I like puzzles and riddles. Always have since I was a small kid. I find it a challenge to find the answer.

But it seems that there are so many puzzling things happening today that I do not have any clue as to the answer, whether it's Ebola or violence or racism or intolerance or inequality or depression. I do notice that there are people who are quick to proclaim an answer which generally proves that they don't understand the problem.

This is a photo of an unusual wall decor that I found at an antique mall. But you knew that, right?

Yesterday morning as I was drinking my first cup of coffee, I noticed this critter on the concrete.

He looks big here, but he wasn't much more than an inch long. I think he was keeping the area around my pool clean. I'm glad to have the help. I'm the pool boy, and this is the pool snail.

So I lie down on my stomach (it had rained the night before so it was a little wet) and aimed my camera at the snail. You may be surprised to hear this, as we all have often said "as slow as a snail", but snails move faster than you might think, especially when you are trying to take their picture. So I made certain that the shutter speed I used caught him in "mid-stride". Afterwards, I thought I should have used a slower shutter speed to blur his/her (?) movement. There's always tomorrow. He's on the payroll. He's part of the cleaning crew around here.

Late summer at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. I have visited this garden numerous times, but have never been able to walk across the bridge in the background. It has a gate that is always closed. Maybe you have to be special to cross that bridge. The map of the garden has a special notation: "This area is not open to the public." Ah, you have to be VERY special, not one of the common folk. I have never seen anyone over on this island when I have been there. So the criteria for entrance must be quite exclusive.

But if you are one of the common folk, as most of us are, you can cross the stream on the stepping stones in the foreground of the photo. That still won't get you on the island, but you will belong to a very large group--the inclusive, non-special, common public. It is good to know that I am part of something bigger than me. I have felt excluded so many times that this is a wonderful affirmation that I belong to the Common Public.

I imagine there is a special reason that the public cannot be admitted to the picturesque bridge. On the other hand I can imagine a thousand picture possibilities if only my subject or the photographer could stand on that bridge. Now that would be special.

After I posted this, Judy heard from a friend that the tea house island is open for tours, three days per week. And I learned further that: At the end of the bridge stands a snow viewing lantern, yukimi-doro, a gift from St. Louis's sister city of Suwa, Japan. The teahouse itself, a gift from Missouri's sister state of Nagano, Japan, is sacred in Japanese culture. This soan, or "farm hut" style teahouse, was built in Japan, reassembled here by Japanese craftsmen, and dedicated with a Shinto ceremony in 1977. The teahouse is screened by hedges to create a sense of remoteness.

I certainly did not intend any disrespect to a location that is considered sacred, although I find every place to be sacred.

So what do you do with all your time? Folks who aren't retired have all kinds of questions for those who are retired. I know, for a few years back, I had a million questions about what my future life would be like. And every person who's retired would have different answers. I've been thinking, after several months of my own inadequate replies, about how to answer more fully when I am asked--without being boring. You know you have talked too long when you begin to get a glassy look back or people begin to check their phones.

So here goes: the short version... (and in no particular order)

I'm loving life and my wife. I'm doing what I enjoy. Even saying "no, thanks" once in a while. I breathe deeply. I notice the world. I love my kids and granddaughter, and remember delightful times. I spend more time outdoors. I swim. I take ten, twenty times more photos than when I was working. I care for the yard. I help with things in the house. I fix things. I think. I learn. I'm getting re-acquainted with my spirit. I pray. I yearn to know and be known. I miss my old friends and try to make new ones. I eat chocolate.

Most, if not all of it, I did before. I just do it more often, and with more joyful abandon. I just don't want it to ever end.

On this Sunday morning, it is difficult to ignore the pain in the world: Ebola in West Africa, persecution of Christians and other minorities in northern Iraq, the conflict in Gaza. None of us are immune from sorrow and grief. And some endure absolute horror and injustice. And so much of it is beyond our control. And it is repeated year after year. It is not new. The pain is endless. Tomorrow, some one different will suffer.

And I do not understand why we consider violence to be entertaining.  The whole thing just hurts us all. Even words can hurt.

First, do no harm. John Wesley encouraged the Christians near him to avoid evil, do good, and love God. But first, do no harm.

Another shot from the Auburn-Cord_Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana.

I love this place and love these cars.

Two days of sewing so far. It combines her fascination with machinery (how things work) and her creativity. She and her grandma are making clothes for her stuffed bear and dog. She's learned to keep her thumbs out of the way of the needle, and how to put the presser foot down with a loud clank to annoy her instructor. She's intent on learning to do it right, although it goes slower than she would like. Fortunately, there is a pool for an afternoon break with a possible fudgesicle. Chocolate is a good reward for intensity. Works for me.

I admit that I'm not a fan of phone cameras, but every once in a while...

Football season begins soon. I've shot a lot of sports over the years, but it's the clouds after a late afternoon thunderstorm that adds the pop to this picture. I'm often asked about what kind of camera I use. "You must have a good camera." I do, but I took this one with my iPhone. I feel like I won with this picture but Vanderbilt lost.