The ultimate intimacy.

I wish I had a very keen mastery of language. The English language. It's the way I communicate. Not only with others. But with myself. My thoughts are put into words. Mostly English words. I know a little German. And a little French. But not well enough to communicate decently. And I'm gonna try to learn rudimentary Italian. But I'll never feel comfortable communicating in anything but English. It's far too late in life for me to master another language. And that's regrettable. Maybe the biggest regret of my life. Actually, I wish I did better with English. But I do well enough. To communicate decently. And I keep working at it. I'm trying to focus more and more on the language of love. Expressions of love. To be able to put my love emotions into words. Meaningful words. I think of myself as a romantic idealist. And a lover. But to achieve that lofty status, I need to find the right words. So that I can reach at least one other human being with my words. Love is best expressed directly to another isolated soul. In so very many ways. But certainly with words. I want to some day make my words the ultimate intimacy. --Jim Broede

Really, I live for love.

It's too easy for people to not talk to each other. Or for that matter, to not listen to each other. I suspect that's the major reason why marriages and relationships break up. There's no significant communication. A couple might live together. But that's all they do. Go through the motions. Sometimes, I'm accused of talking too much. Asking too many questions. Making too many observations. But I gotta admit, I have to. I'm compelled. Out of curiosity. But also, because I care to know what makes people tick. Especially if it's someone I'm living with. A sweetheart. A love. I believe that love has to be rekindled. Constantly. On a daily basis. One must keep the flame alive. That's why I'm in love with words. Meaningful words. Why I try to write and speak love letters. I'm pleasantly preoccupied with thoughts of love. I explore the concept of love. In practical and philosophical and romantic ways. Really, I live for love. --Jim Broede

We never got proper schoolin'.

California spends more on its prison system than on its schools. That statistic caught my attention today. And it says a lot about America. And about our priorities. Remember reading somewhere that the USA leads the world in the number of people that we incarcerate. And that it costs far more to keep someone in prison than it does to send 'em to school. Doesn't seem to make sense, does it? But we keep doing the same dumb stuff. Over and over and over. Makes me wonder why. And I keep coming to the same conclusion. We're just plain stupid. We never got proper schoolin'. --Jim Broede

Not an easy choice for everyone.

Good health. And love and romance. I suppose that's what I want. First and foremost. The other material stuff is nice. But not as nice as good health and love and romance. Only then do I feel I've lived. The real test is if you are willing to give up all the rest. For good health and love and romance. Many a woman, I suspect, would not make the trade. They want the security and the material things before they want love and romance. Of course, they'd rather have it all. Everything. --Jim Broede

As long as I am able...

In some respects, my beloved girlfriend doesn't know how lucky she is to live in Italy. And I don't know how lucky I am to live in the USA. Both places can be Paradise. Depending on how one lives. And one's attitude. I suspect that I think of Italy in a more romantic way than she. Because to me, it's quite different. Exotic. An interesting change of pace. A different culture. And she probably looks at the USA in a similar way. That's why we are good for each other. We give each other the opportunity to see and learn about our native lands. We bring newness into each other's lives. And balance. And curiosity. And not least, love. Romance. The good life. Little wonder that I am able to adjust to life in a somewhat hostile world. I don't particularly like the political, economic and social systems. But hey, I can tolerate 'em. As long as I am able to pursue love and romance. --Jim Broede

I forge ahead.

Negativity reigns. I see it all over. In politics. In social realms. In almost all aspects of life. That seems to be the mood of the day. Obstructionism. Defeatism. Stagnation. People tell me they are depressed. Unhappy. Out of love. Mad. Insane. Hopeless. But I refuse to be dragged down by it all. I'm still gonna be happy. And in love. There's no stopping me. As for all the negativity, I see it as funny. Stupid. Unacceptable. Doesn't stop me from being positive. I don't have to follow the crowd. I can take my own course. And choose to be happy. I'm not mad. Or angry. Because I do as I please. I forge ahead. And savor this very moment. This very thought. --Jim Broede

I'm happy in my limited world.

If Republicans take over congress. Or even the world. I refuse to panic. I will get on with my life as a romantic idealist, a spiritual free-thinker, a liberal and a lover. Yes, I'll focus on the important things. The pursuit of happiness. I can't be stopped. I'm bigger than the politicians and the powerbrokers. And the evil-doers. I'm able to survive. Because I control my mind. And my heart. That makes me free. Makes no sense to lament over the state of the world. Because I am a creator. Not god. But still with the ability and the capacity to create my own world within the god-created world. I think my world is more perfect than god's world. In that it's designed for me. Specifically. Some may call it a cocoon. Too small. Too limited. But it makes me happy. --Jim Broede