KateThoughts

New Year's Day and I'm baaaacck! sort of...

This one will be short, though. The golf course is calling to me.

Laura commented about her blogging friends fading away; a food blogger I read (Simply Cooking) has recomitted to hers...and it seems that things are coming together to move me forward in this area, too.

HOWEVER...  :)
The disc golf course is calling. It's noon already and the days are short. Time to get out there. Especially since I have not done much moving in the last week.

So, for now, I'll just say a couple of things, just in case any of you old readers still check in now & then.

I'm getting physical in my old age. :)
Can't say what's driven it, exactly, but I do know that I LOVE to eat, and I can't keep doing that (and live) if I don't move my butt.
Back in the summer, Jim told me about Lance Armstrong's site, and a special feature there called My Plate. (I don't care much for the separate Men/Women portals, but it seems to make little difference.) The KEY is that I can track what I eat and what I DO. For a couple of months, I just tracked food. Then I finally put in a weight goal and am really succeeding!

It's very satisfying to me... and I rarely miss a day. Missed a couple over the holidays, or was incomplete...but basically I have a new healthy habit! But this new consciousness about food has become quite a happy event, and is so TOTALLY different from any other approach to food control I've tried in the past.

I've also joined a hiking group called the Trail Snails. I hike with them on Wednesdays when they do a 3-5 miles 'easy' hike. On Mondays, they go for about twice as far... and usually much more difficult terrain. I'll be ready for that one come this summer! there are tons of pictures from these excursions, as you might imagine, and I'm sure some will show up here.

And my good friend, (and tai chi teacher) Jim, has introduced me to disc golf. I'm hooked. It's a lot of fun! and burns some good calories. 

Music is still a big part of my life. This winter I got (briefly) into Karaoke and have a lot of fun singing harmony with my friend, Ile. I'll post some pictures later on.
I've been on hiatus from the bass, too; but am still finding cool things to play. I'll be exploring a music editing program, too so I can be my own one-woman band. Stay tuned!

That's it for today. See you soon.

 

 

If it's not one thing...

Hello. I'm still here.     : )

I have some more photos and other cool things to tell you, AND
we're still having computer problems.

The (other) new one will be here in about a week and then I'll begin to catch up with myself and all of you. Until then...
Have a great day, unless you have other plans.

 

A general FYI and a note about upcoming stuff

I'm still on a pet-job and haven't been on my own computer in a week. And on Monday, we leave on our road trip to Florida. We'll be gone at least 3 weeks, I think. Dates are tentative, return a sure thing but unscheduled.

I'm WAY far behind on my Google Reader subscriptions, so if you're counting me among the missing, just know that I will be back one day...  : )  (Wanna meet me on the beach?)

Now, just in case any of you followed some of my links to posts by Laura regarding her work on death & dying...OR...if you are interested in that subject for any reason, I want to point you that way again.

Her blog site is here.

Some of her latest ideas are in this particular blog post.

Without going on too much, I will tell you that Laura was my business coach for awhile, and we bacame good friends after that. She has excellent credentials for her next steps - which seem likely to be workshops on the themes of conscious living, and on conscious death & dying - both for oneself, posssibly, and certainly for living through this process for those you love.

I've gotta go; the dogs are ready for their walk, and they mean NOW! But I wanted to do this in case I don't get back here for a few days.

TTFN
and May all be well with you.

Movin' on... as we do.

Michael's still gone; and Nancy is now in Florida. And life goes on. as it should.

Laura is doing well, as near as I can tell, and that's right, too. She did a prodigious amount of work to be as ready as possible to say goodbye to him.

Now it is time for other things. I can happily say that I am currently distracted by some wonderful bloggers and by the advent of a Ball - a virtual Ball, complete with Black Tie and dancing. I'm off to shop to see if I can find something wonderful to wear. I can't wait! Though getting ready in just two days will be a real challenge.

I learned of this from a terrific blogger named Ruth, who blogs at Synch-ro-ni-zing. You might enjoy her, too.  It is hosted by Willow of Life at Willow Manor. At the moment, I'm gate-crashing, but I hope to stop in at WM and let him know if I can make it. Do join me; it sounds like fun!

Creative People: Geniuses or Mad Women/Men?

I recently read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I recommend it, and I will keep it on the shelf forever. But that is a not the subject for today.

In the last few months I've discovered several bloggers new to me, and found that a surprising number of you are writers, poets, illustrators, gardeners, cooks, and other kinds of creative folk. You have become real blessings to me and often inspire laughter or tears, or provocative thought, and always wonder that we came together in this www. I've come to think differently, sometimes, about what I write here simply because you're out there. (in that regard I have some work to do in the 'get-over-myself' category.)  : )

First, thank you very much. I am somewhat different, and think and create more broadly because of you.

Secondly, I want to share this video with you. It is Elizabeth Gilbert speaking before a group at the TED Talks seminars.

I hope you enjoy it, as I did.
Smiles and blessings to each of you - now and always.

AAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHH! follow/notfollow/whichfollow

I LOVE to find comments on my blog posts. I am TRULY delighted when conversations begin, and when commenting leads to virtual relationships and shared things: ideas, laughs, dreams, troubles, and trials.

My current angst (if I may give it such a grand name) is with the widgets and links that cause/allow following. First, I find that there are many ways: Google Reader, Blogger widgets, and all of those things with 'feed' in their titles like Feedburner and Feedblitz, etc.

the rest of this may be more than you care to know, but it clarifies things for me...

I've recently learned that where you sign up determines what gets linked; not necessarily the info you insert into available fields.

Here's what I think I now know:
If the URL of a blog or photo-stream or 'whatever' that you want to read on a regular basis has a little orange square w/two white curves and a white dot in it, you can follow it. But HOW you choose to do so determines what stuff of yours gets linked to the blogs you would then be following.

I blog on TypePad. I've been following several blogs. I use Google Reader, and I found THAT (if memory serves) on a Mozilla homepage. Doesn't matter, it's easy to find: just Google it.   : )
(I would make this link 'hot' for you, but, since I am signed in to Google, I only get my own version of the reader.)
Near the top of the GR, just under the heading is an 'Add' field marked by a blue rectangle with  white cross or plus sign. I just click there, then copy & paste the URL of the blog or feed or photo-stream I want to 'follow'. It works like a little charm. And is how I have been following my favorite bloggers, including you.

If you use Blogger.com and follow your friends thru the Blogger site, you will find yourself on the Blogger dashboard in a place called Reading List. In the bottom right of that field is a hot link that says, "view in Google Reader". Yes, the very SAME Google Reader.

That is the place to go, I think, to 'follow' those folks who won't load a Follow Button or who, like me, have very old defunct blogs (0n Blogger), but now post on other services. Like me.

So, very briefly, I put up a follow widget on my TypePad blog. Google 'sneaked' in somehow, and linked that widget to my old - no longer active Blogger blog of the same name: Katethoughts. and a few of you have tried to use it. You've ended up in 2008, hearing a voice that once was mine and still bears a strong resemblance to my current voice. I'm just a couple of years down the road from there. One of you even ended up on Omnicrone Speaks. How surprised you must have been. That sort of stuff is a category on this blog, but I don't post specifically to it very often.

And those of you (four) who can now see my avatar among their newest followers are being shunted to a blog that will never have a new post. Feel free to read there if you wish. I left it there because you can never really delete anything on the 'www', and because my big E ego thinks all that rambling might have value - if only to me. 

I'm going to copy this post over there on Blogger if I can figure out how to do so, and I will post the link to my current blog - THIS one. I guess that means there will be ONE new post.  : >)

I hope I haven't made you too crazy; I hope you find me; I hope you keep reading and commenting. There just won't be a widget or a little place to see your Avatar on this blog. When/if I figure out something else, I'll let you know. 

ttfn

no more button just now...

No following just now. I haven't found a way to get around the fact that the 'follow' widget links to an old blog, not to this one. It will go back up, perhaps, when I figure that out.

Meanwhile, for those with an opinion:

During the brief time that I had the widget up, I used it to "follow" four others. Once done, I saw those blogs in my Google Reader feed, in the same place where I was these blogs before the widget. They just had a little sub-heading.
If a 'reader' is how you see those you follow, look in that place for a box that says something like 'add a subscription'. There is one in the GR and it allows me to copy & paste a URL into the box and begin a different version of following.

Until resolution or abandonment of that issue, I'll be reading you there.

Off to Tai Chi and then a walk with a friend. Adios.

Following~Followers .... OH NO!

Those two words are funny looking to me right now.

OK, I have given up and given in. Hence the new 'Follow' button up there in the sidebar. After doing that, I promptly went to my Google Reader and clicked on a few of the blogs I read regularly, and clicked to "Follow" about 4 of them.

And one who wanted the button in the first place has already tried to 'Follow', and it didn't work, AND none of the ones I signed up to follow show up in the stats. Joel tried to - I was sitting right beside her - and it looked as though it worked on her computer...but, no...not on mine.

It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out tomorrow. Perhaps the blogging services just need to 'sleep on it'.

LOL  

I went investigating: All of this follow stuff is linking to a VERY OLD blog that I began on Blogger.com.

That never occurred to me. Sheesh. Groan. Sigh. ...exhale.

well...I've been thinking about going back to blogger since I can be there for free. But what a PIA!!!
So you four I'm trying to follow...if you end up on a Blogger blog called KateThoughts, it's still me, just WAY out of date.

stay tuned for new developments.

Catching Up with 'fates', 'what-ifs', 'as-it-is', etc....and why I've been gone...

I've been off this site a few days playing with my guitar - and I mean that in every fun way possible. Such wonderful play. For those who don't know yet, I am learning/re-learning to play bass; this time an acoustic one that also accepts an amplifier...for my future concerts, I suppose!   : )

I call it a chass, though, (pronounced chase, to rhyme) because I had a cello foot added to it. The bass is BIG and it was tricky to hold in front of my buddha belly, and because my wrists are happier this way, too. And because it's quirky and different.

Here it is in all its glory:

You can see the foot in its retracted position.

I've just fallen in love with it. Years ago - almost 30! - I played an electric bass with a local (and very bad) bluegrass band who mostly played for fun at each others' parties. That was usually a two-note oompa kind of thing. Took very little skill and was much fun, too, though not the same fun I'm having now.

This time, I'm really learning, starting (and continuing) with scales and various exercises and working with a great teacher once a week. Most of his students are 6-string players, as is he, so I'm learning bass parts to things from their repertoires in preparation for a' recital' at a local tavern. I use the term recital very loosely here.

And I learned "When I'm 64" by the Beatles". I had to work quickly on that; I have only one more year before I'm too old to sing it - or have to change the number. How about 'When I'm 94'?! Just now, I'm polishing up Blackbird also by the Beatles.

***********************

But, back to the point of this post.

The oldest post in this particular stream is "...What-ifs". In that one I began to touch on some of the ideas I'm exploring and implementing in my life right now. Some of the comments on that post inspired the next one: "Continuing ..." and really dealt with semantics and perhaps a tiny bit of expansion of the ideas expressed before. More comments and some great support on that post then prompted "IF the fates...", and in a comment there Ruth asked about my background and a bit of the story of how I came to think like this.

First, let me say that conversation like this is the true beauty and glory of blogging and why I may never stop it. Yes, there is some ego stroking involved; but even more than that, the comments make me think and require that I be as clear as possible.

I gave Ruth some very brief answers in an email, but I will expand here a little more.

But I want to acknowledge my reticence about all of this, especially the discussing of it in this more or less public format. You'll understand that when I tell you that I grew up in a middle class family in Texas, the oldest child of a divorced woman in an era when that was rare. We were fundamental evangelical Christians before those terms were widely applied to us, and I was completely immersed in the Church; to the extent that I taught Sunday School and participated in one 'foreign' mission just after high school. That mission was to Liverpool, England and was the beginning of my questioning. A year after that, I went to a Christian college. Interestingly enough I began to explore freedom there. Another whole story, and not for right now.  

To this day, most of my biological family still hold those beliefs and are very active in their participation. Some are quite likely to consider that I have fallen away from the church and are likely to consider that I am some major sinner. But then, by their lights, we are all sinners and only have a possibility of being anything else by virtue of Jesus's sacrifice.  (I could riff off on that topic, too, but won't do so here and now.)

My family is wonderful. They are loving and generous. They just think I'm wrong. They hope I will 'come back' to the fold.
It threw a few of them for a loop when I realized I was gay, and married my wife over 16 years ago. But they are nothing, if not civil. They treat us well, love us as they can, and never turn a cold shoulder. I am very proud of my heritage. I just don't agree with them. In my family this kind of difference of opinion seems to close conversation rather than opening one.

Most of them, I think, do not know of this blog. I do know that in the past, my sister has read this. She never comments on it, and only once sent an email to me about some particular post, and that was to reach out and reassure me during a period of the glooms in my life.
I would not willingly hurt them, though I know that I have done so in the past, and that some may feel hurt by what they think about my current religious condition.

Wow, that was a much longer ramble than I intended, but I will leave it. Susan, if you're reading...well, I love you. Comment or email if you will.

Over the next forty years I explored several traditional religions, was an active Episcopalian for a number of years, was introduced to New Age thought, rejected it, came back, learned a lot about myself through various therapies including a 12-step program and several psychologists. I'm still learning. I knew, and know, a lot about what I 'should' be and do, and for decades I KNEW that I was not worthy of ...much of anything. I have always felt a very strong pull toward god, and would have joined a convent if I could have. These days I would still join one, if it weren't Christian. A contemplative life would suit me very well. (Though, I suppose that The Singing Nun has already been done.)

The thoughts and ideas that work for me now are the ones that I have found to be consistent across all of the religions/spiritual ideas that I have explored: those ideas that I am a piece of God; that I can co-create my life and its conditions by my thoughts, intentions, and energy; that I am not separate from - or different from - god, or you, or the air, or that rock over there. And most especially, right now, the idea that my thoughts, words, and actions do in fact manifest in my life constantly and consistently when I align my vibrational energy to that Stream of energy we often call God. (But could as easily and accurately call Source, Divine Mind, Cosmic Consciousness or ...whatever.)

Right now, the voice speaking to me most clearly is that of Abraham, a group of non-physical beings who speak through a woman named Esther Hicks.

There is a daily quote that appears in the top left sidebar that comes from their website and they are all over the place. Many people post their material; Esther is the one in the black pantsuit. The material is Law of Attraction. It is NOT 'The Secret'. The material from the book/DVD known as The Secret turned me off completely for several reasons. Though Esther and Jerry Hicks were part of the original film, they withdrew when circumstances of the agreements changed. If you are interested in that, you can hear Esther and Jerry comment here. I think that this may be some of the deleted scenes to which they refer. There are many postings to YouTube, including those who want to judge this material as being 'of the devil'...whatever that may mean.

Some people call what happens with Esther 'channeling'. She does not. Nor do I have an opinion about that. I don't care what it is. For me, what it is is Truth. It gives me goosebumps and makes me joyful in ways that my family church did not. It is eliminating my need to judge others, and beginning to relieve many stresses in my life. It's working for me. That is all that really matters to me. I feel closer to god - all the time. And I don't really care whether it resonates for you or not. I believe that each individual is quite capable of choosing their own spiritual path and that none of them are wrong. Most importantly to me, this current path is allowing me to deal with self-esteem issues that have endured for decades. I feel now that I am actually worthy of a complete and close relationship with that energy commonly called God. I don't know her/his/its name (though I'd still like to know). I don't use the God word usually because so many make assumptions about what I mean. And I no longer consider myself a Christian. I'm just me. One with all things.

You know...this has gone on much longer than I intended, and in looking for these links for you, I find I want to take a break and listen to Abraham some more. They are right here ....

see you later.

eeeekkk..... will I leave the Facebook button checked?...........what a coward I have remained...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MILLIE!!

Good Morning, Millie.

I’m part of the traditional Ronni conspiracy to send you lots of greetings on this glorious day.
Up here in the mountains it’s just past sunrise; the light is gorgeous.
I hope the day is lovely where you are.
May it be chock full of love and family and friends.

 

This is my favorite birthday greeting. I hope you enjoy it. Turn your speakers UP!

I must write, mustn't I?

Riffing off of my own (mild) guilt about the frequency of my posts, and inspired by Friko's terrific post, I show up here today.

It is only to say, though, that I am still not really here... 

Ruth, I am thrilled by your comments and questions and absolutely intend to answer them, it's just that...

I'VE GOT THE MUSIC IN ME!!!!

I've been learning and playing an acoustic bass guitar over the last few months and now I can actually play a few things. I'm so excited about it, I can hardly stand myself.  And I can't stop right now, even for you. I have a great teacher named Tradd who comes weekly. I've discovered TONS of terrifically helpful videos on YouTube from musicians who play as I do, or even professionally, and who post fingerings and lessons and great stuff I can play with.  (...'with which I can play' does not fit my image of the usual bass player. )

So, for my faithful readers (no, you won't see the 'Follow' widget here), please bear with me a little longer. I'll be back.

A rambling game of "What If"

When I fell into retirement eight years ago (age 58), I didn’t know that it was happening. I thought I was taking some time off to finish some schooling and then begin a new career. The time from then to now has been a bit of a ramble: fits and starts, exploration and insploration, all of it interesting, some of it hard, all of it …transformative.

If, or when, I thought about retirement at all, it was first a desire to escape the corporate madness and then to go more slooowwwwwly.

Now I find there are not enough hours in the day for all I’m drawn to do. Sometimes I follow where my impulses lead me; sometimes I stick to the game plan. And now I’m coming to like both, judge neither, and be wherever I am in the moment.

This morning, I was wandering some blogs I read regularly and came across this post at Synch-ro-ni-zing that made me think. Ruth often does. She doesn’t know me yet, because I’ve been lurking there and haven’t commented yet. She mentioned another blog post that I fully intended to go read…but when I found a comment from the writer in question I was compelled to click over to her post immediately. Lovely You writes at The Good In You. So now I’m lurking in the background of two blogs fairly new to me and find that I am now compelled to work on some thoughts I’ve been having for awhile now…

First: Thanks Ruth and Lovely You for today’s inspiration; for the crystal clarity of your written words; and for the beauty of those parts you allow us to see.

So, on to the game of What If.

My journey has brought me to this place today where I consider that All Is Well. I consider that the thought might be actually and literally true.
The trail to that conclusion goes something like this:

·        What if there really is only one god? An energy that pervades and is all, and is in me, too? (and in you, and in that rock, and in weather, etc…)?

·        What if God is good – only good? And those things that look bad to me are only indications of a separation from that energy – and not really real, since god is everything and All is Well?

·        What if the circumstances a/o events in the world that seem not good, are only illusions manifested as contrast so that I can learn from them about how to stay connected to the only one good god?

·        What if it is true that thoughts and words and focus have energy of their own?

·        What if those things to which I give my attention get bigger or more intense?

·        What if I can change my personal world by where, how, and upon what I focus my attention and my intention?

·        What if the collective we can change the entire physical world by where, how, and upon what we focus our attention and our intention?

And here are a few observations about the world ‘as it is’.
We are being fed a completely disproportionate amount of bad news thru various media: TV news and pharmaceutical and insurance ads, preachers, peers, etc. Where are the stories of the everyday lives and loves of US?  We are being led strongly into fear by these same groups who want to sell us things, or save us; who want us to feel powerless to change anything without relying on them or their products.
In my little world, my own experimentation has proven to me that I can affect the quality of my life by shifting my focus to the positive; and by seeing all people and things and circumstances as they really exist in the mind of god - as perfect.

By creating and holding this vision, I do transform myself and my environment. It seems a clear and compelling vision that can, and does, really impact the whole planet.  And to see the world ‘as it is’ in the news, for example, is to add to the energy that maintains the suffering we think is real.

For example: (and I wouldn’t, in other circumstance than this blog, even bring up this subject)
The Gulf oil spill. I am not able to go there and walk the beaches and actually make physical changes in what is happening there. Nor do I have the energy to stay here and collect hair or hay and send it for the reclamation efforts.
For me to then hold it in my mind, and brood on it, or see it as disaster, or feel grief, or lament out loud about the whys and wherefores only serves to feed more energy into the thing itself. To listen to the countless hours of such lamenting on ‘news’ programs does the same thing.

I think it is my purpose to see a bigger picture: to see a planet that has taken care of itself for millennia, and will survive and thrive. I think I must watch my words and my mind and heart to transform all of them to positive loving things that uplift. To be sad or angry about things I am totally unable to affect is to add energy to them and does not transform;

There is a phrase in one of the comments, “My heart is now likely to break, from fullness though, not from sadness.”; and I would suggest that just changing from ‘likely to break’ to ‘overflowing with’ might transform the hearts involved, including mine.

I’m new (in some ways) to thoughts like these. I’m sure they will evolve as I continue to explore. And the evidence in my own life suggests that I’m on the right track – at least for me – at least for now.

I found this poem in the sidebar of Ruth’s blog:
THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
— Wendell Berry  

More on my love/hate relationship with computers...

Today I'm typing from a friend's computer while on a short pet-sitting job. She uses AOL to get to the 'net', and I don't like it!
So I'll learn patience and flexibility. Cool...

This job is just for two days or I would have brought my own - but then, that's not such a great deal either. It's approaching the time to purchase another one, but I confess that it rankles just a bit.
And the rankling rankles! This 'going with the flow' stuff is tricky to navigate.

I was just reminded (Thanks, Marcia) about the interesting people one can meet thru blogging and other social networks by my recent discovery of this terrific blog: Well Aged with Some Marbling.
Marcia is funny and insightful and writes well. You might enjoy it, too.
But in using AOL, with which I am very unfamiliar, in trying to link with her and respond to her - I found myself really missing the Tabs available in other browsers. I'm sure there is a way to open Firefox or something, but I hesitate to mess too much with someone else's computer.

I've also been exploring the channeled works of Abraham, a collection of 'beings in non-human form' who manifest in this plane though a woman named Esther. Excerpts are now appearing up top in the left sidebar on this blog.
I must say, I have no strong feeling one way or the other about 'channeling'. I used to poo-poo it; there was probably a time when I would have considered it charlatanism or down-right evil. What moves me in the words of Abraham are my feelings of complete rightness in what I'm hearing. You'll have to decide for yourself, both whether to look or not - to allow or not.

I have found that I can not ignore what I'm hearing. For a very long time I've held the belief (with many others) that our thoughts and words have energy of their own, and I work consistently to make my thoughts & language intentional. Abraham teaches that, too. Basically, they teach the Law of Attraction - though when that came to me in the form of The Secret, I could not run fast enough in another direction. Funny, this mind of mine.  Because here I am now, caught hook line and sinker and enjoying the ride immensely. I'll be speaking of it more in the future, I'm sure.

So, back to computers and rankling... I'm torn between just buying one, and the frustration of knowing that it, too, will succumbto obsolescence and short-term memory problems some time in a future nearer than I think appropriate.  ...sigh...  According to Abraham, if I stay in the flow and focus on what I want, the right computer will appear at the right time, at the right price, and will be perfect in every way.

As in all things - UP UNTIL NOW - my skeptical mind is OK with the theory, but the faith is has been harder to come by. Practice, practice, practice...

Which calls Jim to mind. My T'ai Chi teacher and friend. though I have been taking his classes for several years now, and even leading the class now & then when he must be away, I have yet to create a consistent daily practice - of T'ai Chi or any other discipline. To Jim, that's laziness. And to me, too, really. I don't want to hear that, though. (I'm thinking of you, too, Laura.)   :)

On Wednesday, I start a new pet-sitting job that will last 6 weeks. Forty-two days seems like a good length of time for starting a new habit, refocusing my mind, and creating a daily practice. I'm making a commitment to myself to do that, and I'll tell you here how it's going from time to time.

It will include T'ai Chi, my bass, and a daily workshop as described by Abraham. It may or may not include meditation.
So, what might be different this time? We'll see...

TTFN...

A Thought on Aging

The thought of the day from my homepage: "Refdesk" is

"It is always self-defeating to pretend to the style of a generation younger than your own; it simply erases your own experience in history." - Renata Adler

Testing post-by-email

I'm at windstream emailing a post to see how this feature of Typepad works Also attaching a photo.

Wow!
That was almost instantaneous!!! The photo was handled automatically, too.
I call this one 'shadow shot'; from left to right: folding camp chair, me, Schatz.

Labor Day: not laboring, just thinking

After doing a few online chores and being VERY grateful that the rain is saving me (once again) from the pig-pen chore, I went bouncing around a few of the blogs I read.

Looks like I may need a new list.

Yes, many Americans are having a tough time. Some stories can be quite disheartening, and some of them are not so far from home.

But, tell me, please, what does all this complaining accomplish?

At this blog - KateThoughts - we hold a more positive point of view, and a much broader one. It's all about perspective. Everything is always about perspective.
Perspective and attraction. And no, I'm not fond of The Secret. But I do thoroughly believe that my thoughts, words, and actions have energy & power. Where I place my focus gets BIGGER. If I consistently focus on pain, it hurts MORE, not less. And if I spend my energy complaining of the economy, it will continue to cause struggle for me.

So, 'woe is me/us' posts don't stay on my screen very long. The one thing they accomplish for me is to switch me over into grateful thoughts, almost instantly. 

It seems very important to me - especially in times like these - that we look for the things about which we can be grateful. And about the ways we can lift up those around us who might enjoy a little 'light'. Not everyone we know will want to step out of the complaining/whining stuff. Many don't even know there can be an option. 

So, on this Labor Day, I am grateful for:

• Retirement (thanks Mom & DM)
• Tremendous opportunities to be helpful financially & energetically
• Horizons - and the pet job that brings me to the countryside
• Summer rain showers
• Computers and telephones
• and Awareness:
  that there is so much to be grateful for
  that thoughts have energy
  that tough times can bring insight & inspiration
  that how I 'take' things is a choice I make - repeatedly

So have a nice day,
unless you have other plans, of course.

:)

Feel the PANIC, ...exhale

No sooner do I "lose it", do I find a fellow speaking with the voice of reason. Thanks, Mike.  :)

Go read this. An excerpt:

Once again we are faced with making mindful decisions and taking measured actions when everything within us is screaming to panic.

Everything in its right time, I guess. I'll be reading lots more of Mike's stuff from now on; he's been reading some of my mail.     

Some VERY good, well written articles...

...written by Marian Van Eyk McCain of Elderwoman Space. These were all nominated on a very interesting web site called Ooffoo. I hope you'll follow the links and read a few.  I hope you'll decide to vote for one, too. My personal favorite is Simple Blessings.

Note: I found a little bit of trouble with one or two of the articles loading from the links. If you experience that and still want to read them, just use the Ooffee search feature and hunt by title.

 

Digging for Victory - Again

 

The Yin and the Yang of it

 

Turning Green: The Rise of the ‘Cultural Creatives’

 

Micro-Yoga for the Busy Woman

 

Simple Blessings

 

Healing the Split

 

Here’s where you go to vote:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qlFU4Im4elMRBk5DWu4gtw%3d%3d

Here is a link to Marian's list on Ooffoo. All of these are nominated except Slow Travel, but that one is worth the read, too. 

Thanks, Marian; good luck!

 

Housekeeping

Playing with moving some stuff around, adding/changing some categories, and bringing in some articles from the original KateThoughts. Things may seem disjointed for a bit.   :)

Oh, I've added a new bio page. The link lives just below my photo on a page called 'Insplorations'.Just click on "Who does she think she is...?"

:)

Cogent Conversation on this Campaign

Follow this link to some meaty observations:
http://octogenarian.blogspot.com/2008/09/guns-god-gays-and-abortion.html
        Thanks, Mort.

                                        PS: don't skip the comments...

Saving Money or Spending it?

Here's a GREAT article from YNAB (You Need a Budget) about all those "savings" at the cash register:
http://www.youneedabudget.com/2008/wow-you-saved-more-than-you-spent

I've thought of that myself at supermarkets where they are so excited to tell me how much I've "saved".
I hope you find it funny, too.

And if you actually need to budget, there are links to his site. I recommend it and his program as practical and easy to use and at a budget-friendly price. :)

50 or older?

Go take Ronni's survey! yes, now... go!

Fun - a graphic image of your Blog

Go to this link and drop in your blog address - the complete URL - and enjoy the dance of the dots.
Thanks to Janinsanfran for the link; I found her in the comments at TGB in a post of browser toys. 
While learning how to save the image or post it somewhere, I've also found out that the image will be different each time you drop in your address.

I'd love to show you mine, but I haven't figured it out, yet.

A Great Little Blog with wonderful ideas.

I came across Dollar Philanthropy on Typepad's latest "what's new" page..I think.  Doesn't really matter how I found her, just know that I was supposed to.  Her name is Carol. Go see her; you'll like the site.
She's a Kiva supporter, so I like her already!

It's a great place that lets us all know how important we can be in the lives of others even when we think we don't have enough to make a difference.

This page puts her favorites in one place and makes it easy to find a cause YOU might like. Enjoy your wanderings...

Present in the moment...?

Marian Van Eyk McCain's latest post is an amazing example of writing skill, and then a lesson in being-here-now. You simply must go read it.

I encourage you to explore her sites; you can "take off" (quite literally) from the blog I've linked above. Marian is a model for me in many ways. Check out her various categories/labels.

Stepping around a Value

As a matter of principle, I decided some time ago to stand FOR things, not to struggle AGAINST things; to compliment rather than criticize; to support rather than to fight; to love rather than hate.

I'm compelled, however, to provide a link to you from one of my favorite bloggers, Ronni Bennett. This post is all about a new Senate Bill, S.1959, dubbed The Thought Crime Bill.  I encourage you to read it and, perhaps, read several of the posts (both hers and others') at this category link. If you're fond of the freedoms you were granted by our Constitution, you may want to become involved before it is too late. If you believe in national karma...well...hmmm...
Here is a link to the text of the bill.

When this bill went thru the House, only 6 representatives voted against it.
What did your presidential hopeful do?
Find out.

Read, be aware, search your heart, take action when/where you can/will.
Look at your values, decide for yourself.

And since we're on the subject, remember this site: FactCheck.org. It's a prize-winning site of great value. Another link to it resides in the sidebar here under Sites to See.

more from my buddhas - not so 'unlikely' ones

"Harvest the Rewards: The Power of Small Actions

The influence of each action continues long after the action has been completed. The power of each thought resonates far into the future.

Think and act as if each thing you do will start a chain reaction. Because that's exactly what will happen.

Exercise control over the big, obvious issues in life and you'll have some measure of success. Learn also to control, direct and focus all the thousands of little things that few people ever even think about, and your success will be great indeed.

Each tiny little fraction of a moment is an opportunity to make a difference. Bundle all those opportunities together in the service of your goals, and they will bring spectacular results.

With each and every thing you do, with each thought you think, with every word you speak, you are planting seeds. Those seeds continue to grow, long after the moment has passed.

When a positive, purposeful attitude permeates your life, those seeds you plant will develop into powerful, enduring expressions of your most authentic self. Give your best to each moment, and you'll harvest the rewards over and over again."

-- Ralph Marston

More great stuff...I lifted this quote from the new blog of Michael Schwass, a very cool coach and a man totally in touch with the message encapsulated here.

This fits VERY nicely with the recent posts of another buddha, Laura Young. Check out this post, and this one...among gazillions. Wander around and read this woman's work - you can only gain from it. And, yes, I AM biased.

It is Olive Riley's Birthday - Number 108

Talk about Elder Blogging! Australian Elder, Olive Riley has reached a major milestone. Here's a birthday greeting from southern New Mexico, USA... 

Happy Birthday,
Kate

 

What a difference a day makes...

Seems I used to be here all the time and then I was gone. It's been a looonng time, and I've missed you (and me, and KateThoughts!).

But things, they are a-changin'.  Hallelujah, amen! (or ah-she, as some of my friends would say.)

I've found a delightful woman who is willing to take on the computer work for High Mesa Healing Center - the job I created for myself without ever meaning to do so. Pay attention, people, I'm just sayin'.
She got an overview yesterday, and will start by taking over the email moderation as soon as her new computer is up and running. And she's willing to start being the on-site presence when a public event is on the campus.
Then, there will be a bit of a learning curve as she explores the blog, web site, and the newsletter program. So far she is not overwhelmed!
My current goal is to be totally unhitched from the HMHC computer work by the end of the year (or sooner) and back to the coaching only.

Meanwhile, it is clear to me that all of this HMHC stuff came about  was created by ME so that I could get a really close look at some of my not-too-conscious behaviors, and learn to find and set boundaries. Among other lessons has been the one called "Who's your Guru?"

To find out all these things (I really already knew on some level), I had to take one of those dark-night trips thru a couple of layers of soul work, and spent a few sessions in cognitive therapy.
It's been scary-exciting and I can't wait to get back here on a much more regular basis to share what I've been learning and where I might be going.

As time passes, you'll see some things evolving on this blog and new things/links appearing. I hope you'll stick around for the ride. You just might learn something as I explore the concepts I learn for myself. My 'voice' is changing, too.....

Inspiration from a favorite Blog

Ronni Bennett of Time Goes By is one of my top 5 favorite bloggers. She writes with power and perception about aging and agism from 500 different directions and has a readership that leaves insightful comments. Go meet her.

In a recent post, (and this interview, too) she is at it again. Whether you consider yourself a 'boomer' or not aging does/will affect us all. And Ronni (and her commenters) bring much to the discussion.
I agree with her about most things most of the time. Very cool, thoughtful writer...

This time, while I still agree with both of these articles, I feel there is a bigger picture. One key word is 'marketing'. Another is our 'culture'. Pieces of the same thing and all a part of the world we've built in this part of the world where we measure a person's worth by the size, quantity, cost, or net worth...all those things that describe the same things.
We buy & sell things. We Westerners (perhaps led by we Americans) like to buy & sell. We are encouraged to create a better mousetrap and make our fortunes. It's the American dream, after all.
To do that, we market to each other.
It has skewed our thinking.

And because we are so connected all over the place now, we can't just sell things to our neighbors as we see their needs/desires. We have to guess now, at what people want. We have to 'target' the appropriate 'segments' of the 'market'.  And they (with our permission) begin to hammer us into the holes that fit their 'marketing niches'. What! You have square corners?! Whack-Bang! There now, see how well you fit?

And since we all want things - whether we need them or not is no longer relevant - we absorb the 'marketing messages'. They come at us from every direction; only the most vigilant can hold the number down. Anyone plugged into 'the media' could be hit with as many as 5,000 marketing messages a day.

What?! How many?! 5000 - Five Thousand - five-friggin'-thousand marketing messages a day.

And we, in general, have given those 'market researchers' the right to decide what we need, what we want, how we should look, what brand of this-that-or the-other-thing will make us whole or worthy or good-enough or young enough or... The list goes on forever. It goes on because we 'should' this, or 'should' that.

And some of us who think, or who notice that we don't get the 'proper' attention from the media or the marketers, or who have learned the difference between our toys and our substance begin to be concerned.

For some, the battle is right out in front of everybody - in the trenches where Ronni and others are; pointing out the problems with our language and our marketing campaigns that feed the agist, sexist, racist (& all the other 'ists' and 'isms') notions we get fed.
I believe her. I value her efforts to open the eyes of the marketers, the media, the researchers, and even the eyes of the elders to the subtle and not-so-subtle ways of the world we have built.

For me, right now, the battle is internal. And I still do my knee-jerk thing about it sometimes, when my reaction is so reactionary that it proves points rather than refuting them. Oh, well; I'm human.
But what I'm learning, and what I want to model in the world, is a really different picture of what is valuable.
What do I want more; an IPod or Integrity? What do I want to teach; fighting against or standing for? What feeds me? What drains me? Only I can really know these answers for myself. This is true for each individual whether awake or asleep, whether commanding the vessel or rowing from down below decks.

Ageism? you betcha!
And I'll take the steps Ronni (and others) might suggest - the ones that fit for me. All the while, I'll be practicing unplugging, turning off, and doing my own research on what will take me closer to myself.

It's not about self-help (though I've certainly walked that road in the past), and it's not about religion or a capital G god. It's just about me and right now and being/becoming conscious of all the choices I have to make about the Who of me. What thoughts, behaviors, belief systems, and yes, things/conditions will I embrace on my way to modelling more love on this planet?

I want to embody my potential for Greatest Good. I want 'to be the change' I want to see in the world. I want peace & love to be my legacy. And if I have a sermon to preach, it's this one.

Ronni, thanks.

Well, I WANT to rant, but

I've been absent for far too long.
I want to blame someone, and rant & rave because my schedule is too full, and pitch a hissy-fit because somebody DID something to me that made me.... blah, blah, blah...

In all fairness to myself (whining, here) something did happen to my feedblitz subscriptions and for a while I didn't even notice I wasn't getting the posts from by favorite blogs. Still don't know what, exactly, happened and I've been slow - and VERY selective - in resubscribing.

(Just so you know I haven't been totally lazy, this blog is my doing, too. 97% of the writing, all of the set-up, etc. See how hard I've been working?!)

I'm in the overcommitted stage now, though, and something's gotta give. hmmm, could it be a dragon I see lurking on the horizon?

What's funny (?) and very interesting is that all the work I'm doing is stuff that Barbara didn't even know she wanted until I thought it up. So what was I REALLY looking for...?
Inquiring minds want to know. One really cool think that is happening is that I'm coaching again; informally and on -the-fly, but coaching, never the less.

There are some fascinating things out in cyberworld and I want to get back to them. If I still have any readers left (who didn't write the following posts!) check out these links to important and thoughtful discussion.
The Dragon Slayer's Guide to Life  and particularly  this post.   The meat of this discussion, I think, is in the comments to Andy's article. Have fun: seems that everyone has an opinion.

Another favorite writer is Wandering Woman. Whatever her subject, Erin is a wonder with words. Read about Why She Posts; just too cool.

I've promised to come back soon - I've done that before, too.  So, we'll just see what happens.
TTFN

I fell off the earth...

Hello again; did you miss me?
I can't believe that the last time I was here was Dec. 6th! Wow.

I've been a busy little critter since that time.

It has seemed that this winter would be a great time to do some work on me. Since the house didn't sell and most of our 'toys' are in a storage unit in San Antonio, focusing on some spiritual studies and exploration seemed like a good idea.

It was - and still is.

That choice took me out to High Mesa Healing Center (HMHC) and Barbara Mader. I've mentioned them both before.

What started out to be 'hanging out' with Barbara and helping with the Nov. 11th event, has turned into a major collaboration.  I'm a combination of coach, computer giru, marketing wizard, coorespondence manager, and occasional cleaner of kitchen sinks. I am all-powerful and I change my title at will. (I love that part : ) )

The event was wonderful. That seems like a LOOONNNGGG time ago.
Since then, we've set up new email program, a broadcast email system, a new blog, are totally revamping the web site, and scheduling a new season of events and classes.

Additionally, I've started some private shamanic work with a mentor, Nancy, and participating in a wisdom circle that meets twice monthly. I'm still doing Tai Chi and a little yoga, and my beading work is going well. I've done most of the beading so far as gifts for friends, but Barbara is interested in carrying the malas in the shop at HMHC, so I've stepped up production a bit. Crystal suncatchers are a new line I'm adding, too. FUN!

Seems to me that Omnicrone is taking on more flesh & bones these days. It is very interesting, somewhat surprising, extremely educational, and empowering. I claim her name a lot more now, too.
I'm finding that the more I take on, the more I can do - spiritually speaking, of course. It's too early, and too private to say much about the shamanic work, yet, but that - and the things I'm learning from Barbara - healing touch, etc. - are changing some fundamental things that resonate from my core. Very, very interesting.

It is good to be back here. I skated dangerously near giving myself away to HMHC, but now that I've noticed I'm getting my days back into better balance. I won't leave you hanging out here so long next time.

TTFN

Call In - It will be FUN

Check out the Elderblogger-PhoneCon badge at the top of the right sidebar. Go there. Click it.
OR, try this other explanation here.

Ronni Bennett of Time Goes By (one of my regular reads) is hosting a blogosphere get-together on Oct. 24th. A Virtual Party, if you will. Ronni called it a kaffeeklatch, but I'll be bringing virtual Mimosas! and maybe some of Joe's Screaming Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers (also virtual, of course).

Really, if you've never been to a phone party, go to this one.
You don't have to be old, you don't have to blog - it will help if you like people who do, but even that is not required.
You don't even have to TALK - lurking is acceptable here.

And if you think you won't like it - go anyway. You can't really have an opinion if you don't check it out. And if you DO not like it, all you have to do is hang up.

"See" you there.  :)

Going Minimalist, here

I couldn't get some of my sidebar items to fit the space allowed by my template choice, so I've changed it. And how cool that the one I like the best - 'minimalist' - also fits with my spiritual philosophy.

Hope you enjoy the new look.   :)

The GuestMap

I'm really enjoying this feature; check it out in the top left sidebar. I found it thru Bravenet.com after seeing it on a couple of other blogs. It's easy to download and use... One is required to signup (free) and the map is free...
There are five pins now, covering 3 countries!

and please, go add your pin!

PS: Thanks for the latest pin, Kristi; glad you found the new site.

Fun New Tricks

I swear I'm going to take a class.
I have a tabbed browser; I can have a page of instructions open AND the correct page for accomplishing those tasks, and still I end up repeating processes several times before they 'take'. And I can see no explanation for it, can recognize no difference in my many attempts...
Oh, well....lessons in patience.

Anyway, now you can subscribe or see some photos, or see ME...
stay tuned; more to come.