Happy New Year

I'm writing to wish everyone a Happy New Year from me and all my Minions!!

Sending love

 I’m just writing to send everyone best wishes and much love now and always!

Cat versus curtains!

 I never realized how much cats like climbing curtains but they do and so I had to share this video of some intrepid cat explorers  who seek to climb a curtain. It made me laugh and I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Be like a clock

“Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” -Sam Levenson

To whoever reads this, I hope you always keep going towards whatever goals you have. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Quarentine Dance

 I found this clip of a father and daughter dancing during quarantine. I had to share it here because it made me smile. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

 

 

Making bread

 My Dad likes making bread from scratch and today I was able to help him make some multigrain bread. There's something rather soothing about baking bread. I can't really explain what's soothing about it, but  it's nice and it makes me feel happy anyway. Plus it's fun to be with my Dad and to help him. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you're with people that you love and that you get to do things with them that make you feel happy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy (despicable) Christmas

 I'm just writing to wish a very happy despicable Christmas from me and all my Minions. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Christmas tradition

As it's Christmas Eve I thought I'd write about a Christmas tradition my family has. Since my Mum is from England, every year we have Christmas Crackers. For those who don't know, Christmas Crackers aren't things you eat (although sometimes they do have things in them you can eat.) Christmas Crackers are table decorations that people pull apart and inside them are crows made out of tissue paper and little toys and silly jokes.  (See below for an image of some Christmas Crackers.) It's really fun to open these Crackers with other people and my family likes to wear the crowns from the crackers when we're eating Christmas dinner. It makes us feel closer together somehow. Wherever you are reading this, even if you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you are with people that love you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

 

 

Let no one who loves be unhappy

 "Let no one who loves be unhappy, even love unreturned has its rainbow."-James M. Barrie

One of the many things I like about love is the fact that even if the person or people I love might not feel the same way, I can still show love to them by being kind and doing nice things. There's something very satisfying about that aspect of love. It feels good to be kind because in being kind, I know that the love I have can be felt even if it's never returned and somehow, that's a really nice feeling for me. In that spirit. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Some beautiful music for a Wednesday

 The composer Giacomo Puccini was born today in 1858. One of the songs that he's famous for composing is called O Mio Bambino Caro. Somehow that piece of music has always seemed soothing to me. The song itself is about this woman who is trying to convince her father to let her marry a man she loves. It's part of a larger opera but I think the song by itself is nice. I post it here because it makes me happy to hear it and I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Every Gift that is Given

"Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection."-Pindar

 I think the nicest gifts are gifts that the get from people you know that love you best. It's true gifts are nice but what makes them really nice is knowing that the person giving the gift to you cares about you very much. I suppose in many ways, the people in your life that love you are gifts in themselves. Wherever you are reading this, I hope that you have people around you that love you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Have a doggone awesome Christmas

 Since it's almost Christmas and because I like dogs and Christmas, I was delighted to find this video with dogs singing Jingle Bells. I know it's a bit silly but I figure a little silliness is fun. Anyway, I share it here in the hope it brings laughter to others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

May you have no regrets

The singer Edith Piaf was born today in 1915 and one of the songs that she's famous for singing is "Non, je ne regrette rien". I like the song because to me it's about having no regrets and living life the fullest. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have no regrets and that you live each day in the best way you can. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Saturday

 I’m just writing to wish everyone much love and best wishes now and always.

Music that helps me feel brave

The composer Ludwig van Beethoven was born today in 1770. One piece that he wrote that I like a lot is his 7th symphony. When I listen to it somehow it helps me feel brave. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you always have some music around you, especially music that makes you feel brave.

Favorite Christmas carol

 Since Christmas is next week, I thought I'd share my favorite Christmas carol, which is O Tannenbaum from Charlie Brown's Christmas. I like this version of the carol because it's jazzy and fun and it  reminds me of home somehow. Wherever your are reading this, I hope you have music and/or people around you that make you feel at home.I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

 

May you have joy

I usually don't like commercials but I saw this one with a song I liked a lot. Wherever you are reading this, I wish you much comfort and joy.

A heart is full of seeds

 "Your heart is full of fertile seeds, waiting to sprout."-Morihei Ueshiba

 I like the idea of the heart being a place where things grow. I think love is something always grows and really never dies. It might change form but I don't think love ever really dies, it just grows stronger and develops in different ways. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you always keep a lot of love in your heart and let it grow. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

It's best not to have all the answers

 "Just knowing you don't have the answers is a recipe for humility, openness, acceptance, forgiveness, and an eagerness to learn - and those are all good things."-Dick Van Dyke

 I like learning new things and I don't intend to stop learning because I feel like life is more interesting when I'm learning something new, it certainly makes things more fun. Wherever you are reading this I hope you are able to learn something new each day and never give up on learning new things. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Wrinkles can be needed things

"If you don't have wrinkles, you haven't laughed enough."- Phyllis Diller

 

I never quite understood why people are so afraid of wrinkles. The way I see it, you can't laugh without causing some wrinkles on your face and laughing is too fun a thing not to do now and then. Plus, it feels good to laugh. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you have many reasons to laugh each day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

You can get through anything

 "You can get through anything if you want it bad enough"-Nikki Sixx

I really believe that if people want to do something badly enough, they will find a way to do it/have it. You might not get to where you want/what you want exactly in the way you originally expect, but I really believe people can get what they really want. If there's something good that you want to do, I hope that you pursue it and I wish you the best of luck. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Que Sera

I rather like the song Quw Sera as sung by Doris Day because it's cheerful and reminds me that no one really knows what each day will bring and there's always a chance of something better coming. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you take each day as it comes and that you're able to see the good things in each day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A baby and a puppy

 I love dogs and I love seeing happy babies and so I was really pleased to find a video that had both a puppy and a happy baby. I share it here in the hopes that watching it helps others to smile as well. I send everyone best wishes and much love to everyone now and always.

You deserve your love

 "You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."-Buddha

 Wherever you are reading this, as much as I hope that you're loving and kind to others, I also hope that you're just as loving and kind to yourself.  I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

The most worthwhile thing

 "The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others."-Robert Baden-Powell

 I hope that wherever you're reading this, that you spread happiness wherever you go. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

 

 

Make way for a puppy and his ducklings

 I saw this really sweet video of a puppy watching over some ducklings. I had to share it here because it made me laugh. I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Use the talents you have

"Use those talents you have. You will make it. You will give joy to the world. Take this tip from nature: The woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except those who sang best."- Bernard Meltzer

 I really believe everyone has talents and it's just a matter of finding out what one's talent is. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you find out what your talents are and use them to do good things for yourself and others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sending love

 I'm just writing to send much love and best wishes to everyone now and always.

Some beautiful music

 The opera singer Maria Callas was born today in 1923 and she's famous for singing a lovely song called O Mio Bambino Caro which I like very much. I share it here because it is so beautiful and it makes me happy to hear it. I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.  

Penguins and bubbles!

 Two of the things that make me feel happy are penguins and bubbles and so I was really happy to see a video that had both! I share it here to spread happiness to others. I also send much love and best wishes to everyone now and always.

Aspirations

“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 where they lead.” -Louisa May Alcott

I really like the idea of always having goals to work towards. It’s true that I may not completely reach a goal but having things to work towards makes life more fun. Wherever you’re reading this, I hope you always have many goals and that you reach them. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Dietary must-haves

"Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie." -Jim Davis

This quote seemed appropriate for this time of year as people seem to eat baked goods more frequently during holiday times.  Wherever you are reading this, especially if you're in a colder climate, I hope that you have the opportunity to try pumpkin pie or carrot cake or zucchini bread as they're nice things to have, particularly on cold days. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.  

Treasure the love you receive

 "Treasure the love that you receive above all. It will survive long after your good health has vanished."-Og Mandino 

The thing I like best about love is that it can withstand so much and it never really dies. I hope that wherever you are that you know that you are loved and that you have people around you that love you. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Life is like an ice-cream cone

 "Life is like an ice-cream cone, you have to lick it one day at a time." Charles M. Schulz

I really like this quote 1 because ice cream is  fun and also because I feel that each day is a small victory and it's better to take it one day at a time rather than get overwhelmed. Anyway, wherever you are reading this I hope you have opportunities to eat ice cream and live life to the fullest! I send  everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Despicable Thanksgiving!

To all who celebrate Thanksgiving I wish you a happy Despicable Thanksgiving from me and my Minions!!

 

 

Music that made me feel like dancing

 I heard this lovely song called Caban La Ka Kratchie by a singer called Georges Fordant. I'm sharing it here because it's cheerful and makes me feel like dancing. I hope that wherever you are reading this. that you always have music in your life. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Some beautiful music for a Tuesday

 I heard this lovely piece of music called "Sweet Lorraine" and I had to share it here because listening to it made me feel happy. It reminded me of times when I had lunch with friends and we all had a lovely time. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have music and/or memories that help you feel happy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sending love

 I'm writing to send much love and best wishes to everyone now and always.

Courage is like love

 "Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment."-Napoleon Bonaparte

To all who read this, I hope that you always have hope and that it brings you much courage and love. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

A piece of advice

Never fight an inanimate object.-P. J. O'Rourke

Although objects (especially technology) can be intensely frustrating at times trying to fight such things just adds to the irritation. To avoid further frustration  I’d recommend doing something that makes you laugh, if only because laughter makes things seem better to me. Anyway, I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Friday

 I wish everyone a very happy Friday with much love and best wishes from me and my Minions!

Good things that happened today

In the spirit of finding good things in each day, here are some things that are good that happened today.

• I was able to see a friend in person that I hadn't seen in person since last year and it was just so nice to meet up again.
• I found a really comfy fleece bathrobe that I thought I'd lost and I'm now wearing it to feel all warm and fuzzy!!
• I was able to take a walk outside today and it was really nice to feel the sunshine.

Wherever you're reading this, I hope you get to do many things each day that help you feel happy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Sending love

 I'm writing to send much love and best wishes to everyone now and always.

Undertakinging new action

"The undertaking of a new action brings new strength."-Richard L Evans

I  rather like this quote because I've always found trying new things helps me learn more and grow more. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you decide to do many new things and enjoy doing them. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A permanent job

 "Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job."-Franklin P Jones

I really like this quote because it reminds me of my family's dog and how he likes to be petted. I saw this video below and it made me happy because the dogs in the video seem really happy and there's nothing like a happy dog! I post it here in the hope it brings a bit of happiness to others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Some nice music for a Sunday

 The composer Aaron Copland was born today in 1900 and one of the pieces he's famous for is called Appalachian Spring. I read somewhere that apparently the piece isn't about Appalachia or spring, instead the piece's name comes from a poem called "The Dance".  Anyway, I always liked Appalachian Spring and I share it here because it makes me feel good inside to hear it.  I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Give love

 "You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving."-Robert Louis Stevenson

Since it's getting towards a season with many holidays that involve gift giving, I thought I'd share this quote in the hope that it inspires more people to put a lot of love in everything you give and everything you do. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Everyone is extraordinary to someone

"We relish news of our heroes, forgetting that we are extraordinary to somebody too." -Helen Hayes

I hope you know that you're extraordinary to someone. By just getting out of bed and living your life each day, you show how extraordinary you are because in living each day you leave open the possibility of helping extraordinary things to happen. Whatever you choose to do in life, I hope  you find extraordinary ways of living it up! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

In honor of Veteran's Day

 As it's Veteran's day, I was thinking about a performance I saw of some schoolchildren singing at a concert to benefit veterans.  The video below shows the children singing and explains a bit about their lives. I liked it because I think music is one of the best and most beautiful ways to honor people. So I post this song here to pay tribute to all veterans. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sesame Street Memory

 Today in 1969 the children's television program Sesame Street premiered on PBS. This fact got me thinking about this song I first heard on Sesame Street called Sing. I've always liked it because I love singing and that particular song is all about having a voice and using it for something good. Regardless of your vocal ability,  I hope you always make your voice heard. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Trust yourself

 "Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do."- Benjamin Spock

I hope wherever you are reading this that you always trust yourself and see all the good things that can come from doing so. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

The best thing about love

“Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of its trouble, attempts what is above it’s strength, pleads no excuse for impossibility, for it thinks all things are lawful for itself and all things are possible.” -Thomas Kemp 

I find that when I feel and show love for people I feel like any burdens I have in life fall away. I really do feel truly untroubled when when I'm showing love. Doing such things helps me believe all things are possible and as long as I can love, there are so many things I can do to spread that love. I send everyone best wishes and much  love now and always.

Autumn as a second spring

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."-Albert Camus

I've always rather liked autumn because it's not too hot nor too cold and it makes me glad to live in a place where the weather changes according to seasons and it causes the leaves to change. It always cheers me to look out the window and see them. I thought I'd share this quote because autumn leaves are like flowers to me. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you can always find things in nature that make you feel happy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

A chance to be better

 "Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better."-Albert Camus

I like the idea that freedom means always striving for something better.  I find I do feel freer when I'm trying to improve because doing that gives me hope that my future can be better and the fact that I  can do things to help it be better helps me feel better. If you're reading this, I hope that you always strive to be your best self and feel free while doing that. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

The only courage that matters

 "The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next."-Mignon Mclaughlin 

I think living each day is a brave thing to do because no one ever truly knows what each day will bring. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you always find the courage to face each day and find the good things that can be found in each day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sending love

 I'm just writing to send much love and best wishes to everyone now and always.

Mistakes

 "A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing."-George Bernard Shaw

Although making mistakes might seem like a negative thing, I've learned a great deal from making mistakes. Apart from not wanting to make the same mistake again, mistakes have helped me learn how to do things in better ways. I think if I could pick a mistake that I don't feel so bad about making is getting lost because getting lost helps me find places I've never been before, plus I've always found my way home somehow. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you never fear making mistakes and that they help you live better. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A baby and his dad

 I saw this lovely video of a dad playing with his baby son and I had to share it here because it made me smile. It made me think of how my dad would play with me when I was a kid he'd swing me up in the air and for the briefest of moments it really did feel like I was flying. Although it was slightly dangerous I wasn't scared because I knew my Dad would catch me just like the baby in this video knows that his father will catch him. Anyway, wherever you are reading this, I hope you have many reasons to feel safe and happy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Beautiful

 I heard this lovely song today called Beautiful and I felt like sharing it here because it made me feel happy. Wherever you are reading this, I hope that you always find the beauty that is in you and all around you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Favorite Halloween memory

 As it's Halloween I thought I'd write about a favorite Halloween memory. I remember one year when I was younger I went over to my friend's house to go trick-or-treating with a group that my friend had gotten together and then afterwards we sat in the middle of my friend's basement and did a candy exchange while watching scary movies. I remember it even now because it was just really fun to get dressed up and be with friends. Aside from the candy it's just fun to be with friends and enjoy the spookiness! So, to all who celebrate it, I wish you a very Happy Halloween!

Funny business

 I needed a good laugh today and this video met my needs exactly. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you can always find laughter in your day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

In honor of Halloween

As it's Halloween this weekend, just for the heck of it, here's a quote to celebrate this holiday and I'm sharing it here because it made me smile. “There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch.” – Robert Brault

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween weekend and I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Just a quick note

 I'm just writing to send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

He who laughs most

"He who laughs most learns best" -John Cleese

 I've learned a lot from laughter. Laughing has helped teach me more about the things and people I love most because laughter is easily shared. Wherever you are reading this, I hope there's a lot of laughter in your life and that you can learn many things from it. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Some big band friendship music!

 The actor, screenwriter, producer, film director, singer, and animator, Seth MacFarlane's birthday and that made me think of a lovely song he wrote the lyrics for called "Everybody Needs a Best Friend. I really like the song because it's usually accompanied by a big band and I've always liked big band music. Plus the song is really pretty. Anyway, I found this clip of Seth singing this song with a live orchestra and because it made me happy to listen to it, I thought I'd share it here. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

All on the board

 I saw this lovely news story about an initiative started by Ian Redpath and Jeremy Chopra where these two men post encouraging/happy/personal messages on a giant whiteboard outside a London tube station. I just thought posting cheering messages for people to see each day was such a nice thing to do. Part of one of the signs created by these two men carries the message  which I also want to share here:"Just in case nobody has told you how amazing you are in 2021, we thought we would. You are amazing. Yes, YOU."  To read more about this initiative click here. I send everyone much love and best wishes now and always.

A mutual self giving

"Love is a mutual self-giving which ends in self-recovery."-Fulton J. Sheen

 

I like loving people because in many ways I do feel like the more I love people, the more something inside me is healing. In that sense, I feel like love is a wonderful medicine. Anyway, to all who read this, I send you much love and best wishes now and always.

A lovely evening out

 I just got back from a lovely evening out with a friend. We went out to Boston and had a lovely dinner of Middle Eastern food and really nice conversation with my friend. Then afterwards we walked around Boston Common and came upon a carousel. It was so nice to see children laughing on it and having a good time. It made me really happy and I was with a friend because happy times are even better when they're shared. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you have many good times and friends to share them with. I send everyone  best wishes and much love now and always.

Affirmations

I saw this lovely video of a toddler proclaiming affirmations that she had apparently heard her mother saying to herself during her morning routine. I felt like sharing it here because it made me happy. To all who read this, I hope you can always look in the mirror and say to yourself: you're bold, you're brilliant,  you're beautiful and you won't let other people's words affect you and you're worthy of greatness!

If things seem cold to you....

 "If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it."-Lucy Larcom

While I don't promote pyromania at all, I'm a big supporter of being kind and doing things that help other people. I know that I feel warmer and happier when I'm helping others. I hope that wherever you are reading this, that you always choose to be kind, if only because of the good feeling that being kind can bring. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

On writing

 "Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers." -Isaac Asimov

 I always feel better when I'm writing. There's something peaceful about it for me, I suppose because writing is something I've always known I could do reasonably well without much difficulty. That's not to say it's not challenging for me to write things, it's just that writing is a challenge I've always enjoyed. Plus, I find I think more clearly about things when they're written down. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have many things in life that help you feel better in times of need. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Good things that happened today

 In the spirit of finding good things in each day or things in each day that make me feel happy. Here are 3 good things in my life today.

• I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and that felt really good.
• I found an ice cream bar in my freezer when I thought I'd run out of those ice cream bars so it was a nice refreshing surprise.
• I was able to accomplish everything I set out to accomplish today which was very satisfying.
  

Wherever you are reading this, I hope that you can find many reasons to be happy each day. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

I can

 " I can therefore I am."-Simone Weil

I very much like this quote because it reminds me of how people can do so many things and how the things we do make us who we are. If you're reading this and you're working on something difficult or you're thinking of doing something that might help other people, I hope you pursue that action until you reach your goal. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Biking happiness

 I was able to go on a bike ride yesterday and it was really nice because it just felt so good to go whizzing by on a bike. There's something very freeing about it and the weather was nice yesterday so that made it doubly nice to ride my bike. Plus, I find that I see more of life when riding a bike than I might otherwise see when I'm traveling some other way. If you're reading this, even if you can't ride a bike, I hope you get to do things that help you feel free in life. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Just sending love

 I'm just writing to send love and best wishes to everyone now and always.

Love is love is love

As it's the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, I thought I'd share these words of wisdom from Lin Manuel Miranda: “Love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love, cannot be killed or swept aside.”

In the spirit of this quote, I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A sea turtle rescue

 I saw this great story about how some wildlife organizations in Massachusetts worked together to save a sea turtle that was stuck in the mud on a Massachusetts beach. Somehow it did my heart good to see the turtle getting back into the water and swimming away. It's nice to see animals go back to being wild and free.  Wherever you are reading this, I hope that you feel free and happy. I send you much love and best wishes now and always. 

Just a joke for today

 I saw this joke in an article today and it made me laugh and so I felt like sharing it today because laughter is more fun when it's shared. I send everyone best wishes and much love and best wishes now and always.

While robbing a home, a burglar hears someone say, ''Jesus is watching you.'' To his relief, he realizes it is just a parrot mimicking something it had heard.The burglar asks the parrot, ''What's your name?'' The parrot says, ''Moses.''

The burglar goes on to ask, ''What kind of person names their parrot Moses?''

The parrot replies, ''The same kind of person that names his Rottweiler Jesus.''

 Joke source: https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/27/weekinreview/word-for-word-world-s-funniest-jokes-so-this-german-goes-into-bar-with-dr-watson.html?.?mc=aud_dev&ad-keywords=auddevgate&gclid=CjwKCAjwh5qLBhALEiwAioods44_v-yXNY2GGSzoi4_RVFKZu-NsX9EWA1d05CA3bX9zc0x2W3HfiBoC2m4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Something of value but has less cost

 "Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much." -Blaise Pascal

I've seen the power of a kind word. It can be enough to help someone get through the day and that's what I like most about kindness. It doesn't have to be something really difficult to do, it can just be calling a friend on the phone who might be in need of cheering or opening the door for someone. If you ever feel the urge to be kind, I hope you act on that urge and brighten someone's day. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Just sending love

 I'm just writing this post to send much love and best wishes to everyone now and always.

The power of music

 I saw this piece about Tony Bennett and how he performed at Radio City Music Hall recently. It was so cool to see it because even though he's had Alzheimer's for a while he still sang a whole concert and sounded great and he just looked so happy singing at the event. That news story showed me how important music is and how happy it can make people and that's why I love singing so much. I hope I can grow old and wrinkly and sing like Tony Bennett and/or Cleo Laine and make people laugh like Betty White Most of all, I want to always be singing and have lots of music around me. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have a lot of music, love and happiness around you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Baking

 There's something nice about baking especially because I know that that the food I'm making can help other people feel happy. Plus, for some reason, for me, there's something relaxing about baking. It makes me feel happy to do it. I especially like making chocolate chip cookies to give to people, plus baking cookies makes my apartment smell heavenly. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you are able to do at least 1 thing each day that helps you feel happiest. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Love transforms

 "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."-Martin Luther King Jr. 

There's something nice about the fact that even enemies can become friends. That's why I like love so much because it has the power to withstand so many negative things and unite people. In that spirit, I send much love and best wishes to everyone!

Music and culture unites all of us

 It's the cellist Yo-Yo Ma's birthday and to celebrate it I thought I'd share this lovely video I found that he made that shows how music and art can unite so many people. Plus, Yo-Yo Ma is playing a beautiful piece of music called Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prélude by Bach. It always makes me feel good to hear this music and I like this video because it shows how even if/when people appreciate music and art differently, people can still be united in appreciating art forms generally and that's what I love most about the arts! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A malady I don't mind having

 "But love's a malady without a cure." - John Dryden 

If love really is like an illness, then it's an illness I don't mind catching or spreading. In that spirit, I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Funny cats

 I felt in need of a good laugh today and I found this video of cats being funny that made me chuckle so I thought I'd share it here in the hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

The best thing in the world

 "Love is the best thing in the world and the thing that lives the longest."-Henry Van Dyke

I hope that wherever you are reading this, that you have many people around you that you love and who love you. All I know is that it makes my soul feel good to love people and spread love. In that spirit, I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Funny thought for the day

I don't know what's the whole point of having those old 1970s Airbus campers. They look like huge toasters. Every time I see one, I keep waiting for a huge piece of toast to pop out of it!

 I send everyone (especially toaster camper owners) best wishes and much love now and always.

Fragile

 It's the singer Sting's birthday and that got me thinking about a song he sang called Fragile. I like it because it reminds me of how precious life is and how it's  important to cherish the people we have in our lives. Plus, I think the song is pretty and rather soothing which is nice. I share it here to send love and best wishes to everyone now and always. 

Confidence

 It's the actress and singer Julie Andrews's birthday today and that got me thinking about this song that she sang in the musical The Sound of Music called "I Have Confidence." I like it because it's all about having confidence when you're about to do something that terrifies you. I feel like things seem less frightening when I can think of a song that cheers me up. Even if music isn't your thing, I hope that if something frightens you, you find the confidence that's in you and face it head-on. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Bring sunshine to others

 "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."-James M. Barie

If you're reading this, I hope you spread sunshine wherever you go because it is a good feeling and good feelings should be spread. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Dogs and cats can get along

 I always thought it was rather strange when people would say dogs and cats can't get along. I found this video about a dog who became a friend and protector of a kitten. I just thought the story was really sweet as it shows how even the most unlikely friendships can be formed. I think think that's the nicest thing about love and affection, it can come from the most unexpected places and situations. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A sweet video for a Tuesday

 I saw this really sweet video of a puppy showing just how much he loves the baby in his family's house. It always cheers me up to see happy dogs and kids and I hope it has the same effect on others. Wherever you are reading this,  I hope you are having a good day and I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Be swift to love and make haste to be kind

"Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind."-Henri Frederic Amiel 

  I figure the world could always use more love and kindness and the nice thing is that it's not terribly hard to spread kindness.  It can just be a matter of saying something nice to someone else, just to help them feel good inside.  Wherever you are reading this, I hope you take every opportunity to be kind and to love people around you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

I just want to shine

 I heard this lovely song today called "I Just Wanna Shine" by Fitz and the Tantrums. I felt like sharing this song here because to me, it's all about living each day as it's the best day and shining through whatever comes. I for one, always want to shine! I hope that wherever you are reading this, that you always let your light shine and enjoy what each day brings you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Say that you can

 "The first step is you have to say that you can."-Will Smith

I think there's a lot of power in verbalizing things, especially if it's about something you want to do or goal you want to reach. If you're reading this and you want to do something good, especially if it can help other people,  I hope that you choose to tell yourself you can reach your goal because believing in yourself and your abilities is half the battle. I wish you every success in your endeavors and I send you best wishes and much love now and always. 

A laughing baby, a dog and bubbles!

 Some of the things that make me feel happiest are seeing babies laugh, seeing dogs generally and bubbles! So, when I found the video below that involved a dog, a baby and bubbles I was really happy to see it and I thought I'd share it here because it made me smile. I hope it has the same effect on others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Essential conditions of everything

“The essential conditions of everything you do must be choice, love, and passion.” Nadia Boulinger

To all who read this, I hope that you’re able to do many things that you feel passionate about and that you put a lot of love in all you do. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

What each new day brings

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”-Eleanor Roosevelt

Wherever you’re reading this, I hope that you find strength in each day along with many good thoughts. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Where beauty is

 “Beauty is in the heart of the beholder.” H.G. Wells

I like the idea that beauty is in how we see things and in our hearts. I hope that wherever you’re reading this, that you can always find the beauty in yourself, in others and in life. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

How you feel inside

Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical. Sophia Loren

Wherever you’re reading this, I hope you always see the beauty that is in you and that you let it shine. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

There is peace to be found

 "You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you."-Joseph P. Wirthlin

I like the idea that even in nature there is calm in the midst of storms. The idea that things can get better despite everything is a great comfort to me. If you're going through something I hope that you know that things do get better, even if it's better in a way you didn't expect. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Friday!

 I'm just writing to wish everyone a very happy Friday and a lovely weekend to come. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

The power of a dog

 I very much like dogs and so I was happy when I found this lovely video about an old woman who befriended her neighbors’ Saint Bernard dog. I liked the story because the dog helped the woman gain a new lease on life. It shows the power that a dog can have in changing someone’s life and being a source of hope. If you’re reading this, even if you don’t have a dog, I hope you have people and things around you that give you joy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Sending love

 I’m just writing to wish everyone a happy Thursday coming up. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

The time to relax

 "The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." -Sydney J Harris. 

I like this quote because it reminds me of how important it is to relax even when it's a busy time. I find sometimes that when I make time to relax I am strangely more productive in the long run. I hope that wherever you are reading this, that can make time to relax even when you feel you are really busy.I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Loving for who you are

 It’s the singer Fiona Apple’s birthday and to celebrate it, I thought I’d share a song she covered called Why Try To Change Me Now. I like this song because it is all about loving people and yourself for who they/you are. Plus, the way she sings it is really pretty. Wherever you are reading this, I hope that you love people for who they are and that you love yourself for who you are. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Sending love

 I'm just writing to wish everyone the very best for this new week. I send everyone much love now and always.

Love's greatest gift

 "Love's greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred."-Barbara De Angelis

To me, love does make everything seem better. I know that I feel better for loving people than being angry with them. Love just makes my soul feel good.  In that spirit, I hope that you can find the love that is in you and the love that is around you, because of the good feeling those things bring. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Just for laughs

 As it's Friday, and Fridays are good days for laughing (well any day is good for laughing but Fridays especially), I thought I'd share this video of a dog and baby making a ruckus together. It made me laugh and it did my heart good to see it. There's nothing like seeing happy children and dogs. In that spirit, I wish everyone a very happy Friday.

Why I don't mind getting older

 "Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed."-Arthur Schopenhauer 

 

I've never really worried about getting older because there's so much life to live now and there's more possibilities for good things to happen.  Plus I've found that life goes by too fast to worry about it too much. Wherever you are reading this I hope that each day brings you new experiences and things that make you feel good. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Sending good vibes

 I’m just writing to send good vibes to everyone! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Opera humor

 I am learning to sing opera because it's fun and just for some fun I was looking at funny opera singing and I found this video which made me laugh a lot.  The piece the woman is singing is actually really pretty but the way she sings it is so funny. Anyway, even if singing isn't your thing,  I still hope there's a lot of music and laughter in your life. I send you best wishes and much love now and always. 

Labor Day

 I want to wish everyone a very happy Labor Day and to celebrate all the people that ensured and continue to ensure workers’ rights are protected. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A dog who knows what it wants

I saw this video and I had to share it here because it's nice to see a dog so happy just hearing about things the dog likes best. I hope that wherever you're reading this that you have many things that you can think of and feel happy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Ending up where you intended to be

 "I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be."-Douglas Adams

 I have a habit of getting lost but in a way I think that as the quote above implies, I do end up where I intended to go even if I don't always realize the place where I end up is where I was supposed to be. So my message is, if you ever feel lost, know that it's always possible to find where you need to be. I send you best wishes and much love now and always. 

Happy Friday

 I’m just writing to wish everyone a happy Friday. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Dogs like music too

 I saw this lovely video of a dog listening to its owner play the guitar. I liked it because the dog just seemed so happy to hear the music and there's nothing like a happy dog. So I share this video here in the hope it brings some cheer to today. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

On Autumn

September 1st always felt like the start of Autumn to me and it's a season I've always rather liked. In the autumn where I live the temperature is just right and I've always liked how the leaved change color. It makes me feel good inside to see the trees with different colored leaves. As I grew up in a rural area it's always been really nice to pick apples, carve pumpkins and drink apple cider. For all those reasons, autumn makes me happy and so I wish everyone a happy autumn!

Sending love

 I'm just writing to send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

To love

 "To love is to admire with the heart; to admire is to love with the mind. "-Theophile Gautier

I hope that wherever you are reading this that you love the people closest to you with your heart and your mind. I send everyone best wishes now and always.

A half solved problem

 "A problem well stated is a problem half solved."-Charles Kettering

I like the fact that as long as you can state and understand a problem it is possible to solve the problem. If there's a problem you're facing, I hope that you can grow to understand it and then solve it in the end. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Two lasting things to give kids

 "There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings."-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

I'm really glad about is that my parents always have ensured that my siblings and I know we have a home and people that love us and that we remember where we came from. I'm also glad my parents didn't hold me back from doing the things I want to do. To all who read this, I hope that you find your wings and grow and reach whatever goals you set for yourself. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Kids just want to dance

 I saw this lovely video of a little kid dancing to some music played by some street musicians. I thought the clip was really sweet so I had to share it here. It's just nice to see kids dancing like no one is watching and just being so happy about it. Plus when the kid fell down one of the musicians helped the child get back up.  It reminded me that people have a great capacity for kindness. Anyway, I share the clip below in the hope that it helps others feel good. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Three good things that happened today

 Just for the heck of it I thought I'd write about three good things that happened today in my life:

• I was able to talk to a good friend that I hadn't been able to talk to for a while and that always cheers me.
• I wore a pretty dress that made me feel good!
• I got a nice letter from my mom and it's always lovely getting mail from her. 

To all who read this, I hope you can find good things in each day. I send you best wishes and much love now and always. 

Always something new

 "There's always news challenges to keep you motivated."- Sean Connery

I like the idea that there are always new challenges and things to accomplish. It keeps life interesting. If there's a challenge you're working to achieve, I hope you keep going until you achieve your goal, especially if it's doing something that helps other people. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Funny video for a Tuesday

 I saw this video that really brightened my day. I just like seeing babies laugh and dogs make me happy too and this video has both of these things. I send it out in this post in the hope it brings joy to others. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Great hopes

 "I always entertain great hopes." -Robert Frost

Wherever you are reading this, I hope you always stay hopeful because it can be the best and most sustaining thing there is. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Wishing safety

 As a hurricane is hitting the US, I just wanted to send this post to reach .to all those who have been effected. I also want to say I love to people in Haiti and Afghanistan as I know that they’re going through so much trouble.I wish everyone  safety and much love now and always.

Have patience

 "Have patience with all things, But first of all with yourself."-St. Francis de Sales

One thing I hope for everyone is that they have patience for themselves as well as for others. It's a comfort to know that no one is perfect and everyone struggles even if it doesn't seem like it on the outside. I know that I can get impatient and frustrated when I have a harder time doing something. However, when that thing is accomplished I find I feel better knowing that I worked hard and got it done. I hope that wherever you are reading this that you are able to be patient with yourself and if there's something good you want to do, I hope you do it regardless of how difficult it mght be. I  send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Fear less understand more

 “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” -Marie Curie

I like the idea that in order to not fear something it just takes understanding it. I used to be afraid of so many things and while there are still many things I fear, I do find that I feel better about them if I can understand why they frighten me and what I might be able to do about it. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you work to understand the things that frighten you and ultimately have less fear. I send you much love now and always.

Value what you are

 "Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are." -Malcolm Forbes

Wherever you're reading this I hope that you value who you are and all the good things you can do. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Good things from today

 In keeping with my quest to find happy things in each day, here are 3 happy things I experienced today:

1-I was able to spend some time singing which is something I very much enjoy doing.

2-I made plans with a friend to meet up for ice cream this weekend.  It'll be lovely to see my friend soon and plus, it's always nice to have things to look forward to.

3-I was able to go to a church service at my local church and see my friends there. It was really lovely to be with them.

 Wherever you are reading this, I hope you had/are having a good day and I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Dogs hug too

 I saw this lovely video of a dog who likes to give hugs to another dog he lives with. I just thought the video was really sweet so I had to share it here. Basically, I love all the dogs, that's all I have to say for today.  I send everyone (especially the dogs) best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy things I found today

 In my quest to find happy things in each day, here are three happy things I found in my day today

1-I accomplished everything I set out to accomplish today.

2-I was able to take a nice walk and the weather was neither too hot nor too cold!

3-I wore a pretty dress because it felt good to look spiffy for myself.

Wherever you are reading this, I hope that you had many happy things happen in your day. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Love that which is unloveable

 "Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all." Gilbert K. Chesterton

What makes me appreciate loving people and being loved is the fact that it's not always easy to love. It can take work and in doing that work I find that loving people feels better than it would perhaps if it was easy to love everyone. I find that even though it can be hard, I love people because it makes me feel happier. In that spirit, I send best wishes and much love to everyone now and always.

Follow happiness

 "Happiness is a direction, not a place."-Sydney J. Harris

I hope that wherever you are reading this that you are able to follow and do whatever makes you feel happiest. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always!

Happy Friday

 I’m just writing to wish everyone a very happy Friday from me and all my Minions!

The power of spending time with a pet

Outside of seeing my family, one of the things I like about visiting my family is that I get to see my parents’ dog Gus. I find I always feel happy when I’m spending time with Gus and/or with dogs in general. Anyway, I’m posting this picture of Gus here to help spread some cheer! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

One step at a time

 "The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs...one step at a time." -Joe Girard

It's rather comforting to know that things can be taken one step at a time and each step brings one closer to success. If there's something good you want to do, I hope you do it and take it one step at a time. I send you best wishes and much love now and always. 

Every day is new

 “Every day is a new day, and you'll never be able to find happiness if you don't move on."- Carrie Underwood 

It’s comforting to know that every day is new and a new opportunity to find better things and happiness. Wherever you are reading this, I hope that with each new day brings you ways to find the opportunities and happiness around you. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Just for fun

 I read somewhere that watching cat videos can cheer people up. I've no idea if this theory is actually true, but I have to admit, this video made me laugh so I thought I'd share it here. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Things that help sustain life

 “The two basic items necessary to sustain life are sunshine and coconut milk.”- Dustin Hoffman 

Even if you’re not a fan of coconut milk, I hope that wherever you’re reading this, that you can find the sunshine and laughter in life. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Being home

 I've come to visit my family in Michigan and as much as I think wherever I live is home, I find I feel especially at home when I'm with my family. I just feel better when I'm with them. I hope wherever you are reading this, that you have people around you that help you feel happiest. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Happy Friday

 I’m just writing to wish everyone a very happy Friday from me and my minions!

The best time of happiness

 "Do not set aside your happiness. Do not wait to be happy in the future. The best time to be happy is always now."- Roy T. Bennett

I feel like there's something nice about knowing that happiness is something that can be found if sought and wherever you are reading this, I hope that  you always seek and find the happiness around you and celebrate it. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Dogs versus door stops

 "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of"-Ogden Nash

I saw this quote and then I found the video below that I thought seemed somewhat applicable to the spirit of this quote. The video is of puppies valiantly fighting to protect the world against.....door stops! I also felt the need to share it because well....I just want all the dogs but as that's not possible for health and safety reasons, I'll settle for really cute dog videos. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Cats and dogs can get along

 I saw this lovely video of a dog and a kitten getting better acquainted. It shows me that even dogs and cats can get along quite well. Plus, I love dogs and so I had to share this video here as it makes me happy. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

A lovely dinner

 My cousin and her husband and children came for dinner. It was so nice to be able to hang out with them and be around their energy. It just made me feel good inside to see and be with people who had a lot of happiness to share .Plus, I always feel meals somehow taste better when they're shared.  Wherever you're reading this, I hope that you have people around you who help you feel good. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

The power of a sunbeam

 "A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows."-St. Francis of Assisi

Sometimes I do wish happy feelings were contagious or things that you can bottle up and let out again when in need of them. I feel like the fact that I'm not always happy helps me appreciate it more when I feel really good and it makes me want to spread that good feeling farther.  Wherever you are reading things, I hope you let happy feelings spread and I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Feeling perfectly splendid

Today I was thinking of how sometimes it's really nice just to get all dressed up for no other reason than to look and feel really good. So today I've decided that this afternoon I'm getting all dressed up and go for....a walk, just so I can feel perfectly splendid. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you're able to do something today that makes you feel really happy. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

A Friday Dance

 I saw this video and thought today was a good day to share it. Plus, days are always better if there's dancing involved in them! Happy Friday to everyone! I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always!

The loveliness of friends

I was feeling a bit down this evening and then one of my friends called me saying she was in my area and wanted to stop by and see me and she brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers. It reminded me yet again of how good people can be to each other and how much I love my friends. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have people around you who care about you. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

I just want all the dogs

 I was thinking of how much I like dogs and I saw this video it made me smile. If it was possible I think I'd adopt all the dogs although as it stands, taking such action would probably lead to health and cleanliness risks. So I'll stick to watching the video. I send everyone best wishes and much love always. 

Sending love

 I just wanted to write and send much love and best wishes to everyone now and always.

Love is everything

 "Ultimately love is everything."- M. Scott Peck

The best thing about love is that it underpins so many things and makes so many things feel better. I figure the world could always use more love. In that spirit, I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Minions go to the Olympics

 Because I love the Minions I was so pleased to find that the Minions have gone to the Olympics! Clearly my mission to have the Minions all over the place is working! So happy! Plus,  Simone Byles is awesome! Anyway, I send everyone (including all Minions) much love and best wishes now and always.

Two Words

 "All human wisdom is summed up in two words: wait and hope." Alexandre Dumas

I like this quote because I think wisdom doesn't come in haste and I also find the more I hope for good things to happen, somehow I learn more about being resilient and not worrying so much. To all who read this, I hope you always stay hopeful because hope is one of the best things there is. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Feeling pretty

 Today I wore a dress that I don't usually wear and I chose to wear it today just because it's nice to feel pretty. Wherever you're reading this, I hope you are able to wear and/or do things that make you feel good. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Mother love

 I saw this lovely video of a little girl and  her mom and I had to share it here mainly because I miss hugging people, especially my family. Anyway, seeing this video cheered me up and I hope it has the same effect on others.  I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Something comforting

 The actor Robin Williams was born today in 1951 and thinking about him made me think of one of the roles he played called Mrs. Doubtfire in the movie of the same name.  At the end of the movie Robin William's character gives a lovely speech to comfort a child who's parents have gotten divorced. It made me think of how there are so many definitions of what constitutes a family and as long as you have people around you that care about you then you have a family. In any case for whatever reason, today it's still comforting to watch that scene because it reminds me that as long as there is love, people will be all right. In that spirit, I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Smooth

 It's the musician Santana's birthday today and in honor of his birthday, I though I'd share a song I really like that he performed with the singer Rob Thomas. The song is called Smooth and it always makes me feel happy when I hear it. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have music in your life and that it helps you feel smooth. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

Sending much love

 I'm just writing to send everyone much love now and always. I hope each day brings you many reasons to feel happy.

Ten Pins in the Sky

 It's cloudy and rainy out today where I live and so when I heard this song,  I felt like sharing the song here because listening to Judy Garland sing does cheer me up. I hope wherever you're reading this that even if it's cloudy, that you can enjoy the sun when it comes out. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

A smile

 "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight."-Phyllis Diller

I find I always feel better when I smile. There's something so nice about the feeling that smiling brings. Plus, it can be contagious and it makes me feel good to know that I might help someone else feel better. Wherever you are reading this, I hope you have many reasons to smile in life. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Recharge!

"We take better care of our smartphones than we do of ourselves - the phones are always recharged!-Arianna Huffington 

 In the spirit of this quote, wherever you are reading this, I hope you have a lovely weekend and I hope you can use this weekend to recharge and come into next week refreshed! I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Part of success

 "We need to accept that we won't always make the right decisions, that we'll screw up royally sometimes - understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it's part of success." -Arianna Huffington 

 As difficult as messing up can feel, there is something comforting about knowing that everyone messes up sometimes. If you can make mistakes and still keep working towards a goal you've set for yourself, it shows that you're really committed to that goal and that you'll get there in the end. If you're going towards a goal, I hope you won't stop until you reach it! I send you best wishes and much love always.

Riding in a car

 The singer Woody Guthrie was born today in 1912 and one of the songs he sang is called Riding in My Car. I heard it today and it made me think of how my Dad (who likes cars from the 1950s, 60s and 70s) used to take me out in his red MG car and we'd go get doughnuts on Saturdays. (I never knew exactly which Saturday we'd go so it was always a nice surprise). So that's why at least to me, there's always been something nice about riding in a car with the top down. Anyway, I heard this song and I thought it was fun so I had to share it here. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always. 

A lovely poetry reading

 It's the actor Patrick Stewart's birthday today and in celebration of this day I thought I'd share a lovely video I found of Patrick Stewart reading Shakespeare'18. I just thought his reading of this sonnet was so lovely and so I had to share it here as it made me happy to hear it. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Why I like dancing

  “Optimist: someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it’s more like a cha-cha.” Robert Brault

I've always felt dancing is a good lesson in life because even if you have to go backwards, it is possible to do it gracefully and have fun while you're at it. Wherever you are reading this, I hope that you can find reasons to dance in life, just because it's fun. I send you best wishes and much love now and always. 

 

Why I like the King and I

 The actor Yul Brenner was born today in 1920. He's most famous for portraying the King Mongkut of Siam in the play the King and I. I rather like this play because in many ways it's about respect. The play is about an English teacher  (Anna Leonowens) who goes to Siam (now Thailand) to teach the children of King Mongkut. As the play progresses the King and Anna come to respect each other as equals and friends. I've always felt there's an element of love in respect. Even if that love isn't romantic love or affectionate, I think respect is rooted in love because in respecting someone people show they value them and trust them. In some ways I think love based on respect is the best kind of love because it's deeper than passionate or romantic love and more lasting.  Love based on respect is something I hope everyone can find. I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Just for laughs

 I saw this lovely video of babies laughing and I thought it was so nice and I had to share it here as it made me laugh. I hope everyone has a very nice Saturday and I send everyone best wishes and much love now and always.

Why I keep happy

 Why do I carry on in life and keep happy? Because there's always more people to help and love deeply, there's always more music to sing, and.... most of all, there's always more Minions to find! Whatever makes you feel good in life, I hope you pursue it and embrace the happiness that can be found in life. I send you best wishes and much love now and always.

Be strong and love more

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu

Loving people and things has always helped me feel stronger somehow. I figure everything could use a bit more love. In that spirit I send best wishes and much love to everyone now and always. 

Life goes on

 It's the singer Ringo Starr''s birthday today and in celebration of this day, and as Ringo Starr was a member of the Beatles, I thought I'd share a song I really like that the Beatles are famous for singing. I like this song particularly because as the song says, no matter what, life goes on and that's what makes it lovely!  I send best wishes and much love to everyone now and always.