tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74637762989855565252024-02-20T09:39:09.996-08:00Judy's NW Notesjudysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-34296411086346435562018-11-05T19:06:00.002-08:002018-11-05T19:09:29.937-08:00Kicking and Crunching in Autumn<i><b><span style="color: purple;">Fall colors the neighborhood everywhere I go these days and my walks inspired the following poem</span></b></i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
Kicking and Crunching<br />
By Judy Beaston<br />
<br />
Leaves litter my path<br />
wake memories<br />
of walks with you,<br />
those canvas sneakers<br />
kicking and crunching,<br />
<br />
I smile as I recall<br />
another scene,<br />
me on the sidelines<br />
as you create<br />
color storms<br />
around the wheels<br />
of your tricycle.<br />
<br />
Autumn follows autumn,<br />
time marches on,<br />
finds me here today,<br />
my feet alone<br />
on these paths of fall,<br />
remembering<br />
<br />
when you were young<br />
and our lives<br />
held all the colors<br />
of laughter<br />
<br />
your canvas sneakers<br />
kicking and crunching<br />
fall’s clutter of leaves.<br />
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073697537 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-14772719393750668422018-10-20T18:59:00.003-07:002018-10-20T19:01:47.009-07:00Musing on a Tale<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>In a small town tucked away in the hills near a lake, secrets weave a
backdrop to an otherwise quiet community. </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Are the adventures we experience everyday the weavings of reality or are they seeds for something deeper?</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>When will these tales surface
for you, my readers? Stay tuned...</i></span></span></span>judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-40803546970751537692018-08-31T11:28:00.001-07:002018-08-31T11:28:32.223-07:00An August Moon.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
I missed this year’s August moon. Cloud cover stole the show, left me dependent on science websites for images of the Mercury/Moon pairing. I look forward to full moon days, generally find the light of night more peaceful than what fills every crevice during sunlit hours. Waking during the night, I’m drawn to the window, sometimes leave the house to be bathed in the energy reaching me when I stand on my deck or in my backyard. This year, my views were delayed until the moon’s edges withdrew, replaced by black shadows and leading me to the following poem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Did You Wake Me?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Ragged moon still holds power<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">over night’s clear skies,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">draws me to the large back window<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">when I wake after midnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Did you wake me, friend moon?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">by judy beaston<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;">August 30, 2018</span><o:p></o:p></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-49898934586044462552018-08-12T11:20:00.000-07:002018-08-12T11:20:18.804-07:00Summer Sizzle *<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Long days riding above Northwest Oregon's average temperatures have given me reason to label this summer as sizzling. Oddly, though, my body isn't rebelling. Where I once fretted at any temperature above 80, with general preference for 70-75 (still my preference, truth be told), I now effectively shrug my shoulders at 90-95. I won't claim to relish the hotter days, but I function comfortably enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Probably a good thing. This may become our new normal. And the fires. Once again the western half of the United States rises in flames -- while the eastern half drowns. Smoke tints sunrise and sunset in burnt orange while masking any hopes of mountain views.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Such was my experience during a recent visit to central Oregon where those mountains were merely vague, ghostly images on the horizon - if that. The stars still stunned and delighted me at night, out there away from the far too many lights of suburban Portland. I'd almost forgotten the power of such a view -- only wishing I could have slept beneath the stars as I'd once done when younger, watching for those star-streakers, this being the time of Perseid Meteor Shower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">My days spent biking, hanging out with family by the cabin, by lakes, exploring lava caves. Here's a poem that came to me as I sat on the deck one afternoon, listening to my surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Music of the Wind</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Begins as a distant low rumble<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">this song of the wind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">traveling through the trees,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">each needle played for its special<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">sound, the music blending, growing,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">harmonics picked up along the way<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">until its very present crescendo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">full bore sound and whipped up air<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">wraps around the cabin, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">makes nearby trees sway, and sends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">waves of wild air across my body<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">where I sit, reading, in the shade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">by judy beaston<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">August 2, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-2812976681889921882016-11-19T10:38:00.001-08:002016-11-19T10:41:11.944-08:00In Search of Truth<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">💭</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💭</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💭</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💭</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">💭</span></div>
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Is There a Future For Truth?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Another day dances around me</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">skirt swirls but reveals little,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">a tango with trouble</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">while hip-hop artists</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">settle on the side</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">composing countermeasures</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">in rap words insufficient</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">to conjure change</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">rescind dangerous elements;</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">always the way—the bards sing</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">truth but the world hears dissonance,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">misses the message</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">shrugs off harmonious resolve</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">blinded instead by glam & glitter</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">of ominous forces</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">whose words rasp toxic</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">like a cheese grater on the brain</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">dismantling too many</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">of their final connections</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">to empathy, compassion, respect</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">tone-deaf now to truth</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">they hear lies as reality</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">a song without chords, a drone</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">from the dark side of everything</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">including this day </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">now dancing into the shadows</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">bereft of confidence, no guarantees</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">her dance numbers allowed</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">more rounds in sunlight.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">by judy Beaston</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">November 18, 2016</span></span></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-66595052895123948742016-10-22T17:20:00.000-07:002016-10-22T17:20:40.190-07:00Autumn Splendor
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">October
Gift</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">A
full day of sunshine</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">on
a Saturday</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">with
near peak fall colors</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">around
every bend in the road</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">and
I</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">breathe
deeply,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">immerse
body, mind soul</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">in
the fragrance of Autumn.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">by
judy Beaston</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">October
22, 2016</span></div>
<br />
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-29252732016666852682016-03-06T10:54:00.002-08:002016-03-06T10:54:29.578-08:00My Revision Process
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Thoughts on Revision:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Keep the buttons, save</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">strong stitches,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">remove the lint</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">caught</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">between phrases</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">where story importance resides;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">catch darlings,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">those phrases, sentences,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">lines loved "too much"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">considered clever,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">special and likely not</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">an enhancement;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">weave through, locate</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">'ing' words, weak cheaters</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">they steal emotion's thunder,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">deny readers access to subtext</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">or intricate details present</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">for close inspection like lace on a
bodice;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">ignore not those adverbs sprinkled</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">like fancy seasonings, a few perhaps
nice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">while abundance hides true flavor;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">now review this "new" story,
perhaps</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">recognize with delight the light</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">wakened from below the surface.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">The story is ready for final edits.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">by judy Beaston</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">March 6, 2016</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-13540083726060577372016-02-06T22:27:00.004-08:002016-02-06T22:29:52.238-08:00ONE<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8eJJ5OkEw3szSkMtZC9zvucIiW_GMr69S89kEt6lPbhm_b726K18Ob-pztskuDrxCEXcd2_gd-atOntI_mQ6QzAvHcGTfAWLQysR1C3WClJDwidmyY4gf-AkXVRE6qEuryo7i9OZEUI/s1600/waterdrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8eJJ5OkEw3szSkMtZC9zvucIiW_GMr69S89kEt6lPbhm_b726K18Ob-pztskuDrxCEXcd2_gd-atOntI_mQ6QzAvHcGTfAWLQysR1C3WClJDwidmyY4gf-AkXVRE6qEuryo7i9OZEUI/s320/waterdrop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US">I am</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">but a drop of water</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">falling through a rain forest</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">landing on a single leaf </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">of a large tree</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">but even I am important</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">to the life of that tree</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">and the existence of that community</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I am a part of the bigger whole</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">each drop and each plant</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">weaving our energy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">into existence</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">We're all connected</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">We're all part of ONE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">community</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">ONE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">existence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">by judy Beaston</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">February 6, 2016</span></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-78066005055793054812016-01-31T11:21:00.000-08:002016-01-31T13:17:32.596-08:00Opening The Door Marked '65'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCpSefHi0gTXJw94LyUlaNaa7aQTDyD1eDGFg-K9r4DG18H452qSUxcjyOPWD8fhyJWb7UOYlOg-TeI8AjLwnWtcHGnOutVANuN914HzZbqsEotH0YoI_QwkhR7zfSB8THWv2z49uEO8/s1600/sixtyfive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCpSefHi0gTXJw94LyUlaNaa7aQTDyD1eDGFg-K9r4DG18H452qSUxcjyOPWD8fhyJWb7UOYlOg-TeI8AjLwnWtcHGnOutVANuN914HzZbqsEotH0YoI_QwkhR7zfSB8THWv2z49uEO8/s400/sixtyfive.jpg" /></a>*<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoHeader, li.MsoHeader, div.MsoHeader
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Header Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
tab-stops:center 3.0in right 6.0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
span.HeaderChar
{mso-style-name:"Header Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:Header;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">There's a joke I've heard in various
versions over the years, the gist of it being that the way to reach any age is
by waking up alive on the date in question. Today my human body has journeyed
around the sun for a total of sixty-five years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I remember viewing sixty-five as both a
destination and the start of old age, the decline of life. It was a
destination, back when I was in my twenties and thirties, because that was the
enforced age of retirement. It still is, in many industries, though as more and
more folks cannot afford to stop working, REAL retirement might not happen
until age seventy or maybe not until death descends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">When my parents reached their sixties,
they seemed to count the days to my dad's retirement. His final few years on
the job were challenging. Management wanted young blood and curtailed his
ability to be the experienced, wise adjunct to the department -- a benefit not
a detriment. Nowadays, more companies do understand the benefits of experience,
but not then. Or so it seemed. They tried to convince him to take early
retirement and eventually he did leave earlier than originally planned. The
release from stress was worth it, I think. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Then came the adjustments. For my mom,
adjustments to a routine that counted on personal free time and not having
anyone underfoot. But soon they were scheduling adventures. They went golfing,
took trips to visit all four children who now lived far from home. My sister
and her son had returned home and became their built-in house sitter while they
traveled. Free at last to spread their wings and relax. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">My perceptions about age sixty-five
shifted. It still seemed "old" but also held the promise of
experiencing the world without attachments to a daily job, competition for
promotions and the complications of children.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Now I've opened the door marked
"65" and, no surprise, the room on the other side appears the same as
the room I'm leaving.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I've been semi-retired for several
years. When my daughter was born, I became a stay-at-home mom. I worked
part-time after both children were in school and then the marriage relationship
came undone. Complications related to our son, mostly, left me unable to assume
a full-time job and after so many years home with family, my resume was sorely
lacking in anything that would interest employers in fields that once suited my
college education. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">When separation led to divorce, I
believed the stories I told myself about older folks (older here being anything
over fifty) not welcomed in the marketplace. AND, ten years ago, that was reality
compared to changes since that time. These days there are too many baby boomers
needing to find new work or to continue working. They've elicited changes,
convinced businesses that their skills and stability made them desirable
employees. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">But I decided it was time to seek out
what I'd never been able to pursue earlier in my life -- creative expression,
particularly writing. I had considered becoming a technical writer before my
children were born and contemplated that as a course to follow after the
divorce. I decided instead to pursue new directions, to dive into fiction stories, poetry and
essay composition.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Now I'm sixty-five and still figuring
out who I want to be when I grow up. Cliché but fitting. I don't see my road as
one headed for a tangled, dangerous forest. I see an open road, blue skies,
vast ranges of meadows, mountains, valleys, fun rivers and many, many people
and experiences waiting for me to explore.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">And that's the designation I give to
this stage of my life: Explorer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-31079956898707481932015-10-07T19:50:00.003-07:002015-10-07T19:54:57.805-07:00A Spot or Two of Rain.<br />
At last a day of clouds willing to weep a little on our parched land. Though the morning began with dribbles, sufficient rain fell throughout the day to refresh my spirit -- and, apparently, enliven the swarming white flies (not native to Oregon, as best I understand the situation) -- they've hatched in numbers not known here. In fact, this is the first year of the thirty-four I've lived here that I've seen any white flies--period. They're a nuisance and small enough to fly into your eye, but they apparently don't bite, don't appear interested in landing on people -- just fly and fly like white dust covering the air.<br />
<br />
But, this morning, in that morning dribble and drizzle, I had the honor of walking my granddaughter to school. Brought back fond memories from my own childhood and encourages me to consider offering to walk her to school every day. That tune might change once the real rain and cold arrives, but for today, walking her to school was a gift I treasure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDQjs1vzoM-A8aXTBwL8Rm4aZThTkExjaMCwv65NkrKNX1uM5b8mcFLlVx1ebsxskQUSLL2KjZ2zUDyxvZF2g69oxC-6SzOo3Hv7MsA8NnBzD-0OneXirPyk34z9VF1AZcTROyCjrSTc/s1600/umbrella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDQjs1vzoM-A8aXTBwL8Rm4aZThTkExjaMCwv65NkrKNX1uM5b8mcFLlVx1ebsxskQUSLL2KjZ2zUDyxvZF2g69oxC-6SzOo3Hv7MsA8NnBzD-0OneXirPyk34z9VF1AZcTROyCjrSTc/s200/umbrella.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Laughter and Umbrellas</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">We walked in the rain today,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">granddaughter Riley and me,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">she beneath her pink umbrella</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">me covered by a stately black &
white</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">borrowed from her parents</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Not a proper rain</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">where silver drops splash </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">in wild patterns, attach wetness</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">to legs and clothes, when boots </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">prove more appropriate than shoes;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">No, this was a gentle rain</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">of dribbles widely spaced,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">like tea-time with all the fine china</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">at grandma's house,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">not THIS grandma, but back when</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">such would be considered </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">a proper afternoon gathering,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">a bit like this rain that breathed in</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">before we were halfway to the school,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">our umbrellas retreated, folded</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">as we crossed at the light, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">crossing guard's flag raised,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">added insurance </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">all cars must stop, as if the red light</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">won't be enough (and sometimes isn't).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Walk & Bike to school day today</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">and I earned the honor of walking</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">with my granddaughter Riley </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">in the rain, proper or not,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">smiling, laughing, chatting non-stop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">What better way to start a day</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">than with rain and chatter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">laughter and umbrellas</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">walking Miss Riley to school.</span></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-16027247237777012182015-09-29T10:41:00.001-07:002015-09-29T10:41:52.161-07:00Seventy Years MarriedToday in 1945, in a Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois, my parents laughed, smiled, dressed in their finest, and, surrounded by family and friends they exchanged wedding vows. This poem honors their marriage of 70 years.<br />
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Seventy Years Married</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I remember the photo</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">stark in black and white,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">young promises exchanged</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">before God and family,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">held steady for seventy years</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">and counting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">On that day, he wore army issued</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">olive-drab, wool garments, pressed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">shirt, polished shoes and a peaked cap</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">over a full head of thick black hair</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">his face covered by a boyish grin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">ready to conquer the world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">She wore white, her wavy brown hair</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">cascading across shoulders caressed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">by soft fabric, bodice angled to reveal</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">a silver cross draped around her neck,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">face tilted towards his, deep dimples</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">enhanced by her joy-filled smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Sisters, brothers, parents, aunts,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">uncles and multitudes of friends</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">gathered in the church, tossed rice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">afterward, celebrations of family</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">long-life, many children, they danced,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">drank, laughed, sang until night called.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Seventy years of marriage, a maze</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">of fascinating corridors, dead-ends,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">children, camping, financial struggles,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">long hours, sickness, health,
disruptions,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">arguments, forgiveness, shared
adventures,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">memories made, memories kept, faith</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">or something akin to that deep
commitment</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">kept them together while all the
marriages</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">of their children dissolved, steadfast </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">in their desire to help and assist others</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">and now, bonded in difficult times,
stroke's effects</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">stealing her from him but he won't leave
her side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Seventy years and counting. Not many
marriages</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">manage a promise this long and strong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">by judy Beaston</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">September 29, 2015</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ62cYL3_1uR7khUOKo3-j-3YrOcyWXlRKrw0sS98vD11DzPPRhDTBy22kxQyVg4CxSltKwRD1-rPTWR4WZcBeQT94Jrg5ofVe6v8XWjWviw9pc8qNJcVqY3-DQBMYEabbYKLEOLZ7Dck/s1600/Loretta+Budzynski+Edwin+Lawson+29+Sep+1945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ62cYL3_1uR7khUOKo3-j-3YrOcyWXlRKrw0sS98vD11DzPPRhDTBy22kxQyVg4CxSltKwRD1-rPTWR4WZcBeQT94Jrg5ofVe6v8XWjWviw9pc8qNJcVqY3-DQBMYEabbYKLEOLZ7Dck/s320/Loretta+Budzynski+Edwin+Lawson+29+Sep+1945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-71714643578314491162015-08-30T11:01:00.002-07:002015-08-30T11:01:52.377-07:00Poppa Troll
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoHeader, li.MsoHeader, div.MsoHeader
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Header Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
tab-stops:center 3.0in right 6.0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
span.HeaderChar
{mso-style-name:"Header Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:Header;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">My grandkids love a Nick Jr. show
titled: Paw Patrol. I watched it for the first time this past week on an
evening when I was playing my Nana role with my grandson. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">"What shall we watch?" I asked</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">"Poppa Troll!" he sung out,
quite clearly to my ears. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Baffled by the title, but certain such
an odd title <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i> fit a child's
fantasy animated show, I searched the numerous lists of shows available via
cable television. Nothing similar was found on the pre-recorded and saved list.
Nothing remotely close was found among the "On Demand" selections. I
searched "KIDS" and then Disney, Nickelodeon, and Cartoons. Nada! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Meanwhile, I kept asking my grandson to
repeat the title of this show, certain now that my hearing loss was playing tricks
on me. I considered alternate possibilities, such as "Paw-Paw Troll"
and "Paw-Paw Toll" and though the first makes sense, the second
doesn't and neither currently exists as a show for kids. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">And then I stumbled upon it, on the Nick
Jr. channel: Paw Patrol. Lights brightened and I laughed. "Oh! PAW PATROL
not Poppa Troll!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">My grandson looked at me as if I'd grown
a set of horns. Then we settled together on the couch and I soon understood his
pleasure in this show where dogs play a role in rescuing other animals. Both of
my grandkids love animals, though so far, in their young years, most of their
encounters are with the stuffed-animal and at-a-distance zoo variety.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">It still sounds like he's saying
"Poppa Troll" when he calls out the show's name, but at least now I
know what he really wants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-69748825298461182502015-08-22T19:04:00.002-07:002015-08-22T19:04:34.076-07:00Too Many Wildfires
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wind
shifted overnight</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">no
onshore breeze</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">pushes
marine air</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">across
Portland</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">tempering</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">summer's
heat;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">instead</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">air
storms in</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">from
the north and east,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">wildfire-filled
zones</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">air
thick with smoke,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">thick
enough</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">my
nose samples</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">memories
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
backyard burning,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">smoky
haze so dense</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">particles
are visible</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">floating
in the heavy air</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">hanging
at ground-level.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eyes
struggle, tears form,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">lungs
cloud with congestion,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">heart
fills with sorrow</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">for
the losses</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
forestland, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">animals,
too many</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">houses,
ranches, lives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
the sun lingers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">in
a cloudless sky,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">fire-smoke
red-orange</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">all
day long.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">by
judy Beaston</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">August
22, 2015</span></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-4861624952749011652015-08-12T20:08:00.001-07:002015-09-25T11:11:12.259-07:00Summer Sizzles and Other Notes.<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">After reading a post by a writing
friend, one I know only via writing classes and Blogs, I realize my summer
slips steadily past, my Blog page sorely lacking attention. I set an intention
for a once-a-week post, but I seem to need more than intention to become close
friends with my Blog page.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I could blame it on the heat. This has
been a year for the record books in the northwest. We're not unique in our
weather reflections of Global Warming. Elsewhere storms rage with rare
intensity and quantity. Elsewhere, like Europe and Alaska, soaring temperatures
out of proportion to even non-average years has become the norm for 2015. And here, in the Pacific NW,
we've broken records for lack of rain (driest in 23 years), HOT months, HOT
nights and now a new record number of days at or above 90 degrees in one year.
And we're not done with summer yet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Being quite more adapted to clouds,
cool, and intermittent rain to break up the monotony of blue skies, I fought
through the early parts of this summer. My muse fled for cooler climes, but
left me behind and my lack of true creativity proved it. By mid-July, my system
had acclimated to the relentless blue sky and HOT climate. I'm not yet the
happiest camper, nor has my muse returned (though she sends me ideas and
encouragement from her much more comfortable locale), but I'm composing poems and stories again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">What I've enjoyed about this summer
includes more involvement with my grandchildren (5 and 8 - almost), mostly as
Nana-taxi, but I also get to watch a little bit of their summer camp
experiences. My grandson (5) gets to play little Ninja warrior twice each week
in his pre-school Taekwondo class. He's learned to ride his bike, improve his
water skills, and he taught me how to set up and play Skylanders (video game).
Ah, clueless Nana! I never have been a video game player.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">My granddaughter has been involved in
theater camps, gymnastics, wilderness camp (called Trackers), studying
environment and biology including her first river canoe ride, and something
with dance. I think her return to school in September will be her
"vacation" time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">And now I've just returned from ending
the life of a mate-seeking giant house spider. Normally, I play
catch-and-release with spiders, even these big ones. Between my family and me,
we've caught and released more than six of these big ones. With the high
proliferation of spiders (of every size) this year, my spider anxiety has been
tested again and again. I had to knock tonight's big guy off the ceiling first.
I'm shaking from the adrenaline, but maybe I'm knocking the fears into
oblivion, too. (Spider photo on the way)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I'll stop here for today. I HAVE been
busy writing and taking classes since the first of the year. Maybe I'll bring
some of that into the light of these NW Notes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YZZSkq0QTxMibNQ9siRyJHwg_dA2vjMhj9RZomC5TL15ER010Y2WX6J1VOsk_DVYmprlTZQWhqh1_mMmUtwKFe4YIcYoqJYh6EB_YR5bHAGWsbTZ7OCKlxvlMdi0ZoBHEhoVCcjrn-o/s1600/Spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YZZSkq0QTxMibNQ9siRyJHwg_dA2vjMhj9RZomC5TL15ER010Y2WX6J1VOsk_DVYmprlTZQWhqh1_mMmUtwKFe4YIcYoqJYh6EB_YR5bHAGWsbTZ7OCKlxvlMdi0ZoBHEhoVCcjrn-o/s320/Spider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Giant House Spider Under Glass (not amplified)</div>
</div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-26560539550553094152015-05-03T16:41:00.000-07:002015-05-03T16:41:16.902-07:00Spring Poem
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXqNQW8dI_wo-CtgdQPAQ1OZHOqHn8VSEwaHoPjkMpGwJ6SNs9nHAF4v7kp8Zw1UL97UvubrLu5joF9wEYENHiW3q5CLUS4P7deXO3G7RiitI1KJUUFZWxEIAQiabjN7mgEFr3Lyb9BM/s1600/springclouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXqNQW8dI_wo-CtgdQPAQ1OZHOqHn8VSEwaHoPjkMpGwJ6SNs9nHAF4v7kp8Zw1UL97UvubrLu5joF9wEYENHiW3q5CLUS4P7deXO3G7RiitI1KJUUFZWxEIAQiabjN7mgEFr3Lyb9BM/s1600/springclouds.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Spring's Sultry Mood</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I considered morning</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">snugged in her gray wool winter coat</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">noticed white fur curled like thick lace</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">or scrollwork woven in random lines</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">north to east to west and south, some</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">folded back upon itself, bunched</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">in likely anticipation of late morning</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">opportunities for dispensing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">with all this winter heaviness, an
exchange</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">in order for Irish dances, blue sky;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">but I erred on the side of optimism, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">her sultry mood predicting instead</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">an afternoon sob-fest, a good soaking-in</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">for all the new spring growth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">by judy Beaston</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">April 23, 2015</span></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-90432193009888388782015-04-26T18:17:00.004-07:002015-04-26T18:17:31.344-07:00Mail Call.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mail Call</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">My dad received an invitation</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">for an all-expense-paid flight</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">to Washington, D.C.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">He and many other elder statesmen</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">long-ago dressed in military
uniforms,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">journey soon to visit</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">the WWII Memorial built</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">in their honor.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">Upon their return</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">to Midway Airport in Chicago,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">a familiar though long-gone sight
awaits:</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mail Call</span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">the same kind of Mail Call</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">woven into their days</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">during the war.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">My dad and I exchange
communication</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">as a rare event these days,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">most of my news</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">about him</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">or my mom</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">reaches me via my sister,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">but I would not miss this
opportunity</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">no matter our distance</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">to share my gratitude</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">for his bravery</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">dedication</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">and commitment to freedom</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">that I embrace as matter-of-fact</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">every day of my life.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">To all of our servicemen, past,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">present and--unfortunately--future,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">though I detest war</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">in all forms</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">consider none worth the bullets,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">deaths and ruined lives</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">still I</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">thank you for your service</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">to this country.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">by judy Beaston</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt;">April 25, 2015</span></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-1665934162680162922015-02-03T11:50:00.004-08:002015-02-04T17:43:37.072-08:00Snow Days<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoHeader, li.MsoHeader, div.MsoHeader
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Header Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
tab-stops:center 3.0in right 6.0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
span.HeaderChar
{mso-style-name:"Header Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:Header;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I remember winters as a child growing up
in Chicago and later in a suburb northwest of the city. Snow seemed ever
present for much of my younger years and built hills perfect for sledding
from the back of my family's home, down into a large parkway that fronted a
creek. I remember hours of sledding and building snowmen and having snowball
battles, laughing and loving all the white winter fun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Of course, I remember these events
through a child's eyes, a skewed perspective affected by a child's main focus:
play. This is the opposite of the adult forced to accommodate boots dripping
near the back door, wet clothes to dry, kids to bundle up again and again, hot
chocolate and possibly extra kids in the house adding chaos.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Beyond the kid-side, adults were also in
charge of shoveling driveways and sidewalks again and again. They had to
navigate slippery streets, keep food in the house, continue the normal daily
chores along with all the extras winter dumps without regard for anyone's
schedule.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I don't remember much about this side of
life. Not until I became a parent could I comprehend the seamless weaving of
joy, work, play and discipline that comes with the role. By the time I brought
my first child into this world, I'd left the cold Midwest for the warmer climes
of northwest Oregon. We still had snow, but with less frequency, generally less
depth and almost always gone within days, no lingering gray slush waiting for
spring's arrival.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Playing in the snow with my kids and
their friends was a delight for me. I loved having the chaos of a house filled
with young voices, making hot chocolate, pizza, popcorn, and more for these
winter-wrapped youngsters. I didn't mind the wet clothes and boots. I loved
when schools were closed so we could enjoy a rare treat - rare for this part of
Oregon. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">And then it would be gone. We had to
embrace whatever we received as soon as it arrived because it often began to
disappear by the end of the day. A few storms lasted longer, but most were a
very temporary affair.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Watching the winter wildness affecting
much of the Midwest and East Coast states right now, I have compassion for
their dilemma. And though I miss the fun of the pure quiet that sometimes
arrives with a fresh snowfall, I don't miss the mess of prolonged winter
weather.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Come to think of it, our weather has
been skewed in the warm direction for several years. Snowfall times have been
more occasional than I remember enjoying when my children (now adults) had the
pleasure of experiencing snow right outside their front door. My grandkids
haven't enjoyed near the number of snow days their parents did, and it takes
driving into the mountains before that pleasure can be found.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I miss it, but don't miss the ice and
other driving - or walking - hazards. This year, I'm vicariously enjoying
everyone else's snow.</span></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-9500793690155742562015-01-25T11:47:00.002-08:002015-01-25T11:47:22.491-08:00Thinking About What I Want
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoHeader, li.MsoHeader, div.MsoHeader
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Header Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
tab-stops:center 3.0in right 6.0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
span.HeaderChar
{mso-style-name:"Header Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:Header;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thoughts
Float On By</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
focus directs my thoughts. My thoughts direct my focus. What I find more of in
my life also reflects my thoughts and my focus. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">While
this reality can be a good thing, it can also lead to an increase in what I
really don't want.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
has been demonstrated for me in my attempts to halt habits that annoy me or
aren't healthy for me. By concentrating on ways to NOT do something, I've
managed to increase my focus on that something I wish to halt. My focus brings
more of it into my life and I'm stuck on the wrong side of the tracks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alternately,
I cannot just focus on what I want with mantras and affirmations. The problem
with those methods rests in the layers behind the spoken words. My unconscious
is silently adding comments about those items I am hoping to change and thus my
focus remains on what I don't want.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">However,
when I latch onto what I really want with a link to my heart and my emotions, I
uncover multiple paths to visualizing what I want with a passion and conviction
that overrides all other views. Eventually, the old becomes dust and the new
becomes reality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Next
time you feel a shadow floating into your awareness, just sigh and let it float
on by without thinking, "I'm depressed." Because sure as the sun
rises in the morning, with that thought you'll be depressed before the day
ends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-7451660174805793512015-01-19T10:01:00.000-08:002015-01-25T11:30:29.172-08:00Being Mindfully Aware<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being
Mindfully Aware</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
all have pet peeves, those little annoyances that have a tendency to balloon
into something ready to sail around the world. I know I harbor a few that, try
as I might, cannot be suppressed without conscious awareness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Awareness:
that's one of my themes for 2015. Mindful awareness--taking my awareness to a
deeper level, one where I connect consciously to what happens automatically
from my unconscious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Over
time, I've developed the ability and practice of shrugging off most of those
little annoyances that come into my awareness. Perhaps a little bit of a huff
of black smoke appears, but this is harmless to others. Not so much for me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
I walk with mindful awareness through experiences that annoy me, I notice how
each triggers sludge development. This, in turn, invites the presence of
shadows and dissonance. Without mindful awareness, by the time I'm aware of
feeling disquiet, the source is long gone leaving me baffled by my situation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
key to inner harmony, it seems, rests in determining what makes some incident
annoying in the first place. Why is some action by some other person so
bothersome to me? And if what bothers me in others is a mirror of self, what
behavior of mine mimics what I'm seeing?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
example, one of my pet peeves rises when others leave cabinet doors or drawers
open. Seems a low-effort task to close them after the item sought has been
removed. Or is it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAENHabxg4G3CJBxe2O64w7-Aovw01QnSeTabkVbfsY3BIHIOGrnLp_GlQRBflg-yOMjMsYFxV85wOkLksOEfMasdYsM5UvFrdTaVUwwdCWrcfriq24NhADt0L8j3bEagWULKgiDI5-I/s1600/opendoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAENHabxg4G3CJBxe2O64w7-Aovw01QnSeTabkVbfsY3BIHIOGrnLp_GlQRBflg-yOMjMsYFxV85wOkLksOEfMasdYsM5UvFrdTaVUwwdCWrcfriq24NhADt0L8j3bEagWULKgiDI5-I/s1600/opendoor.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
seems that way to me because I have lived well over fifty years with people who
demanded adherence to certain conventions. I learned that the best way to
maximize peace and minimize discomfort was to adhere to their perception of
perfection.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">By
forcing my self into the expectations of others, I buried connections to what I
always wanted for me: freedom to breathe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
others do something that annoys me, what I feel is the whip others flung at me.
It's a variant of PTSD, mild in this type of situation, but still a variant of
PTSD. I'm reacting and not responding. I'm in automatic mode from an
unconscious perspective shaped, colored and tainted by others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
I take time to reflect on what annoys me, I remember that I also behave in ways that
annoy others, no matter how much I try to conform to all those rules and
restrictions others have demanded. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then,
by stepping back, pausing, considering, I can be realistic. Every individual
comes to this day colored and shaped by a lifetime of experiences. They've
developed habits and behaviors that suit them just fine. I can't make them
change. I can voice my thoughts on what seems dangerous to me or unsanitary or
annoying. We can work on solutions and compromises.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
the end, for some of these annoyances, my best path is gratitude for the life I
have and, with open doors and drawers - just shut them. Then smile.</span></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-3226543278982229502014-12-06T10:28:00.002-08:002014-12-06T10:28:53.915-08:00December's Cyber Black Holes<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style></div>
--><span lang="EN-US"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"> Late evening arrives before I settle at last to
compose my daily poem for my online poetry group. I breathe, toss out the detritus of the day, ask my
writing team for something significant, pertinent to the day. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"> But my day involved
errands, including finalizing the submitting of my request for a new passport
(old one long-ago expired) -- so it seemed there was nothing there. Nothing other than holiday everything confronting me at every stop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"> Additionally, every day requires filtering an abundance of messages from my cyber mail box and
seemingly anywhere I click on the Internet. I suspect that has been -- and continues
festering in my mind. Not 'festering' like a blister, just trying to figure out
how to both ignore it AND take advantage of it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"> I go to the store for a needed
item and feel guilt rise within because I'm not shopping the sales -- what if I
need this item this year? Yes, my BLAH-BLAH is wearing out, if I buy now, I can
be pleased that I did not pay full price. Only a fool pays full price… etc.
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"> The tape is one many marketing and
business folks would be pleased to know was running with vehemence within me. BUT, I
shake my head with each -- move on. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"> I think my year of purging excess items from every corner of my house, combined
with spending a lot on helpful remodels and the items that go with that, has me
on a simplicity plane. I do NOT need more material items. When something
wears out, I trust I WILL obtain a fair and satisfying price as well as a more
satisfying pleasure in the new item -- this vs. a more frenetic, holiday sales
pressured purchase plan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"> ANYWAY - this is the poem that spoke and flowed with
only minor tweaks from first draft to final.</span><br />
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Cyber Black Holes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">December upon us once again,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">holiday scenes proliferate</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">multiply like rabbits breeding</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">no stopping strong urges</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">by businesses for green seed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">their vacuums on full-power</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">sucking hard-earned dollars </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">into their silk purses, sugar-coating</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">debt with syrupy sweet deals</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">swirling about us like a budding </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">black hole, Friday after Turkey-day</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">caught like a star exploding</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Cyber everything from one week prior</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">and on through one week after</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">with no real end yet in sight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">I tuck my wallet in a cyber-proof vault</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">yet still sense the contents siphoned</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">into the lightless coffers somewhere out
there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">by judy Beaston</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">December 5, 2014</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-64086614697318500002014-09-08T13:42:00.000-07:002014-09-08T13:42:04.240-07:00What I Need Today
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoHeader, li.MsoHeader, div.MsoHeader
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Header Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
tab-stops:center 3.0in right 6.0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
span.HeaderChar
{mso-style-name:"Header Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:Header;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">What I need today....</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Sometimes, what I need stares back at me
from the oddest places. Rarely do I recognize what I need when peering into the
unkind reflections parading themselves as replicas of me that I find in a
mirror. Nor does window glass offer much in the way of honesty. But I might
find it on a path in a forest, shrouded by trees whose branches mingle overhead
like soldier's swords creating a path toward a new light. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Or on a beach, surrounded by sun or
surrounded by fog, both merely embrace me in different cloaks of welcome. The
surf pounds without tiring, pushing energy into my body-mind-soul whether I
splash through its teasing waves or trod across the sand, bundled up against
chilly winds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">And in those natural connections, I see
what I need, what all of me inside to outside needs, in this moment, on this
day. Tomorrow might change, but for now, right here, I know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbsXENmCfxHWegm0hw57n1GPV5_gfs1K9KZ8yovoa_etL7HdwJr9DiXhR1yQS2wS11CiM9iGfVT2qJgNLQm9LNrMPAeQznIvoWRqZuIdXIKS_mLxYMFx91MtpAIQJ8qsVWwWk2Jolml0/s1600/IMG_2949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbsXENmCfxHWegm0hw57n1GPV5_gfs1K9KZ8yovoa_etL7HdwJr9DiXhR1yQS2wS11CiM9iGfVT2qJgNLQm9LNrMPAeQznIvoWRqZuIdXIKS_mLxYMFx91MtpAIQJ8qsVWwWk2Jolml0/s1600/IMG_2949.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5H5D4_2bkSs4FNd69a1jRKrSit_9ZDUugjZMJkEJlr0FYk5IzEJe2bBTmGQumH8GxhPRGcoqn-3iA-ax2oPaCWf1InaHeG5hyphenhyphenYWlPiKsr0ZvGHUvW_cezHL285xdLYAvORZtY9ZT7mw/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5H5D4_2bkSs4FNd69a1jRKrSit_9ZDUugjZMJkEJlr0FYk5IzEJe2bBTmGQumH8GxhPRGcoqn-3iA-ax2oPaCWf1InaHeG5hyphenhyphenYWlPiKsr0ZvGHUvW_cezHL285xdLYAvORZtY9ZT7mw/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-2215605938900614952014-04-16T20:34:00.002-07:002014-04-17T09:32:48.118-07:00When Spring ArrivesMy 'energy of renewal' felt vibrant at the beginning of January, the seeds of a large garden of writing loomed on my horizon. The seeds have not fallen on fallow soil, though the work has been difficult. The ground remains in need of nutrients, and I've been diligently pursuing the acquisition of a steady supply to bring the ideas in my mind to fruition. Writing courses wove through the opening months of this year, each helping me sharpen the tools I use in my writing endeavors. I also completed, through much painstaking effort and with the help of a fabulous editor, a nearly ten thousand word short story, soon to be published in an anthology of short stories (stay tuned). Poetry continues to be a daily outlet for thoughts and games and some serious composing as well. Flash fiction rounds out my writing hours, a version of fiction I find both extremely challenging and immensely fulfilling.<br />
<br />
A major portion of my home (kitchen, family room and various other small areas) was plunged into renovation last Thanksgiving week and finally resolved into a beautiful, functional and welcome respite place around the middle of March. Yes, that was a long journey, but with a worthy destination. The effect on my writing was both positive and negative. My music suffered, however, and I'm just now getting back into the <i>swing</i> of playing my saxophone on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
All arriving just in time for the bounty of spring flourishing around me, a season that annually encourages my body, mind and soul to embrace life.judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-49801651710151390172014-01-05T10:53:00.004-08:002014-01-07T10:44:27.403-08:00Welcome 2014!<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">New years begin with the month of my birth, though my birthday falls on the far edge (the 31st). Not a clean slate. No, I'm not one of those folks who see the year as a clean slate upon which we pen our fresh starts (or repeat mistakes).</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, the shift in calendar years does arrive with the energy of renewal. I see buds arching their curled green shoots into a barely visible space above the ground that is my inner foundation. Yes, this begins soon outdoors, but I'm speaking of the seeds I planted within my heart and soul during 2013. They, too, needed a winter chill and a bit of hibernation time before showing their promise of fruit, their place in a foundation for what each day now holds. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking forward to what might unfold in my writing life, family, home and music. Welcome 2014!</span></span>judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-63090444105004833982013-12-01T22:18:00.000-08:002013-12-01T22:18:05.523-08:00Winter Magic
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Winter Magic </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
her profile altered</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
by blue swirls and a snowman</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
rendered in face paint</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
surrounded by twirls of snow</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
framed by her beautiful smile</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
by judy Beaston</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
December 1, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwx0PfGe03Xst-Hc_LpetTDOFYfeXJr-l9r8hEbyL2xuYcCWKeyC1H8yF7BBL8Qvzyia1BMxYnWSqLhexmdpaJIaonAeME0Jw3GnLzr1jpqhHtGjh6Ntlg9OpfZgPpLVbBzcZ6mWSkm4/s1600/WinterMagic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwx0PfGe03Xst-Hc_LpetTDOFYfeXJr-l9r8hEbyL2xuYcCWKeyC1H8yF7BBL8Qvzyia1BMxYnWSqLhexmdpaJIaonAeME0Jw3GnLzr1jpqhHtGjh6Ntlg9OpfZgPpLVbBzcZ6mWSkm4/s320/WinterMagic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7463776298985556525.post-67251824472823538902013-11-22T21:36:00.003-08:002013-11-22T21:36:44.701-08:00happy - a poem
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
happy</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
single yellow blossom</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
dancing in an open meadow</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
inhaling life - exhaling joy</div>
judysnwnoteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17902764873285009095noreply@blogger.com0