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My family just returned from a long overdue vacation and wow!

Revitalized and energized me to want more.

I have been working non-stop in the corporate world, but also around my home too i.e. the maintenance with the most recent event gutter cleaning. Nothing worse than cleaning them and seeing them fill up with leaves and pine needles a week later.

Mid-West living in the USA.

Don’t try to sell me gutter guards. I just had them installed last year, but they still need some extra attention, at least for my home.

Twenty feet in the air on a ladder and a few hours of fun!

I am not afraid of heights just falling is what I say to my children when they ask.

As I get older, I am starting to think about what really matters though. I can be an overthinker, so it can be difficult, but I am learning to accept what is happening in the “now” vs. worrying about what can go wrong.

My recent vacation was a spur of the moment decision by my wife. Nothing was planned after relatives couldn’t make it to our home this year for Thanksgiving Day that we normally host.

No relish tray, charcuterie board and turkey this year?

Wait, instead of me doing it I had the luxury of having it done via a couple of stores. Thanks to Publix and The Fresh Market, but this year it was on the ocean.

I enjoyed myself without the stress and was able to spend time with my family. Not everyone has the opportunity to take a vacation and it has been a while since my family has been on one, so I am grateful.

Live in the moment and enjoy the little things and if there is a setback try to make the best of it and learn from it if possible.

Living in the moment, also known as mindfulness, involves being fully present and engaged in your current experience. Here are some tips to help you live in the moment:

1. Practice Mindfulness Meditation: Meditation is a powerful tool to cultivate mindfulness. Focus on your breath, sensations in your body, or the present moment without judgment.
2. Deep Breathing: Take a few deep breaths and bring your attention to the sensation of breathing. This simple practice can help anchor you in the present.
3. Observation: Use your senses to observe the details of your surroundings. Notice colors, shapes, sounds, and textures. Engaging your senses brings you into the present.
4. Let Go of Distractions: Identify and acknowledge distractions without judgment, and then gently bring your focus back to the present moment.
5. Single-Tasking: Instead of multitasking, focus on one task at a time. Give it your full attention and immerse yourself in the experience.
6. Gratitude: Take a moment to appreciate and be grateful for what is happening in the present. This can shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s positive.
7. Limit Technology: Reduce distractions from phones, tablets, and computers. Set aside specific times to check emails or social media rather than constantly being connected.
8. Engage in Activities You Enjoy: Whether it’s reading, painting, or hiking, immerse yourself fully in activities that bring you joy.
9. Accept the Present: Practice acceptance of the current moment, acknowledging both the positive and negative aspects without trying to change them.
10. Cultivate a Beginner’s Mind: Approach situations with curiosity, as if you’re experiencing them for the first time. This mindset can bring a sense of freshness and engagement.
11. Connect with Others: When interacting with people, be fully present in the conversation. Listen actively and give your full attention to the person speaking.
12. Mindful Eating: Pay attention to the flavors, textures, and smells of your food. Eating slowly and savoring each bite can be a mindful practice.

Remember that living in the moment is a skill that can be developed over time with consistent practice. It involves bringing your attention back to the present whenever your mind starts to wander.

For me, cleaning the gutters is something I do not look forward to, but I am also grateful that I can still dangle from a ladder at weird angles a couple of times during the year. Some people can’t for various reasons.

Maybe next year I will hire someone to do it or instead just head back to the beach. I’m taking it day by day now.

Keep rocking.

I am a remote worker at this time. A corporate guy.

My home is in the woods. Why does this matter?

We have woodpeckers.

They do a lot of damage to your house. It is crazy to see me try to protect my home especially during a work week. I can hear them pecking and I run out of the house to chase them away. It doesn’t matter when, but I can hear them pecking. During meetings, lunch or even my kids getting ready for school.

Open the front door and close it with a peek to see if they are there. It is to the point that every bird I see looks like a woodpecker. I look crazy!

We have done everything to deter them from our home, but I think I just draw more species of them to our house the more I try to prevent them from doing damage.

The reflective tape doesn’t work, patching holes or making loud noises. Just crazy me running around trying to chase them away. It has become an annual event to save the house. The kids have joined in too.

If you are fortunate enough to have your own home make sure it is all brick, especially if it is in the woods.

No, it is not dry rot or insects boring into the wood. All the neighbors are experiencing the same issues.

I am climbing ladders to put deterrents on the house or patching holes to prevent them from returning.

I finish my workday and jump on a ladder twenty feet up to fix the house right afterward to maintain my home. I am not complaining though because I am grateful to have a roof over my head and the ability to do my own home maintenance and being able to pull a ladder out and climb it to the roof.

I am not afraid of heights, just afraid of falling.

Not everyone has that luxury.

I am smarter than a bird, right? Or birds?

Well, here comes Karl with a “K”.

He is a new family member via Home Depot. He is a plastic owl; they didn’t have a hawk but he worked the first day I introduced him to the front landscape.

I didn’t see a chipmunk or a squirrel either the first time I used him. No wildlife at all…

It is working!

I heard you have to move them around frequently as the woodpeckers get used to them, but I have no problem with that now. I will out smart these birds. I am even feeding them in the backyard with suet to keep them away from the house. This is the first time I used an owl or worse feed the enemy, but I will make it work.

I am going to win.

Neighbors have called me to ask what I have been doing to keep them off of my home seeing my home reflecting in the sun. I have replied by indicating that I am trying to get them to go to their homes.

Joking…not really.

This is a lot of work and drains your energy and time.

Woodpeckers can sometimes be attracted to homes, especially if they are searching for insects or creating nesting sites. Here are some methods you can try to deter woodpeckers from damaging your home:

1. Visual Deterrents:
   • Hang reflective objects, such as aluminum foil strips, CDs, or reflective tape, near the areas where woodpeckers are active. The movement and reflections can scare them away.
   • Use scarecrows or owl decoys. Rotate their positions regularly to prevent woodpeckers from getting used to them.
2. Physical Barriers:
   • Cover the affected areas with hardware cloth or plastic mesh. Ensure that it is secured tightly so the woodpeckers cannot access the wood beneath.
   • Install bird netting over the affected area.
3. Texture Modification:
   • Attach mesh or burlap to the wood. Woodpeckers often dislike the feel of these materials on their feet.
4. Repellents:
   • Apply a taste aversion repellent to the wood. These repellents make the wood taste unpleasant to the birds.
   • Some people have reported success with hot pepper sprays or garlic-based sprays applied to the wood.
5. Noise and Disturbance:
   • Play recorded woodpecker distress calls to discourage them from the area.
   • Make loud noises or use motion-activated devices when you see woodpeckers to scare them away.
6. Feeding Station:
   • Provide an alternative food source away from your home. Install bird feeders stocked with seeds and suet to attract them to a different location.
7. Fix Insect Infestations:
   • Woodpeckers are often attracted to homes because of insect infestations. If you suspect an insect problem, address it promptly to remove the food source for woodpeckers.

Remember that persistence is key. Woodpeckers can be stubborn, so you may need to try multiple deterrents before finding one that works for your situation. Additionally, it’s important to check local regulations and guidelines before implementing certain deterrent methods, as some birds may be protected by law.

I am looking forward to Karl helping with my problem, but on a positive side I just read that woodpeckers symbolize new opportunities, creativity, optimism, courage, motivation, revival, self-actualization, balance, communication, protection, and discernment.

This bird is most closely associated with opportunity and new possibilities? It inspires you to seize your desires and never give up on your dreams.

Cool!

I will take Karl to deter them and save money and time over the symbolism though.

Remote work with woodpeckers! Not something you worry about at the office.