Morning Nap

Jamal (Beauty), 11 Asmá’ (Names), 172 BE - Sunday, August 30, 2015 about 12:14 pm

I know
that afternoon naps
are normal
and recommended,
but today
I took a morning nap.

I didn't intend
to doze off
when I set down on the couch
to meditate
and pray.

I said a prayer for forgiveness
then leaned back
to contemplate
the words.

I closed my eyes
to shut out the morning
so that I could focus
on experiencing
the presence
of the Holy Spirit.

I dozed off,
woke up
a few minutes later
feeling refreshed.

Thoughtful Thursday: I Don't Want to be Sixteen Again

stijlal (Majesty), 8 Asmá’ (Names), 172 BE - Thursday, August 27, 2015 about 1:07 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Prompt: Tell us about the person you were when you were sixteen.

Stressed! Depressed! I wouldn't be sixteen again for any amount of money. I didn't like being sixteen because of the bullies and the gossip. I remember struggling and being made fun of by my class mate in junior high and high school. I was stood up by a date and I have to face the snickers when I went back to school the next day. Eventually we moved from one town to another, but I don't think school got any better.

I've heard people tell about how wonderful being sixteen was and maybe it was for them, but it wasn't for me. At 68, I can look back on my sixteen year old self and say "Thank God I survived!" I learned that people aren't always what they appear to be. I learned that just because someone acts like your friend doesn't mean they are. I learned that you can't let other peoples opinions define who you are. Eventually I learned to forgive and bury the past, at least until I use it in a short story or poem.

I don't want to be sixteen again,
I don't want to have those types of friends.

That is a good start to a poem. I don't know where it's going at the moment. I may not finish it today or even this week. I will finish it.

Housework is My Exercise Program

Fidal (Grace), 6 Asmá’ (Names), 172 BE - Tuesday, August 25, 2015 4:53 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Housework is my exercise program. I organized part of my kitchen this morning and then picked up some stuff off the living room floor. I feel good this afternoon. I feel as if I could write all night, which isn't a good idea since I have to go shopping on Wednesday morning. I suppose I could wait until Wednesday afternoon, but the weather report says to expect rain in the afternoon. Since I don't like driving in the rain because I drive with my window down (I can't open my door from the inside).

I have more to do in the kitchen because I moved only the containers that were on the floor. I put a couple under the desk that holds my coffee and toaster. The rest I put between the desk and the refrigerator. Then I put several bottles of water in the freezer and cans of soda in the lower part of the refrigerator. Next I put my old grocery laundry cart next to the window so that I could put my dirty laundry in it. That way I don't have to walk in the other room when I put dish towels and pot holders in it. I can also see when it's full so I can plan my weekly or monthly trip to the laundromat.

I put the new grocery laundry cart in the living room between the love seat and the wall. That way it's easy for me to retrieve when I have to go to the store or to the laundromat. I'm not going to take the old cart because one of the wheels is wobbly and that makes it difficulty to push.

The Fourth Week in August 2015: Be Kind to Humankind Week

Jamal (Beauty), 4 Asmá’ (Names), 172 BE - Sunday, August 23, 2015 about 2:19 pm Pacific Daylight Time

According to Holiday Insights the fourth week in August is Be Kind to Humankind Week. I Googled Be Kind to Humankind Week and found out that this is an annual celebration of kindness and reflection on ways we can be kind to others. Each of the seven days has a theme. The website Be Kind To Humankind list the themes for each day of the week.

Here are those themes with links to suggestions for celebrating each day of the week.

Day 1: Sacrifice Our Wants For Other’s Needs Sunday
Day 2: Motorist Consideration Monday
Day 3: Touch A Heart Tuesday
Day 4: Willing-To-Lend-A-Hand Wednesday
Day 5: Thoughtful Thursday
Day 6: Forgive Your Foe Friday
Day 7: Speak Kind Words Saturday

Midweek Reflections on Meditation

'Idal (Justice), 19 Kamál (Perfection), 172 BE - Wednesday, August 19, 2015 about 5:36 pm Pacific Daylight Time

I take a deep breath

inhale
exhale

I quiet my mind
so that I can listen
to my muse.

I always begin my meditation session with a prayer of protection. Prayer and meditation are partners in the spiritual growth of humanity.

Excessive Heat Warning Continues Through Wednesday

Kamal (Perfection), 17 Kamál (Perfection), 172 BE - Monday, August 17, 2015 about 6:51 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Listen
to the air conditioner
singing its summer song.

It's another hot day in Las Vegas. I have the air conditioner set on ECONO mode which means it's supposed to shut off when it reaches the desired temperatures. The outdoor temperature at 5:56 pm was 108 degrees Fahrenheit and it was supposed to get up to 110 degrees today. I don't know if it reached that because I haven't watched the news and I only check the temperature on line twice a day.

I wonder
as I listen to the central air unit
if this excessive heat is a sign of global warming.

When I lived in the studio apartment, I turn off the air when I wasn't working on the computer. I don't turn the air conditioner off when I'm doing housework, watching television, praying or meditating during the day. I let the air conditioner run and don't worry about the power bill because I paid it this month. I'll deal with next month's power bill when it arrives.

Spiritual Sunday: Meditation, Prayer, Writing, Reviewing, and Coffee

Jamal (Beauty), 16 Kamál (Perfection), 172 BE - Sunday, August 16, 2015 about 8:44 am Pacific Daylight Time

This morning, I poured myself a cup of fresh brewed coffee and then I went to the front door. I opened the door, whispered a morning prayer, and then stood there sipping hot coffee while I watched the morning light of God's favor illuminate the street in front of my apartment. I watched a pigeon I watched a pigeon fly to the roof of the apartment building across the street. I took a deep breath of the cool morning air.

My Sunday morning prayer and meditation session over, I went to the computer to do a little writing and reviewing. This morning I responded to a blog prompt sent by one of the blog groups on writing.com. The next thing I did was to review a non-fiction essay and a poem by two new writing.com members. My next writing task was to compose and post this entry.

Before beginning to create this blog entry, I went to the kitchen to pour myself another cup of coffee. While in the kitchen I added some of yesterday's leftover coffee to the carafe containing today's fresh brewed coffee. I don't see any use in pouring yesterday's coffee down the sink when I could warm it over with today's coffee. Normally I don't have coffee left over from the day before, but yesterday was a weird day.

On Saturday, I went to get air put in my tires and then I went to the bank to deposit a check. My cellphone won't allow me to take a picture of a check and deposit it remotely. After depositing the check I went to the supermarket so that I could pay the power bill and purchase some needed items. About halfway through my shopping trip, I began feeling ill. I cut the trip short and came home. The only things I felt like doing when I got home was drink water and doze. I attempted to do a little writing, but I didn't do very much.

This morning, I'm feeling much better. I can finish the coffee today and eat something. I didn't eat much yesterday. I think my problem yesterday was the heat because I left the house a bit later then I normally would on hot days. Today I plan to stay home so that I can get some work accomplished inside my apartment.

Midweek Reflections on Salt and Losing Weight

'Idal (Justice), 12 Kamál (Perfection), 172 BE - Wednesday, August 12, 2015 about 2:04 pm Pacific Daylight Time

I've been eating too much salt lately. When I went to the doctor the other day I was told my blood pressure was borderline. This is the first time I've been told this. Until now my blood pressure has been good. Since I don't want to deal with high blood pressure this late in my life, I'll have to start watching my salt intake closer and lose weight.

Cutting down on my salt intake is much easier then losing weight. When I use canned vegetables I can drain the liquid and then run water over the vegetables to wash off some of the salt. To lose the weight I have to increase my exercise and cut down on the amount of food I eat. I also have to stop snacking. This means I cannot have jelly on my rice cakes more then once a day. It also means cutting down on the sweets.

I think the best way to start losing weight is to begin praying about it. By praying about my weight I can put the situation in God's hands and then work from there. I may have to start a food journal for a closer look at my food intake. I also have to get the scales out of the bedroom, clean them off, and place them where I can weigh myself without going into another room looking for the scales. All though walking into another room to find them might help my exercise program.

I am glad that I drink my coffee without adding cream or sugar. At least I don't have to give up coffee. I will have to watch my juice intake because I drink bottle fruit juice and most of those have sugar in them. Perhaps cut the juice down to once or twice a day with breakfast and lunch. Then there is the issue of late night snacks. I don't snack very much at night, but when I do I tend to eat foods that have a lot of sugar, salt, or calories. I know how much I weighed at my doctor's office on Monday, so I will use that as my starting point.

Happy Monday

Kamal (Perfection), 10 Kamál (Perfection), 172 BE - Monday, August 10, 2015 about 5:40 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It's a happy Monday;
the dishes are wished,
the trash taken to the alley,
the air conditioner working,
and I'm on my second carafe of coffee.

It's a happy Monday,
my Doctor said I need to
cut down on the salt,
get more exercise,
and lose weight.

Saturday Summery of the first week in August 2015

Jalal (Glory), 8 Kamál (Perfection), 172 BE - Saturday, August 8, 2015 about 12:34 pm Pacific Daylight Time

To paraphrase or mess up the lyrics of a half-remembered song "It was a very good week"! Of course it's always a good week when I accomplish something. This week I responded to blog prompts on writing.com, wrote one story, and a couple of poems. I managed to make a few entries in this blog and in Poet 999's Thoughts on Writing and Other stuff. I also did some housework other then taking out the trash and washing the dishes.

Last night, I had to take a prescription pain table for lower back pain. It alleviated the pain, but it's taken me half the day to fully wake up and get moving. I have to go to the supermarket tomorrow for some needed items. I don't think I will get much because I've go plenty of food in the house. All though I think I should check the coffee because I got a coupon for some sort of coffee through the mail.

I encountered issues with afternoon writing this week. I did fine writing before 12 noon, but I couldn't think of anything to find anything to write in the afternoon. I didn't even want to write in my pen and paper journal. I also found myself fantasizing when I was doing dishes. I have to do better this coming week, so I think I will attempt to recite prayers while I'm doing dishes. Reciting prayers helps keep me focused which in turn encourages writing, exercising, and housework.

Tuesday Afternoon Free Write

Fidal (Grace), 4 Kamál (Perfection), 172 BE - Tuesday, August 4, 2015 about 6:12 pm Pacific Daylight Time

I haven't made an entry in this blog since July 31 because I can't think of an idea. So this afternoon I put on another carafe of coffee tow see if that would help me think. While the coffee was brewing I washed the dishes, which sometimes helps me think of of a theme. The dishes didn't work and I'm not sure if the coffee will work either.

I sit down at the computer to work. I open a document and I stare at the screen without writing anything. I'm even having problems with this free write because my mind has drawn a blank. I don't have any problems writing in the mornings, it's just afternoon writing that gives me problems. I think for the next week or so I'll use prompts for my afternoon writing sessions. I can respond to a prompt any time of the day or the night without difficulties.

This morning I begin an exercise class which scheduled for two days a week. The class cuts into writing time, but I need the exercise. The only exercise I get lately is taking the trash to the alley, which isn't enough exercise. I'm going to close this now because I can't seem to think of anything else to write.

Thoughts at the end of July 2015

Istiqlal (Independence), 19 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Friday, July 31, 2015 about 1:34 pm Pacific Daylight Time

July comes to an end
August requires a new action plan
More exercise
A balanced diet

Part of my August action plan is to take advantage of some of the exercise programs offered at the Humana Summerlin Guidance Center on West Charleston in Las Vegas. I also plan to see my doctor to discuss an issues I'm having with my legs. The balanced diet will be a little more difficult because I have to check the potassium count in some of the food I eat. That can be difficult because potassium isn't always listed on the packages and it isn't listed at all on fresh fruits. This means I have to go online to check the potassium count in some of the food I eat.

Midweek Reflections on Writing about My Life Experience

'Idal (Justice), 17 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Wednesday, July 29, 2015 about 5:24 am Pacific Daylight Time

The July 29, 2015 edition of the writing.com spiritual newsletter ask: "What are your life's experiences and how have they changed or affected your writing?" After contemplating this question I realized that my life experience has affected my poetry. I write all genres of poetry, but the majority of poems are spiritual, bitter love poems, and poetry of the tortured soul.

I have had a rather interesting life. I remember the trauma of my parent's divorce. I remember the verbal and sexual abuse of a stepfather. I remember the joy of being with my grandparents. I remember sitting in the hospital room next to my maternal grandfather the day he died. I remember having two different dreams about the return of Christ. I remember getting pregnant and giving my daughter up for adoption. I remember finding out my father had died when I did an internet search for him. All of these experiences go into my poetry and some of them into my stories.

As I write this entry, I realize that I am a bit nervous. I always get nervous when writing about personal and emotional experiences. This is a good sign because it means that I am dealing with experiences and the emotions in a positive way by writing about them. Used to keep things like this bottle up without either speaking or writing about them. No more! While I may not speak about them, I do write about the experiences and the emotions. It is easier for me to deal with these thing in writing rather then any other way. Writing is a positive response to the emotional issues of my life experiences.

Meditation Monday: Changing my Method of Mediation

Kamal (Perfection), 15 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Monday, July 27, 2015 about 11:19 am Pacific Daylight Time

I moved into my new apartment in the first week of June. This month, a friend who was moving to a smaller place gave me some furniture. I have also changed the time and method of method. I now meditate in the late afternoon or evening rather then at random intervals throughout the day.

Since I have both a love seat and a couch, I can chose which one I sit on when meditating. Right now I am using the love seat, but this may change when I get a mattress for my bed and move the chair in the bedroom against the west wall because I face east when I meditate.

My Meditation

1. Say a prayer of protection.

2. Chant God's Most Great Name 95 times using prayer beads to count.

3. Sit quietly for several minutes (at least five) with my eyes closed while breathing deeply.

4. Write something in my journal.

5. Say a prayer of gratitude.

Saturday Summary: A Long Week of Spinning Wheels

Jalal (Glory), 13 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Saturday, July 25, 2015 about 2:25 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It's end of a long week, I feel as if I've been spinning my wheels without getting any where. I don't think that's true, at least not according to the daily account I keep. I accomplished several things, I think the problem is I wanted to accomplish more. I need to be thankful for what I accomplished.

Sometimes it's difficult for me to do things especially if I have to get up on a step stool to get stuff down from the top shelf of a cabinet. I noted this today when I got a bottle of salad dressing down. I think I'll leave the stuff on the top shelves until my sister comes to get them down. I have enough salad dressing to last me this week end. I have some canned vegetables I can get to if I want those to eat. There is meat in the freezer, so it's not as if I'm going to starve. I will do what I can do and ask if help when I need it.

Midweek Reflections on a Partly Cloudy Day in Las Vegas

'Idal (Justice), 10 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Wednesday, July 22, 2015 about 3:24 pm Pacific Daylight Time

The scattered clouds keep getting in the way of the sun. It dims the light coming in my front window which makes it more difficult to see the screen or read a book. I don't like turning on an electric light unless I absolutely have to. The temperature at 2:56 pm was 100 degrees which is a bit below average.

It is a beautiful day. The white clouds stand out against the blue sky. The sun, because of the clouds, cast shadows of varying darkness. The wind is blowing at about 15 mph with gust of 24 mph. I left the house at about 7:30 am this morning and returned about 9:30 am. The drive was pleasant in the refreshing morning. I enjoyed the drive and I enjoyed returning home to my little two bedroom apartment.

I am planning another early morning drive on Thursday and then again on Friday. This weekend, unless someone wants to take me somewhere, I plan to remain home because I have a lot of work both on and offline to do. I have enough salad, fruit, and meat to last me the weekend and into next week, so I will not be going to the supermarket. I might go to the bank to make a deposit into my checking account.

Monday Morning Shock

Kamal (Perfection), 8 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Monday, July 20, 2015 about 11:53 am Pacific Daylight Time

Death comes suddenly
Arriving without warning
Takes family and friends

I learned of two deaths this morning when I logged into Facebook. The first was my youngest brother's father-in-law. The second was character actor Alex Rocco. My brother's father-in-law died of cancer, but I'm not sure what caused the death of Alex Rocco. I'm in too much shock right now to cry, so I will wait for the shock to pass so that the tears can fall.

Unexpected news
Even when you know it is
Inevitable

Everyone eventually dies. No human being is exempt from the kiss of the Grim Reaper. The only thing a person can do is prepare for the inevitable by praying, meditating, performing charitable acts, and placing our entire trust in God. Human beings cannot run away from death because we are always moving toward it no matter in which direction we travel.

Intone prayers for
those souls who have ascended
into paradise

Those of us who are left behind pray for the departed. We shed the tears of loneliness because our loved ones are no longer seen in this world. We shed tears because we miss them. The stages of grief pass and eventually we smile when we think of those departed souls.

Saturday Summary: A Place to keep my small kitchen appliances

Jalal (Glory), 6 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Saturday, July 18, 2015 about 5:35 pm Pacific Daylight Time

I moved the old computer desk into the kitchen and this gave me a place to keep my small kitchen appliances. The desk is large enough to hold the coffeemaker, the coffee bean grinder, the toasters, and the electric vegetable chopper. The only thing I need to do is get a surge protector with several outlets so that I can plug in more then one appliances at a time. Sometimes I like to have toast with my coffee, but I can't make toast and coffee at the same time unless I have more outlets.

Thankful Thursday: I have a lot to be thankful for

Istijlal (Majesty), 4 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Thursday, July 16, 2015 about 3:01 pm Pacific Daylight time

Today I am thankful...

01. ...for the love seat and couch I have in my living room.

02. ,,,that my checking account is not overdrawn today.

03. ...for waking up at 2:00 am because I got a lot of writing accomplished.

04. ...that I had nectarines for breakfast.

05. ...for the beautiful summer days we are experiencing here in Las Vegas.

06. ...that I have written a poem everyday for the past six days.

07. ...for the bedroom sets I now have in my bedrooms.

08. ...that my sister came to Las Vegas today.

09. ...for the white fish I have in the freezer because I can have fish for supper today.

10. ...that this is Thursday and I can find ten things to be thankful for.

Midweek Reflections on Cleaning out the refrigerator

'Idal (Justice), 3 Kalimát (Words), 172 BE - Wednesday, July 15, 2015 about 8:06 am Pacific Daylight Time

I began cleaning out the refrigerator yesterday. I begin by making chicken soup. I used the leftover chicken from a roasted bird I purchased on Monday. When I purchased the chicken, the first thing I ate was the legs, thighs, and wings. I put the breast part back in the refrigerator because I wanted to use it for a sandwich. I ate part of it in the sandwich yesterday, but then I decided I needed the rest for broth so that I could start cleaning out the refrigerator.

What, you may ask, does chicken broth have to do with cleaning out the refrigerator? I need the chicken broth because I had some sweet peppers, onions, and baby carrots waiting to be used. I didn't know how long they were in the refrigerator, so I decided to fix them in a soup. There appear to be more carrots in the soup then I want, so today I will freeze some of them for later use. I still have more shelves in the refrigerator to do, but I'm not sure I will get to it today.

Today, after I take out the trash, I have to clean off a desk in the living room and move it into my bedroom. I'm getting some furniture on Thursday afternoon. The desk and the living room set I'm getting won't fit in the same room therefore I have to move the desk because I want both the couch and the chairs in the living room. Moving the desk means that my July refrigerator cleaning will take more then one day.