a fluid, growing process.

The Easter Egg Personality Test

Your Chocolate Easter Bunny Personality

You know what you want in life and how to get it. You're not going to waste time or let yourself be meek Whether it's chocolate, money, or power... You take what you can get, and you act quickly. You have a lot of energy, and people sometimes scared by your determination. Not that you care what other people think. You're not going to apologize for who you are.

The Easter Bunny Quiz

Those of you who read me regularly know I'm distracted this week by the Pacific Life Open Tennis Championships in Indian Wells, CA! This morning I watched the two women's semi-final matches recorded on my DVR last night. Ivanovic won her match against Jankovic and Kuznetsova defeated Sharapova ... playing like she did a few years back when she won her 1st major championship. This afternoon I watched both men's semi-finals matches. Djokovic defeated Nadal and Fish upset Federer as reported in Haiku above ... stunning everyone (perhaps even himself). Tomorrow I'll be watching the FINALS!

If you're looking for a bit of laughter,
try these Easter Bunny Jokes!

Thought for Today
"Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again." Sarah Ban Breathnach

Haiku Friday #23 - Tennis on my Mind

Late today with my
Haiku Friday post because
I'm a tennis fan!

Nadal on a roll!
Tsonga first and then James Blake
... each exciting wins!

Djokovic as well
on a winning streak defeats
Wawrinka in two.

Federer and Haas
battle on today in a
Quarterfinal match

as does Mardy Fish
who will play Nalbandian
hoping to move on.

(Photo source: the official Pacific Life Open website)

Sharapova and
Kuznetsova ... Russians matched
then the Serbians

Janovic against
Ivanovic ... Who will be
in the final match?

Lindsey Davenport
coming back at 31
has an injured back

forcing her to pull
out before completing the
match with Jankovic.

Of course I will be
watching tennis matches through
Sunday afternoon.

Federer shows no
mercy ... winning Ljubicic
on the Serb's birthday.


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

Click for Haiku Friday Volume 22.
on 'Shifting Priorities'
and Volume 24 on Tennis ... Again

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

Happy Easter to all!

Thought for Today
"If you can react the same way to winning and losing, that's a big accomplishment. That quality is important because it stays with you the rest of your life, and there's going to be a life after tennis that's a lot longer than your tennis life." Chris Evert

Thursday Thirteen #17 - Tennis Champions

Happy Easter Everyone!

Thanks to Hootin' Anni for the cool header

Pacific Life Open Tennis Champions
2008 Event is happening now
in Indian Wells, CA
March 10 - 23

Yesterday's 4th round match between Nadal and Tsonga was close and exciting to the very end. You might recall how Tsonga defeated Nadal unexpectedly (and soundly) in Australia earlier this year. The first two sets yesterday went to tiebreaks with Tsonga winning the first, and Nadal the second. Tsonga had a set point in the 3rd set but Nadal's heart and determination kicked in ... and Rafa took his revenge.

Winners from the last 13 years in the Annual Pacific Life Open Mens and Womens Masters Event

Mens Singles Tournament
2007 - Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 7-5
2006 - Roger Federer defeated James Blake 7-5, 6-3, 6-0
2005 - Roger Federer defeated Lleyton Hewitt 6-2, 6-4, 6-4
2004 - Roger Federer defeated Tim Henman 6-3, 6-3
2003 - Lleyton Hewitt defeated Gustavo Kuerten 6-1, 6-1
2002 - Lleyton Hewitt defeated Tim Henman 6-1, 6-2
2001 - Andre Agassi defeated Pete Sampras 7-6, 7-5, 6-1
2000 - Alex Corretja defeated Thomas Enqvist 6-4, 6-4, 6-3
1999 - Mark Philippoussis defeated Carlos Moya 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
1998 - Marcelo Rios defeated Greg Rusedski 6-3, 6-7, 7-6
1997 - Michael Chang defeated Bohdan Ulihrach 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
1996 - Michael Chang defeated Paul Haarhuis 7-5, 6-1, 6-1
1995 - Pete Sampras defeated Andre Agassi 7-5, 6-3, 7-5

Women's Singles Tournament
2007 - Hantuchova defeated Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-4
2006 - Maria Sharapova defeated Elena Dementieva 6-1, 6-2
2005 - Kim Clijsters defeated Lindsay Davenport 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
2004 - Justine Henin defeated Lindsay Davenport 6-1, 6-4
2003 - Kim Clijsters defeated Lindsay Davenport 6-4, 7-5
2002 - Daniela Hantuchova defeated Martina Hingis 6-3, 6-4
2001 - Serena Williams defeated Kim Clijsters 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
2000 - Lindsay Davenport defeated Martina Hingis 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
1999 - Serena Williams defeated Steffi Graf 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
1998 - Martina Hingis defeated Lindsay Davenport 6-3, 6-4
1997 - Lindsay Davenport defeated Irina Spirlea 6-2, 6-1
1996 - Steffi Graf defeated Conchita Martinez 7-6, 7-6
1995 - Mary Joe Fernandez defeated Natasha Zvereva 6-4, 6-3

Trophy for this Annual Event

Click for additional information about the Pacific Life Open and photos of players.

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
"Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquillity." Billie Jean King