Kathiey's World

I am always looking for fun things to do in the area.  I thought I would take it a bit further and see what events are occurring in North Carolina in a specific month.  Let's take a look at just a few things happening in Oct. 2024 in NC that you may enjoy. I live in the Raleigh/Durham area, so I looked for exciting events to attend in October that are within driving distance.  I would love to attend them all! The Links to Each Event... (Be sure and verify event times and locations before attending.   You may need a ticket depending on the event) Things to do in October 2024  in the Triangle Area October 4-5 is Triangle Oktoberfest in Cary, NC October 11-12 is the Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown in Rocky Mount, NC October 17-27 is the NC State Fair in Raleigh, NC October 19th is the North Carolina Wine Festival in Cary NC. October 25 is the Pumpkin Flotilla at Bond Park in Cary, NC A Few Things to do In NC that are not so local to the Triangle Area. Every Week...

 Journal Prompt Do You Believe In Karma? First off, what is karma? I found this definition of karma in an online dictionary. Karma is "destiny or fate, following as effect from cause. " Another meaning in the  Cambridge Dictionary is "a situation in which things happen to someone as a result of their previous actions, or the force that makes this happen." Here is another quote ...Hindus believe in karma, meaning they will answer for their actions - if not in this life, then in the next. Here is how I feel about karma... As a child, I may have believed in some form of karma. I knew that there were consequences to all actions, and thus, there must be consequences for wrongdoing. I thought negative karma should be the outcome for all wrongdoers and that all "good" people should have a life with only positive karma. After living for over 60 years, I have found that unrealistic and untrue as much as I wished the opposite. I think, in some ways, people receive p...

 The fall season is finally upon us. That means cooler weather, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and fall outfits. Fall also means cool days and evenings to enjoy the outdoors. With that in mind, I am headed to Amazon to look for a few items to spruce up my balcony for my favorite season. (I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you buy anything using my links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no added cost to you. Thanks!) 1- Idzo Set of 3 Wooden Flower Boxes Outdoor, Durable Acacia Wood Barrel Planters for Outdoor Plants with Ergonomic Handles, Drainage Holes, Multiple Sizes Wood Bucket Planter Light Brown  I did order these lovely planters.  For fall, I will be putting mums in them, and then I can use them for different types of plants and flowers as the seasons change. 2- Giantex Patio Loveseat with Coffee Table Outdoor Bench with Cushion and Metal Frame, Loveseat Porch Furniture Set Sofa for Garden, Yard, Patio or Poolside  Yes, I know I have lost my mind but I...

Museum Park a the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh NC. When you drive past the NCMA in Raleigh you can see several sculptures from the roadway.  I decided it was high time I checked out The Museum Park. Quote from the NCMA website... "The Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park connects art, nature, and people to encourage creative experiences and human interactions. It features temporary and permanent public art installations by international artists, environmentally sustainable landscapes, colorful and contemporary gardens, miles of recreational trails, and a terraced pond." According to the park brochure, there are 28 works of art in this park.  I viewed 15.  I will have to go back and find the sculptures that I missed. The park itself is lovely.  There are walking trails, areas to picnic, and of course artwork.  It made for a pleasant stroll on this beautiful spring day. I saw folks relaxing on benches, a family picnic under...

Inspirational Quote...  Whether you find yourself on a steady path or in a difficult life situation, you may new to be brave enough to try something new.  You may be afraid that you will not be adequately prepared for this new adventure, but that should not hold us back because it is ok to try something new, and sometimes, it is necessary. Trying something new in our lives may be an opportunity for growth. We may be forced to try something new due to our life situation or simply want to experience something new for fun or adventure. This "something new" could range from a job change to a travel adventure. Regardless of our situation, we have to be brave enough to be bad at something new to experience something new. In my opinion, this does not mean we will "be bad," but there is always a risk of imperfection in trying. There is no guarantee that what we venture to do will be an ultimate success. Sometimes, to be successful, you have to have some failure along the wa...

  I am sitting here thinking about my third book that will be related to finging joy in our journey.  I guess we should start with the basics...What is Joy?    According to Webster, Joy is...  "... a feeling of great pleasure or happiness that comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being: gladness..something that gives joy."   Joy is an emotion as well as a state of mind.  I think joy comes from within.  To have a joyful spirit is not connected to external events and happenings.  Finding joy is also finding contentment with who we are, not wishing we were someone else.  Even when times get tough, and they will, we can still have joy. My next post on Joy will focus on how we can become content with who we are and our life situation so that we not only find joy but maintain our joy.  I would love any feedback that you could share.  Please post in the comment box or shoot me a note at kathieyvwriter@gmail.com I wish ...

  Stress Relief Can Be Found in the Flowers I do love flowers. I have spent much time at Garden Centers and Parks taking photos of flowers. I find it very relaxing to immerse myself in the environment of the flower gardens. I found peace among the beautiful plants, and some of the stress in my life was relieved.  I found this quote on Stress To Strength that says-  "A major study at Harvard University indicates that flowers are a natural stress reliever." I found another statement about flowers and stress relief on Ellison Chair .  Having flowers around the home and office greatly improves people's moods and reduces the likelihood of stress-related depression. Flowers and ornamental plants increase positive energy levels and help people feel secure and relaxed. How can we incorporate flowers into our lives?   Visit Local Gardens: One place I loved to take flower photos was Duke Gardens in Durham, NC. Nothing is nicer than to stroll through the lovely and well-l...

Here are a few books that caught my eye that will be released in September 2024.   1-All Shook Up A Novel Realistic Fiction, Rock and Roll, Young Adult by Enid Langbert Release Date: September 10, 2024 Good Reads gave it 4/5 stars   Overview... This YA debut speaks to the continued interest in the teen culture of the 1950s—Elvis Presley, teenage rebellion—with a young girl embarking on adventure and music, ultimately uncovering family secrets. Being fourteen is especially hard in 1956, when the world is changing around you. Honor student Paula Levy was born into a family of historical her mother’s youth was lost in the Depression and her father’s was destroyed in the Holocaust, an as-yet-unnamed event about which no one speaks. But Paula has heard the new music taking hold of the nation—rock and roll—and it has given her hope. And she has two friends to get her through life’s ups and Holden Caulfield, hero of  Catcher in the Rye , who shares her view of the world, and Bar...

I believe that taking the time to take care of ourselves can help us relax and reduce our stress.  I found this thought backed up online, and according to Amherst College "taking care of yourself will help maintain your physical, emotional, and mental reserves to prevent and manage stress. So to take care of myself this week, I decided to get a pedicure. The pool in my community just opened, and sandal weather is here, so I thought this would be a good idea on many levels. Some studies say that stress relief can keep you healthy and boost your mindset and energy levels. One way to achieve a level of stress relief is through self-care.  One way for us to care for ourselves is by getting a pedicure. The environment itself in a spa should be calm and relaxing. Typically there is calming music, and the visual surroundings should be warm and peaceful. Along with the spa setting, there are typically options for scented treatments.  This enhances our experience through aromathe...

  God's Light Cuts Through Our Darkness "Light can be seen even in the darkness.   The light from the stars on a very dark night.   The light from a lighthouse in the midnight hours. The light from a candle in a darkened room. The light from a fireplace on a cold winter evening. And, the light of God's love cutting through our darkness." KathieyV I know many of us have experienced times when we felt as though we were in utter darkness.  The depth of that darkness may be so all-encompassing that the thought of looking for a light never enters our mind.  It is as if we are engulfed by darkness with no way out.   There are endless forms this darkness can take.  It could be sickness, death, divorce, violence, injustice, poverty, and the list goes on.   In my case, the darkness that enveloped me was the pain of a betrayal, a separation, and finally, a divorce.  I did not see any light in my darkest times, but I kept praying and leaned heavily on G...