✨KITTING AROUND✨
BLOG 387–IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER!
Always keep getting better than yesterday!
This Video will give you more insight into me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc
This Blog is Best Read on a Laptop, Rather than Your Phone.
By KIT SUMMERS — World-Class Juggler to World-Class Comeback 

Once upon a life, I made gravity nervous— Thirty-seven silent days offstage.
Seven of them. A world record— But throwing purpose, grit, and joy.
Because physics loves a good insult. Balancing healing.
Then came the truck—the coma. 😄 Tossing hope sky-high. 🤹‍♂️
     
Bigger than applause. What’s next on Kit’s journey?
Now I lift humans. Back to juggling? Back to life?
Writing is how I breathe. Stay with Kit and find out.
If these words help you, too? Life can get better.
That’s magic catching air. 🎉 Life will get better! ✨
      =======================
My new address here is >> kitsummers.com
Kit Summers kitsummers@gmail.com
The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve Stop by for a visit when you can. https://www.legacypreservetampa.com/ A love letter would be dandy.
18600 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, #217
Tampa, FL 33647    Call me >> 610-400-3233 

Here’s Kit with his young brothers
around their dad (that’s me on the left)

=========================
PART 1) THE BEGINNINGS

I EEL THAT THIS IS MY BEST BLOG.
DAILY–IT’S A NEW DAY, IT’S A NEW LIFE.
DON’T LIVE IN THE FUTURE OR THE PAST —
MAKE THE MOST OF THE MOMENT YOU’RE HOLDING RIGHT NOW!

I just heard this, and it is important >>
“Happiness is not about getting all that you want.
It’s about enjoying all that you have.”
And, do you?
   
I heard from Kim >>
“Thank you for a wonderful blog this week. I was feeling a bit stuck this week cuz of a health issue, but your words of inspiration gave me the lift I needed. TY.”    Kim Ranson
I’m glad I could help, my dear.
   

HERE’S KIM AND I IN BALBOA PARK, SAN DIEGO!
I USED TO PERFORM UP BY THAT FOUNTAIN

And I heard from Christopher Jones of Woodside.
They are developing a TV movie based on my story.
Take a look >>  https://woodsidemotion.com. 
I hope the movie comes to be and inspires many around the world.

Chris wrote this >>
“What stood out to me is that this blog does not just talk about recovery. It shows recovery in motion. You are not simply looking back at what happened to you; you are showing what life feels like now: the new place, the desire for more freedom, the frustration with physical limitations, the asthma, the loneliness, the humor, the small victories, and the determination to keep moving forward. That is exactly the kind of material that helps build a film’s emotional side.”
============================
PART 2) THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK
Kit’s Daily Delight Inspiration–Served Playfully.
     
Good morning! Or good afternoon… or good evening. One of the wonderful things about words is that they never complain when they’re read a little late. With readers in all time zones, I really don’t know what time it is there.
   
Every sunrise places a fresh page before me with Kit already written across the top. My past has been filled with incredible adventures, heartbreaking losses, painful setbacks, and remarkable comebacks, but each new morning reminds me that my story is still being written. I don’t need a perfect beginning to create a meaningful ending. I need to keep taking one positive step, one smile, and one hopeful day at a time.
   
When I pause to look back, I realize I’ve traveled farther than I ever dreamed possible. From moments that could have ended my journey to experiences that filled my life with joy, every chapter has shaped the person I am today. That gives me the courage to greet each sunrise with gratitude, hope, and excitement, knowing that the very best pages of my story may still lie ahead.
     
Don’t wait for life to become easier before you decide to smile. Smile first. It’s amazing how often a simple smile changes not only your attitude but also the direction of your entire day. We spend so much time waiting for the “right” circumstances to be happy, when, more often than not, happiness begins with the choice we make in this very moment.

A cheerful heart won’t remove every obstacle from your path, but it certainly makes climbing over those obstacles far more enjoyable. Even on the most difficult days, a smile reminds you that you are stronger than the challenges you face. If you have to, start by forcing that smile. Before long, it often becomes real, and you’ll notice your outlook beginning to brighten in ways you never expected.
     
One simple smile has the power to lift your spirits, encourage those around you, and quietly change the course of an ordinary day. Joy is surprisingly contagious. The more you share it, the more it grows, turning everyday moments into memories worth cherishing. So keep smiling—you never know whose day, including your own, will be made brighter because you chose to smile.
     
So go out and encourage someone today.
Hold a door.
Share a compliment.
Laugh at yourself before anyone else gets the chance.
Kindness has a funny habit of boomeranging right back to the person who threw it.
Now make today so memorable that tomorrow gets a little jealous.
   
Making your life better comes down to shifting your mindset, taking action, and embracing growth. Inspirational quotes can serve as powerful daily anchors, guiding your decisions, boosting your resilience, and motivating you to shape a more fulfilling life.
     
>>>>>July 18
I was up before the sun, as usual. Another wonderful week of blog writing has come and gone, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Every Friday feels like opening a gift I haven’t unwrapped yet. I may begin with a single thought, but before long, the words seem to take on a life of their own, leading me down paths I never expected to travel.
     
That’s the magic of writing. Every page is an adventure, every paragraph a discovery, and every sentence holds the possibility of surprising me. Each blog reminds me why I still love sitting down at this keyboard before the rest of the world wakes up. There is something deeply satisfying about watching a simple idea grow into something that encourages others to smile, think, and make the most of the day ahead.
   
Right now—or is it Write now?—I’ve already written most of next week’s blog. Of course, I can’t write about the daily adventures that haven’t happened yet. Unless I suddenly develop the ability to peek into the future, life will have to surprise me first. Somehow, it always does—and thankfully, it usually comes up with better material than I ever could.
      WRITE ME
I hope you’ve been enjoying these weekly visits together. I haven’t heard from many of you lately, and I truly miss hearing your voices through your emails and comments. Your stories matter to me. If something I’ve written has made you smile, lifted your spirits, encouraged you through a difficult day, or made you stop and think, I’d love to know. Knowing these words have found a home in someone else’s heart makes every hour spent writing worthwhile.
     
So don’t be a stranger. Feel free to drop me a note whenever you have the chance. Hearing from you always brightens my day, and there’s a very good chance something you share—a memory, a challenge, or even an ordinary moment—will spark an idea for a future blog. We all have something to teach one another, and I’d love to know what’s happening in your corner of the world.
    DON’T BE STRANGE
It’s 10:20 now, and I’ve been wrestling with exhaustion since the moment I opened my eyes. Not the ordinary kind of tired that fades with another cup of tea or a short nap, but the deep, heavy kind that settles over you like a thick blanket. It steals energy, slows every thought, and makes even the simplest task feel like climbing a mountain.
     
I’ve learned there are days when this overwhelming fatigue wins. No matter how determined I am or how excited I feel about creating something new, my body quietly reminds me that it has its own timetable. My mind is eager to write, dream, create, and move forward, while my body gently whispers, “Easy there, Kit. Today is a slower day.”
    LISTEN UP
So today I’ll listen. I’ve discovered that strength isn’t always found in pushing harder. Sometimes true strength is found in giving yourself permission to rest, recharge, and trust tomorrow. Another sunrise is already making its way toward me, bringing another opportunity, another blank page, and another chance to make a difference.
     
Until then, I’ll do what I can. I’ll give myself the grace to slow down, accept today for exactly what it is, and remember that no feeling lasts forever. Every difficult season eventually gives way to brighter days, and every weary body eventually rediscovers its strength.
     
So I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other with hope in my heart and a smile on my face. I know brighter, stronger hours are waiting just over the horizon, and when they arrive, I’ll appreciate them all the more because I never stopped believing they would.
      LEGACY
Life here at Legacy can sometimes feel even lonelier than it did at NeuroRestorative. During the week, there’s movement—people heading to meals, staff walking the halls, a few friendly conversations. But weekends are different. The hallways grow quiet, the doors remain closed, and it almost feels as though the entire building has decided to take a long nap. Most weekends, I stay in my room.
   
Loneliness has an unusual way of turning silence into something you can almost hear. I don’t need crowds to be happy, but there’s something comforting about a smile in the hallway, a quick conversation, or simply knowing another person is nearby. When those little moments disappear, the hours somehow grow longer.
     
Yet life has taught me something priceless. Quiet moments don’t have to be empty moments. They can become the birthplace of dreams, ideas, reflection, and creativity. Some of my very best thoughts have arrived when the world around me became perfectly still. If I can’t always find company, I can always find purpose.
      SURVIVE LONELINESS
Perhaps that’s exactly what this season is teaching me—not merely to survive loneliness, but to transform it into something meaningful. If these quiet weekends help me write words that encourage someone else who’s struggling, then perhaps this silence is serving a beautiful purpose. And who knows? Behind one of these closed doors may be another person hoping someone else will make the first move.
   
I smile and move on.
I miss traveling.
I miss the freedom of my van.
   
Not because life was perfect back then, but because every sunrise promised a new road, a new town, another national park, another unexpected adventure waiting just beyond the next curve. Those miles taught me that the greatest journeys aren’t measured by distance—they’re measured by how much they change us.
     
So I choose to smile—not because everything is easy, but because hope has always been stronger than worry. Every setback has taught me something. Every disappointment has made me wiser. Every obstacle has quietly prepared me for whatever comes next. I believe with all my heart that the road ahead still holds wonderful surprises, and I can’t wait to discover them.
    HAPPY TIME!
At 3:00 this afternoon, they held another Happy Hour. Once again, I decided not to go. It wasn’t because of the drinks or the music. I haven’t found my place there yet. Instead, I stayed in my room, where I felt perfectly at home, happily tapping away on my keyboard.
     
The truth is, writing is where I come alive. It keeps my mind stretching, my imagination dancing, and my purpose crystal clear. While others gathered for conversation, I spent the afternoon building something that might encourage a stranger I’ll never meet. That’s an amazing feeling when you stop to think about it.
   
The next blog is due on Friday, and that thought fills me with excitement. Every week brings another opportunity to tell a story, share a laugh, pass along a lesson, or remind someone they are stronger than they realize. If even one person finishes reading these words with a little more hope than when they started, every minute at this keyboard has been well spent.
     
One day, Happy Hour will feel like home. Until then, I’ll keep showing up where I know I belong—right here behind this keyboard, doing what I love most: encouraging people to believe in themselves, laugh a little more, and never stop looking forward to tomorrow.

      A GERAT DINNER
Dinner tonight was Garlic Grilled Shrimp with Potatoes Au Gratin. Once again, the meal was absolutely delicious. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating—the food here continues to impress me. Every meal feels like it came from the kitchen of a really good restaurant, not an assisted living community.
     
It’s funny how meals have become cheerful little milestones in my day. Breakfast waves hello, lunch arrives before I know it, dinner finishes the day with a smile, and somehow I’m already looking forward to tomorrow morning’s breakfast. If it keeps tasting this good, I may start dreaming about pancakes before I even fall asleep!
     
Life keeps moving forward, and so do I. Some days are filled with energy, others with exhaustion. Some are noisy, others wonderfully quiet. Some bring laughter, while others invite reflection. But every single day offers another chance to learn, grow, write, encourage, and smile.
     
And as long as tomorrow keeps showing up, so will I.
     
Choosing what to watch tonight felt like a major life decision. On one channel, Jaws was busy convincing everyone to stay out of the water. On another, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was racing around the world in search of adventure. Naturally, I tried to watch both—flipping back and forth during the commercials like a TV channel acrobat.
     
For a while, it actually worked. I managed to dodge the shark, tag along with Indy, and keep up with both stories without getting completely lost. By the end of the evening, I wasn’t sure whether I should be looking for the Holy Grail or checking the bathtub for a great white. Either way, it made for a pretty entertaining night!
       
>>>>>July 19
Did I write too much yesterday, on the 18th? I read back through most of it, looking for something—anything—I could trim. I searched for a sentence to cut, a paragraph to shorten, even a single word that didn’t belong. But every time I considered removing something, it seemed to be right where it was supposed to be.
      WRITE–yeah, right
Boy, what’s a writer to do? That’s the occupational hazard of loving words a little too much. Sometimes the words simply refuse to leave the page. Every sentence seems to raise its hand and plead, “Pick me! I belong here!”
     
Before long, what was supposed to be a short piece had quietly grown into something much bigger. That’s the price of falling in love with writing. Still, I’d love to know what you think. How would you trim it, add to it, or change what I’ve written? I’m always looking for a better way to tell the story.
     
Lunch was a pulled chicken sandwich, and I have to admit, it was quite tasty. The kitchen here continues to surprise me with meal after meal that I genuinely enjoy. It certainly makes me look forward to what’s coming next.
      THE MEALS
Dinner is only about half an hour away. I’ll let you know what ends up on the menu—and, of course, whether it earns another thumbs-up. At this rate, I may need to start reviewing meals like a restaurant critic… though one who almost always leaves with a clean plate!
       
I have to confess something. I’ve been wearing the same clothes and skipping showers for the past three days. Since I’m by myself most of the time, there hasn’t been much pressure to impress anyone. Besides, my sense of smell isn’t what it used to be, so if there’s a problem… I’m the last one who would know!
     
The funny thing is, life goes on just the same. I still get up, write, eat, think, and smile. Would a fresh shower and clean clothes be a good idea? Absolutely. They’ll happen soon enough. Until then, I’m choosing not to let a little less polish steal my good mood.
      WHAT’S NEXT?
Sometimes we spend far too much energy worrying about being perfect. The truth is, we’re all a little rumpled now and then. What matters most isn’t whether every wrinkle is ironed out—it’s whether we keep our sense of humor, our hope, and our determination. Those things never go out of style.
     
So today, I may not be the best-dressed fellow in the building, but I’m still rich in gratitude, still filled with dreams, and still wearing my favorite accessory—a smile.

Tonight’s dinner was popcorn shrimp and baked ziti. Once again, it was a fabulous meal. I continue to be impressed by the quality of the food they serve here. Every meal seems to arrive with care, and every bite reminds me how fortunate I am.
      CAFETERIA OR?
Some people might call this a cafeteria, but I see it differently. To me, it’s more like a superb restaurant—except there’s never a check waiting at the end of the meal! Even better, the staff always greets everyone with smiles, kindness, and genuine warmth. They make each meal about much more than the food, and I’m grateful for every one of them (and every bite of food!)  

>>>>>July 20
This morning began on a high note. I finally took a shower, and it’s amazing how something so simple can make me feel so refreshed. Clean clothes, a clean body, and a fresh start have a way of lifting both spirits and outlooks.
     
As I look out my window, the sky is bright and clear. It feels as though the day is quietly inviting me to step into it with optimism. Of course, none of us knows exactly what the hours ahead will bring, but clear skies have a way of reminding me that every day arrives filled with new possibilities.
      GREETINGS
So today, I’ll greet whatever comes my way with a smile. If life hands me something wonderful, I’ll enjoy it. If it throws a challenge in my path, I’ll face that too. Either way, this day is a gift, and I intend to make the most of every minute. Here’s to fresh starts, blue skies, and another opportunity to keep moving forward.

Even while living through all this pain, I still find joy in life. Pain may slow my steps, challenge my body, and test my spirit, but it has never been able to steal my ability to smile. I’ve learned that happiness isn’t something we discover only when life is easy. Often, it’s found in the smallest moments—a warm sunrise, a kind conversation, a delicious meal, a good laugh, or the simple satisfaction of making it through another day.
      LESSONS LEARNED
Life has taught me that joy and pain can coexist. One doesn’t erase the other. The difficult chapters have given me a deeper appreciation for the beautiful ones. Because I’ve known hardship, I notice blessings that once might have slipped by unnoticed. Every new morning is another opportunity to learn, to grow, to encourage someone else, and to be thankful that I’m still here.
       
So I choose joy. Not because my life has been free of suffering, but because I’ve discovered that hope is stronger than hardship. My scars remind me where I’ve been, but they do not decide where I’m going. As long as I have another sunrise to greet, another smile to share, and another chance to make someone’s day a little brighter, I’ll keep celebrating this remarkable adventure called life.
      A LOSS OR TWO (or three?)
I’ve experienced SOOOOO many losses in my life. I’ve lost people I loved, dreams I once held tightly, abilities I thought would always be there, and chapters of life I never imagined would end. At times, the losses seemed endless, arriving one after another like waves crashing against the shore.
     
Yet here’s the remarkable part: those losses never took away my ability to find joy. They changed me, certainly, but they never defeated me. Along the way, I discovered that happiness isn’t something that appears only when life is perfect. It grows from gratitude, hope, purpose, laughter, and the decision to keep moving forward, even when the road becomes difficult.
   
Looking back, I don’t define my life by what I’ve lost. I define it by what I’ve gained—the people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned, the lives I’ve been privileged to touch, and the countless moments that made me smile. My journey has been anything but ordinary. It has been challenging, unpredictable, and sometimes heartbreaking. But it has also been beautiful, meaningful, adventurous, and filled with far more joy than sorrow.
        FIND JOY!
Loss may have been a frequent visitor in my life, but it never got to write the ending. Joy did. And as long as I wake up each morning with another day to live, another person to encourage, and another reason to smile, I’ll continue believing that life is not measured by what disappears—it’s measured by how fully we choose to live.
     
Oh no—I see I’ve done it again. Somehow, a few simple thoughts turned into a small novel. I sat down planning to write just a little, but the words apparently had other plans. They kept marching onto the page as if they were afraid they’d miss the bus if they didn’t all show up at once.
      WRITING
That’s one of the occupational hazards of being a writer. We don’t just collect words—we enjoy spending time with them. Trimming them down can sometimes feel like asking a room full of enthusiastic friends to go home early. Still, I’ll sharpen my editor’s pencil and see what can be tucked away for another day. After all, if I don’t use those extra words this week, they’ll be more than happy to volunteer for next week’s blog!
   
For meals, each day, I arrive with a smile on my face and usually settle into the same seat. Before long, I begin saying hello to the people around me. Many of the residents are older than I am, and I enjoy those small moments of connection. A smile, a friendly greeting, or a brief conversation may seem like little things, but they can brighten someone’s entire day.
        LIVE UNTIL YOU DIE
For many who live here, this is where they will likely spend the rest of their lives. The routines rarely change, and one day often looks much like the one before it. That’s one reason I make it my goal to bring as much joy and encouragement as I can.
     
If I can leave someone smiling, laughing, or simply feeling noticed, then my day has been well spent. Sometimes the greatest difference we make isn’t through grand gestures—it’s through the simple kindness we share with another human being.
      DINNER
Dinner tonight was a half bowl of creamy tomato bisque soup and just one chicken tender—exactly what I requested. I’ve been making a conscious effort to eat less, and the staff has been wonderfully supportive by helping me keep my portions smaller.
     
It’s a simple change, but one that makes me feel like I’m taking another positive step toward better health. Big transformations rarely happen all at once. More often, they’re built through small, consistent choices, and those little decisions will add up to something wonderful over time.
     
It was a full crowd tonight. The table I normally sit at and eat alone was occupied. Near where I sit was a woman who normally sits along there. I asked, and she allowed me to share her table. She is from Russia, and her English was quite limited.
    RUSSSIAN
When we talked a lot, I could hardly understand a word. I did a lot of nodding and saying yes. She said she has been in the US for a few years. She is not picking up the language very well.
Спокойной ночи. 
   
>>>>>July 21
And on we go—another day—another opportunity to fill the page with thoughts, lessons, and a little encouragement. Every sunrise hands us a fresh beginning, no matter what happened yesterday. That’s one of life’s greatest gifts: we always get another chance.
   
So begin today with a positive, joyful heart and an open mind. Embrace the possibilities waiting just beyond your next step. Don’t underestimate the power of small actions. A single kind word, one healthy choice, one page written, or one goal pursued may seem insignificant in the moment. Still, those little victories have a remarkable way of growing into extraordinary achievements.
    THINK
Your future isn’t built all at once. It’s created one decision, one smile, one step, and one day at a time. Every positive choice you make today becomes another brick in the foundation of the life you’re building tomorrow.
     
So lift your head, believe in yourself, and move forward with hope.
Your life doesn’t begin someday—it begins right now.
     
One of the greatest decisions you’ll ever make is deciding what to do with the time you’ve been given. You don’t get to choose how long you’ll be here or how many sunrises remain. You can’t erase the past or pretend it never happened. Instead, let it become your teacher, shaping you into someone wiser, stronger, and more compassionate.
     
All any of us truly have is this moment. Right now. That’s where life is lived. That’s where dreams are pursued, kindness is shared, and new beginnings are born. So make today count. Smile often, love deeply, and take that next step forward. Your best chapter may be the one you’re starting today.
        YOU ONLY HAVE “THIS” MOMENT
You are going to do really well today. Every step you take is a step forward, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. You might think you’re simply making it through another ordinary day, but don’t underestimate what you’re accomplishing. Every choice to keep going, every challenge you face, and every smile you share is moving your life in a positive direction.
     
Now carry that same mindset into every day that lies ahead. Don’t wait for life to become perfect before believing in yourself. Trust that each sunrise brings another opportunity to learn, grow, and become a little stronger than you were yesterday.
     
Progress isn’t measured only by giant leaps. 
It’s built from countless small steps.
Taken with hope and determination.
Keep moving forward.
Believe in yourself.
Remember that your best days are still being created—one joyful step at a time. 

THIS IS YOUR ONLY LIFE!
START LIVING IT TODAY!

This afternoon at Happy Hour, we were treated to a wonderful performance by John Provenzano on the saxophone. He was terrific! From the very first song, he had everyone’s attention. It was fun to watch, even more fun to listen, and you could tell he genuinely enjoyed performing.
   
Take a look >> https://johnprosax.com/home
     
Most of us here are from an older generation, and John knew exactly how to connect with the audience. Before long, people were smiling, singing along, tapping their feet, and joining in. It wasn’t just a performance—it felt like a room full of friends sharing memories through familiar songs.
      SAX TIME
John is a gifted saxophone player with a warm stage presence that makes everyone feel welcome. If you ever have the chance to see him perform, don’t miss it. You’ll leave with a smile on your face and a tune happily stuck in your head.
       
Yes, there is an older generation here. I still don’t fit in, but little by little, I’m catching up. At 67, my body occasionally reminds me of my age, yet in my mind, I still feel like I’m in my 20s or 30s. Curiosity still pulls me forward, I still wake up excited to write, and I still find myself looking for the next adventure waiting around the corner.
      OLD AGE
I’ve noticed that many of the people here are in their 70s, 80s, and even their 90s. For many, this is likely where they will spend the rest of their lives. At first, that thought felt a little sobering. But the more time I spend here, the more I realize something important. They are surrounded by kind people, good meals, beautiful grounds, laughter, music, and opportunities to connect with others. There are certainly worse places to write the final chapters of a life.
     
Watching them has also reminded me that.
growing older doesn’t have to mean growing smaller.
A smile still matters.
A conversation still matters.
Learning something new still matters.
Whether we’re 27, 67, or 97, every sunrise
offers another chance to make someone’s
day a little brighter—and our own as well.
      IT MATTERS
I may fit in after all. Not because I feel old, but because I understand that every one of us is simply traveling a little farther down the same road. Until my own final chapter arrives, I’ll keep writing, keep smiling, keep encouraging others, and keep making the most of every day I have been given.
         
>>>>>July 22
What should I write about today? That question visits me every single morning. You would think that after writing for so many years, finding something to say would become difficult. Oddly enough, the opposite has happened. I sit down at the keyboard with little more than curiosity, and before long, the words begin arriving one after another, almost as if they’ve been patiently waiting for me to wake up.
    WRITING
I’ve learned not to force the words. Instead, I simply begin typing, trusting that the journey will reveal itself. Somewhere along the way, an ordinary thought begins to grow into something worth sharing. One sentence leads naturally to the next, and before long, an idea I never expected quietly steps onto the page. That gentle surprise is one of the greatest gifts writing has given me.
     
Every blank page holds the promise of a new adventure, and every sunrise offers another opportunity to discover what was patiently waiting inside me all along. I never know exactly where the words will lead, but that’s part of the magic. Each time I sit at the keyboard, I set out on a journey of discovery, grateful that there are always new thoughts to uncover and new stories waiting to be told.
     
Writing must be in my genes… or maybe it’s in my jeans. Either way, once I start typing, the words multiply like rabbits. I tell myself I’ll write just a few paragraphs, but before I know it, I’ve wandered into another page, then another. It’s a wonderful problem to have—unless you’re the one trying to edit it all back down again!
      READING
You are the one reading these words, and that means more to me than you may realize. Every time you stop by to spend a few moments with me, I consider it a gift. Out of all the things you could be doing today, you’ve chosen to share a small part of your time with my thoughts, and I truly appreciate that.
     
Each story, each lesson, and even each little bit of humor leaves your life just a little brighter than it was before. If something I’ve written makes you smile, encourages you to keep going, or helps you see a challenge from a new perspective, then every minute I’ve spent at this keyboard has been worthwhile.
       
Life gives us countless voices competing for our attention. These words become one of the voices that gently remind you of your own strength, your ability to grow, and the wonderful possibilities that still lie ahead. Sometimes all it takes is one encouraging thought to change the direction of an entire day.
        LAUGH!
If my writing helps you laugh a little more, worry a little less, or believe in yourself a little more deeply, then together we’ve accomplished something meaningful. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey. Each time you visit these pages, you leave with a little more hope, a little more joy, and a renewed desire to make your own life the very best it can be.
LUNCH
Many were there for lunch today. I sat at a guy’s table and asked first if I could sit there. He sat there and did not say a word the whole time, then I just got up and left, nothing. It was a sad thing. The chicken sandwich was good, though.
     
Watching YouTube videos filled much of my afternoon. Was it the most productive use of my time? Probably not. Yet every day doesn’t have to be packed with accomplishments or major achievements. Sometimes the mind needs a chance to slow down, wander a little, and enjoy a few moments without pressure.
     
Watching YouTube videos filled much of my afternoon. Was it the most productive use of my time? Probably not. Yet every day doesn’t have to be packed with accomplishments or major achievements. Sometimes the mind needs a chance to slow down, wander a little, and enjoy a few moments without pressure.
      YOUTUBE?
As I watched one video after another, I realized that even a quiet, uneventful afternoon has its place. We all need time to recharge before tackling the next challenge or chasing the next dream. Tomorrow will bring fresh opportunities to write, learn, create, and make a difference. Today was one of those days where I let myself relax, and perhaps that’s not such a waste of time after all.     
       
Watching YouTube videos filled much of my afternoon. Was it the most productive use of my time? Probably not. Yet every day doesn’t have to be packed with accomplishments or major achievements. Sometimes the mind needs a chance to slow down, wander a little, and enjoy a few moments without pressure.
       
As I watched one video after another, I realized that even a quiet, uneventful afternoon has its place. We all need time to recharge before tackling the next challenge or chasing the next dream. Tomorrow will bring fresh opportunities to write, learn, create, and make a difference. Today was one of those days where I let myself relax, and perhaps that’s not such a waste of time after all.
      SELECTIVE INSURANCE
I recently found out that Selective Insurance is paying $5,950 every month for me to stay here. When I heard that number, I just sat there for a moment, letting it sink in. Nearly six thousand dollars a month is an astonishing amount. It certainly made me look at this place in a different light. The meals are excellent, the staff has been kind, and I appreciate the care I receive, but that price tag is enough to make anyone’s eyebrows climb toward the ceiling.
     
I’m going to see if there’s a way to reduce the cost or find another solution that still gives me the support I need. I don’t know yet what the answer will be, but it’s worth exploring. At nearly $6,000 a month, every option deserves a careful look. Yes, the food is delicious, the room is comfortable, and many things here are very well done—but at that price, I suppose I should expect a chef to juggle flaming spatulas while serving dessert! For now, I’ll keep smiling, keep asking questions, and see what possibilities might be waiting just around the corner. >>
legacypreservetampa.com
     
>>>>>July 23
Today would have been my brother Gary’s birthday. Sadly, he was killed years ago when the off-road truck he was riding in rolled over. My nephew, Josh—my older brother Mike’s son—was with him, and Josh also lost his life in that tragic accident.
     
Gary had a joyful spirit that seemed to brighten every room he entered. We were different in many ways, yet we always shared the special bond that only brothers can understand. I still miss him, and I know many others do as well.
      GARY AND JOSH
Our family has experienced more than its share of heartbreak. My older brother, Mike, was hitchhiking from Oregon to San Diego when he was struck by a vehicle and killed. Years later, Gary was taken from us in another vehicle-related accident.
     
Then there was I. I, too, was involved in devastating truck accidents–twice. The first left me in a coma for 37 days and changed my life forever. The second changed my life all over again. Somehow, I am the only Summers brother still here.
     
Days like today remind me that life is both fragile and precious. I often wonder why I survived when those I loved did not, but I know the best way I can honor Gary and Mike is to live fully, to keep smiling, to keep encouraging others, and to make the most of every day I’ve been given. Their lives mattered.
      A HARD LIFE?
Their memories continue to shape the person I am today, reminding me of where I’ve been, what I’ve endured, and the love we’ve shared. Though they are no longer here to walk beside me, they remain woven into the fabric of my life—in my thoughts, my choices, my laughter, and even in my tears.
     
As long as I have breath, a part of them travels with me wherever I go. They live on in the stories I tell, the lessons they taught me, and the kindness I try to share with others. Time may soften the pain of loss, but it never erases the love.
      THEY ARE STILL HERE
In that way, they are never truly gone. They continue to journey beside me, quietly encouraging me to keep moving forward, to keep smiling through both the sunshine and the storms, and to make this one precious life the very best it can be.
     
Their love, their laughter, and the memories we shared remain woven into who I am, reminding me every day to live with purpose, gratitude, and joy. As long as I have breath, a part of them will always walk with me, guiding my steps and inspiring me to live a life they would be proud to see.
      HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GARY
Happy birthday, Gary. You are remembered with love, gratitude, and a smile. I hope that the joy you brought into this world continues to ripple outward through those of us fortunate enough to have known you. I’m so happy to have had you as my brother.
   
Now there are just my sisters, Kath and Sandy, left from the family I grew up with. Time has quietly changed our family tree in ways I never imagined when we were young. The years have a way of reminding us that nothing stays the same, and each season of life brings both joy and loss.
      EVERYONE WILL DIE
Parents, brothers, nephews, and others I deeply loved have taken their final journeys, leaving behind memories that remain very much alive within me. Although our family circle has become much smaller, the love we shared has never disappeared. It still travels beside me, encouraging me to keep moving forward with gratitude and hope.
     
At the same time, my family has grown in beautiful new ways. My daughters, Jasmine and April, have brought incredible love, kindness, and strength into my life. Through life’s twists and turns, they have stood by me, offering encouragement when I needed it most and reminding me that I have never truly walked this journey alone.
           
Then there’s my sister Kath, who prefers to go by her middle name, Willow. She has enriched my life in more ways than I could ever count. Through the years, she has offered love, encouragement, and a steady presence that has meant far more to me than words can express.
      MY SISTER, KATH
Kath and I share the same mother but have different fathers, yet our bond has never been defined by biology. It has been built through a lifetime of love, shared memories, laughter, and unwavering care for one another.
     
Family isn’t measured by matching DNA but by the countless moments we have shared, the support we’ve given each other, and the love that has remained constant through every season of life. I have always been grateful to call Kath my sister, and that bond has only grown stronger with the passing years. I’m not as close with Sandy, but the love is strong.
      MY SISTER, SANDY
We share the same father but have different mothers, and we grew up in different households. Even though our family tree has a few unusual branches, the roots of our love remain strong. Life has taken each of us down different paths, but I have always been grateful to call you both my sisters. Willow and Sandy, I love you more than you will ever know, and I treasure the place each of you holds in my heart.
      MOM
In 2014, my mom was facing the final and perhaps most difficult chapter of her life. As my sister, Kath, sat faithfully by her bedside in the hospital, holding her hand with quiet love, I found myself reflecting on all that Mom had endured throughout her remarkable journey.
     
She had known joy and heartbreak, triumph and sorrow, and had carried burdens that would have broken many people. Yet through it all, she remained a woman of strength, intelligence, and deep love for her family.
     
At the age of 82, Mom quietly slipped away. Kath was still there, holding her hand as she took her final breaths, offering the same love and comfort that Mom had given to so many throughout her life. I will always miss my mom.
     
It is a moment I will always picture with gratitude. Although her life came to an end that day, the lessons she taught us, the memories she created, and the love she shared continue to live on in all of us. In that way, she never truly left us.
     
She had known more than her share of heartache. No parent should ever have to bury a child, yet she experienced that unimaginable loss twice, saying goodbye to two of her sons. And, she sat by my bedside while I went through the 37-day coma.
     
Through those tragedies and countless other hardships, she continued to love deeply, give generously, and care for those around her. Life tested her in ways that would have broken many people, yet she kept moving forward with remarkable strength.
      SMART, TOO
Mom also possessed a brilliant mind and a wonderful sense of curiosity. She had a way of making people feel valued, and her wisdom often appeared in the simplest conversations. Looking back, I realize that many of the lessons that have guided my own life were quietly planted by her long before I understood their importance. 

MOM WAS AN AVID READER,
CONSUMING WORDS THE WAY
I LOVE FORMING THEM. 

Although those days in the hospital were filled with sadness, they were also filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the years we shared, for the love she gave so freely, and for the countless memories that still bring a smile to my face. She may no longer be here, but her courage, her kindness, and the example she set continue to live on in all of us who were fortunate enough to call her Mom.
      DEATH OF A CHILD
No parent should have to experience the heartbreak of losing a child, yet she lived through the unimaginable pain of losing two of her sons before she left this world. Even in the midst of such profound sorrow, she carried herself with a quiet strength that continues to inspire me.
     
My mom possessed a brilliant mind. She had a wonderful way of looking at the world, and she taught me lessons that have remained with me throughout my life. She didn’t simply pass along knowledge—she passed along wisdom, compassion, resilience, and the importance of loving your family no matter what life brings.
      MEMORIES
When I think of mom today, I don’t dwell only on the sadness of those final days. Instead, I remember her laughter, her intelligence, her determination, and the countless moments we shther. Those memories have become treasures that time can never erase.
     
Although she is no longer here, a part of her lives on in me, through the way I live, the kindness I show, and the words I write. I honor the remarkable woman who gave me life. Her love helped shape the person I became, and for that I will be forever grateful.
DAD
My dad worked for the Oregon Fish Commission, a job he truly enjoyed. One day, while flying in a helicopter for work, it crashed. He lost his life in that accident, and I lost my father when I was only six years old.
       
I was named after my father. My full name is Virgil Carson Summers Jr. My dad was Virgil Carson Summers Sr. Everyone called him Virgil. Because we shared the same name, I became known as “Kit,” a nickname that came from my middle name, Carson.
     
I have always liked that arrangement. My father carried the name Virgil, while I grew into Kit. Even though I lost him when I was only six years old, I have carried a part of him with me every day since. Few know my real name is “Virgil”, you do now.
     
His time with me was far too short, but his influence has lasted a lifetime. In many ways, a small piece of him still lives on in the life I have chosen and in the person I continue to strive to become: few memories, but strong ones.
     
His name reminds me of where I came from, while Kit has become the name people know through my juggling, my writing, my speaking, and the life I have been fortunate enough to live. In a way, I have spent my life honoring my father—not only by sharing his name, but by doing my best to live a life that would make him proud. (Is it working?)
     
At six years of age, I was far too young to understand the full weight of that loss. I only knew that someone I loved was suddenly gone. Growing up without a father changed the course of my life in countless ways, leaving questions that could never be answered and moments that could never be shared.
     
Yet even though his life was cut tragically short, his memory has remained a part of me. In many ways, his legacy has quietly traveled with me throughout my own journey. In fact, I am currently living at the Legacy. I don’t know how the two connect, but there you go.
      LIFE GOES ON . . .
Watching my daughters build their own lives has become one of my greatest blessings. My family may look very different today than it once did, but love has a remarkable way of growing new branches. As long as we continue to love, encourage, and care for one another, our family never really becomes smaller—it simply grows in new and wonderful directions.
     
I actually slept in this morning—until about 4:00 a.m. For me, that’s practically a vacation! When I first looked out my window, the world was wrapped in darkness. Everything was quiet, still, and waiting patiently for another day to begin.
        A BRIGHT MORNING
Now it’s 6:24 in the am, and the sun is slowly making its appearance on the horizon. The sky is clear, the first rays of light are chasing away the night, and everything seems fresh and full of promise. It looks like it’s going to be a superb day, and I intend to greet it with a smile. After all, every sunrise is another reminder that we’ve been given one more opportunity to learn, to laugh, to love, and to make this day count.
       
On schedule today is >>
10:00 Chair Zumba
10:00 Communion
10:30 Bible Study
10:30 Daily Chronicles & Chat
11:00 Color me Calm
12:30 Gorgeous Grandma Photos
1:00 Dear Abby Discussion Group
2:00 Tai Chi
3:00 Tech Class
6:30 Fun with Jason
7:00 Poker (poke who?)
There are a couple of things I will look into, but not much for me, like most days.
   
The bowl of chili for lunch was delicious.
With vanilla ice cream after — it was perfect.
A good crowd was there consuming food.
       
xx




>>>>>July 24




PART 3—BLOG 387—IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER!
A collection of thoughts and ideas to add to your life.
     
Every one of us is a work in progress. None of us has learned it all, reached the finish line, or become the very best version of ourselves. And that’s wonderful news, because it means there is always room to grow. Every sunrise gives us another chance to learn something new, become a little wiser, show a little more kindness, and take one more step toward the person we are capable of becoming.
     
Don’t be discouraged by how far you still have to go. Instead, celebrate how far you’ve already come. Every challenge you overcome, every lesson you learn, and every smile you share help shape a stronger, wiser, and more compassionate version of you. Keep believing in yourself, keep moving forward, and never stop growing, because your very best days may still be ahead. 

Another lesson to learn, another dream to chase, and another opportunity to become a little wiser, stronger, and kinder than we were yesterday. As long as we’re still breathing, tomorrow holds the promise of being even better than today. 
   
Each week, I like to share ideas that have helped me through life’s twists, turns, setbacks, and surprises. Some are lessons I learned the hard way. Others came from watching people, reading, thinking, or simply paying attention to the little things most people rush past.
   
Examine your own life, and you read the words below. Take what helps you. Leave what doesn’t. There is no single path to a better life, but there are countless small steps that move us in the right direction. You are on your way; keep going. Things will get better and better.
   
Here are a few ideas to think about and do daily >> 

• Smile more—It changes both your face and your attitude.
• Read more—This stretches your thinking. 
• Write more—Something that challenges your mind. 
• Move your body more—It was designed to move, not decorate a chair. 
• Encourage—Spend more time encouraging people than criticizing them.
• Worry less—It’s about being impressive—and more about being kind.
• Learn something new—Your brain loves the challenge. 
• Laugh often—especially at yourself—You’re funnier than you realize.
• Put down your phone occasionally—Look at the real world. 
• Say “thank you” more often—Gratitude is good. 
• Forgive—Carrying resentment is like wearing a backpack full of bricks. 
• Expect setbacks—They’re not roadblocks; they’re training sessions. 
• Keep your promises—To others and yourself.
• Spend more time with people who make you want to become better—show love. 
• Never stop asking questions!—Constantly learn and advance. 

 🪼YOUR LIFE — Remember this: your life is not finished being written. Every sunrise gives you another blank page. Every decision is another sentence. Every act of kindness, every courageous step, every smile, and every lesson learned becomes part of your story.
     
🪸CHANGE–You don’t have to become a completely different person overnight. Just become a slightly better version of yourself today than you were yesterday. Do that often enough, and one day you’ll look back and realize you’ve built an amazing life—one small choice at a time.
     
😊SMILE!–Keep smiling… and keep getting better. The best chapters of your story may still be waiting to be written. 

SEE WITH SAVAGE FRESHNESS–Wake up as if the universe just flipped the “on” switch. That sunrise? A standing ovation painted for your eyes only. Every tree is sculpted, lightning frozen in time. Every stranger is a poem you haven’t read yet. The ordinary dies only when your wonder does. Keep your eyes wide.

LET GO OF GRIEVANCES–Your time is too precious to loan to bitterness. Every grudge is a leak in your fuel tank. Patch it, forgive, move. Let that energy feed something luminous—your craft, your laughter, your excellence.

FIND GRATITUDE–Right now, could you look around? There’s music hiding in the mundane: the glint of morning light, a stranger’s kindness, the taste of something simple and good. Thank you for reading this. Thank you for living as it matters.

A WAKE-UP CALL–“Pretend it’s your last day alive.” Not a dare to burn down your life—but a dare to wake up inside it. Strip the noise. Touch what’s real. Speak what you mean. Every moment you honor becomes eternal.

CARPE DIEM–Seize the day, yes—but with grace. Let urgency refine you, not consume you. This is not panic. It’s permission. A reminder that the future isn’t coming—it’s being built by your hands right now.

BE CLEAR!–Clarity turns fear into movement. When you see what truly matters, hesitation melts. You stop waiting for someday and start living the one you’ve got. The present is where freedom breathes.

LOVE–Love louder. Forgive faster. Laugh like it’s oxygen. Cut the noise—keep the melody. Live your symphony, not someone else’s playlist.

ASK: MORE?–Would you be proud of how you’re living right now? Then adjust accordingly. Life isn’t a countdown; it’s a crescendo.

CHOOSE TO BE INTENSE!–Not frantic—fierce. Intensity is fuel, not chaos. Don’t chase the epic; cherish the real.

A BALANCED PRACTICE–The magic lies where urgency meets peace. Gratitude wraps around action. Focus sharpens joy. Let your heartbeat set the tempo: steady, strong, unstoppable.

AND REMEMBER…–You don’t need forever. So that you know, you need it now.
===================
THINK ABOUT THESE FUTURE BLOG TOPICS >>
Why Participation Is the Secret to Happiness.
What a 37-Day Coma Taught Me About Living.
The Power of Starting Before You Feel Ready.
Tiny Actions That Quietly Change the World.
Why Most People Drift Through Life (And How to Stop).
What Juggling Taught Me About Focus and Success.
The Freedom of Living With Less.
Which is your favorite?
===================
More below.
Which ones do you want me to write about? >>
1. The Power of Just Starting → How action creates momentum.
2. What Juggling Taught Me About Life → Focus, rhythm, recovery, and staying in motion.
3. Small Actions Change the World → Picking up cigarette butts… smiling in the hallway.
4. Why Participation Beats Observation → Life rewards people who step into the game.
5. The Lessons Hidden Inside Failure → Mistakes are fertilizer for future success.
6. Living Past 100: A Blueprint for Longevity → Mindset, curiosity, movement, and purpose.
7. The Magic of Curiosity → Why asking questions keeps the brain young.
8. Ambition vs Purpose → Ambition drives the engine. Purpose chooses the direction.
9. Build Your Life Like a House → Foundation, beams, structure, and ongoing maintenance.
10. Turning Banana Peels Into Fertilizer → How setbacks become growth.
11. The Secret Power of Routine → Morning rituals that keep the mind sharp.
12. The Courage to Reinvent Yourself → Juggler → entrepreneur → writer → speaker → explorer.
13. The Art of Encouragement → A few kind words can change someone’s entire day.
14. How to Stay Mentally Sharp → Learning new skills, juggling, reading, writing, and curiosity.
15. Why Stories Matter → Stories teach in ways lectures never can.
16. The Importance of Play → Adults forget how powerful play is for creativity.
17. The Myth of “Too Late.” → Reinvention is possible at any age.
18. Learning to Love the Process → Success grows quietly in daily effort.
19. The Strength Hidden in Adversity → Comas, accidents, setbacks—and rising again.
20. Why Helping Others Helps You → Kindness multiplies.
21. Living Lightly → Traveling the country in a van and what it teaches about freedom.
22. How to Build Confidence → Confidence grows from repeated action.
23. The Value of Paying Attention → Observation reveals opportunities everywhere.
24. Turning Ordinary Days Into Extraordinary → Tiny decisions change the trajectory of a life.
25. Your Life Is Your Message–What you do speaks louder than what you say.
26. Stay Actively Engaged in Life → Post on participation and purpose.
27. Just Start → Post about overcoming hesitation.
28. Captain Clean-Up Philosophy → Post on leadership through small actions.
29. Small Actions, Big Change → Post about momentum in life.
30. Early Morning Possibilities → Post about mindset and beginnings. 

BOY, I’VE GOT A LOT OF WRITING AHEAD OF ME.
AND, YOU HAVE MUCH READING COMING UP! 

It’s like juggling ideas.
One toss becomes two.
Two words become five.
Before long, the whole pattern is floating in the air.
And the beautiful part? You’re already doing it.
       
I’ve written hundreds of posts, each one holding a lesson, a story, or a spark. A future editor (which might be you!) can gather the best ones, polish them a little, group them by theme, and suddenly—boom—a book appears.
   

Life & Perspective Shifters

These hit people right in the soul—in the best way.
Turning adversity into advantage.
What near-death experiences teach about living.
The power of starting over (again… and again).
Why today matters more than “someday”.
Finding meaning in ordinary moments.
Rewriting your story at any age.

Purpose, Passion & Direction

This is your sweet spot—you live here.
Ambition vs. Purpose (engine vs. compass )
Discovering what truly matters (and letting go of the rest)
How to build a life that excites you to wake up.
When to pivot—and how to do it boldly
Living beyond survival… into significance

Juggling & Life Metaphors (Your Signature Magic!)
This is uniquely YOU—lean into it hard.
What juggling teaches about focus and rhythm.
The beauty of dropping the ball (and picking it back up)
Life as a pattern—what are you keeping in the air?
Balance is a myth—flow is the truth.
Teaching others: why giving knowledge multiplies joy. 

WILL YOU BE THE FIRST TO REACH 200 YEARS OF AGE?
LIFE IS WAITING FOR YOU — CATCH UP!
LIVE FOR NOW!   NOT YESTERDAY!    NOT TOMORROW!   NOW IS THE TIME!

======================
PART 4) 🔥 A FEW SPARKS TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET
✨ THE MAGIC OF QUOTES ✨
Inspirational quotes are like mental spark plugs. 💥 They jolt the mind awake, shrink giant problems down to size, and give your spirit a running start. One powerful sentence can flip your thinking upside down—turning “I can’t” into “Why not give it a shot?” The right words at the right moment can become a tiny flashlight in a dark hallway. 🔦

But here’s where the real magic happens: repetition turns inspiration into identity. The more you repeat a truth, the more your mind begins to believe it… and eventually, your life begins to reflect it. A quote hanging on a wall is a decoration. A quote lived out through your actions? That becomes a transformation. 

Simple truth:
A quote on a page is nice…
A quote you live by?  That’s power. ✨
        
1–“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
— Charles R. Swindoll
     
2–“Start NOW, it’s never too late!”
Kit Summers
   
3–“If you look at what you have in life,
you’ll always have more.”
— Oprah Winfrey
   
4–“If you don’t like the road you’re walking,
start paving another one.”
— Dolly Parton
   
5–“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago.
The second-best time is today.”
— Chinese Proverb
   
6–“To have what you have never had,
you have to do what you have never done.”
— Unknown
     
7–“Do the best you can until you know better.
Then when you know better, do better.”
— Maya Angelou
   
8–“Success is not final;
failure is not fatal:
It is the courage to continue that counts.”
— Winston Churchill
     
9–Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
— Oscar Wilde
   
10–“Strive not to be a success,
but rather to be of value.”
— Albert Einstein
      =========================
PART 5—YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>>>>
Challenge — I gave this challenge quite a while ago—something I had to relearn after my accident. As you walk, don’t swing your arm as you step. Keep your arm straight down by your side. This challenge will make you think about other things you do without even realizing it.
===========================
PART 6) NEXT WEEK>>>>>BLOG 388–FRESH PERSPECTIVES!
=========================
I miss you. Write to me—kitsummers@gmail.com
========================= 

🌟 PART 7) FINAL THOUGHTS 🌟
Because the best is always still ahead.
So juggle joy like it’s the air you breathe.
The horizon holds more than you can yet imagine.
Your present moment is not the finish line—it’s your starting block.
Chase sunsets as if they’re secret treasures waiting just for you.
Laugh so loudly that tomorrow leans in to listen.
Write me today—kitsummers@gmail.com
Live as though you’ve only just begun—
🌟BECAUSE YOU TRULY HAVE! 🌟

✨KITTING AROUND✨
BLOG 386–YES, YOU CAN GET BETTER
Keep getting better than yesterday!
This Video will give you more insight into me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc
This Blog is Best Read on a Laptop, Rather than Your Phone.
By KIT SUMMERS — World-Class Juggler to World-Class Comeback 

Once upon a life, I made gravity nervous— Thirty-seven silent days offstage.
Headlining at Ballys, tossing clubs with a grin. And here I am now—not juggling clubs.
Seven of them. A world record— But throwing purpose, grit, and joy.
Because physics loves a good insult. 😄 Balancing healing, catching courage.
Then came the truck—the coma. Tossing hope sky-high. 🤹‍♂️
     
The mission grew bigger than applause. What’s next on Kit’s journey through life?
Now I lift humans. I write to stay connected. Back to juggling? Back to life?
I write because it’s how I breathe. Stay with Kit and find out.
If these words help you, too? Life can get better.
That’s magic catching air. 🎉 Life will get better! ✨
      =======================================
My new address here is >>
The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve 
18600 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, #217, Tampa, FL 33647
https://www.legacypreservetampa.com/
Or wrote me–kitsummers@gmail.com
Stop by for a visit when you can.
A love letter would be dandy.
Call me >> 610-400-3233
=========================
PART 1) THE BEGINNINGS

DAILY–IT’S A NEW DAY, IT’S A NEW LIFE
DON’T LIVE IN THE FUTURE OR THE PAST —
MAKE THE MOST OF THE MOMENT YOU’RE HOLDING RIGHT NOW!

I just heard this, and it is important >>
“Happiness is not about getting all that you want.
It’s about enjoying all that you have.”
And, do you?
   
Here we go again. Do you have something for yourself, like this blog I write, that you can put everything into? Writing these words is my release, and it helps me as much as it helps you.
Have you started writing your blog yet? If not, why not begin today?
      YOUR BLOG?
Writing this blog gives me a reason to pay closer attention to my life. I find myself noticing the little moments, collecting ideas, asking more questions, and looking for lessons that might otherwise slip past unnoticed. Even an ordinary day suddenly has something worth sharing. Living the life I am writing about.
   
Knowing that I will be writing each week encourages me to keep learning, growing, and doing things that make life more interesting. Instead of letting the days pass by, I look for (or make) experiences that will become stories, observations, or ideas that might help someone else.
   
Your blog doesn’t have to change the world. It just has to reflect your world. You may be surprised at how much you discover about yourself simply by putting your thoughts into words. And who knows? Something you write today might be exactly what another person needs to read tomorrow.

THIS IS WHERE I LIVE NOW

It could easily be made more humorous, more inspirational, or simply more conversational—whatever best fits the message. I want these words to sound like we’re sitting together over a cup of tea, sharing ideas, a few laughs, and perhaps discovering something that makes both of us just a little bit better.
      WEEKENDS
Weekends are very slow around here, which makes the meals seem much more important. I actually find myself looking forward to breakfast, lunch, and dinner—not just because the food is good, but because they give me something to do and help break up the day.
   
It’s funny how that happens. When life slows down, even the smallest events take on a little more meaning. A meal becomes more than just eating; it’s an event, a change of scenery, a reason to leave the room, and a chance to see people for a while.
      WHAT IS THERE TO LOOK FORWARD TO?
Yes, the food is good, and I’m grateful for that. But I’d much rather be looking forward to my next adventure than my next plate of food. That’s just one more reason to keep finding new projects, new ideas, and new ways to make every day more interesting.
   
Chris Foster, you asked why I decided to move to a different place to live.
There wasn’t just one reason—there were many.
But the biggest was the lack of freedom. At my previous home, I spent much of my time in my room.
Below is Chris’ brother, Randy, and me,
performing in San Diego’s Balboa Park in the ’70s.

At NeuroRestorative, there were too many limitations and restrictions. Ironically, there was a beautiful grassy park directly across the street, but I wasn’t allowed to go there. I wanted to practice my juggling, start running again, and continue rebuilding my strength. Having that opportunity just a few feet away—but being told I couldn’t use it—became increasingly frustrating.
     
I missed walking, exploring, practicing my juggling, and enjoying the outdoors. Eventually, I realized I needed a place that would encourage me to keep growing rather than limit what I could do. That’s why I made the move.
   
Eventually, I realized that growth requires freedom. I needed a place that encouraged me to keep improving rather than one that limited what I could do. That realization became one of the biggest reasons I made the move.
     
Basically, at Neurorestorative, I was confined to my room, except to get out for therapy sessions. Jasmine and April searched and came upon Legacy, where I am now. Just by signing out, I can leave the area and get out to work on my juggling and running — yet I have not yet.
     
And, while here, I have the chance to check out >>
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Tampa-Bay-Jugglers-Club-100081353051448/ 
I will do some coaching and make new friends while I’m there.
     
My daughters, Jasmine and April, along with my sister, Kath, talked me into getting a separate keyboard. I built a small shelf for my laptop so the screen now sits at eye level while the second keyboard rests comfortably below. Instead of constantly looking down, I can keep my gaze straight ahead while typing or watching a video. I have to admit—they were absolutely right. It’s a far better setup.
As a bonus, I suddenly have plenty more desk space. Even better, if I’m in the mood, I can stand while I type or watch videos. It’s amazing how one simple change can make working more comfortable. Now and then, it’s worth listening when your family insists they know what’s best. Don’t tell them I said that—I don’t want them getting too confident. 
     
An unexpected bonus is all the desk space I’ve gained. My workspace suddenly feels twice as big, and I can even stand while I write whenever the mood strikes. Apparently, this old dog can learn new tricks (woof)—especially when three determined women keep insisting until he finally listens.
     
How about you? You’ve made it through difficult days before. Despite the setbacks, disappointments, and unexpected detours, you’re still here. That’s something worth celebrating. Life has a way of testing us all, and while some days unfold effortlessly, others seem determined to push us backward.
     
Yet if you’re reading these words, you’ve already proven something remarkable about every challenge that has come your way, and you’ve emerged stronger because of it. You may not always recognize your own resilience, but it’s there, quietly carrying you forward one step at a time. Never underestimate just how much strength you already possess.
       
Hopefully, you’ve even managed to greet a few of those difficult days with a smile. That doesn’t mean they were easy. It simply means you refused to let hardship have the final word. A smile isn’t a sign that life is perfect; it’s often a sign that hope is still alive. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is smile, take another step, and keep moving forward.
     
The truth is, there will be more challenging days ahead. I don’t say that to discourage you or paint a gloomy picture. It’s simply one of life’s guarantees. Plans will change, obstacles will appear, and there will be moments when you’ll wonder whether you have the strength to keep going. When those moments arrive, remind yourself that you’ve overcome difficult seasons before, and you can do it again.
   
Every challenge also carries an opportunity. It may teach patience, strengthen your character, sharpen your thinking, or reveal abilities you never knew you possessed. The greatest growth rarely happens when life is easy. It happens when we choose to keep going, even when the path is steep and every step requires a little extra determination.
      IT’S ABOUT LIFE–IT’S ABOUT BEING HAPPY
That is one of the reasons I write these weekly thoughts. When life throws one of those inevitable curveballs your way, you’ll remember something you’ve read here. A single sentence may encourage you to pause instead of panic, laugh instead of complain, or believe that tomorrow can be better than today.
 
Never underestimate the power of small victories. One encouraging thought, one positive decision, one act of kindness, or one determined step forward may seem insignificant in the moment, yet those little choices quietly build extraordinary lives. Progress seldom arrives in giant leaps. More often, it appears one small improvement at a time, until one day you look back and realize just how far you’ve come.
     
If these words help you face even one challenge with a little more courage, a little more hope, or a smile that wasn’t there just moments before, then they’ve accomplished exactly what I hoped they would. If they encourage you to stand up after a setback, believe in yourself when doubt creeps in, or take just one more step forward, then every word has been worthwhile.
     
Life will always surprise us. Some days will lift us higher than we ever imagined, while others will test our strength in ways we never expected. Yet no circumstance gets to decide your attitude—that choice has always belonged to you. It is one of the greatest powers you will ever possess.
     
So let’s greet whatever comes next with confidence, optimism, and determination. Every storm eventually passes, every sunrise offers a fresh beginning, and every challenge carries the possibility of growth. Keep moving forward with hope in your heart, because better days are never as far away as they sometimes seem.
     
As you see,
I am keeping the blog shorter.
Did it work? 

KEEP SMILING.
KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
EXPECT A WONDERFUL FUTURE. 

============================
PART 2) THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK
Kit’s Daily Delight Inspiration–Served Playfully.
     
Good morning! Or good afternoon… or good evening. One of the wonderful things about words is that they never complain when they’re read a little late.
 
Every sunrise delivers a fresh page with your name already written across the top. What you choose to write on it is entirely up to you. You don’t need a perfect beginning to create a beautiful ending. Just take one positive step, then another. Before long, you’ll look behind you and discover you’ve traveled much farther than you ever imagined.
     
Don’t wait for life to become easier before deciding to smile. Smile first. It’s amazing how often your attitude quietly changes the direction of your day. A cheerful heart won’t eliminate every obstacle, but it certainly makes climbing over them much more enjoyable.
     
So go out and encourage someone today.
Hold a door.
Share a compliment.
Laugh at yourself before anyone else gets the chance.
Kindness has a funny habit of boomeranging right back to the person who threw it.
Now make today so memorable that tomorrow gets a little jealous.
   
>>>>>July 11
Saturday has arrived, and weekends move in slow motion. The extra hours give me more opportunities to think, write, observe, and, now and then, come up with an idea that makes me wonder, “What on earth was I thinking?”
   
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. I truly appreciate you taking a few minutes of your day to spend with me. In wordless distractions, the fact that you choose to read these words means more than you might realize.
     
Something in today’s thoughts made you smile, sparked a new idea, or encouraged you to see life from a slightly different angle. If even one sentence stayed with you, then this quiet weekend has accomplished something worthwhile.
     
Sometimes the biggest changes don’t come from dramatic events. They begin with a single new thought, a fresh perspective, or one small decision to move forward. If today’s words planted even the tiniest seed, I hope it grows into something meaningful for you.
   
Thank you for sharing part of your day with me. These thoughts brought a smile, sparked an idea, or encouraged you to see life in a new way. Until next time, keep smiling, stay curious, keep growing, and never stop discovering just how remarkable your life can become. Your greatest chapter may still be waiting to be written.
         
I look forward to meeting you here again next week. Until then, keep growing, keep smiling, and keep taking one small step at a time toward becoming the very best version of yourself. Life isn’t changed by one giant leap. It’s shaped by the small choices you make each day, the lessons you embrace, and the determination to keep moving forward—even when the path isn’t clear. 

Have a wonderful week.
Keep believing in your potential.
Keep finding reasons to laugh.
Be clever, start discovering how
remarkable you can become. I’ll send words next week. 

Remember, you don’t have to change your entire life overnight. Small improvements, made consistently, have a remarkable way of becoming extraordinary results. Have a wonderful week, and never stop discovering just how amazing your life can become.
    SHAVE TIME
So, to stir things up, I’m thinking about shaving my head again. I already shave “down there” because it’s simply more comfortable. Around here, no one has ever seen me completely hairless, so it might surprise a few people—and give everyone something new to talk about. But, no, I won’t show them, “Down There.”
      THE SKILL OF WRITING
I’ve been using fewer words in these posts. You saw my last one, and I’m not sure I’m very good at it yet. I have a lifelong friendship with extra sentences. Every time I tell myself, “Keep it short, Kit,” another thought taps me on the shoulder and says, “Don’t forget about me!”
     
That could be the way my mind works. I’ve lived through enough adventures, setbacks, recoveries, and surprises that every idea seems connected to three others. Before I knew it, a simple paragraph had packed its bags and turned into a cross-country trip.
     
I’m working on it, though. Brevity is a skill, just like juggling. You don’t master it overnight. Until then, thanks for sticking with me as I practice saying more… with less. And if an occasional extra sentence sneaks in, well, I hope you’ll forgive an old writer for enjoying the journey as much as the destination.
      SHOWTIME
Today I have a show scheduled for 11:00 a.m. I’ll be sharing my story, doing a little juggling, and throwing in a few magic tricks along the way.
   
What’s surprising is that I’m actually nervous about this presentation. You would think that after a lifetime of performing in front of audiences—from theaters to schools to casinos—I would be completely beyond stage fright. Apparently, the butterflies never got the memo.
   
Being nervous isn’t such a bad thing. It means I still care. It means I want to do well. A little nervous energy can be turned into enthusiasm once the first smile appears or the first laugh breaks the silence.
   
Since it’s Saturday, I don’t expect a large crowd. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if only a handful of people showed up—or even none at all. If that’s the case, I’ll treat it as another opportunity to practice, improve, and enjoy myself. Whether there are five people, fifty people, or just one curious soul, that one person deserves my very best.
   
Besides, every great performance starts the same way—with a first step onto the stage.
I’ll let you know afterward how it went. Hopefully, there will be a few laughs, a little amazement, and maybe even a bit of inspiration mixed in with the juggling. I’ve performed with thousands in the audience; this is no different.
      NINE IN THE AUDIENCE
Nine people came to my presentation today. Before it started, I have to admit—I had a few butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. Since it was Saturday, I wasn’t even sure if anyone would show up. I was mentally preparing to give an inspirational speech to a room full of empty chairs. They’re not very responsive.
     
But then, one by one, people wandered in until there were nine smiling faces waiting for me. Perfect!
     
I juggled, performed a few magic tricks, shared stories from my life, and talked about some of the successes I’ve been fortunate enough to experience. More importantly, I spoke about the setbacks that came first and how determination, persistence, and a refusal to quit can carry us through almost anything life throws at us. (Fortunately, today I was the only one throwing things.)
   
As I looked around the room, I saw people laughing, smiling, and really paying attention. That’s one of my favorite sights in the world. Making people smile has always felt like a little bit of magic all by itself. If someone leaves happier than when they walked in, then I’ve accomplished something worthwhile.
      THEY ENJOYED THE SHOW
Somewhere along the way, those nervous butterflies quietly packed their bags, spread their little wings, and flew away. They stayed just long enough to enjoy the show before deciding they were no longer needed.
     
As the audience’s smiles grew, my confidence quietly returned. By the time I finished, I wasn’t thinking about being nervous at all. I enjoyed the chance to make people laugh, share a few stories, and hopefully leave them feeling happier than when they walked in.
     
Today’s presentation reminded me of an important lesson. It isn’t about filling every seat in the room. It’s about filling the people who are there with a little more hope, encouragement, and joy than they had before. Helping those I can live better lives.
      NINE
Nine people came. Nine.
I hope nine people left just a little happier.
To me, that’s a successful day.
     
As evening’s gentle quiet settled about me, I turned once more toward the ancient tale of The Two Towers. With its opening scenes came a stirring of old memories, reaching back across many years to my days in junior high school, when I first wandered into the pages of The Lord of the Rings.
    THE TWO TOWERS
In those days, I did not merely read the story—I journeyed within it. The turning of each page was like another mile upon a winding road, leading ever deeper into lands where courage was tested, friendships were forged, and hope endured against the longest of shadows.
     
While watching the film, I found myself walking down two paths at once. One lay before my eyes upon the screen, crafted with soaring mountains, towering fortresses, ancient forests, and mighty battles brought to life through remarkable artistry. The other path stretched far older, hidden within memory, where the landscapes had been shaped not by artists or cameras, but by my imagination alone.
   
Such is the quiet enchantment of a book. Every reader becomes the builder of kingdoms and the keeper of hidden places. The forests whisper with voices known only to that reader. The castles rise according to unseen dreams. Even the faces of heroes and wanderers bear features that no painter has ever fully captured. The tale lives differently within every heart that welcomes it.
      IT TOOK ME THERE
A film offers another kind of wonder. It invites us to behold the vision imagined by others—gifted storytellers who have labored to give form to words that once existed only upon the page. Their Middle-earth is magnificent beyond measure, filled with beauty, peril, and grandeur. Yet it is not quite the same Middle-earth that has traveled beside me through the years.
AND PERHAPS THAT IS AS IT SHOULD BE
The stories that matter most are never imprisoned within ink or celluloid. They continue their journey inside us, growing richer as the seasons of our own lives unfold. A tale first discovered in youth returns years later, wearing new garments, revealing truths that once passed unnoticed. Though the road remains familiar, the traveler has changed.
      HAVE YOU READ HIS BOOKS?
So I cherish them both—the books that first opened the gate to wonder, and the films that allowed me to walk those ancient roads again beneath a different sky. For the finest stories do not truly end when the final page is turned, or the closing credits fade. Like the distant echo of a horn across forgotten hills, they linger in the mind and heart, quietly calling us back to adventure whenever we are willing to listen.
       
>>>>>July 12
As I peek out the window this morning, it looks as though Mother Nature has been busy polishing the day just for us. The sky is a brilliant blue, the sunshine is stretching itself awake, and everything outside seems to be whispering, “Come on, Kit… get out here!” It’s hard not to smile when the world puts on a show like that.
     
Now comes the daily debate. Do I go for a run or grab the juggling clubs? Apparently, my asthma has decided it would like a vote in the matter. It’s been an uninvited referee lately, occasionally blowing the whistle when I’m ready to sprint into action.
      RUNNING OR JUGGLING?
The funny thing is, I’ve learned that listening to your body isn’t the same as surrendering to it. Sometimes wisdom sounds a lot like, “Maybe take it easy today, genius.” After everything life has thrown at me, I’ve discovered that being stubborn can be a wonderful quality—as long as it’s pointed in the right direction.
     
So if today isn’t meant for running, it’s perfect for tossing a few clubs into the air, taking a leisurely walk, or simply sitting outside with the sun on my face and a grateful heart. Not every victory comes with sweat pouring down your forehead. Some victories come from making the smart choice today so you can come back even stronger tomorrow.
   
One thing, however, is non-negotiable: asthma doesn’t get to steal my enthusiasm. It might slow my pace, but it doesn’t get to touch my spirit. There is far too much beauty waiting outside that window to waste the day grumbling. So I’ll head into it with a smile, a deep breath whenever I can get one, and the determination to enjoy every moment. After all, life isn’t about having perfect lungs—it’s about making the most of every breath you’ve been given.
HOW ABOUT YOU, ARE YOU BREATHING OK?
I just returned from breakfast.
It was the usual meal, nothing exciting,
But it gave me a reason to get out of my room and start the day.
   
To get there, I leave my room and walk about 200 meters to the elevator. That isn’t a great distance. Years ago, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. Now, by the time I reach the elevator, my asthma has already made itself known. I can feel my breathing tighten, and I’m reminded that my lungs no longer cooperate the way they once did.
I’LL ADMIT, THAT MAKES  ME A LITTLE SAD
There was a time when I could run, juggle for hours, and perform with seemingly endless energy. Breathing was something I never even thought about. It simply happened. Funny how we often take the simplest gifts for granted until they’re no longer effortless.
     
But I’ve also learned something through the many challenges life has thrown my way. Feeling sad for a little while is perfectly natural. We all have those moments. The important thing is not to unpack your bags and live there. Acknowledge the feeling, learn what it has to teach you, then stand back up and keep moving forward. Life still has too many wonderful adventures waiting for you.
      MY ASTHMA
My asthma may have changed the way I move, but it hasn’t changed the way I think. It hasn’t taken away my curiosity, my sense of humor, my love of writing, or my desire to encourage others. It may slow my steps, but it doesn’t get to decide the direction of my life.
     
So today, instead of wishing for the lungs I once had, I’ll make the best use of the ones I have. I’ll keep writing. I’ll keep learning. I’ll keep smiling when I can. And I’ll keep searching for ways to become a little better than I was yesterday.
     
Sometimes victory isn’t running a marathon.
Sometimes victory is simply taking another step… and then another.
But today I feel like I am wasting my life. I did not accomplish anything, which felt terrible.
     
>>>>>July 13
I started working on this blog early this morning, as usual. Before long, I noticed a tiny ant making its way across my computer screen. It had a destination in mind, although I have no idea what could be so important on a laptop.
   
Many people would have reached over without a second thought and ended the poor fellow’s adventure. I couldn’t do that. He wasn’t bothering me. He was washing my keyboard or trying to edit my sentences. As far as I know, he was exploring the world from an ant’s perspective.
   
I could have carefully captured him and carried him outside, but even I admit that’s probably taking kindness just a little too far. Besides, he likely would have stormed in and demanded to know why I’d interrupted his expedition. So I let him roam.
    ANT OR AUNT?
There may be a lesson in that for all of us. Sometimes the best thing we can do is keep moving forward (have you ever seen anyone walk backward?). The world could be gentler if we all paused before reacting. Not everything that crosses our path is an enemy. Sometimes it’s just another traveler, trying to make its way through Life—one tiny step at a time.
       
I allowed him to continue on his tiny journey while I continued on mine. It’s amazing that a creature smaller than a grain of rice can make you pause and think. That little ant wasn’t worried about the stock market, social media, or whether anyone liked his latest post. He wasn’t comparing himself to the ant in the next colony or stressing about tomorrow.
     
He kept putting one tiny foot in front of the other, doing what ants have quietly done for millions of years. There could be a lesson in that. Sometimes the best way to move through life isn’t by worrying about everything ahead—it’s by taking the next small step and trusting that those little steps will eventually lead somewhere worthwhile.
     
Wherever that tiny journey leads, I hope there are plenty of crumbs to discover, no giant fingers descending unexpectedly from the sky, and countless safe places to explore. May each new step lead to another little adventure, every crack become a highway to somewhere exciting, and every day bring something worth investigating.
THIS HUGE WORLD
It’s a big world for such a tiny traveler, and I hope it’s filled with curiosity, good fortune, and a lifetime of wonderful little adventures. If our paths never cross again, I’ll be happy knowing I gave one very small creature the chance to continue its own remarkable expedition.
     
It’s funny how something so incredibly small can quietly remind me that every living creature is on its own journey. For a few brief moments, our paths crossed. Then we each continued on our separate adventures—and somehow—my day was a little richer because of it.
     
It’s hard to believe I managed to write that much about a tiny little ant. Then again, life has a funny way of hiding big lessons inside very small packages. Who would have guessed that a creature smaller than a grain of rice could wander across my computer screen and inspire so many thoughts?
     
Now, if I’d been writing about my aunt, that would have been a completely different story. For one thing, she probably wouldn’t have fit on my computer screen. She also would have expected a proper introduction, a few flattering comments, and perhaps a starring role.
   
Ants, on the other hand, never complain about how they’re portrayed. They go about their tiny lives, carrying crumbs far larger than common sense would recommend, blissfully unaware that they’re inspiring writers, amusing children, and reminding the rest of us that even the smallest lives can leave surprisingly big impressions.
     
They never send complaint letters, hire tiny ant attorneys, or demand equal representation in literature. They keep exploring the world one determined step at a time, blissfully unaware that they’ve wandered into someone else’s story.
     
So today, an ant became the unlikely star of my blog. Tomorrow, who knows? Inspiration has a habit of showing up in the most unexpected places. Sometimes it arrives dressed as a breathtaking sunset. Sometimes it’s hidden inside a conversation with a friend. And now and then, it marches across your keyboard on six tiny legs and quietly reminds you to pay attention.
     
And now it’s two hours later. The little explorer is long gone, and I’m left wondering… was there really an ant here at all? It’s amazing how something so tiny can appear, steal a few moments of your attention, inspire an entire story, and then quietly disappear as though it had never been there. 

HOW LONG CAN KIT KEEP WRITING ABOUT AN ANT (or an aunt?)

>>>>July 14
“Ant”–there, I said it, I guess it continues today, too.
The view outside my window isn’t nearly as cheerful today.
Gray clouds have moved in, and they seem determined to
audition for the role of “Most Gloomy Sky.”
    ANT OR AUNT?
On a brighter note, the ant (not my aunt Ruth—that would be an entirely different story) has returned for another visit. Apparently, my computer has become part of its daily travel itinerary. Watching that tiny explorer is fascinating. Its little legs move so unbelievably fast that they almost blur together. If ants ever hold the Olympics, this one is definitely bringing home the gold in the 100-millimeter dash.
   
Meanwhile, I’m sitting here trying to keep up with a creature smaller than a grain of rice. I have no idea where it’s going, but one thing is certain—it has somewhere important to be, and it’s not wasting a single second getting there.
    X-RAY TIME
This morning I headed out for a chest CT scan. The doctor is trying to figure out why my asthma has decided to become a much more enthusiastic traveling companion lately. I’m hoping the scan provides a few answers—and, even better, a few solutions.
   
Later in the day, it was Happy Hour here at Legacy. They hold it a couple of times each week, and today featured a gentleman singing old love songs while somehow playing several instruments at once. I stayed for a little while, listened to a few tunes, accepted my second glass of Sangria, and quietly made my way back to my room.
    BEING HAPPY FOR AN HOUR
I have to admit, Happy Hour isn’t really my kind of entertainment. Give me a good conversation, an interesting book, a juggling club, or a blank page to write on, and I’m a happy camper. Still, it was wonderful to see so many of the other residents smiling, singing along, and tapping their feet.

                        HEY–IS THAT KIT? 
Music has a remarkable way of unlocking memories that have been quietly tucked away for years. A familiar melody can transport us to another time—a first dance, a summer evening, a family gathering, or a special person who still lives in our hearts. As the songs filled the room this afternoon, I couldn’t help but notice the smiles, the gentle tapping of feet, and the faraway looks in people’s eyes.
     
Judging by the expressions around the room, many wonderful memories were making return visits. For a little while, it seemed as though the music wasn’t simply entertaining the audience—it was carrying each person back to a cherished chapter of their own story. 

As for me, I was perfectly content returning to my room, where my faithful keyboard patiently waits for me. It never complains if I sing off-key, never winces when I miss a note, and, thankfully, never asks for an encore. 
      I LIKE WRITING TO YOU (or for you)
In fact, I suspect it secretly prefers the sound of my fingers tapping across the keys to the sound of my voice attempting to hit the right notes. Together, we seek a good team. It provides the clicks, I provide the thoughts, and so these little taps turn into stories, ideas, and the occasional bit of mischief. For me, that’s a concert worth attending every single day.
   
I’ll end on that good note.
Sleep well, my friend. I know I will.
Tomorrow is another opportunity to learn,
to laugh, and make life just a little bit better.
   
>> >>>July 15
As usual, up early before the birds.
A slow day today, so I have just kept to my room.
Taking a day off? This reminds me of something that has been on my mind.
   
For most of my life, I’ve been in a relationship. There was always a hand to hold, a voice to hear, or simply the quiet comfort of knowing I wasn’t alone. Now, that comforting presence is gone, replaced by silence. At times, the loneliness feels almost tangible, reminding me just how much I miss sharing life’s ordinary moments with someone I love.
    I’M STILL LOOKING–ARE YOU HER?
Sometimes, without thinking, I reach out—as if someone is still beside me. My hand finds only space. In those moments, the reality of being alone settles over me, and tears come quietly. I am here… but where is she?
 
Loneliness has a way of echoing through the smallest moments. A meal, a sunset, a funny thought—so many things are meant to be shared. Just writing these words brings tears to my eyes, because they come from a place that is very real.
     
I still believe there is someone out there whose heart is searching, too. Someone to laugh with, talk with, grow old with, and be close to. If you’re reading this and your heart quietly whispered, “I understand,” perhaps our paths were meant to cross. If not you, perhaps you have a friend?
   
>>>>>July 16
Good morning! Or perhaps good afternoon—or even good evening—depending on when these words happen to find you. I just returned from breakfast, where I had my usual meal. Some things in life don’t need improving, and breakfast seems to be one of them. As always, it was quite good. I have readers worldwide who read my blog. As this side sleeps, the other side reads my blog—or the other way around. 
   
One of the residents was celebrating his 97th birthday today. It reminded me once again that I’m one of the younger people here. That’s a funny thought because, in my mind, I still feel as though I’m somewhere in my twenties or thirties. Then reality politely taps me on the shoulder and reminds me that I’ll turn 68 on February 28.

For years, we’ve been told that 65 is the magic retirement age. Well, I’m well beyond that now, and I still don’t understand what “retirement” is supposed to mean. Retire from living? Retire from learning? Retire from making a difference? None of those ideas appeals to me.

It sometimes seems as though retirement has become a place where people quietly wait for time to pass while trying to ignore the fact that life is growing shorter. I could never live that way. As long as I’m breathing, I want to keep writing, encouraging, learning, laughing, juggling ideas—and maybe a few clubs again someday.

I don’t believe purpose comes with an expiration date. If anything, the years have given me more stories to tell, more lessons to share, and a deeper appreciation for every sunrise. I still have dreams that haven’t been chased, people I hope to inspire, and goals that make me excited to get out of bed each morning.

One day, my journey will end, just as everyone’s will. But until then, I have no interest in retiring from life. There is simply too much left to do, too many smiles left to create, and too many lives that might be brighter because I chose to keep moving forward.
     
Isn’t it strange how age works? The calendar insists the years keep piling up, while the mind quietly ignores the memo. I still catch myself thinking, “I can do that!” Then I stand up, and every joint in my body decides to hold a committee meeting before approving the motion.
     
That could be the real secret to staying young. Keep your curiosity alive, your sense of humor intact, and never stop looking forward to tomorrow. Wrinkles may show up uninvited, but so far they haven’t figured out how to wrinkle my enthusiasm—and I hope they never do.
     
Yes, your final curtain call is coming someday. I know—that wasn’t exactly the uplifting news you were hoping to hear with your morning coffee. Relax, though; I’m not trying to scare you. I’m simply pointing out one of life’s few guarantees. The wonderful part is that none of us knows when that day will arrive, so worrying about it only steals time from the days we do have.
     
Instead, laugh often, love deeply, chase a few dreams, help a few people, and squeeze every drop of joy out of today. Besides, if death does show up unexpectedly, I’d much rather have it interrupt me while I’m busy living than catch me sitting around worrying that it might arrive. That would be a terrible way to use perfectly good time.
     
Always remember: YOU are the one who has the power to make your life great.
       
Down I went for lunch. The walk to the elevator is long enough that I can understand why so many people here rely on walkers. I could certainly be in better shape, but I don’t think it’s time to trade my sneakers for a walker just yet. My goal is to keep depending on the two legs I came with for as long as they’ll cooperate.
 
Of course, if my legs ever do give out, I may have to negotiate with a walker. But I plan to make it work for every step first. Besides, if I start using one too soon, people might expect me to slow down—and I still have far too many places to wander, too many ideas to chase, many miles to run, and too many dessert tables to reach before anyone beats me there.
 
Near the elevator, they have a pool table. I started a game with a fellow who looked like he really knew what he was doing. We traded impressive shots, banked a few beauties, and the competition was fierce. In the end, I absolutely creamed him. Then I realized I should probably mention one small detail—I was practicing alone. Turns out I’m an excellent pool player… as long as I don’t have to beat anyone but myself.
Sometimes it’s easy to focus on what we wish were different and overlook what is already good. The more time I spend here, the more I’ve come to appreciate just how fortunate I am. The place I live is truly luxurious. The inside is immaculate, beautifully maintained, and always welcoming. I’ve already told you about the meals—they’re consistently delicious—And I certainly haven’t gone hungry.
     
Step outside, and it’s as though you’re walking through a peaceful park. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, with plenty of places to stroll, sit, and enjoy the day. When I stop to look around, I realize I really couldn’t ask for a nicer place to live. Gratitude has a wonderful way of changing our perspective, and today, mine is filled with appreciation.

>>>>>July 17
What will happen in this upcoming week? That’s the question that parks itself at the front of my brain every Friday. If I knew the answer, I’d be living on a tropical island after correctly predicting lottery numbers instead of writing this blog.
     
The truth is, I never know what’s waiting around the corner. It might be a new adventure, an unexpected challenge, a brilliant idea, or another tiny ant wandering across my keyboard looking for its fifteen minutes of fame. Life has a wonderful habit of ignoring my carefully imagined plans.
     
So we’ll both have to wait and see. I’m just as curious as you are. In fact, if you find out what next week has in store before I do, please don’t spoil the ending. I enjoy the suspense almost as much as the surprises.
     
I’m glad you read my words.
Thank you for being a part of my audience.
Without you, what would I be?
       
I look out the window and see a sky full of clouds. Back and forth it goes—clouds, then blue skies, then clouds again. It’s as if the sky can’t make up its mind. One minute it’s smiling, the next it’s pouting, only to change its mood all over again.
   
Then again, maybe the sky isn’t so different from the rest of us. We all have cloudy moments and bright ones. The important thing is remembering that no matter how many clouds drift overhead, they never stop the sun from shining—they hide it for a little while.
==========================
BLOG 386–YES, YOU CAN GET BETTER
     
Have you ever wondered if people can truly change?
Can someone become healthier, happier, wiser, stronger, or more successful? 
Absolutely!
One of the greatest truths I’ve discovered is this:
Yes, you can get better!
I know because I’ve lived it.
     
After being struck by a truck and spending more than a month in a coma, many people wondered if I would ever walk, talk, or think normally again. At times, the road ahead seemed impossible. But I refused to believe my best days were behind me. I believed I could improve—one small step at a time.
     
I celebrated every tiny victory: one more word remembered, one steadier step, one new accomplishment. At first, the progress seemed almost invisible. But little by little, those tiny victories added up to remarkable achievements. That’s how lasting change happens—one small improvement at a time.
     
Life works the same way. Success rarely comes with a single giant breakthrough. It grows through small, consistent choices—taking a walk, reading a few pages, eating a little healthier, learning something new, showing gratitude, or encouraging someone else.
     
Don’t wait for Monday or New Year’s Day. The calendar doesn’t change your life—your decisions do. Start today. Progress is far more important than perfection.
So let me ask you one question:
What is one small thing you can do today to become a little better tomorrow?
   
Take that first step, then another, and another.
Before long, you’ll look back and realize just how far you’ve come.
Never forget this simple truth:
Yes, you CAN get better. ❤️      

WILL YOU BE THE FIRST TO REACH 200 YEARS OF AGE?
LIFE IS WAITING FOR YOU — CATCH UP!
DO NOT SIT BY THE WINDOW —
STARING AT THE CLOCK? — STAND UP AND LIVE!
LIVE FOR NOW!   NOT YESTERDAY!    NOT TOMORROW!   NOW IS THE TIME!

======================
PART 4) 🔥 A FEW SPARKS TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET
✨ THE MAGIC OF QUOTES ✨
Inspirational quotes are like mental spark plugs. 💥 They jolt the mind awake, shrink giant problems down to size, and give your spirit a running start. One powerful sentence can flip your thinking upside down—turning “I can’t” into “Why not give it a shot?” The right words at the right moment can become a tiny flashlight in a dark hallway. 🔦

But here’s where the real magic happens: repetition turns inspiration into identity. The more you repeat a truth, the more your mind begins to believe it… and eventually, your life begins to reflect it. A quote hanging on a wall is a decoration. A quote lived out through your actions? That becomes a transformation. 

Simple truth:
A quote on a page is nice…
A quote you live by? That’s power. ✨
        
1. “On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having
navigated through it. Raise your sail and begin. ― ” Gregory S. Williams
     
2. “Greatest are those who study and learn what is
best for them.” – Kit Summers
       
3. “As we advance in life, it becomes more and more difficult,
But in fighting the difficulties, the inner strength of the heart
is developed.” ― Vincent van Gogh
     
4. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling,
but rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
   
5. “A truly strong person does not need the approval of others
any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.” ―Vernon Howar
   
6. “You never know how strong you are until you’re being
strong is the only choice you have.” ―Bob Marley
   
7. “The human capacity for burden is like bamboo –
far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.”― Jodi Picoult
     
8. “She stood in the storm,
and when the wind did not blow her way.
She adjusted her sails.”― Elizabeth Edwards.
     
9. “It’s your reaction to adversity,
not adversity itself that determines how
your life’s story will develop.”― Dieter F. Uchtdorf
     
10. “Go within every day and find the inner strength
so that the world will not blow your candle out.” ―Katherine Dunham
      =========================
PART 5—YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>>>>
Divide your life into its most important parts and examine each one with care. Write down what truly matters to you—your health, family, friendships, finances, career, personal growth, or whatever gives your life meaning and purpose. Don’t rush this process.
     
Give it the time it deserves, because few exercises will have a greater impact on the direction of your life. Clarity is the foundation of improvement, and you can’t improve what you’ve never taken the time to define. Define and write your life out.
   
Then, look at each area and ask yourself, What would excellence look like here? More importantly, ask, What is one small step I can take today to move in that direction? A remarkable life isn’t created overnight or through one giant leap. 
     
It’s built one choice, one habit, and one improvement at a time. As each part of your life grows stronger, your confidence grows with it, and before long, you’ll discover that by improving the individual pieces, you’ve transformed the whole picture. 

        YES–YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT ROAD!                         

===========================
PART 6) NEXT WEEK>>>>>​BLOG 387–IDEAS TO MAKE LIFE BETTER!
=========================                            
I miss you. Write to me—kitsummers@gmail.com
========================= 

🌟 PART 7) FINAL THOUGHTS 🌟
Because the best is always still ahead.
So juggle joy like it’s the air you breathe.
The horizon holds more than you can yet imagine.
Your present moment is not the finish line—it’s your starting block.
Chase sunsets as if they’re secret treasures waiting just for you.
Laugh so loudly that tomorrow leans in to listen.
Write me today—kitsummers@gmail.com
Live as though you’ve only just begun—
🌟BECAUSE YOU TRULY HAVE! 🌟

There’s Kit juggling 3 rings

KITTING AROUND
BLOG 385–AS YOU AGE

Keep getting better than yesterday!
This Video will give you more insight into me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc
This Blog is Best Read on a Laptop, Rather than Your Phone.
By KIT SUMMERS — World-Class Juggler to World-Class Comeback

Once upon a life, I made gravity nervous—
Headlining at Ballys, tossing clubs with a grin.
Seven of them. A world record—
Because physics loves a good insult. 😄
Then came the truck—the coma.
     
Thirty-seven silent days offstage.
And here I am now—not juggling clubs.
But throwing purpose, grit, and joy.
Balancing healing, catching courage.
Tossing hope sky-high. 🤹‍♂️

The mission grew bigger than applause.
Now I lift humans. I write to stay connected.
I write because it’s how I breathe.
If these words help you, too?
That’s magic catching air. 🎉
     
What’s next on Kit’s journey through life?
Back to juggling? Back to life?
Stay with Kit and find out.
Life can get better.
Life will get better! ✨

=============================

My new address here is >> kitsummers.com
Kit Summers kitsummers@gmail.com
The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve https://www.legacypreservetampa.com/
18600 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, #217 Stop by for a visit when you can.
Tampa, FL 33647 A love letter would be dandy. 

Call me >> 610-400-3233
=========================

PART 1) THE BEGINNINGS

DAILY–IT’S A NEW DAY, IT’S A NEW LIFE
DON’T LIVE IN THE FUTURE OR THE PAST —
MAKE THE MOST OF THE MOMENT YOU’RE HOLDING RIGHT NOW!

Aging is not simply a story of loss. It is a story of change, adaptation, opportunity, and ways of growth. While certain physical abilities naturally decline over time, wisdom, perspective, emotional resilience, and even happiness often increase, and it’s up to each of us. Growing older invites us to develop new strengths, deepen our understanding of ourselves and others, and discover fresh ways to find meaning and purpose.
      HOW OLD ARE YOU?
The choices we make throughout our lives—how we move, learn, connect, and care for ourselves—continue to influence not only how long we live, but how well we live. Every stage of life offers opportunities for growth, contribution, and fulfillment. The goal is not merely to add years to our lives, but to add more life to our years. 

READ THE WORDS IN THE BLOG SLOWLY AND  CAREFULLY.

As you’ve seen, the number of words for my blog has been increasing each week.
This week, I plan to write in a tighter way–JUST THE FACTS, MAME.
   
I just got these words from Larry:
“Enjoy your new home!
Your philosophical writings are truly amazing!!!
My best to you! –Larry Zeiger
Let me know what you think of this blog, Larry.
Everyone else writes to me, too.
     
I also put this blog out on Facebook.
Today I checked, and this showed up >>
76 views, 2 reactions
Good to see that many are reading my blog.
If you are reading this through Facebook,
Send me an email, and I will put you on the
notification list about the blog >>
kitsummers@gmail.com
   
The secret to good writing is to get your message across with the fewest words possible — like right there, the word ‘possible’ was unnecessary; I decided to use it anyway. I hope you find that in this blog. So, no more writing about meals (sorry if you’re hungry.) I will only write words that will benefit you.
     
Every week, I try to create the very best blog I can—something that makes you laugh a little harder, think a little deeper, and step back into life carrying a little more hope than you had before. A spark of joy. A touch of wisdom. A reminder that life, despite all evidence to the contrary on some days, is still overflowing with possibilities.
    SAY GOODBYE TO WORDS
I’ve also discovered one of the great secrets of good writing: REMOVE WORDS! Write a sentence. Then remove a few words. Then remove a few more. Keep trimming until every remaining word has a job to do. Ironically, the more words I delete, the more I have to say. Perhaps that’s true of life as well—sometimes, by letting go of what doesn’t matter, we finally discover what really does matter.
   
Every day, I tell myself, “You’ve got to get out there and do some running.” I make this declaration with great confidence and determination, usually while sitting comfortably in a chair. I am already halfway through the workout, looking fit, energetic, and inspiring others simply by my example. Yet, my asthma argues.
      RUNNING?
Then something unexpected happens. I discovered that there are important things to do first. I should check my email. I should organize a drawer. The weather is not quite right. There is always the chance that I need a little more preparation before beginning my glorious return to running.
   
Do you disappoint yourself the same way? Or is this simply one of the great traditions of being human—knowing exactly what we should do, fully intending to do it, and then becoming remarkably creative in finding reasons to start tomorrow? The good news is that tomorrow arrives every single day, which means I continue to have plenty of opportunities to become the runner I keep promising myself I will be.
THE RULES
There are three simple rules in life >> 

• If you do not go after what you want, you’ll never have it. 

• If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. 

• If you do not step forward, then you will always be in the same place. 

Follow these rules, and you will have a better life.
      WALMART
Today, three other residents and I were taken on a very important expedition to Walmart. Naturally, I focused only on the essentials: some chocolate candy, four cartons of ice cream (because priorities matter), and a large bottle of wine. You know, the basic survival supplies.
     
I have always believed in being prepared for emergencies, and frankly, I can’t imagine an emergency that wouldn’t be improved by chocolate, ice cream, and wine. As I wheeled my cart toward the checkout, I couldn’t help but smile. In fact, if you look closely, you can still see that smile on my face. 😊
     
You could wish for a million dollars.
                            OR
You could wish to live beyond age 100.
What’s more essential?
Think about your life and what’s truly important.
============================
PART 2) THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK
Kit’s Daily Delights — Inspiration, Freshly Served
       
>>>>>July 4
I guess the words, “Happy Fourth of July”, would be appropriate.
But I tried to celebrate July 3, and no one cared.
Well, I hope you made it a great day for yourself.
   
Being a weekend, things are very slow.
In fact, slower than at my old home at NeuroRestorative.
No complaints about the food, though.
     
As often happens, I’ve already written most of next week’s blog—and it’s only 6:53 on Saturday morning. Once I begin writing, I become completely absorbed. What starts as a simple idea quickly turns into a passion project, and before I know it, the words have carried me away.
    THIS BLOG IS FOR YOU
But through it all, I’m thinking of you. Every story, every laugh, every lesson, and every reflection is written with the hope that it might add something positive to your life. Perhaps a little encouragement. A new perspective. A reason to smile. I sincerely hope it’s working.
     
So please, let me know. If these words have ever made you laugh, think, hope, or see life a little differently, I’d love to hear from you. Knowing that something I’ve written has touched another person’s life is one of the greatest rewards I can imagine.
BREAKFAST    
For this special Fourth of July, they served a breakfast worthy of celebration: a fruit plate, bacon, and pancakes at the Hurricane Lounge. As has become something of a tradition, I found myself seated at a table with all the ladies. I don’t know exactly how this keeps happening, but I have decided not to question success when it arrives.
     
The conversation was delightful, the company was charming, and I did my best to represent the male population with dignity and grace. Of course, I also had to focus on the important business at hand: deciding how much syrup constitutes patriotism. I may have leaned toward “very patriotic.”
     
Between the good food, the laughter, and my continued popularity among the ladies of Hurricane Lounge, Independence Day is off to an excellent start. George Washington would almost certainly approve.
      LUNCH
A simple cheeseburger and fries—that was my choice. Over the years, I’ve learned that restaurants often believe “serving size” is merely a creative suggestion.
   
Whether it’s a meal or a drink, they often serve enough to feed a small village. These days, I usually ask for half an order. They smile, nod in agreement… and then bring me the full-sized portion anyway. My problem isn’t the generosity—it’s the waste. I hate seeing perfectly good food go to waste.
   
People often believe they are doing you a favor by giving you more. More food. Bigger portions. Extra servings. But sometimes, especially when control over the decision is taken away, it doesn’t feel like a favor at all.
     
I eat what I can, and I appreciate the generosity behind the gesture. Yet I hate seeing good food left behind simply because someone decided that bigger automatically means better. To me, waste is never a sign of abundance—it’s a missed opportunity for thoughtfulness. Sometimes, the greatest kindness isn’t giving someone more. It’s giving them exactly what they need.
     
Somewhere along the way, I learned that satisfaction rarely comes from having more than you need. Besides, if I ate every oversized meal placed in front of me, I’d soon need a wheelbarrow instead of a walker—and I’m trying to postpone that particular milestone for at least another 40 years.
     
I get bored watching TV, so I often lie down early, which I did tonight.
       
>>>>>July 5
This morning, I ate a banana. For most of my life, that simple act has been followed by another ritual: tossing the peel into a compost pile. After all, banana peels make some of the finest compost nature has to offer. It always felt good knowing that even my snack leftovers were helping something else grow.
   
But today, I faced a small personal tragedy. I don’t have a garden here yet, no compost pile waiting patiently for my contribution. So, with a slight sense of guilt—and perhaps an apology whispered under my breath—I had to throw that perfectly good banana peel into the trash. I suppose this only confirms what I’ve suspected all along: no matter where I live, sooner or later, I’m going to end up creating a garden.
    CLOUDS
I thought I had moved to sunny Florida. Looking out the window this morning, however, has caused me to question the accuracy of the state’s advertising campaign. Instead of endless sunshine, I’m staring at a sky that appears to have entered a long-term relationship with clouds.
     
In fact, the forecast suggests that the entire week will be cloudy. Yikes! I didn’t move to Florida for “Fifty Shades of Grey.” On the bright side—and apparently I have to imagine the bright side this week—at least I won’t have to worry about getting sunburned while looking out the window.
       
Strange. I had some time to use up, so I wanted to watch a movie. I looked through Amazon Video and decided on Die Hard. When I selected it, the computer told me I had already watched it. That surprised me. As I sat there watching, I realized something even stranger: I had absolutely no memory of ever seeing the movie.
     
I’ve been told many times that my memory isn’t what it once was, and after everything I’ve been through, I understand that. Still, this felt different. It wasn’t that I had forgotten a few scenes or couldn’t remember how the movie ended. I had no recollection of it at all. It was as if I were watching it for the very first time.
     
Then again, there may be a small advantage hidden in all of this. Most people only get to experience a great movie once. Apparently, I may have been allowed to enjoy Die Hard twice. If that’s the case, there are worse things in life than getting a second chance to be surprised by Bruce Willis.
   
I wrote earlier that I would not write about meals.
Had to. Couldn’t help it.
What they serve here is just too good.
     
I just got back from lunch, and today’s offering was Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi. It was delicately prepared, delightfully seasoned, and absolutely delicious. I have once again to put in a good word for the chefs here—they consistently do an outstanding job. It’s a pleasure to sit down to a meal that has clearly been prepared with both skill and care. Compliments to the kitchen for another excellent lunch!
      GREAT PASTA!
After the excellent pasta, I decided to treat myself to a bowl of chocolate chip mint ice cream. The flavor was wonderful—rich, refreshing, and exactly what I had hoped for. Unfortunately, as has happened before, they filled the bowl right to the brim.
 
About half that amount would have been perfect. I’ve written about this before: people often believe that bigger automatically means better. It doesn’t. More food doesn’t necessarily create a better experience—it often just creates more waste. Sometimes, less really is more.
          ICE CREAM, TOO
In fact, when portions become too large, enjoyment often decreases while waste increases. Give me a modest serving that I can fully appreciate over a mountain of ice cream that leaves me feeling like I’ve accepted a dare.
     
So, I spent the afternoon watching Die Hard. What a good movie! Have you seen it? The strange thing is, I’m not sure if I’ve watched it before. Amazon insisted that I had, but I had absolutely no memory of it. I did enjoy watching this flick.
    THE MOVIE
At times, I found it difficult to keep track of all the bad guys, but that may say more about my memory than it does about the movie. Either way, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sometimes, even if you’ve seen a movie before—or perhaps especially if you don’t remember seeing it—it can feel brand new all over again.
     
While watching the movie, I completely lost track of time. I was convinced the day was moving toward evening, so I glanced at the clock expecting to see something like 5:00 or 6:00. Instead, it was only 2:33 in the afternoon. Apparently, I had been given a bonus portion of the day.
      EXTRA TIME?
That left me with an interesting question: what do you do when you suddenly discover you have a couple of extra hours to use up? I could write, go for a walk, exercise, watch another movie, or simply sit and think. It’s funny how we spend so much of our lives wishing for more time, and then, when we unexpectedly get it, we’re not quite sure what to do with it. 
      DINNER
Dinner tonight was homemade marinara sauce over manicotti and cooked vegetables — it was absolutely delicious. I continue to be impressed by the quality of the meals here. Time after time, the chefs create dishes that are flavorful, thoughtfully prepared, and genuinely enjoyable. I have to give them credit—every meal seems to arrive with an extra ingredient that can’t be found in any recipe: care.
   
>>>>>July 6
There are still clouds hanging around this morning. Honestly, I was beginning to suspect that I had accidentally moved to Seattle instead of Florida. Then, at long last, I noticed the sun making a brief appearance, as if it had overslept and was reluctantly reporting for duty.
     
It made me think about how often life works that way. We spend so much time staring at the clouds—the disappointments, the setbacks, the uncertainties—that we forget the sun is still there, patiently waiting for its moment to break through. The clouds may block our view for a while, but they never erase the light itself.
         
That could be one of life’s quietest lessons: difficult seasons can make us believe that hope has disappeared, when in reality, it has been hidden from sight. And then, often when we least expect it, the clouds part, the light returns, and we wonder how we ever doubted that it was there all along.
     
That could be true of happiness, hope, and even our best days. They don’t disappear—they just hide behind the weather for a while. And sometimes, all it takes is a small patch of blue sky to remind us that brighter moments are still on their way.
LUNCH
I wrote earlier that I wouldn’t say much more about the meals, but I know you’re probably getting hungry just reading this. The truth is, I can’t help myself. Every single meal has been so consistently delicious that it almost demands mention. When something is this good, keeping quiet about it feels almost like withholding valuable public information. 😄
   
I was running a bit late today, but lunch was every bit as good as usual. I ordered the pork sandwich, and it was absolutely scrumptious. When I was asked if I wanted French fries, I hesitated. Around here, “a serving of fries” can sometimes resemble a small mountain range. So, trying to exercise a bit of restraint, I asked for just four fries. To my surprise and delight, I received exactly four fries! I may have discovered a revolutionary new dining strategy.
   
After all, when the food is this consistently delicious, keeping quiet about it seems not only unfair but even slightly unethical. 😄 At some point, remaining silent begins to feel less like modesty and more like withholding valuable information from the public. I consider it my civic duty to report these culinary successes whenever they occur—which, fortunately for my taste buds, appears to be quite often.
     
To finish the meal, I enjoyed a delicious slice of pecan pie, which was the perfect ending to an excellent lunch. As always, the meal was prepared beautifully. I also want to commend Troy Harris and Lauren Christian for taking such good care of me as they brought my food.
     
Along with the talented chefs in the kitchen and the dedicated staff working behind the scenes, everyone plays an important role in making every meal here something truly special. Their teamwork, attention to detail, and genuine care shine through in every dish, creating an experience that is consistently enjoyable and deeply appreciated.
     
Their hard work, attention to detail, and genuine kindness shine through in everything they do. It’s easy to see that they take pride in creating not just delicious food, but a welcoming experience that makes each meal something to look forward to. They are truly an exceptional team, and I am grateful for all they do. 
     
The offerings were chicken and/or mashed potatoes and gravy. I asked for just a little of each; I got exactly that. One small chicken leg (poor chicken) and just a spoonful of potatoes. I asked for it, I got it. It was just the right amount for me.
     
I’m just very happy that Jasmine and April found this place for me to live.
     
>>>>>July 7
As the sun eases its way above the horizon, I’m greeted by a clear blue sky. After several cloudy mornings, it’s a welcome sight—and it feels as though the day is smiling before it has even properly begun.
     
There’s something wonderfully hopeful about a morning like this. A blue sky seems to whisper, “Go ahead… today’s full of possibilities.” It’s going to be a terrific day, and I intend to do my best to prove the sky right.
   
This morning, I didn’t hear a single bird out there. Apparently, even the birds decided to sleep in. As for me, I was up by 4:00 a.m.—which, for me, counts as sleeping in a little! The early morning has become one of my favorite times of day. The world is quiet, distractions are few, and my thoughts seem to arrive a little more clearly.
      BIRDS?
What time did you awaken today? Were you up before the birds, or did they beat you to it? Either way, I hope your day is off to a wonderful start and brings you plenty of reasons to smile before the sun has even finished stretching.  Yes, there is more to life than just humans.
     
For bald eagles, there isn’t a precise “alarm clock” time. They generally wake around dawn, much like many other daytime animals. As the first light appears, they begin preening their feathers, stretching, calling to one another, and then taking flight to hunt. In summer, they may be active before 6:00 a.m., while in winter, they often wait until the sun has brightened the landscape a bit.
      SLEEP
And yes—they absolutely do sleep. They usually perch high in a large tree, often near water. When asleep, they tuck their head backward under the feathers of one shoulder, balancing effortlessly on their powerful talons. It’s quite a peaceful sight, though most people never get to see it because they’re tucked away in quiet places.
     
Now for the ants!
Ants don’t sleep the way we do. Instead, they take many tiny naps throughout the day and night. A worker ant may take hundreds of brief naps every 24 hours, each lasting about a minute. Added together, they get around 4 to 5 hours of rest per day.
    MAKE WAY FOR THE QUEEN
The queen ant, however, enjoys much longer naps and can accumulate 9 or more hours of rest in a day. So if you’ve never seen an ant asleep, don’t worry—you’d almost need a magnifying glass and perfect timing! But have you seen your aunt sleep?
     
It’s amusing to think about it:
An eagle settles in for the night like a dignified king.
A human goes to sleep with a smile (hopefully.)
An ant says, “I’ll nap for 57 seconds… now back to work!”
An aunt says, “Let me sleep the whole night!
Nature never seems to stop finding creative ways to do things.
Even sleep comes in countless varieties.
ANIMALS
All mammals sleep.
PLANTS
While plants don’t sleep as humans do, they have an internal circadian rhythm that runs on a 24-hour cycle. At night, they stop photosynthesizing and enter a resting state to redirect energy into growth, repair, and the breakdown of glucose into usable energy.
      BIRDS
Yes, birds sleep, but in remarkable ways. Many can sleep with one eye open and half their brain awake, while special tendons in their legs automatically lock their feet onto branches, keeping them from falling.
      BUGS
Yes, bugs sleep, though it looks different from how humans do. Because insects don’t have eyelids, they don’t close their eyes. Instead, they enter a deep, sleep-like state of metabolic rest called torpor.
    FISH   
Fish sleep–But not in the same way land mammals do. Instead of closing their eyes (as they lack eyelids) and falling unconscious, they enter a low-energy state characterized by reduced activity, slower metabolism, and decreased responsiveness to their surroundings.
         
How about you?
Tired yet?
     
What a wonderful surprise! My daughter, Jasmine, called me while she was driving to work just to see how I was doing. That simple phone call brightened my day. She has such a kind and caring heart, and I never take that for granted. Thank you, Sweety. You are truly a blessing.
      THANKS, JASMINE
With a new place to live comes a new doctor. Ready? See if you can pronounce this one: Dr. Nektarios Demetriou. Go ahead—I dare you! 😄 Thankfully, he spoke excellent English, seemed knowledgeable, and struck me (but he didn’t strike me) as a genuinely nice guy. I think I’m in good hands with my new doctor.
      WHAT’S UP, DOC?
To get there, I rode in Legacy’s new bus. It seats about ten people, with plenty of room in the back for wheelchairs and walkers. As it turned out, I had the whole bus to myself, with Shakeia behind the wheel. It was a smooth, comfortable ride from start to finish.
     
The best part? Shakeia told me she reads my blog. That brought a big smile to my face. Knowing these words are reaching people I meet along the way makes writing them even more meaningful. Thanks for getting me there safely, Shakeia—and thanks for reading!
     
When I got back, they were already cleaning up the dining room. Even so, they made me a delectable hamburger with all the fixings. It felt a little strange being the only one left eating in the room, but there I was—king of the dining hall, at least for a few minutes. See Kit’s smile  😄.
   
I treated myself to a little wine this evening. Since I haven’t had any alcohol in quite a while, my tolerance apparently packed its bags and moved away. One glass in, and I was already feeling wonderfully relaxed.
     
If sleep doesn’t come tonight, it certainly won’t be because I didn’t give it every opportunity. I’m expecting to drift off with a smile—and if one glass can do all that, it’s probably best I don’t start thinking I’m a wine connoisseur.
     
>> >>>July 8
By evening, I’ve usually had my fill of television, so I often put the remote aside, climb into bed, and spend some time reading instead. Since I tend to turn in a little earlier these days, it’s not unusual for me to wake up around 3:00 a.m.
      SLEEP?
The quiet predawn hours have become an unexpected gift in my daily routine. The world is still, the distractions are few, and there is a peacefulness that’s hard to find at any other time of day. These early hours have become the perfect time to think, write, reflect, or simply sit in silence before the rest of the world awakens.
     
I’ve come to appreciate these moments. While many people are still dreaming, I get to enjoy the calm that comes just before sunrise—a reminder that every new day begins not with noise, but with quiet possibility.
      WALK THIS WAY . . .
Living on the third floor, three or more times a day I go to the elevator (about 220 meters) to go to the first floor, the dining area. I often walk the halls by myself, and I work in perfection in steps. Holding my head up high and maintaining a relaxed, smooth gate.
       
Lunch was tasty, no need to go into detail.
    START NOW!
Even if you’ve never experienced a brain injury or another life-altering tragedy, start today building the life you’ve always dreamed of. Don’t wait until you’re hit by a truck, land in jail, or face some other devastating wake-up call before making the changes that can lead to a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life. The best time to begin is now, my friend. Your future is being shaped by the choices you make today.
     
>>>>>July 9
Currently, I am rewriting my books, Accident and Your Amazing Brain. I’ve gotten through Your Amazing Brain; next comes Accident. I’m reading through “Your Amazing Brain”, and I see the changes I made greatly improve the book. Looks to be an astonishing book.
     
I went to the eye doc for some spectacles.
I ordered them to order some.   
I didn’t see anything of interest for lunch, so I didn’t.
I’m not hungry, so there you go.
Boy, that’s a lot of “I” s.
(And a fun time is had by all)
       
Today I spent much of the day re-editing my books, Accident and Your Amazing Brain. With each pass, they become a little stronger, a little clearer, and a little closer to the books I want readers to experience. It is satisfying to see them steadily improving.
     
For dinner, they served a pizza-and-spaghetti meal. There were three different dining locations in the building offering the same food. I chose the closest one simply because it was the most convenient. The meal was edible, but not particularly good. Then again, I suppose I shouldn’t expect gourmet cuisine in an assisted living facility.
     
I returned to my room fairly quickly. There wasn’t much happening in the dining room, and nothing was really waiting for me there. Back in my room, I could get back to what matters most to me—writing, thinking, and continuing to build something meaningful.
       
>>>>>July 10
At 5:30 this morning, I decided to stay in bed a little longer. That plan lasted only until I heard a knock at my door. A nurse had entered my abode, ready to draw some blood. I warned her that I’m usually a difficult stick and that most people end up using the back of my hand.
    WHAT A WAY TO AWAKEN!
After making sure she wasn’t a vampire, I let her get to work. To my surprise, she quickly slipped the needle in the back of my hand, then collected the sample, and was finished before I knew it. I remained comfortably tucked under the blanket, wearing nothing but my underwear, and within moments, she was gone.
     
Now I was awake for the day.
     
It was time for a shower, so I headed straight in. I shower twice a week, and it always feels wonderful to be clean. I don’t work out nearly as much as I did in my younger days, so I don’t feel the need for a daily shower. Twice a week suits me just fine.
      SHOWER TIME
Now it is 6:46 a.m., and I can see the sun just beginning to peek above the horizon outside my window. The sky is a brilliant, cloudless blue, and the first golden rays of morning are slowly washing over the landscape. Everything seems calm and peaceful, as if the day is quietly inviting the world to wake up.
     
It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day. A new morning always brings fresh possibilities, another chance to learn, to grow, and to enjoy whatever adventures may come. As I watch the sunrise, I can’t help but feel grateful for another day and curious about what it might bring.
        FRIDAY AGAIN?
Wow—it just dawned on me that it’s already Friday again. Somehow, another week has flown by, which means it’s time to send another blog out into the world. So, here comes the newest installment, fresh from my keyboard to yours. So, thank you for joining me once again. Let’s see where today’s journey takes us.
   
One thing I enjoy about writing these blogs is making each one a little different from the last. I never want you to know exactly what to expect. Some weeks I tell stories, some weeks I share lessons I’ve learned, and other times I simply invite you to look at life from a new perspective. My hope is that every Friday brings a new adventure, a fresh idea, or perhaps just a reason to smile.
     
Time certainly has a way of keeping us on our toes. It seems like I just finished writing last week’s post, and now another Friday has arrived. The days may pass quickly, but each new week brings another opportunity to learn something new, grow a little stronger, and move one step closer to becoming the person we were meant to be.
      SHALL WE?
I hope that, as we continue this journey together, these weekly thoughts encourage you to pause for a few moments, reflect on your own life, and discover fresh ideas that help you move forward with greater purpose, joy, and determination.
   
I hope these words bring you encouragement, fresh ideas, or a new way of looking at life. I know they do that for me. Every time I sit down to write, I find myself reflecting, learning, and becoming just a little better in the process. Writing these blogs isn’t simply about sharing my thoughts—it’s one of the ways I continue to grow.
          DO IT NOW!
If something I write helps brighten your day, inspires you to take one more positive step, or reminds you that your best days may still be ahead, then every minute spent writing has been worthwhile.
     
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Every week, as I sit down to write, I never know exactly where the path will lead—and that’s part of the adventure. Life has a way of surprising us, teaching us, and opening doors we never expected. Let’s see where today’s adventure takes us.
      TRYING TO HELP
I truly appreciate you taking the time to read my words. My hope is that something here encourages you, makes you smile, gives you a new perspective, or reminds you that you are capable of more than you realize.
     
I’d love to hear your thoughts. If something resonates with you, if one of these ideas helps you, or if you’d like to say hello, please reach out. Hearing from readers is one of the greatest rewards of writing, and your comments inspire me to keep sharing. 

UNTIL NEXT TIME, KEEP GROWING,
AND KEEP MOVING BEYOND YOUR POTENTIAL.

You are your own greatest project—the most
important work you will ever undertake.
Whatever happens, never give up on yourself.
If you stumble, restart.
If life knocks you off course, reset.
If distractions pull you away from your goals,
refocus as many times as you need.

You can begin again as many times as necessary. Every fresh start is another opportunity to learn, grow, improve, and move one step closer to becoming the person you are truly capable of becoming. Never let a setback convince you that your story is over. Each new beginning is another chance to build a stronger, wiser, and more fulfilling life.
      CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
Perhaps make every Friday your Reset Day?
At the end of each week, pause for a few quiet moments and honestly examine your life. Ask yourself, What can I change this coming week to make my life even more magnificent?
And, how can I help others so that that helps me?
   
Are there habits that are no longer serving you? Is there something you should stop doing, start doing, or do a little better? Even the smallest improvements, repeated week after week, can lead to extraordinary results over time. Examination time.

Don’t wait for New Year’s Day or some distant “perfect” moment to reinvent yourself. Give yourself permission to start every Friday again.
Reset your priorities.
Refocus your mind.
Renew your commitment.
Reconnect with your purpose.
Become the very best person you are capable of becoming.
Then, do it all again next week.

ONCE A WEEK, EXAMINE YOUR LIFE

Set aside time once each week to take care of the most important project you will ever have—you.
Review your goals.
Celebrate your progress.
Learn from your mistakes without living in them.
Replace old habits that no longer serve you with new ones that move you forward. 
     
Ask yourself:
How can I make my life better? For myself and others.
What one change would make next week better than this one?
Step into the coming week with renewed energy, a clearer direction, and greater purpose.
     
Life is not transformed by one dramatic decision.
It is transformed by the small, intentional choices we make over and over again.
So make every Friday your personal reset day.
Your future isn’t built once a year.
It’s built once a week.
   
A magnificent life isn’t built in a single day.
It’s built one thoughtful reset at a time.
     
Today there was an outing, but I decided not to go. The group headed to a local restaurant, while I chose to stay here and work on my projects instead.
      LUNCH?
I’ll admit, part of my decision was financial. Any meal out would have come out of my own pocket, and since I don’t eat much anyway, it didn’t seem worth the expense. They feed me well here, so I was perfectly content to stay put.
     
So here I sit, typing away, watching the day unfold from my room. While others are out enjoying lunch together, I’m enjoying something different—the quiet satisfaction of creating, thinking, and moving another step forward.
     
Sometimes the best journey isn’t the one that takes you across town. Sometimes it’s the one that takes you deeper into your own thoughts, ideas, dreams, and possibilities. Today, my destination wasn’t a restaurant—it was a better idea, a clearer vision, and another step toward the life I continue to build.
     
Today, while others headed out for lunch, I stayed behind. Partly because I’m watching my spending, but mostly because I wanted the quiet. I’m not even hungry. The meals here are more than enough, and I would rather nourish my mind than simply fill my stomach.
   
There are times when the greatest adventures happen without ever leaving your chair. A peaceful hour spent thinking, writing, planning, or dreaming can take you farther than any short trip across town. Some of life’s most meaningful discoveries are made in silence, when you finally have the time to listen to your own thoughts.
JUNK CALLS?
A phone call came in, and I was pretty sure from the start that it was a junk call. The caller launched right into the usual script: “So, how are you doing today?”
I replied, “I could tell you… But it would probably take a few hours.”
There was a brief pause.
Click.
Apparently, he wasn’t looking for the extended director’s cut of my life story.
     
As you might know, I don’t like the words “How are you?” To me, they’re one of the greatest time-wasters in the English language. Most people don’t really expect an honest answer anyway—they’re already halfway down the hallway before you can say, “I’ve got a slight ache in my left knee.”
    THINK!
So when someone asks me, “How are you?” I simply reply, “Yes, I am.” And that’s it.
That usually earns me a puzzled look, a laugh, or a brief system reboot while they try to figure out what just happened. It saves time, keeps life interesting, and reminds people to ask better questions.
It may take time and effort, but always think first.
     
People need to think BEFORE they speak.
Far too many words are tossed into the world. 
So often without a moment of thought.
Once they’re spoken, they can’t be taken back.
A few seconds of thinking can prevent hours, days, or even years of regret.
So pause. Think. Then speak. I hope you do. Think about that for a while.     
==========================
BLOG 385–AS YOU AGE–DECADE BY DECADE

Aging well is not about erasing the years; it’s about collecting them. It means trading the fleeting stamina of youth for the unshakable agility of spirit. Every gray hair and wrinkle is a testament to the life you’ve lived, the battles you’ve won, and the joy you’ve shared. I have no gray hair or wrinkles, so I’m ahead of the game. 

Today you are alive!
Your heart is beating.
Fill your years with life.
Memories waiting to be made.
There are people to encourage.
Lessons to learn, adventures to pursue.
Don’t spend your days merely counting the years. 

The goal is not simply to live a long time. The goal is to live well, love deeply, laugh often, and leave the world a little better because you were here. When the end finally comes, may it find you not wishing you had lived, but grateful that you did.

WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
As you read these words, picture yourself and your own life.
This may bring back memories.
Is this your life? >>
     
Age One===========
Gu Gu, Ga Ga
Mama, Dada (or “Hey dude.”)
What else do babies say?
     
Teenage Years========
The teen years are an extraordinary time of rapid physical growth, expanding possibilities, and remarkable brain development. You’re discovering who you are while balancing a fierce desire for independence with an equally strong need to belong. It’s exciting, confusing, exhilarating, and occasionally dramatic—all before lunch.

Your emotional brain develops faster than the part responsible for judgment and long-term planning, which helps explain why life can feel like an emotional roller coaster. One moment you’re on top of the world; the next, it feels as though the world is against you.
     
The good news? That’s a perfectly normal part of growing up. Every challenge you face, every mistake you make, and every success you celebrate is helping build the wisdom, resilience, and character that will shape the remarkable adult you’re becoming. One day, you’ll look back and realize those very experiences were preparing you for a life far greater than you could have imagined.
     
20s================
The Era of Exploration and Risk-Taking. Focus: Self-discovery, career building, and figuring out adult life.Physical state: Peak physical capacity, high energy, and rapid recovery times. Life changes: Establishing independence, forming long-term relationships, and learning from mistakes.
   
Many people spend their lives trying not to think about death. They treat it as an unwelcome visitor, something to be ignored until it can no longer be avoided. Yet there is a strange freedom that comes from acknowledging it. When we stop pretending that our time is unlimited, we begin to see life more clearly.
     
Recognizing our mortality can also help us sort out what truly matters. Many of the things that consume our attention today will seem insignificant years from now. Petty arguments, grudges, and endless worries often lose their power when viewed through the lens of a limited lifetime. We begin to ask better questions:
Am I spending my time wisely?
Am I becoming the person I want to be?
Am I making a difference in others’ lives?
   
The awareness of death is not a call to despair. It is a call to action. It is a reminder to stop waiting for the perfect moment. Start the project. Write the book. Learn the language. Take the walk. Make the phone call. Tell someone you love them. The perfect time rarely arrives, but right now is available.

I LOVE YOU!

My own life has taught me this lesson repeatedly. I have come far closer to death than I ever expected. I spent more than a month in a coma after being struck by a truck. Then I was hit by a truck the second time. Many people assumed my best days were behind me.
     
Yet some of the most meaningful chapters of my life happened afterward. I wrote books, built businesses, traveled the world, met wonderful people, and discovered new reasons to be grateful. The lesson was simple: as long as you are alive, your story is not finished.
     
One day, each of us will take our final breath. We do not know when that day will come. That uncertainty is not a flaw in life—it is part of what makes life beautiful. We are given this moment, this hour, this day. What we do with it is up to us. So yes, one day you will die.
     
30s===============
Your 30s: The Building Years
The 30s are often a decade of building—building a career, relationships, a family, financial security, and a clearer sense of who you are. The uncertainty of youth begins to fade, replaced by a growing confidence born of experience, mistakes, and hard-earned lessons.
     
Physically, most people remain strong, energetic, and highly capable throughout their 30s, but subtle changes often begin to emerge. Recovery from late nights, strenuous workouts, and everyday stress may take longer than it once did.
     
Energy remains abundant, yet the body begins to offer gentle reminders that it benefits more from rest, consistency, and care than it did in earlier years. Metabolism gradually slows, making exercise, sleep, and nutrition more important than ever. For many, this is the decade when maintaining health becomes a conscious choice rather than something taken for granted.
     
Mentally, the 30s often bring increased focus and emotional maturity. Decision-making improves. Confidence grows. You become less concerned with impressing others and more interested in creating a life that genuinely reflects your values and goals.
     
At the same time, this decade can bring enormous pressure. Careers demand more. Relationships deepen. Children may enter the picture. Aging parents may require greater attention. Many people find themselves balancing multiple responsibilities while still pursuing their own dreams and ambitions.
     
Yet there is tremendous opportunity in these years. The lessons learned in your 20s begin to pay meaningful dividends. You discover that success is not simply about achieving more—it is about becoming more: more patient, more resilient, more compassionate, and more intentional. Experience gradually replaces uncertainty, and with it comes a deeper sense of confidence.
     
You also begin to understand that true growth does not come from avoiding challenges, but from learning how to rise through them. The setbacks, disappointments, and victories of earlier years become valuable teachers. With each experience, you gain greater perspective, stronger character, and a growing belief that you can handle whatever life places in your path.
     
The greatest gift of your 30s is clarity. You begin to realize that life is not a race against others, but a journey toward becoming the person you were always meant to be. While questions about the future still remain, you now possess something even more valuable: the confidence, wisdom, and inner strength to face whatever comes next.
     
40s===============
Your 40s can be among the most rewarding years of your life. You have enough experience to understand yourself better, enough wisdom to recognize what truly matters, and—hopefully—enough confidence to stop worrying so much about what everyone else thinks.
   
Physically, subtle changes become more noticeable. Muscle mass gradually begins to decline, metabolism slows, and recovering from exercise, injuries, or a night of poor sleep may take longer than it once did. Vision often changes, especially for close-up reading, and many people discover that they can no longer eat whatever they want without consequences. The body begins to send gentle reminders that maintenance is no longer optional.
     
For women, hormonal changes may begin as perimenopause approaches. For men, testosterone levels often decline gradually. Energy levels can fluctuate, and maintaining cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and healthy sleep habits becomes increasingly important.
   
Mentally, however, the 40s often bring a remarkable advantage: perspective. You begin to understand that not every problem deserves your energy, nor does every opinion deserve your attention. Confidence increasingly comes from experience rather than from proving yourself to others.
     
Emotionally, many people find greater stability and resilience. Life has likely delivered both victories and disappointments by now, and those experiences often create deeper empathy, patience, and wisdom. You may find yourself caring less about appearances and more about authenticity.
     
These years can also be demanding. Many people find themselves in the “sandwich generation,” balancing careers while supporting both growing children and aging parents. Responsibilities increase, but so does the understanding that time itself has become one of life’s most valuable resources.
   
Yet there is a gift hidden within the challenges of your 40s: clarity. You begin to see more clearly who you are, what matters most, and what dreams are still worth pursuing. You stop trying to live everyone else’s life and begin building your own with greater intention.
     
And perhaps the most wonderful realization of all? You discover that growing older is not about losing your youth—it’s about finally finding yourself. The years don’t simply take things away; they give things back: wisdom, perspective, resilience, gratitude, and a much better understanding of what truly matters.
   
Somewhere along the journey, you stop trying so hard to become the person you thought you were supposed to be and begin enjoying the person you actually are. And, if you’re lucky, you also gain the freedom to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks—which may be one of the greatest anti-aging treatments ever discovered.
   
Growing older isn’t about fading away. It’s about growing into yourself, laughing a little more, worrying a little less, and finally realizing that the best version of you was never behind you—it was quietly waiting ahead all along.
     
50s===============
For many people, the 50s became the decade of balancing everything at once. Often called the “Sandwich Generation,” this stage of life may involve caring for aging parents while still supporting growing children. Financial priorities shift toward preserving wealth, planning for retirement, and investing not just in lifespan, but in healthspan—the number of years we remain healthy, active, and independent.
     
Physically, aging becomes more visible—and more real. For women, menopause brings significant hormonal changes as estrogen levels decline, affecting bone density, heart health, and sometimes libido. Men experience hormonal shifts during andropause. Maintaining cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility, and mobility becomes increasingly important.
     
You may notice that balance feels less steady as the inner ear changes. Reflexes slow, reaction times lengthen, and sleep often becomes lighter or shifts earlier. Taste and smell may fade somewhat, affecting appetite. Skin bruises more easily, years of sun exposure become more apparent, hearing may change, gums may recede, and teeth can become more sensitive.
     
Muscle mass and strength gradually decline, and metabolism slows. Everyday activities—lifting heavy objects, climbing stairs, or recovering after physical exertion—may require more effort than they once did. These changes can feel unsettling at first, but they are a normal part of the aging process.
   
You may also notice occasional memory lapses—a name forgotten momentarily or a word sitting frustratingly just out of reach. Fortunately, this is often a normal aspect of aging. The brain remains remarkably capable; it is simply processing information differently than it did decades earlier.
   
At the same time, major life transitions often arrive. Children may leave home, creating the “empty nest.” Retirement shifts from a distant concept to a real timeline requiring thoughtful planning. Questions of purpose, meaning, and how to spend the years ahead become increasingly important.

ALONGSIDE THESE PHYSICAL CHANGES,
SOMETHING REMARKABLE OFTEN EMERGES. 

Stress frequently decreases. Emotional resilience deepens. Confidence grows. Perspective widens. Many people report feeling more comfortable in their own skin than at any other point in their lives. You begin to see more clearly what truly matters—and what never really did.
     
The encouraging news is that the body continues to respond extraordinarily well to care and attention. Exercise strengthens the heart, preserves muscle, supports balance, and protects brain health. Healthy habits still matter—a great deal. A body that is challenged, used, and cared for continues to adapt.
     
Your 50s are not simply a decade of aging. They can become a decade of wisdom, resilience, renewed purpose, and the growing realization that some of life’s greatest strengths arrive not in youth, but in experience.
     
60s===============
I’m currently 67, myself.
Life in Your 60s–Growing Older, Growing Wiser.
Mobility, memory, and independence often take center stage.
You may notice that balance isn’t quite what it once was.
Changes in the inner ear affect stability.
   
Reflexes slow, reaction times lengthen, and sleep often becomes lighter and more fragmented. Bedtime, which once seemed like a suggestion rather than a requirement, may begin arriving much earlier than we ever would have imagined—or preferred—when we were younger. Staying up until midnight suddenly feels less like an adventure and more like a strategic error.
     
Other changes can be subtle but noticeable. Taste and smell may gradually diminish, affecting appetite and enjoyment of food. Skin bruises more easily, teeth may become more sensitive, and maintaining muscle strength, joint flexibility, and cardiovascular health requires more intentional effort than before.
   
You might also experience occasional memory lapses—a word that sits frustratingly just out of reach, or a trip to the kitchen that ends with the timeless question: “Now, why did I come in here?” Fortunately, this is usually a normal part of aging. The brain remains remarkably capable; it is simply operating differently than it did decades earlier, drawing more on experience, wisdom, and perspective than on speed alone.
     
Yet an unexpected gift often accompanies this stage of life: greater emotional resilience. Many people report feeling less stress, less anxiety, and a stronger sense of what truly matters. Wisdom deepens. Perspective broadens. The opinions and worries that once seemed so important often lose their grip.
     
For many, the 60s also bring significant life transitions. Careers may wind down, children have long since grown, and personal identity expands beyond work and responsibility. New opportunities emerge for family, friendships, hobbies, travel, creativity, and personal growth.
     
While some physical abilities may change, the capacity to learn, love, laugh, create, and contribute remains very much alive. In fact, many people discover that some of life’s greatest joys and deepest insights arrive during this decade. 

IN MANY WAYS, YOUR 60S ARE  NOT ABOUT GETTING OLDER.
THEY ARE ABOUT GROWING WISER. 

70s==============
Often called the “Go-Go” years—a time when many people continue to travel, pursue hobbies, strengthen friendships, and enjoy the freedom that retirement can bring. The focus shifts toward maintaining independence, preserving health, and making the most of each day.
   
Aging may bring more noticeable physical changes, but many adults who stay active continue to enjoy strong cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and a rich, fulfilling quality of life. Yes, life can get better as you get older.
   
During this decade, muscle loss tends to accelerate, affecting strength, balance, and speed. The immune system also becomes less efficient, which can lengthen recovery from illness or injury. Vision may change, digestion often slows, and the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients gradually declines.
   
Bone density continues to decrease, increasing the risk of fractures and making even minor falls more serious. Some people also notice a slight loss of height as changes occur in the spine and bones. These physical changes are a natural part of aging and serve as an important reminder of the value of staying active, maintaining a healthy diet, and caring for overall health.
   
Yet there is another side to the 70s that often receives far less attention—and it may be the most important part of all. While the body may slow, many people discover a deeper sense of gratitude, perspective, and contentment. Life’s priorities become clearer, and the simple moments often become the most meaningful.
   
Many people experience a deep sense of contentment during these years. There is often less pressure to prove oneself, less concern about what others think, and a greater appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. Wisdom, earned through decades of experience, brings perspective. Relationships become more meaningful. Small moments become more precious.
     
There is a quiet satisfaction that can emerge in this decade—a feeling not of reaching the end, but of finally understanding what mattered all along. The pace may slow, but for many, the richness of life grows deeper than ever.
     
80s==============
Your 80s are not a slowdown—they’re a shift in rhythm—the “Slow-Go” Years.
Conserving energy, simplifying daily routines, and finding joy in meaningful moments.
You have much more to add to the world.
         
Physical State: Reduced stamina, increased risk of falls, and a greater need for assistance with physically demanding tasks. Life Changes: More time with family, reflecting on life’s journey, and adapting the environment for comfort, safety, and independence.
     
Your 80s aren’t a slowdown—they’re a shift in rhythm. The body moves more gently. Muscles thin, balance wavers, energy comes in waves. Breathing may take more effort. Appetite shrinks, even as nutrition becomes more important.
   
And still—the body responds. Gentle movement, stretching, and daily activity matter more than ever. Strength can still be built, slowly and steadily. Memory may become selective. Names drift. Details wander. But wisdom sharpens. You see what really matters faster—and release what doesn’t.
   
Emotionally, life often deepens and becomes more meaningful. Gratitude expands. Small moments—a heartfelt conversation, a beautiful sunrise, a warm cup of tea shared with a friend—take on an extraordinary richness.
     
You begin to discover that happiness was never found solely in life’s grand achievements, major milestones, or celebrated victories. Instead, you realize that some of life’s greatest joys have been quietly surrounding you all along—hidden in simple conversations, peaceful mornings, meaningful people, shared laughter, warm cups of tea, and moments of gratitude.
   

YES–HE’S 80!

These ordinary experiences, so easily overlooked in earlier years, had been there all along—quietly and patiently waiting to be noticed, appreciated, and cherished for the extraordinary gifts they had always been.
     
It turns out that happiness was never hiding on some distant mountaintop after all; it was sitting in a comfortable chair, watching a sunset, sharing a conversation, and wondering where we had misplaced our reading glasses.
     
Independence evolves. It’s less about doing everything alone and more about staying engaged. Support becomes connection, not weakness. And the bigger truth? Aging isn’t just decline—it’s transformation. You’re not losing life… you’re learning to live it differently.
   
In your 80s, the body begins to move to a different tempo. Muscles become thinner, balance may feel less certain, and energy often arrives in waves rather than in steady streams. Breathing can require more effort. Appetite may decrease, even as proper nutrition becomes more important than ever.
     
Yet the remarkable truth is this: the body still responds. Gentle exercise, stretching, walking, and daily movement continue to strengthen muscles, improve balance, and enhance quality of life. Progress may come more slowly, but it still comes.
   
Memory can become more selective. Names occasionally drift away. Details sometimes wander off on adventures of their own. But something else often grows stronger: wisdom. You become quicker at recognizing what truly matters—and more willing to let go of what never really did.
     
Emotionally, life often gains a new depth and richness. Gratitude grows. Small moments become extraordinary: a meaningful conversation, a beautiful sunrise, a grandchild’s laugh, or even a warm cup of tea shared with a friend.
     
Independence also takes on a new meaning. It becomes less about doing everything alone and more about remaining engaged, connected, and purposeful. Accepting support is not a weakness; it is another form of strength.
     
And perhaps the greatest truth of all is this: aging is not merely a process of decline—it is a process of transformation. You are not losing your life. You are learning, one day at a time, how to live it differently—and, in many ways, more deeply than ever before.
     
90s=============
The body becomes softer, slower, and more deliberate. Strength and balance require greater care. Energy becomes precious—something to be spent wisely and treasured deeply. Simple tasks may take longer, but unexpectedly, that extra time gives each moment greater meaning.
   
Health often becomes a daily conversation. Vision and hearing may fade. Memory becomes selective—some details drift away, while others shine with astonishing clarity. The body asks for patience, and in return, it teaches patience better than any teacher ever could. 

AND THIS IS WHERE LIFE BECOMES QUIETLY MAGNIFICENT. 

Perspective in your 90s can feel like standing atop a mountain after a very long climb. You have seen joy and heartbreak, triumph and loss, beginnings and endings. The small things that once seemed so important finally fall away. What remains becomes beautifully clear: connection, comfort, kindness, and simply being present.
   
The simplest pleasures take on extraordinary value—a warm room on a cool day, a familiar voice on the telephone, sunlight spilling through a window, a favorite song, or the gentle touch of a hand held with love. Moments are no longer rushed. They are savored.

AND EVEN HERE—
PERHAPS ESPECIALLY HERE—
LIFE STILL RESPONDS TO ENGAGEMENT. 

 A short walk.
A gentle stretch.
Sitting tall with purpose.
Sharing a story.
Offering a smile.
The body still listens.
The spirit still grows.
The heart still connects.
   
Connection becomes gold. Conversations, laughter, and shared memories become priceless treasures. And happiness? It doesn’t disappear with age. It simply changes. It becomes quieter. Deeper. Steadier. And perhaps that is the greatest lesson of the 90s: a meaningful life was never measured by speed, strength, or youth—but by love, wisdom, gratitude, and the courage to keep embracing each precious day. 

THE BIGGER PICTURE—
AGING ISN’T THE END OF THE STORY—
IT’S THE REFINEMENT OF IT. 

Less noise. More meaning.
Less rushing. More noticing.
Less proving. More being.
Every decade still offers something.
And if you keep showing up—moving, connecting, engaging—then life keeps showing up right back.
   
Recognizing our mortality can also help us sort out what truly matters. Many of the things that consume our attention today will seem insignificant years from now. Petty arguments, grudges, and endless worries often lose their power when viewed through the lens of a limited lifetime. We begin to ask better questions: Am I spending my time wisely? Am I becoming the person I want to be? Am I making a difference in others’ lives?
     
The awareness of death is not a call to despair. It is a call to action. It is a reminder to stop waiting for the perfect moment. Start the project. Write the book. Learn the language. Take the walk. Make the phone call. Tell someone you love them. The perfect time rarely arrives, but today is available.
   
My own life has taught me this lesson repeatedly. I have come far closer to death than I ever expected. I spent more than a month in a coma after being struck by a truck. Then, some years later, I was hit by another truck. Many people assumed my best days were behind me.
   
Yet some of the most meaningful chapters of my life happened afterward. I wrote books, built businesses, traveled the world, met wonderful people, and discovered new reasons to be grateful. The lesson was simple: as long as you are alive, your story is not finished.
   
One day, each of us will take our final breath. We do not know when that day will come. That uncertainty is not a flaw in life—it is part of what makes life beautiful. We are given this moment, this hour, this day. What we do with it is up to us. So yes, one day you will die.
     
But today you are alive. Today, your heart is beating. Today, there are people to encourage, lessons to learn, adventures to pursue, and memories waiting to be made. Don’t spend your days merely counting the years. Fill your years with life.
     
The goal is not simply to live a long time. The goal is to live well, love deeply, laugh often, and leave the world a little better because you were here. When the end finally comes, may it find you not wishing you
… Now that’s a decade with stories carved into its bones.
 
The body becomes softer, slower, more deliberate. Strength and balance require care. Energy is precious—spent wisely. Simple things take more time, but moments gain value. Health becomes a daily conversation. Vision and hearing may fade. Memory becomes selective—some things drift, others glow brighter than ever. The body asks for patience… and teaches it in return.
     
And here’s where it turns quietly magnificent…
Perspective feels like standing on a mountaintop. You’ve seen, lived, survived. The small stuff finally falls away. What remains is clear: connection, comfort, kindness, presence.
     
Simple joys shine—a warm room, a familiar voice, sunlight through a window, a hand to hold. Moments aren’t rushed… they’re savored. And yes—even here—life still responds to engagement.
   
Gentle movement matters. A short walk. A stretch. Sitting tall with intention. The body may whisper now—but it still listens.
Connection becomes gold. Conversations, laughter, shared memories—they light up the spirit.
And happiness? It doesn’t disappear. It settles in. Quiet. Steady. Real.
   
The Bigger Picture
Aging isn’t the end of the story—it’s the refinement of it.
Less noise. More meaning.
Less rushing. More noticing.
Less proving. More being.
Every decade still offers something.
And if you keep showing up—moving, connecting, engaging—then life keeps showing up right back.
     
100+==============
Are you there yet?
Living beyond 100—becoming a centenarian or even a supercentenarian (beyond 100)—is no longer as rare as it once was. While the body naturally slows and physical challenges increase, many people who reach this age maintain a surprising degree of independence, purpose, and life satisfaction. Will you get there? 

AS YOU MIGHT KNOW,
I PLAN ON LIVING
BEYOND THE AGE OF 100!
(WILL YOU JOIN ME?)  

Mobility often requires extra support, and vision, hearing, or other health issues become more common. Yet many centenarians delay serious illness until the very end of life, a phenomenon known as “compression of morbidity.” Some retain remarkable mental sharpness, demonstrating the brain’s ability to adapt and remain resilient.
   
Perhaps most striking is their outlook on life. Centenarians are often described as resilient, adaptable, and optimistic. Strong relationships, a sense of purpose, healthy habits, and sometimes a bit of good genetic fortune all play important roles in achieving exceptional longevity.
      WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT AGE?
Living past 100 isn’t just adding candles to the cake—it’s becoming the cake.
Layered with stories, a little worn in places, but rich with meaning.
Memories to cherish.
     
The body moves differently now. Strength is lighter, balance needs attention, and energy becomes something you spend wisely. Simple actions—standing, walking, getting dressed—can take effort. But the body still responds. Gently. Slowly. Consistently. A little movement still says, “I’m here.”
     
Health becomes a daily partnership. Vision and hearing may fade, memory may shift, but awareness deepens. You learn your rhythms—when to rest, when to move, when to try again. It’s less about pushing hard and more about moving wisely.
   
Emotionally, something powerful happens.
The noise fades.
What matters becomes clear.
A warm cup of tea.
A familiar voice.
Sunlight through a window.
A hand to hold.
These aren’t small things—THEY ARE EVERYTHING! 
   
There’s a deep sense of presence. No rush. No need to prove anything. Just being here carries weight. Perspective sharpens. Life feels distilled—simple, but full. And even here, life responds to engagement. A smile matters. A few steps matter. A shared story matters. At 100, you’re still teaching—through presence, through resilience, through the way you continue.
    RELAX — SLOW DOWN
It’s slower. Softer. Simpler.
But also deeper. Clearer. More meaningful.
And if you keep showing up, even in small ways…
You’re still very much in the game!  
   
Many people spend their lives trying not to think about death. They treat it as an unwelcome visitor, something to be ignored until it can no longer be avoided. Yet there is a strange freedom that comes from acknowledging death. When we stop pretending that our time is unlimited, we begin to see life more clearly.
   
Living past 100 isn’t just adding candles to the cake—it’s becoming the cake: layered with stories, a little worn in places, but rich with meaning. The body moves differently now. Strength is lighter, balance requires attention, and energy becomes something you spend wisely. Simple actions—standing, walking, getting dressed—may take more effort.
     
Frailty is common, yet many centenarians reach this remarkable milestone by avoiding or delaying major chronic diseases. Vision and hearing may fade, memory may shift, and health care often becomes a daily partnership. But the body still responds—gently, slowly, consistently. A little movement still says, “I’m here.”
    FREEDOM
Living beyond 100—becoming a centenarian or even a supercentenarian—is no longer as rare as it once was. While the body naturally slows and physical challenges increase, many people who reach this age maintain a surprising degree of independence, purpose, and life satisfaction.
   
Mobility often requires extra support, and vision, hearing, or other health issues become more common. Yet many centenarians delay serious illness until the very end of life, a phenomenon known as “compression of morbidity.” Some retain remarkable mental sharpness, demonstrating the brain’s ability to adapt and remain resilient.
   
Perhaps most striking is their outlook on life. Centenarians are often described as resilient, adaptable, and optimistic. Strong relationships, a sense of purpose, healthy habits, and sometimes a bit of good genetic fortune all play important roles in achieving exceptional longevity.
      COMFORT
This stage of life is often centered on comfort, quality of life, family, storytelling, and legacy. You learn your rhythms: when to rest, when to move, and when to try again. It’s less about pushing hard and more about moving wisely.
   
Emotionally, something powerful often happens: the noise fades, and what truly matters becomes crystal clear. A warm cup of tea, a familiar voice, sunlight through a window, a hand to hold—these are no longer small things; they are everything.

THERE IS A DEEP SENSE OF PRESENCE.
NO RUSH. NO NEED TO PROVE ANYTHING.
SIMPLY BEING HERE CARRIES MEANING.
PERSPECTIVE SHARPNESS. 

Life feels distilled—simpler, yet somehow fuller. And even at 100 and beyond, life still responds to engagement. A smile matters. A few steps matter. A shared story matters. Centenarians continue to teach—not just with words, but through their resilience, perspective, and willingness to keep showing up.
   
It’s slower. Softer. Simpler.
But also deeper. Clearer. More meaningful.
And if you keep showing up, even in small ways, you’re still very much in the game. 
No, it’s not just adding candles to the cake—it’s becoming the cake.
Layered with stories, a little worn in places, but rich with meaning.
   
The body moves differently now. Strength is lighter, balance needs attention, and energy becomes something you spend wisely. Simple actions—standing, walking, getting dressed—can take effort. But the body still responds. Gently. Slowly. Consistently. A little movement still says, “I’m here.”
    YOUR BODY
Health becomes a daily partnership. Vision and hearing may fade, memory may shift, but awareness deepens. You learn your rhythms—when to rest, when to move, when to try again. It’s less about pushing hard and more about moving wisely.
     
Emotionally, something powerful happens. The noise fades. What matters becomes clear. A warm cup of tea. A familiar voice. Sunlight through a window. A hand to hold. These aren’t small things—they’re everything.
   
A deep sense of presence begins to emerge. The urgency that once drove so much of life gradually softens. The need to prove yourself—to anyone, including yourself—quietly fades into the background. Simply being here, fully present and intentional, carries a profound significance all its own.
     
You discover that worth was never found in constant achievement, but in awareness, gratitude, and the ability to truly experience each moment. Life becomes less about racing toward the next destination and more about appreciating the remarkable privilege of the journey itself.
   
Perspective sharpens. Life becomes distilled, stripped of much of the noise and distraction that once seemed so important. What remains is remarkably simple, yet infinitely rich: a conversation, a memory, a sunrise, a hand to hold, a moment of laughter. Life may become smaller in some ways, but it also becomes fuller. And in that fullness lies a wisdom that can only be earned by truly living.
    THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU
And even here, life responds to engagement.
A smile matters.
A few steps matter.
A shared story matters.
     
At 100, you’re still teaching—through presence, through resilience, through the way you continue.
It’s slower. Softer. Simpler.
But also deeper. Clearer.
More meaningful.
And if you keep showing up, even in small ways… you’re still very much in the game!  

WILL YOU BE THE FIRST TO REACH 200 YEARS OF AGE?

LIFE IS WAITING FOR YOU — CATCH UP!
DO NOT SIT BY THE WINDOW —
STARING AT THE CLOCK? — STAND UP AND LIVE!
LIVE FOR NOW!   NOT YESTERDAY!    NOT TOMORROW!   NOW IS THE TIME!

======================
PART 4) 🔥 A FEW SPARKS TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET
✨ THE MAGIC OF QUOTES ✨
Inspirational quotes are like mental spark plugs. 💥 They jolt the mind awake, shrink giant problems down to size, and give your spirit a running start. One powerful sentence can flip your thinking upside down—turning “I can’t” into “Why not give it a shot?” The right words at the right moment can become a tiny flashlight in a dark hallway. 🔦

But here’s where the real magic happens: repetition turns inspiration into identity. The more you repeat a truth, the more your mind begins to believe it… and eventually, your life begins to reflect it. A quote hanging on a wall is a decoration. A quote lived out through your actions? That becomes a transformation. 

Simple truth:
A quote on a page is nice…
A quote you live by?  That’s power. ✨
      
“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature.
But beautiful old people are works of art.” — Eleanor Roosevelt.
   
“Stop that!
You’re too young to be old.”— Kit Summers.
   
“Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage.
of opportunity and strength.” — Betty Friedan.
   
“The best thing about getting older is that.
” You don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.” — Madeleine L’Engle
     
“You are never too old to set another goal.
Or to dream a new dream.” — C.S. Lewis
     
“Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.” – Jimmy Buffet.
     
“Count your age by friends, not years.
Count your life by smiles, not tears.” – John Lennon.
     
“Age is something that doesn’t matter…
unless you are a cheese!” – Billie Burk.
     
“Aging is just another word for living.” – Cindy Joseph.
             
“When we were small children, we all played dress-up.
And everybody had a good time. So why stop?” – Iris Apfel
   
“We are always the same age inside.” – Gertrude Stein.
   
“One day, you will look back and see that all.
along you were blooming.” – Morgan Harper Nichols.
     
“Getting old is like climbing a mountain;
You get a little out of breath.
But the view is much better!” – Ingrid Bergman.
=========================
PART 5—YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>>>>
At times, older adults need help.
This week, find three older people.
Those who need help — help them!
One day you will need help, too.
========================
PART 6) NEXT WEEK>>>>>​BLOG 386–YES, YOU CAN GET BETTER!
=========================
I miss you. Write to me—kitsummers@gmail.com
========================= 

🌟 PART 7) FINAL THOUGHTS 🌟
Because the best is always still ahead.
So juggle joy like it’s the air you breathe.
The horizon holds more than you can yet imagine.
Your present moment is not the finish line—it’s your starting block.
Chase sunsets as if they’re secret treasures waiting just for you.
Laugh so loudly that tomorrow leans in to listen.
Write me today—kitsummers@gmail.com
Live as though you’ve only just begun—
🌟BECAUSE YOU TRULY HAVE! 🌟

✨KITTING AROUND
BLOG 384–YOUR AGING BRAIN
Keep getting better than yesterday!
This Video will give you more insight into me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc
This Blog is Best Read on a Laptop, Rather than Your Phone.
By KIT SUMMERS — World-Class Juggler to World-Class Comeback

Once upon a life, I made gravity nervous—
Headlining at Ballys, tossing clubs with a grin.
Seven of them. A world record—
Because physics loves a good insult. 😄
Then came the truck—the coma.
     
Thirty-seven silent days offstage.
And here I am now—not juggling clubs.
But throwing purpose, grit, and joy.
Balancing healing, catching courage.
Tossing hope sky-high. 🤹‍♂️

The mission grew bigger than applause.
Now I lift humans. I write to stay connected.
I write because it’s how I breathe.
If these words help you, too?
That’s magic catching air. 🎉
     
What’s next on Kit’s journey through life?
Back to juggling? Back to life?
Stay with Kit and find out.
Life can get better.
Life will get better! ✨

=============================

My new address here is >>
Kit Summers
The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve
18600 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, #217
Tampa, FL 33647
kitsummers.com
kitsummers@gmail.com
https://www.legacypreservetampa.com/
Stop by for a visit when you can.
A love letter would be dandy.
Call me >> 610-400-3233.

READ THE WORDS IN THE BLOG SLOWLY AND  CAREFULLY.
As you’ve seen, the number of words for my blog has been increasing each week.
This week, I plan to write in a tighter way–JUST THE FACTS, MAME.
   
The secret to good writing is to get your message across with the fewest words possible (like right there, the word ‘possible’ was unnecessary.) I decided to use it anyway. I hope you find that in this blog. So, no more writing about meals (sorry if you’re hungry.) I will only write words that will benefit you.
   
Every week, I try to create the very best blog I can—something that makes you laugh a little harder, think a little deeper, and step back into life carrying a little more hope than you had before. A spark of joy. A touch of wisdom. A reminder that life, despite all evidence to the contrary on some days, is still overflowing with possibilities.
   
I’ve also discovered one of the great secrets of good writing: REMOVE WORDS! Write a sentence. Then remove a few words. Then remove a few more. Keep trimming until every remaining word has a job to do. Ironically, the more words I delete, the more I have to say. Perhaps that’s true of life as well—sometimes, by letting go of what doesn’t matter, we finally discover what does.
=========================
PART 1) THE BEGINNINGS

DAILY–IT’S A NEW DAY, IT’S A NEW LIFE
DON’T LIVE IN THE FUTURE OR THE PAST —
MAKE THE MOST OF THE MOMENT YOU’RE HOLDING RIGHT NOW!

Mike and Elizabeth sent me a wonderful card through the mail to welcome me to my new home. An actual card, delivered by the post office, complete with an envelope, stamp, and all—just like the old days (I remember five-cent stamps–now each stamp is 82 cents). In a world of texts and emails, there is something especially meaningful about holding a handwritten card in your hands.
   
Such a thoughtful and loving gesture, it brought a big smile to my face. Thank you both so much for your kindness and for taking the time to make me feel so welcome. It meant more to me than you know. Thanks so much, Mike and Elizabeth.
     
Words from Phyllis about my last blog >>
“Great blog as always!! I love your writings!
Especially when I take the time to sit and enjoy them without interruptions!!!
I just don’t know how the heck you keep finding things to write about!
Wonderful job, seriously!
Such great content always!!!!
Thank you!!!”
     
I did not write before about the friendly card I received from all my friends at NeuroRestorative–
https://www.brainline.org/resource/neurorestorative-florida-avalon-park,
who wrote me. Thank you, everyone, for your care and concern. You have helped me a lot and added much to my life. Thanks, you will always be a part of my life.
         
In recent blogs, I find myself writing more and more about aging and death. That is only natural. After all, I am getting older, and I have gone through a few life-changing episodes. But then again, you are getting older, too! None of us escapes the passage of time. Every day adds another page to our story, another lesson learned, another memory made, another wrinkle earned.
 
Hmm, death?
No more worries.
No more concerns.
No more pain.
No more heartache.

When you think about it that way, it seems inviting.
The thought of death can be liberating.
But that is what gives life its value.
As long as we are here, we still have people to love,
questions to ask, laughter to share, and stories left to write.
     
We may not always welcome the changes that come with aging, but we do share them. The remarkable thing is that while our bodies grow older, our capacity for curiosity, kindness, growth, and purpose need not diminish.
     
In some ways, aging is life’s greatest reminder that time is precious. It encourages us to stop postponing what matters, to appreciate the people we love, to keep learning, and to continue becoming better versions of ourselves.
     
We cannot control how many years we are given, but we can influence what we do with the years we have. That may be one of the greatest lessons that growing older has to teach us. As the years pass, we begin to understand that life is not measured simply by its length, but by how fully, thoughtfully, and joyfully we choose to live it.
     
Every day offers another opportunity to learn, love, grow, and make a difference. That is the true gift of growing older: not simply adding years to our lives, but adding more life to our years. As long as we remain curious, compassionate, and willing to keep moving forward, each new day becomes a chance to live more fully than the day before.
 
As the years pass, we begin to understand that life is not measured simply by its length, but by how fully we choose to live it—by the love we share, the curiosity we maintain, the risks we take, and the difference we make in the lives of others.
     
None of us escapes the passage of time. The clock keeps moving whether we pay attention to it or not. The real question is not whether we are aging, but what we choose to do with the time we still have. Will we spend it worrying about the years behind us, or making the most of the years ahead?
     
I have learned that life is not measured only by the number of birthdays we celebrate, but by the moments we create, the people we love, the risks we take, and the joy we allow ourselves to experience. We do not know how much time remains, but we do know that today is ours.
     
So yes, I write more and more about aging. Not because I am giving up on life, but because I am determined to live what remains of it as fully, boldly, and gratefully as I possibly can. I hope you will do the same.
============================
PART 2) THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK
Kit’s Daily Delights — Inspiration, Freshly Served
       
>>>>>June 27
Breakfast was just that, I broke fast.
Now on to more important matters.
Hmm, I can’t think of any.
Can you?
     
Somehow, I had been marked down as needing a daily assisted shower. When she came by, I explained that there must have been a misunderstanding. I assured her, with as much confidence as I could muster while standing there discussing my bathing habits, “I really don’t need any help with that.”
    SHOWER TIME
I then asked if my records could be updated accordingly. It was one of those moments that reminds you that no matter how much life experience you have, there are still situations you never quite expect to find yourself explaining.

IS THAT REALLY KIT?

Then a tiny, mischievous part of my brain suggested that having her hands all over me might have certain benefits. “Stop that, Kit,” I told myself. “This is a shower discussion, not the beginning of a romantic comedy.” Fortunately, common sense prevailed, and I asked her to change my shower schedule to something more appropriate (now that sounds downright lonely).
     
On to a different subject–You know, having word limits on this blog is daunting. (Wow—that may be the first time I’ve ever used the word “daunting” in my writing. Apparently, even after all these years, I’m still expanding my vocabulary.) In fact, it’s kind of haunting.
      NO WASTED WORDS
As you can probably tell, I have a lot of fun with the craft of putting pen to paper—or, more accurately these days, fingers to keyboard. Once I start writing, ideas tend to multiply, stories wander off in interesting directions, and before I know it, what was supposed to be a short blog post has become a small book.
     
Limiting the number of words isn’t just a challenge; it’s an exercise in discipline. Still, that’s part of the fun: figuring out how to say more by writing less. I haven’t mastered that skill yet, but fortunately, I still have a few words left to practice with.
   
Having a limit on the number of words in this blog is daunting (woo, that’s the first time I’ve used that word, daunting, in my writings). As you can see, I have fun with the skill of pen to paper (or fingers to keys).
   
Just went to lunch, and it was delicious—but unfortunately, you’ll have to take my word for it. As I walked down the hallway afterward, I noticed that many of the apartment doors were open, and in most of them, the televisions were on. Lying there watching TV until death? Not for me.
   
It struck me as a little strange. So many different lives, so many different stories, all unfolding behind those doors, each with its own soundtrack playing in the background. Every apartment held a different chapter of a different life—one television playing the news, another a game show, another an old movie, each soundtrack accompanying a story I could only imagine.
   
For a moment, walking down that hallway felt like passing through a living library of human experience, with every open door offering a brief glimpse into a world entirely its own. Then came 3 p.m.—Happy Hour. And oh boy, was it ever. I found myself sitting at a table with five lovely ladies, and I have to admit, I spent most of the time smiling. All of them are older than me. What could that mean?
   
The conversation was lively, the company was delightful, and I thoroughly enjoyed what I saw. Growing older may come with its challenges, but now and then, it also comes with a table full of smiling women and a reminder that life can still be a whole lot of fun.
   
Happy Hour — oh boy. It all started innocently enough with a plastic cup of light beer. Before long, that somehow evolved into two cups of sweet wine. Yes, by that point, the ladies at my table were becoming noticeably perkier… and, if I’m being honest, so was I. Smiles were getting bigger, conversations were getting livelier, and for a little while, we all seemed to forget about our aches, pains, and birthdays.
       
HAPPY YOU’RE CERTAINLY LIVING UP TO ITS NAME.
     
Dinner was a tasty vegetable quiche with roasted vegetables. Seems that everyone here has a walker or wheelchair to help them get around. I saw a couple of people who, while seated in their wheelchairs, only pulled themselves forward with their feet, moving only about 4 or 5 inches at a time. It takes them forever to get anywhere. I do not want to end up like that; I will find a way to remain personally mobile my whole life.

>>>>>June 28
Yesterday was stormy and rainy, with dark clouds and steady downpours keeping everyone indoors. This morning, however, I looked out my window and was greeted by clear blue skies stretching in every direction. What a wonderful sight. Something is uplifting about seeing the sun return after a storm, as if the world itself has decided to start over.
     
Seeing that beautiful sky leaves me with only one reasonable conclusion: I have to get outside today. Whether it’s a walk, a run, or something that falls somewhere between the two, the fresh air is calling. After all, blue skies have a way of making even the best excuses suddenly disappear.
     
This morning, I headed out to the pond in search of deer. I had been told that someone had spotted a few there recently, and I was hopeful that I might be lucky enough to see them myself. Seeing wild animals in the wild is breathtaking (hey, where’d my breath go?)
         
Armed with optimism, curiosity, and absolutely no useful deer-finding skills, I made my way to the water’s edge and carefully scanned the landscape. The morning was beautiful, the air was fresh, and for a few moments, I was certain that any second a majestic deer would step gracefully into view.
   
Unfortunately, the deer had other plans (or perhaps left the TV on). Either they had already moved on, were hiding exceptionally well, or word had somehow spread through the local wildlife community that I was coming. (scared of little ol’ me?)
     
Still, the walk itself was worth the trip. Sometimes the search is just as rewarding as the discovery—and tomorrow, I may have to try again. After all, persistence remains one of the few advantages humans have over deer.
   
Unfortunately, the deer apparently had other plans. They remained hidden away, conducting their important deer business somewhere out of sight. I walked around the pond, kept a careful lookout, and saw absolutely none of them.
     
Perhaps they had heard I was coming and decided to reschedule our meeting. Tomorrow, I may have to try again. After all, persistence is one of the few advantages humans have over deer. They have perfected the art of being somewhere else whenever I’m looking for them. Still, one of these mornings, I might get lucky.
   
Lunch today was incredible. I had spaghetti with meat sauce and a side of perfectly cooked shrimp in a great sauce. Every meal here continues to impress me. The food is consistently flavorful, well-prepared, and genuinely delicious.
   
In fact, the meals served here are as good as those at almost any restaurant you might visit—yes, that good. Each dish arrives carefully prepared and ​ full of flavor, making me look forward to every meal.​ The kitchen staff is great, too. Waiter here, waiter there, they are all excellent. ​​
       
I certainly wasn’t expecting dining at an assisted living community to become one of the highlights of my day, but here we are. Is there any information about the food? Sorry, I can’t. I’ve been trying very hard, and they won’t give me anything to complain about.
   
We only have one life.
So don’t waste it worrying.
About things you can’t control.
Wake up every day thankful.
Chase what excites your mind.
Keep becoming better than yesterday.
Choose joy over drama.
Growth over comfort.
And love over hate.
Make memories that feed your heart.
You only get this one shot.
So live life with peace, passion, and purpose.
(Hmm, copy those words and put them on a poster for your kitchen.)
     
>>>>>June 29
A slow day today.
There is nothing scheduled that interests me.
A girl just stopped by my room to ask if I wanted
to join them for meditation. I said no.
As you see, not much today.
   
>>>>>June 30
As usual, I found myself awake before the sun, looking out my window into the darkness. My room overlooks the courtyard, and each morning I wait for the day to begin. The sun rises on the far side of the building, and with the sky clear and blue, I can watch the light slowly spread across the horizon. There is something wonderfully peaceful about witnessing the world wake up one moment at a time.
       
It is now 6:30 a.m., and since I usually don’t venture down for breakfast until around 8:00, I have a precious 1.5 hours to work on this blog for you. There is something wonderfully peaceful about being awake before most of the world, when the hallways are quiet, the coffee drinkers are still preparing for battle, and my brain has not yet become distracted by important questions like, “Should I have one banana or two with breakfast?”
     
Looking out at the courtyard, I notice that most of the windows have their shades down, and they will likely remain that way all day. During the 20 years I lived in my house—and nearly everywhere else I have lived or traveled—I have always opened the blinds wide to let in as much sunlight as possible. I’ve never worried about anyone looking in; if they do, they’re unlikely to see anything very interesting. To me, a room filled with natural light simply feels more alive.
   
I have always preferred sunlight to any artificial lighting system. It changes throughout the day, bringing warmth, color, and a connection to the world outside. Sometimes I wonder what people are afraid of when they keep their shades closed. No matter how advanced our technology becomes, nothing has ever matched the simple beauty of opening the blinds, welcoming the sun, and letting the day come inside.
     
Writing these blogs has become one of my favorite parts of the day. Of course, “writing” also includes staring thoughtfully out the window, rereading the same sentence six times, and convincing myself that this is all part of the creative process. Still, I consider it time very well spent—and if I happen to solve a few of life’s great mysteries before breakfast, well, that’s just a bonus.
     
It is now about 7 a.m., and I have already written this much today. This blog should be shorter, tighter, and more concise. Unfortunately, every attempt I make to cut words results in adding several new paragraphs explaining why I should cut words. At this point, I am beginning to suspect that I have a medical condition known as “chronic over-explanation.”
     
I have great admiration for writers who can write something profound in 200 words. I, on the other hand, require 600 words to explain why I admire them. Perhaps tomorrow I will finally master the art of brevity. Of course, I have been saying that for several thousand words now.
 
Always remember this >>
Happiness is not about getting all that you want.
It’s about enjoying all that you have.
With those words,
I am happy!
As you are, yes? 
     
Spent the day not doing much, not good.
I found that they did have a party celebration for people born in June (4 of them). There they were with their pointed party hats on. As a group, they looked funny.
   
I drank a plastic cup of light beer, which was enough for me.
People were enjoying themselves, good for them.
There’s too much partying going on, so I hit the road back to my room.
     
>>>>>July 1
Summer is officially here. Looking out the window, I am seeing blue sky with a few clouds that should go away soon. I must make the time to get outside to juggle and to run today. Yes, it is up to each of us to decide what we do with the time we have.
      TIME?
How often have we heard someone say, “I just don’t have time for that”? The truth is, we all have the same twenty-four hours in a day. The difference is not usually time itself, but how we choose to spend it. Every day, through our actions and decisions, we reveal what is truly important to us.
     
We make time for the things we value most. We make time for our families, our work, our hobbies, our health, our worries, and even our distractions. The question is not whether we have enough time, but whether we are using the time we have in ways that reflect what matters most to us.
          DO IT NOW!
Take a moment to ask yourself >>
Are you spending your days doing what is truly important to you?
Are you investing your time in the people you love?
Are you reaching for the dreams you still hope to achieve?
Are you living the life you genuinely want to live?
Be you—because no one else can.
   
There are billions of people on this planet, yet there has never been another you. No one else has lived your exact life, faced your challenges, carried your scars, celebrated your victories, or dreamed your dreams. Your experiences, strengths, weaknesses, and perspective combine to create something unique.
     
Too often, we spend precious time trying to imitate others, measure ourselves against them, or fit into someone else’s idea of who we should be. But the world doesn’t need another copy of someone else. It needs the original version of you.
     
Be bold enough to embrace your quirks. Be brave enough to acknowledge your mistakes. Be wise enough to learn, grow, and keep moving forward. The things that make you different are often the very things that make you valuable.
   
So be you—fully, honestly, and unapologetically.
You are special — you are you.
Because no one else can do that job nearly as well as you can. 

Because one day, we will all realize that time itself was never the problem. The real question is whether we used the precious time we were given to learn, to love, to grow, and to live truly. Examine your life, are you choosing correctly?
      MOVIE?
As I mentioned before, a company is currently developing a television movie based on my life story. To think that my journey—the triumphs, tragedies, setbacks, and successes—might one day be shared with a wider audience is both humbling and deeply gratifying.
   
What an extraordinary thing it will be if this project comes to fruition. Of course, as I find myself writing so often these days, time is never guaranteed. That realization only makes me hope we can move forward quickly, making the most of the precious and limited time we are all given.
      WHAT DID YOU SAY?
It comes with age, but I’ve noticed that many of the people here have trouble hearing me, even though I’m speaking loudly and clearly. More than once, I’ve found myself repeating the same sentence two or three times, each time a little louder, until I begin to wonder whether the problem is their hearing—or my confidence in my own volume control. Age — can’t wait until I get there. 
     
It does make me curious, though. Is this one of those experiences we can all look forward to as we grow older? Will there come a day when conversations become a friendly game of repetition, guessing, and smiling politely while pretending we understood what was just said? If so, perhaps the real secret to aging gracefully isn’t preserving our hearing—it’s developing a good sense of humor about losing it.
     
Today, I have been in contact with people who are working to bring my life story to the screen. Thank you, Chris, for your continued belief and support throughout this journey.
    YOU HELP MUCH
I hope that this film becomes more than entertainment. I want it to inspire people around the world to face adversity with courage, to discover the strength they may not realize they possess, and to understand that setbacks do not have to define their future.
 
If my story can help even one person find hope, discover purpose, or find the strength to keep moving forward when life seems impossible, then every challenge, every setback, and every hardship I have faced will have served a greater purpose. In the end, our struggles are not defined by the pain they cause, but by the lives they inspire and the hope they help others create.
   
The idea that the experiences of my life—from triumphs to tragedies, from loss to recovery—might someday encourage others is both humbling and deeply meaningful. I look forward to seeing where this journey leads and to creating something that truly benefits people worldwide.
   
Out in front of the buildings, there are some beautiful plants and landscaped areas, with decorative rocks placed here and there to make everything stand out. Recently, I noticed that grass and weeds had begun growing between some of the rocks. Naturally, I decided to appoint myself Director of Weed Removal and got to work clearing them out. To my surprise, it actually looks like I am making a difference.
      UP AND DOWN
I hate to say it, but many of the people living here would have a difficult time getting down on the ground to do this kind of work—and an even greater challenge getting back up again. In fact, for some, the project might quickly shift from “gardening” to “calling for assistance.” As much as I believe a little physical activity is good for all of us, I suspect this may be one exercise program that would receive very few volunteers.
   
Still, perhaps it would make an excellent exercise program: “Senior Rock Garden Fitness.” Step one: remove weeds. Step two: successfully return to a standing position. I am pleased to report that, at least for now, I continue to pass both parts of the test.
   

Then, in looking around, I saw a huge mushroom. Take a look!

>>July 2
People often say, “We only live once.” But the truth is, we only die once. Until that day arrives, we are given the extraordinary opportunity to live—every single day. Each morning offers a new chance to learn, grow, love, laugh, create, and become a little more of the person we hope to be.
     
Never forget that the quality of your life is not determined solely by what happens to you, but by what you choose to do with what you have been given. You have the power to shape your days with purpose, gratitude, courage, and hope. Make mistakes, try again, dream bigger, and keep moving forward. In the end, the true magnificence of life is not something we discover—it is something we create.
   
Make each day count for something. You are unique, and the world is different because you are in it. Show that. Share your kindness, courage, creativity, and determination.
 
Some days will be difficult. We all have them. But one bad day does not define a life. The wonderful thing about tomorrow is that it arrives with another chance—to try again, to learn, to grow, and to move forward.
     
More often than not, the next day turns out to be much better than we feared. Remember that. Keep going. Your story is not finished yet. You know you got this.
     
The magic happens when imagination meets persistence.
Imagination gives us the ability to see what does not yet exist. It allows us to dream beyond our current circumstances, envision new possibilities, and believe that something better can be created.
   
Persistence, however, is what transforms those dreams into reality. It is the willingness to keep moving forward when progress is slow, obstacles appear, and success feels far away.
     
Anyone can have an idea. Anyone can dream about a better life, a great achievement, or a meaningful purpose. But the extraordinary moments in life occur when we refuse to let those dreams fade. Every invention, every masterpiece, every personal triumph, and every life transformed began with someone who imagined something different and then persisted long enough to make it real.
     
The truth is that success rarely arrives in a single dramatic moment. More often, it is built through countless small efforts, repeated day after day, fueled by hope, determination, and the courage to continue.
   
When imagination and persistence work together, setbacks become lessons, failures become stepping stones, and possibilities become achievements. That is where the real magic happens—not in wishing, but in believing enough to keep going.
     
That is one of the great advantages of where you are living now. While the Florida sun outside is preparing to turn the sidewalks into something resembling a pizza oven, inside at Legacy, the temperature remains comfortable, predictable, and pleasant.
    THE TEMPERATURE
There is something to be said for having a cool refuge from the heat. At our age, battling 90-plus-degree temperatures is not always the adventure it once was. Instead, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: admire the bright blue sky and sunshine through the window, step outside briefly when you choose, and then retreat to the comfort of air conditioning before you begin to resemble a baked potato.
   
In a way, it is a reminder that comfort is not the enemy of living well. A comfortable environment gives us the energy to do the things that matter—write, think, learn, laugh, exercise, and continue making a difference. The temperature outside may be soaring, but your opportunities for today remain unlimited.
     
And besides, if the weather forecast calls for 90 degrees, staying in an air-conditioned room with a good idea, a keyboard, and a cup of tea is not avoiding life, but outsmarting it. Yet, I will be going out later to pull weeds and make improvements to the landscaping.
EARLY JUGGLING LESSONS
At 10 a.m. today, I taught three more people how to juggle. One of them was absolutely shocked at how quickly she learned—and honestly, she did very well. It’s always fun to watch that moment when someone suddenly realizes, “Wait a minute… I can actually do this!”
   
The other two are not juggling quite yet, but that’s perfectly fine. Juggling, much like life itself, is a lesson in patience, persistence, and being willing to drop a few things along the way. With a little more time and practice, they will get there, too.
     
One of the great joys of teaching is witnessing people discover that they are capable of far more than they imagined. Every successful catch builds confidence. Every dropped ball teaches perseverance. And every smile that appears after a small success reminds me why I have spent so much of my life sharing this remarkable skill with others.
     
Besides, if I can survive two truck accidents, a coma, and countless dropped juggling clubs over the years, we can all agree that dropping a few balls during practice is hardly a tragedy. In fact, it may be the first step toward discovering just how much we are capable of achieving.
      WEEDS AND SUCH
Out in front of the building, decorative rocks border the grass. Unfortunately, the grass appears to believe that property lines are merely suggestions and has launched an aggressive campaign to invade the rocks. Since someone has to defend the territorial integrity of the landscaping, I have taken it upon myself to join the battle—one weed at a time.
     
So, I have taken on a new mission: reclaiming the territory, one root of grass at a time. I suspect I may be the only person here willing—or perhaps crazy enough—to do this job, which makes me uniquely qualified. Besides, if everyone waits for someone else to do something worthwhile, many worthwhile things never get done.
     
There is something satisfying about making a small corner of the world a little better than you found it. It may not make headlines, but when I look out and see those rocks free from their grassy invaders, I’ll know that at least one person here decided to make a difference—and that person was me.
     
I’m certain that, before long, I’ll have made my way around the entire building, adding a few pleasant touches wherever I can. I’ll start with the front entrance and gradually work my way around. After all, if you’re going to live somewhere, why not help make it a better place?
     
It may not seem like a big project to some people, but I enjoy making a place look a little brighter, a little cleaner, and a little more cared for than it was before. If I can leave behind a few improvements, a few smiles, and perhaps inspire someone else to pitch in, then I’ll consider the effort well worth it.
      WORK ON MY PAST HOME
You should have seen the home where Mary Ellen and I raised our daughters and lived for 23 years. I painted every room in that house, and the entire exterior as well. It seemed I was always working on something—repairing, improving, building, or imagining how it could be even better. I rarely sat still for long when there was an opportunity to make something more beautiful, more functional, or more welcoming.

THIS IS BEFORE ANY OF MY WORK ON THE HOUWE. 

Later, when Beth and I shared our home, I found myself doing much the same thing. There was always another project, another improvement, another idea waiting to be brought to Life. Looking back, it was never really about the paint, the repairs, or the projects themselves. It was about creating a better place for the people I loved.
   
Perhaps that has always been part of who I am: always searching for better—not because what I had was not enough, but because I believed that with a little effort, a little imagination, and a lot of persistence, almost anything in life could become something even more wonderful. (Now I wish I did that with relationships.)
   
Right now, I have no one.
Lonely, I am.
I don’t know what I can do.
     
HAVE I REACHED BOOK LENGTH YET WITH THIS SECTION?
     
I’ve spent most of the afternoon in my room, sitting at the computer and getting a few things done. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but I also know that life has so much more to offer than the four walls around me and the glow of a screen.
       
Somewhere beyond this room are new experiences, new people, new adventures, and new reasons to smile. I haven’t found all of them yet—but that’s okay. The important thing is that I still believe they are out there, waiting to be discovered. And one of these days, I’ll open the door, step forward, and find them.
     
>>>>>July 3
HAPPY THIRD OF JULY! Or, as I prefer to call it: “The Night Before Fireworks and Questionable Decisions.” Wait… am I a day early? Go ahead, make tomorrow a fantastic event!
     
First, remember that we have today to live. This day—right now—is a gift, an opportunity, and a chance to create something meaningful. Make today fantastic. Better yet, make it a daily habit to turn each day into a great event. Look for reasons to smile, opportunities to grow, moments to help others, and experiences that make you feel truly alive.
      TIME MARCHES ON . . .
Life is not measured only by the years we are given, but by how fully we choose to live each day. Don’t wait for a special occasion to celebrate being alive. Decide that today is the occasion. Then, when tomorrow arrives, make that day fantastic, too. A life well lived is built one extraordinary day at a time.
   
Yes, time is coming and going. One day, I will die. (There, I said it. No great surprise—so will you.) But sometimes I wonder: when that day finally comes, who will continue writing this blog for me?
       
Of course, I have no intention of finding out anytime soon. My current plan is to live well beyond 100, remain curious until the end, and continue writing long after people politely suggest I take a nap instead.
    THE DEATH OF KIT?
Still, it is an interesting thought. When I am gone, the keyboard will become silent. No more early-morning observations. No more stories about juggling, brain injuries, aging, happiness, mistakes, or the strange adventure of being human. Yet maybe that is not entirely true.
     
Perhaps the real goal was never to write forever. Perhaps the goal was to write something that lasts beyond me—to leave behind ideas, laughter, encouragement, and hope that continue traveling through other people’s lives.
     
If a few of my words help someone smile, persevere, dream bigger, or simply have a better day, then in some small way, I will still be writing. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I still have many years left, several thousand more words to write, and at least a few more terrible jokes to inflict upon the world.
      RAIN?
Looking out the window, I see a sky full of clouds. They appear serious enough to suggest that a major weather event is imminent. Dark, dramatic, and full of attitude, they have clearly invested a great deal of effort into creating suspense. And yet, so far, not a single drop of rain has appeared.
     
I have to admire their commitment to theatrics. These clouds seem to be operating under the same philosophy as many people I have known throughout my life: make a lot of noise, create a lot of anticipation, and then accomplish absolutely nothing. For now, I will continue watching and waiting. Perhaps rain is coming. Or perhaps these clouds are simply enjoying the attention. 
      NOW?
As often happens, absolutely nothing of interest appears to be happening today. No major adventures, no exciting news, and no calls asking me to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. I do have to get this blog out later, but “later” is still quite a distance away.
   
So now I face one of life’s greatest challenges: deciding what to do until then. I could exercise, clean something, or search for a new project to improve. More likely, I’ll spend the next few hours looking busy while accomplishing very little—a skill I have spent many years perfecting.
===========================
BLOG 384–YOUR AGING BRAIN
A brain.
Yes, you have one.
It’s located right there between your ears.
The challenge is using it well—and preferably for better thoughts.
   
Lately, I’ve been writing about two subjects: our brains and dying. At first glance, they may seem unrelated, but they share something important: both are moving steadily forward for every one of us, and neither can be avoided.
   
From the moment we are born, our brains begin an extraordinary journey. They learn, adapt, create, remember, and occasionally forget why we walked into the kitchen—only to stand there staring at the refrigerator as if it might provide the answer.
     
Every success, failure, heartbreak, and lesson we experience becomes part of the remarkable three-pound universe we carry within our heads. Our brains store not only facts and memories, but also our triumphs, disappointments, joys, fears, and dreams. Every challenge we overcome, and every mistake we make, helps shape the extraordinary story written inside us.
   
This small but astonishing organ carries the accumulated wisdom of an entire lifetime. It is constantly changing, adapting, and growing through every experience we encounter. In many ways, the human brain becomes the living record of who we are, who we have been, and who we still have the potential to become.
     
For some of us, myself included, life takes an unexpected turn when the brain is injured. My accident completely changed the course of my life. It altered my dreams, my abilities, my relationships, and the future I had once imagined for myself, as in TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
     
And yet—and I know this may sound strange—I have found reasons to be grateful that it happened. Yes, I realize how unbelievable that sounds. How can anyone be thankful for an event that caused so much pain, loss, and struggle?
     
The answer is that sometimes our greatest hardships become our greatest teachers. My accident forced me to discover strengths I never knew I possessed. It taught me resilience, patience, gratitude, and compassion in ways I could never have learned otherwise.
     
I would never have chosen the experience, but I have chosen what to do with it. What happened to me changed the course of my life in ways I could never have imagined. It brought pain, loss, and challenges I would not wish on anyone.
     
Yet, in the years that followed, I discovered something unexpected: we do not always get to choose what happens to us, but we do get to choose who we become because of it. In the end, what nearly destroyed me also helped shape the person I became—stronger, more compassionate, more grateful, and more determined to help others. And for that, somehow, I am grateful.
 
The truth is, neither our brains nor our lives are permanent. Some people find that depressing. I find it motivating. Knowing our time is limited gives greater value to today and reminds us to spend less time worrying about things that don’t really matter.
     
The good news is that our brains remain remarkably adaptable. Research suggests that optimism, exercise, quality sleep, and lifelong learning help keep our minds healthier and functioning younger. Curiosity has no expiration date.
   
One day, every one of us will reach the final chapter of our story. That isn’t a reason for sadness; it’s a reason to live more fully. Our time is limited, and that is exactly what makes each day precious. Death doesn’t mean the end; leave memories and good things in your name.
     
Until the very end, we still have a remarkable brain between our ears and a life full of possibilities ahead of us. We can still learn, grow, love, laugh, create, and make a difference. So use that brain wisely, think better thoughts, and make good things happen. And if you occasionally forget where you put your keys, just consider it advanced brain training.
     
So stay curious.
Ask questions.
Try new things.
Tell people you love them.
Take a walk, read a book, and never stop learning.
We may not control how many pages our story contains.
But we can make every remaining page worth reading.
     
And if you occasionally forget where you put your keys or why you walked into the kitchen, don’t worry. I consider that advanced brain training. Besides, I’ve discovered that searching for my glasses is an excellent exercise—even when they’re sitting on top of my head. 

LIFE IS WAITING FOR YOU — CATCH UP!
DO NOT SIT BY THE WINDOW —
STARING AT THE CLOCK? — STAND UP AND LIVE!
LIVE FOR NOW!   NOT YESTERDAY!    NOT TOMORROW!   NOW IS THE TIME!

======================
PART 4) 🔥 A FEW SPARKS TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET
✨ THE MAGIC OF QUOTES ✨
Inspirational quotes are like mental spark plugs. 💥 They jolt the mind awake, shrink giant problems down to size, and give your spirit a running start. One powerful sentence can flip your thinking upside down—turning “I can’t” into “Why not give it a shot?” The right words at the right moment can become a tiny flashlight in a dark hallway. 🔦

But here’s where the real magic happens: repetition turns inspiration into identity. The more you repeat a truth, the more your mind begins to believe it… and eventually, your life begins to reflect it. A quote hanging on a wall is a decoration. A quote lived out through your actions? That becomes a transformation. 

Simple truth:
A quote on a page is nice…
A quote you live by?  That’s power. ✨
      
1. “Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.” — Jimmy Buffett
   
2. “Age is more of a mind thing.” —  Kit Summers
   
3. “Count your age by friends, not years.
Count your life by smiles, not tears.” —  John Lennon.
   
4. “Growing old is mandatory.
But growing up is optional!” — Walt Disney.
   
5. “Age is something that doesn’t matter…
unless you are a cheese!”— Billie Burke
   
6. “Aging is just another word for living.”— Cindy Joseph
     
7. “It’s not how old you are.
It’s how you are old.” — Jules Renard.
   
8. “When we were small children,
We all played dress-up, and everybody had a good time.
So why stop?” — Iris Apfel
     
9. “We are always the same age inside.” — Gertrude Stein
   
10. “Too many people, when they get old,
think they have to live by the calendar.”— John Glenn.
   
11. “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were? – Satchel Paige
     
12. “Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise
will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”— Edward Stanley
   
13. “The wise mind mourns less for what age takes
away than what it leaves behind.”— Williams Wordsworth
 
14. “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.”— Robert Browning
   
15. “Some people, no matter how old they get,
never lose their beauty – they merely move it
from their faces into their hearts.— Martin Bauxbaum
   
16. “To resist the frigidity of old age,
one must combine the body, the mind,
and the heart. And to keep these in parallel vigor,
One must exercise, study, and love. — Charles Victor de Bonstetten.
   
17. “Getting old is like climbing a mountain;
You get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!”— Ingrid Bergman.
     
18. “Aging is not lost youth but a new
stage of opportunity and strength.” — Betty Friedan.
   
19. “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” — Frank Lloyd Wright
     
20. “Aging is the journey to becoming our truest selves.” — Anonymous
==.=====================
PART 5—YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>>>>
Using your brain well is a skill, and like any skill, it can be strengthened through practice. Make a conscious effort to guide your thoughts in a more positive, productive direction. You have an extraordinary brain—use it wisely, use it purposefully, and keep working to use it even better.
   
This week, challenge yourself to improve your thought patterns. The way we think often shapes the way we live. When negative thoughts appear, don’t invite them to stay. Instead, replace them with thoughts that are more hopeful, constructive, and empowering.
     
Your mind is one of the most powerful tools you will ever possess. It shapes the way you see the world, influences the choices you make, and ultimately helps determine the life you create. Every thought you entertain, every belief you strengthen, and every habit you develop becomes part of the foundation upon which your future is built.
   
This week, use your mind wisely–and make it a habit to do so. Fill it with curiosity, hope, gratitude, and possibility rather than fear, doubt, and negativity. Challenge yourself to learn, to smile, to grow, and to think better thoughts.
     
When you do this, you may be surprised by how much your life can change. The remarkable power to create a better future often begins with something as simple—and as profound—as choosing what you allow yourself to think today.
     
Replace bad thoughts with thoughts that encourage growth, gratitude, and possibility. Keep a smile on your face when you can—it may not solve every problem—but it can remind you that you still have the power to choose how you respond. Think right.
========================

PART 6) NEXT WEEK>>>>>​BLOG 385—AS YOU AGE (OR, ACT YOUR AGE)
=========================
I miss you. Write to me—kitsummers@gmail.com
=========================

🌟 PART 7) FINAL THOUGHTS 🌟
Because the best is always still ahead.
So juggle joy like it’s the air you breathe.
The horizon holds more than you can yet imagine.
Your present moment is not the finish line—it’s your starting block.
Chase sunsets as if they’re secret treasures waiting just for you.
Laugh so loudly that tomorrow leans in to listen.
Write me today—kitsummers@gmail.com
Live as though you’ve only just begun—
BECAUSE YOU TRULY HAVE!
🌟

✨KITTING AROUND✨
​BLOG 383–DON’T “SHOULD” ON YOURSELF
This Video will give you more insight into me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc
This Blog is Best Read on a Laptop, Rather than Your Phone.
By KIT SUMMERS — World-Class Juggler to World-Class Comeback

Once upon a life, I made gravity nervous—
Headlining at Ballys, tossing clubs with a grin.
Seven of them. A world record—
Because physics loves a good insult. 😄
Then came the truck—the coma.
     
Thirty-seven silent days offstage.
And here I am now—not juggling clubs.
But throwing purpose, grit, and joy.
Balancing healing, catching courage.
Tossing hope sky-high. 🤹‍♂️

The mission grew bigger than applause.
Now I lift humans. I write to stay connected.
I write because it’s how I breathe.
If these words help you, too?
That’s magic catching air. 🎉
     
What’s next on Kit’s journey through life?
Back to juggling? Back to life?
Stay with Kit and find out.
Life can get better.
Life will get better. ✨

=============================

My new address here is >>
Kit Summers
The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve
18600 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy, #217
Tampa, FL 33647
kitsummers.com
kitsummers@gmail.com
https://www.legacypreservetampa.com/
Stop by for a visit when you can.
A love letter would be dandy.
Call me >> 610-400-3233
       
READ THE WORDS IN THE BLOG SLOWLY AND  CAREFULLY.
Every week, I try to create the very best blog I can—something that makes you laugh a little harder, think a little deeper, and step back into life carrying more hope than you had before. A spark of joy. A little
wisdom. A reminder that life is still full of possibilities. ✨
=========================
PART 1) THE BEGINNINGS

DAILY–IT’S A NEW DAY, IT’S A NEW LIFE
DON’T LIVE IN THE FUTURE OR THE PAST —
MAKE THE MOST OF THE MOMENT YOU’RE HOLDING RIGHT NOW!

I used to perform with his brother, Randy.
Randy, sadly, died some years ago.
I still need to find Kim. Chris, will you help?
My friend Chris Foster wrote these words for me >>
“What a GREAT surprise to have everything there, Kit!
Yes…I am still enjoying your blog.
It is often bulkier than before.
I like the dated/day events sections best.”
     
      THE BEGINNING OR THE END:
Yes, this is the beginning of the blog, but it is also about the end.
We live our lives one day at a time, collecting experiences, memories, victories, failures, laughter, and love. We keep moving forward, often so focused on today that we rarely stop to consider what comes after the final chapter.
      LIFE
You live life—and then what?
One day, each of us will find out. Until then, the best thing we can do is live fully, love deeply, stay curious, and make the most of the pages we still have left to write. You will see.
          THE END?
First, no worries, I still plan to live beyond 100. I have no intention of leaving anytime soon. In fact, I am still making plans, setting goals, writing books and this blog, teaching juggling, and looking forward to adventures that have not yet happened. And to meeting you. Is your plan to live beyond 100, too?
    I WILL MISS YOU
However, being practical has always served me well, so I leave a few instructions for the day when my journey eventually comes to an end. If you are reading this after my death, please know that I lived a full and remarkable life.
      GOD?
Some people say there is a god directly. Many just follow along because that’s what their family does. I’ve studied the topic extensively, and I’ve never seen a realistic, rational proof for any god. Heaven? Tell me exactly where that is, and why doesn’t God send everyone there?
SKEPTIC:
From a skeptical perspective, the challenge is exactly what you describe: extraordinary claims generally require extraordinary evidence. Claims about gods, heavens, souls, miracles, or an afterlife are difficult to test, measure, or verify. Therefore, I cannot follow what’s not there.
INHERITACE
Many people inherit their beliefs from family, culture, or community rather than arriving at them through independent investigation. That doesn’t automatically make those beliefs wrong, but it does explain why different parts of the world often end up believing very different things.
QUESTIONS
The question of heaven raises additional puzzles. If heaven is a real place, where is it? Most modern believers no longer think of it as a physical location above the clouds. Instead, many describe it as a spiritual realm outside space and time (what exactly does “beyond space and time” mean?). Critics point out that this makes the claim difficult to examine or falsify. If heaven exists but cannot be detected in any way, how would we know?
WHY?
Then there is the question you ask: If an all-powerful and loving God wants people in heaven, why not send everyone there? Different religions offer different answers—free will, moral growth, divine justice, or the idea that people choose separation from God. Skeptics often respond that an all-powerful being should be able to achieve those goals without suffering, confusion, or eternal punishment. By the way, free will is not free if God demands it.
FREE WILL?
People often say that God gives us free will, but I have always struggled with that idea. If a parent tells a child, “You are free to choose,” but then rewards one choice and punishes the other, the freedom begins to feel limited. The child can still choose, of course, but the desired outcome has already been clearly defined.
FOLLOWERS?
Many religions teach that we are free to make our own decisions, yet they also teach that there is a correct path we are expected to follow and that there are consequences for failing to do so. That raises an interesting question: if one choice is strongly encouraged and the others carry penalties, is that genuine freedom, or simply the freedom to obey or disobey? The choice may exist, but the pressure attached to it makes some wonder how free it really is.
CHOICE?    
If someone says, “You are free to choose, but choose wrong and face severe consequences,” that sounds less like freedom and more like pressure. The options may exist, but the stakes make the choice questionable.
FOLLOWERS?     
Both of my daughters are strong believers. From a young age, their mom made them attend church and believe. I tried to send my ideas to their minds, but they were too far into the god thing. Strong belief at such a young age, is that truly right?
PATH?
That is why I ask, if our choices must follow a prescribed path to achieve a desired outcome, is that truly free will, or merely the freedom to comply? If one option is declared right, rewarded, and expected, while all other options carry consequences, then the freedom being offered may not be freedom in the fullest sense. 

IF YOU ARE A GOD BELIEVER, PLEASE, INTRODUCE US

WHAT CHOICE?
We may still be able to choose, but the question remains whether that choice is genuinely free or simply the ability to accept or reject a predetermined course. When the desired destination has already been established, and only certain paths are approved, free will begins to look less like unlimited freedom and more like the freedom to comply.
OBLIGATIONS?
Many religions claim we are free to choose belief or non-belief, yet they also teach that there is a correct path and that there are consequences for choosing otherwise. If one outcome is favored above all others, do we possess genuine freedom, or simply the ability to obey or disobey?
DEBATE?
After thousands of years of debate, there is still no universally accepted proof for any god, nor is there a universally accepted proof that no god exists. That’s why the discussion remains philosophical rather than scientific. Science can investigate the natural world; questions about gods and heaven often involve claims defined as beyond the natural world.
SEEK
One interesting thing is that I’ve spent years examining these questions rather than simply accepting what I am told. Whether someone ends up religious, agnostic, or atheist, there is value in being willing to ask difficult questions and follow the evidence as far as it goes. As you’ve written before, many people seek comfort. Far fewer seek truth, wherever it may lead.
  MOURN?
Do not spend too much time mourning me. Instead, celebrate the fact that I was here at all. Laugh, tell stories, share memories, write this blog, and remember the lessons that mattered most. Life is meant to be lived, not merely endured. Death should be a celebration of life!
      NO FIRES
I do not wish to be cremated. I do not want my body reduced to ashes, losing its energies. My preference is for my body to be returned to nature as naturally and legally possible. If permitted by law and practical considerations, I would prefer a natural disposition that allows my body to become part of the ecosystem and nourish other living things.
    THE RETURN
The idea of returning to the earth, providing sustenance for insects, animals, plants, and the natural cycle of life, is far more meaningful to me than cremation. And, to be buried would be a waste of space on the earth.
    THE FINAL
Legal and practical limitations may make my preferred choice impossible. In that case, I’d like to ask that those responsible for my final arrangements choose the most natural and environmentally responsible option available.
      KILL?
I recently discovered there are laws against killing someone and leaving the body in a forest. Fair enough. My plan, however, has always been slightly different. I was thinking more along the lines of living a long, happy life, dying peacefully at an absurd age, and not becoming someone else’s problem.
      LEGALLY?
The legal system has opinions about that, too. Apparently, no matter how creative you think you are, lawmakers have spent centuries staying one step ahead of people with “slightly different” plans. No matter what scheme you come up with, chances are someone tried it long ago and inspired a new law in the process.
    WALK
Hopefully, I could simply walk out into the forest myself, handle my own departure, and then generously donate my naked remains to the local wildlife. Bugs, birds, squirrels, and whatever else happens to be hungry could enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet.
      RANGER RICK
Of course, knowing how regulations work, I suspect a ranger would eventually arrive, examine the situation, scratch his head, and announce, “Well, this is clearly a violation.” He would then proceed to write a ticket and carefully place it on my lifeless chest, satisfied that justice had been served.
      LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS?
Meanwhile, the squirrels, raccoons, insects, lions, tigers, bears (oh my), and assorted woodland diners would completely ignore the citation and continue enjoying lunch. In fact, I suspect a few of them would gather around to admire the paperwork. The squirrels might even start a betting pool on whether the fine would ever be paid.
    BE DISTINCT
As for me, I would finally achieve the rare distinction of being both deceased and officially in trouble with the law at the same time. Most people get into trouble while they’re still alive. I, apparently, would wait until after my death. Talk about planning.
      WHERE?
Somewhere, a ranger would arrive, declare that a regulation had been violated, and carefully place a citation on my lifeless chest. The deer would laugh, squirrels would ignore it, the bugs would continue their work, and I suspect the fine would go unpaid (unless you pay it for me?)  😄
============================
PART 2) THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK
Kit’s Daily Delights — Inspiration, Freshly Served
     
>>>>>June 20
It’s a funny problem to have. Most people struggle to find something to write, while by 7 a.m. I’ve already written most of next week’s blog. The challenge with daily writing is that I often have to wait for life to happen before I can write about it. Then again, some of the best writing isn’t about events at all—it’s about ideas, memories, lessons, observations, and questions. Those never run out.
      PROBLEM?
Perhaps instead of waiting for things to happen, I should write about what I intend to do and then “make” it happen. If I write that I’m going outside to teach someone to juggle, exercise, or try something new, then I have a reason to follow through. The writing becomes more than a record of my life; it becomes a guide for creating it. You could do the same.
     
Of course, there is always another possibility. I’ve already written 15 books, so it’s time to start number 16. After all, I’ve lived through enough adventures, setbacks, successes, and surprises to fill several more. A daily blog depends on what happened today. A book depends on everything I’ve learned along the way.
     
A strange thing I’ve noticed here is that many of the older residents seem to disapprove of my footwear—or lack of it. As I’ve written before, I have to travel down three long hallways before reaching the elevator that takes me down to the dining room.
    FOOT COVERINGS?
Most of the time, I go barefoot. If I do wear something, it’s usually flip-flops—or, as I prefer to call them, my “Slaps” because of the familiar slapping sound they make with every step. They are comfortable, easy to slip on, and perfectly suited to my simple lifestyle. After everything life has taught me, I’ve become far more interested in comfort than fashion.
   
I’ve developed a little system. I carry my slaps with me as I head toward the elevator, then slip them on while the elevator glides between floors. Since there are only two floors in the building, it isn’t exactly a long journey, but it gives me enough time to get properly equipped for the adventure ahead.
     
In fact, it’s one of the shortest commutes in America. I carry my slaps to the elevator, step inside, and use the entire trip to put them on. The elevator travels exactly one floor, so timing is critical. If I fumble a slap, I could arrive at my destination tragically underdressed. Fortunately, after countless successful missions, I’ve mastered the art of footwear deployment during this thrilling two-floor journey.By the time the doors open, I’ve completed my entire transportation routine. My footwear is secure, my mission is clear, and I’m fully prepared to face whatever adventure awaits on the next floor. It’s hard to imagine a more efficient commute—unless they install a trapdoor that drops me directly into the dining room.
     
My choice puzzles some people. Many residents wear sturdy walking shoes, and a few think everyone else should, too. I occasionally get a curious look or an amused comment, but it doesn’t bother me. We all have our preferences.
    BAREFOOT
Whenever I can, I walk the hallways barefoot. There is something simple and natural about feeling the floor beneath my feet as I make my way down those long corridors. It is one of the small comforts I enjoy each day.
     
Of course, when I arrive somewhere more public—such as the dining room—I slip on my Slaps and do my best to look like a respectable resident (fake them out, if nothing else.) At least that’s the impression I’m trying to create. Whether the Slaps help or hurt that effort is still open for debate.
     
For those who may be wondering, I do own two pairs of perfectly respectable “real” shoes. They spend most of their time waiting patiently in the closet while my bare feet and trusty Slaps get the call. After all, comfort and practicality usually win the footwear competition in my world. Socks, what could those be?
   
There is an unwritten rule that proper adults should always have something on their feet. I try not to cause too much of a stir, but if given the choice, I would much rather let my feet enjoy their freedom. It may come from years of traveling, living simply, and discovering that many of life’s greatest pleasures are the smallest ones. Some people collect fancy shoes. I collect opportunities not to wear them.
    SLAPS?
Barefoot feels comfortable, relaxed, and natural. After everything my body has been through, I’ve learned to appreciate comfort whenever I find it. These days, I care more about what feels good than what looks good, and feeling the floor beneath my feet is one of life’s simple pleasures.
     
So while my Slaps may not win over everyone in the building, I’m sticking with them. They make me happy, and that’s good enough for me. Besides, at this stage of life, one of the greatest freedoms is being comfortable enough to make your own choices—even when they make a little noise as you walk down the hallway, or no noise with my bare feet.
        WRITING
Who would have thought I could write that much about feet and shoes? I certainly didn’t. Yet here you are, still reading. What does that say about you? Perhaps it means you have excellent taste, perhaps you’re avoiding something more important, or perhaps you’ve become strangely invested in the daily adventures of a man whose biggest accomplishment today was successfully coordinating footwear with an elevator ride.
     
Then again, it could prove that stories aren’t really about shoes at all. They’re about finding humor and meaning in ordinary moments. Whatever the reason, if you’ve read this far, you’re now officially part of the footwear saga, and I’m afraid there may be no escape. The next thrilling chapter could involve socks, and none of us is prepared for that level of excitement.
   
Perhaps it means I’m the kind of person who can find adventure in the ordinary, or stubborn enough to follow a story wherever it leads—even if that journey involves three long hallways and a pair of Slaps. Then again, it may simply mean I’ve spent so much time writing about footwear that turning back now would feel like abandoning a dear friend.
     
Either way, if you’ve made it this far, we’ve both shown remarkable dedication to a subject most people cover in a single sentence and then walk away from—preferably wearing proper shoes. What started as a simple discussion about footwear has somehow become a full-blown expedition, proving that almost anything can become interesting if you wander far enough down the hallway.
   
Most people would never imagine a simple pair of slaps could inspire so many words, but life has a funny way of turning small things into bigger stories. That could be one reason we’re here together. Life isn’t really about feet and shoes. It’s about the little moments, the small observations, and the everyday experiences that connect us.
   
If you’ve stayed with me through several paragraphs about footwear, then you’re either remarkably loyal, wonderfully curious, or simply enjoying the journey. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful you’re along for the walk. Life is made up of small moments, simple comforts, and the stories we share along the way, and the fact that you’ve chosen to spend a few minutes with mine means more than you may realize.
      I’M GLAD YOU’RE THERE
Thank you for reading, for following along, and for being part of this adventure. Your encouragement, your comments, and your presence give these words a purpose beyond the page. You make all this writing worthwhile, and I’m glad we get to continue the journey together.
     
It’s only 10:30 a.m., and I’ve already written this much. Lately, my blog posts are getting longer, and part of me wonders if they’re too long. The funny thing is that when I read them back, I’m not sure what I would leave out.
      LESSONS FOR YOU
Every story, observation, and lesson feels like it belongs there. Perhaps that’s one of the challenges of writing—knowing when to keep adding and when to stop. For now, I suppose I’ll keep writing and trust that if you’ve made it this far, you’re enjoying the journey. Please let me know what you think.
      LUNCH
An excellent meal today, featuring perfectly prepared vegetable lasagna covered in a rich, creamy sauce. I’ve sent compliments to the chefs before, and this was certainly another meal worthy of praise. Good food doesn’t happen by accident, and it’s always nice to let the people behind the scenes know how much their efforts are appreciated.
JUGGLING!
Today, while out for a walk, I discovered something that felt like buried treasure: a patch of grass large enough for me to juggle clubs. Grass is much kinder to dropped clubs than concrete, so finding a suitable spot is no small thing.
      THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES
Now comes the interesting part. The challenge is no longer finding a place to juggle—it’s getting myself out there to do it. Funny how often that happens in life. We spend so much time searching for the right opportunity, the right location, or the right circumstances, only to discover that the real hurdle is taking the first step.
        A PATCH OF GRASS
Still, I know myself well enough to know this story isn’t over. That patch of grass isn’t going anywhere, and neither are the clubs. Yes, I will make it happen—give me time, as they say. Sometimes success isn’t about moving fast; it’s simply about moving forward. One toss leads to another, and before long, I’ll be out there again, letting the clubs fly and reminding myself that action begins with a single step out the door.
      TAKE ACTION!
We spend time searching for opportunities, and when they finally appear, the next hurdle is simply taking action. Still, I’ve learned that the hardest part is usually getting started. Once those first clubs are in the air, I suspect the rest will take care of itself.
             
One thing I’ve noticed here is how many people rely on walkers to get around. In some cases, the walker becomes more than a tool—it becomes a source of confidence. After using one for so long, some people may lose confidence in their ability to walk independently, even for short distances.
      WALKING
Of course, every person has their own circumstances, and many genuinely need the support. Still, it reminds me that confidence plays a powerful role in what we can do. Sometimes the greatest challenge is not physical ability but believing in ourselves enough to take the next step without holding on quite so tightly.
   
I know there are people here who are still able to walk, yet they have become so dependent on their walkers or wheelchairs that they rarely try to move without them. Over time, what may have started as a helpful aid can become something they no longer feel confident living without.
   
Of course, every person’s situation is different, and many people genuinely need those devices for safety and mobility. Still, it can be sad to watch someone surrender abilities they may still have. Confidence, like strength, often fades when it isn’t used. Sometimes the greatest challenge is not physical ability at all, but believing in yourself enough to take those first few steps.
     
DINNER
As usual, dinner was excellent. We were served General Tso’s chicken with Asian noodles and stir-fried vegetables, all prepared wonderfully. I left the dining room with a full stomach, a smile on my face, and no complaints whatsoever.
   
>>>>>June 21
I look out my winder (yes, I know how I spelled it) and see a bright blue sky stretching across the morning. That alone feels like a good beginning. Some days start with noise, confusion, or gray clouds. Today starts with sunlight.
     
The funny thing about writing is that I never really know where it will lead. I sit down with a blank screen, a cup of tea nearby, and a handful of thoughts floating around in my head. Then a sentence appears. That sentence invites another. Before long, a story begins to unfold.
      LIFE
Life works much the same way. We rarely see the entire path ahead. We simply take the next step. A bright sky doesn’t guarantee a perfect day, but it does remind us that possibilities exist. Somewhere out there is a new idea, a new lesson, a new laugh, or perhaps a new adventure waiting to be discovered.
 
For now, I will enjoy the view, appreciate the sunshine, and trust that today’s words will find their way onto the page. They usually do. Writing has a funny way of showing up when we give it a little space and a little faith. One sentence leads to another, and before long, a blank page becomes a story.
   
As always, I hope these words do more than simply fill a page. They encourage you to think, smile, try something new, or take one small step toward a better life. If even one sentence inspires you, then these early morning hours at the keyboard have been well spent. ☀️✍️
      BREAKFAST
I had breakfast this morning, sitting alone at a table, when another resident came in and sat down across from me. He never said a word. As we ate, I found myself wondering whether he would be friendly, introduce himself, or even acknowledge my presence. He did none of those things.
     
When I finished eating, I simply stood up and walked away. It was a small moment, but it reminded me how much difference friendliness can make. A smile, a greeting, or a few simple words cost nothing, yet they can brighten someone’s day. Life is simply better when people are kind to one another. Be friendly to any and all you can.
          JUGGLING
I found a grassy strip out front where I can juggle. That’s a victory in itself. Since I still drop the clubs now and then, the grass provides a forgiving landing spot and helps protect them from damage. It may not look like much to anyone else, but to me it feels like discovering a small training ground right outside my door.
     
My juggling skills are not what they once were, and that’s perfectly all right. Every toss, catch, and occasional drop is part of the process. The clubs spend a little time in the air, a little time on the grass, and hopefully a little more time in my hands each day. Progress has never been about perfection. It’s about showing up, practicing, and giving yourself the chance to improve.
     
Today wasn’t my best juggling day, but that’s not really the point. The important thing is that I found a place to practice and took another step toward getting back out there. Sometimes success begins with something as simple as finding a patch of grass and deciding to give it a try.
   
I must repeat that I have not been practicing juggling at all. The interest simply isn’t there anymore, and my body seems to be telling me, “Enough.” For most of my life, juggling was a major part of who I was. I spent countless hours practicing, performing, teaching, and pushing myself to higher levels.
    A DROP HERE, A DROP THERE
Part of me would still like to improve and bring my juggling up to a higher level. The problem is that improvement requires interest, and interest is the fuel that drives practice. Without that desire, it’s difficult to find the motivation to pick up the clubs and put in the work.
   
That may be part of life. We change. Our priorities shift. What once consumed our attention may gradually make room for something new. These days, I find myself spending far more time writing than juggling. The clubs sit quietly while the words keep flowing.
   
I haven’t given up on juggling entirely, but I’ve learned that forcing passion rarely works. If the interest returns, I’ll gladly welcome it back. Until then, I’ll continue following the things that still spark my curiosity and enthusiasm.
      NOTHING HAPPENING
As was the case at NeuroRestorative, weekends move at a very slow pace here as well. The activities are limited, the hallways are quieter, and the hours are a little longer than they are during the week.
     
Still, I managed to get outside and do a little juggling. It wasn’t much, but it was something. Sometimes it isn’t measured by how long we practice or how well we perform.
     
Sometimes it’s simply a matter of showing up. On a slow weekend day, getting outside, picking up the clubs, and spending a few minutes juggling feels like a small victory—and I’ll gladly take it.
     
While sitting in my office chair, I have been juggling 3 balls and 2 in one hand. Back when I started writing, I decided to use the number instead of spelling it out for the number of juggling props used. That works for me, does it for you?
THE MOVIE (OR NOT)     
At 2 p.m., the schedule said that “Catch Me If You Can”, a flick I had not seen, would be showing in the Bingo Room, so I headed down to watch it. To my surprise, I was the only person who showed up for the movie. There were already two ladies sitting in the room, but they didn’t even know a movie was supposed to be playing.
     
Unfortunately, no one from the staff ever appeared to start the film, which was disappointing. I went to the front desk, and they had no idea what was going on. One lady went with me to find the person running things, but no one made an appearance, 
    KIT DANCING FOR THE LADIES?
Still, the afternoon wasn’t a total loss. Rather than sit there doing nothing, I entertained the ladies with a little dancing. They enjoyed that quite a bit. So while I never got to see the movie, at least I managed to provide some live entertainment instead—chicka boom, Chicka boom-boom.
     
Then, as 3:00 p.m. approached, I noticed there was a Father’s Day Celebration featuring the Boomer Band. Curious, I headed downstairs right at 3:00. When I arrived, the band was still setting up their equipment, and only a handful of people had gathered to watch.
     
Rather than sit and wait, I returned to my room for a while. I’ll head back down later once things are underway. Sometimes that’s how life goes around here—you show up expecting the show to begin, only to discover that the opening act is watching people plug in microphones. Still, the afternoon is young, and there may yet be some music worth hearing.
      BOOM BOOM    
I went back to hear the band, hoping there might be a little wine to accompany the music. Sadly, the wine never appeared. I waited patiently, convinced it might make a dramatic entrance, but apparently it had found a better party. Oh well. The band showed up, the audience showed up, and the music played on, but the wine was a complete no-show.
The Boomer Band consisted of Vance on percussion and Kevin on keyboard. They performed a collection of oldies that clearly delighted many of the residents. Judging by the smiles, tapping feet, and enthusiastic applause around the room, they knew exactly what their audience wanted and delivered it well.
     
Unfortunately, their musical choices never quite connected with me. The performers were talented and doing their best, but the songs aimed at a generation even older than my own. Music is a personal thing, and while many in the room appeared to enjoy every tune, I found myself drifting further away with each song.
     
After listening for a while, I quietly slipped out and returned to my room. Sometimes an event can be well organized, well performed, and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone else—and still not be your cup of tea. As for me, I left still searching for both the wine and the entertainment.
     
How wonderful! Separately, I got a Happy Father’s Day call from my daughters, April and Jasmine. The call from April was a video call, so I got to see my Granddaughter, Penelope. I have the best daughters in the world.
   
>>>>>June 22
As I look out the window this morning, I see a bright blue sky stretching across the horizon. It’s a wonderful sight to greet the day and a reminder that every morning brings a fresh start. The sunshine is offering an invitation: get out there and make something happen.
      BUT WHERE WILL HE RUN TO?
For me, that something is running. I’ve been talking about it, thinking about it, and planning for it. Now it’s time to stop looking at the starting line and actually cross it. The sky is blue, the day is waiting, and my running shoes are ready. Today feels like a good day to take that first step—or, better yet, that first stride. Every journey begins somewhere, and this morning seems as good a place as any to begin.
     
Here is the schedule for today >>
10:00 Walking club.
10:3o Daily Chronicles & Chat.
11:00 Words within a word.
1:00 Meditation Monday.
1:30 Rosary Group.
2:00 Dear Abby Group.
2:30 A novel idea, book club.
3:00 Bingo time.
As you see, nothing for me today.
This gives me more time to write blog words for you.
     
I’m working on my juggling while sitting in my office chair on wheels. It is a pretty good setup. When I drop a ball, I can simply roll over and pick it up without getting up each time. That’s a small victory that makes practice a lot easier.
    JUGGLING
The good news is that the pattern is still there. Yes, I’m dropping some balls, but the rhythm and timing haven’t completely disappeared. In fact, it’s getting better each day. Progress may not be happening at lightning speed, but it is happening.
 
That’s encouraging. After everything my body and brain have been through over the years, any improvement is worth celebrating. Juggling has always been a game of persistence. The balls fall, you pick them up, and you try again.
      DROPS?
Nothing is really holding me back now—well, perhaps a few things. But compared to the obstacles I’ve faced before, a few dropped balls hardly seem worth worrying about. For now, I’ll keep rolling, keep practicing, and keep improving one throw at a time.
      LUNCH
Went to lunch and ate a tasty cheeseburger. While walking down the hallways to get to the elevator, a few people had their doors open. I looked in and saw several guys (mainly men here) sitting in their chairs, just watching TV like there was no tomorrow.