Jennifer Goble

Today, I'm going to write about what I need—a little hope, optimism and ideas for rising above the smoke, wind, war, illness, accidents, drought, death, and fear.

I've always loved the creativity, messages, and the extraordinary illustrations of Children's books. When I go into a large bookstore, you will likely find me browsing the kids' section before heading to Historical Fiction.

Today I realized I have not lived in only one house for sixteen years. I've needed clothes, make-up, stocked kitchens, linens, food, and everything else in at least two houses at the same time. I've thought about it before, but this is the first time I've THOUGHT about it. I now admit I've been coming and going with little time for being.

With the help of AI, I found a menagerie of events on this day in history. AI is suspicious to me because, in my time, a writer could not write or speak about any topic or detail without providing a reputable source. Even Wikipedia was frowned upon. I feel a little twinge of guilt if and when I share information from my good friend Google.

Merriam-Webster defines “health” as a noun. It goes on to say that health is the general condition of one's body.

I've been going through “stuff,” which means many colorful and labeled folders in the file cabinet. You know, those papers you file away because they are so critically important you couldn't possibly part with them, and then you never look at or think of them again?

If you ask, “Jennifer, what do you do when challenges load you down?” I would likely say I convince myself that things happen for a good reason, and better things are coming.

May 15th. Doesn't that have a nice ring? This year, it is especially nice since Mother's Day was last Sunday and provided a splendid way to start the week.

Graduations are gone, here, or coming, and I absolutely love them: the smiles, family gatherings, hugs, energy, speaker, handshakes, and applause for awards. Mainly, I find them to be a celebration where the air is light, the future is beckoning, and whatever is heavy in life is set aside for the “Thank God it's over”, plus anticipation for the future.

I'm not one to complain about the price of eggs or gas, but on May 13, gas was $4.69 at Hudson and $4.15 in Sterling. When I was in high school, one quarter (25¢) would buy enough gas to give me the privilege of riding shotgun in my friend Bonnie's red pickup truck while we cruised Main.