An optimist thinks this is the best possible world.

A pessimist fears this is true.

I prefer to be an optimist this year. I chose my yearly word -- a far more difficult thing than it should be, I suppose.

I wanted to aim for "positive", "enthusiastic", "easy-going" -- something to indicate (to me) that things just won't throw me for a loop.

I finally settled on "upbeat". ♪ Always look on the bright side of life ♪ That's what I'm going to do. The reason for this?

The Dreaded P word.

I'm spending 2015 on promotion. I vow to actively promote my books and see, once and for all, if it makes any damn difference in sales.

I shall report back in with my findings later. Hopefully, in one year.

Must stay upbeat. Must stay upbeat.....

When she saw her first strands of gray hair

...  she thought she'd dye.

Sorry. Couldn't resist the pun.

I have a few strands (or more than a few) of gray, and I've never consider dying my hair. Mainly because it's a pain to keep up (constant re-application of chemicals), it's expensive, and who am I fooling anyway? I'm a Lady of a Certain Age. Why hide it?

Of course, I haven't really figured out a good hairstyle yet, and I'm in my Golden Years. So I guess that tells you my attitude toward personal beauty. It is what it is. I'm not going to sweat it too much.

Or at all.

I don't have a soluton...

... but I admire the problem.

Doesn't this happen sometimes? You see a problem, and are totally stumped about a solution. Like, oh, world peace. You think it should be easy. But then there are economic factors to consider. Let's face it, a large part of the economy is war-based. And cultural issues. Are people ready for peace?

That reminds me of Childhood's End, a great story by Arthur Clarke. The way to prepare a culture for a change is to start with the children. Of course, his solution was a bit draconian, but it really was an interesting way to consider alien takeover of earth.

It's a rather depressing book, but it's also thought-provoking. The best kind, I guess.

So yes, I admit there are problems. And some are so big we can't even start to chip away at them. But you know ... start small. There might be a solution there somewhere.

Most cats, most of the time, have already met most of the people they want to meet

And you know, I kind of understand that.

If you stop and think about it, you've met a LOT of people in your life. "Met" might be a loose term, here, but think of the daily interactions, the casual strangers, the friends.

That's a lot of people. Some were good interactions, some not so good. I have a general rule: I assume good unless I'm proved wrong. It makes life a lot easier. Others I know seem to assume the bad, and they just give off a very negative vibe.

The way I see it is this: it ain't personal. If somebody doesn't get along with me, that's fine. There are a lot of other people in the world. I can't get along with everybody. So it goes.

I've already met a lot of people. A few less is okay with me.

Teach a man to fish ....

... and he'll spend most of his time out in a boat and out of your way.

That's not cynical, it's the truth. I have so little free time, between my job and the usual household routine, that I value it greatly when I get it. I'm totally wrapped up in my current book project, and there are times when I wish my DH was one of those fishermen who loved to get away for the weekend.

He doesn't rely on me for entertainment, but I do sometimes get nudged into doing things I really have little interest in. Not often, but sometimes.

I remind myself that a long holiday is coming up and I'll have all the time in the world.

But sometimes fishing isn't such a bad thing.

I respect Faith

... but doubt is what gets you an education.

I've always been a learner. I continuously in school from 1970 (well, before that if you count high school) until 2001. Then I took Community Ed classes in French, pottery, and everything imaginable.

It's only been since 2004 that I haven't been in school. You know why? Yep. I'm writing. I found something else to satisfy that creative need of mine.

I toyed with the idea of getting a PhD but then thought, heck, why bother? I have a B.A., M.A., B.S., M.S., and A.A.D. Do I need anything else? I'd much rather do what I love to do, and that's write down the stories that are swirling in my head. So I learned how to write and I continue to learn how to write, with every book I write.

Never stop learning. It will keep you young.

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time...

but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Oh, isn't this the truth? I think as I've gotten older, I've learned that it just doesn't pay to truly speak your mind unless it's absolutely necessary. I have friends who are free to offer advice, but I've learned the hard way that unless my advice is asked for, it often isn't welcomed.

This is true in many things, but I've seen it most in play around gardening. It's too easy to look at someone's landscape and think, "if they did this then ..." The sure way to keep me from speaking my mind is to remember my own landscape mistakes. Once I filter what I see through those memories, I get a much clearer idea of what might be going on.

A goal in life is to avoid foot-in-mouth disease. An admirable goal, eh?

Good luck...

... is the result of good planning.

[start rant]

You know, nothing is more irksome than when somebody says "You're lucky. Your husband is so supportive." Or "You're lucky. Your job pays so well." Or...

You get the idea.

That isn't luck. That's planning and hard work and communication. I have 5 -- count them -- 5 college degrees, and I did by working full time and going to school at night. I worked at colleges so they paid the tuition, but I did the coursework. Those degrees got me interviews, but my skills got me the jobs.

I get paid well for what I do (in my Day Job. My fiction job: not so well). And the reason I get paid well is because I do my job well. I do what's expected of me and I try to provide leadership and expertise in all I do. It's not good luck. It's hard work. It doesn't just happen.

As to my husband ... I left an abusive marriage long ago. If your husband isn't supportive or if he infringes on your time too much--deal with it. Leave him or talk to him or get help, but don't pin your failures on him. They are Your Failures. I am SO tired of hearing people say, "Oh, the kids keep me so busy" or "my husband doesn't like that so I don't ...."

This is *your* life. Quit using other people as an excuse for what you failed to do.

[end rant]

There. I feel better now ☺