Hello and Welcome...

This blog puts into words and visuals who I am, what I believe and how I go about living life in this world today.

This piece actually came about as I took some time to get to know or "define" myself by listing various things that I like. Then it occurred to me, with the technology of websites and blogs, that this would also come in handy in helping others learn a bit more about me, as well.

So here I am… May you enjoy the moments of this brief journey and find something of it that enhances your own personal journey, too.

Volunteer Service...

Volunteering to do something in your community is one of the most heart-warming, and enjoyable things a person can ever do. I have volunteered for many organizations throughout the years. I have taught, advocated, delved into politics, traveled, marched in parades, served dinners, used my writing and communication skills, and have conducted all sorts of other volunteer efforts. It's good for the community, it's good for the volunteer, and it's good for the people who are served and the organizations that benefit from the help. Volunteering is an important aspect of who I am, and what I'm all about. Volunteering truly comes from the heart, and the desire to make a difference in some good and positive way.

My Nephews...

I have two nephews who are both great athletes. They are in high school and middle school, and both are balls of energy. One thing I love to do with them, and we have done this for years, is make up silly, fun games. One of the favorites of all time is a game we call "Countdown." One of us "sets the pace" of our counting backwards from 100. That is, gives an example of how fast the backward counting should go. The next person sayd "Go!" And the third waits awhile as we each silently count backwards, and then, at some point, says "Stop!" The goal of the game is to see how close to the same number (backward from 100) that we can get. After we stop, we each say what number we were on at that moment. There have been times when we have all been on the same number, so when that happens, we all yell and laugh hysterically. I've been to my nephews' sporting events, and cheered them on. We have all kinds of fun. I've tossed them footballs, played catch with them, and even witnessed one of them throw the "pretend" Million Dollar football toss into the basketball hoop from many yards away in the backyard. The guys are a lot of fun. Oh, they can be a handful at times, but that's okay. That's how family is, especially two growing nephews who are learning about the world with each new day. I love my family.

On Compassion...

I am the type of person who cares about helping out whenever I can. If someone is down, I'll listen. If someone is crying, I ask why, and if there's anything at all I can do to help. I think it's important to be willing to help, if possible. It's also important to be able to put yourself in the other person's situation,in a sense, to try to understand their difficulties. And usually you can do that just by talking with them for a little while and being a good friend. A lot of times, that's all people need, someone who genuinely cares and who is willing to listen. Sometimes, though, the best help you can offer a person is a referral to a specialist. So it's also important to know one's limitations. There's something to be said about helping out with no expectation of receiving anything in return. It's the kind of thing that makes a good place to live a great place to live. Compassion, though, is something I strive to maintain. In doing so, I believe I have come to better understand the world around me. The adversities I have faced in my own life have also taught me valuable lessons about life, human nature and the importance of having hope.

That Easy-Going Feeling...

I make mention of my love of country music farther down in this collection of writings, but I thought I would especially spotlight it here, too, because few would guess that I'm such a country music fan. I have never been to Nashville, Tennessee, and I didn't exactly grow up surrounded by country music, but there's something about a country song that feels so good. Now, I don't yet own cowboy boots, but I do have a cowboy hat. I have gone to several country concerts in the past couple of years, and have seen some of the top acts of the day. I like anything that puts me in mind of easy going, independent determination. Fun skepticism with a dash of genuine heart and great lovin' tossed in for good measure. Country music, to me, is like a nice smile on a warm summer day, when the datebook and timepiece don't matter at all, and the sun just shows me the way through the day on that long walk to nowhere in particular. Or as Dierks Bentley sings, "...Free and easy down the road I go..."

On Tears and Emotion...

My heart is pulled every which way when I read about or hear incidences in which people experience injustice, unfairness, discrimination, cruelty and spite. I am saddened by the continuing wars in which the United States is involved, yet I am hopeful that a sense of urgency to create a diplomatic environment where peace can thrive bring solid solutions. Some hymns and patriotic songs can bring tears to my eyes. Years ago, I wrote a book titled, "It's Okay to Cry." I have cried many times, about many different things. But I don't wallow in tears and self-pity. Instead, I look toward what I can do to help things along or make changes when they are necessary. When we focus on our tears in a constructive way, we have a habit of tuning into our heart, and that is always a very good thing.

The Importance of Education...

Education is important to me. My college education didn’t come easy, but I perservered and graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from Bowling Green State University. I was never particularly encouraged to go to college, but I always knew deep down that it was a vital accomplishment that I needed to attain, and I am so glad that I reached that goal in 1993. My college education inspired me, and taught me that I could do more than I ever thought I could. And, my education is something that can never be taken away. I cherish and honor the continual spirit of learning.

Prayerfulness

My faith is strong in a God that makes himself (or herself) known in the trees we see, the clouds we watch, the smiles we share, and even in the difficult challenges we face. I see and feel God in each breath I take, each step I walk, and each day that opens and closes. My sense is that God is within us, too, and that we forget that we are not only human beings, but spiritual beings as well...walking a sacred path in our everyday lives. Life is fleeting, and we fritter away far too much of it in the blink of an eye.

Attending church services on a regular basis is my way to share my faith and receive the blessings of reminders in sermons that help sustain my thoughts, hopes and actions. Church is a nurturing place where I can also go to help others, as I frequently do, with my volunteer work assisting people with their job searches.

Church is a great support for me in daily life, and I am very thankful for the Biblical example of the life and sacrifice of Jesus, which carries me through the day.

My Sense of Humor...

I love to laugh. I have laughed in church services, doctor’s offices, on busses, in cars and horror of horrors…even in a funeral home. If someone says something that strikes my funny bone, it’s hard for me to stop laughing. And in fact, I’ve even started to cry as a result of trying to keep from laughing. Throughout my life, I have also orchestrated some excellent practical jokes on friends. Here is a brief list:

• Tree Tax: I helped my brother pull a practical joke on a friend of his by creating fake city documents explaining the new “Tree Tax” and the cost for each taxpayer based on a convoluted mathematical formula. The particular friend was a landscaper, and had many trees in his yard at the time. His father-in-law was a city council member, so we also sent the same papers to the councilman, as well as to the friend’s mother and father. That way, we reasoned, he would call his parents and complain about the new tax, only to learn that they, too, had received the information about it. We also thought that by doing that, he would be less likely to believe the new tax to be a prank.

• Financial Aid: I created a “letter” seeking a monetary donation, from then-Soviet leader Boris Yeltsin, to a friend of mine. I used a stamp from England, that had been cancelled, and put it on the front of an envelope. I also copied some Cyrillic letters onto the front of the envelope. It “looked” Russian. The letter “arrived” at her apartment when I did. But I serepticiously dropped it to the floor, and turned it face down. That way, she would think it was something that fell from the day’s mail. I did this prank during a time when the Soviet Union was in dire, financial straits, and was obtaining help money from various nations around the world. I laughed a lot when my friend Barb walked into her kitchen while I was in the living room. I heard her say, “Hmmm…what is this?” I heard her open the envelope. She read the letter. She said, “Whaaat?! What is this?!” A short while later, she came into the living room, laughing.

• Pizza: Growing up, my brother and I lived across the street from a family with a Collie named King. It didn’t take a lot of imagination for us, then, to call the local pizza place (prior to caller id technology) and simply order a pizza for “King.” We watched by the front window for the arrival of the pizza delivery guy. Yes, he arrived! We wondered, would he go inside? Yes, he did! But would he come out without the pizza? No, he did not! He came back outside with the pizza, and we laughed hilariously at our prank. We just couldn’t get over the funny thought of the pizza guy saying, “Pizza…for King.” At one point during our mischief, I turned on the living room light. Of course, my brother panicked and got mad, thinking we pranksters would be found out as we could be seen standing at the window…haha… so out the lights went. We figured that at least the pizza place workers got to eat some pizza that night.

• You're In the News: From time to time I’ll copy and paste a news story into an e-mail and add a made up comment by a friend, as if she were a part of the big news story. I recently did that (again, to my friend Barb) and later learned that she sent the funny article all around the state of Ohio, and even to the Ohio Democratic Party! Oh, my… and everyone had a good laugh, I hear.

Simple Elegance...

This is just one of the prettiest things that I’ve seen in a very long time. As for me, I am strong enough to weather the storms in life. Yet, I have my delicate and fragrant times, too…so that I can enjoy all the goodness life has to offer.

Creating Calm...

I really like this painting, Master Bedroom. It brings me peace of mind and calm. I really enjoy the simplicity in Andrew Wyeth’s paintings. The soft tones, which I love, are important to me to convey a simple embrace of a moment on Earth. This hangs on the wall in my place.

Leaves, leaves and more leaves...

Leaves are so interesting to me. It’s such a connection that I have with trees, leaves, and the cycle of life…I don’t know if I will ever really understand it… I love all the kinds of beauty that I see in leaves. Even the old, crinkled leaves have a beauty to them.

Beautiful Places...

It’s places like this that just capture my heart and imagination. I live for the moments when I find myself in these places. Frequently, when in a place like this, I reach down and collect leaves. Just holding them, feeling their fresh texture, and enjoying their different colors is special. From time to time I'll save a leaf by pressing it in a book. It's just one of my things to do.

Presidentially and Politically Speaking...

My favorite historical figure is…Thomas Jefferson. All controversies aside, I think he was a remarkable person. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, he led our country…what he saw, and what he thought during his life as our nation formed and grew fascinate me to no end. He was caught in a time that defined our nation’s destiny. And of course, not all is well for our country in these days. Life is difficult for so many. I work hard to encourage people to vote, because I believe, and it’s been proven time and time again, that every vote does count. And we can make strides toward change if we all work together. Throughout the years, I have volunteered on many a Democratic, political campaign, and registered people to vote so they, too,could experience the joy of exercising one's rights and participating in our society's civic responsibilities.

The Importance of Words...

I am a writer by profession, and have a background in newspaper journalism which has veered into writing publications for nonprofit organizations. I truly enjoy being a part of a team that helps to empower those who are unheard, those who are weakened by circumstance, and those who have not yet understood that they, too, can be strong. I offer this link to you, so that you may grow by learning some new words. Words…there is such power in communication. That’s why it’s important for us to be careful in how we choose our words each and every day. I wonder what your Word of the Day will be when you click on the link:
http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/

A Favorite Film...

My favorite movie for many years has been, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Dramas and comedies come and go, but this movie stands as one of the timeless classics. I watch it now and recite a lot of the lines as they are spoken. One holiday season, I watched the movie 12 times! I told my mom that I would watch it every time it was on TV that year. Yet another favorite again comes from director Frank Capra: “Meet John Doe.”

The Funny & The Good...

• Once, while in Washington, D.C. at one of the Smithsonian Institution museums, I was so taken by a piece that I touched it without thinking… and the alarm went off in the place! What can I say? Of course, I then walked quickly to another room...

• Last fall, I just wanted to feel the rain on a day when rain was falling very lightly. It’s so good to just walk without an umbrella sometimes, just because…

• I really enjoy walking a lot. I walk for exercise, yes, but also to experience nature and observe, and to breathe it all in through my eyes, my ears—all of my senses, really—and in particular, my sense of wonder. I am inspired by nature and I frequently write about it.

• I think that true friends are forever, and I cherish the friendships that I have had for a long time. New friends are great to add, too, so life does not become stagnant.

• On a recent trip to the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, I saw what I thought was a tiny, 3” plastic orange lizard. I blew on it, thinking it would tip over, being plastic. Instead, it moved, and began to walk away. Ha!...It was an actual salamander! I had never seen one live in the outdoors like that before.

• I really get a kick out of laughing when something strikes me funny, and I am never at a loss for times when I laugh at myself.

• I’ve marched for issues in which I’ve believed: Affordable housing, Peace, to name a couple of things. But even more, I have written articles and letters to the editor, to convey my thoughts even further. And, in some of my recent work, I’ve assisted in creating conferences that address solutions to some of the issues.

• I attend church in Clintonville. Faith and prayer are very important to me. I am not overbearing with religion, though. I honor each person’s right to believe what they need to believe along his or her journey through life. Faith and prayerfulness are important parts of who I am.

On Seeking a Teammate...

When I think about my own search for a spirit kindred to mine, I think in terms of trying to find a good teammate. There are some people who think in that way, but many end up seeking superficial things, first. Not me. I’m looking for someone who feels comfortable in doing things together, conquering new challenges together, just like playing a good game of catch. You really can’t do that by yourself. You need a teammate who will be there to catch the ball and toss it back, with each being willing to come help pick up the ball if it is dropped by the other. I would love to play a game of catch with someone special on a nice spring day, a warm summer evening, or a crisp fall afternoon. And even in winter, but probably with snowballs, then. I have my mitt, I have a hardball... Let's meet at the park and play catch.

Additional Things...

I enjoy living in the big city of Columbus, but I usually refer to it as a town. It’s manageable to me, and the neighborhoods bring it alive. But, I also enjoy visits the slower pace of rural areas, wide open spaces of nature, and quiet places where I can ponder the awe of our planet.

I really like photographing nature. I love trying to “frame” the photo, what to keep in, what to refocus and leave out…I use Nikon N80 and a Nikon D50 35mm cameras, the former a film camera and the latter a digital. Photographs are snips of time, space, light and memory captured by the heart.

The stars in the sky are a wonder to me. My favorite stars in the entire universe are the three stars that are equidistant apart, known as “Orion’s Belt.” If you ever seen them, you will not forget them, so I hope you see them some night.

I thoroughly enjoy New Age peaceful music, and many other varieties of music, including a lot of today’s country music and some rock n’ roll songs. Classical music is vibrant in my mind, and jazz can give anyone a smooth, slow sense. The country music of today is fun, romantic, thought-provoking, sexy and just plain rockin’ at times. I think music is another form of communication that helps us handle the difficult demands of daily life, and helps us find relaxation, peace and meaning.

There are so many things that I find special, and right. These are but a few.

I hope you enjoyed this unique way of getting acquainted. Thank you very much for ‘traveling’ with me, even for a little while, on this brief visit into what stirs me. May peace be yours this day, this week and beyond.

~ Shari