BLOG 104—The Keys is Where It’s At!

(Do you wander or just wonder?)

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life. By writing this blog I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way and find joy how you can.
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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 places and people.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** I will have secrets to unfold and good news!

I WANT TO TAKE YOU AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!
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INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>

Every day presents a different set of circumstances; I meet new people and witness many new things. Very enjoyable.

I’ve been thinking about having a theme for each blog. Such as this one could be on goal setting? What do you think of that idea?

I want to again thank Alan and his ET Auto Repair in Miami for the excellent work they did on my van. If you live anywhere near Miami or are just passing through, go to Alan for all your automotive needs.
https://elt711.wixsite.com/etautorepair

In a way, I feel I am just spending time until I die. But, I guess that is what each of us is doing. My aim right now is to travel and inspire and entertain you through the writing of this blog (I hope it helps.) I would love to get back to my inspirational speaking, but that will have to wait for now.

To the south and into the Keys with me. I looked it up for you, there are 800 keys (or islands) to the south of Florida. In the drive down to Key West, you drive over 44 Keys and 42 bridges. You travel about 161 kilometers (about 100 miles) down.

A VERY LARGE MANZANITA TREE I CAME UPON

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WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

This is why I find them so interesting, challenging, and important on the path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire yourself.

Inspiration >> The process of being mentally stimulated to do a certain thing.

I hope to inspire you with my words.

Words have power.

You see, the way you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determine everything that happens in your life. It all derives from your quality of thinking.

When you change the quality of your thinking, you change the quality of your life—sometimes instantly!

Just as positive words can make someone smile, and/or, a well-timed humorous quote can make someone laugh, our own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control.

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — your thinking — and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

To be successful, you have to use each day as an opportunity for improvement, to be better, to get a little bit closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule, next to impossible.

But the best part is, the more you accomplish, the more you’ll want to do, the higher you’ll want to reach. So as long as you have the hunger for success, you will always have the power within you to achieve it.

Self-talk is so important—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.

But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

I hope the words I pick do help you.
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BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS>>
From my book series, “Beyond Your Potential.”

Oh—The Plans I Have For Me . . .
Goal setting has been defined in various ways over time. To me, goal setting is making a plan for the future to advance yourself and your life. People who don’t make plans for their future and who don’t have or set goals for themselves tend to wander through life, not knowing where they are going, so in the end, they get nowhere. Obviously, the process of setting and achieving goals is relevant to all occupations, studies, and professions. All human activity begins with an intention that is directed toward a goal.

Make Your Plans
I’m sure you’ve set goals before, even if you didn’t call them goals. Perhaps you made plans to do something simple, like getting your grocery shopping done. Or maybe you had a long term goal like retiring at age fifty-five. Whether short or long term, most people know how good it feels to finally achieve a goal that they set out to do. But, there are just as many people who tend to stop two feet short of their goals, either because the path gets difficult or maybe they get bored. I encourage you to keep driving toward the outcome that you want.

How to get there
The way to reach your goals is first to have a clear vision of the outcome that you desire. In other words, define exactly what it is that you want. Next, you have to take action. So many people never take action after they set their goals. If you don’t, your goals and desires will always be dreams. Your future will give you what you ask of it. Ask for a banana, and that is what you will get. Ask for great success and/or a wonderful relationship and you will get that, too. Goals give you the power to achieve your desires.
Now, it’s time to get out there and do
something incredible that you can rejoice in!

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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
1/23—I left my computer off at Best Buy, Geek Squad, today for them to improve some things. They will only have it overnight, but I feel naked without it. I’m writing to you right now by voice on my phone. For now, that will have to do.

While in Everglades Park I found Mahogany Hammock Trail. What a beautiful walk it was, about one mile long. I saw beauteous wilderness all around.

Then, after leaving the Everglades, I found a local park to hang out at for the day. Audubon Park is a bonny place. I’m planning to be on the lawn juggling, do some unicycling, and ride my bike.

Planning to stay the night here, too. But, I saw a sign saying the park hours were from 9 until 5. Hoping they don’t come and check the park and interrupt my sleep. But, if they catch me, I had asked for it.

In the van right now it is 30 degrees (that’s Celsius, it would be 86 degrees Fahrenheit.) So, with a sunny blue sky, the sun just going down, I feel very comfortable and very happy. Hope you are happy, too.

1/24—In preparing to head south, this morning I washed a load of laundry, filled up my van with fuel, and made sure my water gallons were full. Things can cost more down in Key West, preparing ahead you might say.

WHOOPS, I hate to admit it, I didn’t focus completely while mounting my bike, I took a bad fall and hurt my arm and leg. I will eventually heal. They say when you fall off a horse you should get right back on and try again—well, this is not a horse.

I’m going to sleep tonight in the area. There are some food banks I want to go to before jumping on the road down the Keys.

1/25—I love being at this park. There are many kids playing, laughing, and joyful. Why is it that when get older we “turn” into adults, we lose our childhood fun and play and joy. We need to find a way to keep this pleasure in our life constantly.

Yesterday I wanted to go for a bike ride, as I was mounting the cycle, I was not focused enough, my body fell onto the bike as I crashed. Scraped my knee and shoulder and I hurt my left arm and shoulder. In the future I need to concentrate more on balance issues and staying safe.

After that, the bike was not rolling right, so I took it to Homestead bicycles. I was glad to pay forty bucks to get the bike back rolling right.

So, I’m heading south eventually getting to Key West. The great writer, Ernest Hemingway, lived and worked out of Key West. Not comparing our writing skills, just interesting.

I’ve driven into the keys twice before, I usually drive straight through to Key West on the main highway “1”. This time I’m going to stop at each Island, or Key. Taking my time and enjoying my solitude.

I’ve already passed a couple of cell phone towers; no worry about connection down here. In Key Largo I drove north. The normal road will take you south to Key West. So, exploring as I go, hope you’re enjoying the trip.

In Key Largo, there are many trees and bushes covering each side of the road. Basically, you see road and you see green. That’s it.

That fall while getting on my bike yesterday really destroyed my confidence. With the unicycle, which I was a master of when I was young, I’ve lost confidence with that, too.

I will just have to keep pushing and pushing myself to get better and better. I had gotten quite good after the accident on the bike and unicycle. Can I make it back, again, I don’t know? Riding a unicycle when I am past the age of 90?

COVID
In the past I have written about the Covid pandemic and that I thought it was somewhat overblown. I really don’t know enough about it—but neither do you! Humans are still learning about this change in human existence.

This is a worldwide change that we all have to work together on, I’m with you on that. I’m sorry if the words I wrote bothered you or upset you. I will not touch that subject any longer.

1/26—Slept well last night parked a little ways from the main drive. No people, no noise, trees are overhanging to provide darkness. I couldn’t be happier!

This morning I went to Library Beach. After doing some juggling on the lawn, I’m going for a swim in the ocean, I use their shower to get clean clean clean.

Then, as I drove forward I came upon Long Key State Park. As you might know, I seldom pay go into a park. I saw this one is being different, but it wasn’t. The same greenery and water, of course. They have a hiking trail which I will explore, I’ll get back to you about that.

Yes, I actually paid to go into a state park, only $4.50, but still. In Long Key State Park I got my bike down and rode for many miles. Felt great and saw many interesting sites. My cost for going to this state park, about a dollar and some change per hour, a good deal to me.

Did you ever eat a root? Many parts are edible. At one of the food banks here in the Keys, they gave me three rather large carrots. I cleaned and cut them up, they were quite tasty.

Then it was on to Big Pine Key, although, I don’t know where the big pine might be.

Of course, you can’t avoid the main road on most of the Keys which goes right down the center of the island. I hear much traffic. Yuck.

The Big Pine library is right on the main drag, spending much time here. I am plugged into an electrical outlet I saw, and then on their wifi. There are restaurants around that many are going to. Of course, it is takeout only.

1/27—Last night I found a place to park and sleep which was sort of in the wilderness—it made me so happy.

I woke before the sun was up, as usual. I did some reading and some work on the blog. Then I went back to the library where I could plug in. There are five libraries through the Keys; I am familiar with each. Every one so far is closed, yet I can get on their wifi.

After I got to the library I got reminded of the roosters and chickens. These wild foul are basically all over the keys. Hearing roosters do their call is a comforting sound to hear—ur, ur, ur, urrrurrr – can you hear them?

I’ve been worried because the only way to charge my things is by driving. The library at Big Pine Key Library is also closed, but I noticed outside there is an outlet where I can plug in. So, I brought my chair out to have comfort as I use my computer through their wifi.

Still on Big Pine Key, I stopped at the Blue Hole. It’s a nature walk to freshwater. I was surprised there’s freshwater within the keys.

Well, walking on the nature trail, me, along with some others, I came upon some alligators. They were both right next to the wooden trail and they were submerged in water. They weren’t moving hardly at all and it got boring quickly.

Let’s go Turtles! There are a couple sitting on a rock (but, do turtles actually sit?) And then I also saw a mass of birds that were circling above. Celebrate a day of seeing wilderness.

Last week, as I was organizing and cleaning some stuff, the guy from the bike shop where I’m having my bike worked on came and told me my bike was finished. I had been organizing and cleaning some stuff and somehow misplaced my camera.

I looked all over for it, and still can’t find it. Fortunately, I had a second camera with me. But, I think I lost some good shots. I’m still hoping that it will turn up somehow. Although, I’ve already searched through much of the van.

Things like losing my camera don’t affect me. It can be replaced. Many people I know would get so upset if this happened to them. When I know I have no control over the outcome—I simply let it go.

But, do you have a camera you are not using that you could send me so that I have a spare? If you can help, please send me an email – kitsummers@gmail.com

Now, losing my mind is a different matter. I lost mine some time ago, have you seen it? I’m still trying to locate it. I’m finding that it makes life more interesting without it, though.

1/28—Dinner tonight was marinated teriyaki beef tips. Quite tasty, which I got at a recent Food Bank. See my smile? That, along with some mashed potatoes, made my evening quite nice. I wish you were here with me, though.

Right now it is 5:45 pm and I’m driving back to the place where I slept last night. Sort of in the wilderness, very nice. Looks like they are starting to build new houses there, it’s kind of Hidden Away.

Whoops, I did it again. The thing I use to take my shower, I fill with water and put it on top of the van on a hook that I put up there. It’s happened a couple times before, I take
my shower and then I forget to take the bag down. Looks like that’s what happened last time I took a shower.

But, I was itchy, I did need to get washed. So, I held the gallon jug over my head and got clean that way. This was while standing on a grassy meadow and looking at over the ocean. You couldn’t have gotten better than this for a shower.

I awoke at midnight. My brain just turned on, doesn’t feel like how you get back to sleep. Some bad thoughts going through my brain right now, about life, about my future, about my family and friends. I will get through this—or perhaps not?

I don’t know if you think I’m sweet, but the mosquitoes down here certainly do. Have mosquito bites all over my exposed body, which is much of it. I guess I will have to start wearing mosquito repellent?

What a splendid morning. As I was boiling water to make my tea and eating an orange for breakfast, four small deer came by for a visit; I believe these are Key Deer that only live in this area.

I gave them some apple, some cucumber, and I had a whole bag of potatoes that were getting older. They loved all they I had. I took some photos, let me know what you think.

Then, as I was driving south I saw a sign for a bike shop, which had been looking for. I don’t know if someone let the air out of the wheel of my tire or if I have a flat, it must be repaired and the tire filled. So I’m so glad I came up on Big Pine Bicycle Center.

We discovered my valve was bad. So, with a new tube and his labor, 17 bucks. Feels good that I’ll be back on the bike.

And about bikes, there are many bike paths all through the keys. Along the main Highway, Route 1, there is a bike path to take you to Key West. They even kept some of the old bridges, after they built new ones, that are used for bicycles only.

Yet, today is quite cold and very windy, not a good day for riding, so I suppose I won’t.

Back at Big Pine Library now on their wifi and plugged in. I love my life of being in the wilderness, then typing to you, back and forth.

As you know tomorrow is blog post day. Since I know I have the Big Pine Library right there and available, I’m going to stay in the area overnight again so I can get my blog post to you tomorrow. Do you see how I think of you?

1/29—I arrived quite early at the shopping center where the library is. It sounded like a barnyard. There were so many wild chickens and roosters making noise, it was hard to believe.

I just wanted to get this blog off to you and then get on my way. Hope you are enjoying the read.
I’m lonely out here, I would love to hear from you.
Either through Facebook or email, kitsummers@gmail.com
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MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS WEEK >>
Develop a goal that will advance your life. Complete the goal by next Friday, blog day. Don’t make it too easy, don’t make it too hard. Have it be something that will be fulfilling for you.

Without setting goals and making plans, people often go nowhere in their life because they have no direction. Our goals give us a direction at which to aim. Start with small goals, such as, I had a goal of brushing my teeth myself after the accident.

Then, continue this habit of setting advancing goals for the rest of your life. As your life explodes with success.
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NEXT BLOG>>
As I go further to the south and the west through the Keys, you will learn more.
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