Source: shutterstock.com via Karen on Pinterest
03/17/2012
12/22/2011
Even Stop Lights
Sometimes I think thoughts that are kinda kooky. You may know the types of thoughts I mean. Thoughts that, if you were to share, you just know those you love would roll their eyes and come up with something like "there she goes again".
So I think these thoughts but rarely allow myself the priveledge of sharing. I know it's taking a risk to share, and most of the time, I just don't do it. One example has to do with Christmas and stop lights. I suppose it's because daylight savings time goes back to "normal time" not long before the Holiday Season starts which makes this work, but it occures to me, that during the Holidays, the green and red (and gold even) of traffic lights, coupled with the red of tail lights if sitting in traffic, make for quite a Christmas-y show. So, does that sound kinda kooky to you? I figured as much.
But, here's the fun part: While preparing the music for a Christmas Party and reviewing the words to some favorite carols, I noticed something. It has been shared before. Yep. By Ray Evans, two-time Acadamy Award winning songwriter. In.... you ready for this? Silver Bells !
Strings of street lights, even stop lightsBlink a bright red and greenAnd the shoppers run home with their treasures
That's the beginning of the second verse! So if a big time composer can share a funky thought, why can't I?
In fact, I should!
What about you?
photo by Yopizza
Even Stop Lights
Sometimes I think thoughts that are kinda kooky. You may know the types of thoughts I mean. Thoughts that, if you were to share, you just know those you love would roll their eyes and come up with something like "there she goes again".
So I think these thoughts but rarely allow myself the priveledge of sharing. I know it's taking a risk to share, and most of the time, I just don't do it. One example has to do with Christmas and stop lights. I suppose it's because daylight savings time goes back to "normal time" not long before the Holiday Season starts which makes this work, but it occures to me, that during the Holidays, the green and red (and gold even) of traffic lights, coupled with the red of tail lights if sitting in traffic, make for quite a Christmas-y show. So, does that sound kinda kooky to you? I figured as much.
But, here's the fun part: While preparing the music for a Christmas Party and reviewing the words to some favorite carols, I noticed something. It has been shared before. Yep. By Ray Evans, two-time Acadamy Award winning songwriter. In.... you ready for this? Silver Bells !
Strings of street lights, even stop lightsBlink a bright red and greenAnd the shoppers run home with their treasures
That's the beginning of the second verse! So if a big time composer can share a funky thought, why can't I?
In fact, I should!
What about you?
photo by Yopizza
12/03/2011
The Hole in the Y'all
For real - it's true. Y'all has a big ole hole in it. I guess most people think "Y'all" is a contraction of sorts - combining "You" and "all". But I beg to differ. It's not even slang. You see, "Y'all" when said correctly (Yawl) and in the right circumstance - to those for whom we hold endearment, the word has a much bigger meaning.
"You", yes. "All", not really. It's inclusive with the use of the "aw" - those for whom we feel "awe" for. Our beloved friends, family, and others perhaps in the near vicinity who get the vibe just for being there.
It's a big ole hole because it represents the place in our hearts for which "Y'all" as our dear ones fill. It's a big ole hole because we have to make a big one with our mouth to say it right. (try saying it without making a hole) - the general feeling about the use of "Y'all" is that it's simply a lazy Southern way to say a greeting.
Oh, Y'all. There is nothing lazy about saying it. Not only is it packed with emotion, but it's not easy to say at all, at least in the physical sense. It's certainly much easier to say "you all" or "you'ns" (or however that'n goes) than it is to use every muscle in the mouth to make that big ole hole in "Y'all".
We just can't help it. If you're part of "Y'all", then you're being awed. In a way it is a short cut.... "You? .....awe"
Thanks Y'all!
The Hole in the Y ' all
"You", yes. "All", not really. It's inclusive with the use of the "aw" - those for whom we feel "awe" for. Our beloved friends, family, and others perhaps in the near vicinity who get the vibe just for being there.
It's a big ole hole because it represents the place in our hearts for which "Y'all" as our dear ones fill. It's a big ole hole because we have to make a big one with our mouth to say it right. (try saying it without making a hole) - the general feeling about the use of "Y'all" is that it's simply a lazy Southern way to say a greeting.
Oh, Y'all. There is nothing lazy about saying it. Not only is it packed with emotion, but it's not easy to say at all, at least in the physical sense. It's certainly much easier to say "you all" or "you'ns" (or however that'n goes) than it is to use every muscle in the mouth to make that big ole hole in "Y'all".
We just can't help it. If you're part of "Y'all", then you're being awed. In a way it is a short cut.... "You? .....awe"
Thanks Y'all!
10/13/2011
Color Intervention
The area between San Diego and Tijuana hosts a biannual "Interzone Festival" or "Festival Tijuana Interzona". This year's festival included an Urban Renewal project, where artists from all over were invited to spruce up outside walls of buildings scattered all over the poorest parts of the area.
The resulting art is fascinating, healing and humourous, yet it has a sense of realness to it. The placement of the art is art in itself. The randomness of bright colors and brush strokes of living a grande life juxtaposed against dilapidated trailers sliding down a filthy hillside is like a cry from within the souls of those who live and have lived her. See me! I am here! I feel and thrive in this environment every day all day.
The art serves a dual purpose. To bring awareness of the plight of poverty, and to bring light to an otherwise dank and unforgiving place.
I cannot deny any human's right to rise from poverty.
My family has it pretty tough right now. But I live like a king compared to these folks. Rise on up, Y'all. In Love.
see full interview with curator Carmen Zella
09/08/2011
Cafe Elsewhere got an Award!
How about this! I won an award as one of Mike Shippey's choice of 15 "Most Versatile Bloggers". I'm honored! I think this is the first one ever for Cafe Elsewhere! Thanks Mike!
Here is how it works: Anyone who accepts this fine award, as a Versatile Blogger, is asked for nothing. Just bask in your glory! (or you can do these three things:)
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass this Award along to 15 recently discovered blogs and let them know about it!
O-Kay? (heh heh)
Here we go!
SEVEN THINGS ABOUT ME
1. I did not get married until I was 42 years old.
2. Both Stan Lee and Tom Wolfe came to our house when I was a kid.
3. I love Lions. It started with the Cowardly Lion and grew from there.
4. My 9 year old son is the greatest miracle of my life.
5. My favorite movie of all time is Out of Africa
6. I am not much of a vegetable eater, but veggie lasagna is my favorite food.
7. I like to write poetry based on awesome photographs.
And here they are!
THE 15 BLOGS THAT I CHOOSE TO PASS
THE “VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD” to:
...... drum roll please! (in no particular order!)
I would like to ditto some of Mike's but will play nice and keep them unique!
1. Healing Art by Julia K Harwood
2. The Pound a Week Blog Challenge by Steve Mancini
3. Fairness by Ray Beckerman
4. Bouncing Back Now by Donna Thompson
5. Aiming Low by Sugar Jones
6. Cori Padgett's Big Girl Branding
7. Shift your Life with DocMarion Ross
8. Leadership for Good by Mike Cassidy
9. Linette Daniels' Empowering Youth for Success
10. Karen Keller
11. The WAH Wife - Angie Nelson
12. Live your Destiny with BrightMichelle Casto
13. Quick Good Fortune by Cheryl Janecky
14. Daily Prayer for Healing by Kate Loving
15. The Bridgemaker by Alex Blackwell
Not all of these are necessarily new, but all are ones I have enjoyed over the past few months. It was kinda hard to narrow it down to 15, even leaving out the ones I would have put on the list that Mike already had on his.... so really I just stopped at 15. There are a lot of great bloggers out there! That's a good thing!
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have!
08/29/2011
What's Inside of You
I received this message with these awesome pencil head engraving photos in an email from my Mom. I have no idea who the artist is. Incredible! Be sure to read the message at the end.
A
Five important lessons from the pencil maker:
1. EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK .
2. YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.
3. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.
4. IN LIFE , YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENIN! GS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.
5. TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.
We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you and then allow yourself to be guided by the hand of God.
08/24/2011
#NoMoreRecession ~ A Hashtag for Good
It's a simple idea, really. Think of one thing people can do to help someone hurting because of the Recession, and tweet it with the hashtag #NoMoreRecession .
You know how sometimes you get that "lightbulb" in your head? Maybe it was a great idea that could help us dig ourselves out of this Recession mess! But instead of acting on it, we moved on to something else, and it was forgotten by the end of the day...
Take a second and tweet it next time, with the #NoMoreRecession hashtag. Let's see what we can do about it together!
I don't know the answers. But I do know that if a lot of us do a bunch of little things, it will add up. A tweet for good is a little thing. An idea can be a big or a little thing, depending on the action we take. Start with the easy stuff. I've tweeted a few to help you get started.
I'm tracking it on my lens on Tent Cities.... So you can check there or on tweetchat, or wherever you want. Just share your ideas (don't forget the #NoMoreRecession hashtag) and retweet some others you see that look doable.
You in?
Let's do it!
Photo: Gray's Papaya, New York City - by Aturkus
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