Category Archives: Uncategorized

NaBloPoMo – Aging

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The first time I noticed the purple spot i didn’t think much of it. Then it lingered, and lingered. Finally I remembered where I had seen something very similar…on my grandma’s arm!
I am getting old lady thin skin!

Just to confirm my suspicions I went into “Cathy’s” office (names have been changed to avoid potential law suits). Cathy is old enough to be my mother – if she gave birth in her late 20’s.
I asked to see her arms. She was hesitant but compliant.
“Oh My God its true.” My screech could be heard throughout the office.
The purple spot on my arm looked just like the many purple spots on “Cathy’s” arms. She laughed and started to explain how they form. I ran from her office in hopes of taking solace in my boss’ office next door. (We’ll call her Charlotte) She too was laughing and made an effort to explain how these purple spots arise. I fell into a chair and listened to what my future held.

I am 52, in good health, exercise frequently and tend to lack maturity. I tend to forget I am aging at a rapid rate. Then my body takes the opportunity to slap me back into reality. The little purple spot? Just another slap.

NaBloPoMo – Blue Bell

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“Blue Bell is back!”

This has been the talk of the office (and likely the town) for the last two days. This announcement has certainly been broadcast on the local news channels and all over social media.

For those of you that don’t know, Blue Bell is a brand of ice cream founded in Texas in the early 1900’s.

Back in April Blue Bell shut down operations due to reports of Listeria Monocytogene identified in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma and Kansas. A total of 10 people fell ill and 3 of them died from different strains of Listeria.

Blue Bell has taken the necessary steps to re-open their production centers. Blue Bell went back on the shelves in Texas yesterday morning. I read an article that mentioned a man claiming his excitement for being the first person to buy Blue Bell….at 5:30 in the morning.

I have to say…I don’t get it! I like ice cream and I’ve learned if I eat vegan ice cream I can do it without my stomach revolting on me. But I don’t get the excitement. This product was responsible for the death of 3 people. IF I was a huge ice cream fan and felt Blue Bell was the only ice cream worthy of passing my lips I think I would at least give some thought to what’s happened over the last few months. And maybe open that first gallon with a bit of trepidation rather than sticking my face straight into the ice cream container and only come up when breathing becomes necessary.

NaBloPoMo – Staying Focused

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“Writing makes me pay attention to the world around me.”

I heard someone say this on NPR. I’m sorry to report I did not catch her name. But her words rang true for me.

A couple years ago I started writing a daily post on Facebook. Each day for 365 days I wrote what I was thankful for. I know the idea sounds “poly-ann(ish)” but the reality is I tend to be pretty “poly-ann(ish).” I am a raging optomist that tends to find the good in most things.

Anyway…my point is…writing that daily post forced me to pay attention to what was going on around me. It also made me think about how I react to situations or how others react to situations.

This may sound “normal” to focus on the world around you. But for me it isn’t and I suspect for many others it isn’t either.

I think many of us go through our days on auto-pilot. How many of us have shown up to work in the morning and realized we have no memory of the drive?
A friend once said I ignore myself. He was actually right. I tend to become easily distracted and allow my brain to wonder off.

So here is yet another advantage to participating in the NaBloPoMo. For the entire month of November I will be required to pay attention to the world around me. I will also challenge myself to stay engaged and pay attention to the actions of others as well as myself.

NaBloPoMo – Let’s Get Started

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Apparently I have decided to earn the title of Super Blogger.

For those of you that follow my blog you know I am currently on day 300/365 of posting photos. I started posting daily photos on January 1, 2015. I have enjoyed learning more about photography over this past year and I’ve enjoyed pushing myself to accomplish my goal.

However, my intention of starting a blog was to write. My hope is that National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) will be the catalyst I need to get me rolling (or should I say writing)

So here is the plan, I will continue the daily photo post AND add a daily post of the written word. I will share whatever is going on in my head, what’s happened during my day, possibly a thought provoking rant and whatever else happens to make it from my brain to the keyboard.

Now….IF my sanity holds up I will do this for the next 29 days (I missed day one of the NaBloPoMo). I will certainly appreciate words of encouragement, suggestions of topics and if necessary an intervention for my sanity!

Let’s get started…