Author: klmalcolm2014

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About klmalcolm2014

Retired from work in government and nonprofit organizations, I've been traveling the world nonstop since 2016, writing and supporting humanitarian work. Life is good!

Helping Hands

2020, California, United States, Universe, Various, , , , , , , , , , View all 13 comments

Hand of giant Buddha at Sukhothai, Thailand

The human mind is interesting for soooo many reasons. One is the power of association. Our brains take short cuts so we don’t have to analyze every single situation every single time. So, for example, if you are at your favorite outdoor cafe eating lasagna when a cat throws up on your shoe, you may choose pizza the next time you go to that cafe. And your brain may be making this decision for you even if you don’t know it. Guessing this is why I never returned to my favorite Thai restaurant after I found a giant cockroach in my pad ke mow.

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This is For The Birds

2020, California, United States, Universe, Various, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , View all 14 comments

“Birdsong” by my wonderful friend, Sallie Latch

When I was in high school, “alternative” radio stations were starting up. KPCC in Pasadena was one of the first and, at the time, its programming was revolutionary. While most radio stations were playing 15 pop songs 100 times a day, KPPC was mixing rock and pop with jazz, classical, international, blues and folk. My favorite KPPC program was 50 pieces of music about birds.

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It’s Not Fruitless

2020, California, United States, Universe, Various, , , , , , , , , , , View all 10 comments

“Three Pomegranates in Bowl,” Nasser Ovissi

Some people say it’s too late, that people are breaking the rules, that the whole thing is just political. But I believe the experts, having been one myself who was not believed 😁. So, for example, I won’t touch anyone.

I also believe the United States of America is on a serious time-out.  “You just sit there for awhile and think about whether you want to leave your kids this mess you’ve made. Do you think all they care about is buying stuff when the whole world is turning into a giant cesspool? Well? Do you?”

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Blue

2020, California, United States, Universe, Various, , , , , , , , View all 14 comments
Door in Tunis, Tunisia

I am sensing that there is a sort of low grade malaise happening out there right now, even in spite of our best efforts. It’s ok. People have been doing the blues for a long time. The blues have made people famous and happy and powerful. Here are some of them.

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Rowing the Boat Ashore, For Now

2020, art, California, United States, Universe, Various, , , , , View all 28 comments

After five years of travel, I am not on an extended vacation. The road is my home. It is like religion to me because it helps me fill in some of the gaping holes in what I know and believe. It feeds my spirit and challenges me. But now, I realize I may not be able to travel for what could feel like a long time. Although I don’t know how, my life is going to change.

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Catalunya’s Many Free Spirits

2019, Spain, , , , , , , , View all 25 comments

Barcelona, Spain, is my first stop on a four month adventure through Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Yahoo! But Barcelona….This delightful city is the center of Spain’s Catalunya region — historic, rich and proudly its own culture. The people here speak Catalan, a spin-off of Spanish, (but yes they also speak Spanish so my crude Spanish is useful but it’s Mexican Spanish so….) For many years, the Catalans have advocated for independence from Spain. This hasn’t been popular with the Spanish government, which last year convicted nine separatist leaders for sedition. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/14/catalan-independence-what-is-the-story-what-happens-next

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