celebrate the day: Happy New Year 2025
- 12/31/24 05:53 PM
Happy New Year 2025
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Welcome 2025! Happy New Year to my ActiveRain friends.
Thank you for enriching my life with your posts that transported me from Connecticut to Colorado and Arizona to Alaska.
May all that you wish forcome your way.
May every dream you have come true.
May what you ask for be what you need.
May what you need bewhat you find.
May you encounter kindness wherever you go,
May wisdom and compassion become your companions.
Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, 'It will be happier.'
Alfred Lord Tennyson
New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does … (22 comments)
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celebrate the day: Blink and It’s Gone…End of the Year Random Thoughts
- 12/30/24 02:54 PM
Blink and It’s Gone…End of the Year Random Thoughts
It is a fact (well it is in my mind) that the older you get, the faster the world spins. When you hear a senior say “Where did the time go?” they truly mean it!!!
2024- for those of us in the Houston area, it was the year of the generator and weather.
May 16: we had something I’d never heard of in my life… a derecho. It is like a tornado but actually is a “widespread longlasting windstorm” that caused about 1 million customers to go without power. Powered up the generator!
July 8: Hurricane … (18 comments)
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celebrate the day: Merry Christmas 2024
- 12/24/24 04:37 PM
Merry Christmas 2024
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing
I hope you are with friends who
are your family
And family who are also your friends.
Wishing you FAITH, LOVE, HOPE AND JOY on this glorious day and throughout the New Year.
Merry Christmas
May you never be too grown-up to search the
skies on Christmas Eve.
Attributed to Amy Newmark
The way you spend Christmas is far more
important than how much.
Henry David Thoreau
… (20 comments)
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celebrate the day: Twas the Night Before…2024 Edition
- 12/23/24 06:28 PM
Twas the Night Before…2024 Edition
Since 2010 I’ve played around with a staging version of Twas the Night Before Christmas. In 2020, I adjusted it to reflect our concern for germs and “the virus.” Last year, I repurposed it for blogging.
Twas the Night Before Blogging
Twas the night before blogging
When all through the cloud
Not a member was typing,
It was quiet…not loud!
All the posts had been written
All placed in good form
Waiting quietly in DRAFT mode
Until the next morn.
Every word had been spell-checked
Every paragraph reread
A photo inserted
Or a video instead.
Then all of a sudden
The members all wondered
It’s Christmas today,who’s minding the store?
Who will hand out … (20 comments)
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celebrate the day: Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving
- 11/27/24 04:15 PM
Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving
My day would not be complete without thanking my ActiveRain family.
Since 2008, I have learned and laughed here. Friends have been made, and some I’ve actually met!
And, while I have tried to give back for all I have received from this community and its members…much more has been given to me from YOU.
I wish you a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving with gratitude that will carry you throughout the coming year.
To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything.
Thomas Merton
Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.
Maya Angelou
Not what … (21 comments)
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celebrate the day: Thanksgiving Week…Thankful for Them All
- 11/25/24 03:14 PM
Thanksgiving Week…Thankful for Them All
This annual challenge never fails to call up memories of my many Thanksgivings.
My love of large family gatherings was born of my childhood holidays, which included all of my family plus family friends, and anyone else who might stop by.
My grandmother made everything, including at least 4 pies. There were football games on the television and weather permitting, we played some tag football in the front yard.
Since then I’ve had Turkey for 20 in my 725 sq ft apartment to Thanksgiving Day with thousands in Epcot where we had dinner “in Morocco.” I spent one Thanksgiving … (15 comments)
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celebrate the day: Tuesday’s Treasures…This is Your Life!
- 11/18/24 04:17 PM
Tuesday’s Treasures…This is Your Life!
This month is National Life Writing Month! I couldn’t help but think that many of us do this every day…here on this platform.
We often share anecdotal stories to illustrate our points! Besides sharing local market reports and listings, we write about our friends and family. We let others know about local events.
This month’s challenge asks us to share what we’re thankful for. Not that we need it but what better way to encourage us to reflect on our blessings. And…the rest of us are given the opportunity to learn more about our friends.
We’ve learned of … (24 comments)
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celebrate the day: Wordless Wednesday…World Kindness Day
- 11/12/24 05:47 PM
Wordless Wednesday…World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day is one of my favorite days to celebrate. Of course, this is one of those days that warrants celebrating 365 days of the year.
Kindness is one of those traits that often comes and goes in us depending upon our mood or state of mind. But it is always in us, and like other habits, the more you use it the better you get at it.
Whatever possession we gain by our sword cannot be sure or lasting, but the love gained by kindness and moderation is certain and durable.
Alexander the Great
Kindness, like a cup of … (16 comments)
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celebrate the day: Tuesdays Treasures…Delight in Reading
- 11/11/24 02:44 PM
Tuesdays Treasures…Delight in Reading
With the holidays around the corner, you may be making your gift list. If there are children on the list, what about making part of your gift that of a book or set of books!
Today is National Young Readers Day. The ability to read and the delight in reading are important to our children’s growth and success in the world they will meet.
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Did you know that roughly 54% of adults read below the sixth grade level?
21% of adults are considered illiterate.
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When I did psychological testing, some of the testees were recently released from prison. Many could not read … (18 comments)
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celebrate the day: Veterans Day 2024
- 11/10/24 01:23 PM
Veterans Day 2024
This year before you say “Thank you” to someone currently serving or someone who has served, I hope you’ll pause and think about what it is you’re thanking them for.
Saying “Thank you for your service” rolls off our tongues, doesn’t it?! What about sitting down with someone who’s served or is serving. If they’re willing, ask them to share their experience.
Larry and I used to have breakfast every day with our friend, Vic. Larry was an F-4 pilot during the Vietnam era and Vic was in the Army…shot and left for dead in Vietnam.
I heard humorous stories but also … (15 comments)
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celebrate the day: Happy Halloween!
- 10/30/24 02:58 PM
Happy Halloween!
My Halloween treat bags are filled and ready for Halloween revelers. We don’t get as many wee-ones as we did in our previous neighborhoods. We live on a small cul-de-sac with very few children.
I have to admit that as much as I love Halloween, I’m happy not to have to prepare the 125++ treat bags that I used to.
The Texans play the Jets tonight so I’m pretty sure the porch light will go off around kick off time.
And you? Are you handing out candy? Or…will your house go dark???
There is something haunting in the light of the moon.
Joseph Conrad
By … (21 comments)
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celebrate the day: Tuesday’s Treasures…Our Bluebirds
- 09/23/24 04:20 PM
Tuesday’s Treasures…Our Bluebirds
Today is National Bluebird of Happiness Day and I could not let this day go without sharing the joy we get from our bluebirds.
Our first sighting of a bluebird (that we remember) was in 2019 when we moved back to Houston. This beautiful blue bird was sitting on top of a bird box in the parking lot of Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve.
We now have a box in our yard and monitor the boxes at the Preserve. Each year our work helps 20 to 40+ baby bluebirds enter the world.
Bluebirds are symbols in some cultures. Often people associate them with health and … (21 comments)
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celebrate the day: Today is Constitution and Citizenship Day
- 09/16/24 01:41 PM
Today is Constitution and Citizenship Day
Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17…the day in 1787 when the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document that would become our Constitution.
It also recognizes new naturalized citizens to our great country with ceremonies held throughout the country.
After 2001, I carried small copies of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution in my travel bag. For me, it’s like carrying my country with me no matter where I am.
Do you remember memorizing the Preamble to the Constitution when you were in school???
Can you still recite any of it??
You can find the Preamble to the Constitution … (26 comments)
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celebrate the day: Hug and High 5 Day and Back at ‘Ya
- 09/11/24 05:58 PM
Hug and High 5 Day and Back at ‘Ya
Perhaps it’s a bit apropos that Hug and High 5 Day is the day after September 11. It was started by David Hale Sylvester who lost a good friend on that day in 2001.
After that day and suffering the loss he and others had, he found solace in “traveling the world and giving out high fives and hugs.”
In 2020, he began a journey to do a good deed in each of our states.
We all know the feeling we get when we’re on the receiving end of a hug or high five. We also … (27 comments)
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celebrate the day: Perspective
- 09/10/24 06:01 PM
Perspective
They say that time heals all wounds. I don’t know about healing them, but over time our hurt and pain are pushed to the back. The memories and how we felt are still there.
That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.
Aldous Huxley
TIME does,however, offer us a different perspective of the events. And, if we’re lucky and wise, we learn from what happened.
It’s been 23 years. 9/11 still seems fresh to me. I remember the hours spent watching the news and how my spirit … (25 comments)
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celebrate the day: Celebrate the Day… Share Your Hug!
- 07/29/24 05:43 PM
Celebrate the Day… Share Your Hug!
Today is Share a Hug Day. To learn how and why it was started, you can read more here. However, suffice it to say that the gist is don’t let a moment pass without letting someone know that you care.
I grew up not being a big hugger but thankfully, I began working for a company that was big on hugging and supporting each other.
Hugging is good for you!
If you are anxious, a hug can work wonders for you.
Hugs help reduce your stress.
They help to make you feel a part of something.
They can turn your negativity into … (17 comments)
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celebrate the day: Happy Birthday to the Land That I Love
- 07/03/24 01:42 PM
Happy Birthday to the Land That I Love
When I think of this beautiful land I was born in, I can’t help but thank my grandparents (both sets) for finding their way to this country.
I am forever grateful.
And, while I’ve always liked the song God Bless America, since 9/11, I get goosebumps and a lump in my throat when it’s played.
Remember the night of September 11, 2001, when members of Congress came together on the steps of the Capitol and spontaneously began singing “God Bless America”?
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let … (15 comments)
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celebrate the day: Flag Day...June 14, 2024
- 06/13/24 12:32 PM
Flag Day 2024…Fly Yours Proudly
Today isn’t just Flag Day but also Pause for the Pledge Day.
When I was an affiliate with the Women’s Council of Realtors in Palm Beach County, we began each meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. As we’d all done throughout our lives, we placed our hands over our hearts to recite the pledge.
On this occasion, however, as Mike Owen (Boca Raton agent) stepped up to lead us in the Pledge, he asked that we think about the words as we said them.
The whole room was moved by this. How often do we automatically recite the words without … (21 comments)
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celebrate the day: Honoring Two Memorable Events This Day
- 06/05/24 03:32 PM
Honoring Two Memorable Events This Day
June 6 has always been a memorable day for me even though I was not yet born for either event.
Today marks the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and it is the heavenly birthday of my father, Henry.
The Allied Invasion of Normandy…D-Day, on June 6, 1944, was the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare.
There were more than 2 million troops from over 12 countries in Britain by 1944 in preparation for the invasion.
My father did not talk a lot about his experience in WWII but I will always remember his story of D-Day. He was a … (12 comments)
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celebrate the day: Memorial Day…Have You Earned It?
- 05/26/24 04:41 PM
Memorial Day…Have You Earned It?
Have you been reading the wonderful posts written about Memorial Day?
Dorie Dillard…Mike McCann…Sham Reddy…Doug Dawes just to name a few.
Thankfully, Memorial Day Day is remembered for more than a day off, the opening of pools, and cookouts.
At the end of Saving Private Ryan, as I was leaving the theatre, I sat down and cried. I have never done that for any movie.
The thought of this schoolteacher (Capt. Miller) and the sacrifices he and his fellow soldiers made for one Private. Ryan was amazing. It is what service and honor are about.
The message…two words…should resonate with all … (12 comments)
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Happy New Year 2025
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