Wowsers

 My Dear Readers,

It has been much, much too long, and for that, I apologize. 

Going on close to two years ago, I stepped away from all social media. Facebook, instagram, twitter (x is a dumb name for the service), all of it. It was not helping or enriching my life in any way, in fact it was a deterrent from living my life. 

Unfortunately, most people lie, not necessarily maliciously, but humans, collectively, tend to puff out our chests, and sometimes the reason our chest is expanded so much is because of all the hot air (or bullshit). We have mastered the 1-Up game, and have lost the basic compassion that gave us our identity as humans. 

That being said, for those of you struggling with wondering why you aren’t doing as well as Johnny or Janie on Insta - Johnny and Janie aren’t doing as well as Johnny and Janie on insta. Intentionally or not, Johnny and Janie have cultivated a “perfect online presence”. They don’t include the late nights worrying about bills and medical scares that no one talks about. They don’t include the arguments and fights they have behind closed doors. They don’t include anything that could cast a shadow on their perfect online presence. 

It’s a conscious effort on their part, so take it as it is - make believe. Entertainment. Put -NO- weight in anyone’s online presence, because people living a loving, fulfilled life, are way too busy to spend hours trying to convince the world, including themselves that they are happy. Happy people don’t make you feel unhappy about yourself, good people make you feel good about yourself. Influencers entertain and the better ones provide informed opinions on their topic of speciality. 

Remember my dear readers, not everyone on the internet is genuine, and honesty is a commodity that is extremely rare. 

Time Keeps Slipping

We all get older. Despite man’s best efforts, this hasn’t changed. As I get ever closer to being in my 40s, I notice little things. Bones pop and creek with seemingly no reason. You involuntarily announce when you sit down or get up by groaning. All the times my parents or grandparents told me that time goes by faster as you get older make perfect sense now, whereas before it seemed like just something that I was told to make me practice patience. 

With age, things become more fragile. Recently I had a serious fall, and hit a tile floor. After consciousness came back and shock wore off, the pain set in. After a couple of ER visits, the diagnosis was scary. I am getting old. No, that wasn’t the diagnosis. The actual diagnosis was bulging discs in my cervical and thoracic spine. Having to see a neurosurgeon because I fell out of the shower (yes, out of - not in) is a humbling experience. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never had any misconceptions about my own mortality, but the quickness it may approach made me take a step back. You learn to appreciate every little blessing in your life and not harbor as much regret or anger at the past. I’ve made mistakes in the past, and I’m sure I’ve got more to make, but dwelling on what you could have or should have done becomes less important, and the importance shifts to the present moment. I guess the point of this short post is that if you have something to do that you’ve been putting off because you assume you’ll have the time later, don’t. Live your best life, and don’t bring others down in order to raise yourself up. 

As for me, Ive decided to approach each day with a fresh set of eyes.  I have chosen to forgive those who have wronged me, even if they don’t see it that way. It’s very have to accept an apology that was never given, but life is too short to hold or harbor grudges or ill will. I will progress day by day, and I’ll take this accident as a shove in the right mental and spiritual direction. 

Until next time, dear readers…

A Post for All Times

 I thought I would take some time to give some life tips today. I’m not saying that these are guides to follow for a happy life, or one without troubles, but these are lessons I’ve learned through others and especially through myself, the hard way.  

• Manners. Say please, say thank you, and when appropriate say you’re welcome. Make common courtesy and etiquette common again. 
• Know the differences and uses of they’re there, and their. This will reduce attacks from the grammar police.  Autocorrect is not always that correct. 
• Be honest. Your memory will fail at some point, and trust will be broken. Be honest from the start. 
• Always know a joke you can tell a five year old. A clean one, obviously. 
• Don’t rush getting old, but don’t prolong growing up. 
• Never say more than you know, but always know more than you say. 
• Sometimes you have to trust your gut, it might not always be right, but it’s not often that wrong.
• When in doubt, seek advice - preferably from a source that has been through what you need advice about. 
• You may never get a second chance at telling someone how you feel, speak up, even if for just but a moment, as long as you know you’ve been heard, that’s all you can do. 
• There is no shame in admitting mistakes. People may judge you for your mistakes, but as long as you admit and learn from your mistakes, you are two steps ahead of a lot of the ones judging, the remaining ones judging you are one step ahead of.
• High school antics should stop there, so remember that, and ignore those whose lifetime goal is to permanently remain in their pre-adulthood. 
• Make mistakes. Success comes from trying something and succeeding, but understanding why it succeeds (and often the reason for success) is the result of trial and error, often a lot. 
• Read a book, regularly. It doesn’t have to be a good one, but it makes for easier reading if it interests you. Step out of your comfort zone once in a while though. Classics may not read that well today, but neither will our current bestsellers one hundred years from now. 
• Finish what you start. If you need help, don’t be afraid or too proud to ask for it. 
• Never give your word if you aren’t sure with every fiber of your being that you can follow through. 
• Don’t make fun of or unfairly jest about anyone. You may not know their whole story and your actions can literally make or break someone. 
• Be kind. 

Once again, I’m not saying these will lead to a blissful life, only that your life may be much more rewarding and fulfilling if followed. 

The last one is the most important. Being a kind human being is often easier than a being rude or malicious one. Putting your hand over your heart and feeling it beat reminds you that you are indeed human. If we spent more time on being kind instead of caught up in our own self serving interests, the world would be a much different, a much better place. This does include being kind to yourself as well, and allowing yourself a little grace to make mistakes, but do learn from them. 

I wrote this to you as much as I wrote this to myself. By no means am I an example of the fruits of these suggestions, but I hope to be, one day. 

Until next time, dear readers…

Don’t be That Person

Never let someone else’s negative or misplaced attitude and actions discourage you from becoming the best person you can be. 

Don’t Take What You Have For Granted

I know that I haven’t posted in a while, there is a lot of stuff going on in my life right now. 

Hug the ones you love and care about, I’ve seen so many close people die to me due to illness or freak accidents. You never know how much time you have with each other, treasure them dearly. 

Announcements!?

So, I’ve neglected the blog for a while, but I had good reason. I’ve been busy. Riggs Leatherworks is keeping steadily busy, I’m moving, and I got engaged!

Me when I was a child, dressed as a cowboy with appropriate socks, for your entertainment. You’re welcome. 

I found the lady that I love and she loves me back, so we figured, hey, let’s keep this up for the next 40 or 50 years. I’ll have a lot of updates about that soon, we have a little while to expand on that subject with you. 

Like I said, it’s been busy, and it’s not slowing down until around June sometime, and I’ll be able to update more then. Lots of plans, and I’ll keep you updated!

Until next time, dear readers…

Time Consuming

 Hello Readers,

As most of you know, I’ve been doing a lot of leatherwork, but just as anything that time consuming, you have to break it up.  What have I been doing? A lot, but here is something that has caught my attention. If you have been following the Riggs Leatherworks blog, you'll know of some of these.

Acrylic, 3D Printing, woodwork, metalworking, and tumbling media are a few of the items i've been able to work into products.  It's been nice breaking up the regular schedule with other items, and plus, I an use them in my leather products.

When I started my business online, I was warned several times not to take haters seriously.  I've had a few, and all were related to my ads on facebook.  I didn't take it personally, but did respond with an apology as they were actually upset with the ad algorithm on facebook and not my products.  That's not my fault, and I run very few ads at this time, so I anticipate more of the same, but it's water off the back.  Now if there was a complaint about a product someone ordered, that's a different story, we do everything we can to promote a better quality of service than most, so we would do our best to rectify the issue, but ads, I'm not going to apologize for those, especially since it's providing a great return.

Currently I am working on a site that customers can check to see where their item is in the production process, and It's been a challenge, especially since I'm swamped with orders and I am working on the First in, First Out, unless it is a pre-created item (keychains), then they are out the door within a day or two.

Yes, I'm busy, but I'm very glad for it.  I've been slowly working on the book I'm writing around a couple sets of samurai armor, one item of which is already on the store, the best project of each set will also be available on the site later, but they will probably be the most expensive items I've ever posted.  Stay tuned for more info.

Until next time, dear readers...

A Word on Self Growth

 Dear readers,

I try to post the positive, but alas, not everything is sunshine and roses.  Riggs Leatherworks is starting to take off which makes me happy  Unfortunately, there are people in this world who just can't have a positive spin on the things they do.

As my father and I were making our way back from DFW, my mom called and said the place where our storage units where (he has one, I have one) said my locker had been broken into.  This isn't new, this happens on a regular basis, however, this time they were right.

Starting from the back of my approximately 8x20ft unit, they started at the back and ransacked everything possible. All this on a day special to our family (It was my grandfather's birthday).  Police were called, reports were made, but it looks like the perpetrators fife't have enough sense to cover some of their tracks, so we might have a good lead soon.

Now, I also had gotten food poisoning that day unbeknownst to be.  That has mostly finished wrecking my body at least. 

There are a lot of negatives, but I must be growing, because, while I am upset, I know that I'll get through it, and that whoever decided to play around in my storage isn't important.  Things aren't important, people are.

Like I said, I must be growing emotionally even at my oldish age.

Me as a Benedictine Monk

Look for more positives coming, I'm about 12,000 words into the book about Bushido, and I'm up to my neck in work for clients.  I've been busy, and at times it's a bit overwhelming, but I got this.

Until next time, dear readers...

P.S. - I know quite a few of you read the first chapter of my book, would anyone be interested in an audio version? Let me know!

Bushido

As most of you dear readers know, I am working on a story to go with the samurai armor sets I'm building. It's been an interesting work, but I thought I would share with you first, the non-final draft first chapter.  Let me know what you think! (Although his first true mask isn't mentioned in this chapter, it is already for sale!) 

"

1

The Way of the Lost Samurai

For years “honorable” samurai have been raiding villages on their way to or from a mission. By definition, this is unbecoming of a samurai. 

Ando Shukishi was tired of it.  He was a blacksmith by trade, and unlike most of his village, he could read. And that he did, a lot.  That’s how he learned of the Samurai Code, and he tried to live by it.  When he had seen such atrocities committed by this “Samurai,” he felt utter disgust, but he also felt the need to do something.

Ando decided to begin making himself some armor, he was outlining the armor pattern on some paper when someone walked into his blacksmith shop. His name was Sumida Kobo, and he was known to be brutal.  He was the leader of the Samurai who raided the villages. Sumida took the armor pattern, thanked Ando and walked out. Before he left, he turned to Ando, looking through his One designed mask and said “If I find that you or anyone is even thinking of opposing me or the Shogunate, you lives will be the price.”

Ando kept his cool, and he realized he would have to work more stealthily on his project.  In direct opposition to the raiders, he decided to make his own Samurai Armor, but it wouldn’t be black as there’s, but brown, to set him apart.  It was also not needed to dye leather to make it brown, and as dye was expensive, nor was not easy to come by. He read many old books on how the construction of the armor took place.  Ando was, fortunately, a man of patience, and he knew that this project was not going to be fast, but in the end it would be well worth it, if it worked.

In the village was a “retired” warrior.  Ando knew he could trust and confide in him his plans.  The retired warrior, Jissoji Harumi, laughed.  While he thought it was a good plan, he did not think Ando was the one to wear the armor, he wasn’t ready physically, or mentally.  They worked together and came to an agreement, Jissoji would teach Ando everything he knew, and all he asked in return was that Ando stop the raids by whatever means, but most importantly that Kobo answer for his crimes.

To kill a Samurai of the Emperor, is considered treason and punishable by death.  He decided he would approve this politically as well.  He sent a letter to the emperor in which the whole village put their mark on.  Hopefully this would put an end to the raids, but just in case, Ando continued to make plans for his armor and Jissoji continued to train him.  The path has been started, now we see where it goes.

The group of samurai that Jissoji was a member of had a primary color of blue, so his blade set was blue.  If wouldn’t match the armor, but as long as they worked, that was the main concern. Ando’s practice sessions could last 3-4 hours a day, and while training he became aware of places on the body that armor would be beneficial. Jissoji did not have his blue armor, but presented it back to the Emperor when he retired. 

During this time, the raids did continue, so either the letter had not made it, or the emperor did not care, they were on their own.  Ever since finding the armor Ando was working on, Kobo would inspect his smith shop every raid to make sure he wasn’t making any weapons or armor for anyone.  It was tedious, he did have time to hide his project plans behind a false wall before the “inspection.”

So far, going by what Jissoji had remember of his armor, Ando had made a mask pattern, one that looked like Kobo’s, but different in design. His armor would be again, brown, plain and simple like the village he so loved, and he would not adorn his mask with the image of an Oni, but something else. Something that he knew would frighten Kobo, but what was he afraid of?

Jissoji taught Ando Bushido, the way of the warrior.  Slowly instilling within him the positives of the samurai, and not the wrongs of the past they had committed.  The book that Ando had read glorified the Samurai and even had left out some of the main tenants of being samurai. The history of the samurai is not as honorable and glorious as usually remembered. Jissoji saw this as his opportunity to train Ando, and for once in many generations, maybe a true samurai would form from this broken man, taught by an old warrior, is willing to learn to save what he loved, what, Jissoji thought, could be more honorable?

Bushido, the way of the warrior.  Over the generations it had became more of a joke than the true ethical code of conduct it was originally intended to be.  Ando knew nothing of the origins of the samurai, which was good, because the origins are not as romantic as have been suggested.

Bushido. The chivalrous code for the samurai, but did it withstand the test of time? No. Bushido eventually became more of an adaptation model,  an ideal that was no longer tangible because of the current mindset of the samurai.

This is where Jissoji taught Ando about Ronin. They are samurai with no master (or who have conquered their own master) and roam the countryside looking for fights.  Ronin were trouble, they had little honor and the code of Bushido was completely last on them.

Ando looked a bit silly with just his hat on, but Jissoji told him about samurai masks. They were often depicted as Oni (Devils\Demons) to scare away their enemy. This set about a thought in Ando’s mind again.  What can I do to make Kobo terrified instantly. For that, he would have to do some work, some asking around, but lightly enough not to raise suspicion. Luckily, he was a very intelligent man, so he started on his quest, slowly making progress, although most people were afraid to speak of Kobo, because the walls all had ears that led back to him it seemed.

"

Again, let me know your thoughts!

Until next time, dear readers..

JAMES Talk

As I have mentioned on social media, I planned on filming my own TED talk type show called the JAMES talk.  Well, I had to do an audio only version of the first talk, and I am working on possibly downing the videos, but currently, my setup isn't allowing me that kind of production value.

The first JAMES Talk is about Healing. I don't claim to hold the secret to how to heal, or heal faster (which sounds nice, but might not be best in the long run), but I do hold some tips that help.  Click Below for the first James Talk!

CLICK HERE - JAMES Talk (Healing)

Until next time dear readers...

Meetings and Partings

In our life we will have many meetings and partings.  I have spoke about this before. Some partings are final, some are not. Meetings happen all the time. 

Something to think about is that you will have just as many partings as you do meetings, in one way or another. I know it’s morbid,  but eventually we will all have to say goodbye to everyone, so make the time you have with people count. 

Without going into detail out of respect for both parties, let just say I'm not in the same relationship I had been in. I'm not upset about my situation, in fact I have three wonderful ladies who keep me pretty busy as it is.   

I know people like a good story, but the long and the short of it is that sometimes people just are not compatible. It’s the lead a horse to water saying in practical application, going both ways, if that makes sense. I’ve learned a lot about myself, good and bad, but more than anything I discovered my self worth. 

Someone once told me to focus on myself and the right people will enter my life, well, that seems very true at this point. I do have a great support system and a back log of leather projects, so that helps a lot. I am at a point where the future is looking pretty good.  I do have some things to get past, and I do have to get back on my diet and exercise plan that I've neglected. And my writing! I now have so much to add, I might get it completed!

Sometimes things hurt.  Things hurt for a reason.  I have been told for some time from multiple sources, that people come into your life to be a lesson or a blessing, I believe this.  There isn't a positive or negative connotation added to this, it's just a fact. I have learned a lot and although there have been so many reasons for me never to try again, I am and I will, and I'm very happy with that part of my life right now.

Everyday is a struggle. Work (Leather business), depression, anxiety, children, people who want to butt into your business, the list goes on and on.  I'm dealing with it on a daily basis, and it wears me down, but when you have the right and true people in your life, it gets easier, and that's where I'm at, well, I'm at the beginning of that phase.

Thank you for a the birthday wishes yesterday, it made me feel incredibly loved!

There are more adventures ahead, we will just have to see what they are, but rest assured, things will not get dull.

Until next time dear readers...

Are we at this level?

Just be kind.

Is that hard? Apparently.  Be kind, be understanding, and be patient.  We live in a "my feelings are more important than yours" kind of closed minded world.  Combine that with the need for immediate gratification and it's a dangerous combination.

I'm not going to get in a great debate about what is or isn't the best course of action for us as a society, but I'll say this - we have to change.

Those who are doing wrong, must be punished, those who aren't, shouldn't be berated because of the color of there skin, no matter what it happens to be.  Recent events have brought to the forefront our (nation's) past.  It's not a pretty one.  I mean, there have been people all along our history who condone (or don't put forth the effort to stop) things that are unimaginably wrong.

Slavery in the past has not been limited to any race, sex or religion.  There have been near genocides of people based (usually) on their social class, not race.  Our ancestors are not us, would you have your child punished for a crime you committed? No. (If you said yes, well, I don't know what to say to you).

If my ancestors had any part in anything that crossed the lines of racism, sexism, ageism, antireligionism, or anything at all that discriminated against someone, I apologize on their behalf, they were obviously ignorant and maybe society had too much influence on them to make a stand.  I also apologize directly to any victims of discrimination, it is not right, and I hope that we find a way as a society to not continue this practice.

Notice I apologized FOR my ancestors and TO any victims, I haven't apologized for myself.  That's because I am not responsible for discrimination of that type.  I will say that if I personally know you, I may discriminate when I'm choosing someone say, to have lunch with.  I may discriminate against someone because they will talk too much, or maybe they won't talk at all.  Discrimination in itself isn't wrong, it literally means to discern between one thing and another.  If we didn't have some form of discrimination in our life, we might have a life full of half-thought choices, that may not be ideal.

Again, just be kind, follow Wheaton's Law, and remember, if we as a society don't change, and keep attacking ourselves, then what's the point? It's like a dog chasing it's tail if we all don't understand.  Humans are humans, apparently inherently ignorant, but still, all human.  Treat everyone that way.

Until next time, dear readers...

Deep Thoughts by James Riggs

If you are old enough, you remember the SNL skit “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy”. Lot of good, funny and sometimes eerily insightful. Well, as we’ve all had (or most of us) a lot a time in our hands, sometimes the thoughts drift into silly realms, and this segment in the blog is about that.

This post’s deep thought is this: During the quarantine, ideally we should only leave our dwellings for food/necessities and to help and check on others. Now, I’ve seen a lot of memes about how introverts have been preparing for this their whole life. 

I get it, it’s funny. Being an introvert I can relate, but I thought about it, there is a group of people who regularly do this. They don’t go to restaurants, or shopping malls or department stores. They leave their home only for food or necessities and daily check on it he less fortunate. Who? Monks. Not even a specific type or group of monks, it pretty much covers them all. I guess this is proof that not everyone is cut out to be a monk, even if the at home haircuts make them look the part.

Just a little something to think about.

Sorry for the long delay in posting, sometimes life gets in the way.  Not a bad thing, quite the opposite, but it happens, and I apologize, I'll try to be as regular as a middle aged man on Metamucil.

Until next time, dear readers...

Day by Day

A lot of you know that I'm currently in a medical position that working isn't possible.  The alternative for now is to stay at home, and either read, clean house or watch TV.  I admit, I do a lot of the latter.

I've got a lot on my plate, but everything takes time. With all this "free" time, I've did a lot of reflecting.  Reflection is good, but it's really what you do with what you learn from said reflection.  There are a lot of things in my life I need to work on, some I can do on my own, some I can't.  For instance, I can really get back to writing on my own, but as for my medical issues, I have to rely on professionals for that.  That being said, it takes the correct professionals, as I have found that some of the ones where I live should go back to school. For my GI\hernia issues, there is a particular surgeon I've seen who I'm now convinced should not be allowed to do anything regarding GI and hernia issues, as I now have worse problems than when I began seeing that doctor.  I won't mention names, obviously, but I have filed formal complaints to the hospital and state agencies. 

Enough of my complaining, what I really want to talk about is the parts I can work on by myself.  As I mentioned, writing is one of the key areas I'd like to get back to focusing on, so little by little, I force myself to sit down, open up my book in progress and write.  A little more each day goes a long way to the end product.  That made me think (the philosophical part of me kicks in), if I make a little progress each day (on anything, not just my writing), then I can see the change, but others can not.  Sometimes we make a lot of progress (any progress is great), but if we depend or rely on the opinion of others for validation of that progress, we will be let down 99% of the time, and that in turn will cause us not to progress any more.

Right now, there is a lot of negativity in my life that I'm having to deal with.  Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of positivity as well, it's just that the negativity level is too far up the meter.  I do my best to deal with it, in my own way.  I can not rely on others to tell me I'm doing well handling it, because everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has their own view on how things should be handled.  Guess what?  I've got this.  I can and will deal with everything, but just as progress on my book, the progress on dealing with the negative people and things in my life is slow as well.  If you remember the inventory process that I've mentioned several times, there are people on this inventory list that I can not (or will not) cut out, no matter how negative and downright mean they are.  In the end, I love these people, and in their own way, I know they love me. 

To wrap this up, I would hope that your takeaways from this rant are that 1) Any progress is great, and 2) Don't look for others for validation.

As always, feel free to write me with your comments\questions\concerns and I will respond, as always.

Until next time, dear readers...

Not Today, Cancer

Some of you are thinking right now, "What is he talking about?" Well, I'll explain. When I had my double hernia repair surgery in December, I started having really bad pains in an area that was not near the repairs.  A few ER visits later and I was diagnosed with acute Diverticulitis, but on my post op appointment with my doctor, he said that he suspected it could be cancer, as sometimes it can appear to be diverticulitis on CT scans, so a colonoscopy was scheduled.  If it was diverticulitis and was bad enough, I would have to have my colon resectioned to fix the issue, if it was cancer, we would have to see the severity and plan accordingly, a lot of tears and fears that day.

Today, I had said colonoscopy and it was not diverticulitis. There was a precancerous polyp in my colon, so, he was correct.  Luckily, it was early enough that he was able to get it out and it looks like there wasn't any that had spread.  Tears for good reasons now.  Several times (especially during the prep day before when I couldn't eat), I thought of just rescheduling and eating to my hearts content.  I mean, it's when you can't eat that everything on TV is food commercials, and EVERYTHING looks great, even if it's food I don't like.  I'm very glad I didn't, and let me encourage anyone who thinks they might have an issue to get it checked out, ASAP.

In my mind, I ran through all the worst case scenarios, cancer, surgery, and what treatment options I would have if surgery didn't work.  I have a tendency to do that, as a professional hypochondriac.  While it was scary that it was what it was, I'm very thankful that it wasn't as bad as I feared.

I'll close out this brief entry with a reiteration, if you have pain or problems, get it checked out, don't wait.

Until next time, dear readers...

To Grow (Fall Forward)

It's never too late to grow.  It's never too late to admit your mistakes.  There is an amazing speech by Denzel Washington, in which he says it's ok to mess up, it's ok to fall, but fall forward.  Learn from your mistakes, learn from them and make better decisions and choices.  We all are imperfect, and we will mess up, we will falter, but we should take those moments as opportunities to better ourself or others.

In my life, I've made many mistakes, some big, some little.  Always, on the stumbling blocks I had dwelled too much on them.  It takes practice, but even the worst negative can turn into the biggest positive in your life.  I've had close friends and relatives depart from this world, and I harbored many regrets, most commonly that I never let those people know what they meant to me.  Sure, they might have known, but I would have preferred that I made it absolutely clear how much they meant to me.  The solution? Simple actually, while you have those you love, tell them exactly how much they mean to you, don't let them ever wonder how you feel.  Sounds a bit mushy maybe, but it's not always like that.  You can tell a coworker\friend that you respect their work ethic, or their dedication.

Now, I said it was simple, but if you are like me and a confirmed longtime introvert, it may take some practice, but the benefits are well worth going out on a limb with your feelings.  You both benefit from the act.

I guess this post is mainly an affirmation of some changes I'm actively making in my life.  To all of you, my readers, I do appreciate all of you, even those who message me to let me know that they liked my post, but in paragraph 3, section 5, I used "to" instead of "too."  You all play a big part in my life, and I am grateful for each of you.

There is a project I'm working on that I'm documenting, and I'll share in a later post, but I think a lot of you will be able to relate\appreciate it.

Until next time, dear readers...

Things I Learned in the Hood

I grew up watching Mister Rogers.  I watched him change into a cardigan, changes his shoes, and teach me about being a kind, gentle human being.  Sometimes his lessons were so simple, but the message attached was incredibly large and complex.  With some of the things that have been going on in my life, I started thinking about this, What Would Fred Rogers Do?  Not super catchy, but it got me to thinking, and here are 20 life lessons from Mister Rogers, and a little about what they mean to me.

• Each One of Us Is Special and Unique
• This is something that I've tried to pass on to my children.  There is not another one of them in the world, and there never will be.
• You're Never Wrong to Have Feelings
• This hits home right now, because I have said this innumerable times lately to one of my daughters.  She has been made to feel guilty for feeling how she is feeling.  If you are so narcissistic that you try to make your children feel guilty for not feeling the way they should, you should not be allowed around children at all.
• Love is Sacred
• The L word isn't something to use lightly, although it is so often.  Love who you want, for whatever reason you want.  As long as you are both rowing the boat in the same direction, you will reach your destination.
• Use your Imagination
• As we get older, we start being way too analytical, we need to see things with the mind of a child.  We could get so much more accomplished as a species if more people trusted their imagination.
• Stay Positive
• This is so hard.  I try my best, but I often have to make it an active thing to stay positive.  Things could be worse, so be happy and thankful for what you have.
• Look for the Helpers
• This was something Mister Rogers mother had told him.  There is so much chaos going on in our world, and so much negativity, but look for those helping.  They are the ones who are compassionate towards their fellow man, we all should be helpers.
• There is a Very Simple Key to Success
• As Mister Rogers said, there are three ways to succeed.  The first, is to be kind.   The second is to be kind.  The third? Be KIND.  No need to elaborate.  Don't break Wheaton's law.
• Listen
• Do not hear things to respond, listen to things to think.  There is a huge difference between hearing and listening.
• Don't Avoid Difficult Subjects
• Things happen.  Loved ones die, people get divorced, and people fall on hard times.  Be there for your children, so them, tell them what you are going through, let them know that they have the right to feel however they want to, just don't let them forget that they are loved.
• You Don't have to be Perfect
• I still have problems with this one.  We are all flawed.  The term perfectly flawed does apply to this, in the sense that we are who we are.  Our flaws might be severe, but without them, we couldn't be who we are.  Our flaws don't define us, how we handle them does.
• There's More to Life than Coming in First
• I've had numerous coaches in varying sports over the years, and the best among them, in my opinion, did not have the goal of being first.  I'm sure they wouldn't have minded it, but it was more crucial that the team works together, has fun and improves their ability.
• Embrace Growth and Change
• Things change with the times, holding on to the past is only holding you back.
• Imagine
• This is slightly different than using your imagination, in a sense.  Imagine what you can be.  Imagine what you can do.  Dream it, and make it real.
• The Things that Frighten you aren't Really that Scary
• This is an excellent lesson for all of us.  Obviously, the smaller message was explained to the children, those shadows at night in your room? Not real, you are bigger than them.  The larger message, we a bigger than any of our problems, we can and will get through them, and once you conquer them, things aren't quite so scary anymore.
• Take the Time to do a Good Job
• Anything worth doing is worth doing right.  Whatever you do, your name is attached to your work.  No matter what it is, put forth your best effort.  The harder part is figuring our what is worth your time and effort.
• There's Another Kind of Superhero
• Of course, not all superheroes wear capes.  As he was growing up, Mister Roger's fundamental ideas of what a hero was began to change.  Superman and the like, were of course heroes to him, but on a basic kind of level.  The real heroes are the men and women that go to work everyday to fight for our freedom, who maintain our civility and who do not know if they will return home safely at the end of the day.  That - is THE definition of a hero.
• Don't let Differences Divide People
• During the run on his show, racism and segregation were the norm, or it was for his generation, but he taught us that people are people. That's the lesson.  It doesn't matter what they look like, what color they are, how they identify themselves, none of it - none of it matters, because you know why? People are People, and we should show love and respect to them.
• Teach a Child to Love Books
• This starts with the parent.  Read bedtime stories to your children.  Practice your imagination, and just take the book in but make up a story involving them.  Use a different voice for each character, it will make them love diving into the stories from the pages or from your imagination.  Show them that reading is the key to maintaining a healthy imagination.
• Don't Forget What Really Matters
• Sometimes life is overwhelming, but just take a few minutes, sit back and remember what really matters.  Your family, your health, your happiness.
• Be Yourself
• Don't be fake. If you are fake, you will have fake friends, and when you are in a crisis, those fake friends will be nowhere around.  Do what you want, act like yourself, if people don't like it, that's not your fault, that is on them.  Be genuine, by amazing, be you!

I know this was quite a longer entry than usual,, but there is a lot going on, and I use this medium as a form of therapy.  I get a lot of feedback from you, dear reader, and I take in the good with the bad, because if you do not address your shortcomings, then they will lead to a large problem.  Please send me your comments\questions\concerns to me (jaydee.riggs atgmail.com), and I'll include some of them in my next entry!

Until next time, dear readers...

Penny Lane

There she is, cute little Penny Penny.  For those of you friends with me on the book of faces, you know that we lost our cute little pit puppy.  She was 1 day shy of being only nine months old.  She had a leg that the bone didn't form quite right so it was all but useless, but she used it.  She used it to paw at you to get scratches.  She used it to make you give her more scatches when you would stop.  She would use it to put around your arm when you were laying next to her holding her.

She was a cuddle bug.  She was moral and mental support for Cassie at home.  She really was a good puppy, and always, always happy.  She was however, ate up with worms she just couldn't fight off.  She would give you those puppy eyes and your heart would just sink, there was little that could be done.  By the time she started showing any symptoms, it was too late.

This will be a relatively short post, but I wanted to end it with a good story about Penny, so here it is.

Late one night, I had fallen asleep in the living room watching top 10 ghost videos on youtube and Cassie was laying in bed.  Penny was outside, and barking.  Cassie got up to see what it was, but found that she was barking at the only really dark area of our back yard between our shed and our fence.  Cassie wakes me up in a panic and, me, in all my recollection of the videos I had just watched went to investigate.  At any moment I knew I would find the ghost of a little girl asking me to play or something, but when all was said and done, we never figured out what she was barking at.  It wasn't until the other day I found out the other part of the story.  Cassie had went to go investigate herself before waking me.  As she went to stand next to Penny on the back patio to see what she was barking at, Penny darted past Cassie, heading towards the door, as if to say, "tag, you're it, I'm out."  She was like our own little Scooby Do at that moment.

You will be missed dear puppy.

Everybody’s Working For The Weekend

Yeah, I borrowed a lyric from a song for the title, big whoop.  It’s actually relevant to my blog post, so I did it, sorry - not sorry.

Let’s dig right in.  The “ideal” workweek for Americans (and all of us Earthlings probably) is Monday through Friday 8 or 9 AM to 5 PM.  I know that’s not what the majority works (and the world couldn’t function if we all did), but the idea I’m trying to convey is that everyone wants a break.  They want some time to relax, work on a home project, or spend time with loved ones, more time than the 5PM - Bedtime schedule that the weekday provides.

::Enter Weekend, Stage Left::

The weekend, it seems to be the answer to all of life’s problems.

::Exit Weekend, Stage Right::

The weekend is never long enough.  Vacations are amazing, and they too, never seem long enough.  Actually sometimes too much of the wrong vacation seems like more than long enough, too long in fact.  That however, is a different story completely.  We spend so much time getting ready to relax or preparing for a break that the “normal” days go so fast because we are in a kind of autopilot.

Those who are friends with me on Facebook or follow me on Instagram know that a few weeks ago I had a cardiac scare.  My chest was hurting, I was’t as responsive as I should have been... It was just an awful experience and ended up getting a clean bill of health for my heart, but my GI system is being suspected of causing the heart attack like symptoms.  That makes more sense because I had GI issues as a teenager, and I really figured if I was going to have a heart attack it would have been at the gym, either doing squats or on the treadmill.

It made me realize that each day is special.  Every single day we are given, we can never get back, so it's best to make the most of each one.  Tell those you love that you love them, don't assume they know, it means a lot to someone to get validation or confirmation that you relationship is solid.

This is the point in my blog where I tell you if you want to make a life change, do it.  Don't wait, you might not get the opportunity to do it again.  Take the trip, kiss your love, embrace your children.  It's been said many times, but this hold true - your biggest regret will be not doing it.  Our most precious resource is time, and we each have a limited amount.

I'm not just talking to you, my lovely readers, but to myself as well.  I have some (potentially) life changing things in my future, and I'm ready.  Will I be scared? Probably, better pack more underwear.  Will I do my best?  Yes, and better.  If you have anything you've been wanting to start, whether it be getting in shape, changing careers or asking that special someone to be yours, do it.

Now, for those interested, I will be preaching this very message (slightly edited) to Cassie when we go on a plane or boat (she likes neither), or when I'm trying to talk her into riding a scary roller coaster.  There will probably be video if that happens.

As I draw to a close on this post, I wanted to thank you, dear reader.  I have a lot of readers, and a lot of questions sent to me, and you can keep them coming.  I personally answer each question, and sometimes I post them here in case a lot of people ask the same question.  I started writing this blog years ago as kind of a therapy, writing is very cathartic for me. Between this blog, my book of short stories, my biography, and my neglected personal journal I do write a lot.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that you have been a part of that therapy and I thank you.

Until next time, dear readers...

Moving On

Well, the time has come.  I have to do something I don’t really want to do, but should do.  Layla is going to be sold.  For those of you who don’t remember, Layla is my Hummer.  My 2003 Yellow H2.  My beastie.  

While, yes, I am a little broke up over having to get rid of her, it’s not so much that event that’s changing to much in my life.  I’m starting my life with a woman who loves and car3es for me, and I do the same in return to her, I’ve moved houses, changed schedules, changed diet, there is just a lot going on. I’m muddling through right now, but I will get on top of things pretty quickly, at least, that’s th hope.

One thing I wanted to move forward with and have been working on forever is the “Regular Dad” series.  The idea started years ago, and I’ve made a few trailers, and wrote a few scripts, but I haven’t actually produced an episode, but that is going to be rectified soon.  

I do have a lot of projects coming at me, and it is hard to handle.  Plus, it’s not just projects, it’s problems.  Mine, others, doesn’t matter, I help as much as I can and try to fix things, and I realize that not everything can be fixed.  The other day I saw a post that said (basically) don’t be too busy filling others cups that you run out from your own.  In the past I was made to feel guilty for doing something for myself.  I was made to feel selfish and greedy for trying to help myself, trying to bring up my spirits.

For those of you following my body transformation progress, know that July was officially bulk month.  At least, that’s what I’m calling it.  I got really busy with work, family and moving that I paid little attention to meal planning, but that has changed.  August shall be the month of gains!!!

Until next time, dear reader...