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Not Much to Remember Today

Audio PODCAST

Title: The Quiet Day: When Nothing Very Important Happened on February 11th

February 11th has had its share of headline-making moments throughout history, but let’s take a moment to appreciate the quieter side of this date. Today, we’re not here to delve into the monumental events or the groundbreaking discoveries; instead, we’re celebrating the ordinary, the mundane, and the blissfully uneventful.

A Day Like Any Other

Imagine waking up on February 11th to find the world much as you left it the day before. No major political upheavals, no scientific breakthroughs announced, just the regular hum of daily life. The sun rises, people go to work, birds chirp, and life ticks along at its usual pace. It’s comforting in its predictability, isn’t it?

The Beauty in the Mundane

There’s something inherently beautiful about days when nothing very important happens. It’s a reminder that not every day needs to be marked by history. Sometimes, the most significant event of the day might be the first bloom of spring, a quiet walk in the park, or the simple joy of a shared meal with family or friends. These are the moments that make up the fabric of our lives, woven together with threads of routine and simplicity.

Local News and Daily Life

On this day, local news might consist of a cat stuck in a tree being rescued by firefighters, a community garden project getting new volunteers, or a high school sports team winning a local match. These snippets of life are the heartbeat of our communities, reminding us of the connections we share and the small stories that matter deeply to those involved.

The Uncelebrated Heroes

February 11th might also be a day where unsung heroes shine. Perhaps a teacher went the extra mile to help a struggling student, or a neighbor quietly shoveled the snow off another’s driveway. These acts of kindness don’t make headlines, but they are the quiet forces that keep the world turning with compassion and empathy.

A Reflection on Nothingness

In a world often obsessed with achievement and spectacle, there’s a lesson in embracing the days where nothing very important happens. It teaches us to find joy in the present moment, to appreciate the peace that comes with uneventfulness, and to recognize that every day doesn’t need to be extraordinary to be meaningful.

Conclusion

So, here’s to February 11th, a day in the annals of time where we can take a breath, look around, and appreciate that sometimes, the absence of monumental events is an event in itself. It’s a day to celebrate the ordinary, to enjoy the tranquility of routine, and to find beauty in the quiet moments that make life truly rich. Here’s to the days when nothing very important happens – they are, in their own way, as noteworthy as any other.

Ramblings Magazine Issue #6 podcast

Podcast LINK

Hard copy LINK

Hello Ramblings Magazine reader Welcome!

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

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The Headings are:

Happenings plus time equals your life.

It will not happen in my life.

Computers and internet.

February 7, 2023.

Time for Spring.

M and M’s.

My interests have changed.

Amazing news.

My dream came true.

King for a day.

Remembering my parents.

I am just a mere mortal.

Patriotism.

A gift of life.

I do not have a favorite shoe.

A three-letter middle name.

100 years ago.

I am addicted to computers and the internet.

I survived the March 14 record snowstorm.

I am ready for spring.

Easter thoughts.

Retirement years.

The necessities of starting the day.

A dog, cat, or what?

Just be myself.

Hormones in high school.

X, formerly twitter and their grok feature.

Photo memories.

That’s it for this issue. Hope to see you next issue

Have a nice day!

The Wicked Whispers of Willow Creek

Audio Link

This was written by AI. Life is getting creepy.

In the heart of a dense, ancient forest, lay the quiet town of Willow Creek. By day, it was a picturesque place with cobblestone streets and charming cottages. But when the sun dipped below the horizon, the town’s character changed. 

Legend had it that the woods surrounding Willow Creek were home to the Wicked Whispers, eerie voices that echoed through the trees, leading lost souls deeper into the forest. Some said they were the spirits of those who had perished in the woods long ago, while others believed they were the enchantments of a powerful sorceress. 

Among the townsfolk was young Elara, an adventurous girl with a curious mind. She had grown up hearing tales of the Wicked Whispers but had never experienced them herself. One moonlit night, driven by her insatiable curiosity, Elara decided to venture into the forest, determined to uncover the truth. 

As she walked deeper into the woods, the familiar sounds of the town faded away, replaced by an unsettling silence. Then, she heard it—a soft, melodious whisper that seemed to call her name. “Elara… Elara…” The voice was both enchanting and chilling. 

Elara followed the whisper, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. The path grew narrower, and the trees seemed to close in around her. The whisper grew louder, more insistent. “Elara… come closer…” 

She stumbled upon a clearing bathed in the pale light of the full moon. At its center stood an ancient, gnarled tree, its twisted branches reaching out like the arms of a ghost. The whispers now came from all directions, encircling her. 

With a deep breath, Elara stepped forward and placed her hand on the tree’s trunk. Instantly, the whispers ceased, and a figure materialized before her—a woman with eyes like sapphires and hair as dark as the night. 

“I am Seraphina, the guardian of these woods,” the figure spoke, her voice as enchanting as the whispers. “The Wicked Whispers are a test, a trial for those who seek the truth.” 

Elara listened in awe as Seraphina revealed the forest’s secrets, its history, and the magic that flowed through its roots. She learned that the whispers were not malevolent but a challenge to those brave enough to seek their source. 

With newfound understanding, Elara returned to Willow Creek, her heart filled with the wisdom of the forest. She shared her story with the townsfolk, who listened with rapt attention. From that day forward, the Wicked Whispers were no longer feared but respected, a reminder of the mysteries that lay just beyond the edge of town. 

And so, the legend of the Wicked Whispers of Willow Creek lived on, a tale of courage, curiosity, and the magic that lies hidden in the heart of the woods. 

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.

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?
View all responses

Just be Myself

For most of my life I have tried to be something I was not. Many times, through life I heard “You should be like, whatever name you want to insert.” In younger years I heard; you should be more like your brother. Just because he is five years older than me, I should be like him? I guess I was a handful when I was young. Going to school I hear the same thing. You should be more like Johnny. At church I hear you are a sinner and should be more like the saints and apostles. Well, I got the picture, I should be somebody I am not and be somebody that fits in the surrounding society.

My teenage years were very difficult for me. For some reason I was angry and mad all the time. I hated myself and my situation. Was it because I was trying to be somebody I was not or was it just the hormonal change that everyone goes through during that age. One will never know.

I was drafted into the army later and looking back now I think this is one of the best things that happened to me in that period. This was in the Viet Nam era but fortunately my service period was served in Germany instead of Viet Nam unlike the seven other men drafted on that day. They all went to Viet Nam. Why I went to Germany and not Viet Nam is something I will never know. In the service you meet all kinds of people from many different areas of the country. Because of that I realized that the human race is not that bad. All the ones I met were basically good and were just trying to get through the challenges in front of them.

I have spent maybe two thirds of life trying to be somebody that I am not. You may believe this or not, but, one day I was taking a walk around the greenbelt near our home. There was nobody around and I was just having some silent time to my own. Then this loud voice came out and spoke. “Tom stop trying to be somebody else, just be yourself! Your purpose in life is to be yourself!” After that event I have decided to just be myself. Since that time, I been at peace since and am actually enjoying just being myself. I even like myself. This is one positive change I have made in my life.

Daily writing prompt
Describe one positive change you have made in your life.
View all responses

Superstition Versus Faith

from Wikipedia, “A superstition is any belief or practice considered by non-practitioners to be irrational or supernatural, attributed to fate or magic, perceived supernatural influence, or fear of that which is unknown.”

Faith is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept. In the context of religion, faith is “belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion”. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.

Throughout my life I have been exposed to many superstitions. For example, do no step on the cracks in a sidewalk, brings bad luck. Break a mirror, you experience seven years of bad luck. Four leaf clovers bring good luck. Friday the 13th is a bad day. My oldest son was born on Friday the 13th, I can’t say that was bad luck, but good. I could go on for hours about superstitious encounters in my life.

I am a product of a religious mother and grandmother. They were very religious Catholics. I was raised a Catholic. I suppose you could say baptism is evolved around a superstition. If you are not baptized, you die with original sin and will never see heaven. I was taught if you die with a mortal sin, you do not go to heaven. You should be in the state of grace to receive the sacrament of marriage and so on.

I have had strange spiritual events in my life. My mother had a very painful medical death, and she was terrified of dying. How could this be? She was a very religious person, and all this faith did not prepare her for death and the other side. This really bothered me that she was so unprepared. About a week after her service I had a dream, my mother was there sitting in her favorite chair and said, “Tom everything is good. Do not worry about me, continue your life!? I was put at peace and my confusion resolved.

I had another dream about this girl that I have not seen or heard of for over forty years. She said in my dream, “Tom, you and I were meant to be together. If we would have ended up together our lives would have been totally different.” Yes, that bothered me. After forty or more years why did I have a dream about her? This bothered me for a couple of months, and I finally went to my alumni newsletters and got here married name and made an internet search and found out that she died three days prior to my dream. This is spooky. However, it did convince me that death is not the end.

Another event happened in the last ten to fifteen years. I was going for a walk around the park and this loud voice came and said, “Tom, stop trying to be somebody else! Just be yourself! That is what you are expected to be! Ever since, that I am Just Myself!

So, is this superstition or faith? I guess it all depends on what the definition a person has of superstition and faith. I know one thing for sure. My spiritual events have impacted my life more than all religious teaching and superstitions.

Daily writing prompt
Are you superstitious?
View all responses

Heights

I hate heights. Always have and probably will for the rest of my life. I don’t know why. It is just some phobia I have. I can climb a ladder and roam around on a single-story roof, but anything higher than that I begin to get nervous and the higher it goes the more nervous I get even to the state of panic. Oh, I can fly in a passenger jet or go in high skyscraper buildings. I have been to the top of the pre-9-11 World Trade Center and the Empire State Building and felt a little uncomfortable but no more. It is just that vision of being on the edge and viewing the ground way down there with no fence or railing to stop me. However, I could not even go up the Space Needle in Seattle. I stayed on the ground.

When I was young, I had dreams of falling off a high spot or being pushed. I always woke up before I ever hit the ground. Someone said to me when I was young that if I ever hit the ground in my dreams I would have died. I don’t know if that is a fact or not. I wonder if that is a reason. Maybe in a previous life I fell off or was pushed. I am afraid of heights even today. The only consolation I have is that many people have the same fear of heights I have.

I would never make a paratrooper. Who would want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

Bloganuary writing prompt
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
View all responses

Life is Fun

I have been retired for seventeen years. Since 2006 I haven’t worked any job. Pensions, Social Security and savings have provided my wife and I with everything we need. Most of the things I do is for fun or enjoyment. Life has been good. There have been medical issues but all in all life has been good to us. Here are the first five things that I thought of to have fun.

  1. the most interesting thing at the present time is writing. I enjoy writing and reminiscing about events in my life. That is the purpose of writing on Word Press. I do not expect to ever receive any kind of financial compensation for my writing time. I just enjoy it. I am glad I discovered the daily blog prompt. This is ideal for my random ramblings.
  2. I enjoy eating out at restaurants. it gives us a reason to get out of the house for a while and interact with people. Humans are social creatures and social contact is necessary for healthy living. I had a job where I would have contact with people that spent a lot of time alone. You could tell they were lacking social contact in their life, and they were craving for this necessity. They would try to keep me there as long as possible just to have contact with another human being.
  3. Puzzle books are fun for me. I enjoy crossword puzzles and sudoku. I am not a big fan of word search. However, my wife enjoys word search puzzles though. One must keep their mind active and working.
  4. I have a workshop in my basement. I enjoy repairing items around the house and building small items. For a while I was into bird houses. I found out though that there is just not much demand for bird houses, and I was floating in bird houses.
  5. I like to grow stuff. All my life I have had a garden where I lived except the short time I lived in an apartment. Flowers, vines. and vegetables are on my list of plants. We sure enjoy fresh tomatoes during the summertime. Unfortunately, our home has growing space, but it is too shady, and I haven’t had much success here.

These are the first five things that came to mind. I have many more things I do for fun.  

Bloganuary writing prompt
List five things you do for fun.
View all responses

WHAT’S NEXT?

After my life-threatening blood clot, I thought “why was I given a second chance?” Lying flat on my back in ICU for three days gave me plenty of time to reconcile my life and think about “why was I given a second chance?” I concluded that there is something meant for me to do before going to the other side. I prayed and asked for help to make the right decision. To the best of my knowledge my prayers and request were never answered. I have the feeling that it is up to me to decide what direction to take. So here I am trying to decide, What’s Next?  

My second chance came in February of 2023. Recuperation was a slow process. It took about five months of being a couch potato before I felt like doing anything. I finally started to have more energy in June and received the desire to do more than just vegetate. My medication was adjusted, and the passing of time helped. During that time, I heard about substack.com on an internet news site or some talk show. I opened an account and started posting articles on the substack site. I have currently posted over thirty-five stories on substack. During that period after joining substack I remembered that I also had an old blog site on wordpress.com since 2009. Sure enough it was still there. As they say, “what you put on cyber space it is there forever.” I also started posting on WordPress too. Most of the articles are the same on each site. I just edited them to fit the site. Both sites have good points and other points that do not fit my objectives. You must remain active. If you do not post your audience disappears very quickly. They both have different audiences, and no one has ever commented that they saw me on the other site. 

The articles I have posted already are the ones I have wanted to share since my second chance of life. I do enjoy this endeavor and I will continue to publish.  

I could write about current events in a complicated country and world. There is the border, economy, politics, Ukraine, racism, sexism, gender, and many more issues to cover that I haven’t thought of now. Unfortunately, hatred and anger in these issues has destroyed any chance to have a civil and mean full sharing of thoughts and ideas. I have never seen the amount of hatred and anger in this country as there is now. I am over eighty seasoned years and do not want to get involved with hate and anger.  

I have come to the realization that I am just a speck in this gigantic universe. I am not an evangelist or a motivator. What I comment about will more than likely never have any large traffic draw. I am not doing this for money, and I could promote my site more than what I do. At least I am getting my thoughts out to cyber space instead of filing them in a file cabinet where my descendants will more than likely throw them away without even reading them. Maybe I have already done what I was meant to do after my life-threatening event.   

So, I will continue writing and commenting on anything this year.