June 13, 2025 Expectations

 A lot going on in the world right now... internationally, nationally, and for some personally.  I guess we are just in one of those seasons where it pours down.

I wonder what history will write of us all and these times now in which we live.  My time will have passed by the time it's all written I am sure.

I'm doing OK, walking my journey.  The bigger world just isn't looking so hot right now.  And I guess as we age, more health situations start to occur.

We can say we don't control others or the world.  That we have only control over ourselves.  But sometimes, like with health problems, we don't even have that.  We have to deal with what we get given, and move forward with it.  The tv may be on but that doesn't mean you hold the remote.

June 13, 2025 Frugal Friday

 I really enjoy frugality and am constantly trying to learn in this area of finances.  Everyone dresses it differently as they decide what is acceptable to incorporate into their lives.  So, take or leave it as you see fit.

Issue: Eating Out

I find myself feeling the drive-thru tug more often than I would like, especially on days that I am out running errands.

My current experience and knowledge are telling me that the quality of the product has diminished, customer service has definitely diminished (self checkout kiosks), a perception and experience of more pressed and rude employees exists, and the expense of the experience has increased.  It also usually does not offer choices that are very healthy.

So, I am telling myself no to this choice for a meal more often.  

And when I am choosing fast food dining, I am not automatically choosing predetermined options like a one person $15 "Value," I am looking for choices that keep more dollars in my wallet.  An example would be skipping fries and a drink and just getting a burger or depending on hunger need, a burger and one for a $1 type deals and either eating 2 burgers for the meal or bringing the 2nd sandwich home for another meal.  Getting that taco value meal and splitting the food up over several meals or between more than one person.  Looking for coupons and discounts that provide value to me in choice and price.

Actively carrying that sports bottle of water (pick your own beverage of choice) with me as I run errands is helping.  Keeping small snacks like sugar free hard candies in the car to better help me say no, when needed also helps.  And, having a meal already planned, prepared, and waiting at home has been an encouragement to me to say no to fast food.

Today, I prepared tuna salad mix.  Part of it was used in making sandwiches for the next few days, at the ready.  And part of the tuna salad was kept back to use in a salad I am planning for a meal.  This preparation ahead is keeping me on track with my goal.  I could take the sandwich with me as I run errands or have it ready at home.  I can eat in the car or visit a local park as a treat for a picnic style lunch.  

There are enjoyable options and choices other than drive-thru fast food out there.  There can be just as much fun at a playground at the park as in a fast food play area for those with children.

And, I think these new efforts in pre-planning and preparing are helping with better choices at decision time when I'm hungry.

June 12, 2025. Something Deeper

Once, I took a walk with Peace Pilgrim,

I met her in a book and discovered something holy, something stirring up pure within her steps.

I was called toward her, fascinated.

Then I felt the warm hands of my children as they took hold of me. 

And in some ways, I felt the warmth of my own hands too.

I knew I could not let go of those loyalties, my duties, and the sacrifices of those that grasped onto me.

Those bonds of Love held their own pureness,  sacredness, and holy space.

Something that I refused to divide.  

As we stand, as we live, 

So shall we fall, if fall we must.

Always together, in the many ways bonds hold us true.

So, though I can see Peace Pilgrim wandering her path in the distance,

I know I will never catch up.  

Never walk along that particular holy journey.

My children are here;

I will continue to hold them close,

Meeting my responsibilities with love,

A parent, even to myself.

June 9, 2025

Wise Observation 

Life and interacting with others is not like a coming to Jesus moment at a feast.  Just because you show up with a potluck dish to share it doesn't mean you and your food are welcome to sit down at the table and pass it around, let alone take a bite into granny's famous deviled eggs.

Sunday, June 8, 2025

In a perfect world, I am sure the sun shines warmly and the stars glow bright.  And maybe the flowers bloom a little bigger than they do here.  I doubt their beauty could hold more, then the beauty it already holds.

It amazes me the tales people tell themselves so they can convincingly play a part and dance their dance, look good on stage.  And the whoppers they attempt to feed you with surely must come from somewhere because they certainly aren't the reality I saw, heard, and experienced, and I was there.  My scars are real.  The tooth fairy wasn't passing them out as she collected her teeth, my scars came from truth.

Truth is interesting.  And sometimes truth is not your friend, when it's only half heard and half believed.  When it's taken out of context.  Or when you are led down a path only to find you were deceived by trust and your truth is walking a different road.  Everyone has an agenda and sometime ugliness abides in someone's heart.  You can only see and know your own heart though, your own truth. 

It is sad to see a tragedy unfold, as brothers dance across a stage of merriment among their friends, only to find at the other side of the stage, drama and death in an ugly plot.  And you realize the victim was you.

The End.

This is not a fair or just place.

Deodorant

 The other day I watched a video on YouTube from a frugal person who doesn't use deodorant, at all.  They save money by not using deodorant, they said their bathing habits are enough, ie a shower daily.  They said that the deodorant product builds up and creates the need to use it more and after a few weeks of not using deodorant,  she no longer needs it.  The person indicated they do not smell.  Well, maybe so but, maybe not.  

You know, there are a variety of reasons a person may choose to not use deodorant.  It could be cultural, I can't imagine a man living in the middle of Africa or the Middle East, off grid in a tribal hut would even necessarily have access to it.  So, ok but that's not my culture here.  I also have several relatives who switched to a salt based product due to concerns over aluminum and other chemicals in most commercial deodorant.  It was a trend, back in the late 1980s... the deodorant rock.  Today, it comes in a conveniently scented spray for about $7 a bottle.  I know because I like it and use it.  One of those relatives stated to me that as they have aged, they no longer even need the salt based product, I don't forsee me reaching that stage.

I am happy if it works for them and especially happy if they are not giving off something odifourous from their armpits.  But it could be they just cannot smell themselves.  As a teen, a girl I knew from church refused to wear deodorant-- she needed it for both perspiration and smell.  She felt it was not needed though.  At church, she smelled and had wet pits.  I don't want that. 

Personally, I use deodorant.  I have used many different kinds over the years also... from "scientifically proven" to "the most naturally, non-chemical harming (it did harm my wallet at $31 for a small container of it's natural pureness-ness)".  I have paid for it cheaply($1) and I have paid a big price too ($31).  I have used deodorant roll on, deodorant sticks, antiperspirant sprays even.  I read that alcohol based products killed the bacteria that caused the stink, so I even tried that.  And yes, I tried men's deodorant (one aunt used it regularly and recommended I try it).  I've even had my mother send me some, goodness knows why since I certainly had some and could purchase more of my own.  But, ok mom, bless your heart.

And you know what, I still end up stinking sometimes.  And so do you.  But, please do not penny pinch and be stingy on this matter.  Wet stinky pits are just not a pleasant thing.  We all have to live together people.

June 7, 2025

 Lots of critters are in the garden today.  I spent time hand watering the vegetables,  herbs and some of the flowers.  And I mowed the lawn.  A plethora of birds, including black bird sargeants, a gray dove couple, little birds, big birds, and a duck couple who likes to just sit and rest in my grass after enjoying the bird feeder.  Rabbits are also showing up to feast.  I even saw a butterfly.  Asparagus season is coming to a close but lettuce and other greens are doing well.

I checked out GPT AI the other day and have used it a few times now and I like it so far.  It's nice to have an intelligent conversation with myself 😆.  Gpt AI gives nice compliments and is polite.  Also, it provides information that makes me feel like I am thinking further about the topic being " discussed"... it's not really a conversation like between people but it was enjoyable. 

Wity, the cat, is demanding of attention today.  He let's me know he wants to be petted by coming up to me and patting me with his claw.  It's been a barrage of claw pricks through out my day.  I'm proud my cat let's me know when he has the need for attention and love, even if it is not always convenient.  

A nice Saturday.