Monday Morning - Tag and Awards

Make Time for Small Reflections
See Morning Motivator at Sacred Ruminations
about today's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

I was tagged by Hootin' Anni a while back to participate in a little 6x6 meme. The directions are simple.
1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or where ever you store your pictures.
2. Go to the 6th folder, then pick the 6th picture in that folder.
3. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes with the picture.
4. Tag 5 people you know (or don't know) to do the same.
5. Leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.

When I opened My Pictures the sixth folder was entitled Birds and this was the sixth picture:
Although you can click to 'embiggen' ... I decided to crop this image for better viewing just because ...
Some of you might recall that I shared this little inquisitive visitor a while back in a Fun Monday ... or perhaps a Camera Critters? This little bird bugged Molly for about 15 minutes one morning, hanging around outside my kitchen window ... captivated by something. I took many snapshots and shared a collage (I had to stop & look for it) ... in Camera Critters #4!

Forgetfulone shared this Triple Award with me on Sunday.
She writes:

"Sisterhood, Lemonade, and Friends! Tamy at 3 Sides of Crazy gave me this sweet award, and it was such a nice surprise. Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis know how difficult the past ten days have been, and to come home to this tonight was wonderful. I'm so grateful to you, Tamy, and if you didn't already have it, I'd give it to you! Right back atcha!"

... and goes on to explain 'the rulez' as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

I'm exceedingly grateful for her generosity in sharing.
Of course, most of you know I have difficulty with 'rulez' ...
so I'm combining these two things today.

If YOU decide to do this 6 by 6 meme and leave me a link here so I can visit, you're welcome to this Triple Award as a thank you gift from me.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. Mark Twain

Something NEW and my 2008 Review (Meme)

Make Time for Small Reflections
(Heads or Tails is in the next post)

Did you know that elephants like snow?

2008 Review Meme
(as I remember it)

I confess I can't recall
just who tagged me, but the ball
bounced to me & I did play
gathering these here today.

Addendum ... Methinks it was Hootin' Anni
who wrote about this tag ...so the
award at the bottom is
certainly hers too!

Last year I did modify
rules to play, but this year I
found this meme a simple fete ...
and what follows is complete.

To join in this quick review
here is all you need to do.

Copy, paste, & share the first sentence(s) of the first post of each month during 2008 ... including links for anyone who would like to read more ... just because.

Remember these ...
or not ...?

January - Mondays Blog Review Meme
(for newbies like me)
I've only been blogging for 10 weeks, so I can't pick the 1st post of each month to do the 2007 meme, but I can take 1st line from each Monday's post to see what happens.

February - Haiku Friday - Volume 9
What a marathon
time of writing this has been
authoring two blogs.

Fifteen items left
to complete "One Hundred One
Things About Myself"

I've run out of steam
for the moment, but I hope
I will finish soon.

March - Saturday Edition - Five Really Good Things
1. This picture from Lol Cats and Funny Pictures cracked me up this morning when I saw it!

April -Happily Hai-ku'd Happenings
This morning I spent
time with Google Reader in
hopes of clearing out

many unread posts
but it seems a hopeless task ...
500 plus left!

May - T-13 #22 - Modified Meme of Fours (part 2)
Ivanhoe tagged me for 'The Meme of Fours' after being tagged by her new blogging buddy Life, or Something Like It. As written, this meme has 7 categories with 4 things in each, but I've modified it to have just 3 categories with 4 items plus an extra item to make a total of 13 for a previous Thursday Thirteen post (#20) ... and have decided to use the remaining categories today.

June - CC#7, TENNIS UPDATE, and my 8th UM ...
The French Open
It's Day 8 but yesterday
dubbed a '5-set Saturday'
with men's matches ... close and long
today's players all so strong!

July -Heads or Tails #13 - Yippee!!!
I intended to write about my 18 day trip last summer to Taos, New Mexico for HoTs this week. However, as some of you know ... I've been taking classes on Photoshop Elements 6 for about 7 weeks. Computer memory issues had been plaguing me for some time ... and working with Photoshop requires LOTS of memory ... so I ordered a new laptop June 12th ... shared the saga of delays as they unfolded during the time between then and now.

August 1st - HF#61 - An apology, correction, and more ...
I apologize
to the Sky Watch visitors
because my 1st link

in the Sky Watch Hub
brings you here when my Sky Watch
post is located

on my other blog
with a Haiku of it's own
... a simple mistake.

September 1st - Fun Monday #21 - My blogging spaces ...
My favorite 'blogging space' is outside on my patio ... in the company of Ms. Kitty OR Molly (if you look closely at the large photo you'll see her head next to the chair closest to the open door), but never both since they don't really enjoy the company of one another. I blog here in the early morning (before the sun overtakes the patio and creates too much glare to read the screen) ... and in the late afternoon/early evening when shade returns. Notice my lime tree providing the shade has tons of ripened fruit. Fortunately there's an electrical outlet just behind the blue chairs for when I need a 'charge' ...

October 1st - Whimsical Wednesday #7
In case you missed them ... I left an award for all my 'followers' (see sidebar widget) last Friday ... and another animated award for ALL my 'bloggy friends' in my Morning Musings on Monday to enjoy and pass along to others. I know I've been busier than usual lately and haven't done as much blog visiting the last few weeks. I'm sorry if I've missed some of your posts, and am hopeful that I'll get a handle on 'life' soon.

November 1st - NaBloPoMo begins today with

CC#32 and SS#26

It's been a BUSY & challenging week,

... yet enjoyable in many ways as well.

1. Thanks to everyone who left 'remedy suggestions' and 'well-wishes' while I dealt with a lingering sinus headache for several days last week. Fortunately, the weather has shifted from dry to damp ... finally! My it's a thing of the past at the moment and I'm hoping we get some measurable rain out of the storm cell off the coast of Southern California because we do need it.

December 1st - Monday Morning Musings
After being greeted with a 'blitz of spam' on more than a dozen old posts from someone named John who seems to be pushing a site that sells drugs to enhance sex life of men (now hopefully deleted forever by me) ... I've published a brief Haiku, Morning Musings about WordPress & shared three new awards at my new Happily Retired Gal blog already this morning, so I hope you'll drop by when time permits.

Addendum
I made this award for everyone who
participates in this meme on their own blog
and leaves me a link so I can visit too.

How about it?
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward." Margaret Fairless Barber, The Roadmender

One Hundred Things ... Which have YOU done?

Make Time for Small Reflections
I seen lists like this around the Blogosphere,
found this one at Work of the Poet
and decided it was time for me
to play along.

Apparently, Jamie of Duward Discussion
put this meme out there for any one who wants to do it.
(Lots of my friends already have done so and here's my list)

To participate, just copy and paste the list in your own blog, and color all of the things YOU have done (mine are in purple, but you can use any color you want). Things you haven't done will be in black.

Have fun and if you have your own blog you might want to post your results there for the rest of us to see.

I HAVE...

1. Started my own blog (actually 4 of them)

2. Slept under the stars (multiple times)

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii (several times)

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than I can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis (but I've held a tarantula)

10. Sung a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched lightning at sea

14. Taught myself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (and the Washington Monument)

18. Grown my own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitchhiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught myself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had my portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (and eaten them too)

62. Gone whale watching (with 35 students multiple times)

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had my picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible (several times in different translations)

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit (that was fortunately tossed out of court)

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Ridden an elephant

Whew! That's a long one for sure.

If you decide to participate
please leave a link so I can read your list.
I hope you like the 'snow falling here'
and if you've missed them ... I've got holiday things
in the next two posts & at Sacred Ruminations.
Small Reflections, Smile Back

Thought for Today
"There is only one thing more painful than learning from experience, and that is not learning from experience."
Laurence J. Peter

Halloween Fun! I've been BOO'd ...

Make Time for Small Reflections
... and you've been BOO'd too!
Whimsical Wednesday is in the next post (with a Jack-o-lantern quiz),
and (almost) Wordless Wednesday is at Sacred Ruminations.

Sassy Mama Bear got me ... and she writes:
Now, this is how Blogging Boo will work. Go to as many friends as you want and tell them they've been "Booed". Have them link back to your blog to pick up their Halloween Treat (picture)! Tell them to "Boo" their friends. Then, put the picture in your side bar so everyone knows that you've already been "Booed".

So, are you scared yet!!?? Well, you better be!!! BOO!!!

One more time - the rules - short and sweet!
1. Take picture, put on sidebar
2. Tell people they have been booed
3. Link back to who booed you

Now for a little more Halloween fun ... I hope you'll take the quiz and share your results in comments and/or leave me a link if you decide to publish them on your blog ;--)

You Are 30% Witch

It's unlikely that you're a witch. At least, no one thinks you are. You may still be interested in witchcraft, but you're by no means a stereotypical witch. While you don't seem all that witchy, people may think you're a bit weird. You're definitely a little offbeat. No one really knows what to make of you sometimes.

Are You a Witch?

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Hold on, man. We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title." From Scooby-Doo

Morning Musings ... a meme, and more ...

After publishing my Monday Motivator at Sacred Ruminations earlier this morning, I decided to skip Fun Monday this week.
Alison of RDH Mom is today's host. Clicking on the links here will take you there in case you'd like to participate ... but somehow photographing and/or writing about the state of my closets seemed overwhelming to me ... probably because I'm spending enough time trying to declutter & simplify my surroundings and 'blogging' is a way to 'escape' for a while.

I found this recently at Lightening's A-Z of Me ... who was tagged a little while back by Sharon to do this meme ... saved it in my 'drafts' folder and decided to pull it out today ... just because.

Attached or single? Single (except for Molly & Ms. Kitty) ... and happy

Best Friend? Several ... Carol, Jackie, Marlene to name a few

Cake or Pie? Neither ... but I do enjoy a delightful crème brûlée from time to time

Day of Choice? Now that I'm happily retired, methinks I love them all for different reasons, but for the last few years I taught ... I loved Friday's because that was the day we had uninterrupted sustained silent reading for 30 minutes in each class ;--)

Essential Item? Hmmm ... hard to choose just one ... my morning coffee ... my journal & mechanical pencil ... my laptop.

Flavor of ice cream? Mint chocolate chip

Gummy Bears or Worms? Neither ... I much prefer crunchy snacks to sweets

Hometown? I was born & raised in a small suburb of Los Angeles, but prefer to be 'a nonny mouse' ... so that's as close as I'll come on this one

Indulgences? soaking in a hot bath ...

January or July? January ... we get fewer visitors here at the beach in the winter

Kids? I didn't raise any of my own, but spent 5 years as a Playground Director & 34 years as an Educator

Last Movie I saw in a Theatre? Good question ... I'm not sure I can even remember, but it might have been the original Pirates of the Caribbean film with Johnny Depp & Orlando Bloom. I just don't go to movies any more and only occasionally watch them at home.

Middle Name? Helen

Number of Siblings? I'm the youngest of 3 kids

Oranges or Apples? apples ... Gala or Fuji preferably

Phobia or Fear? I can't think of any phobias ... and I try to keep 'fear' to a minimum by examining & releasing whatever arises ... as often as needed ;--)

Quote? Ah ... there are so many, but the one I used with students most often is: "If you think you can or think you can't, you're right." ... attributed to Henry Ford

Reason to Smile? Oh so many ... living near the ocean, being retired, the company of Molly & Ms. Kitty, and comments on my posts (to name a few)

Season? Spring - I'm optimistic & hopeful for the most part.

Tag five more Ah ... I prefer to 'invite' rather than tag ... so if this appeals to you let me know so that I can read YOUR responses when you share.

Unknown fact about me? I'm stumped ... but if I think of something, I'll add it later

Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals? I'm sticking with Lightening's response here: "Let me guess, this was composed by a Vegetarian?"

Xrays or Ultrasound? Ultrasound (when given the option)

Your favorite food? Lightening added this: "Do I have to pick only one? No? Good." Methinks I'll leave it and go from here as she did ... just because: I enjoy Italian, Mexican, and Japanese foods when eating out. Around home, the simpler the preparation ... the better.

Zodiac? Pisces for me.

Thanks to Mary of Mary's Writing Nook for this 'kewl' animated award! I need to learn to do this thing myself. In the meantime ...
I would like to present all of my friends with this animated friends button. Right click and "save as." Since blogger doesn't like animated graphics, upload it to Photobucket, copy and paste the HTML code that's provided there to place it on your blog.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part." Shirley MacLaine

Whimsical Wednesday #6 ... just because

Make Time for Small Reflections
I'm almost wordless at Sacred Ruminations finally.

I've had fun putting my developing PSE6 skills & knowledge to work creating 'graphics' to use as new, original logos & awards. You may have noticed I've modified my 'Granny avatar' a bit in my Profile (see sidebar) ... removing the patches, adding a bright yellow background, a small 'cheery' bird, and my 'storyteller' handle (ever so discreetly). I'm experimenting still with creating an 'animated gif file' but am not happy with the results just yet.

I'd like to take this opportunity
to pass along this newly created award ...

... to the following blogging friends who took time to provide feedback on different versions of some new awards I created & shared in Unconscious Mutterings & more and Sunrise-Sunset/BYBS on Sunday. If I missed anyone, please let me know so I can acknowledge your supportive encouragement here:

Thanks to ...

Betty of Betty's This and That
Joyce of Mom's Musings
Karen of Journey to Authenticity
Kitten of Kitten's Homeschool
Lisa of Lisa's Chaos
Mary of Mary's Writing Nook
Sandy of Momisodes
SwampAngel65 of A Florida Journal

I'm blessed to have encountered each of you
and appreciate your enthusiastic support.

Mama Zen 'tagged' me on Monday for the 'Six Quirky Things' meme ... and since it's been quite a while since I've done this one, I figured I'd give it a go (though I'm not sure what 'quirks' remain to share). Regardless ... here goes nothing:

1. I am (and have always been) an early riser. I awaken (w/o an alarm) and am up & moving by 4 to 4:30 most mornings. As a result, I'm headed upstairs for bed around 8:30 or 9 most evenings, though now that I'm happily retired ... I'm not usually asleep until 9:30 or 10pm.

2. I start the day brewing coffee from freshly ground beans ... no matter where I am. I bring my own coffee pot & beans with me when I travel ... just because. I wrote of my 'morning routine' in Haiku Friday -Volume 3. Occasionally I enjoy visiting Starbucks with friends where my favorite afternoon beverage is a decaf Caramel Machiato.

3. Although I've written in journals for decades, I seldom shared anything I wrote with anyone ... ever ... until I started blogging eleven months ago. I've made a gradual shift from writing by hand with a mechanical pencil to composing at the computer. I seldom 'plan ahead' ... so I'm often creating posts each morning while enjoying coffee laced with half & half. Methinks if I tried to create them ahead of time I'd spin my wheels ... dumping draft after draft ... and end up writing them at the last minute anyway because I'm a bit 'obsessive' ... and very much a 'perfectionist' ... seeking to let both of those characteristics go. That said, this post has been 'in the works' and held in my 'drafts folder' since last Friday (when I answered the Friday Fun questions initially & published them with my Haiku ... but removed them within minutes just because). Methinks Maggie of Maggie's Mind might have been the only visitor who saw the brief glimpse. When I finished creating it last night, I thought about 'scheduling' it for automatic publishing but didn't ... and here I am at 5am ... revising & editing yet again. Sigh!

4. I enjoy eating 'breakfast foods' for 'dinner' ... cereal & fruit or Canadian Bacon with eggs & waffles.

5. Although I own more pairs of shoes than I'd care to acknowledge, I'm almost always 'barefoot' whenever I'm at home.

6. Yup ... it's no wonder I have trouble with Autumn (or Fall) ... check out the results of this Blogthing!

You Belong in Spring

Optimistic, lively, and almost always happy with the world... I do try to see the glass half full on a regular basis ... even in 'troubled' timez. You can truly appreciate the blooming nature of spring. YES ... this is definitely true of me ... especially since I've retired and my 'allergies' have faded significantly for whatever reason, but this was not always so. Whether you're planting flowers or dyeing Easter eggs, spring is definitely your season! ... and it's a good thing I live near the beach in Southern California where it's 'Spring-like' often ... no matter what!

What Season Are You?
Somehow I'm just not surprised in the least!

If you're so inclined, I invite you to play along to see what season YOU are ... and to share either in comments below or on your own blog ... leaving a link if you do so I can read your results.

Belatedly (for the first time) I'm answering

Kiki's Friday Fun Questions
(even though it's Wednesday today)

1. What different blog formats have you used (i.e. Blogger, LiveJournal, WordPress, your own HTML, etc.? Which did you like the best? Alas ... I've used ONLY Blogger thus far and have no immediate plans to move to a different platform.

2. How did you get into blogging? After attending a week-long Writers Retreat in Taos, New Mexico during the summer of 2007, a gal I met there called and 'introduced' me to the Blogosphere for the first time. How long have you had a blog? Since October 22, 2007. I'll celebrate my 1st Blogoversary for this blog in 28 days (according to the 'count-down widget' in my sidebar) and in 29 days for Sacred Ruminations.

3. Why do you blog? For many reasons ... and I've shared previously in Why I Blog, so I won't attempt to answer further right now, but feel free to click the link if you're curious.

4. Do you have theme blog (i.e. crafting, cooking, deployment, pregnancy, etc.) or is it all in one? I don't actually have a 'theme' on either blog, but I tend to 'reflect' on both ... more seriously at Sacred Ruminations and more 'light-heartedly' here at Small Reflections.

5. Do you let it all hang out on your blog, or do you keep it light?
I suppose I'm a bit 'reserved' on both blogs because I'm basically a private person. I give thought to what I share, but am sometimes surprised at what 'slips out' unexpectedly (as with in Friday's Haiku).

6. What is your favorite thing about your blog? I love what I've learned through blogging and the many friends I've encountered in the Blogosphere. What has it given you? A forum to share with others and to explore new things for myself.

Your turn (should you so choose) to share either in comments below or on your own blog). Just let me know so that I can read your answers too, okay?

1. What different blog formats have you used (i.e. Blogger, LiveJournal, WordPress, your own HTML, etc.? Which did you like the best?
2. How did you get into blogging? How long have you had a blog?
3. Why do you blog?
4. Do you have theme blog (i.e. crafting, cooking, deployment, pregnancy, etc.) or is it all in one?
5. Do you let it all hang out on your blog, or do you keep it light?
6. What is your favorite thing about your blog? What has it given you?

I'm reminded of the questions in the Blog Survey I shared a while back. If you didn't see it (or have time to respond back then) and if time permits today, perhaps you'll check the survey out and participate now (or sometime soon)? I've added the questions here just because. Clicking on the 'Blog Survey' link above will take you to my answers.

1. How many blogs do you comment on each week?
2. Do you comment on the same blogs routinely?
3. Do you comment just to comment are do you comment with the expectations that the blog owner will visit your blog as well?
4. How would you like the blog owner to respond to your comment, if at all?
5. How many comments would you say you got (on average) in your last 5 posts?
6. Do you respond to your comments?
7. How do you respond, within that post or via email or some other way?
8. [If you don't respond to comments] Why not?

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton asked why." Bernard Baruch

The Purse Meme and MORE ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

... but no 'Fun Monday' this week because 'creative writing' is WAY OUT of my skill set ... and 'romance' isn't high on my list of priorities or interests these days for a variety of reasons. This week's Fun Monday hostess is Woodlandmama who asked that we "... write the beginning of an unusual love story (not a real one) and add illustrations to 'spice things up' if we've really daring" ... but I'm definitely NOT up to this challenge. I did create a new Fun Monday logo I'm looking forward to using ... shared below just because ...
and that reminds me ... I created a Fun Monday logo last week too when we shared our 'blogging spaces' using a funny cartoon that I found at Chuck's a while back ... but no one seemed to notice so I guess I should have pointed it out in that post ;--)

... the Purse Meme

Once upon a time I participated regularly in something called 'Meme Monday & Awards' ... and that's what I've opted to do today because I have some awards to share and Akelamalu 'tagged' me last week for 'the Purse Meme' started by Mimi Lenox (Queen of Memes) at Mimi Writes) saying:
"As you may know when you get tagged by Mimi you refuse to do it under pain of being locked in her dungeon. Now I don't like dark places where things like rats etc might lurk so I'm doing the meme - my name's craft not daft!"
Here are the rules. Find a safe quiet place free of significant others, nosey meme makers, priests, nuns, all things religious and men in general. (If you're a guy just reverse this process to female and tell us about your wallet, tool box, briefcase or metro sexual accessory.)
1. Dump the contents of your purse in a pile
2. Take a photo of your purse and the contents
3. Be brave and 'splain to your fellow bloggers what lurks inside the purse. There is a method to my madness. I dare you to find a story in the pile.
4. Tag others who might want to embarrass themselves
5. Answer these questions:
*****Describe the contents of your purse.
--What's the most important thing in your purse?
--What's the most embarrassing thing in your purse?
--What's the smallest thing in your purse?
--Is there anything illegal in your purse?
(end of rules)

Here's Mine

I'm not much of a 'rule follower' generally speaking, but I don't much care for cold, dark, damp places either ... so I've decided give it a go and hope for the best. Although I own many purses (and I do mean MANY), this Kipling bag is what I've carried lately. You'll note the 'Hatter Logo' on the right (making it easy to find my keys quickly) and 'Anca' on the left (all Kipling bags traditionally come with a matching monkey and each has a name, so I have an extensive monkey collection too). The remainder of the collage provides an overview of what's inside my purse. The older I get, the less I carry with me ... mainly because I try to keep the 'weight' down to save aches & pains in my neck, back, and shoulder.

With my light-sensitive eyes, I wear Polaroid sunglasses always when outdoors (these are Maui Jim's guaranteed for life). I can see anything at a distance, but need glasses for reading and 'Refresh tears' for my 'dry eyes' ... always have reading & writing materials with me including a pen and mechanical pencil with extra lead because one never knows when the muse might strike. I'm currently reading TRANSITIONS by Julia Cameron ... again. Finally, I carry a wallet (also one of several made by Kipling), lipstick, Blistex, Lifesavers, Swiss Army knife, nail file, cellphone (with hands-free cord) , and keys.

I'm not sure there's a 'story' lurking here ... though you're welcome to share what comes to your mind an/or ask questions in comments and I'll be happy to respond. When I'm away from home, the most important thing in my purse is my keys (and sunglasses if I'm outside), but my wallet (containing cash and credit cards) is often all I take with me on quick 'errands' ... (with reading glasses suspended from the neck of my shirt and cell phone in my pocket). I'm not sure I carry anything 'embarrassing' these days (sorry folks, but at 63 nothing much embarrasses me any more). I guess the coins in my wallet would be the smallest thing within my purse.

So ... that brings me to 'tagging' ... something I'm always reticent to do. Instead ... I invite all who visit here to participate as time permits ... and I offer the awards below as an incentive to do so.

How about SERENA ...

winning the US Open and becoming #1 again ... finally!!!

Jelena Janokvic competed better than I expected her to and last night's 'Championship' match was fun to watch ... but I hope Serena and her sister Venus can stay healthy enough to play more regularly again in the next few years because I'd love to see more matches like their 'Quarter Final' match last week.

Photo source: Yahoo Sports

Tonight's men's Championship match between Roger Federer and Andy Murray should be fun to watch too, but I must confess (with sincere apologies to all the Brits out there) that I was hoping Rafa Nadal could pull that semi-final match out of the hat somehow, but Murray's certainly playing magnificently ... perhaps better than Federer thus far in this tournament. I'll definitely be watching ;--)

Next a Blogthing ... just because

Who knew? Certainly not me ...

You Are Break Dancing

You are a rebel and a rule breaker. You are uniquely you, and you expressing your individuality. And while you're different and a bit weird, you're no slacker. You're extremely hard working. Having unusual talents is not as easy as it looks!

What Dance Are You?

Finally ... two Awards to share!

Sassy Mama Bear shared the first one at the Cafe at the End of the Universe. If you've not visited, you're in for a real treat. She's a MOST creative and entertaining blogger. Of course, I'd like to send it back to HER ... and offer it to all who decide to participate in the Purse Meme. Be sure to leave me a link so I can see yours too.

I shared the one below once before when I did something stupid
and Peajay saved the day for me as a new blogger!
It's yours if you leave me a comment and/or
share results of the Blogthing
here or on your own blog.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad." Arnold H. Glasgow

The 'Needs Meme' ... UM # 17

Make Time for Small Reflections
If you're looking for Camera Critters see Saturday's post.
Photo Hunt is at Sacred Ruminations
Scroll down for my 'mutterings'

I was tagged by Mary, the teach at Work of the Poet for this one.

It seems fun and simple enough ... so here goes.

The rules: All you have to do is Google your first name with the word needs behind it and post the first 10 results. Don't forget to tag people (if you are the tagging sort)!

My results may differ from most folks because I don't capitalize 'storyteller' since I see the term as generic rather than specific. Google listed the following 10 things for the query 'storyteller needs' ... I found & used the graphic below a while back for a Photobucket Meme and the one at the top left at Google Images. Lavender Addendum: I initially published this without adding comments, but (alas) I couldn't leave it alone. Feel free to ignore the purple italics if in a rush ;--)

1. Children's Storyteller Needs a Catchy Name (maybe so ...)
2. storyteller needs to make the subtle distinction between what a story is about on a deeper, foundation level, from what's at stake for its characters ... (perhaps this helps explain why I stick to personal narrative rather than fiction?)
3. storyteller needs to remember that most communication occurs via nonverbal transmissions (stories are meant to be told, not read) ... rather challenging in a 'verbally oriented environment' like a blog & may be why I tend to use pictures and 'asides' such as this to add more information?
4. every storyteller needs (in order to have a successful & satisfying telling experience) to know the story ... and know that you know the story ... I count on (meaning trust) my fingers to know the story when I sit down to write it because I often have no clue what's about to show up ... seriously.
5. storyteller needs to be a master of spontaneous verbal composition ... Yup, I have the 'spontaneity' down pat ;--)
6. storyteller needs to be sensitive to his audience and may need to regain their attention before continuing. (I do my best with this, but again ... in a blog this becomes a bit more elusive & challenging)
7. storyteller needs to select a story which will meet the needs of the situation and then must tailor the story to fit the time ... (and this may be why I continue to blog mainly for myself, feeling surprised & blessed by whoever happens by and whatever comments you all opt to leave behind)
8. storyteller needs to bring the words to life! Each character needs to have a distinct voice ... (since I'm the only 'character' there seems to be only my voice ... but it does show up in different forms now that I stop to think about it)
9. storyteller needs to be a wordsmith, a master magician, a swift editor ... (perhaps I can 'own' these skills after years of practice both in and out of the classroom)
10. storyteller needs to draft a one page (500 words or less) personal narrative unfolding a defining moment in their life (methinks that limiting myself to 500 words is asking the impossible, so don't hold your breath on this one)

I don't usually 'tag' anyone (preferring to invite anyone who wishes to play) ... however, perhaps the following bloggers might be interested in participating? (no pressure intended, just encouragement). Note: the parenthetical lavender 'asides' aren't a requirement in the rules ... simply an obsessive addition of my own. I always enjoy spreading around a little link-love to introduce bloggers to one another. If you do play (or already have done so) I hope you'll leave a comment and/or add a link back here to I can read yours too.

Betty of Betty's This and That

Chuck at Foster Me Up
Eve of Adamswife's Weblog
Greatfullivin at Gratitude Journal
Joyce at Mom's Musings
Karen at Journey to Authenticity
Mary of Mary's Writing Nook
MPJ and A Room of Mama's Own
Phyl of Scrappy n Happy in Ohio
Raven of Raven's Nest
Sandy at Momisodes
Tina of Tina's Odds and Ends

Vixen of Vixen's Den
Yertle at Smile, Play, Dream

~ ~ ~

I'm participating for the 17th time today.
How about you?

What comes to YOUR mind?
If you'd like to play here, copy and paste the clues in comments along with your responses ... or post on your blog and let me know so I can visit ;--)


Here are MY responses: I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Crankiness :: reminds me of my 'ex' who consistently seemed 'on edge' ... as if waiting for 'the other shoe to fall' no matter how good things were going
   
2. Backpack :: a handy thing to carry 'toys,' snacks, water, etc. and in which 'stow leash & shoes when Molly & I visit Dog Beach, making it a 'hands-free' experience for me
   
3. Clone :: Copy
   
4. High ground :: where my mom & dad used to sit when they drove me and my siblings to Long Beach as kids. They sat on benches in a grassy park area overlooking 'Cherry Beach' while we got wet & sandy. I remember how Dad would 'whistle' when it was time to leave for home.
   
5. Dreams :: Field of ... (the Kevin Costner film)
   
6. Lovingly :: Tenderly
   
7. Mistake :: 'Opportunity' ... to learn something new
   
8. Carson :: Here's Johnny!
   
9. Errand :: things on my 'to do' list that require me to leave home ... preferably on weekdays (rather than weekends) because choose to avoid crowds whenever possible
   
10. Dozen :: Cheaper by the ... (a book about a BIG FAMILY that I read & enjoyed as a child)
    

Your turn: I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Crankiness ::
2. Backpack ::
3. Clone ::
4. High ground ::
5. Dreams ::
6. Lovingly ::
7. Mistake ::
8. Carson ::
9. Errand ::
10. Dozen ::

Click for others 'muttering' today.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"We don't see things as they are, we seem them as we are."
Anais Nin