politics – The Hermits' Rest

There’s a lot of water here

Since it’s Monday, I had to work. But since it’s Eastern Time, I didn’t have to work until late morning. So I took the opportunity to head over to Tomoka State Park, which is quite close to where I’m staying in Ormond Beach, Florida.

The park is surrounded by two rivers, the Halifax, which is also part of the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Tomoka, which joins the Halifax here. As you can imagine, there are beautiful views, many without any signs of humanity. My kind of place.

There are lots of kayak trails and camping areas. The nature trail and the trail around the point were what I focused on today, though I have plans to return and either go on a boat tour or hike another path.

Oddly, I didn’t hear many birds, just a very persistent Osprey and a Belted Kingfisher were loud. Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Carolina Wrens rounded out the songbirds, and I spotted an Anhinga, some Ruddy Turnstones, and a Great Blue Heron. Nothing too exotic.

There were plenty of very interesting plants to distract me from the lack of birds, however. The scenery was lush and verdant, with some new plants, like a hog plum (Ximenia americana), also known as a sea lemon. Apparently they’re common on the Florida coast, but I don’t remember them.

Take the tour of the nature trail with me! It’s fun.

There was lots of turtle and tortoise evidence here. I saw a nest that had recently hatched and found a beautiful gopher in its hole. I sure enjoyed gopher tortoises as a child!

Here’s more on the Gopherus polyphemus.

Okay, I’ll just share a few more interesting plants and insects I saw.

After exhausting my eyeballs from all this, I headed back to work and tried not to let the pelicans distract me as the majestically sailed by. The ocean was very blue.

After working I took a short walk on the beach to enjoy the sea birds and the shifting sands. This is a great place to come in summer after school starts. It’s warm but quiet. There are so many beautiful colors to enjoy.

And finally, I got to hang out with Vicki, whose headache was over, thankfully. We ate at a fun place in a non-touristy area with a great ocean view. After an amazing grilled cheese sandwich and much conversation about taboo topics like politics and religion (where we disagree less now than at other points in our lives), we went to a quiet beach park and watched pelicans dive as the sun set. A fine day with much water!

The cordoned off areas are turtle nests.

Sleepy time!

Nothing wrong with uneventful days

Yeah, the last couple of days have been fairly low stress, with just a couple of bobbles. Also the blog prompts are so repetitive that I didn’t feel like answering the last few. Nonetheless, there have been highlights.

Master Naturalist meeting was last night, and I even made the end of the Board meeting (but missed some ruffled feelings, thankfully). A highlight of the meeting was getting a photo with all our living Presidents as our current one received a commemorative Bald Eagle pin.

The other highlight has been Stumpy’s growing popularity with its avian buddies. We now have little flocks of House Sparrows vying for stump space, as well as Cardinals seeking out their sunflower seeds. My patience has really paid off! Here are blurry phone photos to prove it. I’ll have to bring out the good camera now that there’s something to photograph.

Look at all the birds in the tree awaiting their turn.

I’ve felt good about work, because I’ve hit a few deadlines, but I’m glad the weekend is here. We had a pleasant dinner with my son and his partner at the new restaurant in town, which always is a pleasure. I do enjoy the little downtown area.

It rained somewhere near here this evening, but not here. We are back in crispy season, with extreme heat and brown plants. I’m glad to have water to look at here! Tomorrow I’m working with the water garden some more, too.

Make it go away

If you could erase one trend from history, what would it be?

I’ll tell you what trend I’d like to eliminate: charismatic psychopaths taking over the leadership of powerful countries and embarking on unstoppable campaigns to satisfy their need for praise and power.

Can we make this trend go away? Not without a destructive struggle, I fear.

Okay, people who came here to read the prompt response can stop reading. I’ll go on to ranch news. First, the dogs are making progress. And, hey, I discovered in the archives that we got Penney seven years ago this week, and she was my most recent acquisition. So we aren’t grabbing dogs Willy-nilly. (Kathleen rescued Goldie.)

Benito has started to both play with and assert himself with Harvey. I just hope they establish their boundaries quickly. It’s hard to keep B calm for his heart worm treatment when everyone wants to play and play. But they do sleep a lot.

We have noticed much less mounting and marking from Benito, which is really good. I’m not fond of that stuff.

As for the rest of us, we are muddling along, with no one feeling all that great. My jaw swelling has gone down, but I still hurt. I’ll let the dentist know, and I’m taking the antibiotics on schedule.

Sharing some white-mouthed day flowers, which got sprayed today. They were pretty, but it was time to trim some overgrowth.

Big thing for me: I am finally going through all my clothing from work and ranch and will be making some lucky thrift store shopper very happy. I got two boxes full of clothes today. More to come! This is one of my “issues,” having too many clothes. Comes from not having many growing up. But I go overboard. Sigh. I guess I could have worse issues (and probably do).

PS: haven’t lost a fish in my water garden! Yay!

I know my negativity

What’s the best way to deal with negative thoughts?

As an expert on negative thoughts (my own) I have much to say about dealing with negative thoughts. I’ve written plenty about it over the years. And, as I’ve mentioned, I’ve gotten a lot better at dealing with my negative self talk.

Being human, and living in 2026, I do still have negative thoughts, both about myself and the state of the world. I don’t know what’s the “best” way to deal them, but I can share what I do.

When I’m thinking negative thoughts about myself, I remind myself that I’m just fine and that other people’s opinions of me are their issue, not mine. And over the years I’ve simply gotten more comfortable with my imperfections and oddities. That helps. Just reminding myself that no one’s perfect and that’s FINE helps me push aside negative self talk.

As for the state of the world, dealing with negative thoughts about the state of the world or the future, well, that’s harder. I latch onto any positive news like a life rope. Last weekend’s convention was helpful. But most important for me, I need to live in the moment and see the good and beauty around me. Nature, dogs, horses, family, and work are the things I can focus on. Anyone can do something like that!

Just think of a basket of puppies (I wish it were so easy)

When I was learning to not be so hard on myself, I taught myself to redirect negative thoughts by acknowledging them, then focusing on a positive statement. Things are difficult now. Your feelings are real and do matter—it’s just important not to dwell on them all the time, since it doesn’t make anything better.

Nowadays, when doomsday thoughts, hopelessness, or fear creep in I remind myself that there are way more people who just want a safe home for their families, meaningful work, and freedom to be themselves than there are oligarchs and their ilk. They have money, but we have numbers.

Did that help? Maybe?

PS: Happy Canada Day!

My friend Patty saw a parade like this today! Photo from Pexels

Feeling encouraged, warm, and fuzzy

We got to sleep in today, since convention stuff didn’t start until 10 am. Pamela talked and met a few people, while I went to the beach outside the hotel to look at birds. Both of us had fun.

We eventually made it to the Selena Arena and watched more speakers and talked to various minor celebrities. I enjoyed greatly hearing some of the candidates for office talk about their goals. It was a parade of regular folks who want to help Texas. Some were very good public speakers and some were not. But they were real people. Citizens like you and me. And it was so diverse. Encouraging.

Finally, after a bunch of voting and stiff, we were treated to hearing a familiar voice with a familiar story. The great Bernie Sanders came down from Vermont to make us sad, then cheer us up.

It was encouraging to hear him agree that in Texas we can possibly make things better, even running against all those billionaires! Even to briefly have hope that us little guys can effect change is liberating for me.

Bernie! And proof I was there near a significant historical figure!

After the rest of the voting we fled. We had no trouble parking or leaving, which was great for Pamela, whose feet had been unhappy. Usually I dread all the crowds exiting parking lots. But, yay, we got back to the hotel safely.

We decided to be decadent, so I found a very nice restaurant and made reservations there. We read our books for a while, then had a wonderful meal at Fork and Vines restaurant. My beverage was an amazing apricot version of an old fashioned.

Each of us holding my drink. The blue water bottle came home with Pamela.

It was such a pleasant evening lingering over amazing food, telling stories, and laughing with our server. A great way to end the trip!

I have to say I found the political convention more fun than I expected. Talking to so many new and interesting folks was encouraging and enlightening. People all across the state share my thoughts and my fears. I’m not alone. I’m a little more hopeful.

Tomorrow, back to nature reporting.

Convening in Corpus

The first day of my first political convention is complete. Today started extra bright and early. But I managed to make it to the center in time for the Texas Rural Caucus. Too bad the check-in security line delayed me. It’s okay. I’m just there for the experience. I ran into my old political friend Jimmy Flannigan, which was fun. He and Jeannette, our county chair, got elected to some party position.

I went to another rural session then sat outdoors in the blasting wind and looked at the water.

We watched a crane lift a flag on the USS Lexington. It went up, flapped weirdly, then went down and back up, more successfully.

More exciting were the exhibits, where there were so many causes, petitions, and swag that your mind boggled. I met interesting folks, though. The convention is brimming with interesting people!

I enjoyed the decor of the exhibit about stopping the border wall in Big Bend.

Eventually the general session started. It felt weird to be one of those people you see on TV holding signs and saying Yay a lot. I enjoyed learning about the candidates, who all impressed me with their commitment to serve the people of Texas. There were so many stories and impressive folks to see. Even Corey Booker! And a 96-year old activist who was really sharp.

Clayton Tucker, Ag Commissioner candidate and goat farmer, with me and Pamela.

We left before the biggest speech, but I will watch it on YouTube. Pamela is struggling to walk and I didn’t want her trying to navigate stairs in a huge crowd. A nice volunteer gave us a golf cart ride to the car, which helped lots.

Corpus waterfront is really pretty. We even enjoyed the gulls and grackles. I’m easily amused.

One more day. Hope it’s fun.

Birds of radically different feathers

My day today started off with spending a good while just watching a pair of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds flitting around and hanging out.

Usually if there are two males, they chase each other to defend their territory, but this male and female were just hanging out and maybe flirting. It was very calming to observe.

Bunnies were hard to distinguish from Lee’s mowing clumps.

The day (very long) ended with Kathleen presenting me with one of her diamond painting crafts. I knew she made them, but had never seen one before. I guessed (correctly) that she wasn’t surprising me with beautiful flowers, because she was suppressing a laugh as she came up to me, holding something behind her back. What was it? Well, she knows how much I like birds, so she tested my love of my avian friends by making me a bird I couldn’t like.

He’s watching me from the fireplace now.

I laughed so hard. It’s so nice and sparkly! It’s just the perfect gag gift! I love how we can poke fun at each other and enjoy stuff like this. We can all use a good laugh to keep us going.

Meanwhile, I did my nails all patriotic in preparation for a weekend trip. This polish looks like those rocket popsicles.

I’ll try to write tomorrow. I’m stepping out of my comfort zone.

Happiness is fleeting

What’s a common misconception people have about happiness?

I always feel sad when I hear people say their goal is to be happy. Or all they want is for their kids to be happy. All the time? We can’t always be happy.

These incessant hurlers do seem always happy.

I’d be exhausted if I was happy for days at a time. Happiness is a fleeting state of mind, for me. I want to have happiness, joy, and contentment in my life. Yet, all those feelings are sweeter and and more to be treasured when life has ups and downs to compare them to.

So I do not wish my children or anyone happiness all the time, just enough to savor and enjoy. My ideal would be to feel vaguely content most of the time, with sadness during appropriate times and happiness sprinkled throughout the day in little bursts.

The last bit of wildflower color. And many grapes. May have to cut those back.

I make sure to notice when I’m happy, since it comes more often these days. For example, I was happy just now when hugging Carlton.

I do wish that life could have less anxiety and stress. Everyone seems to have an imbalance of that, if they’re paying attention! This became abundantly clear yesterday, as so many friends expressed how good it felt to see the Obama Center opening. Independently, I kept hearing how people had forgotten what it felt like to be proud of a leader, and to hear former political rivals being civil with each other. The constant dread of these times lifted briefly.

Ephemeral. Most happiness is just that. Like catching two dragonflies on the wing.

I’m a wet participant in democracy

The rain gauge read 4.3 inches this morning though the pond flowed better. The creek is looking like a river, but we’ve seen worse.

It just keeps growing thanks to rain north of us.

However, in a break the nephew and I got my car to the tire place and got four new tires. I sure wish I’d brought a checkbook, because there’s a surcharge to use credit. Ugh. That ate a chunk out of my bank account. However, since one tire was dead, the time had come.

Later in the morning, I joined a good-sized group at a meet-and-greet with two candidates in the upcoming election. Both of their opponents have disappointed me in their policies that cater to billionaires and ignore their constituents’ issues about health care, water, etc.

The event featured amazing food and mimosas!

The candidates were both very impressive. They were intelligent, thoughtful, well educated, and friendly. They listened to us and did a great job answering questions. I’d forgotten that people running for office could be genuine and honest. Well, who wants to vote for people like that? Not a majority of Texans.

I liked the little American flags around the building.

Nonetheless, today’s experience was quite positive. People were genuinely excited that we could hold an event in this county.

After I came back, we fetched my car—it will be so nice to have my comfy car back.

After last week’s work, I decided to rest most of the afternoon, though Lee and I did enjoy a sunny period by swimming for a while. The water is quite pleasant. I look forward to swimming season! However, soon as I had fed the poultry, rain came back. It’s going to be a wet week!

I’m glad for some downtime.

I’m Not Dead and I Do Vote

Do you vote in political elections?

Sorry I’ve been absent. Sick doesn’t really cover it. I was close to (shudder) taking myself to a hospital yesterday when I couldn’t talk at all, kept cutting off my airway with my inflamed throat, and kept salivating like a mini fountain. It was rather unpleasant. This whole illness is a lowlight of my life. Current theory: salivary gland infection. On account of the drooling.

But the question is, do I vote in presidential elections? What do you think?

Well, I know I’m real subtle about my beliefs…oh wait. I got fired by my horse trainer for saying some ICE tactics in Minneapolis were not legal. So, I’m one of those woke people.

We woke people vote. So, I do. Once the person I voted for won and I was so relieved, thinking our national nightmare was over. Nah, just postponed for a while.

That’s what you get when someone on steroids and TWO antibiotics responds to a blog prompt.