sandracarringtonsmith's blog

thank you golo!
Good morning everybody! Last night I shared an early Thanksgiving meal with my family, and I thought of all the wonderful people who have crossed my life this past couple of years. As I went through...
Nov. 22 9:04 a.m.

the twelve days of thanksgiving
Good morning everybody!  Since I was busy last night, and didn’t get the chance to write anything new, I thought of posting something really cute that someone sent me last Thanksgiving....
Nov. 20, 2009

colors of the world
When you look at it in a mean way, how mean it is! When you look at it selfishly, how selfish it is! But when you look at it in a broad, generous, friendly spirit, what wonderful people you find...
Nov. 19, 2009

the sad cashier
“Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s when I really need it.” ~ Swedish proverb.  Just a few days ago, I went to a store and waited in line while the cashier...
Nov. 18, 2009

the two wolves
While many of us remained painfully glued to TV screens as Shaniya Davis’s body finally surfaced, the minds of most struggled to wrap around whatever could have possibly motivated her mother to...
Nov. 17, 2009

the sweetest revenge
“The best revenge is massive success.” ~ Frank Sinatra   Throughout the years, I’ve met many people; many of them have survived some kind of abuse. Interestingly enough,...
Nov. 16, 2009

holiday blues
When we think of holidays, the first thing that comes to mind is the time we will spend  with our loved ones, but what happens when our loved ones are no longer there to share the cheer? As happy...
Nov. 15, 2009

choices
“If you are standing upright, don’t worry if your shadow is crooked.” ~ Chinese proverb   The past two weeks I’ve been reading an awesome book, the title of...
Nov. 13, 2009

the dog and the old man (r)
“The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone.”  ~George Elliot  ...
Nov. 12, 2009

two sides to one coin (r)
A few years ago I ran into a book I normally would not have considered reading. It was a biography of sorts, describing the life of a Holy man. What I thought was going to be a very boring read turned...
Nov. 11, 2009

the value of conflict
“The greatest conflicts are not between two people but between one person and himself.” ~ Garth Brooks   Great things can come out of conflict, often starting on a personal...
Nov. 10, 2009

the boy and the duck
“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what’s a life, anyway? We are born, we live a little, we die. A spider’s...
Nov. 9, 2009

an unexpected reminder
“The mere fact that you have obstacles to overcome is in your favor…” ~ Robert Collier   Yesterday, while on my way to pick up my son from a sleepover, I got a flat...
Nov. 8, 2009

carrying the baggage of others
“Some people think it’s holding on that makes one strong- sometimes it is letting go.” ~ Author unknown   Recently, I have had the opportunity to talk to a friend...
Nov. 6, 2009

looking for purpose (r)
We often hear people wondering about their life purpose. Although this is a subject that can be explored on many levels, and be approached differently by varied systems of belief, the underlying question...
Nov. 5, 2009

the bearded dragon
“Boundless love always manages somehow to sparkle through your limited form.” ~ John Welwood     Something very strange happened to me yesterday. I had gone to...
Nov. 4, 2009

one step closer
“It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe     Tidbit...
Nov. 3, 2009

house guests
“Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your promotion.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson   It is amazing how many of us go to great lengths...
Nov. 2, 2009

daily vitamins (r)
Many people dutifully take vitamins every morning, work out and diet when needed, no matter how time consuming and sacrifice-demanding such steps often are.   The society we live in...
Nov. 1, 2009

if we finally open our eyes...
“It's odd that you can get so anesthetized by your own pain or your own problem that you don't quite fully share the hell of someone close to you.” ~ Lady Bird Johnson   According...
Oct. 30, 2009

shedding the colors of illusion
“Events tend to recur in cycles.” ~ W. Clement Stone     I sat on my deck, yesterday afternoon, and watched the pouring of leaves carried by a warm mid-afternoon...
Oct. 29, 2009

fact of sensory illusion? (r)
Have you ever wondered if others see and hear the same things you do? After all, images and sounds are picked up by our senses, and then transferred to our brain for processing.   What if...
Oct. 28, 2009

the roles we play (r)
It’s funny how humans thrive on drama. No matter what issue arises, we look for things to argue about, which will cause a stir. We can observe this flaw in the political arena, in religion, in...
Oct. 27, 2009

the power of the first step
“Take the first step, and your mind will mobilize all its forces to your aid. But the first essential is that you begin. Once the battle is started, all that is within and without you will come...
Oct. 26, 2009

do i truly not want this? - a reflection (r)
In the many years we have known each other, I‘ve always heard my friend Caroline complain of the fact that she lives alone and has no children. Yet, every time she comes to my house for the day...
Oct. 25, 2009

unexpected rewards
“Be ready to be surprised.” ~ Loesje  A long time ago, I read somewhere that one should start the day by asking to witness a small miracle unfold when they go out into the world....
Oct. 23, 2009

a prison of our own
“We are imprisoned in the realm of life, like a sailor on his tiny boat, on an infinite ocean.” ~ Anna Freud     The other day I joined a friend for lunch and...
Oct. 22, 2009

when all seems lost
“Anyone can give up; it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.” ~ Author...
Oct. 21, 2009

when all seems lost
“Anyone can give up; it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.” ~ Author...
Oct. 21, 2009

a public apology
A couple of weeks ago, I posted about a cat repossessed by the rescue he had been adopted from two years ago. According to the family, the cat had only been allowed to go outside on a few occasions,...
Oct. 20, 2009

the value of personal boundaries
After so many years of being married to me, my husband takes some of my eccentricities with a grain of salt. One of the things he has come to accept is that I won’t kill anything – if I...
Oct. 20, 2009

embracing change (r)
We are afraid of change. It's human nature. The fear of change—the fear of the unknown—is so great that we continue to live within the constraints of our own invisible walls.   Force...
Oct. 19, 2009

can one wrong make two rights?
“When a door closes, two windows open.” ~ Author unknown   Yesterday morning I received a phone call from the owner of the cat that was repossessed by the shelter. After...
Oct. 18, 2009

blog for hope: operation beef jerky and car wash update
Good afternoon Golo. :-) Just a little note to thank everyone who showed up to help at the car wash and to all who sent in donations toward the beef jerky drive. We raised $240 at...
Oct. 17, 2009

united beyond the divide
“Synchronicity hints at the unified world behind the illusory veil of the material Universe.” ~ Roger S. Jones   As I was driving home, on Sunday evening, I suddenly thought...
Oct. 16, 2009

boundaries of our freedom (repost)
“Your freedom stops where other people’s freedom starts”. ~Don D. Battaglini   This simple sentence stuck with me like glue since the first time I heard it, back when...
Oct. 15, 2009

never give up
“Whoever said anybody has a right to give up?” - Marian Wright Edelman   Some may remember that several weeks ago I tried to save a nest of wasps – the nest was accidentally...
Oct. 14, 2009

blog for hope: operation beef jerky and car wash
Good afternoon Golo! Golden Lover has come up with a wonderful idea. After his son expressed to him that he would love to have some beef jerky, and that he can't find any in the location where...
Oct. 13, 2009

the tree that was upside down - by s. carrington-smith
“Flowers always sprout from seeds protected by the darkness of the earth.” ~ Author Unknown   Yesterday, a friend sent me a beautiful picture via e-mail. It depicted a person...
Oct. 13, 2009

are you a fire starter or a fire keeper?
If someone could peer at the traffic in my mind when I first awaken, they would be amazed there aren’t any accidents. It’s like ideas start getting in queue when I first fall asleep and...
Oct. 12, 2009

cat update
Hey everybody! Just a little update to the cat story. I heard today that terms are still being negotiated. The shelter felt it was necessary for their veterinarian to examine Shalimar before they...
Oct. 9, 2009

from michael carrington-smith's pen..."an ocean fantasy"
  I just had to share this...:-)   “An Ocean Fantasy” – by Michael Carrington-Smith   It was a perfect day to take a walk. The orange of...
Oct. 5, 2009

turning a negative into a positive
“Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities — always see them, for they're always there.” ~ Norman...
Oct. 2, 2009

what kind of people live in your city? - how past perceptions affect future encounters
An old man sat outside the walls of a great city. When travelers approached, they would ask the old man, "What kind of people live in this city?" The old man would answer, "What kind...
Sep. 30, 2009

discipline: the building block of a functional society (repost)
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.” ~ Jim Rohn   The main goal of discipline is to teach children self-control and remind them that there are natural...
Sep. 29, 2009

if i were a troll...(written by my five-year-old daughter)
When I went to pick up my daughter from school today, the teacher handed me her class work, and one of the papers caught my eye. Since they read a story in which a troll stopped access to a bridge...
Sep. 28, 2009

a tiny clue
“Usually there’s some kind of clue, whether it’s a rhythmic foundation or very abstract – just an emotional kind of landscape – and then you just kind of start someplace.”...
Sep. 28, 2009

waiting for the messenger
“Every burden is a blessing” ~ Walt Kelly   Last Friday, my day started on the wrong foot. Besides being late leaving the house and having to go back twice to retrieve...
Sep. 27, 2009

don't look back
Good morning Golo, Last night I was busy until very late and didn't get the chance to write anything new, so I found a beautiful video that is definitely worth watching:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5__nya2ICJk&feature=related Grab...
Sep. 25, 2009

a dollar a day
“This is the beginning of a New Day. I am given this day to use as I will. I can waste it or grow in its light and be of service to others. But what I do with this day is important because...
Sep. 24, 2009

never again - how the fear of yesterday can kill the opportunities of tomorrow
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” ~ Mohandas K. Gandhi   A few days ago, I met...
Sep. 23, 2009

in plain sight
“We are too busy mopping the floor to turn off the faucet.” ~ Author unknown   Early mornings at my house are easily the craziest moments of each day. With two boys - already...
Sep. 22, 2009

a ready response
“Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out.” ~ Michael Burke   One of my favorite places to hang out at is my friend Pam’s...
Sep. 21, 2009

the value of hardship
“It is not good for all our wishes to be filled; through sickness we recognize the value of health; through evil, the value of good; through hunger, the value of food; through exertion, the value...
Sep. 18, 2009

dmv saga episode iii - the final victory
The "beast" is defeated! After the maddening events of the past week, I finally found someone who would listen. And, this someone happened to be employed by DMV - a miracle indeed. The...
Sep. 17, 2009

patience - the ultimate virtue
Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold, for if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So, in like manner, you must grow...
Sep. 17, 2009

can anyone out there please teach me how to walk on water?
…Maybe then I might have a chance to banish the demon commonly known as DMV.  As some know from a previous rant, about a year ago I had some items taken from my house from someone...
Sep. 16, 2009

the final chance
Many years ago, when I first moved to the States, I met a woman with two young sons who lived in the apartment next to mine. We soon became friends, and when she was home from work we often got together...
Sep. 16, 2009

only a matter of time
“Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.” ~ Abraham Lincoln    Most spiritual scholars agree that time is only a human invention devised to organize our lives...
Sep. 15, 2009

"seeing with the heart" - an approach to living a meaningful life
“The advantage of the emotions is that they lead us astray.” ~ Oscar Wilde   Several months ago, I expressed to a friend my belief that hatred and misunderstandings arise...
Sep. 14, 2009

wishing for others
“I must respect the opinions of others even if I disagree with them.” ~ Herbert Henry Lehman   A few days ago, a friend sent me a note with the following sentence: “I...
Sep. 13, 2009

thanks to everyone who came to the yard sale - it was a success!!!
Good afternoon everybody! I finally got home from the yard sale, tired but quite satisfied. We totaled about $400. I would love to thank all the people who donated items, especially Squirreling...
Sep. 12, 2009

a quarter-worth
“A system is in equilibrium when the forces constituting it are arranged in such a way as to compensate each other, like the two weights pulling at the arms of a pair of scales.” ~ Rudolf...
Sep. 11, 2009

a frustrating nothing
“It can’t be Christmas every day”- I cannot count the times I repeated that one little sentence to myself, yesterday, as I tried to make sense of a very irritating day. The day started...
Sep. 10, 2009

09-09-09: ancient and modern beliefs
“9/9/9 - Cower in its path, only weeks away, no hiding from its wrath. Magic in this number reverts upon itself.” ~ Peter Schlosser (excerpt from his poem “Nine Nine Nine)  ...
Sep. 9, 2009

brushing destinies
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” ~ Mother Teresa   A couple of days ago...
Sep. 8, 2009

all i know is that your name is mickey mouse - a reflection upon virtual relationships
“Life dies inside a person when there are no others willing to be-friend him. He thus gets filled with emptiness and a non-existent sense of self-worth.” ~ Mark R. J. Lavoie  Being...
Sep. 7, 2009

worry away
“Worry is interest paid on a loan we may never receive” ~ Author Unknown   Knowing the type of worry warts my parents are – and realizing that my voice sounded awful...
Sep. 6, 2009

one for the books - how a young man beat the odds and built a new life for himself
"Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done it's always your choice."~ Wayne Dyer     Dwayne Betts grew up in Suitland, Md, a mildly rough suburb...
Sep. 4, 2009

congratulations yacs!!!
Hey everybody! Since Go GT started a nice little trend of compliments today (yes, you did make my day, Go GT), I would like to continue on his footsteps and tell you a little something about Yacs....
Sep. 3, 2009

living one life at a time - a reflection upon allowing others to make their own mistakes
“Letting go doesn't mean we don't care. Letting go doesn't mean we shut down. Letting go means we stop trying to force outcomes and make people behave. It means we give up resistance to the way...
Sep. 3, 2009

the singer with a fat voice
“Assumptions allow the best in life to pass you by.” ~ John Sales   Yesterday morning I was working on one of my sites while my daughter was drawing a picture beside me....
Sep. 2, 2009

individuality as an asset
“A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.” ~ Oscar Wilde   Yesterday afternoon, as I sat with my son to work on some Algebra problems, I scanned through...
Sep. 1, 2009

the snake and the frog - a reflection on purpose and our impact on the lives of others
“Everything happens for a reason. Every action has a reaction. Always remember that what was meant to be will always find a way to come about.” ~ Author unknown   Although...
Aug. 31, 2009

fear stings
“Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here.” ~ Author unknown  My daughter and I have been watching a colony of Polistes wasps – commonly known as ‘Paper...
Aug. 30, 2009

a year ago today
It just occurred to me, as I was writing a check to send off a bill, that today is August 28. I joined Golo exactly a year ago today, with the intent of publishing a post written in remembrance...
Aug. 28, 2009

anatomy of a mistake
“I have heard that an eagle misses 70 percent of its strikes. Why should I expect to do better? And when he misses, does he scold himself, I wonder, for failing at the task?” ~Sophy Burnham ...
Aug. 28, 2009

one reason to believe in yourself
“Forget about all the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.” ~ Robert Anthony   As I drove home from my monthly writers’...
Aug. 27, 2009

the water around the rocks
“Be the water, not the rock. Water has the flexibility to change direction; a rock stays in one place and gets worn out.” - Japanese saying      The home...
Aug. 26, 2009

fighting fear
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past...
Aug. 25, 2009

the little shell on the mantel
“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” ~ Oscar Wilde    Very few sounds are as calming as the rhythmic rumble of the ocean – a...
Aug. 24, 2009

thank you, squirrel!!!
I just wanted to send out a shout to formally thank Squirreling Dervish for her donation to Blog for Hope. Since her father is ready to move out and will not need some of his furniture, she kindly...
Aug. 23, 2009

good morning golo!
Good morning everybody! I have returned from the beach on Friday night, and I have so missed talking to you in the mornings. I guess I should say that I prefer to have my coffee with...
Aug. 23, 2009

do we know better than god? - a reflection on forgiveness
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you” ~ Lewis B. Smedes   A few days ago, someone sent me a short story about forgiveness which I...
Aug. 14, 2009

when relationships are only a band-aid (repost)
“Don't smother each other.  No one can grow in the shade.”  ~Leo Buscaglia   Just a few days ago my mother was excitedly telling me of the cruise she and my father...
Aug. 13, 2009

on a journey to learn
“Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete. If you're alive, it isn't.” ~ Richard Bach     I have always believed that our souls...
Aug. 12, 2009

lessons come in many packages
"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." ~ Alexander Woollcott   If anyone asked, I’m certain my children would have replied that yesterday...
Aug. 11, 2009

changes
“Be the change you want to see in the world” ~ Mahatma Gandhi   A few days ago one of my children threw an empty soda can in the trash. When I asked him why he hadn’t...
Aug. 10, 2009

anger - the mask of inner fear
“Fear is a dark room where negatives develop.” ~ Author unknown  Being afraid has often been considered a weakness, so many have come to hide fear and dress it as anger and self-righteousness,...
Aug. 9, 2009

love without boundaries - a tribute to a friend
“All that we are is a result of what we have thought: we are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy whenever they speak or act. Joy follows...
Aug. 7, 2009

beyond the bark
“Every man is more than just himself; he also represents the unique, the very special and always significant and remarkable point at which the world's phenomena intersect, only once in this way,...
Aug. 6, 2009

drama, my love...
“I want to feel passion, I want to feel pain. I want to weep at the sound of your name. Come make me laugh, come make me cry…just make me feel alive” ~ Joey Lauren Adams   ...
Aug. 5, 2009

salt on an open wound
“There is no coming to consciousness without pain.” ~ Carl Jung   Very few things are simultaneously as loving and painful as a kneading cat. Believe me, I would know; my...
Aug. 4, 2009

a tap on the shoulder
“The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things you weren’t paying attention to before” ~ Author unknown   Yesterday was an average day – or at least...
Aug. 3, 2009

safe in the storm
Jba published a beautiful post yesterday, about the difference between happiness and joy. http://www.wral.com/golo/blogpost/5706369/  Indeed, there...
Aug. 2, 2009

the life i never expected
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~  E. M. Forester   If someone told me twenty-five years ago...
Jul. 31, 2009

a thank you note to all
I received this note today in the mail and I'd like to share it with all of you who sent help and/or prayers. Thank you. :-)                                              ...
Jul. 30, 2009

10 inspiring thoughts for tough times - by noah benshea
1-Broke is not Broken  Being broke is not the same as being broken, losing money is not the same as being lost, and finding your balance is not something you can do on a balance sheet.   2-Having...
Jul. 30, 2009

hoping for the best and expecting nothing less
“If you keep on saying things are going to be bad, you have a good chance of being a prophet.” ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer   I have always been a firm believer that we...
Jul. 29, 2009

a clean page - what will you write on it?
"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your...
Jul. 28, 2009

the boomerang effect
“If every word I say could make you laugh, I’d talk forever…” ~ Author unknown   There once was a wise sage who wandered the countryside. One day, as he passed...
Jul. 27, 2009

the other life
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” ~ Frederick Keonig ...
Jul. 26, 2009

the pasta connection
“Adversity precedes growth” ~ Rosemarie Rossetti   Many school children were taught that the Venetian merchant Marco Polo brought back pasta from his journeys in China....
Jul. 24, 2009

the hidden key
“Sometimes questions are more important than answers” ~ Nancy Willard   I recently asked a friend to paint a portrait of Elegba, the Saint of doors and crossroads, to display...
Jul. 23, 2009

my shadow, my friend
“If you're alone, I'll be your shadow.  If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder.  If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow.  If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile.  But...
Jul. 22, 2009

an angel story
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." ~ Hebrews (13:2)   I’d like to share the story...
Jul. 21, 2009

journey to a new world
“One man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable stars; and the world was better for this.” -Don Quixote   As...
Jul. 20, 2009

crossroads
“He who lends to the poor gets his interest from God.” ~ German Proverb    When my sister and I were kids, my mother always told us that if we had a problem we felt we could...
Jul. 19, 2009

after meeting with ernie...
I went this afternoon to meet Ernie and deliver everybody's gifts. Ernie looked well, and despite the terrible loss he is able to look toward the future with hope for new beginnings. He was enormously...
Jul. 18, 2009

a door to new opportunities
“If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade.” ~ Thomas J. Peters     The night before last I watched a comedy starring Jim Carrey in the role...
Jul. 17, 2009

defining success
"You have achieved success if you have lived well, laughed often and loved much." ~Anonymous    What exactly are, fame and success? And most importantly, are they interconnected?...
Jul. 16, 2009

holding tight to our comfort zone
“To the degree that we are not living our dreams, our comfort zone has more control on us than we have over ourselves” ~ Peter McWilliams  There are few things I enjoy as much...
Jul. 15, 2009

help and support for ernie - update
Good afternoon everybody. I finally got to talk to Ernie and have a clearer idea of what needs to get into place in order to help him. The insurance adjuster was at his house today, and until...
Jul. 14, 2009

help and support for ernie
“I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”  ~Edward Everett Hale  ...
Jul. 14, 2009

did you hear what i said?
"Language is the source of misunderstandings." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry   Just a few days ago I was telling my father-in-law that I am on the lookout for some good...
Jul. 13, 2009

a birthday to remember
“You must have long term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short term failures.” ~ Charles C. Noble  This past week – and especially the end of it - has been an...
Jul. 12, 2009

fulfilling the contract (r)
Bastiano - a Shepard who lived a few miles away from a mountain cabin my parents used to rent as our vacation getaway - took his sheep and cows to pasture every day; while his animals grazed the fresh...
Jul. 10, 2009

going back to sleep
"You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair." Chinese Proverb   ...
Jul. 9, 2009

a day in a fish's life
“The present is never our goal: the past and present are our means: the future alone is our goal. Thus, we never live but we hope to live; and always hoping to be happy, it is inevitable that...
Jul. 8, 2009

the price is right
“If you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price.”  ~Author Unknown   Last year I took a course in freelance journalism....
Jul. 7, 2009

was jesus a leftist?
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true...
Jul. 6, 2009

what goes around...
Good morning everybody! I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July celebration.   My family and I went to Gingerleigh’s and we had a blast! My husband and kids had a chance...
Jul. 5, 2009

trusting again
We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone - but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love, friendship or joy. ~ Walter Anderson     I once...
Jul. 3, 2009

the woman crossing the road
“Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring.” ~ Author unknown   Yesterday I had a chance to witness something amazing. I was leaving my husband’s...
Jul. 2, 2009

what movie character are you?
Let's imagine that you can live in a movie and assume the life of one of the movie characters . Who would it be, and why did you choose it? TV Shows are fine as well. So GOLO, what movie...
Jul. 1, 2009

religion into practice
“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”  ~Psalms 34:13   A couple of years ago, one of my sons was friends with a kid who was battling severe...
Jul. 1, 2009

mapping the path to inner guidance: meditation vs. prayer
“Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God.” ~ Diana Robinson     As far back as I can remember, I’ve always seen my mother meditate....
Jun. 30, 2009

what is your mission? - a reflection on life's true purpose
“Each small task of everyday is part of the total harmony of the universe.” ~ St. Theresa of Lisieux    One of the comments left on my blog yesterday really caught my attention:...
Jun. 29, 2009

self-respect vs. pride
“It is the highest form of self-respect to admit our errors and mistakes and make amends for them.  To make a mistake is only an error in judgment, but to adhere to it when it is discovered...
Jun. 28, 2009

well, here i am too...caption this
Since everyone is posting pics and probably because everyone is probably sick of seeing the same one I post every day, here's another one. Have a great evening, everybody!
Jun. 26, 2009

shifting priorities
“Things are to be used and people are to be loved, but the problem in today's world is that people are used and things are loved...”   According to Bloomberg.com: “Hospital...
Jun. 26, 2009

stifling the fire (r)
Many go through life angry at something or someone, captive of a fire which rises undaunted through the cooling chambers of rationality, and eats away all that is pleasant and peaceful in their world....
Jun. 25, 2009

out of the cold
“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli   Since two of my children are part of a swim team, we normally spend a...
Jun. 24, 2009

when life gets in the way of our dreams
“Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you’ve found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for.” ~ Lawrence Block  ...
Jun. 23, 2009

victims
“Let go. Why do you cling to pain? There is nothing you can do about the wrongs of yesterday.” ~ Leo Buscaglia   When I was thirteen I met my best friend. Her father was...
Jun. 22, 2009

a night at the carnival
“Help people become more motivated by guiding them to the source of their own power.” ~ Paul G. Thomas  Since I was a little girl I’ve always loved carnivals. There is...
Jun. 20, 2009

the new kid on the team
“Come to the edge, we might fall. Come to the edge, it's too high! Come to the edge! And they came, and he pushed, and they flew.” ~ Christopher Logue   As I sat by the...
Jun. 19, 2009

defining perfection
“When you aim for perfection, you discover it's a moving target.” ~ Geoffrey F. Fisher   Last night, while I was on the phone with my mother-in-law, our conversation led...
Jun. 18, 2009

a very poor bargain indeed
“Procrastination usually results in sorrowful regret, today’s duties put off until tomorrow give us a double burden to bear.” ~ Ida Scott Taylor   I really believe...
Jun. 17, 2009

any suggestions?
Good morning GOLO!   For almost a year now, my blog posts have been about daily occurrences with a spiritual twist, and I have used my own situations, and those of others I have crossed...
Jun. 16, 2009

the power of decision
"You are the person who has to decide. Whether you'll do it or toss it aside, you are the person who makes up your mind. Whether you'll lead or will linger behind; whether you'll try for the goal...
Jun. 15, 2009

led by faith
“Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore   I’ve always been an optimist. No matter how dire the situation...
Jun. 14, 2009

beyond hardship (r)
“No power in society,  no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down, in knowledge, power, virtue, influence, but by your own consent” ~ W. Ellery Channing  ...
Jun. 12, 2009

staying focused
"The sun's energy warms the world, but when you focus it through a magnifying glass it can start a fire. Focus is that powerful." ~ Alan Pariser     Yesterday,...
Jun. 11, 2009

one more step, one more breath...
“When things go wrong as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all up hill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile, but you have to sigh; when...
Jun. 10, 2009

as the tapestry is woven
“If you could see the tapestry of life on which all our lives are woven, then you'd feel the purpose to which we've all been chosen.” ~ Author unknown    Two nights...
Jun. 9, 2009

boundless love
“True love doesn’t have a happy ending, because true love never ends. Letting go is one way of saying I love you.” ~ Author unknown   If one could spend a week really...
Jun. 8, 2009

the unexpected gift
“Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away.” ~ Elbert Hubbard     I could almost bet...
Jun. 7, 2009

golo carwash - thank you all!
Hey everybody! I have just returned from the carwash. Although it wasn't busy as I hoped it would be - I guess people were a little concerned about rain coming - we had a ton of fun. Thanks...
Jun. 6, 2009

golo carwash - today, june 6, at eastgate shell
I hope to see you all at the Carwash today. For those who haven't heard of it, this is an event sponsored by Blog for Hope to raise money for families that are experiencing hardship during the current...
Jun. 6, 2009

update on golo carwash, tomorrow june 6
Good evening everybody! I just wanted to stop by and let you know that unless it is raining the carwash is on as scheduled. I still feel like death, but I'm hoping that by tomorrow...
Jun. 5, 2009

no more copies
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”  ~Paul Boese   A few days ago I received a phone call from an old acquaintance, and while she...
Jun. 5, 2009

happy birthday steve crisp!!!
Happy birthday Steve!!! I hope your special day is filled with awesome surprises and wishes come true. :)   Important note: This is a post for good, cheerful thoughts...
Jun. 4, 2009

living the wisdom of kung fu
“A strong person and a waterfall always channel their own path.” ~ Anonymous   Wing Chun Kung Fu is a martial art developed over 250 years ago during the Ching Dinasty....
Jun. 4, 2009

going places
“If you're not sure where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere else.” ~ Anonymous   Next winter my son will get his driving permit. As we get closer to the fatidic...
Jun. 3, 2009

struggle to succeed
“One day, as a man walked through the woods behind his house, he found the cocoon of a butterfly. Every day he went back to watch the cocoon, and some time later he noticed it had a small opening....
Jun. 2, 2009

cupcakes in the sky
“Motherhood qualified me to let the child within come out and play.”~ Christy Borgeld    There are days when I can sit outside and be in awe of the beauty that surrounds...
Jun. 1, 2009

thank you mizzz and everybody!!! i miss you too...
I would like to drop a quick note to thank Mizzzeta for her sweet post today, and everyone else who stopped by to leave words of encouragement and friendship. The project I am working on is only...
May. 19, 2009

see you soon...
Hello Golo! It was after a great deal of pondering that I had to come to the decision of taking a little break from writing online. I am currently working on a project which requires my full attention,...
May. 6, 2009

the other side of the story
“Perception is a guess or estimate of what is 'out there' depending on how we read the clues; therefore it can never be absolute and often is unreliable.” ~ Earl Kelley   Yesterday,...
May. 6, 2009

boats in the storm
“Calmness is the cradle of power.” ~ Josiah Gilbert Holland  Since I was very young, my mother taught me to associate different mental states with visual symbols to understand...
May. 5, 2009

a rope of hope
“Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal.”  ~Jerome Fleishman  ...
May. 4, 2009

dancing in the rain
~ Everything in life that we really accept undergoes a change. ~ Katherine Mansfield     Someone once told me that traffic lights are something higher powers use to get...
May. 3, 2009

how many lives have you touched?
"The people whose lives you touch may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel." -- David B. Haight     When I briefly spoke with...
May. 1, 2009

what do you know?
“Nothing encourages creativity like the chance to fall flat on one's face.” ~ James D. Finley  Last night I attended a lecture from an author at my regular writers’ group...
Apr. 30, 2009

not a moment too soon
“Life is all about timing…the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable becomes available, and the unattainable becomes attainable. Have the patience, wait it out; it’s all about...
Apr. 29, 2009

dreaming of butterfly wings
“When I sound the fairy call, Gather here in silent meeting, Chin to knee on the orchard wall, Cooled with dew and cherries eating. Merry, merry, Take a cherry Mine are sounder,...
Apr. 28, 2009

what i know i learned in bible class first
“Whatever the conscious mind thinks and believes the subconscious identically creates.” ~ Brian Adams   When I was a young girl and was attending Bible classes, I often...
Apr. 27, 2009

the tree of life (repost)
As I sat on my deck, a few days ago, a storm quickly approached from the South. The wind suddenly increased, ruffling the green mane of the trees in the woods behind my house, and the sweet scent...
Apr. 26, 2009

does wealth lead to happiness?
“Life in abundance comes only through great love” ~ Elbert Hubbard   Does wealth create happiness? Although a life free of financial worries sounds like the answer to all...
Apr. 24, 2009

i know what you're thinking...
“We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviors grow out of these assumptions.” ~ Stephen Covey   My...
Apr. 23, 2009

the convoy of hope
“Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired.”...
Apr. 22, 2009

beyond appearances
“I truly believe that compassion provides the basis of human survival.” ~ The Dalai Lama   I’ve always enjoyed waking up early in the morning. Every day carries a...
Apr. 21, 2009

the yellow rose
I believe that one of the most important encounters of my life – one that has changed the course of my thinking, and my general living approach – took place when I was about thirteen. I...
Apr. 20, 2009

taking back our power
“Love is supreme and unconditional; like is nice but limited.” ~ Duke Ellington  Someone sent me an interesting e-mail a few days ago, which I felt I should share. It spoke of...
Apr. 19, 2009

last call for donations to gary
Hey everybody! If anyone was planning on sending in a donation for Gary, now is the time. I will be running the two debit cards that were given to me tomorrow morning, and cashing in the money...
Apr. 17, 2009

mirrors (repost)
In her highly acclaimed book “Seth Speaks”, Jane Roberts describes the people who cross our path as a manifestation of our inner world.  “What you see in others is the...
Apr. 17, 2009

the lady at the airport
“Our entire life consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are.” ~ Jean Anouilh    Yesterday my parents flew back to Europe. While we were at the airport, I...
Apr. 16, 2009

what might have been
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” ~ George Eliot    It is never too late. I can’t recall how many times I heard that phrase growing up....
Apr. 15, 2009

what can you do today?
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." ~ Theodore Roosevelt   A few days ago I had an interesting conversation with my mother and a friend who stopped by to...
Apr. 14, 2009

the beauty of imperfection
“There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.” ~ Christopher Morley    Some time ago I pondered about how different...
Apr. 13, 2009

spirit in all
“The Light of Spirit surrounds us; the Love of Spirit enfolds us; The Power of Spirit protects us; the Presence of Spirit watches over us; Spirit dwells in us. Wherever we are, Spirit is, and...
Apr. 12, 2009

being part of the solution
Do more than belong, participate. Do more than care, help. Do more than believe, practice. Do more than be fair, be kind. Do more than forgive, forget. Do more than dream, work. -- William Arthur...
Apr. 10, 2009

coping with grief
“It is wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”~ George S. Patton, Jr.   When we lose someone – whether this person has been...
Apr. 9, 2009

i found the kitten!
I would like to let everyone know that I found my kitten. I particularly would like to thank the two Goloers who went above and beyond to help. Kestrel, I don't know how to thank you for...
Apr. 7, 2009

my kitten is missing...please pray for his safe return
I got back tonight from New Orleans, to find that my 14-wk-old kitten has been missing since yesterday. He was out on the deck with my older cat, but never came back. Please, please, say a prayer...
Apr. 7, 2009

for studley
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and...
Apr. 4, 2009

sin tax: a white knight or a prejudiced villain?
Cigarettes and alcohol consumption are a matter of personal choice. Although multiple campaigns have been geared toward discouraging the use of either substance, smokers still make up 25% of the population...
Apr. 2, 2009

see you soon...
Good morning! I only have a few minutes this morning, but I wanted to stop by and say that I hope everyone will have a wonderful weekend. I will be back on Wednesday. Today is a very special...
Apr. 2, 2009

instant reward vs. long-term benefits
“Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.” ~ Author Unknown   Yesterday I had the best time talking to my daughter and two of her little friends,...
Apr. 1, 2009

two trash cans at a time
It is a fact that in the right formation, the lifting power of many wings can achieve twice the distance of any bird flying alone.  ~Author Unknown   I love gardening. There is...
Mar. 31, 2009

giving anger the respect it deserves
"You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist."~ Indira Gandhi   Among the plethora of emotions we juggle with on any given day, anger is the one that can indeed hold...
Mar. 30, 2009

the power of a single pebble
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” ~Mother Teresa    James W. Foley once said that if you throw a small pebble in the...
Mar. 29, 2009

the mouse and the trap
One day, a mouse saw that a farmer and his wife had just put out some mouse traps. In a panic, he ran out into the farm yard and told the other animals of the predicament he and his family were in. The...
Mar. 27, 2009

thoughts to start the day
Allow Your Own Inner Light to Guide You. There comes a time when you must stand alone and must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams. You must be willing to make sacrifices,...
Mar. 26, 2009

what tomorrow will bring
“Whatever we expect with confidence becomes our own self-fulfilling prophecy.”~Brian Tracy   Tonight my parents are arriving from Italy. The past few days have been a flurry...
Mar. 25, 2009

the child who was saved from himself
"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."~ Unknown  Everyone who knows me well also knows that I have three children...
Mar. 24, 2009

a moment in time
"Before my accidents, there were ten thousands things I could do. I could spend the rest of my life dwelling on the things I had lost, but instead I chose to focus on the nine thousand I still...
Mar. 23, 2009

it's his fault!
“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.”~ Jim Rohn  There...
Mar. 22, 2009

a lunch deal you can't beat. :)
Hey everybody! I would like to alert everyone to a benefit taking place in Franklinton tomorrow. Lunch will be served at the American Legion Building on US1 North in Franklinton (look for...
Mar. 20, 2009

letters to myself
“Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls; for, thus friends absent speak.”  ~John Donne   When I first moved to the States - and hardly knew anyone - I lived to...
Mar. 20, 2009

march 19 - happy st. joseph's day!
In Italy, March is a busy month. Aside from many other regional festivals, Woman’s Day is recognized on March 8th, which coincides with the announcement of the conception of Jesus, and Father’s...
Mar. 19, 2009

fighting fire with fire
“We must not allow ourselves to become like the system we oppose.”~ Bishop Desmond Tutu  If you’ve ever run into someone that makes you angry or scared enough to retaliate,...
Mar. 18, 2009

a taste of the spiritual unknown
A few weeks ago, someone asked me the difference between what I learned in Catholic school and what was taught to me by my mother and grandmothers – all involved in spiritual paths of their...
Mar. 17, 2009

when our relationship is only a band-aid
“Don't smother each other.  No one can grow in the shade.”  ~Leo Buscaglia   Just a few days ago my mother was excitedly telling me of the cruise she and my father...
Mar. 16, 2009

letters to the world
“The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”-~Marcel Proust   After cutting figurines out of magazines, and making multiple...
Mar. 15, 2009

an act of random kindness
"You and I can never do a kindness too soon, for we never know how soon it will be too late." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson   It’s amazing how much one can observe and learn even...
Mar. 13, 2009

a perfect moment
“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got...
Mar. 12, 2009

reflections
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross...
Mar. 11, 2009

a trip to the pet store
“My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.”  ~Michel de Montaigne  There comes a time in the life of a mother when she fears the worst...
Mar. 10, 2009

when mistakes become who we are
“Just because you make a mistake doesn’t mean you are a mistake.” - Georgette Mosbacher    A few days ago I had an interesting conversation with a lady I met through...
Mar. 9, 2009

springing forth into the light
“Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space.  It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe.  It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished.” ...
Mar. 8, 2009

golo lunch at crazy fire
Hey everybody!!! Lunch at Crazy Fire was a blast today. Thanks to everyone who's been able to make it - it was really awesome to meet all of you. :) I hope that those who missed our...
Mar. 7, 2009

see you all tomorrow!!!
Hey guys!!! I can't wait to meet all of you at Crazy Fire tomorrow. :) If you haven't seen this announcement before, Crazy Fire is a Mongolian Grill located at the corner of Spring Forest...
Mar. 6, 2009

right to privacy or self-isolation?
“It means a great deal to those who are oppressed to know that they are not alone. And never let anyone tell you that what you are doing is insignificant” -Bishop Desmond Tutu  ...
Mar. 6, 2009

mirror, mirror on the wall...who's the smartest one of all?
“True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing. And in knowing that you know nothing, that makes you the smartest of all.” ~ Socrates   When I was a young girl,...
Mar. 5, 2009

the dog and the old man
“The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone.”  ~George Elliot  ...
Mar. 4, 2009

letter from the dog
My Dear Human, These things have been bugging me for some time. I just needed to let you know. Maybe with understanding we can get along better. Love you anyway, Your Dog 1. Blaming your farts...
Mar. 3, 2009

federal announcement
And we think we have problems on Golo? :D I'm off to dinner. Have a great evening, everybody. :)
Mar. 3, 2009

lunch at crazy fire on saturday
Hey Guys! We are planning on getting together for lunch on Saturday, March 7th at Crazy Fire, in Raleigh, at the corner of Spring Forest Rd and Capital Blvd. It is the same shopping center where...
Mar. 3, 2009

by invitation only
“Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your promotion.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson     If you can imagine your mind being...
Mar. 3, 2009

the king and the pawn
“At the end of the game, the King and the Pawn always go back in the same box” ~Author unknown   I rarely run into people who shamelessly flaunt their status. Yesterday...
Mar. 2, 2009

fundraiser, tailgate party, luncheon, blinco's, etc.
Hey guys, I just came on a little while ago and found people arguing over next weeks' projects. Please, let me remind you all what Blog for Hope is. The group was created to help Goloers in need....
Mar. 1, 2009

the tree house
“In order to reach your goals, you will have to climb a long way and be frightened.  But take it a step at a time”    Those were the words a kind uncle...
Mar. 1, 2009

ads
Maybe she had no insurance??! :-)
Feb. 27, 2009

links of light
“We can't all like everyone all the time. But we can work harder at tolerance, compassion, empathy, generosity, and a genuine desire to recognize that we are all in this together.” ~Nicsautoservice   I...
Feb. 27, 2009

repost: a mom in need of help
Hello everybody! This morning I received a call for help, and although the caller is not a GOLOer, I will share her need, in case anyone is willing and/or able to help. Her name is Susan,...
Feb. 26, 2009

a mom is in serious need of help
Hello everybody! This morning I received a call for help, and although the caller is not a GOLOer, I will share her need, in case anyone is willing and/or able to help. Her name is Susan,...
Feb. 26, 2009

lent - may the fasting begin
Lent officially began yesterday, February 25th, on Ash Wednesday, and will continue for 40 days.  Lent is a season of soul-searching, repentance, and reflection. It originated in the very earliest...
Feb. 26, 2009

from my son's pen
My ten-year-old son, Michael, wrote this story last night. It was for a school paper, but it turned out so cute I just had to share it. :)   THE FIRST SOLDIER By...
Feb. 25, 2009

defining boundaries
“The purpose of having boundaries is to protect and take care of ourselves. We need to be able to tell other people when they are acting in ways that are not acceptable to us. A first step is...
Feb. 25, 2009

the wake-up list
“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” ~Alphonse Karr   Many of us begin the New Year by making resolutions....
Feb. 24, 2009

when the door closes
"No one can make you jealous, angry, vengeful, or greedy — unless you let him." ~Napolean Hill  As my husband and I were waiting for our breakfast, the day before yesterday,...
Feb. 23, 2009

beating the odds
“Our first journey is to find that special place for us.” ~ Earl Nightingale  Yesterday was a very special day for us, as we brought home a new member of our family. His name...
Feb. 20, 2009

crossroads
“At the Crossroads of Life did he stand, upon the very spot where North met South, where East became West...But there was confusion within his heart as to the direction he should travel.”...
Feb. 19, 2009

a treasure buried within
“Focus on your potential instead of your limitations” ~ Alan L. McGinnis   Destiny didn’t look too good for Ace, a 4-year-old Dutch Shepherd when his family, fed up...
Feb. 18, 2009

unconditional prayers
“The only way of knowing a person is to love them without hope.” ~Walter Benjamin  A few days ago, my father informed me that my best friend from childhood recently lost her...
Feb. 17, 2009

a good cup of life
“Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.” ~ Martin Fischer   Early morning is usually my best time of the day. It is in the first...
Feb. 16, 2009

lessons
“Life will teach you the lessons, it is up to you to learn them” ~ Author unknown   It was during our GOLO yard sale, yesterday, when I engaged in a brief conversation with...
Feb. 15, 2009

we made the news! please go vote...
Hi everybody! Our Golo yard sale today was everything I had hoped for, and then some. Aside from enjoying the company of some very cool people who truly came through to help this cause (Lolly,...
Feb. 14, 2009

namaste
"I honor the place in you where Spirit lives. I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Truth, of Light, of Peace; when you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, then we are...
Feb. 13, 2009

unveiling karma
“Look to be treated by others as you have treated others.” ~Publius Syrus I heard an interesting story, yesterday, which made me think of Karma. A lady I know was...
Feb. 12, 2009

yayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!
Hi everybody!!! One of my books, Housekeeping for the Soul, finally sold to a publisher and will be released sometime next year. I just signed the contract about two hours ago and am walking on...
Feb. 11, 2009

the power of choice
“Happiness is not a matter of events, it depends upon the tides of the mind.” ~ Alice Meynell   When I was a little girl, my grandmother...
Feb. 11, 2009

reaching for the moon
“Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” ~ Louisa...
Feb. 10, 2009

the kitten and the crow
Since early childhood, we are conditioned to classify everything we run across, especially people we meet on our journey. Although some of us benefit from an upbringing which allows a few shades of...
Feb. 9, 2009

the stranger within (r)
It is rare to find an individual who is comfortable sitting in silence, allowing his or her mind to be still. Perhaps this is intentional, more than we care to admit.  We do this whenever...
Feb. 8, 2009

a season for all
“At Christmas I no more desire a rose than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth; But like of each thing that in season grows.” ~ W. Shakespeare Yesterday, as I sat on my porch drinking...
Feb. 6, 2009

one block at a time
“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~Chinese Proverb   While playing Lego blocks with my daughter, yesterday afternoon, my attention was...
Feb. 5, 2009

face to face with fear
“The hens they all cackle, the roosters all beg, But I will not hatch, I will not hatch. For I hear all the talk of pollution and war, as the people all shout and the airplane roar, so I'm staying...
Feb. 4, 2009

when a door closes
“To work magic is to weave the unseen forces into form; to soar beyond sight; to explore the uncharted dream realm of the hidden reality.” ~ Starhawk  Yesterday should have been...
Feb. 3, 2009

a love that never dies
“You taught me how to love; you taught me how to live; you taught me how to laugh; you taught me how to cry, but when you left, you forgot to teach me how to forget you.” ~ Hendie ...
Feb. 2, 2009

selfless love
“Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice”. ~Woodrow T. Wilson   As we approach Valentine’s Day, many are busy thinking...
Feb. 1, 2009

slavery beneath the skin
“Sometimes in this world we all feel like slaves in one way or another.  Things we have to do, bad things beyond our control - sometimes it feels like we are totally powerless. ...
Jan. 30, 2009

angel pennies
"I found a penny today, Just lying on the ground, But it's not just a penny This little coin I've found. Found pennies come from heaven That's what my Grandpa told me, He...
Jan. 29, 2009

two cannibals
Two cannibals, a father and son, were elected by the tribe to go out and get something to eat. They walked deep into the jungle and waited by a path. Before long, along came this little old man....
Jan. 28, 2009

from the words of a gipsy - my love story
If I look back, and rewind the movie of my life long enough to glimpse at the last twenty years or so, I can see that my marriage was in the cards since before I met my husband, or, even better, it...
Jan. 28, 2009

fearing tomorrow
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength.” – C. Ten Boom  Robert J. Burdette, an early 900s American humorist and clergyman, ...
Jan. 28, 2009

northcarolinanative - has anyone heard from her?
Hey guys, Northcarolinanative is going through a bit of a struggle lately, and she hasn't been around for a couple of days. Does anyone here know her outside of Golo? I'd like to check...
Jan. 27, 2009

against all odds - a personal story
“You haven't failed until you quit trying.” – Anonymous  I have learned that if one wants to get anywhere in the literary world, patience – loads of it, in fact...
Jan 27, 2009

10 signs you're an internet geek
10. When filling out your driver's license application you give your IP address. 9. You no longer ask prospective dates what their sign is, instead your line is "Hi, what's your URL?"...
Jan 26, 2009

as the wheel turns
“Fortune sometimes turns around like a mill wheel and he who was yesterday at the top lies today at the bottom” ~Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra    Although it was cold...
Jan 26, 2009

the wind and the mountain
“No matter how the wind howls, the mountain does not move” ~Chinese proverb  If one can imagine a mountain during a storm, it is easy to visualize trees being swept from side...
Jan 25, 2009

golo yard sale - feb 14...will you be there?
Our community yard sale is set for Feb 14 at 8:00 am in North Raleigh (4043, Wake Forest Rd - Eastgate Shell parking lot) Free hot coffee for everyone! If you have items you no longer use,...
Jan 24, 2009

top ten excuses for falling asleep at your desk
1 "They told me at the blood bank this might happen." 2 "I wasn't sleeping, I was trying to pick up contact lens without hands." 3 "I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating...
Jan 23, 2009

women drivers
This morning on the Highway , I looked over to my left and there was a woman in a brand new Cadillac, doing 90 km-per hour with her face up next to her rear view...
Jan 23, 2009

letting go
“Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be.” ~Anon There are many things I envision doing in the two hours I normally have...
Jan 23, 2009

why?
Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead? ________________________________ Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they already know...
Jan 22, 2009

reason or excuse?
This past month, I can probably count on less than two hands the days all three of my children have been at school. It seems that Christmas vacation days, teacher workdays, and a range of different...
Jan 22, 2009

getting to know jackadoo
Occasionally I will run into someone whose approach to life I find truly inspiring, someone who has chosen to walk a different path – whether through hardship or inner guidance – and has...
Jan 21, 2009

walking the labyrinth
The first time I walked a labyrinth was a few years ago, over a friend’s house. To my untrained eye, when she first showed it to me, it looked merely as a pathway made of bricks, but she...
Jan 21, 2009

a little thank you note
Hi everybody, AtWork received the money today, and said that it could not have come at a better time. Thank you guys, for helping her out. You are the best!!!!!!!!!!! I hope everybody had...
Jan 20, 2009

is heaven only for christians?
Having been raised in a plethora of different spiritual traditions, my beliefs are a soup of alternate flavors, all different than one another, yet all sharing one common denominator – the belief...
Jan 20, 2009

up in smoke
“Just because you make a mistake doesn’t mean you are a mistake.” - Georgette Mosbacher   Last night, I watched an interesting movie; although it was probably not the most...
Jan 19, 2009

behind the scenes of karma and acceptance
Among the things that are hardest for some people to do, accepting help or blessings probably ranks toward the top of the list.   In many cases, the awkward feeling we experience when presented...
Jan 18, 2009

update to golo effort for atwork
Hi everybody! Until this morning, we had been able to raise $275.00 for At Work. Thanks to two more donations that came in today, I was able to put a money order in the mail for her in the amount...
Jan 17, 2009

a blog for hope - week 3
Good morning to all!!! I hope everybody is staying warm and safe this morning. A cold day such as this is the perfect time to be thankful for the warmth and comfort we have, and to realize...
Jan 17, 2009

the storm and the rainbow
The sun still shines behind the storm clouds. Although this is a scientifically proven fact, it is also the first thing people choose to forget when Mother Nature unleashes its fury. Similarly,...
Jan 16, 2009

"a blog for hope" group is up!
Hi everybody! Lolly, Ward of the State and I enjoyed a delicious lunch together today, and Lolly kindly showed me how to get the group up. My goal is to use this page to keep everyone updated...
Jan 15, 2009

a lesson in humility
“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up.”- Rev. Jesse Jackson  When I was little – and judged the looks or attitudes of people I did not know –...
Jan 15, 2009

one nation united - rediscovering our ties to one another
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” –Ghandi  I was so touched, last night, by the warm enthusiasm many showed on the blog to help...
Jan 14, 2009

update to atwork's "hope raiser"
Hey guys! We have, so far, $100 confirmed. Some people have written to let me know they will be in touch a bit later. Whoever hasn't seen this, please go to http://www.wral.com/golo/blogpost/4305912/ I...
Jan 13, 2009

goloer in trouble!
Hi guys! Godbless alerted me of this situation a few days ago, and I was going to wait until Saturday whenI could post it on Blog for Hope, but after giving it some thought I realized this situation...
Jan 13, 2009

repost: does anyone have a rollaway bed for a child with special needs?
Most of you have probably already seen this request, but in case someone has not, here it is again. Imfindingmyself, one of our Golo members, is looking for a rollaway bed to accomodate her child...
Jan 13, 2009

the seed in the wind
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible to you.”...
Jan 13, 2009

looking for a rollaway bed: anybody has one?
Good evening, everybody! I am looking for a rollaway bed for a child with special needs. Currently, the child sleeps with his four siblings, but the family is going through financial hardhsip,...
Jan 12, 2009

public announcement
I would like to drop a quick note which will clear anyone's mind as to where I am standing. Although it doesn't happen on my blogs as much as on others, the past two weeks some people have...
Jan 12, 2009

a new focus
One of the most intriguing things about listening to people describe news events is their tendency to remember – and their preference to discuss – the most gruesome segments. I once heard...
Jan 12, 2009

blog for hope - golo yard sale?
Since I posted Blog for Hope yesterday, I was contacted by three Golo members who are in real dire straits. In fact, I heard of one of them through another Golo member. They are rather self-conscious...
Jan 11, 2009

the vacuum in the fish tank
At any given moment one doesn’t know if something will happen – often a seemingly meaningless event – that will spark thoughts worth pondering over. One of those moments for me was...
Jan 11, 2009

blog for hope - week 2
Good morning, everybody!  This is week two of Blog for Hope. For those who are not familiar with it, Blog for Hope is a weekly effort to connect needy families with items donated. ...
Jan 10, 2009

virtual playgrounds
It is amazing how much one can learn while hanging around a playground. Watching children play, and the way they relate to one another during times of peace and war, can be intriguing.   At...
Jan 9, 2009

thank you steve crisp, you are awesome
When I first joined Golo, and met Steve Crisp, I wasn't sure if I had run into the latest incarnation of the antichrist. He "jumped" on my first blog, and for the first time in my life I was...
Jan 8, 2009

watching from a distance
Imagine watching your life from a distance, and being able to observe any and all of the colors, details, and daily dramas unfolding in it every day. What we would see would be amazing!   Think...
Jan 8, 2009

socks-hungry trolls: do you have one living in your house?
Have you ever wondered what happens to the socks that inevitably come missing in your home? In my house, we can't buy them fast enough. We wear them, throw them in the laundry hamper,...
Jan 7, 2009

meeting befana
Yesterday, January 6th, marked the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as the day of Epiphany. In Italy – and in Italian communities around the world - this occurrence is also known...
Jan 7, 2009

who's your inner child?
Although I’ve only given birth to three children, sometimes I feel as if I’m raising four – my husband being the youngest of them all.   If one was to see him at work –...
Jan 6, 2009

the benefits of challenges
"In every difficult situation is potential value. Believe this, and then begin looking for it."~ Norman Vincent Peale  Yesterday I had the chance to take my daughter to visit a...
Jan 5, 2009

the boundaries of human justice
Can you think of a person – including yourself – who has never made any mistakes? If you can, you must be living in an uncharted world unknown to the rest of us.  If I just look...
Jan 4, 2009

blog for hope - week 1
Good morning, everybody!  As was announced a week ago, this is the first run of Blog for Hope. Although I had originally intended to post it on Sunday mornings, two issues were raised in...
Jan 3, 2009

do you have any items you would like me to list on blog for hope as it starts tomorrow?
Hello everybody. :) Tomorrow morning will be the first weekly listing of Blog for Hope. For those who are not familiar with it, Blog for Hope is going to be a weekly run meeting place...
Jan 2, 2009

will you remember to write 2009 on your checks?
It seems like yesterday that we were struggling to write 2008 on checks, rather that 2007, and here we are - another year has passed, and the "date struggle" of the first few weeks of...
Jan 2, 2009

living today
Just yesterday, Mrkagain posted a blog which raised an interesting issue – we started a new year, a new chapter in the story of the world, but has anything truly changed? Is any other manifestation...
Jan 2, 2009

home is where the heart is
I was asked several times, yesterday, if I was going anywhere special to celebrate New Year’s Eve – my family and I welcomed the Baby New Year at home, burning away not-so-welcome memories...
Jan 1, 2009

the history of aprons
Although I had specifically said the previous joke was not aimed at offending anyone and it was only done in humor (I am a fervid Obama supporter), some people didn't see the humor in it, so I decided...
Dec 31, 2008

golo baby shower
Good morning, everybody, and happy New Year! A new little Goloer is soon to be born, and I feel it would be fun to organize a little something to welcome him or her into the world. Our very...
Dec 31, 2008

the power of choice
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. ~Wayne Dyer    Life is notorious for showering us with unexpected events when we least expect...
Dec 31, 2008

say goodbye to the ghosts of 2008
As December 31 quickly approaches, many are busy organizing parties and shopping for particular foods to say farewell to the old year and welcome the next.  For the second year in a row,...
Dec 30, 2008

blog for hope
Good morning, everybody. Many of you may have already seen this blog yesterday, but I decided to repost it for those who might have missed it, since it will begin next weekend.    With...
Dec 29, 2008

blog for hope
With a shaky economy, and low available employment, the 2009 forecast does not appear too magnanimous for the many families that have lost their jobs in 2008.  According to the New York...
Dec 28, 2008

new year's wish cakes
With less than a week left before we say goodbye to the current year, many are already beginning to formulate their resolutions for the next.  Rather than coming up with resolutions, my...
Dec 27, 2008

lesson in a cup
Yesterday I learned an important lesson. It wasn’t anything I didn’t intellectually know before, but living this experience really drove the concept home. Being Christmas day, I think it...
Dec 26, 2008

if children ran our world
While I was preparing to go out, yesterday, I overheard something my daughter was watching on TV. It was the sneak preview of a family movie which is about to come out in movie theatres, of which, right...
Dec 25, 2008

dedicated to you
I had posted this link a few days ago, at the bottom of another blog, but many of you might have missed it, as it was hidden by so many other words. I'd like to dedicate this to each of you,...
Dec 24, 2008

the angel who came before christmas
When all else seems to be hitting bottom, prayer is often the only escape left. By praying, we release our burdens to a higher power, and are able to feel less alone. Whether we pray to God, Goddess,...
Dec 23, 2008

the final countdown to christmas
As the countdown to Christmas day is finally drawing to an end, some are in the clutches of panic. “Four days!” exclaimed a lady to a friend, as they were waiting in line at a food kiosk...
Dec 22, 2008

an amazing afternoon
Someone told me, long ago, that every day should be greeted happily, regardless of our circumstances, and we should always ask to witness a small miracle. Yesterday, my prayer was answered.  ...
Dec 21, 2008

update: meeting time for donations
Hello everybody! If the weather cooperates, and it doesn't rain, I will be at Oakwood Cemetery at 2:00 pm for the walk. Whiffleball and I will bring the donations to the family after the walk....
Dec 20, 2008

the guardian
I’d like to share something that happened to me a few weeks ago which, to this day, still blows my mind.   Although through the years I’ve occasionally heard and felt things...
Dec 20, 2008

update to needy family in henderson
Hello everybody! I just wanted to send out a shout and let everyone know that I will be bringing donations to the family in Henderson sometimes this weekend. I had originally thought about going...
Dec 19, 2008

does anybody have a walker?
Hello everybody! I'm looking for a walker for someone who got injured at work. Do you have one, or know someone who could donate one? If you do, please, leave a comment, or send me...
Dec 19, 2008

spicing up the holidays
Have you ever wondered why so many holiday dishes and beverages are flavored with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and ginger?  Holiday gatherings are meant to spread cheer, and...
Dec 19, 2008

driving the distance
“Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.” ~Author unknown  I don’t think many of us ever realize just...
Dec 18, 2008

the red bike *not meant to offend anyone*
Kenny really wants a red bike for Christmas. He goes to ask his mother, and she says: "Well, Kenny, as a good Catholic boy, you should write a letter to Jesus and explain why he should send you...
Dec 17, 2008

henderson family needs our help
Just yesterday I was contacted by a family in dire need.   The father, John, is severely disabled and is currently waiting for the courts to hear his case; an attorney working on the case...
Dec 17, 2008

santa, can you bring my dad a job?
A few days ago I was having a conversation with someone who works at a local post office. He told me that this time of year it is customary for them to receive a lot of mail for Santa that kids have...
Dec 16, 2008

has anyone heard about a woman jumping off a bridge on the beltline, this afternoon?
Someone told me that a woman jumped off a bridge onto the road below, today, and was hit by multiple cars. I have scanned news sites, but haven't found anything about it. Is it true? Has anyone...
Dec 15, 2008

a parade of true lights: the golo benefit party
It was with great pleasure that I finally got the chance to meet Mr. Lee, the veteran I heard so much about the past couple of months, who was the focus of a Golo fundraising effort organized by Sessy...
Dec 15, 2008

gift wrapping tips for men
One of the big tasks of the Season is that of wrapping gifts; some love it, some loathe it, and the results greatly vary depending on the skill level of the "wrapper". I stumbled on these...
Dec 14, 2008

the gift box
Walking through the mall around Christmas time is an experience in itself. The air is impregnated with a fusion of warming aromas, and people look like a colony of ants, walking in and out of shops...
Dec 13, 2008

a very special mission
Whenever a child dies, many wonder why such young lives are prematurely ripped away rather than given the opportunity to live out their full existence on this earth. Whether it is because of an accident,...
Dec 12, 2008

christmas cake recipe
You'll need the following:   1 cup of water   1 cup of sugar   4 large brown eggs   2 cups of dried fruit   1 teaspoon of salt   1 cup of brown...
Dec 11, 2008

all that glitters
Yesterday I had an interesting conversation with my “uncle”. Although we are not truly related by family ties, he’s been associated with my family as long as I can remember, and he...
Dec 11, 2008

choosing our guests
A woman came out of her house and saw three old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. Although she did not recognize them, she assumed they were hungry, so she invited them in to have...
Dec 10, 2008

what is your favorite christmas song?
“Mary did you know” is, by far, my favorite Christmas song; no matter how many times I hear it, it never fails to capture my heart. One line especially - “…when you kiss your...
Dec 9, 2008

colors of the world
When you look at it in a mean way, how mean it is! When you look at it selfishly, how selfish it is! But when you look at it in a broad, generous, friendly spirit, what wonderful people you find...
Dec 8, 2008

teachers in disguise
Last night I lay in bed for a while thinking about the people who have been the greatest teachers in my life. What came to mind was quite amazing. I realized that those who have taught me most were...
Dec 7, 2008

what goes around comes around
“Charity is the bone shared with the dog when you are just as hungry as the dog.” ~Jack London  I’d like to share something that happened, not too long ago, to a lady I...
Dec 6, 2008

the christmas parrot
A man with a parrot on his shoulder walked into a bar. The bartender said, "Cute parrot, does he talk?" The guy with the parrot says, "His name is Ches. He does...
Dec 5, 2008

christmas card from mom *funny*
Dear Darling Son and That Person You Married,   Merry Christmas to you, and please don't worry. I'm just fine considering I can't breathe or eat. The important thing is that you have...
Dec 5, 2008

honoring anger
Several years ago, I ran into a little book which, at first glance, appeared to be a financial book. As it turned out, it was not a traditional book on finances; rather, it discussed the possibility...
Dec 5, 2008

one step at a time
Yesterday afternoon I took my daughter to the park, after school. She quickly made friends and started playing with another little girl there, while I settled on a bench in the sun to read. ...
Dec 4, 2008

today's giggle
My dear friends, Somewhat embarrassing to admit, I'm not getting an annual bonus and this Christmas will be making  slippers for you all as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. You'll...
Dec 3, 2008

the true story of santa claus
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara - a Greek area at the time, which is now situated on the southern coast of Turkey....
Dec 3, 2008

a project for the holidays
Do you remember the snow monster in Christmas movies – the one that Santa was able to change from bad to good with a gift? I watched that movie last night with my children, and it made me think...
Dec 2, 2008

a ride on the polar express
As djofraleigh had rightfully feared, I had a wonderful opportunity, yesterday, to find something interesting to observe at the Toy Train Show which took place at the NC State Fairgrounds. ...
Dec 1, 2008

an afternoon at the fairgrounds
We just got back from the Fairgrounds. We met at the Train Show with Steve Crisp, mom2threewild1s and her children. My daughter was immediately drawn to the train displays, and was totally fascinated...
Nov 30, 2008

changes
“Unless you start doing something different, you’re in for more of the same.” ~Author unknown.  Have you ever met someone who will complain daily about their life, but...
Nov 30, 2008

update:are you going? the date has changed.
Steve Crisp and I are meeting at the Toy Train Show at the Fairgrounds, probably at about 1pm, tomorrow Nov 30th. It sounds like something really fun to do on a cold, rainy Saturday. Why...
Nov 29, 2008

wisdom comes in small packages
Last night we went over to Ms_suret’s house for a Christmas party. We drank hot chocolate, made gingerbread houses and threaded wreaths of popcorn and cranberries. The company was wonderful; Mojo,...
Nov 29, 2008

the driver behind the wheel
We often associate cars with the people who drive them. On occasion, we assume we can judge the lifestyle of someone just by the type, or condition, of car they own.  In fact, the majority...
Nov 28, 2008

the twelve days of thanksgiving
On the First Day..... We give thanks for the fresh turkey feast and its hot trimmings. On the Second Day..... We bless the cold turkey sandwiches, sloshy cranberry sauce, and hard rolls....
Nov 27, 2008

black november
When I was a young turkey, new to the coop, My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop, Then he sat me down, and he spoke real slow, And he told me there was something I had to know; His...
Nov 26, 2008

is your life a chapter book or a collection of short stories?
A few years ago, I went with a friend to a guided meditation. It was a very pleasant experience, and definitely very peaceful. There was soft music playing in the background, and the meditation guide...
Nov 26, 2008

the little light that will shine
No matter what parents I talk to, black or white, rich or poor, younger or older, most seem to feel that doomsday has to coincide with the end of our generation. Even with my own kids, I sometimes shake...
Nov 25, 2008

the lady who came to say good-bye
After her divorce, a friend of my mother’s lived alone with her 96-year-old aunt. I have met these two ladies on a few occasions during my visits, and truly enjoyed their company. I think what...
Nov 24, 2008

turning the other cheek
I read something, a few days ago, about a guy who got robbed; when an armed young man walked up to him, he readily handed his wallet, but before the guy had a chance to flee with the loot, he gently...
Nov 23, 2008

the announcer
When one thinks of Death, the image that often comes to mind is that of a scary-looking skeleton, enshrouded in a black cloak, branding a scythe.  But what if the real “Grim Reaper”...
Nov 22, 2008

two sides to one coin
A few years ago I ran into a book I normally would not have considered reading. It was a biography of sorts, describing the life of a Holy man. What I thought was going to be a very boring read turned...
Nov 21, 2008

holiday blues
When we think of holidays, the first thing that comes to mind is the time we will spend  with our loved ones, but what happens when our loved ones are no longer there to share the cheer? As happy...
Nov 20, 2008

update: missing child
Bill has been located. The authorities have been alerted. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. :)
Nov 19, 2008

please help bring this child back home
Bill Maynor is a friend of my son. He ran away on Monday morning, and he is believed to have left Raleigh going to Philadelphia with an older man. He is 13 years old, 5'5" tall, and weighs...
Nov 19, 2008

sharing wings
"We are all angels who only have one wing and we need each other to fly.”  The first time I heard these words was on a cold winter morning at the church my family and I attended....
Nov 19, 2008

running out of time
This morning I woke up thinking about death. Not in a morbid way, mind you; more along the lines of how death connects to life itself.  At first impression, they seem quite opposite from...
Nov 18, 2008

has anyone heard from ifbywhiskey?
Has anyone heard from IfByWhiskey lately? He has been dealing with some health problems, and I haven't seen him around posting on any blogs. The last time he was missing in action was when he...
Nov 17, 2008

reclaiming the true spirit of thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving celebration held in America occurred in 1619. On December fourth of that year, thirty-eight English settlers arrived at the Berkeley Plantation in Virginia. Part of their original...
Nov 17, 2008

looking for purpose
We often hear people wondering about their life purpose. Although this is a subject that can be explored on many levels, and be approached differently by varied systems of belief, the underlying question...
Nov 16, 2008

the snowflake
If we ever take the time to observe the many miracles of nature unfolding around us at any given time, it is almost impossible to think that such perfection and beauty can be the fruit of anything less...
Nov 15, 2008

mirrors
In her highly acclaimed book “Seth Speaks”, Jane Roberts describes the people who cross our path as a manifestation of our inner world.  “What you see in others is the...
Nov 14, 2008

the gift of giving
Nov 13, 2008

teenage sons
A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see the bed nicely made up and everything neat and tidy. Then he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the pillow. It was addressed,...
Nov 12, 2008

claiming true colors
Around this time of year, it is always a treat to witness the many displays of different hues softly snowing down from the thinning mane of trees, quietly settling on the ground in fiery, exquisite...
Nov 12, 2008

the true secret
Life isn’t about how to survive in the storm, but how to dance in the rain. ~Author Unknown   
Nov 11, 2008

no longer afraid
Many of us probably remember when, as children, we believed monsters were lurking in the darkness of our closet, or lay hidden under our bed, patiently waiting to seize us as soon as our parents left...
Nov 11, 2008

life patterns
If we observe the people who walk into our lives – whether they are there to stay, or are only briefly touching our existence with their presence – we will see that they often resemble one...
Nov 10, 2008

seeds swept in the wind: fate vs. chance
Some palm readers believe that one’s future should be read from the lines of the right hand, as opposed to those in the left which are, they say, the lines of birth – the original blueprint...
Nov 9, 2008

mirror, mirror on the wall...
Very often, the person staring back at us when we look in the mirror is someone who’s been painted in our minds with the colors of personal experiences, and stroked by the brush of external opinions. ...
Nov 8, 2008

fulfilling the contract
Bastiano - a Shepard who lived a few miles away from a mountain cabin my parents used to rent as our vacation getaway - took his sheep and cows to pasture every day; while his animals grazed the fresh...
Nov 7, 2008

for ifbywhiskey
ifByWhiskey, thank you for sharing about your health condition on my blog, this morning. I am glad and thankful that you are okay. I wanted to post a note on your profile, but you don't have...
Nov 6, 2008

house cleaning
How I wish I could get inside my brain, to clean and organize it as easily as I do my house. First I'd take out the trash—all those negative thoughts that get in the way and...
Nov 6, 2008

stifling the fire
Many go through life angry at something or someone, captive of a fire which rises undaunted through the cooling chambers of rationality eating away all that is pleasant and peaceful in their world....
Nov 5, 2008

did you enter the golo election picks contest?
How many of us entered the Golo Election Picks Contest? If you entered, how many did you get right so far?
Nov 4, 2008

watering weeds
The tie between water and emotions is found in many spiritual traditions. In Yoruba belief, for example, the Orisha of love – known as Erzulie or Oshun depending on geographical variations –...
Nov 4, 2008

daily vitamins
Many people dutifully take vitamins every morning, work out and diet when needed, no matter how time consuming and sacrifice-demanding such steps often are.   The society we live in –...
Nov 3, 2008

wisdom of the elderly priest
The elderly priest, speaking to the younger priest, said, "It was a good idea to replace the first four rows of pews with plush bucket theater seats. It worked like a charm. The front of the church...
Nov 2, 2008

20 years today!
As I mindlessly looked at the calendar in my kitchen, this morning,  I remembered that today is the 20th anniversary of my arrival to the US. WOW! I can't believe two decades have passed!...
Nov 2, 2008

our mad rush to nowhere
While driving home from the City Cemetery, yesterday, I turned on the radio and scrolled through the stations to find a good tune; to my surprise, I found a Christmas song!  I am a Christmas...
Nov 2, 2008

will you be there?
Good morning everybody! The Golo Paranormal Enthusiasts group is meeting today at 2:00 pm at the City Cemetery. City Cemetery was established by an Act of the North Carolina General Assembly...
Nov 1, 2008

all hallows' eve: honoring the dead
Although largely thought of as a candy and dress-up fest, Halloween coincides with other Holidays celebrated around the world.  In Italy, the Catholic Church celebrates the two days after...
Oct 31, 2008

star light, star bright...
Have you ever wished for something so badly your whole body ached at the thought of it? I know I have, many times in the past.  Fourteen years ago, when I was trying desperately to have...
Oct 30, 2008

is that what i truy want?
In the many years we have known each other, I‘ve always heard my friend Caroline complain of the fact that she lives alone and has no children. Yet, every time she comes to my house for the day...
Oct 29, 2008

internet wisdom
I have learned a lot this year from my email and wanted to share this with you.  I must send my thanks to whoever sent me the one about rat poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have...
Oct 28, 2008

for spunky
Spunky went this morning to undergo further testing. I would like to propose for everybody to take a moment and send her good wishes. I know most people did that, this morning, on her blog, but...
Oct 28, 2008

for better or worse
I recently finished reading a book, written by ST Underdhal, entitled “Remember This”. "Remember This" is the story of Lucy Kellogg, an elderly lady - once independent and...
Oct 28, 2008

?????????????????????
What is this???!LOL
Oct 27, 2008

grandma's letter
Dear Grand-daughter, The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a Honk if you love Jesus bumper sticker. I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just...
Oct 27, 2008

the origins of trick or treating
Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. Although the term "trick or treat," appeared in print only around 1939, its origins could be traced back over 2000 years.  Among...
Oct 27, 2008

things to ponder
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?   Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried...
Oct 26, 2008

the things we don't see
There was once a little old man who went to stay at a nursing home for the blind. He had no family left, and had spent the last few years in different institutions.  He waited patiently...
Oct 26, 2008

caption this
How can you possibly caption this? ROFLMAO
Oct 25, 2008

for men: words women use
1. FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up. 2.) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a...
Oct 25, 2008

how to wash the cat
1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl. 2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom. 3. In one smooth...
Oct 25, 2008

the dormant seed
A couple of days ago our well loved and opinionated Rev RB posted a beautiful story which really touched my heart and renewed my resolve.    It was the story of the bamboo and...
Oct 25, 2008

ladies only
When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied. Finally,...
Oct 24, 2008

poor timing
Good afternoon, everybody! Just this morning I posted a blog complaining about all the negative, hate-filled blogs I have seen lately, and of course, I picked the totally wrong day to do...
Oct 24, 2008

wrong e-mail address
A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years before. Because of...
Oct 24, 2008

graduating from golo high-school into golo adulthood
When I left High School, twenty years ago, little did I know that, as an adult, I would get the chance to live the same daily drama again.  Almost two months ago to the day I joined Golo;...
Oct 24, 2008

how many christians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Charismatic: Only 1 - Hands are already in the air.    Pentecostal: 10 - One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.    Presbyterians:...
Oct 23, 2008

the shadow twin
Have you ever wondered how many personas live inside the mind of others you encounter? Can you say that the people you know are exactly who you think they are, or is there a possibility that many of...
Oct 23, 2008

flagged post
Hey guys! A few people who had a chance to see a post bearing my picture but not my name left me messages asking what happened. It was not me posting that blog; rather it was my very own personal...
Oct 22, 2008

pumpkins: the new faces of jack o' lantern
You may be familiar with the many faces of Jack O’Lantern, but did you know that the Irish settlers didn’t originally carve pumpkins?   The Jack O'Lantern legend goes back...
Oct 22, 2008

hot-line for trolls
My son found this today. LOL I just got back from the fair and I'm dead. Have a great evening, everybody!
Oct 21, 2008

ananse series: why the spider is usually found at the corners of rooms
Spiders are one of the icons of Halloween. They are creepy and crawly, but according to African flolklore, they are also wise and creative. The figure of the spider, also known as Ananse, is...
Oct 21, 2008

enemies
Just a few days ago, someone left a comment on one of my posts asking why, if I hated him, I didn’t just come out and said something, rather than posting a cryptic blog to insinuate my feelings....
Oct 20, 2008

global warming: a cyclical pattern or a man-made disaster?
Of all issues that have taken first seat the past few years, global warming is holding steady in the top list.  According to the NY Times: “On Feb. 2, 2007, the United Nations scientific...
Oct 19, 2008

changes of the seasons
Good morning, all! The breeze outside is finally cooler, leaves are falling, and everything around us speaks of the upcoming changes winter will bring. On this lazy Saturday morning I would...
Oct 18, 2008

slayer/tesy '08 - congratulations!!!
You guys are the winners of our Golo election!!! See how simple it was? Those politicians need to hang out with us at Golo for a while to learn how to run. Have a great evening, everybody!!!...
Oct 17, 2008

golo presidency '08: who will the candidates be?
If Golo is a world, then who do you think should be its president? You can introduce yourself as a candidate, or nominate another goloer whom you feel will be a good representative of Golo...
Oct 17, 2008

fact or sensory illusion?
Have you ever wondered if others see and hear the same things you do? After all, images and sounds are picked up by our senses, and then transferred to our brain for processing. What if our brain...
Oct 17, 2008

palin for president
http://www.palinaspresident.com/ Click on different parts of the picture to see the animation. This is funny!
Oct 16, 2008

balancing our inner bank account
Mostly everyone is familiar with balancing a bank account. In order for it to remain in the positive we must put in more money than we get out.  If we draw more money than we can replace,...
Oct 16, 2008

the father who went an extra mile
This is a story of selflessness and determination. More than anything, it’s a story of fatherly love.  One day, a son asked his father to take...
Oct 15, 2008

the two wolves
An old Cherokee man went walking in the mountains with his grandson. They sat on a rock and observed a pack of wolves in the distance.  The old man told his grandson: “Do you see those...
Oct 14, 2008

dear santa, i thought you could read my mind...
How many times in our lives do we receive gifts we don’t really need or want, and seethe internally because the other person was not sensible enough to anticipate our true wishes?  We...
Oct 13, 2008

criticism: friend or foe?
Criticism is often perceived as a personal attack, and our first reaction, when others criticize our actions or thoughts, is to become defensive and, often, lash back.   When someone criticizes...
Oct 12, 2008

the window
Someone sent me this by e-mail, and I just had to post it. Have a wonderful day, everybody. A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.  The first morning in the new house, while...
Oct 11, 2008

living the life of a liberal conservative
Can a conservative and a liberal peacefully cohabitate the same body? They certainly can; I am the living proof of it. Before anyone ruffles their feathers, let me explain.  I was raised...
Oct 10, 2008

golo hug day
Has anyone ever stopped to think how good it feels to give a hug? It’s almost as if, for one moment, everything else stands still, and peace reigns in the world.   When my older son...
Oct 9, 2008

grown-up language
It's Monday morning. The teacher asks the children to explain in "grown-up words" what they have done over the weekend. Timmy raises his hand and says:"This weekend I went on the...
Oct 8, 2008

just for fun. i hope nobody is offended.
Two friends decide to go for a girls' night out, and meet at a bar to have a few drinks and chat. They talk and drink until the wee hours of the morning, then realize they can't drive, so decide...
Oct 8, 2008

who should vote?
Good morning, everybody! Last night, as I watched the debate, I couldn't help shaking my head. Most questions asked were not answered directly, and each candidate basically rehashed the same practiced...
Oct 8, 2008

holding on to faith
Last night I had a strange dream. I was driving down some unknown road, and suddenly I came upon a road block. I got out of the car to see what the problem was, and saw a table set up on the side of...
Oct 7, 2008

what would you do if you win the lottery?
While taking a break from walking the paths of Oakwood, the other day, this question came up: What would you do if you win the lottery? Although I could probably think of a million things to say...
Oct 6, 2008

removed
removed
Oct 6, 2008

fried chicken vs. tofu: changing our perception without losing our southern pride
While walking down the peaceful paths of Oakwood cemetery, yesterday, I was surprised when my friends and I passed by Jessie Helms’ grave. I didn’t know he was buried at Oakwood.  The...
Oct 5, 2008

the cabin in the mountains
Last night I thought about a little cabin in the mountains my parents used to rent throughout my childhood.  It wasn’t the average vacation home, and frankly I don’t know how...
Oct 4, 2008

are we really pro-life?
With the presidential elections at the door, one of the tickets each party has been leaning on to attract voters is the right to choose life. What does being pro-life actually mean? What criteria should...
Oct 3, 2008

free cookies
A group of children are in line for lunch in the cafeteria of a catholic school. At the beginning of the line is a table with a huge tray of apples and a sign: "Please take only one, God's...
Oct 2, 2008

the field trip
Imagine going on a field trip. You get to see new things, some of which you will absolutely love, and others you won’t like or find boring.  I remember some of the field trips I took...
Oct 2, 2008

the stranger within
It is rare to find an individual who is comfortable sitting in silence, allowing his or her mind to be still. Perhaps this is intentional, more than we care to admit.  We do this whenever...
Oct 1, 2008

first pet: what will it be?
Carolinakhaki brought this up indirectly a few nights ago. We know who the candidates for presidency are. But do we know what type of pet will win the run of the White House gardens? Will...
Sep 30, 2008

beyond the hardship
Let’s assume that everything as we know it will end tomorrow. As we speak, markets are crashing miserably and people are losing their platform of security; jobs are lost and homes foreclosed;...
Sep 30, 2008

hope: the final blessing
After Prometheus stole the secret of fire, Zeus sent Pandora as a punishment for mankind. She was given a large jar to carry, and was instructed by Zeus to keep it closed. Unable to resist her...
Sep 29, 2008

what did the candidates' body language say?
This past Friday, the eyes of America were glued on the TV set, hoping to get a better understanding of what Obama and McCain truly are about. We heard their words, and formed different opinions,...
Sep 28, 2008

the roles we play
It’s funny how humans thrive on drama.  No matter what issue arises, we look for things to argue about, which will cause a stir. We can observe this flaw in the political arena, in...
Sep 28, 2008

princess for a day
Today is my daughter’s birthday.   Her arrival, four years ago was a total surprise; at the age of thirty-five, and with two other children already in school, I had just gone back...
Sep 27, 2008

repost: anicet's story
I'm reposting this since it was posted very early this morning, and many people might have missed it. I think everybody needs a little extra motivation on Friday. I’d like to share a story...
Sep 26, 2008

anicet's story
I’d like to share a story which I hope will inspire you as much as it inspired me. It is a story of courage, determination and, most of all, faith. It is the story of a man named Anicet,...
Sep 26, 2008

how to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew
Imagine a beautiful day, the perfect picnic, a special someone, a loaf of bread, some cheese and a bottle of wine and...no corkscrew!? No problem. Here are a few...
Sep 25, 2008

the guilt trap
Have you ever felt really bad about something, and promised yourself that it will never happen again?  We often feel guilty about things, even when the circumstances leading to the fact...
Sep 25, 2008

the friends we haven't met yet
It is strange how people walk in our lives, sometimes.  When I met my friend Connie, two years ago, I was rushing through errands and had stopped by to see my husband at work. As I waited...
Sep 24, 2008

the masks we wear
Masks are one of the most remarkable manmade creations used in rituals throughout recorded history, used by our ancestors to form a bridge between themselves and the Divine.  Though in modern...
Sep 23, 2008

embracing change
We are afraid of change. It's human nature. The fear of change—the fear of the unknown—is so great that we continue to live within the constraints of our own invisible walls.   Force...
Sep 22, 2008

happy birthday, uncle charlie.
Last night my husband’s uncle died. He passed away peacefully, after a long fight with heart disease, leaving behind a wife and seven-year-old son Chasley.  When I went to bed, I lied...
Sep 21, 2008

the things we take for granted
I take things for granted. Most of us do, to some extent.  I thought about this last night, as I sat at the kitchen table at ten o’ clock at night, helping my oldest son with a school...
Sep 20, 2008

quality vs. greed: are we endangering our children's lives?
In the wake of four babies dying, and 6,200 having fallen ill after consuming milk powder tainted with melamine – a chemical used in combination with formaldehyde to produce a resin employed in...
Sep 19, 2008

rerun: i need your vote!
Hi everybody! This is just a rerun, in case some people have missed it and wish to help. My two book sites are nominated for the "I LOVE THIS SITE" award. Please, please,...
Sep 18, 2008

whispers from within
At any given time in our life, we are never alone. If we truly watch for signs and remain open to messages, something will happen which will answer our questions and offer guidance. Guidance...
Sep 18, 2008

i need your vote! no, don't worry, i'm not running for vp
My two book sites are nominated for the "I LOVE THIS SITE" award. Please, please, pretty please...help a fellow goloer and vote. It's good Karma. ...
Sep 17, 2008

discipline: the building block of a functional society
The main goal of discipline is to teach children self-control and remind them that there are natural consequences to their actions: by repeatedly associating an unpleasant consequence to an unwanted...
Sep 17, 2008

the healing power of prayer and positive thinking
Ella Newmiller is a five-year-old little girl who is terminally ill. She was diagnosed not too long ago with an inoperable brain tumor, with a prognosis - according to The Cure Starts Now, a group...
Sep 16, 2008

angels or demons?
A few days ago, while talking to a friend, I learned that one of her co-workers is hoping to get a new job which she applied for last week. This lady-I will name her Lauren to maintain her privacy-has...
Sep 15, 2008

squirrel kidnapping
Does anyone know anything about the behavior of squirrels? I was at the park today, and two squirrels came down a tree, chasing each other. The first squirrel had a baby in its mouth. My daughter...
Sep 14, 2008

love beyond the shell
Although we often use popular labels in conversations, few of us know the origins of the expressions we so freely use. I think most people – at least once in their life – have...
Sep 14, 2008

double vision
Many cultures believe the perspective-perception concept is one of the most important life lessons. In African lore, for example, one of the most well-known entities is Eshu. Eshu is...
Sep 13, 2008

boundaries of our freedom
“Your freedom stops where other people’s freedom starts”.  This simple sentence stuck to me like glue since the first time I heard it, back when I was seven years old,...
Sep 12, 2008

why did the chicken cross the road?
Someone just sent me this. LOL BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change!         The chicken wanted change!                ...
Sep 11, 2008

islam: one of the many peaceful highways on the map of global unity
Of the four billion people who died in the 20th century from all causes combined, 185,000,000 deaths were caused by other humans. At 8.5 millions, murders exceed deaths related to natural disaster (including...
Sep 11, 2008

today is my birthday
Somebody had observed that they would like to read something about me and what I have accomplished, rather than always reading the stories I write about community and others.  I figured this...
Sep 10, 2008

changing the world one act at a time
Since the late eighties, a lot of emergency rooms around the country have admitted that their lack of proper care toward patients is aimed at discouraging people from going to the ER. Because of a drop...
Sep 9, 2008

soul healing: moving the blocks
With the advent of a new wave of thought concerning the association between mind and soul, a new place of prominence has been given to the word "forgiveness". Our whole life, we have...
Sep 8, 2008

hidden blessings
“Two angels were traveling the country, occasionally seeking food and shelter during their journey. They stopped at an opulent mansion, and asked if they could have shelter for the night. The...
Sep 7, 2008

learning from our children
I think everyone agrees that children teach us many lessons. Through them we learn the meaning of true love, patience and tolerance. One thing that’s certain, life with children is never...
Sep 6, 2008

political ambidexterity: appreciating the gray in between
The fight is on.   Whether it’s through vitriol-laced convention speeches or through innuendos and blatant accusations in campaign ads, both sides of the political race focus...
Sep 5, 2008

the sea and the butterfly
The view that awaited us when we arrived at our rental house in Carolina Beach, two weeks ago, was beyond our expectations: Waves were madly crashing on shore, their white foam proudly painting the...
Sep 4, 2008

waiting for hanna
As hours pass, and Hurricane Hanna gets closer, anxiety is growing. As a “Fran survivor”, believe me, I have learned to be ready. I have made my list, checked it twice, and have made...
Sep 3, 2008

the gift of now
In “Journey to Ixtlan", Carlos Castaneda writes about the Angel of Death as being always present near one’s left shoulder. If one turns fast enough, Castaneda writes, it is possible...
Sep 3, 2008

the tree of life
As I was sitting on my deck, sipping iced tea while my husband grilled baby back ribs, Sunday evening, a storm quickly approached from the South. The wind suddenly increased, ruffling the green mane...
Sep 2, 2008

the storm and the rainbow
The sun still shines behind the storm clouds. Although this is a scientifically proven fact, it is also the first thing people choose to forget when Mother Nature unleashes its fury. Similarly,...
Sep 1, 2008

the other face of the homeless
When walking down the paths of Moore Square in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, one has the feeling of having reached the heart of the city. The ancient oaks and poplar trees set a marked contrast...
Aug 31, 2008

learning from a goose: living in peace beyond our racial boundaries
When I mindlessly perused the news a few weeks ago, one story particularly caught my eye: A goose in Hereford, Texas, is perfectly comfortable hanging around with a herd of goats. As peculiar and...
Aug 30, 2008

pointing fingers: is john edwards' affair truly important?
On August 8th 2008 at least fifteen people died in a fatal bus crash, as they were traveling from Houston to Missouri. On the same day, Russia launched an aerial assault and sent troops into Georgia...
Aug 28, 2008

the day katrina opened the door
August 29th 2005 is a day few will ever forget. On that day, Hurricane Katrina ravaged through New Orleans, creating mass destruction and widespread deaths. It was months before some of the bodies were...
Aug 28, 2008