#242 I'M BACK

I have decided to try and reenter the blogging world.  Since August 11, 2012 was the last time I posted I am anxious over resuming my blog.  However, yesterday I wrote the comment below on my Face Book page.  This prompted me to go to my blog and find my post about ants (so I could direct my friends to this article).  I was surprised to see that people were still reading my blog.

"Ok, hear's the deal......I printed off the instructions to the ant bait that was posed a while back.  I didn'tread it at all until yesterday.   When I got to the end I let out a small groan because the main idea is that the powdered sugar mixed in with the baking soda causes the aunt to ingest some soda when scarfing up the sugar.  

This, in turn, causes..... the..... ant....... to..... POP! 

Now, I know they are JUST ants, but, ever since I saw that kids movie ANTZ I think of them differently. Call me crazy, but, I can't bring myself use this stuff.....I mean....KABOOM!  For some reason, in my mind's eye, I see this little explosion with legs, mandibles & antennae flying every which direction. 

SO HERE IS A LINK TO A PIECE I WROTE FOR MY BLOG A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. It will let you know that I am probably a little crazy!"

http://outofmymindbykt.blogspot.com/2011/01/92-friday-flashbacks-ive-got-ants.html

#241 THAT'S ALL FOLKS

Try as I might, I don't seem to be able to come up with any more original stories.  I have 16 ideas (with notes) in my draft file but I just can't commit to any of them.   Most of the stories that have published since the death of my father in October of last year, were written beforehand and waiting out their turn in my scheduled file.  Each time I go in to my draft file I find I actually don't want to write.  I guess when someone has been a part of your life for 70 years it changes your life when they leave.  It has been about 10 months now.  Shouldn't I be back to normal by now?

It pains me to come to the conclusion that the very activity that got me through a few tough years being sequestered in my home caring for my father, is now over.  I keep telling myself that it is just an aberration and soon I will be able to write again.  Well, I can still write, but the humor does not come any more.  If I can't laugh as I write, then all of the fun has been drained away from the act of writing, which was why I wrote.

I think one of the worst parts is that I no longer want to read other blogs.  I carefully chose blogs that made me laugh or at least break into a big smile.  This is an important part about being a blogger.  It builds the friendship that feeds the blogger.  But, I don't even want to do that anymore.  In fact, I don't want to do much of anything.

Self analyzing is probably a fool's mission, however, I believe that my problem lies in the fact that I have always  been a caretaker.  Always made my life be about some one else (husband, children, students, aunts, mother, father).  I don't think that was a conscious choice, but something I was more than willing to do.

Perhaps, I have lost my identity and need to re-invent myself.  But, at 71, I don't really know how to do that.  And, it's not just this blog.  I can't really see to relate to the world outside these doors.  I have forced myself into several activities, but the key word , of course is F O R C E D (and one last time:  Yes, I'm shouting).  

Until I figure this out I am (again) forced to quit blogging.  I say forced because my last scheduled blog posted last Monday and I can't seem to come up with anything for this coming Monday.  So, good bye for now, dear friends.  I love you all.

GO AHEAD, PLAY IT AS IT SEEMS AN APT ENDING.  kt 8/11/12

(just wanted you to know I took a deep breath and paused before actually hitting "Publish.")

#203 - MAN UP TO THE PANTY CHALLENGE

FISHDUCKEY...SEE SPECIAL NOTE TO YOU AT THE VERY END.

(THIS IS KT WRITING IN RED)  I received THIS from thedesertrocks.blogspot.com on Saturday 8/6 GEE THANKS!:　

Laila at The Untroubledkingdomoflailaknight sent me this challenge saying that since I was sweet she knew I wouldn't turn her down. How do I argue with that? Thank goodness it's not a let's all jump off a cliff challenge....

IT'S MEME TIME

Then, after I answer these questions I am supposed to tag five bloggers so this delightfully easy challenge gets passed along.  

Try to go for sweet and vulnerable and you shouldn't have a problem....

        I TOOK OFF THEIR PICTURE

          AND DECIDED TO POST MY OWN:

            

CAUGHT SHORT
This is me during my infamous mini-skirt days.
The picture was taken then posted on the bulletin
board where I worked (a Municipal Court House
 in Calif.)   NOTICE = my knees are together...

Ok, you can hardly blame me for stepping up to the challenge as I have authored TWO posts which discuss my undies!

http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=874207911908838979&postID=1591679827437061830

(HOW I GOT THE NICK NAME BETTY BOOP)   I understand this one didn't work so try:                http://outofmymindbykt.blogspot.com/2011/03/159-friday-flashbacks-how-i-acquired.html

AND

outofmymindbykt.blogspot.com/2010/12/61-paranioa-tighty-whities-story.html

(PARANOIA, THE TIGHTY WHITES STORY)

AND ta-ta..ta-da! here are the questions:

1. What do you call your panties / underwear / undergarments? Do you have any commonly used nicknames for them? 

Well, not tighty whities I learned this the hard way.  What?  Doesn't everyone call them under pants?  Give my underpants a Nickname...are you nuts!

2. Have you ever had that supposedly common dream of being in a crowded place in only your underwear?

Nope,  but I have dreamed about suddenly finding myself shopping in the nude.  However, since the dream happens in Walmart, nobody noticed. 

3. What is the worst thing you can think of to make panties out of?

Well, dental floss.  Woops, they already make them out of that don't they?  They're called thongs.

4. If you were a pair of panties, what color would you be? 

Ahhh, no way would I ever all myself to be changed into a pair of panties.  I can't imagine hanging around crotchety old ladies netherlands (or is it Never-Never lands?).  

5. Have you ever thrown your panties/underwear at a rock star or other celebrity? If so, which one(s)? If not, which one(s) WOULD you throw your panties/underwear at, given the opportunity?

I have never thrown my underpants to anyone.  However, it just so happens that I did throw my panty hose at a Matador while in Tijuana watching a bull fight.  But, cerveza (beer) did play a major role in that fiasco (and I did have underpants on under the hose).  This incident is on my list for a future post.  

6. You’re out of clean panties. What do you do?

Go commando!  Duh!  btdt (been there done that)

7. Are you old enough to remember Underoos? If so, did you have any? Which ones?

No.  But, I'm old enough to know that Cleopatra probably didn't wear undies.  However, I haven't a clue what Underoos are.  Must have missed those.  Let me check on the internet... ... ... 

Oh, I see.
These came out in 1977 (when I was 36).
 They probably didn't have them for adults.
But. if they did I would have chosen these.

8. If you could have any message printed on your panties, what would it be?

BACK OFF!, I'm too old for that kind of S#!T...

9. How many bloggers does it take to put panties on a goat?

SIX
One to club the goat over the head.

One to put the panties on.
One to take pictures.
One to bail the first three out of jail for animal cruelty & malicious mischief.
One to pay off the farmer whose goat was violated.
One to write up the blog post.


Come on....only nine...there should be at least ten questions when doing a survey.  Every statistician knows that.


10.  What was your most embarrassing moment involving your panties?


Don't have any, BUT I SURE HOPE YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now to choose a few friends who won't mind playing along. So here we go....

You can if you want to but...NOPE, you know me better than that.  I don't always follow the rules  (Ergo, the picture change).  So let me try this... ... 

Any of you reading this post, who would like to rise to this challenge, please do, and then comment back to me so I will know that you did so.  (That is all except Christine Lucas who begged to be include  http://christinalucas.blogspot.com/).

The challenge is to MAKE ME LAUGH.  COME ON, I DARE YOU!

kt 8/6/2011 

SEE YOU NEXT MONDAY FOR...... 
"#204 -

 "BOO, BUG-A-BOO, TOBY AND A KITTY TOO"

BE SURE TO WRITE THE 8/29 ON YOU CALENDAR 

FOR MY FAVORITE STORY.
  

PS:  My granddaughter  has moved four hours away to another tow (Amen).  Call me crazy but, I will miss the little ones (and I am not talking about the critters!).  

TO FISHDUCKEY:  THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF GLITCHES IN THE BLOGSPOT PROGRAM.  AND,THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF THINGS FOR ME TO REMEMBER TO DO.  PUT THOSE TWO ISSUES TOGETHER AND S#!T HAPPENS.  


USUALLY I TRY TO SCHEDULE BLOGS AHEAD SO I WON'T MISS A MONDAY POST (DUE TO LIFE'S LITTLE SURPRISES).  ANYWAY, WHEN I FINISH A POST I SCHEDULE A DATE FOR ITS RELEASE.  THEN I HAVE TO CLICK ON "PUBLISH POST."  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES THE DARN THING POSTS IMMEDIATELY.  IF THAT HAPPENS I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY WITHDRAW IT OR IT MESSES UP EVERYTHING.  ONLY, THE SNAPSHOT OF THAT POST DOESN'T COME OF AT THE SAME TIME.  I HAVE A NAME FOR THIS.  I CALL IT C.R.A.P. (Computer Related Attacks by Poltergeists.


BY THE WAY...I DEFINITELY LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COMMENTS.  I JOIN WITH MY BLOGGER FRIENDS AND AGREE THAT YOU SHOULD START YOUR OWN BLOG.  THINK ABOUT IT.  WE BLOGGERS ARE REAL HELPFUL AND WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS AND HELP.  THINK ABOUT IT.     kt

#197 - OK.....Here's the deal!....

OK.....Here's the deal!....

My life has gotten so complicated that I can not keep up with my blog.

You all know that I take care of my 100 year old father.  However, he is starting to decline fast and is requiring more attention.

Also, most of you know about my granddaughter and the challenges she has brought into my life.

Then there is the fact that it is summer and there is so much outdoor work that has to be done that I am up to my eyebrows (literally) with weeds and the like.

Plus, I am trying to regularly attend a weekly school for Toby, my dog.

Even though I have tried to give up cooking, eating and sleeping but can't seem to do it sooooooooo...
I am cutting back some more.

I WILL ONLY BE POSTING ORIGINAL PIECES, EACH MONDAY.  Hopefully things will slow down in the fall.  Please stay with me.  In July it will be a year since I started this blog and I would like to still have one by next July.           kt

#183-ARE YOU SMARTER THAN YOUR FOOT?

(THIS IS ANOTHER ONE THAT POSTED TOO EARLY...I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS SCHEDULING APP?????)


Thank you Clenna for sending me this.  I have done it 6 times and I am absolutely amazed that this happens.


OK, HERE YOU GO GUYS...TRY IT:

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN YOUR  FOOT?

You have to try this. It is absolutely true.

I guess there are some things that the brain cannot handle.

It takes two seconds.

It is from an orthopedic surgeon. This will confuse your mind

and you will keep trying over and over again to see if you can

outsmart your foot but, you can't. It is pre-programmed in your brain!

This is for those of you (like me) who looked
 up at your clock only to find it was a digital;
and then had to run to another room to find a
standard clock so you would know
which direction is clockwise.

    1. While sitting at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

    2.  Now, while doing this, draw the number 6 in the air with your right hand.  Your foot will change direction! 

I told you so! and there's nothing you can do about it. You and I both know how funny it is but before the day is done you are going to try it again.  If you've not already done so.

...Isn't this a HOOT!



Now try this one:






Six Truths in Life


1.  You cannot stick your 
tongue out and look up at the 
ceiling at the same time,
a physical impossibility due to
the tendons within your neck.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*


2.  All idiots, after reading #1 will try it.


3.  And discover #1 is a lie.


4.  You are smiling now because you are an idiot.


5.  Soon you will send this to another idiot.


6.  There is still a stupid smile on your face.


I sincerely apologize about this but, I'm an idiot and I needed company.
Actually, right now I am smiling too as I am picturing you all doing this.
Thanks again, Clenna. 
kt 3/2011

#181-RANDOM QUESTIONS

FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT ON BLOGSPOT THERE IS A WEIRD RANDOM QUESTION SECTION THAT DOES JUST THAT, GENERATES RANDOM QUESTIONS THAT ARE WEIRD.  IT IS THE QUESTIONS THAT MAKE ME WONDER ABOUT THE PERSON OR PERSONS COMING UP WITH THEM.  WHAT ON EARTH IS THE PURPOSE OF THESE QUESTIONS?  ARE THERE PEOPLE OUT THERE CHAMPING AT THE BIT TO RISE TO THE BATE? (Is that a mixed metaphor?)  I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW THESE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED.  SO, I GUESS THAT MEANS THAT I ACTUALLY HAVE TO READ ALL THE PROFILES OF THE BLOGGERS I FOLLOW.  OK... ... ...BE RIGHT BACK!


60 minutes later... ... NOPE!  Nobody answered any random questions.  No surprise there! I mean, take a look at them. Can you come up with any answers to these dumb questions?  For that matter can you come up with any reasons for having these questions on a profile in the first place?  Here is a sampling of some of the questions and my feeble attempt to answer them  (FYI: since I wrote this I did find 1 person who answered one of the questions):


1.  You can punch a hole in an apple using a straw. How do you think that makes your milkshake feel?
 I would be more concerned about how my apple felt having a foreign object jabbed into its side.  The more serious question is what if I sucked on the straw and inhaled the little core!  Would the straw be sorry?          
2.  Try writing your name with your other hand. Where was that person raised?
That's obvious.  I was "left" out in the cold and raised by squirrels (I have been called squirrelly often).

3.   Which is easier to make a model airplane out of and why: a banana peel or a wet sock?
Both!  Each of them can fly a long distance when thrown.  And they both would make a terrific "splat" as they impacted the head of who (or is it whom) ever they struck.
4.  If your whole body was a hot air balloon would you stop eating spicy food?
Depends if I want to go up higher or gradually float back to earth.  With my gastric problems this is something I would have to consider carefully (or I could be on my way to the moon).

5.  Which is more important to you and why: flexibility or expandability?

BOTH are equally important particularly if we are talking about my jeans.

6.  The first time you had your shoes taken off - how surprised were you to see that you still had toes?
The first time I had my shoes taken off I was probably too young to know.  After all, I used them for sucking on and probably thought they were, ahhh, something else.

7.  If you could peer far enough into the night sky, you'd see a star in any direction you looked. When would you sleep?

So!  Who cares?  Been there done that. And,  since it would have to be night time to see the stars I assume I go to sleep after I got through boring myself to death by looking at the stars ALONE.
  

8.  The squish of mud between your toes; how would you live your life as a frog?
 I love the squish of mud between my toes.  I would spend my time on a lilly pad trying to catch lightening bugs (to see them light up my belly to make me laugh).

9.  You forgot your mom's birthday! What can you make out of super glue and olive pits?

Mom's are easy.  My mother LOVED what ever I made her.  My suggestion would be to glue the pits onto her FAVORITE pillow sham in the shape of a heart.  And I wouldn't forget to sign it, "I LOVE YOU," with a sharpie.  (No, I swear, I never did that... ... ... exactly).

10. How is an ankle unlike a consequence? 

I saved this for last because it is the hardest.  An ankle is not a consequence because it is a sequence.  A sequence of bones... ... ...and the foot bone connected to the ankle bone, and the ankle bone connected to the leg bone... ...Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones... ... ...

DON'T ROLL YOUR EYES AT ME!  THINK YOU CAN DO BETTER?  HAVE AT IT!
kt 3/2011

#170-I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

WOW!  I HAVE 100 FOLLOWERS!

What does this mean to me?  Well, it means that there are at least 50 people out there who are Out of their Minds too!  But, most of all, it means that someone out there actually likes me.

Why did I start blogging?  Hell Danged if I know!   I have been telling stories for years that made people laugh (often these people had a few drinks in them).  Also,  my daughter has continually encouraged  me to write these stories down.  But, I never did.  I used to love to write when I was MUCH younger,  but,  I just couldn't seem to do it.  Probably because I didn't have a computer.  I had one at in my classroom, but, that was not for personal use.

A year or so after I retired I bought myself a home computer.  And then found FACE BOOK!  Wow, a whole new world opened up and I suddenly had a pallet on which to write.  I found that I liked putting little (well long, and their prompts kept admonishing me)  stories on my home page.  The next thing I knew I was putting stories with parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc.  A running account of things that happen to me.  My daughter kept telling me that I needed to start a blog (probably because she was tired of me clogging up her home page).  

I was encouraged by one of my daughter's in-laws (and friend) who set me up with my first blog, on his site, in early summer of 2010.   By the way he has a great blog you might want to read:     The Last Word

I had a difficult time coming up with a name but family members have occasionally (ok, often) mentioned that I was out of my mind.  And then I had an epiphany and said to myself, that would work because this stuff I write comes from my mind, which makes this title true on two levels...yes, that'll work.  Then I went to visit my daughter later that same summer (2010) and she started me my own site (which I was sure I wouldn't be able to navigate...old dog new tricks mind set).  

When I started this I was certain that I would only have about 8 family members following (and 2 pity followers).  However, that's who I was writing for in the first place, With a blog I could write at length without getting scolded by a site program.   Then,  my daughter helped me run a giveaway.  She said that this would draw more people and once reading my blog I would acquire more followers.  Well, she was right, but I was conflicted over the fact that they may have only joined because her jewelry is fabulous.  And, this made me feel like a blog "Hoe" (trading favors for followers).  We've done 2 and I am not doing any more.  She does GREAT giveaways of  her own and I refer anyone who wants beautiful jewelry to go to her site:  Embracelets Design

Then something happened... I started to gather followers.  And, more amazingly, I stated reading the blogs of others.  If that wasn't fantastic enough, I became attached to many of the followers and found that I actually think of these relative strangers as friends.  That is when I started stressing out over pleasing them.  Worrying about my spelling,  syntax,  punctuation, my ability to get my point across, the frequency of my post, or the appropriateness of them.  I have always been the sort to be eager to please.   I diligently seek to never offend.  I have one post that has been sitting here for months because I can't seem to determine if it is OK.   The readers of my blog don't really know what a goof ball I can be.  But, my family does so, I didn't worry about writing for them.

That's when I pulled back and scolded myself, got feedback from my followers and decided to make a change.  I now know that I should write as though I was writing to those first 8 family members (and the 2 pity readers).  I should just be myself (who whom  who Ahhhhh, mannnnn lets go with whomever that is).  And, if I occasionally (ok frequently) mess up with the spelling etc....SO BE IT!  I should be me....pure (well, that's a stretch, but you get what I mean) and unvarnished.

Oh, yes, I got sidetracked.....Anyway, to my complete surprise, the number  of followers slowly climbed.  Then I found myself watching for number 100 (I even begged a few family holdouts who read occasionally, but haven't followed).  The numbers seemed to creep through the 90s then 100 finally came  on April 2nd (and I didn't have to blackmail anyone).

Thank you Siv Maria for being #100.  Wish I had a prize for you.  The best I can do is to ask my followers to check out your blog which is: Been there, done that.  (How come hers is purple?  The others were blue!)  Be sure to read her Monday, April 4th post (Change, Who Me?) because she has a picture of me (before my makeover).

Another SHOUT OUT goes to "M."  She just sent me instructions on how to embed a link.  I did manage to call up a few members of the C.R.A.P. (Computer Related Attacks by Poltergeists) squad when I had to go into HTML (scary isn't it...ME in HTML) and found (once I exited) that everything was blue and underlined?  So, her is her link too (I wonder what color hers will be?):                                                                                                                 

The Professionally Insane "M"   (hummmmm, purple.)  
(Well at least nothing else is purple or highlighted.  By George, I think I've got it....Whoopee!)  
(But this print is small but the "TT" says normal.  What's up with that?)  
(I'm leaving it just the way it is. I'm not messing with the poltergeists because it usually makes it worse).


Also, I am working on a blog to accept my 6th award from my family of followers, thanks to "M" above.  That will be coming up soon.


Finally, Thank you......ALL OF YOU (even the 2 pity followers)....... for putting up with me (and my little dots, red print,  poltergeists,  parenthesis w/italic, bold print, and the "ALL CAPS" shouting!)


LOVE FROM kt 4/3/11

#153-THIS OLD BROAD NOW HAS "STYLE!"

I'll look a lot more stylish as soon 

as I put my bra back on, my wig on, 

and my teeth in, but I ain't puttin'  

that darn girdle on!

The title of the award kind of stumped me, "The Stylish Blogger Award."  I have never been considered stylish in any sense of the word.  When I hear the word STYLISH I think of something that is attractive, elegant, smart or chic.  Then I look at my blog and say..."What... This?" I have a plain ole standard blogspot design, nothing new, nothing special.  I am afraid to change anything because I don't know in the #$!! Idid it in the first place.

So, I went to an online dictionary and looked up the word style and found that it can also mean: a particular manner or technique by which something is done, created, written or performed, as in a unique style.  Oh...well, that's different.  I am certainly one of a kind.  People have been telling me that for years.  Ok, now I can accept this award without feeling like a hypocrite!    Phew!

Wow!  Thank you, caterpillar (musingsnconfessions.blogspot.com) for the honor.  And, I might add congratulations because I see you not only received this award, but also the Metetastic award as well.  Good for you kiddo!

I think this is what blogging is all about.  No, not getting and giving awards but to provide a safe nourishing place for people of all different styles to express themselves.  As I have said many times before, it IS a kind of therapy.  We can say things to strangers that we can't say to those closer to us (and by extension those closer to us can get a a better glimpse into us by reading what we write to strangers).  Does that make sense?

I don't know where or how these awards originate.   I do believe that we need to support and encourage each other in every way we can.  I know how it makes me feel when I get one and I'm guessing I am not the only one who likes to get recognized.

I am supposed to share seven random facts about myself (and, incidentally each of these are topics for future blogs and are 100% true).

1.  I am not afraid of snakes and have been known to grab copperheads by the back of the neck.
2.  I once rescued an extremely large snapping turtle from the middle of a highway by making it latch onto my jumper cables and then dragging it to the ditch.
3.  I made my washing machine blow up by using my magnetic personality!
4.  I once fed dog kibbles to my father (watch for this one coming soon).
5.  I ran out of gas, one winter, on my way to work, with nothing on under my winter coat (I swear).
6.  I have been fortunate to have taken one of those hair raising Tijuana Taxi rides to a bull fight.
7.  I have had the experience of being in three fairly major earthquakes (not the SF one).

Now, for the hard part.  With my last award I had a very difficult time deciding how to pick the recipients and ended up cutting the 5th one up into pieces and sending a part to almost every blogger I read.  Some bloggers already have so many they have stopped accepting these awards.  AND PLEASE DO NOT FEEL THAT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE.  IT IS TOTALLY UP TO YOU!

Again, this is me making up my own rules (no surprise there).  I say share if you want to, but you don't have to answer a darned question, or list one single random fact if you don't want to.  But it would be nice if you at least sent it on to a few bloggers you want to encourage.

Here are my 5 (in no particular order) and they are all blogs I recommend you check out:

• driftwoodramblings.blogspot.com
• megnificentlife.blogspot.com
• oklahomasmalltowngirl.blogspot.com
• perfectionmoreorless.blogspot.com
• hiccup-in-time.blogspot.com

kt 3/2011

#149- DULDRUMS: A STATE OF OR PERIOD OF INACTIVITY, STAGNATION, OR SLUMP

DISCLAIMER:  This is not one of my usual posts. But, I have been doing some heavy thinking and it's wearing me down.  Therefor I decided to share (after all this IS my therapy.  I guess that makes you guys my shrink).  If you choose to read on then you AUTOMATICALLY enlist as a "guest shrinks" and are expected to ride this out with me.


It is Tuesday, March 1st and I am sitting at my computer reading over all of the February comments I  received.  You see, I have been thinking about when the end will come.  No, Silly, NOT THAT!  I could care less about leaving this earth behind.  I was thinking about this blog.

My mind has been... ...(can't think of the word I want)... ... but I have been experiencing the...(I got it)... DOLDRUMS.  Perhaps this has been caused by the long, bleak, dreary, dismal, miserable, wretched, saturnine (look it up), frigid, snowy, winter. (See the depth of my condition?)  Perhaps it is because I reached my 70th birthday without achieving something extraordinary (like being national teacher of the year).  Perhaps it is because I am always late for everything (and just now experiencing a mid-life crisis).

Ahhhhhh, Mannnnnn, I knew it!  I answered all but 2 with YES.
On #1 my hair is already totally white (I perfer to call it platinum blond).
On #6 (as you know) I just got a tattoo.

I need to recharge, get away, to something new besides body art!  But, I can't right now.  My dad needs me here.  He would be gone in three months if I put him in a nursing home (not to mention that we can't afford it).  I could go sky diving (there is a place only an hour away from here).  I could take scuba diving classes (there's a place only 30 minutes from here).  But what if I flame out or bubble up, who will take care of Dad?

Ok, Charlie pull the chord...
Charlie....Charlie....oh, $#*!

When I was teaching I would recharge every summer and greet the first day of school with all kinds of ideas and enthusiasm.  My promise to myself was that I would retire from teaching when it became hard for me to get pumped back up.  My promise was to quit teaching when it stopped being fun (and I kept that promise).

I have made the same promise to myself about this blog.  These last two weeks I have been worried that the time has already come.  I haven't felt particularly humorous lately (and that is what my blog is all about..sharing the the humor in my life).  I guess I bit off more than I can chew.  I shouldn't have tried to post daily but, everything I read about blogging said that daily post were necessary (that is if one wanted to have someone to read the blog and leave the nourishing comments).  I spend HOURS developing posts (and reading comments) and then more HOURS reading the posts of others and commenting (after all if one says they are a follower then they should follow...right?).  I am finding that I am up later and later, trying to keep up.

Will I burn out if I keep this pace up?  Maybe that is what I am experiencing.  Another fear I have is that I will run out of things to write about about which to write (oh bother, I worry about that kind of stuff too). 

So, I am in a quandary.  I know that with spring and summer coming soon I will want to get outside, do more, visit my daughter, and on and on.  Therefore I need to cut back, but where?

Maybe go to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday posting schedule would help.  But, I love the Sunday's Song (so that has to stay).  Plus, I like Thursday's Therapy because I get to respond to the comments of others (however that is one of the harder posts to do and it takes me longer and gets more visits from the C.R.A.P. team).  I guess Totally Tubular Tuesday's could move to Wednesday (but, that is such a cool name for a post.  What could I call it if it moved to Wednesday?).  Friday Flash backs will stay for now as they are (obviously) the easiest ones to do (and they give me a chance to recycle some of my better posts to new readers).  Saturdays can be dropped because that is when I get the least traffic.  Ohhhh, mannn, this kind of thinking is a real bummer (I don't get headaches, but if I did I would be having one right now).


I guess I need to figure out why I am writing this blog in the first place.  Why would I want more readers or to even keep the readers I have?  Has this become an ego thing?  I HOPE NOT!

I started this blog because my daughter suggested that I write some of the stuff down that I share when I visit with her (face to face, on FB or over the phone).  She would crack up (but she has to, she's my daughter and she loves me).  


Then I thought it would be nice for me to write some of my stories down for my grandchildren to have as my gift to to them.

But, now, I seem to be writing more for YOU, my readers.  Although the subject matter is still about my goofy interactions with this world we live in, I have found that pleasing YOU has become more important to me.  My daughter laughingly called me a blog "ho" because your comments are a big payoff for me (I guess that would make my daughter my pimp because she started me off on this).  Actually, I think I am addicted (and before I "Sheen" I think I should take action).
No, I am not fishing for pats on the back, or encouragement, because you guys are already good about that.  However, if you have any suggestions, just spit it out.

After going through all of this I have made one decision...(see the therapy helps) I will be dropping  Thursday and Saturday.  Starting today I will let Friday's post hang over into Saturday and Wednesday's post hang over into Thursday. (Boy, I feel better already.)  I will make other decisions when spring finally gets here and maybe my funny bone will start tickling me once more (if I have to I will wash my feet in the basin again [see #47], maybe glue something else to the floor [see #148], pull another one of my Tim Taylor routines [see #138], or whatever I have to do to recharge).  I will probably post this several Saturdays so everyone can find out about my concerns and my new schedule.


Phew (3 hours later), I'm done!  Now I have Saturday, and Thursday to recharge.

kt 3/2011