Bloggers!! Think About Your Readers
Okay, you know, everyone likes to have their own style on their blog. We strive to stand out from the crowd not only with our writing but with our the look and feel of the blog. So why do so many bloggers practically drive their visitors away with bad font choices?
It is frustrating enough when I visit a blog and find the font small. At least when that is the only problem in Firefox I can press the CTRL key and the ‘+’ key to enlarge the type to a size that is easier on the eyes.
When the font owner decides to use colours either on their fonts, or their backgrounds, which don’t contrast well, that I can’t overcome. I have to either choose between straining to read the post or moving on. Often I choose to move on.
You know, as much as we might like and want to use colours to present our text, the easiest to read contrast is black text and white background. In fact, while writing this post I went and had a good look at the text on this blog. In particular I had a hard look at the text at the top of the post where there is a very light blue background before it graduates to white. The text was a very dark grey. I changed it to black, and immediate improvement in the contrast at the top of the post.
On my own blogs I tend to stay away from serif fonts (those are fonts with the little ‘legs’) except for titles, if at all. I notice a lot of bloggers tend to stick to Times Roman (a serif font), I don’t find that the easiest on the eyes for reading but if it is a decent size and well contrasted, it is not a struggle to read. I think that is more a personal preference on my part more than anything else.
So, the bottom line is, if you are going to spend the time and effort to write a post — don’t you want your visitors to be able to enjoy reading it?
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Bloggers!! Think About Your Readers
Stations of the Cross
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Lent is the fourty days leading up to Holy Week, a period of thought and reflection before we celebrate the risen Lord on Easter Sunday.
I’m providing you today with a link to a set of Stations of the Cross which I wrote a few years ago.
Central to our belief is that Christ walked amongst us, tried to reach out to us as one of us and became the sacrificial lamb for all of our sins through the crucifixion and resurrection.
The stations are used as focal points for prayer, mediation and reflection on the journey Christ took in the hours leading up to and during his crucifixion. I’ve put them online for those who wish to explore.
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Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh
I remember one of those rare times my dad told me a story about his wartime experiences, about his unit’s Chaplain and his unshakable faith. After a long day out on patrol near enemy lines in Italy his unit had found a deserted home to spend the night in. After they ate dad noticed the Chaplain seated by the window catching the last of the daylight, reading. Dad approached him and asked him “Padre, don’t you think you are taking an awful risk sitting there by the window?”. The answer he got was a calm, “son, if the good Lord is ready for me today, it wont matter where I’m sitting” and he returned to his book.
My mind went back to that story many times as I read Walsh’s book. He, who possessed that unquestioned trust in the one to whose hands he had entrusted his life. Walsh recounts her struggles to learn to take the leap of faith that let her trust as he had. She didn’t emerge from the battlefields of war ravaged Italy, she emerged instead from the war within that clinical depression engages us in.
That trust and the peace that comes with it didn’t come to her in a flash of almighty insight. It came to her one small piece and step at a time as she learned Christ doesn’t take us out of the pain that life brings us, he comes to hold us as we go through it together. She takes the reader through her own journey, not back to where she was before depression crumpled her but forward to where her growing trust in the Father was leading her, a step at a time.
For anyone who has been down the path of struggling with depression, Walsh’s writing is oh too real. I found myself brought to tears, something almost unheard of for me, as I saw flashes of myself in her story. I haven’t moved to her level of trust in the hands of the Father as she has or the openness about the journey.
As I read, she guided me through her commentary on ten stories from the bible which illustrated the depth and importance of trust. The book gave me much to consider, much to pray on and much to inspire myself to. Well worth the read.
NOTICE: I received this book from Nelson Thomas to read and review. You want to get some books to read and review you can find them at www.booksneeze.com
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Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh
Own The Podium Controversy — Chill Out
Five years ago Canada; as in the Canadian Olympic Committee, sports federations and the government took a pretty bold and overdue move. They put together a group known as “Own the Podium” with the goal to provide the training, support and technology to our top athletes with the stated goal of topping the medal count at the 2010 Olympics.
I was rather amused at the premise that Canada would own the podium in 2010 when we have taken far too long to pour the resources into our sports programs from which our Olympian’s emerge. Other countries, like the United States, Russia and China have made no bones about pouring millions into the development of their elite athletes. Why shouldn’t Canada?
Some criticize the goal of owning the podium as arrogance on Canada’s part, as setting unrealistic goals, putting to much pressure on our athletes etc. Chill out people. The fact is if you don’t set the bar as high as you dare to reach, you will never reach the goal. There is nothing unrealistic about the goals the program sets, Canadian athletes throughout the history of the games have turned in amazing performances, there is no reason why they shouldn’t receive the support of the nation they so proudly represent.
As for pressure on the athletes, I don’t believe anyone or anything can put as much pressure on the athletes as they do on themselves. They do what they do because they are driven to be the best at what they do. When our young skater breaks down in tears at a press conference after turning in a fourth place finish she is perceiving that she’s let her country down because she believes she let herself down. She’s beating herself up and how many of us haven’t done the same for a lot less?
When Chris Del Bosco could have settled for a bronze he saw his opportunity to strike for silver and made the move. It cost him the bronze but he wouldn’t have been satisfied knowing he could have taken the chance and finished higher. No one yelled at him to make the move, he pushed himself because that is who he is.
If striving to be the best and being backed up by your country, the country you will represent, is arrogance, then let’s wear that with pride. We join a lot of other countries with the same aspirations. They might not have been bold enough to give their program the name “Own the Podium” but they are doing exactly the same.
Canada has hosted two previous Olympic games and failed to capture even one gold. These games, so far, we’ve captured six and appear to be on track for a few more before the games end. I call that a success. What I call even more of a success, is watching the spectators and their unabashed pride in their country and their athletes. That doesn’t even take into account the millions who are watching from across the country.
The 2010 Olympic Games need to be remembered as the first games after Canada finally started providing the money and resources our athletes have deserved for many generations. The federal and provincial governments need to set a base of funding that will rise in response to corporate Canada stepping up to the plate with funds to continue the program. There should be no question about the funding being reduced, the only question should be, how high can Canada take it to support our young athletes?
They are among the Canadians who inspire our next and future generations to strive to be the best. When that happens, all Canadians win.
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Last Canadian WW1 Veteran Dies
They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
In memory of our fallen Canadian:
John Henry Foster Babcock (age 109) — World War 1 — Feb. 18, 2010
Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated
Normally, the header on this post would be the whole post and would be reserved for those Canadians who have died in service to Canada. A post like the above remains at the top of my blog for ten days after their death. I’m adding it to this post in honour of the passing of John Henry Foster Babcock, the last known Canadian to have served in WW1.
Babcock didn’t make it into service in the trenches of Europe, he was only 15 when he signed up. He managed to get himself as far as England before being rounded up into the Young Soldiers Battalion to wait his coming of age. Had WW1 gone on as long as Canada’s current engagement in Afghanistan, he would have seen service. He called himself a ‘tin soldier’ because he didn’t see action but the point is he joined up with the intent of doing so and that matters.
Babcock was born north of Kingston, Ontario. The Kingston-Whig Standard has written an excellent article on his life and times. I watched a special about him last fall and found myself engaged and admiring of his sharp mind and quick wit. Babcock earned his high school diploma at the age of 95 and at the end of the special he was musing whether he was going to tackle college or university in the coming year. As nature would have it, it appears he’ll have to decide in eternity what he’s pursuing next.
World War 1 was a turning point in Canadian history. At the beginning of the war the total number in our armed forces was 4,000 including all the brass. By the end of the war, over 600,000 Canadians would have joined up and served. We were a young nation then with little sense of national pride, it came into being during those long hard years of WW1. Canadians served throughout Europe, often taking on the really tough battles against the Germans, like Vimy Ridge & Passchendaele, and bringing them to victory.
Babcock may have moved to the United States where he spent most of his life but in typical Canadian fashion he declined Canada’s offer to provide a state funeral for him to mark the passing of the faces of World War 1. It is believed there are now only three WW1 veterans known to remain in the world: American, Frank Buckles, 109; British born Australian, Claude Choules, 108; and British female veteran, Florence Beatrice Green, 108.
It is not yet known how Canada will mark the passing of the faces of the WW1 era.
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21 Traffic Driving Tips
Found this article over at Build A Better Blog, — Denise met up with Willie Crawford at an affiliate marketing event where he was doing a presentation on driving traffic. While she was listening she jotted down a checklist of traffic generation tips. It is a checklist and one well worth taking note of. You should also take the time to prowl through the comments and find some more tips to add to the list.
Don’t forget to check out the link to Willie Crawford’s blog either. He’s top notch at teaching others how to do Internet Marketing.
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Not Enough French? Give Me A Break.
So James Moore, the federal Heritage Minister, doesn’t think there was enough french at the opening of the Olympics on Friday evening. Leaves me wondering what opening ceremonies he was watching, I had a belly full of french and I was watching it on NBC. I can’t say I was particularly impressed to be watching an event taking place in a very definitely english speaking province and hearing every statement said first in french and then in english.
Yes, I know, we are a bilingual country and the IOC rules require both french and english. I could have been a lot more tolerant of a shifting back and forth on which language was first but french consistently had the first usage and then Moore whines there wasn’t enough french? That strikes me as pandering more towards Quebec votes than anything else.
Quebec Premier Charest complained at a news conference there wasn’t enough french used. He was reported to have said “that while the opening was “magnificent,” and that there were more mandarin speakers in British Columbia than francophones everybody would have liked to have had more french in the opening ceremony.” Really? Maybe in Quebec, the only french speaking province in the country.
Moore, Charest — get over yourselves. While french has official language status in the country, the average anglophone no more appreciates french being shoved down their throat than a francophone appreciates english. Ooh right, I forget, in Quebec, they don’t have to have english shoved down their throats because french is their only official language.
I certainly hope Moore’s British Columbia based constituents remember his pandering to Quebec interests during Vancouver’s time to shine on the world stage. I bet they would appreciate his defense of the french language so much they’d send him to work in the real world instead of in Ottawa.
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Valentines Day For Singles (or Anyone Really)
Today is Valentine’s Day, that day when traditionally couples express their undying love for each other. Well in some cases, hubby had better express it or momma wont be happy.
I’m a single these days, have been for the last 20 years. When Frank was alive Valentine’s Day wasn’t ignored, it just wasn’t able to be much of a deal. Frank, ever the romantic, would at some point during the day (likely when enough commercials reminded him what day it was) would say to me, “Hey it’s Valentine’s Day!”. I’d nod and he’d continue, “you should have got yourself something.”
Frank was never much on shopping, his idea of giving a gift was to hand me money and tell me to buy something for myself. I was never much into gifts I had to figure out myself, besides I had what I wanted, I had him. In the early years after he died I was hostile towards Valentine’s Day. It was a reminder to me of what I had lost. For all his rough edges, he had loved me and I loved him.
As the years have passed I’ve come to realize that love isn’t just about romantic love between couples. Love is just as strong and embracing when it is the love for family, God, pets and those people who are so special in my life. I don’t rush out and buy them gifts of chocolates, cards or trinkets. I use the day to think about them and what they mean to me.
Most of them likely don’t even know how I feel about them. I’m not a person who is known for being really expressive about her feelings. When it comes to feelings like the love I enjoy, sometimes I feel words aren’t adequate. Then there is that little voice I keep trying to banish. The one of my mother responding to my telling her “I love you” by telling me not to be so maudlin.
I hope, that of all the people I love and care deeply about that I have never blown you off like that. That I’ve never left you feeling like cupid’s arrow had been ripped from your heart. IF I have, you have my deepest and most sincere apologies. I would never knowingly hurt any of you.
I’ll spend today at times in thought about the many people in my life that for many different reasons have come to mean so much to me. I’d try to name them here but I upon reflection I realize, the list would be too long and danger of missing someone I didn’t mean to miss too great.
As I think of the list, I am reminded that while romantic love is important and powerful, the love for and by others is just as important and precious.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone… you are loved by someone, just look around.
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Valentines Day For Singles (or Anyone Really)
We Will Remember Him
They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
In memory of our fallen Canadians:
Cpl Joshua Caleb Baker — Afghanistan February 12, 2010
Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated
Support Our Troops — Wear Red on Fridays
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How’s the Girls?
Last Sunday evening I attended a Legion tribute for Comrade Helen Horne, a member of the Trenton Branch. She died last Wednesday following a massive stroke. Considering she had beat four bouts of cancer, there is almost an irony that it was a stroke who took her away from us.
Comrade Helen was the much beloved wife of our Chaplain at the Zone, District & Provincial levels, Padre Sid Horne, a retired Anglican cleric, had served in the military amongst his various ministry posts. Sid & Helen were a study in contrasts — he as tall as she was short; he every bit the extrovert, her very much an introvert; he enjoyed the limelight, she enjoyed the shadows. What the two of them shared were hearts as big as any could imagine, faith as strong as God himself and compassion which encompassed all who came within their loving embrace.
One never had to wonder what the two thought of each other, their love and mutual devotion was clear to anyone who chose to look. I don’t believe in all the time I had the privilege of being around them I ever heard a cross word pass between them. They would readily share the stories of the other’s exploits and foibles but always with a perspective of the humour.
I remember some years back when Sid was still the incumbent at the Royal Chapel on the Tyendinaga Reserve near Belleville. They parish had redone their memorial plaque honouring those of the reserve who had fallen in service to Canada. Sid had announced the date of the service at our District convention with an open invitation for all Legionnaires to attend. Helen told me after the event that when they were setting up and Sid had been asked how many Legion people to expect. He had replied “we’ll be lucky to see 50, it is a church service after all”.
The day arrived and 200 or more arrived to parade from the park to the Chapel for the service. It was one of those rare occasions I ever saw Sid at a bit of a loss for words. The chapel was packed to standing room only and many others had to stand outside for the service. Sid found his voice at the offertory though, and I noticed the broad smile from Helen as the first round of “Onward Christian Soldiers” finished and Sid thundered, “Sing it again, those guys outside aren’t getting out of giving their share”. She knew her husband wouldn’t be at a loss for words for long.
Helen loved her cats. In recent years she had up to four of them at home at a time. Sid had a dog, a small to medium size one of course, couldn’t have it intimidating the cats. I also love my cats and Helen made a point of learning about them as they came into the house, either personally or through pictures.
When we would meet, usually at Legion events or conventions, she would greet me with a very enthusiastic “How are the girls?” raising more than one set of eyebrows from people who knew me as a single person with no children. She’d then follow that with “oh yes, and how are you?”. We’d laugh and chat back and forth about what our respective animals were up to. It never really mattered that ‘my girls’ was actually two queens and a tom and those raised eyebrows would eventually figure it out.
As the long line of Legionnaires formed up in columns of three for the file past, moving slowly through the funeral home and through the receiving room to where Helen’s coffin sat complete with a line of stuffed cats perched on top of it I wondered what memories of Helen each of those comrades were thinking about. I could be pretty certain they were warm and caring, just like Helen was.
The girls are doing just fine Helen. I’ll miss you my friend.
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