I like both London and Paris. The history and the architecture really win me over.
Photo by Eva Dang on Unsplash
Photo by Léonard Cotte on Unsplash
If we’re talking about non-city places, I love the mountains. It’s where I grew up and where I’m the happiest. My favorite scent is pine sap and my favorite sound is the wind blowing through evergreen branches.
My neighbors have a big pine tree in their front yard. When the wind blows I go outside to hear the wind going through the branches. That hiss is amazing. Plus, owls live there and at night I can hear them hoot.
I always have a cup of tea beside my laptop. Even as it’s tortuously hot outside, I have some cooled tea in my cup.
I also have dogs at my feet! Guinness the Therapy Dog is usually under the table where I work and rests on top of my feet. Lucy the Wonder Dog likes to stretch out beside my chair-within quick access to her crate where she hides.
One of my favorite philosophies is: You never know what someone is going through, so be nice.
I also like the idea that “unless you walk in someone else’s shoes, you can’t understand what they’re going through.”
I try to keep those in mind whenever I run across someone. If they’re happy, sad, angry, despondent, etc. it’s important to approach with love.
I can remember how it felt to be judged without that person knowing what was going on in my life, and inside my head.
I remember being the one judging. It makes me cringe and I want to find those people to apologize to them.
I think I’m this retrospective because I’m writing Lady Zepherine’s story. She’s going through a lot that I went through and it can be difficult to open those doors. I’ve been very successful in locking up those memories, especially from high school, and now I am taking a key to those rusty locks.
It’s not as traumatic as other people’s experiences, but it was a lot to handle when I was a young teenager. Wait, aren’t all teenagers the same age? Chronologically, yes. But I was young, emotionally and physically. Which can be difficult when you’re in middle and high school.
I can’t wait for you to read Lady Zepherine’s story! Sonja
Today is the day to celebrate anyone in your family who has survived cancer. According to the NCSD website, this applies to any living person who has overcome cancer-from diagnosis to today. NCSD is observed on the first Sunday of June worldwide.
It’s a day to celebrate life, in a month set aside to recognize these survivors. The website highlights words such as celebration, inspiration, support, and outreach.
There are events in many locations around the world to recognize those who have beaten the ‘Big C.’
These days, since we shouldn’t gather in large groups, you can connect online. I recommend doing an Internet search for an event that works for you.
Today, there are more than 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States (according to the NCSD.org website). They are supported by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, which is a nonprofit that collects information for cancer survivors. The Foundation “works to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors by raising awareness of the ongoing challenges of cancer survivorship.”
So, if you have someone in your life who has survived cancer (I have many!), today is the day to recognize their amazing battle and recovery!
First, today is the day that Susan B. Anthony was fined for voting in a presidential election. She was in New York (Rochester), and wanted voting rights to be extended to women. Leading a group of women to the polls, she was promptly arrested after casting her vote. It took five decades for women to achieve the vote and in August 1920, the U.S. Constitution ratified the 19th Amendment that allows women to vote.
Today also marks the largest amphibious landing in history. On what is now known as D-Day, Allied forces landed on several beaches along the northern coast of France, in Normandy. More than 1.5 million soldiers took part, with 4,400 ships and landing craft, and 11,000 aircraft. Operation Overlord provided a turning point in World War II. Of the approximately 150,000 Allied men who landed on Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches, more than 15,000 were killed or wounded.
Third, today marks the birthday of American patriot Nathan Hale. Born in 1755 in Connecticut, he was a skilled debater and was in favor of women’s rights. During the Revolutionary War he volunteered as a spy. During a mission to Long Island, New York, he was captured by the British forces and hanged in 1776. Hale stated, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” as he mounted the gallows.
It’s a pretty heavy day, but, just to keep things fun, I want to mention that it’s also NATIONAL YOYO DAY!
There are several Internet sites dedicated to teaching yoyo tricks (You can spell it yo-yo or yoyo). So pull out your Shutter Yoyo, Replay Yoyo, or the yoyo of your choice and get ready to Split the Atom or do the Kwyjibo Yoyo Trick. I remember being fascinated by Walk the Dog.
