Jamál (Beauty), 12 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Sunday, August 31, 2008 about 6:44 AM Pacific Time
I Googled Labor Day this morning. I was looking for information to poem in an acrostic poem about this holiday. Some of this information I probably learned as a child, but forgot it because I was not interested in writing poems about this specific day.
I found a web site giving The History of Labor Day. This holiday begin in 1882, on Tuesday, September 5, with a celebration in New York City hosted by the Central Labor Union. In 1884, the first Monday in September recieved the officially designation as Labor Day. People referred to it as "the working man's" holiday and became a nation wide celebration sometime between 1884 and 1892.
I have already written two Labor Day poems and posted them one two of my blogs, those poems are The Last Saturday in August and The Last Sunday in August, but neither one of them is an acrostic poem. The reason I want to write an acrostic poem celebrating Labor Day, is because that form spells a word along the left margin using the lines of the poem. This form makes a good poem to use in commemorating holidays.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Clouds are rolling in
We have cloud cover today. Beautiful gray-white clouds covering the entire Las Vegas valley. Although, from what I understand it should be called the Las Vegas Bowl because we are completely surround by mountains. They call the parts of the Rocky Mountains surrounding Las Vegas are called the Muddy Mountains. If it rains today, not only with the mountains be muddy, but Las Vegas as well.
Rain would be nice, not only would it cool the city down. It would bring us some much needed water. Not that a single rain will alleviate the drought, it is going to take more then one or two days of rain to do that, but it would water some of the dry lawns and flowers in the area.
Of course, when it rains in Las Vegas there is always a chance that the streets will flood. The flood control district did some work on Charleston a couple of years ago because when it rained the Charleston Underpass would flood. The Underpass has not flooded since. However, I do not know if it is because the flood control project worked or it just has not rained enough to test the work.
Rain would be nice, not only would it cool the city down. It would bring us some much needed water. Not that a single rain will alleviate the drought, it is going to take more then one or two days of rain to do that, but it would water some of the dry lawns and flowers in the area.
Of course, when it rains in Las Vegas there is always a chance that the streets will flood. The flood control district did some work on Charleston a couple of years ago because when it rained the Charleston Underpass would flood. The Underpass has not flooded since. However, I do not know if it is because the flood control project worked or it just has not rained enough to test the work.
The Last Saturday in August
Jalál (Glory), 11 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Saturday, August 30, 2008 about 8:47 AM Pacific Time
This is the last Saturday in August,
on Monday September begins;
September 1 is the first Monday in September;
Labor Day.
When I was a child,
Labor Day was picnic day,
hot dog day,
visiting with my grandparents' day,
going to the Lake day,
going swimming day,
going water skiing day,
etc.
On the last Saturday in August,
I remember the joy
of driving to the Lake
on a Friday night knowing
we did not have to return to Blackwell
until late Monday evening;
knowing that there would be no school until Tuesday.
I remember
looking forward to going back to school
on Tuesday morning
when the first activity of the day
was "Show and Tell"
and everyone has something to say
about their Labor Day weekend.
This is the last Saturday in August,
on Monday September begins;
September 1 is the first Monday in September;
Labor Day.
When I was a child,
Labor Day was picnic day,
hot dog day,
visiting with my grandparents' day,
going to the Lake day,
going swimming day,
going water skiing day,
etc.
On the last Saturday in August,
I remember the joy
of driving to the Lake
on a Friday night knowing
we did not have to return to Blackwell
until late Monday evening;
knowing that there would be no school until Tuesday.
I remember
looking forward to going back to school
on Tuesday morning
when the first activity of the day
was "Show and Tell"
and everyone has something to say
about their Labor Day weekend.
Friday, August 29, 2008
I bought gas today
Istiqlál (Independence), 10 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Friday, August 29, 2008 about 7:08 PM Pacific Time
I bought gas today and it brought back memories of my grandfather. I stopped at a self-service station and put gas in my car. I do remember Grandpa putting gas in his own car every once in a while. Usually he did that at gas stations where he knew the attendants and the owners. They would wave at him and say, "Hi, Pete." However, most of the time he would let the attendant fill the tank and check the fluids.
I can fill my own tank with gas, something I never thought I would do when I was growing up. Back then women just did not do that because putting gas in a car was a man's job. When I was growing up, jobs and other things were divided by gender. Women just did not do some things.
Of course, gas was cheaper then and there were more full service stations. Actually, I do not think there were any self-service stations then. I do not remember any in Blackwell, Oklahoma, or any of the surrounding small towns. What I do remember, is my grandfather griping when gas prices raised for $0.50 a gallon to $0.75 or maybe it was from $0.25 to $0.50. Anyway, he griped for at least a week.
Today I am grateful that I paid only $3.57 per gallon for gas. That was one of today's entries in my gratitude journal. Most of my meds cost $4.00 a bottle and that is less then the price of gas today. Most of my mother's meds cost $3.00 a bottle, which is less then the price of gas, but she has health insurance.
I bought gas today and it brought back memories of my grandfather. I stopped at a self-service station and put gas in my car. I do remember Grandpa putting gas in his own car every once in a while. Usually he did that at gas stations where he knew the attendants and the owners. They would wave at him and say, "Hi, Pete." However, most of the time he would let the attendant fill the tank and check the fluids.
I can fill my own tank with gas, something I never thought I would do when I was growing up. Back then women just did not do that because putting gas in a car was a man's job. When I was growing up, jobs and other things were divided by gender. Women just did not do some things.
Of course, gas was cheaper then and there were more full service stations. Actually, I do not think there were any self-service stations then. I do not remember any in Blackwell, Oklahoma, or any of the surrounding small towns. What I do remember, is my grandfather griping when gas prices raised for $0.50 a gallon to $0.75 or maybe it was from $0.25 to $0.50. Anyway, he griped for at least a week.
Today I am grateful that I paid only $3.57 per gallon for gas. That was one of today's entries in my gratitude journal. Most of my meds cost $4.00 a bottle and that is less then the price of gas today. Most of my mother's meds cost $3.00 a bottle, which is less then the price of gas, but she has health insurance.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
I need to simplify my life
Istijlál (Majesty), 9 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Thursday, August 28, 2008 about 6:14 PM Pacific Time
I wrote yesterday that I needed a vacation, that I needed to relax. I think part of the problem is that I need to simplify my life. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to start by unsubscribing to some yahoo groups. Then I'm going unsubscribe e-mail newsletters that I don't read and clean out my e-mail boxes.
I'm working on a personal mission statement. What I'm doing is completely rewriting the mission statement I wrote in 2007. I thought I had started to rewrite it, but I can't find any rewritten document. The only mission statement I can find is the original, which is no longer inspiring. Therefore, I'm going to just do the entire statement over again.
I know that rewriting a mission statement appears to have nothing to do with unsubscribing to yahoo groups, e-mail newsletters and overstuffed e-mail boxes. However, in an odd sort of way they do relate to each other. They indicate I need to simplify my life and my surroundings. So that is what I'm going to do.
I think I will start with the e-mail boxes and clean out some of the folders I have stuff saved under. Unfortunately, I can't delete a folder that has mail in it, which means I have to delete the mail in the folder before deleting the folder. I will start with the intermind e-mail and then move to the yahoo box. I'm not going to get rid of the yahoo address, I'm just going to unsubscribe from some of the groups I'm not posting to.
I wrote yesterday that I needed a vacation, that I needed to relax. I think part of the problem is that I need to simplify my life. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to start by unsubscribing to some yahoo groups. Then I'm going unsubscribe e-mail newsletters that I don't read and clean out my e-mail boxes.
I'm working on a personal mission statement. What I'm doing is completely rewriting the mission statement I wrote in 2007. I thought I had started to rewrite it, but I can't find any rewritten document. The only mission statement I can find is the original, which is no longer inspiring. Therefore, I'm going to just do the entire statement over again.
I know that rewriting a mission statement appears to have nothing to do with unsubscribing to yahoo groups, e-mail newsletters and overstuffed e-mail boxes. However, in an odd sort of way they do relate to each other. They indicate I need to simplify my life and my surroundings. So that is what I'm going to do.
I think I will start with the e-mail boxes and clean out some of the folders I have stuff saved under. Unfortunately, I can't delete a folder that has mail in it, which means I have to delete the mail in the folder before deleting the folder. I will start with the intermind e-mail and then move to the yahoo box. I'm not going to get rid of the yahoo address, I'm just going to unsubscribe from some of the groups I'm not posting to.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
I need to relax
Idál (Justice), 8 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, August 27, 2008 about 5:32 PM Pacific Time
I need to relax. I need to take a one-day vacation and get away from everything. Unfortunately, that is not possible in the foreseeable future. Therefore, I will do the next best thing, I will put a long lasting light bulb in the light on my patio, fix myself an ice tea and sit on the patio, with my prayer book and journal.
I would like to go to one of the parks, but both the parks near to my house are closed at present. I have to drive across town to get to a park, which means planning more then just an hour. The closest park to the house is about an hour away. I have no intention of staying in the park for only an hour, when it takes me an hour to get there and an hour to get back home.
Maybe I can think of some other creative way to take a short vacation without getting out of Las Vegas. I will have to say some prayers about that. Writing usually helps me relax, but lately it seems the only writing I have done is my blogs, gratitude journal, and personal journal. Perhaps a new approach is called for.
I set my writing goals on a solar day, which is from sunset of one day to sunset of the next. Part of my writing goals is the amount of words I write in goal period. Perhaps, instead of doing a word count for each item as it is completed, I need to wait until the end of the goal period to do the word counts. Maybe, I am just being too obsessive about the word counts. At least it would be a different approach and get me out of my comfort zone.
Perhaps the vacation I need is to get out of my comfort zone. Do something different, something out of the ordinary. The one thing I am certain about, is that I need to relax and find a creative and inexpensive way to do it
I need to relax. I need to take a one-day vacation and get away from everything. Unfortunately, that is not possible in the foreseeable future. Therefore, I will do the next best thing, I will put a long lasting light bulb in the light on my patio, fix myself an ice tea and sit on the patio, with my prayer book and journal.
I would like to go to one of the parks, but both the parks near to my house are closed at present. I have to drive across town to get to a park, which means planning more then just an hour. The closest park to the house is about an hour away. I have no intention of staying in the park for only an hour, when it takes me an hour to get there and an hour to get back home.
Maybe I can think of some other creative way to take a short vacation without getting out of Las Vegas. I will have to say some prayers about that. Writing usually helps me relax, but lately it seems the only writing I have done is my blogs, gratitude journal, and personal journal. Perhaps a new approach is called for.
I set my writing goals on a solar day, which is from sunset of one day to sunset of the next. Part of my writing goals is the amount of words I write in goal period. Perhaps, instead of doing a word count for each item as it is completed, I need to wait until the end of the goal period to do the word counts. Maybe, I am just being too obsessive about the word counts. At least it would be a different approach and get me out of my comfort zone.
Perhaps the vacation I need is to get out of my comfort zone. Do something different, something out of the ordinary. The one thing I am certain about, is that I need to relax and find a creative and inexpensive way to do it
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Labor Day is coming on Monday, September 1, 2008
Fidál (Grace), 7 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, August 26, 2008 about 5:47 PM Pacific Time
Since Labor Day is Monday, September 1, 2008, I have been trying to remember how my family celebrated it when I was a child. I can remember Fourth of July celebrations. I can remember Memorial Day trips to decorate graves. I cannot remember any special way we celebrated Labor Day.
I think we might have gone to the lake just outside of Blackwell, Oklahoma, for a picnic. However, since my grandparents took us to that lake almost every weekend. My memories of picnics there could be part of some other trip to The Lake. That is what we called it, which is probably why I cannot remember its name.
I am attempting to write a Labor Day poem this year. I would like to include a childhood memory. I suppose memories of eating hot dogs and watermelon at The Lake could apply to Labor Day weekend, as well as any other weekend. I associate hot dogs and watermelons with Labor Day and the Fourth of July, so perhaps some of those memories are from Labor Day celebrations.
I will be off Labor Day, but I do not think we are going to go on a picnic that day. I am going to United Blood Services to donate blood. Then I am going to come home, do some writing and housework or something like that.
Maybe I could write a poem about giving blood on Labor Day. However, I am not sure how I could incorporate childhood memories of hot dogs and watermelon. I do want to write a poem about donating blood, but that subject just does not seem to go with hot dogs and watermelon. I will have to think about that for a while.
Since Labor Day is Monday, September 1, 2008, I have been trying to remember how my family celebrated it when I was a child. I can remember Fourth of July celebrations. I can remember Memorial Day trips to decorate graves. I cannot remember any special way we celebrated Labor Day.
I think we might have gone to the lake just outside of Blackwell, Oklahoma, for a picnic. However, since my grandparents took us to that lake almost every weekend. My memories of picnics there could be part of some other trip to The Lake. That is what we called it, which is probably why I cannot remember its name.
I am attempting to write a Labor Day poem this year. I would like to include a childhood memory. I suppose memories of eating hot dogs and watermelon at The Lake could apply to Labor Day weekend, as well as any other weekend. I associate hot dogs and watermelons with Labor Day and the Fourth of July, so perhaps some of those memories are from Labor Day celebrations.
I will be off Labor Day, but I do not think we are going to go on a picnic that day. I am going to United Blood Services to donate blood. Then I am going to come home, do some writing and housework or something like that.
Maybe I could write a poem about giving blood on Labor Day. However, I am not sure how I could incorporate childhood memories of hot dogs and watermelon. I do want to write a poem about donating blood, but that subject just does not seem to go with hot dogs and watermelon. I will have to think about that for a while.
Monday, August 25, 2008
I was right I did hear thunder
Not only did it thunder, but it rained as well. The thunder rolled for several minutes and it rained for several minutes. It cooled and cleared the air. My car is still parked on the side street because they have not opened the block I live on to traffic. They probably will not do that until morning. It will be nice to drive on a nice new street once the city opens it to traffic.
The great thing is that it thundered, it has been so long since I heard thunder that the sound was pleasant. I did not see any lightning nor did the electricity go out. I am not feeling very will at this point, I have no idea what the problem is. I am going to have to call my doctor tomorrow and make an appointment
The great thing is that it thundered, it has been so long since I heard thunder that the sound was pleasant. I did not see any lightning nor did the electricity go out. I am not feeling very will at this point, I have no idea what the problem is. I am going to have to call my doctor tomorrow and make an appointment
The city is working on the street in front of my house
Kamál (Perfection), 6 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Monday, August 25, 2008 about 2:15 PM Pacific Time
The city is working on the street in front of my house and I went back to work today. They were starting the work before I left the house this morning. I left a bit early so I could get out before they tore the street up completely. When I got to work, I set in the car for a little while and said prayers. Then I went inside, where it was cool and finished rewriting today's poem.
When I got home, they were still working on the street, so I had to park on Bruce and walk to the house. Before I left for work, I asked one of the workers when they would be finish and she said sometime this evening. So I parked on Bruce when I got home.
I just heard thunder; at least I think it was thunder. It hasn't rained in so long that I could be mistaken about the noise. However, I am going to take the noise and my weariness as an excuse to get off the computer. I am going to lay down for a little while and take a short nap.
The city is working on the street in front of my house and I went back to work today. They were starting the work before I left the house this morning. I left a bit early so I could get out before they tore the street up completely. When I got to work, I set in the car for a little while and said prayers. Then I went inside, where it was cool and finished rewriting today's poem.
When I got home, they were still working on the street, so I had to park on Bruce and walk to the house. Before I left for work, I asked one of the workers when they would be finish and she said sometime this evening. So I parked on Bruce when I got home.
I just heard thunder; at least I think it was thunder. It hasn't rained in so long that I could be mistaken about the noise. However, I am going to take the noise and my weariness as an excuse to get off the computer. I am going to lay down for a little while and take a short nap.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
My Mother wants to live to be 100
Jamál (Beauty), 5 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Sunday, August 24, 2008 about 6:25 AM Pacific Time
My mother, who was born in 1921, wants to live to be 100. So far she is doing a fairly good job of it, especially since the who attended her birth, 87 years ago didn't expect her to live, nor did the doctor who did her the bawl resection last year. Mom is alive and well, she still does her own housework and she writes poems. She doesn't drive a car anymore, but she does practice font seat driving from the passenger side of the car.
My grandparents were in their late 70s or early 80s when they died of cancer. My grandfather, who retired from a zinc smelter and smoked since he was 12 or 13, died of lung cancer. My grandmother of another kind, I can't remember precisely which cancer it she died of.
Mom will be 100 in March 2021 and I will be 74 in December 2020. I know a lot can happen between 2008 and 2020 or 2021, but I am going to look on the positive side. I am going to presume that we will both be in decent health for our ages. After all, medical technology is advancing and we are both is positive moods most of the time.
Right now we are in the process of having dental work done, Mom is going to get a new upper plate and a lower partial. I'm going to have all my teeth pulled and an entire set of dentures put into my mother. The next project is our eyes and hearing, I think the eyes will come first, but I'm not sure right now. I have to make some call Monday and Wednesday of this coming week to get some information on the process of having our eyes and hearing taken care of.
My mother, who was born in 1921, wants to live to be 100. So far she is doing a fairly good job of it, especially since the who attended her birth, 87 years ago didn't expect her to live, nor did the doctor who did her the bawl resection last year. Mom is alive and well, she still does her own housework and she writes poems. She doesn't drive a car anymore, but she does practice font seat driving from the passenger side of the car.
My grandparents were in their late 70s or early 80s when they died of cancer. My grandfather, who retired from a zinc smelter and smoked since he was 12 or 13, died of lung cancer. My grandmother of another kind, I can't remember precisely which cancer it she died of.
Mom will be 100 in March 2021 and I will be 74 in December 2020. I know a lot can happen between 2008 and 2020 or 2021, but I am going to look on the positive side. I am going to presume that we will both be in decent health for our ages. After all, medical technology is advancing and we are both is positive moods most of the time.
Right now we are in the process of having dental work done, Mom is going to get a new upper plate and a lower partial. I'm going to have all my teeth pulled and an entire set of dentures put into my mother. The next project is our eyes and hearing, I think the eyes will come first, but I'm not sure right now. I have to make some call Monday and Wednesday of this coming week to get some information on the process of having our eyes and hearing taken care of.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Doorbell Ring at Midnight Again
Jalál (Glory), 4 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Saturday, August 23, 2008 about 1:03 AM PDT
It happened again, the doorbell ring at midnight and woke me from a sound sleep. The last time it happened was on Friday, July 25, 2008 that was twenty-nine days ago. The post The Doorbell Ring at Midnight is in Poet 999's Thoughts about Writing and Other Stuff.
The doorbell ring three time and woke me from I sound sleep. I got out of bed, went to the front door, looked out and saw no one. I opened the door and looked out, but still saw no one. However, I did hear the neighbor's dog barking. As soon as daylight comes, I will go outside and look around, but I am not going out in the dark.
If I had something to carry with me, such as a baseball bat or a golf club, then I would go out now and check. Since I lack either of those items, I am going to remain in the house until after dawn. Therefore, instead of checking outside, I am making a blog entry, which is the safer of the two alternatives.
I am wide-awake so there is no use me going back to bed. There are certain noises that bring me into full consciousness immediately. One of those is a doorbell ringing in the middle of the night and the other is a crying baby.
It is odd, I the neighbor's dog can bark all night and I can sleep through the noise. A jet fighter can buzz the house and the noise will wake me up, but I go back to sleep almost immediately. However, a doorbell and a crying baby will prevent me from going back to sleep. The crying baby I can understand, it has something to do with maternal instinct. The ringing of a doorbell has me perplexed; I have no idea why I cannot go back to sleep.
It happened again, the doorbell ring at midnight and woke me from a sound sleep. The last time it happened was on Friday, July 25, 2008 that was twenty-nine days ago. The post The Doorbell Ring at Midnight is in Poet 999's Thoughts about Writing and Other Stuff.
The doorbell ring three time and woke me from I sound sleep. I got out of bed, went to the front door, looked out and saw no one. I opened the door and looked out, but still saw no one. However, I did hear the neighbor's dog barking. As soon as daylight comes, I will go outside and look around, but I am not going out in the dark.
If I had something to carry with me, such as a baseball bat or a golf club, then I would go out now and check. Since I lack either of those items, I am going to remain in the house until after dawn. Therefore, instead of checking outside, I am making a blog entry, which is the safer of the two alternatives.
I am wide-awake so there is no use me going back to bed. There are certain noises that bring me into full consciousness immediately. One of those is a doorbell ringing in the middle of the night and the other is a crying baby.
It is odd, I the neighbor's dog can bark all night and I can sleep through the noise. A jet fighter can buzz the house and the noise will wake me up, but I go back to sleep almost immediately. However, a doorbell and a crying baby will prevent me from going back to sleep. The crying baby I can understand, it has something to do with maternal instinct. The ringing of a doorbell has me perplexed; I have no idea why I cannot go back to sleep.
Friday, August 22, 2008
I used to think I had patience
Istiqlál (Independence), 3 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Friday, August 22, 2008 about 6:42 AM PDT
I used to think I had patience, but that was before I learned how to tab brows with a telephone hook-up to the Internet. Perhaps, I do still have patience when it comes to dealing with people, but not when it comes to dropped Internet connections. All right, this is my own fault if I was not convinced that I needed to tab browse this issue would not confront me.
I do have to tab browse because I sometimes have to consult other websites when I am making a blog entry or doing research. I am a writer and tab browsing is essential to what I do. Take this morning for instance. When I was composing the entry for Poet 999's Thoughts about Writing and Other Stuff, I had to consult the website Extraterrestrial Highway for some information on State Route 375 in Nevada. I was responding to today's Writing Practice Prompt "You picked up a hitchhiker". My response to the prompt concerned an imagined encounter on that route on Halloween.
The working title for You picked up a hitchhiker is Halloween on the Extraterrestrial Highway. This is a piece of flash fiction and contains about 300 words. I don't think I will add any more to the story because it feels complete the way it is.
To get back to tabbed browsing and my Internet connection, when I tab browse the connection is dropped at irregular intervals. Fortunately, it didn't go out when I was composing the entry or I would be more frustrated then I am. I do save the blog entries at regular intervals when I am composing. The problem is the dropped connection and reconnecting derails my train of thought and I causes me to forget the next sentence or paragraph is was going to write.
Eventually I am going to get DSL, but for now I'm just going to have to exercise my patience. Exercising builds up muscles, so my patience with technology should improve.
I used to think I had patience, but that was before I learned how to tab brows with a telephone hook-up to the Internet. Perhaps, I do still have patience when it comes to dealing with people, but not when it comes to dropped Internet connections. All right, this is my own fault if I was not convinced that I needed to tab browse this issue would not confront me.
I do have to tab browse because I sometimes have to consult other websites when I am making a blog entry or doing research. I am a writer and tab browsing is essential to what I do. Take this morning for instance. When I was composing the entry for Poet 999's Thoughts about Writing and Other Stuff, I had to consult the website Extraterrestrial Highway for some information on State Route 375 in Nevada. I was responding to today's Writing Practice Prompt "You picked up a hitchhiker". My response to the prompt concerned an imagined encounter on that route on Halloween.
The working title for You picked up a hitchhiker is Halloween on the Extraterrestrial Highway. This is a piece of flash fiction and contains about 300 words. I don't think I will add any more to the story because it feels complete the way it is.
To get back to tabbed browsing and my Internet connection, when I tab browse the connection is dropped at irregular intervals. Fortunately, it didn't go out when I was composing the entry or I would be more frustrated then I am. I do save the blog entries at regular intervals when I am composing. The problem is the dropped connection and reconnecting derails my train of thought and I causes me to forget the next sentence or paragraph is was going to write.
Eventually I am going to get DSL, but for now I'm just going to have to exercise my patience. Exercising builds up muscles, so my patience with technology should improve.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A Thursday Afternoon Nap
Istijlál (Majesty), 2 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Thursday, August 21, 2008 about 3:07 PM PDT
I can always tell when I need to take a nap in the afternoon. I get so tired that I can hardly move, so I lay down on the bed for a few minutes. It doesn't take long for me to be rested and ready to go again, but I need those few minutes to rest my body and mind.
Normally, I just sit on the couch and close my eyes, but when my body feels all tired out I lay down on the bed. I take my prayer book, prayer beads, a notebook and a writing pen with me. I put the items on the bedside table and then lay down on the bed and close my eyes.
I take the notebook with me just in case I have a dream or come up with a line of poetry. The prayer book and prayer beads I take with me out of habit. If I take them with me when I go to bed, then I pick them up when I get out of the bed and I always know where they are. Some people have a security blanket or a stuffed animal; I have my prayer book and prayer beads laying there on the bedside table.
I lay down for about thirty minutes, which was enough. I didn't have any dreams and I didn't come up with the line to a poem. However, if I hadn't had the notebook right there beside the bed I would have dreamed or came up with a verse. Then I would have had to look for something to write on and forgotten the dream or the verse in the process. I have learned this from experience.
I can always tell when I need to take a nap in the afternoon. I get so tired that I can hardly move, so I lay down on the bed for a few minutes. It doesn't take long for me to be rested and ready to go again, but I need those few minutes to rest my body and mind.
Normally, I just sit on the couch and close my eyes, but when my body feels all tired out I lay down on the bed. I take my prayer book, prayer beads, a notebook and a writing pen with me. I put the items on the bedside table and then lay down on the bed and close my eyes.
I take the notebook with me just in case I have a dream or come up with a line of poetry. The prayer book and prayer beads I take with me out of habit. If I take them with me when I go to bed, then I pick them up when I get out of the bed and I always know where they are. Some people have a security blanket or a stuffed animal; I have my prayer book and prayer beads laying there on the bedside table.
I lay down for about thirty minutes, which was enough. I didn't have any dreams and I didn't come up with the line to a poem. However, if I hadn't had the notebook right there beside the bed I would have dreamed or came up with a verse. Then I would have had to look for something to write on and forgotten the dream or the verse in the process. I have learned this from experience.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Asma (Names) a new month begins
‘Idál (Justice), 1 Asma (Names), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, August 20, 2008 about 6:22 AM Pacific Daylight Time
The beginning of a new month is a good time to refocus on yearly goals. I reevaluate my goals at the end of every nineteen days, which is a little over two weeks. This gives me a chance look either at the goals I have set and determine if they are over ambitious or under ambitious. If a goal is too difficult to reach then it is frustrating and if it is too easy then it does not build muscles. The goal has to be difficult enough that it pushes the individual, but achievable after a reasonable amount of effort.
The interesting thing about "a reasonable amount of effort" is that it is different for each individual. That is why goals must be sit on an individual level and if they are goals sit by a persons work place, then the individual has to find a way to motivate himself or herself to achieve them.
The goals I have set since March 21, 2008 are individual and focused on the spiritual, physical and financial aspects of my life. The way I go about achieving my goals, may seem a little bit odd, but it works for me. I set up a spreadsheet in excel with the goals I want to focus on for a nineteen-day period. I divide the spreadsheet into three sections. One of the sections concerns spiritual goals and another concerns writing goals because I am working on becoming published.
Actually, since I keep blogs and post some of my work in my writing.com port, you could say I am published, but that is not the type of publication I am talking about. I am referring to getting paid cash money (I have always wanted to put that in a blog entry) for my creative efforts, all though, I do earn some money from blog advertising.
Anyway, I set my writing goals based on word count. I read somewhere that a writer needs to write a certain amount of new words everyday. My word count goal is set at between 2,500 and 5,000 words a day. If I achieve the minimum for thirty-eight days in a row, then I reset the goal yet, but I will be raising it within the next two months.
Today, Asma 1, is the beginning of a new evaluation period. After looking at my past goals, I believe I am going to have to make some changes in both the spreadsheet and the questions I ask myself during the evaluation process. Therefore, during Asma I am looking closes at the goals, especially the "excuses" I use when I do not achieve a specific goal, and the things I have to change on the spreadsheet. All this is a part of transformation, to consciously transform into my true self, I have to know both my weakness and perceived limitations.
The beginning of a new month is a good time to refocus on yearly goals. I reevaluate my goals at the end of every nineteen days, which is a little over two weeks. This gives me a chance look either at the goals I have set and determine if they are over ambitious or under ambitious. If a goal is too difficult to reach then it is frustrating and if it is too easy then it does not build muscles. The goal has to be difficult enough that it pushes the individual, but achievable after a reasonable amount of effort.
The interesting thing about "a reasonable amount of effort" is that it is different for each individual. That is why goals must be sit on an individual level and if they are goals sit by a persons work place, then the individual has to find a way to motivate himself or herself to achieve them.
The goals I have set since March 21, 2008 are individual and focused on the spiritual, physical and financial aspects of my life. The way I go about achieving my goals, may seem a little bit odd, but it works for me. I set up a spreadsheet in excel with the goals I want to focus on for a nineteen-day period. I divide the spreadsheet into three sections. One of the sections concerns spiritual goals and another concerns writing goals because I am working on becoming published.
Actually, since I keep blogs and post some of my work in my writing.com port, you could say I am published, but that is not the type of publication I am talking about. I am referring to getting paid cash money (I have always wanted to put that in a blog entry) for my creative efforts, all though, I do earn some money from blog advertising.
Anyway, I set my writing goals based on word count. I read somewhere that a writer needs to write a certain amount of new words everyday. My word count goal is set at between 2,500 and 5,000 words a day. If I achieve the minimum for thirty-eight days in a row, then I reset the goal yet, but I will be raising it within the next two months.
Today, Asma 1, is the beginning of a new evaluation period. After looking at my past goals, I believe I am going to have to make some changes in both the spreadsheet and the questions I ask myself during the evaluation process. Therefore, during Asma I am looking closes at the goals, especially the "excuses" I use when I do not achieve a specific goal, and the things I have to change on the spreadsheet. All this is a part of transformation, to consciously transform into my true self, I have to know both my weakness and perceived limitations.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
August and still no Rain to Speak of
Fidál (Grace), 19 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, August 19, 2008 about 2:39 PDT
It is August in Las Vegas. I remember rain and lightning storms in Las Vegas in August. They occurred in the last century. This year I heard thunder once, but didn't see any lightning. It rained once, just enough to rearrange the dirt on my car. I'm going to have to get the car washed, maybe that will attract some rain.
I need to get the car washed anyway, so attracting rain is just as good a reason as any other. I can't wash the car in my own yard, I'd get a ticket for wasting water. Not that washing a car is a waste of water, but the water that runs into to gutters is wasted. We're in a drought, which is probably why it isn't raining. You can't waste water in a drought.
We've had humidity for the past few days, but I don't see any clouds today. I don't think I'd mind the humidity so much if it would rain. I like rain and I like to watch lightning storms. I like to sit in my living room or lay in bed and watch the lightning. Lightning brings back memories of Oklahoma and my childhood.
The thing I find interesting is that the older I get, the more I think of Blackwell, Oklahoma and my grandparents. My grandparents were the best thing about my childhood. I have bad memories of my childhood, but most of the good memories are attached to my grandparents. I think that is why I like to watch lightning storms because they always bring back good memories of being at my grandparents' house.
It is August in Las Vegas. I remember rain and lightning storms in Las Vegas in August. They occurred in the last century. This year I heard thunder once, but didn't see any lightning. It rained once, just enough to rearrange the dirt on my car. I'm going to have to get the car washed, maybe that will attract some rain.
I need to get the car washed anyway, so attracting rain is just as good a reason as any other. I can't wash the car in my own yard, I'd get a ticket for wasting water. Not that washing a car is a waste of water, but the water that runs into to gutters is wasted. We're in a drought, which is probably why it isn't raining. You can't waste water in a drought.
We've had humidity for the past few days, but I don't see any clouds today. I don't think I'd mind the humidity so much if it would rain. I like rain and I like to watch lightning storms. I like to sit in my living room or lay in bed and watch the lightning. Lightning brings back memories of Oklahoma and my childhood.
The thing I find interesting is that the older I get, the more I think of Blackwell, Oklahoma and my grandparents. My grandparents were the best thing about my childhood. I have bad memories of my childhood, but most of the good memories are attached to my grandparents. I think that is why I like to watch lightning storms because they always bring back good memories of being at my grandparents' house.
Monday, August 18, 2008
August in Las Vegas
Kamál (Perfection), 18 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Monday, August 18, 2008 about 5:14 AM PDT
The humidity this August seems worse then usually, but it could be that I am noticing it more. We have humidity and clouds without much rain. I always notice humidity more when it does not rain. I think I remember it raining twice since monsoon season began in July. I rained enough to rearrange the dirt on my car; not even enough rain for a decent spit bath.
Even as a child growing up in Oklahoma, I noticed the humidity more when it did not rain. I always enjoyed the rain. I liked sitting in my Grandma Newland's living room and watching it rain. I liked walking through the puddles of water on my way to school and on my way home. I especially liked to jump into the puddles and let the water splash onto my legs.
When I got home from school, my mother and grandmother would always scold me about getting my feet wet. However, the scolding I got to take a hot shower and have either hot chocolate or tea. I loved the way my grandmother fixed hot chocolate.
Grandma made hot chocolate with real cows milk and Heresies chocolate syrup. She would heat the milk on the stove and then put the chocolate syrup in, stirring the hot milk as she added the chocolate. I miss the way Grandma made hot chocolate; I use instant mix and water.
I used to be able to make hot chocolate the way Grandma did, but it has been so long since I made it that way. When I heat milk on the stove, I have to be careful and not burn the milk. I do not like the way milk tastes when it burns, but I usually drink it anyway.
The humidity this August seems worse then usually, but it could be that I am noticing it more. We have humidity and clouds without much rain. I always notice humidity more when it does not rain. I think I remember it raining twice since monsoon season began in July. I rained enough to rearrange the dirt on my car; not even enough rain for a decent spit bath.
Even as a child growing up in Oklahoma, I noticed the humidity more when it did not rain. I always enjoyed the rain. I liked sitting in my Grandma Newland's living room and watching it rain. I liked walking through the puddles of water on my way to school and on my way home. I especially liked to jump into the puddles and let the water splash onto my legs.
When I got home from school, my mother and grandmother would always scold me about getting my feet wet. However, the scolding I got to take a hot shower and have either hot chocolate or tea. I loved the way my grandmother fixed hot chocolate.
Grandma made hot chocolate with real cows milk and Heresies chocolate syrup. She would heat the milk on the stove and then put the chocolate syrup in, stirring the hot milk as she added the chocolate. I miss the way Grandma made hot chocolate; I use instant mix and water.
I used to be able to make hot chocolate the way Grandma did, but it has been so long since I made it that way. When I heat milk on the stove, I have to be careful and not burn the milk. I do not like the way milk tastes when it burns, but I usually drink it anyway.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
October 15 is Blog Action Day
Jamál (Beauty), 17 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Sunday, August 17, 2008 about 4:18 AM PDT
October 15, 2008 is blog action day, when over 1,779 sites world wide with a readership of over 3,190,892, will blog about the same theme poverty. Register your blog at Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty and write about poverty.
Write about any aspect of proverty, which fits the theme of your blog. For example, since the theme of this blog is transformation I can write about how poverty changes the way a person thinks and acts. I have had some experience with poverty lately, so I may write about that or I could post some quotes from the sacred scriptures about poverty.
All religions and Holy Books have something to say about poverty. I am not sure right now precisely what I will write. I have a few weeks to pray and meditate on this subject. There are so many different aspects to poverty that any blogger can find an approach to the subject with little effort.
I am not sure what time I will post. Normally I try to post early in the day, especially if I have a subject and theme. However, if I work that day then I will not post until I get off. I do not have access to a computer or the Internet where I work. In addition, poverty is a subject that requires focus when writing about it, so I will post when I get home.
Join us on October 15, 2008 as either a reader or a blogger. For suggestions on how to approach, the subject or other actions you can take go to Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty.
October 15, 2008 is blog action day, when over 1,779 sites world wide with a readership of over 3,190,892, will blog about the same theme poverty. Register your blog at Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty and write about poverty.
Write about any aspect of proverty, which fits the theme of your blog. For example, since the theme of this blog is transformation I can write about how poverty changes the way a person thinks and acts. I have had some experience with poverty lately, so I may write about that or I could post some quotes from the sacred scriptures about poverty.
All religions and Holy Books have something to say about poverty. I am not sure right now precisely what I will write. I have a few weeks to pray and meditate on this subject. There are so many different aspects to poverty that any blogger can find an approach to the subject with little effort.
I am not sure what time I will post. Normally I try to post early in the day, especially if I have a subject and theme. However, if I work that day then I will not post until I get off. I do not have access to a computer or the Internet where I work. In addition, poverty is a subject that requires focus when writing about it, so I will post when I get home.
Join us on October 15, 2008 as either a reader or a blogger. For suggestions on how to approach, the subject or other actions you can take go to Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
I think I’m going to be up all night
Jalál (Glory), 16 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Saturday, August 16, 2008 about 6:02 PM PDT
I think I'm going to be up all night. All right, this is my own fault because I took a nap this afternoon. I usually don't take naps in the after noon, at least not in bed. I sometimes doze sitting up on the couch or the love seat, but I don't actually go to bed to take a nap. However, I was feeling tired, so I ate lunch and went to bed.
I know, I'm not suppose to go to bed on a full stomach. That probably explains the dream I had. In the dream, I was rescuing a dog from some type of enclosure. I think it was a play pin or something like that. Anyway, my mother and I were trying to help the puppy get across the enclosure and out the other side. That's about all I remember of the dream.
As a result, of being out all morning and then taking the nap, I'm running behind. In order to catch up, I'm going to have to stay up later then usually. I'm not gong any place tomorrow anyway. At least, I'm not planning on going anywhere. I bought gas today when I went to the drug store to pick up a bottle of Mom's meds. I also went to the bank this morning.
I will make a pot of coffee and see what's in the fridge to eat. I think I have some applesauce and German chocolate brownies as a snack. I should snack on the applesauce, that would be more nutritious then brownies, but I think I will have at least on brownie.
I think I'm going to be up all night. All right, this is my own fault because I took a nap this afternoon. I usually don't take naps in the after noon, at least not in bed. I sometimes doze sitting up on the couch or the love seat, but I don't actually go to bed to take a nap. However, I was feeling tired, so I ate lunch and went to bed.
I know, I'm not suppose to go to bed on a full stomach. That probably explains the dream I had. In the dream, I was rescuing a dog from some type of enclosure. I think it was a play pin or something like that. Anyway, my mother and I were trying to help the puppy get across the enclosure and out the other side. That's about all I remember of the dream.
As a result, of being out all morning and then taking the nap, I'm running behind. In order to catch up, I'm going to have to stay up later then usually. I'm not gong any place tomorrow anyway. At least, I'm not planning on going anywhere. I bought gas today when I went to the drug store to pick up a bottle of Mom's meds. I also went to the bank this morning.
I will make a pot of coffee and see what's in the fridge to eat. I think I have some applesauce and German chocolate brownies as a snack. I should snack on the applesauce, that would be more nutritious then brownies, but I think I will have at least on brownie.
Friday, August 15, 2008
I am Planning my Funeral
Istiqlál (Independence), 15 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Friday, August 15, 2008 about 3:20 PM PDT
Before anyone who knows me panics because of the title I am planning on living to be at 100 years old. I am not all that ill, it's just that I am being practical. Death is a part of life and I want the "Celebration of my Life", which will occur after my soul has ascended to the next world to be stress free for my survivors. Therefore, I am planning my funeral, this way the only thing my kin has to do is go to the celebration and, possibly, fight over there share of my fortune.
All right, I don't have a fortune, but that doesn't mean I don't have anything to leave my kin. I still have my will to write, so hang in there folks you may get something besides my best wishes after all. I got a book today called "Personal Planning Guide", which templates to put in the information needed after my soul departs from my body.
I am going to filling out the templates this evening, after I am finished working online. I do not want anyone worrying or wondering about what my last wishes were. I remember my grandparents' funerals and planning them was stressful because there was a lot that I didn't know at the time. I don't want my family to go through the stress of wondering if they are doing the right thing when my time comes.
In addition, to everything in the template, I have some poems I want read at the funeral. I also want copies of some of the poems given to those who attend. I'm not sure what else to say about this subject. Just be assured that I'm well at this time and planning on living to be at least 100.
Before anyone who knows me panics because of the title I am planning on living to be at 100 years old. I am not all that ill, it's just that I am being practical. Death is a part of life and I want the "Celebration of my Life", which will occur after my soul has ascended to the next world to be stress free for my survivors. Therefore, I am planning my funeral, this way the only thing my kin has to do is go to the celebration and, possibly, fight over there share of my fortune.
All right, I don't have a fortune, but that doesn't mean I don't have anything to leave my kin. I still have my will to write, so hang in there folks you may get something besides my best wishes after all. I got a book today called "Personal Planning Guide", which templates to put in the information needed after my soul departs from my body.
I am going to filling out the templates this evening, after I am finished working online. I do not want anyone worrying or wondering about what my last wishes were. I remember my grandparents' funerals and planning them was stressful because there was a lot that I didn't know at the time. I don't want my family to go through the stress of wondering if they are doing the right thing when my time comes.
In addition, to everything in the template, I have some poems I want read at the funeral. I also want copies of some of the poems given to those who attend. I'm not sure what else to say about this subject. Just be assured that I'm well at this time and planning on living to be at least 100.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
I Finally Watched some of the Olympic Events today
Istijlál (Majesty), 14 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Thursday, August 14, 2008 about 12:54 PM PDT
I finally sit down to watch some of the Olympic events today. Four years ago you could not keep me away from the T.V. when they were on, but this year I have not been interested. I am not sure why. Perhaps it's because I am more involved in other things such as writing. In addition, it could be that I am just not that interested in the summer Olympics any more.
I am looking forward to the winter Olympics, I like the ice dancing and down hill skiing events in winter. The only summer events I might be interested in is the gymnastics, but even that does not seem to interest me all that much this year. I suppose I should explore why I am not interested in the summer Olympics that sounds like a good topic for an entry in Writing My Spiritual Journey journal.
Until I watched the swimmers today, I never realized just how boring swimming can be. I do not remember it being that boring four years ago. What has changed? I know I have changed in the past four years. I am becoming more aware of what makes me happy and what is important in my life. In addition, I am more aware other cultures then I was four years ago. Maybe that is why I am just not interested in the events themselves; I would rather see how the individual citizens of a country live, then an event focusing on one particular althalete or sport.
The reason I am not interested in the Summer Olympics probably has more to do with my transformation then anything else.
I finally sit down to watch some of the Olympic events today. Four years ago you could not keep me away from the T.V. when they were on, but this year I have not been interested. I am not sure why. Perhaps it's because I am more involved in other things such as writing. In addition, it could be that I am just not that interested in the summer Olympics any more.
I am looking forward to the winter Olympics, I like the ice dancing and down hill skiing events in winter. The only summer events I might be interested in is the gymnastics, but even that does not seem to interest me all that much this year. I suppose I should explore why I am not interested in the summer Olympics that sounds like a good topic for an entry in Writing My Spiritual Journey journal.
Until I watched the swimmers today, I never realized just how boring swimming can be. I do not remember it being that boring four years ago. What has changed? I know I have changed in the past four years. I am becoming more aware of what makes me happy and what is important in my life. In addition, I am more aware other cultures then I was four years ago. Maybe that is why I am just not interested in the events themselves; I would rather see how the individual citizens of a country live, then an event focusing on one particular althalete or sport.
The reason I am not interested in the Summer Olympics probably has more to do with my transformation then anything else.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
I Do Not Have to Lug Trash out to the Curb Today
‘Idál (Justice), 13 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, August 13, 2008 about 6:12 AM PDT
I do not have to lug trashcans to the curb today. I am elated. The yard was cleaned up Sunday and the trash taken to the curb for pickup today. I can put off taking any more trash out until Friday evening or Saturday morning, which is great because I am just managing to completely wake up.
I spent yesterday working the Primary Election. I arrived at my assigned station a little before 6:00 AM on Tuesday, August 12. I remained there until after 7:00 PM and worked as a clerk. I took my lunch and some snacks with me, plus several bottles of water. When I arrived home last night, I went directly to bed.
When I go to bed early, no matter how tired I am when I get in bed, I get up early. I got up early today, true I sit on the love seat, said prayers and dozed for a little while, but I did get up early. The interesting thing about last night, is that I went to sleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow. When I woke up this morning, I could not focus on what to take out to the trash or on lugging the cans to the curb.
After the garbage trucks pick-up the trash, I put the trashcans in the garage and begin filling them for Saturday's pick-up. Mom was home all day yesterday doing what she likes to do best, which is clean house. Therefore, she did not get any trash out to the garage. That is all right with me because I would rather she did not carry trash to the garage at her age.
I do not have to lug trashcans to the curb today. I am elated. The yard was cleaned up Sunday and the trash taken to the curb for pickup today. I can put off taking any more trash out until Friday evening or Saturday morning, which is great because I am just managing to completely wake up.
I spent yesterday working the Primary Election. I arrived at my assigned station a little before 6:00 AM on Tuesday, August 12. I remained there until after 7:00 PM and worked as a clerk. I took my lunch and some snacks with me, plus several bottles of water. When I arrived home last night, I went directly to bed.
When I go to bed early, no matter how tired I am when I get in bed, I get up early. I got up early today, true I sit on the love seat, said prayers and dozed for a little while, but I did get up early. The interesting thing about last night, is that I went to sleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow. When I woke up this morning, I could not focus on what to take out to the trash or on lugging the cans to the curb.
After the garbage trucks pick-up the trash, I put the trashcans in the garage and begin filling them for Saturday's pick-up. Mom was home all day yesterday doing what she likes to do best, which is clean house. Therefore, she did not get any trash out to the garage. That is all right with me because I would rather she did not carry trash to the garage at her age.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Counting Sheep Doesn’t Help
Fidál (Grace), 12 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Monday, August 11, 2008 about 8:39 PDT
Counting sheep doesn't help. I have to be at work at 6:00 AM on Tuesday, August 12. Normally I would be asleep, but not tonight. I can't sleep. I've tried everything that usually helps me sleep and nothing works. Therefore, I thought I would make a blog entry.
I will work from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM, I will not be able to leave the polls, so I'm taking my lunch with me. I'm also taking a book to read and something to write on. I have everything ready to go. All I have to do is get up, take my bath, get dressed and leave the house.
The only problem tonight is that I can't sleep. That may be because I know I won't get home tomorrow until after sunset. My daily writing goal is, at least, 2,500 words between sunset of one day and sunset of the next. However, if I don't get home until after sunset, then I won't make the goal. I know it sounds silly not to be able to sleep because of something like that, but I think that's the problem. Therefore, I'll alleviate the problem somewhat by making some blog entries.
My off line journals aren't a problem because I can compose those while I'm waiting for people to come to the polls and vote. However, the online journal entries are a bit of a problem when I don't have access to a computer. So rather then counting sheep to try to get to sleep, I'll write.
My grandmother never counted sheep when she couldn't sleep. Grandma Newland would do housework in the middle of the night. I will write in the middle of the night. but housework is something to be done during the daylight hours.
Counting sheep doesn't help. I have to be at work at 6:00 AM on Tuesday, August 12. Normally I would be asleep, but not tonight. I can't sleep. I've tried everything that usually helps me sleep and nothing works. Therefore, I thought I would make a blog entry.
I will work from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM, I will not be able to leave the polls, so I'm taking my lunch with me. I'm also taking a book to read and something to write on. I have everything ready to go. All I have to do is get up, take my bath, get dressed and leave the house.
The only problem tonight is that I can't sleep. That may be because I know I won't get home tomorrow until after sunset. My daily writing goal is, at least, 2,500 words between sunset of one day and sunset of the next. However, if I don't get home until after sunset, then I won't make the goal. I know it sounds silly not to be able to sleep because of something like that, but I think that's the problem. Therefore, I'll alleviate the problem somewhat by making some blog entries.
My off line journals aren't a problem because I can compose those while I'm waiting for people to come to the polls and vote. However, the online journal entries are a bit of a problem when I don't have access to a computer. So rather then counting sheep to try to get to sleep, I'll write.
My grandmother never counted sheep when she couldn't sleep. Grandma Newland would do housework in the middle of the night. I will write in the middle of the night. but housework is something to be done during the daylight hours.
Monday Morning Memories
Kamál (Perfection), 11 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Monday, August 11, 2008 about 5:59 AM PDT
I remember Grandpa Newland going off to work on Monday mornings. Grandpa worked at the Zinc smelter in Blackwell, Oklahoma until he retired. I do not remember how old Grandpa was when he retired from the Smelter, because after he retired he continued to working on a part time basis.
When the boxcars brought the Zinc ore to the smelter, there were wooden boards in the cars. These boards remained in the unloading area (at least I think that is where they remained), until they were hauled away. The company sold the boards to a retired worker for ten cents a board. The person who bought them could then resell them for a profit, Grandpa did that until he became too ill to work.
Anyway, Grandpa would buy the boards for ten cents each and then resell them for twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty cents each, depending on the condition of the board. That gave him a little money to supplement his retirement and social security check. I can remember Grandpa and Grandma living well on his retirement and social security check. That is not the case today though, I doubt that anyone can do more then survive on that little of an income.
When Grandpa went to work he did not wear a suite and tie, instead he wore overalls and a cotton work shirt. I would watch the shows in T.V. and see the fathers going to work in suites and ties. I would see the mothers in the show staying home. Those T.V. shows never related my family. Those shows never showed a grandparent or mother going to work, only the fathers in those shows made a living for the family. As far as I was concerned, those shows were a fantasy and had nothing to do with real life. Yet I watched them anyway, maybe that is why I enjoy fantasy and science fiction so much; the shows I watched, as a child had nothing to do with my real life.
I remember Grandpa Newland going off to work on Monday mornings. Grandpa worked at the Zinc smelter in Blackwell, Oklahoma until he retired. I do not remember how old Grandpa was when he retired from the Smelter, because after he retired he continued to working on a part time basis.
When the boxcars brought the Zinc ore to the smelter, there were wooden boards in the cars. These boards remained in the unloading area (at least I think that is where they remained), until they were hauled away. The company sold the boards to a retired worker for ten cents a board. The person who bought them could then resell them for a profit, Grandpa did that until he became too ill to work.
Anyway, Grandpa would buy the boards for ten cents each and then resell them for twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty cents each, depending on the condition of the board. That gave him a little money to supplement his retirement and social security check. I can remember Grandpa and Grandma living well on his retirement and social security check. That is not the case today though, I doubt that anyone can do more then survive on that little of an income.
When Grandpa went to work he did not wear a suite and tie, instead he wore overalls and a cotton work shirt. I would watch the shows in T.V. and see the fathers going to work in suites and ties. I would see the mothers in the show staying home. Those T.V. shows never related my family. Those shows never showed a grandparent or mother going to work, only the fathers in those shows made a living for the family. As far as I was concerned, those shows were a fantasy and had nothing to do with real life. Yet I watched them anyway, maybe that is why I enjoy fantasy and science fiction so much; the shows I watched, as a child had nothing to do with my real life.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
I Miss my Grandmother
Jamál (Beauty), 10 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Sunday, August 10, 2008 about 7:55 AM PDT
I miss Grandma Newland. I realized last night while watching The Lawrence Welk Show how much I have been missing her lately. Grandma always like watching the Lawrence Welk show, we would sit on the couch in her living room and watch. During the show we always had something to drink and perhaps a snack.
We watched The Lawrence Welk Show
with my Grandparents
in their living room.
It's wonderful that the show is still on. In Las Vegas, it comes on PBS every Saturday night at 6:00 PM. Mom and I still keep the ritual started by my grandmother. Last night Mom and I had grape juice, but when I watched with Grandma we usually had soda or hot chocolate to drink depending on the season of the year.
I think I like watching The Lawrence Welk Show on PBS because it brings back memories of Grandma. She never missed the show if she could help it, there was very little more important then watching that particular show. When I watch the reruns on Channel 10 in Las Vegas, I remember The Stars of The Lawrence Welk Show and I remember Grandma.
The shows episodes Grandma especially liked was the holiday shows. I think the Christmas shows were her favorite. Another thing about the show Grandma like was the singing, Grandma didn't care much for instrumental music, but she love the songs and the vocal arrangements. She also like to watch the dance numbers.
Whenever I watch The Lawrence Welk Show, I remember Grandma sitting on the couch. Grandma always sit in the middle of the couch because she would have a grandchild on each side of her, one in her lap, and one sitting on the floor at her feet.
I miss Grandma Newland. I realized last night while watching The Lawrence Welk Show how much I have been missing her lately. Grandma always like watching the Lawrence Welk show, we would sit on the couch in her living room and watch. During the show we always had something to drink and perhaps a snack.
We watched The Lawrence Welk Show
with my Grandparents
in their living room.
It's wonderful that the show is still on. In Las Vegas, it comes on PBS every Saturday night at 6:00 PM. Mom and I still keep the ritual started by my grandmother. Last night Mom and I had grape juice, but when I watched with Grandma we usually had soda or hot chocolate to drink depending on the season of the year.
I think I like watching The Lawrence Welk Show on PBS because it brings back memories of Grandma. She never missed the show if she could help it, there was very little more important then watching that particular show. When I watch the reruns on Channel 10 in Las Vegas, I remember The Stars of The Lawrence Welk Show and I remember Grandma.
The shows episodes Grandma especially liked was the holiday shows. I think the Christmas shows were her favorite. Another thing about the show Grandma like was the singing, Grandma didn't care much for instrumental music, but she love the songs and the vocal arrangements. She also like to watch the dance numbers.
Whenever I watch The Lawrence Welk Show, I remember Grandma sitting on the couch. Grandma always sit in the middle of the couch because she would have a grandchild on each side of her, one in her lap, and one sitting on the floor at her feet.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
I Need a New Photo of Myself
Jalál (Glory), 9 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Saturday, August 9, 2008 about 9:10 AM PDT
I need a new photo of myself. The one I'm using in this blog was taken on my last trip to Disney Land, which was sometime in the last century. I don't have any photos taken this year or last year. In fact, I haven't had a photo of myself, except the one on my pass port, taken in this century.
I'm not going to use the pass port photo on this blog and I'm not taking a new photo of myself until I get my new, full set of dentures. Therefore, the only thing to do is go through the boxes of photos I have in my closet. Those photos have to come out of the closet anyway, so that I can scan them and burn them onto CDs.
Family photos
people that I barely knew
and half remember
hide in the darkness of my closet
waiting to see the light of a new day.
I need a new photo of myself. The one I'm using in this blog was taken on my last trip to Disney Land, which was sometime in the last century. I don't have any photos taken this year or last year. In fact, I haven't had a photo of myself, except the one on my pass port, taken in this century.
I'm not going to use the pass port photo on this blog and I'm not taking a new photo of myself until I get my new, full set of dentures. Therefore, the only thing to do is go through the boxes of photos I have in my closet. Those photos have to come out of the closet anyway, so that I can scan them and burn them onto CDs.
Family photos
people that I barely knew
and half remember
hide in the darkness of my closet
waiting to see the light of a new day.
Friday, August 08, 2008
I am Nostalgic for Oklahoma
Istiqlál (Independence), 8 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Friday, August 8, 2008 about 6:46 PM PDT
I am nostalgic for Oklahoma. That is the only logical explanation for the humidity reminding me of Oklahoma. Mom and I left the house at about 10:30 or 11:00 AM this morning. We had three errands to complete and in a specific order. First, early vote because today was the last day of early voting and since I work the polls this coming Tuesday I had to vote today. Second, pick up my meds; I called in two prescriptions on Wednesday, which were ready today. Third, stop at my internet provider's office and pay for another month.
While I drove across town, I realized that the humidity reminded me of Oklahoma. I even have a slight heat rash, which also reminds me of Oklahoma. Therefore, the only logical or illogical explanation is nostalgia. I miss the Oklahoma humidity. I miss the Oklahoma thunderstorms. I miss the Oklahoma lightning.
It did rain a little bit yesterday, just enough to get my car dirty. It thundered yesterday as well. I did not see lightning, but I did hear thunder so the lightning must have occurred. I am presuming lightning occurred because you cannot have thunder without lightning.
Oklahoma memories
play across the firmament of my mind
like clouds in the desert sky.
Oklahoma thunderstorms
light up my childhood with crisp
lightning flashes.
Missing Oklahoma
gives me something to write about
while I wait for rain
to slacken the drought
Missing Oklahoma
gives me something to think about
when the dentist pulls
the remaining teeth in my mouth.
I think the poems needs a little work. I will let it set a few days before rewriting it.
I am nostalgic for Oklahoma. That is the only logical explanation for the humidity reminding me of Oklahoma. Mom and I left the house at about 10:30 or 11:00 AM this morning. We had three errands to complete and in a specific order. First, early vote because today was the last day of early voting and since I work the polls this coming Tuesday I had to vote today. Second, pick up my meds; I called in two prescriptions on Wednesday, which were ready today. Third, stop at my internet provider's office and pay for another month.
While I drove across town, I realized that the humidity reminded me of Oklahoma. I even have a slight heat rash, which also reminds me of Oklahoma. Therefore, the only logical or illogical explanation is nostalgia. I miss the Oklahoma humidity. I miss the Oklahoma thunderstorms. I miss the Oklahoma lightning.
It did rain a little bit yesterday, just enough to get my car dirty. It thundered yesterday as well. I did not see lightning, but I did hear thunder so the lightning must have occurred. I am presuming lightning occurred because you cannot have thunder without lightning.
Oklahoma memories
play across the firmament of my mind
like clouds in the desert sky.
Oklahoma thunderstorms
light up my childhood with crisp
lightning flashes.
Missing Oklahoma
gives me something to write about
while I wait for rain
to slacken the drought
Missing Oklahoma
gives me something to think about
when the dentist pulls
the remaining teeth in my mouth.
I think the poems needs a little work. I will let it set a few days before rewriting it.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
I Love Modern Technology
Istijlál (Majesty), 7 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Thursday, August 7, 2008 about 4:59 AM PDT
I love modern technology, but I should not attempt to dial a phone before I have drink my first cup of coffee in the morning. What event caused this epiphany? I called the pharmacy this morning to refill a prescription. Even though the pharmacy isn't open yet, I can call punch in the prescription number and pick up the prescription tomorrow.
The first time I dialed the pharmacy this morning I dialed the wrong number. Rather then getting the pharmacy, I got a residence. The lady was very nice even though I probably woke her up. Any way I dialed the number before having my first cup of coffee.
Grandma Newland never refilled a prescription over the phone. I remember her taking the bottle to the pharmacy and then picking it up later. She usually took the bottle in on a day she did the grocery shopping or something else. She would take the bottle in, leave it with the pharmacist, do the other errands she had planned, and then pick up the refill. This was her normal method of getting her meds refilled.
I like the way I have Mom's and my prescriptions refilled. The way Las Vegas is laid out it is much easier this way, it takes less gas and since Mom and I go to different pharmacies that are several miles apart and on opposite ends of Charleston Blvd., I can arrange to pick up our prescriptions on different days without any problem. I just have to make sure I count the pills to see how many remain in the bottle. If I call a day or two before the pills run out then I can pick up the meds while we still have a day or two of pills left in the bottle.
As I have said before, modern technology is wonderful and it makes life so much easier
I love modern technology, but I should not attempt to dial a phone before I have drink my first cup of coffee in the morning. What event caused this epiphany? I called the pharmacy this morning to refill a prescription. Even though the pharmacy isn't open yet, I can call punch in the prescription number and pick up the prescription tomorrow.
The first time I dialed the pharmacy this morning I dialed the wrong number. Rather then getting the pharmacy, I got a residence. The lady was very nice even though I probably woke her up. Any way I dialed the number before having my first cup of coffee.
Grandma Newland never refilled a prescription over the phone. I remember her taking the bottle to the pharmacy and then picking it up later. She usually took the bottle in on a day she did the grocery shopping or something else. She would take the bottle in, leave it with the pharmacist, do the other errands she had planned, and then pick up the refill. This was her normal method of getting her meds refilled.
I like the way I have Mom's and my prescriptions refilled. The way Las Vegas is laid out it is much easier this way, it takes less gas and since Mom and I go to different pharmacies that are several miles apart and on opposite ends of Charleston Blvd., I can arrange to pick up our prescriptions on different days without any problem. I just have to make sure I count the pills to see how many remain in the bottle. If I call a day or two before the pills run out then I can pick up the meds while we still have a day or two of pills left in the bottle.
As I have said before, modern technology is wonderful and it makes life so much easier
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
I have to change my self-talk
‘Idál (Justice), 6 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, August 6, 2008 about 8:24 AM PDT
Part of the transformation process is discovering bad habits that need changing. One bad habit I have is negative self-talk. My self-talk is the words and phrases I use my career and myself. Negative or positive self-talk becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I have found that negative self-talk reinforces the bad things that happen. It gives me a reason to want to give up, because it suggests that no matter what I do, I am not going to succeed. On the other hand, positive self-talk focuses on faith and hope rather then on doubt and uncertainty.
In everyone's life bad things happen and events occur which can be considered negative and proof of failure. Negative self-talk enhances these events and causes a person, at least it causes me, to focus on the failure in the event instead of the opportunity; it causes me to focus on doubt, while positive self-talk focuses on the opportunity in an event and on faith.
Negative self-talk attracts negative results because it encourages giving up and accepting defeat. Positive self-talk attracts positive results because it encourages striving and overcoming obstacles to success and spiritual growth.
Positive self-talk cause me to face the tests and difficulties in my life with faith because it allows me to accept the knowledge contained in an event. Faith is important because without it a person would quit striving for perfection, for growth and transformation. Sometime simple changing the self-talk phrases is all that is necessary to encourage the human soul. At other times, the new phrases have to be merged with an enhanced definition of faith.
One definition of faith is to "breath without air". However, negative self-talks prevents this because it say you have to have proof that what you are doing is going to be successful. At the beginning of any project, there is no proof it will be successful; you just have to accept the fact that success is is inevitable without proof, i.e. breathing without air.
Part of the transformation process is discovering bad habits that need changing. One bad habit I have is negative self-talk. My self-talk is the words and phrases I use my career and myself. Negative or positive self-talk becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I have found that negative self-talk reinforces the bad things that happen. It gives me a reason to want to give up, because it suggests that no matter what I do, I am not going to succeed. On the other hand, positive self-talk focuses on faith and hope rather then on doubt and uncertainty.
In everyone's life bad things happen and events occur which can be considered negative and proof of failure. Negative self-talk enhances these events and causes a person, at least it causes me, to focus on the failure in the event instead of the opportunity; it causes me to focus on doubt, while positive self-talk focuses on the opportunity in an event and on faith.
Negative self-talk attracts negative results because it encourages giving up and accepting defeat. Positive self-talk attracts positive results because it encourages striving and overcoming obstacles to success and spiritual growth.
Positive self-talk cause me to face the tests and difficulties in my life with faith because it allows me to accept the knowledge contained in an event. Faith is important because without it a person would quit striving for perfection, for growth and transformation. Sometime simple changing the self-talk phrases is all that is necessary to encourage the human soul. At other times, the new phrases have to be merged with an enhanced definition of faith.
One definition of faith is to "breath without air". However, negative self-talks prevents this because it say you have to have proof that what you are doing is going to be successful. At the beginning of any project, there is no proof it will be successful; you just have to accept the fact that success is is inevitable without proof, i.e. breathing without air.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Peanut Butter Sandwich and Coffee
Fidál (Grace), 5 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, August5, 2008 about 4:28 AM PDT
Part of the process of transformation is looking at how my tastes have changed over the years. When I was growing up, we always had a traditional breakfast; Grandma or Mama, whoever was fixing us breakfast that morning, would make eggs, bacon or sausage, cereal, milk and juice. Sometimes the older kids would get coffee with lots of cream and sugar added.
We never eat peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast. However, since growing up that is my favorite, especially if I am fixing breakfast for myself. Lately, it is my mother's favorite as well. Mom loves peanut butter sandwiches even more then I do. Therefore, when we have peanut butter in the house that is what we have for breakfast.
I have no idea what my grandmother would say about peanut butter for breakfast. Grandma would fix us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Sometimes she would put them in our lunch boxes for us to take to school. We always carried our lunch with us to grade school. I do remember whether we ate school provided lunches in junior high (middle school) or high school. If the school did provide lunches for us, they were not memorable.
Since I do not have children in the house, I do not have to set a good example for anyone at breakfast. That means I can eat whatever I want and most of the time I want peanut butter sandwiches and coffee for breakfast. If I want bacon and eggs or sausage and eggs, I go to a restaurant. I cannot fix bacon the way I like it, so I go out to eat when I want bacon for breakfast.
Part of the process of transformation is looking at how my tastes have changed over the years. When I was growing up, we always had a traditional breakfast; Grandma or Mama, whoever was fixing us breakfast that morning, would make eggs, bacon or sausage, cereal, milk and juice. Sometimes the older kids would get coffee with lots of cream and sugar added.
We never eat peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast. However, since growing up that is my favorite, especially if I am fixing breakfast for myself. Lately, it is my mother's favorite as well. Mom loves peanut butter sandwiches even more then I do. Therefore, when we have peanut butter in the house that is what we have for breakfast.
I have no idea what my grandmother would say about peanut butter for breakfast. Grandma would fix us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Sometimes she would put them in our lunch boxes for us to take to school. We always carried our lunch with us to grade school. I do remember whether we ate school provided lunches in junior high (middle school) or high school. If the school did provide lunches for us, they were not memorable.
Since I do not have children in the house, I do not have to set a good example for anyone at breakfast. That means I can eat whatever I want and most of the time I want peanut butter sandwiches and coffee for breakfast. If I want bacon and eggs or sausage and eggs, I go to a restaurant. I cannot fix bacon the way I like it, so I go out to eat when I want bacon for breakfast.
Monday, August 04, 2008
It Looks Like Rain
Kamál (Perfection), 4 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Monday, August 3, 2008 about 4:07 PM PDT
It looks like rain. Dark clouds are gathering in the sky and the wind is blowing. Maybe we will have some monsoon showers after all. I haven't heard the weather report and I haven't checked the e-mail box in which I receive the local weather report.
I don't hear any thunder and I don't see any flashes of lightening. So this could just be another one of Mother Nature's jokes. We need rain here in Las Vegas. Monsoon season began in July and we haven't had enough rain to use for a decent "spit bath". I'm not getting my hopes up, but I do think I'll say a little prayer for some rain.
I enjoy the rain. I like sitting on my couch watching the rain. I'm not crazy about driving in it for a couple of reasons. First, I drive with my window down (I might get into the reason in a later entry). The problem with driving with my window down (besides the rain coming in) is that my windows don't roll up when it rains. Normally when I park the car somewhere, I roll the window up and lock the door, but I can't do that on rainy days.
Not that I'm going out any more today. I have enough coffee to make a four or five more carafes and we don't need to get gas until Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll get gas when I go get another can of coffee. I have enough money in my wallet to get both gas and coffee. I don't mind choosing between gas and other items, but when it comes to choosing between gas and coffee I get a bit upset.
It looks like rain. Dark clouds are gathering in the sky and the wind is blowing. Maybe we will have some monsoon showers after all. I haven't heard the weather report and I haven't checked the e-mail box in which I receive the local weather report.
I don't hear any thunder and I don't see any flashes of lightening. So this could just be another one of Mother Nature's jokes. We need rain here in Las Vegas. Monsoon season began in July and we haven't had enough rain to use for a decent "spit bath". I'm not getting my hopes up, but I do think I'll say a little prayer for some rain.
I enjoy the rain. I like sitting on my couch watching the rain. I'm not crazy about driving in it for a couple of reasons. First, I drive with my window down (I might get into the reason in a later entry). The problem with driving with my window down (besides the rain coming in) is that my windows don't roll up when it rains. Normally when I park the car somewhere, I roll the window up and lock the door, but I can't do that on rainy days.
Not that I'm going out any more today. I have enough coffee to make a four or five more carafes and we don't need to get gas until Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll get gas when I go get another can of coffee. I have enough money in my wallet to get both gas and coffee. I don't mind choosing between gas and other items, but when it comes to choosing between gas and coffee I get a bit upset.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Going to Bed with the Chickens
Jamál (Beauty), 3 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Sunday, August 3, 2008 about 12:14 AM PDT
I went to bed with the chickens yesterday. No I did not go to sleep in the hen house, even if I did have a chicken coop or hen house I wouldn't have went to bed there. Going to bed with the chickens means going to bed before sunset or around sunset, that's because most chickens roost at sunset. The problem with "going to bed with the chickens" is that you wake up with them as well.
Actually, I went to bed before sunset yesterday, which meant I got up before midnight. I went to bed around 6:30 or 7:00 PM yesterday and got up about 11:55 PM yesterday. After getting myself a nice tall glass of ice water, I turned the computer on. I haven't even made coffee yet; I haven't needed it yet. I'm wide awake.
Yesterday I was extremely tired in the afternoon. I know why I was so tired. I went out in the heat yesterday. We went to the bank, to get Mom's meds and then to Food 4 Less. We came back home, eat and I finished the work I planned. When I realized how weary I was, I fed the cats and went to bed. I said the rest of the prayers I had planned to say and then went to sleep.
When I woke up, at 11:55 PM, I thought I had slept all night. I thought it must be about 3:30 or 4:00 AM. I got up and looked at the clock. It surprised me when I saw the time, but I'm not sleepy or tired anymore, so there isn't any use going back to bed. Since I'm up I'll do some blog entries, check my e-mail and say some prayers.
I went to bed with the chickens yesterday. No I did not go to sleep in the hen house, even if I did have a chicken coop or hen house I wouldn't have went to bed there. Going to bed with the chickens means going to bed before sunset or around sunset, that's because most chickens roost at sunset. The problem with "going to bed with the chickens" is that you wake up with them as well.
Actually, I went to bed before sunset yesterday, which meant I got up before midnight. I went to bed around 6:30 or 7:00 PM yesterday and got up about 11:55 PM yesterday. After getting myself a nice tall glass of ice water, I turned the computer on. I haven't even made coffee yet; I haven't needed it yet. I'm wide awake.
Yesterday I was extremely tired in the afternoon. I know why I was so tired. I went out in the heat yesterday. We went to the bank, to get Mom's meds and then to Food 4 Less. We came back home, eat and I finished the work I planned. When I realized how weary I was, I fed the cats and went to bed. I said the rest of the prayers I had planned to say and then went to sleep.
When I woke up, at 11:55 PM, I thought I had slept all night. I thought it must be about 3:30 or 4:00 AM. I got up and looked at the clock. It surprised me when I saw the time, but I'm not sleepy or tired anymore, so there isn't any use going back to bed. Since I'm up I'll do some blog entries, check my e-mail and say some prayers.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
All ways check the water in the radiator
Jalál (Glory), 2 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Saturday, August 2, 2008 about 4:05 PM PDT
All ways check the water in the radiator before backing out of the driveway. I haven't been doing that the first thing of a morning. Instead, I get into the car, say a prayer of protection and back out of my driveway. I did that yesterday and the car was on the verge of over heating because the radiator needed water.
When the thermostat gage informs me the car is over heating, then it's too late to check the radiator. The radiator is too hot to open without hurting myself so I have to wait until the next morning. The thermostat gage show the car was getting too hot yesterday when I was driving east on Sahara. That is not a good street to have a car over, there is no shade along most of Sahara.
I put water in the radiator this morning before going to the band and after Mom's meds. I put enough water in to make sure it didn't overheat today, but I don't know if I got enough water in it. I'll have to wait until Sunday and check the radiator again. Fortunately, putting water in the radiator is one of the two things I can do under the hood of my car. The other is to check the oil, which I have to do as well. However, I'm going to have to get a couple of quarts of oil.
The only bottle of fluid I have in my trunk is transmission fluid. I can't add that because I don't have the proper equipment. I suppose I'd better stop at a full service gas station the in the next month or so and have them check the transmission fluid.
All ways check the water in the radiator before backing out of the driveway. I haven't been doing that the first thing of a morning. Instead, I get into the car, say a prayer of protection and back out of my driveway. I did that yesterday and the car was on the verge of over heating because the radiator needed water.
When the thermostat gage informs me the car is over heating, then it's too late to check the radiator. The radiator is too hot to open without hurting myself so I have to wait until the next morning. The thermostat gage show the car was getting too hot yesterday when I was driving east on Sahara. That is not a good street to have a car over, there is no shade along most of Sahara.
I put water in the radiator this morning before going to the band and after Mom's meds. I put enough water in to make sure it didn't overheat today, but I don't know if I got enough water in it. I'll have to wait until Sunday and check the radiator again. Fortunately, putting water in the radiator is one of the two things I can do under the hood of my car. The other is to check the oil, which I have to do as well. However, I'm going to have to get a couple of quarts of oil.
The only bottle of fluid I have in my trunk is transmission fluid. I can't add that because I don't have the proper equipment. I suppose I'd better stop at a full service gas station the in the next month or so and have them check the transmission fluid.
Friday, August 01, 2008
My washing machine sounds like a helicopter
Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Kamal (Perfection), 165 B.E. – Friday, August 1, 2008 about 7:54 AM PDT
My washing machine sounds like a helicopter in the spin cycles. The machine is unbalanced and moves when in the spin cycle, so I think that may have something to do with the noise it makes. I have noticed the sound before, but until today I couldn't place the resemblance.
I know it is the washing machine making that noise, because I looked out my window and did not see a helicopter landing in my yard. I don't know what I would do if a helicopter landed in my yard. However, that does sound like a good beginning to a short story and I need to come up with a short story plot in Kamal.
One of my goals is to write a short story every nineteen days. So far I have completed and submitted one short story. That was to a contest on writing.com, which ended on July 30 or 31. I won't know until August 15 where I placed in the contest. However, I still need to complete about six more short stories. Two of the short stories just need more added to them. The ideas for those two came from another contest.
My washing machine sounds like a helicopter in the spin cycles. The machine is unbalanced and moves when in the spin cycle, so I think that may have something to do with the noise it makes. I have noticed the sound before, but until today I couldn't place the resemblance.
I know it is the washing machine making that noise, because I looked out my window and did not see a helicopter landing in my yard. I don't know what I would do if a helicopter landed in my yard. However, that does sound like a good beginning to a short story and I need to come up with a short story plot in Kamal.
One of my goals is to write a short story every nineteen days. So far I have completed and submitted one short story. That was to a contest on writing.com, which ended on July 30 or 31. I won't know until August 15 where I placed in the contest. However, I still need to complete about six more short stories. Two of the short stories just need more added to them. The ideas for those two came from another contest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)