Saturday Morning Musings ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day22

Photo Hunt-Reflection,
Sky Watch #21 & Haiku Friday #92 ...
are at Sacred Ruminatons.
Haiku Friday #91 is below this post.

An excellent holiday idea for your consideration
In case you missed it the first time around, there's still time to participate in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program sponsored by the American Red Cross. Click the link for specific & important guidelines to ensure your cards can be passed along to service members, veterans, and their families rather than being returned to sender.

The goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families. Please send signed cards to the address below, postmarked no later than Wednesday December 10th.

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Additional things on my mind today ...
Today is Billie Jean King's birthday. She was born in Long Beach, California in 1943 & started playing tennis at the age of 11. Over the course of her career she won 20 Wimbledon titles and four
US Lawn Tennis women's singles matches. In 1973 she defeated Bobby Riggs in 'a battle of the sexes' and remains a inspirational force to many.

Others born on this date include novelist George Eliot (born Mary Ann Evans 1819-1880), comedian Rodney Dangerfield, actress & author Jamie Lee Curtis, tennis star Boris Becker, and actor Mark Ruffalo.

On this date in 1963, I was on the campus of East Los Angeles Junior College when I learned that JFK had been assassinated ... and over the course of the next few days, the nation mourned.
No radio or television stations were covering the motorcade through Dallas so the only film record came from an amateur camera man named Abraham Zapruder who recorded the 26.6 seconds before, during, and immediately afterwards on 8mm film.

What stark contrast to the restraint exercised by the media in those days as compared with the daily visual bombardment of violence on news programs & in TV programming (with the notable exception of violent footage from Iraq and/or coverage of wounded & dead soldiers returning to the US) ... and the violent images in films, on MTV, and in video games.

I'm reminded of what Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980) predicted in his 1964 book UNDERSTANDING MEDIA: The Extensions of Man resulting in the famous slogan, 'the medium is the message' ... in which he suggested television would alter the structure & working of the human mind forever.

Reminding myself there's good & bad in everything ... I do sometimes wonder about the minds of adults who as infants spent hours entertained by television images from their infant seats rather than exploring their environment first hand with real objects.

I'm planning to plant
these two flats of pansies this weekend ...

A little humor from Comedy Central
... just because ;--)

Death Row in a Women's Prison Three women are about to be executed. One''s a brunette, one''s a redhead, and one''s a blonde. The guard brings the brunette forward and the executioner asks if she has any last requests. She says no, and the executioner shouts, "Ready! Aim!"

Suddenly the brunette yells, "EARTHQUAKE!!!"

Everyone is startled and throws themselves on the ground while she escapes.

The guard brings the redhead forward and the executioner asks if she has any last requests. She say no, and the executioner shouts, "Ready! Aim!"

Suddenly the redhead yells, "TORNADO!!!"

Everyone is startled and looks around for cover while she escapes.

By now the blonde has it all figured out. The guard brings her forward and the executioner asks if she has any last requests. She says no, and the executioner shouts, "Ready! Aim!"

And the blonde yells, "FIRE!!!"

Small Reflections, Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages." Thomas A. Edison

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

Whimsical Wednesday - with Birthday Wishes and a humble request (or two) for your consideration

NaBloPoMo-Day19

Make Time for Small Reflections

Happy Belated Birthday to
Akelamalu of Everything and Nothing
who celebrated November 18th
(I stand corrected ... Thanks!)

and a very Happy Birthday to
CrAzY Working Mom
who is celebrating today!

(I apologize if I've missed YOUR birthday,
and if you'll let me know ...
I'll add it here)

I encountered & responded to a post at Izzy 'N Emmy's recently ... realizing I have a similar (even larger) problem since I have 750+ emails waiting for me to do something with them. A while back I found it impossible to respond to comments on my blog as I'd done since starting entering this virtual world.

Because I enjoy the 'conversational connection' ... I've experi- mented with the practice of responding in email to those of you who make your email addresses available when you comment or (have sent me email previously so I have access).

That brings me to the humble request for your consideration.
The post from Crackerjacks said (and I quote here because I was given permission to do so when I asked):

"I have a small favor to ask.

I currently have over 100 emails sitting in my inbox that I am trying to respond to. I like responding to the many comments Izzy 'N Emmy receive. BUT, those 100 of you sitting in my inbox are sitting for one reason; they all have the "no-reply blogger addy."

Nikowa over at Knowledge House Academy linked to Halftime Lessons for a great tutorial on how to change this, if you'd like. Many of you may not want to change it, but if you do want to and just don't know how, GO HERE.

My days are becoming busier by the moment and I am finding that I cannot make it to each and every site to leave a reply comment in another post. Sending a reply email is so much easier and more personal.

So, think about it and try it. If you don't like it, you can always change it back."

So ... I'm asking the same thing if you're willing to give it a go. If you'd rather not make your email available to everyone in the Blogosphere, perhaps you might consider sharing it with those of us you trust not to abuse it?

My email is available on my Blogger Profile page ... and has been since I've started blogging. You'll note it's associated with my Blogger account rather than my personal email. That allows me to keep things 'orderly' ... separating the two. It's easy to establish a free gmail account, so that's an option too.

One more thing while I'm thinking of it. I know some of you use 'Word Verification' to protect yourselves from 'spammers' ... perhaps with good reason. I removed that feature from my blogs after just a couple of weeks in the Blogosphere and haven't had significant problems with spammers. On the rare occasions spamming does happen, it's a simple matter to catch & delete those comments because I received emails whenever anyone leaves a comment on my blogs.

5:22am addendum on Thursday morning
I've noticed that Travis of Trav's Thoughts has had 8 or 9 'anonymous spam (advertising) comments' added to his 'Peace Post' ...(I get follow-ups in email, remember)... this morning. This happens to me occasionally (perhaps 5 times in the course of the 13 months I've been blogging), but since I receive email notification ... it's a simple matter to delete the series of unwanted comments forever. I suspect that's what he'll do also.

In addition, I allow folks to add their name and/or URL when leaving a comment ... something that permits others to enter a 'specific' link rather than the general one (listing their Blogger Profile page that may contain multiple blogs like mine does). All I ask is that you think about these changes and perhaps test them out to see what happens. As Crackerjacks points out, it's a simple matter to change back if problems occur.

Click if you're looking for the 'pink tag' in Monday's post ... and if you missed yesterday's post, check out Live Simply, Laugh Often for a variety of chuckles. I added a few more this morning, just because ;--)

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." Hans Hofmann

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

Morning Musings - The Pink Sisterhood

Make Time for Small Reflections

NaBloPoMo-Day17

See also my Monday Motivator at Sacred Ruminations.
and my 'Giving Thanks Challenge List' in the sidebar to the right.
Scroll down for The Pink Sisterhood Meme.

I found this Quiz at Monique's ... and couldn't resist, though it's been sitting in 'drafts' for a while now. Today seems like a good time to share, just because.

Your Passion is Pink!

You're the type of woman that would never get described as passionate... Oh but you can be passionate at times - you just don't let it show. Your passion most shows through in your sweet and optimistic attitude. And chances are, most people are very passionate about you!

What Type of Passionate Woman Are You?
If you decide to take this quiz
please leave your results in comments
or a link to where I can find them on your blog.

It reminds me of something I've been meaning to share and today seems like a good time. I found this at Hootin' Anni's who was tagged by Antoinette for the Pink Sisterhood Meme. She wrote:

"I’ve lost several friends through Breast Cancer. We can only hope that there will always be funds enough to keep the research going. Some illnesses can never be cured, but there’s been so much progress in Cancer Research that many people have been saved.
One of the most important things is Early Detection. Read more about that here.

* One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.

* Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.

* Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.

* Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50.

* Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54, and the second cause of cancer death in women 55 to 74.

* Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.

* Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival."

Facts taken from Women’s Health

And now here is the tag and the rules:

1. Put the logo in your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Add your link to the list of participants below

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

PINK Sisterhood

1- Fara 2- Massy 3- N.O.Y 4- Mariuca 5- A Great Pleasure 6- LadyJava 7- Kim 8- Pink Thoughts 9- Turn-u-Off 10- Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 11- STAY AT HOME MOM 12- Fida Abbott 13- Also Mommy 14- Janice Ng 15- Juliana’s Site 16- The Painted Veil 17- Heart of Rachel 18- Mga Muni-muni 19-Picture Clusters 20- Scraps of Mind 21- Antoinette 22 - Hootin' Anni 23 - storyteller

I usually 'invite' participation rather that 'tag' and today is no exception ... please join 'the Pink Sisterhood' if you choose and leave me a link when you do.

In addition, today I'd like to tag:
Tammy of A Little Girl Talk and Mom Knows Everything
Ivanhoe at Communique by Ivanhoe
Akelamalu of Everything and Nothing
Grandy of Functional Shmunctional
Karen of Journey to Authenticity
Kitten of Kitten's Homeschool
Mary of Mary's Writing Nook
Joyce of Mom's Musings
Alison of RDH Mom
Yertle at Smile, Play, Dream
Joy of the Joy of Six
Mama Zen at the Zen of Motherhood

Small Reflections ... Smile Back!

If you decide to participate, please leave me a link
so I can visit you & those you 'tag' or invite ;--)

Isn't it time?

Thought for Today
"Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister." Alice Walker

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

Giving Thanks Challenge & A Great Holiday Idea

Make Time for Small Reflections

My 30th Photo Hunt is at Sacred Ruminations
and it contains a fire update if you read
Haiku Friday #89 yesterday.
NaBloPoMo-Day 15

Two Holiday Ideas (and a Blogthing)

Mary, the teach, at Work of the Poet shared the Blogthing
below yesterday. She also invited visitors to join in the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by South Breeze Farm. I checked this challenge out and decided better late than never, so I started my list today in the sidebar. I encourage YOU to check it out as time permits and join in on your blog ... inviting others to participate as well ... just because.

You Are 96% Thankful

You're an incredibly thankful person, and everyone around you feels very appreciated. You inspire people to be more optimistic, forgiving, and grateful.

How Thankful Are You?

If you decide to take this quiz, I hope you'll either leave your results in comments or a link to your blog when you publish them. If you decide to participate in the 'Giving Thanks Challenge' please let me know about that too so I can visit.

2nd Marvelous Holiday Idea!
I received an email from a friend about sending holiday cards to American Soldiers and want to pass the idea on ... just because. After checking with Snopes Urban Legends Reference Pages, I learned about a Holiday Mail for Heroes program sponsored by the American Red Cross. If you decide to participate, take a minute to check out guidelines & details at the Holiday Mail for Heroes link.

Addendum:
I prepared this post yesterday and scheduled it to publish this morning, but decided to add a note first because I awoke early and learned there's a new firestorm in Sylmar located north of Los Angeles in the foothills of Angeles National Forest ... near an area that burned just last month. Apparently it started last night around 10pm & resulting from the same 'windy weather conditions' that caused yesterdays burn in Montecito. I've included details in today's Photo Hunt at Sacred Ruminations.

Please pray for quick containment and for everyone affected ... especially the fire-fighters facing dangerous conditions on precarious terrain.

Thought for Today
"Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward." Soren Kierkegaard

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

Whimsical Wednesday #11 - A Quickie

NaBloPoMo-Day12

Make Time for Small Reflections

Time has gotten away from me this morning as I created a rather lengthy post at Sacred Ruminations this morning that I've divided into two parts. Click to read the 1st part today. I'll publish the 2nd part there tomorrow.

It's 10:05am and I have a dental appointment at 11am to have my teeth cleaned ... so this will be very short.

If you missed my first Simply Kind Tuesday post ... click on the logo below to read about it. I invite you to participate in either or both challenges described there as time & energy permit.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy." Karl Reiland