Of Hiking Trails and Eggs

Happy Sunday evening, y'all!  

I hope everyone had a most joyous and merry Christmas. 

Today's been a ramblin' kind of day; please allow me to share a couple of such ramblings with you . . .  

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I met Karen last year at ITMI; we were classmates during those 2 weeks.  Karen was fun to hang around outside of class hours.  She was interesting to get to know; one such aspect is that she is a hiker. Actually, according to her Facebook page, she is a long-distance backpacker / hiker.    

"Long-distance" is not an exaggeration, neither.  

While tooling around town today, I stopped by the post office and found a Christmas postcard waiting for me in my box.  It was from Karen, and it boasted a lovely picture of her decked out in hiking paraphernalia, arms joyously outstretched and surrounded by lush green trees, in front of a PCT trail marker and monument.  

On the postcard, underneath her name, were the words:

Completed the Pacific Crest Trail

Departed Mexico April 19, 2009

Arrived Canada October 2, 2009

Wow!!  

Doing some quick research, I learned that the Pacific Crest Trail is approximately 2,650 miles in length.  For the 166 days that Karen was hiking the PCT, she hiked an average of almost 16 miles per day!  For 166 days!!! 

I find this to be extremely inspiring and encouraging.  Earlier today, I was participating in a conversation regarding people living their passions, whatever they be.  Karen is definitely living her passion.  

Congratulations, Karen, and thank you for sharing this amazing news with me! May you have many, many more Happy Trails!  

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My creative and experimental cooking juices have been flowing lately.  I have Don and Jo to thank for this.  They know why.  :)  Thank you, Don & Jo!  

Man, I love to feed people!  I spent the better portion of yesterday swirling various ideas around in my head as to how I will one day be able to realize this dream that periodically and tantalizingly whispers to me and makes its presence known once more.  

But for now, let's talk about eggs!  

The high-cholesterol controversy aside, I think eggs are absolutely wonderful . . . and quite versatile, to boot.  No, not the tasteless bleached white eggs that come from chicken farms focused on caged mass-production.  I enthusiastically enjoy the real deal; eggs with natural brown shells and rich orange yolks whose producers cluck and roam freely around the farmyard, sans cages.  

Lately, I've been focusing on eating even more veggies than I normally do . . . can one ever really have too many fresh vegetables?  I think not.  

So, combined with my love of eggs, I've been creating dishes that I've personally never seen in any restaurant. Having said that, I'm not going to claim this as an original idea . . . every time I think I have one of those, regardless of what it is, I find it listed on Google.  Go figure.  

However, the idea is new to me; I guess that counts for something.    

On that note, I happily share this recipe with you and I hope you enjoy it.  

Egg Nests 

In lieu of fat (butter, oil, etc.), cover the bottom of a skillet with your choice of stock or even any soup.  I especially like those boxed soups and stocks from Imagine or Pacific. They're so versatile; and not only are they good heated up in a mug, they also are great ingredients to scrumptious recipes. 

BTW, today, I used chicken stock.  

Gently heat stock (or soup) and add a generous portion of chopped or sliced veggies (i.e., leeks, various greens, broccoli florets, etc. . . really, your preference). 

Today, I used broccoli slaw (shredded broccoli and carrots).  

Sauté the veggies a few minutes, but make sure they're still fairly crisp (please do not overcook; there's nothing worse than mushy veggies).  

Crack open however many eggs you'd like to eat (2 is a good number for me).  The eggs sit nicely on top of the veggies.  

Cover the skillet and turn heat to low, cooking until eggs are done according to your your preference (the veggies will continue cooking during this time).  

Make sure you use enough stock or soup so that it doesn't evaporate dry in the cooking process. I've never measured, but I'm guessing 1/4 - 1/2 cup, depending on the size of your skillet.  

And there ya go . . . a lower-fat yummy egg dish, complete with a good dose of protein and veggies.  Comfort food & healthy, all in one dish! If y'all try this; I'd sure be interested in what you think  of it.

In the meantime,

Y'all be blessed,

Sharon-Marie

Sharon-Marie Jordan © 2010 - All rights reserved.

Last Chance 2009 Ramblings

Hey y'all! 

Greetings from under the snowy shadow of the Grand Tetons!

The weather has been all over the place in the past few weeks; ranging from -20° all the way up to the “almost-balmy” mid 30°s.  Currently, it's 16° and the mountains are slowly accumulating the season's collection of that beautiful, fluffy white stuff.  (BTW, being the American that I am, all temps are listed in Fahrenheit).

Speaking of weather, I hope all my friends on the East side of the States are fairing well through the storms tonight. 

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I've been contemplating learning how to ice-skate this year.  I've also been advised to armor myself in padded pants and elbow protectors, should I decide to embark on this wondrous winter activity.  The man who provided such sage advice is a hockey referee.  He has been zoomin' around on skates for the past 40 years and, amusingly enough, underlined such counsel by sharing a photo of him uniformed-up with blood running down his face because of his brow bone having a close encounter with a hard, thick sheet of frozen water during a game.

Anyone want to place bets on my ice-skating success?

Anyone want to underwrite me for insurance purposes?

Anyone want to sign-up to zip around the ice with me?  A fun time would be had by all, I’m quite sure!

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Y'all may remember my becoming a certified tour director this time  last year.  Employment-wise, the timing proved to be a bit of a challenge.  Many of my classmates have experienced the same thing; signs of the economic times and all that.  

To date, I have sent my résumé to over 90 different tour-related companies.  I still have not yet worked as a tour director.  But!  Being the eternal optimist, I always have hope!  New years bring renewed determinations; and I will continue my efforts into 2010.

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In the meantime, I’ve been having a great time participating in Toastmasters International.

I joined its local affiliate back in February of this year, and have enjoyed it immensely.  The information I have learned, coupled with the experience I have gained, has been quite invaluable.  If YOU want to hone your public-speaking skills, I highly encourage you to join your local chapter of Toastmasters.  Even if you do not “do” public-speaking, there are myriad ways in which you could benefit from your membership in Toastmasters.  Visit the link I’ve provided above and check them out!

To everyone at Teton Toastmasters, here’s a shout-out to y’all!  Thank you so much for being such an incredibly awesome group in so many ways.  The pleasure has definitely been all mine.

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The Elk Refuge recently opened for the Winter Season and is now busy providing sleigh rides.  It is simultaneously a most inspiring and humbling privilege to be able to ride through the herds and see these most majestic animals so completely up-close and personal.

As always, Jackson offers a plethora of winter activities.  Whatever the season and whether indoors or out, it’s impossible to become bored while living or visiting here.   Winter includes various snow activities, art that encompasses many genres, getting together with friends in front of roaring fireplaces . . . the list is practically endless. 

One of my favorite sources in keeping up-to-date with what, when & where is JH’s Chamber of Commerce.

Whether you’re a local, a local wannabe or a future visitor, sign up for “The Lowdown,” the Chamber’s weekly Calender-of-Events email!

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My thanks to Bobbie for forwarding to me this YouTube MOOSE video!

I played it twice through the first time I viewed it.  The frolicking of those baby twin moose, along with the care and watchfulness of their mother, brought many smiles to my face.  What a wonderful way to relax at the end of a busy day!

Incidentally, click here to visit Bobbie’s website - Carrousel Graphics.  Enjoy!

A couple days later after the moose video, I, then, found these photos of white-haired moose while weaving through the wonderful world known as the web. (Visit Snopes.com as to why I do not specifically refer to them as albino moose).

. . . Speaking of Snopes, I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly  encourage y’all to use them when ascertaining if what you want to forward onto 500 of your closest friends is truth or fiction.  :)

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Christmas is just around the corner.  I hope each of y’all have an absolutely JOY-filled Christmas.

May Jesus, whose birth I celebrate, bless each of you most abundantly.

Pax,

Sharon-Marie

Sharon-Marie Jordan © 2010 - All rights reserved.

Whitewater Photos & Videos

I want to introduce y’all to Whitewater Photos & Video, located here in Jackson.  This cool store is owned and operated by Becky Martens, who bought the business 19 years ago.

Whitewater Photos & Videos is THE place to go for the capturing of your whitewater rafting or kayaking & canoeing experiences, via the Snake River . . . which, incidentally, this awesome body of water is a tributary of the Columbia River, is 1,040 miles in length and runs from Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) to the mouth of the Columbia River (Washington).

Prior to her husband and her buying the store, Becky owned and operated a local one-hour photo shop, which she started upon her arrival here in Jackson, back in ’84.  In 1990, she combined both businesses, and has been providing both excellent one-hour photo service (for both film & digital cameras) and amazing whitewater photos and videos since then.  The store is located in the heart of Jackson, on Cache, next to one of my other favorite places – Merry Piglets (a Mexican restaurant with very tasty dishes).

I have personal knowledge of the one-hour photo service.  I first met Becky last year when I was searching for a shop to print some photos from my camera’s memory card.  She was so helpful and so nice, I knew I had to find a reason to visit her again!  I’ve not yet had the pleasure of rafting The Snake . . . BUT!  It’s on my calendar for this September . . . so, stay tuned about that.

The photos on the wall of the store help maintain my excitement about my upcoming inaugural rafting trip.  To get a glimpse of similar photos, visit Becky’s website HERE.  The photographic masthead shows shots of recent float trips.

“So, where is the cam located?  Do y’all move it to different locations?,” I ask (a bit naively). “There’s no cam,” Becky enthusiastically tells me; "We use actual photographers."  OK . . . now, I’m REALLY intrigued!  She continues on, telling me that the photographers row across the river every morning before the trips begin; and from there, they man their posts all day and take five shots of each group that passes by.  Wow!!!  That’s SO Cool!  The film is then delivered across the river via an overhead trolley, four times each day; and then is quickly delivered into town for processing. Customers are then able to view their photos and place their orders at their leisure.

Currently (and until the waters recede a bit), the photo area is at Lunch Counter, one of the biggest rapids in the Snake River Canyon.  After the waters go down a bit (probably around the end of June), the photographers will be snapping shots from the Big Kahuna area; which,  amusingly, is sometimes referred to as a “schizophrenic patch of whitewater”.

Photos can be purchased in-store in sizes of 5 x 7, 8 x 10,   11 x 14 and 12 x 18.  Also available in-store are the complete series of the 5 photos of your specific adventure in 4 x 6 size.  Larger photos (16 x 20 and 20 x 30) can be received within a couple of weeks after ordering.  Additionally, one also has the option of purchasing a CD of the pictures, so they can print their photos whenever they like and however often they want. 

Another reason to use Whitewater Photos & Videos . . . this is the ONLY local company of its kind that offers live videos of people traversing down the Snake River! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I stopped in the store the other day to say hey to Becky; and that’s when she told me that she has expanded her business.  In addition to offering one-hour photo services and whitewater photos & videos, she now is also offering studio portraits and photography services for parties and family gatherings. 

The studio portraits can be done in-studio or at your house; your choice.  Regarding parties, just let her know when and where, and she’ll be there; camera in hand, smile on face and ready to capture your celebration into memory-making photos.

This service, like the other ones are available to both locals and visitors, alike.

One of Becky’s goals is to make sure her customers are happy and pleased with her work.  In her own words, “I’ll take the time that’s needed to do a good job and make great photos.”

So! Come to Jackson (it really is a must for everyone to do at least once).  While you’re here, participate in some exhilarating whitewater rafting down the Snake River (see Becky’s website for a listing of various rafting companies).  After the trip, dry off and come into town . . . specifically to Whitewater Photos & Videos on Cache . . . and order your prints and CD of YOU with paddle in hand while plowing through a rapid.  Then, afterward, have Becky come to your party to shoot photographs of even more good times . . . so that YOU can be in the pictures (and not out of them because you were behind the camera).  And, please remember to tell Becky that I sent you.

The hours of the photo shop are 9am – 9pm (7 days / week).

The studio’s hours are 10am – 5pm (Tuesday – Saturday)

Becky can be reach via email at wpv@blissnet.com

or via phone at 1-800-WHTE-H20 (948-3426)

Local:  (307) 733-7015

Oh, and while you’re here in Jackson, give me a call and let’s get together.  Who knows?  I may even go rafting with you. :)

Y’all be blessed,

Sharon-Marie

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Footnote:  During my interview with Becky the other day, a group came in to pick up their photos. One of the men was carrying a full moose antler.  I grinned to myself and thought, “Only in Jackson!”

These customers liked their photos so much they ordered a CD of their time on the Snake.  And, while I was making notes for this blog entry, I heard one of the women exclaim quite exuberantly, “This is GOOD!  You guys got a good photographer!” 

There’s nothing quite like spontaneous and unsolicited endorsements to really sell a product.  :)

  

Whitewater Photos & Videos

140 North Cache (next to Merry Piglets)

Becky Martens, Owner

800-WHTE-H20 (948-3426)

Local:  307-733-7015

wpv@blissnet.com

www.snakeriverphotos.net

Sharon-Marie Jordan © 2010 - All rights reserved.

Zap the Gap

I want to introduce Meagan Johnson to y'all.

Meagan was one of the speakers at the tour directors' symposium I attended this past January.  I was very impressed with her; not only with what she had to say, but the way in which she presented it.  This woman is funny, articulate and intelligent . . . a pretty awesome combination for a professional speaker, doncha think? 

During the symposium, I signed-up up for her "Zap The Gap" email mini-course.  The course was delivered recently, and I would like to share those emails with y'all, here, while we're Dancing with Moose.  

I have obtained Meagan's permission to copy her emails here, and I have not edited the actual information in any way.  (The only difference is that Meagan's mini-course was over a 5-day period, and I am only sharing 4 days with y'all; the first day was an introductory email reminding me of the mini-course  Additionally, I am only reprinting her "intro" at the end of Day Five; not at the beginning of each segment as was delivered via the online refresher course).

In addition to her emails, I would also like to share her website address and her phone number with y'all:

www.meaganjohnson.com    1-800-836-6599   

If you're ever in need of a professional speaker, I highly recommend her and encourage y'all to consider contacting her.

OK . . . the next post will be the first installment (Day Two) of "Zap the Gap"

Y'all enjoy, and be blessed.

Sharon-Marie

Sharon-Marie Jordan © 2010 - All rights reserved.

Zap the Gap; Day Two

DAY TWO

Zap the Gap
Solving the Multi-Generational Puzzle

Now is an exciting time. We have four generational flavors in the workplace:

The Traditional Generation
raised in the Great Depression, listening to Fred Allen
Baby Boomers
raised during Viet Nam, watching Ozzie & Harriet
Gen Xers
raised in single parent homes, imitating Beavis & Butthead
New Millennium
raised on the internet, living in Southpark

If you do not understand these examples then you definitely need to ZAP THE GAP!

Each generation brings to the table their own set of expectations and hopes. In each generation there is an opportunity to learn new perspectives and get fresh ideas. With each generation there is an opportunity to grow frustrated, upset, angry and have a disaster on your hands.

Let's start with the Traditional Generation. It is sometimes referred to as the Silent Generation. Some people do not like the use of the word silent to describe this generation.

Silent seems to imply the generation did not contribute anything to society, they remained silent. This is the opposite of the truth. The word silent comes from some of the significant Generational Signposts of this generation.

Signposts like the Great Depression and WWII taught this generation to postpone immediate gratification for a greater good. By postponing immediate gratification and working toward a common goal, this generation was successful and rewarded. Big business and government rewarded this generation by helping them to improve their quality of life.

The Traditional generation withstood the great depression, was successful in WWII, rebuilt Europe & Japan, and staved off the spread of communism.

This generation created the consumer products we use everyday: washers, dryers, televisions and microwave ovens. Big business took these products and through mass production made them available to the many rather than the elite few.

The homes we live in today were influenced by this generation. This generation built the neighborhood homes outside of the center of the city. With the help of VA and FHA loan, more people could afford homes than ever before. The average cost of a first home for this generation was $7,000.00. (Many of us have spent more on a used car.)

According to Mallow's hierarchy of needs, we have a set of basic needs like food, shelter and clothing. In addition, we have a set of higher needs, such as the need to feel loved and accepted, and to be self-actualized. As human beings, we will not try to satisfy the higher needs until the basic needs are taken care of.

For a generation, the basic needs were not being satisfied. However, when this Silent generation pulled together, they were able to satisfy the basic needs.

The long lasting impact of these Generational Signposts for the Traditional Generation is loyalty to the country and the company, tenacity, and hard work.

It is no surprise this hard working generation has not wanted to fade into retirement. Advances in medicine have left a generation of older workers who are healthy and able and willing to work. This generation has come out of retirement looking for a new place in the workforce.

One of the benefits of hiring retirees is that  they are typically not looking to climb the corporate ladder. They are looking for a place to use their skills.  Often, they do not want to work full time but just part time.  This is a labor source that is too valuable to be ignored.

When you walk into a Wal-Mart the first person to greet you is the Greeter. The Greeter is someone typically of retirement age who stands at the front door of Wal-Mart, greets the customers and gets you a shopping cart. One of the biggest differences between a Wal-Mart and a Target is the Greeter.

Ironically, Wal-Mart did not create the Greeter to give a senior citizen a job. Wal-Mart discovered that when someone stood at the door, looked people in the eye and greeted them, shoplifting went down.

The point is that Wal-Mart did not do what some people do when they work with someone from the Traditional Generation: stick them behind a counter because they needed a warm body. The number one complaint from this generation is that we do not take advantage of their skills and experience. Wal-Mart made the Greeter part of the Wal-Mart team.

When you hire or work with someone of the Traditional Generation, there are six things you can do:

Communicate traditional values- Let them know you appreciate them being on time and working the extra shift.

Let them know their age & experiences are highly valued-The number one complaint from this generation is we treat them like they do not know anything.

Pronounce words clearly/Look them in the eye/ 'Use Please' and Thank you-especially, if you have teenagers working with someone from the Traditional Generation. (Give your teenagers some communication training.)

Take plenty of time to train- Rationales are jumping onto the internet in larger numbers then any other age group right now. They are learning to use the Internet at home with the help of their kids or grand kids. When you are teaching a new skill to someone from the Traditional Generation, try teaching her one on one. They may be more likely to ask questions and try the new skill with just you vs a large group of people.

Stress the long haul- Communicate with them about the history of the company, their position, and your history with the company.

Reward with a personal touch- Rewards like certificates, plaques or a picture with the company president are significant. Give them something they can take home or hang in their office

IN THE NEXT SESSION LEARN HOW THE BABY BOOM GENERATION BOOMED ONTO THE SCENE AND BECAME OUR MOST MEMORABLE GENERATION! 

written by Meagan Johnson; copied here

(in "Dancing With Moose") with permission