It is one thing, to admire pretty flower beds, or generally a well maintained garden. Being on the same level with creepy, crawling creatures in the dirt is quite another. And for the longest time, that was a very loud and clear “no thank you!” for me. Even with a good long shower afterwards, it still felt as if one or more of these bugs would be crawling on me….do I have to say it? Eww!!
However, I have been working on my attitude towards gardening. I don’t think I will ever love it, but I do appreciate the feeling of satisfaction, when the flower beds are weed-free, or, when I finished cutting the grass. With regard to the creepy creatures: I am well aware, that I am invading their habitat, and I’m going to have to make peace with that, if I want to continue helping my mom. Do I still feel them crawling all over me? Oh, absolutely! To overcome this feeling of disgust will be a marathon, rather than a sprint I guess. But I am working on a peaceful coexistence. 🐛🙃🐌
Category: Blogging
Hula Hoop Happy
I enjoy going for long (nordic-) walks, whenever my mom doesn’t want to join me. With her, we have a much slower pace and certainly can’t walk as far. But either way, walking is a regular activity. Enjoying the scenery and the nice weather is an added bonus.
Just recently I discovered a fun way to exercise [if it can be called exercise], and that is hula hoop. Currently I’m working my way up to one hour per day. With hula hoop I finally found something, that is actually fun, while I’m doing something good for myself. We have a winner!! 🥇💯
A-Z Challenge: Hideout
A few nights ago, listening to my favorite songs I realized, that I no longer have a hideout. In America, Milwaukee Wisconsin particularly, I had my “secret places”, where I could go and sing, or cry and scream, and be certain that I would not bother anyone and vice versa.
Back in Germany, I can’t find a place like that within close proximity to my apartment. And I miss that, a lot. Gosh, I used to sing my favorite songs all the time, and it was like medicine. Now, when I go for my walks, and there isn’t anyone nearby, I try for a moment or two and get upset. That’s because I can’t always hit the notes properly, and it just doesn’t sound good. In part, that’s due to my age, but also because I don’t sing regularly anymore. And no, joining a choir isn’t an option because group activities of any kind aren’t for me.
Okay, it’s time to stop now, before I start getting homesick for America again. Maybe one day I will find a little hideout in my town here in Germany as well.
A-Z Challenge: Gambling
Among other places of employment, during my nearly 20 years in America, I worked in a casino for 5 years. That was a roller coaster ride, wow. What you witness there everyday changes you, dependent upon who you are as a person. I used to sell the tokens for slot machines, did minor repairs, and paid out the winnings. You can make excellent tips, if you do your job well. But there’s a creepy side to this, let me tell you. After a while of working there, the regulars get to know you. They start making requests, especially once you sold them a winning token. They want a kiss for good luck [and not on the cheek, either], they want you to sit on their lap, they bring you presents, make marriage proposals, ask you to go away on trips with them. Sounds ridiculous, right? Well it is, and I’m telling you from personal experience. There were some really awkward moments, because our security officers couldn’t always be present quickly enough to stop these crazy guys. Especially, while working second shift, the rich guys came to gamble. A couple of them seemed to think, that they owned “their lucky girl” for the night, and did what I mentioned above. Two of my regulars bought their tokens exclusively from me, only came to the casino on the days I was working. Every week, they wanted to know my days off. I did not like that, nor the fact, that security had to walk us to our cars when our shift [second] was completed. That was the creepy part.
Now on to the sad part of gambling, when it turns into an addiction. When the guests tell you, that they just gambled away the entire paycheck for the week or month, it does something to you if you have a heart beating within your chest. One lady said, that she’d better save her last 10 dollars, to be able to buy some cheeseburgers for her kids at dinner. And more than once, I started my shift, to find guests in front of those damn machines, all disheveled and tired because they haven’t been home to sleep or freshen up. At this point I needed a change. I could no longer be a part of this “hell hole” and do my part of “ruining lives”. Yes, it was a roller coaster ride, and not a pretty or glamorous one.
Merida, The Brave
Daily writing prompt
If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?
I would choose to be Merida, the brave, because I like her personality. She is feisty, independent and stubborn. She has her own mind and courageously pursues her own destiny, while completely disregarding what others [her family] want for, and expect from her.
And besides, do I really have to mention those gorgeous flaming red hair? Wowza! I’d love to have such beautiful red hair, honestly.
A-Z Challenge: Forgiveness
Throughout my time here on WordPress, I may have mentioned a time or twenty, that I’m not a fan of people. Clearly, I didn’t just wake up one morning with a made up mind. A few encounters in the past, let’s call them very unpleasant, had the majority to do with everything. Those people taught me painful lessons, no one cares to learn voluntarily. But, it’s water under the bridge now, and I do my best to ignore those dark spots in my otherwise coloful painting of life.
Once in a while I do have flashbacks of certain moments, and it requires conscious effort not to let anger or sadness take control of me. This is, where forgiveness comes into play. It is high time to forgive those women and men for their wrong-doing. Forgive them, not for their sake, but for my own peace of mind. This too, will be a process and I’m ready to take the first step.
Life On Hold – Nora En Pure
It’s time for music @ midnight…
If you put your life on hold for a few minutes to check out this track, thanks very much for stopping by. Have a good start to your week!
A Matter Of Preference
💯 Best pets: dogs [hands down]
🚫 Worst pets: reptiles [eww….never, ever – no thank you]
…..and with the mental image of a slithering s…e, I’m over and out.
Do What You Love
🐾 caring for animals
🎶 activities/jobs involving music
A-Z Challenge: Europe
We need to stand united for our common interests.
Trivialities & Intricacies 
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