Welcome to Jen's Pond

Last month (January 2018) I discovered a story my Mother had written in her high school days.  There are so many emotions I had (and still do) as I found this gem. I lost my Mom about 9 years ago and there really isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her.  The photo to the left is one that was taken a few few years before her passing. She was such an incredible woman... and I wish I'd taken advantage of learning more from her. As a member of a Toastmasters club, I have a few speaking manuals saved up that I thought would be good to work through to develop my speaking skills further. I presented this story for my first project in the Toastmasters Interpretive Reading Manual. Because of project constraints, I had to cut some out.  I've copied it here as she originally wrote it.    Hear me read it to my Toastmasters Club. Peace Comes Easily – by Ann (Edsall) Randle Ridiculous human beings, so blindly stupid, so easily led astray; chained in the ...

#OU was playing in the  #RoseBowl  on New Year's Day!  Expectations were high for this team.  I was nervous for them but looked forward to a win.  What resulted was such an incredible game between both teams...one for the ages and I think, well played for "the Granddaddy of them all."   Unfortuately,  #OU  came out on the wrong side. Excited for Georgia's players and heartbroken for the Sooners. As I sunk into the couch after the game...watching the victorious 'Dawgs get their winning trophy surrounded by heaps of confetti...  I remembered some words from the great Dr. Seuss.  "...You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.  You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest. Except when you don’t. Because, sometimes, you won’t. I’m sorry to say so But, sadly, it’s true That Bang-ups And Hang-ups Can happen to y...