I love Mother’s Day! It’s another day that we can reflect on our Mothers memories and how they made us who we are today. Our hearts are always full when we think of our Mothers.
Mothers give us so much unconditional love and never asking for anything in return. Being a daughter/son, mother, grandmother you all know what I mean.
Our cup continues to runneth over with joy when we think of our mothers. They brought us into this world, feed us, taught us lessons, gave us direction, wiped our tears away, and always had great advice.
Our mothers always stood up for us and was first to raise her hand saying “my kid is the greatest”!
When it’s our birthday, she never forgets our special day. Always makes us feel special with baking or buying us a cake.
Our Mothers have their own stories that we often like to hear. How she met your dad, what was it like when she grew up, or what was the best part of her life. I bet there is a high percentage of your mothers out there that might have said “having YOU was the best”!
As the years go by, the love grows even stronger between mothers and their children. Just when you think your heart is full, more comes pouring in.
So Mom, this day is for you! I wouldn’t be where I am without you. I’m blessed to still have you in my life and having those special moments. Laughing when we can’t get you in the car, talking about current events, or if you took all the bingo prizes home again. 😉 I wouldn’t trade these silly moments for anything! These memories have been priceless.
I also was blessed to have a wonderful mother-in-law. Brian was also lucky to have such a supportive mother and they had such a beautiful mother / son bond. Today she is in heaven but I still miss those favorite talks with her.
Then there is my daughter Kelli that made me a mother. Such a handful of JOY! She is beautiful inside and out with her strong and loving personality. I’m am such a proud mama with all her success today! And then there is little “Princess Marley”, all the joy she brings to everyone when she meets them for the first time.
So mothers out there, THANK YOU for your love, leadership, and laughs. You are our hero’s, and we often don’t tell you enough how really special you are!
So where ever your mother is today be it living on earth or up above in heaven, enjoy all the wonderful memories our mothers brings us. Party on together like there is no tomorrow. Be grateful ~ enjoy her love. Happy Mother’s Day ~
I normally don’t get personally attached to CAMM Air projects but when this came into our shop the beginning of this year my ears perked up. My heart began pitter pattering right away when I heard the plan for this next refurbish project. I couldn’t wait ~
For those of you that might not know CAMM Air, it’s our family business or one might say our bread and butter. We are located in northwest Iowa in a small farming community in Spencer, Iowa. We refurbish and maintain corporate aircraft and other types as planes as well. It’s been a fun run for many years now holding great success and satisfaction of being our own entrepreneurs.
This King Air project airplane came in mid January. A King Air is an elite aircraft holding up to eight passengers with a biff in the back if needed. 😉 It had been bought from one of our local long standing customers and was sold to a group out of Michigan. I didn’t pay that much attention “until” they mentioned the aircraft was going to be converted into a “Skydiving Jump Plane”. My heart jumped a beat, I swear!
So the project began, and a hefty project at that taking several new parts, hours of labor and refurbishing the fuselage. The guys in the CAMM Air shop work magic so I was keeping my eye on this project because of my curiosity of turning it into a “jump plane”.
I’m not sure who was the most excited, our crew, the owner or me! It was certainly fun to watch and hear about the makeover project. From week to week I would ask how the King Air project was taking place. It always amazes me how something gets torn apart in so many pieces and then like magic our team puts it back together bigger, better beautiful and seamless.
A refurbishment is taking the aircraft apart from head to toe one might say. The guys recycle what parts they can, adding new parts and of course updating the latest and greatest in avionics. Today it continues to be about safety but also adding luxury items as well.
After spending a few weeks with overhauling the landing gear, changing a wing, fuel control, upgrading avionics, installing jump mods, new door, bench seats for high density to now hold twelve people, and updating all maintenance records it was getting close to being done.
Everyone is excited! Tests runs were done! As they say in the movies, it’s time for “lights, camera and action! The behind the scene Maintenance Techs were eagerly watching from their benches or windows and we might have had a few “nose prints” on the windows as well.
The King Air looked pretty sexy on the ramp as she rev’d up her engines to fly out into the friendly skies! Checklists were completed and it was time to send her to her new home in Michigan.
I’m sad and sorry to say I wasn’t there the day when the King Air taxied out from CAMM Air. I could only imagine the proud moments that took place. I was excited to know what fun laid ahead for the King Air that would be filled with laughter, excitement and many jumps ahead.
Memories flashed in my mind once again knowing the new King Air project plane was done. You see, why this was so close to my heart is because once upon a time I too did a skydive tandom jump. I still remember the day like it was yesterday.
Every year, Fort Dodge, Iowa holds the “Labor Day Skydiving – Couch Freak Boogie”. At the time in my career, I happened to be the FBO (Fixed Base Operator) Manager at FOD (Fort Dodge Airport). I worked close with the Sky Divers beforehand with set up so it was fun to watch as they arrived for their fun weekend.
After being around the exciting energy I decided I needed to try it as well! For those wanting to participate in on the fun, you partner up to tandom jump with a bit of instruction and video training. I completed the task and I was ready to go!
I had butterflies the entire time as I suited up thinking “I’m really going to do this”! My tandem partner calmed my nerves saying I would never forget this moment and just like that, off we flew to 13,000 feet above the ground. The aircraft was filled with fun and laughter. There were bets as to how many could land on the sofa. My thoughts were, these professional jumpers knew how to have fun!
Thirteen thousand high above the ground, the door opened and one by one, they started to jump! I knew I wanted to go sooner than later because there was no “chickening out” and just like that 1-2-3 we jumped!
Well, didn’t make the sofa but we were certainly close. Oh my gosh, after about 10 minutes of pure joy and thrill I was back on the ground. The rush of before and after was an experience I will never forget! I graduated with my first jump and was proud I did it!
So in closing I have a several thoughts in my head from this CAMM Air project. My sky dive jump in Fort Dodge, succeeding in this King Air and making our customer and several sky dive jumpers happy.
Songs also keep popping in my mind with “sky diving”. Do you think this is place that people to go to forget everything as they jump out of plane and enjoy God’s beautiful landscape? Do you suppose any of them had ever had fear such as I did when I jumped?
For those of you that might want to take this Blog to the next level, turn up your speakers and you too can hum along or tap your toes with a few tunes.
Here is another “cool” thing, as I’m writing this blog, a text just popped up on Brian’s phone from the new owner of the King Air over in Michigan. It follows as such, “Hey Guys, just wanted to say thanks again for everything. The plane is amazing! There are a lot of happy “Sky Divers” over here in Michigan because of you guys!”
My last “little note” a note from my “tandom partner’s father” that arrived a few days later after my jump. I’ve kept those memories as well as this note to remind me we need to have fun everyday! Our Team at CAMM Air filled a lot of dreams and will support many making these same memories by completing this project, you make us proud!
You know how we say “you never know who is going to slip in your path next”, that is certainly the case in this next story. Meet Phyllis and Jerry that stepped into our path last night.
We had been out exploring around Savanna, Georgia most of the day and arrived back at our campsite at Skidaway Island State Park shortly before dinner and dusk was minutes away. We quickly got a fire going and sat down around the fire to reminisce our day.
A gentleman comes up and asks if we were just at Gulf Shores Alabama. He mentioned a trailer such as ours that had Iowa license plates was parked in the same campgrounds as he was. We both commented, nope not us ~ we were coming from Florida. Meanwhile in that same conversation, another guest arrived on his bike and stands back awaiting to chat as well.
Jerry, the man in the background waiting patiently grins with joy and asked if we happened to see his Avion trailer in the next row over from us. We completely missed it since it wasn’t in our drive to our campsite and was one row over. A bit small conversations took place about our trailers, we invite Jerry to take a look inside. “Oh no”, I can’t look without Phyllis because “she wouldn’t t let me hear the end of it if I looked without her”. Can I go get her and come back he asks? Sure, come back we both respond we will be here.
Just a few minutes later, sure enough here they come Phyllis and Jerry. Oh my gosh they both were so full of fun and lots of energy! They asked if we had seen their note they left for us? Gezz we were flunking all bases with not noticing their trailer, nor note. Maybe we had done too much sightseeing for one day?
Phyllis and Jerry were such a little joy to be around. We exchanged stories of acquiring our trailers and where we were all from. Lots of giggles were exchanged. It was now “showtime” for Phyllis and Jerry to take a peek at our old 1962 Avion.
They both squealed with joy and had amazing looks as they stated their trailer was almost identical. We must now come look at theirs! Off they go on their lighted bikes as we follow behind.
We arrive at “their camp” and we too giggle as it seemed like the trailers were a brother and sister thing and they were from the same family. Two 1962 vintage Avion trailer in the same campground, what’s the odds?
More small talk and they tell us they are from Moline, IL. Phyllis and Jerry are trumpet players (so is Brian 😉) and Phyllis does virtual lessons to students back in Moline. Phyllis reached for her trumpet and was excited to share her talents with a serenade for us. Bravo – bravo as she blushes!
On another fun note, this last year they brought along their sewing machine and have been sewing masks. Posted at their campsite is a clothesline full of free masks for giveaway to anyone that comes along. Jerry cuts out, Phyllis is the seamstress. Several hundreds later, I might say they have had a greet success making many of peoples day by providing a free mask just by stopping by.
Such a colorful personality Phyllis had. Many fun sayings around their trailer, netting to keep the bugs out, colorful lights strung all about outside and of course the trumpet is ready to play at a moment’s notice.
Time quickly pasted with our new friends and it was time to head back to our camp but not without one more dual song on the trumpets. You see every night at 9:00 pm both Phyllis and Jerry plays the taps at their campsite for neighbors to enjoy. One stands at one end of the site and the other at the other side. They flash their flash lights and taps begin. What a treat for many ~
As we say our goodbyes, I quickly look back and see the cat in the window watching us walk off. How lucky for us to always meet such awesome new people. Phyllis and Jerry we hope our paths cross again in our old 1962 Avion’s. Safe travels ~ keep up the tunes, and sewing machine going. You sprinkle such joy ~
We love sunsets and often don’t take advantage of sunrises. This morning we decided to pack a thermos of coffee and go to see the sunrise on the beach at North St Augustine Florida.
Wow ~ the sound of the waves made it magical. When we watch sunsets there are always lots of people around, not the case with a sunrise. Only a few hung to see the sun come up.
A cute couple doing photo shots of sone sort. Maybe graduation or engagement picture, not sure but fun to watch the excitement in their steps as well.
So grab a cup of coffee and you too enjoy “here comes the sun”. This magical moment and new beginning we are blessed with each day is awesome!
A day trip to Matlache, Florida is just what the doctored ordered. How often do we say those words when we are in need of change or fun? It had been a busy week with my part time gig on Fort Meyers Beach and Brian busy doing his virtual CAMM Air, so at the end of the week we just wanted some fun!
In the past we have taken our bikes to Matlache exploring in and around the waterways of the small village. Our thinking once again, we decided to do a repeat and explore more of the charming area.
Our first stop was the Blue Dog Bar and Grill located on the main highway in Matlache. The outdoor patio seating sits along a waterway with many beautiful sights. A Kayaker cruised by, sitting water ducks were perched in the trees and on the water just waiting for the next fish go by so they too might have lunch. The outdoor patio was the place to be and it quickly calmed our minds.
Something simple was on our tastebuds for lunch. I thought a simple salad and Brian decided on a simple burger and beer.
Oh my, when our food arrived we grinned with joy! As I set my eyes on the BLT salad I had ordered I quickly noticed it was a whole head of iceberg lettuce! The steak knife inserted in the center made a “big” statement. Also joking the sandwich Brian ordered was prepared especially for him a “B” nicely branded on top of fit. 😉.
After filling our bellies, it was time to walk some of these calories off and do a bit of shopping in the creative shops surrounding the village.
One of our first stops was Leona Lovegrove’s Art Gallery. I had been there in the past and remembered it being a rather colorful, creative art studio. As we walked in the studio, the color just exploded and it seemed like the place was on steroids. All the loud colors took your breath away with creative juices flowing in and out of the gallery.
Quickly noticing an article of Leona Lovegrove posted on the wall, I was curious to read and learn more about this talented lady. Just then, the word “cancer” jumped out as I read on. Leona had been touched with cancer and she had embraced her challenge by painting with pink paint.
The pink touch’s were splashed all around the gallery and you could feel the comfort it gave many. Talented Leona was fighting back as she fought her cancer with pink as well as sharing her gift to others to enjoy. 💕
From the minute you walked in, not only did you see pink BUT these beautiful blue bottles turned into creative and beautiful architecture garden pieces.
Walking down the path as you entered the back patio, these blue beauties were lined up and made you feel as you were in an arboretum paradise garden.
I’m still seeing these blue bottles dancing around in my head after this visit to Matlache, Florida. These blue beauties were staged so beautiful and made you want to start collecting blue bottles so you too could add a wow factor in your own garden.
Pink kept showing up everywhere you stepped. All the “love” put in this garden was a breath of fresh air.
Then it’s “take stage” ~ such a fun idea for events, and parties. I recently read they held Easter church services this year right on this stage. Reservations were required, I bet it was a sell out!
Leona must be a big “Beatles” fan. Several of her paintings had a fun Beatle twist. The moment you seen these painting, you wanted to start singing!
Baby, you can drive my car. Yes, I’m going to be a “Star”. You say it’s your Birthday, it’s my Birthday too yeah! Memories of those songs came flashing back in my head as I remembered these tunes so well growing up in the 60’s.
There was so much to look at. Next on the path I spotted the amusing painted coconuts. Who wouldn’t want to get one of these lively painted sayings?!
Leona has just thought of everything to please all creative pallets. The small camper trailer just screamed fun! It took several minutes to just studying all the amazing art. I must say, the eye glasses showed off Leona’s signature eye. 😉
So as I come to the end of patio paradise, I see a painting studio. I had become so inspired with all the wonderful color and painted venues I decided maybe it was time I too picked up a paint brush.
I signed up for a class and wha-la this painted lady at the beach became mine. What do you think? Again, it’s what inspires us each to be creative and tap into that fun side of our brain.
I could have stayed all day back in that little patio perched on the water. With blue bottles dancing in my head, day dreaming and singing Beatles songs. Seeing pink and having so much respect for Leona. The road she took fighting breast cancer and sharing her talents generosity with others.
As I left Leona Lovegrave’s Art Studio I felt grateful to be moved with her art. The saying when life hands us lemons, we all need to make lemonade such as Leona did. By the way, Leona did fight the cancer and I believe is still leaving her creative message around Florida.
I hope some day my path crosses Leona’s. I can only imagine the energy that would radiant from her upon our meeting. Meanwhile, paint or dance like no one is watching ~ you never know who you might inspire.
How many of you have watched “What would you do” that airs on TV with host John Quinones? It’s one of my favorite shows to watch.
We all have those fun stories to share and this week I too have one to share that might give you warm and fuzzies. I so enjoy life, loving experiences with people I don’t know. We never know when we these people might step into our life, but one thing for sure they always make a big impact after the fact.
Earlier this week I met my dear friend Libby Anderson that has helped me through a few Human Resources questions and situations over these last few weeks.
We meet at a fun outdoor patio restaurant called Tommy Bahama in Coconut Point Mall north of Naples, FL. This wonderful restaurant offers a fun setting, a great happy hour and it’s always packed with people staying socially distance apart.
Libby and I find a spot and chat away about life and growing our businesses. Many times we discuss the latest Podcasts, Instagram and what other entrepreneurs might be doing out there. Our couple of hours together always goes fast!
In a few weeks, Libby will be heading to Okoboji for the summer months and asked if we would transport a fragile lamp shade for her. By all means I say, I will pick it up at our social gathering. By the way, the shade is a beauty!
We are a one car family while in Florida so I’m often dropped off and picked later. Brian, my husband stops into Tommy Bahamas after a couple of hours to join us. My friend Libby needs to get home so Brian and Libby leave together to exchange the lamp that we are transporting back to Iowa.
Meanwhile I’m sitting by myself daydreaming when I can feel and hear these two women chatting about me. I then notice another set of women at a different table doing the same. I look over and make eye contact. After a few minutes the one gal says you can come sit at our table. It was funny because have you ever looked around and thought “me”?
I giggle to myself and get up and walk over to their table. After a few minutes of small talk they thought I was left alone from my table mates. They weren’t sure what happened but they felt bad I was left solo. How sweet for them to rescue me.
Meanwhile, I met two awesome young gals. Hanna and Ashley whom both worked in the medical field. Hanna was a pharmacist and Ashley a nurse distributing Covid shots and in a matter of minutes we were instant friends.
We also chatted about how Tommy Bahamas had wonderful, eye appealing drinks. They assured me next time I must order one of these awesome martinis! I think so too!
A few minutes later, here comes Brian wondering who these two women were as we chatted like best friends. We all giggle together after telling him the story. I move back to my table and think of the TV show “What would you do”? A smile crossed my face thinking there are always new friends looking out for each other when we least expect it.
Finishing our drinks and getting back in our vehicle I have another fun moment and find a surprise! There in our front seat was beautiful bouquet of flowers from my friend Libby . My heart was full of such generous offerings from the day ~ new friends and flowers from a dear friend!
I can’t wait until the next time when Libby and I meet to share our synergies.
Meanwhile please check out Libby’s fun business. If your in need for some “wise business advice” and more, here is where you can find her.
Please don’t judge me but, I have that weirdness of watching Naked and Afraid found on the Discovery Channel Sunday nights. It’s about two complete strangers dropped off in a remote location, they take their clothes off, meet for the first time and set out for 21 days of trying to survive with food, water and shelter.
Each contestant is able to select one thing to bring to the group for a means of survival. Often it’s a fire starter, knife or a water pot to boil water. None the less it’s not enough to survive without being creative.
The couple ventures out in the wilderness to quickly set up sleeping quarters, find water, build a fire for warmth and hunt for food. We all think that might be simple but often it’s not!
Ok moving on, today we decided to take on Koreshan State Park located outside the skirts of Fort Myers Beach Florida. We knew we wanted to walk the historical grounds and explore while getting in our 10K steps.
As we began on the walking trail we immediately run into hundreds of bamboo trees. We both comment these bamboo trees would make for a great bed as they oftened used in Naked and Afraid. They use these type bamboos for their bed, shelters or float device to extricate the island.
Continuing on, we come to the river thinking here is the water source that one might boil and use for the drinking source.
We both are loving the trails but knew it would soon come to and end when we reached the historic site of the Koreshan State Park Compound. It was fun dreaming what Naked and afraid might be like as we were surrounded by this jungle we were in.
Koreshan State Park offers great natural beauty. Sprawling along the lovely Estero River, there are gardens and exotic bamboo forests left over from the community’s beautification efforts, 11 historic buildings and attractive, shaded picnic sites and an excellent campground.
For those of you that might not know about Koreshan State Park, the walking tour of the grounds and buildings tells the story of Dr. Cyrus R. Teed, who led the utopian community that eventually attracted 200 followers. They were an industrious group, operating a bakery, sawmill, printing facility, even a restaurant and hotel on the main road, U.S. 41. Like many of the idealistic communities of the era, followers believed in communal living and celibacy.
We arrived Koreshan and was greeted by the most beautiful bridges leading into the site. One might think you were in wonderland.
Next we arrived Bamboo Landing. The Bamboo Landing was important aesthetically and functionally serving transportation for passengers and freight. It provided a formal framed entrance to the grounds from the river. The landing was also used for concerts.
This entrance and presentation of the landing was another beautiful site to see. Witnessing the beauty it offered when welcoming guests to the property was awesome.
As we continued walking the trails that surrounded this amazing, historic park we found many things that lead us back to Naked and Afraid. A garden of herbs, berries and medical plants that were used for several remedies in aiding in the survival to this Koreshan group.
All sorts of trees were planted to assist in their daily working environment.
This is one of the Pines which yields Turpentine. The trunks were slashed and a cup was attached to collect the resin. Again, thinking of Naked and Afraid, what would one use this for? Possibly rub it over the body to relieve bug bites? Cleaning paint brushes was out of the question as one might use it for.
This group of Koreshan’s thought of everything. Collecting rain water for multiple purposes in their everyday life’s. Another handcrafted beauty to see.
As we worked our way around the grounds we found it interesting how hard they must have worked, probably the same as our fore fathers. Canning foods, washing their clothing, and preparing their food.
The creative and elegant manner in which things were put together was quite impressive. Not only survival but planning and implementation was of importance.
As we are finishing up our walk, we approach the “Cast Iron Cafe”. We both smiled and thought of our dinner plans we were preparing tonight. Yup, we too were using the old cast iron in our cooking.
Somethings never change over the years such as our ways of cooking . I’m sure they might have been a bit more primitive and foods were not as plentiful, but one might say it was their way of survival as well.
Making out way back to our campsite we were feeling blessed to have a roof over our head and it was time to prepare dinner.
As we sizzled our steaks on the grill in a cast iron we were glad we had the opportunity to see this historic area first hand.
I felt a bit guilty thinking we were having “filet mignon”. As we reminisced our walk, we appreciated our more convenient lifestyle of being fully clothed, having a grill to cook on and having plenty of water.
So I had my “fix” of Naked and Afraid for the week. I do know, I do not want to be a participant of this silly show. It was fun to imagine what it might have been like in both situations, being on Naked and Afraid or living as a Koreshan.
For those of you that might too want to explore and take the time to check out this beautiful, historic Koreshan State Park here you go.
Again, I thank you for taking the time to read about our adventures. I also hope you too might have grown a bit learning of the different ways of living life.
Sometimes the simple things in life are just the easiest. So, yesterday I had a calling to spend sometime on the beach.
This will sound crazy, but we woke up to fog and it didn’t matter to me – fog or sun I was heading to the beach. We packed a late breakfast bite, lots of water and headed out to find our perch in our baseball caps.
We soon learned we were not the only silly ones out in the fog. I met my first new little friend, a Gull that welcomed us to just sit back, breathe it all in, relax and take time to enjoy. I took notes from my new friend as we both checked each other out.
Quickly that old saying came to mind, when in Rome ~ do as the Romans do. I was taking that advice and doing what the Gull was instructing me to.
First on the agenda was to get my 10K steps in for the day. Down the beach we headed with our plastic bags in hand. It’s always good to be prepared just in case a few shells pop in your path that you can’t resist picking up.
I love walking the beach because you never know what your eyes are going to see. The first few steps sure enough, someone was in the mood for love and designed a heart.
A mosaic of shells was embedded on the beach and just glowed with love! The shells were all different sizes, most of them face down and placed in the shape of a heart. I wondered who might have made this art piece for the beach crowd to enjoy?
Next on the walk I felt this face that was keeping an eye on me. As I got closer, this is what I found ~
Don’t you just love creative minds? The look I kept sensing was a weathered root of a coconut tree that floated up to shore that took on the look as a fun beatnik. Seagrass what used for the nose, lost leafs were used for the eye with a shell in the center, and a fun heart shell filled in for the mouth. Again, I wondered who took the time to embellish this masterpiece that captured the beach walkers attention.
Next, I love the see kids playing and expressing themselves on the beach as well. There is such an innocence of kids being mesmerized with sand and water. Often they bring their buckets and molds and can sit for hours to form their own masterpiece. I ran into this cute little gal that was oh so proud when I asked if I could take a picture. She glowed with excitement and was so proud of her creation.
Coming a back to our perched area on the beach where our empty chairs sat, I too decided to tap into my creative side. I sat on the side of the beach and gathered the shells that were around me and I went to work.
Most of you know I love to layer, embellish and add texture. It was time to see what I could make out of my surroundings as well. First I used layer of small, broken shells that most people would discount to collect. My second layer I scored several COQUINAS shells and then finished the center with more small, broken down shells. I placed two broken conch shells for the center, a few small branches to surround the heart and wallah, I was done!
I stood back and looked at my art piece and I decided to take another photo with the sea being my background. My heart was full of “Heart to Heart” feelings of accomplishment.
Meanwhile, its Valentine Day and I hope these hearts have warmed your heart as well. Whatever your day is filled with, may it be a happy one filled with love.
It all started when I found a hologram key chain with Superman and Batman. I found this collector item by chance in a bucket with several other key chains and miscellaneous keys. I guess you could say it was a “bucket dive” of key treasures.
As a kid I was always mesmerized with these kinds of hologram trinkets that held my attention for several minutes. When you tilt it you see the Superman crest, as you move it slightly you see the Batman crest.
I would guess everyone knows the superhero character Superman played by George Reeves back in the 50’s. I was one of those lucky kids growing up watching Superman on Saturday mornings. When I found this key chain it immediately took me back to my childhood memories of watching Superman on TV.
I recently learn that Superman was born in Woolstock, Iowa. I too growing up in Iowa perked up when I read he was not that far away from my hometown of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Superman was born with the birth name George Keefer Brewer that later changed to his stage name to George Reeves.
Why is it we love it when Hollywood stars that come from our home state? Could it be that we are proud of our roots and when emphasis is given we quickly relate?
I started thinking about Superman and the words attached to his character. Remember when the Superman show came on TV these words were always memorized in our heads, “Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive” Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound! “ Look! Up in the sky!” It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!
As I began my search on Superman, I ran across these enlightening quotes that made me smile. I love all these inspiring words and think you too might also relate to them. No wonder we loved this Super Hero with all these positive words floating in our head.
Famous Sayings and Quotes from Superman:
“I believe in second chances, I believe in redemption, but, mostly, I believe in my friends.” – Superman
“ I believe that if we stay together, as a team, we would be a force that could truly work for the ideals of peace and justice.” – Superman
“It doesn’t take X-Ray Vision to see you are up to no good.” – Superman
“It’s never as bad as it seems.” – Superman
“It’s not about where you were born or the powers you have or what you wear in your chest; it’s about what you do.” – Superman
“No matter where you go in life there’s always going to be the one person that wants to bring you down, so stay strong and face your problems instead of running away.” – Superman
“So many of our dreams seem impossible, they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” – Superman
“Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith first, the trust part comes later.” – Superman
“The ‘amazing’ can only be created by facing fear, risk, and failure during the process.” – Superman
There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape.” – Superman
Today, the Kansas Chiefs take on Tampa Bay Buccaneers in America’s pandemic Super Bowl. As always, part of this spectacle has nothing to do with football but the commercials and the halftime show catching our attention. Millions of dollars are spent to pull on our heart strings, tickle our funny bones and make us want for more.
As we watch the Super Bowl game today, we might also think many of these professional football players could be like Superman. Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive” Able to leap several feet at a single bound! “ Look! Down on the field!” It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a football player at the Super Bowl!
Whatever team your rooting for today, enjoy the entertainment it gives us all. The football bleachers might be partially empty but I’m sure all your charcuterie spreads will be plentiful and it will be a great game!
So sit back, get your popcorn popped and be ready to be entertained. For those of you that might want to “start your engines” early. Here is a sample of what we are in for. Old Spice might have copied the same concept of Clark Kent breaking out of his business suit and the tight body fitting Superman suit appears. Enjoy ~
How many of you while at the grocery store standing in line to check out your groceries scan the latest magazines? Do you search for your favorite read or do you see what’s new on the stand? Do you cheat and look inside? Do the pictures entice you do the headlines pull you in?
I have a confession, I’m one of those people that has to stop when I go by a magazine stand to see what’s new.
First it’s the cover – I scan it over and if it strikes my fancy I pick it up to peek inside. Sometimes I throw it in my cart and sometimes I walk away after not being impressed with what I seen.
I know it’s bad for me to pick it up and then put it down and I think to myself how really rude that is. But please tell me, I’m not the only one that does this bad habit.
So today, this magazine caught my eye “in her Studio”. I loved the colors, words, and the main titles drew me in. Spaces and stories of creative women.
A Mediative Retreat, A Tiny but Charming Ceramics Studio, The Pursuit of Beauty in an Painters Art Studio, and Soft meets Fierce in a Jewerly Studio. Now who wouldn’t want to read more. Surely one of these stories would be worth a read wouldn’t you think?
So here is another one, Cooking with Cast Iron”. I posted a few weeks ago about cast iron so of course I wanted to see more. I’m is still trying to learn and master the art of cast iron cooking so this too I took a second look at this one. The recipes looked beautiful, easy and it immediately took me to my own kitchen of fixing a few of the recipes.
Staying within the “Cooking” section on the magazine rack I’m now scanning over these next two choices. What to Eat for Life and Mindful Eating. Gezzz you can quickly feel guilty about your choices in these magazines. Cast Iron could be a little bit more fatty in the diet because needing more oils in the pan? Maybe cast iron cooking isn’t the lightest choice or being the most healthiest but oh the pictures made me dream of wanting more. Who could I cook for and entertain when this Covid thing gets over?
My eyes moved on and quickly went onto the decor section, another one of my favorite passions. I just stood there and stared at all the articles than ran through my mind and wonder what I should dive into first. I found myself being memorized with all these goodies to look at. It was like a kid in a candy store deciding what my favorite kind of candy was to buy!
It seems there is so many decorating magazines right now to catch our eye. It’s like trying to pick an ice cream flavor at Baskin Robbins that might catch your palette for a certain craving. Cherry, chocolate, vanilla – what’s your flavor? French, Traditional, Cottage or maybe Farmhouse?
DIY immediately called out to me! We all love projects that we can proudly call and adapt to our own look. I loved the throw on the sofa with the BIG balls. The horse on the wall recycling books was another eye catcher for me. How cool was that! It took me back to one of my sales that I did a few months ago that I used an old headboard and screwed old books on the back of the board. It not only looked fun but it made for a great presentation for one of my displays. My recycled headboard sold at the end of the show. I hope today that happy buyer is still enjoying that one of a kind piece from Blue Star Collections.
Next moving into fashion ~ it’s in all our wheel houses of what the latest and greatest trends are and whats the HOT look for the upcoming season. Of course, we all want to know what to buy, where to buy it and in hopes it gives us a jumpstart on getting our own personal look.
Look how these magazines catch our attention. Kamala Harris our new Vice President, we are checking out her new look. Badass Women, wow whats that about? Dating in the middle of Covid with Masks? Oh my ~ all of these certainly catch our eye and make us wonder in more ways than one.
Moving on to more fun, the next two magazines made me giggle. People magazine writing about Queen Elizabeth. What is the Queen is really like? I don’t know how many of you watched “The Crown” but another subject we can’t seem to get enough of. More stories about the Queen can be found on Netflex, PBS and other streaming services as well as at the news stand. The media is working hard to catch our attention and it is working!
And what about this “America’s Scariest Places”. I have to admit, it does kinda make you look twice doesn’t it? Could it be in your neck of the woods or has it been in your last path? It would it be a great place to visit for Halloween don’t you think? 😬😳
So I have to tell you the truth. I spent a bit of time as my eyes searched over all these magazine sections. I carefully read the titles, dreamed a bit and it killed a bunch of time. You see I was in line at a Publix Grocery Store in St Lucie, Florida waiting for my name to be called for the vaccine shot. Yep, I was one of the lucky ones that won the lottery getting my name on the list. Ok so if I’m confessing, it was Brian that so diligently hung in there day after day trying to get me a spot. Bingo ~
I spent several minutes if not just under an hour to just ponder over these magazines. I wondered how many of us found easy it is to walk past this “Lost Art” in our past busy life’s before Covid hit. Maybe I’m showing my age but I still love to touch a great magazine, read a good article, and just plain wanting to be inspired. Yesterday it certainly did all of that for me.
But I do have to share with you one of my favorites. I hope you don’t think I’m not conceited or big in the head, but only because of my Blue Star Collections business was invited and graciously honored to be in a few magazines myself. I have grown to respect our editors, publishers and buyers once my face was put on a cover. It’s tough work publishing and finding the right light, words and what inspires others to buy the magazine.
So meanwhile, when your standing in line next to the newsstand I too hope all these beautiful magazines will take you away if only for l just a few minutes. Also, hope your lucky as I was to be standing next in line for your vaccine.
As always – thank you for taking the time to read my Blue Star Binocular. It gives me great pleasure to share ~
