Just“KITTING AROUND”
BLOG 299–Your Morning Routine
Don’t sleepwalk through life.
I hope to illuminate your Life with my Words.
The Wanderings of Kit (Do you wander or wonder?)
I WANT TO INSPIRE YOU TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY AND BETTER!
*** This blog looks best when viewed on a laptop or desktop computer.
*** The joy I experience in life is a wondrous thing!
*** I was hit by two different trucks, but I remain happy.
*** Going through a 37-day coma — Yikes!
*** What do you want to accomplish before you die?
*** If you read this through Facebook, see kitsummers.com/blog
*** I lived in my van for six years, visited all US national parks, and met Beth.
*** Beth and I married on 2/22/22 at 2:22.
*** What are you passionate about?
*** Only YOU know what is best for you.
*** Live for now! You will have had a great life when all your nows add up!
*** You cannot change the past. The future will come. All you have is now—always.
*** Have you seen >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFC5vLPDWRsvo
BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!
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WHY I WRITE THIS BLOG
You will have many in your life who assist and teach; I hope I help guide you. I want to lighten your path toward excellence. It is up to you to make your journey toward value. I am not trying to show you “the way”; I am trying to help you find “your way.” Writing this blog each week is new and different for me each time—I love it! In other words, I hope to continually add to your life and bring you to a higher level. Your life should always be starting again–a better life each time!
I WANT TO INSPIRE YOU WITH MY WORDS –WORDS HAVE POWER!
Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual demise?
You can (and should) make changes to improve your life — at any age.
Of course, that leads to helping others to have a better life.
We all need to help each other to reach a higher level.
Start today, and know that you can build the life you desire.
MY EXPERIENCES
You already know much about what I write, and I want to remind you of these ideas and show that my views can provide you with additional thoughts, along with yours, to help you.
Much of what I write about is taken from my experiences.
I hope to spread ideas so that you can live a better life.
Remember — only you know what is best for you.
And — you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
YES, YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO FIND YOUR SUCCESS!
THINK — AND THEN THINK AGAIN.
WHAT NEW STORIES ARE YOU READY TO WRITE?
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ABOUT THIS CURRENT BLOG–
I feel so alone.
I feel unloved.
I’m so lonely out here alone.
But, as usual, I will be alright.
I heard from Judy Finelli; nice words she sent about the last blog >>
“Kit, this is a lovely treatise on going barefoot! I remember that in 1966, we had classes in many different experimental aspects of acting and performing at the NYU theater program. I had Hovey Burgess teach me “circus techniques.”
My brother was right-handed like our mother, but I was left-handed like our father. Being left-handed forces you to learn quasi-ambidexterity—you have to learn how to use your left hand and your right hand. I could write with my left hand quickly, but I cut with scissors with my right hand; I played bowling with my right hand—ditto tennis.
That afternoon, I applied the concept of braiding hair to juggling and figured out the cascade pattern. My brother didn’t get far because he was right-handed and tried to throw the balls in a circle.
However, a beginner can use a shower pattern relatively fast, so he cannot keep that shower going. But I could do it relatively quickly and walk across the room and back many times – at the age of six, I could keep the pattern going. I didn’t know anyone who juggled and had never heard of the IJA, so that was the end for many years.
In high school, a gym class included learning how to juggle, but it wasn’t open to girls—only guys! But that’s not what I wanted to tell you. I also had a mime class taught by a colorful Italian character, Carlo Mazzone-Clementi. He would say many colorful things that we students loved.
One of these, “The Ground Is Your Friend,” became my favorite because I loved to walk barefoot and feel that connection to the earth and ground. Many thanks for suggesting I get more in touch with that feeling of being barefoot on the grass. I hope you stay warm. It’s been inspirational because you treat everything that happens to you as an adventure!” Take care – Judy.
THE MAIN TOPIC — Your Morning Routines?
SMILE!
You awake every morning (I would hope so, anyway.)
What’s next?
Smile — you have an entire day to achieve success!
Your Routine
A morning routine can have a much more significant effect on your life than you realize. Many people make it much harder for themselves to do what they know they should do by sticking to lousy morning habits. Checking your phone when you wake up and hitting the snooze button doesn’t help you have a great day; it welcomes an awful day.
Change with the Changes
Waking up just a little bit earlier and setting aside time to devote yourself before running out the door can help alleviate that overwhelming feeling that there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything you want or need. Your stress level will go down. Below are a few easy ideas to start your day on the right foot by building better habits that work for your lifestyle.
Pack Your Bags the Night Before
It’s tempting to get under the covers and pass out at the end of a long day. But taking 10 minutes to prepare your bag of things for the next day can help make your morning less stressful. Pack what you need–your gym clothes and sneakers, perhaps–ensure you have any chargers you need for your laptop and phone, and fill a little goody bag with snacks.
Don’t Forget
Not only will this lessen the chance of you forgetting something in the haste of your a.m. rush, but it may give you more time to sip your tea, play New York Times Word, or catch up on morning news. Your future self will thank you.
Set Two Different Alarms
Not surprisingly, you shouldn’t snooze your alarm. It can seriously mess with your body’s natural sleep cycle. But that doesn’t mean you have to jump out of bed the second your alarm goes off. We like to come out of slumber slowly to lower morning stress. Try setting one alarm for your wake-up time and another for when you need to be out of bed. I’ve not had to wake to a clock for years.
Let the Sunshine in
Open your shades to get natural light in the morning. Stretch and do deep breathing before being rushed into your usual to-do list. This is also a great way to work toward becoming a morning person if that’s a goal or lifestyle you’re interested in.
Don’t Immediately Open Your Phone
I know — this is a tough one. According to a survey from the tech company ReportLinker, 46% of Americans said they check their phone before they get out of bed in the morning. The problem is this kicks you into alertness a little too quickly. You awake too quickly.
No Phone
Instead, if you’re eager to immediately stimulate your brain during those first few minutes after you wake up, leave a book, journal, or notebook next to your bed so you can quickly grab them instead of your phone. Being intentional about the first things you see in the morning and not looking at a bright screen will help you adjust to being awake and focus on being present for the day ahead.
Drink Water First
Before Coffee
Before Tea
Drink Water!
Your body may crave coffee or another potentially dehydrating beverage when you wake up, but you should reach for water first thing in the morning. Mild dehydration can drain your energy and tire you throughout the day. And if you’ve been asleep all night, you probably haven’t had any water to drink in six to nine hours. Starting your day by rehydrating your body can help replenish the natural energy you need. Leave a cold water bottle next to your bed the night before so it’s right there waiting for you when you open your eyes.
Get Going!
Moving your body every morning, whether through high-intensity workouts like boxing or cycling or low-intensity activity such as walking or stretching, will help you start your day on a positive note, both mentally and physically.
MOVE!
Daily movement is a great way to practice mindfulness, release endorphins, and center yourself in your body. It also helps to stretch and loosen your muscles after a good sleep. Studies have shown that regular morning exercise reduces the risk of various chronic health conditions–including cardiovascular disease and/or type 2 diabetes, leading to better-quality sleep. Plus, if you move your body in the morning, you don’t have to worry about when you’ll find the time to exercise throughout the day. One more thing off your list! GET GOING FIRST THING!
Writing this blog each week is new and different for me—I love it! In other words, I hope to continually enrich your life and bring you to a higher level.
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WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU!
Inspirational quotes and sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thoughts. They are attractive, challenging, and essential on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.
THE BURST!
Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to regain our focus, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion. I hope the words below bring a smile to your face and drive you to make this day and every day a fantastic event.
BE POSITIVE!
Just as positive words can make someone smile, and a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real-time. Have this control! You have complete control over only one thing in the universe—YOUR THINKING!—and that’s where motivational quotes come in!
“YOU”
How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible, determines everything in your life, and it all derives from your quality of thinking. Use quotes to move ahead in your life.
SELF-TALK IS SO ESSENTIAL—THINK RIGHT!
To stay motivated, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it! Motivational words, yes, are just words. But they are positive words; they will keep you on track.
QUOTES WILL BENEFIT YOU!
Positive and inspiring quotes can be like sunshine on a cloudy day. They inject optimism into our thoughts, brighten our mood, and help us focus on the good in life. They remind us that even in the face of adversity, we can see the silver lining and embrace a positive attitude.
PEARLS OF WISDOM
In a world filled with challenges and indecisiveness, the power of inspirational quotes cannot be exaggerated. These pearls of wisdom uniquely uplift our spirits, can spark positive change, and fuel our motivation often when we need it most.
WORDS WILL CHANGE YOU!
The correct motivational quote can change you and things—helping you ditch the excuses, escape your comfort zone, and take action. Read these words with an open mind and learn to improve your life.
THESE QUOTES
When you read these quotes, you’ll also realize that many other people worldwide are experiencing these feelings. These feelings make you think you’re the only person who could feel this bad. But you’re not. Lots and lots of other people feel bad, too. This is the irony of it. You don’t want other people to feel crappy, but it does make you feel better or at least comforted to know that other people feel just as bad as you.
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I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ADD TO YOUR LIFE >>
These quotes can be used when you wake up or prepare for work.
You can write your favorite quotes somewhere where you can see them first thing in the morning.
These quotes are motivating, inspiring, and encouraging. They will help you see your potential, stay motivated, and see the beauty in every morning. Use them to your advantage!
1. “Make your morning shine!
Then you make your life shine!”
– Kit Summers
2. “No one can make you feel inferior without consent.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
3. “There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing. It’s not a matter of time; it’s a matter of desire.”
– Nina Yau
4. “Some people dream of success, while others get up every morning and make it happen.”
– Wayne Huizenga
5. “No one can ever take your memories from you – each day is a new beginning; make good memories every day.”
– Catherine Pulsifer
6. “Lose an hour in the morning, and you will spend all day looking for it.”
– Richard Whately
7. “I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting behind the morning.”
– J. B. Priestley
8. “We turn not older with years but newer every day.”
– Emily Dickinson
9. “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”
– Dale Carnegie
10. “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
– John C. Maxwell
11. “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your day.”
– Dalai Lama
12. “Waking up this morning, I smile. 24 brand-new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
13. “A year from now, you may wish you had started today.”
– Karen Lamb
14. “Success is to wake up each morning and consciously decide that today will be the best day of your life.”
– Ken Poirot
15. “New morning, a new moment of miracles.”
– Lailah Gifty Akita
16. “I believe that daring to dare is the most important single thing beyond discipline and creativity.”
– Maya Angelou
17. “Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.”
– Dwayne Johnson
18. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
19. “If you can’t yet do great things, do small things in a great way.”
– Napoleon Hill
20. “The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.”
– Henry Ward Beecher
YOU MUST IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE’S DIFFERENTIA—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!
COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!
YOU CAN TURN THINGS AROUND FAST AND ACHIEVE YOUR
WILDEST DREAMS NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN LIFE!
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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
It seems like time is going by faster and faster.
You must live joyfully, daily, for each day!
Do you know what you did last Monday?
Do you remember what you ate for dinner last Thursday?
Keep track of your doings for a few weeks; you will see your time differently.
Remember, the quality of your life depends on what you do each day.
11/23–What wonderful daughters I have! April and Jasmine, knowing it would be frigid in the following days, got me a room at La Quinta Inn for a three-night stay!
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/laquinta/louisville-colorado/la-quinta-denver-boulder-louisville/overview?CID=LC:6ysy27krtpcrqev:52683&iata=00093796
Significantly, they got me this room because the homeless shelter has a daily lottery to get a bed. I had gotten a high number the last three times and, therefore, did not get a bed. For two nights, I slept in the van; the first night, it got down to 33 degrees.
The hotel room includes an excellent breakfast, so I ate well this morning. Later, I worked on the van window covers. I put more black covers on each. So, now they will keep all the cold and light out of the van. In the evening, I brought in the stove and cooked some chicken, which tasted great.
11/24–I Woke up at about 6 a.m. Last night, I slept well. I am currently using my laptop on one of the tables for meals at the hotel. You get a complimentary breakfast (it’s not free; you pay for the room.)
Yikes! I often turn my engine off when I am stopped at a red light. I turned the engine off like usual, but it would not start up again! I turned the key, and the engine would spin and not click on. I sat there at the light, not knowing what to do.
Kit goes through another big adventure.
Finally, a cop pulled up behind me, and Ben came up. I told him what was happening, and I had called the towing service. They told me they could only be there at 8 a.m. the next day.
He told me to take my bike off the back, and he could push me to a nearby safe lot. I quickly took off the bike and rack and threw them in the back of the van. He told me where to drive; I jumped in the van, and then he pushed me where I needed to go. I thanked Ben very much; he saved me. I even hugged him on departure and felt the bulletproof vest he had on.
After he pushed me to the parking lot, I sat in the van, not knowing where to go or what to do. For the heck of it, I turned the key—the van started up! I was overjoyed. I quickly drove to where Ben, the cop, was and let him know.
Then I drove to Cindy’s to pick up some things and went to the Homeless Shelter to pick up some things that had been mailed to me. Then, I drove up to the La Quinta Inn to spend the last night of three at this lovely hotel my daughters had paid for.
Had a long talk with Cindy this evening.
I will be going back to her house tomorrow.
That’s me and Cindy to the left.
11/25–I am writing this blog from the hotel’s breakfast room, and what a tasty meal. Check-out time is 11 a.m.; it is 8:22, so I have time to get things together before I go.
I went to Cindy’s, and she got weird with me again. She is leaving for NYC tomorrow, and I thought she was okay with me staying at her home, taking care of the cat, and improving things. The evening came—she booted me out! She later sent me words apologizing for what she had done.
And, boy, was it frigid outside. I loaded stuff into the van and just drove off with no destination. I was going to sleep in the back of the van. I could not find anywhere suitable for me to park and spend the night. Scared, lonely, and desolate–my mind was reeling. I could not find anywhere that would be good to sleep at.
Then I remembered the homeless shelter I had stayed at before. They were just in the process of picking numbers. I got a high number again, which meant sleeping in the van. At this point, I called my daughters, April and Jasmine.
Right away, without hesitation, they called the hotel I had stayed at for three nights in the past and booked me in again for two more nights. But my name was called at the shelter, and I could have had a bed in the warmth of the hostel. Yet, Jasmine told me the room had already been paid for, and they could not return the money.
I drove the ten miles to the La Quinta Inn for another two-night stay. I got the same room I had stayed in previously. The van’s check engine light had come on, so I will look at that tomorrow. This scared me because, without the van, I have nothing—I am nothing.
Right now, I am just sick and scared of this life I am living. Even driving at night is getting more difficult. I often have to close one eye to see right and not see double. Overall, it is difficult for me to see while driving at night. But, I got here, oh boy.
11/26–I had concerns about the van. The check engine light was on, and I was worried. I brought it in to have it checked, and they found nothing significant. I felt relief. And there was no charge for their help—I like that.
I saw Dr. Gladney today. He gave me a prescription for a medication to calm my coughing—a good thing. I also had him write some prescriptions for inhalers for my asthma. I gave him one of the books I wrote, “Accident,” which he joyfully accepted.
I know a snowstorm is on its way in the next few days. I cleaned and organized the van so I wouldn’t have to in the cold and snow. I’ve decided to travel south to see my sister, Willow. I will spend Turkey Day with her before heading to where Jasmine and April are.
But before I move back to the Philly area, I might spend some time in warmer Florida. Of course, you will learn what I have decided in future blogs. I’ve spent time there; I like it in Florida.
I’ve decided to see my sister in Santa Fe before heading up to see my daughters in PA. Seeing Willow after so many years will be strange, but Turkey Day will be with her. I hope to leave early and miss the snow. I will let you know . . .
11/27–Thanksgiving is tomorrow, as I wrote. I went to spend Turkey Day in Santa Fe with my sister. Born Kathleen Willow, I always knew her as Kath. She now goes by her middle name, Willow; I like that. She will also have other people tomorrow. It sounds like it will be a festive fest.
My sister, Willow, and me.
Now, I have to tell you about the 400-mile drive from Boulder. Much of the way, it was snowing, snowing, snowing. (I was driving very carefully.) On the radio, there was a forecast of 3 to 4 feet of snow, which didn’t materialize. But I did drive through much white stuff. I arrived safely, and it was great to see my sister.
Grey hairs on her head.
More wrinkles than in the past.
She still has a great smile.
On her last birthday, Willow turned 70. That seems old, but I am just five more years away from being there. She owns her house and has decorated it very nicely. For her 70th, she went to Southern Portugal in a small town. She said it looked like the area we grew up in, Point Loma in San Diego.
11/28–I Woke up at 2 a.m. and couldn’t get back to sleep. Today is Thanksgiving. My sister will have two others over today. One is her sister, Maureen (they shared a different dad than me), and also her friend, Avery, who has no family nearby. My sister cooked great food, and we had interesting conversations. I’ll be here for a few more days and still trying to figure out where to go next. I might head south and into Texas.
For high blood pressure and allergies, I take six different pills daily. I just refilled my daily pill holder, which holds 25 of each pill. While doing this, I got sad and miserable, which is a good word for me. I am missing my mom, who died in 2014. I want to cry right now, but I’m holding back.
11/29–Three am wake-up time this morning.
I feel good today, hoping to get much accomplished.
I organized and cleaned the van this morning, and it is better.
I plan to return to Boulder and be with Cindy, helping in any way I can.
Then, I will return to the road to see my daughters, Jasmine and April, in the middle of Southern PA.
Winter is here; I must plan for it. I will drive south for some miles, where it will be warmer, and north and east to PA.
Willow, my sister, and her sister, Maureen (we had not met before;) grew up with the last name Malaney. So, Maureen and I have no blood connection. A few years ago, Maureen’s husband died, and she is alone. It was fun to be with her at the tree lighting.
Maureen and I
Santa Fe lights up its Christmas lights each year after a countdown. We parked about six blocks away and walked, which was alright. Downtown was packed with people, and we walked through and around much of the celebration.
As we were walking, something strange happened. I saw a log bench to the side and was going to sit on it. The log was split, and I reached out to feel it before I sat. Somehow, I fell and landed on the pavement right on my left eye. When you get a cut around your eyes, blood rushes out–I had a big pool of blood below me. Maureen saw it happen and, like me, cannot figure out what occurred.
We took Maureen home and then returned to Willow’s, and she patched me up. It ended up being a big cut around my left eye. As I am writing this, it is the next day. I feel better, but what an embarrassment.
Yikes — Left eye damage!
DO SOMETHING NEW–DAILY!
THEN, KEEP DOING NEW FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
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THE GARDEN THIS WEEK
I keep this section about gardening in.
I do like the skill and hope you do, too.
Winter now, but there are still things you can grow.
And, remember about indoor gardening.
A self-supportive life can be a better life.
A garden would be a part of that life.
You must look into it.
Because I am back on the road, there will be no more words about the garden.
I do hope Beth keeps it up.
We did a lot of work establishing our vegetable garden.
When I drove the van seven years ago,
I grew stuff under the sunroof windows on the top.
I may start that up my van garden again.
You will find out, of course.
START YOUR GARDEN TODAY!
IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR YOUR LIFE!
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ALL OUR LIFE, WE MUST CHALLENGE OURSELVES!
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>
Figure out a daily routine and do it each day this week. Your routine can and will change often; be ready for that. Just plan your schedule each day, and your life will get better and better over time. The main thing about a morning routine is you want to bring a smile to your face and find joy in your life.
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NEXT BLOG >>
The passing of time will be covered.
Do you waste much time?
Do you make time to help other people?
Learn to use your time better in this blog.
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AND WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING FOR YOUR UPCOMING WEEK?
