The insomnia of the wee hours in the dark can trigger such ambitious and lofty plans! And, when we’re lucky, these moments trigger an amazing clarity of purpose and even a detailed visualization on the procedure required.
Yes, I had to extend my patience to capture these Painted Ladies! A tripod and remote shutter-release were mostly useless with these fluttering beauties. The colours were worthy of my efforts even though the sharpness was compromised.
Anyone for a cuppa?
This shows the results of some recent playtime with a smart phone app and Instagram.
And the vitamin D is there for the soaking up.
Oh, Happy Day!
Bonus? My basement is drying out.
Well, yes, it is more springy out there: the birds are all a-twitter and the temperatures are more inviting.
But now we need some sunshine!
The rain has been falling for several days; lake and river levels are rising; basements are getting wet and yes, even flooded; it’s definitely time for a break.
With nary a spoken – or written – word.
Just this morning I was introduced to Maya Angelou’s recitation of her poem, Phenomenal Woman, and cannot believe I haven’t heard this gem before! Thank you for sharing, Jackie.
On International Women’s Day, I treated myself to a TEDx Talks YouTube video, where I was mesmerized by the magnetism of Caroline McHugh. Wow!
We do have choices. We just have to be brave enough to act upon them.
When people expose us, or others-in-our-company, to inappropriate behaviour that includes over-reacting, sulking, ranting, bullying, criticizing, belittling, ridiculing or any of many other demeaning styles, we do not have to tolerate it, or feel bad, or fidget, or hang our heads, or crawl within our shells, or in any way, accept it. Indeed, we have an obligation to ourselves and others to not ignore it. And to not accept it. If we are faced with unkind, unnecessary, unproductive and quite simply, unacceptable behaviour, we must stop tiptoeing around, and react. Pointe finale!
Caring and sociable people who are flexible, and willing to dedicate time and energy to help others, and even just to be with them, must learn to respect their own limits. Before they reach these limits.
Hmmm. You have the sneaking suspicion that you’ve seen this image before.
Those rolling snow drifts, the long shadows, and those silly women all look familiar. Hmmm, maybe you’re right.
Spring! Yeah! Bring it on!
Someone in New York is feeling romantic, and I sense that love is in the air.
Thank you for your purchase.
Pay attention, girls, ’cause I’m telling you the truth:
You don’t need any makeup to get your through your youth.
True beauty – that is real – doesn’t come inside a jar.
It’s important that you realize, you’re great the way you are.
Forget about the lipstick, mascara, cream and blush.
They may make you look older, but what’s all the rush?
Enjoy your life at thirteen; learn to love yourself;
Stop looking in the mirror; leave the products on the shelf.
They’re full of nasty chemicals that aren’t good for you;
They coat your skin and lashes and muck your lips up too.
Plus after you have put them on, and you’re caked with all that stuff,
Before you go to bed at night, you have to scrub it off.
Finally, when you’ve finished that, your face is once more clean.
But wait! According to the pros, you must apply more cream.
Yes, this circle is a vicious one. It’s really quite a pain.
Before you leave to go to school, you must dress your face – again!
These products are not good for you, and look at the price you pay!
Though they promise to make you beautiful, this is what I say:
Without them you ARE beautiful, and you have a lot more time,
To do the things that really count, and that really help you shine.
Just be yourself and live your life; do real things – for you.
Spend time with friends, and learn, and do. Be beautifully real and true!
Don’t listen to cosmetics claims – the scene they show is fake.
Real women don’t look anything like the nonsense they portray.
Ignore their ads and keep your cash, and refuse to pay the price.
Instead of falling for their claims, consider my advice.
Makeup can cost a fortune, and help companies grow richer.
Just forget all their slick talk and listen to your teacher.
Note: “This Rapper Drake” wrote and performed a shorter version of this rap for students in her last years of teaching at Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie, a girls’ school in Outremont, Quebec.
The woods are lovely, [white and bright,]
But I have [Wordpress posts to write,
And work to do before tonight,
And work to do before tonight.]
It’s rare that I enter these woods without the words of Robert Frost’s famous poem dancing through my mind. But since I was there on a sunny afternoon, his words didn’t quite ring true. So, I had to modify them. And yes, now they respect the moment. 🙂
Perhaps you’d like to listen to Robert Frost reading his original creation, Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening.
Turning an interesting old illustration into a greeting card, requires a few steps, including from the very beginning, research on copyrights and “Permission to Use.”
With the legalities taken care of, we then imagine how we would like to use the selection in an original or personal way that says Audities’ Cards.
Browsing through our photos, we find an image that could be combined with the illustration to create an interesting or humorous message.
Then, through patience and the magic of photo editing, we combine the two photos to create the scene.
Finally, we work on the finishing touches to the image, and add the overlays and text to complete the greeting.
Now, surely you agree: that’s fun!
Ahh, the convenience of Social Media!
Oooh, the seduction of Pinterest!
Perhaps it will help keep discouragement at bay.
When I look around me, I see educated and very intelligent sick people. The disease they suffer from is affluenza, a serious addiction to buying . . . stuff. Stuff they do not need or even really want, but stuff they feel compelled to buy. At first glance, you would say they are healthy and happy and wise about their spending, but they spend a lot of time saying: “I’ve just bought this!” and, “I got this on sale!” and, “I’m so excited about my new this!” Usually they are also very good at justifying their need for this new stuff.
The courtship of the image and the words is the beginning. These two play and wiggle around in my head, and gradually tease me with their love for each other until they finally propose!
I believe it is a fundamental truth: our lives could improve dramatically if we only stopped concerning ourselves with what people think of us!
And not only that!
Most of us volunteer on a daily basis. We hold doors open, put out the neighbour’s trash, deliver soup to a sick friend, babysit a rooster or pick up a pound of butter. It’s a natural instinct to help, that comes from feeling that we are part of a community. It’s one more way to Show We Care.
Although the process of ordering cards on Greeting Card Universe is very user-friendly, some of you may appreciate a little hand-holding the first time you do it. Follow these steps and you’ll surely agree that it is quite painless.
Click on the link to Audities’ Cards: Online Greeting Card Store where you’ll see the above banner.
Browse through the selections to locate the card that tickles your fancy–one that suits your recipient and the occasion. Let’s say you’d like something fun for your 4-year-old granddaughter, Katherine.
Hover over your choice and click to open the individual view of the card details. Say you have chosen this one: Floppy Doll Valentine
Select one of two options. If you choose “Add to Cart no personalization” you will see a new screen with two more choices: “Add to Cart and Checkout” or “Add to cart and continue shopping.” You decide when you are ready to advance to the order stage.
If you choose the second option to “Personalize Inside” and modify the inside message, you may change the font type, size and colour. In this case, you would probably want to include your granddaughter’s name, and say something personal just for her. Also, using a child’s font rather than script will increase the chances that she can read your message herself.
Another choice you have is the opportunity to write a closing, such as, “With hugs from Grandma!” You would want to fill this in if you decide to have the card sent directly to your granddaughter, rather than having it sent to you first. This really works like a charm! If you are in a time-crunch, or the recipient lives overseas, it is, indeed, a very convenient option. And think of how Katherine will feel to find mail in the box just for her!
Other choices reflecting the finish (glossy or matte) and the view on the back (standard or simple) are available here too. Once you have made your choices, you will have to click the approve button to indicate that you are satisfied. There are actually two consecutive screens for this process.
The final nitty-gritty involves entering addresses and payment details. And I’ll leave that up to you. For your information, the most expensive card–if you buy only one–is $3.50 US plus shipping.
You see? Economical and Easy-Peasy, right?
Did I forget anything? Try it out now, and let me know. Contact Audities’ Cards
When a friend is feeling blue, discouraged, or lost, she wants support–not criticism or ridicule. Don’t throw more obstacles in her way. Help her find the right path–for her.
[She] ain’t heavy; [she’s] my [sister].*
Indeed, we can all go astray for a day, and just need encouragement to find our way.
Show you care.
*lyrics by BOBBY SCOTT & BOB RUSSELL
Personally, I believe that we can make every day as romantic as Valentine’s Day, but if you’d like to shine a special light on the event, consider this greeting.
Or browse my store for more selections. Audities’ Cards
You have just over three weeks to choose and order. And remember, you can personalize all interior messages quickly and easily with a few clicks on your keyboard.
Why is it so difficult for people to understand that they must speak clearly, slowly and loudly if they expect seniors to hear and understand the questions being asked, or the instructions being given?
Can you imagine that your name is Gayle, and that today is August 27th, your birthday, and that you have just received the card below via snail mail? And that you love yellow, and especially yellow crocuses?
Social media can be fun!
Indeed, it is fun once we get to the social part of it. But, boy oh boy, can it be challenging if we want to try something different; or make changes to something we’ve already learned how to do; or do something quickly, because “Hey! I already know how to do this!”
Audities' Cards 