World Kindness Day . . . Pass It On! November 3, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness, People.23 comments
Just a quick heads up that World Kindness Day is right around the corner . . . on November 13th to be exact.
And it’s a Saturday.
But, of course, we should be kind to each other every day.
Why? Because Kindness echoes!
World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world.
The purpose of this day celebrated on November 13 of each year is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together.
This understanding has the power to bridge the gap between nations.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Mission San Luis October 29, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Humor, People, Travel & Leisure.16 comments
On our last morning in the Panhandle, we visited Mission San Luis, a recreated 17th century Mission and Appalachee Village, which over 1500 souls called “home” in the late 1600’s. The Spaniards burned it down in 1704 to prevent it from being captured by the British.
The Council House (used by the Appalachee for gatherings and meetings) provided insight into its interior construction since it’s being re-thatched.
Although the building appears circular, it has 80 sides, which creates the illusion of a rounded facade.
The supporting posts are straight and true and L-O-N-G! They go UP and UP and UP.
Inside the Council House are benches for reclining dignitaries.
Appalachee Indians spent most of the day outside, using their homes for sleeping and storage. This is the footprint of an Appalachee abode which would have been thatched.
Unlike the Appalachee, most of the Spaniards preferred indoor cooking.
And indoor dining. (Of course, this was pre-pandemic.)
The Friary also boasted a home office.
Here’s a glimpse of the spartan sleeping arrangements in one of the Spanish homes. Notice the low tech, wall mounted air conditioning unit . . . perfect for hot summer nights.
When folks got ill, they relied on Medicinal Herbs to revive themselves. We learned that Rosemary relieves headaches AND enhances memory and concentration ~ a handy herb indeed for seniors in need of all the help they can get!
This shot reveals the interior of the wall allowing visitors to see the construction methods used 300+ years ago.
Also in the Mission is a Blacksmith’s Shop, a Church (which rivaled the Church in St. Augustine), the rest of the Friary, a Fort (complete with ramparts and palisade), and a perfect-for-us picnic area.
Aah . . . that’s better!
How To Tie Your Own Laces October 3, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness, People.19 comments
How can you know what’s best
for someone you don’t know as well
as you know yourself?
Answer: Chances are . . . you don’t.
And (of course) . . . vice versa.
Aah . . . that’s better!
The Language Of The Stones September 16, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Magick & Mystery, Nature, People.16 comments
I stumbled across America’s Stonehenge while reviewing MONEY’s 2021 list of the 50 best places to live in the US.
Located in Salem NH (about 33 miles from Boston MA), America’s Stonehenge is more than 4000 years old. Like England’s Stonehenge, the stones have a language of their own:
Built by a Native American Culture or a migrant European population? No one knows for sure. A maze of man-made chambers, walls and ceremonial meeting places, at over 4,000 years old America’s Stonehenge is most likely the oldest man-made construction in the United States.
Like Stonehenge in England, America’s Stonehenge was built by ancient people well versed in astronomy and stone construction. It has been determined that the site is an accurate astronomical calendar. It was, and still can be, used to determine specific solar and lunar events of the year.
This video is an interesting introduction to the prehistoric stone foundations on the site:
To learn more: America’s Stonehenge.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Some Telling Numbers August 25, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, People.22 comments
Sarasota Memorial Hospital posted some telling numbers on Monday, comparing the recent effects of Covid on vaccinated vs. unvaccinated people:
*Out of 230 patients hospitalized, 25 were vaccinated and 205 hadn’t managed to get vaccinated yet.
*Out of 51 patients in the ICU, 3 were vaccinated and 48 remained unvaccinated.
*Out of 34 folks on ventilators ~> 1 was vaccinated and 33 were NOT.
Covid vaccinations save lives and prevent serious life-threatening symptoms, like impaired breathing.
Know anyone who is dragging their heels?
Encourage them to get vaccinated . . . before it’s too late.
Aah . . . that’s better!
The Seven Up! Strobe Effect August 15, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Blogging, Life Balance, People.18 comments
Are you familiar with the Seven Up! documentary series that’s been under production for the past 50+ years?
The Up series of documentary films follows the lives of ten males and four females in England beginning in 1964, when they were seven years old. The first film was titled Seven Up!, with later films adjusting the number in the title to match the age of the subjects at the time of filming. The documentary has had nine episodes—one every seven years—thus spanning 56 years.
Film maker and Director, Michael Apted, followed the 14 children he selected for the series from the adorable age of 7 for the next 56 years, filming the trajectory of their lives through education, career, marriage, children, divorce, illness, vacations, moves, etc.
The documentary presents their lives with strobe-light like intensity ~> grade school * blink * secondary school * blink * university * blink * first job * blink * marriage * blink * children * blink * divorce * blink * retirement * blink * death
* blink *
The apt metaphor “life flies by in the blink of an eye” came to mind as we watched the existential ups and downs in 49 Up!
As each subject aged with spectacular rapidity, we considered how various life choices might be influenced just by knowing that there would be a “filmed reckoning” every 7 years ~ at ages 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 63.
Would we be kinder? More charitable? More cooperative? More forgiving? More generous?
Or just the opposite?
Judging from some of the random behavior caught on smart phones these days, it appears that many people don’t care who’s watching as they misbehave, throw tantrums, and have meltdowns in public places.
They refuse to change their stripes just because “the public” is watching.
In any event, the series may have ended with the recent demise of its director (who also directed Nell, Coal Miner’s Daughter, Gorillas in the Mist, Class Action, Amazing Grace, et al).
After 63 Up! aired in 2019, Michael Apted up and died. The two events are likely unrelated since Apted didn’t pass away until January 2021. At that time, a few journalists speculated that Apted committed suicide. I found no confirmation to support their unbridled sensationalism.
Perhaps Apted’s death is just one of the existential truths of his life ~ a forced retirement, if you will.
Life . . . we live it, or we miss it.
Ghosts June 10, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness, People.27 comments
A casual acquaintance tried to interject herself into my life by telling me what to do. When I tried to explain why I wasn’t going to follow her unsolicited (and unappreciated) advice, she continued to push the point. I tried again to explain why her advice would not be heeded. Nope. She wasn’t having it.
She told me I was being “hard headed.”
I suggested that we turn the topic to something else. Nope. She continued to push her agenda on me. Why? I don’t know, but I suspect she thought that being pushy would somehow benefit her down the road.
If so, her plan backfired because I am no longer responding to her phone calls or her e-mails.
I am ghosting her!
Aah . . . that’s better!
The Ghosts of Yesterday May 7, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Mindfulness, People, Poetry.20 comments
Sometimes we want to go “back in time”
We yearn for days of yore
It can be challenging to embrace “here” and “now”
When ghosts from the past beckon
With childhood scents and sounds
I NEED A TIME MACHINE!
Alas!
The book of life doesn’t include a Rewind button
Or a Fast Forward
We live it or we miss it.
Go on ~> Turn the Page.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related: Haiku – Stranger
Happy Is The New Rich April 17, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness, People.18 comments
When in doubt, choose laughter.
Be happy for no reason.
Happy is the new Rich!
Life is better when you’re laughing.
That’s the ticket! You’re killing it!
Aah . . . that’s better!
No Better Time Than Now April 7, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness, People.22 comments
Today is going to be awesome.
Love yourself and live your life.
Good Vibes only.
Enjoy every moment.
No better time than NOW.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 