Where does this saying come from? The phase comes from a poem written by Bessie Anderson Stanley in 1904. “He achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.”
He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
who has enjoyed the trust of pure women,
the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.
This poem is in the public domain.
Bessie Anderson Stanley (1879 – 1952), a resident of Kansas, wrote this for a magazine contest that asked, “What constitutes success?” Her entry won first place. Bessie’s words are often erroneously attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson and Robert Louis Stevenson, and often paraphrased, but this is the original version.
Making time to “Live, Laugh, Love” is great advice. Thanks Bessie!
About Me:
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
“Now that lilacs are in bloom. She has a bowl of lilacs in her room.” – T.S. Eliot
One of my favorite flowers is the lilac. Where I live, in Minnesota, it typically blooms in May or early June. It is a tough plant that produces a lovely flower, with a beautiful scent, but, unfortunately it doesn’t bloom long.
Throughout history flowers have been considered to be a language of their own. Many countries throughout Europe and Asia have given flowers a specific meaning. Nearly every sentiment imaginable can be expressed with flowers.
Early Victorians used flowers as a way to express their feelings—love or grief, jealousy or devotion. In the Victorian era flower were used to deliver messages that could not be spoken aloud. Plants could express positive or negative feelings, and how the flowers were presented could also relay a message. For example, if the flowers were given upside down, they conveyed the opposite meaning of what was typically meant.
What meaning does the lilac have? Because they are early bloomers, lilacs are often a symbol of spring, renewal and confidence. The Celtics thought lilacs were magical because they have such a sweet scent. They were a symbol of “old love” during the Victorian age. Russians believed lilacs held over a newborn baby would bring the child wisdom.
The color of the lilacs matters in terms of its meaning. For example, a white lilac represents purity and innocence, while a purple lilac represents spirituality. Magenta lilacs symbolize love and passion.
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
One of the people who has impacted my life positively is a person I have never met “in person” or “face to face”. I know him through his TV program Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. His name is Fred Rogers. In addition to being a T.V. personality, he was a writer, minister, activist for kids and as best as I can tell, a really awesome human.
The reason he influenced me so positively is I always felt when I watched his program that he was looking right at me and speaking to me. He always said and made me feel like I was special and that I matter.
I love to revisit things he said or wrote on a regular basis – they lift me up.
I will leave you with a wonderful Fred Rogers quote:
“Our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has – or ever will have – something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqeness and to provide ways of developing its expression.” – Fred Rogers
I thank all the people in my life who helped me realize my value and one of those people was Fred Rogers.
ABOUT ME
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
I was first introduced to Chicken Kyiv [Kiev] when I was in my 30’s. I associate it with special occasions. What is Chicken Kyiv and did it originate in the Ukraine?
What is Chicken Kyiv? This dish is simply a pounded chicken fillet that is rolled around cold butter and coated with egg and bread crumbs. It can be fried or baked.
I always assumed that Chicken Kyiv was created in Kyiv, Ukraine, but I recently learned that there is there is not documentation that proves that is the case.
The authentic recipe for Chicken Kyiv most likely originated from France.
In the late 1840s, the royalty of Russia sent chefs to Paris to learn. They returned from Paris with a dish called “Mikhailovska Cutlet”. In Paris the dish was made with veal, but in Moscow it was made with Chicken. Back then, chicken was more expensive than veal, and therefore, was considered to be more fancy.
Chicken Kyiv was served in elegant restaurants back then. American immigrants deserve credit for making this dish well known. After WWII, some American restaurants started putting this dish the menu. In order to attract Russian and Ukrainian immigrants it was renamed “Chicken Kiev [Kyiv]”.
This dish did not become common in Kyiv until tourists started asking for Chicken Kyiv in the late 1960s.
It is my understanding that the “official” Ukrainian version of the dish only has butter inside. Cooking to perfection includes ensuring that a small amount of butter is not melted inside. Cheese, garlic or parsley are not considered to be “authentic”.
The Ukrainian way of serving Chicken Kyiv is with a small bone sticking out (it keeps the butter inside).
So, the recipes below would likely not be considered authentic Chicken Kyiv [Kiev}, but they they still taste great!
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
“F” is the 6th letter of the modern English language and basic Latin alphabets. The word I would like to explore is not the nasty version of the “four letter word” (the one that would get you in trouble with your mother if you said it in front of her as a child). It is also not the words “fact”, “fame”, “fast”, “fall” or “fart”.
The word I am thinking of is one that was extremely popular in the United States around 1924 and remained very popular until 1955. It is a word that was extremely popular in the UK before the 1920’s and through 1934, and it reemerged in popularity again for a short time during 2012.
What word could that be? It is the name “Fred”!
He or She?
“Fred” as a name is of German origin. It means “peaceful ruler”. While most popular as a male/boy name, “Fred” is considered a unisex – gender neutral name. Fred is a form of the female names Alfreda, Freda, Frederica and Winifred. As for the male’s, Fred is a form of Fred, Frederick, Frederico, Freddy, Fredek, Frederich, Freed, and Fryderyk.
Famous Real People “Freds”
There are several famous people named “Fred” in the world. My favorite “Fred” is Fred Rogers of “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood”. As a child I watched him often on television and it always felt like he was talking just to me. He reminded me that if you can be anything in this word you should “be kind”. Mr. Rogers told me that I was special just the way I am. In addition, he pointed out that when bad things happen look for the helpers. I can truly say that I love him and I have never met him. Crazy huh?
Another famous “Fred” is Fred Astaire, born On May 10, 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska as Frederick Austerlitz. He was an American actor, dancer, singer, choreographer, and television personality. Some people consider him to be one of the greatest dancers in the history of film.
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Edamame is pronounced ed-ah-MAH-may. It is basically a young, hairy soy bean.
Edamame is picked when it is green and not fully mature. This is why they are so sweet and tender. Some say they taste like a sweet pea (or snow pea), with a bit of hazelnut.
The edamame pods have been popular in Asia for centuries. Most people in the United States that know edamame were introduced to it in a Japanese restaurant.
If one looks solely at soy bean production, the United States was the world’s top soy bean producer for many years. In 2020 Brazil took over that title from the United States.
Close to 95% of edamame is imported from China to the United States. It has been a very strong, established industry in Asia for more than 30 years. While the United States produces a very small amount of the edamame for domestic consumption, Arkansas has emerged as its leading edamame producer.
As mentioned in the introduction, Edamame is a healthy food.
It is high in fiber and protein (over 18 grams of protein). Edamame is also low in fats, carbs and calories. A cup of edamame is only about 180 calories.
Several studies have linked edamame to bone health, blood health and heart health. In addition, some feel that it reduces the risk of breast and prostrate cancer.
Recipes
How does one prepare edamame? A quick search on the internet will easily get you many recipes to consider.
A common way to prepare edamame is boiled/ steamed and seasoned. But, you will find a variety of recipes out there. It is a very delicious and it is clear why it is a popular appetizer / snack. I have included a recipe created by Caroline Phelps below. You will also find a link to her site called “The Pickled Plum”.
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
In the United States some parents (including me) have told their children “Driving is not a right, it is a privilege”. I recently learned that this slogan is debatable, and has been brought to the U.S. Supreme Court for review.
I would imagine that there are various opinions about driving being a “right” versus a “privilege” vary widely throughout the world. Until June 2018, Saudi Arabia was the only country that did not allow women to drive.
The most common legal driving age among countries is age 18. The Bahamas, Canada, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States and Zimbabwe have the lowest driving age (17 or younger).
According to Vroom, Vroom, Vroom, Mexico is one of the easiest countries to obtain a driver’s license because you don’t need to take an exam. Honduras is also known for its ease of becoming a driver, also because some say you do not need to take a written or driving test. Reputations for the ease of getting a license also belong to the Philippines, South Korea, Pakistan, Egypt and India.
Vroom, Vroom, Vroomalso reports that it is most challenging to obtain your driver’s license in the United Kingdom, Finland, Singapore, Japan, South Africa, Germany and Saudi Arabia. The reason it is so challenging to earn your license in these countries is because these countries have extensive requirements and/or they are very strict about doing certain things “per the book”.
For example, in Japan if you exceed a certain speed you fail immediately. In South Africa you need to perform well at parallel parking and alley docking in order to pass your test. In Germany if you do not pass your behind the wheel test after three tries you must enroll again in Fahrschule (driving school). Finally, in Saudi Arabia your license is valid for 10 years and then you need to retake the test.
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
With all the seriousness in our world right now I thought it would be refreshing to take a moment for a “Frivolous Friday Fun Fact Journey”. I am very interested in almost everything German, so lets look into the German Chocolate Cake.
Originally German’s chocolate cake, is a layeredchocolate cake filled and topped with a coconut–pecan frosting. How “German” is German Chocolate Cake?
The German Chocolate Cake has been a “thing” for over 60 years. Because of its name, I always assumed this recipe hailed from Germany. It turns out that with this assumption I have reinforced Albert Einstein’s intelligence and how right he was about many things – including assumptions. He said, “Assumptions are made and most assumptions are wrong.” This is so true!
A gentleman by the name of Sam German, an American or English decent, invented a sweet baking chocolate in 1852. His baking chocolate contained more sugar than other baking chocolates. Walter Baker, the owner of Baker’s Chocolate Company bout the recipe from German for $1,000 and sold it as “Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate”.
It took over 100 years from the time Sam German invented his sweet baking chocolate for it to become well-known. Thanks to Mrs. George Clay, who sent her cake recipe to the Dallas Morning Star newspaper in 1957 the German Chocolate Cake became a “thing” . She orginally called the recipe German’s Chocolate Cake, but over time the apostrophe was not used. Her recipe became very popular. The recipe was published in several newspapers across the company, and Baker’s Chocolate Company’s German’s Chocolate sales skyrocketed in just one year.
Seven years later, in 1964, Baker’s Chocolate Company included Mrs. Clay’s recipe for German Chocolate Cake on the wrapper. Today Baker’s Chocolate products.
So, again, I learn at least 1 thing new everyday…today I learn that German Chocolate Cake is an American dessert, not a German dessert. I read that I am not the only one to make this mistake, and history notes that even President Lyndon B. Johnson, and his wife, Ladybird Johnson, made my mistake. Back in 1963 they served German Chocolate Cake to German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard at a state dinner because they thought it was a German dessert.
Don’t forget….June 11th is National German Chocolate Cake Day in America.
The Recipe
It is safe to say, after searching the internet for German Chocolate Cake recipies, there are hundreds (and maybe thousands or more) of recipies for this cake. They each vary slightly from one another. I wanted to find the “original” recipe. I don’t think I actually found the “original” recipe, but found many that claim that status.
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
How should one spell the capital ciry of Ukraine? Is it Kiev or Kyiv? Why?
The Answer Is……………………………….
Kyiv
The link the the Time Magazine (Time.com) article below can explain much more, but at a high level, the spelling “Kiev” is the way the Russian’s translate it from their Cyrillic (Russian) alphabet to the Latin alphabet. Ukrainians changed their official city spelling in the Latin alphabet to Kyiv.
This is because they feel that using the Ruaaian spelling reinforces what Ukrainians believe is the Russian government’s condescending view of Ukraine. They do not want others to fall into the “Russian frame of mind” as quoted by Taylor in the Time.com atricle.
According the Babbel.com (link below) both of the alphabets consist of 33 letters and are Cyrillic.Ukraine does not use the Russian letters Ёё, ъ, ы and Ээ. Ukraine has Ґґ, Єє, Іі and Її. How certain words and letters are pronounced also varies, for example И in Russian is pronounced like [ee] in the words “seed” or “meet”. In Ukrainian “И” has a short [i] sound (“kill” or “live).
Also interesting is the fact that words written the same between the 2 languages could mean totally different things. The Babbel article uses the example of ” приклад which means “rifle butt” in Russian, while Ukrainian it means “example.”
I have to thank my cousin, Cher, for pointing out my recent “faux pas”. I learn something new everyday, and she taught me how to refer to Ukraine in a more respectful way. Thanks Cuz!
Most of us want to be respectful to individual preferences, especially when it is associated with their name. Many of us have “preferred first names” – “instead of Jim, please call me James”, “instead of Susan, please call me Suzie”, etc. Our society is becoming more knowledgeable about the importance of gender pronouns and how hurtful using the wrong one may be to someone. I am learning the word “the”, an article which is frequently used in the English language to define a noun, is not to be used iin reference to Ukraine: “instead of the Ukraine, please call me Ukraine”.
Why? Why should the little 3 letter word “the” not be used in reference to Ukraine? I have provided a Time Magazine (Time.comhttps://time.com/) link that explains why Ukraine should be referred to without “the”. https://time.com/12597/the-ukraine-or-ukraine/
In summary, Ukrainians prefer that we refer to their country as Ukraine (without “the”) because it is a deliberate exclusion to emphasize their independence. Before their indpendence the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was their official name. Dropping “the” is a way to send a message that they are an independent country. Tamara Gallo Olexy, of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, said: “We correct anybody that we’re speaking to,”… “It’s this feeling that you’re part of another country, that you are a territory of somebody else.”
So, especially during this time that Ukraine is fighting to maintain its status as an independent country lets remember it is Ukraine (NOT the Ukraine).
A national anthem is a musical composition of a patriotic nature that symbolizes the history and traditions of a nation. The words and music combine as a shared pride, strength and sense of unity.
We are all holding the Ukraine at the top of our minds and close in our hearts. This war that Russia is forcing onto the people of the Ukraine is horrible. On Facebook this morning I saw a post that said “If Russia stops fighting the war ends. If the Ukraine stops fighting then the Ukraine ends.” So true. It all makes me feel so sad.
Stop War in the Ukraine. Sign held by a Ukranian child. The wisdom of children is great. Photo by Matti on Pexels.com
The History and Origin of Ukraine’s National Anthem
The national anthem of the Ukraine was formally adopted less than 30 years ago. It was adopted after the Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It is known as the “State Anthem of Ukraine”, but also as Shche ne vmerla Ukraina’, which translates into English as ‘Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished’. The melody of today was officially accepted by Ukraine’s parliament in 1992. The lyrics are from Pavlo Chubynsky’s patriotic poem, which originated in the 19th century and was titled “Ukrain Is Not Dead Yet”. The music set to the poem for the anthem was composed by Mykhailo Verbytsky.
The lyrics of the anthem remain relevant today, especially as the Ukrainian people do their best to fight back Russia’s attack on their nation.
The Ukrainian National Anthem’s lyrics, translated into English:
Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished
Ukraine is not yet dead, nor its glory and freedom, Luck will still smile on us brother-Ukrainians. Our enemies will die, as the dew does in the sunshine, and we, too, brothers, we’ll live happily in our land
We’ll not spare either our souls or bodies to get freedom and we’ll prove that we brothers are of Kozak kin.
Ще не вмерла України і слава, і воля, Ще нам, браття молодії, усміхнеться доля. Згинуть наші воріженьки, як роса на сонці. Запануєм і ми, браття, у своїй сторонці.
Душу й тіло ми положим за нашу свободу, І покажем, що ми, браття, козацького роду.
Rally to show support for Ukraine after Russian invasion, Times Square, Manhattan, New York City, started 12:00 noon, Thursday, February 21, 2022. People singing Ukrainian National Anthem.#Ukraine#nyc nyc
It is magical! It is a mystery! It is true! If you don’t know this already you are about to learn something new. How can D be for Gxxxxxx?
D is for Deutschland, or Germany in English.
According to Babbel Magazine, https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/why-is-germany-called-deutschland, the word Deutschland has been used by Germans to refer to their country since the eight century. The word “deutsch” means “of the people” and the word “land” means land. So Deutschland literally means “the people’s land”. Pretty cool, huh?
Schwarzwald (Black Forest), Germany
For some reason, I have always been fascinated by Deutschland (Germany). Perhaps it is because some of my ancestors hail from Deutschland, or that it was the one foreign language my small town school offered and I first learned or maybe it is because I love to dance and I love to dance to Polka music.
Schwarzwald (Black Forest), Germany
I have only visited Deutschland once. It was a wonderful trip that went way too fast. During that trip spent time in der Schwarzwald (the Black Forest), on the Rhein (Rhine River), Heidelberg and a day in Köln (Cologne). I would go back again in a heartbeat, and hope to see more of the beautiful country of Deutschland very soon.
👀Germany has the world’s largest cathedral (in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)
👀Germany has thousands Of unexploded bombs (from WWII)
👀Germany’s beer drinking age is 16 (but you must be 18 years old to drink spirits)
👀Germany has more than 400 zoos
👀1/3rd of Germany is forests
👀1/3rd of Germany is powered by renewable energy (solar & windmills)
Köln (Cologne) Cathedral, Köln (Cologne), GermanyRhein River, Germany
About Me
A very happy “me” in the Schwarzwald, Germany
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
In the great words of Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster: “C is for Cookie that is good enough for me!”
Many Meanings
C is for Cookies! Even a simple word like cookie can have so many different meanings. Life cannot be too simple, right?
For example, the word “Cookie” can be a term of endearment or affection (a synonym for dear or sweetheart). It might be used as a slang word for descibing the character of a person, i.e. “tough cookie” or “smart cookie”. Or, sometimes it is cused to refer to a very attractive woman, i.e.”French cookie”. And then there is the meaning technology gave the word cookie…the cookies that are files or part of files on your computer that read information and contain personal information about the user. A cookie helps a site remember information about your visit and makes it easier for a user to visit that site again. Finally, there is the fun game called Clicker Cookiehttps://cookie-clicker.co/.
Now, the older I get the more I realize, even the most useful and innocent of terms can also be repurposed by creative humans into “adult only” type meanings, i.e. a name for female genitalia or a euphemism for a woman giving sex to a man.
All these are the kind “cookie” the Cookie Monster and I love!
Different Languages Sharing the Same Word, Same Spelling and Same Meaning
Something very interesting about the word “Cookie” is that this word, including its spelling, is shared by over 15 different languages including: English, Czech, Danish, Luxembourgis, Maltese, Norweigen, Tatar, Georgian, Burmese (Myanmar), Uzbek, Kurdish (Kurmanji), Shona, Somali, Cebuano, Filipino, Javanese, Maly and Sudanese. https://www.indifferentlanguages.com/words/cookie#region-6
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
B is for “Plan B”! What is “Plan B”? Well, like most things in life it can be multiple things. “Plan B” is another term for “The Morning After Pill”, an emergency form of post sex contraception https://planb.ca/en/what-is-plan-b . But, I am not talking about that “Plan B”.
The “Plan B” I am talking about is the one defined in Merriam Webster’s on-line dictionary
Plan B (noun): an alternative plan of action for use if the original plan should fail
We have all had to go to our “Plan B” at some point in life – some are little “Plan B’s” and some are HUGE “Plan B’s”. Sometimes our “Plan B” takes us to wonderful places we never imagined we would go! And sometimes “Plan B” gets us back to our “Plan A”, just a slightly different way than originally planned. It is important to remember that “Plan B’s” are not stop signs or road blocks, they are, as stated in the dictionary, alternative plans fo action.
In my life sometimes I draft my “Plan B’s” as an insurance policy before I need to put them into action, and sometimes I have had to just stop and develop my next plan as I needed it. The important this is you get yourself one [a “Plan B”] when needed.
As I said, sometimes your “Plan B” will bring you down roads you never imagined you would go down and bring you to places more beautiful than you ever imagined. I thank by “Plan B’s” for introducing me to my wonderful husband, bringing me my beautiful daughter and son, presenting me with the opportunity to live in South Africa for a year, discovering a new restaurant, meeting new friends, etc….. I could go on and on and on with the gifts I received thanks to my “Plan Bs”.
How about you? What wonderful things came to you as a result of you following “Plan B”?
I found an interesting perspective from a blogger and author by the name of Allison Fallon. She shares 13 Lessons from a Life that Did Not Go as Planned https://allisonfallon.com/did-not-go-as-planned/.
Suzy Toronto writes about how to handle the “Plan B”s in our lives. She does it in a fun and comforting way.
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
In some ways, life is very simple…as simple as the “A, B, C’s”.
A is for … Apples!
Besides being delicious, there is lots of meaning and symbolism represented by apples. Apples can be given to a a teacher as a jesture of appreciation or respect. Offering an apple can also be a declaration of love. In ancient mythology, the apple is one of the most sacred trees and symbolises good health and happiness. Apples are a symbol in a dream, indicating harmony, fertility, pleasure and sexual desire. An apple can also represent youth or immortality. In the biblical tradition the apple is considered to be an image of paradise, a symbol of joy, or in the biblical story of Adam and Eve – sin.
Today my image and thoughts are inspired by the wisdom of children and Robert Fulghum, the author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. In addition to learning our “A, B, C’s” and “A is for Apple”, Fulghum reminds us…
“These are the things I learned (in Kindergarten):
1. Share everything. 2. Play fair. 3. Don’t hit people. 4. Put things back where you found them. 5. CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS. 6. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. 7. Say you’re SORRY when you HURT somebody. 8. Wash your hands before you eat. 9. Flush. 10. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. 11. Live a balanced life – learn some and drink some and draw some and paint some and sing and dance and play and work everyday some. 12. Take a nap every afternoon. 13. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. 14. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. 15. Goldfish and hamster and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup – they all die. So do we. 16. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned – the biggest word of all – LOOK.” ― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.” ― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
About Me
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
How can we control our negative thoughts? A piece written by Inc.com’s Justin Bariso (see link below) has ideas as to how to gain control of how long thoughts, especially negative ones, stay at top of mind. I love the tags they have given these thoughts: White Bear Problem and The Blue Dolphin Rule.
The White Bear Problem refers to when we tell ourselves, or others tell us, not to think about something. It turns out that this increases the frequency of such thoughts. For example, if someone says “Don‘t think about the white bear.“, you most likely will have a difficult time getting the white bear to leave your thoughts. Or, if someone says “Don‘t be nervous.“, your anxiety will remain, and often increase.
Conversely, the Blue Dolphin Rule refers to trying to replace an uwanted thought with a new thought, a distraction thought. This is very effective in making unwanted thoughts go away. This reminds me of the movie, The Sound of Music. and the song “My Favorite Things”. “If I simply remember my favorite things then I don’t feel so bad….”
Well, I am going to give it a try! I think it may work.
About Me
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Life is precious! There are so many things in our life that bring us a spark of joy. This talented artist is one of them.
I just bought an awesome February phone/iPad wallpaper graphic from this shop. Only $1! There are lots of other super cute things too. I recommend you check it out!
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Remembering my grandparents playing piano together before leaving their wedding anniversary celebration with family. True love lasts forever!
About Me
Me and my Dad Black and White Photo Booth Days
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
I am very proud to say Heather is my niece…She is super talented,creative, smart, kind, and beautiful. I recommend you check our her YouTube channel, her other social accounts and store.
I have come to the newest internet word game craze late. I tried Wordle for the first time a couple days ago. It is fun! Now that the New York Times acquired this viral puzzle game, I am not certain it will still be available me in the future, BUT I plan to enjoy it daily until then.
I and many share the same words sentiments about this game “It is so fun!”. I am wondering what makes it fun from so many of us. Pehaps is it because:
Scarcity/Rare – Only 1 chance a day; Only a limited number of tries
Limited time commitment
Ability to share successes with others easily
Similar to a jigsaw puzzle, only with letters
Helps us remember that we are smart – we know stuff
Required focus, and in a world that demands multi-tasking all day long that can feel refreshing and good
The famous puzzle company Ravensburger sites studies about puzzles making us happy.
Ravensburger sites Dr. Stephen Lermer, a Communications Psychologist, “We humans feel stressed if we have a task that we don’t succeed at and are bored if we are competent at something but have no task,” … “By doing puzzles, we achieve the perfect balance. It is where competence meets challenge. It means we have a task that we are capable of doing, but are not sure how long we need to complete it and whether we will be successful at it, on the first try. That is the charm of doing a puzzle.”
So, I guess I need to be reminded that all types of puzzles and challenges bring us joy and Wordle won’t be the last little quick fun puzzle game that will cross my path.
Looking for ideas for my next “Wordle Type” adventure. Please share!
About Me
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
One of my favorite Twin Cities, Minnesota events is Art Shanty Projects. It is a celebration of art and creativity on a frozen Minnesota lake. For the past few years it has taken place on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. In this post I have included a link to their website and some picture from my past visits. It is so much fun!
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart. – Helen Keller
Widely recognized as a symbol for love, affection and caring, the heart shape has always been a shape I have found endearing. How this shape got to be associated with all these good things is somewhat of a mystery and its origins and history has many potential stories. Varied theories associated with the origin of the heart shape abound. Today it is one of the most used emojies.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart. – Confucius
“The heart’s memory eliminates the bad and magnifies the good.” – Gabriel Garcia MarquezIt is quite rightly quoted “You are not rich until you have a rich heart.” – Roy T Bennett.Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. – Ralph Waldo Emerson“Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with those who are reckless with yours.” – Mary Schmich“A good heart ‘is worth gold.” – William Shakespeare“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.” – Maya AngelouSometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.“Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart“A great smile is a wonderful asset, but a good heart is pure gold.” – Dolly Parton
About Me
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
yum, yumSt. Peter, MinnesotaSt. Anthony Park, MinnesotaMinnesota State Fair
Grand Marais, Minnesota
About Me
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.” – Harvey MacKay
“Time is what we want most,but what we use worst.” – William Penn“The way we spend our time defines who we are.” – Jonathan Estrin
“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” – Theophrastus
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” – Leo Tolstoy
“Time is money.” – Benjamin Franklin.
“Regret for wasted time is more wasted time.” – Mason Cooley
“Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.“ – William Shakespeare.
“The time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted time” John Lennon
“The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something.“ – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?“ – Dr. Seuss
“We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they’re called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams.“ – Jeremy Irons“We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they’re called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams.“ – Jeremy Irons“Time is the longest distance between two places.“ – Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie
“There is always time for coffee!” – Unknown
“It takes a long time to grow young.” – Pablo Picasso
“What did the digital clock say to the analog clock? A. Look, No hands!” – Sheri Powell
About Me
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
I simply remember my favorite things … snow people!
Me and my snow people!
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
The sunny, sunflower wilting as the seasons transition from summer to fall.
While I enjoy all the seasons I have to say that my favorite seasons are spring and summer. I kind of dread the transition from summer to fall. Lots of people I know think I am crazy because fall is their favorite season. Once we get into a season I enjoy it, but the anticipation of spring and summer is much greater for me than thinking about fall and winter.
Summer means flowers, being outdoors with family and friends, eating outside in our backyard or on restaurant patios, dandelion wine, raspberries, farmers markets, long walks, long days, warmth, festivals, outdoor music, fresh produce, long road trips, kayaking, bicycling, waving at neighbors, spontaneous conversations outdoors, sandals, shorts, sundresses, time in my backyard hammock, cleaning the garage,……fun!
What is your favorite season? What does it mean to you?
Poem by: Nora Keen Duffy
Spring flowers – pansies
Spring flowers – tulips
One of my favorite spring flowers – lilacs
Flowering trees
Deer shedding its winter coat and looking for food in our front yard
Making dandelion wine in memory of my grandmother – Dolly
My granddaughter playing outside
Mother’s Day
Another favorite spring flower – peonies
Wild daisies
4th of July
A farmer’s market
Dragon fly and wild flowers
Greetings!
Hummingbird
Summer sunset on a northern Minnesota lake
Kayak and canoe
Outdoor brewery and winery visits with friends
Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) Lake, Minnesota in August
Fun with friends in the outdoors
Relaxing by the lake
First peak of fall
Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota – High Falls in August
Early fall golf tournament
Warm fall day backyard fun with water
Milkweed
Early fall dusting of snow
We should enjoy every season – especially your favorite seasons.
Summer evening paddle on the lake
About Me
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Chris passed away on December 25, 2020. He is survived by his husband Anh Quang Nguyen, as well as several siblings, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Chris had a long and distinguished career on Capitol Hill. He was also a strong Hamline booster: planning alumni events in Washington DC; welcoming students, faculty, staff, and alumni to his office in the Rayburn Office Building; returning to campus during Homecoming and Alumni Weekend to celebrate and speak to political science classes; and more.
In honor of Chris’s relationship with Hamline, we are raising funds in Chris’s name with the goal of creating a scholarship fund. This legacy will be a tribute to our friend and provide Hamline students with the opportunity to live their passions as Chris did. Questions may be directed to giving@hamline.edu.
Please consider a contribution to Chris’ scholarship – even a small donation will make a world of different in us being able to meet the required $50k to make it a perpetual scholarship.
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Please share the words that come to mind when you look at this image.
About Me:
Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
May daughter and son-in-law on their wedding day. Photo Credit: Becca Dilley
“Let the light of love enlighten the whole world.” – Debasish Mridha
Around the world light plays a starring role in celebrations. Light, especially candles, exist in nearly every religion and culture. In our modern day, candles really provide no practical purpose in most parts of our world, but we still use them to celebrate.
Light can symbolize romance, hope, faith, love, guidance (during times of darkness), relaxation, calm and life. Some of those celebrations that star “light” include birthdays, Christmas, Independence Days, New Years, Diwali, Hanukkah, Winter Soltice, Saint Lucia, Nowruz, Balachaturdashi, Tamil, Kwanzaa, Weddings, Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Fête des Lumières, Festival of Lights – Berlin, Germany, Lantern Festival, Chinese Lunar Year, St Martin’s Day, Loi Krathong, Yee Peng, Night Of The Witches, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Winter Illuminations Festival, Vivid Sydney, Nowruz, Hogmanay, Bala Chaturdashi, RISE Lanterns Festival and mourning.
We use “light” as an uplifting symbol.
Candles at a Wedding Service “Surround yourself with People Who Bring Out Your Inner Light.” – Karen SalmansohnMinnesota Landscape Arboretum, 2017
“Beauty is a light in the heart.” – Khalil Gibran
Bentleyville, Duluth, Minnesota
“Will the last one leaving Duluth please turn out the light.” – Former Duluth Mayor, John Fedo
Happy Birthday!
“See the light in others, and treat them as if that is all you see.” – Wayne Dyer
Sparkler
“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” – Maya Angelou
Holiday Lights
” I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” – Og Mandino
The Sunset
“He has those kind eyes that shone with the light of everything will be ok.” – Atticus
Halloween
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — L.M. Montgomery
The Fair
“Enjoy the Ride!” – Unknown
Ringing In the New Year
“May Light always surround you; Hope kindle and rebound you. May your Hurts turn to Healing; Your Heart embrace Feeling. May Wounds become Wisdom; Every Kindness a Prism. May Laughter infect you; Your Passion resurrect you. May Goodness inspire your Deepest Desires. Through all that you Reach For, May your arms Never Tire.” ― D. Simone
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
“There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Actually, I think that is a train!” – Unknown
Boyscout Court of Honor
“An eagle earns its honor from the storms it endures.” – Matshona Dhliwayo
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
What is “Hope”? The word is commonly used to mean “a wish”. Typically a hope is for something positive. I think most of us would agree that right now we are all hopeful that the COVID crisis will be behind us soon and we will be able to hug our loved ones and sit side-by-side with our friends again. The knowledge our health professionals have gained about how to combat the virus and the soon to be released immunizations are bright rays of hope. We finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hold on to the magical contagious light that comes with holding hope in your heart. Continue to treat others with the love, compassion and kindness you want for yourself. Hold on and stay well!
Stained glass sun catcher heart.
“Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you make things happen, almost like magic.” – Laini Taylor
“Hope is a match in a dark tunnel, a moment of light, just enough to reveal the path ahead and ultimately the way out.” – Dr. Judith Rich
Hope springing from the forest floor.
“The tiny ripple of hope you set in motion can change the path of someone’s life. … “When we choose hope, we define what matters most to us.” – Dr. Shane Lopez
“How we think about the future – how we hope – determines how well we live our lives.” – Dr. Shane Lopez
Clearwater Lake, BWCA, Minnesota
“The very least you can do in life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.” – Barbara Kingsolver (Animal Dreams)
This is a great book by a great author.A forest berry off a trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Gunflint Trail), Minnesota
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” – Thich Nhat Hang
“Cheese!”
More from Linda Picone’s book “The Daily Book of Positive Quotations”.
“Ever-Smiling” BuddhaA wonderful sidewalk smile written greeted me during a recent walk.My Dad and brothers enjoying precious time together.My friend, Bob. Look at that beautiful smile!Bartz Snow Sculpture, 2020, New Brighton, MinnesotaA beautiful friend – inside and out.A handsome young cowboy with lots of heart.One of my beautiful friends at a Minnesota vineyard.Even pirates smile!Me – In the Boundary Waters, Minnesota, smiling with my “gal pals”
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
“Dogs are God’s Apology for Mean People and Bad Day” – Unknown
“When you adopt a dog, you have a lot of very good days and one very bad day.” – Bruce Cameron
“Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.” – Unknown
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” – Agnes Sligh Turnbull
Sam (among many others…aka “Buddy”, “Other Sweetie”, “Samson”, “Sammie”) 12 years old, died June 10, 2020 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Born January 26, 2008 in Burlington, Iowa he came to live in the Twin Cities, Minnesota with his adopted family several weeks after his birth. Sam is a bichon-poodle mix, with a cute under bite. He loves so much, and so many: people, other dogs, his daily walks, visits to the dog park, barking, food (including carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, watermelon, cantaloupe and some dog’s poop), unwrapping presents and most of all snuggling.
Sam, The “Ruferee”
“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” – Andy Rooney
“When we adopt a dog or any pet, we know it is going to end with us having to say goodbye, but we still do it. And we do it for a very good reason: They bring so much joy and optimism and happiness. They attack every moment of every day with that attitude.” – Bruce Cameron
Sam’s accomplishments in his short life are impressive. He provided unconditional love, companionship and acceptance to a little 8 year old boy who is now a 20 year old man. Through every season and every type of weather, he made sure his “adopted people parent”s got their daily exercise. He greeted everyone with much excitement, so much excitement that people who did not know him well could not guess that most of the time he was a very calm dog.
Sam and his boy
“Everything I know I learned from dogs.” – Nora Roberts
“Dog is God spelled backward.” – Duane Chapman
Sweet Sam
Sam is survived by his people family and many friends. He will be missed by everyone who knew him, especially his immediate family and our sweet little 21 month old granddaughter Jade who visits our home and does not understand why she cannot find “Baby Dog” at our house.
“All you need is love and a dog.” – Unknown
“No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does.” – Christopher Morley
We love you Sam! Thank you for the joy you gave us! You are loved and missed. “You are our favorite hello, and our hardest good-bye” (author unknown). Always in our hearts.
Sam and my son
“Live. Laugh. Bark.” – Unknown
Sam in his backyardSam and his friendsSam loves to find good hiding spots for his rawhidesSam after a grooming
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Two of my many favorite places to enjoy art in Minnesota include the Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, Minnesota and Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, Minnesota. The talent and variety of perspectives amazes me and warms my heart.
Art at Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MinnesotaArt at the Minnesota State Fair, St.Paul, MNArt at Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MinnesotaArt at the Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MNArt at Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MinnesotaArt at the Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MNArt at Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MinnesotaArt at the Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MNArt at Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, Minnesota
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
My good friend and me! Celebrating her birthday in Heidelberg, Germany.
Happy Mother’s Day 2020! It is a COVID-19 kind of Mother’s Day. Wishing everyone a great day filled with love. Photo Credit: LJ Smith
“All of us have special ones who have loved us into being.” – Fred Rogers
I found a website called “Undefining Motherhood” by Katy Huie Harrison (the link is provided below). On Mother’s Day I not only think of my mother, my step-mother, my grandmothers, and others I know who have experienced biological birth or adoption of children, I think of all the people (male or female) who, as the late Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) says “have loved others into being”. What Ms. Harrison writes about motherhood is in the spirit of Mr. Rogers quote. I hope you enjoy the excerpts from Ms Harrison’s web page below and have a chance to go to her site to read the entire piece.
Excerpts from “Undefining Motherhood”, by Katy Huie Harrison “What is a mother? You may think she’s a selfless, loving, patient, warm woman. She might be. But that’s not what makes a mother. ….
People who consider themselves mothers can be, even if they don’t meet the typical social definition.
In other words, having a child you’ve either birthed or adopted that people can see you caring for is not what makes you a mother.
The answer to “What is a mother?” is not “Someone who has birthed a child.” Period.
But to convince people of this truth, we need stories and experiences from people who mother differently. We need to see how someone can be a mother outside of our typical social constructs. …
People who mother the world are part of what makes a mother.
They’re mentors, foster parents, aunts.
They’re single dads, grandparents, nannies, and other caregivers.
They’re people who mother their own parents through sickness or old age.
They’re stepmothers, given a bad reputation in fairy tales, but who knowingly choose to take on a child as their own, often navigating tricky adult relationships along the way.
They’re teachers, nurses, aid workers, humanitarians, and everyone else who works to help people of the world can call themselves mothers if they feel like they are. …
I believe you can live your life without ever birthing or adopting or fostering a child, and you can still be a mother. …
If you make the world a better place for the sake of future generations, you can most certainly be a mother. If you feel like one.”
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
This is a Tedx Talk given by my cousin-in-law, Steve Fredlund. He is an amazing guy. He inspires with his words and his heart. In his own way he shares my believe that “Life is Precious”. I hope you take the time to listen to his talk and let him know what you think. Enjoy!
Some of my Cousin Peeps In My Jeep
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Mondays have a bad reputation. For many of us Mondays are the dreaded day our free time ends due to the beginning of the school or work week. Many people dread Mondays, but now with COVID jumbling long-time regular routines, might Mondays earn a better reputation? Could Mondays feel magical?
“Magic” is defined in the on-line Oxford dictionary as “Beautiful or delightful in such a way as to seem removed from everyday life”, and “Monday” is “the day between Sunday and Tuesday originates from the Anglo-Saxon word “mondandaeg” or “the moon’s day””. Greek mythology celebrated the goddess of the moon, Selene. She drove the silver moon chariot which was carried by two white horses, and had an affair with a mortal man, which got that man in trouble with Zeus (Greek Mythology.com or https://www.greekmythology.com/Titans/Selene/selene.html ). According to Nordic Mythology for Smart Peoplehttps://norse-mythology.org/skoll-hati/ Monday, the second day of the week in Nordic cultures, was set aside for worshiping the god of the moon, Mani. Now if this doesn’t sound like magic, what would?
Back to our pre- and current COVID realities. Magical Mondays will soon include many beautiful, delightful things that are currently removed from our current COVID everyday life. Some of my “Magical Monday” things are listed below. What are yours? May your Monday be more magical than ever!
BRINGING HOME THE DOUGH $$$$$$$$$$
CELEBRATING TOGETHER
TRADING PAJAMAS FOR REAL WORK CLOTHES
EATING WEEKEND LEFTOVERS FOR WORK DAY LUNCHES
HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS
WATCHING THE CLOCK
SPORTS
DATE NIGHTS
NEW PEOPLE, NEW PLACES, NEW THINGS
Me and My Sweet Hubby in Duluth, Minnesota
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Just a quick peak at a few images that warm my heart. I hope they warm your heart too.
DANCING IN THE PARK Cologne (Koln), Germany, June 2019
BABY FEET My grandaughter’s sweet feet
THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME Art Shanty Projects, Minnesota
BACON SODA – WHY? One of the many unique soda flavors my son has enjoyed
A PICNIC ON A FROZEN LAKE White Bear Lake, Minnesota
THE SUN SETTING ON THE LAKE BEHIND THE HOLY CROSS Northern Pines Camp, Park Rapids, Minnesota
THE GIFT OF TIME Just a clock on the wall – time is precious
HISTORY AND HUMOR A plaque on a house in historic Marblehead, Massachusetts
ART CAR Art Shanty Projects, Minnesota
ALL WE NEED IS LOVE Naples, Florida Beach
CRAZY ABOUT MY COFFEE My favorite coffee cup and silly google eyed planter
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
In this new COVID-19 world, in order to increase the chances of most of us staying healthy we have all had to postpone many things that we love and perhaps didn’t realize how much we would miss. Our freedom to go with our spontaneous thoughts and wishes needs to be restrained. Who would have ever thought that having lunch with a friend, visiting your parents or adult children, exercising at the gym, attending worship, window shopping in a store, enjoying a concert, attending prom, celebrating graduation, or even physically going to work or school would be things that we would have to postpone indefinitely?
Just like most things in life, this time comes with blessings, so some of those small things that are big things in disguise are right before our eyes right now. Hold them close to your heart and cherish them. Before you know it we will be back to being “busy bees” dealing with the hustle and bustle of life.
In this social distancing COVID-19 world one of the precious things that is still available to most of us is nature … the outdoors. Whether your slice of nature is a huge forest, lake or mountain range, or a high rise balcony or little patch of grass outside your apartment it is there to enjoy.
Wooded Park Trail, Shoreview, Minnesota
One of my high school friends just shared with me a poem his late Dad wrote for his children back in 1970. This poem touched my heart, and hopefully it will touch your heart too. He is such a talented writer and poet. I so admire people who have been able to tell a good story with their lives, and Roger Schoenecker is one of those people. Life is precious!
A Fallen Tree Content in the Woods, Duluth, Minnesota
I hope you enjoy some images of my walks through the woods. Virtual hugs!
Naples, Florida
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Split Rock Lighthouse, Lake Superior, Minnesota
A Tiny Crab Apple On the Floor of the Woods, Shoreview, Minnesota
Posies in Royal Park, London, England
The Black Forest, Germany
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
According to Dictionary.com “Whimsy” is: “capricious humor or disposition; extravagant, fanciful, or excessively playful expression…an odd or fanciful notion; anything odd or fanciful; a product of playful or capricious fancy”. Here are a few images in the spirit of being WHIMSICAL. Enjoy! Hoping you smile!
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
My Father-In-Law on a camel during one of his trips to the Middle East. He had spirit, curiosity, respect and love for God, life and the beings he met along the way.
I imagine that most reading this are very familiar with the hymn “Joy to the World”, written by Issac Watts in 1719. “Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing. …” Most of my life this song was simply a beautiful Christmas carol to me. Then, I met Reverand Lyle Christianson (my father-in-law) and those assumptions were first shaken, and ultimately shattered.
The first time Reverand Christianson suggested that we as a family sing “Joy to World” in July as our grace before a meal I thought it to be very strange, … quirky. You know, one of those things you find out about your in-laws that you think is odd, but harmless. I had never sung this hymn in July, but we did! As time went on I realized that along with other occassional songs he would want us to sing before meals (e.g., such as”Johnny Appleseed”), “Joy to the World” was sung in July, October, March, …. all year long.
After doing a little reflecting and research I learned that my assumptions about the intention of this beautiful tune were so, so wrong. It turns out that Issac Watts never intended for this song to be just a Christmas carol. The lyrics of this hymn make no mention of the story of Jesus’ birth. Watts wrote this song after reflecting on Psalm 98: 4-9. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth:make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise … With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth:with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.“
Watts gave this hymn the heading “The Messiah’s Coming and Kingdom”. This hymn is really about Christs’ second coming, rather than his first coming at birth. This song celebrates the joy of Christ coming again. It calls for every heart to prepare room for him and celebrate. So, I should never have doubted the wisdom of my loving, gentle, kind and extremely intelligent father-in-law, Lyle. I am thankful for all the gifts he gave to me and our family, including introducing us to the perfect song of praise and thanksgiving that is perfect to sing any day of the year, not just at Christmas.
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Hopefully you will enjoy taking a peak at more of the photos I have taken. I love capturing life with my camera and sharing my photos. I especially like it when people feel they were there with me after viewing my images.
Ship On Lake Superior
A cool morning on the shores of Lake Superior in Two Harbors, Minnesota. A silhouette of a small ship in the background
A Beautiful Quilt Displayed at the 2015 Minnesota State Fair
We each have our opinions and preferences for food, drink, fashion, colors, seasons, sports, books, movies, etc.. It is so true “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” – Margaret Wolfe Hunger (in her book ‘Molly Bawn’ – 1878). I recommend you take time to watch or rewatch 5 older uplifting movies that are full of heart. These types of movies remind me that “Life Is Precious”.
My all time favorite is a 1995 film based on Whitney Otto’s novel How to Make an American Quilt. The film, by the same name as the book, is directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse and stars Winona Ryder, Maya Angelou, Anne Bancroft, Ellen Burstyn, Kate Nelligan and Alfre Woodard. It is about a young woman, Finn, played by Winona Ryder, who decides to visit her grandmother for the summer under the guise of focusing on writing her graduate school thesis, but really she is taking a break from her Fiance’ and thinking about what she really wants for her life. Finn’s grandmother and her friends are busy making a beautiful quilt together and while they create they talk and share their life stories. Their stories and the women who tell them are inspiring. At the end of the summer, Finn takes her summer experiences, which include the stories shared by her grandmother and her friends, and forms clarity on what she wants for her life. A story about strong women, who have much wisdom and love. They clearly reinforce in their stories that part of life is what happens to you and most of life is what you do with what happens to you.
Another wonderful movie is a 3D, animated, comedy, drama released in 2009 by Pixar, UP!. This movie was directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, written by Bob Peterson and Tom McCarthy and the music was composed by Michael Giacchino. The story revolves around a widower names Carl (voice acted by Ed Asner) and a boy named Russell (voice acted by Jordan Nagai). Carl ties balloons to his house and sets out to fulfill a dream of seeing South America, a promise he made to his late wife, Ellie. It is an exciting, beautiful, funny and touching film. A reminder that companionship, love, dreams, hope, adventure, purpose…. are uplifiting.
Most of my gal friends will agree that a 1987 romantic, drama, dance film, written by Eleanor Bergstein, produced by Linda Gottlieb and directed by Emilie Ardolino by the title of Dirty Dancing is a super fun movie. The movie stars Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. It is a fun summer romance story that is filled with many life lessons. And, ends with an uplifting dance number “The Time of My Life”(1987 song composed by Frank Previte, John Previte, John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz, recorded by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes). I love the music, defiance, energy, and joy. I think most of us have had that person or experience where we could sing this song, especially the refrain: “‘Cause I’ve had the time of my life And I owe it all to you”. A fun, feel good movie!
The title doesn’t sound like an uplifting movie, but it is. I love the 2012 movie The Guilt Trip. It is a comedy directed by Anne Fletcher and written by Dan Fogelman. Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogan star in the movie. It is a story about relationships. The relationship of a mother and son, the relationship with a past love, the relationship with a current love and the relationship with your dreams. Andy, played by Seth Rogan, invites his mother, Joyce, played by Barbara Streisand, on a road trip across the U.S. to pitch his invention. They have many adventures along the way, most of them funny. In the end, their relationship is stronger and they both have “extra wind in their sails”. A very entetaining and uplifiting film.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a 2011 British comedy/drama film directed by John Madden and written by Ol Parker. The cast of this film includes Judi Dench, Celia Imrie, Bill Nighy, Ronald Pickup, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson and Penelope Wilton. The story revolves around a group of retirees that move, for a variety of reasons, to India to live in a retirement hotel. It is refreshing to see a movie that reminds us that regardless of our age we all have the same emotions in our hearts. Our world too often discounts individuals as they age, and this movie celebrates the fact that although we age on the outside, our hearts are forever young. It is a very charming, funny and heartwarming movie.
I hope you make time to watch a movie that uplifts your spirit and puts wind in your sails.. Maybe it will be one of the movies I have hightlighted here: How to Make and American Quilt; UP!; Dirty Dancing; The Guilt Trip or The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel? What are your favorite uplifting flicks?
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
I love photography. I have been a “photo nut” from the time I was a teenager. I love photography most when I can share my images with others. Here are ten of the images I have available on Fine Art America (the 11th is just my introduction photo and is not currently available on Fine Art America). If you don’t find something you love within my current offerings you are sure to find something from another artist.
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
Take a moment to observe a young child and see how they live in the moment, how they have little concern for allowing others personal space, how they joyously skip from one point to another and how their great curiosity drives how they go about their day. As we grow toward adulthood it is expected that we leave those childish ways behind, and for most of us, one day these delightful childhood characteristics dwindle away and are replaced with worry, distancing ourselves from others, simply walking from place to place (even if we feel like skipping) and concern about asking a dumb question or looking silly. As such, there are many “adulting” days that don’t seem that magical or amazing because we forget to “stop and smell the roses” or take a chance. Perhaps we should take a lesson from our children?
One of the great things about being around children is they invite us adults to enter their world, and those moments often bring us a smile or giggle that pulls us into the moment with them. For example, take the simple game of “Peek-a-boo”. Who hasn’t played this game with a child and not felt the joy they experience when one’s eyes are covered and they are surprised with the “boo” that comes with uncovering the eyes? Isn’t it amazing that even when you don’t see something it can still be there? I can think of so many times when a child has reminded me through a simple action or innocent question that life is precious, and that is extraordinary in the ordinary.
How about waving at a stranger and having them smile and wave back? In the United States little children enjoy that delightful cause and effect of letting someone know you see them and getting a positive response. And, us adults in the United States enjoy it too. Perhaps we should try that more often….a wave, a smile, a hello? Note: In the United States a wave hello or good-bye is a positive gesture. I found the piece called “Kisses Handshakes and Fist Bumps, How to Say Hello in 40 Countries” by Hristina Byrnes very interesting. https://247wallst.com/special-report/2018/11/20/kisses-handshakes-and-fist-bumps-how-to-say-hello-in-40-countries/
One of the first words my kids got excited about saying was “ball“. What an extraordinary ordinary object that we forget is so amazing and fun! Balls are fun to hold, throw and bounce. Did you know that the word “ball” comes from the Latin word “ballare”(1) which means “to dance”? No wonder children are so delighted when they discover balls! Our society’s love of ball games shows that we don’t completely lose this love as we grow older, but that love of a “ball” transforms to competition and friendly rivalries: Soccer, basketball, baseball, rugby, tennis, bocce ball, bowling, Pétanque, football, volleyball, golf, netball, cricket, dodgeball, bandy, handball, billiards ……. the list goes on.
Did you know that stencils are amazing, magical things? I forgot about that until my young daughter came home from school one day and told me of her experience using stencils in Kindergarten class. You would have thought that she discovered a new continent or world, and I guess she had. The dictionary states that stencils are: “a device for applying a pattern, design, words, etc., to a surface, consisting of a thin sheet of cardboard, metal, or other material from which figures or letters have been cut out, a coloring substance, ink, etc., being rubbed, brushed, or pressed over the sheet, passing through the perforations and onto a surface.” As you know, stencils are not new, they originated thousands of years ago when pre-historic man held their hand up against a wall and blew pigment on it. (2) But, it took my 5 year old daughter to remind me that they are AMAZING!
How about your forehead? As you know, your forehead is the top part of your face, just above your eyebrows and below your hairline. One day my your daughter asked me “Mom, if this is my “four” head [forehead] where is my “fivehead”? That question made me giggle. Isn’t that a great question? At the time, I told her that we do not have a “fivehead”, but I have since learned that I was wrong. According to the Urban Dictionary some people do have a “fivehead”: “A forehead so incredibaly large it can be classified by the next number up.” (3)
My son, at the age of two could not contain his excitement when he saw a bulldozer or other heavy duty construction vehicle. He would point and yell “MOVE DIRT, MOVE DIRT!” Anyone close to him could not help but notice these amazing, magical vehicles who do so much for our world. Why are they called “Bulldozers”? According to “Bulldozers” written by Sam Sargent and Michael Alves: “Around 1880, the common usage of ‘bull-dose’ in the United States meant administering a large and efficient dose of any sort of medicine or punishment. If you ‘bull-dosed’ someone, you gave him a severe whipping or coerced or intimidated him in some other way, such as by holding a gun to his head. In 1886, with a slight variation in spelling, a ‘bulldozer’ had come to mean both a large-caliber pistol and the person who wielded it. By the late 1800s, ‘bulldozing’ came to mean using brawny force to push over, or through, any obstacle.” (4)
Finally, I want to share why I titled this piece “How Old Is Dirt? And Other Fascinating Things”. One day my daughter came home from elementary school and she had a burning question for me. She said, “Mom, how old is dirt?”. I asked her why she wanted to know and she said, “Because my teacher said he is as old as dirt and I want to know how old he is.” Of course, that made me smile and I had to explain that it is an idiom that means something is very old, but it does not say exactly how old something is. She did not think that made any sense at all and went away very unsatisfied with my answer. But, this question did encourage me to investiate the real age of dirt. According to Milan Pavich, a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, dirt is over 3.9 billion years old, (5) which would likely be a bit older than my daughter’s teacher.
I hope you have been and continue to be reminded of the fascinating, extraordinary ordinary things in life. Those reminders often give us the “spark” needed to reignite the joy we all want to have in our hearts. I would love to hear your stories of being reminded of the fascinating, extraorinary ordinary things in life.
About Me: Life is precious, capture its beauty. I am lucky to have a loving family, and wonderful friends. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, happy days and sad days, patient days and crabby days, beautiful days and ugly days, etc. I try to “hold the bright side up” as much as I can because it makes me feel better, and I think it helps others feel better too. I am so far from perfect, but I try to be kind and respectful. I truly believe that life is precious and that there are so many extraordinary ordinary people and moments in life. I want to share and celebrate the “extraordinary ordinary” through my writing and photography. Please check out my photos at WordPress http://lifeisprecious358866402.wordpress.com , Fine Art America Photography https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/35-laura-smith; at Adobe Stock at https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/207669601/Laura%20Jean%20Smith or at Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/LauraJSmith. Perhaps you will find something you would like to have as your own?
“When Life Gives You Lemons Dandelions, Make Lemonade Dandelion Wine”
The idiom “When Life Give you Lemons, Make Lemonade” is often used to encourage making the most out of something bad and turn it into something good. My Grandma Pieper is one of those people who was a master at making the best out of a situation that was far from ideal. She was born in 1923 and her parents gifted her the name Noreen Elizabeth Broich. It wasn’t long before they gave her another precious name that would follow her throughout her life, “Dolly”.
In 1941 my Grandmother married my Grandpa, Francis, and became known to us all as “Dolly Pieper”. She has 7 children, 14 grandchildren, and many great- and great-great grandchildren. She and my Grandpa lived many places, and often rented the most inexpensive place in town. These places often needed lots of “sweat equity” and humor to make them feel like home, and my grandma wasn’t afraid to sweat or laugh.
Francis Henry Pieper and Noreen “Dolly” Elizabeth Broich Pieper Wilmont, Minnesota – April 16, 1941
Some of the stories about preparing homes for her family are simply gross. One of the homes they rented was used previously to house several dogs. The floors and cupboards were full of dog dung. To make the house their home she shoveled the dung out of the house, and cleaned the house from top to bottom with good old bleach. I cannot imagine moving into a home under such conditions, but she made it work. When she told this story she didn’t express sadness or self-pity, she laughed and seemed proud of her accomplishments.
She was a very hard worker and a very determined lady. I am told that if a house didn’t have water she hauled it in from the well, and captured rain water in a livestock water tank to get water to wash her clothes. If there wasn’t enough money to buy food she planted a garden and raised chickens. Protein for her family could include not only veal, beef, pork or poultry, but also fish, turtles, frogs or squirrels. Solutions required an open, creative and hopeful disposition, and she had that.
Like all of us, my Grandma was far from perfect. She had her moments where she lost her temper and acted inappropriately. She sometimes didn’t have a great filter for what she said and did, and that at times hurt feelings or made people uncomfortable. She was a little “rough around the edges”, but oh so loveable.
For over 10 years she took care of my Grandpa who needed help with everything due to a stroke. He spent most of his time in bed, received nourishment through a tube and struggled to communicate with others. I imagine taking care of Grandpa was much more difficult than she let on, but she did it and made the best of the situation. She had her crabby moments, but kept chugging along with love in her heart.
My Grandpa’s funeral took place on a very cold Minnesota winter day. She took time for remembrance, visiting, hugging, praying and mourning. Later that day when she returned home her son offered her a ride on his snowmobile. She did not hesitate one moment to take him up on the offer. Her smile and glorious laugh are part of the picture I remember of her and my uncle zipping away on the snowmobile. She did not hesitate to seize joy, even on a very sad day. My Grandma demonstrated many times throughout her life that joy is always welcome.
During one of our many visits to my Grandma’s home we joined her for lunch. In the middle of the meal she asked if anyone would like some wine. My husband said yes and she pushed herself straight backward in her wheelchair to the kitchen counter and grabbed a syrup bottle filled with a light color liquid. She took off the cap on the bottle and proceeded to take a swig and then smile. She then handed the bottle to my husband, who looked shocked and confused. She told him that it was her homemade dandelion wine. Being a good sport, my husband took a drink straight from the bottle. She smiled and laughed showing her delight with him sampling her dandelion wine.
I never did sample her dandelion wine or get her recipe, which I regret very much. For me, dandelion wine symbolizes my Grandma’s spirit and how she decided to go through life. She enjoyed life and made the most of whatever she had. She is one of my heroes. I raise my imaginary syrup bottle of Dolly’s Dandelion Wine and toast an amazing lady. When life gives you Dandelions, make Dandelion Wine!
Note: There are many different recipes available for dandelion wine. I understand it is a labor intensive task that requires lots of patience and time, mostly due to the fact that you need to pick a significant amount of dandelions. Unfortunately, here in the United States, most people view dandelions as weeds that should be removed or killed. Dandelions are not native to the United States, but were brought here my immigrants who knew that they had many good uses (in addition to wine). Bookstores, many free recipe internet sites, libraries, etc. have dandelion wine recipies, as well as dandelion anything recipes (tea, soup, salads, quiche, bread, etc.). I found several interesting dandelion recipe books on Amazon.com. One of the books I found was published about 1 year ago: Dandelion Recipes: A Cookbook Using Foraged Wild Dandelions by Laura Sommers.
