Happy National Coming Out Day 2021

Happy National Coming Out Day! Every journey is special and unique… and unfortunately there is on one size fits all approach.

If you’re not out yet don’t let anyone pressure you into being something or someone your not… your uniqueness is what makes you special! And if you’re try to figure out when to come out don’t fret; you’ll know when the time is right for you! Remember that coming out doesn’t just happen all at once, but instead it’s a continuous lifetime process as different people move in and out of our lives.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Yours truly, 

Nicklas

Well, Good News All Around!

 

You know the feeling when you get a call with great news? Well that just happened and some clouds parted to let the sun come through… 

That call was this is completely unrelated to the next news, but I can’t say what it was about other then it was a good call!

Also Soupy is doing better post surgery; and thanks goodness he made it through his surgery too! At his age there was a worry that he might of not woken up from surgery or a unknown block clot could of moved… I don’t know how I would of handled loosing him back to back with Nitche…. On a happier note his anesthesia wore off late last night so his personality is slowly coming back! He started eating again today, he even started to doing his “sit and shake” trick that he learned over quarantine for his treats! Yes he is a cat that knows tricks, he is part dog I think!?!? 2020 was really long and training a cat seemed to be a good use of time… 

But he has to continue to wear the onesie for at least the next two weeks till the stitches are out… and if he starts to pick at the onesie then he as to wear a cone. Ooooooh but luckily I found buried WAY deep in the back of my moms laundry room some old baby/toddler clothes hangers for Soupy’s clothes so I can hang them up after I do his laundry! It so cute to see them hanging up to dry on the line! 

Can anyone relate to the most randomly things like seeing a cloths line of onesies that flairs up your baby fever? I swear it happens more frequently the older I’m getting! 

Back to Soupy; he was slated to go back to the vets on Saturday to have the drainage tube removed but since it is still draining they thought it would be to delayed it till Monday morning… on the 29th he has to go and have all the stitches taken out too! Oh but don’t tell him this since he doesn’t know about have to go on two more car trips!

Yours truly,

Nicklas

20 YEARS… AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Even after 20 years I can still remember where I was when I saw the news... I was in first grade at the time, and my teacher was able to keep what was going on from the class. However my school released us early that day and I remember hearing the what was happening once I was in the car heading home; but hearing it was much different then seeing the images on our kitchen TV.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET  9/11/2001

Yours truly,

Nicklas

Better Moments…

 

A better moment can bring a breath of fresh air, yet the fear of darkness can still cloud the day…

Your truly, 

Nicklas 

Being A Rock…

 

“Listen to silence. It has so much to say.” Rumi 

The importance of now being a rock is my greatest responsibility…

Yours truly,

Nicklas 

Staying Strong…

 

I’m not going to say anything more… but staying strong is hard…

Yours truly,

Nicklas 

A Peaceful Transfer...

Yesterday we saw the strength of our democracy prevails! Now it is time for the country to come back together after four years of turmoil that divided us. I have high hopes that our new leader in chief with his companion and willingness to work with others can bring back the soul of the nation! We also witnessed history in the making with our first woman Vice President and the message of hope that sent to young girls to dream spoke volumes!

I can’t describe the calming feeling I have seeing this new hope for the nation. We need to all think of ourselves as Americans first as opposed to the seeing others that don’t agree with us as our enemies... remember what unites us is much stronger then what divides us!

Yours truly,

Nicklas

Speechless Wednesday...

I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to say about the shameful events that occur in our nations capital. I was absolutely speechless and angered at the sight of American citizens attempting to unlawfully seize power.

Anyone who knows American history knows that the last time this happened was during the War of 1812 when British troops invaded and set the city ablaze on August 24, 1814... the difference this time was that it wasn’t the red coats it was the red hats...

I was sickened at the sight of the Confederate flag being carried through those hallow halls of democracy. This did even happen during the American Civil War...

This brainless army of invaders have drunk the cool aid, and they clearly worship only one person...

The nation deserves justice, and questions NEED to be answered for why this event could even happen... Why was the ball dropped? Who didn’t do their job?

These acts were not a sign of patriots, this coup was a attempt to undermine the election and overthrow the government.

It is time for lawmakers to WAKE UP and do something about this. It has become ever more apparent that the head of the Executive Branch is more corrupt then ever, so now is the time to act. 

History has it eyes on you...

The world is watching...

Yours truly, 

Nicklas

Be Patient Little Flower...

Over past couple of days I have been spending a lot of time outside taking down decorations, and of course shoveling the sidewalks. But today I noticed this confused little violet flowers shivering in the cold. If you don’t know your flowers, this little guy grows on vinca vines and it doesn’t normally bloom during the winter months... 

Well at least the ones we have here in Pennsylvania anyway...

Yet this little trooper is carrying on and surviving, so if he can why not the rest of us! We have all said goodbye to a really hard year and this year looks as though with any luck it may be able to get better. 

Now my advice to this flower is to keep sticking it out! But maybe don’t be so quick and maybe flow science and come back to life from your isolated hibernation when the time is right...

Yours truly,

Nicklas 

Future Christmas Spirt

Now that Christmas is almost done and now we’ll have to all wait a whole another year for Christmas to come around again. It has gotten me think how in a ways perhaps we received a opportunity this year to get back to a simple holiday. Now of course I know many of us were not able to see loved ones and my thoughts especially go out to those who will forever have that empty chair around the table.

But I have a question for you to ask yourself... At its core why do we celebrate Christmas? Now there is not just one obvious answer to this question, in fact there isn’t really any wrong answer either... 

Some may answers this question as “I celebrate for religious reasons” and other may say “I am only in it for the gifts!” Now I encourage you to think for yourself to ask yourself why do you feel the need to celebrate? Maybe your answer might be because of tradition? Yet why is it a tradition... prepare as a observation you might feel the  season has become massively commercialized over the last century! 

If we look back in history, humanity has always had some form of cultures celebrate during this time of year dating back to ancient times. The Romans celebrated a festival from December 17-23 called Saturnalia which honored the god Saturn. During this time people exchanged gifts, attended parties, and of course put up some decorates... sound familiar?

So I ask again why do YOU celebrate? 

When I think about it I admit I feel like I the main reason why I celebrate Christmas is because of tradition. When I was young I couldn’t of course wait to get the time off of school and get all those presents. Yet now that I am older I see this time of year as a chance to share joy. 

I adore watching young kids interacting with Santa and see the wonder of the world though their eyes. My favorite part of holidays now is not is not the gift exchange, in fact this year my family didn’t have one. What I instead love is being able it just to sit around and connect with others. 

Before you get any ideas about me partying this year, relax I didn’t. I had a quite day within my social bubble, which is just my mom and my sister who I am presently living with. Everyone else I spoke to today with was done remotely thanks to modern technical world we live in. This though was the first year since Christmas of 2008 that I have actually been able to be home for the holiday season since normally I am working all the way though it, and believe me when I say it felt extremely weird.

Every year we always get families who venture out for the magic of a flicker on the silver screen, and just like clockwork at the end of the night we always end up getting a “thank you” out of everyone who in a way invited into my own family’s celebration. We like our guests to feel more like they are being welcome into our living room then just a going to a movie. By the end of the night so many children are factly asleep and end up getting carried out. Over the years we have watched these kids grow up, and I imagine when we see some of these kids again they are going to be at least a foot taller... The family who always come down say that going to the movies on Christmas Day has  become their family tradition. 

I apologize for my rambling, but I suppose if I had to sum up what the meaning of Christmas is to me I would have to say it is about making others happy! Bringing joy to others and seeing the smiles of children... Now will working over the holidays alway be my life? Who knows! I don’t have any way of looking onward to what Christmas will look like in the future, and I have learned Christmas is always changing. It is what we do with the changes, do we embrace them? 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays I hope that more of us strive to be more like Tiny Tim and less like Ebenezer Scrooge!

Yours truly,

Nicklas 

P.S. I hope you enjoyed my little node to “A Christmas Carol” over the couple post... Remember To Honor Christmas Pasts, Poetically Present, Future Christmas Spirt...

Poetically Present

Now I‘d admit I am no Dr. Seuss, I am going to trying to get a little loose...

Christmas isn’t about the glitz and glamor so do yourself a favor and always remember.

Even though this year may look different and strange Christmas in fact is much more then you’ll read on a page.

So sight yourself down for just a quick think, and don’t be afraid to ask old Saint Nick.

Ask not for balls or dolls, instead ask for the health of your dear old grandma.

Now don’t be such a thistle and be sure to give her a whistle.

But off to bed you must go to dream and wish you know for Christmas at last to come and show.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Yours truly,

Nicklas 

P.S. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is my mom’s favorite Christmas films... and it doesn’t matter the version! But the original one from 1966 would probably be her favorite!

Mid Week Motivation...

Yours truly,

Nicklas 

Fall Words

And a Happy Birthday to my mothers sister, my aunt, and my godmother who I know will never read this for it requires the use of the internet. 

Yours truly,

Nicklas

First Debate

 

Anyone else watch the first presidential debate last night? In many ways I felt like I was watching a commodity act...

Yours truly,

Nicklas

New Horizon

As everyday passes, the horizon is becomes a little more colorful! Maybe we should all do the same and turn over a new leaf... and yes I am aware that was a bad jock, however the idea is still good.

Take time to reflect, and become a better you then you had been the day before.

Happy Fall and Happy Weekend!

Yours truly,

Nicklas

In Remeberance...

    When the news broke about the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg my first reaction was sadness. She stood for equality, and thanks to her we have seen a tremendous amount of progress made in our nation. She was seen to many as that matriarch grandmother of justice for the nation, and so the nation is in mourning.

    My next reaction however was fear. I fear with how political charged this nation is on everything, and what will happen if the highest court in the land would become corrupted by politics. Where will we be as a nation? Will we step back in time? What will life become now for a whole generation? What will our country look like?

    Now I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I will say there is a lot of hypocrisy going on and people need to be called out. Yet time and time again politicians on both sides of the isle are easily swayed and side with parties lines and not with the people they represent. Thus to carry on Ruth's legacy for standing up for what is just, we must all vote with our conscious and not become so stuck to parties lines that our judgment becomes so clouded. To put this in perspective over my lifetime, back in 1993 the Senate confirmed Ruth by a 96-3 vote. Yet the latest Justice that was appointed in 2018 received a confirmation vote of 51-49, basically right along party lines. We are all Americans first and foremost, and it is high time we start to act like that.

 

RIP RBG

Yours truly,

Nicklas

AUTUMN

As the days get shorter,

Use your time well and thrall,

Take chances with life,

Uplifting you to new heights,

Making mistakes and setting strives,

Now go forth and live your life.

Yours truly,

Nicklas

Looking Back

    So, I decided to go through some old files I had saved on a hard drive from back when I was in school. What I found was some photos I had taken back then when I was a yearbook photographer. I would have to go to different events and take pictures, and it is amazing the deja vu you experience when looking back. I graduated in spring over 2013 however some photos date back as far as my freshmen year in the fall of 2009. To see how young everyone looks is wild.

    As we all know after school we all go our own ways and follow different paths on life. I see some my peers from time to time around town. Some who moved away may come in and watch a movie with their families or friends around the holidays. That core group of friends I had at the time I still try to text on holidays or birthdays. Yet life moves on for everyone, and is no secret that we aren't the same person as we were back then. It is normal to drift apart since we all evolve with whatever life throws at us.

We learn not to care what others think of us, and we grow into a better version of ourselves.

Yours truly,

Nicklas

Back to School

Today was the first day back to school for the local kids in my town. This year I feel will turn out to be a interesting experience for the kids who with the parents have chosen to go back and attend a brick and mortar school. I know had this pandemic happen during my own education I would have opted to attend a virtual classroom. I can also safely say without a doubt if I'd ever be blessed with children and a similar situation would occur again I would also be choosing a home school option for both their safety and their educational consistency.

 Education is one of the most important things; it is one of the main paths that we all travel down that allows us to become the person we were meant to be. It helps guide our decisions, and teaches us to form our own conclusions by being free thinkers.

Good luck to the students of today and of tomorrow,

AND

Thank you to the teachers who will help sculpt the mind's of our youth!

Yours truly,

Nicklas

Progress? Dream? Equatity?

    I have been trying to think of what best to write about, and until I turned on the news I had failed to realize that on this day 57 years ago the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous speech of the dream he had hoped could someday become reality in our corner of the world. This has gotten me thinking of how in some ways we have grown as a society, yet in other ways we remain trapped in the past. This year alone we have witnessed the power of our First Amendment being practiced in the streets across this nation. We saw people from all walk of life stand in solidarity in this country and across the globe in opposition to the unjust killings. We've mourned the passing of another civil rights icon this year who encouraged what he considered to be "good trouble." 

    Now of course I don't pretend to understand what different minority groups face just for the color of their skin. I find it sad that in 2020 we are still having it have these conversations about race. I will acknowledge that I do have certain privileges as a white male, yet I hope that in my lifetime Dr. Kings' dream comes true and that all people can be seen as equals regardless of anything.

Yours truly,

Nicklas