distraction

Witcher Watcher – Day 418

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Witcher Watcher

If you, like me, arrived in 2020 only to discover you simply cannot tolerate watching or listening to another moment of ‘news,’ I have a great distraction to recommend: The Witcher.

The Witcher is a Netflix ‘original series’ based on a ‘cycle of tales’ by Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapowski.

We watched the first episode a couple of nights ago, then caught episode two a day or so later. I thought I liked it, but I wasn’t completely convinced – until tonight.

Just What I Needed

It’s entirely possible that timing is playing at least a partial role in my enthusiasm for, and inclination to immerse myself in, this series. But more than anything, I think, is the nature of the main character, Geralt. His attitude toward both life in general and the situations he finds himself in is both detached and at the same time exemplifies honor and compassion.

Best of all, I’m pleasantly surprised by the sense of humor occasionally interjected by the characters. It’s an unexpected delight to encounter sarcasm and humor in the midst of all the drama. And yeah, it feels like just what I need.

It’s All Too Much

It’s interesting to observe the relief I feel in immersing myself in an entertaining story. And that’s honestly the most fundamental sense I feel. Relief. And it’s not even relief from the actual reality of what is going on in the larger world, although that is part of it. It’s relief from having to listen to the lies.

We could see this coming a mile away. And yet, here it is. It happened. Apparently with impunity – and quite probably with high fives and puffed chests – as threats, taunts, and tough talk continue issuing forth. Which only leads me to wonder how long it will be before other tactics are used to manifest chaos and distraction.

Stories Are Important

All of which makes me realize with even greater appreciation just how important it is for us to be able to lose ourselves in stories. We can’t hold onto or keep track of the cruelties and the lies being disseminated 24/7. It’s getting to a point where we have to actively pick and choose when to immerse ourselves in the stickiness of the web of deliberate deceit being woven day in and day out.

I know. For many of you, that decision has already been made, and made long ago. I see the wisdom in not paying attention. I guess I’m trying to find the balance – and I have a sick sense in the pit of my stomach that what’s going on now is just a prelude to what we can expect the whole damn year. And that depresses me.

So…long live the stories.

 

(T-693)

Laptop Guardian – Day 405

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Laptop Guardian – Photo: L. Weikel

Laptop Guardian 

Now and then we all encounter obstacles. Every once in a while, we run into unexpected snags to our most thoughtful plans or well-practiced habits.

This evening, my long-standing routine of writing my nightly 1111 Devotion post on my MacBook Air, a habit precipitated by my Dell laptop’s nervous breakdown shortly into the establishment of this Act of Power, was nearly entirely derailed by Cletus.

I first encountered Cletus the Laptop Guardian when I glanced across the room and focused my attention on my MacBook this evening. When I walked over to my writing machine with an eye toward crafting my post (and maybe even getting to bed at a half reasonable hour – an idea instantly THWARTED), I realized this was not a case of simply placing said portable computer into my lap.

No, I was going to have to face the Laptop Guardian.

He Looks Innocent Enough

At first glance, this evil trickster looks innocent enough. In fact, he almost appears to be downright cute. Possibly even cuddly.

Half a stretch here, a “come hither” extended paw there. Oh yes, he looks like he’s just snoozing near the laptop because, oh, I don’t know. It was warm? It whirred occasionally and he mistook it for a purr? I don’t honestly get the attraction.

I make my move, assuming I should have nothing to fear. He is a good kitty. Or so I tell myself, completely disregarding any and all experiences I’ve heretofore had with him.

Yikes! A faint merrow and a shift of position change the game.

Cletus the Guardian’s Stink Eye – Photo: L. Weikel

Nope. He immediately assumes lockdown position, swiftly morphing from innocent playful mode to full-on stink-eye. It’f obvious that f I even think about slipping that laptop out from under him, he will slice my hand as thoroughly as any guardian slays a dragon.

Hmm. There’s distinct tension in the air. I’m tired. I don’t feel like having to mess with this psycho cat. (“Good kitty” my behind.)

And then I follow his gaze and realize: I’m up to this task! I’ve got this.

Classic Bribery – or Bait and Switch?

Regardless, I know I need to be smooth and quick. Deftly removing my necklace of Christmas lights and palming them to maintain surprise, I approach Cletus again. This time, though, I dangle the little lights close to his fur, but carefully maintaining my distance. I don’t want him snagging them.

Score!

He’s distracted enough for me to swipe the laptop out from under him while he contemplates the dazzle of Christmas lights dancing enticingly on his fur.

I hope you guys realize the risk I have to shoulder sometimes just to get a post written every night. It’s a tough job, but…

Joyous Solstice!

Cletus the Guardian: Bribed – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-706)

Busted – Day 396

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Busted   

Yes, I’m busted. Tonight’s post is going to be especially short because, I must admit, I was distracted by the end-of-day proceedings in the House of Representatives. I got lost in watching events unfold in the Judiciary Committee (yeah, I’m a government nerd) and was shocked when I almost randomly glanced at the time and realized it is nearly 1:00 a.m.

I’m choosing the photo that’s accompanying this post deliberately (obviously, since I thoughtfully choose all of my photos), because I want to believe there’s a rainbow coming for all of us.

There’s certainly a lot (a lot, a lot, a lot) of angst, strife, and abject despair over the political situations around the world these days. The apparent results in Great Britain being the latest example. Obviously not counting what’s going on over here because everything so far, over here, has been preliminary.

Full Moon

That moon is shining just as brightly tonight as she did last night. The blue light casting stark, dark shadows just feels a bit colder, if you ask me.

Personally, I’m still purging. Luckily not in the physical (barfing) sense, but purging nonetheless.

Hang in there, friends. We will survive.

(T-715)

Nope – Day 265

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From afar – Photo: L. Weikel

Nope. Not Yet.

No, I didn’t suss out the message being brought to me by Swan and Skunk. Not today, anyway. Not yet.

Rather than pondering that mystery, I became distracted by an unexpected sighting as I was sitting, yet again, by the creek. In fact, I was sitting in exactly the same spot I’d been sitting days ago when the Golden Vinyl Swan became marooned before me.

I don’t even know how I initially spotted it, to be honest. It’s quite unobtrusive, when viewed from afar. In fact, the leaves of the weeds it was climbing hid it from view from many angles. I just happened to see it because of the unique perspective I had, sitting where I was.

Greater My Willingness, Better the Shots

I think what was coolest about this distraction was how my willingness to get closer and closer to my subject kept yielding better and better photos.

The photo I placed at the top of this post was, in my estimation, decent enough. More than decent, in fact! I was pleased by how sharp the shot was and how lovely my caterpillar friend appeared.

Perspective – Photo: L. Weikel

Then I realized all at once that this caterpillar was very unlikely to move quickly. I might actually not only get closer but also zoom in to discover even more loveliness.

And so it came to pass.

I absolutely love my iPhone and the quality of photos I’m able to take with it.

From my vantage point, all I saw was the form of a caterpillar walking up the stalk of a rather large wildflower. Had I not undertaken an impromptu ‘study’ of this leaf muncher, I never would have had the opportunity to revel in its beauty – or share it with all of you.

The whole experience of this discovery made my afternoon. Even if it did distract me from contemplating the Swan/Skunk mystery. Perhaps the understanding of that will reveal itself tomorrow.

(T-846)

I Got Distracted – Day 234

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Setting Out – Photo: L. Weikel

I Got Distracted                   

I’ll admit it; I got distracted this evening. I became engrossed in trying to edit my Listening Retreats page on my website, and when I looked up, I was (am) appalled to discover that it’s 12:41 a.m. Even worse, I could not for the life of me manage to substitute the photo at the top of the page!

I don’t know where the evening went tonight. Well, yes, I do.

Karl and I took an amazingly wonderful walk this evening.

In spite of the rain that fell sporadically throughout the day, the air just kept getting thicker and hotter. So much so, that we knew we weren’t even going to bother walking until the sun was much lower in the sky.

As a result, we didn’t set out until 7:30 p.m. or so. Since we took the walk-about route (4 miles), by the time we got home the clock was pushing 9:00 p.m.

Oh, but can I tell you? It was SO worth it!

The mists of the Faerie Kingdom – Photo: L. Weikel

We Walked Into a Magical Kingdom

It was as if we walked through a magical storybook. At first, high swirling clouds and the setting sun painted messages in the sky. About half a mile later, we encountered fields where everything was muffled under a blanket of light fog – which even, quite eerily, crept out onto the road.

As we continued into the shelter of the towering trees near High Rocks, darkness started seeping into our consciousness and we became quiet and pensive. But of course, this quietude lasted barely an eyeblink because – of course – the lightning bugs started their evening ascension, which never fails to bring delight and a light-hearted joyfulness to our time together.

I must try to get those photos uploaded right now, so I can share them with you. The lightning bugs, though – they are elusive, at least in the eye of an iPhone’s camera.

Mist Crossing the Road – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-877)