tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31976595909500089772024-03-05T16:23:38.788-06:00Snarky LibrarianCataloging Random Moments of My LifeJeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.comBlogger706125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-17318961884033234222023-07-31T19:21:00.017-05:002023-07-31T19:39:41.919-05:00Clear as Mud!<p>Oy! I haven't done anything with this blog for a VERY LONG time, and it was a TOTAL ordeal just to remember how to sign in to create a new post! </p><p>I'd given up on the blog (in 2021), but then saw the icon for the app on my iPad earlier today, and started reading back through old posts. So many great trips! So many great life events! So many great recipes!</p><p>So, I decided to create a new post today, which will probably be it for another couple of years, but...here goes...</p><p>A lot has happened since my last post...trips...life events...births...deaths...and...CHICKENS! </p><p>I could post a THOUSAND pictures, and share a HUNDRED cute chicken anecdotes, but I'm simply going to leave you with this photo...which really sums it all up...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElsRSbbKHQOYa53SE4_5pjwQ-luZJSr1iuzMcofsF7BsT4ktgUaFzFAamEF9q9K3duWksqXfMnAulooVjWLWGTsu8jcMy-JdroeZqOo7RYLWf3lo9g2mbSLmFqxbV35NEBZHOeF_oQ2Wz_CSxwQhwM7IZnRXR8roTR7T6kXMnOpuR-5r9i56vuB2O5oKO/s3088/IMG_2541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElsRSbbKHQOYa53SE4_5pjwQ-luZJSr1iuzMcofsF7BsT4ktgUaFzFAamEF9q9K3duWksqXfMnAulooVjWLWGTsu8jcMy-JdroeZqOo7RYLWf3lo9g2mbSLmFqxbV35NEBZHOeF_oQ2Wz_CSxwQhwM7IZnRXR8roTR7T6kXMnOpuR-5r9i56vuB2O5oKO/w400-h300/IMG_2541.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Here's hoping YOU'VE been well, and found something that brings you joy (and worry...and expense...and worry...) and hilarity too!<br /><p></p>Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-56072452822761712972021-12-23T09:54:00.003-06:002021-12-24T15:06:54.597-06:00New Year's Resolutions!<p>I'm doing a TERRIBLE job of keeping this blog going, and, honestly, I'm not sure it's worth the effort...but...I've invested a TON of time and energy in the past keeping it going, so...here we go again!</p><p>I glanced back through my "New Year's Resolutions" posts for the last 10 or 15 years, and they are all "cut and paste" reposts...find a way to like my job...lose weight...get my finances in order...drink less. Surprisingly, I finally achieved these goals...after a decade plus. Yay me!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirFadXV9iPQRrWftx7us_1AxTCYUfcfEC8oo4JxJdK9mYSKfEy59HTqqwcMfnJNeJvuqZ_KL3NFmx96-gJmqB1lvrsxJnbHFUiIuaLlp6zB0VL2OPEH9FwWXWjhAEWBKhMoWOaYmFCIKgeYxmiSAggHC2STfve_3GroCz7lZ4v3Decyr6qJsLAuxpmLQ=s600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirFadXV9iPQRrWftx7us_1AxTCYUfcfEC8oo4JxJdK9mYSKfEy59HTqqwcMfnJNeJvuqZ_KL3NFmx96-gJmqB1lvrsxJnbHFUiIuaLlp6zB0VL2OPEH9FwWXWjhAEWBKhMoWOaYmFCIKgeYxmiSAggHC2STfve_3GroCz7lZ4v3Decyr6qJsLAuxpmLQ=w400-h178" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I get older, I'm finding my resolutions have shifted focus. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here’s my NEW New Year's Resolutions list:</div><p></p><p>1. <b>Figure out retirement.</b> I haven't been very good at socking money away for retirement, and honestly, I'm CLUELESS on how the whole "figuring out how much money I'll need to survive until I DIE" thing works. LUCKILY, several of the jobs I've had in my life included things like 403B's and retirement accounts. So...I have a little money in them, and found a financial planner who is trying to teach me about things like "Roth IRA's" and CD's. Still pretty clueless...but getting there. I'm hoping to get out of the teaching biz in five or six years, but I guess we'll see... <b> </b></p><p><b>So...I resolve to figure out retirement and be more purposeful in reaching my retirement goals!</b><br /></p><p> 2. <b> Get my will and health directive in order. </b> I bought the Suze Orman "Protect Your Tomorrow's Today" cd's, and have gotten as far as filling everything out, and printing the documents that need to be taken to a notary to be witnessed and signed, but just haven't taken that last step of actually GETTING THEM WITNESSED AND SIGNED. I think it's because there are FIFTY NINE different places in which the witnesses have to initial and agree within the documents, and I haven't even figured out WHO my witnesses are going to be. I may just GIVE UP on this route, and hire a lawyer to draw everything up. Sigh... </p><p><b>So...I resolve to complete my will and health directive and have a legal document to make figuring out where my stuff goes (and to whom) easier!</b><br /></p><p>3. <b>Get in touch with, and keep in touch with dear friends, old and new. </b> Confession time...I'm "phone-phobic". I will do ALMOST ANYTHING to NOT talk on the phone. Not sure why or when this developed, but it's really limited my contact with the people I care about. I'm HOPING to reestablish phone contact (or GASP!...maybe even FaceTime) one friend each week in the new year to catch up. My FEAR, however, is that they'll want to keep DOING it, and I'll be stuck on the phone FOREVER... </p><p><b>So...I resolve to reach out and stay in touch with friends, old and new!</b><br /></p><p>4.<b> MELLOW THE HECK OUT! </b> I'm still a redhead...I'm still high strung...I'm still prickly and emotional and intense. I'm finding, however, now that I'm approaching 60, that it's EXHAUSTING...and I'm tired of drama. Low key. Calm. Serene. That's my goal...AND I WANT IT NOW!!!!! </p><p><b>So...I resolve to be mellow and calm and "low strung"!</b><br /></p><p>5. <b>Continue this weight loss journey, and get more exercise.</b> I've lost 23 pounds since late September with an AWESOME nutritionist in Canada. Her program really works, and I've been happy with the results. We're between challenges right now, and I'm starting to slowly put some of the weight back on. So, I'm CLEARLY not "there" yet with the whole mindset. The new challenge starts mid-January, and I'm looking forward to losing another 10 pounds. My cholesterol is still high, and I'm not getting the exercise I need since walking outside...in Minnesota...in winter...is not fun. I'll figure it out, because I'm really enjoying NOT feeling like I'm stuffed into my clothes, and find it AWESOME to not have to buy things in bigger sizes. My problem now is that things are too baggy. A GOOD problem to have! </p><p><b>So...I resolve to continue losing weight and exercise more!</b><br /></p><p>6.<b> Spend less!</b> It kind of ties into that "retirement thing" above. After TWENTY ONE years, I finally paid off my student loan for grad school. I JUST made the final payment on a large credit card bill that I whittled down over the last ten years. Now...I need to stop buying things that I don't need. I have enough stuff. My townhouse is FULL of clothes, and knickknacks, and furniture, and stuff. I don't need more. </p><p><b>So...I resolve to NOT buy unnecessary things! </b></p><p>Okay...that sounds like enough to "work on" in 2022! If I achieve these things, I will be PERFECT!</p><p>Here's hoping the three of you that still read my blog have an achievable list of "betterment" ready to go too!<br /></p>Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-13180190781455223602021-07-09T11:34:00.004-05:002021-07-09T11:42:46.969-05:00Our Ducks Are Famous!<p>We sent FOUR broods of ducklings into the world from the courtyard at school this year. The story was picked up by KARE 11 for Boyd Huppert's "Land of 10,000 Stories", which was super cool! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCFnA5QLdmu9giCOGDXimvhRSbRlDxV2_2YQ-yV7kXK6PL-9225ZeneHs5eLsd3qQJ-NLxsJUTVUUC-qd3Da4l6ViIIeP8jn4KlQsLP51quiM5dtY5nH7RNdMMJs7KBSXxoMDlcDuJl8u/s701/190398767_10227024272298073_803038839645370471_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCFnA5QLdmu9giCOGDXimvhRSbRlDxV2_2YQ-yV7kXK6PL-9225ZeneHs5eLsd3qQJ-NLxsJUTVUUC-qd3Da4l6ViIIeP8jn4KlQsLP51quiM5dtY5nH7RNdMMJs7KBSXxoMDlcDuJl8u/w300-h400/190398767_10227024272298073_803038839645370471_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Click on the picture below to get to the story, then click on the video within the story to watch.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/land-of-10000-stories/ten-ducklings-follow-mom-through-minnesota-elementary-school-continuing-20-year-tradition/89-f615a3cb-11a8-43fb-a8cb-ec18ed5b665e?fbclid=IwAR3X0gjqlEQ06qZCRzr6lDgikLZPSvl_oMv1Y2Zq-v_bxiD5yRqsNaK9hpM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="507" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j34CEKwAH1X6vHH0ryI-odWrP3rFkEPvxOsrWPAkj43lgj9V07hZVe_0G0nUJIiQUohTeTpK32oFu1ykil4qNLXvAcPJpFX4a9DpUIzz8qB3bW4Iu2uUmTwBISQ0yMJkLSc-jZdnOl-Q/w400-h278/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The story was picked up by local affiliates across the country. We heard from friends who saw it in Iowa, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and a woman called me from Cincinnati to tell me she saw the story and wanted to send angels to our students that she makes our of beads and wire...very sweet. <p></p><p>The story was also picked up by Shepard Smith on CNBC. Exciting!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1Yg5jOOTQJ5DweR4tpHQ7fOG-r2Nu2K05jlDkwEo3aDZ5dWZvdg6UnEMmQhhDHZB-MEUt8BlwiYI-OOYnVl5Gu2co08-tnntvqvjL9gsFDC-lwwMyLUANWU_caHLrHT3GOaiiaBi9H26/s656/188021292_10226981402706360_3952447970651846968_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="656" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1Yg5jOOTQJ5DweR4tpHQ7fOG-r2Nu2K05jlDkwEo3aDZ5dWZvdg6UnEMmQhhDHZB-MEUt8BlwiYI-OOYnVl5Gu2co08-tnntvqvjL9gsFDC-lwwMyLUANWU_caHLrHT3GOaiiaBi9H26/w400-h264/188021292_10226981402706360_3952447970651846968_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here's hoping YOU were able to enjoy some "cute" nature recently too! <br /></p><br />Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-24551189572310006332021-07-05T10:52:00.005-05:002021-07-05T11:28:28.480-05:00A Long Absence<p>It's been awhile since I've posted, and I THOUGHT I was giving up on this blog, but I've kept it going for FOURTEEN YEARS, and guess I feel that I owe it to the THREE of you that still read it to make a quick update.</p><p>I SURVIVED THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR! It was frustrating. It was difficult. It made me mad. It made me doubt my abilities as an educator. It stressed me out. I wanted to quit. I want to retire. That is all.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawAmTbID7WHqE1mg-FibfZoxD9QggeahcYqPshIAW1k-9WJMVodfMV06eg0_cH7OJY9s-X08E1TWZllBmZFerbVPOFIjMex-zZZTGUNdnuNNHPdr4Kq22YxbGzcbm1jRy3iTpyL0WHAfq/s1024/Fotolia_165466543_Subscription_Yearly_M-1024x582.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1024" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawAmTbID7WHqE1mg-FibfZoxD9QggeahcYqPshIAW1k-9WJMVodfMV06eg0_cH7OJY9s-X08E1TWZllBmZFerbVPOFIjMex-zZZTGUNdnuNNHPdr4Kq22YxbGzcbm1jRy3iTpyL0WHAfq/w400-h228/Fotolia_165466543_Subscription_Yearly_M-1024x582.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Here's hoping YOU recently made it through a difficult situation INTACT too!!<br /></p>Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-74499473555064424262021-03-09T08:36:00.003-06:002021-03-12T14:29:31.015-06:00Explorations Close to Home!<p>We're starting to feel a little TRAPPED in this incessant Minnesota winter, and, since we can't really GO anywhere, decided to explore an area close to home.</p><p>Although the ground is still squishy, and snowy, and a little muddy, it was fun to explore a spot that shows great promise for further visits!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzggiK_zlwVHr6wxVOKrS9gZgYGoTqnxhiK_rd3i4kouu6zmJy7cPxkXCcKMYJ_AM9VfBovB2a05MItw6guh49BvY72vTRaaL7EL2-ALsQSBPh7YjWtxf15vUvLigqxcX7lHWNTiqnTNk_/s2048/IMG_6297.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzggiK_zlwVHr6wxVOKrS9gZgYGoTqnxhiK_rd3i4kouu6zmJy7cPxkXCcKMYJ_AM9VfBovB2a05MItw6guh49BvY72vTRaaL7EL2-ALsQSBPh7YjWtxf15vUvLigqxcX7lHWNTiqnTNk_/w400-h300/IMG_6297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdAmdhi653hu9XEtgjVAki696UEPo_7VBczZFdviXpmMQ9QBFoaWTLpmjs_wtjzHq0CIq2scCrLZFknNw7F4VAOQxqSIgm9gObtz46yQaEbcXmEbhh1VqTQPHrVoG-2TAYcGL6HBbEUWu/s2048/IMG_6266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdAmdhi653hu9XEtgjVAki696UEPo_7VBczZFdviXpmMQ9QBFoaWTLpmjs_wtjzHq0CIq2scCrLZFknNw7F4VAOQxqSIgm9gObtz46yQaEbcXmEbhh1VqTQPHrVoG-2TAYcGL6HBbEUWu/w300-h400/IMG_6266.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aldVI-dS2_2f6Mpqd2ImOeXS41DVMPaMqKhuWZhQ4h6so_Ml01QXhUnAKAcUSwYHewwsNPOhq_As2QAKmyOW9KcTncNEtUXVY4rnPRKmp6Cm6mqiVJgC5Kh9_irTPE45aJO10YmRBdVY/s2048/IMG_6267.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aldVI-dS2_2f6Mpqd2ImOeXS41DVMPaMqKhuWZhQ4h6so_Ml01QXhUnAKAcUSwYHewwsNPOhq_As2QAKmyOW9KcTncNEtUXVY4rnPRKmp6Cm6mqiVJgC5Kh9_irTPE45aJO10YmRBdVY/w300-h400/IMG_6267.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkY8GCV9IrS_bvFnUrATQrbPIynXMQZ4v5uBX2W0ILwsjvyo9GWkHX67YcrW9nQ0m2Dl0ZsItmnTgLeYN-mp3F_p6RZ3_kL96y552eEfMJg0vUGwubl0ulQMKPzs6-kq9eTtsT_9pWZ1U/s2048/IMG_6268.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkY8GCV9IrS_bvFnUrATQrbPIynXMQZ4v5uBX2W0ILwsjvyo9GWkHX67YcrW9nQ0m2Dl0ZsItmnTgLeYN-mp3F_p6RZ3_kL96y552eEfMJg0vUGwubl0ulQMKPzs6-kq9eTtsT_9pWZ1U/w300-h400/IMG_6268.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1_mhd85602Vgt4jZfqiF9RCUjagc0r-2QEyRdsPsLoh0eWLTdcVt1BPzRN7yWB8F_VhNONpogPkcmfWNqpijAeLjR7WiC70WzyrzC2PFBU0JxZRAeE_me9fBSqwOuCok5ToZ0aLWOBzC/s2048/IMG_6287.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1_mhd85602Vgt4jZfqiF9RCUjagc0r-2QEyRdsPsLoh0eWLTdcVt1BPzRN7yWB8F_VhNONpogPkcmfWNqpijAeLjR7WiC70WzyrzC2PFBU0JxZRAeE_me9fBSqwOuCok5ToZ0aLWOBzC/w400-h300/IMG_6287.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUF7cx2UzoFiRb8yz4kG4WaCa0YLyY4tTVlpZHHSJc8iukhAp4JIYwDN1uIkEOGFtvDEgBIFDFQ1Z_Od8c6wtMN5Qln-5Iz_5SpjjJBiIehwrOETXkSqjG9aVtWE1OyNGY8r1MfhOvz_M/s2048/IMG_6290.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUF7cx2UzoFiRb8yz4kG4WaCa0YLyY4tTVlpZHHSJc8iukhAp4JIYwDN1uIkEOGFtvDEgBIFDFQ1Z_Od8c6wtMN5Qln-5Iz_5SpjjJBiIehwrOETXkSqjG9aVtWE1OyNGY8r1MfhOvz_M/w300-h400/IMG_6290.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PDdrdQDj64JOOeyt8kjHat_VSSn1EemotfCEHHW3_DxuVyURUm3IZI8xR1l7beAQM4JlvCET8r-fgeUdd7irRztSPejeykQcoswfd5F8DMKDbR5F21yY9OazXoCIbeXfs63IVjyM-pqt/s2048/IMG_6291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PDdrdQDj64JOOeyt8kjHat_VSSn1EemotfCEHHW3_DxuVyURUm3IZI8xR1l7beAQM4JlvCET8r-fgeUdd7irRztSPejeykQcoswfd5F8DMKDbR5F21yY9OazXoCIbeXfs63IVjyM-pqt/w400-h300/IMG_6291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We did NOT see any butterflies... <br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJrzqvZ5LY5sdph8kKMhWTulWtOSAhjlQlyYBrwFMC1nhGBk4OkX51fIuQDJ4kYreLdk7scO5kuc9U9EynTGGHIv1A74J6OZsYeRuKuvu4mSDWg68wakOCcnkj4tEzSvPTzmgNMP85Aas/s2048/IMG_6300.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJrzqvZ5LY5sdph8kKMhWTulWtOSAhjlQlyYBrwFMC1nhGBk4OkX51fIuQDJ4kYreLdk7scO5kuc9U9EynTGGHIv1A74J6OZsYeRuKuvu4mSDWg68wakOCcnkj4tEzSvPTzmgNMP85Aas/w300-h400/IMG_6300.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUeKQwC8XA1agLQkDZhoxkloDBHB-24tAREXBE1yE1jrNApbe2CCPBu84Yqxfk_lp1fqOAadZRNo-lbFHj1oOs-iovxq5WcHXfQ_Y_SmN9ep2qbE-ZhJs6sCKPLQrmHcnmgmgQNWv2xHW/s2048/IMG_6301.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUeKQwC8XA1agLQkDZhoxkloDBHB-24tAREXBE1yE1jrNApbe2CCPBu84Yqxfk_lp1fqOAadZRNo-lbFHj1oOs-iovxq5WcHXfQ_Y_SmN9ep2qbE-ZhJs6sCKPLQrmHcnmgmgQNWv2xHW/w300-h400/IMG_6301.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Here's hoping YOU have interesting places to explore nearby too!!<br /></p>Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-37590212595110998322021-03-07T08:36:00.006-06:002021-03-07T08:46:54.712-06:00Flowers Make Everything Better!<p>After a couple of REALLY stressful weeks at school, I came home to these the other night...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CRYjRLFX53SsrvnmOo2BHF0YfC1ZuW6QkuVA4NWU-qeC7I68WAyZgNsood81t9dcVW8NdAt5DCNc7vH_mnoI2SuzAbZe2JzvpUkGykJKMy8GIPhrZexZMxo1SQOtpk6J6YNRtMIlsy1q/s2048/IMG_6254.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CRYjRLFX53SsrvnmOo2BHF0YfC1ZuW6QkuVA4NWU-qeC7I68WAyZgNsood81t9dcVW8NdAt5DCNc7vH_mnoI2SuzAbZe2JzvpUkGykJKMy8GIPhrZexZMxo1SQOtpk6J6YNRtMIlsy1q/w400-h300/IMG_6254.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE8EGwD-ohA16oonYOVnJrHjKhupfLfOytaLiT3O-Ak_Q2mIMsQhGRm7EzlZunitP13wwIT4cGcOHFO04r0_W4eYw0S_v-HJ-hqmSiUwJZq8DltWXiz8j6jR6btsQSSdv3tXAQ60Z8z6H/s2048/IMG_6255.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE8EGwD-ohA16oonYOVnJrHjKhupfLfOytaLiT3O-Ak_Q2mIMsQhGRm7EzlZunitP13wwIT4cGcOHFO04r0_W4eYw0S_v-HJ-hqmSiUwJZq8DltWXiz8j6jR6btsQSSdv3tXAQ60Z8z6H/w400-h300/IMG_6255.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL-PDh9g6UqsKGgBLHsHF7PtVDKtn8Ujw1WvIR3Q19fZj2tlLzNUe9YvYiSwAFRcqHM0iBbnlHoDAuSz7OY0v3LWFLwG2ijMT5Wv6Bujb34yLRI2WfpmR71ZtpoKRxaaorpCCRPd5S2o8/s2048/IMG_6258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL-PDh9g6UqsKGgBLHsHF7PtVDKtn8Ujw1WvIR3Q19fZj2tlLzNUe9YvYiSwAFRcqHM0iBbnlHoDAuSz7OY0v3LWFLwG2ijMT5Wv6Bujb34yLRI2WfpmR71ZtpoKRxaaorpCCRPd5S2o8/w400-h300/IMG_6258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ISjnsPstXdfMslPlc04bDV9a7tVnILdETG8Dbv6sfmeb0N0iO2PWEA3KAa-gIqGrPzrC5CJTFLdo3zCML2ZcnVeGlIhfP7EiYphy5NxVER4eNmxndIuMCzweYmWNNmGia7Eh_MK1p0WC/s2048/IMG_6259.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ISjnsPstXdfMslPlc04bDV9a7tVnILdETG8Dbv6sfmeb0N0iO2PWEA3KAa-gIqGrPzrC5CJTFLdo3zCML2ZcnVeGlIhfP7EiYphy5NxVER4eNmxndIuMCzweYmWNNmGia7Eh_MK1p0WC/w400-h300/IMG_6259.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_CGwZTHaIjVhaWm1YDRu6MFkLvkptsGg0ZzGsnx34aqGjiFeKuTpg_hopGbaU-r7FFQkwXGnOCcdgvg-E9O5es5hsG_KyX74WBhz_cauBABxHJ0dA7vUQR2P3QCZhmzoZFArOsy4c-BP/s2048/IMG_6260.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_CGwZTHaIjVhaWm1YDRu6MFkLvkptsGg0ZzGsnx34aqGjiFeKuTpg_hopGbaU-r7FFQkwXGnOCcdgvg-E9O5es5hsG_KyX74WBhz_cauBABxHJ0dA7vUQR2P3QCZhmzoZFArOsy4c-BP/w300-h400/IMG_6260.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />Here's hoping YOU have someone in YOUR life that makes you feel loved and helps you get through the "rough spots" too!!<br />Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-15439911448157219472021-01-23T15:14:00.002-06:002021-01-24T21:37:21.161-06:00Gardening with Water!<p>Duane gave me an AeroGarden for my birthday! I love gardening and the INCESSANT winters in Minnesota leave A LOT to be desired, gardening-wise. So...this is a fun distraction!</p><p>It's doing pretty well. Here it is three weeks ago when I set it up...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-woPtaozJ7oRn72y5uYThkwjWuCdedwhBuCg0slwa9MCltCZnuEqEMfRImVwVFxvwDUp7HdVq1MnDE3cWPIQWbLKwcE6hr66a1iIHft-fmC3Hvw-mYAbH4ToTG0ZCiZEN_oAMUxe2iUJ/s2048/IMG_6006.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-woPtaozJ7oRn72y5uYThkwjWuCdedwhBuCg0slwa9MCltCZnuEqEMfRImVwVFxvwDUp7HdVq1MnDE3cWPIQWbLKwcE6hr66a1iIHft-fmC3Hvw-mYAbH4ToTG0ZCiZEN_oAMUxe2iUJ/w300-h400/IMG_6006.PNG" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1phAm9VDA3TDSVcsvBlouVKre7-cYuFTP2GUaFHLIYk7JspQ9gSJ6lzMrF0g3ZHCCaHJdTf1579NTJwmgzDjnpdo7rs2k6rQmTJBl8nqkhdsrhMgXfjYVHi8o9NLSgh4VOGKvEMdvoqH/s2048/IMG_6004.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1phAm9VDA3TDSVcsvBlouVKre7-cYuFTP2GUaFHLIYk7JspQ9gSJ6lzMrF0g3ZHCCaHJdTf1579NTJwmgzDjnpdo7rs2k6rQmTJBl8nqkhdsrhMgXfjYVHi8o9NLSgh4VOGKvEMdvoqH/w300-h400/IMG_6004.PNG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAufw1X8ydvj-9vAjqVTKIAtigzxUDqHnfS7T3ED4eDlPIe0TyVtbE1A6r2f3jvQE8hoC4CtYE0lklcCRaF0o_xntPC5Kn1Oou4Siu_VAJIfX-r0vd9awWsXkrBh1g4Pi6qmaLYxbLCWO/s2048/IMG_6005.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAufw1X8ydvj-9vAjqVTKIAtigzxUDqHnfS7T3ED4eDlPIe0TyVtbE1A6r2f3jvQE8hoC4CtYE0lklcCRaF0o_xntPC5Kn1Oou4Siu_VAJIfX-r0vd9awWsXkrBh1g4Pi6qmaLYxbLCWO/w300-h400/IMG_6005.PNG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>And here it is now...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDIIC-4hUj6xFUkyFQa3zWr7ghKZfrf62j6qiX5EmhTTixWsN1j-1W-WcyVK7x3yH9RxlY79-ItNRn5_uIq3M5QUwVW5Tt3tDTrAQyfTipe59IBLyeipthK56p07-sQno84IiDHcXeh96/s2048/IMG_6068.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDIIC-4hUj6xFUkyFQa3zWr7ghKZfrf62j6qiX5EmhTTixWsN1j-1W-WcyVK7x3yH9RxlY79-ItNRn5_uIq3M5QUwVW5Tt3tDTrAQyfTipe59IBLyeipthK56p07-sQno84IiDHcXeh96/w400-h300/IMG_6068.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Not bad for three weeks of growth! This batch of seed pods included parsley, mint, thyme, dill, and two kinds of basil. I've already ordered empty pods to grow my own seeds next. Maybe marigolds and other flowers for some cheery color as winter drags on and on and on and on...<p>Here's hoping YOU are doing something to keep the winter doldrums from overwhelming you too!!<br /></p>Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-79365760181130463582020-12-31T10:45:00.007-06:002020-12-31T11:01:34.128-06:00Good RIDDANCE to 2020!!<p>So...I haven't felt much like blogging the past...seven months...because, honestly, 2020 has been one big old DUMPSTER FIRE...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TI_JLj3MC1qIB7W0-GBmh8_zQ9ymdKw8H95s16mkHy6CYxo2w-VqP7zHdM1OsgQZX5ssOs_vIw8of_XfhjxUL3cCTcNEvyt24CTxG8Z8uuKm3RRfA-qWTT9cM2dNKf_LBFTuAZ7Ms_wS/s400/5aa22d7456db5.image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="400" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TI_JLj3MC1qIB7W0-GBmh8_zQ9ymdKw8H95s16mkHy6CYxo2w-VqP7zHdM1OsgQZX5ssOs_vIw8of_XfhjxUL3cCTcNEvyt24CTxG8Z8uuKm3RRfA-qWTT9cM2dNKf_LBFTuAZ7Ms_wS/w400-h281/5aa22d7456db5.image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Don't get me wrong...there have been some nice moments...a trip to Iowa to see mom in June...a trip to Chicago to see my sister and her family in July...another trip to Iowa to see mom over Labor Day...lots of walks around the neighborhood...time to clean, organize, garden on my deck, etc., but COVID-19 has really done a number on friendships, and happy hours, and school, and shopping, and simply feeling safe going out and doing anything. </p><p>As grateful as I am to have had Duane to share Easter, and Thanksgiving, and Christmas...and weekdays...and weekends...and evenings...and lunches...and dinners...and everything in between (and I'm EXTREMELY grateful...I can't imagine having gone through all of this alone), I miss seeing extended family, and visiting friends in other places, and TRAVELING!! <br /></p><p>I'm TIRED of "pivoting" from regular school, to distance learning, to hybrid learning, back to distance learning, and now facing the possibility of going back to "full on" classes of students while still not having been vaccinated to be protected from the virus. I'm TIRED of being vilified by the public for not wanting to be in school with large groups of students because I want to stay healthy and...alive. <br /></p><p>I'm TIRED of masks, and face shields, and of my glasses fogging up every time I take a breath. I'm TIRED of Google Meets and Zooming and FaceTime "get togethers". I'm TIRED of stupid people who don't take COVID seriously, and stretch out the timeline for having to wear masks and face shields. I'm TIRED of mask wearing being a "political issue". I'm TIRED of 2020.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz97P8M34Mpj2qOYz4cAaxfNc0oYvgYGaWUhnommU3gT_XKFI6oBJSRv_Em_vAFaRNZGrAxTpIVlEss93dKHMTRKKhwWjixP7d0JdJq3yZ7myD0xpwCVIcn68zp73siVXl4kyRbGi0jxZs/s1280/IMG_5145.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz97P8M34Mpj2qOYz4cAaxfNc0oYvgYGaWUhnommU3gT_XKFI6oBJSRv_Em_vAFaRNZGrAxTpIVlEss93dKHMTRKKhwWjixP7d0JdJq3yZ7myD0xpwCVIcn68zp73siVXl4kyRbGi0jxZs/w300-h400/IMG_5145.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>No "new year's resolutions" this year...just a wish for health, and an end to this WRETCHED pandemic. I miss "normal", and IF I NEVER HEAR THE TERMS "NEW NORMAL", "SOCIAL DISTANCING", OR "UNPRECEDENTED TIMES" AGAIN, ALL WILL BE WELL IN MY WORLD!!</p><p>HAPPY NEW YEAR, and here's hoping YOU are healthy, happy, and safe during all of this CRAZY!</p><p>BRING ON 2021!!!<br /></p>Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-60953193073215723472020-05-24T17:14:00.001-05:002020-05-24T17:14:31.047-05:00More FlowersBefore everything shut down mid-March Duane and I drove over to Como Conservatory to see the winter flower show.<br />
<br />
I LOVE Como. It's one of my top five places to go in the cities (I'll add a post about the others sometime soon). The sunken garden is an enchanting, beautiful, fragrant, amazing space. Here are some photos from that day...<br />
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We also went to Colossal Cafe on Grand Ave. for lunch, browsed a couple of antique stores, and stopped in at an urban farm and garden shop that has the most amazing stuff for sale (beekeeping equipment, plants, seeds, cheese making equipment, live chicks...so cool!). Little did we know that these would be our last "browsing in stores" opportunity for awhile.<br />
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When things reopen, and it's safe to visit, it's one of the first places I'm going to go!<br />
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Here's hoping YOU are finding the beauty around you too!!Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-86747425256025393592020-05-22T14:43:00.000-05:002020-05-22T16:48:59.190-05:00I've Been Thinking A Lot About Flowers LatelyI LOVE flowers. They make me happy. They make me smile. They remind me of fresh beginnings. <br />
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I think I'm enjoying them even more than usual this year due to the feelings of being locked up with our COVID-19 "shelter in place" orders (which were recently changed to "safe in place", with more and more places of business opening back up, but don't get me started...the virus hasn't magically gone away...).<br />
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We are just beyond PEAK for crabapple trees and lilacs here. I love them both, and think that the scent of lilacs is one of my favorite scents in the entire world.<br />
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So...here are several (several!) photos of the lovely lilacs and crabapple blossoms that we have been enjoying over the last few weeks...<br />
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Here's hoping YOU have been able to enjoy the lovely scents and sights of spring where you are too!Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-48715141193910966122020-04-16T10:38:00.001-05:002020-04-16T10:38:41.501-05:00Supporting Businesses Big and Small During "Shelter in Place"So...businesses and individuals are struggling. The shuttering of "non-essential" businesses, and the limiting of services of those deemed "essential", (in most states) has had a real impact on the survival of these places we used to go, and services we used to depend upon.<br />
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I've been doing my part to help, in a small way, where I can...<br />
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<a href="https://www.italianpieshoppe.com/" target="_blank">Italian Pie Shoppe</a>- My FAVORITE pizza place! They are only open for pickup, and have a freezer case inside with pizzas that can be purchased and taken home to cook. We've done both, and, when we picked up frozen pizzas a few weeks ago, tipped $8.00..."just because". We love this place, and want to make sure it survives until we can go and eat there again someday!<br />
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<a href="https://www.jaarsmabakery.com/" target="_blank">Jaarsma Bakery</a>- Jaarsma Bakery, family owned and operated since 1898, is a Dutch bakery, located in Pella, Iowa. Their Dutch letters and gevulde koeken (Andre's cookies) are AMAZING, as is...well...everything else there. I ordered a bunch of pastries to be delivered to my door next week. Certainly not as fun as perusing the display cases in the bakery, and the beautiful Dutch architecture and tulips in Pella, but the next best thing, I guess!<br />
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<a href="https://www.usps.com/" target="_blank">The United States Post Office</a>- COVID-19 is wreaking havoc with the funding of this beloved and MUCH NEEDED institution. I just purchased a BUNCH of stamps because...1...I need them...and 2...if it helps them continue to operate, I'm ON IT!<br />
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I've also increased my purchasing of items on eBay and Etsy...so many are trying to stay afloat during these unprecedented times. <br />
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Here's hoping YOU are able to send a little support to the people and places YOU love as well!Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-80730739254351945222020-04-03T14:59:00.002-05:002020-04-03T14:59:40.967-05:00I've Had Better Spring Breaks...<ul>
<li>First day of spring break and "Shelter in Place" (because of COVID-19) began at exactly the same time.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>First dad's birthday since he died.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Checking work e-mail daily to answer questions and take care of things since distance learning in our district starts the day AFTER spring break ends.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>First year anniversary of dad's death.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Spent $79.00 to get the "rattle" fixed in my car...which turned out to be a loose bolt. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Snow.</li>
</ul>
Here's hoping YOU have had a better week than I!Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-24570278499286339602020-03-30T14:53:00.000-05:002020-05-17T11:34:29.020-05:00COVID-19 "Shelter in Place" Spring Break Postcards!So...I was a little bored this morning, and created a series of postcards that I posted on Facebook to, hopefully, spread a few smiles among my friends there...<br />
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Here's hoping YOU are finding things to amuse yourself (and others!) during these stressful and concerning times!!Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-21782318786587905872020-03-30T14:45:00.000-05:002020-03-30T14:45:05.252-05:00Create My Cookbook is AWESOME!Several years ago, I printed the first edition of my favorite recipes in a book I entitled FLAIR (Frequently Looked At Interesting Recipes). I printed 10 copies, and gave them out to family and close friends. <br />
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The cookbook contains about 150 favorite recipes that I collected from cookbooks, magazines, family, and friends. It took a lot of time, and a lot of effort to type them all into a website I had found that actually PRINTED "homemade" cookbooks (<a href="http://www.keyingredient.com/">www.keyingredient.com</a>).<br />
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The book turned out well...<br />
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...and I eagerly started compiling additional recipes for Volume II. UNFORTUNATELY, keyingredient decided to suspend the printing function of their website, and instead focus on being a "recipe warehouse".<br />
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So...I kept compiling recipes, hoping they would eventually move back into the printing business...to no avail. I searched other options for online cookbooks, including both Snapfish AND Shutterfly...neither of which gave me the number of pages needed at a reasonable price.<br />
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During the gathering of recipes for FLAIR II, Keyingredient also went through some changes, and I happened upon the site during a rebuild that made it look something like Netscape, circa 1994. It was clunky, and ugly, and I abandoned it, foregoing the addition of any new "liked" recipes on that site.<br />
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Luckily, I checked keyingredient again a few months ago, and it appears the Nescape-esque version is gone, and a fairly slick "refreshed" site is now up and running...without...of course...the printing option. <br />
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So...REALLY wanting to publish the second volume, my partner Duane found <a href="http://createmycookbook.com/">Createmycookbook.com</a>, and I'm SO GLAD he did! It's an awesome site...super easy to use...and the finished product looks REALLY good!<br />
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I have created the shell for FLAIR III, and am adding recipes for eventual printing. I'm also cutting and pasting the old recipes from the original FLAIR for a reprinting (in the same format, and of the same size) as FLAIR II. <br />
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It's something to keep me occupied as the days of "Shelter in Place" spring break continues!<br />
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Here's hoping YOU are finding things to do while homebound as well!!!Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-60932967632932169562020-03-29T12:56:00.001-05:002020-03-29T12:56:15.272-05:00Dingleberry Dumbass!Okay...I came up with a new phrase for people like the CEO of Hobby Lobby, whose wife had a dream "from God" that told her they should stay open...or Liberty University where the Falwell in charge has determined that students can go back to school...even though COVID-19 is killing people all over the country...DINGLEBERRY DUMBASS! <br />
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It has a nice alliterative quality, and conveys my contempt for stupid people so well!!!<br />
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Here' hoping the select TRULY CLUELESS people of the United States aren't getting you down...<br />
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<br />Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-67060897768623872082020-03-29T12:22:00.001-05:002020-03-29T12:22:31.143-05:00"Shelter in Place" BOREDOM...So...we got the order to "Shelter in Place" last Friday, which, unfortunately, coincides with the first day of my spring "break" from school. Instead of traveling to Iowa to see my mom and be there with her on dad's birthday and the first anniversary of his death, and instead of seeing "Anastasia" at the Orpheum in Minneapolis, and instead of trying to fly somewhere to get away from this TEDIOUS early Minnesota spring, and instead of finding that we CAN'T get anywhere (since many others are on spring break as well, and we fly "standby") and touring sites closer to home (that we can drive to), I'm stuck at home...where I've been for the last week and a half...trying to be a school librarian...from my dining room table...while attempting to update/check links/check share settings/add additional resources for all of the distance learning teacher landing pages for my school on our website for the week AFTER spring break when we start distance learning until sometime in May...and responding to MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of e-mails asking questions about eBooks and online databases and how to Zoom in for meetings and Google Meet-ing until I can't even focus my eyeballs anymore.<br />
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This is only my SECOND blog post for 2020, so perhaps getting back into blogging will give me something to do. If not, I guess there's always dusting...and organizing...and vacuuming...and other SUPER FUN SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES!<br />
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Oh...and did I mention that it's been RAINING for the last few days??!! Good times...<br />
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Here's hoping YOU are adjusting to seclusion and isolation better than I am!!!Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-78473450157057236482020-01-02T14:05:00.001-06:002020-01-02T14:05:20.212-06:00New Year, Old Goals- 2020!!<br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Well...it
appears that I haven't blogged about my New Year's resolutions for a couple of years, but I always seem to have the same ones, so I should really just
copy and paste (as I am now) with the heading "New Year, Old Goals"...</span>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">So...here
they are...again...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">1). </span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Lower my cholesterol and blood pressure.</b><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"> For the first time in a LONG time, my numbers are within the "normal" range. Still need to be careful, and need to focus more on #2 and # 3 below to maintain that "normal-ness", but I'm encouraged that the medications I take for both are doing their jobs.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">2). </span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Lose weight.</b><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"> Man...this
one seems to be on my resolutions list EVERY YEAR. You'd think I'd have
done it by now, but, I'm a little TOO FOND of fatty, salty, junky food.
I've TRIED to lose weight, and have accomplished the goal, but then put
it all back on when I get busy, or stressed, or bored. I also find that my will power is
not as strong as it was when I was younger, so...wish me luck!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">3). </span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Get more exercise.</b><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"> This past summer, I was fairly consistent with walking outside, but, as
school got started again, and mornings got earlier and earlier, I got lazy
again. I try to walk a mile every day around the halls at school during lunch, but find it tedious and I keep getting stopped by people who have questions, or need help with technology or media stuff. It's only been two days so far, but I've managed to get a mile or two in with outside walks every day in 2020. The next cold snap or snowstorm with put an end to that...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">4. </span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Drink less wine.</b><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"> Okay...I
admit that I'm a little too fond of wine. Not slobbery, staggery, drunk
fond of it, but DEFINITELY "it helps me relax" fond of it. I'm HOPING
that the whole "lose weight/get more exercise" thing will assist with
this resolution. Wine is HIGH in calories, and will TOTALLY defeat
losing weight, which I think I REALLY AM now committed to doing. I was able to go "cold turkey" for most of the summer, but gave up on that around the holidays. I'm ATTEMPTING to have a "dry 2020", but, realistically, that's not going to happen. Two days in, however, I'm at 0 glasses!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">5. </span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Work on my debt load.</b><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"> I
like to spend money. I like having a credit card. They do not
necessarily go well together. I'm nowhere NEAR where I was when I went
into the "debt management" program ten years ago, but I
definitely need to "reign it in", and pay off the debt that I have now
accrued. I've made great strides in getting the balance to a manageable level, but still have "a ways to go". Now if I could
just figure out a way to refinance or switch my student loan to
something that would actually show a decrease in the balance
occasionally...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">6). </span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Swear less.</b><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"> Okay...I
admit it (although if you know me AT ALL, you already know this)...I
get EXTREMELY "potty mouthed" when I drive around the cities. It doesn't
HELP that 98% of the drivers up here are COMPLETE and UTTER morons,
but, in an effort to "detoxify" my commute, I am stating here, for the
world (or at least the three people who read my blog) that I am vowing
to curtail the "blue stream of trucker talk" that seem to pop so freely
from my mouth. Enough said.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">7). </span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Spend MORE time with family and friends.</b><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">I
don't really need to elaborate on this one. I get too busy, and too
wrapped up in things, and my personal relationships end up taking the
brunt of it. No more (I hope). Family and friends are what it's all
about, right? Why cut time from that for all of the "crap" that fills
our days?? I MIGHT even try to work on my phobia of talking on the
phone (I know it's not rational...that's why it's a phobia!).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Wish me luck, and I hope that YOU are successful with your New Year's goals too!!!</span></div>
Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-7599684737272337512019-10-05T14:56:00.001-05:002019-10-05T14:56:53.333-05:00Chicago for Labor Day!Duane and I were able to spend an AWESOME weekend with Robin, Davey, Emilie, and Abigail before Emilie headed off for grad school at UCLA, and Abigail headed back for her junior year at Wheaton College. Robin is now in divinity school at Moody, and Davey got a big promotion at work, so it really was kind of a last HURRAH before everyone got super busy.<br />
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We explored Lincoln Park Zoo, the Chicago Botanic Garden, hung out at Lake Michigan, and ate some FABULOUS food!!<br />
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Here's hoping YOU had a GREAT TIME hanging out with people you love recently too!!Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-25402523564683902802019-04-11T19:10:00.001-05:002020-05-17T11:22:21.927-05:00Dad......for a sad post. My dad died a week ago (today).<br />
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Although he passed quickly at the end, it wasn't, altogether, unexpected. We've been thinking about the possibility, in the back of our minds, since 2009 when he
went through a<a href="http://snarky-librarian.blogspot.com/2009/10/dad.html" target="_blank"> catastrophic series of medical issues</a>, and were blessed with TEN YEARS of "bonus days"
as he liked to say, but you are never really prepared when it actually happens.<br />
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He went into the Mt. Ayr hospital three weeks ago with issues that we thought were related to pneumonia. He was assessed at the county hospital, and was then air lifted to Des Moines.<br />
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He spent two weeks in the CICU and had great difficulty breathing, due to COPD. He also suffered, we believe, a heart attack, but the doctors weren't able to do an angiogram to assess the damage until Tuesday of the second week he was there, because of the breathing issues.<br />
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After the angiogram last Tuesday, they discovered that four of his five bypasses had collapsed, and the stents that had been inserted during two previous heart attacks had closed as well. Faced with a lifetime on "just medication", which wouldn't necessarily have helped, since he was also battling kidney, circulation, and lung issues, he made the decision to enter "comfort care" instead of "aggressive care".<br />
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It's my understanding that "comfort care" basically makes you comfortable until you die. Once he chose this route, he was given a morphine drip, and never regained consciousness before he passed. <br />
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I rushed down from the cities last Thursday to see him before he passed. It was a gut wrenching decision, but we decided to turn off the oxygen he was receiving. We agonized about reducing the amount gradually until it was zero, but the ICU nurse said that we weren't prolonging his life...just delaying his death. So....we made the decision to shut it off, and I was AMAZED at how quickly he died after that. Fifteen minutes. <br />
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After he died we headed back to mom's house, and in the three days following, met with the funeral home, bought a casket, planned the service (he had already written his own obituary), and this past Monday, attended the funeral, and buried him.<br />
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So many emotions course through your system during the grieving process. That first night after he died, I didn't want to go to sleep because it was the last day that I saw him alive, and from that point forward every day would be a day that he was no longer with us.<br />
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Grief is a weird thing. I'll be fine one minute, and sobbing uncontrollably the next. Little things set me off...like when I had to buy a birthday card for my niece and passed the "Happy Birthday Dad" cards...or when I came across a can of Bush's Baked Beans (one of his favorites) while cleaning out a cupboard. I feel guilty for not calling or visiting more...I can't sleep...I walk around in a daze for most of the day. So many feelings.<br />
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My dad was an AMAZING man, and I was so fortunate to have him in my life. He came from a poor, working class family who was not very demonstrative with emotions, yet he made sure to change that with our family and tell us he loved us every day. He guided us, taught us, cared for us, and supported us in everything we did.<br />
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Rest in peace, dad. I miss you. Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-24680101972250058672019-03-30T02:52:00.000-05:002020-12-31T13:41:09.627-06:001990 Trip Around the World with Kimberly in TEN Photos!Since I just spent THREE years blogging about my life in Japan, I decided I didn't want to write multiple posts about Kimberly's and my trip around the world. <br />
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It was fun. It was frustrating. It was exhilarating. It was scary. It was amazing. It was stressful. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. <br />
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We argued. We got homesick for the peace and calm of Japan. We saw some SPECTACULAR sites. We got lost. We were found.<br />
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One of us got flashed by an old guy in a public park. One of us had a voyeur try to sneak a peak at the "family jewels" under a toilet stall. One of us got food poisoning from some "sketchy" mead. One of us almost didn't make it home on the final leg, after spending the night at Heathrow, because of a plane ticket that was to only be used by "Japanese nationals". <br />
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So...in ten photos from our journeys through Singapore, Athens, Corinth, Fira, Heraklion, Paris, London, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Edinburg, here's our journey...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> the Parthenon with Lycabettus in the distance- Athens, Greece</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Kimberly "posing" in the Royal Gardens- Athens, Greece</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Thira, Santorini, Greece</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> me "posing" on Santorini, Greece</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> church in Thirassia, Santorini, Greece</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">on the beach in Crete, Greece</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">looking dapper at Notre Dame- Paris, France</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> the view from Frettra and Michelle's balcony- Paris, France</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> posing with the queen at an Elizabethan banquet- London, England</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Holyrood Castle- Edinburg, Scotland</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's hoping YOU have fond travel memories too!!!</span> </span></div>
Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-61414929700955278672019-03-29T02:45:00.000-05:002020-12-31T13:37:28.958-06:00Notes and Reflections After Completing the Blogging of My Two Years in JapanAfter spending the last three years going back through my journals, and COUNTLESS MILLIONS of photos (from the time when you actually had to load film into a camera. I can't IMAGINE having digital photo capability during that time...the photos would number into the BILLIONS!!) here are some reflections on the journey...<br />
<br />
I am, actually, gay, and was while living in Japan, but was, at that time, fighting it with all my might. Growing up Baptist, it was ingrained in my psyche that I was going to burn in hell for who I was. The tragic thing is...I actually believed it. It's sad that some people still do. So...all the stuff about Stephanie during the first 8 months of posts, and the entries about Chizuru, Mika, and later, Mitsuko, were really just futile attempts to be "normal". I really did care for each of them, but...none of the relationships would have worked out. Once I finally DID come out (about eight years after moving back from Japan), life took a HUGE turn for the better, and I've been much happier with who I am ever since!<br />
<br />
I managed to maintain relationships with others via snail mail (Facebook
and blogging weren't even a "thing" until about the time I came out),
but, sadly, was abandoned by several when I told them I was gay (one
even writing back to tell me that "the devil was whispering in my ear"
and that I needed to repent). No worries. My life is better without
them in it.<br />
<br />
Mitsuko ended up being roommates with my sister when they both moved to
Los Angeles in the early 90's. They were roommates for about 5 years.
It was fun to continue the friendship through that different venue, but,
again, when I came out, things got weird.<br />
<br />
Kimberly and I DID take that trip around the world! I kept a journal of
the trip (well...after two years, how could I not continue to
journal?! Perhaps that will be my next series of posts!). It was
amazing, and frustrating, and full of adventure! She and I live in the same metropolitan area, and,
even though we hardly ever see each other (busy lives going in twelve
different directions), I still consider her one of my oldest and dearest
friends.<br />
<br />
I am also "Facebook friends" with many of the people in these blog posts...Janet V., Chinatsu, Akira, Masano, Mike B., Mr. M., Nobu, Mika. I have, unfortunately lost track of many people. I search Facebook, every now and then, to see if I can reconnect with various friends, but it's been very "hit or miss".<br />
<br />
Masano and I were FINALLY able to get together again for the first time in THIRTY years last year. I met her husband, and was adopted as an "uncle" by her two AMAZING kids. We now get together once a year, and it's WONDERFUL to be reconnected again!!<br />
<br />
I actually wish I could go back and do it all again, but at the age I am now. I'm sure many things would have been different. I would probably still have still found KIBC an oasis and "home", but would have been more authentically myself, and not hidden behind my "Baptist-ness" (of which I now profess to be "in recovery" from). I made some wonderful friends, and they helped me survive and thrive during my time there. <br />
<br />
I spent so much time whining about things that weren't going the way I thought they should, and about the politics of Hinomoto, and the struggles with my faith. Now that I'm a "grown up" I realize that things OFTEN don't go the way I think they should...and how I react to those situations is far more important. Every job in EVERY profession has it's own political turmoil...how I navigate those politics is, again, more important. My faith...is strong! Japan was a test of that faith. All of the situations, obstacles, joys, challenges, and opportunities helped me to grow enormously. I consider my time in Japan one of my greatest life adventures!<br />
<br />
I still miss Japan greatly. It was an amazing experience, and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I DO hope to get back some day, and still have dreams about it when I sleep.<br />
<br />
Here's hoping YOU have similar life experiences that helped you grow into the AMAZING person you are! Thanks for sharing this journey with me, and I look forward to again writing blog entries from THIS decade!!! Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-35075748126737881072019-03-28T02:34:00.001-05:002020-12-31T13:32:12.749-06:00Random Photos Not Highlighted in My Journal Entries: 1988-1990<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>Note:
This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji,
Japan (1988-1990). I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.
Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only. For
details on this series of blog entries, see <a href="http://snarky-librarian.blogspot.com/2016/05/japansick-orthe-beginning-of-very-long.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
Things clearly got a little hectic during my last few days in Japan, since the entries end with my <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3197659590950008977#editor/target=post;postID=7504097491412398974;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=2;src=postname" target="_blank">previous blog post</a>, which was a few days before Kimberly and I headed on our TRIP AROUND THE WORLD, before returning to the states.<br />
<br />
Reading back through my journals, and looking through the THOUSANDS of photos I took, there are some events for which I didn't write a journal entry.<br />
<br />
Here...in no particular order...are photos that merit being included...<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Chinatsu and Michiyo "helping" me teach Misuzu's English lesson...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My office azalea bonsai plant...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Wisteria and hibachi with Hiroko, Akira, and Koji at Hinomoto...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sign just inside my office door. I pointed to it every time a student tried to speak to me in Japanese...</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The view from my office window during my two years teaching there...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rice harvest in Koro...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Kimberly prepping for her class...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Game night at the B's... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Prayer tree at Himeji eki...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Friendly class at Megumi Church... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Searching for tadpoles with Becky I...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hiroko performing the tea ceremony... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Me...cooking something at Mike & Resa's...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Hmmmm...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just hanging out in my office with a bunch of jr. college girls... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Wednesday night dinner with Hiroko, Akira, and Koji...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My office at Hinomoto... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My last cherry blossom season in Japan...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Random shots around Miyuki Doori...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My apartment building...and apartment while packing to move out... </span></div>
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Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-75040974914123989742019-03-27T02:18:00.000-05:002020-12-31T13:30:16.623-06:00Friday, March 23rd, 1990<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>Note:
This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji,
Japan (1988-1990). I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.
Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only. For
details on this series of blog entries, see <a href="http://snarky-librarian.blogspot.com/2016/05/japansick-orthe-beginning-of-very-long.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.</b></span></span><br />
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The farewell bbq was fun. There were a lot of people there. Mike brought his video camera and I was behind it for most of the day. Akira & Hiroko left early and took the futon to Kyoto with them (they went to a wedding), so we rode to my place (Kimberly & I) & loaded it then walked back to the party with me taping the walk back. It was fun.<br />
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That night Mitsuko went to a wake, then stayed over. The next morning we got up & around, and went to Rokko to get ready for the bbq (choir). Everyone came at about 1:00-ish. I made bbq sauce with okonomiyaki sauce and catsup & everyone like it a lot. Nicki & I had a chance to talk while we were battling the smoky grill. She's such a doll!<br />
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I met Chiyomi and Mayumi at the eki at 6:30. They gave me a briefcase. I was really surprised.<br />
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The concert went very well. I turned it over to God, and He took care of everything. I used comedy, seriousness, and music, and had a really good time. Lots of people were praying for me, and I could tell.<br />
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Kimberly started crying during the 3rd song, so I knew it was going to be a hard show, but using comedy helped lighten the mood a bit. I was fine until the last song, "Friends", and I made it through, but started tearing during the last chorus. My last phrase was really shaky, and my speech (thank you), afterwards choked, but overall, it was a great time. I enjoyed doing a concert for the 1st time, really. I know it's because God was in control. It was great.<br />
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Carol W. said some really neat things to me after the show about a good blend of comedy, seriousness, and music, and things like anywhere I go & whatever I do will be exciting and that great things would happen. It was really nice of her to say.<br />
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After church, and a teary farewell from Chiyomi & Mayumi, and saying see you later to Akira & Hiroko, I waited around & rode to singles with the B's. Kimberly & I had to say a few things about our lives & time in Japan.<br />
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After singles we had fellowship, and they made a cake for K & I.<br />
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After that Mitsuko & I came back to Himeji. we got home at 1 a.m.<br />
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Monday Mitsuko got up & left early (for the funeral). I met Daniel & Sheila at Himeji eki at 12. We got on the train & went to Suma. We met Mitsuko at the station & walked along the beach (through the "demiliterized zone"- old cars, nets, & war looking trash) to the Suma Aquarium. We ate at a soba shop before the aquarium.<br />
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The aquarium was gorgeous! The best part was a wall with a big window in it. There were lots of different kinds of fish. We also saw the sea otter show, fish feeding, and dolphin show. The aquarium was a really neat place.<br />
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After the aquarium, we went to Sannomiya, then ate at Gaylord's.<br />
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Tuesday I went to Hinomoto and gave the 1st year retest. There were 2 students. One passed, but the other only got a total of 16 pts. out of 100. I couldn't believe it. She'd had most of the questions on the 1st test, but still didn't pass! I had to grade them and give final grades, even though neither of them was my student. The office made me miss my train home by calling each of the teachers & asking them questions regarding the two students. John wanted me to give his student's final grade, but I said I only could judge by her final exam score, so couldn't.<br />
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I walked slowly back to the station (I had 40 minutes before my next train), then got on a two car train that was absolutely jam packed. Needless to say, I was <u>not</u> happy.<br />
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I met Mike at my apartment at 12:15 and we took my cubic meter of stuff to Kobe to the shipping company. We got stuck in traffic on the way, which added a little more frustration, but once we got to Kobe things went a lot easier than anticipated. We met Kimberly & Mitsuko, took care of paperwork, went to the warehouse, then went to Central Station for a great lunch. K & M left, & Mike & I shopped for a little while.<br />
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Then we went back to Himeji, loaded up the rest of my stuff to go to Mike's house. Mike went on and I stayed at the apartment and gave it a final cleaning.<br />
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I walked to M's to drop off some stuff, gave some mail and a key to Paul, then went to B's where I've been since.<br />
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Wednesday I stayed at B's all day. Resa & I redecorated the living room. She changed it from mauve & blue to Mauve & country green, so most of the day I repainted blue wooden things green, hung curtains, & set up little groupings of things. I also packed up 3 more boxes to ship home. In the evening we watched videos.<br />
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Thursday I shopped, mailed boxes, pd. bills, got a haircut, and then M's & I went to Royal Host for lunch. After lunch I walked to American Dream, then went to the park behind the castle & sat by the moat & on the moat wall & relaxed. On the other side of the moat was a solitary cherry blossom tree in full bloom. It was gorgeous.<br />
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At 5:30 I met Tomoko, Tomomi, Michiyo, Kanako, and Yukako. We saw "Dead Poet's Society" (excellent!), then went to a snack shop.<br />
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Then I went back to B's.<br />
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Friday I got up & around & met Mika at 31. We had lunch & shopped a little, then went to Hinomoto. I had a faculty meeting, then they had a farewell party for Soma (in the office), Mike M., and I. It was nice, & I felt a little sincerity from the group as a whole, until it was over and most of them just got up & left without saying anything to anyone. I guess it was just another required meeting! Haruko, M., Nobu, Machiko & Sakai, Koji, M., and Matsuo-san said goodbye, though. I guess those are the only people I really wanted to say goodbye to anyway.<br />
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After the farewell meeting, Nobu dropped me off by my old apartment. Then I took a bus downtown, then another bus to the B's.<br />
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The Lord blessed me that day because the 70,000 yen I thought I would be getting as my retirement money ended up being 230,000 yen, and I got some unpublished material from Word Records to look over for use in a project (demo tape). They typed my name on the tape & wrote a contact name for me, and it was very encouraging. If it's God's will I hope it works out!<br />Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-70964870592870713932019-03-26T00:25:00.000-05:002020-12-31T13:26:04.258-06:00Saturday, March 17th, 1990<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>Note:
This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji,
Japan (1988-1990). I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.
Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only. For
details on this series of blog entries, see <a href="http://snarky-librarian.blogspot.com/2016/05/japansick-orthe-beginning-of-very-long.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.</b></span></span><br />
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Saturday night at I's was fun. We had lasagna. It was a nice chance to talk and relax.<br />
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After I's, Kimberly & I stayed at Mitsuko's.<br />
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Sunday I tried to call Dave about lunch, to see if we were on or not, but he still wasn't home. So, I went to a pay phone at about 12:30 & checked my machine, & sure enough, we were meeting at 1:30, so I <u>ran</u> to a taxi. I made it to our meeting place only 5 minutes late. Dave was 10 minutes late, so it was no problem. Thank goodness for answering machines, or it would have been chaos!<br />
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Dave & I ate at Gaylord's, then shopped for awhile. He's going back to the states in May, so we talked a lot about going home.<br />
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At 4:45 was choir, b. study, etc. I came home soon after church ended.<br />
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Monday was spent packing & cleaning.<br />
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Tuesday was the graduation party...lots of karaoke, & fish dishes, but I got flowers & Daniel, Sheila & I managed to finagle our way to the same table.<br />
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Tuesday afternoon I shopped, packed, cleaned, etc.<br />
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Wednesday was graduation chapel. It was really boring. The speaker spoke for 1 hour. I had to give a farewell speech. M. translated.<br />
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The rest of Wednesday I shopped, packed, cleaned, etc. Wednesday evening I went to the M's for dinner...our last- shoot! It was a nice time!<br />
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Thursday was graduation- long & <u>dull</u>. Chinatsu had to give a speech & was crying.<br />
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After the ceremony Mike & I left soon after. We got bento lunches for going. When I got home, I opened it & it was the basic, yucky, fishy junk. I ate the hot dog, threw the rest away & ordered a pizza.<br />
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After that I went shopping, cleaned, blah, blah, blah.<br />
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Friday was more of the same. At 4:30 I went shopping & met Mike & Resa at 5:15 to go to "Turner & Hooch" w/Tom Hanks. The dog was destructive. I hated it, then started liking it when it calmed down, then it got shot & died...stupid movie! It was pretty good.<br />
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After that we went to Conservo for dinner, then to the B's for videos. It was a tape of comedies. It was nice!<br />
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Today I've practiced for my concert tomorrow- ulp, made salad for the farewell party, cleaned, etc.<br />
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Mitsuko's coming over at 2:00. Then we're off to the bbq. Look forward to it "de mo", dreading it!Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3197659590950008977.post-48604815452271388762019-03-25T04:57:00.000-05:002020-12-31T13:22:32.668-06:00Friday, March 2nd, 1990<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>Note:
This is a series of journal entries from my two years living in Himeji,
Japan (1988-1990). I'm archiving them electronically through my blog.
Last names have been deleted and replaced with first initial only. For
details on this series of blog entries, see <a href="http://snarky-librarian.blogspot.com/2016/05/japansick-orthe-beginning-of-very-long.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.</b></span></span><br />
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Sunday night we practiced "Praise Ye The Lord" which we're doing with choir as backup at my concert on the 18th. It was hard, because we practiced with a tape & did a little choreography, both of which people in the group aren't used to doing.<br />
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Monday I got up & around (eventually), and that's about it. Nothing's sticking out as being particularly interesting or memorable. Robin called, and we had a nice chat.<br />
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Tuesday was my last Tuesday class. I met Allison at Nozato eki. She's my replacement. She was very nice. Her British accent was great! My last class had a party for me. Mitsuko made a cake, they brought me 15 peach roses, Machiko gave me two big friendship balls & made pudding. It was nice!<br />
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Wednesday night I went to Akira & Hiroko's. Hiroko's friend who teaches at a nearby junior high was there. She's also from Britain, Liz. It was the first time Akira had ever spoken to a British person.<br />
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Thursday I walked out to American Dream, but Resa was sick, so I came back home. In the p.m. I wrote a newsletter letter for First Baptist, and filled out an application & personality report for Kyoto International School.<br />
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Today I mailed my application, and went to American Dream from 1:30 - 6. I typed out a form letter if inquiry on Mike's computer, then went back & retyped various addresses & things in the letters. It was fun. The Japanese owner is so <u>nice</u>. She keeps inviting me back. I also got to look at the J.C. Penney Spring catalog, and some decorating magazines/catalogs.<br />
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Tonight I watched videos.Jeff S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10575777816755149834noreply@blogger.com0