Category Archives: Personal

“Weather” or Not

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I love that weather is only somewhat predictable.  The meteorologists do their best with their fancy technology — 3D Doppler RADARs and layered mapping.  But still there are times when they just can’t predict the weather 100%.  There are so many factors that are in play with weather.  It’s not just what is coming from the sky, it’s the typography of the area, air temperature, wind on the ground as well.

While weather can be predicted and many people can be warned to take cover, weather can not be controlled.  I love that weather is one part of creation that man can’t touch or control.

Just a thought,

KK

Are you up for the test?

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When I have meetings at the Kentucky Shakespeare office in downtown Louisville (Kentucky), I like to park in the open-air pay lot across the street. First of all, I don’t like parking garages and secondly, the man who runs it is friendly. It’s obvious he’s an ordinary guy, doing his best to make a living.

Recently, I pulled in and there was another gentleman in the booth. This time my meeting was the Fund for the Arts board meeting. After the meeting, I was pulling up to the booth to pay I pulled out my wallet to find that I had a large bill. Please note that I don’t make a habit of carrying large denominations. So I pulled forward and the gentleman checks my ticket and tells me it will be $4.50. And so begins my inquiry as to whether he could “break” a large bill.parking booth

He immediately said “no”. All I had on me in change was two dollars. So I implored him to let me just run to the bank and I would come back with money to pay him. He hesitated. I promised. I gave him the two dollars I had and emphatically promised to be back in 10 minutes. He relented. I went to the bank and was back in the time frame.

When I pulled in the same gentleman opened the metal booth door and smiled. “You are an honest person,” he said. I handed him a $10 dollar bill. “I didn’t believe you would come back.” With that he handed me change as if I’d given him $20. After quickly checking my bank envelope, I handed the money back explaining his error. He chuckled, “I was just testin’ ya.”

Enough tests for one day. I drove away thinking that in reality, he was probably a little challenged by the money math. I was also glad to be the honest example for the day.

Have you found yourself in situations like this? Has your character been tested?

All the best,
KK

15 more — I’m doing my part

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So our goal was 100 posts and 100 followers by December 31st.  Many of you have done your part, there are 64 followers. I’m doing my part, this is post number 85.  There are 15 more coming.  I promise.  A few have been drafted others are still rolling around in this red-headed head.  You know, natural-born red-heads are dwindling in number…but I digress.  Here’s how you can help:

First, be sure you are following.  Just click the “Follow” button to the right right arrowof this post.  Second, you could share this or any of my posts on your Facebook page inviting your friends to follow as well.  Thirdly, you could copy and paste www.kkscandor.com in an email message telling friends and family that you are offering them a subscription to my blog for the holidays.  Yes, I know it’s free, but the value and thought are what gift giving is all about, isn’t it?

Finally, enjoy the impact you could have on helping me accomplish my goal and in return you are giving friends and family a gateway to encouragement.

Thank you.

All the best,

KK

6 Things I’m grateful for – One at a Time – Number 1

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sqeasy vegetable soupThanksgiving Soup

I’ve been thinking a lot about what todays grateful item would be.  Reading over the previous five I am hopeful that much more of what I’m thankful for has been woven throughout.  I didn’t want today’s post to be the typical things like faith, family and friends.  You did read those things into the other posts, right?  If not, here they are; I am very thankful for my faith the holds me steady, my family that always stands firm with me, and my friends who encourage me and add so much to my life.

Today’s post is what I like to call Thanksgiving soup – a bunch of little things that are full of goodness and laughter that come together to give great flavor to my world.  It’s the simplest of things and people I encounter each day.  Times and encounters that can’t be plan, Fate brings them together.  We need to be paying attention to catch them.

This morning I got up to watch the Macy’s Day Parade – a Thanksgiving tradition of mine for many years.  Jay got up with me and we enjoyed a cup of hot tea, the Rockettes, and marching bands from all over the country.  About half way through, Cole got up and joined us.  There the three of us snuggled on the couch, laughing and playfully enjoying some fun.   It is these moments I have grown old enough and wise enough to cherish in my heart.  You can’t trade them.

I won’t bore you with the hundreds of other examples of the simple pleasures in life for which I am thankful.  But I will encourage you to slow down enough to enjoy a few for yourself.

Happy Thanksgiving.

All the best,

KK

Tell Me A Story

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ww2Evidently the older I get the more I appreciate the stories my elders tell of life long ago.  I am blessed to have loved ones with great longevity; so there are tales from World War II and even before that are fascinating to hear.  When my mother re-married (long after I was an adult), her new husband’s mother was still alive and close to 90 years old.  Visiting her in the nursing home often meant stories of her taking the train to Chicago to see a picture show.  Her father was in the early film business.  She told the stories in such a way that I could, feel the steam from the train breaks and picture a young girl all dressed up and riding.

War isn’t a pretty thing, but there is something fascinating about the soldiers and the attitude of the 30’s and 40’s.  I don’t know if life was simpler, every generation has their challenges.  But living was different.  My father doesn’t tell many stories of his time in the service (WW2), but he did tell me that when they came home, people respected the soldiers and their service to the country.  Are we too busy to appreciate this anymore?

My father grew up in the 1920’s in a town next to the Ohio river.  He shares stories of messing around the river all afternoon with his brother; taking the trolley downtown to see a baseball game for a nickel!  How fun!

My favorite shows to watch are set in other times.  Ok, so I know these are cleaned up “Hollywood style”, but there is an element of truth to them.

Tell me your story of days gone by, did you grow up during the depression or  during economic boom in the 50’s or the free thinking days of the 60’s or the 80’s when all women wanted was a corner office?

All the best,

KK

Reading Your Way Across America

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books across america

Since June I have been in a reading slump.  My favorite authors haven’t published anything recently and the books I’ve started I can’t seem to get into.  This feels something similar to worse case of writer’s block a person could have.  I tried reading through first novels but got hung up on a really bad first novel from a Kentucky author.  There is restlessness in my soul that is a longing to be taken away to another time and place by a novelist’s ability to make today disappear and paint pictures of places I’ve never been.   I want to become friends with the hero and get frustrated with the villain.  You know the feeling when you finish a good book and the next day you are wondering what the characters are up to only to realize they are gone.

I found this list that intrigued me.  This is a list of books that are set in each state.  Many of these books I have already read; others I think I may try just to scratch this itch.  It’s important for writers to read.  Really, it’s important for everyone to read.

Who is your favorite author?  Any suggestions?

Missing a good read,

 

KK

Digging Spiritual Stuff

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Gardeners understand the connection between humans, nature and our Creator.  Didn’t make it to church for worship fall gardenthis morning but found myself with free time for the garden this afternoon.  The collision of digging in the dirt, cleaning out weeds, good music, and sunshine created in me a joyful and thankful heart.  It is continually amazing how connected humans are to the world created for them.

Feeling a good kind of tired,

KK

Thought Provoking…

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“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

― Benjamin Franklin

 

There are those individuals who in their 20’s after graduating college are true go-getters.  They work hard, get involved and are all about their upwardly mobile status.  But somewhere along the way they slow down and begin to cruise; maybe they gain a little market knowledge and begin to think they know a little something.  They get into their routines of life, work, family, children — all very important.  But in doing so, they don’t get involved, they just fill their time being busy — or rather they let their time GET filled with stuff.  But are they continuing to learn and expand their mind and life-experiences.  Are they watching life go by on their television screens or are they engaging in interesting and meaningful activities? Are you an active participant in life?  This quote from Benjamin Franklin made me wonder…

There is a line from the movie Shawshank Redemption, “You either get busy living or get busy dying.”

So, what are you doing today?  Are you expanding your experiences and knowledge of life, love and all there is in this great big world?  What are you doing?

Happy Friday,

KK

Unplugged Action…

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You would hate to think that what I’m about to share is unusual; but in this day it is.  The Saint James Art Show is a great place to people watch or at least notice a variety of people types.  Unlike walking down the streets of the city or through the mall, I noticed a st. james courtphenomenon that swept the show.  No one was distracted from the art checking their phones…

Show attenders were enjoying a sunny eighty degree October day by taking in the sites of the art show.  It was wonderful.  No one almost ran into me while checking a text.  There were no crazy ring tones binging and singing.  There was a buzz of conversation and a periodic squeal of friends uniting among crowded isles.

Art viewers were completely in the moment and engaged; how refreshing.  People’s faces were alive and curiously looking at the art mediums.

Sometimes it’s wonderful to just unplug – disconnect.  As long as a cell phone, ipad or computer is on or at hand, we are ON – distracted.

Find the opportunity to unplug for a while.  At first you may feel like you are walking around naked, but I promise before long the peace that transcends understanding will encompass your soul.

Do you dare unplug?  Go ahead put the technology down and walk away and experience something new.

KK

Why?

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Someone has asked the question, and today I’m pondering it.

Why do most people over estimate what they can accomplish in one year and under-estimate what they can accomplish in 10 years?

What do you think?

KK