I will be the first to admit I have no idea what most graffiti means, says or stands for….but I really enjoy looking at it. The bright colors, fun lines and 3D appearance are works of art.
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Bikes in a Tree
OK….this may sound a little Pollyanna (ish) but I believe it is true….Everybody is Somebody’s Rockstar!
First of all, everyone has a mom. Now, that mom maybe the most critical person in the world when she is face to face with her child, but let one other mother claim her child is better and the mother of a rockstar comes out to defend her absolutely flawless child!
Little children tend to think older kids are Rockstars. I remember a girl that came into my 4th grade class to read us books. I thought she was the coolest and prettiest rockstar I had ever seen. As I got a little older I realized she was probably a high school kid that had no idea the little kids she read to thought she was a mature adult.
Do you own a dog? Oh yeah, a dog that stares out the window all day waiting for you to arrive home. Not only do you feed the dog, pet the dog, play with the dog and pick up the dog’s poop, you let the dog have most of the bed….oh yes, your dog thinks you are a rockstar!! Who else in your life stares at you endlessly? Who else licks your hand when you have done nothing more than change the television station? Who wags their tail and rolls over on their back for a belly rub as soon as you enter the house? Yep…the dog thinks you are a rockstar!
If you have a cat…I would suggest you look outside your home for your admirers….because that cat thinks s/he is the rockstar!!
Children tend to think their parents are rockstars….at least until they are teenagers then they think their parents are playing in an “Oldies” rock group!
I have admired a lot of people in my lifetime. Usually they are not famous, rich or overly talented. Typically the people I have admired are the people that speak up for those that cannot speak. Sometimes the people I have admired are the people that have fought the tough fight against cancer….some have won and some have not, but I admire the courage of them all.
Those that help children, whether it be as a teacher, coach, law enforcement officer, social worker, or as a mentor….are always worthy of admiration. People that work tirelessly to help injured or abandon dogs are truly rockstars in my book….
The next time you see someone doing the right thing or fighting the good fight, step up and tell them you think they are awesome. If you really want to freak them out….Tell them they are a rockstar!!
Two Birds on a Fence
The Great Egret
The Great Blue Heron
If you want to learn more about Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge click here
Beer Cap Wall
Tangled wind chimes
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Today I participated in a 33 mile bike ride on a freeway that has not opened to the public yet. It was sort of a dream come true. I’ve always thought it would be fun to ride or run on a freeway…but how often is a freeway closed to traffic…only before it ever opens!!
Thousands a bike wheels…on the move!
Sadly trees can be a bit rare in this part of Texas. This is why we tend to be known for “wide open spaces” instead of “the land of trees.” So when I see trees I like….I tend to pay attention to them!
Over the past year I have stalked the same tree. I have taken pictures of it during its different stages. I hope you all enjoy them….
June 2014
January 2014
April 2014
May 2014
I have spent the past 28 years working and “teaching” people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. I currently teach adults that live in the community to manage their own finances and avoid exploitation. However, over the years I have taught everything from brushing teeth to operating difficult machinery. I like to think I have touched many lives and instilled a bit of independence in each person throughout the years. Often times when I am teaching “non-disabled” people about people with Intellectual disabilities I stress the fact that they are able to learn…the difference is it will likely happen a bit slower. For this reason it may take years to see significant progress. But progress will be made. I have always enjoyed looking back on where a person started and acknowledging how far they have travelled.
I think it is hard to know if we made a difference in another person’s life. The first group of guys I started working with in 1986 have all died now and sadly I had not seen many of them since I moved out of state 15 years ago. Did they ever think about the things we did together? Did they remember the hours upon hours we trained together so they could ride the city bus independently? I don’t know and sadly I will never know.
However, I do know one of the reasons I have stuck around for all these years is because they taught me. The people in my care taught me that unconditional love is possible. Those that enjoyed arguing with me, taught me to choose my battles. The people that moved at a pace slower than mine, taught me to put my hands behind my back and wait for them to complete a task in their time. The people that asked me every few minutes what we would have for dinner, taught me patience. They all gained my respect and they all taught me what it meant to deserve respect.
My entire professional life I have been in the role of teacher, mentor, and coach. But the role I have cherished the most has been that of student!
This post was inspired by The Daily Post – Weekly Writing Challenge/ Student, Teacher
This is my 2nd submission for the photo challenge “Spring.”
Chelsea is my 18 year old Pomeranian. Every year I take a picture of her in the bluebonnets. This picture was taken a week ago near Waco TX.
Conversations Around the Tree 