*** 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!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

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

Time goes by so quickly, especially when you do not have a lot of projects to work on. No significant events or changes to write about this week.

For some reason, the program I use to post my blog is not allowing me to include photos on my post. Please go to my Facebook post to see photos >> https://www.facebook.com/isityou/ 

I heard from Phyllis Lynch and Chris Foster.
Great to hear you are still enjoying reading my blog posts.

And, how about you?
Have you been trying new things?
Eating new dishes?
Found new love?

But, what if?

With so many naysayers in the world, don’t be one to yourself. That is one of the main ways that helped me come back from my 37-day coma, I did not question myself, I just challenged myself and did. Rather than thinking “what if” this or that happened.

What if I can’t get my blog out on time?
What if it rains tomorrow?
What if that person will not love me?
What if you leave me?
What if I cannot find food to nourish my body?
What if, what if, what if?

To live life in a “What if” world can be very hazardous to your mind and life. Off and on I have done that, as we all do. This thinking can make life very difficult and hard to live with joy. Look for the good things and aim toward them – always.

More recent excuses:
The world is already cluttered with much going on; I don’t want to add to it.
Why would anyone want to read what I have to write?
What if I don’t add adequate value?
What if I am not coherent?
What if I spend a lot of time pouring my heart into posts that no one reads?
What if, what if, what it.
How about this: What if I have a message inside me for you that can advance, inspire, engage — but I never share it?

What if?

Here’s the thing: I love living in this world.

Even on my most painful of days, there is beauty. I enjoy observing and absorbing whatever environment I am in. I don’t question much, especially about nature. Change to fit in, I do. I find a way to have joy where I am, always. I analyze the sights, the sounds, and treasure the wonder. Is this something you aim to do?

Existence excites, but sometimes it can paralyze.

At times, I have been admittedly stuck in a cycle of over-analyzing for probably a bit too long. I sometimes find I’ve been living in a What-If world. Now and then, the what-ifs had been growing louder, snowballing into a giant scary cloud in my brain. This is not a good way to live.

I value self-expression, but, at times, have let myself stay into the dark “What-If” world, holding me back from who I want to be. I’m committing to expressing myself, even in my fear. Because I know I won’t go forward without starting to take personal risks.

How about you?

What if you were to live this year expressing yourself in safe and healthy ways, totally unafraid of the possibilities — excited — about where we might go and where you might end up?

Whether you are trying to decide whether or not to take a trip or if you should try a new dish at your favorite restaurant, you, perhaps, may always think of the negative things that “might” take place. In reality, though, these thoughts are pretty unrealistic and are most likely will never happen.

By asking yourself these pessimistic “what ifs”, you are letting the possibility that something may go wrong and interrupt your reality and rational thinking. This is not clear thinking.

You may turn down chances to pursue different opportunities of travel and adventure because you are always worried that something “might” not go as planned. These thoughts will fill you with frustration and regret.

This is such a hard way to live.

Believe me, I have been guilty of the “what if” syndrome. Before every task I’m given, I ask myself what kind of possible consequences could arise. But I also ask myself, “what if what I am about to do works?”

If I am given a choice, I sometimes find myself thinking about the worst-case scenario attached to each choice. I’ve always justified it as me being careful, but in reality, it’s me being irrational when I shouldn’t be.

I’m not saying you are irrational in your life. What I mean is not to put negative thoughts in your head right away for no reason.

So, what if something doesn’t go as planned? Sometimes events that take an unexpected turn can make the adventure you’re on even better, and you can learn from any loose ends. Look for the good things.

No more, “What if?”

By asking yourself, “What if?” you are also putting whatever situation or decision in a negative light. And, you do this while there are likely many uplifting aspects to the journey or event you are about to partake in. Why not focus on the good, instead?

Turn the negative questions into positive ones.

Ask yourself,
“What if I have a blast on this trip?”
or
“What if I end up loving this food?”
or
“What if this works?”

By questioning the choices you are being faced with using wishful thinking, you are bound to have a better attitude toward the situation, finding joy. This, along with an open mind that is thirsty for adventure and void of doubt, will be much better for you.

Take the chance!
Buy the ticket.
Order that food you’ve never tried before.
Try that new thing.

If things don’t go as planned, so be it. I’m sure you will learn something from the experience, regardless of what it is. Perhaps you have already tried something and it did not work—so you learned! This is much better for your mind.

Why question bad things that “might happen”? Why not question the positive things that “can” take place, instead? You will automatically feel inspired and a new world of hope and many more opportunities will arise.

Are you finding the joy you can in the world?

Take it from me, a recovering patient of the “what if” syndrome. Don’t waste your life away by asking yourself what can go wrong. Start focusing on everything that can go right!

I do hope you like reading my words,
please let me know how they 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 

Life is like riding a unicycle.
To keep your balance,
you must keep moving forward.

Allow everything that happens to teach you,
From beauty to fear to love.
Just keep going, and keep learning.

No feeling is final until the end.
Keep a smile on your face as you go forward.
You WILL get there.
Kit Summers

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

12/25—Hope you made a fantastic Christmas for yourself. Beth and I went to her aunt’s house, which is not too far away. Aunt Karen and Uncle Dave have a lovely abode.

Their wonderful house in Plum Branch, SC is currently for sale, are you looking? There are over 30 acres to play on, you can even jump in the nice pond and swim with the beavers. You can grow your eatable plants in the spacious garden.

Also, they have an established dog and cat kennel business that you could take over, which will pay for the superb house you live in.

This house has high ceilings – great for juggling practice!

If you want to see it, take a look here >>
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/SC-283-Hwy_Plum-Branch_SC_29845_M93503-20169

By choice, they did not want a WiFi connection, no cable TV, and their small cell-phone is only for making and receiving calls. So, like the old days. They are quite happy and have all they need.

12/28—We took a journey again to Baker Creek State Park. Of course, the pooch, Jemma, joined us and loved the outing. She was all over the place smelling everything. I would have joined her but my sniffer does not work so well anymore.

Because the weather has been so dismal, we have not gotten out very much to enjoy the days. Hopefully, the upcoming week will present nicer days.

********************
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>
Take a long walk and enjoy nature as you go.
********************
NEXT BLOG >>
As you know, the New Year is coming up soon. Our plan is to join our friend, Nancy, for the festivities. But, I expect, we will probably end up asleep as the New Year passes. I will let you know.

• 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 >>

150 weeks in a row
I have gotten my blog words off to you. I did publish blogs before, such as when I was on my 2-month tour of Australia and New Zealand. I hope my words have inspired you and been entertaining.

Traveling
As you know, I am not traveling now, but hope to in the future with Beth. In my travels, I went to every state and national park in mainland USA. What a great journey I did go through. I’m glad you were with me via the blog.

Time goes fast
This Friday came up so quickly.
Time goes on, no matter what.
Are you keeping up?
Are you accomplishing what you want to before your end time?

Age
When I was young I thought that people who were over 60 were so old, almost dead. Now I am 62 and I feel as I am still just starting life and have so much to add. If you are younger, remember this limited time you have here.

You too
One thing I didn’t figure out when I was growing up was that old-age was constantly coming at me and I would die one day; as you will. Find the joy you can now before that endpoint. Along with that, help as many other people as you can to live a better life.

You have this one chance—make it great!

COVID

I still have not taken any vaccine shot (Beth has not either.) I have not heard a good reason to take it, and I’ve heard of very many who have taken the shot and still got the illness.

Having gone through a bout of Covid myself—for two days I was weak—then it was over and I am immune now. It is not a death sentence, as so many are saying. Statistics show that less than 1% of people who get the illness actually die from Covid, a very small number.

It looks as though the shots are going to become an annual or tri-annual event. As it becomes a common occurrence, I am hearing that eventually, they will add ingredients as they want to control you. Be careful of what you have put into your body. Live your life free, do not be controlled.

Also, I have never taken the flu shot, and will not ever do such a thing. Additionally, more die from the flu than from covid. And, since covid came into the picture, I am not hearing of anyone coming down with the flu, why would that be?

I wonder, how then are unvaccinated people putting others at risk? If people are fully capable of protecting themselves by vaccination, why might there be a problem? If you are protected by a vaccine, that should mean that unvaccinated people can’t put you at risk. Right?

Merry Christmas!

Hope you make this Christmas a fantastic memory.
You do know it is always up to you to make and find joy in life.
Tomorrow keep a smile on your face – all day!

Phyllis Lynch?
Haven’t heard from you in a while, are you reading my blog?

Chris Foster?
Have not heard from you, either, Chris. Hope you are doing well.

Living a storybook love
Many have said Beth and I are living a story of love that could have come from a fairy-tale storybook. We are very happy together, I must say. Don’t give up, you can find this kind of love, too.

Your mirror
Yes, you are beautiful! If you can’t see anything good or beautiful about yourself in the mirror, it is time to get another mirror. You make and see what you are, see the good and find the joy in life.

My Christmas gift to you—How to make my delicious salsa >>
Use a food processor to mix the following as you then put all into a 16-quart bowl >>

One 15 ounce can of corn, drained of the juice

One 15 ounce can of black beans, drained of the juice

One large can of peaches, drained of the juice

1 tbs of garlic salt

½ cup of diced garlic

½ cup maple syrup

½ cup of lime juice

½ cup of lemon juice

One bundle of cilantro

One jalapeno pepper

1 big red onion

About 15 plum tomatoes

On peaches >>

One 29 ounces can of peaches along with the maple syrup

In the food processor, slightly chop peach into ¼” portions then blend with maple syrup and add into the mix.

On onion >>

Use the food processor to cut large red onion into ¼” pieces.

On cilantro >>

One two-inch bundle of cilantro

Chop fresh cilantro by hand into about ¼” pieces and add to mix

On jalapeno pepper >>

Chop in the food processor one jalapeno pepper into fine pieces. If you want hotter add more pepper.

On Plum Tomatoes >>

Cut about 15 plum tomatoes in the food processor to ¼” pieces and mix them into the brew.

Keep mixing the brew off and on the entire time.

For hot salsa leave out maple syrup and peaches,

add enough habanero Peppers and jalapeno peppers

for the heat you want.

Merry Christmas to you.

Let me know how your salsa turns out.

I do hope you like reading my words,
please let me know how they 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’

You may be asking yourself, “What is happiness?” — the answer can be summed up quite succinctly: “A state of well-being and contentment.” Do you have this? But, ask ten different people what happiness is and it’s you’ll not get the same response twice, much less in just six words.

While happiness can be universally characterized by feelings of joyfulness, gratitude, and contentment, the road maps we use to arrive there are entirely unique. For some, being happy can seem like a short-lived concept, a fleeting feeling brought on by success or good fortune.

For others, cultivating happiness from within is the most worthy pursuit, whether it’s by slowing down and appreciating the present moment, developing a meditation practice, or reconnecting to your purpose. To quote the German-Swiss poet Herman Hesse, “Happiness is a how; not a what. A talent, not an object.”

Through the following words of wisdom, a common thread to happiness just might be found — or perhaps many different threads can be weaved together to form your own personal tapestry.

HAPPINESS >>

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.

– James Oppenheim

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

– Mahatma Gandhi

Make up your mind that happiness depends on being free, and freedom depends on being courageous.

– Pericles

Happiness is not a goal…it’s a by-product.

– Eleanor Roosevelt

I don’t want a job. I have eight acres of fields outside the city wall, enough for vegetables and grain. I also have an acre and a half of farmland nearby, which gives me enough silk and hemp. Strumming my zithers is enough to give me pleasure, studying Tao with you is enough to make me happy. I don’t want a job.

– Yan Hui, a disciple of Confucius

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.

– Dalai Lama

We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.

– Frederick Koenig

Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself.

– Alice Walker

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

– Thich Nhat Hanh

Happiness depends upon ourselves.

– Aristotle

Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.

– Martin Luther King Jr.

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

– Helen Keller

Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get.

– W. P. Kinsella

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

– Marcus Aurelius

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.

– Thich Nhat Hanh

All happiness depends on courage and work.

– Honoré de Balzac

True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.

– Seneca

Happiness in this world, when it comes, comes incidentally. Make it the object of pursuit, and it leads us a wild-goose chase, and is never attained. Follow some other object, and very possibly we may find that we have caught happiness without dreaming of it.

– Nathaniel Hawthorne

Happiness is something that multiplies when it is divided.

– Paulo Coelho

Genuine happiness can only be achieved when we transform our way of life from the unthinking pursuit of pleasure to one committed to enriching our inner lives when we focus on ‘being more’ rather than simply having more.

– Daisaku Ikeda

Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom to a man in the course of his life.

– Benjamin Franklin

Happiness exists on earth, and it is won through prudent exercise of reason, knowledge of the harmony of the universe, and constant practice of generosity.

– José Martí

Of all the means to ensure happiness throughout the whole life, by far the most important is the acquisition of friends.

– Epicurus

The only way to be truly happy is to make others happy.

– William Carlos Williams

Many people think excitement is happiness…. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.

– Thich Nhat Hanh

MAKE OTHER PEOPLE CHARACTERS IN YOUR

NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.

YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

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

12/23—We went to see Will Metts, who has an organic shop in Greenwood, SC. He also has his farm, Metts Organix. As we get to know Will I am looking forward to starting to make and sell my fresh salsa.

Take a look here to learn more of Will >>

https://fenwaysfarmacy.ecwid.com/

Beth wrote this about meeting Will >>

Kit and I spent some time with Will Metts of Metts Organix and Fenways FARMacy. Very impressive young man. He told us all about his plans and ideas for bringing organic food to SC with the help of the many other local organic farmers. Will knew where each item came from and all about the people and their farms. Meats. Eggs, Jellies. Honey, leather goods, and so much more, all handmade and homemade with DHEC approval, of course.

Kit is interested in helping out any way he can. We believe in what Will is doing and wish to have others support him.

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

I just gave my salsa recipe.
Make some this week and let me know how it turns out.

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

Beth and I are anxious to get back to the wilderness.
I will let you know what we find next week.

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 >>

Questions I have been asking myself >>

Why am I here?
How can I help other people (you?)
How can I find more joy?
How can I bring more love to the world?
Do you have answers?
I just know that we all must, “Live until you die…”

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”.

“Love each other and help others to rise to their higher levels, solely by spreading love. Love is contagious and has great healing power.” – Kit Summers

Through all of my changes, I had the support of many people who helped me to get back to what I am now. As they helped, I saw that the more I helped others, myself, the further ahead I got in my life. I have found that life can go smoother the more you give, even after bad things happen.

After being hit by the truck, both times, I could not help myself. When I was lying on the street after being run down, I could do nothing to get myself back together.

• After getting hit by the truck and laying in the street, both times, I could do nothing to help myself.

• While lying in a hospital bed not being able to move, I had to depend on the nurses.

• Surviving in jail on my own, I had to depend on guards and people to help me.

With this knowledge, I saw that I could not live without the support of others. This awareness made me want to help more and more with the lives of friends and even people I did not know.

THE MORE YOU HELP OTHER PEOPLE IN LIFE, THE BETTER

YOU WILL DO IN YOUR LIFE.

Humans, ants, bees, certain bird groups, troops of monkeys and gorillas, packs of dogs, termites, and certain pods of whales and dolphins, are all social species, depending on each other to get through life. We need to work together as a group to help the human race grow and get better.

Each of these species moves about their surroundings with a defensive posture and guards their territory for what they deem as rightfully their group’s own. They defend the members of their own social grouping; they care for their young, old, and sick; working together to get ahead.

Like humans, each of these groups uses babysitters of their own; they have affairs, have deadbeat dads, and even a random runaway bride. Each group mourns for their recently deceased. When these behaviors are witnessed, they can evoke a feeling that these animals can be even more humane than many humans are.

YOU SEE, HUMANS ARE A SOCIAL SPECIES, AND WITH THE NEED THE HELP AND SUPPORT OF EACH OTHER, HOLD ON TO HOPE.

Every time I went through a life-threatening predicament I held onto hope. In your hardest times, never worry that there is no hope for the future. The most extraordinary thing about this life is that YOU are the author of your own book, your own destiny, and you get to decide what’s in the next chapter.

MAKE OTHER PEOPLE CHARACTERS IN YOUR NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

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

Not much happened this week.
I hope my words help to inspire you.

Ready for Christmas! 

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

After my 37-day coma, I had to relearn how to do everything physically. Along with learning to walk again, sitting on the ground, I had to figure out, again, how to get up to my feet and get going.

My challenge for you this week is to sit on the ground and rise to your feet in the easiest and smoothest way you can find for yourself. If you are older, have been through a brain-change, or have another injury, still find a way to do this.

Next, get up from a sitting position to standing not using your hands or arms at all, can you do it? Stay safe as you attempt this.

The thing is, you have to always be challenging yourself to go beyond what you “think” you can do. If you have been through a brain-injury like I have, or something else, always challenge yourself, both mentally and physically.

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

I will be working much on the raised bed planters I am building.

Have you done much gardening?

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 >>

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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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/

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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.

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**********

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!

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