Thursday Thirteen #885

Since is Thanksgiving here in the United States, it seems appropriate (and probably a little lazy) to make a list of 13 things for which I am grateful.

1. My husband of 41 years, who has put up with all sorts of craziness from me and continues to love me in spite of myself. He's a good man and I love him very much.

2. My personal creative process, which encompasses a wide range of things from writing to music to an occasional spurt of coloring in a coloring book. Sometimes I even do crafty things, but not very often. It is generally the writing and the music that attract me and keep me going.

3. I am very grateful for books. I would not be who I am today if I had not been a constant reader, always delving into this world or that. Books broaden my world and keep my brain thinking.

4. Education also tops my list of things for which I am grateful. I loved school, even elementary school, and only found it more to my liking as I aged and moved into high school and then college. I strongly suspect I missed a calling as a professor - I would have enjoyed that, I think.

5. The career I did have as a writer of local news was incredibly satisfying and while it didn't make me rich, it certainly made me well-known and, in some circles, highly thought of. I know not everyone liked what I wrote, but a good journalist makes enemies.

6. I am very thankful for my family, even the ones I seldom see. I have a wide range of cousins out there, too many to list by far, and I recently discovered a new one who lives just down the road from me. She was writing about her great aunt on Facebook in a history group, and that person was my great aunt, too, so we are either second cousins or first cousins once removed. I can't figure that out without a chart, but I think it is the "once removed" part.

7. My friends are also atop my list of people for whom I am grateful. I do not have many close friends, but the ones I have I treasure and love deeply. They help keep me sane.

8. I am especially grateful for my brother, who should be under the "family" heading, I suppose, but I shall single him out because he is the only person in the world who shares my past. My father is still alive but he does not share my past in the way my brother does, because he saw it as adult and child, while my brother and I were both children. We have a tight bond to be siblings, and I am grateful for that.

9. My computer makes me, well, not happy, but it does keep me "out there" and that is something. Occasionally I'd like to throw the thing out the window, but I still use it constantly.

10. I am grateful to be alive. I had a few times when that wasn't a certainty, especially when I had sepsis because of endometriosis and ovarian cysts, and again when I had e-coli, once when I had pneumonia, and a few other times that I won't go into. I honestly never expected to live this long, so each day is a gift.

11. I am thankful for my house, which we moved into about this time of year a very long time ago. In 1987, we built our home ourselves, hammering nails and all of that. My husband had loads of help from firefighters he worked with, many of whom had second jobs as carpenters, roofers, and painters. While not exactly a good old-fashioned barn raising, it certainly was a multi-friend and family effort.

12. I am grateful too for the technology that makes texting possible. It's a quick and easy way to catch up with folks. While I personally prefer an actual conversation to a text, a text is acceptable.

13. There really is no "last" in a list of things for which one might be grateful, is there? There's the beautiful sky, the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains, neighbors, the stars in the dark sky, the clouds that make beautiful sunsets - honestly, there is no end to the list of things I could be grateful for.

And I am especially grateful for you, dear reader, whoever you are and wherever you are. I hope that you have a very wonderful day.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 885th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Alderian Psychology

I have been listening to a book called The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.

The book delves into the principles of Adlerian psychology, which is something I never remember hearing about despite taking psychological courses in college.

Adlerian psychology, founded by Alfred Adler around the same time as Sigmond Freud's better-known theories came about, emphasizes the importance of individual purpose and social interest. It suggests that our behavior is not determined by past traumas but by our goals and the meaning we assign to our experiences. 

Some key concepts as the Internet seems to understand Adlerian psychology:

Individual Psychology: Adler emphasized the uniqueness of each person and the importance of understanding individuals within their social context.

Feelings of Inferiority: Adler believed that feelings of inferiority drive individuals to strive for superiority and success. These feelings often stem from early childhood experiences.

Social Interest: A core concept in Adlerian psychology is the idea of social interest, which refers to an individual's sense of belonging and contribution to society.

Lifestyle: Adlerian therapy involves assessing an individual's lifestyle, which includes their beliefs, values, and strategies for dealing with life's challenges.

Encouragement: Adlerian therapists use encouragement to help clients see possibilities and believe in their abilities to overcome challenges.

Goal-Oriented Behavior: Adlerian theory posits that human behavior is goal-oriented and motivated by striving for personal goals.

Adlerian therapy allegedly focuses on understanding an individual's lifestyle and social interests, examining past experiences and family dynamics, and encouraging goal-setting and positive behavior changes to foster a sense of belonging and purpose

The Courage book encourages readers to embrace self-acceptance, take responsibility for their actions, and find the courage to be disliked in order to live authentically. Kind of a "do what you want and who cares about anyone else" sort of philosophy. I suspect this appeals more to narcissists than to people of other temperaments.

The book is structured as a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man. It does not go into detail about various psychologies or philosophies it mentions, which is a bit of a hindrance if the reader is not familiar with these types of issues and concerns. It also does not dovetail with the definition of Adlerian psychology that I found online, at least, not entirely. The book offers more of a life philosophy that emphasizes tasks and goals as the reason for living. I confess I find that idea to be distasteful.

That, to me, is a human doing, not a human being.

Not a book I recommend for self-growth, really, but if you want to learn about a different approach to certain ways of dealing with certain people, there may be some value there.

Shiny Antlers

I wasn't really in a good position to get this photo, but these shiny antlers certainly caught my attention yesterday morning.

Aren't they lovely?

Sunday Stealing

1. What was the last song you listened to?

A. The song I have running through my head at the moment is, "I Want to Be in Love," by Melissa Etheridge. I'm not sure it's the last one I heard, but that's my ear worm for the morning.

2. What is your favorite thing about the place you live?

A. I like my house because my husband and I built it ourselves. It's cozy.

3. What is your earliest childhood memory?

A. When I very young, maybe about 4 or so, my brother, who is 3 years younger than I, climbed up on the kitchen cabinet and managed to get a hold of an entire bottle of aspirin, which he proceeded to eat. I found him and ran to my mother to tell her, and they took him to the hospital to get something to make him throw them up.

4. If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A. I would be a deer. They are inquisitive animals.

5. Who do you trust the most in your life?

A. I trust my husband more than anyone. After all this time, I should.

6. How many languages can you say "hello" in?

A. Three, I think.

7. What is your favorite kind of weather?

A. I like for it to be about 72 degrees, sunny, with a tiny gentle breeze tickling my nose.

8. How did you discover that Santa wasn't real and how old were you?

A. I learned that very early on. I had lost a tooth early, when I was 5, by falling on my grandmother's stoop. The tooth fairy came and brought a 50-cent piece. When I was helping my mother dust one day shortly after that, I discovered a bowl full of 50-cent pieces and quickly deduced that my parents were the tooth fairy, and from there made the leap to Santa Claus. My mother confirmed my suspicions but asked me not to tell my brother.

9. What is the best feeling in the world?

A. Knowing that you are loved is one of the best feelings in the world.

10. What is your favorite color?

A. Blue is my favorite color.

11. Is there a language you would love to learn?

A. I would like to relearn Spanish. I had it in high school, but I have forgotten most of it.

12. How do you feel about reality TV?

A. I don't think reality TV has helped the country much. I watch some of it, but I think it contributes to the dumbing down of the USA.

13. Did you ever skip school when you were a kid?

A. I did skip school when I was in high school. I used to slip out early and miss band class. I was warned if I missed another I would be reprimanded, didn't listen, and received an in-school suspension for it. I don't know if they still do that. Probably not.

14. What is your least favorite food?

A. I will not eat coconut.

15. Do you have a good luck charm?

A. I do not have a good luck charm.

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I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: My Baby Just Cares for Me

Saturday 9: My Baby Just Cares for Me (2016)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) Michael Buble sings that his lover doesn't care much about the theater or new clothes. Which have you done more recently -- attended a play or movie or added to your wardrobe?

A. I bought some clothes last weekend.

2) This song was first performed in 1930, 45 years before Buble was born. What pop song do you love that is far older than you are?

A. Well, 'tis the season, so I'll go with Bing's version of White Christmas.

3) The video for this song features a spinning vinyl record. Do you still have a turntable?

A. We do have a turntable! However, it is not old. It's one we bought about six years ago. It also plays CDs and cassettes.

4) Michael is currently appearing on The Voice. Are you watching this season?

A. Yes, we are watching The Voice.

5) Of all his albums, Michael Buble's Christmas CD is his top seller. Now that we're in the month of November it's time for you to weigh in: When do you think it's appropriate to start playing holiday songs?

A. I think it is appropriate to start playing them the day after Thanksgiving, but I know radio stations around here start playing at the first of the month.

6) He unwinds by fishing, and he's very good at it. Fishing is a sport that requires lots of gear. Is there anyone in your life that has a hobby or passion that makes them easy to shop for?

A. My husband hunts, so sometimes I can come up with something for that, but he generally has everything he needs now.

7) Michael is a good cook and enjoys whipping up spaghetti bolognese. What's on the menu at your home this weekend?

A. We are eating pork loin BBQ sandwiches this weekend.

8) In 2016, when Michael Buble released this song, the United States Postal Service posthumously honored child star Shirley Temple with a postage stamp. Decades after leaving Hollywood, she served as US Ambassador to Ghana. Could you find Ghana on a map or globe?

A. I honestly don't know. I know what continent it's on (Africa), but not sure exactly where.

9) Random question -- You neglected that soft drink and now it's gone flat. Do you drink it anyway or dump it down the drain?

A. I don't drink soft drinks, so moot question, but husband drinks them even if they are flat. I would not if I were still drinking such things.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

Thursday Thirteen

Back in August, I decided to try to get my stamina up by walking more. I have a chronic pain issue that makes things difficult, but I wanted to try to move past it. I could tell I really needed to be up and moving, having let a lot of my physical therapy exercises slide since 2020.

So, I started out on the treadmill and could manage 3 minutes before pain stopped me. I tried listening to music, then to audio books, and managed to get up to about 5 minutes, but the pain was making it difficult to get beyond such a small time on the treadmill. I knew I needed something to watch that (a) kept me deeply engrossed (so I wouldn't mind the pain so much); (b) greatly enjoyed; and (c) had subtitles because the treadmill is loud.

It turns out that Amazon Prime has all the seasons of Xena: Warrior Princess available - with subtitles! And it's free to watch for prime members.

So, I started watching Xena: Warrior Princess. I was a big fan of the show when it aired originally, but it had been over 20 years since I'd seen an episode.

It took me about a week to walk through episodes 1 and 2. And then I found I was up to 10 minutes before the pain had me stopping. So now it took me 4 days to get through a show.

And then I moved it up to 13 minutes. Then 15 minutes. And now I'm up to 20 minutes. I seem stuck there, so it takes me two days to watch one episode of the show, but that's ok. Twenty minutes a day is not bad and hopefully with time I can move it on up. I try but going longer really sets me back so for now it's better to hold on to where I am and occasionally test it to see if I can go a little longer without as much agony. I may never get past 20 minutes but that's 20 minutes I wasn't doing, right?

Anyway, I have always loved the show, and I thought I'd share 13 reasons why I do:

1. It has an empowering female protagonist. Xena, played by Lucy Lawless, is a strong, independent female lead who defies traditional gender roles. She kicks butt in a campy but enthralling way.

2. The show rests on an iconic duo. Every heroine needs a sidekick, and the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor) is the heart of the show. Throughout the series, their relationship is showcased, and it's a deep and evolving friendship.

3. The series masterfully weaves Greek mythology with creative storytelling, featuring gods like Ares, Aphrodite, and Zeus. The first season also throws in some Biblical stories, and I know later seasons explore other religions, like Tao, Hinduism, etc.

4. The show delivers thrilling fight scenes, including Xena’s signature moves like her warrior cry and chakram throws. For some reason, I really like it when she uses her whip to get herself out of bad situations. She has many skills.

5. The show has a great character and story arc that the writers are fairly faithful to. It has moral complexity as Xena journeys from a ruthless warlord to a hero, seeking redemption.

6. The series tackles themes like love, betrayal, forgiveness, and destiny. It also touches on things like, do we have a soul mate, and the dead can hear our thoughts. Interesting ideas to think about. 

7. The show is campy and has lots of humor and wit. It has quirky characters like Joxer or the playful Aphrodite to help offset Xena's sometimes morose point of view.

8. Despite Xena's dark side, the show offers an inspirational message: we call can go on a quest for redemption and do good. Change is possible.

9. The show's a fantasy, with a mix of myth and history blended into it. 

10. It has memorable villains like Callisto, Caesar, and Alti. They are deeply engaging and provide Xena with formidable challenges.

11. The music score is great. It's the only TV show I ever bought the soundtrack to. It still pops up arbitrarily on my computer playlist sometimes. 

12. The storytelling is varied. Episodes range from epic battles to heartfelt character-driven stories, to light-hearted comedies.

13. Xena and Gabrielle travel across diverse landscapes, from Greece to Egypt, encountering new challenges and cultures.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 884th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

You Are Home

The Elephant Won

I have not commented on the November 4, 2024 election, and I'm not going to comment on it now, except to note that Kamala Harris lost. Her opponent took all the swing states and won the election. He won the popular vote by 1.7%, when you combine Harris's numbers with "other" votes, so the winner does not have the mandate he thinks he does. Still, he will claim it. All winners do.

And that's all I have to say about that, except to note that a pile of elephant excrement is a really, really big pile.

My Brilliant Friend - The HBO Series

I recently finished watching the last episode in the 4-season series of My Brilliant Friend.

Based on four books by Elena Ferrante, the series covered the special friendship of two young women from childhood into old age.

The series was filmed in Italian and thus we used subtitles to read the dialogue.

The first year of the series was 2018, I think, and then we had a season of the series drop every other year. It is unfortunate that it was such a long time between seasons because it was easy to forget minor yet important details. 

Additionally, in the last season, the two lead characters, as well as important minor characters, were played by completely different actresses to portray the aging of the girls. They are in the 40s through their 60s in the last season.

The young girls live in rather desolate circumstances in Naples, Italy in the 1950s. Their community is run by a type of mafia, and everyone is wary of these "bosses" and careful not to step on toes. The two young women are intelligent, more so than the other students in their class, and the teacher sees this. Elena is slightly better off financially than her friend Lila, and it is Elena who goes on to university to continue her studies, while Lila does not fare so well.

The series kept me captivated largely because it was an exploration of what it means to be a woman in a man's world. The story is told not through the obvious male gaze but from an objective point of view, which was refreshing. While the women were often viewed as sex objects, it was not the camera viewing them that way (think of a zoom-in on Wonder Woman's breast as a definition of the male gaze) but the men in the show. It was refreshing to see women portrayed as people who are objectified, not as not-quite-people who are always objectified, as women often are in many movies and series.

Elena and Lila have a rather unconventional friendship, one based upon their mutual respect for one another as well as their intelligence. They begin to believe in the power of the written word when one of them acquires a copy of Little Women, translated into Italian. The story buoys them throughout their childhood, with each attempting to overcome circumstances much like Jo March does in that particular book.

I found the series hard to watch at time as the young women were exploited and used by others, and occasionally by one another. I identified strongly with both characters; each seemed at times to be a part of myself - the one who wanted education and to be a writer, the other who ended up in a world she didn't necessarily want but managed to navigate.

The first book in this series did not set well with me when I read it. Perhaps something was lost in the translation, but I found the TV series much more enticing than the book. I did not read the rest of the book series after finding the first one not to my liking. I found the language stilted and pedantic, but it is not that way in the show. Or if it is, it is not as noticeable as it was in the book.

If you have an interest in the relationships of women, then I recommend this series. But it is not a happy series. This is serious drama covering a serious topic that receives little attention as it is.

Forty-one Years Ago

Today is my wedding anniversary. I have been married to the same man for 41 years.

Marriage is not easy. It is hard work, especially when you have two strong-willed and stubborn people living together. I was not and never will be a submissive wife. In fact, I removed that word "obey" from our wedding vows. Love, honor, and cherish only in this marriage. None of that obeying stuff on either party's part.

We both look at each other sometime and say, "Didn't we just get married about three weeks ago?" but there is a lifetime of memories behind those words.

There is the day we met.

The day we wed.

The day we moved into the home we built ourselves, each of us pounding nails.

The day I had the first of many surgeries, almost a month to the day after I went off birth control so we could try for a baby.

The day I finally had a hysterectomy, and the knowledge that the idea of a child was no more.

The days he became a lieutenant and each successive promotion after, until he became a battalion chief for the fire department in the nearby city.

The death of my mother and the death of his father.

The births of our nephews and my niece, and now my grand niece and nephew.

The day he caught his arm in the hay baler and the long recovery from that accident.

The day he had his ankle fused together.

The day he had his hip surgery.

So many days, all of them flying by as we aged, and time moved faster and faster as we acknowledged that our time was growing less with each passing moment.

 Those early jokes we made to one another about being old - now almost a reality (neither of us have dentures, but we have mouth guards).

And here we are, still holding hands when we walk through the store, still kissing in the parking lot, still holding on to each tightly in spite of the bad times and the good.

Still laughing at private jokes, making up silly songs to sing to one another, still learning who the other person is, even after all these years, because people wake anew every day, and you have to learn it all over again.

God love him, he has put up with a lot of crazy from me, with my creative bent leading me down strange paths, from writing to newspapers to editing books and doing other things that make a heart happy and a bank account poor.

Marrying him was the best day of my life. I hope it was the same for him, and I think it was.

Love. It's what the world is all about.

Sunday Stealing

1. When do you feel most authentically yourself?

A. I feel I am myself around my husband, my friends, and when I am writing. I am also myself when I am playing music.

2. What are you thankful for today?

A. Today I am thankful for my husband, who went out to run errands. On Monday, we are celebrating our anniversary.

3. Name a memory you hope you never forget.

A. I hope I never forget the day I married.

4. What are ways you connect with long distant friends?

A. I email them, send instant messages or texts to them, or write a real letter to them. I also occasionally call some of them.

5. How do you reconnect with yourself when you feel lost?

A. I usually go to sleep. After I wake up, I am more myself.

6. What would be your signature drink if you owned a café?

A. The Writer's Block would be an iced coffee, almost a slushie type of drink, with a big ice cube in it and a splash of Irish whisky.

7. What is something you’ve let go of as you've grown older?

A. I have let go of the idea that I have to always be doing something.

8. What are the things you're most likely to lie about?

A. I am most likely to tell white lies. "Does this look good on me?" "Well, of course!" Even if it doesn't. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

9. What’s something you wish you had more time to learn?

A. I wish I had more time to learn how to drive a spaceship away from this planet.

10. List social media trends that puzzle you.

A. All social media trends puzzle me.

11. List local phrases and terms you use often.

A. "Cut off the light," which means to turn off the light. "Fixin' to," which means getting ready to go do something. "Bless your heart," which means either that's sad or not, depending on word emphasis and/or context. And then there's "over yonder" which means, well, over there somewhere.

12. If you could only wear only three colors, what would they be?

A. Black, blue, and purple.

13. What are your favorite books, music, tv, movies, and media this month?

A. This month is only half over, but we have been enjoying West Wing, which we somehow missed the first go-round.

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I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: My Girl

Saturday 9: My Girl (1965)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) Temptations' lead singer David Ruffin sings that he has sunshine on a cloudy day. How does the sky look where you are today?

A. The sky today is partly cloudy. Some blues, some puffy white clouds, and a few dark clouds hang over the tops of the mountains.

2) He maintains that even when it's cold outside, to him it feels like the month of May. What's your favorite month?

A. I'll go with June.

3) In addition to their vocals, The Temptations were known for their stylish suits and choreography. Are you a better dancer or dresser?

A. I am neither a dancer nor a good dresser. 

4) Today, nearly 60 years since its release, "My Girl" is one of the most popular karaoke songs. Do you know the words?

A. I know some of them. "I guess you'd say what could make me feel this way? My girl. Talking 'bout my girl." Some of the lines are coming back to me now. This is not a song I've spent a lot of time learning.

5) The Temptations delighted Mets fans when they performed "My Girl" live at Citi Field during the playoffs last month. The World Series is now over and the 2024 season is on the books. How did your baseball team do?

A. I do not have a baseball team.

6) "My Girl" was written by Ronald White and Smokey Robinson. Smokey grew up with Aretha Franklin, and he's said they played together in the sandbox. When you were little, which playground activity was your favorite: sandbox, jungle gym, swings or slide? 

A. I was not a fan of any of those activities. The jungle gym was for the bigger kids, generally. The swings were always taken, and the slide burned your butt in the hot sun. I don't think we had a sandbox.

7) In 1965, when "My Girl" topped the charts, Winston Churchill died. One of his favorite sayings was, "I am always ready to learn but I do not always like to be taught." What's something you learned recently?

A. I learned about a disease called lipedema when my doctor suggested I have it. She can't actually diagnosis it and apparently neither can anyone else in this end of the state. There is no cure if I have it. Lipedema is an abnormal fat buildup on both sides of your lower body, usually in your legs. But it can also be in your arms. It can cause pain and make daily activities difficult. Lipedema doesn’t respond to diet and exercise like ordinary fat. It is a hereditary disease.

8) British-born comedian Stan Laurel also died in 1965. He's been cited as an influence on Jerry Lewis, Dick Van Dyke and Matt LeBlanc. Without looking it up, do you know who Stan Laurel's famous partner was?

A. Hardy. Laurel and Hardy.

9) Random question: Imagine we Sat 9-ers are taking you to a restaurant for your birthday. Do you find servers who sing "Happy Birthday" cute or annoying?

A. I generally find it annoying, but it only happens once a year, so it's ok if it happens.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

Thursday Thirteen

Here are some commonly used informal words and phrases, often referred to as “non-words.”

Ain't: A contraction for "am not," "is not," "are not," "has not," or "have not."

Gonna: A contraction of "going to."

Wanna: A contraction of "want to."

Y'all: A contraction of "you all," commonly used in Southern American English.

Kinda: A contraction of "kind of."

Sorta: A contraction of "sort of."

Gotta: A contraction of "got to" or "have got to."

Lemme: A contraction of "let me."

Dunno: A contraction of "don't know."

Cuz: A contraction of "because."

Gimme: A contraction of "give me."

Outta: A contraction of "out of."

Ya: An informal version of "you."

A lotta: A contraction of "a lot of."

Shoulda: A contraction of "should have."

These words and phrases are often used in everyday conversation to convey a relaxed and casual tone. However, in formal communication, it's important to use standard language to ensure clarity and maintain a professional style.

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 883rd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Negative Space

I was looking out the window a few moments ago, and I saw a gigantic cat climbing up in a tree. Clearly there was a huge cat head, with a paw playfully heading up the tree, batting at something.

The image was in the negative space between the limbs and remaining leaves, and now that there's been a little wind, it's gone.

Images appear to me all the time, and always have. My grandmother's bathroom had this tile with little squares of different colors on it, and I would bide my time doing my business by finding various items among the squares. Horses, cows, dogs, cars. Whatever my mind made an image of. Sometimes I could find it again, but often times, I could not.

One year, apparently a particularly bad year for me as an elementary school student, I found solace in a dinosaur made from a brush pile along a fence that I saw every afternoon on the school bus. I did not see it in the morning, but each afternoon on that hour-long bus ride, I would stop doing my homework and look for my dinosaur.

The dinosaur was there all year, and it brought me great solace to see it every school day.

The following year, though, I could not find the dinosaur. I wasn't even sure where to look for it, and I never saw it again.

I see dancing horses, gargoyles, and faces in the bathroom mat or in the bathroom tile these days, though they are gone after I blink. They are not really there. I simply have an overactive imagination, one that sometimes comes out through my eyes.

Negative space is an art concept. Sometimes it is called "white space," the area around and between the main subjects of an image. Negative space can significantly impact the visual effectiveness of artwork, photography, and design. Apparently, you can also see images in it when you look at trees.

I use negative space sometimes in my photographs. Landscape photography in particular can convey feelings of solitude when you have a single subject, like a cow or a deer, surrounded by huge fields, my wonderful Blue Ridge Mountains, and a blue sky. Negative space enhances the emotional tone and makes the subject seem more significant given the scale and context of the picture.

Sometimes what is left out can be just as impactful as what is included. Occasionally things left unsaid, left undone, left unseen, have great impact upon our lives, only we may not realize it. Some think these voids must be filled, but they may be better left alone. The truth may be out there, but that doesn't mean it has to be spoken. Rather than rushing to fill silence with words, leaving space for reflection or simply being present can often communicate more than words ever could.

Negative space teaches us to let go of unnecessary distractions and focus on what is essential. Just as I might zoom my camera out instead of taking a close up, we can edit our lives by eliminating what doesn’t serve us—whether it’s physical clutter, excess commitments, or unhelpful habits.

There is beauty in simplicity, balance, and intentionality. What we leave out - the things we don't say or do - can be as meaningful as the things we do say or do. Sometimes the most profound growth comes from the spaces where we allow ourselves to simply be.

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Sunday Stealing

1. Name a hobby you've learned from a friend.

A. When I was in the 4th grade, my mother had taught me how to knit. But I did not keep it up and had forgotten how to do it. My friend T. brought me knitting needles and yarn and patiently showed me how to knit again, as well as crochet. I managed a couple of scarves but that's about it. I simply do not have the patience for it.

2. What are your physical activity preferences?

A. I like to walk.

3. List music you think is essential for everyone to hear.

A. Music that is essential for everyone to hear includes classical music (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart),  Queen, Pink Floyd, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and Taylor Swift.

4. Name something you have to relearn every time you do it.

A. I cannot remember how to pay the Medicare bill online for my husband when it arrives, so I have to relearn it every 3 months.

5. When do you start thinking about holiday season planning?

A. I generally start thinking about it in August. I don't want it all crammed onto one credit card bill.

6. List some quirks & preferences you have about writing letters.

A. The only preference I have for writing letters is that I need to do it on the computer because my handwriting is so bad.

7. If you had to limit your reading to only 3 genres, what would you pick?

A. I would pick fantasy, nonfiction, and mysteries.

8. When joining teams, would you rather lead or follow?

A. I'd rather not be on a team at all. Can I simply sit in the stands?

9. What’s your dream concert, and who would be performing?

A. My dream concert would be a completely private performance, with no one in the audience but me and a few members of family and some friends, with a lineup of Pat Benatar, Heart, Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, Pink, Linda Ronstadt, and Stevie Nicks. (I think I just created a personal feminine festival.)

10. What is the funniest, weirdest, silliest, animal/pet you’ve ever met?

A. I honestly have no answer for this question.

11. How has love changed for you over the years?

A. I think I am more mellow in some respect, but less tolerant and more judgmental in others.

12. Name a book, movie, or song that brings you a sense of peace.

A. I have no idea why this piano song makes me feel peaceful, but it does. I used to fall asleep to it before my husband retired.

 

13. List names you like but which wouldn’t suit you.

A. Buzz, Velvet, Ginger, April, Nicole.

14. What’s a part of yourself you're still working to understand?

A. I am working to understand my very quick temper. Sometimes it scares me, I become angry so quickly these days. My fuse used to not be so short.

15. Name something you love about yourself today.

A. I love that I took the time out of my day to listen to a young woman's fears about the incoming administration.

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I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Saving All My Love for You (1985)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) This was Whitney Houston's first big hit, her introduction to a mass, national audience. But music was not her first career. While she was still in high school, Whitney was a model and Seventeen magazine cover girl. Is there a print magazine in your home right now? If yes, who is on the cover?

A. George Washington is on the cover of the print magazine on the kitchen table.

2) During her modeling days, she also appeared on packaging for Simplicity patterns. Can you sew?

A. I can sew on buttons and occasionally patch things, but no, I cannot sew. My mother used to sew. She made many of my clothes up until she made me something that was so outrageous that the first time I wore it to school, all the kids laughed at me. Then I begged for "store bought" clothing. Or at least less outrageous material. I think it was fabric that she'd gotten on sale somewhere. I don't remember what it looked like, just the laughter.

3) "Saving All My Love for You" was the record that made Whitney Houston a superstar in the UK. Let's flip that: Tell us about a British performer you enjoy listening to.

A. Sir Michael Philip Jagger is the lead singer and founding member of The Rolling Stones.

4) This song was composed by Michael Masser. He left his career as a stockbroker to pursue his passion for music and scored his first major hit with "Touch Me in the Morning" by Diana Ross. Do you feel you have a greater affinity for the analytical/logical or the creative/emotional?

A. I am an English major, and I write stuff, so I suppose I am more attuned to the creative/emotional side of things. However, I can be very logical when necessary.

5) The lyrics were written by Gerald Goffin. He, too, took a circuitous route to music success. After high school he joined the Navy. When that stint was over, he went to college and studied chemistry. He worked in a lab for a while, but that was just to earn a regular paycheck until he could support himself with songwriting. What was your first job after you finished your education? How long did you stay at that job?

A. My education took me 10 years to obtain, as I did not go the traditional college route. I worked the entire time I was in college at various jobs. Several were in manufacturing, many were in the legal profession, and some were in the news writing business. When I finally received my bachelors degree in 1993, I was working at a law firm, and I stayed there for another year. Then I went into freelance writer only, although I had been freelancing since 1984.

6) While this week's song was Whitney's first hit, it wasn't her biggest hit. That was "I Will Always Love You," from the soundtrack of her movie The Bodyguard. "I Will Always Love You" was written and originally recorded by Dolly Parton. The film's star and producer Kevin Costner called Dolly personally to get her permission to use her song, a courtesy she appreciated. Who has recently been thoughtful or kind to you?

A. Several of my friends have been nice to me this week. We've been supporting one another.

7) Whitney was a big fan of tomato soup. So is Barbra Streisand. (Maybe it bestows some kind of musical superpower!) What's your favorite soup for an autumn day like today?

A. I like chicken with rice.

8) 1985 wasn't just big for Whitney. It was also the year Bruce Willis became a household name when his TV series premiered on ABC. Can you name it?

A. I think it was Moonlighting but I never watched it.

9) Random question: While dining out, have you ever sent food back?

A. I have, but I don't recall the circumstances.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

Thursday Thirteen

Here are 13 topics I frequently write about, not necessarily in order:

1. Local life and culture

2. Personal reflections

3. Nature and rural imagery

4. Photography

5. Historical insights

6. Health and wellness

7. Writing and storytelling

8. Literature and book reviews

9. Current events

10. Social issues

11. Personal achievements

12. Relationships

13. Reflections on aging

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 881st time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

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