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 |   Theses are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call life. |
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These are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call Life. I blog with these groups:     "Blogging Circle of Friends "  [E] 
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Blog City - Day2312 December 1, 2020 Prompt: “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.” Daniel J. Boorstin What do you think the illusion of knowledge is? Interesting concept. Not sure if I fully understand it and I think my admission of feeling less than knowledgeable in this area, makes me not an illusionist when it comes to knowledge. I would not call myself ignorant either. I think someone who is knowledgeable is confident in their abilities, but also humble enough to know that with that knowledge comes the idea that you are merely scrapping the surface of all that is to be known. The more you know, the more you realize you don't know. I felt like that in my last year of university. Knowledgeable people are open to other views and are willing to widen their knowledge base. They know where they are strong and where they are weaker. They are also willing to bring in others who can share their knowledge - people they can learn from... because a knowledgeable person knows that learning in a life long adventure. They share and collaborate to bring everyone around them up to a higher level. Building potential. Giving the illusion of knowledge has a level of cockiness and a belief that you are all knowing... or at least giving that impression to others. You act like you know, when in fact, you have no clue. You are just making stuff up. But because you sound like an authority, you can sway others... to believe things that are not true or even dangerously not true. These people are also closed to the idea of change or trying things a different way. It's their way or no way. Fake news springs to mind. The person may have knowledge in an area, but give the impression that they are more than capable in another area... in this, Trump springs to mind. He might have business savvy, but you can't run a country like a business. I am curious what others think of this concept. I could be way off base, but I am also willing to learn. |
Blog City - Day 2309 November 28, 2020 We're officially in holiday season. What are you doing differently than past years? Weird how the Americans set up the 'holiday season' with Thanksgiving. I wonder how many celebrations practiced 'safe, protected' connections this year. I hope for good things, but I am not sure... As for my family, I am not sure what will be happening this year. Today I intent to get the tree out and get it decorated. I hope to have apple cider and / or Egg Nog (not mixed) on hand to make the experience more festive... maybe even break out the Christmas music to set the mood. I think we will need these traditions to try to bring in that Christmas Spirit. A little snow would help, but not too much... I don't get my winter tires on until December 19! As we embark on more restrictions and our Premier, Doug Ford calls for no family gatherings beyond your immediate household, I expect we will be 'visiting' via Google Meet or Zoom as we have our Mimosas on Christmas morning. I will be spending less this year... and ordering more things online. There will be less travelling and more time to write. I don't mind. I expect we will make up for it next year. Last year I baked a lot and shared my treats with the neighbours and my cousins. This year I don't think I will be baking as much... I don't need to be eating all those yummy Christmas cookies or fudge. Oh, but it was so good last year. Still, not a good idea this year. Mom says she is not even doing Christmas cards this year. At school, the Secret Sock exchange is being modified to be delivered a week early so the socks can be quarantined for a week before we actually wear them and the treats inside are supposed to be gift cards or things to charities.... I don't know about that. I still think we should be able to put in gifts... just quarantine them like the socks. This is like a secret Santa kind of thing where you put in gifts for the person based on finding out what they like and surprising them. I like the surprises. I figure we'll keep close to home and enjoy the little things. |
Blogging Circle of Friends - Day 2901: October 23, 2020 Prompt: “There is no greater threat to the critics and cynics and fearmongers than those of us who are willing to fall because we have learned how to rise.” Brené Brown, Rising Strong What do you think is Ms Brown right? How do you rise strong? I am a fan of Brene Brown. Her ideas make sense to me. They buoy me up; give me confidence to try - to take the risk and see where it leads me. Fear only holds us back and limits our potential. Part of learning is making mistakes - Miss Takes. You try again, after assessing the miss step and learning from it. That is how we grow and stretch ourselves. That is how we rise strong. We let go of the fear of failure that is limiting and embrace discovery. We learn to laugh at our mistakes and take them in stride. Being willing to risk failure and looking foolish, humbles us and makes us more open and supportive of others trying to make their way. Exposing our vulnerability lets others know it can be done and they don't feel so alone. Anyone who bashes us for being fearless is not worth our concern. Taking the risk makes us human and opens us up to deeper connection. These critics, cynics and fearmongers will stagnate and fall like leaves passed their prime. Time will trample them into the ground. Forgotten. Rubbish. |
Blogging Circle of Friends DAY 2900 October 23, 2020 What do you like to do on a dark and stormy day? Or a foggy day? Stay under the covers. Sleep and read. It is the ultimate pyjama day. A day for a 'bed picnic' - where one only leaves the bed to use the facilities after collecting books, magazines, art supplies and the TV remote as well as a selection of foods - both healthy and junkie. There should be chips and chocolate involved. |
Blogging Circle of Friends Day 2891: October 17, 2020 Prompt: What is your favorite part of October that has nothing to do with Halloween? I like the cooler days and nippy nights. I like the coziness of October. I like being able to put on the fire place and enjoy the toastiness. I like that October is Preptober - as it leads up to November. It is relaxed and casual. I could wear sweaters...if I wasn't dealing with hot flashes and breaking out the longer pants and putting away the shorts is like a changing of the guard... a kind of natural season change that is refreshing after a hot, humid summer. This summer was weird. With Covid-19, a lot of my usual summer adventures did not happen. I missed things, but not as much as I thought I would. I saved a lot of money in the process and got a lot more writing done. I also wrote outside more - on the front stoop, where I could watch the '5 year old show' across the street. There is a lovely family across the street with two little boys around the age of 5. They love to play outside and their drama is quite comical. They have a younger sister as well, but she has only turned a year this month, so she wasn't in on the drama. When they went away on a family vacation, it was pretty quiet around here. Blog City - Day DAY 2267 October 17, 2020 Use these words in your blog entry... purple, pumpkin, determine, clock, scarecrow and Shelia. Well, you asked for it.... this is what happens at 5:30 in the morning! The purple pumpkin danced upon the clock, determined to wake Shelia from dreams too odd to be natural. A scarecrow winked at her as it ran off down the lane... A flock of crows flittering around like dust in his wake. Shelia shook herself, dragged in consciousness like air - after being submerged a moment too long. She looked about her room expecting the purple pumpkin to be grinning at her, his Jack-o-lantern face gapping with a cheeky grin. But all was silent All was calm Until... the slamming of a door. Cold gripped her. turned her insides out as she stared wide eyed through the blanket of darkness. She could hear footsteps. Footsteps unknown to her. Footsteps with a heavy gait and a scrapping... She forced herself to breathe. Tried telling herself she was still caught in the haze of dreams But the thump ... bump, bump, bump... The turning of the bedroom knob had her dizzy with fear. Clutching her mangled sheets she peered into oblivion, awaiting whatever was making its way from dreams to reality. The door shot open Like gunfire, sending shrapnel everywhere. Shelia ducked back under the covers As fear wrapped around her like a Boa Constrictor. Laughter ripped the air. A cackle that had a tinge of familiarity. From beneath fear and flannel Shelia peeked And saw... And saw... The devil's child dressed in scarecrow's attire; A grin as wide as sin. Light poured from the ceiling's bulb Glaring light, pulsing. As Sheila saw flashes of anger and whipped a book At the vagrant's head. Get Out, You Fool She screamed as her son dipped back into the shadows of the hall Laughter trailing muffled words calling Gotcha! |
| Thursday night I logged on after my first day of teaching. I was exhausted, but in a good, rewarding way... and then I noticed my name coming up and congratulations being given and I thought WT.... My sleepiness evaporated and I was smiling from ear to ear! I had been promoted to a BLUE case and given MODERATOR status. I am still not sure what this all entails, but I am honoured to accept my newfound status. Emily   mentioned feeling like a newbie again and I have to agree. I am still feeling a sense of shock and bewilderment. I have to thank The StoryMaster  and The StoryMistress  for all their hard work and attention to this wonderful website. It truly is my online home. It is my soft place to land and it inspires me and lifts me up, as well as challenges me to stretch beyond myself and my limiting beliefs. I have met many wonderful people here and made some great friendships. I have grown so much since I started here in March of 2013. My gratitude is vast. Thank you, thank you, thank you. So much has happened in the last 7 years and I look forward to many more. I share this honour with eight other wonderful, deserving ladies - all of whom I have seen around this amazing website on a regular basis... there are 5 of us doing the I Write in 2020 Challenge. Here is the list of uniquely wonderful individuals: I also want to thank everyone for all the wonderful cNotes and messages. It has been lovely to be acknowledged in such a great way. I look forward to doing my part and making WDC a rockin' good place to be. Cheers! Thanks! |
 30 Day Blogging Challenge Montreal, Canada Well, we're ending our month long adventure in Montreal. Another early morning just over 2 hour flight to Montreal. I got everyone a room at the Four Seasons. Today is our last day of continent hopping. So let's go out in style. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g155032-d16722291-Reviews-Four_Seasons_... I've offered 3 museum choices, feel free to pick whatever interests you. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g155032-d155193-Reviews-Insectariu... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g155032-d6784342-Reviews-Museum_of... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g155032-d11716180-Reviews-Barbie_E... We're meeting up after lunch at 2:00 pm to do a private walking tour. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g155032-d12561325-Old_Montre... Dinner is at the Famous Tandem. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g155032-d2709343-Reviews-Restauran... Perfect day to be in Montreal! I can join up with my friends for the Tais Toi et Ecris (Shut Up and Write!) group in person instead of Zooming! They meet at 12:30 pm until 3 pm. So cool! This means I miss the private walking tour at 2 pm, but I am okay with that. Everyone was all abuzz about their Charlotte, North Carolina adventures. It was great to catch up and see everyone again... even if it is our last day. It was so cool to here about the ghost pub crawl that some of you were adventurous enough to take! Since none of the museums really interest me, I opt to do the walking tour in the morning. Yes, I am a rebel again, but Barbie or insects aren't my thing and I would love to see the city. I have never been to Montreal. I have driven through it, and that was an experience and a half! Quebec itself feels like a different country, even when crossing from Ontario into Quebec. Getting into the heart of Montreal will be a treat. The city has a great feel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nludElZhjrs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poe2cLKw9ko Gotta get me some poutine and I hear the craft beer scene is really good. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge Charlotte, NC. Oops, guess I should have told you before we went to the beach crawl our flight was at 7:00, and we need to be at the airport at 5am. Don't forget to talk about your day, the things you saw and who surprised you. Well I missed the flight. Not too worried though, I'm kind-of on a 'no USA thing' until Trump is gone.... and I am sticking to it... even in a virtual sense. Besides sleeping in, was a welcome thing, especially after the wonderful time I had yesterday. So I take another day in Belize. I have thoughts of dipping over into Guatemala just to see where my cousins are from - I have two cousins who are adopted. Both are from Guatemala, both they are from two different indigenous groups, but instead I explore on my own and spend my day relaxing and soaking up more sun. Blogging Circle of Friends Charlotte, NC Prompt: Which one of these 15 Things to do in Charlotta https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g49022-Activities-Charlotte_North_Caroli... is the most fun? If I did venture here, I would be inclined to check out the Haunted Charlotte Ghost and walking Pub Crawl. It combines the mystery of a haunted tour with fun of a pub crawl for a great night out. A guide leads the group on a 2.5-hour walking tour through historic Charlotte. Stopping at several bars along the way, each housed in historic buildings with their own unique ghosts and stories. Guests will have time to enjoy a delicious libation as the guide tells them all about the fascinating history of Charlotte and some of its most famous and creepy haunted stories!   |
30 Day Blogging Challenge Belize https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g291963-d1687387-Reviews-Island_Magic_B... We're going to end our trip with some interesting experiences, hope you're ready. We've combined some of Belize's most adventurous activities in one tour. See the rain forest from several different perspectives. Go underground during cave tubing and above the trees during ziplining. Stress-free hotel pickup and drop-off and a Belizean BBQ lunch included https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g291968-d14121238-Cave_Tubin... In the afternoon, we're going to the most famous dive sight in Belize, it was discovered by Jacques Cousteau. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g14035153-d296241-Reviews-Great_Bl... Don't think about napping yet. Cos we're doing a beach crawl. Ahoy! Me hearties, we be the #SanPedroBelize drinking session that moves from one licensed grog slinging premises to the next & so on. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g291962-d19932877-Reviews-BlackSai... Talk up the things that you enjoyed on today's excursions. Our hotel is lush and wonderful. So tranquil and relaxing - an oceanfront beach paradise. The resort offers experiences worth bragging about! Like swimming with sharks and snorkeling the world's second largest Barrier Reef. Enjoy a sunset Caribbean Cruise. Take a day trip to visit mainland Belize and climb a top ancient Maya Ruins or discover the secrets of Maya Underworlds. Or, simply lounge by the pool. Have a cold beer with a local. Taste the island cuisine. Jump off our pier into the aqua hues of the Caribbean Sea and be free! Our go-slow little island offers every opportunity to escape the hassle of every day life. Evn take a puddle jumper or boat to Caye Caulker and have us curate a magical experience for you. Having really been to the Quintana Roo part of Mexico, I am happy to explore this area from Belize. The beach is exquisite and the water is glorious. The zip line and tubing adventure was a blast. I love the caves! The zipline was a bit over the top for me, but I did it! We went to the Nohoch Chen Archaeological Park for the ziplining and tubing. Our first activity was the ZipRider, a zip-line tour through the rainforest. It featured an intricate harness system of pulleys on horizontal traverse cables which lets you glide 100 – 750 feet between platforms up to 120 feet high in the trees at canopy level. YIKES!!! After being fitted into the safety harness, the next 30 – 40 minutes are spent zipping through a series of 7 zip-line runs from 10 jungle platforms – a truly unforgettable experience! Following lunch, our next adventure was cave tubing. We got our tubes, headlights and safety gear before hiking through the rainforest to the entrance of the cave system. After a safety chat we got to tube! We tubed through the ancient Maya underworld – Xibalba. Intricate crystalline formations line the cave and stalagmites and stalactites magically appear out of the darkness. On several occasions, we emerged into the sunlight only to enter into another cave system. So cool! I could have stayed so much longer, but we needed to head off to see the Great Blue Hole and do more snorkeling. Some of us were able to dive. Our day finished with the BlackSails Beach-Crawl Belize. We moved from one 'grog slinging' place to another. There was also swimming and volleyball as well as Kayak races and live entertainment. By the time we all crawled into bed it was late.... or very early in the morning. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge Brasilla, Brazil Today's adventure is all about unusual architecture https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303322-d318131-Reviews-Catedral_M... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303322-d2349423-Reviews-Itamaraty... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303322-d2349446-Reviews-Templo_da... Amazing designs, don't you agree? Which one appealed to you most, why? What's your favorite architecture near where you live? I found myself wanting to explore the more natural architecture of the area. Lyn's a sly fox  is telling us we will be off to Belize tomorrow and I did not want to miss the many waterfalls in the area. To be able to swim in the clear water and see the natural wonders of the place just felt right. I breakfasted with my fellow travelers, then as they went off to trek the streets of Brasilla in search of cathedrals and other interesting architectural designs, I headed for the car that would take me to my destination and my own adventure. I knew I would see the pictures of the places they visited later at dinner, but I wanted to bring my own photographic memories to that dinner. I am still remembering the Moroccan designs. Those were beautiful. Many of these tours of the waterfalls are several days, but I opted for one sweet day. Couros falls is one of the most incredible walks of the Chapada dos Veadeiros. It’s about 15 km of asphalt road and 35 km of dirt road, but all of it is compensated at the first stop where I could not only see an incredible fall, but also bathe in its refreshing and strong waters. It was heaven!!! The trail allowed us to see 3 more falls of great volume and indescribable beauty. It’s definitely one of those places where no image can represent the magic of seeing and feeling those waters in real colours. Still I took photographs to remind me of my experience. It was hard to leave and head back to the bustle of the city, but I was eager to see my friends and get a great meal. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/AttractionProductReview-g2159104-d19349474-CAR_GUIDE_... Blogging Circle of Friends I've made arrangements for you to take all those Brazillian food choices to the next level. You're putting a menu together to help this restaurant get better ratings. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g303322-d4102590-Reviews-Primeiro-... https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-foods-try-brazil https://www.oliviascuisine.com/authentic-brazilian-recipes/ Our group is going to enjoy your recommendations this evening. Don't be out to late we're off to Belize next. Perfect timing Hurricane Laura has already gone past our location I saw some of the reviews and this restaurant misses the mark where the food is concerned. The atmosphere and everything else seems above board... so a little help, even if it is from some Yahoos from elsewhere.... it couldn't hurt. I suggest the cheese bread and the fish stew! Looking over the menu of 30 The chicken wings and fried pastries look delectable as well... and don't forget the Brazilian lemonade. And of course the chocolate fudge balls. Of course the Brazilian names are far more authentic sounding... but it all looks and tastes divine! We ate and drank some wonderful, tasty dishes and drinks. We shared out adventures and our photos and we talked and laughed. Lyn's a sly fox reminded us of our early departure for tomorrow to Belize so we headed back to our hotel to settle in... but not before another swim to cool me off before sleep. |
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