tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45428640131789105552024-03-13T11:02:44.392-07:00wading through my stream of consciousness...what I think ~ what I know ~ and what I can provekatherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.comBlogger413125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-12381159263304329112011-10-02T10:02:00.000-07:002011-10-02T10:02:53.759-07:00Like a bad penny...Come... live and love with me...<br />
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<a href="http://www.katherineclaire.com/2011/10/new-year.html">This Charming Life</a>katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-38485487343119524282010-11-04T17:22:00.000-07:002010-11-04T18:00:19.626-07:00Dona Nobis Pacem ~ Blog Blast for Peace<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/TNNXHgbncCI/AAAAAAAADtQ/0FPKdH0yZ1M/s1600-h/4nov10%20peaceglobe%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="4nov10 peaceglobe" style="display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 5px" height="533" alt="4nov10 peaceglobe" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/TNNXIjG7R1I/AAAAAAAADtU/DcYyiKy1eAs/4nov10%20peaceglobe_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font face="Segoe Print" color="#0000ff" size="3">For the past few years I have been honored to participate in Mimi’s <br /> <br /><a href="http://mimiwrites.blogspot.com/"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="5">Blog Blast for Peace</font></strong></a></font></p> <p><font face="Segoe Print" color="#0000ff" size="3">Thousands of people from all across the United States and around the world post their own personal Peace Globes. <br /> <br />(go ahead and google “blog blast for peace” to see all the results!) <br /> <br />And visit her sit<font color="#0000ff">e </font><a href="http://mimiwrites.blogspot.com/"><font color="#0000ff">Mimi Writes</font></a> to read the story of her Grandfather and how the Peace Globes were inspired. <br /> <br />Peace out.</font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-74024066424799468352010-10-19T22:22:00.000-07:002010-10-19T22:58:17.018-07:00Wordless Wednesday ~ Heartplace<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/TL6EcAb02YI/AAAAAAAADtI/yCgpwOcyino/s1600-h/Palo%20Alto%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Palo Alto" style="border-right: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; background-image: none; margin: 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="338" alt="Palo Alto" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/TL6EdBYM0EI/AAAAAAAADtM/KTrFcb0G92U/Palo%20Alto_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" border="0" /></a></p>katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-84331842328081729672010-10-05T07:22:00.000-07:002010-10-05T07:50:50.565-07:00a wee bit o' the piping...<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxKvY5dYUfx19ZiTISlVTGLkDiE4kTuExSOgGCphw9eESt814Z1Sv9sBSCyIGLDMdbkeN6pu5cIiAPWSui9iQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My stepdad Joseph arranged for the pipes to be played during the Celebration of Maggie's Life, It was way cool.</span></span></span></div>katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-2074460222316292682010-09-23T18:22:00.000-07:002010-09-23T19:12:50.777-07:00Irish eyes a-smilin’<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/TJwJHvQA1bI/AAAAAAAADtA/n6B2Lo83tW8/s1600-h/maggie%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="maggie" border="0" alt="maggie" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/TJwJITk2lJI/AAAAAAAADtE/vv1O2QVcrRc/maggie_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="255" /></a> <p><font color="#0000a0" size="4" face="Arial Narrow"></font></p> <p><font color="#0000a0" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">Just about a week ago, my Mama Maggie gracefully and peacefully took her last breath and went home to God. <br /> <br />We are doing okay.  It was not unexpected.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000a0" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">More later.</font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-8573941193059190812010-07-09T21:22:00.000-07:002010-07-09T21:22:00.213-07:00from Cafe Divine to Bistro 69<p><font color="#000080" size="3" face="Segoe Print">Yesterday Rhiannon and I had breakfast at the wonderful<font color="#0000a0"> </font><a href="http://www.cafedivinesf.com/"><font color="#0000a0">Cafe Divine</font></a>.  We shared biscuits and gravy…they were…well…simply divine.  Little pieces of cheddar and scallions baked right in.  Gave us memories of Papa. <br /> <br />Late that afternoon I had a very pleasant outdoor lunch on Maiden Lane., at<font color="#0000a0"> </font><a href="http://www.bistro69sf.com/"><font color="#0000a0">Bistro 69</font></a><font color="#0000a0">. <br /> <br /></font>And in between Cafe Devine and Bistro 69? <br /> <br /><a href="http://katinsc.blogspot.com/"><font color="#0000a0">I did this.</font></a> <br /></font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-50123290802680793792010-07-09T20:22:00.000-07:002010-07-09T20:41:24.054-07:00don’t faint…<p><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Segoe Print">I miss you all. <br /> <br />I’m trying to glean what’s been going on from your weblogs. <br /> <br />Since this endeavor was suppose to be a place for me to tell the stories that my family has heard too many times…you may see a couple pop up in the next few days. <br /> <br />Hope all is well with you and yours.</font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-35571627052120762282010-05-03T18:22:00.000-07:002010-05-03T19:16:49.888-07:00I MEANT to put this up on Friday the 30th….<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:4b2a0d3e-e026-4810-8e26-ddc6db737b78" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bBhzm-S8zgs&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bBhzm-S8zgs&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-206888827467109782010-04-28T19:22:00.000-07:002010-04-28T20:06:43.363-07:00shoveling<p><font color="#000080" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">Hey there, my dear friends. <br /> <br />Sorry to have been ignoring you all.  <br />I am bouncing between being busy and being lazy.  <br /> <br />If you’ve been around for a while you know that this little weblog was originally intended to be a kinda virtual scrapbook and storybook for my kids. <br /> <br />Those who know me in real life, also know that the fight against the trafficking of children, has become a very important issue for me.  It is a fight I’d like to spend some effort on at this time of my life. Bringing my better angels and all. <br /> <br />While I’m going to continue to keep this special place and post here from time to time, I’m starting up a second weblog.  <br /> <br />Yeah, I know…I can’t keep up with one…so the next logical step is to start up a second one.  (rolling my eyes) <br /> <br />I thought about just changing the tone of this one…but I didn’t want the crossover.  This is about my kids and my vacations and a place to open my heart and tell how I feel about some of the hits life sends me. <br /> <br />And I wanted the other one to be on topic. I didn’t want to have to defend my occasional use of the eph word or explain my somewhat unconventional lifestyle.  I’m not embarrassed, nor do I regret any of the posts here…I just don’t want the distraction. <br /> <br />If you’re so inclined…come on over to the “other” place and visit.  It’s not fixed up…I haven’t painted or anything…but you are most welcome.</font></p> <p><font color="#000080" size="4" face="Arial Narrow"> </font><a title="http://katinsc.blogspot.com/" href="http://katinsc.blogspot.com/"><font color="#000080" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">http://katinsc.blogspot.com/</font></a></p> <p><font color="#000080" size="4" face="Arial Narrow"> </font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-68591470886938879832010-02-26T08:22:00.000-08:002010-02-26T09:00:36.844-08:00Blueberry. A conversation with my Mama.<p><font size="3" face="Arial Narrow"><font color="#008000">“I’ve been meaning to ask you about this new technology I keep hearing people talk about? “</font> <br /> <br /><font color="#0000a0">“Which one?   The Google one?   Buzz?”</font></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Arial Narrow"><font color="#008000">“Um…no…I don’t think its Google… that Blue Berry?” <br /></font><em>(she scrunches up her brow and does a little head shake) <br /></em> <br /><font color="#0000a0">“You mean like Cameron has?  His phone?  His Blackberry? <br />It’s Blackberry….not a Blueberry“</font> <br /><em>(I scrunch up my brow identically…and while I am mentally dreaming of pie….I start to detail the difference between a Blackberry, an Android and the iPhone) <br /></em> <br /><em>She stops me mid-sentence.</em>  <br /><font color="#008000">“No no.  It’s not a phone. But I don’t know why a phone has to do all those things.  Why can’t it just be a telephone.  I don’t want to text.  I don’t want to take pictures. I’m not downloading the top forty” <br /></font> <br /><em>I try and repress my typical exasperation with this conversation…which we have had dozens of times. My response has been come a worn mantra.  <br /><font color="#0000a0">“</font></em><font color="#0000a0">They aren’t really telephones with special features you know.  They are handheld computers that you can ALSO get phone calls on” <br /></font> <br /><em>Mama doesn’t  repress her exasperation as well. </em> <br /><font color="#008000">“I’ve heard your argument before. A thousand times before.  But why can’t I just have a telephone?”</font>  <br /><em>I think because I embrace smartphone technology she holds me partially responsible. <br /></em> <br /><font color="#0000a0">”Well…You could get a Jitter-Bug telephone.  <br />Those are only phones.” <br /></font><em>I’m smiling now…laughing quietly <br /></em> <br /><font color="#008000">”Those are for old people”</font> <br /><em>She’s ticked with me now</em> <br /><font color="#008000">”Just tell me about the Blue Berry”</font> <br /> <br /><font color="#0000a0">“I don;t think there is a Blue Berry”</font> <br /><em>I’m trying to figure this out</em> <br /><font color="#0000a0">”Do you mean Blue Tooth?”</font> <br /> <br /><font color="#008000">“Ummm….maybe. Blue Tooth. <br />That must be it.  <br />Yes. <br />What is the Blue Tooth?” <br /></font> <br /><font color="#0000a0">”Short distance radio wave transmission…it’s the technology which makes all the wireless earpieces work. Hands free cell phones” <br /></font> <br /><font color="#008000">”No…that’s not it…” <br /></font> <br /><font color="#0000a0">”Well…okay…then I’m not sure what you are talking about.”</font> <br /> <br /><font color="#008000">”It is Blue…um…Blueberry….Bluetooth…Blue…something” </font> <br /><em>she’s totally exasperated now. </em> <br /> <br /><font color="#0000a0">”Maybe it’d help if you told me what you are talking about.  Where did you hear about it?” <br /></font> <br /><font color="#008000">”Apparently all the DVD’s are obsolete now.  Just like all the VHS tapes we STILL have.  Now we have obsolete tapes and obsolete DVDs and two machines under the TV with the cable box.  Do we have to buy ANOTHER machine???” </font> <br /> <br /><em>Ahhhhh….finally, I have a lightbulb moment. <br /></em> <br /><font color="#0000a0">”You mean BluRay!!!”</font> <br /> <br /><em><strong>whew!</strong></em></font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-21033525099590489782010-02-19T07:22:00.000-08:002010-02-19T07:58:20.573-08:00Looking at the Sky on Friday ~ Top of the Mark<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S361Bq-9_oI/AAAAAAAADmo/_hv-GZsxFxI/s1600-h/postDSC_02143.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="post DSC_0214" border="0" alt="post DSC_0214" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S361CF4TTPI/AAAAAAAADms/C4IoPacRImU/postDSC_0214_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="279" /></a> </p> <p><font color="#804000" size="4"><em>a photo of spy…taking a photo of sky</em></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S361DQXLuSI/AAAAAAAADmw/A57HA30M81A/s1600-h/postDSC_02223.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="post DSC_0222" border="0" alt="post DSC_0222" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S361D1QOq0I/AAAAAAAADm0/Q8N2W4XkUw8/postDSC_0222_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="279" /></a> <font color="#804040" size="4"><em>An incredible sunset over San Francisco <br /> as seen from… <br /> <br /></em></font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S361FZvdYCI/AAAAAAAADm4/O86Cd2WC6O0/s1600-h/postDSC_02443.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="post DSC_0244" border="0" alt="post DSC_0244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S361GKFbmUI/AAAAAAAADm8/m81AURb3nlk/postDSC_0244_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="471" /></a><font size="4"><em><font color="#460000">The </font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_of_the_Mark"><font color="#460000">Top of The Mark</font></a><font color="#460000">. <br /> <br />If you enjoy looking at the sky on fridays…go visit the site where it all began:</font></em></font></p> <p><font color="#460000" size="4"><em><a href="http://www.crazyworkingmom.com/2010/02/looking-at-sky-on-friday_18.html"><font color="#400000">Crazy Working Mom</font>.</a></em></font></p> <p><font color="#800000" size="4"><em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S361GZWF15I/AAAAAAAADnA/rE7UJfOT8Z4/s1600-h/Lookingatthesky4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Lookingatthesky" border="0" alt="Lookingatthesky" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S361G-iWUSI/AAAAAAAADnE/bPrPLyikaUc/Lookingatthesky_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="296" height="190" /></a></em></font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-66948413939882250332010-02-12T07:22:00.000-08:002010-02-12T07:28:08.773-08:00Looking at the Sky on Friday ~ westcliff<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S3VzgdW1Y1I/AAAAAAAADmY/CEXSn_Tc_MQ/s1600-h/DSC_0312%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0312" border="0" alt="DSC_0312" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S3VzhDCUZWI/AAAAAAAADmc/TS1cos0CP7A/DSC_0312_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="269" /></a> </p> <p><font color="#004000"><font size="3">All is well….just kinda busy. This is a shot of the stormy sky during a walk along West Cliff in Santa Cruz that The Teamster and I enjoyed last weekend. <br /> <br />I <em><strong>think</strong></em> Tish is still doing </font><a href="http://www.crazyworkingmom.com/2010/02/looking-at-sky-on-friday.html"><font color="#0000a0" size="3">“Looking at the Sky on Friday”</font></a><font size="3">…it’s been a while since I checked. (whew…yes she is) Surf over to<font color="#008040"> </font><a href="http://www.crazyworkingmom.com/"><font color="#008040">“crazy working mom”</font></a> and check it out. There are dozens of other amazing sky photos to enjoy.</font></font>  <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S3VzhrXx17I/AAAAAAAADmg/Y3n8yZOC6Wc/s1600-h/Lookingatthesky%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Lookingatthesky" border="0" alt="Lookingatthesky" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S3VziIisqyI/AAAAAAAADmk/Cl04rCAqW9A/Lookingatthesky_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="216" height="139" /></a></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-8048277202888907912010-01-19T16:22:00.000-08:002010-01-19T16:27:39.485-08:00Welcome Home. We thank you for your service.<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1ZNvW6UwaI/AAAAAAAADjw/1u6hJlKlrOQ/s1600-h/spy%20home%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="spy home" border="0" alt="spy home" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1ZNwssNazI/AAAAAAAADj0/xd1b0qCGn88/spy%20home_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="273" /></a> </p> <p><font color="#0000a0" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">When the SPY came in from the cold…he was very surprised and happy to see his Dad (The Teamster) waiting form him. <br /> <br />Our God is an awesome God.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1ZNyhsbn_I/AAAAAAAADj4/e0dalQXsDy0/s1600-h/SPY%20b%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="SPY b" border="0" alt="SPY b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1ZNzsA1GtI/AAAAAAAADj8/jJsy36JUD5w/SPY%20b_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="326" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1ZN1B_UKSI/AAAAAAAADkA/_u-qB4vLQHg/s1600-h/SPY%20a%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="SPY a" border="0" alt="SPY a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1ZN2qXHu-I/AAAAAAAADkE/Oh4CKhvCnaM/SPY%20a_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="333" /></a> </p> <p><font color="#0000a0" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">more photos soon….</font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-52630944263178188632010-01-18T21:22:00.000-08:002010-01-18T22:02:33.971-08:00Mountain Home-ward Bound<p><font color="#000040" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">Yesterday morning, I started a post contemplating a little train trip from California to Indiana. <br /> <br />I’m working on converting a whole slew of 35mm slides to digital. It would be a rather expensive project.  Unless I do it in Indiana.  In Indiana,  I can do it for free. <br /> <br />However….that is now on the back burner. <br /> <br />Yesterday morning the Teamster decided at the last minute…<em>at the very last minute</em>…to make a quick road trip to Mountain Home, Idaho.  Almost 800 miles, through Sacramento, Reno, Winnemucca, a bunch of nothing Oregon, and Boise. <br /> <br />The plan came together in about an hour.  I had to find some shoes that aren’t sandals. Dig out some sweaters.  And gather electrical cords.  <em>(The number of cords we travel with is absolutely ridiculous.)</em> Throw it all into a suitcase, and head to The Teamster’s house to get his stuff.  And chains for the car.</font></p> <p><font color="#000040"><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow">We’d been hearing for a week that northern California was about to be hit with a series of significant storms.  I pulled up the NOAA National Weather Service to track the next 24 hours.  It looked pretty bad. <br /></font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKQiwKHYI/AAAAAAAADic/6LeY-63xOcg/s1600-h/DSC_0235Copy5.jpg"><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="DSC_0235 - Copy" border="0" alt="DSC_0235 - Copy" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKRd-4xyI/AAAAAAAADig/ZCT0g7FpB_4/DSC_0235Copy_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="174" /></font></a><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"> <br />By leaving last night we missed most of the really harsh conditions going over Donner Pass. Just as we left a little bit of a rainbow appeared.  I decided it was a sign….an encouraging sign… <br /> <br />The laptop continued to give us weather data and the CalTrans page had constant updates on road conditions.   We did have to chain up for about 35 miles.  </font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKTSn6E1I/AAAAAAAADik/pNi4FLQ2wOo/s1600-h/DSC_02386.jpg"></a></font> <p><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0238" border="0" alt="DSC_0238" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKU0HPjbI/AAAAAAAADio/5yrf9YJ1eKE/DSC_0238_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="222" /></font></p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKWjLOJtI/AAAAAAAADis/zUYpS5-HbSs/s1600-h/DSC_02404.jpg"><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="DSC_0240" border="0" alt="DSC_0240" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKXmNS1lI/AAAAAAAADiw/sHZlNU6ORNE/DSC_0240_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="203" height="281" /></font></a><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"> <br />Welllllll….not so much “we” per se. I sat in the car…fully prepared to jump out if needed.  Apparently the “cables” are much easier to install than the old fashion  “chains.”  <br /> <br />We drove as far as Reno, Nevada.   As we came down Donner, I fired up the laptop and did a hotel search.  “Circus Circus” had a internet special for $40 in the Sky Tower.  <br /> <br /></font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKZ0zf3GI/AAAAAAAADi0/XkiINz2f1bo/s1600-h/DSC_02445.jpg"><font color="#000040" size="4" face="Arial Narrow"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="DSC_0244" border="0" alt="DSC_0244" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKbOBUUtI/AAAAAAAADi4/05AWHjyBbtE/DSC_0244_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="215" height="158" /></font></a><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"> <br />It would have been a great deal…except we both left a twenty on the table…he at blackjack and me at roulette.    <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /></font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKdLnGaQI/AAAAAAAADi8/w3UOm7NxuLU/s1600-h/DSC_02624.jpg"><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0262" border="0" alt="DSC_0262" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKeAeT_gI/AAAAAAAADjE/1_cC8YO3PJI/DSC_0262_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="331" /></font></a><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"> <br />We also enjoyed a quick floor show. <br /> <br /></font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKftdObyI/AAAAAAAADjI/hyxIm_9mYj4/s1600-h/DSC_02505.jpg"><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="DSC_0250" border="0" alt="DSC_0250" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKggJ0NeI/AAAAAAAADjM/sI5KBjeyohc/DSC_0250_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="178" /></font></a><font size="4" face="Arial Narrow"> <br /></font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKh_UHDvI/AAAAAAAADjQ/6FXDB8tp5ew/s1600-h/DSC_02535.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="DSC_0253" border="0" alt="DSC_0253" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKigDpN9I/AAAAAAAADjU/MwcOzgYYfuo/DSC_0253_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="161" height="220" /></a> <br /> <br />  <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKkQSuZmI/AAAAAAAADjY/7Un50d62ryQ/s1600-h/DSC_02585.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="DSC_0258" border="0" alt="DSC_0258" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKlUXEXkI/AAAAAAAADjc/mxpbWYc9IZY/DSC_0258_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="171" /></a> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><font color="#000040" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">Back on the road this morning….Interstate 80 east…long, flat, empty, and no weather issues. <br /> <br /></font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKnTq1aHI/AAAAAAAADjg/sfC_NmLxxEI/s1600-h/DSC_00182.jpg"><font color="#000040" size="4" face="Arial Narrow"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC_0018" border="0" alt="DSC_0018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKoXSpC7I/AAAAAAAADjk/up0l_HHpGLk/DSC_0018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="300" /></font></a><font color="#000040" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">  <br />Gonna stop in Winnemucca.  Try to find that old casino with the Indian out front.  Channel Opal Lee.  Might go all the way to Mountain Home today…or we just may stay in Boise and arrive in Mountain Home tomorrow. <br /></font> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKqdAehDI/AAAAAAAADjo/u73f0H--zak/s1600-h/DSC_00132.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC_0013" border="0" alt="DSC_0013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S1VKrmNn25I/AAAAAAAADjs/EB9G-PMCjHg/DSC_0013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="279" /></a> <br /><font color="#000040" size="4" face="Arial Narrow">What’s in Mountain Home, Idaho you ask? <br /> <br />Something pretty darn special….tomorrow night… <br />The Teamster’s son, SPY returns from Afghanistan !! <br /> <br />Much to be thankful for…</font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-70102845793299663462010-01-14T19:22:00.000-08:002010-01-14T19:25:23.552-08:00Wordless Wednesday ~ great minds shod alike….<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S0_gHukFhCI/AAAAAAAADiU/jmhl4fwbXcg/s1600-h/same%20shoes%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="same shoes" border="0" alt="same shoes" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S0_gIhwfnDI/AAAAAAAADiY/5KxxERJK3lE/same%20shoes_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="263" /></a></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-13335841759536924962010-01-06T17:22:00.000-08:002010-01-06T17:39:10.052-08:00Wordless Wednesday ~ becoming 28 and 22<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S0U7M8QEzaI/AAAAAAAADiE/2kLVYRqi3UU/s1600-h/RABP%2028%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="RABP 28" border="0" alt="RABP 28" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S0U7NhPY2gI/AAAAAAAADiI/ewIjOrHiyO0/RABP%2028_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="300" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S0U7OrtcRqI/AAAAAAAADiM/ndtReepfr_4/s1600-h/LRG%2022%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="LRG 22" border="0" alt="LRG 22" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/S0U7PRZ-n9I/AAAAAAAADiQ/6h7i8UZoMT4/LRG%2022_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="342" /></a></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-33985210691107791152010-01-04T21:22:00.000-08:002010-01-04T21:41:03.495-08:00return from absentia<p><font color="#000080" size="3" face="Segoe Print">I have no single reason for stepping out of the weblog rotation for the past month.  It isn’t the first time…and probably won’t be the last. There are a couple dozen small, yet viable, reasons and events which would provide explanation for being absent.  But they are tedious…for the most part the minutia of everyday life. <br /> <br />My life and my personality are non-linear.  Like many of you I have the whole “when it rains it pours”  lifestyle.  I hate being “in a rut” but sometimes I pray for a rut to fall into.  The past couple months have been blessed with new and exciting adventures which have thrown any hope for organization into a tailspin. I have been plagued by plans which have gone awry.  I’m not at my best lately.  I function better when my expectations dovetail with my discipline.  I so need to practice being better at rolling with the punches.   <br /> <br />And…my weblog life is out of control….seriously OUT OF CONTROL.  There are four very specific groups of people who have weblogs that I am part of.  By “part of” I mean that I comment on and participate in.  They have a sense of who I am…and I feel a connection to them personally…even if I have never met them face to face or spoken to them on the phone.  Most of you who are reading this are figuring out which group you are in.   <br /> <br />In my Reader…sigh…I follow 244 weblogs.  One or two are inactive.  Many post multiple times a day.  Quite a few are current event, news, political and informational.  But there are really just too ephn’ many. I need to pare it down to a reasonable daily list.  And a few more I read once a week. And maybe a list of blogs I look through once a month or so.  It has gone from overwhelming to unmanageable.  Apparently…More is not better. <br /> <br />And lastly…to my sincere dismay…I have become reticent. <br /> <br />Reticent <br />from the Latin reticens,  present participle of reticēre to keep silent,  inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech restrained in expression, presentation, or appearance.</font></p> <p><font color="#000080" size="3" face="Segoe Print">I suppose it was inevitable, given the pervasive nature of “social networking” that the circles in my life crossed over.  When I originally set up this weblog just over three years ago…it was originally intended to be sort of an online scrapbook.  A place for me to jot down the stories I tell…and retell..and overtell…so as not to annoy those closest to me.  <br /> <br />Very quickly this also became a place for my thoughts and feelings and imaginings.  Mostly life stories…a few pieces of fiction.  For a while, I kept it all to myself and my kids, although I believe only Rhiannon reads it (it was her idea afterall.)   They know me and my past and my foibles intimately.  There wasn’t much on here they weren’t already aware of. <br /> <br />However a series of situations…in the natural course of events…made my weblog life quite a bit less private.  I let The Teamster in on the blog’s existence… I felt not to was somehow dishonest…full disclosure and all.   A couple people I know in my “brick and mortar” life have weblogs and we became connected.  For the most part, no big deal.  And then….there is Facebook.  Sometimes I totally enjoy and appreciate the connectivity it avails to me.  And some days I regret the day I signed up and loathe the ways it has connected me. <br /> <br />Through various channels and portals it is apparent that a couple of people who know me in real life have followed the breadcrumbs and ended up here…wading through my stream of consciousness.    <br /> <br />For the most part that would be no big deal.  Upon review, there are only a handful of posts that I would hesitate over.  Most of them involve a painful moment of my past…or one of the many instances of my questionable judgment.  However some people who know me come to “lurk” and neglect to mention they have been here at all.   <br /> <br />While I’ve never been annoyed by strangers who lurk but never comment,  when people I know come by <u><strong>repeatedly</strong></u> and read and have never mentioned they’ve been here…nor have ever commented on a post…that raises my eyebrows.  <br /> <br />Maybe they don’t know that I know they’ve been here?  There is obviously more to this…maybe I’ll try and explain another time. <br /> <br />I miss each of you…and I miss you all.  I miss posting…and I miss reading tremendously.  I am sure I will regret all of what I have missed. <br /> <br />I’m going through my Reader today…with a brutal discipline…making sub-lists to create a reasonable batch of weblogs I can read daily without it becoming a marathon.   I’m going to figure out a routine for my weblog.   I’ll probably make a few changes…introduce a new subject or two.  Most importantly get back to the place where what I write is authentic to me and my need to write.  <br /> <br />So…Happy New Year. <br />Thanks for coming back.</font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-3723277398013857962009-12-09T10:22:00.000-08:002009-12-09T10:42:38.134-08:00Wordless Wednesday ~ my favorites<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/Sx_vmvIsWXI/AAAAAAAADhY/yhTKnBcqm4Y/s1600-h/DSC_0111%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0111" border="0" alt="DSC_0111" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/Sx_vnYHAisI/AAAAAAAADhk/ZQRXUEml7hE/DSC_0111_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="277" /></a></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-75245570774992224402009-12-07T17:22:00.000-08:002009-12-07T18:17:32.818-08:00Christmas Boat Parade ~ 2009<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; width: 425px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:f449eb69-f9d4-4227-b7a9-85b0318676cd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CSt2lFID_UU&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CSt2lFID_UU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p><font color="#008000" size="4" face="Segoe Print">The Christmas Boat Parade in Santa Cruz Harbor is always so much fun.  It was a beautiful evening….but really cold. <br /> <br />Most of the boats in the harbor are decorated, even if they don’t participate in the actual parade. <br /> <br />Can you guess which one was my favorite?</font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-85173733356523078502009-11-19T14:22:00.000-08:002009-11-19T14:25:16.322-08:00Cy Timmy….Cy<p><font color="#b03900" size="4"><em>That ear to ear, goofy,grin girl is my daughter Rhiannon. She recently attended a philanthropic event where she was able to meet and hang out with some of her all time favorite people. </em></font></p> <p><font color="#ff8000" size="4"><em><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/SwXFr5Bf_xI/AAAAAAAADhI/buWQfL_YC_M/s1600-h/rhi%20and%20tim%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="rhi and tim" border="0" alt="rhi and tim" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/SwXFx1hJSsI/AAAAAAAADhM/QdMfp_J6n84/rhi%20and%20tim_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="471" /></a> </em></font></p> <p><font color="#b03900" size="4"><em>The boy she is with…won a little award today…for the second time in his young life. <br /> <br />Congrats Tim…very well deserved.</em></font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-7758288011548354112009-11-11T22:22:00.000-08:002009-11-11T22:40:50.927-08:00Wordless Wednesday ~ room for one more…..<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/Svut7zktKzI/AAAAAAAADhA/iIvPNS_yLi0/s1600-h/scan0001%20-%20Copy%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="scan0001 - Copy" border="0" alt="scan0001 - Copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/Svut8nSynHI/AAAAAAAADhE/4gk5t67GnUE/scan0001%20-%20Copy_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="367" /></a></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-5995751029892124602009-11-05T14:22:00.000-08:002009-11-05T19:45:54.754-08:00Dona Nobis Pacem ~ Blog Blast for Peace 2009<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="peace globe 09" border="0" alt="peace globe 09" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/SvNVXh78O3I/AAAAAAAADg8/53XRIo8fN8s/peaceglobe09_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="300" /> <p> <br /><font color="#000040" size="3" face="Verdana">Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882) was an incredibly talented educator and poet who endured great personal tragedy. <br /> <br />Internationally educated from the age of three, Longfellow taught at Bowdoin and Harvard.  The first American to translate Dante’s “Divine Comedy” and other classics, he is probably is best remembered as one of the most beloved American poets. <br /> <br />From the elementary school required recitation “</font><a href="http://www.nationalcenter.org/PaulRevere'sRide.html"><font color="#000040" size="3" face="Verdana">The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere</font></a><font color="#000040" size="3" face="Verdana">”</font></p> <p><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em>Listen my children <br />and you shall hear</em></font></p> <p><font color="#000040" size="3" face="Verdana">to the the epic </font><a href="http://theotherpages.org/poems/hiawatha.html"><font color="#000040" size="3" face="Verdana">“Song of Hiawatha”</font></a></p> <p><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em>By the shores of </em></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Superior"><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em>Gitche Gumee</em></font></a><font color="#000040" size="3" face="Verdana"><em><font color="#004000">, <br />By the shining Big-Sea-Water, <br /></font></em> <br />many of the lyrical phrases of our literary culture were penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. <br /> <br />He lost two wives.  The first to miscarriage in 1835. The second in a tragic fire he blamed himself for.  In the twenty years he lived following her death in 1861, he never fully recovered, and suffered additional tragedies. <br /> <br />I make note of the dates as in 1864, Longfellow hit the low point in his life. Our country, the United States, was in the depth of a horrendous Civil War. Nowadays, we say Civil War and think of cotton and Tara and reflection of the first step in our nation’s history to end slavery. Sometimes we overlook 620,000 Americans died during the Civil War. <br /> <br />It was on Christmas in 1864 Longfellow heard the bells on Christmas morning and thought of his wife, and agonized over the injuries his son had suffered fighting. In his darkest despair he questioned if there was any Peace on Earth, indeed if there ever would be again. <br /> <br />In that moment, as he wrote the poem which would become a beautiful Christmas carol, he knew in all certainty that the good in mankind would indeed prevail. That the hate which seemed so powerful would fail…and that there would be Peace on Earth. <br /> <br /></font><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0"><font color="#000040" size="3" face="Verdana">Casting Crowns has a version of this song</font></a><font color="#000040" size="3" face="Verdana"> I am pretty fond of.  I could only find a “live” clip on youtube. It’s pretty cool to hear all the children singing “Peace on Earth” throughout the song. </font></p> <p><font color="#000040" size="3" face="Verdana"> <br /><em><font color="#004000">Christmas Bells <br />the poem by HW Longfellow:</font></em></font></p> <p><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em>I heard the bells on Christmas Day <br />Their old, familiar carols play, <br />And wild and sweet <br />The words repeat <br />Of peace on earth, good-will to men! <br /> <br />And thought how, as the day had come, <br />The belfries of all Christendom <br />Had rolled along <br />The unbroken song <br />Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</em></font></p> <p><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em>Till ringing, singing on its way, <br />The world revolved from night to day, <br />A voice, a chime, <br />A chant sublime <br />Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</em></font></p> <p><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em>Then from each black, accursed mouth <br />The cannon thundered in the South, <br />And with the sound <br />The carols drowned <br />Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</em></font></p> <p><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em>It was as if an earthquake rent <br />The hearth-stones of a continent, <br />And made forlorn <br />The households born <br />Of peace on earth, good-will to men!</em></font></p> <p><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em>And in despair I bowed my head; <br />"There is no peace on earth," I said; <br />”For hate is strong, <br />And mocks the song <br />Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"</em></font></p> <p><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em>Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: <br />"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; <br />The Wrong shall fail, <br />The Right prevail, <br />With peace on earth, good-will to men."</em></font></p> <p><font color="#004000" size="3" face="Verdana"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="3"> <br /><font color="#000040" size="2" face="Verdana">sources:  <br /></font></font><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wadsworth_Longfellow"><font color="#000040" size="2" face="Verdana">Biography (dot com)</font></a> <br /><a href="http://www.nationalcenter.org/"><font color="#000040" size="2" face="Verdana">National Center for Public Policy and Research</font></a> <br /><a href="http://theotherpages.org/"><font color="#000040" size="2" face="Verdana">The Other Pages (dot org)</font></a> <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wadsworth_Longfellow"><font color="#000040" size="2" face="Verdana">Wikipedia</font></a> <br /> <br /><font size="3" face="Verdana"><em><strong><font color="#000080">As previously mentioned, today is the annual Blog Blast for Peace thanks to Mimi.  Please </font><a href="http://mimiwrites.blogspot.com/"><font color="#000080">visit here</font></a><font color="#000080"> to catch the thousands of Peace offerings from literally all over the Globe.</font></strong></em></font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-77145757439828640392009-10-19T22:22:00.000-07:002009-10-19T23:17:16.815-07:00The Peace Movement.<p><font color="#0000a0"><font size="3" face="Verdana">For many Americans of my generation the “Peace Movement” conjures up images from the late 1960’s.  You know the ones I mean. <br /> <br />Not just Woodstock. I’m thinking more along the lines of: Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out…Make Love, Not War…Hell NO, we won’t go…John naked in bed with Yoko…and 19 year old National Guard soldiers pointing loaded rifles at 19 year old college students.  <br /> <br />One of the more unfortunate results of the 60’s Peace Movement was the atrocious reception of the men and women of our armed forces who returned from serving our country.  Those who fought in the VietNam War, as well as those who served in uniform in any capacity. <br /> <br />Fast forward to now.  <br />To him. <br /> <br /></font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/St1Lf1p-5sI/AAAAAAAADg0/SFnpOQKm7iw/s1600-h/SPY%20Afghanistan%2002%5B3%5D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="SPY Afghanistan 02" border="0" alt="SPY Afghanistan 02" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kTsJLFUzqmo/St1LggKPYFI/AAAAAAAADg4/ObM72EqJBl0/SPY%20Afghanistan%2002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="280" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Verdana">   <br /><font color="#0000a0">The Teamster’s son SPY. <br />His initials, not necessarily his occupation. He is serving with the United States Air Force in Afghanistan. You might be able to understand why a 2009  “Peace Movement” makes me feel a little uncomfortable. <br /> <br />Back in the 60’s the American military was partially staffed by the draft.  Today, it is all elective. Our military men and women have signed up to serve their country and protect our way of life by their own volition. <br /> <br />I know many people (here in the socialist mecca of a village I live in,) who say they are against the war, but they support the troops.  To me that sounds similar to someone being supportive of the players on a baseball team, but not wanting them to win the game. <br /> <br />I fully support not only our military…but also our involvement in the conflict in Afghanistan. My reasons have a lot to do with the Taliban, the rights of women and the published goals and objectives of Al Qaeda. <br /> <br />I want there to be Peace on Earth. <br />But I know that we can not always stand idly by. <br />I know that there are reasons for war. <br /> <br />There are things worth fighting for. <br />There are people worth protecting. <br /> <br />I don’t want war. <br />I want Peace. <br /> <br />On 05 November, a small army will be blogging with Peace Globes. You can learn all about this Peace force </font><a href="http://mimiwrites.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-get-your-peace-globe-2009.html"><font color="#0000a0">here</font></a><font color="#0000a0">.  You can get a </font><a href="http://mimiwrites.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-get-your-peace-globe-2009.html"><font color="#0000a0">template to make a Peace Globe</font></a><font color="#0000a0"> of your very own.  </font></font></p> <p><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Verdana">Let there be Peace on Earth. <br />and let it begin with me. <br /> <br />The Peace Globe and Blog Blast for Peace are inspired by </font><a href="http://mimiwrites.blogspot.com/"><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Verdana">Mimi, the ruling Queen of Memes</font></a><font size="3" face="Verdana"><font color="#0000a0">. I am honored to wear the Badge. <br />  <br /></font><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k166/yoursbond/OTHERITEMS/sidebarPGWBlogo.jpg" width="196" height="196" /></font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-41724664080703345142009-10-16T13:21:00.000-07:002009-10-16T13:22:23.941-07:00every post, tweet, and Facebook update worth a penny to Beat Cancer toward a Guinness record.<p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://ec.mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/beatcancer.jpg" width="402" height="279" /></p> <p><font color="#804000" size="4">One day only! <br /> <br />eBay/Paypal and Miller Coors donating a penny for every mention of  #BeatCancer. <br /> <br />check it out </font><a href="http://mashable.com/2009/10/16/social-media-campaign-to-beat-cancer-eyes-record-in-guinness-book/"><font color="#804000" size="4">here on Mashable</font></a><font color="#804000" size="4">… <br />…and </font><a href="http://beatcancereverywhere.com/"><font color="#804000" size="4">here at BeatCancer</font></a><font color="#804000" size="4">.</font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4542864013178910555.post-75105854102478133322009-10-15T13:22:00.000-07:002009-10-15T13:42:27.629-07:00Oscar….have some popcorn<p><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Segoe Print">I came across a few things in my reader this morning… <br /> <br />Do you know what today is? <br /> <br />It is National Grouch Day. <br /> <br /></font><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1SiSUrvUnk"><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Segoe Print">sing along with Oscar here…</font></a><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Segoe Print">.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Segoe Print"><font color="#008000"><strong>Oh, I love trash! <br />Anything dirty or dingy or dusty <br />Anything ragged or rotten or rusty <br />Yes….I love….trash <br /></strong></font> <br />Then I kept reading and it turns out today is also National Latino Aids Awareness Day.  </font><a href="http://www.nlaad.org/"><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Segoe Print">NLAAD…got a website</font></a><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Segoe Print"> and everything. <br /> <br />Now I realize there are only 365 days in a year….well most years…and about 365 million causes and celebrations….plus you gotta save Christmas and Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Days as they were intended.  And yes…those of you above our northern boarder and across the pond…you got your own special calendar. <br /> <br />So, I did as I am wont to do and googled it all… turns out the 15th of October is also: <br /> <br />National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day <br />National White Cane Safety Day <br />Get To Know Your Customers Day…and <br />International Credit Union Day <br /> <br />In addition this <strong>WEEK</strong> is: <br />National School Lunch Week <br />National Chestnut Week <br />Emergency Nurses Week <br />World Rainforest Week <br />…to name a few…. <br /> <br />not to mention that October is: <br />National Breast Cancer Awareness Month <br />National Popcorn Popping Month <br />Sausage Month <br />Vegetarian Month <br />Wishbones for Pets Month <br />Raptor Month <br />Positive Attitude Month…and <br />National Sarcastic Awareness Month <br />(also a very partial list) <br /> <br />You can view one of the listings </font><a href="http://www.brownielocks.com/october.html"><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Segoe Print">here.</font></a> <br /> <br /><font color="#0000a0" size="3" face="Segoe Print">I figure there is a cause for celebration or a cause to fight for…for just about everyone today.  I’m going to pop corn and sing about trash….how about you?</font></p> katherine.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06000676644051958330noreply@blogger.com11