Tag: dailyprompt

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The Sweet Benefits of Chocolate

L.M. Hosler
Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite types of foods?
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Chocolate and sweets is my favorite types of food. I know. They are all bad for you but they taste much better than broccoli. I overheard a doctor telling people in a restaurant “that if it tastes good, spit it out”. Of course he was joking. He had a good sense of humor. When promise margarine was popular, I heard him also telling people to “eat that promise.” He would joke that they could enjoy a few extra years in a nursing home.

I love chocolate. Chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No, I don’t eat chocolate for meals. I do try to follow a more healthy diet and lifestyle. I feel better when I eat better and exercise regularly. But I do still treat myself to chocolate candy. After all, life is short and we should enjoy the things we like to eat.

Lucious chocolate candies https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tupungato

But is chocolate good or bad for you? According to Harvard Medical School chocolate has some good benefits. Their report listed the following possible good health benefits:

  • better brain functions
  • lower blood pressure
  • increase the flow of blood throughout the body
  • lower bad cholesterol
  • Increase good cholesterol

The report does add that milk and sugar used to make chocolate increase the calorie content. These ingredients do not provide a good benefit to cocoa.

So after reading that report, I love chocolate even more. Who else loves chocolate?

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/chocolate-pros-and-cons-of-this-sweet-treat

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Finding Motivation to Walk Again

L.M. Hosler

I don’t run, ever. I really never did but now I am physically incapable of running, at least very fast. I might manage a fast walk if I need to be somewhere in a hurry. Running is no longer an alternative for me.

I do get to the gym a few times a week. Lately, even that has been pushed to the side. I must get motivated again. When I do get to the gym I try to walk almost a mile on the walking track. Walking outside isn’t really for me anymore. I love walking outside but my hips don’t like climbing steep hills.

Going to the gym on a regular basis really helps physically all over the body. Certain machines help strengthen leg muscles and help to keep my knees strong and pain free. Painful knees is a powerful motivation for working out at the gym. Regular exercise helps fight arthritis pain.

So I hope to make it to the gym at least three times this coming week. I really do need to walk more. Hopefully, nothing comes up that I need to do instead.

Daily writing prompt
How often do you walk or run?
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The Quiet Perspective: Leadership Is Not for Everyone

L.M. Hosler

Are you a leader?

I can answer that with a firm NO. I am not a leader and I don’t wish to be a leader.

My personality doesn’t fit the mold for being a leader. I am quiet and I don’t really like to socialize a lot. I am uncomfortable in a lot of social situations.

I often have many good ideas about how to solve problems and sometimes I even offer the solution. But someone else can take charge and implement the solution. I prefer to fade into the background and I am not a person who seeks attention. I would not be good at public speaking or addressing a group either. This is probably why I enjoy sitting behind a computer typing words onto a screen.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/28027835@N04/54698331459/

But I do admire those with the qualities that I lack. I think a real leader can stand up and take criticism. A real leader is someone who stands up for what they believe is right. They act for the good of all concerned. They aren’t afraid of other’s opinions. They lead by setting good examples and working alongside of their followers. They have the ability to listen to good advice and enjoy social activities. Good leaders have all the qualities I lack.

So I will continue being a follower instead of a leader. Not everyone is cut out for leadership positions. There’s an old saying: too many chiefs and not enough Indians. It might also be said: Too many leaders and not enough workers. In conclusion, we can’t all be leaders.

I truly wish I had the ability to be a leader. I certainly admire most people who have the personality to lead.

Daily writing prompt
Do you see yourself as a leader?
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Red Flags: Recognizing Rude Behavior

L.M. Hosler

I find it hard to like people with aggressive personalities or rude personalities. I have often worked with people like that. I tried to steer clear of them. Some of them would do just about anything for money and position. Some of them intimidate me. The smallest thing can set them off and the next thing they are screaming and attacking you. Then there’s the rude people. They can be really nasty people. Recently, I went on a short trip with a friend who brought another friend. Her name was Karen, if you get my drift. Nothing pleased her about anything. The room wasn’t good enough. She demanded to see the manager. The food didn’t please her. She made the whole trip a bad experience for the other three of us. Everyone was on edge any time she was near. She won’t be going on any more trips with us.

I saw many rude and aggressive people in the years I worked in restaurants. They made the job hard. One instance, was when a woman almost came across the counter at me. Later, I did find out she had a mental condition and was off her medications.

Most people with aggressive personalities are harmless but there are those who have a streak of violence. I view aggressiveness with caution.

Aggressive and rude people raise a big red flag with me.

Daily writing prompt
What personality trait in people raises a red flag with you?
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Exploring Scotland: An Ideal Week of Castle Tours

L.M. Hosler

I love English, Ireland and Scottish history. There’s so many great stories in that history. History of battles and countries at war. There’s stories of kings, queens and princesses. Some of those stories are sad and heartbreaking, others are inspiring. I particularly liked the stories of Margaret, and her granddaughter Mary Queen of Scots. Both of them had tragic endings. But one thing the royalty of those countries all had was beautiful castles.

I would love to spend a week traveling through any of them. But, I think Scotland would be my first choice to visit. Perhaps, because I know someone who did visit Scotland and I was impressed with their photos they shared.

My ideal week would be spent in Scotland at a luxury hotel. I would choose The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. I would then plan to visit the Royal Residence of Balmoral which the British Royals own. The Balmoral royal estate was bought by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852. The public can now tour the royal castle.

The rest of my week I would spend touring other old castles with rich histories. I would enjoy spending some time outdoors at a seashore in Scotland. There are marvelous castles and museums to visit in Scotland.

Some of the museums I would enjoy visiting during my week in Scotland include the following.

  • National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh Castle
  • National War Museum of Scotland
  • Glenfinna Monument in the Scottish Highlands
  • Stirling Castle where the Stuarts lived at times

Stirling Castle Scotland https://flickr.com/photos

So this is my idea of an ideal week spent soaking up Scottish history in Edinburgh, Scotland. Visiting old castles and enjoying good Scottish food and beautiful green hills and gardens. Too bad it can only be for one week.

Daily writing prompt
Describe your ideal week.
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Riley Gaines

L.M. Hosler

I know very little about professional athletes. I am not into football, golf, basketball or any other sports. If I had to choose a sport to follow it would be baseball. I also don’t watch much of the Olympics although I can enjoy figure skating and gymnastics. Actually, I would rather read a good book, have some chocolate chip cookies and chips. Television and sports for many of us have ended with some of the athletes kneeling and disrespecting our country.

But if I had to choose a professional athlete that I respect it would be Riley Gaines, the swimmer. And it’s not her swimming ability that I respect and admire. I admire her for her courage. She raises awareness about the unfairness faced by women in sports. These are women who have spent their lives training in their sport. Now, they have to compete with men who aren’t capable of competing against other men. During the last Olympics I watched a man punch a woman in the face and take the gold medal. I stand with Riley Gaines against men competing in women’s sports.

Riley Gaines has spent the last several years advocating for women’s sports to be for women only. I respect her because this hasn’t been an easy position for her to take in a WOKE society.

Daily writing prompt
Name the professional athletes you respect the most and why.
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Why I Chose Florida: A Personal Travel Story

L.M. Hosler

In 2004 I had the opportunity to move to Florida. Friends invited me to come stay with them and stay as long as I wanted to. At that time I was in a relationship I no longer wanted to be in. I had a job that I was not happy with. I was working as a waitress in a local restaurant. I realized that working in the public gave the other person many opportunities. He could and did harass and embarrass me every day at my place of employment. I chose not to face that humiliation. I packed a few of my belongings and moved about twelve hundred miles away to Florida. A friend from Florida flew up to meet me and together we drove to Florida.

I loved Florida. I have heard people complain about the humidity in Florida but that was no problem for me. I enjoyed the smell of the Gulf of Mexico, the beautiful white sand and the sea breeze every morning. I was near a beach, so we usually had a, nice breeze in the mornings and evenings. There were a lot of new southern foods to sample and I learned to make Jambalaya. I loved that I was able to go the beach when I wanted to. We also traveled to neighboring states Mississippi and Alabama. It was all new and exciting for me.

Nevertheless, I had trouble finding a job in Florida. I didn’t know very many people so I didn’t have connections. I couldn’t even find work at a Wal-Mart store and there were several in the immediate area. I finally ended up working as a waitress again. Then eventually I found an office type job. But I wasn’t making enough money to support myself. So I lived with a roommate. I just happened to get into a relationship with him.

My family was twelve hundred miles away so after six years I returned home to be with them. The person I was living with had a very dysfunctional family. I decided I didn’t want to be part of the craziness I was witnessing. That family would make a good book which I may write someday. I do stay friends with all of them but at a distance for my own sanity.

So Florida is as far as I have traveled from my home state of Pennsylvania. I loved Florida and I did go back to visit a few years ago. But I plan on staying near my family in the future other than short trips.

Daily writing prompt
Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.
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The Heart of the Home: Designing a Dream Kitchen

L.M. Hosler

My ideal home would be very much like my home that I presently own. I love my home. It’s a large four bedroom home with a wrap around porch. And I really enjoy that porch. In the mornings, I can spend time reading on the shaded side. In the evenings, I can move to the other side to enjoy the shade. It’s old, over one hundred years old now. I love older homes. They have character that new homes lack. They bring back memories of growing up in a home akin to the one I now live in.

Of course, my home isn’t perfect and being an older home needs some repairs. But it is large and spacious and has everything I need. Still, I would make some changes to make it ideal.

Changes I would make

I would like to have a bathroom downstairs and move my laundry upstairs from the basement. I know there will come a time when stairs become a problem. My upstairs needs painting and some updating, ceiling fans would be nice. I would also add bigger mini splits for air conditioning upstairs. I would like to update the bathroom upstairs. But too many modern changes would lose the old house charm.

The Kitchen

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home and I believe that to be true. The kitchen is large but can use some modifications. A large modern kitchen mixed with an open design into the dining area would be nice. Opening the wall into the dining room, a counter looking into the dining area would work. When I first moved into this home, the kitchen was nothing but a huge room with a single sink. Thanks to my sons, we have modernized the kitchen. I now have two sinks, counter space, and a dishwasher. Opening up that wall into the dining area would be nice addition.

Family in the kitchen praying before eating

Family

An ideal home would include family gatherings like the gatherings which I grew up with. The family would get together regularly to enjoy meals, cookouts and family fun. The children would be out in the evening catching fireflies. The adults would enjoy sitting on the porch with some wine or coffee sharing news and stories of the past. This is what my parents did when I was a child. Someday, hopefully my home will truly be idealistic.

Daily writing prompt
What does your ideal home look like?
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Embracing the Joys of Elder Care

L.M. Hosler

I am a caregiver for the elderly. I help them stay in their own homes. I do things for them that they are unable to do. I help with their personal care, medicines and keeping their homes clean and safe. Many have become lost in the depths of dementia and lose their memories of who they are.

It brings tears of joy to my eyes when they can remember happier times. The smiles on their faces make me shed tears of joy. So many of those with dementia have families that have forgotten about them. Some end up in almost total isolation because it becomes difficult to have conversations or deal with their childlike personalities. I love it when I can make their day a wee bit happier.

On the other hand I shed tears of sadness when it comes time to say that final goodbye. I spent six years with one lady until her family put her in a nursing home. Many tears were shed when I had to say goodbye. The first lady I took care of suffered a heart attack and only lived for three days afterwards. This broke my heart and I shed many tears of sadness.

Being a caregiver is filled with joy. There are good days and bad days. The good days are full of happiness, smiles and tears of joy. I love what I do.

Daily writing prompt
What brings a tear of joy to your eye?
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Mastering Your Budget: Essential Tips for Financial Health

L.M. Hosler

I called and interviewed my friend over the phone.

My friend is a very busy person, involved with her church and various other organizations. She has been the treasurer of one or more of those organizations. She also volunteers to teach others responsible money management.

Q: What do you think is the most important part of people handling their finances?

A: Starting with a good budget. People should start by having a budget that covers their basic needs. Housing, food, utilities are basic needs.

Q: Where do you start with a budget?

A: Start with basic needs. Then, create an emergency fund. Put in enough money to cover living expenses for three months.

Q: What about money for fun and entertainment?

A: After the emergency fund has been fully funded, then you can put money aside for other purposes. Vacations, eating out, movies, whatever it is that you want to do for fun.

Q: What are some things that should be cut out of anyone’s budget or at least reduced.

A: Well most people don’t like to hear this but there are many expenses that can be reduced. Things like cigarettes, tattoos, alcohol are a few things that are not necessary for survival.

Q: What success have people had after listening to your advice.

A: Quite a few people have come back to me. They thanked me for helping them get their finances in order. One couple finally managed to buy an older home of their own which was their main goal.

Q: Any final words of advice for those having financial difficulties.

A: Get started as soon as possible to take control of your finances and life will be much better. Pay yourself first by saving even a little bit every week. Trust in God and faith are also important.

Daily writing prompt
Interview someone — a friend, another blogger, your mother, the mailman — and write a post based on their responses.
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