Can the forest heal? Are essential oils of any real benefit? One of the benefits of leaving “work hell” is the opportunity to read books and deeply delve into subjects. Previously when I read articles on the benefits of x or y, I was interested, but always skeptical. How deep was the science? One study?…
Category: Freedom; the escape
Freedom: How we sold our house, gave away our possessions, quit job and moved to the beach in Michigan
October 5th: 101 years ago… and enhanced license
How is this for feeling old? In October of 1917, before the end of World War I, my father was born. I thought of this today while getting my new Michigan driver’s license. Michigan is one of five US states that has an “enhanced” drivers license. It is also available in Minnesota, New York, Vermont…
October 4th: Soft fascination
Yesterday evening was most likely a great sunset at the beach. But instead, this was a patio sunset. Thirty minutes before, I reclined and relaxed at home. Listening to the fountain, feeling the wind blow, occasional noticing the scent of nearby flowers. Watching the sun pop in and out of the clouds. The clouds changing…
Sept 30th: Play ball!
And to think, since 1980, October 1st was always quarter closing… excel spreadsheets, worrying over closing numbers, stressing, working late into the night. Not this year! Although the Royals’ season is mercifully finished, tomorrow we have two baseball games to watch. Two division titles to be determined… after playing 162 games… all tied up. Later in…
Sept 27th: Life still happens
Even in paradise… life still happens. Almost five straight months of posts. One fantastic day after another. The beaches of Michigan, the countryside, the unique place that is Grand Haven. Friendly, amazing people. Paradise. But even in paradise, there is the occasional evil. One such person has brought pain and fear to my family. We…
Sept 10th: The same as it ever was…
We trek to our favorite beach over and over. There is a pleasant sameness… peaceful familiarity. Yet each time, it is different when we arrive. The waves never quite the same, the wind, the few other humans, different groupings of birds, the clouds, the sun in the sky… always a little different. The pleasant sameness,…
Sept 8th: Pinball Wizard
How do you think he does it? I don’t know! What makes him so good? He ain’t got no distractions Can’t hear those buzzers and bells Don’t see lights a flashin’ Plays by sense of smell Always gets a replay Never seen him fall That deaf dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pinball…
Sept 7th: Simple fountain
When not on one of the many beaches, a simple fountain fills our home with falling water coming thru the open windows. Sitting on the patio reading a book is a temporary substitute for the waves. How much time being outdoors is enough? Does fifteen minutes recharge your mind? An hour? Or hours each day?…
August 29th: Living the Red Mind life
A super famous viral blogger just said this the other day: We’re all scared shitless most of the time… Many of you read my LinkedIn posts and think I’m winning all the time and I consistently hit aces. I’m not. I’m fearful about career change, romantic relationships, having kids and not performing at work just…
August 25th: Danshari (断捨離) … Japanese art of decluttering
Finished reading this book on minimalism. Fittingly, it was an easy read, but a fantastic one. For those of you too busy even for an easy book, below is a link to a pretty comprehensive summary. More than minimalism, this is a book on happiness. Not preachy at all, just illuminating a path, actually many…