Jak Trak's Lensography

Jak's Traks: where I've been . . .

This lens will help me keep trak of myself. When I feel scattered, I can come to this lens and follow my own traks.

I ENJOY: (in no particular order)

reading POETRY and novels,
WRITING poetry and the occasional short story,
trying exotic COFFEES,
NATURE, the earth
wildlife, and not-so-wildlife like my CATS,
learning about PSYCHOLOGY (explains why I'm a psychotherapist),
QUANTUM PHYSICS w/out equations (is there such a thing?),
YOGA and qigong,
computers, WEBSITES, blogging,
sea salt and vinegar potato CHIPS,
PHOTOGRAPHY and graphic design,
mind-bending MOVIES

Bio Contents

Nature or Nurture?
Piano Lessons
My Book-ette: Elements of Wholeness
The Common Thread: Poetry
The Tallest Cheerleader
Events/People That Made an Impression
The Marriage Thing
When I Grow Up . . .
A Few Favorite Books
A Few Favorite Movies
Guestbook

Home Town

I grew up in Rochester, MN. Its located in the south eastern part of the state, about an hour from the Mississippi, and from Minneapolis.

The picture at right is the Plummer Building, one of the original buildings of the Mayo Clinic. The clinic is what Rochester's most known for.

I lived there until I was 32. That's when I walked down the aisle and trekked to Illinois.

Nature or Nurture?

My love of boots started about the time I was 2 years old. My dad, who was only 21 when I was 2, had a pair of black boots I adored - much like the ones pictured above.

I didn't walk around in my mom's high heels. Instead, I clomped around in my dad's boots. When I first started walking in them, they covered my entire leg, so I had to sort of shuffle along.

I still love that kind of boot, and many others as well. Western, engineer, motorcycle, etc.; even some fashion boots. Sometimes I wonder, "Was I born loving boots?" Or was it love at first sight?

Minnesota State Bird: Loon

Piano Lessons

There are 3 reasons why I took piano lessons for years:
1) I have piano hands (long fingers)
2) My mom wished she had never quit lessons (after 2 years)
3) We had a piano

I hated practicing. If my parents left the house I'd shuffle my piano books around and pull the bench out, so it looked like I'd practiced.

In my first piano recital (6 yrs old), I wore a dress with a full crinoline under it, black patent leather shoes and the dreaded white anklets. I played a song called Tea and Cookies. After playing a few measures I had a memory glitch. So, I started the song over and played without a hitch. The applause was deafening.

When I was 16-18 years old I stopped playing. Mom was finally tired of fighting with me about practicing. I started playing again after high school and ended up with a B.A. in Music, theory and piano.

Exactly how I felt about practicing the piano!

Mickey Mouse Club

ON TV WEEKDAYS AFTER SCHOOL

My first crush was on one of the Mousketeers. I'll never tell which one!

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curated content from YouTube

Twitter Traks

Nov 15, 2009 @ 6:01 pm

The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be. ~ Socrates ~
Nov 15, 2009 @ 5:34 pm

Be as you wish to seem. ~ Socrates ~
Nov 15, 2009 @ 1:44 pm

Poem by Billy Collins: Animated http://bit.ly/2yuqEv
Nov 15, 2009 @ 1:11 pm

Rules of the Game http://bit.ly/2QG8ai
Nov 14, 2009 @ 2:01 pm

Just updated my Squidoo page: Reason with a Capital R / http://tinyurl.com/6tk6gj

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Jak Traks Blog

About life, living, everyday spirituality, nature, animals, science, books, and whatever else comes to my mind.

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My Psych & Health Traks

Becoming a psychotherapist was a career change for me. Well, it would have been if I'd had a career to change. For the past 11 years I've worked with people that have persistent mind, mood and relationship issues. I'm grateful they put up with me.

Psy-Quotes

I love a good quote, I work as a therapist, and I like to laugh. ENJOY! I take it that a successful therapy is an oxymoron. ~ Harold Bloom ~ Psychoanalysis is that mental illness for which it regards itself as therapy. ~ Karl Kraus ~ Some of these...

The Importance of Emotions

For so many years I wanted to get rid of my emotions and feelings. They seemed like a constant problem. Then I went to a therapist that told me how important they were, and why. I said, "I don't believe you." Obviously he got through to me. Now my...

Uniquely Wired: People With Schizophrenia

Some of the clients I work with are diagnosed with Schizophrenia. I've learned much from them about their experience of first getting symptoms, and then living with them. I've learned that Schizophrenia is a family matter. It alters the lives of the...

Tips for Finding A Good Therapist

And how do I know what to look for in a therapist? Well, I am one, with an MA in Counseling Psychology and a valid license (in Illinois). I've also spent time on the other side of the couch, learning to understand and express my pesky feelings. Want...

The Wisdom of Crayons

"We could learn a lot from crayons...Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, and some have weird names, but they all have to live in the same box." ~ author unknown ~ "The capacity for getting along with our neighbor depends to a large exten...

Home Remedies for Good Health

Home remedies are getting a lot of attention again, not only because of some short comings of conventional medicine, but also because they are economical. Home remedies and herb medicine have been treating common conditions for thousands of years. Th...

It Matters How You Think

There are effective ways to think about things, and ineffective ways. Using the ineffective ways (bad thinking habits) gets us into all kinds of mental and emotional turmoil. The purpose of this lens is awareness of negative thinking habits that dimi...

Small and Easy Steps Create Change

When it comes to changing habits that hold me back, or keep me unhealthy, I always want to leap to the finish line without going around the track. And I know I'm not alone. The idea of what it will take to change a habit is daunting, especially if yo...

Elements of Wholeness

This lens is NOT about perfection. It is about a person's inside being congruent with their outside, having more enjoyable relationships, and allowing life to flow as smoothly as possible. So what's difficult about wholeness? The biggest difficulty...

a little psychology humor

My Humor / Quotes Traks

Being A Therapist

Remember the book, and movie, The Accidental Tourist? Well, I may be The Accidental Psychotherapist. Somehow the universe tricked me into this profession. You see, I like immediate results, I'm not chatty, and I've never been called a people person....

Phractured Philosophy: Chicken or Egg First?

1) Which came first, the chicken or the egg? 2) Why did the chicken cross the road? I know these conundrums have kept me awake many a night and caused me to loose focus during critical moments at work. I'd really like to get to the bottom of them. I...

Psy-Quotes

I love a good quote, I work as a therapist, and I like to laugh. ENJOY! I take it that a successful therapy is an oxymoron. ~ Harold Bloom ~ Psychoanalysis is that mental illness for which it regards itself as therapy. ~ Karl Kraus ~ Some of these...

Leadership and Inspiration: Quotes

at work for the first time. I'd like to explore the idea of leadership . . . half-way seriously. Only half seriously because I can already tell sane-leadership requires excessive humor. So far, my mentor for leadership is "the laughing Buddha." Mind...

My Poetry & Writing Traks

A poem that quickens your heart, or ignites the mind, or expresses what you've never been able to put into words, that poem is with you forever.

Awesome Poetry Anthologies

Welcome, Give the gift of poetry to yourself or someone you care about. A poem can change a life; they inspire, educate, enrich, and bring pleasure. What cannot be put into words is sometimes found in the essence of a poem. Melting apparent surfaces...

Marge Piercy: Poet

Marge Piercy has authored 17 books of poetry,and just as many novels. She's won many honors, including the oldest poetry award in the USA: The Golden Rose. Piercy's poetry is usually written in free verse, with a very personal tone, often focusing o...

Haiku Heaven

haiku verse are short distillations of beauty with weightless punch lines Below you'll find a little history about three historical haiku-ists and examples of their work, information on contemporary haiku with examples, several miscellaneous sample...

Sharon Olds: Poet

Olds sees common things from odd corners of refraction, where fantasy takes off from the given . . . (from an essay by Kenneth Lincoln) This is a poetry which implicitly insists that all we know is the body, and our only reliable way of knowing is t...

David Whyte: Poet

I was introduced to DAVID WHYTE's poetry over a decade ago. Many of the poems touched me deeply and had an impact on my life. This lens is to share his life's work. DAVID WHYTE is also a lecturer, and corporate consultant. He's an adventurous poet...

Kunitz, Collins, Kooser, Simic, Gluck, Hall, Ryan: POETS

What Poet Laureates Do: serve as the nation's official lightning rod for the poetic impulse of Americans. Their "Mission": to raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry. Process of...

Anne Tyler: Author

I like Anne Tyler's books because of the complex and often quirky characters in her stories. Her books make great bed time reading, sitting on the sun porch reading, and curled up on the sofa when its raining reading. Tyler was a graduate of Duke Un...

My Animal Traks

Healing My Cat with Qigong

My cat Mocha Joe was DIAGNOSED WITH KIDNEY PROBLEMS in December 2005. PROGNOSIS: Mocha Joe had 3 months to a year. I used SPRING FOREST QIGONG techniques (that I'd just learned) on Mocha Joe. After three qigong sessions in one week, Joe was running...

Animal Pal Pictures

Just for fun . . . to brighten the day . . . because I love animals . . . no other reason, although you can donate to the Wild Animal Sanctuary (below) if you wish. ENJOY! "For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more comp...

My Speaking Out Trak

Reason with a Capital R

We either don't use Reason, or we use it just to justify how screwed up the world is but, "oh well." Reason is not the same as reasoning. I'm not talking about analyzing or trying to figure things out. I am writing about Reason as a...

My Gift Idea Traks

The gift lenses make sense, since I do 99% of my shopping online.

Coffee Table Book Ideas

There are millions of coffee table books (or gift books) to choose from. This lens may not offer THE book to meet your need, but it may spark an idea. I've always loved beautiful books. They make great gifts to yourself or another. In many of them,...

Book: To Bee or Not to Bee

written by John Penberthy illustrated by Laurie Barrows THIS BOOK IS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT . . . that's the reason for this lens. I have tried to show the value of the book without giving too much story away. It's truly a book that can be enjoyed by a...

Gifts That Feed the Soul

What better gift to give than one that feeds the soul of an acquaintance, co-worker, family member or friend. The gifts below are food for the five senses, the heart and the mind. Shop for books and music, spa items, treats for the tummy items, gree...

Awesome Poetry Anthologies

Welcome, Give the gift of poetry to yourself or someone you care about. A poem can change a life; they inspire, educate, enrich, and bring pleasure. What cannot be put into words is sometimes found in the essence of a poem. Melting apparent surfaces...

More Traks . . .

My Personal Blog: Jak Traks: The blog is about whatever comes to mind: animals, nature, coffee, everyday living, humor, psychology, and occasionally science.
My Counseling Blog: PsydTraks: This blog is related to counseling, relationships, well being, mental illness and wellness, resources, psychology education, etc.
My Expert Page at SelfGrowth.com: The SelfGrowth site is a phenomenal self-development resource.
EarthTraks: Products, resources, information for convenient, economical green living.

My Book-ette: Elements of Wholeness

Makes a nice, inexpensive gift. It doesn't have to be read cover to cover. You can flip to any page and read a section or two. A good book to keep on the nightstand, or yes, in the bathroom.

It may not be long, but its packed with content.

Elements of Wholeness: Inspirational stories, essays and poems on living as a whole human being. Stories and essays are original. Each of the ten chapters focuses on one element of wholeness such as: play, appreciation, importance, etc.

Available as a soft-cover book, or down-loadable ebook. 22 pages, 81/2 x 11

Elements of Wholeness

The Common Thread: Poetry

My life feels like a patchwork quilt still in the making, but there is a common thread throughout . . . poetry. I love to read a good poem, and write hopefully good poems.

I write poetry in many "styles," but especially love the challenge of using form and/or rhyme. Its difficult to use both well. Usually people like my free verse the best, but there's a deep satisfaction in writing poetry in established form. Its like working a difficult puzzle but you want the final draft to flow over the form, not be stuck in it. Here's one I wrote years ago:

Treasure

This treasure stowed beneath the sand:
A shovel, a pail, a colorful ball,
Hardly a tidal reprimand
This treasure stowed beneath the sand.
If child be parent what loosed the hand
And let the shifting land hold all
This treasure stowed beneath the sand:
A shovel, a pail, a colorful ball.

Poetry

My Muse

My Favorite Quote

"YOU'RE NEVER TO OLD TO DO GOOFY STUFF."

~ Ward Cleaver ~

Twiggy

WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH PUBERTY, TWIGGY WAS THE HOTTEST FASHION MODEL ON THE PLANET. SHE WAS AS THIN AS HER NAME SUGGESTS, AND QUITE FLAT-CHESTED. THAT WAS A BOOST TO A SKINNY, FLAT-CHESTED BUT HORMONE RIDDLED, ALMOST-WOMAN LIKE MYSELF.

The Tallest Cheerleader

I was out of high school before girl's sports became a part of school programs. So, I tried out for cheerleading.

Being 5'10", I was always the "peak" in the middle of our line. There were ten of us, all shapes and sizes, but we worked well together and had a blast.

When I was a junior, our squad won 1st place at cheerleading camp. Of course, our routines were not at all like what I see on TV now. I'd never make it as a high school cheerleader today.

Well, none of the NFL teams ever called me to be on their cheerleading squads. I could dance but my bra size didn't pass muster. ha

I tried doing a simple round-off last summer, in the yard. I don't remember feeling like a chunk of lead, when my feet hit the ground, at 17. It was a 3 point landing after a misshapen attempt at what used to be easy. It's a good thing I do yoga, or I'd still be on crutches.

My Favorite Junk Food

UNCONVENTIONALLY STRONG AND TANGY

Kettle Chips Sea Salt & Vinegar, 5-Ounce Bags (Pack of 15)

Amazon Price: $30.69 (as of 11/15/2009)

Dipped in the Sea and Brushed with Vinegar . . . a harmonic convergence of flavor. Okay, maybe it is. The perfect balance of sea salt, tongue-puckering tang and crunch.

Events/People That Made an Impression

Before I was 18, the following events and people had a profound effect on my life.

The Vietnam War

Hot topics then and now about the vietnam war mostly in and around 1968. We will discuss the Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War and their participation or non-participation. We will talk about the weather in Vietnam and more. When we talk abou...

JFK Assassination

A forum for anyone interested in the asassination of JFK on Nov 22nd 1963. Click the link below to visit the JFK Assassination Forum Click Here To Visit The JFK Assassination Forum

Simon & Garfunkel

The duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are American popular musicians known collectively as Simon and Garfunkel. They met in elementary school in 1953, when they both appeared in the school play Alice in Wonderland (Simon as the White Rabbit, Garfun...

Jiddu Krishnamurti, world teacher

Jiddu Krishnamurti was famous in his lifetime for first being raised as a 'world teacher' and then renouncing the organisation founded in his honor. Paradoxically he spent the rest of his life teaching all over the world: lecturing, talking to people...

I currently live in the Chicago area.

my jobs so far

carhop (without skates)
stock person for a florist
lab tech (immunology)
maid / waitress
pharmacy tech (hospital)
teacher, piano & music theory
administrative assistant
graphic designer
counselor in community health

The Marriage Thing

I've been divorced more than twice as long as I was married. My husband is the one that wanted out. I wanted to "work on it." My husband had the better idea. I liked my husband a lot. I still do, although I don't keep in touch anymore (his idea, what a shock).

I met Tom via a pre-computerized dating service. Living 350 miles apart, we wrote long letters to one another. Not a problem. We both love to write. After 6 months of snail mail, we met face to face, and he proposed a couple months later.

We said the vows in Rochester, MN, in a chapel with a harpsichord rather than an organ. My sister played a Bach piece on her flute, accompanied by the harpsichord. The reception was at the local country club. While guests were arriving, snow started falling . . . fast and heavy. By midnight, there was 18 inches on the ground. It was the end of March.

We spent our wedding night in a hotel that was hosting a high school hockey convention. If you get married, check who's going to be at the hotel before making reservations. Not that I don't like hockey. Once in the room, we counted the gift money (doesn't everyone?). Besides, I had my period and was crampy. No need to dive into bed.

Honeymoon was Galena, IL, for a couple days. Tom had to teach high school (we married on spring break) after that. I have to say that I loved my husband but never liked being a wife. Before the wedding, Tom knew I didn't regularly chase dust bunnies and scrub the toilet bowl; that I had a goal of never making a turkey dinner. But expectations come with the word "wife,"at least in my marriage.

I don't blame Tom for the divorce. Neither of us knew how to resolve any anger between us. We each used our own dysfunctional anger management methods and the gears would grind. I still think of Tom often. A lot of things remind me of him (like pizza and beer). When that happens I send sincere affection to my favorite asshole.

When I Grow Up . . .

I never once thought about becoming a psychotherapist before the age of 39. The counseling world can blame my divorce for my entry into the field. I/we went to a therapist to save the marriage. That was a bust. Then I went to counseling because for the first time in my life, I couldn't control my feelings. I found that unacceptable.

In the process of my therapy, I began thinking things like, "This is really a cool process, I'd like to know more about it." For 3 years I kept it on the back burner. I thought my interest in being a therapist might have something to do with the gratitude and affection I felt for my counselor.

After the 3 years of stewing about it, I found a master's degree program close to my home. The classes were on weekends only, so I could continue to work, whether I wanted to or not. I sent in all the application materials and eventually had an interview set up with the head of the psychology department. My career almost ended there. Shortly before leaving work for the interview, I thought, "What in the hell am I doing? I must be out of my mind."

Right after thinking that, it felt like my energy (soul, spirit, stomach?) did a 360 degree spin inside me. In that moment, I knew I needed to follow through and go back to school, so I did. The rest is psychology history (and mayhem).

GapingVoid Cartoon

Word A Day Diet

agog: Dictionary.com Word of the Day: agog: in eager desire.

issues that get my undies in a bunch

Animal Abuse

Destruction of Wildlife and Habitat

Earth Abuse

Lukewarm Coffee

Being Interrupted (when focused on something)

Having to Repeat Myself ("Quit mumbling," my mother always said)