July 2007

Wordless Wednesday #4

July 31, 2007

Spring 1998I weighed slightly less than I weigh right now. But I looked much younger. Wordless Wednesday email Topics: Wordless Wednesday

email
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Memory Post Meme

July 31, 2007

Mimi, Queen of Memes, who blogs at Mimi Writes, tagged me to play along in the Memory Post Meme. Here are the rules: You must post five links to posts you have written. Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least two of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so […]

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Wordless Wednesday

July 31, 2007

Topics: Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Candle Moment: Whymommy, All Fighting Cancer and Those Who Love Them

July 30, 2007

There is something extraordinary going on in the blogosphere. It is appropriate to observe, at first glance, that members of this diverse cyber-community are coming together to support and encourage one young mother who has been diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of cancer: Inflammatory breast cancer.

But what’s happening goes far beyond addressing the plight of one woman. Bloggers are taking the opportunity to educate their readers about the danger signs of cancer and urge them to consult their physician if they recognize any of the symptoms mentioned. And in doing so, we just might save some lives.

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It’s Not a Diet: It’s a Lifestyle Change (Part 2)

July 29, 2007

No one can stay on a diet indefinitely because it is not natural. It is an artificial way of living that can be adopted and adhered to temporarily, but must come to an end.

When it does — as it inevitably will — and you revert to the old ways of eating and relating to food which were familiar to you for so long before you began the temporary program, all of the weight lost will be regained. And more. Because your body will protect itself instinctively from any repeat onslaught of starvation such as the one it just survived.

I’m not a nutritionist, but I have read a great deal of literature about this.

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Phenomenon (Part 2)

July 28, 2007
Thumbnail image for Phenomenon (Part 2)

As I mentioned previously, on July 15, 2007, I was honored to spend the day with Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway at the Master Class in Napa. The way such a class works is this: The first portion of the class is a general lecture and group warm-up. Those desiring to be “participants” submit a professional-quality recording in advance and Sir James selects four players to whom he will give instruction while the audience members — “auditors” — watch and learn.

JHSEsq attended the Master Class in Napa with Sir James Galway

Based upon the various videotapes of other classes that I have watched, as well as interviews, information posted on his website and the e-mails that Sir James sends to our discussion group, I knew that the opportunity to attend the class represented a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from a world-class flutist who has no equal.

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Phenomenon (Part 1)

July 28, 2007
Thumbnail image for Phenomenon (Part 1)

“It was a dark and stormy night” here in Northern California. The drive from Lodi to San Rafael in the late afternoon wasn’t bad, but the drive back home to Lodi was miserable because of the steady, hard downpour which made it extremely difficult to see and fairly treacherous since portions of the freeway were beginning to develop standing water since so much water was coming down quickly. In short, it was a miserable trip.

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White Soul

July 28, 2007

Last year, Michael McDonald sat in with Paul Schaeffer and the CBS Orchestra during The Late Show. About Michael’s performance, Letterman remarked, “Man, if I could sing like that, everybody could just kiss my ass.”

I’ve seen Michael McDonald in concert twice and they were two of the most rockin’, good-time concerts I have ever experienced.

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Photo Hunt: Creative

July 27, 2007

Last Sunday I had the extreme honor and privilege of attending Sir James Galway’s Flute Master Class in Napa. I spent the entire day just a few feet from the master himself!

The teens were in another room being taught by Sir James’ wife, Lady Jeanne. At the end of the class, they performed for the adults and then Sir James joined them for one number. Watching those youngsters play so beautifully with the world’s best living flutist, beaming as they did so, was very moving. But for all of us, the day was an opportunity to learn from the undisputed master of the instrument and create memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Incidentally, Sir James is known as “the man with the golden flute.” He brought several with him and allowed students to play them. In this photo, he is playing on of his gold Nagaharas.

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Friday’s Feast #153

July 26, 2007

Appetizer

JHSEsq blogs at Colloquium
Describe a toy you remember from your childhood.

My Lucy doll and I were inseparable. I still have her, too.

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Thirteen Facts About the Life Experiences of This Year’s College Freshmen

July 25, 2007

Thirteen Facts About the Life Experiences of This Year’s College Freshmen School will be starting again soon, so here are some facts about the life experiences of young people entering college this fall, most of whom were born in 1988. They are too young to remember the space shuttle, Challenger, blowing up as we watched in […]

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Throwback Thursday: Edition No. 1

July 25, 2007

This photo was taken the same day as the one I shared yesterday for Wordless Wednesday. It was taken in July 1979 when my good friend and I came home to pick up my first-ever brand new car, the 1979 Mercury Capri Ghia that my sister (left) and parents (check out those snappy plaid pants) […]

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Do You Identify With and Relate to Martha or Mary? (Part Two)

July 24, 2007

If you get too caught up in the mechanics of doing something, you lose the simple joy of the experience.

Have you ever gone to an amusement park with someone who was enthralled with the way the park was laid out, entranced by the technology of the rides, obsessed with the way in which crowd control measures are implemented?

I have. It’s not a fun experience for us “average Joes” who just want to scream when the roller coaster dips, make Dumbo go up and down or the teacup spin faster, or snap a photo or two of the parade down Main Street.

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Wordless Wednesday

July 24, 2007

This is another photo of my friend taken during the same trip home in the summer of 1979 to take delivery of my very first brand new car. She, along with my parents, is standing next to the 1979 Mercury Capri Ghia my father helped me purchase from the Lincoln-Mercury dealership where he was a transmission specialist for 27 years.

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Wordless Wednesday #3

July 24, 2007

Topics: Wordless Wednesday

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It’s Not a Diet: It’s a Lifestyle Change (Part 1)

July 24, 2007

It’s Not a Diet: It’s a Lifestyle Change (Part 1) I am not on a diet. I have changed my lifestyle as it pertains to food and exercise. What’s the difference? Conceptually, diets are of finite duration. They prescribe what, when and how much food you can eat. They involve counting calories or points. All too […]

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Monday Candle Moment: Remembering Those Who Mourn

July 23, 2007

This past week, two deaths came to my attention.

They occurred under distinctly different circumstances and at opposite ends of the spectrum of life, but both had the same result: Loved ones were left behind to mourn and those folks are the focus of this article. We all need to light a candle for them today.

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A Noun or a Pronoun, But Not Both, Please!

July 22, 2007

Since I broached the topic of pet peeves last week … A couple of days ago, I had a fairly appalling experience. A well-educated, articulate member of my profession committed a faux pas that qualifies as my all-time, number one, no worthy competitor pet peeve: I call it my “redundant pronoun pet peeve.” I have been hearing […]

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Blog Your Blessings Sunday

July 22, 2007

“I get around.”

JHSEsq visits San FranciscoRemember that old Beach Boys song? I’ve been singing it this week.

Last Sunday, I spent the day in Napa with my musical hero, Sir James Galway, and his gracious and talented wife, Lady Jeanne.

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Celebrate Your Accomplishments!

July 22, 2007

I have neglected this little blog. It has been left like the proverbial orphan on the doorstep of the orphanage for a few weeks.

Why?

Life.

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Photo Hunt: Tiny

July 20, 2007

This week’s theme: Tiny Topics: Photo Hunt

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Friday’s Feast #152

July 19, 2007

Appetizer

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television?

6.

I watch very few sporting events … I really enjoy ice skating and basketball. I will watch a few other Olympic events, just for fun, if I happen to have a few free moments.

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In Memoriam: Bill Gunter

July 19, 2007

I just received very sad news from my friend, Bob Romans, the leader of Cell Block Seven, a fabulous Dixieland jazz band headquartered here in Lodi. One of their members, Bill Gunter, died last night. Bill brought a kind word, smile and countless hours of entertainment to their audiences for many years. He will be sorely, deeply missed not only by the band members, but Cell Block Seven’s many, many fans, including our family.

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“The Sopranos” Score Emmy Nominations">“The Sopranos” Score Emmy Nominations

July 19, 2007

CONGRATULATIONS are in order for the cast and crew of “The Sopranos” which earned more primetime Emmy nominations this morning than any other series!

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Thirteen of the Words Added to the Dictionary

July 18, 2007

crunk DVR flex-cuff ginormous gray literature hardscape IED microgreen perfect storm RPG smackdown speed dating sudoku [tags]Thursday Thirteen[/tags] Topics: Thursday Thirteen

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Wordless Wednesday #2

July 17, 2007

Wordless Wednesday Topics: Wordless Wednesday

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Wordless Wednesday

July 17, 2007

Topics: Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Candle Moment: Knowing Our Own Worth

July 16, 2007

I have a very good friend of more than thirty years who is single (divorced). She recently went through an unfortunate break-up with a guy she really cared about and with whom she envisioned a future for herself. It is the classic tale of one partner being faithful, true and authentic while the other is […]

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A Dream Fulfilled

July 15, 2007

I spent the day with Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway at the Master Class in Napa. What an amazing day! (I will write about it in more detail soon.)

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Don’t Call Me “Jane”

July 15, 2007

We all make mistakes. But if you want me to answer you, don’t ever call me “Jane.” And if you address or refer to me as such in any written form, especially when the correct spelling of my name is right there in front of you, e.g., in the signature line of the e-mail from me […]

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Photo Hunt: Shadow

July 13, 2007

In this 1984 photo of my parents helping their first grandchild learn to walk, he appears fascinated with the shadows on the sidewalk in front of them.

It reminded me of this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson from “A Child’s Garden of Verses” (I still have my copy from childhood … do you?):

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Friday’s Feast #151

July 12, 2007

Appetizer

What is your favorite fruit?

Oh, I can’t pick just one. I love bananas, oranges, peaches, apricots, grapes, plums, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries … ((Living here in California, we are blessed with many varieties of fresh fruit all year long. I grew up with peach, orange, lemon and apricot trees in the backyard. Plus, Lodi is wine country so we always enjoy luscious, delicious grapes.))

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Thirteen Reasons Why Dogs Are Easier to Raise Than Children

July 11, 2007

Dogs are easier to raise than children because they:

1. Eat less than teen-agers;
2. Don’t ask for money all the time;
3. Don’t ask for the car keys all the time;
4. Are easier to potty train;
5. Normally come when called;

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Wordless Wednesday

July 10, 2007

Topics: Wordless Wednesday

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Every Day is New

July 9, 2007

“Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing yet had been done.”

~ C.S. Lewis ~

Why do we have to start from scratch every morning in exercising our faith? That’s the question this quote made me ponder.

Two thoughts keep coming to me. The first is a cliche, but true: Every day is a blank slate. And that cuts both ways.

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Death Reunites Long-Time Friends

July 9, 2007

Two weeks ago, I wrote here about my friend who was nearing the end of her days here on earth. She did cross over into eternity last Saturday, June 30, 2007, and this past Saturday I attended the memorial service held in her honor.

I knew the woman in question for about as long as I can remember — at least since seventh grade — but we were never real close friends. We hung out in the same circle of friends, but did not seek each other out individually. Whenever “the gang” was gathered together, we were both there. And we kept up to date on each other’s lives via the other members of our group with whom we both interacted individually. We were always happy to see each other, though. Friendships often work this way.

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What Would You Do? (Part Two)

July 8, 2007
Thumbnail image for What Would You Do? (Part Two)

I really enjoyed reading your responses to my post last week, “What would you do?” I promised that I would tell you this week how I handled the situation. Here’s what I did: Nothing. I am somewhat embarrassed to tell you that I did not take any action with regard to the teacher’s error. Why? […]

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Blog Your Blessings Sunday

July 8, 2007

Welcome to Colloquium, redesigned and powered by WordPress! Today I am thankful that my ordeal with the company from which I originally purchased my domain name is over and this site is not just up and running again, but greatly improved! Do you like the new layout? I think it looks much better, providing more […]

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What Would You Do?

July 1, 2007
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School is out for the summer and my youngest son’s report card is posted on the front of the refrigerator. I can at long last write here about something that occurred this past winter. My son just finished his high school freshman year in a very small, private school (nondenominational Christian). I have been pleased, […]

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