RobArt Penguin

My life has improved since I developed the practice of keeping the television off for part of the day. I used to use it as background noise to fill out the house when I was home alone. The constant drone of worrisome and bad news, along with commentators and broadcasters getting crazed over speculating about the gloom that may never come, was getting me down, making me crazy. I have learned to enjoy the comfort of silence. I started taking walks outside again. Nature has a calming rhythm. I’ve begun going back to my arboretum. Nature doesn’t judge, doesn’t worry, doesn’t speculate. It simply exists. Unfortunately, my arboretum is by an interstate highway. The incessant murmur of trucks and cars is a reminder of our neurotic civilization, but walking through the woods is better than nothing. At least my head doesn’t hurt from listening to the sounds of birds and the occasional bull frog. … Oh my God, I’m typing in my quiet home office when my peace is interrupted by the shrilling whine of a leaf blower, a workmen blowing off shingle debris from the neighbor’s roof. Haven’t they heard of brooms? … Sorry, for the segue. Back to frogs …