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Daily writing prompt
What would you change about modern society?
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This one is easy — I’d love for us to return to the innocence (some might call it naivete) of the world before internet technologies, social media and 24/7 regurgitations poisoned our days. There are benefits, no doubt, but I’ve been wondering for a while now if the cost is just much too high.

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We’re sitting in the living room after supper.

I’m reading – Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret – can’t believe I’ve never read this before! Bill’s on his cell phone, checking the stats for The Open (they don’t like you calling it the British Open!), when suddenly my husband breaks the comfortable silence.

“Let’s go ride our bikes.”

After an eager and enthusiastic start a few years ago – all tricked out with the latest gadgets and gear – bicycling was relegated to the west wall of the garage where Bill’s Trek and my Townie Electra have hung upright the past three years.

Bill checked the bikes over, making sure the tires were all properly inflated and then, per my hesitation, we simply rode around the cul-de-sac / loop where we live.

And it was GLORIOUS.

I was transported to sensations of freedom and youth and experience and wondered why in the heck I’d let this joyous act of riding my bike pass me by.

Well, no more. The batteries on our odometers need to be replaced and Bill will have to install the bike rack so we can transport our wonder machines to any number of delightful trailheads in the area and then – then! – the splendid exhilaration of new vistas, the heady rush of wind in our faces, tunneled bike trails, glimpses of nature and wildflowers, deer sightings, blue birds, etc., etc., etc.! Even those tired muscles, sure to resurface after such an extended absence, won’t be without some small measure of satisfaction.

More to come, my friends. More. To. Come. 🙂

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The pasture area adjacent to the golf course where we live often yielded lovely scenes such as this one. We loved watching the horses, petting them, feeding them the long grasses that grew up along the fence line. There were sometimes two dozen (or more!) of these stunning specimens. Rumor has it that the stables once boarded a horse belonging to Charleton Heston.

Anyway, once the ‘old man’ – a former veterinarian – passed away I knew it was just a matter of time before his kids sold the property to make way for the inevitable development. Now, in the distance, we’re witnessing rooftops and paved streets and meandering avenues popping up where once horses ran and grazed and provided us with such incredible movement and grace and beauty.

It breaks my heart, this relentless onslaught of ‘progress’.

“Look. There’s some more trees. Let’s cut them down and pour concrete, build office buildings, resurrect a new housing development!”

Greedy bastards. It makes me sad and nauseous with despair.

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Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite season of year? Why?
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Easy-peasy. Fall is the very best season of any 12-month calendar!

There’s the color, the vibrancy, those chill walks in a magical wood, good old-fashioned hayrides. There’s Halloween and mums and jack-o’-lanterns and fall decor and Trick or Treat and the lead-in to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

There’s fun sweaters, turtlenecks, leggings, boots and comfy sweatshirts. The yummy fall hues of orange and red and yellow and gold and crimson, scarlet, mauve and purple.

We’ve got outdoor craft shows and college football. Don’t forget those delicious hot beverages: steaming cups of chai and hot chocolate. Or a glass of wine listening to outdoor music.

Falling leaves, that satisfying crunch underfoot, that somehow pleasant scent of decay in the air. Pumpkins and gourds, acorn squash and apples.

Fall is my favorite time of year, hands-down, bar-none. As soon as the heat & humidity starts to wreak its havoc – even in June – I’m ready for autumn. Each and every time!

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quarter-inch is all we got overnight. it must have been a heavy downpour, regardless, as roses lie prostrate below our bedroom window.

I adhered to paved surfaces on my walk this morning, avoiding drenched grass, small puddles, and congregations of mud and street debris.

in other news, four children were discovered alive after more than a month alone in the Amazon rainforest.

my husband and son and I camped during a thunderstorm once. cozy between the two of them, I stayed warm and dry while holes in the corners of the tent made for a miserable night for my two bestest guys.

after far too much of a good thing, I’ve witnessed street after street of wet carpet, furniture, and other ephemera of people’s lives unceremoniously chucked to the curb.

victims of Katrina and other mighty gales have their own stories to tell, gargantuan tragedies unimaginable to endure.

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I’m extremely disappointed, angry, frustrated and sad that the PGA Tour has capitulated and is entering into a merge arrangement with LIV Golf.

Today’s news is disgusting! It’s all about money. I don’t know why I’m surprised.

Do principles count for nothing? I will no longer watch televised golf nor will I attend any tournaments. This is such a disheartening development. I am bitterly, bitterly disappointed. Shame on you, Jay Monahan!! Shame on you, PGA Tour!