to put Columbus Day to bed and make the change to indigenous people day. They deserve it.
I
just go
with the
flow
its a
great feeling
The Key To Life
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
~ John Lennon
Born 81 years ago … October 9, 1940
Gloomy
day
good
for
puttering
around
apartment
good
for
kicking
back
relax
good
for
taking
a
siesta
good
for
doing
anything
a
person
chooses
to
do
Jack Kerouac
Finishing up Jack Kerouac’s novel: The Town and The City. Its the second time I have read it, and its an interesting read. The beginning of the book, he mentions the city I was born and raised in, the city I reside in now, and the river which is only two blocks away. When I read his books, I feel like I am sitting across the table from him, and having a mind bending conversation.
He was a great writer, who passed away at what I would call a young age (47 y/o).
Greed Is A Bottomless Pit
“Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.”
~ Erich Fromm
October
now its October
the days are
getting shorter
the air a tad
cooler …. the
leaves slowly
turning their
collective colors
soon to be naked
indicating winter
is on its way
“Put down the pen someone else gave you. No one ever drafted a life worth living on borrowed ink.” ~ Jack Kerouac
Calm State Of Mind
alone at his
favorite
outdoor table
while quietly
thinking …
blocking out the
sounds of the
traffic and
people passing by
… completely focused
on the other world
that he knows
will never happen
One Sentence Story
the thought police are doing a number on the old professor’s head
Sundays
are for
kicking back
relaxing
reading
writing
crosswords
sports on
the boob
tube
or…
just being
a lazy
ass…
Interesting People
When I venture out for a walk, I sometimes meet some interesting people…from all walks of life. They could be dog walkers…people going or returning from an errand…the homeless… some of them I’ve gotten to know over the past few years…sometimes I’ll give them a dollar or two, as I know how it is to be in their predicament… then there was a woman who was sitting on the boardwalk bench and I told her I liked her new bicycle…she was tickled pink telling me how she was tracking it online from where the bike was shipped from California….
Anyway you never know who you’ll see…run into…and say hello and maybe a conversation
“Stories only happen to those who are able to tell them.” ~Paul Auster
What is
what is reality
what is real
what is fake
what is true
not even
going to try
and figure
it out
just crawl
back into
my niche
and live
The Creative Center Of A Writer’s Life
“Reading is the creative center of a writer’s life. I take a book with me everywhere I go, and find there are all sorts of opportunities to dip in. The trick is to teach yourself to read in small sips as well as in long swallows. Waiting rooms were made for books— of course! But so are theater lobbies before the show, long and boring checkout lines, and everyone’s favorite, the john. You can even read while you’re driving, thanks to the audiobook revolution. Of the books I read each year, anywhere from six to a dozen are on tape.”
~ Stephen King
summer
came to
an end
at 3:21 pm
past history
in a flash
like it was
all a blur
that was real
Walking Aimlessly
early morning
coffee in hand
pounding the pavement
saying hi to everyone
yet no plan
as to where he is going
Knowing…Not Knowing
We have to cross the boundary between knowing and not knowing many times before we achieve understanding.
~David Hawkins
The Sound Of Water
Anyone who has become entranced by the sound of water drops in the darkness of a ruin can attest to the extraordinary capacity of the ear to carve a volume into the void of darkness. The space traced by the ear becomes a cavity sculpted in the interior of the mind.
~Steven Holl
“Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is.” ~Albert Camus
Never complain. Never Explain. ~Katharine Hepburn
The Greatest Achievement
“The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.”
~ James Allen, Writer, 1864 – 1912
Being An Intellectual
“Being an intellectual creates a lot of questions and no answers. You can fill your life up with ideas and still go home lonely. All you really have that really matters are feelings. That’s what music is to me.” – Janis Joplin”
lost and found
its a perfect day to take a stroll, when a young female stops a few feet away. she has a dumbfounded look on her face… he stops dead in his tracks … excuse me… you look like you are lost… she replied… i am lost … do you need help… since you say that you are lost… nope… okay … so how can i help you in any other way … she told him i am no longer lost … huh … why is that he asked… because i found you … so my quest is over for finding the first man that noticed i was lost…
—————————–
oh how the words come flowing out. makes writing so much fun…
“We relish news of our heroes, forgetting that we are extraordinary to somebody too.” ~ Helen Hayes
America…
“America… just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.”
~ Hunter S. Thompson
“The most beautiful curve on a woman’s body is her smile.” ~Bob Marley
A Writer’s Life
“Reading is the creative center of a writer’s life. I take a book with me everywhere I go, and find there are all sorts of opportunities to dip in. The trick is to teach yourself to read in small sips as well as in long swallows. Waiting rooms were made for books— of course! But so are theater lobbies before the show, long and boring checkout lines, and everyone’s favorite, the john. You can even read while you’re driving, thanks to the audiobook revolution. Of the books I read each year, anywhere from six to a dozen are on tape.”
~ Stephen King
its been
so long since
i used an
alarm clock
… probably
wouldn’t know
how to set one
and even if i
did … well
Strangers In The Park
Sitting on a park bench, reading one of his favorite authors, he noticed out of the corner of his eye, an acquaintance that he hasn’t seen in ages. He remembered her name, but as far some of the particulars go, they just passed right by him. He finally looked up, and said hello, and she said I know you, but can’t remember where I’ve seen you before.
After a few moments of happy chat, she still couldn’t place him, and when she got home, to look him up on the internet. What she learned was that he was a high school teacher, never married, and no brothers and sisters.
With that info, she was contemplating to whether to call him, and hopefully meet up with him, or just call it a day, and move on.
___________________________________
I write for the hell of it.
Why Me
It is one of those days, when nothing seems to go right for a number of reasons. So what were the things that ended up ruining the neighbor’s day.
He looks out the window and sees that his car stolen…no milk in the fridge for his cereal…coffee maker shit the bed…later in the day…he burnt his sirloin steak…
With everything that went south,he took a double dose of Xanax..and called it a day.
————-
I write to entertain the masses.
People Are Strange
“People are strange: They are constantly angered by trivial things, but on a major matter like totally wasting their lives, they hardly seem to notice.”
~ Charles Bukowsk, Poet, 1920 – 1994
A Much Needed Change
With all the bullshit going with the Delta virus flaring up in his state, Jim decided to pack his bags, jump in his car, and head out of state.
After driving north for the past four hours, he decided to keep going in the same direction. Eventually, he got on Interstate 95 North, and saw the sign for Portland, Maine. He stayed overnight at the rest stop…rested up…then topped off the gas tank, and after a bite to eat he proceeded back on his journey.
Around five hours later, he was approaching the US-Canadian border in Houlton, went through the all the questions the Canadian border police asked, and then proceeded on 95 in Woodstock, New Brunswick.
He felt so relieved to be in a country where the people are a lot friendlier, and that made up his mind to want live in Canada, and leave the past behind.
_______________________________
I write as it keeps me sane.
The Mind Loves The Unknown
“The mind loves the unknown. It loves images whose meaning is unknown, since the meaning of the mind itself is unknown.”
~ Rene Magritte, Artist, 1898 – 1967
Not What She expected
A rural upbringing, she decided to move to a big city.
The realtor won her over with all the good things and the closeness to some of the best restaurants, cinemas, etc., etc…so she agreed to take the one bedroom apartment, which was on 12th floor.
What she didn’t expect, was the littered sidewalks, traffic tie ups, and the constant or she seemed think that there the sound of sirens…police cruisers, fire engines, ambulances…
She felt uncomfortable seeing the homeless lying down on the benches…sidewalks…the panhandlers asking for money.
So after a couple of months of living in a city rife with all the things that she got tired of dealing with…she came to the conclusion, of moving back to the small village that she still adores, and never again live in a city.
_____________________________
I write because its something I like to do.
“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” ~Francis Bacon
A Sight For Sore Eyes
Saturday morning, he goes down to his favorite bakery to buy a couple of bran muffins and a coffee to go. As he is waiting for his order to be finished, he hears the bell atop the door ring, and what he sees is his ex-girlfriend from a few years back. It immediately brought back some bad memories, and now he’s at a loss for words.
They looked at each other, neither one said a word, and when his order was ready, he paid for his stuff, and left the premises. All the way home, he he wished that he never went out. When he finally arrives at his home, he puts the muffins on the counter, then go to his spot on the floor and meditate, knowing that it will clear up his head.
___________________________
I write because this is what I do.
remember
the television show Route 66
starring Martin Milner…
George Maharis…Glenn Corbett
“Those who fear the facts will forever try to discredit the fact-finders.” ~ Denis Diderot
Denis Diderot, Philosopher, 1713 – 1784
remember
when hamburgers cost 15 cents
Independent Thinkers
“A society with too few independent thinkers is vulnerable to control by disturbed and opportunistic leaders. A society which wants to create and maintain a free and democratic social system must create responsible independence of thought among its young.”
~ John Dewey, Philosopher, 1859 – 1952
Monday Evening 8:54 p.m.
the smoke from
the west coast
wildfires is
really bad
here in my
part of the
state…wore
a mask while
I took a walk…
you can actually
smell it too…
shortly after
7:00..the sun was
a ball of red
as it was behind
the smoke…its
supposed to be
a little better
tomorrow…as
I’ve had enough
of this shit…
Monday Morning 9:13 a.m.
the air stinks
from the wildfires
out west…cut my
walk short…can
see the smoke on
the horizon
sunday afternoon 4:44 p.m.
since its Sunday
not much if anything
is happening in my
neck of the woods
…that’s fine with me
sunday morning 10:07 a.m.
while spinning using
the in stride cycle xl
…i started a new book….
Invisible by Paul Auster…
one of my favorite writers
11:54 a.m.
approaching noontime
on the east coast
the day is about
to begin the
second half
Six Words
wearing a mask again. staying safe.
Life Is Too Short
“I don’t care what people think about me. Never did, never will. Life is too short to be worrying about that shit.”
~ Amy Winehouse, Singer-songwriter, Born: September 14, 1983 – Died: July 23, 2011
thursday 3:41 p.m.
what to think…say…write…will it make sense…what to make of it…it looks and sounds daft to me
trifecta
coffee…couch…resting
Noble And Beautiful
“When you do something noble and beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps.”
~ John Lennon
10:38 a.m.
all is well
in the
neighborhood
love it
early morning
in the early
morning hour
of 4:30… its
still dark and
yet the early
birds are
chirping and
tweeting…
no other sounds
are heard
its a thing
of beauty listening
and also relaxing
Wake Up, America
“Wake up, America. The insurance companies took over health care. Wake up, America. The pharmaceutical companies took over drug pricing. Wake up, America. The speculators took over Wall Street. Wake up, America. They want to take your Social Security. Wake up, America. Multinational corporations took over our trade policies, factories are closing, good paying jobs lost. Wake up, America. We went into Iraq for oil.”
~ Dennis Kucinich
Dreaming
“Death is a sleep that ends our dreaming. Oh, that we may be allowed to wake before death wakes us.”
~ Petrarch, Poet, 1304 – 1374
Helping Others
“It is easy to sit up and take notice, What is difficult is getting up and taking action.”
~ Honore de Balzac
Dedication To A Friend
A few months back, I contemplated whether to continue blogging, or throw in the towel and call it a day. One of the first to email me, to say she would miss the things I post, and what not. Another follower from my local area, more or less said the same thing.
Anyways, after a couple of weeks passed by, I decided to ease back into it. So I’m sure I made the right decision. With that said, I dedicate this post to Georgiann and her blog is https://gigisrantsandraves.wordpress.com She has a wonderful blog, love her writing, and tells it like it is, as she doesn’t hold back. Please check out her blog, and tell her Don at a pondering mind sent you.
Six Words
more rain later. bring it on.
yup
morning coffee will make the lousy weather a bit more tolerable
6:39 a.m.
dark. dreary. rainy. lightning. thundering start to the morning
so
went to the store as I needed to get a few things…when it was time for me to do what shoppers normally do at the register…the cashier had the personality of a sloth… when I was done, I was just shaking my head in wonder as to why they hire people like her…yikes
question
why don’t houses of worship
have bedroom and living room sets
wondering
do single unattached people
have love seats in their abodes
4:37 p.m.
i’m a human not a potato sitting on the couch…ho-hum
4:34 p.m.
just a lazy saturday afternoon being spent on the couch
7:44 a.m.
its a new day
but the
same old
same old
and
did i say
i sometimes
write utter
nonsense…
at least
i admit it
and it gives
me pleasure
writing it
okay
so i’m an
unofficial
member of
the…
there’s a
method to
my madness
club
“Singing, it’s like it’s like loving somebody, it’s a supreme emotional and physical experience.” ~ Janis Joplin
Voting
me
an easy going guy
get along well with others
but generally keep to
myself as I don’t
like to get caught up
in someone else’s bullshit
religion is not my thing
and politics…well that’s
a subject that can get you
into a lot of trouble…
so tend to stay away from
the subject
what keeps me going
or should sane
doing crosswords
on a daily basis
books…also
subscribed to
three online newspapers…
the Boston Globe
the New York Times
the Washington Post
the local newspaper
in my area is an
utter joke…
childish in my opinion
as some stories they
print are a day late
and a buck short…
plus to much silly stuff
there’s more…another
time…another day
hmm
friday will be hot and humid
have things to do
so i’ll pace myself
also have plenty
of bottled water
7:24 p.m.
took a walk this evening
the air…sticky as all hell
felt like i was in a sauna
so my pace was a bit
slower than normal
…it sucks is all i can say
time
the times are changing
along with the climate
nothing stays the same
7:57 p.m.
approaching the hour of 8:00 p.m.
soon it will be getting
a public service announcement
from your friendly blogger
you know
wake up in the morning
enjoying the first cup of
coffee
open the laptop
to read and view
the latest news
lo and behold
come to realize
nothing has changed
everything is the same
not really surprised
but…you never know
a morning in the future
may stun the mind
saying that it is to
good to be true
that there is
a change…maybe
good
bad…or
in between
you never know
nice
rain or shine
the birds still sing
7:16 a.m.
pouring rain
a mug of coffee
a book to read
makes for
a perfect
start of
the day
a thought redux
what I don’t see, hear and/or know about doesn’t bother me, and I am fine with that. so with that said, all is well and good and I will leave it like that.
a thought
working people seem to dread manic mondays
while a retired person like me looks at it as mild-mannered mondays
its a fair assumption
Gouache: Little foxy
Check out her drawings. I’ve been following her for some time, and she does some fantastic art work.
yup
72 years.. 5 months 5 days i’ve been circling the sun and it never gets old…and i don’t feel old…as age is only a number… so with that said…i plan on sticking around for quite some time
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” ~W. H. Auden
11:22 a.m.
took a walk in the rain
to the neighborhood store
bought a some scratch tickets
and played a some lottery numbers
now wishing myself some luck
bummer
the table is all laid out with chef salad, a wedge of cheddar cheese, a plate of expensive cold cuts, and a bottle of red wine. with all the time she spent getting the food ready, the candles ready to be lit, her date nevertheless was a total slob… knocking stuff over, and … the evening turned into a bummer of night … she vowed never again … never
11:35 a.m.
today is a day to do as i please
no harm … no foul
aah no
this sticky humid weather
is in no way my friend
far from it
1:49 p.m.
humid as hell
shirt plastered
on skin
not a good
feeling
Morning Quote
“The world we see that seems so insane is the result of a belief system that is not working. To perceive the world differently, we must be willing to change our belief system, let the past slip away, expand our sense of now, and dissolve the fear in our minds.”
~ William James
Nothing Is Absolute
“Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.”
~ Frida Kahlo, Painter, Born: July 6, 1907 – Died: July 13, 1954
Morning Quote
“My birth sign is Scorpio and they eat themselves up and burn themselves out. I swing between happiness and misery. I am part prude and part nonconformist. I say what I think and I don’t pretend and I am prepared to accept the consequences of my actions.” ~ Vivien Leigh
one sentence fiction
grouchy bastard drives the good humor ice cream truck and bitches about everything under the sun
Question
never hear July 4th or 4th of July or just the 4th, but never by its real name Independence Day. I wonder why that is?
A Good Novel
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
~ Jane Austen
Good Riddance
I finally got rid of Twitter, as I had no use for it. This is second time I have done this. The first time was early last year. Then this past fall, I started a new account. At first it was going well, but then it seemed like Twitter was on this suspension kick, which happened to me twice. Finally, I had at it with all the bullshit and what have you, that I let it dormant for awhile, and last night I finally ended it. Twitter isn’t what use to be, so I say good riddance!
Six Word Saturday
dark. gloomy. overcast. blah, Saturday morning.
Six Words
can’t believe its july already. unbelievable!
yeah
it sucks waking up
at 3:30 in the morning
because the bladder
was getting antsy
and then can’t get
back to sleep
I repeat: it sucks
A Higher Revelation
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soils in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.
Ludwig van Beethoven
4:59 p.m.
the dark clouds are
moving in and can
hear low rumblings of
thunder
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