Miles!

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.

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

Craftsmanship.

I am beginning to realize that I appreciate those who value true craftsmanship. Modern life is full of products and services but the true art of creating something, or doing something with a genuine passion is usually lost behind the desire for profit and ease. Items, relationships, general interactions... the true attention to detail, effort for quality, and non profit desire to build something that will serve the receiver well is so hard to find. For me, it's not so much about the prize, but rather the process of creating that prize. Whether it's a friendship, a deeper relationship, a product, a service of some sort, it should be more about what you are creating than how easily you can make a certain profit. Shallow human connections and poorly made products have definitely helped me see the real value in craftsmanship, and those who truly seek it. hah Well there's this round of food for thought. Laters!

While I do understand the message they are trying to express, I could not help but giggle as my toddler brain went.... since when did being in a wheelchair become a gender??

And yes, I am aware of how bothered some humans are by signs like this but, because of that very mentality, I appreciate that more places are offering... safe spaces... to perform bodily functions. Bad human behavior comes in all types of packages. Making someone feel unsafe, or unwelcome simply because of their personal (not dangerous to anyone else) lifestyle decisions is not a very nice thing so yes... I fully support spaces like this and the businesses that have them.

Cutie… patootie... agouti? You might know the capybara, but what about its distant cousin the red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)? This wide-ranging mammal can be found in forests throughout northern South America including Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela. Though smaller than its more famous relative, this hefty rodent can weigh up to 13 lbs (5.9 kg). It dines on a diet of fruit, nuts, and seeds. Like a squirrel, the agouti will bury surplus food to save for a later date. But sometimes this critter forgets to come back for its stash, spreading seeds throughout its habitat as a result. 

Photo: Robin Gwen Agarwal, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist 

One shot.

There are things in life that you get one chance at. Whether you miss that shot, mess it up, remember it differently with time, or look back and smile, some things.... only offer themselves... ONCE. That first kiss, a first impression, a final we love you, or a visit to let someone know in person that the moment matters. Sometimes, that once in a lifetime moment is especially impactful because of the challenges that come with it. Thing is, when you look back at those moments, and have to face that you missed them, because it was ... difficult... will you be okay with the changes that came with that choice? If you take the chance and it doesn't go quite as hoped, will you at least find comfort in knowing you tried? Whatever your thoughts, just remember, not all once in a lifetime shots, come with a full color brochure. Sometimes, those moments head your way with a subtle smile, a twisted conversation, and even silent heartache. Pay attention, and notice the little things because well... they might be the only sign you get before one of those life changing "one shot" moments.

I found this on WordPress after I got told to look it up. Why did I get told to look it up? Well, because that is similar to the process I went through as I geared up to attack the danger plants in my yard today, in the VERY hot sun, with a light breeze, and currently fighting a cold. LOL .... I ended up with sun protection, dust protection, eye protection, arm protection, boots, gloves, and laughter. hahaha I will say this though.... I WON. Danger plants dealt with and NO RASH! I am satisfied!

Show me.

I have had "friends", lovers, family, and more prove MANY times over how easy it is to say whatever the person thinks you want to hear but proving that their words are true... well, that's a whole different story. I've seen the attitudes as lies are defended. I've watched the lies change and shift depending on the moment. What I haven't really seen is people being honest, true, and open. So yeah, at this point... if you want me to believe.... show me.

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.

DONKEY DAY!!!

Well, I did not realize a day had been created to celebrate the sturdy donkey but... now that I am aware of it, I MUST say.....

- - - HAPPY WORLD DONKEY DAY!!!

I'm not one that agrees with creating a day for everything so that humans will acknowledge the ... contribution... that people, places, creatures, or things have in what humans call progress BUT... if that is something that is needed... I will GLADLY support the recognition of the hard work animals do as slaves to the ... humans.