All gratitude to Zippy who, after I had to cancel my run yesterday due to bad air, figured out this morning that while the air near our home was unhealthy, it was clean down near the water! As I ran along the trail, breathing in cool smoke-free air, I saw multiple Great Blue Herons, gulls, mergansers, geese, hawks, some little brown jobbies, and lots of slugs. My mood improved dramatically!
Because I don’t run with a camera, I don’t have photos to post. However, I’ve still got tons of Sandhill Crane photos I’ve never shared and this one sums up the joy I felt this morning while running free.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. March 11, 2024
The fascists aren’t gonna take my joy. Please don’t let them take yours, either. In fact, I’d love to hear what’s made your heart soar recently. Let’s spread some joy!
Tracy Abell 
They are the party of hate and anger. We are the party of joy and moving forward!
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Truly so much hate and anger and cruelty in the air. I do love joy and moving forward, and thank you for sharing. Wishing you many glimmers of joy…
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Your sincere question deserves a sincere answer, Tracy. At the risk of tooting my own horn, I’m fortunate to have the time and means to volunteer at a family-focused homeless shelter every Saturday. For me, it’s all about the kids, despite so reasons the adults invite to become cynical and give up trying. Anyway, my time with the kids is pure JOY… the kind of joy that makes me feel like a kid again. Thanks and peace.
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Hello, Frank! Thank you so very much for sharing this piece of your life. I completely understand how doing that kind of work brings pure joy. Good on you for creating that space for yourself and those kids. Yay!!!
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Oh my goodness, you have to deal with bad air too?
I take to our nearby trail as well as that seems to be mostly clear as well – thank you trees!
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Bad air seems to be everywhere around the world. We have a wildfire burning in Washington state and then the fires in Canada send smoke, too. Air is much clearer next to the water, though, and for that I’m grateful! So glad you can run on trail through the trees. Trees are the best!!
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