Outdoors to Refresh!

I am going outdoors this morning to work with plants, mow some grass, feed the birds and water.

Bonnie S. gave me three large houseplants yesterday. Today we get acquainted and they join my "flock."

It will be very hot in a few hours so my hours outdoors are calculated and briefer than preferred.

I read where spending time outdoors is good for the mind, the soul, and the body!!

All the reasons below are my goals as I need to be refreshed, rejuvenated and realigned.

My thoughts have put me in a bit of a doldrums lately so ready or not,  God, here I come.....

From www.mmhealth.org:

1. Improved mental health. Exposure to natural environments has been linked to reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress.
2. Better physical health. People who spend time outdoors tend to be more active. Regular exposure to sunlight also helps your body produce vitamin D.
3. Better sleep. Natural light exposure during the day helps regulate the body’s internal clock, promoting better sleep patterns.
4. Increased attention span. Nature has a restorative effect on attention span and focus.
5. Social connection. From family cookouts to community 5Ks, outdoor activities often involve social interaction which contributes to greater life satisfaction.
6. Environmental awareness. Spending time outdoors can foster a deeper appreciation for the environment.

What are you waiting for? 

Make time today to enjoy the Great Outdoors and all it has to offer.

Especially #3 for me lately. Sleeping has not been the relaxation process I have always possessed. 

                                            *                *                 *               *                * 

(Unrelated to the above topic but I am ready to review another book for Story Circle Network. I just received a positive email from an author. I will tell you all about the book reviewing process and my "shelf" of books I have reviewed in my next blog. Stay tuned and always, stay reading!)

Too Much!

It has been two months since I have blogged.

Much has happened.

                  So much that I cannot, don't want to elaborate except - 

                                        I shall make a list. 

                         Lists help me prioritize, sort, simplify, select.

1) End of May - took our tiny Casita to Sedalia, MO for a ragtime festival, an annual event that we try to attend every May/June. Gone for one week.

2) Returned home and had a couple weeks to prepare for what we thought would be a six-week trek.

2) Journeyed to Western N. Carolina and classes at John C. Campbell Folkschool. Dave learned to steam bend and I learned to use my new mirrorless camera. My class was disappointing. The classes were for the week and we lived in the rv park. 

3) Spent the July 4th weekend in the Murphy, NC KOA and hunkered down exhausted.

4) Traveled from Murphy to Cheyenne Wyoming - four long hard days of driving across the U.S. Used Harvest Hosts and much gasoline.

5) Arrived in Cheyenne and attended son's assignment ceremony. He is now the General in charge of Warren Air Force base, the big guy. It was an experience of a lifetime, an opportunity to mingle with my children, those who attended. We spent two nights and $350 in the Little America hotel around the corner from Warren AFB.

6) Left Cheyenne and traveled a short distance to Estes Park where we spent five days in a local rv park. Each day was a delight and we celebrated my brother's 87th birthday. His two daughters are local and seeing my beautiful nieces was a most welcomed experience. We visited Rocky Mountain National Park several times.

7) The news came the morning we were to depart for Salmon, Idaho. We were flooded....again. 

                                   July 16, 2026.

8) We cancelled our remaining two weeks of Idaho adventures and traveled two days home to Ingram, Texas.

9) We needed to be home. Damage to walls, floors, garage and more but no loss of personal items in the house as during the previous July 4, 2025 flood.

10) I am still reeling from these past events as listed. This is why I haven't blogged. Still reeling, still trying to organize the chaos created by wonderful folks who re sheet rocked the bottom 12" of our walls.

11) New garage door ordered. Cleaning floors and living on cement which isn't all bad. We have a lovely kitchen and comfortable furniture. Now that I have listed the events, I am ready to return to sharing thoughts and meditations, goals and ambitions. This is all behind me. I am ready to live in the present. Amen!

12) Going outside now to water and feed the birds. They are coming back.

I choose to never leave my bird feeders again for such a length of time. They missed our full yummy feeders and I missed their visits. Can one have too many bird feeders?

Thanks for reading!

joan💕