SECURITY ALERT: Did you know ...

... copy machines have hard drives that store a copy of EVERYTHING duplicated on the machine? A friend just sent me this video link to a story from CBS Evening News. Watching it was a shocker to me as I tried to remember all the personal, medical, and financial papers I've copied over the years. What a huge security leak! When old machines are 'recycled' the data (from schools, financial institutions, health providers, law enforcement, government, etc) is available to the next owner. The crazy thing is that for about $500 these machines could be fixed so that drives would be 'scrubbed' automatically ... keeping our data safe, but the industry doesn't seem interested in closing this security breach. I plan to write some letters today ... and before I use a copier in the future, I'll ask about 'data scrubbing' software first!

Thought for Today
"It is not good enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well." Rene Descartes

Lost Generation ... (or not)

A Video Worth Watching ... You'll be glad you did!
It's quite cleverly conceived & created ;-)

Thought for Today
"Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty." Frank Herbert, Dune Chronicles

If you have a moment ...

I'd like to share this email and brief but memorable Inspirational Video from Simple Truths with each of you today ... just because.

Dear storyteller,
May you be blessed this holiday season...
And don't forget to pay it forward by sharing this email with friends, family and co-workers. Enjoy!

Here's wishing you and your family a wonderful Holiday season!

Mac Anderson
Founder, Simple Truths

A bit of nostalgia for Christmas ...

Wishing you and yours a Joyous Christmas

Thought for Today
"May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
the gladness of Christmas give you hope, and
the warmth of Christmas give you love."
Anonymous

Let's Hear it for Creatively Genius Entertainment!

Thanks to Hot Mama Mia at The Pittsburg Deli for sharing this creative rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus.  I couldn't resist sharing this one ... just because so ENJOY ;-)



Thought for Today

"The reluctance to put away childish things may be a requirement of genius."  Rebecca Pepper Sinkler

Dona Nobis Pacem - 2009's Peace Blast

Today I join Mimi Lenox and many other bloggers in the 6th Blog Blast for Peace ... and invite YOU to join the wave today on your Blog. Just click Mimi's link and read the directions for getting your own Peace Globe to personalize and publish. Then follow the directions to share with others through her official sites ... and visit others blogging for peace.

Click to embiggen and for others Blogging for Peace

A friend sent the following in email
and methinks it appropriate to share today
as a reminder that we can each CHOOSE how to respond
to every situation ;-)

The Real Mighty Mouse (or the Peaceful Leopard) !

Seemingly unaware of the beast towering over it, the mischievous rodent grabbed at scraps of meat thrown into the African Leopard's enclosure. But instead of pouncing on the the tiny intruder the 12-year-old leopard, called Sheena, appeared to be afraid of the daring mouse and kept her distance. At one stage she tried to nudge the mouse away with her nose, but the determined little chap carried on chewing away until he was full.

Excuse me? A perturbed Sheena the leopard looks on as a cheeky mouse nibbles her food at the Santago Rare Leopard Project in Hertfordshire...

The extraordinary scene was captured by photography student Casey Gutteridge at the Santago Rare Leopard Project in Hertfordshire. The 19-year-old, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, who was photographing the leopard for a course project, was astounded by the mouse's behaviour. He said: 'I have no idea where the mouse came from - he just appeared in the enclosure after the keeper had dropped in the meat for the leopard. 'He didn't take any notice of the leopard, just went straight over to the meat and started feeding himself. 'But the leopard was pretty surprised - she bent down and sniffed the mouse and flinched a bit like she was scared. 'In the meantime the mouse just carried on eating like nothing had happened.

...but even a gentle shove does not deter the little creature from getting his fill... 'It was amazing, even the keeper who had thrown the meat into the enclosure was shocked - he said he'd never seen anything like it before.' Project owner Jackie James added: 'It was so funny to see - Sheena batted the mouse a couple of times to try to get it away from her food. 'But the determined little thing took no notice and just carried on.' Sheena was brought in to the Santago Rare Leopard Project from a UK zoo when she was just four months old. She is one of 14 big cats in the private collection started by Jackie's late husband Peter in 1989.

...so the mouse continued to eat the leopard's lunch and show the leopard who was boss ... (or perhaps the lion decided to make a friend by sharing).

If you missed them, click for links to my previous Blog Blasts for Peace in November of 2008:
Sacred Ruminations- The Strength of Gentleness
Small Reflections-A Revolution of Music,
Blog Rolls & Bling – What if? (a Colorful Alternative to Bombs)
and June of 2008:
Thirteen Thoughts on the Topic of Peace
Peace in Every Step

Click for others participating in
the 6th Blog Blast for Peace!

See my other 2009 Peace Globes at
Happily Retired Gal
Sacred Ruminations
Small Reflections

Thought for Today
"Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent." Issac Assimov

More Blessings & Bling to Share ;--)

I am grateful to
many bloggers who have shared
awards on their blogs:

Mike Golch of Rambling Stuff

Sandee of Comedy Plus
Snap at Tales from Twisty Lane
Gengen at Life's Journey
Martha at Menagerie
Mary, the teach at Work of the Poet
Sandi of Rose Chintz Cottage & Inspirations

just to name a few ;--)

I apologize
to be non-specific with
who gave me just what

but it's been a while
since I've received each of these
and my memory

isn't what it was.
If I missed some one I hope
they will forgive me.

Let me know and I'll
update this and add a link
to your blog as well.

If you decide to
'snag' any of these awards
please leave a comment

with a link to your
blog so I can visit when
time permits me to.

The Friendship Blog Award above implies:

• Green: to symbolize the new buddies.
• Yellow: to represent the guys who are always active.
• Blue: to symbolize with high performing PR Bloggers.
• Red: to symbolize that our blood is red and therefore we are all brothers.
  

Friendship through blogging is one of the very early sought after aims for most Bloggers. There are times when it is difficult to foster friendship through virtual reality. There are friends and there are friends. Even in life, we know that friendship is built on a lot of real life contact and considerations.

The Friendship Blog Award comes with a few DO’s and these are:

1. Create a post as above.
   
2. Include a link Giver Award.
3. Copy-paste the image to be replicated at your Blog Post.

Thought for Today
"If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it."
Edgar Watson Howe

Passing Blessings Along

I have been remiss
in acknowledging receipt
of lovely awards

from virtual friends
in the Blogosphere and so
I take time right now

to remedy this
oversight on my part
and share more awards here

First, a brief acknowledgment of truth:
I'm not much for following rules these days. I heartily apologize to beloved bloggy friends I've not visited of late. I trust you know who you are. Little by little I'm making adjustments in my life ... finding balance between the real & virtual worlds ... setting some direction for myself and my blogs ... moving forward with joy and purposeful choices. It could take me forever to generate a list of 'deserving blogs' ... (or I might never get around to it at all) ... so I quote the words and lists virtual friends wrote here and invite 'valued virtual friends' and unknown visitors who pass this way to 'snag' and share these awards in turn with others. Without further ado and in no particular order ...

Thanks to Michele of Rocky Mountain Retreat
for sharing this lovely gift ;--)

Thanks to Harriet for hosting this nifty Shadow Shot activity
and for sharing this kewl award with all SSS participants.

Martha of Menagerie shared several awards recently in three separate posts each quoted below. Of this award she writes:

I'd like to thank my wonderful friend Vicky from Beauty For Ashes for honoring me with this really lovely award! I had to look up the meaning - basically it means you are the best of the best! :-)

These are the rules associated with this award:
- Display the award in your blog
- Link back to the blog who gave it to you
- Pass the award on to other blogs
- Inform the recipients of the award
- Make rules visible

I'm offering this award to all my regular readers who are here for me no matter what it is I'm posting about here at my menagerie of craziness - I know I'm guilty of getting hooked on certain blogging aspects and then when you least expect it I change my focus, LOL! Why do you think I named my blog Menagerie?!

Blogging buddies come and go just like acquaintances in our daily lives. This is for those who are my true friends out here in the land of blogs. You know who you are - please accept this special award! :-)

and of these, Martha writes:

My friend Audrey over at Stage 3! Who, me? has honored me today with not just one, but two lovely awards! Thanks you so much Audrey!

Audrey is a new friend I've found here in the land of blogs since I've been on my summer break. Audrey is a wonderful lady! I feel so lucky to have met her, and honored to be her friend. I sure hope you will all stop over to visit her if you aren't already a follower of hers.

Here are the lovely awards ...

"The Stroke of the Brush Award recognizes and celebrates the willingness to take risks, speak honestly, act with integrity, and in the process create and share colors and/or words that stroke our curiosity, and brush aside our differences."

"These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers, photographers, poets, humorists and smart a**es!"

You all know how I am when it comes to awards. As much as I really love getting them, I just can't ever bring myself to follow the rules when it comes to presenting them to others. I would never want any of my friends here to feel badly or left out if they weren't chosen. So in my usual style I offer these two wonderful awards to all my true friends out here - You know who you are!

and finally Martha generously continues:

My sweet friend Pacey has honored me with an award! Pacey has six terrific blogs! If you don't already know Pacey please be sure to stop by! Go to her main blog When you were sleeping and be sure to check out all her other great blogs which are listed at the top. Pacey hosts the fun photo meme This WAY THURS-Way and is also one of our Contributors at The Krazy Kitchen hosting Cultural Connections. Be sure to check out her wonderful recipes there too!

The Neno Award is given to those who love blogging, love to encourage friendships through blogging, and who help others seek the reasons why we all love blogging.

Thank you so much Pacey! As always I'm offering this to all my friends here who also love blogging and encourage friendships through blogging! You know who you are :-)

Snap at Tales From Twisty Lane writes:

Look what I got yesterday! Two awards at one time from the lovely and talented Shelly, the Blue Ridge Lady. Thank you, Shelly. I'll try to continue with the *variety feast*!

You must go and visit Shelly. She has been collaging for a little over a year -- bright, beautiful, fun collages. She also does some beaded jewelry and she is a cat lover. It's always hard to hand the awards off to other blogs. There are just too many blogs that make me smile. So, if you don't already have these awards, would like them, or need to make yourself smile -- please grab an award with my blessing and a big YeeeeeHaaawww!

Bonnie Bonsai generously shared the following post at her Appreciation Award Blog ... I'm honored to be included in her list of recipients and wish to pass these lovely awards along here to others. I quote Bonnie below ...

First from Rosidah

I voluntarily picked this up from Rosidah, Music of My Life.. I know she meant well with her personal policy and philosophy as she is a well-meaning person. If you read her blog, you will understand why.

Here are the rules that MUST be followed:

1. Add the logo to your blog.
2. Link to the person from whom you received this award
3. Nominate 7 or more blogs
4. Leave a message on their blog,letting them know they are "One Lovely Blog"!

So here are 7 ingredients, which I love to see in a blog:

1. A lovely host or in other words a good friend
2. Lovely art (candles or other crafts)
3. Lovely communities offering lovely friendship
4. Lovely memes
5. Lovely photography
6. Lovely quizzes or tips
7. Lovely quotes or inspirational thoughts

Second from Silver



This is my second Award from Silver, being she also conferred me the Bella Sinclair Award. Thanks for your sweet kindness Silver.

Thank You Rosidah and Silver from the bottom of my heart. This is truly a magnificent honour for me. My appreciation to you both.

Now it's time to pass the Bucket.

Ready People!

• Small Reflections

• Sylvia From Over The Hill

• Sydney - City and Suburbs

• Joyful Reflections

• Something Sighted

• Southern Journeys

• The New Sixty
  

Cheers!

As for me, I'll do my best to pass along awards in a timely fashion from now on. If I missed anyone I apologize. Please feel free to check out my other blogs to see what I've been up to ... other posts here for more 'awards & bling' to 'snag & share' and I wish you an absolutely delightful day ;--)

A Celebratory Post at Small Reflections
contains an assortment of additional awards
and, of course, earlier posts here do too.

Thought for Today

"Our happiness in this world depends on the affections we are able to inspire." Duchess Prazlin

More Awards and Goodies

Spring Gifts for All ...

those who visit and comment ;--)

Snag, enjoy, & share a bit of Spring with others!

Thanks to Ana Luiza

for this wonderful award!

For Mom's Everywhere ...

Happy Spring To Everyone ... Rainbows & Awards

As my gift to all ...

... who visit & leave me comments, please accept this Rainbow Award to enjoy yourselves & pass it along to others who practice gratitude in their lives on a daily basis.

Click to embiggen for better viewing
The quote is a Chinese Proverb:
"To know the road ahead ...
ask those coming back."

It's been quite a while
since I've posted anything
here ... but today I'm

making up for lost
time and updating a bunch
of awards that I've

given and received
lately and I hope you will
enjoy all of them.

If you decide to
snag a few to pass along
I'd appreciate

knowing who you are
and perhaps some linky-luv
for my friends and me ;--)

Feel free to snag this button to enjoy
& share with others too.

I did it!!! Blog365 - 2008

If you did it too, feel free to 'snag' this award to enjoy! Click to leave me a comment and to see the entire collage in a larger size. There you can also click to embiggen.

Blog 365 + 1 ... because

I posted on February 29th too!

Click for my 2008 Blog Review Meme Post

and 'snag' if YOU posted a '2008 Review too.
Click image for mine & remember I love comments!

More Awards I've created ...

and shared with others too.

♥♥A Valentine♥♥

for all my 'virtual' friends and visitors ... Have a lovely day!

For my Bloggy Friends

a gift to 'snag' and enjoy ;--)
Remember I love comments!

I did it again!

30 posts in 30 days
at Small Reflections

I did it again!

30 posts in 30 days
at Sacred Ruminations

Recently received awards

from Mary, the teach,
at Work of the Poet

from Aline & Akelamalu

3 from Sandee of Comedy Plus

... the Lemonade Award from Alice, the Gal Herself,
& Mike Golch

this Triple Award from Forgetfulone

from Joyce at Mom's Musings ...


Thanks to everyone for
your generosity and thoughtfulness!

Thanks to Sandee ...

of Comedy Plus

Ivana honored me with

and I've shared it too ... click on the award to see who the recipients are and check out their blogs when time permits.

Thanks to Roger

of Idaho Photo for this 'kewl' Van Gogh's Ear Award

I'm blessed with many ...

Thanks to Akelamalu, Mary, & Sandee for sharing this award.

Thanks to Mama Zen

and the Scholastic Scribe

Thanks Kitten ;--)

I'm glad to be your friend too!

Thanks CrackerJacks

I'm honored to accept ;--)

Hootin' Anni gave

me this very 'kewl' graphic award! Isn't she the best?

Vixen - Thanks for

this wonderful award!

Lovely surprise Mike!

Thanks for sharing your well deserved award with me ;--)

More Awards ...

How about this?

Thank you Tammy!

Thanks Chuck

at Foster Me Up

I'm delighted to know

Hootin' Anni loves MY little blog. So does Clara of Coming Back to Life!

An Autumn Award

received from Sandy (of I Beati) shared with friends by me at Sacred Ruminations & bounced right back by Mike Golch! What a sweetie ;--)

Thought for Today
"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." Elisabeth Foley