tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29134730969587345082024-03-04T23:22:22.358-05:00Sperk*Fearless examination of life with two adolescent daughtersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-5715224660656320592018-09-17T18:51:00.001-04:002018-09-17T21:13:38.705-04:00one hundred word song100 Word Song: Starting Over
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<i>Today I'm participating in a blogging meme called <a href="http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/100-word-song/" target="_blank">100 Word Song</a> found at <a href="http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/100-word-song/" target="_blank">My Blog Can Beat Up Your Blog</a>. Basically, there's a song, you write 100 words inspired by said song, share it on your blog and you're done. Sounds fun, right? </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>My 100 words</u>:</span></div>
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It wasn’t the smell of his breath that alerted her muscles to tighten in defense of what was to come.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAD4Z9cTHXaWdkjlUj8S4YqD2v-PjzaBIHYk71RSCumMn9ea-LfRf7W9RgjOiFQV4FKgKwBg0KkHyjdgFqyptfy4tGaKMi_ufw93Fp60-V0qnXvIDGNPovLxBOemfD6VV8F_JJacEtYTj/s1600/egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAD4Z9cTHXaWdkjlUj8S4YqD2v-PjzaBIHYk71RSCumMn9ea-LfRf7W9RgjOiFQV4FKgKwBg0KkHyjdgFqyptfy4tGaKMi_ufw93Fp60-V0qnXvIDGNPovLxBOemfD6VV8F_JJacEtYTj/s1600/egg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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She knew by the way his eyes darted around his greasy plate of eggs almost 12 hours ago. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Being hyper alert ever since breakfast was taxing to her body and mind.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Images of police stations, paradise, and promises flew through her when he delivered the blow.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Her collapse to the couch was like a fall into the hands of God.<br />
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He said, “It won’t happen again, I promise.”<o:p></o:p><br />
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She fell asleep to the smell of eggs frying in the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/matsuyuki/5637091637/">matsuyuki</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a></blockquote>
Intrepid Songhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/015125733429189586416Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-51040985760257082182014-01-09T14:22:00.000-05:002018-09-17T21:13:48.992-04:00100 Word Song: Starting Over<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i>Today I'm participating in a blogging meme called <a href="http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/100-word-song/" target="_blank">100 Word Song</a> found at <a href="http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/100-word-song/" target="_blank">My Blog Can Beat Up Your Blog</a>. Basically, there's a song, you write 100 words inspired by said song, share it on your blog and you're done. Sounds fun, right? </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>The song</u>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>My 100 words</u>:</span></div>
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It wasn’t the smell of his breath that alerted her muscles
to tighten in defense of what was to come.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAD4Z9cTHXaWdkjlUj8S4YqD2v-PjzaBIHYk71RSCumMn9ea-LfRf7W9RgjOiFQV4FKgKwBg0KkHyjdgFqyptfy4tGaKMi_ufw93Fp60-V0qnXvIDGNPovLxBOemfD6VV8F_JJacEtYTj/s1600/egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAD4Z9cTHXaWdkjlUj8S4YqD2v-PjzaBIHYk71RSCumMn9ea-LfRf7W9RgjOiFQV4FKgKwBg0KkHyjdgFqyptfy4tGaKMi_ufw93Fp60-V0qnXvIDGNPovLxBOemfD6VV8F_JJacEtYTj/s1600/egg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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She knew by the way his eyes darted around his greasy plate
of eggs almost 12 hours ago. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being hyper alert ever since breakfast was taxing to her
body and mind.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Images of police stations, paradise, and promises flew through her when he delivered the blow.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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Her collapse to the couch was like a fall into the hands of
God.<br />
<br />
He said, “It won’t happen again, I
promise.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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She fell asleep to the smell of eggs frying in the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/matsuyuki/5637091637/">matsuyuki</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a></blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-1593708418223752942014-01-09T10:27:00.001-05:002018-09-17T21:08:31.392-04:00Wednesday's Woman: Katrell Christie, The Learning Tea<div class="MsoBodyText">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkJ_pLAeZaSEV7rx4CLXX8JJoq_cWqQ9WyX27kBAzj1fKbPaPNRHLFRKLWtU_K5h5_0gT29sS0dvh284X3ldLW79odv-QjIeHLByw42RhzFUKkl7FA1cOjPatvGlGGsUWZCjdkb5lDof2/s1600/tea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkJ_pLAeZaSEV7rx4CLXX8JJoq_cWqQ9WyX27kBAzj1fKbPaPNRHLFRKLWtU_K5h5_0gT29sS0dvh284X3ldLW79odv-QjIeHLByw42RhzFUKkl7FA1cOjPatvGlGGsUWZCjdkb5lDof2/s1600/tea1.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<i>Sometimes helping others starts with something as simple
as putting a jar on the counter at the neighborhood coffee shop. How easy is that? And yet, how many times have we had the
opportunity to help, just a little, but felt it would be too difficult or
require too much sacrifice?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I am always inspired by those who, despite their fears
(imagined or real), are capable of defying the odds in a quest to make a
difference in the lives of others. I
have read that something as simple as sharing a smile can have a significant
impact on someone’s day. And yet, how
many times have I passed an opportunity to do so because I was too wrapped up
in my own misery (imagined or real)? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>As you read today’s <a href="http://www.sperkblog.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday’s Woman</a>,
submitted by Anna Mahler (<a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">The Mommy Padawan</a>), think about the little things you
can do to help someone in need, the little things you can do to propel yourself
out of your own muck. In the case of
today’s story, the simple act of placing a collection jar on the counter in her
place of business, a tea shop, evolved into saving a few young women in India from living as
victims of human trafficking. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Yes, sharing a smile is marathons away from helping
women who are potential victims of human trafficking. We have to start somewhere.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank you, Anna, for your continued support of and willingness to write for <a href="http://www.sperkblog.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday’s Woman</a>. I’m smiling at you. I hope you feel it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Wednesday's Woman: Katrell Christie, The Learning Tea</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7-07S0la0lwQFOzGohL6YIsgJh6IOwPZSqRof9cWhru-NMzZX0IxvKMSSb2m-3mc9P4ypD1TqTAoA6fPKsp1RTESmw5BGbBDIUeMb0LjJmXGyPK-ZUQQRuAK0puaFLufPMig0MX1osOl/s1600/learningtea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7-07S0la0lwQFOzGohL6YIsgJh6IOwPZSqRof9cWhru-NMzZX0IxvKMSSb2m-3mc9P4ypD1TqTAoA6fPKsp1RTESmw5BGbBDIUeMb0LjJmXGyPK-ZUQQRuAK0puaFLufPMig0MX1osOl/s1600/learningtea.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screencapture from <a href="http://www.thelearningtea.com/" target="_blank">The Learning Tea</a></td></tr>
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I have been personally touched by some many of the amazing
women I have found to write about for Wednesday's Woman as well as the ones
I've read about from others but I have to admit, there is a special place in my
heart for women helping women. Because of this, as soon as I read about Katrell
Christie, I knew I wanted to share her story.</div>
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Katrell is the owner of a coffee and tea shop in Atlanta,
Georgia called Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party. In 2009, two years after opening her shop,
while visiting Darjeeling, India to look at tea plantations, Katrell met three
girls from a local orphanage. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She learned the girls would be forced to leave the orphanage
within a year (when they turned 16) and without parents or other family to
help, living on the streets or becoming victim to sex trafficking were real,
possible futures for them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I made a bunch of promises,” Christie says. She told them
she’d come back in six months and help. Then she had to figure out a way to
make it happen. “I didn’t know what to do.”<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">-</span><!--[endif]-->Source: <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2013/0624/A-tea-shop-in-Atlanta-sends-young-women-in-India-to-college" target="_blank">The Christian Science Monitor</a> </blockquote>
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She simply started with a jar on her counter, asking for
donations as well as re-directing funds from her used book sales to help the
young women she had met. Six months later, Katrell had enough money to return
to India, secure an apartment for the girls, enroll them in college prep high
school and supply school uniforms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After returning home from her trip, Katrell started selling
packets of tea from Darjeeling at her store with 100% of the proceeds going to
support the girls as well as other female orphans in the same situation. She
named her project, <a href="http://thelearningtea.com/" target="_blank">The Learning Tea </a><o:p></o:p></div>
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During trips back to India every six months, Katrell
continued to offer shelter and the opportunity to attend school to more young
women who would soon be leaving the orphanage as well. Her work and reach has
continued to grow and she now provides a free-standing building with
dormitory-style bedrooms and a house mother for the girls full time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She believes vocational training helps only one
generation, she says. A college education allows a woman to pursue a career
and, in turn, provide higher education her own children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It is the only way I see that you can stop the vicious
cycle of intensive poverty in India,” Christie says.<br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">-</span><!--[endif]-->Source: <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2013/0624/A-tea-shop-in-Atlanta-sends-young-women-in-India-to-college" target="_blank">Christian Science Monitor</a> </blockquote>
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For a young women, with no close family, to know someone
cares about them is a gift in itself but to then provide a safe home and
education is beautiful and generous as well.
And it started with a jar on her counter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You can learn more about the amazing work Christie is
doing at <a href="http://thelearningtea.com/)" target="_blank">The Learning Tea </a>as well as her tea store, <a href="http://www.drbombays.com/" target="_blank">Dr Bombay's</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/TheLearningTea" target="_blank">Twitter</a> - <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thelearningtea" target="_blank">Facebook -</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://thelearningtea.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog - </a><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<h2 id="subtitle" style="background-color: #f2f0e9; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 33px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" style="color: #2288bb;" target="_blank">WEDNESDAY'S WOMAN</a> IS A WEEKLY FEATURE DEDICATED TO SPOTLIGHTING WOMEN WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS. . . AND THE WORLD.</span></b></i></span></h2>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/professorbop/3652168960/">Professor Bop</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-89818062097953701612014-01-08T13:58:00.001-05:002021-03-17T19:29:41.214-04:00Mistakes, a Playlist<div class="MsoNormal"><i>This week’s theme for <a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/hardy-boys/" target="_blank">Twisted Mixtape Tuesday</a> is “Past
Mistakes.” It’s open for interpretation
as long as one comes up with a playlist of five songs sticking to the theme.</i></div>
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<i>Don’t we often come up with excuses, or justification,
for our past mistakes? </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“I shouldn’t have, but it looked so good”</i><br />
<i>“I would have, but I just couldn’t get all my ducks in a row
before hand.”</i><br />
<i>“It wasn’t my fault.
They made me do it. Plus I was
under the influence.”</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I’m starting my <a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/hardy-boys/" target="_blank">Twisted Tuesday</a> with just that—excuses:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>*It’s already well into Wednesday so I have little time to
think of a clever interpretation.</i><br />
<i>*Although it has warmed up to 17 degrees, my creative brain
has yet to thaw.</i><br />
<i>*I’m late on this. All
the good songs are probably already taken by other bloggers in the link up.</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And so on…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And so on…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Infinity.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>However.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I am committed to blogging regularly in 2014. Responding to a prompt in a blog link up
makes it easy. Plus, I love music. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Wait. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Were those
justifications to write something for <a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/hardy-boys/" target="_blank">Twisted Mixtape Tuesday</a>?</i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Yes. I think they
were.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;">Mistakes. A Playlist.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">1 - <i>Paradise by the Dashboard Light</i> – Meat Loaf</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This song, the <i>Bat Out of Hell</i> album cover, and this story of that most universal
mistake were all very provocative to me as a child. As an adult, the make-out portion in this video is just as provocative for
its qualities of silliness, not for its qualities of greatness. Although, I do find the theatrics to be highly entertaining.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stop Right There!” – Female vocals – hands down, my
favorite part of the song. I’ve always
wanted to sound like that. Just know, on
the inside, I do.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9NTDHjVKQyo" width="420"></iframe></center>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">2 – <i>Cocaine Blues</i> – Johnny Cash</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love Johnny Cash. It’s difficult for me to leave him
off any playlist, even a short one like this.
He was the best at telling us about his mistakes, lamenting, asking for
forgiveness, never ashamed to own up to being human.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am pretty sure that <i>Cocaine Blues</i> is fiction—and a great
work of fiction, in my humble opinion (sorry Tolkien fans). It is morbid to think of it as biographical. Maybe metaphorical? Let’s just hear the tune.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pKbVo6n5Lws" width="420"></iframe></center>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">3 – <i>Up Jump the Devil</i> – The .357 String Band</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man sells his soul to the devil and then hangs himself. Sounds like a bad day to me. Nevertheless, I do love the sound of this punk-grass,
old-timey, gritty song. Plus, I traversed
the Midwest to quite a few .357 String Band shows in the mid 2000’s. They hold a special little space in my heart.
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rg7R4UtdAjw" width="420"></iframe>
</center>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">4 – <i>Cheers Darlin’</i> – Damien Rice</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I chose this for its clarinet intro. My daughter plays the clarinet. She was and is definitely not a mistake. (That little description has nothing to do
with the theme. Cue song).<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GzKFEx-wsJo" width="420"></iframe></center>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">5 – <i>Nobody's Perfect</i> – Hannah Montana</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My girls were of the perfect age to be huge Hannah Montana
fans. This is one of my favorite songs
from that time period in our lives. It’s
uplifting and provides a positive message for tweens. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My girls are now teenagers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The transformation of Miley from Hannah Montana to Twerk
Queen has been uncomfortable to watch.
But I’m here to tell you, it is eerily similar to how it feels to parent
teens.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aI0vMMjD0t0" width="420"></iframe></center>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Be kind. Remember, everybody makes mistakes.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.jenkehl.com/" title="My Skewed View"><img alt="My Skewed View" src="http://www.jenkehl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/mixtape-jenkehl-200.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Don't try this at home:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 14px;">"Over Monday and Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times counted at least 50 people on social media who reported burning themselves or their friends after trying to turn boiling water into snow. There were also several reports of people going to the hospital to receive treatment for burns."</span></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-boiling-snow-20140107,0,6070776.story#ixzz2ppmxx4VV" style="color: #003399; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-boiling-snow-20140107,0,6070776.story#ixzz2ppmxx4VV</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-27958467323738711102014-01-06T22:44:00.000-05:002018-09-17T20:07:18.721-04:0010 Things New to Me in 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaNPzP-NPWw/UstvL6YfOxI/AAAAAAAAFdE/9fyLe20aSyg/s1600/number-10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gaNPzP-NPWw/UstvL6YfOxI/AAAAAAAAFdE/9fyLe20aSyg/s1600/number-10.png" /></a></div>
<i>Happy Monday and Happy New Year!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I do hope you are staying warm.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I am getting things rolling for 2014 at <a href="http://www.sperkblog.com/" target="_blank">Sperk*</a> by participating in one of my favorite blogging linkups, <a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/" target="_blank">Monday Listicles</a> hosted by Stasha at <a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/" target="_blank">The Good Life.</a></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The theme today is </i><b>10 Things New</b><i> and it is open for interpretation. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>At first, I struggled with this theme. Are my creative brain cells frozen? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Then I got a little bummed out. I do not have a lengthy list of new things I have acquired in recent months. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I did get a coat for which I am very grateful. Oh, and I bought some jeans for the first time since 2007. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But I'd like other new things, like a new car, new roof, new windows. Ho hum.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>In a state of self-pity is not a good way to begin the year.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>So, I scrolled through my go-to for inspiration, my <a href="http://instagram.com/sperk01" target="_blank">Instagram</a> gallery, and it reminded me that I </i>experienced<i> several new things things in 2013.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Small things.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>No mountain climbing or body surfing.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But I wouldn't trade them for anything. Really. I wouldn't.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">10 Things New to Me in 2013 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 - Being a Nanny</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKHP7QnW8v0/UstvoZydyII/AAAAAAAAFdM/9qSzq0bGD1s/s1600/diswasher_gianna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKHP7QnW8v0/UstvoZydyII/AAAAAAAAFdM/9qSzq0bGD1s/s1600/diswasher_gianna.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In 2013 I finally put my new-to-me degree in early childhood education to work and took a job as a nanny. It has been challenging on so many levels and just as rewarding in ways I couldn't have imagined. I haven't had a job outside the home since my 15 year old daughter was born. That's a long time. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 - Middle School Honors Band</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnElEytCoFY/Ustv4TcCLqI/AAAAAAAAFdU/CFGhWZORmWQ/s1600/bgsusunglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnElEytCoFY/Ustv4TcCLqI/AAAAAAAAFdU/CFGhWZORmWQ/s1600/bgsusunglasses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This year my 13 year old daughter was selected to be in the Bowling Green State University Middle School Honors Band. It was a one day event that started with our drive to the university at five in the morning. The students rehearsed through the morning and afternoon finishing the event with a performance in the evening.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I was very proud of her. <br />
<br />
Her dad was also very proud of her. In the evening, he drove up to meet us for the performance which included a spy-themed piece with the added touch of all of the musicians wearing sunglasses. When it was time for the spy-themed piece to be played, I realized her dad, up to that point in the concert, had only been watching her, apparently not even glancing around at the rest of the band.<br />
<br />
When she put the sunglasses on, he leaned over to me and said, "What the hell is she doing?"<br />
<br />
I simply replied, "Look around. They're all wearing them."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 - Crazy for You</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoqypD7_bgo/UstwQaE3cjI/AAAAAAAAFdc/yoZCDxHxZWo/s1600/Crazyforyou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoqypD7_bgo/UstwQaE3cjI/AAAAAAAAFdc/yoZCDxHxZWo/s1600/Crazyforyou.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My 15 year old daughter was in her first official high school musical, <i>Crazy for You</i>. She worked so hard to learn tap dancing, something she had not done before auditioning for the show. Brava! That's all I can say. I couldn't find a clear photo of her dancing, but we get to admire her beautiful smile.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4 - Weekly Visits to The Ohio State University</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kB2lkXeVBZY/UstwtGgzY_I/AAAAAAAAFdk/Sigs3lLsoBE/s1600/osu_stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kB2lkXeVBZY/UstwtGgzY_I/AAAAAAAAFdk/Sigs3lLsoBE/s1600/osu_stadium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My 15 year old began voice lessons which are located at Ohio State. We go once a week. She sings. I take mobile photographs--not of her. I walk swiftly (lessons are only 30 minutes long) and get as many captures around campus as I can. When I first started engaging in this activity I felt silly. I'm over that now and it is something I am grateful to be able to continue in 2014.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5- Selena Gomez</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-77Lu3_Hwh4k/Ustw6VhVyRI/AAAAAAAAFds/moIacldAEOo/s1600/selenabacks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-77Lu3_Hwh4k/Ustw6VhVyRI/AAAAAAAAFds/moIacldAEOo/s1600/selenabacks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I took my younger daughter and two of her friends to see Selena Gomez in concert. It was a first, not for concerts, but for seeing Selena. Miss Gomez is quite a performer. We all enjoyed the show. More so, I enjoyed the time with my daughter and her friends. These times spent together are fleeting. I know this because my older daughter no longer allows me to accompany her to shows. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6 - Painting With Apples</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lT1bsR3RmA/UstxGJwBU7I/AAAAAAAAFd0/63TvhKvWbGc/s1600/applepainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lT1bsR3RmA/UstxGJwBU7I/AAAAAAAAFd0/63TvhKvWbGc/s1600/applepainting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Being a nanny has offered me opportunities to try art projects that I never got around to doing with my own children. (Do not judge. We did plenty of crafts. Just not ALL of the ones I wanted to try). My favorite in 2013 was painting using apples as stamps.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">7 - Instagramming in the Rain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fap8qAtBf_4/UstxToOnJFI/AAAAAAAAFd8/vCxI5rsBIAs/s1600/raingram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fap8qAtBf_4/UstxToOnJFI/AAAAAAAAFd8/vCxI5rsBIAs/s1600/raingram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I became very committed to <a href="http://instagram.com/sperk01" target="_blank">Instagram</a> this year and sometimes spent time "gramming" with my significant other. This is a wonderful "couples" activity. It gets you out of the house and turns on some "super-explorer switch" in your brain. During one of our outings, it began to rain. In the past, I would have run for shelter. I am glad the past is the past.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 - Pulled Over for a Photo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1XyYaZ7Q1A/UstxsQke5qI/AAAAAAAAFeE/1RnzAscwtUg/s1600/i+pulled+over.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1XyYaZ7Q1A/UstxsQke5qI/AAAAAAAAFeE/1RnzAscwtUg/s1600/i+pulled+over.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Towards the end of 2013 I became a little less timid about getting the mobile photographs that I wanted. Instead of driving by something picturesque and wishing I had a photo of it, I actually pulled over and attempted to capture what I saw. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">9 - Noticed the Clouds</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SmM-hVPB8_g/UstyFgfWiaI/AAAAAAAAFeM/OdWZ3HVfQs0/s1600/pinkclouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SmM-hVPB8_g/UstyFgfWiaI/AAAAAAAAFeM/OdWZ3HVfQs0/s1600/pinkclouds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 - Experienced 365 Brand New Days</span><br />
<br />
Many more to come, I hope.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/category/monday-listicles" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.northwestmommy.com/home/Listicle3.jpg"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-59120271002939592642013-11-19T15:00:00.000-05:002013-11-19T16:23:19.084-05:00Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday: Fool Me Once... (Cheating Songs)<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bmDp-pDe--A/UovWEVBlM1I/AAAAAAAAFYo/pmr4oCoPAQk/s1600/large__8719226934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bmDp-pDe--A/UovWEVBlM1I/AAAAAAAAFYo/pmr4oCoPAQk/s200/large__8719226934.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<i>This week’s theme for the now famous blog hop, <a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/cheating-songs/" target="_blank">Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday</a>, is </i>Cheating Songs<i>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>From blues, R and B, country, and rock come so many
songs about cheating I didn't know where to begin. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Hollering?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Lamenting?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Filled with high-suspense and drama?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Then I realized that I usually listened to
cheating songs after a painful breakup. So,
I took a short trip down memory lane and recalled some of these post-relationship-collapse songs that obviously or not so obviously are about
cheating.</i><o:p></o:p><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Five Songs about Cheating</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Where Did You Sleep Last Night? - Nirvana</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was thinking Lead Belly but then thought celebrating the recent anniversary of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1717577/nirvana-unplugged-20-anniversary-behind-the-scenes.jhtml">Nirvana's MTV Unplugged</a> performance would be just so right.<br />
<br /></div>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Red Rain - The White Stripes</span><br />
<br />
Although the lyrics do not specifically say that his woman was out cheating, these lines seal the deal for me:<br />
<br />
<i>You think not telling is the same as not lying, don't you?</i><br />
<i>Then I guess not feeling is the same as not crying to you.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
and<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>If there is a lie, then there is a liar, too</i><br />
<i>And If there is a sin, then there is a sinner, too.</i><br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - Wilco</span><br />
<br />
Is he not returning her calls? Drinking too much? Maybe. Cheating? Could be. Or was she the one who cheated? Not sure, but cheating was definitely involved in this very ambiguous love story.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night) - Meshell Ndegeocello</span><br />
<br />
I remember when I first heard this song back in the early '90's. I couldn't believe the boldness in the lyrics and I loved it. I still do.
<br />
<br />
This was probably not a breakup song for me. More likely, it was a rebound song.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. I'm a Fool to Want You - Billie Holiday</span><br />
<br />
This is an obvious choice. Thank you, Billie.<br />
<br />
<i>I'm a fool to want you</i><br />
<i>I'm a fool to want you</i><br />
<i>To want a love that can't be true</i><br />
<i>A love that's there for others too</i><br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.jenkehl.com/" title="My Skewed View"><img alt="My Skewed View" src="http://www.jenkehl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/mixtape-jenkehl-200.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/liquidnight/8719226934/">liquidnight</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-28187832665139436922013-10-31T19:58:00.000-04:002013-10-31T23:15:55.483-04:00Halloween Twisted Mix-Tape<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9XKrJGOSlk/UnLtOeCVm7I/AAAAAAAAFX8/dlmwBGMA300/s1600/moonandtrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9XKrJGOSlk/UnLtOeCVm7I/AAAAAAAAFX8/dlmwBGMA300/s320/moonandtrees.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<i>It’s the 31<sup>st</sup> <a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/halloween-mixtape/" target="_blank">Twisted Mix-Tape</a> blogging link up and it’s falling
on Halloween week! <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>How apropos! <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Technically <a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/halloween-mixtape/" target="_blank">Twisted Mix-Tape </a>is a Tuesday thing and today is Thursday, but I have never been on time or apropos in my life.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>This week’s theme is <b>Scary Songs</b>. I enlisted the help of everyone in my house which resulted in quite a long list.
Then I checked the parameters of the link up over at <a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/halloween-mixtape/" target="_blank">Jen’s My Skewed View </a>and realized I had way, way too many songs. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This created another challenge—editing. I am about as good at editing as I am at
being on time (or apropos).</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Here’s my five song playlist for Halloween and Twisted Mix-Tape
Tuesday (in no particular order, play it on shuffle):</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. God’s Gonna Cut You Down – Johnny Cash</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was going to go with <i>Long Black Veil</i>, then I remembered Cash's <i>God’s Gonna Cut You Down</i> and chose the latter.
I grew up Catholic with a grandmother who did not much appreciate Vatican
II and a few nuns for teachers who did not seem to appreciate children. I remember as I was preparing for my First Reconciliation in the second
grade that I was freaked out by the fact that God could not only see everything I
did, but God also knew my thoughts. I lived
in complete fear. I’m older now and
understand that as a child there is no way I was thinking about anything requiring
God to strike me down. But still, the song creeps me
out.
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
</center>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Bugs – Pearl Jam</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love this song. I
especially love that when I played it for my daughters to get it approved for this list, they asked me to turn it off. Apparently bugs creep them out as much as God did me
in my youth.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
</center>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Forty Six and 2 – Tool</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lyrics: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>My shadow's<br />
Shedding skin and<br />
I've been picking<br />
Scabs again.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I'm down<br />
Digging through<br />
My old muscles<br />
Looking for a clue.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s
for dark moments only, obviously.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Forty Six and 2</i> got the thumbs up from everyone in the house, even my Chihuahuas who know a
little something about shedding. . .fur.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. The Stone – Dave Matthews</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another one for darker moods. Another one that I like due to being raised
Catholic and always feeling like I had done something wrong. It’s a beautiful song, really. Especially this version.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Secret – The Pierces</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the theme song for the show my daughters are
obsessed with, <i>Pretty Little Liars</i>. I
find it scary when my girls sing it in unison in their pretty little voices. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<center>
<div align="center">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Be sure to check out <a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/halloween-mixtape/" target="_blank">Jen </a>and the rest of the bloggers who participated in this week's <a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/halloween-mixtape/" target="_blank">Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday</a> to see if your favorite scary song made it onto anyone's list!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.jenkehl.com/" title="My Skewed View"><img alt="My Skewed View" src="http://www.jenkehl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/mixtape-jenkehl-200.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Halloween!</span></div>
</center>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brenda-starr/6255132623/">~Brenda-Starr~</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-8608769512814309582013-10-21T01:19:00.000-04:002013-10-21T01:29:47.437-04:00Dear Daughters: I Love You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKE18aY10qY/UmS4tffeNUI/AAAAAAAAFXY/W9SNi5Z7qDk/s1600/cassatt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKE18aY10qY/UmS4tffeNUI/AAAAAAAAFXY/W9SNi5Z7qDk/s640/cassatt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I made a big announcement last month and last May that I would be blogging regularly. <br />
<br />
No more big announcements. But, I'm blogging. And the blog, this space, is in the state of being overhauled--posts relabeled, tabs removed and added, I may even purchase a more simple url. Nothing fancy. No servers and me trying to program a site. Simple. But here and consistent.<br />
<br />
So I was <a href="http://instagram.com/sperk01" target="_blank">Instagramming</a> all weekend and got minimal done here. It's OK. I love <a href="http://instagram.com/sperk01" target="_blank">Instagramming</a>. It makes me feel good. I like looking and seeing and trying to translate what I see to other people. It's difficult to do so with an old Samsung Galaxy, but I manage. And I love getting out of the house. Love it. <br />
<br />
I digress...and that's OK.<br />
<br />
I am getting the blogging ball rolling with <a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/category/monday-listicles" target="_blank">Monday Listicles</a>. One of my favorite memes. The theme this week is <i>love:</i> 10 ways to say, "I love you." Because it's midnight and I have to be up at 4:30 a.m. for work, I am going quick and easy. Rattling off of the top of my head the things I do for my two adolescent daughters...the things I do because I love them so much that it hurts. This stuff is the least I can do.<br />
<br />
And here we go.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">10 Ways I Show My Daughters I Love Them</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Dear daughters,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The next time you are angry because I ask you about your grades or suggest you clean up your room try to remember that I love you. How do you know that when I am scrunching up my face in disapproval? Here's how:</i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I tell you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I pack your lunch for school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I tuck you in at night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I sing for you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I dance for you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I wash your clothes (most of the time).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I do not require you to do many chores.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I go to all performances (choir, plays,
musicals, band)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I make you food to eat after school.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
I cry when you do something wonderful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
There's more. Much more. But this is a nice list you can memorize and recite to yourself<br />
the next time I embarrass you in public.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Love,</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
Mom</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/category/monday-listicles" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.northwestmommy.com/home/Listicle3.jpg" /></a></div>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/profzucker/8018074351/">profzucker</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-16780499020958676092013-09-25T11:54:00.000-04:002013-10-20T23:57:18.737-04:00Wednesday's Woman Returns<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WlZI-f0mOzA/UkMD3RyyQVI/AAAAAAAAFTM/cnBUFJbYnnY/s1600/ladyflying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WlZI-f0mOzA/UkMD3RyyQVI/AAAAAAAAFTM/cnBUFJbYnnY/s640/ladyflying.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I turned on comment moderation. If this is inconvenient for you, I do
apologize. While I was on hiatus from
blogging the spam took over my comment section. Moderation will help me to regain control and
give me time to clean it up. Thanks for
your patience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My hope is that the clean-up becomes maintenance and the work in
progress never ends. There’s beauty in the process, isn't there?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of process, I visited my old blogger friend <a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">The Mommy Padawan</a> just a minute ago at her space on the Web. I was grateful to see her and read her words. She’s still here! And she’s embraced her work in progress. She
is embracing change and it is working out well for her. She continues to be an inspiration to me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Read about her journey here: <a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/2013/09/06/changes/#comment-4738" target="_blank">Changes</a></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of <a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">Mommy Padawan </a>(Anna Mahler), she was significant
in helping to keep my series <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday’s Woman</a> going. In fact, I felt as if it was more <i>our </i>series
than solely mine. As I resuscitate <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sperk*</a>
I am also reviving <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday’s Woman</a>.
Today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday’s Woman</a>?
Here’s a screen shot of how it currently stands:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qgToazMBikA/UkL_yA9Fc1I/AAAAAAAAFS0/tqtWwHUgYdk/s1600/Wednesday's+Woman.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="595" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qgToazMBikA/UkL_yA9Fc1I/AAAAAAAAFS0/tqtWwHUgYdk/s640/Wednesday's+Woman.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It will stay the same.
I still want guest posts. Your
contributions, perspectives, and interpretations of what makes a Wednesday’s
Woman have been invaluable. The women
that stand out to you, have impacted you…their stories can only come from you. I need YOU!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only change I am making is instead of it being weekly,
it will now be bimonthly (occurring twice a month). I think the first and third Wednesdays of each
month will work well, don’t you? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, who wants to be my guest for next week? Don’t be surprised if you get a solicitation
for a guest post soon. Or, you could
make it easy and be the first to raise your hand. <a href="mailto:kimsperanza2@gmail.com" target="_blank">Email </a>me or leave a comment if you want to be featured here next week, or the next next week, or the week after that. If you have contributed in the past, you again can contribute. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
To get the ball re-rolling, below is a re-post honoring Anna for all her contributions to
Wednesday’s Woman. Enjoy.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ4rm-u5ayQ/UkMCS46c1YI/AAAAAAAAFTA/9DbGFxd2l2M/s1600/mommypadawaniii.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ4rm-u5ayQ/UkMCS46c1YI/AAAAAAAAFTA/9DbGFxd2l2M/s640/mommypadawaniii.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">The Mommy Padawan</a> screenshot </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_new"><img alt="The Mommy Padawan" border="0" height="150px" src="http://www.themommypadawan.com/badge/padawan-badge.jpg" width="150px" /></a><i>Last week I mentioned that <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday’s Woman</a> keeps me
going. This is true. I am grateful for all of the bloggers who
willingly take time out of their schedules to share with us stories of the
women who inspire them. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>There is one woman, a regular contributor to Wednesday’s
Woman, who is instrumental in the endurance of this series. She is flexible and forgiving of my lack of
scheduling skills. She is always willing
to read my rambling emails and regularly responds with compassion and empathy. Her name is Anna Mahler. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Anna's first submission was last <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/03/wednesdays-woman-call-to-action.html" target="_blank">March honoring Lisa Shannon</a>. For her intro I wrote: </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>This week’s Wednesday's Woman was written and submitted by Anna Mahler, of <a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">The Mommy Padawan</a>. I am certain you get the “Mommy” part. But are you familiar with the term “Padawan”?</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A "padawan" is a term for “student” taken from the film Star Wars. I think the title of Anna’s blog is fitting. She is a careful observer of life and looks to her experiences for opportunities to grow as a woman, wife, and mother. She sees her three year old son as her greatest teacher. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Students learn most through their experiences teaching others. Anna is no exception. She shares the wisdom she has gained as a wife and mother in her </i><a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/the-book/" target="_blank"><i>ebook </i>You are Loved - Caring for Our Children, Families, and Ourselves with Loving Kindness</a>.<i> </i></blockquote>
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<i>Her philosophy of self-care allows her to create a harmonious home. Self-care also allows her to recognize the importance of sharing her uplifting attitudes with the readers of her blog. I encourage you to spend time at <a href="http://themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">The Mommy Padawan</a> where you will find a voice of authenticity, grace, warmth and courage. </i></blockquote>
<i><br /></i>
<i>I’d like to honor
Anna today by revisiting all
of her contributions to Wednesday's Woman. They are linked below. Be sure to thank
her. And be sure to let her know she is
quite deserving of being honored as this week’s Wednesday’s Woman.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Wednesday's Woman: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Works of Mommy Padawan</span></div>
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<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/03/wednesdays-woman-call-to-action.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday's Woman: A Call to Action</span></a></div>
Honoring <a href="http://athousandsisters.org/about/lisa-shannon/" target="_blank">Lisa Shannon</a>, author and founder of <a href="http://www.runforcongowomen.org/" target="_blank">Run for Congo Women</a>, which is a volunteer effort to raise funds and awareness for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She also spent months in eastern Congo exploring the link between mining and the world's worst sexual violence.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U6L7hAx7NaM" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/03/wednesdays-woman-impacting-families.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday's Woman: Impacting Families</span></a><br />
Honoring <a href="http://www.orphandoctor.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Jane Aronson</a>, founder of <a href="http://www.wwo.org/" target="_blank">Worldwide Orphans Foundation</a>.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kxLjBLopVv4" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/04/wednesdays-woman-new-generation-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday's Woman: A New Generation of Widows</span></a><br />
Honoring Taryn Davis, founder of <a href="http://americanwidowproject.org/" target="_blank">American Widow Project</a>.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GzjmGvVdHws?list=UUk7rejEMBIoG1z7k3inQ1Vg" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/05/wednesdays-woman-this-is-safe-place.html?utm_source=BP_recent" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday's Woman: This is a Safe Place</span></a><br />
Honoring Diane Latiker, founder of <a href="http://www.kobchicago.org/" target="_blank">Kids Off the Block</a>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MEAs4KnzUyI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/06/wednesdays-woman-zainab-salbi.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday's Woman: Zainab Salbi </span></a><br />
Honoring Zainab Salbi, an Iraqi American writer, activist and social entrepreneur who is co-founder and president of Washington-based <a href="http://www.womenforwomen.org/" target="_blank">Women for Women International</a>.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5l9pVTXOFq8" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/08/wednesdays-woman-christy-turlington.html?" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday's Woman: Christy Turlington Burns</span></a><br />
Honoring Christy Turlington Burns, American model and founder of <a href="http://everymothercounts.org/author/christy-turlington-burns" target="_blank">Every Mother Counts</a>, a campaign to end preventable deaths caused by pregnancy and childbirth around the world.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8oXjWHo2BAk?list=UUDxbJzXvx-m2Sx9Q0vjqHvA" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/11/wednesdays-woman-being-of-service.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday's Woman: Being of Service</span></a><br />
Honoring Seane Corn, founder of <a href="http://www.offthematintotheworld.org/" target="_blank">Off the Mat and Into The World</a><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2mgB0pAbeKI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/01/wednesdays-woman-mildred-loving.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday's Woman: Mildred Loving</span></a><br />
Honoring <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/mildred-loving-5884" target="_blank">Mildred Loving</a>, civil rights activist. She and her husband successfully defeated Virginia's ban on interracial marriage.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FaHhZ4IbVYY" width="420"></iframe>
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<h2 id="subtitle" style="background-color: #f2f0e9; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 33px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">WEDNESDAY'S WOMAN</a> IS A WEEKLY FEATURE DEDICATED TO SPOTLIGHTING WOMEN WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS. . . AND THE WORLD.</span></b></i></h2>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdhancock/3677966442/">JD Hancock</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-84491829724454427702013-09-24T10:24:00.002-04:002018-09-17T21:09:27.155-04:00Hello Again<div class="MsoNormal">
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Wow. Where have I
been? I took the summer off from
blogging in order to spend more time with the kiddos. Summer turned into autumn. Swimsuits and shorts into jeans and
sweaters. So much has transpired. So much in my life has been fixed and much more is in need of fixing. I don’t know where to begin. I’ll start with a <i>welcome back </i>to me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s easy to stop blogging.
Especially if one has a gift for procrastination, which I do.</div>
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“Oh, I’ll do that link-up on Tuesday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tuesday rolls around and I say, “Well, I don’t think anyone
really wants to hear about that. I mean
really. Next Tuesday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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And so on. And so on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s difficult to start blogging after a long hiatus. It’s very difficult.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I mean, what do I say?<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Sorry it's been a while, I’m a lazy bum?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m afraid you won’t like what you read?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dribble, dribble, droll.</div>
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Fear. Fear. Fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Plus, my story is not only my own, but also belongs to the
people in my life—my partner, my daughters, the people in my community that may
read <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sperk*</a>. I feel a need to protect
them, their privacy. Plus, as far as my
daughters, I don’t want to embarrass them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I've missed having a voice, though, which is the most precious gift of blogging. Not all in this world have a voice. I do. I should be using it. Forget hiding in silence. Forget fear of judgment. Forget thoughts like, “I’m not where I should be at
this point in my life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“If I really share my opinion, I may be ignored at the next
school function.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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And so on. And so on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Furthermore as I was searching for stock photos to include with this post I came across this:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCxtGkh-cLI/UkGZUusAZBI/AAAAAAAAFSM/XBn7ykgbTpE/s1600/blogginglink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCxtGkh-cLI/UkGZUusAZBI/AAAAAAAAFSM/XBn7ykgbTpE/s400/blogginglink.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And to that I say, "whatever," because I then came across this:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zluii7rGZDY/UkGcBUGp0tI/AAAAAAAAFSY/7GF4on6eMxo/s1600/drivel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zluii7rGZDY/UkGcBUGp0tI/AAAAAAAAFSY/7GF4on6eMxo/s400/drivel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My blog’s layout needs updated. My bio needs to be rewritten. The tabs need to be made relevant. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So much to do. So much to say.</div>
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I must proceed with patience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I must acknowledge that the hard part is done—getting started.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here it is.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Blog post number one, after a very long, lonesome
hiatus. I've missed my blogging
connections. I've missed you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Hello, again.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>"Hello again, its been too long, too long, too long, hello again" DMB</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
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<i><b>I have been consistently taking mobile photos and posting on Instagram. In case you missed me there:</b></i><br />
<i><b><style>.ig-b- { display: inline-block; }
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.ig-b-48 { background-image: url(//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-sprite-48@2x.png); background-size: 60px 178px; } }</style><a class="ig-b- ig-b-48" href="http://instagram.com/sperk01?ref=badge"><img alt="Instagram" src="//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-48.png" /></a>
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<style>.ig-b- { display: inline-block; }
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.stagram.com/in/sperk01/?s=84&w=3&h=3&b=1&p=5" style="border: none; height: 294px; overflow: hidden; width: 294px;"></iframe> <!-- Webstagram - web.stagram.com -->
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<i><b><i><b>photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikkelz/3936775846/">mikkelz</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a></b></i></b></i></div>
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<i><b><i><b>photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/will-lion/3278091563/">Will Lion</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a></b></i></b></i></div>
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<i><i><b>photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/3115408661/">Travelin' Librarian</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a></b></i></i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-58785415278529968622013-06-04T21:29:00.002-04:002013-10-20T23:58:45.683-04:00Feed Your Head: A Mix Tape for Time Travel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>It’s </i><a href="http://jenkehl.com/music/twisted-mix-tape-tuesday-10/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday</a><i> and I’ve been transported back in time to <b><span style="font-size: large;">1969</span></b>. My mission is to comprise a list of songs you must listen to in this year of my birth. My mission’s instructions include keeping in mind that I </i>“. . .have no knowledge of the music to come, however [I am] fully aware of the music in [my] past and can make full use of it . . . .”<br />
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This is no easy mission. So much great music, so many great artists emerged in the '60's. Should I consider popularity? Influence and impact? I just don't know. So, these are the songs I simply think you must hear.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3NJC18Oi04" target="_blank">Jackson</a> – Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash</span><br />
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The first concert I ever attended at the tender age of three or four (I don’t remember exactly) was that of Glen Campbell at <a href="http://www.capitoltheatrewheeling.com/" target="_blank">Capitol Music Hall</a> in Wheeling, West Virginia. Guess who Campbell’s special guests were? Johnny and June! I was absolutely mesmerized.
That show was in the early ‘70’s and in keeping with my mission of not knowing what music will come post 1969 or of not knowing I would see Johnny and June in the flesh, I am safe with this choice. <i>Jackson</i> reached number 2 on the country charts in 1967.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX3AnhefltM" target="_blank">Colours</a> – Donovan</span><br />
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Donovan was considered an imitator of Bob Dylan. But as in all forms of art, when creating music there is no imitation, only inspiration.
<i>Colours</i> came to me on a mix-tape-gift by someone I don’t remember. The song, though, is so sweet, it’s unforgettable.
And although the mix tape was given to me in the 80’s, I’m safe in my mission. <i>Colours</i>, the single, was released in the UK in 1965.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Dgw_LSJ5w" target="_blank">Wishin’ and Hopin’</a> – Dusty Springfield</span><br />
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The anthem for the not yet liberated woman of the ‘60’s. Prayers don’t work. However, a great voice and stellar musical performances will get you the guy. Thank you Dusty.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww" target="_blank">These Boots are Made for Walkin’</a> – Nancy Sinatra</span><br />
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The anthem for the liberated woman of the ‘60’s, 1966 to be exact. The skirt, the boots, the legs. Am I objectifying Nancy? Forgive me, but she had the moves. And the song? Try standing still while it’s streaming from your music device (being that it's 1969, 'device' means record player or 8-track).<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-azgwfnZu7c" target="_blank">Suite: Judy Blue Eyes</a> – Crosby, Stills and Nash</span><br />
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Performed at Woodstock, this is Stephen Stills’ ode to his break-up from singer-songwriter Judy Collins. If you’re looking for a gateway song into the world of classical music, this is it. Why? It is divided into sections (very remedial reason, I know).
That being said, the real reason you should listen to this song is, well, it’s beautiful. The harmony slays my soul. (I promise to work on my ability to describe music. It’s a tough gig).<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY1l8T2Lcl0" target="_blank">Light My Fire</a> – The Doors</span><br />
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This one gets you right from Densmore’s opening crack on the drum. Then you have Manzarek’s trippy organ melody, Krieger's guitar, Morrison’s sultry voice. All very mysterious. The first time I heard it I remember stopping what I was doing (probably having a tea party with my imaginary friends) and thinking it was the strangest most wonderful thing I had ever heard. Yes, that would have been the early ‘70’s, but, once again, I’m safe in my mission. <i>Light My Fire</i> was released in 1967.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WANNqr-vcx0" target="_blank">White Rabbit</a> - Jefferson Airplane</span><br />
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Feed your head. Not with drugs. With music.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Canadian psychologists from McGill University have shown that the neurochemical benefits of music can boost the body’s immune system, reduce anxiety, and help regulate mood." </i><a href="http://brainupdates.com/2013/04/02/can-music-be-more-effective-than-drugs/" target="_blank">[source]</a></span></span><br />
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<i>OK. There is a ton of music you should listen to while visiting with me in the year of 1969: Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Monkees, The Kinks, Marvin Gaye. . . . For lack of time, I must close, and transport back to 2013. My children there are hungry.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Our soundtrack as we travel? Movie soundtracks, of course:</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuWsQSntFf0" target="_blank">The Sound of Music</a></span><br />
<i>Thank you, Rodgers and Hammerstein</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA_aFprGzyc" target="_blank">West Side Story</a></span><br />
<i>Thank you, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leonard Bernstein</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Back to 2013 in 3…2…1....</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://jenkehl.com/" title="Jen Kehl"><img alt="Jen Kehl" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/jdeneen4/mixtapejenkehl_zpsfd5bc4b5.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/epiclectic/2788246783/">epiclectic</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-71672404615090740872013-06-03T19:44:00.001-04:002018-09-18T14:53:21.075-04:00She Would Be a Freshman<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WmYm9TUBllo/Ua0pW6UnTZI/AAAAAAAAFPE/ujwA0loDU8s/s1600/origin_4395249789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WmYm9TUBllo/Ua0pW6UnTZI/AAAAAAAAFPE/ujwA0loDU8s/s640/origin_4395249789.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I remember just about a year ago, it hit me: A few months of summer and then she would be
a freshman in high school.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s when I stopped breathing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Would it be as awkward for her as it was for me? Would the same things happen to her? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Would she learn the important stuff, like how to be a friend,
how to be safe, how to be happy?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not all of her tests were marked as stellar. Not all curfews met. </div>
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There were disagreements with friends and
flirtations with potential romantic interests.
She rode around in cars with teens who were her elders, yet her peers. She made it home alive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There were triumphs and disappointments, all accompanied by
drama. Her drama. In her room.
In this house. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Celebrations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Self-criticism. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Pep-talks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Silence. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Loud music. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A beautiful face buried in an iPhone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She became mysterious.
Inaccessible at times. However,
at times she needed me like when she was a toddler. Her skills so much more developed, the challenges
greater. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The hugs were as easy to give as when she was two years old.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her freshman year officially ended a few days ago and I
allowed myself to breathe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I missed it, the air, the oxygen, the freedom. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I will not miss the fear.</div>
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Her time in high school is not going to be like it was for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She is not me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She isn't even mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, I gave birth to her.
This is true.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, she belongs to the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And she will be ready.<o:p></o:p></div>
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photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kswx29/4395249789/">kswx_29</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-53093481182755923612013-05-13T21:04:00.001-04:002013-10-20T23:59:30.145-04:0010 Worst Band Names<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKsInqfQlmM/UZGJ5tAaO3I/AAAAAAAAFOs/3oYu1ZG37rE/s1600/origin_3429657049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKsInqfQlmM/UZGJ5tAaO3I/AAAAAAAAFOs/3oYu1ZG37rE/s640/origin_3429657049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I’ve been a big fan of music since childhood and, therefore,
have become accustomed to the oddness of band names. I remember looking at album
covers of Jefferson Airplane and Abba and thinking their names were so strange
and, yet, mysterious. I liked them and
still do. However, today, I imagine at least one of them has made it onto a list of worst band names.<br />
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This evening, as I was attempting to compile a list of <i>10
Worst Band Names </i>for<i> <a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/2013/monday-listicles-98" target="_blank">Monday</a></i><a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/2013/monday-listicles-98" target="_blank"> <i>Listicles</i></a>, I found there are a ton of such lists
out there. Looking through some of them
I realized, yes, some band names are bad. But really, what are the options for
naming a band?<br />
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I mean, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Band" target="_blank">The Band</a> already
exists. The most logical name for a band
is taken.<br />
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It’s popular to name bands
after their founders and/or lead singers, and, why not? Even though it does come across as ego-maniacal,
what are the options?</div>
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Hole? Rush?
Styx? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Kansas, Boston, Chicago?<o:p></o:p></div>
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So before I give you my own list of worst band names, let me
say, I appreciate the attempts, the creative vigor, and the bravery of musicians
who give themselves a collective “name” and put themselves out there. I’m grateful for the music. (Although I could do without Butthole Surfers).<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>10 Worst Band Names</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swans_(band)" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Swans</span></a> </span>– Are they like feathered creatures
from the <i>Swan Lake</i> ballet? Do they sound
like Tchaikovsky? Maybe they should have
taken a cue from E. B. White and gone with <i>The Trumpet of the Swan</i>. At least that would evoke something musical. What does a swan sound like? Well, I found out. You can listen here: <a href="http://www.soundboard.com/sb/Swan_Sounds" target="_blank">Swan Sounds</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_C0DRXSbWM/UZGJFncYbOI/AAAAAAAAFOg/Mtwn-teetD8/s1600/large_221839613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_C0DRXSbWM/UZGJFncYbOI/AAAAAAAAFOg/Mtwn-teetD8/s200/large_221839613.jpg" width="185" /></a><a href="http://yellowostrich.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Yellow Ostrich</span></a> – Another of the ornithological variety. I actually love this band. However, do yellow ostriches exist and if so,
what do they sound like? You can find
out here (make sure to listen to the screaming ostrich selection): <a href="http://www.soundboard.com/sb/Ostrich_sounds_audio_clip" target="_blank">Ostrich Sounds</a><o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="http://www.floggingmolly.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Flogging Molly</span></a> – I actually love this band, too. And this name actually works. It’s memorable and catchy. But who’s Molly? Why is she being flogged? Wiki explains:</div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flogging_Molly" target="_blank">the band's name comes from the bar (Molly Malone's) thatfaithfully supported the band from the very beginning, "We used to playthere every Monday night and we felt like we were flogging it to death, so wecalled the band Flogging Molly.</a></blockquote>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I like that story. I
am now uncertain Flogging Molly even belongs on the list. But it stays. Onward we go….<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ournameisfun.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fun.</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>– Whenever they come on the radio I always say to my girls, “Hey! It’s fun period!” Yeah. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.toadthewetsprocket.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Toad the Wet Sprocket</span></a> </span>– Creatively derived from a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toad_the_Wet_Sprocket" target="_blank">Monty Python sketch</a>, the band meant it to be nonsensical. Whew. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_Puppy" target="_blank">Bubble Puppy</a></span> – The images this name conjures...I see my tiny Chihuahua dogs floating above me...each imprisoned in his own...bubble.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pussy_Riot" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pussy Riot</span></a> </span>– Great story, inspiring really. Very brave young women. But, you have to admit, their name is well
chosen for a prison-stay. And I just wish they could be vocal about feminist issues without naming themselves after female genitalia.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.thethe.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The The</span></a> – You would think this name would be impossible to Google. It's not. Pops right up there followed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Mister" target="_blank">Mr. Mister</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_of_the_New" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Days of the New</span></a> </span>– I find this name highly annoying. Why? I
have no clue. Does it bug you, too? Is it perpetually Easter in some parts of the world?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://davematthewsband.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dave Matthews Band</span></a> </span>– I’ve seen this on other lists. And I love this band. But even Tom Petty added “and the
Heartbreakers” to his identity. DMB simply lacks the creative spirit I expect from someone who has beguiled me for 25
shows and counting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/category/monday-listicles" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The best way to spend Monday in the blogosphere!" src="http://www.northwestmommy.com/home/Listicle3.jpg" title="Monday Listicles" /></a></div>
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</div>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/opethpainter/3429657049/">opethpainter</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a><br />
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldbaker/221839613/">ldbaker</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-19396384779159963272013-05-12T18:42:00.000-04:002013-10-21T00:00:42.190-04:00Save It for Later: Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9IVNKkySOc/UZAYj_ugdkI/AAAAAAAAFOQ/DXcLHJSJEXM/s1600/bigstock_Keyboard_Save_361431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9IVNKkySOc/UZAYj_ugdkI/AAAAAAAAFOQ/DXcLHJSJEXM/s640/bigstock_Keyboard_Save_361431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>In </i><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/save-it-for-later.html" target="_blank">Save It for Later</a><i> you’re getting a brief run-down of each week's stand-outs from things I've bookmarked to "read later" either from <a href="http://www.diigo.com/profile/sperk01" style="color: #3243ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Diigo "Read Later" list,</a> <a href="http://www.pulse.me/" style="color: #3243ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pulse News</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/sperk01" style="color: #3243ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or <a href="http://pinterest.com/sperk77/" style="color: #3243ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Read Reel Girl</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TVi-S94YN8/UZAVRdm5_MI/AAAAAAAAFN4/IbVSay3qMsI/s1600/ReelGirlScreenShot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TVi-S94YN8/UZAVRdm5_MI/AAAAAAAAFN4/IbVSay3qMsI/s200/ReelGirlScreenShot.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://reelgirl.com/" target="_blank">Reel Girl Screen Capture</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I took my 12-year-old daughter out to get her nails done on
Wednesday for our monthly “date night.”
It was a pleasant experience, she’s a fun kid and I love her so, so
much. However, the salon had their giant
flat-screen tuned to <a href="http://situationroom.blogs.cnn.com/" target="_blank">CNN’s Wolf Blitzer</a> who was going on and on about the women in Cleveland who were found and brought to safety after a decade of being held captive, raped and tortured. The coverage was annoying, to say the least, and failed to
articulate the real problems we have with violence against women in the
US. <br />
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In lieu of CNN, please check out these two articles from
<a href="http://reelgirl.com/" target="_blank">Reel Girl</a> who does a great job articulating the complexities of violence
against women in this country:</div>
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<a href="http://reelgirl.com/2013/05/ex-wife-of-ariel-castro-charged-him-with-domestic-violence-case-dropped/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 48px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Ex-wife of Ariel Castro charged him with domestic violence, case dropped</span></a><br />
<a href="http://reelgirl.com/2013/05/rep-jackie-speier-takes-the-lead-to-stop-sexual-assault-in-the-usa/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 48px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Rep. Jackie Speier takes the lead to stop sexual assault in the USA</span></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Stories about Moms</span></u></b></div>
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On a lighter note, I have been curating “<a href="http://pinterest.com/sperk77/stories-about-moms/" target="_blank">Stories about Moms</a>”
for a little over a year on <a href="http://pinterest.com/sperk77/stories-about-moms/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.
It’s a group board, so if you’re on it, start adding and a BIG "thank you" to those who have. If you would like to add some stories let me
know. If you are looking for a lot of wonderful stories about moms, you now know where to go!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yvLBVyHSv2o/UZAWcuiTqkI/AAAAAAAAFOE/v7WdHfJzkt0/s1600/storiesaboutmoms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yvLBVyHSv2o/UZAWcuiTqkI/AAAAAAAAFOE/v7WdHfJzkt0/s640/storiesaboutmoms.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/sperk77/stories-about-moms/" target="_blank">Stories about Moms</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Kid President</u></b></span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p>Lastly, I was reading some blogs in an attempt to catch up (I still haven't, but will, eventually, by the end of the year) and came across a lovely Mother's Day post from one of my favorite bloggers, <a href="http://www.rubberchickenmadness.com/2013/05/kid-president-mothers-day/" target="_blank">Kimberly Rues of Rubber Chicken Madness</a>. In it was this video message from Kid President, of course. Check it out!</o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Wednesday's Woman</b></u></span></center>
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And finally (which always follows "lastly" ...in case you didn't know) don't forget to check out the inspiring <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/05/wednesdays-woman-mothers-day-edition.html" target="_blank">Mother's Day Edition of Wednesday's Woman</a>.</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Mother's Day!</span></center>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-39619376131720357422013-05-08T15:18:00.000-04:002013-10-21T00:01:33.955-04:00Off the Cuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrWfjc57VUw/UYsC_VtjeII/AAAAAAAAFLQ/aoU5HKzSytc/s1600/medium_3213853041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrWfjc57VUw/UYsC_VtjeII/AAAAAAAAFLQ/aoU5HKzSytc/s400/medium_3213853041.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
I am still participating in BlogHer's <a href="http://www.blogher.com/blogher-topics/blogging-social-media/nablopomo" target="_blank">NaBloPoMo</a> for May. But, I haven't blogged everyday. AND I am going to make-up for it. There will be 31 posts in May.<br />
<br />
I haven't been too busy. <br />
<br />
I am no longer <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-one-thing-i-cant-say-im-depressed.html" target="_blank">depressed</a>. <br />
<br />
I could blame it on my having ADHD and not being <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/06/vyvanse-is-bitch.html" target="_blank">medicated</a>. However, ADHD is a disability that shows itself in one being unable to get started on something they do not like to do. I can use it as an excuse for my house that needs cleaned or the trip to the store I need to take. But, I like blogging. So, what's the deal?<br />
<br />
Am I lazy? <br />
<br />
I don't think so.<br />
<br />
Last Friday I woke up at 4 am to go to my gig as a nanny, picked up my daughter who was returning from camp from school at 3:30, did her laundry and packed her for her dad's pick-up at 5:30, then concluded the day volunteering at the high school for the OMEA state choir adjudication from 7-midnight.<br />
<br />
Not all of my days are like that. <br />
<br />
And my word for the year is "<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/01/time-for-patience.html" target="_blank">patience</a>" so I'm trying not to beat myself up for leaving things on my to-do list unchecked. <br />
<br />
But, I'm thinking I need an intervention. Like <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/tabatha-takes-over" target="_blank">Tabatha-Takes-Over</a>-style.<br />
<br />
I think I am simply stuck in the old behavior of depression--choosing to sit idly while watching "interesting" things online or on cable TV--because it's comfortable.<br />
<br />
It's 2:41 pm. I need to shower, get to the store for my daughter's allergy medicine and pick up both daughters from school by 3:20. The shower probably won't happen.<br />
<br />
My daughter's clarinet lesson is here tonight, in this house, and it desperately needs cleaned.<br />
<br />
I've always been last minute.<br />
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But I've always worked to change.<br />
<br />
I've been patient enough.<br />
<br />
So, blogging? I procrastinate maybe because of ADHD, but mostly because I'm afraid. <br />
<br />
"Do I sound stupid?"<br />
<br />
"Does anyone care?"<br />
<br />
Anyway...I'm writing this post totally "off the cuff", right in the Blogger "create new post" window. No Word document and editing.<br />
<br />
Fearless? <br />
<br />
I'm leaving you with the shows and videos I watched all morning instead of blogging. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did and I totally understand if you do not have time to watch two full episodes of NOVA.<br />
<br />
Thanks for listening.
<br />
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Beautiful Day U2</div>
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Bert and Ernie on Family Guy</center>
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Madeline Kahn sings with Grover (I love this so much)</center>
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Bert gets carried out of his bedroom by dancing sheep</center>
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Oh, yes, Stravinsky</center>
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I now understand God</center>
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The dancing I get, the biology, not so much</center>
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<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/doctors-diaries.html" target="_blank">NOVA - Doctor's Diaries</a></center>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WOpxrFqbljM/UYqg9ap6IgI/AAAAAAAAFJA/Dq3LJLdUzmM/s1600/drdiaries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WOpxrFqbljM/UYqg9ap6IgI/AAAAAAAAFJA/Dq3LJLdUzmM/s400/drdiaries.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/military/life-and-death-in-war-zone.html" target="_blank">NOVA - Life and Death in the War Zone</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xnvJW747Ho/UYqhfcas5DI/AAAAAAAAFJI/WDsMVTQhdDs/s1600/lifeanddeath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xnvJW747Ho/UYqhfcas5DI/AAAAAAAAFJI/WDsMVTQhdDs/s400/lifeanddeath.JPG" width="391" /></a></div>
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Linking up with:</div>
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<a href="http://www.xiomaramaldonado.com/equis-place.html" title="Your Place at Equis Place"><img alt="Your Place at Equis Place" src="http://www.xiomaramaldonado.com/uploads/7/8/4/7/7847653/1526674.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
<br />
and:</div>
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<a href="http://www.honestmom.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://honestmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/honest-mom-button-11.12-bw-150.jpg" /></a></div>
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I will be commenting. Soon. I promise.</div>
<left></left><br />
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/modestchanges/3213853041/">michal_hadassah</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-809937838361866462013-05-08T14:10:00.000-04:002013-10-21T00:02:04.590-04:00Wednesday's Woman: Mother's Day Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yL8GvSTTmcg/UYqSwNTmDuI/AAAAAAAAFIg/8dt-MDHP-ws/s1600/origin_3383537943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yL8GvSTTmcg/UYqSwNTmDuI/AAAAAAAAFIg/8dt-MDHP-ws/s640/origin_3383537943.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Welcome to the Mother’s Day edition of Wednesday’s Woman!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>When I began the <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday’s Woman</a> series I thought many I asked to guest post would write about their mothers or women who were like
mothers to them. That has not always been the
case. The scope of women highlighted
here has been greater than I anticipated and for that, I am grateful. </i><i>Still, every once
in a while, I’ll receive a guest post from a writer who wishes to honor her mother and I’m always deeply
moved. The
mother-child relationship is complex and is not necessarily bound by
biology. Adrienne Rich wrote in </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Woman-Born-Motherhood-Experience-Institution/dp/0393312844" target="_blank">Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution<i>:</i></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“Probably there is nothing in human nature more resonant with charges than the flow of energy between two biologically alike bodies, one of which has lain in amniotic bliss inside the other, one of which has labored to give birth to the other. The materials are here for the deepest mutuality and the most painful estrangement.”</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i>And Oprah has been quoted as saying:</i></div>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother."</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<i>Below are links to past Wednesday’s Woman posts by writers honoring their moms or those who mothered them. I encourage you to read them all.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Happy Mother’s Day!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Wednesday's Woman: Mother's Day Edition</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/09/wednesdays-woman-mothers-and-daughters.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mothers and Daughters</b></span></a> <span style="font-size: large;">-<i>by Missy Bedell of </i><a href="http://www.literalmom.com/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Literal Mom</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2lUBaBSvUOg/UYqLChXRxKI/AAAAAAAAFHk/3pBgbGMxFKk/s1600/bedellballoons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2lUBaBSvUOg/UYqLChXRxKI/AAAAAAAAFHk/3pBgbGMxFKk/s200/bedellballoons.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Sometimes the time for a story comes and you're afraid to
write it. I agreed to write for Sperk* for Wednesday's Woman a long time
ago. And when she reminded me that it
was today, I had a bit of a panic attack. I can write about moments. I can give you kid vignettes. I can hide behind humor and tongue in cheek
posts, like I did last week. What I normally don't give you is information
about my past. (<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/09/wednesdays-woman-mothers-and-daughters.html" target="_blank">read more</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/10/wednesdays-woman-door-is-always-open.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Door Is Always Open</span></b></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"> -<i>by M</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HffVU-5hfYA/UYqLywKyN8I/AAAAAAAAFHw/UfaPd2S39r0/s1600/brandonsHouse.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HffVU-5hfYA/UYqLywKyN8I/AAAAAAAAFHw/UfaPd2S39r0/s1600/brandonsHouse.PNG" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 23.328125px;">Susan is the mother of three extraordinary people and although I am not her son, I like to count myself as her fourth. She is married to an awesome man and father Rolf, is active member at her church and holds a master’s degree in counseling. Susan has devoted her life to helping others. She is the founder and director of Brandon’s House Counseling Center in New Albany, Indiana. While working (<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/10/wednesdays-woman-door-is-always-open.html" target="_blank">read more</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/01/wednesdays-woman-i-met-my-mother.html" target="_blank"><b>How I Met My Mother</b></a> <i>-by <a href="http://kerstinauer.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Kerstin Auer</a></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTQ3BXvqdGQ/UYqNfmdG7FI/AAAAAAAAFH8/ky8NqEHEljk/s1600/imetmymother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTQ3BXvqdGQ/UYqNfmdG7FI/AAAAAAAAFH8/ky8NqEHEljk/s200/imetmymother.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;">When thinking about women I connected with or who made an impact in my life my mother is certainly the last person I want to think about. Throughout most of my childhood and into my adulthood I considered my mother the enemy. When she got engaged to my father she was the age my daughter is now – 15 years old. She married my father when she was 17 and two years later I was born. (</span><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/01/wednesdays-woman-i-met-my-mother.html" style="color: #3243ff; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">read more</a><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;">)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/01/wednesdays-woman-fostered-by-example.html" target="_blank"><b>Fostered By Example</b></a> -<i>by Tamar at<a href="http://www.ladiesholiday.com/p/about.html" target="_blank"> Ladies Holiday</a></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvIqDbiNlpA/UYqOPBZUAVI/AAAAAAAAFII/WDT7Cd6d07Q/s1600/aunt+linda+swingcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvIqDbiNlpA/UYqOPBZUAVI/AAAAAAAAFII/WDT7Cd6d07Q/s200/aunt+linda+swingcrop.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;">My Aunt Linda, wasn't really my aunt at all. She was my mother's best friend since the age of 7, and as many best-friends-of-moms, she received the honorary title of Aunt as a way of recognizing that close connection not only to my mother but to my mother's children as well. When I was about 5-yrs-old, Aunt Linda had her first daughter (adding to her small family of two nearly grown sons), Jenny, became instantly my "cousin" or almost like my own little sister. (</span><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/01/wednesdays-woman-fostered-by-example.html" style="color: #3243ff; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">read more</a><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;">)</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/03/wednesdays-woman-three-generations.html" target="_blank">Three Generations</a> </b>-</span><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">by <a href="http://themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">Anna Mahler</a></span></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbk-aoJBwa8/UYqO4yxHbtI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/lZeRaGMMtcU/s1600/Family-holding-hands-together1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbk-aoJBwa8/UYqO4yxHbtI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/lZeRaGMMtcU/s200/Family-holding-hands-together1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Each week, I look forward to reading all the awesome <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Wednesday's Woman</a> posts here at <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sperk*</a>. I've learned about well known women doing great things and causing needed change, everyday heroes and even women who are no longer with us but through their own courage and drive, was changing lives and the world we live in before I was even born.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But some of my favorites have been the personal friends and family some have written about and I have to admit, I often feel twinges of jealousy while reading. <i>I wish I had a great female role model, someone personal involved in my life today. (<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/03/wednesdays-woman-three-generations.html" style="color: #3243ff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">read more</a>)</i></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">WEDNESDAY'S WOMAN</a> IS A WEEKLY FEATURE DEDICATED TO SPOTLIGHTING WOMEN WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS. . . AND THE WORLD.</span></b></i></h2>
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photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3383537943/">Pink Sherbet Photography</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a><br />
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;">photo credit: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlietakesphotos/47510348/" style="color: #3243ff; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-decoration: none;">Indy Charlie</a><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"> via </span><a href="http://photopin.com/" style="color: #3243ff; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px; text-decoration: none;">photopin</a><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" style="color: #666666; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;">cc</a></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-10440411703649336502013-05-06T13:32:00.000-04:002013-10-21T00:02:55.936-04:0010 Things I Love That Cost Nothing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHFzoYDKLQY/UYfomuuMlkI/AAAAAAAAFHY/wFQ5Z0PjsnU/s1600/origin_4420283787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHFzoYDKLQY/UYfomuuMlkI/AAAAAAAAFHY/wFQ5Z0PjsnU/s640/origin_4420283787.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Today’s theme for </i><a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/2013/monday-listicles-97" target="_blank">Monday Listicles</a><i> is </i>10 Things I Love That Cost Nothing<i>. I thought about how much I love watching
movies on HBO, playing games on my smartphone, and eating hummus from Trader
Joe’s. But when considering the cable, Sprint and grocery bills, those all technically cost
something. So, for today’s list, I
tried to choose things that bring me joy that are not linked to any sort of
recurring payment. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>10 Things I Love That Cost Nothing</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>(In no particular order)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>*Listening to music</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Exchanging smiles with a stranger</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Writing</span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Taking naps</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>*Hearing my girls practice their music</b></span>—Sophia sings, Antonia plays clarinet<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>*Laughing, dancing, talking, anything with my kids</b></span> (the video below is old, like at least two years old. Yay! for this post which has reminded me that I need to make more).</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzVT7Tglx6b6BEWlC3VE3HoneIlc2b0mt6Jka4Xtew7hZnqdlZwxDGew2qid1314Ju2GA1tPp_n4C9hVnq5HQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>*Dancing</b> </span> (this <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/06/dancing-on-river.html" target="_blank">video</a> is also old. It's from last June. I promise more in the future because I know you love them.)<o:p></o:p><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzoT3HY22toQouhqM0pBLO8HkByOi6EhTl1Lm8OF1A3LqSZG60I65349PnbzXBWg36XVYXjzKDW54In8-g7Iw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></center>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Feeling the warm sun on my face</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Sitting with my dog, <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2012/05/memories-captured-frodo.html" target="_blank">Frodo</a>, on my lap</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Tucking my girls into bed at night</span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">What brings you joy?</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/category/monday-listicles" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The best way to spend Monday in the blogosphere!" src="http://www.northwestmommy.com/home/Listicle3.jpg" title="Monday Listicles" /></a></div>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kbphoto/4420283787/">bigvern</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-56183595328903963542013-05-02T23:10:00.000-04:002013-10-21T00:03:49.405-04:00Really?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l2StJwSntz0/UYMpXxUxnFI/AAAAAAAAFG4/Z3rSluQoq6Y/s1600/origin_6081397469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l2StJwSntz0/UYMpXxUxnFI/AAAAAAAAFG4/Z3rSluQoq6Y/s640/origin_6081397469.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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“Isn’t this bag cute?” I asked her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“If you’re a grandma or a 7<sup>th</sup>-grader,” she
replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Really?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Really?<o:p></o:p></div>
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The five year old that I watch always says “Really?! Really?!” to her 15-month-old little sister
when she snatches her Barbie dolls. She’s
a tiny little thief who just can’t wait to get caught.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All smiles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes there are hot tears of anger from the five year
old who gets fed-up with the toy snatching.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But generally it’s all smiles, all around.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I left the 15-month-old’s diaper bag in my car, so it came
home with me. When I showed it to my
teen daughter she scrunched her nose and said, “Mom, you’re a bad nanny!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was cute.</div>
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Then I asked her to confirm the cuteness of the bag. </div>
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She’s not mean. She’s just honest. I’m not as cool as I think.</div>
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I’m 43. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I do not wish to be a 7<sup>th-</sup>grader or a
grandma. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I sometimes wish to be somewhere in between, or, maybe,
farther along.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am uncomfortable.
Sometimes the thoughts swirl: “I should be more successful. I should have saved. I should have a career.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The celebration of another year is on the horizon. I feel it in the unseasonable heat of the
day. Summers end will bring me to 44.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps I’ll settle into now.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Really.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What type of bags are the 40-somethings carrying?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.nablopomo.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="NaBloPoMo May 2013" height="150" src="https://www.blogher.com/files/NaBloPoMo_052013_175x150_COMFORT.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.xiomaramaldonado.com/equis-place.html" title="Your Place at Equis Place"><img alt="Your Place at Equis Place" src="http://www.xiomaramaldonado.com/uploads/7/8/4/7/7847653/1526674.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>I've committed to blogging everyday in May with <a href="http://www.blogher.com/blogher-topics/blogging-social-media/nablopomo" target="_blank">BlogHer's NaBloPoMo</a>. The theme this month is 'comfort'. </i></div>
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<i>Why would I do such a thing? </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>To challenge myself.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>And because I was inspired by <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.xiomaramaldonado.com/1/post/2013/04/your-place-at-equis-place-link-up.html" target="_blank">Xiomara</a> who did it three months in a row. Yes, she blogged everyday for three months in a row!</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>This post is included in her new weekly link up called <a href="http://www.xiomaramaldonado.com/1/post/2013/04/your-place-at-equis-place-link-up.html" target="_blank">'Your Place'</a>. Click the badge above to check it out.</i></span></span></div>
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photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaliej54/6081397469/">goaliej54</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-81380643219705332892013-05-01T13:19:00.001-04:002014-03-16T13:35:55.285-04:00Wednesday's Woman: Giving Children Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zxRAridSqGeW2LdBW3mAkYzNl3igxpGqDXC2oU9pJ1URXF_UIFFJB1KxcmXVZ0P0_yXt4D0siUGNXF_67lWgh3yocpidIz4iiD1jaiNkIj5YoLX4Ttb6FgW6DTwrZ3L4xaLreVE3TBQW/s1600/dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zxRAridSqGeW2LdBW3mAkYzNl3igxpGqDXC2oU9pJ1URXF_UIFFJB1KxcmXVZ0P0_yXt4D0siUGNXF_67lWgh3yocpidIz4iiD1jaiNkIj5YoLX4Ttb6FgW6DTwrZ3L4xaLreVE3TBQW/s1600/dandelion.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Happy May!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday's Woman</a> is back with an inspiring story by regular contributor, Anna Mahler, who writes at <a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">The Mommy Padawan</a>. What I like most about the woman Anna has chosen to honor is that she has made it easy for us to be of service to children in need. We do not need to leave the comfort of our homes to make a difference in the lives of children who have been the victims of abuse and neglect. So, no excuses!</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Wednesday's Woman: Giving Children Hope</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">by <a href="http://themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">Anna Mahler</a></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVoHcmHXo5VLfHbGh1IiHmkSqXIZXF6F3hV2Ycznue-Dqn55BcTd_m_Ffza_wguAwNy9DEvYFOs99qvGlMM7uTPrBxT5q3Duz5BC4r2U5vRIPxCbxi8kle2PtxZJxWFJLUoMdpnpmWvrv/s1600/onesimplewish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVoHcmHXo5VLfHbGh1IiHmkSqXIZXF6F3hV2Ycznue-Dqn55BcTd_m_Ffza_wguAwNy9DEvYFOs99qvGlMM7uTPrBxT5q3Duz5BC4r2U5vRIPxCbxi8kle2PtxZJxWFJLUoMdpnpmWvrv/s1600/onesimplewish.JPG" height="252" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot from <a href="http://www.onesimplewish.org/" target="_blank">One Simple Wish</a></td></tr>
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Opening your home and heart to foster a child can be such a
kind and beautiful act. Foster parents who provide safe, loving and stable
environments have real impact and can change a child’s life for the better.
Often, these children are or have been lacking many of the bare necessities we
sometimes take for granted so when other needs arise, like needing a nice
outfit or being able to go on a special outing, it can feel hopeless and not
even worth asking for.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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After recognizing these needs and wanting to do something
about them, today children in the foster care system have a new way to ask for
things they need and all of us, even those who are not foster parents, have a
way to help. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/us/cnnheroes-gletow-foster-wishes" target="_blank">Danielle Gletow</a> and her husband Joe have been foster parents
since 2006. After hearing friends and family express that they would like to
help children separated from their families as well, Danielle wanted to find a
way for people to connect with the needs of these children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/us/cnnheroes-gletow-foster-wishes/index.html" target="_blank">"(They) would say, 'I really wish there was something I could do, but I don't want to be a foster parent,' " Gletow said. "I just felt like, this is my opportunity to create something that makes it possible for all of these children who need something to get connected to all of these wonderful people that are out there, that want to help them."</a></blockquote>
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This was the inspiration for, <a href="http://www.onesimplewish.org/" target="_blank">One Simple Wish</a>. Wishes are submitted and approved for kids by
social service agencies and caseworkers all over the country. Some of the
wishes I read range from a child aging out of the system in need of bedding for
his college dorm room, a new bike for a 4 year old girl who loves to play
outside, a photography class for a budding artist, a gift card for clothing for
a 12 y/o in the care of her grandma and another was simply asking for new shoes
for school.<br />
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So many of the wishes are basic things I would not even
think twice about providing for my own child but for children who may not have
an adult in their life they can even go to and ask, it's the little things that
mean so much. For many, they have felt let down so many times, they don't feel
their voices will be heard so it's not even worth wishing or asking anymore.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/us/cnnheroes-gletow-foster-wishes/index.html" target="_blank">"Anybody -- anywhere, anytime -- can go on our website,and they can look at hundreds of wishes that are posted on behalf of children in foster care and children in vulnerable family environments," Gletow said. "These small things make an enormous difference in the life of a child who has spent their entire life wondering if anybody cares about them."</a></blockquote>
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Along with One Simple Wish, Danielle Gletow's nonprofit
office is home to two other projects that also benefit foster youths and
families in New Jersey.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The <a href="http://onesimplewish.org/ohana.shtml" target="_blank">Ohana Project </a>helps foster kids, foster-care workers
and families by providing 24/7 access to items that can ease a child's
transition into a new placement or home like new baby supplies, bed linens,
blankets, pajamas and other items.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The <a href="http://www.onesimplewish.org/programs.shtml" target="_blank">Wish to Work</a> program assists older children get the
skills needed in professional careers.
They provide job-training
seminars, networking events, résumé feedback and other assistance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It can take so little to make a difference in a child's
life, to give them hope, let them know they are being heard and that someone
cares about them. With One Simple Wish, Danielle does all this and more along
with allowing all of us the opportunity to make a positive impact as well.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Danielle Gletow is nominated as a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/us/cnnheroes-gletow-foster-wishes" target="_blank">2013 CNN Hero</a>. You can
learn more about her and wonderful ways to help a child at <a href="http://onesimplewish.org/" target="_blank">OneSimpleWish.org.</a><o:p></o:p><br />
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<h2 id="subtitle" style="background-color: #f2f0e9; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 33px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">WEDNESDAY'S WOMAN</a> IS A WEEKLY FEATURE DEDICATED TO SPOTLIGHTING WOMEN WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS. . . AND THE WORLD.</span></b></i></span></h2>
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photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/3173554046/">ecstaticist</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-81073453268214372382013-04-29T20:48:00.000-04:002013-10-21T00:05:30.846-04:00Acronyms: "Mom, Nobody Uses Those Anymore!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXtibzsX-vY/UX8SvrJtDnI/AAAAAAAAFFo/rG9TUbTRc_g/s1600/large_4042668609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXtibzsX-vY/UX8SvrJtDnI/AAAAAAAAFFo/rG9TUbTRc_g/s640/large_4042668609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>My writing chops are a little rusty. I can feel it. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Apparently, my knowledge of acronyms is terribly dated as
well. I can feel that, too—especially
when my daughter, upon reading my text, exclaims, “Mom! LOL? Nobody uses that anymore!”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>No worries. </i><b><a href="http://www.ladiesholiday.com/2013/04/ladies-in-know-with-kimberly-from-sperk.html" target="_blank"><i>I am a </i>Lady in the Know<i> at </i>Ladies Holiday<i>.</i></a></b><i>
I am honored to take up a little room at their space, so check it out.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<center>
<a href="http://www.ladiesholiday.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Ladies Holiday" src="http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r499/ladiesholiday/LHBlogBadgestarsandcorners_zpsf085249d.jpg" /></a></center>
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<i>Now what about those acronyms which just happen to be today’s
theme at <a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/2013/monday-listicles-96" target="_blank">Monday Listicles</a>? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Well, for that, I had to ask my daughters (who are 12 and
14, arguably more in the know than I) for input. The consensus was that really, no
one uses them at all anymore. They are a thing
of the past. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I didn't believe it. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>With a little prodding, I got my girls to help me compile a
list. Here’s what we came up with:</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">10 Acronyms We Still Use </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">(even though nobody really uses
them anymore)</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">LOL</span></b> – According to my 14 year old this acronym for <i>laugh out loud</i> is no longer used as a
way to express the fact that one is laughing.
She said it is used to make a statement less awkward, like, “I saw you
at the store, LOL.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">LAWLZ</span></b> – Apparently this is the new LOL. What each letter stands for is unknown to
anyone in this household. I would guess
the L’s stand for <i>laugh</i> and <i>loud</i>.
The rest is up for interpretation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HBU</span></b> – 14yo still uses this one for <i>how ‘bout you</i>, confirming the fact that teenagers exaggerate (see
title).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">SMH</span></b> – I have seen this one in my 14yo’s Instagram feed. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what
it meant and had been dying to ask her.
I hesitated for weeks because I was afraid it was something wacky and
inappropriate. Nope. It’s harmless: <i>shake my head.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">TBT</span></b> – Another one from Instagram<i>: Throwback Thursday<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">IDK</span></b> – Oldie but goodie: <i>I
don’t know<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">BRB</span></b><i> – Be right back, </i>respectively
submitted by my 12yo<i>.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">JK</span></b> <i>– Just kidding, </i>respectively
submitted by my 12yo<i>.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">CSA</span></b> – I usually use it with a hashtag in front of it and the
word 'survivor' behind it: <i>child sexual abuse</i>. (Uncomfortable? <a href="http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6250779/k.4BB6/How_Prevalent_is_Child_Sexual_Abuse.htm" target="_blank">Statistics point to CSA being an epidemic</a>. Do something).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HALT</span></b> – I love that this was the first acronym my girls
reminded me of upon asking them for help with this list. It’s one I learned in recovery and have
taught them to use to discern their moods: <i>hungry,
angry, lonely, tired. </i>If they seem annoyed
or down, I’ll ask “How many letters do you have in HALT? How can you take care of it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here’s to HALT and here’s
to you, LOL. (Yes, I’m trying to end this post with as little awkwardness as
possible.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.northwestmommy.com/category/monday-listicles" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The best way to spend Monday in the blogosphere!" src="http://www.northwestmommy.com/home/Listicle3.jpg" title="Monday Listicles" /></a></div>
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/seeminglee/4042668609/">See-ming Lee 李思明 SML</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-82029416511829332352013-04-27T16:14:00.000-04:002013-10-21T00:06:27.224-04:00Save It for Later: 3 Things April<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ie5aFgD9KE/UXwfG-0B29I/AAAAAAAAFD0/iTh9-gTjoyw/s1600/bigstock_Keyboard_Save_361431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ie5aFgD9KE/UXwfG-0B29I/AAAAAAAAFD0/iTh9-gTjoyw/s400/bigstock_Keyboard_Save_361431.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>In <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/save-it-for-later.html" target="_blank">Save It for Later</a> you’re getting a brief run-down of each
week's stand-outs from things I've bookmarked to "read later" either
from my Diigo "Read Later" list, Pulse News, <a href="http://twitter.com/sperk01" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and/or
<a href="http://pinterest.com/sperk77/" target="_blank">Pinterest.</a><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I haven’t blogged for a month, so my </i>read later<i> list is
quite extensive. I’ll spare you the lot
of it and share with you what I think is most important. All happen to be relating to April.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epg-OiZxAY8/UXwvsQmhANI/AAAAAAAAFE0/UTNAwo8bJqU/s1600/Poetry+Month.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-epg-OiZxAY8/UXwvsQmhANI/AAAAAAAAFE0/UTNAwo8bJqU/s200/Poetry+Month.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">April is <a href="http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41" target="_blank">National Poetry Month</a>.</span></b> This week <a href="http://www.blogher.com/6-amazing-last-minute-ways-celebrate-national-poetry-month?page=full" target="_blank">BlogHer</a> gave us <a href="http://www.blogher.com/6-amazing-last-minute-ways-celebrate-national-poetry-month?page=full" target="_blank">6 Amazing Last-Minute Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month</a>. I really like #5 which is an
online app called <a href="http://yes.thatcan.be/my/next/tweet/" target="_blank">That Can Be My Next Tweet </a>that mashes up your own Twitter
stream to create tweets that are somewhat poetic. I tried the app. Here are some of my mashed up tweets:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>I Want and comment. I Want and the lights go. Do I pay my
friend, Anna Mahler....</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><b>Linking up with a great info you've been posting here and
doing nothing.</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><b>Couldn't be happier to one's courage. - I am now a
difference in the great women making history?</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Number 7 on the BlogHer list, spine poetry, is also fun. Stack up a few books, take a photo of their
spines, and voila, their titles make poetry.
Here’s one that I attempted:<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOqg7QAp0zM/UXwoGU4c8iI/AAAAAAAAFEc/kcPlHFrKCH4/s1600/spinepoetrykids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOqg7QAp0zM/UXwoGU4c8iI/AAAAAAAAFEc/kcPlHFrKCH4/s400/spinepoetrykids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can share yours on Twitter with the hashtag
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23spinepoetry&src=typd" target="_blank">#spinepoetry</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For more ideas on last minute National Poetry Month
celebrations check out the <a href="http://www.blogher.com/6-amazing-last-minute-ways-celebrate-national-poetry-month?page=full" target="_blank">BlogHer</a> article or <a href="http://poets.org/" target="_blank">Poets.org</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBaGj1nWsFo/UXwvaAq_FxI/AAAAAAAAFEs/bMWPmyLIM48/s1600/child-abuse-prevention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBaGj1nWsFo/UXwvaAq_FxI/AAAAAAAAFEs/bMWPmyLIM48/s320/child-abuse-prevention.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.</span> </span></b> As a survivor of child sexual abuse this is
an awareness campaign close to my heart. Like most of these month-long campaigns,
I feel it is one that should be at the forefront of our awareness all
year.</div>
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In the pursuit to eradicate child abuse the most important
tool is prevention. Prevention can only
happen through education, answering the question of “how do we stop this from happening?” The <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/" target="_blank">Child Welfare Information Gateway</a> has a
wealth of information on prevention geared towards parents, professionals and
educators. I also have been curating information
on prevention on <a href="http://pinterest.com/sperk77/prevention-child-abuse/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> for over a year. There are several organizations working towards the prevention of child abuse. The video below is from one such organization, <a href="http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6035035/k.8258/Prevent_Child_Sexual_Abuse.htm#.UXwwx7XvuSo" target="_blank">Darkness to Light</a>.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaC1Spv-DFg/UXwxG3THe5I/AAAAAAAAFFA/ipcB2kulnOw/s1600/talkearlytalkoftenlogoweb_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaC1Spv-DFg/UXwxG3THe5I/AAAAAAAAFFA/ipcB2kulnOw/s320/talkearlytalkoftenlogoweb_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month</span></b>. In light of the <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/2013/03/steubenville-can-be-prevented.html" target="_blank">Steubenville rape case</a>
getting so much media attention, this campaign couldn’t be more timely. I have been gathering information on
preventing sexual assault at Pinterest and you can check out some very
informative links by clicking <a href="http://pinterest.com/sperk77/prevention-sexual-assault/" target="_blank">here</a>. The <a href="http://www.nsvrc.org/saam" target="_blank">National Sexual Violence Resource Center</a> is always my first stop for solid, accessible information. Their current campaign is "Talk early, talk often. Prevent sexual violence" </div>
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Also,
check out the newly launched <a href="http://nomore.org/" target="_blank">NO MORE</a>, “The first unifying symbol to express
support for ending domestic violence and sexual assault,” which provides tools
for individuals to get involved locally and on social media in order to shed
light on the invisible problems of sexual assault and domestic violence. I downloaded their free toolkit containing sample social media posts, email templates, and more. I think it's great and you should download and use it, too: <a href="http://nomore.org/the-no-more-toolkit/" target="_blank">Activate NO MORE</a></div>
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<i>April is just about to turn into May but don't expect this to be the last you read here about the prevention of child abuse and the awareness/prevention of sexual assault. Beware, I just may subject you to the torture of my own poetry, too!</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-71199789396513692882013-03-27T09:38:00.000-04:002014-03-16T13:56:45.329-04:00Wednesday's Woman: Girls Can Do Math<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmdd56CnIpI/UVLtksocmLI/AAAAAAAAE_U/4zk2rmn50Tw/s1600/beth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>Today’s guest blogger has a passion for running and is a refreshing
voice for gender equality. Beth at <a href="http://i-run-like-a-girl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">run +travel</a> writes:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i></i><br />
<i></i></div>
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<i><b>We're all runners (boys and girls alike). We speak a common
language. We share inside jokes. We have the same urge to run. I look forward
to sharing the road (and trails) with you.</b></i></blockquote>
<br />
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<i>Join Beth on her journey at <a href="http://i-run-like-a-girl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">run + travel</a>, like her on
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Run-Travel/350847418275719" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and follow her on <a href="https://twitter.com/RunTraveler" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</i></div>
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<i><b>Thank you, Beth!</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Girls Can Do Math</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://i-run-like-a-girl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">by Beth</a></span><br />
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Let's rewind about 20 years. I'm sitting in a high school
algebra classroom, and a teacher is walking up and down the rows of desks,
handing back midterm exams. I am anxious. I know I didn't do well. Still, the
big red 2 and 7 on the top of my paper is a rude awakening. Nearly three
quarters of my answers are WRONG. (Random guessing would have been more
efficient and more successful.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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A knot forms in the pit of my stomach, and I wonder whether
or not it matters that I don't understand algebra. Maybe I'll become a famous
painter, and algebra won't make a lick of difference in my life. Still, artistic
career plan or not, this failure feels abysmal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At this point, many (most) teachers would throw in the
towel, write me off as a loss, and drop me down to a lower track math class the
following year. (Some would not wait the year. I’d be demoted mid-stream.)
After all, 27% is a completely, incomprehensibly low grade that implied I was
not doing the homework, didn't it?<o:p></o:p></div>
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My math teacher, however, did not write me off as a loss.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In fact, Mrs. V., as she was known to her students, became
my exceptionally talented and dedicated mentor. After the train wreck of a
midterm exam, Mrs. V pulled me aside to let me know that one bad midterm would
not ruin my math career (famous foreshadowing words), and that, with hard work
and concentration, I would have opportunities to improve my grade.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mrs. V. understood that students have different learning
styles, so she taught every lesson three ways: the theoretical approach, the
visual one (bringing charts, graphs, and what we now know of as
"visualization tools," into her 1990s classroom), and what we
jokingly referred to as the "brute force" approach. (Read: If you
can't solve the equation using theory or a graph, plug in numbers until you
find a solution that fits!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mrs. V. also understood that many heads are often better
than one. She encouraged students to work in teams and help one another
understand the concepts. She was wise enough to explain concepts clearly, but
humble enough to know that sometimes a second or third teacher – even if it was
another student – might illuminate subjects in a way that one alone could not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With her ceaseless efforts, algebra (finally) started to
make sense. Once the visual cues clicked for me, the theoretical underpinnings
of the math problems fell into place. I passed algebra and progressed to
Algebra II, and then on to advanced Calculus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At a time when the book Men Are From Mars, Women Are From
Venus was at the top of bestseller lists, suggesting with "science"
(*cough*) that women were "good" communicators, and men were
"good" in the sciences, Mrs. V. saw promise in her students - boys
and girls alike. At a time when Mattel pandered to every horrible gender
stereotype by releasing a talking Barbie doll who said "Math is
tough!" my teacher proved that girls could do calculus, do it well, and
make it look easy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am now a demographer and statistician, thanks in no small
part to the effort of a woman who didn't believe "math is tough," and
who wouldn't let her students accept that defeatism either.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">This is not Mrs V., however Beth supplied this photo of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smithsonian/3322780400/" target="_blank">Mary Blade</a> to accompany her story. It is fitting and very timely for <a href="http://womenshistorymonth.gov/" target="_blank">Women's History Month</a>. </span></span><br />
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<h2 id="subtitle" style="background-color: #f2f0e9; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 33px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">WEDNESDAY'S WOMAN</a> IS A WEEKLY FEATURE DEDICATED TO SPOTLIGHTING WOMEN WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS. . . AND THE WORLD.</span></b></i></span></h2>
<br />
<br />
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronescobar/3216290796/">Aaron Escobar</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-21961816869382649252013-03-24T23:33:00.001-04:002021-03-17T19:26:24.274-04:00Steubenville Can Be Prevented<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaXNHOVOoGzL1zKR3MDkAinrJeMl8PkCViXmBrQVVz2B3yIp-DJvyQcArzJixnQU1GeTlMN2NOLu_Xaiazt353m9AV6q42WQXN-xy7FFA_QZ8_zkdnnTkFAwTxETTVs0J7LLRrVjIu9zX/s720/Steubenville_Ohio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaXNHOVOoGzL1zKR3MDkAinrJeMl8PkCViXmBrQVVz2B3yIp-DJvyQcArzJixnQU1GeTlMN2NOLu_Xaiazt353m9AV6q42WQXN-xy7FFA_QZ8_zkdnnTkFAwTxETTVs0J7LLRrVjIu9zX/s320/Steubenville_Ohio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It was mid-December when I first heard about the horrific
gang rape of an unconscious high school female.
She was repeatedly sexually assaulted by drunken, egomaniacal, high school football
players that she knew in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/steubenville-rape" target="_blank">Steubenville, Ohio</a>.
In her lifeless state, she was dragged from party to party where many
witnesses, including <a href="http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/01/local-leaks-tipsters-allege-steubenville-victim-was-drugged/60597/" target="_blank">adults</a>, did nothing to stop the assaults. Some involved posted their crimes on social
media and thankfully someone saw it.
Even though the female prosecutor in Steubenville told the victim not to
press charges because it would cause her more trouble than she needed, the
organization <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/01/03/steubenville_ohio_rape_anonymous_gets_involved_and_the_case_gets_even_more.html" target="_blank">Anonymous</a> ran with the story. Recently, two of the perpetrators were <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/highschool--steubenville-high-school-football-players-found-guilty-of-raping-16-year-old-girl-164129528.html" target="_blank">brought to justice</a> but not without
retaliation on <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/03/teen-girls-charged-for-allegedly-threatening-steubenville-ohio-rape-victim/" target="_blank">Facebook </a>towards the victim. <br />
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When I first heard about Steubenville, I could not bring myself to write about it. It was too close to home for
me. I grew up very close to
Steubenville, in a small, Rust Belt, Ohio town that put football players on a pedestal. When I was in high school I got drunk one night and was taken advantage
of by a football player while another football player stood by and did nothing. The entire
school found out about it. My reputation from then on was diminished. I felt shame.
I felt I was at fault.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Several years later in my adult life, that football player admitted his wrong-doing and apologized to me. Yet, to this day, I struggle with the though of how I could have prevented it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Even though my situation was different than that of the
victim in Steubenville, I feel for her. I know a bit of that pain, alienation, and shame. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know the anger and I am angry for her. Angry at
the Steubenville community. Angry at the <a href="http://m.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/03/steubenville-police-tapes/63463/" target="_blank">kids who stood by and allowed it to happen</a>. Angry at the
adults who supplied alcohol and/or did nothing to stop the partying.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am also afraid. Afraid
for a society that continues to blame the victim,
claiming she was a “slut” and deserved to be raped. I’m afraid of the sympathy offered to the perpetrators, a sign of the entitled male code that is
tightly woven within our culture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mostly, I am afraid for my daughter who is a freshman in high
school.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are many aspects and layers to the tragedy in Steubenville
that need to be addressed: the culture of football, violence towards women,
shaming women who have sex, etc. It’s
overwhelming. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What can I do? <o:p></o:p></div>
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As a mother of a daughter
who is a freshman in high school, I can begin at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, I have been been discussing Steubenville with my
daughter a lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She doesn’t like the subject matter. When I bring it up, she usually says
something like, “Oh no, not this again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Topics surrounding Steubenville that we have discussed have
been drinking, sex, social media and what constitutes labeling someone as a “slut.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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These are all heavy topics, topics which lend themselves to me
sometimes lecturing rather than listening, so I understand her unwillingness to
discuss the situation. But I won’t back
down. One of the
main problems or causes of Steubenville was lack of parenting.<br />
<br />
These topics aren’t easy to address with our
children. Some, maybe most, parents
simply don’t address these issues out of fear.
And yes, I can tell you from experience that these matters are scary to
bring up. But we can’t guide our
children safely to the doorstep of adolescence and simply stop parenting because
we are afraid. When we stop parenting we
fail them. Small incidents turn into
crimes because our children have not had the opportunity to discuss these
issues. They’ve been denied the
opportunity develop skills to handle difficult situations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><b><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The Label of Slut</span></b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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One of the most interesting things I have found out by
discussing Steubenville with my daughter is the conundrum of the “slut.” Before I go any further, I need to state that
I detest the term and am only using it because it is relevant to the circumstances.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />When Steubenville first came up in December and I brought it
to the attention of my daughter she seemed unmoved. I’m not certain, but it seemed she had heard
the victim was a “slut.” So, I asked, “If
the victim was one of your friends, how would you feel?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She said, “I would be really very upset.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Therefore, we had to discuss this whole “slut” business.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I said, I don’t like the word. And within my daughter’s high school
community, I don’t understand the use of the word at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One definition of “slut” is <i>an offensive term for a woman thought to be sexually promiscuous</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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OK. I get the
definition. What I don’t get is how the
kids in high school--in Steubenville and in my daughter’s high school--determine
which promiscuous female is awarded the label “slut.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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My daughter has confirmed and has even been upset by the
fact that the popular girls at her school are sexually promiscuous. But are they “sluts” or are they “popular?” In her school, they are not one in the
same. Does a female’s popularity keep
her from being labeled “slut,” and if so, why?<o:p></o:p></div>
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About a year ago her school community labeled a student a “slut” for being involved in giving her boyfriend oral sex. It got so bad that the girl changed schools
because her reputation became too much for her to handle. To my knowledge, the boyfriend was not
labeled anything and is still a student at the school—an example of that
destructive, mysterious and acceptable male code. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, remember, my daughter has confirmed that the
popular girls in her school do have sex, but do not deal with an undesirable
reputation. What makes them different?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not sure of the answer.
It could be socioeconomics. It
could be determined by which group the females associate with and how much
social status the group has within the school.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let's be real. Teens have sex regardless of social or
socioeconomic status. And regardless of social or socioeconomic status, having sex does
not mean one is a “slut”. </div>
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The labeling, name-calling, and bullying
of teens who have sex is
a destructive micro-cultural phenomenon that has been used as a device to
create social hierarchy in high schools and it perpetuated by parents,
teachers and administrators who do not address the issue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The negative connotation of being labeled a “slut” is so bad
that during the Steubenville case it was posted on social media by several
people--students and adults--that the victim deserved to be raped because she
was a “slut.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Labeling one as a “slut” is a power move has nothing to do with sex. Such is rape.
It’s about power, not sex.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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This power-play usage of the word "slut" (and words like it, as in whore) is incredibly damaging. Those labeled as "sluts" feel shame and feel trapped into behavior they may not even like or be comfortable with. Those doing the labeling are not only hypocrites, but are also getting their need for power fed that can can never be satisfied.</div>
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When I have talked to my daughter about it it's tricky. She struggles with wanting to fit in with the popular crowd. She struggles with wanting to be noticed by
boys. In anger, in a way to gain her own
power, I could see her labeling someone as a “slut.” Meaning, I understand from where it derives, but that doesn't make it OK.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not sure I’ve persuaded her that labeling promiscuous
females as “sluts” is very wrong. But I’m
getting there. And I urge every parent
of a teen to have such conversations with their children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><b><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Alcohol</span></b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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The victim and the perpetrators in the Steubenville tragedy
were drinking to the point of intoxication.
In my own high school experience wherein I was taken advantage of by a
football player, I was drunk. I know for
certain that the absence of alcohol would have prevented my situation. It seems the absence of alcohol could have
prevented Steubenville, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Where did the alcohol come from and who knew they were
drinking?<o:p></o:p></div>
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In my situation the alcohol was provided by a parent, my
mother. I don’t know who provided the
alcohol to the students of Steubenville, but there are reports<a href="http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/01/local-leaks-tipsters-allege-steubenville-victim-was-drugged/60597/" target="_blank"> that adults</a> knew
they were drinking and it was commonplace for the football team to party. In fact, in one <a href="http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/01/local-leaks-tipsters-allege-steubenville-victim-was-drugged/60597/" target="_blank">account</a>, the first party the
victim was taken to was allegedly the home of the assistant football coach—an adult and a
mentor to these kids. Why didn’t he stop
the party? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I talk to my daughter about drinking. I tell her the things that can happen. And I know stuff has happened in our
community. </div>
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Many parents in our community
allow kids in their homes when they are not in the home to chaperone.
This is a point of contention between my daughter and me. I won’t allow her in homes where parents are
not present. It’s difficult because it
seems she is the only one of her friends with the rule.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But as I said, I know things have transpired between high school
students in our community wherein alcohol is involved. Just last year, a group of male and female
students were drinking in someone’s home and it evolved into a <a href="http://gawker.com/5891061/" target="_blank">rainbow party</a>. If you aren’t familiar with a
rainbow party, it involves oral sex and lipstick.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A rainbow party with consenting participants (even if
they were drunk) is far from a female being passed out, drug from party to
party and raped. However, my point is,
if the rainbow parties are not addressed, if the drinking is not addressed,
Steubenville can happen here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><b><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Talking to Your Kids</span></b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<u><b><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></u></div>
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When stories like Steubenville come up in the media, talk to
your kids. Ask them if they have heard
about it. Ask them what they think about
it. Ask them if they know how it could have been
prevented. Let them talk. Of course, let them know what you think. Let them know what you feel is appropriate
for your family in regards to sexual behavior, drinking, social media behavior,
and bullying. See if you can come to a place of commonality.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Help your child to develop tools to deal with situations
that may arise. Does your child know
what to do if she finds herself at a party where there is alcohol? Would he know what to do if he saw someone
being bullied or sexually assaulted?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ultimately our kids will make their own decisions. However, if we send them out without
knowledge, without a developed conscious of what is right and wrong, we can’t
expect them to do the right thing when placed in a position of difficulty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lastly, let your kids know that you know it isn’t easy. Let your kids know you love them and will be
there for them to pick them up from the party where there is alcohol. Let them know you forgive them when they make mistakes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Talk to your kids.
The last thing you want is for your daughter to be raped, for your son
to be a rapist, or to find yourself in a <a href="http://youtu.be/AT-ileuMhew" target="_blank">courtroom apologizing</a> to the world for
your child’s catastrophic mistake.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Steubenville can be prevented.</div>
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<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AT-ileuMhew" width="560"></iframe></center>
<center>
</center>
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</center>
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<u><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif"><br /></span></u></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<u><span face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif">More on preventing Steubenville:</span></u></center>
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</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<i>V-Day</i> and <i>The Nation</i> will be holding an open discussion with male leaders in the field moderated by Eve Ensler to be held in New York City on Tuesday. You can email questions for the panel. <a href="http://www.vday.org/node/3053" target="_blank">MORE INFO</a></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Sign a petition at <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/cnn-apologize-on-air-for-sympathizing-with-the-steubenville-rapists" target="_blank">Change.org</a> for CNN to apologize on air for sympathizing with the rapists.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Sign the petition to <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/no-more-steubenvilles-educate-coaches-about-sexual-assault#" target="_blank">educate coaches about sexual assault </a></center>
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<a href="http://thingsicantsay.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://thingsicantsay.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pouryourheart1.png" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.honestmom.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://honestmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/honest-mom-button-11.12-bw-150.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linking up with <a href="http://honestmom.com/2013/03/26/when-taking-antidepressants-kind-of-sucks/#comment-8205" target="_blank">Honest Voices</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-52787453447513678382013-03-20T07:30:00.000-04:002013-10-21T00:07:53.597-04:00Wednesday's Woman: Finding Ordinary Courage<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.rubberchickenmadness.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Rubber Chicken Madness"><img alt="Rubber Chicken Madness" src="http://www.rubberchickenmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/RCMButton150.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<i>It's funny how if I am aware, the right things enter my life at just the right time. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>That's what happened to me when I discovered this week's Wednesday's Woman, just a few weeks ago. Imagine my surprise when this week's guest blogger, Kimberly Rues, sent her submission for Wednesday's Woman and IT WAS THAT SAME PERSON.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Who is it?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Well you'll have to read on to find out. And it's definitely worth your time.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I'd like to give tons of gratitude to Kimberly, this week's guest blogger for submitting this post. Please, please, please check out her blog <a href="http://www.rubberchickenmadness.com/" target="_blank">Rubber Chicken Madness</a>. She's an inspiring single mom who can write. Meaning it's interesting, compelling, good stuff.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Follow <a href="http://www.rubberchickenmadness.com/" target="_blank">Rubber Chicken Madness</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RubberChickenMadness" target="_blank">Facebook</a></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Wednesday's Woman: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Finding Ordinary Courage</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rubberchickenmadness.com/" target="_blank">by Kimberly at Rubber Chicken Madness</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.brenebrown.com/" mce_href="http://www.brenebrown.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img mce_src="http://www.brenebrown.com/s/wholeheartedbadge.jpg" source="blank" src="http://www.brenebrown.com/s/wholeheartedbadge.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I don’t recall the date or time when I first stumbled upon
<a href="http://www.brenebrown.com/" target="_blank">Brené Brown’s</a> work. But I do remember that immediately following my viewing of one of
her Ted talks, the substance of my new view of reality was so weighted with
wisdom that I recall feeling grounded and rooted and like I could reach for the
sky all at the same time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Take twenty minutes to sit back and let her touch your life.<br />
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<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://embed.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe></center>
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I had a notebook nearby and furiously scribbled down nuggets of brilliance that seemed to come one after the other as she spoke.
Time and again I have re-read those notes. I have re-watched the <a href="http://www.brenebrown.com/my-blog/2012/3/16/the-2012-ted-shame-smackdown-is-live.html" target="_blank">Ted Talk</a>. I have read her book - <a href="http://www.brenebrown.com/books/" target="_blank">The Gifts of Imperfection</a> and am currently listening to the audio version of <a href="http://www.brenebrown.com/books/" target="_blank">Daring Greatly</a> as I toodle about town running my errands. And I follow her blog – <a href="http://www.brenebrown.com/my-blog" target="_blank">Ordinary Courage</a>.<br />
<br />
Her words and her ideas have a way of wiggling into the cracks and staying there ready to whisper wisdom to you when you begin to lose your way.<br />
<br />
I blog all the time about how I don’t expect perfection from my kids – and I don’t. But when I heard Brené’s call to action to courageously accept myself as I am – imperfect -- in order to live a wholehearted life, it was a serious wake up call for me.<br />
<br />
I look around at our world, both in my suburban microcosm and in the broader society, and see so much stress, sadness and even depression that stems from deep seeded perfectionism.<br />
<br />
Take this statement for example and fill in your own blank:<br />
<br />
I am not ________________ enough.<br />
<br />
My blank could be filled with: slim, wealthy, patient, organized, thoughtful, blah blah blah….<br />
<br />
None of us is perfect, yet many of us strive for it anyway. And in the face of inevitable failure because perfection is elusive, we see ourselves as lacking. Over and over again.<br />
<br />
And when I think about Brené as my <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday’s Woman</a>, I reflect mostly on this nugget of wisdom from her Ted Talk:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>And we perfect, most dangerously, our children. Let me tell you what we think about children. They’re hardwired for struggle when they get here. And when you hold those perfect little babies in your hand, our job is not to say, “Look at her, she’s perfect. My job is just to keep her perfect – make sure she makes the tennis team by fifth grade and Yale by seventh grade.” That’s not our job. Our job is to look and say, “You know what? You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle but you are worthy of love and belonging.” That’s our job. Show me a generation of kids raised like that, and we’ll end the problems. </b></i></blockquote>
<br />
Brené Brown’s work leads us to love with our whole hearts, to practice gratitude even when life feels out of control, and to believe that we are enough.
And isn’t that what we want for our children? And for ourselves?<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.brenebrown.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.brenebrown.com/s/daringgreatlybadge.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<h2 id="subtitle" style="background-color: #f2f0e9; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 33px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">WEDNESDAY'S WOMAN</a> IS A WEEKLY FEATURE DEDICATED TO SPOTLIGHTING WOMEN WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS. . . AND THE WORLD.</span></b></i></span></h2>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2913473096958734508.post-73640803722919069742013-03-13T22:35:00.000-04:002014-03-16T14:14:31.970-04:00Wednesday's Woman: Three Generations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4VtsDsst3ih1K20A4nBOCfxtyvbHTy4A-mXB5JfhhqVNuHYklpd70VXMw_xzve82_IDU6fml-dYdfXlo1oYSkpUKTajXGyGlosDgPH688srnJYwXaiLtRD8dZ3Yta-5D9tFCLJ1GYFzh/s1600/threegenerations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4VtsDsst3ih1K20A4nBOCfxtyvbHTy4A-mXB5JfhhqVNuHYklpd70VXMw_xzve82_IDU6fml-dYdfXlo1oYSkpUKTajXGyGlosDgPH688srnJYwXaiLtRD8dZ3Yta-5D9tFCLJ1GYFzh/s1600/threegenerations.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> "Family is complicated, relationships are not easy."</i></span></div>
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<i>Today’s guest blogger, Anna Mahler, is a regular contributor
to Wednesday’s Woman. You can find her
at <a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">The Mommy Padawan</a> sharing her observations and life lessons as a wife and
mother. Today, just a few days after her
birthday, she explores the complexity of the family relationships that shape our
lives from one birthday to the next, as daughters and granddaughters.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Happy Belated Birthday, Anna.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Wednesday's Woman: Three Generations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">by <a href="http://www.themommypadawan.com/" target="_blank">Anna Mahler</a></span></div>
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Each week, I look forward to reading all the awesome
<a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday's Woman</a> posts here at <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sperk*</a>. I've learned about well known women doing
great things and causing needed change, everyday heroes and even women who are
no longer with us but through their own courage and drive, was changing lives
and the world we live in before I was even born. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But some of my favorites have been the personal friends and
family some have written about and I have to admit, I often feel twinges of
jealousy while reading. <i>I wish I had a great female role model,
someone personal involved in my life today. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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These were some of my feelings as I sat, thinking about who
to spotlight for my own <a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" target="_blank">Wednesday's Woman</a> this month. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As my thoughts drifted to the women I have known, the women
in my family, I started to see that maybe there is more positive there, more
influence and insight than I am sometimes ready to see. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>There was Marion.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I remember being very little and thinking my mother was the
most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
Long, dark hair, pale skin against red lipstick, a tall and slender body
always impeccably and stylishly dressed. She was everything I felt I was not
with my brown skin, frizzy hair and short legs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She was always busy, super focused on the business she and
my father owned and ran. It seemed like there was nothing she couldn't do,
nothing she hadn't experienced or didn't know how to handle until lung disease
raged a battle none of us were ready for. One that even her super powers were
unable to defeat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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From her, I learned about strength, drive, and independence.
I know the work ethic I was constantly praised for back in my corporate america
days came from her, something that kept me afloat over many, difficult years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>There was Elizabeth. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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My grandmother lived next door and was my babysitter and
after school care for many years growing up. I loved spending time at her house
and still have wonderful memories of it today.
She smelled like a light perfume and fresh talcum powder and always wore
lipstick as well. No matter the day or time, PBS was on the t.v., the house was
warm and smelled like good food cooking and she herself was full of softness,
patience and care. She taught me how to tie my shoes and tell time on her clock
on the mantel. She'd let me light her incense cone in the little Buddha holder
and ring the tiny bells she kept on the shelf next to it. We watched people dance around bubbles on
Laurence Welk and Bob Ross paint happy little trees. <o:p></o:p></div>
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From her, I learned warmth and softness and love. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Both of these women are no longer a part of this physical
world but parts of them both are forever with me, mingled in my blood, deep in
the soul, invisible tattoos burning deep within. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So often I only think of what I wish had happened, things I
would have changed or the bad and difficult times. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Women are magical and complex creatures. Family is complicated, relationships are not
easy. Why would it be different for the three generations of women that we
were? <o:p></o:p></div>
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But when I see the the lessons both offered and the way
their lives have molded mine at times; independence, strength and drive -
softness, love and warmth, what an amazing combination, these gifts they left
behind. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Because they have inspired, empowered me and deeply affected
who I am today, I'm honoring my mother and grandmother for today's Wednesday's
Woman.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 23.33333396911621px;"><b style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://sperk77.blogspot.com/p/wednesdays-woman.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">WEDNESDAY'S WOMAN</a> IS A WEEKLY FEATURE DEDICATED TO SPOTLIGHTING WOMEN WHO ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS. . . AND THE WORLD.</span></b></i></span></h2>
<br />
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/colorblindpicaso/3304794886/">colorblindPICASO</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com130