WELCOME TO MY HOME Written by Arleen M. Kaptur
Wherever you live, and whatever style home you have, it should be a place that reflects who you are and where you want to be. If you live in a country setting, woodland area, or in a rustic cabin, you can create an atmosphere of comfort, relaxation, and friendship. A simple wooden or metal “Greetings” sign by your main entrance will let others know that you welcome their visit and are extending a hand of friendship. Adding a “nature” theme to your sign gives it personalization and is fun. A bear, fish, or deer will lend a real “rustic” feeling to your doorway. If your hobby is camping, or backpacking, add a theme to reflect your interests - make it truly “your” greeting. A welcome sign of any kind creates an atmosphere of good-will to people who come by. If you live in a city, town, or village, you still can add an entrance decoration that lends itself to your interests, hobbies, or lifestyle. Rugged, dainty, elegant, country, homey, or business-like, whatever your choice, this is first impression someone will see. It will give them an instant first glimpse into who you are. Remember old adage that first impressions are important ones. Give some thought to your sign and let it paint a simple picture. As individual as your signature is, your sign should also be personal and reflective of your personality and lifestyle. Furnishings also should be stamped with your personal touch. They can be simple, exotic, or handed down from previous generations. Whatever your taste in furniture, let it be comfortable and friendly. If you give an impression of “Don’t Touch”, people will not want to stay. They may admire, but they won’t visit. If you have valuables, place them in curio cabinets, on shelves, or in unique places where they will come to no harm, but others may still enjoy seeing them. Accent touches lend so much to our homes. Pillows, pictures, quilts, flowers, and so on give color, texture, and speak for people who live in this house. Bathrooms should not be an afterthought. We do spend some of our time in these usually small rooms, and sometimes they are employed as places to relax and hide from world. Decorate them with everyone in mind. Gear accessories to everyone. Choose some rugged and handsome and other pretty, and feminine. If there are children, adding a whimsical touch here or there gives a child feeling that it is their home too and they are an important, contributing resident.
| | REFLECTIONS ON FATHERHOOD Written by Arleen M. Kaptur
Father’s Day - stores are filled with gift ideas and cards. There are special programs dedicated to honoring fathers. Yes, fathers are a very special group of people. This is an open letter to each and every father out in world. This is directed at you if you currently are living and raising your children, your children are grown, or you have fathered a child but do not have pleasure of being an integral part of that child’s life. Also, if you are a father and do not have or want any contact with a child that carries your physical attributes, this is for you. A child is a unique combination of genes. Some are from mother and some are contributed by father. There are previous generations that also are taken into account. In other words, this child is a burning emblem of civilization and is given responsibility of carrying torch of world to its resting place. There is so much more than scientific endowments. There are emotions, hopes, dreams, and aspirations. A child is a mirror that reflects only best of what mankind is capable. of creating. It is history in making, a promise for future, and pride of beholder. A child is a complicated assortment of atoms and molecules, as well as a simple solution to loss of hope. You can dream with a child, and grow in awareness of everything around you. Miracles abound in life with gift of innocence. Time comes to a standstill and our daily activities are sidestepped so we can look at an insect and marvel, or see a bird and truly see it for first time. Giggles, hugs, and tickles wrap up a perfect day. We are one step closer to perfection and yet small hand of a child holds keys. Their steps are tiny and road is long. They have endurance and capabilities we can only marvel at. A child is simplicity dressed up in its finest.
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