Instead of riding my bicycle, I am taking long walks to get back to good health. In my 68th year one finds out the hard way that good health is a blessing and not a given. At least I am upright and looking forward to each new day and working my way back to sitting in the saddle and pedaling my way around town.
Every year ends about this time… there are moments of great joy and moments of sorrow… smiles and fears but 2024 is only hours away and with it new hopes. So thank you everyone who fill my life and time and thank you all for another year of adventure. Take care and may 2024 be full of the best and full of joy.
Every time I join the group of bicycle riders who decide to ride across Iowa; I find myself surrounded by people full of joy, hope, fun, kindness and goodwill that I start to think: “It’s not so high a bar to reach for.” So why not lift up that hand and think: “I’ll be better…” Everyone have a good day… thank you for being…
It’s a new year… I feel that it would be great to think positive thoughts at the start and strive to keep along that path throughout the year and on for infinity.
I sat down at my 110 year old typewriter and put down my thoughts. When I finished I felt I had created a “fine mess” of thoughts and was about tear up the paper when it occurred to me that I “was not running for office” I was not charging for my thoughts… I just wanted to express my views.
We all are products of the time and place we were born in. Ways of expression and the meaning behind them shift over time and what was benign for one age group becomes offensive to another.
Still there is a hope we can find a common ground and express ourselves without fear of fists or hammers or hate by just trying to point out our thoughts. Fear has a way of preventing words from being expressed and that is a sad thing.
I have felt that way with all the division out there today… but I still hope so I kept my fine mess of words…
When I look back on the films of Sidney Poitier I view a positive possibility of what America is. The high road toward the future with hope and steadfastness and a big heart for others.
Been snowed in for the past week. Read a book (Rabbit’s Blues: The life and times of Johnny Hodges by Con Chapman) which provided me with a new phrase to use: “Can a Moose Crochet?” Watched the documentary Jazz on a Summer’s Day which is a great way to see Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Washington, Anita O’ Day and other’s as they performed at Newport in 1958. Then I went outside and took some pictures. With lots of time to reflect…
I was not at the Capitol when things happened… I can only go by what I saw and heard and read; I am sadden by it. I would like to believe that the majority had good intent to have a peaceful expression of their views. However the actions of a few impacts impacts us all. I will not lump everyone into a single label because our future depends on seeing the value of character, truth and common ground.
I believe it is not weakness to strive to understand… I believe that respect for the flag is to strive to bridge this gap of what makes America great. For me it is not needing 20,000 in uniform to have a peaceful transition of power. Without understanding between us how can we return to peace?
I understand that we can say something and have others interpret what we say in a manner that was not our intent. Today some have the ability to use words in a way that conflicts; but mean the same thing to them. I wish there was a dictionary to let me know when “good” is “bad” and when “lie” is “truth”. When “fact” is “fake” and when “Opinion” means what is said does not count.
What you do when no one is looking is what makes the world go round. I will continue to believe when someone mentions seeing a “double rainbow” not call it “fake news” because it easy to deny than to believe.
I will still look for 4 leaf clover’s because they will bring me luck.
I will not step on cracks in the sidewalks… not because it may break someone’s back but because it makes walking along a sidewalk more fun.
I will believe that good will will outlast bad. That honesty takes you farther in life than lies. That it is good to think of good…
