Live In Freedom

Count Down to Christmas: Day Two

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:06:00 +0000

for you to enjoy

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Count Down to Christmas: Day One

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 01:00:00 +0000

for you to enjoy

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Day Four: Wallowa Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:29:00 +0000

It's not your typical outdoor camping experience

Our tent site is next to the race track (and a 8-hole mini golf course)

back up to a riding ranch

with cleanest bathroom and hot shower all day long

arcade, ping-pong table, and basketball court

Within minutes, you can easily pick up a round of 18 holes

Professional golfers are not allowed here
or go for a stroll across the street

or take a tram ride

or walk to the lake

Nice thing about thunder storms...

we have the lake all to ourselves!

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Day Three: Wallowa Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:28:00 +0000

and thunder storms most of the day that is not typical around here

...but it makes me glad I got plenty of snuggies :D
This is how we celebrated DD#2 12th birthday (part one)

Don't let this fool you...she loves shrimp cocktail!
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Day Two: Wallowa Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:22:00 +0000

...it's all about eating

and self entertainment during thunder storm

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Late Start

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:04:00 +0000

Five hours late getting on the road...hubby took the wrong turn via a scenic Mt. Hood/Columbia Gorge route...but glad we made it before dark

DD#2 is rather happy to be posing here instead of the actual camper!

DD#1 sadly missed the placement audition and first night of dinner with the group at Woodwinds Music Camp @Wallowa Lake

The rest of us is thankful...for summer camping

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Dudley's Bookshop Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:08:00 +0000

...my favorite place to hang out--is closing its door forever!

Many of us are sadden by the threat. Instead of mourning, many of us are pulling together to save Dudley's.

Here is a letter from a friend that says it all what Dudley's all about:

Greetings,
I’m writing on behalf of the way things ought to be. I’m writing on behalf of why I live in Bend. I’m writing on behalf of what we talk about when we talk about community.
One of downtown Bend’s most precious, humane, and resourceful resources – Dudley’s Bookshop Café - is perilously close to closing – for ever. This place where books (Books!) are cheap, music is free, readings are plentiful, where couches are soft and coffee is strong, and where everyone is welcome whether they buy a
book or not – this place is on the brink.
I know, I know – lots of businesses and lots of individuals are on the brink, scraping by, barely making it, not making it. So why am I willing to put my own money up to try and keep Dudley’s open? Because Dudley’s is possibly the downtown area’s most important business. It’s more than retail – it’s a resource. You go
to Dudley’s to meet and talk with friends, drink a cup of tea or coffee, meet with your book group, find a used copy of a book someone recommended, listen to local gossip, sit and stare. It’s the Village Commons if Bend has one. It’s a community space, as much as any space in town.
So, here’s what I’m proposing – I’ll chip in one tenth of Dudley’s rent for the coming month – I’ll tithe, in other words. Are there nine other tithers out there? Or 18 others who would pay one-twentieth of the rent bill? Or 100 who could slide a ten dollar bill out of their pocketbook?
Don’t be shy. Step up if you can. Or do you have a better idea than mine for keeping Dudley’s open? Let’s hear it.
Support Dudley’s, support community, support the best of Bend! Go there and buy a book, buy a coffee, use this resource or lose it. And pass the word!
If you have any sort of contribution, money or ideas or anything else, let me know – let everyone know. And pass the word.

Thanks for reading this,
John Martin

If you are a patron (local or live out-of-town,) do stop by and show Terri and Neil that you care and appreciate all that they have shared and built such dynamic community!

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Happy Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 09 May 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried playdough doesn't come out of shag carpet.
Real Mothers sometimes ask "why me?" and
get their answer when a little voice says, "because I love you best."
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured
by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mother.

It's the little things that count and beauty in the very smallest thing a mother sees...for there's a little bit of heaven in a small child's offering that give a mother pleasure. Wishing every mother a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

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First Friday Art Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 08 May 2010 06:24:00 +0000

On most Friday evenings, it's not difficult to find me

...at Dudley's Bookshop Cafe in heart of downtown, Bend. This evening was quite a treat...music to the ear. One of my favorite local musician (ex-San Francisco Bay Area resident) Mark Barringer performed a piece he discovered recently on YouTube below

The beginning is now and will always be
You say you lost your chance, then fate brought you defeat
but that means nothing, you look so sad
You've been listening to those who say you missed your chance
There's another train, there always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
You feel you're done there's no such thing
although you're standing on your own your own breath is king
The beginning is now don't turn around
Regrets of bad mistakes will only drain you
There's another train, there always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
We crawl in the dark sometimes and think too much
Then we fill our heads with crazy things that only break our hearts
and I know you've seen what the earth can do
When it's dragging down another load of worrisome fools
There's another train, there always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
I know it's hard when you feel confused
You can crown yourself with fear now you feel you cannot move
You're building worlds that don't exist
Imagination plays the worst tricks
There's another train, there always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
There always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
What a powerful sound and lyrics! This is Pete Morton's classic song/anthem with the audience in good form.

If you're local or ever in town visiting, be sure to stop by my favorite store Dudley's Bookshop Cafe! Terri and Neal, the gentle-souls/owners, believe in their cause...recycle books...support local musicians...big supporter of higher education for youths and The Nature of Words...and build a strong community. Many of us would love to see Dudley's here to stay. Ooooh, they serve mean coffee drinks, teas, and real-fruit smoothies too.

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Your Hands

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 03 May 2010 03:35:00 +0000

This song is simple, yet, makes such an impact.

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
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Stella Performances

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:45:00 +0000

Congratulation to all Cascade Middle School (CMS) Advance Band young musicians, under the baton of Music Director Mr. Dave Rushton, for outstanding performances at the 2010 Central Oregon District Band Competition, held in Redmond High School this year. It's my understanding that High Desert Middle School the traditional contender for the event. I am ecstatic for CMS Advance Band students as they have all worked hard in the school year for this big event and the reward--tied First Place with Obsidian Middle School--is well deserved!

A Thousand Hill Overture

Gary Owen and Scotland the Brave

New Horizon March
It was quite a thrill. My teen is glad this is behind her so she may redirect the energy/focus to a solo and two flute-duet pieces at Cascade Foundation for Musical Art competition coming up on May 8, 2010. It's one she is looking forward all year to be critiqued by Michael Gaesme and Clyde Thompson again.

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Cascade Middle School Advanced Band at Summit High School

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:54:00 +0000

This is her second performance with Cascade Middle School Advance Band, under the baton of music director Dave Rushton.

The intermediate and advance bands were invited to play at Summit High School last night.

A Thousand Hill Overture

Gary Owen and Scotland the Brave

New Horizon March
It was quite an entertaining evening, filled with energizing force that pulls the young musicians altogether in celebration of great work. My teen is more than ever excited about auditioning for Summit Winds in May as well as becoming a part of Summit High School's Stage and Jazz Bands in the Fall.

Next judged performance by CMS Advance Band will be Wednesday, April 14, at Redmond High School, in front of a couple of adjudicators.

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2010 Sunriver Young Artist Scholarship Pre-Audtion

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:35:00 +0000

Since 1996, Sunriver Music Festival has been bringing world-class musicians to central Oregon for a classical concert series. The festival also gives scholarships to students from Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties who show exceptional promise in classical music. A select group of students audition in Sunriver before a committee. A concert--typically held at Tower Theatre and Sunriver Holy Trinity Church in early June--celebrates the students who have received scholarship money.

Extensive application is due on April 23, 2010. However, a pre-audition tape was apparently required on Friday, April 2, which we didn't know until Tuesday through Pam Hughes, the flute teacher. Thankfully, an exception/extension was made if we can get the recording in by Thursday morning. We scrambled and met with Jean Schrader, the pianist accompaniment last night, at 9 p.m. I stayed up most of the night to get both recordings on a DVD and turned in on Thursday morning. Life with an ambitious teen musician is never dull nor relaxing.

Here are my teen's pre-audition recordings, under a minute each:

P.10-11 Polacca, Concerto in Re Maggiore per Flauto Ed Orchestra, Prima Edizione

P.24-25, Solos for Flute 36 Repertoire Pieces with Piano Accompaniment, complied and edited by Donald Peck
She got the music for only a day so it is the best she could do.
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2010 Central Oregon Solo and Ensemble

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:30:00 +0000

The solo/ensemble contests are intended to provide student musicians an opportunity to perform a solo or an ensemble, in front of an adjudicator and a limited audience, and to receive constructive comments, both spoken and written, from the adjudicator. Primary benefits to the students are the experience of performing, alone or in a small group, and a critique from someone other than their regular music teacher(s). These contests, only applicable to High Schoolers, also serve as regional qualifying events for the State Solo/Ensemble Contest every spring. We had six flutist qualifiers moving onto State Competition this year--four of which are from Pam Hughes' studio.

Here are the categories for solo/ensemble contests, applicable only for high-schoolers:
WOODWIND SOLO: Piccolo/Flute/Alto Flute; Oboe/English Horn; Clarinet; Alto/Bass Clarinet; Bassoon; Soprano/Alto Saxophone; Tenor/Baritone Saxophone
BRASS SOLO: Trumpet/Cornet; Horn; Trombone; Euphonium/Baritone Horn;
PERCUSSION SOLO:Percussion Solo: Timpani; Mallets; Snare Drum;
MULTIPLE AUXILIARY/KEYBOARD SOLO: Piano; Classical Guitar;
STRING SOLO: Violin; Viola; Violoncello;
VOCAL SOLO: Soprano; Mezzo Soprano; Alto; Tenor; Baritone;
SMALL ENSEMBLE: 2-4 performers not counting accompanist (piano, harp, or guitar)
LARGE ENSEMBLE: 5-16 performers not counting accompanist (piano, harp, or guitar)

My teen wasn't able to play last year because she didn't take any course at a school. So, you see, she is excited to be there today--with her piano accompaniment Jean Schrader--representing her school, Cascade Middle School (even though her only class attending is Advance Band,) as well as her new studio by Pam Hughes.

All-in-all, it was a wonderful experience. She got a trial run of what it's like and looks forward to next year's Solo and Ensemble competition as a high-school freshman!

Hope you enjoy her performance as much as I do!

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I am a Stratus Cloud

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:06:00 +0000

I am without inhibitions and hang ups. I just jump in head first, totally fearless.

I tend to make myself at home wherever I am. I have no problem kicking back and spreading out.

I enjoy being with people and tend to have many close knit, intense relationships.

I don't need much personal space or privacy. I'm happy to be where all the action is.

What Kind of Cloud Are You?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

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I am Stumped...

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

stuck--unable to proceed, often regarding being confounded by some intellectual puzzle.

Anyone knows a quick fix and like to help expand these two pages--ABOUT and FOND MEMORIES on my bog? The Automatic Thumbnail and ReadMore hack is great...but not without a slight hiccup. I love puzzle-solving...but time is a precious commodity on my hand. Plus, I like to get back to musing over days of life rather than this techno/geeky stuff...there are many experts out there than me (one who still don't do texting, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, DiggIt...)

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HTML Image Makeover: Color Frame & Read More

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:22:00 +0000

I spent the past few days refreshing html/hex code knowledge once acquired and used frequently in my ex-Corporate life/entrepreneurial mindset. Five minutes into the game, it all came back to me...but not without help. This site was useful in steering me to the right direction in blog makeovers rather swiftly. I managed to do not one, but two in a day. Click on menu tabs above, just below the header image on this page, and see for yourself.

As you see, I made a couple more changes to the layout. One was adding borders to my images, changing borders style and color, and increasing/decreasing space between image and border. As my image is much smaller now, any added background as a border would be too small to visualize anyway. So, I opted out such modification.

This is what I did: First, I went to Blogger and logged in, navigated to LAYOUT >> EDIT HTML >> and find the following code--you may click ctrl+f to find it via your browser finder
.post img {

BEFORE
.post img {
border:1px solid #CCCCCC;
padding:2px;
}

AFTER
.post img {
border: 4px outset #0000CD;
padding:1px
}

Be sure to PREVIEW before saving the changes.

The second change--Automatic Thumbnail and Read More Feature--is much more noticeable. A well written tutorial is here. Hope you enjoy these little tricks as I move on to more tweaking...one baby-step at a time :D

Next question to self: Do I care to be blessed with Google sitelinks or not? If the structure of my site doesn't allow Google algorithms to find good sitelinks, or Google doesn't think the sitelinks for my site are relevant for the user's query, Google won't show them. Simply adding the words--Facebook and Twitter--on my blog and/or post, my traffic would improve dramatically. Do I care when this is a portal for my random musings of life?

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2010 Baroque Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

...celebration of some of the most beloved music of all time. The festival, which took place in Willie Hall (on COCC Campus) this afternoon was an unique opportunity to experience a remarkable series of concerts, the power of the music, by gifted/talented performers in Bend and Redmond. Studios represented: Jodie Bischof (Festival Co-Chair,) Peter Brownlee, Shannon Devir, and Pam Hughes. Festival Co-Chair and Accompanist: Jean Shrader. Participants: Lily Sulak, Nick Mitchell, Som Barnwell, Abby Stevens, Annalise Ramsthel, Allison Heatoon, Grace Petersen, Elizabeth Liska, Lindsey Willimas, Samanta Bryan, Olivia Holman, and my 13-year-old teen.

Not just for Baroque aficionados, the 2010 Central Oregon Baroque Festival charmed, moved, amazed, and even at times amused its audience--in its non-competitive format. Getting a lesson on musical interpretation in Baroque period from Molly Wheeler, our adjudicator from Portland, was a delightful treat and surprising bonus.

My teen played Concerto in D Major by Francesco Saverio Mercadante. Mercadante may not have been as famous and well-known as some of his contemporaries--Hummel, Beethoven, Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Donizetti, et al--his music was and still is every bit as entertaining, lighthearted, and melodic as theirs.

Such a goof ball...all the pictures taken this afternoon at beautiful Willie Hall were deleted before they were uploaded to flickr!!! This is the second time I've done that--you would've thought I learn the lesson :0(

But...I can't have a photo-less post.

this one was taken at Aspen's birthday party last month.

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Catching Up...with a Blog Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:24:00 +0000

Greetings, families and friends. If you haven’t noticed, my blog has gotten a makeover. The makeover includes an updated theme along with a few additional tweaks, links to my craft blog, RSS Feed, and Comment Feed, as well as a commitment to update the newly redesigned blog on a regular basis--without frivolous formatting!

Guild Night Out with Sue Spargo at Stitchin' Post on October 22, 2009--more treasures here
I am revamping to give the 3-column blog more clear and concise headings/subheadings and consistent page design. I'm not the most creative person in the world; hopefully my blog is looking pretty and spring-like. I'm so over winter and dreariness!

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Good Fortune

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:56:00 +0000

All of us, I suspect, imagine that a world exists from which we alone have been excluded; all of us have our noses pressed against the glass.

If we contemplate our own lives, not the phantom life on the other side, we might find things in them to envy-a family that’s intact; a job we like; excellent health--the thing we take for granted and on which all happiness depends.

Chloe's Exclusive Make-a-Wish Party at their Broken Top Home, on December 8, 2009
Good fortune is there, however sporadic, modest, difficult to achieve. The trick is to recognize it.

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The PoetHouse

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:19:00 +0000

Catch an eyeful of what's happening in The PoetHouse Art today with this divergent, euphonious displays

The PoetHouse Art, located on 55 NW Minnesota in downtown Bend--above the wine shop--is a Non-Profit art studio and gallery with 10 Resident Artists and a number of Member Artists. The space is very unique because it is both a gallery and studio--literally split right down the middle--you get to see into both worlds.

Tymon Emch, the founder of the community-based learning cooperative with classes, has been working on an educational project for a while now. CADA|CASA (community, academics, sports, arts) is an organization that helps connect those who want to teach with those who want to learn. He aims to bring unique, creative, inspired art classes to middle/high school students--also for elementary and below--with available time for one-on-one mentor-ship; starting February 8, 2010 for 6 weeks. These weekly classes are taught by PoetHouse resident artists, all of whom live and practice the medium they passionately wish to share and help young people who might not have the opportunity to discover the world of art.

My younger daughter will be studying

Silkscreen and t-shirt Design
and

Creative Puppets
Registration is open now at www.cadacasa.com. Maybe we'll see you there.

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Dr. Seuss Says...What?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 04:30:00 +0000

Be who you are and say what you feel

because those who mind don't matter

and those who matter don't mind.

Spontaneous afternoon at Indoor Roller Rink on January 15, 2010.

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Celtic Jam Friday at Dudley's

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:45:00 +0000

...a free-for-all, where new people may show up not already knowing the tunes, but willing to just pick out chords and such on the fly.

Often someone will suggest (i.e. shout out) a tune or set, launch right into it, and everyone who wants to join in does.

Quiet instruments and beginners might find the pace a bit breathtaking and may feel overwhelmed at first. Part of the challenge is that you don't always know what to expect--some days you might show up to find you're competing with three fiddles, two guitars, an accordion and four bodhran players (of varying skill levels.) Singers and harp players may only get to be heard while everyone else is taking a beer break.

Celtic Jam features a wide range of instruments including: fiddle, uileann, (Irish) bagpipes, tin whistle, flutes, bouzouki, guitar, bodhran, concertina, and piano.

This crowd brings a lot of enthusiasm, energy and creativity to the rhythms of the collective band. If you haven't been to one, come alone or bring a friend/date. You won't regret it.

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3rd Year is a Charm!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:12:00 +0000

Not one day in anyone’s life is an uneventful day, no day without profound meaning, no matter how dull and boring it might seem, no matter whether you are a waitress or a movie star.

Because in every day of your life, there are opportunities to perform little kindnesses for others, both by conscious acts of will and unconscious example. Each smallest act of kindness—even just words of hope when they are needed, the remembrance of a birthday, a compliment that engenders a smile—reverberates across great distances and spans of time, affecting lives unknown to the one whose generous spirit was the source of this good echo, because kindness is passed on and grows each time it’s passed, until a simple courtesy becomes an act of selfless courage years later and far away.

Every hour in every life contains such often-unrecognized potential to affect the world that the great days and thrilling possibilities are combined always in this momentous day.

More happy memories here
Happy Birthday, sweet 'lil Aspen!

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2010 A New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:34:00 +0000

...the paradox of our time in history! We have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember, to spend some time with your loved ones because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

More Christmas Snapshots here
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person might not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

It is the time of year where many will attempt to develop their New Year’s resolutions. Mine is rather simple: LIVE NOW. DO NOW.

Afternoon with Sara Jackson-Holman, a star in the making

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