Bruised but still beating

My blackend thigh and belly wouldn't seem to be cause for rejoicing, but that remnant of last Friday's heart cath reminds me that the test showed only a little bit of plaque, no blockages, in the arteries around my heart. And the remaining soreness gets a little better every day. I returned to my exercise routine this morning and I'm no longer forcing myself to sleep on my back. I'm even sitting at my desk again! And I woke up this morning, my heart still beating. Isn't that enough to praise the Lord?

Doing what comes naturally.

All children draw. It's as natual as sucking a thumb or learning to walk. Just try to keep a child from drawing. Kids love finger paints, crayons, pencils, markers. They'll draw on paper, fabric, walls. They don't know about style or form, they just draw. Freedom of expression. Pure creativity. And then someone says "not on the wall." "Stay inside the lines" "Don't..." And they become less expressive. Creativity dries up. By the time school starts, half the kids don't like drawing and by high school, only the really nerdy kids take art. Because it will never lead to a career making money. It will never make anything lasting or worthwhile. Maybe instead of valuing the artificial -- money and importance -- we should encourage what comes naturally. Don't look for value in dollar signs and public accolades. Look for satisfaction. Freedom of expression. Creativity. Praze doing what come naturally.

Praze for a First (class) Lady

You couldn't help but love Betty Ford. She was just so darn real. She made it okay to ask for help. She faced alcoholism and breast cancer and we were all stronger for her struggle. That's a real leader. It's all any of us can hope for, to help the world be a better place. Hooray for Betty Ford.

Mango morning

A mango smoothie for breakfast. What a way to begin the day. Like sunshine in a glass only way cooler. Praze the new day. So much to be done.

Kayak Krazy

Good grief, I've been so busy  Laughing for a Living and getting ready to launch Great News Town that I've forgotten to say a simple Praze every now and then. Had a great week at Glen Lake and several wonderful days in Chicago. Today, I'm spending the day coasting around my little lake on my bright orange kayak. What a blast it is. I can visit the Great Blue Heron on the other side of the lake who's almost the same color as the fallen tree he's standing on. And the little family of ducks have grown so much that the babies are only slightly smaller than mom. So, Happy Fourth to everyone. We are so blessed to live in a free country.