As I assisted unloading a HIAB truck, a Southern Hawker flew near. The lifting-arm operator and the others were on the far side of the truck. For a glittering moment of stillness the dragonfly hovered, studying me as I studied it. No-one else saw. Then the world resumed and the dragonfly was gone.

I have recently (re)discovered ice-cold showers. The most obvious advantage is you feel refreshed and absolutely energized for quite a while afterward.

More importantly, it is one of those things that are awful while doing them, but great after you did them. It really helps you get into the habit of accepting short term pain for long term personal benefits.

It also speaks to the tiny Stoic in me. I just realized that more often than not, I just jump under the ice-cold water of the shower instead of tiptoeing around it, as I used to. Don't try to avoid the inevitable, embrace it.

For me it was rescuing a little bee buddy from a spider. It buzzed like crazy on my palm, getting rid of the web and finally flying away.

Spider has been eating well on that net. The bee buddies are my guests though, so spider friend doesn't get to snack on them.

It's the best indicator to my mind if my vacation was long enough. If I can still type that thing out and get it right on the first try, I haven't been gone long enough.

I will try again around Christmas.

Got bites on each of my knuckles, on my joints and wrists. Was itching as heck and I was too tired to really do much about it but scratch and try and get back to sleep. I think it might have only been one of them as well.

They're the epitome of biting the hand that feeds you.

Silly little critters.

Something special about being awake before everyone else is. The world is so nice and quiet.