Life and Random Thinking

Guest Blog #2 from Heather McGaw

Posted on March 8, 2014 by dfolstad58

This is a second guest blog post from Heather McGaw – please share your thoughts, as you may hold insights for Heather that will inspire in more writing. I will be happy to forward those for you to the author. – Dave

PS – I added links and images that hopefully Heather approves of, and you do also.

OUR PASSION BEFRIEND
GRATITUDE

Mentor Woman if you can
Always always lend a hand
Mums the word for men
This year we will befriend
And stitch titanium with time
Diamonds, pebbles, rocks and seeds
Sweet hearts, leave grey mist behind
A knife is needed for this piece
Never never for the grief
Gratitude this year will mend
Gratitude ours to befriend

– Heather McGaw

“Our Passion Befriend Gratitude” The inspiration came again watching T.V. this time it was BNN who had a world renowned business professor on discussing why and how Indian men have succeeded so quickly in the tech industry, mainly in Silicon Valley. For example: Satya Nadella, CEO of Micro Soft Inc. The Professor said it was due to the fact that they mentored each other and co-operated rather then competing. And he said he would like to see women (and other groups of persons who are disadvantaged) do the same thing. My poem expresses a belief of mine that this time for women will come very soon, hopefully during this decade.

Posted in guest blog posts | Tagged befriend, mentoring, success, Women | Leave a comment

Poetry makes you think – You Have Been Seen (Guest Blog Post)

Posted on March 8, 2014 by dfolstad58

YOU HAVE BEEN SEEN

Hapless mother sacrifice, to no avail do I think twice
Unholy purpose daughter vends, to flesh of men pretend
Ashamed do I hear men speak
Stand with us here in twenty fourteen
To our amazement, you have been seen
And come in moon light give us more
Struggle in we will hold, our sister’s door

– Heather McGaw

Author (Heather) comments – “You Have Been Seen,” I was inspired by watching W5 on CTV a little while ago or maybe it was Frontline, on PBS. The show was on the sex slave industry in North America, I only caught part of the show but when I did I l heard to my surprise a man say that if the Johns would stop the demand there would be no business. He said “they only have to open their eyes to see some of these people are children and /or slaves. These men are also Fathers, sons, brothers, parents they need to stop, etc.” “No demand no business”.

All bloggers cherish notes, and comments from readers, hint hint. Thanks for reading and sharing!

Posted in guest blog posts | Tagged empathy, girls, international women's day, sexual slavery, sisters, understanding, Women | Leave a comment

Go to the Edge, and Live without Regrets.

Posted on February 26, 2014 by dfolstad58

I have been having this thought in my mind about “Going to the Edge“.

Terry Fox went to the Edge, Rick Hanson went to the Edge. What I am thinking is that these were people who had a vision, they did something not knowing they could succeed, but they went ahead regardless.

I am not speaking theoretically, I know I have started to live this way, in small ways, being unsuccessful is a long way from being a failure. Thomas Alva Edison failed hundreds and hundreds of times but he is not thought a failure. We admire these people because more than anything they persevered.

A famous columnist said – I would rather have regrets for the things I did than the things I did not.

Thinking now of my daughter Mandy, and my son-in-law they go to the Edge regularly, not running across Canada or wheelchairing around the world but they do new things, and to places they haven’t been before – they revel being strangers in a strange land or learning a new skill. Life is full.

What if you don’t go to the Edge? Imagine your dream is to visit Niagara Falls, you drive there and as you go to the falls, you drive along the river getting closer to the falls themselves. Maybe it is sunny so you hear the water roar, you see the spray in the air and you haven’t even arrived. Now you arrive at the parking lot, the falls are across the street a block away. Will you be satisfied with the parking lot, and just seeing the spray, just hearing the roar. No! NO!

You would get out of the car, and rush to the Edge, to see it, to peer down and watch the water cascading down, down, down to the bottom.

A clear metaphor don’t you think, so much of the time we make excuses and stop when we are almost there, we make a a huge effort but stop short of the edge and satisfy ourselves with just the parking lot, and not the Edge.

In the next week I am going to think about this more, and maybe use it for a speech for Toastmasters. I want to Go to the Edge, and encourage others to do so also. I have seen the smiles, and shining eyes of people who accomplish what they didn’t really believe they could, but they did because they did not stop, they persevered.

Terry Fox went to the Edge with only one leg, yet he ran and inspired millions, and he is synonymous with courage despite obstacles.

I have two legs, I can go the Edge, if I don’t stop myself.

You can go to the Edge if you don’t stop yourself, so just go, go to the Edge, you won’t regret it.

Posted in FAVORITE POSTS - A Few of them ♥, health, Thinking Out loud, Toastmasters, Uncategorized | Tagged Edge, Niagara Falls, personal achievement, Rick Hanson, success, Terry Fox | 3 Comments

Cookin wid the Green stuff…..Curry in a hurry!

Posted on September 22, 2013 by dfolstad58

Straight forward ingredients, clear instructions, and the end product is delicious food, praise from your spouse, and warm contented feeling – that’s why I like this blog.

Currydemonology

A lot of what goes on in Indian food is quite complex and sometimes more than a little fiddly, meaning that preparing something tasty and fast is a non starter well that’s what you might think but that is simply not true one of the great gems to have in your fridge is a green Masala a preparation that is exactly what it says on the label and one that that will allows you to create the highly edible very quickly.

I have touched upon the Daag in previous articles being that staple of the restaurant, well this will do the same job for those busy people wanting curry in a hurry this is a similar preparation that is perhaps even quicker as this takes less time to prepare and will keep for several weeks in the fridge. there are a fairly large number of chillies in this and yep it has…

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Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Thru my eyes – the slower pace is just right

Posted on September 16, 2013 by dfolstad58

: along Okanagan lake strolling

: Okanagan lake again

: ironman park toward giant’s head mtn

: Giant’s Head mtn & Okanagan lake

: biking along the channel, some locals

: Sicamous paddlewheeler on Okanagan Lake, north end of Penticton

: Penticton creek – the kokanee salmon are spawning

: on a hike looking down on Okanagan lake

When I bike, or stroll I have an opportunity to easily stop and catch the moment. All these pictures were taken in the last few days, I have been watching for the salmon to return and it was exciting to see them in the creek pools.

Along the channel between the two lakes is a walkway about five kilometres long. No lights, just a paved and an unpaved path. Cyclists, and joggers are the most frequent users, and at the south end there is a farm with cattle close to the path. I have always liked cattle, and regret I never tried milking a cow on my grandpa’s farm, too shy to reach down there at that age.

I meant to take more pictures of the lake at the south end, Skaha lake it is named but will post some of those another post.

On wordpress there are many photography sites, many very creative and grabbing, so I can’t compare to those but at least in this post, you can look from my eyes what I have seen just recently. I hope you were intrigued, and liked the post.

Thanks for looking, and check out some of the categories if you have time, nearly 300 posts now! Share your suggestions or ideas – much appreciated.

English: A view from the south of Penticton, British Columbia. In the foreground is Lake Skaha, while Lake Okanagan may be seen in the background. Penticton Regional Airport is visible to the left of the image. Image by Fawcett5, August, 2005. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Posted in South Okanagan Restaurants and Other Jewels, travel, Uncategorized | Tagged nature, Okanagan, outdoors, perspective, riding, sights, Skaha, viewpoint, walking | Leave a comment

Balloons & Whistles – over 10,000 views! (big grin)

Posted on September 11, 2013 by dfolstad58

I have been busy with getting a speech ready for tomorrow for Toastmasters, and reading the parallel story of Enders Game.

Today I logged in and saw I had over 10,000 views. I am so thankful to the readers, and subscribers who visit, and encourage me. I consider it a gift and compliment that people read, and share my blog, and subscribe. Thank you very much.

my love and I on the beach

Today was a warm day in the sunny Okanagan. It is the time of year when the days are hot, nearly 30 degrees but the beaches are nearly empty, and locals tend not to swim in the lakes (Skaha and Okanagan) after labor day. Now the lakes are still being used mind you, boaters, kayakers, dragon boat racers, Stand Up paddlers, and people with floaties of all kinds; just less swimmers.

I was in the lake two weeks ago, and it was still nice, still refreshing, and my voice still rose an octave when the water hit about a foot below my beltline.

you first I dare you

Really the perfect time for people to visit this wine country is now, bring your bikes, and blankets for the beach and enjoy the water bravely, just as I do; plus no lineups for ice cream.