Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, hope, inspiration, Thoughts on May 25, 2022| Leave a Comment »
“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
We can do better. We must do better.
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, #ONstorm, home, Thoughts on May 24, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Sososososososohappy right now!
/ahem
After 60+ hours without power we are back online. So happy about that, and feeling very appreciative of all the electricians and other workers who made it happen, and the first responders who kept us safe in the meantime.
We spent most of the storm sensibly safe indoors but if you’re interested in images of the derecho that affected almost half of this country’s population, check out these links:
The Weather Network – Schools close, local state of emergency declared after deadly weekend storm
The day after: Post-storm photos
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I’m thankful for the friends and neighbors who offered to help, and for now knowing how to use a generator and rebuild a fence.
Aside from items like a BBQ, water heater that runs without electricity, and fireplace, I’d say the most valuable storm supply awards go to:
We also have a bunch of nightlight/emergency lights, the kind you leave plugged in but can also work as a flashlight. Those were invaluable (not least because our only real flashlight runs on (currently dead) C batteries which we don’t have). Our lantern crapped out on us, but pro tip: a flashlight under an opaque white container or lampshade works surprisingly well.
The experience certainly gives me added appreciation for what’s “normal,” and the fact that we’re able to get back to it after just a couple of days.
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, #ONstorm, Thoughts on May 21, 2022| Leave a Comment »
This is a placeholder post to keep my daily streak alive, in case the very dramatic storm currently overhead cuts the power. Crazy wind! Giant raindrops! Emergency notifications! Flickering lights!
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, Thoughts on May 19, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, inspiration, memory, Thoughts on May 18, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Funny how things stick with you. Like most people, I think, I tend to make mental notes about tasks to complete, ideas to develop, or things to add to the shopping list. Apparently that process knows no temporal bounds.
While prepping a list for Costco today I scrolled past a Lite-Brite and immediately thought, “I want one of those.” I don’t actually need one, or you know, not really. But I do remember wanting one as a child. My neighbor had one and I loved all the brightly-colored bulbs and the sheer imaginative flexibility. Like an Etch-a-Sketch, creatively speaking, only with dots instead of lines.
Apparently some part of me never forgot.
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Posted in Food and..., tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, food, Thoughts on May 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, Thoughts, Writers on May 9, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Maybe it’s time to stop asking “Why is this hard?” and start asking “When is it easy?” Then do more of that.
Just me?
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Posted in Holidays, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, Affinity Photo, creativity, Mother's Day, Thoughts on May 8, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Today, an experiment in animation. Thinking of my mom, my other moms, and all the mothers out there who help us grow.
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Posted in Entertainment, Likes, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, Formula One, inspiration, role models, Thoughts on May 7, 2022| Leave a Comment »
I am new to Formula One, or really, to any sport fandom. I tend to get emotional about the things I care about, and I have done my level best to avoid the crushing sense of disappointment one feels when one wants something deeply, and does not get it. Elections are hard for me. Wanting things in general can be a challenge, and investing in outcomes over which I have no influence? Rough.
Which is why it’s a big deal for me to join Team Hamilton. He’s worth it.
Why? It’s not the winning. Ok, not only the winning. And it’s not just the fact that he reminds me of my favorite brother. It’s excellence. Hamilton is good at what he does, yes, but he has taken to winning while retaining a sense of the larger picture.
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Again, I’m new to the sport so it’s possible that I missed more formative, brasher years, but since I’ve been watching what I see is this: support for his team, especially those who are often unsung, support for worthy causes, good sportsmanship, and generally using his platform and profile for good.
Lewis is a 7-time world champion, of course, tied with Michael Schumacher to be the winningest F1 driver ever, but he also acts like it.
As I dipped my toe into the F1 waters last year, Mr Man asked what I thought of the up-and-coming driver Verstappen. “Meh,” I said. “Why?” he asked. “He looks like he could win the championship.” True, I said, but I like Lewis. He is considerate to reporters and kind to fans, doesn’t project the sense of entitlement that some drivers wear like a second suit, rarely says “I” in interviews, makes a point to thank the team back at the factory, has succeeded despite not (like so many other drivers) being born to the sport, and is outspoken on human rights and other social issues. His rainbow helmet was a thing of beauty and likely did more to promote rights awareness than a year’s worth of articles.
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This year’s F1 car changes have put Mercedes at a distinct disadvantage. Unless they get those problems sorted, Hamilton may never win that next championship, the one that would break the tie for first and put him at the very top.
This year his helmet carries a quote from Maya Angelou: “Still, I rise.”
And now I’m realizing what so many fans before me have: Despite the possibility, nay, likelihood, of disappointment, I’ll root for him anyway.*
His vision of excellence is worth it.
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* I’m not the only one. I spotted Michelle Obama and George Lucas in the Mercedes garage today.
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, inspiration, quotes, Thoughts, Writers on May 6, 2022| Leave a Comment »
“You say you’re ‘depressed’ — all I see is resilience. You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn’t mean you’re defective — it just means you’re human.”
― David Mitchell
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J.R. Johnson 
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