Blogging Insights NF 48- Hopes and Dreams

On 08/01/202208/01/2022 By Susan St.PierreIn Writing Prompts3 Comments

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” — Richard Bach
We’re asked to respond to the quote above.

Of course, I hope to learn how to better express myself by observing the wealth of talent in the blogosphere, but my only competition is with myself, and my staunchest critic is also me.
Bach’s quote compares two things which seem to relate to fame and fortune, or perhaps, it refers to aspiring to become notable and widely read. Those noble pursuits don’t speak for me.

My blog is a journal of my thoughts, opinions, and musings. I’m pleased when other bloggers offer their perspectives on, and connections to, my words yet my purpose is to capture a unique journal of me, and my hope is that my granddaughters one day find it interesting or (dare to dream) inspiring.
I secretly believe that all the clever bloggers who attach insightful and humorous comments, may be the BEST part of their discovery.

FYI- I wouldn’t turn down an ‘out of the blue’ lucrative publishing offer. I’m humble and content, not stupid. 😉

https://saltedcaramel670.wordpress.com/2022/08/01/blogging-insights-nf-48/

Defining Sanity and Humanity

On 03/31/201403/31/2014 By Susan St.PierreIn Book Reviews, In my humble opinion...Leave a comment

I’ve been away from my blog for some time. Knowing it exists, and that I would return, was always a comforting thought. I am pages from completing a fascinating, enlightening, true story and could wait, no longer, to share it.
I am grappling with the term “forever changed” by this book. Instead, I think it is more accurate, in my own case, to say “finally aware” or “forever defined”.
This is a firsthand story of a brain scientist’s stroke. There is a wealth of science about symptoms and perceptions, from the victim’s view. It is an essential part of the story and, really, not hard to learn and appreciate but the overall message and “insight” into the human psyche will “blow you away”!
We are a single being which operates, through our world, by using two separate, yet connected, brain hemispheres. The story exposes the purpose and function of those hemispheres in enlightening detail. The author’s conclusions about the necessity for both to function in unison in order to offer a life “rich” in a common conscientiousness are extraordinary, possibly, life changing.
As I read this book, I was thankful for my years with children for my primarily hopeful perspective about living “in the moment”. Jill Bolte Taylor hits the “nail on the head”, in my opinion, about how much of our own happiness is a matter of how we CHOSE to perceive the world. Embracing how ordinary events make us “feel” (emotionally and physiologically) just may be the biggest tool in the counteracting of everyday depression and sadness.
The author does not disregard the fact that our mental health is subject to chemical reactions beyond our control. The awareness that we CAN control much of it, though, (beyond brain damage and illness) offers a primer in a more fulfilling, happy, existence.
Incidentally, the carefree, forgiving, nature of man’s best friend seems to further explain why our Left Brains (containing speech and ego) can be our worst enemy if left to control too much of our time. On the other hand, who wants children, or dogs, making critical decisions?
As with everything we learn about life, balance is the best medicine.
I’ve barely scratched the surface of the wisdom between the covers of this book!

How to recognize a stroke.
How to treat stroke victims.
The recuperative power of sleep.
How our brains interpret the world.
The importance of patience and kindness.

I give this book 11 stars out of 10.

Questions?

On 03/29/201203/29/2012 By Susan St.PierreIn Kid Story Ideas, Sideshows, Words 'n' such Poetry2 Comments

I found this clip and kept it in my drafts until I could use it. Everybody Loves Raymond was a show with a great deal of insight into being human.

What we find funny is usually something that strikes a cord within ourselves. I love a good discussion and would we really have any meaningful discussions without questions? 🙂

So, while this clip ruminated in my stash, a poem “popped” into my head. In my world, poems “pop”.

Also, most questions are easiest to answer when we consider how a kid would answer. Kids are our most insightful companions. So enjoy this clip and then the poem that “popped” from my inner child.

What would we do without questions?

Where would our interests lead?

How would we get up each morning,

Without a curious need?

How would we create a vision?

What direction is best to move toward?

Questions are God’s way of making,

A world where no one is bored.

The Mouths of Babes.

On 08/01/201108/01/2011 By Susan St.PierreIn Sideshows5 Comments

If you are not aware of my love affair with watching my granddaughter grow…where have you been?

Katherine is one of the primary reasons for my blog and is therefore pictured at the top. Listening to kids has been my life’s work so when Kat came along, I was ready!

As seasoned as I am, Katherine “blows me away” with her innocent and insightful comments. She has taught me that I,did indeed, find the career best suited for me and that observing kids is never mundane.

My daughter, son-in-law and Katherine spend weekends camping with us. (We have trailers, generator power and DVD players…hardly roughing it.) Katherine and I are privileged to early morning, quiet, one to one times. Her Pepe and parents are not the cheerful.wide awake, risers as we. During our morning chats we pause to listen to and identify birds and discuss just about everything.

Just yesterday, she was sitting with me and watched her Pepe shaving and brushing his hair. She turned to me and said,” Awwwww! That’s so nice!”

“What’s so nice Katherine?”

“He does love you so much that he gets up and makes himself handsome, just for you Grandma.”

I hadn’t thought about his routine, in that way, for years. Thank-you to Katherine who made Pepe and Grandma look at each other with a twinkle in their eyes.

Later the same morning, we all went out to breakfast. Kat sat between her grandparents facing her parents. After the waitress brought our coffees Kat poked me and chuckled. “Look Grandma…Ed made an eddy.”

My daughter asked what was so funny. I explained that Kat saw her Pepe (Edward) stir up a whirlpool in his coffee. “Kat and I know that an eddy is another name for a whirlpool.” We gave each other a high-five as her mother said, ” I will not let them skip her to first grade.”