Final February Friendship

This weeks friend is Mike Currence. I met Mike at camp and only good people work at camp :-). Mike really knows how to run a camp and more importantly how to treat the staff and campers the best way possible. I have learned more from Mike about people with disabilities than anyone else I know. Mike also spent the last year and half taking care of his dad, who died in November. Mike is my inspiration at this time as I take care of my dad! My world is a better world since I have met Mike, and I hope the rest of you have such a friend to draw wisdom from.

 

Mike is a Florida boy. One of his favorite spots is on the beach with drink in hand.

 

Now Go Out and Hug a Friend Today

 

 

 

 

 

 

And The Oscar goes to...

It's Oscar Sunday. As much as I like the Oscars, it got me to thinking about why we don't give Oscars to everyday people. Movie stars get enough accolades I think. So I am going to hand out my own personal Oscars this Sunday.

Best Actress in a leading role goes to....           My Mom                   For the obvious reasons
Best Actor in a leading role goes to...               My Dad                     Ditto

Best Actor in a supporting role goes to...          Danny Donuts           He really pushed my creativity
Best Actress in a supporting role goes to...       Karen Evans              She truly knows how to support

Best Picture goes to...                                   The Story of My Life       It keeps getting better

Animated Feature Film goes to...               Maria's Children               The paintings and kids say it all

Cinematography goes to...                         Sue and Mark Bryer        You should really see their photos

Costume design goes to...                          Joslyn Renshaw             She made me some fun clown stuff

Best Director goes to...                                      Tootsie                    She gives the best advice!

Best Original Score goes to...                         Emily Cavanagh      You NEED to buy her Cd this April

                   Not really an Oscar, but it is the closest thing I have to a "statue" or trophy.

            Now Go Out and Hug Your Own Oscar Winner

Friday Fun, The Power of the Butt Pat

This is just a fun post with a little informative stuff for those of you who don't know... I learned this week about the power of the butt pat! I am absolutely amazed and fascinated by this maneuver. I have used it 3 times at work and it has been effective EVERY time! Do you know about the power?

                                                                   "Pat my Butt?"

Anyway, here is the scoop on it... I had a 3 year old girl who woke up from anesthesia and she was crying. Unconsolable and shouldn't have had any pain from what she had done. Another nurse came over and asked me if I tried the butt pat? I thought he was joking, but I said no. He proceeded to grab her ankles, bend her knees up to her belly and started patting her butt gently. Within seconds she stopped crying and went straight to sleep!! I kid you not! I was dumbfounded! It was probably the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my nursing cateer. I have done it two more times since and it worked both times! Crazy, but true!

Now there is a disclaimer. 2 of the 3 times we did it, the kid started crying again as soon as we stopped. So it is not a long term effect. The 3rd kid slept for about 10 minutes though and woke up happy. And the other 2 times were effective enough until mom or dad could come back and help console the child. One of the kids was quiet long enough to get a  breathing treatment in him for wheezing. So it is an effective tool for sure! I am not sure why it works, but I am guessing there is some science behind it. It can't be that coincidental. Anybody know the answer? A nerve stimulation perhaps?

Well, I hope this was fun and informative for you. I learn new stuff everyday and love it!!!


Now Go Out and Hug a Crying Baby Today or Butt Pat Them

February Friendship 3

This weeks friend is a childhood friend. My best friend from high school. His name is Kevin Hull. He is as good and true as a man/friend can get. He has been a preacher at the same church for the past 20 plus years. He raised two fine sons, with the help of his darling wife Denise of course. Both sons are in college and doing well. They still take vacations as a family, which I find inspiring.. especially since his sons are in college. And last year they all traveled to Haiti for their "vacation" to help rebuild there from the earthquake. Yes, they still need to build more there. Kevin and Denise told me of the horrendous conditions people still live in there, and it just makes me more grateful for what I HAVE! Running water, fresh veggies and fruit, to name a few things :0). So, thanks for the friendship Kevin and for the inspiration!

Kevin is also quite the photographer. He always gets mad at me when I send him photos of bald eagles because he had not been able to photograph one. He finally did get a photo of a bald eagle once, and in Ohio of all places!! I couldn't believe it when he told me and I thought it was going to be a joke, but he really did see and photograph a bald eagle in Alexandria, Ohio near Columbus. Go figure. Of course his photos can't compare to my bald eagle photos.... like this one below, which was taken in Alaska :0).

"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him."  Luke 2:40

The above verse describes Kevin in my opinion.

And have a Happy Birthday weekend Kevin!

                Now Go Out and Hug A Preacher Today

 

It's a gift...

Another cute and funny story... The 6 year old daughter of a friend of mine recently told her on her birthday... "mommy, it is a gift to be old and still be beautiful". How precious is that? She thinks her mommy is beautiful, and she IS beautiful. Kids do say the darndest things. Of course she thinks 30 is old too :0). We all know better right?

Think back when you were a kid.... what did you think then that  you know is not exactly true now. I used to think 30 was old, now I think it is young :0). I used to think everyone over 30 had dentures. I used to think my grandparents were invincible. I used to think a lot of silly things. So, what do we think at our age now that is not exactly true? I am sure there are many things, and I am sure I will learn what they are in the coming years. The point is there are misconceptions out there all around us.
Try not to let those misconceptions guide your life and thoughts. But it is still OK to think like a child most of the time :0).

        Is this train old? Or beautiful? Or both? Or neither? A picture is only worth so many words.

                                  Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today
 

I can't juggle because I'm not a clown... and other misconceptions

Here is a cute little story for you... A 4 year old girl walks into the living room and looks at her dad with a sad face and says "I will never be able to juggle because I am not a clown". How cute is that? This is a real quote from someone I know whose daughter said that to him! It makes me chuckle of course to think that the innocence of a 4 year old thinks she has to be a clown in order to juggle. Well, she may just be a clown and doesn't know it, but more importantly... she doesn't HAVE to be a clown in order to juggle! It got me to thinking about people out there who may hold back in life because they have misconceptions.... There are a lot of things you can do without  being any particular description.

For instance, you don't have to be a policeman to be brave. You can be brave as a teacher, bus driver, a clown, or even a politician.

For instance, you don't have to be a nurse to be caring. You can be a caring mom, clown, construction worker, or even a caring lawyer.

For instance, you don't have to be an athlete to play a sport. You can play a sport as a kid, a quadraplegic, dance instructor, or even a clutz. And you could be one of these descriptions AND be an athlete too! You just don't have to have a certain label to do this or that.

I think you get the point and I hope you understand that you can do... or at least TRY anything you want to try without being anything in specific. Just try it! If you fail, try some more or try something different you might enjoy!

OK,  Charlie Chaplin is kind of a clown... but the man helping him isn't and he took part in juggling!

                   “white is not always light and black is not always dark" ~Habeeb Akande

                   Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today

February Friendship 2

This weeks friend(s) is actually a couple. Steve Partridge and Michelle Sebern. Michelle is my friend who brought me to work in Alaska this past summer and I can not thank her enough! Steve is her husband who I became friends with while in Alaska. They have a beautiful 5 year old daughter named Clarity. They are perhaps the most creative parents/teachers I know! Steve home schools their daughter while Michelle runs the Special Procedures unit in Fairbanks. Michelle helps with the ongoing teaching of Clarity when she is home. They encourage Clarity to explore, especially when out hiking. They make up all kinds of stories about trolls and other mysterious creatures while out hiking. I have experienced this first hand and it is quite fun to watch the eyes of a 5 year old light up with curiosity and wonder. At home they teach her to count via The Land of Numeria. Have you ever heard of this Land? Me neither, but I hope to visit there someday! They do music, write poems, celebrate winter solstice and many other wonderful things.

This bull moose was taken in their backyard one evening while I was staying in their cabin out back

                                       Steve and Michelle on one of their many adventures.

                          “One's not half of two; two are halves of one.” ~E.E. Cummings

                   Now Go Out and Hug Your Other Half


 

PLEASE don't drink and drive, for kids sake

I took care of a 9 year old girl this past week. She was in an accident caused by a drunk driver. She has a brain injury along with multiple other injuries. She had surgery for broken bones and placed in a spika cast. If you don't know what that is, look it up. She has not responded much since the accident, and they don't know the extent of her brain injury yet. If she is lucky, she will be able to do her activities of daily living all by herself with intense therapy. If not, she may not be able to do anything for herself and her parents will carry the load.

I believe that drunk drivers are some of the most selfish people on earth! They don't think and don't care about what may happen to someone else because of their actions, and especially innocent children! So I am BEGGING you and anyone you might know to NEVER drive after having more than 2 drinks or if you feel the least bit different after a drink or two.

Take alternative transportation if you must. Trains might not be available, but surely there are taxis, subways, or friends where you live!

This has been a public announcement brought to you by a professional healthcare worker.

                 Now Go Out and Hug a Child Today
 

February Friendship 1

My friendly pick this week is Tootsie! Tootsie was my very first clown friend I met on my trip to Russia in 2000. We literally bumped into each other in the airport in NYC and a lifelong friendship ensued. We were dressed as clowns at the time, so I am sure the employees at the airport thought it was part of our schtick :0), but we didn't develop a schtick until later.  I was staying with Tootsie just one year ago as I basked in the sunshine of Florida for 2 months. I true dear friend indeed.

Not only is she a true friend, but she also inspires me to no end! I could go on and on about her accomplishments in this life, but I will try to just give the highlights. Tootsie and her husband have adopted 4 children to give them a loving, happy home. They are all good kids too! She clowns at Children's Hospital in Miami. She developed her own clown reading program and traveled to schools in the Ft. Lauderdale area as a clown to inspire 2nd graders to read more. And now she is going back to school so she can TEACH the youth of South Florida! I wish I had her talent, energy and character! Thanks Tootsie, keep up the great work you do!

           
                                                       "That way to friendship"

               "A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you" ~Elbert Hubbard

              Now Go Out and Hug a Friend Today

Have a Super Sunday

Yes it is Super Bowl Sunday.... but have a Super Sunday in spite of it :0). I used to get all jazzed up about the Super Bowl, now it is just another day to me. Too much commercialism and promotion stuff. Of course I will watch some of the game with my dad and we will laugh at the commercials, but there are other reasons to have a Super Sunday. Especially if you are not a football fan. Have a nice brunch with a friend or loved one. Go for a nice long hike and enjoy nature. Or whatever else suits your fancy. Make the day Super in  your own way! I will be spending mine with my dad and that will make it super enough.

"May the keeper of the lighthouse shine it's light on you to help you on your way"
"Now go out and have a Super Day"

                  Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today
 

Don't forget to sing!

I was reminded today of the power of singing. I got to work a little early, so I stopped by the hospital cafe to get a cup of Joe. I also got a nice cup of Michael. Michael is one of the food servers in the cafe and as I filled up my cup with coffee, he filled my soul with singing! He was setting up the service line and just singing like he didn't have a care in the world. He was singing one of my favs too... "Won't Get Fooled Again". If you don't know it, look it up. It is a catchy song off the album Who's Next. It really got my day off on a great start and I was sure to let Michael know it. Of course he wasn't singing for me or anyone else, but he grinned real wide when I thanked him for singing. I hope he never stops!

I typically sing a lot anyway, as it does sooth the soul I feel. Music is powerful! I hope you have some lovely music in your life and soul. If not, go search for it! There is some beautiful music out there. My friend Emily Cavanagh has made a beautiful CD recently and I hope you all buy it when it comes out. It will be available on amazon and itunes in April. Don't worry, I will remind you when it is actually released :0)! So, go out and sing this weekend and the rest of your life.

                               "When it comes to the keyboard of life, play like you mean it."

              Whether it be singing or playing a musical instrument... Play it Loud and Play it Proud


                    "The only thing better than singing is more singing" ~Ella Fitzgerald

                       
             Now Go Out and Hug a Musician/Singer