bettyliedtke – Page 9 – FindYourBuriedTreasure

The Smartest Age

“As we get older, we get wiser. At what age are we the smartest?” That’s the question that was asked of contestants at a Toastmasters Table Topics competition I attended recently. In a Table Topics contest, participants are given the question, and must immediately give a one- to two-minute response. The purpose of Table Topics, in competition and at regular Toastmasters meetings, is to help people learn to think on their feet, organize their thoughts quickly, and give a confident, intelligent-sounding response to spur-of-the-moment questions. [...]

By bettyliedtke|November 15th, 2022|Columns, Toastmasters, Values|Comments Off

A Gift of Time

I still remember my daughter’s first day of pre-school. Her big brother was already in kindergarten, and after I dropped my daughter off at school and returned home, it hit me that for the first time in a number of years, I had a block of time, during the day, all to myself. I stopped short as I stepped through the doorway, thinking about the best way to use that time. Should I do a whirlwind housecleaning, since I could do so without any kids [...]

By bettyliedtke|November 7th, 2022|Columns, Family, Values|Comments Off

If you see something…

“If you see something, say something.” That slogan has existed since 2001, and came about in response to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Its original purpose was to remind people – at airports especially, but other places as well – to speak up and alert authorities if they see anything suspicious, such as an abandoned bag or suitcase that could contain a bomb. Over the years, the phrase has been used in other contexts as well – suspicious activity [...]

By bettyliedtke|October 31st, 2022|Accountability, Columns, Making a Difference, Quotes and Sayings|Comments Off

A Week of Reunions

It was my husband’s 50th high school reunion, but we made it a week filled with reunions, from high school classmates and college buddies to other friends and family members we haven’t seen in quite a while. The high school reunion was the main reason for our trip to Chicago. But our first visit when we got into town was with friends we’ve known for well over fifty years. In our younger days, we used to go camping together, often with little more than a [...]

By bettyliedtke|October 17th, 2022|Columns, Family, Travel, Values|Comments Off

Out of Town

I’m out of town for a 50-Year High School Reunion, and visiting some family and friends along the way. I’m sure I’ll have a few good stories to tell when I get back! Stay safe! October 5, 2022 ©Betty Liedtke, 2022 I welcome your comments, but please be aware that all comments will be moderated and approved before appearing on this blog. This is to protect all of us from unwanted spam.

By bettyliedtke|October 5th, 2022|Columns|Comments Off

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” It’s a wonderful thought, isn’t it? It’s also the name of an organization I learned about recently. I was working a volunteer shift at a Non-Profit Expo sponsored by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. I was there with Georgia Writers Museum, one of about a dozen charities and non-profits at the Expo. In between the time we spent talking with visitors at our own tables, we had time to visit each other’s. I enjoyed meeting new people, as well as chatting with [...]

By bettyliedtke|September 26th, 2022|Columns, Making a Difference, Values|Comments Off

Endings and Beginnings

“I can’t believe it’s September already.” A number of people have been saying this over the last week or so, and I thought it myself as I turned the calendar page over to the new month. (Yes, I still use a paper calendar on the kitchen counter, in addition to the digital one on my phone.) There’s something about September. It seems to contain more pronounced beginnings and endings than other months. Maybe it’s because the Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer. [...]

By bettyliedtke|September 10th, 2022|Columns, Holidays|Comments Off

What this angry world needs

“What this angry world needs is a lot more hope.” That was the headline for an opinion column in our local newspaper last week. And it got me thinking. While I don’t argue with the value and importance of hope in our lives, I think there’s something else this angry world needs even more: respect. Treating others with respect is not necessarily the same as respecting them, although it would be nice to do both. But even if there are people who haven’t yet earned [...]

By bettyliedtke|August 30th, 2022|Columns, Making a Difference, Quotes and Sayings, Respect, Values|Comments Off

What Nobody Knows

Every so often, I find myself quoting the author W. Somerset Maugham, who once said, “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” I thought of that Saturday while attending a “Writing Children’s Books” Workshop at Georgia Writers Museum. The workshop featured four successful children’s book authors, speaking about different aspects of writing, illustrating, and publishing. Their presentations included their own personal stories – how they got started, what inspired them, and best practices based on their experiences. [...]

By bettyliedtke|August 22nd, 2022|Columns, Quotes and Sayings, Writing|Comments Off

A Big Little Hit

There was much in the news last week to spark outrage, no matter which side of the political divide you’re on. And, of course, that divide got deeper and wider as time went on. Which is all the more reason an unrelated incident in the news was so welcome and heartwarming. I’m referring to the Little League Regional Championship game in which a batter got knocked down by a wild pitch that hit him in the helmet. That, of course, wasn’t the heartwarming part. It [...]

By bettyliedtke|August 15th, 2022|Columns, Making a Difference, Respect, Values|Comments Off

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