ONCE IN A BLUE MOON...

Jillian B Hart
Hello... It's been a while... 
That happen sometimes in life.  Sometimes more then others. Somethings go in and out of our lives.  Some people go in and out of our lives.  Yet remain in our hearts.  Precious and treasured beyond words.  Feelings and reflections that words can't explain.  Those rare moments that are breath taking.  That steal the breath from your lungs.  When memories swim in your eyes and escape down your cheeks. People that do that to you.  That connect to your soul are rare.  They fill up darkness with brilliant blaze. Like a full moon decorates the endless ebony night.  They touch places inside of you that you didn't know you could feel.  Give you a high that compares with nothing except those moments that are exceptional, those moments that happen once in a blue moon.   

It's been almost three years since the last blue moon. If you are a lunar gazer like me, you'll be stepping outside to take in the extraordinary view tomorrow night.  A full moon - much like any other... yet has special significance. Like those people who are forever linked to you with heartstrings.  Others may see just another friend... yet you know that their impact on you has been a force of light in your life... a rare treasure, something that happens "once in a blue moon"... your life without them, no matter how big or small the role they currently play, is inconceivable.  

Look at that moon.  It doesn't come again for a long time.  Breathe it in and think about who is in your thoughts and envision all those that fill up your heart. That have left footprints on your soul.  Be sure to catch a moonbeam and make a wish for your "Harts" desire!  Take a moment and have gratitude for all that was, all that wasn't, all that is, and all that will be... That's what life is, a series of moments shared with those you love that makes you who you are today. My poem, Walk Me To The Moon, is dedicated to the "Blue Moons" of my life... not having them, not having those rare moments, is unimaginable!  XOXO

WALK ME TO THE MOON
Walk me to the moon
To the place

Where all that we once imagined might be

That place that dreams could touch

Above and beyond the light

Untouchable triumph and majesty

Banishing darkness in a sea of stars

In what was once our field of dreams 

Walk me to the moon

To that place I still dare to remember

Young love... 

Faithful, constant, bright & foolish... 

Believing you never run out of time. 

The willingness to give

Without getting in return

Without needing. 

Knowing you are enough. 

Walk me to the moon

To that place I think of 

With a haunted flutter in my heart

when memories swim in my eyes and escape down my cheeks

Bathed in a light once so pure 

That it blinded us

Walk me to the moon

That place daydreams are made of

Lift me on the summer breeze

And angel wings

To that place that cannot be

But forever is

Walk me to the moon

That place in your heart

With the warm glow

It cannot be hidden

Like the full moon's light

It'll always be... 

Whenever you need it

Feel the warmth - that's where I'll be

Wrapped around you embraced by our memory

Walk me to the moon

That place where I see the reflection 

Of smiling eyes... 

Brighter then sunshine

Where healing goes on and life survives

Banishing darkness in a sea of wishes, in that endless sea of stars

Loving your life doesn't mean that you forget having been blinded too

Walk me to the moon

That place where Memories... 

Always paint a picture in the sky

Every detail changes

Yet the love remains the same 

Love and light are eternal 
Flood me with warmth
that forever dances in my dreams
brilliant as moonbeams at ebony's darkest edge

MORE FOR LESS!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

 

More for less, that's what everyone wants. Whether it's more gallons of gas per dollar, more ounces of product in a container for  less of a price, or more skymiles per purchase, we all want more for less. That's OK. There's nothing wrong with wanting value for our hard earned money.

It's also OK for an employer to want value for the salary they pay. This means, no facebook, cellphone, crossword puzzles,or online shopping when an employee is supposed to be working. This is only reasonable. The employer, in turn should provide the following:

An employee should have a totally free rest break of 20 minutes if they are working 6 hours. For an 8 hour day, a half hour lunch break should be given.
The requirements are:*the break must be in one block*it cannot be taken off one end of the working day - it must be   somewhere in the middle*you are allowed to spend it away from the place on your employer's premises where you work *your employer can say when the break must be taken, as long as it meets these conditions
Obviously, there are exceptions to this. Each workers' individual contract should outline his or her rights and benefits.

An employer cannot expect employees to work "on their own time" unless this is stipulated in their contract. Phone conferences during vacations, checking and answering business calls, email and voicemail, etc is becoming more and more "expected" by employers. Because of the economy, they feel they can ask what they want and if the employee complains they're told "You should be grateful to even have a job." What does this say about our country? I find it very discouraging.

It's not just big business. It's schools systems bleeding teachers dry, even young students, working to help pay for school , are victims of this kind of thinking. I know a boy who was hired to work 20 hours a week while he went to college full time. His boss increased his hours a few hours here, a few hours there, and now he's working full time with no benefits, no health benefits , no sick days and no vacation.  He had to drop 2 classes to keep up because he couldn't afford to lose the job to pay for rent and tuition.

Why can't workers just do their absolute best during their working hours and bosses value and respect them and give them the pay and benefits they deserve? Every day I worked as a teacher and assistant principal, I tried to put in 110%. Some days I was more successful than others, but the effort and dedication was there. At times, I was fortunate enough to have a boss that recognized my efforts and treated me fairly and with respect. Other times, I was neither appreciated , nor given the respect I was due. I can tell you that I always tried hard, but inevitably I gave that much more to the boss who respected me. It's only human nature!

A friend of mine is a dentist. He's an amazing individual. He not only values and respects his employees, he provides opportunities for professional development at his expense. He's taken his staff (and spouses) on cruises, done team building fun activities with them, and takes them out to lunch or dinner every so often. I'm sure he does even more that I'm not aware of. His staff adore him and it shows in the quality of their work, their dedication, the atmosphere in the office, and the kind an patient treatment of the clients. The man is a genius. He found a way to have a totally loyal and super productive staff while having fun! I also have to point out, that the staff  is made up of hard working, professional individuals who would give an honest day's work even without the perks. The extras just keep morale and positive energy high!

Well, I'm done preaching. I'll get down off my soap box now. I just had to speak up for some people I know on both sides of the time clock - bosses and employees.
Have a great week, and always, give it your best!

 

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Your dreams remain only dreams unless you actively pursue them. 

Trust your heart to know what you are meant to do. 

Step up to the challenge. 

Thrive under the pressure - for darkness and doubts as dark as coal are born to diamonds that way. 

Keep the promises that you make to yourself!

©  All Rights Reserved

Expendables 2 - Bloody Good Fun!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

I went to see Expendables 2 with my husband last night. I'm not a big fan of blood and violence, but I have to admit, I enjoyed this movie a great deal.

It wasn't the shooting, head chopping, stabbing or explosions that got me hooked, it was the way all the amazing Action Heroes were able to slip in subtle cracks at themselves and their movies. From Arnold's "I told you I'd be back" to his "Yippee Kay-a" to Bruce Willis, each  jibe was funnier than the next.

The best part of the whole movie, in my opinion, was Chuck Norris.  His entrance was classic. I won't ruin it for you by describing it. You just have to see it! He was Walker, Texas Ranger and Lone Wolf McQuaid all rolled into one. I always loved Chuck Norris, but after this I'm even more of a fan!

The critics used words like "Sparkle" (Huffington Post),"Taut, violent, and suitably self-deprecating." (Rotten Tomatoes),'The Expendables 2' is armed with Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Liam Hemsworth, Bruce Willis, Jet Li and more for blow-'em-up craziness that's B-movie fun."(LA Times). They all seem to agree - a surprisingly great movie!

Personal note: Take the spouse, a date or other adult, but leave the kids home for this one.

TEACHER AT SEA

Follow our own Patty Smukall, teacher at sea as she participates in Adventures at Sea. Patty has been chosen at the Teacher at Sea for a USF expedition to explore the gulf of Mexico.
Follow her activities:
 http://adventuresatsea.blog.usf.edu

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran

The most difficult challenges hold the greatest rewards. 

Strength and courage are born from tenacity. 

All of the pieces to the secret formula to your success are within you. 

It's in your soul. Dare to risk what you are to become all your heart has always known!

Keep the promises that you make to yourself!

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ward-Finneran and Drawn 2 Design, LLC

©  All Rights Reserved

YOU MAY BE RIGHT-I MAY BE CRAZY!

Dear Friend,

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

I may have been in Continent, but I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART!

Today is one of the many National Mental Health Days throughout the year.

You can do your bit by sharing with at least one unstable person. My job is done!

Life is too short for negative drama and petty things.

So laugh insanely,
love truly
and forgive quickly!

From one unstable person to another... I hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doing pretty good in mine!

 

Sincerely,

I.M. Madd

WHAT MATTERS

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Friends who are always there.

Facing the "pain".

Turning dreams into plans. 

Celebrating your strengths.

Actions rather then reactions.

Knowing "baby steps" count. 

Allowing yourself to sometimes give into temptation. 

Loving with all your heart - even when it hurts.

Watching sunsets. 

Keeping the promises that you make to yourself!

HE SAID... Friends and Other "Unions"

Tony Walker

Friends... For the past 20 years I've been in a Union. Being in a Union has taught me a ton about solidarity, standing up for what's right, & supporting your fellow Union Brother/Sister. I use this mindset in my everyday life, not just with Union related issues.

I'm not sure if living my everyday life this way is the way to go. In a Union, if your Union Brother/Sister is in a pinch, you support that person. You're expected to support that person. 

With that engrained in my head, I live my whole life this way. If a friend is in some kind of trouble I try to find a way I can help. If a friend is being screwed over by someone else, I don't support the person doing the screwing. My problem is I don't get that back.

Is it wrong to expect a friend to back you when you're the one getting screwed? Is it wrong to say to your friend, "Hey.... this person really screwed me & I didn't deserve it. I expect you to show me some support." Are the friends who don't step up in the wrong for not stepping up and being supportive?  Is this a matter of a friend showing their true colors in a time of need?

I was talking to someone recently about this. This person admitted that she couldn't support a friend who was having trouble with another person because she doesn't like confrontation. She admitted she would like to tell the person to go scratch but she didn't have it in her. Is this person wrong? Should we just accept this or should her friend be pissed for not getting the support that's needed?

What do you think...???

CURIOSITY LAND ROVER LANDS ON MARS

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

NASA's attempt to land Mars rover, Curiosity this morning, was a huge success. There was much cheering and congratulating in Mission Control at NASA in California. The rover, and the thousands of NASA workers, survived the dreaded "seven minutes of terror" when so many things could have gone wrong, but nothing did!

The landing process, involved a sky crane and the world's largest supersonic parachute, allowing the spacecraft carrying Curiosity to target the landing area that scientists have chosen. This type of landing had never been attempted before.

The rover began its journey to Mars 8 months ago. Today it begins its mission to investigate Mars, searching for signs of life from the past and sending information to scientists to evaluate the possibility of it sustaining life in the future. Curiosity's first stop will be Gale Crater, which may have once contained a lake. After at least a year, the rover will arrive at Mount Sharp, in the center of the crater. The rover will drive up the mountain examining layers of sediment. This process is like looking at a historical record because each layer represents an era of the planet's history.