Got up early this morning to jump in the car and drive to Anderson, SC which is about 110 miles away from Stone Mountain where I live.

Mr. Google took me way out in the country due to a wreck on 85 going North. I eventually got to Anderson about noon, ate a quick sandwich and went to the Convention Center.

At that time, the weather looked pretty clear, but increasing cloudiness loomed.

I got my sunviewing glasses.
I tried to find some Sunday night to no avail. EVERY place was sold out. So I was really glad when they gave me a pair, for FREE!

I drove around the hundreds of people who were there looking for who had the best telescopes and optical rigs. If you don’t have the gear, make friends who who does. His name was Jerry.

I set up my optical projection system with my binoculars.

I ended up not needing the stuff I brought. Just brought my chair over to Jerry’s rig!

It just got more and more cloudy.

When totality actually happened, it was so cloudy I couldn’t see it. I must admit I was so disappointed I actually cried. What a big baby. Glad I had those goofy glasses on.

Over the last twenty years I’ve probably been out to look at the meteor showers at least fifty times. There are three every year: leonids, geminids and perseids. MOST of the time I get cancelled out by the stupid clouds. So I’ve been used to being disappointed by the weather.

But to have spent three hours to get there and then nearly five hours to get him in just brutal traffic was one of the most disappointing events ever.

I’d drive and drive and drive, and Mr. Google kept saying I had about 2 1/2 hours to go! Ay caramba!

I kept thinking he’d take me around all the traffic. I even went on dirt roads again!

I had planned on going to see Deep Purple, Alice Cooper and Edgar Winter tonight at the Chastain park amphitheater. Didn’t happen because of the traffic.

I had hoped that today would equal the day in Paris where I saw the Mona Lisa and Michelangelo’s David at the Louvre and saw Pink Floyd that night. Alas, that level of awesomeness was not to be. Double suckage.

In my life, I’ve spent thousands of hours looking for birds, animals, rocks, arrowheads and meteors showers. I’ve seen extraordinary things! And found incredible stuff! But far more times I don’t see or find anything of real note. But I’ve learned if you don’t try, you don’t get.

Just the way it is! So I’ll keep trying! But gotta admit I was really disappointed today.

But I was there, and that counts for something!

After hearing that the traffic in N. Georgia would be horrible, I started doing research about what other areas would be possible, in particular those near I85.

I came up with a few possibilities, in partiuclar Anderson SC.

Studied Portuguese.
Ashley and I went to First Redeemer Church in Cumming, GA this morning. We talked to three different Sunday School classes.
We also went to the worship service. I thought Pastor Jeff did a good job on talking about money.

The band was good, too.

They took up the offering before the sermon. I thought this was interesting.
Drove almost exactly 100 miles today. Yow! I was glad that Kathy watched Penelope at home. That’s a long way for a little girl to have to be strapped in!

Gassed up the car.

Love spending time with Ashley!

I normally study Portuguese first thing in the morning. Couldn’t do that today, since we had an extra early morning to get all the way out to Cumming by 9:15am.

Came home for a nap.

Later, went out to look for eclipse glasses. Must admit I was surprised that all the places were sold out. What!? Looked into other options, in particular optical projection.

I set up my binoculars and they worked well. I’ll probably try and get a pair of glasses too, once I’m in Anderson.

I had planned on going to Dillard, GA which said they were supplied with your $5/parking fee. So I hadn’t worried about getting any. BUt once Kathy told me how horrible the traffic will be I suddenly had to change my plans.

Didn’t sleep well last night. Brain was working too much. I was really looking forward to having a team in town. Their van had a blow out and couldn’t make it. They’re planning on rescheduling after football season. Makes sense. They weren’t supposed to get here last night until after 1am.

Studied Portuguese. Working on Past Perfect.


Worked on what festivals are in town during the fall. Decided that a shirt like this might help generate clients for my new practice.

Also generated a couple of signs.

Mopped the kitchen.
Went to Stone Mountain to meet up with Ashley and Penelope. Talked about business and had fun watching Penelope.
Got groceries.

Rode my bike 8.88 miles.

Watered my plants.

Studied Portuguese this morning! Surprised? That’s why they call it a habit.

Uploaded a new episode of Verbal Surgery! A terrific guide to helping you help yourself! You get what you look for with Verbal Surgery -481- “PROfound!”

Just click on the title and GROOVE

I saw this and thought of Jesse. He has hearing loss in his left ear. Wonder if it might help him?

Updated the Research List with letters that bounced. Amazingly few seeing that I mailed 741! Most have no mail box at the address. Incredible that the some churches don’t list that!
I’m thinking of ways to build a client base with my hypnotherapy/life coaching practice. I think going to fall festivals and doing demonstrations might be a good start. Did research on that today.
I’ve filled out a couple of forms to do workshops.
Also did some research on Atlanta’s version of TED x. May volunteer that day just to get a feel for who’s in charge.

Lots of festivals in the ATL!
For the Lilburn festival I offered help with the medical tent with a relaxation/pain control workshop.

Went for a 12.96 mile bike ride.

Then blew the garage, swept the deck, vacuumed the house and cleaned the tub.
By then I was REALLY ready for a shower! lol.

Studied Portuguese this morning. Go, brain!

Lotta days straight!
Interesting who follows me on Twitter!

Jesse showed me his 3D puzzle that his friend printed for him. Groovy!
Got groceries at Walmart. Also picked up a commando saw. I’m hoping to use it to trim some branches. Not overly optimistic.
Got food for the birds and raccoons.

Lots of recycle. I got ride of the drains that Ashley’s dog had chewed up.

Mixed up sugar water for the hummingbirds.

I always enjoy seeing those little guys out my window.

I liked this little mushroom I saw while I was cleaning the bird feeders.

Early this morning I went to Tires Plus to get the tire chosen so they could fix Ashley’s truck. I was glad to get her tire fixed!

Then went to Providence Christian Academy to meet with my good friend Carl Barrington.

He has been a wonderful support to our family and to Whirlwind Missions. I honestly don’t think there would have been a Whirlwind without Carl. He was there for me in some of the lowest periods of my life. He and his wife, Pat have been enormous help to us. It was great to see him and hear of the new adventures starting in his life! Sure do love them!

Went to the missions to help the kids. There were a LOT. Fortunately, I had some of the older kids to help the younger ones. Ashley had a doctor’s appoinment today. Fun with the kids!

Went by the church to get an envelope with a key for our team coming in late Friday night. Looking forward to working with Ben Birdsong this Saturday. He’s another of my favorites!

I heard from my friend David Hill as I was leaving the mission!GREAT to see friends!

He’s a NoZe Brother from Baylor that I’ve known for over 20 years! He was in the ATL to see family. The timing worked out perfectly and the restaurant was near Chamblee!

He has a truly beautiful family!

Their aunts took me out to eat, too! What a blessing. The food was delicious!

What a wonderful way to end a super cool day.

Studied Portuguese early this morning. Brain gets sharper!


Recorded a new podcast! “Traction Attraction” has lots of solid tips for getting ahead! My best shows are always the ones where I’m really preaching to myself!

Did research on Meet Ups in Atlanta. Especially those where I think people might be interested in working with me.
Went to Walmart to get popcicles for the kids at the mission. I don’t think I’ll ever look at Tiki torches in quite the same way.
Nazis in the USA. WHAT?!
Walmart is still remodeling the produce section after their little fire.
Helped the kids at the mission.
Room full! It was nearly 100 degrees outside with the high humidity. I kept the doors closed and shut the blinds. Actually ran the AC. First time in twenty years! Yesterday, I used the fans and it was so hot, plus I could hardly hear many of the kids. They talk really softly.
Penelope was having a blast with Brian!
Penelope actually gave me a name! She was calling me “Pop Pop,” which is what Kathy calls me when Penelope is at our house.

She also picked up a squeal from a little boy she was with last week. Man, she got really loud! Not sure where she could get that volume from.

On the way home from the mission, we had a tire blow out! It was the same tire that we plugged, then patched. Fortunately, there was a safe place to pull over.
THANK YOU, for keeping us safe, Lord!

Miles came over to where we were to get the girls. I waited for the tow truck.

While I was there, I studied Portuguese some more. I think this is my highest score–108!

I had AAA come over to tow the truck to my tire guy. Couldn’t believe when we got there that they were on vacation till the 21st! Ay caramba! So we took it to Tires Plus instead. They should be ok with replacing a tire.

Studied Portuguese early this morning. It marks four months straight!


Wrote follow up letters to the physical therapists.
Uploaded a new edition of Verbal Surgery!


Rode my bike 12.83 miles. Great way to burn off stress.
Went by the office to drop off the musical instruments I used on Sunday at Westside. Also picked up checks to deposit into the Whirlwind Missions account. Financially we are very tight right now. PLEASE PRAY for the generosity of our supporters to help me overflow with hope!

Now that we have the insurance for the mission squared away, we can start the after school program. Started off slow, then I had a room full of kids!
We’re going to have a popcycle party tomorrow! Fun and cheap and the kids love ’em!

Studied Portuguese? Surprised?

Recorded a new podcast! LOVE this one called “Coconut Sun Screen!” It’ll release in a week or so.

Working on what stain/perserver to put on my deck and how long it takes to dry and cure. Looks like we’ll need four days of dry weather. Don’t see that happening any time soon!

Pretty expensive stuff. It’s what I got last time. I’ve gotten about six years out of it.

Did research on the Physical Therapists in the area. Went to four and gave them material about my Pain Seminar.

Rained really hard in my area.
Gassed up my car.
Interesting clouds forming over the asphault.

Lots of mushrooms sprouting.

Did the grocery shopping. Produce was cordoned off because of a fire. MOST of what I get is in this area. Dang.

Hmmm.

This morning I studied Portuguese! I’m almost to four months straight!



Worked on verbs.

I helped Kathy take her transportation test for the day care today. We worked together for over 2.5 hours.

I took her for lunch, then we came back and I worked on the deck. First job was to move everything off it. Plants, chairs, table.


I used the pressure washer first.
Then went to the Dollar Tree to get bleach.
We used wire brushes and stiff brooms and bleach to clean the surfaces.


I’ll rinse it off later. The bleach is still working on the mildew. We have to have three days of completely dry weather before we use the stain/paint on the surface. Then it should look really good!

My hands and arms are burning from using that bleach. We had gloves on, but it still gets on you.

Filled up all my bird feeders.
Watered my plants.

My carnivores.

African Violets and succulents.

How many people do you know who can say this?

This morning I worked on Portuguese sports terms.


Also worked on a list of verbs.

Got confirmation that we have insurance coverage at Azalea Place for Whirlwind Missions. Finally! I’ll start the after school program next week.

I uploaded a new version of Verbal Surgery -479-“Ear Steering!” Tweak the voice inside your head with this awesome episode!

Just click on the title and GROOVE!

Link on Facebook.

I visited a number of Physical Therapy places. Working on getting clients for my new business. I’m offering a free pain seminar.

Also went by a Senior Living place. They can use this information too!

Went to see Atomic Blond! I liked it. Amazing fight scenes.

Went by Xfinity to get a new TV box. This one will let me get HBO.

Went for a 12.75 mile bike ride. Saw some amazing mushrooms!