Inspired by...

We--all of us--have been made for goodness. We have been made for laughter. We have been made for caring, sharing, for compassion for we do indeed inhabit a moral universe. Yes, goodness is powerful.

Desmond Tutu

. . .

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition...to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived: this is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

. . .

Love shared anywhere transforms situations everywhere. Your life is your corner of the garden; tend to that and you tend to the world

Marianne Williamson

 

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Just a collection of images that bring out the happy & hygge in me. 

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The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life
Deafening
The Spies of Warsaw


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Wednesday
Mar262008

Sometimes you've gotta go with the red shoes

When Maddy saw these shoes a few months ago, she knew she had to have them, that her personal style sensibility rested solely on owning those shoes.
"Please can I get them? They're so....sophisticated Dorothy."

Today was the first day (of several) of the statewide testing for 6th graders, called the MCAS here in Massachusetts. It includes multiple choice and essay questions in many different subjects. Maddy, my dear daughter, is a worrier. Statewide tests are fertile fodder (hmmm...can fodder be fertile? it's nice and alliterative) for her worrisome ways. She made all sorts of plans: extra sleep, the right breakfast, you get the picture. Of course I asked about it the minute she came home...

How was the test today?
Great! I wore my sophisticated Dorothy shoes and they pulled me through.
Really?
Yep, every time I looked at them, I just thought there's no place like home, there's no place like home.
I completely understand.
What are your red shoes equivalent?

Reader Comments (8)

I don't have one, and maybe that's my problem. I need a pair of proverbial red shoes to get me through the tough spots.

Or maybe just a pair of REAL red shoes. They are pretty cute.

03.26.2008 | Unregistered CommenterChristie

I LOVE this post! What great self help skills your daughter has. There is nothing like a great pair of red shoes, and brown shoes, oh, and black...I could on and on. I personally cannot leave the house without a ring on. My favorites are my silver rings with big chunky stones. I feel very uncomfortable if I've forgotten to wear a ring. To answer your question, Yes! The cannolis are from Boston-I live an hour north in NH. Hi neighbor!

03.26.2008 | Unregistered Commentercalibosmom

One day when I was 17, I was shopping alone at ZCMI (remember when that was THE best store in Utah?!)...anyway, I ran into a friend's mom in the shoe department and told her I was debating a pair of red shoes.

"Oh get them! Get them!" she urged. "You will wear them with EVERYTHING!"

I bought them. And I wore them with everything. And since then I have had a pair of red shoes or boots for every season. They are my trademark. I just got a new pair of red Mary Jane's for spring.

Ok...that is my life story. And I'm sure you will sleep easier knowing.

But this post just sparked my deepest passion!

If I were in your daughter's middle school, I would be her best friend. (Or want to be...)

Good luck on the exams.

03.26.2008 | Unregistered Commentergab

I am really wanting a pair of red shoes now. That's great they helped her through her testing. Well worth the money for the self confidence boost right there.

03.26.2008 | Unregistered CommenterBridget

Posts like that make me want a teenager.

And is that your cool couch??!

03.26.2008 | Unregistered CommenterJessica

I love actual red shoes too! I saw your name on the list for blogapalooza. Looking forward to meeting new blog buddies. I thought those were your feet. I'll be thinking of the "sophisticated Dorothy" when I wear mine.

03.27.2008 | Unregistered Commenterdiane

I've just caught up on a couple of your post I missed. Been out a bit lately doing drudgery (i.e. cleaning closets, etc.). Anyway, laughed out loud at the improv musical, loved seeing your pictures of Providence and reading about your family time, and this post tops it off. Way to go for Maddy. I used to have a pair of red socks that made me feel like I could conquer the world but shoes are oh so much cooler.

03.27.2008 | Unregistered CommenterChristopher

Sorry Annie, that's me, Emily, posted as Christopher above. Don't worry, he has never had red socks. He had signed me out and him in to Google and I didn't notice. He He.

03.27.2008 | Unregistered CommenterEmily

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