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

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >>kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.
*** The freedom I am experiencing in my travels is a marvelous thing!
*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** I will have secrets to unfold and good news!

I WANT TO TAKE YOU AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>

You may know, before I met Beth I was traveling around the county, mainly going to National Parks and Wilderness areas, as I wrote this weekly blog.

After visiting every state and every national park, I was getting bored having to return to where I saw before.

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

The Year Before Kit—Not a Good Year—Written by Beth Firce.

COVID 2020 happened—I panicked—I got to work from home, learned to adjust to a new way of living, and did what everyone else was doing. Except, unknown to me, 2020 was not good to me in many other ways. For the first time in my life, I got food poisoning. It wasn’t the worst, but it wasn’t great either.

Living alone, I had to learn to cope with things by myself. Actually, living alone while sick was probably better than having a mate cleaning up after me. It wasn’t pretty. A month later I was doing a craft from Pinterest, using cat food cans, and I sliced open my pinkie finger. I am certain it needed stitches, but with Covid, and my fear of doctoring, I fixed it myself with some Superglue and band-aids. So that takes care of March through July.

Saturday morning, August first, I went outside to feed the cats with a large container of dry food in one hand and Hank, the turtle, in my other hand. I was going to let Hank go back to his home across the street in the big field. Box turtles live in the same area all their life. I have a turtle expert friend who taught me how to care for damaged reptiles until they are safe to be put back home. Hank had recuperated quite well and had gotten mean so it was time for him to go home.

For most of my life, I have helped injured animals (including humans). I don’t know how to “not” help them.

I stepped a little bit crooked onto the cement steps, lost my balance, stepped down onto the cardboard I had placed over the low lying muddy area in front of the steps, slipped, my feet went out, the cat food flew all over, I have no idea where Hank went, as I fell wrong, I hurt my ankle and was being bitten by ants.

Since there was no white night in shining armor around (where was Kit when I needed him?), I forced myself to move, to limp into the house, to pull off my dress, kill any remaining ants, apologize to the cats, and check my boo-boos. My ankle had a huge knot on the side. I thought it was broken. Well, I still had animals to feed so I didn’t want to stop doing anything until they were all fed. I hopped and swore a lot but I got my morning chores done and came inside to ice my ankle and go on FB for help.

My friend, and neighbor, Lauren, had a cane and an ankle brace she brought over. I got plenty of advice for ice/elevates/heat…offers to take me to the ER, basic help offered so I feel very grateful to live where I do. I took ibuprofen but my daughter reminded me we have a clotting factor and I need to be on aspirin, so now I’m afraid I’ll die and had to quickly text her my dying wishes.

My sisters want me to move to NC, ASAP, to be near them.

OK, I think I’m ready.

It’s only just noon and my brain and body are fried and I need a nap.

And I am wondering where Hank went (Update: I found Hank. He never left the place I dropped him.)

On August 3rd, I got an x-ray at the doctor’s and was sent to the ER, because, of course, it was broken.

And then, on November 3, the worst thing that ever happened to me.

I was having the best day ever and was so happy. I’d paid my bills, looked pretty for a change, and came home to all of my fur babies.

Without going into great detail, what happened next changed my life.

One of my own dogs went crazy and attacked my dog, Jemma. I had 5 dogs at the time, 4 in the house. I do not know why Candy turned on Jemma but I could not make her stop. My Benny boy, my precious sweet Benny, saw what was happening, grabbed me by the leg, and pulled me away from the girls to try to save me. He didn’t let go until I pulled him through the kitchen, down the back steps, and into the yard opening the gate where he finally let go and ran free.

At that point, my leg was shredded. I had the presence of mind to lock him in the outdoor kennel, call 911, call my neighbor, and still go back into the house and try to separate the dogs. I was screaming and crying so I don’t want to remember any of this, even though I do.

Ambulances, police cars, neighbors, friends, my yard was full.

I was placed with the very best surgeon Dr. Maughon, at Self Memorial Hospital, who saved my leg. Two of my dogs were euthanized, 2 adopted out, and Jemma was home waiting for her mommy to get back to her. She, too, was injured but recovered quickly.

Neither of us trusts other dogs now. The biggest change I’ve had in my life. I also thought that if I was happy again, something bad would follow so I stopped allowing myself to feel happiness.

For the last two incidents, my family and local friends, and acquaintances, were here for me. I had so much help with shopping, care of my other animals, rides to and from the doctors, and emotional support. If you have to be injured, there’s nothing like a small town, full of good people, offering help and showing up when you need them. I cannot thank these people enough.

Meeting Kit has changed how I now see my life. The fear of getting hurt again, of being alone to face a crisis, and having someone here that loves me 24/7 for the bad, and the good, makes me feel secure and safe. I hope I make him feel the same way. I’m glad to have 2020 behind me. It was a terrible, horrible year. From here on out, I know that life will be so much better, as Kit and I live and learn together.

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

I do hope you like reading my words,

please let me know how it might help you.

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.
At any age, you can (and should)
make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

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

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

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

Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind. Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.

Remember, very little is needed to
make a great life.
I hope these words I pick do help you.

********************
BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS
From my book series, “Beyond Your Potential

YOUR BRAIN IS AMAZING!

In the old day’s people thought that, once you go beyond a certain age, your brain fails to keep learning and growing, to keep going BEYOND YOUR POTENTIAL using and to keep learning. Since then, scientists have discovered that we can continue to learn and grow through to our eventual death.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MIND, USE IT RIGHT.

For many years, the consensus was that if a person sustained a brain injury, their brain would not be able to operate normally again. The general thought was that once a brain was injured and it could not heal, but in more recent years, doctors and researchers have found that the brain can be amazingly resilient.

In my case, I have found that my brain and thoughts are actually much clearer in some aspects, and that I have a newfound perspective on the world. In fact, this book may not have existed if I still operated with the same thought patterns I used before my accident.

YES, THERE IS MUCH HOPE FOR A BRAIN INJURY VICTIM!

My brain experienced substantial trauma during my accident and was sloshed back and forth in my skull. I have since discovered that our brain has so many neurons that when some neurons are damaged or die, other neurons can take on their functions.

For your brain, you need to keep adding new knowledge and skills throughout your life to take full potential of your brains’ possibilities and potential.

YOU MUST KEEP LEARNING AND GROWING YOUR BRAIN—

FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

Your brain’s structure changes throughout your lifespan. Scientists no longer see the brain as an organ that is “hardwired”, and therefore inflexible. All the thoughts you think, all the experiences you have, all the love you show, all the changes you go through, actually shape your brain by creating new neural pathways.

Your brain is learning and therefore evolving all the way to our last breath. It is a truly amazing organic machine.

YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

12/4—Today I started building the raised bed gardens. As you know, I do not like lawn, unless you have kids and it is to play on. So, growing plants to eat is a good thing. Is this something you might do? I am here to help, let me know.

12/5—We had to get out to the wilds, we returned to Baker Creek State Park. Jemma loved to be back in the out-of-doors.

12/8—Today I made my Japanese Fried Rice. I put together a recipe from a few good recipes, so my own gained from the best of others. This rice turns out better than restaurant-made, by far. You will love it, make some. Let me know how it turns out >>

Japanese Fried Rice

4 cups cooked rice

4 green onions

1 cup chopped onions

3 large eggs

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 cup diced carrots

1/2 cup red pepper

salt and pepper to taste

1 or 2 cups of chicken or shrimp

Olive oil to stir fry

Start by, in a large pan, frying the rice how you can.
Then start mixing in the other ingredients and you continue to fry.

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

Let me know how your fried rice turns out.

********************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>

When is the last time you wrote an old-fashioned letter?
Pick a close friend or relative, sit down, write a two-page letter to this person.

********************
NEXT BLOG >>

I have a couple of ideas, you will find out next week.

THIS WEEK, MAKE YOUR LIFE SOMETHING

THAT YOU CAN WRITE ABOUT!

BLOG 147—Kit’s a painter?

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

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.
*** The freedom I am experiencing in my travels is a marvelous thing!
*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** I will have secrets to unfold and good news!

I WANT TO TAKE YOU AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>

Beths’ and my friend, Lee, has a rental property. The last people living at the place left it quite a mess. Because Lee knows of my painting projects at Beth’s, she asked if I would, I said yes, so a painting man I was this week. Along with painting, I did quite a bit of cleaning and fixing stuff.

So, I spent the week as a painter, and I am told that I did quite well.

I’ve introduced you to Beth, she wrote the following, learn more about her –

Written by Beth Firce –
Our story began four months ago on Friday, May 14th, 2021. I was working at the local library and it was my last week before retirement. I was looking forward to staying home and crocheting, reading, and being a semi-hermit, while I decided whether to move to NC near family or figure out a way to live in my house alone. I liked being alone.

It wasn’t an issue for me at all. I had been alone for 8 years following a very uncomfortable divorce with a former criminal who had tendencies of returning to his craft.

My life had been uneventful except for job stressors, much like everyone has. I struggled thru a broken leg one year ago but managed with the help of local friends who couldn’t have been kinder to me. I suffered a serious dog attack in my own home, 2 months after the break, on the same leg, and was hospitalized where thankfully, my leg was able to be repaired.

During that horrible time, my sisters came to help me, many of my town friends jumped in again to help, and somehow I made it thru this also. It still haunts me today but I am so much better and retirement was what I looked forward to most of all. Time to sit and think and consider and plan.

But then, on May 14, a normal Friday afternoon at the library, this skinny man dressed in mismatched shorts and a flamboyantly colored shirt, breezed in asking for a place to plug in his laptop. I pointed to a place with an outlet, he turned around and smiled at me with big white teeth and the most beautiful smile and I felt it shoot straight into my heart.

I am not kidding.

I knew instantly that this was going to mess up all of my plans if I didn’t take care to squash down any type of friendship coming. I hoped he was gay. He came up to the desk for information and told me how he had been living in his van for 5 years, and had written books about juggling, his profession.

I am a van fanatic and I follow Carolyn’s RV Life on YouTube and wanted someday to live like her, so I jumped at the invitation to see his van. He was very proud of it, showing me the cupboards and nooks and crannies where he stored all of his things. He had a soothing voice. I enjoyed listening to him talk.

Back inside the library, he sat down at his laptop, I found his books on Amazon and was going to order one for myself and I walked over to tell him. He went outside to his van and gave me one. He then gave 2 to the library also. This guy was a top 20 juggler and was all over google!! I was impressed. I gave him some snacks I had behind the desk, cookies I’d made etc.

He came up to the desk to chat a few more times before it was time to close. As I drove off slowly in my car I waved to him and I felt terrible that he was all alone. My mothering instincts kicked in. If I hadn’t had plans with my friend, Nancy, for supper, I would have taken him out to eat. I thought about him through my entire meal. Poor waif.

Later that evening, he messaged me thanking me for the food and he sent me a juggling video. He asked me if I would be working at the library Saturday or Sunday. I would be working Sunday but off Saturday. I told him I was going to Greenwood because my goldfish died and I wanted to get another one. He responded, May I join you in obtaining your fish that is gold? We shall have a great time together.”

Already, he was too cute. We arranged the time and I picked him up the next morning. We did have fun shopping in Greenwood and by the time we got to back to McCormick, I had asked him if he wanted to park his van in my yard. So he did.

Sunday he left to go visit his friend Gary, the man who brought him to my area in the first place. He texted me from there saying he wasn’t having a very nice time and could he come back. We spent the next couple of days hanging out, him staying in his van or on my front porch, because of allergies to my dog. He was able to come in to have breakfast and supper with me at the table.

And my dog, who hates men, accepted him immediately. I never understood this but I’m so glad that she did. It was nice having company and I enjoyed him so much but I began feeling closed in. He was there in the morning, awake hours before I woke, his presence was on my porch.

I felt the need to be with him all the time and I didn’t want this. I expressly told him I didn’t want any more relationships, as we discussed many things about our lives. I know I got my point across so that no misunderstandings would happen, and yet, I knew something was happening. But I did not want to acknowledge it.

I did not want another man in my life. By Wednesday morning I was a nervous wreck. He came breezing in asking if I wanted to make salsa! I asked him if he could find something to do that wasn’t in my house. Kit graciously said it was fine, he would go back to Gary’s. I felt horrible. I hated asking him to leave, I hated thinking I might have hurt him. He didn’t act hurt but he was so sweet I knew he wouldn’t show it if he was hurt.

He left and I felt relieved. I slept well knowing that he wasn’t in my yard alone. But that relief did not last long. We texted back and forth and I met him down the road from Gary’s to return a few things he’d left behind. When he left to go to Georgia a couple of days later, I felt completely shattered. What had I done? I knew I didn’t want a relationship of any kind and yet, I could not stop thinking about him.

My retirement party went well and I missed Kit being there but I also knew I couldn’t have handled him being there. He wanted to come. I said no. He wanted to come back to stay in my yard. I said no. I just couldn’t do this. But I still felt awful and I missed him.

He went to a town in Georgia and hung around and we kept in touch. He wrote that he was going to be back in my area at Gary’s and wanted to stop in to see me. I jumped for joy! I responded with a “YES! YES! YES! Please come see me”.

I didn’t know what was going to happen but I missed him so very much. I waited the entire next day, looking out the window, re-doing my hair, making sure my dress looked OK, checking my make-up….but he wasn’t able to get to my house until a day later. Talk about being bummed out.

I do hope you like reading my words,

please let me know how it might help you.

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.
At any age, you can (and should)
make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

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

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

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

Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind. Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.

Remember, very little is needed to
make a great life.
I hope these words I pick do help you.

********************
BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS

The difference between sadness and happiness
depends on what you do with attention to the matter.
Kit Summers
********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

11/27—Finishing up with my painting of Lee’s rental house today. There will be other things I will help with to help make this home look fantastic.

12/2—My computer was working slow and had some possible water damage, I have an account with Geek Squad so I took my computer to them to take a look. After learning that the computer might have water damage he told me they would have to send it out for repair.

Today I got the computer back. They had wiped the computer clean, something I did not ask for. All my photos, all my files—GONE! I have many of them on Google Drive, but there are some I will not be able to ever recover.

I do have my files backed up by being able to sync my account through Google, but I will not be able to recover many files and photos. I never did ask them to do such a thing as reformat my entire computer.

I am angry and upset, but, because I know this change cannot be changed, I will go on with my life and recuperate how I can. I’ve had to start over many times in my life—just another restart.

Many people have these sorts of changes, that is life. You must find a way to see the future in a different way, then move on. I was hit by two different trucks, 15 years between the two. In the first I was in a coma for 37-days.

Yes, it is difficult, but learn to see the problem and/or change, smile, and then move forward in a different way.

12/3—Today we went to see Beth’s friends, Mia and Roman Stone. What a fantastic farm they have; their very happy animals make all people happy, too. From the goats to the chickens to the donkey, a great time was had by us. Take a look at this fabulous place –

https://business.facebook.com/Stonywoods.Farm/

********************
Your Challenge for the week >>

Is your computer or phone backed up to a place that is safe?
This week make sure each is in case you might lose the device.

**********

**********

NEXT BLOG >>

Next week we will be going to another farm:
https://www.mettsorganix.farm/

I will try and sell my salsa there.
https://sites.google.com/site/summerssalsa/

THIS WEEK, MAKE YOUR LIFE SOMETHING

THAT YOU CAN WRITE ABOUT!

• Tweet
• Pin It

BLOG 146—Work? Or Fun?

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

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.
*** The freedom I am experiencing in my travels is a marvelous thing!
*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** I will have secrets to unfold and good news!

I WANT TO TAKE YOU AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>

Hope you have made your life a fantastic event this week.

No travel to speak of, so limited photos. I have included ones from the past.

A friend of Beth’s, Lee, has a rental property. The last people living there left it a mess. She knew of my painting from what I have been doing at Beth’s house, so I was hired. I do not see projects like this as work, it is our choice to attack the work as work, or as play.

I used “The Paint Stick” to cover the walls. I’ve used this before to paint my house in Trainer, PA. Using this makes it easy to paint. There are videos on YouTube on how to use it right.

It took about one week, which seemed to move quickly.

Why pay someone a lot of money when you can easily paint? As I’ve said before, “If someone else can do it, so can you. You just have to find a way.” Things are working out well and I will finalize the project today.

As you might know from my past writings when I do something I aim for excellence; something each of us can do. By excellence I mean the best you are able to do—no matter what might have happened to you in the past—not comparing yourself to others.

In 1982 I went through an accident which resulted in me being comatose for 37-days. I have left-other problems like some memory and balance issues, but I deal with those as they come. You can, too, aim toward the excellence that’s in you.

Before I could stand or walk well, I worked on my juggling. 

One of the challenges faced by many brain injury survivors is managing or articulating their emotions. Creative writing, like writing this blog, can often help people to put their thoughts onto paper and process what they are feeling or thinking.

Creative writing and helping others have given me such meaning in my world since sustaining my brain injury. No matter who you are, when you help others it will help you, as well.

If you have gone through a brain injury or life change, helping others by putting your words down will help the world heal.

Some brain injury survivors find it beneficial to share their story with the rest of the world, whilst others prefer to keep their writing to themselves. Either way, creative writing is a great way of opening up and releasing emotions that may have built up over time, with a brain injury or not.

Creative writing presents a way for you to dissipate your frustrations. It will also help to reiterate how strongly you feel about certain issues, especially incorrect assumptions about the effects of a brain injury. Writing is also a main way to help others.

Before my brain injury, I was someone who was always on the go, since then I have read much. I seem to have developed a passion for creative writing. I find it really therapeutic.

Simply put, creative writing gives people the chance to explore their life after brain injury, with the possibility of reaching out to those in a similar situation and helping them, too.

You see, creative writing also has a number of cognitive benefits for those living with a brain injury. Not only will it help to improve the cognitive abilities of brain injury survivors, it can also help anyone to keep moving forward.

Maintaining focus is key when it comes to creative writing, but a reduced attention span is common following brain injury. However, creative writing can sometimes help to strengthen this area of cognitive functioning. And, you can go forward with your writing at your own pace.

Writing, on the other hand, gives me the chance to solely concentrate on expressing myself by putting pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard.) The pressure to keep up with the conversation – both verbally and mentally – is removed and instead, the author can write at their own pace, free from judgment.

So, if you have gone through a brain injury or not, start writing, it will do you good.

I do hope you like reading my words, please let me know how it might help you.

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.
At any age, you can (and should)
make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

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

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

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

Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind. Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.

Remember, very little is needed to make a great life.
I hope these words I pick do help you.

********************
BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS

Don’t give up on yourself when you can’t seem to get inspired. You are the one who has to make it happen. It’s easy to conclude, especially when you’re in the doldrums, that you’re just not a very motivated or talented person.

Accept that it’s OK to be down at times, and maybe others can help guide you to greater heights; as you help them to move forward.

Take a mental break to allow yourself to refocus. Digging into your own mental processes can provide unexpected sources of inspiration.

Taking that mental break can also be the break from the rut you’re in and you’ll see things in a different light.

Team up with others. Putting your group identity to work may mean that you partner up with people, like you, who are also seeking new sources of inspiration. Find help where you can.

Together, you may find that you’re bouncing far more creative ideas off each other than you could have come up with on your own. Things can be hard alone.

Realize that there are just some times in life when you won’t feel very inspired. It’s OK to spend the day in your sweats, on the couch and watching TV, and just to relax.

Maybe it is cold and gray outside, or perhaps too hot even to move. An occasional day off shouldn’t detract you from achieving your goals.

Break your inspiration down into manageable pieces. You may not get that one great idea, but perhaps you’ll have several small ideas that you can build up into something grand.

The main thing with your writing, make life better for others with your words; that will help you, too.

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

Did not do any wilderness outings, which I miss.

This week I spent at my house doing painting projects, things turned out well, too.
********************

MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS WEEK >>

Pick a room in your house that needs it, paint it in a beautiful way–pleasing to the eye.

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

NEXT BLOG >>

This week we will be going to see Beth’s friend Mea Stone at her place Stonywood’s Farm. They raise Angora goats, as well as chickens, ducks, guinea hens, and other creatures. I will give you the details next week.

Until then take a look at >>
https://www.facebook.com/stonemea
You will be impressed by this facinating woman.

THIS WEEK, MAKE YOUR LIFE SOMETHING

THAT YOU CAN WRITE ABOUT!

• Tweet
• Pin It

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

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.
*** The freedom I am experiencing in my travels is a marvelous thing!
*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** I will have secrets to unfold and good news!

I WANT TO TAKE YOU AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>

Nothing really matters, I’ve found that to be so true. Going through life as a human, we have to make the most of it and find as much joy as we can. In the end, all we have is death, so we must make the most of our life, always, and find (and give) all the joy that we can.

Yesterday we went to the funeral of James Butler. This is an older man who Beth took care of for some years. He was 91 when he passed, you must remember you are eventually taking that route, too.

For me, I don’t think anything matters, heavily. We go through things and go on. Death is just a part of life, we will all get there. So, in the end, not even that matters much.

Not much happened this week, so I am including photos from past travels. I hope you enjoy them and let me know what you think. 

Charles Dickens once wrote:
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for others.”
I hope my words do that for you.

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.
At any age, you can (and should)
make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

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

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

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

Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind. Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.

I hope these words I pick do help you.

********************
BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS
From my book series, Beyond Your Potential >>
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MIND, USE IT RIGHT. As you might know, I once went through a brain injury and was in a coma for 37-days. For many years, the consensus was that if a person sustained a brain injury, that their brain would not be able to operate normally again.

The general thought was that once a brain was injured and it could not heal, but in more recent years, doctors and researchers have found that the brain can be amazingly resilient. In my case, I have found that my brain and thoughts are actually much clearer in some aspects, and that I have a newfound perspective on the world. In fact, this book may not have existed if I still operated with the same thought patterns I used before my accident. YES, THERE IS MUCH HOPE FOR A BRAIN INJURY VICTIM.

My brain experienced substantial trauma during my accident, and was sloshed back and forth in my skull. I have since discovered that our brain has so many neurons that when some neurons are damaged or die, other neurons can take on their functions.

For your brain, you need to keep adding new knowledge and skills throughout your life to take the full potential of your brain’s possibilities. YOU MUST KEEP LEARNING AND GROWING YOUR BRAIN FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. Your brain’s structure changes throughout your lifespan.

Scientists no longer see the brain as an organ that is “hardwired”, and therefore inϐlexible. All the thoughts you think, all the experiences you have, all the love you show, all the changes you go through, actually shapes your brain by creating new neural pathways.

Your brain is learning and therefore evolving all the way to our last breath.
It is a truly amazing organic machine.

WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS, YOU CAN OVERCOME ANYTHING.
At any age, you can make the change and aim your life anew.
Now, it’s time to get out there and do
something incredible that you can rejoice in!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

11/13—James Butler’s death came this week.

Not much to write of, hope you are inspired, though.

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

MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS WEEK >>

I have trouble balancing while on one leg, brain injury and all.

Can you stand on one?

See if you can do it for two minutes.

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

NEXT BLOG >>

Winter is here, you will hear of the cold next week.

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

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.

*** Remember, to read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** If you are not my Facebook friend, yet, please, befriend me.
*** The freedom I am experiencing in my travels is a marvelous thing!
*** Going where I want, when I want, and seeing wonderful places and people.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** I will have secrets to unfold and good news!

I WANT TO TAKE YOU AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

********************
INTRO TO THIS WEEK >>

The cold is here, we are keeping the fireplace going throughout the day; nice to have this. You may remember, I liked having my fires when I was out traveling and in a campground. Now I get to have a fire all the time, I like that.

Something that likes the cold in the area, we are seeing many different kinds of mushrooms. These fungi are delicious, deadly, magical, intoxicating, and mysterious. I’ve never eaten a mushroom from the wilderness, always store-bought for me.

Mushrooms are a low-calorie and rich source of fiber, antioxidants, and protein. They may also mitigate the risk of developing grave health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. They’re also great sources of Selenium.

Throughout history, mushrooms have gained many varying notorieties, considered both food and foe. Today it is easy for us to find safe, tasty mushrooms at the grocery store, as I have, but it wasn’t always the case. Over the years reckless mushroom hunters have thrown caution to the wind with sometimes fatal results, giving food-safe mushrooms a bad reputation.

It’s resulted in two very different categories of people and a mycophile (those who love mushrooms) and a mycophobe (those who fear mushrooms); which are you? Then, there are folks like me, who fall somewhere between adoration and trepidation. I enjoy mushrooms, but I’ve heard enough horror stories about them to be cautious; you won’t see me hunting for wild mushrooms and eating without knowing if they’re safe.

A great deal of the mystery surrounding mushrooms stems from their association with poisonings and accidental deaths. On the other hand, mushrooms have also been praised for their medicinal properties, thanks to their heavy dose of protein, potassium and polyacrylamide, which contribute to your healthy immune function.

Of course, you can’t have a talk about mushrooms without touching on the intoxicating variety. Though we may associate hallucinogenic mushrooms with the culture of the 1960s, archaeological evidence suggests that these types of mushrooms served religious and spiritual purposes many years earlier.

It wasn’t long before the rest of the world began to cherish mushrooms. By the late 19th century, Americans were cooking up mushrooms in their own kitchens. Prior to this time, mushrooms were mainly reserved for use in condiments. Inspired by the French, Americans took mushrooms to a whole new level of devotion.

For centuries relatively little was known about mushrooms, and for a long time the Eastern half of the world was considered mostly mycophilic, and the West mycophobic. This all changed when the French introduced mushrooms into their haute cuisine.

Mind-altering mushrooms were used in religious ceremonies in ancient Mexico and by hippies of the 60s. Roman Catholic priests also observed and recorded the consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms by native peoples after the conquest of Mexico in 1519.

Psychedelic mushrooms are an interesting group. Although certain cultures have been known to use the hallucinogenic properties of some mushrooms for centuries, psilocybin was first isolated in 1958 by Dr. Albert Hofmann, who also discovered lysergic acid diethylamide (which is LSD.)

Magic mushrooms are often prepared by drying and are eaten by being mixed into food and/or drinks, although some people eat freshly picked magic mushrooms.

I will have to study eatable mushrooms now and have a bite.

How about you?

Charles Dickens once wrote:
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for others.”
I hope my words do that for you.

********************
WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>

Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have an amazing ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

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

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

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.
At any age, you can (and should)
make changes to make your life better.

You see, the way 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 own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

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

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

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

Remember, you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind. Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive and always reaching for advancement.

I hope these words I pick do help you.

********************
BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS >>
From my book series, “Beyond Your Potential”

Why have goals?
Goals are good for us because they help us to focus our attention and energy, and we can then act passionately and effectively toward our desired outcome. You don’t want to aim at reaching your goals though. Instead, aim your energy to the path leading to the goal. This is true for career goals, juggling goals, fitness goals, relationship goals, and all other goals you have.

Stay on Course
As long as it is within your control, stay on the path you’ve set for yourself and enjoy your time there. If you were to disregard the path, your entire effort may be weakened. If you don’t in fact enjoy the process of doing what you do, you risk not giving it your all and giving up on the goal. A short-range goal would be one that you want to accomplish in a day or even a week. A long-range goal might take a year, five years, or even a lifetime. We can’t put our goals out in the future and hope to one day work toward them. What we have to do is pull the future to us. Set your goals now and start driving toward them.

Direction
Without a clear goal in mind, we can find it difficult to decide what to do next. Goals should be set for many areas of your life – physical, family, economic, social, spiritual, mental, career and juggling. Without being clear about your goals, you will go only as far in life as what you need to get by. You must go beyond the potential you think you have. Everyone has different dreams and goals. Figure out exactly what yours are, then start mapping out a course to reach them.

People are Here to Help

Remember, people are here to help you. Maintain relationships with positive people who have goals similar to yours. This will help you to reach your goals much sooner. Remember though to judge yourself by your goals and your abilities, not by comparing yourself to other people’s progress or results.

Makes Life Better
Goal setting and self-improvement does not mean that you are dissatisfied with the way you are now. Goal setting is a way of looking to the future and seeing new paths toward success so that you can add to what you currently have. Goal setting is an aggressive way to break out of the ruts and plateaus of life to advance you. It is a plan, a desire, a passion, a mission. Planning like this is a way of getting to know yourself, what you can achieve, and what you really want out of life.

Model Excellence
As I was recovering, I found and modeled other people who had suffered head injuries and later found ways to do well for themself. By modeling, I mean I would do as they would do, act as they do, be on the same track of success. After my recovery, I would still use this technique and would find people whom I respected and admired and I would model them. You see, excellence can be duplicated. Think of people who have already reached the goal that you have in mind and answer the following questions.

1. What did they have to do to reach their goal?
2. What steps did they take?
3. What do you think their frame of mind was?

Get Help Toward Your Goals

If at all possible, talk with people who have achieved the goal that you have in mind. Don’t be afraid to talk to other people – we are here to help each other! I have found that every person that I wanted to talk to about how they met their goals was happy to talk to me about their success. Rightfully so, they were proud of what they had accomplished. When you talk to other people about their successes in life, ask precisely and intelligently how they reached their goals. Ask them what ideas they might have to help you avoid the roadblocks or obstacles they encountered on the way to reaching their goal. This will save you energy and time on your path to reaching the same goal.

WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS, YOU CAN OVERCOME ANYTHING.
At any age, you can make the change and aim your life anew.
Now, it’s time to get out there and do
something incredible that you can rejoice in!

********************
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

11/7—Beth and I went for a walk. When were about ½ kilometer away, our dog Jemma, to our surprise, went walking up on the other side of the street. She found a way to use her nose to open the door. We must be more careful.

11/8-12—Not much to write about this week. My not being on the road can make things seem slow. Yet, each of us is in charge of finding joy and pleasure in our own lives. Even not traveling I am finding joy how I can.

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

MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS WEEK >>

As spring is coming, get out there and start planting your garden. If everyone grew edible fruits and vegetables instead of having a lawn, we could easily feed the world. A raised bed garden makes it so you don’t have to bend over and looks nice. Watch this >>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMk8Mo7pwWY

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

NEXT BLOG >>

This upcoming week I will be building a raised bed garden using old pallets that I cut down. I will have photos so you can see. As you might know, I am against the idea of having a lawn. A lawn serves no purpose and, unless you have kids to play on it, the grass is a waste of space.

I plan on building gardens (which take no more time than having a lawn) and pathways around the house. Eventually, I do not want to have any grass growing that is necessary to cut. Right now we don’t even own a lawnmower.

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

THIS WEEK, MAKE YOUR LIFE SOMETHING

THAT YOU CAN WRITE ABOUT!