Happy Mother’s Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

A special shout out to all:

the mothers, grandmothers, foster moms, stand in moms, and fathers doing double duty.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!

You are all doing a wonderful job.

My mother was over earlier. My parents live right next to me. I am able to see them both on a daily basis. Finding the right gift for my mom is difficult, she pretty much has everything she wants. But I did get her a garden ornament for her flower bed.

When I was younger, my mother made sure my siblings and I had fun times especially on summer vacation. We may not have had a lot of extra spending money but she would encourage us to be outdoors. (I think it was just so she could have peace and quiet in the house).

We (along with my cousins) would go to local play parks or head to up to go swimming in the man-made lake in our local community. Spending every day in motion filled our time off from school. Swimming, bike riding, skate boarding, or just playing on the farm filled our days. Hide and seek filled our late summer evenings. Mom knew where we all were; there was always extra kids around. Actually, there still is extras around their house on weekends.

She would build blanket tents on the clothes line. I would spend hours inside the tent.  On other occasions, she would create a treasure map for me to follow around the farm. Being outdoors fueled my imagination and gave me my start for the love of nature.

The smallest gestures have a long, lasting impact.

So for my mother, Happy Mother’s Day!

Until next time…peace.

96th Birthday!

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Today, I was able to take my great Aunt out for her 96th birthday. We were joined by my mother, sister, and niece. We went to a local restaurant in town; the food and service was wonderful.

My great Aunt has never been married. She worked hard all of her life.I asked her if she regrets not getting married. Her answer was quick “no”. Then, she smiled and said, “you remind me of me” which of course made me smile. She said life should not be about regrets. Just live each day as it comes.

I cannot think of any greater advice! So, I hope everyone who reads this lives a life without regrets….

Until next time…..peace….

 

Arbor Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Today, April 24, 2015 is Arbor Day. So, what exactly is Arbor Day? In the simplest terms, Arbor Day is the celebration of trees; the overall importance the trees bring to the environment, planet and our very existence. I love being able to photograph birds and other wildlife as they play among the trees.

History of Arbor Day

Why the name Arbor? In Latin, the name arbor actually means tree which is perfect fit. Arbor Day is celebrated around the world. The dates may vary but the celebration is the same. The very first Arbor Day can actually be traced back to 1805 to a small Spanish village, the Villanueva de la Sierra. In the United States, the first Arbor Day was organized in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Approximately 1 million trees were in planted in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. The early beginnings sparked a worldwide observance for the importance of trees.

Arbor Day Foundation

To help aid in the observing the celebration of trees, the Arbor Day Foundation was created in 1972 by John Rosenow. The foundation helps in the efforts of selling trees and merchandise as a way to promote Arbor Day. The mission of the Arbor Day Foundation is “”to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees”.

Michigan Arbor Day Alliance

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance wants to promote the celebration of Arbor Day throughout the year. I agree with this concept, I like the idea of day of observance to bring everyone’s attention to the importance of trees on our daily lives. However, I think the promoting of planting and caring for trees should be done every day.

Personally, I cannot plant trees today. The weather is just not cooperating. Even though I do see the sun finally peeking through the clouds; the weather forecast is looking better for next week. I do plan to plant more trees this spring. I want more fruit trees planted (if funds permit). I am trying to create my own fruit orchard in my yard. I have a good start so far, but I want to add to my collection. By planting fruit trees, I am observing Arbor Day (just a little later in the spring).

Sources:

www.miarbordayalliance.org

www.arborday.org

 

National Picnic Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

According to Giftypedia, today is National Picnic Day. I like unofficial holidays that promote being outdoors. Of course, here in Michigan a picnic would be a very cold venture. The last couple days have brought wind and even a little snow.  But the weather is normal for springtime in Michigan. The forecast shows warmer weather on the horizon.

I love the idea of spending a lazy afternoon outdoors on a warm summer day with a picnic basket (and a camera). As an adult, I think the concept of having a picnic is almost a romantic notion.

When I was a child, we would always have picnics when we went traveling up north. The day before our travels, my mother would buy a bucket of chicken.  The chicken would be our main treat on the picnic.  My mom would make potato salad or macaroni salad as a side dish.  She would allow for chips and pop as a special treat.

We would leave early in the morning, My siblings and I packed in the back of the car, the first main stop would be Mackinaw. After reaching the Mighty Mac, we wold unpack for a picnic which was always at the park right by the bridge. We would eat and wander down to the water where seeing the Mackinaw Bridge up close was an awesome sight. I even took pictures back then.

So, where is your favorite place to have a picnic? Do you have memory to share?

Until next time….peace….

Earth Day Facts

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22.  Earth Day has become an event on how to connect and celebrate nature as well as get educated about pressing environmental issues. We must all take a moment to see how we impact the environment and what actions can be taken to help lessen the effect.  Here are some facts about Earth Day.

Who Came Up with Earth Day?

Earth Day was thought up by Senator Gaylord Nelson who was a Democrat from Wisconsin. Nelson was inspired by the various types of protests and teach-ins that took place throughout college campus everywhere.  Nelson decided that he wanted to apply that concept to a larger scale that would bring focus to the environment

When Was the First Earth Day?

The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970 with approximately 20 million people in attendance at various rallies across the United States.  Earth Day is now recognized in over 180 countries with over 1 billion people taking part in the day. Social media has helped spread the news of Earth Day and the environmental issues which the day represents.

Earth Day has even become a part of various teaching curriculums in schools around the globe. By introducing Earth Day activities in the curriculum teachers and environmentalists are hoping the events will have a lasting effect on the children.

Other cities around the globe have turned Earth Day into a weeklong celebration.  The concept is to have a lasting effect on those who participate in the activities.  The activities act as way to remind people the value of going green in their local communities.

How Many Jobs Does Recycling Produce?

Many people believe that recycling is a waste of time and effort.  However the effort does pay off.  Approximately, 3.1 million jobs in the United States are from recycling and remanufacturing.  The impact of simple recycling can have long reaching results.

Plastic Bottles

The convenience of plastic bottles takes up space in landfills.  Most of us are guilty of grabbing that bottle of water at the local gas station as we head out for the day.  In fact in the United States there is over 200 billion beverage containers sold in any given year.  The number is staggering.  So is the fact that almost two-thirds of these containers will end up in a landfill or on the side of the road.  This is one of the reasons why recycling plastic containers is so important.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is becoming a growing problem in many areas around the globe.  The fact is that polluted air can cause lasting damage on the human body.  Over 2 million people will die each year due to air pollutants.

There are many more facts about Earth Day and the environment.  Take a moment; look up ways to participate in a local event.

Sources:

http://www.henslernurseryindiana.com/

www.mnn.com

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Earth Day!

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Happy Earth Day!!

    Why celebrate Earth Day? I think for me, the question would be, “why wouldn’t I celebrate Earth Day?” As a lover of the great outdoors, I think we should all be aware of out impact on our local environment and the planet as a whole. If everyone would just take the time to participate in some small way; the overall impact would be great. I have seen firsthand how trash, pollutants and debris can litter up the local landscape, river and wooded areas. Begin in small ways by recycling plastic bags or magazines; there are drop off points throughout all communities.

Consider these other ideas that can be done as well; get the kids to help. Getting children involved with a variety of activities can help bring awareness to the environment and nature while having fun.

  • Pinecones and Peanut butter feeders.

I love to feed the birds. I think feeding the birds is both beneficial to them and myself. One way to feed the birds is by making little pinecone feeders. We use to do this when I was a child. We would take pinecones and coat them with a thick layer of peanut butter then add seeds. I actually still do this sometimes; I even add raisins to the mix as well. Then, I hang them in the trees around my house.

  • Go outside and explore.

I loved being outdoors as a child, I would spend hours exploring, imagining and having fun with friends and family. I still enjoy being outdoors today. Spending a day in nature is relaxing. I just grab my camera and go.

But I also enjoy just sitting on my porch and listening to the different sounds that nature makes. So, if you get a moment take a walk to celebrate Earth Day. I understand the weather may not be ideal. Here in Mid-Michigan, I actually saw snowflakes this morning. But if you are able, get outdoors. Even if your time is spent in the backyard, walking around the block or to a local park, there’s always something to see.

  • Collect nature items (but be cautious).

When you are out exploring collect little nature items such as small rocks, fallen leaves and acorns but at the same time be careful. Some items in nature are better left alone especially the poison ivy leaves. Also, leave flowers and growing plants alone. The joy is to watch these natural items grow. Go home and look up your new finds on the computer or in a book. Have the children make a scrapbook or design a keepsake shoe box to store items in.  The small keepsakes could spark a lifetime of interest in environmental sciences.

  • Take photos.

You don’t need a fancy camera to take photos of nature. You can give kids cheap throw away cameras or use inexpensive digital cameras. Let your children take pictures of whatever interests them. You can always print the pictures off and store in scrap book. Have the children explain why they took this picture. A simple trip outside becomes a keepsake.

  • Plant a flower or plant a tree.

If weather permits plant a flower outside or a tree, make the planting a yearly event. Here in Michigan especially with sign of snow, I cannot get outdoors to plant anything new. In the past, I have planted flower seeds in organic cups and let the seeds start to grow. Once the weather is agreeable; I have taken the little cups and plant them directly into the ground.

These are only a few ideas; there are many others that can be done. Start a tradition to celebrate Earth Day with a small activity. But get outdoors as much as possible; the benefits go way beyond viewing nature.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I just want to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

After researching my mother’s family, I learned my great grandparents originated from Ireland. Mostly around the Dublin and Northern Ireland area, I would really like to go there.  So, I have made that a top priority on my bucket list.

I love the stories that I learned while researching their roots. There were different folklore past down through the generations that I found absolutely fascinating. The stories have provided me with a basis for the book that I am writing.

I am hoping with a little “luck of the Irish” my endeavor will be a success.

 

 

Friday the 13th

Posted on by Rebecca C.

So, today is Friday the 13th. Does that make you worried? The only aspect of Friday the 13th that I find scary today is the cold weather. The wind is still blowing causing the wind chill to dip down into the negative double digits. The sun is out shining brightly which is very deceiving; the cold air is enough to take your breath away when you step out the door. But I know spring is just around the corner. In fact, I think the first official day of spring is just over thirty days away. I am definitely ready to get outdoors without having to bundle up.

I have been looking up some quotes and facts about today.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery…Today is a Friday the 13! ~~Author Unknown

Did you know that the fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia? ~~Author Unknown

It’s Friday the 13th. Just warning you all before you make any weekend arrangements for wood cabins by the lake.  ~~Author Unknown

Here are some facts about Friday the 13th, according to NBC News:

Here are five of our favorite Friday-the-13th facts:

  1. Fear of Friday the 13th — one of the most popular myths in science — is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.
  2. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13.
  3. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.
  4. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. “It was bad luck,” Twain later told the friend. “They only had food for 12.” Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.
  5. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number — 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.”

I thought the facts were interesting especially the part where you can hire a 14th guest to complete a dinner party (NBC News, 2014).  I love learning about superstitions and folklore. The ones that surround Friday the 13th are intriguing.

Have a great day!

Until next time…..peace….

 

Source:

NBC News, (2014). Five facts about Friday the 13th. Retrieved from: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/29661652/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/five-facts-about-friday-th/#.U5tjk_ldV8E

My Christmas Blog

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. ~Charles Dickens

I actually began writing this blog last night while listening to Pop Francis’ midnight mass.  Even though I am not Catholic, I enjoy listening and watching the Christmas Eve Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  There are numerous reasons why I try to watch this every Christmas Eve, I love the children’s choirs, pipe organ playing in the background, the opera singing, and the symphony with all the violins and cellos

The camera always pans over the crowd to the beautiful artwork and statues of the cathedral.  There’s the use of all the diverse languages from around the world; I always wanted to learn Latin which is used often in the mass. I really do not know what all the ceremony and symbolism represents; I am going to have to research the process one of these days.  I just find the entire setting beautiful. I also like the element of historical symbolism that is presented in the mass.  The Book of the Gospel which was placed by the statue of the baby Jesus was a replica of the one from 1506.  The history in the walls of the Vatican and Rome would be amazing to know and study.

The message I got from listening to the Pope was the fact, “the world needs tenderness”.  I agree with this statement from him.  I think the world could use more tenderness, good will toward fellow man so to speak. I spent most of today, Christmas Day with my family.

I brought my 95 year old great aunt out to the family gathering.  If you really want to learn about people, you should talk to someone who has been around for as long as her.  She always shares stories of time past; the best learning experience anyone could ask to receive. She also provides insight; we often go through life thinking we shouldn’t do certain things.  We hold back in telling people how we feel out of fear of rejection.  Or we fail to try something new because we think we are too old to learn. But wouldn’t you rather look back when you are 95 and say, “wow, I can’t believe I did that” than say “I should have done that when I had the chance”.

Life changes so quickly.  Be with the ones you love and show no fear.  Try zip-lining, mountain climbing, a new class or anything else that makes your heart sing.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

From my house to yours….

Merry Christmas!

Peace always,