Category: Randomness – Poems, Haiku, and Other Stuff

Honesty. I try to always be as open as I can. What you see is what you get.

Grab a book and read for hours. I read at bedtime mostly and rarely beyond that time. Used to be I would never put a book down.

A good hike, walk, or bike ride helps keep the mental energy strong so does a good nap.

Getting lost in music helps to keep my physical energy strong. Losing yourself in a song just creates a vibe that makes your body feel alive.

Eating the right foods too. Healthy options fuel me much better than junk food but I do love my junk food. I can’t lie about that.

Empty. I do not go a day without listening to music. It helps in so many ways. It lifts you up, helps you relax, helps you to be in the moment, passes the time, and many more reasons beyond that. I’d be lost without it.

We usually only decorate and dive deep into Halloween and Christmas. We enjoy putting up decorations and watching movies that represent either one of those holidays. Most other holidays we take it easy and relax and enjoy the time off from work and the school routine. Thanksgiving (we live in the U.S.) is spent with family close by but travel is never part of our holiday plans. Too busy. Better to stay home.

Cinnamon Rolls.

Pizza.

Cereal.

Broccoli – love it roasted with garlic and olive oil.

Cornbread.

Oatmeal.

And there are others but the mind is blank. Trying to cut back on the sweets as I age but anything sweet is also a go to for me. Hard to resist.

3 to 4 times a week is my goal. I don’t always meet that but that’s what I try to do.

I stay home with my kids and that leads to a lot of leadership type moments. You run the house – choosing dinners, when chores have to get done, keeping everyone in line for school, etc. – so you kind of have to be in charge. Everyone is looking up at you for whatever they need. In that way I do see myself as a leader even if leading isn’t always suited to my personality.

Bombastic.

Use it often when something is loud and aggressive. I think I misuse it often but it’s a fun word to say.

An ideal week: Taking another trip back to Key West and walking everywhere. No car. No commitments. No stress.

An ideal week 2: A deserted beach and plenty of time to walk beside the waves or lounge in the shade.

An ideal week 3: As I get older this is starting to appeal more to me than anything else – a hike or bike ride in nature – by the beach or in the mountains. Making sure my feet and legs move every single day.

I have been lucky to have traveled furthest from home at least 3 times to the Czech Republic. I remember a train ride through the country, away from the tourist areas, my brother is fluent in Czech, talking out loud in English and having everyone staring at us. I don’t think most of them had heard English before.

Simply put: it’s a creative outlet.

Reading.

I try to find time to do this everyday. Turn off the phone and the distractions and read. Helps me get better rest if I do this at night.

Scooby Doo came to mind immediately. Probably where my love of horror and scary things originated. Saturday morning cartoons were a thing when I was a kid. Enjoyed many of them in the 70s and early 80s. Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers are very early memories too.

Lots of 80’s Sitcoms – I turned from a kid to a teenager in that decade. Consumed many of those now classic shows. Night Court, Golden Girls (funny even as a teen), Cosby Show, Perfect Strangers, Family Ties, Who’s the Boss …. and on and on it goes.

My dad got me into Sanford and Son and to this day we still quote that show.

A long walk.

A hike in nature.

A good book.

Watching a movie.

Getting lost listening to music.

Anything that helps me destress and recharge my mental battery. That’s how I find peace in a stressful world.

Anyone in the saving profession is to be admired – Police, Firefighters, Nurses, Doctors, etc. – and I am always willing to sing their praises.

However, there’s one profession out there that I admire that doesn’t get the praise it should. I do it. I live it everyday. I am in that profession. The stay-at-home and take care of the family profession. It’s 24 hrs a day 7 days a week and you are constantly on call. No matter what time of night or day it’s your job to handle whatever happens – good or bad.

Being home has helped me admire and appreciate what my mom did for me for so many years. I never knew how tough it was raising me and my brother until I stayed home. I admire any person, mom or dad, who decides to take up the reins and stay home full time.

Best thing about being home for me. I am getting to watch my kids grow and to witness their growth each and everyday. That’s the positive that helps me push through the toughest of moments.

Wallet – has everything you need.

Phone – contacts and boredom buster.

In an alternate timeline I’d like to think I will still have the loved ones and friends I have now but I am more successful creatively. I am the published author I have always wanted to be. The Podcast and YouTube Channels are massive success stories. All my creative efforts have paid off and I can share the benefits with those I know and love.