(Do you wander or just wonder?)

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life. By writing this blog I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way and find joy how you can.

*** 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 topic for this week, how to find joy in this world. Yes, I have my Facebook friends, Joy and Joy and Joy, and I know how to find them. But to keep an overall complex of joy in your mind and your life is important.

Do you have joy in your life? How about pleasures, anything there?

Remember, you’re the one to bring on these feelings, these attitudes.

Big Bend National Park in Texas was going to be my next destination, but I’ve since changed my mind. After finishing reading Will Soto’s book, I wrote to him to ask if he would train me in martial arts techniques. So, back to Key West with me.

He will have visitors until 12 February, then I will be with him to learn. I want to discipline my mind and body better, I think he can help. I hope that I will teach him some things, too.

So, about one week to spend in southern Florida. For one, I will aim to the East Coast for some ocean swimming, then I want to return to Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve. You will find out as I find out.

How fun it is to live my life not knowing what my future holds and making it as I go. Such as, I am in Collier Library now, which is in Collier, FL. Do you know that I graduated from Collier Jr. High in San Diego in 1974? I know, no connection, except for the name.

Sad about these mouth coverings we are told to wear. I see so many that are on the ground. If it were so terrible, why do we not have a multitude of hazardous waste reciprocals all around the earth?

====================
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 yourself.

Inspiration >> The process of being mentally stimulated to do a certain thing.

I hope to inspire you with my words.

Words have power.

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

When you change the quality of your thinking, you change the quality of your life—sometim0es instantly!

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

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

To be successful, 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 the best part is, the more you accomplish, the more you’ll want to do, the higher you’ll want to reach. So as long as you have the hunger for success, you will always have the power within you to achieve 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.

I hope the words I pick do help you.
*************************
BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS>>

To have joy in life is a constant choice we each have during our entire lifetime. I hope there words below will help you find that joy that you deserve.

1. Stop waiting to have joy and be happy.

You can always make fresh opportunities to be happy and joyful. It’s like being at an amusement park, where happy times arrive around the clock. Chances are the opportunity to be happy has already arrived, if you look. Sometimes it’s right in front of us. So many of us don’t even look and therefore don’t even experience the happy times.

Regardless of your experiences, you can feel happier, be more productive, attract success and enjoy yourself during all processes. Learn to shift your focus and the way you think your perspective changes. When the shift happens, your life changes. So get your shift together, as they say.

2. Add happiness to your life—right now – and always.

You make the life you want in your mind, do you see it? Say, you might live on a tropical island. You get up when you like and you do what you want. Some guy named Homer brings breakfast. From your reclined position on your balcony, all you can see is the ocean and your feet. Ah, the life of the young and/or retired.

Yes, we all dream of being happy someday. Until then, we keep ourselves overworked, over-stressed, and under-happy. The dream doesn’t seem possible without a big lottery win or a call from a wealthy aunt in poor health. But what fun is life if we aren’t happy about it? It’s our choice.

The good news is, you can add happiness to your life NOW. It is how you face life. Just a few serotonin-producing activities can reduce stress and make the wait for Utopia easier to bear.

3. Take better care of yourself.

We constantly need to make changes our entire life. But here’s the thing—taking a timeout to give yourself a moment of relaxation or indulgence is only part of the trial. Choose to have happier times and you can make them happen! Part of that is to take better care of yourself.

You choose what you think about. One of the surest ways to let that self-care time be great is thinking the right thoughts. Get yourself sorted so that your “me time” can be as effective as possible.

4. Keep in a joyful state of mind.

A joyful life is the best state we can hope to achieve. It’s the kind of life that produces positive thoughts and feel-good energy. Joy encourages us to look to the future with high hopes and plans. Fresh joy might seem like a momentary emotion, but even if you only feel it for a moment, you can hold onto the joy and enjoy it.

5. Stop worrying!

Worry does nothing to help anything. And, joy works much like love, it has its mysterious ways. However, science tells us that brain chemistry can change our emotions. But in order to activate those chemicals, we have to often change our thinking habits first.

There is a recipe toward happiness. This recipe lies in changing our thought patterns. These patterns—what you do and think and say—determines how truly happy you are. It’s how you think, your constant inner voice.

6. Appreciate the small things (and the big things!)

We often make the small things too trivial. Remember about the little things, too, they can add up to big things. As I wrote before, if you can make ALL of the little things joyful, it will add up to an even bigger happiness!

7. Stay around other positive people.

Happiness being an individual choice, we can all choose to be around the right friends. If you change your life influences for the better, you can dramatically increase your chances for joy in your life.

8. Laugh more!

Remember this!–laughing makes you feel good, but you know that. Try to think about the last time you really laughed. Chances are, it may have been many moons ago. Bring back the childhood fun and joy that you once had.

9. Love more.

Such a powerful thing love is. It’s wonderful to receive, but even better to give. Keep a strong love in your life—always. With strong love comes joy to your life.

10. Plan your joy and happiness.

We put money in the bank. We take vitamins and supplements. We exercise. We hope these precautions will protect us as we age. But as we safeguard our money, bodies, and blood pressure, we forget to safeguard the one thing that can make a difference in the quality of our lives as we get older: our joy and happiness.

I’ve said before, “People turn into Adults”. So many of us lose our childhood fun, curiosity and joy in life. It’s still within you, you can bring it back whenever you like.

Studies show that while positive feelings may not improve outcomes for people with certain diseases such as cancer, the evidence that joy leads to better health is “clear and compelling!” Keep that joy—keep that happiness.

Now, it’s time to get out there and do
something incredible that you can rejoice in! =================================

MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

Haven’t worked on my blog for a couple days, just traveling around southern Florida. I took some pictures, hope you enjoy.

2/5—About twenty miles away and in the same shopping center was both a Costco and a Best Buy, so that provided the next stop, had to go to each. Then, on the way was a Walmart, so three good stops this evening.

I am parked at the Best Buy and this is where I will be bedding down tonight. Noise will quickly dissipate to nothing when the stores close, so no worries.Here is a photo of what I am aiming for. 

2/6—Moved on and slept in the library parking lot last night. Very quiet and I can darken the inside of the van, completely. Had a good sleep I did.

Yet, today I woke up itchy, so, shower time. The library is in a remote location, so no people around. I park with bushes on one side and Van on the other, so no one could see me in my nakedity. Feels so good to be clean.

Recently Alan did the work on the front end of the van, I wanted to make sure the wheels were aligned.

I have lifetime alignment at Tires Plus, so I went by this morning, getting there by 7:30 a.m. and I was out of there by 8 am. Good I went, the alignment was just a little off, and now it’s back on key.

Next, back to Costco for a couple of items. Then, Best Buy opens at eleven, I waited until then to go and see Geek Squad again. There are a couple of questions about my laptop and phone. They were able to see me first thing and my questions got answered.

So, right now I have no idea which direction to go in. I could head toward Texas, I could go back south in Florida. I will have to study the map and decide where to go. Perhaps I’ll even come and see you!

As I was driving along in Naples, at about 4:15 on Saturday in the afternoon, I saw people gathering at a church, so I thought I’d join them. St. William Parish had a mass starting at 4:30. Since I have time on my hands and have yet to meet God, I thought I would join them.

In this church, I saw only a few people who were under 50 years of age. What will the church do in ten years when they have no people in the church?

I’ve gone to a few Catholic churches in the past. They all seem the same, nothing new here. I must say, people here get a good workout—stand sit kneel, stand sit kneel— repeat. Once again, nothing new here.

At one point the father said, let’s all do some jumping jacks. Suddenly the whole group did synchronized jumping jacks. Aww–just kitting around again, that would be fun, though. (Who is Jack, anyway, and why did he jump?)

It seems this is mainly reading from the Bible.

Have people not read their bible?

I went through the process of the eating of the bread and drinking of the wine, better known as Holy Communion or Eucharist. This seems so cannibalistic to desire to eat someone’s body and drink their blood. I never liked the idea of it.

As I was up there, I asked the man in charge what is the name of this process? He asked me, aren’t you Catholic? And he was not going to give me the bread. I told him I just had forgotten the name, so I got my bread (a small tasteless cracker). I just can’t believe that if you aren’t a Catholic you couldn’t participate, seems so wrong to me.

I parked in the back and slept at the church. I felt comfortable because I knew God was there protecting me?

2/7—Slept well, off and on, last night. At a McDonald’s right now about a mile away from the church. Can plug in and get on their wifi.

It is so hard to find beach access around here because of all of the resorts and mansions. But, I finally found signs about beach access. When I got to the beach, I saw a group of people laying on their towels. It was cloudy, no sun. Just seemed funny to me.

I went into the water. Cold at first, but got used to it. Afterward, there were beach shower, so I did. Swimming in the ocean in February, while it is snowing up where I used to live in Pennsylvania. Smiling I am.

2/9—Today was my mom’s birthday. She died a year ago, it was a shock to me. I never thought about life without mom around.

Currently, I am traveling on I-75 from west to east. I plan to go back to Big Cypress National Park. So much to see there, many animals to meet.

I contacted Will Soto how about returning to see him. He is a master in the martial arts and I asked for his training. I’m curious on what my body can achieve physically through martial arts.

Of course, you will find out from future writings.

I go back and forth, part of me wants to be in the wilderness continuously, the other part wants to be in the library on the computer writing to you. Of course, you win out every time.

This is what I awoke to.

As I was driving on I-25, I thought I’d turn off at a rest area/Big Cypress access. I found a trail that lead you through two closed gates. The constant traffic noise behind me let me know I could not get lost.

I went about a mile in, then the trail got too wet and muddy and I turned back. I know that not many in this world have been on this area, which feels good to me, I know you are with me, though.

Continuing on I-25, I saw a turn off to the left, into the park, I saw another turn off that said Wagon Wheel Road. I went down this and right away I saw a ranger who happened to be standing by his truck.

He informed me that this road leads to other roads into the park. He also told me of some other roads to take down into the park and about a campground, he said that it was fabulous.

So, I’m on my way down now to see what I can see. Hearing some bird and beast sounds coming from the wilderness. How exciting. Looks like I might be here for a couple of days.

Did you know I cut my own hair? I just bend forward and use a Clipper to cut all the same length. I do the same thing with my facial hair. I used to have to shave twice a day because my beard grows fast and thick, now I do about once a week.

I’ve never had complaints or laughter about my hairdo. Saves a lot of money, which I don’t mind at all. Would you do such a thing?

Back here on my way to the campground, I saw a big lawnmower cutting the lawn on both sides of the dirt road. For me, it just seems like such a waste of time and money to cut lawns. So what if I get a little taller, and that goes for all roads. Grass growing the natural thing – why cut it? Cutting lawn on dirt roads should be illegal.

Next, it was a left on Turner River Road. On both sides of the road it is swamp; much water. Still hearing strange sounds coming from the wilderness, how exhilarating!

I seldom get hungry—I had hunger pang’s. It was about noonish, so I pulled over and made a salad, including chicken and cheese that I had.

The temperature gauge in the van currently says 91, quite comfortable, I must say. Back where I was living in Pennsylvania, there is snow now. My daughter, Jasmine, wrote that it was ten degrees today up there. I like this climate much better, I must say (sorry you’re not here, Phyllis.)

I got to the end of the road. A couple of people have vehicles here, yet not much to see. I might go hiking later, I just don’t want to get lost. I lay-ed in the van and read for an hour. I’ll find a way and get back to you.

I’m surprised, even out here I am getting a connection.

As I was heading out, I saw a guy pulled off the road. I talked with him for a bit. He pointed out the road for the campground, which was back just a little bit. I’m here now, but seems quite boring.

It’s only 1:30 in the afternoon, shall I stay or go???

I went and looked at the campground. And nice place, but no one is here. I’m back in the one campsite and almost got stuck in the mud. And, because there are only palm trees around, I wouldn’t have fuel for the fire, no wood trees.

So, I’ve decided to head down the road.

2/10—And down the road I went. I’ve been before, had to go again. In Everglades there is Shark Valley (no, there are no sharks anywhere.) You go seven miles in and there is a tower you can climb to look around. And, on the way, there are often Alligators to see. 

To get in there they have a trolley (twenty five bucks and the driver points out things on the way.)

Or, I could have walked the seven miles?

Rode my unicycle?

Ran?

Or ride my bike.

I’m guessing you can guess which I choose.

Going out I kept up a good clip, passed other riders. But, even the seven miles out I felt my muscles; not in shape. I remember back in high school I could easily ride 100 miles in a day.

So, I got all the way to the end and thought to myself, “I shouldn’t do this because it’s really too far out here”, so I turned around and headed back (just kitting.)

On the way back I took it more easy on the bicycle. When I got back by the entrance were a couple alligators. One was moving and as he was about to enter the water I grabbed him by the tail.

I expected his skin to be lizard/snake like to the feel, but felt more like skin than scales. He looked at me with a “get away from me” look on his face, so I did.

Found a nice place to bed down in the wilderness. I do like it out there.

I’ve been here before, back to the Naranja Library in the city with the same name. This is far enough from a big city to be comfortable for me. You can get wifi in the parking lot, so I did last night. Then, this morning at 5am, I went to the back and plugged in in the outlet they have there.

Later I am inside and working on my next blog to you.

2/11—Still at the library writing and reading.

From that bike ride yesterday my muscles are hurting with growth.

I’m lonely out here, I would love to hear from you.

Either through Facebook or email, kitsummers@gmail.com

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

MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS WEEK >>

Bring joy to at least five other people this week!

It will be good for them, and better for you.
***********************

NEXT BLOG>>

Working with my juggling friend, Will Soto (who is also a marshal arts master) and he will be training me to use my body better.

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

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(Do you wander or just wonder?)

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life. By writing this blog I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way and find joy how you can.

*** 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 >>

I find myself doing that at times, I am reading something, but my mind is thinking of other thoughts. The key is to make the material you are reading important and focus. That is so important in life, to learn to focus.

The main theme of this week’s blog is “Focus”, something I need to work on, too.

I heard from my friend, Phyllis Lynch. She told me that she loves to read my blog, that she finds a quiet time and settles in to take it in. So great to read her words, I must say. Thank you, so much, Phyllis.

Perhaps you know, I very much dislike when people are unfriendly and they don’t even say “hi”. Now, it seems, people even more self-contained hiding behind the stupid mouth covering. As you can tell, I’m very angry and just want to run to the woods and hide to keep away from humans.

Heading back toward the north now, but I don’t know where to. Maybe over to visit Texas again and Big Bend National Park? Please, help me to decide. And, if you live in any of the southern states, I would love to stop by for a visit, let me know.
====================
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 the path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire yourself.

Inspiration >> The process of being mentally stimulated to do a certain thing.

I hope to inspire you with my words.

Words have power.

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

When you change 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 humorous quote can make someone laugh, our own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control.

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

To be successful, 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 the best part is, the more you accomplish, the more you’ll want to do, the higher you’ll want to reach. So as long as you have the hunger for success, you will always have the power within you to achieve 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.

I hope the words I pick do help you.
*************************
BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS>>

FOCUS—YOU CAN DO IT!
No matter what goals, schooling, juggling, or work you are currently pursuing, a trained mind is critical for your success. For that reason, I’m sharing ten effective ways to train your brain to stay focused and be productive. Pay attention and apply these ideas! Remember, don’t just look over these words, take them in depth.

1. Plan and Visualize a Few Critical Tasks Each Day

Start small, then work bigger. Our thoughts shape our reality. Why? Because our thoughts generate feelings and passion, feelings lead to action, and action leads to results.

As a part of your morning routine, establish one to three important tasks that must be done throughout your day. Don’t just think of them superficially, visualize them and simulate the feelings you will get after finishing each task. If you truly think about your day’s success, your subconscious will do everything it can to help you turn thoughts into reality.

2. Find Your Peak Hours

I do better in the morning. Some people perform improved later during the day, while others do great during the evening and night. To find your most productive time – the “peak hours” – you should actively measure your productivity during various hours of the day. Find the best time to be productive—for you.

Pay attention to your energy, thought patterns, distractions, motivation, and moods while figuring out your best performance times. Make sure you allow at least a week to establish your peak hours.

3. Avoid Multitasking

Focus on one issue at a time. Multitasking has been proven to reduce our cognitive abilities due to the fact that the brain can only fully focus on one task at a time.

Multitasking can be beneficial in various situations, but you should avoid it as much as you can whenever you deal with important tasks. Give your full attention to the task at hand to improve the quality, the result, and speed of work!

4. Build Your Self-control and Discipline

Very few of us are making real decisions. A judgment is a deal with your mind that no matter what happens, your decision sticks. Therefore, when you say, “I should exercise”, you should immediately replace the “should” with “must”. Otherwise, your brain won’t take your intent seriously and it won’t “care” to help. Train your brain.

Self-control and self-discipline are two related traits that should be developed at the same time. Your willpower is the fuel of your actions. Your discipline is your ability to get past interfering thoughts, comfort zone, and laziness.

Here’s what few others tell you—these skills require consistent practice, building them is not easy, and giving up is not an option for you. The end result is better focusing ability.

5. Treat Your Mind Like a Muscle, Then Exercise that Muscle.

What do you do when you want to build muscles? You exercise. Not just once, but on a regular basis. Training your brain to stay focused is a matter of practice. When your mind gets off subject, refocus! Every time you experience confused thoughts, you have to acknowledge them for what they are – time and attention killers.

It may take training to get your mind to focus engrossed on something. Build your levels of focus gradually. Your first two weeks, try focusing for 20 minutes, take a 5-minute break, then go again. In two months, you should be able to stay focused for 60 minutes and get a lot of things done!

6. Pain or Pleasure?

When we do something, we do it because we seek pleasure or because we want to avoid pain. Think about it – when students must do their homework, they drag their feet because their subconscious mind signals an incoming pain of study. When the deadline is close, they’ll act, in order to avoid the pain of receiving a bad grade from the teacher.

Take this example and synchronize it with your own life. See the end result of your endeavors throughout the process. Every time you focus on a task, acknowledge your immediate response. Are you trying to avoid pain? Or you’re looking for pleasure? When you step back and become the observer, you’ll be able to be in charge.

7. Invest in Your Power of Habits

If you build good habits, you’ll no longer have to use your motivation and willpower to become and/or stay focused. Your mind will recognize the pattern and will make your job easier.

For example, when you wash your teeth and face at night, you’re doing it mechanically without using any significant amounts of focus, energy, and motivation. Building productive habits is like teaching your brain how to behave at different yet specific times. Train your brain.

8. Avoid Any Distractions

You can’t train your brain to stay focused unless you ensure that your external surroundings also lack distractions. Your phone, for example, turn it off. Also, turn off other notifications, say “NO” whenever someone interrupts you, and be committed to cut off every possible distraction around you.

9. Practice Focusing

Focus implies self-awareness. Practicing focusing is nothing more than directing your entire attention to the present moment. Your present thoughts and feelings, the environment that surrounds you, your breath, your heartbeat…you choose. It doesn’t matter what you focus on – as long as you’re “here”, “now”, your mind is present. And, remember, you are always “HERE” and it is always “NOW”.

You can practice focusing in various situations: while reading, working, juggling, studying, washing dishes, walking in the park, and so on. When your focus is prioritized on what’s happening now, you’ll perform better in most situations.

10. Become Independent

Self-determination is the practice of aligning your thoughts, emotions, and actions. Most people lack sovereignty, which means that their emotions are not in harmony with their thoughts and their actions.

Think about things beforehand. For example, if you want to read a book today, but you instantly feel that it’s going to be boring, you’ll never actually read that book. However, if you think of something and you get positive feelings as a reaction, taking action won’t be that difficult. When I read anything, I think about how the ideas can be added to this blog, which keeps me focused.

In Finality

Improving your mind is the main thing. Until you let yourself be carried by your thoughts—immediate pleasures, fear, and pain, you will experience exactly what you “set up”. As they say, you reap what you sow. Good or bad, that’s totally up to you.

Now, it’s time to get out there and do
something incredible that you can rejoice in!
=================================

MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

1/29—It’s half past noon on Friday, I’ve arrived at Mallory Square to, hopefully, see some jugglers performing later. Like everywhere in Key West, there are many hens and roosters all around the area here, too. It’s actually kind of amusing.

I could go bike riding, I could walk around the area, well, I have been reading. For some reason, I hardly slept last night. My mind would just not turn off. I hate trying to force myself to get some shut-eye, and, last night I couldn’t.

At this point, I like the town of Flamingo much better than I do here. Maybe I’ll head back there in a few days. I do like this being able to go where I went when I want. I suppose you will find out where are we going, what do you think?

That’s an island on the other side of me.

I did end up walking around the area for a bit at about 2:30 in the afternoon. Then, yes, I did get my bike down and went for a ride. Very nice, I enjoyed that.

As often happens, I don’t know where I’ll be parked to sleep tonight. I guess I’ll find out in the number of hours.

I arrived at Mallory Square between 10 and 11am. There were many open parking places, especially in the handicapped realm. So I grabbed a prime spot. Now, at 3:28, every spot is taken. So, worked out well for me.

I hope you’ll be happy to know but I’m still eating a salad every day sometime between 3 and 4 pm. It’s a habit I started more than 30 years ago.

Often this evening salad will be my dinner, because I’m seldom hungry. Of course, I hope you’re eating well.

Then, of course, I washed my eating with utensils and bowl play right when I’m done. This might be a good habit for you to get into, yes?

1/30—Went to the one McDonald’s in Key West to get online this morning. I could go inside, and they have one outlet to plugin. I feel much better now.

I had a bunch of bread, so I feed the hungry pigeons and chickens outside the van. Then the rooster showed up, cock-a-doodle-doo.

The pigeons could only eat small little bites, then the seagulls showed up. These bigger birds would down a big piece of bread at once. No teeth, I guess they have to.

DSCF1300

Got the bike down, went for a long ride, that felt good. I’ll have to do that more often. When’s the last time you went for a long bike ride?

Having a very relaxing day. Laying in the van, I did a lot of reading. Did some biking, did some walking around, cooked up some chicken, and thought of you. Blue skies above, sunshine, couldn’t be nicer.

Okay, for a while I just sat on a wall and watched pretty females walk by. I miss, so much, being in love.

This evening I got to see some more shows!

I saw Will.
I saw Blue.
I saw Jase.

Only one show each for the day—things are different now after Covid. Normally they are able to do many shows each. A new life for all of us.

During day hours Mallory Square is very quiet and deserted. As the sun in going down, people materialize in multitudes. For over 40 years people have been drawn to this area in abundance.

Will Soto (willsotokeywest.com) has been performing at Mallory Square in Key West since 1976. He just turned 74 and is still going strong. Along with Key West, he has traveled about the world performing as he has gone.

In Will’s show, some of the things I saw him do was a great routine with three clubs. He also juggles two torches and ate an apple, which was a delight to the audience. Upon the tightrope he included 3 ball juggling and he juggled 3 machetes. The comedy throughout the show was Magnificent. The show turned out a great hat, if you know what I mean.

Two other acts, much younger than Will, also perform at the Square. Jean Morabal (he goes by the name, “Blue”) and Jase Anderson amaze crowds. Will, who I wrote about above, trained these two excellent jugglers and performers, they both have put together fantastic acts.

Blue does much juggling, as well as riding a ten-foot unicycle. His comedy is excellent as he does a long routine up on the high cycle. He included kicking a hat from his foot to his head as he is up on the high unicycle.

Jase does much with torches in his show. Along with doing an excellent 4 torch routine, with 3 he juggles them over his head while laying down. He concludes his show by juggling 3 torches as he balances a long torch on his chin.

For sleep, I found a spot away from houses off the main drag. Hoping to get a good sleep tonight. I hope you did too, good night.

1/31—It was time for a shower, it’s been a few days. I did a search for “public showers” and came upon Smathers Beach.

Parking my van at about 10 am. the ocean was calling, so I had to go in. It felt pretty good to be in the saltwater. My legs and body have been attacked by mosquitoes. It was good to be clean. After the ocean, there are public showers, so I did. I feel much better to be clean.

One of the main streets in Key West there is a street called Eaton Street. I had programmed in my GPS to arrive at Mallory Square. As I’m going, the GPS said, “Are you hungry? turn left at Eaton Street and grab a bite”. A little comedy for you.

2/1—I didn’t see enough reason to stay in Key West. With the library being closed, and the only place to get on Wi-Fi with at McDonald’s. I headed north again.

Spent the day with Will (whom I already wrote about) and Amy at their home, which is on the next key up and not on Key West. This is so much nicer than being in that City.

They live in a nice trailer with plants all around. This trailer is right next to a canal, so they can get their boat out and go out anytime. This is like paradise.

Will and I cleaned up his yard. You can get big winds, and sometimes hurricanes, which often leaves the yard in shambles. But, living in this lovely area is well worth it.

Happy with my two successful endeavors. Enough city, though, I need to get back to Wilderness, it’s something in my bones. So, off I went t the north and west.

Returning to Big Cypress National Park. From Will, I heard about some of the places to go and wander, so here I go!

First I took 95 South, then to get from East to West I took Route 41. I’ve taken the route before, it’s great.

Then I took kind of a shortcut, but not. Anyway, this road is not used very often. Also, I found a campground right on this road! No host here, only one other camper here.

The road I took off of 41 is CR 94. No other vehicles, the road went through the Everglades. Swampland on both sides of the road. So many big birds of various species, but no Bears or lions or orangutans.

On one side you’re driving down by the Everglades, on the other side, there’s a waterway that goes all along the road.

After arriving at the campground, at first, I thought, Nah. Then I made myself look for wood for the fire. So that will be going on tonight hopefully with photos for you. As usual, I wish you were here.

Right now I’m sitting in front of the roaring fire right now typing this using my voice on my phone. I like this way, then I get more information to you.

If you see me and I have no hair on the back of my hands, Then you know I’ve been dealing with fire. Making a great fire you get some flame on your hands.

Kind of a cool evening, I feel a cool breeze flowing through. The sun is just going down behind some trees and I would love it if some animals made an appearance.

I’m debating in my mind, should I use all the firewood tonight or save some for the morning? I say, use it all tonight. More can be gathered in the morning.

2/2—So, I took route 41 across Florida and then jumped on 94 to the west. The first half of the road was paved, a good dirt road was presented for the second half. A beautiful drive it truly was.

Then I was off again.

First, it was off to Costco to fill up on fuel, since they always have the lowest price.

Then to see my friend Alan, he had told me he would look over my van. All the belts and fluid levels check that all right. Once again, if you are anywhere near Miami and need work on your car, check out Alan at 305-637-8492.

Next, off to the North to see Jack. The handlebars on my bike did not do me well. In fact, I wrote before how I fell off the bike as I was getting on. I asked Jack if I could do work there in exchange for a new handlebar.

I swept up and cleaned up around the whole place. He is currently putting on my new handlebars. Great deals on bikes and bike repairs. Check out >> https://jackthebikeman.org/

2/3—After all the beauty of The Everglades and Big Cypress, I found a Collier Library in Everglade City. I very small place, I was the only person here, but with three people who work here.

While here and online, I got caught up on the news and words for this blog. They close at 4:30, so I’ll be here for another hour.

Parked next to a nice lake near Fakahatchee Strand. I’ll be here for the night, hoping to see some animals.

At the library I was just at, it was a big bowl of plum tomatoes. I asked about them and was told they were brought in by one of the clientele. She told me I could have some, I took 3 for my salads, with a smile on my face.

2/4—Spoke with my daughter April yesterday on the phone. What a joy, always great to talk with her. She sounds quite busy with school and study and new husband and work and so much more. She let me know that in the last couple of days a foot of snow fell to the ground up there. I smiled as I experienced temps in the seventies today.

See their perfect teeth?

As I was driving along I thought I saw a turn off for Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. It was fantastic. I took a walk on the boardwalk which ran through the reserve, three-quarters of a mile in three-quarters of a mile out.

Saw many exotic birds and plants in my walk.

When I got to the end, there happened to be a ranger there. I got a great education about the area from Dave. He said the more than 120 square miles of Fakahatchee State Park, making it Florida’s largest state park.

I learned that there are more native orchid species growing here than anywhere on the planet. Dave told me that the orchids here are one of a kind. Orchids out in the world are all a mixed breed. The ones here in the forest or native and not mixed.

I was told that the wildlife around here includes American crocodile, West Indian manatee, Florida black bears, Everglades mink, and Florida Panthers are living in this park.

I think there was more to see, but I can only stay in one place so long, as you know. So I set my GPS for Marco Island Library. This town is a fabulous place, too. I came here for you, because I need to make sure I am in a place where I can publish my blog tomorrow, Friday.

In the library now working on the blog. I have my mouth covering off, I coughed once, a guy at a table ten feet away from me asked me to put my mouth covering on. I did, but I see that it is guilty until proven healthy. A sad thing life has come to.

2/5—Woke at 1 am and thought I was up for the day, but got another couple of hours of sleep after all. The library opens at 10 am, but I found an outlet outside to charge my stuff. The wifi is not working out here for some reason.

I’m lonely out here, I would love to hear from you.

Either through Facebook or email, kitsummers@gmail.com

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MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS WEEK >>

This week, train yourself to focus, intently, on what you need to. As I have written before, don’t just slide through life, make your life a masterpiece! Learning to focus engrossed in your subject will help.
***********************

NEXT BLOG>>

I may head back to Texas and Big Bend National Park, staying south where it is warmer.

Are you anywhere between Florida and Texas? I would love to visit you. Let me know.

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

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The Wanderings of Kit

(Do you wander or just wonder?)

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life. By writing this blog I want to inspire you to see your life in a different and/or better way and find joy how you can.

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YES—YOU CAN > >
***Change your life at any time to make it more magnificent!
***Live with little money and still have an excellent life.
***Be able to live life getting very little sleep.
***Live ANYWHERE in the world and still make your life a fantastic event!
***Read of experiences that will add to and make your life better.
***I want to inspire you as to the wonders of the earth.
***Perhaps this is my new “gig”, traveling the world doing the same?

And, I’m not just, “Kitting Around”.

Create the life YOU want to live, NOW!

Then make your life better and better!

*****************************
***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 >>

Sorry I could not get this out to you yesterday, my Friday normal release. I had no wifi connection. Libraries have been closed, but I found the Lititz library open, so I can charge my stuff as I write to you.

Near Lancaster, PA for the wedding of April on October 3 – how exciting. So, spending time here with not much happening. I do hope to inspire you with my words.
================
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 and important on the path to joy and happiness. This is no secret.

So what’s the secret of inspirational quotes?

1) Intending to inspire someone.

2) Having recognized our own need to be inspired.

Inspiration >> The process of being
mentally stimulated to do a certain thing.

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

When you change 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 humorous quote can make someone laugh, our thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control.

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — your thinking – and that’s where motivational quotes come in! Self-talk is so important—THINK RIGHT!

I hope the words I pick do help you.

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

Be inspired by these words >>

From my book series, “Beyond Your Potential”

“They know why they’re here in their life!”

Success is knowing your purpose in life. But there’s more to it than that. I know people who know their purpose in life but they’re not thriving.

You need a growth plan to help you reach your top potential. It’s not only knowing what you should do, it’s also about growing in that area to maximize and highlight the things that you do well. Growth is an ongoing progression.

Development is not an automatic process. If you’re going to grow, you need to do so intentionally and with purpose. Basically, you need a reason for your growth.

That’s continual growth.

Knowing your purpose in life gives you stability. While things might get hard and shaky for others, you can use this assurance to steady the boat and to ride out the storm because you know where you want to go.

This direction becomes an anchor in life—a confidence based upon the knowledge of one’s purpose. Someone once said there are two great days in life—the day you are born and the day you discover why you’re here.

Remember this—highly successful people have discovered why they are here.

Join me as I help you move your life forward and higher. See your future and see that you can change, that you will change. Don’t remain in that easy or ordinary life—jump up to that higher life that is awaiting you.

============
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

9/19-23  Helping Steve Mills (yes, that Steve Mills of the MillsMess fame) still with clearing/cleaning out his house/church. He says he already has a buyer, but they don’t seem committed.

Today I have been ten feet up on a leaning ladder against the thirteen-foot front door scraping and getting ready for painting. The church door that is really really big. This door needs painting, so I scrap, fill in where needed, then paint. A long process.

I told Steve that when I was way up on that ladder, which is at the top of some steps, by the way, I felt safer when I used to ride my 14’ unicycle. At least I had control of my ride. Falling from here I would have no control. Yikes!

About that unicycle, I built it in high school and actually road it quite much. Having to duck under telephone/electrical lines and finding a place to get on and get off was hard at times.

After the third time I fell off I gave it away. I hope the guy I gave it to is still alive. Hard to imagine at this time in my life I was so daring as a youth. But, I would try anything. Different now somehow.

Burnt up more books, which makes me quite sad. Steve said he let many people know the books were available, but few takers. He just doesn’t have time to deal with it, which I realize. Sorry, Larry.

I did load up three large boxes of classics and big name authors. This morning at 6am, on a Sunday, I took these books and left them at Sandusky Library under the roof on the entrance. I hope the books find a good home.

It makes me feel better to have them decide what to do with the books. I did not want to burn or destroy any books, but Steve needs to clear things out and get rid of stuff. Understandable, but still hard to do.

Steve and I just went up into the bell tower, or belfry. Didn’t see any bats. This whole building is constructed so well, with the best of materials. After all, the church was built in the 1880s, back when the cost of the big timbers wouldn’t be astronomical.

We just went out for Mexican food, very nice, thank you, Steve. He has a BMW, very fast, a superb vehicle. On these country roads Steve got up to 115mph so quick and easily, it was surprising, Made for a very smooth ride.

After soooo many years in entertainment, Steve says he is basically retired from performing. He will keep busy, of course, but no more trying to push the performanc0e.

9/25—In Lititz, Pennsylvania now, where April lives. April and Jake took me out for excellent Mexican food last night, a great time.

I’m lonely out here, I would love to hear from you.

Either through Facebook or email, kitsummers@gmail.com

****************************
MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS WEEK >>

We must challenge ourselves in life. This week, if you are right-handed, eat and write with your left hand. Of course, if you are left-handed, do the opposite. I will participate, of course. Please, let me know how things turn out for you.

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

The October third wedding of my daughter, April.

You will read details, of course.

===========

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(Do you wander or just wonder?)

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life. By writing this blog I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way and find joy how you can.
*** 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 >>

Every day presents a different set of circumstances; I meet new people and witness many new things. Very enjoyable.

I’ve been thinking about having a theme for each blog. Such as this one could be on goal setting? What do you think of that idea?

I want to again thank Alan and his ET Auto Repair in Miami for the excellent work they did on my van. If you live anywhere near Miami or are just passing through, go to Alan for all your automotive needs.
https://elt711.wixsite.com/etautorepair

In a way, I feel I am just spending time until I die. But, I guess that is what each of us is doing. My aim right now is to travel and inspire and entertain you through the writing of this blog (I hope it helps.) I would love to get back to my inspirational speaking, but that will have to wait for now.

To the south and into the Keys with me. I looked it up for you, there are 800 keys (or islands) to the south of Florida. In the drive down to Key West, you drive over 44 Keys and 42 bridges. You travel about 161 kilometers (about 100 miles) down.

A VERY LARGE MANZANITA TREE I CAME UPON

====================
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 the path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire yourself.

Inspiration >> The process of being mentally stimulated to do a certain thing.

I hope to inspire you with my words.

Words have power.

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

When you change 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 humorous quote can make someone laugh, our own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control.

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

To be successful, 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 the best part is, the more you accomplish, the more you’ll want to do, the higher you’ll want to reach. So as long as you have the hunger for success, you will always have the power within you to achieve 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.

I hope the words I pick do help you.
*************************
BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS>>
From my book series, “Beyond Your Potential.”

Oh—The Plans I Have For Me . . .
Goal setting has been defined in various ways over time. To me, goal setting is making a plan for the future to advance yourself and your life. People who don’t make plans for their future and who don’t have or set goals for themselves tend to wander through life, not knowing where they are going, so in the end, they get nowhere. Obviously, the process of setting and achieving goals is relevant to all occupations, studies, and professions. All human activity begins with an intention that is directed toward a goal.

Make Your Plans
I’m sure you’ve set goals before, even if you didn’t call them goals. Perhaps you made plans to do something simple, like getting your grocery shopping done. Or maybe you had a long term goal like retiring at age fifty-five. Whether short or long term, most people know how good it feels to finally achieve a goal that they set out to do. But, there are just as many people who tend to stop two feet short of their goals, either because the path gets difficult or maybe they get bored. I encourage you to keep driving toward the outcome that you want.

How to get there
The way to reach your goals is first to have a clear vision of the outcome that you desire. In other words, define exactly what it is that you want. Next, you have to take action. So many people never take action after they set their goals. If you don’t, your goals and desires will always be dreams. Your future will give you what you ask of it. Ask for a banana, and that is what you will get. Ask for great success and/or a wonderful relationship and you will get that, too. Goals give you the power to achieve your desires.
Now, it’s time to get out there and do
something incredible that you can rejoice in!

=================================
MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
1/23—I left my computer off at Best Buy, Geek Squad, today for them to improve some things. They will only have it overnight, but I feel naked without it. I’m writing to you right now by voice on my phone. For now, that will have to do.

While in Everglades Park I found Mahogany Hammock Trail. What a beautiful walk it was, about one mile long. I saw beauteous wilderness all around.

Then, after leaving the Everglades, I found a local park to hang out at for the day. Audubon Park is a bonny place. I’m planning to be on the lawn juggling, do some unicycling, and ride my bike.

Planning to stay the night here, too. But, I saw a sign saying the park hours were from 9 until 5. Hoping they don’t come and check the park and interrupt my sleep. But, if they catch me, I had asked for it.

In the van right now it is 30 degrees (that’s Celsius, it would be 86 degrees Fahrenheit.) So, with a sunny blue sky, the sun just going down, I feel very comfortable and very happy. Hope you are happy, too.

1/24—In preparing to head south, this morning I washed a load of laundry, filled up my van with fuel, and made sure my water gallons were full. Things can cost more down in Key West, preparing ahead you might say.

WHOOPS, I hate to admit it, I didn’t focus completely while mounting my bike, I took a bad fall and hurt my arm and leg. I will eventually heal. They say when you fall off a horse you should get right back on and try again—well, this is not a horse.

I’m going to sleep tonight in the area. There are some food banks I want to go to before jumping on the road down the Keys.

1/25—I love being at this park. There are many kids playing, laughing, and joyful. Why is it that when get older we “turn” into adults, we lose our childhood fun and play and joy. We need to find a way to keep this pleasure in our life constantly.

Yesterday I wanted to go for a bike ride, as I was mounting the cycle, I was not focused enough, my body fell onto the bike as I crashed. Scraped my knee and shoulder and I hurt my left arm and shoulder. In the future I need to concentrate more on balance issues and staying safe.

After that, the bike was not rolling right, so I took it to Homestead bicycles. I was glad to pay forty bucks to get the bike back rolling right.

So, I’m heading south eventually getting to Key West. The great writer, Ernest Hemingway, lived and worked out of Key West. Not comparing our writing skills, just interesting.

I’ve driven into the keys twice before, I usually drive straight through to Key West on the main highway “1”. This time I’m going to stop at each Island, or Key. Taking my time and enjoying my solitude.

I’ve already passed a couple of cell phone towers; no worry about connection down here. In Key Largo I drove north. The normal road will take you south to Key West. So, exploring as I go, hope you’re enjoying the trip.

In Key Largo, there are many trees and bushes covering each side of the road. Basically, you see road and you see green. That’s it.

That fall while getting on my bike yesterday really destroyed my confidence. With the unicycle, which I was a master of when I was young, I’ve lost confidence with that, too.

I will just have to keep pushing and pushing myself to get better and better. I had gotten quite good after the accident on the bike and unicycle. Can I make it back, again, I don’t know? Riding a unicycle when I am past the age of 90?

COVID
In the past I have written about the Covid pandemic and that I thought it was somewhat overblown. I really don’t know enough about it—but neither do you! Humans are still learning about this change in human existence.

This is a worldwide change that we all have to work together on, I’m with you on that. I’m sorry if the words I wrote bothered you or upset you. I will not touch that subject any longer.

1/26—Slept well last night parked a little ways from the main drive. No people, no noise, trees are overhanging to provide darkness. I couldn’t be happier!

This morning I went to Library Beach. After doing some juggling on the lawn, I’m going for a swim in the ocean, I use their shower to get clean clean clean.

Then, as I drove forward I came upon Long Key State Park. As you might know, I seldom pay go into a park. I saw this one is being different, but it wasn’t. The same greenery and water, of course. They have a hiking trail which I will explore, I’ll get back to you about that.

Yes, I actually paid to go into a state park, only $4.50, but still. In Long Key State Park I got my bike down and rode for many miles. Felt great and saw many interesting sites. My cost for going to this state park, about a dollar and some change per hour, a good deal to me.

Did you ever eat a root? Many parts are edible. At one of the food banks here in the Keys, they gave me three rather large carrots. I cleaned and cut them up, they were quite tasty.

Then it was on to Big Pine Key, although, I don’t know where the big pine might be.

Of course, you can’t avoid the main road on most of the Keys which goes right down the center of the island. I hear much traffic. Yuck.

The Big Pine library is right on the main drag, spending much time here. I am plugged into an electrical outlet I saw, and then on their wifi. There are restaurants around that many are going to. Of course, it is takeout only.

1/27—Last night I found a place to park and sleep which was sort of in the wilderness—it made me so happy.

I woke before the sun was up, as usual. I did some reading and some work on the blog. Then I went back to the library where I could plug in. There are five libraries through the Keys; I am familiar with each. Every one so far is closed, yet I can get on their wifi.

After I got to the library I got reminded of the roosters and chickens. These wild foul are basically all over the keys. Hearing roosters do their call is a comforting sound to hear—ur, ur, ur, urrrurrr – can you hear them?

I’ve been worried because the only way to charge my things is by driving. The library at Big Pine Key Library is also closed, but I noticed outside there is an outlet where I can plug in. So, I brought my chair out to have comfort as I use my computer through their wifi.

Still on Big Pine Key, I stopped at the Blue Hole. It’s a nature walk to freshwater. I was surprised there’s freshwater within the keys.

Well, walking on the nature trail, me, along with some others, I came upon some alligators. They were both right next to the wooden trail and they were submerged in water. They weren’t moving hardly at all and it got boring quickly.

Let’s go Turtles! There are a couple sitting on a rock (but, do turtles actually sit?) And then I also saw a mass of birds that were circling above. Celebrate a day of seeing wilderness.

Last week, as I was organizing and cleaning some stuff, the guy from the bike shop where I’m having my bike worked on came and told me my bike was finished. I had been organizing and cleaning some stuff and somehow misplaced my camera.

I looked all over for it, and still can’t find it. Fortunately, I had a second camera with me. But, I think I lost some good shots. I’m still hoping that it will turn up somehow. Although, I’ve already searched through much of the van.

Things like losing my camera don’t affect me. It can be replaced. Many people I know would get so upset if this happened to them. When I know I have no control over the outcome—I simply let it go.

But, do you have a camera you are not using that you could send me so that I have a spare? If you can help, please send me an email – kitsummers@gmail.com

Now, losing my mind is a different matter. I lost mine some time ago, have you seen it? I’m still trying to locate it. I’m finding that it makes life more interesting without it, though.

1/28—Dinner tonight was marinated teriyaki beef tips. Quite tasty, which I got at a recent Food Bank. See my smile? That, along with some mashed potatoes, made my evening quite nice. I wish you were here with me, though.

Right now it is 5:45 pm and I’m driving back to the place where I slept last night. Sort of in the wilderness, very nice. Looks like they are starting to build new houses there, it’s kind of Hidden Away.

Whoops, I did it again. The thing I use to take my shower, I fill with water and put it on top of the van on a hook that I put up there. It’s happened a couple times before, I take
my shower and then I forget to take the bag down. Looks like that’s what happened last time I took a shower.

But, I was itchy, I did need to get washed. So, I held the gallon jug over my head and got clean that way. This was while standing on a grassy meadow and looking at over the ocean. You couldn’t have gotten better than this for a shower.

I awoke at midnight. My brain just turned on, doesn’t feel like how you get back to sleep. Some bad thoughts going through my brain right now, about life, about my future, about my family and friends. I will get through this—or perhaps not?

I don’t know if you think I’m sweet, but the mosquitoes down here certainly do. Have mosquito bites all over my exposed body, which is much of it. I guess I will have to start wearing mosquito repellent?

What a splendid morning. As I was boiling water to make my tea and eating an orange for breakfast, four small deer came by for a visit; I believe these are Key Deer that only live in this area.

I gave them some apple, some cucumber, and I had a whole bag of potatoes that were getting older. They loved all they I had. I took some photos, let me know what you think.

Then, as I was driving south I saw a sign for a bike shop, which had been looking for. I don’t know if someone let the air out of the wheel of my tire or if I have a flat, it must be repaired and the tire filled. So I’m so glad I came up on Big Pine Bicycle Center.

We discovered my valve was bad. So, with a new tube and his labor, 17 bucks. Feels good that I’ll be back on the bike.

And about bikes, there are many bike paths all through the keys. Along the main Highway, Route 1, there is a bike path to take you to Key West. They even kept some of the old bridges, after they built new ones, that are used for bicycles only.

Yet, today is quite cold and very windy, not a good day for riding, so I suppose I won’t.

Back at Big Pine Library now on their wifi and plugged in. I love my life of being in the wilderness, then typing to you, back and forth.

As you know tomorrow is blog post day. Since I know I have the Big Pine Library right there and available, I’m going to stay in the area overnight again so I can get my blog post to you tomorrow. Do you see how I think of you?

1/29—I arrived quite early at the shopping center where the library is. It sounded like a barnyard. There were so many wild chickens and roosters making noise, it was hard to believe.

I just wanted to get this blog off to you and then get on my way. Hope you are enjoying the read.
I’m lonely out here, I would love to hear from you.
Either through Facebook or email, kitsummers@gmail.com
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MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS WEEK >>
Develop a goal that will advance your life. Complete the goal by next Friday, blog day. Don’t make it too easy, don’t make it too hard. Have it be something that will be fulfilling for you.

Without setting goals and making plans, people often go nowhere in their life because they have no direction. Our goals give us a direction at which to aim. Start with small goals, such as, I had a goal of brushing my teeth myself after the accident.

Then, continue this habit of setting advancing goals for the rest of your life. As your life explodes with success.
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NEXT BLOG>>
As I go further to the south and the west through the Keys, you will learn more.
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The Wanderings of Kit
(Do you wander or just wonder?)

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life. By writing this blog I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way and find joy how you can.

*** 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 >>

Going up and down in my mind on how I am feeling, but I guess that happens to everyone. I’m finding that at one moment I am extremely happy, the next moment I don’t want to live anymore. I must find balance in my thinking.

We each have to remember (me, too) how happy “we” plan to be.
Find and make joy how you can.
Put a smile on your face, even when you don’t feel it.
And, important, put a smile on everyone else s face, too.

The van needs work on the underside. I found a very good place, I think, that will take care of things well. I will let you know.

A bright blue sky, should be about 85 degrees today, NICE!
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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 the path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire yourself.

Inspiration >> The process of being mentally stimulated to do a certain thing.

I hope to inspire you with my words.

Words have power.

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

When you change 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 humorous quote can make someone laugh, our own thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control.

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

To be successful, 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 the best part is, the more you accomplish, the more you’ll want to do, the higher you’ll want to reach. So as long as you have the hunger for success, you will always have the power within you to achieve 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.

I hope the words I pick do help you.

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BE INSPIRED BY THESE WORDS>>

From my book series, Beyond Your Potential.

You Can Get Smarter!
Other studies have shown that adults who are highly curious also have the greater analytic aptitude, better problem-solving abilities, and higher intelligence overall. Examination is showing that it is possible for you to increase your IQ over the course of your life. In the past, scientists were under the impression that the IQ you were born would be the IQ you had your whole life, but this idea has changed. This suggests that additional curiosity in your daily life is likely to make you smarter. No, you are not too old to be creative, to be curious, and to advance your life. But, you must start – NOW!

Innovate and Create
Your creativity can advance the world. Creativity and innovation drive the designing of better or more effective products, lifestyles, juggling moves, technologies, processes, services, or ideas that are available to everyone to make the world a better place. Innovation is different from invention in that innovation is an original and different way of doing things, while invention is coming up with one product or idea that is new. Creativity is the invention or origination of a new thing, or, often, this is taking a thing already designed and tweaking it in a way that adds to it, makes it better, and makes it different.

Imagination
If there is one thing that exclusively sets humans apart from all the rest of existence on earth it would be our ability to think, to be creative and to use our imaginations. Being content with routine thought patterns allows us to do the many things we need to do without having to think about them, but we must go beyond routine to make the world better for ourselves and for those who will follow after us. Use your mind, think, and discover new ways that will advance your life and, hopefully, will advance the world. At times, we have to temporarily forget what we think we know because our minds get muddled with convenient answers. We don’t take the time to think that there might be another way to go about things. Sometimes we need to take the time to rethink a situation and to break our routine patterns.

The Better Way
Creativity is more than a mind full of new ideas. Creativity is also being able to implement new ideas with thought, judgment, and selection. An innovator is constantly changing and challenging the rules, thinking in new directions and trying new ideas. There is always a better way to do most things. Use your mind to come up with new uses for old ideas and maybe even redevelop a product.

Change the Question
Sometimes, if we change the wording of a question in our own mind, we can come up with a way to solve the question in a different way. Over time, almost every advancement in business, science, technology, juggling, art, medicine, and most every other field has occurred when someone challenged the rules and tried a different approach.

Now, it’s time to get out there and do
something incredible that you can rejoice in! =================================

MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>

1/15/21—It is Friday at about 3 pm. I just published my blog for the week. Each week is a start a new one, it’s like I start a new life.

Came out to the van, having no idea where I will be heading next. South, no question, and to the national parks. Yet, I have no idea what the future holds, as none of us do have.

Even though it wasn’t very large, I had to get out of the city. I looked at my GPS and picked the most remote place I could find. I’m here now it’s a dirt road in a farm area with eatable plants growing all around. Here for the night I am.

Hope you sleep well tonight.

At 4:45 in the afternoon a very long train passed by, the tracks no more than 30 feet away from me. I don’t want to be awoken at 3 am by another train. So off I go to find another place to park for the night.

I found a place to park right off the road near a cell phone tower. Right now is somewhat noisy, as usual, as night comes the traffic will be less and less and less.

Dinner tonight, a can of Stag Chili from Costco, with fresh-cut red onions and cheese on top. This is probably the best chili I’ve ever had. Just bought more today at Costco, along with fresh lettuce and some wine, and, with what I already have on board, that’s all I need to last me for a few weeks.

How strange it was, I heard some frog or toad noises coming from somewhere near. I was actually parked on a bridge going over a water flow for the farms.

Right now it’s just past midnight, and I can’t get back to sleep. My mind is totally clicked on, and I will try, but I think I’m up for the day. What is it you do to make yourself get to sleep?

As the night came on, traffic diminished more and more. Later at night the frogs/toads went to sleep, I guess. They stopped making their sex calls for a mate. And no, I wasn’t attracted whatsoever (well, maybe just a little bit.)

1/16—The van is getting noisier. It needs a new control arm. Through the internet I found Alan and his company, ET Auto Repair, right in Miami. Alan ordered the parts today, they will be here on Tuesday. So, I have today, Sunday and Monday to spend time.

Went for a ride again on my new bike, I really like it. I will be spending time juggling, biking, unicycling and trying to be happy.

Today had to get away from the busyness—people and cars and the such. Right now I am at Naranja Library to the south of Miami in Naranja, FL.

1/17—Sunday today, of course, the library is closed. But it has a big empty parking lot to me! So I took everything out of the van, cleaned everything well inside and out, and then organized as I put everything back. To go to the photos.

About living in a vehicle, I’m seeing more and more people going that route. People also living in a car, and they can make it very comfortable. For me, a minimalist life is a better life. Living with less is actually living with more.

No more rent, no more mortgage, no more utility bills. I will never go back to living that way. Life on the road is fantastic! If you can find a way to do that, you will love it!

You might not be able to tell, but if you rent or own a home you’re constantly spending money. Many people work 8 hours a day, in that time they’re paying rent or mortgage for their house. You can’t get away from it, it is constantly there.

When you live in the vehicle, you only cost goes towards fuel. And, of course, you don’t have to mow the lawn once or twice a week. And, you may not know, I often grow lettuce, cilantro, and spinach in my sun windows—my rolling edible garden.

For food, you can always go to a food bank. They never question me about income, the only want to see an ID and who you are. You would be surprised at all the food I am given. And, it’s all good, perhaps a little out of selling date, but quite edible.

To continue about today, after I took everything out of the van and cleaned, I made some lunch. Like most days for me, very comfortable.

With a full belly, first I went for a unicycle ride; next, a long bike ride. So so good, using muscles are not used in some time. I have to make it a goal of going for a bike ride everyday.

1/19—Last week the front end on the van was making noise. I stopped in at Tires Plus to get looked at. I was told it was the control arm on the right side it needs work. Also, they had a price of over $1,200 to do the work.

So, I did the search for mechanics in the area and I found ET Auto Repair and went by to have them take a look. Alan’s price was much better at around six hundred bucks. Alan seems to really know his stuff.

I’m scheduled to go in tomorrow, Wednesday, to get the work done. He also said he would look over the entire van to make sure it’s safe and doing well.

Alan’s business is right in the heart of the city of Miami. So, I searched for a library that was a ways from all the goings-on. I discovered Miami Springs Library, out to the side of the city. Open from 9:30-8pm daily, that works for me. I will make good use of the time. And then sleep on the library grounds.

So, I had a few days to spend, I filled the time well, though. I did from biking, some reading books in the van, some computer work in the library, and spent some time thinking of you!

The van will be finished tomorrow, I expect it to be in excellent condition. To the south I go. I miss the wilderness so much and seeing animals.

I hate to get on a political point, but it is worrying me much. I believe that Biden is going to take the US down a horrible path and, once it goes down, the rest of the world will follow. A definite fear in my mind. And, that is why it is hard for me to know where to go next—where will it be safe? Makes me want to sink back into my 37-day coma.

Also, I feel so lost tonight, so lonely. But, this is the life I am choosing, I know I will find many many better times in the future. Typing this at 2 am, I could not sleep, once again.

Through juggling, Allan is an old friend I’ve known since 1977, we talked recently on the phone. It seems that, because of our differing political views, he does not want to hear from me anymore through my blog. I thought we had a solid friendship that would not be broken. Makes me sad that I will never connect with Allan again.

Over time, I’ve lost a few friends because they think in different ways than I do. I will never go down that path with you. As we go through life, we gain friends, we lose friends. People die, we gain new friends. I would love to keep all the friends I’ve ever had, but life is not like that. I’m glad you are my friend.

As I’ve written before, if you receive an email notification about my blog and no longer want to receive said notification, let me know and I will take you off the list.

1/20—Wednesday, already planning on where I will be to put the blog out on Friday. I want to go next to Flamingo Florida, but don’t know how it will be for Wi-Fi there. So I will spend a few days before I get down there in populated areas where I can find library. Always thinking of you, I am.

I brought my van in to Alan to get the work done. I have total trust that he will do excellent with the van to keep me on the road.

1/21—Drove to Flamingo, Florida, driving through national park the whole way. Quite a nice drive, I must say.

I went to check out the camping first. They want twenty five bucks to stay the night! And, with my access pass it is usually half off, only 10 percent off here. So, I parked in one of the big parking lots for the night. Anhinga Train.

I’ve written before, it does not matter where I sleep, my eyes are closed anyway, but, nicer to awaken in a park than in a city.

I first went to Royal Palm, I was told I might see gators there. And, yes, I did! A long gater sunning him/her self in the water next to the wooden walk. This walk goes on for a very long ways, which I did.

Getting to sleep was no problem, in the dark, in the quiet.

1/22—What a wonderful day this is! Had no trouble with where I was parked last night. In fact, I slept until 4:30am, that’s a late sleep for me.

Went for a long bike ride, felt great! Now I am at the visitor center, they have free wifi. So, before I continue on I had to get this to you, it’s Friday, after all.

I’m lonely out here, I would love to hear from you.
Either through Facebook or email, kitsummers@gmail.com

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MY CHALLENGE FOR YOU THIS WEEK >>

Remove everything from your house and clean thoroughly. I took everything out of my house (the van)–you can also. And no, your house is not TOO big! I went from a three-bedroom two-story house, to living in the van, after all.

After you get everything out of your house and clean the house, go though each item and ask yourself, “Do I really need this or use this?” A minimalist lifestyle can be a much easier way to live.

Often people accumulate a house full of stuff that they don’t even use. Are you like that? Keep in mind that there are others who can use the stuff in your house that you are not using. So, get it to them, it will be better for all.

Make a big pile of stuff to give away to others who could use it.

You might end up living in a van, like me!
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NEXT BLOG>>

Heading to Key West, and the islands (keys) in between.

I’ve been down before, I like.

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