Mary Yonkers

Winter 2009 I just had to share a few photos with you.

It has been a long, cold winter with almost a record snowfall and so many people are complaining. I just had to capture the beauty of the season with my camera. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did while taking these photos.

Lake Erie at mouth of Walnut Creek/Ice 2009

Cross country skiing through the woods in Fairview, PA

Lone fisherman on the jetty

Walnut Creek near the mouth

Waiting for spring

Join me for picnic June 1st. I will bring the food.

Capture the moment and send photos from your area.

Mary Yonkers

Family Bonds: Local authors pen stories meant to inspire

I was hooked into reading this feature story in the Erie Times by the loving smile on Mackenzie's face as she hugged her grandmother.

Let me explain. Her grandmother is wheel-chair bound and faces forward with the vacant look of person suffering from dementia & Parkinson's disease. Mackenzie is now a freshman in high school and her grandmother who helped raised her lives in a nursing home. Their roles have switched. Mackenzie is now the caregiver dishing out lots of love as her smile suggests. Growing up in the same house the grandmother was home when the kids come home from school. "I miss her," Mackenzie said.

Mackenzie's story will be part of a book to be published in April by Kelly Welser, Read to Rebound Vol. 2. Sponsorships from local organizations will fund this volume. But I must note Welser felt the need to tell stories like this so strongly that she published Volume 1 with her own money.

"I miss her," Mackenzie said. That statement brings tear to my eyes.

Please share your positive story and have a super day.

About Mary

Have you noticed how much negative information we are surrounded with? I think one would need to be literally dead or at least brain-dead not to see, hear, read and experience negativity in today's modern world. It's almost impossible to avoid negative news, negative people and negativity in general, but how we deal with negativity is within our control.

Every time I pick up the paper I see terrible headlines, but I scour the paper looking for a positive story which is often buried. Yesterday I read an announcement for FREE admission to the Erie Zoo & Children's Museum paid for by grant money donated by football star, Bob Sanders, safety for Indianapolis Colts. I wrote my blog about Bob's generosity. (Bob grew up in Erie, PA)

Tv is easy to control with the clicker or the On/Off button.

Today's real estate section in Erie Times has an article about our local real estate market written by Pam Parker, editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle Magazine. Erie was ranked second out of 150 communities in home appreciation year-to-year. Pam cited several examples of properties that sold quickly and close to asking price in recent months. She included positive comments by seven local Realtors along with advice to would-be-sellers & listing agents. "The key to a quick sale never changes...It's got to be in really good shape and priced right." I plan to send kudos e-mail to Pam thanking her for positive article.

Shopping can be another negative experience especially when the weather is less than perfect. Way too many people love to complain about the weather. Since Erie has had almost a record snowfall this season it seems that the complainers out number the positive people. A few weeks ago I decided that making one more negative comment about the weather wasn't going to stop the snow or make it any warmer. Each time I get in the checkout line I look for the clerk's name badge and greet them by name. It brings a smile to their face almost every time.

Kids are great to be around even when they are grumpy. I learned that lesson so many years ago as a young student teacher. I had a student who always seemed to be in trouble. One day the principal asked him, Why do you give your teacher a hard time? His answer shaped the rest of my teaching career. "When I am good, she doesn't pay attention to me." With my grandkids I get down on floor with them if necessary. I want to relate to them on their level even if we are looking at ants crawling on the sidewalk.

20+ years ago an older Realtor gave me some very good advice. To be successful in this field, surround yourself with positive people. Put blinders on and ear plugs in your ears. One technique I added over the years. I quickly change the subject to a more positive topic. It works 95%.

Please share a positive experience with your Active Rain readers.

Ask Mary

Bob Sanders is a football ball player (Indianapolis Colts, safety) who has a soft heart for kids.

Both Erie and Indianapolis is lucky to have Bob Sanders. Bob grew up in Erie, graduated from Iowa and now play for Indianapolis Colts and has 2007 Super Bowl ring.

Not only is Bob a great football player and Super Bowl champion but he wants to make a difference off the field in the lives of kids. This weekend Erie residents will have FREE admittance to the Erie Zoo and the Erie Experience Museum for Children because of the generosity of Bob Sanders through his Chasing Dreams Foundation, established in 2008 and based in Indianapolis. Bob's foundation is intended to enhance educational opportunites through cultural enrichment and college readiness programs for grades 8-12. See Erie Times-News

In addition to this foundation Bob offers an annual football camp each summer for Erie county high school players. Bob comes back to visit his parents who still live in Erie. He also speaks frequently at the local schools encouraging kids to not only strive to be an athlete but to concentrate on their education. Everyone person who know Bob or his family describe him as very down to earth, warm and caring, a real person, not just a star.

Thanks, Bob. Erie's hearts go out to you

NORTHERN Greetings from the SUNNY South--Part 2

Yesterday my husband & I traveled from Atlanta to Augusta, Georgia and we were delighted that the sun was still shining in Augusta! Being from the frozen shores of Lake Erie the sunshine is a miracle and a blessing. Do I sound like I may have been light-deprived or maybe even a bit depressed? The temp in Augusta dipped into the teens last night, but the sun came up big, bright and yellow this morning. Guess I am still a little kid who loves surprises on Christmas morning.

Needless to say my husband, Dave, and I are glad that we are able to take a winter vacation in the SUNNY south. Many southerners we have met in last week have complained about the cold temps this year. They tell us stories about the heat & humidity the rest of the year. Once again it all about perspective.

In the meantime we are enjoying our status as snow birds. Perhaps a better title would be Survivor. So far this winter Erie, PA residents have survived 130 inches of snow so far making this our fourth snowiest year on record. We even have a few die-hards want to beat the all-time record of 149 inches. Well, if it is fate that Erie beats the old record, I want it to happen while we are down in the SUNNY South.

Have a great day where ever you are!!

List or sell something no matter the weather, too!

'Ask Mary' http://www.linkedin.com/in/maryyonkers