Thursday, July 31, 2014

Thankful Thursday: July 31, 2014

Istijlál (Majesty), 19 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Thursday, July 31, 2014 about 11:38 am Pacific Daylight Time

 Today I am thankful...

01. ...that there are five Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in August because it means more weekend fun.

02. ...for the family pack of frozen farm raised catfish I purchased today because now I have have fish every Friday or Saturday in August.

03. ...that we have received several inches of rain this month because it helps with the drought conditions.

04. ...for The Long Healing Prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah because when I say or read that prayer all my worries and fears disappear.

05. ...that I received an encouraging postcard yesterday. The postcard was from The Story Mistress and Story Master at writing.com. The message on the front read Life is better when you;re writing.

06. ...for English muffins because they taste delicious with peanut butter and jelly.

07. ...that I have to walk to the alley to take the trash out because it gives me exercise.

08. ...for ground chicken because it makes nice chicken burger sandwiches with hot sauce, onions, and cheese.

09. ...that I have a working air condition in the apartment to cool my living quarter in summer and warm them in winter.

10. ...for the prayers of gratitude revealed by The Bab, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha because when I read or say them they help me meditate.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Midweek Reflections or Weird Wednesday

‘Idál (Justice), 18 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Wednesday, July 30, 2014 about 11:11 am Pacific Daylight Time

According to Dictionary.com there are several intriguing and thought provoking definitions of weird. One of the definitions gives fantastic or bizarre, while the other definitions have to do with the supernatural, uncanny, unearthly, fate, or destiny. Today's entry concerns the unusual, fantastic, or bizarre rather then the other definitions.

Anyone who has every read any of my bogs knows that I am a creative person. I write poetry, short stories, and novels in addition to cooking creative and unusual recipes. Since I eat my own cooking, I must do a good job with the unusual recipes because none of them have made me sick or put me in the hospital. Today I am making celery soup with celery, Italian dressing, chicken stock, filtered water, and hot sauce. When the soup is finished I will eat it over cold cereal.

The celery soup over dry cereal is my unusual or weird action for this week. I like to do something out of the ordinary at least once a week because it keeps me young and gets me out of the rut I sometimes find myself descending into. This week I am also changing the Midweek Reflections theme to Weird Wednesday so that I can blog each week about whatever action I take to get myself out of my rut.

I got the weird Wednesday idea when I realized that I am tired of the Midweeks Reflections theme and all of the other Wednesday themes I have used in this blog. I found myself in a writing and transformation rut, I was not making progress and needed something to jump start the process again. Prayer and meditation worked fine, but I needed something to stretch my wings and change my attitude. Therefore, I decided to do something weird, which was eating cereal with my homemade soup instead of crackers or bread.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Monsoon Season in Las Vegas

Kamál (Perfection), 16 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Monday, July 28, 2014 about 7:35 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It's monsoon season in Las Vegas with high temperatures and high humidity. The rain makes it feel cooler, but before the rain comes the humidity makes the temperature unconformable.  I enjoy the rain as long as I don't have to drive in it. I have to drive with my window down because the door on the driver's side doesn't open from the inside. Driving in the rain with the window down is an interesting experience.

I have three appointments next week. One appointment on Monday at 9:00 am and two on Wednesday. The first appointment on Wednesday is at 9:30 am and it is across town, while the second it at 4:00 pm. I hope it isn't raining when I go for my appointments. I guess I should check my windshield wipers to see if they need blades.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Supplication Sunday: Prayers Resonate

Jamál (Beauty), 15 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Sunday, July 27, 2014 about 4:20 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Prayers resonate
ascend from the contrite soul
to the throne of God.

I have Remembrance of God, a book of scriptures, resting beside my keyboard. It is there because sometimes I have to stop in the middle of whatever I am working on to say a prayer or read a scripture verse. When I am stuck for a word or do not know where a story or blog entry is headed, I stop to say a prayer or read a scripture. Prayer also helps when I find my mind wandering and am unable to focus.

Prayers resonate:
smoke rising from a campfire
merging with white clouds.

Remembrance of God is on the left side of my keyboard. On my right side, and sitting on a wooden T.V. stand, is a cup of coffee or tea. Sometimes I have a container of soda or bottle of water on stand instead. The refreshment I have there depends on how I feel and what I am working on at the time. These two things, the book and the refreshment help me write.

Prayers resonate:
music reverberating
across mind and soul.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Fruitful Friday: Prayer

Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Friday, July 25, 2014 about 3:50 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Prayer produces
abundance, a fruitful life,
and a tranquil mind.

I have a prayer book in the glove compartment of my car, so that before I back out of my parking place I can say a prayer of protection. I also carry a small book of scriptures in my purse so that I have something to read while I am waiting in my doctor's office. The title of the book is The Power of Divine Assistance, which contains verse from the sacred writings of the Baha'i Faith.

Bring down blood pressure
read from the sacred scriptures
while you are waiting.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Thankful Thursday: July 24, 2014

Istijlál (Majesty), 12 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Thursday, July 24, 2014 about 12:09 pm Pacific Daylight Time

This afternoon I am thankful...

1. ...that I have not fallen asleep on my keyboard. I am sleepy so there is the possibility of me falling asleep and drooling on my keyboard, which is not good for the keyboard or the computer.

2. ...for the fresh carafe of coffee I made this morning because now I can get another cup of iced coffee to wake me up.

3 ...that the exterminator came this morning because now I do not have to worry about roaches for another week or so.

4. ...for the two chicken thighs I have marinating in the refrigerator. I put them in a marinade of apple juice and roasted red pepper Italian dressing yesterday. I can have chicken with salad tomorrow after I return from the blood test at the doctor's office.

5. ...that I have an air conditioner in this apartment that works because the temperature outside is 106 degrees.

6. ...for ice cubes trays, ice cubes, and a freezer that works because I do not have to purchase ice when I want to make iced coffee or tea.

7. ...that we have 12 mph wind here in Las Vegas today because I can look out my window and watch the palm fronds waving in the breeze.

8. ...for bottled water because when I go to the doctor's office or the store I can take a cold bottle of water with me. There is nothing like a sip of iced water on a hot day to refresh and raise a my spirits when I am driving around in 106 or 107 degree temperatures.

9. ...that I have several bottle of juice in the refrigerator because I can drink apple, orange, or cranberry juice when I want to without having to go to the store to purchase it on a hot Las Vegas afternoon.

10. ...for wooden slatted Venetian blinds at my windows because they do not melt when the sun shines through the windows.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Midweek Reflictions: Contemplating Iced Coffee

‘Idál (Justice), 11 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Wednesday, July 23, 2014 about 1:52 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Because I went to the doctor's office for a blood test, I didn't have hat coffee this morning. I drink water before leaving the house instead of coffee.  The phlebotomist and the doctor were both out of the office, they won't be back until Friday. Therefore, I have to go aback across town on Friday to get a blood test.

I was hungry when I returned home, so I made myself a turkey burger sandwich on sourdough bread with horseradish mustard and I had a glass of iced black English tea. After I finished the tea, I decided I want coffee, but it was getting too warm to have hot coffee. I brewed myself a carafe of coffee, put ice cubes in a glass and poured the hot coffee over the ice cubes.

contemplating iced coffee
a sip of cold rich liquid
satisfies my coffee lover's soul
while keeping me cool
in triple digit Las Vegas.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Tribulation Tuesday: Technical Difficulties

Fiḍál (Grace), 10 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Tuesday, July 22, 2014 about 5:17 pm Pacific Daylight Time

All right, to some technical difficulties may not seem like something that could cause unhappiness because it is something one learns to expect when dealing with computers. However, the technical difficulties I am referring to have nothing to do with computers. The technical difficulties I am talking about are moments or hours of depression and fantasizing about worst case scenarios, things that might happen but never occur.

In my case these technical difficulties cause me to procrastinate and worry. Procrastination causes stress because eventually I have to do the jobs I have put off. Worry causes stress because it lets my imagination run wild while rehashing everything I think I have to worry about. The stress causes me to lose stuff because I lay it down and forget what I laid it. The stress also cause fear because I forget words that I should know and I scar myself.

I know that some of what I just wrote does not make sense. I am not worried about making sense right now because the only thing I want to do is write. Writing helps alleviate stress. Prayer helps alleviate stress. I have to find my prayer book because I laid it down and cannot remember where I put it. I am experiencing technical difficulties today. I have experienced technical difficulties all week and I am putting a stop to it right now.

After I finish this entry I will say my noon prayer and then wash my lunch dishes. Once I accomplish those things, I will get back on line because I have more writing waiting and surveys to complete. I need to earn a little more money this month so I can replace the money I have to transfer from the savings to the checking so that I could get a little gas in my car.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Meditation Monday: Swimming And Holding My Breath

Fiḍál (Grace), 10 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Monday, July 21, 2014 about 8:22 pm Pacific Daylight Time

"All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath."
F. Scott Fitzgerald

I feel as if I've been swimming under water and holding my breath. I surface so that I can take a breath, I look around, and I find myself in an unfamiliar location. I don't recognize my surroundings or anything else. Where am I? I close my eyes, I take a deep breath, I open my eyes again, but I still can't recognize the terrain.That's the way I've felt lately. I know I'm doing something wrong, but tell myself I don't know what. The truth is that I do know what I'm doing wrong, I simply don't want to admit it either to myself or in writing.

I cannot go on
My attitude has to change
Or nothing else will

What have I been doing wrong? When I get up in the morning, I take my first medication and then I sit down and the computer and get on-line. After I've been on-line a while I say my prayers, but that is the wrong order. I have to switch things around. I have to take my thyroid tablet the first thing of a morning; however, I don't have to get on-line until after I say my prayers and meditate on a verse of scripture.

One step at a time
In the morning on small change
That is all I need

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Serenity Saturday: The Calmness of a Sunday Afternoon

Jamál (Beauty), 8 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Sunday, July 20, 2014 about 2:11 pm Pacific Daylight Time

On this calm afternoon, I remember the Sunday's I spent with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Frank. In the morning we would god to church, which consisted of attending Sunday School and then church services afterwards. After church we would go to my grandparents' house and eat dinner.

Sunday dinner consisted of southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed peas or spinach, soda or iced tea, and some type of desert. Grandma usually made a pie of some kind. I always liked Grandma Mary's rhubarb pie hot with a scoop of ice cream. Sometimes it was home made ice cream and sometimes store bought. I liked the homemade ice cream better.

Serene Sundays
bring back childhood memories
and a joyful smile.

As I think back over to the days of my youth, I remember the serene days were those spent with my grandparents or sitting calming observing nature in all its beauty. I have not been to a park in a long time, I think I need to go on a afternoon picnic, sit in the shade of a tree, and watch the birds flying from branch to branch.

Serene Sundays
morning prayers are intoned
alleviates stress.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Summery Saturday: Thought on Today's Theme

Jalál (Glory), 7 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Saturday, July 19, 2014 about 7:20 pm Pacific Daylight Time

As Saturday draws to an end my thoughts go to the theme I chose for the day. I don't like it any more because it doesn't have a spiritual context. This is a blog about transformation and other spiritual subjects, I would like a Saturday theme that is closer to the theme of this blog. I am satisfied with only two themes (1) Meditation Monday (2) Thankful Thursday.

I went through several daily theme ideas for this blog, but very few of them satisfy me. I am again changing the daily themes for this blog and I can't seem to think of any that I like. Serenity Saturday sound good and I like the sound of it. Now all I have to day is come up with some thoughts of the subject. Perhaps I should consider answering the question What does serenity mean to me? or How do I achieve serenity? I need to sit down with my prayer book and say some prayers on this subject.

I like the sound of Serenity Saturday, now all I have to day is come up with a subject for each entry. Right now it could be Sleepy Saturday because I'm about to fall asleep on my keyboard, which wouldn't be a good idea because it would be an uncomfortable way to take a nap.



Friday, July 18, 2014

Foodie Friday: Don't start the day without coffee

Istiqlál (Independence), 6 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Friday, July 18, 2014 about 9:03 am Pacific Daylight Time

Don't start the day without coffee. Don't go back to bed, until after you've made a fresh carafe of coffee, if you get up at 1:30 am because you wake up and can't go back sleep. Those are my lessons and advice on the third Friday of July 2014. I had planned to make a Funny Friday enter this morning, but I couldn't remember encountering anything funny this week.

I got up at 1:30 am this morning because I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. I responded to the blog prompts on writing.com, posted it, and then took my thyroid medication. I felt sleepy so I went back to the love seat (I don't have a bed to sleep in) and dozed off. I got up at 6:30, took my other morning med, made coffee, and then started to review on  writing.com. I should have waited until after the coffee brewed before doing the first review because it wasn't up to my normal review quality.

Now that I've had a couple of cups of coffee, I will warm the roasted whole chicken I purchased at Smith's Food & Drug Store yesterday. I also purchased a small container of coleslaw which I will have with the chicken. I had a couple of coupons that needed to be used before July 20, so when I went to the store to get my medication I purchased a few other things and used the coupons I need to use before Sunday.

Now that I've had one or two cups of iced coffee I'm focusing, so now I can eat breakfast and plan the rest of my day. I think I will warm the chicken up in the pepper sauce I had left over from the chicken breast I cooked yesterday. So far this week I've eaten only chicken or fish, maybe it's time I purchased a small lean piece of beef to add variety to my diet. I also need to get some type of fresh vegetable because all I have in the house is canned green bean, corn, and carrots. I think I purchase some celery or green salad makings the next time I go to the grocery store.


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Midweek Reflections on a Long Day

‘Idál (Justice), 4 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Wednesday, July 16, 2014 about 6:52 pm Pacific Daylight Time

In late afternoon
the sun cast long dark shadow
weariness sets in.

It's been a long day, which grows shorter as the month passes. In the middle of July, I listen to the air conditioner as it cools the hot afternoon. I'm tired, but there isn't any use going to sleep because I'm not sleepy. I don't get sleepy until about 10:30 or 11:00 pm. Then I go to be for a short night's sleep.

Day in and day out
I wonder what my life would
be like if I had a pet.

Perhaps I'm lonely. Living alone after so many years of living in the same house with my mother. I have to get used to doing everything by myself. I don't mind the work, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to about so many things. I would like to discuss my memories of growing up in Oklahoma.


Loneliness enhanced
by the long summer days that
pass in increments.

 Writing helps alleviate the loneliness. Housework help alleviate the loneliness, I now understand why my grandmother did housework in the middle of the night when she couldn't sleep. Maybe I should try doing housework when I can't sleep instead of writing.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Transformation Tuesday: I am in the process of transformation

Fiḍál (Grace), 3 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Tuesday, July 15, 2014 about 2:43 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It's transformation Tuesday and I'm in the process of transforming my cluttered studio apartment into an uncluttered studio apartment. I want to do it without assistance from friends or family to prove to myself that I can do it. It was going fairly well, not perfect, until the exterminator came and I had to remove stuff from cabinets.

I am now rearranging cabinets as I put kitchen stuff away. It's going slowly because I work in the kitchen for a while and then sit down at the computer to work on-line for a little while. This is the way I multitask; I know I could get the kitchen rearranged if I kept at it all day. I also know that for me working at one task for an extended period of time is next to impossible.

I decided to moved the canned good from the cabinets under the kitchen counter to one over it. This way I do not have to bend down when I want a can of vegetables. It's also easier to see what kind of vegetable I have. It also gives me more room under the counter for my pots and pans, which I don't want to store in the stove.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Sundry Sunday: What's on My Mind on Sunday, July 13, 2014

Jamál (Beauty), 1 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Sunday, July 13, 2014 about 5:45 am Pacific Daylight Time

Middle of July
temperatures are rising high
a busy week planned.

I have a grief counseling group meeting on Wednesday at 4:00 pm. I had a dream about the meeting last night or early this morning. In the dream, I arrived at the meeting place, but found that it was being held in a different room. I went in and took a seat at the head of a huge rectangular table. Normally we sit at a small round  table and even when we have a square or rectangular table, I do not sit at the head.One of the other members came in with a large container of hot chicken. I had forgotten that each of us was supposed to bring something to eat.

What did I forget?
Was it something important?
Was it about food?

 Because of t his dream, I wonder if I forgot something. Am I supposed to take something to the next meeting? At the last meeting, I mentioned writing a poem about dementia, perhaps I am supposed to take a copy of that. I will have to see if I can get the other computer and the printer to cooperate so that I can print off a copy.




Friday, July 11, 2014

Thoughs on A Friday Afternoon

Istiqlál (Independence), 18 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Friday, July 11, 2014 about 5:07 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It is summer
the days are getting shorter,
but they are still long hot days.

My thoughts on this Friday afternoon are scattered. I still have a lot of work to do to put all the dishes back in the cabinets. I have not received the battery for my new upgraded modem, so I did not hook it up today. I expect the battery will come Saturday, at least I hope it comes Saturday otherwise I will have to wait until Monday to call Cox Communications to see why I have not received the battery as yet.

Patience
is a virtue I am short of
on this summer afternoon.

 I am not sure what is causing my impatience. I feel as if time is moving slowly, but the days are speeding past. I know that does not make sense.  I feel as if something has changed and my life is about to take a new turn. I have had any of the dreams that indicate something is about to change; however, I feel as if the air is charged with electricity. I also feel a bit depressed and I do not have a reason for the depression.

Prayer
and the scent of almonds
and vanilla 

I know where the scent of almonds and vanilla originated. I opened the contain of deodorant I purchased the other day and it smells like almonds and vanilla. Normally, I do not purchase perfumed deodorant, but I decided to buy something different this time. I like the scent so I may continue purchasing deodorant with some type of aroma.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Thursday Thoughts: The Exterminator Came Today

Istijlál (Majesty), 17 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Thursday, July 10, 2014 about 4:49 pm Pacific Daylight Time

The exterminator  came today and sprayed for bugs. I had to take everything out of the cabinets so that they man could spray up there and now I have to wash all the dishes before I put them away. Since I have problems standing for more then five or ten minutes at a time it is going to take a while to get everything put back where it belongs. When I was taking the dishes down, I realized that I have too many dishes for just one person. Therefore, as I put them up I will decided what I want to keep and what I want to give away.

It is going to take me all weekend to wash out the cupboards and the dishes so that I can put them away. At least I can get everything rearranged so that it is easier for me to get. I think I will move the canned goods to a higher cabinet so that it is easier for me to reach and to see what type of canned vegetables I have. Stooping down or sitting on a step stool every time I want to open a can is difficult. When I put the cans in the cabinets below the sink I did not think about how difficult it would be to get them. I think I will put the dishes I do not use very often in the low cupboards.


Wednesday, July 09, 2014

I Think I'm becoming a Hermit

‘Idál (Justice), 16 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Wednesday, July 9, 2014 about 5:51 pm Pacific Daylight Time

I think I'm becoming a hermit. I go out only when I absolutely  have to and sometimes I even talk myself out of going out then. It didn't bother me until this afternoon, in fact I didn't even consider it a possibility until today. This morning I picked up my senior commodities and went to the grocery store. When I returned home, instead of getting ready to go to the Commemoration of the Martyrdom of The Bab, I changed into my house skirt and blouse. I made some blog entries and then at noon I said the Tablet of Visitation.

At the grocery store, I purchased a small container of deodorant because when I took my bath this morning I found out I was out. I specifically purchased the deodorant so that I could go out, but instead I remained home. I'll have to make more of an effort to get out because I don't think I like being a recluse. Sometimes I don't enjoy being around people, but that doesn't mean I enjoy being a hermit or a recluse.

I know, that despite opinions to the contrary, living in seclusion is not good for a person's spiritual development. On the journey of transformation an individual needs to interact with the rest of humanity because some of the soul's attributes can only be developed during those interactions. I have to make more of a effort to get out of my studio apartment and my shell.

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

On a Beautiful Tuesday morning

Fiḍál (Grace), 15 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Tuesday, July 8, 2014 about 10:23 am Pacific Daylight Time

morning prayers said,
the Venetian blinds opened
white fish for breakfast

beautiful Tuesday
the sun concealed behind clouds
will it rain today

blog entries composed
flash fiction story to write
crystal water fall

i am moving on
i am learning to let go
Tuesday morning work

Monday, July 07, 2014

Makeup (Catchup) Monday: Attempting to Catch up on some work

Kamál (Perfection), 14 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Monday, July 7, 2014 about 11:44 am Pacific Daylight Time

It's catchup makeup  Monday,
so I'm eating barbecued chicken
with sweet peas for lunch
and attempting to get the back load
under control.

I feel as if I'm behind on everything, but I don't think that's an accurate statement or feeling. For sometime now I've felt as if I was walking in a fog. I'm not sure what is causing the problem, but it's put me behind on everything. I have to attempt to get caught up this week. I know I can't get everything I want to accomplish in one day or one week; however I can get something done.

Don't focus on the big picture,
rather look at a small space,
at one box,
at one file folder,
get something accomplished
get the trash
taken out to the alley.

I find myself looking at the big picture. I look at everything I have to accomplish and because frustrated. I have to learn to narrow my focus to one small space or one item at a time. The only way to get anything done is in small sections. Say a prayer of assistance and then get to work washing dishes, sweeping the floor, or sorting laundry.


Sunday, July 06, 2014

Sundry Sunday: Sunshine, Blue Skies, and White Clouds

Jamál (Beauty), 13 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Sunday, July 6, 2014 about 12:18 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Good morning all! It is another beautiful Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas with bright sunshine, blue skies, and a random white cloud or two floating by. The neighbors are awake and playing pleasant music.

a blue sky Sunday
a warm day in Las Vegas
no dogs are barking

I just finished an entry in my writing.com blog. It took me longer then usual because part of the prompt required me picking out my two favorite blog post of the past week. All the responses to this weeks prompts were either poetry or thought provoking. When I encounter thougth provoking responses I have difficulty deciding which blog entry I like best.

a blue sky Sunday
the sun casting deep dark shadows
it is warm outside.

I have a flash fiction story to finish today. I also have a poem to write about moving on, but I cannot seem to get it started. I think I mentioned this issue before either in this blog or my other one. Perhaps I should try writing the poem while listening to music.

a blue sky Sunday
white clouds float past my window
no birds are singing


Friday, July 04, 2014

Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July

Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Friday, July 4, 2014 about 11:17 am Pacific Daylight Time

Have a safe
and Happy Fourth of July
while celebrating America's birthday
and don't for get to say
The Prayer for America today.

Have a Happy Fourth of July
while listening to patriotic songs
such as Yankee Doodle Dandy,
America the Beautiful,
or The Star Spangled Banner
while watching
red, white, and blue fireworks
decorate the night sky.


Thursday, July 03, 2014

Thankful Thursday: July 3, 2014

Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Thursday, July 3, 2014 about 5:56 pm Pacific Daylight Time

 Today I am thankful...

01. ...for Canada Dry Ginger Ale because it was my Grandma Mary's favorite and every time I drink it I remember Grandma.

02. ...that I can purchase Ginger Ale in 16 oz. bottles because they are easier for me to carry, store, and drink.

03. ...for fireworks on the 4th of July because it brings back memories from my childhood.

04. ...that I can purchase individual watermelons because they are easier for me to carry, store, and eat.

05. ...for English Black tea because it makes good hot tea and iced tea.

06. ...that I have a container in the bathroom to keep an extra roll of toilet paper because then I know when to go to the store to purchase more. I live in a studio apartment and their is not a very much storage that I can reach easily.

07. ...for the news-feed on writing.com because it reminds me to post my weekly goals update.

08. ...that tomorrow (Friday) is the 4th of July because I do not have to worry about going anywhere except to the alley to take out the trash.

09. ...for Dijon mustard because it taste good on hot dogs which is another 4th of July treat.

10. ...that I have a Facebook account because I can wish my brothers a Happy 4th of July without worrying that they will not be home when I call them.

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Midweek Reflects or The Hump Day Chronicles: Wednesday, July 2, 2014

‘Idál (Justice), 10 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Wednesday, July 2, 2014 about 10:01 am Pacific Daylight Time

I thought up the title The Hump Day Chronicles this morning when I made an entry in Welcome to My Weird Life on writing.com. In that journal, I put a few of the things I accomplished early this morning. Since then I accomplished several more things including checking my bank account to see if the Cox Communications payment had came in. The account revealed that the bank was processing that draft. Therefore, the only thing I have to worry about is paying the power bill.

It has been an interesting and productive morning. I finished the breakfast dishes and washed out the electric fry pan. I still have to go out after today's mail, but I think I will wait until I go to my group meeting this afternoon. I have to finish a short story, do some reviews, and decide whether I will go to the laundromat tomorrow or shopping after I get out of the doctor's office at 8:00 am.

I have to stop at the bank tomorrow morning to pay the rent, so I may just as well get $20.00 in quarters for the washing machines. It won't take that much; however, if I get $20.00 then I will not have to go back to the bank for laundry money  in July.

Speaking of laundry money, I had an unusual dream about money last night. I dreamed I found a $10.00 roll of quarters in my purse. I know it was quarters because the coins were too big for nickles, dimes, or pennies. I have not dreamed about finding money since I moved into this studio apartment. I do not know what the dream means, but I consider it  a good sign since it is the first time I have had a dream like that this year.

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Tuesday Ten: Reasons to Take an Afternoon Nap

Fiḍál (Grace), 9 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Tuesday, July 1, 2014 - about 2:03 pm Pacific Daylight Time

01. My eyelids are heavy and want to close as I compose a blog entry, story, or poem.

02. I am yawning while I type these words into my blog document.

03. It is 106 degrees Fahrenheit here in Las Vegas, so there is no reason for me to go outside until it cools down.

04. If I get too sleepy there is a good chance I will go to sleep where I am sitting. If I do that then it is possible I will drool on my keyboard.

05. It is not a good idea to go to sleep sitting up in a kitchen chair because it is possible for me to fall out of the chair. (This happen a couple of times when I was living in the house on Bracken).

06. An afternoon nap is a good reason to put off going outside for the mail.

07. People who take naps in the afternoon can stay up until midnight without any problems.

08. Naps encourage dreaming and dreaming encourages my muse.

09. A nap is a pleasant and acceptable reason to procrastinate.

10. People who take naps are better rested and happier.