Life and Random Thinking

Thinking Out Loud – What R U Spreading?

Posted on January 25, 2022 by dfolstad58

Thank you for visiting today “Life and Random Thinking”.

I often wake up at four o’clock in the morning and do “random thinking.” I was remembering way back in the early 1980’s when I was doing hemodialysis at Vancouver General Hospital on a ward. The circumstances were not the nicest for the patients. It was a large ward, beds spaced out on both sides of a long rectangle shaped room. In between the beds were the large machines that were hooked up to the patients.

In all this noise, tubing and needles I was one of those patients. You can’t move around much when you are hooked up like that so I people watched and stayed awake the 5 hours or so that it took, thrice weekly.

I noticed the reaction that some patients had when certain nurses were working. A certain nurse, a favourite of mine also, caused heads to swivel when she walked into the ward. Ruth was an empathetic person, skillful inserting needles and a nice person.

Ruth was one of those people, a special nurse, who spread smiles while poking needles.

A nurse doing a difficult job the best she could, spreading understanding and kindness. ♥

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

These deer demolish my tulips but with such cuteness I forgive them.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This peach used to be a golf ball, see the tee? (Peachland)

In January and the beginning of next month I have been tasked for my health to go through radiation treatments at the cancer clinic about an hour north in Kelowna, B.C.

I am fortunate to have such a scenic drive each way, and wonderful company and support from family. Next week I will be halfway completed my treatments and will await the good news.

I have to say my experience going to the Cancer Clinic has been very positive, and I am almost, almost enjoying myself. (I am weird, ha ha)

My doctor, my radiation therapists, the other patients, the receptionists and the health greeters are all positive and I smile walking in and out the doors. ♥♥♥

When I am done and no longer visit, I will not forget these special people.

These people are smile spreaders!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Africa has taken the tv remote again – my daughter says she is a control freak. ♥♥♥

It has been my observation that in life it makes sense to take it with some sweetness or at least some understanding.

My thinking out loud conclusion is this – spread smiles and appreciation – if you have to spread something, make it laughs, and good feelings. – Blessings ♥♥- David

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I guess that’s why I like this YouTube video – it’s playful and music helps the others (mostly) enjoy the rush-hour traffic.

If you are worried about getting a song in your head, an “ear-worm” LOL, then avoid this video but if you like me welcome a happy tune – join in!

HIGHWAY SING-a-LONG – THE BUTTER CUP EDITION

Posted in health, music related, Thinking Out loud | Tagged butter cup, cancer, oscar wilde, Peachland, smiles, spreaders, youtube | 28 Comments

Two Eagles

Posted on January 18, 2022 by dfolstad58

Thanks for visiting “Life and Random Thinking”

My name is David and I was inspired to begin this blog post by my Aunt Elinore. She made so many friends online and she would have loved to have seen how many friends I have made via this blog.

Frankly it has been an unexpected pleasure thanks to the readers who visit, comment and encourage me to continue.

Today I had an errand and drove north up the Okanagan valley and returned a few hours later. When I left about 7:30 a.m. it was about ten minutes before sunrise. The Okanagan lake stretched out calm and reflective in the pre-dawn. I spotted three beautiful trumpeter swans near the shoreline.

Later today on my return trip home I stopped and took a few pictures in Peachland (it’s a real place). I will post below a few pictures I took there looking south.

Then I drove past Summerland (another real place) and back home to Penticton ( Penticton, from the Interior Salish word snpintktn, is commonly translated as “a place to stay forever,” or more accurately, “a place where people live year-round.” )

Just past Peachland I looked up the hillside and spotted two bald eagles, and they sat close together on adjacent branches.

I felt very fortunate that I had looked up there at that perfect moment to see them there, what a gift ♥

Speaking of gifts – I was given the gift of a kidney transplant via a live donor in April 2019. An amazing wonderful gift and now almost 50% of kidney transplant patients are from live donors.

I had a previous successful transplant from a deceased donor that I was also very grateful to receive – that transplant lasted 31 years.

MY STORY POST Link

I hope that everyone who reads will consider signing up to be a donor, it takes two minutes to sign up and don’t wait.

I want to share below a video to explain what being an organ donor means and what happens if you do choose to be one. ! (the video is two minutes and seventeen seconds)

Pretty please watch and consider being a donor – plus it is fact that each of us is much more likely to be in need of a transplant than to actually be a donor.

Thanks again for visiting – David ♥

How It Works – A Video about being an Organ Donor – from BC Transplant

Posted in health, Just being creative, okanagan related | Tagged Eagles, Okanagan lake, organ donor | 13 Comments

Winter Photos and Time Out

Posted on January 12, 2022 by dfolstad58

Thank you for visiting today.

I can’t help but take pictures when I go for a walk. Even though I am often walking where I have walked and cycled hundred of times I still admire the view. I still need to stop my busy thoughts even when it’s cold and windy. ♥

When I walking with my son the other day in the Japanese garden along the lake, he came to a complete stop and lifted his hands to prayer position. He just looked out at the horizon to the north. I copied him and we just stood in silence admiring nature for a few minutes.

I thought to myself that pausing and just absorbing the moment is always time well spent. I need to do that simple act more often. _ ♥

Enjoy the recent photos I have taken locally, it may be cold but it’s always special.

Winter light is just Mother Nature showing off again

I’m in a hurry to get things done
Oh, I rush and rush until life’s no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
Even I’m in a hurry and don’t know why

Don’t know why? I have to drive so fast
My car has nothing to prove
It’s not new
But it’ll do 0 to 60 in 5.2, oh

Alabama – I’m In a Hurry (I don’t know why) Youtube video link (here)

Thanks for visiting and I hope you take a moment today also to stop and reflect. – David

Posted in health, music related, okanagan related, Thinking Out loud | Tagged Alabama, breathe, hurry, light, Okanagan, pause, winter | 15 Comments

Chapter 9 – I Choose Freedom

Posted on January 4, 2022 by dfolstad58

Welcome to “Life and Random Thinking!”

This post is a continuation of the Call Me Skywalker category/series – if you go to the category on the right hand margin of my blog, you find it close to the top– if you go there, you can see the list by clicking on that choice.

Click HERE to go to the beginning to meet the characters, and learn why Luke is called Skywalker, and how he met Sophie.

In the chapter #8 Luke was intercepted by a man who had intended to assault him, but when he realized who Luke was he didn’t, instead the thug made a new choice.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Luke lay face down in the shadows, in the cold damp beside his bike. Simon had told him to hide face down and wait. So he did.

After a short while, he heard steps and pieces of a conversation. Most of it seemed to be swearing, and he heard his name a few times. He took deep breathes to try slow down his heart.

Then the steps retreated, he heard a car door open, and then slam. An engine started and he thought he heard a car peal away.

When he heard his name again, he raised his eyes to look out where Simon stood by the building entrance. Simon beckoned with his hands to Luke – come out.

Luke, my partner will be back soon so you gotta go. Take your bike upstairs and hideout, or go somewhere else for the next four days.

Whatever, make sure you don’t go home, and don’t be alone at night. Same for your girlfriend, Sophie has to stay home or if she goes out for some emergency then do it during the day and in a group, never be alone.

I’m done with this job and my fricking life is starting over. Luke, you knew my Dad worried about me, right?

My Dad wanted me to change work, and I wasn’t sure if I could. Well I can hear him telling me that again. I swear I heard him say me name when I was standing here.

So I am doing what he said. He said I would soon find myself at a crossroad. I would have to make a choice, and stop doing what I have out of fear of change, being a paid thug for hire.

He told me to have faith in myself. My Dad had faith in me, ya know? My Dad said I have a choice, and he told me to choose freedom from fear, and no regrets. He was always having trying to watch out for me….

Now I have to change the end of my life, my story, like he would have wanted. He told me “You can’t rewrite the past chapters in your life, but you can write the story ending the way you really want.”

I am going to do what my Dad said, the next time you see me you not gonna have to hide in the dirt. ha!

You take care of Sophie cuz these guys could be back. You better go now, grab your bike !

Luke hugged him, and then did as he was told, his mind racing.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Upstairs in Sophie’s apartment Luke had stashed his bike. He would not leave her alone, and now they would hunker down. They would stay put and be safe and heed Simon’s warnings.

He silently thanked God for Simon, and Alexander, his Dad. He always felt the right people came into his life, but it was still stunning to absorb.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks for joining me for this ongoing story, they are brief so I hope you read them all and comment. ♥ – David

Today I will end this post with some lyrics (no surprise!) from a Guess Who song – and a link HERE so you watch it on Youtube if you are unfamiliar. I love this song ” Laughing” by the Guess Who. ♥♥

I should laugh, but I cry
Because your love has passed me by
You took me by surprise
You didn’t realize but I was waiting

Time goes slowly, but carries on
And now the best years have come and gone
You took me by surprise
I didn’t realize that you were laughing’cause you’re doin’ it to me
(Laughing) it ain’t the way it should be
You took away everything I had, you put the hurt on me

***************************

The first song I ever heard of theirs was “These Eyes” – also an amazing song. If you have a romantic heart, and ever had your heart broken then this is one you will enjoy. LINK HERE

These eyes cry every night for you
These arms long to hold you again

The hurtin’s on me, yeah
And I will never be free, no, my baby, no no
You gave a promise to me, yeah
An’ you broke it, an’ you broke it, oh no

These eyes watched you bring my world to an end
This heart could not accept and pretend