A Suburban Sign Of Spring

April 10, 2013January 28, 2021 / Ally Bean / 16 Comments

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“So let it be written. So let it be done.”

~ ~~Yul Brynner~~ Rameses, The Ten Commandments

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As I was driving back into our subdivision late Saturday afternoon, I came upon a traffic jam. This is unusual because unlike some subdivisions, we have different ways in and out of this area.

As I sat there, not moving, I wondered what the hold-up was all about.

Then I saw the sign. It was a handwritten sign, propped up against some large blue + white Coleman coolers. The sign explained it all. It said:

LEMONADE

Around this sign + coolers were three adorable, yelling, jumping entrepreneurs who had set up their lemonade stand in such a way as to get business from the traffic coming toward them in three directions.

These were clever girls. With oodles of energy– and the persuasive powers of a pharaoh.

So, like all the other dutiful suburbanites in the cars ahead of me, I bought some lemonade– which turned out to be red fruit punch. And being of a kind nature, I purchased a large cup for 75¢– which was a half-filled 16 oz plastic cup. And then, because service with a smile is so rare these days, I tipped the young entrepreneurs 33%.

Some people may believe that Spring arrives when nature says it is the right time, but for me it’s officially Spring when I spot my first lemonade stand and get suckered into buying a cup.

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Happy Spring, everyone! It is finally here.

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2 Movies, 2 Books & 1 Inspirational Quote

April 8, 2013May 6, 2021 / Ally Bean / 20 Comments

As part of my attempt to live a more balanced life in 2013, I have given myself the assignment to watch 2 movies and to read 2 books each month. Here is my March report.

2 Movies

Butter – Satirical + jumbled. With Jennifer Garner, Olivia Wilde, Rob Corddry, Alicia Silverstone and Hugh Jackman in it, this uneven movie has its moments– and those moments are hilarious. All the action revolves around the Iowa State Fair butter carving competition– and the politics associated with it. Recommended if you can overlook the mocking anti-conservative slant and want something light [and rather pointless] to watch.

How Beer Saved The World – Informative + upbeat. This is a short, fast-paced documentary about beer. The narration is wonderful, the cartoon reenactments of history are delightful and the interviews with academics are great. Recommended if you like history and smart, happy people.

2 Books

Mad About Undead You: A Zombie Apocalypse Love Story – Clever + unique. A mad scientist miscalculates and suddenly San Francisco is overrun with former water drinkers turned zombies. This is the backdrop for Carl S. Plumer’s fast-paced novel about love. Yes, love. With characters that could easily be your friends, this slightly campy novel is a different sort of love story that made me laugh out loud. Recommended if you like San Francisco and enjoy a modicum of gore. [H/T to Kristen at Kristen Loves Design for recommending this book– that just happens to be written by her husband!]

Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me – Not what I expected. I picked up this book thinking that I was buying a book of essays written by British mums a la Listen To Your Mother. I was wrong. Instead, Lucia van der Post’s book is a charming, well-written guide to living an upper class, stylish life in London or NYC. I enjoyed it, but will admit that I skimmed through parts of it that seemed too high brow for me. Recommended if you want detailed information about where to shop and how to create a glamorous lifestyle.

1 Inspirational Quote

Winston Churchill said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” I’m focusing on this quote because March was not the productive month that I had hoped it would be. In fact, there were a few days when I wanted to crawl into bed and never come out again. Nothing seemed to go right. With the weather. With how I felt. With what I said. With what I planned on doing.

In other words, March, one of my favorite months, was a bust. But then I remembered this Churchill quote and figured that for me the lesson of March 2013 was to just keep going. Which I did.

Nine Years Ago This Week I Started My First Blog

March 21, 2013August 28, 2018 / Ally Bean / 21 Comments

{ Image Source: The Silent Films Still Archive – Girl Named Mary (1919) }

YES, it is true.

I’m probably more amazed by this fact than you are. Who’d have thought that I’d stick with blogging, more or less consistently, in one way or another, for this long?

My immediate answer to that question is: not me. But that’s a bit too flippant. In reality, I think that the reason I have continued to blog is that it’s a quiet way to make your mark on the world. To question and learn. To reflect and inspire. To laugh and enjoy. To connect with people in a casual, easy way.

At least, those would be the reasons why I keep a blog at this point. Any dreams I might have had of making money or of getting noticed by a publisher are long gone. Now I write about what happens in my life because I can– and because I want to. Very simple.

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In honor of this auspicious occasion I’ll do something that I rarely do. Today I’ll point you in the direction of a few of my previous posts about blogging. I’ve learned a few things. I’ve experienced a few things. And naturally, I’ve talked about them all.

To Comment Or Not To Comment

Blogging: Then And Now [Subtitled: In Which I Explain How I Came To Be A Blogger] [Sub-Subtitled: Blame It On The Dirt]

My 5 Suggestions For Writing Better Blog Posts

An Explanation Regarding The “Absurdities Of My Week” Post That Is No Longer Here– Absurdly

An Inconvenient Blogging Truth

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{ Image Source: The Silent Films Still Archive – American Methods (1916) }

So what does the future hold for me and blogging? If I am entirely honest I have to answer: I haven’t a clue.

Throughout the course of my illustrious blogging career I have never felt the need to have an overarching plan with a mission statement, monthly objectives and weekly goals. Instead I have always done whatever makes sense to me in the moment.

And right now it makes sense to me is to say thank you to all my gentle readers. I appreciate that you make the effort to visit here on a regular basis. Your comments make my day and keep me on my toes. You’re the best.

THANKS for stopping by.

The Last Snow Of The Season… Or So I Imagine

March 9, 2013March 9, 2013 / Ally Bean / 18 Comments

On Wednesday we had what I imagine will be our last snow of the season.

It was the kind of snow that covers everything it touches with what appears to be wallpaper paste or cotton balls. This snowfall didn’t slow things down like early and mid-winter snow does. In fact, by mid-day Thursday the streets and sidewalks were clear.

But while it remained on the trees and bushes, the heavy snow made for some pretty photos. There are times when the grayness of winter is quietly stunning.

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