BLOG 183—I’m back!

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way.

*** Remember, to read past blog posts,
go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook,
check out my blog on my website.
*** If you are not my Facebook friend yet, please, befriend me.
*** Thank you, my wife, Beth, for adding to the weekly blog.
*** I was hit by two different trucks, one involving a 37-day coma.
*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

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INTRO TO THIS WEEK

As you know, I did not post my blog last week; it was sort of an experiment.

Our backyard–magnificent!

I’ve posted my current weekly blog for more than 183 weeks (I’ve run blogs previously, though), never missing or being late with a post. I wondered if anyone would notice my absence and write words to me.

Further behind our house. 

I only heard from one person; thank you, Jenny.
Jenny Ydinger
Jenny wrote >>
“It’s not Friday night without Kit’s blog!
I know he works hard on it.
Just want him to know he’s appreciated! ”

I’m guessing you are reading these words right now?
Of course, the answer is—“YES”—you are.
Have I heard from you??
NO?
Why not?
These words go out to thousands, yet I hardly hear from anyone. I am always hoping for a back and forth with words, will you?

You don’t have to write many words; remember, less is more. Pick the right (write) words, and you can compose like a master author. That is what I always aim to do. I just start writing, and the words form as I go. The key is to do good editing, again and again.

As the adage goes. “The less clutter we have, the more space is available; the less we worry, the more we can relax.” Get your point across quickly and distinctly.

That’s why, this week, I have the intention to help simplify your life. Try identifying what will free you up — mentally, emotionally, or physically.

Perhaps you would benefit from scaling back your social calendar to make more time for yourself, or, you can leave your cell phone at home and take a sunset walk each evening. Or, simply take a walk in the wilderness and free up your mind.

Simplifying could even be as simple as cleaning out your fridge, house, or car.

We all know the feeling of release from a clear space and a clean slate. There are simple things, like creating a simple statement or implementing a morning writing ritual, to help you embrace a simple living approach.

Start now to clean your life—you will be glad you did.

LIFE IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME – ARE YOU KEEPING UP?
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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.

I find them so interesting, challenging, and important on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.

I hope to inspire you with my words.

Words have power.

At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

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

When you improve 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 amusing quote can make someone laugh, your 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 keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity for improvement, to be better, and 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 you can do 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.

Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind.

Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.

VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.
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I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU

As humans, many of us hunger for stability, you know, the easy habits of everyday living. There’s a good evolutionary account for this: For millions of years, unpredictability and uncertainty were equal to human danger.

There are plenty of benefits to living a life having a routine — It can be a building block of good health, and lowers our stress levels. The “comfort zone” exists for a reason: to keep us comfortable, but you knew that.

Still, there is such a thing as getting TOO comfortable. While we may feel safer living with a routine, a fear of the unknown can also cause us to live life unconsciously. Too much stability has been shown, scientifically, to a link to a lack of growth, learning, and/or happiness in our lives.

As the old expression goes: “Old ways won’t open new doors.” Staying in your comfort zone can hold you back, cutting you off from new experiences or taking a leap toward what you want. Often, it can hold you back from your true potential.

Maybe you’re aware it’s time to step out of your comfort zone. You don’t know where to start — old habits die hard — after all. The quotes below can help give you that gentle nudge out the proverbial door, and into exciting new territory for your life.

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Go and make fascinating mistakes, make amazing errors, and make glorious and fantastic misconceptions. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. If you are a juggler, you cannot advance without a drop now and then.

— Neil Gaiman
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Without experimentation, and a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund.
— Anthony Bourdain
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Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.
— Brené Brown
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If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
— Dale Carnegie
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People do their best work when they’re riding that wave and a little bit uncomfortable. Sell your myth, but never buy it.
— St. Vincent, musician
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When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
— Lao Tzu
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Great people do things before they’re ready.
— Amy Poehler
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Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.
— Louis E. Boone, author
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Sometimes the place you are used to is not the place you belong.
— William Wheeler, screenwriter
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And the thing about blooming is, nothing about the process is easy. It requires every part of you to stretch upward, with your roots firmly planted in the ground; and in the sun, and in the rain, and wind, you stand anyway, even against the pull of the soil. And through it all, one day you will see all along you were transforming.
— Morgan Harper Nichols, musician
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Comfort can be dangerous. Comfort provides a floor but also a ceiling.
— Trevor Noah

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A bird is safe in its nest — but that is not what its wings are made for.
— Amit Ray, spiritual leader
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We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.
— Maya Angelou

STOP MAKING EXCUSES—YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE STOPPING YOU!
COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!
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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

8/5—Things are still looking like times will get difficult. I looked into ways to save rainwater. At first, to just water the vegetable plants. Now I am looking into using the water to clean our bodies (shower), and, with filtering, to drink.

I bought a water catch, the VINGLI 50 Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel, Portable Water Storage Tank. Take a look here >>
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MNWDF52/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I built a five-foot-high stand for it so that gravity will bring the water out. Then I cut the rain downspout for part of our roof to fit into the top. Now every time it rains the water catch will fill up.

I’m planning on getting a couple more of them, I will let you know.

8/6—Oh no—hornets! They had built a big nest in the back of our house. I used an eight-foot stick to poke at the nest – then I ran like crazy – as they wanted me dead. They didn’t even use their horn (et). I ran to the front of the house and quickly entered and closed the door behind me.

Yes, they were following me, a very angry look on their little faces. Then, later, looking out the front window, I saw a few who were still after me.

The nest looked nice, I could have left it. But, there would always be the fear of getting stung by an angry hornet. This is something I had to do, for the protection of all of us, including Jemma.

8/7—In my life, I very much like to eat hash-brown potatoes in the morning. But, it is hard to find them when they are perfectly prepared. So, I got knowledgeable about how to make the best-fried potatoes. Today I made some, and you will learn.

Like I often say, “If someone else can do it, so can you! You just have to find out the best way.” Knowing this will keep you confident in your life. Always keep those words in the back of your mind.

This same approach will go for any food or meal you make. You go to expensive restaurants and pay a lot for their chef to prepare a dish.
Be that Chef!
With the internet, you can learn to make any dish.

Then, all you need is a small table and candlelight. You are your partner can have a magnificent time together eating like a king and queen.

Back to the fried spuds, here is how to make the BEST hash-browns >>

1. Use a food processor to shred (grate) 5 (or however many you want) russet potatoes, I leave the skin on. First, of course, wash the potatoes well.

2. Here is the key – In a large container, fill it with water and put the shredded potatoes in. Soak quickly and then mix and squeeze with your clean hands. Next, drain the water out into a colander. The final step is to put the shredded potatoes on a clean, dry towel by dumping them on and then twist the towel up to get all the water out. The dryer the better.

3. Finely chop (or use the food processor) red onions and mix in with the potatoes, along with onion powder and diced garlic.

Make sure your pan is hot and heat your olive oil before you place a handful of potatoes in your big frying pan. Cook on medium until the bottom is brown, then turn over and cook the other side.

With some ketchup, your hash-brown meal will be fabulous.

8/10—We have needed windows for a while. I had gotten a few quotes and decided to, perhaps, do the work myself. This would be quite a bit of self-learning about the project; I was ready, but there was one more person from Lowe’s coming, and they came today.

Rick Ricciardelli, from Lowe’s, came to talk with us about windows. He noticed the juggling clubs I had on the porch. He said he also juggles and performs! I showed him a copy of my book, Juggling with Finesse. He said he has a copy at home – nice.

It ended up that his quote and presentation were the best we had out of the five who we met with. We talked of juggling and windows, an interesting mix.

You can find Rick here:
https://www.facebook.com/rick.ricciardelli

They will start on the windows soon, that will be good.

8/11—YIKES! I cannot find my wallet. Last night I looked for it and could not find it anywhere! I made for a hard night of sleep, but I woke in the morn with it on my mind and started looking.

I had not gone anywhere; I traced where I had been working around the house, but nothing. I resolved that it was gone and called up about my one credit card and canceled the card. I ordered a new wallet and would build up what was in my wallet.

On a computer, I keep a list of cards in my wallet. I keep a limited number of things in there, just in case something like this did occur. Just one credit card is kept with me in my wallet, I keep my others well hidden.

Then, about mid-morn, I moved a water jug in my office and found the wallet. What a relief I experienced. I’ve had to start my life new so many times, and I am happy I did not have to again.

If you haven’t already, I suggest you go through your wallet or purse and list what is in it. Don’t forget to include the $1,523 you have in your wallet, of course.

With our dinner salad, we included tomato and cucumber from our garden; I love to eat what I grow. The way things are looking, it might start to become difficult to purchase food. Have you started growing your own?
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YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>
You just learned how >>
Make some fabulous hash-brown potatoes for you and your family or friends breakfast, and smile as you do.
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NEXT BLOG >>
Beth is going to visit with her parents for four days next week. They are older but still kicking. It is good that she is taking the time for the visit. I will be here alone, it should be interesting; I will let you know. Beth has our friend and neighbor, Nancy, stopping over to ensure Jemma and I are alive and well. As Beth says, she just never knows what she will come home to! 
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THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!