My Kind of Books

I read novels…on occasion. I look for light, happy stories with a bit of mystery to them. Most of the time, I read or listen to non-fiction. When you’ve raised yourself, (and haven’t done a grand job of it) there is a lot of patchwork to do so I spend a lot of time filling in the missing pieces. That’s been a life’s calling for me. I’m always searching for answers. Those answers are frequently changing.

I read his books and use his meditations.

I also watch a lot of YouTube. There is so much to learn there with an endless volume of information. It seems that I love to research so many subjects because so much changing quickly. When I came down with a most debilitating case of Bells Palsy, I started this blog and researched. My brain was broken for several years from it, so I found out everything I could on neuroplasticity. I found an excellent neurologist in Portland that helped me with several forms of exercise to get my eyes tracking together again and helped me stay upright. I couldn’t find much information online at the time.

An older book on neuroplasticity

When I found out my chronic cough was IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) I started researching even more when my pulmonologist suggested that epigenetics could come into play and I leave the word “terminal” out of my vocabulary. Greatest gift ever. I read more books but avoided looking at the statistics as fact. I’ve defied all the statistics anyway.

There is more to our genes than we thought

 

Now, I’m doing more reading and research on cancer. How can I help those that are going to try to help me. The need-to-know things runs very deep. One thing I know for certain is that a sense of humor is at the top of the list in every form of healing and maintaining health. So along with slogging through some tough reading, (audible helps me understand better) I find a lot of light reading helps. I look for the funny everywhere and am happiest if I can crack people up into fits of laughter. A good belly laugh is the best medicine. I’m going through another series that I didn’t think I would enjoy but it turns out to be just what the doctor ordered.

I read and laughed through all nine of this series

I’m reading the third in the series and was surprised at how fun it was to read. Perfect light stories.

The update is that I have an appointment on July 28^th at 10:30 a.m. Chemo and radiation are not an option due to IPF. I don’t want it anyway. By 3:00 p.m.’s surgery, I should be well on my way to being cancer free. Lynne McTaggart’s book “The Power of 8” is one that I found most helpful. Prayer works, with or without bias or religion. It’s intention to help another person, while at the same time helping those that are setting that intention or prayer. The research is excellent. I probably won’t be laughing for a few days but I’ll read my way into a gentle giggle until I’m back on my feet.

I have read all of these

It was a lovely, gentle read

Thank you all for the love and support you have sent my way already. You have no idea how much it means that I have more than eight cheering me on to recovery. I’m sending those intentions right back out to you as well.

She is so inspirational

Do you like to research things in your life?

From my heart to yours,

Marlene Herself

 

My Wildest Dream

Have you had dreams for your life that you thought would be so wonderful to accomplish? Sometimes, they stay dreams because you just don’t believe they can become real. I had several of those dreams. I wanted to teach when I was very young and set up classrooms for my siblings and the neighbor children. Later in life, when books became available and my best friends, I thought that maybe I could share what I had learned from life by writing my own books. Since classes were rarely available, I tried to teach myself as I had with most things in my life.

Part of my how to write books

More of my how to write books

A few months ago, I was pushed way out of my comfort zone by a very sweet and long-time friend. We had not seen each other in almost 15 years but Sharyn has been a quiet reader of my blog for many years. Sharyn was teaching Feng Shui here in the Arizona White Mountains where she and her husband owned a couple of theaters and raised their children.  She’s an adorable, high energy, butterfly of a human.

One of Sharyn’s books on Feng Shui

A woman of many talents, Sharyn decided to collect stories from many women and some men sharing their wisdom from a long life. One day, Sharyn gave me a call asking me to write a story for a second anthology she was putting together. I laughed.  She sent me a copy of the first anthology so I could get a better feel for what she wanted from me. Again, I laughed and said I wasn’t qualified to be included with these well-educated and accomplished women. She called again to convince me that I was indeed proficient enough to do this and sent me the requirements.

Flowers from Sharyn

So, I wrote, and rewrote several times. I was then instructed to send my story to her editor for final review. Every day, I expected someone involved with the publishing of this book to say my story was not what they were looking for and thank you for trying.

Somehow, that didn’t happen. Sharyn let me know the final publication date of 11/11/22 was set. There was a link that day for the Kindle version of the book and I downloaded it and today the hard copy comes out on Amazon. I bought several copies to be gifted to the few who have supported my dream to write.

The first anthology.

I’ve had a hard time telling anyone about it. It didn’t seem like something that could be real for me. I write a blog post once in a while to a small group of wonderful followers. I’m not college educated with writing credits ANYWHERE. I just write because the need is in me to do so. Now, I can truthfully say out loud, I’m a writer. I have a published story?! Dreams do come true.

Out today with my little part in it.

It’s real

Have you ever had a wild dream come true for you?

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” – William Wordsworth

From my heart to yours,

Marlene Herself

Loose Ends

I was so grateful to see a new year come in with a little hope attached to it. My first few days were primarily about rest. Having my morning coffee and making to-do lists.

I still need a straw to drink coffee.

It took another week or more to take all of Christmas down and put it back into storage. Then there are thank you notes to be written to some extra generous friends.

Gift from a most generous friend

I did take some time to do a little something fun. My son recommended a movie so I walked the mall for exercise first and bought a ticket. I saw the film “Last Christmas” It was NOT what I expected. I was so excited about it; I went again with my daughter on a weekend day. There were 6 people in the theater both times. It was one of the best movies that I have seen in years. It had a little of everything including an ending I didn’t see coming. My daughter loved it too and had fortunately brought plenty of tissue. It’s one I’d buy to have in my small library of movies.

Last Christmas movie

I meant to tell you about our unorthodox holiday. We celebrate everything. Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah and Christmas time birthdays. It’s a very fattening holiday season. Christmas Eve, my niece and her mother came to celebrate with us. We had matzo ball soup for dinner then my niece and her mom lit the menorah candles and we watched them burn as they said their prayers in Hebrew.

Lighting first candle together

We exchanged a few small gifts with each other. My daughter and I added to their Jewish/Christmas tree ornaments that gets put up in my nieces home each year. Her mom has a crazy sense of humor as the Angel and the star of David are hanging sideways on the tree. She says it’s because she is height challenged. It was a lovely and peaceful way to incorporate all ways of looking at life. It’s really not that hard. Just being respectful of each other.

Hanukkah/Christmas Tree

In case anyone is curious about my daughter’s car that was donated to the Humane Society, it auctioned off for $975. Most of that goes to the animals.

 

I’m working on a new health routine this winter. I’m still walking five days a week. We often get breaks in the rain and it only takes 30 minutes. Because of the chronic cough from IPF that plagues my days and sleep I’ve found some new tools to help me. We used to joke about my aunt and her love of Jagermeister. But now that she has reached the age of 84 and outlived her entire family, I decided to take another look at it.

I go through lots of these.

Less than an ounce before bed

When I read the ingredients, I was stunned. Turns out it’s a wonderful cough suppressant. I’ve been sleeping much better and longer. It doesn’t take much. I use a small cordial glass and put an ice cube in it.

My philosophy is in sync with Mary Englebeit’s

One cough drop in my mouth just before falling asleep and I’ve been getting almost 7.5 hrs. Works much better than Brandy or medications. I’ve tried it all.

My daughter’s philosophy.

Now I’m ready to get back to work here and in the sewing room. Wish me luck. Lots of projects are waiting for this procrastinator.

Is your new year off to a good start or are you still trying to get a foothold on it?

From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself