FOTO FRIDAY: LOOKIN' UP

FOTO FRIDAY is about 'looking up' and not with regards to the election season but as in looking up at the clouds. They have been spectacular this week as I'm sure others have noticed too. I didn't have to look too far up for this low lying cloud as I left the End of the Rainbow Valley. 

This morning's sky continued to not disappoint.

A couple of hills over Bob caught this sky off his backyard prairie. He added "Yesterday was like a grand "show". Spectacular cumulus and cumulo-nimbus clouds everywhere you looked. And the show just kept changing all day long. A Joni Mitchel day...."

Indeed, it was. How 'bout you? Share some stunning sky sights. 

Take a look at Pinque's Colorado sunset. She said. "It was a wild storm yesterday but it made an amazing sunset...."

Kaye and Shep just recently returned from a car trip enjoying the skies of New Mexico and before that N.C. Can't wait for next month!

Rooftop Bar Alburquerque, N.M.

Waynesville, NC

And look how today's storms painted our sky upon departure with a double rainbow.

Last week was POTTY HUMOR and I am still awaiting more one liners.

.be.

Have you ever attended a function and are not really sure why you  were invited?  Through Natureman's participation on the city's Social Justice committee, we received an invitation to attend a special discussion.  What we learned once we arrived was this gathering was sponsored by a group of men who call themselves .be. and meet through their church to explore difficult topics.

In today's world of misunderstanding their concept was to bring together people of different faiths and backgrounds to do the very same thing. Talk, share, discuss and most important of all listen.

Our topic of the evening was "Is the God of Judaism, Christianity and Islam the same/different?" The Endowed Professor of Viterbo University's Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership, Richard Kyte presented scripture from each religion's text, the Old and New Testaments and Koran to describe G-d and Allah.

Religious symbols (lot r) The Crescent (Islam) the Start of David (Judaism) and the Cross (Christianity)

Before breaking into 6 random groups the attendees reviewed 2 papers on tips for "Listening Well" which included the following:
1. Be present to those who are speaking.
2. No saving, fixing, advising or setting each other straight , unless speaker asks for counsel. 
3. Learn to respond to others with honest, open questions instead of counseling, corrections or loaded questions. 
4.Learn to listen to your own inner dialogue while you are also   trying to listen to the speaker.
5. Trust and learn from the silence. 
6. Everything that is shared in the group is confidential.
7. To turn off one's phone.

And the second paper was on 'Barriers to Effective Listening" which included: Comparing, Mind Reading, Rehearsing, Filtering, Judging, Dreaming, Identifying, Advising and Sparring.

Personally, I found both helpful. 

I have shared this evening at various gatherings as it was a powerful evening. Each table of 8/9 individuals had a moderator to provide questions and keep the discussion flowing and respectful for the hour.

Our first item to share if we so desired was to talk about our own spiritual journey of what God is to us personally. Some background as to our religious upbringing/life experience. The ages at my table ranged from 17 to 79 and it was eye opening to hear about other's "faith".

Then our impression about the scripture discussions of a higher being. Were they positive/negative?  Does each religion foster a personal/ impersonal God? My table was fortunate to have representatives from each of the denominations. I learned in the Koran there are 99 adjectives to describe a personal Allah.

How many of us have ever openly discussed religion with people of different faiths?  It was a powerful evening as similarities between the three melded and preconceived differences shrunk once we shared our interpretations of who G-d, God / Allah is. 

We definitely should talk and listen more often...

WINNERS OR LOSERS?

"Better. Fairer. More equal society. Unity better than division.   A new beginning. To be great, we can not be small."

All sound great. These were the words used by Hillary in her speech last night. It was a good speech and it embraced the stage my candidate Bernie has set. The only problem was I can't believe her. Some of you may have noticed I have been 'relatively' quiet politically the last couple of months.  Mostly in disbelief that our country has been bamboozled by Trump in one party and Clinton in the other.

photo courtesy of internet

Couldn't this be just one of my favorite political TV series and not dealing with our lives and the future of our nation?  I just can't vote for either of these candidates. Obama has spoiled me with his integrity, analytical mind and class. I will continue to vote my conscience.

I will continue my support for Bernie. I feel the Bern and I am not alone. Below is a New York Times piece and the comments it elicited speak to me... Be sure and read Jill Stein's words. It's not over until it's over.  Will we be winners/losers?

The New York Times

4 hrs · 

Bernie Sanders said his campaign would carry on, telling supporters that “we will continue to fight for every vote and every delegate.”

Bernie Sanders Vows to Fight On, Despite Primary Losses

Amid speculation that he would bow out, Mr. Sanders told supporters in California that his campaign would continue fighting until the convention in July.

NYTIMES.COM|BY MICHAEL BARBARO AND YAMICHE ALCINDOR

Like

Like

Love

Haha

Wow

Sad

Angry

CommentShare

Top Comments

2.4K2.4K

179 shares

Comments

Write a comment...

Taylor J Dondlinger Senator Sanders has done a great job of changing the political narrative in the US. All in all, I'm proud to say I was a supporter of his, and proud to say that my vision of our country's future has notably brightened as a result of the continuing movement he has cultivated.

Like · Reply · 326 · 3 hrs

18 Replies · 7 mins

Jose Bustillos Can anyone confirm this?

Jill Stein just reached out to Bernie Sanders and told him she will step aside in order for him to become the Green Party candidate.

This is YUGGGEEE for Bernie Sanders. He can be on all ballots in every state, and has until August to accept the invitation to become their nominee.

Jill Stein explained it very well.

She stated that due to the media lying to the people that Bernie has no chance of becoming the democratic nominee that people are just voting for Hillary because they are scared of having Trump as a president. Then you have people that are voting for Trump because they are scared of having Hillary as a president. Neither are favorable, so we've sent senator Sanders a letter stating we support him as a Green Party candidate. As of right now they are waiting on a response.

When you look at Trump and Hillary's unfavorable rating it clearly states that both candidates are not liked witching are country.

Simple math:

Hillary - unfavorable and is only growing! 54%

Trump - unfavorable and is only growing! 60%

*Bernie Sanders* - favorable and is only growing! 47% Favor him, 6% haven't even heard of Bernie, but if he becomes the Green Party candidate everyone in this world will know of him by November. Then we have a 9% opinion open.

Bernie Sanders can easily get over 50% of the votes in November, and let me tell you what. When Bernie says when we all come together we can make a change, this is the change he's talking about. BEATING CORRUPTION, BEATING ILLEGALLY FUNDED CAMPAIGNS, THE PEOPLE HE HAS STOOD UP FOR HIS WHOLE LIFE WILL COME OUT ON TOP.

I suggest he elects a Vice President like Elizabeth Warren. She just came out and spoke to the media and clearly stated that she is fed up with the corruption. She supports Bernie, and with her as a Vice President their both toast.

#FEELTHEBERN
#NEVERHILLARY
#BERNIEORBUST

NORSEMAN BECOMES BADGER

Strange headline but oh so true. Let me digress a bit before we get to the title of the entry...

Bonus Granddaughter Haley went through 8th grade graduation with 84 of her class mates Monday. Yep, a grand total of 85 graduates. 

Haley will join her brother Cameron next fall at the district high school. Their district now unlike when Natureman's boys went to school is a combination of 4 towns. 

With small schools it's possible to participate in many more activities. Haley's been in  volleyball and track and been able to pursue both band and choir. It was a treat to see her final band and choir performances at graduation. 

OK back to the title of this entry.

Next year Haley and the entering Westby class of 2020 will be Norsemen. The school's mascots are the Norsemen. (Remember many of this area's settlers were of Norwegian descent.)

Go Badgers!

Sunday we were at a high school graduation party for Haley's Uncle Travis. Travis just graduated from Westby High School and will be heading to  UW-Madision. And you know Wisconsin's mascot is the Badger.

Travis is a Norseman becoming a Badger.  And maybe in 4 years Haley will have the same fate?

Wishes for many good years of schooling to both Haley and Travis as they pursue their studies and passions!

TP'ING MEMORIES

Sometimes we have daily reminders of younger days and how fast time flies. Being in graduation and wedding season guarantees some of these blasts from the past.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a wedding shower luncheon and was a bit disappointed as it seemed we wouldn't be playing any games.  How can you have a party without a game or two? Yep, I am one of those people. We had visited, enjoyed lunch, opened the presents and it was almost time to go when one of the hostesses exclaimed we did have an activity to do before we left, we needed to dress the Bride to Be. Out came the rolls of toilet paper.

If you haven't had the privilege of designing a bride's wedding gown out of toilet paper, it is a challenge. So many decisions and so many designers working toilet paper rolls. Shower guests are divided into groups provided with toilet paper rolls and must finish their design within a certain time frame. We had three models, the Bride, her sister and sister-in-law. The laughter began as we feverishly worked our magic. With the rolling, the memories also unrolled... 

Flashback. Even I was TP'ed many moons ago, the year 1976. 

Yes, we had toilet paper back then.

1976 at age 22

Styles come and go but a toilet paper gown still is pretty dang classy. OK, maybe not so practical if it's raining, but a lot less expensive than the real thing. 

Our group designed a lovely draped back, don't you think?

So thanks for the memories... And to all our beautiful Brides this season we wish for you many happy "Charmin" memories.

FOTO FRIDAY: POTTY HUMOR

FOTO FRIDAY this week is due to one particular sighting which caused me to stop, back track to snap this pic and just laugh. While walking Main Street in the small river town of Alma, WI  we passed a store front being remodeled, next to which was an open space where a building had once been and over against the next property's small fence stood this addition.

"Your input is appreciated at any time."

Look closely and see if you can see why this sight might cause me to laugh...

 I guess this one really is a Port a Potty as it's ready to roll to another locale at any time. Potty humor at its best. 

How about coming up with some captions/ another sight you caught that makes you smile every time you think about it? Share your humor with us.

If you missed it, last week's FOTO FRIDAY :RED NOSE BRIDE is stilling missing your advice for the newlyweds. Don't be shy. Remember you can comment on FB if you don't want to register on the blog for comments/photos.

WEDDINGS AND GRADUATIONS...

Tight grasp on that Certificate

Midwest spring marks the beginning of wedding and graduation season. And we are having a full season in our family.

Wednesday was the youngest Little, Abby's graduation from Pre-K4. It's been just one year since we were celebrating her sister's same graduation on this same stage with the same evening's theme of Oh, the Places You'll Go. Only the Class and handprints have changed to the class of 2029.

First to walk on with her teacher, Ms. Abby helps lead her
class in after we guests were privy again to the Principal's TOP 5 list of fostering children's success. Number 1 : exposing these future kindergarteners to books. His challenge was100 books. Country music selections of these precious children followed his words with a powerpoint of snapshots of the past year's learning fun.

The four classes (2 am + 2pm) PreK-4's sang familiar songs. We were treated to 'spirited' and very animated renditions of the kids's music favorites: Hello Everybody, Octopus, Peanut Butter, Monkeys and Alligators and  Kindergarten Here We Come...


Interspersed with a video of each individual's aspirations for future occupations. There was even a paleontologist in the group but most were traditional roles of firemen, police, teachers and even a principal, a Mom/ Dad.

Abby, the youngest graduate in our family decided on what most little girls want to be.  Abby wants to be a princess. :)

Within an hour the Class of 2029 had their graduation certificates in hand and a wonderful future filled with possibilities awaiting them...
                        Here's to many more graduations Ms Abby!
                                                 xoxo 

CLASS OF 2029

TBT: GRADUATION 2015