From My INBOX – (stop it, dp book, puppy, writing flowers)

First:

This video that came in from C- has a nice take as it highlights “two words” for effective counseling (ha!) – and if you are busy – at least watch first 3 minutes – although that full 6 is just fun.

“Stop it.”

Second:

QUOTE of the week:

From Visitor Hugo’s Les Mis’

“Another story must begin!”

“Une autre histoire doit commencer!”

Third:

Delancey Place has a summer book release, which has just been added to my MUST READ this summer (making it 7 books on my list now). I would not normally be drawn to this topic necessarily, but I look forward to this author’s digestible and flowing writing style — AND I really “do” want to know more about HOW the “Roaring Twenties, the Japanese ‘economic miracle’ of the ’80s, and the Asian boom of the ’90s” relates and ties into “almost all crises in major countries” right now…..

source: amazon – click image for link

 

“It is a short book, and that’s intentional.

And it is definitely a challenge to conventional economic thinking. I hope you will consider ordering the book, and I further hope that it will give you much food for thought on what I consider one of the most important issues of our time.”

you can preorder the book from Amazon….

 

 

Fourth:

I first received an email that Starbuck’s was working in tandem with Arizona State University to offer free college to their employees, with no obligation to work for the company afterwards.  This led to a bit of a fun discussion with the hubs about how that is pretty cool – and then we talked about the state of Arizona – and how my school (NCU) is from there (which I really like NCU by the way) – and how my husband’s daughter is a serious Diamondbacks fan. My husband’s daughter lived in Arizona for many years and so my husband has MANY miles logged from trips to and from AZ to pick her up for the visitation we had to fight for…..

Anyhow, THEN this came in my inbox: Starbucks Liars

Having told the world they had made a massive grant to Arizona State to help underwrite the education of their baristas, we now learn that Starbucks is not actually funding an employee scholarship. It seems Arizona State University is simply dropping the price of admission and low-wage Starbucks workers can then apply for federal student aid. Starbucks does have a tuition assistance program, but it is not new, and it does not pay for all or even most of college. Meanwhile, at Starbucks, this how the folks behind the counter spelled “Virginia.” (more from terrierman HERE) and terrierman also shared this doggie wisdom image:

“You are not getting a puppy.  You are getting a dog that will bark, sh**, piss, chew, need veterinary care, and will require both training, fencing, and exercise for the next 15 years.  Too much?  Maybe what you need is a cat.

source: terrierman

FIFTH:

Have you taken an amazing iPhone photo recently???

Well you may want to consider entering it into the 8th Annual iPhone Photography Awards – more info HERE– and entries can be submitted HERE.

SIXTH:

The garden newsletter from Marie Iannotti:

“And when I’m truly stuck indoors, I just bring the garden inside with me, by snipping a few flowers to put next to my desk as I try to focus on working and fight off the urge to gaze out the window. I hope you remembered to plant some flowers, just to cut and bring indoors.”  

I know a few gardeners that abhor the thought of cutting flowers from their gardens, and even though I agree that the beauty can stand as-is outside to offer refreshment as we come and go – well come on now – sometimes we need to bring some of those blooms indoors to add refreshment.

Just make sure you shake off any bugs when you bring in garden flowers!  

In 2010, I did this a lot. I would go outside and grab a few misc. blooms and just put (smush) them in a glass real quick like – and enjoy the soft touch as I wrote through the night.

In this photo, here are some of my writing flowers from 2010 – along with the Mac computer I wore down! Notice the peppermint? Well not only do herbs offer a pretty flower – but the leaves and flowers can be rubbed together to offer a potent therapy scent (which calms and even takes away a headache).  Lemon balm and lavender are also easy to grow herbs that can add beauty AND body balancing smells!!

 

Lastly, did you know that there is a very simple recipe for keeping fresh flowers in a vase thriving longer?

This works for quick garden picks or expensive bouquets.

Put the water in your vase (or container) and add a drop or two of bleach and a few pinches of sugar!  One feeds while the other keeps things clean – and then change the water every few days – while also pulling out the flowers that fade quicker…

Have a nice day!