I Will Punish Myself for my Stupidity

I am so stupid and I will punish myself for my stupidity. I just paid a hefty amount to a resort that makes tons of money. I was at fault, for a leaky toilet that caused damage to their ceiling. Even though I called a plumber to have the toilet fixed, water was still dripping and the resort told me that I must pay for the damage to their condo. The BIG shots always conquer. It's their world.

More money down the drain. Oh well, the LOVE of money is the root of all evil so let the privileged people enjoy their possessions and wealth. I will continue to be a "very unimportant person" and I will punish myself for my stupidity of not fixing the toilet quick enough. It's my fault and I will punish myself for a very long time for my stupidity. 

MOMENTS OF PUNISHMENT ARE WELL DESERVED!

Luck of the Delicious Michigan Mint Chocolates

Here in Michigan where I currently live there's a husband & wife team that own a chocolate company called Hanover's. They make delicious mint filled milk and dark chocolates imprinted with the state of Michigan map on them. I've known about these wonderful chocolates since I was in college but it wasn't until the past year that I started buying these chocolates when I started seeing how popular they're in northern Michigan.

The other day I was in a shop in Northport and they had a huge glass bowl of Hanover's chocolates which are now available in cherry   flavors in addition to the mint flavors. Of course I bought a handful of them and ate the of them by the next afternoon.

I love lucky days, like yesterday. I wanted more of those Michigan Mint Chocolates. Turns out that I had the privilege of spending part of the day with my Mother and on my way to visit her, I stopped at a shop in downtown Traverse City to get a treat and when  I walked over to the register, there sitting on the counter was a package of my beloved  Hanover's Michigan Mint Dark Chocolates.  It was the last package in the entire store and the package of 9 chocolates was reduced to only $2.00. Now that's what I call a stroke of good luck.

Isn't it terrific to have a treat on hand to brighten your day?  How about fresh picked blueberries, chocolate covered strawberries or an ice cream cone?  Maybe a slice of pizza? A buttery flakey croissant or a piece of decadent cake? Thank goodness for the pleasures of food to get us through the stressful times of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Today, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to something you really like to eat and enjoy moments of indulgence.

                       Treat yourself to something you like eating and enjoy moments of indulgence!

Death can Come at Any Time

Yesterday, I got unpleasant news from my brother that our cousin was found dead by his sister at his home. I was shocked beyond belief to hear this devastating news. Although my cousin and I didn't keep in touch these past few years I was always fond of hime. He was down to earth, intelligent, wise, and had the best sense of humor of anyone I ever knew.

RIP

Life is fragile, we don't know when our last breath will take place. I will always remember my cousin as a person who could brighten any room he walked into. He had the gift of putting a smile on people's facing, including my brother who rarely smiles. In fact my cousin and I joked often about how he really was the only person that could make my brother show his teeth and make him laugh.

Enjoy every moment of life. We're only here on this earth for a certain time and than we must die. Death is something we must all face someday, so appreciate the gifts of life.

BLESSINGS OF PRECIOUS MOMENTS TO ALL!

A Year of Anxiety (THIS TOO, SHALL PASS)

With the exception of the terrorist attacks in 2001, I can't recall a more darker side of life than in 2020. I can't even read the news anymore because my stress level rises to the top. This year is much different than any I've witnessed and it's only half over.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

1)  COVID 19, millions of cases around the globe

2)  SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES

2)  HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES

3)  RIOTS

4)  HOT WEATHER, HIGH TEMPERATURES

5)  COIN SHORTAGES

6)  DEATH OF MANY INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE

7)  HAVING TO WEAR MASKS

8)  RISING SUICIDE RATES

9)  MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

10) LONELINESS

Regardless of what's happening there are still plenty of people who are living charmed lives. I can see it right in my community BUT for every person whose living a life of good times, another is dealing with bad times. I don't understand how an essential worker must continue to work hard for the same wage before the coronavirus outbreak, putting their life at risk while another is getting weeks of unemployment. Why is one person blessed with perfect health and wealth while another struggles with health issues and lack of funds? Why does one person have trust worthy friends while another is constantly being used by so called friends? If only everyone could have a piece of the world's wealth so that they can at least meet the basic needs of life necessities.

Unfortunately, I don't have the power to change the world but I'm learning that NOW more than ever we need each other to lean on. We need to help and support one another and try to do acts of kindness. If we can just do that, it would melt away so many stresses of what's going on in our country and across the globe. Although this is a year of anxiety for many people on the earth, the good news is that "This Too, Shall Pass." I BELIEVE good times will return again someday.

Oatmeal Cookies under a Shaded Tree in NORTHPORT

Yesterday, I took an amazing day trip to gorgeous NORTHPORT.This village on Lake Michigan is a gem in the summer when everything is green and lush. Time stands still here and yet there's plenty to do; bicycling, boating, cultural activities, hiking, picnicking, shopping, swimming, and tennis. There's a state park with camping sites and a lighthouse a few miles away and some farms too.

Although it was HOT yesterday I enjoyed every moment I had in this idyllic village with its lakes, ponds, streams, and waterfalls. Oh, how I longed to lay in a hammock under a tree, or sit on somebody's wraparound porch and drink some ice tea, but that wasn't possible.
However as luck would have it I did get to visit my favorite market for fruits, vegetables, and the best cookies around. The place is called"Bells of Christmas" and no matter what time of year you visit there's a feeling of "being home" here.

I bought a bag of the homemade oatmeal raisin cookies (the best ever) and asked the owner if I could sit near the garden. "Yes, and take your time," he replied. I took my time alright. For one hour I sat under a shaded tree in an Adirondack chair and ate one oatmeal cookie after another until there was only one left. What a treat. So in love with those cookies was I that I went back into the store to buy more. There were chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate chip, molasses , and oatmeal raisin.
Guess which ones I picked?

In the summer there's nothing more peaceful than sitting under a tree on a peaceful farm and taking in the serenity of nature. It's even better with some cookies. Enjoy yourself this summer, buy some cookies or make your own and have a little picnic under the shaded trees. JULY, the highlight month of summer.

                                  ENJOY YOUR SUMMER DAYS IN JULY AND BEYOND!

OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES ARE EASY TO MAKE;WITH ONLY 9 SIMPLE INGREDIENTS
IF YOU'RE A VEGAN REPLACE THE BUTTER WITH OIL, AND USE 1/4 CUP OF APPLESAUCE IN PLACE OF THE EGGS.

BAKIGN SODA
BUTTER
BROWN SUGAR
EGGS
FLOUR
QUICK OATS
RAISINS
SPICES
PURE VANILLA EXTRACT

The Worst of Times may be here but GRATITUDE is still important!

How are you fairing during these strange times? Some countries like Canada, Jordan, and Norway seem to be doing quite well compared to the United States during the coronavirus pandemic. There are some American's that are hardly affected by the current crisis, they have their elaborate homes, plenty of food, and their high income is still going strong. Maybe they can't have a large party gathering at their home, or take an annual vacation to countries like Bermuda, Italy, Greece, Peru, South Africa, or Tahiti (to name a few). This of course is disappointing to them but not as disappointing as those that really are suffering. There are the poor souls that are homeless, starving, or dying from COVID-19.

GRATUTDE is what to strive for during these uncertain times because no matter how tough times are there's something to be thankful for. I have a few examples below.

I'm thankful for the air I breathe.
I'm thankful for my senses.
I'm thankful for the sun.
I'm thankful for family and friends.
I'm thankful for a bed to sleep on.
I'm thankful for the birds and the trees.
I'm thankful for shelter.
I'm thankful for food.
I'm thankful that I can walk.

DO YOU HAVE THINGS TO BE GRATEFUL FOR?


It's amazing how in one given day I hear about a single parent starving themselves on very limited income so they can feed their child. This parent is full of humility and grateful that they have a child and they go beyond and above to provide for that only child so that the child doesn't go hungry. On the other side of the coin is an entitled couple who walks around with their heads up high. They have high paying jobs during the pandemic,, healthy children, and own three properties, yet they have no consideration of others.They have loud barbecues on the complex, play different outdoor games and their spoiled children scream throughout the day and demand that they want this and that right now.  This family can make noise, and disturb others on the property but if anybody else makes a slight noise in the condo complex this couple will reprimand them for making noise. Time for some ego deflation folks. It's not fair that you have it so good.

Yes, life isn't fair. The world will always have their HAVE'S and HAVE NOT'S. It's a mystery why one  person lives a rather charmed life while another has tragedy and setbacks consistently. There's no answer to this puzzle. People say "life is what you make it." but it's funny that this statement often comes from those that have it pretty darn good.

It doesn't matter how hard one works. I was a devoted employee at my company, rarely requesting time off and always showing up and going beyond my call of duty. Others took extended vacations, refused to work certain days, and slacked off on the job and they're the ones who got the glorious appreciation from management and they're getting their unemployment benefits without a hitch while mine has been on stop payment for weeks.

I haven't been able to enjoy my car because my supposed boyfriend is always driving it. He leaves me stranded and claims that since I have asthma I shouldn't be around people due to the spreading of coronavirus. How ridiculous. Instead I've been relying on the bus and my bicycle to get me around and now I have an aching STYE in my good eye which has been painful and bothersome for five days. I'm tiered of being unemployed especially with no income.

Well, everything happens for a reason. I think SETBACKS are good. In fact I think every human being should have setbacks because we need more humble people in this world and less entitled people. If only there were more people with HUMILITY on this earth. LIFE is a roller coaster of up's and down's so those that are riding high, enjoy because what goes up must come down. That's just how life works for everyone, even multi millionaires.

WISHING EVERYONE ALL THE BEST DURING THESE BIZARRE TIMES! I personally think it's an awful time in life and that the only healing thing is NATURE. THANK GOD for NATURE.

I want to be like the birds who roam freely and enjoy MOTHER EARTH. They don't worry too much about where they'll find food and shelter and GOD takes care of them.

No matter if it's the best of times or the worst of times, there's always something to be thankful for.GRATITUDE is so important right now. GRATITUDE, GRATITUDE, GRATITUDE  Ignore the entitled and selfish folks and focus on the good in life. I BELIEVE that some day those that have little will be given more and those that have too much and boast will be given less.

HUJBLE YOURSELF AND YOU'LL BE EXALTED; EXALT YOURSELF AND YOU'LL BE
HUBLED! THE LORD LOVES HUMBLE PEOPLE!