If you could erase one event from history, what would it be?
I think I’d rather stick with “the devil you know.” The possibility of preventing one atrocity that leads to a worse one makes me leery of even contemplating erasing an event. There always seems to be another evil lurking in the wings after one’s eliminated.
That’s also why I don’t wish anyone, even my least favorite human, would die earlier than nature intends. Just think about what may happen next. Or not. That leads to disregulation.
Breathe and think about birds, trees, or cute little dogs. I happen to have an example dog. This is a series of Benito playing.
He’s chewed the ear off this one. I love that thing his mouth doesWhy won’t the fleas die?Thinking about mischief I’m innocent Is that toy behind me?Found itGrrDive!Got itToss!Pounce!I’ll get it!Now to sit and chew a while
Who writes these prompts? I guess I can’t imagine anyone really wanting to erase an event. But maybe I read too much science fiction as a youth.
What’s a conspiracy theory you actually find believable?
I’ll tell you. I would not be at all surprised if the powers running all the world’s political entities are a class of people who aren’t citizens of any nation, are loyal only to each other, and just want everyone else to do what’s needed to support them.
Results of my conspiracy theory.
I’m running out of other theories.
Thus, I plan to continue to do what’s needed to keep me and my family mentally and physically sound, until I no longer can.
Hmm. This question brought out my existentialism. I better go find another nature book.
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 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!
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.
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.
Funny the prompt should ask. My tarot group met tonight, and the reading we did was about manifesting the future with guidance from the collective consciousness and universal spirit (something like that). And the cards I drew reflected my concerns about the state of the USA right now and my growing resolve to put in the work to do something about it.
I got the message that I need to first rest and recuperate (all that tooth stuff) and to turn away from paths that don’t serve me. That’s what the Michael Pollan book on consciousness was making me think, too.
But most important, I saw that while things are going to get bad for a while, probably very bad, there is a good chance we can all rebuild a nation with goodwill and harmony. And that’s my biggest dream, that I’ll live to see us figure out a system not run by corporations, super-elites, and their insane puppet leaders. I want to live where people can live differently, have different paths, and all that, but care for each other.
We have to be strong, have resolve, and believe we can create the world we envision. And if we fail, we will know we tried.
The Hermits' Rest 