If your future self could send you one sentence, what do you hope it would say?
I hope my future self (maybe when I’m 102) would tell me how proud she is of all the learning and growing past me did, and that she appreciates all the memories of my fun with nature, friends, and family. My guess is she’ll have a lot to say.
Looking into the past (from Pexels)
Thankfully, today was uneventful, which allowed me to get lots of work done in between helping people, which is also part of my job, come to think of it. Other than work, I just enjoyed the animals and their antics.
Apache always thinks everyone else’s food dish is better.
There must have been something outside this evening, because there was sure a lot of barking. But I forgive the dogs, due to mostly being cute.
Watch Benito’s tail.
And hey! I finally saw a bird eating from my tree stump feeder. I kept putting food on the stump, just in case. No photos of that, just dogs. Enjoy.
I’d like to talk to you about life insurance. I really don’t want a term policy. I bought whole life. Wise investment now that I’m old. Fine. I’ll just go chew on this.
It makes me irrationally happy to see Benito play with toys. The other dogs no longer do. He is so full of pure joy.
What’s the best local dish you’ve ever eaten while traveling?
Ah. I can answer this even in my exhausted travel state. Then I’ll tell you how close I came to being duped.
Bonus NM flower: Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa)
I have two favorite dishes from my travels. First are the cluster oysters at Hudson’s on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. I do love those, as anyone who has had to endure me trying to open every single oyster can attest (right, stepsisters?).
Me eating the oysters
The other thing I remember is much simpler. It was an enchilada lunch in southern New Mexico, I forget exactly where. It was the perfect New Mexican style meal, with plenty of green chile goodness and the best beans and rice with it. I eat a LOT of Mexican food, so this had to be great to stand out. I hope we find that place again.
Mmmmmm
There ya go.
So, as we were driving home today, I got a message from my friend Trixie listing a bunch of items a family member needed to sell. It sounded like something she’d do. And I was excited to see a skid steer in the list, because we could use one, and the price was good.
“Skid steer”
So I messaged about it. She said other family were also interested (red flag) but that a deposit of $1,000 would hold it (red flag). I had to talk to Lee and Chris first. She stressed the urgency (red flag). I shared the photos she sent to Chris and he said it seemed like a good deal. I asked where we could come inspect it. She said they were “near here.” Where was “here?” (Red flag) Still I started to to PayPal the money to Trixie. She sent an email address that was not hers (red flag). Then I sent an image asking if it was right, because I didn’t want to pay a stranger. Silence (final flag). So I did what all those trainings at work said to do. I called her.
Use the phone function on your phone!
She was all flustered. “I’ve been hacked!” She said. So. No money went to fake Trixie and we don’t have a skid steer. But I do have my money. I sure blithely went through a lot of red flags. Am I turning into one of those gullible old people? Geez.
Don’t fall for any deal with a sense of urgency that seems to come from a friend. Call them after the first red flag.
So many red flags (photo from Pexels)
The dogs were very happy to see us when we got home. Much licking occurred.
What’s something you used to worry about but don’t anymore?
Oh, there’s a whole bunch of crap I don’t worry about anymore. That gives me a lot more mental space for living in the moment, discovering beauty, and sending out positive energy, which is sorely needed right now.
Wish I was here.
One thing I no longer worry about is what other people think about me. That’s a hard one for a reformed people pleaser! (And it is so easy to slip back into those patterns under stress.) I am pretty sure anyone who is thinking random negative stuff about me is not worried about what I think of them! So, let them!
I’d rather remind myself that I don’t know what’s going on in other people’s lives, so it’s better to assume they’re doing their best. Mental illness can make good intentions hard to see, but they’re usually there. Yes, even my least favorite political figures think they’re doing good. I do occasionally worry about them. Some worry is justified!
No worries from my faithful companions.
After another intense but interesting work day, and some rest and relaxation in the pool and with my animal buddies, I’m ready for some travel! See you tomorrow in another time zone!
What’s a quote that perfectly describes your outlook on life?
The prompt writers seem to be fixated on quotes these days. I thought I’d just skip today, since the most exciting parts were at work and no one other than me would find my new assignments fascinating.
However, as I was looking to see what photos I took today, I realized I’d taken a photo of a page in the book I was reading that had a quote that resonated with me. I think it captures my outlook.
To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; Study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.
Leonardo da Vinci, quoted in Noticing, by Richard Louv, p. 93
That’s just a perfect way to look at our journey through life.
I was pleased that two canna lilies bloomed today. The water garden looks ok!
Today’s question is hard for me because I don’t know whether to answer country (I think I’ve only been to around ten), state or region, city, or site. So I’m just going to name ten places I like a lot, not ranked.
Gainesville, across from my grandmother’s house
Gainesville, Florida. It’s my center.
Sedona, Arizona (and surroundings)
Ruidoso, New Mexico (and surroundings)
Hill Country, Texas
Chicago (favorite big city)
Western Ireland
Avebury, UK
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Coastal marshes of southeastern US
British Columbia, Canada, though I’ve never been there
Basically, I like places with interesting terrain and wildlife.
Antelope Canyon. My favorite place.
I’m glad for that prompt. A few things saddened me today, so I needed something cheerful.
Rio Ruidoso
My eccentric former boss at the software company where I met my kids’ dad lost his wife suddenly. I’m so happy he found the right partner to share his life with, but sad that she passed so young (around my age).
The person who murdered my friend Christi is finally going on trial nearly five years after her death. He was her son, whom she did her best for. But he was a mess. But not all bad. He found Fiona for me. All this and more has given me “the feels.”
I like quotes, too, but I’m extra-bad at remembering them, just like how canned jokes never stick with me. I claim that I specialize in situational humor and improvised sayings, though I’m not funny or pithy these days.
I’ve been feeling like a spring flower in a summer landscape — in the right place at the wrong time.
But I do have a quote for you! I remembered that I liked one of the pull quotes at the beginning of the book I’m reading, Noticing, by Richard Louv.
Right???
So many of us would-be do-gooders and nature lovers resonate with that one.
Meanwhile, I’m continuing to do things I like to do, not that I think I should. I put silly little stickers on my nails. It was fun. If you don’t like it, don’t try it.
Sunflowers for summer
In the background of my nails is my journal. I enjoy putting Washi stickers in it. Artistic? No. Fun? Yes. There’s lots worse I could be doing!
I also stickered my big toe. My gosh that photo looks weird.
Other fun today was swimming, even though there are so many wasps around the pool. You can see nests better from in the water, I’ve learned. Spray time tomorrow!
If you had to give one life-changing tip, what would it be?
Just one? Do not confuse hormones or sympathy for love. Let’s just say I’ve made that kind of mistake so many times that I have no intention of starting any new love relationships.
On a more cheerful note, it wasn’t quite as hot this morning, and I figured out I can sit in the shadow of my bird hut to hang out with nature. My spirits were lifted by getting to see a Yellow-bellied Cuckoo in the closest tree.
It never faced me, but I got to see its eye!I just love the seed pods on the honey locust
I also got to watch three Gulf Fritillaries enjoying the passion vine and sorrel vines. It was rather enchanting.
Three at once!DancingMy favorite
I’ve really needed more nature time lately. I’m trying to figure out what I want to do for the years I have left. I really want to stop volunteering to do things to try to make others happy, and I don’t want to spend my time on things I don’t enjoy, just because I “should.” If I cut back on obligations and let myself just relax more, my mental state could improve.
Looks like the green heron is a hummingbird on the fence wire.
If my mental state improved, I’d start exercising again and keep feeling better. That would lead me to choose activities I enjoy, not obligations. A happy cycle.
A thing I enjoy is taking pictures of dogs making funny faces.
More on this later. I’m thinking hard but also allowing ideas to come to me when I’m relaxed.
What’s a skill you consider basic, that most people don’t actually know how to do?
Get ready to disagree with me on this one. I think applying nail polish is a basic skill and very few people know how to do it well, including many people who often wear polish and some nail techs. I sure can apply nail polish. Three strokes per nail, a ridge/filling base, three (not two) coats of color, plus a top coat. Do not paint over your cuticles but also don’t leave bare nail at the base.
Who cares? I’ve been using nail strips for years now rather than polish, because it lasts so long and has fun colors. Applying them is also a skill that takes practice.
I wrote about that because although I had many options for things to do today, I stayed home with the birds, fish, horses, and family. Lee and I did go to the bakery again with Mike and Martha. This time we sat on the courthouse square by the fountain and enjoyed the pleasant morning weather (it was cloudy).
A view of Cameron, Texas.
We made plans to travel together next month, which should be fun. I even booked a place!
Martha indulged me and looked happy.
I’m getting the idea that it takes me a day to recover from a week of work lately. Not sure what’s up with that. I think I need to get back exercising more. Into the pool I go!
Things I did today. Nails and fish watching.
I watched most of a series about women with women’s problems while I was doing my nails. Ah yes, Five Star Weekend. It’s okay.
Today was good. Lots of work was done and I had a nice talk with my Master Naturalist friend, Donna. Then Lee and I tried out my friends’ new restaurant on the Cameron square. I had a nice chat with Michelle, then enjoyed a Chicago dog and really good green chile creamed corn. All fine. Pleasant.
I went up to my bathroom and immensely clean closet just now to change into pajamas and ingest my hormonal normalization pills. As one does, I looked into the mirror as I brushed my blueish hair. Not only the hair was bluish. So was my face.
I look like I’m bruised. There was another splotch by my nose, but I wiped it off to be sure it would come off.
Okay, spouses, if you go to dinner with our spouse, at least LOOK at their face. I tell Lee when he’s dribbled food on his beard! He could sweetly whisper to me that there’s blue smears all over my face. Geez.
Explanation: today I spent some time reorganizing my pens, since I change colors each month. July was red and blue, in a feeble attempt at portraying loyalty to where I live. one blue pen had sprung a leak and I got some on my hands. I washed that all off. But I didn’t check my face. I did a Zoom call with my boss with that stuff on it, too. Argh. That pen is in the trash basket now.
July is done already!
This is cheerier. I finished July on my temperature blanket at the end of July! I can easily see only three days when the high was below 90, plus three 100+ days (today being one). I’m predicting August will look similar but maybe with no oranges at all. A good month to leave town a lot!
Am I cute?
Benito is having a blast. Yesterday he got to help the Great Hunter Vlassic chow down on a fresh rabbit kill. Remember, that’s what dachshunds were bred for. Both dogs got a healthy fresh meal at least. And today he figured out that toys are fun and has been tossing two toys around and playing. that’s less icky.
Benito also is an incredible jumper. He can really launch himself into the air for long distances, to our surprise! He’s probably missing out on a career in agility work. Also, when he’s excited and barking with the other dogs because someone is here, he bounces on all four legs. I have always wanted a dog who could do that.
He’s fitting in. And he doesn’t care if I have ink on my face while ordering in a restaurant.
I’m cheating and answering this because it’s late after a long day and getting two of three dogs swabbed for DNA testing. We are trying to figure out how to swab grumpy Harvey’s cheek. But anyway.
I know what breeds the other dogs are, so Vlassic doesn’t get swabbed.
My decorating style at this point in life is ranch eclectic, with a dose of hippie/witchy stuff. Lots of wood and natural stone for the ranch part, and art mostly by people I know and silly collectibles for the eclectic. All the Buddha statues, St. Brigid statues, and tarot stuff make up the rest.
Best I can find of living room.
And Lee contributes piles of stuff (me to some extent).
But it’s homey and comfortable, and I have lots of flowers and horses to cheer me up.
An old photo of my office, but it mostly looks like this.
I really enjoy looking at nicely decorated homes and read many magazines on architecture and interior design. I’m also fascinated by how homes looked in the past. But that doesn’t mean I want to live in a perfect environment. A little mess doesn’t bother me. I salute those of you who can’t abide clutter. It’s just not me.
The Hermits' Rest 