To Catch a Butterfly

Ahh... summertime. Living in the North Woods means having a deep appreciation for summer. I believe many would agree that the season is much too short.

I had the privilege of witnessing a sweet sight today. My three and four year-old children were running through the sprinkler. Along came a beautiful butterfly. It seemed to be playing with the kids; they danced with glee. My two little ones truly thought they could catch that beautiful butterfly. They tried again, and again.

They were an inspiration to me. They saw no limitations. They both had their eyes on that butterfly, and were determined that they would catch it no matter how long it took.

I need that kind of determination. My kids never seemed to get frustrated; they chased the butterfly with huge smiles across their faces, giggling the whole time. Let's giggle and dance as we chase our dreams, and reach for our goals. Pack up your bags of frustration, your boxes of self-doubt, and smile and giggle until your tummy hurts. You will be so beautiful!

Care to Take a Dare?

Hey, all of you friends that have uncomfortably sat down in the swanky Dare Chair...

How are you doing? Have you conquered any mountains lately? I'm just checking in on you; I'm ready and willing to give you a little nudge, or push. Those goals you've written... GO FOR IT! That dream you've dreamt... dust it off and LIVE IT!

Those of you who know me, know that I have an incredibly large sweet tooth. I love sugar, and it loves my hips, thighs, and derriere. Well, I knew I had to do something, so I made my husband DARE me to go without refined sugar until our vacation. (total of almost 8 weeks) Now, my husband is a wise man; he knew he was on shaky ground. But, I told him he MUST dare me, because I know myself well enough... if someone dares me, I HAVE TO DO IT! I am happy to say, the dare worked, and I haven't had any treats/refined sugar for about 5 weeks. I feel so much better. (Although, it is a funny thing... once I cut sugar out, I started craving salty foods. I'm working on that now, too. It's a cruel thing!)

So, what is the bad habit you are trying to kick? You may want to have someone DARE you out loud. You must take the dare seriously for it to work. No bad habit? How about a DARE to take a class, write a book, or sign up for a marathon?

I think dares are great... they keep us young, and alive!

Let Freedom Ring...

The clash of ideas is the sound of freedom.

~Lady Bird Johnson

1912-2007

Ahhh.... music!

Isn't it funny how a song will play that you haven't heard for years, and you still find yourself singing along, remembering most of the lyrics? That never ceases to amaze me. I have many play lists on my Yahoo Jukebox. Right now I am listening to my "Idaho Days" play list. The songs bring me back to 1990 in Idaho. Most of the memories attached to the songs contain my friend, Deb. Each and every song brings back a moment, a great memory, and a smile.

I'm not sure Deb ever knew just how important she was, and still is in my life. She was my lifeline in Idaho. I moved out there fresh out of college... didn't know a soul. We met shortly after I arrived, and were inseparable. We went to country music concerts, (wish she could fill you in on Idaho's largest State Fair cattle shows... Clint Black's crew was amazed, I am sure!) dancing, and hung out at my apartment. Our friendship has lasted for 17 years, and spans half way across the United States. Still, I'll pick up the phone, and we'll continue our friendship as if I lived next door.

Girlfriends and music are priceless. They are constant links to joy, comfort, and sanity.

Liberty is to the collective body, what health is to every individual body. Without health no pleasure can be tasted by man; without liberty, no happiness can be enjoyed by society.

~Thomas Jefferson

Cheers

Do you remember the show, Cheers? The place where everybody knows your name...

I am a server at a swanky place in the town where I live. I love it... it is a "play with adults time" for me. I love my kids dearly, but it is my little break in the week. We have regulars that come in just like "Norm" on Cheers. After living in a small town for quite some time now, I can relate to Norm. It's nice to have people know your name when you walk into a room.

Let me tell you, it is equally as nice being on the other end... the end that is calling your name. My "Norm" happens to be Bob. About once a month or so, I get to cheerfully call out, "BOB!" when he walks into the room. Bob has an infectious smile, a great bear hug, and a sincere heart. He cuts straight to the chase and really, truly wants to know how I am doing. I am a server. Just that. I bring great wine, excellent food, and try my best to make my customers enjoy their experience. Bob makes me feel like a queen.

May God bless Bob and all of the good people like him in this world. They have a true gift... the gift of making people feel cherished.

Never Give Up

I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.

~Og Mandino

Wise Words

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

~Mark Twain

Freedom Writers

Do you ever read a book, then see the movie, and are disappointed? It seems that your imagination, and the details in the book, never quite measure up to the movie.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched The Freedom Writers Diary, starring Hilary Swank. I previously posted a bit about the book, The Freedom Writers Diary, and raved about how good it was. Let me tell you... the movie is excellent, and remains true to the story. The actors are so good, I forgot many times that they were actors, and not the true Freedom Writers. I highly recommend the movie. Hilary Swank does a wonderful job portraying Erin Gruwell.

The movie is available in DVD. Please take the time to watch it. It is imperative that we all get a glimpse of what life is like for so many kids in America. May God bless Erin Gruwell, and all of the people like her that are willing to make a difference.

Precious Ruby

1960...

For those of us born in the 60's, it doesn't seem that long ago. Sure, the fashions and music were different, and the prices of food, homes, and gasoline were staggeringly low compared to today. But all in all, life wasn't that much different, was it?

Oh my, was it ever. Let me introduce you to a precious little girl named, Ruby Bridges. This sweet child didn't have an ounce of racism her little body; she had no idea of the hero she would become.

Ruby attended a school far from her house, even though William Frantz Elementary School was much closer. Why? Segregation. She was African-American, the students of William Frantz Elementary were white. Boggles the mind, doesn't it?

Ruby was chosen of one of 5 children to be integrated into all white schools. One decided not to integrate at the last moment, and the other three were sent to another school. That left little six year-old Ruby to attend the all white school by herself. She and the other kids had passed a test that was purposely designed as a "surely to fail" test; that way the whites would be convinced that segregation was right. (Makes my blood boil.)

Precious Ruby passed, and the big day came. U.S. Marshals showed up at her door to escort her to her school. There was an angry mob of people, students as well as adults, at the school to protest educating a little black girl in a white school. Ruby had no idea what the fuss was about. Day after day, the protesters greeted her with hateful, terrifying remarks and signs. One adult, white women threatened to poison Ruby every day. Teenage boys changed the words to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and sang, "Glory, glory segregation, the south will rise again." Ruby was terrified when she saw a group of boys carrying a casket with a little black doll in it. Can you imagine? My heart is so heavy. It is so hard to believe the ignorance and lack of compassion.

Ruby attended first grade alone. All of the white kids in her class were pulled from school; their parents would not allow their children to be educated in a classroom that allowed black kids. What a shame. Ruby went to school every day. Thankfully, there was a teacher willing to stay. God bless Mrs. Henry.

Mrs. Henry watched Ruby walk through the angry mob every day. One day she noticed that Ruby stopped and spoke to some of the people in the mob. Mrs. Henry questioned Ruby, asking why she would want to stop and speak to them. Ruby insisted that she had not spoken to them. She explained that every day before and after school, when she was safely a few blocks away from the mob, she would stop and pray for them. That day, Ruby had forgotten to pray, so when she was in the middle of the mob, and realized she hadn't, she stopped to quickly pray. What did she pray? That God would forgive them, just like He forgave those long ago who said hateful things about Him. What an amazing child.

The end of the school year brought change. A few kids were allowed by their parents to join Mrs. Henry's class. Ruby was finally not alone. This was the first time she realized what all of the commotion was about. A boy in her class said, "I can't play with you. My mama said not to because you're a nigger." Ruby had no idea all year that that was everybody's problem with her. It was suddenly clear to her. Heart wrenching, isn't it?

Ruby will forever have a special place in my heart. She is inspiring, strong, and amazing. That little girl had more courage in her at the age of six, than many of us have as adults. She didn't understand everything that was going on at the time, but still, it took an enormous amount of courage to walk through that angry, hateful mob day, after day, after day.

May we all learn from precious Ruby. I will never forget her; she is a hero.

Staying With the Group

So, my little boy went on a field trip with his Preschool class. On the way to school, I talked to him about staying with his group, and not wandering off. At the end of the day, his teacher told me that his leader had a bit of trouble keeping him from wandering. Not my little guy! Ha! Didn't surprise me a bit. Here's how the conversation went on the way home...

Mom: "Son, I told you that you needed to stay with your group today."

Son: "I did, Mom!"

Mom: "Well, I heard your leader said you wandered away from the group."

Son: "Nuh uh! I didn't! I just went behind the tree!"

Mom: "Well you know son, it's hard for the leaders to keep all of the preschool kids together."

Son: 'Well, it's hard to stay with the group!"

I was not agreeing with him on this one, and he could tell, so he pipes in....

"It's hard staying with the group when your brain is telling you you want to go behind the tree!"

Mom: "Okay, you're right.... it's hard staying with the group."

Who can argue with that one?

Maira

A friend of mine died last Sunday... just a couple of weeks after she found out she had cancer. It was all so surreal. My brain just could not wrap around the fact that she was gone. I never got to see her when she was sick; never got to say good-bye. I still have her big round Tupperware that I never got around to returning. It just didn't seem real.

The last time I saw her was at my Pink Poker Night. Every so often, I host this fun-filled night. We play poker, our chips are Hershey's Kisses, or any good wrapped candy. We laugh a lot, sing along to Elvis, or Donny and Marie, Sonny and Cher... you know... the good stuff we grew up listening to. If someone is losing, we share our winnings. We need to relearn the game each time... we would definitely frustrate men! Whoever is on the winning streak gets to wear the princess crown, and everyone is dressed in pink from head to toe. (The date on the picture above is incorrect... I forgot to reset it on my camera.)

Maira raised the bar on the whole, "dress in pink" thing. I opened my front door, and there she was, looking like a bottle of Pepto Bismol! Not only was she completely in pink, but she had made a pink wig out of yarn! That night was her night. She won continuously! We kept telling her how lucky she was. Here it is just two and a half months later, and she's gone. My heart is heavy.

After Maira's beautiful funeral, a few of us went out for lunch. We had a glass of wine, and made a toast to Maira. While praying over our meal, Rachel told Jesus to tell Maira "hello" from us. As soon as she said that, a vision of Maira flashed in my mind. It was Maira in heaven. She was dancing joyfully, the way she always did, with a tambourine in her hand. She was with some others, singing and dancing away.
Jesus said, "Hey Maira! Robyn, Rachel and Lisa say, 'hello'!"
Maira stopped, turned to Jesus and yelled, "What?!"
"Robyn, Rachel, and Lisa say, 'hello'!"
Maira's beautiful grin flashed across her face, and she said, "Oh! Tell them 'hi'!!!"
She then went back to dancing and playing her tambourine.

I know she is the life of a party in heaven, just like she was here.

As for the next Pink Poker Night, there will be a chair for Maira. On it will be the Princess Crown. It will be retired... forever Maira's.

What A Coincidence

This is quite a story...

John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, two of our Founding Fathers, worked together and were willing to give all they had for freedom. Although they disagreed on many political issues, they did agree on this.... that freedom is worth the greatest sacrifice. They were willing to put differences aside, and fight for a common cause.

Here's the amazing coincidence... both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day, within a few hours of each other.

The date?

July 4, 1826

Exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was voted on and approved by the Continental Congress.

Got shivers?

Never To Be Silent

I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure
suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

~Elie Wiesel

Hero

Recently I read The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers. Wow. I was astounded by the war that is going on in our country. Young students are fighting for their lives day in and day out. It's no wonder that they couldn't care less about English and Math class. Erin Gruwell is an amazing teacher who changed the lives of many students. I challenge you to read this book; you'll be glad you did.

We need more teachers like Erin Gruwell. She is a hero, as are many of her students. God bless you, Erin.

Making Friends

I watched my two year-old yesterday. We were at my son's soccer games, when she and my four year-old had to keep busy for quite a few hours. My little girl ended up running up to a group of high school boys. They were busy playing soccer while their little brothers were in a "real" game. She ran up, and threw a football at them, and danced around, full of smiles. They couldn't help but smile themselves, and proceeded to play catch with her. She was in her glory! I watched as they played for quite a while; I was impressed with the young men.

I learned something that day. Wouldn't it be great if we could all be like my little girl? She saw no boundaries. She didn't notice that she was a girl, and they weren't, or that she was too young. She just went right up and invited them to play in her own sweet way. They all had fun!

We need to be like that. We need to see beyond race and economic boundaries, and invite others to play. Have you met your neighbor? What about your co-worker that is from another country, or economic class? Throw them a football, and see what happens. You may meet someone that will change your life for the better.

Educating

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.

~ Groucho Marx

C.S. Lewis

There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way."

~C. S. Lewis

Uncomfortable

I was thinking the other day that the Dare Chair is pretty uncomfortable. It looks comfy, swanky, and lots of fun, but once you sit in it, you start to get nervous, and all sorts of self-doubt comes to mind. You probably want to get out of that chair as fast as you can! Hmm... let me talk you into staying for a while. Lean back, kick off your shoes, and put your feet up. Even if it is not the most comfortable chair you've been in, stay... you look fabulous in it!

While you're in the Dare Chair, think about your list of dares. Pick a dare, any dare. Does the task seem insurmountable? If so, think of it this way... if you never start your journey towards reaching your goal, never take that first step, where will you be a week, month, or year from now? Yep, right where you're at, with all of that time now gone. I'm not saying your life is bad, boring, or blah.... heavens no! I just know that all of us have desires and dreams tucked away, possibly forgotten, or perhaps not even realized, and it is time to unpack them. Just think, if you took baby steps down your path, you'll eventually reach your goal! You'll look back and know that every step was worth it. Remember... time flies.

So, while you're unpacking your dreams, be sure to pack your bags of courage, determination, and faith, and head down the road less traveled. You never know who you'll meet along the way. You may even find that little girl you thought you left behind when you graduated, got married, started your career, or became a mom. She's knocking and wants to know if you can come out to play.

Red Tent

This chick happened to turn 39 recently. I have no problem with age, so far. I've always been an advocate of cherishing your laugh lines, and the memories they represent. I think my husband's gray hair makes him sexy. I love the wisdom that shows in the face of an older woman; it's true beauty. BUT... what, may I ask, is with the MOOD SWINGS that now visit monthly? I don't mind aging gracefully, but there is nothing graceful about mood swings! I will be the first to admit that I am an emotional person; I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. However, when that emotion is as ugly as Linda Blair's character in The Exorcist, one must fret a bit. This is new territory for me... I must navigate carefully.

You know, in Biblical times, the women all went to live in a red tent when they were going through their cycle. Who abolished that custom, I must ask? I could get used to a week away with other women. Leave the kids with Hubby, bring some wine, and have a great week with the chicks. Can you envision it? Sounds pretty good to me! It must have been the men who put an end to that tradition!

All I can say is, "Bring back the Red Tent!"

Break the Chains

Sometimes we suffer because of many things over which we have no control: the color of our skin, poverty, our religion, our family situation, war. It would be easy to become a victim of our circumstances and continue feeling sad, scared or angry; instead, we could choose to deal with injustice humanely and break the chains of negative thoughts and energies, and not let ourselves sink into it.

~Zlata Filipovic, author of Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo

Teachers

When we become a really
mature, grown-up, wise society, we will put teachers at the center of the community, where they belong. We don't honor them enough, we don't pay them enough.

~Charles Kuralt

Okay, I may be a bit biased, but I really love this quote! ~Lisa

Checking In...

I thought I'd check in with you, ladies, and see how you are doing with your latest DARE. Have you been in the Dare Chair lately? If so, good for you! Keep up the great work!! I'd love to hear from you. Post a reply letting me know your progress!

If you haven't been in the Dare Chair, what is holding you back? Fear, time, energy, self-doubt? Believe me, I've experienced them all. Sometimes we need to stop thinking so much, and just go for it. When I went rock climbing, I was scared out of my wits. I volunteered to go first, even though I had never done it before. Why, you ask? So I wouldn't have time to think about it, talk myself out of it, and run the other way! I went for it, full force, without thinking. The first climb was awful. It was harder than I thought it would be, and I was scared to death. As I inched my way up the cliff, I kept telling myself, "You are so stupid! Why did you do this?! I never, never, ever, never, ever want to do this again!!!" I was terrified. There was one piont where two smooth walls met; they were perpendicular like the corner of a room. I was supposed to get to the top, which was well above my head. There was nothing to hold on to. I looked down at the group, (I was the only one climbing at this time... all eyes on me... no pressure!!) and yelled, "You've GOT to be kidding me!" No, they weren't kidding. They taught me how to stick my hands and feet into the crack in the corner, turn my hands and feet once they were lodged in the narrow crack, and push up. Ouch. I MADE IT TO THE TOP! I don't think anything has surprised me more. I accomplished something that I truly thought was impossible. As I stood at the top looking over all of the trees, and Lake Superior, I cried. It was a wonderful feeling. I am tearing up just tellling you about it! Once you get that feeling of accomplishment, there will be no stopping you! I now have a point of reference... if something seems too difficult, I just remind myself of that cliff. If I could climb that, I can do anything! I did a second climb, by the way, that was even more difficult. I enjoyed it much more. I was still scared, but it was a healthy fear, not a paralyzing fear that time. I can honestly say that I would like to do it again!

(If you are new to the sight, and don't know what the Dare Chair is, just scroll down the page.)

So, here's to you, ladies! May you find your dare, go for it, and accomplish more than you ever thought you would!

Peter Cottontail

So, I was trying to get my four year-old to bed on Easter night. Needless to say, he did not want to go to bed, and I was trying to get him to calm down. To keep us both from losing it, I decided to make him laugh. I came hopping into his room singing, "Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail". I was pulling out all of my tricks to get him to laugh. I kept hopping away, singing as loud as I could. When I finally stopped for a moment, I heard a noise behind me. There was my seventh grade son, sitting on the floor behind me with a horrified look on his face. I immediately fell to the bed laughing hysterically. My son said, "I'm in the wrong place, at the wrong time, again."

April?

Where has Spring gone? I was shoveling snow and chopping ice so I could get out of my front door today! I guess the funny thing is that it feels and looks like January, so it kind of plays a trick on one's mind... what a nice surprise that summer is only a couple of months away! Still, I scratch my head and think, this is April?

Easter Week

Easter week has arrived...

egg hunts, Easter church musicals, sundresses, Easter hats, and.... snow! It looks more like Christmas outside, than it does Easter! So, in the spirit of the occasion, and the weather, I have come up with a new version of the old Irving Berlin favorite, Easter Parade. Sing along, girls!

In your thermal bonnet

With all the fur upon it

You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter sleigh ride

I'll be all in flannel, when they look you over

I'll be the coldest fellow in the Easter sleigh ride

In the sleet and snow, the drifts of snow, the bitter wind will snap us

And you'll find that your knee deep in cold fluff

Oh, I could write a sonnet about your thermal bonnet

And of the girl I'm taking to the Easter sleigh ride.

Honey-Do List

The best way to get most husbands to do something is to suggest that
perhaps they're too old to do it.

~Ann Bancroft

Risks

If no one ever took risks, Michaelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor. ~Neil Simon

She Took the Dare!

Hooray!

I have an announcement to make: A friend of mine took the dare to belly dance!! She has signed up for classes. Yahoo! Anyone else up for the dare?

Rainy Day

Rain, rain

Go away,

Come again

Another day,

Little Lisa

Wants to play

My mom used to sing this song to me when I was little. I remember staring out the living room window just aching to go play outside.

We've had one gray, rainy day after another lately, and I have found myself humming that song. Thankfully the sun is just beyond the clouds, and it will appear again soon. Snow is on the way this week... not a welcoming thought for Easter week, but that's what we get when we choose to live up north! So, we may be wearing parkas on top of spring Easter dresses, and trading in our sandals for winter boots. I don't think anyone appreciates summer more than Northerners!

As for today, I need to take lessons from my toddlers, and remember how much fun the rain can be. As my four year-old says, we need to go splash in some "muddles"!

So, cheers to you on this gloomy day. As for me and my house, we will thank the Lord for the rain, and find joy in the comforts of a warm, dry house.... and possibly the splashing of "muddles"!!