John Guthrie's Ready Room

Finding the new ME

I recently promised myself that I would start writing regularly again. This wasn't my first time making that promise, but I wanted it to be the last. I am committing myself to writing at least one story per day from now on. I know there will be the

The Madness never stops

Numerous people shot in Kentucky near Interstate 75, officials say | CNNSeveral people have been shot near Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s office.CNNRaja Razek, Emma Tucker Why do we have to put up with things like this? The shooting happened on Saturday,

We have willingly sacrificed our children and our future.

Children and teens are more likely to die by guns than anything else | CNNGuns continue to be the leading cause of death for US children and teens since surpassing car accidents in 2020.CNNAnnette ChoiGeorgia school shooting suspect expected to face more charges as accounts of students’ heroism emerge | CNNA

There is nothing “Normal “ about accepting gun violence in America.

Every time there is another school shooting in America, the terrorist Republicans and their terrorist masters from the NRA refuse to talk about gun control because" it isn't appropriate to politicize a tragedy" so soon after it happens. They say that the families deserve privacy and

Kindness

The Power of Kindness: A Ripple Effect That Transforms Lives Kindness stands out as a powerful force for good in a world that often feels fast-paced and self-centered. It's a simple yet profound virtue that has the ability to change lives, build communities, and create a ripple effect

Football at last!

I have waited all summer for college football to return. Baseball, which I used to love, now seems so boring that it is unwatchable. I remember my days at the University of Kentucky when I was in the marching band and we rehearsed all through August to prepare for the

I'm so over this election already

I can't wait until September 20, 2024, because that is Virginia's first day of early voting. I will be there that morning to do my part to save democracy by voting for Harris and Walz. I will do my part, and then I plan to go

🎶Everything's Alright Now🎶

I was listening to my music the other day, and a random song popped up. It was the song "Everything's Alright Now" from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. I remember watching the movie in the theater when I was a kid in 1973. Local churches protested,

Slowly Getting The Hang Of This

I'm slowly getting back into the habit of writing every day. Here are a few things that I thought about to help me establish and maintain my new writing practice. I swore to myself many times that I would start writing regularly, and finally, I think that is

Its the little things that mean so much

I recently debated the status of this webpage because no one had subscribed for many months. I realize this is an organic process; it takes time and care. After all, I am the sole person accountable for creating the content, which means I cannot blame anyone but myself for its

🎵Everybody Must Get Stones🎵

I recently got into collecting stones and crystals after fascinating conversations with people discussing their emotional and physical health benefits. I am not a spiritual person, but perhaps there is some energy from stones and crystals that I can appreciate without someone getting nailed to a tree in the process.

Life is too short to argue with haters

"Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted." John Lennon This quote from John Lennon neatly sums up how I feel about life now. I no longer see life as an obstacle but as an opportunity. I learned to accept that no matter what the world wants me to

Slowing things down

I thought this picture was perfect for what I was about to write. The image of the water flowing around me is how I feel about life's problems. I don't put any effort into things that will pass me by because that only interferes with my

F$@# off, CNN

“Democrats gather to enshrine their audacious power play.” That screaming headline on CNN’s webpage shows just how completely pro-Trump CNN is these days. The mainstream media has failed us completely. You don’t see CNN talking about the Nazi Trump and his brazen attempt to overthrow the government after

When you find out some of the people you like don’t give a f*ck about you, that’s their problem

Self-discovery is hard. When I find out something about myself that I don’t like, or want to change, I feel guilty as if I committed some crime. This feeling is especially true when dealing with people you thought cared about you. Experience proves they don’t care, but emotion

A Welcome Change

I feel great today. Hal and I went to an acupuncture specialist, and I got my sinuses treated. I felt immediate relief, and the pressure inside my head vanished. I haven't felt this alive and energetic in months. It seems like this summer has been extremely hard on

The World on my terms

Over the last four years, I have found that journaling can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, offering numerous benefits that can enhance personal growth and understanding. I keep coming back to this as I struggle with being a writer, at least in my own mind.  Writing isn’t easy;

August 05, 2024 - The new journey begins

Sheryl Crow had a hit song back in the 90s with the lyrics, “Every day is a winding road. I get a little bit closer to feeling fine.” Those words perfectly describe how I approach my life now. Each day represents new opportunities for self-improvement and self-reflection.  I’m learning

Why did a stand-up comedian and a rock band summarize my anxiety so completely when I couldn’t?

I wish I could dictate my entries, but when I hear myself, I always sound awful, and the words don't make sense. How else can I explain that a stand-up comedian could perfectly describe my feelings of anxiety when I can't? Anxiety is a crippling condition

America’s future

Insert atrocity here.

Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage

The other night, I watched a documentary about the period between the two world wars that devastated so many countries and how they acted in the intervening period. The differences between European countries trying to recover from the carnage and the United States were on an economic thrill ride. The

I slipped and fell

Vertigo has been a daily part of my life for nearly four years. I have occasional episodes, so I talk with hiking sticks rather than a cane because I'm never quite sure which way I might keel over to. Some episodes are worse than others, but physical therapy

"We live in a world where we have to hide to make love, while violence is practiced in broad daylight." John Lennon

I read this quote from the late John Lennon, which struck me as simple yet profound. We live in a society that glorifies violence but shames anyone for the act of love or sex, Think about it  Why do we tolerate violence every day from our media, our leaders, and

The Emperor has no clothes, and neither does the Jester.

I’m declaring myself mentally unavailable for the next four months regarding politics. I am so over the election bullshit. There is no way I can feign interest any longer. I said for years that we had been racing along a road and not paying attention to where we were

Daily Kos isn’t for me anymore.

My experience with popular writing sites that seem filled with negative people focuses on Daily Kos. Recently, I decided to start writing again on Daily Kos. I haven’t posted there in years, and when I did, I was the angry version of myself instead of the much calmer and