A zip-ah-dee-do-dah day on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

“I believe gender is a spectrum, and I fall somewhere between Channing Tatum and Winnie the Pooh.” Stephen Colbert

“The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.” Gustave Flaubert

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, the man who at best knows achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Hello Diary,

It is a Saturday morning and a lovely fall morning… some more warm weather in the future but summer gradually giving way to fall and soon ole Jack Frost will come visiting… 🙂 have been busy preparing to make sure all is ready for winter… taking a break in the activities to leave a few thoughts…

As I have spoken in the past, change is under way on the path in many forms… fall has arrived and the weather and climate was typical and had a pleasant sunrise…

Can see a bit of shallow fog as the ground is being warmed by the morning sun, also the atmosphere is just right and one can see what is known as Contrails (vapor trails of aircraft engines) in the distant sky… another photo of Contrails below…

Humans in their flying machines crossing each others paths as they seek out their destinies, wherever that might take them… 🙂 were able to photo the morning sun as it were shinning through the trees…

The change in the color of the leaves are just getting started here… Standing in the same place, I turned around 180 degrees and because of the clear atmosphere, were able to clearly see the moon….

Were able to see the sun and the moon at the same time… cool, eh??? 🙂 as I turned the corner of the house, I got another surprise…

That is not a Halloween decoration, that is a real spider web put there by a live spider… I was able to see it because of the angle of the sun and the mass in the center of the web…at night it would have been near impossible to see without a light of some kind… the web was approximately three feet across at the center, I could not get a good picture of the spider as it were hiding, but guessing the spider were about 4 inches across… the webs will become more numerous this fall and one will have to watch carefully when walking, especially at night… 🙂

There are other changes in the winds here on the path also and one is my eating and cooking… I am by myself so difficult to cook without having waste, but I am able to make progress… not only am I able to eliminate waste, but also eat healthy, reduce cost and carbon emissions … I will go into detail another time..

When I see waste, I think of all those (especially the children) that will go hungry and by me shopping smartly and reducing waste, perhaps some of what would have been waste will go to those needy instead of the waste disposal plant…

“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.” Helder Camara

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” Maya Angelou

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa

I am also a sustaining monthly donor to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and my donations help prepare 100 meals a month for the needy…

So, perhaps by making a few changes here on the path least traveled I can help me, and in turn help someone else who could use a friend and maybe make the world a little better place for them… 🙂

“When a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy the friend by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.”

Well, I had better close now, will have a somewhat relaxing weekend making plans, chasing dreams, looking for new adventures while venturing down the path least traveled… But I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise… 🙂

It is a pleasant morning to a zip-a-dee-doo-dah day so we will pick up the pace a little when doing our walking and there is only one song I can think of that will fit in… So, Diary, put on your walking shoes and lets start walking on down the path!… 🙂

Dinner, cycling and only if you want to on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

“Anyone can achieve their fullest potential… who we are might be predetermined, but the path we follow is always of our own choosing. We should never allow our fears or the expectations of others to set the frontiers of our destiny. Your destiny can’t be changed but, it can be challenged. Every man is born as many men and dies as a single one“. -Martin Heidegger

“Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it’s not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. it’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.” – Barack Obama

Hello Diary,

Middle of the week, a big shift in the weather pattern they say, so preparing for that… thought I would take a break in the days activities and leave a few thoughts, a little of this and a little of that…
Summer was staying around the first part of the week with warm, humid, rainy weather with a few storms….. knowing pleasant weather were on the horizon worked on indoor projects and chores so I could be free for working outdoors… one of the chores I did were preparing the meals for the rest of the week…

Put the meals back in the freezer and all I have to do is take one out and put in the microwave… don’t have to be concerned about cooking rest of the week… clever, eh? 🙂 Of course, with rainy weather and the approach of winter, it generally means a slow down in activity, a slow down in exercise… for me, it doesn’t for I have a routine established for indoors and I can do it any time of the day, any day of the week, any time of the year… one exercise I do is Tai-Chi..

Not only is it a good exercise, but it also helps with blood flow, balance and inner health and relaxing, like meditation, and I do it while listening to relaxing music… and I can ride my bike year around, read a book while cycling, listen to music or even meditate… I purchased this stationary bike a few years ago at a garage sale..

It don’t have all the fancy add-ons like today’s bikes, but me and that ole bike has been around the world and still going.. 🙂 and there are gym type exercises like sit-ups, pull-ups, touch toes, etc.. Well I don’t have a gym and it is difficult to get down and up off the floor so I made something that would simulate them all.. I took a shelf bracket, a pulley, a piece of rope and a handle and attached it to the wall…

I attached the handle to one end of the rope and devised a way to attach bricks to the other end…

I can add or take away bricks to adjust the weight.. I curl my hands around the handle, hold tight against my chest about shoulder height (just above my breasts).. I normally lean forward like I am going to touch my toes but I can also twist, etc… the weight produces added resistance and helps to strengthen muscles, reduce fat, etc… and again, I can do it in the comfort of my home, listening to music if I wish… 🙂

The following is a picture of the wall in the utility room…

And next is a picture of the wall in the bathroom…

One might ask “what do those pictures have to do with anything”.. Well, the bathroom and utility room are on opposite ends of the house.. I know the distance in feet between the bathroom wall and the utility room wall.. If I walk from the utility room wall to the bath room wall and back to the utility room wall, and I repeat the walk 11 times, I will walk a little over 1/4 mile… so irregardless of the weather, I can still have a leisurely walk, maybe read a book, listen to music, etc… 🙂

In March 2018 I had my annual physical, took a number of tests, passed everything, got the thumbs up… the doctor said “whatever I am doing for physical and mental health fitness, it is working, keep it up” and that is what I am doing… 🙂

So you see, Diary, one doesn’t have to venture to a club, gym or organization, spend a lot of money or wait for good weather to exercise or meditate…. for a brief period in time, stop the world and get off, some “me” time, take the first step, then another.. it is just like learning how to ride a bicycle… 🙂

And don’t say you don’t have enough time, Diary..

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time, you have exactly the same number of hours per day that where given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Theresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, etc.” H. Jackson Brown Jr.

And don’t say you cannot, Diary…

“If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right”. Mary Kay Ash

And only if you want to, Diary..

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Find out who you are and be that person. That’s what your spirit was put on this Earth to be. Find that truth, live that truth and everything else will come.” Ellen DeGeneres

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow them.” Louisa May Alcott

“No road is too long for him who advances slowly and does not hurry, and no attainment is beyond his reach who equips himself with patience to achieve it.” Jean de La Bruyere

Well, better close and get on with the day, see what adventures lie ahead on the path, what challenges I may encounter and what destiny has instore for me… But I shall return one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

You can do it, Diary, but only if you want to… 🙂

The winds of change and two for the road on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

Every morning brings new life and the possibility of a new ending..“No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” Maria Robinson

The calm that comes with morning light.
Lying here… from an untroubled night.
Alone, awake after restful sleep.
No tears left, no tears to weep.

Dreaming where dreams were never seen.
Free from all that might have been.
By myself with a pristine heart,
to begin again; a brand new start.

No more fear as I arise.
No sadness here to burn my eyes.
Only peace to guide my way.
No more guilt to mar the day.

My spirit rises in the sun,
as life again has just begun.
(Francis J Grasso )

Hello Diary,

It is a late Sunday, near the first of the week, summer is finally moving off for another year and fall is gradually taking over.. Last week the temperatures were near 90F degrees, this week around 70F degrees… a bit rainy today so doing minor tasks and making a “to do” for outdoors later this week… taking a break at the moment, thought I would leave a few thoughts… another sign of fall is the picking up the pace of harvest when weather permits…

The harvest of corn and the tilling of fields happening at the same time… another sign of fall is the falling of leaves on the increase…

Will need to check out the leaf gathering equipment… 😦

Fall usually means the mosquito season is nearing a end with the colder air.. The Dept. of Agriculture set up a program called Invasive Mosquito Program to monitor mosquitoes for diseases and to hope to prevent the spread of diseases.. It were originally designed for schools to monitor but some schools could not so folks like me volunteered to monitor mosquitoes and the schools in the area would get the credit…

I designed a oviposition cup out of a plastic cup and container and used a brown coffee filter to collect any eggs…

Every 7 days (to prevent hatching) I would collect the filters (replaced with new filters) and let the used filters dry… I would then use my little hand held USB microscope…

And I would scan the coffee filter for any eggs….

I would then download the projects website..

And fill out the form with the data that I found…

And if I found some eggs…

Not only would I put that data on the form, but I would send the egg sample (in a sealed zip-loc bag) to the projects headquarters so they could attempt to hatch the eggs to determine the type of mosquito and if there are any diseases… this process is repeated every 7 days in hopes of preventing and diseases from spreading…

Yes, the winds are bringing change but all that means is one door in life is closing and another is opening…

Winds of Change…

I watched that heavy door begin to close,
all the while the winds above me rose.
The years whisper and whistle back into my ear,
the memories haunted by sorrows and fear.

With a new day it finally dawned on me,
the past needed locking and I had the key.
Leave it behind, leap and fly away free,
let the winds of change blow and carry me.

Feel them lifting my wings now able to soar,
up to an open sky and caged no more.
Flying so fast to where no hurt can find,
a place of peace now inhabits my mind.

This heart full of courage never ceases to beat,
knowing my history is not destined to repeat.
Clear paths now lead me to a new destination,
for my life, my future and the next generation.
(Kelly Deschler )

“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last chapter.”

That being said, the moral to this post and all the others is, what I do is nothing special, anyone with a open mind and heart, and willing to explore life can do it!!… 🙂

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time, you have exactly the same number of hours per day that where given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Theresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, etc.” H. Jackson Brown Jr.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” -Mother Teresa

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.” T.S. Eliot

Well, better close for now… need to prepare for change, chase a rainbow, follow my dreams and prepare for the next adventure on the path least traveled…. going to be busy, busy, busy!!! 🙂 … but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise.. 🙂

What do you say, Diary, care to join me on the journey and it will be two for the road (or in this case path) and it doesn’t have anything to do with alcohol… 🙂

I have a poem I penned years back that kind of goes along with the theme of the song… 🙂

A Kipling I know I’m not
I know that from the start,
No eloquent words here
Just words of love, from the heart.

Nothing cute or fancy…
No false charmers words here,
But words of undying love for you
From my heart, my very spirit…. my dear.

Couldn’t find the words for some time
Searched every book and song,
Until that wonderful precious day
That YOU came along.

Now that I have the words
What’s this ole country boy to do,
How will these arthritic hands
Say those precious words to you.

It will have to be done right, you know
And I know I will find a way,
To say how much I Love You more
With every heartbeat, each and every day.

There will be no falsehoods or lies for you, dear one
No meaningless empty words, cute or clever,
For I would rather you love me for just one day
Than to hate this ole country boy forever.
( Larry “Dutch” Woller, )

“I have a greater peace of mind by being straightforward and truthful about myself, with open heart, knowing the outcome being uncertain, rather than to wake up tomorrow morning and have to deal with a falsehood I told yesterday.” (Larry “Dutch” Woller )

No hate, no fear, just living and let live on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

Never say I love you
If you really don’t care,
Never talk about feelings
If they really aren’t there

Never hold my hand
If your going to break my heart
Never say your are going to
If you don’t plan to start

Never look into my eyes
If all you do is lie
Never say hello
If you really mean goodbye

If you really mean forever
Then say that you will try
Never say forever
Cause forever makes me cry
(Virginia Weathers)

Hello Diary,

It is near end of the week and a warm one it was… summer not wishing to leave yet… more fall like weather on the horizon, a indication that summer may be moving on… another fall indicator is the dry air and harvest starting…

One can see the corn is near ready ( on the left), the beans harvested and ground being tilled and one can see the objects and tree line in the distance, that is miles away though they look more close…….

That being said, ventured to the post office the other day to get the mail and encountered a couple of individuals who happen to be closed minded and opinionated having a discussion.. the subject matter was immigration/refugees.. they were ridiculing other folks religion based solely on their mindset.. the confronted me about it, knowing that I am not into religion… what they did not know was over the past several years I were a member of a number of national and international forums in which we discussed several issues in a civilized manner, one of which was religion..

In order to have some knowledge of what I were talking about, I started a small reference library and in that library I have three religious books, the Christian Bible, the Jewish Torah and the Muslim Koran..

I promptly corrected them on a few things and being bit upset by being corrected,

“Sometimes it is best to keep ones mouth shut and appear stupid, rather than open it and remove all doubt”.. Mark Twain

One of them turned to me and ask me why I were wearing earrings.. I told him “because I can”… he then ask me why I got long hair and I said “because I like shade”.. 🙂 that ended the conversation and they left, which were a good thing because, while I will not hesitate to have a conversation with someone, I do not know how much time I have left in this mortal world and I am not going to waste very much of it trying to talk to someone who doesn’t wish to listen… 🙂

As for the refugees/immigrants, were it not for a close minded individual, or group of closed minded individuals, creating a hostile, dangerous environment in the name of something, those people would not be refugees/immigrants but living and following their dreams at home.. While there may be a small percentage that will take advantage of the circumstances, I will not turn my back on the majority nor will I separate a child from the mother!!.. 🙂

As for me, it is my life, I am the only one that can live it, I will only have one try at it, so I am just being me (no labels, not trying to make a statement), I am what I am and that is all that I am, following dreams with an open mind and heart.. 🙂

“I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief” Gerry Spence

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.”  Mahatma Gandhi

“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary” Steve Jobs

“ The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own, no apologies or excuses.. No one to lean on, rely on or blame.. The gift is yours, it is an amazing journey, and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” Bob Moawad

And my thought process happens to lean towards more the feminine nature…

“I believe gender is a spectrum, and I fall somewhere between Channing Tatum and Winnie the Pooh.” Stephen Colbert

And while I take care of myself internally (both physical and mental), I also take care of myself in appearance… here getting ready to do some errands…

That being said, I do not, repeat DO NOT, go to Wal-Mart and demand to use the ladies restroom… 🙂 I am just living and enjoying life following my feelings and heart and if that makws me different, than color me different… 🙂

Different…..

How are we so “different”?
If “different” is just a thing.
If we all have certain features,
What does “different” bring?

People filled with hatred,
Can’t possibly see,
That there’s not really “differences”
Between you and me.

Looks can’t show “difference”,
If they’re just there to be seen.
If you don’t look like someone else,
Why are they so mean?

If being “different” is what is wrong,
I’d rather not be right.
And I’d want to finish living,
Doing the “different” fight.
(Vincen Tabatha)

Enough of that and better close for now, finish the week, a relaxing weekend ahead chasing rainbows and contemplating dreams… but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

Don’t know how much more time I have left in this mortal world but will be following dreams and chasing rainbows till me and this mortal world part and will be doing it my way… 🙂

Meditation and happiness on the path least traveled….

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

“I have a greater peace of mind by being straightforward and truthful about myself, knowing the outcome being uncertain, rather than to wake up tomorrow morning and have to deal with a falsehood I told yesterday.” (Larry “Dutch” Woller )

“I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

“I never say goodbye because goodbye sounds too much like forever and forever makes me cry”…. (Larry “Dutch” Woller )

Hello Diary,

Though Autumn is approaching (according to the calendar anyway.. 🙂 ) the summertime heat is refusing to give in with the temperatures hovering around 90 degrees with humidity.. at least not having the weather that those unfortunate folks on the east coast have… not overdoing here, just some minor tasks and chores… thought I would take a brief break from the activities and share some thoughts..

In the past I have talked about the fact that I do meditation and I have had folks ask me how I do it, so I thought I would share today… now, there are many forms of meditation as there are people that do meditation but the object is the same, shut out the world and connect with ones inner-self.. Some types are;

Transcendental Meditation, or TM…
You make up a mantra (a saying of some type). You then sit quietly, close your eyes, and repeat your mantra for about 20 minutes, a couple of times a day.

Mindfulness Meditation…(lotus position)
You do this by focusing on your breathing, and paying attention to its passage through your body…

Walking Meditation…
As you walk at a pace that feels comfortable to you, you focus your thoughts on your stride, your feet touching the ground and your breath.

Zen Meditation….
During Zen meditation, you sit in the lotus position, often on a small cushion, and focus on your posture and breathing.

Yoga….

One can search the internet or perhaps there are nearby clubs/organizations to help one decide what is best for them… I experimented and invented the right meditation method for me… first is the time to meditate.. I chose late afternoon/evening to do my meditation although I am flexible and circumstances may cause me to change at times… I chose to be at home also and I chose to create a environment for meditation so I gathered artificial flowers and other items to create a area about 5 feet by 5 feet in a corner of a room, off the beaten path…

And here is the complete area with chair.. There is also a paint by number painting under the cloth where I paint sometimes while relaxing…

It is difficult to concentrate while forgetting the outside world but it can be done with patience, time, practice and determination… I started out meditating for a few minutes and gradually build up the time… I used a digital timer that had a pleasant beep sound when my time was up..

Some folks listen to their breathing with eyes closed, some concentrate on an object, I chose to listen to soft, relaxing music, either listening to my recorder/MP3 player with my eyes closed..

Or my mini-tablet (I use the tablet on weekends to listen to relaxing music also)…

But I prefer the recorder with headphones as it helps do away with outside noises or distractions.. Soooooooooo, I have my little meditation garden set up ready to go, sooooooo I sit down, turn the soft music on, turn the timer on for however long, close my eyes and for a brief time in history, I shut out the world and connect with my spirit inner-self .. “It is not easy to find happiness within ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.” Agnes Repplier

and here is a not-so-good selfie of me meditating… 🙂

Again, the method I use may not work for everyone or anyone and one should choose a good time and place for solitude so they can shut out the rest of the world and connect with their inner-self, whatever best works for them, like everything else in life.. and to help the inner happiness, one should not forgot that which brings happiness from the outside…

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
Old Mother Nature’s recipes
That brings the bare necessities of life

If you act like that bee acts, uh uh
You’re working too hard
And don’t spend your time lookin’ around
For something you want that can’t be found
When you find out you can live without it
And go along not thinkin’ about it
I’ll tell you something true
The bare necessities of life will come to you
(The Jungle Book)

“Until you are happy with who you are, you will never be happy with what you have.”
Zig Ziglar

Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. No person will make you happy unless you decide to be happy. Your happiness will not come to you. It can only come from within you.
Ralph Marston

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

Well, I had better close, have some dreams to follow, rainbows to chase as I venture down the path before I can meditate.. but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

I listen to different music while meditating, so long as it is soothing… 🙂

A taste of Autumn and I’ll be seeing you on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

“Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man’s life is independent. He is born not for the development of the society alone, but for the development of his self.” B. R. Ambedkar

“Why do people talk of the horrors of old age? It’s great. I feel like a fine old car with the parts gradually wearing out, but I’m not complaining,… Those who find growing old terrible are people who haven’t done what they wanted with their lives.” Martha Gellhorn

Hello Diary,

Well, it is the weekend and have a relaxing weekend planned, enjoy life and chase a few rainbows… taking a break from chasing rainbows and thought I would pop in and share a few thoughts… unlike last weekend, this weekend is appearing to be a pleasant one, though a bit warm for the month of September… morning started off pleasant and quiet with a taste of fog…

Unlike some places where the weather is not so kind…. it is near middle of September and the first day of Autumn is a week away even though it is a bit warm outdoors… but there are signs of approaching autumn as I seen the squirrels storing their winter’s supply… also the leaves are starting to fall..

And near all the migratory birds and some other types of birds have left for the south, leaving it quiet here and the little sparrows and squirrels have the place to themselves… 🙂

And in spite of the rains and tropical like weather over the past few days, fall harvest is also beginning in some places…

So all creatures here are preparing for the fall and winter months to come…. I penned a few thoughts about the activity…

I set here with my tea
And watch the leaves a fallin’
It’s becoming clear that one day
Jack Frost will come a callin’

Most of my bird friends have went south
In the southern warmth they’ll stay
But I’ll not shed a tear in sorrow
For they’ll be back again some day

All us creatures that are staying behind
To deal with the cold and snow
Are getting our house in order
And waiting for winter’s blow

The squirrels are gathering leaves and such
To insulate their winters nest
The possum is checking every nook and cranny
To find a place for his winters rest

The bee’s are picking up the pace
Gathering nectar with the morning sun
Storing winter food for the hive
Before their work on earth is done

A spider spinning it’s web of silk
I watched as it grew and grew
Soon to become natures work of art
With tomorrow’s early morning dew

This poem could go on and on and on
But alas, I have things to do
For, like it or not, don’t you see
I need to get ready for winter too.
(Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Yes, change is coming… not only the seasons and the weather, but with the climate, social, etc and not only at this little part of the universe but the universe as a whole and all it contains…

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Barack Obama

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” John F. Kennedy

“It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.” Isaac Asimov

“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last chapter.”

“When someone tells you “you’ve changed”, it might be because you have stopped living your life their way”.. John Pence

Well, change or not, I had better venture on down the path least traveled… enjoy the day, follow my dreams and maybe even find a rainbow…. 🙂 but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

Not sure where or when, but no doubt I will be seeing you somewhere on down the path…. 🙂

I’ll Be Seeing You…
I’ll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through

In that small cafe
The park across the way
The children’s carousel
The chestnut tree
The wishing well

I’ll be seeing you
In every lovely summer’s day
In everything that’s light and gay
I’ll always think of you that way

I’ll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I’ll be looking at the moon
But I’ll be seeing you

I’ll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I’ll be looking at the moon
But I’ll be seeing you

It’s the way old friends do on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

“Everyday on the path least traveled brings change, that change presents a challenge, mentally and physically, as to how to accept it and deal with it, determines what I am to become, generates an excitement about living a second of time and looking forward to what the next second of time brings, looking forward to life and enjoying it.” (Larry “Dutch” Woller).

“A house that is built with patience, understanding and love will withstand the strongest winds of difficulties and conflict , a house built with haste and insincerity will collapse in a mere breeze of discontent.” (Larry “Dutch” Woller ).

Hello Diary,

Near middle of the week again, time is moving on.. pleasant weather at the moment, taking a break in the adventures on the path, popping in to leave some thoughts before venturing on down the path… the rainy season has stopped, more sunshine on the path…

Some light fog but can see far here on the prairies this morning… the tree line in the horizon is 10 kilometers and the clouds in the distance is around 60 kilometers… a far cry from the weather the folks out east are facing… a satellite view of Hurricane Florence taken early this morning…

They say it could be a Cat 5 hurricane when she hits land… as the saying goes; “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” so all you climate change deniers on the East coast take note… 🙂
A bit more about me before I finish (is that cheering I hear?? ..) I am also a monthly sustaining donor to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank to help those in need…

“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.” Helder Camara

And talking about helping colleges, I am also a sustaining donor to the University of Illinois to help the ladies and gents with their communications and support PBS…

Now, the reason I posted a little about me ( and documented) is there are an element of mankind who (in order to create a image) say they do but actually they don’t… I am not one of those people…. Not only do I “talk the talk, but I also walk the walk”… “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” (Larry “Dutch” Woller) 🙂

And it is about helping friends… everyone has friends, “Friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, it comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.” and some who have become close friends and confidants…
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” Elbert Hubbard,

And what is a friend?.. Well, I have posted these thoughts before, but will again…

“Portrait of a Friend”

I can’t give solutions to all of life’s problems, doubts,
or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will
search for answers.

I can’t change your past with all it’s heartache and pain,
nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can’t keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;
Yet I can share in your laughter.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge;
I can only support you, encourage you,
and help you when you ask.

I can’t prevent you from falling away from friendship,
from your values, from me.
I can only think of you, talk to you and wait for you.

I can’t give you boundaries which I have determined for you,
But I can give you the room to change, room to grow,
room to be yourself.

I can’t keep your heart from breaking and hurting,
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces
and put them back in place.

I can’t tell you who you are or who you will be
I can only love you and be your friend
(Adam Clarke)

“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Goodness knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that. E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web

And years back I found some more thoughts that could be about friends and friendship, it is about a dog but with a little imagination could easily be another creature or person who holds a special place in someones heart…

JUST MY DOG
He is my other eyes that can see above
the clouds;
My other ears that hear above
the winds.
He is the part of me that can
reach out into the sea.

He has told me a thousand times over that
I am his reason for being: by the way he
rests against my leg; by the way he thumps
his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he
shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.
(I think it makes him sick with worry when he
is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, he ignores it.
When I succeed, he brags.
Without him, I am only another person.
With him, I am all-powerful.
He is loyalty itself.
He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace.
He has brought me understanding
where before I was ignorant.
His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
His presence by my side is protection against
my fears of dark and unknown things.
He has promised to wait for me…
whenever…wherever–in case I need him.
And I expect I will–as I always have.
He is just my dog.
Author Gene Hill…

And remember, friendship (like any relationship) is not a one-way street, for the friend could use love and friendship also, so one should return what one receives…

“You shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.”
“When a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy the friend by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.”

Well, better close for now, can see the horizon with a pocket full of dreams so will let the heart lead and venture on down the path searching for my destiny.. But I shall return one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise….
Yes, friends forever, through thick and thin, good times and bad times, happiness and sorrow… Why you ask? because that is the way old friends do… 🙂

The Way Old Friends Do ABBA
You and I can share the silence
Finding comfort together
The way old friends d0

And after fights and words of violence
We make up with each other
The way old friends do

Times of joy and times of sorrow
We will always see it through
Oh, I don’t care what comes tomorrow
We can face it together
The way old friends do

You and I can share the silence
Finding comfort together
The way old friends do

And after fights and words of violence
We make up with each other
The way old friends do

Times of joy and times of sorrow
We will always see it through
Oh I don’t care what comes tomorrow
We can face it together
The way old friends do

We can face it together
The way old friends do

Every day I choose life, share with others and never walk alone on the path least traveled….

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

“Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain… To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices – today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it.” Kevyn Aucoin

“No, this is not the beginning of a new chapter in my life; this is the beginning of a new book! That first book is already closed, ended, and tossed into the seas; this new book is newly opened, has just begun! Look, it is the first page! And it is a beautiful one!”
― C. JoyBell C.

“The great beauty of life is its mystery, the inability to know what course our life will take, and diligently work to transmute into our final form based upon a lifetime of constant discovery and enterprising effort. Accepting the unknown and unknowable eliminates regret.” Kilroy J. Oldster

Hello Diary,

It is a rainy Saturday, over 4 inches of rain and still raining… not going to worry unless the little animals start lining up in the street 2 by 2.. 🙂 a relaxing day planned thought I would take a few moments to share a few thoughts… speaking of the weather, one of the other projects I have ( have been doing it since 2001) is every morning sending data to the National Weather Service… I log in to WXCODER…

I then enter the data and submit…

I also send the data to the METED weather office in England, UK..

A multitude of people all over the world use the information for weather and climate, to help others… and while I am venturing down the path I take note of the different types of birds that frequent the path and I share that with the girls and guys at Cornell University to help them further their education and also work on climate..

I do those things because I can, it helps me to keep active and in some small way I am helping others…

“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” William Penn

Enough of those thoughts for now.. dealing with cancer also means taking care of oneself and with me I can accomplish two things at once… the world knows I have long hair.. I have long hair for two reasons; #1. it helps protect my skin from the elements, #2. I like long hair.. 🙂 also, I have terrible brittle finger nails and have had issues with them in the past.. now I wear nails and protect them as the real nails grow underneath, and I have healthy pleasant looking hands…

Normally I wear my nails like the picture below..

But for now trying the French look (suggested by the girls I purchase the blank nails from)….

I have my own little salon here at home and “roll my own”, preferring pastels… 🙂

I can do all these things because I took the path of being different, I am not shackled by ideologies or beliefs or living someone else’s life… “I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief” Gerry Spence, so I venture down the path with a open mind, being lead by a open heart and viewing others by their words and deeds, who they believe they are or wish to be… and in spite of challenges, living life as it was meant to be for me…“The greatest challenge in life is to be our own person and accept that being different is a blessing and not a curse”.. Kilroy Oldster

Life Is Now….

Time flies, and memories fade.
People change and new friendships are made.
Only the true remain forever at our side.
Eventually the disappointment and pain will subside.

It is all about the journey and what has yet to come.
Life is what you make of it; you are what you’ve become.
Life is too short to hold onto regrets.
Forgiveness is key even though you may never forget.

Cherish the good and remove the bad.
Some people don’t realize till it’s gone what they’ve had.
Moving on is a way of life.
There will always be obstacles, pain, and strife.

You must believe that you are strong enough to fight.
You have to believe in yourself to do what is right.
Always do for YOU no matter what you do,
Because in the end the only one who has your back is you.

Never be afraid to take a stand,
And always be willing to lend a helping hand.
A little bit goes a long way.
All it takes is a smile to brighten someone’s day.

Your chance to live is now, so what are you waiting for?
The world is yours for the taking and so much more.
Endless possibilities are forever at your disposal.
The chance to live another day is life’s golden proposal.

Never let anyone tear you down,
And never let anyone steal your shine and make you frown.
So will you sit in the shadows and let darkness win again?
Or will you rise up and make the light your friend?
(Hollianne Boucher)

“My will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man’s doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze.. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny”. Elaine Maxwell

Well, I had better close for now, venture on down the path (though it is a wet one today.. 🙂 ).. Have some dreams to contemplate, perhaps write a poem or two or maybe just read stories of adventure with the Kindle and a spot of wine.. But I shall return again one day, Fate be willn’ and the creeks don’t rise…

“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” Louisa May Alcott

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”.

If you walk the path while following your dreams with a open heart, you will not worry about life’s storms and you’ll never walk alone… 🙂

When you walk through a storm
Keep your chin up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Tho’ your dreams
Be tossed and blown
Walk on
Walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Tho’ your dreams
Be tossed and blown
Walk on
Walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone

Mapping cancer and teaching the world to sing on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

“Any piece of knowledge I acquire today has a value at this moment exactly proportioned to my skill to deal with it. Tomorrow, when I know more, I will recall that piece of knowledge and use it better.” Mark Van Doren

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.”  Mahatma Gandhi

“Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man’s life is independent. He is born not for the development of the society alone, but for the development of his self.” B. R. Ambedkar

Hello Diary,

Near the middle of a warm and humid week, but still able to love and live life!.. Woke up on the green side of the grass (not under it) and ready for any challenges Fate may put in front of me… 🙂 have a load of laundry going, taking a break in the activities and thought I would share a few thoughts… I believe that in history’s past I mentioned the backyard lovebirds…

Well, it appear that now they have a family… the adult dove is in the center, the two young ones are on either side, learning how to eat…

Last Monday were a Labor Day holiday for the folks here in the USA and on the path least traveled, ham and beans with smoked sausage is a tradition ( the best tasting cholesterol in the universe.. 🙂 )…

I had cooked the beans and sausage some time ago,. Just needed to remove from the freezer and microwave… a little bit more about me… I have been around numerous people in history’s past (including my late wife) who have been, and still are, dealing with cancer… thus far I have not been affected, but with having been exposed to Agent Orange, that is a possibility… in either case, years back I joined a program called BOINC, a computer program produced by the University of Berkeley, California…

The object of the program is to gather volunteers with their computers, and allowing reputable scientists, researchers, etc use the computers of the volunteers to diagnosed a given amount of data… the organization I am part of is World Community Grid… there are approximately 700,00 volunteers worldwide at the moment…

The data program currently being used is “Mapping Cancer”…what happens is, the World Community Grid, through BOINC, sends data to my laptop, the laptop then analyzes the data and sends the information back to Grid in return for new data to be analyzed.. the process repeats itself and is ongoing… every morning I turn on my little laptop, open BOINC and let it continue its destiny..

And I turn it off when I go to bed… that is all that little laptop does… hopefully one day in the future it may find a way to help someone deal with cancer and perhaps even a cure… 🙂

“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” William Penn

I briefly browsed the news before coming here and I noticed the conflict and violence continues world over… sad that after all the centuries past, the human race is still not civilized and all that has been accomplished, is an improvement and update on the “club”…

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

In history’s past, I penned some thoughts about the issue…

Maybe No More Children Will Die

I set here looking at the news
The powers wanted peace they say,
And while they spoke, bombs were dropped
20 children died that day!

What’s wrong with this idea?
Why not give PEACE a try,
Let’s give it a go, everyone
Maybe no more children will die

Smiles on their faces, while shaking hands
Arms deals for defense would come into play,
A bomb went off in a crowded market
10 children died that day.

What’s wrong with this idea?
Why not give a world without bombs a try,
Let’s give it a go, everyone
Maybe no more children will die

A war to end all wars, they said
Yet to war they always return,
Death, destruction, suffering and pain
Won’t they every learn?

What’s wrong with this idea?
Let’s give LEARNING a try,
Let’s give it a go, everyone
Maybe no more children will die.

Anger versus anger, hate versus hate
Seeds sown by war at home and away,
Starvation , sickness, a mother in tears
More and more children die every day.

What’s wrong with this idea?
Why not give LOVE a try,
Let’s give it a go, everyone
Maybe no more children will die.
( Larry “Dutch” Woller, 9-17-08)

Well, laundry is finished, adventures and challenges waiting for me so I had better venture on down the path least traveled…but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise….

Instead of conflict, why don’t they try music… 🙂

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Plato

Portrait of a friend and hope on the path least traveled….

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

A tongue can accuse and carry bad news
The seeds of distrust, it can sow,
So unless you know the truth, that it is not hearsay
Be careful of stones that you throw.
(Larry “Dutch” Woller 6-10-2008)

Hello Diary,

A Sunday morning, bit on the warm and humid side… a relaxing day planned… it came to my attention that there are folks in cyberspace who would like to nominate me for this and that… while I am honored that one would feel my thoughts are worthy of such a honor, it is not my intention to share thoughts for such purposes so I will respectfully decline any nominations, etc… 🙂
“I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

That being said, a few more thoughts on a Sunday morning….

Contemplate and Wonder…

A peaceful Sunday Morning, watching the sun arise
Thoughts abound, while sipping on a spot of tea,
While taking in Nature’s summer portrait
Contemplating, on what Fate may have instore for me.

Change is slowly coming, it whispers in the winds
The door is slowly closing on past history,
With a new awakening with the mind and spirit
But the future is still shrouded in mystery.

With the freedom of being different, in many ways
No social shackles do this mortal wear,
Do welcome change with open mind and spirit
No fear, no worry or dread do I bear.

Does change stop at mortal death, one wonders
Or does it go on forever and ever,
Will I ask the same at another time and place
Somewhere past the 12th of Never?

Will thought and spirit continue
When, as in all things, time comes to an end,
Or does all things cease to be when
To the grave, the mortal body Fate does send.

Alas, but must deal with the present, this Sunday
So now will store thoughts and musings yet to be told,
For it’s down the path least traveled I do venture
To search and hopefully find….what life, and Fate, may behold.

( Larry “Dutch” Woller )

It has also come to my attention that I am not the only one on the path least traveled that likes flowers… it seems this mother cardinal likes flowers so well she set up housekeeping… 🙂

Looks like it will be some time before I can water it… 🙂 back indoors, slowly moving things around, bringing the past to a closer and came across this crossstitch picture my late wife had started…

I told her I would finish it (yes I can sew some.. 🙂 ) so looks like I have something to do when the snow is falling… I also came across this picture I had made using a scrollsaw…

The sword is made from oak and the dragons are made of walnut… many years ago I use to operate a small woodworking shop in my garage and I would make different things unique and sell them in this country and other countries… at one time I even had a website..

But I no longer have the shop due to lack of interest, trying to save the trees, etc… sometimes I will do something here for me, I still have the tools… getting away from nostalgia for a bit, I have been ask what I thought the definition of a “friend” were.. Well, I believe that Adam Clarke said it best;

“Portrait of a Friend”

I can’t give solutions to all of life’s problems, doubts,
or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will
search for answers.

I can’t change your past with all it’s heartache and pain,
nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can’t keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;
Yet I can share in your laughter.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge;
I can only support you, encourage you,
and help you when you ask.

I can’t prevent you from falling away from friendship,
from your values, from me.
I can only think of you, talk to you and wait for you.

I can’t give you boundaries which I have determined for you,
But I can give you the room to change, room to grow,
room to be yourself.

I can’t keep your heart from breaking and hurting,
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces
and put them back in place.

I can’t tell you who you are or who you will be
I can only love you and be your friend
(Adam Clarke)

While there is positivity, dreams, a open heart and a open mind on the path least traveled, we also have HOPE, for hope is the last to die, don’t you see…

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson

I believe that Linda Hotger has some thoughts about hope;

HOPE IS

Hope is a feather floating in a bright blue sky
Hope is that sparkle that shines in your eyes.
Hope is a butterfly fluttering on the wind
Hope is good times spent with family and friends.

Hope is a newborn baby’s cry
Hope is a Mother’s lullaby.
Hope is the rainbow after a rain
Hope is the harvest of golden grain.

Hope is the light that keeps darkness at bay
Hope is the breeze on a hot summer day.
Hope is ever present and free of cost
Hope is the last thing ever lost.

Hope is staying positive when the going gets tough
Hope is seeking help when you feel you’ve had enough.
Hope is recovery from simmering sorrow
Hope is believing in a brighter tomorrow.

Linda Hotger

Well, I had better close for now, pack up the dreams, hope, etc and venture own down the path least traveled, but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise..

Will close with Enya sharing some thoughts about hope;

One look at love and you may see
It weaves a web over mystery,
All ravelled threads can rend apart
For hope has a place in the lover’s heart.
Hope has a place in a lover’s heart.

Whispering world, a sigh of sighs,
The ebb and the flow of the ocean tides.
One breath, one word may end or may start
A hope in a place of the lover’s heart.
Hope has a place in a lover’s heart.

Look to love you may dream,
And if it should leave then give it wings.
But if such a love is meant to be;
Hope is home, and the heart is free

Under the heavens we journey far,
On roads of life we’re the wanderers,
So let love rise, so let love depart,
Let hope have a place in the lover’s heart.
Hope has a place in a lover’s heart.

Look to love and you may dream,
And if it should leave then give it wings.
But if such a love is meant to be;
Hope is home, and the heart is free.
Hope is home, and the heart is free.