I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE INDEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTIVE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
Hmm….I must say he is getting good at walking back. Why is the message in all caps? You have to ask him that along with the spelling mistakes. I’m waiting to see what Iran says about this. They’ll probably have a different take on it. Where is he getting this from? United States of America and Iran have had very good and productive conversations over the last two days? Delusional and not all there but at least the world is not going to hell in a hand basket!
Here is Iran’s response.
Iran’s foreign ministry had this to say:
“We deny what US President Donald Trump said regarding negotiations taking place between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Can you trust someone who can’t spell “which?” Perhaps he had witch hunt on his mind which would make sense because this saber rattling of the highest order was just that. Is he going to claim a glorious victory? What do you think?!!
Update: I wrote this during Trump’s first term and nothing has changed it seems. If anything, he is shooting off “bullets” before his mind can catch up with him! The bully is front and center and he is using the office of the presidency to back him up. Talks of taking Greenland by force, talking down to the allies and single-handedly dismantling the “Old World Order” is all within his grasp and he is leaving nothing to chance. Now, he has issued an ultimatum to Iran thinking or rather not thinking which is more the case. The problem is Iran is not taking it sitting down and it looks like the “bully” has met his match! Time is running out and it is a wait and see approach now. “Playing chicken” is not going to end well for the man in diapers but that hasn’t stopped him before so why should it now? Will he walk it back as he has done before? We will find out soon enough.
This is what I had to say back then.
The 45th President is in hot water again and this just days after the controversial firing of FBI Director, James Comey. The president alleged that the firing was due to Comey “not doing a good job,” and instead of leaving it at that, he went on to tweet a thinly veiled threat suggesting that there was a taped recording of his conversation with Comey further adding, “James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press.” That threw him into the eye of the hurricane where he has been ever since.
As if that wasn’t enough to throw his presidency into a downward spiral, the president was off and running to his next debacle. This one involves allegations that he divulged classified information to Russian diplomats in the Oval Office. The Washington Post reported that Trump revealed highly classified information on the Islamic State group during his meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador, Sergey Kialyak. Yes folks, ignorance is bliss and where the new President is concerned, it’s enough to “sink ships,” or his Presidency.
The latest morsel of “red meat” was just what the press needed to send them scrambling to get the best angle on the developing story as dreams of “impeachment” riddled through the minds of die-hard Trump haters. Not so fast people. There is such a thing as damage control and the White House has been doing just that sending in the “big guns” to take care of business. If Spicer’s “stare down the press” tactics hasn’t worked, well, maybe sending in National Security Advisor HR McMaster might just do the job. In his no-nonsense fashion, he denied that the President had revealed, “Intelligence sources or methods,” but reviewed, “a range of common threats to our two countries including threats to civil aviation.” Was that enough to calm the “storm” and bring it to a screeching halt? Guess again.
Trump’s questionable tweets and actions have put his Presidency in turmoil once again and not even all the President’s men and women can put it back together again. This latest drama is one of his own making and if he doesn’t stop shooting off tweets from the White House during the early morning hours instead of getting some sleep, this situation is only going to get worse. Perhaps, he should take a tip from the 44th President, Barack Obama, when the going gets tough, go golfing. There is no better way to let off some steam than by shooting a small ball into a round hole at the same time cussing under your breath about all the wrongs of the world that needs righting. A surefire way to keep the lid on an explosive situation and you come off looking like a winner.
One last thing, the office of the President deserves a modicum of decorum and spouting off “secrets” at the drop of a coin and shooting off tweets like a teenager is not the way to get it.
Cool in the shade and not so hot in sunshine. It is exactly the kind of weather we are having now and I love it. I am not a fan of hot weather, sweating it out is not my kind of thing and when it gets hot in Europe, it gets unbearable because some “people” love sweating versus turning on the air-conditioner.
Most homes don’t have this essential element to cool it down in the heat of summer. “Comfort cooling” as they would like to call it does not justify the expense of installing, operating and maintaining A/C. Plus, there are not enough hot days each summer to justify that kind of expense.
When it does get hot, unbearably hot, people have fans. I’ve invested in two Dyson fans that help to keep the place cool. However, the living room remains nice and comfortable in summer because it has stone floors and that is a nice feature of this house.
Coming back to my favorite type of weather, I would say a mix between cool and warm. Spring and fall offer this kind of weather and I love these two seasons for the comfort it gives in walking and being able to enjoy the surroundings without worrying about the damage too much sun is going to cause. Plus, I have a sun allergy, not something serious, but if I stay out too long and directly under the hot sun, my skin lets me know and not in a nice way!
Zig Ziglar called it the healthiest of all human emotions and it is one that is often overlooked in our day to day existence of what we call “living.” It is unpretentious, it takes its place quietly in the ranks of emotions and waits to be recognized like a step child who is often left wanting. More often than not we walk past without giving it the recognition it deserves.
“Gratitude helps you see what’s there instead of what isn’t.” Unknown
What is gratitude?
Simply put and according to graygroupintl.com, “It is a deep sense of appreciation for the good things in our lives, both big and small. It is about recognizing the positive aspects and expressing gratitude for them. When we practice gratitude, it not only benefits our mental health but also our physical well-being.”
If it is that important, why hasn’t this poster-child for good mental health been given more attention and accolades?
Perhaps, it is because as humans we have a tendency to overlook the “good stuff” and we tend to focus on the lack thereof and all the negatives it entails. If only I had this, then life would be so much better is the mantra we wear with pride and have hone it to an art form that we are blinded to the abundance that surrounds us.
“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.” Rumi
Practice it daily and it will turn your life around. I still haven’t grasped this concept of being grateful but I am working on it.
How do you practice gratitude? According to mindful.org, the people in the know, it starts like this and if you do it regularly, “it is a game-changer; it has far reaching effects, from improving our mental health to boosting our relationships with others. Living your life with gratitude helps you notice the little wins— and over time strengthens your ability to notice the good.”
Start by observing. Notice the thank yous you say.
Keep a journal of all that you are grateful for and believe me there is plenty to be thankful for.
Make a vow to be grateful everyday.
Meditate – anchor yourself to the good things in your life. Be mindful and live in the present.
The day before was a tough day. Things just didn’t go the way I wanted it to and so my focus was on all the bad stuff which in turn helped me to go further down the rabbit hole. At the end of the day I decided that today would be better. The gratitude part didn’t come till later. I went ahead and booked a massage and as I was lying on the table, face down and staring into nothingness, listening to the soothing music in the background, a small voice said, “Say thank you.” I did and I repeated it several times just in case it didn’t hear me the first me! As the masseuse applied gentle strokes to my back, I realized that I was surrounded with and by abundance.
I slowly started counting off the things I was grateful for and the list was never-ending. The gorgeous day, the blue skies, my friends, the people who cared about my existence and last but not least the wonderful massage that helped to soothe my frazzled nerves. It was a game-changer. I walked out of there with a smile on my face, my woes forgotten for the moment at least and well-prepared for the day ahead.
If you can’t afford a massage even the simplest of things will do it. Go for a walk, pay attention to the sights and sounds, things that help to lift up your soul. It could be as simple as taking in a deep breath, or watching a bird in flight or a tree in bloom, its colors mesmerizing and the scent wafting by better than any artificially manufactured perfume but most of all say, “THANK YOU.” Be grateful for the abundance surrounding you, the roof over your head, the food, nature and all the little and big things that help to make up your life and soon the glass will no longer be half empty but overflowing. A friend said to me, “you need to do what you preach,” and he is right. Thank you friend for being my friend!
Practicing gratefulness is helping to turn things around in my life. It doesn’t come easily but the more I say thank you and appreciate what is around me, the less I see the negatives not that they aren’t there mind you, but to a lesser extent. This too takes time.
“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” Tony Robbins
I remember her well. She was young and beautiful but more than that she had a great smile and a quiet way about her. I loved being in her class and somehow I had caught her attention. She would give me an encouraging nod and sometimes outright praise. This stoked my young ego and got me interested in English and in writing in particular. I made it my mission to excel in it!
I was in elementary school and the homework was to write a story, a fictional one. Mine was about a lion, that’s all I can remember but she held it up to the class and said, “This is a beautiful story.” It was the start of my writing career. The lady had no idea that she had set a fire ablaze. Then one day she said, “Tia, come on up and show them how it’s done.” Believe me I was oozing with pride as I walked to the front of the classroom and started writing on the board. Afterwards, she patted me on the head and said, “Well done!” My passion for writing had an outlet and I was on my way.
The English teacher didn’t know it at the time but her kind words, her motivation and her ability to bring forth the talent within me had set the wheels in motion. I became a whizz at writing. My first story made front cover and I was 16 at the time and since then I have written and published thousands of articles. I got my start in a classroom a long time ago from a person who nudged me gently in that direction and nurturing that potential she give me the tools to move ahead. Sometimes it takes just one person to see potential and to light that flame and she did.
Her impact on my writing career was tremendous so thank you.
Lies abound and the man at the helm doesn’t care if it kills, maims, or causes unnecessary suffering. It is all part and parcel of his presidency. It has been a “Tsunami of Untruths,” and it will continue at a rabid pace!
According to Wikipedia, “Donald Trump has made tens of thousands of false or misleading claims, including during his first and second terms as President of the United States.”
Let’s take a look at some of them:
He claimed that Hamas got $50 million dollars for condoms and then he inflated it to $100 million dollars!
Recently he blamed Ukraine for starting the war in Ukraine! Facts don’t matter as far as the 47th president is concerned.
When asked why he pardoned the January 6th rioters who assaulted first responders, his answer was, “they were assaulted by our government and they didn’t assault.” Yes, a criminal would say that wouldn’t he?
His most famous lie and one he will never give up is this one. It’s about his defeat in the free and fair elections of 2020. “It was rigged!” It’s not about “winning.” The truth is he can’t stand losing! Unfortunately or fortunately, he’s heading in that direction.
The next lie blew everyone’s socks off except his. “Zelensky is a dictator without elections.” Truth is, elections in Ukraine have been suspended since February 2022 and we know why don’t we? The man who claims to be a “genius” and one who has lots of “commonsense” should have known that shouldn’t he?
Just some of his blatant lies and there are too many to put down here. According to one source, Trump made over 30,573 false or misleading claims during his first term. What do you think? Will he blow that record to “kingdom come” during his second term?
He’s well on his way and the problem is he doesn’t care if they’re lies or truths, if they hurt and destroy or if what he says has consequences. It’s all about him and the “me” concept which is front and center every time he opens his mouth and inserts both feet in!
I try every day to keep stress at bay because it is the one thing that turns my world upside down and shoots the cortisol levels to unimaginable levels! It has been said that “cortisol levels are directly tied to stress, with cortisol often called the body’s main stress hormone. Long-term elevated cortisol is associated with health issues, including anxiety, depression, and metabolic problems.”
My focus is on doing more things to bring the stress levels under control. Of course, having three cats here wanting and demanding attention all the time is not doing any good and if anything, I have to work extra hard to keep the symptoms of stress manageable and to send them out of my system and somewhere else!
I would like a day of total calm and peace. I wish I could spend the day sitting in the garden listening to the bees buzzing nearby and watching the birds as they welcome spring with glee. The trilling is getting louder and a nice sound as far as I am concerned. Add a nice cup of coffee to that and it makes for a perfect and almost stress-free day.
I wish I could do more of that every day. However, wishing and doing are two different things!
Enough is enough? Today is that day and I’ve decided to take some time-out and to pamper myself instead of catering to everyone else. The “everyone” meaning the three cats who are keeping me company from the moment I wake up to the time I go to bed and in-between!
Waking up this morning to one cat scratching at the bedroom door, the other knocking and the one in the bedroom meowing, “Mom, it’s time to get up!” told me that it was time to take some time for myself and to blur the cats out for an hour or two.
I had breakfast as usual and did my routine like I do every morning. Feeding the little rascals, cleaning up after them, listening to their complaints, and wondering what to say when the “white one” cries, “WHERE IS MY DADDY?!!”
Today, it was going to be “my” time to enjoy myself. I decided to go to town and have a nice cup of coffee at the cafe and people watch. The sun was shining and a perfectly wonderful day to do just that. I made it there just as the shops were opening. First, I headed to the pet store and stocked up on more cat food, yes, I spoil them. Then I picked up some cat toys. It was time for that cup of coffee. Walking into the cafe, I noticed that I was the only one there. It was still early. My favorite server was there with a smile on his face. He’s from Argentina and we’ve talked before. He asked, “Alone, today?” Answering in the affirmative, I ordered my cup of coffee. He then introduced me to this other guy as his brother. A cute guy who was just learning the ropes. We talked and then my coffee was there. They left me in peace to enjoy it.
Looking outside, I noticed that it was getting busy. The bakery across the way was jam-packed. It’s the place where I get my cheesecake and I could see them, the cheesecakes sitting on the counter and winking at me! I quickly looked away. I’ve been cheesecake free for a week now and I plan to keep it that way. So I turned my attention to the people. It was interesting. Most had their attention diverted to their phones. They were either looking at something or talking on it. Others seemed to be in a hurry. Some were laden down with big bags of groceries, while others were rushing somewhere. I was glad that I had nowhere to go. I sat there daydreaming as I slowly enjoyed the cup of Italian coffee. It was really good.
The break was doing me good. I could feel myself calming down and before I could get into a nirvana state of mind, I decided to pay up and make my way home. The plan was to go home, change into sweats and head to the fields, a wonderful addition to a stress-free day.
Just as I walked in, I heard, “We want to go home!” It was the white Persian and the dark-colored British long hair. Guess, they had enough of putting up with Chachi, the macho. My little guy was up in arms as he belted out, “SHE’S A B**CH!”
Lord, have mercy! There goes my peace out the window. After calming them down, I put on my walking shoes and headed out determined to salvage the day. As I closed the door behind me and headed out, it felt peaceful again. I will deal with whatever comes my way LATER! Now, it is my time and nothing else matters.
INVEST IN YOURSELF. Here’s the thing, no matter how stressful life gets, take time-out for yourself. You are worth it and your future depends on it.
My answer to this question would be NONE whatsoever! I am not a fan of tattoos although I have known and know people who love this mode of expression.
To each his or her own I say. That said, I don’t have any on any part of my anatomy and will never have any. It is just my preference. I had a girlfriend, a redhead, who had tattoos running down both her arms and I found it to be distracting. Conversations with her were stunted because my eyes kept going to those tattoos and even though they were fascinating I was too busy deciphering what those tattoos were trying to say instead of concentrating on what we were talking about! It was just a little too much. I knew someone else who had tattooed the name of his wife on one arm that was when they were in love but when it ended, he had to tattoo something else to cover that name!
You get the picture. I am not a fan of tattoos and never will be. Nothing against people who have them but it is just not my thing and I’ll leave it at that.
Daily writing prompt
What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?
It was early when I ventured out this morning. The sun was already shining and spring beckoned telling me that there was beauty out there to be discovered and not to waste time! Besides, I needed to get out of the house and to get some fresh air. The cats had been fed, brushed, the house cleaned and everything was as it should be except I needed OUT and what better place than the fields to keep me company and to help herald in a new day.
“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” Lewis Grizzard.
It was cold in the shade as I zipped up my jacket and walked up the hill. Immediately, I saw them. Just three of them, slightly smaller in stature as they stood there in the sunshine with their heads turned skywards. Perhaps, they were this year’s addition to the herd. I am talking about baby deer or rather fawn as they are called. I was still a distance away but as I approached, their heads turned in unison as they watched me cautiously. Within minutes, they made a run for it and went into the clump of trees and stayed there as I passed, waiting for the human to leave them in peace. I did.
Just then, I heard the soft cooing of a pigeon in the tree somewhere. Usually, it would be the loud cawing of a crow, harsh and raw, but this time around the soft cooing blended in with the quiet of the fields perfectly. Nothing else seemed to be moving. It was still early and the world was just coming awake. I turned towards the forest line and wondered if they were there, their splendid yellow heads moving with the wind.
“I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills, when all at once I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils; beside the lake, beneath the trees, flattering and dancing in the breeze.” William Woodsworth
They were there and I was no longer alone, nature had decided to keep me company with a beauty so breathtaking that I could just stand and stare for a while. The slight gurgling of the stream as it meandered through the forest and the beauty of the daffodils standing like silent sentinels as they kept watch was enough to clear my mind of any cobwebs left behind from this morning’s stress and in its place was pure peace and wonder.
Walking back I noticed the rabbits as they showed up one by one, there were three in total, as they went about enjoying their breakfast of greens. There was plenty to be had.
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold, when it is summer in the light and winter in the shade.” Charles Dickens
So it was. Back home, I decided to have my second cup of coffee out in the garden. There is much work to be done, the weeds are starting to sprout and nature is working extra hard to bring the “bloom” back in all its glory. The big old Magnolia is looking gorgeous again in her spring attire. It is a show stopper every year and this year will be no different. The smaller one out back is in full bloom, a beauty in white sprinkling its delicate scent throughout the garden. I had to stop and stare as I took in a whiff of its scent, soft, sweet and breathtaking like the tree itself. The roses are not in yet but they will show up soon enough and it will be spectacular when they do. For now, the Magnolias are first in line and it is enough to bring forth spring’s bliss.
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” Laura Ingles Wilder
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