Spotted: Rear Window Optimism

I generally like the stickers people apply to their people-haulers. I mean, who doesn't read them at red lights or while passing on the highway? Here are some that made an impact on me...

I heart my something-or-other

GO! LAKESIDE CHEER!

#8 Weber

Imagine Whirled Peas (ha ha)

So, I just had to snap this one up. Having graduated from the school of Perpetual Borderless Optimism (Summa Cum Silver Lining), what can I say, I like it!

Spotted: Pee-Wee Herman meets Evel Knievel

Found chained to a lamppost in a parking lot near our home was this rare sight; a beach cruiser that had been stylishly modified with a gasoline engine.

I am not sure what the attraction was, but I simply could not take my eyes off it.

Was it the streamlined design? Was it the way the simple colors in the scheme blended and complimented into a stylish mix of silver, white, black, and chrome? Was it the breathtaking details, like the black fuel tank or south-pointing polished exhaust? I wasn’t sure, but my feet were planted solid.

While staring I was startled by the owner who had snuck up on me quietly. I asked if I could take a picture. He said yes and I found out the following two facts:

- He had not performed the installation himself, but had recently purchased the bike (moped? scooter? whatever)

- The engine size was a whopping 80cc’s

Now, if only there was a beach near here that needed cruising at a steady rate, and…(sigh) if I could pass this off at home as something I needed…

Webfound: Monikers; Personalized Calendars, Sort Of…

One man’s pursuit of the perfect sign name can now be the perfect gift for the “guy who has it all”. Do you know a Bill, Bob, Chuck, Dave, Dick, Jim, Joe, John, Mark, Mike or Tom with some wall space? Then a 2009 Calendar could be your answer to an endless search for something special.

According to the Monikers website “These photos are the result of over 145,000 miles in a rusty minivan looking for a sign. Now, they are unique gifts.”

The fun does not stop at the monthly picture though. Oh, nelly, no. Each month features 1 main picture (example: Bob) as well as the locations of the photos. Also, more than 50 intriguing, whimsical and literate “Bob” trivia are highlighted on the appropriate dates throughout the year (example: October 31: Bob for apples). And many have footnotes.

What an interesting concept. Don't ask how I stumbled upon this one! Now, if only the artist had more obscure names available…because for an inconceivably brief moment, and perhaps also for the only time in history, I wished I was a "Chuck".

OCD - Wei Haas It

Okay, so this isn't us. But it could be.

If we had more cats.

And more bins.

Found: Faded Patriotism

This photo was taken, I believe, in a scrap vehicle junkyard. With the presidential election 10 or so days away, I thought it fitting to share this brief glimpse into some motorist's past efforts to display his or her feelings for this country. (probably a vehicle from Texas!)

As I look at what used to be a new shiny, gleaming bumper sticker, I can only think of how we also fade away like this. Our minds. Our personal stances. Our health.

For example, some days I am so upset at someone or perhaps I have strong feelings toward a certain topic during a conversation. Then, without warning, time passes and takes with it my feelings and thoughts. Memories that used to be crisp & fresh I now find to be sun washed and, like this bumper sticker, they flake away easily in the wind.

On the flip-side of this, sometimes things I wish I could remove from my trunk, like a worn out bumper sticker, never quite come off clean. Try as I may, there is always some residue left behind.

Getting Back On The Horse

I have learned a few things about myself through all of this casual blogging. One of the things I have learned is the longer I wait to post, the harder it is to actually perform the task. I know it sounds crazy but I think about the blog non-stop. While brushing my teeth. While on my commute. In meetings. I say to myself, "Man, if only I had a little bit of time right now, I'd..." And then, as though a miracle, chunks of time fall in my lap and I either piddle them away or sit and stare at the computer screen and accomplish nothing.

I was recently asked if it is hard to "remember to post". Ah, good question, but it is quite the contrary. It is actually NO problem remembering. And believe it or not the problem isn't the ideas either. I have a small pad chock full of blog "to-do's". When we started, I would read about one of the typical problems with new bloggers; they run out of topics to blog about! Not here - no way! The problem is the exact opposite - I never know what to write about first.

So, I recently put some more thought into this and decided to clear my head (without any meditation or yoga!). I thought I'd scribble a list of the major priorities of this blog. What is our purpose? Why invest this time? Here is the result, almost in this order of priority:

1. Share family news, information & goings-on with family, either in-state or out of state - this free web log has proven to be much more effective at communicating that we can be with the phone calls never make, with the cell phone reception we never have



2. Document family activities for the 3 of us - Days and weekends seem to fade into each other all too easily and someday these tidbits will serve to be reminders of what we did "way back when life was simpler"



3. Provide Ellena with a glimpse into her past - Almost everything I do is geared toward future accessibility and this blog is no different. I envision our little sweetie digging deep into the archives one day. Imagine for a second if we could all do the same and read a few paragraphs our ancestors actually typed. What did they do? What vocabulary did they use? Where did they spend their free time? What moved them? Now imagine if you could read a web page about yourself, as captured by your family. A picture of you with cake on your face. A short video of your courageous efforts to ditch the training wheels. It gives me goosebumps. Friends of mine know my camera is "always rolling". Go ahead, sign the waiver.



4. Sharing with friends - Thoughts, web links, found photos - it is very enjoyable to share these things with friends. I have so many to add, but when it comes time to post, my priority usually resides with family matters. I often ponder starting another site, just for the purpose of moving ideas and taste-testing other web features.



5. Other (Hobby/Venting/Enjoyment) - There is actually a handful of other reasons, but the fact of the matter is posting is actually very calming for me to do. It has that feeling of creating something - sort of like when you walk into the room you recently painted, cross your arms, smile and nod as if to say "Yeah, I did that." No I haven't used this site to "vent" just yet (usually I calm down from what ever has heated me up WAY before logging in!), but perhaps someday I might. I have definitely thought of it!

Indecision '08

We could all use a little humor after watching Tuesday's Presidential nominee debate (number II) between Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain.


Hmmm...who to vote for....the smooth talking newb with the uncanny ability to dodge direct questions or the robotic veteran with a limp. Is Ron Paul still available?

Do us all a favor - take a moment and pray for this election, and the future of our great Country. Then kick yourself for not voting in more of the primaries.

Found Friday Quote...

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.
~Joyce Maynard

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A good friend of Sheri's sent this to her after a warm-hearted lunch discussion as something to remember as we navigate our busy lives. Though everything may not always be exactly as we would have it, we continue to try to give Ellena the best examples we can to learn and grow by. Thanks to all of you for also being a part of that process.

09/11/2001

Found: All Your Missing Gloves!

Found this picture on the web and wanted to share it. I've seen cats take to certain items, but never to gardening gloves!

Be on the lookout!

Note: if you click on the picture, it will enlarge, allowing the sign to be read.