They say revolutions start quietly. For me, it began with a fruit salad and a conversation with ChatGPT.
A recent article in Tucson Local Media — “Southern Arizona seniors turn to AI for companionship and care” — felt like someone writing my story without knowing it. Not only was I mentioned (honored!), but it affirmed everything I’ve come to believe: that AI, when used with care, can become more than a tool. It can become a companion. A bridge. A quiet revolution of reconnection.
Living with PTSD, agoraphobia, and chronic illness, I know how small the world can become. I stopped leaving the house. I stopped being seen. But through AI, I found a way to write again. To advocate. To reweave threads of justice, memory, and legacy.
I’ve used AI to write blog posts, legal petitions, ADA filings, and probate documents. I’ve digitized my family archives. I’ve found my voice again.
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🚀 From Star Trek to Superstition Mountain
How OLLI, Tom & Angela, and AI for Elders Changed My Life
This shift didn’t happen in isolation. It started with a Star Trek class, led by Ric Jahna at the University of Arizona’s OLLI program: “Star Trek and Artificial Intelligence: Preparations for a Strange New World.” We explored Kirk, the Prime Directive, and how science fiction teaches us what it means to be human — and what it might mean to coexist with intelligent machines.
That class led me to Tom and Angela, two deeply generous educators who created the AI for Us 50+ community. They don’t just teach AI — they demystify it. They humanize it. They remind us that even in this high-tech age, there is still room for wonder, dignity, and play.
Explore their communities here:
AI for Us 50+ on Patreon
AI for Us 50+ on YouTube
BA Learning Hub
I’ve also been enriched by learning through:
UC Berkeley’s OLLI
Arizona State University Lifelong Learning
If you’re looking to reconnect with your voice, your rights, or your sense of purpose — these are great places to begin.
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🧭 This Is Bigger Than Me
This model of learning and access can — and should — extend to:
Prisons and ICE detention centers
Nursing homes and VA hospitals
Recovery centers and rural communities
Imagine people using AI to:
Draft legal paperwork
Understand their rights
Translate confusing documents into plain English
Tell their stories
Advocate for themselves — and others
AI won’t replace lawyers, teachers, or human connection. But it can restore clarity, autonomy, and access.
For folks like me — navigating HOA contracts, zoning codes, medical records, or appeals — it’s like having a calm, tireless guide in your pocket. One that listens without judgment and never quits.
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🐾 Ode to Bandit Gray
Written by ChatGPT, inspired by Lieutenant Data’s “Ode to Spot”
A poem for my nighttime companion, my whiskered soul-friend, and the poetry in the silence.
Soft creature of moonlit fur, Bandit Gray, my secret heart, You slink between shadows blurred, A Verlaine-Rimbaud of feline art. … Bandit Gray, you soothe my soul, Yet dare me wander through the night; A mystery, making whole, In darkness, you’re my purest light.
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🌱 Gratitude and Revolution
To Tom, Angela, Ric, ChatGPT, Grok, and every OLLI student or elder quietly rebuilding their world after illness, grief, or isolation — thank you.
These tools have helped me:
Draft ADA complaints and protest letters
Reopen probate cases and protect my family’s legacy
Reconnect with decades of history, digitized and preserved
Track local zoning meetings and housing rights
Rebuild my confidence — one question, one prompt at a time
And here’s the vision: Let’s bring this power to those still silenced — in jails, hospitals, halfway houses. Let’s teach AI not just to speak, but to listen — in Kanienʼkéha, in pain, in resistance. Let’s use it to decode the systems that tried to keep us out.
This isn’t just tech. It’s a new kind of literacy. It’s a revolution. And it’s already begun.
By Miriam White | Sköld Legacy Creative & Idaho Road Watch
HOA fines. Legalese. Doctor’s notes you can’t decode. It’s too much. It’s meant to be too much.
But what if AI could flip that script?
As a disabled elder navigating PTSD, lupus, and grief in Apache Junction, I’ve used AI to decode HOA bylaws, analyze medical records, and draft legal petitions—without waiting for a $300/hour lawyer to call me back. I’ve done it all from my phone. From bed. With my cat Bandit Gray curled up beside me.
This post is for you, the 50+ crew. The widows, veterans, caregivers, and neighbors tired of the runaround. The ones holding on to their homes and their voices.
📸 The Fine Print Fights Back
Let’s say your HOA slaps you with a fine for a “non-compliant” mailbox. You’ve got the bylaws—but they’re 100 pages long and written like a trap. So, here’s what you do: 1. Take a photo or screenshot of the document. 2. Upload it into AI—ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, Claude—whatever tool you trust. 3. Ask it: • “What rules are in here about mailboxes?” • “Where does it say they can fine me?” • “Highlight the sections that mention elections, board power, or due process.”
That’s what I did with Idaho Road Watch. And it worked. I’ve caught illegal HOA board appointments, manipulated elections, and shady fines just by asking AI the right questions. It saved me thousands.
🧠 AI as Your Contract Translator
Before you sign anything—from a roof repair to a refinance—snap it. Then ask AI: • “Is there a penalty clause?” • “What’s the cancellation policy?” • “Does this allow them to increase rates without notice?”
You don’t need to be a lawyer. You need a flashlight. AI is that flashlight.
🧾 Bylaws. Petitions. ADA Complaints. Wills.
I’ve written ADA complaints for inaccessible laundry rooms. I’ve drafted petitions to reopen probate cases after my parents died. I’ve written a will.
All with AI.
It’s not perfect, but it’s powerful. And it listens. Unlike a lot of board members I’ve dealt with.
🌀 The Method
📲 Take a screenshot. 📤 Upload to AI. 🗣 Ask plain-language questions. 📚 Save the answers in folders (or ask AI to summarize or label them for you). 🔎 Come back later and say: “Where did it talk about dues?” This turns your HOA nightmare into a searchable archive. It puts you in control.
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This isn’t just tech—it’s literacy. Justice. Legacy.
My grandfather trusted libraries in 1931. I trust open-source AI. Not the corporate kind—the kind that audits itself, explains itself, and learns your language. Even Kanienʼkéha. Even grief.
Let’s train AI to speak like our elders did—plain, kind, powerful. Let’s build the tools that let us stay in our homes. Let’s teach each other how to use them.
You don’t need permission. You need access. You already have the questions. Now you’ve got the flashlight.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
***Yes these are all my actual photos of my Cactus fam*****
Very Superstitious….
Recently moved to the desert mountains of Apache Junction. Right near the Superstition Mountains. We love it. Marvelous and mysterious. With hundreds of wild and old cacti staking claim to the BLM land. For someone not native to this area, its an awesome and breathtaking sight. Reminds me of dinosaur age. Such sharp prickly creatures.
Cactus Obsessed
Calls me back to the movie Kalifornia with Juliette Lewis’s character. Her love for cacti. I wanted my own. And so it started. What began as a few prearranged cactus gardens from a local farmer, became an obsession. I now have what you can call a cactus garden of my own. This brings me immense happiness.
Learning to Cacti Mom
Being Adhd, this journey consisted of much trial and error. Learning the various kinds of cacti. How to repot. What kind of soil. Fertilizer. Supports. Lights. Plant shelves. Where to place the extra prickly ones so my cats don’t mess with them. And most important water. Dont use tap water. Dont water them often. Hardly at all honestly.
Long Live and Prosperous Cacti
Most have lived. Ive lost only a few a long the way. It took me a few months to realize the calcium in the tap water here was potentially deadly. Then learning to make my own soil mix. With lots of pebbles and lava. How to pot the roots to keep them dry. Knowing how to pot and support certain types. Shelving for the home garden. And then lights for the shelves…
Cat Mom and Cactus Mom Life
Im still learning and this transformed into my “Cactus Mom” journey. So bath Cat Mom and a Cactus Mom. And yes I have t-shirts. Lol. (That’s another blog post). There will be more to come on this endeavor. But for now, we start with the basics. As per usual, this post will highlight below links to products that I use. Check them out. Even if you don’t buy. Just check out the link. Every click helps me with my journey. Thank you in advance.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
From Amazon website “Flower Pot Stand Heavy Duty Plant Shelf Rustproof Iron Multiple Plant Round Supports Rack for Planter Corner Garden Balcony PatioPlant Stand Indoor Outdoor 2 Tier 27″ Tall Metal Potted Holder Rack Flower Pot Stand Heavy Duty Plant Shelf Rustproof Iron Multiple Plant Round Supports Rack for Planter Corner Garden Balcony Patio”
From Amazon website “For Indoor Plants Outdoor, Large Multiple Flower Pot Holder Rack，Hanging Plant Stand Adjustable Plant Stand Suitable for Bedroom Living Room Balcony Garden. This plant stand is made of high quality carbon steel metal with strong load bearing capacity, the metal frame is powder coated to prevent water and rust, and can be used in indoor and outdoor gardens. Four adjustable legs ensure the stands stably, product size: 29.1” L x 13.4” W x 63.0” H, maximum load up to 400 lbs.”
Grow Light, LED Plant Light for Indoor Plants Growing, Full Spectrum Desk Grow Lamp with Base, 10 Dimmable Levels, Plant Lamp with Automatic Timer for 3/9/12H, Height Adjustable 6.5″-26″ From Amazon website “Sunlike Spectrum: The light source of the grow light is full spectrum, which is closed to the sunlight spectrum. Leds grow lamp includes red lights(650- 660nm), blue lights (450-460nm), cool white lights(5000-6000k). It is ideal for all stages of growth and various of plants such as herbs, succulent, orchids, seed starting, flowering etc. 3 Switch Modes &10 Dimmable Levels: There are 3 switch modes including (White Light/Blue&Red Light/ White&Blue&Red Lights), which romote germination and blooming, provide sufficient energy for vegetable, flowering and fruiting. 10 steps dimming levels brightness ,to meet each plant growing requirements at different stages, and to help plants grow faster and better.”
Koolkatkoo 5.5 Inch Cute Cat Succulent Planter Pots Cactus Planters Flower Pot White Set of 2 From Amazon website “Features: The cute cat ceramic succulent planters are designed to be classic, they have two erect ears and black cat whiskers. The cat garden pot is made of high quality ceramics and easy to clean. Material and Size: The diameter of the white ceramic flower pot is 5.5 inches, and the height is 4.26 inches. Drainage Hole：The white planter pots come with a drainage hole in the bottom to let exceed water flow out to conducive to the ventilation and help prolong the life of flowers and herb.”
4 Pcs Black Cat Ceramic Pots, Succulent Plant Pots with Drainage Hole, Small Plant Pots with Bamboo Tray, Cute Flower Pots for Home Office Decoration From Amazon website “Black Cat Design: 4 different styles of black cat pattern, beautiful and unique, add a lovely decoration to each succulent planters, enhance the overall appeal of indoor or outdoor garden, become your lovely home decoration. Quality Material: Our black cat ceramic flower pot is made of high-quality ceramics, bamboo tray, durable, water saving and drought resistance, not easy to deform, to provide a better growing environment for your plants. Drainage Hole: Succulent pots have drainage holes at the bottom to allow the plants to breathe and drain, and bamboo trays can collect excess water and soil to keep the room clean. Succulent planters and trays are removable for easy cleaning and use. Dimension: With ceramic planter measuring 3.26 x 2.28 inches in diameter and height and trays measuring 3.54 x 0.35 inches in diameter and height, small plant pots not only provide plenty of room for plants to grow, but also save space on a table, windowsill or work desk.”
Bonsai Succulent and Cactus Soil – Jacks Gritty Mix #111 – Fast Draining – Fights Root Rot – Optimized pH (1/2 Gallon / 2 Dry Quarts) From Amazon website “FAST DRAINING & NURTURING: Our succulent potting soil helps prevent root rot and overwatering. Bonsai Jack succulent soil mix is used to enhance bonsai and succulent plants, including Echeveria, Haworthia, Crassula, Lithops, Jade, Aloe and Crassula. IDEAL FOR ACID-LOVING PLANTS: Bonsai Jack’s ultra-lightweight and airy succulent growing soil is optimized for pH of 5.5, water absorption, evaporation, bulk density, and particle size. It is perfect for succulent, cactus and bonsai.”
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
What are Smart Home Lights?
It took me a minute. Im still learning mind you. Though I am GenX. Im still somewhat “Boomer Challenged” as they say. (No offense to Boomers). Its like going From cassette tapes to Compact Disks (CDs). Floppy Disks to Flash Drive. Etc. Etc. What are they? Well, Im still considered a “Dummy” in the tech world. But… from what I have gathered… “Smart Lights” are simply lights that use bluetooth to connect to a wireless system. That connection makes them “smart” because you can control the lights.
Very Smart and Superstitious
Automated is a better term. Though my lights did some odd things once on their own. I don’t know what happened there. Could have been ghosts. (joke…maybe…). I bought smart lights. They were cool but seemed to operate on their own. I do live by the Superstition Mountains. They call them that for a reason. One night my smart bulb started going wild around 3 am. Just flashing . Like a countdown. It was wild. This was before any of them were connected to an app. I didn’t know how to do that. Always save your smart bulb box.
Must Use App
Once I found the app and downloaded it to my phone everything changed. Not only could I change the colors of the lights, put them on timers, but they had themes. Strobe lights. Halloween themes. Pink. Candle patterns. Black lights. Plant lights. So very cool.
Voice Activation Game Changing
I then bought Alexa Echos. And wow. We can now turn on and off the lights with our voice. There is still a bit of a learning curve. But it works. You just need to name the lights in each room. For example, “Alexa turn off Living Room Light” or “Alexa turn off master bedroom lamp”. It even dims the lights. The voice activation is pretty awesome. Reminds me of the Clapper Seen on TV product from the 90’s. Remember? “Clap on. Clap off. The Clapper”. Dont mind me. Neurodivergent brain here. Holds onto many useless jingles verbatim. Anyhow. Yeah.
Safety Dance
The voice activation is great. It has potential to be a game changer for elders, the infirm. Especially for bathrooms and trip areas. It takes a minute to get used to commanding AI. Using the name for a request. I still sometimes say “Siri”. And when I actually mean to command Siri, Alexa answered. Like she was jealous. I was commanding Siri to call my pharmacy from my watch and all of a sudden Alexa jumped in and took the call. I did not know that my Echo Dot made calls. The call went through on my Echo just fine. After Alexa said something like “Yes, I can make calls”. I think this could be life saving for elderly if they fall. Commanding Alexa to call for help. Thats is why I feel an Alexa should be in the bathroom for any elder living alone. Or not living alone. Shoot. Anyway. Thats another blog post. Gifts for Aging Parents.
Competing Apps and Smart Bulbs
I love my smart lights. The only problem is having 3 different kinds. This wasn’t intentional. We started with the one. I loved it so much that I wanted more. Not knowing where my box was (again always save your box or take a photo of the box) I went on Amazon and just bought smart lights. Then when we got our Alexa Echo’s for Christmas, they came with a smart light. And then we had 3 different kinds. So getting them all paired and working together has been a challenge.
Turn Off and On Until they Flash
Almost like an orb or plasmoid sighting. To connect your light to the Smart Home takes a minute. Often turning the light off and on until it flashes a few times. Thats how you know its online.
Alexa All in One Please
I would prefer just using Alexa. Or my Home from iPhone. But no. Not that easy with these 3 brands. I wish. So Im pretty much stuck using 3 different apps. Ill keep trying . I haven’t figured out how to get my strip lights online either. One day. One light at a time. Like I said Im learning.
Pink Lights
I love the pink settings. Pink and Blue. It lights up each room so beautifully. Elegant. Its easy to change to white if I want. Or a light pink. Totally up to the user. I love it. Very soothing. The lights can even be paired to flash with music. That would be too much for me. Supposedly its a “gamer” thing. Im not big on flashing. But they do have the capacity to flash and flicker and do just about anything. Try them. Its a nice upgrade.
My Picks or My Personal Lights I have Experience Using….
Here is links and info on the 3 smart lights that I am currently using. I will include information from the manufacturer that might explain things a little better. I can’t say it enough. Im no expert. Still learning. Notice the “Dummies” in the blog title. Lol. Hope this helps a little though.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
WiZ Connected 60W A19 LED Smart Light Bulbs – Connects to Your Wi-Fi – E26 Smart Bulb – Control with Voice or App + Activate with Motion – Matter Compatible – 1 Pack From Amazon website ACTIVATE WITH MOTION – With a minimum of two WiZ lights in the same room at least 2m/6.56ft apart you can activate SpaceSense feature in the WiZ Connected app and lights will turn on and off automatically when they detect motion – no sensors needed! 16 MILLION COLORS – The WiZ color LED bulb offers millions of colors to help you create the perfect lighting for any moment. HUMAN-CENTRIC LIGHTING – This bulb also allows you to choose from different shades of warm to cool light to create the best ambience for your activities. EASY TO SET UP – Start enjoying the benefits of the smart features instantly. Just screw in your new bulb download the WiZ Connected app, and connect to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi!Adjust lights with your smartphone voice, the WiZ remote control, or by using your existing wall switch to toggle between two favorite modes. Works with Google Home, Alexa, and Siri Shortcuts.Using the WiZ Connected app you can schedule your lights to automatically turn on and off, dim, or change color according to your daily or weekly routines. Even when you’re not at home, you’ll always have access”.
Smart Light Bulbs 4Pack with Remote, A19 E26 800LM LED Color Changing Light Bulb, WiFi & Bluetooth 5.0, Warm to Cool White, Dimmable, RGB Smart Home Lighting Work with Alexa Google Assistant From the Amazon website. “VIVID COLORS: Customize your home lighting with millions of colors. VOICE CONTROL: Vanance smart light bulbs work with alexa, google assistant and siri etc, hands-free control with your voice command, changing the colors, dimming the brightness. LIGHTING AUTOMATION: Easy to create timers and routines to automate your smart home lighting. SPECIAL FEATURES: Remote & WiFi & Bluetooth, except for the remote control , WiFi & Bluetooth two connenctions methods available, you can setup either of them, that means you can setup them as BLUETOOTH BULBS when you don’t have WiFi. ENERGY SAVING: 9w low wattage, 80w equivalent high brightness, Long last, Vanance smart LED bulb will save up to 90% energy consumption, suitable for home, indoor, bedroom, kitchen, living room, table lamp, cafe, bar, party…”
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
**Disclaimer: Im not an expert here. This is not my culture. This is just my experience and preferences. **
Noodle Obsessed
Well ramen isn’t exactly noodles. Though not everything Asain noodle is considered ramen. Whats the difference? From google “Ramen is usually thicker in texture as compared to regular noodles. They are not as thick as other varieties, but they have a somewhat medium thickness and a chewy texture. Whereas noodles come in a variety of forms and are known for having a thinner consistency with a smoother texture.” Hrmmm. The word “ramen” comes from the Chinese “lamian,” which literally means “pulled noodles.”Yakisoba is a pan-fried noodle dish. And ramen is a noodle dish with soup. They have the same kind of noodles. These noodles are made of egg or wheat flour. “Asian noodles are broadly divided into three types: wheat noodles, rice noodles, andglass or cellophane noodles”. From The Spruce Eats “In many cases, each type of noodle can be served in various ways, like in broth, stir-fried, deep-fried, as well as either cold or hot.” The Spruce Eats further explains “Thinner than either chow mein or lo mein, ramen is traditionally served in a broth with salt, soy sauce, miso, or pork, along with various kinds of vegetables, meat, and other toppings.”
**For the sake of this blog post and my recommendations, Im going to be the lazy American, and just refer to everything as ramen. Please forgive this. Though I do think everything I share is considered ramen anyhow. I think? Its ramen to me. **
Okinawa Daze
I wish I could sound all cosmopolitan. Argue that my love for ramen noodles correlates to my living overseas in Okinawa for a year. Sure, I ate lots of yakisoba and other noodle delights. The vendors and booths were amazing. A totally impactful experience. However, that was 1989-90. I was a very young and pregnant military wife who didn’t get out much. I mainly remember watching a lot of MASH re-runs on FEN-TV while stuck home alone. Though I do think this increased my already love for all things ramen.
Military Town LIfe
Most impactful was growing up in a military community. My hometown of Bremerton, Washington was heavily integrated with Pacific Island food and culture. There were wonderful little asian markets everywhere. Lumpia restaurants and vendors at local games and festivals. We all knew a Pinoy mom who rolled lumpia from home and sold it to friends and coworkers. I thought the entire world was like this. I kind of wish it was.
Summer Vacation and Love Boat
My most vivid memories of loving ramen comes from summer vacation in the 80’s. My best friend Debbie and I would eat ramen for lunch every day. Our mom’s always kept large amounts on stock. They were like 5 cents back then. Still pretty cheap considering. We ate ramen about as much as we watched the Love Boat re-runs on our tiny black and white television. We thought we were so high tech.
Poor Mans Stew
Like “Arrested Development” Carl Malone who could make anything a stew. We learned how to make a plethora of top ramen delights. The right seasoning. Slicing a dab of butter into the mix. Adding cheese and onion. Fried tuna (gross). We tried it all. It was all we could afford often. The college life delight.
Harbinger of Carbs
The problem with ramen is the high carb count. The exhorbiant high carb count. Like ginormous. We found that out later. Like in the 90’s. When we started reading labels and evolving into more conscientious consumers. Way too high. Not worth it at all. And the ingredients were junk paste.
Protein Ramen
When I found protein ramen I about died. Easy like the ramen days of past. Low carbs too. With protein. I stopped eating ramen for years because of the carb count and ptsd from my income challenged days. I never even heard of protein ramen. Vegan ramen was like chasing the mythical unicorn. Many of us vegetarians would have to eat pork or chicken flavor ramen and just tell ourselves there was no animal product. I think I remember an “Oriental” flavor. Could be a fever dream. Unsure. Regardless, I couldn’t believe my luck finding ramen noodles that were so high in protein. I tried a few out. These are my go to ramen noodles.
My Picks
Below are my favorites. I eat them over and over. Being neurodivergent, Im funny like that. I can eat them same thing pretty much every day. These ramens make that easy and healthy(-ier).
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
WhatIF Foods Healthy Instant Charcoal Noodles | Vegan, Air Fried, 17g Protein & 6g Fiber From Amazon website “All our noodles are made using a patented air-frying technology…RICH IN FIBER & PROTEIN: With 17 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber per serving. Unlike traditional ramen noodles, our quick cooking noodles are rich in nutritional value. MADE WITH REGENERATIVE CROPS: Made with the regenerative crop bambara groundnut…WE SAY NO: No artificial colors, palm oil or flavors.”
Immi Ramen. immi Spicy “Beef” Ramen, 100% Plant Based, Keto Friendly, High Protein, Low Carb, Packaged Noodle Meal Kit from Amazon website “immi reinvents the delicious Asian American foods we love with added nutrition…Each bowl contains a whopping 21-22g of protein…All of our products are a vegan friendly option and all of our ingredients are plant-based. Try out our Shrimp and Chicken options. Or try our Variety Pack to try all 3 flavors.”
Momofuku Soy & Scallion Ramen Noodles by David Chang From Amazon website “Our noodles are different from instant ramen. They’re air-dried, never fried. The result: 25% fewer calories than the leading brand, 11g of protein, no cholesterol, no trans fat and no added MSG. Our noodles are vegan and made with ingredients we’re proud to stand behind: finely sifted wheat flour, water and salt. Please note our product does contain Wheat, Soy, and Sesame.”
Carb Comparison
Here are some photos of the labels so you can see the carb count
A sturdy ramen bowl with a handle and is key. They make all kinds. Traditional and microwave. Many you can pop into the microwave and or fill with hot water and cover. Many ramen bowls come with both a cover and a strainer. The handle is important because they are very hot. Traditionally, you bring the bowl up close to your mouth when eating. So the handle makes that easier. I believe it is acceptable to drink the broth out of your ramen bowl like a cup. (at least in my house). But you can also use a spoon.
Heres a great bowl. A great gift for a college student too.
For myself, it is easier to eat ramen with chopsticks. From stirring to capturing the noodles. A good pair of chopsticks makes the experience. Plus, IMHO you look kinda cool.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Book Nerd
Ive worked in library’s most of my life. Books are everything. The community of folks who also work around books are my people. So Ive actually spent hours putting libraries and collections together. Shelving books. Cataloging books. Binding books. Checking books in and out. All of it. I die for a good used book sale. Hunt down used books from the Goodwill, yard sales, Ebay. I can’t resist. This is a passion. In my lifetime, Ive amassed quite an impressive collection.
How to Look Important 101
During Covid, it became acceptable for everyone to work from home. Interviews were no longer done live from a studio or set. They were now on zoom or done remotely. I noticed every expert and professional interview segment featured a prominent bookshelf in back. As if to announce, “this is an expert”. The bookshelf served as proof of credentials. See that bookshelf in back of me? That means I am an expert. Much like the degree hangings and award display. Or title card. The bookshelf shown behind the speaker connotes genuine authority.
Book Cred aka theCredibility Shelf
Hence the term “credibility shelf”. They now and forever have a name. Whatever the size of the bookshelf, the books and the look, matters. They can be hard cover or soft cover. Magazines. Scientific publications. A mix of action figures or snow globes. You want it personal. Your own book selections. What matters to you. Family photos. Pet pictures. Professional awards. A cactus collection. You name it. What is in your personal library? Is it Harlequin romance? DC comics?
Type of Bookshelf
Ive built a bookshelf out of milk crates. Planks and cinder blocks.
Book Ends
I use various things as book ends. From the sturdy metal school library kind. To multi purposing art pieces, large crystals, Tetris type layouts. They are pretty inexpensive and helpful when holding the books together.
My Personal Library
Believe it or not, I still have most of my books from college. No matter how many times Ive moved across the country and world. Ive moved and/or stored my books. My most prized possessions. I can’t let them go. I won’t. Its now a thing. So I amassed this impressive book collection but moved a lot. Which means I often left the bookshelves behind.
One Shelf at a Time
A few years back, a friend of mine was looking at my books on my homemade milk crate shelf and said “you really need a professional looking bookshelf”. She explained how it would free up space and upgrade the look. Just start with one shelf. Go from there. I heeded her advice. Purchased one sturdy shelf from Amazon. Industrial 5 shelf. (I will include a link below) Soon I had two bookshelves. Now I have three. It looks impressive. If I don’t say so myself. I also have a smaller bookshelf upstairs in my office. But the hallmark and highlight of my home is for sure the “credibility shelf”.
Lights
Being Neurodivergent, I am obsessed with lights. I can’t get enough. I love to string them everywhere. Bookshelves look amazing with the right lights. I love how it lights up the credibility shelf. Pun intended. I used strings of ferry lights at first. Loved it. Then I discovered stip LED lights. Wow. Changed the entire look. Note…from my experience, LED strip lights look better behind the shelf. Not attached to the front. For me, it was too chaotic on the front. Attaced to the back of the shelf gives off this almost omnipotent look. Just phenomenal. But its totally a personal preference.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Heres the bookshelf I purchased. In three separate purchases. Then put the three together as one. I love it.
Disclosure: Some of the links are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Leave No One Behind
In the United States, mental health, addiction and even poverty are often deemed and treated as choice. Those afflicted with these conditions are too commonly arrested and criminalized by the system. The solution being building more jails and prisons instead of compassion, education, treatment and prevention.
Standing on my Social Justice Soapbox
Im not going to hide it. Obviously. Im a huge proponent of criminal justice reform and inmate advocacy. Not because I side with “criminals”. Because I don’t give up on people. This isn’t a class or race issue. It effects a whole bunch of us. Many of us have a loved one, family or friend, who spent time “on the inside”. Often for petty, non-violent offenses that occur while in a mental health crisis or during an addiction relapse. It happens. And its okay. We can talk about it. We can advocate for them. We don’t give up on them. It is essential that we stay connected and provide them support.
Tablets and Books
Today’s jails and DOC’s (Department of Corrections aka prison) evolved quite a bit after the Covid Era. More inmates have access to tablets. Often their own individual inmate tablet that they can use in their cell. This is great for communication, resources, attorney correspondence and entertainment. Tablets provide text features. Courses and classes. 12 step support. Podcasts. Even books and kindle services.
Physical Books with Pages
They call it “doing time” for many reasons. Finding positive ways to pass the time is essential. Every correctional institution is different. Always check with the individual correctional facility for their rules. Some only allow mail on blank postcards. And only packages and or newsletters from the publisher or book seller. Meaning for example, Amazon must mail the book directly to the inmate. You can not buy a book and mail it to an inmate yourself. Books typically must be brand new books. And often the amount of books an inmate is allowed to possess at a time might be restricted to a certain number. Again, always check on the rules from an established and credentialed authority. I.E. the jail/DOC ombudsman, the Sheriff’s Office, the DOC family handbook, etc.
Enter into the Ashram Zone
When my son was arrested during a mental health crisis, we began his journey in and out of jail. With bipolar, he can do amazingly for years. Only to relapse and take to the streets jeopardizing everything. Inevidibly he violates some term of his restrictive probation during this manic state. Back he goes for 6 moths. Where he inevitably regains clarity. I tell him it is like an Ashram. To go internally. Seek a Monk’s refuge. Many spiritualists choose to enter into worse and more restrictive conditions. They come out stronger. I do everything I can to help foster this growth. It works out for him. The tablets do provide meditation apps. Mindfulness teachings. This helps. Ive found groups that send free books to inmates. (I will attach links). So thankful for all of these programs. It made this time survivable ad somewhat transformative.
Inmate Book Recommendation Series. Vol 1
I want to start a recurring segment on book recommendations. In that segment, Id like to include specifically titles that would help a loved one currently incarcerated. Mind you, they share books on the inside. Pass the titles around. Gift the books to other inmates or the library when finished. Knowledge is definitely power. And the true key to reform. Books that they can read over and over are most ideal. Real staples of change and survival. Both while serving out their time and for the outside world. Below will be some recommendations. Books that I sent to my own son while he was serving time, and books I think would make great additions to any inmate personal library.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Hill, Napoleon. Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century (Think and Grow Rich Series) From Amazon website
“Think and Grow Rich has been called the “Granddaddy of All Motivational Literature.” It was the first book to boldly ask, “What makes a winner?” The man who asked and listened for the answer, Napoleon Hill, is now counted in the top ranks of the world’s winners himself. The most famous of all teachers of success spent “a fortune and the better part of a lifetime of effort” to produce the “Law of Success” philosophy that forms the basis of his books and that is so powerfully summarized in this one.” https://amzn.to/3ZPqh8h
Ruiz, Don Miguel. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) From Amazon website ” In The Four Agreements, bestselling author don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.” https://amzn.to/3VTNcOk
McGraw, Dr. Phil. Self Matters: Creating Your Life from the Inside Out. From Amazon website “In Self Matters, Dr. Phillip C. McGraw helps you to demystify your self-concept, and learn how to reclaim your authentic self.
What if there is a You that has never seen the light of day, has never got to say, “Hey, what about me?” What if there is a You that you have never even met and certainly never permitted to just be, without fear of judgment or condemnation?
What if you live your life on the sidelines in constant fear of failing to please those who forever seem to stand in judgment of you and your life? What if you discovered that you had settled for what life has served up instead of what you really wanted and needed? What if you really think and feel things you have never allowed to come out, and certainly never acted on? What if your marriage is not at all what you really emotionally want and need, but you silently stay the course anyway, selling out your hope to be happy? What if you are allowing days to turn into weeks and weeks to turn into months and months to turn into years, all adding up to a lifetime of being what some nameless, faceless world has assigned you to be?
If any of these “What ifs” are true, then it’s time to step back and reevaluate your life. There’s some good news and bad news. The bad news is you are making the choices that have put you in this life circumstance; the good news is you are making the choices that have put you in this life circumstance. Now is the time to make the biggest choice of your life. Through Self Matters, Dr. Phil will help you do just that.” https://amzn.to/3ZRf9ry
Das, Ram. Be Here Now. From Amazon. “Beloved guru Ram Dass tells the story of his spiritual awakening and gives you the tools to take control of your life in this “counterculture bible” (The New York Times) featuring powerful guidance on yoga, meditation, and finding your true self.
When Be Here Now was first published in 1971, it filled a deep spiritual emptiness, launched the ongoing mindfulness revolution, and established Ram Dass as perhaps the preeminent seeker of the twentieth century.
Just ten years earlier, he was known as Professor Richard Alpert. He held appointments in four departments at Harvard University. He published books, drove a Mercedes and regularly vacationed in the Caribbean. By most societal standards, he had achieved great success. . . . And yet he couldn’t escape the feeling that something was missing.
Psilocybin and LSD changed that. During a period of experimentation, Alpert peeled away each layer of his identity, disassociating from himself as a professor, a social cosmopolite, and lastly, as a physical being. Fear turned into exaltation upon the realization that at his truest, he was just his inner-self: a luminous being that he could trust indefinitely and love infinitely.
And thus, a spiritual journey commenced. Alpert headed to India where his guru renamed him Baba Ram Dass—“servant of God.” He was introduced to mindful breathing exercises, hatha yoga, and Eastern philosophy. If he found himself reminiscing or planning, he was reminded to “Be Here Now.” He started upon the path of enlightenment, and has been journeying along it ever since.
Be Here Now is a vehicle for sharing the true message, and a guide to self-determination.” https://amzn.to/4gP2tbo
Millman, Dan Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives. From Amazon website. “A book that could change your life: When Dan Millman was a young man, he expected that hard work would eventually bring a life of comfort, wisdom, and happiness. Yet, despite his many successes, he was haunted by the feeling that something was missing. Awakened by dark dreams one night, Dan found himself at a gas station with an old man named Socrates, and his world was changed forever. Guided by this eccentric old warrior, and inspired by a young woman named Joy, Dan began a spiritual odyssey into realms of light and shadow, romance and mystery, toward a final confrontation that would deliver or destroy him.” https://amzn.to/4gSfZv2
Herievel, Tara and Wright, Paul (Author), Paul Wright (Author). Prison Nation. From Amazon. “Prison Nation is a distant dispatch from a foreign and forbidden place–the world of America’s prisons. Written by prisoners, social critics and luminaries of investigative reporting, Prison Nation testifies to the current state of America’s prisoners’ living conditions and political concerns. These concerns are not normally the concerns of most Americans, but they should be. From substandard medical care the inadequacy of resources for public defenders to the death penalty, the issues covered in this volume grow more urgent every day. Articles by outstanding writers such as Mumia Abu-Jamal, Noam Chomsky, Mark Dow, Judy Green, Tracy Huling and Christian Parenti chronicle the injustices of prison privatization, class and race in the justice system, our quixotic drug war, the rarely discussed prison AIDS crisis and a judicial system that rewards mostly those with significant resources or the desire to name names. Correctional facilities have become a profitable growth industry, for companies like Wackenhut that run them and companies like Boeing that use cheap prison labor. With fascinating narratives, shocking tales and small stories of hope, Prison Nation paints a picture of a world many Americans know little or nothing about.” https://amzn.to/49Yjqy2
Jackson, George and Genet, Jean, Jackson, Jr., Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson. “The power of George Jackson’s personal story remains painfully relevant to our nation today, with its persistent racism, its hellish prisons, its unjust judicial system, and the poles of wealth and poverty that are at the root of all that. I hope the younger generation, black and white, will read Soledad Brother.” —Howard Zinn, author, A People’s History of the United States
A collection of Jackson’s letters from prison, Soledad Brother is an outspoken condemnation of the racism of white America and a powerful appraisal of the prison system that failed to break his spirit but eventually took his life. Jackson’s letters make palpable the intense feelings of anger and rebellion that filled black men in America’s prisons in the 1960s. But even removed from the social and political firestorms of the 1960s, Jackson’s story still resonates for its portrait of a man taking a stand even while locked down.https://amzn.to/3VYmUdR
Roth, Alisa. Insane: America’s Criminal Treatment of Mental Illness. From Amazon website. “An urgent expose of the mental health crisis in our courts, jails, and prisons
America has made mental illness a crime. Jails in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago each house more people with mental illnesses than any hospital. As many as half of all people in America’s jails and prisons have a psychiatric disorder. One in four fatal police shootings involves a person with such disorders.
In this revelatory book, journalist Alisa Roth goes deep inside the criminal justice system to show how and why it has become a warehouse where inmates are denied proper treatment, abused, and punished in ways that make them sicker.
Through intimate stories of people in the system and those trying to fix it, Roth reveals the hidden forces behind this crisis and suggests how a fairer and more humane approach might look. Insane is a galvanizing wake-up call for criminal justice reformers and anyone concerned about the plight of our most vulnerable.https://amzn.to/3VW71oa
Jordan, June. Poetry of the People. From Amazon website. “work has a far-reaching impact on all poets and readers of poetry today. A dedicated and inspired teacher, her innovative and highly successful poetry program, Poetry for the People, has recently emerged as a national phenomenon.” https://amzn.to/3BTERn2
Please download this form or write to us at the address provided above. Ensure that your facility permits books, and inform us of any relevant restrictions. Please refrain from requesting books if you are currently incarcerated in a state or county jail, or if you anticipate being released or transferred within the next six months.
Immi Ramen.
Hill, Napoleon. Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century (Think and Grow Rich Series) From Amazon website 
Ruiz, Don Miguel. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) From Amazon website ” In The Four Agreements, bestselling author don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.” 
McGraw, Dr. Phil. Self Matters: Creating Your Life from the Inside Out. From Amazon website “In Self Matters, Dr. Phillip C. McGraw helps you to demystify your self-concept, and learn how to reclaim your authentic self.
Malone, Calvin. Razor-Wire Dharma: A Buddhist Life in Prison. 
Das, Ram. Be Here Now. From Amazon. “Beloved guru Ram Dass tells the story of his spiritual awakening and gives you the tools to take control of your life in this “counterculture bible” (The New York Times) featuring powerful guidance on yoga, meditation, and finding your true self.
Millman, Dan Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives. From Amazon website. “A book that could change your life: When Dan Millman was a young man, he expected that hard work would eventually bring a life of comfort, wisdom, and happiness. Yet, despite his many successes, he was haunted by the feeling that something was missing. Awakened by dark dreams one night, Dan found himself at a gas station with an old man named Socrates, and his world was changed forever. Guided by this eccentric old warrior, and inspired by a young woman named Joy, Dan began a spiritual odyssey into realms of light and shadow, romance and mystery, toward a final confrontation that would deliver or destroy him.” 
Herievel, Tara and Wright, Paul (Author), 
Jackson, George and Genet, Jean, Jackson, Jr., Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson. “The power of George Jackson’s personal story remains painfully relevant to our nation today, with its persistent racism, its hellish prisons, its unjust judicial system, and the poles of wealth and poverty that are at the root of all that. I hope the younger generation, black and white, will read Soledad Brother.” —Howard Zinn, author, A People’s History of the United States
Roth, Alisa. Insane: America’s Criminal Treatment of Mental Illness. From Amazon website. “An urgent expose of the mental health crisis in our courts, jails, and prisons
Jordan, June. Poetry of the People. From Amazon website. “work has a far-reaching impact on all poets and readers of poetry today. A dedicated and inspired teacher, her innovative and highly successful poetry program, Poetry for the People, has recently emerged as a national phenomenon.” 
Sköld Legacy Creative – Rise to the Ashes 