Do I underestimate myself? I struggle so to write things of the sort that I’ve written so many times before. Why does my mind protest and cringe so much at this useful work I choose to do? Sexism contributes – I got an unexpected recognition yesterday for a piece I wrote with a strong new genderless name: “H. Maidenname Lastname”. As studies show, my female name gets me more rejections; but I want my gender to be known to show that we women do good work.

Grateful to the moon and clouds, and grateful for the ability of my Android phone to be able to take pictures like this and grateful to have granddaughters that I visited before walking home and taking this photo!

How can I learn to be grateful for the work that I resist so intensely? I’m grateful for this website and the lounge and questions.

By speaking few words, for a starter. If speaking is rare, I’m more likely to have my heart behind the words.

And Michele – another kindred soul! I don’t think I’m learning patience, tho.

A, Rajlakshmi – a kindred soul!

A virtual candle is burning for you, dear Pilgrim, on the gratefulness site. 48 hrs of its tiny light will get you into recovery. Hugs to you. Hands and eyes – so important to us.

Doves thru my window screen

Oh, my, Kevin Carroll! I figured it was an oversight. Thank you. Indeed, I’ve come close to being run into twice in the last year, as a pedestrian crossing a street on the ‘Peninsula.’

Oh, my! “stopping for a pedestrian in the crosswalk” – not usually defined as a ‘random act of kindness’!

Maybe you can “Run with the Wolves” but not howl! Do you remember that book? Hugs!

YES!

Thank you dear Palm!
Indeed, it involves writing!
I used to reward myself with an m&m when I controlled my anger, back when I worked for the feds.
I also discovered that not-writing can be even more painful than writing, so that is helping some.
Hugs to you!

So wonderful! I’ll send it to my daughter and granddaughters. Many thanks and hugs!

Yes, ‘feral’ looks correct to me. So wonderful! [as I used to say to my troubled rescued dog ‘Girl.’] Now I have 2 guinea piggies – their mother and aunt were abandoned in a box near me and rescued – and one was pregnant. I got her daughters.Lily is an awesome muse!

Wonderful!! Your cat and her story?

Wonderful expansions on your grandchildren’s names! I’ll share the idea with my 2 granddaughters this afternoon! 9 & 12. Thanks!

Thank you, Debra – and I spoke too many words yesterday and regret some of them

Thank you, dear Jeana – I had forgotten that book from long ago, so I found it and the 4 agreements online. Now there’s a book, The Fifth Agreement, which is: “be skeptical, but learn to listen”. His son is a co-author on that one. Hugs to you!

Thank you, dear Diane. So wonderful to have 2 children. My daughter will try again with IVF in the fall, but she just wasn’t producing many eggs last year, and the treatments gave her horrible headaches. So sad!

I decided everyone deserves a happy mother’s day. My bro thanked me for my wish to him. Such fun to say ‘happy mother’s day’ to everyone at our dinner.