The Hermits' Rest

Book Report: The Great Shadow

I’ve been picking some fascinating books lately. The Great Shadow: A History of How Sickness Shapes What We Do, Think, and Buy, by Susan Wise Bauer, is most assuredly fascinating. I wish it was about twice as long, because I feel like she rushed through the past 30 years.

The book traces how humans view illness throughout recorded history. It turns out that those Ancient Greek philosophers had some notions that even today we can’t get rid of, like being in a place with bad air can make you sick (many people still think you can catch a cold by going out in bad weather).

The idea that every illness is particular to the sick person and must be cured by the doctor figuring out a specific cure for them lasted for centuries. It was a big deal when someone figured out that outside agents cause disease and that large numbers of people can have the same illness with the same cure.

I enjoyed learning how people found cures for illnesses before they knew about germs, bacteria, or viruses. Spoiler: it involved guesswork.

What surprised me was how many epidemics there have been that killed huge numbers of people. The plague was really bad, y’all (and there are three kinds!). These incurable diseases kept the population under control all by themselves! And international trade made diseases spread wider and faster. I’m relieved at least some of us lived.

Once we discovered bacteria and antibiotics it got interesting, because so many products were developed to keep our homes and businesses clean. Did you know Listerine was invented by a guy named Lister? You’ll learn the origins of many everyday objects like toilet paper, Kleenex, and sanitary napkins (Kotex).

Yep, if you can stomach the graphic descriptions of symptoms, you’ll be enthralled by The Great Shadow. My copy has already been passed along to my favorite medical editor, Anita, who’s recovering nicely.

We got more plants for the porch today, so I’ll really enjoy reading my next book out there!

A Different Kind of Day

I didn’t work but a couple of hours today. Instead I drove Anita to Georgetown so she could have a medical procedure. It was good to spend some time together, even if she wasn’t 100% at her best.

While she was at the snazziest medical facility I’ve ever seen, I went out in the beautifully landscaped area to see what native plants I could find. I discovered that whoever did the landscaping used primarily native plants, which pleased me.

And I heard many birds, including some Sandhill Cranes, which pleased me greatly. I didn’t even mind that the procedure was delayed, because that gave me time to walk to the really beautiful grocery store next to the surgery center. It must have replaced the old one that was there when I had a child in college there.

Fancy roundabout leading to what I assume is a nice new neighborhood.

I got a tasty Mexican torta, plums, a dessert, some snacks for later, and my favorite bread. Of course I got Anita some flowers.

Then I came to the empty waiting room and took a nap. Yes, in the chairs above. What a treat!

Getting Anita home was challenging thanks to the after-effects of the procedure and anesthesia, but we made it back to Cameron, fed the ancient dog, and got food into Anita. Success.

Late afternoon trees greeted me at home.

Tomorrow is ranch chore day, since what I’d hoped to accomplish this afternoon didn’t happen. And I’ll have a book report, too.

Thanks again to all who read and comment!

Speaking in Public Equals Fun

Something that always has interested me about myself is that I just love being on stage. I always wondered why that was. Did I inherit my dad’s drive to be the center of attention? Do I just love to perform (regardless of talent), or what? Do I just love the sound of my own voice? It’s true that I am chatty. You may be aware of that.

At least Kathleen enjoyed our coffee talk this morning enough to make one of those AI portraits of it. Those things are pretty good!

This evening I gave a short presentation on beavers for our Texas Master Naturalist chapter. I shared what I’ve learned from my reading, especially Beaverland, and observations from my friend’s ponds. I had so much fun standing up there and sharing what I found interesting and making jokes. It’s so freeing to give a presentation about something other than enterprise project and resource management software.

Who wouldn’t love learning about these guys?

Once I got home, I reflected on why I get so energized by giving a talk, singing, reading, or anything in front of an audience. I like to share what makes me happy! Music makes me happy, so I like to share it (or did when I could still sing adequately — I was never great). And things I’ve learned excite me, so I enjoy sharing. It’s too much fun to get anxious about.

The last time I sang in public. I needed practice.

My friend Michelle presented the results of the bat monitoring project our chapter did last year before my talk. It was a different kind of talk, so our audience got some variety. There were at least five species heard among our nine sites. I admire that Michelle analyzed so many sound files to find bat sounds. Admittedly, I’m glad I didn’t volunteer to do it once I un-retired, because it took a lot of time, but I’d have loved doing the analysis. It’s so fun finding the patterns.

My only complaint for today is that I had a hard time viewing sound waves today at work, because my external monitors kept flaking out. Trying to edit the sound track to videos is not easy on a small laptop screen. I just did other stuff. No performance there!

Frustrating work setup, but at least one monitor came back.

Wow. Already bedtime. I have an exciting day of hanging out with Anita, my friend from high school, tomorrow. Exciting may not be the best word choice. We will see!

Enjoying Potential Dangers

Not much went on today, since it’s my busy work day and we had a reasonable amount of rain. Wish it were a bit more.

The colors are so vivid after the browns of winter.

There’s been a bit of danger this week. Harvey got bitten by a snake and swelled up. Then when he was all numb and swollen he managed to bite through his lip. As if having a bad liver, going deaf, and dealing with stroke after effects wasn’t enough! He is healing though.

And today when we were walking my horses (we alternate between Kathleen’s and mine, apparently), I was trying to convince Apache that cantering in mud isn’t smart, when Drew erupted and started jumping and acting afraid. Apparently it was his first snake encounter, because he was really scared. Kathleen did a great job holding on and settling him back down, but that was enough danger for us. You’d think Drew would have seen snakes in the pasture or pens before. I certainly have.

It was a beautiful day to make a hasty retreat (Kathleen IS in the photo, but the bulky gelding is blocking her).

Still, it is always good to see that we can help the horses out, and as a bonus Kathleen didn’t get bitten. Maybe the tide has turned and she’s not a magnet for venomous creatures anymore!

It was raining all around us, and thundering. More danger!

Need proof that we had enough rain to make mud? Look no further than Muddy Mabel. She was gleaming and clean yesterday.

I hope she rolls in some dewy grass tomorrow and cleans some of her mane.

Other excitement of the non dangerous type? Today was Lee’s birthday. We are the same age again, whew. I hate those 6 days when we’re a year apart. He got mini Bundt cakes and a banana pudding cake, which we all enjoyed. I still like lemon the best.

Well, off to see what happens tomorrow.

Argh. Those Darned Criminals!

Grumble grumble. There I was, hanging out with the niece in my very clean tack room, when I spotted an email saying my son’s bank account was frozen. What the heck?

So I called the number in the email and listened to a woman telling me someone had been trying to access my account (not his), repeatedly. By phoning? I’ve taken so many phishing classes at work over the past few years that when she asked me to verify my address I panicked and thought I was giving some scammer my personal information. I guess they hear it a lot, because she said that if I wanted to be sure it was really the bank, I could call the number on the back of my credit card. Then we got cut off. I was so worried.

Imaginary me seeing my money flying away.

So I did call the number on the back of my debit card and explained my concerns. The second bank woman was very nice. I’m glad it was “only” my bank account in danger, since fewer automated settings rely on that than my credit card. “Just” my direct deposits of my pay and Social Security, and PayPal. I can take care of those fairly quickly. I now have a new account, login, and password. That will thwart those darned criminals.

It seems like the digital age gets scarier and scarier. You always have to be alert for so many potential threats. It’s exhausting. And nerve wracking. My hands were all shaky as I went through the endless process of changing everything. But I’m grateful that the bank spots these things. I guess I’ll forgive them for taking away my checks with horses on them.

My bland new checks will arrive soon. This is a stock image, not real.

Tomorrow is yet another day of challenges and opportunities at work, so I’ll sign off and try to get sleep. I hope you had only positive excitement today!

A Shopping Spree? Me?

Where would you go on a shopping spree?

Finally there’s a blog prompt that I can answer and it comes right when I’m doing my best not to buy things…except peace symbol jewelry and shoes. Shoes are what triggers my pleasure receptors or something like that.

Look how cute this shoe is! And it has a little charm!

I guess I can’t forget my love of nail polish strips. Today’s shipment made me glaze over with pleasure at their beauty, especially the one with green highlights. Ooh.

The one on far right. It will look so great on!

That doesn’t answer the question of where I’d go on a shopping spree, though. I can only wear so many Skechers and ColorStreet (no, I’m not compensated).

I think I’d go to the Navajo Nation and buy some turquoise jewelry, rugs (in the styles I like best), and some churro wool I could weave or crochet with. I’d get some pottery and paintings by artists I admire or ones who are new to me. I would prefer to buy directly from the artist. Maybe my spree would include commissions just for me, but allowing the artists freedom to do whatever they want.

This is the closest I have to a real Navajo rug. I don’t know its maker, but the colors and pattern are right.

If I’m going to spend a lot of money, I’d like to contribute to a culture I admire and purchase handmade items. So, if anyone wants to send me on a spree, that’s what I’d do! I’ve certainly bought enough jewelry and from Native Americans and other people I know. It brings me joy to wear these things and see them in my home.

The necklace distracts you from my scowl.

There’s not much other news, because I worked both jobs today (all interesting) and the only other activity I did was go on a walk with Kathleen. We found some flowers and a scary branch that looked like an angry snake in the creek.

Keep sending out more rain vibes for here!

Taking a Breath

Today I just had to take it easy, so other than listening to birds and feeding animals, I didn’t do much today.

I felt like this little one. Just resting.

It was a good birding day, which always seems to happen after rain. I’m waiting for the sparrows to go, since the swallows are back. My most exciting sighting today was this tiger moth. I’m not quite sure which species, but I’m hoping it’s an “agreeable tiger moth.”

I read a lot today, then Lee and I watched most of the new Young Sherlock television series. It’s quite good, with excellent sets—more lovely English countryside. The weirdest part is that Colin Firth plays a bad guy, and with his 1800s beard and hair, he resembles Senator Ted Cruz, a lot. I would not have imagined that before.

Mostly, I’m pretty tired, I guess from Daylight Savings Time. But I sure like having more time to play with horses in late afternoon!

I think I’ll take a cue from Harvey, seen here sleeping off a snake bite. He’s ok now.

Rain Daze

It finally rained again, which we needed. It waited until I was finished having baked goods with Martha, and chatting with Vicki and others at the bakery. Vicki rode her new horse almost to our house this morning.

Before it cooled off and got all windy, Lee and I enjoyed the porch, where all the plants are back outside.

Martha and I then went to the yearly Master Gardener plant sale. Since half the Master Gardeners are also Master Naturalists, we saw lots of people we knew and had a fun time catching up and looking at the few plants that were left. I did find a fig tree to buy, and my friend Lynn took it home with her and will bring it over here when it isn’t raining. Future visitors!

I hope this is in my future. Photo from Pexels.

The rest of the day, we stayed inside and I got all sorts of tasks completed that were perfect for a rainy day. I wrote a presentation on beavers for the next Master Naturalist meeting, catalogued the birds seen here from February, filled out my timesheet (yay, money), and did my nails. Maybe dull, but necessary. And I indulged in an old television series on the history of the first 55 years of Star Trek (it’s 60 this year).

The animals made it through the rain, so we just relaxed after feeding them. I’ve got more relaxing ahead of me tomorrow, but maybe a bit more creativity.

Speaking of creativity, here are January and February of 2026. No orange yet!

Sometimes a lack of excitement is just fine. This rain daze was pleasant.

Funny? Weird? Fun? Today Was All That

Where to start? First, I laughed SO hard yesterday at my dear cousin, who was kind enough to call and wish me happy birthday. The problem was that she wished me a happy 67th birthday. No, I correct, I’m 68. You can’t be, she exclaimed, because I’m older than you and will be 68 in November. No, you turned 68 last November. Now, we have known each other since infancy and can’t figure out how old we are. Finally I brought up an age calculator and asked it how old I was. It said 68. My cousin wailed that she had lost a year. That was so dang funny.

Also funny. The hopeful looks on these two faces as Dusty’s morning food was being prepared. They can’t believe he eats and they don’t (we have a new fattening up Dusty campaign and he eats feed twice a day)

Now for the weird. Kathleen spent all day today cleaning the tack room as only a Kathleen who’s feeling better can clean. When she has energy, she really has it. There’s a distinct lack of mouse and rat poop in the room now.

But, she discovered weird/icky things in her deep cleaning. First, Tipper has created a litter box area under a chair, sans litter box. So, suckers that we are, we’re getting the cat a litter box. And food. And water.

The tack area also sparkles. I wanted to take the ribbons down because they remind me of Tarrin, but Kathleen said I worked hard for them and should keep them out. Okay.

But what was weird was what she found under the desk. It was someone else’s poop! Our best guess is a raccoon, which it kind of resembles. But we aren’t sure. Guesses?

Maybe Vlassic? But why? He has many acres to poop in.

Another weird thing happened at work. My colleague and I were trying out all the possible voices to use in a web-based training I’m making (so they won’t have to rely on my voice after I’m gone). We found one that sounds quite real. It’s so real that I think it’s Captain Ake from Star Fleet Academy (Holly Hunter). Of course we chose her so I can chuckle as I hear Ake talking about project management software.

Now for the fun part. My friend, Melanie invited me to share wine and a cheese board with her after work. We had fun picking out cheese from Wisconsin, “the cheese capital of the US.” Then we got a lesson in the use of cheese utensils from the shop owner, who plans to give classes. It all made us laugh.

The “interesting” wrapper of one cheese.

It was lots of fun sipping prosecco and munching on snacks. I learned a lot about the history of this county (in sum, everyone really IS related) and got to chat with a few other women who were there. It was a great way to end my extended birthday, and everyone else got barbecue for dinner, so they didn’t miss me at all!

I will now snuggle into my side of the bed just like my sleeping partner (Lee has Penney in his sleeping chair)

Sixty-eight Feels Great

I think I’ve gained five pounds tonight, but it was sure fun! In fact, I woke up with a good mood and it lasted all day, which is an atypical way for me to spend a birthday.

Usually I set expectations low for these yearly events. I’m awful at doing things for other people on their birthday, and don’t expect anything for mine. But today I knew I was getting this great meal and Lee had brought me all those plants yesterday, so I was happy as I could be.

Forgot to show the fancy ginger plant yesterday.

I had to do a webinar this morning, but I was prepared and it all went fine. I even edited the recording, uploaded it, and shared it before lunchtime. What a worker, huh? That efficiency enabled me to take a nice walk at lunchtime, where I had a great time photographing all the new wildflowers. They were another gift!

The rest of the work day featured writing and writing, then problem-solving with my peers. A good challenge makes the day go faster! See, I really was in an uncharacteristically good mood.

Cheerful double dianthus blossom. Cultivar.

It was indeed a pleasure to get to run out and play with the animals after work. After feeding and exercising horses, Kathleen and I walked Dusty and Apache around the horse trails (newly mowed). Both behaved very well and seemed to have as much fun as we did. It’s ice to see Dusty getting out.

Yep, fun day. It was made more fun by all the nice people who texted, called, posted on Facebook, and otherwise sent kind birthday greetings. It’s always a highlight to hear from people I’ve know from all my wild and crazy (and boring and bitchy) stages of my life. I just kept smiling and having great memories.

I feel like I’ve crawled out of a deep hole and glimpsed the sun. Sure, I may have to duck back down, but having fewer concerns weighing on my mind is a welcome respite.

Yellow flowers always bring a smile, even simple wood sorrel.

Whatever you were doing today, I hope it had moments that made you smile.