Diamond Mike Watson's Blog, page 16
January 13, 2017
The Endangered Bumble Bee
Cucahy, WI Aug. 13, 2013
Growing up in Southern Indiana, I was well aware of the bumble bee. To those who have lived in other parts of America, you may never have experienced the black and yellow creature that would buzz with a menacing low-frequency. As a child, I was always filled with wonder and curiosity, but my love for Earth’s creatures was intensified in grade school. I learned our planet was filled with living treasures and my desire to learn more became fueled throughout adulthood.
It always irritated me when an article or television source confused a bumble bee with a honeybee. A honeybee is more slender. A bumble bee is more robust with black hairs separated by beautiful, blocky patches of yellow. They are both wondrous but incredibly different. As a child, I would stalk the giant insect as it would light upon a bright hibiscus flower. Making sure I was unnoticed I would quickly fold the petals of the flowers and encase the annoyed creature inside a buzzing white prison. I would pluck the flower from its stem and listen carefully to the angry hum of a flying insect that, unlike the honeybee, could sting its antagonizer again and again.
Of course I could never release the insect within arms length. Like most creatures, bumble bees are docile but do attack when provoked. A bumble bee may not easily forgive the embarrassment if it is trapped within a native wildflower. (Especially if it feels humiliated in front of friends.) Therefore, I always chose to throw the flower while immediately running for my life in the opposite direction.
I will miss you, my dear friend, the bumble bee.
———————–
The rusty patched bumblebee is a North American native that was once found in grasslands across the eastern and midwestern United States, with a habitat covering 28 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, according to the FWS. Since 2000, however, habitat loss due to agriculture has restricted the bee to 13 states and one Canadian province. Overall, abundance of the bees has dropped by 87 percent since the late 1990s.
By Stephanie Pappas, Live Science Contributor. January 11, 2017.
——————–
What can I do to help conserve the rusty patched bumble bee?
Garden: Grow a garden or add a flowering tree or shrub to your yard. Even small areas or containers on patios can provide nectar and pollen for native bees.
Native plants:
Use native plants in your yard such as lupines, asters, bee balm, native prairie plants and spring ephemerals. Don’t forget spring blooming shrubs like ninebark and pussy willow.
Natural landscapes:
Provide natural areas – many bumble bees build nests in undisturbed soil, abandoned rodent burrows or grass clumps. Keep some unmowed, brushy areas and tolerate bumble bee nests if you find them.
Minimize:
Limit the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizer whenever possible or avoid them entirely. Pesticides cause lethal effects to bees and other pollinators.
US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Filed under: Amazing Today, Life Adventures
Bumble Bee, Endangered
Cucahy, WI Aug. 13, 2013
Growing up in Southern Indiana, I was well aware of the bumble bee. To those who have lived in other parts of America, you may never have experienced the black and yellow creature that would buzz with a menacing low-frequency. As a child, I was always filled with wonder and curiosity, but my love for Earth’s creatures was intensified in grade school. I learned our planet was filled with living treasures and my desire to learn more became fueled throughout adulthood.
It always irritated me when an article or television source confused a bumble bee with a honeybee. A honeybee is more slender. A bumble bee is more robust with black hairs separated by beautiful, blocky patches of yellow. They are both wondrous but incredibly different. As a child, I would stalk the giant insect as it would light upon a bright hibiscus flower. Making sure I was unnoticed I would quickly fold the petals of the flowers and encase the annoyed creature inside a buzzing white prison. I would pluck the flower from its stem and listen carefully to the angry hum of a flying insect that, unlike the honeybee, could sting its antagonizer again and again.
Of course I could never release the insect within arms length. Like most creatures, bumble bees are docile but do attack when provoked. A bumble bee may not easily forgive the embarrassment if it is trapped within a native wildflower. (Especially if it feels humiliated in front of his a friends.) Therefore, I always chose to throw the flower while immediately running for my life in the opposite direction.
I will miss you, my dear friend, the bumble bee.
———————–
The rusty patched bumblebee is a North American native that was once found in grasslands across the eastern and midwestern United States, with a habitat covering 28 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, according to the FWS. Since 2000, however, habitat loss due to agriculture has restricted the bee to 13 states and one Canadian province. Overall, abundance of the bees has dropped by 87 percent since the late 1990s.
By Stephanie Pappas, Live Science Contributor. January 11, 2017.
——————–
What can I do to help conserve the rusty patched bumble bee?
Garden: Grow a garden or add a flowering tree or shrub to your yard. Even small areas or containers on patios can provide nectar and pollen for native bees.
Native plants:
Use native plants in your yard such as lupines, asters, bee balm, native prairie plants and spring ephemerals. Don’t forget spring blooming shrubs like ninebark and pussy willow.
Natural landscapes:
Provide natural areas – many bumble bees build nests in undisturbed soil, abandoned rodent burrows or grass clumps. Keep some unmowed, brushy areas and tolerate bumble bee nests if you find them.
Minimize:
Limit the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizer whenever possible or avoid them entirely. Pesticides cause lethal effects to bees and other pollinators.
US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Filed under: Amazing Today, Life Adventures
December 18, 2016
The Four Steps to Positive Change and Success
As a single man, I was attracted to brunettes with shapely curves. Many will agree that, at first glance, its what’s on the outside that counts. After all, can you determine if one enjoys nature hikes or Italian food from across a dimly lit room? A fulfilling relationship is one in which humor, conversation, and mutual respect can be shared. It is also important to know the following:
1. Does my suitor know they have been loved? (The root of success and healthy relationships.)
2. Do they love themselves? (Cannot be answered “yes” unless Question #1 is “yes”)
3. Do they love others? (Is difficult to answer “yes” unless Question #2 is “yes”)
4. Do they have the passion to do good things for themselves while helping all others along the way?
If the answer is no to these questions, even a voluptuous body may not prevent a relationship to quickly fizzle.
——-
Every person who applies to work for Gallery of Diamonds must be persuasive in expressing how he or she can make our jewelry company bigger and better. Because I learned the power of perseverance in my own quest of discovering my birth origins, I feel it is important to hire someone with stamina to build a successful company.
In 20 minutes, I search for two qualities: 1. Outward glow. 2. Inner essence.
Outward glow. If a candidate does not shine from the outside, no one will want to do commerce with them. In business, one’s radiance must be experienced within 5 seconds. People who glow appear successful, and customers like to do business with others who are successful. To a customer, it is the strength of this outward glow that may make or break any sale.
Inner essence. The deeper, lasting qualities of individuals cannot always be determined within 5 seconds. Therefore, in hiring a new employee, it is important to know the following:
1. Does the applicant know they have been loved?
2. Do they love themselves?
3. Do they love others?
4. Do they have the passion to do good things for themselves while helping all others along the way?
Do they share our philosophy of creating an unforgettable experience with every person who would walk inside our store? Do they really want to make our world a better place?
If I feel their heart is dark, or have little ambition to better themselves and others, I do not hire them. I also do not hire out of desperation, and my staff is willing to work harder until we find a member who shares our ideals.
The result of that attitude has created a workplace in which we are eager to be part of every day. For a company that began humbly in 1991 with a small handful of diamonds, rings and chains, it now has created happy memories for tens of thousands of customers who currently wear our jewelry designs. This year Gallery of Diamonds is celebrating 25 years in business. We continue to grow.
This childlike philosophy of success remains relevant from simple interpersonal relationships to the elected leaders of our countries. In a democracy, we have the opportunity to interview our candidates.
1. Does the candidate know he or she has been loved?
2. Do they love themselves?
3. Do they love others?
4. Do they have the passion to do good things, without expecting anything in return, while helping all others along the way?
As a society, if we can answer yes to these questions, our world becomes our safe and beautiful home.
To see my jewelry designs, go to http://www.GalleryOfDiamonds.com
Filed under: FlyUp!, Gallery of Diamonds, Life Adventures, Philosophy
December 16, 2016
How I became Diamond Mike
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My name has not always been Diamond Mike. In fact, when I was born I never had a name. The name Michael was given to me three days later by a loving woman and man who I would later call mom and dad.
I was adopted. I never did meet my birthmother, who died in 1981. 36 years later, after submitting her death certificate to the Indiana State Department of Health, I was lawfully allowed to receive my original birth certificate. It was a rather boring slip of paper, and contained three blanks for names.
Mother_________,
Father_________,
Name of Child___________.
The first blank said Mother: Betty Price. (My adoptive parents told me that.)
The second blank said Father: Unknown. (I figured that also.)
The third blank did not say Michael, as my friends have always called me. Instead, it said Name of Child: Infant.
It is claimed when my birthmother was drinking she would mumble to my siblings, “One of these days we must find Jonathan.” Of course that disturbed the family deeply after telling them previously I was stillborn. So I suppose Jonathan would have been my name if she did not put me up for adoption.
What does a Jonathan look like?
What is a Jonathan supposed to do?
Around 1996, a student drew an artistic rendering on top of a stack of mother’s essays that were submitted to my jewelry store. It said, “Go Diamond Mike!” Yes, I can be Diamond Mike, I thought.
What does a Diamond Mike look like?
What is a Diamond Mike supposed to do?
I suppose we all choose who we want to be. We can be dark villains. We can be superheroes.
Today I buy and sell diamonds. I design jewelry. I am a father and grandfather. I wear a purple tie. On occasion an umbrella is my sceptor. Don’t be surprised if you ever see me wearing a purple cape.
The most important thing is to know we have been loved. But first we must have a name. Then we must live up to our names.
My name is Diamond Mike. It is a pleasure to meet you.
Autographed copies of my new book, Moon Over Mountains, are available at http://whymomdeservesadiamond.com/books.html. Thank you.
Filed under: Adoption, Amazing Today, Gallery of Diamonds, Life Adventures, Philosophy, Why Mom Deserves A Diamond
December 15, 2016
We will find you, Deborah Kay
[image error]September 4, 1994 is a historic date. At least, for me. In the town of New Albany, Indiana, I met my birth family for the first time- uncles, aunts, a cousin, even a grandmother. We all agreed to meet at my childhood home where my adoptive parents still lived. This might not sound exciting to you. I’m sure most every reader has spoken to their mother, father, brother or sister. Unfortunately, that first reunion did not include my birthmother, Betty Price. She had already died, and carried a dark secret to her grave- that I was stillborn. No one ever tried to look for me because they assumed I didn’t exist.
No words can explain my joy of seeing humans who had similar physical features as myself. I could see, hear and touch others who shared my bloodline. We compared eyes, noses, hair, and the way we talked with our hands. My birth family had brought a welcome cake especially for me. We exchanged stories of graduations, victories, and tribulations. We shared family photos and joyful memories. I accepted the fact my birthmother had died, and the hole in my soul was filled in knowing my bloodroots.
More than a third of my life had passed. I earned a degree, married, divorced, and began my own business. After believing I was an only child for the past 36 years I learned I was the middle-born of five siblings. The only problem was one sister was missing- Deborah Kay. She was born December 6, 1955 in Indianapolis. My birth family said she disappeared. Everyone had interrogated my birthmother. Did a social worker take her? Did a babysitter steal her? Did her ex husband kidnap her? Betty could never give a plausible explanation.
No police report was ever filed.
As a small infant, Deborah Kay vanished from the face of the Earth.
I didn’t want to ruin the party. I didn’t want to spoil everyone’s newfound joy. We were having such a good time! Should I have left well enough alone? Should I not dig up the past? Did something horrible happen?
Don’t worry, Deborah Kay. If you are still out there, we are going to find you.
I am asking everyone to please share or repost this. This is the last picture I was told was taken of Deborah Kay sitting on my birthmother’s lap. You can find more details on my blog or in my new book, “Moon Over Mountains- the Search for Mom” on Amazon. If you have any leads please contact me. Thank you.
Filed under: Adoption, Life Adventures
December 14, 2016
Police Report
Today I filed a missing persons report for my sister, Deborah Kay. It appears there was never such a report filed since she vanished as a child. This will be submitted to the Indianapolis police, where my birthmother was living at the time of her disappearance. I hope the relationships I have forged with my newfound birth relatives will not be at risk. This is a mission that needs to be undertaken and I hereby assign myself to this task.[image error]
Filed under: Adoption, Family Life, Life Adventures
December 12, 2016
The Reflection of your Eye
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This is my eye. Upon close inspection, you can see the window reflections of Gallery of Diamonds. If the camera was angled differently, my newest book and photos of our mother’s appreciation contest would also be detected. You might also see my new mothers jewelry designs.
During the last twenty-five years it has been a challenge to separate two passions of my life. The first passion is creating the awareness of adoptees who are left in the darkness of ancestral bewilderment. The second passion is to continue the fairytale legacy of the Why Mom Deserves a Diamond contest. Some think I began the contest from the jubilation of finding my birthmother. The truth is I was still searching for the woman who gave birth to me. The contest began at a time my life was filled with the largest abyss of doubt. It began during the possibility that I would never know how I originated on this planet. Whether or not I would ever meet this mystery woman, I wanted kids to express their love and appreciation for their mothers.
I was fortunate in being adopted by loving parents. I may have been loved more fervently than kids who are born from biological parents. I was held, squeezed, and given extraordinary affection. I never doubted who was my mom. Her name was Martha. She and my dad drove to an Indianapolis hospital the third day after I was born. They signed the necessary adoption papers and gave me a warm home in Southern Indiana. Like me, they never saw my birthmother.
It was the love and understanding of my adoptive mom that taught me compassion toward my birthmother, Betty Price. At 22 years old, after giving birth to two previous children, Betty signed a form to forever relinquish me to another set of parents. On that cold day in February, 1958, I would be severed from my birthmother and my brother and sister. I have no doubt she would have loved me. How could anyone not love me? I’m sure she weighed her options and did what she thought was correct at that time. I have convinced myself it was an act of love.
For those who have experienced the mother and child experience of the Why Mom Deserves a Diamond contest, I want to express that it began with a deeper love than one might presume. What began humbly in honor of both my mothers evolved into a necessary ingredient of our society, and that is to express our gratitude for all moms.
I have searched for my birthmother for most of my life. It is no wonder “mother” reflects back from my eye. Knowing we are loved gives us the will to conquer the universe in a positive way. Not knowing this love that can make us savages.
Now, take a picture of your eye. Look closely, what reflections do you see? Please post your picture here.
For an autographed copy of my new book, Moon Over Mountains, please go to this link. Thank you. http://www.whymomdeservesadiamond.com/books.html
Filed under: Amazing Today, Gallery of Diamonds, Jewelry, Life Adventures, Philosophy, Why Mom Deserves A Diamond
December 11, 2016
The March for Love
A leader of a country has a tremendous responsibility to set a positive example for its people and the rest of the world. One person may not be able to do this alone. Therefore, to people of every color and creed of our great nation, I ask that we look not solely to our leaders, but inward toward ourselves, and join together as one body in a march for love, kindness, and mutual respect for one another.
Filed under: Life Adventures, Philosophy
Refuse to be a Blind Follower
Although I loved my parents, I did not always agree with them. Because I didn’t agree, I moved across the country to California and found the love and passion of my life.
Although I respected my former bosses, I did not always agree with them. Because I didn’t agree, I created a successful jewelry store that has flourished for over 25 years.
We have accepted the victory of our new president. That does not mean we must always agree with him. As intelligent beings, we must always question our hearts and minds and never become blind followers.
A leader of a country has a tremendous responsibility to set a positive example for its people and the rest of the world. One person may not be able to do this alone. Therefore, to people of every color and creed of our great nation, I ask that we look not solely to our leaders, but inward toward ourselves, and join together as one body in a march for love, kindness, and mutual respect for one another.
Filed under: Life Adventures, Philosophy
December 3, 2016
Uniphilarsian- One who loves, regards, and watches over the unique aspect of every person.
The I have been asked about my religion. I have also been questioned about my ethnicity. My hair was always dark and curly. My skin color says olive on my amended birth certificate. Being adopted without knowing my birth family, that question was always impossible to answer. I have been asked about my sexual preference and I’m sure some have wondered about my purple tie.
I am proud to answer any of these questions, including what is my name.
Being adopted, I was born without a name. MIchael came three days later.
Diamond Mike came later still. We must first have a name and then define what it means to live up to that name.
I am even more more proud to say what I am.
I am a uniphilarsian. It is a person who expresses the intense love and respect of persons from diverse backgrounds. My wife is from Guatemala. My friends are from every corner of the world, and many times the only Caucasian person at my workplace is myself. You will not find this word in the dictionary. There was an urgent need to invent a word to negate the horrible word of the year for 2016- xenophobic.
With the help of my friend and master wordsmith, Doug Lowry, we now have a word that translates, “One who loves, regards, and watches over the unique aspect of every person.” Uni (all) + Phil (love) + Lars- Latin lār (“guardian spirit”) from Etruscan + ian- meaning of or relating to.
2016 is not over. I would like everyone to type the word “uniphilarsian” in their browsers. Please help us make this word have a permanent place in our dictionary and in our hearts.
Please share this post. We each have the power to change the world in a positive way.
Filed under: Amazing Today, FlyUp!, Life Adventures, Philosophy
