I AM reflecting on my writing.. (me!) sandra mickanen, writeousmom, topps
i can never see a pix of neil diamond without remembering -the neil diamond rose at alden lane,
but, more fun than that..
my exchange with the comedian of a mailman while working at ricks picks in danville, ca.
****
speaking as a writer...
****
as it happened, i laughed pretty hard.. i immediately was inspired to capture and write about it
but
when i sat down to do the actual writing/posting..
i regard it one of my greatest, trickiest challenges..
i wrote, re-wrote, -several efforts..
trying to recapture the exact way, the exact order.. the perfect timing! of his response
a true challenge of craft...
and,
pleased with the results. -but there still exists the pre-requisites for any readers..
that you are already familiar with neil diamond and his famous song..
****
i've never needed fiction. life itself is so generous to me as a writer..
"Thank You!" and amen..
*****
i have LOTS of wonderful danville ricks picks memories..
****
"thank you Jesus!" -amen.
#vellumdays in progress...
giant "Thank You!" prayer.. hallelujah & amen
RISE of the REPUBLICANS in CALIFORNIA -sandra mickanen reporting
-experiencing this in real time;
we are not the only ones, here in san jose, who have exhausted all efforts.
there is a consensus
the good fight of faith is being exercised in northern california, southern california and everywhere in between..
i believe everyone believed they could make positive change via the standard ways and channels
everyone with dedication and resolve..
but unable to experience the fruits of their labor
it is clear; crystal clear who/what/where the obstacles are..
and as a result
this state, for decades solid blue;
then dabbed with hints of purple
is becoming red hot.
-from the bottom up
hallelujah & amen
My imaginary interview with Shengjia Zhao, Chief Scientist Meta's Superintelligence Lab -sandra mickanen
sandra: i know you are crazy busy, so "thank you!" and, "congratulations!" -but out of respect for your very valuable time, i'll just hop, skip, jump write to it okay..
shengjia: [smiles]
sandra: i was reading this article (shows article), and, let me tell you a couple things that got my attention
*you're a standford PhD...
* your expertise 'helped shape how models learned from human feedback, processed ambiguity and responded with nuance.. /that's pretty cool..
but here's my favorite thing i read about you Shengjia..
your colleagues said you never left a problem half-solved. that is awesome!
you are exactly the type of highly intelligent problem solver we've been looking for!
here is our problem:
we have exhausted all efforts.. we are just average, lay people.. the HTLC Community.. [Hard-working, Tax-paying, Law-abiding, Contributors] our every effort is not getting ANY results
would you be kind enough to share with us, your expertise in problem solving?
advise us.. help us... guide us..
if you were in our shoes.. how would YOUR MIND process.. and SOLVE for this hideous
ongoing, growing, problem
i believe we do have the mind-power somewhere here in 'silicon valley'
-using process of elimination, we already know the mind-power cannot be found within city council members or county supervisors..
-we've done everything we know to do..
we are reaching out to the most intelligent people we (would love to) know, like yourself..
the problem has already been successfully identified: homeless colonizing shopping plazas (also creek sides, parks, freeways.) which results in loss of paying customers, which results in store closures..
which results in boarded up stores covered in graffiti, attracting even more homeless..
as to the reason the problem exists in the first place.. it is not 'lack of affordable housing'
all the healthy, hard-working, tax-paying people who could not find something affordable here, simply looked elsewhere.. moved to where they could afford something..
what we lack here is hospitals for mentally ill; rehab that actually rehabs; and consequences/arrests/convictions for homeless criminals. we need to help not enable; remove 'sanctuary' status.. figure out ways to prevent not attract more and more homeless..
i've itemized all the ways we've unsuccessfully tried to solve this problem
we are failing and need your help
"Thank You!" -the micks, o/b/o the entire Berryessa Neighborhood...
fighting the good fight of faith
/maybe this is more a letter than interview.. monologue really... -its an effort.
amen.
the textile masterpiece of my wardrobe -sandra mickanen reporting #fashion
the design of this blouse is worth more than gold to me! -have you any idea how hard it is to find a pretty, flattering, off the shoulder blouse with loose long sleeves! a blouse that is flow~y, not too fitted.. not cropped, -with a lovely fabric.. i regard the design -all things combined: fabric, gorgeous layers, crossover style, comfort, length of top, length of sleeves.. i regard it a textile masterpiece! it is the prettiest blouse i own.. crazy love it!
and as i mentioned in the previous post:
* if i like the look/style * if it fits comfortably * is a fair price...
if they offer it in more than one color; i will buy it in more than one color
so, i have it in cream, red, white, black & maroon (only because they did not offer it in blue.. beautiful prints..)
now, here's the thing.. i was divinely directed, because i did not really shop at the store where i found it..
the styles at the given store are really for.. much younger & much more sexy
but they happen to have this top on a mannequin and it caught my eye..
long, sheer, sleeves will always catch my eye..
and i really love off the shoulder(s) -but not cropped! regular or long length..
anyway.. tried it on and fell in love.. it's magical; feminine, flattering..
if this was the top.. of a long gown.. red carpet worthy..
i have always wished i could track down the very person who designed it and thank them personally..
"masterpiece!"
and, its been a while, but i believe i paid $30-ish for it.. somewhere between $25 and $30 dollars.. gave one or two as gifts too..
but i found it here -and, if you visit their website, you will see it is no longer available, and if you type in 'off the shoulder' in the search.. you only find very, almost wet-suit-fitted, cropped, short sleeve sexy pieces for much younger people..
but what a score! hope it inspires designers who create fashions for writeousmom's like me...
#fashion -this post is my "thank you!" prayer..
my favorite summer sandal! here's why.. -sandra mickanen #MagicofMacys #fashion
as has been true for as far back as i can remember.. if i find a shoe (or top, or pants..) that;
* i like the look/style of *fits comfortably * is a fair price
if they offer it in more than one color.. i will buy it in more than one color.
and i LOVE these sandals! true: i've even worn them on our 30+ mile bike rides!
walk in 'em, dance in 'em, bike in 'em.. where the sparkly ones for dress up, or just for fun..
where the plain ones with shorts, jeans,
*****
#MagicOfMacys
****
now, my husband jokes when i wear them for long bike rides.. 'wearing your cross-trainers' he calls them..
and i am in the market for something that covers more of my foot for these bike rides..
i do not currently own even one pair of 'tennis shoes' or 'sneakers' it's sandals/heels, hiking boots or fall boots..
i've tried some tennis shoes on.. but nothing has looked or felt write yet.. i will not settle.
.. patience...
****
hallelujah & amen..
Honor to be guests at Sean Walsh K-9 Luau Fundraiser "Thank You!" from ~the micks
blessed case scenario:
gorgeous day! beautiful venue! wonderful people! great live music! fantastic hula dancers!
a delicious feast! and very impressive, inspiring, reassuring demonstrations of excellent results
when you pair master level trainer/handlers, with intelligent police canines
-noble & worthy fundraiser..
and of course, we have so much love and respect and gratitude for Cheryl, Sean's mom..
-touched to learn how she honors her son's legacy by paying his dream forward for others..
God Bless & Thank You! amen
back to #fashion, the perfect honeymoon travel attire!
while we wait patiently for the professional pix from her wedding;
have to share this picture of my sister -what she wore for traveling.
i crazy love it! -her too, of course, but..
it looks great on, its fun with the 'wifey'
it has what looks like perfect pocket placement..
and my sister says its the most comfortable thing she has; very soft..
worked out great for airport, plane, travel..
i'd never heard of wantable before.. but her testimony has me visiting their site.
"congratulations!" to the beautiful, fun & fashionable bride
love you! xoxo
#fashion
#wantable
religion & politics; good vs evil -sandra mickanen bullet point reporting...
* religion: from a Christian perspective; Bible based: there is good and there is evil.. righteousness & wickedness. all evil & wickedness represent the devil; darkness. all goodness & righteousness; represent Jesus; God; the Holy Spirit
and i do believe. i am a 'believer.' i am intimately acquainted with evil: survived a home invasion/kidnap/violation at age 6; survived a kidnap/hostage/rape age 16; survived an ambush by gunpoint/kidnap/rape at age 17. evil represents itself. let every bit of my healing glorify God's name.
and let my testimony comfort; as i have been comforted
* there is also the evil of violent murder. robert's sister murdered by her own son. and, 6 years later, now, in 2025, the potential for jury selection to begin
but THE ONLY REASON i re-mention any of this, is to express my love, gratitude & support to all law enforcement officers who are identifying, capturing & removing evil-doers from our streets. -keeping evil people in jail and removed from society.
so based on my life experience i can't thank enough, kristi noem, tom homan, the trump administration for restoring the authoritative powers of law enforcement officers -who had their hands tied for too long
i hurt along with all the current victims; understand.. love & pray for
i rather wish the white house website would have a page which catalogs by picture & crime, each evil individual that has been captured/removed.
and if okay w/the loved ones of victims; their pictures; -some way to honor.. recognize
****
* politics: i have long been registered as an independent aka: no party preference. and in letters to the Trump Administration; identified myself, playfully, as Trumps favorite issue-based, not party based, US voting citizen
there's been a change. i very much want to vote for
Chad Bianco for Governor of California. The way our current system is set up, you cannot vote in the primaries, without declaring a party affiliation.
i do not agree with the system.
however, i want to be able to vote for Chad Bianco; and therefore i re-registered as a republican
which i knew would delight my dad /SHEsaysWITHaSMILE...
and also, when i look at what has happened; the downward spiral in San Jose, California, over just the past 8 years i've lived here.. when i factor in what i have experienced, witness, learned via the NOTonNOBLE protest.. when i factor in, that every single san jose city council member, and every single santa clara county supervisor is a democrat..
the association for me now is -democratic leadership has got to go! excellent at the money grabs, and zero accountability; utter and complete failures at problem solving esp. for the homeless crisis..
with the arrogance to ask for more money from tax payers; disgusting!
you know, so public, "THANK YOU!" for fighting evil; getting the bad guys off our streets
and making public safety number one again! hallelujah & amen
return to the scene of great times! #carmel #monterey #santanatrow #valleyfair #pruneyard #fashion
glorious dog friendly carmel beach, and look! where he is now... #mondo
one of our favorite! 5 star.. and high, high recommend the mixed grill for a delicious, fun family feast!
luna mexican kitchen, pruneyard, campbell -also dog friendly.
and the high quality, safe, clean & beautiful restaurants/shopping at santana row, san jose
can't beat the outdoor ambiance of el jardin tequila bar; wonderful service, meal & drinks!
with the magnificent valley fair shopping mall write across the street!
and so, let's talk #fashion on one of the days:
my son was sporting, madewell & marine layer; huega house, abercrombie, rainbow sandals
daughters: taryn with steve madden sandals, abercrombie t shirt, hoodie, zara jeans she cut into shorts (like mother, like daughter); anthropologie hand bag..
emma with rainbow sandals also, madewell jeans, abercrombie tank, starlit jacket.. hand bag from target -on a different day, lululemon..
and on one day i wore, #magicofmacys.. shorts & sweattop, perfect beach wear, and the next day too! #magicofmacys skirt, and amazon top.. for santana row shopping day
we loved weaving in and out of the stores at santana row, and valley fair,
ultimately making purchases at free people; madewell, aritzia & vuori..
great shopping experience! and fun family visits..
also, loved our 1st experience at the salty seal,
cannery row, monterey.. burgers were excellent! so was the service and the drinks!
grateful we have our sacred perc ponds as a place to visit too!
-we always remember how hard we had to
fight to save this park from becoming the site for
exhausting! but.. wow! it's a very special place..
****
all of it is tithing.. places we love to tithe..
want to support and thank..
all of it is "thank you Jesus!" prayer;
for our family, for the visits,
for the fun, wonderful places to eat and shop and visit..
vellum days.. back to back wonderful memories!
.jpg)
