#173: Keeping heads down and chins up.

Even Charlie Brown has good taste. 

Slowly getting things together for the start of work next month. 

I ended up having to replace my lunch box. My old one was looking pretty ragged. I figure it's been at least 5 years, I'm due a new one. The new one is slightly larger and a nice red color. 

Thankfully, I don't have to replace my work boots. Those were last year. I did need to invest in some new socks as the ones I was using all got holes in them at some point of other and so I was down to only a couple pairs. 

I still need some new sunscreen (it's suggested to get new every year as the old stuff breaks down and is less effective.) I'm waiting on it to come down a little in price as the "season" hasn't officially started yet and the stuff I use is over $10/bottle at the moment. 

I need to dig out my thermos and make sure it is clean (enough) inside, as well as the plastic sandwich thing that I've been using. 

All of which doesn't answer the burning questions in my mind. Last year was kind of slowish. Will this year be slower now that gas is almost $4/gallon? More if you live in other places? Wondering if this will mean the nature areas here will go back into being obscure again, like it was before people "discovered" the area. I admit the idea sounds nice, will cut down on a lot of the entitlement. 

As I type, I look out the window. At the moment, it's 67 degrees, and the high today was already 72. Tomorrow is supposed to be 40 degrees cooler--with rain and snow. I kind of wish mother nature would make up her mind. But I know to expect all this until at least May. That's how it usually works. I have to resist the temptation to plant my hot peppers yet. But it's coming. 

It all seems so.... normal. Meanwhile, we're all screaming at our computers and phones at the insanity. I am thankful that this area is far enough out of the way we're able to keep our heads down so to speak. It's easy to be stressed, and don't think I am not as concerned as you are about the way things are going. But I have had to sit back and say, okay, what CAN I fix, and what CAN'T I fix? 

Quite frankly, there isn't much you or I can do. Except keeping our heads down and try to get cooler heads to prevail. Focus energies on what we CAN fix. 

Heads down, and chins up.

Hang in there. Change is coming, whether it be midterms.... or someone nuking Washington DC.... 

Aye
Kraneia

And as always,