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

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

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK >>

Fear.
What are we afraid of?
Why are we afraid?
What’s the worst thing that could happen?
What’s the best thing that could happen?
So many things could happen.
Are you scared?
Why?

If anyone had a reason to fear, it would be me.
I pushed myself through the fear of death (accident.)
Then after getting hit by a second truck eighteen years later.
Additionally, the fear of being alone (divorce) until death.
The fear of never finding love again.
I pushed through with a smile on my face.
Isn’t life a joy, no matter what?

Animals only fear attacks from other animals. They live their lives doing as nature intended – eat, hunt, sleep, reproduce – to preserve their species. Yet, humans take a different route. Yes, you are an animal, too.

I attended Tony Robbins fire-walk without fear. After his motivational talk, everyone from the audience was to walk through a ten-foot bed of hot coals. I had no fear, even through his talk.

But I know our minds control so much of what goes on with our bodies. Because of my 37-day coma, my right side is less-sensitive. I did develop some blisters, but only on my right foot. I believe the nerve connections lack going to my right foot, and that is why.

Remember, fear is >>
“F”alse
“E”vidence
“A”ppearing
“R”eal.

You can control your fears in life.

What new stories are you ready to write?

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

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

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

WHEN YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!

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

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

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>

“Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.”
–Judy Blume

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”
–Dale Carnegie

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt

“Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”
–Yoda

“The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
–Nelson Mandela

“Nothing in life is to be feared.
It is only to be understood.’
–Marie Curie

“Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.”
–Bill Cosby

“The key to change… is to let go of fear.”
–Roseanne Cash

“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson

“We should all start to live before we get too old.
Fear is stupid.
So are regrets.”
–Marilyn Monroe

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time seems to be going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.

February 3,4,5—Getting back to juggling, this weekend I attended this >>
https://atlantajugglers.org/festivals/upcoming-festival

On the drive down there, I looked into my rear-view mirror and saw a cop behind me. I could not think of anything I did that was illegal; yikes. I decided to pull into a gas station to get away—he followed me—oh no. He drove to where there were three other cop cars to join their party. Relief came upon me.
Good to see some old juggler-friends. Many were there, with hardly room to stand and juggle for people.

I was to present some workshops to help jugglers. But, for the first two sessions, people went to the wrong place. Then, on Sunday, no one showed up; they seemed to get so into their juggling. Oh well, their loss? I did help at least a dozen jugglers with their juggling one-on-one as I was walking around.

Throwing 3 at the juggling festival, I am. 

As you know, because of my accident and 37-day coma, I can no longer juggle as I did; yikes, I can hardly juggle 3 balls these days. I feel bad, but I saw that I would have been the best there, if this time had been before my accident. 

I stayed in the Atlanta area with Ray and Pat Stern and what wonderful hosts they indeed were. Ray teaches juggling, often to kids, which is why he was attending the festival (they also live in the area, of course.) These two are so good together; great to see.

Like me, Ray is a gardener, and we talked much on the subject. He introduced me to a book called “Square Foot Gardening.” He gave me his book on the topic, an excellent teaching manual on the subject. Thanks, Ray.

Studies have shown that a lot of gardeners (myself included) do their gardens in long single rows. Many would say that this is the way it is done. For big gardeners with tractors, this works best, but not for individuals growing stuff.

I see the logic of the other way, grouping plants. Takes up less space as you group each plant species together. So, I am already changing the way I do gardening.

If you have interest, this website can help >>
https://squarefootgardening.org/

The drive home from Atlanta, Georgia, to McCormick, South Carolina.
Things went smoothly, which is good, I guess?

2/6-7—Back to the garden for a few days this week, incorporating ideas I gained from Ray and reading. I hope you are gaining ideas from me to advance.

It is very practical and essential that you start growing your own food, which is already getting difficult to find in stores sometimes. Beth and I will grow much, as we have stopped eating meat so often. Care for a carrot?

I built above-ground gardens to grow vegetables. Included are some photos of how I built mine. I cut the pallets (often free) at 22 inches. Put them together with two pallets on each side, one of each end. I used three-inch screws to screw them into each other to hold them in place. You can also do this using four pallets, a 4’ square you will have.

In the past, I would dig and dig to make my garden. I love the idea of using pallets to hold the dirt in. After you set your pallets, put cardboard on top of any grass or plants. Then start building on top of this. No digging involved at all; it is quite fun, too.

A strip of plastic was put around the inside of the pallets to keep the dirt in. For each of the six gardens, I first filled them with tree trunks, limbs, grass clippings, leaves, and organic matter. Eventually, all of this will break down and become dirt itself.

Tree shavings are great for compost. To obtain free wood shavings, contact a local tree-cutting company. Many times they get trees and chop them into tiny pieces, which they often just throw away. I called a local place, and they sent a truck full of wood shavings and dumped it on our property.

Then I put down, for the top, six inches of a mixture of 1/3 each of peat moss, vermiculite, and compost. This is basically what dirt is made of, and upcoming plants will love it. Also, in this mix, include some dirt from your own lands. For future gardens, each year you simply add more compost to the top of each garden, and you’re all set.

For the paths between gardens, I put down fabric so that no weeds would grow. Then a mulch on top of this.

The strawberries are doing well. 

I think growing grass is such a waste of time and space, so I am glad to limit mine. Having a good lawn is good for kids to play on; that’s about it. Limited grass will be good in the compost after mowing. I have two large compost bins; see the photos?

2/8—My allergies have been awful. We have bunny hutches outside in two different locations, but we also kept bunnies inside. Right now, there are 17 bunnies living here with us, and three are pregnant. We moved 3 rabbits outside and rehomed one, much to Beth’s dismay. But she said she loves me more than her rabbits, just by a little bit.

Sadly, this is one of the rabbits that will be rehomed. 

My runny nose and sneezing have gotten bad; hard to breathe it is. All the rabbits will be outside soon, which will help tremendously. We will be selling and giving away rabbits; upcoming, care for a rabbit for yourself?

Beth loves the furry little creatures, so we will be keeping some; outside, of course. Rabbits are beautiful animals, but I have to live my life, too, you know.

Here is Kit fixing a bunny hutch (or, is the way Beth usually keeps me?) 

Beth did buy an air purifier, which filters out allergens. I keep this on where I do my writing and office work; it helps much. Thank you, Beth, for caring and taking care of me.

2/9—Today was my mom’s birthday.
I miss my mom, much.

I wrote about it before; I built a deck to the back of the house some time ago. Beth and I were out enjoying nature while sitting on this back deck today. As spring and summer come, we will be out there more and more. I am building the back of the house as our refuge in paradise.

Beth and Jemma on the deck I built.

From the back deck, we can see many big trees and an assortment of birds flying and stopping by. Deer have also made an appearance at times. I set up a rainwater collector in front of the house and also in the back of the house. The most sun is at the front of the house, so that is where I built the gardens.

Because no one can see, I have set up the back rainwater collector to shower under, naked. In the summer this will work excellently. Right now, the weather is too cold to be underwater outside. Now, no peeking while we shower back there this spring and summer! (note from Beth: who is this ‘we’ you are talking about?)

Off our deck and next to the fire-pit I built, I will be building a pond to hold some fish and our turtle, too. My plans include a small waterfall, also. The cost to put in the waterfall should be under a hundred bucks, so, paradise for a low price.

Do you have some land?
Can you build a paradise for yourself?
Remember, this is your one life to live; you must live in joy.

2/10—Awakening this morning at 2:30am, up for the day I am. Strange, when I first wake, my allergies are not bad, at all. After five minutes, they start up and get worse and worse. Not a great way to start a day.

Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >

This week start building that garden that will be desperately needed in your future. And, do this with no fear. You know what is required, but you just have to start. Please let me know about your progress. Plan to feed and take care of yourself.

My blog is not just words sent from me to you. This is a dialog, so let me know about the building of your garden. And if you have any questions, please write >>
kitsummers@gmail.com

Do something new, daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.

*******************
NEXT BLOG
You will read more about the paradise I am creating in our yards.
*******************

THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!

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

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

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK >>

This blog post is coming to you earlier because I am leaving later today to attend >>
https://atlantajugglers.org/aja-media/events/105-2023-ghfest
It should be a fun time. I will be presenting three workshops while there to help jugglers advance.

You might know, juggling is as much mental as it is physical. Your mind controls all you think and all you do. After my accident and 37-day coma, I had to drive myself forward, knowing that my mind could heal, sending actions of juggling down different pathways and nerves.
You see, our incredible minds can do amazing things, whether we go through a brain injury or not. See the changes, then, with a smile on your face, go forward toward your eventual goal and the outcome that you expect.

A constant choice to see the good or see the bad. Through even the worst incidences, you must take control of your mind, smile, and do what you need to heal and then achieve the outcome that you are looking for.
===============
Hope for the best; expect the worst.
Some drink wine and some die of thirst.
No way of knowing which way you‘re going.
Hope for the best; expect the worst!

Hope for the best; expect the worst.
This world’s a stage; we’re unrehearsed.
Some reach to be top friends, while others drop friends.
Hope for the best; expect the worst!

I knew a man who saved a brilliant fortune.
Then he died the day he planned to go and spend his wealth.
Shouting, “Live while you’re alive! No one will survive!”
Life can be sorrowful—here today and gone tomorrow.
Live while you are alive; no one will survive—there’s no guarantee.

Hope for the best; expect the worst.
You could be Tolstoy or Agatha Christie. 
So take your chances; there are no answers.
Hope for the best; expect the worst!

Hope for the best; expect the worst.
The rich are favored; the poor are cursed.
That is a fact, friends; the deck is stacked.
Hope for the best; expect the worst.
===============
Always expect the best, then you will find more of it.

What new stories are you ready to write?

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

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

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

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

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

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

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>
“I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations, and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.”
― Bruce Lee

“If you expect nothing from somebody, you are never disappointed.”
― Sylvia Plath

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.”
― Alexander Pope

“Expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.”
― Brandon Sanderson

“If you spent your life concentrating on what everyone else thought of you, would you forget who you were? What if the face you showed the world turned out to be a mask… with nothing beneath it?”
― Jodi Picoult

“You are most powerful when you are most silent. People never expect silence. They expect words, motion, defense, offense, and back and forth. They expect to leap into the fray. They are ready, fists up, words hanging, leaping from their mouths. Silence? No.”
― Alison McGhee

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time seems to be going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.

1/28—I had to relax from writing the blog. Of course, I love to get these words off to you, so I did not relax for too long. Jemma is such a great pooch; we played and had fun today.

1/29—Once again, we did not attend church this Sunday, as many Americans do. Although Beth’s friend, Wendy, has invited us to attend her church on a future Sunday. We are planning to go; I am still excited about the idea of meeting this God, but right now, I do not believe in any of the gods that humans have created. 

1/30—Back to the gardens. I purchased many different kinds of vegetable seeds that needed first to get started in smaller contains to get started before I put them into the garden table. There are some seeds I will plant directly into their place in the garden.

I had about 20 six-cell containers to start seeds. I planted the different seed into each six-cell container. I used masking tape to label each.

The problem I had, on masking tape, I used a green marker pen to list the seed. With the rain, each of the masking tape ink was smeared, and I could not read. I grabbed a couple before they got ruined and marked them correctly. I will have to wait until they emerge from the soil and then figure out which plant is.

1/31—Off to see the doctor who did my hand surgery for a recheck. He was that everything was alright. So nice not to have the intermittent pain in my hand anymore.

2/1—Fixed a few things on the rabbit’s hutches for Bethie. Two more rabbits are leaving Sunday, but three more, beautiful Holland Lops, are currently pregnant; we won’t know how many will come out of the mommas; we will see.

2/2—With time, things like shelving got damaged in my van; there were a couple of things that needed repair. These are significant things in the van that I built some time ago. I had no idea how I was going to accomplish what I needed to.

The thing is, once I started, things turned out even better than they were. That’s the thing, once you start something, you have doubts and things that hold you back. Once you start, then things can go smoothly, and things turn out well.

2/3—Driving to the juggling festival in Atlanta, Georgia, today, a good two-hour drive. I have not been on the road in quite a while. Looking forward to the drive. Then I will be there until Sunday when the festival concludes.

Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >

When is the last time you got out to the wilderness or a local park? This week is the week. Figure out a good place to get back to the wilderness.

Do something new, daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.

*******************
NEXT BLOG
Leaving today to go to this >>
https://atlantajugglers.org/aja-media/events/105-2023-ghfest
You will find out details on my visit.
*******************

THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!

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

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

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK >> Joy as opposed to sadness.

A constant choice, to be happy and joyful, or sad and miserable.

I have to admit, at times, I have been quite down, but then I remembered that I was the one to decide how I felt.

The good
Myself >>
>>From the joys of, in high school, pole vaulting over 18’6”, a record, to
>>Getting first place on “The Gong Show.” A national show like “Americas Got Talent”, to
>>Excelling at juggling and keeping up 7 clubs, a record, to
>>Getting booked as a featured performer at Ballys in Atlantic City, to
>>Recovering from a 37-day day coma, to
>>Writing and self-publishing, Juggling with Finesse, over 25,000 sold, to
>>Traveling the country, inspiring as I go, to
>>One year ago, I met and married Beth, and we are very happy together, to
>>Keeping moving forward with a smile on my face.

The bad
Myself >>
>>At the height of my juggling career, being hit by a truck and going through a 37-day coma, to
>>Because of brain injury, losing my ability to juggle, to
>>Having an accident while mountain biking, injuring my back in two places, to
>>A guy was helping me to publish “Juggling with Finesse”; he scammed me out of much money, to
>>Hit by a second truck, much of my body broken, to
>>Knowing that these bad things that happen are temporary and life will go on.

The good
Yes, I have found that being joyful is a choice.
Always make the right choice of happiness.

The bad
Keeping a sad face will make you depressed, don’t do it.

The good
You can boost your happiness by focusing on positive things and reducing negative thoughts. This week, follow every negative thought with a positive one. This practice will help to retrain your habitual thought patterns to bring more positive thoughts into your life. Remember, a choice; you control what you think.

The bad
Misery has many aspects to it. While there can be a positive spin on misery as an emotion, the same cannot be said of miserable people, even though, ironically, they are the ones who bring on their emotions of misery.

The good
Being positive will improve your relationships: People like being around happy people (you?) Happier people give more to others. Joyful people are also more productive: You produce more when in a positive mood.

The bad
Misery is a part of human life, like other emotions. While no one wants misery to make a permanent place in their heart, in a way, it is something that we all need from time to time to gain a little perspective and to appreciate all that we have that is good.

The good
There are many physical health benefits surrounding happiness, including>>
A more robust immune system.
A stronger resilience in the face of stress.
A stronger heart.
Less risk of cardiovascular disease.
Happiness predicts greater longevity! Yes – happier people live longer!
It can enhance your productivity: You produce more when in a positive mood.
It can promote better health behaviors: Happier people take better care of themselves.

The bad
Misery is simply an emotion that everyone has experienced at some point or the other, but rarely does one think of the varied meanings that it holds within itself. We go through it, then we must move forward again with a smile on our face.

The good
Being positive can promote better health behaviors. Happier people exercise more, which can lead to better immune functioning. Also, happier people are more resistant to colds and experience faster injury healing. Being joyful will add so many good things to your life.

The bad
Misery is as much a part of life as other emotions we feel. While no one wants misery and sadness to have a permanent residence in their heart, at times, we must go through misery to gain a little perspective and appreciate all we have.

The good
Being positive can improve your relationships.
People like being around happy people.
Happiness will give you a better life! Guaranteed! (but not a money-back guarantee.)
Happier people give more to others.

What new stories are you ready to write?

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

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

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

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

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

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

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>
“Happiness depends upon each of us.” ― Kit Summers
“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. ― Ashley Montagu
“Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it.” — Jacques Prevert
“A little misery, at times, makes one appreciate happiness more.” ― L. Frank Baum
“There is always more misery among the lower classes than there is humanity in the higher.” ― Victor Hugo
“Nothing is miserable unless you think it so; and on the other hand, nothing brings happiness unless you are content with it.” ― Boethius
“I’ve learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances.” ― Martha Washington
“There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy.” ― Dante Alighieri
“People label themselves with all sorts of adjectives. I can only pronounce myself as ‘nauseatingly miserable beyond repair’.” ― Franz Kafka

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time seems to be going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.

1/21—Continuing to prepare the garden. Our collection of seeds is getting bigger. I will be planting the seeds soon, then, after there is enough growth, I will transfer the small plants to the garden.

1/22—Already starting on this blog for you. I often put it off until the time gets toward Friday. I will be starting today and working every day on words. Good to have much of the blog already written; hope you are enjoying reading my words.

1/23—Today, Beth received the book she ordered for us, written by our friend, Mea Stones’ friend, Chris McLaughlin. Now Beth wants a Hori Hori gardening knife. Thank you, Chris McLaughlin, for suggesting another tool for my wife to do harm! We recommend that you buy this book.

This an excellent book; if you take up gardening, you need this book.

1/24—Jemma, our dog, is modeling a hat my wife made for our friend, Nancy. Another hat attempt was made but did not turn out quite the way Beth had hoped. She now has a bag to hold her extra yarn. At the Summers’ house, we aim to learn new things!

1/25—Beth and I took a walk, with Jemma, of course. Out to the wilderness behind the house, looking for wood, we could use to fuel the fire. It turns out, when a tree or branch dies, it quickly reverts to dirt again. We did not find much we could put into the fire.

1/26—Off I went to the dentist I found who is down in Augusta, Georgia. Quite a drive from here, but they do excellent work for a low price. Don’t get stuck with an expensive dentist, they are so many out there; find another for a better price if you need one.

While down there, I stopped by for my weekly trip to Costco to pick up some things we need. Yes, we are stocking up on food and other necessities. Things are changing in the world, getting more expensive and harder to get. You must prepare.

I was gone most of the day. When I got home, Beth said she missed me so very much. She said that in the old days, when she was living alone, she had no problems being by herself. Our lives have changed–for the better.

1/27—Stayed around the house today and worked on one of the rabbit hutches, making a better home for the little critter. I could make a better home for you, too, should I stop by?

Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >
Do you use a mouth covering (mask)?
I only wear one when it is mandatory.
Your mouth is hidden; no one can see your mouth.
SO I >>
Smile at some people.
Stick my tongue out at various people who deserve it.
I play games with my hidden mouth.
Try it; you will have fun!

Do something new, daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.

*******************
NEXT BLOG
I just got my planting mix for seeds, (ie. dirt), and they will go in in the next few days. You will learn of my planting. Have you started your garden yet? It is necessary, to start today.
*******************

THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!

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

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

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK >> TRAVEL!

As you might know, I have traveled much of the world, often looking for wilderness areas. I think this is something that will add to most people’s lives. And, no matter your situation, you can always find a way back to the wilderness.

In 1977 I drove across the US from my home in San Diego to attend a juggling convention in Delaware. The excellent juggler Jon Held accompanied me on the trip. This was my first time driving across the US; since the first, I have gone on to make 31 round-trip drives across the US.

In 1978, I went to see my friend, Barrett Felker, who was attending college in Arizona. Also a great juggler, and we connected well. In just a few months, we decided to go to Hawaii to live, practice our juggling, and perform. We stayed for three months, and our performance paid for all of it.

Later in 1978, also through juggling and performing, I went to Europe with my friend, John Fox, a friend and performer. We met many great jugglers and had a great time of it.

Just the beginning of my travels. I would eventually travel much of the world. I discovered all the benefits of world travel.

Another drive across the US!
In 1979, I was hired as the juggling instructor at Ringling Brothers Clown College in Florida. Only 18 years of age, teaching clowns juggling skills is another highlight of my life. Can you imagine?

While at Clown College, I met David Crosby of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. I had no idea who he was; how wonderful, though. He did give me very nice compliments about my juggling. Recently Beth heard that Crosby has died, an awful thing. If I had known who he was, I would have taken a picture with him and saved it for the day I found Beth.

Here comes 1981, the year I got booked as a featured juggler at Ballys Casino in Atlantic City. Yet another trip driving from San Diego across the US. My contract was for one year; they liked my performance so well that they kept me on for an entire year.

Then, on April 3, 1982, I was walking to my performance at Ballys in the evening on a stormy night. I was struck by a truck and went through a 37-day coma. I ended up staying in the hospital for a few months, receiving therapy and help with recovery. As you would know, my traveling was diminished.

My accident was on 4/3/82. The International Jugglers Association (IJA)  had a convention coming up in July. I was still in a wheelchair, and my sister and a friend drove me from San Diego to attend the convention. Friends and caring jugglers were all around, quite lovely. 

Then, the 1983 IJA convention was in Purchase, New York. That provided my goal. I re-established my driving and drove myself to attend the convention solo. I was part of the show, and people loved it. In 1982 I was in my wheelchair; I had performed on stage, even riding my unicycle!

So, from being on four wheels (wheelchair) in 1982 to being on one wheel (unicycle) in 1983. 

You might think the accident ended my traveling, but it was just the beginning. I could not juggle as I did because of the accident, yet, I still knew jugging so vastly. I ended up developing a two-day workshop to help jugglers improve.

The workshops did well, as I helped hundreds of jugglers advance, first around the US, went to Europe three times with the workshop, and Japan three times to work with jugglers there, too.

In 2012, I brought the workshop to Australia, where I spent a month traveling and did five workshops around the country at circus schools and for juggling groups. Then, it was on to New Zealand, where I was there a month, too, presenting five workshops for jugglers there.

From 2013 to 2021, I hit the road. Living and traveling in my van, I mainly went to national parks and wilderness areas. I went to all the national parks and have been to every state in the US.

Traveling has been a massive part of my life. Marrying and settling down with Beth is also a big change. I guess my traveling has come to an end. I love my new life with Beth.

Traveling as much as possible will add to your life; travel when you can.

About traveling, studies show that being outside in nature is relaxing, reduces stress, you will find lower cortisol levels, better muscle tension, and an improved heart rate – all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

HAVE >>
Less stress.
Improved sleep.
Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness.
Better vision.
Improved relationships.
Higher self-esteem. You will find >>
Improved short-term memory.
Reduced inflammation.
Awareness of conservation.
Boost your immune system.

Also, being in the wilderness >>
1. INCREASES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
As you would know, we move more when we’re outdoors. Do you know that every hour spent outdoors is associated with seven more minutes of heart-pumping physical activity, taking 762 more steps, and spending 13 fewer minutes being sedentary?
  This is in our backyard (see Dolly, the cat?) 

2. IT WILL LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE.
Compared to city environments, getting a 30-minute dose of walking in nature can lower your pulse and blood pressure and, of course, put a smile on your face.

3. BEING OUTDOORS, YOU WILL FIND IMPROVED AIR QUALITY.
Indoors is often worse than outdoors in air quality. In fact, spending large amounts of time indoors increases exposure to infectious diseases and common allergens (like pet dander and dust.) Indoor air may even lead to the development of chronic respiratory conditions.

4. BEING OUTDOORS WILL HARNESS IMPROVED SOCIAL INTERACTION.
Being outdoors enhances our desire to seek and improve social connections. Improved social interactions help fend off excessive feelings of loneliness while generally boosting mental wellness.

5. IT WILL BOOST YOUR MOOD.
Forests and natural environments are considered therapeutic landscapes and have demonstrated many positive mental effects. Exposure to forests and trees leads to increased liveliness and decreased levels of stress, hostility, and depression.

6. BENEFITS YOUR IMMUNITY.
Breathing air in the wilderness is healthy. Essential oils from the trees, leaves, and soil help improve your immune system function.

7. IT CAN DECREASE YOUR LEVELS OF STRESS AND ANXIETY.
Increased exposure to the outdoors, including forested environments and beaches, has been shown to decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Essentially, in the outdoors, people feel less stressed and more rested. Interestingly, some doctors even prescribe walking outdoors as part of their patient’s treatment plans for managing stress and anxiety.

Get out in the wilderness as often as you can.
This will only benefit you. For me, all I have to do to be in the wilderness is to walk out our back door.

What new stories are you ready to write? 
********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

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

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

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

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

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>
1. “At some point in life, the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint, or even remember it. It is enough.” – Toni Morrison

2. “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” –Edward Abbey

Why look, there’s Gary!

3. “Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

4. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” – Henry David Thoreau

5. “The antidote to exhaustion isn’t rest. It’s nature.” – Shikoba

6. “Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” – John Muir

7. “Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” – Ashley Smith

8. “Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

9.“In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.” – Aristotle

10. “Hiking’s not for everyone. Notice the wilderness is mostly empty.” – Sonja Yoerg

11. “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
I love the wilderness. See Dolly, the cat?

12. “Hiking and happiness go hand in hand or foot in boot.” – Diane Spicer

13. “After a day’s walk, everything has twice its usual value.” – G.M. Trevelyan

14. Backpacking: An extended form of hiking in which people carry double the amount of gear they need for half the distance they planned to go in twice the time it should take.” – Anonymous

15. “Hiking is not escapism; it’s realism. The people who choose to spend time outdoors are not running away from anything; we are returning to where we belong.”
– Jennifer Pharr Davis

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time seems to be going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.

1/14—Every week, I feel relief after I publish my blog for you, which was released yesterday. Knowing my words are out there to benefit you as you read.

1/16—I worked on the six raised-bed gardens that I built. I usually purchase already-started plants (tomatoes, lettuce, and such.) After checking out Amazon, I found that I could buy 25 excellent seeds for about a buck, for example. My future gardens will be started from seed from now on.

Also, today my new chainsaw arrived!
Big enough for all I need, an excellent tool. 

1/17—We have almost 20 rabbits, quite a bunny menagerie. Today Beth sold six of the little creatures. This weekend six more will be finding new homes. I had some bunnies when my daughters, Jasmine and April, were young, one of which had little ones. The girls loved it.

1/18—Off today to find wood for the fire. Of course, I feel terrible when we have to pay for wood. Recently, I purchased that small battery-powered chain saw that I can bring with me out to cut wood. This is working excellently. I did find a scary face in a piece of timber; see the photo.

1/19—Cold days are upon us. I’ve developed a good way to use the fireplace to keep us warm. We also have electric heat. We have not had to use the heater much, saving us money.

1/20—The new showerhead came in! I’ve hooked it up, and the new head is working well. But, I think it puts out too much water. I will look into getting another that is more water-saving.

How about you, are you handy?
Can you fix simple things?
Remember, videos on YouTube can teach you anything.
I’ve become quite an expert is fixing things around the house.

Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >
Every day this week, try something new.
Suggestions >>
A new meal that you prepare.
Start learning that new language that you want to learn. Japanese anyone?
Begin your garden that you need to develop.
Take a day to thoroughly clean you house (you know it needs it.)
Start that exercise routine that you have been meaning to commence.
Remember, something new everyday.
Then, make it a habit to learn new things constantly.
Do something new, daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.
*******************
NEXT BLOG
Our garden is going in.
You will hear of the progress.
*******************

THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!

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

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

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
MAIN TOPICS FOR THIS WEEK

JOY – Your Choice
Always there for you, the choice of looking for pain and misery, or joy and pleasure. Choose right, always.

10,000 Years
Ten thousand years from now—nothing will matter!
Possibly, one year from now—things will not be THAT important.
Think about that.

Others
As you find joy in your life, spread happiness as much as you can. In this life, we have to work together to make a better life for everyone. The more you can help others, the better your life can become.

Beth
With Beth, we are finding so much felicity in our life together, and we are making things grow, better better, constantly. We know this is crucial in life, to bring joy to each other all the time.

Kit’s Death?
If I were to die tomorrow, I would feel good about the life I have led, being able to add to many people’s life (hopefully yours), and, I believe, having been able to change the juggling world to a better thing.

Your Death?
How about you and your legacy?
There is still time; who’s life can you add to?
The more you can add to others’ lives, the better you will do in life.

Tony Robbins
Just look at Tony Robbins, who I first met in San Diego in the 1980s as he was starting out. With his books and connection with people, he is now worth over six hundred million dollars. So, connection with people can pay off.

God?
Many people hope for God and heaven after death. I have never heard any logical reason to believe in any God. The idea of a god never made any sense to me. Rather than live your current life with hope for some possible future time with god, why not make this current life you are living as fantastic as you can—NOW!

People have said . . .
Others have said to me, “What about when, after you die, you come face to face with god?” I will simply say, “God, you always knew what it would take to make me believe, yet I have never heard.” So, if I end up going to hell, it is god who sent me there.

As I have written before . . .
If you can direct me to your god, introduce me, and let me know how to believe in a way that makes sense to me, please do.

What new stories are you ready to write? 
********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

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

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

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

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

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

********************
I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS INSPIRE YOU >>

1. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Gandhi

2. “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein

3. “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” — George Bernhard Shaw

4. “He who fears he will suffer already suffers because he fears.” — Michel De Montaigne

5. “If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day — go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.” — Chinese proverb

6. “Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.” — Sigmund Freud”

7. “Life is straightforward, but we insist on making it complicated.” — Confucius

8. “If you don’t like something, change it.
If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” — Mary Engelbreit

9. “In seeking happiness for others, you will find it in yourself.” — Unknown

10. “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” — Viktor Frankl

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time seems to be going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.

1/7—Always trying to advance and make something better on the house, today I worked on our gardens and ordered vegetable seeds to plant. Things are getting more expensive and harder to get. Growing our food will be highly beneficial, I think. How about you, are you planning?

1/8—About once each week, I take the forty-mile drive to Costco. We have certain things to buy, but even those are going up in price. Purchasing fuel at Costco is less expensive than most places, which is good, so I fill up.

1/9—Not a lot happening at the Summers’ household right now. But, always projects to work on. Daily I try and accomplish something for the place where we reside. Is that something you do, too?

1/10—We acquired a lot of paint in various colors. I had been keeping it out in the open cage we call “The Shed”. I know that the heat of summer, and the cold of winter, it is not good for the paint. I built a shelf system today to keep the color under the house. It should be good now.

1/11—Beth has not been well for a few months now, and me off and on. We are hoping to transition to a healthier life.

1/12—We have no idea what we did today. Isn’t that awful? Old age is setting in quickly. Ha!

Today I did order many packets of seeds. The time in coming soon to put them in the ground for a later harvest. From seed, we will be growing lettuce, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, and several other eatable plants.

People often grow things just because it’s fun. We are also growing things to eat because it is much cheaper to produce your own, and you can ensure that whatever you are developing is safe.

Today we bought a used marble-topped center island for the kitchen. It is fantastic and will help much.

1/13—Friday the 13^th, a happy day. Like belief in a god, I do not believe in any superstitions. Beth said, “But does Friday the 13^th believe in you?”

Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

******************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >
Are you planning or starting your garden? Now is the time you must. It looks like the food might become hard to get a hold of and/or expensive. Start to learn to change with changes and keep your life going to a promising future.

Do something new daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.

*******************
NEXT BLOG >>
My seeds should be in. I will write about getting my garden going and what I put in the ground.
****************

THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!