"And They're Off!"

This has not been my week for electronics, that's for darn sure. Twenty years ago, I developed an all natural anti-inflammatory and topical pain reliever that I ended up marketing (with endorsement from a pharmacist and naturopath) after completing my degree in graphic & web design. I now have three online businesses, which, of course requires me to download my orders from the internet. Mondays and Fridays I've allotted to taking my orders across the US border to mail. After screwing my previous computer up because USPS wouldn't let me use their site unless I upgraded, and the upgrade trashed my computer, I had my Friday already pre-planned.

Friday morning, turn on the computer, get coffee, and.... can't get online. Okay, do all the things you're supposed to, then phone the company. Problems in the area - oh great. Fortunately, my phone is with another carrier and I was able to get my orders with my phone. But of course, I still couldn't use USPS to purchase my postage.

Frustrated, the day didn't get any better, with a lineup to cross the bridge due to construction, a lineup at the border, and a lineup at the post office - none of which are usual. Returning home, I diverted from my usual route to take a walk in the wetlands, partaking of some meditation, exercise and relaxation.

Of course, I didn't take my camera with me, although it was in the car. I just didn't want to pack the extra 10-15lbs of camera equipment in my backpack. Of course, you knew I'd see something unusual didn't you? Two bright yellow canary type birds I've never seen before. As best as I can determine, they're yellow warblers, although the birds I saw had red heads. Yeah, if only I'd had my camera - or even my phone.

One of them even posed for me on a branch overlooking the bridge. Sure. Tease me. Brat.

On my way back, a family of Canada geese was walking purposefully towards me, the first goslings of the year. Eleven of the fluffy little babies scurrying along between Mom and Dad goose. As I was close to the car, I managed to grab my camera, follow them down the path at a respectful distance and get some shots of them.





Returning home, over 12 hours later, and still no internet. Phoning the company yet again to find an ET of repair, it turns out the fibre optic lines were vandalized and cut in three places over 200 yards. The outage affected tens of thousands of homes and hundreds of businesses. What the heck is wrong with people these days? You don't like the internet? Don't use it. Don't like the company? Don't use them. Pretty damn simple. But to affect everyone else is beyond ignorant and self-centred.

This is my last day before my summer farmer's markets start up again after a five month reprieve, which, this year has been wonderful! Previous years I've had so much going on, it was nice to have the time to update one of my websites this year, although the main business website still needs attention.

A beautiful day today, I've already been out for a 10km tour around the farmlands, and after coffee will load up my car with all the paraphernalia requisite at a farmer's market. Hopefully, tomorrow will equal today, weather-wise, which will translate into $$, as people always spend more money when the weather's nice.

It's a fallacy that meditation has to be done while sitting on the floor trying to empty your mind. (Although some people's minds appear to be quite empty, these days - lol - just an observation, not aimed at anyone here). Meditation is the act of being present in the moment, and that's what biking or walking in nature and photography do for me.

I kind of feel like I'm in the starting gate, preparing for the season, appropriate for the day, seeing as today's the Kentucky Derby.

In the announcer's famous words "And they're off!"