March 6th, 2026
Creating a Toy Box
“‘I pray you…your play needs no excuse. Never excuse.”
William Shakespeare (English Playwright, Poet and Actor; April 1564 ~ April 23rd, 1616)
“I have to constantly remind myself that I don’t need an excuse anymore to make toys a part of my life. If I am to continue to grow as a human being and as an artist, it’s imperative for me to respect the power of play”
“Playing is hard for most women I know. Creating your own toy box symbolically suggests the importance of fun if you’re to function at full throttle.”
“Play is the exultation of the possible.”
Mark Buber (Austrian Jewish and Israeli Philosopher; February 8th, 1878 ~ June 13th, 1965)
My Bucket List
“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-6-22)
“Play is needed by adults and children alike. Some assume to play is childish. However, adults need play just as much as children. We are just older and often society has shamed us into not playing. This is why you see so many adults in sports leagues, practicing hobbies and getting silly. Play is normal, so carry on!” (Heather Houston 3-6-22)
“Play has become my life…I live in one continuously, delicious, never-ending best date ever with my beloved!”❤️
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 73-74 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
My Distilled Life 
I may not be addressing the subject of 3/6/26 but I felt compelled to share these thoughts. When I went to Dr. Ganesh’s office Thursday I found he wanted to make some big changes to my treatments. I asked him to fill out a permission form for me to have a deep dental cleaning. He signed the form but told me the protocol had been changed. He told me he recently had a patient who needed the same treatment. He said she had memory problems and had forgotten to follow the protocol he provided and after her dental treatment she had a massive heart attack due to not following the protocol closely. I asked him how it was changed and he told me I would need to be off my Plavix for 10 days and take baby aspirin 2times daily and then 3 days before the procedure I will need to take Lovenox shots twice daily and then be off all blood thinners the day of the procedure. He then told me I need to take 160 mg Valsartan at 6:00 PM. Well I went home somewhat angry because this involves big changes for me. When I got home I was still angry. I had to talk to myself that I need to drop the anger and try to find a positive way to approach these changes. I asked myself “How can a turn these changes into a positive experience?” I thought about it until 11:00 at night. It came to me that because I love learning I can find the experience an opportunity to learn the Numbers App. and make a new spreadsheet. In the process I would be exploring new skills in creating this new spreadsheet. I got up and got out my iPad and proceeded to work on it. By 3:00 AM I had a new spreadsheet that will address the changes that were required. By doing this I found out that if I find myself angry. Give yourself time to contemplate how to approach this and you will find a way to turn a task into an enjoyable project. I learned new skills and really did enjoy the task. It taught me to drop anger and try to find a joy in the process.
Voila! Then task was transformed and in the process so was I!
I found when there is anger involved I do not tackle a task with an open mind and I don’t even see all the possibilities. So now I know that when I feel anger, to give myself time to transform the anger into something positive. It takes time to think it through but will help me approach a task with a better frame of mind.
Well so much for my learning experience!
Love
Mom
Donna Houston (Herriott) (Mother; May 11th, 1941)
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Mom, I love this for you! Huge growth. I have 1 question…do you really need a deep cleaning anyways? What about a less invasive option? And if you do the cleaning option, could you plan the pre cleaning and post cleaning to be when Family is visiting so you have help with care?
I love you Mom!
Heather Houston (Self; March 30th, 1968)
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Yes, I need the cleaning. It has been 2 heats since I have had a cleaning. That was because I had to cancel every so often due to health problems. It will go fine for me.
And because I recently had a gum infection I don’t want to let it go. Dr Ganesh give me the prescriptions I need and it will go fine.
Love
Mom
Donna Houston (Herriott) (Mother; May 11th, 1941)
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