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Creatively Speaking

List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

* The Scriptures, because they are how God speaks to me.

* The Giving Tree – because that tree gave everything it had because of the love it felt for one person. It reminds me of Christ. He gave all… because of the love He feels for each and every person who has ever lived or will live.

* My camera training manual, because it opened the first door to my love of photography becoming a beautiful creative outlet for me.

Speaking of creativity, this thought occurred to me today….

Humans were made to create. After all, we are made in God’s image. God created the world. And, He created us, humans… In His image. I never thought of it quite like this before. I have said before that we are made to create, but I just realized WHY. Because we are patterned after God, in His image, with the potential to become like Him… To create our own worlds and the inhabitants of those worlds.

That paragraph gives me goose bumps. 

Think about all of the things we humans like to create… other little humans, for example. We like to create stories or memoirs with our words on paper. We like to act, or sing, or photograph the perfect moment – freezing it in time. People create homes, buildings, cars, and trucks. We like to create gourmet food dishes and amazing art pieces. 

Children love to create! They start at a very young age. Think of the amount of money spent each year on Legos and activity sets, as well as blocks and puzzles. What about sports? You know, learning to create the perfect pitch or football move or to create the perfect layup in their own way with their developing creative talents.

I could write on and on about what we humans like to create. And, we do it with all of our senses. It is incredible when you think about it! Our brains were created to think of ways to create!! 

Do you know anyone (in their right mind) who doesn’t express creativity in one way or another? Every person that I know creates something. Every. Single. Person. 

Why is creativity so important? I think I answered that already. We are learning to become like God, our Supreme Creator.

Or like Lucifer, the Supreme manipulator. It is our choice. Creativity can be used for good or evil, just as anything else. It is all about agency and choosing how we want want to use our creative powers. Yes, agency. But, that is a topic for another day. 

Now, let’s go create something beautiful and amazing!  

Posted on by ChatterLei

My Dad

Who would you like to talk to soon?

I wish I could talk with my dad. He was so great to talk with. He could talk about anything! I particularly enjoyed our conversations about God, creation, where we came from, and dinosaurs. He was a bit of a deep thinker. I like deep thinkers who are curious about life. My husband is a deep thinker. He reminds me of my dad. Which brings me to last evening….

There is a beautiful little community park near my house, with a curvy, tree-lined, three-quarter mile walking path where I love to walk, often with my husband waiting for me on one of the benches, sometimes alone.

My thoughts are always drawn to the beauty of the various trees scattered along the path and throughout the park. Somehow, I am able to drown out the traffic noise from a nearby busy street. I barely notice the noise of people playing soccer or baseball or other games in the field.

The perfectly pink flowers on this tree started me thinking about creation. Questions came to mind about how the beauty of this world was created. I thought about how the earth had to be just the way it is to sustain life… water, food, oxygen, gravity, sun for heat, etc.

Then I thought about each of the planets in our solar system, how perfectly aligned they are. Well, if the “Big Bang” happened to create the earth and the other planets in our solar system, why is earth the only planet that can sustain life? And how did everything just happen to align so perfectly?

It does not make sense!! God is the only thing that makes sense to me about why we are all here and how our earth and other planets were created. He used science to create the earth, but he definitely was in charge of guiding the creation. It is the only explanation that makes sense to me.

I can’t wait for the conversations I will be able to have with my dad when I get to the other side!

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Timing is Everything

Daily writing prompt
Who are your favorite people to be around?
View all responses

Roundabout a Jump Rope

Our small city has several roundabouts strewn about the roadway system. Some brilliant person thought these would make progress through these intersections quicker than a 4-way stop.

OR…

The minds who came up with this plan were great jump ropers in their childhood and thought this would be the perfect way to keep that memory alive. You know, when two friends each hold one end of a jump rope and turn it so you can jump to your hearts content. The trick was to have perfect timing– to enter the center jumping area just as the rope was moving away from you so you would be in place as the rope made its way over and back around to the ground where you could jump over it. Jump…jump…jump.

You were a GOOD jump roper if you could do that. And, if that is not enough fun, they would turn the rope faster so you could jump “double time” which meant you were a GREAT jump roper. Even better than that, though, was when they would add a second rope and turn them opposite directions. If you were a double-dutch jump roper, you were AMAZING! Those friends who added tricks as they jumped were SUPERB!

When I approach one of these wonderful (too small) round-abouts, I approach with the thought “timing is everything” and I know I have to get my timing just right to enter so the car coming from the left is not too close, but that the traffic to my right is not ready to pull out in front of me as I make the drive around the loop. I can’t wait too long so as not to upset the driver behind me who is impatiently awaiting their turn. I have to make sure I am in the correct lane as I enter so I am in the lane I need when I exit, so as not to miss my right turn into the Costco parking lot. I haven’t figured out if I am good, great or amazing at this challenge, but the one thing I do know is… Timing is everything!

Not Good Timing

In March of 2023, my husband and I went on our first cruise with my sister and her husband. The first morning on the ship I realized I forgot my daily medication I was taking at the time for MS. It was a good thing my doctor just the month prior talked with me about a world wide conference he attended in the fall over in Europe. He said they reiterated that people over 50 who are on my prescribed medication have an increased risk of infections that can land them in the hospital. He said I should think about coming off of the medication. I was already in my late fifties. So, it was good timing that I forgot my medication when I did. I simply quit.

The year 2024 was the most stress-filled year I have had in my entire life. I experienced extreme emotions that were a rollercoaster that took me from the lowest lows to the highest highs and back again. Stress the playground for MS to explore and attack. Myelin sheaths beware. Riding the rollercoaster of high emotions and stress was not good timing without the protection the medication.

The MRI this month of my brain, neck and T-spine showed new lesions at all three levels. Two levels are active lesions, which means they occurred within the last 3-4 months. At my appointment with my neurologist this week, it was decided that I should go on a new medication to keep the MS attacks or exacerbations to a minimum. Apparently, having a “youthful” immune system in my situation is not a good thing.

A call came today from the company that makes the poison that will be infused into my body every 6 months beginning in March. The good news is that the medication is so expensive that I qualify for a “copay assist program” that will help pay for my copays, which means it will help with any deductible and out of pocket expenses I might incur from taking this medication. That is great news, but it would have been better news in January. Too bad the new and increased symptoms I have been experiencing these past few weeks did not happen in December of last year when my deductible was met, so the MRI would not cost me anything and the infusions could have started in January so my deductible would be met in January each year. Indeed, timing is everything.

Next month is the soonest I will be able to start treatment. I hope that is soon enough to prevent additional lesions from forming in my brain and spinal cord. This anxiety needs to calm down so I can enjoy whatever my future has in store for me with the best health possible at this point. There is a lot of good life to live!

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Enjoying Retirement

Daily writing prompt
What were your parents doing at your age?
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When my dad was my age, he was retired, as was my mom. My parents traveled to see us where we lived in the upper Midwest at the time. Those were the best years for my mom. She loved to travel, which must be where I get my love of traveling and adventure!

Numerous events happened the year my mom was my age. It was 2001. It was the one-year anniversary of my paternal grandfather’s passing. My husband was diagnosed with MS. 9/11 happened. My husband took early medical retirement in October. I quit my job in early November. We sold our house and moved back to the western side of the Rockies where my parents still lived. That was the last long trip my parents took, when they drove out to help us move back home.

My parents seemed so young and active when they were my age. I feel so aged with the stress of working full-time and my health issues. In fact, I am waiting for the results of an MRI I had done just yesterday. It seems I may be having an MS exacerbation. (Yes, my husband and I both have MS, diagnosed 10 years apart.) I have new and worsening symptoms of numbness in my feet and hands, muscle cramping and tightness, heaviness in my legs with walking, and exhaustion in the afternoons. I don’t know for sure. It may not be MS, it could just be stress. I will know for sure in a couple of days.

Anyway, I am grateful for the time and money my parents spent in traveling out to see us when we lived in Minnesota. We have many fun memories of time spent with them there. We took many walks around the parks along the Mississippi River and even took a boat ride in my husband’s boat on the Mississippi River a time or two. We have fun memories fishing, spending time at the cabin, shopping thrift stores and pottery shops, and sharing our day-to-day activities when they came and stayed with us.

I remember the first time they came out to visit us. They were not used to the humid summers in the upper Midwest. My mom mentioned more than once how strange it was to take a shower in the mornings and put on fresh clothes from the closet that felt like they were almost still “wet.” They were used to the dry desert heat back home. That was when we figured out we needed a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers were not a necessity in the west, but they sure keep a house dry during the dog days of summer in those quaint little river towns along the Mississippi River.

Thank you for letting me share a walk down memory lane prompted by this question.

Posted on by ChatterLei · 3 Comments

First Ever Short Story

Daily writing prompt
What would you do if you won the lottery?
View all responses

If I won the lottery, depending on how much money it was, I would pay off my house, my mom’s house, my sister’s house, give each of my grown daughters 50K, put the rest in the bank, and quit my job so I could spend more time with my family, and more time writing….

I just finished my first ever 2500+ word fiction short story. I have to give credit to one of the bloggers I follow, Darryl B, of My little corner of the world, at neptunesky.com, for inspiring it. He wrote a short story titled “Christine” for Kevin’s No Theme Thursday for 1/16/2025, at thebeginningatlast9.com.

I read “Christine” to my husband and told him about NTT. He got a little excited and said he and I should find a picture on the internet to send to each other for us each to write a story about. So, we did.

Joe sent two images to me to choose from. Then I sent him three images to choose from. It has taken a few weeks longer than we both anticipated this would take, but we had Christmas, New Year’s, lots of family time and a funeral thrown in there. Plus, I work full-time and can only work on writing in the evenings and on the weekends.

But last night, we finished writing our stories. Mine is not the caliber of my husband’s writing ability or Darryl B’s, but I want to share it anyway.

The picture is an important part of the story. My photo is from Shutterstock here:

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/elderly-couple-love-on-picnic-enjoying-2387216369

Go look at the image. With the image in mind, read the story. Seeing the picture will bring the story to life.

It’s ok to critique my story, but remember it is my first one, so be gentle. 😉 It does have an unexpected ending. 

Here goes:

The following story is copyrighted 2025 by ChatterLei Expressions….

Song of Silence

“How can I do this, Lisa?”

“It won’t be easy, but I can’t think of anyone better to speak those words” Lisa said, pointing to the folder of typed pages in CarrieAnn’s hands. “They come from your heart and will pierce the hearts of every person who is fortunate enough to be within hearing distance when you speak.”

“Lisa, thank you for the vote of confidence…and for being there for me during one of the worst moments…if not the worst moment of my life.”

“You are welcome, CarrieAnn. I am grateful for you. You’ve got this,” Lisa said as she gave her cousin a hug before heading to their cars in the parking lot of the restaurant.

“Thanks for meeting me here,” CarrieAnn said as she hugged her.

“Give Aunt Jackie a hug from me and give her my love.”

Walking back to her car, she couldn’t help but make a mental note of the colorful beauty of the flowers in the overgrown August flower beds. She caught a glance of a butterfly, gently landing on the delicate yellow rose petal. Tears welled up in her eyes, as she couldn’t help but think of her mom in that fleeting moment.
______________

Her legs felt weak and her body was shaking as she nervously stood at the pulpit. Lisa’s words floated through her mind in a faint whisper, “You’ve got this.”

I took a deep breath and slowly and deliberately let it out while I surveyed the chapel filled with family and friends who were here to pay their respects and show their love and support to us on this difficult day. Somehow, I could feel Mom’s supportive encouragement as I began to speak.

My mother, Margaret “Maggie” Jane Anderson, was born on a hot summer afternoon at Memorial Hospital in Winterset, Iowa, July 17, 1945. She was the oldest of six children, followed by a sister, two brothers, and one more girl – “our little caboose,” as she was lovingly called.

Mom was a kind-hearted, caring, responsible older sister. She was one of those sweet girls who was as kind and genuine as she could possibly be. She and her siblings had the normal sibling rivalry, but it never got out of hand, most often thanks to Mom’s calming demeanor.

Mom did well in school and had many friends. She graduated number two in her graduating high school class of 25 in 1963. She went on to college at Iowa State University, where she met my dad. Theirs was a whirlwind courtship and marriage. They were married in the summer of ‘65. They just knew they were a perfect match. Their goals in life were similar. He was a great communicator, and she was very patient and supportive of his driven nature.

I was born in the summer of 1966, Jack in January of 1968, and Jennifer in the spring of 1970. Mom did not finish college with a degree. She quit early to stay home to care for her family with Dad while he finished dental school at the University of Georgia. After dad finished school, they moved their family of five back to Iowa, where Dad opened his dental practice… John D Anderson, DDS.

Dad was active and involved in the community. He and mom were respected and well-liked. Mom was right there supporting his desire to care for the poor and needy in their town. Dad and Mom hosted a few fundraisers and food drives throughout the years. Mom was always right there with beautiful decor and a spread of food for whatever sized crowd showed up for whatever gathering was taking place to raise funds or food for our community foodbank. 

They purchased their first and only home on 5 acres. Mom loved living the country life. All three of us kids were in 4-H. We showed pigs, sheep, chickens, and horses at the fair over the years. One year, Mom even let us buy a goat to show and sell. That goat had ADHD, I swear! We could not keep her in one place for more than a couple of minutes, and her attention span was shorter than that. The family who finally bought her was excited to have fresh goat’s milk every day. It was my belief that they were going to have unsweetened milk shakes every day, instead!

Mom won several ribbons over the years for her canned vegetables and homemade pies. Her creamy pumpkin pies were the best ever. My favorite! Jennifer and I got our love of baking from helping mom in the kitchen when we were kids. Jack was lucky enough to be our taste tester. It’s a wonder he does not weigh over 500 lbs as an adult. We fed him well!

“Remember the rhubarb pie, Jack?” I asked, looking up to find him sitting on the front row with the family.

“You were probably about 7 years old and decided you wanted to make a rhubarb pie. You took Mom’s kitchen scissors out to the back yard to Mom’s rhubarb patch. I remember we named that patch ‘Spike’ after the hack job you and those scissors did to her rhubarb. Mom was not very pleased. But, she never did yell at us kids. She simply taught us a better way.”

The rhubarb pie was delicious, by the way. With Mom’s loving guidance, it could not help but be delicious.

Anyway, Mom also instilled a love of music in us. She taught piano lessons to almost all of the children in the area, including us three kids. It was required that we learn the piano before being allowed to play any other instrument. We did not always appreciate our practice time, but as adults, we are grateful for this gift she gave us.

Mom was very industrious. She could sew clothing, quilt, preserve anything, bake, cook, teach piano lessons, and have time to teach us kids about all of those 4-H animals. To us, she was a superwoman. She continued teaching many of those skills to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We were lucky to have her as our mother. Our father was lucky to have her as his wife.

Mom gathered many friends over the years. She was a good listener. She was also a natural teacher. She and her friends spent hours canning, quilting, or making bread or rolls while we kids were in school. These friends became like family. I have more “aunts” than most everyone I know. Most of them attend the same Lutheran church that Mom attends. Mom and Dad are both Lutheran, but Dad did not attend. Mom took us kids every Sunday.

After Dad retired, he and Mom loved traveling together. They took one big trip each year where they would spend two to three weeks in an exotic location, taking in the sights and sounds of the area and getting to know the people there. Sometimes, they would travel across the country from state to state, learning the history of each state and photographing as they went. Mom has bookcases loaded with books she created with photos and stories from each trip they took.

Speaking of books. Mom also created a book for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These books are filled with family history, stories, and photos of them over the years. These are a treasure for our children and grandchildren.

Mom was a good example of loving and serving her family and friends. She loved our dad, which showed in all she did for him. He loved and appreciated everything about her. We are blessed to be their children and to have reached more than half a century of life with them.

I hope someday I can be half the woman our mom is.

I am holding on to this quote that Mom shared with me years ago. It is by Helen Keller: “So much has been given me I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied.”

We love you, Mom, and will miss you forever.
_________

The adrenaline-induced anxiety had completely drained out of my system as I sat with my legs criss-crossed on the couch holding my favorite Sharpie pen and my tan leather journal. I did not retreat to my room to record my thoughts. All of our family and friends had gone home or to wherever they were staying tonight. I wanted to spend the time with my siblings, but I did not want to let the day slip by without journaling my feelings and observations from such an important day, the day our mom was buried.

The day had been lovely. A warm sunny day, perfect for our mother who loved being outside in the sunshine. It is no wonder she loved the color yellow. It matched her love of the sun and her bright personality.

I still cannot believe it is true. It was not her time. Why? Why did it have to happen? It didn’t! It did NOT have to happen….

“Jack, I thought “Amazing Grace” on your sax was extra amazing. Mom loved that song. She would have been so proud and grateful to you for playing for her today. She never shied away from praising your musical ability and the you could make that saxophone sing. Just as much as she loved it when Dad would play the guitar for her. She could listen for hours.”

“And, Jennifer, your piano rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” was heavenly. Mom was always proud of your piano playing abilities. She loved to play duets with you any chance she got. Mom and Dad instilled a love of music in each of us, which is something I am grateful for. We may not be great speakers, but we can surely sing a song or two, hoping the music will reach Mom in heaven.”

“CarrieAnn, you can definitely speak. That was a beautifully written and spoken tribute you gave at Mom’s funeral today. You did her proud, don’t you think, Jennifer?” Jack said, looking Jennifer’s way.

“ Yes, I know Mom was watching down and feeling pleased that you took to heart her favorite saying that we can do hard things,” Jennifer replied, closing the funeral program and gently setting it down on the end table next to her at the other end of the couch.

CarrieAnn leaned over to give Jennifer a hug. “I feel so relieved that the funeral is over, but I am not looking forward to tomorrow.”

Jack reminded CarrieAnn that she will not be alone. He and Jennifer will be right by her side.
_________

As it turned out, neither Jack nor Jennifer were able to go with CarrieAnn the next day. She was alone when she walked through the doorway of her father’s room at the mental hospital, where he was confined for now. The room was small with one twin-sized bed against the wall, one chair, and a desk. It was painted steril white. Dad was sitting in the chair near the table, rocking back and forth. He was wearing a white short-sleeved v-neck top and drawstring pants that matched the top. The slip-on shoes he had been wearing for several weeks were not as white as the clothing he had on.

“Hi Dad.”

He responded, “Hello. Why are you here? What do you want?”

“I came to see you today. How are you feeling?” I asked, sitting down on the foot of the bed near his chair, placing my journal and pen next to me. Had it only been a week and a half since he was removed from home? Arrested? Brought here?

I am surprised but grateful every time I am allowed inside to see my dad. I expected security to be tighter. Although, I could see through the window in the door, the security guard walking back and forth in front of the door. Maybe that was enough.

The medication they were giving Dad at the mental hospital definitely calmed Dad’s normal agitated ways. The rocking must be a side effect.

I am too old for this, nearing retirement myself. My emotions are all over the place. I am not quite sure how to feel. I am trying to sort my feelings out as I journal them. I love my dad. At the same time, I hate him for taking away my mother, my kids’ grandma. I hate myself even more for not knowing there was another gun in the house that Dad was able to get to. It was under his bed of all places.

Intellectually, I know my dad was not in his right mind when he picked up the gun and shot our mother. He had become more agitated over the last few months. And, more paranoid. No amount of medication seemed to help the paranoia. We removed all of his guns, knives, and bow and arrows because he was threatening to use them on the “intruders.” (Sometimes it was my siblings or me. Other times, it was the grandchildren). We thought we removed all of the weapons. We missed the one under his bed. Of all the places for us to forget to look!

As I opened my journal to start writing, the picture of Mom and Dad fell out. I forgot I had put it in there before the funeral. It was a happy day captured a few years ago before Dad’s Alzheimers got so bad. Mom hired her photographer friend to take some pictures of her and Dad out near the garden. The basket of vegetables that mom picked earlier in the day became the perfect photo “prop” on the blanket they spread out near the tree. Dad played a few of Mom’s favorite songs on his guitar. I love this photo of the two of them. I can see how genuinely happy they are and how deep their love is for one another.

Showing the photograph to my dad, I asked, “Dad, do you recognize the people in his picture?” He just rocked and stared emotionless at it. It was at this moment that I realized our lives will never be the same.

Our lives had already begun to change because of Dad’s Alzheimers. Now, it has an added dimension of painful emotions.

Alzheimers is a thief! It has taken our dad’s healthy brain. Now, our mom is gone. Dad is going to be locked in this mental hospital probably for the few years of life he has remaining.

I closed my journal after slipping the photo back inside between the pages, not able to express my thoughts at the moment. I stared at my dad, not knowing what to do. I feel so lost. I don’t want to leave him. I want to hug him. Yet, my dad isn’t really in there. Not really. I hugged him anyway. He was a little startled and stopped rocking for a moment. Then he started again.

As I walked out the door, I glanced longingly back over my shoulder and thought, I don’t know what his future holds, but I know my future is going to be a little less joyful. A little less sunny.

However, today, as I walked past the guard and down the long corridor to the outside door, I finally realized… I don’t hate my dad. What I do hate is Alzheimers! In a strange way, that brings me a sense of peace.

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CHARCUTERIE

Daily writing prompt
What snack would you eat right now?
View all responses

I used to think cheese, crackers and sausage were the best snack ever…second of course to buttery popcorn.

When I had my first experience with a charcuterie board, the layout spoke to my artist brain and the food spoke loudly my healthy food cravings, with a little sugar thrown in for good measure. (Can’t offer food without some kind of chocolate, right?!) The charcuterie board included various cheeses, crackers, sausage, nuts, jellies, fruits, veggies, etc…. You name it, if it is in the snack category it was on the board.

If you look up charcuterie, you will find a variety of types of these delicious snack boards. I have seen movie charcuteries boards with a variety of movie theater candies and popcorn spread artistically across the board. Breakfast charcuteries have waffle pieces, sausage links, boiled eggs, sliced, fruit varieties, etc.

Look it up, find a fun one, and create it for your next Superbowl (Superbowl Charcuterie) party or simply to impress your mom at the next family gathering. 🙂

Posted on by ChatterLei · 4 Comments

More Time…

Daily writing prompt
What is the greatest gift someone could give you?
View all responses

with my Dad. That is not possible, so I just marinate in the memories.

Two years before Dad died, which was last January, he got Covid 19. It robbed him of his ability to smell and taste everything except tomatoes for the rest of his life. He was not in the best of health for the last several years before his passing. Mom was good to care for him for most of those years. He was mostly homebound except for the mornings he would wake up and say he wanted to drive himself and Mom over to McDonald’s for a McGriddle. He could not really taste them, but said they felt good in his mouth. He was always a breakfast guy. I suppose I am like him in that way. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.

Anyway…

Since Dad was mostly homebound, so was Mom. She did not get to travel like she would have liked. She did not get to eat out or go shopping much. She was home with Dad. That is just how she was and how their marriage worked. He was home, so she was home. Now that Dad is gone, she can explore more opportunities to go places. She says “yes” a lot more now.

In the last year, Mom has eaten out a few more times than ever before. She has gone to lunch with friends. She goes to her sister’s house once a month for a scripture study meeting. She went to San Diego with my sister in the spring. She is in the process of getting her passport and is planning to go on a cruise with us this year. I can hardly wait to experience that with her! As sad as we are about Dad’s passing, we are equally excited to share some of Mom’s “first-time” experiences.

In the meantime, tonight, my husband and I, my sister, her husband, their daughter, and my brother are going to take mom to Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner for her first time. She is going to love the creamy cheesy smothered chicken breast, mashed potatoes and strawberry salad.

I am grateful for the gift we have been given of this time with Mom and opportunities to explore some of the experiences with her that this life has to offer.

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Back in 1990

Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).

Our first desktop home computer that my husband built was the first most expensive item we ever purchased together. I was so impressed by his ability to “build” a computer. And I was equally impressed by the cost. *GULP* Over $5000 back in 1990.

Now we carry these little computers around in our hands. I am amazed again and again what our phones contain. Encyclopedias, maps, endless music, telephones, address books, cameras, video cameras, endless games, family history, scriptures, hymns, etc. It is nearly unbelievable! What would our great grandparents think?

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Time is of the Essence

Do you need time?

Yes! In fact, I was late to work this morning because I was not going to miss my opportunity to vote!

I was the fourth person in line to vote at my precinct’s assigned voting location.

It was a very chilly morning! Coats were appropriate attire

It felt so good to mark my ballot to vote for freedom and for someone who will always put America first!

Did you vote??

Posted on by ChatterLei

Possessions

What would you do if you lost all your possessions?

Can you smell the buttery aroma?

Popcorn is a favorite snack of mine. The smell of popcorn makes me want to watch 48-Hours, the True Crime Show. And, eating pistachios makes me think of The People’s Court. My husband and I went through a phase of popping popcorn and watching 48-Hours together weekly. When I was younger, I would watch The People’s Court, with Judge Joseph Wapner while shelling and snacking on pistachios. Those smells and tastes take me right back to those activities. Smells, sounds, music… all of it is connected to various memories in my life.

If I lost all of my possessions, I would feel sad about the loss of irreplaceable possessions, such as photos and journals. I would feel burdened by the need to replace some of the most important items, like birth certificates, SS cards, etc. Which reminds me, I was going to get a fireproof safe for those items. That needs to move to the top of the priority list of things to do this month. Good thing this was one of the writing prompt questions this month! If my husband reads this, maybe he will help remind us to purchase the fireproof safe for our important documents.

I have known people who have lost all of their possessions. My dad and his siblings when they were children returned from watching a movie at the “show house” only to find their house on fire. It was a total loss. Besides the entire family, thankfully, only a few possessions, including the family bible and several photographs, survived the fire. It was a difficult time for them. Grandma and Grandpa did not have insurance on the house, so they did not have the money to rebuild. Grandpa sold the land and they moved in with family in another town where they could make a fresh start.

As a child, my husband lived through the loss of their family home. It was a frightening night with a little humorous side story. His mom told him to hurry back to his room to wake up his brother, grab their coats and shoes, and run back her second-story bedroom where they would climb out onto the roof area through the window. That is not what he heard. He and his brother grabbed their COMBS and their shoes. They ran as fast as they could to their parents’ room and scurried out the window where the firetrucks began to arrive and helped them off the roof, just as the flames were beginning to dance around the roof’s edge. This was just before Christmas, which meant cold temperatures. My husband and his brother were a couple of very chilly boys with just their COMBS and their shoes and nothing over their pajamas to keep them warm on that awful winter night. They are lucky they survived the fire. Fortunately, his parents had insurance on the house, so they were able to rebuild.

Speaking of smell being connected to a memory. Both my husband and my dad said the smell of a burning house is not something you soon forget and are easily reminded of every time you smell smoke. I am grateful they are here and able to be triggeed by that memory.

My friend came home from work to find her home had been robbed. Anything of value was taken. In broad daylight. She felt violated because a stranger had been in her home rummaging through her things. It took a while for her to feel peaceful in her own home.

Possessions are replaceable, for the most part. Broken hearts heal. People are built to be resiliant.

Posted on by ChatterLei

Virtual Fulfillment?

In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?

I despise (maybe too strong of a word… “dislike” is better) laziness. It is sad to see the potential of loved ones slip away in place of laziness.

There is a difference between disorganization and pure laziness. A person’s house can be rather sloppy and disorganized, but the person is out doing things, getting an education or working or creating.

Also, some of the hardest working people I know have physical disabilities. If they are limited in their abilities, it does not necessarily mean they don’t work hard. It may mean their hard work looks different from a well-abled adult.

What is laziness? Unwilling to work or use energy. Idleness. Laziness kills ambition.

What is Ambition? A strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.

I’ve often wondered where gaming fits in. If one is only gaming for fun and not productive in any other way, is that laziness? Or idleness? Or is their ability to achieve levels in games considered productivity?

Can a person truly be fulfilled if the efforts and achievements only benefit them in a virtual world? Or does real fulfillment come only when making a difference through hard work in reality? 🤔

IMO the latter is true. It feels good to work hard to accomplish a goal or complete a project, especially when serving someone in need.

That is not to say there is not a time for rest and relaxation, but that is for another blog post.

Posted on by ChatterLei · 3 Comments

Keep a Journal

Daily writing prompt
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
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Time moves so fast. And your memory fades over time. The details of your life, over time, become less and less easy to recall. One of my friends became an author. She has kept a journal her entire life, which was very helpful to her when she wrote her first book. I just wish I had kept a record of all of our family experiences when our children were young. It would be fun to share those memories with our adult daughters and our grandchildren now. Also, it would be good to have something in writing to solve disputes when my husband and I are discussing past experiences from our separate perspectives and aging memories. Yep. Keep a journal! 🙂