May 27, 2012
May 12, 2012
May 1, 2012
Money Changes Everything…
Sarah's First Fish
Looking at money in a realistic manner can be a life long goal and learning to live within your means is something few people master.
Dr. Kate Levinson has run money seminars for women for years and is interviewed on an NPR member station KUOW with calls from listeners that are fascinating. She is talking about her book Emotional Currency and about our country’s taboo about speaking frankly about money matters. She posits that having too little or too much money can both be major issues and that money can be a very emotionally charged topic. It’s worth a listen to hear her theories through years as a money coach and to hear the callers who certainly add value to the discussion.
April 25, 2012
April 1, 2012
One Person Can Make a Difference: Swimming and Chess
Some days it’s harder than others to see how one person can make a difference in a world with so many problems.
Some people fly to the Sudan to help as a doctor to many, others just show up week after week and rock another person’s world with quiet gentle kindness.
For many years Al Harkey has shown up to give Phil a break from the devastation that is multiple sclerosis by helping him to continue his desire to swim and be free in the water, a task that was no longer possible do to the chronic nature of Phil’s disease. The story appeared in the Seattle Times back in 2005 and has stuck with me as I am such a fan of swimming and the therapeutic qualities for those who have mobility challenges.
American Public Media has another amazing story about Paul Karrer a teacher to reaches out to a former student Rojelio Garcia by playing chess through the mail with him while he was incarcerated. This great radio story details how this experienced touched both their lives.
Sometimes it only takes on person to believe in you, to lend you a hand, to make a difference in your life. Have you been that person to someone this week?
March 21, 2012
Cabin Dreams
If you’ve had cabin dreams since reading Thoreau’s “Walden” surf a wave over to the site “Cabin Porn” for inspiration and then by Lou Ureneck’s book Cabin: Two Brothers, a Dream, and Five Acres in Maine . The website details photos of great little spots around the world, many that are masterfully built. Ureneck’s book details his life coming unraveled in midlife and buying some property, in Maine, to build a cabin, with his brother and his nephews. It is a great read for anyone who has dreamed of building a cabin and if you are familiar with that part of the country that much more meaningful. It is well written and a quick read.
Or you can just re-read Henry David Thoreau’s classic.
Walden Pond and replica of Thoreau's Cabin
March 15, 2012
March 5, 2012
9-11: a book, a video, and an audio file
Amy Waldman’s novel Submission was lauded when it first came out as her fiction debut. It is a brilliantly told story of the committee tasked to choose what the memorial would be for 9-11 in New York City. It is a highly charged read about race relations in our country and what emotions different characters on and off the committee experience as they near a decision about the appropriate memorial for this national tragedy. Here is a small excerpt of her book. It is one of the best novels I read all last year.
After you’ve read this you might want to watch this YouTube piece called “Boatlift” that details how all watercraft was employed to evacuate NYC on September 11th 2001. This is an incredible piece revealing another lesser known part of heroism demonstrated that day.
It was just before the tenth anniversary last fall that the 9/11 tapes audio recordings from the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.), North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) and American Airlines from the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 were released. It is an incredible piece of history to listen to and listening to the operator and flight attendant who were incredible while under intense pressure.
February 28, 2012
As Americans Contemplate $5 a Gallon Gas…
As people begin to freak out about $5 a gallon gas we must remember there are other options and that much of the rest of the world has been paying more for many years. Ask a friend in Europe how they’d feel about a five u.s. dollar gallon of gas and they’d likely jump with joy. Here’s a reminder about our country’s use of oil:
January 18, 2012
Stop On-line Privacy Act: Please Take Action Today!
If you are ready to take action on this important internet matter please click here: http://www.craigslist.org/about/SOPA
Tell Congress you OPPOSE Senate 968 “Protect IP Act” (PIPA) and H.R. 3261 “Stop Online Piracy Act” (SOPA)
Let congress know that you are against this and want to keep the internet accessible. Use this link above to take action, it’s easy and is very important….
