AS BEYOND, SO UP CLOSE . . . Trump’s (possible) Triumph, Victories here too, plus woodland hike!

I am utterly amazed and thrilled at what Trump is apparently succeeding in spearheading. From various X posts I ascertain that this peace deal has been orchestrated over a long period time, with many nations involved, both Mideast and others.

Meanwhile, I need to concentrate on right here, right now. What is within my ability to “control.”

For one thing: I’ve decided to create a T-shirt with “UNLOOSHABLE” on one side and and on the other side, the word “argue” X-ed out with a big red X, and underneath that word, larger, and in an appropriate font, “RADIATE.”

This, thanks to dear friend Julia who used to live in the neighborhood and has now moved to the west coast; she has agreed to design it. YES!

And in the same vein, Carisa, who lives across the street, wants to start a T-shirt business with me, call it “Re-Frame.” Like that idea! She also has a couple of designs already. We sat on my front porch steps late yesterday and this idea bloomed into view; both of us excited, full of energy. YES!

And in a slightly larger vein, neighbor Bill Schaich, who patiently and steadfastly spearheaded the project to get and put Green Acres “toppers” on all our neighborhood street signs, has now completed the project, thanks to help from Mariella and her son Joachim, Margaret, and Dave, who all climbed the ladder, the crew working different shifts over a two week period. YES!

And even closer to home, i.e., in my own body, I decided to do my daily morning walk on a trail this morning, specifically a well used trail at Griffy Lake, about ten minutes north by car from where I live.

Scampi and I headed out there shortly after 8 AM.

This is a trail that I take often; not only is it in an In-Diana woodland which I treasure, but it also has a 200 feet elevation, which my nearly 83-year-old cardiovascular system requires (Today I trekked the elevation twice: on way out, on way back.)

Here we are already on top of the hill.

Now we’re about to come down the other side. Scampi way ahead, outta sight.

I’ve learned to trust that at some point he will stop no more than a stone’s throw ahead, look back, and wait for me, eyes alert, ears cocked.

On the way down now. I’m always amazed to see one tree cradling another that has fallen. In this case, creating an arch over the trail! (See Scampi, very tiny, way ahead, waiting.

Here’s the roots of that same tree. It always amazes me how shallowly rooted they are! (Apparently gigantic redwoods also have shallow roots.)

Here’s the horizontal trail at the bottom of the hill that leads upstream.

Today we stopped when the stream came into view. Usually, we keep going, on the trail down by the stream for a half mile or so. But today we headed back instead, to do another uphill trail.

The map. We did the hiking trail, and a shorter, steeper one not shown here.

A few months ago, I hiked around the entire lake with my son Sean, over 7 miles. That was an interesting experience, since the trail on the north side of the lake is extremely rough and uphill, even missing at times. I found myself clawing uphill. Laughing.