Snake In The Grass

A few weeks ago, I was alerted by two painters (from the wonderful folks at Hassle Free Home Improvements) that there was a snake in my shrubbery.  I'm find of most snakes - they serve great purposes: eating other snakes, moles, mice and rats, for example. However, there is one variety of snake that is not welcome in my yard and this one was one of those. I dislike Copperheads. This one was a beauty - rest his soul.

(click photos for a larger image)

A Feast for the Heart

The evening was a perfect combination of timely ingredients. A feast to be remembered.

Take a beautifully renovated auditorium rooted in the early 1900's and fill it with musically gifted minds, voices and astute ears. Toss in a healthy portion of civic pride and humble appreciation. Then add a symphony of dedicated, rehearsed and talented musicians poised to exceed themselves. Let the anticipation brew. Add one vibrant conductor and then dare to introduce one of the finest and proven voices to grace a public stage. Feast.

Last evening I sat with family and friends and saw and heard the most wonderful musical performance of my life. Frankly, I am still stunned beyond words this morning. Renee' Fleming dared to visit this simple town and the reception and appreciation she was given was second only to her incomparable performance.

Thank you Renee' Fleming.

Thank you Winston-Salem Symphony, donors, sponsors, citizens and - lastly but foremost - my wife (she made me do it).

Details here.

ConvergeSouth 2010 - Be there! October 1-2

ConvergeSouth 2010

We are most fortunate to have one of the premier and longest running Internet Conferences right here in the Triad of North Carolina. The event is extremely affordable (thanks to grants and some serious local funding) and will be held this year October 1-2. See more information below, but seriously, just click over and register. Now. Do it already!

About Converge South

After a short break to re-energize, ConvergeSouth 2010 is back to champion Creativity Online For Everyone. Mark your calendars for October 1 and 2, 2010 and set your Google Maps for downtown Greensboro, NC.

We’re excited to connect social media novices, strategists who know their way around social networking and experts willing to share their stories and advice.

This year’s event will feature three tracks:

Personal Branding

From Twitter 101 to best blogging practices, you’ll learn hands-on how to create your profiles across networks and the value of social media for reputation building, brand monitoring and more.

Internet Strategy for Small Business

Taking it to the next level, you’ll learn how branding is more than your logo, why content is king, how you can create a free website for your business and that using free social media tools pays off — but requires a different kind of investment.

Developing Outside the Box

From developing your own apps for iPhone, Facebook and more, to getting them approved and becoming a millionaire 99 cents at a time – this track connects developers and tech-savvy users.

Saturday Feature Luncheon

Join everyone for a buffet lunch and a panel discussion, “Internet Legislation,” moderated by John Robinson, Editor, News & Record. Joining the panel are Congressman Howard Coble, Congressman Brad Miller and several North Carolina legislators.

Register NOW!

Quoting

Late to bed and late to wake will keep you long on money and short on mistakes. - Aaron McGruder

Note: Mr. McGruder was surely speaking pre-QVC

What I learned Yesterday

Surrender 

Is always

The best option

When accosted

By beauty

Always...

Blogging The Triad North Carolina Social Media Scene - Outpost

John Cass, over at Pace Communications, has asked for some help to cover the area's Social Media groups and events. I wanted to help, so I drew one of my favorite Groups from LinkedIn - Linking Greensboro. Here's your outpost post, John!

Linking Greensboro is was one of the early Social Media Networking goes Reality Networking groups in the Triad. What is Linking Greensboro? The description from the LinkedIn group says it well.

Created: August 15, 2008 | Other | Members: 2,229

Linking Greensboro NC is a networking group of professionals in the Greensboro Triad area that are interested in growing personally and professionally through networking on LinkedIn. Please Note: To help keep the discussions on track we created Posting Guidelines. Please review the guidelines before posting to the group: What to post: -Discussions or comments related to the local community, events and business topics. What not to post: -Advertising your website or services -Invitations to connect -Announcing that you are looking for a job -Off topic discussions -Disrespectful or abusive comments about another member. .. Please be respectful of other members and have fun.

Linking Greensboro has an informative website and monthly events to allow for face-to-face networking. Local experts are featured as speakers on a variety of topics. Check them out here on LinkedIn.

From One Blogger to Another - #7

To end this blogger intro fest on a NEWS  note, I bring you Rachel. Rachel is one of a team of mommy bloggers and a dynamic contact. She is currently launching a new blog - Triad Moms on Main.

Triad Moms On Main is hoping to launch the first two weeks in October. Moms On Main will include a local calendar with everything and anything you can do with your family.  You will find there a large assortment of archived blogs on Health, Education, Raising Kids, Nutrition, "Just for Moms," Sports, Travel, Shopping, Local reviews and more.  Triad Moms on Main will feature a daily blog and lots of fun giveaways as well! 

Some book mark it - You will find them here http://www.triadmomsonmain.com on October. Bookmark them and click over.

Thus ends our local Blogger focus here on Kim's Korner. Come back tomorrow when we will have some Social Media news for you.

From One Blogger to Another - #6

You Can't Make This Stuff Up...

Becky was more invested in our bloggers visit to the Ronald McDonald House than the rest of us - you could just tell. It isn't that we didn't all appreciate what the House does and how it improves life for so many in such difficult situations, but she had history. You can read about it here.

You will also find her blog, You Can't Make This Stuff Up, a great read. With a keen eye (both for story and photos) she catalogues the meaning she finds in her own life - parent, spouse, person. Often she poses a simple (and entertaining) question. Sometimes she will wax philosophical about ordinary observations. Visit her and see what she has to offer.

So, what are you still doing here? Click over and tell her Kim said hello!

Tomorrow I hope it's all about moms in the Triad.

From One Blogger to Another - #5

Carpe Salem!

Want to know more about what living in Winston-Salem really has to offer? Ever need a little encouragement to grab the gusto from a day locally? If so (or if not I really don't care because I'm going to tell you about this one anyway, so listen), then meet Nancy and Carpe Salem!

Nancy was among the bloggers I met at The Ronald McDonald House celebrations last Saturday. Nancy has a easy access format to her blog that allows you to see not only the most recent post, but intros to multiple topics from past post. You will be glad she does this because her playful writing style and accounts of her living around town will entertain and guide you to more from your life in the Triad.

So, what are you still doing here? Click over and tell her Kim said hello!

Tomorrow things get REALLY interesting because, well, you can't make this stuff up people!

From One Blogger to Another - #4

Pickles and Cheese

Sometimes bloggers come up with the most obscure and memorable names for their blogs. I've uttered a lot of food words together, but I don't know that I have ever planned for a picnic with the words "let's get together some pickles and cheese!"

Yet, now that I have been introduced to Lisa who writes over at Pickles and Cheese, I understand. Her blog is a blend of taste - both about food and living space - with a spice of personality. You will find her a visual smorgasbord of treats and ideas. Certainly worth the visit.

So, what are you still doing here? Click over and tell her Kim said hello!

Tomorrow we will get seize the day locally with Carpe Salem!

From One Blogger to Another - #3

Daffodils Hope and Three Little Army Wives

Next on my list of fantastic people I met Last week while gathering with local bloggers at the Ronald McDonald House Renovation Celebration is Katie. I think I scared her when i met her at the door and almost shouted "I think I know you!" I'm prone to creating awkward situations - it's a gift. Sure now that I didn't know her, but someday maybe I'll remember who I thought she was... Anyway, on to Katie and her blogs.

Katie does the 'mommy blog' thing over at Daffodils Hope. She shares freely and creatively about her life as a mom and spouse. Not to take side here, but wow - can you say blond, cute adorable kid!? Katie has also recently started a project over at Three Little Army Wives. I expect you will find some meaningful content (and the scoop on a possible book) over there, as well.

So, what are you still doing here? Click over and tell her Kim said hello!

Be sure and drop in tomorrow for a picnic of Pickles and Cheese!

From One Blogger to Another - #2

The Fierce Beagle - aka @fiercebeagle


One of the fantastic people I met Last week while gathering with local bloggers at the Ronald McDonald House Renovation Celebration was Erin. Erin writes over at Fierce Beagle.  She writes about her life as  a parent, pet owner, wife and human being.

Erin's writing is warm, honest and often moving. She offers a good read for those who are looking to connect online with a real person. Click over and tell her Kim said hello!

Drop back tomorrow and discover how Daffodils can give Hope.

From One Blogger to Another - #1

My last post - the quick post - made reference to the gathering of bloggers in celebration of the recent renovations to the Ronald McDonald House here in Winston-Salem.  My plan WAS to recap the event and focus on the renovations and those whose generosity made it possible. However, one of my new blogging acquaintances, Pickles and Cheese, has done such a fine job of sharing both photos and words along this line, that I'll send you to her post for that information and move on to another task.

Let's meet some bloggers!

I met several local bloggers Saturday and many of them I didn't know. So, I thought I'd share my journey of 'getting to know' some local bloggers with you - because I know how much you want to do everything just like me.

Today let's click over to the Ronald McDonald House blog and meet Watson. Watson isn't your ordinary blogger because he walks on four legs and had fur: Watson is a friendly Bassett hound.  Watson spends his time around the House making friends, organizing the staff and making Laura's life interesting (see Laura excerpted from our bloggers group photo below). Sometimes, he'll even Laura write something for his blog. Click on over to Watson's blog now. Go on. Be a good puppy.

 Laura aka @RHMwinstonsalem

Tomorrow, join me when you discover what A Fierce Beagle is all about (what is it about dogs and blogs anyway?).

Quick Update

I had a great time this morning, compliments of the Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem, with several area bloggers. See how great we look?

Yes, I'm one LUCKY man! I have much to share about the day, the place and these wonderful people, but today demands more doing. I'll post details later and for now I'm off to Saw Tooth for the Grand Opening of the Milton Rhodes center and some performing and fine arts experiences.

Catch you later...

Linger On It

Where do you linger? There are those tastes that just grab us by the tongue and scream delight and indulgence. Do you linger with them, allowing the full force of their impact upon that moment?

Then there are those sounds, the songs that we love to hear – every note, rhythm, and lyric as they dance into our mind and resonate within our body. Do you linger in them, playing them over again to light on each resonance and twisted phonetics?

What about those people whose physical beauty, simply passing by grabs your core? Do you allow yourself to linger in the impression as it launches into your libido and churns ancient and primal sensations, eliminating all thought for a moment? Do you linger there?

What of laughter? When it sneaks up on you and you find your world invaded by a twist of fate or thought, a comical jolt of unexpected amusement.  Do you linger in the wake of a real gut level laugh, leaving you helpless and crying in spasms of delight?

Do you linger on the good moments of life? I think you could…

Dolphin Musing

Using a writers prompt, I penned these words.

"Write a one-page description of what it would be like to swim with dolphins."

It seems like more than a few years ago. I stood on the bridge spanning the inlet at St. Augustine, Fl. Statuary of regal lions poised themselves as sentries guarding access, an access now in no need of guards, concrete or otherwise, a mere gateway from one tourist infested section of the town to another.

That evening, late, I stood on the crest of the low bridge and gazed blankly into the grey swirl of sea below. Small caps of sea foam occasionally formed and then faded, improbable punctuations, a writer's words quickly deleted returning the emptiness to the page. I had been unable to write for weeks. My mind blank, no, so filled with images and sensations falling over each other in chaos that no assembly of words could seem to contain my thoughts. So there the formless confusion of my mind was met by its reflection there in the dark sea.

The first one almost escaped my attention. A thin slice of light grey broke the ocean plain, a small twist of foam, and it was gone. I strained to see. I heard the song. At first I thought it was the wind carrying children's voices, softly to my ears. Then I saw them, dolphins. They swam below me, hiding just beneath the sea's veil, shadows, and wisps of silver form. I leaned over the railing, dangerously far.

They circled below me, entwining among themselves. There were three of them, two large and a small one. They seemed unaware of anything but their own dance. What grace and poise they created with movements so fluid and quick; touches so gentle and tender.

I fell. Somehow my foothold failed and although I grabbed for the rail, my body already hung over the side and my one handed grip wasn’t enough. I tumbled the few feet and into the surf. I felt the sting of the water's chill. It had barely warmed from these early spring days. Something brushed my side and I felt myself being pushed toward the surface. I lifted my head to the night air, rubbed the salt water from my eyes, and as I began to tread water. I was astonished to see the smallest of the trio of dolphins floating just inches from my face. It rolled onto one side, exposing one eye to the surface and lifted a fin as if to wave. I laughed. I heard them sing again. A gentle high note that seemed to hang in the air and settle in my soul, even more, it settled my soul.

The two adults were on each side of me now, and as I shifted my weight and began floating on my back, I could feel them moving around me. Soon, there dance included me. I joined them. I swam gently, rolling my body with the shift of the currents, allowing my hands to touch them and then the sea. I closed my eyes and listened to their song and swam with them.

Perhaps it was the caress of the sea, or the magic of the moment, or maybe just the release of my daily constraints, but, my head spun in delight and I felt a drug-like euphoria rise within my being. I was fully present in unadulterated bliss.

Then, they bid me farewell and I felt a tug of sadness as they vanished into the darkness of the night and the vastness of the sea. I know that I found something that night. For even now, years later, I can close my eyes, breathe in the smell of the sea, and hear their song, the song I learned the night I swam with the dolphins.

Image available here

A Sample of Summer

Repost - in my hands

in my hands

his

gentle and small

wonder and delight

an ebbing of laughter and stress

in my hands

hers

the future rests

tasks to be learned

suprises of nature and mind

in my hands

a bundle of memories

my daughter's squirming

my son's gentle dreams of sleep

in my hands

mine

empty now

full of possiblities

grasping for the next embrace

offered

to my hands

Wacky Worrisome Words

No matter how hard I try, I still make spelling mistakes and there are a few words I always get wrong:

were, versus we’re

calendar

form versus from

your verses you’re

It isn’t that I don’t know the difference; it is just in the day-to-day practice of writing I often type or choose the wrong one. What about you? Are there words that give you fits?