ColoradoDaze

A lover of cats, a fantastic cook, and all around wonderful Auntie.

Rest in peace.

To laugh often and much.
To win the respect of intelligent people, and
the affection of children.

To earn the appreciation of honest critics.
To appreciate beauty.
To find the best in others.

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
or a garden patch.

To know even one life has breathed easier because you
have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

My heart belongs in the coffee industry, when I worked at The Junction in Cloverdale, I met some wonderful customers, who started out as customers and quickly turned into friends.

Barry Swanton is one of those friends.

Congratulations to Cloverdale author Barry Swanton for being chosen as the recipient of the 2007 Griffin Award at the Surry International Writers’ Conference in October. The award, which is named aftet the conference founder, Ed Griffin, is presented annually to a writer for their contribution to Canadian society through the craft of writing.

Congratulations Barry, the next cup of coffee is on me.

THE MANDAK LEAGUE
Available at Amazon.com - only 3 copies left

The ManDak League may be one of baseball’s best kept secrets. Operating in Manitoba, Canada, and North Dakota from 1950 to 1957, it was the outlet for former Negro Leaguers to continue playing and entertaining fans, occupying fields with ex-major leaguers, minor league stars and some of the best Manitoba-, North Dakota–,and Minnesota-born players. It featured such greats as Willie Wells, Leon Day, Ray Dandridge and Satchel Paige, who pitched briefly for the Minot Mallards in 1950. In Part I, chapters on each of the ManDak’s eight seasons provide detailed information on the stadiums, franchise and league personnel, pennant races, and standout performances. In Part II, a comprehensive listing of profiles presents basic information on the league’s players, their baseball backgrounds, and their accomplishments in the ManDak and other leagues. Emphasis is given to former Negro Leaguers, many of whom finished their careers in the ManDak League. Appendices provide batting and pitching records, rosters, and rules of conduct.

Barry Swanton - the author
Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) member Barry Swanton is retired from coaching and managing baseball in Winnipeg, Canada. He was recently inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame for his promotion of baseball and baseball history in that province.

A bit of odd news……

BEIJING - Only slim, cute and tall women need apply for work as hostesses for ceremonies at next year’s Beijing Olympics, organisers said Tuesday.

They must have stunning figures and measure between 1.68 metres (5 foot six inches) and 1.78 metres in height, well over the 1.58-metres average for Chinese women, said Zhao Dongming, director of the cultural activities department for the Beijing Olympic organising committee.

Zhao is in charge of the search for 380 women aged between 18 and 25 to serve as hostesses at medal ceremonies at Olympic venues and another 180 for work at the opening ceremony and flag-raising events.

“We want them to be young and beautiful, and be well-rounded individuals as well,” he said.

Zhao said there were no weight requirements, because “all the girls have to have beautiful figures, so there is no concern about applying weight limits.”

Some volunteers impressed when they tried out as hostesses during 19 test events that have been staged so far ahead of the Olympics.

“They have done a good job and I am sure they will do a good job at the Olympics,” he said.

A Beijing newspaper report had said earlier that tattoos, big bottoms, and showy earrings were taboo for potential hostesses.

Tattoos and earrings tend to look sleazy, while big bottoms could stick out too much, according to the report, quoting officials involved in the selection process.

Looks apart, applicants must also be well grounded in Olympic knowledge and inspired by the chance to contribute to the Beijing Games, said Zhao.

“They must understand the Olympic movement and must be dedicated to the Beijing Games,” he said.

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, none of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION :

Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma

Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa

JOB DESCRIPTION : Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities ! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you! actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Thanks Nathalie, it’s worth a chuckle or two.

Happy Birthday Cosmo, the girls are so lucky to have Cosmo in their lives.

The first picture is in the Philippines, and they are playing Superheros

Adrian and Cosmo in Manila

Levi, is figuring out that hockey is his game, When he shows up on a hockey pool, he will definately be one of my picks.

Way to go Levi.

Were all very proud of you.

We received this e-mail the other day from my cousins daughter Danee, I wanted to wish her all the luck in the world, we will be thinking about you, and can’t wait to hear your interesting stories on your return, stay safe and have a wonderful time.

As you may already know, I am heading over to Rwanda near the end of November. I will join the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) program in the capitol, Kigali, and spend about six months in the area. The program I am taking within the organization is the Discipleship Training School (DTS). The first three months consist of daily bible studies and lectures. We have the opportunity to spend time with other Christians developing group relationships and our individual relationship with Christ. The last three months is the “Outreach Phase” where we collaborate with local churches and reach out to people in the community. I do not know very much about the people or churches we work with but I understand the YWAM staff members have developed a widow’s ministry, AIDS/HIV ministry, street kids and various children’s ministries, such as the “Rise and Shine” preschool on the YWAM base! The preschool is exciting for me because I love working with children. Our outreach is by no means limited to just these listed programs. There will be plenty of opportunities to share God’s love!
I am extremely excited for this excursion and am counting down the days! I’m eager to see how I can serve God in such a distant and different land. The program starts on November 25, but I am leaving on Monday, November 19th and staying in Kigali for a few days. I am mainly just asking for prayer support, both before I leave and while in Africa. Some things to pray for are health and safety (as with ANY trip) when travelling and while staying in Rwanda, spiritual growth and protection, for wisdom and the ability to be culturally sensitive, and the ability and continual willingness to serve God and let him use me for his purposes, even through the challenging times. Financially, it will cost about $5100 for flights and tuition (and an extra $500 for immunizations and anti-Malaria medication). Thank you for your interest and encouragement with this ministry opportunity. It is exciting to be able to serve God but I am also thrilled for the time we get to spend digging into the Bible and learning more about Christ and the life he has called us to lead. What could be better?!☺
Danée Fege