tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11689119551737233302024-02-19T11:43:10.144-05:00Artistic CompositionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.comBlogger496125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-78595937488633760062017-02-01T10:39:00.000-05:002017-02-01T10:41:57.127-05:00The AC Wonder Award: Bringing Joy with Graffiti<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In 2016 I decided to acknowledge the good deeds of others' which have filled me with admiration, amazement or awe with an award I call the AC Wonder Award. With all the negativity that floods the news I feel it is important that we seek out good news lest we become disheartened with society. This week I found a story of a graffiti artist and a city parks manager who have brought joy to their community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Msn.com recently <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/good-news/vandal-painting-beautiful-animal-portraits-in-texas-city-tunnel-city-totally-cool-with-it/ar-AAmkeSb" target="_blank">shared an article</a> by John Boyd of the Houston Chronicle about a graffiti artist that has touched the heart of the residents of Keller Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The artist began painting beautiful portraits of animals in a tunnel under a city bridge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I applaud the unknown artist for not only their talent but for the appropriateness of their choice to paint beautiful life like portraits of animals in this location. I say this because the name of the bridge is the Bear Creek Parkway bridge, what better place for a lovely doe to be scampering across the walls. I imagine it is this combination that has led to the Parks Department and the city's acceptance of the artwork to the point that Parks Manager Gary Davis said they will not paint over the graffiti and actually issued an offer to the artist to paint a mural in the tunnel. Check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cityofkellergovernment/photos/a.10151292191468383.520672.99592653382/10154942417068383/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Keller Parks Department's Facebook Post</a> to see the beautiful doe.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-77021592445418478392017-01-27T11:47:00.000-05:002017-01-27T13:30:47.686-05:00The AC Menagerie Bulletin<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Welcome to the January 27th addition of</b></div>
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<b> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The AC Menagerie Bulletin</i></span></b></div>
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The AC Menagerie Bulletin is a digital newspaper highlighting brief accounts of happenings around the <b>Zoo</b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(our home)</i></span> and on blogs by myself <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Nita Davis)</span>. Sit back, relax and enjoy while you catch up with the Davis family.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Life News </b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is a good thing that my life motto is '<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can't change the wind, so adjust your sails!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">', because that is exactly what I have been trying to do for the last three months. My sea is still a bit on the turbulent side<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> but my sails are in a better place<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, so I should be able to focus <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">better<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> While I haven't been blogging, I have been tucking tid-b<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">its into my blog folder so here's a bit of the fun stuff from the last few months.</span></span><i><b> </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Holiday</span> News</span> </b></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiV_214R0pQDKWvCnKbZ0vhFg5KczaqrhiAgkhRZnOrTaBfHG7ZwPP_b1XecEJ3CoVbyRYH1SKQ_yDV2acIWsYM5OzZJuRatIhWZlEpSfUKdaFuRxXrylKb6HXyPXz0XiwL-Mlza-MRM/s1600/C1016-2298SM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiV_214R0pQDKWvCnKbZ0vhFg5KczaqrhiAgkhRZnOrTaBfHG7ZwPP_b1XecEJ3CoVbyRYH1SKQ_yDV2acIWsYM5OzZJuRatIhWZlEpSfUKdaFuRxXrylKb6HXyPXz0XiwL-Mlza-MRM/s200/C1016-2298SM.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I decided to dress up as Cleopatra to go to a Halloween Party only to discover that I missed the party as it was on the Friday before Halloween and not on Halloween. ????? I was very disappointed as it took me a week to make all the accessories for the costume and was really looking forward to a fun night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sissy was certainly in the festive spirit and made these cute little reindeer ears and tail to wear to school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">went to</span> my oldest son's place for thanksgiving dinner. After dinner we put up their Christmas tree.</span><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the last <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">nice day of Fall I took Bubba to the soccer field at his school so he could have a bit of fun with one of his friends.</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Educational News </span></b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At the beginning of the month Sissy's 7th Grade Social Studies Class was divided into groups of four and given a big assignment. Each group had to pick a country for which they <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">were</span> to put together a report and presentation. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It</span> was very similar to a science fair presentation, with a project board and if possible physical examples for various categories. Of course it covered all the typical topics; culture, government ... et cetera. The group divide the topic's up and Sissy, who LOVES anything Japanese, got her two favorite topics; culture and food. At first she wanted to wear the Kimono I made her five years ago, but I convinced her that it was both too small and more an American version rather than a traditional Kimono. I suggested that since she was already planning on making a Gothic Steam-punk dress she just make it a <a href="http://lolita-tips.tumblr.com/post/100142933788/a-guide-to-the-many-styles-of-lolita" target="_blank">Gothic Lolita Steam-punk dress</a> and that is what we did. She planned the design and made the skirt. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">B</span>ecause the top and vest were beyond her sewing skill level I helped her make the<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">m</span>. She also took some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocky" target="_blank">Pocky</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramune" target="_blank">Ramune</a>. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All in all their pr<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">oject and presentation turned out very well. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoVwgTp8iFboJXt_VAj79S1CTS-aWt5TWItO-10xMe-A3iwl3CzcQTDfD0LJH_r0xSxGdxujAh2kcLRZZhV3k02zh1cZ7Vd4xPuNhGzpD1SHCJ6VhTC5PUZMoGkoDQm3QFtgfOZShyso/s1600/C2016-1008-2187sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoVwgTp8iFboJXt_VAj79S1CTS-aWt5TWItO-10xMe-A3iwl3CzcQTDfD0LJH_r0xSxGdxujAh2kcLRZZhV3k02zh1cZ7Vd4xPuNhGzpD1SHCJ6VhTC5PUZMoGkoDQm3QFtgfOZShyso/s320/C2016-1008-2187sm.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The only traveling I have done recently was my trip to La Mars Iowa to watch my oldest granddaughter's High School Marching band preform. Shortly afterward I did <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/10/simc-lincoln-patriots-marching-band.html" target="_blank">this post</a> about it for Sunday In My City. Here is the last half of their performance which was entitled 'Moving to Mars'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Work
has been slow but I have been keeping busy. I have been tak<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ing advantage of the slow season <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to continue my photography education by taking a few <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">photography classes<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and by giv<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ing</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my Portrait Phot<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ography </span>website a much needed revamp. Here's what <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the homepage looks like, what do you think? I realize nearly every other professional portrait photographers website<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> has a</span> w<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hite ba<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ckground, but the artist in me <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">insists I be original and remain true to m<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">yself.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nitadavis.net/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GxHA8cOlhFF2Bqsyc7ZHiB_eByokGSZPS0iDKlWXDjrlR4SiN7BwaDG9zt9FOA2RBAIL2BiSRUYkKNLxJ91sg7czLe4uUU6yQIUT4a6PGIRkvFmBitJr0LjBcIu6otVyRZDqVYgy2Qs/s400/homepage-NDphotography.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nitadavis.net/" target="_blank"><br />Stop by and tell me what you think</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Two of my favorite recent
portrait session were the Fashion Make-over I posted about <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2017/01/how-to-stop-feeling-old-makover-plus.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and one of this darling newborn.</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Comics</span> </span></i></b></span><br />
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How do you like my new assistant? <br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Weekly Quote:</span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Success is not just for the chosen few but for the few who choose!</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Blog Review</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>On Artistic Composition this week:</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>- <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2017/01/wonders-n-wishes_25.html" target="_blank">Wonders & Wishes:</a></i></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Have you heard about the Taco <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Shop owner who is spreading <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">warmth this winter<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">?</span> She is this weeks wonder. </span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>- <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2017/01/how-to-stop-feeling-old-makover-plus.html" target="_blank">How to Stop Feeling Old: A Makeover <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Plus...? </span></a></i></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you are a woman and over 40 it is highly possible you are starting to feel <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">old. In this post I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">share <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the story of a woman in her mid 50's <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">who was feeling very old and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">how a ph<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ilosophy and fashion makeover <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">changed all that.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></i></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Nita's Photography this week:</span></i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2017/01/temptations.html" target="_blank">Temptations:</a> My contributions to <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jame's Weekend Reflection and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sky watch Friday<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2017/01/ww-late-start.html" target="_blank">WW: Late Start:</a> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Winter kindly provided me with a fun Wordless <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wednesday montage.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2017/01/rewind-fall-2016.html" target="_blank">Fall Rewind:</a> Showcasing the beaut<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">y of nature and joy of youth</span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Now that you have a tiny clue what I've been up to, what have you been up to? I would love to here about it so, drop me a note in the comment section.</span></i></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Grasp Each Moment</span></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Reach for the Moon</span></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">and don't forget to</span></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a Fabulous Weekend!</span> </span></i></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-78611191842752055972017-01-25T13:11:00.000-05:002017-01-25T13:11:34.496-05:00Wonders N Wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are so many wonderful things about Wednesday!</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My short list: </span></i></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Hump Day!</b></i> That wonderful middle of the week, half way to the weekend, let's celebrate making it over life's hump day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wordless Wednesday!</b></i>
Whether you celebrate by seeking quiet solitude or by sharing image
only posts, there's a sense of wonder in the wordless approach. <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2017/01/ww-late-start.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> for my contributions to the sound of silence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is 'not so' Wordless Wednesday</b></i> over at <a href="http://curiousasacathy.com/">Curious as a Cathy</a>. Absolutely perfect for the chatter box in me. Of course I will be sharing this post there. :D</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wish Day!</b></i> That is right, the day designated by <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Claudya @ Unknown Mami's</a> as the day to put a voice to our wishes. You will find my wish below. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wonders N Wishes Day!</b></i> The day I am designating to share a 'Wonder' as well as a wish. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I was born on a Wednesday</i>. Yep, I just threw that out there. :)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFi3ALYqmSC6KXYc1jre9q8RPI6v_9BftMyCi-bEL2CLNog9uT540Gy1Mw25RYpVzYOrJfi4lRRVtca6mhvU2Y6d2dWnuoTLdsalHXKX74IXxwaqGTh5aNXNvuU4WfbZKAOwoAyq9z14/s1600/wonderButton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFi3ALYqmSC6KXYc1jre9q8RPI6v_9BftMyCi-bEL2CLNog9uT540Gy1Mw25RYpVzYOrJfi4lRRVtca6mhvU2Y6d2dWnuoTLdsalHXKX74IXxwaqGTh5aNXNvuU4WfbZKAOwoAyq9z14/s320/wonderButton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>This week's wonder</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While looking for this weeks wonder I was doubly rewarded. Not only has Emilia Flores gone beyond the expected to fulfill a need in her community but the restaurant owner has brought a bit of warmth to this South Dakotan. Flores, the owner of The Taco Shop in Dallas put a coat rack out in front of her shop with a sign above it that says, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/Read%20more%20at%20http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/2019/Restaurant-Owner-Sets-Up-Take-One-Leave-One-Coat-Rack-For-The-Homeless#OBD0RMw5AktBmIHi.99" target="_blank">"Are you cold? Take one. Do you want to help? Leave one."</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While reading <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the news article I got a warm fuzzy feeling and all of a sudden I was transported back to the mid 196<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">0's. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All the way back to</span></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">California and </span>my Nana's kit<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">chen<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. A place <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">filled with warmth<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span>love and </span></span>the soothing smell of fresh homemade t<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ortilla<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s. Thank you Emilia Flores.</span></span></span></span></span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSUKQMkNsDKInT0HFmAKE7kRfDfQrW9iiTKdh1gPmE8TKJEkXSm5unp2veHlSQx6kA8h4IxdqtQ8QxO-Zjk-eFRDPy0xQeD3u_BKWOHYHhs_RLd_89ZNk4z_hmbveludOGgBVd3OpZks/s1600/Wish_sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSUKQMkNsDKInT0HFmAKE7kRfDfQrW9iiTKdh1gPmE8TKJEkXSm5unp2veHlSQx6kA8h4IxdqtQ8QxO-Zjk-eFRDPy0xQeD3u_BKWOHYHhs_RLd_89ZNk4z_hmbveludOGgBVd3OpZks/s320/Wish_sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Today I'm calling on the universe to grant the following wishes.</b></div>
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- Today is one of those day's that I wish there were more of me. One to blog, one to clean, one to run errands ... blah, blah, blah....LOL<br />
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- I'm also wishing and hoping that the universe sends a bit of monetary help my way.<br />
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- My last wish for this day is that all of you have a fantastic week!<br />
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As Claudya at Unknown Mami's says go ahead and wish, be it simple or
big, when we give a voice to our wishes it helps us realize those
wishes. So what are you wishing for? I would love to know, just put your
wish in the comment section and I will gladly lend my wishing powers to
your wish. Please join me in visiting <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/07/wednesday-wishes-113.html">Unknown Mami's Wish Wednesday</a> so that we can lend our wishing powers to her and those she is wishing for.
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-42780828871801545722017-01-24T03:00:00.000-05:002017-01-24T03:00:41.566-05:00How To Stop Feeling Old: A Makover Plus ???? <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the beginning of January I got a phone call from my friend Cathy. She was calling to say she was in town and would be here for a few weeks. We met a little over 13 years ago and saw each other for a few days each month back then. But, in the last nine years we had only seen each other once for a brief half hour when her and her husband were passing through the city I lived in. Cathy and her husband live in another state and drive truck so it is seldom we get to actually spend time together, although we have kept in touch over the years. In recent years, Cathy has been feeling very old and unattractive. I totally understand where she is coming from. I too felt that very same way for many years. As a matter of fact I felt that way about myself when we first met and I was only in my early 40's.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTmdBqy13y7l79QT0uIA5T67CV7_M3iwO8Pv9jVj-UeiA-9iuctL48OpqUmpAu8oiv0UJxeFZiDxbRdsBqp_90-lYnz9HD_s1WsuZST0rZd_rktNt7oMRVWss3rqmBnfW8nSQobp1zQE/s1600/me2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTmdBqy13y7l79QT0uIA5T67CV7_M3iwO8Pv9jVj-UeiA-9iuctL48OpqUmpAu8oiv0UJxeFZiDxbRdsBqp_90-lYnz9HD_s1WsuZST0rZd_rktNt7oMRVWss3rqmBnfW8nSQobp1zQE/s1600/me2006.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My style back when I met Cathy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Back when we were able to see each other often I prescribed to the crazy philosophy that once a woman reaches a certain age (mid 30's) she needs to take on a more mature style. Oh boy! What a load of crap! I actually followed that philosophy into my late 40's. I'm sure you have heard the philosophy; 1) Women in their mid 30's shouldn't buy clothing from fashion stores that cater to teen's and twenty-somethings, and for heaven's sake avoid the Junior section in department stores like the plague, those clothing styles are for teenagers and young women in their twenties. Instead they should buy clothing for mature woman from the misses & women's sections of the department store or from a store that caters to the mature style. 2) A mature woman should keep her hair short or no longer than shoulder length with lots of short layers. And oh don't forget if a mature woman wants to dye her hair it should only be a shade or two darker or lighter than her natural color. Or worse yet, she shouldn't dye her hair at all because then she is not accepting who she is. Thankfully nine years ago, around my 48th birthday, I woke up! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Out went all the stuffy mature styled clothing. I let my hair grow long and cut it in a style that I feel compliments my facial features, and gives me back that youthful feeling. I went straight to the store and bought a vibrant auburn hair dye. Then I started buying most of my clothing from the junior section of the department store, or from some of my favorite trendy fashion shops; Rue 21, Vanity and Charlotte Russe just to name a few. If you are on a tight budget like I am you will appreciate their clearance racks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now back to Cathy. The first day of her recent visit my new style wasn't all that evident as I invited her over and I was, as my youngest daughter calls it, dressed in my lazy around home grunge look. A pair of baggy lounge pants, and a comfy sweat-shirt with no make up and my hair a bit on the wild side. We had a wonderful visit, catching up on everything that was going on in each others lives. I showed her some of my recent portrait work and talked about my belief that every woman age 18 to 100 should have a glamour or boudoir portrait session every few years. Cathy was very skeptical of that idea. She thought it was great for younger women that were beautiful and didn't have a face full of wrinkles and creepy old skin. Plus what if they didn't have a significant other what was the point to have those types of portraits. And even if they did have a significant other she was sure that their significant other would not care to see boudoir portraits with wrinkles and creepy skin. I told her that I believe they should do them for themselves, because when done properly the portraits and the portrait session is a great way to boost their self esteem and show them that they are beautiful. We then moved on to other topics and made arrangements to go out the next afternoon. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfTz09JT2QyEi-Gn8870FFdWeSzcI5UzydmKeK7z_ktd5Ub8xo5AEAI7JS-gGtNoUiy00HKb4DfcJqfd3DJls28_Msc1uf6pfGWWKlr6WmDP9zMSaBKTZv9CQizaKKKLZv3YW-mKGiiE/s1600/mystyle2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfTz09JT2QyEi-Gn8870FFdWeSzcI5UzydmKeK7z_ktd5Ub8xo5AEAI7JS-gGtNoUiy00HKb4DfcJqfd3DJls28_Msc1uf6pfGWWKlr6WmDP9zMSaBKTZv9CQizaKKKLZv3YW-mKGiiE/s320/mystyle2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When she showed up I was all ready to go out of the house. I wasn't dressed fancy, I had on a cute top with a pair of skinny jeans and boots, a few accessories and a fashion coat. And of course my hair and makeup were done. Cathy took one look at me and said "You look so cute!, I wish I could dress like that, but I don't have a reason to." I was like "Woa, wait a minute, you do have a reason." she quickly responded saying something to the effect that she couldn't dress like that in the semi-truck and that is where she is most of the time. Plus she said she was too old to dress that way as it would look silly, She is 55 so it would look like she was trying to be a 20 year old or something. I stopped her right there. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-foRDUcWiaGeXfoDGUArOca4aDYtNcddHMVsBllKtfrssP7rqem0PrrCzDFkEAbvZJbh4iF58gC5O1Bt070DZkzhlYThLUWTEsH6P4ncs3fVQS-5ltn-7az9hrkfxA6gml0xz-f7BVqE/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-foRDUcWiaGeXfoDGUArOca4aDYtNcddHMVsBllKtfrssP7rqem0PrrCzDFkEAbvZJbh4iF58gC5O1Bt070DZkzhlYThLUWTEsH6P4ncs3fVQS-5ltn-7az9hrkfxA6gml0xz-f7BVqE/s200/IMG_2732.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathy before gastric bypass</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I asked if she liked the style, and her reply was absolutely yes. Then she went on to tell me that she had always wanted to dress like I was dressed at that moment. But in her younger years she was too overweight to fit into any of the cute clothes. Then after she had gastric bypass and lost a ton of weight the creepy skin and the fact she was in the truck all the time meant she couldn't wear those styles and that she really had no reason to dress like I was dressed. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My response was to say before I was convinced by others that I needed to dress mature I dressed like I was at that very moment all the time, even when riding along with my husband in the semi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I immediately told her that she had the best reason in the world to dress up, that reason was because it would make her feel good about herself. Over the past few years I had noticed how down on herself she had gotten, and if I could play a part in lifting her spirits and view of herself I was going to do it. I then followed it up by revealing to her that I was older than she is by a whole two years. So if she didn't think I looked silly why would she look silly. Then I had a great idea. I told her I had the coming weekend clear and if she was game I would absolutely love to do a makeover on her. Although she was surprised at the suggestion she loved the idea and said "YES!". We were heading out to the local thrift stores because she wanted to pick up an electric skillet so she could cook in her hotel room, so we decided to get a head start on the make over and look to see what clothing we might find. Before we left the house she said if we were going to do a make over she should get her hair cut and asked if we knew a good hair dresser. Well, my oldest daughter blurted out "have mom cut your hair, she's the only one I trust". I am by no means a hair dresser, but I became the family hair dresser many years ago, and must do a fair job as they keep coming back, and I even cut my own hair. So Cathy turned to me and said will you do mine? I want to keep the length but need layers or something so it has body. I agreed and off we went on our shopping spree. I told her if she wanted to do a portrait session on Saturday after we had finished the make-over I could make her a special offer but it was entirely up to her, either way we were doing the make-over. I don't think I have ever seen someone as excited as she was at that moment. She had remembered my philosophy and said she was excited to give it a try and see if I was right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That next day she began documenting the make-over by taking these before selfies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebzInv7P5_aPQvST8ke2YWAla5-3CO9Cr69oFiKqfSdnenATfnjLXE4PWxToovfpOlxLkgGzA-brEwTuiQJpVK7s9zVpj1xTU58ScR3f3eP3TFaMk-5SeW1cHEpRCr-Ff20F3asPuKzk/s1600/cathy_beforegroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebzInv7P5_aPQvST8ke2YWAla5-3CO9Cr69oFiKqfSdnenATfnjLXE4PWxToovfpOlxLkgGzA-brEwTuiQJpVK7s9zVpj1xTU58ScR3f3eP3TFaMk-5SeW1cHEpRCr-Ff20F3asPuKzk/s320/cathy_beforegroup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Over the next few days we had a couple of pointer sessions. First I took her into my walk-in closet to show her that not every piece of clothing had to be super feminine or fancy. I picked out a couple of outfits that I knew contained items she would never think she was able to wear because of her (as she calls it) creepy skin. Like a pair of pleather leggings, and a fancy sleeveless top. At first she was reluctant to put them on but she did and was very surprised that the leggings looked really good on her. Then after she put the blouse on and said oh no, this won't work just look at my arms. I smiled and said it will be okay because you are going to add this, as I handed her a cute little cover. She added the cover and was floored by how she looked. The outfit was stunning on her and the glow it put on her face dropped a good five years from her looks. We hadn't talked about accessories, hair and makeup or why one should own camisoles in every shade imaginable. Those pointer sessions came later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After all the pointer sessions it was time to find her an outfit that would embrace her new style, not mine but her very own. A style that she was developing using the pointers I had given her combined with my one rule about fashion for women over 35. A rule that will stop a woman from feeling old. That rule is; You have to be true to who you are, if you like a style, and it looks good on you (to look good it must fit your proportions properly) without making you look and feel older than you are and you feel good in it then it doesn't matter if it is a 20 something fashion or a mature fashion because it is YOUR fashion! I do however recommend avoiding too much paisley or large floral prints as they tend to scream old on most women over 40.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then my oldest daughter and I took her to the mall to pick out a few outfits. She made it easier than it might have been when we asked what she had in mind. Her reply was "I am in your hands, I love everything the two of you wear so lets find some clothes." She did say she definitely wanted some skinny jeggins because although she thought she couldn't wear them she had tried on a pair of mine and loved the way they fit. After a very successful shopping trip, in which we got her to try on a green blouse that she wound up loving and buying even though she had never worn green before thinking it wasn't a good color for her. It looks amazing on her and is the top she decided to wear for the casual portion of her photo session. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjR6R7yovOq58VLOgMo0V5unxlLPWhT_vA5yDz4yKnLc57ycxvcUHm0cB-tCbqxeHkp3SWzH9mhFoxEJ7gs7SIaVDQtVcAO23wlHslVDjcqltAgXkcQYyitxomlr7Bvk5zbWiGduzYhE/s1600/Cathy_aftergroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjR6R7yovOq58VLOgMo0V5unxlLPWhT_vA5yDz4yKnLc57ycxvcUHm0cB-tCbqxeHkp3SWzH9mhFoxEJ7gs7SIaVDQtVcAO23wlHslVDjcqltAgXkcQYyitxomlr7Bvk5zbWiGduzYhE/s320/Cathy_aftergroup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Although the makeover wouldn't be official until Saturday we had a great
jump start on it. I asked her to come over Friday evening for me to do
her hair, that way Saturday would be more of the finalization of the
make over with make up and then portraits. We had told another one of our friends about the make over and she asked if we wanted her to come over to do make up as she has been learning how to do make up for portrait photography. Cathy and I were both happy to have Jill on board.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Saturday morning Jill took Cathy to get her nails done. Which I thought was a fantastic idea, because lets face it, beautiful nails make a woman feel special. And Cathy is most definitely special. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">New clothes, a fresh new hair style and lovely nails, all that was left was make-up and of course to document her transformation with gorgeous portraits. Cathy and Jill arrived mid day. Jill has done make up for a few other clients of mine but this was to be her first time working with a client over 50. So I went over the difference in application techniques and suggested colors to use and to avoid, as certain styles and colors will make one look older especially through the camera lens and under the studio lights. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> Now for the sneak peek of Cathy's Make Over Portraits!<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span></span></span></b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We started with the casual natural look.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next came a Grease inspired glamour naughty girl theme.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And we finished up the night with a few nostalgic formal shots. This beautiful dress has very sentimental meaning for Cathy and she looks awesome and vibrant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Cathy's husband had no clue what we were doing. Oh he knew we had gone clothes shopping and that I was going to cut Cathy's hair. Sneaky gal that she is, she even told him Friday night that the split ends and poor cut she had gotten a while back made it impossible to keep the length and that I had to cut her hair 'pixie short'. Then she told him she was going to "help me" with a photo session I had on Saturday but he had no idea about the make over or that she was the client for the photo session. When he got into town on Sunday he was so surprised and from what she tells me it was a great type of surprised. They are both so happy with her new look. Her husband was so pleased he even called me to thank me for helping Cathy feel good about herself again, and to tell me he loves her new style. As for Cathy, she is very happy with her new look and now understands exactly what I meant when I said the best way to stop feeling old is to get rid of the idea that you have to conform to what other people say is appropriate clothing and hairstyles for women of a certain age. She is also looking forward to her husband's reaction when he sees this post, because this post is how he will find out about the portraits. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A Happy Early Valentine's from Cathy to her Superman! </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-61167037811849667682017-01-18T12:24:00.000-05:002017-01-18T12:24:45.693-05:00Wonders N Wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I thought since I have been doing an awful lot of wishing and wondering, that today would be the perfect day to try and get back to one of my favorite activities, blogging. </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the biggest wonders of life is that it i<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">s as Shakespear<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e said both a tragedy and a comedy. My life is immune to neither, and I would have it no other way. Well actually I could do without the tragedies, although I <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">reluctantly</span> admit they do have their purpose. It is just very difficult during them to appreciate that purpose. As <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">stupid</span> as this may sound, I wish I could say that my recent absence was due to some tragedy, but thankfully it wasn't. At least not in the sense of a true tragedy. It has been more of a case of my train of thought being sidelined by the combined urgent need to earn a living and that <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">needs <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e</span>ffect on my <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cataplexy</span></span>.</span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are so many wonderful things about Wednesday!</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My short list: </span></i></b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Hump Day!</b></i> That wonderful middle of the week, half way to the weekend, let's celebrate making it over life's hump day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wordless Wednesday!</b></i>
Whether you celebrate by seeking quiet solitude or by sharing image
only posts, there's a sense of wonder in the wordless approach. <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2017/01/ww-hi-there.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> for my contributions to the sound of silence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is 'not so' Wordless Wednesday</b></i> over at <a href="http://curiousasacathy.com/">Curious as a Cathy</a>. Absolutely perfect for the chatter box in me. Of course I will be sharing this post there. :D</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wish Day!</b></i> That is right, the day designated by <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Claudya @ Unknown Mami's</a> as the day to put a voice to our wishes. You will find my wish below. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wonders N Wishes Day!</b></i> The day I am designating to share a 'Wonder' as well as a wish. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I was born on a Wednesday</i>. Yep, I just threw that out there. :)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<b>This week's wonder</b></div>
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I really do wonder how intelligent people can be so blinded by snake oil salesmen as to believe them even when their statements are proven false. Could it be that they allow their desperation for the promise of a cure to their one 'Problem' to overshadow their ability to reason and see the other very possible dangers they are trading for that one grandiose promise?<br />
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I will try for a positive wonder next week.</div>
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<b>Today I'm calling on the universe to grant the following wishes.</b></div>
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- My first wish is that I can better balance my illness so that I can do both the things I enjoy and earn a living at the same time.<br />
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- Second, I am extending a wish that America and the world are not negatively affected by the new Presidency of the United States, and that it will be successful in a positive way. I have major doubts, but I must wish it well for to do otherwise would be to turn my back on my country.<br />
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- My last wish is that all have a safe, happy and prosperous 2017!<br />
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As Claudya at Unknown Mami's says go ahead and wish, be it simple or
big, when we give a voice to our wishes it helps us realize those
wishes. So what are you wishing for? I would love to know, just put your
wish in the comment section and I will gladly lend my wishing powers to
your wish. Please join me in visiting <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/07/wednesday-wishes-113.html">Unknown Mami's Wish Wednesday</a> so that we can lend our wishing powers to her and those she is wishing for.
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-58898915438110301342016-10-12T09:08:00.000-04:002016-10-12T09:28:55.340-04:00Wonders N Wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are so many wonderful things about Wednesday!</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My short list: </span></i></b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Hump Day!</b></i> That wonderful middle of the week, half way to the weekend, let's celebrate making it over life's hump day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wordless Wednesday!</b></i>
Whether you celebrate by seeking quiet solitude or by sharing image
only posts, there's a sense of wonder in the wordless approach. <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/10/ww-play-time.html">Click here</a> for my contributions to the sound of silence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is 'not so' Wordless Wednesday</b></i> over at <a href="http://curiousasacathy.com/">Curious as a Cathy</a>. Absolutely perfect for the chatter box in me. Of course I will be sharing this post there. :D</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wish Day!</b></i> That is right, the day designated by <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Claudya @ Unknown Mami's</a> as the day to put a voice to our wishes. You will find my wish below. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wonders N Wishes Day!</b></i> The day I am designating to share a 'Wonder' as well as a wish. </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This week's wonder</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Searching for a wonder for this week I came across a story about a gentleman who purchased the Providence Arcade built in 1828 and is the oldest mall in America. Then he remodeled the two upper floors of the mall turning them into micro apartments. I really think it is a great idea, and wonder if maybe it other abandoned malls could be converted similarly but in a way that would provide affordable transitional housing. </span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">It's Wish Time! </span></b></i></div>
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<b>Today I'm calling on the universe to grant the following wishes.</b></div>
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- I wish It was December. Not because I am impatient for Christmas, and certainly not because I love winter. I wish it was December because then maybe, just maybe all this election negativity would be over.<br />
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- It would be really nice if stores started carrying non-alcoholic Irish cream for my coffee. It use to be that all the grocery store carried Irish cream coffee creamer, but over the last few years fewer and fewer stores are stocking it. And now I can't find a single store in our area that stocks it. The only reason I can think of for this is that it must not have sold very well, which baffles me because Irish coffee is SO Good! <br />
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- My last wish for this day is that the universe is looking down on you kindly!<br />
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As Claudya at Unknown Mami's says go ahead and wish, be it simple or
big, when we give a voice to our wishes it helps us realize those
wishes. So what are you wishing for? I would love to know, just put your
wish in the comment section and I will gladly lend my wishing powers to
your wish. Please join me in visiting <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/07/wednesday-wishes-113.html">Unknown Mami's Wish Wednesday</a> so that we can lend our wishing powers to her and those she is wishing for.
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a Wonderful Wednesday!</span></i></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-67347421922321516432016-10-10T15:18:00.001-04:002016-10-10T15:18:44.310-04:00Boy Was My Face Red<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Typically one is happy to receive an award or trophy, and they are proud to display it for everyone to see. Now I haven't received many awards or trophies in my lifetime but I can tell you that I earned one trophy when I was a teenager that I hid and hoped the entire world (my small circle of friends and acquaintances) would forget about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was the summer of '74 when I found myself the recipient of that ill begotten award. At the time, like many 14yr old girls I was awkward and self conscious, often finding comfort by reading true stories submitted to Young Miss magazine for their 'Boy, was my face red' feature. The stories were never anything really shocking and in a way put everyday little mishaps into perspective. Then it happened! I had a story that topped every story I had ever read, but there was NO way I was going to write in to the magazine and share my humiliation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Growing up in Southern California my summers consisted of long afternoons surfing the waves, fun filled times at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and Baseball! Now if you are fortunate enough to remember the 70's, you may remember that national news agencies proclaimed a streaking epidemic in '73 that rose in popularity and was was called a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaking"> "a growing Los Angeles-area fad"</a> by Time magazine in it's December '73 issue. By the summer of '74 streaking had reached a high point in pop culture with a wide range of novelty products flooding the market and Ray Steven's song "The Streak" hitting number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May. While I thought the song was great and regularly attending Dodger games so I had seen my share of streakers, I was not usually one to follow fads and I certainly had no intention of bearing it all to follow that one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What I didn't know was that Ol' Neptune had different ideas. No one warned me when I chose to follow the string bikini fad that I would be setting myself up to join the growing number of individuals following the streaking fad. While body surfing one hot afternoon, I discovered just how much Ol' Neptune likes his ladies bare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As was my typical routine, I had gone to the beach with my eighteen year old brother and a large group of his friends. It was a bright sunny day and the waves were really good, probably thanks the rather strong rip tide. We had been surfing for a few hours when I saw what would be both the best and worst wave of the day. I quickly swam out, positioning myself for probably the best body surfing I have ever done. It was perfect! I caught that wave and rode it all the way in. With the thrill of the ride still running high in my system I leaped to my feet as I the wave deposited me on the shore. I know I must have been grinning like a cat that just caught the fattest mouse. Then I saw one of my brother's friends. He was standing directly in front of me with the most shocked look on his face I had ever seen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I could feel the rip tide pulling the wave back out to sea as I looked down and discovered I was Naked! As fast as I could I STREAKED back into the ocean, looking around for my best friend or my brother in the hopes they would bring me a towel. Much to my dismay neither were anywhere to be seen. Instead it was my brother's friend who ran and got a towel, then waded out into the water to give me the towel. I was very grateful but still completely mortified and hoped that no one else had witnessed the event. My hopes were soon dashed when a few days latter I received an award, which was quickly hidden away, that read "World's Fastest Streak". It stayed hidden for many years, and although others enjoyed reminding me of how I got the award I did not talk about it until my own daughter became a teenager. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She too loved to surf and one afternoon before heading out to buy her a new swimsuit I pulled it out and told the story as a warning to be very careful of the bathing suit she was about to choose. I had completely forgotten the incident when <a href="http://afcsoac.blogspot.com/2016/09/you-talking-to-me.html">Liselman posted this</a> on his blog and reminded me. As I read his post I found myself laughing at the memory of my short streaking career, and promised to post my story. I looked for the award but have no idea where it has gone. It is most probably buried under a ton of rubbish in a landfill somewhere, so I decided to have a bit of fun and make one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have you ever wondered why it is that we find events that at the time totally embarrassed us so funny years later?</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-59876045823604901112016-10-09T22:45:00.000-04:002016-10-09T22:45:19.452-04:00SIMC: Lincoln Patriots Marching Band<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My oldest granddaughter is a member of the Lincoln High School marching band and this last Saturday they competed in The Dutchmen Field Championship in Orange City Iowa. It is one of the largest Midwest marching band competitions. This was my first time going to a marching band competition and I have
to say it was pretty cool. In more ways than one, I really should have
taken a blanket.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Hzdul8livPsto_fZGn1yy9UmsfBgtdHYBcyHlCkb9nkqemGANRyNecM00cb8DLRoH4pBE5ngFbUp9fMbNFCA48S0QU6zh5cXMWahECE0ANPKdNuJ-4D-2EwCWV7ujXXcOdRzpXrJX-U/s1600/C1016-2035sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Hzdul8livPsto_fZGn1yy9UmsfBgtdHYBcyHlCkb9nkqemGANRyNecM00cb8DLRoH4pBE5ngFbUp9fMbNFCA48S0QU6zh5cXMWahECE0ANPKdNuJ-4D-2EwCWV7ujXXcOdRzpXrJX-U/s400/C1016-2035sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Each band's performance consisted of three 'acts'. The Patriots colorguard actually changed outfits during the performance. Switching from the bright green 'Alien' outfits to orange/gold spacesuit outfit. The theme of their performance was "Moving to Mars". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The large boxes served both as a way to display background scenes for the show as well as to provide a place for the colorguard to quickly change their outfits. It was so well choreographed that I didn't even realize what was happening till I saw the different color outfits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Toward the end of their performance they had a huge parachute like material unfurl as the band played and a voice could be heard saying "Huston we have touchdown". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Most of the bands competing had less than 100 students, with a few
having between 110 and 150 students, but my granddaughter's band is
huge. They have 260 students in the marching band. Watching them march off the field really gave a good sense of just how big they are. This photo only covers about half of the band.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After the Patriots performance the band for the hosting school performed a really awesome show titled "The Giving Tree". Then all of band performers gathered on the field with blankets to sit and watch the fireworks display while the judges deliberated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When the lights went back on the kids on the field stood up while a few members from each band lined up on the sideline to accept awards for their teams. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For the most part everyone was having a good time, except this young lady that was sitting next to me. She was so tired and just wanted to go home. In her defense I will admit that some of the performances were a tad on the boring side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Every band got a participation award, and awards were given for various performance aspects. I do have to say I was glad that the bands were grouped into different classes with awards given in each class. The Lincoln Patriots received first place which really wasn't a surprise because they are very accomplished with a long list of outstanding accomplishments. They have participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California as well as in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on multiple occasions. This year they have been invited and will be marching in The Hollywood Christmas Parade" in Hollywood, California. All of which is a testament to not only the kids but to Lincoln High School's music and marching band programs and directors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the end of the night we were all a bit cold and tired but very happy too. Three
High schools from Sioux Falls and two from smaller towns near Sioux
Falls had all competed, so the line of cars heading back to Sioux Falls looked even longer than the line created by the Patriots as they left the field. I tried to get a good shot of the long line of cars and buses on the roadway in front of us, but this is the best I got. LOL</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Have you ever been to a marching band competition? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you for visiting me here in South Dakota. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is my contribution to 'Sunday In My City'. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To find out what is going on in different cities around the world hop over to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Unknown Mami's Sunday In My City</a> blog hop.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-91896772058774460552016-10-07T22:49:00.002-04:002016-10-07T22:49:52.399-04:00The AC Menagerie Bulletin<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Welcome to the September 7th addition of</b></div>
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<b> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The AC Menagerie Bulletin</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The AC Menagerie Bulletin is a weekly digital newspaper highlighting brief accounts of the week's happenings around the <b>Zoo</b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(our home)</i></span> and on blogs by myself <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Nita Davis)</span>. Sit back, relax and enjoy while you catch up with the Davis family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blog</span></span> News</span> </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I do believe I jin<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">xed myself two weeks ago when <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/wonders-n-wishes_22.html">I wished</a> for help keeping track of time. The wish came to mind <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">late Wednesday </span>as I was <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">writing my We<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">dnesday W<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">onders & Wishes post. Yes<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, a post that should have been written b<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">y Tuesday <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">so it could be pu<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">blished early Wednesday, and thus the wish. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Instead <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of giving a bit of help keeping track of time the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Universe decided I needed a wee bit of a break and gave me a nasty cold inst<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ea<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Exciting</span></span> News </b></span><b> </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This happy couple just celebrated their second anniversary. Well I am no dummy, so when they asked me if I wanted to go to brunch with them on their anniversary, I knew some exciting news was coming. I was right, they are expecting their first child in April. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Educational News </span></b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We have all been anticipating Sissy's orchestra concert this year as we found out at the end of last year they will be preforming with a very special orchestra. It hasn't been announced publicly yet, so I won't spill the beans and say who it is. I will say though that the orchestra holds a very special place in our family's heart and especially in Sissy's heart. From the time she was two years old until my husband passed away four years ago when she was eight, she would sit in his lap every day and they would watch this orchestra's video of 'Carol of the Bells'. It became 'Their' song. Last week when Sissy got home from school she was visibly upset and told me she was thinking of asking if she could preform in the chorus instead of the orchestra. I was so confused as she had been so excited all summer long to play with the orchestra. When I asked why, she said her teacher handed out the sheet music for this years concert, and of all the song that they could have been playing wouldn't you know it they are playing 'Carol of the Bells'. She said she doesn't think she can play that song without breaking into tears. I totally get it. Her mom and I get teary eyed every time we hear that song. But we have convinced her to put all that emotion into playing the song. Now we are just hoping that all the time and tears spent practicing and listening to her practice will be a healing experience for us all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">C<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ritter</span></span> News</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Devil cat is at it again! The other day I bought two packages of these donuts. Yes, my biggest junk food weakness is donuts. I was in a hurry that morning and had opened one of the packages and ate two of the six little donuts, before running out of the house. Forgetting we have a kitten that thinks it is a dog, I left both the opened package and the unopened package on the table. When I got home that darn cat had not only eaten the opened package of donuts but had ripped open the sealed package and eaten half of them as well. I was so mad at the cat I threw the half eaten donuts away without taking a picture of them. It is a miracle the cat is still alive.... LOL</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Blog Review</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>On Artistic Composition & Nita's Photography this week: Digital Silence due to the following.</i></span></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-13024080744789482942016-09-22T00:20:00.002-04:002016-09-22T00:20:18.530-04:00Wonders N Wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are so many wonderful things about Wednesday!</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My short list: </span></i></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Hump Day!</b></i> That wonderful middle of the week, half way to the weekend, let's celebrate making it over life's hump day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wordless Wednesday!</b></i>
Whether you celebrate by seeking quiet solitude or by sharing image
only posts, there's a sense of wonder in the wordless approach. <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/ww-just-washed-look.html">Click here</a> for my contributions to the sound of silence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is 'not so' Wordless Wednesday</b></i> over at <a href="http://curiousasacathy.com/">Curious as a Cathy</a>. Absolutely perfect for the chatter box in me. Of course I will be sharing this post there. :D</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wish Day!</b></i> That is right, the day designated by <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Claudya @ Unknown Mami's</a> as the day to put a voice to our wishes. You will find my wish below. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wonders N Wishes Day!</b></i> The day I am designating to share a 'Wonder' as well as a wish. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wednesday is extra wonderful as our car <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">got fixed today! YAY!</span></span></span></i></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This week's Wonder Award goes to:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dr. Richard A. Kaplan</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was going to find a different wonder for the week as I wrote a post about Dr. Kaplan on Monday, but I decided to share a tiny bit here as well as the <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/richard-kaplan-md-beyond-degrees.html">link to my earlier post</a>. My children and I were blessed to have Doctor Kaplan as their pediatrician before he switched to specializing in the care of abused children. He was wonderful as a pediatrician but his work with and for abused children is my reason for choosing him as this week's wonder. In a way it seems a bit late as he passed away three years ago, but the work he began lives on. Dr. Kaplan was a known and well respected around the world as one of the leading voices in establishing guidelines for the care and treatment of abused children. Working with such organizations as the <a href="http://cacs-sd.org/">Child Advocacy Center</a> and <a href="http://www.mrcac.org/">The Midwest Regional Children's Advocacy Center</a>. He even spearheading the creation of the Sioux Falls Children's Advocacy Center. I hope you will click on the link to my earlier post where I share fun stories of this wonderful doctor.</span><b><br /></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Now for a bit of <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">wishing!</span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<b>Today I'm calling on the universe to grant the following wishes.</b></div>
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- The leaves are changing and I love it! I just have one request as far as Autumn goes. Please oh please can you make it longer! It would be so nice to have say five months of Autumn and one month of Winter.<br />
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- I could use a tad bit of help keeping track of time. <br />
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- My last wish for this day is that all of you a fantastic week!<br />
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As Claudya at Unknown Mami's says go ahead and wish, be it simple or
big, when we give a voice to our wishes it helps us realize those
wishes. So what are you wishing for? I would love to know, just put your
wish in the comment section and I will gladly lend my wishing powers to
your wish. Please join me in visiting <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/07/wednesday-wishes-113.html">Unknown Mami's Wish Wednesday</a> so that we can lend our wishing powers to her and those she is wishing for.
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-27563730541249827302016-09-19T20:14:00.001-04:002016-09-19T20:16:32.127-04:00Richard A Kaplan MD: Beyond the degrees<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the years I have met and worked with many doctors, both in a professional capacity and as a patient or advocate of a patient. It is sad to say that having done so my overall opinion of doctors in general is not a very good one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But today I feel the need to raise my voice and tell my story of one of the greatest doctors I have ever had the pleasure of working with, Doctor Richard A Kaplan. A few years back, even though my children were all adults I made a call to his office in Minnesota in to leave a message for him because I knew he would enjoy an update on my youngest who was a bit special to him. His office told me he was out on family medical leave but they would relay the message. I did not hear back and although I worried some and hoped who ever was ill in his family was doing better, I got busy with life and forgot to check back. Then the other night my youngest and I were sharing funny stories of Dr. Kaplan with a family friend when she decided to google him to find an email address to send him a note. What she found rocked us both. Doctor Kaplan had passed away in <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">August 19,</span> 2013, just a few weeks after my attempt to reach him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In reading the <a href="https://www.med.umn.edu/news-events/medical-school-blog/richard-kaplan-md-has-died">news report</a> and obituary on line not only was I sad because he is no longer with us, but I was disappointed by how cold they were. Sure they told of his many professional accomplishments and of his dedication to children but few spoke of his amazing spirit so full of love and joy, <a href="http://www.mrcac.org/remembering-dr-kaplan/">except the one that included comments from a few friends and colleagues</a>. Even those did not even scratch the surface of what it was like to know this amazing man and have him for your doctor. So I would like to share some fond memories of Dr. Rich Kaplan here for all to read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When our family first moved to Yankton, South Dakota in March of '93 I scheduled an appointment at a local clinic for my four children. At the time I had no idea how fortunate we were that out of all the doctors in the clinic, Doctor Kaplan was the doctor that would be caring for our children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I will never forget that first visit, and how I was shocked when the door opened and in walked a rather wild looking man. He wore tan Bermuda shorts a loud Hawaiian T-shirt and if memory serves me correctly argyle socks with bulky sandals. His hair was a bit long and wild, but looked right at home with his bushy beard and multiple earrings in one ear. My shock was quickly replaced by laughter and admiration. Before even that first visit ended I knew that this eccentric man was one of the most down to earth compassionate doctors I had ever met. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well check ups were a time not just to make sure everyone was healthy and on the right growth trajectory, but they were also a time to catch up. He would ask the kids what they had been up to and if they had gone on any adventures. Then he would tell them about his latest adventure, sometimes it was bicycling from South Dakota to the east or west coast other times some fun time spent in the Black Hills with his family. But always it was sharing and more times than not it inspired the kids to explore the world around them.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the years, his care was unwavering even when we moved away and "cheated on him" by taking the kids to as he called them "horse doctors". He still considered our children "His kids". When I found out he was practicing in Sioux Falls I was so excited that the children would be able to see him again. But when I called to set up the appointments the receptionist informed me that he was no longer in general pediatrics but saw only children who were referred by various agencies because of abuse. I was glad he was helping those children but at the same time I was disappointed and I guess it came across in my voice, because she said she would tell him I called and ask him if he wanted to take on my children's medical care. The next day I got a call from the receptionist telling me in a bit of a surprised voice that Doctor Kaplan had instantly said to schedule appointments for the kids because they were "his kids". So even though he was doing some very important work with children who desperately needed his expertise he still cared and made time for those that could be treated by other doctors. Of course well child check-ups sometimes were scheduled way out because he was so busy but if they were sick he always squeezed them in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The kids were always more than excited to get to go see him. A few times I even suspect they faked being sick just so they could go see him. That may sound odd, but honestly I can not think of a single time the kids complained about having to go see Dr. Kaplan. I am sure the following had a great deal to do with that. What other doctor writes a prescription for a Happy Meal, or gives their patient the silly animal looking flashlight that they just used to peer down the child's throat? Yes, these were common occurrences during visits to Doctor Kaplan. One time when my oldest was a teenager and had a mild case of pneumonia Dr. Kaplan turned to me and said "What K needs is plenty of fluids so I recommend a six pack a day and while you are at it a few extra holes in his head would look good." K's face lit up until Dr. Kaplan finished with "Just make it a six pack of root beer."</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not long after he began his work as an expert witness in cases of child abuse I ran into him on my lunch break at the county court house. I almost didn't recognize him, he was clean shaven with short hair no earrings and was wearing a three piece suit. To say the least I was shocked and asked what on earth he had done with our Doctor Kaplan. His reply showed just how dedicated he was to the children he cared for. He answered with a flip 'Well, Judges tend to only take one seriously if one looks like this". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now don't get me wrong, I am not trying to make light of the extraordinary work Dr. Kaplan did with and for abused children. He was everything the articles and obituary claimed him to be, but he was so much more than an advocate for abused children and an expert in his field. He was a proud husband and father, a roll model to countless children and adults, a joker, an outdoor enthusiast, and most importantly a man who truly cared for his fellow man and touched so many people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I share this here as a tribute to the whole man that was Richard A. Kaplan and not just the professional Doctor Rich Kaplan, because I want to make sure that there is a lasting public account of more than his degrees and contributions to abused and neglected children. This is also my way of telling his family how very sorry I am for their loss and how much he was loved by our family.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">RIP </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dr. Richard A Kaplan </span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJAYzdvkY_DhivkoXAfh0JN_5UJpbXqQIEJw0Y1rrPuM9vLAd2TPy0p9G5Up1-bes47OhHitVztU8Yqnp8SuCqiyly6zgm_nn_CYZYIxKDdu-THnv9KQljfhL8CRhxzM4syJ3gekTeDQ/s1600/Kaplan_1613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJAYzdvkY_DhivkoXAfh0JN_5UJpbXqQIEJw0Y1rrPuM9vLAd2TPy0p9G5Up1-bes47OhHitVztU8Yqnp8SuCqiyly6zgm_nn_CYZYIxKDdu-THnv9KQljfhL8CRhxzM4syJ3gekTeDQ/s320/Kaplan_1613.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.med.umn.edu/news-events/medical-school-blog/richard-kaplan-md-has-died">source</a></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-15982724098614495252016-09-18T13:29:00.003-04:002016-09-18T13:29:45.899-04:00SIMC: Redlin Art Center <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today we are going to take a trip a few hours north of Sioux Falls to the small South Dakota town of Watertown. Watertown is home to one of my favorite places, <a href="https://redlinart.com/">The Redlin Art Center</a>. This wonderful museum houses over 150 of the most gorgeous oil paintings I have ever seen, by artist <a href="https://redlinart.com/about-terry">Terry Redlin</a>. Like Thomas Kindade, Redlin's paintings capture the light so perfectly that they almost come to life on the canvas. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cT-cXle2CTnRbLA-Lgh3VhUqrNjlLUAHBO61xme-BPRUjQtnCp3vpXfCdSDJYSO8njPkgceIXFGJg6HgPjnesuShXhMAa6i_pH38gSD8EDQIV0vh5phx1o-pnNGU0BK5zbHyXTYrVqw/s1600/eveningrendezous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cT-cXle2CTnRbLA-Lgh3VhUqrNjlLUAHBO61xme-BPRUjQtnCp3vpXfCdSDJYSO8njPkgceIXFGJg6HgPjnesuShXhMAa6i_pH38gSD8EDQIV0vh5phx1o-pnNGU0BK5zbHyXTYrVqw/s400/eveningrendezous.jpg" width="400" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/KellyHamson/terry-redlin-paintings/">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno_ftVdhPhpxj9WkRdH8rwhPKI2asRDsnq214sNOPV3tGgzKfeeyRbZwlCebJcp_j6gPvsl5pAgv-h58ltCm_OWUQFIC4SkOxVHnbcdWwCkKAB_k_syvGNV-zTmG43w_L7Xvi8vdqTvM/s1600/81116-2-4713sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno_ftVdhPhpxj9WkRdH8rwhPKI2asRDsnq214sNOPV3tGgzKfeeyRbZwlCebJcp_j6gPvsl5pAgv-h58ltCm_OWUQFIC4SkOxVHnbcdWwCkKAB_k_syvGNV-zTmG43w_L7Xvi8vdqTvM/s400/81116-2-4713sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front entrance to the Redlin Art Center</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After Charles Redlin asked his father to stop selling his original paintings in 1985 the plan for the art center was born. Twelve years later, in 1997 the art center opened as a free exhibit designed to draw art loving tourist to South Dakota. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoObR4SmYWqbqQWDXAaV5sz3Vwtnn0VnoXbzk9X6ZeLk3zNPoCwx0rCd7_fjxT-bBoJAVa0Y4Ku7_u8Vp8kDRJ4FhqTc_LdbGBuMBuL7Vl6tyfqnk4oucovXstwNm8fkYz1Ikrb1k3VQ/s1600/81116-2-4669sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoObR4SmYWqbqQWDXAaV5sz3Vwtnn0VnoXbzk9X6ZeLk3zNPoCwx0rCd7_fjxT-bBoJAVa0Y4Ku7_u8Vp8kDRJ4FhqTc_LdbGBuMBuL7Vl6tyfqnk4oucovXstwNm8fkYz1Ikrb1k3VQ/s320/81116-2-4669sm.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDp6mc-CuY5ZZncJNfjvGhyphenhyphenzyaHnQFp1zEN_JbpReHgK7Gm2qCDVRNP-rx0UPxLBhLDpghmB-1ob_kkw16z8CUlDFsiEZN6zk6cibUu1VdpHrc2OTeaXUcnTIe7yaOtWBNhIyvk7gO6l8/s1600/81116-2-4680sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDp6mc-CuY5ZZncJNfjvGhyphenhyphenzyaHnQFp1zEN_JbpReHgK7Gm2qCDVRNP-rx0UPxLBhLDpghmB-1ob_kkw16z8CUlDFsiEZN6zk6cibUu1VdpHrc2OTeaXUcnTIe7yaOtWBNhIyvk7gO6l8/s320/81116-2-4680sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Often successful individuals give back to their communities, but I don't know any that have given in such a way. The Redlin family built this beautiful complex to house Terry's amazing art and then prior to it's opening to the public they donated the art and complex to the State of South Dakota.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPMVZTf2uzioVuFENIIXAf3jPjxnmEIhDoZ0rOaCNPDdjpyf4d2SaY28sSWxU0m6JwLrjy-KMojwOKCRwwUElRGqRHg4YB9fBhjCWveYqTL_zBBt-IJTWdKu9ixgCbw_jkXL5ulwcsEc/s1600/81116-2-4715sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPMVZTf2uzioVuFENIIXAf3jPjxnmEIhDoZ0rOaCNPDdjpyf4d2SaY28sSWxU0m6JwLrjy-KMojwOKCRwwUElRGqRHg4YB9fBhjCWveYqTL_zBBt-IJTWdKu9ixgCbw_jkXL5ulwcsEc/s400/81116-2-4715sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The main building is surrounded by a beautiful park like setting with meandering paths and tranquil ponds. The art center is just off Interstate 29 in Watertown, South Dakota.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YLiYWa0oBMny00Evq0cZ3JWUdDAKqGgV44wl7txMXP3yoD0k-cJBqzxAQOgSO4sBw2NQDun2mcQzlsOmU3aC4l1gZggVUudBN8yz8c1tQ8MT8A8g97s0Uujkc_aBPbQpNWP9G_xl2m4/s1600/81116-2-4745sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YLiYWa0oBMny00Evq0cZ3JWUdDAKqGgV44wl7txMXP3yoD0k-cJBqzxAQOgSO4sBw2NQDun2mcQzlsOmU3aC4l1gZggVUudBN8yz8c1tQ8MT8A8g97s0Uujkc_aBPbQpNWP9G_xl2m4/s400/81116-2-4745sm.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The complex includes this octagonal <a href="https://redlinart.com/about/gallery-and-grounds/pavilion">Pavilion, which is an event venue</a> that sits on a small island in one of the larger ponds on the property. In addition to gorgeous granite floors, floor to ceiling windows and a brilliantly sparkling chandelier, the elegant interior, which seats 150 guests, includes eight larger than life panels featuring Redlin's America the Beautiful paintings.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkZZCpRxA1O0zU9FdMAoftoUyuDlGu6JGYb0irlsZj1Nius4vNbMdvnmMqLG4PFFP1eMDCQiArFqgni8UCOxkf-_48FdzZipz1FkSmdFpcxtllMI-3cvwa9z-s6DoGfWZ9BREoae4Zgc/s1600/81116-2-4717sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkZZCpRxA1O0zU9FdMAoftoUyuDlGu6JGYb0irlsZj1Nius4vNbMdvnmMqLG4PFFP1eMDCQiArFqgni8UCOxkf-_48FdzZipz1FkSmdFpcxtllMI-3cvwa9z-s6DoGfWZ9BREoae4Zgc/s400/81116-2-4717sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Turning back toward the back of the main building the path winds through the park with benches along the way.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJ0k63XBboR1deaW_fO7AvgLDLeYkGe0xHl69c2aSlqQSoEc_gwdbVpluBFaeekGFZn125dneB0djms9hJ45PSwAnC60kfP8BedFjY6l0noIxN9Ect8Mm42UWljMpdfk61wYwjLWJ-TU/s1600/81116-4727sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJ0k63XBboR1deaW_fO7AvgLDLeYkGe0xHl69c2aSlqQSoEc_gwdbVpluBFaeekGFZn125dneB0djms9hJ45PSwAnC60kfP8BedFjY6l0noIxN9Ect8Mm42UWljMpdfk61wYwjLWJ-TU/s400/81116-4727sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The lawns and ponds create not only a favorite stopping point for large flocks of waterfowl but a soothing setting for humans as well.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtfp7HyFcn-ufXjfqdWy9q24bfY3pZquCjKSm7vf3pqTmJQhx1NtXFHFxbgLdHRxS4fPnkOV0Z4ySYOat6AFpMBj7pGiQ1nXH8ZtdgO7FRoQJHC7igRPutCbn0aklVAvUOiqsi38rLoM/s1600/81116-2-4736sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtfp7HyFcn-ufXjfqdWy9q24bfY3pZquCjKSm7vf3pqTmJQhx1NtXFHFxbgLdHRxS4fPnkOV0Z4ySYOat6AFpMBj7pGiQ1nXH8ZtdgO7FRoQJHC7igRPutCbn0aklVAvUOiqsi38rLoM/s400/81116-2-4736sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of the art center as it can be seen from I-29</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While the exterior of the center and it's surrounding grounds are beautiful, the interior is what pulls me back time and time again.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOin4EOWgyL7BKLdR0Reg9kPBW8ue0VeZPhkdz7VB4njaVxiTlTJTHX-ZXIPOJGzNtqH5bmSpbtZuYriYyEPJU_vW-9oT4V0GxDMw0C4eYLolxZGrDRR3f2Z18iAhTKxKXoqT8sAmarzY/s1600/C81116_4685sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOin4EOWgyL7BKLdR0Reg9kPBW8ue0VeZPhkdz7VB4njaVxiTlTJTHX-ZXIPOJGzNtqH5bmSpbtZuYriYyEPJU_vW-9oT4V0GxDMw0C4eYLolxZGrDRR3f2Z18iAhTKxKXoqT8sAmarzY/s400/C81116_4685sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I shared this photo earlier <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/quiet-beauty.html">Here</a>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Once inside, as a lover of art, I tend to revert to a viewer and all thought of taking photos is relegated to the back burner, so I don't have but these two photos of the interior to share. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHwsal7Y96k6uEoPc7kqzMukNu32hG5ViwWc1VkStw2tBGdiNFzZv9coQY-BQBCrdZUtQFpa8spLRbc53_zFD0S7TJe4xfDMRrUJ6wZ9IJ_YOYWFj4T5ARa_tlnnt_YxhBzfl4VxWSTM/s1600/81116_4687sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHwsal7Y96k6uEoPc7kqzMukNu32hG5ViwWc1VkStw2tBGdiNFzZv9coQY-BQBCrdZUtQFpa8spLRbc53_zFD0S7TJe4xfDMRrUJ6wZ9IJ_YOYWFj4T5ARa_tlnnt_YxhBzfl4VxWSTM/s400/81116_4687sm.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you for visiting me here in South Dakota. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is my contribution to 'Sunday In My City'. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To find out what is going on in different cities around the world hop over to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Unknown Mami's Sunday In My City</a> blog hop.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-91826410917932080422016-09-16T22:31:00.001-04:002016-09-16T22:31:51.867-04:00The AC Menagerie Bulletin<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Welcome to the September 16th addition of</b></div>
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<b> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The AC Menagerie Bulletin</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The AC Menagerie Bulletin is a weekly digital newspaper highlighting brief accounts of the week's happenings around the <b>Zoo</b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(our home)</i></span> and on blogs by myself <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Nita Davis)</span>. Sit back, relax and enjoy while you catch up with the Davis family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Automotive</span> News Update</span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well, the guy at the car parts store was wrong. The battery is perfectly fine. However, the alternator is shot! We had to order the part and it won't come in till this coming Tuesday. In the meantime my oldest boy has lent us his little beauty. </span><i><b> </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Life News </b></span><b> </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While I am very thankful for the use of my sons car, I am not so sure I like his car. Every time I get behind the wheel I feel like a little kid that needs a booster seat! Here is a photo of me in the driver seat. My shoulder doesn't even come up to the bottom of the driver side window! I have to sit very straight and tall to see over the steering wheel. LOL </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Community</span> News</span></b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Monday we participated in a special event in which participants, found little ways to spread kindness. I am not sure one of our deeds qualified, but it was sure fun. While shopping in Walmart Lexi and I decided to re-arrange an almost empty bin of dinosaurs in the hope that it would bring a smile to other shoppers. To find out more about the event check out my <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/spread-kindness.html">Spread Kindness</a> post. </span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b> </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Creative</span> News </span></b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last minute preparations, that is what you get when you have a preteen in the house. Last Friday Sissy had a friend spend the night and of course neither girl woke up Saturday till almost 11am. When the got up they told me they were invited to attend another friends birthday party at 2 on the same day. When I asked if they had presents to take to their friend both girls started to panic because of course they did not. They also had no money to go buy anything. So I pointed to the crafting closet and said well you better get busy. They managed to make some fun and useful things for their friend and even made a card and special bag to put the gifts in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pet</span> News</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">L<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">exi's n<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">amed her new kitten Moments because <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as she says 'he has precious moments eyes'. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let me tell you<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, those eyes can be <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">deceiving! I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">usually call him Devil cat. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No one can do anything in the kitchen without Moments <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">running into the kitchen to 'help'<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. He likes to sit on <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the little step stool and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">watch what is going on. </span>When I started to open t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he dishwasher to unl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oad it he jumped onto the s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ol and refused to move. Which I guess is better than jumping in the dishwa<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sher, which by the way he does every time I tr<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">y to load it. And what cat likes <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">lettuce?!!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> I d<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">roped a leaf of lettuce and before I could reach down to pick it up he was on it and munching away. By the way he hates raw eggs. As a matter of fact he is terrified of them. Maybe he is really a dog.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Comics</span> </span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Blog Review</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Here is a list of this weeks posts. To visit them just click on the blue linked title.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>On Artistic Composition this week:</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/simc-upper-falls.html"><span style="color: blue;">SIMC:Upper Falls</span></a>: This last Sunday I shared a portion of the gorgeous waterfalls in Sioux Falls, that I don't often share. </span></span></span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></b></i></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/spread-kindness.html"><span style="color: blue;">Spread</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/spread-kindness.html"><span style="color: blue;"> Kindness</span></a>: <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After being</span> reminded of the importance of spreading kindness I wrote this post <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">with it's <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">accompanying</span> motivational quot<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ography.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/wonders-n-wishes_14.html"><span style="color: blue;">Wonders N Wishes</span></a>: This weeks wonder <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">is not a person but an amazing <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">wonder of nature</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Nita's Photography this week:</span></i></span></b><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/%202016/09/south-dakota-sunday-palisades.html"><span style="color: blue;">South Dakota Sunday: Palisades</span></a>: <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A photo trip to the beautiful tranquil Palisades State <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">park is South Dakota.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/controlling-exposure-with-shutter-speed.html"><span style="color: blue;">Controlling Exposure with Shutter Speed</span></a>: Examples of how <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">changing the shutter speed control<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s the photos exposure.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">-<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/ww-prehistoric-revolt.html"><span style="color: blue;">WW: Prehistoric Revolt</span></a>: A<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">fun <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">photo taken at the same time as the dinosaur photo above.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-challenge-texture-and-silhouette.html"><span style="color: blue;">The Challenge: Texture and Silhouette</span></a>: Photography challenges four and seven of a 30 challenge series. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/whats-better-than-full-moon.html"><span style="color: blue;">What's Better Than a Full Moon?</span></a>: Check it out too find out the answer. </span></span></i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Have a Fantastic Weekend!</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms",sans-serif;"><span></span></span></i></b></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://monroega.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking up with Willy Nilly Friday </span></span></a></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-22720058169053707452016-09-14T14:42:00.001-04:002016-09-14T14:42:46.908-04:00Wonders N Wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are so many wonderful things about Wednesday!</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My short list: </span></i></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Hump Day!</b></i> That wonderful middle of the week, half way to the weekend, let's celebrate making it over life's hump day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wordless Wednesday!</b></i>
Whether you celebrate by seeking quiet solitude or by sharing image
only posts, there's a sense of wonder in the wordless approach. <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/ww-prehistoric-revolt.html">Click here</a> for my contributions to the sound of silence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is 'not so' Wordless Wednesday</b></i> over at <a href="http://curiousasacathy.com/">Curious as a Cathy</a>. Absolutely perfect for the chatter box in me. Of course I will be sharing this post there. :D</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wish Day!</b></i> That is right, the day designated by <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Claudya @ Unknown Mami's</a> as the day to put a voice to our wishes. You will find my wish below. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wonders N Wishes Day!</b></i> The day I am designating to share a 'Wonder' as well as a wish. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<b>This week's wonder:</b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Cueva de los Cristales</span></i> </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I thought I would change up the wonder a bit this week and go with a natural Wonder. I came across an image on boredpanda of an amazing crystal cave that I wanted to share. However in researching the image I discovered it was credited incorrectly and was taken by a National Geographic photographer. I sent a request to use the image with proper credit but have not received permission yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The cave which was discovered by miners in 2000 is called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_the_Crystals">Giant Crystal Cave</a> and is 980 ft (300 meters) below Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico. The picture I saw reminded me of Superman's Cave, with huge crystals jutting out in all different directions. This natural wonder has some of the world's largest known crystals. The largest crystal in the cave is 39ft long and 13ft in diameter with a weight of 55 tons. (can you see my shocked!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Exploration of the cave has been problematic as the temperature is extremely hot, reaching temps up to 136 F (58 C), with 90 to 99 percent humidity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When they found the cave the crystals were submerged in water which they continually pump out so they can conduct scientific research and document the information. The research and documentation is being done by the <a href="http://www.naica.com.mx/english/">Naica Project</a>. I do hope they finish soon and allow the water to flow back in covering the crystals, as they deteriorate in the air.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> You can <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">see the photos I saw <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in the <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/crystal-giants/shea-text">National Geographic Article</a>. Here is a video <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">about the ca<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ve that also shows the photo.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now for a bit of wishing.</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSUKQMkNsDKInT0HFmAKE7kRfDfQrW9iiTKdh1gPmE8TKJEkXSm5unp2veHlSQx6kA8h4IxdqtQ8QxO-Zjk-eFRDPy0xQeD3u_BKWOHYHhs_RLd_89ZNk4z_hmbveludOGgBVd3OpZks/s320/Wish_sm.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<b>Today I'm calling on the universe to grant the following wishes.</b></div>
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- A friend of mine is having surgery today so I ask for the abundant care of the universe to see him through safely, and help him heal quickly.<br />
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- Last week I left a message for the director of a local domestic violence shelter that I wanted to talk with them about organizing an event for the women and families under their care. My wish is that the director would call me back soon. <br />
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- My last wish for this day is that all of you find wonder in your life!<br />
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As Claudya at Unknown Mami's says go ahead and wish, be it simple or
big, when we give a voice to our wishes it helps us realize those
wishes. So what are you wishing for? I would love to know, just put your
wish in the comment section and I will gladly lend my wishing powers to
your wish. Please join me in visiting <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/07/wednesday-wishes-113.html">Unknown Mami's Wish Wednesday</a> so that we can lend our wishing powers to her and those she is wishing for.
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-32970466664602903222016-09-13T08:27:00.000-04:002016-09-13T08:27:13.392-04:00Spread Kindness<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is so easy to get wrapped up with our own worries that we forget what a simple kind word, deed or smile can mean to others. A simple act of kindness means so much, and yet is so easy to do. The joy experienced by both the receiver and the giver is undeniable and instantaneous. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was reminded of this by one of Lexi's friends. Yesterday was the one year anniversary of her father's death, and a few weeks ago she posted the following to Facebook: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"September 12, 2015 is the day I lost the best man I have ever known, my Dad. While my heart is still broken I am choosing to celebrate his life instead of mourning his death. My Dad was the most generous person I know. Always the first to help, the first to care, always the first one to make a difference. So in honor of Dad we are doing a day of kindness! Big or small it doesn't matter. Be a positive force in honor of a wonderful man. Pay for coffee for a stranger. Put extra change in a meter. Compliment a stranger. Take baked goods to a neighbor." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am happy to say that many of her friends joined her in celebrating his life by spreading kindness in his honor. One of the things I did was to create this quotography for her and a variation for others as a reminder of the importance of spreading kindness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just the other day I was feeling pretty bummed out about the color of my hair, or I should say the lack thereof. You see, portions of my hair refuses to hold any dye so some of it is a vibrant red while some is, oh I don't know, a silverish mousy brown with a blue green tint. Well, I was at the store when a stranger passing by said "Oh I love your hair! Where did you get it done?" To say the least it made my day, and now I don't feel as bad about the strange look of my hair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Has the kindness of another touched you recently? I would love to hear about it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> </i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-16551346151935454672016-09-12T11:12:00.000-04:002016-09-13T08:27:48.363-04:00SIMC: Upper Falls<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I often share photos of the gorgeous waterfalls here in Sioux Falls, but they are usually of the lower falls. So today I decided would be a good day to share images of the upper falls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you for visiting me here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I realize I am a day late, however this is my contribution to 'Sunday In My City'. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To find out what is going on in different cities around the world hop over to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/09/conservatory-of-flowers-sundays-in-my-city.html">Unknown Mami's Sunday In My City</a> blog hop.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-2765816172352533482016-09-09T21:06:00.001-04:002016-09-09T21:06:07.327-04:00The AC Menagerie Bulletin<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Welcome to the September 9th addition of</b></div>
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<b> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The AC Menagerie Bulletin</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The AC Menagerie Bulletin is a weekly digital newspaper highlighting brief accounts of the week's happenings around the <b>Zoo</b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(our home)</i></span> and on blogs by myself <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Nita Davis)</span>. Sit back, relax and enjoy while you catch up with the Davis family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life</span> News</span> </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our week got off to a great start with a visit from my daughter Skippy's friend who is also one of my photography clients. She came all the way across the state for a weekend visit and to have me take her <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/sneak-peek-cc-t.html">sweet boy's 1st year portraits.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Life News </b></span><b> </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I have the greatest friend. She helps me out a lot picking kids up from school when their mom is at work and I am unable to drive. She moved into a new place in April and I told her I would help her decorate her new apartment. Here it is already September and although I have helped her a little we still hadn't gotten and actual decorating done. She has been so very patient, I decided fatigue or not I was going to at least get a good start on her living room. So yesterday I went over and we rearranged the living room and got it how she wanted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She said she wanted to display some special items <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">of her late parents and grandpa<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">rents along with <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">some other special family </span></span></span>photos and keeps<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">akes<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, all <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in one area</span>.</span></span> I replied "Awesome, we'll make a heritage wall." We <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">are both in love with</span> the name of her new wall and how it turned out<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span> She even had the perfect <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">vinyl </span>lettering for the wall. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A</span>lthough the lettering is a bit crooked and one set of hearts is too far over she says it is perfect. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am a bit more of a perfectionist so the crooked letters and offset hearts are driving me nuts</span>. I can't do anything about the lettering now, but I will be going over soon to move the hearts. lol</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Automotive</span> News</span></b></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It has not been as good a week for out vehicle, though. First the headlights brunt out. Then their was no power to the radio. Lexi, took it to the car parts place and told them what was going on and they tested first the battery then the alternator. Outcome, the battery is bad and the alternator may also be bad. :(</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span> </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Educational News </span></b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We made it through the first week of school without anyone forgetting anything or missing the bus. Oh ya, the kids don't ride the bus. Well, not yet anyway. Sissy has said she wants to ride the bus, so she will start riding it next week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fash<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ion</span></span> News</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, I am a fashion <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">freak</span>.</span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A fashion freak on a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tight budget. So you won<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'t see me wearing <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">high end</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">designer</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">clothes,</span> but I still like to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">keep it styli<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sh. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">H<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ere's <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">what my favorite outfit this week looked like. The entire outfit, boots and jewelry <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">included cost <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">about $70.00. I seldom purchase entire outfi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ts and this one is <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">no <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">exception.</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">E</span>ach <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">piece was purchased at <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">different times<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and while on sale.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Comics</span> </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today's dose of laughter comes compliments of the pet clinic near my home.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJhE9Ny1rqds_0lSZ7oioNK9hzYFMqeDiKHOCWmIBTgljvLeKskapD6yMYLXmj4Bc6lvjSZ80w1MhJbWPRxQc5tbbq3vBtQUpmUFSTimv7Qt5Wjqw7MAj7EvKCRslhu-tRpAnjJqI0zk/s1600/C816_1595sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJhE9Ny1rqds_0lSZ7oioNK9hzYFMqeDiKHOCWmIBTgljvLeKskapD6yMYLXmj4Bc6lvjSZ80w1MhJbWPRxQc5tbbq3vBtQUpmUFSTimv7Qt5Wjqw7MAj7EvKCRslhu-tRpAnjJqI0zk/s320/C816_1595sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Blog Review</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>On Artistic Composition this week:</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>- <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/simc-hot-on-trail.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">SIMC:H</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/simc-hot-on-trail.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">ot on the Trail</span></a>: This week on Sunday in my City we take a photo trip <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">along Sioux Falls bike trail. </span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>- <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/09/wonders-n-wishes_7.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Wonders N Wishes</span></a>: <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Have you ever wished you could do something really special to help others but had no idea what to do? Well if you have check out what this weeks <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wonder Award recipient did, it is <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">amazing and really not all th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">at difficult a thing to do.</span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Nita's Photography this week:</span></i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">-<i><b> <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/south-dakota-sunday-roadside-chapel.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">South Dakota Sunday: Roadside Chapel</span></a>: Photo post of a quaint <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">roadside chapel in rural South Dakota.</span></b></i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <i><b><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/sneak-peek-cc-t.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Sne</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/sneak-peek-cc-t.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span>k Pe</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/sneak-peek-cc-t.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e</span>k: CC & T</span></a>: <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A sneak peek into <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">sweet young man's 1st Birthday portrait session.</span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <i><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/ww-five-nights-at-freddys.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>WW: Five Ni<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ghts at Freddy's</span></b></span></a><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">: A some<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">what spooky wordless <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wednesday photo.</span></span></span></b></i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-challenge-high-angle-and-low-angle.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Challenge: High Angle Low Angle</span></a>: Photography challenges five and six of a 30 challenge series. </span></i></span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/two-for-one.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Two for One</span></a>: A reflection photo of a beautiful afternoon sky </span></span></i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you for stopping by to catch up on the Menagerie. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Drop me a line in the comments and I will come visit you.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><b><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms",sans-serif;"><span>Have a Terrific Weekend!</span></span></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://monroega.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linking up with Willy Nilly Friday </span></span></a></b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-72747252961817159052016-09-07T11:29:00.000-04:002016-09-07T11:29:01.044-04:00Wonders N Wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are so many wonderful things about Wednesday!</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My short list: </span></i></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Hump Day!</b></i> That wonderful middle of the week, half way to the weekend, let's celebrate making it over life's hump day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wordless Wednesday!</b></i>
Whether you celebrate by seeking quiet solitude or by sharing image
only posts, there's a sense of wonder in the wordless approach. <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/ww-five-nights-at-freddys.html">Click here</a> for my contributions to the sound of silence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is 'not so' Wordless Wednesday</b></i> over at <a href="http://curiousasacathy.com/">Curious as a Cathy</a>. Absolutely perfect for the chatter box in me. Of course I will be sharing this post there. :D</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wish Day!</b></i> That is right, the day designated by <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Claudya @ Unknown Mami's</a> as the day to put a voice to our wishes. You will find my wish below. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wonders N Wishes Day!</b></i> The day I am designating to share a 'Wonder' as well as a wish. </span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFi3ALYqmSC6KXYc1jre9q8RPI6v_9BftMyCi-bEL2CLNog9uT540Gy1Mw25RYpVzYOrJfi4lRRVtca6mhvU2Y6d2dWnuoTLdsalHXKX74IXxwaqGTh5aNXNvuU4WfbZKAOwoAyq9z14/s1600/wonderButton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFi3ALYqmSC6KXYc1jre9q8RPI6v_9BftMyCi-bEL2CLNog9uT540Gy1Mw25RYpVzYOrJfi4lRRVtca6mhvU2Y6d2dWnuoTLdsalHXKX74IXxwaqGTh5aNXNvuU4WfbZKAOwoAyq9z14/s320/wonderButton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This week's Wonder Award goes to:</b></span><br />
<b><a href="http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/1795/Bride-Ditches-Typical-Bachelorette-Party-To-Pamper-Ladies-From-A-Women-s-Shelter"><span style="font-size: large;">Jessika Baldwin </span></a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB7HFkY7ZpnDqV2TBZ6LyvKNE_a3E-XDA40qwiKcrW32Vj7dJdQNalLKTNUDId5YINn3zIy0jeFWsRf1YLQkaV08D8kRBUDIBYVPDMnYVyfpOdLGtqYK1HtReVR6iNdqeLeI145TjJeo/s1600/9716-WonderAward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB7HFkY7ZpnDqV2TBZ6LyvKNE_a3E-XDA40qwiKcrW32Vj7dJdQNalLKTNUDId5YINn3zIy0jeFWsRf1YLQkaV08D8kRBUDIBYVPDMnYVyfpOdLGtqYK1HtReVR6iNdqeLeI145TjJeo/s200/9716-WonderAward.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For many brides-to-be their bachelorette party is a 'one last wild night with their girlfriends' where the soon to be bride is the main focus, but not for this bride-to-be. Jessika Baldwin wanted her bachelorette party to be a celebration of the beginning of her new chapter in life. What she did is amazing! With the full support of the bridal party and a few salons and restaurants she turned her bachelorette party into a full day of pampering. But not a day of pampering for her and her friends, but one that included women who were staying in a Pittsburgh women's shelter. She stepped aside and put the focus on these women who were in obvious need of some tender loving care. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The women were treated to three hours in a salon having their hair washed, cut and styled as well as receiving manicures, all compliments of the salon. Then it was off to lunch, followed by a shopping spree and photo shoot. They finished the day with a nice dinner in the evening, which was donated by the restaurant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As any woman who has gotten married can tell you, planning and organizing the wedding is very time consuming and often very stressful, yet during this busy time Jessika happily took on organizing this heartfelt way to give back to women who were going through a rough time. Not only did she show those women she cared about them and maybe gave them a day to forget their worries, she hopes that her story encourages others to find ways to give back and show kindness to others. I for one believe it that it will. I know it has me thinking of what I might be able to do to give back.</span><b><br /></b></div>
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<i><b>Now for a bit of wishing.</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSUKQMkNsDKInT0HFmAKE7kRfDfQrW9iiTKdh1gPmE8TKJEkXSm5unp2veHlSQx6kA8h4IxdqtQ8QxO-Zjk-eFRDPy0xQeD3u_BKWOHYHhs_RLd_89ZNk4z_hmbveludOGgBVd3OpZks/s1600/Wish_sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSUKQMkNsDKInT0HFmAKE7kRfDfQrW9iiTKdh1gPmE8TKJEkXSm5unp2veHlSQx6kA8h4IxdqtQ8QxO-Zjk-eFRDPy0xQeD3u_BKWOHYHhs_RLd_89ZNk4z_hmbveludOGgBVd3OpZks/s320/Wish_sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Today I'm calling on the universe to grant the following wishes.</b></div>
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- It would be greatly appreciated if I could see an improvement in my health, even if it is only a slight improvement.<br />
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- Locally school is back in session so I would like to ask the universe to watch over the children and see they are safe on their way to and from school and while they are in school.<br />
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- My last wish for this day is that all of you find a bit of wonder in your week!<br />
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As Claudya at Unknown Mami's says go ahead and wish, be it simple or
big, when we give a voice to our wishes it helps us realize those
wishes. So what are you wishing for? I would love to know, just put your
wish in the comment section and I will gladly lend my wishing powers to
your wish. Please join me in visiting <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Unknown Mami's Wish Wednesday</a> so that we can lend our wishing powers to her and those she is wishing for.
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-49008290079799402512016-09-04T01:57:00.001-04:002016-09-04T01:57:16.004-04:00SIMC: Hot On The Trail<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A while back we decided to head over to the bike trail for a bit of fresh air and exercise. The kids brought their scooters and of course I brought my camera. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqzOFddJWfwtL5MDEpcYeaoh3Rri5FjAEBYZmAAth072AJ4_5UTcOtocPuhrUAROptW3dQHg2Jh5NuTZkveS-zIZbDnuDRzu3JI9xXsoY6R4Zx1gs-Oy_mOaSxbCXlz70BDS7FJiv17Y/s1600/80516-3454sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqzOFddJWfwtL5MDEpcYeaoh3Rri5FjAEBYZmAAth072AJ4_5UTcOtocPuhrUAROptW3dQHg2Jh5NuTZkveS-zIZbDnuDRzu3JI9xXsoY6R4Zx1gs-Oy_mOaSxbCXlz70BDS7FJiv17Y/s400/80516-3454sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBtfIqvMYNhMuzq3GRH5vD-VblbZrGW2YRSqs3g13n95nzBpJpEsC9-4DsjrnkhymtC7AJHz5K5umbdMUTtPDchzgHi5IaE-GBVAi58p3b1H9zZT9aoVdHryz894DMWChv4TtkzZNZ6w/s1600/SFmap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBtfIqvMYNhMuzq3GRH5vD-VblbZrGW2YRSqs3g13n95nzBpJpEsC9-4DsjrnkhymtC7AJHz5K5umbdMUTtPDchzgHi5IaE-GBVAi58p3b1H9zZT9aoVdHryz894DMWChv4TtkzZNZ6w/s200/SFmap.png" width="200" /></a> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One thing that surprises a lot of people about our city is that the Big Sioux River actually circles the central part of the city. Just click on the <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">map</span> to the left and you can see the route the river takes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The city decided to make a bike <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">trail</span> next to the river all the way around central Sioux Fall<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s. In the map to the right <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the trail is shown in green.</span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of course many of our prettiest parks are also along the river. At various locations there are even places to launch your canoe or small paddle boats. We parked at one of these locations, which is actually on the opposite side of the river than the bike trail. A funny side note: Many years ago I worked for the county registering vehicles, when I got a call from a man who was moving here from Germany and after looking at a map of the city he wanted to register his boat. It turned out to be a 40ft yacht. I tried not to laugh when I informed him the river was no way near big enough for his boat. Now back to our little excursion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Right near the canoe launch is a beautiful old bridge that leads over to the other side of the river and the bike trail. The bridge is no longer open to vehicles but is still very sturdy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Neither of the kids care much for bridges so they did not want to ride their scooters across. Bubba ran, while Sissy walked very cautiously until she was once again on solid ground. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At this location the bike trail sits between the river and I-229 which is the cross town freeway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A short distance later the trail curves and soon we were at Yankton Trail Park. This park is very large and sits between the <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">freeway</span> and the river. Yankton Trail Park is home to the city's soccer fields and host to <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">some very fun</span> festivals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We weren't the only ones out enjoying the trail, although it was not as busy as it is when the weather is more cooperative. On this particular day it was in the high 80's and the humidity was a high, so it felt <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">almost 100<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> degrees</span></span>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, there were still a good amount of people enjoying the trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Luckily we had thought ahead and brought our water bottles full of ice & cold water. By this time though the ice had melted<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, but the water was still cold.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There was a good breeze so in the shade it wasn't too bad. I do have to say though if the water didn't look quite so muddy I would have been very tempted to go wading. It is rather shallow at this spot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkhn-KiXhFJZYrxPP2BMPspqVPcN_gs6KRv3vD1xLc191NfOMXhNqmeWXXHuI3S5bfL5e37t3nBLFfNOU96AC1RLBkpRt-udeWAlV2dYISpx0O0hyphenhyphenEbiGNXfLyMvj7RKjahXAwtZUAlU/s1600/80516-3421sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkhn-KiXhFJZYrxPP2BMPspqVPcN_gs6KRv3vD1xLc191NfOMXhNqmeWXXHuI3S5bfL5e37t3nBLFfNOU96AC1RLBkpRt-udeWAlV2dYISpx0O0hyphenhyphenEbiGNXfLyMvj7RKjahXAwtZUAlU/s320/80516-3421sm.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I love all the trees in Sioux Falls. For being on the prairie it actually has a good amount of trees and some are very old and very large. I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">don't know much about trees but was sad to see these black spots on the leaves of <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a few of the trees. I hope it isn't some d<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">isease that will kill the tree.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I asked Sissy and Bubba to stand next to this tree so the picture could give you an idea just how large the tree is. As you can see Bubba wasn't too excited to have his picture taken. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To be
fair though, by this time we had been out in the heat for almost
an hour and both kids were ready to turn around and find somewhere with air conditioning.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Which is exactly what we did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank you for visiting me here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is my contribution to 'Sunday In My City'. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To find out what is going on in different cities around the world hop over to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/09/the-castro-theatre-sundays-in-my-city.html">Unknown Mami's Sunday In My City</a> blog hop.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-76364371943264814692016-09-02T21:38:00.000-04:002016-09-03T10:18:40.180-04:00The AC menagerie Bulletin<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Welcome to the September 2nd addition of</b></div>
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<b> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The AC Menagerie Bulletin</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The AC Menagerie Bulletin is a weekly digital newspaper highlighting brief accounts of the week's happenings around the <b>Zoo</b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(our home)</i></span> and on blogs by myself <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Nita Davis)</span>. Sit back, relax and enjoy while you catch up with the Davis family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Tech News</span> </b></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeiXZuUJHTp6paF3alzqM8JwNTnJCnG1ecBmHbvuo2Pv3Qw8Pn3MOA0xRUgYnvvHK8VKTf5jX4iVrNcPEwdDkQBBbCsy-Xgdt2WkcsG0LShyjl_k0C7mH36Vr_3cTQRCyn6XKKE351h4/s1600/OL_AHHHH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeiXZuUJHTp6paF3alzqM8JwNTnJCnG1ecBmHbvuo2Pv3Qw8Pn3MOA0xRUgYnvvHK8VKTf5jX4iVrNcPEwdDkQBBbCsy-Xgdt2WkcsG0LShyjl_k0C7mH36Vr_3cTQRCyn6XKKE351h4/s200/OL_AHHHH.jpg" width="137" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I don't consider my</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">self much of a brain when it comes to setting up or designing web pages, but generally I am able to figure things out pretty quickly. Well not this week! You may have noticed I switched comment systems on my blogs. It was suppose to be an easy switch, well let me tell you, I managed to make it very difficult. Installing, uninstalling, manually installing, uninstalling, over and over again for three hours! All that time and work to finally realize it had actually worked the very first time. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The saying 'I was only wrong once and that was when I thought I had been mistaken<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">' comes to min<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://hackingphotography.com/">Would you like 12 Free Lightroom Presets <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">just Click Here</span>.</a> </span> </span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Life News </b></span><b> </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spunky "Little M" turned an entire 8 years old this week! She is a bit of a football fan so this year her party had a football theme. Can you guess who her favorite team is?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielRLhbqiCK45gShyJVXpZfoV0N9hG573kJjW4qnVfWfHWfJTznDCrVYZawOzOmpRl91NfbqXDFtu_17kMB7N8T2ZYkp-14WmM8p8RTDNoMwL8PyhCAzh0SgkjlawDztVTvz9pCgZUd80/s1600/C816_1549sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielRLhbqiCK45gShyJVXpZfoV0N9hG573kJjW4qnVfWfHWfJTznDCrVYZawOzOmpRl91NfbqXDFtu_17kMB7N8T2ZYkp-14WmM8p8RTDNoMwL8PyhCAzh0SgkjlawDztVTvz9pCgZUd80/s400/C816_1549sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sports News</span></b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This weeks main sporting even<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t was the keep up with "Little K" marathon. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a short marathon<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, but boy did we get our exercise!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1gmxl4nIXXSApy7YB0q9_LI0HxYpawJn-vjbYEj8X5VLYblxagc5Cn90kbuJ0wDRnTyNVYKfufibjDJSa_5OiR5SyzHkIiYScnve-PSSsXIRFqy4zSZZ5b5RnK6y6AOGZKMUCrSCSPE/s1600/KD816_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1gmxl4nIXXSApy7YB0q9_LI0HxYpawJn-vjbYEj8X5VLYblxagc5Cn90kbuJ0wDRnTyNVYKfufibjDJSa_5OiR5SyzHkIiYScnve-PSSsXIRFqy4zSZZ5b5RnK6y6AOGZKMUCrSCSPE/s400/KD816_sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linking this these photos with <a href="http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com/2016/09/shadow-walk.html">Shadow Shot Sunday</a></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">E<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ntertainment</span> News</span></b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lexi and I decided it had been too long since we had a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fun girls night, so we decided to host a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Girls Night Party last Saturday ev<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ening. We invited <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hree female relatives who live<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">our area as well as a few fe<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">male friends. A few were not able to make it but we still had <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a blast with the six of us that were there. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a terrific night of music, snacks, drinks<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, games and best of all <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mega laughter with wonderful friends. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the night we all agreed we should do this <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">every month at least once.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ls8UxBWR_saCFTZSZcZXUgYi-iv-bCcgvcPWDAvmF9pUBPkCH1kOgtTjWj8T60PSfIKTdtlaYTFfFgbn1xt2HONYtNdBiCJKwAzTa-lUsHUJ0iEpLlG5MjU5C7glsia1cyGz-eVDaKQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2016-09-01+at+9.16.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ls8UxBWR_saCFTZSZcZXUgYi-iv-bCcgvcPWDAvmF9pUBPkCH1kOgtTjWj8T60PSfIKTdtlaYTFfFgbn1xt2HONYtNdBiCJKwAzTa-lUsHUJ0iEpLlG5MjU5C7glsia1cyGz-eVDaKQ/s400/Screen+shot+2016-09-01+at+9.16.22+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This FB post is just one of the hilarious comments made while playing Apples to Apples.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blogging</span> News</b></i></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xWMCRyCG0Xnr3m3ed5BCjtzVGOiN-izQEqES_zeAW8ztXjgo29tjandxcMsd_U4-H0ZNELrOkxjvdRldVjREntvkfBwxzp1TsgKTVzJvpV9lAe_Ky6c-BLqQkOhOzj0UGlQeVz0BpJM/s1600/AD-816bw-5178sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xWMCRyCG0Xnr3m3ed5BCjtzVGOiN-izQEqES_zeAW8ztXjgo29tjandxcMsd_U4-H0ZNELrOkxjvdRldVjREntvkfBwxzp1TsgKTVzJvpV9lAe_Ky6c-BLqQkOhOzj0UGlQeVz0BpJM/s200/AD-816bw-5178sm.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am currently in the process of revamping the look and functionality of my<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> blog<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Artis<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tic Composition should have its' new look by <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this next week, if I can stay awake that is.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would love to hear what you think <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of the changes.</span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Comics</span> </span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This week I created <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">this bit of political satire to turn into a note card so that I have an appropriate card for <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">corresponding</span> with <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">state and federal <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">politicians over the next four years.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYMgIRWNndpmTEr2RnHmMGl0Mf4olaP9GgIgOTM5dqvMp2D0aM04Oh44anxXr-H3tn9dCVqKaIpp_IJ7vMtcCXww9AN-FrNDwTrTMIyBTqv5SiMoaBRt1qLS2RwDgq4-YEGt1-jZA4JA/s1600/WH-evil_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYMgIRWNndpmTEr2RnHmMGl0Mf4olaP9GgIgOTM5dqvMp2D0aM04Oh44anxXr-H3tn9dCVqKaIpp_IJ7vMtcCXww9AN-FrNDwTrTMIyBTqv5SiMoaBRt1qLS2RwDgq4-YEGt1-jZA4JA/s400/WH-evil_sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/artistixnetworkdesigns/13833134"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Visit the Gift Shop to get your copy</span></a></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Blog Review</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>On Artistic Composition this week:</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>-<a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/08/simc-legacy-of-preserving-prairie.html">SIMC: A Legacy of Preserving the Prairie</a>: Photos of the beautiful Arrowhead Park and information on how the park came to be.</i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>- <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/08/when-illness-strikes.html">When Illness Strikes</a>: Post and Quotography made in support of those who have a loved one suffering from a devastating ill<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ne</span>ss.</i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>- <a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/08/wonders-n-wishes_31.html">Wonders N Wishes</a>: This weeks wonder is a musical duo who are using their music to encourage and empowering young and old to look for what connects us rather than how we are different. </i></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Nita's Photography this week:</span></i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <i><b><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/south-dakota-sunday-peaceful-turbulence.html">South Dakota Sunday: Peaceful Turbulence</a>: Peaceful scenic photos of the turbulent waterfalls on the Big Sioux River.</b></i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <i><b><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/changing-focal-point.html">Changing Focal Point</a>: A post with examples that shows how changing the focus point of a photograph changes the overall feel of the photograph.</b></i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <i><b><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/creative-processing.html">Creative Processing</a>: Using one photograph, processed three different ways I show how ones post processing choices determine the final look and feel of a photograph.</b></i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/hello-johnathan.html">Hello Jonathan</a>: In this weeks Wordless Wednesday photo post I shared five images of a seagull in flight.</i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-challenge-rule-of-thirds-and-b.html">The Challenge: Rule of Thirds and B&W</a>: This is the second and third challenges of a 30 day photography challenge that I am participating in. For each challenge I share three photos and discuss what was done to create the photos and meet the challenges.</i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/09/on-prairie.html">On The Prairie</a>: <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do you enjoy scenic photography and images that include reflections? <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">at is </span>what I <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">posted for here for Weekend Reflection and Skywatch Friday blog hops. </span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a Terrific Weekend!</span></span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://monroega.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Linking up with Willy Nilly Friday </span></span></a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com/2016/09/shadow-walk.html">and Shadow Shot Sunday</a> </span></span><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-28567060893946641362016-08-31T13:09:00.004-04:002016-08-31T13:09:36.979-04:00Wonders N Wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are so many wonderful things about Wednesday!</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My short list: </span></i></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Hump Day!</b></i> That wonderful middle of the week, half way to the weekend, let's celebrate making it over life's hump day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wordless Wednesday!</b></i>
Whether you celebrate by seeking quiet solitude or by sharing image
only posts, there's a sense of wonder in the wordless approach. <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/hello-johnathan.html">Click here</a> for my contributions to the sound of silence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is 'not so' Wordless Wednesday</b></i> over at <a href="http://curiousasacathy.com/">Curious as a Cathy</a>. Absolutely perfect for the chatter box in me. Of course I will be sharing this post there. :D</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wish Day!</b></i> That is right, the day designated by <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Claudya @ Unknown Mami's</a> as the day to put a voice to our wishes. You will find my wish below. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wonders N Wishes Day!</b></i> The day I am designating to share a 'Wonder' as well as a wish. </span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFi3ALYqmSC6KXYc1jre9q8RPI6v_9BftMyCi-bEL2CLNog9uT540Gy1Mw25RYpVzYOrJfi4lRRVtca6mhvU2Y6d2dWnuoTLdsalHXKX74IXxwaqGTh5aNXNvuU4WfbZKAOwoAyq9z14/s1600/wonderButton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFi3ALYqmSC6KXYc1jre9q8RPI6v_9BftMyCi-bEL2CLNog9uT540Gy1Mw25RYpVzYOrJfi4lRRVtca6mhvU2Y6d2dWnuoTLdsalHXKX74IXxwaqGTh5aNXNvuU4WfbZKAOwoAyq9z14/s320/wonderButton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>This week's wonder</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today's recipient of the AC Wonder Award has been chosen by my 12 year old granddaughter, and I totally agree with her. Our Wonder this week is the musical duo <a href="http://blackviolin.net/">Black Violin</a>. They were chosen not because of their very gifted musical abilities, nor because of the awesome way they are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N0wbzRsIrQ">blending classical and hip hop music</a>. They were chosen because of the message they share. A message meant to encourage and empower all to find what connects us rather than focus on our differences.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A big shout out to these two dedicated musicians.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSUKQMkNsDKInT0HFmAKE7kRfDfQrW9iiTKdh1gPmE8TKJEkXSm5unp2veHlSQx6kA8h4IxdqtQ8QxO-Zjk-eFRDPy0xQeD3u_BKWOHYHhs_RLd_89ZNk4z_hmbveludOGgBVd3OpZks/s1600/Wish_sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSUKQMkNsDKInT0HFmAKE7kRfDfQrW9iiTKdh1gPmE8TKJEkXSm5unp2veHlSQx6kA8h4IxdqtQ8QxO-Zjk-eFRDPy0xQeD3u_BKWOHYHhs_RLd_89ZNk4z_hmbveludOGgBVd3OpZks/s320/Wish_sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Today I'm calling on the universe to grant the following wishes.</b></div>
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- It would be so awesome dear universe if you could see to it that we find a medicine that works for my Cataplexy. So far all the medications my doctor has prescribed either has not worked at all or has had such horrible side effects I have been unable to take it.<br />
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- I could also use a bit of help staying awake while I attempt to figure out the ins and outs of Disqus. LOL<br />
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- My last wish kind universe is that you watch over all my great readers. <br />
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As Claudya at Unknown Mami's says go ahead and wish, be it simple or
big, when we give a voice to our wishes it helps us realize those
wishes. So what are you wishing for? I would love to know, just put your
wish in the comment section and I will gladly lend my wishing powers to
your wish. Please join me in visiting <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/07/wednesday-wishes-113.html">Unknown Mami's Wish Wednesday</a> so that we can lend our wishing powers to her and those she is wishing for.
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have A Great Second Half of the Week!</span></span></i></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-58736359231824607122016-08-29T12:15:00.004-04:002016-08-29T12:15:46.159-04:00When Illness Strikes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When a friend or family has the flu, breaks a bone or experiences an illness that is treatable we generally have some idea how to offer support. Be it with a good ol' batch of homemade chicken soup or offering to take on some chore that they need done, being there for them is relatively easy. But when their illness is difficult to treat and possibly life threatening such as cancer, it is often difficult to know what to do or say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On Facebook I have seen so many posts that are meant to be in support of cancer patients and their families that to me seem more written to shame people into copying and sharing them. This inspired me to create a more supportive meme. First drawing from my personal experience dealing with friends and family with devastating illnesses I wrote a poem. Then I created a composite art print to express those feelings. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiEIqrpr8SArJgrKquXCLpo3j8r5O6vCSEVuZMLAc8ahcwqBzwnLYzURVK0sxBOZcRWD-lQ3w7mYJTTgK7dzdv25XGKhwF3tTcCcO7B09HTPMaCOaOW2LbcmpqZucQguooDTQOqllutM/s1600/support-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiEIqrpr8SArJgrKquXCLpo3j8r5O6vCSEVuZMLAc8ahcwqBzwnLYzURVK0sxBOZcRWD-lQ3w7mYJTTgK7dzdv25XGKhwF3tTcCcO7B09HTPMaCOaOW2LbcmpqZucQguooDTQOqllutM/s400/support-sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/artistixnetworkdesigns/13703686">Available in print and greeting card format here.</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After creating this I shared it to Facebook with the following message:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"We may be strangers or maybe neighbors, perhaps we're family or just friends it really doesn't matter for we share a deep connection. A connection we wish did not exist but sadly binds us together. A connection of knowing the sorrow, pain and fear of watching a loved one battle cancer. While there may be little that we can physically do, we can offer our support, understanding and prayers.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I created this image and poem in support of all those who have helplessly watched as a loved one battled cancer although I can see how it applies to other devastating illnesses as well. I did this because I have seen so many posts that are meant to be in support of cancer patients and their families that to me seem more written to shame people into copying and sharing them. So please if you want to share this post or copy and paste it in your status go right ahead, or if you just want to share the image that is perfectly fine. I would like to dedicate this to not only my family and friends who have been through such heartache but also to all who have experienced it as well. I am adding the names of my loved ones who have suffered the ravages of cancer and invite you to add your loved ones names as well, and suggest that we all click like on the names to offer our support or prayers to the individual and their loved ones. However strange this may sound we share the bond of sorrow."</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My late husband suffered a chronic illness that eventually cut his life short and to me one of the most supportive acts of friends and family was their willingness not only to acknowledge our pain but to offer a distraction. Have you gone through such an illness with your family or friends? What did you find most supportive? </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-6329681247739479152016-08-29T00:17:00.002-04:002016-08-29T00:17:54.291-04:00SIMC: A Legacy of Preserving the Prairie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Arrowhead Park</span></i></span></b></div>
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVetcaqTvNamdrGw7PZUq37Uq6B1AkQzmkRGE3umv7j-fHdV8AWYEymvRAwgSegQU4jCm-9BuRzHCd5jjtMVoHppwH1FKoH9oL8qyt7_HI8lfWR882HmcKmEvSOP3TfB0Ftgg89Nwv2o/s400/AD-716-3298e.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMD07_Arrowhead_Park">Arrowhead Park</a> sits on the eastern edge of Sioux Falls, in what once was the rough quarry town of East Sioux Falls. The quarry of East Sioux Falls supplied the rich beautiful red Quartzite stone that graces many buildings in down town Sioux Falls, including the Old Courthouse Museum. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseVsm9wUOKW0r3cmX6IygfLpflXbkIyzKzlVF4rL11T4yvr44zkOQxPvS_RuEs3tftn_S1ikuTKf28aimrqYUhkqzIAYkOTUnzga36bxW-lr5IVxGu03XaCiTBiFBnD7Lh3G-nigeA1Y/s1600/AD-716-3358esm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseVsm9wUOKW0r3cmX6IygfLpflXbkIyzKzlVF4rL11T4yvr44zkOQxPvS_RuEs3tftn_S1ikuTKf28aimrqYUhkqzIAYkOTUnzga36bxW-lr5IVxGu03XaCiTBiFBnD7Lh3G-nigeA1Y/s400/AD-716-3358esm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In 1982 Dale and Dorothy Weir purchased the land, where they built a summer home and added access roads, but they had much greater plans for the land.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixX7cPhK3Szw6mHb6ciZKvBwCCsbZnZ9s-2PnVYUGxjr1nFtby3LN2i3nGjF5ATymM5gDamzHSYu98sqlYAitDg3uBud1qtQntmGJxEF0rXVDyXFmWP7SsMDO3WQV5aiT5QX14XA8vgQM/s1600/AD-716-3372esm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixX7cPhK3Szw6mHb6ciZKvBwCCsbZnZ9s-2PnVYUGxjr1nFtby3LN2i3nGjF5ATymM5gDamzHSYu98sqlYAitDg3uBud1qtQntmGJxEF0rXVDyXFmWP7SsMDO3WQV5aiT5QX14XA8vgQM/s400/AD-716-3372esm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">An extraordinary couple with a strong commitment to furthering the well-being of their community, they did not want to develop the land, but rather to preserve the natural prairie habitat including the three quarry ponds for future generations. One of their first steps was the installation of aerators to keep the quarry water ice free so that the wide variety of wildlife that lived on the land would have access to the water year round. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSmFMvBgPeZkK1EgQM-7AJ9ibrxQS8FaBGQWvWjM6Bq43TL50c2ZGJ34r3LH4r2FSqMxgv_jV1M-r4P3QFIzWGANW_j4ltYErH4OGlYxZ_TBcy85jtjjo3rY54IzaiHnWXV9WkJi4b5s/s1600/72816-3342c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSmFMvBgPeZkK1EgQM-7AJ9ibrxQS8FaBGQWvWjM6Bq43TL50c2ZGJ34r3LH4r2FSqMxgv_jV1M-r4P3QFIzWGANW_j4ltYErH4OGlYxZ_TBcy85jtjjo3rY54IzaiHnWXV9WkJi4b5s/s400/72816-3342c.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6GwaSxKtZ4Ugmn9EWbEU1-pEy71rLJwrMsh_iMWvAjtfc3CyTHqhOqOy_v2ynL0yO0lRA3mLm1omfdyoHNVYPekiAkm3wDCIzdH2Y_5G69elpU_-W-if8LgOZEYpAAbkR4N2nElX5pk/s1600/72816-3381sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6GwaSxKtZ4Ugmn9EWbEU1-pEy71rLJwrMsh_iMWvAjtfc3CyTHqhOqOy_v2ynL0yO0lRA3mLm1omfdyoHNVYPekiAkm3wDCIzdH2Y_5G69elpU_-W-if8LgOZEYpAAbkR4N2nElX5pk/s400/72816-3381sm.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The city of Sioux falls was growing steadily and it would not be long before the area would be swallowed by the city. By purchasing the quarry land they could maintain and preserve the native trees, shrubs, grasses and ensure the populations of the fish and waterfowl on the 131 acre prairie land as well as preserve the quarry ponds. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxSVEWY_NXwhm-3ypVZkcRZ1AP7NqXeFha8A8HRRtroNZq_iTzU1taAfnInVUWTrrwWxHaQHvjcVdQ7pdw-5zkwYTR3aEP34ditdmWFW5Qbg4bQNZQV4z9VQH55TNP-BEsllkYbkyN2M/s1600/716-3391csm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxSVEWY_NXwhm-3ypVZkcRZ1AP7NqXeFha8A8HRRtroNZq_iTzU1taAfnInVUWTrrwWxHaQHvjcVdQ7pdw-5zkwYTR3aEP34ditdmWFW5Qbg4bQNZQV4z9VQH55TNP-BEsllkYbkyN2M/s400/716-3391csm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw2hJJqmL7bHL71DQRVDcaWZAZFNvyjhI10HS5_ybbosLZVB4u7rec6mYoy5LxDXZkcNA6nW7tO4sHMQ9ArrCMHJtsF9qyYBoaOcBM7fb8kurDM8sEFFMy0oSgKX5M9-y8Hrkxv_Jtg8/s1600/72816-3340csm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw2hJJqmL7bHL71DQRVDcaWZAZFNvyjhI10HS5_ybbosLZVB4u7rec6mYoy5LxDXZkcNA6nW7tO4sHMQ9ArrCMHJtsF9qyYBoaOcBM7fb8kurDM8sEFFMy0oSgKX5M9-y8Hrkxv_Jtg8/s400/72816-3340csm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Included in the purchase of the land was the 1888 Quarry barn. It is believed that the barn was designed by the famous architect Wallace Dow.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwSbyenGB5JhobfCTc1g5qhXVJRRKTE0nEbXkJtrYyZjc5NouOhyWNqjcJMZCDpMWksbXR2T_v41TR2YsP46rmwimRe7T1CokmegEqGDmUBQf1DLODv9M9Tk68Bupzzi2Gkl7PYmQusk/s1600/72816-3384sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwSbyenGB5JhobfCTc1g5qhXVJRRKTE0nEbXkJtrYyZjc5NouOhyWNqjcJMZCDpMWksbXR2T_v41TR2YsP46rmwimRe7T1CokmegEqGDmUBQf1DLODv9M9Tk68Bupzzi2Gkl7PYmQusk/s400/72816-3384sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Weir's who were getting older and had no children to carry on their plan for the land donated it to the City of Sioux falls in 1999 to be used as a nature park. It was named Arrowhead Park because when viewed from the air one of the quarry ponds is the shape of an arrowhead. A short four years later Dorothy Weir passed on and was followed by Dale Weir in 2010. The two left behind this beautiful legacy and will forever be remembered for their support and generosity to the community of Sioux Falls, SD.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank you for visiting me here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is my contribution to 'Sunday In My City'. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To find out what is going on in different cities around the world hop over to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/08/art-my-friends-gave-me-sundays-in-my-city.html">Unknown Mami's Sunday In My City</a> blog hop.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-59383201153055101132016-08-26T01:46:00.002-04:002016-08-26T20:25:11.294-04:00The AC Menagerie Bulletin<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Welcome to the August 26th addition of</b></div>
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<b> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The AC Menagerie Bulletin</i></span></b></div>
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The AC Menagerie Bulletin is a weekly digital newspaper highlighting brief accounts of the week's happenings around the <b>Zoo</b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(our home)</i></span> and on blogs by myself <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Nita Davis)</span>. Sit back, relax and enjoy while you catch up with the Davis family.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Zoo</span> News</span> </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">O</span>ur little zoo was blessed over<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ni<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ght </span></span>with not just one but two additional fun animals. A wily little fox, who just happens to be the best friend of our <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">miniature</span> Giraffe, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a</span>nd Chewy the best friend of our little squirrel.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyawSzTepNLCRKjU3ZXFjQtC3ahEcuqYjewQPng855muIpoTJSvBvE1mHxw6gILjcCQyRluhNKec-LZpTcO4KJHX_buaYFfQkjza1xn8rCe54beYlNiYg0tueAl1IfA11kUtv5h0dfUbs/s1600/FnC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyawSzTepNLCRKjU3ZXFjQtC3ahEcuqYjewQPng855muIpoTJSvBvE1mHxw6gILjcCQyRluhNKec-LZpTcO4KJHX_buaYFfQkjza1xn8rCe54beYlNiYg0tueAl1IfA11kUtv5h0dfUbs/s320/FnC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Celebration</span> News </b></span><b> </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yesterday was my oldest brothers Birthday. He lives too far away for me to celebrate with him but that didn't stop me from wishing him a Happy Birthday with a silly e-card.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfMTYVdbLzRxF88gzXjUmWDU_Z0Hu32sUdtC4BQRYLDX49acbJ6_B6b07ws3U4sxOmWk8aMsyVuwA70hzh1WyPbKo0wAj6ypNtPiruVDzsido_nUNRMNgrqMvY76FlLPAn_aDbpfWv2E/s1600/b-bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfMTYVdbLzRxF88gzXjUmWDU_Z0Hu32sUdtC4BQRYLDX49acbJ6_B6b07ws3U4sxOmWk8aMsyVuwA70hzh1WyPbKo0wAj6ypNtPiruVDzsido_nUNRMNgrqMvY76FlLPAn_aDbpfWv2E/s320/b-bday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sports News</span></b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We headed over to Scheels to check out some sporting equipment, and I wound up with some fun photos instead. Sissy is terrified of heights so the entire time we were inside Scheels she just kept saying 'No, No, No'. Bubba not to be left out has decided he doesn't like heights either. They both refused to take the escalator to the second floor and nervously climbed the staircase. I decided to take <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">pity</span> on them so we took the elevator down. As you can see from their expressions neither care too much for elevators either. I do believe it is safe to say n<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">either will be taking up <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">skydiving or a billion other sports that <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">make u<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">se of v<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ar<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ying degrees of altitude.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNu3deKx_4Q6ICgwIZFX4pie05AsVn6xpU0xHEdlPG78iy62BYz5yQa5oK1kcSajWFeI3c953K8G20HunvOKGrnMG3VWceFkuoWAKxUgh9jfAxnn9nygthDK0w9uHLicfgPE3rM8hVgk/s1600/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNu3deKx_4Q6ICgwIZFX4pie05AsVn6xpU0xHEdlPG78iy62BYz5yQa5oK1kcSajWFeI3c953K8G20HunvOKGrnMG3VWceFkuoWAKxUgh9jfAxnn9nygthDK0w9uHLicfgPE3rM8hVgk/s320/IMG_1498.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Comics</span> </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Skippy shared this comic on my <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Facebook</span> page with <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a comment asking if this was how my <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">species came to be. I don't know <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">but that may explain why m<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">y mother loves elephants. </span></span>LOL</span></span></span></span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span> </span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Blog Review</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>On Artistic Composition this week:</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>-<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></i><a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/08/simc-summer-rewind.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">SIMC: Summer Rewind</span></span></a><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">: </span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This week's Sunday In My City focused on my oldest granddaughters <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">softball game<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, with photos taken at the b<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">eginning of summer.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>- </i></span><a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/08/motivational-self-portrait.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Motivational Self Portrait</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>: </i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A</span> combination of poetry and photography.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></span></i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://artisticcomposition.blogspot.com/2016/08/wonders-n-wishes_54.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wonders N Wishes</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">: This weeks <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wonder Award was given to a 9 year old boy <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">from whom we could all take a lesson <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">from.</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Nita's Photography this week:</span></i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/happy.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Happy</span></span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>: </i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">bit of street photography capturing <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the joy of a young boy <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">during a parade</span></span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/european-hornet.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>European Hornet</b></span></a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>: </i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">n up close view of a rather mean insect</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/ww-protesting-school.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">WW: Protesting School</span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>: </i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With school starting in just under two w<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">eeks I thought a fun anti-school cat photo would be a great wordless <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wednesday</span> photo.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">- <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/ww-protesting-school.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>The Challenge: Self Portrait</b></span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>: </i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is the first of 30 photog<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">raphy challeng<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">es that I will be taking part in over the next month.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/back-to-school-portraits.html">Back to School Portraits</a><i>: </i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few fun portraits of <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">two of my grandchildren</span></span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/do-you-see-what-i-see.html"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do You See What I See?</span></a><i>: </i></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This weeks <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Weeke<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">nd Reflection and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sky w<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">atch photos highlight seeing <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">what another person sees.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a Fabulous Weekend!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://monroega.blogspot.com/2016/08/willy-nilly-friday-5-no-95.html"><span style="font-size: small;">Linking up with Willy Nilly Friday </span></a></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11754200681021301348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168911955173723330.post-87180755092689675552016-08-24T13:14:00.001-04:002016-08-24T13:14:26.467-04:00Wonders N Wishes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are so many wonderful things about Wednesday!</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My short list: </span></i></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Hump Day!</b></i> That wonderful middle of the week, half way to the weekend, let's celebrate making it over life's hump day!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wordless Wednesday!</b></i>
Whether you celebrate by seeking quiet solitude or by sharing image
only posts, there's a sense of wonder in the wordless approach. <a href="http://artistixnetworkphotography1.blogspot.com/2016/08/ww-protesting-school.html">Click here</a> for my contributions to the sound of silence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is 'not so' Wordless Wednesday</b></i> over at <a href="http://curiousasacathy.com/">Curious as a Cathy</a>. Absolutely perfect for the chatter box in me. Of course I will be sharing this post there. :D</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wish Day!</b></i> That is right, the day designated by <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/">Claudya @ Unknown Mami's</a> as the day to put a voice to our wishes. You will find my wish below. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>It is Wonders N Wishes Day!</b></i> The day I am designating to share a 'Wonder' as well as a wish. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFi3ALYqmSC6KXYc1jre9q8RPI6v_9BftMyCi-bEL2CLNog9uT540Gy1Mw25RYpVzYOrJfi4lRRVtca6mhvU2Y6d2dWnuoTLdsalHXKX74IXxwaqGTh5aNXNvuU4WfbZKAOwoAyq9z14/s1600/wonderButton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFi3ALYqmSC6KXYc1jre9q8RPI6v_9BftMyCi-bEL2CLNog9uT540Gy1Mw25RYpVzYOrJfi4lRRVtca6mhvU2Y6d2dWnuoTLdsalHXKX74IXxwaqGTh5aNXNvuU4WfbZKAOwoAyq9z14/s320/wonderButton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>This week's wonder</b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiH4RiR64zg6-Kd9KzZOdeJ61kIJP29clF3rOcOemcZkmrDGXYB7rRjn1XVf1YwkzIcxGPzoiUDKPH6cZKyVlC93HqGpUB0UqynbDdPGLBmN08r-3ckLlnSy54rXIgZj0HdFc6Dm3WjE/s1600/11471088_G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiH4RiR64zg6-Kd9KzZOdeJ61kIJP29clF3rOcOemcZkmrDGXYB7rRjn1XVf1YwkzIcxGPzoiUDKPH6cZKyVlC93HqGpUB0UqynbDdPGLBmN08r-3ckLlnSy54rXIgZj0HdFc6Dm3WjE/s400/11471088_G.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 year old delivers 363 pizza's to Lafayette, LA flood victims. <a href="http://www.kctv5.com/story/32814955/9-year-old-delivers-pizza-to-flood-victims">(Source)</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This week the AC Wonder Award goes to a young man in Louisiana by the name of Carson Boutte. For his 9th birthday young Carson asked his parents if he could buy pizza to give to local flood victims so they wouldn't have to worry about what to eat while they were busy trying to clean up. He started out with $100 dollars for pizza, but after his mom posted about what he wanted to do for his birthday on social media donations poured in. A local Domino Pizza restaurant offered to not only give him a special rate but also matched the first 100 pizza's. Now I can't speak for those who were on the receiving end of those pizza's but I know if it were me, I would be extremely touched by this gesture of kindness. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you Carson for being so amazing!</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now for a few w<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ishes.</span></span></div>
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<b>Today I'm calling on the universe to grant the following wishes.</b></div>
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- I wish I could remember what I wanted to wish for. I knew I should have written it down. LOL<br />
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- I do have one off the cuff wish though. I wish summer wasn't almost over. <br />
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- I know the Universe doesn't follow the rules in the 'How to be a Jeanie' handbook but I figure if I am going to wish I may as well wish in three's. So my third and final wish today is that you find joy and laughter to fill your day.<br />
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As Claudya at Unknown Mami's says go ahead and wish, be it simple or
big, when we give a voice to our wishes it helps us realize those
wishes. So what are you wishing for? I would love to know, just put your
wish in the comment section and I will gladly lend my wishing powers to
your wish. Please join me in visiting <a href="http://www.unknownmami.com/2016/07/wednesday-wishes-113.html">Unknown Mami's Wish Wednesday</a> so that we can lend our wishing powers to her and those she is wishing for.
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