A recent loss led me to ponder what's important in life as losses often do. However, the thing is that the person I lost (my niece, Karlea) didn't place importance on the same things as most people.

Neither do I.

Karlea saw and I still see life as a wonderful adventure, rather than a series of obligations and goals to be met. We never were into ticking off boxes or tallying our profits. That's why the most memorable times of my life and hers have been simple in nature.

Popping tar bubbles with my bare feet on Porter road was much more important an activity than anything I've achieved in my 61 years on this earth. In fact, it was the stuff my life is best defined by.

Like my niece, I have no need for the conventions of society. I'd much rather focus on experiencing the small joys of life.

Of course, neither Karlea nor I have ever achieved much of anything conventionally thought of as noteworthy or spectacular. So, I suppose some might say that the small things were all either of us had.

They'd be wrong. Simple pleasures are the best part of life.

This society we humans have created and these ridiculous standards we measure ourselves by, well, they completely miss the mark when it comes to our own mental well being.

There are so many people out there who could benefit greatly from popping tar bubbles with their bare feet on Porter road or engaging in some other such “useless” activity.

I envy Karlea, somewhat. Because while I'm left here to impart this and other unpopular pieces of wisdom to the largely non-receptive, brainwashed masses, she's likely off chasing rainbows in the next life.

She's free.

I'm going to miss my kindred spirit. Guess I'll have to teach someone else to pet bumblebees now.

I guess some people might be a little confused about my choice to live surrounded by animal agriculture and rodeo cowboys when I'm dead set against using other animals for food, other products or entertainment. Actually, I don't have to guess because a few long time residents have outright told me that I don't belong here and/or made me feel quite unwelcome.

So why am I still here?

First of all, I get where the anger and resentment come from. Ranchers and rodeo cowboys played a huge part in building the west. It's indisputable. And yes, I understand that their livelihood is being threatened by changing times and changing ways. I even understand that for some, I represent those changes in human form. So naturally, I'm a great target for any hard feelings they may be harboring. But...

Folks, I'm not out to ruin anyone. I'm just a kind and loving person who wants all animals, human or otherwise to be happy and free and for the home we share (earth) to also be free from harm. I'm sure many ranchers and cowboys feel the same to some extent. I'm not here to make anyone feel bad. I'm not here to badmouth anyone or ruin anyone's business.

I grew up in the country, across the road from a dairy farm in upstate NY. My upbringing is country. I like wide open spaces, fresh air, bunnies in my yard and birds in the trees, just like all country people do. Train whistles and cricket chirps are on my list of the best things in life. And those big sky sunsets! Wow!

So, when my husband and I had the good fortune to be able to move here, after years of city living, I said, “Hell yes!” I never hesitated. And now that I'm here, I'm finding more and more reasons to love it.

The vast majority of people living out here are friendly and polite. We've been welcomed with open arms by kind hearts from many backgrounds with many different beliefs. Our differences don't pose an issue most of the time.

I've also discovered that there are more than a few people out here that share my beliefs. There are 3 Vegan sanctuaries and a few animal rescue operations. There are plenty of farms growing delicious organic produce. What's not to love?

There are no traffic jams or congestion. People wave as they pass you. Kids walk to their friends houses, play in their yards or ride around on their bikes without fear. There are no “seedy” areas of town to avoid.

I awaken each morning to a chorus of thousands of songbirds. The price of admission is a few handfuls of birdseed and a bowl of fresh water. I'm glad to pay it. I work peacefully on my little raised garden beds every day. I'm having fun plugging away on our fixer upper a little at a time. I'm in no hurry to have it done. It's all about the journey.

So, in the end, it's not so much about standing our ground as it is about loving what we stand for and choosing where to stand. We all have the right to live where we choose, regardless of our beliefs and lifestyles, or whether anyone else deems it a good fit. I'm standing my ground here in the country because it's where I most enjoy standing.

Kidding/Not kidding/IDK. However, the fact remains, my Life Path Number is 3, Triple Moon. Today is the full harvest moon. This is also my birthday week. My power involves both creation and destruction, implemented by my thoughts. Which one should I use?

Also, since this is my birth week, how does that play into it? Rebirth/Change? IDK. Still, it's fun to think about it.

Those who know me well know how much I write about positive change, and growth. However, to be completely honest, that hasn't been how my “powers” have manifested in the past. Unless we're talking about negative destruction to clear a path for positive change. In other words, my thoughts are not always filled with rainbows and happiness.

In fact, my thoughts can be downright dark and destructive. Unfortunately, those are the ones that seem to manifest. In particular, when I get upset about injustice, bad stuff seems to happen to those who do harm. Could be coincidence, IDK.

Ying/Yang you guys. In this world there are both negative and positive forces at work. One cannot exist without the other. Much as we like to label negativity as the bad guy, it has value in enacting change. We don't generally change on our own, that is, without learning a lesson of some sort.

Maybe I'm supposed to provide the lesson or maybe I'm supposed to conquer the “dark” forces and promote positive change without the destruction.

What the hell does this silly Facebook meme want from me/

Gotcha!

No worries, you guys. I haven't lost my mind. I have no magical powers.

Or do I?

Guess you'll find out tomorrow after the full moon. Mwa ha ha ha ha ha!