Just Another Day in Paradise

 

Nice, but I prefer my backyard with its flora and fauna. © Lloyd Lemons

Lots of work to do before summer

I’m watching paint dry. 

It's the standard joke for people who are bored out of their minds, but it’s 92 degrees outside, and I’m painting the exterior of my house. I thought March in Florida would be a good time to paint, right? Cool weather. Light breeze. But as I put the brush to the bricks, the paint goes on with a high gloss, and within seconds, the gloss begins to dull. The paint is drying as it’s being applied.

That’s only one of my concerns.

I’ve got to climb a ladder, a tall ladder, which is something that makes me nervous, but it’s the only way I can reach my chimney. I’ll pick a day when my balance is at its best to use the ladder. Wish me luck.

I’m seven days into this project. I have the worst of the wall surfaces covered, I think.

But I’m a bit overwhelmed. Not exclusively by this painting project, but I’ve got other things going on as well. Things that are more important to me than painting.

I converted an old Chromebook to run Ubuntu, and now I’m trying to learn how to use it.

I’m converting this blog from its home here to a new home at a Static Site Generator. This will allow me access to the Internet without the threat and inconvenience of corporate and international surveillance.

I am preparing to join the IndieWeb movement to take back control of the Internet from corporate dominance.

These techy things have a learning curve attached. I’m fairly comfortable with technology, having used it for several decades, but the old brain doesn’t have the plasticity it once had. Damn, I hate that!

So I’m off to finish painting, before the real Florida heat sets in, then assemble a new picnic table, and erect a new patio umbrella.

Then, I’ll spend some quality time learning new IndieWeb technologies.

If you liked the Internet in its early days but hate what it has become, give the IndieWeb some serious consideration.

Talk soon. (Dang, I just found some Dusty Sage dried on my elbow that didn’t come off in the shower.)

A Simple Life is More Important Than Ever

Simplicity at its best. © Lloyd Lemons

What would it be like to live life on your own terms? 

It's cold all over North America, and for those who don't know, Florida gets cold too! You may have heard of the falling green iguanas. They're real!

The temps in my town dropped last night to near 20F for about 12 hours. I got up early to check my drip lines outside. They protected my plumbing, for the most part, but left large icicles hanging from the spigots. 

As I made some early morning adjustments, I felt the frigid air bite into me. It reminded me of being a kid in Michigan. I haven't experienced those winter chills in decades, but the memory is still vivid. 

My cold feet and fingers brought back memories of the dreams I had as a young man. I was going to be a businessman and take on the world with my many ideas and idealistic notions. A few simple dreams came true in varying degrees, but for the most part, I've worked very hard all my life, and while I'm marginally comfortable now, I never achieved the level of prosperity that could have followed the intense effort I put into everything I attempted. 

Making adjustments

After failures and many difficult times, I realized many years ago that living comfortably was the most important thing for my family and me. Yes, having a huge home in the country, horses in the barn, and fancy vehicles in the driveway would have put a smile on our faces, but for how long and at what cost? 

There was a moment, when my sons were in their teens, that I decided the challenges inherent in our system would take too much out of our lives to continue the pursuit. 

It took soul searching, but I eventually became focused on living differently. Keeping up with the Joneses was never my intent, but now, success, in my mind, had been redefined. The calls from the wild struck a chord and have been with me ever since. 

No one lying on their deathbed ever said, I wish I had spent more time in the office.

If only I had more time, I could've have really made something out of myself. 

Thoreau wrote: This spending of the best part of one's life earning money in order to enjoy a questionable Liberty during the least valuable part of it reminds me of the Englishman who went to India to make a fortune first, in order that he might return to England and live the life of a poet.

That logic, based on materialism, makes no sense to me. 

I was no longer interested in checking off the boxes of so-called accomplishments that we establish for ourselves when we're young. The scripted life felt increasingly uncomfortable and foreign to me. I was done living vicariously; I no longer wanted to live under society's unrelenting standards. 

Universal changes are afoot

The world is chaotic right now. Much of it was exacerbated by the US president. Thoreau's "questionable Liberty" has more meaning today than perhaps at any time in our country's history. Any thinking human must ask themselves, is Liberty still an attribute on which we can depend? 

We need to live our own way now, not later. Not next week. Not tomorrow. Our tomorrows have limits. Our Democracy has limits. 

The pursuit of happiness is an Americanism. We may have underestimated its requirements. Equating money with happiness is for people who bought into the system. A system that is largely corrupt, on an uneven playing field, and manipulated by the rich and powerful. 

Real happiness comes in shades and can be achieved in a variety of ways. We should seek happiness, but not by using the methods of Wall Street. Happiness can come if we understand the true meaning of wealth. 

Wealth is health. Wealth is family. Wealth is community, love and empathy.

Life is as simple and as complex as one makes it. Choosing a life of simplicity may be the way to survive during the current political and economic crisis. 

Best wishes to you all.

It's About the Ride, Your Best Ride

A small group is about to head out for a 30-mile ride on a rail trail. © Lloyd Lemons

I got a little nostalgic on this one

I’ve been an avid road cyclist for 20-years. A little over three years ago I had my fourth spinal fusion surgery. That long recovery time, combined with a few other medical issues in the interim, kept me off my bike for a while. I’m doing pretty well now, and I recently dusted off the Trek and the Serotta and found myself back in the saddle.

It was awesome! It’ll take some time, but I’ll get my legs back.

I used to write a blog called Cycling Nirvana. After my ride the other day I was going over some of the posts I wrote. I decided to reshare the one that follows.

*  *  *  

Ask a dozen cyclists what they like most about cycling, and you’ll get a dozen different answers. But, as time goes on, and their experience deepens, their answers will often change. That’s another great thing about cycling: It sort of evolves with you. As you become more seasoned, the act of riding a bicycle morphs into something different that you often love even more. The more you ride, the more you’ll love to ride.

What resonates with you?

A friend of mine, a long-time cyclist in his 70s, once told me that cycling can be whatever you want it to be. Want to race? Then race! There are races for every age. Ride for fitness. Ride long distances. Ride in the mountains or along the beach. Or ride simply because when you’re on your bike, the air seems fresher, colors more vibrant, and you feel more alive. Your bike can be a source of enjoyment in so many ways and on so many levels.

Out for a sunny Sunday afternoon with a ride along the river. © Lloyd Lemons

Make your ride the best ride

Explore the cycling culture in your town. You might find a great bunch of people to ride with. Are they cyclists you can relate to? Fitness-wise? Age-wise? Style-wise? Try a ride or two with them to see if they’re a good fit. If you don’t care for big rides or big groups, go solo and do your own thing.

Know your bike

Become “one with the bike”. I’ve known many cyclists who love their bikes so much, they name them. But seriously, is your bike comfortable to ride? Make sure it fits you well. You should know it well enough to fix a flat or make minor repairs or adjustments if something happens on a ride.

Develop riding confidence

Confident cycling comes from experience and understanding the rules of the road. It’s important to know how you and your vehicle (the bike) can safely co-exist with the other vehicles on the road. Experience also builds good bike-handling skills.

I’ve just written a little booklet on safe road cycling. Check it out.

Preparedness is also key to confident cycling. Carry with you the things necessary for your trip: a multi-tool, a food bar, hydration, a spare inner tube, spare cash, or whatever you think might become necessary if there’s a delay in the ride.

Make it a memorable ride

In the early stages, you should know where you’re riding to, a destination, a neighboring town, or around your community. Later, when you have more experience, it’s really fun to explore. Let your adventuresome spirit carry you along to less charted courses. Take in the sights and sounds and smells of the planet as it goes by, and use your camera to capture it.

Share your ride with others. Post a short ride story with a photo or two on your favorite social media. You’ll be delighted to see how many friends will respond with favorable comments.

Cycling can be an awesome escape! Make it an adventure. Make it part of your lifestyle. But beware. It can be highly addictive. Always remember: When you’re on your bike, it’s about the ride, your best ride.

A Better Holiday

Christmas in Senoia, GA. © Lloyd Lemons

Learning to understand each other

The drive home was long — thankfully, two hours on the freeway were the worst of it. The other five hours, through wooded miles of winding roads, were virtually traffic-free. It was the perfect time to reflect on the previous five days.

The visit itself was pleasant this time. No awkwardness. No unspoken frustrations. No raised eyebrows. No angry words. At first, a tentative compliance between hosts and visitors — youngsters and parents. Later, a relaxed camaraderie, easy laughter, and joyful gift giving. Ill feelings dissipated. A quiet, friendly calm. A welcome change to a niggling problem that was never elucidated. I won’t question success. The future seems bright.

On My Mind

A mid-century Smith Corona manual. © Lloyd Lemons

Getting unlost - 12.15.2025

This is a recurring post about what’s in my headspace at any given time. It’s partly for me to commit publicly about what I’m up to at the moment, and it’s about you, too. Maybe it will help you think about your life, and focus on things you’re curious about, want to do, or ideas you’d like to see come to fruition. I invite you to comment below.

I’ve had a frustrating year. Politically, it’s been a disaster. Enough said about that! Personally, I worked through a variety of medical problems, and feel pretty darn good going into 2026. And professionally, I’ve been kind of lost.

Why?

I’ve been a professional writer for 40+ years. I’ve written content for corporations all over the world. The COVID lockdown decimated that work, and it never returned. At 73 years old, no one is rushing to commission me for writing work. (Believe it or not, there are people who think that someone my age has outlived their talent -- yes, it’s true.)

So I intended to start writing things that would please me. I began by writing a series of memoir-ish type stories that my kids could read and hand down to their kids. But as these things often go, they’re not much interested in family history.

After the memoir stuff, I fell into a spell of moody inactivity that has been difficult for me to kick. I guess it’s the type of numbness that often comes with retirement. The problem is: I AM NOT RETIRED. I have not stopped thinking and dreaming and planning.

And I never will.

I keep myself busy with refurbishing our old house, gardening, and planning my next writing project. My problem has been the planning part. I seem to just keep planning. And planning. And planning. And the writing hasn’t been forthcoming.

Well, that type of thinking had led to analysis paralysis. The good news is: it has ended. I have resumed consistency in my writing practice and am sharing my eclectic ideas, stories, and experiences once again. Today, I am focused on returning to the writing that has always kept me curious and helped me think and learn more about myself and others.

I hope you’ll continue to follow me.

H/T to Brennan Kenneth Brown for his brilliant article.

It's Gift Giving Time!

Like new Trek. Less than 100 miles. 

If you ride a bicycle on the road or have loved ones who ride on the road, it's important to know the rules and ride safely. Here's just the booklet you need, and it will make a great Christmas gift! -- https://payhip.com/b/7uCv0

As a side note, I have this pristine Trek for sale.

Enter the world of road riding with speed and style. Own this pristine 2007 Trek Pilot 1.2, 54cm. Fits 5’6″-5’10″ rider. Comfortable riding position, EZ pedaling 27-speed drive train. Aluminum frame, carbon fork, Shimano Tiagra components. EXTRAS: dual platform multi-purpose pedals, Selle Anatomica comfort leather saddle, narrow handlebars, 2 water bottle cages. Made in the USA.

$400. (Venmo or Zelle)

Opinions on What I've Read Lately

I liked it!

I read this several months ago. I liked it a lot. It conveys some fascinating "Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization." The title is right on! If you ponder the universe as I do, check it out, you'll likely read it to the end.  

Having a hard time finishing it.

Curiosity keeps us thinking, learning, and evolving. I've had a high level of curiosity all my life. That's why this book caught my eye. Brian Grazer is a famous movie and television producer who has put his big ideas into big projects. While the book talks about how he's developed curiosity tools to help him learn, it dwells mostly on his ability to ask questions within his own industry. If you're interested in curiosity and love the movie business, you'll probably like this book. For me, it's a little too one-dimensional. 

* * * 

These aren't meant to be book reviews. Book reviews are typically a joke; written by someone who must kowtow to their employer's whims or political bootlicking leanings. These are just my gut reaction to the books I've read, or tried to read. Nothing more. Just an opinion. 

The Road to Safe Cycling

It's possible to ride safely amid traffic. © Lloyd Lemons

Ride confidently in traffic every day

Riding a bicycle became very important to me after my first back surgery in 2000.

I used to be a runner, but my back could no longer take the pounding that running delivered. So, after a long recovery period, I pulled my old mountain bike out of storage, dusted it off, and started riding it. Cycling offered a way to exercise that was easy on my joints. In 2005, I went mountain biking in Moab, Utah, with my son and a friend. After that, I knew that riding a bicycle was my new sport. In 2006, I bought my first road bike, and I’ve never looked for or considered another sport since.

In 20 years, I’ve ridden in 15 states and covered tens of thousands of miles.

Today, when I’m out riding in urban and rural areas, I see people riding bikes on the road who have no idea of the rules of the road or safety precautions. They do incredibly dangerous things, break the law, disrupt traffic, and put themselves and others in peril.

There are, of course, very good organizations that teach safe cycling. I’ve attended two of them. But often the excuse for not taking a safety course is: Don’t worry about me, I KNOW how to ride a bike! But the truth is, often they don’t know a thing about how to ride on the road among the traffic of motor vehicles.

That’s why I wrote:

The 30-Minute Guide to Smart, Safe Road Cycling
A practical resource for casual riders, commuters, car-free citizens, and new ebike riders.

It’s important to remember: A bicycle is legally classified as a vehicle.

If you’re thinking of getting rid of your car and replacing it with a bicycle, this booklet is for you.

If you’re using a bicycle to commute to work, go shopping, take the kids to school, go to the bank, get some exercise, or any of the myriad things you do in a day, the information in this booklet can help you get started safely and confidently.

This booklet provides cyclists with the information, knowledge, and confidence they need to ride their bicycles on the road safely and within the law.

You can purchase the booklet on Gumroad, or Payhip.

Please consider reading it if you ride on the road, or give it to loved ones who ride their bikes on the road. It’s an easy read, and it could save a life.

Getting Through the Summer from Hell and Beyond

Friendship Fountain, Jacksonville, FL © Lloyd Lemons

Freedom to live while continuing to resist

It’s a sweltering summer here in NE Florida, as it’s been in many other areas of the US. It’s a great time to stay inside, shelter from the storm, and reevaluate some of life’s conundrums. I’ve been thinking a lot about the direction my life will take in the coming months and years. I think it would be wise for all Americans to consider their futures.

Over the past five years, my life has presented me with one obstacle after another. Starting with COVID 19, the lock-down, having multiple episodes of the affliction, the subsequent shutting down of my business and income, my son, a US Marine, having three brain surgeries caused by something he picked up in the Iraqi war, my fourth back surgery, the constant threat of losing my vision, and … all the niggling aches and pains associated with age.

And while things have improved for me on a personal level, there’s still a dark cloud over the hostile political climate we are all living under. How will I keep my sanity when the world is crazed and money is tight without burying my head in the sand?

We’re all stressed, no doubt. Aggravations persist. Threats multiply. Our future looks bleak. So, what will you do to make your life comfortably livable? (And I don’t mean comfortably numb.) I plan to engage my stiff upper lip and live my life with optimism in the wide open.

I’ve decided to compartmentalize politics as it stands today rather than let its poison eat away at me every waking hour. I intend to live my life to the fullest, and I hope you do too. But to do that, it’s important to think about the path we will take during the foreseeable future.

I plan to continue resisting the current administration’s dictatorial meanderings by talking, writing, voting, and sharing my ideas in a manner that will rally like-minded souls. Then, I disconnect from that “compartment”. I turn off the news. I don’t discuss it at friendly gatherings, and I turn off the worry meter while I work on things that I know make my life more complete. Try it, it’s liberating.

I will not allow our administration’s fiasco to change how I live my life, and I will not let it put a shadow on my family's existence. I will use the curiosity that was given me at birth to explore whatever fascinates me at the moment. I will continue to do the work that makes me happy.

For me, I see some interesting, inexpensive, drivable travel in the coming months. I’m resuming road cycling, which I’ve done for 20 years, but has been put on the back burner for a variety of reasons. I plan to continue renovating my old house, as money allows, and prep my back yard (the Greenroom) for the coming fall and winter, a time in Florida when I can bask in the crisp, fresh air. I will continue to think, write, share my thoughts with others, and live my life to the fullest.

I feel like this is a path that gives me freedom to live, while still resisting. I have faith in the American people who understand what the United States was meant to be. We’ve never reached that dreamed-of ideal, but we’ve been moving in a mostly positive direction for 250 years. I see a united people coming together to defeat the fascists and make living comfortable for everyone.

We still have the freedom to live our lives the way we see fit, while we continue to resist.

On My Mind

Me, hard at work in a spare room, circa 1980. © Lloyd Lemons

(This was a story that came out of a contest from Kofi.com. The instructions were to write an encouraging letter to yourself, that will propel you into the future with confidence. Good therapy yes, but, no, I didn't win.)

Words of Encouragement to Me

Hey you! What are you doing? Staring at the blank screen? That will accomplish nothing. You’ve got to put some words down. It doesn’t matter if they make much sense at this moment, just connect your brain with your hands and write down word after word and sentence after sentence. You’ll get to where you need to be, trust me.

When you started this gig 40+ years ago, you had grand dreams! You wanted to write things to make people think. To move them emotionally. You didn’t let your lack of a literary education hold you back. You knew things, and you wanted to share those things with the world. You were bold, remember, or was it just youthful naivety?

You had some early success, remember? And it was exhilarating! More than a dozen stories were published right off, and it felt great, but it didn’t last. There were queries and pitches galore, but nothing seemed to connect. It was beyond discouraging. As a young man, it was soul-crushing.
But you adapted, and that’s how you survived.

You thought, “I love business, so I’ll approach businesses with the idea that I could write their newsletters and marketing messages.”

Think about what you did! You studied direct marketing principles relentlessly, and it paid off. Requests for your writing abilities started with people you knew and grew into a nice little business. Soon, you were writing all sorts of material for business accounts around the US, and beyond. You were back in the saddle, right?

Well, sort of. It wasn’t necessarily the kind of writing you had dreams of doing, but it kept you creating with words and ideas while it helped pay the bills.

Forty-plus years passed. (Man, how time can get away from a family man!) There were many ups and downs throughout the years, and you kept pushing forward.

Then the pandemic happened.

All your clients slowed their operations to a crawl. Assignments dried up in a matter of weeks. And, at 67 years of age, new prospects didn’t want to hear how an old guy had the experience to produce good results.

But you weren’t prepared to retire, financially, intellectually, or emotionally. Medical concerns became the next speed bump to negotiate. And they’ve been tenacious.

But don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve had a tough time these past five or six years, indeed, since the very beginning. And now? Well, a light bulb has gone off. “People still read stories to improve their lives,” you thought. “I have much more experience as a human than I did many years ago, and I’ve always been flexible and highly adaptive. I’ll return to my original dream of writing stories for curious people. I can still make this work!”

Yes, you started down this path more than two years ago, and it hasn’t blossomed like your earlier endeavor. What will you do now?

 
Here’s a hint.

 
Now, you retool, sit down at the blank screen, and start putting words and ideas down for others to consume, and do it daily. Yes, it’s starting over, and no, it won’t be easy, but you can do it.

I have faith in you.

 
Sincerely, Me

Are You a Dandy?

Two dandies in the San Marco Square. © Lloyd Lemons

When I was a child, my grandparents enjoyed taking my brother and me to church whenever we visited. She would assist us in getting ready. Black shiny shoes, dress pants, a white shirt and tie, and of course a sports coat. At the final inspection before we walked out the door, she would be so pleased and say: "Oh, you boys look just dandy!"

I never knew what she meant by that. Dandy! I figured it was a compliment, but it was not a word I'd heard before.

The Met Gala 2025 taught me something this past week. I kept hearing about black dandyism, so I finally looked up the word's history, which goes back to the 1800s. I'll leave you the link to its meaning, so you can read further if you want. At least now I know what Grandma was saying to us.

You're never too old to learn new things if you have the curiosity gene.

* * *

None of my writing is produced by AI.
I occasionally use AI to create a photo, but it’s always noted.

Take Charge of Your Medical Care

A spinal fusion. Photo © Lloyd Lemons

Don't wait for someone else to make you better.

I’ve been “doctoring” again! Don’t worry, I won’t belabor the point with a description of my ailments, but I will give one fair warning: Don’t trust completely in any healthcare institution or its workers to get the job done correctly and efficiently every time.

Most are dedicated true professionals, and others … maybe not so much. Some are inexperienced, some would rather spend their time elsewhere, and some may simply not be up to the task. Then, of course, there are technology problems. “Our computers are down today!” goes the usual refrain.

I recently had a severe pain in my back that my doctor thought required a CT Scan to ascertain the source. I paid the $200 copay, got the scan, waited four days, and heard nothing. No phone call, no posting on my healthcare portal.

Follow up and follow through

So, I attempted to chase down the answer. This step is often a patient necessity in modern healthcare. It’s just one of the steps in taking charge of your health.

I couldn’t wait any longer, I reached out by phone, started calling the pros, and asking questions. It took a few calls when, eventually, I found someone with the answer: my CT Scan “turned up nothing.”

I still haven’t been able to see the scan on my portal or discuss the pain or CT results with the doctor.

My doctor said the next step is to check in with my neurosurgeon and get an MRI. It’s another scan, but much more comprehensive. I paid another $200 copay, got the MRI, waited a week, and heard nothing from the specialist’s office. No phone call, no text messages, no smoke signals, no posting on my healthcare portal.

So, again, I was forced to chase down the results.

After leaving three messages on the specialist’s phone, I finally got a call back from the surgeon’s assistant. She saw in the MRI progressive signs of aging, but nothing that would require further surgery at this time.

Expensive and often disappointing

So, what is the new source of my chronic pain? I don’t know. Apparently, no one knows. I’m out $400, several hours of my time, and more than two weeks of wondering, and still no closer to discovering the source of my pain.

I received an apology for the process taking so long (I’ve still not heard from the doctor), and a suggestion from the assistant to see “one of the pain management clinics around town.” I was also promised a view of the scan on my portal in a few days. It’s been two weeks, and it’s still not posted.

I learned a long time ago that healthcare is a team effort. Sometimes, when part of the “team” is lacking, you must take it upon yourself to ask questions, make phone calls, do your own reading and research, and sometimes do some legwork.

Why are things like this? And is it like this for everyone in the United States healthcare system? I can’t answer that question. But I know that healthcare relationships have noticeably changed for me in recent years. I’m 72 years old and I believe I have fallen into the category where limits are set by a little-known feature of our system called: Age-Based Healthcare Rationing.

It is important to understand your vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature, and what they mean for your health. But there’s more to do.

Read the professional literature about your health concerns. Good, solid literature is available on the Internet. Some of the proven sources I use are Johns Hopkins University, Mayo Clinic, the National Institutes of Health, the Cleveland Clinic, and others. You’ll read about clinical trials, cutting-edge research, and the experiences of other patients who have gone through health concerns similar to yours. It will give you a big picture overview, then you can discuss these ideas and remedies with your doctor.

For the best healthcare outcomes, take charge of your health by choosing a healthy lifestyle. And by all means, don’t sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to make you better. Get involved in the process. Know your family history. Be prepared for medical appointments. Talk to your healthcare team. Ask questions and tell them when you don’t understand and need extra clarification.

I haven’t gotten to the bottom of my dilemma yet, but I promise you, I will.

.  .  .

For further reading:

I don’t think my doctor is listening to me.

None of my writing is produced by AI.
I occasionally use AI to create a photo, but it’s always noted.

We Expect Too Much From New Year’s Resolutions

New Year's Eve in Mt. Dora, FL © Lloyd Lemons

I think it’s safe to say, we all want to make 2026 better.

I want to recover my mindset and energy from where they were at the end of 2019, pick myself up, dust myself off, and move forward with renewed hope. I wrote that sentence at the end of 2023, and (surprise!) my “want” didn’t happen. I’m repeating it this year but not as a resolution—as something more powerful—a fresh way to face the world.

Our way of life is excessively angst-inducing. It completely went off the rails with COVID-19 and continues today with enormous political uncertainty, domestic and international terrorism, and religious wars around the globe.

Can we ever stop fretting over this insanity? How can we clear our heads, restore our hope, and enjoy renewed peace of mind?

I'm no longer one to create a list of New Year's resolutions. I don’t think making a list of promises to myself that begin on January 1st is the answer. A resolution may help my sleep cycle or improve my diet, but it won’t change my attitude toward the world and relieve stress. Personal growth and change don’t happen with New Year’s resolutions, they happen with introspection, and setting ongoing intentions.

For those of us who resist making New Year’s resolutions, you must admit, that something about January 1 still excites us about the potential of the next 12 months. Maybe we’re jazzed by the swell of glee from the revelers who enjoy the circus-like atmosphere surrounding New Year’s Eve.

The beginning of the new year serves to wake us from our asleep-at-the-wheel mentality. It reminds us that life is finite and to live intentionally we need to enjoy peace of mind. So just maybe it’s time to take stock of what we’ve accomplished and look forward to how we can continue to grow and become better humans. It feels like a good time to hit the reset button on our lives and work towards less worry and more self-discovery.

Make a bubble

One of the best ways to start a more contented life is to remove yourself from the worldly bubble of hatred, heartache, lies, and angst. Stop traveling down that well-worn road of despair. Take the road less traveled, gather your family and friends, and create your own bubble of comfort to live in. Add things to your bubble that make you happy and feel right.

Change your point of view. Do what makes you and your family safe and happy. Keep your distance from the noise and danger around you. Put silent space between you and those you know are political mongers. Socialize with people whose kindness, intelligence, and friendship you appreciate. Rid yourself of those who foster divisiveness and anxiety. Read, listen, or watch programming that helps you grow and makes you think.

These suggestions may not be the advice you’d hear from New Year’s revelers but think of it as a sensible approach to maintaining your sanity, relieving stress, frustration, and that tenacious smoldering angst.

Marcel Proust once wrote something that may help you restore your mindset and energy.

This Virus Has a Tenacious Grip

An advertisement from the September 22, 1952 edition of Life Magazine

Trust science, not conspiracy theories

I've come to the end of my second bout of COVID-19. It first appeared on 08.01.2024, and I was pretty sick for 5 days. I started Paxlovid on day 4. My symptoms gradually eased during the following 7 days -- yes, I had the virus for 12 days. I think the Paxlovid helped because it kept me from getting seriously sick or hospitalized. But it had side effects, including fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog. So, am I better now? Better, yes, but 100%, no!

Each day is a surprise. Today, I feel pretty good. Yesterday, I was severely lethargic and cranky. The day before that, I was tired, anxious, depressed, and had slightly blurry vision. And so it goes—each day is a surprise. This irregularity of symptoms is often called long COVID or post-COVID-19 syndrome. It manifests the symptoms I'm experiencing and others, including headaches, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and more.

It's unfortunate, but some people still don't believe COVID-19 exists. They call it the flu, or they quickly change the subject of the conversation because they don't have an adequate explanation for their lack of faith in science. I don't know where this virus will go from here, but I hope ya'll take heed; it can get ugly quickly. 

For further information ... 

COVID Surges Again

What About Long COVID?

Raw Squid Isn't the Strangest Food I've Eaten

Mahi Mahi caught off the coast of Oahu, HI. 

Humans get adventurous with their meals

One of my favorite lunchtime meals is a grilled cheese sandwich made with Stone-ground wheat bread with ample sharp yellow cheese melted between the slices and paired with a hot bowl of tomato bisque soup. Mmm, tasty!

My parents were working-class people, and I grew up on mostly simple foods. Oatmeal for breakfast. A lunchmeat sandwich for lunch, and maybe a big pot of homemade spaghetti for a special Sunday meal. Sometimes on a Friday night, we might have a fish fry and enjoy a large platter of Perch, a freshwater fish caught in the lakes around our Michigan home.

My folks also enjoyed having a platter of liver and onions for dinner (it was the cheapest of meats) which I hated but did my best to choke it down. My Mom liked to boil chicken hearts and gizzards, and as a ten-year-old, I shared a few plates with her. It took me another ten years to wise up and cut the organ meats from my diet.

Read the full story here. 

A Boy’s First Car

The days when cars were king. Thanks, Phillip Solano @ Pexels

Speed, adventure, friends ... what's not to love!

Sixty years ago, my hometown, Detroit, was still the world’s envy. It was the fourth most populated city in the U.S. It was known for its contribution to The Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people to escape to freedom.

It was the home of Motown, the record company that played a major role in developing soul and R&B music, with dozens of artists becoming world-renowned musicians and performers. 

Detroit was famous for its stunning landmarks, architecture, professional sports teams, and unique cultural heritage.

However, the city was most famous worldwide for being a hub for innovation and production in the automobile industry. It earned the title, The Motor City. It was the automobile capital of the world.

Read the full story here.

The Circle of Life is a Circle of Learning

Families learn together. © Lloyd Lemons

We are all students and teachers

Knowledge and wisdom never go out of style. It's something we continue to gather and a valuable gift we continue to share. No matter our age, the attainment of knowledge and experience continues to be an important and gratifying part of our lives.

The gratifying part is enhanced when we can share what we know with others to simplify their lives. Often, that sharing happens without us even realizing it.

My Dad was smart, not in the Ivy League sort of way, but in raw, rough-hewn intelligence. He never made it past the 10th grade, but he accomplished a lot in his short life.

We didn't have a close relationship. I think World War II took its toll on him. He had a lifelong inferiority complex because of his small stature, and his excessive use of alcohol clouded his judgment. And in hindsight, I don't think he ever understood the demands inherent in being a parent. But despite all that, he managed to accomplish impressive things in his 64 years of living.

I saw, I heard

Dad was an autodidact, a self-taught person. He built and repaired things. Once out of the military, he became a tool designer, boat builder, and woodworker. He renovated an old bungalow, became a barber, and started a service business with my mother. He designed and contributed to constructing a new building to house their company. He and my mother both worked hard to provide for their family. Then, as a retired guy, he drilled water wells for his neighbors so they could water their lawns and gardens inexpensively.

As a young person, I was disappointed by not having the kind of Dad who would play ball with me, joke with me, or spend quality time together. We may not have had a close father-and-son bond, but he was still responsible for teaching me many things that I learned vicariously.

The circle of learning

I once sat on the second-story roof of my grandmother's cottage, watching Dad and a couple of other men tear off old shingles and install a new roof. I was eight years old and wasn't allowed to help, but I was allowed to sit by quietly, watch and ask questions. I did so for two days.

My Dad built one of these in the 1950s. Digital image by Bard.

As a child, I watched how he managed the myriad details of building a cabin cruiser in our garage. A boat that took us into Lake St. Clair every weekend and was home to our family while on a two-week cruise through the Great Lakes.

When I got to be a teenager, Dad introduced me to the game of golf, using right-handed clubs. Being a southpaw, I hated it at first. It was awkward, and I rarely hit a good ball, but it likely played a big part in my becoming ambidextrous today.

My Dad wasn't one to proactively teach me things step by step or explain the process, but he allowed me to be a spectator and ask questions. And my frequent observation turned out to be an effective way for me to learn.

We all know there are countless ways to gain knowledge and just as many ways to share it. But as we get older, I think we sometimes feel like our teaching days are waning, and our ideas are looked upon as old hat. But that's not true.

We continue to learn new things throughout our lives and should continue to share what we know. We share with youngsters and oldsters, family and friends. It's how our stories and wisdom live on. Not all will listen, but we make an effort anyway.

When I talk with my grandsons, I often have the feeling that I'm boring them. They don't respond logically. I get the eye-roll, and I can see their minds working to process a hundred things at once. They grimace and try to change the subject. But something fascinating occurs. A day or two later, they come back to me questioning the very ideas we were discussing during that previous conversation. They may not have been listening, but they were hearing, and now we are sharing. Those seemingly unheeded bits of knowledge and wisdom have germinated in a place where they will flourish.

If you Google "circle of learning," you'll find charts and graphs that give all sorts of perspectives on the subject, but the bottom line is this: The circle of life is a circle of learning, and as elders, we are still very much involved in this activity. We each have a gift that we can use and share with others for the rest of our lives. Doing so imparts a life-affirming vitality. Being mindful of this helps us feel thankful, relevant, and it give us purpose. 

We have much to give and still so much to learn.

I'm Still Here, I Promise!

I've spent countless hours in waiting rooms like this. © Lloyd Lemons

I haven't been writing lately, and I feel like I should explain why. For 16 years I have been nursing some fairly serious vision problems. It started in 2007 with a torn retina and progressed into full retina detachment, then to glaucoma. First one eye then the other. My doctors have kept me from going blind, but it's been a challenge. 

The vision in my left eye is only about 5%. The vision in my right eye is a grainy 20/20 made possible by  radical surgical procedures and corrective lenses.

Then, two months ago I was given a new brand of eye drops. I had a bad reaction. 

The new drops distorted my remaining vision and made it impossible for me to read anything. For the past three weeks, I have been using drops that will hopefully correct the situation. They seem to be working, but it's a slow process. 

My Band-Aid solution
I have enlarged my computer display to 160% and can now resume writing for short periods of time. I'm also learning to use Google accessibility features, specifically Dictation mode to write with my voice, and Select-to-Speak to listen to what I've written. It's a little awkward for a keyboard guy like myself, but hopefully, I won't be forced to use it long term.

If you were a regular reader of my Substack newsletter, I apologize for dropping out as I did. I hope to be back on track real soon.

Do You Have Time to Reflect?

Carve out time each day to spend in the moment. © Lloyd Lemons

To be honest, I haven't read all of these books

I'm a slow reader. It's partially a vision problem I've had for 17 years and partially endless worldly distractions. So, sometimes, I look at the length of an article before I commit to reading it. If the reading time is noted as more than 10 minutes, I might put it off till I know I have uninterrupted time that would allow me to focus clearly on the subject matter. 

Unfortunately, it may never get read. 

It gets bookmarked or maybe sequestered into one of my various holding cells, where it will likely be buried among dozens of other unread stories ... and forgotten. 

The world functions at a high rate of speed. We have so much information thrown at us each day that it's impossible to absorb it all. That speed robs us of a fulfilling life in so many areas. Writers often focus on stories ranging from 500 to 1500 words because that length is what most readers can consume in a single gulp. 

That being the case, what am I missing when I file an intriguing story into the bottomless pit of a bookmarking app?

We need to slow down, take a deep breath, look around, and enjoy the art of seeing. There's much to learn, much to appreciate, and much to enrich our lives. Time is of the essence; don't miss out; live now. 

Ten Things I'd Say Yes To

Photo by Jake Roxen on Unsplash. Thanks Jake!

1. Yes! I would move again. That is, I'd take up residence in a new place if I could find the right place. It's stressful, expensive, and a lot of work, and I've already moved many times. But I've lived in Jacksonville Florida for 22 years, and I'm ready for a new adventure. 
2. Yes! I'd buy an autonomous vehicle, once the bugs are worked out. I have come to dislike driving.  
3. Yes! I'd like to try skydiving.
4. Yes! I want to ride my bike across the country, solo or with a ride buddy.
5. Yes! I would take a drug that eliminates the need for sleep. Sleep is an onerous task. 
6. Yes! I would try microdosing psychedelics as an experiment to achieve healthy outcomes. 
7. Yes! I would find citizenship in another country if the United States Democracy fails. 
8. Yes! I'd take a trip on an alien spacecraft if the opportunity presented itself. 
9. Yes! I'd accept the opportunity to act in a movie. (I've been an extra.)
10. Yes! I would agree to experimental stem cell therapy to repair my vision.