✨KITTING AROUND✨
BLOG 346–See All the Beauty Around You
A masterpiece each time? I try to.
Explore new corners, dive into your imagination.
Crank up the music and turn your living room into a dance floor.
Grab some oranges and juggle them right there in the grocery aisle.
Laugh so hard the walls shake and the neighbors start making up theories.
Life isn’t a zombie shuffle to bedtime—It’s a carnival waiting for you to join the parade!

I write, create, and share to inspire us to pause together, look at LIFE differently,
and grow taller on the inside. My mission is to show that living differently and
living better is not just possible—it’s essential.
                                                        ===============================
MY STORY IN A NUTSHELL (with Extra Sprinkles) :
‍♂️ Once upon a time, I was a world-class juggler. Spoiler: I still juggle—mostly joy.
Life tested me with curveballs: A 37-day coma, two truck accidents, and somehow I’m still smiling.
I spent six years living in a van, chasing sunsets and collecting memories in every U.S. national park.
Love found me, lost me, and then surprised me with a wedding on 2/22/22 at 2:22.
I’ve crisscrossed the globe, helping people rise higher than they thought possible (YOU!)
❤️ And here I am, still learning, still loving, still lighting sparks.
Because the story is never over—it just gets juicier.
Want a glimpse? Watch this >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc 

THIS IS THE STUFF THAT TURNS “JUST SURVIVING” INTO THRIVING.

THE PAST?   ☎️
The past is a wise old guide. Take its lessons, tip your hat, and keep walking forward.
History is there to help you; learn from what has occurred in your Life.
Because the road ahead is waiting, sparkling with possibility.
Smile, tip your hat, pocket the wisdom, and keep striding toward the horizon.
It’s a wise old storyteller, full of campfire tales and lessons whispered in the wind.
   
THE FUTURE?  
That’s a playful trickster.
It’s always sneaking up with surprises.
Don’t fear it — dance with it — it is playtime.
Shape it — Claim it — make it yours.
It arrives whether you’re ready or not … so why not be dazzling when it does?
     
AND THE PRESENT?   
Ah, this is your playground!
Throw glitter in the air.
Laugh so hard the moon takes notes.
Turn the ordinary into a disco ball and let it shine.
Make the ordinary sparkle like it’s wearing sequins.

“Here’s to chasing brilliance with reckless joy.
Blazing a trail that shimmers with possibility.
Sprinkling a little mischief along the way!”
—Kit Summers, your cosmic cheerleader

WHY I WRITE THIS BLOG?
✨Because life is a dazzling, untamed kaleidoscope—too vibrant, too quirky, too electric to keep to myself! Each post is a burst of ideas, stories, and hard-won wisdom, sparkling like confetti from epic adventures, glorious fumbles, and that stubborn spark that just won’t quit.
   
PROOF!
✨Every change I walk through is proof: I can adapt, I can rise, I can keep shaping life into something brighter. These shifts aren’t setbacks—they are upgrades, invitations to keep growing, to keep building a body and spirit that can carry me farther. You can do the same! 

I’VE MET CHANGE TOO MANY TIMES.
CHANGE DOESN’T SCARE ME ANYMORE.
EVERY SINGLE TIME, I COME OUT STRONGER!
     
Make any changes you can to improve your life!
Embrace change and use it as a tool to shape a more fulfilling life.

THE BEAM
Fear? That’s dead weight.
Courage is the fuel for living.
Change boldly. Aim for magnificence.
You don’t get a rerun of this life—so advance, evolve, reinvent.
I’m not some drill sergeant barking at you—I’m the flashlight buddy.

THE MAP?
Forget the stiff, folded kind.
Your’s is a wild canvas.
You weren’t built for beige.
You were wired for fizz.
For fireworks. 

Get ’em tiger! 

==================================
THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK >> 

My new friend, Brett, works at NR as a nurse, but his life has taken many other directions. He told me today about his website, https://www.brettarquette.com/. I am quite impressed with this person.
He said he works just two days a week here, mainly for the medical insurance coverage.

Jessica wrote this to me. How nice.
“Yours is the Best Blog on the planet.”
She is also an author, look her up.
http://www.jessicaetaylor.org

      .
In this current blog, many of the photos are mine.
I love traveling in the wilderness, and I have gone to every national park in the US.
I got to experience nature a lot (I write, with a smile on my face).
   
In this blog, you will find words about finding Beauty. Yes, every person sees things differently, but beauty is there. I have found beauty in my new love, Miyuki. We met through Facebook, and a great love has developed between us. You will learn more in the future.
   
As you see and make beauty in the world, you will never grow old. As you do that, your childhood life will come back. Involve that childhood wonder, and you will never have another care or worry, ever. As you see things differently, you still have that in your being.
    
You can find beauty in everything and anything.
You may need to change your view, but it is there. 
Including you, you are beautiful, never forget.

================================
BLOG 346–See All the Beauty Around You
     
The Art of Seeing Beauty

In my life, I pay attention to beauty—not as decoration, but as a lifeline.
I’ve learned to search for the fragile architecture of wonder hiding in plain sight:
the lacework of light through leaves,
the hush before a bird sings,
the small, exquisite things that whisper instead of shout.

I didn’t always live this way.
For years, I moved through the world like a ghost.
With my eyes half shut.
   
Every morning is a wild invitation—an open door to step through and start again.
And, you get this chance every day!
The sun doesn’t ask for permission to rise; it just does. So should you.
   
Joy isn’t something you wait to feel—it’s something you spark, like striking a match in your own chest. You create it through motion, curiosity, laughter, and even small acts of wonder.
Look for the beauty, it is there.
     
When you move toward what excites you,
The whole world leans in.
Every leaf turns your way.
Every flower smells more spectacular.
Every possibility hums louder.
     
So, stand taller today.
Smile for no reason.
Try the thing that scares you just enough to make your heart beat louder.
You are not behind; you are becoming.

    
For me, looking away was easier.

It was survival.
Facing the world is hard.
When life feels too loud, beauty hides behind a veil—and I let it.

But something changed when I set out to visit every national park in the continental U.S.

There, among mountains and deserts and endless skies, I relearned how to see.
Beauty is not a fixed address—it’s perspective.
          

To some, it’s a city skyline.

To me, it’s the wilderness—raw, unpolished, honest.

The real truth? We each build our own cathedral of beauty.
   
Start by noticing what already makes life beautiful—small things, quiet ones.
That noticing grows into gratitude, and gratitude reshapes the day.
A beautiful life isn’t a prize for getting everything right.
It’s a practice.
Keep wonder alive.
Stay curious–even about the ordinary.

Tend your inner garden.
Feed your mind with good stories, good thoughts.
Your body with movement, your heart with connection.
     
You are the gardener; plant the right seeds and make sure they are nourished.
As they grow, your life will grow.
Will your seeds become a tree, a flower, or a vegetable?

Create things. It doesn’t matter if they’re perfect—beauty lives in the making.
Let go often. Stuff, grudges, plans that calcify—release them. Beauty needs space.
Love wildly. People, places, ideas—let them know they matter.
    
And the truest thing: a beautiful life isn’t found.
It’s composed, one small, brave choice at a time.
You are the artist of your life — get to work!

START NOW TO DESIGN THE LIFE THAT YOU WANT!
YOU SEE, IT IS YOU WHO MAKES YOUR OWN WORLD.
SEE AND MAKE THE BEAUTY YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. 

Begin at home.
Shape your surroundings into a place that lifts you.
Let your walls hold memories that make you smile.
You deserve to wake each day somewhere that loves you back.

KEEP EVERYTHING, INCLUDING YOUR LIFE, CLEAN AND ORGANIZED.  

After my accident and the 37-day coma that rewrote my world,
I had to find beauty again—from the ground up.
There was still beauty there; I had to find it.
The climb back to life was steep and wild.

My coma wasn’t just an interruption.
It was a forced apprenticeship in surrender.
This strange intruder took so much from me.

Thirty-seven days where my body breathed but my will had to wait its turn.
I learned what survival sounds like when it’s silent.
I learned that the mind, even when broken,
Still hums with stubborn light.
That time still stretches differently when you’re not steering it.

Coming back—each blink, each twitch.
Each reclaimed memory was proof that consciousness isn’t all-or-nothing.
It’s a climb—a re-entry.
I woke into a life that had to be rebuilt piece by piece.

So, the lessons?
That fragility and strength can wear the same face.
That curiosity—the question “What else can I do?”—is oxygen.
The beauty hides in the most minor victories:
A muscle remembering, a thought returning, a laugh surfacing.

And the most humbling lesson: being alive is not a guarantee, it’s a daily invitation.
What lesson still echoes the loudest for me when I think back on those 37-days?
“Yes, you can make it back! Look for beauty and joy.”
But beauty met me halfway, in every sunrise and every kind hand.

Recovery taught me this:
When you’ve been to the edge and returned.
Every color seems brighter.
Every moment feels borrowed and precious.

A beautiful life isn’t luck—it’s craft.
It’s gratitude, connection, creativity, and care.
It’s choosing what aligns with your soul,
and letting the rest fall away like autumn leaves.

There was a time when fear narrowed my sight.
Now I know: beauty widens it.
Even in pain, there is texture.
Even in loss, there is light.
So, each day, notice something lovely >> 

A passing cloud.
The taste of rain.
A juggling ball while it flies.
The laughter of someone nearby.
Let beauty be your teacher, your mirror, your quiet prayer.

Tell someone they are beautiful–And Mean it.
Give them a good look.
Notice their spark, their eyes, their way of carrying the world.
You’ll see—the compliment loops back and fills you too.

Because when you genuinely start to see beauty.
You realize—it was never gone.
Only waiting for you to look again.
Remember, you are the one to bring beauty into your life.

=====WORDS AND QUOTES THAT SPARK====

Quotes aren’t just words on a page—they’re tiny lightning bolts, buzzing with wisdom and ready to jolt you awake. One line can flip your mood, widen your heart, or shove you off the couch and into a brand-new adventure.

A FEW SPARKS TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET >>
     
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful.
We must carry it with us or we find it not.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
   
“Beauty is not in the face.
Beauty is a light in the heart.”
~Kahlil Gibran
   
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful.
We must carry it with us or we find it not.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Beauty is not in the face.
Beauty is a light in the heart.”
~Kahlil Gibran
   
“The simple things are also the most extraordinary,
and only the wise can see them.”
~Paulo Coelho
   
“We’re afraid of pain–we all are.
But, all the good stuff–all the wisdom
And the courage we need to become the
people we need to be next–is actually
inside the pain.”
~Glennon Moyle Delton
   
“The broken will always be able to love harder than most.
Once you have been in the dark.
You learn to appreciate everything that shines.”
~Zachry K. Douglas
   
“Life will always be hard.
And life will also always be beautiful.”
~Cheryl Strayed
   
“Consider and act with reference to the proper ends of existence.
This world is but the vestibule of an immortal life.
Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.”
~Edwin Hubbell Chapin
   
“If you sense there must be more, there is more.”
~Alan Cohen
     
“Once you reach the summit of your own heart, you will see beauty is everywhere.”
~Bryant McGill
     
“Beauty is everywhere, a welcome guest.”
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
     
“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and the awful, it’s ordinary, mundane, and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living, heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
~L.R. Knost

STICK THESE QUOTES ON YOUR FRIDGE.
WHISPER THEM TO YOURSELF BEFORE BED.
PASS THEM ALONG TO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS THEM.
REMEMBER, WORDS ARE VITAMINS FOR THE SOUL.

MY DAILY JOTTINGS!
Upgrade your thoughts—watch your world glow brighter!
✨ Life can shift in an instant—sometimes all it takes is one bold thought.
Go ahead, craft your noble book, your masterpiece—why not a best-seller?
You are dazzling, brilliant, unstoppable—so step into the spotlight and shine your part!
The universe is cheering for you—so dream big, play big, and LIVE big!
Remember, no matter where you are, you can spin things around quickly.
️ Then race toward your wildest, most colorful dreams!                                                                                                  LOOK CLOSELY–THERE I AM
Chase awe like it’s oxygen and spill joy like it’s confetti.       
‍♂️Turn fear into a trampoline—you don’t dodge it, you bounce higher off it.
Step off the curb like it’s a stage. Rewrite the rules in neon.
⛓️ The world doesn’t need your half-versions, your safe edits.
☔ It requires your bold lines, your glittering messes, your full-throttle heart.
So—throw the ordinary a wink.
Playfulness isn’t frivolous; it’s rebellion.
Inspiration isn’t distant; it’s in your next breath.
   
10/11-Saturday drifted in slow and quiet—an empty stage between acts.

Brett Arquette showed up again, and for a moment, the air got brighter. I had him juggling, the rhythm just starting to click—one, two, three—and then poof, he got whisked away for something else. The scarves hit the floor, but hey, that’s juggling: sometimes gravity wins the round.
     
Usually, I am set up to go out on the big lawn out front to juggle, but the rains in Florida have been extensive since I arrived. Today, again, the grass is wet.
   
10/12–As I awoke, I strolled on into the front area, where I keep my trash. I forgot to bring the can into the bedroom, and, of course, it was emptied; only a quarter full, it was. It is minimal, but I hate waste; they wasted another trash bag. I will have to remember to bring it into the bedroom with me at night.
     
10/13 — Growth, Grounded in the Garden
From 10:30 to 11:00, I worked with Terrie in OT on our garden project. There’s something so grounding about tending to life and watching it grow—it’s therapy for both body and soul. Afterward, I focused on the visual search board. It’s designed to strengthen focus, impulse control, and precision. I needed strong structure and guidance here, but I could feel my control sharpening with each round—every small win matters.

10/14 — Finding Balance, Inside and Out ⚖️
This morning, Maryann and I worked on balance. You’d think walking a straight line would be easy—but my brain had other plans.
   
Every step reminded me how delicate the balance really is. We also tried a new machine that measures the pressure of each foot, like a mirror showing where my strength lies, and where it falters. I held steady longer than I expected—progress, quiet but real.
     
Later, I met with Lilly for speech therapy. That session hit home. We looked at memory again, and I couldn’t recall what I’d done yesterday. It stung. My thoughts seem to melt together like watercolor—beautiful but blurry. Lilly reminded me: Details anchor memory. The more I write, the more I describe, the stronger my recall becomes. I’m rebuilding, word by word.
“Knowing what you’re working on—and how you’re improving—is the most important thing.”
—Lilly’s reminder
     
Then I saw Sean, freshly awake from his coma. He just wanted to sleep. I remember that stage—your body heavy with the fog of survival, not yet ready for the brightness of living. Seeing him reminded me of how far I’ve come. Maybe not far enough for my liking, but far nonetheless.    
   
11am-Time for a game of Bingo. The grand clash of chance and chatter. Numbers popped like popcorn—B17! N32!—and I marked my card with the solemn precision of a Vegas pro.
I didn’t win.
Not even close.
But I did laugh at the drama of it all—grown adults gasping at an O-69 like it was divine revelation. Sometimes the point isn’t to win—it’s to wake up a quiet afternoon with a spark of ridiculous joy.
       
Maura—sorry I missed our 2:00.
Sounds like you were ready to dive into the same waves I’ve already been swimming through—memory, focus, control, all that good mind-muscle work.
     
That could be the thing about progress: it loops back. We circle familiar ground, but each time we arrive with a little more strength, a little more grace. So even if I missed today’s round, I’ll keep moving forward—curious, steady, ready for what’s next.
   
Lilly’s Notes (with a Spark!) ✨
Today, we dove into your document together, making sure you’re carrying over your memory strategies and building them into a daily habit. That’s the real goal — to strengthen your recall one detailed note at a time!
   
Remember: details are gold. The more specific you are about what you did and how you did it, the easier it becomes to remember and build on those steps next time. Think of it as planting little memory seeds that grow stronger each day.
     
Every sentence you write helps you connect the dots between what you’re learning, what’s working, and what can improve next. Keep at it — you’re training your brain to be sharper, clearer, and more powerful than ever.
   
10/15—Up early, as always.
   
At 9 a.m., I met with Lilly again. She offered a few ideas to help me remember things—like setting alarms on my phone or computer. Still, missing that 2:00 appointment with Maura yesterday gnaws at me a bit.
   
The afternoon brought sessions with Maura and Terrie. First came a sales flyer game—guessing prices for random items. Honestly? Pretty dull. Still, I played along. At one point, even Maura noticed the answers were wrong, and mine were right. Small victory there.
   
After that, I escaped outside to the garden. The plants looked thirsty, so I grabbed the watering can and gave them a good drink. They’ll need a hose extension soon—their roots are stretching, and they deserve a steady flow, not a trickle.
   
Then it was back to my room—my kingdom of words—and I started typing these for you. Truth be told, I don’t exactly love it here. But hey, this is my current chapter, so I might as well decorate the margins with a bit of sparkle.
   
Funny thing, though: Life’s like rearranging furniture in your mind. Don’t like the view? Move the couch. Hate the neighborhood? Build a treehouse somewhere else. You’re the author and the architect. The pen and the paintbrush are in your hands—so scribble, splash, rewrite, and make the world fit you, not the other way around.
 
One bright thread in the tapestry of being here is that I get to write this blog for you — to send little sparks of thought across the space between us. Every word I write reaches out like a hand through the fog, hoping to touch your life, to make you pause, smile, or see the world in a slightly different hue.
   
It’s not just writing; it’s breathing purpose into the quiet hours. It’s taking the ordinary — a morning sunbeam, a stray memory, a new idea — and shaping it into something that might stir your heart for a moment.
   
Being here gives me time — yes — but more than that, it gives me connection. Your reading these words is proof that even in stillness, life keeps moving, keeps shimmering. And that’s breathtaking.
     
10/16–Lilly swooped in like a tech angel with a halo made of USB cords and righteous determination. She breathed life back into my computer, coaxing it to talk again—literally! Now, with my headset perched snugly like a pilot about to take off, I’m cleared for takeoff on Runway Communication. ✈️
   
The first “hello?” that came through my speakers sounded like a choir of opportunity. Who knew a dial tone could feel like a standing ovation? Connection restored, world expanded—suddenly, I can reach anyone, anywhere. I might just call myself to celebrate (or call you!)
   
Meanwhile, from across the hall comes the soundtrack of another universe—the man whose cries rise and fall like waves crashing on the shore of his mind. Some days he’s a storm, other days a whispering breeze. I listen, not out of pity, but with wonder. We’re all tuning our instruments in this strange symphony of recovery. Some play jazz, some play noise, all of us trying to remember the melody of ourselves.
 
Then, life decided to test my flexibility—again. My dentist appointment performed a magic trick: poof! Moved from 1:30 to 10:30 without warning. One minute I’m sipping tea, the next I’m sprinting into oral destiny. A quick message to Myles, a dash of confusion, and somehow it all clicked into place. I still don’t know why I was even there. Maybe the universe just wanted to see if I could juggle time as well as clubs. (Spoiler: I can.) Sorry, I missed our appointment, Maryann. My teeth had other plans.
   
And yet—amidst the headset heroics, hallway operas, and dental time travel—something bright hums underneath it all. These tiny misadventures, stitched together, form a quilt of grace disguised as chaos. Maybe that’s what life really is: a series of oddball moments testing our ability to laugh, adapt, and keep our wonder alive.
   
So here’s to the beautiful mess. One headset, one shout, one temporal hiccup—and still, a good day. Because maybe the point isn’t to make sense of it all. Maybe it’s to keep dancing through the nonsense and calling it progress.
   
Today I saw Dr. Barinder Mahal. He is basically the on-call doctor for Neuro Restorative. I don’t see him very often; perhaps that’s a good thing.
         
10/17 — Slept until about 5 a.m.—that’s late for me! The world was already stirring when I opened my eyes, light just beginning to spread its quiet magic. I’ve always thought of sleep as a necessary pause, not a passion. My mind hungers for movement, ideas, and creation—dreaming with eyes open feels more my style. Still, I gave the night its due.
     
At 9 a.m., PT with Maryann, we continued the battle of balance—my daily dance with gravity. I wobbled, laughed, and kept going. Progress is slow, but it’s mine. We spoke about me getting out of here—a phrase that carries so much electricity. They still have their concerns about me being “out in the world,” which surprises me. For years since my accident, I’ve been out there—living, creating, thriving. I wonder what they’re afraid of. Change doesn’t scare me; stagnation does.
   
11:00 a.m.—Trivia Group was on the schedule. But the room stayed quiet, the remote went missing, and instead of waiting for something to happen, I took myself outside. The garden was calling. The air had that crisp, early-autumn freshness that wakes up every cell. The plants were stretching toward the sun, alive and growing—just like me.
     
Then, my eyes caught something that broke the spell—cigarette butts scattered on the ground. Such carelessness stings a bit. The earth gives us so much, and still some people treat it like a trash can. Smoking itself is fading away—good riddance—but the habit of disregard lingers. I picked up what I could. Little acts of respect matter.
   
Later, Marlene came by to clean my space. She moves like a quiet storm of order and polish. I already keep things tidy—my little den of thought and calm—but she leaves everything gleaming. The floors look like they’re waiting for a dance. Yet, I didn’t ask Marlene to dance.
   
All in all, a day of small glories: a late wake-up, a wobbly workout, a missing remote turned into a garden visit, and floors that shine like morning light. Not bad for a man who refuses to sleep his life away. ✨

 The Garden of Becoming  
The new garden I’m building will take center stage soon—
Watch it unfurl as green shoots rise and blossoms announce themselves.
You plant.
You nurture.
You harvest.
You begin again.
Each sprout is a whispered promise.
Each bloom, a standing ovation.
Each fallen leaf is a graceful bow to the cycle of renewal.
   
Why We Garden
1–It lifts your spirit and strengthens your confidence.
2–Your heart beats healthier for it.
3–Stress dissolves like dew in the morning sun.
4–Happiness takes root and spreads.
5–Your hands grow stronger, more capable.
6–Families bond over soil-stained fingers and shared meals.
7–Sunshine provides vitamin D and warmth to your bones.
8—Food you grow makes your body glow.
9–Neighbors meet, friendships sprout.
10–Families deepen together.
11–Communities connect, expand, and thrive.
12–Worries about hunger shrink as self-sufficiency grows.
     
Pulling a carrot from your own earth isn’t just food—it’s triumph wrapped in crunch. A declaration that patience, soil, and a little faith can produce flavors no store can sell. Sun-warmed tomatoes, basil perfuming your hands, strawberries gleaming like rubies beneath their crowns—miracles disguised as everyday bites.
   
And the enchantment doesn’t end outside. Indoors, life sneaks into any crack of light it can find. Herbs on the sill glow like emerald lanterns. Mason jars turn into miniature jungles. A stray pot of mint dares you to taste the freshness in your water glass seconds after plucking. Growth improvises, adapts, insists.
   
A salad bar sprouting within arm’s reach of your sink.
A curtain of green where once was bare glass.
And tiny jungles humming in corners of your home.
   
Growth never truly stops—it just shifts form. Begin with a pot, a box, a borrowed square of dirt. Watch what happens, not only to the soil, but to you as well. Because in caring for life, you’ll find your own edges softened, your clock slowed, your days reminded of this truth:
Life itself is one vast garden—unpredictable, abundant, forgiving.

My Next Chapters
I’m not winding down—I’m revving up.
I’ve got at least another hundred years of laughter, learning, and love in me.
The world is waiting for your story, too.
It’s time to write that book, launch that dream, or chase that adventure you’ve been postponing.
     
What’s your next spark?
Relax and see the beauty.
What’s your bold adventure this week?
What’s one bold thing you’ll do that makes you feel alive?
“Breathe. You’re still here. That’s enough reason to dance.”

YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK:
Make your living area more pleasant to be in.
Where you live is the most crucial place in your life.
Start now to make it MAGNIFICENT!
Watch out, I might peek in on you.
       
Next week >> BLOG 347–I Don’t Want to Die, Do You?

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

✨ KITTING AROUND ✨
BLOG 345–Do You Read or Just Look at Words?
A masterpiece each time? I try to.
Explore new corners, dive into your imagination.
Crank up the music and turn your living room into a dance floor.
Grab some oranges and juggle them right there in the grocery aisle.
Laugh so hard the walls shake and the neighbors start making up theories.
Life isn’t a zombie shuffle to bedtime—It’s a carnival waiting for you to join the parade!

I write, create, and share so that we can pause together, look at LIFE differently, and grow taller on the inside. My mission? To demonstrate that living differently and living better is not only possible—it’s essential.
     
My Story in a Nutshell (with Extra Sprinkles) :
‍♂️ Once upon a time, I was a world-class juggler. Spoiler: I still juggle—mostly joy.
Life tested me with curveballs: A 37-day coma, two truck accidents, and somehow I’m still smiling.
I spent six years living in a van, chasing sunsets and collecting memories in every U.S. national park.
Love found me, lost me, and then surprised me with a wedding on 2/22/22 at 2:22.
I’ve crisscrossed the globe, helping people rise higher than they thought possible (YOU!)
❤️ And here I am, still learning, still loving, still lighting sparks.
Because the story is never over—it just gets juicier.
Want a glimpse? Watch this >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc 

This is the Stuff that Turns “Just Surviving” into Thriving.

The past?
The past is a wise old guide. Take its lessons, tip your hat, and keep walking forward.
History is there to help you; learn from what has occurred in your Life.
Because the road ahead is waiting, sparkling with possibility.
Smile, tip your hat, pocket the wisdom, and keep striding toward the horizon.
It’s a wise old storyteller, full of campfire tales and lessons whispered on the wind.
   
The future?
That’s a playful trickster.
It’s always sneaking up with surprises.
Don’t fear it — dance with it — it is playtime.
Shape it — Claim it — make it yours.
It arrives whether you’re ready or not … so why not be dazzling when it does?
   
And the present?
Ah, this is your playground!
Throw glitter in the air.
Laugh so hard the moon takes notes.
Turn the ordinary into a disco ball and let it shine.
Make the ordinary sparkle like it’s wearing sequins.

“Here’s to chasing brilliance with reckless joy.
Blazing a trail that shimmers with possibility.
Sprinkling a little mischief along the way!”
—Kit Summers, your cosmic cheerleader

WHY I WRITE THIS BLOG?
✨ Life is a dazzling, untamed kaleidoscope—too vibrant, too quirky, too electric to keep to myself! Each post is a burst of ideas, stories, and hard-won wisdom, sparkling like confetti from epic adventures, glorious fumbles, and that stubborn spark that just won’t quit.
   
PROOF!
✨Every change I walk through is proof: I can adapt, I can rise, I can keep shaping life into something brighter. These shifts aren’t setbacks—they’re upgrades, invitations to keep growing, to keep building a body and spirit that can carry me farther. You can do the same! 

I’VE MET CHANGE TOO MANY TIMES.
CHANGE DOESN’T SCARE ME ANYMORE.
EVERY SINGLE TIME, I COME OUT STRONGER!
MAKE ANY CHANGES YOU CAN TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER!

      
THE BEAM
Change boldly. Aim for magnificence.
Fear? That’s dead weight.
Courage is the fuel for living.
You don’t get a rerun of this life—so advance, evolve, reinvent.
I’m not some drill sergeant barking at you—I’m the flashlight buddy.
   
THE MAP?
Forget the stiff, folded kind.
Your’s is a wild canvas.
You weren’t built for beige.
You were wired for fizz.
For fireworks.
==================================
THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK >> 

What a joy to write these words for you—each line anchors me and lights the path ahead. This practice doesn’t just fill my time; it fuels my spirit. And if these words can lift even one corner of your day, then every moment spent is priceless. I hope that what I share inspires, encourages, and reminds you of the strength you already possess. 
       
Usually, Saturday afternoons are my stage under the open sky. That little park across the street becomes my circus, my cathedral of motion. The grass waits patiently, the air hums with possibility—then thwack, a ball arcs, a rhythm begins. But lately? Florida’s been showing off its moody side. It rains about every day.
 
Talk about the weather, this is the kind of rain that starts with a whisper and ends with thunder’s applause. Not ideal for juggling. My props don’t like puddles. Still, I stand by the window, watching droplets dance, feeling that itch in my hands. Rain or shine, a juggler’s spirit doesn’t sit still—it spins. Maybe the next break in the clouds will be mine.
     
Mark Richards is still hard at work bringing my story to the world—turning my books into a movie that will light a spark in hearts everywhere.
If you’ve got ideas for Mark or would like to help make this dream reel a reality, he’d love to hear from you! You can reach him at mark.richards@booksidepress.com or call (657) 214-7675.

We’re also looking for investors who want to be part of something truly inspiring—a story about resilience, wonder, and the wild joy of coming back stronger.
   
And my teeth—oh boy. I still catch myself wondering what on earth possessed me to have all my lower ones yanked out. My sister didn’t mince words either—told me flat out, “You should’ve never done that.” Now every time I see one of those slick ads for “custom smile covers,” I can’t help but laugh (and wince).
 
Turns out I could’ve kept my teeth! But hey, no use crying over missing molars. What’s gone is gone. So I’ll live with it—and keep smiling wide enough to make up for the teeth that aren’t there.

BLOG 345–Do You Read or Just Look at Words
⚡Reading vs. Scanning — A Wake-Up Moment
There’s Kit—book in hand, eyes tracing words—then snap.
That spark of awareness strikes: “Am I really reading… or just looking at words?”
That single question flips the switch. The page stops being ink—it becomes oxygen.

Only a few books pull you clean through the paper,
Dissolve the walls, and rebuild yourself somewhere new.
“The Way of the Peaceful Warrior”, by Dan Millman, did that for me.
It wasn’t just a story—it was a compass pointing toward a fuller and better life.
Every reread hits me like quiet lightning: truth whispered in simple words—Wake up. Live deliberately!
   
Quotes from “The Way of the Peceful Warrior.”
“Release your struggle, let go of your mind, and throw away your concerns. Relax into the world. There’s no need to resist life; just do your best. Open your eyes and see that you are far more than you imagine. You are the world, you are the universe; you are yourself and everyone else, too!”
AND
“Peace comes when you stop trying to control the world around you and instead take responsibility for the world within you. The warrior has peace of mind because they know that there is always a way to find light, even in the midst of the greatest darkness.”

If you haven’t read it, treat yourself to this book.
You can find used copies for a low price.
(yes, all the words are still included!)
AbeBooks.com.
Find other books there, too.
     
Reading is beneficial because it enhances cognitive functions — memory, focus, and analytical thinking — and provides significant mental and physical health benefits. These can include stress reduction, improved sleep, and increased empathy and knowledge. It functions as a “workout” for the brain, keeping it active and healthy and potentially extending life.

Who would ever think Kit would write a book? (I’ve written 15 books to this point.) In addition to writing books, I have been writing regularly, maintaining this blog every Friday for over twenty years.
   
You have a lot to do before your eventual death.
Could one of those things be writing a book?     
A book to help others?
I say YES!
   
KIT THE BOOK WRITER/PUBLISHER
From Handwritten Dreams to Worldwide Hands

Let me take you back to where it all began—my first book, “Juggling with Finesse”. No fancy publisher, no big marketing machine—just raw passion, persistence, and a typewriter’s hum. What started as scribbles in my notebook became a self-published hit, selling over 25,000 copies worldwide, at about twenty bucks a pop.
     
Once, I lived in perfect rhythm—three clubs spinning through the air, five balls tracing invisible music. I’d climbed to the very top of my craft, a professional juggler dancing with gravity itself. Then came the fall—the crash. A 37-day period of silence is not typically considered a coma.

MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT THE SHOW WAS OVER. BUT I WASN’T DONE. 

When I wrote Juggling with Finesse, it wasn’t just a book—it was proof. Proof that even though my brain had taken a brutal hit, the knowledge, the timing, the pulse of juggling still lived inside me. Words became my new juggling act—each sentence a catch, each page a daring throw into possibility.
   
I learned to:
Write until the air around your words hum.
Write like you’re swinging an axe through fog.
Write like someone’s world might tilt because of your following line.

At the rehab center where I received therapy in 1982, they had a “word processor” (the precursor to the computer). I sat there and poured out every word, every technique, every spark of my juggling soul. Friends pitched in, editing line by line, and together we built something real.

I remembered from high school how to lay out a page with a T-square and a 90° angle. Old-school craftsmanship. I designed every single page by hand—marked where every photo, every drawing, every juggling trick would go. Then came the cover: my smiling face, because why hide behind your own work?

When the first shipment arrived—
All 3,000 of them.
A 275-page dream made real.
Packed full of photos and drawings.
This book made a difference.
My big book, 8.5″ x 11″, was alive.
Crisp. Gleaming. Massive.

I cracked open the box, as if it might hum.
And there it was—my vision—Juggling with Finesse.
No longer a whisper or a maybe,
but a mountain of pages breathing ink and promise.

The paper’s scent rose like nostalgia and adrenaline combined.
The weight in my hands was no longer just a book—
It was a pulse, a portal, a physical echo of belief.
Imagination had crossed the veil.
And I was holding the proof.

But books don’t sell themselves. So, I hustled. I mailed copies to reviewers and magazines, aiming for the stars. One day, Booklist—Yes, the national library review publication—featured it. Suddenly, libraries across America were ordering Juggling with Finesse. That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t just juggling words—I was juggling destiny.

“This thoroughly illustrated guide to the art of
Juggling is certainly well done…” — Booklist.

And I didn’t stop there. Fourteen more books followed: comedy for jugglers, performing tips, advanced tricks, and others—each one a love letter to the art form that shaped my life. I printed them myself, drilled holes in the pages, slid them into binder books, and sent them out into the world. DIY magic.

Now, I’m channeling that same unstoppable spirit into a new series: “Beyond Your Potential.” The first two of five books are done—each one a blueprint for living better, bolder, and more awake. I want this series to soar like Finesse did—only higher.

Because whether it’s juggling,
writing, or life itself…
The trick is the same:
Keep everything in motion.
     
READING REWIRES YOUR WHOLE BEING
✨ Mind • Body • Beyond ✨

MENTAL STRENGTH
Reading isn’t running away—it’s coming home.
Each line steadies the pulse, untangles the mind, and lets in fresh air.
Reduces stress: A good book is a long exhale after a noisy day.
Lifts your mood: Stories whisper, “hope still lives here.”
Expands empathy: You step into another Life—and your heart grows roomier.
Ignites creativity: Words collide, sparks fly, and suddenly—you’re inventing new worlds.
Deepens understanding: Every book adds another wing to your inner mansion.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS
When the mind softens, the body follows.
Every page you turn tells your nervous system, “you’re safe now.”
Lowers blood pressure: Stillness runs deeper than silence.
Improves sleep: Paper coaxes you to drift; screens demand your eyes.
Protects your brain: Reading keeps the gears greased—your lifelong armor against rust.

LIFELONG GROWTH
Curious people never truly age—they just grow wilder roots.
Sharpens focus: Attention is a muscle—books are its gym.
Strengthens language: The more words you hold, the more clearly you can shape reality.
Feed learning: Curiosity doesn’t fade—it multiplies.
Builds confidence: Finishing a book is proof—you can finish anything.

THE TAKEAWAY
Reading is not escape—it’s transformation.
Each page rearranges your chemistry.
Each story rewires your outlook.
Each sentence teaches your breath to trust again.
Each book you read will change you.

READ!
So when your eyes meet the words—
Let them touch you back.
Pause. Breathe them in.
Let the story tilt your world a few degrees toward wonder.
Because every book is a quiet revolution,
and you are the one turning the pages.

 SO—HOW CAN YOU FLIP TODAY FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY?

=====WORDS AND QUOTES THAT SPARK====

Quotes aren’t just words on a page—they’re tiny lightning bolts, buzzing with wisdom and ready to jolt you awake. One line can flip your mood, widen your heart, or shove you off the couch and into a brand-new adventure.

A FEW SPARKS TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET >>

“If a book is well written, I always find it too short.” ―Jane Austen.
“Some books are so familiar that reading them is like being home again.” ―Louisa May Alcott.
“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” ―Anna Quindlen
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” ―Stephen King
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” ―Garrison Keillor
To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” ―Victor Hugo
“I declare, after all, there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!—When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ―Jane Austen
“Books are the mirrors of the soul.”―Virginia Woolf.
“I can survive well enough on my own—if given the proper reading material.” ―Sarah J. Maas.

STICK THESE QUOTES ON YOUR FRIDGE.
WHISPER THEM TO YOURSELF BEFORE BED.
PASS THEM ALONG TO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS THEM.
REMEMBER, WORDS ARE VITAMINS FOR THE SOUL.

MY DAILY JOTTINGS!
Upgrade your thoughts—watch your world glow brighter!
✨ Life can shift in an instant—sometimes all it takes is one bold thought.
Go ahead, craft your noble book, your masterpiece—why not a best-seller?
You are dazzling, brilliant, unstoppable—so step into the spotlight and shine your part!
The universe is cheering for you—so dream big, play big, and LIVE big!
Remember, no matter where you are, you can spin things around quickly.
️ Then race toward your wildest, most colorful dreams!
Chase awe like it’s oxygen and spill joy like it’s confetti.
‍♂️Turn fear into a trampoline—you don’t dodge it, you bounce higher off it.
Step off the curb like it’s a stage. Rewrite the rules in neon.
⛓️ The world doesn’t need your half-versions, your safe edits.
☔ It requires your bold lines, your glittering messes, your full-throttle heart.
So—throw the ordinary a wink.
Playfulness isn’t frivolous; it’s rebellion.
Inspiration isn’t distant; it’s in your next breath.
   
10/4–Saturdays here are slow-motion days. No therapy sessions, barely a ripple of activity—just time stretching, daring me to fill it with something of my own making.
   
Across the hall, a man moans and groans endlessly. At first, it’s unsettling, but I’ve come to hear something human in it—an echo of struggle, a reminder that life, even damaged, still insists on being lived. This place can feel like an asylum, yes—but also like a strange sanctuary for persistence.
     
The meals? Surprisingly good. The kitchen crew knows my story—missing lower teeth and all—and makes sure I can still enjoy real food. Today’s lunch was comfort disguised as simplicity: crisp fried chicken, bright vegetables, and a baked potato that somehow tasted like optimism.
   
And now, Forrest Gump flickers to life—an old friend in motion. His voice rolls out, that famous drawl: “Life is like a box of chocolates…” I grin. Yep, Forrest, still right. Even here, even now, you never quite know what flavor’s next. I lean back, tasting the line like caramel on the tongue, realizing—my life’s been one wild, surprising sampler. Some bites are sweet, some a little bitter, all unforgettable.
   
10/5– Rain Again, But Not My Spirit. Rain drums on the roof like an impatient drummer, the lawn outside slick and shining. No juggling there today—the clubs would slip, the grass would bite. And across the hall, the man continues to moan and cry, a sound like ghosts wandering. Some mornings this place feels less like rehab and more like a halfway house for lost minds. But I’m still here, awake, choosing.
     
1 A.M. — Wide Awake
I woke at 1 a.m., eyes open like windows. The world was a sleeping giant; only I was awake, listening. Funny how silence at that hour roars louder than traffic. Nights like this don’t happen often anymore. But when they do, they whisper, “Write. Don’t waste time.”
   
Finding Fire in the Quiet
One bright truth about this brain rehab center is that it gives me time to reflect: time to sharpen my craft, time to write, and time to build this blog. Writing has become my current obsession, the engine that keeps me from drifting.
   
Passion as Your Future.
What’s your lifeline?
Your fire?
Your passion?
Everyone should have something that drags them out of the gray and into the vivid. For me, this blog is it. When I latch onto a passion, I don’t just dabble; I dive in. I go all in. I build, polish, and push until it glows.
     
❤️‍Starting with juggling.
I was able to build the skill into a passion.
Then recovery was my next drive.
Then book writing.
Next was salsa. (see https://www.summerssalsa.com/.)
And now this blog.
     
⚒️Your passions.
To discover your passions, follow the pulse of what makes you come alive.
Start with the small things—the moments that make you lose track of time, the subjects that light up your curiosity, the activities that pull you back again and again.
   
Once you find them, let them consume you in the best way.
Feed them. Chase them. Build your life around them.
Let that spark grow until it becomes a steady, blazing flame that warms every corner of your world.
     
Few people ever truly find what sets their soul on fire.
But you can. You must.
Because when passion takes the wheel,
life stops being something you manage—
And starts being something you dance with.
     
⚡ The Invitation
Just like life, this blog continues to evolve—more vibrant, more nuanced, more daring. I hope you’ll stay with me as it grows. Because this is more than words on a screen; it’s a living experiment in resilience, in art, in refusing to fade.
   
10/6 — A Monday in Motion
The place woke up buzzing before sunrise. By 9 a.m., I was out with the walking group, led by Maryann—half a mile of movement and mischief. I jogged, walked backward, and even turned the stroll into a mini cleanup mission, scooping bits of trash into the bag I’d brought. Motion with purpose—why just walk when you can improve the path?
 
At 9:30, I had my half-hour with Dino. No plan, no exercises, just talk. Maybe not a breakthrough session, but sometimes conversation itself is rehab—a reminder that connection still counts.
   
Then, at 10:00, Terrie took me to Publix for supplies for tomorrow’s grand experiment: Kit’s Lasagna Extravaganza (yes, that’s what I’m calling it). It’s all under OT (occupational therapy), technically—but to me, it’s about reclaiming ordinary life, one delicious layer at a time.
   
Meanwhile, others were tossing beanbags at holes on a board—a game they call “sports.” I’ll pass. There’s a line between play and passivity, and I try to stay on the living side of it. There are better ways for people to advance their minds and lives than throwing beanbags.
     
That spark you’re describing—education fused with passion and play—that’s where real healing and learning live. Systems tend to calcify; repetition becomes ritual instead of rhythm. But what are you picturing? That’s life pulsing back into the work.
     
A therapy lab of sorts:
Weekly Brainstorms: Practitioners exchanging experiments like recipes—one brings movement, another brings art, someone else music or storytelling.
Guest Instigators: Coaches or creatives who drop in just to unsettle the routine, to remind everyone what “possible” feels like.
Recovery as Exploration: Less “fixing” and more “discovering what else I can do with this body, this mind, this moment.”
       
You’re seeing the gap between structure and spark.

Maybe that’s your cue—to become the firestarter inside the system rather than waiting for one to arrive. What’s one experiment you’d introduce tomorrow if no one could say no?
   
Rehab doesn’t have to be babysitting. It can be a renaissance.
Innovation could turn therapy from repetition into revolution.
   
At 2:30, Maryann had me working on balance on the parallel bars. She noticed that I still tilt my head to the left when I stand. It’s a small thing—but every tilt corrected is a piece of my compass realigned. Step by step, layer by layer—like lasagna—this life rebuilds itself. My balance was horrendous; I was surprised.
           
10/7—Woke early again, the quiet hour when the world hasn’t decided what mood it’s in yet. I reached straight for the keyboard—well, write away—and dove into the blog. That rhythm of editing, reshaping, sharpening—it’s like polishing a mirror until the truth shines through. Good writing is just rewriting until the heart beats louder on the page.
 
This discovery — ChatGPT — has become my favorite co-conspirator in the creation process. It nudges, refines, challenges—and I love the spark it adds. Feels like finding a new color in my palette.
   
This morning, the halls are still, eerily so. 6:45 a.m. and not a sound. It’s strange, like I’m the last human in a paused world. Maybe that’s the secret gift of quiet—it makes your own pulse sound like music.
   
Later, the dentist. Lower denture fitting today is a temporary bridge to a more permanent solution. Bright white teeth? Tempting, but no—I want something that smiles like life, not porcelain. I’ll choose warmth over flash any day.
   
The walk is short — just a few blocks — but they still say I can’t go alone. I’ve trekked across continents on two strong legs, crossing deserts, cities, and oceans alone on my two feet. But here, a few blocks require permission. Freedom feels smaller these days, but my will hasn’t shrunk an inch. That will change. It must.
   
Then came a message from Julia. My heart lifted. We keep weaving our story across miles—her words, my pulse. I love this woman, deeply, fiercely, with that quiet certainty that doesn’t ask for proof.
     
Therapy today involves making lasagna with Terrie from OT. Fine—I’ll stir and simmer—but my hunger is for more: more movement, more sweat, more challenge. I want to rebuild not just muscles but momentum. Cooking lessons won’t do that.
     
So, who holds the key to more? And maybe—just maybe—it’s me.

10/8—By 8:32, I was already wide awake and buzzing, ready to make something happen. I’d been up since 4 a.m.—the world still dark, quiet, mine to think and plan in.
 
At 9:00 a.m., therapy was scheduled to begin. Keyword: supposed. We kicked off at 9:22 instead. Maura led us through word-guessing games—easy stuff for me. Then came Uno. A card game dressed up as therapy. Felt more like a coffee break with cards than brain training.
   
Later, a session with Lilly—now that woke me up. She asked me to recall what I did yesterday … and my mind went blank. Nothing. Gone. Reading my own notes to remember what I’d already written—now that hit hard. Memory, my old friend, had wandered off. It’s remarkable to realize how much of who we are is tied to what we can remember.
   
And yet—memory is being used to fence me in. They say it’s why I can’t go out alone. I, who once roamed continents with only a backpack and a grin. To be told to stay put? That doesn’t sit right. Freedom has always been my oxygen.
     
In the afternoon, Maryann and I crossed over to the park for club juggling practice. I’ll be honest—”dismal” fits. My hands remembered pieces, but not the whole dance like an old song half-forgotten. Still, each throw was a small rebellion: a reminder that the rhythm is still in there somewhere, waiting.
   
Then came the curveball—no PT this afternoon. No explanation, just poof. Perhaps someone canceled, or maybe the universe hit pause. Either way, I’m not here to coast. I came to grow sharper, stronger, freer.
   
Today is my sister Kath’s (aka, Willow) birthday, and so I gave her a call. She will be going on a trip to Mexico City; she is excited about this. She’s doing this through a travel bureau, her first of this sort. The plans sound fantastic.  Thank you again, Kath, for your past help.
   
Tomorrow? New day. I’ll show up again—maybe not remembering everything, but remembering why.
       
10/9—As you know, I’ve been teaming up with ChatGPT lately.
It smooths out my words before I send them flying into the world.
   
Last night, lightning struck—a spark, clean and mischievous:
“Write a three-line poem about juggling.”
The muse didn’t hesitate. She tossed back—
     
“Three balls in the air, and the world slows down,
Gravity grins, a sly co-conspirator,
I dance with chaos—and call it control.”
   
Not bad, huh?
A wink from the universe.
   
I was up by 4 a.m.—that hush-hour when the world exhales, when dreams dissolve and ideas come stretching, barefoot and curious. The halls are silent, reverent even. Everyone’s doors are shut tight. Mine? Wide open. Always. Just in case a bit of life—or you—comes wandering through.
   
Only two therapies today.
Makes me question, sometimes, why I’m still here.
   
9 to 10 with Lilly, Speech Therapy. She asked again what I’d done yesterday. And again, my mind reached and found only mist. Memory—my old juggling partner—dropping clubs I didn’t know I’d thrown.
   
But then, at 11, the garden called.
Hands deep in soil, sun spilling across my shoulders, worms doing their quiet work—ah, that’s the real therapy. The kind that roots you back into being alive.
   
Nothing planned after that.
So I didn’t plan.
And that’s the point. Some days, stillness is rebellion.
Some days, not doing is its own form of doing.
And on those days, even chaos needs to rest its hands.
       
10/10 — The world wakes before dawn for me.
At 3:33 a.m., I was already alive to the quiet—
that rare hour when even the air holds its breath,
waiting to see what you’ll do with it.
   
By 9:00, I was in the garden with Terrie, the sun stretching awake with us.
She clutched the plant directions like a sacred text: “Twelve inches apart.”
I grinned. I’ve grown hundreds of successful tomato plants—rebellious, radiant things—
And none of them ever asked a packet for permission.
I trust dirt more than directions. Eight inches, twelve—life will find its own math.
   
Later, I learned the day’s “lesson” was about following directions.
Therapy, they call it.
But if you already know how to do something.
Why obey a smaller version of wisdom?
Why kneel to a rule that never met your experience?
   
Too many here worship the manual.
Therapists—kind hearts, tight collars—cling to the safety of procedure.
But healing doesn’t bloom in compliance; it blooms in curiosity.
I’ve dropped hints, planted ideas, turned the soil for something wilder.
The ground is willing. The gardeners, not yet.
     
My therapy lineup today was simple:
Terrie at nine among roots and laughter,
then Lilly at 11:30 for speech.
By noon, I left her room wearing a scolding like a medal.
   
She wants me to write with sharper details, to name the moments.
I’d love to—but memory, that slippery friend,
just smiles and ducks out the back door.
Still, she means well.
And she’s right in her way.
I’ll bend toward her lesson—but never fold flat.
     
Lilly, you want more words.
Sometimes silence is the sentence.
And what haunts me most—
There’s so much potential here,
people who could change lives if they’d only
dare to color outside the lines.

 The Garden of Becoming
The new garden I’m building will take center stage soon—
Watch it unfurl as green shoots rise and blossoms announce themselves.
You plant.
You nurture.
You harvest.
You begin again.
Each sprout is a whispered promise.
Each bloom, a standing ovation.
Each fallen leaf is a graceful bow to the cycle of renewal.
   
Why We Garden
1–It lifts your spirit and strengthens your confidence.
2–Your heart beats healthier for it.
3–Stress dissolves like dew in morning sun.
4–Happiness takes root and spreads.
5–Your hands grow stronger, more capable.
6–Families bond over soil-stained fingers and shared meals.
7–Sunshine provides vitamin D and warmth to your bones.
8—Food you grow makes your body glow.
9–Neighbors meet, friendships sprout.
10–Families deepen together.
11–Communities connect, expand, and thrive.
12–Worries about hunger shrink as self-sufficiency grows.
     
Pulling a carrot from your own earth isn’t just food—it’s triumph wrapped in crunch. A declaration that patience, soil, and a little faith can produce flavors no store can sell. Sun-warmed tomatoes, basil perfuming your hands, strawberries gleaming like rubies beneath their crowns—miracles disguised as everyday bites.
   
And the enchantment doesn’t end outside. Indoors, life sneaks into any crack of light it can find. Herbs on the sill glow like emerald lanterns. Mason jars turn into miniature jungles. A stray pot of mint dares you to taste the freshness in your water glass seconds after plucking. Growth improvises, adapts, insists.
   
A salad bar sprouting within arm’s reach of your sink.
A curtain of green where once was bare glass.
And tiny jungles humming in corners of your home.
   
Growth never truly stops—it just shifts form. Begin with a pot, a box, a borrowed square of dirt. Watch what happens, not only to the soil, but to you as well. Because in caring for life, you’ll find your own edges softened, your clock slowed, your days reminded of this truth:
Life itself is one vast garden—unpredictable, abundant, forgiving.

My Next Chapters

I’m not winding down—I’m revving up.
I’ve got at least another hundred years of laughter, learning, and love in me.
The world is waiting for your story, too.
It’s time to write that book, launch that dream, or chase that adventure you’ve been postponing.
     
What’s your next spark?
What’s your bold adventure this week?
What’s one bold thing you’ll do this week that makes you feel alive?
“Breathe. You’re still here. That’s enough reason to dance.”

YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK:
Select a book to read and immerse yourself in it.
Let the book take over your mind.
Remember — FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS
       
Next week >> BLOG 346–See all on the Beauty Around You!

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

✨ KITTING AROUND ✨
BLOG 344–Every Day, Pretend it is Your Last Day Alive
Explore new corners, dive into your imagination.
Crank up the music and turn your living room into a dance floor.
Grab some oranges and juggle them right there in the grocery aisle.
Laugh so hard the walls shake and the neighbors start making up theories.
Life isn’t a zombie shuffle to bedtime—It’s a carnival waiting for you to join the parade!

I write, create, and share so that we can pause together, look at LIFE differently, and grow taller on the inside. My mission? To demonstrate that living differently and living better is not only possible—it’s essential.
     
My Story in a Nutshell (with Extra Sprinkles) :
‍♂️ Once upon a time, I was a world-class juggler. Spoiler: I still juggle—mostly joy.
Life tested me with curveballs: A 37-day coma, two truck accidents, and somehow I’m still smiling.
I spent six years living in a van, chasing sunsets and collecting memories in every U.S. national park.
Love found me, lost me, and then surprised me with a wedding on 2/22/22 at 2:22.
I’ve crisscrossed the globe, helping people rise higher than they thought possible (YOU!)
❤️ And here I am, still learning, still loving, still lighting sparks.
Because the story is never over—it just gets juicier.
Want a glimpse? Watch this >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc 

✨Lessons From the Road ✨
The past?
It’s a wise old guide.
Take its lessons, tip your hat, and keep walking forward.
Because the road ahead is waiting, sparkling with possibility.
Smile, tip your hat, pocket the wisdom, and keep striding toward the horizon.
It’s a wise old storyteller, full of campfire tales and lessons whispered on the wind.
   
The future?
That’s a playful trickster.
It’s always sneaking up with surprises.
Don’t fear it — dance with it.
Shape it — Claim it.
It arrives whether you’re ready or not … so why not be dazzling when it does?
   
And the present?
Ah, this is your playground >>
Throw glitter in the air.
Laugh so hard the moon takes notes.
Turn the ordinary into a disco ball and let it shine.
Make the ordinary sparkle like it’s wearing sequins.

The Stuff that Turns “Just Surviving” into Thriving.
“Here’s to chasing brilliance with reckless joy.
Blazing a trail that shimmers with possibility.
Sprinkling a little mischief along the way!”
—Kit Summers, your cosmic cheerleader

WHY I WRITE THIS BLOG?
✨ Life is a dazzling, untamed kaleidoscope—too vibrant, too quirky, too electric to keep to myself! Each post is a burst of ideas, stories, and hard-won wisdom, sparkling like confetti from epic adventures, glorious fumbles, and that stubborn spark that just won’t quit.
   
PROOF!
✨Every change I walk through is proof: I can adapt, I can rise, I can keep shaping life into something brighter. These shifts aren’t setbacks—they’re upgrades, invitations to keep growing, to keep building a body and spirit that can carry me farther. You can do the same!
   

I’VE MET CHANGE TOO MANY TIMES.
CHANGE DOESN’T SCARE ME ANYMORE.
EVERY SINGLE TIME, I COME OUT STRONGER!
MAKE ANY CHANGES YOU CAN TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER!

       
THE BEAM
Change boldly. Aim for magnificence.
Fear? That’s dead weight.
Courage is the fuel for living.
You don’t get a rerun of this life—so advance, evolve, reinvent.
I’m not some drill sergeant barking at you—I’m the flashlight buddy.
   
THE MAP?
Forget the stiff, folded kind.
Your’s is a wild canvas.
You weren’t built for beige.
You were wired for fizz.
For fireworks.
==================================
THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK >> 

✨ Here’s your cue:
✨ Say yes to the encore.
✨ Step out. Make it blaze!
✨ Let your story sparkle louder.
✨ Your Life is waiting for its next showstopping twist.
✨Make your next chapter a firework that refuses to fizzle.

BLOG 344–Every Day, Pretend it is Your Last Day Alive!
“Every Sunrise, Treat It Like Your Grand Finale — and Go Out in Fireworks.”
   
Live With Fierce Intention
Every dawn, stare down your day and ask: If these were my final hours, would I dare waste them? Don’t shuffle through—choose boldly. Live like the clock is roaring in your ear, demanding you act. Remember that the clock never stops. 

Prioritize Your People
Don’t just recognize who matters—show them. Speak the words you’ve swallowed. Pour gratitude like gasoline and watch your bonds ignite into something unforgettable. Tomorrow isn’t promised, but right now is burning hot in your hands. Move forward with this heat. 

Don’t Trip Over Pebbles
If you live each day as if it were your last, you won’t get tangled in petty drama or waste energy on bruised egos. Life’s too short to trip over small pebbles when there are mountains to climb. When the clock feels finite, you laser in on what actually matters. That’s the real heart of the saying.

What It Really Means
Living each day as if it were your last doesn’t call for recklessness—it’s a call to aliveness. Prioritize your tasks and your people. Chase the passions that set your chest on fire. Savor the ridiculous miracle of being alive in the first place. Find the drive in you and push it! 

⚡ How to Live It Boldly
Say the words you’ve been holding back—gratitude, love, forgiveness, wild dreams.
Take risks that scare you a little. Fear is a compass, not a cage.
Laugh harder. Dance bigger. Create louder.

The Encore Mindset
Be honest—with yourself, with others. Give your best effort as if the curtain’s about to fall. Then bow out knowing you didn’t leave the stage half-sung. Every sunrise is your standing ovation. Step into it. You only have a limited number of sunrises — START NOW!
   
️ Push Yourself
Instead of just getting through the day, play with it. Crank your morning like it’s a festival opener. Test your courage with a silly dare. Turn a trip to the store into a juggling act, a sidewalk into a stage, or dinner into an experiment gone gloriously right. Play in life!

Clay?
Every moment is raw clay—soft, waiting for fingerprints.
Shape it. Smash it. Start again.
Play with your clay.
The only wrong move is not touching it at all.
     
Joy Spreads Fast.
Your laughter ricochets.
Your courage sparks others.
Your glitter makes the whole room shine brighter.   

️ SO—HOW CAN YOU FLIP TODAY FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY?

=====WORDS AND QUOTES THAT SPARK====

Quotes aren’t just words on a page—they’re tiny lightning bolts, buzzing with wisdom and ready to jolt you awake. One line can flip your mood, widen your heart, or shove you off the couch and into a brand-new adventure.
           
A FEW SPARKS TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET >>
     
Steve Jobs: “If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right. Every morning I look in the mirror and ask myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?'”
   
Ray Charles  —  “Live each day like it’s your last, ’cause one day you’re gonna be right”

Oprah Winfrey — “Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift”.
   
Marcus Aurelius — “Do every act of your life as if it were your last”
   
Elton John.—”Live for each second without hesitation”
     
Mae West—”You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough”
   
Randy Pausch  —  “I am going to keep having fun every day I have left, because there is no other way of life. You just have to decide whether you are a Tigger or an Eeyore”.
   
Marcus Aurelius  —  “Do every act of your life as if it were your last”.
   
Seneca  —  “Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life”.
He also wrote, “The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today.

And,  “Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life”
And, “The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today.”
   
Eleanor Roosevelt– “The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
     
Jennifer Burger – “Life needs to be experienced fully, not only in its sweetest, easiest moments. This is what mindfulness is all about—being here and now, with pure awareness of our experiences.”
   
Leo Babauta – “Be a curator of your life. Slowly cut things out until you’re left only with what you love, with what’s necessary, with what makes you happy.”
   
Maya Angelou –”If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” 

STICK THESE QUOTES ON YOUR FRIDGE.
WHISPER THEM TO YOURSELF BEFORE BED.
PASS THEM ALONG TO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS THEM.
REMEMBER, WORDS ARE VITAMINS FOR THE SOUL.

MY DAILY JOTTINGS!
Upgrade your thoughts—watch your world glow brighter!
✨ Life can shift in an instant—sometimes all it takes is one bold thought.
Go ahead, craft your noble book, your masterpiece—why not a best-seller?
You are dazzling, brilliant, unstoppable—so step into the spotlight and shine your part!
The universe is cheering for you—so dream big, play big, and LIVE big!
Remember, no matter where you are, you can spin things around quickly.
️ Then race toward your wildest, most colorful dreams!
Chase awe like it’s oxygen.
⚡ Spill joy like it’s confetti.
‍♂️Turn fear into a trampoline—you don’t dodge it, you bounce higher off it.
Step off the curb like it’s a stage. Rewrite the rules in neon.
☔ The world doesn’t need your half-versions, your safe edits.
☔ It requires your bold lines, your glittering messes, your full-throttle heart.
So—throw the ordinary a wink.
Playfulness isn’t frivolous; it’s rebellion.
Inspiration isn’t distant; it’s in your next breath.
   
9/27 — I just went out to do some club juggling and running. Neither did very well.
A few months ago, I performed significantly better than I do now.
I will have to find more stuff to help with my asthma.
Give up juggling and running?
That would be hard.
Makes me sad.
   
I’m also trying to learn investing through my new friend, Julia. I did terribly at that, too. This is a woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, but I am really down on myself. Currently, I am not enjoying life much at all.
=====================
9/28 —Today I stepped outside again with my clubs, ready to juggle and run. It wasn’t my finest day. A few months back, I was flying — Juggling was going better. My lungs, hmm, tug at me now, my body whispers limits. Asthma is a tricky dance partner. But I’m not done learning the steps.
         
A quirk of mine: whenever I write about juggling, I always pair the number with the prop. Three clubs is 3 clubs. 15 balls. Not “fifteen balls,” but 15 balls. A little precision in the poetry. Numbers matter. They dance too. (Will you be the first to juggle 15 balls?)
     
Giving up juggling and running?
That’s not a door I’m eager to close.
These aren’t just hobbies; they’re part of my heartbeat.
   
Meanwhile, Julia — my bright new guide into the world of investing — is teaching me lessons of numbers and patience. My first tries have been clumsy. I’ve stumbled. But I’m still in the room, still learning. I have yet to tell her I have no interest in screenshots or investing right now.
 
When we are together, the idea will take hold of me, bringing success in investing.
I want to do what pleases her, but it must also please me.
Currently, I am taking care of myself and trying to maximize the benefits of where I am now >>
https://www.brainline.org/resource/neurorestorative-florida-avalon-park.
   
I’ll be honest: Life doesn’t feel like fireworks right now. But this may be the in-between moment before the next burst—the lull before the lift-off. I’m writing it down here, not to complain but to remind myself: every dip, every misstep, is part of the story worth telling. And the story isn’t over.    
   
Juggling invited me to go outside and throw things around, but the rain said no.
Nice, sunny Florida?
I say no, it is not.
The rain has been falling often since I moved here.
   
9/29—Adventures in Trash, Therapy, and Clubs ‍♂️✨
Most nights, I haul my trash can into the bedroom like it’s a VIP guest. Why? To save a bag, of course. Waste drives me nuts—especially when there’s hardly anything in the trash bag. But last night? I forgot. Gasp! A lonely bag sacrificed itself to the trash gods. Not cool. Resources matter, even in the tiny things.
 
Last week was lighter in terms of therapy sessions.
Which means less driving but more time to dedicate to this blog.
Silver lining? Yes.
   
And then there’s Julia. Our messages are growing like vines—green, reaching, alive. There’s an affection budding between us, strong but uncertain, full of mystery and maybe’s. I want to be with her, oh yes. But first? I’m still in the rehab hospital, piecing myself back together, one session at a time.
   
OT with Terrie
She put me on the “hunt-and-peek” board—a giant 4’x5′ screen of flashing dark dots. You get seconds to spot and tap them. I compared this before to Wake-a-Mole. I’m not exactly a fan. Terrie knows this. I endure it anyway.
   
Speech with Dino
Then Dino shows up, walking me back to my room like a wingman with stories. He thinks I should republish Juggling with Finesse. Imagine—sales soaring again! Over 25,000 copies already out there, hands juggling, hearts inspired. Maybe it’s time for round two.
   
PT with Maryann
The clock ticked toward 2 pm. With Maryann, I tried some club juggling. It was … well … not a pretty sight. 3 clubs became chaotic. My past self could juggle 7 clubs with finesse. Now? I’m stunned by how clumsy I’ve become. But hey—that shock means the spark is still alive. Improvement is possible.
   
She suggested we go to my room so I could show her my new exercises. She made some good suggestions that I will be implementing. Then we went outside for a walk. A wise lady she is, I’ve gained much from her.
   
9/30—Because I am taking a drug to help me sleep, it worked, awakening about 4 am, that’s a long sleep for me. Right away, I came to work on this blog, moving things and editing, and perhaps removing something because it wasn’t the perfect message.
   
I am not paid to write my blog; I do it for you and for me. Getting these words together is a tremendous help in my life. While I enjoy writing, I work on this blog to make it perfect each time, as well as to ensure that each post is unique. Have you noticed?
 
You can never say that you are bored and have nothing to do. Start your own blog today. Have you thought about starting yours? I am here to help; let me know. Boredom should not be part of your vocabulary. Go out and clean something if you have nothing to do.
   
The doors on the apartments are set up to close automatically. I dislike being behind a closed door, so I bought a stopper to prevent the door from closing. There is also Marlene, who comes to clean the place about once a week. However, I do keep my place very tidy, so there isn’t much cleaning to do here.
 
10:30–Every week, a group goes out for a walk in the area, usually covering about a half-mile. Today, it was only John and me with Maryann. From the past, I learned that I should have a bag with me to pick up any rubbish I see. We could do something while we are out on our tour.
       
At 11 am, there is a group called the Yoga Group. It is basically stretching, which I do in my room on my padded rug. So I don’t attend this group. I do enjoy connecting with people, but I also have other groups to attend. However, this group is not my cup of tea (green tea, I drink two huge cups a day).
   
So, the only therapy group today will be Dino and speech at 1:30. I’m unsure who to contact about setting up additional therapy sessions, but it needs to be done. As I’ve written, I want to get as much out of this place as I can.
   
A strange feeling has come over me; I have no interest in juggling. This skill has been such a massive part of my life throughout, but right now, I don’t care. My current focus is on writing this blog and striving for excellence with my words. Does it show?
   
I’ve just realized that there is so much more to life than just juggling. That I can no longer juggle has been heartbreaking. The absence of laughter from audiences, the skill that I miss so much, is the main thing I’ve known in my life. All fading away from my body and my mind.
   
What’s next for Kit? The thought deadens me. I have at least 40 more years in front of me. Where will I go, what will I become? I plan to live beyond the age of 100. Who will join me on this epic journey of aging? For the future, I look forward to welcoming Julia into my life, as she brings me joy.
 
I am dropping into a void that no audience’s laughter or applause could ever fill. I am finding it lonely here, still hoping Julia will fill that void. Am I a pale shadow of what I once was? My resilience is still there, look for it (as I will.)
   
10/1—Julia often asks if I slept well. I have to say, last night I did not. I awoke about 1 am thinking about her, and could not get back to sleep.
     
Today, we headed to https://cleantheworld.org/. Only a couple of us today. We counted the soap and put it in a box. A little boring, but it was only for a couple of hours. We volunteer to do this; it’s a good thing this company does. Take a look at their website.
   
After we were taken to a nice restaurant for lunch, I had a tasty chicken taco, which was hard to eat without my lower teeth. And, I have a problem with my esophagus that occurred at the restaurant. At times, food gets caught in my throat, and I have to gag to try to get it out. That is why I went into the bathroom.
   
I have surgery next month to help with this. They will put me under (under what?), and then a tube is inserted into my throat and inflated to expand my esophagus. Next, hopefully, the throat holds that position. I’ve had the surgery two other times, but it came back again.
 
10/2 — Turning Small Moments Into Big Wins
This morning, Jim from maintenance installed a new shower head I ordered. A small change, yes—but life is built on these upgrades. Every improvement, no matter how minor, is a testament to our drive to live better. Tomorrow, that first shower will be more than water—it’ll be renewal, a reminder that progress can be as simple as twisting on something new.
   
Therapy took a creative turn. I led my group of four in juggling techniques. Some balanced a peacock feather, others tossed scarves into the air. Play is actually training the brain, developing skills such as hand-eye coordination, focus, rhythm, and persistence. Studies show juggling strengthens neural connections, improves concentration, and even builds resilience. It’s not just circus tricks—it’s life skills in motion.
   
At 11am, it was BINGO time. Easy to dismiss, but here’s the truth: activities like this sharpen memory, boost social connection, and give people structure. That sense of community matters more than the game itself. I stayed—not for the prizes, but to be present. Sometimes the win isn’t in what you get, but in simply showing up.
   
From 1:00–2:00, Maura guided me through OT with a grocery ad newspaper search. But, talk about boring, boy. On the surface, dull. But dig deeper: scanning for items strengthens visual pathways, organizing information builds mental clarity, and finishing the task proves endurance. Rehabilitation is rarely glamorous, but the brain grows through repetition. Just as planting seeds yields a harvest later, so too does it.
   
Good Afternoon
The afternoon gave me time with my best tool—my mind. Research, learning, and writing for this blog filled the hours until dinner. Each day I refine these words, making them stronger, more transparent, more valuable. Growth isn’t just physical—it’s intellectual, emotional, and creative.
 
I just watched a story about someone placed in a nursing home, stripped of choice, their independence fading into the walls. Too often, older people enter because they seem to have no other option. And once inside, it can feel as if they’ve vanished—out of sight, out of mind. That truth aches. Death comes.
   
But here’s the flip: it’s also a call to live with fire now. To keep deciding, choosing, shaping life while you can. To stretch every day into color. Age doesn’t have to mean disappearance—it can mean defiance, reinvention, late-stage brilliance. Be with me and live beyond the age of 100!
   
Grow gardens instead of shrinking rooms.
Learn something wild at seventy that you never dared at thirty.
Stay loud, playful, curious—make vanishing impossible.
     
Where I am now is sort of like a nursing home—yikes! But let me be clear: no one will ever take control of my decisions. Life may offer the option of fading, but I refuse to disappear. I will keep writing this blog to stay visible, to keep you inspired, to live with sparkle, stubborn joy, and the kind of presence that refuses to be erased. And beyond all this, I’m looking forward to starting my new life with Julia.
   
Yikes! I just ate dinner and, earlier, I wrote about my throat problem. Dinner did not go well.
   
10/3 — Bright Spots in a Confined Space
   
Last night, I actually slept well—right up until 4 a.m.—and that’s a small victory I’ll take. Good sleep is fuel, and I woke up with some spark in my step.
   
By 9:00 a.m., I was with Terrie again. We reviewed what I’d worked on yesterday with Maura. She pointed out areas where my focus and visual scanning could still sharpen. That’s not defeat; that’s a roadmap. Terrie isn’t just naming deficits—she’s handing me keys to unlock the next level. My task now? Make these things matter enough to me that I do the work.
   
And yes, I’m still plotting how to break free from this place and move on with my life. But first? Lasagna. Because sometimes freedom looks like a forkful of bubbling, cheesy joy.
   
Today, Terrie and I found a lasagna recipe that made us both hungry. She had me write it out and list all the ingredients—no “it” allowed, full detail. Later, we’ll go shopping together for the supplies. Cooking isn’t just food; it’s therapy disguised as flavor.
 
Since my accident in 1982, I’ve learned how to navigate walls, setbacks, and naysayers. People are often surprised at how well I’ve done, but I’m not—I know stubborn joy is my superpower. Like everyone, I have things to work on, but I’ve always found a way to overcome them.
   
Here at NR, I’m not allowed to cross the street to the lovely park to juggle or run; someone is always with me. It’s reminiscent of the month I once spent behind bars for a crime I didn’t commit. But even in tight spaces, I’ve learned how to stretch my spirit.
   
Three meals a day, a bed to sleep in, no costs—it’s not freedom, but it’s a base camp. My computer is my lifeline. Through it, I reach the world and you, my readers. Freedom—I’ve tasted it, and I’ll taste it again.
   
This morning, two therapists and seven patients gathered for an 11:00 speech/OT session. We were told to write thank-you cards. I can see how that helps some people here. For me, it was another chance to work on my blog—my thank-you to the world.
   
Today was just an hour and a half of therapy. I’m hoping for more. Being here is helping me, even if I don’t always show it. This is a trade: some freedom now for more strength later. That’s an investment in my future self, and I’m all in.
     
10/3—A good sleep until about 4 am, I feel good about that.
Starting at 9:00 a.m. with Terrie, we reviewed what I had done the previous day with Maura. Terrie pointed out things I still need to work on. I still have deficits in my focus and visual scanning.
     
Terrie is identifying deficits I should address before I enter the world. It is mainly a matter of my making things important enough to deal with. Now I just have to figure out how to break free from this place and move on with my life. However, I do want to stay for the lasagna.
   
Today, Terrie and I found a recipe for a lasagna that looks good. She had me write out the recipe and list the necessary items. Later, we will go to the store and purchase items to make it (I’ve always told people not to use the word “it”, because you can always go into detail and explain better without “it”). So, sorry I didn’t.
   
I have to write, since my accident in 1982, I’ve gotten along fine. I did have some problems, as most people do, but I always found a way around them. People, in my past, were surprised at how well I did. Yes, like most people, I do have some things I need to work on.
   
While here at NR, I am not even permitted to go across the street to the lovely park to juggle or run; someone is always with me. I’ve written before about this being similar to my experience in jail; perhaps you now understand why. Yes, I had to spend a month behind bars for a false crime.
   
Yes, I get three meals a day, somewhere to lay my head, and have no costs, but is it worth it? Having my computer is my lifeline; I’m grateful to have it. This allows me to be exposed to the world through the internet, and I can also share this blog with you. Freedom–I’ve tasted it before.
     
Two therapists and seven patients participated. I. I just returned from an 11:00 session in speech–ot. People were told to write a thank-you card to someone. I see how this can be beneficial for some people here, but me? I worked on my blog while I was there.
   
Today I only had one and a half hours of therapy. We can increase that. I may not always show it, but I think that being here is beneficial for me. So, it’s a matter of sacrificing my freedom to be here. I am all for it, but I long for more help.

 The Garden of Becoming  
The new garden I’m building will take center stage soon—watch it unfurl as green shoots rise and blossoms announce themselves.
You plant.
You nurture.
You harvest.
You begin again.
Each sprout is a whispered promise.
Each bloom, a standing ovation.
Each fallen leaf is a graceful bow to the cycle of renewal.
   
Why We Garden
1–It lifts your spirit and strengthens your confidence.
2–Your heart beats healthier for it.
3–Stress dissolves like dew in morning sun.
4–Happiness takes root and spreads.
5–Your hands grow stronger, more capable.
6–Families bond over soil-stained fingers and shared meals.
7–Sunshine provides vitamin D and warmth to your bones.
8—Food you grow makes your body glow.
9–Neighbors meet, friendships sprout.
10–Families deepen together.
11–Communities connect, expand, and thrive.
12–Worries about hunger shrink as self-sufficiency grows.
     
Pulling a carrot from your own earth isn’t just food—it’s triumph wrapped in crunch. A declaration that patience, soil, and a little faith can produce flavors no store can sell. Sun-warmed tomatoes, basil perfuming your hands, strawberries gleaming like rubies beneath their crowns—miracles disguised as everyday bites.
   
And the enchantment doesn’t end outside. Indoors, life sneaks into any crack of light it can find. Herbs on the sill glow like emerald lanterns. Mason jars turn into miniature jungles. A stray pot of mint dares you to taste the freshness in your water glass seconds after plucking. Growth improvises, adapts, insists.
   
A salad bar sprouting within arm’s reach of your sink.
A curtain of green where once was bare glass.
And tiny jungles humming in corners of your home.
   
Growth never truly stops—it just shifts form. Begin with a pot, a box, a borrowed square of dirt. Watch what happens, not only to the soil, but to you as well. Because in caring for life, you’ll find your own edges softened, your clock slowed, your days reminded of this truth:
Life itself is one vast garden—unpredictable, abundant, forgiving.

My Next Chapters

I’m not winding down—I’m revving up.
I’ve got at least another hundred years of laughter, learning, and love in me.
The world is waiting for your story, too.
It’s time to write that book, launch that dream, or chase that adventure you’ve been postponing.
     
What’s your next spark?
What’s your bold adventure this week?
What’s one bold thing you’ll do this week that makes you feel alive?
“Breathe. You’re still here. That’s enough reason to dance.”

YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK:
See your life differently.
You only have a short time on earth.
Make the world a better place with what you have done.
       
Next week >> BLOG 345–Do You Read or Just Look at Words?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?

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

✨ KITTING AROUND ✨
BLOG 343 – Be Curious Enough to Ask Questions
“Explore new corners, dive into your imagination.”
Crank up the music and turn your living room into a dance floor.
Grab some oranges and juggle them right there in the grocery aisle.
Laugh so hard the walls shake and the neighbors start making up theories.
Life isn’t a zombie shuffle to bedtime—It’s a carnival waiting for you to join the parade!

• The past is your teacher.
  Learn, then step forward.
  Plan your future, which will become your past.
  You are always living in the past.
      
• The future is like a mischievous child, always surprising you when you least expect it. It’s not something to fear, but to embrace and make your own.
  You can make it yours.
  It shows up whether you’re ready or not.
  (So … be ready)
        
• The present?
  That’s your playground.
  Add glitter and laughter.
  Make it sparkle.
      
• Each day is a new stage.
  Shine a little brighter than yesterday.
  This is your stage, do what you want.
  You can be a new person on every stage.
       
• Lift others while lifting yourself.
  You can’t get there alone.
  The more you help others, the more it helps you.
  That’s the kind of ripple the world needs.

This is the stuff that turns “just surviving” into thriving.

Why I write this blog >>
OB
I just got this video link. I am a few minutes in, juggling lighted torches.
This is the town where I grew up, located in San Diego.
Ocean Beach (OB) — I lived up the hill on Newport Street.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4uWRcVxYHQ

WHY DO I WRITE THIS BLOG?
✨ I write this blog because Life is a dazzling, untamed kaleidoscope—too vibrant, too quirky, too electric to keep to myself! Writing this blog is like flinging a galaxy of glitter into the universe! Each post is a burst of ideas, stories, and hard-won wisdom, sparkling like confetti from epic adventures, glorious fumbles, and that stubborn spark that just won’t quit.

“Here’s to chasing brilliance with reckless joy.
Blazing a trail that shimmers with possibility.
Sprinkling a little mischief along the way!”
—Kit Summers, your cosmic cheerleader

Ignite dreams with a technicolor glow,
Weave hearts across the wild unknown,
✨ Scatter joy like starlight on a summer night,
Remind us we’re all fearless voyagers in this glorious chaos!
   
CHANGES, I’VE BEEN THROUGH MANY.
Lately, I’ve even chosen a few more myself.
I said goodbye to all my lower teeth, not as a loss.
But as we clear space for a stronger, healthier future.
   
NEXT, MY THROAT?
Next month, I will have surgery on my esophagus.
But, not just a procedure, but an act of courage.
It’s a step toward more ease and freedom in my body.
   
PROOF!
Every change I walk through is proof: I can adapt, I can rise, I can keep shaping Life into something brighter. These shifts aren’t setbacks—they’re upgrades, invitations to keep growing, to keep building a body and spirit that can carry me farther. 

CHANGE DOESN’T SCARE ME ANYMORE.
I’VE MET IT TOO MANY TIMES.
AND EVERY SINGLE TIME, I COME OUT STRONGER!
MAKE ANY CHANGES YOU CAN TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE! 

Make necessary changes for yourself that will make your Life better—aim for magnificence! You only have this one Life to live; make changes for advancement as often as you can. And don’t be scared of any changes, they will help you.
   
I’m letting you know why I decided to have all my lower teeth extracted. A few were missing, and I did not like that. Rather than small patches, hoping to get my great smile back, I went all out and just said, ‘Remove them all.’
   
I’m not here with a stiff, know-it-all map shouting, “Go there!” I’m your buddy with the twinkling flashlight, casting a warm, golden beam just bright enough to reveal the magic already dancing at your feet. Your map?
     
The picture is a vibrant, ever-evolving canvas—ready for you to splash with wild dreams, daring doodles, and fearless scribbles. Rip it up, reimagine it, make it yours. These years? They’re not a slow fade to some quiet finale. You have time! Make changes to advance yourself as much as you can.
     
They’re champagne-bubble-popping chapters in a book begging for dog-eared pages, belly laughs, and audacious adventures. You weren’t born for a small, safe script—you’re wired for fireworks, delicious detours that turn into destiny, and encore moments that steal the show without a rehearsal.
   
And then—whoosh—Life tosses in a plot twist! My lower teeth pulled a dramatic vanishing act, all at once. Talk about a cheeky curveball! But Life’s got that sassy streak: one minute it’s whispering secrets in the moonlight, the next it’s smacking you with a surprise (yes, right in the face). Soon, I’ll have a shiny new set of chompers bolted to my jaw, and my megawatt smile will be back, brighter than ever!
   
And, I want you to have no fears. The headline never wavers: evolve, laugh so loud it echoes, and keep twirling to the wild, untamed beat of the unexpected. These surprise moments? They’re the glitter bombs that make Life pop with delight.
   
Every post I write is a sparkler lighting up a brand-new adventure, and I want you to feel that electric buzz too! Life’s never “done”—it’s a thrilling, open-ended saga, always poised for its next bold, breathtaking twist. Let that truth fuel your fire to keep charging forward, chasing the next dazzling chapter.
   
Your Life?
It’s waiting for its next showstopping twist.
Make it sparkle!

BLOG 343 – Be Curious Enough to Ask Questions
   
WHERE’S KIT GOING?
I’ve never been much for the straight road. Why would I? The bends are where the color hides. The side streets are where the stories live. The secret? Curiosity. Ask the wild questions, stay humble, and let wonder lead.
   
JUGGLING?
From juggling and unicycling, to pole vaulting, to van-life wanderlust, to salsa nights that stretched until sunrise—my journey’s been more carnival ride than sidewalk stroll. Each twist opened another door, each leap lit up a new question.
 
ASK AWAY
Curiosity isn’t passive—it’s a muscle. Flex it with “why?” questions. Stretch it by opening your mind to ideas that rattle your frame. That’s how growth sneaks in. That’s how connections deepen. That’s how brand-new solutions sparkle into existence.
 
WHAT TO ASK
Here’s the secret: if you don’t ask, you’ll never know where you stand—or how high you could soar. Curiosity isn’t just a compass—it’s rocket fuel. Adventure is the map, glittering with hidden detours. And the ride itself? That’s the treasure chest, rattling with surprises.
   
BE BOLD!
Every bold question you toss into the world is like tossing a key into the air—one of them is bound to unlock exactly what you’ve been looking for. Ask bravely. Ask often. That’s how doors swing open, paths light up, and dreams stop being “someday” and start being “right now.”
   
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Curiosity isn’t passive—it’s a muscle. Flex it with “why?” questions. Stretch it by opening your mind to ideas that rattle your frame. That’s how growth sneaks in. That’s how connections deepen. That’s how brand-new solutions sparkle into existence.
   
WHAT TO ASK
Not knowing isn’t weakness—it’s a doorway. Every question cracks open another window. Humility says, “I don’t have it all figured out.” Curiosity replies, “Perfect—let’s explore.” Not knowing isn’t a Weakness—it’s a doorway. Every question cracks open another window. Humility says, “I don’t have it all figured out.” Curiosity replies, “Perfect—let’s explore.”
   
SO–WHERE’S KIT GOING?
Everywhere are curiosity points. And maybe, just maybe, you’re coming too? Before you step into the room, imagine the conversation as a stage: sparks ready to fly, ideas waiting in the wings. Anticipate the shadows—issues or doubts that might arise—and step forward prepared to illuminate them.‍♂️
     
YOU WIN!
The answers are out there—glimmering just beyond the fog. But you won’t stumble onto them by tossing out lazy yes-or-no questions. No way. You’ve got to dig. Aim sharper. Ask the kind of questions that cut clean through confusion, carving out the truth until clarity practically sparkles.
   
THE LIFE YOU CHOOSE
When you dare to reach deeper, life stops being something that just happens to you. It becomes the life you choose—the one you design with your own curiosity as the chisel. Want me to push this even further into high-energy “adventure call” territory, or keep it in this crisp, powerful lane?
   
QUESTIONS?
And then—open the gates. Ask questions not to pin down a single answer, but to fling the doors wide. Questions that expand, invite, provoke. Questions that turn silence into discovery and turn meetings into movement. Because the right open-ended question isn’t just curiosity—it’s a match. Striking. Igniting. Transforming the whole room.
   
REMEMBER EACH OF THESE >>
Focus on your strengths.
Embrace failure.
Make Life more inspirational, fun, and playful.
Visualise your future self.
Let go of limiting beliefs.
Know your purpose.
Do not compromise on your dreams.
Develop a growth mindset.
Don’t have expectations.
Surround yourself with the right people.
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Help others.
Practice gratitude every day.
Have self-compassion.
Stay positive.
Prioritize what matters to you — not others.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
       
1–Define Your Vision and Values. Know your purpose: Reflect on what truly gives your Life meaning and purpose. Clarify your vision: Imagine what the best version of yourself looks and feels like, focusing on happiness, purpose, and how you want to act daily. Identify your values: Understand your essential “you-ness,” including your passions and interests, to guide your choices.
     
2–Set Goals and Take Action. Create a detailed plan: Write down actionable steps to move toward your goals and dreams. Start with small habits: Implement small, consistent daily habits that align with your future self, like exercising or waking up earlier. Track your progress: Monitor your progress and adjust your plan ruthlessly to ensure you’re making steady progress.
   
3–Cultivate Your Mindset. Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself, recognizing that progress involves ups and downs. Challenge negative self-talk: Actively replace negative thoughts with empowering and positive affirmations. Embrace learning and growth: stay curious, learn something new every day, and view mistakes as opportunities to learn and improve.
   
4–Prioritize Self-Care and Well-being. Focus on health: Make self-care a priority by incorporating healthy eating, regular physical activity, and sufficient sleep. Engage in enjoyable activities: Do things that bring you happiness and joy to recharge and maintain motivation. Simplify your Life: Reduce unnecessary pressure and clutter to improve focus and efficiency.
 
5–Stay Focused and Authentic. Focus on yourself: Stop comparing yourself to others and recognize everyone is on a unique path. Be authentic: Find your own approach to Life and think for yourself. Be grateful: Appreciate the things you often take for granted.

Words That Spark

Quotes aren’t just words on a page—they’re tiny lightning bolts, buzzing with wisdom and ready to jolt you awake. One line can flip your mood, widen your heart, or shove you off the couch and into a brand-new adventure.
     
Think of it as art in progress. Wrinkles become brushstrokes, memories become a secret treasure chest, and gratitude becomes the golden frame around it all. And the best twist? You never actually “age out” of learning, chasing, or reinventing. You’re always one spark away from your next plot twist.
     
A FEW SPARKS TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET >>
   
1. “Curiosity and creativity are intelligence having fun. – Albert Einstein
     
2. “I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
   
3. “It took me losing everything to realize the true importance of curiosity. I had to reset my mind, body, and soul and start fresh.” – Leonard Kim
     
4. “I am engaged; therefore, I am curious.” – Anonymous
     
5. “Curiosity is the engine of achievement.” – Sir Ken Robinson
   
6. “Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious…and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
     
7. “Position yourself with something that captures your curiosity, something that you’re a missionary about.” – Jeff Bezos
     
8. “Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent, and original manner possible.” – Richard Feynman
     
9. “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of the eternity of Life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day.” – Albert Einstein
     
10. “If necessity is the mother of invention, then curiosity is its father.” – Rupal Bhadu
     
Stick these quotes on your fridge.
Whisper them to yourself before bed.
Pass them along to someone who needs them.
Remember, words are vitamins for the soul.

MY DAILY JOTTINGS!
Upgrade your thoughts—watch your world glow brighter!
✨ Life can shift in an instant—sometimes all it takes is one bold thought.
Go ahead, craft your noble book, your masterpiece—why not a best-seller?
You are dazzling, brilliant, unstoppable—so step into the spotlight and shine your part!
The universe is cheering for you—so dream big, play big, and LIVE big!
Remember, no matter where you are, you can quickly turn things around.
️ Then race toward your wildest, most colorful dreams!
     
9/2o — Nothing to write about today. I need to find more activities to do on weekends when there are fewer people around.
       
9/21–Where I stay is quiet. As I look out the window, I see a large park area, and beyond it lies a forest. The rains have been coming down daily. Today is clear and sunny, the way Florida is meant to be. I like CBS Sunday Morning, but since I’ve been on the road, I’ve missed many of its segments.
 
As you know, I am passionate about these words I write. I’ve found and applied passion to many areas of my Life in the past. What are you passionate about?
   
9/22–Today was spent close to home, my current home, that is. Just had a few therapy sessions today. One-on-one with Dino about speech, we mostly just talked, and he corrected me on some things. Then there was a new Therapy, “Gardening Group.
   
In the Gardening Group, it was mostly just me, trying to get others to tend to the garden. Many with brain injuries do not like to exert themselves, so not a lot gets done. The garden bed is almost complete; we just need a little more dirt. Terry said she will call and order some.
     
This place has an unlimited money supply, despite my efforts to save as much as I can.
     
9/23–A good start to the day, as I slept until about 5 am. I do better on less sleep, so a longer sleep is not always the best thing. Today, not a lot was accomplished. I know it is up to me to make things happen, as we all have that power.
   
In therapy today, I acknowledge that I have not yet fully written about all that I am gaining from participating.
   
I was out to do some work in the garden today. We are currently awaiting the delivery of soil.
     
Sleep is not a problem, as I am active every day.
 
9/24–There is a guy across the hallway who is very loud and moaning often. It is hard to hear. I like to keep my door open, so that is my fault; I have to listen to this. This guy is unfortunate. Over the night, he pooped, and I’m told it smells terrible. The staff is not sure how to deal with him. He keeps saying words that are not understandable. The incident occurred between 6:00 am and 7:00 am. An ambulance was called, and he was sent away.
   
With some of the other characters here, at times, it feels like I am in an insane asylum. How did I end up here, or how could I get out?
   
For therapy today, I first worked with Maura, and we worked on the wak-a-nike board. I had to be quick, as it gauges hand speed. I get easily bored with this, but it is necessary.
   
Later, I worked with Dino about speech. We mainly just talked, and he helped.
   
In the afternoon, there was Mary Ann. We worked on my juggling. I was not impressed whatsoever, but some people who were at the building loved it. This therapy was only for half an hour; I would like to have more time.
               
9/25–This morning, from 9:00 to 9:39, I had my grand summit with Maryann. Picture it: me, armed with logic and lung control, declaring to the world (well, to her) that I’ve got my asthma handled like a pro. I even confessed to the dangerous crime of… sometimes doing too much.
   
I pitched my master plan: skipping across the road to the park, juggling clubs like a circus rebel and running like I just stole a donut. Maryann listened politely, then gave me the look. You know the one—half teacher, half traffic cop. Verdict? “Not ready yet.”
   
So apparently, the park will have to wait. For now, the world is safe from my juggling invasion. But give me time—those clubs won’t toss themselves. ‍♂️✨ We also discussed warming up before I do anything, which I am okay with, but haven’t done in the past.    

I told Maryann about the exercise routine I am putting together to do in my room, and she seems OK with that. What do you think? >>
Squats (Stand and slowly descend, bending through the hips, knees, and ankles, with a straight back.)
Push-ups (on the floor and/or against the wall)
Planks (with a straight back, be on your elbows and toes)
Calf balances (Stand flat on your feet and then raise to be on your toes.)
Birddog position (while on my hands and knees, raise the opposite arm and leg)

At 10:30, I was supposed to do a class on balancing a peacock feather, but no one showed up. But, I taught five of the staff to balance the feather — they each loved it. And, I had to, I gave each a peacock feather.
     
Back in my room, working on this blog for you.
     
I hate to say it, but another guy went crazy today. He uses a standing walker, and he just started yelling and throwing things. The look on his face was one full of anger, frustration, and pain. A couple of the staff called for reinforcements. First, there was the one yesterday who went crazy, now this.
     
I tried to help as much as I could, but there was no way to help this situation.
It just makes me wonder if I’m in the right place to get the help I need.
You will find out in the future.
   
9/26–Blog day always seems to come so quickly. Here we are again. Does what I write inspire and help you? Writing these words helps me tremendously. Please let me know what you think of my writings —
kitsummers@gmail.com
     
In OT with Terrie today, we reviewed September 22 and how I didn’t document the day. I’ve been keeping too much on my mind. She reviewed some details on how I need to conduct more comprehensive reviews of each session I attend.
 
I do have the time, I will do that. I need to go more deeply into all the sessions I have and write sooner. I need to do this to gain insight into my deficits and develop better habits/strategies to compensate and build stronger habits for the future.
 
It started doing deep-knee bends, and my legs already feel the effort. Doing bends will also help with my balance issues, I think. There is a good reason to stretch and exercise while I wait somewhere. This is something you can do, too, remember?
     
It’s noon now, and I just finished a session with Juliana in speech. I must say, she is not the best to work with. At one point, she was having me do a puzzle while she was looking at her phone. As another point, she simply said, “So, what do you want to do now”? She was not structured for this at all.
   
The last therapy ended at noon.
I have the whole afternoon now to do as I please.
I will work on and get this blog to you.
How about you?
What are you doing?
Shall we go to dinner together?
Where are what time?

Life in the Garden
The new garden I am building will be the subject of this portion later, as things start growing.
Even as seasons shift, gardening reminds us of Life’s cycles.
You plant, you nurture, you harvest, you start again.
A carrot pulled from your own soil can taste like victory.
Indoor gardens?
Tiny jungles on the windowsill.
A salad bar in the kitchen.
A reminder that growth never really stops—it just changes shape.
Start your own patch, big or small.
It could grow into one of the sweetest adventures of your Life.

My Next Chapters

I’m not winding down—I’m revving up.
I’ve got at least another hundred years of laughter, learning, and love in me.
The world is waiting for your story, too.
It’s time to write that book, launch that dream, or chase that adventure you’ve been postponing.
     
What’s your next spark?
What’s your bold adventure this week?
What’s one bold thing you’ll do this week that makes you feel alive?
“Breathe. You’re still here. That’s enough reason to dance.”

YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK>> Figure out ten steps to make your life better, then stick to the script.
NEXT BLOG, 344 – Every Day Pretend it is Your Last Day Alive. 

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

✨ KITTING AROUND ✨
BLOG 342 – The Bright Side Beyond Age 60
Explore new corners, dive into your imagination.
Crank up the music and turn your living room into a dance floor.
Grab some oranges and juggle them right there in the grocery aisle.
Laugh so hard the walls shake and the neighbors start making up theories.
Life isn’t a zombie shuffle to bedtime—It’s a carnival waiting for you to join the parade!

I write, create, and share so that we can pause together, look at Life differently, and grow taller on the inside. My mission? To show you that living differently and living better is not only possible—it’s essential!
     
My Story in a Nutshell (with Extra Sprinkles) :
‍♂️ Once upon a time, I was a world-class juggler. Spoiler: I still juggle—mostly joy.
Life tested me with curveballs: A 37-day coma, two truck accidents, and somehow I’m still smiling.
I spent six years living in a van, chasing sunsets and collecting memories in every U.S. national park.
Love found me, lost me, and then surprised me with a wedding on 2/22/22 at 2:22.
I’ve crisscrossed the globe, helping people rise higher than they thought possible (YOU!)
❤️ And here I am, still learning, still loving, still lighting sparks.
Because the story is never over—it just gets juicier.
Want a glimpse? Watch this >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc 

✨ Lessons From the Road ✨

• The past is your teacher.
  Learn, then step forward.
  Plan your future, which will become your past.
  You are always living in the past.
      
• The future is like a mischievous child,
  always surprising you when you least expect it.
  It’s not something to fear, but to embrace and make your own.
  You can make it yours.
  It shows up whether you’re ready or not.
  (So … be ready)
        
• The present?
  That’s your playground.
  Add glitter and laughter.
  Make it sparkle.
      
• Each day is a new stage.
  Shine a little brighter than yesterday.
  This is your stage, do what you want.
  You can be a new person on every stage.
       
• Lift others while lifting yourself.
  You can’t get there alone.
  The more you help others, the more it helps you.
  That’s the kind of ripple the world needs.

This is the stuff that turns “just surviving” into thriving.

✨ Why I Write This Blog ✨
Because Life is too wild, too weird, and too wonderful not to share.
Writing this blog feels like tossing confetti into the air!
The confetti is made of ideas, stories, and lessons gathered along the way.
Some from adventures.
Some mistakes.
Some from just sheer stubbornness.

“So here’s to chasing excellence,
lighting up the trail for you,
and having a little fun along the way.”
Kit Summers 

Words are magic wands. With them we can:

• Inspire
• Connect
• Spark joy ✨
• Remind ourselves we’re all explorers in the chaos

I’m not carrying a crisp, bossy map with a giant arrow barking, “This way.” I’m the friend holding the flashlight—soft glow spilling just far enough for you to notice the magic already beneath your feet. The map? That’s yours to sketch, to doodle wild dreams across, to smudge, tear, and re-draw whenever the mood strikes.
   
These years aren’t some sleepy drift toward “the end.” They’re champagne-fizzing chapters of a brand-new book, pages begging to be dog-eared with laughter, adventure, and mischief. You weren’t built for small living—you’re wired for fireworks, wrong turns that turn out deliciously right, and encore moments you never even auditioned for.
   
Take Julia, for example. Out of nowhere—plot twist. A spark, a new chapter, a flood of joy I never saw coming. Every WhatsApp message from her is like a bright confetti pop in my day, her words painting colors I didn’t know were missing. My love for her isn’t steady—it’s expanding—daily, like the universe itself.
     
And then—bam—Life flips the page again. My lower teeth staged a dramatic exit, all at once. Didn’t see that twist coming. But Life is cheeky like that: sometimes whispering secrets in the dark, smacking you right in the mouth (literally). I will get a new set of lower teeth screwed onto my jawbone and have my terrific smile back.
   
Either way, the headline stays the same: evolve, laugh too loud, and keep spinning with the wild, unruly rhythm of the unexpected. It’s these unexpected moments that add a spark of surprise and delight to our lives.

Every post I write feels like the start of a brand-new adventure, and I want you to feel that excitement and engagement too. Life is never ‘done.’ Your Life is only waiting for its next bold twist. That’s what I want you to feel too: that Life is never ‘done.’ It’s a continuous journey, always waiting for its next bold twist. This perspective can inspire and motivate you to keep moving forward.
Your Life is only waiting for its next bold twist.

The Bright Side of Sixty+(We’ll All Get There)

Sixty isn’t an ending—it’s Act Two.
Better lighting. Comfier seats.
Wisdom is your VIP pass.
Forget “slowing down.”
This is the age for speeding up in the ways that matter.
Find joy, curiosity, freedom, and fearless play.
AND THEN SMILE–COME ON–BIGGER!
       
I just discovered this video from Elon—perfect timing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHiU7Tc_oAU
   
Think of it as leveling up in the grand game of Life.
Wrinkles? Proof you laughed.
Gray hair? A medal of wisdom.
Every year, a new upgrade pack is released.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT “PURPOSE” DOES NOT RETIRE!

When I was a kid, I thought sixty was basically the waiting room for the grave. Now I’m 66, and surprise: the party’s still going. Not only that, but the dance floor is bigger, and the DJ finally takes requests. I’m still “getting there”—but why would I ever want to “arrive”? The ride’s too good.
   
Living past sixty is reinvention with sprinkles. It could be dusting off a dream you shelved in your twenties. Perhaps it’s dancing like a maniac in the kitchen, no audience but the toaster. It could be taking the scenic detour because your curiosity tugged at your sleeve. Think of it as spring cleaning for the soul—less sneezing, more belly laughs.
   
These aren’t the “twilight years.” They’re bonus chapters in a book that’s suddenly gotten juicier. You were built for Life, not just for living. Why not start writing the most ridiculous, daring, laugh-out-loud novel you’ve ever read?
 
Sure, the body pipes up. Knees sound like castanets, memory plays peek-a-boo, and reading glasses stage elaborate disappearing acts. But honestly? That’s just proof you’ve logged some legendary mileage. Better to laugh than groan—humor is the only soundtrack worth keeping on repeat.
   
They call sixty-five “retirement age.” Cute. I call it “free time with better snacks.” The clock isn’t your boss anymore—it’s your playground. Learn the guitar, launch your novel, juggle machetes–even under the leg throws, paddleboard until you topple gloriously into the water. Permission slip? Burned.
   
Perspective kicks in, too >>
All those worries that felt enormous?
Most of them fizzled.
Deadlines, receding hairlines, overdue bills—you made it through.
That clarity is rocket fuel for play.
Chat with strangers in the checkout line.
Wear the hat that makes people stare.
Eat ice cream for dinner just because.
     
This is liberation. Young enough to try wild things, old enough to skip the nonsense. Sixty isn’t decline—it’s ignition. So don’t just aim for old age. Aim for bold age. Laugh louder. Love deeper. Redraw the map with crayons if you want.

THE ADVENTURE ISN’T ENDING. IT’S JUST GETTING ROWDY!

These aren’t just the years to drift until the end. They’re the pages of a brand-new book—waiting for you to leap in, wide awake. You were made for Life, not just for living.
   
️ Life after 60 isn’t about shrinking into the shadows—it’s about stepping into a stage glowing with opportunity: wisdom, strength, and juggling skill. Age isn’t decline; it’s design. A canvas where every line, every choice, every dropped ball, and every laugh becomes a brushstroke of a masterpiece.
   
Think of it as permission to get curious all over again. To dream bolder, try sillier, love louder. To chase not just sunsets, but brand-new beginnings.
     
The secret? Stay open. Stay kind. Stay just a little mischievous. Because kindness never wrinkles, curiosity never retires, and joy is always ready to be juggled.
   
️ Aging is less about counting years and more about painting them bright. It’s proof that it’s never too late to pick up a new adventure, to reinvent, to dance, to juggle, and let the music surprise you.
     
Life beyond 60 is not the end of the book.
It’s the sparkly bonus chapters.
And guess what?
They’re often the juiciest ones.
Age is a design for creativity and joy, not decline. 

SIXTY IS NOT SMALLER, SLOWER, OR LESS.
IT IS EXPANSIVE — IT IS RICHER. 
IT’S A NEW LIFE, OPENING A BRAND-NEW CHAPTER. 

Five Gifts of Life Beyond 60 >> 

1. The Permission Slip of Age
   Dance in the supermarket.
   Juggle in the fruit aisle.
   Wear glitter shoes.
   You’ve earned your liberation pass!
        
2. The Richness of Experience
   Your Life’s a patchwork quilt—adventures, mistakes, triumphs, and all.
   You don’t just have history—you are living history.
   Forget being embarrassed—Do things your way.
   You’ve learned better ways—spread the word.
        
3. The Gift of Time
   The ladder-climbing years are done.
   The horizon’s wide open.
   Learn the ukulele, write your book, book that trip, learn to juggle.
   The playground has reopened, and the best swing is waiting.
        
4. A Healthier Perspective
   What once felt catastrophic?
   Now, it’s just a pebble in your shoe.
   Storms pass, laughter heals, kindness multiplies.
   This wisdom is wealth no bank can hold.
        
5. Joy in the Small Stuff
   Coffee tastes richer.
   A grandchild’s giggle outshines a paycheck.
   Morning walks feel like treasures.
   Delight hides in plain sight.

Words That Spark

Quotes aren’t just words on a page—they’re tiny lightning bolts, buzzing with wisdom and ready to jolt you awake. One line can flip your mood, widen your heart, or shove you off the couch and into a brand-new adventure.
     
Old age? Call it “Level 60+ Mode.” You unlock bonus powers: sharper insight, juicier appreciation for the little stuff, and doors to fresh stages of strength you didn’t even know existed.
   
Think of it as art in progress. Wrinkles become brushstrokes, memories become a secret treasure chest, and gratitude becomes the golden frame around it all. And the best twist? You never actually “age out” of learning, chasing, or reinventing. You’re always one spark away from your next plot twist.
     
A few sparks to slip in your pocket:

• “Life past 60 is just the beginning!”—Kit Summers
• “Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” —Franz Kafka
• “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” —Frank Lloyd Wright
• “Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.” —Jackie Joyner-Kersee
• “It’s not how old you are. It’s how you are old.” – Jules Renard
• “Your 60s are fab. And 70 is f@king awesome!” —Helen Mirren
• “Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.”— Jimmy Buffett
• “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your Life by smiles, not tears.”—John Lennon
• “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional!”—Walt Disney
• “We are always the same age inside.”—Gertrude Stein

Stick these quotes on your fridge.
Whisper them to yourself before bed.
Pass them along to someone who needs them.
Remember, words are vitamins for the soul.

MY DAILY JOTTINGS!
Upgrade your thoughts—watch your world glow brighter!
✨ Life can shift in an instant—sometimes all it takes is one bold thought.
Go ahead, craft your noble book, your masterpiece—why not a best-seller?
You are dazzling, brilliant, unstoppable—so step into the spotlight and shine your part!
The universe is cheering for you—so dream big, play big, and LIVE big!
Remember, no matter where you are, you can spin things around quickly.
️ Then race toward your wildest, most colorful dreams!
     
9/13 — Elon knows, you must learn >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_L2xNuiT2k
Change is coming; you have to be ready, are you? 
 
Today I went across the street to the big park. Of course, Terrie was right there with me. I am still not allowed to leave the building on my own, which is very unusual for me. It turned out that the wind was too strong to work on clubs. So I cut the time short.
       
9/14—Sunday today. This place slows up like a snail’s path. I started early on my new passion, writing these blog words to you. I like the latest changes, do you?
   
9/15—Sleeping better these days, that feels good. Went outside to do some juggling. My juggling level has diminished so much. It will take much work to get it back–but do I want to take the time?
   
For therapy today, I first worked with Maryann, and we focused on my juggling skills. My juggling is getting smoother, but it’s still highly frustrating.
   
Also, while outside, Terrie and I worked more on getting this planter put together. Four feet by eight feet, by two feet in depth. We should grow much in there, for instance, broccoli, lettuce, and tomatoes. As I wrote before, I’ve missed getting dirt under my fingernails.
   
Terrie had a patient to go and work with. I suggested that I stay out and finish the job. I was told that I could not be outside by myself; a staff member has to be with me. I am being treated like a child who doesn’t know their way. This is just wrong!
   
Myles and I had previously discussed my juggling outside the building, and that was fine. Now I am told that I cannot be out??? This is frustrating me immensely. Did the word not get passed around to people that I’m okay outside? Like before, it feels like I am back in jail–not being able to make any of my own decisions and being kept up like I am in prison.
     
At 11 am I had a therapy called “Sports Group”, which I’ve done before. There is a cardboard backing that has a hole in it. You have to throw bean bags so they go through the hole. Talk about a waste of time. I did not stay for this; I came up to work on my computer.
     
There are other games that the therapists have, such as card games, that are also a waste of time. I’ve searched on the internet and found many games and exercises that help, specifically, brain-injured people, to advance. Perhaps just babysitting — humm.
   
The therapists are stuck in their old ways, when there are so many other exercises that would help much more. These therapists need to study on the computer and explore different ways to work with patients, allowing them to navigate the computer and conduct searches.
 
Selective Insurance is paying for me to be here. I’m getting some therapy, but not much, perhaps a couple of hours a day. I do need to push myself to do more of my own work and exertion, but tiredness often consumes me. What to do, what to do?
     
If Selective knew what was going on, they might stop the funding for my stay here. My insurance, along with others’ insurance, brings in much money here. New systems must be studied and developed for patients here, or the funding sources may dry up.
   
9/16 — By 9 a.m., I was already steering the OT planning group like a chef in a noodle shop. Everyone tossed out ideas, but guess what? Out of the whole buffet, my pick won: Lo Mein Noodles. Later this week, we’ll be wok-dancing our way into something delicious.
   
Next up: speech with Juliana. Her sessions don’t come with balloons and party hats, so they’re not my favorite. Still, she did slip me a fun tip: a site called Goblin Tools—kind of like ChatGPT’s mischievous cousin. I might just run my blog through both—see what kind of magic (or mayhem) they cook up.
   
Then came our epic Lowe’s adventure. Four of us, thirty bags of dirt, and a mission. Here’s a life hack straight from me to you: always hunt for the torn bags. Same dirt, half the price—because apparently dirt with a scratch is discounted dirt. Sadly, the group waved me off—”Restorative is paying.” So, no bargain-hunter glory today. Still, we hauled home thirty bags like champions, plus some plants to liven up the week.
     
9/17–This morning, we touched down at https://cleantheworld.org and suddenly, soap wasn’t just soap, it was treasure. We were to sort and take out the riff-raff and paper. Some folks handled each bar like a rare pearl. Me? I went full pirate mode: fistfuls at a time, sifting fast, fast, fast. A few misfires, sure—but speed has its own rhythm, its own artistry. By the end, the bin gleamed like a treasure chest of second chances.
   
Our “overtime bonus”? Lunch at https://www.crackerbarrel.com/. Shrimp called my name, but then I remembered my lower teeth had all retired. So meatloaf and mashed potatoes stepped in—soft, warm, kind (like Maryann!) Like comfort food leaning in to whisper, “I’ve got you.”
   
At the table, six of us sat with brains that had weathered storms. The therapists clustered at the far end, their words flowing. My end stayed quieter. Some voices couldn’t be heard, and some simply didn’t. The silence felt thick, but not lonely. I lobbed little sparks of conversation into the air. None caught—but presence itself can be its own reply. Sometimes just showing up is the loudest kind of living.
     
Then—off again—to https://opticaloutlets.com/. I was here before, examined, picked out frames, and here now to pick them up. I choose plastic frames, the kind I’d never dared before. Slipped them on and—bam! The world snapped into sharp edges and clean horizons—a new lens, literally and figuratively.
   
That’s the thread of the day, really: soap dust, mashed potatoes, silence, and spectacles—all proof that even in the ordinary, there’s movement forward—treasure tucked in the overlooked. Gold is hidden in the small stuff. And clarity waiting, always waiting, to be claimed.
       
9/18 — A Morning of Surprises and Small Miracles

The night had me wrapped like a mummy until 4 a.m., when the world finally nudged me awake. Shower, fresh start. As I dressed, an unexpected guest slipped quietly into my suite—a woman making her morning rounds. Not to check me out, but to check in. A reminder that Life is full of small, unplanned encounters, like little sparks reminding us we’re never as alone as we think.
   
Julia and I usually share our nightly WhatsApp ritual—words passing back and forth like fireflies in the dark. Last night, silence. Concern crept in. But morning came, and there she was, her presence steady, and I remembered: worry often writes false stories. Love,
connection, and trust are the real script.
   
With Terrie, I fed our above-ground garden more compost, breathing Life into the soil. Yet around it, the sad sight of cigarette butts tossed carelessly—tiny scars on the earth. I couldn’t ignore them. Hands to work, I cleared them out. Healing even small corners of the Earth. The world feels like a love letter to the future.

Suggestions for your new above-ground garden >
Cardboard first—worms move in.
Pile on leaves, twigs, and wood scraps.
Leave space, one foot, and cap with dirt.
Over time, waste turns to rich, living soil.
Remember, worms are your friend.
   
By 10 a.m., Terrie moved on, leaving me pulled back indoors—rules saying I can’t be alone in the garden. A frustration, yes. But I’ll tend it bit by bit, like patience itself is teaching me to grow alongside the plants. Some rules are meant to bend like branches in the wind.
   
At 11:10, Lilly began my therapy—on “Lilly time,” fashionably five minutes late. Precise, thoughtful, sharp as ever. She brought my old emails printed out, a mirror of my progress.
   
Together, we walked through lessons, possibilities, and areas that need more light and effort. Visual scanning, driving prep, and new ways of strengthening. Her guidance is clear, her care steady. She knows her craft, and in that, she helps me know myself.
     
Now it’s 12:30. Lunch has passed, the afternoon is open, and I hunger for more therapy—three or four hours a day if I could. Not just because I want recovery, but because growth itself feels like joy. Why settle for less when more Life is still waiting to be lived?
   
For the afternoon, I worked on this blog (can you tell?) I always read it multiple times to ensure every word is just right.
   
9/19–Up at my usual time, about 3:30am.
 
Going to see about the results of when I applied for Medicaid. It’s been about an hour since they were supposed to be here.
   
Life in the Garden
The new garden I am building will be the subject of this portion later as things start growing.

Even as seasons shift, gardening reminds us of Life’s cycles.
You plant, you nurture, you harvest, you start again.
A carrot pulled from your own soil can taste like victory.
Indoor gardens?
Tiny jungles on the windowsill.
A salad bar in the kitchen.
A reminder that growth never really stops—it just changes shape.
Start your own patch, big or small.
It could grow into one of the sweetest adventures of your Life.

My Next Chapters

I’m not winding down—I’m revving up.
I’ve got at least another hundred years of laughter, learning, and love in me.

The world is waiting for your story, too.
It’s time to write that book, launch that dream, or chase that adventure you’ve been postponing.

Remember >>
This isn’t retirement.
This is ignition.
The curtain hasn’t fallen—it’s just rising on Act Two.

What’s your next spark?
What’s your bold adventure this week?
What’s one bold thing you’ll do this week that makes you feel alive?
“Breathe. You’re still here. That’s enough reason to dance.”

YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK>> See age differently. You are not getting older, you are getting smarter.
NEXT BLOG, 343 – Become the Best Version of Yourself! 

Final Thought
Your present situation isn’t your final destination.
The best is always yet to come!
So, juggle joy, chase sunsets, laugh loudly.
Keep living like you’ve only just begun—because you have.