Month: June 2017

Moving Forward

Bucket List * Life of Adventure*

Looking for the Light14 Comments

img_0823_edited-1

BUCKET LIST STARTED 2015

Chronic Lyme Disease has given me time to reflect on life’s blessings. To stay motivated, I think of a bright future. Travel locations and adventures left to do.

I want to help my community and keep expanding my mind.

I’m preparing for my charity, with a focus is Pastoral work.

Helping people, animals and the environment are my core beliefs.

I will live a full life expanding my soul and supporting others.

*********************************

Watch artist hand craft a Turkish rug

Learn to double jump rope

Roller Derby

Watch baby turtles hatch and return to sea

Drive Hover Craft

Tango Lessons

Drive Monster Truck

Drive 18 Wheeler

Train and Volunteer to rescue wild animals

I had a panic attack during a dive in 1999. I have to dive again to tackle the fear

Visit the worlds Wineries, extra long stay in France

Volunteer for RAINN as Advocate Speaker for Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse

I love to hear your travel stories, life accomplishments, adventure vacations. Where is life taking you? 

Xx  Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Moving Forward

Celebrate Good Times, Come Over To Roast Danica Piche *It is a Surprise*

Looking for the Light28 Comments

liebster-award

What is the Liebster Award?

The word Liebster” (originating in German) has several definitions — dearest, sweetest, kindest, nicest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued. In the current context, this award recognizes bloggers who share their story or thoughts in a beautiful manner to connect with their viewers and followers.

Here are the rules:

Acknowledge the blog that nominated you and display the award.
Answer the 11 questions the blogger gives you.
Give 11 random facts about yourself.
Nominate 11 blogs.
Notify those blogs of the nomination.
Give them 11 questions to answer.

The Leibster Award arrived via telegram from good friend Danica Piche at https://danicapiche.com  You have to visit her site, she writes the greatest short stories that truly satisfy. She participates in every challenge. I need a third arm to keep up. The big deal is she’s special, I’m hanging my No Award sign out and Danica is making it for me.

After meeting Danica our friendship felt telepathic. When I needed a boost she would send a smile or an award. Danica is a caring person, often checking to see how life is going. She gives out Good Karma vibes, positive energy, she’s thankful and loves music. Kick back for mini-concert of Danica’s picks.

This beauty comes from Danica’s notes.

Inspired by one of those birds hanging out in the trees of my front garden.

This is what I wrote in my journal. I asked a bird to tell me a story. It told me once this was a paddock with lots of trees, and covered in grass. Once this place was always peaceful and quiet. Once I had the freedom to come and go as I liked. Then you people came along and built homes, you took my paradise away.

One of Danica’s first post:  https://danicapiche.com/2015/01/07/try-not-to-be-an-ahole-today/

11 Random Facts About Me:

Spray air is how I dust.

Have to go 3 pieces into a loaf of bread for the softest pieces. 

Old books, smell, crinkled pages, velum over Author page. Surprises like Glimpses of the Life and Times of A.V.H. Carpenter, fully Illustrated First Edition printed 1890.

Have several generations of Red Tail Hawks come everyday to relax in the bird bath. I never bore of seeing them.

To many old school headphones, the type with excellent sound.

Love the grain of wood, each piece of has a different grain. Zebra wood is one of my favorites.

Art,Art, Art, the price of the piece does not determined the value. 

Observed a Black Wooly Bear Caterpillar in a container, they are fast, huge and play dead better than a possum. I’m also the Asp Wrangler.  

https://lookingforthelightblog.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=25261&action=edit

Life is a mix of old, new and surprises.

When outside my mind stops the constant chatter, the world is mine. 

I can untie knots, takes time, success rate 100%.

Questions for My Nominees:

Coffee or tea or mocha/hot chocolate?  All in same day.

Why do you blog?  I didn’t get the PhotoJournalist position at Life Magazine.

How would you describe your sense of humor?  What day is it?

What would you do in your ideal day?   Walking the back streets of ancient city….seeing the world.

Summer or winter?  Both, outdoors anytime.

Beach or mountains?  Ditto, always something new to see.

Could you live without your smart phone?  Smart phone yes, mobile phone, no. When telephone lines are down, cell phones work.

Do you like sardines?  Love them marinated in mustard or olive oil right from can on Saltines Crackers. 

Do you have any pets?  Always. Shaggy is an elder dog but don’t tell him.

Does the weather affect the way you see the day?  Only if  Sailing.

What would you change about your life now?  Nothing. Each step propelled me forward to the person I am today. (Sounds good, huh?)

Nominees :) No Award blogs are for the picking being my last award and all (said with a smile and Texas twang). I’m ready to see Danica’s expression, nominees have received announcements, if not it’s coming Pony Express.

A Huge Texas Hug to everyone who follows, comments, likes, or stops by my blog. I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for the Light Blog is now Award Free. Your smile and comments fill me with sunshine, knowledge and tons of fun.

http://www.fourthgenerationfarmgirl.wordpress.com

https://sheldonkleemanartworks.com

http://www.charlypriest.wordpress.com

http://www.patriciajgrace.wordpress.com

https://thefeatheredsleepcom.wordpress.com

http://www.vanbytheriver.wordpress.com

http://www.piecesofbipolar.wordpress.com

http://www.amightybeing.wordpress.com

http://www.amygamble.wordpress.com

http://www.cadburypom.wordpress.com

http://www.cindyknoke.wordpress.com

Questions for My Nominees: Danica has the best questions, refer to her’s above, better yet make your own. Get jiggy with it!

There is never any obligation. If you’re unable to participate for any reason, please accept this as a gesture of my appreciation. :)    M

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Celebrate Life · Moving Forward

WOW! WordPress Achievement

Looking for the Light49 Comments

 

Journalism

My first blog started in 2005 and hosted by Blogger. I was caring for my dying grandmother. I had to write and let it go. Her death was devastating, as you’ve read in many post. She’s never left my side. Granny was the strongest woman I ever met, she knew how to keep her mouth shut. Something I did not inherit. I could let out steam, cry by myself, recharge for next day. Yesterday WordPress sent an Achievement notice. Time does fly, in sickness and health.

You are the reason I’ve stayed. You followed me, left good and a few bad comments, you lifted me up when I was down. Most importantly your Blog has entertained, made me cry and lifted my spirits to the sky. I am blessed to talk with each of you. Thank you for standing by me these crazy eight years.  M

ACHIEVEMENT

  1. 8 Year Anniversary Achievement
    Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com!
    You registered on WordPress.com 8 years ago.
    Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.
Moving Forward

Triple Shot Thursday *Shredding Strings, Guitars, Guitars, Guitars*

Looking for the Light6 Comments

I can’t get enough of great guitar players, the ones who make funny facies and contoured bodies while playing. The artist passion comes thru the strings. There aren’t any new videos here, my favorites are close by to share with you.

I believe Friday is a Roast for a dear friend, make sure to stop by for the party. Let me know what you think, its way out of norm.  M

Moving Forward

After Good-bye

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Heather
These beautiful words and the feels that go with, leave tears in my eyes, my heart aches. Like you, we’ve Survived to learn what’s most important.
Love ya Hugs
M

The Starting End

a3986f8d6cac136fd1a94ce68b6a87a4I told him I loved him
His hand held in mine, as I curled up
By his side
Stroked back his hair,
His forehead I kissed
And said it was time to go to the light

His breathing, then shallow
I fought not to cry,
I felt Dads soul leave
Right after he died

There once was a time I was not so lucky
When God took my Husband away
There were no good byes, no last words
Behind with our children, I would stay

Numb to the bone,
Not a clue where to start
Love, anger and rage
Ripped apart my heart

Did I arrive too late,or did he go too fast?
There is no more future
There’s now just a past

Its’ been so many years, 14 to this day
Questions still come and go
Is it fair to complain and bitch about life?
I’ve learned I’m just…

View original post 178 more words

Moving Forward

Just when she thought she was complying, she raged and broke apart

Looking for the Light3 Comments

From one of the most imaginative writers, she is cool, assessable and I feel a deep connection to her, like we met before. M

TheFeatheredSleep

Things at a distance …

The child learns

Not to burn herself on cooker top

Not to hold someone to their word

People don’t always return

Love

Things learned at a distance

Words do not describe reality

Reality is not as they say

Life is funny and tastes of rain

One moment it flows then everything stops

Changes course

And you

Child

Sometimes you are forgotten

For adults

Don’t always recall

The necessity of keeping their word

And that child

Grew with restraint and without rule

Clad in scraps of query and uncertainty

Unobserved, she learned not to learn

She didn’t sharpen her pencil and master how to take orders

Her mind they thought gifted but her’s was just a glib mouth with fast words

Sounding beneath the press of water, betraying its weight

Underneath she had no end to her dislike of being told what to do

And they…

View original post 483 more words

Fun · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

I need a Rebel Yell, She cries more, more, more.

Looking for the Light53 Comments

To C who’s in Reserves

Chromic Lyme caused many falls, some serious, some not. I took two good slams to my right knee in 18 months. It didn’t prepare me for needing a knee replacement. They pain level from Lyme was so high,  the knee became part of the over all pain. I received the long needle steroid shot yesterday along with the news. I’m staying positive by saying better now than later yet know there are other surgeries in the future.

Recovering from surgeries caused from misadventures with Lyme and resisting a cane. I am only 53 and feel much younger than my body. Now he says it’s essential to get a walker to help me with balance. I went from sick to no memory to old and decrypted.

I had to get jacked up, feel younger than my body. Music takes me anywhere, doing anything, just close my eyes.

Hope you enjoy the selection.  x M

Fun · Moving Forward

Triple Shot Thursday *Dance, Dance, Dance*

Looking for the Light2 Comments

I’ve talked with new followers, touched base with loyal followers and found several great blogs to follow. Wow!!!! I’m refreshed. If you don’t like the picks this week, you know what to do, the request line is open 24/7, leave your suggestion. Let’s get some new music taste to wake me up. Have a great weekend. Be Safe.  M

https://youtu.be/CaPcKtLioww

Hypo-Mania Allowed Me To Travel
Moving Forward · Travel

Hypo-Mania Allowed Me To Travel

Looking for the Light13 Comments

The post is from the archives, written in 19XX, and cleaned a bit. I’m depressed today partly due to exhaustion from Restless Leg which returned three weeks ago, which doesn’t help my mood. Chronic Lyme Disease took my memory, stress, pain, and on and on. My brain gave parts of it back with holes, today it’s gone again. I’m rambling….the reason? I’m lost again and used the WordPress Copy a Post Function for the first time. I can’t tell you the year it was written or if the WordPress Copy Function and my brain are on the same page.    

I love to travel, and my goal is to see the world. Bipolar Disorder can dictate your life. The high side is dangerous for me. Life is great, who needs sleep? Not recognizing my Hypo-Mania can make it possible. The titter totter of Bipolar is balance. One side can suffocate you in hell, the other side is suffocating without you knowing there is always a fall.

I was an Executive Sales person, number one in the company, and making big bucks, I felt so lucky that Hypo-Mania stayed for 10 years. Looking back at the scars remember the higher you go the harder you fall. I lived in hell, thought I can cover this up, when I fell it was like dominoes tipping the next.

I went to Russia by myself, traveled with my friends to France and the Caribbean, a girl trip several times a year. My doctor told me the higher you go the harder you fall. I didn’t want to give up the person I was.

The fall began slowly. I got fired from my job, blew though my savings, we’re talking half million and filled for bankruptcy. Did I mention a divorce and building a new house. I lost everything.

What I lost was not worth the high. All the negative thoughts came back. My life is not as exciting, anxiety kept me in the house. Most days didn’t get of bed, used every excuse to cover my absents.

I’ve been suicidal many times, leading me to Psychiatric Hospital to save myself. Having 20 ECT treatments in the past 10 years is not an achievement. A Vagus Nerve Stimulator was implanted in my chest. I thought the newly approved FDA device was my chance, to leave my world behind. Well no.

The thing about research is moving forward. The brain doesn’t have a road map, navigation center, or instruction manual. Medicine and technology will take us closer to managing our lives.

My husband understands most of what he’s seen. The brain is a fascinating  question mark?

Warrior