What’s On Your Summer Reading List?

After reading “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, I realized that such a storyline depicted in his science-fiction short story could very well become a reality if we are not careful. Based on the premise that books are illegal and firemen are sent out to ‘set’ fires to burn books versus putting them out simply because you own and read books, seems outrageous. I highly recommend reading this book although it was originally published in 1953, it still remains relevant.

As farfetched as something like this sounds in reality, but not as impossible as one might think, perhaps take a look and observe how many people are entranced by their smartphones versus those you see who maybe actually reading a book, a Nook or Kindle. My summer reading list actually began in January and ends in December. But as I go through my collection of books on my shelves that have gone unread and instead collected dust and a few cobwebs throughout the years, I have brushed the dust off of these volumes and grabbed my bookmarks. I’m taking some serious year-round vacations from the comfort of my home.

If you don’t want to buy a book then by all means, hit your local library and check one or two or three out. What’s on your summer reading list?

Advertisements

Invasion of the Telephone Operator Snatchers

Image Credit: iStock

If you are head over heels in love with automated phone services, as opposed to talking to an operator, and love the feel of pressing the numbers on your dial pad or speaking your selection in your receiver, please raise your hands! OK, so I may be showing my age here for the moment, but there are times when I truly miss the services of a real live operator directing my call to the appropriate department, versus my utter frustration trying to communicate my requests through an automated voice service.

I was sitting near my husband the other day as he was trying to check on one simple thing on his account. He spoke with deliberate clarity and yet the darn automated service couldn’t process his simple command, (yes, no, one, two) and it kept talking like a runaway train! Ugh!!!

Image Credit: asier_relampagoestudio / Freepik

Thus your blood pressure goes up, your voice grows louder and you’re no closer to getting satisfaction until you are finally connected to a real live human being. By then you probably forgot what the heck you called for in the first place.

I’ve previously expressed my views about the frustration behind these sometimes little annoyances, but I still love modern technology. Yet at times I often wonder if there is a “Smile, you’re on Candid Camera” conspiracy going on. I’m just an ordinary person seeking a simple answer to a simple question when I dial in to a help desk. You know you’ve reached your boiling point when you want to rip the pleasantness out of the automated voice on the other end that seems to ignore your request because it can, and then call it technical difficulty. Ugh…again!

How Do You Find Your Happy Even in the Midst of Difficulty?

Image Credit: MALIZ ONG

Sometimes we search for meaning and purpose in our lives and as we are in full awareness of being able to recognize when life is good, we can even recognize the goodness in the midst of difficulty. In light of the tethered spirits we see roaming around, we still see glimmers of hope and optimism quite prevalent in our society. 

How do you find your “happy” when you are surrounded by increased anxiousness, discouragement, fear, and sadness? Is your happy found in being generous and giving to others? Is it through making others happy by building and sustaining relationships? Is it through finding and harnessing your purpose or through simple gratitude?

Happiness is not only an indwelling attitude and spirit, but it can be learned behavior as well. So laugh a little and quit being so uptight over small stuff that you have no control over. Sounds too good to be attainable? Maybe. But you’d never know unless you try! C’mon and make it a happy day! 😀

The Poetry of Dream Walking

Dream Walking

I walked in the depths
oh whispers of enchantment
I could taste the night.

© Kym Gordon Moore

Happiness: The Gratitude of Traveling through Life

 

Celebrating Ice Cream Month with Homemade Buttermilk-Plum Ice Cream

Photo Credit: Alison Miksch | Buttermilk-Plum Ice Cream

Listen up people! For all of you ice cream lovers, don’t forget that July is Ice Cream Month. So, for all of you hot frozen dessert adventurists, get ready to churn up some deliciously creative homemade ice-cream recipes to cool off in this scorching summer weather.

Go grab your buttermilk, heavy cream, sugar, chopped black plums, half-and-half, corn syrup, salt and lemon juice, and then click here to get this recipe for a creamy, ruby color swirl, fruity homemade ice cream treat for Buttermilk-Plum Ice Cream, from the folks in the kitchen at Southern Living. Don’t forget to check out more homemade ice cream recipes from Southern Living.

Happy #FoodPornFriday!!!

A Time for Every Purpose Under the Heavens

Image Credit: Karen Arnold

Everything has its season, and every part of creation has a purpose.

I believe there is a higher power whom I call God, giving everything created in this universe a purpose. Scientific evidence may be explanation enough for some, but there is a curiosity indwelling inside of me that speaks of a power greater than you and I, giving instruction to the realm of creation in which we are a critical member of. This power, telling the sun when to rise and set every day or when the seasons of the year are to be rotated, fills me with curiosity and excitement. Every human being, tree, flower, insect, animal, foul of the air, and creatures of the sea has a purpose.

I watched the movie “A Dog’s Purpose” and while the movie is classified as a comedy-drama it was like viewing a “Hallmark” movie. The premise of the movie involves a dog who is reincarnated multiple times, trying to understand the meaning of his existence. With each new birth, he is introduced to a new family, with varied lifestyles. Some good, some not. In the end, as the dog narrates his multiple journeys, he remembers certain smells and associates them with familiar circumstances and people. In the end, the dog discovers his purpose: “Be here now!”

Whatever ‘here’ is and wherever ‘here’ maybe, just “Be here now!” That is sometimes all the purpose you need to do what must be done in this present moment.