Buy local gaining momentum

The buy local movement seems to be gaining momentum.

simple pleasures are the most reliable pleasures

Continuing on with the favorite activities theme, I was listening to the radio the other day and heard this intriguing sentence: "simple pleasures are the most reliable pleasures"

After thinking about it for a while it really makes sense. The everyday little pleasures are what make life enjoyable. Like the hot cup of tea in the morning, or reading an email from a friend, or listening to some new music that captivates us.

The big activities such as a vacation to a far away place are just too complex to take in and too infrequent to count on.
It gives us something to look forward to, but they are over with way too quickly and then we find ourselves with just some memories and photos to muse over.

The everyday simple pleasures we can count on day after day to carry us through.

10 Favorite Activities

I decided to come up with 10 of my most favorite and relaxing activities just for fun.

10 Favorite Activities

I decided to come up with 10 of my most favorite and relaxing activities just for fun. Nothing elaborate, just simple things that make you feel good.

1. A quiet walk in a beautiful location with scenery (beach, forest)
2. A cup of hot tea, drink slowly with nothing else to do
   
3. Reading a book sitting by the window
4. A nice hot shower
5. Cooking up a simple meal
6. Sitting by a fire and staring into the flames
7. Gardening
8. Lying on the grass staring into the sky watching the clouds on a warm breezy day
9. Watching a travel or nature documentary on the TV
10. Listening to peaceful music
    

The Most Complex Object in the Universe

I just read somewhere that the brain is the most complex object in the universe. Isn't that cool? I mean the most complex object in the universe is right here in our head, in our possession and we didn't even have to pay for it. That's pretty awe inspiring when you think about it. But, then when you think about the complexities of life, the brain would have to be pretty complex in order to deal with it. Just think about all the millions of processes the brain has to take care of in the body. This is just the physical stuff. Then there is the whole realm of the mind and consciousness.

Some scientist think that "neurobiological processes in the brain cause consciousness", though they are not exactly sure how that happens. Others think that consciousness is completely independent of the brain. Who knows what the real answer is. However, having the most complex object in the universe in our possession is quite a responsibility. How do you take care of it and maintain it? Where is the user's guide? I guess we'll just have to ask the brain.

Pinnacles National Monument

My family went camping at Pinnacles this past weekend. A stunningly beautiful place. It is located south of Hollister, CA. The hiking there is spectacular. We saw wild turkey, California Condor, who have made a remarkable comeback from extinction, and tarantulas. The fall is a good time to see these hairy spiders when they are trying to find mates.

The kids, and adults also, had fun walking through caves, though we didn't see any of the bats that nest there.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life

I've recently starting listening to this book by Barbara Kingsolver. So far it is a pretty good listen. The audio book is narrated by Kingsolver, which makes it even better. She laments the state of food in the USA. The production, the marketing, and the consumption of it. The amount of petroleum used in food production and transportation is quite staggering.

And, the quality of our food is pretty dismal. The premise of the book is that Kingsolver and her family spend a year growing their own food and eating as locally as possible with a minimum use of petroleum products. I'm really looking forward to listening to the complete book.