Water: How Much Do You Need

by Summer D Clemenson | Feb 17, 2026 | Fuel Your Wellness

This article was originally posted on WellnessWorksNW.com on 2/3/2026

About a month ago, Karen G Clemenson asked me to write about water. I was thinking, we’ve written about water. In the over 340 articles we have shared with you, we have certainly written about water. Haven’t we? Jamie Holloway and I talked about it at our writer’s meeting in January. Of course we had! But you know what? After I searched our site yesterday, there are no articles about water. Until now. So let’s talk about water. You’ve probably heard that we need 8 glasses of water a day and that might be correct. At least it is a good goal. But it might not be all. Water: How Much Do You Need? Water makes up to 50-70% of our body weight. Water is needed to:

Breathe
Improve blood flow
Carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells
Aide in digestion
Prevent constipation
Eliminate waste through urination, sweating and bowel movements
Maintain electrolyte (sodium) balance
Protect your kidneys
Boost skin appearance
Protect your teeth
Normalize blood pressure
Regulate body temperature
Lubricate and cushion joints
Protect sensitive tissues

Dehydration

When we don’t have enough water in our body, it is called dehydration. In even very mild cases of dehydration, our bodies are drained of energy and this is when we feel very fatigued. Warning signs of dehydration are:

Urine that is dark yellow in color
Urine has a strong odor
Weakness
Low blood pressure
Dizziness
Confusion
Dry Mouth
Fatigue
Muscle cramps
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Lethargy

On average 20% of our daily fluid intake can come from foods, especially like soups, fruits and vegetables, but the rest must come from beverage consumption.

An average sized woman needs about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluid every day.
An average sized man needs about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluid every day.

These numbers can vary depending on many factors:

Exercise & Movement – The more you sweat the more you need to replace the fluids you lose.
Environment – Dehydration can happen at high altitudes, not just when it is hot and humid.
Metabolism – If you have a fast metabolism and your body tends to use more fuel to keep going, it would be wise to add a couple more glasses of water to your intake every day.
Overall health – If you have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, a bladder or urinary tract infection or kidney stones, all of these conditions can affect your need for more fluids. Sometimes medications can cause you to need more fluids. On the other hand, certain health conditions such as thyroid disease or kidney, liver or heart problems, or if you are taking medications that cause you to retain water, like NSAIDS, some opiate pain meds and certain antidepressants, you should drink less water.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding – You are supporting more than one body so it might make sense that you would need more fluids.
Age – Older people sometimes don’t sense thirst like they once did and this can be a problem, especially if they are taking a medication that can cause fluid loss.
Size – The more you weight, the more water your body needs to handle the fluctuations throughout the day.
Alcohol consumption – Alcohol is a diuretic and it can make you become dehydrated. Before you have a drink, make sure to have a glass of water. Before you have another alcoholic beverage, have another glass of water. The more you replace your fluids, the less chance you have of being hung over the next day.

So what that comes down to is that a person really needs, alongside a well-balanced, diet with plenty of variety is about 4 to 6 cups of plain water, depending on how much coffee, tea, fruits (apple sauce) and vegetables they consume.

What if You Don’t Like Water?

I guess I am pretty lucky, I have always liked water. It’s a good thing too, because I was not given much of a choice growing up. Mom was not going to fill us full of sugar. We were the house with the whole grain bread, the tubs of yogurt and the fresh carrots for snacks. One of my friends always brought her own snacks when she came to my house. And if you look in my fridge, now, you are bound to find carrots and cottage cheese (I like cottage cheese better than yogurt) and water filters under the counter and on top of the counter. But if you can’t stand water, we live in a world with lots of options. I personally like to add 2 drops of Meta PWR from doTERRA to a liter of water (Contact Me if you want to learn more about Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils®). But there are a lot of drops you can add to your water. You can also add fresh fruit or lemon or lime juice. I love my decaf coffee with some organic half and half. I also enjoy several cups of herb tea every day. Occasionally I will have some almond milk or coconut water. I have tried soy, rice and hemp milk, they were not very enjoyable to me. I don’t care to drink cow’s milk and it tends to give me a tummy ache, which is another reason, I don’t drink it. I personally cannot take caffeine because of a medication I take. Which is why I drink decaf coffee. The positive part of that is that caffeine is a diuretic, which means you will have to drink a little more water to replace what you will lose ; I don’t have to do that. if you are enjoying regular coffee, you will have to drink a little more fluids somewhere in your day. The same goes with tea with caffeine in it, as well. Soda and juice (not to mention alcohol) are fluids but they are not the best choice because they are full of sugar and that will add to your waistline. The chemicals in sports drinks will also cause inflammation which causes pain (this is also the same for caffeine), so if pain is part of your life, you might want to try to get a nap in and drink more plain water in order to decrease your inflammation and have more energy. It is best to drink gradually throughout the day. Drink a beverage with each meal and with medicine. I hope this article helps you. If you have any questions please let me know. And drink up! If you are needing help creating a Wellness Plan that works for you, please Contact Wellness Works NW at 360-270-3880. Karen G Clemenson is a very caring and authentic person and she is looking forward to talking with you and helping you define your Wellness Goals and strategies. I hope this article answered questions you had and was easy to understand. If you would like us to write about a particular topic that you can’t find on this site, please send us an email on our Dear Jamie page and someone from Our Team will be glad to research and write about your topic.

Recipe for Sinus Blend for Diffuser: 35 Drops of each Oil

Recipe for Roll On Applicator: 10 Drops of each Oil and the rest Carrier Oil of your choice

Eucalyptus
Frankincense
Grapefruit
Lavender
Lemon
On Guard
Oregano
Peppermint
Rosemary
Ylang Ylang

Some of these oils could be considered redundant, however they are here to help make the mix smell better, I mean Oregano is pretty harsh on its own and Frankincense is not my favorite either. Plus when I don’t feel well, my blood pressure can be high because of stress, so who doesn’t like a little Ylang Ylang. The thing about making your own blends is that you can customize it your person needs.

If you have any questions please Contact Me.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

~

Constipation

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 7, 2026 | Chronic Illness, Essential Oils

I recently saw a question online about how someone could use Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils to help them with their constipation. The rules in the group would not let me answer the question the way I wanted so I thought I would answer it here.

Lifestyle is really important. You can’t just change one thing and keep doing unhealthy things and hope your problem will be solved. We are like an onion and all the layers are important.

Exercise

You don’t have to exercise a lot but you do need regular daily exercise that works for you. I do a 40 min anaerobic workout every day before I do anything else.

Fluids

No matter what you weigh all adults should be drinking at least 2 liters of water per day. If you are obese, than it should increase to a liter of fluids per 100 lbs per day. One fun note is that if you drink decaf coffee it counts as your fluids because caffeine causes inflammation and is a diuretic, when you drink the coffee that doesn’t have it in there, you get to count it is your fluids for the day. 🙂

Food

Americans generally eat too much. No matter what it is, if you are eating too much, you can clog up your digestive system. I have lost almost 100 lbs over the last 3 years. Most of it is because I have been diligent to drink a lot of water and tea and move regularly and eat a diet that is free from processed foods, fast foods and my meals have gotten much smaller.

I live in chronic pain so I literally cannot workout like my wife can, who needs a small meal about every 2 hours during the main part of the day. What works for her doesn’t work for me because she can walk 30,000 steps a day but I can usually only walk 1/2 a mile before I hurt too much. So I eat 2 small meals a day…

The clean plate rule does not apply in our house. I am a grown up and I know when my tummy is full. I stop eating when I am full. I can finish my plate later when I am hungry or give it to Karen G Clemenson, who has a faster metabolism and the ability to burn more calories than I do.

Oils

I do have IBS symptoms from fibromyalgia so I use a blend of oils nightly before bed. I call it my Gas Blend because I tend to get constipated and have trapped gas. This blend helps with both. In a roll on applicator bottle I use 10 drops each: Black Pepper, Ginger, Lavender, Zendocrine, Spearmint and DigestZen and the rest Fractionated Coconut oil.

I also put 2 drops in with a liter of water of MetaPWR each time I fill my water bottle.

I have been using Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils® since 2011, right alongside western medicine for my chronic illness and it has helped me have more peace in my mind and body. My doctors all know everything I use, which is what I recommend that you share with yours too.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

~

5 Books for December 2025

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 2, 2026 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

Technically the holidays are over, but I suggest you hold onto the joy and peace, that I hope you found while the lights were twinkling and you were making merry. This is where books, especially children’s books can make this easy. The stories are easy to digest and the bright colors and happiness is generally easier to find, even in heavier topics. This year, I hope you open more books.

Now without further ado here is 5 Books for December 2025:

Rainbow Soup by Brian P. Cleary

Rainbow Soup: Adventures in Poetry by Brian P. Cleary
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have written poetry since I was 9 years old. As much as I like writing poetry, I often don’t enjoy reading it. However, I did get some enjoyment from this children’s poetry and rhyme book. This book as 83 poems in it. It also includes notes and definitions of the different types of poems which I found interesting and inspiring. I also found the colorful blends of styles of art by Neal Layton to be fun and captivating.

I checked this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Rainbow Soup by Brian P. Cleary on Amazon.

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Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel

Balderdash!: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel is British Literature nonfiction history book that has great timing and this book about books is kind of interesting but I don’t know if children would sit through this biography. The illustrations by Nancy Carpenter make this children’s picture book beautiful.

I checked this book out at the Longview Public Libarary. You can get your own copy of Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel on Amazon.

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Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird

Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird is a great rhyming book. This children’s fiction picture book of fractured fairy tales has great humor, energy, and music. The illustrations that include animals, birds and nature by Andrea Tsurumi add great color and movement to the fun smashup of nursery rhymes to any story time.

I got this copy from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird on Amazon.

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Home by Matt de la Peña

Home by Matt de la Peña
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Home is poetry, a lullaby, memories and emotions with loved ones, experiences, the people that make our life better, things we can count on, love we hold onto when there seems to be nothing else. Home is made of family, friends, teachers, neighbors and nature. Home is where we make wishes, where we see miracles and where find ourselves. Home by Matt de la Peña is a contemporary brilliant fiction children’s story. this picture book is brought to life by the illustrations by Loren Long.

I got this copy from Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Home by Matt de la Peña on Amazon

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As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson

As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Toward Freedom by Richard Michelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel had very different lives, yet their differences also made them brothers. King was the son of a Black Baptist preacher in Southern United States, where there were separate stores, bathrooms, parks and drinking fountains for Black and White folks. Heschel was from Poland. His father was a Jewish Rabbi. Heschel came to the United States as World War II was going on and Jews were being persecuted and killed by the Nazi Regime. Both men followed in their father’s footsteps in religion because they understood that the way things are in social justice, is not how it has always been and eventually all people will live in harmony. King and Heschel wanted to be part of the change.

As King was encouraging and supporting people in the fight for civil rights, he was planning a march for voting rights in Alabama. He knew they needed as much help as they could find, so King put a call out to all supporters and Rabbi Heschel answered.

On March 21, 1965, the march began in Selma, AL. 4 days later, King and Heschel and 25,000 people arrived in Montgomery, AL. 4 months later, the president signed the Voting Rights Act. King and Heschel remained friends.

As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson is a nonfiction history book about working together for good of mankind. I really enjoyed this children’s biography. The illustrations by Raul Colon were inspiring.

View all my reviews

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson on Amazon.

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This year I beat cancer and I didn’t meet my books goal but I did met a lot of other goals. I am not someone that makes New Years resolutions. I try to do my best every day and a celebrate any goal I reach right away. I hope you find peace, joy and a few shareable stories this year.

Be Blessed!

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

~

5 Books for November 2025…

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 2, 2026 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

November is a wonderful month because we take the time to remember what we are thankful for more than other times of the year. We should do this every day and some of us do, but even the commercials and stores have reminders for us to be thankful, even it is rooted in their desire for us to spend money while we do it. But I must remain confident in my thankfulness for books. Books have helped me learn, they have helped me be distracted when I needed to put my mind in better places, books gave be tools to be a better person. This month, I didn’t plan it but my wife, Karen G Clemenson, and I chose a lot of biographies to read. What a rich history we have here in the United States of America. Yet another thing to be thankful for. We are not perfect as a nation, but we have come so far.

Now without further ado here is 5 Books for November 2025:

Abraham Lincoln A Photographic Story of a Life by Tarya Lee Stone

Abraham Lincoln: A Photographic Story of a Life by Tanya Lee Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. His family was very poor. Before he was an Illinois Senator in 1837, Lincoln had helped his father clear land and build a home, fences and outbuildings for his family, twice. Lincoln’s mother died before he was 10 years old and his older sister died while giving birth to her first child. Abraham Lincoln’s humble beginnings helped form him into the leader that American History needed.

Lincoln loved telling stories and reading. He was resilient and an overcomer. He loved to debate. He was a member of the Whig party. He became a self-taught lawyer in 1837 and served two more terms as Senator and then served in Congress before he ran for President as a Republican.”

President Lincoln is probably known most for his leadership during the Civil War, when many Southern states succeeded from the Union. The Northern states did not want slavery and the Southern states did. There were other political and financial reasons for the separation but President Lincoln believed that it was illegal for the states to leave the Union and he wanted to restore all the states.

The first 3 generals fighting for the Union in the Civil War were not effective. The Confederates (the Southern states) had more soldiers and their generals were more successful. People were getting tired of the war on slavery and the feelings against Lincoln were becoming negative. But in April of 1863, Ulysses S. Grant had success at Vicksburg. There was a Union draft. Many people wanted to preserve the Union but some were afraid that freed slaves would take jobs and others were angry that wealthy people could pay their way out of the draft. A riot broke out in New York on July 13, 1863. The draft office was burned down, stores were looted and more than 100 people died.

Frederick Douglass suggested creating black units of soldiers to help fight against Confederate soldiers in August 1861. The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 encouraged black people to fight for the Union. The United States Colored Troops was set up by the War Department in May.

April 15, 1865, the 16th President of the United States was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Eight other men were also captured in relation to their plans. Booth was killed during capture.

The war was over. Slavery was abolished. But the South’s economy was in a shambles. 600,000 people had died and 300,000 were wounded from the war. Reconstruction would be slow, especially without President Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln A Photographic Story of Life by Tarya Lee Stone is a 15 chapter biography that is full of details that are easy to understand and follow with pictures that tell stories of our history as a nation, by themselves. I really enjoyed this nonfiction book.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Abraham Lincoln A Photographic Story of Life by Tarya Lee Stone on Amazon.

~

On the Trapline by David A Robertson

On the Trapline by David Alexander Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Traplines are where Native American people hunt animals and live off the land. On the Trapline by David A Robertson is a book about a boy and his grandfather traveling from the city to where is grandfather lived as a child in the Indigenous Cree Nation. This special book shares words in the Cree language that express their culture. Julie Flett’s art helped bring this picture book to life.

The boy and his grandfather visited his old house, the site where his school used to be, where he learned to speak English and would sneak off to speak Cree with his friends. They saw beaver dams and eagles on their way to catch fish. His grandfather told him how everyone shared chores with his family. The saskatoon berries they picked and ate were tastier in their nature environment, than any he had had from the store. The community had a feast before they were to head home and the elders were fed first before the children.

The boy was excited to think of future visits with this grandfather. I really enjoyed this fiction picture book.

I checked this book out at Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of On the Trapline by David A Robertson on Amazon.

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Elvis is King by Jonah Winter

Elvis Is King! by Jonah Winter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and recorded his first hit, “It’s Alright,” when he was just 19 years old. Elvis is King by Jonah Winter is a fun and energetic memoir about the King of Rock and Roll. A shy southern boy that loved music and performed like none other before him created a place for himself in history but also inspired many musicians and artists to come.

The 3-D illustrations by Red Nose Studios really make this biography one of a kind. I really enjoyed this book and I think kids will love the bright art and the great details in this nonfiction children’s book that is sure to entertain the whole family.

I checked this book out from the Longview Public Library. You can get a copy of Elvis is King by Jonah Winter on Amazon.

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Go Tell it How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris

Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

James Baldwin was born in Harlem, New York on August 2, 1924. Go Tell it How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris is an empowering memoir about how James Baldwin used art to speak for Black and LGBTQIA+ people and Civil Rights. This children’s nonfiction history picture book was brought to life by the art of Gordon C. James.

Baldwin loved words and he learned that words could heal. He used his words in writing and speaking for activism and teaching. This biography is both colorful and inspiring.

I checked this book out from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Go Tell it How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris on Amazon.

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When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson is a beautiful story about the author’s experience while growing up listening to the wisdom, history, emotion, religion, and spirituality that is felt and heard in this beautiful songs, meant to carry Black history, tradition, culture and stories for a people forbidden to even learn to read and write; whose lives were not their own but through poetry and song they endured in strength, perseverance and even some joy.

The words in spirituals are simple, yet powerful. The art is colorful. I often wanted to clap my hands to the music I imagined. I really enjoyed this children’s nonfiction picture book. The art by London Ladd really brought the music to life.

View all my reviews

I checked this book out at the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson on Amazon.

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Such richness we have to look forward to in our history and our future. I hope you indulge yourself in it as 2025 has come to an end we look forward to a newness.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

~

The Best Gift of the Season 2025

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 26, 2025 | Opinions, Wellness

This has been the best holiday season in years. The Best Gift of the Season 2025 wasn’t an actual present you can open but one that you carry in your heart; hope. For years Karen G Clemenson and I have been separated from my family as I healed and learned how to choose myself. Karen’s family is many miles away, but mine is right here, throughout the state of Washington, mostly.

Karen still worked a lot of hours. We didn’t have a lot of time to enjoy holiday events, but we did have a place with more space to do to holiday traditions in. We had a person to share time with. We had a reason to make a fancy meal for someone. We had someone to laugh with. It was nice to not have to cut the turkey in half so I could cook it in the crockpot. Because I had a kitchen to prepare it in, I could find my favorite way to cook a turkey. I am not embarrassed that we live in a hotel. I am proud that my wife works hard to pay our rent and she is successful in keeping us here and she pays what many people pay for their mortgage. But a real kitchen is nice. Seeing my mother happy was the nice.

Although I didn’t need any gifts; I was super excited that Jamie got a gift from someone that she really needed and Karen got a new pair of shoes that she really needed and I am so satisfied with what I have that those needs being taken care of were enough for me. Any gifts for me were not necessary. But I love the earrings and new bible and the new blouses that were under the tree for me. The flashlight is awesome and it goes great in the glove compartment. Karen loves her new socks, long sleaved T-shirts, and books. Mom loved her new kitchen knife, diffuser and soap. Ginger loved the organic pumpkin. It was nice to see everyone so happy. It felt good to laugh and to hear laughter.

This year the gifts came in batches. When I was contacted by my youngest sister and God told me it was going to be ok to read her message and then to connect with her and our mom, it was a practice in trusting in God. I had been waiting for Him to tell I was ready, and He was waiting for me to be ready. There has been opportunity for every conversation we never had been able to have. The healing is profound. The one person that brought chaos is no longer there to keep us separate and we all like peace and so that is what we enjoy with each other. We are not perfect. We are human and we love each other. It isn’t that we all agree all the time, but its ok, that is not a reason to be separate. We want the best for each other and we pray for each other, and even those that we don’t have anymore.

In all of this change I have struggled a bit. I have wanted to strike out at people that still talk about me behind my back. It hurts. When I asked my friend to pray with me about steps I could take to protect myself. [I have prayed. I have written to them that I want nothing from them; I have discontinued our relationship. I don’t contact them. I know they are mentally ill. I know they don’t understand, they need help and they don’t believe in therapy. I have heard and thought these things many times, but it took my friend saying it, this one time, for me to finally get it.] My friend said: People that continue to attack, without provocation are mentally ill.

I can have compassion on this. When I mentioned this to my youngest sister, she asked me if I had asked the people that tell me about them, if they would stop. Honestly, I had thought about it, but I had not done it yet, because the main person has been hurt a lot by them and I felt sorry for their pain and I was letting them vent. But the next time it comes up, I will ask them to stop. But the big thing for me is to finally have it click, that I am going to have compassion on them for their mental illness. The same kind I needed when I was not ok, before my psychiatric RN and I found the right meds and amounts, and my therapist and I had figured out the right tools for me and my brain had healed as much as it has.

Mental wellness is a process and journey and it is ongoing. Compassion is part of the process.

So wherever you are, I hope that you got what you needed. My biggest and most wonderful gift was more hope. More love. And more mental wellness. I am satisfied with my life but it is nice to celebrate relationships. I am not done. This coming weekend we will celebrate Jesus with my sister, Jamie Holloway. Next week will not only be New Years, but my birthday.

We have so much to be thankful for.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

~

5 Books for October 2025 – Yep its Late!

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 22, 2025 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

Sometimes books take us places we can only imagine. Sometimes our schedules can keep us so busy that we don’t realize that we have forgotten to do what we love best, which is why it is December and I am finally typing up my book reviews for October. I really loved these books. They were not my normal lighthearted stories. These books were historic and deep and I had to pay attention to them. That is how life is at times. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Now without further ado here is 5 Books for October 2025:

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith is stunning work of art and poetry and history. Smith’s paintings portray how the first humans began in Africa and lived and traveled as the population expanded throughout time. This nonfiction picture book is a joy to read.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get a copy of The History of We by Nikkolas Smith from Amazon.

~

I Am The Music Man Illustrated by Debra Potter

I am the Music Man by Debra Potter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was stuck regarding this picture book with no author and so I was trying to find one. Originally I believed that I Am The Music Man Illustrated by Debra Potter may be based on the 1957 Broadway musical, The Music Man by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, however I have also found that there are other songs, one being, The German Musicianer by Peter Kennedy in 1975 and The Wonderful Musician by Walter Greenaway in 1871. It seems that this is a traditional folksong across many cultures.

As interesting, or not, as that tidbit of knowledge might be, I find this fiction story to become a bit tedious about 3 pages in. Ms. Potter’s illustrations are fetching. I love the colors and whimsey are wonderful but I feel as though the chorus seems lost if you don’t have 4 other people to sing the parts of the musical instruments and keep up the vigor that the words suggest.

Maybe I should have found a room full of children to sing with me.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of I Am The Music Man Illustrated by Debra Potter on Amazon.

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Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld

Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld is a beautiful book that pays respect to the military and history of the Unknown Soldiers that have died in battle from WWI, WWII, the Korean War & Vietnam. There are Tomb Guards present with the Unknown Soldier at all times so they are never alone. There is a reverence that is portrayed grandly throughout the book, not only in words but in the illustrations by Matt Tavares.

I am not sure how children would enjoy this picture book. My wife and I enjoyed this nonfiction book, but I am not sure small children would have the attention span needed for this patriotic book.

View all my reviews

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld on Amazon.

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Bearskin by Howard Pyle

Bearskin by Howard Pyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bearskin by Howard Pyle is a very old fairy tale written by the same author of The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. Because it is a fantasy and not like today’s stories, you can’t appreciate it with the TV on our other distractions. This book requires your full attention and you wont regret letting your mind fall into the folklore.

The illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman are beautiful and bring the picture book to life.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your one copy of Bearskin by Howard Pyle on Amazon.

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Tiny Stitches by Gwendolyn Hooks

Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas by Gwendolyn Hooks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tiny Stitches by Gwendolyn Hooks is a children’s biography about medical pioneer, Vivien Thomas. He was a son of a carpenter in Tennessee, who worked hard and saved his money to go to college to become a doctor. Unfortunately in October 1929, The Great Depression hit and the bank lost his money and he had to start over.

Vivien heard about a job opening at Vanderbilt University, an all white school. Because Vivien was black, he knew he could not attend classes at Vanderbilt, but that didn’t mean he could not benefit from experience at Vanderbilt. His interview was a success. While he was working, Vivien was reading text books, researching medicine, conducting science experiments, and learning surgical techniques. When the doctor that hired him got a position at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, went with him.

While at Johns Hopkins, Vivien researched and developed a surgical procedure for open-heart surgery on infants. He even designed instruments because there weren’t any small enough at the time. Even though he only had a high school diploma, his research and attention to detail, allowed him to create a procedure that has saved many children’s lives. This procedure was named after 2 doctors that Vivien worked with; the procedure is called Blalock-Taussig shunt.

Vivien coached Dr. Blalock through more than 150 operations. He also shared his knowledge and skills with other doctors. In 1975 Johns Hopkins University awarded Vivien Thomas an honorary doctorate degree and appointed him to the faculty as Instructor of Surgery.

I found this history book to be very inspiring and a positive illustration on culture and civil rights. The illustrations by Colin Bootman were beautiful and helped bring the this nonfiction picture book to life.

View all my reviews

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Tiny Stitches by Gwendolyn Hooks on Amazon.

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As the weather is getting cold and dark it is the perfect time to grab a warm blanket and a cup of your favorite beverage and dive into a book. No matter what your favorite genre is, I hope you are reading. It is a great way to stretch your brain and travel to a place you might never have imagined.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

~

They Have Not Chosen Me

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 20, 2025 | About Summer, Cancer, Chronic Illness, Life, Opinions

Today was a special day. A birthday. They are hard. Days for special people that I love with all my heart that I can’t reach because they have not chosen me. Jamie Holloway suggested we have cake and sing, “Happy Birthday.” She was right. It helped a lot.

I have been trying very hard to not write about certain people. I want to be done with them but they still live in my dreams. They are still in my history. They still make me cry.

I recently texted something I needed to say to my mom, but I couldn’t say it to her. I don’t need an apology. I just needed to tell her. People can only give what they have. Most people don’t have the words I need. That is what Karen G Clemenson and Jamie and a few others that know who they are, are for.

Mom said that she thinks the blog is what really triggered these people. Whether that is what she meant, I felt some blame in that phrase. I am not angry about it. We don’t have to agree to love each other.

I never pulled all the heads off of someone’s dolls until they made Cabbage Patch Dolls and I couldn’t do it anymore so I outlined their mouths with blue ink. I have never chased anyone around a house with a knife on more than one occasion. I have never kicked anyone in the stomach over and over again while they begged me to stop. I have never stolen anything from anyone, especially their senior year, year book with messages from people they can never replace. I never helped someone buy their psych meds and then told everyone about it. I never told people I paid someone to do something that they did for free. I never poured river rock on top of the flower beds they dug out by hand and planted bulbs that they never saw produce. This is the short list. This is the list of only one person. This is the list that hurts the least.

This is the substance of a system that I was not born into but it became as I grew older and things changed; while my family changed.

I was told by several therapists that I should leave my family. I loved them. Most importantly there were sibkids (kids of siblings) that I adored and I knew if I left, I would never see them again because the system was what it was, so I stayed.

But when I got really sick, the kind of sick that doesn’t go away, I realized I had to change. And when I prayed to God for a partner because I really didn’t want to live anymore, and I didn’t want to live alone because even though I was surrounded by people, none of them ever chose me, there was Karen. So we married and even though nothing got better right away, I had some joy. One day we came over for dinner and my mom even told me how beautiful I looked. I didn’t know what to say. Joy does that for you.

But we tried to be part of this system and Karen was watching me get worse. And one day after a visit when I was unable to stay awake or get out of bed, she came home from work and begged me to get out of bed and eat something and take my meds. She begged me not to let them take me away anymore. And when the depression subsided and my mind came back around, I realized I had to make a choice, so I called my mom and then my dad and I told them both that I had to take a break from them. I didn’t know where the pain was coming from and I needed a break. My therapists suggested a complete cut, but I didn’t want that. I had hoped that it would just be a break.

But my sisters heard about it and they cut me off and took their kids. My only pure joy.

Ms. Colvin, my father’s second wife remained who she is. My oldest sister remained who she is. My older, younger sister stayed who she is. My father chose who he always chooses. There were lots of terrible things.

It became permanent.

I cannot and will not apologize for my writing my truth. I cannot and will not apologize for living authentically. Abusers need to be outed. I deserve to be advocated for. I deserve to be my own hero. I have earned my freedom. I will never get back the love I wasn’t given and that I deserved.

God is a God of reconciliation. It is because He healed me so much that I could hear Him when my youngest sister reached out to me and He said it would be ok, that I read her message about our mother that I have had amazing moments with her. But I have fought hard to be able to stand in my truth. I will not sit down now. I will not be quiet and let things be.

I will not attack my abusers on purpose. They do not have to read my blog.

It is their love for drama that created my need for the outlet that sometimes my blog is. This is my 653rd article on this website. These articles that might bring them up might take up only >5-10% of all of them. I am a warrior. I have beat cancer. Jamie reminds me of that all the time. I may have spent most of the day in bed today, but tomorrow I will get up and have a great day.

I am free from the system that my extended family holds dear.

Oh BTW I beat cancer!

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

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Learning About Cortisol

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 2, 2025 | Fuel Your Wellness, Wellness

This article was originally posted on WellnessWorksNW.com on November 25, 2025.

What is Cortisol?

I find myself bombarded everywhere about this one word and even as Karen G Clemenson came home and asked me about it, I knew we needed to be learning about cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that helps control our mood, motivation, and fear. Cortisol does this by helping our body regulate how our body uses glucose (sugar), manages inflammation, regulates blood pressure, and controls our sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm. Our hypothalamus and pituitary gland, both located in our brain, controls our cortisol production by releasing other hormones. In order to have healthy cortisol production our hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal glands must all be working correctly. Cortisol regulates many functions and affects almost all organ systems in our body.

Cortisol manages how our body uses carbohydrates, fats and proteins. When we experience stress, our bodies release adrenaline and cortisol to keep us on alert. When cortisol is released, this triggers the release of glucose from our liver so we have energy and a burst of higher immunity. Cortisol also tells our pancreas to decrease insulin and increase glucagon in order to regulate blood sugar. In a body with normal short spurts of stress, cortisol can limit inflammation. However if our body becomes used to regular high levels of stress so that it becomes used to a traumatic life, we can have chronic inflammation and a weakened immune system.

People with high levels of cortisol can have high blood pressure. They can also suffer with anxiety, depression, headaches, and heart disease. People with lower than normal levels of cortisol can have low blood pressure.

Symptoms of High Cortisol Levels

Symptoms of high cortisol levels, or people who may may have Cushing syndrome, which is caused by a mass in your adrenal gland or a tumor in your pituitary gland can include:

Easy bruising
Excessive hair growth in females
Fatty deposit at the base of the neck between shoulder blades
High blood pressure
High blood sugar, which often turns into Type 2 diabetes
Muscle weakness in your upper arms and thighs
Purple streaks on the breasts, hips, stomach and under the arms
Thin arms and legs
Weak bones (osteoporosis) and bone breaks
Weight gain, especially in face and belly

What Causes High Cortisol?

It is normal to have times of stress in our lives. Cortisol levels will usually return to normal after times of stress are over. Sometimes cortisol levels can remain high and you might require help from a professional if you continuously suffer with the following:

Chronic physical, mental or psychological stress
Cushing’s syndrome
Long-term steroid use
Sleep deprivation and abnormal sleep patterns
Tumors or growths on the adrenal glands or pituitary glands

Low Cortisol

Too little cortisol can be caused by several factors including:

Autoimmune disorders
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which is a group of inherited disorders that decrease adrenal gland function
Hypoglycemia
Infections like tuberculosis and HIV can impact the adrenal glands
Primary adrenal insufficiency, referred to as Addison’s disease, happens when your immune system attacks your adrenal glands
Secondary adrenal insufficiency or hypopituitarism, takes place when you have a tumor on your pituitary gland or an underactive pituitary gland
Suddenly stopping steroid, otherwise called, corticosteroid medications, after taking them for a long time
Traumatic brain injury can challenge pituitary gland, which regulates the adrenals

Symptoms of Low Cortisol Levels:

Abdominal pain
Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
Fatigue
Hyperpigmentation, or dark patches of skin
Hypoglycemia, low blood sugar
Muscle weakness that grows worse
Loss of appetite
Low blood pressure, hypotension
Unintentional weight loss

What You Can Do to Reduce High Cortisol Levels:

Although some medical conditions require medical treatment there are ways you can change your lifestyle to help your body naturally lower your cortisol levels:

Avoid stress
Build and maintain healthy relationships
Create a healthy sleep schedule
Eat a nutrient rich diet
Enjoy yourself and laugh
Guided Imagery
Journaling
Listening to music
Meditation
Move your body daily
Practice deep breathing exercises
Reframe negative thoughts
Restrict social media use
Self-hypnosis
Sex
Yoga

Social media has been connected to stress because it has been found that social media impacts our neuroendocrine system, which tends to be associated with the part of our brain that handles our bad habits or things we misuse or overuse. In a study it showed that 20 minutes of social media use generated a higher cortisol level for depressed adolescents, than nondepressed adolescents. Those likes actually produce dopamine hits; another hormone that makes us feel good.

What is Normal?

Taking a cortisol test can tell your medical team if your cortisol levels are correct or if they need to be managed. Normal cortisol levels range from 5-25 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) around 8 am. Cortisol levels change throughout the day, the morning being the highest level, and the evening being the lowest level. The test can require blood (taken by a medical professional), urine or saliva which can be done at home. Samples will be taken at different times during a 24 hour period.

What is normal is hard to define for many reason, some reasons being, are even how we respond to stressors. Some of us are just better able to handle stress than others. While some of us, secrete more cortisol than others, in the same situation. For people with chronic stress, they might need to incorporate many tools into their daily life to manage their cortisol levels.

When to Contact A Medical Professional

Please seek medical attention if you are experiencing the following:

Abdominal pain
Dizziness or lightheadedness
High or Low blood pressure
Reduced consciousness
Severe depression and thoughts of ending your life
Trouble breathing

Part of wellness is prevention. Seeing a medical professional is part of a healthy lifestyle. Please make sure to see your doctor annually to make sure your numbers are going in the right direction.

If you are needing help creating a Wellness Plan that works for you, please Contact Wellness Works NW at 360-447-8061. Karen G Clemenson is a very caring and authentic person and she is looking forward to talking with you and helping you define your Wellness Goals and strategies. I hope this article answered questions you had and was easy to understand. If you would like us to write about a particular topic that you can’t find on this site, please send us an email on our Dear Jamie page and someone from Our Team will be glad to research and write about your topic.

Popcorn is also a whole grain that is linked to lower obesity rates. Before you add anything to popcorn, 3 cups of air-popped popcorn has 93 calories, 3 grams of protein, 18.6 grams of carbohydrates, 3.6 grams of dietary fiber, .2 grams of sugar, 1.1 total grams of fat, .2 grams of saturated fat, 1.9 mg of sodium and several nutrients.

At my house I make a huge batch of popcorn at a time. I use an air popper. I have a set of bowls, just like in this set. I use the largest bowl with the lid. It holds about 5 quarts of popcorn. When it is just us, I melt a stick of good quality butter like Land O Lakes (butter does have some nutritional value and contains MCT that is good for your brain) and add organic sea salt, black pepper, ground garlic and nutritional yeast. If our nephews were coming over, I would use coconut oil, instead of butter because they are lactose intolerant. I might also leave out the pepper, nutritional yeast and garlic since they are toddlers and they might now like the grown up flavors. When I want a sweet treat I have also used sea salt, cinnamon and organic sugar. The boys would probably love that too. Depending on how stressed we are the 5 quarts of popcorn will last us 2-5 days.

The other day, Karen was selling cheese and caramel popcorn at the store. She had mentioned it so many times that when we went grocery shopping I grabbed a bag. She was surprised. I only buy meat, fruits, vegetables and dairy when we go shopping, unless we are out of bread. I buy all our pantry items online at the beginning of the month and I rarely buy anything beyond dark chocolate as a treat unless I plan to bake something. But one time we were at Jamie Holloway‘s apartment and her sister brought over some Cretors Cheese and Caramel popcorn and it was amazing! So after listening to Karen talk about popcorn I just needed to take care of this craving. I don’t make caramel popcorn because I have little self-control over this food. But this regular sized bag of popcorn would be ok. It didn’t last the night.

The next day Karen brought home the leftovers from the samples she had been selling. There was more cheese and caramel popcorn. As I was enjoying the popcorn, she was watching me. This was new to her. I have gone through a lot of food changes over the years. She has not seen me enjoy popcorn out of a bag before. I make amazing popcorn. That was one thing my dad had taught me. He made great popcorn and when he left our house, I asked him how to make popcorn, then that became my job at home. My nana also loved popcorn. This is the part where flavored popcorn comes in. She lived in Seattle when I was really little and then when she married my Grandpa Bill, they lived in Kirkland. Both places are known for their malls and ports. Both of those places always had popcorn shops. Nana always had popcorn at her house and when we went shopping, we often got flavored popcorn. So when I enjoy flavored popcorn, I think of her.

I have never met a popcorn I didn’t like. Karen asked if I would buy this popcorn she brought home. I was honest. I would eat it, but I wouldn’t buy it. I will buy Cretors. Just like we don’t buy microwave popcorn, or even any I have found at our local stores. I buy organic purple Amish popcorn that I found online, because it is the best tasting popcorn I have ever eaten and even though it costs about $17 for 6 lbs, it takes us several months to eat 6 lbs of popcorn so I don’t think that is too much.

Food is health. We don’t eat microwave popcorn because there are chemicals in the bags. My body is sensitive to chemicals. That is why I make most of our food from scratch and why we only go to restaurants where I have not had a bad experience. It isn’t that I think restaurants that I have bad experiences are bad, I just know my body is sensitive to what they are cooking with. My body is sensitive to many healthy things and also unhealthy things. I am just protecting myself. Sorry for the rabbit trail. But if my experiences can help you, I am glad to able to tell you about it.

But back to popcorn. This is how we get through the cravings for other foods that have no health value. We are heading towards the holidays. The bible says that all things are permissible but not all things are beneficial. There will be many foods put in front of us this season. Maybe putting some popcorn out will help you eat less things that are not beneficial this season. Be blessed.

Ask Dear Jamie

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

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Honoring the Fact That I Am Depressed

by Summer D Clemenson | Nov 17, 2025 | About Summer, Chronic Illness

Today I am honoring the fact that I am depressed. Why do I use those words? Because I learned in my 30’s that being honest with myself was not negative but the first step in the right direction. If I recognize I am depressed then I know I need to either try harder or rest more. I have thought about why I might be depressed and it just comes back to the fact that I am chronically ill and I live in chronic pain and sometimes those two things make my life harder and I don’t like it and sometimes those two things impede on me more than I want them to and it makes me angry, so angry I lash out on me.

So I slept a lot today and then I made myself do my workout. I have been skipping my workout. Not every day but enough. I need my workouts. They are needed and I shouldn’t be skipping them unless I had surgery or I have a migraine. When I can think straight I know this. My workouts are not stressful. They focus on stretching and strengthening my muscles. They are not aerobic because my body doesn’t like those movements. However my rheumatologist has noticed how flexible I am and my oncologist has noticed my strength. These two characteristics are the foundation of stamina. I need them to support joints and nerves that often fail me. They have helped me not to fall countless times.

Since the day is almost gone I will not confuse myself with too much. I have a phone appointment or preop appointment with my oncologist tomorrow. I have to get up much earlier than usual so tomorrow I will get things done. Today I will spend some time in my bible. I will take a shower. I will go to bed early. I will take care of me.

When we are depressed it is wise to listen to ourselves and love ourselves. Often there is a reason and sometimes there isn’t. Or sometimes the reason isn’t one you can get rid of, but you can love yourself through the moment.

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Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

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5 Books for September 2025

by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 30, 2025 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

Hi Everyone. September has been one intense month and I think it was about time to read some children’s books. These books were stellar and I am glad I had them to fall into. I imagine I will need to find more children’s books to disappear into as we wrap up 2025. I hope you find some time for the therapy of books and the peace that these colorful and simple books that we buy for our kiddos but can really benefit ourselves with as well.

Now without further ado 5 Books for September 2025:

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The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt is very creative. The story begins with a pile of letters to Duncan from each crayon in his box. Each letter is from a different crayon. They describe the types of characters and items that the crayons might be used for. I love that the layout is in a correct letter format, as letter writing seems to be a lost art form. In the end, Duncan responds in kind, by creating a beautiful and very colorful drawing for his teacher at school. I think this picture book teaches colors, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. The illustrations by Oliver Jeffers are fun.

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt on Amazon.

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It’s Ok to Be Different by Todd Parr

It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s Ok to Be Different by Todd Parr is a super cute story time book. The illustrations are elementary and fun and full of great colors. The simple message of being different is ok, makes it so easy to talk about so many things, if for no other reason that to build confidence, vocabulary, emotional intelligence or many basic ideas around family and friends and even LBGTQIA relationships. I think this is such a great book.

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of It’s Ok to Be Different by Todd ParrIt’s Ok to Be Different by Todd Parr on Amazon.

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Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty

Iggy Peck, Architect: A Picture Book by Andrea Beaty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty is such a fun fiction read. It has a poetry-like timing to the writing that makes it fun to read. The creative vibe of Iggy is so inspiring. I love that Beaty encourages children to consider following their dreams even when their teacher doesn’t see it, until Iggy proves his passion for architecture. The illustrations by David Roberts makes the story come alive. The story is a great collaboration for art and humor.

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty on Amazon.

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The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn by Audrey Penn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is the most loving story. I have loved this story for years. Children often have trouble starting new things but The Kissing Hand gives them a way to leave home with a happy thought to carry the love they have with them while they are away. The illustrations by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak are precious and endearing and sure to open wonderful conversations about emotions, animals and fantasy. This is a sweet story to share with your favorite little one.

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn on Amazon.

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Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett

Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett is a fun story about a young armadillo named Bo that gets separated from his mom and brothers. He spends the summer day following a pair of red cowboy boots that he thinks is a red armadillo, because armadillos have poor eye sight, at a western rodeo. Bo ends up having a day full of fun until it is time to go home and luckily his mom and brothers find him just in time. This story was a great adventure and the art is outstanding.

View all my reviews

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett on Amazon.

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I hope to hear from you. These books are great but I would love to hear from you about your favorite books. Maybe I can read your favorites too. Happy October.

Be blessed.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

Book Review: Rising Strong by Bréne Brown

by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 28, 2025 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

I have spent a lot of my time in the last 11 years mourning. This is the time that I have been dealing with my chronic physical and mental illnesses. I have 14 diagnoses and only one can be cured, so grief is part of my life as I have dealt with a lot of loss. Loss my physical abilities and loss of relationships that were not healthy and had to be removed from my life. Rising Strong by Bréne Brown is a nonfiction self help book about learning how to grieve loss in order to be better. It is a good book about psychology, personal development, leadership, mental health and grieving. Much of it was review for me, but there were several helpful elements too.

The Rising Strong Process

Recognize emotions have been triggered and connect those emotions to thoughts or behaviors.
Revisit, challenge and reality check our stories to learn who we are and how we engage with others.
Fundamentally change our thoughts and beliefs to more courageous endings.

Elements of Grief

Feelings of Loss – Grief makes us reorient ourself physically, emotionally and socially
Longing – Involuntary desire for wholeness since grief comes in waves, we cane be surprised by what can trigger or what can matter to us.
Loss – Loss of normalcy. What we thought we knew about something or someone.

To truly forgive we must be willing to grieve. We must bury expectations of relationship or dreams. We must give up on being right. We must give up on support and approval of others.

Shame, judgement, privilege, connection, need, fear and self-worth can all be part of the same coin. If you can look at another human in the eye, can it be our own fear of need? Can it be our own privilege not allowing us to see our similarities? We have not been taught to give, but to receive our really see who we are giving to as our equal. In a moments notice, our circumstance could change and make us equals, not just as we actually are, but as society measures us.

Blame kills relationships and organizational cultures because it is toxic.

Authenticity is required for healthy relationship because with it comes action, courage, honesty and the ability to make amends. When you feel like getting even, maybe you should get curious as to what feelings you are feeling. Why are you needing to get revenge? What has caused you shame?

Find a list of memoirs that are encouraging on https://brenebrown.com/library/.

Books mentioned:

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World by Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu
The Places the Scare You by Pema Chodron
The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap by Stephanie Coontz

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I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Rising Strong by Bréne Brown on Amazon.

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Read My Review on GoodReads:

Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution by Brené Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Bréne Brown I have ever read. Rising Strong was easy to read and understand. It was helpful and resourceful. I recommend it to anyone that needs help to find their own path through the hard parts of life.

View all my reviews

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Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

I Became Very Honest

by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 9, 2025 | About Summer, Chronic Illness, Opinions

My mother and I are getting to know each other again and she sent me a message, last night, that said she was hoping I would get free of my symptoms so we could go out again. Yesterday I was hit with a flare in the middle of the day, while out living life and had reached home, where I was trying to relax. I was also feeling a bit snarky. So I became very honest:

She didn’t respond. I’m sure she didn’t say anything because she doesn’t know what to say. It must be hard to hear her child, even though I am an adult, say these things.

It reminded me of a moment with one of my friends. She had stopped by to give me something. We were chatting in the parking lot and I was hurting. I wasn’t even thinking about it, but while we were talking, I was stretching certain parts of me. She finally mentioned that I was obviously in a lot of pain and she seemed surprised that I wasn’t even trying to hide it. It had never occurred to me hide it. I was talking to my friend and I live in chronic pain. These are two things I don’t have to hide. Myself from my friend or my pain from the world.

There is no shame in being in chronic pain or being chronically ill. God made me this way. I deal with it the best way I can but there is no reason to hide it and stretching is part of how I stay flexible and increase blood flow to joints and nerves that are screaming at me.

This is part of being honest. Something society has taught us to suppress. Our humanity is not wrong. How we choose to use it might be, but choosing healthy ways to handle pain, whether it is physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually is never wrong. It might be a shock to someone who has never seen it before, but I am ok with that. I am not here to try to change anyone but if I show you something that awakens something honest in you, I hope it helps you.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

5 Books for August 2025

by Summer D Clemenson | Aug 25, 2025 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

Are you looking for an adventure but it is too hot outside? Sometimes you are sun burnt and you need to stay inside. I get it. The sun actually makes me sick; I am not joking, I am very thankful for air conditioning. So I use books to help me go on adventures I would never be able to go on otherwise. Even if you aren’t a kid, sometimes children’s books can give you a short jaunt, when all you have is a few minutes, and it makes all the difference in the world. I look forward to my time with any book. I hope you do too.

Now without further ado 5 Books for August 2025:

~

The Underwear Book by Todd Parr

The Underwear Book by Todd Parr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Underwear Book by Todd Parr is a whimsical paperback book about underwear. We learn about different kinds of underwear and how to take care of it and also how to wear it. This colorful picture book is fun and even full of humor.

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of The Underwear Book by Todd Parr on Amazon.

~

Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman

Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman by Lesléa Newman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the book Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman, Heather is starting school. And does she love it! But at story time she hears about other families and wonders if her family is the only family without a daddy. Ms. Molly, asks everyone to draw a picture of their family. In the end, the children share their pictures and Ms. Molly points out that it doesn’t matter who is in your family, as longs there is love.

This sweet fiction LGBTQIA+ story is brought to life by illustrations by Laura Cornell.

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman on Amazon.

~

Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray

Walter the Farting Dog: A Triumphant Toot and Timeless Tale That’s Touched Hearts for Decades–A laugh- out-loud funny picture book by William Kotzwinkle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read all the Walter the Farting Dog books by Willam Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray, but not the first one — not Walter the Farting Dog — until now and I absolutely love it! Just like all Walter’s adventures in farting, there is a sweetness in the family and even though the stories are silly, the love is real. The illustrations by Audrey Colman are fun and colorful. I think all kids will enjoy these children’s classics books.

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Walter the Farting Dog by Willam Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray on Amazon.

~

The Boy Who Cried Fabulous by Leslea Newman

The Boy Who Cried Fabulous by Lesléa Newman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Boy Who Cried Fabulous by Leslea Newman is splendid and will be enjoyable to any person who is easily excited about the world and poetry around them. Roger is just like one of those people and he is often late because he is easily distracted by the spectacular, magnificent, elegant world he lives in and in the end, he even proves to his parents how stunning it really is. The fantastic illustrations by Peter Ferguson really help make this story more brilliant. I highly recommend this story to your book collection and your vocabulary list!

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of The Boy Who Cried Fabulous by Leslea Newman on Amazon.

~

The Peace Book by Todd Parr

The Peace Book by Todd Parr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Peace Book by Todd Parr is a great nonfiction cultural book. It is easy to understand and easy to share. The pictures are bright and simple. The friends message is bright and simple too. This book is a keeper.

View all my reviews

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of The Peace Book by Todd Parr on Amazon.

~

This month’s books were very touching and thoughtful. It helped me stay in the right perception for where I want to be, even when there are stressful things happening in the world and it is very hot outside. I am thankful that I have access to wonderful books to help me feed my brain happy thoughts. I hope you do too.

Be blessed.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

I Got An Apology…

by Summer D Clemenson | Aug 15, 2025 | Cancer, Chronic Illness, Opinions

I got an apology from my doctors office today. It summed up several calls I have been working on all week because I am out of Eliquis right now as of 4 PM on Friday.

I ordered a refill the week before last because I didn’t have enough for this week. I refill my pill sorters on Saturday night and always order whatever I need either Sunday or Monday. I had enough to get through this morning so I didn’t plan to start bothering anybody until Monday.

I knew there was a chance there would be hiccups because not only was there a dose change but my regular doctor didn’t prescribe this bottle of Eliquis, it was a hospital doctor. Plus I now have a new specialist; a hematologist and I wasn’t sure how she would factor in.

I kept checking with the pharmacy to see if my prescription had been filled and it had not so I called my gynecological oncologist, Dr Westhoff’s, office because she has been managing this medication. After two calls I was told that it was decided the my hematologist, Dr Dong, would be taking over this medication and Dr Westhoff would be sending the information over to her. This was Wednesday.

Thursday I called Dr Dong’s office and was told that the medical assistant could see there was a message from Dr Westhoff’s office but she couldn’t see what it was, and she would make a note of my call.

I have had two occasions with blood clots in my lungs where I came close to death. Self-advocacy is always necessary, but I am also very concerned about not repeating my past experiences. I am trying to remain calm because at the middle of Thursday afternoon, I know I will take my last dose of Eliquis on Friday morning.

I’m dealing with a cold and slept in but I still call the pharmacy by 2 pm on Friday. I had woken up to use the bathroom and took my early morning pills. I am out of Eliquis. The pharmacy says they have received my prescription from Dr Dong’s office but my insurance won’t cover it. Now I must call United Healthcare.

So I call United Healthcare and I speak with Hussan and he tells me that the last time I picked up my prescription, I was given a three month supply and they will not cover my prescription until the second week in September. I appreciate their math, however, I explain to Hassan that I have cancer. I had gone off my Eliquis to undergo radiation therapy and three days later, I had tons of blood clots in both lungs. I spent 5 days in the hospital and had to have a thrombectomy and when I left the hospital, the doctor had prescribed that I would take 10 mg of Eliquis, twice a day for 6 days and then return to 5 mg, twice daily. However, those directions were changed by my hematologist, who said to continue on 10 mg, twice daily for the time being. Since Eliquis does not come in 10 mg tablets, that is why I am now out and need a refill.

Hassan told me that he could not help me. What needed to happen was that Dr Dong needed to file a form of medical necessity (this might not be the correct name of the document, I didn’t write it down). He said she would know what this was and this is what they need in order to override the block on my insurance coverage. I was appreciative but irritated. And then to make sure I was super frustrated, he put me on hold and patched me through to another gal (I couldn’t understand her name) in order for her to set up prescription delivery. I didn’t want to do that and we were both antagonized by that so we said goodbye and hung up.

Then I called Dr Dong’s office again and I told the office person the name of the document that I knew at the time, because it was fresh in my mind, and she agreed, the insurance company was just being difficult. She put me through to my doctors nurse, who was obviously busy helping someone else, so I left a message…

Then I called my wife, Karen G Clemenson, because, even when I leave my number, they sometimes call her number, so I needed her to know what they were calling about.

Finally I got the call. My prescription is filled and covered by my insurance. My doctor’s office is sorry because they should have updated prescription before so it would not have had to be like this. Personally I am just thankful that Karen can pick it up after she gets off work.

This is why you don’t wait until the last minute to check on your meds.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

Book Review: Come Thirsty by Max Lucado

by Summer D Clemenson | Aug 11, 2025 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

I have always enjoyed the books I have read by Max Lucado. Come Thirsty is another of those inspirational books, yet because I was not ready for this book because my mind was stubborn, I still needed to read this nonfiction book and it helped to chip away at some of the hardness that I had let collect on me because that is what happens to us when we live in the world and forget to keep drinking the living water that is Jesus.

Even though we are not of this world, we do live here, and sometimes we forget to keep looking toward our spirituality life source so that we don’t pick up the old life that drags us down.

Come Thirsty is a Christian book with short chapters that make it easy to read while you get ready for the day or steal a few moments between tasks and try to get your footing between the stresses that come with balancing all the things we do while we try be all the things we are trying to be.

I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Come Thirsty by Max Lucado on Amazon.

Read My Review on GoodReads:

Come Thirsty: No Heart Too Dry for His Touch by Max Lucado
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If your looking for a book to surprise you while you are trudging through life, Come Thirsty by Max Lucado is that book. Read the pages and let it remind you how much you are loved by God and how special you are because you are.

View all my reviews

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

I Want To Be Done Now

by Summer D Clemenson | Aug 9, 2025 | Cancer, Chronic Illness, Life, Prayers & Thanksgiving

On August 9th I wrote the following on Facebook:

This message is a very vulnerable one. I try hard to not live in this state because I know that I am here to live the life that God has created for me to live and I am not afraid to die. In fact there are very few things that I am actually afraid of for myself.

Angry Men Yelling
Earthquakes
Snakes
Personal Suffering
Other People Suffering

But through this time where I have had to undergo things that have shown me I am stronger than I realized, I know that the prayers of others have helped me so much. Although I try not to complain too often, when I have posted that I was suffering, those posts have been overwhelmed by the caring of others and I have felt the prayers and love from people I have both met and not met.

In a world where I have chosen to not join a church per se, I have found a church family, right here on Facebook, where there are people that regularly check in with each other and support each other, even if we have never met. We pray for each other and lift each other up and I find that to be refreshing because we don’t have to, but we do.

So when the moments come when I want to be done happen, I am always encouraged by you to keep going because there is always someone who cares and gives me encouragement. Thank you.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

We Are Not Friends

by Summer D Clemenson | Jul 31, 2025 | About Summer, Wellness

I blocked someone today. I don’t block many people but I blocked this person because they keep sending me friend requests and the reason we are not friends, after 3 decades, is that they chose to break off our friendship. They had done this a number of times. They had also re-engaged with me when they missed me again because I allowed it.

Over many years I allowed a co-dependent relationship. I forgave being judged wrongly many times. I overlooked bad behavior. I carried them a lot. I failed a lot too because this relationship was toxic. Two mentally ill people can really make a mess with each other’s hearts and minds, even when they have good intentions.

There are many good memories between us but there is also pain and abuse.

A few years ago, as I was getting healthier, I was seeing some imbalances and wanted growth. I felt that I was carrying more than my share. When I brought this up, I expected a grownup conversation but that wasn’t what I got. This was to be our last conversation. It will remain our last conversation because I realized we did not want the same thing and that is ok.

It is ok to let people go that we can’t grow with. It’s okay to set boundaries for yourself. I pray for this person when they are on my heart and I always will but I am done being abused.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

Sometimes Healing is Harder Than It Has Been Before

by Summer D Clemenson | Jul 30, 2025 | About Summer, Cancer, Wellness

Healing is hard. I have said this before. Sometimes healing is harder than it has been before. Sometimes it takes us deeper than we have ever been before. Lower than we have wanted to go before. Lower than blue. The shade I call minor depression. Because I don’t just feel my own pain. I am susceptible to the world’s pain and even if I don’t look at it on my phone or TV or read it, I know the seething, shaking, and moaning that is inside me, is not just my own.

If I didn’t have God, if He wasn’t here to help me bear this and take it from me when I am ready to let it go, I don’t know how I would handle it because my go-to people have their own burdens. But even if the wars didn’t war and the fires didn’t burn and the weather didn’t tear down people’s homes, there is my body.

This body. I have learned that she needs love and never criticism, but sometimes it is hard. When she hurts, when she is hungry, when she has been fed. When she is tired, when she has slept and when she hasn’t. When I have to decide it is time to push her and then she bursts into tears.

I haven’t been writing off of Facebook for months now and I opened my laptop to find writing from May…half finished and notes in notebooks strewn on the desk from somewhere between then and now and the strong part of me wants to laugh and the part of me that has trouble reading my scribbles is still crying for the dead children in Gaza and Texas.

But this is who I am: A passionate profit that writes and prays, sings and sleeps, cooks and creates, dreams and does what she can every day…

So I will drink my water and try to find the rest of my notes and try to breathe because I am trying to put myself back together again because the dermatologist said the rash that healed last week, even though it took months to get in to to see her, was eczema, and I refuse to put steroid cream on my face, so I will keep using my oils, and my oncologist has scheduled my imaging for the 12th, and I hope to be closer to feeling like myself before we do brachytherapy, when I will probably fall apart again.

PS: I have been using Mega Salve from Crafty Works on my face as well as Breathe by doTERRA

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

I Have Built Muscle

by Summer D Clemenson | Jul 25, 2025 | About Summer, Cancer, Wellness

I don’t do a lot of cardio because too much causes my fibromyalgia to flare up. I especially have not been overly active this month because of the blood clot scare and having to take time to let my lungs, heart and liver heal, following this episode. I do, however, do an anaerobic workout most days. Anaerobic exercise is not cardio but focuses on strength training and stretching and over a long period of time I have built muscle. This is important because lean muscle mass burns fat.

It is also important because it makes me stronger. Even in the hospital, with blood clots, I surprised nurses and staff with my ability to help them, help me. It also came in handy yesterday

I don’t have as much endurance as I would like. I operate best at temperatures between 40-70 degrees. Any lower and my joints start to freeze up. Any higher and my joints feel better, but my body gets sick. Factor in that I am still healing from my blood clot episode and maybe even the one brachytherapy treatment (according to my oncologist) and it was 83 degrees while we waited for the tow truck, it was no shock to me that I could hear my blood pressure in my ears, which is usually perfect. Climbing into the tow truck was not something I could do without help.

But I am proud of Karen G Clemenson and I because we did it together. She has been lifting and she is stronger and I am stronger. I have also lost over 50 lbs. A few years ago when I needed help into the tow truck, it took both her and the tow truck driver, which was humiliating to me.

Even though I am still on the mend, I am going to add a few squats to my daily routine. Karen said 5 is a good place to start. I am hurting today so I agree, I don’t want to go too far, but I need to keep getting stronger and building my endurance. When you live with chronic pain you have to be patient with yourself but you make goals and see success.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

5 Books for July 2025

by Summer D Clemenson | Jul 16, 2025 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

We are always heading somewhere, even if we don’t realize it. We are headed to the grocery store or to work or to the bathroom. Maybe to daycare or the library or to the doctor’s office. Sometimes we are physically grounded on the couch but our mind is wandering through our thoughts from the day. This is a good time to read a good book.The books we have this month have really great messages to take us in a good emotional direction. If you want to foster good thoughts and growth in your little one, I hope these books help you do that.

Now without further ado 5 Books for July 2025:

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My Hair is a Book by Maisha Oso

My Hair Is a Book by Maisha Oso
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My Hair is a Book by Maisha Oso is an important book. Oso not only wrote the book for her daughter but for every child that thinks their black hair is not perfect or they need help with their self esteem. We are all beautiful and this book with great rhythm shows us that whether your hair is kinky, curly, long or short, you are every good thing. This uplifting book is a great picture book. This illustrations by London Ladd are inspiring.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of My Hair is a Book by Maisha Oso on Amazon.

~

This Story is Not About a Kitten by Randall de Seve and Carson Ellis

This Story Is Not About a Kitten by Carson Ellis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Story is Not About a Kitten By Randall de Seve and Carson Ellis is a lovely story about community, and working together, an caring about animals, and meeting our neighbors, and making new friends, and repetition. I loved this book and the charming illustrations by Carson Ellis really help hold it together. I think I might have to add this story to my collection.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of This Story is Not About a Kitten By Randall de Seve and Carson Ellis on Amazon.

~

Wake Up Moon! by Lita Judge

Wake Up, Moon! by Lita Judge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wake Up Moon! by Lita Judge is a sweet story about animals enjoying the snow and each other. The picturesque illustrations make it easy to grab your attention. Most children will be captivated by this children’s fiction story.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Wake Up Moon! by Lita Judge on Amazon.

~

The Walrus and the Caribou by Maika Harper

The Walrus and the Caribou by Maika Harper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Walrus and the Caribou by Maika Harper is a traditional Inuit mythology story from Alaska about how the caribou and walrus were created. This multi-cultural nature story is enchanting and the illustrations by Marcus Cutler really bring it to life.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of The Walrus and the Caribou by Maika Harper on Amazon.

~

Ralph Tells A Story by Abby Hanlon

Ralph Tells a Story by Abby Hanlon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the beginning of Ralph Tells A Story by Abby Hanlon, Ralph didn’t know how to start. He was really frustrated that his teacher at school assigned the entire class to write their own stories. Everyone was having success, but Ralph, who kept trying to find ways to get our of the room. Finally, Ralph found a quiet spot under his desk, where he began to imagine a wonderful story. When the whole class was called to the carpet to share their stories, Ralph was called first and what he shared was a huge triumph! Everyone loved Ralph’s story!

View all my reviews

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Ralph Tells A Story by Abby Hanlon on Amazon.

~

I have to admit, I didn’t read any of these books to anyone before I wrote about them for you this time. I read them just for myself and you know what? They did my heart good. It doesn’t matter how old you are, a good book, is a good book and even an adult needs to slow down sometimes and read a simple and good story sometimes. Even if you do it in secret. 🙂

Be Blessed.

~

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

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Books mentioned:

Read My Review on GoodReads:

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

The Underwear Book by Todd Parr

Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman

Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray

The Boy Who Cried Fabulous by Leslea Newman

The Peace Book by Todd Parr

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Read My Review on GoodReads:

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My Hair is a Book by Maisha Oso

This Story is Not About a Kitten by Randall de Seve and Carson Ellis

Wake Up Moon! by Lita Judge

The Walrus and the Caribou by Maika Harper

Ralph Tells A Story by Abby Hanlon

Feel free to leave your comments below!

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