UM #33 - I did it again 30 posts in 30 days!!!

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day 30
Where did this month go?

If YOU completed NaBloPoMo too,
you're welcome to snag & enjoy this NaBloPoMo award
and/or the one at Sacred Ruminations today!
I'd very much appreciate a comment & linky-luv if you do ;--)

This is the 305th issue of ...

I'm participating for the 33rd 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. Sleepy :: Hollow (as in The Legend of ...)
   
2. Thanksgiving :: turkey & traditions
   
3. Fifteen :: minutes of fame
   
4. Authority :: question it ... often!
   
5. Bangs :: hair covering the forehead & sometimes the eyes
   
6. Curled :: up cosily with a good book by the fire on a rainy day with a cup of hot tea ;--)
   
7. Young man :: Henny (comedian)
   
8. Surprised :: by Joy (book by C.S. Lewis)
   
9. Mistake :: an opportunity to learn from a 'miss take'
   
10. Handle it :: with aplomb
    

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

1. Sleepy ::
2. Thanksgiving ::
3. Fifteen ::
4. Authority ::
5. Bangs ::
6. Curled ::
7. Young man ::
8. Surprised ::
9. Mistake ::
10. Handle it ::

Click for others 'muttering' today.

I've completed my November 'Gratitude List' in my sidebar & transferred it to my new WordPress site, Happily Retired Gal. Tomorrow I'll begin a new list here for December.

If you missed them ...
Camera Critters is in the next post
Photo Hunt - A Metal Surprise is at Happily Retired Gal
Another Metal Photo Hunt is at Sacred Ruminations

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
" Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." Albert Einstein

Camera Critters #34 - Ms. Kitty watches ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day 29
Photo Hunt - A Metal Surprise is at Happily Retired Gal
Another Metal Photo Hunt is at Sacred Ruminations.

This is my 34thMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here.

Click to 'embiggen' photo for better viewing.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back
Click for others participating in Camera Critters ...
Awards shared recently by me
Haiku Friday #92 (with more awards to snag & enjoy)
Haiku Friday #93 is in the next post

Thought for Today
"The ideal of calm exists in a sitting cat." Jules Reynard

Haiku Friday #93 - 'Tis the season ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day28
Haiku Friday #92 is at Sacred Ruminations
SkyWatch/HaikuFriday is at Happily Retired Gal

Hoping everyone
had a lovely 'turkey' day
(if you celebrate).



Time to decorate
for the Christmas holidays
festively ... What fun!

Earlier today
I shared neighborhood 'SkyWatch"
photos with 'haiku'

on my newest site
Happily Retired Gal ...
hope you'll visit soon!

If you missed them ... I
shared a bunch of awards from
Sandee yesterday.

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week
go to A Mommy Story

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!" Hamilton Wright Mabie

Thursday's Thoughts, a Thank You, and more ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day27

Hooray ... my comment visibility problem at WordPress is resolved!!! I appreciate those of you who responded to my pleas for assistance. Your suggestions made a huge difference. I'm also grateful to friends who have checked out my new Happily Retired Storyteller blog, leaving me words of supportive encouragement there. I've left a 'thank you' there for each of you ;--)

I know it's cRaZy for me to be starting yet another blog, but I'm fascinated with the possibilities and love the challenge of learning new things ... so for the moment, my compulsions have kicked in making me even farther behind on everything else. Such is the story of my life it seems.

Yesterday I was away from home from about 10am until almost 5pm ... running errands ... picking Satsuma tangerines from my sister's backyard tree & delivering 'gifts' to friends ... getting my hair cut & styled ... visiting the dentist to get my permanent crown & final old filling replaced. I did manage to visit a few blogs and keep up with NaBloPoMo here & at Sacred Ruminations with Wellness Wednesday in addition to sharing some advice about How to Remain Young at WordPress.

Sandee at Comedy Plus shared all these lovely awards (some of which I've shared already) yesterday ...
and I want to pass these awards on to all my regulars too!

Here's wishing everyone who's celebrating, the Happiest of Thanksgiving Days ... and to those who aren't, I hope you have a delightful day doing whatever you choose.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back
In addition to my gratitude list in the sidebar here,
I'll be creating & publishing another at Sacred Ruminations soon.

Thought for Today
"Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence." Erma Bombeck

CameraCritters, UnconsciousMutterings & More...

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day 23
Sunrise-Sunset, BYBS & Sacred Life Sunday
are at Sacred Ruminations
Scroll down for Unconscious Mutterings

It's been a while since I've participated,
but this is my 33rdMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here.

Click to 'embiggen' photo for better viewing.

Click for others participating in Camera Critters this week.

This is the 304th issue of ...

I'm participating for the 32nd 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. Spit it out :: Say what you mean right now.
   
2. Shadow :: silhouette
   
3. Database :: information collected & organized for easy access
   
4. Expression :: poetic or narrative
   
5. Boss :: 'cool or groovy' ... (Sigh, I'm dating myself here no doubt)
   
6. Baby :: Love ... song by 'the Supremes'
   
7. Mystic :: Pizza - film with Julia Roberts from the 1980s
   
8. Kate :: Kiss Me Kate (musical play based on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew)
   
9. Boobies :: The Pink Sisterhood
   
10. Raid :: ers of the Lost Ark (I do enjoy Steven Spielberg's films)
    

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

1. Spit it out ::
2. Shadow ::
3. Database ::
4. Expression ::
5. Boss ::
6. Baby ::
7. Mystic ::
8. Kate ::
9. Boobies ::
10. Raid ::

Click for others muttering today.

You Are Thanksgiving

You are a bit of a homebody who enjoys being in the company of people you love.

It doesn't take a lot to make you happy. You're enjoying life as it is. You have many blessings in your life, and you are grateful for each one.

You believe that life is about what you *do* have. You feel like you have enough of the good stuff.

What makes you celebrate: Family, friends, and the changing of the seasons. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The host of the party on a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Spend so much energy preparing that it's a full time job.

What Holiday Are You?

In case you missed my other weekend posts ...
Saturday Morning Musings (with Holiday Mail for Heroes info)
Haiku Friday #91 (containing a lovely award & a link to another)
Photo Hunt: Reflections
SkyWatch/HaikuFriday (with additional links of interest)
And for some levity ... Live Simply, Laugh Often

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same."
Francesca Reigler

HF #91- NaBloPoMo (Day 21 already?)

Make Time for Small Reflections
Where has November gone?

NaBloPoMo-Day21

Mike of Rambling Stuff
gave this lovely award to
me & others ... and

I've decided to
pass it on to everyone
who has commented

during the past week
here at Small Reflections ... I'm
grateful for you all!

In alphabetical order ...
Akelamalu-6
Ari
B. Roan
Chris B
Dave
Deb
Eve
Hootin' Anni-2
Ivanhoe-2
Izzy 'n Emmy
Jeanne
Jo, a retired teacher
Joy
Joyce-2
Karen-6
Kitten
Ladybug
Laane
Linda
Lisa-6
Mama Zen
Martha-3
Maggie
Mariposa
Mike Golch
Momisodes-3
Patsy
Quiet Paths
Robin
Sandee -2
Tammy
Tish
Vixen

FYI - I shared an Autumn Award at Sacred Ruminations yesterday ... (just because) ... so check it out when time permits.

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week go to A Mommy Story
SkyWatch#23/Haiku Friday#92 is at Sacred Ruminations

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

In case you missed them, click for last week's posts:
Thursday's Thought - Some things to consider ...
Whimsical Wednesday - with Birthday Wishes and a humble request (or two) for your consideration
Live simply, Laugh Often ...
Morning Musings - The Pink Sisterhood
Unconscious Mutterings & More ...
Giving Thanks Challenge & A Great Holiday Idea
Haiku Friday #89-So Cal Fires

Thought for Today
"The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend." Aristotle

Thursday's Thoughts - Some things to consider ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day20

If you've not yet read Wednesday's 'humble requests' ...
I hope you'll find time to do so and give them a bit of thought.
I appreciate those of you who have added your support & testimony in comments. It's reassuring to know that Cracker-
jacks & I are not the only ones thinking along these lines.

After receiving email from Ivanhoe indicating that she can't leave comments in the 'embedded' format, I checked Site Meter to see whether visits to my blogs have dropped off commensurate with the recent decline in comments. Noting that the visitation rates have remained stable, I'm wondering if others have had similar problems leaving comments ... so I've changed back to 'pop ups' experimentally. Ivanhoe (and perhaps others) should be able to leave comments again.

If you need a chuckle, I shared a few on Tuesday in Live Simply, Laugh Often ...

Finally ... I found this at Lunar Musings and published it at Blog Rolls, Bling, & Blurbs on November 14th. It touches my heart & conscience and wanted to pass it along here ... just because.
I wish I could be so eloquent and clear in sharing my own beliefs. I hope you'll take time to watch & listen ... and perhaps even share on your blog too. Methinks it’s important to encourage ourselves and others to think about this issue and all its implications calmly, rationally … from a loving place, without fear ... remembering the simplicity & blessings of 'the golden rule.' Thanks …
Hugs and blessings,




Thoughts for Today
"You are a human being. You have rights inherent in that reality. You have dignity and worth that exists prior to law."
Lyn Beth Neylon

"The Framers of the Bill of Rights did not purport to "create" rights. Rather, they designed the Bill of Rights to prohibit our Government from infringing rights and liberties presumed to be preexisting."
Justice William J. Brennan, 1982

"Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself." Robert Ingersoll

Live Simply, Laugh Often ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day18

I found this a couple of weeks ago at Ms Cellania's in one of her Witty Wednesday posts, and decided to share ... just because.

The love story of Ralph and Edna.

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool. Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end. He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there.

Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out.

When the Head Nurse Director became aware of Edna's heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable.

When she went to tell Edna the news she said, 'Edna, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love. I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness.

The bad news is, Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's dead.'

Edna replied, 'He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?'

Have you visited AllFunnyPictures.com?
This one is very 'kewl' ... don't you agree?

The President's Puzzle

Dick Cheney walks into the Oval Office and sees The President whooping and hollering.

"What's the matter, Mr. President?" The Vice President inquired.

"Nothing at all, boss. I just done finished a jigsaw puzzle in record time!" The President beamed.

"How long did it take you?"

"Well, the box said '3 to 5 Years' but I did it in a month!"

(From Comedy Central)

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Above all else: go out with a sense of humor. It is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life." Hugh Sidey

Unconscious Mutterings #31 and More ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day 16

This is the 303rd issue of ...

I'm participating for the 31th 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. Please stop :: and think things through
   
2. Move over :: Hank Williams song ... 'Move It On Over'
   
3. Sweet as :: Orange Blossom Honey
   
4. Bet :: te Middler
   
5. Mad about :: You ... (romantic comedy from the 1990s)
   
6. It’s over :: (the Presidential Election, that is) ... but the massive economic problems, failing health care system, wars on two fronts, a public educational system in need of change, and an 'energy' crisis remain.
   
7. Intend to :: 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' Mahatma Gandhi
   
8. Blame :: Exonerate
   
9. Jefferson :: Airplane
   
10. Heartless :: Compassionate
    

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

1. Please stop ::
2. Move over ::
3. Sweet as ::
4. Bet ::
5. Mad about ::
6. It’s over ::
7. Intend to ::
8. Blame ::
9. Jefferson ::
10. Heartless :

Click for others 'muttering' today.

Michelle at My Crazy Life with a Toddler shared this recently.

The Ultimate Color Test

When you are at peace, you are: Giving and unselfish When you are moved to act, you are: Unorthodox and idealistic When you are inspired, you are: Flexible and experimental When your life is perfectly balanced, you are: Totally in the moment Your life's purpose is: To find contentment

The Ultimate Color Test

If you decide to take this quiz (and/or the one I shared in Saturday's post), I hope you'll either leave your results in comments or a link to your blog where you plan to publish them.

If you missed these ... check out the Giving Thanks Challenge and the Holiday Mail for Heroes I wrote about in yesterday's post here and the So Cal fire updates at Sacred Ruminations here and here. I'll have another there soon ... with my Sunrise-Sunset, BYBS, Sacred Life Sunday.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees." Kahlil Gibran

Haiku Friday #89 - NaBloPoMo Day 14

Make Time for Small Reflections
My 20th SkyWatch/90th Haiku Friday
is at Sacred Ruminations.

Gusty winds last night
fanned flames on the hills of South
Santa Barbara

in Montecito.
Burning uncontrollably
2000 acres ...

hundreds of houses
decimated ... dozens more
still at risk today!

Evacuation
of 5000 residents ...
more are 'on stand-by'

to leave quickly if
conditions require. Please pray
for quick containment

and for everyone
affected ... especially
the fire-fighters

facing dangerous
conditions on terrain that
is precarious.

Photo source ABC7.com

NaBloPoMo-Day14

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
In case you missed my milestone 401st post
click to find & snag awards to enjoy and share with others.

Addendum: I found a video clip at Lunar Musings that touches my heart & conscience and wanted to share ... just because. It's posted at Blog Rolls and Bling today and I hope you'll take time to watch & listen. Perhaps you'll decide to share on your blog too in the interest of increased awareness and conversation.
Hugs and blessings,

Thought for Today
"The hero is commonly the simplest and obscurest of men."
Henry David Thoreau

Thursday's Thoughts & A Couple of Chuckles

NaBloPoMo-Day13

Make Time for Small Reflections
Click for Fun Monday, Ruby Tuesday, & Heads or Tails
My 401st post & bloggy awards
Unconscious Mutterings

While many of you are experiencing 'autumn' and some even 'snow' ... here in Southern California we have 3 days of gusty winds (20-60mph) and temperatures in the 90s ahead, followed by several days in the mid-80s as winds decrease in speed. Of course fire danger is high once again. I'm really ready for some cooler temperatures and rainy days, but I guess it will be a while before we experience those changes.

Today is the Great Southern California Shakeout. At 10am there will be a simulated 7.8 earthquake centered in the Palm Springs area on the San Andreas Fault ... affecting all of Southern California. A seismic event of this magnitude is expected to result in 18,000 deaths and $200 billion in damages. Apparently we have a 46% chance of experiencing such an earthquake in the next 30 years. I remember 'practice events' from my days as a teacher. They often took several hours to complete. With today's warmer WINDY weather, I'm relieved I'm no longer teaching.

I'm a native of California and have lived through many earthquakes, some more frightening than others. They're a 'fact of life' here ... much like tornados in the Midwest & hurricanes in the Gulf states. If you're interested & have time you can click for a 'clickable map' of Historic Earthquakes in Southern California. Here's a fascinating chronological listing of earthquakes from 1900-1999 with links to each event, and this link takes you directly to Northridge earthquake data from 1994 ... another memorable one that caused significant damage to the greater LA area. The last BIG earthquake here occurred in 1971 ... centered in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles.

I'm off to my 5th PSE6 class this morning so I won't be visiting blogs until later this afternoon when I return. I started a conversation about 'financial' matters at Sacred Ruminations yesterday and continued it today ... so you'll find more thoughts & information there than here. I'm skipping T-13 because I have no time to create something worth sharing, but hopefully I'll have time to put something together for next week.

Today I'm choosing ...

how about you?

The Bottom Line

A cowboy rides his horse up to a saloon.

All the patrons gawked as the cowboy kissed his horse on the butt before coming in and asking for a drink.

The bartender serves him and asks, "Mind if I ask why'd ya kiss your horse on the butt?"

The cowboy says, "It's 'cause I got chapped lips."

The bartender asks, "Does manure help them heal?"

Cowboy replies, "No, but it keeps me from licking them."

Totally Bats

Two bats are going for their midnight feed.

After an hour or so, one bat gets tired of looking and goes home with no blood.

The other bat comes home with blood dripping from its mouth. The first bat says enviously, "Where did you get all that blood from?"

The second bat replies, "Follow me. I`ll show you."

After awhile the second bat leads them to a cave. He says, "You see that wall over there?"

The hungry bat excitedly says, "Yes!"

Other bat says, "I didn't."

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing." William James