I can remember as early as first grade, I worried about “not knowing”…not knowing the details of how everything, worked, like cars, electricity, every modern convenience, you name it, and I wanted to know. I wanted to know “just in case”. I also wanted to know “how to survive”. What in my childhood, prompted this “survivalist or self-reliance (in a positive light), I don’t know.
Interestingly though my brother has more severe shades of this trait or “affliction”. Needless to say, I have always loved nature, and testing my limits. Surviving, using all of ones mental resources, to beat the odds, and overcome adversity. Marathon running, which I also enjoy, is just another way to push the envelope, to test limits. Want to be fit enough to do “anything”,” just in case”. How ironic is it, that I would marry the most incredible survivor I know, my husband, Matt, who also thinks of everything, “just in case”. The depth of character it takes to endure ALS for 13 years, daily losing functioning is beyond comprehension. When days are dark, and things look bleak…what is it that makes you keep fighting, keep going.
Knowing you’re not alone…love of family, friends, and neighbors!
So thankful for all of our friends, family, and neighbors!
I took this picture this morning, hiking with Winston. It was a quiet, seemingly lonely morning, until we met this couple…Not alone!
This morning, Linda, my neighbor, and I walked along the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail with our dogs, Duffy and Winston. Hoping to avoid an incident with Duffy chasing wild critters. (I think Linda thought paved trail meant critter-free) Instead of Duffy chasing critters, we were being chased by horseflies. The price of this picture was at least 15 horsefly bites (which I’m itching currently) and numerous other attempts of attack by these persistent and pesky insects. They swarmed like a plague, well at least around me. Now that I come to think of it, Linda walked while I attempted an escape from the onslaught of these bloodthirsty varmints. I swatted and ran, ran and swatted. Quite the sight, I’m sure. Everything worthwhile has a cost. This little treasure I must say was worth the sacrifice. But just in-case your curious, I’ll be walking somewhere else tomorrow.
Shartrina 
