Friday in PV

It's coffee in the condo this morning. 
We'll be out a little later for breakfast at a favorite little diner. I have discovered that most restaurants don't have very good coffee, so I'll have my coffee now and water or diet coke when we go out. Chris has a couple of appointments today, including a 90 massage. I might just bring a cigar and find a place to sit and smoke it while enjoying a paloma or margarita while reading a book or people watching.

Nothing special planned. 
More meeting with friends tonight. More nightlife than we are used to. 
But still...

...just another day in the life of John.

John

¡Buenos días, mis amigos!

I am writing this morning from the sidewalk in front of Dee's Coffee Company next to the pier in Puerto Vallarta. The birds are screaming this morning!

My early morning walk for coffee was a nice reminder of why I love it down here this time of year. 
It is so green and colorful with the beautiful flora! 
It seems a little old man-ish to be walking in a city as vibrant as PV and notice the flowers, but that is what I have become. This time of year is very festive and the Malecon is decorated for the weekend celebration of el dia de los muertos -- the day of the dead.

Our travel day was long, but easy. We hit the early morning flights because they are generally cheaper, plus you get an extra hour or two in the tropics. We didn't do much once we got here other than to settle into our Airbnb, grab lunch at a familiar and favorite place -- Monzon Brewery, and spend time with the kids.

Typically, Puerto Vallarta doesn't feel like a vacation. It's really just being retired in a different place. I'm generally up when I finish sleeping and I enjoy my coffee, while spending a little time on the Chromebook. It is much noisier here than the quiet of my deck, but it is also much warmer -- 76 vs 38 (24c vs 3c). I'll take wearing shorts and t-shirts and dripping in sweat over bundled in coats any day -- especially today!
Today we'll go to the store and get the things we'll need for a three week stay, and hopefully we'll catch up with a few friends that we have made in previous visits. 
I did have a brief conversation with a couple of guys that have moved here from Texas and a guy visiting from Canada. They were just at nearby tables friendly enough to chat with. 

I have a pretty good life for a fat, old man that grew up in a small town in Central Illinois -- retired, relatively healthy, and financially secure enough to have a nice home and do a bit of traveling. I suppose it is a bit of a bonus to have great kids that live in wonderful places to visit. 

I am sure that there is strife and stress in daily life for people in Puerto Vallarta, but the overall vibe is one of a great community. That incredibly positive energy is one of the things (other than the beautiful flora) that keeps me coming back. 

John

Checked In for Checking Out

We are checked in for our early morning flights when we will be checking out of the Ozark's fall weather for the next few weeks. The next few days in Puerto Vallarta will be mostly overcast but in the mid 80s (30c). I am looking forward to leaving the sweatshirts and sweatpants behind and getting back to shorts and t-shirts. The anticipation of the warmer weather helps to offset the typical stresses of traveling day. Dressing for the cool of the Ozark morning and then arriving to summertime temps is a bit of a challenge, but I am hopeful that we can get into our Airbnb early to change. 
I don't really know what posting will look like for the beginning of November, but I am hopeful that I can remain as regularly irregular as I have been in the past. I'll probably take care of tomorrow's post this afternoon. Thursday morning's post is anybody's guess.

I managed to get the deck enclosed with my vinyl covered panels so it will be ready for me when we get back. I re-did two of the smaller panels with clear plastic and will try to do more when we get back so that I can see through them and enjoy "being outside" more.
Also, I can make the deck into a mini-greenhouse and continue a little bit of gardening through the Ozark winter.

I don't usually take many pictures while we are traveling. I am not sure why. I guess I just enjoy the moments for what they are and move on. Having pics to share or memories to look back on is also nice, so I may try to take a few more. You may see some of them posted here at Out of My Hat.

A few more things to do today and then...

John

People Interactions

Well, I have had several positive interactions with new people this week. I'm not sure what that's all about, but it wasn't bad. Some conversations were initiated by others, a couple were from my asking questions. One situation was about making new people feel welcome at our Barchurch gathering. Being the new people among a group that already knows each other can be awkward, so finding ways to engage new people is a way to make them feel comfortable enough to come back. Bourbon seemed to be a common interest last night and that is an easy conversation to build from.

I ordered some new eyeglasses this week. One pair that I tried on was a little snug in the temples. The woman helping me made a comment about her own Hispanic background and big head and having difficulty finding a good fit. 
I wasn't sure if she was just commenting on my big head or if she recognized some Spanish heritage, but I asked about her background and we had a good conversation about that. Her maternal great-grandmother was from Spain (near Madrid) and her father's family was from northern Mexico. She was born in southern Texas, not far from the border. It was late in the day and no one else was in the shop, so we had an enjoyable conversation while she helped me select and order my frames and lenses. She thanked me for the enjoyable conversation as I left.

Sometimes people need to be seen. And oftentimes they just need permission or encouragement to talk about themselves. While some people love to talk about themselves and rarely ask about others, many need to be coaxed into sharing bits of their lives and need to feel comfortable before doing that.

I generally try to refrain from asking people what they do for a living.
I don't want to know what you do as much as I want to know who you are.
If people identify with their work, they will tell you that without being asked. Most people are way more interesting than their jobs. Some people have interesting jobs and I love hearing about them, but that's not usually where I want to begin when getting to know somebody.

There are certainly people that are passionate about their fields and have chosen them because of that passion. They do their work because that is who they are. 
Most of us do what we have to do to survive and hopefully we can make the time and have the resources to enjoy being our true selves and real lives whenever we get away from those jobs.

What do you want people to know about you?
If you could choose how people identify you, what would that be?

John

Surrendering

I know it is Thursday (because I just checked to make sure), and I know that "Surrendering" could work for a theology post, but this isn't a theological post. My surrender this morning has to do with accepting that it is fall -- whether I like it or not.
On the bright side -- I think I have mowed the field for the last time this year. I may need to hit the yard one more time, but maybe not.

I am still having coffee on the deck this morning -- even with a wake-up temperature of just 44 (7c) degrees. It is a little early to enclose the deck, but I am thinking about doing it now and making an improvised greenhouse so I don't need to move our deck plants inside. The panels that I've used in the past are easily removable for the warm days that will continue to happen, and shorts and t-shirts are always suitable attire for a warm, sunny deck. 
As you can see, it isn't a complete surrender. I will adapt and resist where I can, but still accept that it is going to be colder than I prefer. 

Anyway you look at it -- I have a pretty good life!
I will be working in the yard again today. It is time to bring in some of the potted plants and time to cut back some of the perennials for overwintering. It doesn't contribute anything to society other than keeping me sane and at home. Maybe that is enough for now.

John

 

Wednesday Wisdom

There is nothing wrong with being awake (woke) and aware.
Being asleep and being ignorant is a far worse thing.

John

Coffee shop day

Rather than spend a third consecutive day of sub 50 (10c) temperature on the deck, I am at a Springfield coffee shop -- Travelers. To be fair, the real reason for my coffee shop trip this morning is that I don't have enough coffee at home for my normal daily allotment and this way combines my coffee shopping and coffee drinking into a single trip. Plus I have my annual eye exam this morning and wasn't going to be out working early anyway. 
This particular shop seems to be more older people than most places. I am surprised by that. Coffee shops have seemed to be the morning domain of Millennials, not Boomers. This one is full and is about a 50/50 split with a few Gen Xers mixed in.

Today is my first flannel shirt day of the SWMO fall. I did wear flannel on our recent trip to Wisconsin, but this is a first for home this year. It almost makes me sad. At least it will warm up enough that a short sleeved shirt will work for working outside this afternoon.

FYI, I don't plan on bringing flannel shirts to Mexico next week!
Shorts, t-shirts, sandals, flip flops, cigars, and a loaded Kindle.
I am ready!

John

Just another day...

Brrrr...
It is another chilly morning in the Ozarks of SWMO. This is the second day in a row of sub 50 (10c) temperatures at wake-up. Although the sun is shining, it is a little cool to be sitting out here with my morning coffee. It's not cold enough for coffee by the fireplace yet, so I am still outside with sweats on and a blanket covering me as I drink my coffee from an insulated travel mug. 
No worries. In just 10 days I will be drinking coffee somewhere in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta!

I need to re-figure my winter enclosure for the deck. I'd like to keep the sunlight coming in, stop the wind from blowing through, and keep it warm enough to keep my plants alive through the winter. I didn't like the translucent plastic I used before and may end up recovering the same panels with a clear marine vinyl for this season.

I spend so much time out here that it feels a little weird sitting inside at night, but it is especially strange in the morning. Coffee on the deck is just how I almost always begin the day.
Coffee by the fireplace is okay, but I think I'd rather be outside, on the deck with a small space heater. There is a different energy about being outside. I don't know, maybe the clear vinyl enclosure will change that. I don't really remember it well from two years ago. (I didn't do anything last year.)

Just in case I haven't already mentioned this -- I am ready for spring!

Fall gardening work continues. I pretty much ignored two large areas this past year and I am now spending quite a bit of time and work to get them ready for next spring/summer. It's a bit of a pain in the butt, but I am sure it will be worth it for the birds, bees, and butterflies next spring.
And for now, it keeps me busy for a few hours each day.
Admittedly, I have a pretty good life.

While I most definitely enjoy late spring and summer the most of all seasons, fall and winter are easily endured from our home in SWMO. Overall, winters are generally mild and even the short bouts of extreme cold and occasionally heavy snowfall are easily managed for a retired couple that doesn't actually have to go out in it. I suppose we could migrate like some birds or animals do, but we are generally content. 
There are always trade-offs.
Shorter, warmer winters usually mean longer, hotter summers.
We may not always get to choose where we live, but we can choose whether or not we are happy for the moment. 

So...
even in my sweats I choose to be happy this morning. I'm ready to grab my work gloves and garden tools and get busy doing what I do. I'll be back here on the deck this afternoon with a good cigar and some extra anejo tequila. 
Life is good and retirement does not suck.

John

Coffee shop morning

Thursday was a good day for getting several hours of fall garden work done. There is always stuff to do and I plan on being outside working again later today, but for now I am sipping on a cup of coffee and waiting to meet Chris for a Costco trip.
Neighbor's Mill is more of a sandwich shop/bakery than it is a coffee shop, but they do have good coffee and it tends to be a regular meeting place for people in a coffee shop kind of way. And they have decent coffee, which is a must if you are serving up freshly baked cookies, breads, and pastries.

Tomorrow is the big "No Kings" day event and there are protests in the Springfield MO area. I am considering participating by actually going to an event, but also thinking that a dedicated "No Kings" post is really more my style. While I do believe that the large crowds will have a more effective media impact, damn, I hate large crowds of people. In fact, I begin to feel the inner tension just thinking about going.
I find it interesting that our "No Kings" event has crossed national boundaries and demonstrations are expected in other countries, as well. It turns out that only fascists like fascists and unfortunately, their are large numbers of people here in the US that don't even realize they are the fascists they hate because they are too ignorant to know what fascism actually is. 

If you are unsure of what fascism actually is, this video explains it pretty well.

Whatever I decide to do tomorrow, know for certain that I am opposed to the type of executive authoritarianism that Trump is imposing on the USA. It has to be stopped. 
Are any of you planning to participate in the peaceful demonstrations tomorrow?

John

Wednesday Wisdom

While there is something to be said about remembering the past and hoping for the future, neither is the place where we live. Living in the past or always being focused on what is ahead of us robs us of the simple joy and happiness of the present.

Find happiness in the moment.
Find happiness in today.

John

Safe Places

I am home after a weekend of not being home.
We were in southern Wisconsin for my niece's wedding. We took our time going there and coming home so that we didn't have to make an all day drive either way. 

The wedding was fun. It was a beautiful day and an outdoor setting. The bride and groom were officially hitched under a 225+ year old oak tree, and the reception dinner was in a beautifully decorated barn. A covered pavilion outside the barn was there for music and dancing. There was a large fire pit surrounded by benches and cornhole or bags boards set up for games.

The bride and groom wrote their own vows and shared them privately before the ceremony. In keeping with the tradition of not seeing each other before the wedding, they were around one of the corners of the barn from each other and could read their vows without being nervous from being in front of an audience and without feeling as if they were performing. 
They let me (the officiant)  read their vow books so that I could share some of their vows during the ceremony. 

The bride said that the groom is her safe place.
I've been thinking about that a lot.

Safe places are generally thought of as -- well, places. They can be a room, a home, a place in nature or near a body of water.
Safe places are sometimes gathering places with other people that have committed to keeping confidences and trust in one another.
And yes -- safe places can be people, too. A person that allows you to be yourself without fear of judgment, a person that encourages you in the endeavors you pursue and is there to catch you if you fall, a person that provides you with the things you need, even if it's just a hand to hold or a shoulder to rest your head upon -- that person is a safe place.

But what about people that have no safe place?
What about people that have no one they can trust?
What about people that can't get away from the chaos of life, from an abuser, from an addiction, from the demons in their own mind?
What about people that always feel like they have to perform or deliver so they don't disappoint a friend, a boss or coworker, or a parent?
How does a person without a safe place find peace and comfort in a life that has none?

I have no solutions nor suggestions about finding a safe place, and I suspect that everyone's safe place is different. These are just things that I have been thinking about.
I have also been thinking about the privilege I have to live this life where I always feel safe.
Sure, others may judge me and I may disappoint some people, but I really don't care anymore. Although I am concerned about the changing social climate, both for others and myself, I don't generally think I am in danger or in need of a safe place on a daily basis. 

I hope that you have a safe place today.
I hope that you have a person that allows you to feel safe to be yourself and yet inspires you to be better.
I would share my safe place with you, but I don't think that's how it works.
I think we all need to have our own.

John

It's a good day for a wedding!

It is not often that I find myself struggling to sleep. Last night was one of those rare nights.
Today is wedding day for one of my nieces and I have been asked to officiate their ceremony. It has been a little while (5 years) since I have done this and I was just going over what the ceremony will be like in my head -- over and over. 

Things tied to ministry really seem to be a part of a past life and I feel a bit like a fish out of water. I am not without experience in the wedding officiating, but I am certainly out of practice and the minister mindset is a little foreign these days. I'm sure that the day will be a wonderful day.

I'm in the hotel's breakfast area and there are several parents and grandparents with young kids. It's fun watching the interactions. One group was a quick gathering of a few easy to grab items and head out the door with their softball gear for a late season game or weekend tournament.
And then there are the older folks, like myself, just having a cup of coffee and a bowl or oatmeal or something. 
I wonder what everyone else's plans are for the day and what has brought them to Kenosha WI.

We will get to see Aaron and Jenny today, as well as a few of my siblings and some of their kids. It should be a wonderful day!

I hope you have a wonderful day, as well.

John

The Prize

It's a little bit strange that a president that has renamed the Department of Defense the Department of War is whining about not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. While he may have played a role in the current cease fire in the Middle East, the deadline for nominations for this year's award was just days after he took office in his second term. Perhaps the imaginary eight wars that he has ended worldwide will get him a nomination for next year's award. 
Or at least for an imaginary award that can be displayed next to his imaginary cover of Time magazine.

There has been very little about Trump's time in office that has been peaceful. The imaginary violence that he paints in our cities allows him to send in the military to create violence. Peaceful protests against ICE actions turn into violent scenes when the ICE agents react violently.
Fortunately there have been some governors and judges that are taking strong stands against the unlawful and unconstitutional acts of this president.

I'm just going to make an uneducated guess that no one is going to award a peace prize to a whining bully.
I should also mention that I have decided that I am not going to shy away from posts that are unfavorable to our current administration. I really don't plan on being political, but I am definitely going to call out the unconstitutional bullshit and political violence that is being waged by the right as I see fit.
Fuck 'em.

Feel free to scroll on by.

John

Was Jesus an Introvert?

The gospels make several references to times when Jesus withdrew from the crowds to be alone. His alone time was often spent in prayer and one might assume that it was necessary for him to both spiritually and physically recharge.
In Matthew 17, an exasperated Jesus even wonders how long he will have to endure being with his disciples.

People (like me) that sometimes feel challenged to spend a lot of time with people and need to be alone in order to recharge physically, emotionally, and even spiritually are generally introverts. That's not to say that we can't be around people or don't enjoy being around people; it's just that being with people can be an energy drain and being alone is when we recharge. 
Other people, like extroverts, are charged up from being around people.

I'm sure it doesn't really matter one way or another. It's just one of those weird thoughts that popped into my head when thinking about the life and teachings of Jesus. 
Being an introvert or an extrovert is really just a personality trait and seems to have no real bearing on intellect, kindness, generosity, or anything else when it comes to functioning in a society. It's basically about how you spend and receive energy. 

There really isn't any theological thought to go with this. It's just that most of the time we really only look at Jesus as divine. Sometimes it helps (me) to remember the part of Jesus that was human.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

John

Lost Post and Losing Hope

Yesterday morning I wrote my Monday morning post but ran into an issue with my connection and ended up losing all but a short paragraph. As my writing (especially Monday's meditative post) is mostly a way to focus my own thoughts and is as much medication as meditation, I decided not to re-write it and just went on with my day.

This morning is cool and foggy and it might be a little while before I can get back to working on the back flowerbed. The work isn't going anywhere and will be there waiting for me. 

The sun is starting to appear over the morning fog and should clear things off in time. For now, I am going to enjoy my coffee and quiet time. Even though we haven't had rain in a while, the cool evenings and damp mornings have been good for the fall plants and those that (like me) are still clinging to summer.

Although the mornings on the deck are quiet and therapeutic, there is still much frustration from the political landscape in the US. It is sometimes difficult to celebrate the beauty of the season while knowing others are literally fighting for their rights to live in peace. I am disgusted by the people that are willing to sit by and ignore the atrocious things that are going on in our country. There is no context and no justification for our own military -- National Guard nor active duty -- to be taking action against our own citizens as if they are the enemy. 
Ugh!

It is probably good that I feel this frustration and anger. I hate that it disrupts the calm of my morning and I am at a loss as to what I can do about it. I believe there are only a few that read Out of My Hat that would disagree with me, so even writing to point out the truth of what is happening seems like a waste of time. Pulling weeds and planting flowers might bring some peace and control into my little world, but it doesn't help my immigrant neighbors or the single parents trying to afford healthcare for themselves and their families. I have never been big on going to people-y events for things that I like, much less to go to people-y things like demonstrations, peaceful protests, or even town hall meetings.
That may have to change.

Truthfully, I am losing hope in my country. I am growing increasingly sad about the changing conditions and the positions of people that I thought I knew better. Maybe all of the voices that want change are sitting on their decks or planting flowers. Maybe it is time to let nature tend to the flowers and get busy tending to people. 
The midterm elections are still a year away. What can we (I) do in the meantime?

John

A Different Kind of Book Club

I've read books as a group book club thing only a couple of times. I have to say that I really haven't embraced the idea of reading a book that I normally wouldn't read in order to be able to talk about it in a group setting. It's like a high school literature class without the teacher to give background on the author and the author's meaning and purpose.
Maybe I could learn to like a book club. I really don't mind reading out of my normal scope if I can find some interest or purpose in reading an author or genre.

But I'm wondering...
How about a book club just for people that always read?
When you meet regularly, people can talk about what they are reading or what they've learned from reading since the last meeting. You can share and recommend books or you can listen and accept ideas about what to read. Whether you read to learn or read for enjoyment and entertainment everyone can participate either by sharing or listening.

I'm wondering if anyone in my local area would be interested in a readers' club like this. 
It's just an idea. Anyone is free to try it in your own area. Let me know if you do.

Springfield area people, anyone interested?
Anyone?
Anyone?

John

This page intentionally left blank

Back in the lifetime when I was a federal employee there were always publications and notices that would come out with blank pages except for the statement across the bottom of the page that said that the page was intentionally left blank.

It never made much sense to me, but there were a lot of things about working for the government that didn't make sense to me.
...And still don't.

But this post isn't about the nonsense of being a federal employee. It's about that blank page.
Maybe the page was left blank as an emphatic way to demonstrate that there is nothing more to say on that particular subject.
Or maybe there is nothing more that can be said nor should be said about it.

This is what came to mind this morning as I was thinking about the government shutdown.
What can be said when the controlling party resorts to using lies and misinformation to blame the other party for the shutdown?
One might point out the lies, but they are so bold and blatant that the supporters don't even care that their elected officials are lying. 
One might point out that the truth of what they are doing will cause much harm to millions of people, but if it is not harming them directly then they don't really care about that either -- especially since that harm comes in the future and there is a present issue to deal with as the government is actually shutting down.
One could strive to educate the willfully ignorant, but that is a colossal waste of time and effort.

At best one can express their frustration with the people that fail to see the harm that is being done to people that are in need of help. 
It's as if the administration's plan is to keep lying until we just give up and accept the lies as truth -- like their followers already have. 

How do you deal with the frustration of knowing that speaking the truth is less influential than using lies to appeal to people's misguided biases?
Typically my way has been to refrain from saying (or writing) anything. But that doesn't seem to be working. 

As I write nothing, the Administration and its incompetent leaders are deploying our military against our own citizens. The renamed Department of War is declaring war on the opposing political party in our own country and the Republican voters are okay with it. 
The press and media are doing a piss poor job of covering and criticizing the administration and are apparently afraid of doing so.

It's all about the money.
We have capitalized our society and our citizenship is for sale to the highest bidders. 
I am at a loss and really don't know what to do or say.
Even this post is nothing more than an expression of frustration and offers no real solution or resolution. I am not even certain that the little bit of venting helps in any way.

Maybe I should have just left the page blank.

John

Thursday Theology

I know -- this meme over simplifies the issue of religious control over its adherents. That's kind of what memes do. They are not comprehensive thoughts; just brief bits to make you think.

So let's think about it.
Although only three characters are mentioned, there are four men pictured. I am guessing that the fourth is representative of the Jewish religion and is supposed to be Moses. I don't know that. It's just an assumption on my part and an apparent afterthought of the meme creator.

I have read the teachings of some Buddhist monks and teachers.
I have read the gospels and the teachings of the New Testament.
I have not read the Quran nor many Islamic teachings. I probably need to.

As a follower of Jesus, I do need constant reminders of what he taught. Reading and understanding what he taught versus hearing what religious leaders have to say about it is often tricky and contradictory.
Many of the teachings of the Buddha and Jesus are very similar. As I have said, I don't really know much about the teachings of Mohammed. 

There are many more people that have influenced large and small sections of humanity with philosophies of how to live with one another. Some (like Buddhism) tend to be more philosophical than religious. And there are, of course, humanists that are more focused on using science, reason, and compassion to live ethically and achieve the best by everybody making contributions to living in society and community with one another.

The Christianity of most of my life taught me to believe certain things, say certain things, and to judge people and life based on what eternal reward or punishment one might receive after death. But as I read the gospels without the controlling bullshit of religion, I find that the teachings of Jesus are more about how we should live with one another daily than they are about what happens when we die.

There is a derogatory saying about Christians being too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good that brings that thought to reality. Following Jesus today (for me) is more about how I live and love today and less about what is going to happen when I die.
Even my concern for others today is more about how they live and love (and even hate) today than it is about what will happen to them when they die. 

What would happen if we were less worried about what happens after death and more concerned with the world we live in today?
I hope that whatever guides your life will lead you to live well -- today.
I hope that it will lead you to love well -- today.

John

Hard Work Leads to Hard Sleep

I know that I have said this before, but I will say it again -- I am glad that I didn't have to do physical labor throughout my working years. I did work in a lumber yard and in an aluminum factory back in my 20s when I was in good shape to do so. And I know that hard work now would be much easier if I were in better shape. 
As it is -- well let's just say that I have slept well the past couple of nights!

To be fair -- I do sleep well most nights, but after a few hours of pulling weeds and digging in the clay and rocks of SWMO I slept exceptionally well. I don't think today's work will be as strenuous as the past two days, so maybe I will work a little longer than my usual two to three hours. 
Then again, maybe not.

Yesterday was the first time that I have separated peonies. There were a few large tubers that broke off solo, without the recommended three eyes for replanting. I replanted them anyway. My understanding is that they may take a couple of seasons to produce flowers. I guess we will see in the spring.
I find that separating and replanting the gladiolus bulbs and the iris tubers as well as the peonies to be very rewarding. I have also thinned and shared the hostas we have and am trying to propagate some hydrangea and coleus, as well.

I don't think I would go so far as to call flower gardening fun, but it is quite enjoyable and very rewarding. I think I'm going to give roses another go. They are beautiful and smell nice, but the thorny little buggers can be a little challenging in this poor Missouri soil. 

There is more mulching and fall garden work to do today so I am expecting another work induced good night's rest tonight. I am convinced that not all of the good sleep goes to the hard work, but that much can be attributed to the energy flow of just being outdoors. Walking barefoot in the grass, sitting and listening to the birds and night critters, digging in the dirt -- all have a way of soothing the soul and relaxing the body. 
It could be that I would sleep just as well without the hard work, but the work needs to be done and I'm too cheap to pay somebody else to do it. Besides, it is both enjoyable and rewarding.

No wisdom for this Wednesday other than to suggest some time with plants -- even a potted house plant can bring some calming energy.

John