While I Do Understand The Message They Are Trying To Express, I Could Not Help But Giggle As My Toddler

Pulled in to the parking garage.... giggled when I saw the creeper van. Pulled up next to it then decided nope, I'm parking directly across from it. Once I did, I had to admit... I wasn't sure if I should fear the driver, or pet the van. hahahaha Kinda cute for a creeper van. hahaha .... To be clear.. no scary driver appeared and no, I did not pet the van. lol

DANGER PLANTS!

As everything poofs back into life I am reminded of the battle I had in "my" little piece of the planet. When people speak of poisonous plants... I often heard about giant hogweed and parsnip. What I encountered was a plant that didn't quite fit those descriptions but packed more of a punch than either ever has for me. That plant was hemlock. Now I know.... giant hogweed, parsnip, and most definitely hemlock.... AVOID AT ALL COSTS! If you find them in your yard or somewhere you need to clear... COVER EVERYTHING. Mask, goggles, long sleeves, full pants... gloves, the works. Those plants are seriously NO JOKE. I was lucky and only had a rash on my arm but I won't lie, it was not a nice one, and it stuck around much longer than expected. That was from what seemed like a very quick bump when putting it in the bag to go out. With more research I've learned what all three are capable of and honestly... I don't plan to take ANY chances should they pop up again. I'll be covered head to toe and I'll be burning whatever bits of the base I can't dig out. NOT FUN!

Art is fun. You don't have to like my art. My art doesn't need to be considered great. I'm not hurting anyone with my art and it makes me feel good so to me.. it's just fine. I don't NEED to get better at it. I don't NEED to do it a certain way. I simply need to enjoy it, and in my mind.. not cause any damage to anyone else. It took me a long time to allow myself that freedom and now that I understand it, I refuse to go back to trying to fit someone else's box. Enjoy art... your own way.

The many faces of loss

I always get so grumbly with humans that think loss is a simple thing. A death, job change, relationship end, and many other forms of loss can have lasting, and often hidden (even to the one dealing with it) effects. So many people focus on the short term handling of the loss, or the lingering obvious issues and seem to think they know how the person should or shouldn't be acting. It's complete ridiculousness. NOBODY has ANY right to tell ANYONE how they should feel, or how the loss impacts them in their own realities. EVERY SINGLE CREATURE deals with each loss in their own ways. Some of the effects can be dealt with quickly and easily, some make permanent changes and will never be fully understood. NEVER.... EVER... let ANYONE tell you that you are somehow broken, or messed up, for how a loss impacts your own thoughts. Those who are trying to help will usually offer support, reassurance, patience, and space. If the person you think is there to help is pressuring you, making you feel like something is wrong with you, or is irritated by how things are effecting you... they are clearly NOT as helpful as they want to believe they are. If someone doesn't understand and is a bit inconvenienced because of your handling of a loss, that... is completely understandable... BUT... if they allow that to become an attitude towards you... THEY are the ones with a problem... NOT YOU! This human experience does not come with complete and foolproof instructions. We each have to figure things out in our own ways, no matter how many others try to tell us they have all the answers. So, if you're out there, and you're dealing with something, and you're feeling a bit beaten.... just remember.... you got this. There are those of us out there that understand it's complicated, it takes time, and USUALLY it's a lot more messy than anyone cares to admit. Just keep picking at it. You'll get where you need to be with it, if you really want to. Believe. ... Much love.

Miles!

Okay, here is where I will post a question. Does anyone use MapMyFitness? I don't do the big challenges they offer as I'm not exactly in ... the condition.. to participate effectively but, I do enjoy tracking the miles of my walks, hikes, and stuff like bicycle rides. I just think it would be neat to have someone there again to share with. It can be a fun little motivational boost as well. Meh... the question is here. Maybe someday it will prove useful. hahaha

Ants!

I can look at pictures online of bugs, insects, creepy crawlies, and the like.. and be completely mesmerized by the beauty and capabilities. I will also say though that, when I do something in my home and find something crawling ... my first and only panic attack thought line is DIE DIE DIE! Ants are on the top of that list for me. They come in, they go everywhere, and it never feels like they are gone for good. I understand all of the ... they serve a purpose, it's more there territory than ours, blah blah blah... but when they enter my house and are spotted.... I simply can not help the desire to burn the house down and run. They MUST DIE. hahahahha I know I am not alone. LOL

I find my courage in each small step forward; my motivation grows with every challenge I embrace, turning hurdles into stepping stones.

We live in a world of options. I don't always understand those options but, we definitely live in a world full of them. Here are a couple of today's rather entertaining .... options.

Reflection...

It has come to my attention that I have not yet really played with reflections in photography. It seems to be such a popular thing and yet, I dig and find... I don't really have any of that sort of thing. Reflections in calm lakes, mirror and glass sorts of reflections... hmmm. I'm not feeling great today so maybe I'll see about trying some of that with some small items.

Pain....

Pain is interesting. It makes people do strange things. It can make folks weird, angry, sad, and many other things. Just like any "animal" when someone is in pain, they may do things, or say things, they wouldn't say if they weren't hurting. What makes it more interesting is that you can't see... pain. You can't look at someone and always know for sure if they are hurting. You can read their angry posts or texts, grumble at their complete avoidance of activities, or wonder what is wrong with them when they deal with their pain by being utterly goofy but you can't always SEE... pain. Just a fun fact to share. Something to think about when someone acts a bit gruff or gives you a dirty look in passing. Might not have anything to do with you. Might have a lot to do with pain... plain and simple. Just sayin.