Standing Into Danger

Friday, August 21, 2026

On My Mind

Summer is flying by.

I see this in the green fullness of leaves,

in the advance of seeds forcing petals to the ground,

and in the silence of birds fledged, fawns grown, and caterpillars metamorphosed.

Dragonflies are dancing, and the breeze rustles through fat cattails in the bullrushes.

Three little frogs dive into the water, plop, plop, plop, swimming for cover.

As I walk through the park along Piney Creek

my body absorbs the buttery light, and my mind relaxes in the fragrant calm.

Summer is fulfilled.

Fat Cattails in the Bullrushes

Along Piney Creek

Aurora, Colorado, USA

August 14, 2026

Since my trainer Julie took a full-time job with Castlerock Parks and Recreation,

I've been lost. I worked out with Julie for over 20 years.

But I'm slowly getting it together and exercising regularly again.

I'm walking about 1.8 to 2 miles a day, 6 days a week, after doing morning stretches.

I've met a lot of people and dogs as I've roamed.

I have slowly realized that I love this morning walking time.

(Really, it would be so much easier to lazily linger over coffee. 😂)

Nature's Garden

Along Piney Creek

Aurora, Colorado, USA

August 20, 2026

An Unknown Artist Left This Composition on the Trail for the Delight of Walkers

Along Piney Creek

Aurora, Colorado, USA

August 19, 2026

Rock Art to Match a Weathered Utility Marker Post

Along Piney Creek

Aurora, Colorado, USA

August 19, 2026

Rabbitbrush Beginning to Bloom

Along Piney Creek

Aurora, Colorado, USA

August 19, 2026

Quiet Reflections in Middle Pond

Along Piney Creek

Aurora, Colorado, USA

August 19, 2026

I have spent over two months studying A. C. Grayling's The History of Philosophy,

after several years of reading about philosophy in other books and magazines.

It has not been easy! (And I'm still not finished THOP.)

But the more I dig into philosophy, the more fascinated I am.

I am really interested in questions like:

What is the meaning of life?

What is real?

Does God exist?

Why is there something instead of nothing?

What is knowledge?

How do we know what is true?

What is consciousness and how does it arise?

I am intrigued by the ideas that reality is quantum in nature,

that human consciousness arises from quantum-level processes in brain neurons,

and that conscious experience may be deeply connected to how the universe works.

I am grappling with these complex ideas, but in them I see the potential for things

like the resolution of René Descartes' mind-body dualism,

the existence of souls, and perhaps a cosmic mind - God.

I'm searching for explanations and understanding that make sense to me.

(Like everyone for thousands and thousands of years. 😂)

Source of Image

After a number of months at home, I'm getting antsy.

Perhaps I've been reading too much philosophy.

I'm going to take a brief break from blogging.

I'll be back on Friday, September 25th ~

Well except for a very brief post for IWSG Day on Wednesday, September 2nd.

Adventure and family are calling!

I think hearing Alter Ego performing their Metallica Medley will give my brain a break.

Alter Ego on Fremont Street

Downtown Las Vegas

Nevada, USA

June 1, 2026

Every day brings me closer to returning to Hawaii!

I am relieved that we have our condo at the Royal Kuhio in Waikiki again.

My hula buddy Carolyn keeps me updated on everything happening in Waikiki,

this special place filled with people I love.

Here is a photo from the Royal Grove on last Wednesday evening.

If it's Wednesday evening in Waikiki, I'm at the RG.

I can't wait to return!

Some of the Royal Grove Regulars

My Hula Buddy Carolyn Is Dressed in Black and Wearing Glasses

Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

August 19, 2026

Photo Posted by Sachico Miyoshi on Facebook

I'm linking to Gillena's Lunch Break, Nicole's Friday Face Off, Tom's Aloha Friday, and Debra's She Who Seeks.

Have a great weekend!

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

My next post will be

Friday, September 25th, 2026 🤞

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

Friday, August 14, 2026

A Little Eclipse Humor

Have you ever seen a total eclipse?

I have only seen partial eclipses, but I long to see a total eclipse.

I've been trying to talk Terry into going to Luxor for the total eclipse next year,

followed by my long-desired trip to Petra, but so far, no luck.

All I can do is hope this Middle East turmoil will be resolved by then.

Total Solar Eclipse over San Millán de los Caballeros, Spain

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Flickr ~ License

Path of Totality

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Credit: European Space Agency

Wikimedia ~ License

Breathtaking! ~ San Millán de los Caballeros, Spain

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Credit: European Space Agency

Flickr ~ License

I had to enjoy Wednesday's eclipse by watching CNN's coverage.

It just didn't match the magic of watching even a partial eclipse:

the silence and awe that falls on the world as the moon covers the sun.

The world stands still and holds its breath ~ waiting, hoping for life's return.

Since then I've been entertaining myself with some funny eclipse memes.

Here are my favorites:

Me staring directly at the eclipse with no glasses like a fool of a Took

I'm linking to Gillena's Lunch Break, Nicole's Friday Face Off, Tom's Aloha Friday, and Debra's She Who Seeks.

Have a great weekend filled with optimism and laughs!

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

My next post will be

Friday, August 21st, 2026 🤞

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

IWSG Day: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 ~ Writing Regrets???

It's the first Wednesday of the month,
the day that members of the
Insecure Writer's Support Group
share their writing struggles
and writing successes
and offer their encouragement
and support to fellow writers.

To visit the IWSG website, click here.

To become a member of the IWSG, click here.

Our wonderful co-hosts who are volunteering today,
along with IWSG Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh are

Shannon Lawrence, Diedre Knight, Liza, and Pat Garcia!

Stop by their posts and thank them for hosting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every month the IWSG announces a question that members can answer
with advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story in their IWSG posts.

Or, the question can inspire members
if they aren't sure what to write about on IWSG Day.

Remember the question is optional.

This month's optional question is:

As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you'd done differently in your writing process?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy August, Everyone!

I hope that July has been good to you!

I've already heard Labor Day ads, and I am not ready for that!

Terry and I have enjoyed summer at home, but coming up is a whole lot of traveling.

I'd like to share some gorgeous summer photos,

but I've been chasing big machines and men in hardhats.

Now What??? In Spades

Heritage Eagle Bend

Aurora, Colorado, USA

August 3, 2026

Yesterday was something else.

I never saw so many big machines and men in hardhats on our street ever.

The workers laying the AT&T fiber optic cable for hyper-fast internet drilled into a gas line.

Oops!

It was very exciting around here!

But all's well that ends well, and there were no fires, explosions, or injured people.

The Culprit #1

Heritage Eagle Bend

Aurora, Colorado, USA

August 3, 2026

Which leads me to my writing regrets.

My regrets are that I haven't fulfilled all my writing goals, and time is getting short.

There is a simple reason, I'm continually distracted by life.

Like yesterday when I ran around during my writing time

in 100ºF (37.7ºC) temperatures chasing big machines and men in hardhats.

Whether by career demands, health crises, other passions, adventure calling or endless curiosity,

I've been distracted endlessly.

Life is just too fascinating!

The Culprit #2

Flying Like Superman Under the Canopy of Fremont Street

Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

March 27, 2024

So really? Do I have big writing regrets? NOT!

I've had a rich and full life, and I have completed a lot of satisfying writing.

I'm an optimist. I still have time.

Happy creating in August!

May life be rich and full for you!

Take care!

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

My next post will be Friday, August 14h 🤞

BTW, I'm saving the story the gas leak for a later post.

Just so you know, I monitor my comments before publishing them. This means your comment won't appear immediately. I will not publish mean spirited or commercial comments.

Friday, July 31, 2026

Now What???

Just when I think no more men in hardhats with big machines could show up

to work in our neighborhood, they crowd in pulling their fascinating loads.

What's Up Now?

Here Come More Men in Hardhats with Big Machines

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 27, 2026

I knew something was up when a rainbow of flags, marks and numbers

began decorating the neighborhood, first yellow, then red, then orange, then others.

An Intriguing Rainbow

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 28, 2026

When I saw the rainbow spread of colors, I had to find out what they stood for.

Obviously things under the ground,

but what things, and why were they all so carefully delineated?

I began to poke around on a couple of my morning walks, reading the colored flags:

yellow~natural gas lines, red~electric lines, blue~water mains, green~sewage lines, ...

Orange, white, pink ...

Red Electric and Yellow Gas, Side by Side and Snuggled Up to Orange Comcast

No Clue What the White's For - At This Location

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 27, 2026

As the extent of this municipal mycelium was revealed,

I began to feel a distinct sense of vulnerability.

How much of a disaster would it take to knock out our modern infrastructure,

and how many of the thousands and thousands of people

crammed into this densely-populated suburban space would survive?

Likely not me. To quote Cobain, "... I don't have a gun."

Combat that bleak thought with a positive and hopeful one,

the summer blooming of my Grandmother MacDonald's aromatic climbing roses

which have been a source of joy for generations of my family.

My sister Bertie sent me photos last week,

and I swear I could smell the blooms past and present.

Grammie's Climbing Roses

Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia

July 20, 2026

It didn't take me long to figure out what was going on in the neighborhood

when I remembered the tag dangling from our garage door handle last week.

"AT&T fiber: Hyper-fast internet is coming your way."

Sure enough, a fiber optic cable-laying crew arrived a few days ago

to begin installing the internet cable in the "public right-of-ways" in our neighborhood.

As far as I can tell our neighborhood consists almost entirely

of "public right-of-ways," even in our own yards.

Laying the Fiber Optic Conduit That Will Contain the Fiber Optic Cable

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 27, 2026

Even though they spoke little English, the crew kindly showed me their work.

They drill a horizontal hole under the ground with a horizontal directional drill.

Then using the same horizontal drilling machine,

they pull a thick, flexible plastic pipe called a conduit through the borehole.

Finally, the fragile fiber optic cable is blown through ~

I didn't see this part of the operation ~ Drats!

Right now they're laying the main cables, and later they will install the secondary cables.

Feeding the Fiber Optic Conduit into the Ground

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 27, 2026

A Horizontal Directional Drill Drilling the Hole for the Fiber Optic Conduit

It drills a precise underground path to install pipes, conduits, or cables without digging a full trench.

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 27, 2026

Good to Know That the Gas Line is 44 Inches Down!

The Cable Line (circled in pink) is Safely Above the Gas Line

Pink is for All the AT&T Fiber Optic Cable Locations and Notes

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 27, 2026

A Block's With of Cable Laying Equipment

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 27, 2026

I can see one of their workmen spraying lines across the golf course right now.

A Worker's Dedication

Locating Municipal Mycelium, Even in the Rain

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 30, 2026

If you're open to people and show interest in what they are doing,

you can learn all kinds of fascinating things.

(And oh, white is most often for the irrigation pipes for our golf club water renovation.)

"Cheese!" He Says!

Feeding Conduit

Aurora, Colorado, USA

July 27, 2026

I keep thinking of the quote from Anthony Doerr's book All the Light We Cannot See,

"Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever."

Are you opening your eyes?

Life, like fiber optic cable, is fragile.

I'm linking to Gillena's Lunch Break, Nicole's Friday Face Off, Tom's Aloha Friday, and Debra's She Who Seeks.

How many of you saw this amazing shot captured by my Blogging Bud, Roentare?

It's one photo from his Whittlesea Rodeo Series, shared on Tuesday July 21st.

This talented photographer and lyrical writer certainly has his eyes open.

Photo by Roentare

May you have a great weekend filled with open eyes, relaxation and laughs!

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

My next post will be IWSG Day

Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 🤞

Friday, July 24, 2026

How's Life Treating You These Days?

Two crazy busy weeks for me! Coupled with not feeling great.

More than this ADHD person could handle. 😂

But I was determined to post this week, even if it's just a few funnies.

I've been unpacking more boxes that were stuffed our crawl space before our renovation.

And I've been organizing like crazy.

All this crawling around in tight places shifting heavy boxes

is helping me find more hurting places in my body than I could imagine.

I haven't been getting the best sleep.

Too much on my mind in the middle of the night.

And I've been focusing on my exercise program a lot.

I've been going to the grocery store once or twice a week

so I can have a small shopping trip rather than a big one every two or three weeks.

And I can catch more sales and save more money!

I'm getting quicker, but we have one groaning refrigerator and pantry.

And some things I'll never understand.

Meanwhile I continue to deal with my soul mate whose eyeballs don't move.

And I am more determined to get my life together than ever!

I'm not giving up.

How's life treating you these days?

I'd love to hear!

I'm linking to Gillena's Lunch Break, Nicole's Friday Face Off, Tom's Aloha Friday, and Debra's She Who Seeks.

May you have a great weekend filled with relaxation and laughs!

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

My next post will be IWSG Day

Friday, July 31st 🤞

Books Read in 2026

"18 Days in Heaven" by Gale Poirot
"A Serial Killer's Daughter: My Story of Hope, Love, and Overcoming" by Kerrie Rawson
"Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life" by Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD.
"Is Math Real? How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics Deepest Truths" by Eugenia Cheng
"Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir
"Tell Me Everything" by Elizabeth Strout
"The Covenant of Water" by Abraham Verghese
"The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity" by David Graeber and David Wengrow
"The Life Impossible" by Matthew Haig
"The Lord go the Rings" by JRR Tolkien
"The Match" by Harlan Corben
"The Night the Path Disappeared" by Terri Bergen
"The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper" by Roland Allen
"Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi
"Think Twice" by Harlan Corben
"Why Christianity Must Change Or Die" by John Shelby Spong

Standing Into Danger

Pages

Friday, August 21, 2026

On My Mind

Friday, August 14, 2026

A Little Eclipse Humor

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

IWSG Day: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 ~ Writing Regrets???

Friday, July 31, 2026

Now What???

Friday, July 24, 2026

How's Life Treating You These Days?

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