Many authors have said that writing a book is like raising a child. You create it, refine it, love it and send it off into the big, cruel world. I’ve always liked that analogy. Now as a mother and a creator of sorts, I’ve come to learn a newspaper is like that, too.
Especially a newspaper in which you write, edit, and design the pages.
When I get a disgruntled phone call or angry letter, I want to cry. I want to scoop up my imperfect child I cared for so much and tell it that despite what people say, she is wonderful.
The Skaneateles Press was something like an adopted child for me. I knew nothing about its history or quirks going in, but I spent a lot of time learning them and nurturing the paper like it was my own.
Now, I’ll be heading back home to Oneida...

CATEGORY: Parenting

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The other day on my way to work I stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts. My normal routine on Tuesdays (production day) has been to leave for work around 4:30 a.m. I get to Canastota around 4:40 a.m. (Dunkin’ Donuts doesn’t open until 5), so I usually grab a can of diet Pepsi on my way out the door and use the caffeine in that to make it to Syracuse. This usually puts me at the Thompson Road Dunkin’ Donuts (off Carrier Circle) right around 5 a.m. when they open.

I don’t know if any of you have experienced Dunkin’ Donuts that early, but it’s a bit of a crapshoot, for lack of a better word. There is usually no donuts, no bagels and the cashier is no more awake than I am.

Just to digress for a moment, I am not a Dunkin’ Donuts fan...

CATEGORY: Restaurants

TAGS: Dunkin' Donuts, truck, driver, creamer

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I love the Olympics and I don’t know many people who don’t. The flags and the torches and the opening ceremonies, which the Chinese really kicked up a notch — not to mention the first class athletes and the variety of sports you don’t normally see on primetime (Seriously, how many times have you watched synchronized swimming during the past four years).

And it’s rare. Every four years is a long time. I’ve only seen seven summer games and when the next one comes, my son will be almost ready for Kindergarten. Four years ago I was getting ready for my sophomore year of college, I hadn’t met my husband or the last … umm … three boyfriends before him.

So, needless to say, I’ve been watching it...

CATEGORY: Gymnastics

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Some guys like cars. They like to fix them, change the oil, trick them out. My husband loves computers. He would rather spend a Saturday defragging than almost anything.
He made his PC into a Mac and 'Frankstein'-ed my college desktop into a server that can be accessed from anywhere. I don’t know if that’s impressive to other computer geeks… but it is to me.
I am very good with computers as far as what I need them for. I taught myself html coding, flash, the Adobe Creative Suite and a host of other programs that I need or find interesting.
I can navigate the internet with ease and can troubleshoot common problems.
But, computers in general scare the hell out of me. No person in my life do I put as much trust in day to day as I do my computer...

CATEGORY: General Society

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I have a lot of goals in life. Since last week I’ve aspired to be a gymnast, a synchronized diver and as my sister calls it, a “ribbon on a stick” performer.
I’ve always had a goal of writing a book.
Recently, I’ve thought a lot about a more reasonable goal of learning sign language. As I’ve written in previous blogs, my sister has grown fond of a 16-year-old deaf boy.
I wouldn’t say that Elliot is easy to communicate with, but his intelligence and creativity make it possible to converse, although it’s sometimes an adventure getting there. Watching his parents and him communicate makes you almost believe that if you tried, you could begin to use sign language without any training at all...

CATEGORY: Other Languages

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I hate politics.
I didn't and still don't know who I'm voting for, but up until now, Obama had my attention. I'm not saying he had my vote, but honestly the thought of another old white guy as president didn't thrill me.
Well I did just want McCain wanted. With the announcement of Sarah Palin as the VP candidate, I gave the McCain campaign another look.
Why? For all the reason's McCain's going for.

1) This is number one, isn't it? She's a girl. Its new and historic and the the things Obama had going for him.

2) She's small town. Wife of a fisherman, friend of farmers. She could be from Oneida.

3) She's like me...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: Sarah Palin, Sarah, Palin, tall

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