Cardinal Robert Prevost announced as the first American pope, taking the name Leo XIV

My Stories, My Insight, My Blog. All stories contained within are by me.

Hi, I’m Mike, and this is my blog. I am an Independent by choice and Scottish by The Grace Of God! The year is 2025, and climate change is a big concern in a lot of people’s minds. This year, I am 70, and I just can’t wrap my mind around the notion of things getting warmer. I haven’t noticed a measurable difference, but I don’t keep records.

I started writing on my blog about a year ago on my desktop and there has been a lengthy hiatus between my last sit down. I enjoy writing and I hope you will take some time out of your busy day to read my thoughts.

My articles are brief and designed to provoke thought. I research topics where applicable to provide correct information and try not to make stuff up.

I try to spend most evenings working on my blog. I am using a content management system I designed myself “HomePage” to create this site. If you see something I should add or change, don't hesitate to get in touch with me. There is no purposeful plagiarism here.

My humor, intrigue, suspense, boredom, and downright good taste are the things you’ll find but no profanity.

How does legal immigration work?

To immigrate legally, a person must receive permission from the U.S. government before entering.

• There are many different visa categories, each with its requirements, rights, and responsibilities.
• Other common pathways include employment, humanitarian protection, and the green card lottery.

Immigrants who are granted permanent residence are known as lawful permanent residents (LPRs) or "green card" holders.

If they marry a U.S. citizen, LPRs can apply for U.S. citizenship after five or three years.

What are the rights of legal immigrants?

Legal immigrants can work without special restrictions, own property, and receive financial assistance at public colleges and universities. They can also join the Armed Forces.

Illegal immigration, also known as unlawful immigration, occurs when a foreign-born person enters the U.S. without a valid visa or other immigration documentation.

"Homelessness is defined as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. It can be caused by many factors, including income insecurity, healthcare insecurity, and basic needs insecurity."

I live in a tornado-prone area and can be one brief second away from being homeless if Mother Nature so chooses. Anyone can become homeless. And it doesn't take any planning to get there. I own my house but that doesn't mean I'm in a secure situation. 

Some people become homeless by choice. Watch this video to get a feel of what homelessness is all about. 

I can now start a new year of wishful thinking. I have a wood shop full of almost every tool anyone would need to build anything. But I still need more. I wish my kids would buy me another tool or anything for my shop. I still have a few places where it's safe to step. New tools are too much to wish for. Christmas 2017 is just around the corner and instead of clothes (the regular), I need something I can use. Kevin and I (my son-in-law) have an old lawn mower that has pretty much blown up. It was on its last leg anyway for the last year but we've been babying it along.

I could wish for just about anything but that doesn't mean I'm going to get it.

Well ... it's now 6-2018 and we have a new lawn mower, a new weed eater, and my oldest daughter has a new car. So I guess the word 'new' has been used quite a bit around our homesteads this summer. So I'm now going to close out my short "Wishful Thinking" article and just say that I, at this time, am not doing any more wishful thinking. After all my wishful thinking has only resulted in more yard work for me.

It would seem sensible to attach serenity to solitude. Aren't they the same thing? A person can be in a serene state of mind and body while being in solitude or alone from anyone else. I looked up both trying to find similarities and while disclaiming any other person I find that they both relate.

I live alone in quasi-solitude with the Internet being my only resolve 70% of the time.I don't think it's possible to find a place of solitude without being alone and away from other people or distractions. But let's stray away from the official definition and venture into reality. If I'm reading a book or writing on my computer, I am in a state of complete comfort free from any distractions. When someone enters the house both solitude and serenity become violated somewhat but to varying degrees. I can no longer concentrate on what I'm doing but still stay comfortable. Because my surroundings have changed I am placed at odds with not being alone anymore. Solitude fades away but serenity doesn't.

You can calm stress through security and solitude. A person suffering from stress, that's caused by any outside influence, will not find relief until they can eliminate those things causing the stress. Simple right? Money, or lack thereof, is the most identifiable cause of stress. People become homeless by choice or tiny house dwellers to live a debt-free existence which was or may have been the driving factor causing stress.

Let's say I am stressed and go to a therapist to see if I can work it out. The therapist relates my stress to the same causes that affect say 85% of the population. But, my causes for stress aren't being addressed and the therapist may suggest ways to work through stress while not identifying the cause. And the suggested remedies are getting by myself and relaxing even though they may not be the solution.

You’ve seen the movies where the lady comes home to her apartment, kicks off her shoes, changes clothes, and turns on the music. Next, there’s a glass of wine and a cat to stroke. She’s alone and her mind is free of the day’s stresses.

But everyone’s idea of what makes them safe secure and comfortable is different. A person working in a busy factory doesn’t have solitude but has serenity through the confidence in their abilities to perform a repetitious task while the newcomer doesn’t have either.

Now, say I live in a city where solitude is only a word. Regardless of where I go, there is no getting away from others except maybe in my residence, and that's not a good choice because I lack the money to get a quiet place. So let's say I live alone in solitude. But what else can I do? The country setting is a welcoming place, but other stressful people in the city may think the same thing. Ever tried going to the lake on a Saturday? So the residence it is and I've solved the solitude problem at least to my satisfaction. Now to work on serenity (remember the need to satisfy the therapist's recommendations).

Serenity is easier to satisfy than getting alone time and if you have a quiet space, there is also reading, writing, meditation, yoga, and your inventions.

My inventions are probably different from yours. And because they’re mine my past life’s experiences shaped them. But many people, well probably most people, will at least attempt to satisfy any solutions that the therapist recommended. Some will go to great lengths to try those new things too. And it will convince some people that those new ideas are working and that the therapist has changed their whole outlook on life. That’s how so many of these so-called experts get their reputations.

Some will be so utterly convinced that they will say “Oh you must try Suzie because she is so in tune with my psyche that I don’t know where I would be in my life today without her.” While not realizing that Suzie most likely wasn’t there with them daily while they were thinking through those new experiences. They are giving Suzie credit for something that they worked through themselves.

Past life’s experiences and mindset are two of the most powerful things you must overcome if you truly want to reach a state of mental peace, which is actually what solitude and serenity is. It is what you think it is, based on your own experiences. Some people are completely at rest in hectic, noisy environments because that is what we accustom them to, and are uncomfortable when things get quiet. Then others are completely the opposite. The definition of solitude and serenity shapes us individually.

Here I am folks, egocentric, getting set to conduct my continuation of study while writing my thought-inspiring or provoking, (whichever you prefer) essay/blog. I have gathered worthy information from the intellectual crowd to be sure through the use of books and whatnot.

Let’s see, I want to start today with the information required to continue building upon my infallible thinking coupled with the proven and documented art of scientific renderings. The large picture will change because of my effort to make things come together in a thought-provoking way.

Now, my next day of research leaves me wanting to work on the intricate matter of biology. But I’m not studying Biology, am I? Well yes, I can’t come to any conclusion, on my own, without delving into those little microscopic things that live inside us. So onward I go.

Starting yet another new day finds me throwing things around as if I’m cleaning out the closet. Now, I am prejudiced towards my attempts but things will get better, they seldom get worse.

Now in my wanton efforts at pursuing perfection, the prior is true. Tripping over chairs, and sliding across the floor on my face is the usual route why wouldn’t it be?

Ah, Willpower

We hear a lot about karma, and our spiritual well-being, these days with the word 'fitness' becoming more popular. But wait, when was the day that fitness wasn't popular? It's always been out there all we ever needed to do was reach out and take part in it. There would be a lot more healthy people in the good ole USA if it weren't for one curse word 'willpower'.

I can say I am nowhere near being fit. But, I can be, by just listening to my own 'willpower' and being more of a friend to it. Friends stick together and when one suggests something that makes sense we listen to it. We heed that willpower's voice commanding us to control our urges.

Willpower is a strange thing though, it drives who we are and what we do and just seems to impede anything fun. Just look at eating pizza, you want to eat another piece but your 'willpower' jumps in and says NO! Darn that 'willpower' sit over there and shut up, I'm grown and I'll do whatever I want.

Now we get on our favorite set of scales the next day and when we look down we say, out loud, I should never have eaten that extra piece of pizza if I only had the 'willpower' to put it down. Darn, that 'willpower' I never listen to it.

We all need a ... friend, don't we?

Love Them Or Hate Them

Social media is an addiction for millions of people worldwide. Without social media, we as a nation of civilized people would sit around twiddling our thumbs. Now it's every day all day. My kids come to visit me and the entire time they sit there with their faces glued to their cell phones. Now if I was on Facebook every day instead of 3 minutes a week (as I am now) I might care. But I hate social media in all its forms.

That darn "Six Degrees" started this mess then came Myspace and Facebook. Myspace, which still has over 1 billion active and inactive registered users, has faded from its glory days pushed to the side by Facebook.

A once popular community was Geocities. I was a member and community leader of one area in the Heartland (I can't remember which now). Yahoo purchased it and made changes and somewhere around 10 years later shut it down. As a result, millions of people abandoned the websites they had spent untold hours creating. But then that's big business.

Once Yahoo closed Geocities they started "Yahoo Experts" where I was a member too. I answered questions from people on a wide range of topics that dealt with some form of web design. That went on for a while and Yahoo changed it to having their "experts" answering questions by phone. I dropped out and have been against any form of social media ever since.

Those Movies

What Makes Us Go

What do you do when you go to the movies? Get the popcorn, soda, and maybe a candy bar. Then amble through the auditorium looking for an empty seat. Now the misery begins as there is no place to sit your drink or popcorn and you're elbow to elbow with the person sitting next to you (it's a full house). You can't ask the person next to you to hold them. As you may guess the floor is a likely spot so there they go.

Now on with the movie. Just as you get interested in it and are enjoying your popcorn and soda the person next to you has to go to the restroom and squeezes out in front of you and in the process kicks over your soda. And it runs over the shoe of the person in front of you who complains. You apologize while spilling your popcorn all over the floor. The person next to you returns and squeezes in again.

Okay, you didn't get to enjoy your soda or popcorn, and the person next to you is just too fat. Not to mention you missed the best parts of the movie. Sound familiar?

The moral of the story is, to stay home and rent the movie next time. You're just too much of a hazard to others to ever go out!

Our Inner Selves

A Quest to Discover Our Soul, Inner Peace, and

The Concept of Thought

"Negativity is the result of a limited mind." I've heard the saying before but can't remember where so I'll just say I dreamed it. Our negative thoughts impede any form of cognitive thinking. Everyone has tried to think of something or someone but couldn't. Then when you weren't even trying it popped into your head?

My mind is always scheming and seeking something to draw my attention. And when it's full of thoughts on things that aren't worth wasting a thought on - I have to stop and try to free it up so I can sort out the important from the frivolous.

It's said our minds form two different thought processes. I call them 'trying hard' to remember something and "letting the brain work" on its own. Taking an exam on a difficult topic we're not familiar with causes us to ponder too much and choose the wrong answer. While reading an enjoyable book is one way to relax, not much thought goes into it. When I get into a book, I'm not concentrating on every word but on the storyline. I'm relaxed and don't have to consider what I'm doing, it's just natural.

- to be continued ...

My Simple Life Existence

I live a simple existence. I live by myself, the kids grew up and moved away so I do whatever I do, and it's hobbies, of which I have a few.

The most important thing one should do is stay healthy. Or as healthy as you can be. I go to the doctor for a checkup once a year. And other than that I never think about my health.

I think the biggest thing that affects health is knowing your age. We are so accustomed to thinking about age it affects the way we think regarding health. We think a 90-year-old person will die soon. If we didn't know the age we wouldn't have a reason to think about it. I'm 70 and I would never think about my age if people would stop reminding me. I don't relate my age to my health. When I was 42 I retired from the Air Force and I feel healthier today than I did years ago. I walk 10 miles a day on my treadmill. I weigh 165 pounds and eat healthy.

As I stated, I do whatever I do. I sleep when I'm asleep, I get out of bed when I get out. Whatever I do just happens, I never think about what I will do. It's simpler that way. When visiting one of the kids, I go when I go and stay until I leave. I don't wear a watch and seldom ask what time it is.

I live life as I live it. My oldest daughter lives next to me and she and her husband both work. In the afternoons during the week, my oldest granddaughter comes over when she gets out of school. She's here when she's here, and leaves when she leaves.

If more people lived like I do or could live like I do - I think there would be less stress in life. My youngest daughter and her husband had their first child. I was at the hospital and waited until the new grandbaby was born and he was born when he was born. I went to the room where my daughter was and I went when I went. I left the hospital when I left and arrived home when I arrived.

Life just can't get any simpler.

Boredom

I DEFINITELY NEED SOME

Boredom, we all experience it from time to time. It's caused by not having anything particular to do. While I'm not always doing something worth mentioning, I do always try to have something particular on my mind. I can see someone living in an apartment not having anything to do. I mean there is no grass, bushes, trees, etc. to keep up. But I have all of those and lots more stuff to keep me busy. I have way too much to do.

I mean, I need boredom in my life. I would call it taking things easy. The only reason I ever thought about boredom in the past was because my four kids reminded me of it daily. They're grown now, but it used to be "Dad I'm bored!!!" My response was to always find them something awful to do. "Pick up all the sticks in the yard. Now, are you still bored? Because if you are, I've got some dreadful stuff you can all do. Now go look up the word boredom in the dictionary and see what it means then figure out a way to keep from getting bored." And, you know what, it never worked. My son never got bored because I always had him doing an important task around the house, those things I didn't want to do. But my three girls, well you study on that for a minute.

My four grandkids haven't figured out what boredom is, yet. But it's coming, and I'm glad I'm not the one who has to break it to them. What a sorry day that will be. "Grandpa I'm bored - I have nothing to do - what can I do?" LOL, Well, my grandchild ..... the apple of my eye, grandpa has stuff that only you can do.

My Southern Influence

A Brief History

My Southern Influence has served me well. The South is a different country. If you haven't been to the South you owe it to yourself to pay a visit. If you can become accustomed to the language, heat, humidity, and friendliness of the people you might enjoy your visit.

Let's go to the South is what you hear but I've never heard let's go to the North. It's just understood that anything south of the Mason-Dixon is just plain out of The South. I left the South in 1976 and returned in 1996 having served and retired from the Air Force. I traveled all over but memories and family drew me back to the South.

Born and raised in the Deep South I never understood Jim Crow. I didn't understand what Jim Crow was, being a kid, but later in life, I understood. The conditions that black folk lived through shocked me. It's hard to fathom now because life is sacred and racism is a bad thing.

Black history abounds throughout the South. It is nowhere more clear than in the foods eaten, still today, and still recognized as a southern subsistence not only among blacks but also whites.

Soul Food is pig nose, pig feet, sowbelly, pigtails, collard greens, and a lot more. If you were a black person living in the South (not that long ago) you ate Soul Food because the conditions black folk lived through forced the diet upon them. These days it serves as a remembrance for what life was like for black people and I don't mean just under Jim Crow laws but throughout their lives before and after Jim Crow.

My Remembrances

Life in Como, Mississippi

Have you ever eaten grits? Try it you might like it. Everywhere I went in the Air Force they served grits in the mess hall. It was grits, scrambled eggs, and biscuits. Now that's a breakfast to live on.

I remember my favorite Sunday meal then and now. Baked beans, potato salad, and meatloaf. Friday nights were hamburger nights and through the week it was vegetables and chicken right out of our garden and chicken yard.

We had a rather large garden and an average-sized chicken yard (my oldest brother was the chicken executioner ). There were also grapes, figs, apples, and pecan trees. My mother and father grew up on farms and knew the value of being self-sufficient. My father had served in the Army during WWII and the Korean Conflict so he knew just how to raise 4 boys, and keep 'em busy. We worked in the garden and shelled peas, butter beans, and snap beans (green beans). Picked squash, tomatoes, grapes, figs, and other stuff.

Now I think back on my days as a boy and the fun times we had living in a small town where everybody knew each other. Sundays and Wednesday nights we were in church, weekdays were the school or summer, and evenings were riding our bikes around town and fixing flat tires at the old service station on the back street. It was football at school and in the front yard, there was the little league in the lot beside the sawmill (I can smell the fresh-cut wood today), and the taste of a stolen watermelon or cantaloupe.

Life was different back then and regardless of how hard an effort is being made these days to change things for the better not much has changed. Regardless of how far away I go I always return home to the South.

It's Cold Out There

DESTITUTE .. a person who is dead broke, without a cent.

VAGRANT .. a person without a settled home or regular work who wanders from place to place and lives by begging.

America ..... doesn't matter the time or place, whether 1 or 4 am - the night remains dark and cloudy with the wind blowing keeping the ground wet and frigid. One sentence describes the life of a destitute person. But why relate the worst of the nights' condition to being destitute?

Destitute, that's a curious word. What does it mean? Being dead broke - is the basic definition. I used to hear this. "If you don't improve, you could grow up without a penny to your name." If you are poor aren't you too destitute?

Stop that man he's a vagrant! If proven you are a vagrant, you might go to jail. That was once true. Now the laws look the other way. If the police arrested every homeless person, the streets might appear deserted.

A homeless person suffers under two definitions, destitution and vagrancy. And, definitions drive us. Throwing things out there without a legal definition might prevent law enforcement from describing what being both destitute and a vagrant is thus causing confusion.

But, these days, confusion seems relevant. Not only do homeless people suffer shame, a stigma points to them. They fall into a legal definition and that's bad because law enforcement might act. Remember, we are a nation of definitions. We must define a crime before we can act. What sensible law enforcement or governmental agency will arrest anybody without due cause? The public simply would not stand idly by and let that happen.

Homelessness defines both destitution and vagrancy. Don't you see? If you can be homeless, many possibilities present themselves! Gosh, if the definition fits wear it. Go ahead, get the benefits you deserve. Well, maybe 'deserve' is too greedy sounding. We'll say 'don't deserve'. The fault is yours, being homeless. Isn't it? Although many people become homeless by choice most fall into the role by force.

Today you have a well-paying job. But, in a month you're laid off. Unemployment starts but it's not enough to pay the bills. Over the next 6 months, you get further and further behind. In a year you're homeless, living on the streets. If you're lucky, you live in your automobile. No job, unemployment ran out. You're both a statistic and 'a' - wait on it - definition. Ha, now you're official and those governmental agencies are waiting with open arms. Your tax dollars at work.

to be continued .....