Circa 1969 antique booger-magnifier (childhood use case)
Highlights: The house got well-cooled overnight, which helped delay the A/C needed to battle 93° temperatures. The hike with Dom was excellent. Villa Montalvo is a stunning place to walk amongst the trees. Scottie's walking continued to improve. I spent an hour or so at Mom's and will return Wednesday. En route, a car making a lane change in front of me hit and shattered a large piece of plastic like a paint bucket, and the debris missed me by 1 foot. I met Frank for coffee and had a fascinating discussion about science, consciousness, the ego and the default network, all sorts of stimulating and thought-provoking things. The red "dog ball" arrived, much to Lucky's excitement but less so to his tender gums. I rode with Mark along the perk ponds in Almaden, through the villages surrounding the neighborhood, out to the dog park on Mendian, and then back to the Zinnia and Harwood and Bel Gatos homes. I ended the day with Jen, enjoying the cool air that finally broke 73° at 11 pm.
Insights: One of the many realizations I have been experiencing throughout the past few years while following a mindfulness path has been the bittersweet recognition that the past I so fondly look back on now as such pivotal periods of my life were spent ignorant and unaware, at the time, of how being fully present would have made it all the more significant at the moment. That's an insight gained over time. That's the place I aspire to reside now. Here. Experiencing the sunset on a warm summer air as richly as any novel or screenplay might represent it. The evening walk, holding hands with Jennifer. The balance of history, respect and gratitude I have for the St Francis statue I allow my dogs to pee on without ill intent. Seeing my dog doing better while staying conscious that it will happen again. Tearing up as I try to communicate my heartfelt appreciation to my mom while she's alive to hear it at a deep human Level. Recognizing the affection my kids showed me could stop at any time. All of these moments, these days, are moments I may reflect on in ten years, with the satisfaction of having fully appreciated them at the time, too.
