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Island of “Misfit” Toys: Are we?
We all have our own quirks and Rudolph moments. The underdog, who makes it good. The hero, who overcomes all odds and transforms a weakness into herculean strength. The moments we live for, where a cathartic moment in time feeds our soul and reminds us of why we are alive and why who we are…
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Dorothy, Michael Kors, and Mary: Finding the perfect fit
Tornadic weather? Ruby red slippers? Twisters of change? Yeah, that about covers it for why this simple picture of a pair of well-worn designer shoes represent the same kind of change Dorothy experienced in traveling to a foreign land only to realize she already had everything she ever wanted in her own backyard. Okay, maybe…
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Offer Up?
No, no. Not the app that lets you sell anything and everything. I’m talking about the hard core Catholic dogma where you offer up all your suffering…only difference is no one is interested in buying it! I have to laugh remembering a conversation with my nephew’s then fiancé (now wife) last summer after my brother…
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Post 2020 Part II: Recovery
I recently wrote an article about the surprisingly positive aspects of Covid-19 (link at end of article). While it was rewarding and uplifting to hear about how families pulled together and relationships that had been floundering finally thrived, there was this lingering feeling that the case numbers and death tolls were more than statistics and…
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Taking Root
I’m not sure there’s room for one more opinion. Like a lot of people, I’m watching things unfold and I struggle to strike the right balance, where I can observe and be aware without becoming consumed and anxious. I’ve shared pictures of spring, my garden, plants I’m growing…a few funny songs and memes. Pretty much…
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How Many True Loves Can We Expect to Find in This Lifetime?
Had a chance to put something out there on one of my favorite websites. Check it out: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/11/how-many-true-loves-can-we-expect-to-find-in-this-lifetime-mary-niehaus-ralles/ Well seasoned and well traveled along the road of life, A wise person stopped to ponder a question many often ask… “How many chances do you suppose life has to offer…in matters of the heart?” Having gone…
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Sing, Peepers, Sing!
Moving right along into spring, we’re already starting to see some new foliage on the trees; there are a few random bulbs and wildflowers starting to pop up in the yard. And most of us have started some vegetable seedlings indoors in preparation for a summer garden. But sometimes, long before any of the visual…
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Recovery
Okay…it’s not what you think. I’ve been locked out of my account for four months and have been unable to post anything! Today, I successfully recovered access and control over my Blogger account. I tried absolutely everything, including all the steps and blog guidance I found online. So what finally worked? I remembered my second…
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Beyond the Ice Age?
A little over two years ago, I started my Old School Journaling Blog. It provided me with a creative outlet to share my thoughts and stories…life lessons I picked up along the way as we all do. I also used this blog to share my first book, a collection of letters, stories, and poetry that,…
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Ted Talks and the Real Stories in Life
I’ve been working on my 100 day plan, which, so far, has included attending two of the recent Ted Cinema Experiences, where I was able to watch some of the 2017 Ted Talks live from my local theater. This year’s theme was about the future, spanning topics from data security to artificial intelligence to alternate…