Gone Fishing! Time To Reflect ...

There is a lot to reflect on at the moment, both in my own life and on a global scale. In both cases, I don't really have any idea what's going on, which is both liberating and a little scary. I'm headed back home to Minnesota in a couple of hours to get back to the roots, to try and figure out where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing - and have an excellent birthday week with my lifelong friends and family!

On way my down to say peace out for a bit to the ocean while I trade it for the lakes, I saw this cool sign/mirror hanging on a wall, welcoming all to the beach. I took that as a sign that this truly is the time to self-reflect.

On my way back, I came upon a big scene at the Venice Library for the solar eclipse. The whole parking lot was full of Venetians hoping to get a glimpse of this extra-rare celestial experience. Everyone was sharing the special glasses, and freaking out equally, in a really good way. I got a little choked up, that people can still come together to view something special, and way, way bigger than us all, and any of our differences. That's the takeaway for me of the great 2017 Solar Eclipse ... Unity. We are all united under one great sky, and it's our job to do our best to take care of each other while we're here. And that's that.

I saw just a little bite out of the sun here in Venice, but it was enough for me to get the message. Now I'm off for a little Summer break ... hold it down here in the V for me until I get back, and know how very special this life is ... wherever you may be.

Unity!

Keep America Thinking!

Hi Friends! My life is utter mayhem at the moment, and I can't even write anything without first thanking the remarkable folks that have stepped up lately and shown me that they love and care. I've had messages from people I've never met or even heard of, offering me ideas about new places, work opportunities, a spare house or couch, and above all, true friendship - whether we know each other in real life or not. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to any and all that have reached out in any way. Gratitude is the very best way to deal with situations like this, I'm realizing. Big things don't seem as hard when you're grateful for the little things. So, honestly and from the very depths of my heart - THANK YOU. Because of you all, I know that things are actually going to be even better than before - which after the last year, shouldn't be hard.

I'm staying with dear friends at the moment, and while they're in Venice, it's a different neighborhood, and thus a different walking route for me. Today when I was heading down Angelus Place, I saw this great sign, requesting that we "Keep America Thinking - Fund Science". While lately I'm probably thinking too much, I can still get all the way behind this sentiment. When you have a President who appears to be dumber than an actual box of rocks, this idea of THINKING is paramount to our country's survival. I just read that Volvo is now the first major car company that will stop making cars that use gas. While this should have been done decades ago, it's a wonderful start ... which I imagine came about due to some good, old-fashioned, head-scratching thinking.

Think about it.

*As I'm thinking about all of you dear readers with complete love and fierce gratitude. Please keep the good ideas coming ... I promise it will all come back to you. Karma is real.