Computer Cramps

Can a computer get a cramp?  I think mine has one because it is running very slow!

I know what you are thinking and no, it is not all those spyware and malware programs from "those" sites.  You and your dirty mind!

Attack Cat - yes, this cat bites and scratches any house guest we have.  If only I could use it to make this computer behave.

Friday Sunrise - 25 July 2014

I was greeted my another amazing sunrise this morning. What a great week. Happy Friday!!!

Today's sunrise gave me a unique opportunity for a shadow selfie. The light coming through the semicircle window above our bed was very soft and interesting. The angles on the wall added to the effect. 

Morning Sun

The morning sun is an amazing creature.  Not many people like to get up early enough to see the sun rise in the east but the often make a point to see the sun setting in the west.  I don't quite understand this.  Yes, I love sunsets but what quickly follows the sun's fall below the horizon - DARKNESS!  Each morning, the sun disrupts the still darkness of night with its bright rays bringing new life to the world.  I like sunrises...

This morning's sunrise as see from my bedroom window.

Do I Listen?

My phone spoke to me this morning. At 7:10am this morning, it told me to transform my life. Really phone???

The question remains - Do I Listen?

Dreamer

Simple Fact - I am just a dreamer.

What does this mean really? 

Well, I spend hours and hours every day fantasizing.  Not that kind of fantasizing you dirty minded fool - get you mind out of the gutter (okay, that kind of fantasizing does occur but that is not what I am talking about).  I fantasize about everything and anything.  Sure, this may sound like a colossal waste of time to you but it is what keeps me alive.

Copper-bellied Watersnake - one of the snakes I often dream about

I dream about being in a better place mentally.  I dream about having my fit and lean physical body back.  I dream about snakes.  I dream about the Center for Snake Conservation.  I dream about my boys' future successes.  I dream about everything actually.

This makes living in the moment very difficult.  I cannot appreciate what I have now because I want what I see in my dreams.  Relationships suffer because I do not express my gratitude for the moments I spend with people in the present.  My work suffers because I cannot do what is needed at the moment to succeed.  I can only see the future of what will be - not the path of how to get there.

My horoscope this morning spoke directly to me.  [How does this keep happening?  Pretty soon, I am going to have to start believing in astrology.]  I have gotten way off track pursuing my life goal and purpose.  I am no longer pouring myself into my passion - snakes.  

The dream of the Center for Snake Conservation is no longer easy to visualize.  It is hard to see myself back on track and reaching my life's goal.  This cannot happen.  I am a dreamer.  I can dream again about snakes.  I need to believe again and find the people who can help me succeed.  I have lost friends in the my absence.  My credibility has died with many, many people.  I have destroyed relationships that are critical to my success; to the success of the Center for Snake Conservation.  But it is not too late.

My chance is not gone.  The Center for Snake Conservation is who I am.  It means more to me than I care to admit out loud.  I have been devastated by the past year and my behavior (or lack of action).  My credibility is shot but this can be repaired.  The framework for success is still there.  I just need to get back on track and make things work again.

Bringing snakes to people is one of the most rewarding aspects of my passion.

I am a dreamer.  I lost my dreams for a while but I still know how to dream.  I am going to be asking all of you for help in bringing me back to living in the moment while at the same time, letting me (and you) dream big. 

DREAMER - Ozzy Osbourne

Gazing through the window at the world outside
Wondering will mother earth survive
Hoping that mankind will stop abusing her sometime

After all there's only just the two of us
And here we are still fighting for our lives
Watching all of history repeat itself
Time after time

I'm just a dreamer
I dream my life away
I'm just a dreamer
Who dreams of better days

I watch the sun go down like everyone of us
I'm hoping that the dawn will bring a sign
A better place for those Who will come after us ... 
This time

I'm just a dreamer

I dream my life away oh yeah
I'm just a dreamer
Who dreams of better days

Your higher power may be God or Jesus Christ
It doesn't really matter much to me
Without each others help there ain't no hope for us
I'm living in a dream of fantasy
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah

If only we could all just find serenity
It would be nice if we could live as one
When will all this anger, hate and bigotry ... 
Be gone?

I'm just a dreamer
I dream my life away
Today
I'm just a dreamer
Who dreams of better days
Okay
I'm just a dreamer
Who's searching for the way
Today
I'm just a dreamer
Dreaming my life away
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah

Sunrise and Flowers

Today is starting off in an amazing way. My first 20 minutes of the day were spent watching the sunrise and watering my garden. 

The garden is spectacular right now. 

 

500 Words

How much can I write with 500 words?  I haven’t been blogging lately and I have been blaming anything and everything for my apparent loss of creativity.  What it really boils down to is that I am out of practice and need to blog more.  Shit – I can blog about anything as long as my mind is working properly.  So – I am making a commitment to blog at least 500 words every day for the next 104 days.  Why 104 days?  Well, I turn 40 in 104 days. 

Holy shit!  I turn 40 in 104 days.  Where has this year gone?  It has crept along steadily with me just riding the tide.  I still haven’t found my way out of the water but at least every time a rip current comes to suck me down and out to sea, I am able to escape it.

We attempted a huge painting project over the weekend.  After a late start on Saturday, we made great progress and almost completed our task.  This whole project was a ripple effect from putting installing wood floors in our living room. Yep, we decided to paint the walls to give the room an entirely new look.  I have to say, I am 100% please with the outcome.  I will wrap up the painting tonight, put everything away, and sleep well.  Here are some photos of our huge undertaking.

Heather using the Extended Roller

Homemade stabilizer for the 24' ladder

Looking down the roller extension

Looking up the roller extension

I haven’t seen a wild snake in a while.  This is not okay but for some reason, I am just not getting outside to find one anymore.  Today may be a good day to get out for a quick run to see what I can find at lunch. 

I have been spending a lot of time in my gardens though.  We have a pretty well established wildflower garden which is just incredible this time of year.  It is full of vibrant colors and alive with insects.  I love watching the bees and butterflies visit flowers but if you look closely, it is the other insects that dominant the garden.  There are tons of them – thousands really.  Most of them are too tiny to photograph but maybe I can find some time to get out my dslr camera and take macro photographs.

Love the colors of the wildflower garden

Purple Coneflower

Chocolate Coneflower

View from above

My goal this year was to expand and enhance a small area in the middle of the yard to create a more diverse and wild prairie situation.  It is coming along nicely and I even found a new species of wildflower growing in it yesterday.  So far, the “prairie” patch has been dominated by 2 plant species but yesterday I counted at least 6 different species of flowers.  The big surprise was finding lavender growing in the mix of clover and yarrow.  I am so pumped.  Lavender is an amazing plant that grows large and robust, smells incredible, and is a perennial so I know it will be there year after year.  I am adding a few plants to this garden this year that will hopefully make it a highlight of the backyard next summer.  I cannot wait.

the "Prairie"

So, there it is.  500 words or more.  Day 1 of 104 complete.  See you tomorrow.  J

Sunrise Friday 18 July 2014

Wow. I was blessed this morning with a great sunrise this morning. I watched it rise while taking a shower. I quickly hopped out of the shower so I could take this picture from my bedroom. 

I hope your Friday started the same way and that everyone has amazing adventures today. 

Horoscope - 3 July 2014

This is the type of horoscope that puts me in an amazing mood. I know that the Center for Snake Conservation is going to explode and grow beyond my wildest dreams and that this is happening soon. The stars say so too.

So when it does, I will...