Web Robin

Our family's First Lady of writing

In preparation for my mom's 80th birthday party (APRIL 21), I got down a few boxes of photos and memorabilia from the garage this weekend. Inside one of the boxes was a story Mom wrote that was published in a little magazine for dog breeders. I always loved this story, so have reproduced it here.

(I was going to scan in a B&W photo of a toddler me with one of the collies Mom had, but my scanner is no longer compatible with my computer's operating system -- BOO. So, the photo is just a generic dog. Maybe Mom will share one of her photos.)

How Green Was My Collie!

A Collistory by Joan Johnson

(Caljon Collie Kennels, Sacramento) 

1955

 A flight into fantasy

 A few months ago, I saw an ad concerning a year-old bitch in the paper. Being interested no only in Collies, but also in “Collie people,” I called the party. The man, a Mr. Brinker, was very nice. The longer we talked, the more interested I became in his dog. That evening, my husband and I drove out to his place and saw her.  She was beautiful, perfect head and ears, good size and structure, wonderful disposition; everything you would want in a collie, except one thing – coat. We asked if her coat was always poor, or if it was just a temporary thing. Mr. Brinker told us that up until a few months ago, she had a very good coat, but he is in the Army, and his job took him and his family to the Nevada proving grounds for Atom tests. They were there for only a few weeks, but Lady-Babe was exposed to radiation, which caused her coat to become very dry and brittle, and later to break off. Except for this, she was a fine bitch, so we decided to take Lady-Babe home with us.

Survey about Mormons in the US

A Slate Magazine article provides an overview of a survey conducted last fall of slightly more than 1000 Mormons. The survey was conducted because so much attention lately has been given Mormons because of Romney's candidacy.

The highly-respected Pew Research Center conducted the survey (it is attached to this post). Their goal was to see what Mormons thought of themselves and their place in US society.

Read just the Slate article to get the general gist of it, or download the report and read the Executive Summary to get a few details. I didn't find anything surprising, but it is interesting.

Download Mormons in America

How much is that doggy in the window?

Which costs more, a dog, a cat, or a parrot?

Well, it depends.

The kitty pictured at left goes for about $15K. If I were rich, I'd want one. They're reportedly more social than typical house cats and hypo-allergenic!

See a collection of pets that sold for thousands and even millions of dollars at this CNN page.

The best beauty secret EVER!!!

 

Steinbeck on Love

Read this Atlantic magazine feature that shares a letter Steinbeck wrote to his son in 1958.

The best part:

There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you -- of kindness and consideration and respect -- not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn't know you had.

I don't know if "hero" is the right word...

...but "full of grace," "inspiring," and "admirable" certainly apply to Gabrielle Giffords.

After reading the excerpts of her resignation letter, it's easy to see why she was able to win the hearts of her constituents.

Compare your salary to the 1%

I found out it would take Mitt Romney about a day to make what I earned in 2011.

How long would it take him to earn the equivalent of your salary? (no need to post -- this is just for fun)

Photos from a Sunnyvale Weekend

Here's a set of 16 photos from Rick's birthday weekend with Louis and Kristine.

Happy Birthday, Guys!!!

It's been a busy birthday week!!!

Chris Bluesteen (Shairna's husband) celebrated his birthday on Tuesday. 

Richard's was Friday. Chela hosted a birthday dinner at her house that evening, and Kristine and Louis prepared dinner and a cake for our weekend visit.

Mike (Chela's boyfriend) celebrated his birthday Saturday with his family and Chela.

Andy's birthday is TODAY (Sunday), and Cameron's is tomorrow!

How lucky are we to have all these great men in our family??!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL!

New mobile apps from my company

I almost forgot to mention that last week my company announced two new apps for the iPhone and iPad: PowerSchool Parent and PowerSchool Student.

The apps are free, but don't work unless the school has the PowerSchool student information system program for grades and attendance.

Right now, the student version is rated #5 in iTunes, which is fantastic. We're hoping that making these apps available will not only get parents to encourage their schools to buy PowerSchool, but also to encourage teachers to record grades in the electronic gradebook regularly so parents and students can stay on top of their progress.

Another thing I'm happy about is that one of my artists designed all the icons for both apps. Funny thing is, when he first started working with the marketing group on this project, they had a super hero theme, kind of like The Incredibles. Mom, Dad, and the kids all had capes. But when they took the images to focus groups, people wanted more traditional images, so they ended up with a chalkboard style.

I really wish we'd had programs like these when I was teaching school and when the kids were in school!

A quick question

So for all the techy people in the family I really need some input.  At work I am a part of a Technology Committee and we are trying to figure out what would be better for our students as a whole either Mac Lap tops or iPads.  Now we are at this time not looking at the money aspect which is a BIG thing but what do you think would be better in our schools?  We want to update our Computer Lab but right now half of them don't work and we do not have an on site tech.  We are also trying to figure out if it would be better to have desk tops in the lab and lap tops/ iPads on a COW (computer on wheels).  I know that you can not print off an iPad unless you pay $20 for the app on each iPad so I don't know if that would be the best route to go, also should we still be using apple products or seek other avenues.  Just thought I would ask you all since most of you are into all the real techy stuff lol and would be able to give me your opinions on what we should be looking at for our school. Thanks!!

I Interview One of Music's Rising Stars

One of the cool things about working at one of the fastest-moving but furthest-reaching companies in the world is getting to know incredible people from around the globe. One of the interesting stories that's come out of Google+ is a musician who came from obscurity, but started holding live concerts through our Hangouts. Daria Musk has incredible energy. I invited her to Mountain View and interviewed her, before she sang a few songs in a private concert.

The full experience is now live on YouTube. I talk with her for about 10-15 minutes and then you get to hear her jam. You'll hear her name again.

Piper "Reading"

Thought you all might enjoy this quick video of Piper "reading" to us.  She saw her brothers doing the same, and *had* to copy them.

 

What I want for my next pet

Tonight I watched a few videos from the Bubble Vision You Tube Channel, hosted by Nick Hope.

They're great videos, and remind me that a sci fi writer only needs to go underwater to see plenty of candidates for the role of "Alien" or "Monster."

Next time you have a few minutes, select a video or two and do some dry diving!

 

P. S. I forgot to identify the critter! It's a Hairy Frogfish and is featured in the video Hairball, Lembeh Strait

Even an Eagle!

It sure was cold this morning! 25 degrees -- and we were standing outside before sunrise waiting for a glorious photo opp. 

Unfortunately, that failed to materialize. But the National Fish and Wildlife field trip (price = Free!) was not a total bust: I saw several new species of birds that I hadn't gotten to photograph before, including a Bald Eagle. Once we headed home I started going back through my photos on the camera. When I discovered that one of my shots of the eagle turned out,  I was so excited I could hardly stay in my seat!

Why was I surprised? Well, I was eating potato chips when the eagle flew overhead, so my camera was in my lap. Rick --the incredibly patient-- was driving, and I spluttered, "Stop, Eagle!" grabbed my camera and started shooting without a tripod.

Well, a tripod doesn't really work with a flying bird anyway. But hand-holding the heavy camera and lens makes it a challenge to get photos in focus. This fact partly accounts for why I took over 800 photos today, but only posted 20. Not that 780 were bad, but that I take lots, knowing that several are likely to be fuzzy. Then I choose the best and discard the rest.

Even though the photo of the eagle is the most exciting, I think this one of the little warbler is my favorite; it just looks so angelic. See the rest of the photos here, including one that made me laugh because it looks like a couple of geese had a mid-air collision. (It's only an effect of light and shadow.)

Continue to see the map of where the refuge is -- about 2 hours away.