For Y'All's Only

Only a few weeks until Labor Day. "Y'alls" Get ready to put away those white shoes. Elsewhere - shoes optional!

August in Georgia

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For anyone who thinks Southerners are lazy, just come and spend some time in this heat and humidity. I did not realize the extreme state of my malaise until I actually SAW the dishes piled up in my sink this morning. There must be several days worth there. Where have I been?? Washing dishes is at least close to where the cold (relatively speaking) water is. (Even tap water is warm these days). I could stand still and close to the fan. No real physical excuses. Like I totally DO understand why I have not swept the carport however.

But really, why have I avoided this simple task of washing my dishes? Well, because I am well into the second phase of High Heat & Humidity/Extreme A/C Bills/I do not want to move a foot away from the fan /the hotter it gets, the more my body and brain slows down/it’s August in Georgia /Syndrome. Moving and getting things done -turned into standing doing them slowly - turned into sitting and thinking about doing something – turned into just sitting.

To an outsider this could look like true- to- form laziness – but I can assure you that it is SURVIVAL!!

If you do not believe me, come on down and see for yourself.

Proof of my severe condition – I would NEVER let anyone see this, much less take a picture of it, much less let it happen!

PS: Dishes in rack are CLEAN!! – just not put away………YET……..

Heat and Humidity Cause Clutter

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While I do not buy into “Cap andTrade/let’s pay more taxes, live in the dark, and drive dorky cars” MANmade global warming hype,

I can assure you that this latest discovery is true:

!! Heat and Humidity Cause Clutter !!

OK - - my clutter IS (wo)manmade.

After a few productive days of low humidity, cooler temps and energy for decluttering, IT'S BACK -- the heat and humidity and THE CLUTTER. What is it with the weather/energy connection here? Now I have to check the Humi factor to plan my days. In Honolulu, it's simple: The Trades are on or off, it's raining or it's not, and oh the occasionally vog rolls in. West of PCH on the mainland, checking in on the weather every four days works. On the East Side, it's a whole different story. After a long stay back east, I was in Carmel with a friend. As we started to plan our day, I said, "Turn on the weather channel and let's see what the weather is going to do." She replied, "You are standing right by the door! just open it and see!!!! Duh!

I even have the weather channel on my desktop, with a radar/temp/cloud/wind speed plus map. I also get a loud clap of thunder when it is going to storm. Lately, the thunder has been roaring even on sunny days to warn for high heat and fire conditions. OK, so they only have one sound. How would you announce 105 degrees in the shade or Smoky the Bear?

Aloha, Hi Y'All, What's Up Dude

My Summer Reading List starts with “Savannah Breeze”.

Yes, I have already read it, along with “Savannah Blues” by Mary Kay Andrews. I LOVE BeBe and Weezie and will have to re-read these books over and over until Mary Kay writes another book about them.

If you are on the East Coast of the mainland and want to go to the prefect place to read the 'Savannahs', check out http://www.breezeinncottage.com/ on Tybee Island, Georgia, USA.
Also read "Fixer Upper" - No BeBe and Weezie, but a good book that will give you a flavor of life in a small middle Georgia town.

What’s your favorite beach (West, East or on PCH) and beach book?

Back From Off the Grid and Under the Radar

  

Where does the time go?  Since I have learned the art of Living in the NOW, I have no answer.  As usual, my coordinates have changed several times since my last postings.  Recently a friend of mine suggested I think about "putting down roots".  My first reaction was a resounding "WHAT?", then a "HOW?", then a "WHY?"  I am still pondering this.  I am definitely more like a dandelion than a banyan tree.

Thinking Outside the Idiot Box

Guest Post from my Muse - M.E. Wisernow 

“All television is educational television. The question is: what is it teaching?” ~ Nicholas Johnson
This morning I received one of those emails that seem to come daily from friends relaying cute animal photos, jokes, or political commentary. This one was about the marriage /family links of network and cable news spokespeople and their connections to political appointees and White House personnel. OK, nepotism is alive and well and has been for centuries.

 In order to flourish and propaganda-gate, the media world MUST have Observers. Consider NOT BEING one of them – STOP WATCHING!

Along with getting out of debt, losing weight, and reducing stress, limiting TV also shows up high on the list of suggestions to live a better life. TV is an addition, an escape and a convenient way to fill empty time. It is easy to do, ever present, and other than outrageous cable bills, it is cheaper than going OUT to dinner or to the movies.

Try a little experiment.....

First - STOP watching the network channel news shows, then quickly eliminate the 24/7 cable news channels. Next eliminate the local newscast. I hear some of you saying, “But, I have to watch the local news to get the weather”. Go to the weather channel. Cold turkey is the best way, but If you must hang on to this shows, for one week take note of the “news” they expose you to and ask yourself if you really have a need to know. For the time you spend watching what value have you added to your life. Find online substitutes for real news about things that you have an INTEREST in, and better yet, get out and talk to people about what they really care about.

 Second – make a list of all of the shows you watch daily/weekly. Think about was they bring to your life. Also add up the time you are spending sitting in front of the TV. Ask yourself: Are you really attracted to watching primetime gore and violence? Is your life enhanced by vicariously observing the REALITY of dysfunctional people seeking attention? Do you need third party “talking heads” to tell you how you should think? Look at your list and BECOME discerning. Keep those shows that truly feed your mind and soul. Also, keep the ones that make you laugh – they may be stupid in content – but laughter overrides.

 Third – Look at the number of hours you spend watching TV and cut it in half. Hide your remote control. Use this recovered time to explore YOUR reality, learn something new, expand your network of friends, explore your environment, and maybe just relax and enjoy the silence. If silence is going too far, replace the TV with music. NO, not one of those TV elevator music channels.

 Enough already! I know for many this seems like a mission impossible. If you are willing to try it, start with the News. I guarantee you, you will not miss a thing and your life will be more peaceful. You will also spare yourself from those constant drug commercial followed by the lawyer spots offering to represent you or your loved ones from harm caused by them.