La joie du vol

 

How beautiful. How free the cormorant. How exquisite the shot. How deft the presentation.

Need I say more? No, nothing else to say about a great artist and splendid fellow.  Right?

The day after Christmas and posted again at a Wi-Fi hotspot. I keep myself entertained. Very odd watching the tedious "The Crown" but I have such a clothes fetish for clothes I've never warn. A purple velour dinner jacket with satin lapels. A broadcloth solid blue shirt with a yellowish ascot. Silk trousers and socks. Deerskin suade slippers. Blue.

As it was I took a shower and changed into Walmart to go. No Boundary! Freedom.

To Do Never Done

 

The Shadow knows how messed up is my material world. The never ending list of getting things done. Prioritize? Tidy the house? Not a priority. Lose some weight? Somewhat of a priority. Started on the house today. A day at a time. Sadly, eating is a social activity with me; one good meal a day. I enjoy cooking. But eat too many sandwiches. I think this is a psychological event, a good sandwich. Compensation for being a poor kid, nothing but bologna, roast beef and chicken salad a luxury. I imagine myself at some premium Kosher deli.

Watching a lot of movies. Matter of fact, passing the time presently downloading some. No activity at all. With COVID restrictions, no tub at the gym so I don't go. Here, atop South Mountain, an opportunity to hike but I just ride up and take in the view. Beautiful picture!

Femme Fatale

I suppose I shall have more to say about this woman some other time. My ex-wife. In the Tuileries Garden, Paris. Quite the story.

Well, after posting this, completely forgot about it. Have forgotten about her. Oddly enough, the fraud of the election last month has me kvetching about cheats. She certainly fits the profile of the criminality rampant too. A thief as well.

We met in an Anthropology class. How stupid of me to focus on her when I might have succeeded in this discipline and had a happy career. Instead, went down the tubes. The love of my life? Ha... never got far beyond it.

😇 Just kidding. I've had a great life despite stupid meddlers. 

Under Pressure

At the doctor. High anxiety. Just need a refill for BP medication. Hope it's not elevated. Weight and activity issues. Feel fine but stamina less. Still smoking. Not taking good care of myself. 

Mix-up and appointment cancelled. Did get refill. Have not rescheduled. Am posting this only to remind myself to shape up

Redeeming Quality

I've failed. Am smoking.
But did make this beautiful picture.
 

Cease Indeed

 

Have achieved one whole day no cigarettes. And under the stress of all sorts of normals fucking up. Trouble with downloads and recharging. Wires or hardware. I don't know. Slowly working it out.

Nice shot of Lynx Lake. Reminds me of another to post. At coffee place in Prescott. From the patio. Great view. Thumb Butte.

And this, from a small while ago. Four Peaks through Tonto Forest.

Of a Nature to Cease

Am wondering whether this will post as I am composing on phone. Making a mark of something as of now. No more cigarettes. As of an hour ago. Heaven help me. Soon to smell the roses.

Presently exasperated trying to download at Wi-Fi locations. Either no signal or weak and slow connection speed. Chose to sit and wsit out my third try in the past half-hour. Too cheap to go to Denny's. 😆  Never had a problem at Panera before and Starbuck's presently is lousy.

Coping well enough without tobacco.

Affiliation

 

May Good Lord have mercy upon us all. Amen.

Contemplating

 

Lovely old house in Prescott. Always thinking about moving north. Complicated contemplation. So alone here in Phoenix, makes no difference where I am with regard to society. It's just the logistics and the economics of the price point on the house. Must look into subsidized Senior housing in Yavapai County. 

Presently just fine. A Metro Center. Panera. Downloading. Getting some air. Listening to traffic! Sometimes I run into acquaintances here. Not today. A beautiful day at that. 

Call a Lid

 

Futility

The election coming up, I don't feel the need to say much. Am quite committed, and loyal, to the Donald. 

Contemporaneously, do feel the futility of all these political rigmaroles. Canards, hoaxes, legends. We're all waiting on the straight dope from Durham, if indeed it's disseminated.

Took a ride to the Mogollon Rim. First time seeing Tonto Bridge. The terrain part exhilarating and partially ubiquitous, it was good to see some trees. Really struggled hiking about. Feeling futile about losing weight too. 

Get Moving

Surprised and pleased with this hapless shot. A wash at South Mountain Park. Put it through a painterly app and have got some water flowing out of the rocks. A miracle.

A feature too was hearing all the colored announcing their presense at dawn.

Rectilinear Offset

Cooling process underweigh. Down to 75° overnight. 85° this morning. It was still warm the other day when I took this on the back side if the Esplanade. Wished I could have set back more and include the tree's reflection but didn't feel like walking for the heat. Good enough.

Presently at church. Must remember to contribute.

Sweet

In Bible study. Hanging in there, Jesus. Dear Lord.

Matthew 18:20. "For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them." Seek to find a soul mate, my son.

Metrophobe

Very quiet afternoon. Had thought about some Metro Center pictures and took them. Couldn't get camera to synch with the tablet Bluetooth so have to wait on processing

A quick run around; big boxes in a vacuum. The library still closed. As is the salad place. The old market place has lost all cache. That was an odd thing; after the tract houses went in and demand created for shopping center, it was the extent of civilization. Peaceful selling and buying. No haggling.

Normally, I'd only go in it a few times a year, gift shopping. Completely new paradigm. There's a cologne, Aramis, that's ever been only available at a department store but I just got some online. Hear all sorts of proposals for reinvented use. Junior college cooking and automotive schools. I'd like to see a nice theater.

Have got my keyboard all set up with absolutely nothing to say. Do recall this of yesterday: "Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone." Proverbs 25:15. So, very much settled down. Reading about Joe Stalin. Persuade him? Sure thing. "Have a care." At coffee seeking conversation. No such luck. Across the way, a bookstore. In operation. Test the waters?

Summer In the City

Still very warm. The night time temperature has gone down some. Just a few more weeks. I'd love to get out of town. Need a change badly. Planning and enthusiasm. We'll see.

Nothing much happening. At coffee. Invited a few people to join but nothing doing. Really quite a bear. On guy seems to be playing hard to get. An assistant pastor at church, I sense he thinks I ought solicit him. Very strange. I just want to make friends. I don't understand him. Am I not good enough? He didn't strike me that way.

Well, church tomorrow. I'll see him there but it so stilted. And still no prospects of meeting any women. As if that's of any account.

Satisfaction

The heat has been unbearable. Highs around 115° and not much under 100 overnight. Took a ride to some little elevation to New River. For the sunset. Somewhat overcast and hoped for some coloration. Behind Daisy Mountain it goes down. Cooled off.

 

Space Between

 

We clashed. At Panera. Sat down; not 6 feet away! He moved.

Presently here (there) on account of free coffee deal. In a bit of a funk because I invited two friends but neither responded. Hence neither are friends.  Shall I name names? It really is disheartening. Nothing to be done. 

I'd like to catch this up but nothing's changed. Still on semi-lockdown. Day 152. 5 months. Praise God, I am well. What more can be said? I could be better.

Tomorrow, I will walk. In the cool of the morning. God willing.

Usery Pass

 

Could be better but very nice. Four Peaks.
Along the way, Red Mountain and Salt River.

Blue Cosmos

Not the city of God. Read Augustine long time ago. In church presently. So what of predestination?

"I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour." Isaiah 43:11 Does one choose to be saved? The doctrine of predestination says not.

As mentioned, becoming Calvinist. Am reading this.
So much to read. Salvation not dependent on it.

Power of Prayer

Well, the efficacy... the happy conclusion. Many prayers for me. Had a thought of being the first-born, as I am, and being dedicated to The Lord. Here, Samuel's presentation to Eli by Hannah. 

What a beautiful picture. 
What can I do , Lord? 
"Tidy up. Get organized. Pray."

Lord Have Mercy

Have taken up study of John Calvin. Skimmed through his "Institutes" years ago. Reading biography first. This is key:

T – Total depravity

U – Unconditional election

L – Limited atonement

I –  Irresistible grace

P – Perseverance of the saints

Made mention to my pastor of how to appreciate predestination. Do we accept that there are the elect and the canned and let it be. What else can we do? Is it fate? For some reason God chooses; we dont. We realize and affirm, sinners still. Oh, Sweet Jesus, show me the way.

I must ask the pastor about the art gracing the website.

He says I ought read the Westminster Confession.

My, my... a lot of work. I will never be done!

On Bethany

Got back to church. Feel good about that.

Quite a few other things to catch up on. Just paid my real estate taxes. The deadline for income tax out off... get that done too. Find the documents.

Also a document search for a benefit. Found out County Assessor freezes valuation for senior citizens. Complicated insofar as application requires 1040 going back three years. I'm terrible about record keeping. Have to go to IRS.

Render to ceasar. This bird of paradise prefers God. Amen.

Dear Old Dad

Lesson of hard case. Sacrificed in compliance. Not!

To whom is one to be obedient? Thank you, Jesus.

He made the way straight and the yoke light.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, 

so that they will not lose heart.

Colossians 3:21

Too High

Big Horn Mountain. Am going to get a drone! This wilderness area too tough for this old coot. We'll see. Adventure!

Amen

Back up. What a concept.  They're still going at it about clearing Lafayette Square. Not a word about The Word. I'm backing the Donald and the Good Book. And the guard. What cheek those posers have - the so-called bishop and all. He didn't ask permission. Egad! Queer set of circumstances. Get theese behind us.

For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright. The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.  Proverbs 3:32-35

Back in Bible Study at Sovereign Grace Church.

Motivation

Am home after trip into Arizona. Much refreshed after lazy day. Hey; much to do. Get gear stowed away, install A/C, process pictures. Doing that presently. Coffee places still closed to sit-downs but Denny's is open.

Monumental

Round it off at 60 days. May 15 the last day of suggested stay-at-home. The health clubs opened and I jumped at the chance to get in some hot water. The spas, however, are still off limits.

Headed out of town. Several days at Cottonwood. Extensive opportunity to take in Sedona less the global bucket listers and harmonic convergers. No traffic and delightful getting around.

Today is my birthday and it was not without mysterious complication. This morning, my camera disappeared. Now I may have done the knucklehead move and left it on the vehicle but can swear I had it with me in truck; I'd just taken pictures with it from within. Disappeared!

Had to buy new camera. No deal. Premium price. Just because I'm, like, in Sedona and going to Mogollon Rim tomorrow. $200. That is some treat!

Another story sleeping on an air mattress and missing all over myself trying to maneuver my dick. Think I have it all figured out for tonight.

Day 58

The restriction on health clubs was lifted yesterday but it may be a while before LA Fitness opens. Quite looking forward to that. And to getting out of town next week.

Don't feel like writing now. But will tomorrow.

Have been relaxing on my patio plus view.

Day 51

The governor of Arizona extended the stay-at-home directive through May 1st. I believe there will be a review come the 15th. The incidence curve has flattened but the socialists, under guide of metrics and color of law, are pushing for this monkey wrenching to proceed as far into electoral politics as possible. I don't see how wrecking the economy can redound to their benefit, the mischief so obvious.

Sitting on my patio presently, the above decidedly not my view. Lookout Mountain. Later out some bread crumbs for the birds and don't you know a stalker takes position.

The oleanders have filled out nicely after a trim. So much else to do around the house. Mañana.

Day 33

Day whatever. Waiting on a download. So very pleased with myself for having fixed Kindle Fire. Amaxon Prime Video acting up. Couldn't see how to instantly chat with customer service. Figured it out and took a chance. It's working fine.

Did downloading and home. Well settled. Just looked up the day. Hard to believe but there it is... over a month. No big change for me with regard to social distance but miss the activity.

My siblings are distant because I think they think I want to kill them. Just kill them good. 🤗 Be done with them. My ex-wife a worser case. Naa. Just don't want to be stared at and invisible at the same time. Prefer to be invisible only.

Great sunrise shot at Lake Pleasant. The girls love it.

Patio Pleasure

Welcome to my humble abode. A silken greeting. Same today as yesterday except the kitchen has been cleaned.

Day number whatever. Mostly have my say on Facebook and Twitter but both most disappointing endevors. Every day I say to myself I'm not going online. Irresistable. But repartee feeble. Some immovables. No matter. I sit on the patio in all of the beauty of God's creation. 

Have work to do with the plants, the gates, the designing dreams. Please God I get myself motivated. Please help me with the roof issue. For now, how very pretty pictures.

Day 27!!!

Have not kept up. Not much doing. Redundant entries. Food preparation. Short excursions. Shopping adventures. Get a life! Had a happy Easter meal... Virginia ham, home made Navy beans and yams. Birding on the patio this morning.

Did go to doctor and am well medicated, vitamins every day. They say vitamin K  a boost for cell wall integrity - keep the little buggers out. Only marginally keeping up with the news. The only news I'm interested in is when 'shelter in place' is over with. A lot of kvetching about the quasi-quarantine, Fauci playing both ends against the middle. What a prick.

The Donald has been splendid. As good as could be hoped for. At one time, when I started this series, I thought either it would be a history or my last testament. Seemingly, same old. God help us all. Don't care what they say: God is good. Terrible losses. Glad to be alive.

Day Seven

Went to park, to rose garden, yesterday. Took this beautiful, lovely, stunning shot. No thought at all of transmission of microbes but there you are.

Spending a lot I time online. Processing pictures too. Sure do miss going for coffee and the gym. Got tub, I should say.

Made appointment with doctor. Relieved. Hope all well.

Out this afternoon. Cloudplay on the mountain. Pretty good. Got tired of processing. No feedback on FB. 😐

Day Six

Missed the deadline completely.

All I have is a laugh, however inappropriate.

I'm OK for toilet paper. All is well. Here.

Elsewhere is horrific. God help us. Please.

Day Five

Missed the deadline! Nevertheless, life goes on despite terrible times in Italy. Much controversy regarding how they became so vulnerable. Absurd, really. They imported Chinese labor to assemble such as handbags so the 'Made in Italy' tag could maintain a luxurious price. Gucci, etc. Several hundred thousand in Lombardy, many of whom went back to Wuhan for New Year's celebration. Most unfortunate consequences.

Got the oleanders trimmed. First bloom presented. Need to fix the gates. Right now, feel like ham and eggs. Have been reading this. Headed that way presently.

They're streaming church services later. Good for us.

Day Four

Up before dawn. Here, just prior to sunburst.

Praised God for the glory. Sublimely beautiful.

On the way home, stopped to light a candle.

Closed. Yet did not curse the darkness. Amen.

Day Three

Libraries are closed. Intended to go and then get picture of sunset. At equinox. Managed the latter. Just.

Home all day otherwise. Going to make medical appointment tomorrow. Have still been procrastinating.

The pope says we should reconnect with our families. I'm going to light a candle. Tomorrow. Hope to get up for sunrise. Equinox. Spring is here. They say viral viability diminishes with hotter temperatures. We can do that.