Daily writing prompt

What’s the most underrated life skill?

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Maybe self-awareness. A person can barge through life as if unaware of the trail of hard feelings and such that they leave in their wake, because they’ve spent little time looking in the mirror, in a non-vain way, or actually hearing the occasional commentary intended to get their attention and move them to realize maybe they have a thing or two to work on.

Empathy might run a close second. It’s not a “woke” thing. It’s merely the capacity for patience and a bit of understanding of another’s situation and setting in life. It may keep one from rushing to judgment.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the best way to explore a new city?

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Not sure, but I imagine it might help to do one’s homework– check online for pictures and maps and other information, study the history a bit, ask around and find friends or family who have been where you’re going. Decide where to stay, where to eat, devise an itinerary, decide if you’re going to park and walk and discover on your own, or maybe get a tour guide.

Or just start downtown and wing it.

Daily writing prompt

The genie grants you a wish. What is it?

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That Donald Trump and those under his spell or pulling the strings will vaporize, so we can have a few moments of peace before the next dumpster fire erupts.

Daily writing prompt

What are five simple exercises to do at home?

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I try to do some time on a stationary bike we have in the basement. I do stair push-ups. Other options might be sit-ups, wall sits, and planks. Maybe jumping jacks, too, and curls with hand weights.

Daily writing prompt

Which relationship has taught you the most about yourself?

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Our marriage. Nothing else comes close.

It has exposed certain insecurities, along with bringing much joy.

Daily writing prompt

If you could start a new business right now, what would it be?

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If I had the urge to make such a commitment, it might be a coffee shop with a small consignment section for local artisans.

Or maybe an online woodworking business– lots of wood-turned items and various styles of cribbage boards, etc.

Daily writing prompt

What are your best healthy eating habits?

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Next to no processed foods, lots of oatmeal, nuts, some fresh fruit, low sodium for the most part. I have eggs on avocado toast for breakfast pretty much every other day. I do somewhat fall off the wagon at lunchtime, with a sliced turkey sandwich or deli ham salad and baked– not fried– potato chips, with a Chobani yogurt with granola for… dessert, I guess.

When we’re at home, my wife keeps us eating healthy most of the time, though I still eat what tastes good sometimes, especially when we head up to our son and daughter-in-law’s for a meal, usually supper. There will be lasagna, or chicken broccoli braid, or burgers on the grill, and on occasion a slice of grilled banana bread, with butter.

So, it’s not all twigs and berries.

Daily writing prompt

Do you believe in karma?

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I don’t know. I do know that I sometimes root for people to get payback for their assholery and it’s pretty sweet when it happens. I don’t know what forces are at work in the universe, or if karma is just wishful thinking among us who prefer there be some sort of equilibrium and fairness– okay, retribution– for anyone who behaves badly.

What goes around comes around? Maybe.

Daily writing prompt

How do you make time for self-care?

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Never been very good at it. I exercise a little, take walks, read a book on occasion, and work on another diamond art project. I hope some of that counts.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a place you visited that felt like home?

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Often when we head back to PA from mid-coast Maine, one of us will comment about how we wish we could stay. Maine feels like home. There’s family there, we’re back in New England again, there are woods and hills and ocean in close proximity to one another, and the pace of things feels somewhat slower. Where we stay has a bit of a ’60s flower child vibe to it, but that’s OK– it’s a whole lot better than what often emanates from D.C. and what’s on the prevailing political winds where we currently live.