Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Reading aloud isn’t just for little kids. Reading aloud is a great way to connect with an ill parent, start talks with teens or share ideas.

  With two 4-year-old grandsons, I read aloud regularly. Every reading (even if we’re reading Green Eggs and Ham for the 100th time) is different. Orion loves to read the book from cover to cover. His favorite now is a big book of Berenstain Bear stories. Kael loves to interact with his new “Dangerous Dinos” book, roaring along with the T Rex and matching his collection of dinos with the pictures in the book. Reading preschool books aloud means dramatic voices and bold emotions.

In early scenes of movie favorite, The Princess Bride, Grandpa wants to read to his sick-at-home 10-year-old grandson who thinks being read to is  “for babies.” As the story unfolds, the wonder of being read too is revealed and the grandson cannot wait to continue.

Daughter-in-law, Dawn’s favorite class this term is all about children’s literature. Part of the class entails reading aloud to each other. She quickly learned how uncomfortable this can be for many adults – even ones training to be teachers. Dawn reads aloud daily to the twins and also to 13-year-old Hunter. It never occurred to her that Hunter would be too old to enjoy a well-read story. In September, she’ll be reading Hunter a popular young teen series, The Hunger Games.

Family reading can be everything from the Bible to Harry Potter. Reading to the entire family is also a way to start conversations, spend time together WITHOUT the TV and share a love of books. Select a book with classic elements with universal appeal. You can even pick books that are a bit above the comprehension level of the younger children as they will typically understand more than you might realize. Learning to sit still and listen is a wonderful lesson for young children.

Books that inspired favorite movies can be a good starting place. Even as the story is familiar, the process of reading aloud gives it a fresh feeling (and of course, many books are so much better than the movie versions!)

Make reading together an interactive event by creating costumes, wearing masks or hats and having people act out a specific scene.

As children mature, let them select a book to read aloud. Move on to letting them read sections or for books with lots of dialogue, have them read a specific character’s speech. Learning to read aloud is the first step to becoming a confident public speaker.

Reading to the elderly, disabled or ill has physical, spiritual and mental benefits. The sound of your voice calms, the ideas stimulate the brain and

Don’t have anyone to read aloud to? Why not volunteer at a local library, hospital or nursing home. There are also organizations seeking readers for taping readings of newspapers, magazines and books for ill or handicapped listeners. This human connection is a powerful one for the listener and the reader.

• Read Aloud Collection from LA Library system for older children.
• Ageless Sages – reading aloud to elderly video.
• Reading aloud to teens and preteens from Reading is Fundamental.
• Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic – reading opportunities
• Reading to Kids – volunteer reading
• Read Aloud America

So grab a book, grab a child, grab a friend, grab anyone who will listen and start reading aloud. I’d love to hear how you read aloud and how it benefits.

Thanks for stopping by again. Don’t forget to check out the newest releases in the Rose of Sharon Jewelry store.

Playing for Change is a powerful way to connect with people from around the globe through music. The organization, started by 1 man interested in sharing street music from around the globe, has become a wonderful tool for peace.

About 18 months ago, I saw a PBS report on the Playing for Change music and spent some time searching for a CD for Arden. The wonderful street and professional musicians had such a warm message and fabulous songs! I finally was able to sign up for a mailing list to be notified of its release. When Starbucks started carrying their DVD, I knew they were going to become a global influence for good music and peace!

The video below is a bit large for the blog but I felt it was worth the scrambled appearance for a day to share this!

Start by listening to their music, then join in on this wonderful project at Playing For Change.

Taking a short trip with Arden this week in lovely Bend, OR. He will work in the a.m. and we’ll tourist in the p.m. It was a leisurely drive through some pretty parched countryside. Oregon may be known for its rain but not this year.

Tomorrow’s Tantalizing Tuesday post will be some wonderful handmade purses!

Off to the brew pub!

Posted lots of interesting new jewelry pieces today at Rose of Sharon Jewelry and New Life Jewelry Art! Still have another 25 or so designs to go live!

That’s what happens when Mom and I have a photography marathon – I have a posting marathon.

An exciting new collection is being started at the New Life Jewelry Art store at Etsy – rosaries made by Betty. She had a friend looking for a gift rosary so you know Mom – she just had to make several! The rosaries will all be part of the New Life Jewelry Art brand while her cross necklaces are available at Rose of Sharon Jewelry.

Here’s a quick sampling to peak your interest – just click the photo to pop over to the appropriate store to learn more. While you’re there – take time to explore all our wonderful original jewelry creations!

Seeking God rosary by Betty 

Snow Bride – vintage white faux pearls in graduated sizes.

Night Sky – deep blue goldstone necklace and earrings.

Mother of God – handmade rosary from Betty

Kenya – brass elephant and wooden bead necklace

You can never accuse the women of Rose of Sharon Jewelry of having boring jewelry. We love to create so you have lots of original designs to choose from!

Sharing another excellent Dell tech service experience. Had 2 laptop keys not working; they tested ok but Dell is replacing the keyboard anyway. But wait – that’s not the best news.

While chatting with the tech agent, I mentioned how much I enjoyed my laptop and its 19-inch screen. But the only issue I never had been happy with was how hot it got on my lap.

After some research, the tech got an authorization to replace a few internal parts to address the issue. This wasn’t a recall issue (which Dell had with the Inspiron 9400 overheating) but just a proactive solution to complaint I never had reported.

And to make things even better – they’ll bring out a replacement for the plastic around the LCD screen which had cracked when the twins decided to fight over access to NickJr.com.

I’m all smiles today because of a great experience with a computer company.

Own a computer? Then you know what computer stress is! Here’s 5 Mellow Monday tips to help keep computer stress from blowing your day!

There is no way to eliminate the headaches and problems that owning a computer brings it’s simply a fact of life (even Apple owners will admit they experience them). But with proper planning, you can minimize issues that cause you to pull your hair out, toss a mouse across a room or worse!

1. Learn your operating system and most frequently used programs. Sounds simple but most people never take a class or open a book to learn what makes their system tick.
   1. Even costly software programs rarely have a complete manual so invest in a “For Dummies” or other how-to book. Select a book that is suitable for your skill level.
   2. Local community colleges, extension programs and even Senior centers offer free or low-cost classes.
2. Find or buy tech support services BEFORE something goes wrong. Try a few non-critical issues to see how well the person, company or service delivers what you need.
   1. I’ve bought multiple Dell computers for years with their extended Gold Business service just because I know I can speak to someone in Texas at 3 a.m. who can help me solve a hard drive crisis. It’s not that Dell makes the best computer but they do offer excellent paid support.
   2. Apple is known for their excellent technical support just be certain that if it is fee-based that you know how it works.
   3. Select retailers such as Costco and Office Depot offer technical support beyond the manufacturers’. Some are even free!
3. Backup – Backup – Backup! If something can go wrong with a computer – it will! Hard drives fail, Windows gets corrupted, files are damaged.
   1. You can backup your documents and programs to an external hard drive. Many of which include automated backup routines. Drives are a very quick and inexpensive way to have a onsite backup. However, these drives are also subject to failure. I actually lost 2 external backup drives in the same week! The other issue is should a catastrophe hit your home or office your data may not be safe.
   2. Off-site backups via the Internet provide convenience and security. Many run automatically in the background or at night. You have 24/7 access to the current version of a document and often even older versions. I’m currently using Mozy; however there are other reputable web companies that offer this service. Check PC Magazine or other reputable computer magazine for current reviews. Don’t bank on a “no name” company – stick with the big guys.
4. Research and set up backup methods used by different programs. Some programs offer functions that periodically remind you to backup. However, if you’re simply saving a backup version to the same hard drive, you are still at great risk. Check each program for how and where it saves your backups.
   1. Email programs often don’t backup everything you think they would. Some won’t backup attachments, others don’t backup email account settings and others simply archive emails and never make it easy to find what you thought you had “saved.”
   2. Check your software manual regarding files that are part of backups and make certain everything is being saved. There are also 3rd party software solutions to provide you with specialized backup functions.
   3. I have all my backups saved to a file folder called critical and then I make certain that Mozy always backs this up throughout the day.
5. Check  your backups regularly. Open and view or install a backup version to make certain that your backup files are in good shape. Nothing is worse than loading a disk only to discover the file is blank!

My last tip is to relax with a glass of wine before calling technical support! Your natural frustration will only make it more difficult for you and your trusty tech support guy or gal to diagnosis your issue!

Good Luck and Happy Computing!

Sharing today more great historic lighthouse vacations. Learn about great destination spots in Florida and Virginia in Mellow Monday, Part 3.

Florida Lighthouses

In the 1820s, the little town of St. Marks on Florida’s western panhandle was an important port for shipping agricultural products from middle Florida and south Georgia to the rest of the country. But boats leaving St. Marks often ran aground in the muddy shallows of the Apalachee Bay and the St. Marks River. The whale-oil lamps of the St. Marks Light, first lit in 1831, guided boats safely through the shallows.

Today, the historic light is a major attraction at the St. Marks Unit of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, celebrated for its fishing, hiking, butterfly watching and birding. Boat ramps and nature trails help make this stretch of Gulf Coast popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

A seven-mile drive winds from the refuge visitor center through fresh and brackish water impoundments to the foot of the Apalachee Bay, near the lighthouse. The lighthouse is open to the public only a few days a year during special events. Future dates the lighthouse will be open for tours include during the annual Wildlife Heritage and Outdoors Festival on Saturday, February 5, 2011, and Florida Lighthouse Day on Saturday, April 23, 2011. Even when the refuge is closed, however, visitors can get a great view of it from the refuge.

The refuge charges a $5 entrance fee; the fee is waived for visitors with a federal Duck Stamp or annual pass. A plan to transfer lighthouse ownership from the U.S. Coast Guard to the refuge is near completion. Tours. For more information, visit http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks/ or call 850-925-6121.

Cedar Key Light, located on Seahorse Key offshore from Cedar Key, Florida, was built in the mid-1850s in the hope that development would bring settlers to the area. The light now beckons travelers to the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, a national treasure known for its colorful birds, its marine life and its history. The refuge’s 13 coastal islands, reachable only by boat, provide feeding, nesting and breeding grounds for more than 20,000 wading birds such as ibis and egrets.

The light sits on the highest Pleistocene dune on the Gulf Coast. Since 1952, the University of Florida has used the lighthouse as a marine research center. Cedar Key Light is open to visitors only twice a year. Once, on a Saturday in July (the date varies with tide schedules), and again during the third week of October in conjunction with National Wildlife Refuge Week and the Cedar Key Seafood Festival.

A boat ramp in the town of Cedar Key, a base for commercial and sports fishing, is the closest access point to the refuge islands. The town charges a fee to use the ramp. Boat rentals and tours are also available from concessionaires. For more information, visit http://www.fws.gov/cedarkeys/ or call 352-493-0238.

Virginia Lighthouse

Assateague Lighthouse, surrounded by Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, is popular with tourists for its history, abundant wildlife and rich refuge lore. Built in 1833, the original lighthouse was only 45 feet tall. Found too short, it was rebuilt in 1867. The lighthouse now stands at 154 feet above high water mark on the Virginia portion of Assateague Island.

More than 320 species of birds have been recorded on this barrier island refuge, which has been designated a Globally Important Bird Area and a National Audubon Society Top Ten birding hotspot. Its resident species include the bald eagle and piping plover. Famously, the refuge is also home to the famous wild Chincoteague ponies, descended from horses presumed to have swum ashore from Spanish galleons that foundered off the coast in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Lighthouse tours are offered by the Chincoteague Natural History Association on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from April 3 through June 14 and from October 1 through November 29. Entry fees are $2 for children, ages 2-12 and $4 for adults. Fees support the maintenance and restoration of the lighthouse. From June 18 through September 28 the lighthouse is open Thursday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The refuge maintains several miles of trails for hiking and biking and a loop wildlife drive. The Lighthouse Trail, a quarter-mile foot path through the woods to the lighthouse, is for walkers only. The refuge charges an $8-per-car entrance fee. Adjacent Assateague Island National Seashore, managed by the National Park Service, offers beach parking and bathhouse facilities. For more information, visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/chinco/ or call 757-336-6122.

For a map of all National Wildlife Refuges and a detailed description of what each has to offer, visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges/.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Would love to hear about your visits to any of the historic lighthouse landmarks in this 3 part series or your own discovery!

Historic lighthouses in the Pacific NW and southern Atlantic are great destination spots for  summer. See Part 1 for  New England spots.

Last Mellow Monday, I featured the beautiful lighthouses found in New England. Thanks to the National Wildlife Refuge System there’s plenty to do and see in these preserved locations. In Washington and Oregon, you’ll likewise find great destinations whether you want to bird watch, picnic, explore or just enjoy the scenery.

Part 3 of the Historic Lighthouse Destinations features Florida and Virginia lighthouses.

As a native Oregonian, I love the public beaches and seaside attractions in Washington and Oregon. The Pacific is rugged and untamed along these two states which go to great lengths to preserve them.

West Coast: Washington, Oregon

The New Dungeness Light Station near Sequim, Washington, is really not that new. Lit in 1857, it was one of the first lighthouses established on the Pacific Coast. Today, it’s part of Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, a gem of a wildlife sanctuary situated on a quiet bay and tidal flats formed by the world's longest natural sand spit. Here, wildlife find shelter from the ocean wind and pounding surf.

The light was added to the National Register of Historic Places in  1993. Lighthouse tours are available daily from volunteer keepers from the New Dungeness Light Station Association.

Public access to the refuge is by foot or horseback. Horses are not allowed on the main part of Dungeness Spit; hikers have year-round access to the spit. An easy 3/8-mile trail takes visitors through the forest from the refuge parking lot to an overlook on the bluff above the spit. From there, the trail drops down steeply for a half mile and continues 4.5 miles along the beach to the light station.

Refuge waters are open to boating (no-wake zone) from May 15 to September 30 up to the 100-yard buffer. Boats may land only at the designated landing site near the lighthouse; reservations are required. The entrance fee is $3 per family daily; the fee is waived for those with a federal Duck Stamp or annual pass. Pets are prohibited. Camping is available near the refuge in the adjacent Dungeness Recreation Area. For more information, visit http://www.fws.gov/washingtonmaritime/dungeness/ or call 360-457-8451. Or visit http://www.newdungenesslighthouse.com/refuge.html.

Visitors to scenic Cape Meares on the Oregon coast needn’t choose between history and wildlife; they can easily admire both. The chief historic attraction is the Cape Meares Light, located on state park lands surrounded by the Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge. Commissioned January 1, 1890, the light, at the tip of the Cape’s main headland, offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. In spring, visitors can see nesting peregrine falcons and common murres on coastal rocks and headlands. Winter brings sightings of gray whales, scoters, western grebes and common loons.

From April 1 through October 31, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, visitors can enter the base of the lighthouse tower, a quarter-mile down from the refuge parking lot. Admission is free. Both levels of the lighthouse were closed to the public in early 2010 after vandalism damaged the historic Fresnel lens but the lower level, containing a gift shop, has reopened.

Back up the hill, at the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint and Refuge Overlook, visitors can look over the cliff top on a clear  day and view Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge to the south and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge to the north. This makes it the only viewpoint in the country where three National Wildlife Refuges can be seen at once.

Elsewhere on the refuge, huge Sitka spruce and western hemlock, some of them hundreds of years old and more than 200 feet tall, provide habitat for a federally threatened bird species, the marbled murrelets, as well as nesting bald eagles. The popular Oregon Coast Trail runs through the center of the refuge.

The refuge hiking trail and the State Scenic Viewpoint are open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The viewpoint has two accessible viewing decks overlooking the nesting falcons and Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge. For more information, visit http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/capemeares/ or call 541-867-4550.