NEW LESSONS FOR OLDER FOLKS
Tap to pay
Video games to play
Streaming shows
Where did my favorites go?
Bits and bytes
Are my accounts alright?
Trying  to learn as days go by
But some days I just roll my eyes 🙂
HAVE A SAFE SUMMER EVERYONE 🙂
Writing is a bit of an oxymoron for some folks like me who are private by nature yet have something to say. Non-fiction can be fun. Researching and chasing facts down rabbit holes to maintain integrity and respect as an author is important, no matter how small a detail is. The same can be said for fiction. I believe that any writing reveals parts of our own psyche, a glimpse into our minds and hearts that may not be revealed otherwise. Life experiences can weave their way into a characters motive and motivation while research can provide other parts of the equation that make up a story or find a resolution. For shy or quiet folks it can be intimidating to try to express themselves in certain genres. For me that is poetry. I feel vulnerable writing and sharing poetry allowing readers to peek inside my heart to see what makes me tick. Yet, I have no other way to let myself be known so I try to put emotions into words. Whether or not it works remains to be seen.
My idea is to share some of my poetry here if for no other reason than to have a change of pace. It is my hope that some people may enjoy it. I will begin next month and see how it goes. In the meantime stay safe and warm. I value all of you who check in. Feel free to say hello !
A quick and heartfelt thanks to everyone who follows me on my website and social media. I’ve been sidelined for a bit with an injury and am trying to get back on track with my writing projects. Â Looking forward to more learning adventures while teaching others and wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe 2025 !
Hi Everyone:
It’s been a busy few weeks and I am working on several new projects at the same time. My goals include continued research into scams and providing hints and tips for protecting yourself and loved ones from the never ending threats to personal security.
I have two writing projects I am working on, one fiction and one non-fiction and both are being juggled weekly. I am venturing outside of my comfort zone and submitting some of my work for publication in various platforms.
Last, but not least, I am considering expanding my posts to include book reviews, creative challenges faced by authors, and upcoming events and classes. In the meantime I hope everyone has a safe summer. Stay tuned for more updates soon !
Got a scam story to tell? Need help with a fraud situation? Don’t know where to turn  to or who to trust for advice? The Federal Trade Commission wants to hear from you. You don’t have to wait till March 6-12 to ask questions. They’re available for assistance whenever you’d like. Don’t wait – investigate with those who are in the know.
It has been a busy spring. I’ve been working on my poetry book and updating info for my ongoing classes including a new course I’ll be teaching in the fall on how to create a recipe book with or without a computer. In order to keep material and ideas fresh and interesting it is helpful to look back on what I have learned from my students. Each class experience provides valuable insights into the learning/teaching process, and I am grateful to all of my students for their feedback and participation.
I am very excited to be working closely with Upijata Arts (http://Upijataartscompany.org ) this year to assist them in reaching their goals of working with children on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Please see prior posts on this wonderful organization and consider a donation of any kind to help them nurture and encourage creativity in young children. I’ll be posting updates along the way.
Last, but not least, I appreciate everyone who supports and encourages my work both on and offline. Here’s to a safe and happy summer season for everyone!
A new year is fast approaching, and I’ve already booked several dates for classes and lectures throughout 2023. I will be teaching Hands-Only CPR, Lucid Dreaming:Another Altered State of Mind, An Attitude of Gratitude Journal Writing, an updated scam prevention lecture, and a how-to make your own recipe book class featuring delectable treats and meals. Stay tuned for dates and times once I receive confirmations. In the meantime, feel free to browse through prior posts.
In addition to teaching, I have several writing projects in the works that require a different mindset for each one. From poetry to a memoir to a potential mystery based on true facts, the words and ideas are swirling and making their way onto paper and into notebooks.
I would like to thank everyone who stays in touch and reads my posts here and on Facebook. I appreciate each and every one of you. Please enjoy the holidays and stay safe. Looking forward to updating you in 2023!
I am very pleased to announce the dates and times of my upcoming classes for the rest of 2022. I have some new proposals for additional classes in 2023 and will post here once plans are finalized. Links are available on the sidebars and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Per agreement with host facilities some classes are hybrid and instructions are sent once you have enrolled. Thank you for your support!
LUCID DREAMING: ANOTHER ALTERED STATE OF MIND
Master The Possibilities: September 16 and December 2, 2022, 9:00-10:30 AM
In-Person http://www.masterthepossibilities.org
Senior Learners Institute: November 15, 2022, 1:30 PM – 3 PM
HYBRID Class http://www.seniorlearners.org
HANDS-ONLY CPR
Master The Possibilities: October 7, 2022, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
In-Person http://www.masterthepossibilties.org
DON’T MISS MY ANNUAL ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE JOURNAL WRITINGÂ CLASS!
Master The Possibilities: November 18, 2022, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
In-Person .www.masterthepossibilities.org
Yep! That’s me beneath some beekeeper gear. A few years ago, I took a “Beekeeping 101” course and learned some fascinating facts about honeybees. For example, the bees keep their hive at a steady temperature of about 95 degrees year-round in order to keep the Queen and workers safe and productive. A Queen bee lives between 1 – 2 years while workers live about a month. They fly up to 6 miles a day at a speed of around 15 mph and their wings beat approximately 11,400 per minute – buzz buzz!
What about honey? Did you know that fake honey has flooded the marketplace for years? Commercially produced honey is often diluted with additives such as corn and rice syrup and ultra-filtered, a process that removes valuable nutrients and enzymes. The end product is then labeled “pure”, a deceptive practice that misleads consumers and violates many safety standards set forth in the United States. Here’s some simple tips to avoid the fakes and enjoy the tastes of nature’s sweet treat.
Beekeepers and informed consumers say the same thing – BUY LOCAL!
Natural, unadulterated honey should contain pollen from local sources. It’s worth the trip to a farmer’s market or neighborhood beekeeper for a quality product.
Read the label. Any mention of high fructose means something has been added to change the purity.
Real honey is not runny when touched. Dip your finger in a sample and check the consistency. It shouldn’t change from thick to thin.
Talk to sellers and ask questions. A little knowledge can go a long way.
Many readers are mesmerized by the words of others. Writing is a solitary and often times frustrating endeavor. In today’s techno world not only do writers have to be concerned with plagiarism and copyright infringement issues, but they also are being targeted by scammers and hackers looking to capitalize on the sheer joy of an author finishing their first novel or a seasoned writer hoping to celebrate the sale of a beloved manuscript they’ve worked on for years. Fake contracts, empty promises, and illegal transactions are now unsolved mysteries waiting to be unraveled while the careers, hopes, and dreams of many aspiring scribes are being jeopardized by unscrupulous cons.
Fortunately, there is a dedicated group of people who are helping to spread awareness of scams geared towards writers of all mediums – blogs, articles, short stories etc. As someone who has experienced potential issues of copyright infringement, I am very grateful for people like Victoria Strauss and her staff whose efforts provide writers like myself a place to learn and grow and safeguard our valuable written works. Please visit the very informative Writer Beware website and blogs to stay informed and thanks to everyone for all you do to keep writers safe and aware!