Surviving The Rat Race with Dr. Seuss

Photograph taken at Fingerhut Gallery of Laguna Beach

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.”
― Dr. Seuss

When I get stressed I force myself to stop... take a deep breath... and read...
Dr. Seuss.  Yes, the good Doctor knew how to cure what ails me. 
 
Ever since I was a child reading Green Eggs and Ham, I recognized that this guy really knows what he is talking about.  And now, even as an adult with a career, I realize that for every stress, every problem that seem unsolvable, ever God-Aweful moment, the man had words of wisdom that can get me through the tough times.



Photograph taken at Fingerhut Gallery of Laguna Beach

“You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!: Yellow Back Book

Photograph taken at the collection of Unorthadox Taxidermy at Fingerhut Gallery of Laguna Beach

“Oh, the jobs people work at! Out west near Hawtch-Hawtch there's a Hawtch-Hawtcher bee watcher, his job is to watch. Is to keep both his eyes on the lazy town bee, a bee that is watched will work harder you see. So he watched and he watched, but in spite of his watch that bee didn't work any harder not mawtch. So then somebody said "Our old bee-watching man just isn't bee watching as hard as he can, he ought to be watched by another Hawtch-Hawtcher! The thing that we need is a bee-watcher-watcher!". Well, the bee-watcher-watcher watched the bee-watcher. He didn't watch well so another Hawtch-Hawtcher had to come in as a watch-watcher-watcher! And now all the Hawtchers who live in Hawtch-Hawtch are watching on watch watcher watchering watch, watch watching the watcher who's watching that bee. You're not a Hawtch-Watcher you're lucky you see!”
― Dr. Seuss, Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
 

Photograph taken at Fingerhut Gallery of Laguna Beach

 For when I reatire:
“~I love my job. I love the pay!
~I love it more and more each day.
~I love my boss, he is the best!
~I love his boss and all the rest.

~I love my office and its location. I hate to have to go on vacation.
~I love my furniture, drab and grey, and piles of paper that grow each day!
~I think my job is swell, there's nothing else I love so well.
~I love to work among my peers, I love their leers, and jeers, and sneers.
~I love my computer and its software; I hug it often though it won't care.
~I love each program and every file, I'd love them more if they worked a while.

~I'm happy to be here. I am. I am.
~I'm the happiest slave of the Firm, I am.
~I love this work. I love these chores.
~I love the meetings with deadly bores.
~I love my job - I'll say it again - I even love those friendly men.
~Those friendly men who've come today, in clean white coats to take me away!!!!!”
― Dr. Seuss



“Teeth are always in style.”
― Dr. Seuss
 






“In my world, everyone's a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies!”
― Dr. Seuss










More information:
Quotes were found at www.GoodReads.com at http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/61105.Dr_Seuss?page=1

Pictures were taken at Fingerhut Gallery in Laguna Beach California
There website has many more wonderful pictures of Dr Seuss' Art
http://fingerhutart.com/artists/the-secret-art-of-dr-seuss

You may also like:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fingerhut-Gallery-of-Laguna-Beach/135862653146236#!/Dr.Seuss

Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday - Special People

My daughter has special needs.  Over the years I have realized that she has taught me so much more than I could ever teach her, she has helped me develope into a better person and showed me what life is really about.  She and other's with disibilities are truly special. 

When I see FB posts, like the following from Dan Foeking, I am completely touched.  I hope that more people will realize that it just takes a little TLC and they can be someone's Hero.  Blessings to the cashier that showed such patience and Blessings to all of those that care for and have cared about someone with special needs.

Near Round Lake Park, IL

"I took this picture at Culver's in Mundelein and I hope this employee doesn't mind that I post this, but I wanted to share an awesome story. The customer he is speaking with is a special needs man, and I watched and listened from my booth as he patiently and politely spent about 15 minutes answering all of his questions. He asked about the menu, prices, and even this employee even went as far as t...o retrieve a detailed menu so that he could explain some of the nutritional facts. This employee could not have been more polite and at no time appeared rushed, even though other customers were waiting in line. I wish I could have gotten his name, but he was not wearing a name tag. I did go on to the Culver's website and left my comments, so I hope he gets the recognition he definitely deserves. Sir, I tip my hat to you and pray more people follow your lead in life. Thank you. Feel free to share this, maybe it will make its way back to this employee!" ~Dan Foeking

Wandering Wednesday - Saint Augustine Florida

St.Augustine Florida is a popular tourist town that many people will excitedly exclaim "oh I've been there, I love that place" if brought up in conversation.  It has a very very rich Spanish history and the buildings to prove it.  I absolutely love St. Augustine but for a more personal reason.

In 2002 my daughter, Ashley, turned 13 years old but before that, since about 8 years old, she would have hundreds of drop seizures every day; all day and all night.  While drop seizures are not as well know as grand mall seizures I honestly think that hers were more disruptive because it had caused at least an ER visit every week with something needing to get stitched up.  Unfortunately for her she spent a lot of time in wheel chairs and scooting around to get things so that she wouldn't fall down and get severely injured.  If you can imagine how hard it was to see her want to walk, run and play like any normal kid and she had the ability to do so, but she simply could not because no sooner than she got up she would collapse to the ground.

 During those tough years I almost lost her on 4 different occasions because, for whatever reason, she would have a few episodes of seizures that would cause her to completely stop being able to take in a breath.  First responders would have to bag her and I would watch helplessly while she was being rescued.  Just like many people, our family was going through a time where we had a lot of stress.  I could go on to many details of the struggles but it is much too long of a story.

Wally and Ashley (before Ashley started to have drop seizures)

 What was special about 2002 was that after trying special diets, every medication combination under the sun and all kinds of other treatments she was going to have brain surgery, a complete corpus callosotomy.  I was terrified that if we didn't do it she would have no quality of life and may die and if we did do it she may have no quality of life and may die.  Fun times.  So in light of never having had taken a real family trip during my poor children's entire life and this may be my last chance, I decided to take them to Disney World and on the way a stop in Saint Augustine.  I had no money but when a mother is feeling the way I did you find a way to make things happen and with her neurologist's blessing we were on our way. 

Ashley's 13th Birthday

 I had never been to Florida or really too far out of the Midwest so this was exciting but scary to take Ashley so far away from the security of home and doctors.  At this point she was in the wheel chair 90% of the time, so we made special little trailer for it and strapped it on to the back of our Green '99 Mercury Mystique that Ashley named Green Eggs and Ham. We were completely packed in with a weeks worth of supplies and we hit I90 ready for our 1700 mile trip.  Just outside of Maustin Wisconsin I heard my son, Wally, say "Are we there yet?"  I knew it was going to be a long ride.

After a long ride we finally made it to St. Augustine and found our hotel on the beach.  It was the first time that I had seen the ocean this was such a moving moment for me.  I had always dreamed of travelling, especially to the ocean shores, and for a long time it looked like I was never going to get a chance to.  As I brought the kids out to the beach for the first time I noticed that I had not planned for off roading with Ashley's wheel chair.  No matter how hard I tried I could not maneuver her chair through the sand.  So I took a deep breath, folded it up and put it along side the rail.  Then taking Ashley's hand we ventured out to the water's edge and she fell.  But to my surprise she did not get hurt and there was no blood or no broken stitches from the last injury, she just looked shocked and got up. 

The sand was soft enough that she wouldn't get so banged up if she did fall.  It was the first time in years where Ashley could actually play like a normal kid and I didn't have to feel like I was a cat ready to spring in action at any sign of falling.  The entire time that we were on the beach Ashley was free.  Her brother and her spent many hours jumping waves and discovering treasures along the shore.  When it came time to leave St Augustine they begged to stay longer.  Needless to say once we arrived in Disney World they were very happy we left but that moment of peace in Saint Augustine will always be a treasured memory.

Ashley and Wally (Ashley standing safely on her own with her brother was a special occassion)

 It is amazing to look back and see all of the miracles that God provided for us over the years and during our trip He certainly gave us many. Ashley had very few seizures and the ones she did have were more manageable then normal.  It was a trip that will always out shine any other trip in my life.  Ashley had the surgery succesfully reducing her seizures significantly so that she could leave her wheel chair behind.  She has good days and bad days where she may need to use one for power shopping through a store, but over all life is much better for her.  Ashley is grown up and happily lives with other adults with special needs.  Wally is also an adult and has was just married to a beautiful Utah girl. 

Not only did God give me and my children the strength to get through a very tough time He gave us great beauty and happiness amid the stress and tourmoil.  One of those blessings was found on the shores of Saint Augustine.

Disney World Heals All Broken Hearts!

It was nice to see them smile and to be able to act like kids

Ashley's High School Graduation

Who Doesn't Love a Good Rain?

Isn't it funny how it seems the weather will often correlate with your mood or at least how you feel?  As I may have mentioned before I have been battling a wicked cold and have been feeling under the weather, so to honor me and my sniffles Fresno has just developed its first real rain since, I think, since June.  While this may not seem significant to many, it is actually a great development here.

Not only will the rain add to what little reserve we have but it cleans out the air.  I thank God that while my head begins to clear of its enormous pressure the air is clearing also.  I am surprised at how I have become so accustom to having little or no rain.  In the Midwest a rain storm is nothing more than an inconvenience and not thought of more until a barn is lifted off its foundation or a cow flies by.  But I noticed that I ran to the window at the start of this down pour, anxiously wondering if the Japanese garden will be OK.  Really?  A garden having issues with rain? OK?..  I guess I have become a little spoiled with the fair weather here if I am starting to think that this was a true storm. 

In the short time it has taken to write this little post my big worrisome storm has passed by and it is calmly sprinkling again.  I know that friends from the Midwest must be rolling their eyes by now but not to worry I haven't forgotten what real weather is about; I just had a Fresno moment. 

Oh Christmas Tree

     The history of the Christmas tree actually begins before there was even a Christmas. Prior to the dawn of Christianity, many people in the northern hemisphere believed that winter occurred because the sun god was ill and was growing weak. They celebrated the Winter solstice on December 21st and 22nd because these were the shortest days of the year and at long last the god would begin to recover and warm the lands. The evergreens would remind them of all the lush green plants that would grow when the god was healthy again. These early people would bring in boughs of evergreen to decorate their doorways and windows, some believed that it would help keep witches, evil spirits, and illness away during these dark and cold months. They were not the only early people to find evergreen plants to have special meaning and power.


     Many cultures, from the Egyptians to the Vikings, associated the evergreens in their area with a sun god and would bring a evergreen in to signify the end of winter and the upcoming bountiful season. Often evergreens were thought to signify resurrection and the triumph of life over death.
 
     It was in Germany, around the 16th century, that we find reference to the first Christian practice of bringing inside the evergreens as a celebration of Christmas. More than likely it represented to the Christians a similar message of rebirth and resurrection as it did for earlier pagan people. Because of this connection with paganism it was not accepted into Puritan America until around the mid 18th century. I am personally glad that I missed those solemn and Stoic days of the Puritan society. I can't imagine having been penalized for being happy and celebrating Christ's birth.

This wonderful vintage paper tray depicting a traditional German celebration was found in ETSY shop A Vintage Smattering at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/aVintageSmattering?ref=seller_info

     It wasn't until a picture of the very popular Queen Victoria and Prince Albert sitting aside a Christmas tree with their children to make the evergreen the symbol of Christmas as we know it today. Once this infamous couple deemed it fashionable it mainstreamed and America embraced it, importing German ornaments by the end of the 19th century. It is amazing to see how things have changed in a few short centuries. Many of us wouldn't know what it would be like not to have a Christmas tree in their home or yard beaming light through the long dark winter nights. The lighting of Christmas trees in homes, court yards and squares signifies the start of festivities and celebrations nation wide. What a dreary month December would be without our beloved Christmas tree.

Why Does Snow Have To Be So Cold?

Since moving to California I have discovered just how much our life experiences mold the perspectives we have.  Everything is truly relative, even something so black and white as the outside temperature.  Living in California now and having grown up in the Wisconsin gives me a entirely different perspective than many.  First a little disclaimer: I know that there are people out there that truly love winter and the cold, so Koodos to those people but I happen to not be one.   I can't even tolerate a temperature below freezing and struggle with it when the temperatures dip below 70 degrees.

Although I dislike feeling cold, I had to laugh when I saw my fellow Californians running around in scarves, knit hats, puffer coats and Ug boots as soon as our "cold" weather started this month, a chilly (get this) 65 degrees.  I once thought that their choice in winter apparel was merely for fashion but as I have become more acclimated to this climate I realized that, yes, they are that cold.  


These cute little dolly sized boots and hat was found on ETSY shop PennyStitches at
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/pennysstitches?ref=seller_info

But more amusing to me is that these same people will tell me that they would love to live in the snow.  They go on to tell me how it is so beautiful and they like the cold weather and hate the heat, Really!?  At this point I wish for a teleporter so that for a brief 5 minutes I could zap them into downtown La Crosse Wisconsin to do some window shopping while it snows at 15 degrees F (an above average temperature for some months there.) 

I do think that the snow is beautiful to look at.  But as soon as I had to scrape off my car and shovel the driveway for a half hour just so I could get to work, the beauty wore a bit thin.  The funny thing is that when people, who never experienced the true cold, see a lovely winter wonderland on TV they think that it would be a Christmas miracle to have it snow here in Fresno.  Warm and toasty in their California homes they do not have any means to gauge just how chilly it has to get before the heavens can make those beautiful little crystals.

This beautiful photograph can be purchased from ETSY Shop TierraSky at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TierraSky?ref=seller_info

Alas, I will let them keep that dream and they can think that I am just over exaggerating about how cold it feels back home.  Because, I know that maybe someday they will be standing in a place like Chicago mid December and it will be picture perfect... snow gently cascades down upon their knit cap, a breeze stirs the freshly fallen blanket at their Ug covered feet... a winter as seen on TV ...

Then suddenly, they realize that their hands are freezing mercilessly through their gloves, the winds are picking up to bite at their red chapped nose, and it is at that point they will remember what I told them and think "what the #%@*!!! am I doing here?" Then they will run back to good ole Cali like we do every year after our Holiday visit.

This wonderful vintage newspaper insert was found on ETSY Shop FineOldThings at http://www.etsy.com/shop/fineoldthings?ref=seller_info

Happy snow to all and to all a frost bite, LOL ;)

Memories Of My Country Home

Don't forget to check out my post ~ Flutterby Connection's interview and a chance to WIN 
2 personalized ornaments! Go to http://butterflyintheattic.blogspot.com/2011/08/flutterby-connections-give-away.html


Growing up in the country was a very special experience for me.  I am by no means a country girl; I love the city which I chose to live in now.   But with that being said I am a bit torn and my heart longs for simpler time. A time when a dandelion was magical...

This lovely print was found on ETSY shop TML Creations at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tmlCREATIONS?ref=seller_info

and time when a hay bail could be a jungle gym...

This wonderful photograph was found in  ETSY shop Little Bird Treasures at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBirdTreasures?ref=seller_info

I have such beautiful romantic memories of long walks in the hot summer afternoons waiting for the cherished breeze to come by and cool me.  I would play long hours in our creek that was full of high weeds and as I waded through the icy cold water and looked up I could pretend that I was in a different land.  Light filtered through the tall grass overhead, it looked hazy and hot but in my little world of frogs and tad poles it was cool.

This sweet photograph was found on ETSY shop McClark 23118 at http://www.etsy.com/shop/mclark23118?ref=seller_info

When the blackberries were ripe each day I would take an old ice cream bucket up to the woods and try to fill it full.  I never ate them as I picked because I knew that there were many treats to be made.  My Grandmother Lily was a country girl; she worked very hard to stay on the land that she loved.  While she allowed me to indulge in such whimsy, she herself worked endlessly harvesting and reaping what her acres of land provided. 

This wonderful oil painting was found on ETSY shop Word Weaver Art At
http://www.etsy.com/people/WordWeaverArt?ref=ls_profile

My grandmother would spend tireless hours in her wondrous gardens hand tilling, sewing and tending to them lovingly.  She had an amazing green thumb that was the envy of all who knew her.  There was corn so tall and straight bearing plump lush cobs of corn, bright orange carrots, and beautiful purple beets.  I think that I learned to love vegetables simply from seeing their pretty plants and spectacular colors as she pulled them from ground and plucked them from the vine.

The gardens that my grandmother started and I continued until 5 years ago...My country home.

The yard was filled with gardens each flower lovingly cared for by my grandmother.  She didn't have a lot of money but she was resourceful.  What she couldn't buy she would make; master seamstress, needleworker, crafter, gardener, chef, baker, pianist...and the list could go on endlessly.  My beautiful Grandma Lily passed when I was just 7 years old.  But in those seven years that I had with her she taught me more about life and the gifts God gave me than any teacher of any school I attended.  She taught me to never take for granted anything given to you, to always look around you and to appreciate life, to see the beauty in everything and everyone, and that all things have a purpose. 

This beautiful photograph was found on ETSY shop First Light Photo at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/firstlightphoto?ref=seller_info

So while I truly enjoy all of the conveniences and excitement that surrounds me in my city a little part of my heart sill always belong to my country home.  Today is a day where I am truly missing my grandmother.  I miss the times she would tell me stories about the plants and insects in the garden while she tended her plants.  And I miss the long walks through the acres of hills and meadows where I grew up.

A Friend of A Friend

This morning before I had a chance to have my coffee I met a new friend of a friend.  Apparently on the way to work my coworker crossed paths with a wonderful little creature.  The funny thing was, just like many other Californians, he was an actor. 

"I really don't see the resemblance though"

Stuck in his part he was convinced that he was, indeed, a lobster.  No matter how much I tried to reason with him he insisted and even though I knew that he was a crayfish I finally conceded that yes he did resemble the Red Lobster . 

A wonderful souvenir pin found on ETSY Shop Haywood Creektures at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/haywoodcreektures?ref=seller_info

He could hold a lovely note and recited a rich Shakespearean poem but alas he was still just a crayfish. 

This wonderful book was found on ETSY Shop The Retro Cookbook Shop at
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrocookbook?ref=seller_info

This sweet, funny little town was found on ETSY Shop A Bit A Creativity at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/abitacreativity?ref=seller_info

After a bit my lovely new friend waved good bye promising to keep in touch.

Bye....

Childhood Reminisce ~ Happy Birthday Captain Kangaroo

http://www.etsy.com/shop/postcardsintheattic?ref=si_shop

A whimsical Print found in ETSY Shop Duck and Cover Shop at
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/DuckandCoverShop?ref=seller_info

Today is Captain Kangaroo's birthday! Unfortunately many of our younger generations will never know the kind spirit of his television show. 

This wonderful Vintage Puzzle was found in ETSY Shop, Pam's Craft, at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pamscrafts7631?ref=seller_info

The Captain Kangaroo Show truly taught a message that was wholesome and did not include bodily functions. Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good Sponge Bob episode just like the next kid but I do get an intense feeling of nostalgia when I think of his show along with the old version of Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers.

A wonderful little piece of

Memorabilia handmade by ETSY Shop The Maitland's at

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMaitlands?ref=seller_info

This very creative piece of work was found on ETSY Shop Eisner Art at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EisnerArt?ref=seller_info

As a child I hated to hear adults say "the world is certainly a different place" or "you live in a different world..." but now I find myself thinking those exact statements today. I am sure that the new "normal" is perfectly fine for this upcoming generation; I just miss the days when we were easily entertained by a Muppet or a moose with ping pong balls falling on his head.

I still love little Lamb Chop.  This sweet little creature can be found in ETSY Shop GatorMom13 at http://www.etsy.com/shop/gatormom13?ref=seller_info

This early Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop Golden Book was found on ETSY shop Apple Charlotte
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AppleCharlotte?ref=seller_info

So in honor of Captain Kangaroo let’s travel back in time and celebrate childhood innocence and public broadcasting. XOXOXO~PBS and Children's Television.

Fun Freaky Friday!!! - Monster Mash



This beautiful photo comes from ETSY shop B Square Studio at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bsquarestudio?ref=pr_shop



It's the first Friday after a Full Moon.  To me the full moon has always been a night of beauty, but over the years and working in healthcare I have come to realize that there is some truth to the superstitions and stories about full moon nights.  Take out any spiritual or personal beliefs from the equation and I have observed that people go crazy on full moon nights. Not in a “Party!! Can I get a Whoop, Whoop” sort of way but in a “one that flew over the cuckoo’s nest” kind of crazy that is really disturbing yet intriguing.  Strange things happen in my universe and it just seems that the whole world becomes a tad cockeyed. 

When the world is cockeyed and the moon is full of course it will lead my thoughts to corny old horror movies; that is just how I think.  I do not have the stomach for the new horror films but love the old movies with cheesy overstuffed aliens, cardboard box robots and flying objects that had visible strings attached to it. 

A wonderful collection of digital images to craft with was found in ETSY shop XCreations at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Xreations?ref=seller_info

I have always been a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock, who was a little more realistic and scary than some of the other earlier movies.  I loved Alfred's twisted sense of humor.

One of my favorite movies captured in this art from ETSY Shop ARW Design at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/arwdesign?ref=seller_info

There are several documented first Horror films depending on what country you are looking for and what you would consider a film.  There were short films, only seconds long, that featured some pretty disturbing images made in the very late 1800's but I don't count them.  So then technically, using what I consider a film, Frankenstein was the first horror movie. 

This wonderful classic movie magnet can be found at the fun ETSY shop As We Go Arts at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/aswegoArts?ref=pr_shop
What Fun!!

I remember watching many reruns of The Blob, The Body Snatchers, Godzilla - does whatever (there were so many) and others.  So to treat myself for surviving this discombobulated week and I went in search of memorabilia from many of my favorite old horror movies. 

This Really Creepy limited edition print is autographed by the artist and can be found in ETSY shop Monsterbatory World  at
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/MonsterbatoryWorld?ref=seller_info

This is a wonderful treat, SCREAMING WOMEN WITH MONSTERS CLASSIC HORROR VINTAGE MOVIE COLLAGE KIT found in ETSY shop Iowa Jewl at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/iowajewel?ref=pr_shop

Who could resist this classic found in ETSY shop Jesse Janes at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jessejanes?ref=pr_shop

To the amazing talent on ETSY...

THE MONSTER MASH


CLASSICALLY HORRIFIC


HIT OF THE PARTY

Friday The 13th - Watch for the Lady in Black

Happy Friday the 13th...A day of mysterious superstitions, the lure of fantasies and the darkness surrounding this day.  Although I am not into superstitious, I love the mystery and intrigue.

This wonderful candle was found in ETSY shop The Doxy Fox at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDoxyFox?ref=pr_shop

This beautiful black sultry lipstick is from ETSY shop Providence and Grace at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ProvidenceAndGrace?ref=pr_shop

This amazing Black Widow is from ETSY shop Dezyne Kween at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DezyneKween?ref=pr_shop