Day two pic ... Day one delete

Today the picture interrupted my walk because I had never seen anything like it before except in books or on tv. A stingray was pulled from the Choptank River. The fisherman was from Glen Burnie and said that he saw a school of them keeping away the fish.

It was a little sad but also amazing. The fisherman said he was throwing it back but wanted a picture with it. 

Pics I didn't take were of my dog. He looks so cute after his hair cut but so different. My dog trimming skills leave something to be desired ... So thought I shouldn't advertise it.

I tossed out a pair of slippers filled with styrofoam balls. I never use them. First item trashed.

Day 1 of 30

A few months ago, I was listening to a playlist of TED Talks and come across one featuring Matt Cutts, expousing the virtues of trying something new for 30 days. The first time I heard it, I was inspired to try it. I did something simple -- go to bed every night by 10:30 p.m.-- and while hard at first, by the end, I was doing it with little trouble and the sense of accomplishment uplifted my spirit.

A few days ago I heard the talk again and remembered how much fun I had with my challenge. Decided to start another one and over the last few days tried to figure out what it would be. Finally decided on a picture a day for 30 days, with a twist ... also talking about the pictures I didn't take.
So, for day one, here is the photo I took:

Rear Wheels

I'm not sure what attracted me to this image, but I turned my head to check for traffic while waiting at the stop sign and there it was. Which is why it isn't a great image -- trying to sneak it with my cell phone at that distance ...

I liked the circles and the lines. I like the image of the bikes stacked, same kind of bikes, all in a row. I think I liked what it symbolizes -- "in our family we bike together." (I say family because these were all parked there before 8 am in the morning.)

Now for the images I didn't take. I was out for a walk this morning, and the sun shining, making its way high into the sky over the Choptank River, was captivating. I have lots of those pictures with a better camera, so while I didn't photograph it, I still looked at it a while, enjoying the individual points of light glistening off the water and the warmth of the sun on my face (oh and wondering if I am going to have raccoon eyes because of my sunglasses).

Also on my walk I saw a bird chasing a squirrel. The squirrel headed up the trunk of the tree and the bird cut it off at the pass. The squirrel headed down and across the pavement and the bird tried to land on its head. The squirrel doubled-back towards the tree and the bird turned around to give chase. I didn't take that one because I was too amazed to take my eyes off it and because a still on the phone camera wouldn't do. I would need a video to do it justice and didn't think I could get it together in time.

Finally, I walked past some people fishing and on a couple of the poles, little bells were mounted to ring if something tugged on the line. That was interesting in itself, I'd never seen that before. But then, one started ringing and the fisherman, who was manning another line, rushed over, but it had stopped ringing.

That was Day 1.

Did we win or lose today?

Post by Being Liberal.

This really is the point, isn't it? We formed a government to provide a way for us to meet our group needs in ways not possible for us to achieve individually. At some point, the government was infused with our collective conscious (and spiritual leanings) regarding how to care for the least of us. This is its job, because it is our job as people. Unfortunately, as people have become more infused with the ideology of politics (informed by 15 second sound-bites and two-minute news clips), so has our government. Now instead of our government helping us meet groups needs, it has become a battleground to see which ideology wins. But do we get what we need (win) in the battle of ideologies? Honestly I think we lose, regardless of the ideological victor. We need to find a way to reintroduce human values and the needs of the group (which is dictated by the needs of the least of us -- it really is true that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link and our needy are our weak spot, especially if we don't help) into our government, so we can grow healthy and strong, instead of divided, crippled and weak. #IMNATBHO

Facing the day

There is a point in every 24-hours, when I have to face the day. Sometimes, it is when I awake. On those days, it is usually because I am weary, following a short or restless night. Sometimes, it is when I walk out the door, taking on the challenges that exist outside my custom-made sanctuary.

Most of the time, its near the end, when the tasks that remain to be completed outdistance the hours left to complete them or the energy I have left to use. These could be the saddest of days, but thankfully they usually are not. It is on these days I have accomplished the most. At the end, there may be more to complete, but the list of jobs well done is significant.

If I were to focus on my neverending list of tasks, I would fail see the triumph and glory of my efforts. I would leave myself miserable instead of victorious. I would face the day with recrimination instead of joy. I would fail to honor the blessings of the present, as my sadness would readily seep into the unawakened promise of the new day.

What I see, when I face those most trying of days isn't just success, it's hope.

Face your day with joy, pride and hope.

a luta continua means the struggle continues