Category: blog
-
Acknowledge family and friends with love.
“Do not bring flowers to my funeral; bring them to me when I’m alive.”
-
Happy New Year, 2024
Every holiday season brings the hope and peaceful intentions of family and friends gathering to enjoy the beauty of one another’s company. The holiday season is always in contrast to the horrors of humanity’s wars, conflicts, hate, revenge, discontent, depression, and every form of dysfunctional family scenario. After several weeks…
-
2020, MN, ND, Harvest Hosts and destinations.
Six other RV’ers arrived and we closed down the tasting room.
-
Poetry is Nature
Words describe what is visually sighted, allowing your mind, body, and soul to absorb the picturesque poetic surroundings.
-
End of the Year, 2022
I wish all my readers worldwide a humble, healthy, safe time as the end of 2022 approaches
-
Dogs, cats or petless
The early morning dog walking before 6:00 am in the cold was extreme and brutal.
-
Retiree anniversary
I once was a hard-working, career-minded son, military personnel, husband, father, civil service worker to survive and enjoy the fruits of forty years of work/hard labor since the age of eight. I’m currently a highly-skilled veteran retiree who travels full-time in an RV relishing in the beauty of each day…
-
2021 Pacific Crest Trail day
I’m not in a hurry and I love certain weighted comforts
-
Happenstance with fellow travelers
Meeting travel friends reveals the fate of my travels.
-
Port Townsend WA
Now you know something new!
-
“Santa Cruze CA Pier/Wharf.”
I’m planning to merge my love of downhill mountain biking, and bicycle touring so I visited the Santa Cruz bicycle headquarters in Santa Cruz, CA. After I drooled over my possible bicycle purchase, I visited the Santa Cruz municipal wharf/pier. Upon my arrival, I was surprised and impressed with the…
-
“Sacred spiritual site for all.”
A sense of reverence is experienced as you pass the enormous Coast Redwood Trees
-
“Pacific Crest Trail hikers.”
If you stop moving, you will die
-
PCT 2019 people and animals
Among the thousands of people hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019, there are also animals, and photographer, Andrew Burns. He is not hiking the trail, but he is developing a photo picture book of hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail. You can follow his current work on Instagram at PCT People…
-
“Chipmunks Everywhere!”
I was taking a short day hike around the campground in Collier Memorial Park in Oregon when I met another camper/traveler and our conversation turned to current events. It was unique how on August 25, 2018, neither one of us were aware of current events, and in so many ways…
-
“Cozy Confessions.”
My thirty plus years of travel destinations are filled with photos and encountering people who are the inspirations for some of my creative writings ideas. In the beginning, I traveled via motorcycle across the US from coast to coast and border to border culminating with an inspiring road trip from Key…
-
“Sparkling at any age.”
The word “age,” is a noun, defining the length of existence from the beginning to any given time of life. Existence is the sparkle of life to be celebrated every day you awake to breathe. For many, the vanity of humanity is superficial when you deny realities reflection in a…
-
“Atmospheric; A Short story”
Three months ago Jill and I decided to take a break with a tropical island weekend getaway. On our last evening, I dressed adorned in my best island attire complete with an island decorative asher blue shirt with large dark blue orchids, a pair of tan Bermuda shorts, and my…
-
“Droolling mushroom hunters.”
Hiking in the great northwest of the US brings you into contact with many types of people. My first encounter with mushroom hunters began with the honk of a horn from a passenger van when I slowed on the roadway searching for a turn to a hiking trailhead near Mount…
-
“Temporary photos.”
Landscape photography changes minute to minute, hour, by hour and daily at the White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. In these photographs, I capture a temporary moment in time, that are fleeting moments of windblown shifting sands and clouds across a sunset. Not one photo is precisely the same with winds moving…
-
“Centenarian love, passion, marriage, and dancing.”
The annual sweetheart’s dance has become a coveted gala event for the 190 residents at the “Living Years Village.” And again for the third year in a row Edgar and Elizabeth Harden gingerly, soft-shoed around the dance floor strutting to the harmonizing tunes of their 1940’s big band favorites. The…
-
“Faintly simmering and being beckoned.”
I stood in the doorway of the kitchen watching my mother cooking and preparing the Thanksgiving dinner as I drooled with excitement wanting to sneak a lick of the bowls she recently mixed the german chocolate cake and its accompanying frosting. Although the aromas of faintly simmering pots filled with…
-
“Halloween Neighborhood-Lessons.”
There was a time in the 60’s, and 70’s when the mystery of keeping your home secure during the Halloween season was something you passed on to new neighbors. I had new neighbors who moved in two weeks before Halloween. They were a young couple without any children and the…
-
“Ghoulish.”
I have never really liked Halloween since the horrible calamity of 1975, for which my father tells the story with the smiling gleefulness of a teenager like it was yesterday. The events of that night have left me traumatically scared for which I have endured nightmares until this day. I…
-
“Autumn Fluffy.”
The end of green summer leaves leads to the transformation to various bright colors. During an October hike with crisp, breezes blowing red, yellow, purple, orange, magenta, and brown leaves floating softly to the ground. My fluffy soft wool knit cap and sweater against my skin warms my thoughts of…
-
“Mirrored Gratitude.”
With their annual Halloween party two days away, Erica stood in the mirror admiring her Cleopatra costume. She adjusted the black wig with a gold beaded headpiece while marveling at the matching earrings and choker necklace. She began studying the costumes sleeveless top with brightly colored gold pyramid sequined edgings,…
-
“Identifying Trademarks.”
The identifying trademarks were visible when the border officer lifted the tarp to reveal the cylindrical barrel. This story began after my best friend Charles and I attended the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders Football game Nov 16, 1997. Charles and I met and became close friends when we…
-
“Cacophony: A band parents story.”g
My next door neighbors, Clifford and Joyce Ingram’s raised 6-children, who were born two and three years apart. When their eldest child Cynthia began playing the drums in the local elementary school band no one expected her siblings would follow in her musical footsteps. As the years passed their home…
-
“Enlighten.”
Enlightening moments in time brings life into focus. (M. J. Leake) After thirty-nine years of marriage, three adult children, one hysterectomy, and a husband I share a love with that make me giddy as a school girl when we have a date night. I’m have become aware that I cannot control…
-
“Expected Release.”
After 9-months, of preparation, which included doctors visits, painting a nursery room, assembling baby furniture, storing diapers, infant clothing, and installing and securing the infant car seat in the new van. The wife and I walked in the park, walked the halls of the local mall and waited patiently for…
-
“Express.”
Do you love to dance, sing, write, sculpt, paint, or debate? What’s your favorite way to express yourself, creatively? I use words creatively in sentences, paragraphs, short stories and soon to be novels. Writing is my passionate form of expression rooted deeply in my emotions forged from my past responsibilities. I…
-
“Brave, heroic, courageous, and daring.”
The above words are used to describe acts done by a person that if given a moment of thought many people would not perform for any reason. A person is considered brave, heroic, courageous, and daring because they did what they were supposed to do. (M. J. Leake) WordPress daily…
-
“Risk?”
What would your daily life be without risk? Most people try to avoid risk and some at all cost while many people take a calculated risk. Since the beginning of time risk has evolved with insurance to cover death, injury, property and just about anything else. Eons ago someone cracked…
-
“Loyalty.”
Loyalty is determined and measured by who you interact with over time. Loyalty and friendships are determined by time. Loyalty can be a long-term commitment in a relationship. Loyalty is earned, appreciated, gained, and returned. WordPress daily word prompt
-
“Ascending.”
Life is like ascending a mountain one foot after another to accomplish what is desired. Standing atop of an accomplishment is a personal goal and time to reflect upon the journey it took. After ascending and conquering any of life’s challenges builds confidence to propel you to handle whatever life puts…
-
“Succumb.”
Succumbing to life’s temptations keeps you from being your best. Succumbing to the bitterness of life closes your mind to reconciliation. Succumbing to the fear of learning leaves you with a closed mind that never expands.
-
“Cloaked in darkness.”
A 5-year-old girl in a playground stops to look at the flight of a butterfly. She runs around mimicking its movements to understand the butterfly’s flying motions. Several years later she learns the basics of flight and is mesmerized enough to become an aeronautical engineer. Aluel Bol http://hotinjuba.com/south-sudanese-first-female-pilot-weds-a-polygamist-photos/ Many of…
-
“Fraud”
The fraud you do. The fraud to deceive. The fraud to trick and cheat. The fraud for your personal gain. The fraud committed in darkness will one day see light. WordPress daily word prompt
-
“Inflated elastic beauty.”
The elastic balloons cover the grounds as far as the eye can see. Ground crews hold lines as the balloons are inflated reaching heights towering towards the sky. Thousands of photographers and spectators gather every year to witness this the 46th year Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and the visuals are…
-
“Fashionable Beauty.”
Hiking a forest or desert trails with only the sounds of your footsteps crunching the ground quiets your soul to experience a believable sense of silenced spiritual connection. Natures natural landscapes expose and excite the emotions that are neither superficial or tamed. It is the genius of Mother Nature. No…
-
“Carousel of Life.”
The carousel of life cycles through many stages hopefully surrounded by family, friends, culture, and an environment shaping your life forever. Along the way you develop desires, want’s and love’s, influenced by what you see and experience during your formative years. Sometimes, setting in place goals and expectations for the rest…
-
“Dare-Devil Great Grandmother.”
Six months ago, I was with twenty-one of my family members to watch my youngest great-granddaughter tandem parachute from a plane 12000 feet above the airport to celebrate her 21st birthday and entry into the US Army. My son and his wife Corinna were not happy, to say the least…
-
“Good Morning Foggy Haze.”
I awake with a foggy haze, covering my eyes, I stumble to my bathroom to begin my day. When I reach out for my toothbrush, I looked in the mirror my eyes opening to see my reflection in the mirror, and I smile when I remember, it is my day…
-
“Crisp proud parents.”
Julius and Doretha Jefferson drove seven hours from Pittsburgh PA to West Point NY, to attend parents day at the US Army’s Military Academy. After a night in the local hotel, they awoke early for breakfast and took the short drive to the campus. They walk into the stadium, to…
-
“Distances and Images.”
A tragedy brought us together, but serendipitous events spawned our meeting. My heart beats slowed in response to your beauty my eyes witnessed My voice stuttered as I introduce myself, yet I cannot remember anything else I said. But, I will forever remember your voice saying yes to meet for…
-
” The Band; Brass, Drums, and Reeds.”
Every band member in the marching and orchestra bands maintains a solidarity based on the instrument they have played their entire lives. Those who play the Trumpet, French Horns, Trombones, Baritone Horns, and Tuba considered themselves the essential rhythmic soul of the band. The woodwinds considered themselves the projected voice…
-
“Portion.”
To excel in what ever you want you must have desire and ambition to separate from those who wish to succeed utilizing a trace of ambition and a portion of desire. WordPress daily word prompt
-
“Bitterly exposed, where is Edgar?”
Mother, I’m so upset and angry with Wilbur, this is the third time this month he has been naughty. What did he do? Well, when I returned home from work this evening I walked into the kitchen to see the trashcan on its side with this morning orange and grapefruit…
-
“Instinct.”
I’m no hero. I acted upon instinct pulling Mrs. Harris from her car after she collided with the fence. Everyone says I’m a hero, but I don’t fell like one. I just did what I was supposed to do. People call us heroes, but we know who we are. We…
-
“Mirror.”
Capturing photographs of reflections on a lake is what sprung my amateur photographers imagination. Since the early morning bicycle rides into Lakes Regional Park in Lee, Co, Fl. I have been successful capturing photos of incredible mirror reflections that once revealed on my computer screen overwhelm my eyes. Here…
-
“Fragile.”
The tone of words are interpreted by those listening. Dreams, hopes, and beliefs are broken with words. The egos of humans are broken with words. Words can divide to harm many. Fragile is what we all are.
-
Melody yes, Sing No!
Everyone may not be able to sing with the voice of their favorite or greatest singers, but everyone can hum the melodies. You know the melodies of your favorite songs, and sometimes you may not know the words, but you have the timing. With the invention of the karaoke…
-
“Sing”
The voice is an incredible musical instrument when used correctly soothes the soul of many listeners. So, sing a song of love, sing a song of praise, sing a song because you can. WordPress daily word prompt
-
“Bricks”
The building foundation of dreams begins with individual cobblestones and bricks with curves leading to smooth pavers of a loving life. WordPress Daily word prompt
-
“Hope and the Westward Expansion Memorial”
The city of St. Louis is home to the 19-Acre Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, it is home to the Gateway Arch, the site of The Dred Scott Trail, the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the city of my birth. Since 1968, I have toured The Museum of…
-
“Beach”
The sight of seabirds above Listening to the waves Smelling the ocean mist The beach is an essence I desire. WordPress daily word prompt.
-
“My First photo competition and A New Beginning”
Last fall I entered the above photo in The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel photo contest, and my submission won! 🙂 On April 30th, 2016, I started my traveling lifestyle as a full-time RV’er travel blogger, freelance writer, photographer, and Geocacher. Several other activities / hobbies will be reveal…
-
“Misplaced”
After weeks, of purging and decluttering, I found many misplaced items of my past with surprising and shocking astonishment. Each discovery provided many hours of reflection of my past. Nothing is ever lost when memories are attached. WordPress daily word prompt
-
“Closet”
Closets can store memories in plastic containers and cardboard boxes. Purging these containers ignites a review of a past life and the emotional memories some good and some bad. With heightened emotions, thoughts long lost, involving the senses unlock the closets of the past. WordPress daily word prompt
-
“Stairway”
I’m climbing the stairway northward along the interstate from southwest Florida peering into the rearview mirror I see my last morning sunrise of Fort Myers Florida. Excitement feeds my soul as I hurry along as I consider my future travels. I realize I should slow my pace to enjoy my journey. I…
-
“Contrast”
Response to WordPress word prompt “Contrast,” The contrast of the seasons, rain, snow, summer or winter, is witnessed daily in nature around the world. Nature has performed consistently throughout time producing the beauty humanity views. These contrasting forms of nature relying on one another, yet, separate in their distinction yet,…
-
Purging for a New Journey
Viewing a sunrise can reveal how significant purging and decluttering provides the clarity to appreciate the importance of memories. It has been three weeks since my last blog post during which I began decluttering and purging the past thirty years of personal items. As the process continued many wonderful memories…
-
“Handwriting”
My response to the daily word prompt “Handwriting,” is a revised and edited version I posted less than a month ago. Enjoy 🙂 My handwriting career began in a Headstart classroom, with crayons, chalk, and number a #2 pencil. My last semester of high school, I reluctantly took a typewriting…
-
“Object”
WordPress daily word prompt response to “Object.” My recent attendance at a sea shell show peaked my interest in these objects covering the shoreline during my morning beach walk. Many walks along the beach, the objects have never sparked my interest. Now when I walk, I can point out several…
-
“Misstep”
WordPress daily one-word prompt “Misstep”  Stumbling to the ground because you failed to recognize your shoe is untied. Leaving a restroom, with toilet paper streaming from your clothing. Texting while driving and suddenly avoiding a bicyclist. Spilling coffee onto you lap at your work desk. Missteps in life are subtle…
-
“Contrast”
Response to the WordPress word prompt “Contrast” The world commercial market is focused on the youthful between the age of 0 to thirty-five. The majority of youth joke about their elders unaware they will do unbelievably one day be so lucky to join our ranks. The belief of playing hard…
-
“Flow”
WordPress daily one-word prompt “Flow.”  The one-word prompt “flow” brings to mind many provocative thoughts surrounding men of a certain age, and women before menopause. It can be used to identify the low-flow shower head, “Seinfeld” episode and plumbing issues in your home. In most sports, the word flow…
-
“Sentimental”
Response to the one word prompt “Sentimental.” Most humans develop a sentimentality with inanimate objects, and I like many people have developed an attachment to my 1991 Ford Explorer. My car has become a fixture in my life and within a few weeks, my attachment to the longest relationship I…
-
“Screens”
In response to the one-word prompt “Screen.” The power of suggestion is shown in today’s prompt with the silhouette of a head in front of either a television or computer screen we view with our eyes. For me, this one word prompt brings to mind the various types of…
-
“Connection”
The one word daily prompt “Connection” response. A connection to life. A connection to love. A connection to a friend. A connection with nature. A connection with yourself. These connections reflect your soul. 🙂 WordPress Daily Word PromptWordPress Daily Word Prompt
-
“Inevitable”
The one word daily prompt “Inevitable” response. Everything in life is inevitable. It is inevitable the sun will rise, and a sunset will follow. It is inevitable the seasons of the year will pass. Love is inevitable. Births’ are inevitable. Death is inevitable but, the date is unknown. WordPress Daily…
-
“Legacy”
Write a response to the one-word prompt, “Legacy.” The writing prompt “Legacy” causes me to consider humanities legacy of how writing tools have evolved. The word “legacy” defined, describes a gift of property, especially personal property, as money, by will; or a bequest and anything handed down from the past,…
-
“Longing”
For the past ten months, I have expanded my blog beyond a daily prompt response, to include short stories, flash fiction, photography, and poetry. I have discovered sketching and painting along with defining mix media. I’m still learning about the independent publishing world. Beyond all of my creative art learning…
-
“State of Mind”
This week, let your inner world and the outside one converge in a photo. The photo’s layout of local birds enjoying a cold sunny morning of 47 degrees or 8 celsius does not reveal my state of mind, which is I’m freezing. I know I should not complain. However, it…
-
“My Quirky Habits”
Which quirky habit annoys you the most and what quirky habit do you love for yourself or others. I have a quirky habit to clean my kitchen and bathroom repetitively when I’m writing. With music playing in the background, I clean my kitchen or bathroom humming or singing two songs…
-
“Key Takeaway”
Give your newer sisters and brothers in WordPress one piece of advice based on your blogging experiences. There are many adjectives I could use to describe my overwhelming excitement and experiences with my WordPress family of bloggers. I think, I will keep it simple and short with three suggestions…
-
“Life Line”
You’re on a long flight, and a palm reader sitting next to you insist she reads your palm. You hesitate but, agree. What does she tell you? I cannot imagine a female passenger sitting next to me on a long flight asking to read my palm. Hesitation is an understatement, and…
-
“Pick Your Gadget”
Your local electronics store has just started selling time machines, anywhere doors, and invisibility helmets. You can only afford one. Which of these do you buy, and why? This prompt provides fantastic choices. At my advanced age, I have developed a lot of wisdom, and I would not purchase any…
-
“Pour Some Sugar on Me”
What is your favorite sweet thing to eat? Bread pudding? Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies? A smooth and creamy piece of cheesecake? Tell us about the anticipation and delight of eating you favorite desert. Not into sweets? Tell us all about your weakness for that certain salty snack.  Ahhhh, yes……
-
“Strike-a-Chord”
Do you play and instrument? Is there a musical instrument whose sound you find particularly pleasing. Tell us a story about your experience or relationship with an instrument of your choice. This prompt strikes a cord of fond memories from my years as a concert and marching band member of…
-
The Wanderer
Tell us about the top five place you’ve always wanted to visit The word “Wanderer” is the name I gave my motorcycle nine years ago. I wandered across the US from Key West Florida to Fairbanks Alaska, one town at a time. However, when I started blogging I discovered the…
-
“Teach Your Bloggers Well”
We all know how to do something well — write a post that teaches readers how to do something you know and/or love to do. In response to today’s WordPress post prompt, “Teach Your Bloggers Well.” I start with the basic foundation of planning. To be successful in anything in…
-
“The Outsiders”
WordPress Daily Post Prompt Tell us about the experience of being outside, looking in — however you’d like to interpret that. During the summer of 1968, at age 10, I was allowed to ride my bicycle down the sidewalk and around the block to a friends house. My only rule…
-
“The Great Pretender”
WordPress Daily Posts, “The Great Pretender.” Are you full of confidence or have you ever suffered from imposter syndrome? The imposter syndrome describes a feeling of inadequacy, & intellectual fraudulence, yet having the skills and knowledge indicating the opposite is true. I have experienced the imposter syndrome feeling many times…
-
“Million-Dollar Question”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Million-Dollar Question.” Why do you blog? This is a great question and my only response is, I love writing and the creative process expressing my thoughts and ideas. Now, based on the daily prompts, they evoke ideas of my experiences bringing forth…