A Halloween Treat — The Artwork of Artist & Author Susan Alison

Happy Halloween!

‘Tis the season that brings broom-riding dogs, cauldron-stirring cats, chilling bedtime stories, ghostly figures, and full moons, and bats, and Corgis in graveyards, and, and . . . .

Wait. What you say? Dogs and cats don’t do those sorts of things? Then perhaps you have never seen the enchanting artworks of my friend Susan Alison!

So then — let’s not a moment waste to assuage your curiosity!


A few weeks ago, I met Artist and Author Susan Alison on Facebook. Perusing Susan’s page, her brilliant artistry and images immediately took me. One conversation led to another, and long story short, in the spirit of Halloween fun, Susan graciously agreed to allow me to share some of her Halloween-themed creations with you here on my pages.

Susan Alison lives in the U.K., painting pictures and writing stories for a living. She describes her cafetières, or French press coffee pots, as “always hot.”

Dogs enter frequently into both Susan’s pictures and her prose. Quite a lot, actually, with Susan living under the paw, as she admits.

Especially her furry rescue dog-sidekick, PupperJack, who is always on paw to keep Susan’s nose to the grindstone, earning kibble. As anyone who loves dogs is aware, dogs have a tendency and inherent ability to do just that. There absolutely must be kibble in cupboard.

What follows are some of Susan Alison’s captivating Halloween artworks, with some introductory commentaries for each . . . .


“Last year’s outfit is a little tight, Mum,” he grumbled as he struggled to connect the velcro straps.

Naturally, he reasoned, it was because his human had washed and dried it on a cycle that was too hot. Shrinking it beyond comfort and measure. There was no connection whatsoever to another year of indulging in treats and lounging on the couch all day. Of course not.


“Don’t let me catch you reading ‘NOT Bedtime Tales’ tonight,” she cautioned.

Despite his mother’s warning, he simply couldn’t resist reading the book just before Halloween, and ended up scaring himself senseless, jumping at every little noise in the dark.


Feeling that preparatory test flights with new brooms would fully prepare them for Halloween’s upcoming big event, off they went across the night sky, first one and then another. And then a couple littler ones too, racing to catch up to the leaders, but on a safer, more level flight path best suited to beginners!


“Is there anyone there?” he asked politely. He was fairly certain his old pal had returned to visit once again. And it must be said, he felt quite happy about that.


“Don’t make me guard the graveyard,” I beseeched and pled.

“Simply proceed in a relaxed and confident manner,” she said.

Bats and shadows filling me with dread, while shivering past grave stones, guarding the dead. And now a Halloween blue moon has appeared overhead. Oh, I wish I could whistle or be asleep in my bed. But, instead I’m out here, alone with flying bats and the dead.


Personally, Madge thought it needed a little more salt. Though she would never say so, being the youngest of the Cat Coven, you see.


“Come on, Bill. He’s giving away bacon treats. Think about it, Bill — Bacon!”

“But we’ve already been by there three times tonight, Fred.”

“Trust me, Bill. Mr. Jacobs next door won’t recognize us this time,  dressed as Batdog and Bobbin!”


“Trick-or-Treat! Smell my feet. Gimme a bag of Milk-Bones to eat!”


“Look deep into my eyes. You will give me treats now. Because I am cute. And very fluffy!”


A big heartfelt “Thank You!” to our guest artist Susan Alison for allowing me to share some of her magical works with you! With the holiday season fast approaching, you may view and find all of Susan’s beautiful creations for sale in Susan’s Etsy Shoppe at — Susan Alison Art.

Discover more about Susan, her books, and writing work on her website – Susan Alison — Artist & Writer.

And if you are interested in learning how to create Susun’s Halloween characters yourself, watch her step-by-step tutorial on YouTube titled “How to Draw and Paint a Spooky October Picture” and more!

If you wish to share a note of thanks or other thoughts with Susan, please add them in the Comments!


“Thank You!” for visiting with us today, and for taking a few moments of your day to share with us here.

If new to the site, I encourage you to register today to be notified of every new post and feature from now on.

And please join us again next Monday, when we continue our series about living a life of gratitude leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Best Wishes for a fun, safe, and not-too-scary Halloween this year! — Jim (and Red!) 🤠 🐻 🍂 🍁 🍂 🧡

(Banner Image artwork by Susan Alison)


In case you missed it, I invite you to catch up on our weekly Monday Morning series — Living A Life of Gratitude, Mental Health Benefits, Physical Health Benefits, and It’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood, leading up to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

You may also enjoy — “Happy October! Welcome Glorious Autumn!”, “Take A Walk To A Park for Healthy Exercise & Fun!”, and “Sharing An Autumn Delight — Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts”


If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “Mitakuye Oyasin — We Are All Related,and “Walking A Mile In Another’s Moccasins; What Tracks Will We Leave Behind?”

We welcome recent visitors! Please check out “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim, & Little Red Bear” to find out what we are all about. Sign up today to follow and receive notifications for every new post and feature!


In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be Kind!


When not out fishing or gathering honey, Little Red Bear and Cinnamon Charlie love to color in their spare time!

If you have little ones around or simply enjoy coloring yourself for relaxation and fun, be sure to check out “Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages.”

Download and color as many as you like, free of charge, because that’s just how we roll here!

Happy Coloring!


 “During the day, I don’t believe in ghosts. At night, I’m a little more open-minded.” — Unknown

“Sticky fingers, tired feet; one last house, trick or treat!” — Rusty Fischer, American Author

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends — “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods”


Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.

Think Globally — Act Locally!

Tomorrow Begins With YOU Today!

There Is No “Planet B.”


This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone. We freely share all content and do not generate any income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating the site.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our Patron Community today. Together, we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we offer Seasonal Coloring Pages, Writing and Poetry Selections, Holiday Features and more for free, and we can donate print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Seniors, Libraries, Classrooms, and individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford or get a copy.

Patrons help my friend Little Red Bear and me continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting and inappropriate advertisements, dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes; sharing messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Positivity, Kindness, Compassion, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

Will You Help Us Make A Positive Impact In The World?

We invite you to join us today!


“Halloween shadows played upon the walls of the houses. In the sky the Halloween moon raced in and out of the clouds. The Halloween wind was blowing, not a blasting of wind but a right-sized swelling, falling, and gushing of wind. It was a lovely and exciting night, exactly the kind of night Halloween should be.” — Eleanor Estes, (“The Witch Family”)

Please share this post with family and friends!
Your Likes, Shares, and Comments greatly expand our reach and encourage new visitors to our pages.
Because together, we can do so much! 
Thank You for visiting! Best Wishes and God Bless! — Jim (and Red!)

 

 

 

Living A Life Of Gratitude — It’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood! (Part 4 of a Series)

Happy beautiful October!

We have been enjoying a beautiful stretch of weather here for the past week, and unless something surprising jumps into the mix, the forecast calls for an extended period of gorgeous Autumn weather. Sweaters in the mornings and evenings, and shirt-sleeves during the day. So nice!

Only a few trees are just now beginning to show signs of coloration, but the Honey Locust trees outside my windows are already nearly bare, being the last to burst forth with new leaves in springtime and the first to drop them in fall. A clear sign beyond the thermometer that Autumn is in the air.


How has the weather and everything been going in your area? Is it beautiful today in your neighborhood?

A few days ago, the out-the-door temperature with my little chihuahua was 41°F and I could see my breath. My kind of day, so off we ventured around the block for our early morning walk, she in her Mexican serape coat and me in my windbreaker and shorts. What we discovered was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

  • A beautiful Cardinal at a feeder
  • A hardy little dandelion defying the seasonal change
  • A colorful bulldog sculpture piece guarding a front porch
  • Gorgeous yellow, heart-shaped leaves just over a fence
  • Someone’s decorative hanging Cardinal birdhouse
  • A bright-colored blue bunny statuette perched on a rock
  • A gathering of brightly colored leaves which had fallen on dried grass in a rock garden
  • An owl perched in a tree above us
  • And more!


Walking along, I noticed a unique birdhouse of sorts, an old man or tree spirit of the woods. I stopped to take a photo of it when the lady of the house came outside. Complementing her on the amazing birdhouse, she revealed she had found it on Amazon in the springtime. No birds had taken up residence in it all summer, but she liked it as an ornament anyway, so had left it hanging.

We struck up a conversation and talked for quite a while about the neighborhood, birds, and other things. Walking past her home now each morning, we exchange greetings and sometimes stop to chat again. Because I simply took a walk around the block and stopped for a moment to compliment her on the birdhouse, we had each made a new friend that morning. Isn’t that wonderful?


Last, but definitely not least, I stumbled upon a garage window facing the sidewalk. Someone had taken the time to paint a positive message on it for everyone to see as they drove and walked past. A smiling sun with the message — “A BRIGHTER DAY IS COMING.” 

Beauty and kindness are all around us when we simply are aware and take a moment to slow down and notice.


And isn’t that a wonderful and beautiful thing, too? To paraphrase Mr. Rogers, who has influenced my work in so many wonderful ways — it truly was a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

And I was thankful for every one of those things that morning. The gorgeous day, a walk and healthy exercise with my dog, seeing all the amazing sights (an owl!!), an inspirational message, and for having made a new friend.

Living a life filled with gratitude, even for the small things, is a much more enjoyable, healthy, and fulfilling way to go thru life. I believe it to be a giant step towards finding happiness in our lives. So, what are you grateful for today? Will you venture out to discover the beautiful things and people in your neighborhood? And remember to be thankful?


“Thank You!” for visiting with us today, and for taking a few moments of your day to share with us here.

If new to the site, I encourage you to register today to be notified of every new post and feature from now on.

And to join us again next Monday, when we continue the series about living a life of gratitude leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Best Wishes & Blessings! — Jim (and Red!) 🤠 🐻 🍂 🍁 🍂 🧡

Continue with the Living A Life Of Gratitude series with Part 5 — “Living A Life Of Gratitude — Thankful for the Early Years”


In case you missed it, I invite you to catch up on our weekly Monday Morning series — Living A Life of Gratitude, Mental Health Benefits, and Physical Health Benefits leading up to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

You may also enjoy — “Happy October! Welcome Glorious Autumn!” and “Take A Walk To A Park for Healthy Exercise & Fun!”


If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “Mitakuye Oyasin — We Are All Related,and “Walking A Mile In Another’s Moccasins; What Tracks Will We Leave Behind?”

We welcome recent visitors! Please check out “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim, & Little Red Bear” to find out what we are all about. Sign up today to follow and receive notifications for every new post and feature!


In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be Kind!


When not out fishing or gathering honey, Little Red Bear and Cinnamon Charlie love to color in their spare time!

If you have little ones around or simply enjoy coloring yourself for relaxation and fun, be sure to check out “Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages.”

Download and color as many as you like, free of charge, because that’s just how we roll here!

Happy Coloring!


“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” — Thornton Wilder (Author)
“If you keep searching for everything beautiful in the world, you will eventually become it.” — Tyler Kent White (Author and Poet)

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends — “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods”


Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.

Think Globally — Act Locally!

Tomorrow Begins With YOU Today!

There Is No “Planet B.”


This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone. We freely share all content and do not generate any income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating the site.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our Patron Community today. Together, we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we offer Seasonal Coloring Pages, Writing and Poetry Selections, Holiday Features and more for free, and we can donate print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Seniors, Libraries, Classrooms, and individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford or get a copy.

Patrons help my friend Little Red Bear and me continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting and inappropriate advertisements, dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes; sharing messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Positivity, Kindness, Compassion, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

Will You Help Us Make A Positive Impact In The World?

We invite you to join us today!


“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness — it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” — Brene Brown (Author and Academic)

Please share this post with family and friends!
Your Likes, Shares, and Comments greatly expand our reach and encourage new visitors to our pages.
Because together, we can do so much! 
Thank You for visiting! Best Wishes and God Bless! — Jim (and Red!)

 

 

Sharing An Autumn Delight — Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

Happy October!

And Happy Autumn, my most favorite time of year!

The stifling heat and humidity of Summer are in the rearview mirror, and the air has a delightful crispness to it.

We rotate our clothing, packing away the light shirts and shorts of summer, and dress in our favorite flannel shirts and sweaters once more. Autumn’s arrival means it’s time for my yearly “Boots and Blue Jeans” season.


And if dressed in our favorite flannel shirt, blue jeans, and boots, what better place to visit than an apple orchard? Over the years, I’ve made many trips to local apple orchards, riding wagons to the orchard and collecting apples to bring home. “Apple knocking,” as my father used to call it.

Each year, we would bring home two or three bushels of apples for my Mother to transform into various apple dishes, including applesauce, pan-fried cinnamon apples, baked apples, apple pies, and my beloved apple cider doughnuts.

I love apple cider. And I love doughnuts. So an Apple Cider Doughnut? Oh, yes, please. The taste of fall in a single bite!

Sadly, she never wrote or passed along her exact recipe, but Little Red Bear searched and found one that produces the same delicious doughnuts. Mmmm — so good!

Sitting down on a brisk weekend morning, watching squirrels scurry about collecting food while leaves fall, and enjoying a warm apple cider doughnut with a hot cup of tea feels magical to me. My personal Autumn delight.

Baked doughnuts have always been my preference over fried ones, and this recipe by Sally’s Baking Recipes is a winner. I encourage you to give the recipe a try and enjoy one of my favorite Autumn treats, best when fresh and warm out of the oven.

Find the recipe here → Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts


“Thank You!” for visiting with us today, and for taking a few moments of your day to share with us here.

If new to the site, I encourage you to register today to be notified of every new post and feature from now on.

And to join us again next Monday, when we continue the series about living a life of gratitude leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Best Wishes & Blessings! — Jim (and Red!) 🤠 🐻 🍂 🍁 🍂 🧡


In case you missed it, I invite you to catch up on our weekly Monday Morning series — Living A Life of Gratitude, Mental Health Benefits, and Physical Health Benefits leading up to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

You may also enjoy — “Happy October! Welcome Glorious Autumn!” and “Take A Walk To A Park for Healthy Exercise & Fun!”

(Featured image credit — “Apple Cider Doughnuts and Tea, Watercolor,” created via Bing Image Creator AI)


If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “Mitakuye Oyasin — We Are All Related,and “Walking A Mile In Another’s Moccasins; What Tracks Will We Leave Behind?”

We welcome recent visitors! Please check out “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim, & Little Red Bear” to find out what we are all about. Sign up today to follow and receive notifications for every new post and feature!


In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be Kind!


When not out fishing or gathering honey, Little Red Bear and Cinnamon Charlie love to color in their spare time!

If you have little ones around or simply enjoy coloring yourself for relaxation and fun, be sure to check out “Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages.”

Download and color as many as you like, free of charge, because that’s just how we roll here!

Happy Coloring!


“Life is better with a doughnut. Even more enjoyable with two.” — Little Red Bear
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy donuts. And that’s kind of the same thing.” — Unknown

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends — “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods”


Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.

Think Globally — Act Locally!

Tomorrow Begins With YOU Today!

There Is No “Planet B.”


This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone. We freely share all content and do not generate any income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating the site.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our Patron Community today. Together, we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we offer Seasonal Coloring Pages, Writing and Poetry Selections, Holiday Features and more for free, and we can donate print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Seniors, Libraries, Classrooms, and individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford or get a copy.

Patrons help my friend Little Red Bear and me continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting and inappropriate advertisements, dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes; sharing messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Positivity, Kindness, Compassion, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

Will You Help Us Make A Positive Impact In The World?

We invite you to join us today!


“None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an afterthought. Eat the delicious food. Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean.” — Keanu Reeves

Please share this post with family and friends!
Your Likes, Shares, and Comments greatly expand our reach and encourage new visitors to our pages.
Because together, we can do so much! 
Thank You for visiting! Best Wishes and God Bless! — Jim (and Red!)

 

Living A Life Of Gratitude — Physical Health Benefits (Part 3 of a Series)

How is your October going so far? Here on the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri, we had a high of 88°F on Saturday, still summerlike. However, Tuesday’s forecast predicts a high of 59°F on Tuesday with a low of 38°F Wednesday morning, with a possibility of the first frost of the season. Frost on the pumpkin time!

And that is how the month of October goes here now. Summers seem to get longer and longer each year, pushing what used to be September’s month of roller-coaster weather into October.

No longer faring well in hot weather and humidity, I look forward to cooler temperatures each Autumn, and will welcome and be grateful for the change this week, if even only for a few days before we possibly climb back into the 80s by the end of the week.


The temperatures are gradually trending downward week by week, and I am grateful for that.

Walking my little chihuahua, Allie, this morning, a mockingbird was singing from the top of a red maple tree across the street. And I offered a silent prayer of gratitude for him brightening our early morning walk.

Yesterday, the retractable leash that I used to walk Allie broke, with sixteen feet of lead line fully extended and no longer retracting. At 9:17 a.m. this morning, Amazon had already delivered a new one. And I am thankful for that.


What have you been thankful for lately? There are so many happenings, events, and occasions going on all around us all thru the day to be thankful for. Small things, as discussed in the first part of this series. Did you know that besides Mental Health Benefits, living a life of gratitude and thankfulness actually has physical benefits for our well-being?

It’s true. Hundreds of studies have shown that living a life of gratitude has many physical health benefits, including:

  • Reducing Heart Rate
  • Lowering Blood Pressure
  • Reducing Respiratory Rate
  • Increasing Immune Function
  • Speeding Recovery Time
  • Improving Cognition
  • Boosting Mood
  • Improving Sleep
  • Reducing Chronic Pain
  • Lowering Inflammation
  • Improving Digestion

Living a life of gratitude releases a flood of what scientists refer to as “happy hormones” in one’s brain, which then helps one to make better lifestyle choices.

As such, research has shown that grateful people are more likely to exercise, eat a nutritious diet, sleep better, and to engage in other healthy behaviors that can help reduce or prevent not only Type II Diabetes but also help to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia, chronic pain, insomnia, and even catching the flu.

That is quite a list, isn’t it? So, please allow me to ask again — what are you thankful for today? Please let us know in the Comments!

Living a life of positivity and gratitude clearly has its benefits. Being thankful — it’s a good thing!


“Thank You!” for visiting with us today! We are grateful for YOU taking a few moments of your day to share with us here. Because you are why we do this.

Please join us again next Monday, when we explore living a life of gratitude in a simple walk around the block.

Best Wishes & Blessings! — Jim (and Red!) 🤠 🐻 🍂 🍁 🍂 🧡

Continue with the Living A Life Of Gratitude series with Part 4 — “Living A Life Of Gratitude — It’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood!”


In case you missed it, I invite you to check out Parts 1 & 2 in our weekly Monday Morning series — Living A Life of Gratitude, and Mental Health Benefits leading up to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

You may also enjoy — “Happy October! Welcome Glorious Autumn!”

(Featured image credit — “Autumn Pumpkins in a Field, Watercolor,” created via Bing Image Creator AI)


If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “Mitakuye Oyasin — We Are All Related,and “Walking A Mile In Another’s Moccasins; What Tracks Will We Leave Behind?”

We welcome recent visitors! Please check out “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim, & Little Red Bear” to find out what we are all about. Sign up today to follow and receive notifications for every new post and feature!


In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be Kind!


When not out fishing or gathering honey, Little Red Bear and Cinnamon Charlie love to color in their spare time!

If you have little ones around or simply enjoy coloring yourself for relaxation and fun, be sure to check out “Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages.”

Download and color as many as you like, free of charge, because that’s just how we roll here!

Happy Coloring!


“The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times.” — Zig Ziglar
“Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed a virtue.” — William Bennett

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends — “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods”


Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.

Think Globally — Act Locally!

Tomorrow Begins With YOU Today!

There Is No “Planet B.”


This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone. We freely share all content and do not generate any income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating the site.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our Patron Community today. Together, we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we offer Seasonal Coloring Pages, Writing and Poetry Selections, Holiday Features and more for free, and we can donate print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Seniors, Libraries, Classrooms, and individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford or get a copy.

Patrons help my friend Little Red Bear and me continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting and inappropriate advertisements, dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes; sharing messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Positivity, Kindness, Compassion, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

Will You Help Us Make A Positive Impact In The World?

We invite you to join us today!


“Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.” — Christiane Northrup

Please share this post with family and friends!
Your Likes, Shares, and Comments greatly expand our reach and encourage new visitors to our pages.
Because together, we can do so much! 
Thank You for visiting! Best Wishes and God Bless! — Jim (and Red!)

 

Take A Walk To A Park for Healthy Exercise & Fun!

Happy National Walk To A Park Day!

When was the last time you visited one of your local neighborhood parks? National Walk to a Park Day, celebrated on October 10th each year, encourages us all to visit a local park. Swing on a swing set. Play with children. Throw a Frisbee around. Kick a ball.

Or, simply take a walk thru the park and enjoy the changing Autumn leaves, feeling the refreshing cooler air on your face after a long, hot summer.

For those living in cities who may not have a large yard, local public parks serve as a community’s backyard, and offer the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and visit with family, friends, and neighbors. A place to play, exercise (even if merely a short walk), and visit with Mother Nature for a spell.

I remember countless trips to parks as both a youngster, and then taking my own children to have a picnic, play on the playgrounds, fly kites, play tennis and handball, toss footballs, kick soccer balls around, and play catch and Indian Ball. And hours and hours of chasing Frisbees.

Yet sadly, according to statistics, about 100 million people, including 28 million kids, do not have access to a local, quality park within a 10-minute walk from home.

I encourage to take a walk to a park today. Or this coming weekend. And if too far to walk — to drive, roller skate, ride a bicycle, hitch a pony ride, or to get there somehow to enjoy time in a green space, get some fresh, and visit with nature. You will feel better for it, 99 3/4% guaranteed. Hope to see you there!


“Thank You!” for visiting with us today! We are grateful for you taking a few moments of your day to share with us here. Because you are why we do this.

And we are grateful to have local parks to visit, walk around, and enjoy the outdoors, always being thankful for the little things in life.

Please join us again next Monday, when we continue to explore Living A Life Of Gratitude, this time the Physical Benefits of living a life of thankfulness as we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday. Register today to be notified of every new post and feature in the future!

Best Wishes & Blessings! — Jim (and Red!) 🤠 🐻 🍂 🍁 🍂 🧡


In case you missed it, I invite you to check out Parts 1and 2 in my new Monday Morning series about Living A Life of Gratitude and Living A Life Of Gratitude — Mental Health Benefits leading up to the Thanksgiving Holiday. And “Happy October! Welcome Glorious Autumn!”

(Featured image credit — “Small Town Lane, Watercolor,” created via Bing Image Creator AI)


If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “Mitakuye Oyasin — We Are All Related,and “Wishing You Deep Peace, Love, Happiness, and Joy; And A Very Good Day!” 

We welcome recent visitors! Please check out “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim, & Little Red Bear” to find out what we are all about. Sign up today to follow and receive notifications for every new post and feature!


In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be kind!


When not out fishing or gathering honey, Little Red Bear and Cinnamon Charlie love to color in their spare time!

If you have little ones around or simply enjoy coloring yourself for relaxation and fun, be sure to check out “Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages.”

Download and color as many as you like, free of charge, because that’s just how we roll here!

Happy Coloring!


“A walk in nature walks the soul back home.” — Mary Davis

“A park is a love letter from the city to its residents.” — Unknown

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends — “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods”


Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.

Think Globally — Act Locally!

Tomorrow Begins With YOU Today!

There Is No “Planet B.”


This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone. We freely share all content and do not generate any income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating the site.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our Patron Community today. Together, we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we offer Seasonal Coloring Pages, Writing and Poetry Selections, Holiday Features and more for free, and we can donate print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Seniors, Libraries, Classrooms, and individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford or get a copy.

Patrons help my friend Little Red Bear and me continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting and inappropriate advertisements, dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes; sharing messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Positivity, Kindness, Compassion, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

Will You Help Us Make A Positive Impact In The World?

We invite you to join us today!


“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” — Brene Brown

Please share this post with family and friends!
Your Likes, Shares, and Comments greatly expand our reach and encourage new visitors to our pages.
Because together, we can do so much! 
Thank You for visiting! Best Wishes and God Bless! — Jim (and Red!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Living A Life Of Gratitude — Mental Health Benefits (Part 2 of a Series)

Happy October! And here we are, entering the gateway to the Autumn and Holiday Seasons.

What is the first thought that enters your mind when you hear the word or think about “Autumn?” Is it beautifully colored trees with their changing leaves? Is it pumpkin spice? Pumpkin pies? Apple picking? Carving Jack-o’-lanterns? Costumes and Trick-or-Treating? Or ??? Please tell us all about it in the Comments.

One of my most favorite things about the season of Autumn and this time of year is taking my little chihuahua companion for a walk in the evenings. It is already dark after dinner. Delightful wood smoke from fireplaces in nearby homes perfumes the air, and we can hear the rumble of a train passing by at the end of the street. And I am grateful for these things.


What are you grateful for these days? And did you know that living with an attitude of gratitude is beneficial to our mental health?

Studies have showed that living a life of gratitude has the potential to lower symptoms of depression, reduce stress, improve social relationships, and increase both willpower and resilience.

Scientists believe that living a life of gratitude helps to foster long-term thinking, which helps to bolster willpower.

But, what is “resilience” really? Resilience is the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties, challenges, disturbances, or turmoil in our lives.

Living a life of gratitude can help to decrease stress and anxiety by activating the areas in the brain that release the “feel-good” hormones serotonin and dopamine. To develop a sense of Inner Peace.

Begin by counting your blessings instead of problems or worries. At the end of each day, the last thing I do before going to sleep, is to offer a prayer of thankfulness, reviewing the day from morning to night, and expressing gratitude for all the positive aspects of the day, no matter how small.

Even being thankful for more negative things, the challenges, problems, irritants, and temptations that arose thru the day. They all have lessons to be thankful for too, as they provide opportunities to grow stronger and better through the experience.

When taking this approach, any problems or challenges become less daunting and worrying in our minds, reducing the stress we so often needlessly impose on ourselves.

Living a life of gratitude simply helps us to feel better and be happier in our lives, despite what may go on around us. And in addition, to be much more pleasant to be around for others. That all seems like a splendid thing, wouldn’t you agree?


Taking a short walk around the neighborhood, there will be many opportunities to practice living a life of gratitude as Autumn leaves fall.

I encourage you to be mindful of not only the colors of the leaves, beautiful as they are, but also the varieties of leaves and all the different shapes.

Take a moment to notice the patterns and shades of the different colors just in one leaf. Be thankful that this leaf fell just for you to behold in that moment.

Be observant, and watch as a leaf gently tumbles to the ground, perhaps swirling and twirling thru the air on a breeze. Touch and feel the texture of the leaf, its suppleness or dryness. Smell the leaf and its woodiness. Sniff for wood smoke in the air, the scent from leaves on the ground, or freshly mowed grass. Listen for a bird singing, or a squirrel barking out an alarm nearby. Or children playing. Feel the Autumn breeze on your face. Look up and see the unique patterns in the clouds as they pass by, never ever to form those exact patterns and shapes again.

Allow all of your senses to awaken. And in that moment, that one very special, mindful moment, simply relax, clear your mind, breathe, and permit yourself to feel and experience the sheer joyfulness of simply being alive. At this moment. Your moment. And be thankful.


And “Thank You!” for visiting with us today! We are grateful for you taking a few moments of your day to share with us here. Because you are why we do this.

Please join us again next Monday, when we explore the Physical Benefits of living a life of gratitude.

Best Wishes & Blessings! — Jim (and Red!) 🤠 🐻 🍂 🍁 🍂 🧡

Continue with the Living A Life Of Gratitude series with Part 3 — “Living A Life Of Gratitude — Physical Health Benefits (Part 3 of a Series)”


In case you missed it, I invite you to check out Part 1 in my new Monday Morning series about Living A Life of Gratitude leading up to the Thanksgiving Holiday, and “Happy October! Welcome Glorious Autumn!”

(Featured image credit — “Sunflowers, Watercolor,” created via Bing Image Creator AI)


If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “Mitakuye Oyasin — We Are All Related,and “Wishing You Deep Peace, Love, Happiness, and Joy; And A Very Good Day!” 

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In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be kind!


When not out fishing or gathering honey, Little Red Bear and Cinnamon Charlie love to color in their spare time!

If you have little ones around or simply enjoy coloring yourself for relaxation and fun, be sure to check out “Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages.”

Download and color as many as you like, free of charge, because that’s just how we roll here!

Happy Coloring!


“There’s no happier person than a truly thankful, content person.”
– Joyce Meyer

 

“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”
– Alphonse Karr

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“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” — Brene Brown

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Thank You for visiting! Best Wishes and God Bless! — Jim (and Red!)