Making an impression...

While thinking of a way to tie together today's post, all the phrases connected with making an impression came flooding into my head. I'm not above an occasional pun and/or terrible play on words since they amuse me (yes, I know what that says about my sense of humor), but I didn't want to go that route today. 

For some reason Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "What is Success?" popped into my head, mainly for the fifth stanza - "...To leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition..." 

That single stanza perfectly captures the stories I found for today. 

Walt Disney made an impression on generations of children (myself included), and his ground-breaking work continues to inspire others to do the same. Some may think Disneyana is childish or hokey, but the New York Times believes it may be making a comeback as a legitimate genre of antiques, propelled by the October 1 opening of the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, Calif. Created by the animator's daughter and grandson, the museum celebrates Walt Disney as a "daddy, husband and friend" and will include all sorts of memorabilia from his life and creations. 

The Epoch Times has a story on a muralist in Burnaby, British Columbia who has partnered with all sorts of organizations to paint full building-sized murals that show nature and animals in their natural habitats. Entrepreneur and painter Todd Polich paints endangered species murals in a way that promotes connection to nature and conservation. Check out the photo in the story closely. You can't tell that he painted that on the side of an insurance building. 

In recognition of Nelson Mandela's 67 years of fighting for human rights, peace and humanity, South African president Jacob Zuma has called on people all over the world to spend 67 minutes doing something to help their community tomorrow, July 18 - former President Mandela's birthday. The Sofia Echo posted a Reuters story quoting Mandela: "We would be honoured if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace and reconciliation."