Contact me Photographer & writer with a passion for God, family, and a good creative challenge. View my gallery. http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/seedplanter Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:21:54 -0600 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.squidoo.com/fun-with-boxes What do you picture when you hear the word "recycle"? If you associate recycling with hours of separating paper, cans, and glass, think again. Recycling can actually begin at home, in the classroom, or wherever groups of children meet. This Squidoo lens focuses on ways to re-use everyday cardboard items. Adapt these ideas to fit your homeschooling or family crafts needs and your definition of recycling will change. When you pour your last bowl of cereal, you'll save the box and think CRAFTS! After you open a gift, you'll set the box aside for future projects. Recycling isn't work...it's fun! May this lens be just the beginning of creative fun for your family, classroom, or children's group. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! arts-and-design Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:10:20 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/paper-bag-crafts Don't toss bags! What better way to teach kids to recycle, than to reuse them for fun crafts projects? Given the chance, most kids are creative and eager to create something awesome with paper products, fabric scraps, cardboard, and more. You have a choice. Either stuff them in a drawer, or create something fun and useful with them. It takes so little effort to recycle paper. What are you waiting for? This lens will include tested-and-tried crafts projects, classroom crafts ideas, and lots of good tips from crafters. Enjoy! arts-and-design Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:33:52 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fun-with-fabric Fabric crafting is a good way to teach children the fun of recycling. No need to buy supplies; simply start with outgrown clothing, curtains, or any other fabric items you're no longer using. This lens will explore fun fabric crafting ideas and tips--practical, fun projects the whole family will enjoy. The best part? Kids will learn the value of recycling while creating something usable and unique. It doesn't get any better than that. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! arts-and-design Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:39:08 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/90-pancakes Call them hotcakes. Griddle cakes. Pancakes. Whatever. Make them plain and traditional or fill 'em with fruit and drizzle with chocolate or peanut butter. Yum. Join me as we travel the world and discover ninety-plus varieties of pancakes. Some will make your mouth water, and some might seem...well, let's just say these are not your momma's pancakes! Nowadays, they're an anytime-food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert! food-and-cooking Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:48:11 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/gift-of-honesty Honesty is an important character trait children learn early in life. I was blessed with parents who taught me that honesty truly is the best policy. As an adult, it's as much a part of who I am as the color of my eyes and the sound of my voice. Over time, like a butterfly squeezing from its cocoon, I believe that an honest mindset filters our view of life, and how we react to difficult situations. This lens explores how our integrity helps shape how we treat others, as well as how we raise our children and affect the lives of our grandchildren. Honest citizens will have a positive effect on their communities, their country, and ultimately--the world. parenting-and-kids Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:41:23 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fun-with-buttons-creative-crafts-for-kids Crafting with buttons is fun for all ages. It's a good way to recycle buttons from old clothing, and your children and grandchildren will learn to look at things creatively. Add a little imagination to the mix to create wall plaques, greeting cards, dolls, pencil holders, barrettes, and more. Crafting with buttons is both fun and smart. Why throw perfectly good buttons away when you can turn them into something fun, functional, and beautiful? Join me in this lens as we explore creative ways to use these popular, colorful fasteners. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! arts-and-design Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:21:42 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/where-were-you-in-1987 In 1987 I was living in the Deep South. My husband had three years left on a 21-year military career, and we were eager to complete his commitment so we could return to civilian life on the West Coast, closer to where our extended families lived. I had begun writing professionally and was looking forward to settling in the Pacific Northwest. So, where were you in 1987? culture-and-society Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:27:58 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/vintage-valentines-day-cards Vintage Valentine's Day cards carry us back to another era, when life was slower and sentiments didn't have to be hilarious, witty, or edgy. Greeting cards spoke about relationships as if they were made of glass. I kind of like that. This lens will present closeup photos of vintage Valentine's Day cards my parents exchanged in their 58 years of marriage. I chose to photograph each card's details rather than the cards as a whole, because that's what I like best about them--the extra-special touches of vintage design. We'll also take a look at card projects you can easily make at home, and ways to sweeten your Valentine's Day celebration. holidays-and-celebrations Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:07:32 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-become-a-billionaire-in-three-minutes I admit, the first time I received one of the emails, I was caught off guard. How did this guy know I only had $32.07 left until payday? When the second and third emails arrived, I knew I had been singled out for something great. Something wonderful. Something that was meant to be. I hope this lens will encourage you to embrace your inner billionaire. Somewhere out there, an email is winging its way to you from a faraway land. All you need is an open heart, a naive personality, and a revolving door into your bank account. entertainment Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:53:23 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fun-with-cans Most households have plenty of cans: soup cans, fruits and veggie cans, spaghetti sauce and so on. Add to the list other canned products--pet foods & coffee, for instance, and you have enough cans to start a small crafting supplies corner. Cans are a great starting point for fun kids' crafts, as well as a family recycling project. This lens explores common and not-so-common ways to turn trash into creative arts and crafts New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! arts-and-design Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:36:33 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/grandma-moses When I was a young girl, my mom used to talk about someone she called Grandma Moses. For years, I thought it was the grandma of one of her childhood friends. Grandma Moses was a beloved American primitive artist whose first painting was not released until she was 76! If ever you need encouragement to carry on, or to use your God-given talents, read the story of Grandma Moses and be inspired. This lens is about an amazing painter who didn't let disabling arthritis quench her creativity or her quest to live every day of her life to the fullest. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! arts-and-design Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:04:09 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/journal-or-diary What's the difference between a journal and a diary--or is there? According to Quinn McDonald, a certified creativity coach, there's a distinct difference. This lens will look at the process of recording the tapestry of our lives. We'll look at various types of journals, as well as explore journaling resources online. As someone who has kept a journal for most of her adult life (plus several years of childhood), I know what fun it is to browse through a thirty-year-old journal and relive special moments. It's like history with heart, a record of events and thoughts that have made me who I am today. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! Want to keep up with my new lenses? Subscribe to my RSS feed. healthy-living Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:55:37 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/embarrassing-moments Everyone has them--embarrassing moments that feel like a gigantic spotlight has suddenly illuminated our stupidity. Moments like that feel as if the earth has come to a screeching stop. Settle in. I'll share a few of my most embarrassing moments, and maybe I can also coax a story or two out of you. (Ah, see there? You've already thought of one, haven't you?) The world needs more laughter, and it's actually healthy if we can learn to laugh at ourselves and not take life so seriously. entertainment Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:30:47 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/quilt-story Every quilt tells a story. Some of the stories weave through historic periods when secret messages were delivered tucked away inside quilts. I have a story of my own, though, which involves colorful squares stitched together by a grandmother I never had the joy of knowing. This is the story of Depression-era quilt, and the birthday surprise it delivered over seventy years later. relationships-and-family Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:10:13 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/gumdrops Gumdrops are not my favorite candy. I'll say that up front. I've never liked candy that's rolled in sugar and made to stick in globs to my teeth. But all that aside, I do like the many ways you can use them. This lens is a celebration of a candy with so many uses, you'll wonder why you haven't tried these crafts or cooking creations before. Join me as we explore the history of gumdrops, and the countless ways they make life sweeter and more colorful. food-and-cooking Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:01:52 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/no-design-approach-to-backyard-gardening I have a confession to make. I am a landscape designer's worst nightmare. A few years ago, I took a long look at our pathetic backyard. Our 14-year-old dog had died earlier that year, leaving behind a broken heart and a backyard that shrieked, "Help me!" Join the adventure as I recall this fun transformation. I'll be including photos I took as new flowerbeds sprang to life, plus information about my Etsy photography shop, where you'll find hundreds of affordable photo prints that were captured in my very own backyard. For a photographer and gardening enthusiast like myself, it's the best of both worlds. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! home-and-garden Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:22:30 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fun-with-foam-creative-crafts-for-kids Foam crafting has grown into a popular crafts for kids because it's affordable and fun. Sheets of colorful foam can be purchased at most crafts stores, as well as online. From there, you'll simply choose ordinary objects most households already have on hand: buttons, adhesive stars, googly eyes, beads, popsicle sticks, beads, pipe cleaners, sequins, cardboard cutouts ribbon, yarn, and of course--glue. This lens will explore ways to craft and recycle at the same time. Crafting with foam is a creative craft for any age, and the only limits are your imagination. Let's get started! New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! arts-and-design Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:27:22 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cooking-with-leftover-coffee Nothing starts the day like a steaming cup of fresh coffee. But how often do we brew too much, and end up dumping leftover coffee down the drain? Join me in a lens filled with delicious, unusual, and yummy recipes that call for leftover coffee. food-and-cooking Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:49:30 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fall-in-love-with-broccoli Remember the conversations of your childhood, where a parent would give you That Look? "Eat your veggies." "Don't want to. I hate broccoli!" "Eat it anyway. It's good for you." Remember who usually won the veggie battle? I thought so. This lens is for YOU. food-and-cooking Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:20:06 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/cooking-disasters Long before HCTV Food Star came along, I was a kitchen whiz. I loved inventing dishes and much to my kids' chagrin, often gave them exotic names that didn't exactly reflect their ingredients. Sometimes my recipes met with huge success and other times they flopped royally. And sometimes...well, let's just say they were off the chart. This lens is for anyone who has ever planned a delicious meal, only to have it end up as something barely recognizable. Laugh behind your spatula if you must, Buster, but remember this: He who laughs last probably has a cooking disaster he hasn't confessed. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! entertainment Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:53:36 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fun-with-socks-creative-crafts-for-kids Call it recycling, repurposing or upcycling. Whatever. There are a gazillion ways to reuse socks, and it doesn't matter whether they match or not. Have you noticed how socks disappear? It doesn't take long for a pile of unmatched socks to fill a basket in the laundry room. Sooner or later, I figure, the other sock will show up, but it doesn't always happen. So, what to do with all those socks? Sock crafting--of course! This is the seventh in my series of Creative Crafts for Kids. We'll explore ways to turn our mismatched socks into something fun, usable, and gift-worthy. I'll even offer crafts for baby socks. So, gather your socks and join me for our next round of crafting fun! New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! arts-and-design Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:03:18 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/amazon-kindle-tips I've enjoyed reading since I was four years old. For the past thirty years, I've written books, magazine articles, greeting cards, and stories. You might think I'd balk at the idea of reading books on a device like Kindle. Not at all! Kindle is fun. It's lightweight and portable. I don't have to lug heavy books around anymore. Kindle is not for everyone. I know that. But for those who like the idea of downloading e-books from Amazon's Kindle store in less than a minute, read on. The convenience of owning a Kindle far outweighs the e-reader vs book debate. Join me on a tour of Kindle and my hunch is you'll buy one for yourself. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! computers-and-electronics Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:27:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/antarctic-webventure Most of us probably won't ever have the opportunity to visit Antarctica, the highest, driest, coldest, windiest continent. You might read a book about it or watch a movie or documentary, but it doesn't compare to being there. Come with me on an exciting Webventure to the land of 17 different types of Penguins! But first, print a map so we don't end up in Nothing, Arizona instead. (A thermos of steaming hot chocolate would keep our tongues from sticking to the roof of our mouths, too.) *Iceberg photo courtesy of /www.coolantarctica.com/">CoolAntarctica.com Used by permission. education Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:47:16 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/recipes-for-life One of my most treasured possessions is a faded pink recipe box that belonged to my mother. Whenever I pull a recipe from that box, I see my Mama's pretty handwriting and the years roll back. My family was large - eight of us in all. My parents made sure we had what we needed in life, and we grew up understanding the difference between needs and wants--valuable lessons that have followed me through life. Because we didn't waste time wishing for what we didn't have, we learned the beauty of contentment, and how it can't be snatched away when life gets tough. This lens isn't about doing without, but about how to look for joy in simple things. No joy, no contentment. No contentment, and life becomes a rat race. healthy-living Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:45:05 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/begin-today Ideas and dreams are like seeds. They need time to germinate and root. In my file cabinet sits a folder stuffed with news clippings I intended to use someday, as seeds for new projects. The easy part was clipping the stories and tossing them in that file; the hard part was to develop them into something workable. I'm embarrassed to admit that some of my clippings date back to 1990. This lens is about people who dared to launch their dreams. Their stories inspire and motivate. They also inspire parents and grandparents to encourage the children in their lives. Kids have dreams that need nurturing, and what better way to invest in their lives. healthy-living Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:48:46 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/gift-of-kindness What is kindness and how can a simple act of kindness change a day...a life...our world? Kindness doesn't always come naturally. Sometimes it's "caught" by observing someone whose quiet, gentle spirit makes a lasting impression--a parent, teacher, or a special friend. Sometimes it's learned through the school of hard knocks, when somebody reaches out to you. Join me as we consider people who have experienced the impact of a kind act. I hope their examples will challenge and inspire you to stay alert to opportunities of your own. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! Nature photos in this lens are ©Bonnie Bruno. All rights reserved. Visit bbrunophotography for hundreds of nature prints available from 8x10 to 20x30. parenting-and-kids Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:13:14 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/zazzle-your-photos Photography is my passion and my profession. Like most artists, I'm always on the lookout for unique ways to market and promote my photos. That's why I'm so excited about Zazzle, a creative marketplace for those who wish to stretch themselves as artists. Zazzle is free. It's a great place to meet other creative people. (And, I have to warn you: It can become addictive, much like Squidoo.) I've created sterling pendants using my original art, as well as mugs, porcelain any-occasion ornaments, greeting cards, prints, and more. The Buttons design mug (15oz.) in the image here is one of my creations. This lens will showcase some of my favorite Zazzle sellers, as well as answer questions about Zazzle. I hope you'll be inspired to rev up your creativity and create a store of your own. The possibilities are endless! See my store at Zazzle New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! internet Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:34:43 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crazy-about-blue Blue is my favorite color. It comes in gorgeous shades, and is one of the most soothing colors around. Who doesn't love a blue-sky morning, or a bowl of freshly picked blueberries? Who can argue with the beauty of light spilling through a blue cobalt bottle, or the bright blue of a toddler's curious eyes? Even if you aren't a big fan of blue, stick around. This is the first in a series of color-related lenses. Sooner or later your favorite color on the color wheel will hit center stage...and won't you be tickled pink? arts-and-design Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:27:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/deserted-island-101 Remember the game we'd play as children? "I'm going to a deserted island, and here is what I'll take..." I used to love that game. Even though I knew I'd never end up on a deserted island, my sense of adventure would take over. This lens is about possessions--books, mostly--and what we'd choose if we had to pick only ten titles. Would you choose fiction? Nonfiction? Something you'd already read, or a new book from the bestsellers list? Think about it. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! books-poetry-writing Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:50:27 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/butterfly-jewelry Butterfly jewelry is a beautiful way to say, "I love you." Butterflies signify new life and are beautiful to wear all year long. Because I've loved butterflies all my life, I've chosen to focus on butterfly-themed jewelry for this lens--nature at is best! Explore a beautiful selection of pins, pendants, rings, bracelets, and earrings, and be awed by how intricately these designers have crafted their work. fashion-and-beauty Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:26:55 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/day-trippin Long before someone coined the term staycation, my husband and I were taking day trips close to home. A day trip provides a nice break from the usual routine. I'm passionate about nature photography, too, and I'm married to a wonderful man who likes to drive. We don't often plan ahead, and that's the fun of it. Just pack a picnic and start driving. Take the road less traveled, as we did the day we discovered Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon. This lens is destination #1 of our day-trippin' saga. Maybe it will inspire you to leave your cares behind and create an adventure of your own. Remember, no matter where you live, there's beauty to be found right around the next corner. All photos in this lens are ©Bonnie Bruno Check out hundreds of available prints, at bbrunophotography. travel-and-places Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:42:16 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/lost-socks Let me begin by sharing what I'm not. I'm not a fancy argyle. Nope. That is so not me, people! And I certainly don't pretend to have cashmere tastes. One-hundred percent cotton--that's me, from a long, proud family of sports socks in the midwest. My genealogy is nothing remarkable, but I want you to know, I've warmed many a foot in my time. Life has never been the same since that agitating day when Man stepped up to the washer and began his dirty deed. (He should have known to separate colors from whites...but Woman was away for the day and...oh, it's almost too painful to describe what I went through.) Please...go caffeinate yourself! My story is heart-wrenching. You will need your strength. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! entertainment Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:44:51 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/eat-spam Unless you've been living under a rock for the past seventy-something years, you've no doubt heard of SPAM. No, not the idiotic spam e-mail messages from Nigeria. I'm talking about Hormel's familiar blue can--SPAM with capital letters. How can anyone not hyperventilate about a food product that nourished our brave troops throughout WWII? Hormel SPAM has been around since 1937, and regardless of the ongoing Spam jokes out there, it has become an icon of American c-c-culture. (Sorry, I need to excuse myself for a moment...) This lens will examine those serious SPAM-eaters in our midst, who sing the praises of SPAM not only as an inexpensive alternative to ham, but refer to it in gentle terms like cuisine or comfort food. We'll explore the longevity of one of the most maligned foods in history. Bring sweet-sour mustard and meet me back here in five. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! healthy-living Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:29:02 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/meet-historic-person What person would you like to meet? Who would you interview? I'd like to talk to Joan of Arc, Saul of Tarsus, and King Tut. I'd love to interview Noah, Abraham Lincoln, Florence Nightingale, and Shakespeare. Each left a dent on history, and I'm sure they'd have an interesting story to share. Join the TwitterStorm, and let's discuss fascinating people from the pages of history. entertainment Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:38:44 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crazy-disclaimers So, it all started a decade ago, when I opened the Operator's Manual that came with my shiny new microwave oven. My eyes landed on a list of do-not's, and this one jumped out at me: DO NOT place a live animal in the microwave. Doing so could be fatal. It seems someone in the world of Kitchendom tried drying their feline friend in a nice, warm microwave. Kitty didn't appreciate it and died. Disclaimers cover the gamut of human foibles. If you don't have time to read all the packaging that litters your life, let me put your mind at ease. I will read it for you It's part of my illness, dontchaknow? *Disclaimer: I cannot be held responsible for the well-being of any reader or pet--past, present, or future. Continue at your own risk. This lens won't keep you warm and safe, well-fed and cushioned from chaos. But it will entertain and enlighten you. Sit back and breathe deep. You're in for a quirky ride. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! entertainment Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:11:33 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/your-best-quality I've always believed that in order to give of yourself to others, you must first love yourself. Appreciate who you uniquely are, and where you fit in this great big world--this garden we call humanity. So...here's an opportunity to think about the beauty of being unique. What makes you you? Please share what you like best about yourself and why. If Twitter doesn't allow enough room, explain at length in the guest book here. Let's start a conversation, and get to know each other better. Photo ©Bonnie Bruno 2009 healthy-living Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:11:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/affordable-fine-art When you think "art," what do you picture? If your mind fast-forwards to dark pastoral masterpieces in gaudy ornate frames, think again. Today's art is colorful, fun, and showcases a wide variety of subjects and formats. This lens will introduce you to some of my personal favorites, which I market online in my fine art galleries. With the holiday season upon us, what better time to consider gifting a loved one with art to brighten the walls of their home or office? Click on an image for more details. Merry Christmas! This star image was created from a vintage quilt. My grandmother was bedridden for over twenty years with a septic form of arthritis. She didn't let immobility stop her, however. I have a couple of her quilts, which I have photographed in detail. This star print was a spinoff of one of those photos. All photographs ©Bonnie Bruno New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! holidays-and-celebrations Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:02:34 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/just-dust Greetings, Humans. We've been watching you. Yes, you in your serious housecleaning outfit, dragging your cute little cleaner caddy from room to room. Clean to your heart's content, but know this: You are outnumbered. Think you've wiped us out, hmmm? Try this experiment: Go on vacation for several days and we'll shift into high gear, creating dustballs big enough to hitch a ride on your socks. Our dustballs are the finest, like tiny tumbleweeds made of ingredients that would mortify you. We're mighty clever mites, and we don't give a rip that you've bought the more expensive orange-oil furniture polish. We don't care about your sweet feather dusters or your fancy vacuum attachments. We will save the mortification factor for later. For now, we'd like to suggest that you lock your doors and windows, tuck your children in bed early, and prepare for a rough ride. Dust ain't a pretty topic, Sweetheart. entertainment Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:17:22 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/paper-letters I'm stuck somewhere between scented stationery and the land of rambling emails. I rarely receive a handwritten letter anymore, and it's a special occasion when I sit down to write one myself. For the sake of convenience and speed, most of us rely on email to keep in touch. But every now and then I long for the days when a letter in my mailbox brought news from far away. I miss the excitement of ripping into an envelope and catching up on the lives of family and friends, of hearing good news and not-so-good news spelled out in a handwriting that I recognize instantly. This lens is about communication, and how our words have the power to enrich each other's lives and live on long past the moment we write those very first words. relationships-and-family Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:42:28 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/five-words-or-less-childhood Crowded. Happy. Spontaneous. Frugal. parenting-and-kids Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:37:59 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-who I'm not the type to jump into something without reading about it first. I don't sign petitions at the mall. I don't pass on cautionary emails without checking them out first to see whether they're spammy. And I'm certainly not going to waste time creating lenses without studying the work of those who have mastered the process. Squidoo is a huge community. It's growing every day, and shows no signs of slowing. The sheer volume of lenses is remarkable, as are the ideas these lensmasters hatch. Without their expertise and encouragement, I might have disappeared into the fabric of Squidoo, but instead I feel challenged. Squidoo WHO? turns the spotlight on some top lensmasters whose work I admire. Check out their lenses. Study them closely to see if you can spot a pattern. I hope this lens will inspire and encourage you to turn your creative energy into a great lens of your own. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! squidoo-community Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:04:42 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/turkeys-last-stand Tom here. Hey, how goes it? Back in the 'hood, you probably know me as The Bird. My mother (God rest her feathery soul) wanted me to have a fair shake in life, so she sold me upriver for a bushel of corn, the crunchy kind that makes turkeys gobble and trot. What a compassionate gobbler she was. I'm plagued with turkey daydreams of home to the point of losing my appetite, but my new owners are doing their best to treat me well. Except for one quirky behavior, which is getting on my nerves. :::very big gulp::: Farmer's family has been gawking at me with hungry eyes. For my own sanity, and for the sake of feathered friends everywhere, I have chosen to create this lens. Stick with me. I suspect it is going to be a long, jittery journey. entertainment Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:40:50 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/artists-with-pizzazz Art produces an emotional response. Whether it be an awe-inspiring photo or something beautiful created from ordinary objects, an artistic piece has pizzazz--the power to reel us in. Art has the power to inspire, encourage, and cause us to think. When we view art, we bring our own unique life experiences to it. Our personal filter plays a role in how we perceive it. I've created this lens to introduce you to a few artists whose work I discovered recently online, including some amazing artists right here on Squidoo. Enjoy! arts-and-design Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:06:21 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/gift-of-patience You can't hurry nature. Seasons come. Seasons go. And in between, we learn to wait. Helen Keller learned patience in order to blossom as a person with many challenges. So do tiny buds of Spring. After a long Winter's wait, sunshine warms and nudges them to open. Patience is one way to bless others as well as ourselves. It's a lifelong gift we can pass on to our children and grandchildren. And I wonder...What if the world took a whole day off from impatient toe-tapping and hand-wringing Imagine how those 24 hours of patience could transform something as simple as a ten-minute wait in line. parenting-and-kids Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:30:00 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/diary-santas-elf If I were to tell you my real Elfdom name, you'd laugh, so you can call me Hank. It's easier to remember, and besides...that's what the other elves in Santa's crew call me. I'm the Elf assigned to Workbench #7, third spot on the north side, near the window. I'm a hard-working toymaker who has been at this job since long before George Washington was a baby. Time has caught up with us, though, and we elves are aging faster than Santa's sleigh (which, by the way, is in dire need of heavy-duty maintenance. But more on that later.) This lens will include excerpts from my Top Secret Diary...juicy details about life as one of Santa's key helpers. For the most part, he's a jolly old guy, but like the rest of us, he does have his moments. (*Note to the tabloids: Don't call!) entertainment Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:58:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/inspirational-art-posters I love words. Words have the power to encourage, motivate, inspire, and bless. I also love photography, and have spent the last decade learning how to use light, color, texture, and perspective to create fine art photos. Nature photography is my favorite, and I love digging for details in this amazing world of ours--details that often are overlooked by the busyness of life. This lens is dedicated to a new art poster line I've recently introduced. I'll share the story behind each poster, because after all - art would not be art if it didn't tell a story, right? As you explore this lens, click on an image for more details. Intro on this intro image can be found here. All images ©Bonnie Bruno 2011 New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! arts-and-design Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:06:52 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/amazing-webventures-lets-explore-borneo Borneo is the world's third largest island, after Greenland and New Guinea. It covers some 287,000 square miles--almost twice the size of Germany, and is home to Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Join me on another Amazing Webventure, where we'll take a virtual trip to this biodiverse part of the world. If you missed the other Amazing Webventures, take a look at Antarctica) and Andorra. It is estimated there are 15,000 types of plants, 420 resident birds, and at least 222 species of mammals in Borneo--and that's just a thumbprint sketch of the overall wildlife found there. And did I mention Mangroves, Peat Swamp forests, and Kerangas forests? Those are just a few of the types on this incredible island. Unless you're fortunate enough to have ever visited a rainforest, you may feel like you've stepped out of your comfortable corner of life. Traveling is like that--it stretches horizons and helps us to view our world in a new light. An Amazing Webventure means you don't have make reservations or pack. Just grab a snack and settle in for an incredible trip. We'll begin as soon as you're ready. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! education Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:42:52 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/try-again Life is a series of hills and valleys. Some weeks are harder to get through than others. But can we agree to something here today? Let's postpone the pity party. Hold the grumbling. Today we're going to take a long look at nature--ants, specifically--and see what we can learn from them. Remember the famous quote, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again"? Ants are known for their commitment to a task. There's even a Biblical proverb of King Solomon that suggests we keep a watchful eye on those tiny creatures: "Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!" (Proverbs 6:6, New Living Translation) I saw that timeworn adage in action one morning when an ant had somehow gotten into my kitchen and staked his claim on a kernel of corn. I could almost hear him grunting and groaning as he pushed and tugged at the kernel, which lay beside my sink. Oops. He dropped it again. Did he lose interest? Oh, not at all! He turned back to the kernel, once again pushed and tugged it all the way to the backsplash behind the faucet. He didn't size up the 10" that stood between his kernel and the windowsill, but kept doing whatever he could to accomplish his mission. He simply kept trying. And trying. And trying. This lens is about persevering not in spite of your less-than-perfect circumstances, but because of them. What better time to keep moving forward, than when you feel like quitting? pets-and-animals Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:33:13 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/fan-the-flame Have you ever come up with one idea spark after another, untll you felt like a cat with its tail on fire? Same here. Squidoo offers creative lensmasters helpful tools to set those sparks ablaze, but they'll take plenty of fanning, too. Sometimes today's hopeful spark turns into tomorrow's cold, blackened kindling. If you live with elementary-school aged children, grab their attention and ask this question: Which comes first, smoke or fire? No spark, no smoke. No smoke, no fire. No fire, no lens. This lens will look at how to take an idea and develop it into a lens. We'll celebrate lenses that touched our hearts, inspired us to act, or changed an attitude. squidoo-community Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:22:58 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/lost-my-hippocampus What do you mean, you can't remember the last name of your BFF in third grade, or the inventor of the cotton gin? And if those slips of the mind aren't enough, try naming all the U.S. Presidents in order. Pull up a chair and let's explore these amazing brains of ours. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! entertainment Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:51:44 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/squidoos-unofficial-procrastination-primer-pt2 So, we meet again, hmmm? If you visited Chapter 1 of Squidoo's Unofficial Procrastination Primer, you know how distractions have a way of sabotaging creativity. Now, assuming that you're a Squidoo lensmaster, and assuming that you have enough good lens ideas to fill up your WIP bank for the next three months, then what are you doing here? Welcome back. This is #2 of a 3-part lens series. Make it to #3 and a little graduation ceremony awaits you. Get sidetracked and you're on your own. Oh, but wait! Before you go, would you like to become a billionaire in just three minutes? Go ahead. It's a quick detour. If you're into the blame game, you could blame your procrastinating ways on Squidoo! Oh! And you can't miss Grandma's chocolate chip cookies. Makes you want to switch that oven to 375 and get a move on, doesn't it? Ah, yes. So many lenses to explore, so little time. Graphic ©Bonnie Bruno 2009 squidoo-community Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:28:03 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/tweet-me-in-the-morning I should've known it would come to this. Twitter has infiltrated our homes, our offices, and now, our hospitals. What has the world come to? In keeping with the spirit of Twitter, I must issue this simple warning in 140 characters or less: Cancel your surgeries, people! Run for the hills!If you understand the language of Twitter, this lens is for you. If you don't get it, treat yourself to a nice graphic website of a tonsillectomy. Have you heard? Surgeons are sending tweets from the operating room. That's right; they're scalpeling with one hand and Twittering with the other. Not a pretty picture. If you expect your surgical scar to be in the shape of a nice little railroad, you might want to adjust your expectations. You might end up with a 140-stitch image of a roller coaster instead. Visit Seedplanter's Porch, where I share the story behind my lenses. entertainment Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:49:11 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/diaper-bag-central A diaper bag used to be called just that - diaper bag but today's parents have so many choices, those two simple words don't describe what's available out there. Visit any baby gear store or website, and you'll find traditional diaper bags, along with sling bags, weekenders, Daddy bags, diaper backpacks, and a slew of other types. Some include accessory bags and a makeup bag for Mom. Others feature handy changing mats, waterproof bags for soiled clothes, and a host of zippers, snaps, Velcro attachments, and expandable pockets. This lens is a showcase of the latest styles in a variety of price ranges. I'm interested in hearing from you, too, so please explore the lists where you can offer feedback. (Don't miss the Design Your Own Bag plexo, too.) Whether you're anticipating the birth of your own baby, or shopping for the perfect shower gift for a friend, this lens was built with you in mind. parenting-and-kids Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:20:48 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crazy-sayings I f you've lived in various regions of the U.S. as I have, you know that expressions in one part of the country can sound very different in another. Word-lovers don't mind one bit; in fact, the harder a phrase is to decipher, the more fun it is to untangle the mystery. My dad grew up in the South. Every other summer, we'd visit my cousins in Monticello, Arkansas, where I loved listening to them visit on the porch every evening. I got used to the idea of my Aunt Ruby "carrying" us to town, and when she was about to cook dinner, she'd announce what she was "fixin'" to do.My Wordaholics Anonymous lens introduced some unusual ways people expressed themselves in ancient times. This lens will share just a fraction of the zany, crazy expressions that are an everyday form of communication in certain areas of the Deep South. This lens will focus on colloquialisms that have become so ingrained in regional culture, visitors might need a translator in order to reply. Regional slang is fascinating and in some cases, downright charming. Later in my life, when my husband's military career had eight more years to go, we were assigned to an army post in Louisiana. In the neighboring town, we met some of the most warm, wonderful people ever. Our time there wasn't without its "moments," though--like the afternoon we were fishing at a nearby lake. A father and son had been eyeing us, listening to our conversation from a bridge overlooking the water. "You Yanks?" called the dad. I'd grown up in California; that was the first and last time I've ever been referred to as a Yank. Join me in exploring unique sayings found only in that colorful, expressive region of the U.S. Is this your first visit to Squidoo? Join us and write about your unique interests and passions.You can begin today! entertainment Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:08:37 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/oregon-coast The Oregon coast is a treat for the senses--miles of beautiful beaches, tide pools, and jagged rock formations, with lush rainforest hugging the shore. A gem of the Pacific Northwest, it's accessible up-close via Highway 101, a winding coastal highway with plenty of turnouts and special viewpoints for the photographer in you. Join me on a photo journey of my favorite stretch of coast. Welcome to Day Trippin' #4: The Amazing Oregon Coast Images in this lens ©Bonnie Bruno - all rights reserved worldwide. To purchase prints, contact me or visit bbrunophotography or contact me at bonnie (@) bonniebruno.com . travel-and-places Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:13:09 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/seedplanter-zazzle-photo-art Squidoo and Zazzle go together like strawberries and Cool Whip. Tacos and salsa. Chocolate and anything. My Zazzle store is a collection of products inspired by nature. Each begins with an original photo I've taken with my Canon EOS 5D SLR and a selection of great lenses. I've also created products with digital art, including some of my geometric fractals. If you've never thought about creating your own gallery at Zazzle, now's the time. I hope you'll enjoy the mini tour of some of my Zazzle products below. arts-and-design Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:38:00 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/step-away-from-the-chocolate This lens is not going to scold you. I promise not to finger-wag or quote calorie or cholesterol counts. I might compare milk chocolate to dark chocolate though, because everyone knows that dark chocolate is actually beneficial to our health. Unless we eat a whole whopping 32-oz bar in one sitting. Of course you wouldn't do that, would you? Would you? Didn't think so. Ok, let's get started with a chocolate joke. I promise I did not write this. I am just the messenger. Don't shoot me. An old man and a young man worked in an office next to each other. The young man noticed that the older man always seemed to have a jar of peanuts on his desk. The young man loved peanuts. One day while the older man was away from his desk the young man couldn't resist and went to the old man's jar and ate over half of the peanuts. When the old man returned the young man felt guilty and confessed to taking the peanuts. The old man said "That's ok since I lost my teeth all I can do is lick the chocolate off the M&Ms." - Thanks to melodiesplus.com! New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! healthy-living Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:54:43 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/day-trippin-2---crater-lake Have you ever stumbled upon a setting that left you speechless? That's exactly why I've chosen Oregon's Crater Lake for this second lens in my Day Trippin' series. My first glimpse of Crater Lake took my breath away. We had followed a short trail to the edge of the lake, and that first glimpse of that surreal blue-green water was unforgettable. This lens will include a bit of history of this volcanic wonder, personal photos taken during a couple of visits there, and enough travel information to hopefully lure you to this bright-blue lake if ever you visit the Pacific Northwest. And if you're fortunate enough to live in the region already, it's a perfect day trip if you hit the road bright and early. Images in this lens ©Bonnie Bruno - all rights reserved worldwide. To purchase prints, contact me or visit bbrunophotography or email me at bonnie (@)bonniebruno.com . travel-and-places Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:48:20 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/nature-photography-for-home-and-office Decorating a home or office doesn't have to be expensive. Yard sales, auctions, flea markets, and online art sales provide great outlets for photo buying. Frame pretty greeting cards or art your child has created. This lens offers affordable art for home or office, many of which are just a mouse click away. arts-and-design Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:38:40 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/etsy-your-gateway-to-affordable-art Have you ever fallen in love with a fine art photo or painting, then gasped at the price tag? Let's face it, original art is expensive. Most of us can't afford it. That's why I love Etsy, the popular online marketplace for everything handmade, including affordable art prints. This lens is for anyone who has toyed with the idea of opening an Etsy shop, but don't know where to begin. It's written from the viewpoint of a fine art photographer who is happily marketing my work there. Stick around. I'll share five tips that helped me settle in to that dynamic marketplace. arts-and-design Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:58:24 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crazy-about-red The science of color is a fascinating topic. I am head over heels about red. The experts tell us that color affects our moods, behavior, and choices. It has the power to soothe before surgery or relax after a long, hard day. An overly bold color can also stir up anxiety. The color red is at the top of my list of favorites, but I also like blue...yellow...and certain shades of green. Purple's not bad, either. But red...Red is passionate, rich, and full of life. This lens will offer plenty of reasons to add a little red to your life all year long. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! arts-and-design Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:48:57 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/your-favorite-kids-book The very first book I ever learned to read by myself was Angus and the Ducks, by Marjory Flack. I read that book until its pages were curled at the corners. It eventually got lost during a move from Arizona to California, but years later I conducted an all-out search for a replacement. I couldn't find a copy anywhere. My husband talked to a librarian, who told him where he could order a copy. I am now the proud owner of my favorite childhood book. Scholastic issued a reprint in 1997, and it's once again back in the hands of kids everywhere. parenting-and-kids Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:16:09 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/wordaholics-anonymous So, you can't stay away from the those ads on the grocery store bulletin board, hmmm? Can't fight the urge to read every disclaimer on product packaging? If you spot an interesting hand-scribbled scrap blowing across the parking lot, admit it...you can't rest until you've chased it down and read it. You know who you are, and I've got your number. I know, I know. Here...have a seat. Relax; you're among friends. All of us who have planted our seats in these seats (yes, you heard it right) share an affection for the written word. We crave word origins and wordplay like normal people crave chocolate. We're curious when a new dictionary is published. Will our favorite newly coined political phrase be included? We even like the way those new pages smell. Ahhhhh. Settle in. You're in safe company here. Welcome to the first meeting of the Squidoo Chapter of Wordaholics Anonymous. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! entertainment Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:05:10 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/the-truth-about-turnips Who could forget their first taste of turnip? Mine was accidental. I slid a steaming bowl towards my plate at a friend's house when I was nine. My favorite--mashed potatoes! One bite later, I discovered the terrible truth. That bitter, mashed glob of white was turnips, a root vegetable I'd only heard mentioned with a sigh and a grimace. I confess, I've stayed away from turnips for most of my adult life. This lens will take a long look at the lowly turnip, which I recently discovered is a beauty to behold when it's in full bloom. I'll shared trivia and tidbits, recipes, and raves. food-and-cooking Tue, 17 May 2011 10:33:04 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/backyard-photography-1 The best photo opportunities often lie right in your own backyard. No need for a traveling budget or expensive equipment. As a nature photographer who specializes in close-ups, I'm constantly on the lookout for details. A year ago, I decided to remove lawn from my backyard and transform the space into a flower garden. Little did I realize how my spontaneity would pay off. Now I don't need to fill my gas tank and drive hundreds of miles in search of a good photo. My yard has become a bird sanctuary. My flowerbeds now form a lovely butterfly garden, where butterflies feast on dozens of species of plants. I have opportunities to capture amazing images in my backyard, from lightscapes I've taken early in the morning, to moody glimpses of the garden in the last ribbons of daylight. This lens is a celebration of nature, a short course on what to look for, and a mini-gallery of some of the photo ops I've discovered in my own backyard. arts-and-design Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:31:30 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/good-habits We all have a bad habit or two. Or ten. We have good habits, too, but they probably don't get as much air time. Here's your chance to share a good habit that is helping you maneuver on this path called Life. Go ahead--toot your horn. I'm listening! healthy-living Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:54:23 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/blame-it-on-squidoo Squidoo should come with a disclaimer: Enter at your own risk. We cannot be held responsible for absentmindedness, hyperactivity, insomnia, or repetitive-module stress injury. Let's face it. Life changes drastically when you discover Squidoo. Things happen...things that can only be blamed on Squidoo. It's like creativity gone mad, a runaway train of ideas that won't shut off just because your body happens to be sleeping. Squidoo invades your dreams at night and by day, creeps into the crevices of a conversation when a friend says a certain phrase, and triggers a creative reaction at the least opportune moment: WOW! That's a great idea for a lens! Of course you only think it. You would never say such a thing out loud, especially to someone who is not Squidooey. Squidooers like us are driven to find the right combination of modules, the right balance of text to images, and the right way to end a lens. We're right-brained to the max. Until we hit that PUBLISH button in the top right corner of our screen, we do not sleep. This lens reminds me of you. No offense. squidoo-community Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:16:56 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/turkeys-manifesto Dear Concerned Friends & Cohorts, Tom here. You might remember me from Turkey's Last Stand, where I shared my plight. The Great Featherquake of 2008 had me scrambling for my life, trying to outrun Farmer's sharp axe. The response to my story has been heartening. I have so appreciated your :::gobble::: heartfelt text messages and emails. And to the one who orchestrated that humanitarian airdrop (You know who you are--kissy-kissy, peck-peck!),I owe you, Bro. I hardly noticed the package falling from the sky, until it grazed the side of Farmer's hog pen. It's tucked away in the tall grass, where I've been treating myself to a few delectable kernels every couple of hours. Read on, my faithful friends. Read on. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! entertainment Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:23:03 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/the-day-the-lights-went-out The year was 1996. My mother was celebrating her 73rd birthday. Inside a glittery birthday card, my dad had tucked this note: "Sweetheart: A large box will arrive this week--your new computer." Mama let loose with the scream heard 'round the world. The year was 1996 and she was eager and ready to take up her mouse and join the keyboard revolution. This lens is about the moment she plugged in that ol' Packard-Bell big beige box, only to discover something horrible had happened. What had the world come to? entertainment Sat, 17 Sep 2011 20:16:51 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/crazy-about-yellow Yellow is one of those colors that affects me the instant I see it. It can change the entire mood of a day. It's cheerful...pretty...upbeat...happy...soft or brilliant, depending on the shade. This lens celebrates one of my favorite colors. I'll share tidbits about yellow that you may not know, and colorful links to this yellow I've grown to love. I'll also share plenty of my nature photos, most of which were taken in my own backyard. This is one of a series of color-related lenses, which began with Crazy About Blue. Visit my Crazy About Red lens, too. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! All photographs on this lens are ©Bonnie Bruno 2009 arts-and-design Sun, 10 May 2009 19:00:14 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/steal-this-idea In the writing world, there aren't any new ideas under the sun, but there are plenty of ways to slant used ideas with a fresh focus. The same is true when developing lenses here at Squidoo. It's all about approach. Take this lens idea, for example. I wasn't hit by a thunderbolt, and I didn't hear the "Hallelujah Chorus" as I made plans to begin. But I did envision it becoming a useful tool for lensmasters--a one-stop resource where visitors could find inspiration for future lenses. Once I completed my fifty lenses and was welcomed in as a Giant Squid, I thought how handy a tool like this would have been when I was learning the ropes. Then I realized that a month-by-month directory of ideas is helpful for us all. Consider this a launchpad of monthly idea-starters. I'll include questions to ponder, a calendar of month-by-month special occasions and observances, and oddball trivia to give your gray matter a good workout. I'll expand it periodically, so check back from time to time. After you sign the guestbook, there's an extra treat near the bottom of this lens--a list of imagination-boosters that are so unique, I just had to include them. If you don't use any other resource in this lens, please visit that module. Pretty incredible stuff! Bottom line: Have fun, and Steal any idea you find here. They're yours for the taking. After you build your lens, return to add your lens to the list there at the very bottom. Here's to a year of creative ideas! Visit Seedplanter's Porch, where I share the story behind my lenses. squidoo-community Tue, 05 May 2009 15:17:54 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/bumper-sticker-central I'm convinced that the world has two kinds of people: 1. Those who slap bumper stickers on their vehicles 2. Those who don't. I grew up in a family that traveled every summer by car. We criss-crossed the U.S. for two weeks every August, and at every stop, I'd see bumper stickers and stickers advertising popular tourist traps. To stick anything on our car would be akin to spray-painting a slogan across our garage door; it was unthinkable. To this day, I don't have a single bumper sticker, but I do have a thick file folder filled with slogans I've collected for the past 25 years. Welcome to Bumper Sticker Central, where I'll share some of the wittiest, weirdest, and dumbest bumper stickers around. entertainment Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:35:26 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/backlogged-email Imagine my surprise, when I discovered that my term for email hoarding--email packrat--is actually listed in the Urban Dictionary online! The UD defines an email packrat like this: "One who has a difficult time placing emails in the deleted file and an even harder time emptying the deleted file because of the finality of the action. They are afraid they may someday need one of those emails (although they never will) . This lens is a call to all you email packrats out there. Confession time! Let's share what we've been hoarding in our Inboxes (or in special folders we've set up with good intentions of organizing our email for a later read). *By the end of this lens, I hope to work up the nerve to tell you how many emails I deleted in a single day this week. computers-and-electronics Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:49:33 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/childhood-nickname Parents give us our birth names, but somewhere along the line, some of us earn nicknames by our behavior or our disposition. What are the funniest or sweetest terms of endearment attached to you when you were a child? During my daydreaming stage (around fourth grade), I somehow got the nickname Bird Brain. At the time I thought it was mean, but I now realize how hard it was to reel me in when I was daydreaming. Thankfully, the name didn't stick for long. relationships-and-family Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:40:01 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/favorite-christmas W e were a military family back then, living over 7,000 miles away from home at Christmas. Our home-away-from-home was an American community in the hills above the charming town of Idar-Oberstein, Germany. In spite of homesickness, we were determined to make the weeks leading up to Christmas extra-special. We didn't have much money after our move for extras like tree decorations. No problem; we would make our own. Our son and daughter were ages four and six, and they loved the excitement of stringing popcorn and dried cranberries, and making fabric and paper ornaments for our lopsided little tree. This lens is about celebrating Christmas in simple ways. It's about learning to recognize the beauty that is sometimes overlooked in our rush to create the perfect Christmas. Most of all, it's about a wonderful surprise that turned it into our most memorable Christmas ever. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! holidays-and-celebrations Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:59:18 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/leave-a-legacy We can hoard possessions, chase after fame & powerful positions that make us feel like we have arrived. But the greatest influence ever is the imprint that outlives each of us--the lasting legacy of a single life. A legacy isn't about the eulogy spoken at a memorial service. It's not the nice (and sometimes inflated) things they say about us after we're gone. A true legacy is the dent we leave on the hearts and lives of others: a kindness shown to a stranger...forgiveness extended to someone who may not be ready to offer the same to us. It's the way we approach a job that's less than exciting...the attitude we bring to a frustrating situation...the smile we share with those the world labels "unlovely". Like it or not, someday every single one of us will be replaced by a legacy we've spent our lifetime building. healthy-living Mon, 11 May 2009 23:30:58 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/seedplanters-lensography Are you new to Squidoo? Try your hand at lensmaking, and I doubt you'll ever leave. Go ahead...create your first lens today! It's easy, free, and a great creative challenge. I'm awed by the pool of talent we have here at Squidoo, and I learn something new every day, just by browsing such wonderfully creative lenses. With such a wealth of knowledge available in one Web location, Squidoo has become a starting point for crafters, sellers, buyers, parents, artists, and more. This lens is an index of my Squidoo lenses. I may fall behind at time when life gets in the way, so please check in via my bio page now and then, too, to keep up on the latest. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! squidoo-community Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:23:19 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/are-you-a-wordaholic Do you sit at a railroad crossing, reading graffiti and warning signs on the passing train? Have you ever picked up a random note or receipt left by someone else, just to see what it has to say? (Hey, I once found a letter from a mother-in-law to her daughters-in-law about their next big family potluck...what they should bring, and what was not good the last time around. Hmmm!) Words tug at me. They demand that I buy books on word meanings & origins...famous letters written way back when...and historic diaries. I love notebooks and journals, and the Amazon Kindle. It's all about words. So...are there any more wordaholics out there? entertainment Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:51:17 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/turkeys-turkiatrist Tom here. If you've been keeping up on my story, you know that I'm a stressed-out turkey trying to stay one step ahead of the axe. I'm hunkered down out here behind the barn, sweating bullets and wondering whether I'll be next Christmas to see the lights dangling above the door to Farmer's barn, or the tree they decorate at the end of their driveway. A few day ago, I heard from my friend Seedplanter, who has been writing letters and phoning members of Congress on my behalf. Things are beginning to look up, and I'm seeing ribbons of light at the end of my feather-lined tunnel. Thanks, also to Dr. Helpa Byrd, a Turkiatrist who has treated several of my friends for insomnia, indigestion, and other symptoms of anxiety disorder. I'm sleeping better and I haven't had any more nightmares. She is encouraging me to take it one day at a time. I'm trying. This is the continuing story of my fight for life, and a peek at what this fine turkiatrist has done to boost my confidence in humanity. New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today! entertainment Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:35:04 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/great-gardening-tips My mom used to say, "Live & learn!" Life has changed dramatically since I was a kid, including technological advances that would have spun my braids in circles, had I known back then what I know now. Twitter is like a huge encyclopedia of topics, with conversations criss-crossing, and tips flung far and wide. If you visited my Backyard Makeover: Before and After lens, you know that I love gardening and even more--garden photography. Twitter is a natural resource for people like me. This lens is the doorway to great gardening tips, thanks to Twitterers who love to share their expertise. home-and-garden Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:45:44 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/hey-ma-im-a-giant-squid Want to be entertained? Watch a loved ones eyes glaze over when you try to explain that you've earned Giant Squid status. I am convinced that Webster doesn't have an adequate definition for that type of facial expression. I doubt whether the most experienced linguist would be able to describe the feeling churning in their gut. Their child, their sibling, their pal...a "Giant Squid"? Oh. My. Gosh. This lens is for you lensmasters who must face such bewilderment. My best advice? Fuggitaboutit! Relax. Laugh it off. You're in good company, among Squiddy friends who get it. Completely. squidoo-community Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:02:55 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/turkeys-new-job Hey everyone! Tom here, coming to you from my new home in Minnesota. I received a Tweet from my faithful turkiatrist, Dr. Helpa Byrd. As part of my ongoing therapy, she suggested that I update you on my new life. Without her gentle counsel, I would probably still be hunkered down behind Farmer's barn, waiting for the axe to fall... entertainment Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:30:58 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/squidoos-unofficial-procrastination-primer This lens is for you. Nobody has to tap you on the shoulder; you know who you are. You're the one who has a gazillion good lens ideas, but need five extra hours in your day to decide which one to pursue. You're creative and funny and smart, and happiest when you're researching or scribbling notes...or daydreaming about how great that next lens will be. But there they sit, big blank Works in Progress, while your brain creaks and sputters in overdrive. Sound familiar? This is Chapter 1 of Squidoo's Unofficial Procrastination Primer series. Stick around. I promise to continue on to Chapter 2, unless the creeks rise or the oven timer calls, or it hails and knocks out my electricity. squidoo-community Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:24:43 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/photography-autumn Nature photography tugs at me. Every season has a beauty of its own, but autumn has long been my favorite. Backyard photo ops abound, because each day brings about seasonal changes. Regardless of the current season, I still love going through my images from my all-time favorite: Autumn. Every autumn, leaves litter the ground beneath our sweetgum tree, planted when our first grandbaby made us grandparents on--what else--Grandparents Day, 1999. And in case you think all leaves are alike, think again. No two leaves are alike, and fall provides a fabulous supply of ever-changing colors and textures, feeding my addiction to photography. Join me in a fall frenzy of photos, thanks to my backyard. arts-and-design Mon, 16 May 2011 10:39:46 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/lost-in-squidoo How'd you find your way here? Was it a weblink, or word of mouth from someone who builds lenses? I stumbled into Squidoo one afternoon while researching a topic for a monthly column. The more I explored Squidoo lenses, the more I thought, Hmmmm. I could do this. So I clicked a link and the rest is history. One taste of lensmaking and I was hooked...thoroughly and utterly over-the-top Squiddicted. This lens is your rest stop along the Squidoo highway. Take a break, get out and stretch, and soak up new information before you head back to work. If you're feeling lost, I'll provide helpful info to steer you back. If you have questions, please send an email, using the link over there in the righthand column===> . (Note: If you should feel lost in this lens, no worry. At the bottom you'll find "Boomerang!", a table of contents that helps you choose sections you'd like to revisit.) squidoo-community Mon, 16 May 2011 10:27:39 -0600