Tuesday, July 01, 2025

Picture of the Day - Iceland Air

I started using the Finch App, a self-care app that utilizes a virtual pet bird to encourage users to develop healthy habits and enhance their mental well-being. Similar to the old Tamagotchi game, which was used several years ago to keep a virtual pet alive.

My goal this month is to take a daily picture of something that makes me smile. 

This is my Icelandair model, which I acquired while stationed at NAS Keflavik. This brings a smile to my face because it was a delightful assignment, even though my Wife and Kids didn't go with me. I made some great friends there. I was the Air Force Passenger Specialist who handled commercial air flights for our personnel assigned to the base for TDY and PCS Assignments, while also serving as the Superintendent of the small Transportation Flight, which comprised Vehicle Operations and Vehicle Maintenance. Since I was the sole TMO Person in the flight, I had to teach Galen Smith, a Vehicle Maintenance troop, how to back me up. He had no TMO-type experience. 

I don't know how many times during the Winter months Smitty has had to direct me in the right direction to the Senior NCO Dorms, as I have no sense of direction at night, and it's blowing snow.

Monday, June 30, 2025

Picture of the Day - Dragon

I started using the Finch App, a self-care app that utilizes a virtual pet bird to encourage users to develop healthy habits and enhance their mental well-being. Similar to the old Tamagotchi game, which was used several years ago to keep a virtual pet alive.

My goal this month is to take a daily picture of something that makes me smile. 

This is a dragon figurine that I have had on my desk for over 30 years. I picked it up on my travels while in the U.S. Air Force, which symbolizes the fighting spirit. The jewel has gotten chipped over the years of being moved from place to place, but the Dragon never seemed to lose it.

Monday, June 23, 2025

Celebrating Dannette Dloveslife Brooks

This month, we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month, which honors and celebrates the rich and diverse culture of the Caribbean American population.

This month, I celebrate Dannette Dloveslife Brooks, who is from Belize, a Central American country on the Caribbean coast. She was one of my Partners at UPS whom I got to know shortly before I retired from UPS. She has been working hard to build a community of diverse people discussing various topics, as well as running a YouTube channel on local restaurant reviews, Cooking, and her Life experiences. I love her motto: Live, love, laugh, inspire.

Her Facebook Group Conversations with Dannette truly showcases diversity as you see who she has invited and the discussions that are had.

I truly hope she finds the success she is working toward, as she brings immense value to many people.

Her Facebook page

Her Facebook group: (4) Conversations With Dannette | Facebook

Her YouTube Channel: Dloveslife - YouTube

Monday, June 02, 2025

June Diversity Month Themes

This month, we celebrate the following Diversity Holidays in the United States and Canada. We can never forget that our two countries were built on immigration.  Except for Native Americans and in Canada, referred to as "First Nations", we are all ancestors of immigrants. Everyone one of the groups below contributed to our great nations. However, we must also acknowledge that we have done terrible things in the past.  We need to learn from our past and build on our strengths 

Caribbean American Heritage Month honors and celebrates the rich and diverse culture of the Caribbean American population.

Immigrant Heritage Month gives people across the United States an opportunity to explore their heritages and celebrate the shared diversity that forms the unique story of their country.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month was established to recognize the impact that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on the world.

National Indigenous History Month in Canada is a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.

Wednesday, May 07, 2025

Celebrating Moses & Zippora

This month, we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, which recognizes the diverse contributions of the Jewish people to American culture. It is also celebrated as Jewish Heritage Month in Canada, and I am celebrating a Jewish Orthodox Couple I follow on Instagram.

Moses and Zippora share regular Q&As about their beliefs, which are quite enlightening. Moses is a Rabbi and definitely the quirky one in the relationship.I really love their explanations of why they do things in their beliefs. I have engaged several times on some of their posts and have felt very welcomed by the community they engage with. Their followers are quick to show resources for further education and understanding.  

I think they lead by example and show why having a spiritual background is essential. 

https://www.instagram.com/mosesandzippora/