Currently, candidates for president of the United States must meet basic requirements.
The U.S. Constitution states that the president must:
Be a natural born citizen of the United States
Be at least 35 years old
Have been a resident of the United States for 14 years
What would I change?
Having seen what a convicted felon can do and has done to destroy much of what makes America great, I would say let’s add a few more restrictions.
No one older than 70 years old. A president has to be cognitively all there and any one who should be enjoying his retirement years out on a porch somewhere should not have his finger on the nuclear button! Especially one who opens his mouth and inserts foot!
Natural born citizen of the United States? Fine, and good. No problems with that.
Have been a resident of the United States for 14 years? Why not? If the qualifications are there, why not?
The person running for the highest office in the land should not be painted orange! Ok, I agree that was a low blow. However, intelligence should be a prerequisite. Someone who cares for the people, ALL people and not just a select few, if you know what I mean and I bet you do. Someone with compassion, someone who has lived a stellar life with no convictions, and one who knows how to deal with allies. Last but not least, someone who is not a schoolyard bully.
There you have it. The presidency deserves a modicum of decorum but what we are seeing is “monkey business.” Oops, did I just say that? Ok, I will apologize for that comment but we’ve yet to see one from the horse’s mouth for those “ape pics” and that says it all as to why we need to change the requirements.
A friend asked me recently, “What do you seek the most?” I couldn’t give him an answer right away. It was a troubling question to say the least. I thought I knew because I had been working on exactly this for months on end but now faced with a direct question and I had no answers or rather I was unsure. I wanted to say “love” but the word that jumped in was “peace.” More specifically, “inner peace.” I think without it nothing else matters. It all boils down to just living for the sake of living.
What is inner peace? According to http://www.calm.com, “Inner peace is a deep state of calm, acceptance and contentment. It means being in harmony with yourself, others, and the world around you. It’s not about eliminating challenges or difficulties but navigating through them with a tranquil and accepting mind.”
Do I have that kind of peace in my life? Truthfully, I’m not sure. I have a tendency to let things rattle me, unnerve me, shake me to the core and kick me off balance. I know I have stress and that is nothing new. Dealing with stress has always been an uphill battle but I’m doing better. However, I still have a long ways to go. The question then arose, how do I go about securing inner peace? The kind that gives me a deep state of calm and paints my world a beautiful shade of pink? The quote below might work.
“Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.” Pema Chodron
Sounds simple enough but let me tell you, it’s a hard one for me. I let people control my feelings, emotions and my reactions and that is the first problem. I needed simpler solutions to a tough question so I decided to go looking and turns out I’ve been doing them already!
Breathe it says. Take time out in the day to just breathe and let go. I’m learning all kinds of breathing techniques and it is not just about taking a breath in and expelling it out. The experts have honed breathing to a new high. Breathing has gone high-tech but the original version still works. Try it for a slice of good old-fashioned peace.
Mindfulness is the other technique used to achieve inner peace. Live in the present, embrace it, let it unfold and do not control. Life knows exactly what to do. A really hard one for me as I wanted the answers yesterday!
Meditation is a gold mine and don’t I know it. My early morning and evening meditation practices have worked wonders in my life. I’m calmer, my reaction to unwanted challenges is slower and my mind seems quieter than it used to be. Worth a try if tranquil peace is what you’re searching for. It takes practice to calm that fidgety mind but time and patience will get you there. There is a plus, there is nothing more delicious than unadulterated inner peace.
Nature, connect with it and it will instill peace to the depths of your soul. Something as simple as a walk will take you there. Fresh air and nature’s beauty will clear your mind and you will get a different perspective on life looking at it through nature’s viewpoint. Everything has a time and place, do not rush that is the message.
Practicing gratefulness is a big one. I’ve started practicing this simple concept and my glass went from half empty to actually quite full. Do it often enough and you won’t be lacking anything at all! Too simple? I know. Given time this technique does work because it changes your mindset from negative to a more positive one and we all need that.
If none of the above methods work, do this instead.
“Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.” Robert J. Sawyer
Ever since that question was thrown in my direction, I’ve been thinking about the mindset for inner peace and I have come to the conclusion that all roads lead to “inner peace” first. If you want to have a life free from chaos, disarray and turmoil, work towards inner peace and all the other things will fall into place. Challenges are a part of life both big, small and the daily variety but you can overcome if you focus, work on clearing it and MOVE ON! Standing still in one place for too long would be a big mistake. The Gambler song gives us some tips on how to do exactly that.
If you’re gonna play the game, boy
You gotta learn to play it right.
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run….
Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin’
Is knowing what to to throw away
And knowin’ what to keep
Those last three lines speak to the matter of inner peace.
Figure it out, have confidence in yourself and HAVE AN AMAZING DAY!
As a young girl with my head in the clouds, I used to dream about this house with a white picket fence around it. It wasn’t anything special but that fence made it extra special. Go figure!
Fast forward to the here and now and it is the home I currently live in. It was the house we (my husband and I) bought when we were looking for a place of our own. I recall he did not want it as it wasn’t big enough but I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. It did not have a white picket fence but a wooden one and it was good enough for me. Today, it does have one, a white fence out front and a green one surrounding the house.
It is too big for one person and some of the rooms are unused but there is something comforting about it. It just feels like home and that makes it my dream home. The furnishing within is of the eclectic kind, lots of antiques mixed in with modern pieces and somehow it all blends together into a cohesive mix. Again, it exudes charm, warmth and a sense of cosiness. The nicest thing about it is that “nature” in all its rambling beauty is just minutes away!
If I woke up one morning and and found out that I had won the lottery, now, that would be great news! Not a chance of that happening but if it did, I think I would go silent probably out of shock! Financial independence gives a false sense of security because there are other things needed to round off that security issue but “money” does help as we all know and no matter how much we have, we always want more, human nature I supp0se. So go silent first and then jump for joy!
If that is not in the cards, a call or text from a producer saying that my book had caught his/her attention and they want to make it into a a movie would definitely make my day. Now, that would be great news indeed! How is the book doing? It is doing well but hasn’t hit best seller status. I wasn’t expecting it to but even though it hasn’t done that, there is still hope that it catches the eye of someone BIG and makes it into movie history! That would be something. One can only hope and wish.
Will it happen? I’m not holding my breath but it would be a great surprise and one to my liking. Universe do your thing and if it is at all possible, place it right in front of their noses!
Fingers, toes and everything else crossed!
Daily writing prompt
You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?
A man who was previously a sailor, was very aware that ships are addressed as “she” and “her.” He often wondered what gender computers should be addressed. To answer that question, he set up two groups of computer experts. The first was comprised of women, and the second of men. Each group was asked to recommend whether computers should be referred to in the feminine gender, or the masculine gender. They were asked to give 4 reasons for their recommendation.
The group of women reported that computers should be referred to in the masculine gender because:
In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.
They have a lot of data, but are still clueless.
They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they are the problem.
As soon as you commit to one, you realize that, if you had waited a little longer you could have had a better model.
The men on the other hand concluded that computers should be referred to in the feminine gender because:
No one but the Creator understands the internal logic.
The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else.
Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for later retrieval.
As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.
Hmm….
Good one but incase you’re wondering computers are gender neutral.
Reading used to be a hobby I indulged in with a passion. I used to have my nose in books every chance I got but it is no longer the case now. I do miss the days of traveling without leaving home, of visiting faraway lands, of kissing princes who were not “frogs” and of living a fairytale existence. I reveled in “happy ever afters” and I let the imaginary world guide my existence. I loved it all. Then I discovered writing and realized that I could do the same and my world took off running and reading was put on the backburner. I still read but when I need to have my nose in a book, it is of the cookbook variety!
Jogging was an activity I thoroughly enjoyed. I remember meeting up with a group of friends at around 5:00 a.m. as we headed off for a three-mile jog. The world was still asleep while the group of us took off pounding the pavement all the time talking and laughing about nothing in particular. The joints were working fine then and “youth” kept us going. I gave it up in my 20s because I read somewhere that it (jogging) put too much stress on the joints and could cause problems later on. I decided to err on the side of caution and took to walking instead. It has been a safer choice and serves me well.
If I could, I would love to get back to reading but somehow I can’t. I don’t know why. I do miss those days but I guess time changes things and who knows at some point I might go back to it but just not right now. Jogging is done with. I can’t see myself doing that ever again. The closest I get to jogging these days is running on the spot but that too only for a few minutes at a time!
Time changes things.
Daily writing prompt
Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?
It is Sunday and I had a sleepless night last night. My little furball has a cold and he is restless! I noticed that he was sleeping more than usual and his appetite is not where it should be. His constant rubbing his nose to clear the congestion cued me to the fact that there might be more than meets the eye.
I helped with a damp tissue to clear his nose and since he can’t blow his own nose, it was the best I could do. Keeping him warm and quiet also helped. However, I realized that keeping quiet is not what cats do when they are sick or feeling down in the dumps. Chachi, the cat, is more active than expected and stirring up trouble! He opened all the cupboards in the cellar, then he was off and running to the kitchen where he found more cupboards to open and if that was not enough to get my attention, he decided to up the ante with more nonsense. It did get my attention if that was what he was vying for.
According to one source, “Cats can catch colds, typically known as feline upper respiratory infections (URIs), characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion, eye discharge, and lethargy, often lasting 7-10 days.”
Symptoms:
Sneezing and nasal discharge. Watery or runny eyes. Coughing or congestion. Lethargy and decreased appetite and mild fever or sores in the mouth.
My little bugger has some of those symptoms but he appears to be more active than usual. Not sure what that is about but it kept me awake at night. Maybe it is that, “misery loves company!” Whatever it is, he was moving around a lot during the night and kept me up with his constant, “Come join me mommy!”
Treatment:
Keep your cat warm and comfortable.
Offer strong-smelling food since congestion reduces their sense of smell.
Gently clean eye or nose discharge with a warm, damp cloth.
Consult a vet if you see a thick yellow/green discharge and or if they stop eating.
Here’s the other thing. A cat cold cannot be transmitted to humans. However, I do feel like I’m coming down with something! Just psychological transmission I suppose.
“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” Unknown
If you are strong-willed like I am, this is a hard one to stomach or swallow. I think I’m as stiff as a rod when it comes to being flexible. I can bend and sway with the best of them but changing what I am accustomed to is a hard ask and it doesn’t happen easily for me. It takes a very long time. You can drag me to the water but making me drink is another thing altogether!
“True flexibility can only be achieved through constant adaptation to new circumstances.” Janna Cachola
And that right there is my problem. I am set in my ways and instead of adapting to changes, I usually want to control the situation hoping it will stay the same because adaptation in all its forms means accepting the inevitable and moving on and that is a hard thing to do. It doesn’t matter if “change” would bring about something better. I see it as this unknown monster that needs slaying in order to start anew and that is frightening to say the least.
I have to learn that, “Being flexible means not reacting but actively adjusting to life’s twists and turns. Face the unexpected with resilience, and every challenge becomes an opportunity.” Unknown
It’s not that I am a novice at adjusting to life’s twists and turns. I’ve had more than my share of it but each time something unforeseen happens and I’m left to stare change in the face, I pull back, run to the corner yelling, “Go Away! Leave Me Alone! Not You Again!”
Unfortunately, moving on and accepting changes is what life is all about isn’t it? Nothing remains the same forever, well maybe death but even then there are grey areas. So my next goal is to work with “flexibility” and embrace it as much as I can but not become best friends with it. I don’t want it showing up at my front door too often but when it does I will be gracious and in so doing, I hope it will leave me in peace!
“How strange that the grass is all that remains standing after the storm,” said the Boy.
“Sometimes being soft is strong,” said the Rabbit.
Flexibility is needed to go up against life’s challenges and change is often the result. Acceptance is the next step and moving on is inevitable. That said, flexibility is needed not to direct the wind, that is an impossible task, but to tweak it to where it is manageable and that folks takes many many lessons to learn. I know I’ll never be perfect at it, nothing in life ever is but I’m learning to stand my ground and to bend with resilience and to bounce back when necessary.
“Bamboo is flexible, bending with the wind but never breaking, capable of adapting to any circumstance. It suggests resilience, meaning that we have the ability to bounce back even from the most difficult times.” Ping Fu
Here’s to flexibility, you’re not my best friend but I hope you’ll be gentle with me the next time you come around.
I don’t have one right now. Sweet things are not at the top of my list when it comes to pampering myself. I like a piece of chocolate now and then but that’s about it. Going back in time when I just didn’t care about my health, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups comes to mind. I loved the chocolatey nutty taste of this candy and it was my go to when I needed something sweet but these days, cheesecake has replaced that craving and since it is not a candy, I can’t add it on here. Too bad!
Reese’s Buttercups manufactured by The Hershey Company was a fan favorite. The flavor combination can be traced back to 1928, when H. B. Reese created this treat in his basement. However, the mixture of peanut butter and milk chocolate makes this a high fat treat. One Reese’s cup has about 88 calories and 8 grams of fat. If you’re watching your diet and on a healthy one at that, keep away from this treat! The calories add up quickly.
It used to be my favorite but not anymore. These days I do without the “sugar rush” and stick to fruit and a piece of cheesecake now and then. No fun? I agree but health matters and it is at the top of my priority list so I bite the bullet and do without. Most days anyway until I hear that call. The one that screams, “Come get me!” Yes, you guessed it. It is the call of the wild from the “cheesecake” and it usually wins!
It is on the way. The day when love is celebrated with hearts, kisses, roses and lots of love. It falls annually on February 14th and there is a frenzied rush to show that certain someone special just how wonderful they are. What about the other days? Well, it goes without saying. Just a normal day with no Schnickschnack involved. This too is love and it takes many forms.
Coming back to the Valentine’s Day Story.
Valentine’s Day often makes us think about hearts, chocolates, and romance — but some of the most meaningful love stories are about friendship, kindness, and showing up for one another when it matters most.
That’s exactly what The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie celebrates.
At its core, this story isn’t about grand gestures or perfect heroes. It’s about Honey, a miniature greyhound who must find courage she didn’t know she had, and Hubie, a bold little frog who proves that friendship doesn’t always come in expected forms. Together, they explore a whimsical world filled with surprises, gentle humor, and moments that quietly remind us what love really looks like.
What makes this book such a lovely Valentine’s Day read is how naturally its message unfolds. Honey and Hubie don’t set out to teach lessons — they simply care about each other. They listen, they help, they face fears side by side. And in doing so, they show young readers that love isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it’s just being brave enough to take the next step when someone believes in you.
For children, it’s a story about friendship and courage. For parents and teachers, it’s a reminder that stories can nurture empathy, imagination, and emotional growth — all without preaching.
This Valentine’s Day, The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie is a beautiful choice for sharing a quieter kind of love: the love of friendship, loyalty, and believing in one another — even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
Because the best adventures, just like the best kinds of love, are the ones we don’t take alone.
The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie by T. J. Mueller
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