tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89334476100499212942024-03-05T04:38:46.955-08:00LESLIEpediaBy Leslie Aitken.
This blog is about everything and anything. With the internet at our fingertips, we can know whatever we want. The traffic jam of information on the internet highway can get crowded and become overwhelming! Let me sort through it and give you a Leslie's eye view and LET'S LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY!Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-88462341336657551532014-03-05T12:58:00.001-08:002014-03-05T12:59:17.197-08:00ODE TO THE THIN MINT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">ODE to THE THIN MINT</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">by Leslie Aitken</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Oh thin mint of the Girl Scout variety, </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">how you mock us with your "Serving Size: 4 cookies"!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">You know that when we open that crinkly cellophane tube</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">we are just puppets created only to eat the first serving</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">without thought! Then to realize halfway through</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">"the second serving size" that we have ravenously eaten</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">NEARLY EIGHT COOKIES!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">Giving no thought to caloric, sugar or fat content,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">feeding the annual<i> insatiable</i> need for</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">THE THIN MINT!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;"><br /></span></b></span>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-89075327965613902332012-12-12T12:13:00.000-08:002012-12-12T16:52:30.640-08:00HAPPY WEDNESDAY, HAPPY SEASON and HAPPY TO BE IN ALTADENA!<br />
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HALLOOOOO!!! Happy
12/12/12! It is so chilly this morning
that I had to go put on socks with my sandals! Ahhh -- joys of winter in
California! Speaking of CA -- this
morning I would like to say how THANKFUL that I am for living in
Altadena!! We have such a funky, vibrant, opinionated, and artistic community and it is a beautiful place to live!! I
have been thinking lately about how lucky I am to live here. </div>
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On Dec 1, <b>Webster's Fine Stationers</b> had their Holiday Open
House and what fun that was! In the morning Lori and Scott served delicious
Danish, coffee, tea and hot cider. Local
Artist Karen Bagnard was there in the morning with a holiday card debut that
benefits Christmas Tree Lane. Jabberwocky
Jerk was there featuring their yummy locally made sauces. LA in Stitches (that's me) was there all day
with my line of original handmade knitwear.
In the afternoon, Lori put out a crudites tray with dips, and a tray of
candy and cookies. The afternoon
welcomed live spoken word with Aldonia Bailey, and a beautiful spontaneous song
performed by Amin El. The evening featured
more food with a delicious fruit and cheese platter and a hilarious book
reading and signing with Margaret Finnegan, author of The Goddess Lounge (the main character hailing from Altadena).</div>
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This past Saturday was the <b>Christmas Tree Lane Festival and Tree
Lighting Ceremony</b>. Did you know that the
Christmas Tree Lane Association is a 100% VOLUNTEER group? Every year the lights that are enjoyed by
thousands are put up and taken down by local volunteers.</div>
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It is also THE OLDEST electrified Christmas
light exhibit in the United States. They
always need volunteers......so check them out. It was a wonderful community
event with a craft/art fair, live music, caroling, a lighting countdown, marching band, food and free coffee and hot chocolate.</div>
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Every Wednesday at Loma Alta Park on Palm Street, from 4 -7 pm is the
<b>Altadena Farmer's Market</b> . </div>
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And what a
"foodie" delight it is. This
ain't your run of the mill farmer's market!! Want
grass fed beef, organic eggs, locally grown produce, exquisite olive oil,
excellent jams and coffee? Organizer
Joseph Schulinder is putting Altadena on the culinary map!! Check it out!! </div>
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Have you been to our crazy cool <b>Altadena Library</b>? I LOVE our library! Rumor has it that there are
"modernization" plans in the works -- and I hope they don't change a
thing!! It has the original 1967 architecture, design and decor.</div>
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I absolutely dig the cool globe lights and
library tables and sunken reading area. The lighting and feeling of being surrounded by nature is wonderful. </div>
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The "Friends of the Altadena Library Association" sponsored a
FANTASTIC holiday performance by the Mark Twain Middle School Ringers last
night. These kids are a group of very talented and dedicated musicians and students. They performed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. They came to Altadena from West
Hollywood to perform at our library and it was enthralling........and FREE for anyone who
wanted to attend!</div>
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This coming Friday night – “Good Lord willin' and the creek
don't rise” -- will be this season's last<b> Food Truck Friday</b> of the year. It is held in the Webster's Parking Lot and
features an ever changing list of Food Trucks with delicious offerings. There are lots of tables and chairs set up,
encouraging chatting with friends, family and neighbors. </div>
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This week Danny's Farm will be there with
their petting zoo. <b>Webster's Community
Pharmacy </b>and <b>Webster's Liquors</b> will be offering 20% off ALL PURCHASES!! Have you seen the fun cards and gifts at Webster's Community Pharmacy? Check them out. I will be at <b>Webster's Fine Stationers</b> again with
my knitwear and we will debut a new line of Guy Wear, designed by my son Daron
Anderson.</div>
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The local lights seem to be particularly lovely this
year. The commercial strip on Mariposa
is charming – including<b> Altadena Hardware</b> – newly picked BUSINESS OF THE
YEAR. The tree shines brightly atop the
Webster’s building. Of course a drive up
Christmas Tree Lane is a MUST – and a visit to “The Balian House”. If you are driving up from Pasadena, try
driving up El Molino. There are great lights on many of Pasadena’s grand old houses –
and it leads you directly up to Christmas Tree Lane.</div>
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Oh -- and by the way -- come by and see me some time at <b>LA General Store Design Studio</b> at 149 W. Altadena Drive! I have a sewing and design studio where I make my knitwear and can design anything from swim wear to wedding dresses. My son Daron Anderson has just added his design skills and will be working on new lines of men's wear. I also do repairs, alterations and remake old items into new. We are open by appointment -- so give us a call at 626-529-3386 or email at lageneralstore@hotmail.com.</div>
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We are small – yet can be mighty if we all work hard and TOGETHER.
There is a lot that will be happening in the next year here in
Altadena. For updates and news make sure to check
in with our TWO local blogs:</div>
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<b>Altadenablog</b> (http://www.altadenablog.com/)</div>
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<b>Altadena Patch</b> (http://altadena.patch.com/)</div>
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Also -- these are some of the local groups that you can be
involved with:</div>
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Altadena Chamber of Commerce</div>
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Altadena Historical Society</div>
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Altadena Town Council</div>
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ACONA - Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations</div>
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Christmas Tree Lane Association</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">It takes a village to make a town -- and we have a great
one!!</span></b></div>
Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-74413940432475049802012-10-30T09:30:00.000-07:002012-10-30T09:36:52.255-07:00The Hurricane That Determined a Presidential Election<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">Hurricane Sandy has been called "Frankenstorm", another "Perfect Storm", the "Storm of the Century", but the one thing I haven't heard mentioned is how it will determine the outcome of the Presidential election. I discussed this with my three kids last night. This is a serious conundrum. We certainly DO have TROUBLE in River City, and New York City and thousands of other cities along the Eastern seaboard to the Midwest. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">We have had a Katrina like event, that affects states from N. Carolina to Maine. It has closed airports, subways, businesses and schools, all the way inland to OHIO. Last night, over 50 homes burned in Queens. The US stock exchange was closed yesterday and will be today. Millions of homes are without power. It will take MONTHS to do the clean up. Many states and cities are declared disaster areas...........and we have the most pivotal presidential election in years IN SEVEN DAYS FROM TODAY! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">Many communities will be without services for much longer than a week. Is it even possible to have an election? How many polling places have been compromised or destroyed? When people lose their homes and their cities have been seriously damaged, how can they be expected to vote? Who wants a president who is campaigning for votes under this situation? He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't!! Half of the country has been critical and disrespectful of him -- but boy do we need him to be calm, collected and presidential in this time of need. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">No matter what your affiliation, I think it is safe to say that in no way can there now be an accurate vote. All of the millions spent on this will amount to naught and we will never know what might have been because Mother Nature -- that environment we keep messing with -- has ROARED in and made the decision, not caring if your state is "Red or Blue". It doesn't matter one whit what extreme measures are taken, no vote at this point will be representative of what it would have been a week ago. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">This may be one of the most pivotal and history making political situations of my lifetime. Our country is in a state of emergency, making us at our most vulnerable. Is this a time to change our leadership? Who wants "a new guy" with NO on the job training for the position, taking over in a crisis? The world looks to the US to assess its bearings -- IT IS WATCHING WITH BAITED BREATH.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a difference a day makes! Get a bowl of popcorn and watch the movie -- it is going to be a thriller!</span></span>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-20586988430233846212012-07-07T21:58:00.000-07:002012-07-07T21:58:58.108-07:00BELONGING AND BELIEVING<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">When I was a kid, my Dad always told me, “If you want to keep friends, don't discuss your views on religion or politics.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/the_state_worker/father%20daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/the_state_worker/father%20daughter.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This I have held to, and tried to keep my beliefs to myself -- for the most part. But today, I tentatively threw my hat into my local political arena -- so to speak. And I was censored for my opinions!! HA! Since that happened - I think I shall go ahead and make a comment about religion. Might as well, I’m all ready batting 0 for 0! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I was raised in a combination fundamental/ecumenical religion. I realize that statement is an oxymoron.....but it is, in this case, true. We observed all of the Old Testament Holy Days, like in Judaism. And we kept many of the kosher eating laws, except the pareve part of the law. We kept seventh day Sabbath like Adventists, but ate meat and danced. We believed in Christ and his return to the earth accompanied by war, end times, and tribulation. So add in some Jehovah's Witness and rapture tenets for good measure! We learned scripture, the Ten Commandments and that Christ came to forgive us of our sins, but we didn't celebrate Christmas or Easter. There were so many changes in doctrines over the years that there is now a splinter group for every differing opinion, and the original church -- once HUGE on the Pasadena scene with The Worldwide Church of God and Ambassador college has all but disappeared into hundreds of sub sects. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">So I have observed from the sidelines with my bowl of popcorn, “watching the movie of life”. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://chefdruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/popcorn-bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://chefdruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/popcorn-bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have strong beliefs in right and wrong, honesty, personal integrity, loyalty and trustworthy-ness. There have been times that I missed "belonging" to something. My older kids went to a Methodist sponsored pre-school. When they got older and went to grade school, they showed interest in a kids group sponsored by a Baptist church, and I supported them. When both of my girls expressed interest in going to a version of the church I grew up in a couple of times, I let them go. I wanted a magic bullet -- something to latch on to, but never found it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We are social creatures. We interact; there is wisdom in the group. Without it "social media" wouldn't be so popular today.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wallblog.co.uk/files/2012/05/Sociallandscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://wallblog.co.uk/files/2012/05/Sociallandscape.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My parents were shining examples of church members. They participated and volunteered far above and beyond what they needed to do. Now however, I feel badly for them in their old age, without the support of a group. They never left it, but their church kind of left them. When they were young, they looked after the elderly in our church, making sure they were okay and driving them to church and checking in on them. I liked that about my folks, the way that they went above and beyond. I wish they had that now. I wish they had the love of a congregation too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Having lived in California….. I HAVE SEEN IT ALL. And while I haven't found a congregation, I have dabbled. For a while it was the church of being free to be me, then the church of the PTA, and then the church of The Girl Scouts of America, and there was even a dalliance into the congregation of the local bar.........where lots of other lonely souls go to worship regularly. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a friend who is Buddhist and I have gone to meetings with her. The chanting is soothing and calming and, yes, transcendent.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMmLFk2up3aGBRG2D0gVoXJTunmX3PKnjUQ-vLn_DVJOJnKydTZqhxO5mozXPwyIP-lGrr21MAQ7c8Ym6_PRmGlkT30sAgUKIbi-FnXPubtci9IuGNGruJ3uuq8giEnYObr0v45nIEGQ/s1600/the-buddha.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMmLFk2up3aGBRG2D0gVoXJTunmX3PKnjUQ-vLn_DVJOJnKydTZqhxO5mozXPwyIP-lGrr21MAQ7c8Ym6_PRmGlkT30sAgUKIbi-FnXPubtci9IuGNGruJ3uuq8giEnYObr0v45nIEGQ/s320/the-buddha.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have friends involved in The Course in Miracles and one who is Daoist. I have friends who are ministers and who have written books on spirituality and the joy that their beliefs have brought them. One of my friends said to me recently, "Leslie, I would really like to see you involved in some sort of practice, something that you believe in and can commit to. I think it would bring you the peace to fill that empty spot in you that causes such anxiety." I appreciated her kind and insightful observation. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I kind of envy those people who boast about HOW AWESOME their God is. I wish I could have summa that! And yet, there is still the hesitation. I know that I don’t want to be atheist because they seem so ANGRY all of the time! And sarcastic! And furious with anyone who could be SO DUMB! I also am too curious and passionate to be agnostic. Am I, like Woody Allen, destined to always be questioning the meaning of life? Is that why he married his step daughter?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know that I am not alone in this state of uncertainty and angst. Then there are the scriptures that live in my head, branded forever in my gray matter:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Trust in the Lord, wait patiently for him, and he shall give thee thy hearts desires.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the hearts of men, the things that God has prepared for them that love him.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Ask, and ye shall receive.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“…..if God so clothes the grass of the field, shall he not much more clothe you, oh ye of little faith?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">These and others float around my head constantly – “I got a million of ‘em”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">All of this has been MUCH on my mind of late. The last four years have been the HARDEST, most relentlessly financially desperate years of my life. Starving for your art AIN’T all it is cracked up to be!! I have this cartoon that lives in my head of me as an old woman among a pile of amazing designer knit wear that no one has ever seen! There is so much advice and so many meme's:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Take it to God, turn it over to him”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Be positive and grateful and you will attract positive energy towards you.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Work smarter -- not harder.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Turn it over to the universe, chant about it, the universe wants you to succeed.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Keep Calm and Carry On”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The words swirl around like a tornado in my brain!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://rebeccapeel.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/keep-calm-poster-low_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://rebeccapeel.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/keep-calm-poster-low_large.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other night I woke up in such a state of confusion. I had left the ION channel on (one of the only 3 channels that I get without cable – the other being ION Life and Qubo – whatever that is). When they aren’t playing murder-y/detective/police shows or featuring the CUTLERY shopping network, they have preachers on!! I woke up to a man shouting –<b><i> "GOD DOES NOT WANT YOU TO BE IN DEBT!!"</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whoa – that got my attention. He went on to say that God doesn’t want us to be without and live in run down conditions – he wants us to prosper and do well. I was taken aback and admittedly a bit dazed. For a minute, I kind of thought it was a message for me – so I listened more intently. He said that God wants us to reflect his love and live in the kind of houses that strangers want to stop and take pictures of – and maybe be a little envious of. Then he got me when he said...............</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“BECAUSE, YOU KNOW.......... </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">YOU’RE NOBODY ‘TIL SOMEBODY HATES YOU!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>AAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! </u></b> I wanted to throw the nearest rotten tomato at the TV. If that was my message from that preacher -- I want no part of his idea of God.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, here I am tonight, back in my chair with all my angst and questions, and my bowl of popcorn, watching the movie of life. Feel free to chime in if you want.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/590/draft_lens2372454module13415858photo_1231725017popcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/590/draft_lens2372454module13415858photo_1231725017popcorn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</div>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-75756100560864155342012-05-17T01:52:00.002-07:002012-05-17T07:11:25.241-07:00ITALIAN Daydreams<span style="font-size: large;">One thing that I learned this year is that I absolutely HAVE to travel to Italy! I have been fortunate enough to travel to some of Europe, but never to Italy. To quench my desire to visit there, I have been having my own Italian Film Festival -- I started with, of course, Under the Tuscan Sun. Italy is as big a co-star of that movie as anyone. The country should have been nominated for a best supporting actor award as it gave the most seductive performance!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8e/Under_the_tuscan_sun_poster.jpg/220px-Under_the_tuscan_sun_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8e/Under_the_tuscan_sun_poster.jpg/220px-Under_the_tuscan_sun_poster.jpg" width="215" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/60869032433734340_bsSW8SAc_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/60869032433734340_bsSW8SAc_b.jpg" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I found the movie "Pane e tulipani" - a movie in Italian with subtitles about a </span><span style="font-size: large;">beleaguered</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Italian woman who restarts her life in Venice.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/151574343678924415_iMA0bfOE_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/151574343678924415_iMA0bfOE_b.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/29836416251475948_0VWao4Jh_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/29836416251475948_0VWao4Jh_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Next, for a change of pace I watched "Three Coins in the Fountain" -which is a charming 60's era movie/travel log for Italy, the Trevi Fountain and all things Italian. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/272327108687046270_Fof09UIS_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/272327108687046270_Fof09UIS_b.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/151574343678924388_uFrhN0sv_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/151574343678924388_uFrhN0sv_b.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Tonight I had a knitting project to finish and was looking for a movie to play in the background and found "The Good Woman" filmed entirely in Amalfi, Italy. That alone was enough to convince me to watch it! I liked the movie, but I LOVED the setting and the villas were amazing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/A_Good_Woman_film.jpg/220px-A_Good_Woman_film.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/A_Good_Woman_film.jpg/220px-A_Good_Woman_film.jpg" width="217" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/97460779406104591_kt7lqCkd_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/97460779406104591_kt7lqCkd_b.jpg" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/215609900880139464_hJ93E64c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/215609900880139464_hJ93E64c_b.jpg" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/6544361928822793_4qB7z2as_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/6544361928822793_4qB7z2as_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Now I am watching a made for TV movie called "A Secret Affair". It is a pretty cheese-y romance novel/movie, but it begins and ends in Venice and that is good enough for me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/101542166568737696_KMOYKxLk_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/101542166568737696_KMOYKxLk_b.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/285697170080896999_nNRH99lM_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/285697170080896999_nNRH99lM_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know that I'll ever get to go, but I'll keep my hopes high! In the meantime, l</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">et's hear it for Netflix........and ITALY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/101542166568737554_jTpZQWc3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/101542166568737554_jTpZQWc3_b.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/29484572530093397_SGLjP6WW_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/29484572530093397_SGLjP6WW_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</span></div>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-77954076828043412702012-05-12T13:21:00.001-07:002012-05-12T14:05:37.332-07:00FALLING IN LOVE WITH A MOVIE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever fallen in love with a film? I am thrilled when that happens. I got a gift this morning via Netflix; I fell in love with a movie. I wasn't looking to fall in love, I didn't expect it -- but it happened anyway. I found a small, simple, underrated, under promoted movie that I am <i>falling</i> in love with. I use the term falling because after watching it once I am infatuated with the story, the writing, the acting, the actors, the music, and the subject matter. I am smitten and know that I will watch it again. The movie is "The Answer Man".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://content9.flixster.com/rtmovie/16/41/16415_gal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://content9.flixster.com/rtmovie/16/41/16415_gal.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is one of the most charming movies that I have seen in a long time. It was released </span><span style="font-size: large;">in 2009, and didn't make a blip on my movie radar.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> However, Jeff Daniels is at his best and so is Lauren Graham and the rest of the cast. The story, the way it is directed, the lighting, the cinematography, the music and the characters are wonderful -- not to mention the subject matter of spirituality and cynicism in our world.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://content7.flixster.com/rtmovie/76/7677_gal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://content7.flixster.com/rtmovie/76/7677_gal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kudos to John Hindman for his direction. I can't help but think that Mr. Hindman has been a student of Woody Allen's films. There is a sense of humor to the film, and a sense of angst, and a sense of searching for the answers that nearly all of Allen's films contain. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://content8.flixster.com/rtmovie/10/78/10782_gal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://content8.flixster.com/rtmovie/10/78/10782_gal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last time I felt like this was when I saw the movie "The Holiday". It is another one of my favorite enchanting movies -- you know the type, a movie that seems like visiting with a friend when you watch it. These movies make you feel safe and happy after seeing them. Here is a list of my Top Five:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. <b><u>The Holiday</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/60/Theholidayposter.jpg/220px-Theholidayposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/60/Theholidayposter.jpg/220px-Theholidayposter.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">2.<b><u>Hannah and Her Sisters</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/af/Hannah_and_her_sisters.jpg/220px-Hannah_and_her_sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/af/Hannah_and_her_sisters.jpg/220px-Hannah_and_her_sisters.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. <b><u>Alice</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e4/Alice_movie_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e4/Alice_movie_poster.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. <b><u>Singing in The Rain</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/282389839104471395_2dIhxUTd_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/282389839104471395_2dIhxUTd_f.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. <b><u>Sleepless in Seattle</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/129408189262608273_8R8JV0mS_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/129408189262608273_8R8JV0mS_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoy good cinema of most types, but when I want the reassuring comfort of a movie that wraps its arms around me and gives me a hug, these are some of my favorites. And, if you have Netflix, check out<b><i><u> The Answer Man</u></i></b> -- my new favorite. I would enjoy hearing from you if you watch this movie -- let me know what you think, and let me know if you have any films that give you the "warm fuzzies". </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-16214274295569822892012-05-01T18:51:00.000-07:002012-05-01T18:51:53.575-07:00Flower of the Day<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>HAPPY MAY DAY -- May 1, 2012</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was going to do a flower of the day, because tomorrow is always a new day and I have a wonderful collection of pictures of flowers. But somehow life, school plays, "The Prom" and work took priority to my blogging. Today is the first day of May, and we had nice surprise rain here in sunny CA. Any time we get rain after March here, it is like a special little gift from Mother Nature. I think since today is a special day, I will post pictures of two different flowers!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The first photo is of a foxglove:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/81979655686920864_nilS5SWx_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/81979655686920864_nilS5SWx_f.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h3 class="r" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a class="l" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CFQQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FDigitalis_purpurea&ei=po-gT_25D6WgiALC-bzCAg&usg=AFQjCNHvs-rMImDqT0ig_z_lNB4h3lis2g" style="color: #1122cc; cursor: pointer;">Digitalis purpurea</a></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Did you know that: </span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The term </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">digitalis</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> is also used for </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Drug">drug</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> preparations that contain </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_glycoside" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Cardiac glycoside">cardiac glycosides</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, particularly one called </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digoxin" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Digoxin">digoxin</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, that are extracted from various plants of this genus.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/16044142392343567_8c97Fizb_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/16044142392343567_8c97Fizb_f.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>Dahlia</b></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> is a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Genus">genus</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> of bushy, </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuberous_root" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Tuberous root">tuberous</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbaceous" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Herbaceous">herbaceous</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_plant" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Perennial plant">perennial plants</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> native to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Mexico">Mexico</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_America" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Central America">Central America</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, and <u>C</u></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" title="Colombia">olombia</a> </div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope that you enjoyed these lovely photos. Remember to click on the photos to get the best view. Enjoy!</span><br />
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</span>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-71585101126921436672012-04-28T11:54:00.002-07:002012-05-01T14:13:15.815-07:00Barbra Streisand and Me<span style="font-size: large;">One reason that I want to a blog is because I have so many interests, from chickens, couture dressmaking, and cooking to one of my earliest loves.......music. It provides the soundtrack to our lives. Recently I had a friend post a song on Facebook -- "Love Can Make You Happy" by Mercy. The song had been off my radar for years. I hadn't thought of it or heard it until the post, but as soon as I did, I could remember every word. The words were written in my memory. It was like time travelling to the era that the song was popular, a different time in my life. Nostalgia swept over me like a wave, bringing old memories to the surface and I smiled and reminisced. It was nice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last Tuesday was Barbra Striesand's 70th birthday! WHAT? Wait a minute, I'm not ready for that......because she is only 11 years older than I am......and that means I'm not 35 any more. A local television station ran her movies back to back. I was working on a sewing project for a client and had them on in the background. They were good company and reminded me of a different time in my life and in history. I also remember when she first made a crease in my gray matter, it was in 1963. I was ten and she was 21 and co hosting The Mike Douglas Show. From the first time that I heard and saw her, I was riveted. She was funny, frantic, bold and had her very own style vocally and with her clothes and makeup. She was quirky, young and modern, while being serious and traditional.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clubfemina.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Barbra-Streisand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://www.clubfemina.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Barbra-Streisand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was immediately intrigued by her energy and her confidence. You could see the beginnings of a star even then. I was a party of one in my house, however when it came to La Streisand.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I grew up in a very musical household. My family sang with gusto! </span><span style="font-size: large;">My Grandfather on my Dad's side had a big booming bass voice and sang in the East Glenville Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. He also sang bass in a local Barbershop Quartet. My Mom's Dad was once a professional fiddle player. That's "fiddle" not violin. He was a travelling musician that played in a small band that traveled around Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio playing at church dances, socials, barn dances and weddings. That's how he met my Grandma. His band was playing in Uniontown, PA, where my Grandma's family ran a small inn. The band was staying at their inn and he had an eye for my Grandma (she was 16 and he was 21), who thought he was cute but too old. He waited five years until she was 21 until he came back. By then she had learned to "chord" on the piano and they made music together! I loved hearing my Grandma play hymns. It was normal for us to gather around the piano and sing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My parents knew each other from Church and singing in the church choir. My Mom was in "Rainbow Girls" and my Dad in "DeMolay" too, they both had vocal groups and my folks sang in those groups too, plus my Dad sang in school plays. They got to know each other through singing together. My Mom, in the meantime, had also taught herself to play the piano. Music was in my childhood and always in my home. My Dad eventually became the choir director of our local church choir and my Mom was the church accompanist. You know you are from a musical family when your parents are having an argument over the time signature of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and solve it by hauling out the old metronome!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When they were dating in the late 40's, it was to the music of The Big Band era. They were great dancers and known for bursting into dance routines in the kitchen. My Mom used to say, "We're really not that good, we just make our mistakes at the same times." I felt honored when I was good enough to jitterbug with my Dad. The panorama of music that played in my house was everything from sacred music, to opera, to swing and standards. And to my Mom's lullabies. She sang them every night to us before we fell asleep when we were little. They included: <u><i>Somewhere Over The Rainbow, True Love, Over in Kirlarney, Playmate, I Love You a Bushel and a Peck, The Umbrella Song</i></u> and more. I sang them to my kids and my two grand kids too. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My musical tastes began to differ with Barbra Streisand. I was smitten with all things Barbra and became a lifelong fan, no matter the occasional teasing or mocking for my devotion. My ex used to love to tease me about Yentl -- and notice the use of EX! I have seen every one of her movies, who can forget her and Hubble in "The Way We Were"? I played the soundtrack to "A Star is Born" until I not only knew every lyric, but also every vocal nuance. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So here we are today. She just turned seventy and I will soon be fifty nine. Her music, her voice, her acting, directing, writing, style and design are part of the fabric of my life. I would like to say, "thank you very much Ms. Streisand, and Happy Birthday!" </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">As an additional treat, I am posting these recordings of Ms Streisand that were made at the Bon Soir Night Club in 1962, when she was 20. They are EXTRAORDINARY! They feature her in all of her young exuberance, humor, quirkiness and amazing vocal skills. Her diction, enunciation and phrasing is shocking for one so young. I am over joyed to have found them. Take the time to listen and let her be a part of the fiber of your life. And remember--these were recorded LIVE, fifty years ago in a night club on TAPE!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nl4sEETyIUA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Part One of Five<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/w5smW7Ucv3U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Part Two of Five<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AIoQnAvt03I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Part Three of Five<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FEGqiOSm-aE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part Four of Five</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part Five of Five</div>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-89581004938187039802012-04-24T17:17:00.001-07:002012-04-24T17:26:58.350-07:00Too BIG FOR THEIR BRITCHES!<span style="font-size: large;">This is the third in my series about all things chicken-y, especially roosters. As I mentioned, I have owned four roosters. Unlike the hens they didn't live out their days at my place, and they all went to that great hen house in the sky before their time. </span><span style="font-size: large;">One of the reasons that roosters crow is to announce their presence, and to announce their dominion over their territory and their hens.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/139470919679736993_xGC4BSk4_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/139470919679736993_xGC4BSk4_f.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Something I've learned from the school of life, is that no matter what, DON'T mess with a man's ego or as the<i> kids</i> call it now, their "swagger" or "swag". Most of us have it in one way or another, that ego, that sense of self confidence. It seems to me that it is more important to men that they have a strong, healthy ego. There is nothing more attractive than confidence in a man. It is sexy, plain and simple. Try to imagine John Wayne, Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, or Robert Pattinson without their swagger. Imagine them brow beaten and emasculated -- like a certain reality show husband with a lot of kids was a few years ago. It is a sad, sad thing. You may wonder why I am talking about this!? </span><span style="font-size: large;">I bring it up because there is no other animal that I have dealt with that has as much SWAG and EGO <u>as the rooster</u>. The way they strut, and fluff their feathers and are always hyper vigilant is certain, consistent, comical and kinda lovable too. There is a reason the word COCKY is what it is. If you look up the definition of the word, it is: "</span><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">excessively proud of oneself: </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/overconfident" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">overconfident</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/arrogant" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">arrogant</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/brash" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">brash</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/swaggering" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">swaggering</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/conceited" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">conceited</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/egotistical" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">egotistical</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cocksure" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">cocksure</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/swollen-headed" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">swollen-headed</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/vain" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">vain</a></b><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>, full of ones self</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">" </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Those are the perfect words to describe roosters. You can easily add in ornery and sneaky too!</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3zzICwEql5-Jpb3i94adPpGM9pmdN7tBqb9S8DHq5136LYxfoJGYzFcUZhGpdmmoe3jQZvJcekxIjK9JVGAwPVpT5Ah-hiEKHg-nNXj_9CLTqGFVr3EtCPaoS-VUqOP6NEyyINz9FNo6/s1600/rooster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3zzICwEql5-Jpb3i94adPpGM9pmdN7tBqb9S8DHq5136LYxfoJGYzFcUZhGpdmmoe3jQZvJcekxIjK9JVGAwPVpT5Ah-hiEKHg-nNXj_9CLTqGFVr3EtCPaoS-VUqOP6NEyyINz9FNo6/s320/rooster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's face it though, if you looked this good, you might be more than a little proud of yourself! And prideful they are. Our first rooster, Elvis was a big mixed breed. He was very tall, his head came up to my knee. We had raised him from a peep, but once he "got down" with his bad self......no more Mr. Nice Guy. Every time I, or my eldest daughter went in to feed them or gather eggs he started squawkin' and stalkin'! You have to take them seriously because they have spurs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPawJHhVS8UXDqJraAuEyeiqy9ZhVSjKjZ8w1M_hx4fZYFKqg0qMGRxmGRSzrJUrfbYDIM3B_ynInc4qdGkkmUIa2jkfgmGkhriI2sBhrpDEfDPvYXGJWTN3-HzA_ZtbSuczoD3vp9paE/s1600/spurs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPawJHhVS8UXDqJraAuEyeiqy9ZhVSjKjZ8w1M_hx4fZYFKqg0qMGRxmGRSzrJUrfbYDIM3B_ynInc4qdGkkmUIa2jkfgmGkhriI2sBhrpDEfDPvYXGJWTN3-HzA_ZtbSuczoD3vp9paE/s320/spurs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And they know how to use them! You can have them "removed" but then how could they defend the honor of their ladies? With Elvis, we devised our first "rooster stick" It was a a piece of lath about 4 feet long. Of course we never hit him with it, or poked him with it -- even though sorely provoked to do so. We used it to herd him away from us, or the hens towards him, or to herd him into the hen house at night, or when we wanted to spend some quality time with the girls and feed them meal worms -- which they LOVED. I only took my eye off him once, and DAD-GUM it -- he got me. It was the day before Thanksgiving and I was distracted and in a hurry. I didn't get my rooster stick and he spurred me right in the knee! He left a hole and it hurt! So if you see a rooster that looks like this, take heed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://madmikesamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/roostertwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://madmikesamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/roostertwo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">You may wonder about my roosters early demises. Elvis was beautiful and he took care of the chicken yard and we developed an uneasy detente over the years. As he got older, I noticed that he developed the habit of flying to the top of the fence around his yard in order to taunt my cocker spaniels. It was insane! There were four of them and one of him, but that didn't phase him. He would glare at them and crow as loud as he could. They would go bonkers and bark and it only made him prouder of himself. I should have known that it was a suicide mission between Elvis the Kamikaze rooster and the dogs -- but I was a novice. One day while I was washing eggs in the kitchen the dogs started barking and he started crowing. I looked out the kitchen window and shushed them, even telling old Elvis to scat. Then it happened as if in slow motion. He flew into the patio to attack the dogs!! I ran to come to his aid, and he tried to get me again!! I got the dogs off of him and dumped him into the chicken yard, but alas the damage was done. He was alive, but his comb and wattle were injured. We cleaned him up and put him in a large dog crate with straw, water and food. The next morning I was awakened by the silence. He was still alive, but had lost his ability to crow and strut. He sat there like a rooster with no mojo, a mere shadow of the once majestic bird named Elvis. He lived one more day, and then died. I don't know what was injured more -- his physical self or his ego, but he taught me a lot. About nature, and roosters, ego and about myself. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Next time I write about chickens, I will write about eggs, feed and whether you should let your small children around a rooster. And as a teaser to that, look at this picture and start to form your own opinion!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/7277_barred_pullets_026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/7277_barred_pullets_026.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This Buff Orpington Rooster is about the size of our Elvis!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until then......oodles of toodles!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></div><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-37368699173462652892012-04-23T18:07:00.000-07:002012-04-23T18:07:02.270-07:00Flower of the Day - A Rose After the Rain<span style="font-size: large;">I was caught off guard today by rain. I knew there was a storm coming in later this week, but the worst predicted for today was a 10% chance of rain and "partly cloudy." About 3am, I heard my 14 year old cat, Rocky, meowing to come in. When I let him in he was damp-ish and I could hear the rain falling gently outside. It has rained lightly and misted all day. I love this weather......especially as it is a treat here in California. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I thought of a picture in my flower collection that will work perfectly for today. It is another rose, the Rosomane Janon. It is quite a hoity toity rose and even has its own web page! It was created by two gentlemen, one from France -- Dominique Massad and one from New Zealand -- Jocelen Janon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.rosarosam-event.info/">http://www.rosarosam-event.info/</a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They developed this rose and this is how they describe it:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>'Rosomane Janon' is a rose with an average height, not taller than 1 meter, with a green matt foliage and is very resistant to diseases.It bears perfumed flowers with a cupped form, reminiscent of some Bourbon roses, which repeats through the season.The colour is a light yellow infused with green 'Chartreuse', tinting itself with a pink colour which becomes darker as the flower opens.</b></i></span><br />
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</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy and until tomorrow, I will say "Bon soir."</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-87112656167777866462012-04-22T18:51:00.000-07:002012-04-22T18:51:30.654-07:00A Flower A Day...........from me to you.<span style="font-size: large;">I have always said that a lifetime isn't long enough to travel to all the places that I would like to travel, own the many different breeds of dogs that I would like to own, or to grow as many beautiful flowers as I would enjoy growing. With this amazing tool, the internet, we have the opportunity to SEE many amazing and beautiful things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been collecting what I think are exceptionally beautiful pictures of flowers. So what better thing than to share one a day with you! We all could use a little blast of beauty in our lives.....so take a minute to stop, and at least LOOK at the roses, or whatever flower I feature every day. ENJOY!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/286330488779128671_ybKVzEnI_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/286330488779128671_ybKVzEnI_f.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Passion Pink Rose</div>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-68579026271857805032012-04-22T11:19:00.003-07:002012-04-22T16:55:20.059-07:00COCKA-DOODLE-DOOOOOOOO<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That means "Good morning" in rooster. I have owned four roosters in my lifetime, they were: Elvis, Banty, Turkey Lurkey, and Big Red. I never planned to own any of them. They were all in my chicken yard a result of mistaken <i>chicken sexing</i>. Meaning I bought, or ordered peeps that were "guaranteed" to be all females. To be fair, it is a difficult, tedious job and I am sure that there are a few that are misdiagnosed in that process. And that is why, all four times it happened, I became the unwitting owner of a rooster. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/108367934753392182_8c6CDJkS_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/108367934753392182_8c6CDJkS_f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You may now say, "But I only want hens and don't want the aggravation of a noisy rooster." And I will say, "Don't own chickens!" Raising animals of any kind is not a convenience, it is a lot of work that takes dedication and Mick said it best in the line "</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/50032245829815662_OqqYkaVD_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/50032245829815662_OqqYkaVD_f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I say this because owning a rooster teaches you a lot about relationships, and about yourself. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You may wonder how you will know if you have unwittingly become the owner of a rooster. It will happen when the "peeps" get to be between 3 1/2 and 5 months of age. It is chicken puberty and when their voices really change from that cute little peep-peep, to more chicken-y vocalizations like clucking and crowing. One day you may wake up to odd noises that sound a bit like a quiet, "a-hem" -- like a little chicken clearing its throat. You might even hear it during the day. The chicks will all be "feathered out" at this point and starting to look a little gawky. If this sounds familiar, it should because i</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">t is the chicken equivalent of humans being 11 - 13, or the canine "puppy uglies" (to be discussed at a later date). The chicks are beginning to "find themselves". In the days to follow, the roosters will continue to make many strange sounds, that range from coughing to strangulation. This is normal. Think of them as rooster vocal exercises, because they are warming up for the performance of a lifetime -- that will last a lifetime.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/97531148149752781_XYfbA0fK_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/97531148149752781_XYfbA0fK_f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By the time they are six months old, the young roosters will fully have their crow on! Much to the chagrin of you and your neighbors if you/they aren't ready for it. Once I realized that I owned a rooster, I went to my neighbors and asked if they minded. They all said no -- as long as they could eventually get some free eggs. The neighbor closest to my chicken yard grew up in an area where chickens ran free in their yard. He said he found their noises comforting. Another was from an area of Hawaii where chickens are everywhere, so she was "down" with it too. So I was on my way to learning about being not only a chicken owner, but a rooster owner too. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now for the more technical -- but still interesting information about rooster crowing and chicken communication:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.315777754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.315777754.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.4em;">Most birds sing in some form or another, and crowing is the 'singing' of the rooster. Roosters crow for many reasons including: reacting to a disturbance, reacting to almost any kind of sound (cars, people, other roosters, other animals, etc.), guarding their territory, feeling threatened, if a predator is 'trespassing' on their territory, or just communicating with other chickens. R</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4em;">oosters and chickens are usually most active in the morning, that is when people notice more crowing. But they can and often do crow 24 hours a day. R</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4em;">oosters crow at daylight because the change from dark to light encourages crowing. If roosters are kept in a coop that is dark and you turn on a light inside, they will crow when their environment is changed by the light coming on. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.4em;">Often nightlights, floodlights, or other artificial lighting will throw off the animals natural rhythm, and he will crow when it is not daylight/dawn yet (keep this in might if you have motion sensors on your lights). Light also affects hens, they don't lay eggs at night. Dawn and the crowing of the rooster activates that response. Sadly a tactic used by </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">commercial poultry farms is to brightly light the hen houses to get the hens to lay more eggs, it stresses them to produce more eggs.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/233835405622468894_TR5g4t1N_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/233835405622468894_TR5g4t1N_f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost all animals have daily cycles of activity known as “circadian rhythms.” A rooster crows because he has an internal clock that helps him anticipate sunrise. That way he knows when to begin his daily hunt for food and defense of his territory. I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">f one rooster in the neighbor has an internal clock that’s set a little early, he can stimulate other roosters to crow early too. The rooster’s sunrise song is a way of establishing his territory. When a rooster crows, he’s sending a signal to other roosters that if they trespass, they’re asking for a fight. A rooster will often crow from a vantage point above his territory so he can make others more aware of his presence and so that his songs travel farther. That's why the rooster is so often portrayed in art and cartoons as being perched on the top of a barn a coop or a fence post.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache2.artprintimages.com/LRG/49/4929/5OR9G00Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache2.artprintimages.com/LRG/49/4929/5OR9G00Z.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This has been only an introduction to the vast amount of poultry trivia that exists in my brain. So as not to overwhelm, I will stop now. I hope you find this informative and educational. Next time I will discuss Rooster Ego, being "too big for their britches" and egg laying. See you then!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com2Altadena, CA, USA34.1897274 -118.131181934.1635069 -118.1725179 34.2159479 -118.0898459tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-48992626788388049892012-04-20T18:12:00.000-07:002012-04-20T18:12:50.800-07:00My Favorite GENIUS Ideas of This Week<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever noticed how some people don't see things as trash but something to be re-purposed? My Dad was that way, he would reuse discards and make the most clever things. I haven't come up with the dozens of ideas that he did, but I can definitely do it with clothing and jewelry. Here are some ideas that I saw this week that are my favorites.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Now isn't this smart? How many times have you needed a chip clip? How many times have you tossed one of these hangers in the trash? Here is the perfect solution! Cut the clips off of the plastic pant or skirt hanger, and you have chip clips!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/104286547591154344_lYzXETbl_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/104286547591154344_lYzXETbl_f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. This looks like your average four poster bed, doesn't it? Oh no, it is a DINING TABLE turned upside down, put onto short wooden legs, with finials added to the bottoms of the table legs, and repainted. Et voila --a four poster bed. This table was of a smallish size and fits a toddler or a large dog. Find a larger table (maybe one with a leaf) and it could be a larger bed. If I were going to use the leaf idea, I think that I would first glue the leaf into place with wood glue. Then I would purchase 2 1"x4" boards, at least 3" shorter on each end than the length of each side of the former table top. Then glue and screw the boards onto the length of the table. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> This should stabilize the leaf section to the table, making a stronger bed base. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> Then I would attach the new feet. Can you imagine it painted white with a frilly canopy for a young girl? My younger daughter would have been in heaven! CLEVER!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/109704940893073478_BtZk7Vfq_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache3.pinterest.com/upload/109704940893073478_BtZk7Vfq_f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">3.Hose Holder! It is a former tree branch nailed onto a fence and used as a hose holder! SMARTY PANTS.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/17451517275906265_eSaJpFnb_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/17451517275906265_eSaJpFnb_f.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">4.Punch holes into cupcake holders, insert straws and use to keep bugs out of drinks at a back yard picnic or BBQ. I didn't think of it, but I know a good idea when I see it. This would be especially good in those areas where there are yellow jackets and those other pesky flying varmints.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/81275968245258171_SqXyHOvv_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/81275968245258171_SqXyHOvv_f.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Last, but definitely not least of this weeks favorite ideas. Have you ever needed to fill a bucket, and only had a shallow sink? Here is an excellent solution -- faucet, dustpan = bucket filled!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will never cease to be amazed at the ingenuity of the human brain, and people's abilities to problem solve. I will try to do this every Friday, maybe I'll call them <i style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Clever Friday Fixes.</i> I would love to hear your comments and/or questions too, so leave them in the "comment" section and I will get back to you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><i><br />
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</span></div>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-84639372537121864002012-04-20T08:02:00.001-07:002012-04-20T08:02:53.530-07:00Glenbrook Farm's Herbs and Such<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Glenbrook-Farms-Herbs-and-Such/120281801387594"> Glenbrook Farm's Herbs and Such</a>: <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today I learned about Glenbrook Farm's Herbs and Such, located in Campbellsville, Ky.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554442_268699459879160_120281801387594_632931_1570309492_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554442_268699459879160_120281801387594_632931_1570309492_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">They are purveyors of spices, herbs, teas, salts, seeds and tinctures (I love that word). If you go to their site, they have a section called "Herb Facts" where it states:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="color: #660066; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">"Using herbs to promote health and well-being is not new. Every culture since time has used herbs and flowers for healing. For thousands of years plants have healed and continue to do so today.We have gathered together information on the medicinal properties and the various use of herbs. This encyclopedia is intended to inform and not suggested treatment.We will be adding more content every week, so please check back" </span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="color: #660066; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223282_120284428053998_120281801387594_177630_2238531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223282_120284428053998_120281801387594_177630_2238531_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> Our paprika with a 160 color rating , the highest you can get.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="color: #660066; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I noticed that they also sell the seeds from the Charentais Melon, the one that Cindy Crawford uses in her Ageless Beauty line. Hmmm...maybe I will turn my front yard into a melon patch, grow the Charentais melons, eat them, and rub them all over my body to reverse the damage done!!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.glenbrookfarm.com/store/seed7.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.glenbrookfarm.com/store/seed7.5.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I will order product today from them and keep you posted!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-70804582934336403372012-04-19T21:55:00.000-07:002012-04-19T21:55:32.536-07:00Fun for the whole family!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/109493834660642706_sBg2pgcn_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/109493834660642706_sBg2pgcn_f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Look at this giant family flotation device! It easily seats 7 people. I was thinking that it would either be completely fun or completely NOT depending on the age/mood/sobriety of the people on it! There certainly was a LOT of chatter about it on the internet and apparently the place to get it is at Costco. One person posted that they have had some really good heart to heart family chats on it. I guess there are some that have ice chests in them too. Anyway.......pretty cool, don't you think?</span><br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933447610049921294.post-11434007291167489812012-04-19T16:00:00.004-07:002012-04-24T17:28:28.269-07:00Welcome to LESLIEpedia! Chickens 101<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is exciting! I have a friend who calls me whenever she needs information about a variety of subjects from animals to cooking to gardening. I asked her one day why she didn't use the internet and she said, "Who needs it? I have LesliePedia!" </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So that is how the name of this blog came about. You see, my brain is awash with thousands of bits of information.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I suppose that I have always been this way, interested and curious. Not just in one or two subjects either. I find so many things fascinating. I can't imagine being bored, as there is always so much to do, or learn. I am an idea person. I was in business management and marketing for many years. Now I have a design studio, LA General Store Design Studio. I get to let my creative brain roam free! I love it when a customer comes in with a new challenge, whether it be for an elaborate costume or a wedding dress. My creative juices start flowing, and I never even wonder IF I will be able to create it. I just start thinking about HOW I am going to do it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One day, after a customer placed a very intricate order at my studio, my assistant said, "How are you going to make that?" I looked at him and smiled and said -- "I don't have the FAINTEST idea, and that is half of the fun right there!" With the huge amount of information on the internet these days, you can find out nearly anything. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will admit, however, that it can get overwhelming. Trying to find out <i>where</i> information is can be quite daunting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is why I am starting this blog. I find SO MANY things so very interesting that I have plenty to share with you in a manner that won't (hopefully) overwhelm you. I will post a couple of things a day, or every couple of days, and sooner or later you will find a subject or two that might interest you too. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also welcome questions. What good is a Lesliepedia, if you can't ask questions?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So today, let's talk about chickens!! Have you ever owned a chicken? I have owned many and LOVED it! At one time I had a bit of a farm-let where I live in the unincorporated County of Los Angeles. I was doing the whole "backyard chicken" thing long before it was trendy. I only raised my hens for eggs, and couldn't have raised them for food! They were my pets and I kept every one of 'em until they passed. "Frenchie" was my favorite and the last to go at 12 years+. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/151574343678955201_iqhUjexQ_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache8.pinterest.com/upload/151574343678955201_iqhUjexQ_f.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #211922; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b><u>Hen Fact for Today:</u></b> A hen lives an average of 5-7 years, but can live up to 20 years. She'll lay eggs her entire life, with production decreasing every year from year one. This hen is a Buff Orpington. Once my hens got to be 7 years old, they would only lay eggs in the spring....once they were over 10, they pretty much stopped......kinda like ME!! HA HA. My oldest was a Araucana, who lived to 14. I only raised them for eggs.....the idea of eating one of my lovely ladies -- horrors!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/151574343678955144_rJKdvk5o_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/151574343678955144_rJKdvk5o_f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #211922; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The chickens above are Rhode Island Reds. Did you know In their natural environment chickens are fastidiously clean and preen their feathers everyday? These Reds are a solid size, beautiful with beautiful plumage. They don't compete with the Silky Chickens that are featured below however! These chickens are showstoppers and bred more for their looks than anything else, but they are chickens and do lay eggs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/129830401727323624_cMitWUgL_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache1.pinterest.com/upload/129830401727323624_cMitWUgL_f.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #211922; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could go on and on about chickens and chicken trivia, but I hope not to overwhelm with too much information at one time. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next time -- I'll blog about Roosters and the latest in modern chicken coops. The day after that? Maybe gourmet cooking, or couture clothing design, or socializing puppies!!</span><br />
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</span>Leslie Jeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811184437194264680noreply@blogger.com0Los Angeles, CA, USA34.0522342 -118.243684933.735427200000004 -118.50012840000001 34.3690412 -117.9872414