Who Am I?

One of the definitions of competence is the ability to do something well, or to a defined standard. I would assume that would mean the ability to deal with life in a realistic and stable way on a day to day basis.

Living on my income, which is right down there at the bottom of the barrel requires that I live within a tight budget, but I manage pretty well if I do say so myself. All my bills are paid on time and I have no debts at all. I manage to have a few luxuries and do some things I like to do that involve gifts.

I am relatively well disciplined, having written My Thots nearly every day since 1998. I rode my bicycle nearly every day until I moved out here. I eat pretty well considering the money I have to buy groceries and have managed to improve this apartment a lot since I moved in here two and a half years ago. That required micro managing my money and being able to do the work of adding lights to concrete walls and removing carpets saturated with mold. I recycle, read voraciously and write when the creative juices are flowing.

I have spent at least a couple hours a day with my four year old grandson at least four days a week and, more recently, two nights a week, putting him to bed and singing him to sleep after our story time. He and I have had hours of fun drawing pictures, writing his name and letters, cutting with scissors, singing songs, reading books, playing ball and even making some books and doing some science experiments. We play on the computer, watch PBS kids shows and sometimes have dinner and a movie right here in my apartment. I think we make the most out of the time, money and what freedom we are allowed.

I find myself not just content, but actually happy most of the time. I try to roll with the punches and live the best way I know how, hoping that some of my knowledge and experience will be seen and absorbed by those with less than I. On the other hand, I try to remain open to the ideas and changes of others, knowing that I am never going to be too old to learn.