Day 3448: Unreal

So many things seem unreal to me these days, including:

• how facts don’t seem to matter,
• the level of denial about climate change,
• the resistance to enacting common sense gun laws in the USA,
• the power of greed,
• some people’s priorities,
• the daily news,
• the passage of time,
• reality shows, and
• my many blessings.

Let’s see if there’s anything unreal in my images for today.

It’s unreal how many excuses people have for being late. I can’t be late today because I’m on call at the hospital starting at 9 AM, but I have time to search YouTube for “unreal.”

It’s unreal how before today I had never heard of Roxette and the late Marie Fredrikkson.

It’s unreal how grateful I am to all those who help me create this daily blog, including YOU.

Day 3398: Balance

Do you see balance in my images for today?

On balance, I think it’s good to balance Mother’s Day with a day acknowledging those who struggle with infertility.

Last night, at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Trevor Noah showed a balance of humor with important truths.

Feel free to balance this post with your comments, below.

I maintain my balance in this world by focusing on gratitude, so thanks to all who visit this blog, including YOU.

Day 3382: Beautiful people

Yesterday, I saw this quote about beautiful people from the beautiful Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.

Because I was seeing so many beautiful people in group and individual therapy yesterday, I didn’t have time to capture many other beautiful images for today’s blog.

Besides all those other things, today is also the first night of Passover. For years and years, I celebrated Passover with many beautiful people, including my late parents and my wonderful cousin Lani (who I hope is reading this post). Tonight, I’m celebrating it with my beautiful husband and my beautiful son.

I find this when I search YouTube for “beautiful people” …

… and this:

I look forward to comments from beautiful people, below.

Thanks to all the beautiful people who help me create this daily blog, including YOU.

Day 3372: What is it? And why

What is it and why did I take a photo of this yesterday?

I took that photo in CVS because it spoke to me. I ask lots of questions on Twitter and maybe I’ll ask that someday.

What is it with me and why did I ask this question last night on Twitter?

What is it about these questions that have no answers and why don’t they?

What is it and why did I not tape my husband Michael driving our cat Joan crazy yesterday by whispering “what is it? What is it? What is it?” over and over again when she was on top of the microwave?

What is it and why does Joan flail around so much when Michael is whispering “What is it? What is it? What is it?” to her?

What is it and why do I share so many images on my blog?

What is it and why do these National Days exist? What is National Spinach Day and why is that every day for me? It’s because I need to eat the same amount of Vitamin K daily as I take Coumadin because of my mechanical heart valve, and I do that by eating spinach.

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “what is it and why.”

What is it and why am I saying thank you?

It’s because I’m grateful to all who help me blog every day, including YOU.

Day 3314: Inspirational Stories

Last night, I asked this question on Twitter:

Based on people’s responses to my question about inspirational stories, I’ve ordered the books I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven, Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller, and Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trial of American Democracy, by Jamie Raskin. I’m looking forward to reading those inspirational and, I’m sure, difficult stories.

Do you see any inspirational stories in my other images for today?

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On National Chocolate Cake Day, here‘s what I find when I search YouTube for “Inspirational Stories.”

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I’m sure I will be inspired by any comments or stories you share, below.

Thanks to all who inspire me to blog every day, including YOU.

Day 3145: Headlines

Sometimes, in my Coping and Healing groups, I ask people this question: if there were a 24-hour cable news network devoted to reporting about you, what would the headlines be?

For ANN (Ann Network News), the top headline would be “New Cat Joan Spectacular Addition to Home.”

Of course, if my imaginary cable news network were a typical one, the headline might be “New cat infiltration causes chaos and conflict. Old cat asks ‘Why?’” That deceptive one is much more likely to increase viewership and sell more products.

Do you see headlines in my other images for today?

Another ANN headline might be “August 11 National Day: Ann asks ‘Why?’”

Here’s what I find on YouTube when I search for “headlines.”

What would the headlines be for your personal 24-hour news network?

Here’s my final headline for today’s blog: “Ann Incredibly Grateful For Everything in Her Life, Including YOU.”

Day 3107: A grain of salt

We should definitely take what we read on the internet with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, I just did a search for the meaning of “a grain of salt.”

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What have you been taking with a grain of salt lately?

Speaking of grains of salt, Michael made a tofu dish yesterday for the first time and we all agreed it was too salty.

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Next time, he’s going to use less soy sauce and add some honey. I have no reason to take this with a grain of salt.

It’s a good idea to take Twitter with a grain of salt.

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Is there anything in this post you’re taking with a grain of salt (or a dash)? How about these other photos I took yesterday?

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If I tell you I love the score from In the Heights, no need to take that with a grain of salt. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the recording of “96,000” for the original Broadway cast:

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Here’s “96,000” in a trailer for the movie:

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Also, no need to take my gratitude with a grain of salt, so thanks to all who help me blog every day, including YOU!

Day 2597: The world is ending

When this world was six hundred and thirty-five days younger (but who in the world is counting?), I published a blog post titled “It’s not the end of the world.” Yesterday, I received this text message from somebody I think the world of:

If the world is ending, what should we do about it, besides warning each other?

Should we live for the moment, realizing that time is short?

Should we get some rest for difficult days ahead?

This post is ending, so here‘s a song from Billie Eilish …

… and gratitude, from me to you.

Day 2494: Hopeful

Last night, at Boston’s beautiful Colonial Theater, Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg observed that a synonym used for “candidate” is “hopeful.” Presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg then observed how appropriate that was, because a political candidate should have and inspire hope for the future.

I was very hopeful, last night, after listening to Presidential hopeful Buttigieg speak and answer questions from the audience, including a question about what his dogs were wearing for Halloween.  I am hopeful  I am correct when I report that one of Presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg’s dogs is dressing up as an avocado for Halloween.

I am hopeful this clears up any doubts about my memory:

I found that hopeful photo online, after searching for “Buttigieg Halloween avocado.” Presidential hopeful Buttigieg’s dogs — Truman and Buddy Buttigieg — have a twitter account, and hopeful comments in response to that photo included:

24 days ago
Buddy’s Halloween costume!

This is the uplifting content we need today. 🙂

24 days ago
Is Truman’s costume toast?

 

Here are my hopeful photos from yesterday:

 

Here is “Hopeful” by Bars and Melody:

I am hopeful you will leave a comment, below, and I am hopeful you will accept my thanks to all who help me create these hopeful posts, including YOU.

 

Day 2419: Get in touch

Get in touch with your reactions to these two notifications I recently received from Facebook:

It’s not easy for me to get in touch with Oscar right now. Why? Because I’m at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Oscar’s back home with Michael and Harley.

I’m getting in touch with my excitement about my son Aaron and I both having shows at the Fringe.

Get in touch with these other new photos on my phone:

Get in touch with this YouTube video of Aaron performing a version of his Mail Room show.

Get in touch with me through a comment, below.

Every day, no matter where I am, I’m in touch with appreciation and gratitude for you!