Home

I‘m redecorating. Or rather, Google is making me update my configuration. Ok, so they’re not making me, but they taunted me with an update and really, what could I do? I clicked. And now I’m starting over with the template thing again.

So… I’m taking this time to decide if I wanna switch to TypePad or WordPress or some other way of yapping at people.

TypePad costs. WordPress would be a free install on server space I already have. But I’d be stuck with either getting a new account or using the domain name I have registered and already use for other purposes.

Blogspot/Blogger/Google… whatever they are called, is free, but man, being on this site jacks up my Firefox CPU usage like crazy and then my mouse and system run realllllly slow. Why is that? Hmm. Anyway, pondering the move while I figure out my new template design, and pore through the CSS for a few more hours to figure out where to add the new header graphic code.

Advise? Thoughts?

Oh, and how come my updated blogs notifications don’t work anymore? Hmpfh!

Edited: Here’s why: Blogrolling.com is, well, having growing (or lack of growth) pains. Urgh. So, I guess I need to look for a new blogrolling feature too. Luckily I have all my links backed up. I really like that feature too, dammit. So, see? I need more ideas. Off I go to search for more blogging tools.

As soon as I figure it all out, I’ll tell you about how I ended up making a more squirrel-friendly feeder today. I’m sure you’re dying to know. LOL! And yay! for seeing the first downy woodpecker of the year this morning!

Technorati tags: blogging tools, blogrolls, blogger help

My neighbor’s mom gifted me with a huge bag of iris bulbs last winter. For once in my life I planted them before they shriveled up.

The first bearded iris blooms appeared this week. I have no idea what they are because I foolishly didn’t keep the little yellow stickies she so carefully labeled each bulb with. There were over thirty varieties. Hey, I planted them. Baby steps!

I did save one sticky note. It said, “this one is beautiful, like my daughter”. Aww. How could I toss that? I’m still waiting for that one to bloom. I know just where it is too.

Technorati tags: gardening, iris

As much as Clay Aiken fans, and Clay himself, take heat for just, well, being, we can pull together to do some pretty amazing things.

On the 8th day of this 10-day campaign to raise $100,000, the funds donated so far have reached $161,798.82.

Perhaps as important, and certainly more longlasting, is the awareness these campaigns bring to all of us about the needs of children around the world. Awareness that hopefully seeps into our daily actions.

From UNICEF:

Tents and hand pumps are two key products UNICEF provides in Afghanistan. We wanted to give you an inside look at how your donations can be put to work helping children in Afghanistan.

• Large tents are used for temporary classrooms and community programs. Each tent costs $700.

• Hand pumps bring clean water to families in Afghanistan. My colleagues in the field in Afghanistan tell us that only 23% of people living in Afghanistan have access to clean water. The Mark II hand pumps UNICEF is providing in Afghanistan, like the one in the picture above, cost about $206.29 each.

For more information about the needs of children in Afghanistan and how these funds will be put to use providing clean water and education supplies, visit UNICEF Fieldnotes.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, UNICEF, Afghanistan

These beautiful people, victims this week at Virginia Tech, are individuals. Individuals with families. Hopes. Dreams. It’s hard to fathom this tragedy when I try to look at it as a whole, but to focus on the individual loss; the impact on each family… it’s really overwhelming. My thoughts are with all of those affected. And that means all of us.

msnbc.msn.com

An online friend reached out to her old college buddy today. He had this to say…

This is really an horrendous thing. Words indeed fail …
But I am fine!
My office is some 50 yards from the crime scene. From my window I
could see stretchers laid on the lawn. It was somehow unreal,
disjointed, unclear, (a word used a lot is surreal) … in spite of
the screaming sirens and tactical police in body armor with BIG guns.
It hit me after I got home early Monday afternoon when the news
reports were more than vague speculation.
I have wept buckets.

These things remind us of our utter frailty and our limit. There is
chaos all around now.
Things have changed.

~ anonymous associate professor at Virginia Tech

Thank you, Christie.

As I try to sort out and process my own feelings about this horrific tragedy, I find myself gravitating towards the stories of bravery and selflessness of the students and faculty of Virginia Tech. I guess I need to reach for light and beauty. It’s my nature. For that, today, I am grateful.

Technorati tags: Virginia Tech

Update on Clay Aiken’s Appeal for Afghanistan.

I am completely blown away that less than two days into this effort, 70% of the requested funds have already been donated. WOW! The sky’s the limit!

Clay Aiken’s Afghanistan Appeal: $100,000 in 10 days!

“I’ve just returned from Afghanistan and see that the need is urgent. Let’s aim high and work together to raise $100,000 in 10 days. Join me in standing with UNICEF to help these kids.”

Aiming even higher…

To donate: Click Here!

To read the fieldnotes, see (really big) new pictures from Clay’s trip, and follow updates from UNICEF: Click Here!

Technorati tags: Afghanistan, UNICEF, Clay Aiken

UNICEF Ambassador, Clay Aiken, visited Afghanistan this week to draw attention to the needs of children in that part of the world.

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken Draws Attention to the Critical Needs of Children in Afghanistan

NEW YORK and KABUL, Afghanistan, April 12

“As a former teacher I recognize that spark of hope and excitement all children possess when given the opportunity to learn,” said Aiken, who spent five days traveling between Kabul and Bamyan in the central region of Afghanistan. “Rebuilding schools, training teachers, providing essential supplies and teaching materials are just some of the advances UNICEF and its partners have made to keep that hope flourishing.”

Last month marked a significant moment in the country’s recent history when more than six million children headed back to school to resume their education. Education in Afghanistan has witnessed a tremendous boost over the past few years.

While in the capital city of Kabul, Aiken, who was appointed a UNICEF Ambassador in 2004, visited schools that have implemented programs meant to ensure all children regardless of gender receive an education. While in Bamyan, Aiken visited a health clinic and women’s literacy center where many women learn how to read and write and experience formal education for the first time. The literacy program is one UNICEF’s priority projects for the empowerment of women in Afghanistan.

Aiken also visited water and sanitation programs as well as a program that reintegrates former child soldiers into mainstream society.

“UNICEF is committed to reach out to all the children in Afghanistan and provide quality education,” said Catherine Mbengue, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan. “While there has been progress, there are still over one million children, particularly girls who are not going to school-we have to do more in order to change that.”

Some of the recent UNICEF supported initiatives for education in the country include:

• distribution of teaching and learning materials to 2.71 million children and 61,780 teachers
• enrollment of 195,878 out-of school children mainly girls who now have access to primary education through community-based schools in 29 provinces
• supporting mobile school protection teams in 34 provinces
• training of 614 teacher trainers as well as 8,110 newly recruited female teachers
• over 48,009 women enrolled in 1,782 adult literacy centers in 17 provinces

To read about what UNICEF is doing in Afghanistan and to see how you can donate to help, visit the UNICEF site here: US Fund for UNICEF

Clay Aiken’s Afghanistan Appeal: $100,000 in 10 days!

“I’ve just returned from Afghanistan and see that the need is urgent. Let’s aim high and work together to raise $100,000 in 10 days. Join me in standing with UNICEF to help these kids.”

For more information about Clay Aiken’s trip to Afghanistan, and to read a transcript of the press briefing held in Kabul, click here: Afghanistan: Press conference - Clay Aiken, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador; Catherine Mbengue, UNICEF Representative for Afghanistan; Aleem Siddique, UNAMA Spokesperson’s Office

For more information about UNICEF’s celebrity ambassadors, click here: US Fund for UNICEF, Celebrity Ambassadors

For more information about humanitarian efforts and news in Afghanistan, click here: IRIN: humanitarian news and analysis, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Technorati tags: Afghanistan, UNICEF, children, Clay Aiken,

Well, I went outside this afternoon to try to take just one decent picture of my wisteria for someone and I ended up out there for three hours trying new settings on my camera. Actually, they are old settings that I’d forgotten how to use. I think I still need more practice. Hee. BUT, even though these photos aren’t perfect as far as photography goes, they intrigued me and so here they are….

Remember that concord grapevine I mentioned in the last blog? The leaves have opened up a bit more and the cool colors, fuzziness, and little grapes are beginning to show.

The concord and green table grape vines were here when I moved in. I’ve since planted some red flame and black seedless on the new (as of last year) pergola, hoping to create a shady spot for summer picnics.

Chasing that elusive clear water droplet photo.

The first one is from brussels sprouts leaves. I wonder if the stalks are ever going to show up?

And this one, while by no means even clear, is kinda cool the way the drops sit on the top of each leaf. One of the things I love about taking close up photos is that I see things in the picture that I never noticed with the naked eye. I had no idea these drops were there.

Or I might have focussed more. Heh!

Yay, my tulip bulbs are finally beginning to bloom. First time ever. Probably because the gophers manage to nibble on every bulb I ever plant so I finally got smart and planted this one in a pot!

Birth! The unfolding of Iceland Poppies.

Yeah, ok, so I just threw this one in here to balance out the bunch! I liked the colors on the lower leaves.

And last, but most certainly not least, the wisteria.

Taken for someone I don’t even know, but who inspires me.

Thank you to olivia at parvum opus.

She, of the beautiful photography blog.

Here’s hoping Spring comes your way soon!

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate!