Day 3248: November 22

On November 22, 1963, I had my first heart operation, got my first cardiac pacemaker, and got a promise from my mother that I could get my first cat.

Two days later, while I was dealing with many physical and emotional wounds, I found out that President John F. Kennedy, whom I loved and admired, had been assassinated on November 22.

Since that day, November 22 has always been an important anniversary for me. Often, I get depressed and anxious, and I’m relieved when the day is over.

Today, I’m just grateful to be alive and well, 58 years later.

Here are my images for November 22, 2021:

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On my walk yesterday, I was listening to the sounds of nature and the music from Hadestown, which I’m still hearing in my head, here and now, on November 22.

What are your thoughts and feelings about November 22?

Thanks to all who have helped me make it to this November 22, including YOU.

Day 2765: Mixed messages

I’ve definitely heard mixed messages about the advisability of looking for information online, but here‘s an online definition of “mixed messages”:

NOUN
mixed message (plural mixed messages)

(idiomatic) Any communication that is contradictory, inconsistent, or unclear, especially in its motive or intent.
Don’t you think it’s sending a mixed message for the magazine to put “Lose Five Pounds in A Month” right next to “Ten Easy Desserts”?
See also
double standard
mixed signal
oxymoron
read between the lines

Yesterday, on a walk near my home, I encountered these mixed messages:

EXPLORE MORE (on the left page of that discarded magazine)  and

… NO TRESPASSING.   There were more mixed messages there, because several people and dogs seemed to be trespassing on that land  (which is either an island or a peninsula, depending on the tide). As I read descriptions of Thompson Island, I’m getting more mixed messages about whether I should have explored more or turned back in response to that NO TRESPASSING message.  The messages are so mixed for me right now, I’m doubting whether that actually IS Thompson Island, since there were no clear messages or identifying signs.

When I look around these days, I see mixed messages about

• masks,
• the pandemic,
• travel,
• work,
• age,
• food,
• sleep,
• etiquette,
• language,
• connecting with others,
• fireworks,
• protests,
• danger,
• safety,
• politics,
• polls,
• money,
• power,
• human nature,
• the climate,
• the future,
• the past, and
• the rest of this mixed world.

Do you see any mixed messages in my many other mixed photos from yesterday?

If those messages are too mixed to see clearly, you can always click on a particular photographic message to make it larger.

Here’s “Mixed Messages” by  Big K.R.I.T, …

… and “Mixed Messages” by The Bangles.

That’s a really interesting mix of “Mixed Messages.” Now I’m looking forward to reading the mix of messages in the comments section, below.

There’s always an unmixed message at the end of each of these mixed blog posts.

 

 

Day 2658: If you are struggling

If you are struggling during these difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic, you are not alone.

Yesterday, as humans I love and people I work with were struggling, I captured these images:

When I was struggling to fall asleep last night, I looked at that New Yorker page on my phone.

If I am struggling, music always helps, and I’m struggling to focus on a future when I will be able  to see Jacob Collier in concert, rescheduled  from next month to some time in the future when we’ll be struggling less with the coronavirus.

If you are struggling, it might help to watch this NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert with Jacob and other incredible musicians:

If you are struggling, consider sharing in a comment, below, and please know that I am so grateful you are here, now.