Delicacy?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does it seem odd that we discover a new species, a good sized mammal, and then decide we need to preserve it so we can eat it? HMMMM
from dictionary.com
pre.serve
–verb (used with object)

1.	to keep alive or in existence; make lasting: to preserve our liberties as free citizens.

2.	to keep safe from harm or injury; protect or spare.

How about we try not to eat everything we find!

for all you tea lovers

I have come across a fair trade organic tea company that is fabulous. May I suggest the coconut chai or egyptian mint. Of course I have a list of teas I'd like to try but I am resisting the urge to order any until I drink most of the tea I have. Enjoy!

tipping point

FYI, the "today" referred to below was not actually today, but due to a strike I have been on I couldn't post this. I give up on this strike, we actually won over one person and I'm super psyched that she shared. It was awesome, especially since I never see you! The other, I fear, will never blog so I have little energy to keep my hopes up to someday read what is happening in her life. Maybe you could just send me an email instead :). I mean at least I get some of it from Amy's blog. Miss you!

Sometimes all it takes is an idea. If the idea grows to 16% percent of people, then it reaches a tipping point and spreads to the rest of the population. Hopefully, the video I saw today will get to that status. This came to me in a listserv as a response to a discussion that has been occurring for about a week. It seems as though many fields talk about the disconnect between academics, practitioners and citizens. I have been part of several of those conversations myself, and often think that we should just quit talking and act. The video that has since spawned a movement brought me to tears in my office today. That doesn't happen very often (unless of course I'm in trouble with Rob, haha j/k). This is one of the most inspiring things I've come across in a while. Peace can happen. Working together is possible. Loving your neighbor may be the most difficult yet also the most rewarding thing you do. I believe we need to "play for change." A family that plays together, stays together. We can be one family, we are one family. Go and be part of your own tipping point.

ON STRIKE!

As per the fearless lead of Melissa Guthrie, I am hereby on strike from blogging until Rachel and Erin both post a real blog. You heard us, no fake ass blogging just because we are on strike. Real life ladies, we have all been waiting to hear your wonderful wittiness for over a year.

visitors

A week ago my mom and I drove my niece and two nephews across the south to visit Clemson. My sister joined us half way through the week and stayed through the weekend. Highlights of the super busy week are:

Tree climbing

Atlanta Braves

Rally Caps

Georgia Aquarium

Reedy River and Spill the Beans

Fish Hatchery and Sliding Rocks

It was really fun to show them around my stomping grounds!

odd bird out

Do you ever feel like there is some part of you that makes you the one chosen last, or possibly left out and not chosen at all. Maybe you are too tall, too loud, too quiet, maybe you are not fast enough, maybe you are not funny enough or cute enough, etc. Maybe you are a dancing penguin when you are supposed to be a singing penguin. Or maybe you are Aunt Annie, one 11 african penguin chicks that hatched at the Georgia Aquarium. African penguins mate for life, so when there are 6 females and 5 males, the odds were against Annie, not to mention she has a few ruffled feathers (and has for years).

I'm sure there are times when we all we all feel like the odd bird out. Try to recognize those moments in others. These are the times when they may need you the most, and you never know how truly blessed they may feel by your acceptance and love. Be brave, welcome them/us into your life :).
PS: the penguins aren't really out in an exhibit, we were chosen to be taken back to see them in the middle of the aquarium, that was the highlight of my trip!

First fund raiser complete

Madalyn and I held our first fund raising event last Friday night. We put on a coffee house and silent auction, and as far as we are concerned it was a success. I think both of us were overwhelmed at trying to plan and implement a concert and silent auction because she has started a job at camp and I had family in town the whole week, and have been out of town every weekend since I can remember. I was in Clemson a total of one day the entire week of the concert.
That being said, the coffee house and silent auction would not have happened without the generous help, support and donations from multiple people and businesses. Thank you Sarah for your ideas, help, love, and photography. Thanks to starbucks for providing all the coffee, cups, creamer and sugar. I'm sorry to the manager who was not informed that I would be picking up the coffee day of and really appreciate your willingness to make coffee immediately. Super huge thanks to Knox, Alex, Haley and Chris and also to Erik for running sound. Amazing music!
To all the local businesses and everyone else who gave, especially Lori Morrow, The Resident Chef, Dan Anderson, Christine Drais, Carla Mora, Kirby Player, Kandace Terry, Teresa Tucker, Brian Krohn, and Brianna Clark. Your friendship and mere generosity helped us to raise about $1,400. This money will help save the lives of many currently suffering from blood related cancers. Not only that but we intimately touched the life of one girl at the show.
After Madalyn and I told a little about why this race is important to us, a girl came up to us and introduced herself. Alex was invited by Knox, just another chance to come hear him play. She had no idea that this was a benefit concert until she came upon the poster hung on the door. Alex told us that her mother has been battling leukemia for about 6 years, and she was so happy to be spending her evening there with us. Not only that, but there is a chance Alex will be joining us in this journey. In my mind, Alex's story made the evening a success. We were able to touch the life of a stranger in ways that we never knew could happen and no money in the world could replace that feeling.
And one more highlight is that my sister, niece and nephews were in town. If you click on Sarah's name above you will see David with the delicious cookie. More photos of their visit will come soon.