As Mark Twain Once Said ...

    "There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars."

                                       

     I've never felt that being shy was one of my weak points. Putting myself out there, connecting with people I don't know yet either one on one or in a large group is something I have a lot of experience with. However ... yesterday I had a presentation scheduled that put me a little outside of my comfort zone.

     I won't call it being nervous but I do think I was dreading the moment just a bit. Maybe because it was a corporate obligation or ... maybe not.

      In the job I'm doing now, I meet with perfect strangers in their homes every single day and spend up to 3 hours with them giving a presentation, so it's not like I'm really out of practice or anything.

    All went well, and I actually enjoyed that two hour investment of time. The networking part of it will no doubt pay off in the long run and ... I've got 4 more similar situations to get booked for myself ASAP.

                                                   

 

I can't seem to get enough ...

     Ok, so my long walks in the marsh with my camera are sort of becoming obsessive and choosing one or two favorite photos to post is almost impossible so ... I just keep posting all of them.(Hope you don't mind)

 

     I am feeling a lot better this week than last, must be the endorphins from the new exercise routine and all the fresh air I've been getting on my walks.

 

     Anytime my rhythm in life starts feeling out of sync, being out in nature seems to help more than anything else. I guess that's why Loxahatchee has become one of my new favorite places.

 

     Now in addition to the everyday stuff already on my mind, I can't stop thinking about war ...  more war???

 

     Could Gandhi have been any more right when he said ...  

   "An eye for an eye and the whole world is blind"

 

     It's been a while since I've posted a J-link du jour but, after reading an anti war entry written here in J Land yesterday that really caught my attention ... I wanted to make sure you didn't miss it.

     At the Hestia Homeschool Journal, Kas rants about an ideal world where the leaders like good moms, would rule the world by playground rules. Go HERE and read for yourself. (she warns ... graphic photos)

Flowers, Feathers, Fruit, Fern and Fungi ...

     If you can find an hour or two to yourself in South Florida this time of year when it's not raining ... you better take advantage of it.

     That's exactly what I did yesterday in one of my new favorite places, Loxahatchee Park North Entrance.

     If you are really quiet, listen carefully and know exactly what to look for ... the marsh will come to life right in front of your camera.

     Photos from Friday's walk ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     

                                           

            

                                               

I've heard it said ...

       

It seems I take a lot of photos of food, it plays an important part at family gatherings.

      I really wouldn't mind knowing what being thin feels like again, who would? I just seem to have trouble finding the motivation to make the diet and exercise changes necessary to achieve the results.

     

     There was a time when I knew exactly what feeling thin felt like. (OK, so it's been a while) point is ... I was not always over weight and although I don't expect to look like I did in these photos again, I'm posting them as a reminder to myself of what being thin looked like.

     I'm sure that if I were to really put my mind to it and was willing to put in a whole lot of hard work, I could certainly find out what feeling thinner than I am now feels like, don't ya think?

     

     On the 4th of July I walked back through the doors of LA Fitness and started putting the unused gym membership I'm paying for, back to work for me.

     At this point, I'm doing well to make it through the first 2 miles on the elliptical equipment, but already it's getting easier and quicker. Just getting the old blood pumping and more oxygen to the brain feels good and I'm grateful for every 2 miles I ordinarily would not have traveled.

     Next week I'll be adding a weight/resistance routine and will begin working my way up to 5 miles instead of 2. I'm searching for the inspiration to make a real commitment, butfor now ... just showing up will have to do.

     No workout partner at the moment, but am looking for one. With my wacky new schedule, that may not be as easy as it's been in the past. I'll keep you posted.

     Not sure that looking at these thin photos will help motivate me but ... it's got to be more inspirational than looking at a bunch of heavy photos.   

                      

      These last 2 photos are before and after shots, my way! After all ... this is my journal and I don't have to post anything more unflattering than this right now if I don't want to, and I don't.

     BTW ... I am so not as sad as that very last photo makes it seem ; )

                                                     

Discontentment ...

 night light on the innercoastal waters.

Maybe it's the new job ...

Maybe it's the empty nest ...

Maybe it's the purple passion guy ...

Maybe it's all of the above ...

Maybe it's necessary to feel like this from time to time

in order to do something about it?

Discontentment  ... not satisfied with status quo.

                                 Blaaaaaah!

                              

Another glimpse ...

    at some of the wonders in the South Florida Swamps. Loxahatchee is on the edge of the Everglades, and a great place to quietly observe nature up close and personal.