musings & tidbits

Meet Jill

2010-03-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

Jill Bolte Taylor

brain scientist
---
while getting ready for work one morning, a blood vessel in her brain exploded
---
she was having a stroke
---
she was now studying her own brain

drjilltaylor.com

hoo hoo

2010-03-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

In honor of this weekend's International Festival of Owls,

here are some lovely owl-inspired items:

print by marisol spoon

bookmarks by Owl Post Press

bracelet by Bethany's Blossoms

clarity

2010-03-04T19:19:00.000-08:00

Life is a puzzle.

Often times, we don't know how the pieces fit.

But given time, they always do.

And happily, we finally see the picture.

photo by Daniel

Meet Winter

2010-03-01T10:36:00.000-08:00

Winter the dolphin

when she was 3 months old, she got tangled in a crab trap lineher injuries were so severe, her tail was amputated

she now wears a prosthetic fin,inspiring kids of all ages

seewinter.com

ideal

2010-02-27T20:08:00.000-08:00

What's your {happyland}?

Aside from Disneyland, mine would be on a beach somewhere in Hawaii. I've never been to Hawaii. But I've always dreamed of moving to the Rainbow State - of living by the water; of basking in the sun.

photos by susannah [unraveling]

eternal

2010-02-24T05:17:00.000-08:00

Only statues fear change.

Frozen

set

they easily break.

Better to be

like the ocean

or the breeze

always changing

neverending.

photos by ambrose munday

and Melissa D. Graf

Meet Rania

2010-02-22T18:20:00.000-08:00

Rania Al Abdullah

wife

mother of four

Queen of Jordan

Co-chair of 1 Goal

a global initiative to provide 'education for all'

join1goal.org

queenrania.jo

greatness

2010-02-20T15:00:00.000-08:00

"Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve.

You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

photo by Flip Schulke

for two or more

2010-02-17T19:41:00.000-08:00

Cute and quirky combine in these wonderful pieces

by Jonathan Adler

mugs

teapot

pitcher

jonathanadler.com

Makes me want to have a party - with tiaras & tiny umbrellas :)

Meet Lovetta

2010-02-15T13:22:00.000-08:00

Lovetta Conto

17 years old

fled Liberia with her father when she was only 8 months old

she escaped civil war in her country, but embraces its history in order to create new LIFE:

jewelry designed by Lovetta

made from bullets used in the Liberian civil war

"Your past should not bring you down. It should make you stronger. My past is my strength. My past is my future."

akawelle.com

unlisted

2010-02-13T12:01:00.000-08:00

I need a hammock ... for days like today.

The busyness of the last couple of weeks has caught up with me - I'm exhausted :(

So I'm temporarily hiding my 'to do' list under a very heavy rock ... and I'm going to have a lazy day/weekend :) Hope yours is wonderful & relaxing too.

p.s. Happy Valentine's Day!

photos by Vlien* and adwriter

boxed

2010-02-10T19:36:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

Some girls want chocolates, flowers or diamonds.

But me, I want a box of yummy cookies ... lemon, sugar or shortbread please.

photos by syusko and anniedaisybaby

Meet Charla

2010-02-08T13:27:00.001-08:00

Charla Nash

56 years old

viciously attacked by a 200 lb chimpanzee

lost her eyes, nose, lips, & hands

But through it all, she remains steadfast.

She still has hope.

"I just look different," she says.

"Things happen in life that you can't change."

On ...

2010-02-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

On dandelion dust

and streaking stars.

On birthday candles

and fallen lashes.

I have wished for you

many, many times.

On swift feet

with eager heart.

On guided grace

with smiling eyes.

I wish you will come

very, very soon.

photo by ashley and Caitlyn

Winter

2010-02-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

Two days ago, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, declaring six more weeks of winter.

Ordinarily, this news would sadden me ... winters here in the Pacific Northwest consist of rain, clouds and endless shades of grey.

But this winter has been unusually mild and warm - I'd gladly welcome six more weeks of this. Yet at the same time, I know that this winter has been especially difficult for others.

So no matter what the weather is where you are, or what you might be weathering in life, I wish you a little sunshine - a little spring - to brighten up your day.

photos by carolyn in oregon

Meet Aaron

2010-02-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

Aaron Ware

12 years old

baker @ Dough Jangles

"I love what I'm doing, but I hate why I do it."

You see, Aaron bakes in loving tribute to his twin brother, Eric, who died of brain cancer.

When Aaron was subsequently diagnosed with depression, his pediatrician gave him a special prescription: Do what you love. And for Aaron, that's baking.

fill-in the blank

2010-01-30T17:51:00.000-08:00

There is enough {_______} for everyone.

photos by fernandadesu and keribeth

Beauty

2010-01-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

The best blush to use is laughter:

It puts roses in your cheeks and in your soul.

- Linda Knight

photos by Bhanuwat Jittivuthikarn and Tea & Jam

Meet Emanuel

2010-01-25T20:04:00.000-08:00

Emanuel Buteau

21 years old

stuck under earthquake rubble for 10 days

a survivor

wisdom

2010-01-23T18:14:00.000-08:00

Winnie the Pooh is one of my favorite childhood characters. Though truth be told, I didn't meet Pooh bear until I was in high school (I grew up watching Smurfs, Care Bears & Mary Poppins). But once I did, I fell in love with Pooh's simplicity and eternal optimism - his wisdom ...

"You can't stay in your corner of the forest,

waiting for others to come to you;

you have to go to them sometimes."

"Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."

"Some people care too much, I think it's called love."

photos via Just-Pooh.com

wisps

2010-01-20T21:54:00.000-08:00

fog : cotton candy in the sky : sweet : momentary

photos by Yosigo

Meet Amy

2010-01-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

Amy Cervantes

mother of 3

co-founder of Birthday Blessings:

a nonprofit that gives birthday parties for homeless children

Waiting

2010-01-16T20:08:00.000-08:00

Winter used to be my least favorite season ... the dampness and darkness always made me sad.

But this year's twinkling Christmas lights reminded me of how beautiful the night can be.

And now I'm filled with anticipation ... like I'm staying up and waiting for the dawn.

photos by rvnix and garmonique

Us

2010-01-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

Weak Wings Angel

by Julie Cerise

Perhaps we too are {weak winged angels} ... gaining strength when we abandon doubt ... taking flight when we trust.

Meet Kate

2010-01-11T19:22:00.000-08:00

Each Monday, I'll introduce you to someone inspiring.

I hope that in sharing their story, you'll share in theirs.

Kate McRae

6 years old

bravely battling brain cancer

prayforkate.com