Peace on Earth

Twenty-five years ago this week, I was in Hawaii presenting at a trade show. Many old men were there, too, but not to visit the trade show. Rather, to observe the 40th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

This year, we remember Pearl Harbor 65 years ago, but we add the memory of 9/11 five years ago.

Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth.

18 days before Christmas.

technorati tags: pearlharbor, 9/11, peaceonearth, christmas, peace

NaNoWriMo Update

Early in November, I wrote about the NaNoWriMo contest.

As I was browsing through some blogs this week, I ran across two participants in the National Novel Writers Month contest. First was LA Scene who claimed over 73,000 words in a second year of successful writing. Then tonight I found another, an udge and a wink who won the habit of writing. That is, after all, the stated purpose of the contest.

982, 564, 701 words were logged this year by 79, 813 writers. A Statistics Wrap-up breaks down the results and compares them with last year. It also includes a list of the top 10 regions by word count. It appears the NaNoWriMo contest was a big success.

Curious about what participants wrote? Take a peek.

20 days before Christmas

20 20 days before Christmas

technorati tags: nanowrimo, nationalnovelwritingmonth, winningarticles, toptenregions

Albert Camus Quotes

Albert Camus (1913-1960) was a favorite author when I was in high school. He was a Nobel Prize winning French author and philosopher who cared more about people than ideology. My favorite book was The Fall.

Some quotes:

“’Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.”

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”

“We are all special cases.”

“Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.”

And, for the writer in those of us who blog:
“Those who write clearly have readers, those who write obscurely have commentators.”

21 days before Christmas

technorati tags: albertcamus, nobelprizewinner, christmas, quotes, vickisblog

Preparing for Christmas

Time to get ready for Christmas. Of course you know that because it's everywhere -- advertisements for gifts to buy, decorations for the house, inside and out, Christmas specials on TV, Santa in the mall, charities asking for help, and children saying, "I want that."

December, apprpriately, is Stress-Free Family Holiday Month. Here is an article suggestion ways parents can minimize stress during the hectic holidays. Scroll down to Related Articles, especially Tips for a stress-free holiday which talks about setting priorities and controlling your time. Below those links are related topics for suggested activities, games, shopping hints, and more.

When all of the holiday chaos is all around you, don't let it infect your family. Take a deep breath or two, relax, and enjoy the season.

It is 22 days before Christmas.

technorati tags: stress-freefamilyholidaymonth, vickisblog

Apples and Pie

It is Eat a Red Apple Day and National Pie Day. But I have conflicting information. I find these days listed as Dec. 1 and again on Dec. 2. I am so confused.

For Eat a Red Apple Day, I find a reference to the apple page, but that has apple crafts, and the apple doesn't seem too appetizing after being dipped in paint. Hmmm . . .

For National Pie Day, I find a reference to a home cooking page linking to 50 exotic pie recipes, from Abracadaquiri Strawberry Pie to Yoghurt Pie. But the Honey Apple Pie is not even made with red apples.

To add to my confusion, the American Pie Council says National Pie Day is not until January 23rd! So I don't know what special day it is today.

I do know it is 23 days until Christmas.

I think I'll go eat an apple.

technorati tags: eataredappleday, applecrafts, nationalpieday, pierecipes, americanpiecouncil, christmas

Day 1 -- Christmas Month

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line was held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line was held.
Peace, peace, and farewell. . .

Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine, donates 5000 wreaths yearly since 1992. MerrillWorcester, the company owner, provides the wreaths and covers the trucking expenses. Most years, Maine school kids help with this event and enjoy an educational trip to the nation's capitol. Harrington is in one of the poorest parts of the state.

technorati tags: christmas, wreath, arlingtoncemetery, maine,

National Square Dance Day -- November 29

Square dancing is as American as apple pie.

Well, maybe that's not exactly the case. Early settlers brought the dance style with them from France or England. America, and probably specifically the Old West, added the caller to keep the dancers synchronized. I learned it as an elementary school kid in Idaho. It was fun, although I went on to other dancing styles later.

There are many benefits to square dancing, like it's fun and easy to learn. There are all kinds of clubs and organizations that teach and schedule events, such as Square Dance. There's probably a club near you.

technorati tags: squaredanceday, squaredancing

Reunion

A friend I have not seen for more than a decade came to town last week. I invited some former co-workers to a "Get Together with Fran." There were only a few people so everyone had a chance to visit.

One friend brought picture albums of us many years ago, and pictures of many others who worked for the same company at one time or another. The pictures were great to start conversations among people who had not seen each other for so long.

Here's one with Garry behind the camera

and another with Sue behind the camera.

A good time was shared by all.

technorati tags: reunion, party, compasscomputerservices