Earthly Comforts – Sillyfrog's Blog

Morning Dawdler 2/26/23 Know Yourself

Posted on 02/26/202302/26/2023 by Susan St.Pierre

Let’s see where the questions take us today.

Which behavioural trait describes you more – introvert, ambivert or extrovert?

How I describe myself is quite different from how others might describe me. I find that curious in itself. If you’re lucky enough to have a large dose of introspection, then IMHO you probably know yourself pretty well.
I have never heard of ‘ambivert’. Is that new? Sounds like one of those ‘I can’t decide’ places that seem to rule our conversations today. “Fence sitters” are IMHO just ‘hecklers’ in a world of people who dare to take a position on anything. I hope you know that “taking a position” isn’t a ‘forever’ deal. You can move when more information becomes available. But it certainly is a ‘boots on the ground’ thoughtful experience. To me, those who don’t want to ‘take a position’ are subliminally projecting that they really don’t want to examine that idea in any detail.
I believe that I am an “introvert”. My ‘happy place’ is exploring my own mind and experiences. I’m a wreck if I don’t get enough ‘alone time’. I seem to require more solitude than the people who I know personally. [I chose a ‘stay at home’ career. I think that speaks volumes.]
But I am outspoken and gregarious when around groups of people or blogging. How can I really be an introvert? Well, I believe that someone who feels that they know themselves, and their own intentions, tends to feel more comfortable in their ‘own skin‘. That can be either an ‘off-putting’ or a very ‘charming’ trait in mixed company. It is the epitome of self-confidence to feel comfortable with yourself which seems contrary to the ‘mousey’ loner stereotype usually attributed to being an ‘introvert’.

How often do you clear out free space on your phone, and how often does your storage space fill up? Also, how many apps do you have that you use daily?

I only have a few apps that I use daily. I don’t care to count them. Why would that be important?
As for keeping my phone organized and storage space open, I’m a highly functioning ‘clutter bug’ in all parts of my day. LOL
Procrastination looms large in my life. It works out for me too many times.
After describing myself as someone who spends a lot of time thinking, I hope you can see how the clutter completes and even augments that place. 😉

Are you easily annoyed, and your temper continually snaps? If so, what irks you the most, or are you the calm one who only blows occasionally?

Beware of those calm ones! If they blow, it’s going to be BIG! LOL
I’m not inhuman. I probably feel waves of frustration and irritation as often as ‘hot heads’. What’s different with me (and keeping with a developing theme) is that I choose not to ‘give in’ to those feelings. I think losing one’s cool often makes a person appear immature and unhinged. As someone who wants to learn and think more than argue, exhibiting those traits would be conversation enders and therefore a real bummer. But like they say, “everyone has a price”, there are moments when I choose to ‘show ‘ my anger. You can bet that I have thought about, and can list, MY reasons for doing that too! LOL

https://earthlycomforts.uk/2023/02/26/a-wild-aloha-to-you-22/

In my humble opinion..., Sideshows

Earthly Comforts Questions 2-5-23 The Art of Communicating

Posted on 02/05/2023 by Susan St.Pierre

Rory has asked us 4 new questions. Let’s see where they take us.

Have you learned anything new about your personality that you didn’t know beforehand whilst on your blogging journey?

I’m quite familiar with my personality. I’ve had it all my life.
What I have learned from blogging is a better, more artful, way to communicate.

Some examples are:

Don’t use exclamation points unless you’re expressing excitement. Even then, keep the volume down. Exclamation points, when discussing emotionally charged topics make the reader feel as though you’re ‘hollering’ at them. At the very least, exclamation point use suggests you’re ‘losing your cool’.

When discussing any topic, it is wise to offer ‘What YOU think’ or ‘What YOU feel’ or ‘What YOU have noticed’ rather than suggest you have any idea why others have taken a ‘position’. We’re not mind readers, and no one (including myself) wants to be told what we’re thinking from someone who couldn’t possibly know.

Visiting my ‘inner child’ before I write makes for a more ‘unassuming’ write. Being genuine is a good place to start from in all things.

What are your last thoughts of the night before you turn your lights off, ready to sleep?

I offer a prayer of gratitude and ask for safety and comfort for my loved ones.

What is the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard anyone say, write, or blog about?

It probably wasn’t ‘what someone said’ that seemed ridiculous but, as I mentioned above, the reasons some people use for saying things can be entertaining. It usually comes down to that ‘mind reading’ technique. Those who suggest that certain people do things because ‘the writer’ knows what they think. News Flash: Try asking them. LOL
(Of course, in fiction and poetry, the writer DOES know what the subjects think because he created them.)

Sometimes the ridiculous comes down to those people who keep ‘drawing conclusions’ rather than examining a topic. For example: “People from the South are undereducated” or “All women like jewelry.” etc.

What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?

“Not capable of” suggests a new skill rather than a new opportunity, to me. I am probably better at ‘listening to’ and ‘talking with’ others with whom I disagree. I truly want to keep them talking, as opposed to shutting them down or ‘educating them‘ (I loathe that last mentioned approach. 🙂 )
It’s not at all my job to correct anyone. My job is to curiously examine their words and thoughts in order to change or reinforce my own views. If I shut them down, I cannot learn and grow from the exchange.

https://earthlycomforts.uk/2023/02/05/a-wild-aloha-to-you-12/

In my humble opinion..., Writing Prompts

Morning Dawdler- 1-22-23 Good Impressions

Posted on 01/22/202301/22/2023 by Susan St.Pierre

Thanks to Rory for today’s questions!

What is the best way to cook an egg, and what is your favourite egg dish?

I never met an egg I didn’t like. Since “variety is the spice of life”, surprise me any time with the preparation.
My most frequently chosen method of ordering eggs at a restaurant, is either a spinach, egg, mushroom and cheese omelet or eggs benedict. As for home, ‘over easy’ with bacon and fruit on the side. There’s something about a salty and sweet presentation in a meal that’s dreamy, delicious.

What makes for a good listener, and are you one, or do you only hear people as noise?

I don’t like crowds, but I do like individuals. My favorite conversations are the ‘one on one’ kind. I spend a lot of time in a solitary existence while ‘thinking’ which sometimes causes me to ‘spill over’ when someone engages with me. This is something I’m hoping to tame. I so dearly hope to be heard yet sometimes I fail to listen. I am usually way ahead of others in the natural thought progression on a topic because I’ve already thought about most basic questions and have answers. But I really need to bite my tongue more and listen to others. My preplanned/pre-thought retorts are not received well, and I do want other people to feel ‘heard’ too. I’m working on it. Wish me luck!

How well can you control your emotions, and is it hard to keep them in check with moments and times when you feel passionate or angry with others or situations?

I’ve been accused of being nearly impossible to insult. Somewhere along the way in my life of learning, I realized that “losing one’s cool” offers nothing good. If there’s a life-threatening emergency, those who panic often are more likely to die. If someone is trying to get ‘under your skin’, allowing them to get what they want is foolish. If someone is behaving irrationally, they may just be asking for or in need of some help. The only time you don’t want to ‘test me’ is if there’s any instance of an elderly person, animal, or child, being abused. Let me just say, don’t make me that kind of angry, you won’t like what happens.
Having said all of that…I’m sure the temperaments we are born with actually rule our reactions most. 😉

Is it necessary for you to be remembered by others for your contribution to life?

During my career of caring for children, this question occurred to me. I believe anyone who mentors children has a deep desire to be remembered. But I don’t think it’s my name that I want remembered, it’s about those inspirational positive moments when I made an impression on them that they will (hopefully) carry to their children, and so on. Having and/or raising children, IMHO, is the most important thing anyone can do to positively impact the future.

https://earthlycomforts.uk/2023/01/22/a-wild-aloha-to-you-4/

In my humble opinion...

Question Time Over Coffee-11-19-22

Posted on 11/19/2022 by Susan St.Pierre

Have you ever been on an extended vacation/holiday road trip? If so, when and where and for how long?

My nuclear family took some vacations to the Atlantic Ocean when I was a kid. We lived (and I still live) in Western New England so the trips took about 4 hours from home to destination. I wouldn’t call that an extended road trip, but it surely felt LONG to this kid.
We didn’t have video games or movies to entertain us then and although I would have loved having them, I’m pleased now that we didn’t. My Mom would sometimes read out loud to us, sometimes we’d sing songs together or play ‘car bingo’ to entertain ourselves. I had my own game that I came up with too. It was called, “Never going to see THAT again”. As we traveled, I would look out my window and focus on a single leaf or bird. It was a way of embracing a moment in time that fate had made. I was there and something ordinary was there. There was no way I would ‘lay my eyes on’ those things ever again. It felt magical and eternal!
I get the same ‘thrill’ when I find fossils in crushed stone at our campsite. Possibly (probably) no other human being had ever looked at the small, fossilized relic EVER! Humbling doesn’t even cover that moment sufficiently.

When was the last time you visited an actual bookshop, and what, if any, new/old/secondhand titles did you buy?

We have a local Thrift Shop close to our summer place. This gal goes directly to the book section. While I was homeschooling my granddaughter, there was a wealth of obscure children’s material, as well as interesting titles for me. Book junkies can identify with the fact that there are many still on my shelf waiting to be rediscovered this winter.
Before the Thrift Shop, there was a Flea Market in the same town. “The Book Guy” (that’s what we called him) was always there. He had a large, well organized, display of books. Sadly, The Book Guy passed away a few years ago and the Flea Market has almost disappeared without his presence. I miss the man as much as his books.

How do you feel about the new WP Dashboard 7-day highlights Statistics?
I almost never look at those stats. I’m not writing in any way to compete with anyone or build a following.

How do you feel about all the Russian nuclear sabre rattling?
It seems a normal thing for competing powers to do. There’s no way-No Way- that I trust any media outlet to explain what is going on utilizing factual information. So, I cannot impact what’s going on, I have no way of knowing what’s really going on and can only hope that peace breaks out in spite of a handful evil actors seeking wealth and power.

If you could go back or travel to an age of your choice and live or relive a previous era for a day, what age would you pick and why?

There are many but since our Thanksgiving holiday is near, I would like to experience the first Thanksgiving witnessing the real-time attitudes and hopes. [Then I’d come back and separate myth from facts.]

Do you have a favourite coat? [Outdoor/Indoor/Business/Social] What makes it unique to you, OR is a coat just a coat?

Not anymore but during my 30s I had a long Peacoat that I adorned with pins. Some were favorite sports teams and American flags, but others were gifts that held personal meaning. Once I had a lapel full, my friends and family happily surprised me with more. I probably had 50 of them at the height of my collecting.

Do you enjoy learning something new every day or week?

Oh my! I live to learn. My email starts with curiousue for a reason.

Are you more comfortable in your skin today than you were in the youth of your yesterdays?
Why and how so?

Absolutely more each day. I was an odd kid in the way that I related to all kinds of people. I think about it now and believe that it was from a genuineness that I projected. To be genuine requires a level of self- confidence which comes from liking who you are. I suspect that ‘seed’ was always there.

Have you ever kept a hardback diary or a journal as opposed to an online digital one? When did you first start to journal your life?

No but my daughter has kept one for 17+ years.

How do you feel about Eggplant/Aubergine/Guinea Squash as a vegetable? Is it something you enjoy having in your meals?

I enjoy most every squash. Eggplant is not one I ever use but memories of my Italian immigrant grandmother making eggplant parmigiana are good ones.

What film could you watch over and over again and why?

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
This movie is extremely inspirational! A mother’s enduring love and commitment to wise choices…Self- reliance and imagination…and a guide to pursuing excellence. My day care kids watched it multiple times and always asked to go straight to the library after each viewing.

What concert, show, or event would you love tickets for if you could get them?

I don’t do crowds. Noise, standing in line, and (since 2020) pandemic nonsense are the reasons. It has nothing to do with fears or phobias. I do enjoy talking with people in general, though, but not in that venue.

Would your teenage self be impressed with who you are today and what you have achieved so far in your/their life?

I think so. I had many basic plans for my life even as a teen and I’ve accomplished the most important ones.

Which online behaviours do you find the most annoying in blogging?

I’m not easily or often annoyed. But when I interact with others and find them concerned with what I consider “nonsense”, I tend to move along.

https://earthlycomforts.uk/2022/11/19/question-time-over-coffee-5/