Our Shared Heart of Human Nature

The news says everyone’s out to get us; not a soul thinks outside their world. I’m here to say that’s not true. When you face difficulties, people show their true colors. There’s a vein of compassion and kindness which moves to the forefront, coming alive without volition. It can’t be stopped. This mindset has its own will arising from the heart of human nature, a heart we all share.

To illustrate, I ask you to visit my
Facebook page. Folks I know intimately, know casually in person, and folks I know only through the Internet … all give hope, compassion, and freely offer prayers of good will and hearty health because they care. Maybe they realize that what’s ongoing in my life could happen to anyone and that speaks to that universal human heart … making the depth of how wonderful these people are no less real and awe-inspiring.



My husband and I visited a son, Kevin, daughter-in-law, Elise, and granddaughter, Brooklynne in California two days after receiving my initial medical news. We considered cancelling but doctors assured us we should go. Neither of us shared our news ‘til a few days before we left to return home. I told Elise and she spoke with Kevin that evening. The next day, we went to a wonderful spot in the California mountains—petting zoo, pony rides, lunch overlooking scenery only God could create—picture-perfect.

Going home, driving down the mountain, we passed a museum in an estate-like setting. Kevin was curious and pulled in. He urged me inside with him; Brooklynne wanted to come along. Turned out, this was the Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens.

He didn’t know I collect glass and love antiquities, so we were surprised to find the museum housed art glass and antiques. As we prepared for a tour through rooms brimming with antiques, he and I admired a beautiful dark blue crystal-cut decanter set with four glasses. Kevin casually asked its price and upon discovering it was a steal, just-as-casually asked the caretaker to wrap it as we toured. I assumed he was buying Elise a present, and we went on our way. Included was a collection of art glass paperweights.



Before we left, Kevin paid for the decanter set, and we returned into the bright California sunshine. I asked, “Is Elise getting a lovely surprise?” but he didn’t answer. While climbing into the backseat, I went to close the door and he handed me the packages … he’d bought them for me.

Another example—I met Sue Ketcham via the 'net and now call her a friend. She and I’ve engaged through, "A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story," the biography I’m writing on actor, Jack Kelly. When I learned I faced a challenging health issue, I didn’t want to leave the Jack Kelly group without direction for any time. Right now, a publication date will be different than prior to this news, and I asked Sue if she’d co-anchor the group.



As soon as she knew my situation, she asked, “What’s your favorite color?” I didn’t answer; with so much coming my way, it didn’t really register. Today, I opened my mailbox to find a package from her. Inside was a beautiful piece of knit work in a lovely shade of turquoise. Included was a legend telling me it was a prayer shawl, created “with love,” every stitch “knitted with prayer” by Cutchogue United Methodist Church.

These instances did for me what the medical news has not yet accomplished—I cried. A lot. And while there’s fear and frustration, there’s so much gratitude for God’s giving heart, that beautiful heart of human nature through which He shines for each of us. If I didn’t cry, I wouldn’t be human, and if I weren’t human, I would be unable to share in those lovely instances of God’s love.

Thank you to everyone. Everyone!

Dachshunds and Politicians: It IS the Small Stuff. Smile, Say Thank You

I drive to the post office in downtown Frederick, Maryland most every morning to visit the P.O box I use as a business address. I’m awaiting potentially important paperwork for the completion of my book, A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story. This is the major reason I make this trek from my more suburban spot in Frederick to the downtown area … maybe an entire ten minutes away.



This morning as I drove, I saw a young couple walking two dogs. Not unusual … but the dogs made me smile. They were dachshunds and I can’t help but smile when I see these rolly-polly, low-to-the-ground bundles of energy. I don’t have a dog, haven’t for years, but if I did … it’d be a dachshund. How can I not smile when I see such adorableness? They never seem to walk. They’re always pseudo-galloping, and that doesn’t look easy for an animal with four short, teeny legs to carry a solid bulk of body along every step of the way. Yet they appear delighted with each step. Their ears fly back in the air as they scurry along, and their head—a head too big for the overall size of the body—holds up proudly.



It is impossible for me not smile when I see a dachshund. And if something makes me smile, it’s important. It may be a small thing in the grand scope of life but whatever causes me to smile is crucially important to not only my health but the health of the planet. Why? Because I live on this planet and when I’m smiling, my good health affects the good health of others.

As well as my community. Let’s talk politicians. How many politicians make you smile? Honestly. If you’re anywhere in the Washington, DC area, you're always seeing politicians—national, international, local—and most often, what they do does not elicit a smile. That means that when said politicians do help you crack a smile, they deserve public credit.

I’m not extremely political. I pay attention, speak up at times, and keep an eye out for what may threaten what I see as a positive way of life—not only for me but for others. But let’s face it … politics is subjective. What we support is based on the lives we’ve led, the lives that impact us, and issues that grow closest to our hearts. I don’t vote along party lines. I watch for the small things—office holders who, issue by issue, show me their passion over those things which I also tend to consider important.

That’s why I smiled when I learned County Commissioner Kai Hagen was one of two, in a 3-2 vote, who supported continued funding to the
Frederick Arts Council. Anyone who’s ever been to this quaint, historic town simply must take a drive to understand how crucial the arts are here. Frederick was just named 18 on a list of “Top 25 Small Cities” for the Arts by American Style Magazine. Even after that, three other County Commissioners still voted down funding. This is one of those “small things” on my list which make up my appreciation for who-does-what-for-whom.

I thank Kai Hagen and Jan Gardner for having vision to understand this simple “appeal to the public” principle.

It took my ride through town this morning to make sense of this. To see the most adorable dogs enjoying our small-town beauty … and see its history and art as I passed murals, cityscapes, aqueducts and carefully-planned integration of past and the future—an absolutely artistic effort unto itself … I couldn’t help but appreciate the small things because that’s what makes up life. That makes life worth living. That’s what makes ME smile.

I’m famous at 54 because I can still smile at the small stuff, and fully appreciate its beauty, artistry, and import. What makes you smile? What makes you famous?

Famous People Plan With Google Calendars

When we go from one year to another, we "turn" such-and-such an age. The “turning” part of my 54 odyssey is done-and-gone. No more turning to be had. I done did that this year. I’ve turned. It’s official, and all that’s left is to have the best-est year ever. That’s what being famous is about, isn’t it? Doing what you do best, enjoying the process, and being in love with every moment?



That’s my plan. Speaking of plans, have you used Google Calendars? I looked for years for a system that would feel natural, that I’d automatically use, that would be right there for me whenever something came up. I had every planner you could possibly imagine—leather, non-leather, large, small, with or without all sorts of nifty planning page ideas to keep me on track … and while they seemed logical, they required me to carry a large, bulky, physical piece of planning equipment wherever I went … and along with my handbag, the added piece didn’t work.

Then came electronics. I carry a phone, and my phone has bells and whistles. It has a calendar and I could add appointments there. It’s with me all the time but it requires me to be extraordinarily technically advanced—at least in my mind—and that wasn’t the ticket, either. Tessie Techno is not my style. It wasn’t natural, and that was the problem. An effective tool for any part of life should be an extension of routine.

I’m at my computer most of the day. When I’m out, I usually have a thin, inexpensive, utilitarian calendar book with me. I don’t use it to write down every single appointment, or everything that needs to be done. I use it as a way to carry a calendar I’ve already printed … from my Google online calendar system. I do jot down appointments in the planner when they come up and I’m away from my computer, only to add them to my Google calendar when I get back to my computer.



Google's system offers color coding for each type of appointment, giving an immediate sense of how much time is spent on whatever task. I add personal and professional tasks, points that need a date for future reference, special happenings, etc. I print out a calendar for each day and appointments/entries are color-coded so I’m aware of the different pockets of importance for that day. Also, being on the computer so much, I pull up my calendar in a window and keep it up all day, adding, changing, rearranging as needed. It shows on the screen as solid color—and I picked what colors I wanted for specific parts of my life—so it has become something I’m used to seeing and recognizing.

Everyone has a system. It’s taken me years to get to where my system works to the point that I’m uncomfortable if I don’t use it to stay on track with all the types of work I do each day, and various commitments. And even when traveling, all I do is pull up my Google calendar on my laptop and—POOF!— it’s in front of me.



Did we EVER accomplish anything before computers? Thanks, Google, for making it easier to be Famous at 54. Every little bit helps! Now, it’s time to finish writing that book, "A Maverick Life: The Jack Kelly Story" on famous Jack Kelly.

Famous at 54

Can you “remember” something … even if you can’t literally recall it happening? Such is my “Famous at 54” idea. Recently I’ve “memory” of waaaay back when, bumbling through my 20s, entering a white house on the roadside to see a psychic. I wasn’t alone. It was on a lark; I didn’t then, and don’t now, frequent psychics. Paying to hear about my future from a stranger looking into a crystal ball … never my style.



Still, my “memory” has me seeing that psychic in that white house on the side of that road. Those days I did a lot of THINKING about being a professional writer. I had 2 young kids, newly-married, and had many dreams but no knowledge how to make them alive. I asked the psychic if I’d become a famous published author and her reply angered me. She said, yes, I'd become a famous published author … when I was 54. My “remembered” response, “I have to wait THAT long?!”

Guess what? Real or imagined, whether or not I went to a psychic in my 20s and got a declaration of my future risen star … I turn 54 this weekend. While “famous” wouldn’t be the word I’d use, I’ve become author of multiple published articles and books, and have a writing career.

Now that I’ve “waited that long,” on the threshold of my advanced age … it’s not that old, and I’m amused at the childishness of my “remembered” response. What did I think? I’d just “POOF!” and be the best thing since, oh, Rosemary Rogers, no effort? I guess that’s what I thought.

I’ve wanted to do a blog for some time. I AM a writer, and in today’s world, how better to share than with a blog? So what’s taken me so long?! I guess it was this revelation that being “famous” is relative. It means what we want, and I believe we’re all famous for something.

Anyone reading this is famous. You … you … and YOU. That’s why “Famous at 54” is being birthed on the cusp of me entering that now-infamous 54th year. I’m famous … for using the word “peachy” all the time … as someone who LOVES Mexican food … as mother of 2 amazing young men whose lives took shape as I watched in total amazement … as friend of 3 other amazing young men who’ve become part of my life by choice … as Gramma Linda to 3 darling grandkids.

And I’m famous at 54 because I love my life.

What are YOU famous for? Celebrate with me. We’re in the Delight of our Days, here to find out what’s around that next corner, who’ll become a part of our lives … and what extraordinary achievement will soon be ours. I hope you’ll be “Famous at 54” even if you're “Famous at 50” or “Famous at 90,” or any age. Take a hop, skip, and jump down this road alongside me, giggle and play … and find the Famous Person inside you.

I’m Famous at 54, and I’m waiting for you! Join me soon, will you?