True Words... Read carefully.

When I turned 67, I sat in my favorite chair, looked back at my life, and whispered to myself,

“So… this is the beginning of the final stretch.”

And slowly, the truths I had avoided all my life began to surface.

Kids? They’re busy writing their own story.

Health? Slips away faster than sand through open fingers.

The government? Just headlines, promises, and numbers that never change your daily reality.

Aging doesn’t hurt your body first — it hurts your illusions.

So I sat down with myself and carved out a handful of bitter but necessary truths.

⸻

Kids don’t save you from loneliness

Children grow, life pulls them in every direction, and you become a memory they visit when time allows.

You smile… and yet something inside you remains strangely hollow.

Kids bring joy — but they are not a shield against loneliness.

⸻

Health is not forever

One day, the outings you once jumped into with enthusiasm feel like a marathon.

You realize health was never a background character —

it was the main pillar holding your life steady.

⸻

Retirement and money

Retirement is not a reward — it’s a reality check.

Depending on the system is like standing on thin ice.

Bills grow, needs grow, prices grow… but support doesn't. 

⸻

So I rebuilt my life on new rules — honest, sharp, practical rules for living with dignity.

⸻

Rule 1: Money is more reliable than anything else. 

Love your kids, cherish them —

but don’t make them your retirement plan.

Save for yourself.

Even small savings create big freedom.

Financial independence is dignity.

⸻

Rule 2: Your health is your real job

Nothing else matters if your body refuses to cooperate.

Move. Walk. Stretch.

Guard your sleep like treasure.

Eat cleaner. Reduce the poison disguised as sugar and salt.

Illness doesn’t discriminate,

but it respects those who take responsibility for themselves.

⸻

Rule 3: Create your own joy

Waiting for others to make you happy is the fastest way to heartbreak.

So you learn to enjoy the small things —

a peaceful breakfast, a good book, music that warms the soul.

When you know how to make yourself happy, loneliness loses its power.

⸻

Rule 4: Aging is not an excuse to become helpless

Some people turn aging into a performance of complaints.

And slowly, even those who love them start stepping away.

Strength is attractive.

Resilience is magnetic.

People respect the ones who stay capable, not the ones who surrender.

⸻

Rule 5: Let go of the past

The good old days were beautiful — yes.

But they’re gone, and there is no return ticket.

Clinging to the past steals the present.

Life today may look different, but it still holds moments worth living.

⸻

Rule 6: Protect your peace like it’s your property

Not every argument needs your voice.

Not every insult needs your response.

Not every relative deserves access to your emotions.

Peace is expensive.

Protect it from drama, negativity, and draining people —

even if they're your close ones. 

⸻

Rule 7: Keep learning something — anything

The day you stop learning is the day you start aging.

A new recipe, a new word, a new app, a new hobby —

your brain needs movement just like your body does.

Learning keeps you young.

Stagnation makes you old.

⸻

Strength and freedom still belong to you

Aging is an exam no one can take for you.

You can adapt, rebuild, and rise stronger…

or sit back, complain, and wait for someone to rescue you.

And if ....

No one comes to rescue you ....

Stand up for yourself ...

Because  you still can.. 

And that single truth is enough to transform the rest of your life.

Unknown author

And there are horses. You can always find a horse that needs you as much as you need them.

ICE ICE BABY…..

We need ICE... We shouldn't... but we do! It would be ideal if those with criminal intent simply left, allowing the hardworking individuals who want to be here to stay and begin their path to citizenship—a process that respects the laws of the land.

However, the reality is that criminals rarely operate that way. They often put everyone at risk without regard for the consequences, prioritizing their own needs above the safety of the community they hide within. They count on the compassion of that very community to shield them, even while they may be committing serious offenses.

When we ignore these dangers, we inadvertently fail the victims of crimes like trafficking and robbery. The safety of our neighborhoods should be paramount. Voting is essentially "renting" leadership to protect and serve us, but we must remember that safety is an ongoing battle.

We need to be realistic about the dangers that can exist right next door. Criminals often blend in, appearing as the "quiet neighbor," while concealing dangerous connections or intentions. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye. We must prioritize the safety of our families and neighbors, understanding that while we want to be compassionate, we also need to let law enforcement do the necessary job of keeping our communities safe.

Rules Apply to You TOO Asshat

 I wouldn't call myself a stickler for rules, but I do believe in practicing what I preach. I don't just set boundaries and then hurdle over them while expecting everyone else to stay in their lane.

Take my visits to my mother's retirement home, for example. There's a designated drop-off zone clearly marked "No Parking," designed for quick pick-ups and drop-offs. Yet, every single time I visit, someone has treated it like their personal VIP spot, blocking the entire flow of traffic. It's maddening.

Stupid DHS

OKDHS’s claim that eligibility retention will not end on January 1st is misleading. In reality, disenrollment began as early as November based on renewal dates, with further reductions occurring throughout January and February.

For too long, the agency has dismissed provider concerns and enforced arbitrary regulations without transparency, often citing administrative constraints to avoid accountability. However, the industry landscape has shifted. The challenges of the pandemic compelled us to unite, highlighting our collective resourcefulness and expertise. We have mastered the QRIS framework, strengthened our networks through professional development, and maintained high standards of quality and accreditation. OKDHS has consistently underestimated our resilience and competence, but we are now organized, informed, and ready to demand public accountability.

Some People are Worth Their Weight... Some, NOT SO MUCH!

Blogging is about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys) and processing the messy stuff. And trust me, I’ve had all the feels lately.

I always ask myself: "Should I post this? Does anyone actually care?" But then I remember why I started: I do this for me. If my rambling helps even one person realize their feelings are valid, then it’s totally worth it.

So here’s the gist: Say what you mean and mean what you say. In a world full of false promises, finding genuine people is rare. When someone you rely on does a 180 on their word, it stings—badly. And honestly? Once that trust is broken, nothing else really matters.