Tuesday, December 11, 2007

"Mind Trips" and Other Blogs

I'm long overdue to write about some more blogs I enjoy visiting. There is no particular significance to their listing sequence here. Yes, there are more blogs about which I want to write and will in the future.

"Mind Trips" is such an intriguing blog title that I was attracted for my first visit a few months ago. Pam, who writes there captured my attention with colorful Vermont fall photos. These stimulated a "mind trip" of my own from past visits there.

Pam writes from a thoughtful perspective, often threading some humorous events through more serious commentary. Read her 9/28/07 post titled 'Politics, Survival and Exploding Eggs.'

Another post will be of interest to anyone who might wonder what blogging can be all about, why time might be spent writing posts and to other bloggers -- questions I'm asked often by non-bloggers. Pam's personal perspective will be appreciated. She shares her reaction and feelings with photos of meeting in person someone she first met through blogging.

I keep returning there to read about some serious topics, as with some of her more recent ones, including issues associated with spanking children, government intrusion into our lives, and privacy.

The artistic endeavors of this successful artist are especially interesting. Most recently I've been fascinated with a visual pictured there of a "fractal" -- a new term to me. I find "Mind Trips" to be well-written, delightful, enjoyable, informative, humorous, and emotionally stimulating.

Pam is a very active lady judging by family photos, and her accounts. We all encounter challenges throughout our lives and Pam has not been an exception in that regard. She's youthful as elders go -- anyone younger than me is youthful. You'll definitely want to read her profile where she describes some of the physical activities in which she has participated. I wouldn't be at all surprised if she's just being modest with her artist background description, as she continues to engage her skills and honor her talent.


"Ageless Marketing" written by David Wolfe, a marketing consultant, is a blog I began visiting long before I ever started my blog. He's very interested in the consumer and what truly is of interest to us. What fascinates me is how he integrates his knowledge from his child-rearing days to his perspective these many years later.

He continually introduces stimulating books and writings that prompt thought about the world in which we live today, such as his current post titled 'Lessons for Prospering When the Economy Isn't.' He writes in depth about issues of interest not only in our country but world-wide which sometimes requires multi-part series. A recent series is titled 'A Look At The Likely State of the Economy Over the Next Several Years.'

He associates psychological and philosophical thought to business today. He certainly has pinpointed the reasons for my lack of receptiveness to much of present day advertising. The people writing too many of today's ads lack a knowledge of how to communicate with elders such as myself. David has noted part of the problem may be the failure of older more mature individuals being utilized in the marketing world. He has noted ageism continues to be much too prevalent in the advertising and marketing world. I certainly agree.

"Elusive Abstractions" written by Canadian, Roberta, is truly a word-lovers delight to read. She devises such a word potpourri in phrases and sentences describing her perspective on daily events. Somehow these events and her activities lend themselves well to expanding into thoughts about much broader issues in a delightful humorous manner.

Most recently I was pleased to become acquainted with her friend, Matador through one post she wrote. She suggested what necessarily followed was considering Asimov's three laws of robotics. These laws may have increasing significance in many of our lives in the future, but will have in mine beginning this year.

Another of her writing topics reminded me of so many instances in my own life when her term, silly-happiness, prevailed. Such a special liberating feeling exists during those times. Of course, I am mindful of the precautions one must sometimes take then for the self-preservation of decorum in certain places.

As if those posts weren't enough to intrigue interest, consider reading 'Presence Rather Than Presents' for holiday gift-giving this year. Keep in mind there is more than one way in which to be present. The most recent post there clearly demonstrates you don't have to have children to enjoy the commentary on discipline as associated with new age approaches versus the old fashioned way.

"Eclectic World" is written by Bob Frank. He is also involved with activities described in two other blogs, "Home Baking" and "Citizens for Peace." His most current blog post is of interest as he provides information about a very special way to celebrate gift-giving these holidays. What he suggests is an idea that can benefit children -- our own and those less fortunate in other countries.

He's referring to the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program. This program has been described on CBS-TV's "60 Minutes" with action video of children using these especially designed inexpensive computers. The man on the TV program who created this computer, Nicholas Negroponte, continues on leave from his work at MIT to promote the distribution of this tool designed to educate children in other worlds.

You can obtain the details in Bob's 'Give One, Get One' blog post along with links to a site where you can see this computer's features.

"Fried Okra Productions" -- Kokopelliwoman Speaks through the voice of Claudia Snowden.
Now this is a blog I can really get my teeth into. This writer doesn't mince any words. One post I'm lulled along by her expounding on music, her love of the classics, and a fascinating article about singer Beverly Sills. The next post is bah! humbug! on Christmas and the rampant consumerism in our capitalist society. She relates this debacle to some much more complex issues about which we're all concerned, coupled with a related source link.

Earlier commentary on her site has included sharing informative family history, events with a humorous edge. Then, there is that article she wrote about 'The Dark Side of Austin.' She carefully related a radio host's programming that perfectly expressed the tragic non-ecumenical climate that has been fostered to develop in our country today, to a degree I haven't known in years, except for isolated pockets.

Anyone reading this blog is destined for an unexpected treat on a wide variety of topics that will surely include deep thought mixed with humor, a chuckle or two, and some hard laughter.

7 comments:

  1. I look forward to checking their posts, and although the last thing I need is more blogs to read - I just might!

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  2. What a great list of blogs. I have plenty of blogs in my reader already, but you make these sound worth my time. I'll check them out.

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  3. I'm a fairly new visitor to Claudia's site....and have really enjoyed some of the historical pieces she has posted. She's a fun person.

    I am a daily visitor to Roberta's site....usually. I love this lady...and often feel a real soulful connection with her. She's a marvelous writer with beautiful insight and humor and writes a lot of 'tongue-in-cheek' pieces...which I love. I would highly recommend her site too Joared. Nice post.

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  4. You are such a sweetheart! Blogs by intelligent, thoughtful, caring elders such as yours are my treasures. Sharing information and ideas, supporting each other, these are the encounters that brighten my journey through elderhood. I will definitely check out your recommmendations.

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  5. I'm glad you want and like and need to write. I substituted my kitty in reading about your great dog. But it didn't quite work.

    Nora

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  6. Thank you so much for your thoughtful description of my blog, as I read I thought how nice it was to be seen so favorably.

    And I am on my way to explore the other blogs you mentioned. Thank you so much for sharing all these delightful, thoughtful and interesting people.

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  7. joared, its hard to respond to that special kind of generosity and favor without blushing, and getting a bit flustered. I hope that grateful thanks is enough. At the same time, I'm guessing from your comment about Asimov's laws that you might be thinking of adopting a Matador this Xmas.

    Your summary is sweet and very kind. Thank you, joared, for making me look so good and I do mean that most sincerely.

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