Picture Sizes and Tim Blessed

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun melts ice, kindness causes

 misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate. (Albert Schweitzer)
 Image: "Countryside: Ancient Willows (Revisited)"  by Tim Blessed. Copyrighted photo: all rights reserved, used by his kind permission. 

3/1/12 Ed. note: Problem solved. Ya ay!
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        My son helped me work on the picture posted here. This is bigger than I'd normally like them, but it IS bigger than the most recent pictures put up in this inn

         I tell you, I'm grateful for computer help by Millenials. I'm worried about the new Blogger format for posting: I can only post small photos from the brilliant photographer Tim Blessed. He's the guy I feature here most of the time. It's a big loss for me. I love his work.

        Any guest who is computer savvy, please let me know if you can help . I'd love to give Tim a larger canvas. His work is copyrighted so the Url I use doesn't allow me to copy his address. Capturing the photo only allows me to upload his work at a small size, smaller than the actual photo. This changed as of Monday night.

Work, A Surprise and A Workout ..............2/28/12

We need never be ashamed of our tears. (Charles Dickens)
Image: "Lakeside: Rudyard Lake" by Tim Blessed. 
Copyrighted photo. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

               Hey, how are you? 
I'm trying to figure out the new interface for posting on Blogger.

My Gratitudes for Tuesday:

1. For three hours I worked on marketing my business with others.     
       Slowly, but surely, we're seeing progress. I added to the slowness today. Too many

Disappointing News Affecting This Inn

Image: "Revealed" by Tim Blessed. Copyrighted photo. Used by permission. 

Ed. note: issue resolved 3/1/12. I'm happy. 

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       Hi there,

I'm sorry, but I need to vent.

       Over the past few hours Blogger changed, at least for my blog, the format used when I write. I'm uncomfortable that I have no

Any Ideas How We Can Help Visitors Who Got Lost Because of the New Address?

Just as behind a watch there had to be a watchmaker, so behind the intricate pre-
cision and timing of this great universe, there had to be a great Creator and Designer!
(J. Milikan, nuclear physicist)
 Image: "Riverside: Willow Cascade" by Tim Blessed. All rights reserved. Copyrighted photo.  

         How has your day been?

This is my day off. Boy, did I need it. It was nice staying home,

Saving Time and Stress, Saying No to Narcissists ..............................2/26/12

      Good evening
I'm using my brand-new, super duper laptop. It's faster, more powerful, has a wider screen and all the bells and whistles a person could want.
My Gratitudes for Today:
1. I'm thankful for

Not Going Into an Emotional Storm Alone & No Longer Being a Super Hero: Retiring the Cape (Freedom from Codependency) ..2/23/12

Have you taken time to thank God? You'll be glad you did.

      The post before this one was fun. I was under time pressure---using a public computer with limited the time. It felt like 

The Longest Title I've Ever Written. It will be my blog post. Here I am at the library, using a computer. Blogger allows me to write titles but I am unable to post. (The area where I normally write continues to "hourglass.") My computer has been seriously bugged. Has it bugged me, a bit? --A bit. In the meantime, without my laptop, I've ridden my bike more, enjoyed the weather and have had great conversations with friends. I'm studying Shakespeare and his views on autonomy, hatred, limits,beauty and religion. I gave a talk. I miss communicating with you. So, what do you think? I'm being resourceful now. (Maybe this is a first. A blogpost consisting of only the title.) My friends, I'll get back when I can. My laptop will be fixed by Friday, so they say. Meanwhile, can you possibly keep this inn open, for the innkeeper, with your gratitudes? That would be wonderful. Gratitudes: 1. At least I'm communicating with you. 2. Had a lovely day riding my bike for an hour, today. 3. I'm thankful for each of you who drop by. 4. The librarian gave me an extra 30 minutes. I've used 20 to write this post. I'm grateful for her generosity and kindness. 5. I had a fantastic time with my oldest son this week. I'm proud of the amazing man he is. 6. I'm thankful for tears. It's been a terrific way of discharging the thankful energy that frequently wells up inside of me.(It does make me tired, though.) 7. I'm thankful for poetry. It meets my need for enjoying the wonders of life. Please keep posting, I love reading your gratitudes! The Innkeeper (This computer never stopped hourglassing.)

Where Has the Innkeeper Been? (Also, the Encouragement of Difficult Times.)

What steps do you think are necessary for success?

      I've been locked out of the inn. Imagine that. My household has been infected with a Trojan virus, taking my computer out of action since

Maintaining Integrity: Freedom From the Pressure of Others. ...............................2/15/12

      Good evening, 
I've lost my BlueTooth. Ugh. I realized today it happened on my bike ride on Sunday. I almost will die without it. 
      In the last couple of days I also lost two books. I've been studying it in depth for the past four months. Darn it. I've put in a lot of

Gratitudes About Love

     Happy Valentine's Day!

      Know that I'm happy knowing you. That's possible when you leave a comment. 

       Love, what a subject for gratitudes. I'm fortunate knowing the love of many and knowing many whom I love. I recently read

I Made a Request and Today Is a Special Day........2/13/12

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”
James Matthew Barrie

      I'm tired. exhausted. Unfortunately someone set the alarm for 4:00 a.m. this morning and the alarm went off for 30 minutes. I talked with the culprit. 
      I made a request that

No this isn't Anne and I. A picture of me can be found to your right, at the top of the side bar. But we did ride along the south shore of the island.

         Hi there, gang,
The innkeeper is happy. The innkeeper has been busy, the innkeeper is tired. Met with friends today in the town of San Leandro. 
       Our time was

Ruminations About New Friends .......2/10/12

“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledg-
ing the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge
 this help with gratitude.”     Author Unknown

       Good evening everyone,
Did you enjoy your day? My day was intense, but good. On top of that, I met with two friends today.

 My Gratitudes for Friday:

1. I'm resolving an issue with a friend I've known for a long time, more than 35 years. I'm grateful I was firm, but kind, courteous and honest.
2. I'm thankful I've learned to say what I mean,

Heaven on Earth: Working Through Conflict: Putting the Relationship Before the Issue ..........2/9/12

            Good evening everyone, 
How was your day? My day was different today. I met with a client in the morning. The afternoon was spent with  attorneys. The day also included an appointment with a writer. We are collaborating on a novel.

Weathering the Storm of Feelings ...............2/6/12

      Good evening everyone, 

The innkeeper has been busy and resting. How's that for a paradox?  I've been missing in action for a few days.  Did you miss me?  Here I am, with you, this is the witching hour when the day changes its name.  I'll share some thoughts in

Friends vs. Acquaintances, and We Get What We Tolerate 2/3/12

This is Fremont, California, near where I live.

       Good evening everyone. 

Let me start with my gratitudes for today.

Friends vs. Acquaintances

        My first gratitude, I'm thankful for friends who care about my welfare.  In today's culture, the word "friend" is used frequently.  In most cases those listed as such are acquaintances.  I prefer in-the-flesh friends to cyber ones.  A digital image of a smile from one of my internet friends doesn't compare to the warmth conveyed by a friend sitting next to me. 

             A friend is someone who is there for us, when we're in need, who has known us when we've had good times and during seasons that weren't so good.  New friends may like our style now, but can disappear when we get caught up in the quagmire of life.  I experienced this recently from someone who took and took from me, picking my mind for ideas and fled when I needed help. 

       Being the optimist that I am, I appreciate her response.  She revealed her nature.  It spares me from a relationship that would not meet my needs.  I deserve better.  I am grateful for the friends I have who can and do make time for me. 

              Old friends remain, they are available when life gets overwhelming. With them, we share a common history that bonds us to each other. 

             It's reassuring having people in my life who deeply care about me.  As I've said before, they are incarnational ambassadors of God's love for me.  I love the acceptance, appreciation and closeness I get from my Balcony People.  For more about them, please click here.

Getting What We Tolerate

       I value mutuality in my relationships with others. I started a friendship recently.  During this time, I e-mailed him once, a week-and-a-half ago.  Wednesday, we visited at a social gathering. He hadn't yet replied to the e-mail.

       This morning I called, leaving a message. I asked if he could call back, it was my second call.  He replied within the hour. 

      Wait a minute, I want to make one point clear. I strongly believe we get what we tolerate and we train people how to treat us. I don't use boundaries so that others comply with them. I use boundaries so that I adhere to them.  I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't specifically requested for him to return the call?  My guess is that I would still be awaiting it.

           You want to know one sign of a toxic relationship? A lack of mutuality. I avoid one-sided relationships like the plague. 

Community vs. Society

        My second gratitude? I eager to gather with friends tomorrow. We can talk about anything and we accept one another unconditionally. I thrive because of my time with them. We'll share lunch together. It's great having community. 

        Community is where I'm appreciated for who I am.  Society mainly cares about what I offer.  Knowing community is therapeutic. If I'm not careful, society easily consumes my soul.

        I bask in the give and take sharing of empathy, nurturing support and love I receive when I'm with real, warm---as in live, not-digital---friends. 

       Thirdly, I'm grateful for sleep. My pattern of sleep was affected by my recent illness. I've been able to get more sleep lately. I'm thankful for rest. It restores my emotional well-being. 

 How about you?
1. How would you define a friend?
2. Do you think that Facebook friends are friends? I don't. I think they are acquaintances. I find the internet has devalued the word "friend." 
   Do you agree or disagree? 
3. What do you think are signs of a toxic relationship? 
       I'd love hearing your thoughts. Please share, we can learn from one another.

One Good Turn Deserves Another

       Good morning everyone, 
Yesterday---Wednesday---was a day I won't forget.  I saw two clients and met with someone I mentor, along with getting together with friends in the evening.  I'm reminded how rich, rewarding and reassuring life is when we life within a community of loving, caring,

The Benefits of Being Gentle Towards Our Real Self, The Hunchback That Lives Within, Part II ......... ....................2/1/12

         “The six most important words:'I admit I made a mis-

take.' The five most important words: 'You did a good 

job.' The four most important words: 'What is YOUR 

opinion?'  The three most important words: 'If you

 please.'  The two most important words: 'Thank You.' 

The one most important word: 'We.' The least

 important word: 'I.' ”   Author Unknown     

 Image: The California coast: Point Reyes 

       I'll get to the benefits of showing compassion towards ourselves in a moment. I  identify with the idea of showing grace

Perseverance Saved the Day ................................2/1/12

Palomares Canyon Road, near where I grew up.

       How are you?
I miss my connection with Plugalink and Alphainventions. I don't know what's happened.  In another area, I had a successful day. I had two major tasks to accomplish today. I saw them done, and in time!
    How are my guests. Let me know how this inn can better meet your needs. I've had many guests drop by in the ten months this inn has opened. But this place can always improve. Any suggestions?

Gratitudes for Today:

1. I'm deeply thankful for accomplishing today something that weighed heavily upon me, emotionally and mentally. 
2. I glad I pressed on, even when the time was getting close----I was several blocks away and I had only four minutes to make it there.
        I persevered in reaching my destination, against all odds, in horrific traffic, in the city of Oakland. I made it inside the building one minute before it closed. If a person gets in, they process the person's business. The work took thirty minutes for them to do. No, it wasn't a bank.
       To make the deadline, I went through a signal light as it was in the last stages of being yellow. It turned red.before I crossed the intersection.  The cross traffic hadn't started yet. I know I was wrong. I admit it.
3. I celebrated accomplishing the task by having a fantastic dinner and taking time to study, something I love doing. I researched for three and a half hours. It was great. 
      So, how was your day? You heard my gratitudes; would it be possible for me to hear yours? I like the community we share when you do. 
       The Innkeeper