Monday Moods: Just The Way You Are

Repeat after me: 

I am fine just the way I am.  

I am tall enough, short enough, thin enough, shapely enough. I am just the way I should be.  

I won't let others projection of insecurities, darken my day.  

I am and will continue to be kind to others. Kindness is contagious. 

The harder they try to ruin my day, the more I will smile and find joy. It drives the bastards crazy when they don't get to me. 

I will use my energy to make the world a better place. 

When someone is nasty to me, I will pause and think about what horrible thing must have happened in that person's life, for them to be upset and nasty today, and wish them a better day. 

I will enjoy today, we never know when it might be our last day. 

Take care of yourself, don't let the bastards wear you down. 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

The Sunday Five: What Are We Up To This Week?

1: Where are you going this week? 

2: What will you do this week? 

3: Will you watch the sunrise one morning this week? 

4: What will bring you joy this week? 

5: Who will you tell that you love them this week? 

My answers:

1: Where are you going this week? Paris. 

2: What will you do this week? Live the grand adventure. 

3: Will you watch the sunrise one morning this week? Most likely, I tend to be a morning person. 

4: What will bring you joy this week? Seeing things I have never seen before, and probably will never see again. 

5: Who will you tell that you love them this week? My Sweet Bear, everyday. 

Please share your answers in the comments. 

Short updated/edit. We arrived in Vienna late on Saturday, we are here for five nights, then onto Paris. 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

The Saturday Morning Post: Try Something New

Learning a new media, or skill spurs creativity. There is something about being a beginner, that gives us an excuse to try, in ways that we rapidly become ashamed of trying unless we think we become good at the new thing.  The most creative people tend to be serial explorers always trying something new, always a beginner at something. If they stick with it, and practice, practice, practice, they will become good at many things. But even if they don't, they benefit from the experience. 

Trying new things, builds the library in our mind ideas and ways of doing things that our brains then apply to other things.  I learned about color theory from blending paints - not from art classes and color wheels.  I learned about texture from failed attempts to learn to knit. I learned about negative space exploring block printing.  There are tools and supplies for many artforms in my art cart. My bookcase and reading lists are packed with diverse ideas, that fuel my writing. 

Take a flying leap, give it a try, pick up tools and materials, take a class, select a book on something you know nothing about. It will expand your mind and your creativity. 
 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

Funky Friday: The Tapestry of Our Lives

 Carole King sang,

My life has been a tapestry

Of rich and royal hue

An everlasting vision

Of the ever-changing view

A wond'rous woven magic

In bits of blue and gold

A tapestry to feel and see 

Impossible to hold   

I often have flashbacks, to things I have seen, done, heard, experienced, tasted, smelled, felt, that have woven the fabric of my life. The older I get, the richer the mix of experiences. Many of them bring awe and wonder, some funny, some sad, all together the make up the funky person I am today. 

My wish for you today, 

    May your day be filled with flashback memories of the tapestry of  your life.  

Rome to Milan at 150 miles per hour, on a train. What a wonderful way to travel. Milan is a new thread in the tapestry of my life.

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time, edited slightly, and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

Thursday Ramble: Do Things That Matter To You

 I dreamed about going to law school, for a decade. At times I was sure I would and could do so, at times I gave up all hope. Then things changed, love and opportunities came into my life, and in my late 30's I took a leap of faith to do things that mattered to me, and allowed me to make a difference in different ways. I started law school in my mid 30s. 

I joined the American Bar Association when I was in law school, 30 years ago, through thick and thin, I have maintained that membership, including being a part of the staff of the ABA for 15 years. I am a member, not because I have to be, but because it matters to me. The ABA is an advocate for the legal profession, a major center of expertise, resources and training. In retirement I continue my commitment to things that matter, and that includes being a part of the ABA. 

It is important to do things that matter, that matter to you personally, and that make society a better place. And for me, to continue doing that as long as I have something to contribute.  

Do something this week, that matters to you. 

An edit to this post.  I revived an email while we were in Bermuda, letting me know that I have been nominated for a seat in the ABA House of Delegates, the policy making body of the ABA. The vote to confirm this will be in early August. It is a three year commitment, to doing work that matters to me, matters to the profession, and to society. A seat in the House is a bucket list item for me. 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

My World of Wonders May 6, 2026

Where am I? All has gone to plan, Rome. 

Where are we headed? Milan, then Vienna. 

What am I collecting? Memories and experiences. The things that make us who we are. 

What do I think of Rome? Rome is amazing, I have been here a couple of other times, it can be crowded, noisy, dirty, it is filled with wonders. I could live here. 

Where am I? We are just a couple of blocks from the Vatican

How was the trip across the Ocean? Good, comfy, quiet. Cool and occasionally wet.  But no sea serpents or pirates. 

Being back on land with WiFi, I am able to do some editing, and visited many of my regular blogs this morning. All is going well.  

Where was I yesterday? St Peter's

An amazing shop near the Pantheon. 

I lit a candle in a church near the hotel, for a dear person who is doing much better, but still grieving. 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and edited slightly to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May. 

Travel Tuesday: Grand Adventure

 

Monday Mood: Embrace the Day

Good Morning and Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. Carpe Diem, Seize the Day. If you don't control the day, it will control you. There will be things beyond your control, don't let them bother you. Breath in, Breath out, drink a glass of cool water, let the world flow around you. Be strong, by being quiet.  Learn something today. Seek awe and wonder around you. Smile and wave at the child. Say please and thank you - make another's days just a little better. Don't be disappointed when you are disappointed; it happens all the time, let it flow like water off a duck's back. 

Find someplace quiet, and simply sit in peace. Take a moment to hear the sounds around you, to look deeply into what surrounds you.  Breath, smell, taste the wonders. Be present in the moment. Find something that makes you smile, something that makes you laugh. 

I am on a digital detox. This post was written ahead of time and scheduled to appear today. I have not missed posting at least once per day in over a decade. While on this detox, I will not have internet access many days, when I do have access it will be limited. Please continue to leave comments, but I may not reply to comments. I will read comments when I can. Normal service will resume in late May.