In the Know: A Quote

Sometimes one quote can say more than a whole page of text.

In the Know: Safety in Numbers

My "In the Know" blog days have turned into days when I just talk about whatever I want. Hmm...

Today: In the Know: Safety in Numbers.

When you cross the street when you are young, you supposed to hold someone's hand. A political party with one person doesn't have much pull, but a political party with millions can change the world. Everything is better when you have a team or a group. There is safety in numbers.

When I decided to run the Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon in Vegas, it was largely because I have been wanting to do something wellness related with Bon Lemon. I wanted to create a group/team/bonding experience for Lemon Lovers that involved health. (And I wanted to motivate myself to do something, I wouldn't otherwise. Running is definitely on that list. :) You all know that Bon Lemon has a team heading to Las Vegas to run the Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon on the strip at night. And you all know we are going to be running in our yellow Bon Lemon shirts (and wearing something sparkly!). But there may be some things you don't know.

Did you know there are at least four people on our team who have never run a half-marathon before? Who have never really ran at all. Did you know they were inspired to join the Bon Lemon team, because there is safety in numbers? Because they wanted to set a goal and reach it. Did you know we are corresponding back and forth, from all of the country, encouraging each other to keep up the good work, especially on the days when we increase our distance and it gets a little harder? I received an email from one of the runners (it is her first time ever running a half-marathon) saying how inspiring it has been to have the Bon Lemon team to run with and how much it has motivated her to keep going. Safety in numbers. I melt. This is what it is all about.

My daily running partner recently had a baby. We run at 7:30 AM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday (6 miles yesterday in St. Louis with 80 degree temps might have been easier if she were here...) My running partner gets up to run even when she has been up all night with her infant. She runs, regardless of how exhausted she is, and she motivates me to get up, even when I have had a long day with Bon Lemon, or haven't slept well, or have a little cold. I think about her dedication and that of the rest of the Lemon Lovers heading to Las Vegas to run a half-marathon for the first or the tenth time. Our team and their dedication to this goal keeps me going. When I can't find the motivation within myself, I think about these ladies, and I keep running. There is safety in numbers.

Thanks to all of the ladies who are running this year. I hope there are twice as many next year.

when life gives you lemons... put on something sparkly and run a half-marathon.

In the Know: Paid Sick Leave

"The Seattle city council voted 8-1 to mandate that all but the smallest companies – those with fewer than five workers – give at least five paid days off a year to employees who are sick, need to care for a sick family member, or who are victims of domestic abuse and need to take time off to assist law enforcement or attend court hearings. Businesses with more than 250 workers would have to provide nine days.

Mayor Mike McGinn is expected to sign the measure, putting Seattle in a league with San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; and Connecticut, where a state law takes effect in January. Residents of Denver will vote on a similar measure this fall, and proponents are pushing for a statewide paid sick days law in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Milwaukee passed a sick-leave bill in 2008 that was later pre-empted by the state Legislature, and this year Philadelphia’s city council passed one which was vetoed by its mayor." Forbes.com

Proponents say requiring private businesses to provide paid sick leave will increase productivity and benefit both employers and employees. Opponents say it is an infringement on the liberties of the private sector and will demand other parts of the employee's compensation package be reduced.

What do you think? Looking beyond whether you would like to have paid sick leave, should the government (either city, state, or federal) have the power to require such things of private business? Is it protecting workers and helping business owners? Or is it infringing on the personal liberties and stifling growth from those who strive to create jobs and fuel our economy?

I would love to hear your thoughts. And assume you will be wearing a sparkly cocktail ring when writing them, which will lighten your mood and the tone of the discussion. :)

Blogger Daily Dose

The whole blogging world is still a bit of a mystery to me. I continue to come up with thoughts of interest (or that I think might be of interest), pictures that will make you laugh, and rants and raves about places I've been or heard about. One trend in blogging I have come to like is a daily theme. One day is "Yummies" the next is "Fashion Flash." One day is "Dream Home" the next is "Love It or Leave It." And "Wordless Wednesday" seems to be a popular one, if only because it lets people take a short breather from their writing duties.

The best blogs usually have a theme, such as modern home decor, having a child with autism, or cooking chicken 1,000 ways. But then there is the Pioneer Woman, one of the most successful bloggers of all time, who just says what's on her mind at any given moment.



People love pictures, and some of the most popular blogs don't have much text at all. Just pretty pictures.


(How's this for pretty?)

Some people find my website, because of my blog posts. One of my photographs is being used for an interpretive display in a state park. Some of my other blog posts go largely unseen. But overall I think blogging is good for me and good for Bon Lemon.

I am not a master novelist, nor do I aspire to be. Once Bon Lemon has "gone big time," (starting later this year and really hitting it hard next year) people will read this blog just because we will be that cool. Until then, I am going to continue to incorporate ideas I think will make this blog better. This week, I am going to start doing a "Daily Dose." Each day, you will get a daily dose of something different. I hope this helps you all know when you want to tune in.

Mondays will be "In the Know" (News, politics, and other facts. I know I am supposed to stick to style, but I can't help myself.)



Tuesdays will be "I Want That" (Self explanatory. I want that. Fabulous dresses, chaise lounges, trinkets, and treasures.)



Wednesdays will be "Hump Day Special" (50% off one item, for one day only. Available on our Facebook Page.)



Thursdays will be "Something Tasty" (Food, travel, and experiences that are good enough to eat.)



And Friday, Saturday, Sundays will be whatever I want. Whenever I want. Just because it feels fun to say that.

Hope you like the new format. Would love to hear your feedback.