Category Archives: Thoughts on a ________

May 2, 2023 · 11:07 am

Tuesday Thoughts 5-2-2023

“Dorky Dogs” – BoredPanda.com – Liucija Adomaite and Justinas Keturka

This picture made me laugh out loud. I have no clue what’s on the other side of the fence, but they’re sure interested. :0)

I have a new lease on life this morning. A package arrived from Amazon with new jeans and a top. This is usually not a cause for “celebration,” but I’ve gained some weight recently and my jeans have become too tight for any comfort at all. I now have some with elastic at the top, rather than a zipper and button, so I’m sitting here comfortably for the first time in quite awhile.

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I told you, though, that I’m trying really hard not to eat anything in-between meals. I’ve lost 4 of the pounds I gained so far. I’m determined to keep doing this. We were up in the middle of the night (Imagine that!) last night, and my husband asked if I wanted him to make us hot chocolate. Oh, wow. I said, “Yes, but no thank you.” I’m patting myself on the head just a bit. :0)

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I’m also doing my yoga sessions daily, albeit more slowly and carefully than I was previously, in an effort to try to relax, stretch out, alleviate some pain and stiffness, etc. I’m putting silver sparkly stars on my desk calendar, earning two stars per day the last few days. If I can keep this up, I’ll be delighted.

I’m heading out to my tomato planters now to see what they need. I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday.

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April 30, 2023 · 9:38 am

Sunday Thoughts 4-30-2023

Smit Creation.com

This last day of April here is sunny and bright – something we have had little of, so it’s really welcome. It finally was dry enough – and my husband was feeling well enough – for him to mow around the house for the first time this season. He has a nice riding mower and he did a great job, so we look reasonably civilized right now :0)

We will have to drive slowly down the driveway soon, stopping for me to hold, and my husband to clip/cut/saw branches that are now hanging down in the driveway on both sides, making it almost like a tunnel to go down or come up. It looks kind of pretty, if you don’t have to worry about the branches scratching your vehicle…

Yesterday was a “2-Star” day because I

  • Didn’t eat anything in-between meals or add salt to anything, and
  • Did a 45 minute session of very careful yoga stretches. It’s been awhile since I’ve done my practice, and I was really stiff and sore. (It took over a minute for my back to stop hurting when I just lay down flat on the floor, for example). I find that I’m a hard-head and slow to learn on some things. I’m proving to myself – yet again – how much I need a daily session of stretching and relaxing to feel my best.

I just came in from checking the garden boxes and the tomato plants. All are looking good, and I’ll share pics in another post today.

I hope that this last day of April is a good one for you.

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April 29, 2023 · 9:03 am

Another Soggy Day 4-29-2023

Many Pets

The rain continues. It started in again yesterday and rained pretty much all day and evening, so I didn’t go check on the garden plants. I’m hoping that it will clear up this afternoon so I can at least see that things are still going okay out there.

The Paducah Sun

We saw our first pair of hummingbirds at the feeder yesterday! I would have missed them if I hadn’t been in the kitchen refilling my coffee cup. We’ve had the feeder out for a week or so because my brother-in-law sent my husband a video of several hummingbirds at their feeder and we were feeling quite envious. It’s early here for them, as we usually don’t see them until May, but we were hopeful. I saw one try to stop at the feeder and the second one dive-bomb the first and then they were gone.

The Cozy Cook

Since it’s been cool and rainy with intermittent severe weather threats, I made us a comfort food dinner of beef stew in the crock pot. We had a nice bowl of it and had enough to freeze for a couple more meals.

My husband is finally starting to feel a bit better. We went to a couple of places in town yesterday and he was completely exhausted afterwards, taking a long nap in his chair when we got back. He slept well, though, last night and said he thinks ‘a couple more days’ and he’ll feel like himself again. I predict a little more recovery time than that, but I’m SO glad he’s on the mend. :0)

Have a wonderful Saturday!

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April 28, 2023 · 1:18 pm

The Gang was All There!

The core bunch for Lunch Bunch was there today for the first time in awhile. I commemorated the occasion by taking a couple of pics quickly. This is Patty, Linda, Kay and Bud.

And the gentleman at the far end of the table is my husband, Harvey.

It was good to catch up on things. Patty and her husband will celebrate their 40th anniversary with a trip to Greece soon! I told her that they ‘had a good start now.’ :0) I think that Kay and Bud have been married about as long as we have (54 years in June), and Linda lost her husband, Dick, several years ago now.

We went to the library book sale right after Lunch Bunch and saw another long time good friend, Martha. She was helping her daughter run the sale. I hugged her neck. We agreed that trying to age gracefully was sometimes more of a challenge than either of us could handle, but that the effort was probably character-building.

After a quick trip to Walmart, we’re home for the day. The trip was a bit too long for my husband. He’s resting now and will probably take a nap after he finishes looking at the new magazines he got in the mail.

Beef stew tonight for dinner, a check of the garden stuff, a yoga session, and that’s our day.

I hope you’re having a good one.

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April 28, 2023 · 9:19 am

It’s Friday! 4-28-2023

ebaum’s world

It’s not actively raining right now. We’re supposed to get more tonight and tomorrow. I wonder if I start singing, “Here Comes the Sun” the weather will improve or Mother Nature will send me a tornado to protest.

NatGeo

My husband is feeling enough better this morning and he’s going to come to Lunch Bunch with me for the first time in 3 weeks! Hooray! I’m not sure if we’ll go to the grocery after that or not yet. We’ll play it by ear, depending on how he’s doing.

When we get back, if it’s not raining I’ll get out and check on my veggie boxes and tomato planters to see how the sweet plants are. I’ll try to take some pics to share.

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Nothing big planned for today, but it’s celebration mode that my husband is feeling a bit better. :0)

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April 27, 2023 · 9:16 am

Sigh

Weather Station Advisor

Mother Nature has her rain song on loop replay this week. The rain is supposed to be harder today, with thunderstorms.

We’re in Greenwood, just southeast of Fort Smith, the name almost hidden by the green blobs on this radar image. Those are to be replaced by some yellow blobs later today, but hopefully, NOT the orange or red ones.

We haven’t gotten any more hail. I’m hoping that my tomato plants and veggie plants in my garden boxes are doing okay. We arranged for a lot of drainage, so hopefully they’ll be all right.

All this rain makes me lazy (as if I needed any excuse :0) ) I’ve just been concentrating on taking care of my husband and staying warm and dry.

We’ve been force-ably reminded yet again that we are back in a previous century with our tastes. We’ve been members of Netflix for a long time. We opted for the DVDs since our rural Internet wasn’t up to the task of streaming. They again gave us that option, and though we are able now to stream, we still prefer the DVDs. Now they’ve taken that option away, discontinuing the DVD service, so we HAVE to go for the streaming option or simply stop the service.

Yesterday we spent half the day trying to make the switchover. They added insult to injury telling us how ‘easy’ it was to make the switch. My husband had cancelled our previous service in a huff over them stopping the DVD shipments, so it made the process less than ‘easy.’ He also got confused about them sending code. I finally took over most of the process, getting it to show on his computer. We needed to also have it on our TV, and that was a whole ‘nother’ process, but my husband was finally able to enter our password in the living room and actually watch a movie last night. So, we continue kicking, screaming and dragging our feet into the new century.

I hope YOU don’t need to kick and scream to enjoy your day. Stay warm and dry.

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April 26, 2023 · 10:20 am

Wednesday Thoughts 4-26-2023

“Dorky Dogs” – BoredPanda.com – Liucija Adomaite and Justinas Keturka

We’re having a quiet, wet day here, and apparently the off and on sogginess (is that a word?) will continue through tomorrow, at least. Sigh. It was raining fairly heavily when we got back from errands yesterday, so we just left the trash can at the road at the bottom of the driveway. The next time we go out we’ll see if we can get it re-tethered at the pole up the driveway a bit.

I wouldn’t describe myself as a “country-music-aholic,” but I’ve been listening to a lot of artists I’ve never heard before through the reaction channels on YouTube and I’ve found some incredibly moving songs and terrific voices. I’ve also discovered the kindness of some of the country singers that restores my faith in humanity. I get overwhelmed by ugliness in the world around us occasionally, and I’m turning to music more and more to show me there is a “good-bit-of-good” in the world yet. :0)

We just started April and it’s almost gone. It used to be that writing checks for bills kept me straight on the day of the week, month of the year, and which year we were in. Now that I pay almost everything electronically, I can’t get used to the month and I’m into the next. My hair blows with the time whizzing past.

Lately Amber, our yellow lab, celebrates our turning the TV off by going to the corner of the room where her toys lie in a basket and bringing out one at a time, presenting it to each of us, ACTING like she wants us to throw it, but ACTUALLY wanting to play tug-o-war. By the time the evening is over, ALL of the toys are strewn over the living room carpet. I’m getting a bit of exercise as I have to bend over to retrieve each one and take it to the basket. (Do you supposed she might be trying to send me a message?)

I hope that your Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 is a nice one.

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April 25, 2023 · 9:31 am

Feeling Lethargic

“Dorky Dogs” – BoredPanda.com – Liucija Adomaite and Justinas Keturka

We’re leaving in a bit for my husband’s haircut. We may go for some supplies, but it’ll depend on how my husband is feeling after sitting for the haircut. His back is still an issue.

We’ll get our mail and re-tether our trash can to the pole up our steep driveway. We’re due for rain starting sometime this afternoon and continuing off and on through Thursday.

I hope that wherever you are, you’re safe from the wrath of Mother Nature, somewhere warm and dry and cozy.

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April 24, 2023 · 10:10 am

A Perfect Morning?

“Dorky Dogs” – BoredPanda.com – Liucija Adomaite and Justinas Keturka

I feel that chewing on the edge of a table might help me deal with the frustration I’m feeling this morning.

Madeleine Jacobs

One of my pet peeves is medicine ‘protected’ by child-proof caps. I understand that this is necessary if you have young children, grandchildren, etc. who might gain access. I try to avoid this and get the ‘unsafe’ version when I can, but sometimes they don’t MAKE one.

This morning I was trying to open a new bottle of Miralax. The top says, “Push Down and Turn” with an arrow. I did that and DID that and it wouldn’t open. I gave the bottle to my husband, who did that and DID that and it wouldn’t open. He finally took his knife to it and got it open, demolishing the top, which you’re supposed to use as a measuring instrument. I tried to use the top that was left and the stuff dumped onto the dining area table. We ended up brushing off the table into the glass…. Oh, well.

My husband is having a more difficult day with his back hurting this morning. He is insisting he will help me gather the trash and take it down to the bottom of the driveway. “I” have a hard time on the gravel, trying to move the humongous trash can down from where we tether it down to the road where it is emptied tomorrow. I’m trying to figure out how to deal with my husband, with his injured back, not skidding on the gravel…

kazu91-Deviant art

Enough griping. The sun is shining. It’s 52 degrees with a lot of sunshine. We ate a ‘main meal salad’ last night made from the 1st harvest of our spring veggie garden with fresh head lettuce leaves and fresh spinach leaves in a chef-type salad. Delicious! :0)

ALS News

I got a notification on Twitter where I tweet about featured products from my Etsy site and my blog posts are posted, saying that they had placed a warning on my tweet due to ‘suggestive content,’ etc. They did that once before on a post titled, “Wet Wednesday.” This time they thought “Stuffing My Face” needed a warning. Hahahahahahahah. I told them it was about overeating, and suggested that they READ the post before slapping a warning on it.

Not sure what the day will hold, but it HAS to be better than it started.

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April 23, 2023 · 9:41 am

A Hug to Start a Sunday

I Can Has Cheezburger

Today is chilly, though beautiful, and we have rain chances Tuesday-Thursday this week. I’ll take it.

hayneedle.com

Yesterday I got three of the four planted veggie garden boxes weeded. I’m planning to finish today. It looks like I might be able to actually do my first spring harvest today!!!!

My husband’s back is a bit better. He got up before I did this morning and did some light, start-the-morning chores. He’s resting in his chair, reading now, and looks perkier today.

I told you awhile back that I’m enjoying ‘music-reaction’ videos on YouTube lately. People have started channels where they take suggestions on what they should listen and react to. The video shows both them and what they’re reacting to.

I have subscribed to ‘Sebs Duran’ where Sebs and his wife Ali are exploring country music together. He came from only listening to heavy metal type music and she has more eclectic tastes, though neither had much experience with the whole country genre. As they react to videos suggested by their subscribers, “I” am hearing several that are new to me, as well. I’m becoming much more of a country fan than I used to be. I’m amazed at the lyrics, the real expertise on the instruments, and the quality of voices I’m hearing. A delightful way to spend some time.

My favorite ‘reactor’ is The World Upside Right I don’t know his name, but I have subscribed and made sure that when he reacts to something, I’m notified so I don’t miss it. He has a really expressive face that lights up the room with joy. He also isn’t afraid to show that something really gets to him. His reactions are honest, real and raw. He takes the time to research, really wanting to know who he is listening to. Right now he and I (and probably several other people) are rooting for Iam Tongi to win the American Idol competition. :0) If you’re interested in this type of thing, you should check out his channel.

Enjoy your day!

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April 22, 2023 · 10:12 am

Dog Gone!

“Dorky Dogs” – BoredPanda.com – Liucija Adomaite and Justinas Keturka

I just love this photo. For some reason it makes me smile and feel happy.

Our tomato plants and veggie boxes came through the last storm intact, thank goodness. I don’t remember having much hail, except for maybe a small amount of hail you could hardly see or hear, in the past. The last two storms have really gotten our attention.

We watched in amazement as the hail came down storm before last, bouncing all over the yard. It looked like each hail ball bounced up about a foot after it hit initially.

The last storm the sound was so loud I almost had to cover my ears with my hands, and we heard a few loud cracks as big pieces hit. I wouldn’t have been surprised if it broke a window.

I’ll call on Monday to see if our insurance agent will come out and check us out for any damage, but I’ll make sure he knows that we aren’t priority. We can’t see any damage, but we can’t get up on the roof and check things out more closely as we used to.

Today it’s much cooler – the reason for the storms. We’re only supposed to have a high in the low 60’s, rather than the low 80’s we’ve been having. The sun is shining its face off. You’d never know Mother Nature has been so angry.

I spent all day and into the evening washing all the king-sized sheets I used to try to protect the plants. All are in a trash bag now, ready to be stored in the garage for the next storm. I really hope we’re getting to the end of all this. I’ll try not to gripe when the heat settles in for the summer, baking us, with no rain in sight. :0)

I’ll take some time later today to see more closely how the veggie planters are doing. I know I need to do some pruning and weeding – and might be able to bring in some lettuce and spinach leaves!

I hope you’re having a beautiful Saturday.

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April 21, 2023 · 9:18 am

Another ‘Morning After’

When this shows up on Twitter later, the censors will probably flag it for ‘inappropriate content’ and I’ll have to again speak to the fact that they should READ the content before deciding it’s questionable. (The last time was ‘Wet Wednesday’ where I was again speaking of storms and rain. :0) )

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The morning after – The severe weather we were expecting finally showed up yesterday evening. All of a sudden it was like being in the middle of a humongous, rushing waterfall, the hardest rain I can remember seeing, and then we had about 10 minutes or so of large hail. I’ll call our insurance agent later to see if we should be checked, but I’ll tell him that we can’t see any damage and to put us at the bottom of the list on getting to people.

I had spread clothes-pinned sheets over our tomato plants and the veggie boxes before the storms were due, so I had protected things as well as I was able and hoped for the best. I’ve just finished using the wheelbarrow to gather the clothespins and the heavy, wet sheets. Six loads of laundry later, I will fold the sheets up to be used again (though I hope not soon!)

DIY Value Picture

Today is Lunch Bunch. I’m hoping my husband will feel like going with me. I gave him my massage spot yesterday after contacting Lynn Moody, my wonderful massage therapist, to see if she thought she might be able to give him some relief. I’m delighted and relieved to report that she brought him the first almost pain-free day he’s had since he hurt himself. She did tell us that she thought he should get x-rays and see a chiropractor since the pain was in the middle of his lower back. (MAYBE he’ll listen). We’ll never be able to thank her enough.

I hope you have a great Friday.

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April 20, 2023 · 8:59 am

Massage and Storms

Quotir

Good morning!

We’re due for some possibly severe storms today, starting around noon and lasting throughout the evening. (We’re in Greenwood, which is southeast of Fort Smith on this weather map.) I just read that there will probably be hail again, so as soon as we get back from my husband’s massage, I’ll get the sheets out for the tomato plants and veggie boxes. Covering my plants with sheets, then taking them off, bringing them in, and washing them for next time is becoming my main exercise these days.

Best Accredited Colleges

We’ll leave soon for my husband’s massage. I’m sure hoping Lynn can give him some needed relief from the pain from his back injury. My main concern at the moment is helping him get up on the massage table and off again without too much pain. (He said our dog, Amber, went upstairs and lay down on the floor beside his side of the bed to wait for him to wake up this morning.)

I hope you stay safe from any bad stuff today.

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April 19, 2023 · 8:51 am

Windy Wednesday 4-19-2023

Cesar’s Way

We’re under a wind advisory today with possibly severe weather tomorrow afternoon and evening. The roller coaster ride continues. I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually rained a bit today, even though it’s not in the forecast. It looks rainy outside.

Yesterday I poured the ‘worm castings tea’ on our tomato plants, plus the lettuce and spinach in the square foot garden.

When I researched how often I should use this, I found “You can’t do it too often. Every few months you add a handful of worm castings to the base of the plant. Every time it rains, or when you water the plant, a tiny bit of worm castings goes down into the soil, and your plant gets a delivery of organic vitamins and minerals. It’s that simple!”

Sprinkling the granules once a month, rather than making and steeping the tea for 24 hours, then laboriously hauling the buckets around, sounds wonderful. Win/win. We’ll see how it goes.

My husband is still suffering from hurting his back. He’s better each day, but improving excruciatingly slowly. I’ve contacted Lynn, my wonderful massage therapist, to see if a massage might help him. She has agreed to see what she can do tomorrow. We’ll see how it goes and hope she is able to give him some relief. Hooray!

Have a nice day.

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April 18, 2023 · 8:45 am

Thoughts on Tuesday 4-18-2023

http://www.imfunny.net

Yesterday I managed to sneak out and take the trash down to the bottom of the driveway and deal with the humongous trash can without incident. My husband listened to my, “I’ll get the mail,” and didn’t even think about the trash. Today I’m hoping that I can do the same, tethering the empty trash can back to the pole. Fingers crossed. His back is getting better, but he’s still in pain and still refusing to see a doctor.

I started ‘garden tea’ yesterday, making a mixture of 1 part worm castings to 3 parts water in two buckets. It was supposed to ‘steep’ 12 to 24 hours, so I’ll pour some of it on the tomatoes and the rest of it on my square foot garden plants this morning. I’m eager to see if I’ll be able to see any difference in my plants this season. I have the two planters of tomatoes and then four of six 4′ x 4′ boxes planted with spinach and head lettuce plants so far.

We’re due for more severe weather on Thursday (oh, GOOD!) – just what we needed. One of my online friends was talking about snow in the Denver area, so that made me feel guilty about griping.

Later this morning I’ll attempt to share a video of an amazing artist I found. His name is Devon Rodriguez. He does sketches of random people on either trains or the subway in New York mainly. When he finishes, he goes to the person and says, “Excuse me, ma’am/sir. I drew you.” He then hands them the sketch – which is stunning. He won’t accept money. It’s free. Online he offers art classes and commissioned work. He just loves to sketch and ‘practices’ his skills this way. I hope I can share one of the videos with you.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

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April 17, 2023 · 9:14 am

Nice Monday 4-17-2023

Parade

It’s a beautiful day here. I feel a bit like the aftermath of riding a roller coaster too many times. One day the day will be perfect. The next – huge hail and flying hairballs. Spring is usually volatile, but Mother Nature is taking it a bit too far this year for me.

I got the six king-sized sheets I used to protect the plants washed and folded yesterday. Today I’ll bag them up and take the bag out to the shop again so they’ll be ready for the next time. I’m also gathering trash and taking it down for pickup tomorrow.

I’m going to TRY to be sneaky about it. My husband’s back is still hurting. He INSISTED on going with me to Walmart yesterday. He did okay, but he’s having trouble this morning, so I think it was too much too soon. He really doesn’t need to be hauling trash or trying not to slide when dealing with the huge trash can at the bottom of our driveway.

The exciting day will also include paying bills, filing, and starting my first bath of ‘garden tea’ from the worm castings I got last week. I’m hoping that the plants really love that. I’ve read how to make it online, but I’ll also check the bag itself and go by any instructions I find. I know I have to steep it for 24 to 48 hours, so it’ll be at least mid week before I use it.

I hope that the weather where you are is calm and comfortable and that you have something fun planned today. Enjoy your Monday.

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April 14, 2023 · 9:29 am

It’s Friday 4-14-2023

Two sources – my friends Marsha and Carol

This actually meshes well with my occasional ‘threat’ when my husband is acting up that I’m thinking of digging a hole for him in the back yard… :0)

I haven’t heard from anyone, so I’m assuming everyone will be at Lunch Bunch today. I’m going to bring a burger back for my husband. His back is still hurting, though it is ‘marginally better,’ he says. I wish I could wave a magic wand and FIX this.

I’ve been keeping a close eye on my husband since he hurt himself, so have been neglecting my yard and garden duties. I’ll try to at least water our tomato plants today and check on the main garden.

I wish you a happy day and a fun weekend.

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April 13, 2023 · 9:56 am

One of Two Is Better

Great Pet Care

I’m better today, but my husband is still in pain from hurting his back. He won’t even consider my taking him to a doctor, but he IS on the heat pad in his chair, taking Tylenol, etc. I put some muscle gel on him two nights ago and I thought for a minute it was burning him. He really reacted, hurting his back more. It turned out the gel felt COLD and his back muscles clenched. I got it smoothed in and he rested reasonably comfortably. Last night he started downstairs about 3am. I came down with him to make sure he could get what he needed. We read until about 4:30 this morning and then went back up. We were both able to sleep then. I got up about a couple of hours before he did this morning.

I’m much less sore. If things are going okay around here, I’m planning to finish the weed whacking today. There isn’t much left to do. I also want to water the tomato plants and check on the lettuce and spinach plants in the main garden. I also plan to do my yoga this afternoon like a good girl. :0)

Our activities have pretty much stopped, other than trying to recover. My husband announced last night that he was discovering that “he wasn’t a teenager anymore.” I’m really sorry he had to mess himself up so badly to realize it. One day at a time.

Our weather is beautiful. The sun is shining and it’s supposed to get near 80 today. Mother Nature seems to be calming down now and I’m grateful.

I hope that you enjoy your Thursday.

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April 11, 2023 · 1:43 pm

Resting

Slagathor Deb

I’ve been out weed whacking. I was going to take a nap after lunch, but my leg was twitching, so I got up and did a session in the front. I did two sessions yesterday, concentrating on the back yard. I’ll do another sometime this afternoon and see if I can get the job finished. I’m trying to do several short sessions to give my back a break. It really doesn’t like the position I need to get into to do a good job with the whacker.

We did a short trip to town today, starting with my husband’s haircut and ending with retrieving our trash can and tying it to the pole toward the bottom of the driveway. Married couples usually argue about money, the kids, and other important stuff. OUR arguments are about whether we should tie the trash can to the pole and what color we should paint the newest mailbox decoration…

We DID put a piece of plywood over the inside of the cat/dog door yesterday, so we won’t have to worry about critters getting into the garage at night anymore. Hopefully, that will also mean that Amber won’t bark at what’s going on on the other side of her wall. (She sleeps on a bed in the utility room, and that shares a wall with the garage.) The cat’s opinion on all this hasn’t been shared yet. (She sleeps in a cat cube on top of the wood pile on the shared wall.) I’m HOPING that she won’t decide to leave us ‘treaures’ on the floor since she can no longer go out in the middle of the night. The garage door is open all day long and until we go to bed, so hopefully she can adjust graciously to the change.

I’m going to do a bit more resting and then head back outside. I hope your Tuesday is a fun one.

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April 10, 2023 · 9:37 am

Another Monday 4-10-2023

Pinterest

It seems that Monday comes around at least once a week…

We got a small, dog-type soccer ball for Amber at the store yesterday. She’s been playing with it off and on happily. She hasn’t popped it, which is great, but this morning she got quiet playing with it behind me in the office. I looked back to find ‘white stuff’ all over the carpet. She was eating the cover off the ball, spitting the bits of it all over the place. This will go out with the trash we’ll gather soon to put down at the bottom of the driveway.

We’re having truly nice weather, and it’s SO welcome. My husband mowed for the first time of the season yesterday afternoon. Things grew up quite suddenly, so it was more than time. Today I’ll need to start weed whacking – and there’s a LOT – in order to make it look like someone lives here.

We were awakened yesterday by Amber barking her head off around 5am. I studiously ignored it, going back to sleep. It turned out my husband went downstairs, got the .22 and looked to see why she was barking. Apparently, two stray dogs (at least ones we didn’t recognize) were INSIDE our garage, having come through the dog/cat door. Abby, our cat, who sleeps on the wood pile in there, was upset, of course, as was Amber, who sleeps inside in the utility room that shares a wall with the garage. My husband didn’t shoot anyone or anything, but he left the garage door open for some reason he was unable to explain. I discovered this when I got up and was doing morning chores. This freaked me out.

I explained to him that I slept, secure in my belief that we had the garage door closed, the people door to the house locked, and that no one could get in while we were the most vulnerable. I listened to him telling me my fears were unfounded, waited until he was finished, and then talked to him about closing off the cat door. Our garage door is open during the day while we’re there, so the cat can go in and out as she wishes. She sleeps in a ‘cat cube’ at night and I don’t think she goes out at night as a rule. Even if she does, we’re getting a lot of ‘critters’ we don’t want coming IN the door. My husband said he would put a piece of plywood over the inside of the cat door. That way the stray dogs, raccoons, stray cats, and other strange critters, won’t be able to come in. That sounds GREAT to me. I also stressed that, ‘paranoid’ and ‘silly’ and whatever other adjective one might use to describe my behavior aside, I wouldn’t feel safe anymore unless he agreed to make sure the garage door was closed again if he opened it during the night after we went to bed.

I happened to mention that leaving the garage door open at night when I thought it was closed MIGHT result in my calling the guy with the back hoe who will dig a hole in the back yard for me…

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April 7, 2023 · 8:54 am

Fabulous Friday 4-7-2023

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Even after sleeping well last night, I’m struggling to wake up. I just finished a cup of coffee, but it seemingly hasn’t affected me. :0(

I’m looking forward to seeing as many of my Friday Lunch Bunch friends as possible today. Tomorrow is our waitress’ birthday, so I’m taking some hand painted note cards and a birthday card to her. I’m hoping she like them. I’m planning to take some pics if we have a ‘full house’ at lunch because that is happening less and less often. I want to take advantage of the opportunity to capture the joy we feel on meeting each week.

After lunch my husband and I will hit Walmart and the local grocery store for supplies. I’m planning to get out this afternoon and prep the tomato planters so that sometime during the weekend we can go buy some tomato plants.

I’m very thankful we’re not facing any awful weather today. It’s supposed to be sunny and 67 for a high. I’ll sure take that!

Yesterday my husband ‘disappeared’ for a time, scaring my hair off. The Vette was gone from the garage. His phone was in the office. He showed up about half an hour later, having filled up the Vette with gas. I reminded him that it would be really nice if he would let me know where he’s going, and that he take his phone so we can communicate, if needed. I THINK I got through to him.

No big plans for the day. Just enjoying the weather, trying to get a few things done around the house, enjoying our friends, gathering supplies for the next week, and enjoying the fact that we’re still around and able to appreciate all we have.

Happy Friday.

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April 6, 2023 · 9:54 am

Thursday Thoughts 4-6-2023

Good morning!

It’s hard to believe, but it’s not raining. It’s cloudy and 49, but nothing is falling on us. The wind isn’t blowing. No flying hairballs. Just cloudy, cool, and quiet. I’ll take it. :0)

My new veggie plants are looking happy this morning. It’s supposed to start warming up a little bit each day, so when it gets more comfortable outside, I’m planning to prep the brick tomato planters.

We’re planning to have a quiet day today and stay home. Tomorrow, we have Lunch Bunch, and then we’ll hit Walmart for groceries and then see if we can find some good tomato plants.

My brother-in-law sent a video to my husband this morning of their new dog, Jasmine, fetching a toy and bringing it back to him. Our Amber will go fetch a thrown toy, run it back to you, but won’t give it to you. She teases you with it, and when you ask for it, wants to play tug-of-war with it, or decides to shake it to break its neck, dancing away from you. I got her to do it once, but that was it. Jasmine is already doing better than Amber.

I ordered three books from a new author to be sent to my Kindle recently. I just tried to access them and had trouble getting the Kindle connected to the Internet. My husband is looking at it now, trying to help me. Fingers crossed.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

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April 5, 2023 · 9:02 am

Happy Flying Hairballs Day

I gathered some of our twice-blooming purple iris yesterday afternoon, since the weather was forecast as threatening yesterday afternoon-into today.

Mother Nature is sliding between making the weather forecasters warn us about severe thunderstorms and then tornado watches with lots of red flashing lights on my weather thingie. Since it was hot in the house this morning and much cooler on the outside, we’ve opened our doors to air things out plus cool things off between rain storms. We’re under the gun until this afternoon, I think. It’s pretty dark outside right now.

I’m doing laundry, hoping to be able to finish as soon as possible in case we lose public power and have to rely on the generator. It will run everything in the house except heat and air, but I don’t want to tax the system.

I didn’t have anything to cover the new veggie plants with overnight, since the warnings were for everything from gusty winds to tornadoes to hail to flying hairballs, so I’m crossing my fingers that my sweet new plants make it through this.

I’m grateful for a dry home today, hoping we make it through this intact. Stay safe everyone.

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April 4, 2023 · 9:01 am

Feeling Creaky

Herdaroff’s World

Yesterday we loaded the back of the truck with metal trash plus regular trash. We left the regular trash in the can and left it ready for emptying today, then drove to the recyling place and left the metal trash. We got a flat of spinach plants and a flat of head lettuce plants on the way home. I planted those before lunch. After lunch we changed our snow tires for regular tires on the truck.

I was stiff and sore by the middle of the evening. I SHOULD have done yoga to try to stretch things out, but I was exhausted and just didn’t. I’m paying the price this morning, feeling as if I were run over by a truck.

Thankfully, we don’t have any big errands today. We’ll get our mail, maybe hit the local grocery, and tether the emptied trash can to the pole toward the bottom of the driveway on the way home.

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We’re due for severe weather this afternoon, tonight, and tomorrow morning. I have all my appendages crossed, in spite of the creakiness, hoping we come through the storms intact.

Meanwhile, I’m glugging coffee, trying to wake up.

Happy Tuesday?

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April 3, 2023 · 11:36 am

Chore-Filled Monday 4-3-2023

Sorry I’m late getting to my blog today. We just now came in from working in the yard a bit. My husband used the chain saw to cut down some really big evergreen branches that were hanging down between the house and the shop. So our trash pile (to be burned when safe) grows again.

We gathered our trash and also put the metal we needed to get rid of in the back of the truck. We drove it all down to the bottom of the driveway and got the trash can set up for emptying tomorrow. Then we drove to the recycling place and a nice man helped us empty the truck. Amber was flirting with him, trying to get him to come pet her. He finally did that, laughing. The way he easily threw the metal way up to the other end of the metal bin there, “I” told him we would really appreciate him on the OTHER end of our trip. At least we made him smile.

I wanted to go to the Co-Op to see what plants they had and we hit the jackpot. My husband’s favorite lettuce is head lettuce. Usually we MIGHT find one small 6-pack. This time we got an entire FLAT. The spinach was also looking stellar, so we got an entire FLAT of that, as well. I’ve JUST now come in from getting what we bought planted. I’ll take some pics to share later. Right now I’m breathing a bit hard and over-heated, so I’m relaxing, writing this, and drinking a big bottle of water.

Later my husband wants to change the truck tires. I know I told you we were planning to do that yesterday, but we got distracted, and ‘somehow’ I forgot to remind him. :0) So, now I’ve said that we can do it after lunch and after we’re rested.

Since we were BOTH looking pretty bedraggled on the way back to the house after our yard work, I took the opportunity to remind him that we’re not 30 anymore and that we both need to keep our work sessions short with lots of rest and water in-between. He seemed to listen and agree…

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April 1, 2023 · 10:14 am

April Fool’s Day 2023

Hindustan Times

I’m feeling very lucky (NO foolin’) to have again dodged bad weather intact, as far as I know. So many people have been suffering lately and I can only hope things finally tame down and people can start to enjoy our brand new spring.

As soon as it gets a bit warmer here, I’m planning to head out to the garden. Because of the wonky weather and my general laziness, I kept delaying getting the garden boxes ready for planting. I’m hoping to see what plants are available in town on Monday.

My brain is starting to turn over some ideas to try in my art room. I’ll try to make some time to enjoy up there, too, this weekend.

At this time each year I remember a story my mom told me. My dad proposed to her in 1944. Having always had an irrepressible sense of humor, he wanted to get married on April Fool’s Day, thinking it would be a hoot. My mom, who appreciated MOST of his humor, made him delay the marriage until the 3rd of April, saying, “I’m not foolin'”

Women’s Health

A shout-out to Melissa – who was due to get SNOW last night. I’m trying to send a calm spring your way. :0)

I hope that you have a wonderful day today, safe and sound, warm and dry.

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March 30, 2023 · 9:30 am

Bleary Thursday 3-30-2023

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I went to bed sleepy last night, but lay there with my eyes closed instead of actually falling asleep. Couldn’t turn my brain off. I wish I could tell you I was bothered with productive thoughts but….

I was still doing that, intermittently dozing, I guess, at around 3am, when my husband started talking. I sat up and leaned over so I could hear him. He was talking about “Pointy scissors poking him.” When I asked him if it was happening NOW and where he was hurting, he was quiet for a minute and then said “no,” and mumbled. I realized he was talking in his sleep.

I tried to sleep again, but couldn’t, so I ended up downstairs reading until around 4:30. I was just dozing off around 5am when he started talking to me again. I determined he didn’t have anything of note to say this time, either, and I have to tell you I said pretty harshly for him to be quiet.

The next thing I knew my alarm was going off. He was downstairs asleep in his chair with a towel on his head. I didn’t feel bad about making a lot of noise in the kitchen. He remembered talking to me, but didn’t remember what he said. He told me he had finally stopped reading about 2am and came up to bed. I don’t know when he got up and came downstairs this morning.

This is one of the many ‘perks’ we have discovered as we age. I have to leave for a haircut this morning in a few minutes, but Michael will be kind if I fall asleep while he’s trying to work a miracle on me. I look like a dandelion gone to seed right now.

iStockphoto

It’s a very good thing I don’t have a job now that requires an excess of alertness…

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March 29, 2023 · 9:44 am

Discombobulated Wednesday 3-29-2023

AcidNow – Cheezburger

I’m feeling a bit “discombobulated” at the moment. I just wished a good friend, “Happy Passover” because my desk calendar was turned to the wrong page. Now that I have written and apologized for my stupidity, I’m wondering if I’ve already done anything ELSE wrong….

By the way, “discombobulated” may not be a real word, but it’s been used in my family ever since I can remember. (I just looked it up and it IS a real word – so is ‘cattywampus,’ if you’re wondering)

GrowaGoodLife.com

It’s forecast to get to 70 this afternoon here. It was too cool to be comfortable weeding yesterday, so my garden boxes remain untended. I’m hoping to rectify that today. I would love to have my garden started by the end of the weekend, assuming we aren’t blown off the Earth Friday with the forecast severe thunderstorms.

We don’t have errands today! I’m hoping to have several sessions outside during the afternoon when it warms up. I need to get the weeds out of my garden boxes plus repair some wire ‘separators’ that were broken during the last season. The irrigation system is already in good repair and just needs to be turned on and the timer installed.

I hope that wherever you are today that you are enjoying a beautiful, fun one.

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March 28, 2023 · 9:08 am

Tuesday Thoughts 3-28-2023

Claudia Angle – Pinterest

It’s sunny today and is supposed to get to 61. I have an impressive list of things I would like to accomplish. Maybe I’ll actually DO some of them. :0)

First on the list is errand-type-stuff. We’re getting a haircut for my husband soon. We’ll get the mail and then put the hopefully-empty humongous trash can back at the pole, tethered to keep it from blowing away in the storms we’ve been having.

We’re due for more possible severe weather Friday, so Lunch Bunch will be in jeopardy once again. We’ll have to watch closely to see if we can risk getting out or not. I was looking at our local news and weather website and found that Sebastian County here in Arkansas has received 7.41 inches of rain this month. (Average is 1.7 inches) WOW.

I spent a bit of time outside yesterday, but decided it was too cool to try to get the garden weeded. I’ll see how it feels this afternoon. I don’t mind it being a little cool, but when my fingers are cold and my nose is running, I figure it’s Mother Nature telling me to go back inside.

I hope you have an enjoyable day.

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March 27, 2023 · 9:12 am

Delight on a Monday

I absolutely LOVE this photo and had to share it with you.

Yesterday I repaired or replaced the neon tape around the fencing of my square foot garden. I was going to get the planters weeded, but my husband decided to burn two piles of ‘stuff’ between the house and the shop that weren’t acceptable at the recycling center. We still have more to do here.

At my insistence, he hooked up the garden hose in case the fires got out of hand (I always insist, even though we’ve had over 7 inches of rain this month!) When he did that, the sprinklers on the garden boxes turned on and drenched the Mel’s Mix.

The mix in the boxes should be dry this afternoon and hopefully I can get the weeds out and get ready to plant.

This is tomato planter #1. As you can see, it needs weeding (and mowing and weed whacking around it), plus setting up of supports.

Tomato planter # 2 just needs a bit of weeding.

I have a quiet day planned – just gathering trash and putting it out for pickup, getting the mail, weeding the garden boxes and tomato planters, and depending on how long I’m outside, I’ll finish things up with a session of yoga stretching this afternoon.

Enjoy your Monday!

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March 25, 2023 · 9:21 am

Saturday after All Day Rain

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My husband drove down to get our mail yesterday afternoon during a break in the all night and all day rain we’ve just finished to find that the pipe that goes under the end of the driveway clogged. This caused a ‘lake’ to form on one side of the driveway, flowing out into the street.

We don’t have the equipment to clean out the pipe, so we’re hoping the county will be traveling the roads, making note of people who need help.

We’re about to do errands, getting groceries and stuff, but it sure was nice to have a warm, dry house on top of a ridge line with all the water we’ve gotten. I hope that our town has survived the deluge.

I’ll write more when we get back.

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