Monday Morning-The start of something new, and hopefully everyone's up for it. It's actually Monday afternoon and I just read that Carole Provenzale successfully resolved her long time fight to get compensated for the flood she had in her home.  Congratulations Carole.  We all know the power of "The Rain" but how about the Power of another network that affects us here?

Photo Courtesy of Nannette Saunders under the Creative Commons License

I have been on Active Rain for a while now, and it never ceases to amaze me how deeply people seem to care about others on here. Most of us have seen it, but I never expected to see this replicated on another site. Not with someone that I hadn't taken the time and effort necessary to build a relationship with.  But it did happen.

As many of you know Twitter is a fast paced 140 character mini blog.  We write what we're doing and there's a variety of people from all walks of life.  One of the people I met is Gypsy Owl. She's not a member of this forum, but the help she's given me reminds me of Active Rain members.  I don't know where I found Gypsy Owl (real name is Deborah Bryan) to follow, other than that she was an Artist. Later I read something she'd written about Squidoo Lens, and how she had several lens's to write. I wanted to know what she was talking about so I could comment intelligently so I went to Squidoo....and read a few things.  Deborah gave me the encouragement to write a lens, and I think I did pretty well for a 1st one.  I wrote on my trip to Forks, WA for a self-guided "Twilight" tour. 

Anyway, I could get sidetracked, but this is really about Gypsy Owl.  I loved her name, and that she did graphic design and art so I "Followed" her.  Recently I signed up for a class on how to get the most out of Squidoo, and have completed 2 lenses now.  I think anyone that would like help with this site might want to check GypsyOwl out, it sure makes a big difference to have a Master help the new people, just like Oldies helping the Newbie's on Active Rain.

Follow GypsyOwl on Twitter

GypsyOwl's  Squidoo Home Page with list of the Lens  she has created  (Lens are sort of like AR Posts)

OK...so that is my Monday, one of Gratitude. I am grateful for the lessons I learned here, that have let me jump into conversations when I have something to add, a laugh to share, or maybe just a hello.    And as is our Active Rain custom...I am sharing this with you today.

Now for 2 other Gifts-these from within our own Network:

Gift#1- Nannette Saunders-I met Nannette last year sometime and somehow we connected.  She has what her Grandmother called "Walking around Sense" and that to me is more important than anything.  What I like best about Nannette is her ability to accept people for whom they are, and not try to change them or get them to believe as she does.  I learned this during the Political Environment of last year, and she is one of the very few that I actually felt comfortable enough to discuss Politics with.  And as opinionated as I am that's quite a person :)

Oh and also go see Nannette's Photos on our Foto Share Shop Group on Flick-I love her Country Photos.

Gift#2 A picture from our Flick Group-if you aren't familiar with this Group check it out here

Photo Courtesy of Lola Andu under the Creative Commons License

***Networking online can have some wonderful benefits.  I hope all of you take the time to follow GypsyOwl, Meet Nannette and take a few minutes to go see some of the great photos we have on the Flickr Group.  Enjoy your week.

By: Kathy McGraw CELLing Realty in Riverside County