Hope in renewal?

Throughout the last year many "descriptive" remarks have been made in an attempt to define or declare or criticize whom people, from all walks of life, surmise the man, Barack Obama, to be...

My focus in this post is on that part of him that is "real" (known mainly to his family and closest friends)...most likely that he is a man with strengths and weaknesses, a man who laughs and cries and farts and burps just like anyone else, a man who has faced losses and triumphs, who makes mistakes and blunders on occasion, and also a man who has made, and we pray, will continue to make intelligent, determined, passionate decisions to challenge the world around him, as he challenges himself (and us), to strive for more than status quo.

I do not know Barack Obama personally, and most likely never will, but I am curious and interested in him, not just as our president, but as a man. My curiousity about him springs from his roots and his aspirations. I hope to follow his days, as our President, as closely as my time will allow. I know I will have to sort through all types of rhetoric and propaganda and media spin to determine for myself what lies beneath Barack Obama's polished and poised exterior, to determine how he has accomplished and may hopefully continue to (and inspire others to) accomplish "the unexpected and seemingly impossible".

What he is like as a human being...the human side (or possibly spiritual side) of him, his compassion for others, and his vision of "life as service to others", making a difference in the world around us, is what attracts me to his persona and ideals as I'm continually drawn to life "outside the box", despite my own failures and personal struggles with cynicism, unbelief, regrets, unforgiveness, and fears. When I consider the direction my life has taken...I ask "is this it?" Am I always only to do what I think is the right thing to do at the time, only to discover later, that there was so much more to the experience that what I realized or recognized? How much of a risk am I willing to take to see the fullfillment of what I believe are my dreams/longings? How much does my thought life hamper my willingness to live the life I desire?

this verse comes to mind...I urge you, therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

On Tuesday, the day of President Obama's inauguration, I spent the day working around the house and taping as much of the events and celebration as I possibly could. Over time I will sit back and take a look at all that occurred that day. This is the first time in my adult life I have been interested in a Presidential Inauguration. I heard various people either attending the inauguration itself or an inaugural celebration make this same comment "first time to pay attention to an inauguration" throughout the day.

I did take time to watch the live broadcast of the inauguration, and along with Obama's speech, my favorite part was the benediction given by Reverend Joseph Lowery, especially his final words..."in the joy of a new beginning we ask you to help us work for that day when the black will not be asked to get back, when the brown can stick around, when the yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead man, and when the white will embrace what is right..."


Link to the above video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Il9r-VSu9g

In 2006, following a discussion we had about past relationships, a co-worker (from Kenya) recommended I read a book written by Barack Obama. I had never heard of Barack Obama, who in 2006 was an Illinois senator, and also happened to be bi-racial with an African father. The book my co-worker wanted me to read was Dreams from My Father. She told me I would find this man's experience with his African roots informative and helpful in answering some of my own personal questions about a certain friend of mine. I once cared deeply for a fellow student, a Kenyan, I met at Oral Roberts University in 1984. Much of who I am today and how I look at the world was influenced by this friend, a man of great intelligence and compassion, whom I admired and loved over a span of ten years or so. I was amazed to discover that Barack's father and my friend were from basically the same area of Kenya. This discovery peaked my curiousity about the father's life in Kenya and, also, what Barack's perspective and experience was when he met his family and the people living in Nairobi and the area around Lake Victoria. So I soon purchased a copy and began my own emotional journey with this memoir.

It took me "forever" (or so it seemed) to read it. Many times I had to lay the book down, when what I read struck a nerve of pain, extreme discomfort, or regret. Why would I experience this kind of reaction to what I was reading? I am a caucasian woman who gave birth to a bi-racial child seventeen years ago, and for various reasons I chose not to parent my child, but instead relinquished my parental rights, allowing my daughter to be adopted (fyi: my friend spoken of above was not the father of my child). Through an open adoption I have an ongoing relationship with my daughter who has been raised in a caucasian home. My daughter is amazingly resilient and enthusiastic about her future, yet aware of some of the realities/ prejudices she may face as a bi-racial, "black women" in our society. Watching Barack Obama's journey gives me hope for her, though she has yet to fully grasp the significance of what has occurred. I think reading this memoir dug up again and again the losses and failures in my life...what my life could have been like raising my daughter compared to the life I now live simply as "the birthmother"...each day, month, year that passes I know that I have missed out on so many of the details of my daughter's life. Barack's accounts of his relationship with his mother and how it differed with his father, the closeness and the separation, and of his struggles in coming to terms with his bi-racial, African and American heritages in the context of "life as a black man in America", tapped a deep well of pain in me and often left me with an overwhelming sadness. When I reached these points in his story I would take a break and turn to more light-hearted reading.

Time and again I picked up Dreams from My Father and started reading only to discover another account that would strike an uncomfortable discontent in me causing me once again put the book back on my bookshelf. As the final months of the 2008 election drew near, I finally pushed my way through to the end of Barack's memoir. I was surprised by how hard this book was for me to digest emotionally. I'm not sure Barack's story provided the answers to the questions I was originally seeking in regards to my Kenyan friend, but it did provide interesting insight into the thoughts and experiences of this one man. Maybe I will have to someday visit Kenya and the Lake Victoria region myself in order to find the answers I am seeking and come to a deeper understanding of my old friend.

Barack did not write a flowery account of his life, and at times the inner turmoil/struggle he describes is intense. Somehow, though, he was able to rise above his many losses and struggles and "challenge/change the world within himself and around him". I feel that if somehow I can learn from the man, Barack Obama (who happens to now be our President)...how to live my life this way-not settle for status-quo, but determine what changes I can most effectively pursue in my own life and the world around me, and understand the plan and purpose of my life-I will be eternally grateful to him and to God.

If you have not read Barack Obama's book Dreams from My Father, I encourage you to pick up a copy (there are probably lots available for little $ at http://www.amazon.com/).

The parts of Dreams from My Father that spoke to me the loudest?

*Barack's accounts of his mother and her second husband, Lolo Soetoro, and their life in Indonesia

*Barack's work as a community organizer in Chicago

*Barack's visit to Kenya and his inner struggles between "feeling at home" and learning about all the "family drama"-trying to piece it all together and determine how/where he fits into his father's family and legacy

(In days ahead I will spend a bit of time commenting about the three areas from Barack's memoir that spoke to me the most. )

Today on the Diane Rehm show on the second hour (11:00), she and several professionals from various backgrounds discussed Barack Obama's memoir Dreams from My Father. Their discussion is interesting and if you don't see yourself reading the book, you can pick up a sense of Barack Obama...the man, from this show.

Check it out at http://wamu.org/programs/dr/09/01/22.php#24505

While typing up this post, another bible verse also keeps coming to mind...Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. (Ephesians 4:20-21)

Who are we?????

Traveling across time

to be where

hope's resolve

casts itself

upon a sea swelling

awaiting history

Those cold shivers

threaten to undo one's longing

to be present

at such a time as this

such rapt attention

all around the world

just to see

what it is that abounds

in Washington D.C.

2009 begins a new era

we will see

the good and the bad

of one man

just a man is he

and so he, too,

will succeed

and so may we

the people of this nation

and yes stumble on days...

as we make our way

along this path we have chosen

or has it chosen us?

Well i say

it's about time

for all to finally awaken

and be shaken

It's time to know

it truly is not

about the color of the skin

of man or woman or child

but what matters most

is the content of our character

as we think and love

and live and struggle

and believe

Who are we?

tkaeu 2009

Keep moving forward America

In remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr., his life, his calling, his mission...

At the time of his assassination in April 1968, he with the the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and various other organizations were embarking upon the 2nd phase of their mission...addressing POVERTY IN AMERICA. Many people may believe that the Civil Rights Movement accomplished it's final goal with the passage of the Civil Right's Act in 1964, but truly that was only a beginning. Other areas of injustice in America needed to be addressed and changed.

The following information from Wikipedia sheds some light on what else Martin Luther King, Jr. felt and believed in his heart and mind for the "often invisible people" of our nation.
(the link is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr)

In 1968, King and the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) organized the "Poor People's Campaign" to address issues of economic justice. The campaign culminated in a march on Washington, D.C. demanding economic aid to the poorest communities of the United States. King traveled the country to assemble "a multiracial army of the poor" that would march on Washington to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience at the Capitol until Congress created a bill of rights for poor Americans.

King and the SCLC called on the government to invest in rebuilding America's cities. He felt that Congress had shown "hostility to the poor" by spending "military funds with alacrity and generosity". He contrasted this with the situation faced by poor Americans, claiming that Congress had merely provided "poverty funds with miserliness". His vision was for change that was more revolutionary than mere reform: he cited systematic flaws of "racism, poverty, militarism and materialism", and argued that "reconstruction of society itself is the real issue to be faced".

From the Emancipation Proclamation ...
Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863, it had minimal immediate effect on most slaves’ day-to-day lives, particularly in Texas, which was almost entirely under Confederate control.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. Legend has it while standing on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of “General Order No. 3”:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

That day has since become known as Juneteenth, a name derived from a portmanteau of the words June and nineteenth. Former slaves in Galveston rejoiced in the streets with jubilant celebrations. Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the following year. Across many parts of Texas, freed people pooled their funds to purchase land specifically for their communities’ increasingly large Juneteenth gatherings — including Houston's Emancipation Park,Mexia's Booker T. Washington Park, and Emancipation Park in Austin. Juneteenth celebrations include a wide range of festivities, such as parades, street fairs, cookouts, or park parties and include such things as music and dancing or even contests of physical strength and intellect.

to the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement under Martin Luther King's leadership...



to the election of Barack Obama (African American, biracial, man of color, black man) as President of the United States of America...


... we continue on our journey towards one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thinking of this statement from our Declaration of Independence...

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

I think if Martin Luther King, Jr. were still alive today, he would say we have much yet to accomplish. Yes! We have made progress, but if we simply compare our current state to our past failures, we will become complacent. Instead let us continue to look inward at the state of our hearts, and outward at our attitudes and actions towards those struggling around us. Let us not turn a deaf ear and a hardened heart to what overwhelms us, but continue to come together as diverse peoples, seeking to understand one another and work together, as a neighborhood, a community, a nation, to achieve fulfillment of dreams for all.

I believe much of what Barack Obama envisions for "change in America" speaks to the 2nd phase of the Civil Right's Movement...addressing the issue of poverty and reducing the disparity felt by many citizens living in our nation.

To read about/hear what people across America are saying about the state of our nation and their ideas for change, check out the following link: http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/home

I often struggle inwardly with what our Declaration of Independence states about freedom, equality, and human rights, and how this truly plays out in everyday life. Slogans clearly heard are: "The United States of America, where anyone can be whatever they want to be!" "America-where one has only to succeed by hard work and "pulling oneself up by the bootstraps!" I believe that achieving personal success or accomplishing one's dreams is much more complicated than simply finding the "inner motivation" and focusing on "individual achievement".

Our forefathers fought to throw off the tyranny of the British government, only to turn around and, on many levels, ignore the rights of many people who did not have the resources and wealth to protect themselves and/or their land. And though we have "officially abolished slavery", enslavement in one subtle form or another still exists today in America, through our prison system, welfare system, drug addictions/War on Drugs, etc. Working in various capacities of social work over the last eighteen years, I have witnessed first hand the disparity people face. In race relations, economic status, our healthcare system, our approach to education and other areas, we have much yet to accomplish.

While attempting to help a young couple in 2005 break off generational chains of "homelessness, poverty, abuse, and drug addiction", I witnessed a huge chasm between desire, ability, opportunity, and achievement. On July 4th, 2005, thinking about this couple's heart wrenching struggle to survive and to change, and the struggles of so many through the years who have not seen the fulfillment of their hopes and dreams, I voiced my frustration about "freedom in our nation" through this piece...

Fourth of July Cry

Empty promises
It’s what you represent

Oppression
The system
carrying on
the virus
of oppression

slavery…
modern day
Infected
raw, sore
and bleeding

Offering up
the broken
the wounded
Spirits collapse
under it’s weight

A mindset of oppression
It’s what you represent.

Empty promises
Land of opportunity
Broken bottles
Littered sidewalks
The American dream

Hungry mouths
Homeless shelters
What about the empty promises?
A hand up
A hand out

Catch 22
Breeding dependence?
Generational curses
Land of the free
Jails overflowing

Drug infested neighborhoods
Home of the brave
Gun wars
Drive by shootings
Birthday parties

Death, blood, violence
Soldier fighting in Iraq
For more
Empty promises
Death, blood, violence

Twisted logic
Kill or be killed
Poisoned souls
Tortured minds
Heaven or hell

America the beautiful
Boarded up shacks
Cockroach hotel
Amber waves of grain
Freely blowing

Freedom, my ass
America God bless
Oh shed your grace on me
Death, blood, violence
People swinging from trees

Stolen land
Crushed spirits
Sidewalk sleeper
Whisky bottle in hand
Empty promises

Tkaeu
2005

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation

where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,

but by the content of their character.

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

My favorite mural in Cottonwood, Arizona taken 2007

When we let freedom ring,

when we let it ring from every tenement and every hamlet,

from every state and every city,

we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children,

black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics,

will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old spiritual,

"Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Storytelling of the old west...

Community mural in the "historic" downtown area of Cottonwood. A story is waiting to be told in this artistic rendition of the "old west"...the history and rich culture of this area...Yavapai County.

(The above pic and the italicized information below are from the following link: http://www.artconnections.org/html/participation.html)

Artists and community businesses contributed talents and resources to nurture Cottonwood’s first public mural. Artists spent 4 weeks designing the mural. Ideas and images came from thoughts of community member’s strong connections to their environment, their history and their diverse cultures.

Artists involved are Carol Hildebrand, Diana Holladay, Catherine Beason, Theresa Shostakovich, Carl Cambio, Janet Baser, Sallie Martinez, Serafina Raphael, Mina Shore, Jessica Sierra, Don Decker and Kathy Englund. All artists volunteered to work on the design committee because they felt this was a worthwhile project for the community. Sherwin Williams donated gallons of paint, Focus on Graphics and Copy Max helped get brochures and letters printed. Leslie Owen and Rebecca Baker of Buena Vista Children’s Services partnered and many of their students in the Discovery Connection helped with the design.

"In 1874 soldiers from Camp Verde were stationed at an adobe house, but at that time there was no name for the present Cottonwood (where the house existed). As settlers moved in and the community developed, it took its name from a circle of sixteen large cottonwoods growing about one-quarter of a miles away from the Verde River. The place was unhealthful. Malaria and dysentry were severe problems as mosquitos rose in thick clouds from stagnant pools left by receding floods. Such quinine as was available sold at $4.00 an ounce and could be bought only when it was in surplus at Camp Verde. Nevertheless, by 1879, several families had settled there, including the Nichols, Van Deerens, Hawkins, and Strahans. It is a curious fact that eact family had nine children. The adobe building formerly used by soldiers became a school house. Today Cottonwood is a thriving community. P.O. est March 6, 1879, William H. Michael pm.
(info from following link: http://jeff.scott.tripod.com/cottonwood.html)
Tuzigoot National Monument was created to preserve the Indian culture of the area. The name Tuzigoot is an Apache word for “crooked water”. The site covers 42 acres and has so many things to offer its visitors.

The Sinaguan Indians built Tuzigoot in 1000 A.D. The Sinagua Indians worked the land and traded with other cultures. Then in 1400 the Indians just vanished. Tuzigoot is the remains of their village or pueblo. The pueblo includes 110 rooms with second and third story structures. (This information and much more on the Tuzigoot National Monument is found at this site: http://www.arizonan.com/parks/tuzigoot-national-monument/)

Bourque and Gibran

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet

and the winds long to play with your hair.

–Kahlil Gibran

Cottonwood Mural 2007

Check out the details of this mural in my close up shots shown below.

I'm including a poem that I believe relates to the images in the mural

and to the artist's purpose in her work.

I found this mural on the side of the Goodwill building in downtown Cottonwood.

The mural artist is Joan Bourque and these websites:

http://www.artfuloceans.org/html/murals.html

http://www.artconnections.org/html/joan_bourque.html

provide more examples of her works and explains the focus and intent of her art projects.

The Children
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children." And he said:Your children are not your children.They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.They come through you, but not from you, and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love, but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts.You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; for even as He loves the arrow that flies, so he loves also the bow that is stable.
-Kahlil Gibran

I found the above poem on the following website: http://colleenscorner.com/Poetry7.html. She shares quite a few poems that are worth remembering. Thanks Colleen!

About blogging: You know it never ceases to amaze me how much you can learn on-line about total strangers, who don't seem so much like "strangers" after you read so many details about their personal lives. The crazy thing about the blogging world is that for bloggers and those who read blogs...you could possibly learn more about "perfect strangers" than you may ever know about your own family members, particularly if you do not share proximity. I wonder what this says about us in this internet age? Well this strange phenomenon could be eliminated if everybody just blogged, sooo EVERYBODY GET BLOGGING! RIGHT?!? :)

Oh, and something else about Collen (mentioned above)...well, she is a terrific photographer! Check her pics out at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clinker/ It's totally worth the click.

Life can be full of one great discovery after another!

Change or bust?

In the upcoming week, many eyes will be on Washington D.C. in anticipation of the 2009 presidential inauguration. With the cold fronts sweeping down from Canada, I can imagine that those attending will be braving very cold weather to be present at this event. There may be lots of "dancing for joy" just to keep somewhat warm. Or maybe they can pack together like penguins and take turns moving from the inside to the outside. Needless to say, I'm kinda envious of those who will be traveling to the capital. It will be an exciting time!! Instead I will be in 60-70 degree weather here in Phoenix, Arizona, watching the ceremonies on TV in my home, while millions will be in D.C. attending various inaugural events, and at the Capitol on January 20th, despite the below-freezing outdoor temps, to celebrate this historic moment. Considering I don't like freezing...brrrrr...or huge throngs of people (yuck!), I think I'll be right where I need to be. Just the same-I'll still wonder what it would have been like to attend Barack Obama's inauguration.

Looking for "classic information" about the White House and the presidential team? Here it is: http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/

Following the inauguration though, things will definitely heat up for Barack Obama and his Cabinet members. Is "change" really about to happen? How much "change" can truly occur during Barack Obama's current four year term? Will we, as individuals, be challenged, also, by our new president, to participate in bringing about "change" we desire? I think we all wonder just what "change" will look like under Barack Obama's leadership.

The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.

Charles Kettering

Mural in Cottonwood, AZ 2007

One of my hobbies is taking pictures of murals. Above is a mural or "wall art" pic I took during a visit to Cottonwood, Arizona in 2007. (This week I will feature murals from my Cottonwood collection.) I think this mural is fitting for the upcoming week with Barack Obama transitioning from president-elect to United States President. What is my take on this mural's connection to current events? Our new President's focus will be on the condition of the United States and it's role in the world, and much of the world's focus will be on our new President hoping he will effect positive progress. Of course, the "true message" of this Cottonwood mural is in "the eye of the beholder".

Cottonwood (the home of the above mural) is a bustling little town/city of 10,000+ in Yavapai County, situated between Prescott and Sedona-two popular Arizona vacation spots. I usually take Route 260 on my way to Sedona, which takes me right through Cottonwood and past turn-offs for Cornville and Page Springs. These days my visits to the area are recreational, but my first trip to Cottonwood, in 1991, was work-related. At the time I was working as a perinatal case manager and had the opportunity to visit young expectant women throughout Northern and Central Arizona. My job was to assess their medical needs and educate them on having a healthy pregnancy and how to utilize community resources for assistance. The goal of the perinatal program was to reduce premature deliveries and thereby save money for the insurance company. During one trip to this area of Arizona to visit a client, I accidentally stumbled into the Cornville/Page Springs area. It is a hidden valley that is lush and green and beautiful...like an oasis. I experienced an instant connection. Maybe it was the small town feeling, maybe the surprising, unexpected beauty? To this day I'm not really quite sure why, but a feeling of "returning home or to where I belong" is what came over me. At the time, a friend of mine and I believed we would, at some point in the future, be involved in facilitating a residential placement of some kind for "teens in trouble" in a ranch-like setting. As a result, I began saying to myself and others "I can truly see myself living here in this area someday". It felt like my destiny. A drive through Cornville and Page Springs "to look around and dream" was a yearly destination for me for years following that first visit. In the last ten years or so, Cornville and Page Springs have changed somewhat. Lush vineyards now thrive on the fertile land that was once home to livestock and crops. And the population has grown some too. I hold fond memories of this area, but the idea of a running "a treatment ranch" here has evaporated (for a variety of reasons). These days, my plans for the future include residing somewhere close to my daughter. She assures me that remaining in Arizona is definitely not in her plans. She dreams of living in New York City...talk about change!!!

Last year, in a "last chance" attempt to discover if I could envision a future for myself in the Page Springs-Cornville-Cottonwood area, my mother and I took a day to visit real estate agencies and gather information about job opportunities. My mother and I are drawn to the area for different reasons, but desiring change we wanted to weigh the possibilities of relocating. Unfortunately, comparing the pros and cons of exploration, we had to conclude that a move to Cottonwood was not a feasible venture. For my mother, the negative was mostly the real estate, and for me, the negative was employment opportunities. The cost of living is comparable to Phoenix, but not the salaries. If I were to move to Cottonwood, and seek employment in a similar position as I now hold with Maricopa County, I would be taking a significant cut in pay. Not to mention, I found no jobs for which I qualify, paying a comparable salary.

So in the end, I may not ever make this area (Page Springs-Cottonwood-Cornville-Sedona) my home, but it will remain one of my favorites, and definitely offers many reasons for anyone to return again and again to soak in it's amazing beauty and therapeutic surroundings.

An informative website of the area: http://www.gatewaytosedona.com/department/category/VerdeValley

Makes me smile...

Something that makes me smile...

This is a music video of a duet-Vanessa Williams and Chayanne singing and dancing, showing bits and pieces of their 1998 movie, "Dance With Me". The video is fair quality, but the music is maravilloso.

I briefly mentioned Chayanne in my last post. Since I've been thinking about and looking for dancing videos this week, "Dance With Me" came to mind. I decided to post a bit of info about Chayanne, since this movie and his role in it hold a special place in my heart.
His official website: http://www.chayanne.net/
Chayanne (06/28/28) is a Latin pop singer. He was born in Puerto Rico and his family moved to the states when he was a babe. He began his music career in the late 70s with 'Los Chicos' and went solo in 1984. He has released twenty (?) albums to date. He is married and he and his wife have two children. I was hooked after watching him in "Dance with Me". The character he played, Rafael Infante, lives in Cuba and after experiencing the death of his mother, he discovers information about his biological father. He writes the man about his mother's death and asks for a job. The man played by Kris Kristofferson, does not know he is Rafael's father. He owns a dance studio in Texas and allows Rafael to come work for him. The movie centers around the "goings on" at the dance studio and preparation for an upcoming dance competition. It is a story about discovery of self, family and love. It is one of those "feel good" movies-funny, romantic and heartwarming with lots of music and dancing! Chayanne's role as Rafael depicts a man who has integrity, courage, and passion. It's more than just the looks, it's the aura, sensitivity of this man, that is so captivating. I'm not really into the whole hollywood/music star "thing", but thinking about the movie and his role in it makes me smile. It's my birthday, hence this post.

The video below that I chose also to download is quite sad, but I think it again portrays the tender side of Chayanne. Tenderness in a man makes just about any woman smile :)

Sentada Aqui En Mi Alma (Sitting Here in my Soul)
...one of his videos...


The link: http://music.aol.com/video/chayanne-sentada-aqui-en-mi-alma/chayanne/1131339




Oh and by the way...the Cardinals won their game against the North Carolina Panthers...Cardinals 33 - Panthers 13. So they continue to advance in the playoffs. Believe it or not I could hear fireworks going off after the game. Cardinal fans in Glendale (and the Valley of the Sun from the news coverage) are going wild and crazy with excitement!!

You're only as good as you think...

Do you ever have one of those days when you wake up late, rush to get ready and when you reach for your keys, they are not where you should have left them? You didn't put them where you usually put them, because the night before you had come home tired, and your cell phone had rung and you took the call. Distracted, you laid your keys down, instead of immediately putting them away where you usually put them.

You only talk for a few minutes, but as soon as you get off the phone, you remember what you are supposed to do before bed. You have a project the next day and need to find information to complete the project...information you organized at one time or another and put away for just a time as this. But you can't remember where that place is, because you have many boxes in which you store your organized information. So you spend several hours looking for the information and are relieved when you finally find it, only to also realize that you've just used up two precious hours of sleep.

You know tomorrow you have to get up quite early because you have started a part time job for a few hours in the morning twice a week to supplement your full time job. You're not really feeling tired enough to fall asleep, because you're still wired from looking for all the information and you're thinking about your friend who called you and is going through a difficult time. You then think of a particular piece of music that has helped you fall asleep in moments just like this one, and so you open up the cabinet to pull it out. But that particular music is not where you thought it would be. You look high and low for it, and once you find the music you are looking for, you are ready to relax and get some sleep. Finally you crawl into bed, exhausted from the relentless searches. Unfortunately you are still abit wired from two adrenaline surges and knowing that you must be up in less than approximately six hours to start the next day. After laying down, you get up several more times to take care of small items you've been too "busy" to remember to do, such as using the bathroom. In the meantime, your keys have fallen off the bed, after pulling the covers back, and have dropped under the bed, just out of sight.

In the morning you push the snooze button one time too many, and then all of a sudden you wake up with a start! Looking at the clock you see that you have 15 minutes before you must leave to make it to your job on time. You rush around getting ready and when you reach for your keys, where you always put them, they are not there. You have no idea where you could have put them, you frantically search everywhere you can possibly think of that you would have put them. After 15 minutes of searching, you find them under the bed, but now you will have to call work to let them know you are running late. You're stressed and pissed off because you hate this...you're thinking "if it's not one thing, it's another!!! Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh!!!!!!!

Well...believe it or not, this can be a typical day for someone who is ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), even with medication to assist them in managing the disorder's effects/symptoms.

The information below gives a basic idea of what dealing with these disorders is like and this information is from the following site: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm
Adults with ADD / ADHD struggle daily with self-regulation: regulating their attention, regulating their impulses in talking and action, and regulating their emotions. If you have trouble staying focused, getting organized, starting and completing your work, managing your time and money, and remembering all the little things in your daily life, you may very well be one of these people.

The chaos of living with unrecognized and untreated ADD / ADHD can take its toll: never-ending to-do lists, the stress of missed deadlines and forgotten appointments, aggravated friends and family members [and co-workers/bosses] who just don’t understand why you can’t pull it together and self-recrimination over your lack of accomplishments.

For the last five years I have attempted to "manage" my out-of-control", easily distracted brain with medication. I have found one, in particular, that has helped somewhat. One positive outcome is I no longer lock my keys in the car, at least once a month. (For awhile I was beginning to think my "calling" in life was to keep locksmiths in business.) Fortunately for me, but not necessarily the locksmiths, I haven't locked my keys in my car in years. And there are many other improvements that have taken place since I've sought out information and help in managing my brain malfunctions.

When I say "you're only as good as you think", I'm not speaking of self-esteem. I'm talking about brain functioning. Alzheimers, dementia, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder, ADHD. These are just a few of the brain malfunctions that a significant number of people are living life with everyday. Some can be managed somewhat with medicine and therapy, others with behavior modification and diet, but some are still mind-boggling to medical doctors, research scientists, psychiatric doctors, family members, etc. The brain is a stunning piece of creation! Regardless of how our brains are functioning today, it is important to stay informed about brain health and to take care of your brain and your body. We really are only as good at what we do, as our brain is at taking on the task we give it to do.

For those who believe their minds are working flawlessly, and have no evidence of malfunction in their relationships or job to cause them concern, they may hardly give brain functioning a second thought. It is difficult to explain to others who have not had to work with a less than "flawless mind" what it is like.

All I can say is it is a good thing when one's mind is functioning vs when it's malfunctioning. The "functioning brain" is even more appreciated when one has been the guinea pig (once again) for a new or different drug for a variety of reasons and is left dealing with a "scambled brain", when med outcomes don't go as planned. Fortunately I am assertive, knowledgeable, and self-aware enough to know when to put my foot down and say "no" to more experimentation and ask for what I need, and my current psychiatrist is "respectful and mindful" of patient personal experience, deduction and conclusion/input. I've been reminded, in the last four months or so, that in order to have a postive outcome in dealing with almost anyone in the medical field, one has to be assertive, persistent, and extremely informed.

Over the years I have read various information on ADD and ADHD. Dr. Daniel Amen is one of the many who has written books on dealing with ADD/ADHD. He has done considerable research in these areas and other areas of brain functioning and recently has been doing lectures on brain health to everyone who will listen. Here is a link to his website... http://www.amenclinics.com/my-brain-health/ The information provided includes many helpful reminders of what we can do to take care of our body and our brain.

The dance video today is ball room dancing - The Cha Cha Cha. Ball room dancing...the costumes and the dance moves are breathtaking. One of my favorite movies that includes ball room dancing is "Dance With Me" with Vanessa Williams and the gorgeous Chayanne.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3sRYp9HxEk&feature=related

Little Jonathan (one of my nephews) turned two years old on January 8th. I can't help but remember his birthday, as it is so close to my own. He shares his birthdate with Elvis, so I just had to download a couple of kids doing Elvis impersonations. I'm going to download one elvis video and just include the link to the other...

Link to another young Elvis singer and dancer...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ3sqEdVHiY&feature=related

Unbeknowst to my brother and his wife, my secret harbored hope is that Jonathan will be a music fanatic. Coming into the world on Elvis's birthday...I think it's possibly a given! :)

Gotta fly!

Just dropping in for a quick post...

Back to work...slow day again...answering phones, opening doors, processing paperwork for releases, monitoring cameras, and the facility count. We took in as many teens as we released. Our facility count is really low at present...not as many teens committing crimes? not as many teens being detained for the crimes they commit? not as many repeat offenders? not sure why, but we definitely have less teens locked up in juvenile detention at the present moment.

If it's because of less crime, that is a very good thing! We've been joking around that we may have to begin looking for new jobs if the count continues to shrink. Now there's a way to cut a chuck out of the state's financial overload. Just imagine...teens go to school, get jobs, volunteer, follow the basic rules at home and in the community and the state uses the money to provide scholarships and/or grants for more teens to attend college or get some type of technical or job training. Then if we could just get all the adults to stop behaving so badly!! Nightline recently covered a story on a prosecutor in New York that is getting stiffer penalties for drunk drivers who kill. Instead of getting only a few years for reckless endangerment or manslaughter, several drunk drivers have recently been charged with and convicted of murder getting minimums of 15 and 25 years in prison. Personally I think this is a smart move. If you are going to drink alcohol or use drugs, the least you can do is NOT DRIVE. Too many innocent people are being killed. Unfortunately in this area-people killed by drunk drivers-the numbers are going up, not down.

What Is The Answer?

A baby’s life begins
As another’s life is snuffed
A father’s absence felt
Another can is huffed

Faces from many backgrounds
Eyes and hearts searching for hope
Settling instead for imitiations
maryjane, glass pipe or whatever...to cope

Sucked into the vacuum
Lives are out of control
Surveyors of the damage
What exactly is the goal?

Is it mending or conditioning?
These lives torn at the seams
Ever mounting casualties,
Hearts full of broken dreams

Caught in revolving doors
Swimming against the stream
Walking halls of stone
No way out, they scream

The ghetto life offers so little hope
What will become of their futures?
Will they live beyond tomorrow
stitched up with dirty sutures?

Will their minds just be wasted
And their talents neglected or lost?
What is the answer to this madness?
Finding it surely worth any cost!

Looking for the answers
time is running out
For every one that’s a successful release
Many others expected to fail without a doubt

With myriads of options
where have we turned?
It seems there are so many lessons,
yet so little learned.

tkaeu (2005)

On to a more positive note...I'm downloading a few dance videos from Russia. The Russian dance moves include lots of high flying kicks, low to ground kicks, and lots of kicks in between...mostly just for the men. All I have to say is these guys must be in very good physical shape. From what I've watched of the Superstars of Dance show so far, dance moves for the females in Russia are very dainty, delicate, and feminine...like ballerina or porcelain dolls.

Rejoice in the small things

Finally got the packages sent off to family and quite a bit of organizing done around home today. I feeling relieved and thankful. I love that feeling of having accomplished a project, particularly when the tasks I have to do seem so overwhelming. Since my surgery, what tends to overwhelm me is mindboggling and sometimes frustrating. I look forward to a time when the little things are not as daunting and I can pick up speed once again, not just with my step, but in my life as well. When my daughter and I spent some time together lately, I teased her saying, "We're practicing for when I'm in my 70s. This is how it will be." Does that give you any idea as to how slow I move these days? Actually I should have said 90s or older, but I don't think she can image that happening. She's seventeen and at that age you believe pretty much believe that you're unstoppable (at least regarding what you are able to physically do). Aahhh...how little we realize and how much even I took for granted when I was young. :)

Other than that I have been listening to music instead of NPR or any news source. I'm on information overload and need a break from any "breaking news" for the time being. When I find my regular radio and TV stations getting on my nerves, I turn on the music. Music is healing in so many ways. Nickel Creek was my panacea throughout the day. Their music is a bluegrass, folkish style and the lyrics are haunting. Check them out at their website. http://www.nickelcreek.com/ My favorite song of theirs is The Lighthouse Tale. Tragically beautiful... Smootie Song is definitely worth a peek on the videos too. Or listen to their final concert together as Nickel Creek. http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=15731658&m=15908059 Nickel Creek is Chris Thile, Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins. The musical path they originally walked together has split into three separate paths for the future. I guess their final concert together was November 2008. I look forward to hearing the sounds their new ventures will create.

For the dancing...I'm including two videos today. The first is two dancers from China...you'll be amazed!! EVEN IF YOU DON'T WATCH ANY OF THE OTHER DANCE VIDEOS - WATCH THIS ONE!

This second video is a cultural dance from India.

The combo of all this today leaves me quoting a few lines from my poem "Hope Found"...

Sometimes I surprise myself, and am surprised at the same
in others, how in the midst of personal pain one can be so inspired
Life has often pummeled a creative soul aspiring
to reach within for a glimpse of heaven others may behold
I guess it stands without reason that talent will unfold
and come to light in dark places, where you find hearts aching.

Life can be a circus

That's how I feel somedays. Not necessarily today...all day, but...

Hearing the "drama" playing out in politics, I couldn't help but think of circuses today. Bill Richardson, Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich, and Leon Panetta are all definitely acts for the media circus to ruminate. Then there's the Obamas moving to Washington D.C. and the upcoming inauguration. Not to mention the craziness going on between Israel and Hamas.

And while these "acts" are capturing our attention...

In Wyoming (a state that most people have probably rarely, if ever, given a passing thought to, let alone actually know where it is located) in the Yellowstone National Park, there have been 400 earthquake tremors since December 26, 2008. This may not seem like a big deal, but there is considerable concern that the amount of activity is unusual and what is triggering the level of activity unknown. Due to this information, there is speculation (by those paying attention) as to whether or not something catatrophic may be about to occur.

All the while we are going on about our daily lives, for the most part, unaware. It makes me wonder...why is so little said about this area and the potential for a catastrophe? I think that I tend to notice because Wyoming is my birthplace, and in the last year I've been considering visiting Yellowstone. As a result I've been listening to videos and reading up on this park, which is why I took the time to read the info about the recent tremor activity when it appeared on January 3, 2009.

Again I have to ask, "Why is so little said about this area?!" I'm thinking very few people know the info that is in this video clip. It's all really kinda crazy, and just a bit eerie...

Here's a link to the above video clip: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/yellowstone-super-volcano-jan-2009-warning/846011007/?icid=VIDURVNWS01
and a link to info on the tremor activity at Yellowstone National Park.
http://news.aol.com/article/yellowstone-earthquakes-raise-fears/292261

So what am I/what are we suppose to do with the above information?!?!?!? It's not like the USGS has released any significant warnings or directives to people in the area of impact on how to prepare for a possible supervolcanic eruption. So honestly I'm really unsure...other than "you could live each day, as if it were your last", but for me that just takes too much thought and emotion, and I'm not even going to get into that mode.

So, despite the above information (putting my head in the sand, I guess, so to speak), I'm on to other topics. I spent this day prepping the "Christmas/New Year" packages to send to family and to a friend. And I am easily overwhelmed by the seven I am sending. ...that's me! Easily overwhelmed with my own personal conflict of what I want to do and what I can realistically do each year during the Christmas season.

You may be thinking right now, "But Christmas was almost two weeks ago!?" Yeah! I know, but for some crazy reason every year it is so hard for me to get into the "Christmas mood" until Christmas eve and then I want to celebrate Christmas for the next several weeks!!! And, of course, that is just the opposite of the people around me. For example, one of my friends loves Christmas music, but she can not stand to hear another Christmas song played after December 25th. Me? I'm just getting started... So each year I'm ready to begin celebrating Christmas when everyone around me is ready and glad for it all to be OVER and put away til the next November!

Truly tho, I'd prefer to celebrate the Twelve Days (plus two) of Christmas or "the Christmas season" from December 24 through January 6th, rather than from November 29th to December 25th as is most common. It seems my preferences, often, do not line up with what is conventional.

I think this is how I would celebrate Christmas, if I could. I would attend one or two christmas plays/events sometime before December 25th...to spark the mood. Watch "A Christmas Carol" (one version or another of this classic favorite of mine) at least once before December 25th. Get a tree Christmas eve day and decorate it with family. Attend a Christmas eve service, preferably after dark, to begin the Christmas celebration. Help out an outreach ministry on Christmas morning, hopefully with the family along. Spend Christmas evening with family playing board games and eating delicious food. Over the next 11 days: 1)put up a new Christmas decoration in the home each day (something small, not elaborate), 2)make holiday treats and give them away to family, friends, and pan handlers, 3)do something unusual for someone unexpected each day, and 4)look for bargains (due to holiday sales) on Epiphany gifts (for the children in the family) and birthday gifts for the next year. Give small gifts to children in the family on January 6th, Epiphany, and gather as a family with a dinner celebration to remember once again not only Christ's birth, but the visit, worship and adoration from the wise men over the Christ child. Sometime during the twelve days of Christmas it would also be nice to go Christmas caroling in the snow and participate in a progressive dinner with family too. Well that's my "ideal" traditional Christmas celebration, but as you can see it doesn't really fit in with how everyone else celebrates the traditional American Christmas. So how much of it will ever play out for me in "real life"? At this point, most of it is just fantasizing...

So far, over the last eight years, Thanksgiving has been my favorite holiday, as I usually had it off from work, and was able to get together with family and friends to celebrate. Whereas during the Christmas holiday/New Year celebrations, I've usually had to work. Plus being single with no children in my house, the fact that most of my family live out-of-state and circumstances regarding my daughter...well...holidays of Christmas/New Year tend to be more melancholy for me.

I have been mulling and stewing over the celebration of Christmas for years. And every year I'm "late" in sending Christmas greetings and gifts to family and friends who do not live in Arizona. Having put into words what goes through my mind about Christmas celebrations, and how it plays out in my emotions...is basically an attempt to explain my persistant procrastination every year.

Regarding celebrating The Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany, here is some info I gleaned off the web. Seven years ago I did Christmas programming in detention that included similar information, which is when I was first exposed to and realized the interesting differences in how people around the year celebrate this time of the year.

January 6th – A Holiday Around the World
The Epiphany, Three Kings' Day, Twelfth Night, La Befana, and More
© Jennifer L. Price Dec 30, 2008
Link: http://holiday-entertaining.suite101.com/article.cfm/january_6th_a_holiday_around_the_world
January 6th is a special day in many countries and cultures--and is celebrated with various traditions all over the world.

The Christian holiday known as The Epiphany is celebrated each year on January 6th. The holiday is a feast that began to commemorate the introduction of Jesus in human form—the specific date of January 6th was first mentioned in 361.

Eastern Christians believe that The Epiphany was the day Christ was baptized in the Jordan River, while Western Christians believe the day commemorates the day the Magi (also known as the Three Kings and Three Wiseman) visited the baby Jesus Christ bringing gifts.
Three King’s Day (Spain, Philippines, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and more)
Many countries celebrate January 6th as Three King’s Day, celebrating the day Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar visited Jesus as a child bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

In Spain, the Philippines, and certain parts of Latin America, El Día de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings) is celebrated with children leaving shoes out overnight to collect gifts from the Kings and sweets, drink, and hay as a gift for the Kings and their camels. A special cake known as Rosca de Reyes is made with a small doll of Jesus baked inside—depending on the country, the finder of the doll must pay for the cake, host a party later in the year, or simply serves as king for the day.

In the Netherlands and Belgium, the day is known as Drie koningen (Three King’s Day). Three children dress in costume to represent the three kings and visit houses singing songs, receiving sweets or coins from each door. German children also visit houses singing songs dressed as the three kings, but leave behind the initials of the three kings above the door frames to bless the family for the new year.

Twelfth Day of Christmas (some parts of the United States, United Kingdom)
According to many historians, the well-known twelve days of Christmas actually represent the twelve days between December 25th and January 6th, not the twelve days before Christmas. In the past, these days were celebrated with gift giving feasts with January 6th serving as the Twelfth Night, made popular by William Shakespeare’s play.

Some traditions are still carried out around the world with a yule log burning all twelve nights in America and Christmas decorations being taken down on the 6th in the United Kingdom (some think it’s unlucky to do so earlier).

Speaking of tradition...here's a video clip of some dance moves in Mexico. I'll be showing a dance video with each of my posts this week, as I stated in the Jan. 4th post.

This video is not the best quality, but it is a form of mexican dance that I enjoy watching. I really like the vibrant colors that Mexico, China, and India use in their dance customes, and how they use their costumes as a part of the dance.

Still recuperating...

Home again, but starting to feel better. Yuck! I hate this sick, laid up stuff. I feel like I haven't been myself since my surgery in October. It definitely gives me more empathy for those who face chronic health problems, as I have been seriously blessed with good health for the majority of my life.

Staying home gave me the opportunity to watch the NBC show 'Superstars of Dance'. This is a global competition of dance stars. I'm not necessarily interested in who wins, but it is fantastic to watch dancing styles from so many cultures. The countries competing on the show are Argentina, India, Australia, South Africa, USA, Ireland, Russia, and China. The first show aired tonight and continues tomorrow (Monday 01/05/08) 7pm central time.

I thought it would be interesting to include dance videos from various countries/cultures in my posts throughout the next week leading up to my birthday. Maybe someday I will take up dance lessons myself once I can get my knees back into shape. I don't know if that is realistic or not. Honestly I would just settle for being able to hike.

Either way I love dance of almost any form. According to 'You Tube' these dancers are from Georgia. This is not a country involved in the competion, but I plan to include videos from around the globe. Watching the various dance routines tonight, I couldn't help but think "Whoa!..not with my knees!". What these Georgia dancers are capable of executing...well it is down right amazing! This particular dance is high energy!! Watching this dance, I can't help but wonder if knee surgery is common in Georgia. :)


(As I'm not sure how long the video is allowed to be shown on my blog, I'm including the link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCSsap5_luw&feature=related)

Recuperating at home

Should be at work right now, but here I am at home instead. I was attacked by the intestinal monster yesterday and he did a serious number on me. I had to leave work because of the increasingly intense pain I was experiencing. I forfeited my holiday pay with that decision, which is very disappointing, but I just could not graciously handle that level of pain at work. It took 12 more hours, countless hot showers, crying, and various remedies to fight off this pain monster. I think I will stay on a liquid diet for a week or so. The pain is now at a manageable level and so I don't want to take any chances. It was crazy, as this seemed to come out of nowhere. All kinds of stuff goes through one's head in these moments-food poisoning? nasty flu bug? complications from constipation? diverticulitis? celiac? I guess it's time to make that yearly trek to the doctor. If I can get in within a week or so, the memory of my excruciating ordeal will add intensity and seriousness to a request for a more extensive checkup.

I have only experienced this level of pain on three other occasions. The first time was in 1991 when I gave birth to my daughter. Then in 2004 I made a visit to the ER because of sharp adominal pains, thinking that my appendix was about to erupt. The docs did all kinds of tests on me, and basically concluded that I needed a colonoscopy to determine whether or not I had diverticulitis. As I experienced no additional pain or intestinal problems in the months following that ER visit, I chose to put off having a colonoscopy for another time. As a side note, I was under considerable financial stress at the time, and my conclusion was that my worrying had wreaked havoc on my GI tract. I am a strong believer that stress can significantly affect/alter one's physical health.

Since then I've experienced occasional discomfort/sharp pains in my stomach/intestines due to physical issues, and each time over-the-counter medicine has alleviated the problem. Essentially it comes down to aging and lack of fiber in my diet, as well as needing to drink more water, exercise more, etc.

So here I am writing this post and listening to/somewhat watching the Arizona Cardinal-Atlanta Falcon game, which is playing almost in my backyard. Well, sort of anyway, I mean I live only three miles from the University of Phoenix stadium where the game is taking place. I'm not a true Cardinal fan, and usually find myself making smart-aleck comments to guys at work that follow the games. [Go Phoenix Suns!!!!] But I thought I'd catch this game, as this is the first time for the Cardinals to make the playoffs since 1998 and first post season game since 1947. Not to mention there was speculation as to whether this game would be televised at all.

News was there were 3700 available tickets to the Card-Falcon game by Thursday afternoon. I guess in order for a game to receive network airtime, it has to be sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff time. The Cardinals were given two 24 hour extensions by the NFL to get those tickets sold. A Phoenix company, Leslie's Pool Supplies reportedly pitched in to help and swooped up a large numbers of tickets. Nice marketing move for Leslie's, as it's likely that most Cardinal players own pools, not to mention a majority of their fans here in the Valley of the Sun. Ha! (The above pic is from the Cardinal's website and I thought it was cool. Here's the link-http://azcardinals.com/news/detail.php?PRKey=2803)

Football fever kinda runs in my immediate family. Three of my four brothers played high school football. I lived in Nebraska from 1978 to 1983 and was a die hard Husker fan. My brothers and their families are Husker (Nebraska Cornhuskers) fans. It runs in the blood of many who reside or have resided in Nebraska. Coincidentially my daughter is currently dating and "in love" with a football player. Her "birthfather" was a football fanatic...and on and on it goes.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-4) won their 2008 bowl game against the Clemson Tigers (7-4). I did not see the game, but from what I read kicker Alex Henery (#90) carried the game with four field goals. The final score was 26 - 21. A link to info about the game off the Husker site is:

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=3638246

After reading about the outcome of the Gator Bowl, and doing a search on Alex Henery, I found an amazing fact about this young man. He kicked a 57 yard field goal offering up the winning points against the Colorado Buffalos on November 29, 2008. Final score: Huskers 40- Buffalos 31. Of course, none of this is news to hardcore Husker fans, but here's a link to video coverage of Henery's field goal. Definitely memorable.

http://www.scoresreport.com/tag/alex-henery-nebraska-field-goal/

Final score: Arizona Cardinals 30 - Atlanta Falcons 24

Kudos to the players and their fans!!!!

Definitely a beginner

It is now 2009 and there's a whole year ahead of living life...what will change? improve? shock? disappoint? surprise? What is now unknown, at this time next year, will, once again, be history. Will it repeat itself? So often it does. I have to admit sometimes I feel like a hamster just spinning a wheel round and round.

I've been thinking about this blogging thing too. I really originally started this blog simply to be able to write responses to other blogspot.com bloggers. So far I'm frustrated with the amount of time I spend posting just one blog! And so I know that if I'm going to stick with this blog, I've got to change my approach or maybe my mindset, and drastically cut back the time I spend pouring over what I write.

I've begun to realize that the posts I like to read are more personal, about family life and personal struggles and triumphs. I feel reluctant to move in a more personal direction with what I write here. But I have to ask myself, "Who's more likely to read this blog? And what do they want to know about me, my opinions, etc.? Well...my family will be the most likely to read what I write, for the time being, and so why not get more personal? As I write more about my everyday life...maybe I'll convince my family members to do the same. It really is a great way to find out about each other for those of us who do a better job of communicating in writing than in conversing.

I'll continue to post my opinions about what's going on in the world around me, along with adding items/stories of interest that I stumble across. And I will begin to write bits and pieces about my life...what is going on with me, what I'm doing, etc.

So here goes...I've spent quite a bit of time in the past couple days baking pans of brownies, a pan of lasagna and garlic bread sticks. I enjoy giving food as gifts to friends and co-workers. It was a cheaper way to shower lots of people with "love and good wishes". Also I recently ate a delicious dish, Tortellacci, at Uno Chicago Grill at the Arizona Center. My daughter picked it out and I have to say her choice was fantastic. Here's a description: PILLOWS OF PASTA (TORTELLACCI) Jumbo tortellini stuffed with beef, veal and pancetta, then topped with an Alfredo, Parmesan and our traditional Italian Bolognese sauce. We were both pleasantly surprised.

Work in detention has been extremely slow, which has allowed me to focus on Beat writings and writing responses. Writing these responses can also take considerable time, but I love reading creative writing by teens in detention and having the opportunity to respond in a way that encourages them to continue writing and also to think about the message they send in what they write. Providing increasing opportunities for teens to write in detention is one of my passions. Unfortunately I am somewhat limited, following my knee surgery, in what I can do to pursue this passion. I will have to remain in Control until May to allow for a complete recovery and safe return to the rigors and risks of working directly with the teens on units.

Blogging for beginners...yes that's me. I 've got alot to learn and that excites me! There is so much to learn about not only the computer, but life and relationships. The challenge is finding a balance between work, relationships (family and/or friends), hobbies, etc. Blogging for beginners was a topic covered on Talk of the Nation/NPR today with Neal Conan...check it out, if interested. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98935599