Happy Halloween - Haiku Friday #85

Make Time for Small Reflections
SkyWatch#18/Haiku Friday#86 is at Sacred Ruminations

We have drizzles this
morning here in Southern Cal.
We DO need the rain ...

I suspect many
children are a bit concerned
hoping skies will clear

allowing them to
don their Halloween costumes
and enjoy the night!

Wishing you a most
Happy Halloween today ...
enjoy each moment ;--)

Watch out for witches,
ghosts and goblins ... ghoulies too!
If you've not been BOO'd

click the link below
for Halloween Fun and see
what it's all about!

If you haven't seen
these witches before you might
want to click below

if you have the time ...
see the 'emailed Halloween
card' including them.

Please be safe tonight
if you 'trick or treating' go ...
Happy Halloween!

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week go to A Mommy Story.
SkyWatch/Haiku Friday is 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
'Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world.
~William Shakespeare

Halloween Fun! I've been BOO'd ...

Make Time for Small Reflections
... and you've been BOO'd too!
Whimsical Wednesday is in the next post (with a Jack-o-lantern quiz),
and (almost) Wordless Wednesday is at Sacred Ruminations.

Sassy Mama Bear got me ... and she writes:
Now, this is how Blogging Boo will work. Go to as many friends as you want and tell them they've been "Booed". Have them link back to your blog to pick up their Halloween Treat (picture)! Tell them to "Boo" their friends. Then, put the picture in your side bar so everyone knows that you've already been "Booed".

So, are you scared yet!!?? Well, you better be!!! BOO!!!

One more time - the rules - short and sweet!
1. Take picture, put on sidebar
2. Tell people they have been booed
3. Link back to who booed you

Now for a little more Halloween fun ... I hope you'll take the quiz and share your results in comments and/or leave me a link if you decide to publish them on your blog ;--)

You Are 30% Witch

It's unlikely that you're a witch. At least, no one thinks you are. You may still be interested in witchcraft, but you're by no means a stereotypical witch. While you don't seem all that witchy, people may think you're a bit weird. You're definitely a little offbeat. No one really knows what to make of you sometimes.

Are You a Witch?

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Hold on, man. We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title." From Scooby-Doo

WhimsicalWednesday#10, voting info & more ...

Make Time for Small Reflections
Scroll down for :
Voting info & Election Night Blog Party Info
Thanks from & general update about me
Blog Blast for Peace info & links
Wonderful story link
Jack-o-Lantern Blogthing

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 yesterday 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 ;--)

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.

To my bloggy friends
who dropped by and left
words of encouragement ...

Thanks again for the well-wishes. The weather is changing so I'm hoping my symptoms will fade with onshore breezes helping to raise humidity levels to a more normal level. I've been listening to foghorns since awakening and can't see the houses across the street yet but I'm not complaining ... in fact I'm hoping the rain will reach us all the way down in Southern California rather than run out of steam north of here as have previous storm systems. We need rain so much!

Unfortunately, in just a few days of 'resting' to recover from what ails me, my 'reader' has 1000+ unread posts once again (even though I had it down to less than 700 over the weekend) and there are 571 unread emails. I'm hoping to make a dent in both today. I posted (almost) Wordless Wednesday #52 at Sacred Ruminations earlier and figure I'll 'ramble' here a bit to see what shows up on the page ... just because.

I made it through my PSE6 class yesterday ... finished my 2nd Caribbean Cruise Video ... converted them both to WMV format ... but didn't get them both transferred to a DVD yet. Hopefully I'll be able to do that on Thursday. We'll be creating DVD 'jackets' and 'labels' during the remaining 3 sessions of this 'Organizer' class ... something I've done previously with my Taos Slideshows/Videos. The 2nd Caribbean video contains a few videoclips of on-board entertainment ... so it's much longer than my previous projects.

Reminder about the upcoming 5th Blog Blast for Peace!
Have you created YOUR Peace Globe yet?
As Mimi Lenox says ...
"If words are powerful ... then this matters."
Clicking on the logo above (or at the top of my sidebar) will take you to information about how to get YOUR Peace Globe to decorate & share between now and November 6th in the 5th Launch of Dona Nobis Pacem. We're counting down ...

My new Peace Globes for November's Blog Blast post (#4, 5, & 6) are in my sidebar along with my first two (previously published in June) and I've sent them to Mimi to publish as well. If you need help adding 'text' to the graphics available from Mimi's blog, I'm willing to assist as time permits. I invite everyone to participate and to visit others too.

Click Peace Globe Gallery graphic below
to see Globes others have created.

And now ... a little Halloween fun. I hope you'll share your results in comments or leave a link if you share them on your blog ;--)

What Your Jack-o-Lantern Says

You are a gleeful, exuberant person. You enjoy a good party, and you even enjoy a good brawl. This Halloween, there is no question what you should be... a pirate! The candy you should give out: peanut butter cups

The Jack-o-Lantern Quiz

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

9:16am Addendum

I just happened on a wonderful story at Sylvia's and wanted to leave a link here ... so if you have time and want to 'be moved' ... take a moment to click & read Sack Lunches ...

Thought for Today
"Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story." Mason Cooley

Tuesday's Thoughts

Make Time for Small Reflections

I appreciate all the well-wishes and suggestions ...
I'm feeling a bit better today after resting most of yesterday afternoon & sleeping for more than 10 hours last night (an
almost unheard of combination for me).

I usually 'mix' my coffee beans half regular & half decaf, but today I made the REAL STUPH and am hoping for the best because I've got my PSE6 class this morning and don't want
to miss it if at all possible.

Methinks my headache is weather-related ... and once the humidity rises a bit it should fade away on its own. It's been VERY dry here in Southern California. Another wildfire broke
out in the Azusa-Duarte area this morning and hopefully will
be 'contained' quickly since the winds aren't blowing currently.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"If a man harbors any sort of fear, it makes him landlord to a ghost." Lloyd Douglas

Monday Morning Musings

Make Time for Small Reflections

Once again I have no clue who's hosting Fun Monday or what the challenge might be ... nor do I have the energy to track it down, but Chris at Ms Cellania probably has a link to this week's host & challenge in her sidebar. That's usually the first place I look.

The weekend got away from me and I didn't get around to publishing BYBS or SacredLifeSunday at Sacred Ruminations until this morning when I did so 'belatedly' with my Monday Motivator just a few minutes ago. I've got 1000+ unread messages in my 'reader' and 574 unread email messages ... and a headache that's been with me most of the weekend. So, I don't know how much I'll get done today either. In case you missed them ... over the weekend I 'muttered unconsciously' ... participated in Photo Hunt, Camera Critters, and shared 'smiles' for Smiley Saturday.

For the moment, this is the best I can manage ... but perhaps (if the headache dissipates) I'll return to add more ... or not. I do wish you all a pleasant Monday.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." Irish Proverb

Unconscious Mutterings #28

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

This is the 300th issue of ...

I'm participating for the 28th 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. Contemplate :: 'reflect' upon thoughtfully ... (my favorite thing)
   
2. In the house :: 'Mouse in the House' ... children book by John & Ann Hassett
   
3. Classical :: music
   
4. Quest :: journey of significant proportions
   
5. Best friend :: the four-pawed 'fur' kind ... dogs
   
6. 1991 :: Chinese Year of the Sheep
   
7. Never will :: give up ... but may change my mind ;--)
   
8. Fool :: Motley
   
9. Unhappy :: ... choose joy instead
   
10. Best man :: a romantic comedy starring Taye Diggs & Nia Long
    

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

1. Contemplate ::
2. In the house ::
3. Classical ::
4. Quest ::
5. Best friend ::
6. 1991 ::
7. Never will ::
8. Fool ::
9. Unhappy ::
10. Best man ::

Click for others 'muttering' today.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today

"Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won't come in." Alan Alda

CC#31, PH#27, Smiley Saturday #25

Make Time for Small Reflections
This is my 27th Photo Hunt Theme: Scary

I suspect I won't be the only one with 'critters' today.

Photo source: Flickzzz

and my 31stMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here.

Click for others participating in CameralCritters
and Photo Hunt this week.

Take Time for Small Reflections

This is my 25thIt's been a BUSY & challenging week,

... yet enjoyable in many ways as well.

1. I enjoyed celebrating my 1st Blogoversary here at Small Reflections on Wednesday and at Sacred Ruminations on Thursday ... and sincerely appreciate all the warm wishes & comments from my bloggy friends. I'm grateful to have encountered all of you in this virtual world and hope to be around for many years to come. Please be assured that I'll be doing my best during the weekend and over the next week to catch up unread posts & emails.

2. I do have some entertaining links to share and invite you to visit as time permits.
Akelamalu shared children's definitions of love in "Love is ...'
Angela shared 'Words of Wisdom' and 'Humor'
Skittles shared humorous facts on agings in 'Wear Sunscreen'
Alice Audrey's 'Yikes' made ME say 'YIKES' myself!
Secret Agent Mama shared 13 tips for photographing kids
Lisa's sunflowers in Fields of Sunshine are wonderful!
Joy shared Children's Letters to God and the work of an amazing artist.

3. I'm a bit crunched for time again this morning, but I received the following in email this week and since it made ME smile, I thought it worth passing along ... just because. Enjoy!

OHH NOOO!! There are witches in my mailbox. What am I to do? I found them there this morning, doing things they shouldn't do!! How the witches got there, I haven't got a clue. But they won't be there much longer because I'm sending them to YOU!!!!!! You've been Witch Kissed! Before the warts begin to spread, pass the kisses on instead!

GOTTCHA!!

Click for others participating in Smiley Saturday this week.

Review of the week

... in case you missed them, click for:
Haiku Friday and (check your Karma)
Thursday Thoughts
1st Blogoversary
Ruby Tuesday/Heads or Tails
Fun Monday and more ...

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls." George Carlin

Haiku Friday #83 and more ...

Make Time for Small Reflections
SkyWatch#17/HF#84 is at Sacred Ruminations.

Thanks to everyone
for the wishes on my first
Blogoversary

Wedn'sday and Thursday.
Because Blogger was messed up
I could not visit

everybody, but
hopefully today I'll be
able to catch up.

I found this at Rubbish by Roan ... and thought I'd take the quiz again ... just because. Methinks this might be the same result I got months ago when I first saw this Blogthing. Methinks I'm a fortunate woman ... and hope there's some truth here ;--)

You Have Fantastic Karma

You are a kind, sensitive, and giving person. And all your good deeds will pay off - if they haven't already. But you're not so concerned with what you get in return anyway. You have an innate caring nature - and nothing can change that!

How's Your Karma?

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
"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace." Victor Hugo

Blogger seems to be having trouble this afternoon

I'm a little surprised I got 'access' to 'the editor for a new post' because I've been unable to leave comments on anyone's Blogger site (or access 'Profile' pages to get email addresses) for a couple of hours. Clearly's something's up, but there's no 'scheduled outage' for today. I did notice yesterday that the way comments come up has been changed on two of my blogs. As of 1:44pm, my Blog Rolls & Bling site still has the old format, but I suspect it will change eventually.

Many folks had already changed to this 'in line' comment format once it became available through 'Blogger in Draft' ... but since it takes away the possibility of 'checking the little box to receive follow up comments in email' ... I hadn't made the change. I have mixed feelings about the new format ... but am not likely to complain because I'm just too busy with other things right now.

I appreciate all the comments & well-wishes on yesterday's 1st Blogoversary post here at Small Reflections ... and those left on today's 1st Blogoversary post at Sacred Ruminations. I ran out of time last night before creating at T-13 here ... (and had no time before leaving for my PSE6 class this morning) ... so I'm making this a 'quickie' to keep my Blog 365 streak going ... though it's possible Blogger isn't going to let that happen. I guess I won't know until I try to publish.

I hope you've all had a delightful day!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you." Annie Dillard

Celebrating my 1st Blogoversary Today

Make Time for Small Reflections

It's hard to believe this is my 382nd post!
Thanks for joining me today ...

as I celebrate my 1st Blogoversary
starting with a little silly ...

Exactly one year ago I published my

first post ... 'Beginnings' ... without knowing why
how or what-have-you about anything
within the Blogosphere or of 'blogging'

I wish I'd taken a 'snapshot' of these
blogs when I started to show you with ease
just what a 'newbie' I was way back then ...
how things have changed over time & just when.

Alas I didn't so only a few
bloggy friends who knew me when have that view,
but I assure you a transformation
occurred quite gradually. It's been fun!

Would you care for something to
eat or drink as you browse?

Really Good Things About the Year

1. For the first 3 months or so I tended to write and publish pretty much whatever came to mind each morning ... much as I do with Morning Musings and Whimsical Wednesday these days.

2. In December of 2007 I participated in T-13 for the first time (with a list of Authors and Books to Share with Young Children) ... and I've continued that practice ever since accumulating a total of 44 Thursday Thirteens as of last week.

3. In January of 2008 (after being 'tagged' by Sandy of Momisodes for a 'chain mail meme) I answered poetically and that was my 1st Haiku Friday. I've published Haiku Friday on both blogs ever since so that I've accumulated 41 on each for a total of 82 as of last Friday.

4. At the end of January I reached my 100th post and spent the next week creating my list of 101 Things About Me ... adding 15-20 things at a time each day. If you've not read it previously and have a bit of time now, you'll find it's a succinct summary of my life to date.

5. Since then I've gradually added more 'weekly activities' (often combining two or more in a single post) and organized 'category links' in the sidebar to make it easy for visitors to find items of interest. I've decided to include them here in the text of this post ... just because ... so here are:

Links to my posts by category
at Small Reflections
Beijing 2008 Olympics
Camera Critters
Fun Monday
Haiku Friday
Heads or Tails
Make a Wish Meme #2
Miscellaneous Memes
Molly
Morning Musings
MsKitty
My 2nd Message in a Bottle
My Flowers
My Gratitude Posts
My Peace Globe #2
One Single Impression
Pensieve's 40PC
Photobucket Memes
Photo Hunt
Photoshop Elements
Playfully Poetic Postings
Posts including Blogthings
Posts with Quizzes
Posts with Wordles
Really Good Things
Ruby Tuesday
Saturday9
Sharing Awards
Sky Watch
Slice of Life
Smiley Saturday
Taos Writers Retreat
Tennis Updates & Info
T-13
Ultimate Blog Party Post 2008
Unconscious Mutterings
Weekend Whimsies
Whimsical Wednesdays
Wordless Wednesday

6. Tomorrow is my 1st Blogoversary on my other blog Sacred Ruminations, so I hope you'll drop by there to help me celebrate again.

7. In honor of this 'milestone' I've created the following 'award' and 'graphic' that you're welcome to 'snag' ... enjoy ... and share with others as you choose.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

7am addendum
While leaving a response to the first 8 visitors who left comments this morning ... (a practice I've enjoyed all year but fallen behind on recently and hope to continue if at all possible) ... I realized I've been thinking about changing my 'storyteller handle' to something more descriptive of who I really am. I don’t seem to have much of an ‘imagination’ when it comes to creating characters and senarios … tend to ‘the personal narrative’ when I write … passing along ‘life events’ (as in memoir or her-story) but I’ve not yet come up with anything better yet. I’ve decided to insert this ‘addendum’ here ... hoping for ideas from visitors who know me … so if YOU have any ideas, I’m open to suggestions ... seriously! I suppose I could do what MaryAnn of Desperately Seeking Serenity did ... giving up her 'Moanna' persona for her 'real name' (in baby steps over time actually now that I revisit that transition) ... but I do enjoy being A Nonny Mouse, at least for now ;--)

As I type this response, I’m listening to the news … it’s foggy here at the beach but apparently the Santa Ana winds are blowing inland and there’s a wildfire burning north of Fontana … threatening homes … forcing evacuations of more than 100 homes in the Rancho Cucamonga area … so my thoughts and prayers are with those affected as I hope for quick containment by fire-fighters.
Hugs and blessings,

Thought for Today

"Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you?" Fanny Brice