Thursday, March 24, 2011

Attack of the geese

This picture doesn't do it justice. We went to the columbia river to feed ducks and these huge geese were there instead. They eventually came up on the higher ground and chased the kids around. They even grabbed bread right from their hands. It was pretty scary.

Just so you know, bret and I came to washington state (tri cities) for the week to visit his brother's family. We have had a great week but have to head home tomorrow. We have his uncle's funeral to attend saturday morning.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Saturday, March 5, 2011

The New "Secret"

Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined AmericaBright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was alerted to this book by a friend on Goodreads.  As an optimist I couldn't help but want to see what it was about.  My husband, the pessimist, thought I was strange for wanting to read it.  I couldn't help but hear his voice throughout the book.  I once read and was moved by "The Secret."  This book bashes it, along with other motivational books and speakers I've admired.  It gave me reason to really think about the pros and cons of positive thinking.  In the end (she did a good job of bringing it together at the end - but I did struggle through a couple chapters wondering at her negativity) I realized that there must be something out there better than just having an optimistic outlook.  As she said, it's not about being negative either, at least I like to think she said that.  I remember advice my father used to give - you don't have to like it you just have to eat it.  I guess in life you don't have to think all is rosy and you don't have to think the sky is falling, you just have to work.  A willingness to work hard may be what's undermining America, and the trend toward positive thinking is a nice way to justify our laziness.  Anyway, it was a quick read and gave some added insight into the recent market crash, as well as a renewed desire to be hard working and realistic.  But I'm still determined to be hopeful!



View all my reviews

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Gardening

I worked in my garden today. I finally pulled up the last of my carrots. They weren't all this ridiculously small. Now hopefully I will get around to planting my peas and onions this week.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile