R.E.S.P.E.C.T. find out what it means to...

I had the privilige this week of learning more about a wonderful program in Pierce and Kitsap County, the Senior Companion program at Lutheran Community Services NW. This program works with low-income seniors recruiting and training them to volunteer with disabled adults and seniors who need extra help. I wish this program had been available for my mom, both when she was healthy and when she was home-bound.

It is amazing to me that so few people really understand the needs of the older citizens in our community. Earlier today a friend made a comment on Facebook about her trip to the store and meeting some retirees who she realized needed some help. My friend took the time to help and chat with these folks, some in wheelchairs, and commented online how rewarding it was for her. Her comment "I should slow down more often" is a good reminder for all of us to stop and recognize the needs of other around us. I applaud her for taking the time to care about others!

For me interacting with the elderly is about respect first and foremost, but it's also about learning. In the 5th grade I interviewed my grandmother who was raised in the Phillipines. I remember being so amazed that they not only didn't have color television but television hadn't been invented yet! There were so many new inventions that she saw in her lifetime! I wonder what she would think of the progress we have continued to make since she passed away in 1991....

So what does respect mean to you? What does it mean to the older people in your family? And how can you show respect to others, especially the elderly in your community? I am grateful to the people who helped my grandmother when she fell in downtown Tacoma many years ago and broke her ankle. The people who stopped and helped her were very kind and respectful to her.

What are things that you can do to be kind and respectful? Is it a smile for an older person when you see them on the street? Maybe it's taking flowers to a nursing home on Mother's Day and asking that they be given to a woman whose family doesn't visit her. Perhaps it's stopping to chat with the older gentleman you see sitting in the park each day you go for a walk.

The gestures don't have to be big, they have to be sincere. And of course a matter of respect....

Historic or just old?

I recently heard about a old tug that will be destroyed unless someone wants to take it off the owners hands and restore it. Now you may think, "what's so special about an old tug and why does Wendy care?".

The tug, built by the Skansie Brothers in Gig Harbor, is a 26 foot, cedar vessel. It was built around 1926, the year my grandparents married, thus why it caught my attention. Looking at the pictures of the Greta people might think "just let them dismantle her", but what of her history? Just think of what stories this ship could tell from the last 83 years on the water....

I admit I don't know more than what I've written at this point, but I'm sure this maritime vessel has something left to give. It may take her being restored as the Virginia V and Adventuress have been, and making the Greta seaworthy again. Perhaps it's a better fit for a museum ala the Shenandoah a ship also built by Skansie around the same time, now housed at the Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor.

It would be a shame to have the Greta destroyed while so many of us are working to find ways to save historic maritime vessels. Earlier this year I worked with a group who have introduced a bill for the 2010 Washington State Legistlative session, House Bill #2379 and Senate Bill #6185. These bills, if passed, will establish a way to help owners of historic maritime vessels receive the funds they need to restore and preserve their ships. How sad it will be if we loose another historic vessel while trying to find funds to help all local historic ships.

Today we live in a "disposable" world, if something breaks, is used up or damages, the feeling is "I can get a new one". I think we've forgotten that once something is gone, such as wonderful old ships, they are gone forever and we can't get that piece of history back.

My hope is that someone will come forward to save the Greta. It would be a shame to loose a part of our shared heritage.

Spiders and webs

Have you ever walked into a spider web? I figure most people have at some point in their lives and I've noticed more webs across the pillars of my porch each morning. And yes, I usually find them with my face! I am also seeing more spiders coming into the house (good thing they don't frighten me), most likely seeking moisture since it is unseasonably dry here.

The webs and the spiders have me thinking about what I am seeking and the connections I need to make to create the business I want.

I seek work as an independent business owner or as a part of an established team.
I seek work that is interesting, creative and rewarding.
I seek work that is long-term with growth opportunities.

But how do I achieve that in this economy? I weave my own web. Not to snare, but to connect in a myriad of ways.

I connect with former co-workers.
I connect with other job seekers.
I connect with new people through networking.

Through online options including Facebook and LinkedIn I am reaching out to more people than ever. Letting them know what I am seeking and allowing them to suggest people, places and share job openings and potential clients.

Spiders don't frighten me and neither does the future. Because I am weaving a strong web of connections. Are you?

Time flies and questions arise

I am amazed at how fast time seems to be speeding by, what happened to the "lazy days of summer"? It appears that one day rolls into another and then the week begins again. Can it truly be that July is more than half over? So where does the time go?

As of late my time has been spent looking for full-time work as well as working on networking and meeting new people, in hopes of growing my consulting business. I have many marketable qualities and it is difficult to pigeon-hole myself and focus on just one talent. When asked to give a 30-second "elevator speech", I find myself wondering what to focus on....

"Do I talk about my abilities for community relations?', I ask myself, "or should I speak about my skill at program development and management? But what", I ponder " about my experience with volunteer management and event coordination?"

Along with days filled with research on open positions for employment, I am watching time fly by as I create my brand, for my business as well as my self. Work also continues to create a true website for my business so I can truly market the ways I can help businesses grow and prosper.

All of this is a work in progress, but since I've always enjoyed creating and developing new things, these productions are a joy.

A week of tall ships

This past week was filled with tall ships and wind-filled sails!

On Monday, I had the joy of attending the 20th anniversary celebration for the Lady Washington. The drive to Aberdeen was beautiful and reminded me why this is the "Evergreen State". The celerbation began as soon as I walked down the ramp to the dock and visited with Captain J.B., someone I've sailed with numerous times. Standing on the deck of the Lady, listening to the sea shanties and seeing familiar faces was a delightful way to spend an early evening. I made sure to visit the Lady's companion ship, Hawaiian Chieftain, who was rafted to her and say hi to the crew.

It was a pleasure to meet Captain Jake who helped build the Lady Washington, visit with Washington's former Secretary of State, Ralph Munro, outside of Heritage Caucus and get a hug from Captain "Evil" Ryan (so named as there are two Captain Ryan's and they flipped a coin for who would be "good" and who would be "evil"). The celebration continued with a wonderful dinner, lots of laughs and sweet memories before driving home with a smile.

My week of tall ships had of course only just begun. The rest of the week was filled with preparing for the Center for Wooden Boats Festival at Lake Union, and organizing the volunteers for Sound Experience aboard the historic schooner Adventuress. I am grateful to all the volunteers who were able to come and lend a hand at the booth and on the boat, and appreciate all their smiles and energy as they answered many questions and helped make new friends for the organization. There were over 1,100 people crossing the deck of Adventuress on Saturday, and a number of people signed up to be members and to help support the organization.

The "Fire & Ice" fundraiser was sold out as 60 people sat on the deck, eating donated ice cream from Lopez Island Creamery and watching the fireworks over Lake Union. All proceeds go to the summer program sail for foster kids, a project in partnership with Treehouse. Everyone seemed to have a great time, the fireworks were amazing and the ice cream was the best.

On Sunday the boat and booth were again open to welcome visitors but closed early to prepare to set sail for another fundraiser. This event was to raise scholarship funds for kids who otherwise would not be able to experience life aboard, learn team work and how to care for our environment. The 4-hour sail was unique as Adventuress sailed with the schooners Zodiac and Lavengro. I'm sure the sight of 3 tall ships sailing together was impressive - especially for those people driving on the 520 bridge! The sail was amazing with great food, music and fantastic wind all making the time go by too quickly.

Too soon the weekend was over and it was time to return home after a wonderful 3-days of volunteering and living aboard Adventuress. There is still more to come of my volunteer work with Puget Sound's environmental tall ship, and many more ways to help Adventuress to educate, inspire and empower youth of all ages.