Hope Is A 4-Letter Word

Are you filled with hope?  Have you ever been filled with hope? Do you really know what it feels like to be truly hopeful for your life, your future, and your children?  I realized recently that because of all of the negative news emanating daily from every type of media organization we are losing hope by leaps and bounds.  Think about the negativity with which most media coverage suffocates us.  I am encouraged because during the weekend I made a list of people who are eliminating some negativity and replacing it with hope for all who literally or figuratively meet them.  As I navigate the Internet and Social Media I have become an ardent fan of a number of young people who are bright, creative, enthusiastic, positive and generous in what they share while trying to build their own businesses.  Through their blogs, videos, products, courses, advice, life experiences, interviews, warmth and humor they serve to remind us that all is not lost ..........youth is not wasted on the young....................there is much to be proud of and great success to be achieved if we open our minds, our eyes and our hearts in everyday life.  There are so many young people whom I have not yet encountered, but I am going to keep my eyes and ears open so as not to miss them when perchance they cross my real or virtual paths.  Shortly I am going to listen to an audio program on line as a group of these terrific young people gather to talk about their businesses and share ideas to help other entrepreneurs.  Small businesses have been the cornerstone of our country since the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker were in every small town and city that sprang up as settlers moved across America.   Look everywhere for the goodness in people and especially in young people who truly are our best hope for the future.

P.S.  I am going to share the names on the list I made............watch for the next blog post!

........But I Want A Video Camera

My camera is a very basic model because I have been afraid to invest in something with more bells and whistles since photography has never been something at which I am even adequate. My father bought me my first camera when I was 8 years old. It was a little Brownie Hawkeye, and I snapped pictures of all kinds of things. In those days film processing was not something my allowance would cover so I had to be frugal in purchasing film and persuading my parents to pay for the developing of the pictures. When my own children were small I received a Polaroid Camera which developed the pictures quickly.......alas, my skills were not improved. In my family I was always the last person asked to take pictures because experience taught everyone that I would cut off the heads of the subjects, take a picture of my own fingers in front of the lens, or that my hands would shake producing blurry results. I see so many wonderful pictures in ETSY shops, on websites, and in blogs and Pinterest. I watch wonderful video clips on U-Tube or in blog posts. I have an idea for a project which would require a video camera. I think perhaps with a tripod I might be able to stabilize the camera and have acceptable results. I would have to learn how to edit the videos. I have been watching Heartmade Blog's Mayi Carles Vlogging 101 videos which are most helpful. April of Blacksburg Belle and Mayi Carles have advised me about the types of video cameras they use so now I have a place to begin shopping. Annemarie of Brunch At Saks also answered my inquiry about the equipment she uses to take photos for her lovely blog so I now know more than I previously did (at least about equipment......as for improving my skills....not so much). Wish me luck, and if you have any suggestions or opinions about digital cameras or video cameras please share them with me. I need all the help I can get!

Flowers, Pumpkins and Haunted Houses

Tomorrow is October 1 and it is a gray day with thunder rumbling and some rain in the forecast. That puts me in the mood for Fall in terms of clothes, colors, holidays, recipes, and crafts. I have spent entirely too much time sitting in front of my computer today zipping through blogs, websites, and emails. I came across several things I want to try.............one is a pretty floral arrangement which is a project on http://www.michael's.com/Fall-Floral-in-Pumpkin but I may use real flowers and a real pumpkin .........but then again I may just go to my local Michael's Crafts Store and buy the materials shown in their list (they do make it easy). They have lots of other ideas in their Projects section so you might find something you like better than the one I chose. Then in a blog I happened upon I found really cute haunted houses made out of recycled materials like newspapers and empty milk cartons. The blog is written by a person in Australia where they do not even celebrate Halloween so it is nice that they participate anyway. Check it out at http://littlelovely.typepad.com/littlelovely/2009/10/halloween-treat.html

When Good Things Happen To Good People

I love it when good things happen to good people whether I actually know them or not. Just recently I learned that one of my favorite blogs www.brunchatsaks.blogspot.com has been picked up by BlogHer. I am so happy for Annemarie (whom I do know) who is so creative in both her writing and photography. Then today her blog told me that she had been invited to attend an event at Warner Brothers Studios where she got to meet and chat with young actress Rachel Bilson. In addition, Annemarie got to see wardrobe selections for a new TV show starring Rachel premiering soon. For all you young mothers who may be fans of Rachel or her previous TV and movie roles, check out Annemarie's blog. I think you will end up following it because she does a great job about interior design, fashion, and food. Congratulations, Annemarie, and may many more well-deserved opportunities and successes come your way.