Me vs. AI: Record-Breaking Heat and Mother Nature’s Beauty (The title could also read: Me Against Goliath.)
The Experiment
After completing the research for my last blog, a friend suggested trying AI. A quick Google search returned an overwhelming number of options — so the third one down the list seemed as good a place to start as any. Copying and pasting my blog to their site was effortless, but what happened next was nothing short of astonishing. The transformation took place in seconds. Before my eyes had fully adjusted to the screen, the work was already done — my entire piece rewritten in less than a minute.
The first thought that came to mind: Wow. This is unbelievable.
But when the blog was read back, it was polished. Nearly perfect. Reading the new words over and over made it feel like they were always mine. Pride swelled — not the quiet kind.
When it was read aloud to Mike, he went straight to the point: “You don’t need an editor. Use AI.”
The Secret
A conscious decision was made: tell no one.
The daily Bible verse shared in the video — the one reminding everyone to read the blog — made no mention of any change. Not a word to the audience. Not a word to the editor.
When the review session came, there was almost nothing to correct. A deleted comma here and there, but nothing significant. And yet, the whole time, a quiet weight was building — the dread of what had to come next.
Dear Lord, I can’t do this to her. She’s a personal friend. How — how, Lord — am I going to tell her?
The title could also read: me against Goliath.
The Bubble Burst
Still somewhere high in the atmosphere, a text message arrived from son Mikos: “Did you use AI?”
The reply: “Why?”
Like a balloon punctured mid-air, the ego came crashing down. Will others know? Dear Lord, what doors have I opened?
Later that week, confidants Jo, Helen, and Sarah were called and asked to read the blog. Their verdict was immediate — these weren’t the usual words. Not the familiar style. Guilt moved in and made itself at home.
Dinner
Over an enchilada dinner with the family, Mikos was asked what he really thought.
“Well, Mom — are you perfect? Because the writing was too perfect.”
In the silence of the mind: Pretty near perfect. A laugh covered the rest.
Then Sonja offered her two cents: “You can use AI, but you need to guide it with your own words.”
Another silent reply: Really? It was through the grace of God that any of this happened at all.
Record-Breaking Heat
In 2025, the entire month of March was what we love about our state — the weather was in the mid-70s. Not this year! This year we are walking in sandals, putting on sunscreen, and running our air conditioners!
Belen De Leon (local Los Angeles meteorologist) said the current high-pressure system is extending very high into the atmosphere, “more like something you’d see in the middle of the summer.”
“[The high-pressure system] is very tall. So, the taller and the stronger that high pressure system is, the more air it pushes down,” she said. “And, when air sinks, it warms and it compresses. When that air compresses, it heats up. Plus, we’ve got clear skies, wall-to-wall sunshine — that’s what causes the temperatures to climb so quickly during the day.”
De Leon said the biggest issue with this system is that it’s not budging.
By Monica Garske
The Upside of Scorching Heat: Roses and Hummingbirds
Every morning I wake up to more roses! So many that I’m running low on vases! Honestly, it’s like summer — a bumper crop of beautiful blooms.
Mike is using a new, environmentally safe treatment to protect them from aphids and all the other pests that attack our roses.
Roses for the Blessed Mother Mary
Our Blessed Mother Mary loves roses, and in many of her apparitions she appears with them. I, too, am a rose lover — nothing can compare to the scent of a rose. When the scent of roses fills a room, it gives us a glimpse of what heaven has in store.
Although I was not born with a green thumb, I repurpose all my banana peels and eggshells. If it’s late at night, I toss the banana peels into a flower pot. The next morning, Mike discovers that I missed by a long shot — the peels landed on the concrete instead.
I microwave and crush the eggshells, then scatter them throughout my garden. Last week, I wanted to make sure my orange tree received some nourishing eggshells. As I bent down to scatter them, I made eye contact with the most beautiful nesting hummingbird. We respectfully greeted each other, and I asked the tiny feathered creature if I could take her photo. She graciously agreed.
The Eggshells
After examining the photos of both nests, I noticed that the hummingbirds actually used the recycled eggshells I had scattered in the garden! Is it possible that Mother Nature in all her glory allowed me to be part of the nest-building process? Nonetheless, I am happy to contribute.
My Prayer
Dear Lord, in Jeremiah 29:11, Your word says that You have a plan for me. I thank You for opening my spirit to truth and redirecting my path.
The Egg Shells
My Prayer
You are the center of our world, and, as imperfect as it is today, Your Word tells me that You are in control (Psalm 103:19). I pray for all the ungodly disruptions we are currently enduring. Be with all those who are fighting for our freedom, and bring them safely back home. Lord, I pray for an end to this war.
Let Your peace prevail. Amen.