Uncategorized – Page 14 – Me, Myself and I

Star of Wanderers

Once a year my family would go on vacation for one week. Every year we would go camping and fishing. I have always loved looking at the stars, observing their brilliance in awesome wonder. Going camping meant time by the campfire looking at the stars, wandering trails, listening to birds and animals, watching butterflies and fish in the streams.

One night my dad sat down with me and started teaching me the stars and constellations. The first star he showed me was the North Star, and that sailors and pioneers used this star as a guide. The North Star does not move like the rest of the constellations. If you know where the North Star is he said you can always find your way home at night. He also taught me how to find my way in the woods and mountains at night.

My dad had me look up and then told me “The stars were the only thing bigger than you. You can climb the mountains, cross any river, be what you want to be, just do not be afraid to try.” Ever since, when I am confused on what path to take, or feeling overwhelmed, I go outside and look upward remember my dad’s words.

With reading and posting on bloganuary 2022, I saw where a part of ourselves wander within the written words, and those word wander through the reader.

This is the final post for bloganuary 2022. I am new to blogging. I keep a journal, wrote essays and thesis’ in college, but only started blogging. While reading others’ blogs in response to the daily prompts, I have learned a few things concerning writing. I have enjoyed the challenge, although it is time consuming on some days. I think I have found my “North Star” to keep me on the path with writing.

I thank everyone for taking the time to read my posts. Thank you to those who “liked” and left comments. I hope the best for you as you continue your life journey.

amtolle

A Wish and Reality

“He who owns all the gold, controls the world”
Unknown

My last post was on a Bloganaury Challenge prompt “How are you Changing the World?”. I answered by the little things I do to encourage others and show kindness. Reality is no one person or country can change the world. The world is large with many people, beliefs and cultures.

Everyone would love to live where there is no crime, no wars, no prejudices, we want world peace. Reality is there will be crime, there will be wars and people are prejudice.

I believe the world is controlled by the love of power, greed and envy.

I strive to help others, encourage others to be better people, to lift the load of those burdened, even if for a moment of time. No, I can not change the world, but I will continue to show some light of kindness to those I meet. As an individual we can inspire others to love themselves, have peace and joy and fulfillment of their dreams.

My actions do affect those around me, and my community. I live in an awesome little town where people help each other. Our town has what we call the “Blessing Box”. When it was started three years ago, it was started in a newspaper distribution box. If you need food, you take, and you can give food at any time. It sits in the open with no locks. This “Blessing Box” has grown to be two bookcases and several boxes. Through facebook, their is even fresh meat available. We have the Clothes Closet, where people drop off clothing, it is sorted and hung up, and free to anyone needing clothing. It is a caring town we live near.

This was truly apparent in February 2021, when the whole town and surrounding area was without electricity for 4 days. The temperatures were well below freezing day and night. A rarity for where I live. Everyone heats with electricity.

We have a fireplace in our home, that is how we stayed warm, but the highest the inside temperature reached was 47*F. Those who had fireplaces and wood stoves, which is rare, opened their homes to strangers. Some people were able to heat their homes using portable generators as a source of electricity.

For us we dug out the old camping equipment we have to cook on, an antique cow camp stove. We made chili and always had a pot of hot coffee. I went through my whole supply of candles for lighting.

Others did the same, they cooked chili and stews, have hot coffee and tea. We met at the volunteer fire station once a day to share with those who were unable to cook would have one hot meal and drink during the day. People here do not cook from scratch, they buy premade frozen meals or something for a microwave. Grocery stores were closed, no electricity for the registers or lights.

People around us and ourselves have livestock. We get our water from a well, but the well pump does not run without electricity. One person had a well he used for a garden powered by solar. The water did not come out of the ground fast, but it was water. Someone gave him a tank to fit in the back of his pickup. He would fill the tank and deliver water for livestock.

When the electricity did return, and it was on and off for an additional 5 days. People had another problem, broken water pipes that froze, then when the house heated up, the water poured in and flooded. Once again our town people pulled together. Those that knew how to repair broken water lines, came together, formed teams and tackled one house at a time to repair the water lines. The hardware store in our town, sold the materials needed at cost, he made no money from the sales, in addition he kept his store open for longer hours.

This year along with the Blessing Box and Clothes Closet, the community started a garden. I helped a few times, most of the people coming to the community garden did not know how to start, grow or tend a garden. It was a big learning experience for them. There is talk of starting a farmer’s market next summer.

We have an involved and caring town and community. People helping people, but we still have crime. There is a theft ring trying to operate, but with watchful eyes they will be caught.

Perhaps we can change the world one person, one community, one country at a time.

Perhaps, one day, people will love themselves and others so there will not be envy, or the love of power over another, and not desire greed but to give a helping hand where needed.

I was told once when we help others, we help ourselves.

amtolle

Interview with ?

For Bloganuary the prompt was to interview a fictional character. Read and follow the clues to discover who I interviewed.

Since your creation in 1919 being the first of what we call today a superhero, I thought it best to have this interview with you. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

I do not have a problem answering a few questions, as long as you uphold our agreement of not mentioning my name or giving away my identity.

Agreed. When did you decide to become a hero?

I received a letter from my father while I was away at the university. In the letter my father sounded upset and frustrated with the injustice happening in our community. I decided to return home to assist, but did not think of becoming a hero. The commoners, poor and Native Americans made me the hero and gave my hero persona a name.

Did you form a plan on how your were going to assist the people, or did it just happen?

On the ship during the trip home from the University I formed a plan. The trip took several months, I had time to work out the details of how I would behave when I returned home and how I would help the people, with out being caught by the authorities and killed for treason.

Why do you choose to wear the clothes you do when you are assisting the people? Does your clothing carry a special meaning?

My clothing is plain and available to the common man. If I were to dress in the clothing of my prominent status I would be know to the authorities. I choose the color black so I am hard to notice in the dark and in the shadows. I can move in on my target slyly and cunningly. There is no special meaning to the color or what I wear other than my rapier, my choice of weapon.

Is it easy living a life with a dual or split identity?

In the matters of the heart, most definitely difficult to live a dual identity. In public I must act the coward so the authorities do not learn my true identity as the people’s hero. The young woman I love with all my heart looks at me with disgust and talks only of the greatness and bravery of my hero identity. Aww, but when she sees me, being the hero, during a short glimpse of time our eyes meet, and she looks at me with love and admiration. I only wish she would look at me that way always.

Why do you always leave a mark on your work? Is it pride?

I do not leave my mark for pride or fame or money, only for justice. I leave a single letter as a mark or brand so the common people and Native Americans, I help, are not arrested and put to death for my actions. The innocent should never pay for others illegal actions.

You have been the influence for other heroes and a major influence in the creation of Superman and Batman. How does this make you feel?

I am honored to have influenced others to seek justice for those who do not have the skills or means to defend themselves. I might be the first hero created by an author, but I am far from being forgotten in the dust with the fairly recent U.S. movies about me released in 1998 and 2005 with excellent actors and actresses who are very well known.

I am in movies created worldwide as well as series shows, animations and even toys. The people are not forgetting me and how I fight for the common and poor of the community.

Thank you for this interview, it has been enlightening. May you continue to be the hero for justice to future generations.

If you know who the interview is with, leave an answer in the comments.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.

amtolle

A Quote for a Lifetime

**My Grandson at 3 years saying “Hello” to Sis**

There is nothing better for the inside of a man that the outside of a horse.
John Lubbock/Winston Churchill

I am a certified horse trainer and riding instructor, although I no longer train others horses or do lessons. I have spent years teaching youth to ride. I worked with different organizations introducing the horse and teaching youth who had never been around the majestic animal.

“Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride, friendship without envy, or beauty without vanity? Here where grace is laced with muscle and strength by gentleness confined” — from the Ode to the Horse by Ronald Duncan, created for Horse of the Year Show

“The horse, with beauty unsurpassed, strength immeasurable and grace unlike any other, still remains humble enough to carry a man upon his back”
Amber Senti

A horse is powerful, graceful and athletic and can hear your heart beat as you walk up to them. They can feel each and every muscle in your body as you sit in the saddle. There movement is silk beneath your legs.

Yet, can be gentle as a kitten.

**My 3 year old grandson and a 6 month old colt.**

Horses are used in physical rehabilitation or physical therapy called hippotherapy. The movement of the horse stimulates every muscle of the rider without strain on the rider’s muscles. Horses are being used in the United States to help service men and women with the emotional stresses due to combat.

**My son-in-law on his first time ride and being around horses, coached by my daughter.**

amtolle

The Super Power I Would Love to Have

Super powers that ability to do something that others can not to make the world better, safer for those living there. The word super power brings images of Super Man, Captain America or Iron Man. Someone with the ability to defeat the bad and make the world better.

The super power I would like to have is healing. I would love to be able to go into a hospital and have everyone walk out whole with perfect health, especially children. Children are beginning life and for some it turns out to be a short life.

I do realize there comes a time when we all must die, it is the cycle of life, a necessary part of being. But for children to be sick and or die, is hard. I love children and want them to have a happy childhood, learning things and about life. For some children they learn to face death before they learn about life. I wish oh how I wish I had the power to change this for them.

Each and every one of us were given today. We woke up alive. What are our plans? Where will we go? Will we smile? Do we call someone to say “I love you”?

I had a very dear older friend who did not want flowers or plants at her funeral. She said,” if you are going to send flowers to my funeral, give them to me now, so I may enjoy them while I am alive. I can not smell them when I am dead.”

The day is here, the day is short… make the most of it !

Smell and share the roses.

amtolle