@drritalouise-substack
This is such an important thing to learn. However, few of us has the confidence to stand out at a young age. I remember how hard I tried to ‘be like everyone else,’ and ‘fit in’ when I was growing up. I got so upset that I got sick before school because my mother insisted that I wear an outfit that had green and yellow in it and it was a Thursday. This was a huge ‘no-no’ in my group, and the nurse sent me home when I kept throwing up.
It was, I guess, when my husband and I lived on top of a ridge line in Arkansas, seeing very few people on a daily basis that I realized that no one really cared anymore what I was doing or not doing, and that I could and should make my own decisions about what I wanted.
When I got to Thailand and my husband’s and my retirement plans went up in smoke, I really broke free and decided, since I had a second chance at life, thanks to to the good people in the ER in the hospital in AR installing a pacemaker, and then my husband suffering a stroke 2 weeks after we arrived forcing a month long hospital stay followed by residence in a nursing home, and my living alone for the first time in my life, that I should build a life where being different is a good thing, doing what I want, spending time doing what means something to me, what gives me joy, is the way I want to spend the rest of my life.
Being different still seems to be a thing to be avoided when you’re growing up. It should be celebrated, revered, encouraged, and nurtured. Maybe one day…
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This morning I was treated to a mani/pedi. I found something really close to the ‘cyan’ Brian has been wanting me to get. My husband just said, “blue,” so he should like this, too. I’ve decided that getting sparkly polish is one of the things I will enjoy as long as possible. Every time I look at it, I smile.
I made a change and cut my fingernails short so that I can practice my guitar more easily and effectively, so I had the nice ladies at the salon cut them even shorter and just round them off, and then cut my toenails shorter and cut them straight across.
Instead of half grown out nails on my fingernails and toenails that snag my socks, I now look much more civilized – PLUS – I sparkle!!!
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Flame Tree Blog – Flame Tree Publishing
I’m working on several sketches right now. I’m doing some base painting on some so that I can finish them at the cafe this afternoon. I’ll be able to share those tomorrow. I’m having a great time working on things, plus the ideas are coming fast and furious now. I’m even dreaming about them! Do you think that’s a sign of something worrisome? 😜
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I’m going to start TRYING to look at the chords and lyrics for Roberta Flack’s two songs that are my personal, long-time favorites to start trying to play them. It will be a LONG time before this is something I can really do, and I’m not even talking about the singing along with the guitar, but I figure if I’m practicing with a specific goal in mind, I MIGHT be able to persuade my fingertips to last a bit longer before yelling at me.
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Luvze
