NRS Kicker Remix Water Shoe

Kicker Remix

I had to figure a way to stand up paddleboard (SUP) in cold weather.  My feet were my biggest worry.  They get cold with socks on in the house.  I needed to find something to wear in the water.  At REI.com , I found a few different things that I could try.  I decided on NRS Kicker Remix Wetshoe Water Shoes – Men’s.

I followed their sizing guide and was mindful of the comments on the page.  So I ordered a size 10 in mens though I wear a 10.5 in womens.  It was a good thing because the pair that arrived was the perfect size.  My foot is apparently too monstrous for the women’s version.

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Before You Shop…Blogger Sunday

Somewhere between small business Saturday and cyber Monday should fall a day for blogger businesses.  There are wonderful photographers, writers, artists, health purveyors, and many others that are in the blogging world.

So I propose: Bloggers’ Sunday

On Sunday, relax in your favorite computer chair (or couch) and cruise around blogs with credit card in hand.  There are ebooks, print on demand books, free ebooks, photos, artist prints, essential oils, vacation retreats, and I am sure that I have missed many things.  There are items that fit all tastes and preferences.  These gifts are unique.  They are not from a box store stampede.

You also get to know the person you are purchasing an item from.  They have a blog, well, duh.  But look around their blog.  Do you enjoy their witty sense of humor and view of the world?  Do they take you to amazing places?  Do they give you insightful and inspiring information?  How often do you have the opportunity to learn information about the person you are buying from? How often can you post a comment or ask a question directly to the creator?

Are you getting a gift from a blog?

Do you have a blog, book or product to promote?

Happy Thanksgiving

Take a Hike

Lil’ Red has a cold.  Let’s leave him to take a nap and go for a hike.

We arrive at the park and head out on the trail.  We were warned by park staff to be out by 6, so let’s get to moving.  The first half mile has some traffic.  Once we get past all of the ruckus, I am sure we will see some wild life.

We cross over an access road and things begin to quiet down. Oh, wait there is some activity over to our left.  Just some campers, but after one shot turns out like a surveillance photo, we move on.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Green

The first thing that comes to mind is Kermit singing “It’s not that easy being green…”

However, I went for a walk in the forest yesterday and spent the day enveloped by green.  Unlike the words in Kermi’s song, it did not blend in with everything.  The path offered green in contrast.  Other highlights from the hike will make their way out later in the week.

Experimenting With Food Sensitivity

I decided to experiment on myself.  I did not randomize, have a control group, and it was not a blind study.  The results were still conclusive.

I have discussed my hypothesis on personal food sensitivities in the past.  Hypothesis in hand, I embarked on a testing method termed avoidance and provocative.

Weekend Wonders

My New River Friend

This weekend was especially restful, productive and refreshing. “Productive” does not usually fit with the other two. Maybe it was more a matter of having time to clean instead off logging on to work.

The paddle was fun. I went out with a small group to the river I go to often. The wind was a little high to relax on a lake. The skies were overcast and it was a little cool for Florida folk. That is probably why a few people backed out at the last minute. Somehow, I picked the coolest day of my short SUP career to fall twice. The first time my fin hit a log under the unusually low water level. The second time, I was setting up a wildlife shot and my fin nudged something…I am hoping another tree. I was not really cold until my silliness took me into a grocery store on the way home. I am simply too lazy to go home and change and then drive back to the store. I can confirm that their air conditioner works just fine.

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Letter to Our Leaders

Dear Mr. President and Congress,

We are tired.   We are tired of the games and are desperate for you to behave like leaders.  We implore you to put away your personal and party agendas and follow a higher calling.  It is time to sit and work out solutions to this wonderful country’s problems.  No candidate fits all of our views so we have to compromise when we vote.  It is time for you to do the same.

We do NOT care whose ideas are used.  We do NOT care if you take ideas from everyone.  We care for progress and NOT witty little sound bites on talk shows.  We want you to stop being so myopic, arrogant and self-serving.

We care about this country.  We care about our families.

We are tired and dizzy from your spin, your half truths, and all out lies.  Try spreading the WHOLE truth and demand that the news covers the whole story.

Your games are causing insecurity in your constituents and instability in business and the world. 

You have been behaving like incompetent children.  The stakes are too high.  That is why we beseech you to draw on your collective knowledge and experience and sit at the same table and not get up until the business is done.

We believe in this country and its people.  We believe that we can overcome and triumph over any challenge.  That “we” includes YOU.  You can do this if you choose to.

So with a desperate gasp, we plead with one voice, “Just get it done already!”

To My Fellow Citizens,

as the paddle turns

Journeyed out to a lake this weekend.  The water was like glass.  A few birds and fisherman kept it from being lonely but it had a nice feeling of solitude.  There were some fish around but they refused to pose for a picture.  The water was much more clear than I had expected.  The swimming area had been closed due to bacteria levels two weeks ago.

The more time I spend on the water, the more often I want to go.  A meditative and relaxing time that I now crave.  With the cold weather starting to move in, I may have to start hiking.

(the cartoon looking bird was not photo-shopped)

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They Fought, You Vote

Why having the right to vote should not be taken for granted.

1787:  Passage of the U.S. Constitution gives white male property owners over 21 the right to vote

1870:  The 15th Amendment guarantees the voting rights of all men over 21 regardless of race or ethnic background

1920:  The 19th Amendment gave women over 21 the right to vote.