Life and Random Thinking

Every day is a special occasion

Posted on June 8, 2015 by dfolstad58

Every day is a special occasion.

Yes!, it’s up to me (and you) whether the day is celebrated or not. I know, you had to work, and so did I but still it’s a day to be celebrated.

Why? It’s because of life, because of choice to see our cup as full, because the people we love and care about are with us, because we are breathing, and we live.

There are those days when we get to hug those loved ones who live far away, let’s celebrate those also but let’s celebrate that we are here enjoying those daily moments with our loved ones also. It is especially those moments that we will cherish and understand to be special sometime in the future.

sand between her toes

Sure I love the holiday memories, but I also love the regular memories, sharing breakfasts, talking over the dinner table, being picked on by my kids, and even the normalcy of doing kitchen chores or cutting grass.

My son Dave with me in Oregon 2014

Life really is a journey, a bike ride perhaps, times when we coast, when we climb hills and perhaps times when we are knocked off and get hurt. Still the journey is ours to absorb, to experience and once only.

Rain, dust, wind are all part of our trip to make the days in the sun more special, but really someday we’ll know that they were all special.

Me, my daughter Mandy – Oregon 2014

Every day is a special occasion.

Posted in family, music related, Thinking Out loud | Tagged awareness, beach boys, family, good vibrations, journey, life, living, living life, priorities | 6 Comments

A proud dad thinks back five years ago

Posted on May 31, 2015 by dfolstad58

My beautiful daughter Mandy has nearly been married five years! I was reminded today of the fun and laughter at the reception when her husband Tyler and his buddies from school were all lip syncing to the Backstreet Boys. They gathered in a huddle and it was what only can be described as a “HOOT!”

: how it started

: Best Cake Toppers Ever

: happy daze

: makes me smile

: smiling and dining in vancouver

: Fun Fun Fun

: close & personal

: June 12, 2010

I thought it was really cool, it showed to me many things about this young man who is now family. He has a real sense of fun, he makes good friends, and Mandy and Tyler are a fun, lighthearted duo. Many more happy memories ahead!

I’m grateful for much in this life and I’ll never forget this song being sung by a group of guys on June 12, 2010. A special day, June 12, 2010

Music and memories – am I right?

Posted in family, music related | Tagged anniversary, backstreet boys, friendship, I want it that way, Laughter, lip sync, Mandy, memories, Tyler, vimeo | 2 Comments

Driving along singing a song in LA – Buttercup style

Posted on May 31, 2015 by dfolstad58

Los Angeles (LA) is the city of highways or it seems that way to me. I live in a small city, 7 km (4.3 miles) from the south end to the north end and a beautiful (and different) lake on each side. You might imagine that traffic is not the headache for me as it for folks in big cities. In fact, I think big city lineups get longer than 7km.

Traffic fixer vehicle

So commuting is a big part of life for urban dwellers, and fantastic it is when people can turn a chore into some special, fun, joyful and uplifting not just for themselves but also for other commuters.

Impossible? Yeah it doesn’t work for everyone but for many people catch the fun of Highway Singalong with TJ.

TJ has a youtube account where he lip syncs to fun songs which he belts out at the top of his lungs and encourages others to sing along with him. I say Bravo to TJ, spreading smiles, and spreading music. Pay it forward like TJ does!

Today is Build me up Buttercup day! Watch out if you listen, the tune is catchy 🙂

Posted in music related | Tagged buttercup, fun, highway, Humor, Laughter, melody, Random acts of kindness, singalong, songs, traffic | 2 Comments

I left the house naked, and survived !

Posted on May 30, 2015 by dfolstad58

Alright, I exaggerate a tad – writer’s do that. But I did leave the house, and I did leave my smartphone behind. Gadzooks you say!

synchronized yoga

You might imagine yourself in the same situation, you have left your home, and you are kilometres away and in a panic you realize you don’t have your phone. What are you going to do?

Do you turn around and go home and grab your phone, clutching your phone to your chest and promise to never do that again?

You will be glad to know that if you leave your phone at home for 5 hours like I did, life goes on. Really! The world turns, and the tightness in your chest leaves and you not only survive but you learn something.

I did consider turning around to get my phone, but am glad I didn’t. We don’t need to climb a mountain to get a few minutes peace, all we have to do is turn off the device and it’s great.

watch for the sun

When not chained to your device, you are more mindful of yourself, how you feel, and everything around you. I found myself even feeling unchained.

Did you try the 120 second challenge to just be quiet, to just be still?

Congratulations if you succeeded. Some people can’t do it.

You are ready to leave your home naked, as in without your device. Enjoy the freedom of being out-of-touch briefly, and in control.

Breathe deep, smell the wind, hear the sounds of your street.

Step away from the phone, and walk on the free side.

Posted in health, Thinking Out loud | Tagged 120 seconds, freedom, mindful time, steer yourself, survival | 1 Comment

You Deserve A Time Out – challenge

Posted on May 19, 2015 by dfolstad58

hangglider A Time out sounds like a punishment. Not at all. In fact it is an opportunity to reflect, to gain perspective, perhaps take a moment measure where you are and which path to take.

Time to uncuff your mind for 120 seconds.

Remember when you concentrated on one thing at a time for more than two minutes?

My challenge to you today takes exactly two minutes. It is best if you can do it in a chair where you can look at nature. Leave the tv off, plug in your device to charge and take two minutes to let your mind breathe, deep long breathes.

Take 120 seconds to look around, and just listen to your thoughts – set them free to wander but take the first 30 seconds just to breathe deep, and smile inside. Feel the smile allow you to relax.

Enjoy your two minute Time Out – I think you will.

: overlooking Okanagan lake

: view from cape foul weather I think

: not windy, just doing yoga

: My son soaking up the day

: Sicamous paddlewheeler on Okanagan Lake, north end of Penticton

: Okanagan lake again

: water is cold! take the picture!

: Another view of Skaha lake looking west

: Okanagan lake from beach level

: sunrise

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Salad–Hold the Lettuce!

Posted on May 16, 2015 by dfolstad58

Beautiful pictures, and healthy salad inspiration – who needs more? Excuse me, I’m off to buy some ingredients. 🙂

The Sweet and Savory Bite

You’ve been living a lie. You do not need to put lettuce of any type in your salad! Try this chopped salad for a refreshing change of pace!

Ingredients:

1/2 red, orange or yellow pepper
1/2 cucumber, peeled and chopped
7-8 Campari Tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped red onion
Juice from 1/2 lime
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped parsley, dill, mint or basil

There isn’t much to making a salad. The ingredients are chopped and tossed together. The only way you can go wrong in making a salad is if you chose the wrong ingredients or you over dress the salad!

Let’s chat briefly about my ingredient selection:

1. The peppers–I never buy green peppers. They bore me. Red, yellow, orange peppers–they are sweeter and add some great color to your salad.