Welcome!

These are my musing, thoughts, ideas, etc. around al manner of things. I don’t update as often as I would like to, but you may find something of interest here from time to time.

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My Friend Marcus

Since I first read it in college, Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations has always been a gentle guide for me on how to navigate the swirling currents of life. In these chaotic times, his words feel as comforting as sitting by a campfire with an old friend, sharing a pipe and a glass of good whiskey while pondering our place in the universe. His wisdom fills me with an intellectual warmth that reaches deep into my core, a kind of solace that’s hard to find elsewhere.

If I were to summarize the ideas that I have gleaned over the years, and that speak most directly to me, they would be:

Living Fully in the Present Moment

Marcus reminds us to embrace the here and now. The past is a river we’ve crossed, and the future is a trail yet to be blazed, but this moment—right here—is where life truly happens. It’s like watching the sunrise over a quiet meadow, where time seems to pause, and the world is painted anew. By grounding ourselves in the present, we can find beauty and meaning in the simplest things.

Embracing the Journey’s Twists and Turns

He speaks of accepting our fate with open arms. Life has its ups and downs, much like the rolling hills and valleys of the countryside. Instead of resisting what we can’t control, he encourages us to find peace within the ebb and flow, trusting that every twist in the road has its purpose. It’s about finding harmony with the path we walk, even when it leads us through unexpected terrain.

Nurturing the Garden of the Mind

“Our life is what our thoughts make it,” he muses. Marcus teaches that while the world around us may be filled with storms, we have the power to cultivate calm within. By tending to our thoughts like a well-loved garden, we can bloom amidst adversity, finding inner tranquility no matter what clouds gather overhead.

Reflecting on the Fleeting Moments

He often contemplates the impermanence of life. This isn’t a sorrowful acknowledgment, but a gentle reminder to cherish each day. Like the delicate petals of wildflowers that grace the fields for a season, our experiences are precious precisely because they’re temporary. Recognizing this can inspire us to savor the laughter, the love, and even the lessons that come our way.

Walking the Path of Virtue

For Marcus, virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation aren’t just high ideals—they’re the compass points that guide us through life’s wilderness. Living true to these values brings a sense of fulfillment, like reaching a mountain summit and taking in the vast, open landscape. It’s about aligning our actions with the deeper truths that resonate within us.

Understanding Our Shared Journey

He reminds us that we’re all travelers on this winding road. Recognizing our interconnectedness fosters empathy and a sense of community. “What’s bad for the hive is bad for the bee,” he notes, highlighting how our well-being is intertwined with that of others. It’s akin to a chorus of voices joining in harmony, each one adding to the richness of the song.

Being the Change We Wish to See

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good person should be. Be one.” His words are a call to action, urging us to live authentically and let our deeds reflect our beliefs. It’s about embodying kindness, integrity, and compassion in the everyday moments—letting our lives be a testament to the values we hold dear.

Finding Strength in the Trials

Life will always have its challenges, but Marcus sees these as opportunities to grow stronger and wiser. It’s like weathering a fierce storm and emerging with a renewed appreciation for the calm that follows. By embracing adversity, we can discover resilience we didn’t know we had, turning hardships into stepping stones along our path.

Embracing the Simple Things

In a world that’s constantly pushing for more, he advocates for simplicity. Letting go of unnecessary desires and focusing on what truly matters can lead to a more contented life. It’s the joy of a quiet evening under the stars, the peace found in nature’s embrace, and the fulfillment that comes from genuine connections.


Reading Meditations feels like sharing a moment of profound understanding with someone who, despite living centuries ago, speaks directly to the heart. For me, integrating these Stoic principles into daily life brings a certain magic. Starting my day with a moment of reflection or finding gratitude in the small things offers me a bit of warmth and clarity.

This morning, petting the cat while she naps in my lap, sipping a steaming cup of coffee, and listening to the music of the rain brings me joy. These simple moments help to center me, providing me with a sense of peace and connection that can be hard to find these days of chaos and uncertainty.

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Why I Hate “The Common Cold”

Bleh

The Common Cold is the most dishonest of the viruses. The Cold will lie to you every damn time, whereas with The Flu, Covid, Marburg, or even The Chicken Pox, you know you’re sick.

No question at all.

Those other virus dudes are quite direct in their approach. They simply punch you in the fuckin’ throat and body slam you to the floor, where you are staying until they are done with you.

But that slimy weasel, The Cold, well he lies to you… “Oh yeah Pat, you took all that NyQuil and got a good night’s sleep, you are feeling great this morning. You should go for a run!” **

That sneaky bastard will even let you take a shower, get dressed, lace up your shoes, and stretch. Then, as soon as you are like ten feet out the door, he will yank the carpet out from under you, smashing your freakin’ head on the curb, and you will have to crawl back home, hoping you have enough strength to reach up and turn the doorknob in order to try and make it to your bed before you die.

Having a Cold is a lot like watching a cat play with a mouse. Glance away for a moment, and when you look back, you have a mouse with a missing head and a cat that’s sitting there calmly licking its paws like he’s king of the living room.

Yeah, you just can’t trust “The Cold”, it’s a lying dirtbag of the first magnitude.

Don’t be fooled!

Ok, that seems to be all the energy I have for a rant this morning. I am going to try and sneak under my own backstabbing Cold’s radar long enough to get back upstairs to bed, take some more drugs, and crash.

Happy freaking New Year.

** Let’s be clear here. Pat does NOT run for anything that is not life-threatening. If you see Pat running, you know something VERY bad is chasing him, and you should probably run too!

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Messin’ with the AI

Me

If it takes half a hen half an hour to lay half an egg, how long will it take a grasshopper with a wooden leg to kick all the seeds out of a dill pickle?

The AI

If it takes half a hen half an hour to lay half an egg, we can infer that the hen is quite inefficient at egg-laying. Let’s break down the problem:

  1. Half a hen = 1/2 hen
  2. Half an egg = 1/2 egg

Now, let’s consider the grasshopper with a wooden leg. While grasshoppers are not typically known for their pickle-kicking abilities, we’ll humor the scenario:

  • Grasshopper with a wooden leg: This is a unique and somewhat whimsical creature. We’ll assume it’s determined to kick all the seeds out of a dill pickle.

Given the lack of specific information about the grasshopper’s kicking speed or the pickle’s seed count, we’ll have to make some assumptions:

  1. Pickle Seed Count: Let’s say the dill pickle contains 100 seeds (because round numbers are convenient).
  2. Kicking Speed: The grasshopper’s wooden leg might be a bit clunky, so we’ll assume it kicks at a moderate pace.

Now, let’s calculate:

  • If the grasshopper kicks one seed out every 5 seconds (since it’s a wooden-legged grasshopper), we can find the total time:

Total time=Number of seeds×Time per kickTotal time=Number of seeds×Time per kick

Total time=100×5?seconds=500?secondsTotal time=100×5seconds=500seconds

Converting seconds to minutes:

$$500 \, \text{seconds} = \frac{500}{60} \, \text{minutes} \approx 8.33 \, \text{minutes}$$

So, it would take the grasshopper with a wooden leg approximately 8.33 minutes to kick all the seeds out of the dill pickle.

Keep in mind that this is a playful and imaginative answer. In reality, grasshoppers don’t usually kick pickle seeds, and wooden legs might not be their preferred mode of locomotion! ???

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Dipper

Just wanted to post a shot of my best boy and constant companion, Dipper. My furry buddy, who is constantly teaching me what is best in life.

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St Helens from the Meadow

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South of St Helens

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A Tale of Simplicity

An American businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

“How long it took you to catch them?” The American asked.

“Only a little while.” The Mexican replied.

“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The American then asked.

“I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs.” The Mexican said.

“But,” The American then asked, “What do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.”

“Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own can factory. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then, senor?”

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions, senor? Then what?”

The American said slowly, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos…”

~ Heinrich Boll (1963)

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Quote of the Week

“That was a hot mess inside a dumpster fire inside a train wreck.” – Jake Tapper, CNN

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Visitors

I had seen some signs that we might have a raccoon visiting the back deck, so I set up the trail camera to see if I could catch him wandering through. I was really surprised to find we had a whole “Gaze” of them. I suspect it is a little family of three. I love raccoons and wanted to share in the hopes it might make your day a bit brighter.

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Bastille Day!

This morning was awesome and so very apropos given today’s date. So, in celebration of my own liberation I say to you –

“Vive la liberté en cette journée de libération! Je vous souhaite le meilleur!”

** (Long live freedom on this day of liberation! I wish you the best!)

PS – I don’t speak French, so please forgive any grammatical errors… 😉

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