April 4, 2024
Citrus blooms happened overnight. At least, the navel orange seemed to explode in the last 24 hours. The smell is amazing. I worry that the coming cold front, with its wind and rain, will knock down some of the buds. The bees seem do not seem to be bothered with it, though.
Took this image this morning before sunrise. Orange buds about to break, just a few days into Spring. Rain on the way this weekend, just in time for Spring Break.
John Steinbeck wrote the phrase “indiscipline of overwork.” Pushing yourself past your limits, using brute force, he said, was “the falsest of economies.”
I felt that.
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Office views. Not terrible.
It almost looks like a painting. Not sure how I managed to get that effect. Luck, or maybe ignorance.
First sunny day in a week. Cleaned up the backyard. Walked a few miles.
Update: “George Carlin very emphatically denied he had had anything to do with "Paradox," a piece he referred to as "a sappy load of shit," and posted his comments about being associated with this essay on his own web site.” –via Snopes
An observation by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.
This year’s harvest: 38 total with only 9 “ugly” ones. Trying something new this year by freezing a few of them. The internet says they’ll keep up to three months in the freezer. We’ll see how well that advice holds true.
]]>At times 2023 felt gentle and kind, and at other times felt unbearable. This past year has taught me more than the decade before it and impacted my life in ways I could have never imagined. A year of love, loss, and light...and posting about it daily here on this little blog. I honestly can't recall what moved me to post daily during 2023, but I am glad I did.
I won't be repeating that personal challenge any time soon, but I am glad that I did. Those daily posts allowed me some time to reflect, like writing in a journal. My completion rate with handwritten journals has not been so successful. Yet, posting through the computer seemed to be a bit easier than slogging through a handwritten note. I suppose that the "always on" lifestyle, with phone in hand and computer permanently connected, affords some benefits. It also creates some hazards, but that is another series of reflections or blog posts.
I am grateful for all that was during 2023, and I am hopeful for that which may soon be.
I did it. I posted here every day for 365 days. Sometimes, I played catch-up because I neglected my goals. But, isn’t that how it always works? Set a goal. Adjust. Restart.
This daily blog post exercise did teach me a few things: 1) don’t give up, 2) consistency matters, and 3) self-reflection. I don’t think I’ll have a go at posting daily in 2024, but I’ll certainly be more consistent.
Happy New Year!
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Shopped at Walmart then Trader Joe’s. Got some plants at TJ’s. Rain overnight. I feel like I’m in a fog, because I’ve had a drink every night for over a week. Ugh.
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Fat Rabbit then Williamette Wineworks
Met Tony and Cia. A nice night.
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Still got one more to go. New Year’s Eve is just around the corner.
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Christmas Day
A wonderful meal, tasty cocktails, and the boy even helped to clean up. It was a good day, even though I never felt the Christmas spirit. That holiday joy is elusive some years, but I’m grateful.
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Had the folks over. Had some Christmas Old Fashioneds. Exchanged some gifts. Probably in bed by 9pm. Really happy with this bougie skin care gift.
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It’s that time of year. Fun times at cousin Dana’s, with all the old folks and young folks.
]]>Got a lot done today, and zero of it had to do with my dissertation. That’s not entirely true. I did skim two journal articles and added to my research Notes on the iPhone app. But, here a list of other stuff:
Last day of work before winter break.
This paper cutter in the staff room made me smile.
morning commute and office view of the sunrise
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Late night Costco gas run. Hard to beat it @ $3.99 per gallon, when most other stations are charging $4.29 per gallon. It started dumping rain on the way home, and there was a beautiful lightning show to the west. All I can think about is the leak in the roof above the garage, and how it’s hosing the GFCI outlets. Merry Christmas 🫠
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Wind and rain. Oak leaves and leaking roofs.
Same shit as last year. A fun start to the holidays.
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