January 2009

Monday Musings: Expectations About Prayer at Public Events

January 26, 2009

“Anger always comes from frustrated expectations.” ~~ Elliott Larson ~~ Octamom asked: Where do your expectations lie? Are they from within or without? We were seated on the stage after playing patriotic selections as the crowd was gathering and taking their seats. We would remain in our appointed places throughout the ceremony to perform a […]

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Shaking Things Up by Reaching Out

January 26, 2009

Today I am asking you to do something: Reach out to a fellow blogger. Visit Clusterfook and leave a message of care, encouragement and appreciation for Lisa Kelly. (Tell her Janie sent you, if you wish.) She may not respond to your comment right away, or at all, depending upon how she feels and whether […]

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It All Began at Chuck E. Cheese’s

January 22, 2009

It all Began at … Chuck E. Cheese’s was the site of the blind date. I had no idea, as I walked down the steps of City Hall back to my car on my first full day living back in Lodi after having been gone for several years, that a woman I shall call “D1,” a high […]

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Tuesday’s Tribute: Florence Wendland

January 20, 2009

Jay and Deb recently launched a new writing exercise, Tuesday’s Tribute, urging bloggers to pause and remember that it is not all about them. Rather, each Tuesday, participants “shine a light on someone else.” In this first edition, I share with you the tribute I wrote on the occasion of the death of my client, […]

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I Heard the “D” Word on Christmas Day (Part Two)

January 19, 2009

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair […]

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Carnival of Family Life

January 19, 2009

Welcome to the Carnival of Family Life In honor of the inauguration of President Barack Obama and the commemoration of the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is my pleasure to present this very special edition of the Carnival! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the eclectic collection of posts devoted to […]

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What if …

January 18, 2009

… he hadn’t left us too soon? Topics: Spin Cycle

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Seven Quick Takes Friday (Volume 1)

January 16, 2009

YOU are invited to participate in this week’s Carnival of Family Life as it will be a very special Edition, focused upon the inaugural of our forty-fourth President, Barack Obama, and annual commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s birth. Participants are strongly urged to write about one or both of those topics, or other […]

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In 250 Words or Less …

January 12, 2009

Few things are as satisfying as having time to get comfortable with an engrossing work of fiction. I stand in awe of skilled fiction writers and, for that reason, draw your attention to the latest fiction writing contest being hosted at The Clarity of Night: Listening for the Words in a Quiet Corner of the […]

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Carnival of Family Life

January 12, 2009

Education Laureen presents All I Needed to Know About P.E. I Learned from Jackie Chan posted at The Life Without School Community Blog. Alvaro Fernandez presents Top 10 Brain Fitness and Cognitive Health Books posted at SharpBrains. Mark Montgomery presents Best Value Colleges from Princeton Review: Information You Can Lose posted at Great College Advice, […]

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Sunday Stealing: The Hardest Meme Ever

January 11, 2009

This week’s meme comes from Kat at 3 Bedroom Bungalow, who attributes it to Jim at Irregularly Periodic Ruminations. The Hardest Meme Ever 1. What is the bravest thing that you feel you’ve ever done physically? I don’t believe that I have ever done anything physical that was particularly brave. I have, like most people, faced […]

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Wordless Wednesday

January 7, 2009

Topics: Wordless Wednesday

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The Meme With No Name

January 5, 2009

I have been locked in the Bloggingham Palace dungeon for many, many months. It’s cold, dark, and damp in here, although not lonely at all because I have plenty of bloggy friends imprisoned with me. So I’ve had lots of great conversations in the months since I failed to participate in the Message in a […]

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The Focus for 2009

January 5, 2009

“I am my own worst critic.” How many times have you thought or said that sentence? Probably countless times, if you are a quintessential artist, writer, musician or other person striving to create something meaningful or memorable. If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit the tendency to be critical of our own […]

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Signs of the Times: No One Escapes the Economic Crisis

January 4, 2009

No one is immune from the impact of America’s current economic crisis. Last night I enjoyed dinner and conversation with a group of long-time friends. We decided to enjoy Chinese food from our favorite take-out restaurant, Chop Chop, a Lodi Avenue fixture for more than 40 years. We gathered at the home of one friend […]

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Saturday Nine: Dying to Know

January 3, 2009

1. What do you believe happens when we die? Life never ends, although its form changes. I believe that death is the moment when we cross over to the next plane of existence. That place might be heaven, but I don’t know where or exactly what it is. I’ve had some really intriguing conversations with friends […]

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