Buzz buzz...

Sorry...it has been a while since I last posted.
I wanted to share with you, though, a new book that I just received in the mail the other day.
It is called Queen Bee Moms and Kingpin Dads by Rosalind Wiseman. I first heard about this book by reading about it in the back of Rosalinds other book, Queen Bees and Wannabes.
I dived in last night, but only got through the Introduction. Yet, I have already learned SO much.
It is not your casual reading material.... you have to take notes (or in my case, underline important areas...and I have already underlined quite a bit!)

Some of the stuff I learned so far:

-In this world, many parents compete ruthlessly through their own children.

-Parents' social hierarchies influence how they guide their own children's lives.

-Your job isn't to be your child's best friend!

-Our culture makes us feel that we have to be and look a certain way so that we belong.

- In many circles, being loyal means backing up your "friends" by saying nothing, laughing, or even joining in when their actions are unethical or cruel.

I am ready and eager to continue on with the book.
Just wanted to share...

...deep in the ♥ of Texas

The stars at night,

Are big and bright,

Deep in the heart of Texas,

The prairie sky

Is wide and high,

Deep in the heart of Texas.

The sage in bloom

Is like perfume,

Deep in the heart of Texas,

Reminds me of,

The one I love,

Deep in the heart of Texas.

I got a call yesterday from my Mom. She told me that her sister (my Auntie Marie) is in the hospital and her health is failing. Although the call came to me as a shock, a part of me knew that someday soon this call would come. You see, my aunt has lived a full life; a VERY full life; and now in her mid-90's her time is only that much more brief.
 
My Auntie Marie was married, yet never had children of her own. Her "children" were us nephew and nieces. She was married to my Uncle Otto.
Back in the mid-1980's, she and Uncle Otto packed up there things and moved from their home Chicago and headed down to Texas...to a warmer-retired life.
They settled in the small charming German town of New Braunfels and modestly they lived in a modular home community.
They became heavily involved in their Catholic church. They had many friends that were near-and-dear.
Uncle Otto died in the mid-90's, yet my aunts strong faith continued.
A child of the depression-era, she was a "saver". Nothing went to waste; everything could be re-used, at least one or two more times.
What I remember most about my Auntie Marie is her unwavering faith. She had many adversities in her life, yet she was always a pillar of strength. She was always healthy and always happy. Right until the last time I saw her, which was last summer, her zest for life was still the same.
 
In these last few days, although I am not able to be with her in person, I will re-live those dear and happy memories that I share with her. I will always have etched in my mind her special laugh, the unique smell of her home, and the time she showed me (when I was a little girl) how to make  proper pancakes. As my Godmother, she showed me a love of cooking, life and God.
 
 She was such a giving and caring individual: and  I will give that back to those around me I encounter...always!
 
I ♥ you, Auntie Marie...



 
 

a random Thursday thought...

the Iditarod...

The Iditarod. I know this won't come as any great interest to many of you. But, for some reason it does for me, as well as my family.

 Known as "the last great race", the Iditarod 2012 began in Willow, Alaska last Saturday, March 3rd. Over 60 mushers with their dog teams set out; hoping to finish to the end.
 The race's history is an interesting one, at best. Each year, in early March, mushers and their dogs embark on an 1,049 mile journey, through excruciating conditions, from Anchorage Alaska all the way to Nome.

The race can go on for almost 2 weeks! Along the way the mushers make sure that the dogs are well taken care of. Those dogs just LOVE to run...

I have always had a great fascination with all-things Alaska,the Iditarod being no exception.

When me and the family had the awesome pleasure of visiting Alaska last summer, (see here and here) we stopped in Wasilla (yes, Sarah Palins home-turf.) Wasilla is home to the Iditarod Trial Race Headquarters.

Inside, it contains ALL things Iditarod. It was a fascinating place to visit.

[Joe Redington Sr. - Father of the Iditarod]





[our less than 1 minute dog sled ride...those dogs were FAST!]

                                                         [paw mits from previous sled dogs]               

Later on our trip, at our stop in Denali we learned even more about the power and necessity of these hard working dogs. Our tour guide, Jamie, explained all about how necessary these dogs actually are in the Denali National Park, as well as surrounding areas. No vehicles of any kind are allowed in the park in the winter; yet there are park rangers, field guides and other naturalists that still work and live there over the winter. The only way for supplies/food/ and other items to be delivered into the park and the several miles to where they need to be is with the help of the sled dogs. Without the hard work of these dogs there would be no way to get this job done.

You may or may not have heard the name Balto before? Well, he was the dog that became famous for traveling hundreds of miles to deliver a serum that would help stop the deadly diphtheria epidemic in Alaska. His heroic efforts are still near-and-dear to many people, even to this day.

                                          

A great book: The Great Serum Race by Debbie S. Miller.

                                                                                  

                                                                  

comments or questions?

I appreciate any questions of comments you may have. I will only be taking these by email, from now on.

If you care to share; please email me at:

      junipercards@yahoo.com