Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Some blog potpourri

I've gotten into the habit of writing a post on this blog three times a week: one on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday), another on Monday or Tuesday, and of course the weekly hike with the Trailblazers on Thursdays. When Tuesday rolls around and I'm sitting with a book, the subject of a post begins to intrude into my consciousness and I realize that it won't let me go until I sit down at my computer and try to compose something that interests me, at least.

Yesterday morning was glorious, the morning sun shining brilliantly through the windows, and I decided to leave for the bus early and take a few flower pictures. Nothing quite as nice as that light. I was a little stiff and sore from having made three excellent skydives on Sunday. The freefall portions were good, everything going as planned, my parachute openings soft and on heading, and my landings all good, just a nice tiptoe down onto the ground. I could have made more jumps but I was getting tired and, after driving for an hour and a half to arrive back home, I realized how tired I actually was when I got out of the car.

Is a dandelion in the state above really still a flower? Or is it a weed? I saw a lawn on the way home today that had dozens of blank dandelion stalks sticking up, not pretty at all. But the nice yellow flower is, and I think that the seed state of the dandelion is beautiful, too. Not everyone agrees.
Nobody disputes the beauty of this butter-yellow rhodie, though, with the morning light streaming through it. Although I left the apartment a full ten minutes earlier I usually do, I noticed that if I didn't step on it I would miss the bus. I took several pictures of this beautiful flower before I left.

I mentioned on my other blog that I bought a new MacBook Air, which arrived last Friday, and I cannot be happier with it. I chose to buy the 13-inch version to replace my seven-year-old MacBook. It's so amazingly light and small that I was not sure I would like the keyboard, but it's full sized and really perfect. I'm writing this post on my iMac in the living room, but I can see how I could get so enamored with my new gadget that I could forget my old friend. I downloaded pictures from my camera through the Air's SD slot and it was lightning fast. I don't have one of those on my iMac but instead use a USB connection to load my pictures. Gotta stop soon or I'll wax eloquent about the Air for way too long. Check it out.

Finally, when I read my email this morning, I found a wonderful forwarded email from Norma Jean. I don't know who sent it to her, but the person said this about it:
How much fun is this!  What a crazy, delightful ever-changing world!  Who could have thought that in 2012 young people in Moscow would put on a "flash mob" happening, dancing to a 1983 year old "American song" written by a Russian-born American Jew (Irving Berlin) whose last name is the capital of Germany... Check out that red Chrysler 300 limo!
 I don't put a lot of links to videos on my blog, but this one is so wonderful I have teared up from joy each time I've watched it. I hope you enjoy it, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgoapkOo4vg

It gives me hope that the world will indeed change for the better, once the young people take over.
:-)


27 comments:

  1. Dandelions? Official science is slowly changing it's mind about dandelions. At one time they were declared noxious weeds and invasives. That is slowly changing. They're not really willing to classify them as invasives anymore.

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  2. Don't they say a weed is a weed only if you think it is. I was at Best Buy last week looking at computers. I do like this new thin and sleek look. I haven't bought anything but son wants me to go Mac this time. DJan, our only hope is in the young people.

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  3. i have really liked having a laptop w/ an SD card slot, too. seems so easy to pop in and download pics. glad your jumps went well - you are such a daring woman! :)

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  4. We enjoyed that Flash Mob..very much! Thanks for the link!
    I rather like Dandys..:)

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  5. I love dandelions

    I'm glad you're having a good time with your new computer :)
    sounds great

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  6. DJan, you're "Putting On The Ritz", every time I open a post from your blog. I loved this post. We went from dandelions, which I agree with you 100% - reminds me of a sci-fi movie in which the first flower to grow back on future earth was a dandelion - always remembered that.. I love the fact that you had 3 jumps and I have to tell you, my neice up in Saint John loves your blog and loved your photo of your landing which I emailed her. She is now enjoying your posts very much. I love your new Mac Air and could fall in love again and again with the advances in our technologies. Love it. OK, I sang along with the kids and could have very well danced, but the rest of the household would have demanded an explanation - what the heck - I danced with Puppy Jack anyway. Totally loved it. I think the future world of young people; might very well take much of the fighting and hatred away - from much of the olde world....And, This was definately one of the best "Flash Mob" dances I have seen. Thrilling - thanks kiddo :)

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  7. dandelions are my fav flower....weed or otherwise...smiles...jealous of the mac book, that is awesome...

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  8. Oh, I saw this flash mob last week. It is so cool! These things always make me want to start crying too. Something to do with people coming together in joy and all that I suppose. :)

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  9. Nothing quite like Jan's potpourri!
    Loved the flash mob! Such energy and dedication they have. Thank you so much for sharing the link.
    My Grandson loves dandelions. He learned at 2 years old what they were called and always loves to "spot" one in the fields and grass here.
    Congratulations on your MacBook Air. I'm so happy for you!!!
    Hugs,
    J.

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  10. I think dandelions are pretty too, but they are invasive and grow where the wind blows, and that is usually not where you want them. Once established they, they take over. I have some perennials like that too. I guess beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.

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  11. I also like dandelions, especially the seed state, but not in my yard! That's because, as Sally said, they spread like wildfire when the wind blows those seeds!

    I couldn't get the video to play! Maybe I didn't wait long enough? It kept stopping every couple of seconds.

    Have fun with your new Mac!

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  12. So many things to respond to, but all I can remember is the dancing!

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  13. Dandelions are beautiful with their yellow flowers and fluffy seeds. But I prefer to see them in fields or the woods and not on my lawn.

    That flash mod video is amazing. Technology has made our world very small and personal. Now if the politicians in every country would get the message our world would be a better place.

    Have fun with your new MacBook. I looked at some not long ago but the price is just too much. Plus I've fallen in love with my Android phone and now I'm looking at Android based tablets.

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  14. I have a dandelion seed head set in perspex. I wish I knew how it was done.
    Thank you so much for that video - sooky tears still in my eyes.

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  15. I've never used a Mac but you make me want to join the club. It sounds like a really neat toy.

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  16. Your flowers are beautiful...your thoughts very intriguing...you joy in your new 'toy' wonderful. I do hope you'll share more of your walking to the bus sights and 'sounds' sometime again. I enjoyed it very much.

    Now, I'm off to click on the link. Knowing you, and knowing me...I'm sure I'll appreciate your share.

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  17. hmmm. I wonder if stuff on a Mac is transferable to a PC -- are they compatible? Otherwise, I would be interested in buying one. Loved the dance. How cool is that?!

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  18. ps....looks cold there. I'm not a snow person [even if I did grow up in Colorado]...looks like they all are very happy and having a super time. But I'm curious, 'who caught the bouquet?'

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  19. Good morning, What a wonderful dandelion picture. Don't people know what a great salad they make? My Mom always called a spring tonic. We actually grow them in our garden. I don't know where you find enough time in the day to do all your activities. Pam

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  20. Young people are amazing...they're bringing fresh light in....as you can tell from my last 2 posts (thanks for the comments btw) I am blown away by the art they create. I also admire their social and environmental expectations in the jobs world today. They aren't going to just lie down and take...if it doesn't fit them morally and ethically...they move on. I have hope for the future. I just watched a video by the young Jonathan Harris who felt the web needed humanizing...he created cowbird.com that i love to visit. He has created a site that allows one to share their inner most feelings...in very artistic ways.

    the-design-ark.com/2012/05/jonathan-harris/

    As for the dandelion...my favorite flower...and i liken myself to it.
    And now i'm off to see the flash mob...thanks for sharing.
    Have a wonderful day. xo

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  21. Yes, I like dandelions too. They are sooo pretty (just so long as there aren't too many of them in my garden.) Last year there was a whole roundabout full of them here and they looked gorgeous.
    The video was such fun to watch. I just had to share it on my Facebook page so thanks for that.

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  22. Fantastic you tube! Thanks for posting. We're going to put it up, too. And I also love my macbook air!

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  23. Your blog does what potpourri does- freshens things up and makes the world lovelier. Thanks!

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  24. Dandelions are allowed here in my yard. Really enjoyed the video...played it loudly! Great post, DJan!

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  25. Dear DJan, . . . your entire post today was a feast from beginning to end. I, too, love the fuzzy topped dandelion and the perky yellow one also! And oh, thank you for sharing the video. It does fill my heart with hope for the future. Such joy.

    Peace.

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  26. Dandelions used to be the bane of my husband's life in Illinois. I rarely see them in Hawaii. I wonder why. I think the NW has the most beautiful rhododendrons in the whole world.

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  27. That's one of the better flash mobs I've seen. So organized, full of fun props and fun people. It's a smile-maker for sure.

    I'm one of those who happens to like dandelions.. especially in their seed state. Afterwards.. not so much.

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