Hi Folks: As you likely know, last Saturday (July 4) was a pretty special day. Not only is it our son’s birthday, but it was International Free Hugs Day! (the first Saturday in July every year). As we’ve done for the past six years, we took our Free Hugs posters downtown to the Homecoming Statue at Ship Point and shared hugs with an amazing group of people.
Basic Hugging Attire – Poster, Sun Hat, Winning Smile…!
Too good not to share. Hug someone you love today. Or a stranger. Or, preferably, both!!
#HugACop in Newark, DE
(click the image to see the video)
Sending Hugs from Victoria to Newark, and to anyone else who wants one!!
M&M
Hi Folks:
In an era where some people are questioning the continuing relevance of libraries as a whole, the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL)’s answer to that question is a resounding Yes! To that end they’re expanding their connections to the community at large in several interesting ways.* Well, in what is sure to be hallmarked as The Social Event of the Season in Victoria, on the evening of April 10 we were led beyond the silk rope and behind closed doors to an exclusive, invitation-only event!
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Hi Folks:
One of the (many) pleasures of living in Victoria for us is the incredibly broad range of activities available, sweeping across genres from natural to cultural. This is the first of three posts that (briefly) profile examples of what Victoria continually has on offer.
On March 28 and 29 the Royal BC Museum played host to The Makehouse and Theatre Skam in presentations of Fashion Machine 2015. The title itself doesn’t give much away, but if you’re imagining semi-organized mayhem involving talented children, the patient guidance of adults, brave volunteers, pins, needles, sewing machines and the ultimate sacrifice of clothing to fashion, you’d be pretty close! Continue Reading →
Hi Folks:
Okay, I’ll admit it. I didn’t know Canada actually had a National Flag Day. A national holiday (Canada Day, July 1), naturally. A national flag, certainly. But no, I was unaware we had a National Flag Day. Turns out that not only is today our National Flag Day, but it’s also the 50th Anniversary of our flag. I remember the day the ‘new’ flag was first raised in our small town in southern Manitoba, and I was peripherally aware that there was some controversy over it… even then I wasn’t much attuned to news or politics.
Personally, I like our flag. Flags are interesting symbols; I remember a radio commentator once mentioning that in countries ruled by dictatorships one generally sees both large images of whoever is in power and large flags. There the flag represents control. In many countries, those lost in war are carried to their final resting places in flag-draped coffins. There flags represent sorrow, and loss. Burning a flag can be a symbol of freedom, defiance, or both. Canadians are not generally very overt flag wavers (except on Canada Day), but we are, I believe, as a body quietly proud of who we are and proud of the flag that serves as a symbol for our country to the rest of the world.
Happy National Flag Day, Canada! Here’s to the next 50 years, and more.
Hugs,
M&M
Hi Folks:
It’s been a while since we’ve done a post that attempts to jam several somewhat-related ideas into one piece so it must be time for another one! The title for this post was inspired by a rather erudite nine-year-old girl (Julia Wolfe), so we’ll start with her.
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Hi Folks:
The subtitle for this post should be ‘The Evolution of G.L.I.T.T.E.R.’ She’s our Christmas tree and has been for the past six years. You can read more about GLITTER, FREIDRICH, FREDERICA, FREDDY and FRED here if you like: Being Green – Celebrating the Holidays.
GLITTER was a little sprout of a thing when we first brought her home, but she’s certainly spread her branches since then, as you can see here (NB: we were away for Christmas in 2013 and so GLITTER didn’t get decorated). That’s the same salt crystal lamp, so you can use it to gauge her growth. With her pot on the floor she comes up to about waist height on Mike, a little higher on Marcia. No need to cut a hole in the ceiling (yet), but she is heading in FRED’s direction. Continue Reading →
Hi Folks:
Today is the first day of 2015. We posted this quote from Howard W. Hunter on our blog a couple of years ago, but it’s worth sending out again.
“This year, mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.
Write a letter.
Give a soft answer.
Encourage youth.
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.
Keep a promise.
Forgo a grudge.
Forgigve an enemy.
Apologize.
Try to understand.
Examine your demands on others.
Think first of someone else.
Be kind.
Be gentle.
Laugh a little more.
Express your gratitude.
Welcome a stranger.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
Speak your love and then speak it again.â€
Have an amazing day and an incredible year!!
Hugs,
M&M
Hi Folks:
Whether you celebrate Christmas or Festivus, Solstice or Saturnalia, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or something entirely personal, we wish you and those close to you a safe and happy Holiday Season, and a New Year with as much joy, love, adventure, peace and excitement as you can handle!!
With Hugs,
Marcia and Mike.
P.S. Terri Windling has a wonderful post on Holiday traditions over at Myth and Moor.
Merry Christmas!
Hi Folks:
While the title of this post sounds like something involving a court action, it’s really about a matter of perspective. In a powerful talk by Dr. Carol Dweck given at TEDxNorrkoping (below), she explains the difference between rewarding positive results (and punishing failure) vs. encouraging development. When people are given a specific endpoint and they either pass or fail, they either become used to looking for/needing rewards to keep going or become so disillusioned with their potential that they simply stop trying. Instead of that black/white approach, Carol advocates motivating and encouraging progress, no matter where we are in the moment. Doing so repetitively creates an atmosphere where the gains are internal and there is a process of life-long learning and growth. It’s definitely something we should be teaching our children, and also something we can share with others and remember for ourselves. Truly outstanding.
You can see Carol’s Stanford University profile here, and her Brainology website here.
Hugs,
M&M