Sign at Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, Florida December 2019

After working in the environmental education field for two decades (and being a bit of a word nerd), signs like this really make my skin crawl.

I’m not alone in my reaction. I recently had a chance to visit with two of my former colleagues and we ended up swapping work-related stories: In answer to a question about a mushroom on a nature hike, Jeff replied, “Well, technically, everything is edible. Once.” Which is in a similar vein as one of Julie’s favorite sayings, “The poison is in the dose.” Because even water can kill you, if you drink too much of it.

There is a huge difference between poisonous and venomous: if you bite it and it kills you, that’s poison; if it bites you* and kills you, that’s venom (so yes, you could eat a venomous animal, if you were exceptionally careful, but I don’t recommend it). Then again, you’re dead, what do you care?!

*Or breaks your skin in some other manner.

Electrical Cord on Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica October 2019

So, I presume this is part of a wave power project? Huh, I always thought it would be more complicated than that.

Beach Debris, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica October 2019

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one of these in the wild (or anywhere, to be honest). I remember the days of carefully compiling my favorite songs onto a cassette tape. Not fondly, but I do remember them.

I don’t miss the rewinding. Or the flipping. Or the accidental unspooling which signaled the demise of hours of painstaking craftsmanship. Any old school audiophile will understand my pain, as the creation of a mixtape, is, to quote Rob from the movie High Fidelity, “a delicate thing.”

Though I’ll hand it to Maxell, they had one heckuva ad campaign!

Clouds Obscure Sunset, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica October 2019

In my time in Santa Teresa I’ve inadvertantly uncovered an important bit of hidden information. For those of you wondering about what they were hiding all this time, I’ll tell you: Secret’s secret? It doesn’t work in this climate. At all. My routine now includes a mid-afternoon shower to refresh me during the hottest part of the day.

Lastly, I selected this photo because of the contrast between the clouds, surf, and basaltic rocks, however I’ve now noticed a face in it. Anyone else see it?

Mini Maid, Port Aransas, Texas September 2019

The ocean is teaching me a very important lesson about the nature of wishes. Apparently, I need to be much more clear about them. Years ago it would have been nice to have had the assistance of a maid, one is not necessary now that I’ve downsized so dramatically. Next time, I’ll not only clearly state that the maid be human but I’ll outline my desired timeframe as well. Lesson learned!

While helping a friend move into her new house I found this pin at the bottom of one of her boxes. Good for a laugh during a tedious process. Oh, how I love the snark!