tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99926112012-02-16T04:16:50.073-05:00Simple Observations from One Who Pays Attention --Talking about family, faith, birding, pets, computering, aging, health care, education, and anything else that strikes my fancy--dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.comBlogger721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-88336217664350553272007-01-10T10:33:00.000-05:002007-01-10T10:46:26.217-05:00

It's that time of year again when we make resolutions and review our lives up to this point. In my review, I prefer to think of things that give me pleasure. Here's my list:cornbread and buttermilkespying a rainbowfreshly painted wallscrisp, autumn afternoonsreading a good bookemail from friendsthe laughter of my better-halfconversations with my childrenduskCheeseburger in Paradise's pina

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-30772921917355784602006-12-08T10:30:00.000-05:002007-01-10T11:27:08.968-05:00

My better half and I celebrated 30 years of wedded bliss this month. We feel rather smug about ourselves, thank you very much.Upon reflection, I realize that I have amassed quite a bit of wisdom over these 30 years, and I feel compelled to share some of it.MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITSCheck the circuit breakers before calling a repair manFor every output, there must be an input. Get your glasses and

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1152742663088944912006-07-12T17:14:00.000-04:002006-07-13T10:54:56.600-04:00

Bonnie Blue and Mister Blue kept the fledglings hidden away for about two weeks. This was for their own safety. Meantime, they were learning how to fly and to find their own food.I wasn't sure I'd ever see them again.I noticed a chickadee looking over the bungalow. Later, I noticed twigs protruding from the sides of the nesting box. I had removed Bonnie Blue's nest once the chicks fledged.

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1151355578475689142006-06-26T16:22:00.000-04:002006-06-27T00:15:04.413-04:00

It was a dark and stormy night.After a week of uncomfortably high temperatures, the Earth's fever finally broke. What followed was a deluge of rain, soaking the ground and everything around it. The pores of the heavens released the moisture that had built up from days of heat. Lightening bolts illuminated the starless sky. Thunder rumbled, and the land trembled.As dawn's light began to twinkle

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1150813305304659922006-06-20T09:36:00.000-04:002006-06-27T00:12:26.523-04:00

Look at our little sleeping angel.This is Elijah Blue, only 9 days old.These days, Mister Blue and I spend much of our time collecting bugs and feeding babies. Every morning, our landlord delivers fresh mealworms to the deli. We watch for her and barely wait for her to turn the corner before we're filling up our beaks with juicy mealworms for our nestlings. That's why they're growing so fast -

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1150387819442185892006-06-15T11:26:00.000-04:002006-06-27T00:10:54.420-04:00

Look how much my babies change in just two days!The first picture was taken when they were four days old; the second picture was made when they were six days old. They are getting so fuzzy!Of course, their eyes aren't open yet, and they still sleep a lot, but they sure know it when Mister Blue or I come to the nest with a bug! Such a racket as you've never heard!The temperatures here dropped

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1150129392724174652006-06-12T11:44:00.000-04:002006-06-27T00:08:52.046-04:00

Last week, I spent nearly all my time on the nest. Mister Blue brought the older kids to the roof across the street, so I could see them.Of course, they just couldn't stay away from me."Mama?" one called, "are you in there?""I'm here, BlueBerry.""Are the eggs hatching yet?"As a matter of fact, they were!On Friday, we had two hatchlings! Blue Velvet and Elijah Blue! Aren't they precious?Mister

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1149448777891920132006-06-04T14:53:00.000-04:002006-06-27T00:06:59.376-04:00

I'm still here.Like I told you before, the waiting is the hardest part. At least the air is cooler. I can handle temps in the 80's, but any hotter, and I'm dying in here.Sometimes I get bored.Other times I daydream.Quite often, I watch the activity that goes on in our yard and the yard next door.I watch the landlord refilling the bird feeders and bird baths. Most times her 4-legged barking

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1149107151994540442006-05-31T15:38:00.000-04:002006-06-27T00:05:02.686-04:00

They're all here! The clutch is complete! Four beautiful sky blue eggs! Mister Blue and I are so excited!We knew we might have anywhere from 3 to possibly 7 eggs. We also knew that our second brood of the breeding season would likely number fewer than the first. Four eggs are just right!And now, we wait. 12 to 14 long days and nights. Once incubation begins, it must be continuous. This is

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1148919069930712682006-05-29T10:51:00.000-04:002006-06-27T00:00:02.926-04:00

The neighborhood is quickly becoming a din of cheeps and twitters. Fledglings are in the trees and on the feeders, noisily calling for their parents to "feed me first!"The Titmouse family seems to have produced the most babies. My goodness, they are everywhere! There are also many Finch fledglings - both purple finches and gold finches. Mister Blue and I are happy to note some Chickadee

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1148397542165391862006-05-23T10:09:00.000-04:002006-06-26T20:43:57.976-04:00

Mister Blue put some pine straw in the bungalow to show me how nicely it matched the interior decor. He left a little at the front door as a doormat. Works well, don't you think?I decided that the condo he selected would indeed be acceptable, and I began to build the nest.Not an easy task, let me tell you."Need any help?" Mister wanted to know. He is a thoughtful fellow."Oh no," I said, "thanks

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1148052535798907682006-05-19T10:43:00.000-04:002006-06-26T20:42:34.586-04:00

We looked for a suitable place for sometime. About three weeks ago, Mister Blue came to me and said, "Bonnie Blue, do you want the good news first or the bad news first?"I said, "The good news." I am an optomist.Mister told me he found the most delightful little bungalow with a great view over a yard chock full of bugs. There is water and food close by. The neighborhood was already full of kids,

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1146693586646936752006-05-03T15:58:00.000-04:002006-05-03T17:59:51.293-04:00

I know now what I want to be when I grow up.A Sweet Potato Queen.If you haven't read Jill Connor Browne's books, you are missing something. I suggest you begin at the beginning with "The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love." This will pretty much explain why I feel I would make a right good Tammy. Subsequent books are titled: "God Save the Sweet Potato Queens," "The Sweet Potato Queens' Big A--

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1143656862437800342006-03-29T11:40:00.000-05:002006-03-30T10:22:09.796-05:00

True story . . .A young woman slips across the border between Mexico and the US, determined to earn money to send back to her family. Any wage in the US is better than what she would earn in her native country. While in the US, she bears two children - both of whom are now US citizens. One child is born with special needs. Without proper care and services, he will die, but he is eligible for

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1142998354717287902006-03-21T21:39:00.000-05:002006-03-22T10:47:50.343-05:00

In Afghanistan, a former Muslim was arrested after his family accused him of converting to Christianity. The man confessed to converting 16 years ago while working as a medical aid worker for an International Christian group. If convicted, he may face the death penalty. The judge in the case said that, while they are not against any particular religion of the world, this was against Afghanistan

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1140196622179766242006-02-17T11:09:00.000-05:002006-02-17T14:50:23.386-05:00

As we were growing up, we used to laugh at my dad for having so many gizmos. No gift delighted him more than some sort of gadget designed to make life easier. He was the first to have a weed popper - a stick with prongs on the end to insert beneath the dandelion roots, then step on the lever to pop them out of the ground. He had a yellow flag on the mailbox that sprung up when the door was opened

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1139419675269621372006-02-08T11:24:00.000-05:002006-02-08T12:27:55.350-05:00

I don't care what anybody says, Harry Potter books are entertaining books. If you ever want to carry on a conversation with a young person, of nearly any age, just mention Harry Potter. My nephew is 10. He, his mom, and I have great discussions as to what will happen next in book seven. J.K. Rowling does a magnificent job of creating characters whose lives are entertwined in and out of all

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1138208380032496492006-01-25T10:33:00.000-05:002006-01-25T12:05:24.803-05:00

Unquestionably, author Michael Crichton has a brilliant mind. His fiction is supported by detailed scientific information, even if you do not always agree with it. He must read innumerable scientific journals and reports to have such a vast array of knowledge. Furthermore, unlike simple folks like me, he understands what he reads!His novel, State of Fear, is primarily a vehicle through which to

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1135873209235201452005-12-29T10:29:00.000-05:002005-12-29T11:20:09.290-05:00

I won't kid myself or anyone else. New Year's Resolutions are like diets: began with the best intentions, followed for a short while, only to fall by the wayside as life goes on. Nevertheless, I have a few suggestions for 2006.Let us all be a kinder, gentler people. Let us learn to turn the other cheek and to react less belligerently when inconvenienced.Let's become more tolerant of differences

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1134408566898245562005-12-12T11:38:00.000-05:002005-12-12T12:31:08.336-05:00

Life is too short to hold a grudge or feed a misunderstanding.I think about this a lot, but I suppose Thanksiving and Christmas underscore it because these events center around fellowship with family and friends.Why do individuals allow differences of opinion or disagreements to destroy relationships? Why do we assume that everyone has to be like us, think like us, or behave like us in order to

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1128734448983392202005-10-07T19:12:00.000-04:002005-10-07T21:20:49.020-04:00

Christmas is just around the corner! Are you ready yet?I'm about 70% ready. My cards are addressed; just waiting for the group to get together for the family snapshot. Many of the gifts are purchased, and those that aren't are noted. Am I making you sick? Yeah, I know. I'm a geek.Well here's how I do it. I think about Christmas all year long. When someone comments on an item of desire, I go home

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1128363175698123142005-10-03T13:37:00.000-04:002005-10-03T14:12:55.706-04:00

You know you've read a good book when you feel a sense of desertion once you finish the last page. The characters have become your friends, and now they won't be telling you any more about their lives. I just finished one of those books.The Pleasure Was Mine by Tommy Hays is an easy read, rich with characters and scenery. Hays lives in Asheville, NC, so he's very familiar with the Blue Ridge

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1128015040970400712005-09-29T12:38:00.000-04:002005-09-29T21:54:52.793-04:00

FEMA selected reputable companies who could mobilize large numbers of people in rapid time to work 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week, on relief efforts for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Work done for the US government must be auditable and properly documented. Orders must be approved before any work can be done. Right now, thanks to the Partisan and Media Finger Pointing Frenzy, FEMA

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1127414972514415352005-09-22T13:34:00.000-04:002005-09-22T14:49:32.556-04:00

The lawlessness that took place in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina made America look bad. I've had a hard time finding justification for anyone raping and murdering defenseless victims or stealing jewelry and electronics because they're hungry. C'mon. So what happened here? Do we now have to anticipate thievery, raping, and murder when we formulate our disaster plans?Let's look beyond New

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1126278173473722392005-09-09T10:46:00.000-04:002005-09-09T11:04:11.130-04:00

You know, I'm tired of the Bush bashing that is the media's favorite pasttime. All CNN does is show the devastation that is now New Orleans along with a running commentary about how it is all the fault of the Bush administration. This is just not accurate. My heart goes out to the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Oh my gosh, the catastrophe and heartbreak is unbelievable. But it

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1125789023357662922005-09-03T18:02:00.000-04:002005-09-03T19:11:30.166-04:00

A reader left a very thought-provoking comment on a previous blog I wrote about the Power of Prayer. I've spent a long time trying to formulate what my response would be. Even now, I'm not sure I can put my thoughts into concrete words.First of all, let me say that even though we prayed for hurricane Dennis to change its course so that Mobile Bay would suffer less, we certainly didn't intend for

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1125019907041334582005-08-25T21:31:00.000-04:002005-08-25T21:51:10.376-04:00

My cousin, Kay, sent this to me not long ago. It is worth reprinting here, in its entirety, with no further comment. Read it and learn:In an interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren said:People ask me, 'What is the purpose of life?' And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity.We were made to last forever, and God wants us to

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1124468690298817982005-08-19T09:56:00.000-04:002005-08-19T12:29:35.360-04:00

Mirgraine sufferers may spend a lifetime trying to figure out how NOT to have another headache. If you've ever experienced one of these painful events, you no doubt understand what I mean. Yesterday I accompanied my daughter to her doctor for a recheck after being treated for migraines. This guy really knows his stuff about migraine headaches - probably because he, too, suffers from them. I

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1123256392810801232005-08-05T10:52:00.000-04:002005-08-05T11:39:52.816-04:00

As hurricane Dennis fast approached the Gulf Coast on Sunday, July 10, our relatives' home on Mobile Bay was in line for a direct hit. They hadn't even completed all the repairs from damages caused by last year's Ivan. If Dennis would only turn a little bit more to the east, the potential problems would be significantly less.My sister-in-law phoned my mother-in-law moments before she left for

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1122570279564832992005-07-28T12:09:00.000-04:002005-07-28T13:07:33.376-04:00

Sometimes the only way to beat the heat is with a good soaking!

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1122402048464461912005-07-26T13:35:00.000-04:002005-07-26T14:35:32.603-04:00

My backyard bird posts usually generate a lot of interest, so here are some pictures of the birds frequenting my feeders this summer. Many are return visitors - like the woodpeckers, the towhees, and the cardinals. Others have new plumage - like the goldfinches. Still others are seasonal travelers - like the Indigo bunting and the hummingbirds.The heat is affecting the birds, too. They tend to

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1121539384647418182005-07-16T14:19:00.000-04:002005-07-19T16:44:59.836-04:00

Stop the treadmill for a few minutes and think about things that make you feel good. Here are some of mine:Watching the male cardinal place a morsel of food in the female's beak during mating season.Rocking a sleeping child in my arms.Seeing my better half get really tickled at something.Smelling the gardenias or tea olive blossoms from my back deck.Watching and feeling the approach of a

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1121015107008708322005-07-10T11:32:00.000-04:002005-07-10T13:07:30.026-04:00

Now I ask you: does this photo not make you smile? Can't you imagine how good this must feel - a sunny day, freshly mowed grass, some ancient nasty smell that demands to be rolled on? Indeed, life is good. When I die, I want to come back as one of my pets. We have four babies: two dogs and two cats. We love animals. All animals.I firmly believe that, if one is going to have a pet, one must go to

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1119371264658272192005-06-21T11:38:00.000-04:002005-06-21T12:31:51.173-04:00

I am about to reveal an idiosyncracy about our family that our children would probably prefer remain obscure. Whenever it occurs, they roll their eyes and groan. Even to this day, as adults, they tend to take it as a confirmation of our diminishing neurological capabilities. Yet - I'll wager that, once they have their own kids, they will behave similarly. They won't be able to help themselves.

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1118939414899916272005-06-16T11:28:00.000-04:002005-06-16T12:31:43.976-04:00

We went to the CMA Fest in Nashville last weekend. For us, it was a weekend full of new experiences: 1) we've never been to Nashville; 2) we've never been die-hard country music fans. Considering #2, you might ask, why on earth would we go to the CMA Fest? Well, we might reply, because it was there.For the uninformed, the CMA Fest (Country Music Association-Fest), is held annually in Nashville to

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1117901143702800212005-06-04T11:02:00.000-04:002005-06-04T18:11:24.286-04:00

I collect stuff. As I formulated this post in my head, I realized that I collect a lot of stuff. It gives me great pleasure to find it, attain it, organize it, catalog it, and display it. Then I get satisfaction just looking at it over and over again. I imagine a psychologist would have a heyday with this obsession of mine.Currently, my attention is on my collection of Madame Alexander dolls

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1117575124405831232005-05-31T10:40:00.001-04:002005-05-31T17:32:04.416-04:00

Sometimes it takes a painful loss to serve as an important reminder to live life each day as if it's our last.We attended a funeral this past weekend. There were tears of relief for the end of her suffering, tears of grief for the loss of one so loved, and tears of regret for things not said or not done while she was still alive. It is those tears of regret that will haunt us for the rest of our

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1116436849371450592005-05-18T11:45:00.000-04:002005-05-18T13:49:37.236-04:00

You can just stow away those dirty minds right now.The Suck, Bang, and Blow is a motorcycle bar named for the operations of the motorcycle engine. That said, what I saw leads me to believe that some folks pack their dirty minds in their saddlebags, take them out, and parade them all over the place at certain Bike Week venues.you can see it all at the Suck, Bang, & Blow One of our friends got

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1115308883123463222005-05-10T12:26:00.000-04:002005-05-11T12:45:37.533-04:00

I visited Texas last weekend for the first time. We went to Houston for a wedding and stayed with friends who live in a small town about an hour outside the city. True to Texas hospitality, they made sure we had a good taste of what Texas is really like.Some things I learned:Texas has lovebugs. I haven't seen lovebugs since we lived in Florida.Unlike Southeast BBQ, which is primarily pork, Texas

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1115148152140901942005-05-03T14:59:00.000-04:002005-05-03T15:24:31.176-04:00

My friend, Susan, sent me this. I think high school grads should be given an exam on it. It is so true.Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world. Rule 1

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1113948535140852832005-04-19T17:36:00.000-04:002005-04-19T18:08:55.143-04:00

TRUE STORYA man had about 5 DUI's. His attorney kept moving trial dates until he could get a "lenient" judge or one who was a personal friend. The accused never spent a night in jail, even though he had a severe drinking problem. His next-to-last accident left him crippled, yet he continued to drink and drive. His last drunken drive killed a man who had a wife and 3 daughters. His attorney

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1112987394236563042005-04-14T12:30:00.000-04:002005-04-14T12:32:28.026-04:00

I just bought a great book for my college student, even though he's been there awhile already. It's called, "The Naked Roommate" by Harlan Cohen (Sourcebooks Inc., $14.95). It's loaded with legitimate tips for soon-to-be and already-are college kids. Cohen pretty much tells it like it is, and he backs up his tips with outrageous, hilarious stories. He addresses issues faced by kids these days,

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1112985971192138622005-04-12T11:16:00.000-04:002005-04-12T11:18:20.076-04:00

Okay, so your little high school angel has survived the ACT, the SAT, the applications, and the anxious wait. He's been accepted to college. He's coasting through second semester in high school, looking forward to graduation and maybe first week at the beach or some other wonderful "I'm an adult" trip. And he's acting like a little jerk.What happened to this kid who actually treated you civilly?

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1112984558498552102005-04-08T13:26:00.000-04:002005-04-08T14:24:38.426-04:00

I love teenagers. I really do. Just as toddlers are like sponges, absorbing all there is to know about living and experiencing everything for the first time, so are teenagers. Then, however, they are soaking up all things about the adult world. Sometimes they sop up the nasty stuff; other times they retain what it takes to be responsible. The problem is, we parents never really know what is

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1112723315412517232005-04-05T13:17:00.000-04:002005-04-05T21:18:21.593-04:00

Here's a good one from my friend, Sue, for the approach of Mother's Day: about a "Research Associate in the Field of Child Development and Human Relations" “MOM"A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself."What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1112285439218249542005-03-31T11:03:00.000-05:002005-03-31T11:10:39.216-05:00

God rest the soul of Terri Schiavo.She will no longer have to be center stage of a media circus. Whether or not Terri would have chosen life support or death is now irrelevant, but I wager she would NEVER have chosen to become such a spectacle in the press. If any good comes from this sensationalized personal conflict, hopefully it is the awakening of America to the necessity of having a living

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1112117811015196252005-03-29T12:36:00.000-05:002005-03-29T12:39:16.880-05:00

Good old Reader's Digest - one of my favorite magazines - has done it again with a "duh" article.In the April 2005 issue, p. 102, an article titled, "A Dose of Reality" by Irene S. Levine, Ph.D., talks about the risks involved in prescription drugs and how to decide if you ignore them or not. It begins with the removal of Vioxx from the market and the subsequent panic in America.Significantly, it

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1111686637553098722005-03-24T12:19:00.000-05:002005-03-24T12:53:03.236-05:00

When my mother died and my dad moved into Assisted Living, we had to empty the contents of their house before we sold it. We found boxes and boxes of old photographs, diaries, letters, and newspaper clippings. It inspired me to begin researching our ancestry. I learned some very fascinating things about our family. Our great++ grandfather, Col. William Graham, was preparing to fight in the Battle

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1111532434950810812005-03-22T18:00:00.000-05:002005-03-30T22:39:19.670-05:00

Okay. I need help from one of you all-knowing computer wizards out there. Google AdSense can't seem to solve my problem. Windows Support can't seem to tell me the answer. Blogger doesn't seem to know the answer either.Here is the dilemma: My Blog shows up just as I want it to on Mozilla Firefox and Netscape. BUT on AOL, Internet Explorer, and MSN my sidebar items do not appear on my Main Page;

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1111214519259294132005-03-19T01:00:00.000-05:002005-03-19T15:09:24.046-05:00

We went to The Eagles' concert last week, and I gotta tell you, the old guys can still rock.The arena was packed, mostly with BabyBoomers. After all, the Eagles got together in the early 70's - about the time we could afford to start paying for albums and cassettes. Their songs have spanned our generation. We grew up with "Take It Easy"in 1972 to "Best of My Love" in 1975 to "Heartache Tonight"

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1110997763034180482005-03-16T12:34:00.000-05:002005-03-18T15:43:31.306-05:00

Brian Nichols gunned down a judge, a court reporter, and a customs agent. He pistol whipped a reporter. He allegedly tied up and repeatedly raped a former girlfriend. But when a young woman talked to him about God, he listened. Then he waved a white flag and turned himself in.For this remarkable young woman, Ashley Smith, life had not always been easy, but she was turning things around. Her

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1110767123141468222005-03-13T21:25:00.000-05:002005-03-18T15:44:58.940-05:00

I had good response from my previous bird photos. Here are a few more. Enjoy!Wassup? This looks like a pretty good B&B. Think I'll stick around. A Downy Woodpecker enjoys the suet. A Carolina Wren on the nugget feeder. A Rufous-sided Towhee with his mouth full. A White-throated Sparrow checks out the scenery. The Slate-colored Junco is a ground feeder. Ms. Cardinal surveys the back yard. Mr.

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1110562718455077782005-03-11T12:13:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:12:57.800-05:00

My friend, Chris, sent this to me. It's about how a little boy and a piano master illustrate how we can create exquisite things if we allow the hand of the master to guide us along. Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1110321745941937872005-03-08T16:44:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:14:35.966-05:00

Announcing the winners of the ROYAL BONEHEADED EEJITS AWARD:The nincompoops who drive in the left lane of the freeway at the same speed as those driving in the middle or the right lanes of the freeway.I write my blogs in my head while I drive, and this one has been screaming to be published for awhile now. At least once a week I travel 45 miles to see my dad, and 80% of it is on the highway.

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1109964854516273722005-03-04T13:07:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:15:51.656-05:00

Before I go any further, let me say that I'm usually the designated driver because my drink of choice is water.BUT. . .I've learned how to make a mean Singapore Sling.When I was a teenager, my first drink was Peach Fuzz. Our beach trip chaperone moms mixed up a (very weak) batch and let us have a cup. We thought it was sinfully delicious, even though we were probably dividing one jigger of

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1107984058470729002005-02-27T16:25:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:18:53.380-05:00

"I've found a formula for avoiding these exaggerated fears of age; you take care of every day -- let the calendar take care of the years." -- Ed WynnI think age is indeed a state of mind. I, for example, am a 25 year old trapped in the body of a 51 year old. My dress of choice is jeans and sweatshirt. I like to sit on the floor. I like to try different make-up styles. I like to drive fast. I like

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1109442183901698232005-02-26T13:23:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:20:28.990-05:00

flying along with the Hornblower on our whale watching cruise common dolphins playing in the boat's wake thar she blows a whale fluke a wart hog Baby & Mama Koala a meerkat keeps watch an Alaskan brown bear one of the zoo's two pandas a snoozing gorilla Mom and Junior Oh! Hello there! stunning flamingos Hotel del Coronado and the surrounding bay there's a lorakeet on my head! a cheetah munch

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1109200687622362032005-02-23T17:57:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:21:42.526-05:00

San Diego is a great place to visit! There is always something to do, and the people are great!We stayed near the Gaslamp District which enabled us to walk to Seaside Village (shops) or to the Embarcadero (restaurants & docks) or downtown (restaurants, bars, nightlife). For the first day, we walked everywhere we went. After that, we rented a car.Whale watching was great fun, but I was

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1108487911460739482005-02-15T12:14:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:23:05.870-05:00

I'm having a blast, but I'm not there yet.There is so much to learn and to remember. I have three books I'm reading about HTML, and I'm practicing with Notepad, but experimenting with MS Word. I will figure this out eventually. Unfortunately, I'm so preoccupied with this that I'm neglecting many other things - like writing more posts, laundry, getting ready for my trip, etc. Bear with me. I

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1107366007726005142005-02-09T18:45:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:25:16.296-05:00

Ever wonder why we hear so much about Ritalin or Adderall or ADD or ADHD? Have you noticed how hard teachers work to make education entertaining? or how often kids expect to be entertained at school?Sesame Street made its debut in 1969 -- 35 years ago. Before Sesame Street, children may have watched Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Captain Kangaroo, the Mickey Mouse Club, the Little Rascals, or the

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1107806682764183052005-02-07T15:04:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:26:29.470-05:00

Here are a few more shots of birds we're seeing in our back yard. Not pictured are the black-eyed juncos and rufous-sided towhees. Being ground feeders, they're harder to photograph.A brown thrasher enjoys some suet. A red-bellied woodpecker. We also have downy woodpeckers, but no photos of them yet. Mourning doves have a drink. A tufted titmouse. This black-capped chickadee checks out the scene

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1107623606044610402005-02-05T11:45:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:29:54.556-05:00

We did the ER thang this week with my Dad. He experienced weakness and shortness of breath, and his assisted living staff felt he needed to be checked. We spent from 9:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in the Emergency Room having tests run. He has early Congestive Heart Failure, which really isn't anything new. He's agreed to use a walker to insure stability when he's getting around, and this is a good thing

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1107373950030158212005-02-02T13:43:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:31:35.393-05:00

I started to name this post, "Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself."I just read an article in the March/April 2005 issue of AARP The Magazine. (Yeah, I AM that old). The article is titled "Compassion's Fruit" and is written by Karen Armstrong, a former nun turned religious scholar and the author of The Sprial Staircase: My Climb Out of Darkness (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004) and Buddha (Penguin, 2001).

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1107107793143293592005-01-30T13:56:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:33:03.580-05:00

Thought you might enjoy some of the birds we're seeing these days. With 6 seed feeders, 2 suet feeders, and 4 birdbaths, our yard is well known among our feathered friends (and squirrels) as "Restaurant Row."One of a colony of cardinals sharing our yard. Jan. 2005 Sparrows love to splash and bathe! Jan 2005 A bluebird conference at the watering hole. Jan 2005 Bluebirds scouting for a nice

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1107039936272079692005-01-29T17:36:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:34:20.406-05:00

Okay. I've had a request for more favorite web sites, so I've listed and linked a few for your browsing pleasure.Charity USA -You should bookmark this site and click on each button every day to: help fund free mammograms, fund food for the hungry, provide food for animals in shelters, fund the preservation of rainforests, generate books for children who otherwise would have no access to them,

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1106586256704200142005-01-24T13:03:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:43:33.503-05:00

We have a friend who has a second home in the mountains. He says that the moment he crests the hill as he nears the house, he finds his "zone." All is right with the world; his troubles melt away, and he can finally relax.I can identify with that. I find my "zone" when I'm watching the birds in my backyard. I'll sit at the kitchen table, my feet propped up, my coffee in hand, perhaps with a cat

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1106326955567341792005-01-21T10:40:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:46:02.450-05:00

We are who we are because of the many people with whom we come in contact all through our lives.We are also who we are because God made us this way. Yet, God allows our paths to cross with those of other people who influence how we use what He gave us. We have choices in how we assimilate what we observe.That said, I am who I am because of many people, and I aspire to be like many more.My college

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1106092862706709342005-01-18T17:29:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:47:52.980-05:00

I admit it; I'm a Geek. Of course if you ask my children, I've been a Geek for much longer than I've owned a computer. Before I was a Geek, I believe I was a Dork, or a Nerd, or a Dweeb - but not necessarily in that order. The message there being that it was social suicide to be seen out in public with me. But hey, in my book, this only means I'm doing my job.Nowadays, I am a bonafide,

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1105636197801052742005-01-13T11:02:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:48:46.176-05:00

*Medical costs are sky high. -- The medical profession blames the insurance companies; malpractice insurance is a must, and it costs a bundle. -- Insurance companies blame the legal profession for suing anybody for anything. -- YET - who would the legal profession represent if those (who must pay the sky high medical costs) don't agree to pursue a lawsuit?Sounds to me like we have a bunch of

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1105407624821677172005-01-10T19:52:00.000-05:002005-03-18T17:05:08.686-05:00

I'm a reader. Many of my friends are readers. Upon meeting someone new, often inquiring about books they've recently enjoyed opens the door to an interesting conversation. Seems that lots of folks have favorite books, and they do enjoy talking about them, much to my delight.I read Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees last summer and absolutely loved it. My niece, a middle school teacher, is

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1105126863606751622005-01-07T13:33:00.000-05:002005-03-18T17:06:20.270-05:00

Baby Boomers love labels, i.e.: "Baby Boomers."OK, so now we "Baby Boomers" are a "Sandwich Generation."Our children are nearly on their own, and we are almost "Empty Nesters." In some cases, however, our children have graduated from college and have returned home because a) they haven't found a job yet, or b) they have a job, but not enough money to support themselves, or c) they are awaiting

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9992611.post-1105035761336552512005-01-06T16:51:00.000-05:002005-03-18T17:07:24.630-05:00

Wow. I have my very own Blog. I've never had a Blog before. Until this year, I didn't even know what a Blog was. Unless maybe it was solidified blob. Or a really viscuous clog. or something.I don't always have strong opinions, but I often have observations that I'd like to share. Feel free to agree, disagree, or comment.Observing is something I find highly entertaining. One can learn so much

dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03761150213643819991noreply@blogger.com0