Dance Like a Chicken Day

Today is Dance Like a Chicken Day. Come on, you know you want to do. Let's all Chicken Dance!

I have to admit this is one dance that my husband refuses to ever do. Which makes the following memory on of my favorites.

Before my husband and I were even a couple. In fact, before we even considered the possibility of being a couple, he took me to visit his parents,who live outside of New Orleans. Now, I am not sure how we came to the discussion to take this trip together.  Maybe the fact I was bored and had never been coupled with our being best friends contributed largely.

While we were on this trip, his mother showed me all the family photo albums. Shortly, she pointed to a picture of my husband as a teenager dancing the Chicken Dance. I had never seen the chicken dance. In fact, I had never heard of it. She asked him to show me. He refused at first. But, slowly, she cajoled him into it.

This is the one and only time that I have ever seen him do this dance. He hates it. But, for me, he swallowed his pride, flapped his arms, and wiggled his butt. If that isn't true friendship, what is?

I love to give him Chicken Dance items and playfully ask him to demonstrate again. But, nothing beats the fact that the one time he danced this as an adult was just for me.

Anyone Hungry

Saturday, May 12th - next Saturday- is the 20th annual National Association of Letter Carrier's Stamp Out Hunger food drive. I know in the normal course of things, you would expect me to post about this on the day it's happening. But, if you want to donate non-perishable food items, I thought a little advanced notice might help.

When I came up with the idea of helping spread the word, I knew that I did not want to do my normal post. Yes, in its 20 year history, I imagine that this event has developed some interesting trivia. Instead I thought I might give a little insight into what it is like to be hungry. The problem is until recently I have never had to go any length of time truly concerned about the availability of food.  I had no point of reference.  In an effort to obtain one, I decided for one week to live on limited caloric intake. Now, I am a hypoglycemic. Therefore, I had to devise my experiment carefully. I decided on one meal a day couple with two to three small snacks. The snacks were packages of cheese crackers and the meals varied.

The first day was not too bad. I could feel that I had not eaten as much as normal but it really did not phase me. The second day was a little harder, but still manageable. By the third day, I noticed that my mealtime was coming earlier and snacks no longer took the edges off the hunger. Also, I was tiring more easily. Normal daily tasks were being to take effort. By the fifth day, I gave in and ate breakfast as my meal. This was a major mistake, by four in the afternoon I was very hungry. It made it difficult to concentrate on things. The last night was the hardest. When hunger is intense, it is almost impossible for me to fall asleep.

The scary thing to me is that even on limited rations, I know that I was eating more than a lot of people in our society survive on. While intellectually I understood that being hungry was awful and could inhibit the ability to concentrate in school or at work, I had no idea about the huge impact it made on daily life.

So, I implore you to, please, consider leaving some canned goods, pasta, or other non-perishable foods in a sturdy bag for your letter carrier to pick up next Saturday. Today more people are having to depend on food banks. I know in my area the banks are struggling to keep up with demand. Let's all help the postal service help restore their depleted shelves.

Get Caught Reading Month

Wow, I just learned that May is Get Caught Reading Month. It may now become my favorite month of the year. It was established in 1999 to remind everyone (no matter their age) how fun it is to read. I just can't imagine having to be reminded that reading is fun. 

In honor of this month, I have decided to try to get caught reading in as many locations as possible.  Periodically during the month, I may blog or tweet about somewhere I got caught reading.

But, we are five days into May already. So where can I remember being caught reading this month.

• The Depot, a local restaurant where the waitstaff is very tolerant of my nose being stuck in a book.
• The end of my driveway while waiting for a ride.
• Walking the five blocks to the laundrymat. Yes, I remember to stop reading and pay attention when crossing streets.
• At the Red Cross office (during a conference call).
• Does the Library count?

I can't wait to add more as the month progresses.

Happy Reading, everyone!

Free Comic Book Day

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 5th is Free Comic Book Day. It is a day when participating comic book stores give free comics to people who come into their stores.

You will need to check with your local comic book shops to see if they are participating and, if so, what their rules are.

Sounds like a neat way to encourage new comic book fans. Believe it or not this graphic pieces of work have an amazing history. The first known prototype of a comic book was The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck, published in 1842. The first known full-color comic book was The Blackberries, published in 1901. Did you know that the superhero archetype did not show up until the 1930s?

Here is a quick trivia question. As what was Marvel Comics originally known?

Intergalactic Stars War Day

To my loving husband,

May the Fourth be with you!

This short blog message is just for you, in honor of your love for all things Star Wars.

Strike Out Strokes Month

Since May is Strike Out Strokes Month, I thought I would share FAST with you. It is important to be able to recognize the signs of symptoms of a stroke quickly because certain medications can only be administered with a small golden window after the first sign.

FAST is my cheat for how to recognize a stroke. OK, I have told you before that I teach Health and Safety classes for the American Red Cross. Maybe, just maybe, I learned FAST there. *Trying to look innocent.* Regardless of the origin of this mnemonic memory aid, FAST stands for Face, Arm, Speech, and Time.

Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
Arm: Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one arm drift downward?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. I use "Have someone call 911". Hey, it is just the one that pops into my mind at the time. Is their speech slurred? Maybe it sounds garbled or just strange in some other way.
Time: This one has two meanings for me. First, if you notice any of these signals, then it is time to call 911(or your local emergency number) immediately. However, I also use Time to remind me to make note of the time when I first observed a problem. This information is important.

Please, remember when you call 911 (or your local emergency number), you need to tell them your name, the nature of the emergency, and its location. Even if you have a street address, it helps to give landmarks. It is important that you stay on the line until the 911 operator hangs up first. Yeah, yeah, you knew all that. But, a reminder never hurts.

Other symptoms of a stroke can include trouble walking, trouble understanding simple instructions, numbness or paralysis on one side of the body, trouble with vision in one or both eyes, and a headache. I call this thunderclap headache a WHOML. It stands for the Worse Headache Of My Life. If you get a WHOML, please, head to the emergency room.

In case you are wondering?

There are two main types of strokes. The most common type, accounting for 80-85 percent of all strokes is an ischemic stroke. In this type, the blood flow to part of the brain has become blocked. The other main type is a hemorrhagic stroke. This is caused when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures.

Great American Grump Out Day

Today is Grump Out day. When I saw this, I just had to go look it up. Evidently, for this 24 hour period, sourpusses are suppose to refrain from being grumps. Looking at my plans for today, maybe I should postpone it. 

Then again, maybe it will be nice. 24 hours with no frowning, no complaining, no hitting, no...could we get lucky enough...killing.  Could everyone really pitch in and try to make the world a nicer place for just one day? What a wonderful idea.

But, what do they really hope to show with this idea?  One site discusses the connections between negative attitudes, stress, and your health. Could this be accomplished with just one day? Another reason given was to give people permission to lighten up and be friendly, supportive, loving for one day. It is a shame if we really need special permission to act this way. My favorite reason is to have fun. Fun is such an underrated idea for adults.

So, for one day, let's smile and take the world in stride. For me, it is going to be hard. I got volun-told for an activity that I don't really want to do today. But, if I put on a happy face, I can help the others, a group of new volunteers from another organization, have a rewarding experience. So, maybe, for me it is the perfect day for the Great American Grump Out.

Mother Goose Day

Old Mother Goose,

When she wanted to wander,

Would ride through the air

On a very fine gander.

Jack's mother came in,

And caught the goose soon,

And mounting its back,

Flew up to the moon.

Today is Mother Goose Day, a holiday created in 1987 (according to the Mother Goose Society). This is the day to appreciate nursery rhymes and stories.


Who is this Mother Goose? It appears to be a term coined around the 1650's to represent poems like Jack Spat and stories like Mother Hubbard. The term does not represent any one author.


John Newberry promoted Mother Goose as a writer of children's rhymes when he adopted her name for a collection of traditional rhymes around 1765. However, the Mother Goose stories and rhymes are from a variety of sources and passed down in folklore fashion.

What is your favorite of these rhymes?

Tell A Story Day

Today, April 27th, is Tell a Story Day here in the United States. In England and Scotland this holiday is celebrated on October 27th. Today celebrates all forms of story-telling - fiction and non-fiction. Maybe you have a great tall-tale or a folk-tale to tell. It would be a terrific day to share stories from your family's past. Those stories are important to share before family histories are forgotten.

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Do I Get To Go Home?

When I was a child, my family drove from Cherry Hill, NJ to Nova Scotia, Canada. What a terrific education experience for any child. It was supposed to be a grand adventure. My adventure was slightly more terrifying than the rest of the family's.

See, when we drove across the border into Canada, I was a sleep. My older brother seized the opportunity to torment his little sister. When I woke, he told me that the border guard had not counted me and that meant I was not going to get to return to the United States. At 7, I believed him. I also knew that my father was going to be furious with me. What a mess. Thankfully, my brother told me not to mention it to Dad until he was positive he could not think of a way to sneak me back across the border. For the next two weeks, I fretted about being stuck in Canada for the rest of my life.

Obviously, the little twerp lied to me and I got to come home.

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Ok, it was not much of a story. But, in honor of Tell a Story Day, I am sharing this small piece of my childhood. Someday, I might tell you about the Hook Monster. Yes, that is another invention of my brother.

Things to Ask When Choosing An Agent

• Does the agent charge a standard 15% commission for domestic sales?
• Are there any hidden charges and fees?
• Does the contract protect both you and their interests?
• Will the agent send your manuscript to more than one publisher at a time?
• Is the agent a member of the  Association of Agents Representatives (AAR)?
• Are they familiar with and skilled at the auction process?
• Will they send you copies of all rejection letters?
• Do they have a huge client list? Will you get lost in the crowd?
• What is their track record? Have they sold books to established publishers?

10 Things to Ask About My Story

1. Do I have the right narrator?
2. Is there inner monologue? Too much? Too little? Is it in character?
3. Oh my world, where did all these characters come from? Do I have too many or too few minor characters?
4. What might add more texture?  Allusions? Metaphors?
5. What is my character's motivation? Is it enough?
6. Is my dialogue dead? How can it be made more lively?
7. Do I include enough trivia information?
8. Is this scene wrong? Does it reveal things about my character? Does it advance my plot? What, if anything, does it say about my theme?
9. Does it need a new beginning?
10. Will letters or lyrics add interest?

One Sentence, Many Discussions

Kelley Armstrong’s Bitten was not my introduction to her Women of the Otherworld series. My husband bought me Dime Store Magic, not knowing it was part of a series, when struggling for an idea for my birthday. He liked the idea that the main character was a witch presented in a positive light. Bitten was probably about the fourth book in the series I read.

I love to discuss the books I have read. It is even better, in my opinion, when one sentence or the backstory behind one sentence, represents so many different concepts.  In Bitten, this sentence would be “I am the local Psychopath.”  Clay’s simple statement and the grisly tale behind it can open up discussions in a wide range of topics.

First, is Clay truly a psychopath? Interestingly, as horrifying as the backstory is I do not feel that he meets many of the important requirements for this label. Are you interested in this type of psychology? Then read Bitten.

Second, do the ends justify the means? His actions saved lives. But, how does that merit when compared against the methods used? I would have loved to have read this story before I took my AP European history class in high school. This part of the book would have added an interesting dimension to my paper on Machiavelli.

Third, those that protect us tend to be “alpha” males. Do we really want these mean to stifle their protective instincts and macho behaviors? If they did, would they lose the part of themselves that allows them to risk their lives to save ours?  Does society need this type of personality to allow others to do good? Before you answer based solely on Bitten, Eric Greitens’s The Heart and the Fist. He makes another statement that it is interesting to explore. His is about how humanitarian workers need soldiers to make an area secure in order for them to be able to do good. But that is a discussion for a future post.

When you read fiction, does a statement make you stop and think? Maybe not about something the author intended to say but rather about a topic you find interesting or that hits close to home. I have mention just a few of the discussions I have had regarding one sentence in a novel. That one statement lends itself to starting several other topics.

Bitten is not my favorite book in Ms. Armstrong’s series. However, it does contain my favorite passage.

31 Tweets for Red Cross Month

1. Today (March 1) in 1999, Red Cross Initiates Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) which provides early detection of HIV & Hepatitis C in blood.
2. Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to over 70,000 disasters, the majority are house or apartment fires.
3. The American Red Cross has been providing assistance to victims of disasters in the U.S . since Clara Barton founded it on May 21, 1881.
4. Did you know that the American Red Cross directly touches the lives of 1 out of 5 Americans?
5. About 200 times a day, American Red Cross volunteers help a family who lost everything in a house fire or other disaster.
6. The American Red Cross supplies nearly half the nation’s blood supply.
7. Today (March 7) in 1932, Red Cross begins distribution of government surplus wheat and cotton products to victims of drought in the Dust Bowl.
8. Did you know that the American Red Cross is part of a global network of 186 national societies?
9. 475 times a day, the American Red Cross connects deployed service members with their families.
10. Did you know that the American Red Cross locates family members abroad affected by war, famine, or strife?
11. Most American Red Cross workers are volunteers…about 600,000 vs. 35,000.
12. The American Red Cross trains about 10,000,000 people in CPR and 1^st Aid per year!
13. Clara Barton, known as the Angel of the Battlefield, was not a trained nurse.
14. Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have no religious, cultural or political connotations attached to them.
15. Dr. Louis Appia and Henry Dunant were the founders of the International Red Cross.
16. Today (March 16) in 1882, U.S. Senate ratified the first Geneva Convention.
17. In December 2005, a red crystal emblem was endorsed and recognized as a distinctive sign of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, along with the red cross and red crescent.
18. The Red Cross is one of the world’s most recognized symbols.
19. On today (March 19) in 1913, President Woodrow Wilson named 1^st honorary president of American Red Cross, establishing a precedent for all Chief executives who have followed.
20. Today (March 20) in 1945 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s last radio talk to nation was in support of the Red Cross War Fund.
21. The Movement’s 186 National Societies represent 97 million of volunteers. About half are youth volunteers.
22. The Red Cross has won the Nobel Peace Prize FOUR times 1917, 1944, and 1963 as well as in the award to Henry Dunant (1901).
23. The American Red Cross puts special emphasis on disaster relief, services to the armed forces and veterans, and public health and safety programs.
24. The American Red Cross was organized (1881) by Clara Barton and received its first federal charter in 1900.
25. Today (March 25) in 1911, Red Cross helps families of mostly young female victims of tragic Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in NYC.
26. Did you know the American Red Cross sheltered over 450,000 evacuees during Hurricane Katrina?
27. Today (March 27) in 1964, Red Cross helped victims of massive earthquake that hit Anchorage, Alaska.
28. The American Red Cross is the only congressionally mandated organization to provide aid to victims of disaster.
29. Every 60 seconds, the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross benefits 250 people.
30. The American Red Cross is responsible for fulfilling the mandates of the Geneva Convention within the United States.
31. In April 1912, American Red Cross provided food and shelter as well as financial assistance to those who survived the sinking of the Titanic.

American Red Cross and Persons with Disabilities

Several years ago, I began to lose my hearing. Scared about the effects this changed had on my lifestyle, I became a virtual hermit. I loved disaster response and canine assist search and rescue. However, the ability to hear was vital, in my opinion, to both activities.

Within months, the isolation got to me. I gathered my courage and approached my local Red Cross office. I asked to resume my instructor and instructor trainer activities within their health and safety line of service. Our director already knew about my other disabilities (a spinal condition) and was happy to help me adjust to my decreasing ability to hear while teaching CPR. 

My situation was not unique. The American Red Cross has a long tradition of serving persons with disabilities. There is an equally proud history of individuals with disabilities serving within the ranks of the Red Cross as both volunteers and paid staff.

Persons with disabilities have served as Gray Ladies, receptionists, typists, and telephone operators. Personally, I have volunteered as my chapter’s Emergency Operations Center liaison, a community partnership liaison, shelter workers, logistics specialist, and a disaster action team leader within the disaster services area. For health and safety, I have been an instructor and instructor trainer for multiple courses and the my center’s health and safety program manager. I have done all of these tasks while accompanied by my service animal, Bug-A-Boo, or her predecessor, Paksenarrion.

The Red Cross offers several services to the disability community in association with partner organizations. These organizations include Meals on Wheels and Lifeline. They conduct programs and training at adult day care centers, nursing homes, and supervised care facilities.

10 Facts about US Navy Seals

 

1. SEAL stands for Sea, Air, and Land.
2. There are 8 SEAL teams. However, there is no Team 6. Interestingly, there is a Team 10. I know what happened to team 6. I wonder why no 9.
3. Navy SEAL’s are also known as Frogman. A frogman is a combat diver or combat swimmer.
4. Navy SEALS make up less than 1% of all United States Navy personnel.
5. One of the more unique ways SEALs can go to war is the HALO (High Altitude-Low Opening) jump. These jumps have  SEALs exiting  an airplane at 25,000 feet or more and free-falling for several minutes. The sailors open their chutes within 500 feet of the ground.
6. Visitors to  California have two seal/SEAL viewing opportunities. They can see seals frolicking lazily on the beach near San Diego or prospective SEALs training on a beach in the Coronado area.
7. SEALs have extensive operations in land-locked areas.
8. The washout rate for prospective SEALs is nearly 80%.
9. If a recruit decides to quit during training, he may do so by ringing the class bell three times.
10. U.S. Navy Seal, Commander Christopher Cassidy went to space aboard the shuttle Endeavour as a mission specialist on July 15, 2009 becoming NASA’s 500th astronaut.

5 Reasons I can’t be a SEAL

1. I am female.
2. I can’t do 42 pushups in a row. Much less in under 2 minutes..
3. You have to be able to run 1.5 miles in under 11 minutes.
4. You have to be able to see without contacts or glasses. Without my glasses, I can’t even find the wall on which the eye chart is posted.
5. I am too old. Applicants need to be between 17 and 28.

Oh well, at least I would pass the swimming requirement. I can swim 500 yards of breaststroke in under 12 1/2 minutes. Important since I can’t see the edge of the pool or the shore.

UNESCO World Poetry Day

Today is UNESCO World Poetry Day. Which brings me to ask…”What is UNESCO?”

UNESCO is United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. That answered the question for you, right? Yeah, me neither. Their website says they work “to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values.”

UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

Sounds great! I wonder how poetry works to help accomplish this mission. The aim is to promote the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry.  This day is dedicated to reflection on the power of language and the full development of a person’s creative abilities. It also hopes to provide a return to the oral tradition of poetry through recitals.

Poetry contributes to diversity. It questions our use of words, things, and modes of perception. It has the power to alter our understanding of the world.

In honor of World Poetry Day, here is a poem written by me.

The Colors of Kindness

Dark greens, stormy seas

frothy grays waves, coast bashing

crashing against raw emotion

helping him who wounded

swallowing self

for another’s needs

 

Pink and orange of dawn

sunrises, rays pierce darkness

helping hand stretches

to one lost in despair

answering prayer

a tiny light before day

 

Center bulls eye blood red

becoming the target

to save another

the courge to say no

protecting the weak

standing before the arrow

without flinching

 

Spring grass, soft and green

sights of birth and growth

new friendships born

old ones rekindled

new seeds sown

a healing balm

 

Tranquil lakes, Carolina blue

Inner peace, calms turmoil

lazy carefree afternoons

at ease knowing you

harm none, love some, help all

Supreme Sacrifice Day

Today, celebrates individuals who make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others. Most often it is the soldiers who have died protecting our freedom that we think of when discussing ultimate sacrifice. However, maybe that lover who let their beloved go onto other pursuits (other loves) have also made it.How about a brother who takes a beating from an abusive parent for their sister? Or, a parent that goes without dinner to ensure that their children have enough to eat? I guess it would come down to how you define “Ultimate sacrifice”.

Today, in honor of Supreme Sacrifice Day, I am listing individual in public safety who have given their lives in the line of duty since the beginning of the year. Please forgive errors in spelling or omissions. I am certain that my sources are not complete. If I missed your loved one, please, add them in the comment section.

Emergency Medical Services

• EMT Timothy “Kyle” Southern:  Harrisonburg, VA
• Paramedic Sandra Nodurft: Racine, WV
• Paramedic Joshua Weissman: Alexandria, VA

• Fire Services
• Cristano Leo Lionell: South Sacramento, CA
• William “Jumbo” Elliot: Pompano Beach, FL
• Samuel Butler: Maxton, NC
• David Crenshaw: Anderson, SC
• Brandon Little: New Oxford, PA
• Duane Ibarra: Kahului, HI
• Bruce Torcotta, Hopelawn, NJ
• Walter C Sumner: Cranesville, PA
• Doug Haase, Sr: St. Charles, MO
• David M Flint: Edinboro, PA
• Zachary Whitacre: Gore, VA
• Jeremy Tighe: Evansville, IN
• Matt Waller: Memphis, TX
• Gerald “Jerry” R Wetherell: Prudenville, MI
• Mark G Ratledge: Cottenwood, CA
• Jamison Kampmeyer: Colby, WI
• Mark W Morrison” Port Saint Lucie, FL

Law Enforcement

• Sgt. Abimael Castro-Berrocales: Puerto Rico
• Park Ranger Margaret Anderson: Pierce County, WA
• Agent Jared Francom: Ogdon, UT
• Deputy Sheriff William Coleman: Maricopa County, AZ
• Detective Andrew F Faggio: New Haven, CT
• Correctional Officer Clarence Tariq Hammond, III: MI
• Deputy Sheriff Randall L Benoit: CalcasIeu Parish, LA
• Agent Francis Crespo-Mandry: Puerto Rico
• Cpl. Barbara Ester: Brickeys, AR
• Correctional Officer Tracy Hardin: NV
• Officer Garret Davis: Honolulu, HI
• Deputy Sheriff James I  Thacker: Pike County, KY
• Sr. Police Officer Gail Thomas: Atlanta, GA
• Police Officer William D “Bill” Talbert: Montgomery County, MD
• Master Cpl. Sandra E “Sandy” Rogers: Aiken, SC
• Police Officer Steven Green: Mobile, AL
• Reserve Deputy Don Williams: Dale County, AL
• Detective David White: Clay County, FL
• Sgt. Michael Todd May: Monongalia County, WV
• Trooper Tony Radulescu: WA
• Deputy Sheriff Barbara Pill: Brevard County, FL
• Corrections Officer Brittany Rachelle Meux: Lake County, IN

I would like to express my gratitude for their service and my condolences to their families. Please, know that they are in my thoughts and prayers.
I do not want to forget our canine friends who serve mankind and have lost their lives in the line of duty. Unfortunately, these loyal animals do not have a memorial list that I could find.
However, my own family’s personal loss was Blackbeard, a medical assistance animal for a disabled veteran. Blackbeard lost his life in the line of duty early this year.

Youth and the American Red Cross

As I mentioned in my last Red Cross post, I started my volunteer career with the organization as a teenager. As I put on my jumper for my first day at Huntsville Hospital, I joined the proud heritage of American youth performing public service.

Some Junior Red Cross Facts
In 1884, six youngsters conducted the first known American Red Cross youth activity. These six children performed a play in Waterford, PA that raised $50. They donated these funds to the three-year old American Red Cross.

On September 15, 1917, President Wilson officially announced the formation of the Junior Red Cross. He asked our country’s youth, “Is not this perhaps the chance for which you have been looking to give your time and efforts in some measure to meet our national needs…?”

Since that call, the Junior Red Cross has meet needs across our nation and around the globe. They have helped during wars, the depression, disasters, and other emergencies. The Junior Red Cross taught good citizenship and instilled in youth a spirit of internationalism.

In 1942, College units were added to the Junior Red Cross. Almost every US campus hosted some type of Red Cross activity.These activities ranged from organizing student groups to offering Red Cross training courses.

In 1946, they introduced an new program. The International Student Work-Study program brought American and foreign secondary and college students together.

In 1947, The Junior Red Cross began the High School Chest Program. This project sent school supplies to students who lost them in natural disasters. The program benefited not only students within the United States but those overseas as well.

However, despite a rich history of service the Junior Red Cross began to decline during the 1960s. Maybe competitions from other youth organizations – like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or YMCA – contributed to this. Or perhaps, it was the new teacher union regulations. These new regulations made the program an after school activity to be conducted by teachers on a voluntary basis. Some blame youths becoming more self-absorbed; that student interest in public service and international affairs has decreased. I don’t know. Maybe it is a combination of all of these factors.

In the 1970’s, the Junior Red Cross’s name was changed to Red Cross Club or Youth Corps. During this time, youth volunteers not associated with the clubs were blended into mainstream Red Cross service.

The community that I first volunteered in did not have a Junior Red Cross. But, the local chapter did distribute volunteer opportunities for youth to the local schools. I was lucky. My English teacher shared these opportunities with our class. However, many youth possessing a desire for public service find it difficult to learn about volunteer opportunities available to them.

I am proud that both my children volunteered as teens for the American Red Cross. My son served wherever asked. My daughter volunteered in disaster services with me and as a HIV-AIDS Teen Peer Counselor.  During that time, I finally got to experience the Red Cross Club as an adult leader.

If you know a youngster who volunteers for the American Red Cross or any other organization, please, take a moment to thank them. All volunteers deserve our gratitude, but it is especially important to demonstrate it to those just beginning their journey. Remember, a person who volunteers as a youth is more likely to continue volunteering as an adult…especially if they have a positive experience.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

Today, I would like to share with you my favorite blessing. It is a traditional Irish one. My church youth choir in Huntsville, Al ended every practice by singing this.
 

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

I hope that you have a fun but safe St. Paddy’s Day. Enjoy yourselves, but be responsible. And, don’t forget to wear GREEN. I don’t know about you, but my family loves the pinch tradition associated with not wearing green on this day.

March Tidbits

• March was the first month of year until we switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1752.
• One superstition is that if Easter falls on Lady Day (March 25) some disaster  to England will soon fall.

“When the Lord falls in my Lady’s lap

England beware some mishap”

• Narcissus is the the flower most associated with March. It is also known as wild daffodil or Lent Lilly. This is the main daffodil species of Britain.
• I was born in March.
• March’s birthstone is aquamarine.
• March was named for the Roman god, Mars –the god of war.
• A farming superstition is that if rain falls during the first three days of March there will be a bad harvest.

March sayings:

• A dry March and a wet May fill barns and bays with corn and hay.
• As it rains in March so it rains in June.
• When March come in like a lion it goes out like a lamb.
• March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers.

Ides of March

Today is the Ides of March. Many of us know this phrase from Act 1 Scene 2 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.  Here the playwright retells a tale from Plutarch’s Parallel Lives. Plutarch wrote about Julius Caesar visiting soothsayer who the emperor that great peril would come to him no later than the Ides of March.

But, what is the Ides of March? Is March the only month that has it? I use it because Ides is singular.

Ides rhymes with hides and in the ancient Roman calendar was the day of the full moon. It fell on the 15th of the month in March, May, July, and October. In all other months, the Ides falls on the 13th.

Ancient Romans did not believe that the Ides of March was a particularly inopportune day. In fact, they normally honored celebrated the deity of the month with military parades. March’s deity would have been Mars. However, Shakespeare gave us the well known phrase “Beware the Ides of March”.

Today provides a great excuse to read or reread Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. If you do, be on the lookout for my favorite passage from the play. Spoken by Mark Anthony in Act 3, scene 2, it begins “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.”.

Here’s hoping you have a terrific Ides of March.

National Pi Day

Today is 3.14 or National Pi Day. Living in a math and science centric household, obviously, I had to post about this exceptional number.

Ten Pi Facts

1. π represents the relationship between a circle’s diameter and its circumference.
2. The formula to calculate the area of a circle uses pi. A=πr²
3. Pi is an irrational number because its value can not be expressed exactly as a fraction having integers in both its numerator and denominator.
4. Its decimal representation never ends. It also never repeats. At least that is the evidence to date and it has been calculated to more than a trillion places.
5. Pi is also know as Archimedes’ Constant. Archimedes of Syracuse provided an approximation of the number during the 3 century BC.
6. A rarer name is Ludolphine Number. This name is for Ludolphine van Ceulen. He computed a 35-digit approximation around t1600 AD.
7. When π is used as a symbol for the mathematical constant, it is not capitalized at the beginning of a sentence.
8. The capitalized form of pi has a completely different mathematical meaning…the product of a sequence.
9. The earliest known textual evidence of an approximation of pi date from around 1900 BC. Found on both the Egyptian Rhind Papyrus and Babylonian tablets, these approximations are within 1% of the true value.
10. One needs 39 digits of π to make a circle the size of the observable universe accurate to the size of a hydrogen atom.

And let’s not forget the joke: “Pie’s aren’t square, they’re round!”

Interesting side note: On today in 1879, Albert Einstein was born in Württemberg, Germany. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921

Chris

I have mentioned that I am writing a novel for young adults. This morning, I thought that I would take a moment to introduce the novel’s main character.

Chris is a nine year old orphan living on the streets of Afghanistan. This is no ordinary orphan. She is an American citizen. Oh, and obviously, she is female pretending to be a boy.. During the last three years since her mother was murdered, Chris has been developing the skills to survive in Afghanistan. Her mentor, Benyamin  - a Mossad agent- has helped hone her language and fighting skills. However, one day, Chris has to choose whether to risk her safety to rescue an American male being held hostage or to maintain her anonymity. No matter what she decides life as she knows it will change.

Gray Lady Service

Yesterday, my parents drove 800 miles to have dinner with my husband and I for my birthday. What a special thing for them to do! In addition to the traditional birthday things, they brought me a letter from Huntsville Hospital written in 1985.

What does a letter from a hospital have to do with Red Cross? Well, I began volunteering for the American Red Cross in 1983. During those early years, I served as Teen Aide at Huntsville Hospital. This letter thanked the many volunteers (from various organizations) for their service to the hospital.

When I tell people that a long time ago I was a Teen Aide, they often go, “oh, a candy striper”. Now, where I volunteered there was a distinct difference between the two volunteer positions. A teen Aide had direct contact with patients. We delivered charts to nurses stations, took patients to their rooms or x-ray. Teen Aides helped with admitting, delivered flowers, and worked with adult volunteers. Candy Stripers ran the gift shop. They had no immediate adult supervision. Oh, interestingly, you had to be 16 for the Candy Striper position. I was too young.

My ability to serve as a Teen Aide comes from the Gray Lady services of the American Red Cross. Gray Ladies provided services of a non-medical nature to individuals in hospitals, other health-care facilities, and private homes. Some Gray Ladies wrote letters, tutored, read, or shopped for the ill, injured or disabled. Others served as guides to hospital visitors, hostesses in hospital rec rooms, or sat at information desks.

Gray Lady services began in 1918 at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. Although it had a different name at this time, the gray uniform the ladies wore had the soldiers affectionately calling these volunteers gray ladies. In 1947, the name Gray Lady Service became official.

But, don’t think for a second that only women provided the valuable services as gray ladies. The Red Cross had “Gray Men” volunteers as well.

The Gray Lady Service ceased to exist under that name in the 1960’s. The Red Cross decided to do away with its separate branches in favor of a more unified American Red Cross. Because of that, although I did the duties of a Gray Lady, I have never been able to apply that name to my first Red Cross volunteer job.

However, in 1983, on my first day, I proudly sat in my gray and white striped jumper over my white blouse with its American Red Cross patch on my left shoulder. I was lucky that day, my supervisor patiently told me the history of the Gray Lady Service. Especially since today many Red Cross volunteers don’t even know that many of our fellow volunteers still carry on this proud tradition.

I may never served as a Gray Lady, but its proud heritage lives on within every Red Cross volunteer that serves in a non-medical function in our hospitals and other health-care facilities.

Just as a side note: Candy Stripers have a wonderful history as well. They got their start as a school civics class project in New Jersey. Candy Stripers should be as proud of their distinctive red and white striped uniforms as I am of my gray and white striped jumper.

Walking More

Last month, I posted Sunday blogs following the theme of American Heart Month. In one of those posts, I mentioned that my husband and I had parked our car and walked places about 2 miles or less from the house.

Not all in our circle have meet this decree positively. It really amazes me the comments people make about a decision that does not affect them. 

One neighbor has made his mission in life to inform me (repeatedly) that the short distances I am parking the car won’t make a difference to environment. Frankly, I think every little bit helps. And, the new policy means that on average I only use my car twice a week. But, our decision was to exercise more.

My favorite comment was “Why don’t you just become Amish?”. Now, I have a lot of respect for people who live their beliefs despite how mainstream society treats them. However, it is not a lifestyle for me.

How did the Amish get pulled into my personal choice? Well, this friend knows more about me than most. I do not have a house phone line and rarely use my cellphone. About a year ago, I disconnected our television from both cable and satellite because it had not been used in 6 months. Most of the television I watch are British shows. The little television we watch is from DVDs, streaming video, and blu-rays.

While my husband and I have chosen to live a simpler lifestyle, I do not want to live the Amish one. I am very attached to my DVDs and MP3s. Yes, I know that I could order books in “Dead Tree” versions. Please, don’t make me give up my Kindle Touch or my Fire.

Most importantly, I live in South Central Florida. I can’t even image life with air conditioning. Actually, I can. I did it last August when ours died. It is not an experience I am eager to repeat.

Yes, we walk most places. It is a slower lifestyle. Amazingly, both of us, really enjoy this new pace. I get to speak to neighbors,watch the children climb on the local jungle gym, and pet the dog that lives three blocks away. All of which would be harder to do if I was speeding past in an automobile.

“Fair Game” by Patricia Briggs

Several years ago, as my birthday approached, my husband searched high and low for the perfect gift. Of course, the high and low bookshelves at the local bookstore where his hunting ground.

Finally, he settled on Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. Wow, what a great gift. I immediately feel in love with Mercy, the lead character. A new favorite series was born.

This book has traveled to multiple states and Mexico with me. It has endured emergency room visits and hospital stays. The poor thing has even dwelled on the bathroom floor with me as migraines made worshipping at the porcelain goddess necessary. Yes, it is definitely the friend I call on when in need.

But, Mercy is not the character within Briggs world that I most identify with. Anna from her Alpha Omega Series fills that role. Anna rises above an abusive past. I can identify with the strength and determination needed to survive in that situation. I cheered as an alpha male rescued her and was inspired as she learned to rescue herself and others.

I am always thrilled when Briggs comes out with a new book. She is one of a handful of authors I eagerly watch for new stuff. So when Fair Game popped up on my Kindle yesterday, I happily devoured it before retiring for the night.

I don’t want to spoil the story of anyone. But I will say the ending left me curious to see how she further explores this world.

Writing Emotions

Excitement radiates from me when I discuss my newest writing project. Chris, the main character, tells me her story as I dream. I never envisioned myself writing fiction, especially not a novel.

I hesitated to share my work in progress with anyone. Would they laugh at my feeble attempts? Was it a good idea poorly executed?

I cautiously began to share Chris’s story, the adventures of an orphaned nine year girl living on the streets of Afghanistan. It could have been the tale of any street child except this exceptionable girl is an American citizen.

Soon, I had a rough draft other’s showed interest in. My largest test was to send it to my father. He has always been honest about my writing efforts. If he thought it showed any promise, I would polish the story. Trembling hands sealed that first draft in an envelope and placed it in the post.

Somewhere along this path of self-discovery, my dream became a reality. People were interested in publishing Chris’s Story. But they wanted it re-written for a younger audience.

Fear and self-doubt surfaced. I have never written for children or young adults, Not only did they change the age of my audience, but they would like to explore a Hi-Lo options. High interest – Low Reading sounds like a specialized area. How do I approach this new audience?

Despite fear, self-doubt, and caution, it is excitement that constantly accompanies my thoughts and words about Chris.

Red Cross Month

Since 1943, every year the President has declared March “Red Cross Month’. The American Red Cross traditionally uses this month to promote it services to the American public and for fundraising.

Fundraising is important to the American Red Cross because it does not accept funds from the government. However, all its disaster services are given free of charge to victims. While many people know that the Red Cross responds to national disasters, did you know that they also respond to smaller ones, like single family house fires.  It is  through the generous support of the public and our volunteers that allows them to help meet the emergency needs of an individual who has experienced a disaster.

However, Emergency Services is not the only service delivery line of the Red Cross. They also provide Services to the Armed Forces. Who hasn’t heard of the CPR classes offered by their Health and Safety Services? Maybe you have even donated blood at a Red Cross blood drive. This is only three examples of the many things Red Cross does in addition to disaster response.

On Sundays in March, I hope to help us all celebrate Red Cross Month.  Maybe along the way, we can all learn something about this organization. For example, did you know that last radio speech President Roosevelt gave, just days before his death, was in support of the Red Cross?

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I want you to know that I am a volunteer with the American Red Cross. I am proud of this association which began decades ago in Huntsville, Al. It was there at the tender age of 13 that I first volunteered with them as a Teen Aide at the local hospital.

The Challenge

Can I take a novel written for adults and rewrite it for Young Adults? My response: Sure! Why not? Then I asked the important question …What does Young Adult mean? Hey, I am nothing if not daring.

Then came the challenge…Could I take that same novel and write it for both Young Adults and a Hi-Lo audience? Here, I wised up. Completely bewildered, I had to ask what a Hi-Lo book was.

Hi-Lo books are high interest – low reading level books. Basically, stories written to encourage the struggling or reluctant reader to read. In other words, age appropriate material written at a lower reading level.

It is an interesting challenge. I can’t say that I out right accepted. But, rather, I would see what I could do.

My younger nephew is a reluctant reader. For him, it isn’t a matter of reading ability. He just prefers to be active.  My mission in life has been to get him to enjoy reading. Buying him a Kindle began him on this path. He reads more now, but still has a long way to go.

He is my inspiration for attempting this challenge. Just maybe, if I am really lucky, I could write a book he falls in love with.

Share a Smile Day

Today is Share-A-Smile Day. What a nice way to start March!
In honor of this great idea, here is a list of ten things that make me smile.

1. Walking in soft rain on a warm day.
2. Kisses from the magnificent Bug-A-Boo, my service dog.
3. Reading a good book in front of a fire on a cold gloomy day.
4. Picnic dinners with my husband.
5. The staff at 18 East, a terrific local pub.
6. Writing for the joy of telling a story.
7. Helping someone else.
8. Reading a child’s first story.
9. Peanut butter and chocolate chips on bananas
10. Seeing friends unexpectantly.

What makes you smile?

Stress Busters

I have always loved when someone tells me that it is good for me to lower my stress. Now, if I knew how to do that then wouldn't my stress already be lower. But stress is bad for your heart, so I went to find some ideas on this topic.

1. Think positive. No, I don't mean "I am positive this won't work" type of thinking. But rather thoughts like "Tomorrow will be better" or "Someday, I am going to find this funny."
2. Daily relaxation. Nope, sitting in front of the TV doesn't count. Instead, maybe try some meditation. There are some wonderful guided ones for beginners. Although, personally I prefer Tai Chi.
3. Develop some stress busters. I like deep breathing. Inhale the good thoughts. Exhale the bad. Saying sorry when I screw also seems to work.  My husband likes to unwind while walking the dog.
4. Play. When the worlds gets to you, go do something fun. Go to a movie with a friend, read a book, or even play tennis. Remember the fun in life. Smell a flower, write a story, or volunteer for an organization you support.

American Heart Month is coming to an end. But, I hope that you will continue to work on improving your cardiac health. Just because this month is almost over, does not mean you can't set a personal goal for the rest of the year.

Eye Opening Jury Duty

 

I am sorry that I have not posted anything for about the last week. However, last week I had the eye opening experience of serving on the jury for a criminal trial. It was a case involving three accounts of sexual battery. For each account the jury had the choice of three different charges or not guilty.

While the facts surrounding the case where unpleasant, it was not the case but rather the jury that has caused me sleepless nights. Most women who experience sexual battery never report it. When I was a child, it was because the victim, not the defendant, who was put on trial. Her character was questioned and dragged through the mud.

My mother taught my brother and me two very important things. For my brother, she said, “A women should be able to walk down the street buck naked without being sexually assaulted.” Her truth to me was a little different. For me, it was “Don’t advertise what you are not selling.” At the time, I thought the statements contradicted each other. But, now, I understand them more. Anyone should be able to walk down the street safely regardless of their state of dress or undress. However, it is in my best interest to not present myself as a victim.

But as the decades have passed, I thought that society’s attitudes toward the victim had changed. I was mistaken.

I heard these reasons for not pressing the most severe or, in fact, any charges:

• She did not leave after the first time. So, she was giving consent.
• She asked for it.
• He is young. I don’t want to ruin his life.
• They had a child together (over a year ago), so he had permission to continue taking it.
• Guys have needs.
• After waking (the act occurred in her sleep), she did not immediately call the police.
• I have done the same thing with my wife. If I convict him, I am guilty too.
• She said that she wanted to work it out.
• Both parties were using street drugs.

The jury actually agreed that a sex act occurred. We agree the victim was asleep at the time, because this fact was stated by both the defense and the prosecution. The question was entirely over consent.

When can consent be given? Can it be given after the fact? This is what hung our jury of six individuals. Some individuals believed that consent for a sexual act could occur after the act. Personally, I believe that after the fact you may give forgiveness, but not permission.

What difference does this make? Well, in this case, the only thing the two parties differed on was what was said the next morning. The female said she flipped. The male said that she responded with “Oh, that’s ok. I love you.” The timing of consent question would have removed this issue.

So, What do you think? Is it legal consent if it is given after the fact?

Does your opinion change if I tell you that the defendant accepted a plea bargain as our jury hit its 4th hour of deliberations?

Hard Choices

I sit here debating which of three poems best conveys my message. 

The first was an assignment on the Color of Nature.  It had to be a rhyming poem. I quickly set out to meet the given criteria.  The resulting poem is light and pretty. While it softly addresses my message that being kind is not always easy, verses lack emotion.

My second attempt goes into more depth. I abandoned the assignment and strayed from end rhymes. It better conveys my message. But, it lacks a poetic feel.

Edgier was my third attempt. It is not pretty. Rather, it expresses more raw emotion. This poem lacks extra words, maybe even important connecting words. It is grittier than the other two.

Three poems with the same message. Interestingly, the concept got riskier with each attempt. But, as I stand before a microphone, which will I be most confident reading? I didn’t know, so I asked others.

Four people consulted. The results…a tie. Two people think the softer poem is the best of the three. It is definitely the most traditional. The other two prefer the edge of the last poem.

One person explained. She, a senior citizen, thought the first poem was the prettiest. However, it was the raw emotion of the third that drew her interest. It best revealed the poet.

I have gathered all three poems. It will be interesting to see which one I am brave enough to read this evening. Do I go with safe or expose myself to the audience?

Oh, just an interesting side note: the youngest and the oldest (both females) of my four people preferred the edgier piece. The two middle aged males liked the softer rhyming piece. My risk taker thought the rhyming piece was best. Although he never said it was good, just better than the others.

5 Things I am Doing for My Heart

 

1. Move more! Park the car and walk to spots less than two miles away unless I have to carry more than my backpack holds.
2. Consuming more beta-carotene rich foods! Carrots, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens and even apricots are rich in beta-carotene and so yummy. Add the fact that they can reduce your stroke risk by 40% and it’s a win-win.
3. Get and give hugs! Studies have shown that people who are touched lovingly often have fewer heart problems than the control group. I just have to be careful that those I hug want one.
4. No fad or crash diets! While I would love to be skinny, frequent dieting and restrictive diets can weaken the heart muscle. Instead, I am going to make eating lifestyle changes is improve the quality of my diet. Small steps that can last a lifetime.
5. Reduce the sodium in my food! I’m avoiding prepackaged foods. Substituting other seasonings for salt. Did you know that oregano on subs can fool your palate into thinking you have added salt?

Small steps are easier to maintain. Why don’t you pick a few little things you can do to improve your cardiac health? Try them for American Heart Month. Maybe the changes will last a lifetime!

Dreams

Most of the dreams I remember involve life threatening, world saving action. Bullets fly. Air ducts are crawled through. Car chases gauranteed.  Almost nightly, I have mini movies play through my mind.

But, lately, I have been having dreams of another type. Not movies, but rather books. Normally, my dreams are full of vivid imagery and in full color. But, these dreams have no pictures, just words. Sometimes, I only hear the words being read. In other dreams, I see the words before me and hear myself reading them in my mind.  No images, but still engaging stories. Ones from which I do not want to wake.

I am enjoying my new dreams as much as my old. But, I wonder...why the switch? What has changed during my days to so profoundly affect my dreams? At first, I thought maybe because I am writing more. But, I have always written. I love to read, but I get plenty of that during my days. I know that I am beginning to spend more time on word choice, but would that have effects on my dreams.

It is a mystery to me. My new dreams are interesting in subject and presentation. But, the lost of my old movies saddens me. I hope one day these dreams will return. It is nice to have a variety of entertainment during my time with Mr. Sandman.

Psychic Calendars?

My desk calendar informed me that today is the birthday of Natalie Cole, Babe Ruth, and Aaron Burr. Then, in bright letters it reminded me of the pain radiating from my shoulder blade to my elbow. Yes, today is Lame Duck Day. Wow, my calendar's creators are psychic. Way back when writing the daily facts, they knew that on Feb. 6th, I would be hurting. Neat! Maybe I should skim ahead to see what else is in store for me this year.

OK, that just had to be the pain pills talking. But, what is Lame Duck Day? I have never heard of it. Well, a quick internet search told me that it commemorates the 20th amendment.  Did you have to memorize amendments in school? I did, right before I completely forgot them. I guess I am off to find out what this celebrated addition to the US Constitution accomplished.

Ah ha. The 20th amendment has nothing to do with my shoulder blade pain. It defined the beginning and ending dates for terms of elected federal offices. So, the lame duck is the elected individual between the time he loses an election and ends his term.  The amendment was ratified in 1933 and moved the date a new President took office from March 4th (four months after his election) to January 20th. 

Mystery solved. I am off to rest my arm. Hope that everyone has a good start to their week. Happy Monday!

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, sponsered by American Heart Association.  Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both genders in the United States. In fact, over 600,000 Americans die from it each year. 

What are somethings you could do to participate?

• Take a CPR class. CPR is a vital step in the cardiac chain of survival. It allows a responder to manually circulate oxygen carrying blood to the heart, brain, and other vital organs delaying biological death.
• Learn how to use an AED and where they are located. Every minute the use of an AED is delayed decreases the chances of reviving a victim of sudden cardiac arrest by 10%.
• Learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Early recognition and activiation of the Emergency Medical Services System is critical. Personally, I say if I call EMS fast enough, they may get to the victim before she loses consciousness. This keeps me from needing to use my CPR skills.
• Realize that the signs and symptoms of a heart attack are different for men and women.
• Quit smoking.
• Start exercising.
• Eat healthier.

There are many ways to help decrease your chances of developing heart disease. My Sunday blog posts in February are going to feature Heart topics.

I hope everyone has a Heart Healthy month!

Tribute to Blackbeard.

My friend's beloved service dog recently died. Blackbeard was a loyal dog, dedicated to the human he helped. Here is a poem in tribute to this valiant animal.

Consciousness you lost.
He went for help. Tires bark. Thud!
Lifeless pup. Hearts weep.

Opps...crazy lady

Today, I got stuck writing. Often, when frustration hits, I decide to take a walk. Since it was close to lunch time, I decided to make the mile hike down Main St. to a local diner. My New Year resolutions include being more productive and procrastinating less. In an effort to stay on task, I grabbed my voice recorder and headed out the door.

About half way to the diner, I was deep into fixing my problem. Talking out a particularly daunting (for me) piece of dialog, my hands were waving wilding. I looked up and saw a nicely dressed mother approaching with her two young children. Her son, about 3, was pointing at me.
In a flash, the mother grabbed the kids' hands and crossed the street. Now, my town has a really nice Main Street. It is divided with a beautifully landscaped grassy mall down the middle. This mall is wide enough to sport memorials to various war vets and a winding walk way. Anyway, this young woman crossed not to the winding path down the mall, but rather she crossed to the far side of the road. Then she proceeded to walk to the end of the block, well past me, before returning back to my side of the street. I only noticed this because I stopped to talk to a local police officer signed up for next week's CPR class.

As we talked I pointed out the lady's actions. The officer smiled as he shook his head. Suddenly, I stopped to think about how I must have looked...mumbling to myself, carrying on a conversation with invisible people, and talking with my hands. Yep, crazy women. Yikes, all of sudden I could not remember if I had combed my hair before I left the house. My final shock was when I realized in my haste to dash out the door, I had put on one hot pink Converse hightop and one orange one.

I think it is official...I am the new town crazy.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! Pull up a chair and make yourself at home. Let me introduce myself.

I dwell in a small home in South Central Florida with my husband, four dogs, and a cat that thinks he’s a dog. Poor LAF cat. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading. While I have my favorite authors and even within them favorite books, I will read anything in desperation. Once, I even read the yellow pages. My husband’s best feature is that not once has he complained about the household book budget being larger than all our other bills combined.

What else have I done, you ask. Community theater allowed me to spread my wings while in college. I juggled and made balloon animals at children’s birthday parties. During a dark period of my early adulthood, I was a corporate tax accountant. For a while, I ran a small EMS company. I trained and partnered with a Search and Rescue dog. I spent 10 months as a full-time AmeriCorps Volunteer teaching fire safety to Philadelphia area school children as a member of the Red Cross. Once, I even held a position on the board on a small science fiction and fantasy convention.

Can I offer you some ice tea? Or maybe those visiting from colder parts would like some hot chocolate? Please, stay awhile and tell me about yourself.