If you feel especially apprehensive or despondent lately, don’t discount the influence of fewer hours of sunlight and falling serotonin levels. This annual biochemical mischief has been messing with us since our cave days, when the return of the sun was a matter of speculation, not certainty. Holding our elections during this already emotionally fraught time significantly amplifies our
anxiety. Guard your #MentalHealth and amplify your #SelfCare efforts. It’s not you; this really is rough.

Before you ask why storm victims didn’t evacuate despite warnings of an approaching hurricane, please consider that many folks don’t have cars, have no family or friends to stay with, can’t afford gasoline or hotels, don’t dare risk losing their jobs if they can’t return in time, can’t safely evacuate their elderly loved ones, won’t leave without their pets, or have legitimate health concerns about staying in shelters. Poor shaming them during and after a catastrophe is not a good look. #Milton

Watched #Formula1 in Monza yesterday and it gave had an idea on how to explain the perils of #ClimateChange to folks who STILL don’t care. Imagine attending a racing event where extreme heat is a problem. “No problem for us,” say the wealthy. “We’ve got nice air conditioned box seats.” Well, guess what: the track is melting, the cars are malfunctioning, and the participants are passing out. Whether you’re seated in cool comfort or sweltering in the stands doesn’t matter. Racing is canceled.

Thread/1 On this 4th of July as our enemies - foreign and domestic - eagerly slash at the fabric of America, I believe that there are still threads that bind us together. I’ve had the good fortune to have traveled to 45 of the 50 states in my personal and professional life. From interstates to dirt roads, deserts to swamplands, mountains to beaches, farmlands to factories. I’ve walked on volcano-fresh lava in Hawaii, eaten ocean-fresh lobster in Maine, swum with dolphins in the Florida keys…

Thread: 1/3 As the tropics get more active, here are my #EmergencyPreparedness tips to keep yourself, your loved ones - pets included - and your property safe in the face of tropical storms, #hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other perils.

It seems like a century ago that Republican North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory fought to enact the hateful “bathroom bill.” Backlash from voters, businesses, sports leagues, academia, and tourism interests was swift and unequivocal. McCrory lost his next election to Democrat Roy Cooper, and that seat has remained BLUE ever since now that we’ve elected Democrat Josh Stein as our next governor. THAT’S how you fight for #transgender rights!

This local vigil held a few weeks into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine seems as though it happened many years ago… or never even happened at all. The agony of the Ukrainian people continues while we’re distracted with other concerns and it could take a tragic turn if our incoming administration cedes the struggle to Putin. #Politics #SlavaUkrainii

View from the recumbent bike at the fitness center provides some motivation to keep pedaling.

My husband’s friend who is battling late stage lung cancer is hanging in there but needs to gain some weight. When he lived nearby, we’d hand deliver these oatmeal cookies which were one of the few foods he found palatable while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. I loved baking these butter-rich oatmeal raisin walnut cookies for him. I’m psyched that he’s interested in having me bake some and mail them to him at his new location.

Why I still feel fossil fuel guilt when I’m churning out solar power from two sets of panels on my roof remains a mystery.

37 degrees this morning, so I turned on my propane fireplace for a while. Our local nuclear plant had issued a “beat the peak” alert expecting heavy usage. On the one hand, running my fireplace (and ceiling fan to circulate the warm air) helps them. On the other, I’m feeling fossil fuel guilt.

Good morning, friends… may you clear all of today’s obstacles with Olympian flair.