Where in the World Are You?

A day comes in the springtime

When earth puts forth her powers

Casts off the bonds of winter

And lights him hence with flowers...

- Dora Read Goodale

Do you ever read things that you know that you should know but that seem to have fallen through the cracks? Today is the Vernal Equinox, albeit a chilly one in my neck of the woods. Spring arrived here two weeks ago and slipped out the back door yesterday. I was going to share some Spring joy with all my friends, but that's not the case for everyone.

While it is Spring here, on the other side of the world folks are wrapping up Summer and sending it packing. One thought led to another and soon I was considering things like hemispheres and who was where, and if the dividing line circles the globe how come we have four hemispheres? Did you know the United States is in both the Northern and Western Hemispheres? 

There are two dividing lines. The first being the Equator, or zero degrees latitude, which divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The second is the Prime Meridian, or zero degrees longitude, which divides the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. While the United States falls completely in both the Northern and Western Hemispheres, there are some countries which are intersected by these lines. The Prime Meridian intersects eight countries and twelve fall directly on the Equator. Depending on where the lines fall, you could be part of up to three hemispheres.

I am sure I must have learned this back in the day somewhere between Bedrock and Google, but I needed a refresher course.

So for my friends around the globe, in which hemisphere(s) are you located?

There is a good explanation found here.



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They're Everywhere!

Look for the small miracles and you'll find they're everywhere. -unknown

Baby Hedgehog

Life is a miracle. Enjoy yours.

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What Are You Doing Today?

What you do today can improve all your tomorrows. - Ralph Marston

The things you do each day impact each of the following days. For example, working out or even walking with a friend or strolling alone with your thoughts, can change how you feel tomorrow. Making good choices today, whether it's exercise, the food you eat or what you allow into your thoughts, put you in a better place for the days ahead.

What are you doing today to prepare for a better tomorrow? 



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Where's The Pizza?

Nobody's perfect, and our fondest memories of anyone are of the hilarious ways they proved it. - Robert Brault

Oops, no pizza in here.

This is so true!  Around our house there is always something to laugh about, and it is usually the stupidest simplest thing that sets off another round of guffaws.

Most of the time I am the one who does or says something that triggers it, and I am the one who laughs the hardest. But a few weeks ago on pizza night, Hubby got his turn.

It's always his job to pull the pizza out of the oven when it's done. Now what you need to know here is that the oven and the dishwasher are both black and right next to each other.  So with the over-sized oven mitts he got for Christmas, he goes to retrieve the pizza, stands squarely in front of the dishwasher, and starts to open the latch, pause..."wait, that's not right." 

We all have those days don't we?  Care to share, or tell on someone else?




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A Clean Slate

Whatever your past has been your future is spotless. - unknown

Our past may hold the stains of our mistakes, but what lies ahead has yet to be touched by our words and deeds.  Our future is a clean slate. How clean can we keep it once it becomes our present?


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When Easy Becomes Difficult

There is nothing so easy but that it becomes difficult when you do it reluctantly. - Publius Terentius Afer

Publius Terentius Afer, better know in English as Terence, was a playwright whose comedies were performed back in 170-160 BC. He was of North African descent and brought to Rome as a slave by a Roman Senator who educated him and subsequently freed him. He wrote six plays, all of which survived.

I think what Terence is saying here is that no matter how easy the task, if it's something we dislike doing, and possibly procrastinate, it becomes difficult. Like, for example, unloading the dishwasher. It is a simple task that no one enjoys doing, therefore it becomes a painful job to be avoided.


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Pass It On

Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. - Maya Angelou

You know that feeling you get when you see a rainbow? Happy and filled with wonder and joy. Let's try and pass on that same feeling to others around us.

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Not Just Another Vacation

This is Day 16 of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is Vacation. Please visit the other participants for more stories. 

Be an explorer. The universe is filled with wonder and magical things. - Flavia


Whether it is across the globe or in your own back yard, the world is a fascinating and wonderful place. Go check it out!

Photo credit: Ashley Morris

This was indeed a wonderful and magical experience. You can see the video and read about my experience in Linda Meets the Manatee. 



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Baseball and Hot Dogs

This is Day 11 of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is The best stadium food you ever ate. Please visit the other participants for more delicious posts.

Most of us have fond memories of food from our childhood. Whether it was our mom's homemade lasagna or a memorable chocolate birthday cake, food has a way of transporting us back to the past. - Homaro Cantu

I have no recollection of ever having eaten stadium food, at least as I suspect is being referred to in this prompt. I have grabbed a quick snack at a concession stand before a concert, but that was never anything to brag about.

Image Source: Dennis Wilkinson

So I will tell you a little about what I think the perfect stadium food would have been. My aunt and uncle lived in New Hampshire, about 50 or so miles outside of Boston, the home of the Boston Red Sox. The games were watched religiously, and if not televised then listened to on the radio. 

This was back in the day of Carl Yastrzemski and Carlton Fisk, among others. Now as far as I know they never actually went to the games, but were avid fans, nonetheless.

How does that relate to stadium food? Back in the day, there were these delicious hot dogs that I knew as New Hampshire Provisions. They don't exist now, at least not like they were back then. Even the last time I had them, they were not the same. But back then they were the "best hot dogs ever". The flavor and texture were great and they used natural casings so their was a slight pop when you bit into them. Pair that with the classic New England butter-grilled buns and it was an absolute delight. Just thinking about this takes me back to those summer visits, eating hot dogs and watching the Red Sox.


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Life's Turning Point

This is Day 6 of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is Life's turning point. Please visit the other participants for more interesting views on this topic.

The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt. -Max Lerner

Most of us are stronger than we give ourselves credit for being. Many times we only figure it out when we are faced with one of life's turning points. Now not all turning points are bad or stem from some tragic event, but those that do bring us face to face with the need to find our inner strength. If I had to define a "life turning point" I would say it is when something changes you in such a manner that you feel things will not be the same going forward. In other words, a turning point is not a bump in the road or a plot twist, it is a significant life event.


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The View at the Top

Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, 

not of words. Trust movement. -Alfred Adler

Words are just words until they are followed up by actions. Yes, words and conversation are important. Very much so, but the real essence of living is doing, not just talking about it.

This picture was taken last summer from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The action of walking up 219 steps brought us to the gorgeous view.


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Peace on Earth

He who has not Christmas in his heart 

will never find it under a tree. - Roy L. Smith

Here it is the first day of December and the Holidays are finding me busy with much left on a never-ending to-do list. Christmas cards to write and gifts to agonize over and hope Amazon delivers in time.

Still, I'd like to take a moment to reflect and ponder that there is more to Christmas than the perfect gift or the right party outfit. It is being peaceful and enjoying being with friends and family. Everything else will sort itself out, and if it doesn't, it probably wasn't all that important anyway. 




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Color The World

My skin is kind of sort of brownish
Pinkish yellowish white.
My eyes are greyish blueish green,
But I’m told they look orange in the night.
My hair is reddish blondish brown,
But it’s silver when it’s wet.
And all the colors I am inside
Have not been invented yet.
- Shel Silverstein, "Colors"

The world isn't black and white and neither are people. We are as multi-colored as we are multi-faceted. Everyone is their own brand of unique. We are colorfully complex individuals; a living garden of humanity. The more we are different from each other, the more we are the same. Being unique individuals is what we have in common all across the world. This is something we should embrace, learn from and treasure.

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A Cup of Memories

If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; if you are depressed, it will cheer you; if you are excited it will calm you. 
- William Ewart Gladstone

Apparently tea is a beverage for all seasons and all reasons. My Mom would drink hot tea year round, any time of the day, while I prefer iced tea. When I was a kid, she and I would make ourselves lunch on a warmish winter day and take it outside to eat. We would find a sheltered place in the sun, usually next to the house behind a big bush and sit and eat. I remember she would fill a jar with a lid with hot tea instead of using a cup. Those were good times.

Does a cup of tea conjure up any memories for you?



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Another Rainy Day

A pleasant smile is the wisest comment, always interpreted favorably and rarely misquoted. - Robert Brault

Being at the beach always puts a smile on my face, so on this rainy November day, I look back, remember and smile. The gull in this picture is getting his smile on, too.



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Sky On Fire

Never waste any amount of time doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should be sitting under.  - C. Joybell C.

Take a moment and relax to a beautiful sunset and the sounds of the waves gently lapping at the shoreline.



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Fall Is Upon Us

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. 

― L.M. Montgomery

There is as much beauty in one simple leaf as on a whole mountainside.

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A New Season

Oh how we love pumpkin season. You did know this gourd-ish squash has its own season, right? Winter, Spring, Summer, Pumpkin.... We anxiously anticipate it every year. -Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer, October 2010

Hawks Pumpkin Patch

Move over roses - everything is coming up pumpkins! It goes beyond pies, muffins and lattes. There are pumpkin spice marshmallows, English muffins, bagels, cream cheese and yogurt, but it doesn't stop there. There is even a pumpkin spice kahlua. Want more pumpkin? Check out this list of foods for the pumpkin season.


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Nature's Way

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, 

and to have my senses put in order. - John Burroughs

Nature affords us the simple pleasures that relax and soothe us, and make all right with our world again. Whether we gaze out over the ocean, hike a wooded trail or while away shady hours beneath an old oak tree, nature brings us back in touch with ourselves.




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Shine On!

I wish I was a glow worm,

A glow worm's never glum.

'Cos how can you be grumpy

When the sun shines out your bum!

- Unknown

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

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