As hurricane IAN comes barreling toward the coast of Florida, the Scientologist in the Ft. Harrison Hotel in Clearwater, Florida  are probably feeling safe in the knowledge that they will be protected by the Upper Level Scientologists who with their super Jedi skills will simply direct the hurricane elsewhere. I know. I was there one year when a hurricane was heading our way. And we were told not to worry because the Upper Level Scientologists would protect us. The storm died down and no major damage was done thus proving the super powers of the Upper Level Scientologists. 

Perfect weather for out annual Arts in the Park festival. Loved it.

iS THAT A SNAKE? I asked myself when I went down to the basement to check on my laundry. Don't panic. STAY CALM. FIRST--FIND OUT IF IT IS POISONOUS, I said to myself. Naturally, I ran upstairs to get my camera phone, but the snake had disappeared by the time I returned.
Fear ran through my body. WHO SHOULD I CALL? I had no idea.  SHOULD I BE SCARED? I had no idea. WHAT KIND OF SNAKE WAS IT? I had no idea.
Thank God for Google. I found out that my guest was most likely a garter snake and garter snakes are not poisonous. Relief. But still, not my idea of a pet. NOW WHAT?
Actions to take: 1. Place a towel under the door at the top of the basement stairs to keep visitor in the basement. This is not just for my safety but the safety of my cat. A snake bite to a cat, even from the "harmless" garter snake isn't good.
2. CATCH AND RELEASE. But how?
3. PATCH UP THE TINY HOLE IT SLITHERED THROUGH. But how?
4. DECLUTTER THE BASEMENT BECAUSE IT'S A MESS AND I SHOULD.  I know how, just don't want to. Well, part of me does. Now I'm motivated. At least a little. 

Skipped my Affirmation time today and day didn't go so great. Had trouble sleeping. Didn't get to bed til 7:00 AM. Slept 8 hours. Then had to rush to get ready to meet my friend, KH, for coffee. Had a pleasant afternoon with her. Then did some filing and cooking and tried to transfer photos from my phone to my computer for a post I was going to write, but instead i fell down a computer rabbit hole. Couldn't figure it out no matter how hard I tried. I had to throw in the towel. I hate that. 

Queen Elizabeth died yesterday and tributes to her life of service were plentiful on YouTube. Beautiful and moving tributes. I broke down in tears after watching a few. I along with millions admired her for many reasons, being a pillar of strength for one. She's been part of my life, if only in the news since I was ten. I cried.

I was happy that I cried, relieved. That must sound odd. But to me, being able to cry, to experience grief was a sign of my healing. You see, I became numb to my feelings when I was an active member of Scientology.

I was a Clear and Clears were supposed to be happy. That was my job, or so I thought at the time. Of course, sometimes I was happy. But often I was miserable. Yet I was unable to own such feelings. Such feelings were traitorous to our cause. That's what I had been conditioned to believe. Well, that's behind me now.  
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Good-bye QE and thank you for being you and gracing our world.

Today got off to a bad start. First of all my alarm didn't go off. It was set for 2:00 in the afternoon. (I'm a night owl). I got dressed in record time and raced to the library for a 3:00 PM meeting with someone from the library who had volunteered to help me with my blog. He wasn't there; he was out sick.

The worst part was that I had skipped my morning routine: my affirmation session and my morning exercises in order to meet him. To try and salvage the day, I went to my friends house for coffee knowing I had to be back at the library by 4:00 PM for a board meeting. 

I had a nice visit with my friend but lost track of time and was 5 minutes late to board meeting.  5 minutes might not sound like much but when you walk into a room where 20 other people are all in theirs seats around the large table at their assigned seats, it feels like a very bad thing.

After the meeting, I stayed behind and apologized to our board president (who happens to be a personal friend) for being late. She graciously replied, "That's okay." I responded by saying, "No, it isn't. I'm turning over a new leaf. I hereby announce my decision to be on time next month." There were still a handful of board members lingering around who witnessed my moment of faith in myself and my ability to change. They smiled indulgently. 

It's a small thing, but I'll take it as a moment of adulting: apologizing and committing  to be on time next month.  Stop laughing. It could happen.

I think this affirmation thing is working. Little things. No manifestation yet of wealth and health. But I'm feeling positive shifts in my attitude. My tendency toward procrastination seems to be evaporating effortlessly. Now I'm taking my dishes to the sink, returning phone calls, doing my laundry without the inner voice, you know the one "Do I have to?" "It can wait" getting in the way. I'm just doing it. Like I grew up over night. It makes no sense. It is like magic. I even changed the ceiling light bulb in my bedroom. I was going to wait for a friend to help me. I'm not steady on a step stool. I tried and failed a few times, but I didn't fall, I didn't break a hip. And I replaced the bulb. Very proud. Let there be light.

It's not about weight loss or getting fit. I'm 79 and would just like more energy and focus. I've been discouraged lately about getting my book published. My manuscript is done and I'm looking for an agent. It's depressing.

I knew I was in trouble when I spent 45 minutes the other night mesmerized by a car chase happening thousands of miles away. I have a long "To Do List" and can't seem to make myself do any of it. I'm in procrastination Hell. So, I thought I'd try affirmations.

I settled on Jason Stephenson's YouTube "21 Days to a new you". He suggests that at the end of 21 days health, wealth, happiness and abundance will be mine.

I tried it this morning and have to admit that I am feeling happier. I got up off my butt and got some things done and solved some problems. Nothing major, but I'm feeling less stuck in a rut.  That is a good start.

I volunteered for the library's book sale today. I was a table monitor. I rarely volunteer for anything because I'm a night owl and don't usually leave the house before 3:00 PM. But I'm on the board at the library and it was expected. So, I volunteered for the 3-5 shift. I went as a pubic service and ended up buying 3 bags of books that I love. I gave a little of my time and got back so much more. I also reminded two of my friends to go tomorrow. They will love it. Today, I paid my rent for being on this earth. I should do more of that. 

Every month the art council in my town hosts an event called "First Friday." This means that the three downtown art galleries are open in the evening. Each gallery hosts the work of an artist. The galleries go all out. Wine and appetizers are available, live music often, and the guest artist gives a presentation. 

I used to go all the time. Then Covid hit and time stopped. But, thankfully Covid is no longer the threat it was in 2020 and our town has opened back up. So I went with plans to meet a friend there. It was good to get out and be social again. The weather was glorious. Not too hot, not yet too cold. I met my friend and we browsed the main gallery together. 

After we left the event, we ran into two of his friends and after the "Hellos", he yelled out, "Join us for dinner." "Sure," came the reply. And so the four of us went around the corner to the new Italian restaurant. Conversation was delightful and food was delicious. 

Walking back to my car, we bumped into several more friends. Greetings and happy smiles followed. That's what I love about small town living.  Connection and community, two of my favorite things. With Covid more or less in the rear view window, life is much better.