By writing this blog I want to inspire you and show you that–
YES, YOU CAN > >
- Change your life at any time to make it more magnificent!
- Live with little money and still have an excellent life.
- Still be able to live life getting very little sleep.
- Live ANYWHERE in the world and still make your life a fantastic event!
- See experiences that will add to and make your life better.
- Perhaps this is my new “gig”, traveling the world doing the same?
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https://kitsummers.com/blog/
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The freedom I am experiencing in my travels is a marvelous thing.
Going where I want, when I want and seeing wonderful sites and people.
With this blog, I want to help open your mind to more of the splendor of the world.
I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
I will have secrets to unfold and good news!
MAKE CHANGE
Many people’s feelings are automatic and predictable. I like to create my life in a spontaneous way, always having people guessing (me too), what’s next. Where we all end up, of course, is death. Myself, I want to garner as much of life NOW, in this one and only life we have.
We must discover what is truly ‘important’ in life and aim toward that. I see so many people who have no direction for their life and just live day to day – not enjoying their life – at all. I want to show that there is a way to make a better life for yourself.
I think back to the life I could have had before my first accident that happened April 3, 1982, and going through 37-day coma. Juggling was most important to me at that time, more important than eating, sleeping, or relationships. I focused on that and did not really open my mind to other parts of life.
Have you watched this? >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc&t=72s
The accident was a good thing, I think in different ways now and have opened my mind to so much more in life. You may want to leave the life you are presently living. Do not wait for an accident to make change, choose alternatives that seem more attractive, more pleasant, more interesting—NOW! You can design and live the life that “you” want, start today, this moment!
This makes me think of people who have won the lottery (I am proud to say I have NEVER played any lottery, so I am ahead.) Some people who win, say millions of dollars, are excited in the first week, then they go back to their misery and sad life. We have to program our mind to see and find joy in life.
THE RAIN
Many people complain about their life experiences rather than learning from them. Today it is raining outside. We cannot control the rain, but I find many people complain about drops of water falling from the sky.
Rain is necessary for plants and for us. Something that must change is negative people’s minds. When you cannot change something, you must learn to live with it and see it in a good light.
Neither disappointment nor anger can change the rain. The rain was a display of nature we have no control of. I had wanted to do some more painting and work to the van today, but the rain will not allow me to, yet, the rain makes me smile.
When something happens that you have no control of, getting upset will do nothing to change things. I suggest that you smile and then continue on with what you need to do.
There are no accidents, everything is a lesson, like learning to smile at the rain. In my accident of 1982, I lost my skill of juggling, but I gained so many skills in other areas. Anymore, when something does happen, I smile and look for solutions to the change.
As you know, right before this I went through the Congaree National Park, a magical place. I just found this video about the park, have a watch >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epQyvVL6yh8
HERE WE GO, DAILY DETAILS >>
March 1, 2019 – I had decided to head back north to see some National Parks that I had not been to. Heading north out of the Smoky Mountains was hard, but I will be going back through as I head south again. As you would know, the warmer weather is toward the south, the direction I will he headin’.
How did the Great Smoky Mountains National Park get its name? The Smokies are named by the Cherokee for the blue mist that always seems to hover around the peaks and valleys. The Cherokee called them shaconage, (shah-con-ah-jey) or “place of the blue smoke”.
As for the spelling, just as many folks call them “smokey” as do those who call them “smoky”. The dictionary says both are acceptable. Whether you say Smokies, Smokys, or Smokys doesn’t really matter.
These visions conjure up the same vision that millions of visitors each year take with them after visiting the Park. As for the “Great” in Great Smoky Mountains, you will have to visit the Smokies to fully understand that part of the name. This national park is the most visited of them all, by the way.
BIRTHDAY BOY
My birthday was yesterday, February 28—I turned 60—so old. I received hundreds of Birthday greetings, I enjoyed reading each one. Thank you so much for thinking of me.
Just sent my last blog off yesterday, and I already have new news for you. I was traveling through Smoky Mountains National Park and we were in the clouds. Foggy and rainy clouds were all around. Hard to see much, especially after you got over the top of the mountain. I’m including some photos of what I could see.
While stopped and looking around a guy came up to me asking about my van. Tyler was there in his van, like me, he had slept up there in the clouds. I invited him in for a tour of my van. Then I showed him a copy of my book, “Juggling with Finesse”. He said, “I have your book in my van right now!–-You’re Kit?”
Turns out he is a juggler and performer. He invited me to the show he was working in, he works backstage and technical, along with rope spinning in the show. Then he invited me that night to the show, “Dolly Parton Stampede”, I am pleased to go. We talked more about how I built my van and he says he will be getting another van and likes my ideas.
I found another Walmart to stay the night. As I wrote before, it does not matter where you sleep, your eyes are closed and your mind is off. But, it is nicer to wake up in a forest. I sleep very little, usually between 3 and 5 hours, so, at Walmart, because they are open 24 hours, I can go in and use their free wifi at 2am as I start my day. I try and find a quiet place to park, on the side of the building or in the back.
3/2—Went to the three-hour show last night, Dolly Parton Stampede, it was great. Horse riding and tricks, much comedy, singing—very entertaining. And, with the show, you get a meal. No utensils, only hand fed food—chicken, half a potato, corn on the cob, and such. It tasted surprisingly good and there was much to handle.
Watch this video to learn more of the Stampede >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeGCZsU5BO4
Often I find a McDonald’s (who have free wifi) that also has electrical outlets to charge my laptop, I could not find anywhere here that power outlets this morning. Then I remembered about libraries. Every city has them and, along with free wifi, electrical connections are available, too, here I am for the day.
Of course, as I do when I go to any library, I tried to sell them my books. She loved the books but said she could not directly buy. She took my info and said she would buy later. But, I have gone to libraries who buy them on spot for cash.
3/3—Spent the night last night in the library parking lot, no one around. It was very quiet (it’s a library, after all.)
In the afternoon/evening I met up with Niels Duinker, an excellent juggler from Rotterdam in the Netherlands. He is performing at ???
Curently in this show, he does a great job https://www.comedybarn.com/pigeon-forge-show
We met up with another performer and went to a new see a show at the Buttonwillow Civil War Theater. Just two performers, I learned much about the history of the US.
After the show Niels took us to an all you can eat Chinese food place, and, yes, I ate all I could—stuffed myself. Quite tasty, they offered many different things. So, a perfect day with my friends. Learn about Niels here >> https://www.comedyjuggler.com/
Alone again tonight and tomorrow. Alone, but never alone, I have animals, bugs and plants to keep me company when I am out in the wilderness. Often, these can be better company than humans (but not you, of course.)
3/5/19—Went through more of the Smoky Mountains. But, I was returning on the same road that I came on and it was closed because of snow and ice. I ended up driving three times the miles, but I saw other parts of the park.
The only animals I saw in the Smokies were some squirrels and birds, no bears, darn. The weather is cold, below freezing, time to head back to the south.
Tonight I am going to a meeting of the Atlanta Juggling Club in Atlanta, GA. I will run some workshops and sell some books, I am looking forward to a good time.
I had expected 25 jugglers showing up for their juggling club, only six came out. I did some coaching and sold one book to Lucy, a very good juggler who I helped with her 5 club juggling.
3/6—Woke up quite cold at 3am, which is my usual wake up time. Hard to get going with it that temperature. I put on my propane heater to bring in some warmth and got things together. Then I jumped behind the wheel and off I went to an all-night food place and went inside for the warmth and their free wifi to write to you.
I was going to stay in the Atlanta area for a few days, but I need to head south, to the warmth, you see, the cold came in strong. The reason I had come north was to go to The Smoky Mountains National Park, I am glad I did, but time to return to warmer weather.
Strange not to know what direction or destination to aim for. South, yet, but where? I think I will head down to Florida again and then head west from there. Want to join me?
I had forgotten about couchsurfing.com to find people to stay with. So, this morning, I got on there and, within five minutes, found Tony in Orlando, Florida, who I will be staying with on Sat and Sun.
So, I have a few days to kill time (what a terrible word, I would not “kill” time). Looking south, I am seeing many Wildlife Management Refuges I could stay in, I will let you know later how that turns out.
I carry enough food and water with me to last at least a week, so that is no problem. Also, I could fast (and I do it really quick) for a time, which I have done for five days before and it does not hurt me at all. I seldom get hungry, I may just stop eating for a week, I will let you know.
Over one hundred miles south now, I came to Ocanee National Forest to see what I could see. A bunch of trees and wilderness, no one around, how I like it. I am typing these words as I am glancing out at a wonderful forest, how nice.
With the sun out, in the van is warm now, the cold is outside and hanging around. As I get toward get more into Florida it will become warmer and warmer. Yet, before I get there ,there are some other National Forests I want (need) to see.
3/7—As I was driving I started to see pine trees—along with palm trees—I knew I had crossed the border into Florida.
Going forward, I happened upon something very colorful on my right. The vision pulled my eyes in, therefore the van went too and parked. So colorful, so unique, I had never seen anything like it.
www.BarbervilleYardArtEmporium.com was a great find. A huge place, I ventured into most parts of it.
Normally art does nothing for me, boring, you can see it in a book. But this place was different, something special around every corner. Two acres of pleasant sites and things. Animals, lamp posts, windmills, planters,
Back to Alexander Springs Campground in Ocala National Park was my aim. 80 degrees with a cloudless sky – WOW, much nicer than up north.
I figured out why I like this campground so much appeal for me. Everything is kept so clean and nice, also, each campsite has much foliage around it, you can’t see your neighbor and they can’t see you.
It is like each campsite is an island on its own. And, there are the springs for swimming and showers to wash up. If you ever have a chance to come here, do, you will love it. Take a look again – ???
Yet, there are animals. I had left my cooler out on the picnic table overnight. Something had learned to open the latch. Most of my stuff was in bottles or sealed, I had a small plastic bag with some leftover shrimp, which this creature enjoyed, I was happy to feed this creature.
Speaking of shrimp, last night I treated myself. I made a wonderful pasta dish. Angel hair noodles, topped with creamy Alfredo sauce with shrimp and fresh parmesan cheese.
I thought I made too much, but somehow I consumed the whole thing. Smiling while I write these words right now. Along with a few glasses of wine, it made for a superb evening.
As I am sitting here at the picnic table typing, I am hearing a few different bird calls coming in, along with a woodpecker pecking away. And, as I did last night, I had another big fire to keep me warm this morning. What a tremendous start to the day.
Yesterday an older couple (wait a second, I’m older, never thought of myself that way) happened to be walking by as I was cleaning the van out. He noticed my unicycle and said he had his with him. He said he loves to ride, but can’t free-mount (getting on without holding onto something.) So, I went down and showed him how, he will be working on that in the future, he said.
Right now there is a bright red cardinal bird hopping around my campsite, boy, I love life.
Got a few projects done that I have been meaning to do, that’s a good thing. A great day so far.
I enjoy writing to you.
Are you enjoying reading my words?