Good morning! Welcome to "Morning Musings".

Musings: to meditate, think, contemplate, deliberate, ponder, reflect, ruminate, reverie, daydream, introspection, dream, preoccupation, brood, cogitate.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

View Outside My Kitchen Window - July


Summer is officially here.  The two H's--heat and humidity--have descended upon and enveloped our area.  It's the time of year I hide in the air conditioning.  This is why I prefer winter.  If I'm going to stay indoors, I'd rather it not look so pretty outside!  I look out my window and want to be out there, until I open the door and feel I'm about to walk, fully clothed, into a steam bath.

We did not always have central air in this house.  The first six summers we had to rely on the whole-house attic fan. I'd close up the house and open the basement door to draw up the basement's cooler air.  But that never really helped with the humidity.  I am SO grateful for my A/C!!

Here's the view outside my kitchen window right after an afternoon thunderstorm this week (hence, the steam bath). . . .


As you all know we went on vacation last month.  When I came home I blogged about it over the next two weeks.  It ended up feeling like a 3-week vacation instead.  Now I have to pay my house some attention. . . .the ironing from all the laundry I've done. . . .magazines that have piled up. . . . weeds that have had a field day in my garden. . . .other people's blogs to read. . . .and I've badly neglected my other blog, Another Perfect Day.  In the meantime, I've been reading Shakti Gawain's "Awakening - A Daily Guide to Conscious Living."  This month she's talking about addictions.

That's what I want to talk about today--my addiction. . . .to the Internet.  It's one thing to use the Internet to get and give information, but it's a whole 'nother ball of wax (just what DOES that mean and where do these sayings come from. . . .I should go look it up on the Web. . . .) when you (i.e., me) are constantly checking your e-mail, looking to see if your comment on someone's blog has been commented on, or checking Facebook to see what's happening in your friends' lives (did I forget to mention Twitter?).  My problem is once I'm at the computer doing these things I find something else to look at!  You know how those links are--they never end.

Ms. Gwain states, "Our culture has not taught us effective ways to fulfill our needs and lead a balanced life, so we must discover this for ourselves."  For me, the Internet has fulfilled my need to connect with people.  I'm really loving the conversations we've been having in the comments section.  Please don't stop!  But, I'm here to give you permission, and myself, to take a break from the computer.  Instead, I want you to use the time to do something else you really love. . . .crafting, playing a musical instrument,  singing, reading, writing, drawing, sewing/quilting/knitting, napping, biking, hiking/walking, gardening, shopping, visiting people in person, videos/movies. . . .or something entirely different from anything you've ever done before.

And to help you break your addiction to the Internet, if that is indeed one of your addictions, I will not be posting to Morning Musings until the end of the month's "Out and About" post for July.  What I'm hoping is by limiting my contact with the computer, I'll spend more of my time writing the Poetry & Gabriel story I've been meaning to start or try my hand at drawing again.  Unless, of course, in my creative mode I'm inspired to post a fabulous post about something!  Then you'll hear from me sooner.

So, do you have any "addictions" you'd like to give up?  What will you do with your extra time if you succeed?  I'm not starting my less-computer diet until Sunday, so you still have time to comment here.  Besides, JANET, NEEDS TIME TO SEND ME HER ADDRESS SO I CAN MAIL HER BOOK TO HER.  Just promise me one thing, though.  Please come back once I start blogging again!  Don't give me up entirely!  Just take a break and then at the end of the month I'll find out what you've all been up to.

Here is the view out my other kitchen window, taken in the morning before the temperature climbed into the 90's. . . .

Until then. . . .

           

And if you want one last fling on the computer, here's the movie of the song you've been listening to:  I'll Be Seeing You

12 comments:

  1. Your post today reminds me why I've not begun to blog myself. I enjoy what you and others write so much and feel guilty about not sharing like all of you bloggers do. I'm afraid I would spend too much time on my computer. I already excuse myself to read my favorite blogs as "relaxing." It is indeed that to me. And it is inspirational to me to read what others do in their homes and gardens. I enjoyed the video of "I'll Be Seeing You"--my aunt used to date Joseph Cotton. She was quite a beautiful woman. Enjoy your summer, Cathy and I look forward to reading what you write. Thank you for sharing. ♥

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    1. How very interesting about your aunt dating Joseph Cotton! I watched the movie this afternoon for the first time. The song was very familiar to me and came into my mind as I finished my blog post. I didn't realize there was even a movie attached to the song until I found the song on YouTube, and now I find your aunt dated one of the actors! The movie was very touching.....Tears came in my eyes at the end of the movie.

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  2. The internet is certainly a two edged sword. Part of me....the older part, wishes it had never come into my home, much the way I feel about television, unless we are talking old movies! On the other side, are little text messages from my son or daughter-in-love early in the morning, little conversations we would not have had if it meant picking up the phone. What's the weather looking like today? Grab the IPad. I don't facebook or twitter, but have you seen Pinterest?! I no longer buy magazines it's all on Pinterest...decorating, gardening, recipes, quotes....oh my. The internet connection has taken me places I will never see in my lifetime. I will probably never get to England, but I've been there thanks to Susan Branch. And Cathy, as much as I would love to see the Readmore Inn in person, it is likely that will never happen, either. But I have seen it thanks to you! I've learned about books I probably would never have found if not for the internet and friends! You know as we get older we don't just get out there and meet new people. I still work and drag myself home everynight pretty tired, so I am not interested in a party, or dinner out with friends....I want to go HOME! I want to be with Jim and I want to be in my home and outside when the weather permits. It's getting hot out there!
    I also have to say, that some of my creative inspiration has come from the internet also. Maybe we should sit down and draw up a list with pros and cons and see which side wins.
    The blog part, I cannot imagine how much time it must take. So I understand completely. I will miss you, but I understand! I will think of it as a dear friend who is leaving on a trip for a month! I expect a complete rundown when you get back!!!!! So enjoy your hiatus, it is deserved and I will look for you at the end of the month while I am in Ohio!
    Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend and be safe! We got home tonight at 6:00 and I felt like locking the gate and not heading back out until Monday........but we may need groceries:)
    Chris W.

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    1. You're right about the Internet, Chris. I think it's marvelous! I'm the problem! It's my excuse to procrastinate too much. Whenever I have a project that requires more than a few hours to complete I must allot chunks of time to it before I will even start it. With the computer so handy, I'll interrupt what I'm doing to go check my e-mail or RSS feeds for new blog posts. I love the people connection, because like you, I'd rather be home and have people visit me. I'll be getting company twice this month--just an overnight and a two-nighter, so that will be very nice company. And now I see my oldest son and his wife more because of my new granddaughter. Don't tempt me with Pinterest. I've only visited a couple sites, but have never really delved into it. Sounds like I'd best not!

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  3. This was like reading about me. Shame faced I am definitely addicted to the internet. I take my iPod to bed {it is my alarm clock} and so because it is there I can check my emails and FB whenever I want if I wake in the night. It is an addiction wanting to see if someone has commented, gives a kind of buzz to know that someone read and cared enough to comment. I actually haven't been on Pinterest for a few days {which is very unusual} but FB and me ~ well! My main problem is, as a carer I am not able to get out and about so the computer is a sort of life line at present, as is the garden. There is no such thing as 'just taking a quick peek' it is all or nothing. At the moment, I need a new computer as everything is taking 10x longer making it even worse. I still haven't read all your lovely blogs on your magical artist's tour! I will get there. Well, must go, it is lunch time. Lovely chatting again! Waving from ATP Debs in Wales!

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    1. Debs, there are seasons in our lives, I'm finally beginning to accept, where certain things will be what they will be. And when it's time, we will move on to something even better. It's only a problem when we don't listen to our heart and heed the calling! So it sounds like you need to be right where you are with the computer. Enjoy it! I just hope you can get a computer that will work faster so you can eliminate the frustration it must be causing. I don't plan to leave off the computer completely, by the way. I'm just going to allot myself a morning session and an evening session and turn it off during the day. I hope that turning off my computer in between I'll "settle down" and delve into my writing/drawing projects. I'm easily distracted, so I have to cloister myself in order to reach any creativity I have waiting to be expressed! My desire to connect with people can get in the way. The artist in me craves solitude. It's a constant battle.

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  4. I will miss your posts for the rest of the month. I hope your break from your blog is restorative, and that you find wonderful things to fill in the time you have been spending on the Internet. All the technology we have available is certainly a double edged sword.

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    1. Thank you for saying that. If I find I have something really worth everybody's time to share, I'll sneak in a post! I think part of my problem is habit and easy accessibility/high speed internet. My excessive need to know what is going on doesn't help! Maybe if I "chill out" a little I'll break the habit at least and only check my e-mail twice a day and like now on a break from working in the yard while I drink my limeade, and not all day long! I think I'll also set a timer for myself so that I don't end up being on the computer for a whole hour without even realizing it!

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  5. Hi, Cath and hey, I can completely relate. I'm not sure I have an Internet addiction, since I can sometimes go for days without doing much more than checking my e-mail, reading my regular blogs [there's only 5 of those], paying bills, sometimes a bit of online shopping. But I completely understand how enticing it can be. I have often sat down to check A, and before I know it, 4 hours have passed and I'm now on topic W!!! One thing just leads to another - and it's SO easy. Don't have to hustle ourselves to the library to look up things anymore. You're recognizing that you have other things you really want to do and let's face it, it would be easy to sit nearly all day in front of a computer these days. The worlds it can take us too! So do what you need to for yourself and enjoy it. Again have a wonderful Fourth and a relaxing weekend. Hope the Humidity monster does not rear his steamy head too much. Take care!

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    1. Perhaps I need to complain about the weather more often on my Blog because TODAY it's a balmy 79 degrees, a slight breeze, and NO HUMIDITY! I've been working in the yard all day, but now that I've showered I'm going to sit in the Arbor and read Elizabeth Groudge's "The Little White Horse." It was one of J.K. Rowling's favorite books as a child. I'm hoping it will inspire me in the same way.☺

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  6. HMMM. Is it an addiction if it is good for you? I wonder. I am addicted to my garden in Spring and Summer, I could spend dawn to dusk digging, hauling stone and sand, planting, and planning. But it is great exercise and creates something wonderful, and I never feel as though I am wasting time, so I guess it is a good addiction. I don't really have much of a problem with the internet drawing me away for hours at a time. I love ebay and amazon and posting on my blog a few times a month, but never feel as if I am overdoing it.

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    1. As long as it's good, no! But for me, I can overdo it in the garden to the point of exhaustion! The key in all things is balance. :-)

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