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Don Quixote's dragon was a windmill. Just as he was ready to charge the foe that Sancho had told him were not giants, but windmills, Don Quixote replied, "It is easy to see that thou art not used to this business of adventures; those are giants; and if thou art afraid, away with thee out of this and betake thyself to prayer while I engage them in fierce and unequal combat." As Quixote charged the windmill, Sancho was soon to follow.
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Many dragon battles (real and perceived) are being fought on a daily basis. Currently, tons of folks here in Fairfield Glade are battling Apex Clean Energy in an attempt to prevent them from bringing an industrial wind turbine farm to Millstone Mountain (next "hill" over, less than five miles east of us). I have rallied with many in getting petitions signed. I also know several people who are currently battling different dragons, such as cancer or a variety of other monstrous ailments. And then, there's this whole political race... one giant fire breathing dragon. "If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools." - Plato I fear, regardless of our efforts, we will be ruled by fools. The war on drugs, sex trade, abusive situations, poverty, etc. has been ongoing since the fall of man. As neighbor Allen mentioned, "Crooks have been improving their trade since Cain killed Abel."
Not only am I one small part of several other larger armies... each with their own dragon (or monster) to fight, but I also have individual battles with my own self-conscience (my spiritual life, emotional well being, and mental state). And there is also the physical entities. There is always battle of the bulge and the fight against aging... so I have a little war with my lazy side to make myself go workout. There are also the physical aspects of nature; weeds, the raging water down our drainage ditch when we get a gully washer of a rainfall, adverse weather, and the aging of our old house.
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I am impressed with Britney's fortitude in fighting the big windmills... those of poverty, human oppression, injustice, imperial ambitions, many different environmental concerns, etc. She fights for a better life for all creatures here on God's Earth... life centered around kindness, compassion and community. I think for her, despite what they say, fighting windmills does pay off in the end, especially when she wins. Of course you can't always win, that's life. But without charging the dragon - you'll never be able to take it down. The honor is in the charge, the attempt, and knowing you tried. She is never hesitant to fight the unbeatable foe... to pick up the lance and charge the ‘windmills.'
It was a leisurely morning Saturday with some concerned e-mails and Facebook posts about the wind farm. Stevie is the queen, on our queen bed. I thought Jeremy might be coming, but he texted me right away to say he couldn't make it. I had a good chat with him Friday (after he failed to show up or tell me he couldn't make it) and forgave him of his lack of communication. The transmission in his almost new truck went out on I-40 while taking his daughter to pre-school and he was overwhelmed by his dilemma.
This time there was a wedding and reception at the CC. It was simple, but nicely done.
It was cloudy all day, enough to make me want to stay put inside, but eventually (1 pm) I got a move on. Maggie and I headed back out on the road to cover more mileage in Fairfield Glade. Here is a current photo of the house on the hill.
We hiked on the undeveloped gravel and grass roads between Lake Glastowbury and Lake Malvern, enjoying nature. Seen right, is another bear "trap," with bait in the bag and surveillance camera on the tree to the left. The Wildlife Ranger does not want to fight this dragon, but just get it relocated farther away from the Glade.
It ended up being a longer hike than expected because I missed a turn and had to back track. At one point, this little Green (or Grass) snake was making its way across the gravel road.
Finally, once back to the car, we scooted over to Wildwood Stables for a party for Sara. She has worked there since she was eleven, but is graduating in a few weeks and moving to where a nursing job and her boyfriend are located. Seen right, Maggie has made new friends. Sara is in the black shirt and Ivy is also graduating from nursing school with her.
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There was a taco bar and tons of other food we all brought, and enjoyed.
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You never know what is or might have been in my sippy cup. Ha ha ha. (usually it is full of ice water - really.)
After eating, there were games to play. I had Maggie tied to the fence, and she got along well with the three barn dogs and anybody who came to see her.
There was going to be a group ride, but it ended up being just Jan and I riding bareback around the barn and yard. I put Maggie in a crate since I couldn't keep a close eye on her while on Amiga.
Ambrie, Judy and Shirley hangin' out, enjoying perfect weather on a beautiful evening.
Ivy and Ambrie helped Sara park the wagon before we all headed home for the evening.
I got home about 7 pm, fed the critters, took out the trash, cleaned up in the kitchen and put out a sleeping bag and pillow on the back porch where I planned to sleep. Then, during our 9:00 (before bed) walk, I found a glow stick on the ground. I carried it for better visibility and brought it home. Later, while I was still up, Stevie got into the glow stick which I had set on the kitchen counter. She had bit into it and ate some of the glow juice. It came to my attention when she was running around the living room, spitting out a greenish froth and foaming at the mouth. I grabbed her, shut her in the laundry room, cleaned up all her spittle so the dog wouldn't eat it, and then went in to check on her. She was still gagging and spitting out green bubbles. She had it down her front and all over her front paws. I got her all cleaned up.
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I took these photos of some blooms on the Rhododendron out front to show the series of blooms opening.
I knew rain was coming so went out to do a little work in the back yard and fill in some bare spots with grass seed. I could hear thunder in the distance, and eventually the golf course "fog" horn (to clear the course) blew so I knew I didn't have much time left. The storm dragon was approaching. It sprinkled on me as I cleaned up and put away my tools, and came inside.
Shirley had this toy Miss Kitty didn't play with, so I brought it home for Stevie, who was quick to check it out and try to figure it out.
Once home, I ate a late lunch and then crashed on the couch for over an hour... not sure why I was so tired. Joe had gotten home from his Iowa trip and was out golfing. I wasn't in the mood to be productive with yard or house work but I did take Maggie for over a two hour FG road walk.
We got home after 7pm. Joe had a frozen dinner cooked and that took care of our evening meal and ended the day.
Wednesday was Ladies club. I picked up Carole at 9:45. This month's program was on gardening, presented by a very funny guy. I did learn that I am overwatering and over fertilizing so will cut back on that. He also said to use new potting soil each year for your container gardens (oops) because the plants deplete the soil over time. Well, over fertilizing might help with that problem. I also won this decorative stone (the center piece on our table) by having the correct chair number. Whoot whoot.
I couldn't get motivated once home. The wine (before noon) at Ladies Club, does it to me every time. So I took a nap. Rain was due to come by late afternoon, so I went out to weed whack the tall grass in back. Once the battery died, I quite that job and used hand trimmers and took most of the growth off the daffodils and trimmed back the holly tree. I am not sure when or exactly how to trim back these mums (seen right). Last year I didn't do anything with them and by fall, they were falling over because they were so top heavy.
I brought a third of the big, yellow peony bush here from our farm in Illinois. This is the first it has bloomed since the move. Yay!
Rain chased me in, so I proceeded to make a fire and have a cup of tea. Joe left for his weekly poker game. I watched HGTV, made a big toss salad, and was on this computer the rest of the evening.
Thursday started out overcast, with a good chance of rain so I started out slow and unmotivated. The dragon was winning. But, because the weed wacker was newly charged, I eventually went out to finish off the tall weeds that partially obstructed our view of the pond. This photo was taken a day later.
Again, the weed wacker battery died and the rain came, so I retreated to the house. I was tempted to sit idle... but decided I wasn't going to let this slow me down, so I went to the gym and worked out for two hours.
The skies had cleared and the forecast looked great for the next several days, but I was exhausted from the exercise and ended up taking a nap.
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We came home, made a quick change and walked the dog, and then went to Stonehenge for dinner. Bob and Jean (who had been at the meeting) joined us. We talked windmills much of the time. Above, a panoramic view of the back yard from our picture window. Below, the front yard.
We watched Survivor while sitting by a warm fire because the temperature was still in the low 50's.
Friday the sun was finally out to stay. My pot of herbs is doing well. I guess I need to start cooking so I can make use of this good stuff. Me, cooking or baking over a hot oven or stove, feels like I am doing battle with a dragon. It is just scary.
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I had a nearly two hour first aid re-training session for work in the middle of the morning, so didn't get anything done before hand... and once home, only had time for a little more trimming in back with yet another re-charged battery. I am a little like my weed wacker... my battery doesn't last long... but can be recharged overnight. Ha ha ha.
I ended the day and week with a 2-9 work shift. I worked with Gwen, who I have dearly miss the pleasure and fun of working with.
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When fighting dragons, I have come to realize:
1. It is best to put on the armor of God.
2. Don't enter into battle alone, but have your trusty
squire (like Sancho) by your side.
3. If you don't fight, or join the cause, then
don't complain about the outcome.
4. No matter the outcome, there is honor in doing battle.
5. It is okay to throw down your lance and surrender...
but know when this should be done.
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