THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

The end of the cutting season

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After cutting the yard yesterday, I thought that maybe 1 or 2 more times would be it for the season. And another year of reliable service from my 2+ decade-old John Deere. As we are into mid-October already I’m sure I’ll blink my eyes and it will be time to wish someone a happy new year.

Some days I feel like I’m out of my gourd. Photo by Mike Hartley

Luckily, I made time to do a few things today for me like a haircut and a short ride with the top down. I saw several other convertibles with the tops down also, despite the temps in the upper 60s. It’s my guess is there are a number of people thinking like me that the days of good weather for a convertible are numbered so we will brave the chill in the air.

I saw a beautiful black 57 Chevy convertible at the light of Rt 144 and Rt 32 heading towards the fairgrounds. I thought I had seen almost all the hotrods in this area but this gem has escaped me till today.

I think about those days in January or February when we get a warm day in between winter temps. I’ll uncover the car and put the top down and go for a ride those one or two days it might get into the 50s. It won’t be a long one. I’ll probably cheat and turn the heat on and maybe put the windows halfway up. But you would not believe how that changes my outlook and gives me a sense of hope that spring will come soon.

The month of orange. Photo by Mike Hartley

I can already feel that sense of depression creeping in. I work nights and having that connection to the day that when I start work it’s still light out means a lot. Somehow in my mixed-up mind, it is just like a shorter shift when I get to see the sun when I start work and when I get off.

In the winter where it gets dark well before the start of the shift and is still dark when I get off SUCKS. The night feels longer, and it’s a slap in the face reality that my dumb ass works NIGHTS.

People and pumpkins have a lot in common. All different shapes and sizes and in many different colors and textures. Photo by Mike Hartley

Well, it’s too late to change that at this point so I’ll cruise through the last year or two (employer willing) and then return to the normal cycle that has illuded me for parts of my life.


Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Stress is unavoidable. Keep it in perspective. Keep it in its place and time. Keep it from preventing the good times and rest needed to balance it out.
  • Race, religion, and resources. How we come to terms with these things will determine a lot of our future.
  • Personally, I’m into the flu and covid vaccines. And I think I’ll get both this week. They are becoming like getting a haircut, just less often.
  • I found a lot to be optimistic about today so there was a smile for the majority of it.

Author: Mike Hartley

With a lifetime and a half in the Newspaper industry I'm preparing for my retirement career as an Artist, Writer, Photographer and Video content provider. I'm a proud father of two wonderful children and I'm still married to the first girl I fell in love with and probably only one that would have me.

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