May or Can ... this month is full of both

Yes, I am talking about May as a month or permission and Can as ability.

How I love the month of May with Mothers Day, Memorial Day, and that magnificent gift of nature – flowers, flowers and more flowers. 

Please take time this month to acknowledge your mom for the life that she created, that being “you”. They mentor and coach us through childhood and a mother’s love seems to have no limits.  One year I sent a handwritten note instead of the traditional Hallmark card, telling my own mother how much she served as my mentor during my years of life and the influence she still has on the way that I regard others. She said that it was favorite. I was surpised until I recalled the many handwritten notes from each of my sons, which I still have to this day.

As professionals and business women, we may receive numerous accolades or awards for our accomplishments, but no title or professional designation sounds better to me than Mom. 

In June 2000, I spent most of an entire day at the Arlington Cemetery and was privileged to observe the changing of the guards at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which commemorates our American war dead from the World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam. Words are inadequate to express how I felt at that moment.  I experienced great pride to have been born here but could not stop myself from crying while watching the soldiers at that tomb. 

You may not have the opportunity to see it first hand, but you can visit our local veteran’s cemetery to witness the Memorial Day ceremony, wear one of the poppies that are frequently sold near that date, and absolutely thank the next soldier that you see in a uniform.  They deserve our honor, both past and present.

I cannot close this message without sharing some May trivia. 

• Mother's Day became a public holiday on May 9, 1914
• Memorial became a federal holiday in 1971, and is observed on the last Monday in May.
• May 15, 1940-nylon stockings went on sale for the first time in the US.

Lastly, I am absolutely convinced that flowers were created for the primary purpose of enjoyment and are to be unquestionably shared along with our memories between family and friends.   HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR FLORIST TODAY?

The Nook ……or not

I tend to read three or four books a month hence my switching to an eReader, the Nook. It makes sense to have 1000’s of choices stored in something that is not much larger than my checkbook.  My checkbook has extra “stuff” inside and may not mirror yours but the point is that it is similar in size/weight.

Yes, I have a real passion for reading except for the “body stripping, trash talking” style of writing which do not warrant my time. Sometimes I treat myself to “brain candy” which is a term learned from my friend Jennifer W.

Knowing my reading appetite borders on obsession my husband decided back in 2010 that he wanted me to have an eReader. He requested (odd for a husband) that I review the options and make my decision for this gift for him. I left my chair and moved so quickly to my computer that I feel sure that I did not even cast a shadow during the vault from my recliner. I explored the Internet and narrowed my choices down to three: Sony, Kindle and Nook. For me the obvious and best choice was and still is Nook.

It had four options that for me could not be denied and the fifth is a given: 1) can be linked to your local library for millions of other FREE reading material, 2) a FREE book offer every Friday, 3) book exchanges between fellow Nook readers also FREE, 4) there was an alternate site available from which to acquire other books (have not felt the need to try it), and 5) it supported my favorite bookstore, Barnes and Noble.

Yes, many of my friends chose the Kindle which is their right and I respect their choice. However I would have lost two whole years of FREE and additional reading pleasures.

Color can be appreciated on many levels but I did not choose the NOOK Color. My husband encouraged me to choose the more expensive model (also odd for a husband). The differences between the one that I chose and the 2010 Nook Color were not significant and not enough to change my mind or justify the increase in cost.

Kindle from Amazon may offer the same options “now” but I have not been interested enough to check. The best combination for me is Nook from Barnes & Noble. 

Don’t settle for less, I didn’t.

Encyclopedia Britannica going out of print

When I first saw the message posted on my LinkedIn this came as a shock.  Then my brain engaged to give it additional thought as my breathing returned to normal.

Like many before me, my first introduction to the Britannica was in the school library. Aside from my Bible, I thought them the most majestic, highly esteemed of all reading material “freely” available to all. My fellow “Houston Northsiders” will understand this clearly since our families would fall into the category of those who could not afford to buy/have/savor/enjoy them at home. I even remember the leather covers which I felt were as rich as the contents.

The library was my favorite summer spot and yes, it was to the Britannica’s that earned my first stop.  They opened up a whole new world for me and they fed a young girls mind and created a thirst for more that has never been quenched.

My parents were eventually able to buy us a set of Compton’s Encyclopedias which I enjoyed just as much.  I have three siblings and they got a workout until the last one graduated.

The Encyclopedia Britannica is an ICON and certainly set the standard for other reading mediums. After the shock of the article title, I realized that even the Britannica had reached a point that required 21^st century attention. Paper may become “out of vogue” but knowledge and information is power and only the venue is changing.

Besides, did you check out the cost of the last printed edition: $1,395.00? 

Message to brain: slow down my breathing AGAIN

Crazy Daisy and the Girls Scouts

Today marks the 100^th anniversary of the Girls Scouts, originally called American Girl Guides and its British equivalent, Girl Guides.  This blog is not to restate the obvious or to copy/paste what may be printed on an international level in today’s news. However, when reading the Houston Chronicle article by Maggie Galehouse a few points jumped off the page. Let’s start with the originators name: Juliette Daisy Gordon Low.

Juliette – in French it means soft haired, in Latin Down-bearded youth (still soft).  One of the pictures in the paper is of a soft featured appearance of a lady, complete with a hat. (I love hats and have close to ten of them). Looks can be deceiving when a woman is on a mission of any kind.

Daisy – English meaning Days Eye or Eye of the Day, the flower. The first picture in the article is of that first group of young ladies and judging by the shadows was near noon.  All are uniformed, saluting the day AND the next steps in their paths.

Low – her married name and a marriage which brought little comfort.  Her husband was an adulterer and her hearing was forever impaired by a grain of rice which lodged itself in her ear on her wedding day resulting in chronic ear infections.  Her husband was a pain and the wedding rice caused pain.

Juliette Daisy Gordon Low was 51 years old when she founded the first troop of “Girl Scouts of the USA” in Savannah, Georgia.  

This American pioneer southern girl did well for all of us while no longer young by the standards of that time, in a more than troubled marriage, was hearing impaired which is a disability by today’s standards, was called “Crazy Daisy” because she liked to experience fun as a youth, and the purpose behind her forming of the Girl Scouts was to empower girls from all walks of life whether “factory girls, working-class girls, wealthy girls, immigrant girls, everybody”(as quoted from Houston Chronicle 3/12/2102). 

Some of my favorite facts in the article are these:  53% of women business owners are former Girl Scouts, ten of the 17 women serving in the US Senate are Girl Scouts and 2.3 million girls in the Girls Scouts of the USA today.

Keep in mind this was a full eight years before we were granted the right to vote on August 26, 1920 through the passing of the 19^th Amendment.  I would surely like to know how the experience of being the first group of Girl Scouts affected the decisions/goals set for their adult life and how they may have participated, if at all, in the women’s suffrage movement. 

I lived the life of a Girl Scout even though not one officially.  Oh well, another story for another time ….

• DRINK, STEAL, SWEAR & LIE

The first line was such a turnoff that I almost bypassed it. However, since the source was a dear friend of mine, I decided to read on.  THEN I decided to copy/paste to share with those surfing the wastelands.

I met this guy while I was away on a business trip, and he has a motto he lives by every day. He said listen carefully and live by these 4 rules: Drink, Steal, Swear, & Lie. I was shaking my head 'no', but he then told me to listen while he explained his four rules. So here they are:
1. "Drink" from the "everlasting cup" every day.
2. "Steal" a moment to help someone that is in worse shape than you are.
3. "Swear" that you will be a better person today than yesterday.
4. And last, but not least, when you "lie" down at night
Thank God you live in America and have freedom to worship Him.

"Hitler's Niece" by Ron Hansen

I just finished reading "Hitler's Niece" by Ron Hansen. It is fiction which included many interesting, bizarre facts about Hitler, the hypnotic affect he had on people, who was allowed to marry (when and to whom), the psychotic group of misfits with whom he surrounded himself, one had been in a mental hospital with sadistic behavior, and the fact that he could have actually been the one to murder his niece who was supposedly the only woman he really loved. The report said that she committed suicide but there is reason to believe otherwise with missing "evidence", mirrored statements, and delayed reporting of the death, etc.
Interesting read regardlless of how much you may choose to believe, if anything.
I even have an opinion of where his hatred of Jews begain: his mother's illness was terminal while suffering a long time before her death under the care of Jewish doctor and family member who may have been illegitimate with the biological father being Jewish

Interesting read regardless of how much you may choose to believe, if anything. I even have an opinion of where his hatred of Jews began: his mother's illness was terminal while suffering a long time before her death under the care of Jewish doctor and family member who may have been illegitimate with the biological father being Jewish.

TO TV OR NOT TO TV

“Christmas is a time for forgiveness.  Christmas is something that we carry in our hearts.”  This came from the TV Christmas program “The Elf on the Shelf” that I watched earlier this evening.

                The subject was Santa, naturally. It was 30 minutes of remembering what it was like to believe and for me when I decided to stop (believing in Santa that is).  I was ten years old and my gift from Santa was a Barbie doll with beautiful black hair coiffed into a ponytail, the case and outfits that screamed of style and a one piece swimsuit.  Yes, it was 1959.  Belief is a choice and in beautiful script was written “Merry Christmas Linda. Love you,  Santa” in MY DAD’S HANDWRITING. 

                Those who know me well can attest to my preference for rated “G” programs/movies and without apology. I can repeat anything heard and it is an escape from my daily diet of facts and figures.  It is also encouraging and makes me feel good for longer periods of time than the questionable choices made available on TV.  When I went to see my son and his fiance’ over Thanksgiving, I got to watch Toy Story 3 and Kungfu Panda.  What a treat!

When it comes to TV, I actually prefer reading.  However, truthfully I would always prefer reading above all other choices EXCEPT ON TUESDAY EVENINGS.  I have a thirst for knowledge and feel that to learn is to grow and if you are not growing, you are dying.  Sounds odd but think about it anyway, please.

Yep, I skipped a spot. On Tuesday’s comes my weakness for three programs: NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles and Unforgettable. It is not rated “G” but the logic, reasoning, and knowledge called upon to solve the cases holds my attention each week.  I even watch the reruns on cable. I am watching NCIS again right now on cable.

PLEASE DON’T STOP ME…. Enjoy your evening. 

Hello. Is anyone there?

That is what it feels like lately.  My primary responsibilities are great and technology can be your friend except when it isn't.  C taught me to blog and it really is a good tool to vent without the threat of becoming a target, at least not right away.  You cannot speak your mind at work because there is so much to learn that I am beginning to have flashbacks to kindergarten.  Except now it is not learning to read (my favorite pastime), writing and  how to communicate in an acceptable/reasonable way to make your point or be understood.   Now you better feel lucky to have a 1-800 #, an option for an option # and a wait time less than 30 minutes on a perfect day and/or the ability to understand the person that eventually answers the phone if you don't get hung up on first. The classic prerecorded computer generated catch praise: "We are experiencing a heavy volume of calls and your call will be answered in the order it was received." Jack Benny comes to mind: "Well!" I want to pull my hair out by the dark blonde and grey roots. 
Technology has come a long way but it is really money that determines the level of technology that will be made available to anyone or any company.  It creates efficiency at the office/customer level that I truly appreciated but now is another story.  At the office now I feel like there is an elephant in the room but the indigestion, stomach pains, etc. are now the new norm as we make it disappear one bite/byte at a time. 
I heard one manager say that we were spoiled when it came to technology but I say that the company recognized early on/budgeted for and spent the money to provide the service customers come to expect especially in the 21st century. We resolved issues quickly, efficiently, and within seconds of the request made by customers as well as those by staff who were handling internal customers/other staff.
In the name of progress we have regressed. Changes/improvements/upgrades will come in time but until then I need to keep in close contact the four or is it five pages of codes and the operating instructions for the systems that do not communcate with each other.
Yes, you really can teach an old dog new tricks.  I am doing it every day.  RUFF RUFF

Drafting Grandchildren

 Sounds odd for a title but there is a really, really good reason behind the title.  I have no grandchildren (that I know of anyway) and enjoy outtings like the circus, Disney, ice capades ('60s term), etc.  Just because you may not be blessed with them does not mean that you cannot "grandmother" one of your choosing.     
My eldest son is newly engaged.  Good for him!  She is precious and would have made my youngest son so proud to have her in the family. She makes him happy and they already married in their hearts. I borrowed this phrase from one of my customers and it speaks well to my son's relationship.  Their plans are to start a family as soon as they are married.  YEAH!!!  However if God does not bless them with children, I can deal with that.  In the meantime, I have a backup plan, hence drafting one or two on an as needs basis. 
With that in mind, I am going to the circus tomorrow.  A  friend from work had never been to a circus and she has three precious children - one son, and two daughters.  I am so excited that sleeping tonight may become a challenge.  I received a discount pricing offer at work and thought of her immediately. Before hitting the "buy" button I walked (borderline skipped) to the opposite end of the office to see if she and her children would like to go.  She is married and so naturally had to ask her husband if they had plans and that it was okay to go.  He agreed and now does not know what he is going to do tomorrow while we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the "Greatest Show on Earth:.  BUT he is a big boy and can figure that our for himself. 
Bottom line is that we all have opportunities to have some fun regardless of our age.  I am 61 and have no intention of allowing my calendar years to dictate my choices. Find children to share your life.  The conversations are never boring and their honesty is refreshing.  While they try to learn from adults, we can learn so much from them.  Try it, you will like it. 

Bankers Shoes and Women R Us

This is not the original blog topic for today but must be addressed here and now!  Like fountain pens, I have a strong affection that some think borders on obsession with shoes. They are in fact my third favorite thing behind # 1 reading and # 2 my fountain pens.  I am not especially fond of sandals yet have close to 20 pair. Go figure.
C will be so proud of me that I used my blog to express myself  (or vent) even though she knows my intended blog was Priority vs. Preoccupied. However, I digress and here goes.
I do have my favorites in the line of shoes brands which is equally as important to me as fountain pens. Keep in mind that I have well over 100 pairs so no sympathy is expected for the remarks to follow.
Shoes can be fashionable and comfortable as evidenced by Nine West, Bandolino, Enzo Angiolini, Chinese Laundry, Stuart Weitzman, Steve Madden and now even Life Stride or Mootsie Tootsie. 
As you probably have guessed these are my personal favorites.  However I was tempted by an absolutely beautiful pair of black pumps two years ago and we all know that multiples of the same are a given.  It was a brand that was recommended to me and this pair displayed the magic word "Sale" which should really have read "Buyers Beware" and included a warning label. 
My sisters and I had completed a full 12+ hour day of fun-filled holiday shopping and I just had to try on these bankers black pair of heels that were calling my name. They actually felt good and one would think that after that many hours in the upright position moving gingerly through the Woodlands Mall and taking into consideration some possible swelling that buying the next half-size made sense.  Yes, I actually listened to a shoe salesman and for that I ask your forgiveness.
They are not the "rich Corinthian leather" made a household word years ago by Ricardo Montalban but they are leather and anyway the kind he suggested was for sitting on or admiring on a dashboard.  Again I digress. The label clearly (still) shows leather and alas they were made in China (what isn't these days) and my husband says that in itself should have been my first clue when my first complaint was registered with him many months ago.
I am convinced there is a naked elephant somewhere in China because of the "leather" used to make these shoes. Leather should be soft, somewhat supple or reasonably so and forgiving of ones feet plus include that smell/fragrance/aroma/scent that only fine leather can gift to any woman. Just like banks, all things are not equal regardless of what it says in the fine print.
After two years of attempting to break in these shoes, I am the one that is broken in a figure of speech. I do not give up easily particularly when it comes to shoes and my shoes are probably appreciated more than some people appreciate friends, family or a man his car. During lunch I literally "threw" these into my car and tenderly collected my favorite pair of black pumps.
The moral of this saga is "I have purchased my first and last pair of shoes by Alfani". They are not foot friendly.
By the way, the shoes that I carry in my car for foot emergencies like today are made by Chinese Laundry.  I have purchased this particular style twice in black and once in navy.  I do not, repeat do not, wait for a sale for this particlar shoe or  even that brand.  If I see it, like it, then they go in my shopping bag or are protectively cradled in my arms to the cash register. 
I am of Dutch heritage and we have been called "square headed". I wonder if that translates to feet as well which really speaks volumes for those wooden shoes.