Proud to be an American

Audio Link

I remember when I was going to elementary school and sometimes, I would arrive when the flag was being raised for the school day. We would stop and pay respect to the flag until it was raised. I was proud to be an American. You would stand in an assembly and say The Pledge of Allegiant. Again, I was proud to be an American. You learned in school the history of America, and this made you proud to be an American. 

I was drafted into the army in 1964. In basic training I crawled through mud trying to keep that damn M-14 rifle clean so it would not jam. I could not take a leave for the Thanksgiving of 1964 because I was told it was critical that I go to Germany. Many nights I froze my butt standing guard on German soil protecting America from the Soviet threat. Vietnam deployment constantly hovered over my head when I was in the army. I would have gone to Vietnam if called. Why? I would have gone because I am proud to be an American. 

Throughout my life there have been many events that made me proud that I am a member of this country. I will be proud to be buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery when that time comes. 

I have noticed a few things that bother me. For example, I lived close to an elementary school where I can see the flagpole in the daytime. Many days the flag is not raised when school is in session. I guess putting out the flag in the morning is not a priority anymore. I recently attended a school function at my grandsons’ school and the principal forgot about the color guard waiting in the hall to present the flag. Some teacher had to remind her about them. I guess that was not that important to her. It did not take me forty years to be proud of this country.  

Illegal immigration is a serious problem. There are millions of people who want to come to America and live the American dream. To me that means that life must be pretty good here. Today is the day for everyone that put their life on the line protecting all that live in the country. If it wasn’t for them this country and the freedoms, you take for granted would not exist.

Happy Veterans Day!

Science and Chemistry

podcast link

Yes, I was a young Geek. I loved science math anything that involved how things worked. It all started when I started Junior high school (middle school these days). I was assigned to an accelerated class, and we were told that the testing showed that we were above average and would be receiving above normal assignments. There was a science class with a lab. The science teacher needed volunteers and my friend, and I volunteered. We stayed after school and helped in the lab cleaning up washing equipment and had access to all these neat looking items. I even had a chemistry lab at home. Not big but I could do chemistry experiments at home.

Everything was great. However, sometime in high school they gave proficiency tests to direct you to the correct career goals. My dream was engineering or science. I was devastated when the tests did not recommend either. I never recovered and my attitude changed dramatically. I just squeaked by and graduated high school. I then decided to find a job and not continue to college. Those tests changed my life and outlook on the future.

On the bright side, as I look back on my life, I have experienced a good life and do not regret that my life ended up the way it did. Life has been good. I have more good memories than bad. I have a loving wife and a family that I love very much. My health throughout life has never been a life changing issue. Financial stability has allowed me to enjoy eighteen years of retirement. I can look in the mirror and not feel guilty about anything that I have done in my life.

Life has been good.

Daily writing prompt
What was your favorite subject in school?
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It’s a Toss Up

Three years from now I may be on the other side. After my near-death experience in February 2023 my warranty ran out. Time after has just been bonus time and hoping for more time.

My Blood Clot LINK

Daily writing prompt
What will your life be like in three years?
View all responses

Ramblings Magazine Issue #4 Podcast

Ramblings Magazine Issue #4 PODCAST

Ramblings Magazine Issue #4 pdf file

Hello Ramblings Magazine reader! Welcome!  

This is a podcast of the fourth issue of Ramblings Magazine.  

The Headings are: 

A continuation of “A Journey of Faith and Religion” 

Military Memories and Veterans Day 

Touched by God 

H O A Board Member Tales 

Flu Shot, yes, or no? 

Thanksgiving Memories 

Hope you enjoy it! 

The Book is Closed

There are more than just material possessions. There is the possession of freedom, health, friendships and more. Therefore, losing all possessions is death.

Podcasts

Daily writing prompt
What would you do if you lost all your possessions?
View all responses

https://tomt2.com/2024/06/24/me-and-spirituality/

Read the Sign Dummy!

I really had to go, and I hurriedly rushed in. To my surprise, I rushed into the Women’s restroom. I really felt out of place.

https://tomt2.com/2024/04/11/hormones-in-high-school/

Daily writing prompt
Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.
View all responses

Quiet Time

audio podcast

“Quiet time” generally refers to a period set aside for personal reflection, meditation, or reconciling. This can help in reducing stress, enhancing focus, and promoting mental clarity. Do you have a specific practice or routine for your quiet time? I do.

When I was working, I didn’t take much time for “quiet time”. My life was active with making money, raising 2 sons, marriage and many activities one has in this typical American life. Since I have been retired, I have the luxury of allocating time for some “quiet time”. It is well worth it to take some time for yourself. Now I make it a point to spend some “quiet time” every day. It may be before I go to sleep or when I wake in the morning. Sometimes it is in the middle of the day.

Individuals might set personal quiet times for reading, practicing mindfulness, or any activity that requires peace and quiet for personal enjoyment or growth. The concept of quiet time emphasizes the benefits of silence or minimal noise, which can enhance well-being, productivity, and focus. It’s a recognition of the value of tranquility in a typically noisy world.

One may ask, what do you think about in your “quiet time”? I let my mind answer the question. Whatever comes to mind is the subject for this moment of “quiet time”. It may be thoughts about future events on this earth or time after the journey of life. I have many years to pick a subject. I enjoy reminiscing about past parts of my life. How could I have done better? Or what did I learn from that experience and what could I have done better with the situation? I have also had paranormal experiences in my life, and I think about them many times.

Many times, my “quiet time” is spent on my blogging and writing. What do I write about and how can I craft the project. This subject came from one of my “quiet time” periods. Some are good subjects and others bomb.

I reminisce about events in my life. In my over eighty years of experience, I have seen and enjoyed many people, places, and things. Twenty-six trips and vacations under my belt. Two marriages and military time with forty-five years of employment history gives me many subjects for my “quiet time”.

I have had five paranormal experiences in my life. The experiences occupy many “quiet time” sessions. I was going to shortly cover them in this blog and discovered that these experiences would have made this post way too long and off topic. However, it did give me another prompt for another time.

I am over eighty and I know that my time on earth is near being over. “Quiet time” periods cover thinking about this fact. Yes, I am comfortable with this, and I do strongly believe that there is time after life on this earth. I remember the peace my grandmother had when she was on her deathbed and the peace, total peace. I experienced during my near-death event February 7, 2023.

“Quiet time” is my time. It helps my mental health and come to the purpose of time on this earth. Finally, I am glad I discovered “quiet time” maybe it will help you like it helped me.

I Confess

Yes, I have selective hearing. My wife tells me that all the time. I confess, yes, I have the tendency to make a decision that this conversation is not worth the time.

I will try to not make quick decisions in the future. Yea, Right!

Visit my most popular page AUDIO PODCASTS

Daily writing prompt
What details of your life could you pay more attention to?
View all responses

My Heritage

Podcast

My mother’s heritage is of German descent. My father’s heritage is of English descent. If their families did not immigrate to America, I would not be here. My mother was born in Minnesota and her mother was from Bavaria Germany. My dad was born in Iowa and his roots trace back to England, Scotland areas. They met in Colorado, married and seven years later my time on earth began. This is an abbreviated version of my parents’ story.

My mother’s mother immigrated to America sometime in 1890. All I have heard was that she was seven years old at that time and she came from the Bavaria Germany area. I never heard who she came with or how she ended up in Minnesota. During that time, I read somewhere that many children were sold to couples that were going to America those days so that child could have a better life than what was going in Germany at that time. I will never know the true facts on this history. My DNA tests show that 42% of my heritage is of German Descent.

My father’s heritage is from England and the Scotland area. My dad had an uncle that traced their heritage to Cornwall England back to 1532. That area apparently had tin mines and as the need for tin diminished and many started to immigrate to greener pastures. Many moved to Australia and America. My dad’s family migrated to America before the Civil War and sometime ended up in Iowa as farmers. My DNA shows that 49% of my heritage is of English descent.

The remaining 8% DNA shows Scandanavian, Norway, Sweden Area heritage or Viking history.

With that, I am most interested in my grandma’s history. How did she get to America and who did she come with? What part of Bavaria did she come from? Also, where did the Viking heritage come from? Were my relatives’ victims of the Vikings when they were attacking and pillaging England? I doubt I will ever know anything about this history.

I am proud that my families were able to live and suffer the adversities of immigrating to another country and start a new life that is the base of the life I have been very fortunate to live. This is the last frontier. If things go bad, there is not a wild frontier in the world. It will be up to the ones living here to fix the country.

Daily writing prompt
What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?
View all responses

Fall is Here

podcast audio

This morning was the first time the furnace went on early in the morning. The low temperature was forty-four degrees. For the last four-five months we are accustomed to sleeping with only a light sheet over us and the ceiling fan on low. Last night, no ceiling fan and a light comforter. Looking across the street I can see that the neighbors leaves on their trees are starting to turn yellow. The bees were not out this morning. You could see that the flowers are making their last stand before the first freeze. Time to start harvesting the flower seeds for next spring planting.

I am not ready for cold weather. As I age the winters are becoming harder to endure. I like to be outside as long as I am not cold and uncomfortable. Since I have been prescribed blood thinners, I get cold very easy. I easily acquire cabin fever. The cold winters months are hard on me staying inside and hoping for an early spring. Thinking about the high cost of utility bills depresses me. The H O A provides snow removal, at least I don’t have to do that unless the snow is under three inches. Driving on slippery streets is dangerous and stressful. Is it spring yet?

So, what can I do about it? Well, we could move to Pheonix like many of our neighbors. Thought about that, but family trumps that. All our family is less than fifty miles away from where we live now and that is the deciding factor of not moving. Therefore, what is left? The thing that I do best, moan and groan and complain about it to anyone that will listen. Oh, I will probably live through winter, and I will think. It really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

Have a nice day.

Self-Publishing a Book

Podcast

Everyone has a book! Every public figure appears to have a book. Politicians, news commentators, TV stars and many other have a book for sale. They may be written by ghost writers, but they have a book.

For a long time, I had a dream of creating a book. However, I knew it would be virtually impossible to entice a major publisher to even consider a project from me. My ego is larger than my abilities and I shelved the dream of publishing a book.

I cannot remember how I stumbled onto Blurb Books. I think it happened when I was blogging on YourHub.com. This was a web site for The Rocky Mountain News, a newspaper in the Denver metro area. I think a fellow blogger mentioned Blurb Books to me and I went to their website.

My wife and I took a trip to Italy, and I wanted to create a book about our adventure. In June of 2008 I created my first book on Blurb Books. LINK

Since then, I have published over twenty creations on Blurb Books. They have many tools you can use to create your own book.

I have used their publishing software in the past until I discovered that you can now use the PDF format and send the file to them, and they can create your book. I use Microsoft Power Point to create my book and save as a PDF file and it has worked out very well.

You can keep your books private or sell them in their bookstore. Or you can set them up to sell on Amazon or Ingram. You can set your profit margin. You must remember though that you are responsible for the grammar and spelling, the photo resolutions and everything else. Therefore, proof and then again. They print what you approve!

https://www.blurb.com/bookstore

Here is my latest book LINK

For the price around a Starbuck’s latte, you can download a PDF file of this 226-page book.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

A Trip Down Memory Lane, podcast

This morning Dee and I went down memory lane. The Denver & Intermountain Interurban Car No. 25 Association had an open house and had trips on a restored streetcar from back in the early nineteen hundreds. Since both of us remember riding the streetcars in our young years this brought back a lot of happy memories. Seeing the no spitting sign brought a good laugh and the advertising above the seats. It is just amazing how technology has progressed in the last hundred years. We remember the trolley cars going around the corner and the electric cable jumping the power line, and the operator had to get out and put it back in place so the trolley could continue. We remember party lines where you had to listen for your ring before you answered the phone. Was it one ring, two rings, three rings? No privacy there. You could pick up the line and listen to your other party’s conversation.

Also, the rotary dial phone. One time a granddaughter wanted to make a call, and she was told to go use the kitchen phone. This was our last rotary dial phone. She said, “Grandma, I don’t know how to use this phone.” We got a good laugh out of that. It was a nice enjoyable excursion and the weather was perfect. Most of the riders were people of our age. Many enjoy going down memory lane. One thing they cannot take away from you is your memories and adventures happening in your life. On August 6th of this year, I posted Streetcars in Denver Here is the link for this blog https://tomt2.com/2024/08/06/streetcars-in-denver/

Why Have Tatoo’s become popular?

why are tattoos so popular? I don’t have a clue, but I am interested in learning more about the popularity of tattoos. Therefore, I asked my local AI the question and here is the answer.

Tattoos have surged in popularity for a variety of reasons, blending cultural, psychological, and social factors:

  1. Cultural Shift: Tattoos have transitioned from being associated with subcultures or countercultures to becoming mainstream. This shift has been influenced by celebrities, athletes, and public figures who openly display tattoos, thereby normalizing them.
    • Media Influence: Television shows like “Miami Ink” and “Ink Master” have made tattooing a form of entertainment, showcasing the art and the artists, which demystifies the process and makes it more appealing.
  2. Personal Expression: In an age where individuality is prized, tattoos offer a permanent way to express one’s identity, beliefs, or experiences. They can be:
    • Memorials: For loved ones, significant life events, or personal milestones.
    • Artistic Statements: People view their bodies as canvases for art, often choosing designs that are deeply personal or aesthetically pleasing.
  3. Social Media: The rise of social media platforms has turned tattoos into a form of digital content. People share their tattoo experiences, from the design process to the final reveal, creating a community around tattoo culture.
    • Tattoo Trends: Social media also drives trends. When a unique tattoo style or theme goes viral, it can lead to a surge in similar tattoos.
  4. Psychological Factors:
    • Empowerment: Getting a tattoo can be empowering, giving individuals control over their body image in a society where body standards are often dictated by others.
    • Ritual and Transformation: The process of getting a tattoo can be seen as a rite of passage or a transformation, marking new phases in life.
  5. Technological Advancements: Modern tattooing techniques, equipment, and ink quality have improved, making tattoos safer, more detailed, and longer-lasting. This has encouraged more people to consider getting tattoos.
  6. Economic Factors: The tattoo industry has grown, leading to more professional studios, better trained artists, and a wider variety of styles available. This professionalism has made tattoos more accessible and less intimidating for newcomers.
  7. Cultural Exchange: Globalization has brought diverse tattoo traditions from various cultures into the mainstream, like Polynesian, Japanese, and tribal designs, broadening the appeal.
  8. Rebellion and Conformity: While tattoos once signified rebellion, they now also represent a form of conformity to modern cultural norms where having a tattoo is often seen as cool or trendy.
  9. Therapeutic Aspect: Some find the process of getting a tattoo therapeutic, similar to acupuncture, where the endorphin release can be pleasurable or even meditative.

The combination of these factors has created a cultural environment where tattoos are not only accepted but celebrated as a form of personal and artistic expression. This widespread acceptance has made tattoos a popular choice across various demographics, transcending age, gender, and cultural boundaries.

Now I am educated on tattoos. No, I do not have a single tattoo.

Italy Trips

“Words Fly Away, Writings Remain” unknown author

It is ironic that my next project is crafting a book about our twenty-five trips and vacations taken in the last 35 plus years. I started a week or so ago and it is still in the rough draft area. Reviewing our 25 trips I say the Italy trips were the most enjoyable, the most memories, the farthest away from home, the most expensive and the most of everything. If I was younger, I would consider going back again.

The first trip was taken in 1998. It included the normal tourist attractions, Rome, Pompey, Venice, and many other sites were included. My mother in-law went with us. No, she did not stay in the same room with us. She stayed in a room with a friend that was also on the trip. Roseanne, my mother in-law was Italian and always wanted to visit Italy. Finally, at 79 her wish came true. The glow and happiness in her eyes were a memory you never forget.

The second trip occurred in 2007. The second trip not only included normal tourist sites but also was crafted by the tour guide around the attendants of the group. If you wanted to visit a family related town or city, he included that site in the package. It was fun to visit areas off the beaten path and enjoy how life is away from what they want you to see. Remo the tour guide was an immigrant from Italy and was able to offer this feature in his tours. He had no problem filling up his trips to Italy.

If you are interested in more information, I have included links to PDF files about the trips. Also, a link to the book I created.

Italy 1998 trip Link Italy 2007 trip link Sixteen Days in Italy book link

Daily writing prompt
Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
View all responses

My Playground

PODCAST

TO READ

I am too old to drink. I can’t play softball or shovel the snow. However, I can still type and that is what I do here. I have had a WordPress site since 2006 and lately I have been active. Totally I have posted over 240 posts and intend to post many more. I am over eighty and want to show that things can still be done in your senior years.

Here I try many new projects for me. I have a collection of books, magazines, podcasts and videos from my blogging adventure. As I become more comfortable with the platforms and software I attempt to try new things. This keeps my brain active and learning new things along the way. To me it is amazing what modern computing can do compared to when I started with a personal computer.

Back in 1994 I bought my first desktop computer from a co-worker that build computers as a sideline. I think I paid around $700 dollars for it. Those were the days of Windows 3.1, floppy discs and memory of under a megabyte. You spent more time waiting for the computer to compute than for you to actual work. I remember, “the blue screen of death.” This screen appearing meant you were in deep trouble. The internet was just an infant. The 32k modem and then the 64k modem. It is staggering how this tool has progressed in thirty years.

This is my playground! I spend many hours in my playground. If computers were not around, I would not have written any books. I just cannot visualize me sitting behind a manual typewriter and writing what I have written. I have a magazine section which is a collection of my blogging stories throughout the years. The buzzword these days is “podcast”, everyone has a podcast. On my blogs I now include and audio file for the ones that prefer listening instead of reading. It has become one of my most popular features. Many times, visitors download ten or twenty podcasts at a time.

I have also dabbled in video. But this has is too time consuming for me and the files are usually large. I am allowed 13g of storage space on WordPress and since I am on a fixed income, it would be hard to justify paying for additional storage.

In conclusion, this is my playground, and I am enjoying writing and sharing my stories, tales, experiences with the visitors and subscribers who have found my small speck of cyberspace.

Daily writing prompt
Why do you blog?
View all responses

Writing for Fun

I write for fun to express myself, share interests, and connect with like-minded individuals. Below are items I try to use in my blogging.

  1. Choose a Lighthearted Topic: I Write about something I enjoy. It could be hobbies, travel experiences, or even anecdotes from my daily life. I do not do politics on this site. There is way too much hate and anger in politics for this site.
  2. Use Visuals: I Include images, GIFs, or memes to add visual appeal. Visual content enhances the overall experience for the readers.
  3. Engage with Your Audience: I Encourage comments, ask questions, and interact with the readers. I could do better in this area.
  4. Experiment with Formats: Besides traditional blog posts, I try other formats like podcasts, videos or short stories. I attempt to keep things interesting.
  5. Share Personal Stories: I share events from life, spiritual experiences, and medical history.
  6. This is my playground, and I do not intend to make a dime.

Now I am attaching an audio podcast to my posts. The podcast page has become my most popular page. Many visitors download ten-fifteen podcasts at a time. Most are short and I have started to use my own voice instead of some AI voice from the internet.

My next project is to start an email campaign of my posts. If interested, send me an email at mail@tomt2.com

Thank you for stopping by and hope you come back again.

Daily writing prompt
What do you enjoy most about writing?
View all responses

Why have beards become so popular?
TomT2.0

Hello, this is TomT2.0. I have wondered why beards have become so popular. Therefore, I went to the local the AI for some comments. This is what AI came up with.

Ah, the great beard renaissance of the 21st century! Here’s why humanity has decided to embrace the facial fur with such fervor:

  • Masculine Identity: In an era where traditional masculine norms have been under scrutiny, beards have become a symbol of masculinity. It’s like men are saying, “I’m not just a guy; I’m a man with a beard that could house a small ecosystem.”
  • Cultural Trends and Media Influence: Remember when every TV show had at least one character with a beard so majestic it could be seen from space? Shows like “Duck Dynasty” or the rugged looks of actors like Tom Hardy have set the trend. If TV says beards are cool, well, who are we to argue with the small screen?
  • Perceived Health and Dominance: There’s a notion, backed by some studies, that beards make men look healthier, older, and more dominant. It’s like nature’s way of saying, “This guy might have survived a few more winters than you think.”
  • The Hipster Effect: Beards became a staple in hipster culture, symbolizing a rejection of mainstream grooming standards. If you’re going to be different, why not start with your face?
  • Historical Cycles: Beards go in and out of fashion like bell-bottom jeans. We’ve seen cycles where beards were all the rage, then vanished, only to return with a vengeance. It’s almost as if facial hair has its own sense of fashion timing.
  • Social media and Beard Envy: Platforms like Instagram have turned beard care into an art form. Men see these beards, think, “I could be that guy,” and thus, the beard trend spreads like wildfire.
  • Backlash to Grooming Norms: There’s a bit of rebellion in growing a beard. It’s like saying, “I refuse to conform to the clean-shaven corporate look.” It’s facial hair as a statement of individuality.
  • Scientific Reasons: Some studies suggest beards might have evolved as a signal in mate selection, indicating good genetics or health. Plus, there’s the theory that beards might have protected men’s faces in fights, making them more appealing to potential mates.
  • Economic and Lifestyle Changes: After economic downturns, there’s often a trend towards more rugged, ‘survivor’ looks. Beards fit into this narrative of resilience and toughness.

So, why are beards popular? It’s a mix of fashion, rebellion, science, and a dash of wanting to look like you could survive a zombie apocalypse. But remember, while beards might be in vogue now, give it time, and we might all be back to smooth faces, wondering what the fuss was about. Human trends, much like beards, are cyclical and often, delightfully unpredictable.

In conclusion, my blogging offers audio or reading, your decision. Have a nice day. Contact me at mail@tomt2.com.

How do you plan your goals?

Setting goals is a meaningful but achieving them can be challenging.

The way I plan for a goal all depends on what the goal is. I may lay awake at night planning and strategizing. I may develop a chart or a written plan. I may search for information on the project. It all depends on what the goal is.

Without a goal in mind, I cannot say how I would plan for the success of the goal.

Daily writing prompt
How do you plan your goals?
View all responses

Time After Life

Ah, peace, that elusive butterfly in the human garden of emotions. What brings peace to one might be the very thing that stirs another’s existential anxiety. Peace, it seems, is as personal as it is universal.

Many find peace within themselves. Peace is not just the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of inner calm.” Peace often comes from feeling connected, whether through family, friends, or a community. Others turn to the natural world that soothes the human spirit. A walk in the forest, the sound of waves. For some peace comes from aligning with a set of beliefs that promise a higher purpose or afterlife. One engaging in acts of kindness can bring peace for others. Engaging in or experiencing art can be deeply peaceful. Some find peace in understanding the world through technology or the vastness of knowledge available today. Others find peace in writing; the explosion of blogging proves that.

I can experience peace from the above items. However, about a year and a half ago, I had a near death experience. I was laying on the operating table and a medical assistant said, “Doctor his blood pressure is dropping fast.” I was feeling very bad, and I thought I just took my last breath. I do not know where I went, but I felt a peace I have never felt in all my life. PEACE, TOTAL PEACE! I cannot explain it, but the feeling was great. I believe I had a preview of time after death. When I came back that feeling of PEACE, TOTAL PEACE! disappeared and I have not felt it since.

In conclusion, I believe that I will not experience that feeling until the time after life.

Daily writing prompt
What brings you peace?
View all responses

A Two Letter Word

“Hello, this is TomT2.0, welcome to my podcast”. This is where I ramble on about anything. You can listen or read, whatever your preference. The prompt is “What is a word you feel that too many people use?”

“Uh”, is the word I feel is used way too often. Many, many times people use the word uh, between thoughts or paragraphs. This tells me that your brain is thinking of a response and the word uh is filling the silence. As if silence is bad. It is not too bad in a face-to-face conversation, but a public speaker saying the word uh many times is irritating.

Another phrase used too many times is “you know”. A comment is made, and the next phrase is “you know” How do they know that I know? I guess that is enough moaning and groaning for now.

If you want to receive notice when I post another blog, send me an email; at mail@tomt2.com or anything else you want to say to me. https://tomt2.com/

Daily writing prompt
What is a word you feel that too many people use?
View all responses

TomT2.0’s Shop

Good evening! The voice you hear is TomT2.0. The voice you hear is me. Not some AI voice I picked up from the internet. Dominic, a relative of mine. I am related to him somehow but, that is another story for later. He suggested that I use my own voice because it will add a personality to the podcast. Therefore, here I am. Email me at, mail@tomt2.com and let me know what you think.

All of my employment history is working for someone else. In 1987 after thirty years of working for someone else, I was laid off and had to learn how to look for a job at 46 years old. These were difficult times. Recently divorced and had two teenage sons to provide for. I almost started a small business then. I incorporated and thought I would continue a service that my former employer provided. Unfortunately, or fortunately my previous employer turned down the proposition and went another route. If I opened the business, I could have lost everything because the industry changed dramatically and the need for what I was going into disappeared five years later.

For a period, we would go to flea markets and sell anything available, and I was a distributor for an importer for oriental made items, I guess you would call them impulse items. I thought of getting a location and opening up a gift shop. However, having two teenage sons the financing was just not there. After four tough years I finally found a full-time job and retired in 2006.

Now that I am over eighty, I do not have a vision of opening a shop. This is my playground; this is my fun. My email address is mail@tomt2.com. Let me know what you think.

Daily writing prompt
If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?
View all responses

Life Support

Around a year and a half ago I experienced a near death event. I had a massive blood clot between my lungs, and I thought I took my last breath. I don’t know where I went but wherever I was I experienced something I have never experienced before in my life and that was peace, total peace. I believe this was a preview of time after death. I cannot explain what it felt like but, I must say it was great. Since then, I have not felt that way since.

My experience can be read at My Blood Clot Link.

Since that time, I have been on a blood thinner prescription. The medical team could never determine what caused my clot. I did not fit any item on their laundry list of reasons for my blood clot. Therefore, I was put on this medication and told to expect to take this pill every twelve hours. They told me to try to be consistent. If I start taking them at seven in the morning, then take one at seven in the evening. Getting in the habit of taking one when I get up and one when I go to bed is not consistent enough. Since it may vary by two to three hours. Also, they said if I forget one do not double up the dosage. This could cause internal bleeding. In other words, they gave me a good scare, be consistent or maybe pay the consequences.

Sure, I make sure that I take my keys, money, driver’s license, and all the other necessities. However, the most important thing for me is to carry one day’s dosage on me in case I am delayed somewhere. I think I can say, “I am on life support.” mail@tomt2.com

Daily writing prompt
What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?
View all responses

Streetcars in Denver  

This is really stretching my memory. I was somewhere under ten years old. The time was before 1950. Streetcars were stopped in 1950. However, I remember riding streetcars in Denver. Those yellow painted wooden streetcars that would lumber down the middle of the street and many times when going around the corner the electrical power source would disengage from the main line and the streetcar driver would be required to disembark from the streetcar, go to the back and move the power line to the overhead line so that the streetcar could move on.

We lived just east of the Barnum area near First Ave and Federal Blvd. In those days Barnum was the place that Barnum and Bailey Circus stayed during the winter months. That is how Barnum was named. I don’t ever remember when the circus was staying there. Maybe I just don’t know what I was looking at. I do remember sometimes a religious revival would be in the area and you could see the large canvas tent from the road. Maybe they rented the tent from the circus for the revival. I was under ten years old; I am lucky I remembered the canvas tents and revival. Recently, I heard that Barnum bought the land, but they never stayed there during the winter. 

I do remember going downtown with my mother on the streetcar. There was a route that went to the Barnum area from downtown Denver. This was before checkbooks and all the conveniences we have now. Once a month my mother would take the streetcar downtown to pay all the bills. They were paid in cash and a receipt was vitally important in those days. If you could not generate a receipt, you had no proof of payment.

We would catch the streetcar somewhere near Grove Street. This was the end of the line, and a large circle would be made, and the streetcar would start the return trip to downtown Denver. If I remember correctly it would go for a period on Grove and then follow the gulley near 14th Avenue to downtown Denver. For a period of time, I believe it went east on Colfax Avenue. The route ended at “The Loop”. This was near 15th or 16th and Blake St. Many of the routes ended up there and would then turn around and take the designated route they were assigned. At the Loop there was a flower shop, meat market and other ones I don’t remember.

We would start walking up 16th Street and stop at American Furniture to make a payment on the furniture. I don’t know whether Jake Jabs was involved in American Furniture at that time, or he came at a later date. Following that we stopped at Industrial Federal Savings to make the payment on the house. My parents had a house built in 1941 and paid $5400.00 for that house. It is hard to imagine paying that for a house knowing what the prices of a house are now. 

Next was Mountain Bell to pay for that new modern convenience the telephone. Everyone had a party line in those days. It was either two parties or four parties. We had a two-party line. At least with a two-party line we did not have to listen for different rings. How spoiled we are these days. 

Public Service was the next stop. Remember Reddy Kilowatt? There he was in the showroom, waiting to collect your money for the gas and lite bill. I remember this building at night. They had lights embedded in the outside walls and they would be on at night. Reddy Kilowatt was ready to sell you all the electricity you needed.

It was getting near lunch time and our mother would treat us to lunch at Woolworth’s at sixteenth and Champa St. That place would be jammed packed for lunch. Many times, we had to wait for a seat to eat. If we were really good, we would get a small bag of Cashew nuts to take home with us. To this day I still like Cashew nuts. Woolworth’s is gone. W.T. Grants and Neisner’s are gone. Denver Dry Goods Company has disappeared. Many names I grew up with have just disappeared.  

After lunch we would walk back to The Loop and get on that old wooden yellow painted streetcar and return to the Barnum area. What do I distinctly remember about the trips to downtown Denver on those slow lumbering noisy streetcars? I remember the bell. I can still hear the bell in my head.  Ding! Ding!

A Broken Branch

A couple of years ago our neighborhood had an early fall snowstorm. The leaves were still on the trees, and it was a wet heavy snow. Many branches were broken off the trees. My neighbor, Carolyn who lives across the street, had a branch break from her tree that was maybe three-four inches in diameter where it broke off the tree and maybe ten feet of branch with leaves. Carolyn is a widow for over eight years. She lives by herself and over eighty, maybe ninety.

I looked at the broken branch on her lawn for two or three days. I then decided to go over and offer to cut up the broken branch and throw it in her trash container. She was totally surprised and said she has called her daughter, and she was going to come over, but she did not know when she could come over. I said I could do it now and she agreed to allow me. It took less than an hour to cut up to the size so they could be put in her trash container. After completion Carolyn offered to pay me, and I said no. I was just being a good neighbor.

That is my story.

Daily writing prompt
Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.
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Black Widow Spiders

Not too long ago I was watching The Discovery Channel or National Geographic Channel about black widow spiders. This brought back memories about my experience with black widow spiders throughout my life. This series also caused me to dream about the spiders for a couple of nights after the show. I guess the show was pretty authentic. 

Anyway, my parents built their home where a cherry orchard was before. For the first years the home was infested with black widow spiders. The screen doors did not fit very tight in those days and the spiders could crawl in under where the doors hung over the floors. There was I suppose more than a half inch opening between the floor and the bottom of the screen door.  

During my young years I remember my grandma taking the broom and knocking the spiders off of the outside of the screen in the door. There were occasions where my mother would pull open a drawer in a dresser or kitchen drawer and she would discover a black widow spider in the drawer. The most dramatic event was one evening we were getting ready for bed and my mother found one of these spiders climbing up the bed spread at the foot of the bed. This was a scary event for a young child under five years old. I don’t remember if it took me a long time to get to sleep after that event or not.  

The TV show I was watching was about a young child that was bitten twice by a spider that crawled into her bed between the sheets and bit her twice before she realized what was happening. That could have happened to me when I was young. That is probably why I had dreams after that show.

The house did not have a basement; it just had a crawl space of about three feet. I remember when I got older my dad and I would go in the crawl space, and he showed me all the spiders between the rafters that died when he got a unit call “Hari Kari”. It was a small electrical pot that you would put these pills in and the heat from the heating element would cause the pills to evaporate and emit a poison gas into the air and kill the spiders. Those rafters were just covered with carcasses of those spiders.  That Hari Kari eliminated our spider problem. Before my dad passed away, we were talking about the Hari Kari and then he told me they had to take it off the market because it emitted cyanide gas and it was considered too dangerous.  

Another event happened in a field we used to walk through to get to Alameda and Federal. One day we were walking through the field and got curious about this piece of wood that was there for a long time. It looked like some kind of door where three pieces of wood was fastened together with hinges on one side. It was lying flat on the ground, and I decided to pick it up and see what was on the other side. I put my fingers under the edge and stood it up on its side. No more than an inch away from my right index finger was a bright shiny black widow spider. That was a scary moment. I could have been bitten so easily.  

On occasion I run into black widow spiders in the garage now. Sometimes I was washing something down with the hose and disturb a web and one comes crawling out looking very mad. They sure are black and shiny. Black widow spiders have given me some uneasy moments.  

Sunset to Sunrise

Ten to eleven o’clock is the normal time for me to go to bed and sleep. Seven to eight o’clock is the normal time for me to get up.

Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, there are events that does not make it a simple eight-hour sound sleep. First, my bladder requires attention at least twice during that time. Some nights it happens four times. Many times, I get up go and come back and go back to sleep almost immediately. Other times not so fortunate. My mind starts working and I start thinking about many different subjects and takes different times to fall back to sleep. I remember the good old days when I could fall asleep and sleep for eight hours before my bladder would say, “hey Tom, it is time to pee!”

Secondly, I have started to wake up somewhere around four or five in the morning. I guess I do not need eight hours of sleep anymore before I feel rested. I don’t get up at that time. It gives me a good time to reconcile various events in my life. It may be a recent event or some event that happened many years ago. I do enjoy this time though; it gives me a time to think about actions I took or relationships in my life. Also, I take time to talk to the creator. It is usually a one-sided conversation though. After this mental activity I usually take a snooze before it is time to arise. I cannot remember the last time an alarm clock was needed to wake me up in the morning. Apparently, my biological clock never goes to sleep.

As I become older the afternoon nap is becoming more common and the ten-fifteen-minute snooze has become an hour or more.

Daily writing prompt
What time do you go to bed and wake up currently?
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Gratitude With a Compliment

I went to Copilot it came up with this, “Gratitude is a powerful practice that can improve mental health, life satisfaction, and overall well-being. Then it had six examples. 1. Small moments of joy. 2. Keep a gratitude journal. 3. Express gratitude out loud. 4. Practice mindfulness. 5. Spread Kindness. 6. Appreciate little things.

Since that confused me more than anything I will give my simple expression of gratitude. “Thank You!”

After over twenty years of being in a management role and hearing complaints, dissatisfaction, demands, threats, and very few compliments. It dawned on me that most people go through life with more negativity than positive responses. I have come to the habit of attempting to express my gratitude with a compliment. I make it a point to spend some time and point out someone’s good performance instead of just pointing out problems.

Thank you for reading my blogging, I am believing you have created many happy thoughts, keep it up.

Daily writing prompt
How do you express your gratitude?
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My Surgery Tales

I am over eighty and have been relatively healthy throughout my life. In spite of smoking for over twenty years and doing very little exercise during that time. I also have drunk my share of alcohol.

My first surgery was when I was fifty. It was cataract surgery on my right eye. This was an outpatient surgery, and I was home before lunch. I was amazed at how bright and clear my vision was. Ten years later, I had the same surgery on my left eye. Since the surgery was done by two different providers I do not know if this done on purpose or what. The first implant had the focal point for distant vision. The second implant has the focal point for close vision. The only time I have to wear glasses is for close detail work. It is amazing how your brain can adjust for two different focal points.

My second event happened in 2018. I started having pain in the early evening on my right side below my rib cage. Finally, around 11pm my wife took me to the ER. The CAT scan showed an 11mm kidney stone in my right kidney and it got in a position where it attempted to travel down the tube to the bladder. The ER personnel said that was the largest kidney stone that they have ever seen. It was removed by going up from the basement and used a laser to break it up. I peed chocolate milk for 12 hours after the removal.

Finally on February 7, 2023, around 2:30 in the morning I woke up with a terrific Charlie Horse in my left calf. I massaged it trying to relieve the pain. Big Mistake! The pain decreased but about 30 minutes later I had difficulty breathing, woke Dee my wife and she called 911. The EMT’s took me to ER. The CAT scan showed a Pulmonary Saddle Embolism between my lungs. Otherwise, a gigantic blood clot. The speculation was that massaging the calf dislodged the clot and it migrated up to my chest.

They gave me three options. First, to attempt to use medication to remove the clot. Secondly, to go under anesthesia and enter through the groin with their instruments and remove the clot. Finally, to do the same procedure but the patient stays awake during the procedure. They said they have had the best luck when the patient stays awake and alert. That is the option I chose.

The most painful was when they cut the vein or artery for the entrance of the instruments. The other was just discomfort. After about 30 minutes I heard one of the assistants say, “Doctor his blood pressure is dropping.” I was starting to feel really bad, and I was at the point I was thinking this was my last breath. I blacked out. A period later I woke up and was starting to feel better. After about 45 minutes the surgeon was finished and told his aide to finish it.

The doctor started talking to me and asked how I was doing and that he got most of the clot but there were areas he couldn’t reach. In the conversation I asked. “Doctor, I heard an aide say my blood pressure was dropping”, how low did it go? There was a pause and he finally said, “Tom, you don’t want to know how low it went, and I am not going to tell you.” I still don’t know how low it dropped. He also stated, “Tom, I think we made the right decision for you to stay awake. I am afraid that if you went under anesthesia, I would have lost you.” That was an eye-opening comment to me. I then spent three days in ICU and then went home.

This was a near death experience, and I may have had a preview of time after death. During the time I blacked out until I woke up, I experienced something I have never experienced in my entire life and that was peace, total peace! I cannot express or explain what I was feeling but I am ready to feel it again. Was this a preview? Who Knows.

That was close to over a year and a half ago. I am doing well. I will never get back to myself before this event, but I am happy where I am.

Daily writing prompt
Have you ever had surgery? What for?
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Ramblings Magazine Podcast

Since the end of March, I have been combining my postings from various platforms and producing a twenty-page series of magazines named Rambling Magazine. Since I have been posting on Word Press since 2009, I have a collection of over 200 postings. I am also on Sub Stack and posted many articles on YourHub.com when it was owned by The Rocky Mountain News. Also, I was a participant of a local writing group.

I was told I should write a book with my comments about anything postings. Writing a book and compiling it may take a year or more. That is why I went with the magazine platform. Since I am in my senior years, I may have 10 days left or 10 years. I did not want to start a book and never finish it.

My podcast page is my most popular area. The current buzz word is podcast, and it has become a great addition to my site. That is why I have composed a podcast for Rambling Magazine Issue #1. We will see how the response will be.

ABOVE IS THE PODCAST FOR RAMBLINGS MAGAZINE ISSUE #1

Link to podcast page https://tomt2.com/audio-files/

There are times when I wish I was twenty years younger. I believe I could make a career out of this challenge. This blogging journey has been exciting and satisfying.

Me and Spirituality

First a little history about me. I was born and raised a Catholic. My mother was a devout Catholic and Grandma, her mother was also. Grandma lived with us until I was fifteen when she passed away. My dad was raised a Baptist but did not practice any religion. Anyway, I was started out as a catholic.

I went through all the things a young person did growing up as a prospective Catholic. I went to catechism every Sunday after service. Listened to my mother and grandma about the Catholic religion. I was baptized, did first confession and first communion. Finally, confirmation, to become a soldier of Christ. During that time, I ended up with the impression that it was very difficult to become worthy of entering heaven. After your death God was there with his big tablet and you had to account for every sin you committed during your time on earth. I cannot ever remember being told that God loves you unconditionally. During this time the church used fear of eternal suffering in hell to be a good human. Being just human was a sin.

I went through most of my life as a Catholic. Trying to earn my way into eternal life with God. During this journey I had some spiritual events. First, when my grandmother was on her deathbed, she did not have time for us. She said that there were these two angels in the corner of the hospital room waiting for her. You can believe that or not.

Secondly, when my mother was in hospice, she said to me. “Tom, I am afraid of dying. I don’t know what is waiting for me. I am very afraid.” This really bothered me because she was a devout Catholic and I thought she should be more prepared for death. I was disturbed until a short period after her service my mother came to me in a dream. She was sitting in her favorite chair with the Mona Lisa smile on her face and communicated to me. “Tom everything is great, I am at peace, do not be concerned about me.” You can believe that or not.

Thirdly, I met this girl in grade school. We became very attached to each other. We had something special. Being the jerk I was in high school; I ended the relationship. Around sixty years later she came to me in a dream and said “Tom, I was meant (created) for you. However, you rejected me. Our lives would have been totally different if you would not have rejected me.” I woke up with a start and it bothered me. After a period of time, I did some research and discovered that she died three days before I had this dream. Did a spirit visit me? You can believe it or not.

Forth, I was taking a walk alone in the afternoon and this voice said to me. “Tom, stop trying to be somebody you are not, just be yourself, that is why you are on earth. Since then, I am just being myself.

Finally, I had a near death experience and after I thought I took my final breath I was someplace, and I felt PEACE, TOTAL PEACE! What I felt is difficult to explain. I was having a feeling I have never felt in my eighty plus years, PEACE! I truly believe I experienced a preview of time after death.

In conclusion, my religious experience and the above spiritual events has prepared me for the final days. The final days may be soon or twenty years from now. When the time comes, I will be ready to experience that feeling of PEACE, TOTAL PEACE!

I am convinced God loves us unconditionally and Christ died for our sins.

Daily writing prompt
How important is spirituality in your life?
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I will never forget

The night of April 11th, 2010, I had a strange dream. This involved a girl, (woman) I have not thought about for 68 years. This was Sandra. I went to grade, junior, and high school with her. In grade school Sandra and I were very close. The first time we met we were attracted to each other. That was over sixty years ago, and I can’t say that I can remember that much about that time. We did make it a point to be next to each other and would look for each other when there was a gathering. I do remember one event that still is important to me. During that time there were tables the size where two individuals sat at the table. We always made it a point to sit at the same table if we were able to. Anyway, the teacher was rambling on, and I was on the left Sandra was on the right. Our arms were resting on the table, and they were barely touching each other. I was starting to get this tingling feeling from my elbow down to my wrist where our arms were interacting. This felt great! I can still feel the tingling going up and down my arm. Sandra was having the same response. She looks at me and smiles. I will never forget this moment. This was before sex ever became involved or thought about. One could say she was my first girlfriend, maybe even my soul mate and didn’t realize it.  

We went on to high school and began to drift apart. My teenage years were very hard for me. I was angry and mad. I didn’t like myself. I didn’t like the feelings and thoughts I was having. Those apparent hormones were doing a number on me. I had a loving family, All the things a teenager could expect. Driving at sixteen, a part time job and money in my pocket. Looking back at those times, I would say I was a jerk. Because of this I killed the relationship between me and Sandra. We went our separate ways, and I didn’t think of her until April 11, 2010. 

 In this dream Sandra came to me and said, “Tom, I was meant (created) for you. However, you rejected me. Our lives would have been totally different if you would not have rejected me.” This dream was a visual and moving dream. This bothered me because I wondered why I dreamt of Sandra after not seeing or hearing about her for over fifty years or more. Finally, on April 18th I thought I would search for some information about Sandra.  

Going to my yearbook newsletters I found out she was married to Ed. I did a Google search and came up with an obituary stating that Sandra passed away April 8, 2010. That was only three days before I had my strange dream. This really shocked me and leaves me with more questions than answers. Was this a visit from someone who recently died. Would my life have been different? Would it have been better or worse? I will never know. I have had a good life and I feel I have made more good decisions instead of bad decisions. Did this change my outlook? Yes, it did. I have never been a strong religious person even though I was born and raised a Catholic. They teach that there is life after death. But I always had in the back of my mind, that may be wrong. However, after this dream I am convinced that yes, there is something after death. This dream occurred in 2010 and the dream relieved me of that thought ever since. death is not final. You can come to your own conclusion. Life is one large teaching experience. From birth until death, you are learning.  

Daily writing prompt
Write about your first crush.
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Germany and England

In the middle sixty’s compliments of the US Army, I spent approximately fifteen months in Germany. I was stationed at Merrill Barracks in Nurenburg and Cambrai Frisch Kaserne at Darmstadt. This was during the Cold War era and there were around 500,000 US military in European countries. During that time, I was able to do some traveling around the area. Visiting Munich, Frankfurt and a trip to Switzerland. All in all, it was a good experience in spite of being in the Army.

It has been over sixty years since that time, and I would like to see what that area looks like now. I am sure that area has changed quite a lot, and I would not recognize the area.

Another area I would like to visit is the lower area of England. My dad’s roots are from Cornwall England back in the 1530’s. It would be interesting to see something about the area my ancestors came from. I had a DNA test and found out that 50% of me is from Germany, 40% from England and 10% from other European areas.

This is just a dream I have. Since I am well into my seasoned years I kind of doubt that this dream will ever come true.

Daily writing prompt
What countries do you want to visit?
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Retirement Ramblings

Retirement is a highlight in one’s life. You work many years, and the goal is to retire in comfort and enjoy your remaining years. Retirement is one of the American dreams that can come true. It takes some planning and saving to reach the goal. Also, it takes a little luck for all the cards to fall in place so that Retirement can happen.

Since I retired eighteen years ago, I will share what I did to help me live comfortable in retirement. First, I made sure all my credit cards were paid off. The only balances I had in credit cards were monthly expenses and they were paid off totally every month. I inquired what my social security monthly amount would be, and the small pension amounts we would receive after retirement. Reviewed the condition of the vehicles seeing how many years they would last before replacement. Then, made a tentative budget seeing if our retirement income would cover the necessary expenses every month. Entertainment items such as trips and vacations would come out of savings. The decision was made to retire and hope our finances would last longer than us.

Everything was doing ok until the financial crash of 2008. At that time our portfolio showed unrealized losses to be over one half of our portfolio. The decision had to be made to sell the stocks and change the unrealized losses to realized losses. Since I didn’t need the money, I elected keep the stock until the value of the investment returned to the purchase price and then sell. We didn’t make any money, but we didn’t lose any either. It took about seven years to finally regain all our original investments. These were scary times, and the decision were made to pull out the stock market completely and just invest in secure investments. I was just becoming too old to live with that stress and insecurity. We have been ok financially since.

As you become older health issues tend to hamper retirement plans. The vacations and trips appear to be shelved because of health issues. We have had over eighteen years of comfortable retirement and feel very fortunate to have these years. Hopefully we will have many more.

Daily writing prompt
How do you want to retire?
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Memoires

At the time being I am passionate about writing my tales and stories from my eighty plus years of living on this planet. There is a driving force in me that I cannot explain that keeps telling me to put the stories and tales in words. I have become passionate about this project. I spend many hours writing and composing. I wake up in the middle of the night with a prompt about a new rambling. Then I spend an hour a more thinking on assembling and composing it. I am watching tv and think about what I could write about the subject being broadcast. I guess I am hooked.

When I retired in 2006, I started writing. Before then I was too busy working, raising a family, and solving everyday problems one encounters. I joined a writing group, and we would meet once a month, write for an hour and then share our stories and offer suggestions. In 2018 I decided it was time to stop going since my writing interests were declining. Around 2006 I also opened up a Word Press account and published quite often. However, that interest declined after a period.

After my near-death event about fifteen months ago, I dusted off Word Press and starting writing and publishing tales and ramblings about anything. This has created Ramblings Magazine https://tomt2.com/about-dee-t2-0/ I decided a magazine format would work out better for me. One may ask, why a magazine instead of a book? A book could take a long time to compose, and I am at the point where I may have twenty more years or twenty more minutes. Only time will tell.

In conclusion, my passion is writing today and will continue until I am no longer able to.

Daily writing prompt
What are you passionate about?
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Springtime

After months of cold and snow for months the time of the best part of the year is finally here. Yes, I am talking about springtime.

Winters have become hard on me since I have been retired. I do not like being couped up in the home listening to the furnace coming on many times and for long periods. Leaving me wonder how much the utility bill is going to be this month. Ever since I have been on blood thinner medication, I am always cold. Looking out the window and seeing all the dormant leafless trees is depressing. The wind blowing and watching the snow swirl makes me feel very glad that I am inside instead of being outside going to work.

Then, as usual the weather starts to warm up, the residual snow piles begin to melt, and the days become longer. Spring is here. The trees start to leaf out. The grass starts to green up. You can see the springtime flowers blossoming and you do not have to deal with below freezing temperatures. The cure for my bigtime cabin fever is here. God is good!

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite season of year? Why?
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Just A Mere Mortal

As the days and years go by, I have come to the conclusion that I am just a mere mortal. Am I going to do anything or write anything that leaves a lasting impression on this world? I kind of doubt it.

I have had a good life experience. I was raised by loving parents and did not have to suffer any hardships and tragedies in my growing up years. I was able to work and provide for the two sons I fathered. I served my country with time in the army. Marriage and family life have entered my life twice. I am still experiencing my second marital journey. Over eighteen years of retirement life and I sense more years of this journey on this earth.

Over a year ago I survived a medical near-death experience. During the recuperation period I thought that there must have been a reason for surviving. It has been over a year now and I am still searching for the reason. I am beginning to think the only reason I survived was to experience and learn from that near death encounter.

With that said, I am just a mere mortal and will do what mere mortals do and that is to attempt to live a good life.

Daily writing prompt
If humans had taglines, what would yours be?
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I Have Been So Blessed

As I reflect on my life, I have concluded that I have been so blessed. Compared to millions of others my life has been easy.

I was born into a loving family. My parents loved me and protected, fed, and taught me in my young years. I fell on a broken bottle and seriously cut my arm from the wrist to the elbow. It was a blessing that the main artery was not severed. If it was I more than likely would have bled out at that young age.

I elected to not to continue on to college after high school when many said without a college degree you will not experience the American dream. I have been blessed with a comfortable financially stable life. I do not have millions, but I have more than enough to sustain the American dream.

I was drafted into the army during the Vietnam era. I was blessed to spend my enlistment in Germany whereas the seven I was drafted with went to Vietnam. I did not have to suffer the pain and violence of armed conflict.

I became married and the blessing of two great children was generated from this relationship. Unfortunately, one must experience hurt and pain in parts of their lives. This relationship came to an end after eleven years. However, we are now able to talk to each other. The hurt and anger has been shelved and that is another blessing.

I was blessed with another loving relationship, and this brought me four stepchildren which I truly love their mother and her children. We are still together and enjoying and spending our final days together. Trust and allowing each other to be themselves is a gift and a blessing to experience.

A little over a year ago I experienced a life-threatening medical issue. There was a point where thought I was taking my last breath. I thought, “Here I am Lord!” I believe, for a short period of time I had a preview of time after death. I experienced such peace during that time, it was unexplainable. This was a time I will never forget. I am ready to experience this peace again.

In conclusion, as you can see that I have experienced more blessings than hurt and pain. I thank the Lord many times for the blessings I have received. I am just a mere mortal, but I firmly believe that time after death is going to surprise everyone.

Friends are Gifts in Life

As I recall the friends I had when growing up until my senior years I try to think of what they had in common? Most friends come from encounters at school, neighbors, work, church and so on. Friendships develop from conversations and encounters. Many do not develop into anything, and others grow in a friendship that becomes a gift of life.

The quality that I value the most is, a friend allows me to be myself and I allow them to be themselves. Once you are allowed to be yourselves the union will become stronger and memorable to be remembered throughout the remaining time in your life.

Daily writing prompt
What quality do you value most in a friend?
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