Blogger Blogs of Note: Whimsy!

This is so cool. Leslie's blog, Whimsy, was chosen for the Blogs of Note list compiled by the Blogger team! Congrats!!

Creativity Exercise: Fun with the Phone Book

Bernie, one of our great CI team members, sent an email last week celebrating his friend's first-place finish in the Hays Public Library's Annual Poetry Contest. And, as you know, I am all for celebrating success!

Check out the poem. Then, be inspired! How can you use a phone book to instigate creativity? The question will make sense when you read the poem.

For example, I could stand on a phone book. Or two. Why? Because it would change my perspective, and that's always good for a creative boost. Heck, if I stood on three phone books, I'd be dang close to normal height. (Barb, I hear you laughing at me. Stop it. We can't all be tall, beautiful blondes.) We can all be creative -- so get to it! Pull out a phone book and let me know what happens.

Thanks for the idea, Bernie!

Make Your Own Kind of Music

One of my Facebook friends posted this YouTube clip of Mama Cass. I'm just sharing ... always liked this song. And it goes with the blog ...

Creative Inspiration: 'Roid Week 2010

I'm a word person. So, I have to start this by saying, I don't much care for the title, 'Roid Week. I mean, seriously, would it be too much effort to spell out Polaroid?

But, I digress. Title aside, the week is instigating beautiful creativity. Look at Leslie's shot -- she has captured one of the reasons I love the Midwest. This is spring in my part of the world. Sigh. And then sit back and enjoy the 'Roid Week slide show on flickr.

Isn't it amazing how many different views there are of the same world?

Oh, let me digress one more time. While we're sharing, check out the Big Rabbit's day trip. I am especially fond of the last shot. Sorry ... closed. If you're looking for a quick writing exercise, just choose any of these day trip photos and write three paragraphs. Or, make me really happy. Write a haiku. 5-7-5. (If you use Sorry ... closed in the haiku, you're almost done with one line.)

Creativity Tips: Branding Lessons from K-State

On Monday, my daughter Mary and I attended Junior Day at Kansas State University. In more than 30 years* of communications, I've never seen a better spokesperson for an organization than Dr. Pat Bosco, K-State's vice president of student life and dean of students.

Here are a few quick lessons learned that apply to any brand:

1. Be consistent. Dr. Bosco used "my" every time he referred to the student body. "My freshmen ..." "My students ..." "My kids ..." This personal approach is a direct reflection of the K-State brand and attitude. It's also a reminder of how much every word matters.
   
   
2. Tell a great story. Sure, you can walk the talk. But can you drive the jive? Dr. Bosco drives a purple Jeep. I know, because he told us a great story: When he's backing that purple Jeep out of his garage, he continually hits the Jeep roof on the garage door. Why? He's so eager to get to campus, he can't wait until the door is all the way up. He used this to illustrate the importance of doing something you love. Forget branding -- there's a career lesson we can all take to heart.
   
   
3. Invite feedback. After the high school juniors left the auditorium, Dr. Bosco talked briefly with the parents -- explaining that his presentation to the juniors was new and asking us for feedback. He wanted to make sure it hit home. It's another reflection of the K-State brand: Learning is essential. Don't be content with good. Go for great. What can we do bettter?
   

Since my daughter Kate goes to K-State, I can also tell you that Dr. Bosco gives his home phone number to the parents of incoming students during Freshmen Orientation. He doesn't want us to use it. He just wants us to have it, because emergencies happen. We might need it. We might need him. And he's there for us, just as he's there for the students.

Would you give your home phone number to a customer? Just in case they might need it?

Disclaimers: I don't bleed purple. I didn't go to K-State. I'm a proud MU grad and spent eight fun years in University Communications at UMKC. Nonetheless, I'm glad we've become a Wildcat family.

*Good grief. I'm old.

Creative Inspiration: Abraham Joshua Heschel

I know a lot of you receive the blog via email or through a reader, so you don't see the weekly quotes I post on the blog itself. I don't want you to miss this week's quote from Abraham Joshua Heschel:

There is happiness in the love of labor; there is misery in the love of gain.

As we start the week, look at your calendar. It's your schedule, my friend. Make sure you're not so crazy busy you miss those labors of love. Because there's no time like today to be happy.

Food is Love: Peanut Butter on Toast

I know, I know. I can hear you ... "Peanut butter on toast?" Hey, in my Food is Love world, peanut butter on toast is near the top of the list.

Years ago, when the girls were little, we used to go with my in-laws to Arkansas for the annual family reunion. While Heber Springs and Drasco were totally rustic when the folks grew up there, the area has spruced up. We always stayed in a lovely condo, with a long deck overlooking trees and a gorgeous lake.

Every morning, my mother-in-law would chide me, "Stop fussing around. I'll watch those girls. You go outside. Enjoy the deck." I'd go outside with a cup of coffee, plop in a deck chair and do nothing -- just sit, sip my coffee, and watch the sun play on the water. Then, just as I started getting hungry, Mom would magically appear, bringing me peanut butter on toast.

There are a lot of ways to say, "I love you." This weekend, try peanut butter on toast.

P.S. I found the photo here. Mom just spread the peanut butter, which was perfectly fine. She wasn't a "draw cute pictures in the peanut butter" kind of gal. I cut the toast in half and then make it into a butterfly. I even do this for myself. (You're not surprised by this, are you?)

P.P.S. Were you hoping for a fancier recipe? Check this out. Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast. Sounds good ... I haven't tried it.