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It Is What It Is

This one gets my goat! When someone says this to you when you are trying to explain a problem to them and you hear this very dismissive phrase, it means either they are not interested or just couldn’t give a flying flip about your problem.

There are many words or phrases that irritate or annoy me but the aforementioned takes the cake as far as I’m concerned. My retort to this phrase is, “What do you mean by it is?!!” Nothing is as it seems and instead of being dismissive, it would be nice to have someone who gives you their undivided attention when faced with a problematic situation.

IT IS WHAT IT IS. The phrase is simply irritating not to mention annoying because someone, whoever it is, doesn’t want to engage, to show empathy, couldn’t care less, and they are telling you in a few words, accept it for what it is. There is nothing you can do about the situation. Throw in the towel and move on but in a more subtle way!

This is my pick for a phrase that annoys me. The other one is, “with all due respect.” You know what is coming after this one. Wait for the insult that usually follows or for some unsolicited advice! This one bothers me as well. There are lots more but I’m TRYING to be in a good mood today. Why? Don’t ask.

I’ve been spending time in the garden sniffing the roses, picking and setting them out to dry to make homemade potpourri. The garden is full of blooming roses right now and it’s a perfect time to shut out the negative thoughts and to drown in the glorious scents of vanilla and musk.

So irritating phrases BE GONE! I’ve got better things to do.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a word or phrase that annoys you?

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The Perfect Road Trip?

Hmm…I don’t do road trips anymore. Family road trips happened a long time ago when I was a young girl but later with my son, we flew to different destinations so there was not much planning for the trip except booking the flight and the hotels we stayed at.

Ok, since you asked I’ll give it a try. If I had to plan the perfect road trip, I would make sure that we would have a first-aid kit. It would be the first thing I would get ready. It would contain all the necessary items we would need in case of small accidents. Don’t ask me which kind, I’m just saying for unforeseen circumstances. I would also pack a small bag with water, a change of clothes, toilet paper and such.

Next, I would take the car to the service center and have it checked out. Tire pressure would be one thing, water the other, and whatever else the mechanic thinks is necessary for a trip. The air-conditioning needs to be working, in fact it’s a must in summer.

What else? I DON’T KNOW! It doesn’t matter, I’m not going on a road trip any time soon and my perfect “trip” would be tripping at home with all the amenities close by!

There you have it. Next question please….

Daily writing prompt

How do you plan the perfect road trip?

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Falling Down!

It wasn’t about taking a physical fall, it was more of an emotional one. I fell and I fell hard. It wasn’t just about a moment but two events in life showed me just how strong I was. One was the breakup of a marriage that had lasted many years and I had thought would last forever. I was in it for life but, unfortunately, he wasn’t.

The fall was a hard one, much harder than I expected. I was left gasping for air and thought I would never get back up again. I suffered several blows, all emotional ones. My trust in another human being was gone, one who had vowed to love and protect me. I couldn’t look at him the same way and there was no going back to what was or had been. We were on separate paths but we had a son who needed us and didn’t understand why mommy and daddy were going separate ways.

It took a long time but going within to where my strength resides helped me to forge a way forward. I had to keep going and that little boy I had brought into the world needed me more than ever before. Then I met the “angel” who came to rescue me from my misery. I viewed him with cautious eyes at first because I had placed a lock and key around my broken heart. He didn’t care, he told me he was in it for the long run. It took a long time but I started to believe in myself again and to see myself as being worthy, worthy of love and respect.

He left after a few years. His job on earth was done and I was left alone again, only this time, I knew that no matter what I was STRONG, stronger than I had been. I was no longer looking at life through rose-colored glasses but with clarity. I knew what I wanted and I started working towards that goal. It didn’t mean that I wouldn’t make the same mistakes again because I am drawn to the bad boy types. However, when it did happen again, this time around I took it as another lesson learned and looked for the patterns that had led me down the same road.

I am learning that whenever something bad happens, it is not the end of the world. It is a new beginning to learn, to pick yourself back up, to wipe the tears away, and to move forward knowing that you have what it takes to succeed the next time around. I’m not saying it is going to be easy, it never is, but it is doable because YOU are stronger than you think and much more capable of overcoming whatever life throws your way.

YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE!

Daily writing prompt

What’s a moment that made you realize you were stronger than you thought?

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Amazing!

Shiro and Gallahad are two cats who have moved into my place as temporary residents. They will be moving out in about two months but in the meantime, they are learning to cope with a new environment and it hasn’t been easy for all of us.

Shiro, the white Persian is a beauty and she knows it. She loves lovely scents, loves being a girl, but she also loves clean toilets! Some of her time is spent finding a clean litterbox and taking refuge in it! So, I have to clean her up twice a day. Gallahad, the British long-haired cat with the orange eyes is quiet and observes the world as it goes by. He looks menacing but is a sweetheart with a gentle way about him. They are brother and sister. I think he is the bigger brother and she, the younger sister. They watch out for each other.

A few weeks ago someone told me that cats are not humans. I agree they are not humans but it is incredible the human traits they possess and sometimes, they do one better than humans!

I observed this behavioral trait yesterday. Galli is always hungry. He is all about the food and he loves me because I’m his “food lady.” Whenever he gets hungry, he looks for me, rubs up against my leg, and purrs up a storm. Those love-filled orange eyes always get me and it did the same yesterday. We went downstairs and I got his favorite pack of food. Yes, they are spoiled rotten and now, they are into gourmet food! Anyway, I opened the pack and turned around to put it in his bowl when Shiro showed up. She was hungry as well. I emptied the food into Galli’s bowl. He headed towards it when Shiro cut in front and proceeded to eat from his bowl. I thought Galli would try to push her away but I watched in amazement as he stood right next to her and watched as she chomped away! He did not push, he did not shove, he just waited patiently.

After she had eaten, she placed a kiss on his cheek, he kissed her cheek back and then proceeded to eat what was left in the bowl. I was amazed at Galli’s behavior and the tenderness he showed his little sister. Just for being the little gentleman he is, he got an extra pack of food and a kiss on his forehead.

Animals have many layers to them. Some may see them as “just” animals and nothing more but if you observe them, you will see the subtle nuances that make them stand out, ones that make you look at them with different eyes as I did.

Walking

This is a simple question to answer but lately it hasn’t been that easy. I would have said walking in nature brings me great joy but I’ve been taking a break from being out in nature because I have lots of other things going on right now.

Having a house means things can break when you least expect it and there is a saying that goes like this. When it rains, it pours! Exactly what is happening. The latest project or rather mishap is an electrical problem. I had a small fire in the kitchen and luckily I was home when it happened. I pulled the plug out of the socket and called an electrician. It takes a long time here before someone can show up. It could have been a short circuit according to Google! I would rather have a professional look at it and tell me everything is alright.

However, I did make it out to the fields today and it was gorgeous. The grass was knee-high and a bright striking emerald green. We’ve been having rain for the last few days and rain is in the forecast for today as well. Dark clouds were rolling in and the wind was picking up speed. I put in my walk, tanked up some energy, and got a smile back on my face as I walked home.

There are many simple pleasures that bring me joy. Walking is definitely one of them and Chachi, the little Macho, is the other. He is my sweetheart and just watching him as he goes about his day brings joy into my life.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a simple pleasure in life that brings you joy?

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Legends of the Fall

I’ve seen it three times and wouldn’t mind seeing it again! It is an epic historical film starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. If that’s not enough to get you curious, Julia Ormond and Brad Pitt do a marvelous job of playing out the parts of star-crossed lovers with a tragic ending.

Set in Montana, the film portrays sweeping landscapes along with themes of betrayal, history, love, nature, war, and tragedy. It also takes you on a journey of epic proportions when “forbidden love” steps in and keeps you captivated to the very end. I cried each time I saw this movie. It was powerful and it gets your emotional senses going. However, I like movies that do exactly that.

It had everything I like in a movie and Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins are fantastic in this movie as well. Add elements of racism, tragedy, family drama, forbidden love, and you’ve got one GOOD movie. In my book, at least.

If I could erase one movie from my memory and watch it again, this would be my definite pick. I watched it with a friend the last time and he found it boring. Hmm….that’s because he loves action movies and yours truly is steeped in romance and anything that gets the tear ducts working overtime!

Daily writing prompt

If you could erase one movie from your memory and watch it again for the first time, which one would it be?

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Staying Motivated

One thing I have learned when learning something new and to stay motivated at the task at hand is to focus. Distractions are aplenty since I have a mind that loves to jump around and to run from one thing to the other. I liken it to a monkey!

Taming it is hard. Getting it to behave is next to impossible. The only thing I can do is to FOCUS and TRY not to get distracted. It is helping and lately, the “monkey” seems to understand and sits patiently while I go about doing what I need to get done.

New things are hard enough because the outcome is unknown and it takes concentration and effort to bring it to the finish line. I’m working on my novel currently and I find that staying motivated is a next to impossible task. My thoughts get muddled, I don’t know where to go next, how to make it all come together and even though I have over 250 pages finished, I am stuck! Moving forward is like wading through mud and I tend to put it aside until something new hits me but for now, it is a lost cause. I have too many things going on in my life right now and motivation is standing at the zero level.

I’m hoping that things will settle down and I can get going again.

Fingers and toes crossed!

The Three Fates

I picked this book up not really knowing much about Nora Roberts. Romance novels were my thing and when I came across this title, I wasn’t sure what it was about and I knew even less about the author at that time.

Little did I know that I was in for a surprise and of the best kind. The book captured all my senses hook, line, and sinker! Not many books do that. It wasn’t a historical novel or a classic, but it packed a punch and how! I couldn’t put it down and I read it from cover to cover in a very short amount of time. Then I went looking for more of her books and she had plenty.

Who is Nora Roberts? She is an American romance novelist and she is one of the most successful and prolific authors of the genre. I love her writing, it draws you in, it captivates, and it keeps you there wanting more. Roberts received the lifetime achievement award from the Romance Writers of America.

My first introduction to this writer was through the book I mentioned above. Irish siblings Malachi, Gideon, and Rebecca Sullivan try to acquire three heirlooms that were stolen. This chase takes them across continents and the intriguing plot with romance thrown in keeps readers more than engaged. I became a fan after reading this book and I think I own most of her books as well.

It was an unassuming title but the book completely surprised me. The writing was superb and the storyline fascinating. She has a knack for romance and she does it like no other writer I have known. Well, Danielle Steele comes close but I like Nora Roberts better. Just a matter of taste I suppose.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a book that completely surprised you?

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My Regular Fitness Routine

How can you build a regular fitness routine? Start out by knowing why you’re doing it. I do it for myself, not for anyone else. Knowing this, I work at what makes me feel good, if it fits my schedule, and if the workout routine adds or detracts from how I feel. This is important. If it makes you feel like you are not ENOUGH, there’s that word again, then it is time to look for something that works for you.

I start slow, no gung ho moves here, meaning being over-zealous. It is easy to get caught up in different workouts because you are motivated but that motivation fizzles out at some point and sometimes quickly, so start slow, take your time, know what works, what makes you feel good, and go from there.

My routine embraces different formats. I do cardio, strength, yoga, and Pilates. Not all at one time but some days I get ambitious and I go for all of it. My body lets me know the next day what I did wrong! Add breathing, walks in nature, eating right, and that about sums up my routine. It works for me. I’m exactly where I need to be, weight-wise, and I feel good. However, I work out seven days a week because a day without workouts is like a day without sunshine for me. That’s me, this doesn’t work for everyone.

Get motivated, stay motivated, add routines that work for you, watch your progress, and most of all DO NOT overdo it. Consistency is the key and knowing what you want to achieve the other. Oh, one more thing, think of working out as doing something good for your body because it’s a temple and you, my friend, are the goddess!

Daily writing prompt

How can you build a regular fitness routine?

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LOL!

This one got a laugh out of me this morning. What can I say but that’s Trump for you and low IQ? You’re looking at it!

So DONALD Trump

GOES TO THE VATICAN to

Meet the Pope.

He later said: “I met with Pope Francis today. He’s a really great Pope – great, great Pope. You know he’s the leader of the Catholic Church – big church. I couldn’t believe it when he told me how many Catholics there are. Way more than I thought. They have churches all over the world — Some are very, very close to my hotels and golf courses.

He tells me he’s elected for life, probably copying that Xi guy in China. Fantastic idea, though. Fantastic. It turns out the Pope is a lot like me, you never see him with his wife. He told me he’s infallible. I said that’s great, you’ll never have to worry about breaking a hip.

He told me about a Mary Magdalene, beautiful girl, beautiful. Apparently a hooker. I asked him for her number. Didn’t catch his answer. I’m told he said it in Latin. I give the guy credit because he doesn’t look Latino.

He took me into the Sistine Chapel. Beautiful ceiling. Not the usual white stucco stuff. I don’t think too many people even know about this place. The paintings are great, I’m telling you. Lots of colours. The Pope (great guy, by the way, knows more about the Bible than almost anybody. We got along great, I think he really likes me) told me the whole thing was painted by this young Italian. I think his name is Mike Langelo. At least that’s what Francis (we’re great friends) called him, I think.

Trust me, we’re going to hear more about this guy. He’s really artistic, and everybody tells me I have the greatest eye for the best art. It’s natural, just like my incredible understanding of science. All the renowned scientists say they can’t believe it.

I told Frank I’d like to buy some of Mike’s art. I asked if Mike’s done anything on velvet. He’ll check. I’ll hang his stuff at Mar-a-Lago or Trump Tower. This Mike guy needs more exposure. He’s too much with the churches. He could paint my presidential portrait on the Capitol Dome. Or maybe a mural on my big, beautiful border wall; but just on our side.

When we left, the Pope gave me a bible. Huge book. (Huge.) I told him I have the full set. You get one for free every time you take a porn star to a motel room.

Unbelievable. Just heard. The mainstream media are at it again. Fake news. (Fake news.) I just saw something on TV. They claim Mike the painter died 450 years ago. Sad. I’ve already got people looking into this and you won’t believe what they’re finding