Rising To The Top

None of us are born knowing everything. We had to learn everything we know, little by little. As a baby we had to learn how to crawl before we could walk. We had to learn how to use a spoon to eat. We had to learn how to tie our shoe laces, ride a bicycle and so forth. Our first attempts at doing all of these things may have led to frustration but we didn't give up. We fell down but we got up. Over and over we tried at tying those laces and finally we figured it out. We kept trying and when we succeeded we were somewhat astonished but very proud of our triumphs.

Now as adults, some of us have lost that ability to see things through to the end. The first time we attempt something that we've always wanted to do and have a problem with it we give up. We look at the people around us who had success with the same thing we tried and think they are smarter or have more talent. We think we will never be like them. When in reality, most of those people were not born with that talent. They had to learn and it took hard work, patience and perseverance. You will never hear them utter the words "I can't".

If you should ever find yourself giving up on your dreams, think again, one last time. Take a deep breath. Remember that old inspirational story of The Little Engine That Could. Try one last time with a different approach. Find out if there is another avenue you can use. Research and read all you can on the subject. You may find something that will give you a better understanding. Take baby steps. Climb the ladder one rung at a time and don't look down. Eventually, you will realize how far you'll come. You will find that you have reached the top. You will be a star!

The Party Is Over

A year has passed, I had a birthday a couple of months ago and a new decade is staring me in the face. True reflections and changes I need to make in my life don't start in January. I've found that if I'm honest with myself and want to make a serious impact; the new year starts with my birthday.

The truth of the matter is that I don't celebrate for just one day. I celebrate the whole month. Don't get me wrong, I'm not whopping it up going from party to party, toasting myself nor am I eating cake. Most of that time is spent looking back over the past year. Looking at what's been happening in my life and seeing what changes I need to make. I like to think of think of it as a business plan for my life. Things that didn't work for me, I let go and put my focus on the things that add value.

When I revamp and make these positive changes I feel energized. Then its time to put that new energy to work. To celebrate me. To try new things. To do stuff I've always wanted to do. Go places. Meet new people. And, in the process hope that I've become a better person and learned a thing or two.

My New Garden Restaurant

This Spring I think I'll open a restaurant. It will not be like any restaurant you've ever seen. I'll serve up the finest of foods. All plant based of course, with such delightful dishes that even the most finicky eater will relish with pure joy. There will never be a dish left unfinished. This will be a restaurant that appeals to only a select few and only that select few will be allowed entry. Dinner will be refused to those who don't meet certain requirements. It's a restaurant for snails and slugs, you see.

It has occurred to me that all the flowers and some of the vegetables & fruits I have growing in my garden are the favorite foods of snails and slugs. They seem to share my taste in horticulture choices. I know they must be thanking me profusely for planting such a wide variety of treats. And, a nice place for them to come dine each night.

The first course that I'll be serving early in the season is a wonderful little appetizer that I call Lettuce. The next delightful dish will be the juicy and sweet Strawberry. Then I'll provide them with the succulent foliage of the Hostas and the tender purple flower of the Iris. Later in the year I pamper them with delicate dishes of Daylily, Dahlias, and Marigold. Maybe I'll add a side dish of Cabbage and Gerber Daisy for dessert. I have been told that whatever I do, I should not decorate the restaurant with any type of copper, crushed "eggshell art" or coffee grinds. Nor under under circumstances should I serve them beer. They are especially attracted to that drink and have been known to get drunk and drown in it. And, we wouldn't want that to happen, would we?

Surviving Starbucks

If you've never been to Starbucks I have a few tips for you before you go. You don't want to get on line and not know what you're doing. There is a special language that Starbucks customers use and the cashiers expect you to use this language in order to keep the line moving. There is a rack in the store with pamphlets explaining the different drinks and how to order but who has time to read this while you're standing in line. I guess they expect you to take it home to study and then come back when you've decided on your drink. It's so much easier if someone explains it to you before hand.

My first order at Starbucks was just a coffee because I didn't know what else to order. The people in front of me were ordering things like Caramel Macchiato, Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte and Green Tea Frappuccino-hold the cream. What the heck were those and what do they taste like anyway? When my turn came, I timidly asked for a small coffee with cream and sugar. The cashier (barista, as I've since learned) promptly informed me that the small was referred to as "tall". When my coffee came it was black, no sugar, I complained and was told that the cream & sugar were at the "fixings" bar near the door. Oh, what an embarrassing moment. Everybody now knew I was a Starbucks virgin and didn't really belong. What a smug look I got from the next person who loudly ordered the Venti Vanilla Latte. I thought to myself, "latte to you too", and walked on over to the fixings bar. The coffee was actually really good and I knew I'd be coming back for one of the more fancier drinks eventually. Then I'd order myself a Venti Chai Latte just like a Starbucks pro, but will refuse to look down my nose at the novice.

Okay, so here are those basic tips to get you started. First there are three cup sizes. The "tall" which is 12 fl oz, the "grande" holds 16 fl. oz and the "venti" hot drinks are 20 fl. oz while the venti cold drinks are 24 fl oz. You tell them what size you want. Then there is the matter of which coffee, tea or other drink you want. You can always order coffee but the fancier coffee drinks are macchiato, expresso, cappuccino, lattes, and various teas, tea lattes and hot chocolate. The cold drinks are the frappuccino coffee and non- coffee drinks, frappuccino non coffee drinks are blended with cream, fruits, vanilla or green tea. You can then customize your drink by having it made with soy or skim milk, having them add protein or fiber powder and flavored syrup. They can add a double shot of expresso, hold the cream or make it "skinny" by using sugar-free syrup. These are a few things that will help with your ordering but please, please remember there is that fixings bar that has the sugar, cream, milk, cinnamon, stirrers, napkins and sometimes powdered vanilla. So get out there and treat yourself to a fancy drink. If I happen to see you there, I'll treat you to one.

Baby, I'm Back!

Okay, enough is enough! I'm back! For the past few weeks I have been in a constant work mode. First it was the Thanksgiving festivities, then Christmas, Kwanzaa and the backlog of soap orders from regular customers. The work just kept coming and coming. Then the horror of all horrors, not a thought in my head to write about. Not even one tiny Christmas story came to mind, even though I was drowning in Christmas preparations for weeks. Well, that's the way it goes sometimes.

What did I do about it? I just took time out to regroup and connect with my poetic side. And how did I do that? Well wonder of all wonders I went visiting in the Poets Woods! Yes, my good people, there is such a place. We actually found this place while traveling and site seeing in Cape May New Jersey. It's located across the road from a small residential community and is a successful attempt to keep the area free for birds, butterflies and small animals to take refuge. While walking in this natural habitat I almost forgot there was a busy highway only a mile or so away. The only noise I could hear was the joyful song of a few birds who refused to move South for the Winter and the crunch of dead leaves and small tree branches as I walked. It was peaceful and a great place to unwind.

You won't find it on any map nor can you Google it. And I'm sure that's the way the neighbors want it. For now, I think it's enough for them to be able to cross the road and take a leisurely stroll. And just maybe share it with an unsuspecting traveler like me.

The Beauty of Math

A friend sent me this and it's too good not to share it with you, think about it.



The Beauty of Mathematics
and the Love of God!

The math part is good,but the end is even better.


Beauty of Mathematics!!!!!!!

1 x 8 + 1= 9
12 x 8 + 2= 98
123 x 8 + 3= 987
1234 x 8 + 4= 9876
12345 x 8 + 5= 98765
123456 x 8 + 6= 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7= 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8= 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9= 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Mind Boggling...

Now, take a look at this...

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they
are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to

GIVE OVER 100%...

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100%in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help
answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E

1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

If you find this interesting share it with your friends & loved ones.

Have a nice day & God bless you!

Who's Watching Who?

My husband gave me a fifty five gallon aquarium for my birthday about three years ago. We read all about setting it up, how to adjust the water for the right pH levels, how to take care of the tank and choosing the right fish to go in it. We decided that a fresh water tank would be more practical for our needs, even though the salt water aquarium was prettier. It has turned out to be great fun with only a few blunders.

One of the blunders was that in our excitement to chose fish, we put too many of the wrong types in the tank. The smaller ones were disappearing fast. We kept looking for them, thinking they were hiding somewhere, only to discover that the catfish were eating them one by one. Our brightly colored school of Neon Tetras disappeared in the course of two weeks. Another bad decision was leaving the heating element on in the middle of summer, with the house tightly sealed while we went gallivanting on vacation for a week. Upon our return we found that only three fish had survived. One was an Algae Eater and the other two were Goldfish. We agreed to give ourselves a little time before buying more fish and that agreement has lasted at least two years now.

It has been exciting watching our three little babies grow up. We got them when they were no more than 3 inches long. Now they've grown to well over 8 inches in length. The Algae Eater's head and eyes are gigantic. I've recently moved my computer near the fish tank so that I can enjoy them better. I now find they are the ones watching me, especially the gigantic Algae Eater. He is constantly staring at me with those creepy eyes. I'm beginning to wander if he's curious about my activities or if he's considering me as a source of food.