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This is my first attempt to be a blogger. I hope to type a few items that you will enjoy. |
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I do not know where to begin with this description. The time period is from 0 to now. Please don't ask how long that is. I am sure with certain clues, you will be able to figure that out. I am writing this on my favorite old computer at home. I have a computer room that doubles as a retreat for a few of my pets when they want to be alone. I will cover mostly current thoughts. I hope to add some pictures as I have seen in a blog. I think that to do this sharing will take a lot of work, but the pictures I have seen are well worth it. Occasionally, I might review a flashback in mylife. I have times when I just roll that special even around in my mind until it has every possible facet examined. Usually this time is to try to figure out a "what if" scenario. If some of my items have no zest to it feel free to say so. I think that after I have some a few trial runs, then the real me will be out for all of the world to see. Luck you! As the saying goes, "Come with me and the best is yet to be." |
 Day 4088 I did see Dracula with the famous Bella Lagosi. Jack Palance was someone I think could carry off the part as well. And, um, the last actor listed I have not heard of. So I liked number one. No I have not read the book. And I think that the part is really too scary for me. He would not want my blood because it would not taste good. Oh well. Interesting prompt. |
Day 4086 Do You Remember....The Cookie Bridge A true story from one of my observations at the school I worked at. This school was made up of 3 different groups. It was primarily obtained to house the hearing impaired/deaf population, ages 3 to 16. The next was Vanguard intelligent student ages 6 to 14. While the third group was the multi-impaired students ages 6 to about 16. All of the students had their own great teachers and classrooms. The only time any of the classes were mixed was for some PE classes and some fine arts classes. The students ate in a large cafeteria. They rode their own buses or were transported by parents. The first few weeks were spent in getting to know the campus and the divisions of the population. As time progressed, things were simple and easy for each group since we had a psychologist on campus who would smooth things out with meetings to hear complaints and help iron problems. We were so lucky that everyone wanted this to work and gave a little . Time would only be for us since we had one year and some of the best teachers in this school district. Here is the story: The Cookie Bridge. As I ate with my students, I witnessed a small, young white Vanguard boy going through the things in his lunch box. He did not seem to like his mother's choice of cookies. He walked up to a large black MH student. "Hello George. My mother put these cookies in my lunchbox. I don't like these. Would you like them?" "Hi, Patrick. Oh yes. They are good." Patrick responded, "Well you can have them.' George nodded and added, "That is nice. Tell your mother, good cookies. "Ok. I will" added Patrick and walked back to his seat. George had a big smile on his face as he looked at the cookies. The next day the two students had another conversation. George walked up to where Patrick was sitting."Hello Patrick. My mom made some cookies last night." He paused to wait for Patrick to finish his chocolate milk. "Would you like some?" Patrick look a little surprised but answered quickly, "Oh yes. Those are the good kind. Thank you." And George walked back to his place to finish eating. I felt a little choked up because of the differences of these students did not matter. They were nice to each other. No ridicule. Only friendly exchanges. I observed these two students talk and be nice to each other for the rest of the year. Then George, because of his age had to go to another place in which he had to learn work skills and how to fill out an application. He had maxed out of multi-impaired school time. And because they exchanged cookies, that was something they both can remember and look back upon. This was about 25 years ago. The students had different futures and goals, I am sure. I wonder if they ever met one more time. No one can ever say or think that friends always have to be the same. It did not matter to George or Patrick. |
Day 4085 The Olympics-Facts and History There are two sets or variations of the most admired and watched athletic event. They were the Summer and Winter Olympics. The original Olympics were designed to honor the god Zeus in 776BC. I thinks it must have been in warm weather because the colder Olympics, the Winter Olympics would be hard to prepare for and conduct. They were held in ancient Greece and for the most part, the athletes were in the nude. This was to make sure that men were in the men's section and women were in the women's section. I did not find out about the timing and the other facts but I am sure it was all worked out. Today's Olympics, held every 4 years for each Winter and Summer Olympics are eagerly waited for. Athletes work in their training very hard. And for the US the trials to make it to the Olympics are very important. I enjoy watching both kinds of Olympics. The events are in cities that change every next event. Now we have the opportunity to see the glamor and wonder of the winter events. This is in Italy. The 2024 summer olympics was in Paris, France. I am sure that to go to any event, one would have to pay a small fortune. For Me I am a little partial to the Summer Olympics since I participate in a sport called fencing. It is compared to mental chess games. I love the quickness and finesse of the sport. A long time ago women could only fence in foil. Today women can fence foil, epee and saber. It is the same as the men fence. A competitor can only qualify for one weapon. There is a team part with women fencing another country's team. However the women and men cannot fence opposite gender's opponents. I have fenced for about 14 years and qualified for the US National Championships in fencing for 13 years. Each year was in a different city in the US. That was fun for me, but expensive. And when a weapon broke, that resulted in more expenses. I did have the pleasure to fence former Olympians in Houston when I lived there. Let's just say I was good, but not enough to beat the well coached and trained fencer. And I enjoyed the long and exhausting footwork. To me it was a great way to meet people and work on keeping my body trim. I could go on but like other athletes, one must work hard, and put a lot of time into this sport. Coaches are good to have. Practice 2-3 times a week are valuable. And the relaxation afterwards at Pizza Hut allowed us to be friends instead of opponents. Talk was about the upcoming tournaments. And the best part was these people were friends for a long time. I miss those days. If a young person wanted to learn fencing, I would let him/her know that this sport is fun and special. One can get hurt, in which case I did. But to see a smile on someone's face when they held up the trophy, was heartwarming. You can see fencing in some of the old time movies. And yes the actors had to learn the sport because most directors wanted scenes to be authentic. I was offered to take a lesson in California with the teacher of Basil Rathbone and Errol Flynn. He was old and took students only on referral by someone he knew. Yes that was a long time ago but that was when I fenced. I'd go back in a heartbeat if my legs could do a proper En Garde. But time has given me a few changes I'd like to undo. Take care everyone. If you want to fence, find a club and check it out. It will be fun. |
Day 4078 Question: "...you are what ..." and so forth. "You are what you are." I think that I have heard that first part many times. Could we interject as a further thinking part, "Are we influenced by nature or nurture?" Then the question would take a lot more time to think what is the answer. A few times scientists have studied twins who have been separated. (Divorce with each twin going to a parent.) Or maybe if the children had lost their parents due to an accident or just adopted by other people. One twin goes to a wealthy set of parents/people/gay couple who wish to adopt. And the other twin waits a few years because of some birth defect and is not appealing to people. STOP: Fact is that Louis Armstrong the best jazz and trumpet player in history and my opinion was adopted by white Jewish people. They gave him excellent care. He even used some of the Jewish language in some of his songs. Later, after getting a trumpet, he went on to become this best in music. His name is still mentioned among the 'greats' today. (Maybe I will tell the story of how he got the name 'Satchmo'. But for other children, there is no one who reached the status and acclaim that Mr. Armstrong did. (Love that man and music!) This could fall under the category of nurture. Now maybe nature is harder. It could be climate. It could be where the person lived. Or it could be a person's intelligence with another factor. (See I told you that this might be harder.) Climates determine the food you can get to eat, the clothes you wear, or place you live in. Most of the days, there are different number of hours of the day. A cold front that comes along can kill plants you might want to grow for food. Animals of this particular climate might have thick hair or thin coats. Now I am not a scientist of professions that have studied the prompt "....you are who you..." I have happy where and who I am. I have lived in one place and went to school for another place. I just know that if I was not ready, I would not be comfortable and have to ADAPT. If I was less intelligent or an animal in the lower group of animals , then it would be 'here today, and (sniff) gone tomorrow.' Thanks for this prompt. Maybe I'll read some articles about this and be better prepared for the next prompt like this one. You asked for it and.........you got my opinion. Have a good day. |
| Day 4077 (As in the TV show MASH, one of my favorites) According to Punxsutawney Phil the renown forecasting animal, we will have more winter. Oh that is not good new for people who don't like cold weather. Those who have high gas or electric bills must feel the pain as well. But this little groundhog has been popular for many years, or at least his predecessors until now are. PETA wants this custom to be ended since the people who are assisting with the forecast has not been careful with this little guy. He was dropped once recently. Whatever the answer is, I have a reasonable sized closet in which hot or cold weather garments are hung in appropriate spots according to the forecast of the day and maybe the whole week as well. I used to work in Sears and put 'tried on' clothes back on the selection spots. We were told to put sizes, all colors together and then according to long or short sleeves. When you get the (uh hum) hang of the job then it becomes easier. But for now, I am watching very carefully what is going to happen because my husband and I walk our Siberian husky, Balto. He loves this cold weather and the snow if it has happened to be part of the cold front passing through. This dog is quite a good helper in reminding us for his walk. He likes to see if the other dogs in the neighborhood are out. Balto, also gives us plenty of exercise and fresh air. So since I have things to do, I sometimes skip the walk and get breakfast ready. Balto usually gets fed first. He has earned it. PS Balto is named for the husky who was leader in a sled that carried medicine to an Alaskan city to stop an epidemic. There were a few other dog heroes. They were in a Walt Disney cartoon for children. It is quite good. |
Day 4071 February Story When I was in the fifth grade, the teacher I had was young, fresh out of college and fun to learn from. (That doesn't happen often.) And the time was February 12th, Valentine's day party on a Friday, February 12th. But before we could have our party, we had one small test to take. It was not hard, if one had studied, but this is fifth grade with another special event that outweighed anything else. We had decorated our shoe boxes and made sure that we brought our Valentine's Day cards for the other members of the class. Some students even brought candy to give to Ms T. It looked like it might snow. The class students all murmured that they wanted snow and lots of it by Ms T. said that she thought it was just a light snow that would not last. This was in a town north of Houston and Ms T was from a little farther north. She was no doubt an expert. But as the afternoon progressed, the snow fall continued, and we continued to get ready for our Valentine's Day party that would begin after all of the tests were in. Oh what excitement! Snow and a party! This was a double treat day. No one misbehaved and the mood was so happy and fun. But as the day progressed, the snow continued. We were allowed to look out the window after we had handed in our tests. If one question was not answered, we had to sit and finish the test. Then the moment we all waited for. The last test was in and Ms T. smiled as she gave us the new directions on what to do. The chatter began and everyone sorted out the valentines. Part of the earlier instructions were for each student to make his or her box look like a mailbox that had hearts on it. One student did not have some materials at home so we gave him a few minutes to fix his shoe box. And when that was done, the valentines were 'mailed' to the name on the envelope that the card was in. That was done in quick time. As the cards were being delivered, Ms T went to her closet and took out the cookies that some mothers had made and sent to school. Ms T. supplied punch drink that was poured into a bowl that she brought to school. She also had received some cups from another friend who loved donating things. And the happy voices could be heard around the classroom. The snow continued to fall. Ms T. was worried because it looked like there might be a foot of snow and she did not have shoes that she could easily walk in. Time passed and we needed to clean up to get ready for home. No homework was the final delight of the day. And as it happened, we finished cleaning up as the announcement was made on the PA system. "The buses are here early to take you students home. Those who have parents to receive them, go to the regular pick up area. Bus students wait 5 minutes and leave quietly to your buses. Please do not run outside because you might slip." So this is my favorite February story with one more detail. Our electricity was out so the family stayed at a motel until late the next day. I guess snow can be good and bad at the same time. |
Day 4063 This is not my favorite vacation but one that was so different from others. My family did not go on many vacations because my father was a doctor and did not want to leave his patients without their doctor. Our previous vacation to Canada was about 15-18 years earlier. It had a train ride that was fun. It also had my aunt and brother go with us. But this vacation was like an answer to my mother's prayers who wanted to get out of town and have fun. We stayed in Texas and went to a nice coastal town of Port La Vaca. We cleaned the house and made all of the arangements. The motel we stayed in had rooms that were nice. And the best part was a big swimming pool. Now as a fair skinned red-head, I should not have stayed in the pool for as long as I did. The one time I came out, I asked mother to put some Noxzema on my skin because I was starting to burn. Oh I still feel the heat even now. My father and younger brother were in one room and my mother and I was in another room. Dinner was fine and we watched about an hour of TV before we all decided that the day was long enough and it was time to go to bed. I think I fell asleep quickly. My mother wanted to read for about 30 minutes and then go to sleep. But suddenly, I heard my mother shout, "Marilyn, wake up!" I opened my eyes and saw a woman bending over me to look at me. I closed my eyes and then opened them again but our room's door was open and my mother was panting. "She's gone now." I looked around and then at my mother. "Go back to sleep." I did but not without wondering who my mother saw. The next morning we all had breakfast together. I began to tell my brother and father what happened when my father interrupted me. "You know William may have been sleep walking last night." He paused to look at my brother. "He got up and walked to the wall of our room saying, "I hear mother. She needs me!" and then stopped and came back to bed." He shook his head and stopped talking. We all looked at each other and finished our breakfast. When we got home, we visited our Aunt who nodded her head as we told the story. "I am not surprised. Because that area of the coast was visited or the home of some pirates." I felt a little shiver go down my back. Aunt May continued, "And I think you mother has some psychic or special ability to see things we can't. " My mother did not protest, but sit quietly. That was enough of a sharing time, but has stayed in my mind for many years. I have heard my mother talk of unusual things she saw. Some were scary and other just so so But this was a vacation that I hope to remember for a long time. |
Fear! Day 4053 The prime word is 'fear.' It's that old shaking in your boots. Getting a dry mouth feeling. And 'frozen', not knowing what to do or where to go. Yes you could substitute, terror, phobia, and uneasiness. Inside of you or more specifically, you have ice in your veins, or just frazzled. If you have seen any horror movie, maybe Stephen King the master of writing the horror genre, you know that word. I have been afraid. The situation is too long to explain, but I'm here now and glad the event has passed. How do I have the means to get past this event, symptoms and all. I bought a ring a few years ago. It was a wrap around your finger kind. It said on the top part, faith, the next part, over, and the last, fear! All together it says, "Faith over fear." And certainly giving the event over to God has been a good, calming thing for me. I think that avoiding these situations is far better than getting into trouble and needing the help I ask for. Maybe there is a story I can write for this prompt but the Almighty has helped many people in wars, impending violent event, or personal struggles. Usually someone gets that queasy feeling that one knows is a small nudge from the above source in which one should listen to. Example: Someone gets a bad feeling when they are about to step on to an elevator. Yes there was a problem and elevator crashed and everyone died. A few people did not get on the Titanic and were spared. A person felt that some noise in their car was strange and when a mechanic checked it, the problem he found would have been fatal. Maybe this is off the track a little but I would be listening to my inner voice and thankful later. So that's it. I hope this prompt's response is better than a few before. If you want to comment, please do so nicely. Have a good day. |
 Day 4052 Re: Animal cruelty You do not want to get me started with this topic. And I know that I am not alone. Many psychiatrists feel that to hurt a small and defenseless animal is the precursor to going on to other defenseless life such as children, and the elderly. But you stated that the topic was animal abuse. I have never understood why? Why hurt something, ie...an animal that cannot defend itself or report this crime to someone. Yet somehow there is a person who walks by or drives by and sees the result of the cruelty and thank God, goes to help the victim. The why is that it gives the abuser satisfaction in hurting something that cannot defend itself, that the reaction of the victim is pain or death or that is gives abuser the "I proved that I am a man or woman to be feared. or "How funny. " To me it is indeed a sickness. The brain has lost its part of deciding right from wrong. It could be a result of jealousy of one person against another who seems to have a good life or everything. This could be the same reason arsonists or vandals do their wicked or twisted activities. And yes the list could be longer. Society has in a way failed the animal by not making and then enforcing laws that punish the abuser. A few judges will give an abuser punishment to fit the crime. But in some European countries, according to the Facebook posts I have read, that they are passing laws that give serious punishment to the abuser. I am waiting to see how effective the country's laws work. Then if successful, the US can follow the example of the success. But I wish the US would do the punishment of abusers sooner. A final thought is that some people do not know how to train animals the correct way. They get a puppy or kitten who poops in the wrong place, or scratches something, and the slap is administered. Maybe that is how they were reprimanded as a child a long time ago. And if the animal is lucky it might be given to someone who knows animals and training. People think animal care is cheap. They resent veterinary doctors that charge what they think is "TOO MUCH!" If doctors are not free, neither should be veterinarian doctors. Thus the animal could be abandoned in a place that is dangerous or has animals that eat live prey. The last one is so horrible is that some animals are used as bait dogs, cats or other for training fighting dogs. This is WRONG-WRONG-WRONG! MIke Vick was a professional football player who did this. His dog fights prison time cost him freedom, and his career. This is because no one would go to the football games when he got out. He was finished with the sport that he cared about. Last: I have a shirt that essentially says "Animals should be treated like family. If you cannot do that, then don't get one. PERIOD! My little cats and dogs get everything they need. The love I get back in return is worth it. When I have to have one 'put down' because of something incurable, it is only because I do not want them to suffer. And believe me, I cried like a baby when it happened and I still do when I miss them. They were creatures that God made and came into my life. Hopefully they crossed that Rainbow Bridge peacefully. I miss them all. |
Day 4046 New Year's Resolutions I did not really pay attention to this custom until I was in high school. Like other girls, I wanted to lose weight, go out on more dates, or improve my looks. Many girls consider one lousy pimple as a disaster. Yes, I had a few and they were covered up by makeup or removed the old fashioned way. (Be creative and use your imagination, pimple people) I did not realize that weight loss meant eliminating the foods I liked the most, SWEETS! Or the other way was to exercise more. Now I lived in the country and had lots of room to run around in the yard. But OOOOOH there were snakes and spiders and bees outside. And plus I might miss my favorite TV show. Finally, in Texas the days were so hot that one lap around the yard and I was sweaty. I preferred to AC to EW-EEE. Then the hormones kicked in and I felt that my life needed adventure meaning talking to boys or going to band classes. You know, things that other girls were doing. But when the girls paired up with the cute boys, the remainder were, shall I say, un attractive. And so the resolution was laid to rest in the back of my mind. Let's go forward a few years. College, came and I was too busy to do anything but study. If a boy asked me out I said "Yes" once or twice and then acted like a girl-nerd and let it go. I did try to keep mil appearance nice. Some boys just talked to me and that was fine. Post college, I thought the whole resolution thing was just for married people so the thought died a simple death. No more. No way. I had better things to do. So today Imight put a self-improvement idea in my mind and list some goals. That was that. I do not thing any thing on January 1 could be possible but maybe if something really important came along, such as my writing, I'll make a plan and a checklist to do. I really want to do more writing but since I have moved, settling in is priority #1. I'm ready to say,"Resolutions are good for some people, but not for me." That's it. Have a great year in 2026 to all my friends here. |
un: 
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