A walk on Nahant Beach Reservation

I try and make a point of going to the beach every summer-it doesn't matter which beach, just as long as it's a beach. So this evening I went with the Lake Quannapowitt Walking Club to the Nahant Beach Reservation in Lynn, Massachusetts and we took some really nice pictures. It was nice to walk and there was a "blue moon"-well the moon wasn't blue but it was full and orange colored and someone on the walk told me it appears like that every couple years or something. I thought it was cool anyway. Everyone had a lovely time!

Thanks to some really nice coworkers I now own a Minion t-shirt!

I have really lovely coworkers who got me a Minion t-shirt which I of course was super excited about. (Just because Minions are exciting!) When I got the shirt I hugged everyone just because I was super excited and I insisted on putting it on top of my dress. I want to always feel that kind of joy, even if I don't always show it by running around like a crazy person. Now having lived that moment, I can still keep that happiness in me and pull it out when I need to, so it's like a gift that keeps on giving. Plus, when I wear the t-shirt I can remember how much I love people and especially the people I work with. They've brought a lot of joy to my life.

Bugs Bunny!

Bugs Bunny always makes me laugh and because this week marks the 75th anniversary of the first time he appeared in a cartoon, I thought I'd share a short video of him that I rather like. That's all folks!

Summer memory

Just because I can I felt like sharing a  song about summer simply because I can.  It's appropriately called Summertime and I like it because it's lazy, beautiful, and relaxing all at once. Plus it's classy which is one more reason to like it!

After seeing the Minions movie

I saw the Minions movie over the weekend which I found very entertaining!

After watching it:

• I don't think I'll be able to look at a banana for a while without thinking of a Minion screaming BANANA!
• I found out  that it's tough finding super villain/keeping it happy and alive,
• I know now that when robbing a bank one should always wear masks made out of tea cozies -that way no one will ever figure out who you are!
• Villain Con looks entertaining except I need to devise an evil talent so they'll let me in!
• I've come to the conclusion that it's best to watch the Minions movie with friends just because everything is just that much funnier with multiple people laughing together!

A blessing of a happy family

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven." -George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw was born today in 1856 and I like this quote because it makes me think of what a blessing  my family has been. Somehow I always knew that my family is something I'd always have for support and they are people who I love dearly. There is a lot of love in my family and I know that they will always be with me in my heart. Since I believe heaven is love, my family will always be a little bit of heaven to me.

Happy National Carousel Day!

It's National Carousel Day! June 25th was the day that the carousel was patented in 1871.  I don't know why but carousels always made me feel happy! There was something about riding around with the music playing and the lights going round and round that felt really grand when I was a kid. It was fun! Plus I rather like some of the songs from the musical Carousel because I'm a sucker for romance.  See below for a song I really like from it. I know the song really doesn't have anything to do with Carousels but it's pretty!

an awesome gift!

So my friend at work came back from his vacation and he brought me back a gift that I love-MINIONS! I'm super excited about them because when I look at them I smile and now I know if I ever have a bad day at the office I can look at them and feel happy!

Happy birthday to Daniel Radcliffe

It's the actor Daniel Radcliffe's birthday and I found this clip of him singing the Elements song by Tom Lehrer-a comedian I also happen to love. I thought I'd share the clip for your viewing pleasure! I also want to wish Daniel Radcliffe a very happy birthday!!

A happy painting

I took another art class today-this time it involved painting. We were all supposed to paint a picture of a sunset over Boston. However, I refused to conform!! I just painted what made me feel happiest, which of course involved Minions! Hooray!

Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act is tomorrow on Boston Common!

If you are in Boston and looking for something to do tomorrow (Wednesday 7/22) between 11AM and around 3PM please come to Boston Common to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There will be a parade! Music! and representatives from various organizations that serve people with disabilities. I think my favorite thing that will be there is a paper chain sponsored by Easter Seals Massachusetts. The chain is made of slips of paper people signed to show they support the ADA and reasons why they support it. The ADA means so much to me because it's made all the difference to so many lives and that's worth celebrating!

If you want more information about tomorrow's events follow this link: http://www.newenglandada.org/ada25boston

Maggie shakes things Up!

So I heard this song called Jump in the Line (Shake Senora) on Pandora internet radio on my lunch break and my coworker and I got up danced and it was super fun. In order to spread the dancing mood watch the clip below. (No it's not me and my coworker dancing!)

Maggie goes for a walk!

Today I went for a walk with some lovely people around Spot Pond in Melrose, MA. I found the group through one of my neighbors. It was nice because the walk took us through a wooded area and for me it was kind of like being home. I grew up on a farm and so to be in rural area is kind of nice for me. I liked learning about the people  I walked with and Spot Pond is really pretty. Plus, it was nice to exercise with people and share that experience. Even though it was a very hot day, I still had fun and I'd do it again. If you live in the Melrose/Wakefield, Massachusetts area and feel like a good walk join the Lake Quannapowitt Walking Club! (http://www.meetup.com/Lake-Quannapowitt-Walking-Club/)

Un buen almuerzo

Hoy fui con mi amiga para almuerzo en Jamaica Plain con un grupo de personas que quieren hablar en Español. Todas de las personas en este grupo fueron tan simpáticos y me gusta ellos mucho. Aprendo un poco mas Español pero que es mas importante para mi es la gente que conozco porque de este evento. Disfruta este evento mucho y quiero ir otros eventos con este grupo! Es mi oportunidad para mejorar mi Español. Yo se que necesito trabaja mas en mi escribiendo y mi gramática pero me gusta aprender y por eso estoy feliz tengo este grupo y mi amiga buena para ayudarme!  

Melrose Food Festival

Today when I was coming home from work the bus was made to stop because the road was blocked off and when I looked to see what it was all about I found out that it was a food festival! (I'm sure it was called something more sophisticated but I never found out the actual title of the event.) Anyway, this event involved various restaurants in Melrose, MA placing booths outside their establishments and selling small meals (e.g. slices of pizza, drinks, Chinese food, etc) all along the main roadway. Plus there was a band and a person playing bagpipes, it was really fun. I've always liked festivals and how they bring people together and because they've always seemed organic to me. This one was a lovely surprise and it brightened my day! Plus it gave me a chance to eat an egg roll!

Will Ferrell's landlord

As it's the comedian Will Ferrell's birthday I thought I'd share a clip I saw of a skit he did where his landlord was played by a really cute toddler. I felt it was pretty funny. Enjoy!

Meeting a baby

One of my friends recently had a baby boy and today I had the great privilege of meeting him and being able to hold him. There's something very soothing about holding a baby. (Except when it cries of course, at which point I give it back to its mother, I clearly am not ready to have children.) Anyway, like I said there's something nice about holding a baby, I like the fact that they look really peaceful and innocent and sweet. I couldn't help thinking how much I wished my friends' baby the very best. He has lovely parents who are so kind and generous, so I am certain he does have a bright future ahead.  To me seeing babies in general gives me hope for the future and that thought gives me peace.

Bastille Day

It's Bastille Day -France's national day where people celebrate storming a castle! It got me thinking about things that I might invade if I ever felt the urge. I was thinking along the lines of Gru's house so I could take all his Minions. Alternately I could perhaps take over an egg roll or trail mix making factory just because I really like egg rolls and trail mix (but not together of course, that would just be gross.)

In another sense since this day is all about French freedom I also got to thinking about all the things I like about France. Namely: French people including my mum's French friends who are lovely, French  food, the French countryside, French language (still trying to master it!), and those berets people in France seem to wear quite a bit- and I have to admit those hats suit them quite well.

Anyway, 3 cheers for France for Bastille Day and all things French!

Every day is a present

"Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present."-Bill Keane

I hope that today was good enough to seem like a present to you. Somehow,  even when I'm not having the best of all days I feel better thinking that tomorrow could bring something really nice. I figure it's the thought that counts!

Happy birthday to Malala

It's the activist Malala Yousafzai's birthday and I feel like celebrating because she advocates for education for all children. I think education is one of the best things people can have and I like how she's working to ensure everyone can have an education. Anyway,  to celebrate her birthday I thought I'd share this clip of an interview she did with Jon Stewart. What I like best about it is that even though she's talking about serious things she still laughs with Jon. I hope she always has that sense of happiness and fun and that she keeps fighting on!

The music was playing and so I danced

Today I was walking down the street in Boston and I saw this musician busking and instead of asking just for money his sign said that he preferred people to dance. I asked him what kind of dancing he wanted and he said he didn't care so I just danced.  Somehow I didn't care if I was the only one dancing I just danced and I felt a sense of freedom that I can't quite describe in words. I didn't dance long because I had to meet a friend for dinner but I danced long enough to feel really good inside and out. If I could I'd bottle up the feeling that I felt when I was dancing and give it to whoever wants a good feeling!

Happy (funny) Friday!

It's the actress Sofia Vergara's birthday and because I think she's really funny and because I think Fridays are the best days to laugh, I thought I'd share this clip where she appeared on the Ellen Show. It makes me laugh and feel good! (Plus she and Ellen are explosively funny!)

One of the best things about my parents

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
Theodore Hesburgh
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes_of_the_day.html#UJmlTFSdT28ZvYH2.99

I think one of the best things my parents did for my sister, my brother, and me is that they love each other. Aside from the fact that we may never have been born had they not loved each other, I think that the love they have for each otherThey've shown me how good it is to love and be loved.  I think I love more because of their example. 

How a video game helped calm me down

Today is apparently Video Games Day. I don't know who declared today Video Games Day. I rather like video games although I don't play them very often. I like video games because there was a time when a video game helped calm me down. I had to have brain surgery when I was 12 because I have hydrocephalus. (Very briefly hydrocephalus is where fluid builds up in the brain and to get the fluid out doctors put in a tube with a valve at one end and when I was 12 the valve stopped working and had to be repaired by surgery.) It was the first surgery I'd had since they put the shunt in when I was a baby. Just before the surgery when I was 12 I was frightened.  I was persuaded into playing a Super Mario game.  For whatever reason playing that game helped me calm down. I didn't worry so much about what was going to happen and when I'd finished I felt as though things were going to be all right and in the end, I was up and about a week later. I still like Super Mario, especially because I think it's nice that a game can help me face something that frightens me. I hope that everyone finds something that can help them be calm and to realize that there's so much people can do and overcome. (Starting with getting to the next level of Super Mario!)

Nature laughs too

A light wind swept over the corn, and all nature laughed in the sunshine. 

Anne Bronte

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes_of_the_day.html#PQhxCjOGuLfvovfm.99

I like this quote because I like laughter and I like the idea that even nature can laugh, regardless if it's true. I can dream a little so tonight I'm going to bed and hopefully I'll dream of nature laughing.

A penny and a wish...

I heard this lovely poem today by William Butler Yates  called Brown Penny and I couldn't resist sharing it. Hope you enjoy!

Brown Penny by William Butler Yates

I whispered, 'I am too young,' And then, 'I am old enough'; Wherefore I threw a penny To find out if I might love. 'Go and love, go and love, young man, If the lady be young and fair.' Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny, I am looped in the loops of her hair. O love is the crooked thing, There is nobody wise enough To find out all that is in it, For he would be thinking of love Till the stars had run away And the shadows eaten the moon. Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny, One cannot begin it too soon.

Things I like best about this Women's World Cup

As I'm watching the Women's World Cup final here are some things I like best  about this World Cup. Specifically, I liked the fact that people really rallied around a player from the British team who was devastated when she scored an own goal. Plus the UK won their next match! Best of all The US is in the final!! Loads of cheers to the US Women's Team!

Happy 4th of July from the Minions!

I just couldn't help myself!!

 Happy 4th of July!

Kayaking on the Grand River

Yesterday my mum, sister, and I went kayaking on the Grand River in mid Michigan. I was in a kayak with my mum and as there were no 3-person kayaks my sister had one to herself.  It was a lot of fun. Despite the fact that it took me a bit to realize you had to paddle on the opposite  side of the kayak to the direction you actually want to go, it worked out although I wound up taking my mum on a zigzagging trip down the river we did laugh a lot and that's what counted! I'd do it again -it strengthens the arms!

If you live in the area and feel like kayaking, we rented the kayaks from River Town Adventures Kayak and Canoe in Lansing, Michigan: http://www.rivertownadventures.com

Best things about being home for this 4th of July

I love going back to see my family in Michigan mostly because:

• I like picking black raspberries with my dad.
• It's fun to cook with my mum
• I get to hang out with my brother and sister
• I can sleep in  (not that I couldn't do that before but it seems different sleeping in at my family's house for some reason.)
• I get to play with my family's border collie named Dougal!
• I'm going kayaking with my mum and sister (tomorrow I'll post more about the experience!)
• On July 4th I'll watch fireworks with my family at the state capitol  and then get ice cream!
• I just plain like being home!

My parents 37th wedding anniversary

As of today my parents have been married 37 years! (Which of course is something I'm very proud to announce!)  I think the best parts of wedding anniversaries is getting cards for people. I decided to take a picture of the card my dad got my mom along with some flowers. The card has a picture of an old couple dancing in a kitchen and on the inside it says the Honeymoon Never Ends! If I've learned anything from my parents' marriage I've learned that honeymoons don't have to end and when in doubt, eat out!