Category Archives: Thoughts on a ________

June 6, 2023 · 9:25 am

Did It!

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I had three things on my priority to-do list yesterday: gather and put the trash at the bottom of the driveway, vacuum the first floor tiles and carpet, and clean and wash out the kitty litter box. Happily, I accomplished all three. I also took my two vacuum cleaners apart, washed the filters and left them to dry, and washed the canisters. I’m really bad about doing that, so it felt good to get it done.

I have all appendages (including my eyes) crossed that the new batteries for the cordless vac arrive today, are the correct ones, and WORK.

Unsplash.com

I’ve been shooting myself in the foot lately, waiting until afternoon to get outside to work in our garden. This is a big mistake because as I age, I handle heat and humidity less and less well. It sounds easy to just get up and go outside, but I’ve set up my mornings really well (for me) getting lots of routine things done at the computer while drinking a cup of coffee. The time flies by and once again, I’m trying to force myself outside with a sweatband I need to even walk out to the garden, much less get anything DONE out there…

@chubby.animol – Instagram

Last night my dinner of hamburger patties, black-eyes peas and onions went over quite nicely. Tonight we’ll have the other two patties and I’ll saute a crown of broccoli. A mystery occurred yesterday and I gained 1.6 pounds “Not eating enough” according to MyFitnessPal.com. UGH. Maybe it will come off today.

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June 5, 2023 · 9:58 am

Idle Thoughts on a Monday

ebaums world

I would love to go to this restaurant. Apparently this sight is so common that no one at the table even notices!

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“Spotty pop-up downpours” may or may not happen this whole week, according to the experts. This over-abundance of rain probably indicates severe drought for the summer and into the fall. My husband is already longing for his favorite ‘brown, crunchy grass’ so he can slow down on the mowing. I’m trying to get into the habit of working outside early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

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unknown

Vacuuming, kitty litter, and trash, oh my! Such excitement for my day. :0)

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June 4, 2023 · 9:20 am

Foggy, Wet Sunday

Federico Bottos – Unsplash

It was a surprise to wake up with thick fog this morning. I looked out our bathroom window and almost couldn’t see ANYTHING! It’s clearing up fast now, but it was surreal.

We had quite a bit of rain yesterday afternoon, starting about 2:30 and raining off and on almost until we went to bed around midnight. It’s so wet I’ll wait to decide if I’ll try to finish weeding my garden today or not.

We’re going to go replenish supplies at some point, but that’s the only ‘plan’ we have for the day.

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“I put my scale in the bathroom corner and that’s where the little liar will stay until it apologizes.” ~ sent to me by my friend, Marsha.

iStock

I’m beginning to see a pattern that if MyFitnessPal.com says, “You’re not eating enough” I MIGHT actually be down a bit on the scale the next morning. I had made the calorie calculator happy the day before yesterday and gained half a pound. This is NOT what I’m trying to do, so carefully went a bit under that yesterday and got the half pound back off. I’ll keep playing with it. I know I’m eating healthy, and have lost 7 lbs so far. What I MAY be figuring out is that since I’m not as active as I used to be, the 1200 calories per day may be too much. I’ll research it.

The big push lately is to increase our fiber without increasing our sugar overmuch. My husband is a Type II diabetic, although he denies this, saying ‘he has a sugar problem.’ Anyway, I researched and found a list of some fiber-rich foods that I know he likes that we can add to our routine. We’ll just have to be careful with monitoring his sugar readings.

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Happy Sunday!

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June 2, 2023 · 9:30 am

Friday 6-2-2023

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I just love the photo above. It shows hope for a bright future.

My Art – My Choice-Gif-Guy – tumblr_njxl1kHgkW1t0cscho1_500 – 4GIFS.com

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It’ll be interesting to see how we get to town and Lunch Bunch this morning. They were working on the bridge between here and town, and there was a sign we couldn’t see as we went last time. It turned out the sign said, “Road Closed.” The crew working on the bridge let us through. My husband is stubborn enough he went back through the same way. We haven’t been to town since.

When I reminded him that we needed to leave a bit early since we will need to take the back way into town, he scoffed at me (as he often does.) This shows me he’ll go the regular way just to prove me wrong, and will turn around and go the back way if needed – making our trip over twice as long as usual. (Do you begin to see why I’m considering digging a hole for him in the back yard?

Pinterest

My efforts to lose the lard are showing definite progress now. As of this morning, I’m down 7 pounds. The number I have ‘left to lose’ and the national debt look similar, but I’m just taking it one day at a time, trying not to default – as Congress flirts with too many times.

I’ve finished weeding 2-1/2 veggie boxes in my raised bed, square foot garden thus far. I have four boxes planted, and my goal is to catch up on the weeding before we’re due for rain tomorrow afternoon.

Since Mother Nature has snapped her fingers, changing us from spring to summer in Arkansas suddenly, I’m afraid I’ll need to then clean up the head lettuce plants and decide which to harvest. The weather is getting too warm now for them to last much longer. The happy side of the weather change is that my tomato plants should love it. :0)

Enjoy your Friday and your weekend, surrounded by love and laughter.

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June 1, 2023 · 9:45 am

Thursday 6-1-2023

World of Printables

I’m hoping that June will be a wonderful month for all of us. Mother Nature has decided that summer has begun here in Arkansas. It’s hot in the afternoons with high humidity now, causing us to keep the house closed and turn on the a/c. I hope we’re not finished with spring yet, but I’m having to adapt my time outside already so I don’t boil like an egg out there.

I only put in one session of weeding yesterday. It was simply too hot for me yesterday afternoon. I think I told you that my spinach was already bolting, so I pulled all those plants out. This year was a bust for spinach after I was SO happy to find a whole flat of great looking plants. The weather was totally wonky, going from cool to too hot and back over and over, plus severe weather rains, hail, and flying hairballs. The spinach just finally gave up, sending shoots up into the air in surrender. Now I’m trying to save the head lettuce. The first step is the weeding, and I’ll try to get more of that done this morning.

I’m in a bit of withdrawal now that Iam Tongi won American Idol and there are no new performances each week. I really enjoy watching him perform. His latest is a single, “I’ll Be Seeing You.” He will also be performing in the “Beach It “ Country Music Festival at 2:40pm June 23rd, so that gives us something to look forward to.

I hope that this month brings you joy.

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May 31, 2023 · 9:11 am

Last Day of May 2023

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

We’ve had warm days with lots of sunshine and no rain for several days in a row now. I’m not sure how to handle such nice weather. I do need to get outside early to do some weeding before it gets too hot for me.

May has come and gone in a woosh for me this year. I can’t believe it’s time to change my calendars. My hair is blowing as the time flies past.

My eating plan is still going well, although it stalled this morning after my husband brought me a donut last night, trying to be nice. I again explained to him that I’m trying not to eat in-between meals so that I can try to shed some of my lard. Of course, I was EATING the donut as I was explaining this to him….

I wish you a happy day, and an even happier June.

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May 30, 2023 · 11:57 am

Tuesday 5-30-2023

unknown

We’ve just returned from doing errands and it’s time for lunch. I wanted to write quickly to let you know I was still alive, just in case you were wondering. :0)

We gathered trash and took it down. We’re a day later than usual due to the holiday. I’m really happy that this company posts their holiday schedule online so I can print it and check to see if we need to do anything differently.

We got our mail and then headed for town. There was a portable electric sign at the church where we turn to get on the main road, but it was turned so it showed down the hill, rather than where we were. It turned out it said, “Road Closed.” Yeah. They are beginning work on the main bridge between us and town. They let us through, and THEN we saw the sign that was on the other end.

We went to the bank and then picked up groceries. My husband was a Marine. “Marine” is synonymous for “stubborn,’ so on the way back, even though I reminded him that we needed to take the longer way around, he didn’t, preferring them to make him turn around, doubling the distance for us to get home. He lucked out and they let us through. He was, of course, smug. We don’t need to go to town again until Lunch Bunch on Friday, so maybe he’ll luck out again. We don’t know whether they are working AROUND the bridge, or ON the bridge, or REPLACING the bridge. I was reminding him that we need to check to see if the sign is still at the church when we’re going to Lunch Bunch Friday.

This morning was a good amount of reaching out for me, and it’s not over yet. :0)

I had my usual communication with my good friend, Marsha, and my SIL, MaryLou, first thing. I had received a text from my ‘cousin-in-law’ and wonderful friend, Murray. She has just moved and I’ll send her a text after lunch.

I checked to see if I had any messages from our son. While I was writing him a quick note, a message popped up from HIM, asking if I wanted to visit on the conference call thingie. We had the nicest visit. I LOVE being able to see his face. He was worried about two things: THING ONE – he was worried that we were upset that it has been so long since he’s been home. I explained to him that knowing he is safe and happy is paramount. Of COURSE I would love to hug his neck, but with the way the world is, the way things can change overnight, we are all better staying where we are. THING TWO – he wanted to be SURE his dad knew how much he loved him, how happy he was that his dad was patient with him, teaching him things that mean so much to him now. He had tears in his eyes when he said this and I promised I would deliver the message. When I did, I told my husband that our son got the dad that my husband deserved, but didn’t get, when HE was growing up.

So I’ve had a beautiful morning, feeling lucky to love so many good people.

I’m going to fix lunch now and then I’ll do some more posts later.

Hope you’re having a terrific Tuesday.

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May 29, 2023 · 10:55 am

Thoughts on a Monday 5-29-2023

Vili-pastel-Bela Tarcsay

I’m hoping that today will be a quiet day for us.

We’re not planning to do anything special today for Memorial Day. I still haven’t washed the furniture on the deck or cleaned the back porch. Priority for today is doing some weeding in the garden and seeing if there is anything I should harvest. This will probably take a few days to catch up. I’m hoping that the fertilizer I spread a few days ago will cause things to green up out there.

RTE

I wanted to share a nice description with you. I talk to my sweet SIL each day, checking in to share what’s happening. She’s been getting lots of rain. She said, “The world is refreshed.” Can you hear it saying, “Ahhhhhhhh!”? :0)

Since I’m old and getting a bit ditzy, I have note-its all over the place reminding me that because of Memorial Day, we’re NOT gathering trash today and putting it out – until TOMORROW, when we ARE. At least I USUALLY remember why I got up and went into a room….

I found a website new to me called, “Temu.com” My husband showed it to me. It’s where he found the water bowl for painters that he has ordered for me recently. They specialize in discounted items. We’re not sure of the quality yet, or if the orders will be delivered in a reasonable amount of time, but I’m impressed with the prices. They sell basically everything, and you could go down a rabbit hole trying to see all they have. I’ve ordered a couple of women’s tops. We’ll see.

I hope you enjoy your day.

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May 28, 2023 · 10:59 am

Sunday Thoughts 5-28-2023

“Silies” – sent to me by my friend, Marsha.

Okay. I admit it. I started to type ‘Saturday’ in the title to this post. I also have trouble typing the year. I keep starting to type ‘2030’ and having to go back and change it. It’s easy to type, very symmetrical from the keyboard. Do you supposed I’m trying to wish away time – or just having aging problems? :0)

When the Sleep Number beds were a new thing in 2006, we really wanted one, but didn’t want to pay the steep price. We ended up buying a competitor – a king sized Celenia, Comfortaire. It’s a really sturdy air-filled mattress with dual controls so we can each have the firmness we want, changing it at any time. We love it.

This bed is now 17 years old! It’s not surprising that it is now showing signs of aging. We are having to hit the controls nightly now to bring the firmness up to what we have chosen for each side of the bed. My husband thinks we may need to buy a new pump or something. I just looked it up online and OF COURSE, it’s ‘discontinued.’ I’ve gotten out the paperwork and we’ll study the options we have.

Yesterday afternoon we decided to start our project of lopping off branches that are hanging down on both sides of our driveway, creating ‘branch tunnels’. I had already put our loppers in the truck. I added some gloves for me and my phone and sunglasses and we were ready. (I suggested that my husband wear tennis shoes instead of sandals, but he wasn’t interested. )

I pulled down each branch and my husband cut it off as close to the tree as he could reach. I then hauled the branch to the low side of the driveway and threw it into the woods as far as I could. We did this for about 15 minutes before pooping out. Happily, in that amount of time we each got good exercise and made a dent in the project to clear the driveway. We’ll try to do more again today, even though we don’t have errands to do or mail to get. (My husband put on tennis shoes this morning. Imagine that! :0) )

I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday.

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May 27, 2023 · 11:04 am

Saturday 5-27-2023

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Each Memorial Day weekend I remember when I was the lifeguard at the country club my family belonged to in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I think it was called “Southwood,” I don’t know if it still exists. I remember gearing up, preparing the pool and my lifeguard seat, planning details of trying to watch everyone at once. It was the only real time I got a tan. I don’t do that well, usually burning instead, and the tan only lasted a couple of weeks when the job was over.

I taught swimming with my 6th grade gym teacher, Steve Balint, every summer from the time I was 14 until I graduated from college. This job was wonderful because it helped pay my tuition for college, gave me some extra spending money while I was there, and gave me the chance to meet some fun people. I especially enjoyed our “womens’ class,” where we helped some really nice ladies overcome longstanding fear of the water and taught them lifesaving skills to help themselves and others, if needed.

I still regret that we ran out of money when we built our home 36 years ago and didn’t build an in-ground pool. I fondly thought I would swim first thing in the morning if I didn’t need to be somewhere early, or would swim last thing in the evening to relax before bed. I also secretly fantasized about “Brock,” the pool guy who would ‘take care of things.’ :0) (Hey. I’m old, but I ain’t dead yet!)

I hope you’re having a happy Saturday.

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May 26, 2023 · 9:19 am

Eyes Front, Mouth Shut

QuickMeme.com

My scales are outright snorking at me lately. I’ve been eating ‘rocks,’ it seems, and I’ve changed from trying to go day-by-day to hour-by-hour now. The stress level around here has been a bit high, but that is becoming the norm now, so I need to quit using that as an excuse to stuff my face.

I’m going to try to shed 2 pounds a week, cutting back my portions again and trying to drink more water. I had stopped using MyFitnessPal.com, but I’m starting up again. Maybe that will direct my efforts more effectively and see where I’m messing up.

Gfycat

We’re going to Lunch Bunch this morning, although my friend Kay called and said she and Bud won’t be there. I don’t know if the others will be, so we’ll go ahead, grab a bite to eat, and then hit the grocery store before coming home.

Bill Miller Associates

We’re starting our “cut-something-down-each-time-we-go-down-or-up-the-driveway” project today. I have the loppers in the truck and the weather is supposed to be cooperative today. If we do this each time we can, we should be able to make a difference in a reasonable amount of time.

(The picture above shows a ‘pretty’ version of what we’re dealing with. We have trees on both sides of our 650+ foot driveway. During the last winter ice storms, the trees’ branches were weighed down. Some broke off, some just hung down. Now we have almost a low-hanging tunnel across parts of the driveway to the point we’re ‘ducking’ inside the truck when we go through one. :0) My husband hurt his back, so we’ve been waiting until he felt better to tackle this. It’s a two-person job, with me pulling down each branch as far as I can and him lopping it off so I can then haul it to the low side of the driveway and throw it down as far as I can.)

Other than helping to clear the driveway a bit today, I’m planning to start moving the Mel’s Mix (soil alternative) from the other raised bed planter box whose bottom is ready to fall out. I want to get both of these boxes completely cleared out before I talk to my husband about making new plywood bottoms for them.

I’ll round out my exercise today with a session of yoga this afternoon. (After clearing tree branches and digging Mel’s Mix, I’ll need a good stretching session to try not to stiffen up.

I hope that if you’re traveling this long holiday weekend, you do it safely and smoothly. Whatever your plans, I wish you a happy day and fun weekend.

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May 25, 2023 · 9:43 am

Thursday Thoughts 5-25-2023

source unknown – there is a credit at the bottom left, but I cannot read it. Sorry.

Yesterday I finished emptying out the broken wooden raised bed square foot gardening planter. Today I’ll use our flat-bottomed shovel and see how much of the Mel’s Mix I can save from the ground under the broken box.

I think I told you that on closer inspection, ANOTHER box is due to fail imminently, so I’ll start emptying that one out, too, and we’ll make new bottoms for both when we can. Luckily, these were the two planters I had not filled with head lettuce and spinach, so no problems there.

I’m hoping to spend at least a couple of sessions outside today – one on the planters and the other on weeding the remaining boxes. The last few days have caused an explosion in weeds and I need to get things under better control.

I’m not sure what the rest of the day will hold.

Have a nice, nice Thursday.

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May 24, 2023 · 9:19 am

Wednesday 5-24-2023

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I had a really busy day yesterday – errands in the morning and then working in the yard in the afternoon. With the mowing my husband did and the weed whacking I did, our yard looks very much like someone cares at the moment.

Buzzfeed.com

General Pump

We also finally moved the deck furniture from the back porch out to the deck yesterday. Next on that project will be power washing the deck furniture and then cleaning up the back porch, which is covered in dust, dirt, and pollen.

Corona

Also on the list is to carry the loppers in the truck and gradually try to cut the branches that are hanging down badly on both sides of the driveway, all the way up and down its 650+ foot length. It’s like an eerie tunnel now, and both my husband and I catch ourselves ‘ducking’ as a branch whips across the windshield. :0)

I find myself a bit at loose ends, now that American Idol and The Voice have both wrapped up. My guy, Iam Tongi, won American Idol and I was happy that Gina Miles won The Voice. It’s good that the exposure these talented young people get can propel them to great careers even if they aren’t ‘the winner.’ This is the first time I’ve ever gotten caught up in these two programs. It was nice, although it probably won’t happen again.

Today I’m planning to spread fertilizer on my raised square foot garden veggie planters and my tomato planters. We’re due for intermittent rain today and tomorrow, so I’ll try to make SURE I get outside this morning.

I hope that you’re having a nice morning and that your Wednesday will be an enjoyable one.

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May 23, 2023 · 9:32 am

Quick ‘Hi’

BoredPanda.com

Just a quick ‘hi,’ for now. We’re leaving to do several errands. I’ll write when I get back. Hope you’re feeling sassy this morning.

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May 22, 2023 · 9:17 am

It’s Monday 5-22-2023

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

My pick for American Idol won last night. (For those of you who don’t watch, it’s Iam Tongi, in the middle.) I saw a video yesterday of Jelly Roll – a new-to-me really powerful singer who has been winning awards lately talking to Joe Rogan on Joe’s podcast about Iam, showing him the original audition. Both men cried. Jelly Roll (“Save Me”) said he had publicly announced that he was going to find whoever was handling contracts with Iam because he wanted ‘in’ on them. Jelly Roll performed on the finale last night, singing a duet with my other favorite contestant, Oliver Steele, so I hope THEY hooked up, as well.

Speaking of Iam’s original audition, he sang “Monsters” by James Blunt. On the finale, James Blunt and Iam sang the song together, barely making it through in one piece. The audience felt the same way.

Pexels

This afternoon we’ll drive our trash down to the bottom of the driveway and get our mail on the way to our routine doctor appointment. Hopefully, there isn’t VERY much about us that is concerning and we can plod off blissfully into the sunset until the next appointment. :0)

My husband mowed the grass yesterday. Now it’s my turn to do my thing and weed whack where he can’t get the riding mower. With all the rain we’ve been getting, there’s a lot for me to do. We’re due for more rain on Wednesday, so I have today and tomorrow to try to get the trimming under control.

I hope that your Monday is a good one.

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May 20, 2023 · 9:27 am

Happy Saturday 5-20-2023

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

I’m delighted to be able to tell you we made it through some scary weather last night safe and intact (I think). We went from pretty heavy thunderstorms to an alert from my weather thinger that said that GREENWOOD was in the line of a tornado warning. This lasted for about half an hour, then went back to just severe thunderstorms and finally quiet. (I was even worried about the QUIET after the tornado warning.) Anyhow, all is well. It’s a bit overcast this morning, but a nice 62 degrees. WHEW!

Women’s Health

Shout-out to Murray and John, who have now officially relocated from Thibodaux, Louisiana to Fayetteville, Arkansas due to a promotion for John. Be happy! Love you both!!!! :0)

Gfycat.gif

As of May 12th, the U.S. has finally lifted the requirement for Covid vaccine proof in order to fly to the U.S. This means our son can again come see us one day, if he can confirm all the places he has to stop on the way – (and on the way back) – won’t give him any problems. It’s been about 4 years now since we’ve seen him. We’ve been lucky to be able to use a secure chat program, plus a conference call program, to communicate and stay close, but it would be great to actually get to hug his neck again one day.

I will try to get pics of our veggie garden boxes plus our tomatoes to share with you later. The weather has made it a real challenge to get anywhere close, much less actually weed, fertilize, or harvest.

I wish you a Happy Saturday.

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May 19, 2023 · 8:54 am

Friday Thoughts 5-19-2023

Gifer

We have a 90% chance of thunderstorms this morning and another chance for HEAVY thunderstorms with possible severe weather this afternoon and evening. Oh, GOOD.

Today is Lunch Bunch, so I don’t know if anyone else will show up. We’ll probably go, unless it’s pouring when we’re supposed to leave.

Nothing else is happening today that we know of. Just hoping we won’t be blown off the map by Mother Nature, although my friend Marsha sent me a video this morning of Mother Nature acting out. It was really impressive.

Stay safe, warm, and dry.

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May 18, 2023 · 8:47 am

It’s Thursday 5-18-2023

Unknown – just had to share this. :0)

Everyday Health

I leave in just under an hour to get a massage. I can’t tell you how much this poor old lady is looking forward to it. Last month I gave my time to my husband, who had hurt his back pulling on something in the shop. Lynn Moody, my massage therapist, 479-629-7601, was able to give him a lot of relief. She is truly a miracle worker. I’m hoping she can perform yet another miracle on ME this morning. :0)

On the way back home, I have a UPS return package. I’m hoping it will fit in the drop box on the square in town. If not, my terrific hair stylist, Michael Remillard, at Tangles on the square, 479-357-9305, has offered to allow me to leave the package at his salon and he’ll make sure the UPS guy gets it when he sees the truck pull up to the drop box.

This afternoon I’m hoping to spread more of the worm castings fertilizer I started using this year on my veggie garden and my tomato plants. I’ve read up more and discovered I don’t have to actually make the ‘tea’ from it. I can simply spread it in the planters before watering or a rain and it will work just fine. We’re due for rain tomorrow, so I’ll try to get it spread this afternoon. I’m doing this once a month, hoping my plants will be healthy and happy.

No other big plans today, other than to continue resting as much as possible in-between chores. My husband and I will see our primary doctor Monday to ‘decide-how-we’re-doing-this-quarter’ and see what changes we need to make going forward.

Have a happy day.

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May 17, 2023 · 10:36 am

Long in the Tooth

DeMilked

We’re home now from –

  • getting blood tests for our routine doctor’s appointment Monday
  • eating breakfast at The Dari
  • filling up a small gas container for the mower
  • getting our mail

I think my husband wore himself out taking care of me while I was sick earlier in the week. He felt weak this morning and is taking a nap now. We’re in for the day and he can rest as much as he needs. I’m feeling almost 100% this morning, so it’s MY turn to take care of HIM. Our dog Amber was especially glad to see me because she smelled the bacon I brought home to her. :0)

Our fluorescent lights are acting up lately. There is one fixture in the kitchen that doesn’t come on until well after the light switch is turned on. We think we need to change the bulbs and then the light will come on brightly. Same thing in our office. We have two fixtures acting wonky. And one in the master bathroom upstairs. We may need to get an electrician out to check the transformers. We used to change this stuff out routinely ourselves, but maybe this needs to go on the ‘get help’ list.

Rain isn’t forecast today, but it’s really cloudy and looks like it could rain any time. We have the doors open for a nice breeze and we’re in for the rest of the day so it might be kind of nice to have a light rain.

I wish you a happy Wednesday.

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May 16, 2023 · 9:34 am

Back in the Land of the Living

Diply.com

I think I’ll be back to 100% by tomorrow, but I’m definitely feeling human again this morning. And to think I gripe when I’m a bit sore and creaky! I’ll try not to do that anymore. :0)

We have a beautiful, though cloudy day on tap today. The high is supposed to be 74. NO RAIN!!!!

We have front and back doors open, creating a nice breeze through the house. I’m continuing to rest today, gathering energy. This is the first day in three I’ve been at the computer, so I have a bunch to catch up on.

I hope you’re having a nice Tuesday.

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May 13, 2023 · 10:43 am

Saturday 5-13-2023

Tenor

You probably won’t believe this, but it’s been raining here – AGAIN. It has stopped for a minute now, and the sun is out, but we’re due for thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The exact quote is, “Off and on downpours.” Oh, GOOD!

IF the weather cooperates, I’m planning to do more weeding in my veggie garden and check my tomatoes this afternoon. I did some yesterday, but the weeds have sprung up while I was unable to get out there, so there is a lot to do to get things good out there again. I may also do more harvesting this weekend.

The rose bushes I cut WAAAAAAAAY back for the winter are blooming! I took these pics recently, and I’ll take more to share with you soon.

My next big project is to move the deck furniture from the back porch to the deck and then use the pressure hose on everything to make it nice to use outside. Then I’ll be able to wash the furniture on the back porch, plus the floor. That will probably take a couple of days or so, but we would like to get ready to cook outside, so this will be the first step if Mother Nature is smiling on us soon.

I wish you a nice Saturday.

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May 12, 2023 · 9:03 am

And the Rain Continues

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Today is Lunch Bunch, but my husband and I will probably get stood up, due to various reasons. My husband said it didn’t matter, we’ll go anyway and then get stuff at the store on the way back. There is a 70% chance of rain this morning, this afternoon, and this evening. “Wet” is my natural state much of the day these days, though I try to use an umbrella.

I have one of those nice pop-up ones. That helps some, but it seems I can never get it up and over me before I’m pretty wet. We usually have gusty winds with our rain here, so that is challenging, too. I usually just say, “Okay” (bad words not supplied here), put the umbrella away, and just dry off when I get home.

It’s been so rainy lately that I haven’t been out to check the garden or the tomato plants. Hopefully, there will be a lull in the rain so I can get out and see what’s happening – with fingers crossed.

I hope that your Friday will be a fun one.

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May 11, 2023 · 9:37 am

Singing in the Rain….

CBC

We seem to be in a “40 days and 40 nights” situation here with rain every day. Now it’s not a question of IF, but only of WHEN it will be heavier. Here’s what the local weather station showed this morning –

KFSM Fort Smith

Roller coaster, anyone?

I’m leaving in about 10 minutes to get the mail and get my hair cut. I look like a dandelion-gone-to-seed right now. Anything will be an improvement, but I’m lucky to have a stylist who understands that my hair is thin, fine, and won’t do anything on its own, and cuts it so that it looks like someone had a plan. It’ll be nice to look more civilized again.

Home Advisor

The pest control guy is coming to spray tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll be doing lots of vacuuming today and tomorrow so he doesn’t realize what a slob I am. Amber is doing a magnificent job of covering every space in the house with her hair. She and our cat have obviously agreed to have a contest to see who can leave the most hair on the floor, carpet, furniture, etc. I refuse to vacuum every day, but it embarrasses me if there are tufts of hair moving around when we walk.

Got to run now. I hope you have a fun day. :0)

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May 9, 2023 · 9:26 am

Happy Tuesday 5-9-2023

Endre Penovac

People are amazing. If I tried to do the above, my stuff would simply look like scribbles. This person’s ‘scribbles’ with charcoal melt my heart.

We’re having one last day of good – though hot – weather here, followed by endless days of rain every day (through NEXT Monday) according to the forecast. I wouldn’t mind having a BIT of rain daily, but HOPE we don’t have a wash out, where people in Greenwood will need a boat to get around. It’s funny that I tried so hard to get the irrigation system programmed for the flower and tomato planters, just in time for over a week’s worth of rain.

My husband got my heart started with a bang this morning. He was determined to fix his recliner, which he had sprung by being over-exuberant reclining it, causing it to tilt to one side when reclined. This caused an imbalance which resulted in it actually toppling over one time. Anyway, I heard a crash while I was typing and ran to the living room. The chair was upended and the crash caused by a big wooden carving falling off the wall. My husband said the carving ‘grazed’ him as it fell, of COURSE hitting his back (still healing from a previous injury). We got the chair right side up. My husband fixed it. I was able to hang the carving back up on its nail on the wall and helped my husband to the chair. He insists he’s all right, but I’m watching him to see how he does. (We leave for a haircut for him in half an hour, so I’ll find out for sure then how he is.)

I continue to be invested in the American Idol and The Voice contests. I’m catching the clips on YouTube. This is the first time I’ve followed either, though I’ve enjoyed various clips from time to time. Last night was the end of another round on The Voice. One of the people I really liked was eliminated and one went on to the next round. I feel a bit silly caring so much, but I would rather be heartbroken about who wins and loses on these programs than about the world around me being in so much chaos.

I hope that you are having a nice Tuesday.

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May 5, 2023 · 9:15 am

Cloudy Friday 5-5-2023

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

I love this photo. I’ve had dogs who will do this when they have a full-sized bed a couple of feet away. :0)

Tenor

We have Lunch Bunch this morning, and then we’ll hit Walmart for groceries plus get our mail. When we get back, I’ll make the rounds of the yard, checking on tomato plants and boxes of veggies. I might do a 2nd harvest this afternoon. No other big plans for the day.

Yesterday when my husband drove down to get the mail, he found a humongous vehicle on the street in front of the house. It was designed to be driven with a big attachment that whacks off greenery encroaching on the public roadways. The man was parked, waiting for maintenance to come, bringing him a new hose to put on the vehicle.

When my husband came back up, he gave me two names and asked me to call the county road department to see if we could pay them a small amount while the vehicle was there to use it on our driveway, which looks like a tunnel in a couple of parts. I called, but the supervisor wasn’t there. A man took my information and said he would have the supervisor call me back.

Amazingly, the supervisor called back about an hour later. He told me that he couldn’t use the equipment on private property and that was the end of the conversation. He was very nice, and I had hoped they could help us. We’re definitely getting long-in-the-tooth for work like this, but we’ll try to do it a little bit at a time when my husband is fully healed from hurting his back.

Enjoy your day.

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May 4, 2023 · 9:31 am

Just Once

Sent by my friend, Marsha.

I AM making slow, steady progress in my efforts to not eat in-between meals and to practice my yoga daily. I’m down 5.4 lbs so far and my yoga stretches are getting a BIT easier. I’m still getting cramps on some of them, so I’m moving slowly and carefully, breathing into each move, trying to listen carefully to this old body.

Earth.com

We’re due for rain off and on most of the day and overnight. I’ll try to get out and check my tomatoes on one side of the house and my veggie garden on the other side. I’m really pleased that my husband got out and mowed before all this rain started. The forecast is for a rainy week next week, so we probably won’t be able to mow again until the week AFTER next.

So far this morning I’m fighting the ‘lazies’ and losing.

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday.

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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.

Giphy.gif

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)

Giphy.gif

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.

Gfycat.gif

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

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