Driving down the road the other day, a creature with a massive wingspread flew directly in front of my car.  Being highly experienced at dodging “Suicide Squirrels”, I avoided this feathered pterodactyl.    A Turkey Vulture (Turkey Buzzard).

Whew! Lucky for me, and my windshield.

Sorry about the quality of the photo.  This was taken in haste because I didn’t want anyone rear-ending my vehicle.  

 Since I have not had time to stop and smell the roses, I did take two seconds to click a pic while I was driving  home.  Sometimes the world can be so enchanting.   

This is the side yard.  I would call this God’s Low Maintenance Acreage.

Hiking around an area near Mt. Tremblant, I was filled with excitement and coffee!  I have no fear of outdoor living and was almost relieved to see this welcomed sight.

Then I opened the door…

I decided to risk getting splinters behind a bunch of pine trees instead.

In Montreal with my friend who had Lasik surgery.  I have enjoyed some of the sights, while my friend has been recuperating behind dark glasses.  This fish spent several mornings reading over my shoulder while I was in the waiting room. 

I will mention no name, but it is funny when you notice a ”social media personality” not being very social.  

“

I commented on Jeremiah’s interesting blog regarding Wal-Mart’s  online presence in the social media network Facebook.  Jeremiah’s inclusion of Facebook comments in his blog resembled throwing pebbles at a giant.  This reveals the disconnect between the packed parking lots of Wal-Mart, and actual respect for the company.

I piped in on Jermiah’s blog that a  “single mom” should be the voice to start a constructive conversation that would enhance Wal-Mart’s presence online.  Thoughtfully, Connie Benson of Digiscrapinfo.com, was gracious and agreed with me on the  “female” aspect of a favorable voice for Walmart.  However,  I still hold onto my original thought, “Single Mom”.  Afterall, a “single mom” is still “all woman” but has added responsbilities, (some) self-sacrificing, and usually has to pay a whole lot of attention to what she buys and how much she spends.

My opinion is that Wal-Mart should choose not a SINGLE single-mom, but several single-moms.  Stores are crammed with  diversity.  Ethnically and  class wise.  Lower, Middle,  and Upper Class all spend money inside the great walls of  Wal-Mart.   If Wal-Mart wants to be successful in Facebook, it should have “many faces”.

With poverty levels as such,  single mothers and fathers, (I hate to discriminate)  are individuals that benenfit the most when it comes to economizing.  At Christmas, the Wal-Mart Toy Flyers are treasured by struggling single parents.  The aisles are crowded with frugal families who want an  FAO Schwarz holiday for their children, but need to be able to pay their rent or mortgage 6 days after the event. Wal-Mart does keep the holiday affordable, so customers will hopefully have a Happy New Year!

With that said, there is also those who are not confined to a budget, but enjoy the thrill of the hunt for a great bargain during the holidays.  Those “well-to-do’s” go to Wal-Mart, too!

There are children’s school items, crafts, electronics, music, movies, household products, pet supplies, clothes…the list goes on and on.  There are budget priced necessities and affordable dreams in the Wal-Mart. Focusing on the positive is supposed to make everything “better”, right?

Wal-Mart should hire someone, (my vote is still for the single-mom)  who knows how to start a conversation about “getting by” or even “getting ahead”  by shopping at Wal-Mart.

As much as some love to hate Wal-Mart, constructive conversations can be had about the good, the bad and the ugly of the company that will benefit not only the company, but the consumers as well.

This brave gal “finally” made the leap.  I yelled up to her, just think about telling the story to your friends!  Then she jumped!

This is the Captain.    He fancies himself a pirate.  Very good person!  The salt of the earth (and the sea!)

I wouldn’t exactly call what I did today,”hiking”.  It was a 6 mile walk on ragged (not rugged) terrain trails.   I more or less just played follow the leader.  He had wine in a duffel bag.