NANCY NOODLES

Imagine being a musical prodigy at four and performing at Carnegie Hall by nine. Where do you go from there? Would you be content with continued notoriety as you grew older, or would you feel that your accomplishments did not matter or make a difference in the world? These are the questions that Yo-Yo Ma, the child prodigy, faced as an adult.

“Look, you’re really cute, but I don’t know what you’re saying.”, Marlin says to Squirt in Disney’s Finding Nemo. Squirt had just rattled off some surfer lingo: “Okay, first crank a hard cutback as you hit the wall. There’s a screaming bottom curve, so watch out. Remember: rip it, roll it, and punch it.” Confused, Marlin replies, “I think he’s trying to speak to me.” This scene shows what happens when two people try to communicate but are speaking different languages --

I think it is hard to stay uncommitted when you read about John Lewis and how the Civil Rights Movement was developed into a powerful method of protesting.

You couldn’t help but notice her in a crowded room. Her laughter was infectious. You would automatically turn towards the laughter to see this tiny woman, with a huge personality, clearly enjoying herself, with eyes wide open, listening ever so intently, honed in on somebody talking. Her smile lit up the room. Her kind and loving spirit was as delicate and radiant as cherry blossoms. She touched and inspired everyone she met. Her name was Suzuko, affectionately known as Suzie

I had high hopes for 2024.  The end of the year knocked me to my knees. 

2024 was not the year of such improvements.  Instead, the year began hopeful, then dove into a downward descent.

2023 was a year of challenges that tested my patience and perseverance.  It was the year that got away from me. Last year, I was...

I am working on very little sleep right now because we were trying to settle down our dog as we were barraged with fireworks all night...

I started my annual review a little late this year. Normally, as I'm packing up the Christmas decorations, I begin to think about what I...

My annual reflection of the past year started on New Year's Day. While I was dragging myself through the day (groggy due not to the...

A while ago, I wrote about a spirituality lesson on Gratitude suggesting that we practice "saying thank you for happy and challenging...

History (in a nutshell) The Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party (GOP), emerged from the great political realignment in...

History (in a nutshell) The Democratic-Republican Party split in 1828 when the party was negotiating a successor to President James...

I wrote a blog in April 2020 about revering things: their craftsmanship and artistry, the memories they evoke, and the joy they spark. ...

There are two topics that shouldn't be discussed amongst friends and family unless they agree with you: religion and politics. Being as...

I am grateful every day that our families have sufficient food and drink during the pandemic. We all still make an income, are healthy...

Dogs have an ingrained pack mentality. If you're not asserting leadership over your dog, your dog will try to compensate by showing...

Spring is arriving soon. I am beginning to see blossoms and new growth on our walks, and cannot wait until the symphony of colors and...

If I'd have known I was going to live this long, I'd taken better care of myself. -- Anonymous I don't walk up the stairs at the pace...

Anyone who knows me knows that I love animals, not all equally, and am in awe of the creatures that are cohabitating with us on earth. ...