The Joy of Going to a Library--Not Just to Read Books

One thing that I inherited from my grandmother and mother was the love for reading. That was one fascinating thing I learned after finding my biologic roots. That precious time with a book is a great connection to have. I have the pleasure of knowing two librarians. One is a young enough to be my daughter the other is around my age, but both I consider my friends. I have learned great things from each woman, both with differing knowledge.

When I was a kid I had go to authors I would read during the summer months, in between my time at the ice rink. You  could read between sessions, read in the car (some find that unmanageable but I don't have a problem). I read books dealing with skating history or how to books. Unfortunately, even today the only way you can learn skating is doing not by reading a book. Many former figure skaters have written books on a journey and struggles while skating or after but all in all you can learn so much by reading. My library card has been like my license, I have had it longer than my license but I use it all the time.

But having access to the library just isn't about reading books. For instance, our library has many different programs available I have learned just in the last year. They didn't always have them but social media and a little bit of hard work by the Outreach Program Librarian, Patty Long she is making it happen.

Patty Long, Sedalia Outreach Program Librarian

Trivia Day Prize 

I can see that the times have changed since going to the library as a kid. The still have the card catalogs, but now they are on computers. You can still find things in the archives in most libraries but most things are at your fingertips.

Patty had events: Walk and Read in the Park, Trivia Day, and a Recycled Book Project and has many wonderful ideas planned in the coming months. With a little help from others I can see our library being the go to place for more than just reading, again.

 A little bit of trivia, the Sedalia Public Library was the first library in Missouri that was awarded a $50,000 grant  from Andrew Carnegie to be built. It is on the Missouri Registry of History Places and went through a renovation a few years ago.

I actually like to pick the brains of both librarians in my life because they are so different. Each has a specialty type of book to read and although there are certain books they each of them dislike, sometimes it takes that open mind to maybe find a new path to forge. I know personally having either talked with each of them or since my young librarian is on Goodreads, I know what books she would like to read and what she has read and sometimes go off that list for my own suggestions. With Patty she has recommended some that I also wouldn't have thought of since I started going to the Book Club at the Library a few months ago. 

So while the weather is hot, or when the fall weather approaches, if you haven't visited your local library. Stop by they may have a program you can get involved in.  I still refer to my childhood library the Wilmington Public Library in the Los Angeles Public Library System or where I live now Sedalia Public Library in Sedalia MO. Both have Facebook pages and obviously the Los Angeles Public Library has many branches throughout the area. You don't have to be a reader but you never know you might find something that peaks your fancy.

The Town that Painted Rocks 2016

Isn't it funny how an idea can get started with a snap of a finger? We will do just about anything to get our kids and ourselves doing something constructive or artistic as this case seems to have turned into. Just last week the Pokemon Go became a weirdly strange activity for individuals and families to get involved in.   Actually, while getting some troubleshooting tips from the computer technician at Staples last week, our conversation included whether or not I was seeking Pokemon characters.  I told him I thought I was too old for that but when he was impressed with my knowledge of other social media sites, I felt much better. I guess it is not so strange to those who liked Pokemon cards way back when. But long before Pokemon Go,  someone in town had an idea called Sedalia Rocks. It already has its own Facebook page Sedalia Rocks-MO Official and has reached over 1,200 likes.

Already so popular that one of our newspaper reporters is considering a story about it. While most are listening to political banter, horrific news stories around the world and  all the papers and television is focused on very little positivity, it is refreshing to be able to do something artistic yet fun for everyone.

Haddie finding her first rock.

Found another!

Now this rocky activity has taken on a whole life of its own. Where to get the rocks. How to paint the rocks. What to paint on the rock, make sure you spray the rock with clear coat. (Yes, I have already started to paint one with a figure skate on it, although I will have to find a creative place to hide that fits with it.) I hopped on the rock painting wagon a little early on. Our first rock was a large orange one with a pink butterfly on it. Although we have never heard if it was actually found or re-hidden my story I like to put behind it is--just like a butterfly they come and go from out of know where.

 Some put more time than others into this and although their are official "rules" set aside, really I think the sky is the limit to this activity.  This has become a summer phenomenon in our little town, but I have heard it is also taking off in other towns around the country. A little bit of a scavenger hunt, with color and imagination all rolled into one little or large rocks, smooth or bumpy, you decide.  Also check out Pinterest for the artist in you and check out the varieties available.

Yes, several people snicker at you when they ask "have you jumped on the Sedalia Rocks bandwagon?" Well they may laugh but don't be surprised if you see them in the dark of night, or at noontime with a rock in hand ready to launch that clue on the official Sedalia Rocks MO Facebook page. Thanks to all those who are participating and making it a fun and easy addition to many in town.  I hope it continues on and on and on--one rock at a time.

If you Want it Done, Do it Yourself World we Live In?

Looking for the good in everyday life is and always has been a very big challenge; especially for me.  While I was growing up I probably didn't really realize what a great upbringing I really experienced. Does any child ever; really!. We had food on the table, (not every meal was a gourmet meal) clothes to wear (mom and grandma made just about every stitch of clothing I wore through elementary school, except for undergarments), and I figure skated on a weekly basis.  I was raised in a very regimented, environment to say the least.  No wasn't really an option in our house. You either did it or lived with the consequences. Being also an only child I had not a sibling to turn to for blame or advice.

Today and I admit I sometimes can be just as guilty as the next person when it comes to social media, although lately I stick to a pretty true list of what I do and don't reveal, because one hit of the enter/send button can truly make your life a living H double hockey stick.

With that regimented environment, parents and a time way back when where you learned how to do different things to survive or "it just was how it is" era many recent events lately just make we wonder as everyone is doing in so many instances "is this really what our world has become?"

At this time in my life, one group tells me let go and let someone else take the wheel on issues. On the other hand I try to give the wheel up and no one wants it.

Case in point. We have had in the works for some time putting up a privacy fence around part of our backyard. Growing up literally everyone had a living or privacy fence. One yard didn't go into the next, each person had his/her own yard. No one came into your yard without at first asking. Our yard had locks on both gates and really the only time they were unlocked or opened was when the utility person came to read our meters or when my Dad mowed the yard.

To even get to the point that we are at now, seemed to take an act of congress. Try and figure out based on the temperature when is the best time to put up the fence which of course leaves an approximate window of about six months time in Missouri if you place your bets between rain and heat and other acts of Mother Nature you may or may not be prepared for.  Call to make sure you don't dig where gas, water or power lines are: check. Remove a tree stump where the fence will be placed: check.  Figure what type of fence will last the longest and withstand the weather; vinyl:check.

 So the last thing on the list was find someone to install the fence. First, the choices of actual companies or trustworthy individuals who do this type of work seems to be few and far between in little rural areas and those you do call either don't have time or the inclination to even do the job.Please don't tell me to check Angie's List or any other list that really isn't available to smaller areas, thank you.   You call people to give estimates; they don't show up and don't call to give a reason. I think we have heard every story in the book. I have even asked for recommendations from people and those haven't went well either.

I still am holding out hope that we may still get someone who does things the old-fashioned way and wants to actually work for a living, returns calls as a courtesy to a possible returning customer and appreciates work being sent their way. I would really rather add other accomplishments to my list but am not feeling post hole digger or fence installer to my who cares in business resume.

Oh and by the way the picture I attached is of a golf course and not my back yard. To me that is the only piece of land with grass I don't think should have a true fence around it.

Hopefully, before the good weather season is over I can proudly say we have a private backyard to enjoy.

The Sanctity of Marriage

One thing people always associate June with is weddings. I know many, many people who have chosen the month of June. Usually the month is beautiful weather for outdoor weddings and its a time when school is usually out so everyone is free to travel around the country to attend a family or friends special day.

I have posted many times, I believe about marriage in general and my own.  My hubby and I will soon celebrate 32 years. To some our blueprint is unique in many ways. I have often said I compare ours to military wives, he is fighting on the road of life and not true combat and although I do not move around, he is gone at long periods of time.

I will start by saying, no marriage is 100 percent perfect! Those of you who are or have been married already probably knew that. If anyone tells you they have a totally perfect marriage, they are not only fooling you but themselves.

Marriage is hard. It is a lifetime commitment. It is a constant work in progress. It is 100/100 by each person. Everyone has their own model of a good marriage. We were both born at a time when families were usually two parent families. I can't speak for David but I really only remember having one friend who had parents who were divorced.

Both of us came from completely different family dynamics. I was biologically born to unwed parents. I was adopted at birth. My biological mother was married multiple times, my adoptive father was married multiple times. Although my adoptive parents were married 47 years they created some interesting situations during my lifetime.

Now David's parents on the other hand have been married almost 66 years and although I have only known them for the time I have been married to their son, I don't think I have ever really observed them other than a completely loving couple. They probably have had many instances where they didn't agree with each other but overall one could not live without the other.  As they have gotten older I have seen that the for better or worse has been tested to extremes.

Recently I came across a short video on Facebook on "How to Make A Relationship Last 25+ years". by David Wolfe. It hits on many true points that most marriages and relationships should or probably do follow. I connected with many of them, of course the "skating" couple caught my eye immediately with"always support each other no matter what". During my figure skating days David was won of my greatest supporters along with the kids when they were growing up. It was especially fun during our "team travel" days. He managed to capture several interesting videos that I wish I still had.

For those who are thinking about getting married, think long, hard and put all your efforts into the processes before you tie the knot. Marriage should never be taken lightly and or for granted at all. The one moment you start forgetting your to do list of marriage is when problems start creeping up. Mark my word it will happen at least once in the marriage.

My advice for those who are having a rough patch. Go through all available avenues to repair the patches. Exhaust them all before making the decision that the road you paved together is no longer the road you want to travel down together.

I hope those couples lately that I do know are able to find what they need to continue on. If not well you are the writer to the end or the beginning of that story yourselves.

Many Milestones of May

What would we do without milestone calendars?  No one can just have one calendar anymore. I certainly don't! From dry erase to daily planner to phone; one just isn't enough. Keeping track of myself plus everyone in line behind me and those in my circus tent. It definitely becomes challenging. Keeping track of major or minor milestones whether you are young or old makes for some interesting times especially at this time of year.

It hardly seems possible next month is 37 years since high school graduation. As I keep track on Facebook with many of those school friends, many of us have busy lives. Some married high school sweethearts, others had a second chance with a high school love, others have remained single and loving it. Still other's have passed on to heaven way to soon. But many are truly successful in every way.  Looking back I am sure none of us would look forward in time and think our lives would be what they are today. My hopes, dreams and milestones of those long ago years were not at all what my life turned out. Lots of surprises, twists and turns its been a ride to say the least.

Graduation Banning High School 1979 with friend Kim (Bury) Vinal

Whether it be graduating through years of school or just special milestones in life the milestones bring a flood of emotions and memories abound.

The journey through education has begun also for two of my grandchildren. Our oldest finished Kindergarten and our second oldest finished her first year of preschool. Both have come so far it is boggling to the mind. If I can see anything in my crystal ball I hope they both become successful, strong, opinionated (they are both on track with that last trait already) young women who follow whatever dreams they have in life.

Hadleigh 2016 Kindergarten Ms. LaCasse

Greenlee first and last day of Preschool 2016

 Summer for many was usually always a time of moving on too new places and adventures.

 A new friend recently retired from many years of teaching and molding young minds. Her excitement in turning over a new leaf in life has been refreshing. You never truly can expect what will happen as you put your hand on that door knob of life. Turning left or right you just forge on and hope good things are on the other side. I venture though that she will do just spectacular things.

We all have those moments in time where we may question our reasons. I have had many and will probably still continue to question some of the things and the outcomes that have occurred. Some of my milestone moments have been life changing, others well are yet to be determined I suspect.

Whatever May brings beside flowers, warmer weather and times of reflection only a few more days of May remain..Make them milestone moments.

Giving Credit, Where Credit is Due

Our society today is filled with giving everyone a trophy syndrome. Participation trophy's just for putting on the uniform or hat. When I competed in my first figure skating competition at 16, I came in first place. I like to think the reason I placed first was due to hard work, a clean program, and lots and lots of practice. I picked out my own music, helped in the making of my costume so needless to say I was very hands on in the entire process. Yes it took a village.  My mom did the sewing of my blue costume, I took lessons from a wonderful coach and I spent hours and hours of preparation for my first competition. I pushed myself into competing, it wasn't my parents pushing although they initially started me in the sport.  I was at 16 years old mature enough to make the decision that it was time to show what I had learned over the many years of practice.

Figure skating taught me many lessons in life that I continue to carry today. Although it is a sport with many opportunities to either skate and or compete individually, pairs, and also as a team, each entity of the sport has its own advantages and disadvantages. My choices were individually and also as part of a team. Although in individual skating you really only have yourself to blame if you did not skate well usually. Blaming your coach, the ice surface, your equipment sometimes can be the culprit-really you are responsible for the final outcome to a point, the judging and popular opinion take it from there.

As in sports your personal and professional life runs into similar situations also. 

I have been experiencing many strange Manic Monday moments that have seemed to take over the entire week for up until recently every week for almost two months. From Corporate America's crumbling communications with its clients to other small businesses taking on more than they can handle and you being the go-to-person for damage control; juggling both of these situations has been in one word: challenging. Add on running our business, daily family scenarios, helping with fundraising for a community organization,  and attending a long-weekend event recently that I had intended being all fun and no issues; well it didn't quite meet those expectations. unfortunately.

Struggling with issues is definitely not something I do well. I sometimes find that just taking a shower and hearing the water run is my only peace of the day.  Taking up yoga 10 months ago has definitely helped--a little, but lets give credit where credit is due; life can be extremely difficult these days!

If you are not positive Polly, happy Harriet, or smiling Sarah well your just not someone people want to be around.  I look at people who are overly positive with much wonder. I guess hiding behind that rainbow poncho helps keep the negativity away. Also trying to find "moments" that create those positive moments can also be challenging.

I actually started this post several days ago and after having a few glitch moments and a few positive sprinkles left and right: finishing a couple books, babysitting youngest grandson, helped just a bit.

Yesterday I came across a post on Facebook about a 90 year old woman that was very well known in the skating world who had passed away recently.

 Many in my skating circle had competed with her over the years and I actually competed with her daughter a few times. I watched a few videos that had been posted on Facebook at her last competition she had been in 2015 and she still nailed it.

 I have to give her credit, she stuck with what she loved, continued to forge ahead and in the end she will be remembered as someone who loved the sport her whole life. I may not always have those same opportunities I did in figure skating to express my abilities but the memories are fantastic and life continues on.

  

International Women's Day 2016--Where We Have Been, Where we Are Going

As my story goes, I was too busy celebrating International Women's Day with my multitude of daily activities that my focus on finishing my post for the day wasn't completed.(I went to my first Book Club experience, and what an experience it was!) So I had to go into Day 2 with my thoughts and feelings for how my day progressed. One thing I noticed was my life was filled with information left and right and I attempted to absorb it all to the best of my ability. As women today we try and process things from every direction, gather it all together and at the end of the day hopefully process all that was given. Having said that.......

Well it is 2016. We are deep into the political arena for the race for a new President. Yes, we are down to one female candidate. The litany of mudslinging gets worse as the time gets closer. We have come a long way from the day when American activists such as Alice Paul, Susan B. Anthony and hundreds of other women throughout the world paved the way for the women of today. Yes we have made some changes in the last ninety plus years in not only the United States and the world, but we still have a long way to go baby!

Today, March 8 is designed International Women's Day. In a time we designate each day something new: National Donut Day, National Grandparent's Day, National Eat Your Green Vegetables Day (I don't know if that day is actually designated but I am sure someone will add it to the list) Every day is an important day for one reason or the other. Personally, my day was filled with snippets of just about everything imaginable.

Women today have a plate full of duties that seems to never end either by choice or by life's requirements. Looking back at women's history, especially reading many articles over the past 24 hours many words come to mind but my favorite is--resilience. When at a point in history you think it may be lost on deaf ears it comes back with a vengeance.

A post on the Times Magazine Facebook page reflected on how March became Women's History Month. Although February 28, 1909 was one of the first notable dates, in more recent history Former President, Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation declaring March 2-8, 1980 Women's History Week. A variety of sites such as The Women's Rights National Historic Park, Alice Paul Institute and the National Women's History provides a vast amount of information about women's history and insight into the thousands of women who have made a difference in the world today because of struggles they experienced.

I randomly came across a poem called "A Strong Woman vs. A Woman of Strength by Luke Easter. Take a moment to read it. I am sure you might find something in it that either you believe, you have witnessed or maybe something you aspire to in your life.

I compiled this list several years ago as an informational sheet while in charge of a women's organization speaker event. When you take the time to look at just these 100 women you can add so many more to this list of inspirational females. Many of these women broke barriers and the new generation will break down even more. Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Watson and Patricia Arquette are just a few recently in the news and I am sure you can come up with your own 100 List of Ladies who are an inspiration.

This is the thing about women our lists are endless in what we have accomplished and can accomplish, don't be silent--In this situation, "silence is NOT golden".

100 Influential, Famous and Infamous Women in History

1. Esther (Bible)
2. Amelia Earhart
3. Anne Frank
4. Helen Keller
5. Anne Sullivan
6. Mother Theresa
7. Martha Washington
8. Susan B. Anthony
9. Rosa Parks
10. Joan of Arc
11. Sonja Henie
12. Lilian Gish
13. Kate Smith
14. Ella Fitzgerald
15. Martha Stewart
16. Maribel Vinson  (figure skating)
17. Eleanor Roosevelt
18. Danielle Steel
19. J K Rowlings
20. Madonna
21. Annie Oakley
22. Peggy Fleming
23. Jackie Kennedy
24. Barbara Walters
25. Charlotte Bronte
26. Helen Gurley Brown
27. Geraldine Ferraro
28. Babe Didrickson Zaharias (sports, track, golf)
29. Oprah Winfrey
30. Danica Patrick   (auto racing)
31. Diane Sawyer
32. Esther Williams
33. Alice Paul
34. Nancy Pelosi
35. Betty Grable
36. Lucille Ball
37. Bonnie Parker
38. Marie Pasteur
39. Dorothy Hamill
40. Clara Barton
41. Shirley Muldoney  (first female drag racer)
42. Marie Antoniette
43. Gloria Allred
44. Gloria Steineim
45. Liu Yang    (first Chinese astronaut)
46. Louisa Mae Alcott
47. Shirley Temple
48. Libby Riddles  (1985 First Iditarod Champion)
49. Wilma Rudolph
50. Madeline Albright
51. Mary Kay Ash
52. Debbi Fields  (Mrs. Fields Cookie founder)
53. Carrie Chapman Catt
54. Christa McAuliffe
55. Queen Noor of Jordan
56. Pocahantas
57. Sally Ride
58. Sara Blakely  (Spanx founder)
59. Bethanny Frankel
60. Josephine Baker
61. Angela Merkel  (German Chancellor)
62. Indira Gandhi
63. Cathy Rigby
64. Billie Jean King
65. Deborah Simpson (first female military service)
66. Dilma Rousseff ( first Brazil president)
67. Deila Hasket Rawson (first female letter carrier)
68. Mary Kies (first woman receive U.S. patent 1809)
69. Lettie Pate Whitehead (first to serve on board of directors Coke)
70. Betty Ford
71. Hillary Clinton
72. Florence Nightingal
73. Dolly Madison
74. Marissa Meyer  (Yahoo CEO)
75. Marie Curie
76. Elizabeth Taylor
77. Grace Kelly
78. Charlotte Cooper (first Wimbeldon winner)
79. Norma McCorvey (Roe vs. Wade)
80. Cleopatra
81. Anne Boleyn
82. Clara Boothe Luce
83. Susanna Madora Salter(first woman Mayor KS 1887)
84. Marie Ruoff Bryum (first woman to vote 1920 MO)
85. Molly Williams (first female firefighter 1815 NY slave)
86. Mabel Fairbanks      (1^st Black Professional Figure Skater)
87. Emily Dickinson
88. Sandra Day O’Conner
89. Jane Goodall
90. Hedda Hopper        (Hollywood Gossip Columnist)
91. Eva Peron           
92. Alice Stebbins Wells   (1910 1^st Los Angeles Police Officer)
93. Margaret Thatcher
94. Erin Brockovich
95. Lady Diana Spencer
96. Katie Couric
97. Hazel Palmer  
98. Arabella Mansfield  (1869 First Female Law School Graduate)
99. Mary Katherine Goddard (1777 Postmaster)
100.  Phyllis Diller