Monday 6 January 2014

IN WHICH BEAR QUITS READING FACEBOOK (MORE OR LESS) AND ASKS SOME QUESTIONS

"My desire to stay well-informed has overwhelmed my desire to stay sane."  ~ Anon

That pretty well covers things. 

No, I haven't cancelled my Facebook account. I have changed my settings. I only accept posts from people who make me feel good. The rest is just bad news piled upon bad news, whether mainstream media, or indie reporting. (When it comes to the main news outlets, a large part of the bad news is their failure to report important things.) I can do without it all very nicely, thank you. So I shall.

But please note: happy posts will be welcomed!

You don't have to be very smart to figure out these things — even a Bear can do it.

And you know, it doesn't take a lot to make a Bear happy, or cheer up a Bear.

Now, in the dark, and particularly the cold, of the Canadian Prairie (northern Great Plains), life can take on a fairly brutal nature. 

For those of you in Texas, and Oklahoma, I was about to suggest a trade of some of our cool weather for your heat. But it seems your heat has already disappeared. (The non-joys of climate change.) 

How cool is to today? I'm told it's -29C (that's -20F) in River City. How is your temperature?

The important thing is that the sun is shining here! And there's no wind! Two things which make me very happy! 

Also, I had a good Christmas, overall. Another good point. 

Really, it doesn't take a lot to make a Bear happy, or cheer up a Bear. It just takes a bit of time. 

And here's a question. What are you doing to brighten up your life in early 2014?

Blessings and Bear hugs, everyone!

43 comments:

  1. Oh, Bear, you know what I'm doing: exercising and getting out and about here in the Pacific Northwest. But if I lived where YOU are now, I think I would be hunkered down in my cave!

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  2. Bear it is 7 degrees in Atlanta GEORGIA! I think a new record. School has already been canceled for tomorrow - we are wimps here I guess.

    What is your facebook address - I don't even follow you there yet.

    What am I doing to bring brightness in my life this year? I am doing less on my blog and getting more with real people. I need that contact - Like my Bible Study and Women's group at church. I didn't realize I was so lonely.

    Sandie

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  3. Replies
    1. Thank you very much. I trust you're going to have more good "foodie" posts!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  4. What am I doing to brighten my 2014? Posting more cute rat pictures, of course.

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    1. Well of course! (Silly old Bear that I am.) And I'll try not to eat the rats for snacks. Hope you have a wonderful time doing that. (I check you regularly, but don't always leave a comment.)

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  5. I don't like FB so much. I get on once a day, briefly, and that's enough for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Once a day, briefly, is probably a good thing. You've got kids and a new horse, and so many other wonderful things to do.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  6. Happy New Year! I've recently taken up art journaling, and it's definitely helping to brighten up my year. :)

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    Replies
    1. I'd like to hear more about this art journaling, sometime, Sounds fascinating.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Dana!

      Delete
  7. I actually have a Facebook account but I've never been to the page. I need it to open up something else. So goodness only knows whats there....I find Facebook is fairly disheartening so I'd stay away from it. And I'll continue to do that for myself in 2014... that and cater to a very small poodle.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I'm sure that catering to a very small Poodle takes up lots of your time. Who would have time for Facebook with a dog like Skip?

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  8. Learning to touch type (it's a laugh), studying Plato, learning a computer language, a poem or two...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whenever you sit down at the keyboard, and punch the keys, that's "touch typing." Unless you have voice transmission. That would be the only non-touch typing I can imagine.

      Studying Plato is good. In English or Greek? Learning a computer language is something I was never able to do, even thought I tried hard.

      I'll wait for your poems. I always do.

      Peace and joy, Cosmo!

      Delete
  9. It has been cold here the past couple of days (South Georgia, USA, but it will warm back up to the 70's (F) Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. That is the temperature we are accustomed to. The bitterly cold temperatures that we experienced the pas couple of days came down from the Arctic. Brrrr. It was cold.
    Continue to take care of you, and I applaud you for surrounding yourself with happy and positive people, Bear. Prayers for you....always.
    Hugs,
    Jackie

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    Replies
    1. Sorry you had the Arctic cold. We are more or less accustomed to it up here; I'm sure it is a shock for those who don't know what hit them.

      And you take care of you, too, as I am doing.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Jackie!

      Delete
  10. I plan to continue to laugh as much as possible!!

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    Replies
    1. Good for you. I wish I cold too.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  11. I remember being invited by a blog friend to connect with her on FB some years ago. At the time I signed on using the minimum amount of information required at the time, only to discover 'friend' requests from at least thirty people I didn't know. That was it for me and I cancelled my subscription less than a day later. I'm not saying the service doesn't have some value for people who can only stay in touch that way but it's not for me.

    One interesting aspect about living on the eastern coast of NS is that we do get some warm overspill from the Gulf Stream. That can mean some pretty intense storm activity but it was fine to see heavy rain a few days ago that washed away most of the snow that had accumulated during the previous weeks' blizzard. Yesterday was a beautiful one for walking along the shore.

    I hope your new home and frequent visits from your family and friends will brighten those dark winter days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand that Facebook can be daunting. I'm careful about who I choose as friends.

      You certainly do live amid changeable weather! Glad you are surviving!

      Blessings and Bear hugs, susan.

      Delete
  12. I watch very little news and limit my reading to stories that do not address the problems that I can not change. Even if I am accused of being uninformed, I don't care. My life is not enhanced with bad news.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can understand your feeling. But having been in the "news business" for a lot of years, I'm still wondering about things. Old habits die hard.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  13. I have a Facebook account and would love to be friends with you (you know how to find me). I promise only cheerful updates. xox

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    Replies
    1. I'll check you out the next time I'm over on Facebook.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Irene.

      Delete
  14. Brrrrr. You can keep your frozen tundra. We are drizzly, windy, and chilly today but things should be warming up down here!

    I like Facebook but yes, there is a ton of crap out there that people post. I can get through it pretty fast and/or change settings. I've even had to block some people. Sigh. Puppies, kittens, and rainbows, please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not frozen tundra, Reffie, it's grass with a lot of snow on it.

      Maybe I should post a few pix of it on Facebook. You can check as you slide by.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  15. I'm not a fan of Facebook. I never post but I do peek in on what my family is posting. Other than that, I find it too invasive. We've had the same icy cold weather here. Today is warming up to a balmy -12C (10F). Keep warm, Bear!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can see the virtue of keeping up with family through Facebook. But we live so close together, and talk on the phone, so I don't think I would need Facebook for that.

      Blessings and Bear hugs in the warm winter weather, Hilary!

      Delete
  16. It's a bit warmer today. I think we got up to 50. I spend very little time on FB. It's all just too much. I've brightened my 2014 by leaving up my Christmas decorations. Willy Dunne Wooters loves them and doesn't want me to put them away, though I shall–eventually.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Warmer day and leaving Facebook alone? Excellent.

      Leaving up your Christmas decorations? What better way to keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year long!

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Janie.

      Delete
  17. Please, Mr. Bear ... do not unfriend me!

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    Replies
    1. Unfriend you? Won't happen. I might miss a poem!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  18. Read The Circle and you will see how wise are your actions!

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  19. Know what you mean. have you read The Circle, horrific amalgam of Facebook and Google

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    Replies
    1. An amalgam of Facebook and Google? I think not, thank you.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Jody!

      Delete
  20. I understand completely. FB tends to take me from a cheerful morning to a grumpy one pretty often. You are on the right track Bear! Blessings! Susie

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    Replies
    1. I tend not to do Facebook first thing in the morning. I do check my e-mail, and sometimes my blogs, before trying Facebook. But time I'm through my mail, I usually awake enough to start my day.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Susie!

      Delete
  21. I'm sorry to say it looks as if the comment I left a few days ago disappeared somehow. I don't recall quite what I said other than the fact I never did get into facebooking.

    I plan to keep reading, walking and drawing pictures the rest of the winter - much as I do during the other seasons.

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    Replies
    1. Reading, walking, and drawing pictures sounds like a wonderful way to live. Hope you have a great time doing that.

      Blessings and Bear hugs; greeting to Crow.

      Delete
  22. Cheery posts are always welcome at my facebook page, and I do so enjoy the ones from you, but I still enjoy a good gripe session with friends.

    What am I doing to brighten up my life in early 2014? Good question. I have started in with a counselor, but am not sure that counts as brightening things up! Aside from that two things Susan mentioned are things I will also enjoy: reading and walking. And I'm working on more poetry. And cuddling my dog and my kitties. And, alwaysalways, loving Oregon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you have a wonderful 2014. Having a dog (Bonbon?) to cuddle is excellent therapy. I wish I had one all the time.

      blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete
  23. I am with you when it comes to Face Book!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kathy. Take care out there.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

      Delete

So glad you've dropped by the Bear's den. Please leave a note -- getting notes is such fun, and often informative. I'll get back to you, here or by e-mail, as soon as I can (or, if it's winter, after I wake up). 'Til then, please Bear with me.
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