SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

Berryessa Blue Zone Driveway Happy Hour June 2025 #vellumdays

and for making, bringing, sharing your delicious dishes, drinks, desserts to share!  flowers and fruits from your own gardens and trees..!

great evening!  all the way around..      love you! and look forward to the next..

"Cheers!"    ~ the micks

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 1:57 PM 1 comments

MEMOIR, BIOGRAPHY, AUTOBIOGRAPHY GET THEIR DUE -sandra mickanen reporting

 my phone needs to charge before i can add a picture; before i can post pix from yesterday's super fun & blessed berryessa blue zone driveway happy hour..

but..

i've always gravitated to memoirs, biography, autobiography; to non-fiction; creative non-fiction.

and that represents the lion share of my personal home library.

i think in bookstores, it's a smaller section, while the shelves for fiction are abundant.

it is my prediction, that with the recent addition of AI, being able to apply formulas well established in fiction writing..   quick as a calculator can produce an answer for 12 - 8

that the very fact, AI stories being written generated are just that; some magical computerized formula of aggregation, appropriation, plagiarism, fusion of them all; [in fact, human written fiction also....]

but, 

i predict a drop in interest.

and a greater interest in 'original' content; in truth, in non-fiction, in the human's interpretation and creative sharing of their 'real' life experiences and memories..   

written from their hearts/minds/spirit.. 

i predict a drop in interest for unoriginal content in general.

a hunger and navigation toward 'real' in direct response to a barrage of 'manufactured'

***

and it should inspire the contemplation:   -AI hardware; digitally accessed knowledge; speed..   

  vs.  Human heart, earned wisdom; pace..

it should inspire the contemplation:  original & real vs. copies & manufactured..

it should inspire the contemplation:   MEMOIR by AI       "tell all by AI..."

   -wait.  actually...   AI as the ghostwriter!  yes..  

it should  -i believe it will, increase the value of, the interest in, all memoirs written prior to the onset of AI.     people   -poetry..   

***

each human being is a unique, original masterpiece..      i arrive there again, and again..

selah! hallelujah & amen

***

p.s.  i read AI as 'super intelligent'    -as a poet, writer, sensitive to language, connotation, denotation..

i cannot associate 'intelligence' with a tangible entity/object unable to give or receive love. 

knowledge..  facts... information..  the ability to apply..

   is a calculator 'super intelligent?' for supplying a correct answer instantaneously? 

i don't know what the proper vocabulary is yet...  but we need one; a different one..

for a different world. 

amen. 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:54 PM 0 comments

JOY! JOY! JOY! for (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom #weddingfavors

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 1:23 PM 0 comments

#HAIR #weightloss #fashion by (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

#HAIR:  i am in the habit, when i have the time, of letting my hair air-dry, and eliminate the blow dryer.  i do that for two primary reasons  1.  less heat, temperature wise, in the bathroom, in general, and 2. less heat/stress on my hair.   my hair has quite a great deal of random wave when it air dries, which lends to more volume in appearance when i curl it.  i still, do not like product in my hair.. [hair sprays..]; but i will use a little root cover on the few days before i get my gray roots covered again.  i love my 1.5" conair pro curling iron; and always use the same setting 400.  i try not to use a comb or brush, and just hand pick sections of my hair to place in the curling iron; the more time/patience i have, the smaller amounts of hair i will do at a time.  with the large curling iron, i sometimes only grab 7 groups of hair; run them through, be done.  -sometimes, small sections..  15-20..     but overall, currently pleased with hair, the length, the strength, the style..   always knowing i will change it again, without knowing when. very pleased with my current salon magician who makes the gray disappear..  and makes my disappearing eyebrows re-appear!  "Thank You!"  Esperanza!!    -she knows how much i love & appreciate her..  xoxo 

#WEIGHTLOSS:  wow! in my 20's, 30's, 40's...  women would take life/death very high stakes risks to achieve a certain very low weight; self included.

it seems it was the only conversation..  look you've lost weight.. oh my, have you put on some weight..   i wont get pregnant because i cant let myself gain weight..  i wont quit smoking because i might put on weight..   how did you lose weight...  those clothes make you look fat...   you need to wear all black and high heels..    on and on and on 

AND! anything from dangerous, illegal drugs, to over-the-counter...  any food, book, article, guru, pill, new exercise equipment..    anything that promised to help you lose weight..     very! popular!   jenny craig, weight watchers..    more important than your academic education..

AND! [please note i can only share this from the advantage of being 59 in 2025];

AND!  i know more than one woman..  back in the day..  lost a few pounds..  capitalized on their [fleeting] success, selling classes, workshops, books..

and those women  -made their money, they did.  but put the weight back on.

-how can you see that in advance?  -how temporary and fleeting...  

anyway..  'be the change'   -write.   so, you won't see as much in my 20 years of blogging on the topic because it is crazy making non-sense..

here is a very healthy experiment for anyone living their life under the influence of numbers on a scale

BEFORE YOU EVEN STEP ON THE SCALE  -Put it away.  You should not be using a scale to determine what you will or wont eat that day.

whether the number was going to make you happy/pleased; or disappointed and frustrated

      There are certain decisions that day, you should make regarding what you eat, drink, snack on..

regardless of a scale.

There are decisions that day YOU KNOW   -YOU ALREADY KNOW-  are decisions that either serve your goals, and set you up for success; or decisions that keep it neutral..  or decisions that send you backwards

I rarely, step on a scale.

I rarely, count calories

I rarely over do it; or under do it..

I do keep myself hyped on nutritional value of foods..  and in doing so

    [my own commercials...  i choose what gets repeated..  i've learned what is true..]

-long lasting, stable and real results; consistency; health/nutrition..

****

it was in those traps, with food, and with money/credit..

if the scale showed i had lost some weight...    that somehow became a permission slip to over eat.. and before i knew it..  

if the scale showed i had gained some weight..   that somehow became a crisis which had to be dealt with via starvation..

similar w/money..  if i paid off a credit card!  woohoo..  but it somehow became a permission slip to use credit..

if i was in debt..   a crisis where i'd try to pay off, but ended up further in debt..

     i am convinced we all need to identify,  battle & override default systems to achieve our victories!

     -all brings me back to my recent post regarding the fruit of the spirit, self control.

self-governing..

if you work, in collaboration with the holy spirit, on identifying, developing, growing, strengthening your individual ability to self-govern

and not let flesh/carnal/default ways of thinking, responding, dictate what you do/ do not do..

by mastering one thing: self-control, 

you can solve multiple problems..   it will help you with weight management; it will help you with money management; it will help you with time management;  it will help you master your emotions, temper, patience..  on and on.

 #FASHION:  The under/over longer/shorter store

My imagination is always..   and so, in one week, i put on a blouse, and i wished like heck, the sleeves were longer..    and with another blouse, i wished like heck, the back of it was longer; past my butt..

i wished i had a certain color tank to wear under a hoodie..   where i wished the hoodie was longer, not cropped at my waist..

so..  imagination allowed me to see an under/over, longer/shorter store..  a boutique of sorts.. where you find wonderful 'under' tops..   t shirts, tanks, 

and wonderful 'over' choices..       and where you have sleeve length sections..        and long in the back shirts & blouses..

   here is one of my favorite under/over combinations!  inspired by our 'berryessa blue zone' driveway happy hours, where we include, 'wear some blue' on the invitations,  -just for fun..   it just makes it more fun..         usually, the weather is nice/warm, sometimes windy..     CLIMATE/TEMPERATURE is number one thing to dictate fashion decisions i think, with occasion a close 2nd..    -of course, budget..

but anyway...  i don't remember where i found the blue 'under' sweater..  high chance Magic of Macys..

i do more completely remember where i found the light-weight, darling! multi-spring-colored, long sleeve, long length, button down blouse!  i found that in the swimsuit section of macy's..  being sold as a swim suit cover..    -which has sent me back to that section, looking not for a swimsuit cover, but just some fun 'overs' for tank tops..     anyway..  i LOVE this under/over combo, and wear it together often.. especially for a warm, outdoor, activity.   #fashion  #MAGICofMACYS

"Thank You!" prayers, hallelujah & amen.. 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:14 PM 0 comments

Delphi chatbots are to experts as Rami was to Freddi; as Daniel Day-Lewis to Lincoln.. sandra mickanen reporting

 i read the Meet Delhi article with great interest..

it is my understanding..  just a digital version of what human actors have been doing when portraying real people..

the actor, in preparation, will study everything about the person they will be portraying:

that person's knowledge; way of thinking; style; way of expressing..

entirely similar really, to 'experts turning themselves into chatbots'

where an actor is portraying someone already deceased; the information must be learned..

but for actors portraying a living person; observing the living person; speech cadence/vocabulary, day to day activities; habits, strengths, weaknesses, non-conscious behaviors, physical attributes.. their gait, attitudes, expressions..  long list

essentially; the actors brain; their mind..  observes and absorbs; and is 'fed' all the information to then replicate, close to original as possible..

if i am reading and understanding this article correctly  -'chatbots' resulting from real life 'experts'

are just the digital version of an actor portraying a human.   except perhaps add; a given living legend chooses the person who will and can best portray them..  

or..  maybe this is, no one can portray you, better than you   -so, digitize yourself..

   -with obvious restrictions and freedoms based on the source.  human to human vs human to chatbot

the other obvious thought:  chatbot audiences for expert chatbot's 

you know, in case, humans don't have time to...    just have your chatbot watch, learn, listen and report back to you   -write. 

    -would love to observe the fruits of their labors..

how 'bout daniel day lewis! would he be willing?

****

Jesus!  Apostle Paul!        selah! & amen!  

 #delphichatbots

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 5:40 PM 0 comments

Mag Time Frame Design Centers at every Michaels Store! by (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

the MTF Kits are really no longer necessary  -you just need 7x9 wood, 5x7 metal, easels

The best part of the whole thing is that customers  -while in the store!-  can pick out what papers and embellishments/stickers they want to use..

and then just  -use them-   write there, create their own mag time frame, and leave the store with a completed mag time frame  -customized/personalized to taste to keep, display or give as a gift.

lots of upsales on papers & embellishments

draws people in, increases customers..

and is just plain fun.    -of course!   great for those birthday parties Michaels hosts also..

Archive Videos:             Sandra teaches Robin how to make a Mag Time Frame

MagTimeFrames.com  

Grandma Sandra & Harvey make Mag Time Frames

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 3:08 PM 0 comments

LOVE! these two documentaries.. (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom

i had no knowledge of this program, despite it's 80 year history, i think it was..   until watching this.

will write much more later, 

but for now..   yes!  each individual WILL NEED TO WRESTLE with a variety of 'hot' topics..  in addition to countless luke warm and cold ones..

abortion was not a topic anyone had to wrestle with; until it was..

generations before you did not have to wrestle with social media..

generations before you did not have to wrestle with AI and its impacts..

autonomous driving vehicles..    never even entered my mind when i was in high school; but at age 59 i was a passenger in one..

WILD!     -space force..    

and i will close for now, with this wisdom for all:

on a global scale; country scale; state scale; county scale; city scale; district scale; neighborhood scale; family scale; and for the individual:

you make the best decisions you can, with the information/knowledge you have at the time, taking entire populations into consideration

if you decide on (A); and (A) wins! and (A) is implemented, executed, with great fan fare 

but the RESULTS, once implemented are not what you expected or intended; are counterproductive.. 

there always needs to be room, a way, a means, to course correct and try something new. 

****

after you make any decision; know for yourself most importantly, but also for others:

how you arrived at your decision; what it is based on, why you even made a decision

***

i've already written ad nauseum on the topic; but for the purposes of this specific post and relevant to current political climate

ROE vs WADE 

ABORTION  -i based my decision on my own life experience as a 15 year old pregnant teen (later miscarried); -i based my decision on being a peer counselor to pregnant teens in high school..  direct exposure to pregnant teens in overwhelm and crisis

i based my decision on the knowledge/belief that making abortions illegal would directly result in the rise of self-inflicted abortions and black market abortions; where the harm to human life is greater and worse

i based my decision on the understanding that making abortions illegal does not actually stop them from ever happening

i based my decision on listening to religious and other groups share that they believe abortions were 'selfish'   -they viewed, and projected the reason for a given person to have an abortion was (paraphrasing)  -not letting this baby ruin my life..

    i, by the way, NEVER, encountered that way of thinking or feeling when counseling pregnant teens..

and for myself it was 100% overwhelm; feeling utterly unqualified..

  -because i know the vulnerability; the overwhelm; i have experienced and witnessed

  -when i hear the words 'murderer'  'evil'  'selfish'  'baby killer'

and i consider how those psychologically devastating descriptions/judgements are being added on to hearts/minds/spirits/souls of individuals already bearing so much weight

breaks my heart.   i believe those terms 'murderer'  'evil'  'baby killer'   -should be exclusively reserved for actual murderers, actual evil doers, actual baby killers..   [sad, but in the news on any given day..]

i believe, based on my experience and as a witness..   the ultimate decision does belong to the woman  -as it is her body

i am confused by 'you can give your baby up for adoption'    -but hearing from USA citizens that wanted to; and did adopt  -they were turning to foreign countries..     /no time to research more on this..

i do and have believed  -both sides want the same thing:  the least amount of unplanned pregnancies and least amount of abortions possible within the flawed human race..

i do believe (and read) this issue is better addressed through education than legislation

   so, i ask:  if the number of abortions in a given state were reduced through education  -if that was the provable fact:  would you still push on the legal front?

and even write now, i ask, and have not yet researched..

but more importantly, am not seeing anywhere in headline news..   the upshot; the results of the more recent legal decision, over turning Roe vs Wade; 

in the states it is no longer legal/accessible..     self-inflicted abortions on the rise?  black market abortions on the rise?  young women with unplanned pregnancies..  finding ways to travel to other states?    

have unplanned pregnancies themselves been reduced?  

lastly reiterate:  greatest time, energy, effort, human and financial resources should go toward preventing unplanned pregnancies to begin with

i am of the belief, we already have schools, cities, states who are doing a better job of this than others.

who is getting the best results?  how?

In Jesus holy and trustworthy, merciful, grace-filled, all healing, all understanding and loving name..

*****

oh!  i want to write soon on the topic of whether or not our teachers should be armed..

Good God!  doesn't that all by itself tell you about the wrong direction things have been headed..

****

belated addendum/insights/revelations:  a % unplanned pregnancies, which resulted in adoptions

have mutually blessed adoptive parents/children in unquantifiable & life long ways. 

and! which would not have been possible without that initial 'unplanned' pregnancy.   countless unique human lives, blessed, enriched,  contributing to the world..

from a my Christian perspective   -whether an unplanned pregnancy results in abortion, (grace; mercy prevail) or stays with original parent(s), or where that infant/child is adopted..

GOD is LOVE.   -where there is LOVE, God resides..

LOVE is always worthy of the deepest study, reverence..   to learn of love; give it, receive it..

1 John 4:16  

1 Corinthians 13... 

****

and what a distinction..   everyone knows there are loving foster and adoptive parents..   genuine, caring, nurturing and true..

and everyone learns there are also foster/adoptive parents who are in it for the money.  utterly self-seeking..

selah! 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:10 AM 0 comments

HEAR THEM LOUD & CLEAR

they (we) are currently going ignored, while homeless serve as a profit pathway for everyone but them..

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 10:14 AM 0 comments

#passengeraward

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:28 AM 0 comments

#paulmitchell by, sandra mickanen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:49 PM 0 comments

QUEEN LIVE circa 1982 vs. QUEEN tribute, live orchestra, 2025, candle light concert

i was really wanting to write more about fashion in 2025, so will share here:

i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the jacket i wore to this candle light Queen concert!

    -here's the thing.  it's not a jacket i would have ever gravitated to on my own..

if i even saw it, i would not have tried it on..

but this jacket, black with gold embroidered peacocks along the bottom, was gifted to me by daisy chu, 

and the moment i put it on..

LOVE.

i just don't find very many occasions it seems the write fit, so to speak..

but this one was perfect.  "Thank You!" again..

"Cheers!"      more tithing to our community; to live musicians..  to bartenders...  to concert producers.. wonderful venues..   great evening!

  hallelujah & amen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:54 AM 0 comments

is this our life today?! "Cheers!" & GIANT "THANK YOU!"

fantastic band!

delicious wines, food truck/tasting room charcuterie offerings

super fun dancing..

delightful conversations, wonderful friends...

-these are my favorite, favorite kind of days..

all community tithing and "thank you!' prayers..

hallelujah & amen! 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:19 AM 0 comments

#john1010

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:12 AM 0 comments

AI is worth a try! sandra mickanen reporting

 gave up on gavin newsom long ago; more recently gave up on david cohen and otto lee; although.. really appreciate david cohen's tree planting goals..

in any case..

when it comes to problem SOLVING..

  

  

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:08 AM 0 comments

some people are good at math; some people are good at neither. comic by (me!) sandra mickanen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 4:39 PM 0 comments

Where to cut losses; Where to double down -sandra mickanen reporting..

which costs billions [that disappears into the 'data dessert'] and attracts more homeless..  and steals acres of land..  and disrupts, threatens neighborhoods..  and increases crime, violence, etc. 

***

while they are simultaneously CLOSING/Removing the SAN JOSE FLEA MARKET  & have sold, are removing GREAT AMERICA AMUSEMENT PARK

  -outdoor,  family-friendly places countless people of all ages enjoy going; places that are fun; places that employee people; places for locals and visitors..  

****

initially i said, if i could cash in on ONE miracle, we'd keep the San Jose Flea Market; invest in it.. make it the best in the USA

and cut losses/close/relocate the 6 acres, 85+  site for homeless living in RV's.. 

but, i'd like to cash in on TWO MIRACLES  (or, one each..  san jose city.. and one for santa clara county)

KEEP GREAT AMERICA...  invest in it..   make it even more awesome! attractive..

****

does anyone else recognize the incremental and systematic removal of family-friendly places to go..

being replaced by..  

****

if you just flip what you are doubling down on..  it would be a quality of life saving course correction

***

Hallelujah & Amen! 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:43 AM 0 comments

#unplug #selfcontrol #besetfree

self control is a fruit of the spirit   [ galatians 5:22 ]

love reminding:  self control; not God control (you are not God's robot); not Mass Media control, not peer pressure; not manipulated by outside forces of any kind control

SELF control..

YOU governing yourself.    in my personal experience; when i prayed for greater self control; for more strength in the area of self control

it is in collaboration with the holy spirit i achieved great results.

not overnight; over time.

God does not want you to be a SLAVE to..   addictions of any kind.   God desires you be set free..

    Do you think phone companies want you to be set free?  Do credit card companies want you to be set free?   Do banks want you to be set free?   Do betting/gambling sites want you to be set free?   Tabacco industry?  does any entity which profits from you....   profits from your addiction..  want you set free? 

God desires you be set free..     

   /with what..?    that's write!   the truth. 

hallelujah & amen. 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:08 AM 0 comments

REMOVE SAN JOSE'S Sanctuary City Status pleads (the wilsons! & the micks!) among many others

We do LOVE the WILSON'S!  united in this good fight of faith..   and tom mention's in letter below, 'go back to enjoying retirement'

the micks & the wilson's are retired; and we do enjoy being retired..  however, we also recognize, having lived it..   when you are working full time, raising children, volunteering, taking care of family.. children's activities, homework, sports, appointments, keeping a house, grocery shopping, cooking.. cleaning..   day to day life for the HTLC Community..  [Hard Working, Tax Paying, Law Abiding, Contributors]

you are too busy doing the right things to fight this fight,

too busy doing the right things to show up for weekday, mid day meeting

too busy doing the right things to show up at night, sit hour upon hour waiting to speak for 60 seconds, where no one on council is required to answer or respond or even listen to your comments or questions

you are too busy doing the right things  and we "Thank You!"

 but the san jose city council members, and santa clara county supervisors, and calif governor,  have taken great advantage of that truth.   they know you are too busy, and are steam-rolling you behind your busy, righteous, upstanding HTLC backs.. 

so, we do, also feel  'blessed to be a blessing'   that is, we are retired, and we can devote a certain amount of time to fighting on your behalf

we did this during NOTonNOBLE  -but that did take a toll..  that was 24/7, non stop, all consuming..

so we are also careful to balance this out..   to help; but not let this consume our lives; or tax and compromise our health, as the NOTonNOBLE fight did

in this regard  -we are so grateful to see OTHER PEOPLE SPEAKING OUT.. adding to the numbers; the voices, the effort..     anyone who can help; please do! 

  -from Tom

 BNF's (Best Neighbors Forever),

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 11:05 AM 0 comments

San Jose Citizens uprising.. demanding a return to civilized life; public safety, law & order

 the amount of time, effort, energy san jose citizens, neighborhood after neighborhood, district after district, are having to put in and invest 

-for just a basic, common sense, return to civility; public safety, law & order..

incomprehensible, what district council members have allowed..   encouraged..  enabled..

and they will not stop! unless stopped..

will not stop without an uprising..

this is just 1 of many, many, examples.. and i had no problem signing this petition..

REMOVE ILLEGAL RV'S from Largo Dr - Bethany Ave - Cataldi Park, San Jose, CA

Lord help us!  hallelujah & amen.  

The Issue

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 10:25 AM 0 comments