Happy Cyber Monday

Kamal (Perfection), 8 Qawl (Speech), 172 BE - Monday, November 30, 2015 about 8:06 AM Pacific Standard Time

It's a cold 39 degrees here in Las Vegas. I plan to remain home today because I have to leave the house on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Tuesday I have to pay the rent and then on Wednesday and Friday I have doctors appointments. I will work online today, but I don't think I'll purchase anything. Of course, I could change my mind after I determine if I have enough money to pay the rent and make an online purchase.

I've already drink two cups of coffee this morning, so it's time for breakfast. I'll go get another cup of coffee before seeing what's in the fridge to fix for breakfast. I'm sort of hungry, but I don't know what I want to eat. When I woke up this morning I was in a good mood; however, not my mood has darkened so I think it must be time for something to eat and a prayer or meditation session.

Saturday Summary: A Good Week

Jalal (Glory), 6 Qawl (Speech), 172 BE - Saturday, November 28, 2015 about 8:01 AM Pacific Standard Time

On the last Saturday of November 2015,
I contemplate the past week,
I look at my accomplishments for the month,
I consider my successes
and my failures.

I realize
that a good week
is one filled with successes
and failures;
the last week in November 2015
was a good week.

I have a lot to be thankful for:
gratitude is an attitude
because no matter how many failures
I encounter
I always have something
on my gratitude list.

A Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday

Istijlal (Majesty), 4 Qawl (Speech), 172 BE - Thursday, November 26, 2015 about 7:29 AM Pacific Standard Time

I am thankful for
the chilly autumn morning
and pigeons cooing.

I am thankful for
a cinnamon rice breakfast
and hot black coffee.

I am thankful for
the ability to afford
my medication.

I am thankful for
the Thanksgiving memories
of my grandparents.

I am thankful for
the years I spent with Mama
her encouragement.

I am thankful for
the turkey in the oven
canned cranberry sauce.

I am thankful for
my doctors and pharmacist;
family and friends.

I am thankful for
writing.com and Facebook;
creativity.

I am thankful for
the beauty of Las Vegas;
locals and tourist.

I am thankful for
scriptures of the Baha'i Faith;
gratitude's prayers.

Midweek Reflections on Thanksgiving

'Idal (Justice), 3 Qawl (Speech), 172 BE - Wednesday, November 25, 2015 about 12:00 PM Pacific Standard Time

The aroma of pumpkin pie float through my mind,
memories of Grandma Mary
baking for the coming feast.

My grandmother always baked her a day or two before Thanksgiving so that she would have the oven free for the turkey on Thanksgiving day. On Thanksgiving day, Grandma would fix the stuffing (either regular bread or cornbread) and then put the turkey in the oven. While the turkey was baking she would make the cranberry sauce, using fresh cranberries and walnuts. After she finished the cranberry sauce and put it in the refrigerator, she would wash the dishes and sauce pans she used and then go on to the next item on the menu. When it came time to eat my grandfather would say the blessing and we would eat.

Happy Monday, Busy Monday

Kamal (Perfection), 1 Qawl (Speech), 172 BE - Monday, November 23, 2015 about 6:31 AM Pacific Standard Time

My morning begin with a cup of cold coffee. When I went into the kitchen to make the coffee this morning, I found leftover coffee in the coffee maker's glass carafe. I poured the coffee into my cup and drink it while I was making this morning's fresh coffee. I didn't want to throw the coffee out and I didn't want to heat it up in the microwave, so I drink it.

Today is going to be busy because I have to pick up my senior commodities for this month. I also have some writing projects to finish before Friday and Saturday. I also have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday. I'm not planning to go any where special for the rest of the week. I'm not going to participate in Black Friday this year, but then I never participate in Black Friday. About the only thing I might do Friday is get gas and only then if I don't do it on Tuesday.

A Happy Monday
is always a busy day
take action to stave off depression.

Thankful Thursday: One Week Before Thanksgiving

Istijlal (Majesty), 16 Qudrat (Power), 172 BE - Thursday, November 19, 2015 about 12:16 PM Pacific Standard Time

It is one week before Thanksgiving
and I already tired
of hearing about Black Friday specials.

I don't do Black Friday,
I don't do Small Business Saturday,
I don't do Cyber Monday,
I plan to send the appropriate Holiday Cards,
but other then that
I don't plan on purchasing much
if anything for Christmas
because I don't celebrate Christmas.

Meditation Monday: Daily Meditation

Kamal (Perfection), 13 Qudrat (Power), 172 BE - Monday, November 16, 2015 about 1:52 PM Pacific Standard Time

For the past fifteen days I have managed to meditate everyday. I usually meditate in the morning, but not always. I am participating in a twenty-one day free online meditation experience. I have six days to go and then I have decided how I am going to continue meditating. I know that I will use the my prayer beads and chant God's Most Great Name ninety-five times. I have to decide whether to meditate in the living room or in my bedroom.

Meditate each day
Each day chant God's Most Great Name:
Do I chant at dawn?

If I decide to chant in my bedroom then I need to move the chair. Right now the char sit against the east wall which means I am facing west. I need to face east when I chant the Greatest Name. I think I will get in the bedroom and change the position of the chair either Thursday or Friday. Probably Friday since I am planning to do the laundry on Thursday.

Summary Saturday: November 14, 2015

Jalal (Glory), 11 Qudrat (Power), 172 BE - Saturday, November 14, 2015 about 2:10 PM Pacific Standard Time

It's been an exciting and stressful week. Saturday should be a time to relax and enjoy the cool autumn air, but I don't think I can do that today because I have several things to do online. I did succeed in finishing two poems and a story this week, but I'm working on a third poem. The form I'm writing is a song, so I have to do a little research because the poem is about an event in history. It's a good thing I can do research online to make sure of the date.

Catching up on Tuesday afternoon

Fidal (Grace), 7 ‘Qudrat (Power), 172 BE - Tuesday, November 10, 2015 about 4:08 PM Pacific Standard Time

I had to get offline early on Monday because I wasn't feeling well. I couldn't think of anything to write for my NaNo novel or anything else. I decided to take a break and get back to work today. I'm doing alright so far. I finished chapter ll in my novel and will start on chapter 12. Today I found it easier to write. It was easier to push through to the end of chapter 11.

I think I'll have to take more breaks during the day so that I don't get to the point where I can't think. Perhaps go outside for a little walk. I have to get a blood test early Thursday morning, but on Wednesday I think I'll stay home and continue to get caught up. Right now I'm going to post this and do some review before writing another chapter or anything like that.

It is November

Jalal (Glory), 4 Qudrat (Power), 172 BE - Saturday, November 7, 2015 about 4:27 PM Pacific Standard Time

It is November. It is a sad month form me because three years ago, on November 29, my mother died. My mother's soul passed into the Garden of Paradise. My mother's spirit is free of the Alzheimer's that ravaged her mind and body. I remember that my mother died peacefully. I remember seeing her in the bed after her spirit left her body. I remember she looked so peaceful.

The first year after my mother's death is a fog. I just went on from day to day doing what I had to do without considering anything except what was necessary to keep myself alive. Things are better for me. My life started to improve in 2014 when I moved out of the house Mom and I shared. My situation has gotten a whole lot better this and I expect it to continue to improve.

Thankful Thursday: Gratitude and Living in the Present

Istijlal (Majesty), 2 Qudrat (Power), 172 BE - Thursday, November 5, 2015 about 9:30 AM Pacific Standard Time

“The more you are grateful for what you have the more you can live fully in the present."
Dana Arcuri

I admit that sometimes I have difficulty living in the present, especially when I am under stress. I also difficulty finding things to be thankful for that during times of stress. For some reason I have been under stress lately and I am not sure why. Perhaps it is just that I am so use to stress that I find things to worry about when there is nothing present. Another reason could be that I do not eat properly. However, I think the main reason is that I am lonely.

I have lived by myself for almost three years now and I do not like it. I have put on a brave face of liking, but the truth is I do not like living by myself. I do not like being responsible for all the housework. I do not like being responsible for all the bills. I do not like having no one to talk to but myself and my pet rocks. I am tired of living by myself.

This epiphany has been sneaking up on me for several weeks, but today it hit me like an egg in my face. This morning, after I got up, I meditated and then I wrote a journal entry about the experience. After that I got on with my day by eating breakfast and then reviewing a couple of items on writing.com. The more work I did the more I thought about how I felt being alone and I came to realize that despite what I have attempted to tell myself I do not like living alone.

I am going to take care of this. I have a housemate moving in with me this week. I have waited for my sister to move in with me for a few months now, but she has not. I hope she will eventually move in, but I am not going to wait on her any more. I would not have accepted a housemate if a friend did not have to move out of her apartment. She ask it she could move into my two bedroom apartment and I said yes.

I feel better knowing she is moving in. I am grateful to her for asking. I do not know what is going to happen in the near future. I do not know when or even if my sister will move in with me. I only know that I have to live in the present and not the past or the future. I now have someone help with the housework and other things necessary in keeping myself living in the present.

My Body's Clock is Resetting Itself

Fidal (Grace), 19 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 172 BE - Tuesday, November 3, 2015 about 2:29 PM Pacific Standard Time.

I feel iffy. I don't feel bad, but I don't feel good either. I think my body clock is still resetting itself. I'm getting used to standard time again. When the time returns to standard time in November it takes my body clock about a week to recalibrate. I will go through the same thing in the spring when the time jumps forward to Daylight Saving Time.

I will have to push myself for the next few days to move forward. I will think it's one hour ahead of what it really is. I will not be late for appointments because I don't have any appointments until November 16. I think afternoons are the worst because I want to take a nap at 2:00 instead of 3:00 PM.

I wish Nevada would decide to remain on the same time all year long. I don't care if it's Standard Time or Daylight Time, I just want it to remain the same all year. Of course that would throw a bolt into the schedules of the California tourist. However, I'm sure they would learn to deal with it. I's sure this jumping ahead and jumping back is dangerous.

I Need to Set a Clock Back

Jamal (Beauty), 17 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 172 BE - Sunday, November 1, 2015 2:27 PM Pacific Standard Time.

I just realized I didn't set the clock on the electric range back. I didn't think about sitting it back last night nor this morning. Not that it made much difference because the rest of the clocks in the house are automatically set back. It's just that I don't take my cellphone to the kitchen when I do dishes. The only time I need a clock in the kitchen is when I'm at the sink.

I use the timer on the stove when I bake, but it doesn't matter what time the clocks reads when I'm using the timer. I suppose I'd better go in there and reset the clock. I might want to know what time it is when I wash the dishes tomorrow. I've been so busy today that I just got a change to relax a little before going on to something else.

This morning I paid the rent and then stopped at two different stores. The first store was a supermarket to pick up a container of coffee. Then next I stopped at a drug store. I wouldn't have stopped at the drug store if I could have bought the item I wanted in the size I wanted at the supermarket. I guess I'd better post this and then reset the clock in the kitchen.

It's Friday and I'm Posting a Rant

Istiqlal (Independence), 15 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 172 BE - Friday, October 30, 2015 about 5:47 PM Pacific Daylight Time

It's Friday! Friday can be depressing when I realize I haven't accomplished everything I wanted to this week. I have to make a few changes in the way I do things in November or I won't finish the 50,000 word novel. I spent October attempting to plan the novel. I like the theme, plot, and characters of the novel. I'm not enthusiastic writing the novel and I'm not sure why.

Perhaps it's because it takes so long for me to do anything any more. I'm alone in my apartment. I have to do all the housework myself and I'm not the greatest housekeeper in the world. I'm probably not the worst housekeeper either. I do the best I can, but sometimes I don't feel I accomplished anything. However, I can't give up. I have to keep trying because despite everything I do accomplish a little something. I would like to accomplish more.

Sometimes I think I just want to become a hermit. I want to lock the doors and not let anybody into my life. At other times I enjoy having people around. When I'm with people I have fun and enjoy the outings. Maybe the problem is October. It's been a weird month. I'm not making any sense at all. Maybe I should just delete this entire entry and start over. I'm not going to do it. I'm going to post this entry and get on with something else.

Midweek Reflections: Halloween Memories

'Idal (Justice), 13 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 172 BE - Wednesday, October 28, 2015 about 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time

Halloween memories
like trick or treating children
come knocking at the door of my mind
bringing back sweet candy smiles.

That is a good start to a Halloween poem. I have so many pleasant Halloween memories that I don't know where to start. Perhaps I should use a specific form to focus the memories. Halloween is still three days away so I have a few days to work on this.

Meditation Monday: Listening to the birds

Kamal (Perfection), 11 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 172 BE - Monday, October 26, 2015 about 8:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Open the front door,
stand there
as you focus on birdsong.

Listen to the choir
of robins and sparrows
as they intone their praise
in the first light of day.

Can you hear
the distant crowing
of a rooster?

Can you hear
the cooing of doves
and pigeons as the join
the sparrows serenade?

Autumn is here
and the birds are thankful
for the cool morning temperatures
we are experiencing
in Las Vegas.

Saturday Summary: Seven Days Left in October

Jalal (Glory), 9 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 172 BE - Saturday, October 24, 2015 about 1:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time

There are seven days left in October. Seven days until Daylight Savings Time ends. Seven days to deal with the rest of October's weirdness. This year October has been a bit weirder then previous years, but I'm not sure why. I've had difficulty focusing on writing poetry this month. Normally I have no problem coming up with a theme and subject. In the past, I've had no problems following the specific form of a poem so that the rhythm flows properly.

This month I attempted to write an English sonnet. I got the syllable count and the rhyme scheme down fine. I stumbled over the rhythm, so now I have to rewrite the poem to get the rhythm right. The problem is whenever I start to rewrite, I stare at the screen or the page wondering how to change the poem to fit the rhythm. I suppose I could just give up and write another poem using the same subject and theme. However, that doesn't seem right. I can't give up the idea that this poem, with a bit more work, can become a perfect English sonnet. I wonder if William Shakespeare encountered this problem when he was writing English sonnets.

The End of Daylight Savings Time is Sunday, November 1

Istiqlal (Independence), 8 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 172 BE - Friday, October 23, 2015 about 1:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time

This year, Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 1. I need to take note of it because I have two clocks to manually reset. I have to reset the clock on the stove and on the microwave. The rest of the clocks (the ones I go by) are automatically reset. I love modern technology, especially when it comes to clocks. The fewer clocks I have to reset the happier I am.

The only clock I have any difficulty resetting is the one on the microwave. I suppose I cloud just leave it the way it is right now and just reset the clock on the range. When I'm in the kitchen I use the electric range more then the microwave. In fact I use the microwave so little that it is still blinking from the last brown out we had in Las Vegas. I know that it occurred sometime in the summer, but I don't remember when.

Maybe I have too many clocks in my house. I have two in the kitchen, two in the living room, and one on my cellphone (which I carry with me). The clocks in the living room are on the cable box and the computer. Since I use the alarm on my cellphone I don't have an alarm clock. I used to have a radio alarm clock, but I give that away because I didn't use either the alarm or the radio. When I was younger I had a windup alarm, but I got rid of that clock years ago.

Midweek Reflections on Autumn in Las Vegas

'Idal (Justice), 6 ‘Ilm (Knowledgel), 172 BE - Wednesday, October 21, 2015 about 3:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time

Autumn is my favorite time of year in Las Vegas. The temperatures have descended into the double digits, so I don't have to have the cool air on. It isn't cold enough either during the day or at night to turn on the warm air. I can leave the door open all day and the window open all night without any problems. The birds sing all day because it is cool and the neighborhood children can play outside on the weekends.

Las Vegas autumn
Cool enough in the afternoon
To drive across the city
With my car windows open.

Saturday At Last and time to plan next week

Jalal (Glory), 2 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 172 BE - Saturday, October 17, 2015 about 3:18 PM PDT

Saturday at last
time to plan the coming week:
Clean the refrigerator?

I have lights in my kitchen. The maintenance tech came yesterday and put light bulbs in every socket in t he house. I can now see to clean the stove, sweep the floors, and other things I need lights before I could clean them. I suppose I should start with the kitchen floor or under the kitchen sink. Under the kitchen sink is the easiest (I think). I have Pine Sol original and a sponge mop. I am not going to get down on my hands and knees to clean the floor. If I did that I would never be able to stand up. In fact, I would have to crawl into the living room so I could use the couch to help me get up off the floor.

I think t he best place to start is in the kitchen and that means I need to wash my mop bucket out again. I have to wash it out because I used it as a trash can and the plastic sack leaked. I can wash the mop bucket out tonight and then mop under the kitchen sink in the morning. I have t o mop under the sink because a plastic bag I used for trash leaked. The lesson in this is never put a trash in a plastic bag unless you have a trashcan to put the plastic bag in.