The Times We Are Living

Been spending most of my day on the Internet. Not sure how many hours each week I spend there...mostly educating myself in this ever-changing, ever-evolving publishing world...then sharing with others on my path what I've discovered.

Just coming off last night, a late "work", no "play" night really, attending an interactive Webinar. Topic: WebTV broadcasting. Researching the possibilities...I woke up and there I found myself watching TV shows and Movie clips on line, saving some to my Playlists.

When I was a child...I never would have dreamed it possible that "someday" would bring watching my favorite TV show when I wanted and not at some network scheduled time. The fact that I am watching TV on a computer screen...well I'm still adjusting to but liking what I'm adjusting to. As for full movie downloads and watching my 17" computer screen...I haven't adjusted that much!

Late night hours came and my head was spinning out ideas. Sweet dreams last night.

Woke this AM...feeling positive and truth told, a bit overwhelmed by all the possibilities this modern world presents. Like one giant playground for me.

So...cup of coffee in hand...I check out Twitter and there another show broadcasting scheduled for 9AM. I know this group and decide to set my internal clock to tag along on Blog Talk Radio. Time waiting...I wrote more, Rising Sparrow.

What message did these have in common?

The concept Daisy taught me...the message she lived while others had platforms...Lifting As We Climb. Same concept...different words.

So from time to time I am planning to include some of these connections in this ever shrinking boundary world the Internet provides here on Rising Sparrow Press // Storytellers And Writers Blog.

Since I seldom write a blog post without listening to music...here's the one I listened to today on Replay (after I watched the video of course).

The White House supports The Arts !!!!

Whats Your Smooshed PBJ Sandwich

"Definition of" : Smooshed Peanut Butter-Jelly Sandwich (PBJ)

Anything that triggers one to think of people, places, environments when/where they were most content and filled with abundance, heart and soul.

Now, there are peanut butter sandwiches that are well, just OK.

Then PBJ sandwiches that rank based upon specific jellies. Variety is good but my mind memory is Grape.

But there is a truth lost down the ages that I'll share now with you: the distinguishing feature that makes a PBJ a true Smooshed PBJ in my opinion is the temperature of the sandwich.

For best results place sandwich in shade of tree (around 6:30 AM). Now remember you do want some heat getting to that sandwich so yes, place sandwich on west side of tree (if the sun rises from the east where you live) but make sure that the limbs and branches over-hanging are not so thick that sandwich can't find light of day.

Remember, you are not the only creature wanting that sandwich, so be sure to place in top rolled down brown paper bag (modern could be zip lock if you're into plastic) to deter ants or bigger.

If all works to plan, that sandwich you placed 6:30 will be perfect temperature and smooshedness by 9:30 AM. Worst case 10 AM. No accidental or intentional stomping on required.

If you aren't up by 6:30 to place your own sandwich...you're outta luck.

Science behind process: Bread becomes a sponge when PB and J become PBJ.
(I knew this by the time I was 2 but I think it was later also covered in one of my logic or algebra classes.)

So, my early morning hearing a bird tweet led to thought and blog post (here) Monday, October 19, 2009 9:43 AM. Title: Morning Tweeters and Orchard Talks. Search Key words: orchard //orchard talks

That then led to this blog post, What's Your Smooshed PBJ Sandwich

That leads me to circle back to the question (now nearing lunchtime): What's Your Smooshed PBJ Sandwich?


Shared with you here because I feel sorry for the "outta luck" statement above, I'll share a link. And more to the true reason, I believe in and try to live by, Lifting As We Climb.

On my walk out to the orchards (now apple...seasons change, Smooshed PBJ Sandwiches don't), I found another author. So additional link, similar logic, shared interest in serendipity included here: http://serendipitouslyrich.com/book/


Content in this blog also referenced Lifting As We Climb. See older post of Author, Jane Marla VerDow,this blog. Lifting As We Climb Post date: Monday, March 26, 2007
Blog Search Keywords: lifting // climb // lifting as we climb //Daisy // Dear Daisy

Note: If you use key word, Lift the published post on Pooh Bear appears. That's one of my favorite (me) posts on this blog.

Author: Jane Marla VerDow, Dear Daisy copyright ©2004; Independent Publishing: Rising Sparrow Press, est. 2003. Visit Author Website http://www.risingsparrowpress.com/ to learn more about author’s upcoming titles or for writing and self-publishing resources. Also find Hard to Find Resources on history, travel, rare/old book finds, and arts/literature. Enjoy following Blogs: http://www.storytellersandwriters.blogspot.com/ and http://lakeontarioshoreline.blogspot.com/

Book of Lives and Legacies

Author Jane Marla VerDow honors Candaisy "Daisy" Mitchell in the National Women's Hall of Fame, Book of Lives and Legacies.

On this day, January 21, 2008, the day we set aside to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and to remember his "I Have A Dream" speech, the Civil Rights Acts, the marches and protests for civil liberties and freedoms, I would like to honor the woman who first taught me about "Dr King".

Our shared story is told in Dear Daisy, my first novel inspired by and dedicated to my "adopted Grandmother". The Lake Ontario Shoreline of Upstate New York is the place I call home and where my heart will always center to the farm, this place God gave me to connect each harvest season with Daisy. I will forever be grateful for this relationship and for the wisdom Daisy shared with a "boss man's" child under cherry and apple trees. It will always be etched upon my heart that Daisy, my Angel friend on Earth 1959 through the 60's, years later mystically reappeared my Angel from Heaven to guide this grown child on her pathway back Home.

A quote from Dear Daisy expresses best why Daisy is honored in the NWHF Book of Lives and Legacies...
"I hoped the World would sense the role Black Grandmothers play today, and especially the role Colored Grandmothers played in the transition from "slave" or "free slave" to soil and fruits; each day establishing roots and opportunity branches children and children's children know today. This would be my dream. My heart pictured Daisy's rightful time to speak, an "illiterate" adopted Colored Grandmother, a poor migrant traveler rich in Soul and Spirit bridging generations and color divide, a leader in Dr. King's positive peace army."

She will forever be known to myself, friends and family by her less formal name, "Daisy". She didn't need a civil rights movement. Her presence, love and compassion told all there was to learn. Daisy used the canvas life gave her and planted seeds in fertile ground; hearts.

Daisy, my friend, Love Always,

"Miz Jane"
(Jane Marla VerDow)

Spiritual Inspiration

Daisy, my Spiritual Mentor

My faith was born under the cherry or apple tree. As a child, Daisy was my teacher. She could teach about God by a smile, the way she held out her hand, how she listened to my stories, by her patience, and by the strength of her character and Spirit.
As a child, I understood nature, sensed how life should be, accepted what it wasn't on most days, placed hope in tomorrow by living today, and trusted my instinct to know right from wrong and direction.
She taught by her compassion and gentleness to judge fairly or not at all, by her tolerance I learned to look for the good in people, and that the best way to teach was by being or reaching for the best within myself. Daisy as my friend, I sensed early on that we are all God's children; that more makes us the same than different and the contents of a person's heart measures Soul and worth.


Excerpt from Dear Daisy

(2/14/2001)

...I do realize that others hold preconceived visions of Justice that may not be my own and realize that some may be disappointed by the terms of this settlement. I chose this path as it reflects another source of my belief structure that guides my life and is based upon influences I hold dear to my heart. How fitting that this personal level of resolution would occur during this month of February as we celebrate our bonds through contributions of Black culture that I lived so closely with and my heart was nurtured by during my early years.

The motto of the National Association of Colored Woman, “Lifting As We Climb” expresses most closely my own beliefs and guides in word what my heart attempts in action for daily living. Perhaps my sharing this additional detail with you will help to further clarify the Justice path I chose.

From Twentieth Century Negro Literature, 1902
“And so lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go, struggling and striving and hoping that the buds and blossoms of our desires will burst into glorious fruition ere long. With courage born of success in the past, with a keen sense of responsibility, which we must continue to assume, we look forward to the future, large with promise and hope. Seeking no favors because of our color or patronage because of our needs, we knock at the bar of justice and ask for an equal chance.”

God be with us on our pathways of Peace and Justice,
Jane


Dedication
This work is dedicated with all my love to Daisy.
Her warmth taught me love, her gift of patience taught me to search my heart for patience with others, her Soul taught me strength equal to compassion, and through her love and guidance I learned to reach for my World.

Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over and whispers, "Grow, grow." -The Talmud


Dear Daisy,
with all my love,

'Mis Jane

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