Sitting on my back deck earlier with my Merlin Bird ID app. I identified three new birds! One was a shock! The new birds were: a brown-headed cowbird, an Indigo Bunting, and....a Great Blue Heron!!! That last one was a shock! I live in SE PA, I had no idea they were here. It popped up on the audio ID, and I looked around. I finally saw it in my neighbor's yard. I tried to get a picture, but it disappeared around the corner. This is what it looks like (picture from Google) #birds #birdwatching

If you like posts that go from bears to eagles, then make a hard right into meditation tips, then a hard left into political musings, then veers into a little Virgo observational philosophy, then a 180 to music from jazz to hip hop, then another 180 to musings about my weird and chaotic life, and then detours to sports - follow me 😊 If my posts have a theme, it's lost on me.

Mine was the last generation to experience the rapidly closing window of illusion, convinced the US was an untouchable republic. I grew up in the Reagan era but thought myself immune to chest-thumping arrogance. Sadly, even I had blinders on. Since then, the illusion has given way. Over the last two decades, I allowed for the possibility that the US was never a true republic. So, if we're not a republic, can we overcome the here and now, emerge from the ashes, and finally become one for real?

When things go crazy, as they often will, my goal is to be the anchored boat in a storm. The waves may buffet me about, but the anchor keeps me from being carried away. Does the anchor sometimes give way? Sure. I'm human. But when I feel like things around me are a bit out of control, I close my eyes and picture myself as that anchored boat - steady as I can be and as clear-thinking as I can manage. I feel the waves but don't let them carry me away. At least, that's the goal.

Today, I have my first session with a family who hired me to guide the whole family through meditation. That truly is a first for me. Husband, wife, and twin 8-year-old daughters.

'If you go after me, I'm coming after you" - words that would be considered a threat in normal life, without question. But apparently, when it comes to a former President who tweeted those words right after being indicted, there's room for interpretation? Do I have that right? 😡

I tend to have many dreams when I have a lot on my mind. I usually remember most of my dreams in vivid detail. Last night I had a dream I moved into a tiny house, and the last one before I woke up - I was stalked by a tiger. I get the tiny house dream in a way. I'm moving to downsize, which makes the dream kind of funny. But stalked by a tiger? 🤔

#Katmai bears #Otis Otis has returned! He looks a little thinner. Not sure where he was, if it was a walkabout or something else. Let's hope he catches some salmon and gets that weight up again.

Am I the only weirdo who can listen to the same song a few times in a row if I love it or haven't heard it in a long time?

Before I left for the hospital this morning, I had coffee on my back deck and turned on my Merlin Bird ID app. There were no birds. Zero. Zilch. I couldn't figure out what was going on until I looked up in the tree above me and saw the red-tailed hawk! This is the same hawk I rescued when he flew into high-tension wires behind my townhouse and fell into the street below. He was stunned, and I picked him up and got him out of the road. He visits often. Anyway, that explained the lack of birds!

I may lose people over this. I believe in accountability. What I don't believe in is openly wishing physical pain or death on someone. The minute I do that, I become as ugly and cruel as those who got us into this mess.

It's interesting that we mostly accept that the average employee over the age of 50 will have a hard time being hired. Still, we'll fight ageism with every fiber of our being when it comes to questioning if a politician over 80, who is clearly having cognitive difficulties, can adequately serve their constituents.

Well, I"m gonna give it another shot. My friend, Mark, has worn me down and convinced me to try golf again. He's taking me to the driving range tonight. I figured it was a fair trade-off. I'm teaching him how to shoot pool, and he can (try) to teach me to play golf. He seems patient, and he has a sense of humor, both of which he's going to need. 😀 🏌️‍♀️

When you think you have a long road ahead, think of old Otis. He showed up nearly emaciated to Brooks Falls at Katmai Park this year. But, as in years past, he will take it day by day. He will stay focused on his goal, regardless of the chaos around him. Before our eyes, he'll beef up and be the strong Otis we know and love once again. He will do it one fish at a time. Be like Otis. Take it one day at a time. One step at a time. You'll get there.😊

The path that leads to the lake. When I was little, I saw a bear here.

Rest in Peace, #tonybennett one of the legends..... Here's a video of him and Lady Gaga singing "I've Got You Under My Skin" #musicvideo

Good morning. Will be headed to visit my father in a bit. All packed and ready to go to the Poconos afterward. Mom has someone to take her to and from the hospital and to stay with her at her house this weekend since I won't be in town. I'm a phone call away if she needs me. It's only a weekend. Fingers crossed, all should be fine!!!

Mikey DIDN'T die after eating Pop Rocks and drinking a Coke. You're my people if you're old enough to remember this conspiracy theory. 👊

If you remember Bambergers or Hechingers, you're my people.

When a relationship ends, even if it was mostly due to the actions of one party, I think the other party should do a 'post-mortem,' as they may have contributed to the demise, even if it was in a smaller way. Regardless of who was to blame, I think everyone needs to do some introspection to prevent baggage from carrying over to the next relationship - unless you want to punish the next guy for the actions of those who came before him!