May 17th, 2026
- I am grateful for a warm bed.
- I appreciate a hot shower.
- I am thankful for my morning coffee.
- I am blessed my life is full of laughter.
- I am thankful for music that lifts my mood.
Daily Gratitude 5-17-26
My Musical Life 5-17-26
May 17th, 2026
#32 My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder) 👍🏼
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
My Cherie amour, lovely as a summer day
My Cherie amour, distant as the Milky Way
My Cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore
You’re the only girl my heart beats for
How I wish that you were mine
In a café or sometimes on a crowded street
I’ve been near you, but you never noticed me
My Cherie amour, won’t you tell me how could you ignore
That behind that little smile I wore
How I wish that you were mine
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Maybe someday, you’ll see my face among the crowd
Maybe someday, I’ll share your little distant cloud
Oh, Cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore
You’re the only girl my heart beats for
How I wish that you were mine
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
My Abundant Life 5-17-26
May 17th, 2026
The Ruskin Spring Ritual of Restoration
“In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fir for it. They must not do too much of it. And they must have a sense of success in it.”
John Ruskin (English Polymath & Writer; February 8th 1819 to January 20th, 1900)
“To be buried in lava and not turn a hair, it is then a man shows what stuff he is made of.”
Samuel Beckett (Irish Novelist & Playwright; April 13th, 1906 to December 22nd, 1989)
“When in doubt throw it away. You don’t need it. You don’t want it. You forgot you even had it, so don’t keep it. No, it will not come in handy some day. Furthermore, you do not, under any circumstances, want the contents of your junk drawers ending up being thrown into ‘junk boxes’.”
“So uncanny how we are actually in the throws of sorting boxes from storage to choose what to keep and what to discard or donate. It is a lot of work AND invigorating to live more simply.”
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 163 to 165 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
My Storied Life 5-16-26
May 16th, 2026
1969 Top 10 Highest-Grossing & Award Winning Films
- Midnight Cowboy 🏆
- 23rd BAFTA Awards Best Film
- 23rd BAFTA Awards Best Actor: Dustin Hoffman
- 23rd BAFTA Awards Best Director: John Schlesinger
- 23rd BAFTA Awards Best Original or Adapted Screenplay: Waldo Salt
- 42nd Academy Awards Best Film
- 42nd Academy Awards Best Director: John Schlesinger
- 42nd Academy Awards Best Adapted Screenplay: Wado Salt
“This was the first X-rated film to win an academy award. Way ahead of its time. Very disturbing film with the skid row type lifestyle. People living desperately when no other options exist. I thought this film was great and might not see it again due to its depressing and dark nature. However, I highly recommend it if you have never seen it. To be honest, I had never seen it until now and glad I did. Voight and Hoffman’s characters were amazing. Superb acting!”
Daily Gratitude 5-16-26
May 16th, 2026
- I trust that the universe is supporting me as best it can. It is guiding me along my destined path.
- Today will bring new challenges. I am ready for them and grateful for the lessons they will provide.
- I am excited for whatever the universe has in store for me.
- I am thankful for all that fear has taught me.
- I am living the life my soul intended.
My Musical Life 5-16-26
May 16th, 2026
#31 Green River (Creedence Clearwater Revival) 👍🏼
Well, take me back down where cool water flow, y’all
Let me remember things I love, Lord
Stoppin’ at the log where catfish bite
Walkin’ along the river road at night
Barefoot girls dancin’ in the moonlight
I can hear the bullfrog callin’ me, aw
Wonder if my rope’s still hangin’ to the tree, aw
Love to kick my feet way down the shallow water
Shoofly, dragonfly, get back to mother
Pick up a flat rock, skip it across Green River
Well!
Up at Cody’s camp I spent my days, Lord
With flat car riders and cross-tie walkers
Old Cody Junior took me over
Said, “You’re gonna find the world is smoulderin’
And if you get lost come on home to Green River.”
Well!
Come on home
My Abundant Life 5-16-26
May 16th, 2026
Clearing Out What Isn’t Useful or Beautiful
“Having nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful.”
William Morris (Textile Designer & Poet; March 24th, 1834 to October 9th, 1896)
Irish poet’s call for the aesthetic alchemy of beauty and function in the home “the long-waited-for deliverance of the decorative arts.”
W.B. Yeats (Irish Poet & Former Senator of the Irish Free State; June 13th, 1865 to January 28th, 1939)
“…our authentic decorative deliverance arrives when we begin to appreciate and put to use the Morris rule—ridding ourselves of anything we do not believe to be beautiful or useful—as we restore order to our homes and simplify our lives.”
“…start to sort: if it’s not beautiful, useful, or sentimental, it goes. One pile is for items to give away to thrift shop charities…”
“The other pile is for perfectly good objects of previous infatuations that no longer make your heart beat faster. This pile can be recycled as future gifts.”
“There is an ancient metaphysical law that says if we desire more abundance in our lives we must create a vacuum to allow ourselves to receive the good we seek. How can more good come into our lives if there is no room for it? The way we create the vacuum is by giving away what we no longer need or desire but what can serve others.”
“Deciding to simplify our lives and bring order to our homes by sending on the objects we no longer love to new, happier incarnations with people who will genuinely appreciate them is the way to open ourselves up to receiving an abundance that will perfectly suit us.”
“The timing of this devotion is amazing. Neil and I are sorting through our storage items which have been in storage for 3 years. We will be assessing what we keep and not in a powerful way.”
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 162 to 163 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
My Storied Life 5-15-26
May 15th, 2026
1969 Top 10 Highest-Grossing & Award Winning Films
- Hello, Dolly! 🏆
“The technicolor in this film is so vivid. The score, dancing and singing is fantastic. I remember watching this and acting out all the parts. Barbara Streisand is such a great singer and actress. Timeless musical and would definitely watch again.”
Daily Gratitude 5-15-26
May 15th, 2026
- I am grateful for the abundance of life that surrounds me.
- recognize the infinite possibilities the universe presents, and I give thanks to every one of them.
- I am thankful to my parents for all that they taught me. I know that they did the very best they could with the skills they acquired while navigating their own generational traumas.
- I come to my partner, Neil, with peace today. I am ready and willing to support, nurture, and grow our special relationship together.
- I love myself exactly as I am. I can love where I am now, even if I’m still working toward growth and transformation.
My Musical Life 5-15-26
May 15th, 2026
#30 Hurt So Bad (The Lettermen) 👍🏼
I know you, don’t know
What I’m goin’ through
Standing here lookin’ at you
Well let me tell you that it hurts so bad
It makes me feel so sad
It makes me hurt so bad to see you again
Like needles and pins people say
You’ve been making out okay
She’s in love don’t stand in her way
But let me tell you that it hurts so bad
It makes me feel so bad
It’s gonna hurt so bad if you walk away
Why don’t you stay and let me make it up to you?
Stay I’ll do anything you want me to
You loved me before, please love me again
I can’t let you go back to him, please don’t go, please don’t go
It hurts so bad, come back it hurts so bad
Come back it hurts so bad, I’m begging you please
Please don’t go, please don’t go
It hurts so bad, come back it hurts so bad
Come back it hurts so bad
My Distilled Life 