"I'm going to speak my mind because I have nothing to lose."--S.I. Hayakawa
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Thursday, September 30, 2021

Is It Worth It?


 

 IF, and that is a really big if, I get to where I'm going, it probably will be worth it.


But right now, with all the Covid testing required, what country requires what, where to get the tests, etc.,  I am at the farthest extent of my tether.   Just to throw a half dozen monkey wrenches into the mess, I had a vaccine booster Tuesday and spent the next 35 hours in bed with lots of joint pain, a general malaise,  and a big swelling on my arm.

Technology has passed me by and that makes everything much more difficult.   Even recorded telephone answering devices drive me bonkers.   Talking to a real person at the other end of the line is next to impossible.

Add to that, applying online for visas is a nightmare the first, second and third times you try.   I did finally get the visas so now everything depends on the Covid test results and whether I get them with the allotted time frame.

 

So, with all this whining and sniveling, I leave you with these because it reduces my stress level an iota to look at them.

 

 

 







 

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

As the Days Pass

 What am I doing these early days of September?

The same thing I've  done every year from spring until snowfall for the last 16 summers.   I clean up after inconsiderate jerks who throw litter all over the forty plus miles of highway that I cover.

This below photos show a pile of litter I collected during ten days along a five mile stretch of highway that I had previously cleaned up last mid-June.   Much of this is intention litter, but much as also unintentional, such as the exploded tires, coolers, pieces of vehicle bodies, etc.





I added five more bags to the pile today.


I also watch the waterfowl on Tern Lake and if the weather is nice and the lake is calm, I kayak out to take photos.


But, most days I watch from the shore.   I think a lot of the migrating bird have left.   The resident swans are still here, though.   They will remain until all the lake freezes over then fly to a nearby open water source.   



If we have a thaw during winter, I frequently see them return to Tern Lake and stay for as long as weather permits.