tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63695602117613287022024-03-14T02:46:01.744-04:00The Jolly BlogRed Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-68358898916501725992012-11-04T10:19:00.002-05:002012-11-04T10:19:17.056-05:00Something Wicked This Way Comes, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxdaiSpzeDo" target="_blank">Click here to hear</a> or click on the image below.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BxdaiSpzeDo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-47370103054193867172012-10-31T03:23:00.001-04:002012-10-31T03:23:22.147-04:00Jolly Halloween Costumes, 2012This year's costumes couldn't be more appropriate, especially after The Jolly Troop's first tragedy. Penny is going to be avenged! Do you recognize all of the <a href="http://www.comicvine.com/avengers/65-3806/" target="_blank">Avengers</a>? Do you know the names of the Avengers that weren't in the summer blockbuster movie? We'll give you a hint, but the hints will be OPPOSITE of what the heroes names are. Happy Halloween!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B1S0agxFMs0/UJDOscL3psI/AAAAAAAAByk/yArUf-dL1sE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+12.59.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B1S0agxFMs0/UJDOscL3psI/AAAAAAAAByk/yArUf-dL1sE/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+12.59.37+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Opposite: Rubber-Woman<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noc6usyyTjA/UJDOyaYCiRI/AAAAAAAABys/unB9Um-ckpo/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.02.38+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-noc6usyyTjA/UJDOyaYCiRI/AAAAAAAABys/unB9Um-ckpo/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.02.38+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Opposite: White Wolf<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drBehgFt7w8/UJDOy3C0nTI/AAAAAAAABy0/VFSS0DN1_2w/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.03.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drBehgFt7w8/UJDOy3C0nTI/AAAAAAAABy0/VFSS0DN1_2w/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.03.30+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Opposite: White Snail<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOBtATYGX8I/UJDOzYgBOBI/AAAAAAAABy8/kvwb3F7Asrg/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.04.09+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOBtATYGX8I/UJDOzYgBOBI/AAAAAAAABy8/kvwb3F7Asrg/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.04.09+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Opposite: Neptune<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exJIes4nqWM/UJDO0JtVVlI/AAAAAAAABzE/580tHQY8xkY/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.04.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exJIes4nqWM/UJDO0JtVVlI/AAAAAAAABzE/580tHQY8xkY/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.04.47+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Opposite: Elephant Woman<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YncLHe0dWLQ/UJDO1-ABnjI/AAAAAAAABzc/Agqeoah3nPs/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.06.10+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YncLHe0dWLQ/UJDO1-ABnjI/AAAAAAAABzc/Agqeoah3nPs/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.06.10+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Opposite: The Whimp<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14G_L3WVADs/UJDO2QUOLuI/AAAAAAAABzk/gEGtCY7SFkw/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.06.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14G_L3WVADs/UJDO2QUOLuI/AAAAAAAABzk/gEGtCY7SFkw/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.06.39+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Opposite: Lieutenant China<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frsDtRYQHEI/UJDO2zvl1nI/AAAAAAAABzs/Bv1nLrEWL2k/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.07.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-frsDtRYQHEI/UJDO2zvl1nI/AAAAAAAABzs/Bv1nLrEWL2k/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.07.08+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Opposite: Coyote<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-un-Mp1tF4/UJDO3R4nXII/AAAAAAAABz0/dqd8CXAKzL4/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.07.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-un-Mp1tF4/UJDO3R4nXII/AAAAAAAABz0/dqd8CXAKzL4/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.07.45+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Opposite: The Condor<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH2dg3Eo3hk/UJDO0j-YaaI/AAAAAAAABzM/qoXPxlNcNns/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.05.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH2dg3Eo3hk/UJDO0j-YaaI/AAAAAAAABzM/qoXPxlNcNns/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.05.15+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH2dg3Eo3hk/UJDO0j-YaaI/AAAAAAAABzM/qoXPxlNcNns/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.05.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH2dg3Eo3hk/UJDO0j-YaaI/AAAAAAAABzM/qoXPxlNcNns/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-31+at+1.05.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-60685670213759731852012-10-29T11:26:00.002-04:002012-10-29T11:26:33.558-04:00Audio Recording: Something Wicked This Way Comes, Part 1<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP-E6KRTJrc&feature=plcp" target="_blank">Click here</a> to hear!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oP-E6KRTJrc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-84367352468444484502012-10-28T11:28:00.002-04:002012-10-28T11:42:29.499-04:00Something Wicked This Way Comes, Part 2Folks like to say change is good and I guess that's true some of the time—like when the leaves change from summer-green to autumn-orange during September and October. That kind of change is beautiful. But sometimes change isn't beautiful or enjoyable to be in, especially if your friend has been hurt and their life might be changed forever. We were soaking up Fall in <a href="http://utahhikingandlakes.com/millcreekcanyon.html" target="_blank">Church Fork</a> when The Upper Twin came rushing through the trees, out of breath and gasping, "<a href="http://redfredbodoni.blogspot.com/2012/10/something-wicked-this-way-comes.html" target="_blank">Something 'dred-full' has happened to Penny!</a>"<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WmirNPqFxi4/UIjVVRL9Y6I/AAAAAAAABvU/oLvakwTYY1Q/s1600/Wicked_Part2_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WmirNPqFxi4/UIjVVRL9Y6I/AAAAAAAABvU/oLvakwTYY1Q/s640/Wicked_Part2_1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
In seconds, The Troop flocked to The Upper Twin and listened to her story of Penny's terrible encounter with the menacing bird with the red-cross eyes. "He had been following us all day," stammered The Upper Twin, "and Penny just couldn't fly fast enough." Have you ever been talking about scary things and noticed how it feels? It feels like dark clouds rumbling in your heart and mind.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtYr_BOh7so/UIjVjtQPlkI/AAAAAAAABwM/KWuyRbkmSTQ/s1600/Wicked_Part2_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtYr_BOh7so/UIjVjtQPlkI/AAAAAAAABwM/KWuyRbkmSTQ/s640/Wicked_Part2_2.png" width="640" /></a><br />
While The Under Twin tried comforting his sister, Magnus and A.X. mapped out a plan to help our friend. "Our fastest flyers need to find her <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ASAP" target="_blank">A.S.A.P</a>.," ordered A.X. Magnus figured out where Penny was from The Upper Twin's <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/topographical" target="_blank">topographical</a> description. Like a lightning bolt on a clear day, Black Jack, Baron and Pascal launched out of the forest to find Penny and Yvette. "The rest of us will <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rendezvous" target="_blank">rendezvous</a> at The Eaves of the Cathedral to find a healing bird and wait for them there." It's good to have friends that are swift and clear-headed in a panic.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYqms_r0FNA/UIjVlk_cvyI/AAAAAAAABwU/9Gn5CP93KM0/s1600/Wicked_Part2_3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYqms_r0FNA/UIjVlk_cvyI/AAAAAAAABwU/9Gn5CP93KM0/s640/Wicked_Part2_3.png" width="640" /></a><br />
Meanwhile, Black Jack was leading the flyers through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnosperm" target="_blank">gymnosperms</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiosperm" target="_blank">angiosperms</a> while Pascal relayed Magnus' direct directions: "The cave should be a 23 minutes north-east of Pretty Valley, next to the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=felling+a+tree&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHFA_enUS484US484&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8-uLULOyM8egyAHUhYHgAw&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1159&bih=614" target="_blank">felling</a> grounds of Old Grandfather Tree.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HB9b73Yo45k/UIjVoktz_OI/AAAAAAAABwc/7J9Csb6zPiY/s1600/Wicked_Part2_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HB9b73Yo45k/UIjVoktz_OI/AAAAAAAABwc/7J9Csb6zPiY/s640/Wicked_Part2_4.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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When the flyers were getting close to the cave, they heard crying and knew it was Yvette. The cave was eery and sad as Penny lay in cold stillness, her legs useless, broken off. Yvette didn't twitch or move when they floated in because she was focused on keeping her best friend warm. "We've been giving her water while we've been waiting," cooed a small blue bird. "This is Billie," sniffed Yvette, "She was hiking and found us in the cave; she has been helping me with Penny. I've been hiding for hours. I'm so afraid. She hasn't woken up. And... her... legs..." "We must hurry. Put her on my back and surround her; we need to get her to The Eaves of the Cathedral." Baron whispered.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5B-ngx4k54/UIjXXApqOKI/AAAAAAAABxM/3xJOyddlwE4/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-24+at+7.56.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F5B-ngx4k54/UIjXXApqOKI/AAAAAAAABxM/3xJOyddlwE4/s640/Screen+shot+2012-10-24+at+7.56.58+AM.png" width="640" /></a><br />
Lifting the four birds onto his strong, wind-cutting back was like lifting four feathers for Baron. "Let's get moving," he rumbled, "B.J., can you pick up her legs?" Black Jack never cries. At anything. But today he did as he carried his friends legs in his. What would <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraplegia" target="_blank">Penny do without her legs</a>? He tried imagining what it would be like to have his wings cut off. He shuttered and another tear dripped into the air. Poor Penny.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OzgGuIprlk/UIjVth7fZmI/AAAAAAAABws/WBYmFMixDdI/s1600/Wicked_Part2_6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OzgGuIprlk/UIjVth7fZmI/AAAAAAAABws/WBYmFMixDdI/s640/Wicked_Part2_6.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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The rest of The Troop was anxiously waiting at <a href="http://www.utcotm.org/" target="_blank">The Eaves of the Cathedral</a>. Edward and A.X. were speaking with some of the local birds and found out more about this menacing "dred-full" bird while a healing bird, Golda E. Schoolhouse, instructed The Troop, "Please clear a space near the roof edge for me to examine Penny. I'll need every second." Suddenly the flyers zoomed into view, heading directly for the <a href="http://moncathedral.tripod.com/id2.html" target="_blank">cathedral</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRDuAHPSxNU/UIjVvjCVLNI/AAAAAAAABw0/KPayGcoVtmg/s1600/Wicked_Part2_7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRDuAHPSxNU/UIjVvjCVLNI/AAAAAAAABw0/KPayGcoVtmg/s640/Wicked_Part2_7.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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Golda took a close look at Penny, examining her red-cross eyes. "I've seen this before and it isn't easy to heal. The red-cross eye is a symptom of <i>dredification</i>. She's alive, but can't move or make a sound. Her heart is filled with an unbearable, terrible nightmare-fear. We're going to have to ask for some assistance from within the Cathedral. I know exactly who to ask but I can only take one of you with me." Black Jack moved in directly behind her.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgiFbGFqIKk/UIjVxr0sJuI/AAAAAAAABw8/tdZnBTShiS0/s1600/Wicked_Part2_8.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgiFbGFqIKk/UIjVxr0sJuI/AAAAAAAABw8/tdZnBTShiS0/s640/Wicked_Part2_8.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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Golda took Penny to the golden lights near the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seraph" target="_blank">seraphim</a>. "Dear seraphs, can your healing wings help our friend?" They nodded and began to flap their cosmic wings but nothing changed with Penny. They tried again and her eyes remained unchanged. Frowning, they pointed towards the pipe organ, floating the birds there with the wind of their wings. Suddenly Golda realized where they were being sent.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awhbIVXcoik/UIjVzyzktVI/AAAAAAAABxE/Z8CpFbUzlh0/s1600/Wicked_Part2_9.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awhbIVXcoik/UIjVzyzktVI/AAAAAAAABxE/Z8CpFbUzlh0/s640/Wicked_Part2_9.png" width="640" /></a><br />
In full view of the resplendent <a href="http://www.utcotm.org/pictorial-tour/13-stained-glass-windows" target="_blank">resurrection window</a>, Golda, Black Jack and poor Penny landed gently below the protective saint of animals: <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm" target="_blank">St Francis of Assisi</a>. He smiled down at the birds as sunlight shone through him, onto them. Before Golda could ask for his help he smiled goldenly and whispered, "<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/149151.St_Francis_of_Assisi" target="_blank">A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows</a>." Golda's eyes grew wide, "I know exactly what we need to do!" <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ImNkEOUjN74/UIjVX1CNgFI/AAAAAAAABvc/FxFkEGghWMk/s1600/Wicked_Part2_10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ImNkEOUjN74/UIjVX1CNgFI/AAAAAAAABvc/FxFkEGghWMk/s640/Wicked_Part2_10.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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"We need to take Penny to the top of <a href="http://www.summitpost.org/mount-olympus/151263" target="_blank">Mount Olympus</a> and let Sunbird surround her with sunbeams. But we need to get there the way Penny would get there, if she were awake."<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ch2nHPdA9Qs/UIjVaEaWz8I/AAAAAAAABvk/2XLw4Mi8jAw/s1600/Wicked_Part2_11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ch2nHPdA9Qs/UIjVaEaWz8I/AAAAAAAABvk/2XLw4Mi8jAw/s640/Wicked_Part2_11.png" width="640" /></a><br />
Have you ever walked a mile in somebody else's shoes? Have you ever hiked 9,026 feet in their boots? Have you used your legs and gone the distance others have gone with their legs, to see what they see with their eyes? Did you feel a change in the way you walk? Did you feel a change in the way you see?<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7auQ14ePUI/UIjVcm07xEI/AAAAAAAABvs/09nKNNI6LIs/s1600/Wicked_Part2_12.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7auQ14ePUI/UIjVcm07xEI/AAAAAAAABvs/09nKNNI6LIs/s640/Wicked_Part2_12.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Exhausted, sweaty and jelly-legged, we finally made it to the top of Mount Olympus. We placed Penny on the mailbox, hoping our message of what we needed would be understood by Sunbird. As Black Jack placed her legs next to her body, we realized why Penny loved her legs so much and why she chose to run everywhere. "And now," whispered Golda, "We leave her to the sunbeams." Before we left, Sophia hummed something beautiful and sad.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gRHbYAHng2c/UIjVeY8PkHI/AAAAAAAABv0/pdLEtyBMi8I/s1600/Wicked_Part2_13.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gRHbYAHng2c/UIjVeY8PkHI/AAAAAAAABv0/pdLEtyBMi8I/s640/Wicked_Part2_13.png" width="640" /></a></div>
It felt strange leaving Penny all alone. We didn't really know how to do it, so we found The Waiting Tree and hung out for awhile, silent, thinking of our friend. As I looked up at Sunbird and wondered about the power in sunbeams, I suddenly found myself thinking about the terrible, "dred-full" bird. Where had he come from and why was he such a bully?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wN5C8AEgsis/UIjVgjmNQ3I/AAAAAAAABv8/OScKRPfzZiY/s1600/Wicked_Part2_14.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wN5C8AEgsis/UIjVgjmNQ3I/AAAAAAAABv8/OScKRPfzZiY/s640/Wicked_Part2_14.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Sometimes change takes place when you can't see it or it happens when you least expect it. This is why change is surprising and mysterious at the same time. While we were waiting for what we didn't know we were waiting for, a soft, down-filled cloud knit with sunbeams drifted to The Waiting Tree—like an answer for our unknown questions. Without speaking a word, each of us climbed onto the cloud and floated home on a gentle breeze.<br />
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What is going to happen to Penny? What will happen if we run into the "dred-full" bully bird again? We don't know for sure, but receiving a gift stitched with sunbeam has given us a bright hope.<br />
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To be continued... </div>
Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-48641575560849997602012-10-11T17:55:00.001-04:002012-10-25T01:56:17.117-04:00Something Wicked This Way Comes, Part 1Penny, The Jolly Troop's self-appointed Halloween Queen, found this year's costumes in <a href="http://www.vermont.gov/portal/" target="_blank">Vermont</a> so she invited Yvette and The Upper Twin to join her when it was time to pick them up. As they journeyed through upstate New York, Yvette whispered something eery, "Have you noticed that all of us are the colors of <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/halloween" target="_blank">All Hallow's Eve</a>? Except for black. I bet you it would make for bad luck if we had a black bird with us..." Just then The Upper Twin thought she heard something rustle in the trees.<br />
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They stopped in <a href="http://www.whitehall-chamber.org/" target="_blank">Whitehall, NY</a> to grab a bite to eat, do a little <a href="http://www.vermont.com/foliage.cfm" target="_blank">leaf-peeping</a> and visit a haunted mansion. While Penny and Yvette were being fascinated by <a href="http://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/leaves/leaves.htm" target="_blank">the depletion of chlorophyll from the leaves</a>, The Upper Twin kept turning around expecting to see somebody. "Why do I get the feeling that we're being watched?" "Because we're birds, silly. We are always being watched," drawled Yvette.<br />
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But The Upper Twin couldn't shake the feeling. <a href="http://redfredbodoni.blogspot.com/2012/02/little-womens-little-woman.html" target="_blank">She knew what inside-darkness felt like</a>. Something about how the air felt and how the plants were wilting made her body shake like a sudden chill of winter. Have you ever felt scared during the middle of the day—while the sun is shining?<br />
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<span id="goog_1844061809"></span><span id="goog_1844061810"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a href="http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/skeneman.htm" target="_blank">Skene Manor</a> was the perfect place <a href="http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/kill+two+birds+with+one+stone" target="_blank">to kill two birds with one stone</a>: they could eat lunch and see a haunted mansion at the same time! In daylight, the mansion didn't seem scary at all, but The Upper Twin kept her distance. "I just feel like something awful is lurking around the corner," she whimpered.<br />
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The hostess of the manor had an odd manner about her—she neither confirmed nor denied that the house was haunted. While Penny and Yvette told her about costumes and Vermont, The Upper Twin noticed a terrible scar on her neck. "I wouldn't travel during the night if I were you," the hostess warned, glassy-eyed, "But if you do, remember this phrase: Cross the Bridge, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Safety-Modern-Library-Classics/dp/037575931X" target="_blank">Crossing to Safety</a>."<br />
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As the sun set and the clouds turned evening-lilac-blue, nearby church bells chimed. "She was an odd duck," squawked Penny, "She just wanted to spook us." "Still...," hushed The Upper Twin, "I think we should move on before it gets too dark." "You are a ninny, aren't you?!" smirked Yvette.<br />
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Suddenly, a gray-blackness covered everything and it turned midnight dark. The crickets stopped chirping and the wind grew silent. All they could hear was ragged breathing from the branches above them. Huddled tightly together, Penny whispered in a commanding tone, "You both have to look up. Look UP! LOOK UP NOW!" There in the tree, in the dark shadows of the sky and branches, sat a menacing bird with red-cross eyes. "I've been following you all day and now that it's dark, you will DRED this night!" And with a loud crash, he lept from the branches and dove at the girls! <br />
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The three girls screamed as they flapped from the branches into the night sky, the wind suddenly vicious. Seeing was difficult but they could make out the outline of the forest. "Make for the bridge and don't look back!" Penny cried. A gap began to open up between Penny and the others because Penny never flies - she always runs! There was no where for Penny to land so she had to keep flying, hearing the dark breathing behind her.<br />
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Penny flew into the forest, dodging limbs and branches, ducking and climbing, hoping to lose the ragged breathing closing in on her. If only she had flown more often, she would have been stronger now! But there was nowhere to land in the thicket and breathing was getting closer. "You... can't... hide... I can see you!" the dark bird growled.<br />
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Just when she thought she was doomed, there was a break in the trees and Penny saw the silhouette of roof. She dove and hit the roof running, knowing that if she could get some solid ground under her feet, she could create some distance between her and the horrific bird. "Cross the Bridge, Crossing to Safety!" she said, over and over, eyes frantically trying to find the bridge in the black night.<br />
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And suddenly, there it was! She saw her friends in the tunnel, near the edge at the other side of the bridge. She clawed her feet into the ground as hard as she could and begged the moon, "Moonwing, if you help me make the bridge, I promise I'll never..." And at the entrance of the bridge, swift as a shadow in the night, the dreaded bird swooped down and caught Penny! Yvette and The Upper Twin wailed and immediately flew after the night-thief bird and their unconscious friend.<br />
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They flew after them for miles and then suddenly, the evil bird dropped Penny from the high sky, laughing, "You will DRED this night!" Yvette and The Upper Twin dove like speeding bullets but weren't able to catch Penny before she hit the ground. When they found her, she lay red-crossed in an open field, miles from anywhere. They started crying because her legs—her amazing, fast, run everywhere, quicksilver legs—were broken off.<br />
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To be continued...Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-49086474897209111492012-09-30T01:47:00.000-04:002012-10-01T10:39:51.331-04:00So Long, September!Maybe it was my birthday or maybe it was the <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/september-equinox.html" target="_blank">equinox</a>, but September rushed by in fire-red fashion. So before October could arrive and before all the leaves dropped and browned, we spent some time leaf peeping up <a href="http://parks.slco.org/MillcreekCanyon/" target="_blank">Mill Creek Canyon</a>. Sorry, no story this time—just a bunch of pictures (which equals thousands of words, right?).<br />
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<br />Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-89576733603016801572012-07-30T18:59:00.001-04:002012-07-31T10:20:11.702-04:00The Nature of HonestyA short time ago, the Universe threw me a real curve-ball and my world did a backflip and lost all of its color. When I was able to find my balance, I found myself thinking about <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honesty" target="_blank">honesty</a>.<br />
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Grass is honest because it always remains what it is, from seedling to blade—even if it's wild.<br />
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The sky is honest and will tell you whether you need a raincoat, in that moment, or whether you need to clean the lens on your camera.<br />
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Lakes are beautiful but can be deceptive because how do you know how deep they really are? <br />
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I am never stumped by Nature's honesty—She always shows you her true colors, especially on a clear day.<br />
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Did you know that <a href="http://geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/gladasked/gladage.htm" target="_blank">rocks can tell you the truth about time</a>?<br />
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<a href="http://www.summitpost.org/sundial-peak/151272" target="_blank">Sundials</a> are honest (<a href="http://history.howstuffworks.com/ancient-egypt/ancient-civilizations-use-sundials.htm" target="_blank">if you know how to use them correctly</a>) and will tell you the time of day as long as the sun is able to shine.<br />
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When I took some time to be honest with myself, I realized honesty's beauty: honesty makes things very clear and easy to see.<br />
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And even though honesty can be jagged and craggy—even though honesty can feel like you're stepping on pine needles—it can also be soothing, colorful and a trusted friend.<br />
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<a href="http://climb-utah.com/WM/blanche.htm" target="_blank">Visit Lake Blanche!</a>Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-81479683661454540132012-05-18T06:04:00.002-04:002012-05-28T17:57:38.934-04:00Steven & William LaddSome people think you should keep your circles small but I prefer big, colorful hula-hoops over tiny rings. Did you know we added 6 new members to The Jolly Troop last year?! The other day, I decided to take the newbies someplace special to learn something special so we went to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamsburg,_Brooklyn" target="_blank">Willamsburg</a> to visit <a href="http://stevenandwilliam.com/" target="_blank">Steven & William Ladd</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx_YWVvSe54/T7YXWXlfLPI/AAAAAAAABnc/y2y0v_wsgwA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+5.29.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="491" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx_YWVvSe54/T7YXWXlfLPI/AAAAAAAABnc/y2y0v_wsgwA/s640/Screen+shot+2012-05-18+at+5.29.13+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Pascal knows Steven & William from his time at <a href="http://www.theinvisibledog.org/" target="_blank">The Invisible Dog</a> (<a href="http://redfredbodoni.blogspot.com/2011/06/red-fred-yvette-see-invisible-dog.html" target="_blank">the place Yvette and I saw their one-of-a-kind chandeliers</a>). Steven & William are artists, business partners and brothers who make art out of things like buckles, straps, beads, boxes and metal ants.<br />
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Silas and Baron were really into their art. </div>
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Have you ever touched <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcano" target="_blank">volcanoes</a> made from fabric and beads? Luckily they aren't as hot as the kind with magma inside. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBHCx8CJP3k/T7rb5EMysrI/AAAAAAAABoE/K7z1gDUQK2c/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-21+at+7.59.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBHCx8CJP3k/T7rb5EMysrI/AAAAAAAABoE/K7z1gDUQK2c/s640/Screen+shot+2012-05-21+at+7.59.57+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
As Roman got an <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/aerial" target="_blank">aerial</a> view of the Steven & William's volcanoes...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pq3VJ98IEAE/T7rb_QciixI/AAAAAAAABoM/jVa3Pj9abxk/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-21+at+8.00.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pq3VJ98IEAE/T7rb_QciixI/AAAAAAAABoM/jVa3Pj9abxk/s640/Screen+shot+2012-05-21+at+8.00.15+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
... Edward asked the brothers a curious question, "Do you have a <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/motto" target="_blank">motto</a>?"<br />
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"I'll bet you a star and a dandelion they do," Sophia hummed. And she was right!<br />
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<b>Motto, Part 1: Spend your life doing what you love</b> (like making hanging lamps with fantastic fabric).<br />
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When Steven & William were younger, they spent many summer hours in their grandmother's rose garden. They loved their grandma and they loved roses. Now, they make rose bushes out of beads, string and grandmother-memories. Do you make memories with your grandma?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oKNAyKrId2w/T7rcjhG7qVI/AAAAAAAABo0/gkhtujgS2v8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-21+at+8.01.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oKNAyKrId2w/T7rcjhG7qVI/AAAAAAAABo0/gkhtujgS2v8/s640/Screen+shot+2012-05-21+at+8.01.32+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>Motto, Part 2: Be focused and disciplined</b> (can you find all 7 birds in this image?).<br />
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Being an artist takes time, skill, creativity, patience, long hours, strokes of genius, excellence, whimsy and the ability to fly through the rough spots. But just remember: you can do it!<br />
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<b>Motto, Part 3: Collaborate</b> (get all the colors involved).<br />
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Steven & William have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaboration" target="_blank">collaborative</a> thoughts all the time—like when they made calendars out of paper <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_grenade" target="_blank">hand grenades</a>. Edward was curious what would happen if the brothers forgot a birth date - - !<br />
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When it was time to leave, William gave us a goodbye, good-friend kiss (which suddenly made Roman bashful)...<br />
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... while the others wrapped up their game of "<a href="http://www.supercooltoystore.com/game-guides/how-to-play-keep-away" target="_blank">Keep Away</a>" with Steven.<br />
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As the brothers turned out the lights and left for the day, we sat atop the chandelier and imagined what life would have been like if we had never enlarged our circle: we never would have met one another and we may have never met Steven & William. Happily for us, those stories never came true. <br />
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Please love, support and visit our wonderful, generous friends: Steven & William Ladd.<br />
<a href="http://stevenandwilliam.com/welcome.php" target="_blank">Click here</a> to be directed to their website.Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-464832199919086052012-04-23T15:19:00.000-04:002012-04-23T15:19:23.437-04:00Competing at Coney IslandA change of wind whipped through the Troop a few weeks ago when The Twins apologized to one another. I thought the gust had something to do with the <a href="http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/spring.html">Vernal Equinox</a> but I was wrong. Have you ever felt a rush in saying—or hearing—<i>I'm sorry</i>? To celebrate their reunion, The Twins headed up our <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_formation">skein</a> and led the Troop to <a href="http://www.coneyisland.com/" target="_blank">Coney Island.</a><br />
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Did you know every July 4th there is a hot dog eating contest on Coney Island at <a href="http://nathansfamous.com/PageFetch/">Famous Nathan's</a>? Did you know the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3UJFqix6P0" target="_blank">2011 winner ate 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes</a>? Can you find the best seats in the house occupied by Pascal, Roman, Black Jack, Yvette and The Twins?<br />
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While we were digesting our dogs and talking about plans to see the Mermaid Parade this year, something flew by our heads and almost tipped us off our <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/brolly" target="_blank">brollies</a> (except for Silas—he's always hanging upside down). Coney Island is a mysterious place so I whistled for my best mate so he could investigate.<br />
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Have you ever had to tell your best friend something you know they wouldn't like? "I saw and felt a brown bird fly by that might be as fast as you, so I think you should check it out." When Black Jack gets mad, he goes totally silent. He flew off without saying a word.<br />
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Have you ever been number 1 at something, only to meet somebody that might make you a number 2? Being the best is the best when you're the best, but when that changes, it's not the best. Black Jack found the brown bird near <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V-H7V9Cwgc" target="_blank">The Scream Zone</a> and challenged him to a race. "I'm going to break your wind," was all Black Jack could mumble.<br />
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Sometimes going from the top to the bottom can feel like a roller coaster...<br />
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... especially when your friends are watching.<br />
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But never doubt your friends, because your friends are your fans...<br />
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... even when you come in second place.<br />
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As it turns out, the brown bird wasn't the jerk Black Jack thought he would be. Just because somebody can do something better than you, doesn't mean they are mean. The brown bird treated us to ice-cream and then gave us a tour of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_Park,_Coney_Island" target="_blank">Luna Park</a>.<br />
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It turns out, Baron (the brown bird) was raised near the amusement park so he's been doing stunts his entire life and he even taught us a few (you would have mistook Penny for a clucky, spring chicken). <br />
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I found my best mate and sat with him for a spell. Soon, BJ flew up to Baron and apologized for being a jerk about the race. Baron quickly responded by saying, "No worries, man. Hey—could you show me how you turned that dive at the end of the cork-screw?" And just like that, a wind blew two new friends together.Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-39541473595636601492012-03-16T10:49:00.002-04:002012-03-16T13:06:23.132-04:00The Realization of Self-RelianceThings have been blurry for The Under Twin ever since <a href="http://redfredbodoni.blogspot.com/2012/02/little-womens-little-woman.html">he split from his sister</a>. For their entire lives, The Twins have always been considered "mistakes" because they were <a href="http://www.poultryhelp.com/oddeggs.html">double-yolked</a> at birth, so being separated from his twin made him feel even more isolated and scrambled. When you live your entire life as a pair, in the face of odds, it's not easy feeling whole when you're alone.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjEwUh6Uqao/T2KS49eHNOI/AAAAAAAABkc/hSBT1zxlNik/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.03.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjEwUh6Uqao/T2KS49eHNOI/AAAAAAAABkc/hSBT1zxlNik/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.03.10+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>What does it feel like to <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcend">transcend</a> separation? Have you ever wanted to see <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solitude">solitude</a> from a higher place? The Under Twin wanted to understand <a href="http://www.emersoncentral.com/selfreliance.htm">self-reliance</a> so he visited a magical white house in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=concord+massachusetts&ix=seb&ion=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=680&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl">Concord</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ezp0WwjX3s/T2KTGCLWstI/AAAAAAAABkk/ouMXE_OrQw8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.03.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ezp0WwjX3s/T2KTGCLWstI/AAAAAAAABkk/ouMXE_OrQw8/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.03.26+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>The magical white house once belonged to a great poet named <a href="http://www.online-literature.com/emerson/">Ralph</a>. He believed magic existed between people and nature. As The Under Twin poked around the yard, he remembered Algernon teaching him how to listen to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmAWsITMuVc">wind of his soul</a>. So he did. In a very quiet, whipsery kind of way, this is what he heard...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StQSorHtQ3I/T2NPqyKyMDI/AAAAAAAABl0/qS0fHz9s69M/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-16+at+10.34.48+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-StQSorHtQ3I/T2NPqyKyMDI/AAAAAAAABl0/qS0fHz9s69M/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-16+at+10.34.48+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="p1"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="p1"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="p1"></div><div class="p1"><i>Your isolation must not be mechanical, but spiritual, that is, must be elevation. At times the whole world seems to be in conspiracy to importune you with empathetic trifles… But keep thy state; come not into their confusion.</i></div><div class="p1"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GK3s73iX3-k/T2KTcVSHciI/AAAAAAAABk0/vCoGK-CW2Lg/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GK3s73iX3-k/T2KTcVSHciI/AAAAAAAABk0/vCoGK-CW2Lg/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.02+PM.png" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><i>The secret of fortune is joy in our hands.</i></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMDleqCnals/T2KTmiGqu4I/AAAAAAAABk8/RWA0jXdTWQU/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.12+PM.png" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="p1"><i>Insist on yourself. Never imitate.</i></div><div class="p1"><i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jEWTHlQksc/T2KTuxuZIYI/AAAAAAAABlE/R243I5qF_PE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jEWTHlQksc/T2KTuxuZIYI/AAAAAAAABlE/R243I5qF_PE/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.24+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i>Your goodness must have some edge to it - else it is none.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o6R-AkiJGTY/T2KUH2PNMOI/AAAAAAAABlU/dpUnYK1f7uY/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o6R-AkiJGTY/T2KUH2PNMOI/AAAAAAAABlU/dpUnYK1f7uY/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.34+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="p1"><i>Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view. It is the soliloquy of a beholding and jubilant soul.</i></div><div class="p1"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_K2xrIg2SMs/T2KUdBCNJAI/AAAAAAAABlk/iftKl8m21M8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_K2xrIg2SMs/T2KUdBCNJAI/AAAAAAAABlk/iftKl8m21M8/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.45+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="p1"><i>Power… resides in the moment of transition from a past to a new state… This one fact the world hates, that the soul becomes.</i></div><div class="p1"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="p1"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_1gs1Glyy8/T2KUma-eDDI/AAAAAAAABls/qwiyU-qcw2g/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_1gs1Glyy8/T2KUma-eDDI/AAAAAAAABls/qwiyU-qcw2g/s640/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+9.04.58+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Jumping off Ralph's chimney, into the wind, felt like a rush because The Under Twin had come to realize a few things about himself while visiting the magical white house: he knew he was going to find his sister and apologize; he knew he wasn't a mistake just because he was born double-yolked; he knew he was going to avoid <i>the hobgoblin of little minds</i>; he knew he was going to live in <i>the swift, summary way of boys... who are sure of a dinner</i>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All italicized references from this post are direct quotes from the timeless classic essay, <i><a href="http://www.emersoncentral.com/selfreliance.htm">Self-Reliance</a></i>. Read it.</span>Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-86916500722987004522012-02-27T16:25:00.003-05:002012-03-20T11:43:32.520-04:00Little Women's Little WomanSomethings you never expect to happen: salt ditching pepper for <a href="http://www.food.com/library/cumin-20">cumin</a> or macaroni going stag for a night on the town while cheese molds away in heartbreak. So when The Twins' <a href="http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/sibling_rivalry.shtml">sibling rivalry</a> blew up into an unusual heated argument, The Under Twin took off and the day turned gray. They have never been apart, so The Upper Twin was completely full of woe. The girls brainstormed and came up with something to cheer up their Upper Twin:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GazCgT7x1Q/T0vcBEgnJdI/AAAAAAAABjU/ODj9xYRQjxo/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.01.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GazCgT7x1Q/T0vcBEgnJdI/AAAAAAAABjU/ODj9xYRQjxo/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.01.30+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>a visit to <a href="http://www.louisamayalcott.org/louisamaytext.html">Louisa May Alcott</a>'s home to be <a href="http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/alcott/lwtext.html" style="font-style: italic;">Little Women</a>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uVN0LXdfx3Q/T0vcDPUkbHI/AAAAAAAABjc/Gm2naxHAzbs/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.35.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uVN0LXdfx3Q/T0vcDPUkbHI/AAAAAAAABjc/Gm2naxHAzbs/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.35.37+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>Did you know the book was written and set in the Alcott's home? Did you know the Alcott's named their home Orchard House? Have you ever been so excited about something that you've had an accident? That's okay. Accidents happen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljPgdV_ZoZ8/T0vkco5LHII/AAAAAAAABkM/sP8G4mzmdp0/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+3.11.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljPgdV_ZoZ8/T0vkco5LHII/AAAAAAAABkM/sP8G4mzmdp0/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+3.11.40+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>Sophia always imagined herself as Margaret "Meg" March—the oldest, the most beautiful and governess-employed sister. Spending time in front of the mirror/window seemed something very Meg AND very <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1261&bih=633&tbm=isch&tbnid=TH-aQ8bgjS-c8M:&imgrefurl=http://allanellenberger.com/2011/03/&docid=X_MmBiOzPlZlEM&imgurl=http://allanellenberger.com/wp-content/uploads/taylor-littlewomen.jpg&w=478&h=599&ei=6OdLT5uLEMr20gGU3v2PDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=127&vpy=271&dur=352&hovh=251&hovw=200&tx=95&ty=134&sig=116636846561520572022&page=1&tbnh=134&tbnw=107&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0">Elizabeth Taylor</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raNf8sggksY/T0vcFlB8FcI/AAAAAAAABjk/t04ZiDhdMdA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.35.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raNf8sggksY/T0vcFlB8FcI/AAAAAAAABjk/t04ZiDhdMdA/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.35.54+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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The artistic, youngest and "regular snow-maiden" Amy was Yvette's muse. Sometimes spoiled and somewhat vain, Yvette could sympathize with Amy's disposition and her choice in men. "The last IS the best of all the gang—she gets Laurie!" Yvette shouted, imagining jumping from the roof into Laurie's arms (the <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FgxjN55FwgY/S9nKTbrVrQI/AAAAAAAAA6U/sVJlD5YkwVs/s400/christian-bale-little-women-400a-010407.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bellesbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/11/pash-pick-or-pass-men-of-little-women.html&h=400&w=400&sz=27&tbnid=inRwgJbWnZDwsM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&zoom=1&docid=df6h-lttWVTXPM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aOxLT--0KIHb0QGA3cz2DQ&ved=0CEIQ9QEwAg&dur=2080">Christian Bale version of Laurie</a>, of course).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e9Tp3zcQeA/T0vcIoelnBI/AAAAAAAABjs/0HLTntPi1Bw/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.36.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e9Tp3zcQeA/T0vcIoelnBI/AAAAAAAABjs/0HLTntPi1Bw/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.36.05+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>Penny liked Josephine because "Jo" was like the author, Louisa. As Penny raced up the roof to do her beak-stand, she quoted Louisa: <span style="background-color: white;">"No boy could be my friend till I had beaten him in a race and no girl if she refused to climb trees, leap fences ..."</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HwcIpNrliWM/T0vcLJ1KxOI/AAAAAAAABj0/Lde_HhWTzgs/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.36.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HwcIpNrliWM/T0vcLJ1KxOI/AAAAAAAABj0/Lde_HhWTzgs/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.36.20+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>The Upper Twin connected with the <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001969/">scarlet fever</a> stricken Elizabeth "Beth" March. Being apart from her twin felt like a dark shadow was looming over her. She felt very little, very small and wondered if she would ever be considered <i>beautiful</i> and not just <i>cute</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGU1QOf6Xz8/T0vcM6cAMQI/AAAAAAAABj8/eOwCv0EiBkg/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.36.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGU1QOf6Xz8/T0vcM6cAMQI/AAAAAAAABj8/eOwCv0EiBkg/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.36.40+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>When they met up, The Upper Twin told the others that she was going to do the "bigger" thing and be the first to apologize to her sibling. After all, it was her brother that always carried her on his back and it was her brother who always made her feel taller than she really was.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4Sr4Em2bnk/T0vcO5WcUqI/AAAAAAAABkE/5TgokF6o3O0/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.37.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4Sr4Em2bnk/T0vcO5WcUqI/AAAAAAAABkE/5TgokF6o3O0/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-27+at+2.37.07+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-34124087450448441782012-02-22T14:59:00.001-05:002012-02-22T15:00:18.314-05:00A Fan's Animation:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">A great fan of The Jolly Troop made this for us! It tells the story of my beginning, winged with music and motion! Watch this 2 minute clip and you'll </span><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">pause & rejoice!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/cRfFxguB_sg/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cRfFxguB_sg&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cRfFxguB_sg&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div><br />
</div>Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-62973956862868498242012-02-10T19:13:00.002-05:002012-02-12T14:02:42.268-05:00Jollymation: Say It With Heart!<div><left> </left></div><div><a href="http://s1050.photobucket.com/albums/s419/dallasandrewgraham/?action=view&current=Say-It-With-Heart_jollymation.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s419/dallasandrewgraham/Say-It-With-Heart_jollymation.gif" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div></div>Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-12974648684597802872012-02-10T09:03:00.001-05:002012-02-10T09:18:28.880-05:00Coloring Page: Say It With Heart V'tines!Print and color these 3.5"x2.5" <b>Say It With Heart</b> V'tines!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RIkd_trSOQ/TzUipzK2Z1I/AAAAAAAABiw/ZJ4zMzsC0IQ/s1600/vtine_twins.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RIkd_trSOQ/TzUipzK2Z1I/AAAAAAAABiw/ZJ4zMzsC0IQ/s640/vtine_twins.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0D6_LoKp90/TzUjIG6WXMI/AAAAAAAABjA/MOteMmHnbOM/s1600/vtine_redfred.yvette.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0D6_LoKp90/TzUjIG6WXMI/AAAAAAAABjA/MOteMmHnbOM/s640/vtine_redfred.yvette.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-44200792762946281522012-02-06T22:48:00.002-05:002012-02-06T23:00:59.181-05:00Thoreau Like /Burrow/<i>I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9V3xj4jRV4/TzCenMKACjI/AAAAAAAABiE/WogKjs9wa5U/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.45.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9V3xj4jRV4/TzCenMKACjI/AAAAAAAABiE/WogKjs9wa5U/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.45.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><br />
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<i>To be awake is to be alive.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Paw9pIsjoYo/TzCVEIDlIjI/AAAAAAAABg0/YxdYWDymlBg/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.29.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Paw9pIsjoYo/TzCVEIDlIjI/AAAAAAAABg0/YxdYWDymlBg/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.29.31+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i>Do not stay to be an overseer of the poor, but endeavor to become one of the worthies of the world.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7alLuG9g6q4/TzCVSQCBZdI/AAAAAAAABg8/_Av9YC1OkY8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.31.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7alLuG9g6q4/TzCVSQCBZdI/AAAAAAAABg8/_Av9YC1OkY8/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.31.40+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i>Let us first be as simple and well as Nature ourselves, dispel the clouds which hang over our brows, and take up a little life into our pores.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nsit88L01I/TzCVij7R1rI/AAAAAAAABhE/nDF7SipkT6M/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.34.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nsit88L01I/TzCVij7R1rI/AAAAAAAABhE/nDF7SipkT6M/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.34.11+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i>In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty, nor weakness.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhWqD071CBk/TzCVtY4E6yI/AAAAAAAABhM/SpDBEsCIeQg/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.35.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="491" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhWqD071CBk/TzCVtY4E6yI/AAAAAAAABhM/SpDBEsCIeQg/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.35.58+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i>If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rUAqJnE4Kq8/TzCV6u1jBOI/AAAAAAAABhU/C8gUuAfdc08/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.39.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rUAqJnE4Kq8/TzCV6u1jBOI/AAAAAAAABhU/C8gUuAfdc08/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.39.42+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i>While men believe in the infinite, some ponds will be thought to be bottomless.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OweIIGEzLjY/TzCWHErZD2I/AAAAAAAABhc/CQjW6Nfnoe0/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.42.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OweIIGEzLjY/TzCWHErZD2I/AAAAAAAABhc/CQjW6Nfnoe0/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.42.29+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i>A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E6APsuVohdg/TzCWVnmaaPI/AAAAAAAABhk/Wx7M5REah1g/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.49.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E6APsuVohdg/TzCWVnmaaPI/AAAAAAAABhk/Wx7M5REah1g/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.49.45+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i>If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7Yn60rSp00/TzCWjRsJFWI/AAAAAAAABhs/W0neJqxelX8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.52.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7Yn60rSp00/TzCWjRsJFWI/AAAAAAAABhs/W0neJqxelX8/s640/Screen+shot+2012-02-06+at+9.52.04+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><i>It is surprising how many great men and women a small house will contain.</i><br />
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Visit <a href="http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/walden/">Walden Pond</a>. Deliberately.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-48265176945391505132012-02-03T09:48:00.000-05:002012-02-03T09:48:59.451-05:00Coloring Page: Who Is In Your Heart?Find your heart this Friday. Who's in it? Print and color.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SdzqDG7-mho/TyvzJi4ZiWI/AAAAAAAABgc/E6rvCghvGgI/s1600/Coloring+Page_Who+Is+In+Your+Heart.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SdzqDG7-mho/TyvzJi4ZiWI/AAAAAAAABgc/E6rvCghvGgI/s640/Coloring+Page_Who+Is+In+Your+Heart.png" width="496" /></a></div>Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-41929107303298312902012-02-01T13:02:00.000-05:002012-02-01T13:02:03.437-05:00Wear Your Love<a href="http://skreened.com/redfredbodoni1/wear-your-love?direction=asc&field=order&query=&start=0&count=20">Click here</a> to see our "Wear Your Love" tee.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MLdxDv0M90/Tyl9tfqbCgI/AAAAAAAABgE/OYJZ20ljNbc/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-27+at+10.09.11+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MLdxDv0M90/Tyl9tfqbCgI/AAAAAAAABgE/OYJZ20ljNbc/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-27+at+10.09.11+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-12126849386415595762012-01-25T15:05:00.001-05:002012-01-25T15:05:49.536-05:00V'Tine Place MatsSay it with heart! V'tines place mats available at The Jolly Troop Shop.<br />
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12" x 18". Printed on Cougar 100lb uncoated. Laminated with love. Click <a href="http://redfredbodoni.bigcartel.com/">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWHOR51BOWU/TyBfb8yHzsI/AAAAAAAABfo/X8HbfGz2bPE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-25+at+2.37.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWHOR51BOWU/TyBfb8yHzsI/AAAAAAAABfo/X8HbfGz2bPE/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-25+at+2.37.26+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-buCfgo8AvlE/TyBfhPwvSdI/AAAAAAAABfw/Ko1W8i7GQzs/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-25+at+2.37.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-buCfgo8AvlE/TyBfhPwvSdI/AAAAAAAABfw/Ko1W8i7GQzs/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-25+at+2.37.40+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-30465575773911781672012-01-24T15:06:00.001-05:002012-01-24T15:06:46.590-05:00Penny Purple PlanningPenny isn't a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouter">pouter</a>. But for some reason, after the big winter holidays and all the gatherings, she found herself feeling <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet">ultraviolet</a> because she's the only <b>purple</b> member of the Troop. The <b>reds</b> have taken in Edward, Yvette has forced herself in with the <b>yellows</b> and of course, Black Jack and The Twins revel in being <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achromatic"><b>achromatic</b></a>. She didn't want to feel <b>blue</b>, so she did what she did best: she made plans for an adventure.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>NOTE:</b> THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO<b> PLAN AN ADVENTURE. </b>PENNY CALLS THIS<b> "PURPLE PLANNING."</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5vPlUwhh2ek/Tx7rikVfG1I/AAAAAAAABeg/plJOeUwu1zk/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+12.33.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="491" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5vPlUwhh2ek/Tx7rikVfG1I/AAAAAAAABeg/plJOeUwu1zk/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+12.33.17+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">POINT NO. 1: PULL OUT A MAP</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></span>All "serious" adventures require a map. Find one in your grandpa's study, a local Maverick gas station, your city library, under the seat of your mom's car or on the internet. Become familiar with the names of streets and rivers. Determine a point of interest. Did you know Boston's nickname is "<a href="http://www.boston-online.com/faq.html#beantown">Beantown</a>?" Did you know map-makers are called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartography">cartographers</a>? </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOQ2eP6zk3I/Tx7v0YhTlhI/AAAAAAAABeo/0jbGTPGy1_I/s1600/Charles+Street_0.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOQ2eP6zk3I/Tx7v0YhTlhI/AAAAAAAABeo/0jbGTPGy1_I/s640/Charles+Street_0.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">POINT NO. 2: FIND A TOUR GUIDE</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b><span style="text-align: left;">Who says you have to pay for a tour guide? If possible, find a friend that knows the area and can show you the best places to visit. If you don't have a friend there, make one. Ask for some pointers! Make sure to keep your traveler's guidebook (<a href="http://www.ricksteves.com/">Rick Steve's,</a> <a href="http://www.frommers.com/">Frommer's</a>, <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/">Lonely Planet</a>) handy and thank the tour guide with dinner, a hi-5, and a commitment to help the next stranger in your neighborhood.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pent_WtR64/Tx72cJWw9uI/AAAAAAAABew/VuLtii_V0XI/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.17.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pent_WtR64/Tx72cJWw9uI/AAAAAAAABew/VuLtii_V0XI/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.17.59+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">POINT NO. 3: TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b>You will remember your adventure better if you do what <a href="http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/192">Robert Frost</a> suggests: "<a href="http://www.bartleby.com/119/1.html">take the [road] less traveled by</a>." Duck down an alley or street or place NOT listed in your guidebook. Get lost finding it. Make your way back to the road "more" traveled. Getting lost helps you remember.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpSxotg2sdQ/Tx72nvaZSRI/AAAAAAAABe4/UI3I7a0XSJs/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.18.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpSxotg2sdQ/Tx72nvaZSRI/AAAAAAAABe4/UI3I7a0XSJs/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.18.10+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">POINT NO. 4: EAT LOCAL WITH THE LOCALS</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </b>Enjoying great food is one of the best parts of an adventure. Ask local folks the <b>best</b> places to eat and where you can find the best "local" dish. Do yourself a favor and stay away from flavors you are used to. Make sure to treat yourself to at least one delicious meal. Did you know Boston is known for their <b><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/boston-baked-beans/">baked beans</a></b>?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxxrnmyv4qA/Tx72x-AmawI/AAAAAAAABfA/zrkKcS4UMiM/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.18.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxxrnmyv4qA/Tx72x-AmawI/AAAAAAAABfA/zrkKcS4UMiM/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.18.29+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">POINT NO. 5: SEIZE THE DAY</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b> You don't have to do the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N7H-i7nczY">Newsies dance</a> to seize the day. Take time in this new place you've found. Explore the details. Document it by shooting photographs of your favorite things and writing about it. Don't rush the day. Choose 2 or 3 things to enjoy that day and call it good!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDQURO1UpgM/Tx73BobqgTI/AAAAAAAABfI/8uzGk_VDQG4/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.18.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDQURO1UpgM/Tx73BobqgTI/AAAAAAAABfI/8uzGk_VDQG4/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.18.38+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">POINT NO. 6: SEE THE LIGHTS</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b> Make sure to spend time "seeing the lights." Enjoy the night life because it is usually when the city comes to life! Find a café. Listen to live music. See a dance performance. Stop to enjoy a street performer and make sure to leave them a tip—it's good karma, but it also supports their incredible talents.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGFkKFFtR3E/Tx73Jg4Lh8I/AAAAAAAABfQ/_Ff0Qul6brk/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.18.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGFkKFFtR3E/Tx73Jg4Lh8I/AAAAAAAABfQ/_Ff0Qul6brk/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.18.49+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">POINT NO. 7: GET SWEATY</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b> Try exercising in a different way than you're used to while you're on your adventure. Walk to the bridge and back. Run the fire escape. Take a yoga class in the park. Swim across a river. Paddle a kayak in a pond. Break up your routine by creating a new sweat-body memory.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8kNJ4pfNLQ/Tx73WtzhURI/AAAAAAAABfY/zHY-ttVEghg/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.19.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8kNJ4pfNLQ/Tx73WtzhURI/AAAAAAAABfY/zHY-ttVEghg/s640/Screen+shot+2012-01-24+at+1.19.01+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">POINT NO. 9: BE OF GOOD CHEER(S)</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b> Adventures are adventures because things don't always work as they are planned. Be flexible. Relax. Laugh about the unexpected things. Enjoy the people you meet because next time you visit, you'll be in a place <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD8ljNobUys">where everybody knows your name!</a></i><br />
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<br />Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com2Boston, MA, USA42.3584308 -71.059773242.2645643 -71.217701699999992 42.4522973 -70.9018447tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-49141832233104481202011-12-31T19:19:00.000-05:002011-12-31T19:27:37.274-05:00Twin Lions: Patience & FortitudeSomething about the last day of the year makes you want to spend it with someone important—like your best friend. So Black Jack and I met uptown to discuss our options. It just so happened that we ran into Magnus. Have you ever planned to do something with just one friend and then someone unexpected arrives? Before Magnus perched, Black Jack grumbled, "I don't want my fly-time messed up by a bookworm."<br />
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Magnus was visiting his favorite intersection in New York (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ix=hea&q=Fifth+Avenue+and+West+41st+Street&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl">Fifth Avenue and West 41st Street</a>) to pause and remember 2011. When he asked us if we knew why this area is called John Bigelow Plaza, we shook our heads. Magnus said <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bigelow">John Bigelow</a> was a respected New Yorker. He was so well respected that he was offered nominations by two opposing political parties—at the same time!<br />
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Magnus told us this was a great place to see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Hw1wYqzv8">breakdancing</a>, so we found some seats and enjoyed some "toprock" "floorwork" and "freezes." Black Jack, however, was more concerned with the 10 foot lion to our immediate right.</div>
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"Oh! You mean <a href="http://www.nypl.org/audiovideo/patience-and-fortitude-celebrate-100-years">Patience</a>?" asked Magnus. Turns out Patience is the lion on the south side of the plaza. He and Magnus have had 1,456 conversations on every <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/overview.html">New York Times Best Seller</a>. Why? Patience guards the entrance to Magnus' favorite building in the city...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKaSCGNaTO4/Tv8KtdQkjoI/AAAAAAAABa0/q_sLamYDr_M/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-31+at+7.55.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKaSCGNaTO4/Tv8KtdQkjoI/AAAAAAAABa0/q_sLamYDr_M/s640/Screen+shot+2011-12-31+at+7.55.18+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.nypl.org/">New York Public Library</a>!</div>
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Black Jack soon realized there are perks to knowing a know-it-all bookworm: they know the best kept secrets for sliding down bannisters.</div>
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We flew around the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2617471166/">McGraw Rotunda ceiling</a> and talked about Prometheus. Did you know he was the titan that stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals? Do you know how Zeus <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus">punished</a> him? I don't think I'll be giving fire to anybody as a gift any time soon. </div>
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We visited Magnus' favorite research spot amid books, lamps, wooden desks and tucked in a corner just below the windows. We looked up the meaning of Black Jack's name and found out it is a game and a manga comic character. Someone was a little excited to learn this.</div>
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Do you ever get lost in books? Black Jack did... for the first time. </div>
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As we left the library, we flew to the north side of the plaza to meet the twin brother of Patience: Fortitude. Black Jack was so giddy about discovering the library that he did a beak stand that would have made Penny proud. And that's when Magnus remembered: it was the Lion's birth year! They are 100 years old!</div>
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With 2012 just hours away, we decided to be patient about our earlier plans and instead, ask Fortitude his thoughts on the future. His deep, rumbling voice reminded us, "Face every day with a strong mind and a brave heart. Be patient with yourself and others."</div>
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May Patience and Fortitude guard you and guide you in your Jolly New Year!</div>
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<br />Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-57943321293867197052011-12-12T17:39:00.000-05:002011-12-13T16:10:20.918-05:00Winter WishDo the <b>holidays</b> ever feel like <b>hole-idays</b> to you? The other night, we all met up to find a fir tree—all of us except Roman. He's still gone and we haven't heard from him. As the temperature dropped, so did my hope of seeing him any time soon. I found myself wishing—wishing the Troop was whole... together... accounted for. Sensing my sadness, Sophia tip-toed to the top of the lights and filled the air with a tales of our favorite winter folklore character: <b>Fred Frost</b>.<br />
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As we flew to the make-shift, fir tree forrest to pick out a pine, Sophia reminded us of Fred Frost folklore: "Do you know what makes his black boots special?" she asked, "They are made out of shadows so he can slip in and out of space without being seen or heard!"<br />
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"It's easy to know if he's been around because his ice-blue feathers next to his white-cloud beard turn the air around him into frost!"<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCyN2VKSvlI/TuZ6NdN-ISI/AAAAAAAABXk/wBlggAFdrew/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+4.56.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RCyN2VKSvlI/TuZ6NdN-ISI/AAAAAAAABXk/wBlggAFdrew/s640/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+4.56.38+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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"Fred Frost always carries his Three <b>Frosty Flakes</b>. If you can find them, he'll grant you a <b>Winter Wish</b> under a red hat!"<br />
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"You can't talk about Fred Frost without talking about his wind-fast pal, <b>Zephyr</b>. Did you know <a href="http://www.theoi.com/Titan/AnemosZephyros.html">Zephyr has the same name as the Greek god of the west wind</a>? You'll know Zephyr is close if you feel a frosty wind blowing."<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_ZHlL55hog/TuZ6bXvwMMI/AAAAAAAABX0/X7Fl-GAkYT4/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+5.00.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_ZHlL55hog/TuZ6bXvwMMI/AAAAAAAABX0/X7Fl-GAkYT4/s640/Screen+shot+2011-12-12+at+5.00.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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"Did you know that Zephyr was an apprentice to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer">Rudolph</a>? He was so good Rudolph gave him something incredibly special: a Very Shiny Nose." <br />
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"Fred Frost sits between Zephyr's antlers and flies around the world granting Winter Wishes. And who knows—maybe he'll be in Brooklyn tonight!" As Sophia said this, I saw her eyes sparkle. I knew she believed in Fred Frost even though she had never seen him.<br />
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As we landed in the boughs of a <a href="http://www.christmastree.org/trees/fraser.cfm">Frazier fir</a>, I pulled Magnus and Stilts aside: "Do you really think Fred Frost is real? Do you really think he grants a Winter Wish to somebody that finds the Three Frosty Flakes?" Magnus raised his eyebrows, looking doubtful while Stilts just hummed and nodded.<br />
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Immediately, the rest of the Troop flocked and began debating whether Fred Frost was real or if he was just a great idea. Amid all the arguing, Sophia was the only one that heard something unusual just over the tip of the tree. When she got to the top to see what was there, she didn't see anything.<br />
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We finally stopped arguing when we realized we couldn't come to a conclusion. Everybody took their opinion, tucked it away and started inspecting potential trees to take home. We couldn't decided between the citrus-scent of the Frazier or the "does-not-shed-as-much" factor of the <a href="http://www.christmastree.org/trees/douglas.cfm">Douglas</a>.<br />
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When she had a moment to herself, Sophia decided to inspect a beautiful glass ornament. Suddenly, in place of her reflection, she saw Fred Frost and Zephyr looking back at her! In a flash they were gone so she screamed for everybody to "<i><b>come quick!</b></i>"<br />
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"Huddle close. Now close your eyes and whisper a Winter Wish." Sophia sounded excited and frantic. We had never seen her like this, so we thought we should pay attention and do as she asked. It grew quiet for a few minutes and suddenly a calm floated around us. Softly, we could hear Sophia's golden voice singing:<br />
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<i>Shadow-black boots, silent and soft, walk around your heart's winter loft</i><br />
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<i>Shadow-black boots, lucky and fast, can you make my heart-wishes last?</i></div>
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<i>Fred Frost is coming, Fred Frost is near</i></div>
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<i>Whisper your wishes, Fred Frost will hear...</i></div>
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When Sophia finished the entire song, we opened our eyes and looked at one another. All was calm. All was bright.<br />
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We all stayed quiet and began to search the entire make-shift forrest for Frosty Flakes because... well,... because it was the right thing to do. Silas and Yvette were the first to find one.<br />
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Algernon, Penny and Edward found the second.<br />
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The Twins, Pascal and Black Jack said the third drifted towards Sophia's song and that something magical happened. And that's all they can say about it.<br />
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After searching all the trees and gathering the Three Frosty Flakes, we still couldn't find the Winter Wish. So we asked the urban lumberjack if there were any trees, boughs, or garland pieces we hadn't seen. "Did you see that little guy?" he asked, pointing upwards. There, high above all the other trees, was a little tree tied to a little pole with a little string.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y7Mk5Oi93XI/TuZ_kKGXrYI/AAAAAAAABZk/RvrypbuJCfg/s1600/Christmas+Tree_10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y7Mk5Oi93XI/TuZ_kKGXrYI/AAAAAAAABZk/RvrypbuJCfg/s640/Christmas+Tree_10.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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And in it, our Winter Wish under a red hat.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wHiBzaDaAg/TuaATejg3rI/AAAAAAAABZs/2acT48iAJSI/s1600/Christmas+Tree_11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wHiBzaDaAg/TuaATejg3rI/AAAAAAAABZs/2acT48iAJSI/s640/Christmas+Tree_11.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks to our friends, Xmas Tree Brooklyn, for allowing us to visit and perch! You can see them at facebook.com/xmastreebrooklyn or call 917-378-9212. Or if you haven't found your fir yet, visit them at 150 Court Street between Pacific and Dean.<br />
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<br />Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-43496353779121429722011-08-31T10:21:00.000-04:002011-08-31T10:21:19.854-04:00T-Shirt: AlgernonEverybody loves Algernon. I'm not kidding. So here he is, in his massive, plump, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartreuse_(color)">chartreuse</a> glory. You can <a href="http://skreened.com/redfredbodoni1/algernon-anagram?direction=asc&field=order&query=&start=0&count=20">buy this shirt on Skreened</a> and the cool thing about it is that you can decide the color, the fit, a hoodie or a tank top.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlR56tb7Ces/Tl5CFiqJnaI/AAAAAAAABXQ/bjLCd2KeZeA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-30+at+11.18.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlR56tb7Ces/Tl5CFiqJnaI/AAAAAAAABXQ/bjLCd2KeZeA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-30+at+11.18.08+AM.png" /></a></div><br />
Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-3432012143254417142011-08-29T05:27:00.011-04:002011-08-29T09:14:52.011-04:00Mean Hurricane IreneThis last week has been less colorful without Roman in the branches. Last night while we were out for a perch, Black Jack flew in with some shaky news: a hurricane was making its way towards us. "What's it's name?" asked Sophia. "<a href="http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2043.html">Irene</a>," buzzed Black Jack, "And she's lean enough and mean enough that we need to <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evacuate">evacuate</a>."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6LplpMjBlw/Tlpea74ukaI/AAAAAAAABWw/1XUvxT1iu7Q/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.20.01+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6LplpMjBlw/Tlpea74ukaI/AAAAAAAABWw/1XUvxT1iu7Q/s640/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.20.01+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>And just like that, the wind started howling and the rain started pounding. To keep things light, we all took <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml">names of hurricanes for 2011</a>: Black Jack = Bret; Algernon = Harvey; Stilts = Philippe; Silas = Sean; Yvette = Rena; Magnus = Vince; Sophia = Katia; Pascal = Lee; The Twins = Ophelia and José; Penny = Gert; Edward = Don; me = Nate.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HERnQGIuiJs/TlpejFSB99I/AAAAAAAABW0/Y4GIFg_fXBc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.20.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HERnQGIuiJs/TlpejFSB99I/AAAAAAAABW0/Y4GIFg_fXBc/s640/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.20.25+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>We took a break on a lamp post while the adventurers of the troop (Bret, Gert, Sean and Lee) did a little <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconnaissance">reconnaissance</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yK_Ov2pd-94/TlpeuIPTE9I/AAAAAAAABW4/X1vd8_jr34k/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.20.41+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yK_Ov2pd-94/TlpeuIPTE9I/AAAAAAAABW4/X1vd8_jr34k/s640/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.20.41+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>Did you know the names of hurricanes alternate from girl names to boy names, every other time? Did you know they go in alphabetical order? Did you know another name for a hurricane is a<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone"> tropical cyclone</a>? Did you know <a href="http://www.weathervanesplus.com/history.html">weathervanes are 3500 years old</a>?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdL_5X65zMg/Tlpe1wdOLVI/AAAAAAAABW8/cQmesNeVQe0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.20.56+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdL_5X65zMg/Tlpe1wdOLVI/AAAAAAAABW8/cQmesNeVQe0/s640/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.20.56+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>We were able to reach Roman and find out he was okay. When times are stormy, it's important to make sure your flock is safe.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P52vO9pXcN4/TlpgOC5CgmI/AAAAAAAABXI/U7iFGSN1cvo/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.34.49+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P52vO9pXcN4/TlpgOC5CgmI/AAAAAAAABXI/U7iFGSN1cvo/s640/Screen+shot+2011-08-28+at+11.34.49+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>Thankfully, we found a dry place where we could wait out the storm. Sophia began, almost immediately, to relay stories of <a href="http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/poseidon.html">Poseidon and why he does what he does</a>. As we sat and listened and got lost in the sound of the wind and rain and Sophia's tales, I realized that sometimes it takes a hurricane to remind me of who and what is important.<br />
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Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-59175875973176985002011-08-26T10:21:00.000-04:002011-08-26T10:21:58.559-04:00Coloring Page: Mug with HugsIf someone leaves, make sure to mug them with hugs. Can you find Roman? Can you find your favorite Trooper? Click, download, print and color.<br />
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Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369560211761328702.post-88354937627123175542011-08-23T13:12:00.020-04:002011-08-26T00:57:16.044-04:00Broken On The Brooklyn BridgeSometimes, even when the sun comes up in the morning and the sky is full of summer-blue, sad news comes floating on the wind. A couple mornings ago, Roman told me he was thinking of leaving The Troop and asked if he could talk to me about it. I said yes and told him I'd meet him on the steps leading up to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Bridge">Brooklyn Bridge</a>.<br />
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We flew to the top of the arches and sat for awhile. I could tell he was a little nervous to talk, so I waited. I thought about the hard work it would be to build an incredible bridge and then I thought about the hard time Roman must be having. There's no two-ways about it: bridge building is difficult but deconstructing a bridge may be more difficult.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64m8p5AtPJI/TlO7HFroOvI/AAAAAAAABV8/0PynHucbyd4/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64m8p5AtPJI/TlO7HFroOvI/AAAAAAAABV8/0PynHucbyd4/s640/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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We flew to a bench and Roman asked, "Did you know the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Augustus_Roebling">first creator of this bridge</a> died as a result of working on this bridge? Did you know <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Roebling">the creator's son</a> was paralyzed from working on it?" I shook my head no and stayed quiet a little longer. Roman was having a hard time with his life-bridge.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_0KEauaHPg/TlO9ijtA1kI/AAAAAAAABWA/6HyS2Ym5LQc/s1600/2.5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_0KEauaHPg/TlO9ijtA1kI/AAAAAAAABWA/6HyS2Ym5LQc/s640/2.5.png" width="640" /></a></div>Bridges are structures that get you from one place to another; bridges help people stay above water; bridges are constantly being used by folks going in opposite directions.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JS7hhlGZFF8/TlO_qR419lI/AAAAAAAABWE/QuevbTaPeu4/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JS7hhlGZFF8/TlO_qR419lI/AAAAAAAABWE/QuevbTaPeu4/s640/3.png" width="640" /></a></div>Even though bridges makes it easy to cross from one side to the other side, you occasionally run into sharp-pointed obstacles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85u0zwsSR4o/TlPBzTpc5xI/AAAAAAAABWI/UDgb49Be-eI/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85u0zwsSR4o/TlPBzTpc5xI/AAAAAAAABWI/UDgb49Be-eI/s640/4.png" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_bridge">Suspension cables need to be anchored</a> to either side of a bridge to create tension. The tension helps to keep it up. The suspension cables are made up of hundreds of smaller cables. But what if your suspension cables are losing their anchor? What if it feels like your bridge is broken or breaking?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4I0fXIXv4d0/TlPTz73EcYI/AAAAAAAABWM/ShqKvMPUpL8/s1600/5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4I0fXIXv4d0/TlPTz73EcYI/AAAAAAAABWM/ShqKvMPUpL8/s640/5.png" width="640" /></a></div>Roman told me that even though he knew there was plenty of blue-sky above, he was feeling trapped on his life's-bridge. I cried. Have you ever felt that way before? I have.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MLAX2fQgYo/TlPVIvVL5qI/AAAAAAAABWQ/rGhm9Af2PZM/s1600/6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MLAX2fQgYo/TlPVIvVL5qI/AAAAAAAABWQ/rGhm9Af2PZM/s640/6.png" width="640" /></a></div>We sat above the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_River">East River</a> and took some time to look at the 8 bridges that spanned it—8 different bridges made to cross the same body of water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3c25WLhSfU/TlPVvo1_MJI/AAAAAAAABWU/S8F73bl6_Iw/s1600/7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3c25WLhSfU/TlPVvo1_MJI/AAAAAAAABWU/S8F73bl6_Iw/s640/7.png" width="640" /></a></div>When some time passed, I asked Roman a question, "What can we do to help you?" "I'm not sure," he said, "But I think I need to leave for awhile. I need some time and space to figure out how to rebuild my bridge."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5b-izYL4yo/TlPWqx7ZyQI/AAAAAAAABWY/VeF2r6_O6PQ/s1600/8.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5b-izYL4yo/TlPWqx7ZyQI/AAAAAAAABWY/VeF2r6_O6PQ/s640/8.png" width="640" /></a></div>What do you do when you don't know what to do? What do you do <i><a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/simon+and+garfunkel/bridge+over+troubled+water_20124580.html">when your friend is weary, feeling small, when tears are in his eyes</a></i>?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7FJPzWKCKs/TlPZfyVx9kI/AAAAAAAABWc/u3gaQ-vRU4U/s1600/9.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7FJPzWKCKs/TlPZfyVx9kI/AAAAAAAABWc/u3gaQ-vRU4U/s640/9.png" width="640" /></a></div>You find his "<i><a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/simon+and+garfunkel/bridge+over+troubled+water_20124580.html">can't be found</a></i>" friends <i><a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/simon+and+garfunkel/bridge+over+troubled+water_20124580.html">when darkness comes and pain is all around him. You take his part</a></i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6wWP8GQats/TlPaKMnfutI/AAAAAAAABWg/YNOsU5fEIKU/s1600/10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6wWP8GQats/TlPaKMnfutI/AAAAAAAABWg/YNOsU5fEIKU/s640/10.png" width="640" /></a></div>You remind him <i><a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/simon+and+garfunkel/bridge+over+troubled+water_20124580.html">the time has come to shine and his dreams are on their way</a></i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KZ4wWLS8rQ/TlPaRMj1nNI/AAAAAAAABWk/LyzgsOmSMf0/s1600/11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KZ4wWLS8rQ/TlPaRMj1nNI/AAAAAAAABWk/LyzgsOmSMf0/s640/11.png" width="640" /></a></div>You tell him: <i>If you need friends, we're sailing right behind like a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_a46WJ1viA">bridge over troubled waters</a></i><i>. </i>And maybe one day, the wind will bring him back.<br />
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Red Fred Bodonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11678139053700675199noreply@blogger.com8