Today’s word is PACEMAKER. My father had to have one put in yesterday as the quadruple bypass he had didn’t solve all of his problems. His heart was still not up to the power level the doctor would like to see and was also not working in sync. I’m glad that pacemakers exist so that people can survive longer than in the past.

A pacemaker is an artificial device to regulate the heart and its contractions. I’m thankful to whomever invented this device.

rain on the window

Surprisingly, being a resident of the Sunshine State, I do love a rainy day. Of course, in the summer time, we have afternoon thunderstorms almost every day. I am not a person who likes to be out in the rain running errands or getting in and out of the car (Why is it that getting the umbrella into the vehicle always makes me wetter than if I didn't have one at all?).

On rainy days, I want to be inside watching the rivulets of water stream down the window pane and listen to the patter on the roof. Very soothing and relaxing. Deluges can stay away though since they mess with the satellite dish!

San Emigdio Mountains

Four things I love about my country is easy for me.

1. This one encompasses a lot. I love that we have the freedoms that we do. All kinds of freedoms exist in the bill of rights and I'm optimistic that we won't stand by and let them be eroded.

2. I love that we can travel from one end of this great country to the other and find all kinds of diversity, both in population and in scenery and majesty.

3. I love our mountains, coasts, monuments and even the kitsch that can be found in lots of small towns and the countryside.

4. I love the ability to be whatever we want to be. No automatic rules about the kind of work we can do or whether we get an education or not.

The opportunities in this country are limitless and we are truly blessed to be Americans.

Psychedelic Ride

I could listen to Donovan Leitch's greatest hits over and over. In fact. I do. I have the album downloaded on my computer and listen all the time as I work. I love him so much, I even used him as inspiration for the heroine's father in SOLO HONEYMOON, my debut novel written under my pen name.

I'm so glad Donovan finally got his due and was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame. He'e been around for a long time and served as inspiration for many newer musicians who were inducted before him.

Eating My Hobby

Chocolate Sculpture

I'd like to learn how to make chocolate shapes. I love to watch those shows where the pastry chefs compete to make the best sculptures out of various candies and chocolates. They look so gorgeous, I'd like to make some of them. Sadly, I'm not a patient person and I know I'd make a right awful mess of it. AND then, there's always the side effect of wanting to eat the materials.

My Dear Friend

Romantic Heart form Love Seeds

Someone I admire is my friend, Margo. She has a lot on her plate but she seems to always pick herself up and keep moving past that stuff. She's an inspiration because she never lets herself be held down too long. She's an optimist and always believes things will get better- and they eventually do.

She's a romantic and I love that about her. I tend to see the gritty reality too often and have a lot of cynicism and her belief in the absolute goodness of people is a trait I wish I had.