Near The Heart Of The World

As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing.  I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche.  I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.
—    John Muir
[Found at one of the blogs / sites I follow:  A Pondering Mind   (https://aponderingmind.org/)
The specific link is:  https://aponderingmind.org/2022/12/06/nature-9/
Please give the site a visit if you have a few spare moments.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	Limited Knowledge And No Control
2021	Gifts
	Look Inside Your Heart
2020	A Strength Of Science
2019	A Higher Standard
	Make Two Calls
2018	Irreplaceable Sparks
2017	Saving For April 15th
2016	First Wish
2015	Tracing Shadows
2014	One Thing
2013	More Is Less
2012	The Screw-Up Gene

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Christmas Wishes For 2022

First off:  Merry Christmas to all… !!
Second:  Hug everyone at your table and say a prayer of blessings for absent friends and family.
Third:  Please remember in your thoughts all of the first responders and essential workers who are working each day to maintain the health and the safety of our families.  The “COVID pandemic” may be over, but they remain on the job where we need them.  Police, firefighters, EMTs, health workers, PPE and vaccine manufacturers, supermarket / food-store / essential services staff, transportation (truck drivers and delivery) staff,  our military defending us around the world and our civilian government employees working to keep our water, food and air clean.
Finally:  Please, please, please…
Keep current on your vaccine(s) / booster shot(s).
And, to those of you traveling:  drive safely (to and from wherever you roam)…
[A big shout-out to  http://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/  for providing today’s two images.  Please visit the site if you have a chance.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Christmas Wishes For 2021
	This Simple Phrase
2020	Christmas Wishes For 2020
	Best Wishes For All
2019	My Thoughts About The X-mas Turkey…
2018	Merry X-mas – 2018
2017	Focus On Christmas — 2017
2016	Merry X-mas – 2016
2015	Merry X-mas – 2015
2014	Merry X-mas – 2014
2013	Merry X-mas – 2013
2012	Merry Christmas – 2012
2011	I Have Seen

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Discovering Humanity

The joy of playing classical guitar extends beyond the prize (the perfect performance).  It’s the daily journey and how we travel it.  That’s where we find the gold.  That’s where we discover the humanity, in both the music and in ourselves.
—    Allen Mathews
Allen Mathews is a professional musician and classical guitar instructor who maintains a site located at:  https://classicalguitarshed.com/
Every Tuesday, Allen posts a quote (which may or may not be specifically about music).   He then goes on to tie the quote to a “teaching moment”.  Allen’s “Quote page” is located at:  https://classicalguitarshed.com/tuesday-quotes/
[Disclaimer:  Although I have viewed many of Allen’s videos and subscribed to his emails for over a year, I have not personally purchased any of his packages of instruction as I am merely dabbling in “classical” guitar to see what it’s about.  I have no other association with Allen or his site and have not requested permission to re-post this quote.  If he requests it, I will remove or substantially edit this quote.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Likely To Be Subtle
	My Temp’s Pretty High
	Scratching A Persistent Itch
2020	A Word Of Assurance They Are Not Alone
	Is #45 Still Crying?
2019	It’s Obvious
2018	Passed Too Swiftly
2017	On Our Wall (Part 1)
2016	Or The Ripples From A Good Life
2015	Titles And Reputations
2014	Unfolding
2013	Again
2012	Needs
	Damned
2011	Potter & Prejudice
	Blink, Blink

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Decision, Decisions

Your future depends on how you decide to remember your past.
—    Henri Nouwen
From his book: “The Inner Voice of Love“
Found at one of the blogs I follow:  Pointless Overthinking.com
The specific post was:  https://pointlessoverthinking.com/2022/09/08/romancing-the-stone/
Please visit the original site if you have a minute.    —    kmab
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On This Day In:
2021	Bring The Void
	Home Cookin’, Anyone?
2020	Growth Mindset
	I Wonder Where You Are
2019	Steps To Impeach #45
	Science Upgrade Needed
2018	Come November 6th
2017	Hearts And Memories
2016	Tremendous Energy
	Beyond Trying
2015	Tell Me…
2014	Live Forever (To Remember Me)
	Orange October (VI) – Giants Win Game 4
2013	More Than Just Words
2012	Egotist, n.
2011	Good And Bad

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Unlimited Curiosity In Finite Time

I want to know what everything is, and nothing is;  the beauty of a note and the silence which surrounds it.  I like to know and understand myself, and those whom I meet, or nearly meet.  I am conscious that I will not always be conscious:  that my curiosity is unlimited but my time is finite, and I cannot waste a moment of it in acquiring things which will not make me richer in a way I value.
The amusing thing is many would consider me as living in la la land, where poetry is a secret form of currency, and music a mode of transport which might carry me to lands and vistas invisible to the naked eye:  to where angels might dwell and we begin to forgive and truly understand the love which passes all understanding.  I can live with the opinions of the “many”, but I cannot live without my imagination.”
One of the great temptations of life is to lose sight of the beauty of the whole, or the mystery of an instant amidst the mass of worries, jealousies and insecurities which crowd in on the average day, including mine, but while I have a breath to draw I will, whatever my circumstances, raise my eyes in wonder to the horizon and marvel at the miracle of consciousness.
—     Peter Wells
Originally found at one of the blogs I follow:  Countingducks
Located at:  https://countingducks.wordpress.com
The specific post is:  A Matter Of Philosophy
https://countingducks.wordpress.com/2022/07/18/a-matter-of-philosophy/
[Please visit the original site if you have a few minutes to spare.  You’ll get hooked, too!    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	How Learning Infections Begin
	Stay Young At Heart
2020	Policies Not People
	Just Thinking To Myself
2019	Should I Start With My Religion?
2018	Fear And Hope
	Day 33: Good News & Prep
2017	Directions
2016	Handle With Care
2015	Nothing But Pride
2014	Go
2013	Well, Does It?
2012	Near Misses Aren’t Successes
2011	Uncomfortable Feelings
2010	San Francisco (favorites)…
	Bullets or Butter?

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Small Comfort

It may give us some comfort in these worrisome times to know that in all of history only one country has actually been crazy enough to detonate atomic weapons in the midst of civilian populations, turning unarmed men, women and children into radioactive soot and bonemeal.  And that was a long, long time ago now.
Kurt Vonnegut
Letter to the New York Times
12th September 2002
—     Kurt Vonnegut
From:  “Kurt Vonnegut:  Letters”
Edited by:  Dan Wakefield
Found at one of the sites I follow:  “Letters of Note“
The specific post is:  https://news.lettersofnote.com/p/most-letters-from-a-parent-contain?s=r
[Please visit the original site if you have a few spare minutes…    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Get It Done
	Toe Tappin’ And Head Bobbin’
2020	Saddle Up!
	Practicing To Be Clever
	Anybody Want A Bagel?
2019	Welcome Home
	The Whole Community
2018	The Cells Are Right
	Day 19: Broth
2017	Be Responsible
2016	Thinking About November 8th, 2016
2015	Lonely Teardrops
2014	Pleasurable Law
2013	Room For Justice
	In The Minds Of Others
2012	Extinction, n.
2011	Snap!

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Units Of Measure

Scientific progress is measured in units of courage, not intelligence.
—     Paul Dirac
[Found on one of the blogs I follow:  “ram H singhal“
Located at:  https://ram0singhal.wordpress.com/
The specific post is at:  https://ram0singhal.wordpress.com/2021/07/13/1933-nobel-prize-in-physics-paul-adrien-maurice-dirac/
Please visit the original site if you have a spare moment.     —     kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	True Fervor
	Still Sparkles
2020	A Destructive Mistake
	I’d Rather Live In HER World
2019	And #IncompetentTrump Is A Failure At Both
2018	To Excel At Your Craft
	Day 12: Waiting
2017	Like When You Can Order Others To Fight For You
2016	Holding Fast
2015	Alms Or Balms
2014	A Day At The Beach
2013	Pillows
	Steppin’
2012	Invincible Summer
2011	Being Objective
2010	First Things First…
	Northwest Passages – Intro
	Northwest Passages – Day One
	Northwest Passages – Poetry
	Northwest Passages – Evening One
	Northwest Passages – Morning Two

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Immerse Yourself Fully

I urge you to find a way to immerse yourself fully in the life that you’ve been given.  To stop running from whatever you’re trying to escape, and instead to stop, and turn, and face whatever it is.  Then I dare you to walk toward it.  In this way, the world may reveal itself to you as something magical and awe-inspiring that does not require escape.  Instead, the world may become something worth paying attention to.  The rewards of finding and maintaining balance are neither immediate nor permanent.  They require patience and maintenance.  We must be willing to move forward despite being uncertain of what lies ahead.  We must have faith that actions today that seem to have no impact in the present moment are in fact accumulating in a positive direction, which will be revealed to us only at some unknown time in the future.  Healthy practices happen day by day.  My patient Maria said to me, “Recovery is like that scene in Harry Potter when Dumbledore walks down a darkened alley lighting lampposts along the way.  Only when he gets to the end of the alley and stops to look back does he see the whole alley illuminated, the light of his progress.”
—     Anna Lembke
From her book:  “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence“
Found at one of the blogs I follow:  https://davidkanigan.com/
The specific post is:  https://davidkanigan.com/2021/09/06/monday-morning-wake-up-call-267/
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On This Day In:
2021	And Then You Begin
	A Familiar Song
2020	A Prayer For China
	He Says The Last Five Questions Are Really Hard
	Fear And Cleverness
2019	Historic Contact
	All Good
2018	History Judges Incompetent Presidencies, Too
2017	Our Confident New President
2016	Ways
2015	Be Happy, Too
2014	At Least Smile
2013	Comfortably Bound
2012	Certainty
	Thinking About Fathers
2011	And In Every Level Of Media

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I’m Not Okay Either

Home of the Brave?
May 27, 2022 By Gabe Kapler
The day 19 children and 2 teachers were murdered, we held a moment of silence at sporting events around the country, then we played the national anthem, and we went on with our lives.
Players, staff and fans stood for the moment of silence, grieving the lives lost, and then we (myself included) continued to stand, proudly proclaiming ourselves the land of the free and the home of the brave.  We didn’t stop to reflect on whether we are actually free and brave after this horrific event, we just stood at attention.
When I was the same age as the children in Uvalde, my father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn’t.  I don’t believe it is representing us well right now.
This particular time, an 18 year old walked into a store, bought multiple assault rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, walked into a school with an armed resource officer and its own police district and was able to murder children for nearly an hour.  Parents begged and pleaded with police officers to do something, police officers who had weapons and who receive nearly 40% of the city’s funding, as their children were being murdered.
We elect our politicians to represent our interests.  Immediately following this shooting, we were told we needed locked doors and armed teachers.  We were given thoughts and prayers.  We were told it could have been worse, and we just need love.
But we weren’t given bravery, and we aren’t free.  The police on the scene put a mother in handcuffs as she begged them to go in and save her children.  They blocked parents trying to organize to charge in to stop the shooter, including a father who learned his daughter was murdered while he argued with the cops.  We aren’t free when politicians decide that the lobbyist and gun industries are more important than our children’s freedom to go to school without needing bulletproof backpacks and active shooter drills.
I’m often struck before our games by the lack of delivery of the promise of what our national anthem represents.  We stand in honor of a country where we elect representatives to serve us, to thoughtfully consider and enact legislation that protects the interests of all the people in this country and to move this country forward towards the vision of the “shining city on the hill.”  But instead, we thoughtlessly link our moment of silence and grief with the equally thoughtless display of celebration for a country that refuses to take up the concept of controlling the sale of weapons used nearly exclusively for the mass slaughter of human beings.  We have our moment (over and over), and then we move on without demanding real change from the people we empower to make these changes.  We stand, we bow our heads, and the people in power leave on recess, celebrating their own patriotism at every turn.
Every time I place my hand over my heart and remove my hat, I’m participating in a self congratulatory glorification of the ONLY country where these mass shootings take place.  On Wednesday, I walked out onto the field, I listened to the announcement as we honored the victims in Uvalde.  I bowed my head.  I stood for the national anthem.  Metallica riffed on City Connect guitars.
My brain said drop to a knee;  my body didn’t listen.  I wanted to walk back inside;  instead I froze.  I felt like a coward.  I didn’t want to call attention to myself.  I didn’t want to take away from the victims or their families.  There was a baseball game, a rock band, the lights, the pageantry.  I knew that thousands of people were using this game to escape the horrors of the world for just a little bit.  I knew that thousands more wouldn’t understand the gesture and would take it as an offense to the military, to veterans, to themselves.
But I am not okay with the state of this country.  I wish I hadn’t let my discomfort compromise my integrity.  I wish that I could have demonstrated what I learned from my dad, that when you’re dissatisfied with your country, you let it be known through protest.  The home of the brave should encourage this.
—    Gabe Kapler
Manager, San Francisco Giants (baseball team)
Mr. Kapler’s personal blog can be found at:  Kaplifestyle – A Lifestyle and Fitness site by Gabe Kapler
The specific post can be found at:  Home of the Brave? (kaplifestyle.com)
[Disclaimer:  The above post has been copied from the original site without permission or prior approval.  I make no claim of ownership – implied or actual.  I read the original blog post multiple times to try to extract the hi-lights for a “fair-use” review / quote.  I lacked the skill (or heart) to do this, so I am reprinting the author’s post in its entirety.  If Mr. Kapler feels I have misused his intellectual property and asks me to remove or modify this post, I will do so.    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2021	Make A Difference
	What’s That Sound?
2020	Promise Her In Music
2019	But I’m Well Past 100 By Now
2018	Learn
	Land Of The Free, Because Of The Brave
	4 Appearances In A Row, 4 Wins To Go
2017	And Yet I’m Still Having Fun
2016	I See Coincidence Everywhere
	CA3: Civil War
2015	I Resemble That Remark… (5!)
2014	The Writer’s Dilemma
2013	Just Paying The Rent
2012	Remembering…
2011	A Little Farther

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Truly And Simply

What is love to me?  Love is the little things.  The countless unplanned stares.  The sweet smiles when you hear their name.  When that person is in your mind at random times for no reason.  Wanting to be around that person for hours.  Looking into each other’s eyes and just knowing what you both feel. It’s talking about stupid things, but never wanting to say goodbye.  Holding on to everything they’ve ever said.  Making memories.  The little kisses that seem to linger on your lips.  The daydreams.  The actual dreams that you never want to wake up from.  Finding any reason to bring that person up in a conversation.  Cuddling and being completely intrigued by that person’s heartbeat and how in sync you feel with them.  Talking about everything you don’t like and all the things you do.  Trying to get through problems.  Failing at trying to solve them.  It’s the little arguments.  The movie dates.  The hugs where you never want to let go.  Laughing at everything.  Embarrassing ourselves in front of one another.  The tears, the yelling.  The way their voice brightens your day.  Never wanting to give up.  It’s when you see a future with someone.  It’s writing that persons name over and over again because you like the way it looks.  It’s trying to prove each other wrong.  Trying to figure things out.  Trying to make that person believe you’re the one.  Giving that person every reason to think you’re out.  It’s giving that person every opportunity to break you down, but hoping they won’t.  It’s the cheesy pick up lines.  The silly faces made at each other.  The support for each other.  It’s trust.  It’s putting in everything you got.  It’s letting go and hoping they won’t stay gone.  It’s letting down your guard.  It’s sharing things like favourite colours and movies.  It’s finding all the things you have in common and all the things you have in common and all the things that are different.  It’s doubling.  It’s content thinking.  Overthinking.  Believing.  It’s feeling like everything’s a dream, but realising its reality.  It’s doing things like staring at the stars and going for walks.  It’s noticing each other in a crowd.  Noticing how their eyes sparkle in the sun.  Or how their voice squeaks when they giggle.  It’s being consumed.  It’s being intrigued by everything about them.  It’s being confused.  It’s being happy.  Being sad.  Even being mad.  It’s getting jealous over stupid things.  Fighting for each other.  Teasing each other playfully.  Being comfortable with someone.  Not feeling the need to hide.  Not feeling the need to change.  Getting butterflies.  Feeling love.  Feeling wanted.  It’s the hour long walks.  Lying in someone’s arms and feeling like nothing could ever tear you all apart.  It’s the jokes.  That can sometimes go too far.  It’s helping someone conquer their fears.  Bringing someone’s fairy tales to life.  Believing in each other.  Feeling free.  Seeing each other break.  It’s listening.  It’s being goofy.  It’s doing gross things like shooting milk out of your nose and having the person accept it.  It’s making promises.  Breaking promises.  It’s adoring someone.  It’s keeping each other strong.  It’s overreacting.  Apologising.  It’s dealing with mood swings.  The little goodbyes when it’s time to leave.  It’s never wanting that person to leave.  It’s being spontaneous.  It’s doing things like sitting outside instead of going to restaurants.  It’s breaking rules.  It’s staying out late.  It’s wanting to spend all your time with that person.  Not being able to describe your feelings.  It’s crazy and beautiful.  It’s loving someone’s personality.  Loving their heart.  It’s forgetting about everything else because that person consumes your mind.  It’s trying even when you know you should give up.  It’s dedicating songs.  It’s seeing something and having it automatically remind you of that person.  It’s holding on to everything they’re even given you.  It’s remembering all the little things.  It’s caring too much.  It’s not saying I love you, but feeling the love within yourself.  It’s not knowing where you stand.  It’s acceptance.  It’s heart wrenching.  It’s going out of your way to see them happy.  It is truly and simply, love.
—    From the blog:  Be Inspired..!!
Located at:  https://empress2inspire.blog/
The post is titled:  Love To Me Is
The specific post is located at:  https://empress2inspire.blog/2022/05/04/love-to-me-is/
[Please visit the original site if you have some spare time…    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2021	Lessons
	We Used To Sing
2020	And #45 Is Flat On His Face
2019	I’m Still Hungry
2018	What Matters
2017	By Far
2016	Until…
2015	Or Infinitesimal
2014	I’ve Looked At Clouds
2013	Undiscovered Ocean
2012	Feeling Old? (Part 2)
2011	What About Freedom?

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A Little Epiphany

I suddenly had a little epiphany:  all the books we own, both read and unread, are the fullest expression of self we have at our disposal.  …  But with each passing year, and with each whimsical purchase, our libraries become more and more able to articulate who we are, whether we read the books or not.
—     Nick Hornby
[A similar quote was found at one of the blogs I follow:  A Pondering Mind
The specific post is located at:  All The Books We Own – A Pondering Mind
This slightly longer version came from:  AZ Quotes.com
Both are highly recommended.    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2021	Clear Global Standards
	A Girl Like You
2020	Life’s Mysteries
2019	I Doubt I Ever Will
2018	Who Will Thank (If Not Remember) Me
2017	Reinforced Learning
2016	I Choose To Believe
2015	What They Don’t Teach You At School
2014	Still Trying To Die (5)
2013	Honest Doubt
2012	Choice
2011	Ownership Of Thought

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A Wonderful Tension

There’s this wonderful sort of tension in the wind — that moment when you’re held there suspended is a very beautiful moment … a moment of clarity in a very chaotic situation.  …  It’s like a shaft of light that penetrates.
—    Andy Goldsworthy
From:  “Leaning Into the Wind”
[Originally found at one of the blogs I follow:  “I can’t sleep” AKA:  “Live & Learn“
Located at:  https://davidkanigan.com/
The specific post is located at:  https://davidkanigan.com/2021/04/15/lightly-child-lightly-295/
Please visit the original site if you have a spare minute.    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2021	Little And Large Choices
	I Got Something To Say
	Alternate Reality
2020	When?
2019	Two Guides
2018	A Call For You
2017	Because I Read
2016	On What Matters…
2015	Social Security
2014	Bewitching
2013	Visiting Joy
2012	Dedication To Today
2011	Project Second Chance – Adult Literacy
	Turning Coal Into Diamonds

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Where One Goes

If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class.  One goes to the unprotected – those, precisely, who need the law’s protection most – and listens to their testimony.
—    James A. Baldwin
[This quote was found on one of the blogs I follow:  I didn’t have my glasses on….
Located at:  https://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/
The specific post is located at:  https://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/2021/04/21/justice-begins/
Please visit the original site when you have a spare minute.    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2021	A Direct Relationship
	Another Night Train South
2020	One Person’s Roses…
2019	In The Long-Run
2018	#NeverAgain
	Doss II
	Doesn’t / Does
2017	Talent Hates To Move
2016	Looking To November
2015	It Isn’t The End
	Prospero’s Precepts
2014	Friends
2013	Learning Bitter
2012	Remembrance, Minstrels & Going Off To War
	May I Have More Happiness, Please?
2011	There Is No God, But God
2010	Another Running Book…

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One Link In The Chain

Living is worthwhile if one can contribute in some small way to this endless chain of progress.
—    Paul Dirac
[Found on one of the blogs I follow:  “ram H singhal“
Located at:  https://ram0singhal.wordpress.com/
The specific post is at:  https://ram0singhal.wordpress.com/2021/07/13/1933-nobel-prize-in-physics-paul-adrien-maurice-dirac/
Please visit the original site if you have a spare moment.    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2021	Life Measures
	First Thing Every Morning
2020	Like #45 And Many Of His Supporters
(Leap Year 29th)	With Some Epic Scenery Along The Way
2019	Creative Prayer Time
	ADF: Day 9:5
2018	#DumbDonald: Start With Hearing What You Don’t Want Said
2017	The Press Is NOT The Enemy
2016	It Ain’t Easy
(Leap Year 29th)	Or Try To, Anyway…
(Leap Year 29th)	Circles Within Circles
2015	A Series Of Funerals
2014	And Your Point Is?
2013	Infinitely Care
2012	In My Room
(Leap Year 29th)	Stingray – TV Series Review  (This is my most popular post since starting my blog – hands down!  It still draws hits almost every week.  The hits seem to come mostly from Central Europe.  I guess the show must be in syndication there.  //  2020 update:  While this is still my all-time, most popular post, it is no longer being viewed every week – or even month.  I guess the show is no longer in syndication.)
(Leap Year 29th)	A Single Thread
2011	Lyrical Mixture
	Teaching = Translating

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Don’t Pretend

POEM: Lesson Learned
If I’ve learned anything,
if the years of schooling and the degrees have done me any good,
if the stacks of books that have passed before my eyes shed any light,
it’s the recognition of the ubiquity of darkness,
&
of the fact
that it’s better to learn to cautiously navigate the cave
than to pretend there’s no darkness.
[This poem is from one of the blogs / sites I follow which is titled:  the !n(tro)verted yogi
The site can be found at:  https://berniegourley.com/
The specific post is:  https://berniegourley.com/2020/12/07/poem-lesson-learned/
Please visit the original site if you have some spare time.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	Don’t Pretend
2021	I Like Curves More, Too
	I Don’t Know What I’d Do
2020	Pay It Forward
2019	From My Sullied Prison
2018	In My Room (2)
2017	Pretending
2016	And Songs Too…
2015	On The Road To Failure
2014	Each Moment
2013	Conversation
2012	4 Down, 11 Done (At Last)
	I’m Not Afraid
2011	Who’s Risk Is It, Anyway?

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