When A Tree Falls In The Forest . . . August 29, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Exercise & Fitness, Life Balance, Nature.42 comments
Perico Preserve, a bird rookery, opened up across the street from us this summer. On a cool-ish Sunday evening we went over to check it out.
While wandering the trails, we bumped into this massive tree lying down on the job.
At first, we assumed it had just recently keeled over due to heat exhaustion.
WRONG!
After walking underneath the tree’s arching trunk to the far side, we noticed numerous stout branches straining skyward and several muscular roots keeping the tree grounded and well fed.
The tree did not give up when it fell down . . .
It adapted to the challenges of its new position, refusing to abandon its continual quest to reach for the sun.
Ain’t nature grand!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Attack Of The Killer Garage Door August 15, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Home & Garden, Humor, Life Balance.49 comments
Last week, just before I needed to head to the dentist to get two front composite restorations and a crown, the skies opened up.
Torrential rain beat down at the brisk rate of 2.5 inches an hour.
A real gully-washer!
When the rain let up for a minute, I made a beeline for the garage.
I pressed the garage door opener on the wall. The garage door swung up on command.
Open Sesame.
When I shifted the car into reverse to back out, I noticed the garage seemed rather dark.
That’s odd.
The door, exhibiting a streak of independence, had decided that it had waited in the up position more than long enough for me to exit the garage.
With silent stealth, it had come down while I was busy fastening my seatbelt and adjusting the radio and A/C. In its defense, maybe it was trying to keep the pouring rain, still coming down at record speed, out of the garage.
Determined not to give up, I pressed the garage door remote over the visor and watched the door’s ascent.
Going up.
Excellent. Great. Good. All clear.
I put the car in reverse, began backing out of the garage, and heard a strange sound ~ that of the garage door coming down on the roof of my Honda and holding it fast.
Crunch!
I was stuck half in and half out of the garage.
Not good.
I pushed the remote, hoping to convince the door to ascend for the third time in as many minutes.
Go up!
It ignored my request and continued its downward descent.
Not good.
Feeling like a sardine in a tin can, I tried again.
This time, the garage door ascended long enough for me to zip out of the garage and make my escape. (If you can call going to the dentist an “escape.”)
As rain continued to pour down, I called BFF to catch him up on the garage door’s escapade.
Four hours later, I returned home with a new crown and a significantly lighter wallet.
In my absence, BFF had checked out the garage door and concluded the door, not his wife, was at fault for the mix up. It had messed up.
Apparently the springs are lacking in tension. We’ll need to get someone out here to tighten them up.
In the meantime, when we want the door to stay up . . . we need to apply heavy-duty industrial clamps to keep it from coming down!
Now for the upside of that up and down day ~> my new crown is permanent!
Our dentist fixed me up in a single visit instead of installing a temporary crown and having me return down the road for a permanent install.
Aah . . . that’s better!
So, what’s up with you?
No Need To Reply August 9, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Less IS More, Life Balance, Mindfulness.41 comments
A few weeks ago someone said something “unkind” to me.
I had no idea why.
As I pondered her comment, I realized I didn’t need to reply.
So I didn’t.
I just looked at her.
Until she slunk away.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related post: Stolen Quote: Silence (Chasing Unicorns)
* * *
If you enjoy quotes (stolen or otherwise), check out Chasing Unicorns ~> Tippy Gnu steals quotes to share . . . after adding a humorous twist or cynical tweak.
How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep July 13, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Humor, Life Balance.44 comments
During the day . . .
* Rise and shine at the same time.
* Get some exercise.
* Cut out afternoon caffeine.
* Limit alcohol.
* Don’t go to bed hungry. Don’t go to bed stuffed.
Go to bed at the same time each night . . .
Having a schedule (e.g., 11 – 7) helps your body transition from wake time to sleep time.
As does following a certain routine.
An hour before bedtime . . .
* Turn off the computer, TV, and other tech devices. No blue lights before light’s out.
* Get things set for the morning ~ put out clothes, plan or pack lunches, set up coffee, etc.
* Let it go. Put anything circulating or percolating through your mind on your To Do List for tomorrow.
Keep a notepad by your bed for Late Breaking News and Worries.
Follow a bedtime ritual . . .
* Put on your PJ’s. Dim the lights. Plump the pillow.
* Turn down the thermostat.
* Do some light stretches, yoga, meditation, visualization. Write in your journal.
Once in bed . . .
* Don’t read anything too “compelling.”
* Allow your thoughts to settle down.
* Let go of the day’s cares and worries.
Still awake?
Practice self-hypnosis ~> Imagine walking down the stairs one step at a time . . . 10 steps . . . counting backwards . . . 9 steps . . . from ten . . . 8 steps . . . to one . . . 7 steps . . . getting . . . 6 steps . . . sleepier . . . 5 steps . . . and sleeper . . . 4 steps . . . with . . . 3 steps . . . each . . . 2 steps . . . one . . .
Aah . . . that’s better!
Do you nod off as soon as your head hits the pillow? Or does it take time for you to settle down before you head off to the Land of Nod?
Eating & Sleeping July 11, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Humor, Life Balance.25 comments
Eating . . .
And sleeping . . .
Two great ways to punctuate
And recharge our days!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Keep On Rolling! July 7, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness.36 comments
We walk
on shaky ground
Life as we know it
can change
in an instant
But we can’t let
an uncertain future
stop us in our tracks
Like the Mighty Mississippi . . .
we’ve got to Keep on Rolling!
Aah . . . that’s better!
A Summer Bucket List July 5, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Life Balance, Travel & Leisure.48 comments
Watch Fireworks * Stay up late * Look up at the Stars * Ride a roller coaster * Hike Mt. Everest * Visit the Farmer’s Market * Picnic on the Beach * Buy a Watermelon * Host a Seed Spitting Contest * Cannonball into the pool *
Bake Bread * Swap Books * Dance under the stars * Plan a Date Night * Make Friendship Bracelets * Whip up a big batch of Margaritas * Do Tequila Shots * Grill Pizza * Camp out in the backyard * Toast marshmallows * Make S’mores *
Sail paper boats * Fly a Kite * Go to the Drive In * Eat corn on the cob * Go hiking or biking * Write love letters to your favorite Pen Pals * Play miniature golf * Clear clutter * Visit a museum . . . and let it all hang out *
Go on a nature walk * Plan a scavenger hunt * Play hopscotch * Eat breakfast for dinner * Run a marathon * Make popsicles or ice cream sandwiches * Plan a sleep-over and movie marathon * Paint a picture *
Aah . . . that’s better!
What’s on YOUR summer bucket list?
Picture-In-Picture Dreaming June 23, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Humor, Life Balance, Magick & Mystery.44 comments
While dreaming, I “woke up” in our home on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay and heard BFF say, “You might not have water aerobics today.”
Through the blinds, I saw nothing but blue sky and sunshine. “Why not?”
“There’s an odd cloud formation tap dancing over the water and it’s headed this way.”
I opened the blinds more fully. My brain went to Full Alert when it saw a tornado the size of Kansas waltzing toward us.
Oddly enough, I wasn’t scared.
Just determined.
I wanted to grab the camera and snap the juxtaposition of black storm funnel against the bluest sky I’d ever seen.
Halfway across the room, the wind caught up with me.
The air grew dense. I felt as if I were wading through water . . .
Making no headway.
I kept at it
trying
to get
to the other
side of
the room.
A task fraught with the same degree of difficulty as trying to reach the top of the staircase in one of M.C. Escher’s creations.
Relativity is relative, eh?
As the wind shook the foundation, my perspective shifted.
I let go of the desire to capture the events on my camera, but I did want to see what was happening.
Confined inside the house looking out caused frustration to mount. I felt constrained by my limited vantage point.
Where is Escher when you need him?
With that thought, a “picture-in-picture” screen appeared in the upper left corner of my dream . . . expanding my perspective to encompass the action unfolding outside the walls.
Awesome!
Settling back to watch Movies on Demand, I saw the house lift off its foundation and begin its ascent into the cosmos, no doubt inspired by Dorothy and Toto’s wild ride to Oz.
We twirled and whirled in the vortex until . . .
the house
tired of sailing
through the stratosphere
sans mast
settled back
down
on
terra firma
with a slight bump.
As we rejoined the land down under, the picture-in-picture screen provided expanded perspective . . . a balloon’s eye view.
Like a stray leaf tired of waltzing in the autumn breeze, our house drifted back to earth and settled itself in the middle of a basketball court.
Great. BFF’s been wanting to play some hoops!
Aah . . . that’s better!
No witches were harmed in the shooting of this dream.
Life Is Riddled With Potholes June 2, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness.43 comments
Life can be bumpy at times.
As the path unfolds before us, it is often riddled with potholes.
When worries threaten to capsize your boat . . .
When angry bees are buzzing in your bonnet . . .
When you’re all shook up . . .
When your shock absorbers can’t handle one more shock . . .
* Don’t push the stream.
* Relax. Breathe. Repeat.
* Take it one day at a time.
* Don’t drive past your headlights.
And don’t forget ~> life improves with laughter.
“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It’s jolted by every pebble on the road.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher
“A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life.” ~ William Arthur Ward
Aah . . . that’s better!
The More The Merrier, But . . . May 14, 2016
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Less IS More, Life Balance, People.29 comments
The more the merrier, but . . .
The bigger the group, the harder it is to get around and talk to everyone without missing something or someone.
“Hey, where’s Linda?”
As conversations merge and shift, with incomplete threads whipping about in the wind, edges blur and the end result may be just out of focus.
That’s why it’s important to take time to recharge your batteries after a gathering of the clan ~ it restores clarity.
Aah . . . that’s better!
