#sourdough starter died after 4 months in the fridge, ending a 5 year streak

Luckily, I was able to scrape some dried dough flakes from a banneton, that got me a new starter going quickly.

What is Contemplative Writing?

Poetry, prose, journaling, fiction, haiku writing. Any form of creative writing can be seen as a type of contemplative writing, and I have heard it said that even technical writing or scientific research can be contemplative writing. But what makes one form of writing more contemplative?

When I am lying in bed just before I sleep at night, that is a time that I find is vastly more contemplative in terms of my thoughts, though contemplations and original thoughts can occur throughout the day. Really any thoughts that bubble up can be seen as Contemplative and when they are written down that is inherently what contemplative writing becomes.

There is no certain subject or guidelines. No perimeters that constitute contemplative as separate from other forms of writing. But if you tune into your mind, and listen deeply to what you are thinking, you will be closer to these contemplative thoughts, and if you then write down these thoughts that bubble up, that, my friend is Contemplative Writing.

In my college class on Contemplative Writing, several of my peers were writing on a masters level. It probably was the college writing class that stretched us the most. The name of the style of writing, and the course, was Contemplative Writing, and though it accurately represents what is being done in that style, usually when I use the term with my friends, they don’t really understand what I mean by the name. It also takes a lot more words to explain what it is to someone than makes sense for using such a term.

My 2 friends who make up my Peer Support Writing Group, along with me, are vastly familiar with Creative Writing, on a level I would say is equal to mine. I think they are on a Graduate level in Creative Writing, and I have sat down with them many times to lead them in workshops of Contemplative Writing, but it never felt as familiar to them. Everything was new to them. Which makes me think when I talk about Contemplative Writing to other friends who may not be writers, it is probably even more obscure seeming to them.

So what do I mean by Contemplative Writing, really?

Successfully crossed the charging desert via a charger that does not accept CC, only app..in an area with no cell service.

I did drive my car on coal generated electricity, on a highway right down the middle of a coal power plant today. Achievement unlocked?

Proving an EV route thru the Kentucky coal country between me and my sister. This was fully impassible for my 220 mile EV until a few months ago.

Currently at a Hyandai dealership where the chargers have broken credit card readers. Needed to install the Blink app to charge. My phone failed to install from Aurora store so had to borrow a stock Android phone.

(Mind you I have driven 20k miles in this car this year, this has been my only charging fail. This area is just 10 years behind the current status qou.)

A year ago I went to my therapist. “I feel like there is something just around the corner that I am trying to think that I haven’t thought yet. It feels like it would be important to discover if I can.”

“I understand.” Replied my therapist. “What do you think you are about to discover?”

I wasn’t sure. I knew I was sure I was on the verge of a personal discovery, as she said, but I wasn’t sure what it was. A few times it would come up in therapy, always feeling like something important was on the tip of my tongue, but never knowing for certain what it was.

This morning I think I realized something though. The feeling that I am on the verge of thinking something important actually doesn’t seem to just be one thing but any number of ideas and discoveries just around the bend, if I contemplate. The question changes from I wonder what my important self discovery may be to I have a limitless number of ideas and thoughts that always are accessible and really will change and improve my life. I just have to find myself in a place where I can tune into them.

Often that means turning off whatever media I am playing, closing my mouth, and listening to what bubbles up for me. Sitting with it in silence and nature are a big part of this process.

One of the interview questions had asked what writing project I would want to work on if I was to start one this semester. I am already working at least 3 projects. They are not explicitly contemplative, but there are contemplative elements to them, and I think they could be a lot more contemplative in nature if I wanted them to be. The first thing that occurred to me that would make my writing contemplative is if I had some focused time for silence in my process. Silence is what really made my writing contemplative, as I remember. Libby had said she lets what float up, float up. That is a good way to describe what contemplative writing is for me.

Most of the time my mind is either filled with daily thoughts or I have something on like a podcast or some media that inadvertently fills my mind and makes contemplative thoughts hard to come by. When I lie in bed at night before I sleep or sometimes in the middle of the night, original thoughts come to me. Important ponderings. Things that wouldn’t otherwise have occurred to me. Deep within myself there is a narrative, a story I am trying to unfurl, a riddle I am trying to crack. When I am lying in bed before I sleep especially is a time of contemplation. But if I turn off the car radio, turn off my show, or make intentional time for thinking and silence, I can e

One of the interview questions had asked what writing project I would want to work on if I was to start one this semester. I am already working at least 3 projects. They are not explicitly contemplative, but there are contemplative elements to them, and I think they could be a lot more contemplative in nature if I wanted them to be. The first thing that occurred to me that would make my writing contemplative is if I had some focused time for silence in my process. Silence is what really made my writing contemplative, as I remember. Libby had said she lets what float up, float up. That is a good way to describe what contemplative writing is for me.

Most of the time my mind is either filled with daily thoughts or I have something on like a podcast or some media that inadvertently fills my mind and makes contemplative thoughts hard to come by. When I lie in bed at night before I sleep or sometimes in the middle of the night, original thoughts come to me. Important ponderings. Things that wouldn’t otherwise have occurred to me. Deep within myself there is a narrative, a story I am trying to unfurl, a riddle I am trying to crack. When I am lying in bed before I sleep especially is a time of contemplation. But if I turn off the car radio, turn off my show, or make intentional time for thinking and silence, I can experience contemplation in my daily life.

I learned in the book Atomic Habits that there is something called habit stacking, which refers to when you add a new habit by looking at your daily routine and think about a good time something might be added to it. For example, when I write this it is the first thing in the morning. I could add a time of silent contemplation when I first wake up before I walk my dog. That actually might be a good time to add a time slot for contemplative writing into my life.

So if I was to start a new project it might not be a project per say, just a time of day for contemplative writing.

I learned in the book Atomic Habits that there is something called habit stacking, which refers to when you add a new habit by looking at your daily routine and think about a good time something might be added to it. For example, when I write this it is the first thing in the morning. I could add a time of silent contemplation when I first wake up before I walk my dog. That actually might be a good time to add a time slot for contemplative writing into my life.

So if I was to start a new project it might not be a project per say, just a time of day for contemplative writing.

 Writing from my phone.   

Was part time research assistant for 10 years very few hours but did good work and lots of deep matter.

Yesterday interviewed professor.   Was lacking in sleep but she said I did really good as interviewer.  Said my listening was active.  

She'll be interviewing me soon with same questions I wrote. 

Will spur on deep future thinking for us both.

Excited for exploration. 

Before the Ocean Makes her Cry

My friend took her baby to a crowded shore

Her tot dove in and wanted more

I remember the world before the ocean made me cry

before I nose dove into the sand beneath

trying to body surf

Salt water dries swifter

and the shore breeze helps

I learned the water is scary and mighty

I learned to fear the under toe

But even after I was caught in a rip tide alone

I made my way out

and got up early the next morning

because the tide had calmed overnight

I wanted nothing more

Than to swim those waves again

 I just have to figure out what to do for my swim routine during the 6 weeks the pool will be closed.  But it is exciting because they are installing a new salt water system.

 So the pool is closing the entire month of August and half September...

 I'm proud I reached 1 million views on youtube.   Might never really earn much income from it but who knows.   I'm doing better than most youtubers.  So maybe I will.  Stay hopeful. 

One million really is ton.  Isn't it?

 Week 1, 9 laps X 4 days 

Week 2, 9 laps X 4 days 

Week 3, build to 12 laps X 4 days 

Week 4, build to 15 laps X 4 days

18

21

24

27

30

33

36 stand

The pool is cold

But I get used to it

It feels like I'm gliding across the world 

It feels like I'm flying 

I'm timid about freestyle at first 

I'm aware there aren't as many options to breathe

I love moving fast though 

This is my swiftest stroke 

I'm gliding 

I'm free 

I'm soaring 

I'm ageless,

I'm limber

I'm happy 

yes I have started thinking about driving distances in kilowatt-hours, at least locally..

Really glad to have a great cafe with local food only 2 hours of solar from home. Used to have to burn a gallon of gas to get to a so-so place.

In the cafe in nearby tiny town, a farmer bartered eggs for his meal.

MTBF (tomato)

dripping glass catches /
a few miles for tomorrow /
last joules of evening /

#haiku #offgrid

So it's come to this... configuring git to decorate names of committers who are on record of making poor choices WRT AI slop

Doolin to Dublin by way of Dog Bay Beach

 BIG GOAL Increase Stamina and Endurance 

STRATEGY: swim 4 days a week TACTIC early mornings is a great time to swim TACTIC swimming cools down my body temp TACTIC 18 lengths of the pool equals 0.25 miles 

 STRATEGY walk with disability group 4 days a week TACTIC putting on walking shoes is ideal TACTIC social encouragement is proven TACTIC can walk in Air Conditioning 

STRATEGY walk half a mile every single day TACTIC cooler in mornings TACTIC alley loop is about a half mile TACTIC counting flocks of birds occupies mind

 I swam again this morning and did River's Way goals group.  I think the other reason I am doing so great with motivation lately is because I identified "Endurance" as my main focal area.  It is a great thing to push towards!

Friends as Waterfalls

My waterfalls don't hang up

Do not disturb signs 

But maybe the rain was a lot recently 

And I imagine the trail is too muddy 

Or maybe it's been bone dry 

But I just don't think 

It's the best falls to see that day

Or I just get a feeling 

Other wanderers who might be visiting 

Would prefer to go alone 

One of my favorite waterfalls 

To listen to her bubble 

Or roar and seem to laugh 

Is a trek away

Sometimes I write her emails 

Our special little place 

Sometimes I don't commune with her

Though I crave to talk to someone 

Maybe I should more

Her mossy banks

Have been the best to feel 

My bare feet stand upon her

So grateful for her touch. 

For Dani Amoroso 

You're a slow rolling beauty with a mystical drop.

- an email to Ed

Chasing Friendlier Waterfalls

Waterfalls, flowers, mixed metaphors

This poem walks down a country road between a rolling stream

and a bouquet of wildflowers

picked weekly

between the worn hands of my mother

I always was timid, reticent,

when it came to picking flowers

and friends

Then I found my friends didn’t end up being droopy blooms

but raging and gloriously loud waterfalls

My best friends are waterfalls

my acquaintances and other friends aren’t.

A waterfall has a sort of decent into deepness

Not all streams do

A waterfall lets you visit it

whenever or commune with it

Not all creeks are open to visitors.

Don’t go chasing waterfalls

Please stick to the rivers and lakes that you’re used to

I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all

But I think you’re moving too fast

-lyrics from TLC

Makes you Wonder what a Waterfall is

I am brazen

I can be courageous trying to get friends

who seem they might be deep, moist, misty

But finding these 30 precious people I finally collected

has been a life’s works in progress

Again, not everyone is going to be a waterfall

I have friends who I value deeply but maybe I am the waterfall between us

That can be a wonderful dynamic,

But I also need waterfalls.

Then there are ones like Autumn or Josh

Waterfalls among waterfalls

People who make me feel

After 40 years of searching

I am not peerless actually

There are others like me

I am not alone

Nomenclature

Waterfall

As defined by the American Heritage Dictionary

is a descent of water from a height, a cascade

I guess what I mean in this obvious metaphor

is I have a certain kind of friend

who really gets me

It has to do not with the technical term waterfall

but more so how visiting a waterfall makes me feel

My first childhood friend Christina has a lot of trouble

feeling her whole life like she is struggling

to not just always be in fight or flight

She told me I give her a sense of calm that is rare

She said also that I listen to her non judgmentally

She made me feel valued and I value her

Maybe the way I feel among my waterfall friends

Is how I make many feel

Bouquet

I'm usually shy about picking flowers 

I want to let them stay beautiful 

Where they are

But about once a year 

In summer's thick

I find myself in a field 

Or bank

Or yard

And they beg me to gather them together 

Maybe butterfly bush 

In a friend's backyard 

Or queen Anne's lace

Asking me persistently 

Kindly 

To arrange them together 

Highlands, North Carolina

I remember visiting a waterfall with the other interns in 2009,

It was a wide flowing one and it had just rained

It was roaring and beautiful

The sound was a nourishment my mind desired

A blank noise that calmed the thoughts inside my mind

Wiped them right out

Until there was nothing.

Everything’s Finite

There is a cascade

20 minutes from my door

The thing about waterfalls is

If you visit one every week

For a decade

You end up seeing many scenes

Not just one

Every day is a different thing

It is so changing

It is like how the human body

Replaces all its cells

Every 8 years

It is like how my mind is so much different

From when I was a kid or teen

Change is in everything

And waterfalls remind us

Everything is temporal

Flowers are ephemeral

So are the waters

So is a human

We all are here now

But all of us

Will someday be gone

It is a reminder

That can scare someone

But it helps me so much

To see the beauty in changing, fading nature

 I never have felt so motivated for several years.  A couple things lit a fire up under my ass and have motivated me to swim, walk, and eat less sugar.  I have started participating again in River's Way, which provides for me social support, the key to my current success.  Also, 2 or 3 health concerns all spurred me to want to exercise more. It also seems the time is right for my current motivation, regardless of any previously mentioned factor.  

My youtube channel is doing great.  Check out my most recent videos.

Subscribe

Long Live Mamdani as New York's mayor!!

June 21, 2025

I live 12.2 miles from a 75 foot plunge.

On this hobbley, old day it feels the only possible way to get there is by car. But what if I could walk there somehow? The most I walked any day this month was half a mile. But what if I could build my strength to walk out to the waterfall. I’d let my Mom pick me up on the way home.

I live 12.2 miles from a waterfall.

My kitchen table lies 9.2 miles from 3 parking spots at the dead end of a 2 mile headwater road.

My hair is still damp from jumping in a swimming hole 8.4 miles from my laptop.

It’s 7.7 miles to my friends’ house at the start of the road,

My previously mentioned friends have a second house along the way, 3.5 miles along.

One option is to walk some on the mendota trail from where is starts 2.7 miles from my beating hearth.

Blackbird bakery on the fly is a tempting stop, 1.6 miles from home.

My favorite Egyptian/ Italian restaurant exists 1.5 miles from my doormat.

I could describe every small detail of those 1.5 miles with unique precision, but I am certain I could do that segment in one long stretch without need for too many breaks. I walk slowww. It usually takes me some 20 minutes to meander a half mile, but that means I could walk to sit with the Egyptians and easily arrive there in 2 hours.

I would leave on a Saturday because the more rural treks don’t have great pedestrian walking paths, so I would want to walk to a cheap hotel on the way or to my friend’s second house the first day so that I could trod the rural parts on low traffic, Sunday. I am not great about sleeping away from home. I like my own bed. But even if I had to be picked up and not sleep on the actual way, I could be dropped off again in the morning. It might make it feel like more of an accomplishment if I wasn’t ferried though.

What am I rambling on about?

I want to train to walk at least to the dead end of my favorite waterfall road. That means I want to walk from my home 9.2 miles someday, but the sooner the better, because, as mentioned, I need to up my walking abilities. I am hoping to train for this and the longest stretches of my adventure. Approximately 4.2 miles (I think) would be the maximum I would have to walk in a day.

If I end up sending this to you, thanks for reading this. It probably will be the first page of a book with a map and an associated youtube video. My Mom prefers if I walk with other people for at least part of it, but I feel I’ll be fine either way. Let me know if you want to come along!

Their faq at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-terms-of-use-faq seems to have been updated after that change:

"Previously, we had included some routine licensing language in our Terms of Use that many found confusing. We listened to your feedback, took a second look, and determined the Privacy Notice sufficiently covers the limited permissions we need to operate Firefox on your behalf — so that language has been removed. "

Bless your hearts Mozilla, I was soooo confused by the same transparent legal maneuver that I've seen so many times before.

Just noticed that Mozilla removed the problimatic language from the #firefox Terms of Use about license grants. The removal happened sometime well after all the noise about the ToU had died down, sometime after May 15th.

My trust in Mozilla as an organization remains at a low eb.

Dysart O’Dea Castle, High Cross, Tower, and Church

Ennismore

Cobh

pondering the chances that #uhaul is using an LLM in part of their roadside assistance dispatching process after I clearly explained that a) I am at the welcome center on the state line and b) the truck wouldn't start because the gear shift was broken and it was not in park -- resulting in a mechanic being sent to a nearby motel to perform a battery replacement

(we did complete the trip eventually, with some transmission roulette)

St. Steven’s Green

Dublin

Irish Sea, Rosslare

National Museum of Ireland

Wexford

Wexford

Cork

Halfway done with move (not mine). Driving uhaul.

Wish I was using these today but instead had to queue for a nasty smelly pump with a slow screen and bad UI and then repark before going in to use the facilities.