Chris

Zero screens after 9p
Zero soda
Zero
Zero down elevator
Zero excuses
Zero Netflix Monday-Thursday
Zero Inbox
Zero Social Media

1. Ignore To Do lists
2. Study creative people (Thanks K. Smith and Kleon)
3. Read and read some more
4. Sketch
5. Add some photos to the physical photo journal
6. Add to my private, physical journal
7. Tidy up the lawn and garden from leaves and random street trash

Yesterday on our hike, we came across a thin trail offset from the original trail that wasn’t too obvious. What was obvious was the fact that I was going to take it and we weren’t disappointed.

The trail led us to a rocky overhang looking out towards a creek. There in the warm sun and cool breeze I decided to take my trail shoes and socks off to experience what some wellness practitioners call “grounding or earthing.”

I dug my toes into the cold soil and planted my heels down on the rocky trail and just stood there soaking up the sun and the quiet. MissAdventure decided instead to sit crosslegged and soak in the sun and the quiet.

It was only for a few short minutes but it was plenty to meditate and also appreciate this moment. Looking up into the sun I noticed seagulls flying in circles over the valley. Why seagulls here in a landlocked state? Oh well, why not. Then, why can’t I join them, wouldn’t that be amazing?

I couldn’t of course. I was grounded and grounding.

I silently put myself back together mentally and physically while applying my socks then shoes on. This was a beautiful experience to be rediscovered soon.

I’ve always said that I am too young to drink coffee because growing up, only old people drank coffee. Now even children are doing it. My own child loves that Starbucks crap. I still don’t drink coffee and I’ll probably will never understand how it “fuels” people to be more productive.

I prefer the taste of whiskey, bourbon and scotch.

I can nurse at least an hour on two fingers worth of drink just by sitting, sipping, thinking and scheming. The process can even be considered as meditative.

This past week I’ve introduced a tobacco pipe into the process. This is backed up by Sherlock Holmes novels: “It is quite a three pipe problem, and I beg that you won’t speak to me for fifty minutes.” Meaning he’d sit, smoke and work out solutions in that time.

This is my preferred method for working out issues or to even warm up and relax on these grey, cold days of winter. Just have a drink.

“Do not lose time on daily trivialities. Do not dwell on petty detail. For all of these things melt away, and drift apart within the obscure traffic of time. Live well, and live broadly. You are alive and living now. Now is the envy of all of the dead.”

Thoreau asked his diary on November 13, 1851, “Is not this a glorious time of year for your deep inward fires?”

November is a great month to stoke those internal fires.

In a little over a week I’ll be enjoying nine days off. So looking forward to this time of travel, food, fun and reflection.

November is the perfect time to reflect, think and scheme for me and I intend to take full advantage of this.

Sunday, November 10th found us hiking the trails. In shorts!

Monday, November 11th found me bundled up and marshaling the Veteran’s Day parade.

I woke up and the temperature was 61. By 8am it was 37. By 9am it was raining, then ice, then flurries. By noon the precipitation stopped and now the temperature is 17.

As one of the local high school bands chanted while waiting their turn to parade: “I don’t know but I’ve been told! Oklahoma is mighty cold!”

I wanted to lose 25 pounds this year. I only have 35 more to go.