Word Verification Manifesto

When I decide to "follow" people, I like to visit their blogs faithfully, which means I check out a LOT of posts every day. I read and comment quickly...and that's because I have to in order to touch base with everyone I want to see. I also participate in three or four blog hops every week, and I do my best to stay current with friends there, too.

Maybe that explains why I'm so fed up with word verification! And Blogger has made it even worse now than when I wrote this poem last year:

The Word Verification Rant

©2011 Susan Noyes Anderson

Word verification is not my thing.

No added safety does it bring.

It only takes a lot of time

and makes commenting less sublime.

At first, I had it too, you know?

It took some nerve to let it go.

But others bloggers cheered me on,

and they were glad when it was gone.

The dreadful problems I had feared

without it, never once appeared.

No spam, no weirdos, no remorse...

just lots more comments! So, of course,

I did not turn it off in vain.

Word verification is a pain!

Blogger's diabolical new DOUBLE word verification is even MORE of a pain, and I'm almost to the point where I'm tempted not to comment as frequently on blogs that aren't willing to disable it. Not because I don't want to comment (that is one of my favorite parts of blogging), but because I am losing my mind trying to figure out what the heck those twisty letters even say, let alone reproduce them! And honestly, I don't notice any difference at all in the amount of spam I received before I got rid of the whole captcha thing and the amount of spam I get now. Truly, I have seen no adverse effects from disabling word verification, which is why I am making this plea to all of you to please (if you haven't already), please, please think about disabling that sucker! Have mercy!!

You would make one of your biggest fans very happy...and I'm even going to show you how to turn it off, in case you are unaware.

1. Sign in to your blog.

2. Click on Design or Customize, whichever your version says.

3. Click on the Settings tab.

4. In Settings, click on the Comments tab.

5. Scroll down until you see Show word verification for comments and check NO.

6. If you are really worried about spam comments and want to moderate comments before they are published on your blog, check the Always box next to Comment moderation (just above where you've just turned off word verification), and enter your email address.

7. Click Save Settings.

And that’s all it takes, folks.

If you’re using the new version of Blogger, the option to turn off word verification is not there. You have to click on the setting symbol and change back to the old interface first, then follow the instructions above to turn it off, save it, and then switch back to the new interface.

Come on, guys! You are made of sterner stuff!! You can do it!!!

;)

Love All Around

my siblings and me, taken at my nephew's wedding

All I have to say is this...How come the skinny ones are all in back?

And why did my bro's coat have to flare out in front of me and

make me look like I just grew six inches of added girth?!

(I have enough all on my own, thank you very much...)

Ah well, gotta love these guys. I surely do.

In fact, they make me...happy!

;)

Here's the groom by the way...Yep, he's a paramedic.

And here's the happy couple!

click below for more happiness

Behind the Gate

Do you ever wish for a simpler time?

I do.

And sometimes

I wish my kids were this age again.

When waving good-bye just meant, "Hurry home."

But they're all grown up now with their own homes,

their own needs, their own challenges and opportunities.

(And that's as it should be.)

These days I'm watching from behind the gate.

Smiling, as they aim both high and far.

Listening and loving when they fall.

Praying for them, too, as mothers do.

Hoping, cheering, knowing they will rise.

In all ways, always grateful for the view.

Today two of my kids have big things going on.

Just wanted both to know I'm rooting for them...

behind the gate but never far away.

Shifting Gears

Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison

Shifting Gears

©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson

When things aren’t breaking quite your way

and this world leaves you stuck,

crank it up.

When boredom eats up every day

as you slog through the muck,

crank it up.

When troubles quite confound you,

when the view turns grey around you,

when no marvel can astound you,

crank it up.

Seek no tropical vacation.

Rise above inane flirtation.

Drink no mind-numbing libation.

Crank it up.

Spout no multiple causation.

Amplify the expectation.

Ramp up your (i)machination.

Crank it up.

Sticky Fingers

Have to admit I was thrilled with today's Centus prompt from Ms. Jenny. Why? Because an idea sprang right into my head, and I'm in a big hurry. (Still gotta do some work on a Relief Society lesson for church tomorrow.) Anyway, this time it's 98 words only, prompt (in red) included. And the Matlock even supplied my picture! Thanks, Jenny!!

∞§∞

Sticky Fingers

©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson

It was only ninety-eight cents,

but giving it up made her tense.

She was found at the scene...

near the gumball machine.

Caught red-handed without a defense!

(Fingerprints make for strong evidence...)

∞§∞

PS. I know. It's kind of a fractured limerick,

but I couldn't choose between the last two lines!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

A Memory with a Message

When one of my sons was in kindergarten, I received a troubling call from his kindergarten teacher, who was expressing concern about his mental health. After learning that she was inviting the principal to join the meeting she wanted to schedule, I became concerned as well.

I arrived in the classroom only to be shown a picture my son had drawn, at her request, of himself. He had created a pretty reasonable facsimile, as had the other children. The only difference was this: After drawing the picture, he had taken a black crayon and scribbled all over it, as dark as he could. He had basically crossed himself out.

I don't think I need to tell you this was not a good thing. I'd seen no sign at all of the depression (or worse) that his teacher and the principal were talking about, and I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea. The whole thing was disturbing, though, and when I got home, I asked my little boy why he had taken a black crayon and scribbled all over the self-portrait he had drawn. His answer surprised me.

"I want to be black, like Michael Cooper," he answered matter-of-factly. (Michael Cooper was his then-favorite basketball player on the Lakers.) In other words, his "depression" was actually hero worship!

I tell this story for two reasons. One, because it's kinda funny. His answer really tickled me at the time, and I think the teacher was pretty amused too...well, equal parts of relieved and amused.

The second reason I tell this story is because it's a good one for moms/parents to hear. Things are not always what they seem, and while it's important to investigate any red flags or warning bells that we see (or hear of) in regard to our children, it's also best not to jump to conclusions. Sometimes there are logical explanations for seemingly illogical things.

Just something to think about vis a vis the parenting process...

Questions, Questions & More Questions

In the past few months, I've received a few blog awards but failed to respond in a timely manner. (sorry) Even worse, I've forgotten exactly who gave them to me. (double sorry) In an attempt to make amends, and because I am lacking ideas for the letter Q today, I have reconstructed a long (incomplete) list of questions I was supposed to address. Having answered all 20, I apologize in advance for doing so... ;)

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? 
Being able to stop time, get a bunch of things done, and then be able to insert myself back into “real time” without having lost a minute.

Where is your most favorite place on this earth? Wherever my home is at any given time. I love being in my own home best because I can create the environment there.

What is the best present you have ever received? I can't single one out, but my most valued presents have been (1) wooden boxes with meaningful little notes and tokens inside and (2) books with the giver’s written words added in the margins to personalize them to me.

If you could change the world what would you do? I would give everyone a strong desire to show love and respect for others.

Do you believe in ghosts? No, but I believe the spirits of departed loved ones are not far from us.





What do you think the greatest invention in your lifetime is and why? Probably antibiotics and vaccinations because of all the lives saved. (Computers and the internet rank high with me, too!)

What do you think the secret to a good life is? Knowing how to show people you love them.




What would be your dream job? Planning special moments for families that would create an atmosphere conducive to bonding and sharing. (I’ve had this job in my own family, and I love it…but I didn’t answer “homemaker” because I’d happily ditch several domestic aspects of that job!)

What is your most cherished item? My mother’s diamond ring she gave to me, because she has worn it every day for most of her life.



If you could have three wishes granted, what would they be? That every member of my family would always have enough well-being to love and appreciate life. That my parents, kids, and siblings would live within five miles of me. That war and violence would be a thing of the past.





If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? A place with mild winters; views of trees, mountains, and/or the ocean; and my kids nearby. (I have most of this, but two of my kids live six hours away.)


What do you dream about at night? Often my dreams consist of a problem presenting itself and me struggling to overcome it. I think I frequently use my dreams to work out subconscious issues.




If someone were to ask you, “What is your dream in life?” what would you tell them? Other than having a happy family, to write or say things that positively impact people around me.

If you could go on a road trip with any person 
(dead or alive), who would you choose and where would you go? My husband, and we would explore all of the eastern states. (We are really going to do this after he retires!)

What is the craziest thing you have ever done? I don’t do crazy things like bungee jumping or skydiving, though I surprised myself by parasailing once. Putting myself at physical risk is not my idea of fun. The crazy things I do are generally related to my personality…being willing to confront people others would not, doing funny things in public, saying something outrageous, etc.

What is the best thing about your family? They’re mine. And they love me as much as I do them.

When are you most frustrated? When someone blames me or others for things unjustly. When misunderstandings don’t get cleared up. I can’t even watch movies where people are falsely accused or where miscommunication causes problems that a simple conversation could resolve. Drives me nuts!

What did you get in trouble for when you were a kid? Reading in bed at night or hiding somewhere to read in the day when I was supposed to be doing something else.

Which is the one event that has had the biggest impact on you and your life? Becoming a mother.

If you are not doing anything what are you most likely to think about? My joys or sorrows, usually in a spiritual context. People I care about. Ideas that interest me.

for more Q posts, click below

Whatsoever Things Are Lovely...

I mentioned last week that our good friend passed away, and though I didn't take any photos of his funeral, my mind took some beautiful pictures and my ears heard several stories that will always be with me. I'd like to share one of them with you this morning.

I know I am not unusual in having a ward family that looks after one another, yet the level of caring and compassion never fails to amaze me. On the last Sunday of a great man's life, the high priests in our congregation were just beginning their quorum lesson when the teacher was inspired that the entire group should leave the church building, drive over to our friend's house, and give him the sacrament. They did so, and about fifteen men arrived at the door to provide that service. They were ushered into the room where their fellow quorum member lay in a weakened state, and they gently assisted him in partaking of the sacrament a final time before leaving this earth. Afterward, they stood around the bed and spontaneously sang his favorite hymn, "O My Father." I am told that our friend was clearly moved, but no more so than his wife, who says she will never forget the spirit of love that filled the room. Needless to say, my husband will regret forever that his attendance at the singles ward precluded his being there for such a beautiful moment. An interesting aside is that a neighbor who is not a member of our church heard the music through an open window and was deeply moved by the sound of male voices singing so tenderly to their brother in the gospel. She felt the spirit of that loving encounter in her own heart and could not believe how many men had come to offer gentle comfort in such a way.

Music is one of the most powerful, uplifting forces in the world. Used in its purest form, this divine medium can ennoble, move, comfort, delight, embrace, energize, and heal us. I spent most of yesterday writing an Easter program for our singles ward, and my internet search for those sacred strains that might bring my words to life was good medicine for a grieving soul. Listening to mp3's of hymns devoted to the Savior and His ministry of service and sacrifice filled every empty space in my heart with joy, reverence, and gratitude. A deepened awareness of the magnitude of Christ's suffering and the glory of His resurrection brought me that peace which passeth all understanding, and music was the conduit.

"...and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall be in your minds and hearts through Christ Jesus. Finally...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:7-8).

Today I am thinking about music, and dear friends, and eternity.

And somehow, all is well.

The Pursuit of Happiness

We're all entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, right?

Playing football makes my grandson happy.

And that makes me happy, too!

=)

Today I am guest posting at a wonderful spot, the creative and altogether delightful blog of JDaniel4's Mom. Her weekly feature is Pausing Life for a Moment. You can check out my thoughts here.

for more happiness, click below

Magpie in the Mist and Giveaway Winner

The darkness was crowding in again.

Her mind’s eye spun from clarity to shadow, but it was she, standing on the brink of a large body of water. The evidence of her own tears stretched before her...brooding, beckoning…a salty taste on the lips that threatened to engulf all she was.

“The choice is yours,” the voices said. They lied. Those tears were hers; she could not help but own them. And owning them, it seemed they owned her, too. Their murky depths called out to her like sirens…soothing, sending her soul deep. Breathless, she fought her way to surface, gasping.

Was it true? Could the wounded walk away?

∞§∞

Congratulations to Karen of Still Crazy After All These Years for winning the I Am Learning plaque! It will be making its way to you shortly, my friend. =)