November 26, 2024~ Meta Al Generated Images in Chats on FB Messenger

😂😂😂😂😂JUST FOR FUN😂😂😂😂😂.

Today I generated an image using Meta Al, while on my iphone, in FB Messenger. This experience was a "new-to-me-at-76" encounter! In fact, it was my 25th new thing/new place at 76 years old.  I typed: @Meta Al Picture me wandering aimlessly in a sea of tools and lumber at Home Depot😂. 

The second time that I generated an image, I typed: @Meta Al imagine me scrambling through all of the Christmas decorations at Lowes:

And the third time I typed: @Meta Al imagine me frantically raking a large pile of leaves. 

I was using my Iphone on Messenger to accomplish these photos. Funny?Yes! So I continued with more commands. 

"If you use Facebook, Messenger, Instagram or WhatsApp, you've probably come across something called META AL without even realizing it. It's woven into how you interact on these apps, from helping you with posts to editing images." Needless to say, I am late to the party of  Meta AI, especially understanding all of the possibilities. But when I realized Meta Al is my ultimate personal virtual assistant, it became a little less mudied.  

 @Meta Al Imagine me as a gardener:

@Meta Al imagine me playing Pickleball:

@Meta Al Imagine me doing genealogy research:

@Meta Al Imagine me working in our vegetable garden

@Meta Al imagine me out in the woods getting ready to shoot a deer.

@Meta Al Imagine me Gazing at the stars:

@Meta Al Imagine me serving a turkey at Thanksgiving dinner

@Meta Al Imagine me back at the easel painting with oils on a canvas

@Meta Al Imagine me stomping the graveyards looking for relatives

@Meta Al Imagine metrying to get the perfect shot:

@Meta Al Imagine me as a super star 😂😂😂

@Meta Al imagine me at my piano playing a few Christmas tunes

@Meta Al imagine me wishing all a Merry Christmas

AI........ "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE is a field of study that uses technology to create machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI uses algorithms, data, and computational power to simulate human intelligence." ....... this quote, BTW is an AI Overview, that was written for me when I asked google "What is AI".  AI can give you a referral, write a response, answer a question....... It's not complicated, really, especially when you know that Siri, is Apple's virtual assistant for iOS and is powered by artificial intelligence.

Yes, you can use Meta AI on a Windows 10 laptop... so I gave it a try! Tap on the Messenger icon in FB. In the blank search Messenger Chats type: Meta AI and click. I  typed Imagine me playing basketball outdoors.  

OK, you get the idea!.......... here are a few more that were added. The possibilities are, of course, limitless!

 

Just for kicks, Ron did a few for him! 

😂😂😂😂😂JUST FOR FUN😂😂😂😂😂

October 4, 2024~Naturalization Ceremony

Witnessing the Naturalization Ceremony is perhaps one of the most heart-warming events that I have been honored to attend. Today was my THIRD experience. With each program, I gain a stronger sense of pride, appreciation, and gratefulness, knowing that I am an American Citizen. Oh, the freedoms that we take for granted! 

Behind these doors, the Naturalization Ceremony transpires. The Honorable Robert S. Ballou, United States District Judge, presided.

Every year, The United States welcomes nearly 1 million new citizens through naturalization ceremonies, all of who must pass the American citizenship exam. Today's ceremony was celebrated by 39 applicants, all who were eager to finally say: I AM AN AMERICAN! 23 different countries were represented. 

Special music (The Star Spangled Banner) was performed by VIrginia Blend. 

Presentation of Applicants was led by Kenneth Parrella, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Virginia.

What a pleasure to see the new applicants raise their hand and quote the Oath of Allegiance.......spoken in the English language!

Once Judge Ballou presented the official certificates, the new citizens were greeted by flags, handshakes, copies of the Pledge of Allegiance, hugs, and folders of pertinent information. 

The Certificate of Naturalization (form N-550) is proof of a person having obtained U.S. citizenship through the legal process of obtaining a new nationality. This is a copy:  

My heart soared. I beamed with pride. THE NEW CITIZENS beamed with pride. Their smiles were big, broad, and sincere. It was an honor to firmly shake each person's hand. Some of the applicants drove 3-4 hours to make the 11:00 AM opening court. Many stood, after their oath, with remarks of gratitude, for the opportunity to become a citizen of the United States. 
Judge Ballou spoke to the New Citizens. In his remarks he quoted Ronald Reagan: 

"You can live in Germany, Turkey, or Japan, but you can't become a German, a Turk, or a Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the earth, can come live in America and become an American." 

The program concluded with special music, God Bless America, and the Pledge of Allegiance.

As members of the General James Breckinridge Chapter DAR, we have the distinct privilege of being a part of the program. We also provide a reception for the new citizens.  

Today, was my first occasion for personally meeting The Honorable Robert S. Ballou. After many of the new citizens had their 'photo session' with him, I was honored to have mine done as well! 

Federal Judges conduct the ceremonies, which are open to the public, including students. If you have never attended one, it is an experience that you will not forget. The next scheduled Naturalization Ceremony is listed in this link: www.vawd.uscourts.gov 

An additional link is also included to provide YOU with 100 Civics questions which are a part of the Naturalization process. How many can you answer? https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf
I'm proud to be an American! 

I'm equally proud to have the opportunity to vote!

Sept 16, 2024~Wharton Garden, Bedford, VA

 

What a treasure, and an unexpected pleasure to stumble upon the Wharton Garden in Bedford, Va. The secret garden is "located in the town of Bedford, Virginia between the Bedford Central Library and The Bower Center for the Arts. 

Included in the area: The Children's Literacy Garden, made up of several vignettes with an Alice in Wonderland theme, the Reading Walk, the Pollinator Garden, the Playhouse, a pergola and performance stage. 

What a magical place! 

"The Wharton Memorial Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization whose mission is to honor and continue the gardening legacies of Mrs. Louise Bibb Wharton and Mrs. Eloise Gregory, to encourage interest in horticulture through the creation and maintenance of public gardens, and to promote the development of North Bridge Street as a cultural and historic area through gardening, restoring historic structures and supporting the programs of the Bedford Central Library, the Bedford Historic Society and other neighboring institutions."

***** In my quest of learning/doing/seeing 76 new things this year, the Wharton Garden was #10!