Day 2081: Live Free or Die

Yesterday, I noticed this New Hampshire license plate  with the official state motto “Live Free or Die.”

Who knew that hairy aliens lived in New Hampshire, parked in Boston and felt so strongly about freedom?

According to Wikipedia (which is free):

“Live Free or Die” is the official motto of the U.S. state of New Hampshire, adopted by the state in 1945. It is possibly the best-known of all state mottos, partly because it conveys an assertive independence historically found in American political philosophy and partly because of its contrast to the milder sentiments found in other state mottos.

As I have lived free for many years, I have noticed that flashy assertiveness gets more attention than milder sentiments.  Here are some of the milder sentiments displayed on U.S. license plates:

The Natural State

Colorful

World Famous Potatoes

Visit

It’s That Friendly

Smiling Faces

Is  OK!

Sounds Good to Me

Peace Garden State

The Hospitality State

Seat Belts Fastened?

Drive Carefully

Do you agree that those other state license plates are not as lively or as to-die-for?

Today, as I live free and do not die, I would like to share something I said to my sister, last night, over dinner, after a very difficult day where I died several psychological deaths because of worry, projection, mind reading, fortune telling and other cognitive distortions:

I would like to declare that, as of now, I will never, ever again assume that other people are having harshly negative and judgmental thoughts about what I’m doing or not doing.  Tomorrow morning, I will wake up, free of that old and unhelpful habit.

This morning, as I try to live free of those old patterns and habits, I’m noticing this:  So far so good.

Actually, “So Far So Good” would make a good (if not entirely memorable) license plate.

Shall we live free and/or die for my other photos from yesterday?

It looks to me like that pineapple and broccoli are living free, undyingly.

Here‘s “Live Free or Die” by Hayes Carll:

Live free and/or comment below, please.

Gratitude is free, here and now, for all those who helped me create this “Live Free or Die” post and — of course! — for YOU.

Day 2079: How many people does it take?

How many people does it take to make a difference?

How many people does it take to

• write a blog post?
• change a light bulb?
• take some photos?

 

 

 

 

 

How many people does it take to be you?

How many people does it take to make this amazing video and sing and play all these parts?

 

How many people does it take to make a comment?

How many people does it take to thank Jacob Collier, good cats, good humans,  good cooks, friendly people, people who heal in groups, survivors, and — of course! — YOU?

 

 

Day 2074: Voting

Since many of us in Massachusetts, USA were voting yesterday, today I’m inviting my readers to think about voting.

What does voting mean to you?  Will you be voting this year? What influences your voting?

Voting is now open for your favorite images among these:

No worries about my sharing this photo of my write-in voting for my boyfriend Michael:

According to this site, that used to be illegal in Massachusetts,  but now it’s okay to take a photo of your own voting here. In the future, I hope to be voting for Michael for public office.

I’m voting for “Vote” by Blazer Fresh at GoNoodle.

I hope you’ll be voting in the comments section, below.

Any interest in voting for the preferred way to thank all those who helped me create today’s “Voting” post and — of course! — YOU?

Day 2005: Here are the questions …

If you’re searching for the answer behind today’s title, here it is:

Here are the questions …

• Who is welcome?
• Where are the safe places?
• How should we enter?
• What is the next step forward?
• Why don’t more people vote?
• What will they vote for next?
• Who’s in charge?
• What is justice?
• Who are the justices?
• Who is corrupt?
• Who is fighting for the rights of the people?
• Why should we build walls?
• What would make you happy?
• What endures?
• What does it mean to be strong?
• When will strong women no longer be called “bitchy”?
• Why should I smile today?
• Who  listens to radio?
• What are people listening to?
• Why can’t I get to sleep after checking the news?
• What important questions are missing here?
• What other photos did I take yesterday?

Where is there a space reserved for your comments?  Below.

Here are questions and answers by Pat Metheny:

 

Who is grateful for all who helped me create this questionable post and for all who are reading it? Ann is.

Day 673: Let’s Move/Time of the Season

It’s the time of the season for me to think about moving.  Moving faster while I’m walking, because it’s cold outside. Moving (many seasons from now) away from my beloved hometown of Boston, because it gets so cold for so many months around here.

And just in time for the cold weather yesterday, both of these tunes came to play:

(Pat Metheny’s “Let’s Move” found here on YouTube)

(Kurt Elling and Cassandra Wilson moving through “Time of the Season” found here on YouTube)

Imagine my hearing those songs as I moved yesterday, as fast as I could, through the freezing wind on my walk through Boston. If you’re moved to listen to either of those, do they move you?  I, personally, found that music very warming.

Let’s move back in time, just a little. Here’s what I saw minutes before I started that cold walk yesterday, during this time of the season:

  

Notice how the door of that garage where I park my car every work day has moved? When I asked about that, the answer was, “It’s coooooold in here.”

As I moved to work on my walk yesterday, I considered taking more photos, but it was too coooooold for me to stop.

As we move on to winter, yesterday’s cold will feel like …. warmth.

Let’s move on to more pleasant matters, shall we?  This evening, I’ll be moving westward to Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.

Yes, after I move to vote, somehow, in the yearly election today and also move through a full day at work, I’ll be watching these people move tonight:

It’s the time of the season for me to see some of my favorite dancers from one of my favorite TV shows.

(10 of the dancers I’m going to see tonight, here on YouTube)

They sure can move, can’t they? Also, it moved me, this morning, to hear the word “care” in the introduction.

Another warming thought for me: As the days move further into cold, I get to see Pat Metheny and Antonio Sanchez, at the same Worcester venue, in less than two weeks!

What else do I want to say about “Let’s Move” in this season (or any other season)?

At work and elsewhere, people are moving in lots of different directions. The best I can do is notice, be honest about what I see, and be clear about ways that I want to move.

Let’s take a moment and breathe.

Ready?

Let’s move!

Thanks to all who move, in their own way (including you!).