SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

The Healing Powers of LOVE & SUPPORT....

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:11 AM 0 comments

PEOPLE TRAFFIC for SMALL BUSINESSES... for GOLDEN PSALMS, my awesome 16 acre dream of bespoke small businesses plaza.. -sandra mickanen imagining

 in the in between, my mind is filled with all my visions and dreams for Golden Psalms

currently projected onto the 16 acres of Serra Center in Milpitas, which is a large and neglected area, with many former businesses/stores boarded up, and a few hanger-on-ers..

this morning i woke remembering this truth, 

when i worked at ricks picks on main street in downtown pleasanton,  -LOVED.

i became fascinated with the impact of people traffic and how much it influenced our sales.

if it was raining, for example   -like, next to no one would be walking on main street, and we'd use those days to do other things in the store,  remain productive in different ways  -re-merchandise, accept/process deliveries, etc.

but rain =  very few people, very few sales

on a nice day =  higher number of people walking along main street, which automatically resulted in more shoppers, more sales..

with an event nearby!  like, good guys car show at the alameda county fair, or during the weeks the alameda county fair was open, or a big event at a local school..

large scale events within a few miles of ricks picks  -we could count on more shoppers, more sales..

then of course, any/all of the gift-giving, house decorating, party-throwing holidays

Christmas for example..   we would be at the register non stop, all day.. open to please close, we're exhausted.

but it just opened my eyes to..    it wasnt necessarily about the products in the store, or how they were merchandised..   although, ricks picks was, like, the absolute coolest store around, with great products, and creative merchandising, 

but..    simple but true rule of retail:  the more people traffic, the more sales; period.   true for all the small businesses, restaurants up and down main street

what's promising about the acres in milpitas, where Golden Psalms will be located..

   [see that..  will be located...   affirming my own imaginations..]

is that..   on any given day, IT IS ALREADY SEEN/PASSED BY, by very high car traffic ..

1000's of cars already pass it by..      very near, the street touches the parking lot, you don't have to look way far in the distance to see that....

that's the problem write now..  people just drive by, because there is nothing there to drive to!

but imagine,   imagine with me..

gorgeous landscaping, like blackhawk plaza..   pond, fountains, greenery, flowers, a pretty bridge..

imagine, 3 of the buildings have rooftop patios, staggered in height..

imagine, darling, charming store fronts..     some beautiful, creative color theme..  a magnet for human eyes..

every store can customize, personalize in a unique way on a variety of different products..

all bespoke...   

many opportunties for INTERACTIVE creations..

fortune cookies, mag time frames, t-shirts, hats (small scale); those gorgeous german dream light, for tea lights, a flower shop, 

then, because i recently so thoroughly enjoyed my experience at san jose batting cages..

batting cages!  massage envy!  and so recently enjoyed my experience at campbell float station..

a float station!

my stationery store, w/writing letters as a fun activity, choose your pen, paper, stickers, envelope, etc. beautiful place to write..    the iconic mailbox,  -big deal to mail from THIS particular mailbox, take your pix dropping your letter in...

grateful that with everything going on..     my mind likes to visit this imagining, re-visit it, 

write about it, draw it..    envision..    evolve it, develop it..

it keeps growing more detailed in my rich imagination...

selah! hallelujah & amen!

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 8:31 AM 0 comments

Affordable Housing for SJPD! Fix Booking Time Problem -sandra mickanen reporting

YES!  HIGH PRIORITY!  A WIN/WIN/WIN

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS   -no one can be at their best when they are commuting for 2 hours in high stress situations, working for 10 or 12 hours, commuting back home, another 2 hours, add mandatory overtime, and let it all accumulate week after week, month after month.  NO ONE WANTS THAT LIFE.

By providing affordable housing in the areas WHICH OUR POLICE & PEACE OFFICERS ARE SERVING! You eliminate the utter waste of extremely valuable time and energy currently spent just getting to and from work.  Providing affordable housing can simultaneously reduce stress, show support, make the position and career more attractive.  You send the message:  We value you, your time, your energy and the high stakes, vital, work you do to PROTECT all of us.  Affordable housing is the equivalent of a raise and benefit; and a no-brainer when it comes to RETAINING & ATTRACTING THE BEST; building The Best Police Department in California; in the USA:  Vital to achieving and maintaining the goal:  Safest Big City.

BOOKING TIME:   PROBLEM:   currently takes 2 ½ hours on average per arrest.

That’s 2 ½ hours our trained patrol officers ARE OFF THE STREET & NOT PATROLING.

We are already significantly short-staffed, when you pull from the limited number of police officers we do have, and swallow up their time with indoor paperwork, policy & procedure  -You only make matters worse for everyone:  The police officer and the public who need them.

You can’t have The Safest Big City without our police officers; period.   And they cannot patrol or respond to calls if they are mandated to spend ridiculous amounts of time booking their arrestees.  

SOLUTION:  Obviously affordable housing, pay, benefits help retain and recruit..

  To this specific issue:  We have the brightest minds here in Silicon Valley:  surely to our good God, we can figure out ways to streamline the arrest/booking process!   In other cities it is less than ½ hour!

   Also, and of course!  An entirely different person/position, where the police officer arrests, and then brings arrest-ee to a different person who does the booking, and follow-through; which lets the police officer return to the position he or she was actually trained and hired for.

Recent headlines, which include, rapes, murders, gun violence, robberies..  assaults..

Combined with our severely low staff levels AND patrol time wasted with booking procedures:

All of it correctable by SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT, SHOWING YOU VALUE..

Not just in word, but  inDEED, you should provide affordable housing..    value their time and energy..

prioritize their pay and benefits…

ROI: The return on investment:   PUBLIC SAFETY!  Quality of Life!   The Safest Big City!  Crime levels drop!   We successfully retain and recruit the best!: Men and women of great character with hearts to serve;  All the places we want to visit, we can visit..  they are clean, safe, beautiful…       LONG LIST.  Our taxes go to this great cause, this great goal…  which benefits EVERYONE!  Entire population!

With gratitude,   Robert & Sandra Mickanen,  -Beautiful Berryessa Neighborhood, San Jose.

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 8:02 AM 0 comments

VELLUM DAYS in progress 2026 #vellumdays

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:11 AM 0 comments

p.s. "THANK YOU!" President Donald J Trump for putting a quick end to the utter nonsense of start-stop feature in our cars!! -the micks, celebrating

it's not good for the car, for drivers/passengers...

could never even believe they mandated it to begin with

and was certain they did not do a quality assurance check.

we are celebrating the end of this stupid feature!!

"cheers!"

hallelujah & amen

****

ok, so technically what they're doing is not putting a quick end to, but rather

ending fuel-economy credits for the installation of the start-stop technology

therefore 

DISincentivizing the automakers from installing it.

****

financial incentive vs disincentive is the only language some people speak...

(i.e., tariffs) 

and my limited layperson research shows the absence of this irritating start stop technology will also reduce the cost of cars..   that's the very definition of a win/win! 

****

selah! & amen.

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 8:37 AM 0 comments

navigating breast cancer, -mom, wife, daughter, granddaughter, friend, aunt, sister.. photographer, podcaster and entrepreneur

The Triple Blessing of Kassandra's PODCAST:  Where I am Right Now  [on spotify and other platforms]

   1) helping her heal      2) helping us understand on a deeper level     3) helping others 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 8:31 AM 0 comments

President Donald J Trump, State of the Union, Feb 2026 Q&A -by sandra mickanen of beautiful berryessa in san jose, ca.

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:45 AM 0 comments

Public "Thank You!" to Saint Anthony & blogosphere & friends -for memories otherwise lost.. -sandra mickanen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 9:50 AM 0 comments

writing; the great disincentive -sandra mickanen reporting

now, 

highest praise for the professional who provided my services, which included, my 1st ever, microderm infusion facial..   wow!  felt great, felt clean..   felt my skin saying thank you...

her name is chikako  (chicago, with k sounds..)   high, high recommend.  milpitas massage envy.

this next info i write because..  think its funny, and my kids will appreciate, because..

i still just loathe a few things:  questionnaires, surveys, ratings,  -homework after a restaurant meal or service or shopping of any and every kind

and i loathe, that despite not clicking, or clicking,  DO NOT SEND FURTHER emails, texts, no marketing.. etc.

my email still gets bombarded, and 'unsubscribe' either doesnt work, or isnt even offered.

so, while, i thoroughly enjoyed my facial, and was delighted with chikako's professional, kind, thorough service..

here it came:   hi sandra, thank you for visiting.. blah, blah

text 1-5 to rate your experience  5=Great, 1=bad..

and i do have a kind of default..   internal surge of ....  some combination of exhaustion, frustration, pissed-off-ness..      because this is ridiculous, every place you go, every time, from every one..

enough!

but, prayed to adjust my attitude, and..  reluctantly, but, overriding all my emotions and mood..

i click on 5.    5=Great.

done.

should have been DONE!    more than enough...

nope.

that opened a new guilt trip and responsibility:  ... blah, blah, to share your experience and shout out Chikako online to earn them an additional bonus!   w/link..

good God.    now she might not get a bonus she deserves based on whether i..

I...   who am enormously burnt out on surveys, ratings, texts..  providing feedback for every. single. frickin' thing i buy, eat, look at, visit...

so i did it.    reluctantly.  pissed off...    but she did provide great service.  guilt trip worked. 

I had my services, facial, and then a massage, back to back..    or, face to back, 

what i mean is,    facial tuesday; massage wednesday.

on my way to the massage on wednesday,  i was all...   in prayer..  super grouchy..

reiterating to the heavens, everything i  just said above...

    why is it my responsibility?  why am i being guilted...   why every. frickin' thing...    why isn't the 5 ENOUGH?!?     why must i have a homework assignment....    God I REALLY, REALLY MISS 

the good old days...     you just said Thank You...     gave a healthy tip...   maybe, mentioned to a manager..

anyway, 

funny part,  i arrive for my massage, all stressed out..   loving Chikako's service, but already dreading the follow up text surveyS that will be coming my way in the after of this massage..

and i laid down on that warm massage table-bed, and the soft music..   and the darkened room...   

and Chikako started massaging my shoulders...

and i was suddenly, rather instantantly...    calm, cool, collected and at peace with the world.

i laughed to myself, silently...  and to the heavens..     i needed an attitude adjustment too.

surrendered to the benefits and experience of this magical, wonderful, over-due massage.. 

****

a powerful, but brief experience, 

because, 

I ALREADY GAVE HER A 5...   AND! ALREADY GAVE A SHOUT OUT ONLINE SO SHE WONT MISS OUT ON HER BONUS SHE DESERVES,   -whether a burnt-out-on-surveys customer says so or not.. !!

so, i know in advance, 

well, 

DELETE.    

******

and reminds me of 2 things:   

this, of course, 

and, 

my husband sharing about EMPLOYEE 'reviews' during his career.

upshot is this:  if the manager gave a high rating..   which the employee did deserve..

this high rating mandated the manager would have to also WRITE more about the high rating..

   -what manager has time, energy for...   writing... explaining... justifying..  

so, they would default to 'average'  because this did not require any additional writing.

   -writing;   the great disincentive.

*****

close with one more giant "THANK YOU!" to Amazon....  

click on icons..     [delivery was great!  on time, care,  followed instruction, etc.]

done.

love you for it!

****

hallelujah & amen. 

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:59 PM 0 comments

#wordle -sandra mickanen sharing

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 12:10 PM 0 comments

feel a poem coming on -by sandra mickanen, penned this morning: feb 17, 2026.

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 8:29 AM 0 comments