A chance to go back…or not.

There are times in life where many of us throw up our hands and wish we could return to a different point in time, usually back to a place where things were simpler, less stressful. Most of what I’ve managed to do has brought me on life’s bumpy road to where I am at this moment.


If given the chance to pinpoint a particular age, one that we would never move from, one where we could do things differently, would we? Hard call and definitely one based on any circumstances involved. There are so many past moments in life which bring back a chain of pleasant memories that we would love to relive but, mixed in with them there always seems to be a dark area lurking in the happy background. Then, why stay there? Think about it.


Imagine being frozen in a past time of life, never to enjoy so much of what would have followed. Of course, we could all do without the pain of losing beloved family and friends but, to never experience the joys of marriage, children and more, because we choose to return to sixteen for example and remain forever young? Not so certain this would be a good option. Perhaps picking a present time, a current age, with possibly more time to accomplish unfinished tasks and gather many positive memories until your time officially comes to its end.


Maybe, just remembering the positive wonders of our past is enough, a reminder to continue on and live life as it should be lived.

And that…is where I’ll remain.

From Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop: Write a blog post inspired by the word: back/If you could live the rest of your life at the age of your choice, what age would you choose and why?

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A necessary evil…

The impacts surrounding the virus onslaught of 2020, which held the world captive, have drastically altered the work scene. At least where I’m concerned.

I like working, being involved with people, and just feeling damn productive in all I do. Let’s face it, getting older and coming up to a door marked “retirement” isn’t for everyone. Unless you have a plan to head straight towards the final sunset of life, traveling the globe and racking up new adventures, work definitely beats sitting around watching sand fall through some hourglass.

Personally, I enjoy having structure, agendas and opportunities to exercise my creativity in a work environment where I help to make a difference. Or at least I think so. In the past few years, that bit of my idealistic attitude has taken a big hit as my industry related hours have been drastically modified. I find myself at a crossroad of decision; should I stay or should I go? Where can I go? Who will hire me? Not an easy choice, being older, but my potential speaks for itself; sadly no one seems to hear.

This leaves me wondering, what if the pandemic had not been unleashed on humanity, how much better would any of us be at this very moment? So much was taken away from our lives in the span of two or more years, especially job-related. The choking hold of a foreign, laboratory created, virus sucked any normalcy from life as we once knew it. Working, anywhere, either became a painful memory or a fight for survival, almost a necessary evil, for those still able to do so.

Somehow, we’ve survived and will continue on that twisted path of uncertainty. Mostly, we have even settled for so much less than what we’ve worked hard to rightfully deserve.

From Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop… Write a blog post inspired by the word: work

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The countdown begins…

I am a bit of a Hallmark Channel junkie, especially when the networks “Christmas in July” rolls around. Please, hold any and all judgment.


Given that, I’m also a huge critic of the parade of the featured holiday movies, a majority which are not filmed during any winter season, necessitating fake, sudsy, snow and various other holiday props. Yes, I know that movie making cannot always take place in authentic settings but, when the emphasis is on a great deal of intense fabrication, it removes much of the flicks charm.


For example, a family heads to some tree lot, saws in hand, to cut down their perfect tree, carts the greenery home and, voila…it’s attached to a foldable metal stand and screams “artificial” as it gets carried through the door. Another is a couple, standing on line at a food truck with the woman wearing just a cocktail dress, surrounded by people with heavy jackets, hats and gloves. Of course, she starts to shiver and her date valiantly wraps his jacket around her before staged frostbite kicks in.


Then, there are the storylines which almost always involve a dog, cats, a job loss, a breakup, divorce, the passing of someone dear, a motorcycle, old truck, last will and testament, unscrupulous real estate developer, cars breaking down, selective-staged-amnesia and some disagreement mixed into the script, now and then.


Did I mention wardrobe mismanagement? Why, oh why, are some actresses stumbling along, even in a make-believe winter, wearing high heels while running down some street or up a driveway? Who does that? Also, the gifts. No one, but no one, in any of these movies unceremoniously rips open the gift wrap and flings it aside to see what goody lies inside the box. Each gift has the box lid separately wrapped to easily be lifted off. Who does that, too?


Don’t get me wrong, some of the movies are very enjoyable with a festive, lighthearted touch. Not all of them come across as if Christmas was hastily yanked out of a storage box and flung in front of the film crew. The music is always terrific, it’s a gentle reminder that the big red & green celebration is just six months away, and the dogs are all adorable. I did mention dogs, didn’t I?


My critique aside, there are times that we all need a little Christmas. Even in July.

From Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop…What are you watching? Share your favorite summer programming so far.

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