Do Your Best

Something I saw on Bluesky got me to thinking about my work history.  A simple little meme - I think it’s a hamster, maybe a gerbil, sitting at a desk with cup of coffee. Question: “What do you do for a living?  Answer: “I do my best.”

unknown source

For me being retired, I would use the past tense:  “I did my best.”

A simple yet profound statement.  I worked many jobs either part- or full-time and temporary ones.  A few I got fired from; some I quit, some went out of business.

Battling the demons of addiction and depression, I struggled throughout those years, even in recovery.  So I did my best, basically to survive.  That is the exactly the right way to summarize it all.

Now being retired, having the opportunity to write when I want, fix things, be free from bosses (ha!) I feel so much more content.  How fortunate I am, even if I am poor.  My spirit, my sense of well-being is much improved.

I hope others don’t have to struggle so much as I have.  Life is hard.  There are no guarantees for job security.  All I can suggest is take care of yourself.  Stick to positive principles, be honest.  Be true.  Ask for help when you need it.  Just do your best.      Theresa M

📷 selflovehannah on IG

Fix It Myself

Well I’m at it again.  Finding ways to fix things on my own.  If I absolutely do need help with something I will ask someone for that help.  But I like the challenge of learning and doing things myself.

Recently I wanted to get back into an old desktop computer with Windows 7.  I do not connect online with it any more due to it no longer being supported/secure.  However, I wanted to ensure that I had transferred all photos and videos from there to the cloud storage.

📷 geralt on pixabay

I was able to sign in and look around.  Before reviewing pics, I decided to remove a Linux application I had put in years ago.  Just on a whim - didn’t need to do it - but I deleted the space it was allotted by Windows.  I logged out. Well, since I didn’t look up the proper way to delete it, the computer decided to give me a grub error when I tried to log back in.  Couldn’t get past it.

It took lots of searching about grub errors, commands, etc.  Bottom line is I needed help.  But heck no way I wasn’t gonna pay for computer service for an old desktop.  Tried my best to download a Windows 7 repair boot on another computer, but couldn’t find a free one.

So I spent a little money to buy a disc that had it.  It was perfect.  Ran into some more requests for certain commands, to fix partitions, etc etc.  But I did it!  I got through!  I fixed it myself.  And I got to see my old pictures and videos - a few of which I did not, in fact, have in the cloud already.  Thank goodness I can retrieve them now.

Some of you might have no idea what I’ve been talking about: grub errors, partitions, commands.  You know what?  Neither did I know what they all were till I researched them by using Google, Duck Duck Go, and YouTube Videos.  So much learning is easy to obtain these days.

I love the challenge.  I feel good about at least trying, even better accomplishing these tasks.  Now I’m off to learn something easy - replacing the toilet fill valve.  I’ll let you know how it goes.  Theresa M

📸 my pic Luke & Lilly 2017 from the archives

PS - The toilet fill valve replacement was a breeze!  Thanks YouTube!

Comfort

A mourning dove is cooing.  Other birds are singing.  The nearby pond is trickling water.  A slight breeze attempts to soothe me with some coolness this warm summer morning.

📸 GeorgeB2 on pixabay

There is lots of shade here too.  I feel comfortable.  Although in the distance I hear vehicles passing, but mostly for now just nature sounds comforting me.

I’ve always wanted to live out in the country, with grasslands and fields, some chickens and maybe ducks in a pond.  I guess this is the closest I’ll ever get to a life in the country.

Sometimes I wonder, if the things and experiences we hope for, at least the good and decent ones, and yet we can never achieve here on earth, might just be what’s in store for us in heaven.

Heaven.  Those country roads will be endless.  Blue skies and a few puffy clouds.  Green pastures with cows munching.  Ducks swimming in ponds.  Chickens pecking at their grain.  Cats and dogs (yes, all my pals from my life) playing and lounging about.  Sweet songbirds in concert, featuring the coos of mourning doves.  Then in the evening, one of my favorite sounds - crickets and tree frogs harmonizing.  Lightning bugs glowing all around.  A full moon illuminates the whole scene.

Oh, to be forever at peace.     Theresa M

📸 unknown source

poem by Georganna Hancock, author.
friend on Bluesky
@glhancock.bsky.social

poem by GL Hancock used with permission.

photo of bale of hay in field by Monsterkoi on pixabay