NOW!

Thinking of the past often causes a morose feeling of regret.

Thinking of the future can create expectations. Bad expectations buy unwarranted fear. Good expectations often clash with reality and can cause resentments and petty behavior is possible.

Believing that where you are right now is where you belong is far less stress producing. Focusing our massive, God given brain power on the now is an art form. It is a spiritual exercise that you make progress in.

Focusing on the now when combined with love creates wisdom, or rather wise action. The act of loving someone else, rather than solely one's self, is the only thing that brings pleasure, peace and contentment to your soul on a daily basis.

Like daily bread, giving love must be repeated often to maintain spiritual health and strength.


Love someone well today,

Bobby

Surrounded by Reality

So far, I have had two encounters with snakes. For some reason, neither time caused the slightest emotional reaction (like fear, for example). The first was inside an abandoned pool liner that I was wrestling across the yard. A reminder to city folks, when I say yard I mean the size of an major campground, complete with wilderness and not being able to see the entire perimeter from any where.

Anyway, that snake was in the folds. I looked at it, it looked at me. I finished moving the liner to where I wanted it and walked away. Later when I told Kim, she could not get her mind around me being so calm. Actually, I suspect that was around the same time she totally accepted that I was "different".

The second instance was fairly recently. As I walked out from the garage, I was fascinated by an excited bird who was flying and diving just a couple dozen feet in front of me. It was dive bombing and pecking the head of a fairly large and incredibly beautiful dark snake. The snake was slithering across the yard (towards me) as fast as his little belly could undulate.

My reaction was to get close to the snake to see it better, but when it saw me, it quickly changed course and headed out toward and into the woods. Sigh. It was over way too soon.


What hovers behind you making a noise stronger and louder than any mosquito; fly; bee; wasp; hornet; etc.?

I do not know, but it is now diving straight toward the back of my head!


ITS A HUMMINGBIRD- how absolutely breathtaking!

We see them every day. They live here. This, however, was the closest I have been. They are odd little creatures and wonderful to watch.


I did not know I had never seen a pig until I actually met one. At least it seems to me as if we met. We were at the county fair last week. They hold competitions and award ribbons. The first one I met was in its temporary pen in a big barn filled with the strange beings. They seem to talk and are quite aware of your presence. I met lots of them, they are all unique looking and have differing personalities.

When you pet them, you find that they are covered with stiff bristle. I guess it is this characteristic that prevents pigs from being house pets more often. Petting a dog is WAY more pleasant.


Love someone well today,

Bobby

Just found out that my sister has died. She was fifteen years older than me. I have not seen her since the day my mom was buried. She came to 1327 Dyre afterward as the cemetery (Oakland) was very close to our house. I found out about her death through a Google search. There is an online obituary. Apparently she was collecting grandchildren. My oldest niece Kim had one child last I was aware. Now my nephew David and niece Lynn are married as well. There was a long list of grandchildren who I did not know about. Her husband, Tony De la Cruz and my sister were married for forty two years. Tony was a work horse, an excellent musician (saxophone) and loved poker and laughing. He has a big brain too.

My sober anniversary is here. Now eight years. I feel about eight years old these days. Thanks be to our Creator who blessed me with these wonderful chapters in my life story.

Today, I painted a bedroom ceiling, then took a dip in the pool.

The smell of dinner is filling the air (Mexican pizza and Enchiladas).

Love someone well today,

Bobby

Clouds

Just now the clouds are leaving the area after giving us some much needed rain. The sun is shining brightly and illuminates the back end of the departing clouds. It is astoundingly beautiful!

It makes me realize that the view in the city was faulty and flawed. The sky itself is ever magnificent here as it is not filtered through various pollutants. The grass and even the weeds are so much greener too. Growth and life happen here in such abundance it is impossible to take it all in.

NOW, on top of all this wonderment, Kim has bought me a NetiPot. She believed since they worked for Tatiana, they would work for me too. After three days I am still being caught unaware that there is beauty in smells too. Did not know what I had been missing.

Love someone well today,

Bobby