Author Mitch Albom says that for his book, "For One More Day," he became fascinated by how people answered this question: If you could spend one more day with a loved one already departed, how would you spend it? What would you do?

Albom says that time and again people answered that they wanted to spend an ordinary day doing ordinary things with the people they loved. Almost everyone wanted the opportunity to tell someone that they loved them one more time. They wanted to eat at their favorite hamburger joint or do something they enjoyed together one more time. It wasn't about doing something exotic, expensive or extraordinary. It was about making a connection, a close connection one more time.

Every normal, "ordinary" day is a treasure. Time with the people in our lives is to be cherished. I love you and wish you a day filled with "ordinary" fun, smiles and the knowledge that you make a difference in my world because you take the time to read my blog. Thank you...now please enjoy the adventure of your day. Judy

A teenager lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was nowhere to be found.

Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the lens in her hand.

"How did you manage to find it, Mom?" the teenager asked.

"We weren't looking for the same thing," she replied. "You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150.00"

When my sons were in kindergarten in Marietta, Ohio I was called in to have a conference with their teacher. It seems they were coloring outside the lines adding blue sky and green grass to their pictures. In addition, as if that weren't bad enough, they had colored their roses pink and yellow instead of red. Maybe it was because, as we later found out, they were color blind or maybe I was right and they were creative. In any case, this teacher was upset. They were told to stay within the lines and the roses were to be red. To her they were doing it wrong. They were making a mistake.

Sometimes I think the fear of making a mistake squashes creativity. We reward people for doing things right and we do our best to avoid "mistakes" at all costs.

Happily Tom and Jim remain creative. Each in their own way have learned that sometimes you need to do something or view something in a different way in order to discover a new, better way. You can call these new ways: experiments, rough drafts, or prototypes but sometimes it is the "failure" to do or behave in a conventional manner that leads to the greatest success.

I love this quote: "Everyone is born a genius, but the process of living degeniuses them." Buckminister Fuller

I'm proud that my sons are living their lives with passion and the willingness to take a risk.

Sometimes it is best to make a "mistake" or two. If Edison hadn't kept going dispite 2000 "mistakes" we might all be in the dark. It all boils down to how you view the situation. Often a person quits when they are on the threshold of doing the impossible or accomplishing something because they don't want to risk making a "mistake." I hope you dare to take a calculated risk today and be the best of yourself. Follow Burger King's tradition and "Do it your way!"

I tried to think of something to say in the wake of the unexpected violence that took place on the Virginia Tech Campus. It was such a shocking improbable situation, heartwrenching. Words elude me.

I found this quote and thought I would share it. It says better the way I feel than any words I could think of this morning.

"In a world filled with hate, we must dare to hope. In a world with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe."

Where do you store your emotions? I think mine must be connected to my belly. Then again it may simply be acid indegestion (smile).

My hair has gotten incredibly long. Mary Logan, a most incredible woman, has lost her hair as a side effect to the radiation and treatments she has been having to battle her brain cancer.

I have been wishing I could do something to show support beyond cards and prayers. I walk for cancer in hopes there will be one day be a cure and do it in remembrance of Julie Mallett who lost her battle with breast cancer.

I participate in the annual MS walk in support of my sister. She has been remarkable since her diagnosis and currently is teaching Yoga. She is helping people to discover their own physical and emotional well being.

I decided to investigate gving my hair to Locks Of Love. It is okay that is has been colored and there is more than the required 10 inches. It would definitely give me a drastic new look and hopefully provide a child or lady with a pretty real hair wig someday.

Unfortunately, since my hair has been layered it is too irregular. I thought years of coloring or the quality would be the problem but it turned out to be the various lengths. I was feeling disappointed and then I remembered...once upon a time when Tom and Jim's kindergarten teacher asked me the color of our couch. I said it was plaid. The teacher laughed. Apparently when asked what color their mom's hair was, my son's said it was the same as our couch.

Fortunately, my sons have the magical power of making me smile even thought they are far away. Memories made me feel better and smile.

I will have to think of other ways to show support for Mary. In the meantime I will keep the prayers and cards going.

It was a most exciting day today. I went to Boca Ciega Millennium Park to get exercise and explore. The park was featured in the St. Pete Times. It said there are statues and artwork located among the foliage throughout the back trails of the park. The article peeked my curiosity.

I was smart and took a bottle of water and my cell phone. Unfortunately, that is the extent of my smarts. My cell phone battery went dead and I got lost while I was exploring the various trails. One more example of why I should learn to pay attention when I go on adventures.

Eventually I found my way out of the wilderness and located a ladies' room at one of the picnic shelters. Hurray! There were maps with a sign reading, "Please Take One." For a moment this gave me comfort that I would be able to find my way back to where I parked my car. If they placed maps here for the taking, then other people must have gotten twisted around and lost. It wasn't just me. Yeah! I was happy.

Unfortunately, anyone that knows me understands that following maps or recipes isn't my strong suit. U finally stumbled upon my car and plugged my phone into the charger.

I had a lot of exercise today and learned some important safety lessons. The bonus was that the visit to Boca Ciega Millennium Park was worth the muscles that will be sore tomorrow. The artwork was truly unique and spectacular. The next time I visit I will pay attention or follow Hansel and Gretel's lead and leave a trail.