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I didn’t intend for there to be a third post, but nature has intervened.

You may notice a few posts back those pictures of Ella looking out the window. We don’t have a busy street, but it can be entertaining from time to time. Today I realized the shrubbery in front of the window was getting in the way of our view, so grabbed the right tool and went out to trim it back.

I just finished trimming when I realized my arms were itching. I went inside and looked at what was going on – the inside of my arms were practically on fire! Red, swollen, itchy, blotchy – like a cross between a thousand mosquito bites and poisen ivy.

I’ve trimmed that shrub before and don’t remember having a problem.

A shower and some benedryl cream has helped put the fire out. And I have a great view out that window once again.

But man. Nature wins again.

I do enjoy an occasional outdoor activity. As long as the weather is nice, (70s) I can hang around outside for quite a spell. Biking, hiking, canoing, you know…the activities you see in Kashi commercials.

Lately Ella and I have been going for walks. She props her feet up on the stroller, I plug my headphones in. This isn’t a regular thing – that would be considered “exercise”. But often enough that were not deprived of the great outdoors.

On Sunday we got to hang out in the park with friends. Share some food, and witness some baptisms.
I always feel privleged to share someone’s baptism with them.

I am very much an indoors person. There are things about the outdoors I like, but living in the south has predestined me to prefer the comfort of air conditioning.

I know some of my friends think I’ve had a lobotomy when they consider my indeference to living by the beautiful beaches of Destin. I’ve lived here for 4 1/2 years and have given the gulf so few visits that they are countable. Two dozen maybe. Don’t get me wrong, it is a beautiful scene even on a bad day. But to enjoy it requires a level of discomfort I’ve never been able to justify. Sand? Itchy and makes me feel dirty. Sun? Hot and causes cancer. Water? I have YET to step foot in the gulf and not sustain injury. Usually in the form of jellyfish stings.

In fact, the first time Shannon and I decided to go for a gulf swim, I got stung. We gave it a second chance however, with me seeking safety on a large raft and Shannon towing me out. I let my fingers playfully trail in the water. As if to laugh at me, as if to say “you fool!” lo and behold a jellyfish wrapped around my fingers.

The water is not my friend, and I acknowledge it’s superiority. My only revenge can be to ignore it or pollute it.

It is pretty though. From a distance.