Dealing with What’s Happening

It’s been difficult for many of us around the world. The coronavirus has changed a lot of our lives, at least for me it has. While being isolated from most people, it's also given us a different perspective. It’s made me take a harder look at both my general health, but also how it affects me outside, in public.

I’m working on discovering what I can do right now, from home, for my physical, and mental wellbeing. There are projects we can do, along with getting the house cleaned and sorted they way that you like. You can go over all your personal papers, and ephemera, try to figure out what you what you want, and what you really need. On the other hand, you can go over all your digital files, and try and make room for everything.

We can even work on improving our regular routines like I’ve been doing. Balancing everything, figuring out what we need to accomplish, and what really want to do. For example, finding time and ways to exercise in the day. Managing any stress and anxiety that can creep in on you, and dealing with it through meditation, and/or prayer.

For example, this individual does her best to get up each day, get tea/coffee and breakfast going, does housework on and off throughout the day, then takes a break and stretches, and works on her computer. Then she takes moments to pray for her loved ones, and all the others in the world, and their loved ones. We all need to deal with what’s happening and manage our lives the best way we can.

Going into Spring 2020

Starting now, the weather has been warming up, the snow is no more, and the birds are singing. From March, and going into April, there’ll be some new changes, including some interesting new looks and fashion styles to explore.

Different series will be having some season finales, and before long new seasons will start up. There are also some good Hallmark movies coming out to for the season, so it’ll be interesting to see and watch what happens. I’m hoping to work on editing some videos to start posting, but I’m not going to get any hopes up.

I will be sharing more about traveling via bicycling, and all the interesting sites where I’ve called home for a long while, and so many other interests hopefully.

Prayer for Nashville and Others in Tennessee

Some time ago, I'd heard about the tornado that hit Tennessee, and the devastation in Nashville. For me personally, it was terrifying to her, because my sister does not live that far from this incredible city. I still have photos from a car ride in Nashville, and it breaks my heart.

I felt a need to reach out, so after I texted my sister, I called a friend of mine from our church, and I told him of what happened, so hopefully, all of us can pray for the loved ones lost, and the ones left behind, and some way, all of us can help rebuild.

Investigate Trip Moments

My mom and I had to take a quick trip to Des Moines to deal some stuff, and on the way there, we got see some beautiful fields, and houses.

We went to Hoover State Office Building, which was very impressive, with wide spaces inside. Also driving up, there was this amazing building with this, golden dome, which was the highest point. I recently discovered it's the historical Iowa State Capitol building, I think. You can see a reflection of it in the windows of the Wallace State Building. Close by is the Holocaust Memorial, which is significant, and sad to acknowledge.

We didn’t get to make it over there except to get close while looking for a place to park, but maybe in few months, we’ll find some time to go check both the memorial, and the building out. That would be fascinating to see.

Different Types of Communities

There are all kinds of different communities, groups of people who share some commonality, something that connects them. Here are some examples I’ve been thinking about, out of great many all over.

Since people have seen all kinds of benefits from down-sizing, tiny homes have been gaining popularity. With time, communities have been coming together, where groups of people who’ve come to change their lifestyles, out of circumstance, and/or choice.

Communal workplaces are another unique example. Places where groups of people: artists, entrepreneurs, and/or freelancers, can come work alongside one another is fascinating to someone like me. One can even be inspired by those around them.

These are just are some of the ways people have built inspiring communities in the present and future, both to work and co-exist. Who knows what will happen if we all find different, creative ways to live.

Working with Junk Journals

We’re getting started on mixed media projects now, going with junk journals in the beginning. My public library is working with me, setting up classes so all those interested, can work together to learn.

The first class was on the covers of our journals, and there were two kinds of them for those in the class to work on. We could use cardboard or cereal boxes to cut out, or use old books, and cut out the pages. This last session will be on working on the pages, and putting the book together. We also have a lot of interesting things to put into, and on the pages.

It was an interesting experience, setting up the classes, and working on the projects with everyone, and I believe that there are always ways to make things different, maybe better too. It's nice to see our groups come together.

On the Way to Tennessee

We stopped usually only for gas, coffee, and bathroom breaks. One of our first coffee stops on the road, was in City of Lake of St. Louis. One person held the door for me, before I got there, which I thought was nice of her. Inside was pleasant, with wide space to walk around. The baristas were friendly, and the counter was low enough for me to see almost everything they did to make the coffees. There was also this cool cup from a series at series, with images depicted Missouri. 

We also made a made a stop in a place called Shiloh, Illinois. The named reminded me of the character on General Hospital, although it probably got it’s name for a battle in the Civil War. We only stopped for a while, but we were grateful, and on we went.

Trip to Tennessee: First Part of the Adventure

Heading to Tennessee, one can see a lot of amazing scenery, buildings, and other structures. We started early, but we did get to see the sunrise while on the road, it was so nice. Later, at a pit stop, we found a Casey’s that had crullers, or pinwheel doughnuts, one of my favorites, and a similar one with cinnamon.

There some interesting buildings, and bridges, as we got further into Illinois, including a close glimpse of the St. Louis Arch, and a great big Ferris wheel. We went under a bridge, where there were some buildings that said Port or something (must do some digging), but it was exciting for me to see.

Driving further on we got to see some more pretty scenery, what I think of are wetlands, or land that was recently flooded. We later stopped a rest area that had an amazing view of a lake, named Rend Lake Rest Area. It was beautiful with a park, a foot bridge, and a gazebo.

One of the last stops we made was to Fort Massac Rest Area, in Metropolis, Illinois. There was a memorial, named Blue Star Memorial Highway, in tribute to the Armed Forces. There was another tribute, one that was a little less significant, since Metropolis was a big part of origin story of Superman. A Superman figure, where you can stand, and take a picture, so funny, I loved it. Doing some reading, I learned there is also a Superman, and Lois Lane statues in Metropolis, as well as a museum, though we didn’t go that far. One day though, that might be fun to see.