Author: Mark Thomas Ritchey

Longwood Gardens September 20, 2025

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My family made many quite a few trips to Longwood Gardens over the years. Both my parents enjoyed having flower beds growing up and we all enjoy the beauty of creation. When we were kids, our mom’s cousin and his wife usually went with us, Kenny and Ellie. I remember one summer visit when we were out at the lily ponds, a storm blew up rather suddenly and a very bright flash of lightning and loud crack of thunder sent people screaming for the shelter of the conservatory. It was the 70’s, so we just laughed it off.

We also went at Christmas time when I was a young adult and I remember the peacefulness of the whole grounds. It was a welcome break after a busy semester at college. It’s a great place to catch your breath and refresh your mind with a feast for the senses.

Get Outside and Breathe

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Since Monocacy Park (Illick’s Mill) in Bethlehem is right on my way home from work, I’ve stopped there for a walk and to take some photos fairly often over the last few years. It’s important to make the time to get some fresh air and sunshine and just take a breath and clear your mind.

I’ve been undergoing relentless harassment over the last 7 or 8 years, called gangstalking, so it’s all the more important to decompress as much as possible. Does it totally work as much as I’d like? Unfortunately, no, but it’s a choice that I make to do my best to find something positive to focus on and put the bullshit out of my mind, at least for a moment. Even if I keep having to do that over and over in a short span, it’s worth the effort. Even when someone is deliberately trying to piss you off and steal your joy from everything you do, they can only succeed as much as you allow.

God is way more powerful than they are, and God dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. Some folks will just never understand that. Bullies are pathetic cowards. So, without further focus on the negatives I was dealing with, here’s some photos I took.

Keeping On, Part 2: Recharging

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In part 1, I wrote about how routines can help build a foundation for action and growth. I continue striving to do that as I have for the last year plus. But some days I’m just not feeling it. Today was one of those days. I was very tired and didn’t have much positive interaction through my day. Actually, I didn’t have a lot of interaction at all. I had to get some groceries. Not my favorite chore. Still, I did all the usual stuff: feeding the critters, watering plants, devotions and all that after work and the grocery store, and checking in on my mom via text. Still, it was a nice warm late summer day and I managed to take a short walk around the neighborhood after dinner. I plan to do more of that. It’s good to be familiar with your surroundings.

Funny thing is, I didn’t plan on a walk and I haven’t been doing that. So, something new sprung up even on a day when I was just going through the motions, emotionally. I have thought about walking around here recently, but didn’t get around to it. So, I guess my subconscious nudged me where I needed to go. I’ll continue to enjoy walks at parks and other places, but walking near home is a nice way to take a breather.

Isolation is not good for our mental health, so get out there and do stuff, whatever that might be. Not every day is a thrill and we can’t feel joyful or excited 100% of the time, but by keeping on, you can make the mediocre days nothing more than that. Mediocre is way better than depressing or discouraging, and you’ll be back to joyful or at least content that much sooner because you kept up the stuff you have control over.

Hey, look at that! Tomorrow is Hump Day already. Things are moving. Keep on being you, keep on being, keep on doing, keep on.