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Day 142 of Week 21 May 2026

There are dozens of causes for folks to post about, discuss, support or protest. How to choose what to be involved in is not easy when so many speak to our hearts. 

Data centers and BESS (battery energy storage stations) are two very hot topics. There is a serious issue in my community about the proposal for a very badly located BESS. It boggles my mind how stupid the location is for such a facility. 

If you aren’t familiar with those issues, then I encourage you to read about them using various sources.

I’ve listened to videos recording the noise data centers create. How anyone can pollute the environment and cause people that level of physical harm is, I feel, an absolute outrage.

Know what your state government is doing.

Be informed

Interesting things I saw that are only stored in my brain

I saw a gorgeous patch of tall yellow tulips when stopped at a red light.

A vehicle that was briefly in front of me (made a turn) has a design that feels to me like it could hover over the road. No brand insignia, I have no idea the name of the maker.

Waiting for my Dunkin at the drive-thru, I saw a man at a pump holding a bag of chips in his hand. He was just chewing away like he hasn’t had a meal all day. Handsome, light scruffy whiskers, I thought that has to be thee most beautiful and earnest chewing I’ve ever seen. It belongs in a movie. 

Waiting at a road construction stop, I watched a field of tall grass waving in the wind. The pattern follows the plowed rows. The scene reminds me of the 1985 Harrison Ford film, “Witness.” As I recall, the movie opens with a windy tall grass field. 

Glancing towards Lake Champlain, I saw the evidence of brisk winds in the many white caps. 

I didn’t make my usual stop to take photographs today. At home, I realize there’s no pictures to edit. That feels weird to have that sense of separation from a lens.

Lake Champlain April 2026

For a good day, appointment anxiety coping

Lazy day for me as I minimize appointment anxiety by doing much of nothing. I have tried other methods. This one of being good to myself works best. I think when my mind is taken off busy, the rest mode smooths over the stress. 

A yearly, important mammogram* is not a high anxiety test. An appointment of any kind is the anxiety source.I have no fear of hospitals, doctors and such. I suspect past negative experiences set off my anxiety alarm. I don’t need to analyze it. Managing ways around it are good enough. 

The ambient temperature is much lower today, forecast 75°F (23°C). Being outdoors will be comfortable enough to enjoy a nice ice tea and sketching later.

I’m also thinking taco salad for dinner will be nice as well. It is putting taco filling in a baking dish, mixing in crumbled taco shells and melting cheese over the top. 

Have a wonderful day

As it happens, I had to reschedule my test. Ambushed by a sudden intense anxiety attack, I had to say I can’t. I then went home. I wish I stayed to ride it out. It has been so long since I experienced one that intense, I automatically did what the doctor told me years ago, to remove myself from the location/situation. Anxiety is like that, there are attacks that you know when it is time to make the decision to take care of yourself no matter how embarrassing or disruptive to others. 

Cloudy sky inspiration

Where does the energy go? One day rearing to do things, and the next muscle aches making me question what did I do. I’m laughing. Whatever the cause, it is proof I did something. 

The residue and/or debris we leave behind, are the decorations of our past. Exploring the future is the chance to choose a theme, colors, flowers, glassware and such. 

Right now, if I could, I’d be (a slimmer me) in an infinity pool looking at the Rocky Mountains while wild horses splash in the waters of a cool creek crossing the property.

In real life, I sat in an old plastic chair on my porch watching storm clouds moving by from the northwest. Not even a cat strolled down the sidewalk. The appreciation for the dream and the reality is the smooth blend of hope and acceptance for what we have.

Where would you be if you could?