bill ashlock

planting and learning in the ordinary. doing more with what is already here.

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Deepest Desire. As a homeowner buried in an extended remodelling project, my hopes and dreams have become tactical and immediate. It is hard to see beyond the phase at hand, the plan of work for today and tomorrow. Everything is about the immediate!
https://t.co/u1tpzfU2a0

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Identity. With decades of travel, changing responsibilities, and a relentless focus on climbing the next mountain, slowing down to take care of oneself is a new experience. I have a new home base. I wake up in the morning to...
https://t.co/FVbpxX4ni4

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Sight. I asked a direct question to an individual living in Tennessee: “Do you know anything about grits?” The blank face gave away the answer before any words were formed. “No, not really. I do not think I like grits.”
https://t.co/qc7aHlPcG8

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Awareness. I love watching coffee awareness grow within individuals enjoying a cup. Initially, many assume that all coffees are the same. Commercial versus estate, one location versus another, high altitude versus low, one roaster versus another.
https://t.co/fX44g1nz5r

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Solutions. Certain solutions are beyond my understanding. Any HVAC-related (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) is clearly outside my comfort zone. I recognise the major elements with a major caveat – problem-solving is not included!
https://t.co/Omgt6qpDve

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Speed. Returning to the US and Tennessee came with an unexpected change. Amid more people pushing beyond right up to and beyond the posted speed limits, even beyond Gulf Country behavioural norms, I found myself slowing down. It was a strange realisation,
https://t.co/k8b8VNNgpD

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Ego. For me, selective experience naturally gives birth to a larger, more confident ego. Time is often the filter that gently washes out the failures, ignorance, and shortcomings. What is left is a strong belief in one’s abilities and all that goes with...
https://t.co/37kwIbM1TE

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Epics. I have seven medical-related apps on my phone, probably more. My activity is evaluated, my Dr visits logged, and the full lifecycle of my prescriptions can be found if you know where to look. Each story within the apps reveals part of my story.
https://t.co/1YM6HB745r

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Endurance. It had been a long time since we had last spoken face-to-face. I struggled to remember how long it had been, mostly because it felt as if we had just been together. There was a natural rhythm to our conversation; nothing was rushed...
https://t.co/1RoVGthziA

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Fresh. The fresh flavours of oats, strawberries, butter, cream, and a touch of honey were a wakeup call for me this morning. Everything came together in harmony and indulgence. As I savoured each mouthful...
https://t.co/sDkMovpzst

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Markers. I was travelling on a quiet Tennessee road, knowing I was exactly where I needed to be. I do not always know this feeling with confidence. Frequently, life is chaotic, challenging, and stormy. ...I appreciate...

https://t.co/IHhOBw8avI

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Old to New. As we sat on the runway in a traffic jam of Emirates planes jostling for take-off priority, I knew I was in a transition. It was more than just escaping the war, though this was true. It was more than... https://t.co/hdshUexNao

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Starting Point. Everything in my life has a starting point. My definition of this line in the sand is the moment it leaves all that is within and moves into the physical world. I recognise that much work precedes the physical manifestation...
https://t.co/K1lMacIp1s

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Hat. My hat rested on my coat as I sipped my morning coffee. The Tanzanian Ngila beans took me to an old, familiar place filled with the laughter and smiles of children, endless optimism for the future, and curiosity about the present...
https://t.co/zyTg8sGdVJ

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Genuine. I love the options available in the Emirates, especially when it comes to dates and figs. Our favourite store in the fruit and vegetable market has sourced genuine examples that redefine what one’s experience in enjoying these items can be...
https://t.co/seehJM0FlQ

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Early Days. Good ideas always seem so promising. Sometimes, good things happen, albeit more slowly than anyone imagined at the time. On other occasions, the early promise fades with time, eventually losing its connection to purpose and impact...
https://t.co/M8X9Dy3muR

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Awareness. The picture on the wall next to our table at the restaurant was both fun and haunting. I enjoyed the artist’s expression because it created multiple links to emotions within me. I felt as if I were looking into a mirror of myself when...
https://t.co/QBSrgLvxsU

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Embrace. Southern cooking is, to me, comfort food. Memories of my Aunt Jo, Grandmother, Mom, and others flood my senses when anything with a southern twist is on the menu. After enjoying fried pickled okra and fried dill pickles, I turned to the...
https://t.co/GRThlNsNXt

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Purity. The sparkling water was courtesy of the house. I sat in a quiet booth waiting for my colleagues to join me. When a waitress asked me a question, I realised I had been quietly reflecting in the deepest part of my soul. I wondered how...Divinity...
https://t.co/QTYjLIiafy

[bill ashlock @ashlock]

Spread. I was excited. We were headed to one of my favourite restaurants, family-owned and always making you feel welcome. As I turned the corner, the building was covered in scaffolding, and everything was dark. It was time to reset plans and options...
https://t.co/VdC0xVGTMh