So these thoughts came from my daughters recommending a book to me. Funny how things so unconnected...are actually, well, connected. I may step on some toes here...so please accept my apologies. It is just that all of us old fogies know that we have less time ahead of us, than we have behind us. And that makes some of us, like me- control what I do with that time.
I don't read everything like I used to. Because I know I might not get to read it all. So I make sure the stuff I read (at least most times) is something I deem worth reading. Same with people.
I don't have negative people in my daily life...nor much drama. And I like it that way. I do bump up against angry or mean people...but not often, and I don't linger.
I remain blissfully unaware of most things going on around me. I can't control them, contribute to changing them, or stop them from happening. So maybe I am an ostrich. I only have a certain amount of time left...and twice in the last year...I thought maybe that time might be up. Nope. Got to live another day.

So I don't fill that day with anything hateful, hurtful, mean, or loaded with drama. You can tell me about the monkey on your back...and I will listen, but try to let him jump to my back and get a free banana...not going to happen.
One of the things that happened on my walk, that I did not mention, was running into another old guy. He wanted to spout all kinds of fury over the "Story of the Day" on TV. I stopped him. I only learned about Venezuela a few days ago...and only because I saw some chatter about it on RP. Didn't read much of that chatter. People have truly strong opinions about it. So did this guy. After just five minutes I stopped the guy and said:
"I am so sorry. But I am going to turn and walk the other way. This conversation is not for me."
He was surprised...so surprised that he didn't even get angry- which is what he was while talking Instead he said:
"What? What do you mean?"
"Well, you know what I was thinking about before you caught up to me?"
"No. Something important?"
"Yes. I haven't seen my Grandchildren in eight weeks. Two months of their lives I missed because I was sick. Tomorrow I get to see them. They both sent me little cards in the mail that I got on Tuesday. They told me they loved me, and that they have some things they want to talk to me about.
And I was smiling because - well, they always come up with something interesting ... and they make me laugh. So I was thinking that I would let them pick the Restaurant to go to for their after school dinner/lunch. And they love it when they get to pick it.
I was in a good place. And I want to stay there."
He was dumbfounded. I wasn't trying to be mean. But I didn't want to talk about the horrors of the modern world. Nor did I want to listen to a litany of wrong doings by whatever party or religion you happen not to like.
And as much as I like laughter, I don't like mean spirited laughter....laughter at ..is not the same as laughter with.
And I walked away. His anger returned, and he used the same old tired rhetoric I used to hear a lot: "F You! " ..and pick any of the adjectives you would like.
The picture I posted, is routine in our house. Happy to eat porridge on the porch in the morning when Kathy has the day off. Not a big deal. Never going to make the News...always going to make my Day!
I try to post upbeat, or military stories...sometimes they are both. But I found myself bumping up against mean statements and even having my own opinions rise to the surface about things. Things I don't usually think about. Serious topics to be sure, but my opinion ...is just that. None of the stuff I let myself comment on, or express more thoughts about, am I, by any stretch of the imagination, an expert in, or even working in that Field. So why am I even thinking about it? And some of those posts made me have emotional reactions, and I found myself making some very stupid, and very quick assessments of someone I never even met.

If I drift off of RP, like I did a year ago. It isn't because of you guys on RP. You are all fascinating to me. It is because of me. My brain reads something , then has to follow up. So instead of thinking about the conversations I will have with my grandkids tomorrow, and what topics we will cover, I ended up reading about the horrors of War and International politics. And I got mad too. Anger isn't a very productive emotion. I don't feel it often.
So I shall return to controlling what I pay attention too..that I can control. Show me loving dog pictures...I am right there. Call somebody a name because you don't like their politics or experience...not so much.
Anyways, see what happens when I get in a rant...I am no Mary Poppins, but she had a point.