Requiem for Inspiron 5150

I think it's time to say adieu
To find a worthy replacement new
Good Earth tea I went to sip
Sweet, spicy aromic blend to tip
Furiously typing pages of poems
Cutting, pasting, not letting them roam
Stretching my back, my eyes were red
Upon return, I found my laptop DEAD
I counted my blessings that I have saved
"Word Weavers' stuff wasn't lost," I raved
Playing tech geek until someone arrives
To see if I could bring it alive
A scavenger hunt for program disks
Found Eric's set, not an authorized risk
Into closets, under the bed, searching three hours
"Eureka, they're found," I ecstatically hollered!
Pleading a prayer, I dug up my smarts
Hoping for a computer resurrection start
A whirr, some clicks, messages flashing
"Can't find a hard drive," restart, then crashing
Doesn't sound good, trusted old friend
You've seen me through projects I'd penned
Photo shoots, blogging, IM, and email
Web searches, publishing, and bargain hunt sales
You were the link to close the generation gap
Destroying the adage of old dog's bad rap
I'll lay you to rest, recycle you green
Remembering the memories and places we've seen
Your memory has failed but mine is intact
Thankful for jump drives and my CD stack

Contributed by Ann.

Let's Hear It For Cell Phones

I love cell phones! It certainly takes the worry out of all dire thoughts when someone is in the middle of Hurricane Gustuv! Eric's been checking in and he and his AmeriCorps Team evacuated out of New Orleans Sunday to 40 miles North West of New Orleans to Covington, LA to a Red Cross Station. Course, the next best thing is a Kindle that I can send messages to for a dime!



Contributed: Ann

Sunflowers

In the middle of flat land and sunflower fields, our Tourco tour bus rolled by a towering easel highlighted by cerulean skies. Where else would you find a tribute to local economy and van Gogh's art work but in Kansas!

Contributed by Ann

Bucket Punch

A recipe for life...

Ingredients:
compassion, humility, acceptance, humor, love, friendship, dreams, joy, faith, service

In one bucket:
Pour in 1 gallon of compassion
1 quart of acceptance
1 cup of humility
1 pint humor
8 ounces of sparkling joy
3 cups friendship-one each from family, friends, community
dash of dreams
pinch of faith in human kind
squirt of love in each serving glass
sprinkle generously with service

Stir with courage
Serve with a smile over the rocks of shared experiences

Serve in:
reflective crystal
topped with lemon slice or cherries
sprig of the inevitable

Serve hot or cold, 365 days for a century
Sip slowly hearing the sounds of laughter and treasuring nature’s tranquility

Contributed by Ann

Hornets

Emma has immersed herself in zoos, touch and feel labs, and exploration of all kinds of habitats this last month. She even practises the "one finger" touch rule in order to pet without alarming nature's creatures.

During a family reunion, the pavilion had some dripping water that collected and formed a puddle. Emma spotted the hornets skimming over for a water break. She eagerly approached the puddle calling over her shoulder, "Me pet bugs Momma." She turned, held up her hand, "Just one finger," assuring mom she knew the rules.

You've never seen so many adults converge on one small girl and swoop her up out of harm's way. Guess this wasn't the same as the turtle, cockroach, sidewalk ants, or python she'd "petted" before she became a rescue mission.

Contributed by: Ann

Pearly Whites

As Emma raced to the bathroom to get Gamma's teeth, I scrambled out of the lazy boy in order to be a close second in the race to the sink. Emma is fascinated with my dentures and loves to check them out to see if they'll fit in my mouth. Her mouth opens wide, clinches top and bottom rows of teeth together mirroring me as I slip my pearly whites in my mouth.

It brought back memories of when my sister, Nancy, would pinch my jaw and pop my dentures out as I was getting ready for my date. She'd take off like a rocket and hold them hostage as I awaited my date to pick me up. Of course, she'd be Miss Congeniality getting the door as I was frantically searching for my teeth!
Contributed by: Ann

Life Is Short

...a friend sent this to me...

They say it takes a minute
to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them,
a day to love them
but an entire life
to forget them.

Contributed by: Ann

Twinkle, Twinkle

I'm not sure what caused me to wake up, alert, with ears tuned into the noises of the night at 3:30 am.

A soft, melodic melody was coming from the guest bedroom. "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, ..."

I peaked in. Where was Emma? I didn't see her blond head on the pillow but still the song continued. I entered the room and heard the blind rattle. Emma was tucked behind the blind, looking out the window at the stars. She continued singing. I joined in the chorus of Twinkle, Twinkle. "Gamma, dark out. Night time. See the stars."

Millions of stars sparkled in the ebony sky. "Gamma, pretty! Night, night, Gamma." With a kiss and a hug, Emma snuggled down on her Winnie the Pooh pillow nestling with her blue fuzzy blankie, clasping her stuffed elephant from the Shriner's Circus. And me? I closed the door and went back to bed!

Contributed by: Ann

Sharing Spirit

We were off on a grand adventure Friday to the Minnesota Children's Museum. The Sesame Street Exhibit was in its last week. Emma had been watching her boxed CD set of the early shows when Big Bird had few feathers and Oscar wasn't green. As we were getting out the elevator, a lady pushing a stroller asked if we had to buy tickets. "Certainly," I said. "How else would we get in?"

She waved a laminated book size pass and said, "If you don't mind, walk in with me. My pass is good for six tickets and I couldn't find anyone who was available today."

We buzzed by the school groups and followed closely on her heels as she waved her pass and out spewed five tickets! Talk about meeting new friends in your neighborhood! I walked around with this silly grin on my face all day. Why does it seem more enjoyable to get an unexpected free pass? Our thanks to the generous lady on Sesame Street.

Contributed by:Ann

Circus

The circus is coming! The anticipation of the weekend trip to Duluth was not to be denied by the mid April snowstorm dumping 34 inches along with another 10 inches within the next couple of days. Miraculously, roads were cleared, tickets in hand, and front row seats were occupied at center ring.

I can visualize the wide eyed wonder flittering across Emma's expressive face as she spotted two BIG elephants lumbering in with trunks swinging and positioned themselves butt end in front of her. She desperately wanted to see elephants! Chortling at the antics of the trick dog leaping onto the horses' back, she was covered in sticky cotton candy. She was dazzled by the trapeze acrobatics and laughed along with the clown. Her chest puffed up as she rode the pony between acts in the sawdust ring.

What images fill her dreams as she slips into an exhausted sleep relplaying the elephants and the treasures of her first circus? She replays it all treating her dollies to a visit to the circus sharing all the fun she had!

Contributed by: Ann

Road Trip

Thirteen states. 3,500 miles. Spotty weather flittering between rain, sunshine, and gusty winds kept us guessing. Our road trip from Minnesota to Maryland and onto Boston was a once in a lifetime experience. As banker for the toll roads and bridges, I didn’t spot any consistency or pattern in the charges and grew frustrated with our frequent trips to local banks. I just kept doling out the bills, quarters, and coins in varying amounts and wondered if this might become the Minnesota solution to road repair.

Our arrival in Perryville, Maryland found us grateful for the Ramada Inn, open but under going remodeling, with WIFI access allowing us to keep in touch. It became our home away from home. We were amazed at Team Eagle Five’s progress on their renovation project in Baltimore putting in 10 to 12 hour days ripping up tar, patching holes in the roof, and demolition. The personalities and exuberance of the eleven person team was evident. What committeemen and perseverance in hostile weather conditions. A great bunch. America is in good hands with AmeriCorp NCCC!

We did travel on to Boston and enjoyed the historic sights. Using my Charlie subway card to get around, walking the cobblestone Freedom Trail, and pouring over the slate markers in the cemeteries was awesome. We ploughed through the Haymarket seeing fresh fish, fruits, flowers and vegetables offered and bartered. Aching muscles that screamed “100 miles” was actually probably only 3 were soothed in hot soaking baths.

Good food, scenic sights, long visits with relatives, meeting new friends and fascinating people were all a part of our adventure. Thanks Eric!

Contributed by Ann

April Snows!

For those of you no longer in Minnesota, I just wanted you to know that Virginia, MN on April 6 & 7 had 32 inches of snow! Think that's even taller than Emma who took a sled ride around the block Sunday. Think what you are missing--and smile!

Contributed by Ann

Potty Frenzy

I am a survivor of a weekend potty frenzy with my granddaughter. Before her second birthday, Emma was an enthused participant in toilet training but the novelty waned until she was a visitor in her little friend's house next door. Ellie was proudly climbing on her step stool to use the potty and had "big girl panties". The light bulb flickered, and Emma became dedicated to the task.

In case current bibliophiles have scant information on the books available to bring the lesson home, Emma's favorite is Everyone Poops. Course there's one, Potty Book for Girls which has the trainee calling grandma to share the accomplishment. Those potty calls kept me entertained with her squealing, "I went poop grandma, and I got M & Ms", and did brighten my evenings. Course there's also: Too Big for Diapers, Big Girls Use the Potty, Grover Has to Go, and Elmo Goes Potty with buttons giving sound to flushing, hand washing, etc.

The thrones can range from musical chairs that alert the household, a fold-up portable travel seat, or a "On the Go" potty for camping which uses a recycled plastic bag for disposal, to the traditional stool.

Things have changed since my day! Now there are special disposable pull-up imprinted with Dora, Princess characters, Pirates, Cars and Sponge Bob with "triggers" that turn cold to warn the child they're wet.

Hygiene is practiced with a passion with liquid soap pumpers or foaming soap lathered on tiny hands after using Huggies clean team disposable wet toilet tissues. The sticker chart at Day Care honors the amount of times gone along with multitudes of praise, bathroom ditties, and victory dances to commemorate the task.

Another milestone on her life's journey. Where does the time go?

Contributed by Ann.

Jump, Emma, Jump

Our two year old granddaughter is visiting us for the week. It never ceases to amaze me what comes of the mouths of babes.

Emma was entertaining us after supper by hopping around her four foot stuffed dog, working up a sweat. As she was making me dizzy, I wondered when this tiny pogo stick would topple. Thinking I could interrupt her motion I asked, "Emma, are you a bunny rabbit?"

Nonchalantly Emma looked me in the eye, continuing to jump. "No Gamma," she replied. "A kangaroo."

Contributed by Ann.

Breakfast in Bed

The following is a poem my mother wrote about my niece bringing me breakfast in bed.

Who's Knocking?

Tap, tap, tap at your door.
It's not the Raven squawking "Nevermore!"
Pixie Emma face alight
Offering blueberry braided bread upright.
Illuminating sunshine and morning cheer
Aromatic coffee she offered here.
Beseeching you to awake and visit.
No way could you resist!
Groggily smiling at this tiny vision
Who'd proudly completed her mission-
Breakfast in bed
Nothing more need be said.

Days

Did you know that there are two days in your life you can't do anything about? That's yesterday and tomorrow. You can live only in today! Live, love, laugh, work, and enjoy it!

Contributed by Ann.

Book Brigade

Elk River is looking for about 900 friends of the library to form a "Book Brigade" to symbolically move books from the old library to new quarters about 3 miles away. A "senior citizen" will remove a book from the shelf and pass it along through the human chain until that book reaches the new library where a "youngster" will shelf the book at the new facility. Everyone from 1 to 100 is invited. I hope every family shows up!! What a beautiful community symbol.

Contributed by Ann.

Potty Call

A phone call caught me off guard last week. Our granddaughter wanted to tell me something. "Gamma, potty!" Her mom had finished reading her a "potty book" as part of her night time ritual. At the end of the story, the little girl called her grandma to share the accomplishment.

"Talk Gamma. Potty!" Emma jumped out of her bed running for a phone. Aren't books wonderful? I smile thinking of the tune the "potty" plays when mission is accomplished.

Contributed by Ann.

100 Postings!

100 "beautiful experience" swatches intertwined in a cross section of Americana tapestry shared in life's scrapbook! Thanks for adding to the collage--and for showing up!

Contributed by Ann.

"Tagged"

I'd asked my son, "What would get the younger set involved in the Arts' Alliance?" He recommended establishing a "Graffito Wall". Little did I guess that our shed might become the location! Can't even tell you when, but we've been tagged!

Contributed by Ann.