refreshment

It's hot and muggy again 'round these parts. We could use something refreshing.

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The search for a replacement camera is exasperating! I feel like I can get close enough to feel excited about an option... and then the rug of opportunity gets pulled from under my feet. That, and a few other things have left me weary. I find myself wanting refreshment fulfilled from things or people. I must be careful about that, because in truth, I have many things to be thankful for. And there is a higher source of refreshment than my circumstances and surroundings.

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Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2

what???

What's this?! Snow?! Barely, but still! No, it can't be. I specifically remember knowing that I was through with the snow for this season. It's time to tune up the lawn mower and sharpen the blades. We had a day that was in the 60's, and everything!

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Perhaps it is manna. Yeah, let's go with that.

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I just had a thought about cold weather... Suppose it was zero degrees today, and they said it was going to be twice as cold tomorrow... what would that temperature be?

forced rest

[click on image to embiggen]

It is not easy to keep a nice lawn in front of the house, but I love doing it. Yesterday, the doctor expressly forbade me from mowing the lawn. He smiled, like he thought he was doing me a favor. There are times when we all must accept help, but I really enjoy taking care of the front lawn myself. There is a sense of accomplishment, when I see that the grass is happy and has straight edges. Some you will get it, but most people think I'm weird... that's okay.

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This week, I will need to trust someone else to cut the grass for me. He will probably not cut it diagonally, the way I like it. I alternate angles between mowings. He will probably not take extra care around the edges, and there will likely be scalpings along the mulched edges. (wince) Sometimes, when I ask my kids to cut the grass for me, it does not get done on the same day. If so, I must wait. I hate taking too long between mowings.

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Thanks for letting me vent. (sigh) I need to think about something else. Who knew that resting can be such hard work?!

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Btw, that dandelion shot was done with a macro setting, using flash and a polarizing filter, in case anyone wanted to know.

spring has sprung

Sprung indeed! What's this?! That tiny purple and gold indicator is an alarm of sorts. It's all I can do to walk away and not step on it. Why? It is an ominous warning of the impossible demands on my time over the next few weeks. I need to ...

*get the lawn equipment ready for action, sharpen blades, check the motors, search for those gloves again,

*groom the dog

*fix & lube all the bikes

*move winter stuff into storage

*begin repairs outside the house, especially the garage (grrrr)

*cultivate the soil for my wife's garden

*hack down a million weeds

*plant new grass seed

*play frisbee, catch and soccer with the kids

*fix the grill

*renew my fishing license, etc.

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Clearly, I don't have enough time for all of this! I'll need to prioritize. Play with the kids, do some grilling and fishing. I'll try to get everything else done, but first-things-first.

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Yeah, I hear what you're thinking... I better make sure my wife's garden is a priority. Thanks.

exposed

This worm in the grass was photographed at 11PM. Yes, POST meridian, and it was pitch black outside, too. After a hectic and rainy day, I went to sit out in the cool night air, and after my eyes adjusted, I noticed the worms on the sidewalk. Using a penlight, I found this one in the grass, manually focused, and turned the flash on. Voila! "The darkness has seen a great light!"

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Speaking of exposure, I was talking to my chiropractor friend. He said that during x-rays, women wear a smock, but his gentlemen patients forego the modest attire because they think it looks like a dress. I told him it should be plaid. That way, they can pretend they're wearing a kilt! Aye Laddie!

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[Click to enlarge the photo and see if you can find a second worm. I did.]