Irene North – Page 15

A Christmas of confusing and conflicting emotions

On 2021-12-22

I don’t celebrate Christmas. The holiday isn’t full of happy memories for me and, so, my husband and I do other things. This year, I’ll be at work Christmas Eve and Christmas and Paul will likely be finishing The Last of Us Part II and starting Far Cry 6.

I’m still struggling to stay focused. I’ve got an overdue writing assignment I need to write. Well, I wrote it, didn’t like it, and deleted it. Now I have to start over. I am also helping raise another project from its semi-dead state. It’s a great idea and one I support, but when the rug is pulled out from under you, it takes a while to see things clearly again. I had a good doctor’s appointment earlier this week, with everything going mostly as planned. I’ve lost 40 pounds this year and I bought some new pants yesterday. I’ve been going to work the past two months with pants two sizes too big for me, so it will be nice having clothes that fit.

Remembering the beauty of those who helped you

By Irene

On 2021-12-16

In Watching & Reading

Ten years ago, two influential people in my life passed away. My grandmother, Lorraine, died on June 11, 2011. I continue to write stories about her and the impact she had on my life. I don’t often speak about prominent atheists and how they have also helped to shape my character, but Christopher Hitchens was one of them. He passed away on December 15, 2011 after a battle with esophageal cancer. Both had a lasting impact on my life, including teaching me to always seek knowledge, to always question everything and to always try to be a better person than you are today.

Trying to be yourself without offending anyone

By Irene

On 2021-12-15

In Ramblings

Dec. 1, was a good day. I spent my time with a friend in northwest Nebraska. I took a lot of pictures, had great conversations, and new stories to tell. Then, Dec. 2, happened. It was the kind of day that pulls the rug out from under you, upsets the apple cart, and destroys whatever good was going on in your life.

Giving thanks

By Irene

On 2021-11-25

In Ramblings

It’s a difficult time for me right now, but I wanted to give thanks to every single person on Earth who is vaccinated.

It’s complicated

By Irene

On 2021-11-24

In Ramblings

Although I have two things written, I am choosing not to post either this week. I may not ever post them as they are far too angry for the world to see in their current form.

Kindness always matters

By Irene

On 2021-11-16

In Ramblings

Nikita Mazepin is a Formula One driver in his rookie year for the Uralkali Haas F1 Team. The team is considered the worst team this year, as evidenced by their accumulation of zero points and finishing last in nearly every race this season.

Altschmerz

By Irene

On 2021-11-10

In Poetry

Ninety-nine would have been a good year

By Irene

On 2021-11-01

In Gram

Gram at Uncle Dave’s fishing competition July, 15, 2007.

Today would have been my grandmother’s 99th birthday. She passed away in 2011, but I still struggle with the idea that she is no longer alive and I will never see her again. As an atheist, I do not have the luxury of the idea of being with her again once I die. There is no heaven. There is no hell. Who we are – our mind, consciousness, personality, and character – is a unique combination of chemicals and neurons, which disperse once we have died.

The better Halloween

By Irene

On 2021-10-29

In Watching & Reading

I’ve never been a big fan of Halloween. I only have one good memory of the day. I’m not into ghosts, goblins, and monsters. I’m not a fan of candy. I’d rather go online and purchase some good Getrude Hawk chocolate or import something tasty from Europe.

There is, however, a better Halloween and I’m not even big into scary movies. I’m a bit of a downer this time of year, so I thought I’d share some fun things about Halloween since almost everyone I know will be out this weekend having Halloween-type fun.

How I’m filling my time

By Irene

On 2021-10-27

In Watching & Reading

One of the things I enjoy in life is learning. Since deleting my social media accounts, I’ve had time to do more of what I love. Here’s a sampling of what I’ve read in the last couple of weeks. I hope you find something enjoyable.