Randy Steals the First Post of the Year
I’m sitting down with a good cup of Coffee after just finishing an Everything bagle courtesy of House Mate Jen. I’ve
got the wireless headset and blue tooth keyboard going so I can spend the early morning of the New Year resting on the
couch and addressing a few things on the very first To Do list of the year. I’m in a very appreciative mindset this
morning as I feel energized from spending some time out walking in the not so brisk winter morning with the Mighty One.
I’ve been a little negligent over the holidays in getting our morning walks and one of my points of emphasis is to
resume this despite the weather and other assorted challenges. We didn’t do anything grand, just a two mile stroll but
it was invigorating and Quinn had clearly missed the regularity of the early morning walk. As the cold weather arrives
it became easy to just let them slip to later in the day and then to simply when needed for the outside routines of
shopping or whatever. I want those to be the bonus walks and for us to have a morning routine because there’s
something particularly exhillerating to getting up and getting that morning walk before the rest of the homestead and
much of the world is stirring. Quinn agrees though the hard part is convincing him there’s some relatively quiet play
‘reward which satisfies his playful nature and doesn’t wake anyone else too early. It reminds me of the quote that
Dogs are the Gods of Frolic which came across Quinn’s Twitter account a day or so ago.
Speaking of Twitter, I was walking along in the early morning quiet and had my new blue tooth (thanks Santa Tracy!) and
listening to the twitter posts. Erik had a link up to an article so I clicked away and read this while walking along:
ErikWeihenmayer Check my interview with the Seeds and Fruit blog:
http://www.seedsandfruit.com/
I find it an amazing world that while walking around in this winter wonderland, and the sound of freshly fallen snow
(silence?) is something which absolutely still reaches me deeply, while being able to easily navigate both Twitter and
then web pages to listen to things of interest to me… well it’s amazing. It was all so seemless and symbiotic with
Quinn navigating the various snowbanks plowed poorly due to cars left on the street or plows sloppy with impending
snowstorms giving them sooner chances to clean up again anyhow. Then again maybe it was the New Year’s Eve
celebrations which impacted their work with a sloppy rush job but ultimately Quinn was perfect and our work together
left me the ability to praise his wagging form while listening and learning.
I had just finished reading Erik’s book with Paul Stoltz entitled “The Adversity Advantage.” It’s a rather worthy read
in my mind with emphasis on how well we as humans can respond to adversity in a positive fashion. Specifically it
suggests the use of harnessing adversity which is something I’d heard in Erik’s talk previously and for which Quinn
feels rather proud to be known as Adversity each trek. I learned a few things of merit and better still it inspired me
inseveral ways such that I’m eager to spend a little time this morning coordinating some plans and schedules for my
immediate future. I generally am very motivated though a little inspiration is always a good thing just the same.
Better still a few insightful and inciteful thoughts on how I may enhance some of the approaches to this is always a
good thing. Anyone up for the read would have a ready discussion partner if you wanted to grab a coffee, tea, mocha or
whatever and talk about it. I might even negotiate such with a little wine and a hot tub soak out on the sea porch
where the Winter scene enhances such discussions. Of course I’m usually rather interested into quality discourse so
this isn’t a stretch but the book is one of many good focal points. I absolutely believe it will help me enhance my
preparations for the 2020 Vision Quest which has begun to gain momentum steadily. Curious or interested in how you
might help, drop me a line or schedule a chance to talk.
All that said, it’s Quinn’s blog and I’ll surrender it to the lad with only the added notion of my very best wish that
you’ve all come through the Holidays or Holly Daze with an appreciation for the season and all it’s meritorious
aspects. I wish you a very promising and happy New Year in which you make progress towards many things which enhance
and enrich your lives and the lives of those around you.
Be Well!
Randy
& the Mighty Quinn
