It’s a Sunflower State (of Mind)

The sunflower, known all over the world, is the state flower of Kansas.  I know this because I had to remember it for tests all the way through elementary school.  For some reason, those elementary school teachers think that you should know all the pertinent details of your own state better than any other.  Apologies go out for those kids whose parents moved around a lot.

The sunflower is a big flower named after its large yellow head.  Van Gogh actually did a painting series on this bright, healthy flower – yeah, I found that surprising too!  Actually, it’s a plant more than a flower and mass produced for its seed and oil – both very tasty.  However, its many values are not the reason for this post.  I am sharing this because my neighbor, my Florida neighbor, has sunflowers in her backyard.  What?!! 

Florida is home to palm trees, caladium, and agave plants.  The state flower of Florida is the orange blossom.  Don’t sunflowers need seasons; the extreme summer heat followed by excessive winter cold?  Isn’t that what makes them grow into fields full of mini suns, their faces directed upward as they bask in the glorious heat of that large burning ball we call the sun? 

Orange blossoms don’t grow in Kansas so why should sunflowers grow in Florida?  Looking out my back door and seeing them thriving in my neighbor’s backyard almost feels like thievery.  They are Kansas gold for goodness sake.

I guess in the long run, it doesn’t matter.  I can’t turn her into the crop police and she might turn me in if I try to remove them from her yard!  So, I get to see a little reminder of my roots every time I look into her backyard.  Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.  I do have lots of good memories from the sunflower state.  I guess in hindsight, I’ll take them as a reminder from where I’ve come from and appreciate more, where I am now.

 

Strength in Numbers

For the third time in only a handful of days, Oklahoma has been battered with tornatic storms and now terrible flooding.  The latest batch last night surged its way from Oklahoma through Missouri, hitting the St. Louis area before continuing into Illinois.  I have both friends and family in these areas and have been praying for them and everyone else who has been affected by these damaging storms. 

Watching the media coverage from afar has been surreal.  These communities will come together to cope and rebuild, while the nation stands on the sidelines offering its time, money, prayer, and hope.  Unfortunately, most of us on the sidelines will move on as soon as the media coverage deceases and something else fills the headlines, leaving the affected communities to cope on their own. 

Why is this?  As a country, why does it take a catastrophe to garner compassion and an urgency to help one another?  In a week or two when the headlines cease prime time focus, we will lose interest, become self-centered once again, and move on.  Why does it take a disaster for us to truly care about people who reside outside our daily circles? 

I desperately want to say that I’m a person who willingly steps beyond me to help when the need is fresh and in the limelight.  However, when the pictures fade from the television screen and it takes mental and physical effort on my part to keep that need alive, I fail.  My life takes precedence and my focus reverts back to “me.” 

There is such strength in numbers.  If we could work together to remember those affected by tragedy, to keep us accountable to the hurting world around us, we could become a much stronger nation.  No one person or group can do everything, but as a nation, our numbers grow as does the power of our ability to achieve miraculous things.  We were never meant to walk the earth alone but as a national community of people, willing to step up daily to help one another.  I’m ready to be part of this movement.  How about you, are you with me?

Hail to Antibiotics!

I apologize for not posting yesterday, Thursday, May 30^th.  Not only was it my birthday, I spent it coughing up a lung.  I’ve had this chest congestion that much like the Mucinex commercials, has moved in.  Take a look:

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGdVxSxKhRizkAgL9XNyoA?p=mucinex+commercials&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t-900&type_param=

I’ve had those green globs of phlegm partying away causing much havoc on my respiratory system.  I’ve been through a five-day cocktail of antibiotics and steroids which helped while I was ingesting them but as soon as they were gone, the phlegm came back to party with a vengeance.  It was not the birthday party I was planning!  The time had come to evict my renters permanently.  So I am now on round two of antibiotics and feeling better by the minute.  (Kind of like nasty phlegm meets Rid-X!)  Give me another couple of days and I’ll happily be back to my daily routine!   Yay!!! 

Thought for the Day

In the Pursuit of Happiness

Happiness is a choice.  When you get up each morning and happiness is not part of your daily routine, you have to make a mental choice to be happy (or at least fake happy). 

·         If you don’t feel like smiling, smile anyway. 

·         If you feel moody, find something that motivates you.

·          If you’re feeling anti-social, join the crowd. 

I know it’s easier said (or written) than done, but think about how crossing the path of a happy person makes you feel.  Smiles and laughter are contagious.  The happier you are, the happier the people around you are.  It makes for a happier outlook, a happier day, and a happier life. 

You never know who your smile may affect.  By attitude alone, you could change a life today.

God Bless America

Thank you to all our troops who've fought to keep the freedom we have today in tact.  For those who mourn the loss of family and friends, those who have welcomed soldiers home with open arms, and those who continue their military careers:  God Bless You. 

 

This is for you John (my dad) and Mike (my son), both veterans who are here today with their families.  I love you both with all my heart.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E

Summer 2013 Has "Unofficially" Begun!

Finally, the holiday weekend is here, the unofficial start to summer.  It’s the beginning of the vacation season for some, not so much for others.  I couldn’t imagine having a three month hiatus from work.  However, I believe that teachers need that break for sanity reasons alone.  I raised two boys which was troubling enough at times, so I truly can’t imagine dealing with a classroom full of boys and girls! 

While this weekend is one that we should take time to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed on, all of whom are dancing on my heart this weekend, it also gives us an extra day off.  In light of this, we get to observe higher gas prices, crowded family fun venues, packed lakes and beaches, and lots of outdoor activities.     

And let’s not forget about the food!  Many family gatherings including picnics and barbeques are happening everywhere this weekend.  There are even some fun movies playing on the big screens this weekend.  We indulged in viewing Fast and Furious 6 yesterday – and it was well worth the money spent.  Of course, you probably need to be a Fast fan to appreciate it.

Whatever your plans, enjoy the weekend; we only get two of these a year.  Relax, laugh, enjoy your friends and families, and of course, think about those loved ones who have gone ahead of us.  Rejoice and celebrate the memory of their lives.  Too soon, we’ll be the ones being remembered.