Gratitudes

Wet Webs

2007-08-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

It was very foggy this morning. The moisture had collected heavily on large and complex spider webs, outlining them in sparkly-ness.

Puppies

2007-08-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

Puppies are cute. No way around it.

A Raptor Over Dover

2007-08-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if it was a hawk or an osprey. It appeared in the sky over Legislative Mall in Dover as I left my office this morning to walk up town for a salad. It was making its way back home with some sort of prey in its talons. A greeting from nature.

A Cool Front

2007-08-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

This past weekend featured a welcome drop in temperature. After a week in the high 90's, we had a week-end in the 80's and down in the 60's at night. Very nice.

Tidal Pools

2007-08-11T19:26:00.000-07:00

Beach-puddles, really. Formed when high tides push large waves up and over the built-up sand at the front of the beach and the water is trapped on the back-slope. Great for wading.

A Haircut

2007-08-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

It's such a simple thing. But my hair had been getting long. Now it is back to the
short length that I find more comfortable these days.

My Town's Leaders

2007-08-09T03:31:00.000-07:00

I watched a cross-section of Lewes' leaders last night. The Showfield Annexation Committee includes members of City Council, members of the Board of Public Works, our Planning Commission Chair, and several long-time residents. They showed great dedication, knowledge and patience. The interested citizenry that came out to the meeting was impressive as well. Civic life is good.

A Good Book

2007-08-07T20:38:00.001-07:00

I've started a new read. A new world is opening before me.

Patience

2007-08-06T20:13:00.000-07:00

I need it. I try to practice it. I depend on the patience of others as well.

Rain

2007-08-05T19:54:00.000-07:00

It's been a dry summer and things are turning brown. This evening, though, there's rain falling.

The Ocean

2007-08-04T16:16:00.001-07:00

Water is central to life and the ocean is a huge bowl of water and life. I get to swim and float in it.

New Roads

2007-08-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

I drove down a stretch of road that was new to me today. It wound thorugh a wooded area, with a glimpse of stream through the trees. Very pretty.

Colleagues

2007-08-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

Today I took part in a brainstorming session involving staff from my office and DNREC, where I worked back in the early 1990s. Sometimes it's fun to get out of the office and talk through issues with a selection of scientists, planners and policy people.

The folks I work with, and the other state employees we deal with, are a fascinating group. There are a wide range of backgrounds and world-views and talents and biases. There are differing senses of humor. Many of us have a shared history. Some are new to me.

I am thankful for a chance to share thoughts, hear ideas, and learn more about these people and their desire to find ways to do better for our state.

A Wonderfully-Built Barn

2007-08-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Today I got to visit an aging but lovely barn that sits across a farm field and past a stand of trees from here. It's at least 50 years old and out of service. But the craftsmanship and quality of the building are outstanding and inspiring.

The barn is one of the several old buildings that sit on land slated for a large development. I'm pleased to report that the folks planning the development have a reverence for this place and intend to restore the barn and buildings and use them as community center amenities.

Three Canada Geese

2007-07-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

Taking off from a highway-side pond. They appeared to me as a motion at first, then a flying something, and finally a trio of geese moving into formation as they rose away.

Things to be Thankful For

2007-07-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

I heard an interview recently with a monk of some sort who advocated a simple practice of giving thanks. Every day. For something -- anything -- that you can be thankful for.

I thought I'd like to try this practice. Since my medium seems to be the blog, I will now start a Gratitudes blog.