Month: May 2016

Reading List

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In August The Better Half and I will attend Brian Buffini’s Mastermind Summit. This is an event we attend together annually for two and one half days. It is a bonding time for us to set goals, grow, think and learn. We find inspiration from not only the presenters but the attendees and each other.

In preparation I will begin reading prior to the event. Two of the recommended books authors will be presenting. Much of the material we receive will have been inspired by these three books. Besides now that Ru Paul’s drag race is over reading will give me evening activities.

Reading materials

Reading materials

Time for me to learn and for Fearsome to grow.

One thing we learned from Ru Paul’s newly crowned winner and the next drag superstar, Bob The Drag Queen, is always…always enter Beard First!

Perspective

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image

Through experience I have found that it’s easy to become overwhelmed. I take this opportunity to remind myself that there is opportunity in everything. I just have to remain open and then …only then …will I see opportunity.

I never ever need to drown.

The Realness

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Ru Paul does it again

Fearsome is on Team Kim Chi.

#TEAMKIMCHI

#TEAMKIMCHI

I have to admit that so am I.

Tomorrow is the final episode of Season 8 Ru Paul’s Drag Race. It’s been a great season and all three finalists are amazing. However Kim Chi caught our eye before the season started and when episode 1 hit airwaves we were ecstatic to see Kim Chi was a contestant.

She has not disappointed. She is truly an artist of illusion.

Widows

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I just killed another one out in the garage. I guess it’s time to bring out the big guns again.

Widows? Yes I kill them. I have absolutely no use for the pesky things. Face it…those damn widows are just a pain in the ass. They jump out of nowhere and scare the bejesus out of you. Always lurking around in dark corners all by themselves. Creepy. Yes widows are just plain creepy beings. I say we rid ourselves of all of them. Southern California seems to attract widows like moths to a flame. I just don’t know where they all come from. Maybe they come over from our neighbor Arizona.

Exterminate the Widows! All of ’em!

Wait, you think I’m talking about someone’s grandma don’t you? Hell no …I love old lady human widows. I’m talking about widow spiders. Why widow spiders are as common around here as fleas on a stray dogs back.

from Wikipedia:

Latrodectus is a genus of spider in the big spider family Theridiidae, most of which are commonly known as widow spiders. The genus contains 31 recognized species[2] distributed worldwide, including the North American black widows (L. mactans, L. hesperus, and L. variolus), the button spiders of Africa, and the Australian redback. Species vary widely in size. In most cases the females are dark-colored and readily identifiable by reddish hourglass-shaped markings on the abdomen.

The venomous bite of these spiders is considered particularly dangerous because of the neurotoxin latrotoxin, which causes the condition latrodectism, both named for the genus. The female black widow has unusually large venom glands and its bite can be particularly harmful to humans. However, despite the genus’ notoriety, Latrodectus bites are rarely fatal. Only female bites are dangerous to humans.

The well known Black Widow

The well known Black Widow

Ok now that I’ve freaked Dr. Spo out I’ll fill you in on a few widow spider tidbits. Above is the most well known Black Widow. In these here parts the Black Widow is actualy rare in comparison to It’s cousin the Brown Widow. I’ve literally gone out to spray the front steps and had up to fifty brown widows gasping for air and convulsing on the stretch of steps from the door to the street in one spraying.

Brown Widow Spider

Brown Widow Spider

The brown widows vary in color from almost black to translucent tan to every shade of brown in between. They all have the classic bright orange to red hour glass marking on their bellies as well as the long jointed leg structure. Both the black and brown are very recognizable spiders as their look is quite unique. Both have virtually identical body structures just different colored slick leather like skin.

Widow spiders are actually very timid beings. They do not come after you. If you disturb their web they run and hide. You rarely actually see one. I know I need to spray when their webs start appearing. Humans and animals are rarely bitten. So while yes they are poisonous, bites are extremely rare. Their bites, while dangerous, are more painful than anything else as they are rarely fatal to humans and most animals. When I do encounter one, they are running away. Widows also do not care for the interior of homes. So while I may have a population explosion outside, in my 24 years in this 96 year old house with all its cracks we have yet to ever encounter even a tale tale sign of one inside.

The widow web is instantly recognizable. They are usually close to the ground. They typically angle down to ground from the foundation, patio furniture, steps or plants. They are an erratic mess of strings that are incredibly sticky.

Sticky erratic Widow web.

Sticky erratic Widow web, usually these are low and between a building or structural plant and the ground.

Often Widow webs will have several of these spiked white egg sacs.

Often Widow webs will have several of these spiked white egg sacs.

Widow Spiders are common throughout many regions. So be aware as they are poisonous but will only bite if cornered and provoked. They are very timid and very scared of you. Learn the web as that’s how you will know if they are in your garden or outdoor buildings.

….Oh and if you are reading this just prior to bedtime, sweet dreams!

 

Damn good

/ fearsomebeard / 11 Comments

Fearsome is ecstatic. His new Whisker Dam arrived in our mailbox today.

Whisker Dam

Whisker Dam

Fearsome’s mustache has been on the grow of recent. You see after Fearsome’s big trim last fall we decided to return to growth over mistakenly perceived necessity for a conforming conservative look. We also decided to let his mustache grow into its glory as well, with no unnecessary trimming. You know…big beard AND big ‘stache…

Beverage challenging Fearsome 'stache

Beverage challenging Fearsome ‘stache

After stumbling upon the Whisker Dam and reading a couple reviews I decided to treat us to one and see if this thing might really work. We are happy to report that yes the Whisker Dam is a mightly fine product. No more coffee stains all down the front of my shirt. Why we might even dare to wear white again, on occasion, now that we have one of these fabulous thingys.

If you are a hirsute fellow like ourselves, or just a plain old pogoniac, we highly recommend clicking HERE to go over to the Whisker Dam website and pick up one for yourself.

As they say on their website, “It’s like an umbrella for your face”.

Another day

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I live today, to die another day.

I choose to live today, therefore I will not die today. In choosing to live, I am choosing to postpone death to another day.

I’ve  heard the quote that if you aren’t growing, you are dying. I can’t recall the source but I’ve heard it.

Fearsome Beard, the blog, was started to further my growth.

I believe that when one shares, one gives. When one gives one receives.

I have learned much from others through their sharing their own introspection. Thus through my own introspection I grow as well. Sharing that introspection contemplation may help me grow even further, as it touches others and enriches myself.

Death can be the physical. Death may also be emotional, spiritual or mental. Death isn’t necessarily just the life force in the body. Death can be many things.

Today I will live. Some other day I will die. My focus will not be on that other day as I live in the present. Today I live.

One day I will die. It’s the cycle that is life, the Merry-Go-Round we all ride. Today is not yet that day. That day is another day.