Monthly Archives: July 2021
More Paper Art – Dogs
Filed under paper art, paper mache
Dumbbells
Today is DAY 2 of working with weights in addition to doing my daily yoga practice. Monday went well, though I had to push myself to do 10 repetitions of each exercise on my list. I wasn’t sore yesterday, and that was encouraging.
Today I AM sore, and that shows me my body noticed I did something out of the ordinary. That also tells me I need it and will do it again this morning. I’m planning to do the weights (5 lb weights) 3 times a week, MW&F and see how I do with that. I will add more exercises and more reps as I can.
I feel good that I’m trying to get stronger.
Filed under exercise
“Emu” Refurbishing Project
If you look carefully here, you can see 4 “emu” planters. (We actually have 2 more on our deck, but that will be a different project.) We have faux terra cotta flower pots that fit in the circle parts of the birds.
There is a combination of dirt, mold and ‘whatever all over them. It will take quite a bit of cleaning before I can even THINK of starting to repaint them.
There are detachable heads, necks, and then the legs come off the circular part that holds the pots. The wings and tail feathers are welded onto the circles. Googly eyes are glued onto the heads. Some of them have plain ‘head feathers,’ and others have beads glued onto them.
You can turn the heads so they “pose”. Usually we turn them so they all look toward the driveway – all looking at whoever is driving up to see us.
It will probably take several days to clean them. I’ll take pics of them when they are back in place beside the driveway.
Filed under Lewis Art, Lewis projects, Lewis yard art, lost in translation
Feel the Love
Filed under love
Stefano Furlani Stone Art
Stefano Furlani – Stone Art – designyoutrust.com
Filed under Stone/Pebble Art
Sassy “Belly Vested Whapadoo”
This “refurbishment” (Is that a word?) took a lot of time and effort.
While I was cleaning him, his head fell off! My husband welded it back on, but that added to the difficulty of trying to refurbish him, with huge black ‘burns’ around his neck.
I managed to clean that up, as you can see here, and then I put styrofoam stuff in a gap between the two layers of his ‘neck” to discourage wasps from nesting in there. Finally, I added a bandana.
We used to have him wired to a tree. We moved him to this spot, putting his tail feather between the spokes of the tower. This should hold him nicely.
I’m glad to see him with his ‘sass” back.
Filed under Lewis Art, Lewis projects, Lewis yard art
Happy Elephant Ears
I have elephant ear plants in three places in our yard – one main planter and then two where I really didn’t expect them to come up and thrive. This one sprouted up about a week ago. I had honestly forgotten I planted this one. I’m delighted.
This one is in one of the tall brick planters on either side of our front porch.
This is the main planter. There are three plants here. They seem to be happy and thriving!
Filed under Gardening
Embarrassed
I’m embarrassed and relieved at the same time.
I was out in the shop cleaning our “emu” yard critters. My husband came out and said, “You have to come. The garage door is on fire.”
I leaped up, trying to get my head on straight about what I needed to do. I asked my husband if he had called the fire department. He said “no.” He said the alarm was going off. I asked him if it was the smoke alarm or the burglar alarm. He didn’t know.
Long story shorter. we’re fine.
My husband has had a series of small strokes starting in 2019. Most of the time he’s his usual ornery self. Sometimes he has confusion. He has a lot of irritability. He has a bit of trouble talking – sometimes more than others. He was taking a nap and the alarm went off. He came to get me.
I got the alarm to be quiet. The display said the garage door had been breached. The garage door was completely open, as it usually is this time of day. No fire. My husband then told me that ADT had called. I asked what he told them. He said he told them to “___ off.” When my mouth dropped open, he said, “I told them we didn’t have a problem.” I clarified – so no one is coming? He said, “no.”
He went back to his chair to try to sleep. I came into my office. All of a sudden, the driveway alarm was going off. I went to the garage, but then heard our front door bell ringing. I ran to the front. It was a policeman.
I went outside to talk to him, embarrassed. ADT had sent him out because whoever had answered the phone was ‘surly’ and unable to provide the verbal code. I explained our situation briefly and apologized again for wasting his time. He was very nice. I was embarrassed, but kind of relieved that if we HAD had a problem, ADT would have called the police and they would have come out. Nice to know.
When I went back in, my husband wanted to know who was here. I explained that ADT had sent the police when he couldn’t give them the verbal code on the phone. He waved his hand at me, waving off the problem. I told him what the code was again, and will do so again this evening. He was more interested in telling me he thought the cat, who gets up on top of the open garage door, had probably set off the system. That may well be true. I’m not at all sure what we need to do about THAT…
Filed under Challenges
Refurbishing Progress
I’ve been working on the “Belly Vested Whapado” bird for several days now. He’s finally finished and will find his spot in the yard later today. We’ll have to tie him to something wherever he lives, because he needs the extra help, but I’ll take some pics and post them later.
Next up will be a set of 4 “emus’ we built to hold planter pots. There are actually 6 emus in the set. 4 live together to the side of the driveway and and there are 2 more that live on our deck. We haven’t brought the other 2 in yet. Pics to follow on these, as well.
There are some yard critters that I plan to refurbish in place. One is the robot who welcomes people to our home and holds our house numbers sign. He weighs 200+ pounds. I’ll do him in stages, first cutting the greenery away around him, then using a mold remover to get him clean, and then bringing a large can of white paint and a brush to the bottom of the driveway in our truck. I will also use rust preventing spray paint on him, masking areas carefully.
I noticed the ‘Mama and Baby Snail’ that live on one of the brick planters needs to be repainted, and a shovel bird that perches on the edge needs work, too. Right now I am refusing to even THINK about the ‘Flying Pig’ that hangs over the driveway. :0)
I’ll go out to the shop soon and take some pics.
Filed under Lewis Art, Lewis projects, Lewis yard art
Day 10 – Additions
Today is DAY 10 of my renewed efforts to lose the lard. My weight loss is not impressing anyone. In fact, my body seems to be staging a real effort to keep every bit of poundage. However, my exercise efforts are going well and I’m feeling better, even though frustrated by the scales.
Starting today I’m making two additions –
- I’ll drink TWO bottles of water each day, rather than the one. (If nothing else, this will increase my ‘steps’ running to the bathroom :0) )
- I’m adding some exercises with 5 pound weights Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I’ll start out slowly, since it’s been essentially forever since I’ve used them. I’m doing well with my yoga practice and am beginning to feel looser after my practice, even though I’m stiff and sore when I start.
Filed under DIET!, exercise, taking care of yourself
Never Stop
“Marriage is an alliance entered into by a man who can’t sleep with the window shut, and a woman who can’t sleep with the window open.” ~ George Bernard Shaw
“Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other who never forgets them.” ~ Ogden Nash
“Marriage resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing anyone who comes between them.” ~ Sydney Smith
Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then. Katharine Hepburn
The concept of two people living together for 25 years without a serious dispute suggests a lack of spirit only to be admired in sheep. A. P. Herbert
Punny Signs from Indian Hills
Indian Hills Colorado – Punny Signs
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, punny
L. Roche Art
Filed under animal paintings, L. Roche - artmajeur.com
Did I Tell You?
I LOVE baby elephants!
Filed under Amazing Animals, Awe-Inspiring Photography
Diet-Exercise Report for the Week
Today is DAY 9 of my yoga-water-raw veggies snack regimen.
This week was a wash-out on losing the lard, though. We splurged one meal, trying out the new Waffle House in Greenwood. I gained 1.5 lbs. I spent the rest of the week losing that. So I’m back to where I was at the begging of the week. UGH.
Tomorrow I will add some exercises with 5 lb dumbbells to my regimen – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I will ease into this slowly and carefully because I haven’t done work with weights for a LONG time.
I’m hoping that at the end of NEXT week, I’ll be able to tell you I’m making progress in losing the lard.
At least I will ‘keep on keepin’ on.’
Independence Day 2021
We had a quiet celebration yesterday. Last night our wonderful neighbors in the valley put on a beautiful display of fireworks. They don’t know how much I look forward to it. :0)
Independence Day was my father’s favorite holiday. He used to get a whole double-armful of ‘ladyfingers’ that were all tied together. You were supposed to untie each one and set it off. My dad would light the one on one end, then throw the whole bunch into the yard. Each went off with a bang, making the whole bunch jump with non-stop bangs. The group jumped all over the yard by the time it was finished. He would stand there watching with a huge grin on his face.
He had a challenging couple of years the result of which was that his vision was mostly gone. (My mom laboriously copied the cryptoquote from the newspaper onto a huge piece of paper with a sharpie so that he could try to work it every day.)
In preparation for the holiday, he had bought the usual fireworks he loved, including some ones for after dark. My husband and I were dating, and we all had dinner together, my dad having grill chicken quarters outside. My husband picked up the mantle without a word, setting off the fireworks for all of us, having my dad ‘choose’ which one was next. Of course, the celebration started with the ladyfinger ‘detonation.’ We followed that with my favorite ‘snakes’ and ‘sparklers.’
Finally, my husband set off the night ones, one at a time, with my dad choosing the order. It was super hot that year, and I brought out a wet washcloth so my husband could mop his face. When the display was finished, my dad had tears quietly rolling down his face as he smiled. He stood up, put his hand out in thanks to my husband, then pulled him in for a hug.
If I hadn’t already decided my husband was the one, that would have sealed the deal.
Have a love-filled celebration today.
Thoughts on a Saturday 7-3-2021
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, Thoughts on a ________
Lorraine Corrigan – Paper Artist
Filed under paper art, paper mache
Mosaics
Filed under mosaic
God Bless the USA – Lee Greenwood
Our little town of Greenwood is celebrating Independence Day today. My husband and I steer clear of crowds, so we’ll stay home today. For many years I rented a spot on the square to sell my wares. I met a lot of nice people doing that, happy to see so many people out with their kids, having a good time. The city also puts on a fireworks display.
Happily, our neighbor down in the valley behind us usually sets off a bunch, too, so I can enjoy my “own, private fireworks display”, sitting on my porch with my feet up, coffee cup in hand.
This year is confusing. Greenwood – and I guess many other places – celebrating the holiday today. The actual holiday is tomorrow. Will people get the day off on Monday?
When I first heard this song, chills ran up and down my spine. My heart was in my throat as I listened. The chills continued throughout. This song says everything, as far as I’m concerned. I still get chills. I hope you enjoy it, too.
A Heart-filled Independence Day – whenever and wherever you are celebrating.
Lard Accountability
I gained 1.5 lbs after eating the delicious Hashbrown Bowl with Sausage, Egg, and Cheese at the new Waffle House in Greenwood. Lesson: NEXT time order ONE bowl and TWO plates, and give most of the hashbrowns to my husband.
That said, it’s the first of July (basically) so I decided to measure and see where I am on my efforts to lose the lard.
From my heaviest, I am down a bit over 27 pounds and 26.2 inches. I am on DAY 7 of my new regimen of doing a session of yoga daily, drinking a bottle of water, and eating a snack (if I need one) of raw veggies and a bit of dip.
PLANS-
- Keep on keepin’ on
- Add some work with weights starting next week, MW&F
- NOT beat myself up for having one splurge meal, even though it will take time to get that added weight off.
- Try to fine tune my eating so I’m not unconsciously adding calories I don’t need.
- Measure again August 2nd and record
- Take one day at a time, making goals for the week to give myself direction
Filed under Acting Like a Grownup, Attitude, DIET!, exercise
Nailia Schwarz – 5
Awww – Baby Elephants
Filed under Amazing Animals
Eater’s Remorse
I had a Waffle House Hashbrown Bowl with Sausage, Egg, and Cheese for lunch today. My husband also had one.
Waffle House Sausage, Egg & Cheese Hashbrown Bowl Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 order | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 921 | |
| Calories From Fat | 540 | |
| Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat | 60g | 92% |
Can we all say, “oh, that was delicious, but, UGH!” together?
If we go to the Waffle House again, I will find something without the hashbrowns, or we’ll order ONE bowl and then two plates. Or, better yet, “I” can have a grilled chicken salad. You can ask for the salad dressing on the side and no croutons for a lower fat and carb salad.
Needless to say, I had a nap this afternoon and still feel really sluggish.
Back on the horse tomorrow….
Filed under DIET!
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