Tag: writing

Breaking Free from Judgment: A Heartfelt Perspective

Daily writing prompt
What does freedom mean to you?
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I don’t think anyone likes to be judged, especially by someone who doesn’t know you. Everybody is different. Even twins are different. Everyone is special, and I don’t believe we should judge another person based on anything.

I find that I have to catch myself being judgmental of others, and I put myself in place. The good LORD up above didn’t put us on Earth to judge each other. Only HE can judge us and I feel with all my heart that – that is what HE will do. It will be fair and personal for each person.

I love to share my songs on this platform and one song I wrote that most resonates with me is a song called “Fear In Me”. I hope you will listen to the lyrics and tell me if you can relate. It now has 104 views on my YouTube channel, so it must resonate with people. Won’t you please listen? I will put the lyrics below if you would rather read it.

I build dreams from paper and ink
Then tear them down before I blink
Set my heart on something new
But second-guess what I should do

I chase stars just to lose my way
Speak my truth, then hide away
Climb the hills, then doubt the view
Lock the door and lose the key too

Clip my wings before I soar
Knock on hope, then close the door
Chase a dream, then pull away
Fighting battles I create

I'm the thief who hides my light
Hold myself back from taking flight
I'm the ghost of what could be
Caught inside the fear in me

I turn silver into dust
Question those I want to trust
Paint my world in shades of gray
Then wonder why the colors fade

I'm the thief who hides my light
Hold myself back from taking flight
I'm the ghost of what could be
Caught inside the fear in me

I stand at the edge, but don’t take the leap
Sing myself to sleep in secrets I keep
But maybe one day, I’ll break the chain
And step outside into the rain

I stand at the edge, but don’t take the leap
Sing myself to sleep in secrets I keep
But maybe one day, I’ll break the chain
And step outside into the rain

What I’ll Do When I Retire: A Personal Journey

Well, I am not retired YET, but in 3 years I can retire from my 9 to 5. So I wanted to share how I plan on spending my days when I don’t have that daily grind.

For 25 years now I have been working, planning, and dreaming of retirement. And when it finally begins—and I’m determined to enjoy every minute of it. No more early meetings, no more rushed lunches, no more weekends lost to work stress. Every day will be mine to shape, and I carved out a routine that will balance movement, creativity, and a little hustle. Here’s how I plan on spending that new chapter of life.

Mornings on the Southwest Trail

Each day will start with something that clears my head and gets my body moving: a ride down the Southwest Trail. If you haven’t seen my review videos of it and what the trail is all about then see the video below. It will the perfect way to begin—quiet, scenic, and just challenging enough to remind me I’m alive and still kicking. The fresh air, the rhythm of the wheels on the pavement, and the peace of an early morning ride will be my favorite kind of meditation. It will set the tone for the rest of the day: focused, steady, and open to whatever comes. As time allows, I will make more videos where I show you the trail.

Writing My Novel

After my ride, it’ll be time to chase a different kind of dream. I will finally have time to write the novel that’s been living in my head for years. No more saying “someday.” I will brew some coffee, sit down at my desk, and dive into the world I’m creating. Some days I know the words will flow easily; other days they won’t. But I’m going to show up anyway. There’s something deeply satisfying about building a story one page at a time. It’s work—but it’ll be the kind I love. Here is a video I did in April 2024 that has only gotten 18 views on Youtube.

A Quick Scroll Through Social Media and playing Catch-Up

Mid-morning, I’ll take a break and catch up on the world. I check my social media—not obsessively, but just enough to stay connected. It’ll fun to see what friends are up to, write a blogpost her on my wordpress site for a quick update, and maybe post a photo from the trail or a snapshot of my writing nook. I’ll try not to let it take over my day, but it’ll be a nice way to stay plugged in.

Treasure Hunting for My Flea Market Booth

One of my more expected retirement joys will be hunting for things to resell at a flea market booth. I don’t know where that will be yet, whether it will be an actual location or online, but I will hit thrift stores, estate sales, and garage sales with a sharp eye and a bit of intuition. It’s part scavenger hunt, part business. I love the thrill of finding something unique and giving it new life. Plus, it keeps a little money flowing—and gives me a reason to dig through old boxes and bargain with strangers or make new friends.

Cooking, Cleaning, and Enjoying the Simple Stuff

The evenings will be more relaxed. I plan on spending time in the kitchen, trying out recipes I never had time for before. Some days it might just be a sandwich and soup; other days, I go all out. I will also make time to clean up, keep the house in shape, and appreciate the slower pace. It will feel good to take care of my space and myself without rushing.

Retirement doesn’t mean doing nothing. For me, it will mean doing more of what I love—on my own terms (without a boss).

Understanding the Check Engine Light: Causes and Solutions

So, I become depressed when I see the dashboard check engine light. Why? I’ve experienced a lot of car breakdowns over the years, which depresses me.

Some of the reasons include

  1. Loose or Faulty Gas Cap – that is true for older vehicles, but new vehicles don’t have gas caps anymore.
  2. Faulty Oxygen Sensor (O2 Sensor) – These sensors tattle on your engine when the air-fuel mixture just ain’t right.
  3. Bad Catalytic Converter – Without it, your vehicle is basically a mobile polluter.
  4. Failing Spark Plugs or Wires – No Spark? No vroom. Just sadness and misfires.
  5. Mass Airflow Sensor Malfunction (MAF Sensor) – It measures air coming in. When it’s confused, so is your engine.
  6. Bad Ignition Coil – The middleman between the batter and the spark plugs.. when he calls in sick, things go south.
  7. Vacuum leak—those tiny little hose cracks = BIG dramatic engine light show.
  8. Dead or Dying Battery?— A weak battery can freak out your car’s computer faster than a squirrel in traffic.
  9. Bad EGR Valve (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)—It helps reduce emissions… and apparently your sanity when it fails.
  10. Dirty or Clogged Fuel Injectors – Think of them as the tiny baristas for your engine. No coffee = No gas.
  11. Thermostat Malfunction—Too hot? Too cold? YOur engine just wants to be Goldilocks perfect.
  12. Transmission issues – Sometimes, engine lights double as warning lights for slipping gears or failing sensors.
  13. Worn Timing Belt – Tick-Tock, the rubber clock… and if it snaps, oh honey, catastrophic.
  14. Bad PCV Valve (Positive Crankcase Ventilation)— If it’s clogged, your engine basically starts choking on its own fumes.
  15. Software or Computer Glitches – Even cars have their “Have you tried turning it off and back on again?” moments.
  16. AND The Big ONE! The why I am writing this blog post Moment! It is PO325 – Knock Sensor 1 Circuit. In plain English – Your car’s brain thinks the knock sensor isn’t doing its job right. The Knock Sensor is like a tiny microphone bolted to your engine block. It listens for tiny knocks or pings (which happen when combustion inside the cylinders isn’t smooth, like a badly timed fireworks show.) If it hears knocking, it tells the computer, “Hey, back off the timing a little! Things are getting rough in here!” When does it fail? Well, your engine can run with bad timing because the computer isn’t being warned about knocking, and you might hear ticking, pinging, rattling or just feel a loss of power. Sometimes, you won’t feel much at all – but left alone, it can cause real engine damage.
The Knock sensor fell asleep at its post,
so the engine pings like a haunted ghost,
and though it tries to sing along,
the rhythm and timing are all wrong.

What causes PO325? 1. A dead or dying knock sensor, damaged wiring or loose connector to the sensor, and sometimes even engine sludge or build-up affecting the sensor’s ability to “hear”.

How to fix it? Usually means replacing the knock sensor, but the mechanic might recommend checking/fixing the wiring harness too if it looks crispy or chewed up.

You can change it yourself if you’re feeling do-it-yourself today, but it will be a bit more work because, like my husband’s Silverado, that sucker is concealed beneath the intake manifold. The sad trombone “Womp womp” is sounded.

My husband’s truck engine light turned on this morning as we were leaving for work, which is why I am revealing all of this. There is this “S” curve that goes down into the curve. His 2019 Silverado had a problem gaining power going up the hill this morning, and then “Boom!” the check engine light turned RED. Normally, our vehicles don’t have issues.

Oh, how I hate that pesky light. So many vehicles and so many troubles. His Silverado has 102,000 miles now. He has driven the heck out of that truck. I just pray that this doesn’t turn into an “Old Blue.” If you have listened to any of my songs, you probably hear my lyrics where I mention her. She is a 1984 GMC Sierra. She was old when we got her in the mid 1990’s but I’ll tell you one thing – she hauled a lot of yardsale stuff and made us a lot of money.

I think trucks can have personalities too. Old Blue was a gas guzzler. She had two tanks that only held about 12 gallons on each side. We were lucky if we got 10 miles to the gallon. And she seemed to know when we were going to come into money. Every year at tax time, that refund check was spent on her. If he got a bonus at work, that money was spent on her. But the one thing I am thankful for is -she didn’t break down when we were far from home.

Yup, she hauled a lot of stuff and now, the Silverado has become the New Old Blue except she’s dark gray. I just hope that these inanimate objects, to us that is, can’t talk to each other. Silver does get parked about 20 feet away from Old Blue everyday so may, I hope and pray, that Old Blue hasn’t rubbed off on her.

If you heard this song, would you want to read the story and to hear the rest of it?

Daily writing prompt
Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.
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LAVA BENEATH OUR BONES

I saw him ride through whispering trees,
A ghost in velvet, a prince in dreams.
The wind held still, the forest sighed,
And something deep in me came alive.
He didn't speak, he looked, then rode—
But left my soul with fire untold.

When he rode away, I felt the lava stir insi

The ball was bathed in candlelight,
I danced in mask, lost in the night.
His hand found mine, our rhythm slow,
He saw my mask, not what I know.
He whispered dreams with every spin,
Unknowing who danced close to him.

But in his arms, my fire grew - he felt it too, he never knew.

But oh, we had to fight the flame,
Bound by bloodlines, not by name.
He, a prince of ancient stone,
I, a girl the world disowned.
We burned beneath forbidden skies,
But love won’t bow to royal ties.

My Nerves are Totally Shot!

Daily writing prompt
Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.
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Woke up this mornin’ with a twitch in my eye,
Coffee pot broke, and I let out a sigh.
The dog chewed the cord to the internet box,
Now I’m sittin’ here talkin’ to a wall and a clock.

Bills are stackin’ up like laundry I forgot,
I'm one bad mood away from losin’ the plot.

My nerves are totally shot, I swear I'm barely hangin' on,
Feelin’ like a rubber band stretched way too long.
I laugh, then I cry, then I shout at the sky—
If one more thing goes wrong, I might just say goodbye
(to sanity, not y’all—I ain’t goin’ nowhere).
Yeah, my nerves are totally shot, and I just don’t care.

Some folks say, “Girl, just breathe and relax,”
But I’ve tried that, along with bubble baths and snacks.
The washer's broke, the cat threw up on my shoe,
And my voicemail’s full of things I still gotta do.

I keep smilin’ like a pageant queen on cue,
But inside I’m screamin’ like a kettle about to spew.

My nerves are totally shot, I'm a mess in disguise,
Tryin’ to hold it together with duct tape and lies.
I laugh, then I cry, then I talk to the wall—
If one more thing happens, I might just lose it all.
But till then, I’ll sip this tea and plot...
‘Cause my nerves are totally shot.

Don’t need a vacation, I need a padded room,
Or maybe just a quiet night with no sense of doom.
Give me one day where nothin’ goes wrong—
Till then I’ll keep singin’ this broken-nerved song.

Yeah, my nerves are totally shot, and that’s just the truth,
I’m a tired soul in stretchy pants, losin’ my youth.
But I’ll laugh, then I cry, then I throw up my hands,
And hope the good Lord above still understands.
Life’s a lot... more often than not—
Yeah, my nerves... are totally shot.

So, one day I came home, and after a hectic day at work, I came home to this! I thought it would be a good song. I have never heard anyone out there ever put this to words and I feel that it is my obligation to put things into song that nobody would even consider singing about.

April Day’s ~ Just a song to celebrate the month of April

April starts with tricks and fun,
April Fools’—better watch out, everyone!
Then Autism Awareness shines so bright,
Spreading love, understanding, and light.

So many days, so much to do,
Every sunrise brings something new.
From Earth Day green to Easter delight,
April’s got something that feels just right!

Oh, April days, come and play,
Celebrate life in a special way!
From laughing out loud to dancing around,
April’s the month where joy is found.

World Health Day comes—take care, be strong,
And hug your pet on the 11th, all day long!
Then we cheer for books on the 23rd,
Grab a story—let your imagination be heard.

So many days, so much to do,
Every sunrise brings something new.
From Earth Day green to Easter delight,
April’s got something that feels just right!

Oh, April days, come and play,
Celebrate life in a special way!
From laughing out loud to dancing around,
April’s the month where joy is found.

On the 15th, we pay our dues,
Tax Day’s here, but don’t feel blue.
Then Earth Day comes, let’s plant some trees,
A greener world, fresh air to breathe.

Pajamas to work, on the 16th, why not?
Superhero Day, go save a spot!
World Penguin Day—so cool, so neat,
Then Dance Day comes, just move your feet!

So many days, so much to do,
Every sunrise brings something new.
From Earth Day green to Easter delight,
April’s got something that feels just right!

Oh, April days, come and play,
Celebrate life in a special way!
From laughing out loud to dancing around,
April’s the month where joy is found.

Oh, April days, come and play,
Celebrate life in a special way!
From laughing out loud to dancing around,
April’s the month where joy is found.

April’s got sunshine, April’s got rain,
But every day, there’s joy to gain.
So mark your calendar, don’t delay,
And celebrate each April day!

April’s got sunshine, April’s got rain,
But every day, there’s joy to gain.
So mark your calendar, don’t delay,
And celebrate each April day!
Come on and join the Fun!

Help pick up trash for the New Southwest Trail Project System

Daily writing prompt
How would you improve your community?
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I live in central Arkansas. The Pulaski County Road and Bridge Department has a Community Project going on that was started in 2022. The website is not up to date on all the construction but there is a Facebook group that does have more information. The website link is https://www.pulaskicounty.net/road-bridge click on Resources and Community Projects. From there you will find an interactive map that looks like this.

The yellow line is the trail from Little Rock to Hot Springs. It starts down town by the Arkansas River, goes South to Baseline Road, then southwest to Shannon Hills, Alexander, Bauxite on to Benton. In Benton it goes under the interstate and follows Highway 70 to Hot Springs. In Hot Springs it stops at Bath House Row. If you have never been there, I would suggest going and checking it out.

We did a drive by on Geyer Springs where it intersects right before the Pulaski County/Saline County line. I pulled out my phone and recorded it. There were lots of construction workers from the Pulaski County Road and Bridge Department. I did a video on my YouTube channel to talk about this project and to show everyone. As time goes, I am going to video more of the project so people can see how beautiful Arkansas can be. Here is the video. Please give me a like and share it to help get the word out about our Natural State of Arkansas.

We were live and you can still watch it

Last night, March 15th, we were live on a podcast to talk with Echo from Georgia. I keep wanting to say Alabama for some reason, but it is in about the same location. Close to the Florida state line.

It lasted for almost 2 hours, and I think it was very productive. We talked about our relationship and my music. All of my songs have a story behind them in one way or another. I played the music on my television behind us. She couldn’t get the song to play in the live stream through the website we were using called Restream.

I have a lot of work to do. I am working a full-time job. I am also keeping up with this blog and both of my Youtube channels. I really love working with Suno to create music and I love to write so there you go, viola, instant music.

If I had a dream right now, it would be to meet someone famous in the music world. Who would want one of my songs, or maybe even more of them, to play and sing. And then, it would go viral on the radio. Maybe that dream is too big for me right now but who knows. It could happen, right?

If you have watched, I would really appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you so much and I’ll be back with more content soon.