Describe for Me…Rose of Sharon and Her Companions

        It has been planted in my yard for a good many years now.  It is beautiful in full bloom…my Rose of Sharon.  The bush is full and round with pregnant buds; standing about 7 feet tall.  The leaves are an interesting shape..somewhat oak leafish but smaller in size.  They are green and when the flower buds begin to swell…it takes a few weeks to realize their full birth.  First they appear as small, hard, green buds; then, amazingly they start to appear white and twisted; similar in shape to a coned, morning glory flower bud, as it twists itself fully open.  It is all the more miraculous when you remember that only months ago…it stood proudly, looking for all the world like a dead, wooden monument to the life it had lived the year before.

         On this Rose of Sharon bush…the flower buds turn a deep shade of raspberry, in color.  When the flower petals reveal themselves…they open to a fluttery, fluted funnel.  Each petal eagerly overlaps the other to make them appear almost as if they are sculpted with those decorative sissors that make scalloped edges.  I have decided to expand the Rose of Sharon palette…i have added a light, lilac Rose of Sharon to the yard. 

         Together, they will be a show stopper in August when they tend to bloom…lasting for weeks with their dedication to painting the yard with their strong, visual presence with splashes of color.  The center of the Rose of Sharon is very similar in design to the hibiscus.  There is a long, protruding, white, bumpy center stamen, that contrasts with it’s glorious color.  On each of the colored petals are veins of a darker hue, than the petal, which just adds depth to the pretty picture. 

          It is with a sorrowful acceptance, that i tell you there is no hypnotic perfume from these beautiful flowers…their grace and attraction is in their butterfly shaped petals that flutter in the breeze.  That breeze that has been pleasantly scented by my other seductive collection of flowers such as the Stargazer, Oriental Lillies.  It sweetly spices the air with it’s signature scent.  It is like no other scented flower to my way of thinking.  It calls to the senses; and, adds to the nightime mystery that is my flower garden.  It has a tranquilizer effect for those who take the time to embrace the enveloping sweetness.

        One year, I remember mistakenly taking my vacation during their bloom time…and mourned the loss all year long.  It is something to nibble on…the feasting of the senses in late July/early August; when the Stargazers set out to stun the world with their shortlived appearance.  I give them their due…they are stunning if not a bit dominant during their show time.

          The smell is so wonderfully uplifting that you want to bottle it; so that you can capture the moment in time…it truly elevates the human mood to enter into the fragrance zone.  The touch of the petals is so soft and cool to the touch that you actually can’t stop yourself from gently rubbing its petals against the skin of your fingers.  The sight of the large pink and fushia, star- shaped flower petals, brings the awareness of the scent to your memory, moments before you actually indulge yourself with the smell.  Truly, if it could be bottled…no man would be able to resist it’s draw to the woman who wears it; it is that powerful.

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

Impact Action Team Makes A Difference In The World Through Boot Camp Training!

Anyone who has ever gone into the military and gone through boot camp understands that boot camp is where they learned their basic skills.  Once learned, those same skills were expected to be put to use to make an impact; wherever that individual was sent to serve.  That is the same principal that business man and author, Ken McArthur, of JVAlert Live fame, is going to employ with 18 individuals through his new Impact Boot Camp http://www.impactbootcamp.com  which is a 3 day intensive training program.  

       Ken has written a best selling book called, “Impact, How to Get Noticed, Motivate Millions and Make a Difference in a Noisy World” which was published earlier this year.   He mentored with Glenn Dietzel of Books Mean Credibility fame to write that book in 12 hours.  Ken created a whole program around the book after it was published.     He knows quite a bit about making his voice heard; however, Ken has managed to snag some experts to train the 18 individuals; in  areas of expertise such as: speakers, authors, business, marketers, media consultants, and publicity.  Once those skills are learned…they will be asked to work together as a team.  The 3 day training will take place on August 22, 23, 24th.  There will be musical entertainment and motivation at this event as well; it is much anticipated! 

Read Full Post »

Oprah Starts New Career?

         With Barack Obama getting the nod from the Democratic party on Tuesday evening as the Democratic nominee in the bid for the office of President of the United States…Oprah is celebrating.  She has said that she has been doing the happy dance all day.

         Oprah also allegedly said, she is ready to go door-to-door for Barack Obama if he so desired her to; which brought to my mind a vision of Oprah becoming a modern day salesman (woman).  Is Oprah starting a new career? 🙂

            Is she ready to start a new career as a pitch person for the political movers and shakers?  Her influence is quite powerful.   After all, Oprah has conquored the television talk show circuit, produces movies, she is a book club afficionado, and she is an advocate for initiating education; by planting a school for young African girls.  Oprah is a magazine owner… she is a successful business woman, as well as, an expert at branding herself in any area that she wishes to explore.  She is a smart woman…a beautiful woman… a seasoned business person; and, she connects with people in extra-ordinary ways. 

            She appears to accomplish what she sets out to do.  She definately did her best to bring attention to Barack Obama’s campaign.  Between television, her magazine, interviews and the campaign trail…Oprah definately has the platform to draw potential voters to the election process.  She also has a powerful impact in the areas that she makes a commitment to.  Oprah is nothing but passionate about the things that she chooses to spend time doing.

          People either love her or they don’t…but, most people do have an strong opinion one way or the other.  How will this opinion affect the vote for the President of the United States, come time for the actual election?  Time will tell.

Read Full Post »

Support-Either You’ve Got It…Or You Don’t

         Support is a simple enough word; but, more importantly it is a powerful tool.  My dictionary says this about support:  To hold or bear weight, to tolerate, to give assistance, approval or aid.

          Quite often we hear the word in association with divorce as in spousal or child support.  This is usually in regards to finances.  This too is important in life…because truthfully, needing money to survive is a basic necessity in our world.  But there are many types of support that we need to survive.

           We need physical support throughout life such as encouragement through hugs, pat on the back, a kiss, food, water, shelter, a high five now and again.  We need emotional support that carries us through the hard times.  Most often the emotional support comes in the form of a mixture of physical touch and verbal words of encouragement.  When our words and our body language don’t match…people pick up on that and feel rejected.  But when you combine words with positive body language…that has the power to lift people up and help them to overcome obstacles and challenges that they face.

          Today, my family will be supporting three wonderful human beings that our family has been blessed to know.  All three are teachers at the core of who they are…in fact, they are “professionals”…teachers also by trade.

          One teacher, Mrs. K, has been battling cancer since her son was born 4 years ago.  She is a young woman who has given so much to her special education students and their families.  She has been making an impact on those around her by inspiring and teaching even during her illness.  

          Her husband and child have been a source of love and encouragement.  Her former students (she has not been able to work for the last 2 years because of her treatments) have motivated her and connected with her to communicate their love and support for her.  She has touched the lives of so many people that i think it surprises her how many people care about what she is going through.  Today, there is a community fundraiser to help her family out financially; as she continues to fight against the cancer that has spread in her body, even though her treatments have been aggressive.  This community support, i hope, goes along way to bring a surge of love and support to Mrs. K and her whole family.  I pray that they are lifted up and touched by the level of love (and finances) sent their way.

         Today also, we will go and support and celebrate a marital union of two other teachers who have been a big part of our family, for years.  They are blending a family officially and legally.  But more importantly, they are blending a family physically and emotionally.  One is a special education teacher who has been bringing educational support to our community’s families who have children with challenges.  We are blessed to know Mr. S.    His bride, J, will soon be Mrs. S.    She has waited 5 years for this day.  Together they will have 5 children in their family.  “J” has been teaching one of my children in a homeschool environment for the last year.  She has brought much love and support to our family as well.

         The thing about support is that it requires sacrifice.  What you put out there into the world comes back.  Support, either you’ve got what it takes…or you don’t.  Who can you find to support today?

Read Full Post »

She’s Dead and She Needed Him

        She is dead and she needed her daddy.  He wasn’t available because he was in prison for half of her life.  Jayci Yaeger was 10 years old and she had brain cancer.   She had had cancer since she was 3 years old according to news reports.

         Her father is in prison on a 5 year sentence for a drug conviction and he has a year left to go.   Who knows why he committed this crime?  None of us know the whole story.  What we do know, is that his daughter has been dying.  She wanted to see her dad one last time.

           While he has been in a facility that is a minimum security prison…he wanted to be moved 3 1/2 hours closer; so that he could see her.  The request has been repeatedly denied; although, they did allow several supervised visits. 

           Just two days ago…Jayci got her wish.  She got to spend 20 minutes with her father.  She is gone now; but it has been said that when he lifted her upon the table for a CT scan, she wrapped her arm around him.  This was a child so weak she couldn’t lift her arms.  Love is a powerful thing.

            I can’t imagine how horrible it would feel being seperated from your child who was dying and needed you desperately; when all along, it was because you did something illegal and had to serve time.   Paying his debt to society for his crime caused him to miss what would turn out to be the last 5 years of his daughters life. 

            He will never get those years back with his child.  But, it really isn’t him that i feel the sorriest for.  I feel the sorriest for his family…for Jayci and her mother who had to go through this trauma without much of his help.    Jayci obviously loved her father very much, as she improved when he was granted three or four brief, supervised visits once she had been declared terminal back in October.

           Just days before she died she was able to spend a little time with her father…after all, it wasn’t her fault they were seperated.

          

Read Full Post »

Coaching with Glenn Dietzel

     Well, tonight was the beginning of the “experiment” of online coaching of internet marketer Ken McArthur as Glenn Dietzel coaches him through writing a book in 12 hours.  This will take place over several weeks.

      Ken is a wonderful man who has alot of life experience in many areas.  He is considered an expert in some of those areas.  His book is on having a more powerful impact on the world through the things we do in life.  I think the book will be wonderful; and the best part is, that through this coaching program online….many of us writer’s will have an opportunity to learn right alongside of Ken.

      It is one of those opportunities that i do NOT intend to let pass me by.  This one- on- one coaching can cost upwards of 10,000.00.  I dont know about you but i don’t have that kind of money.  This is the next best thing to being there. 

      I am taking copicious notes to benefit my own writing projects.  These are two men who definately know how to make things happen in the business world and the publishing world.  I intend to be a sponge and absorb as much information as i can throughout their experiment. 

       If you too want to take advantage of this opportunity…check this out:  http://tinyurl.com/2fsnbg.  It will definately be a learning experience i believe.  Update:  now that Ken has written his book on The Impact Factor you can check out his Free pre-launch website at: http://tinyurl.com/2fswc4.  This book is going to be huge and a must read!

Read Full Post »