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 29, 2023 · 9:44 am

Vincent Richel Driftwood Sculpture 2

Vincent Richel Driftwood Sculptures

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May 29, 2023 · 9:35 am

Drawings by Laura Hardie 2

Harry

Long Tall Sally

Laura Hardie Animal Drawings

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May 29, 2023 · 8:50 am

Memorial Day 2023

Home Free – “God Bless the U.S.A.” (featuring Lee Greenwood and the United States Air Force Band)

This fills my heart to bursting. Home Free is an acapella group, so there are NO instruments in this. Absolutely stunning.

ReMax Arkansas

______________

This is Memorial Park in the center of the square in Greenwood, Arkansas. There are bronze rectangles commemorating veterans on both sides of the sidewalks through the park. There is a bronze statue commemorating each of the 4 services: Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force. On each day like this, the small flags decorate each of the rectangles.

Freepik

___________

A day to honor the sacrifice of brave men and women and their families, the ones who are gone and those who are serving now, working in very difficult conditions to keep us free.

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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 28, 2023 · 10:24 am

Beautiful Photograph

Just a State of Mind Photography-@Photo_SteveF-Ocean Sunsets-via @Admired_art-Twitter

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May 28, 2023 · 10:19 am

Johan Scherft Birds from Paper 2

Johan Scherft Realistic Birds – made from paper and then painted.

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May 28, 2023 · 10:03 am

Jen Buckley Art

Baby Giraffe

Frankie

Gary Otter

Herdwick Sheep

Jen Buckley Art

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May 28, 2023 · 9:43 am

Squelch the Snark!

Daily Motion

The effort to shed my lard is showing a bit of progress.

I decided that what I’ve been doing obviously isn’t working, so decided to change things up a bit and see if this helps.

I had been skipping breakfast, calling it “intermittent fasting,” but the result of that was a LOT of hunger for lunch – so I’m now eating some of my husband’s Cheerios with milk for breakfast.

I’m consciously trying to consider each thing I’m including on my plate for lunch, NOT including something that is less important to me in an effort to keep my metabolism working but not load myself down.

Dinners are 1) an individual frozen portion of something I have cooked (like spaghetti, a casserole, hamburger patty); 2) an individual portion frozen entree (I’m eating Atkins Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo tonight); or 3) a new entree I’ve cooked. I make a side veggie and we have a dinner roll.

The MyFitnessPal.com calorie counter thinks I’m ‘not eating enough’ (based on 1200 calories per day) until I add a snack. I’m waffling on this one, since I know I’m eating healthy and mainly wanted to make sure I wasn’t shooting myself in the foot inadvertently.

I’m trying to make SURE I’m either working in the yard, doing my yoga, or both, daily, plus I’m trying to drink more water.

____________

IndiaMART

So far, I’ve lost 3.2 lbs. Suffice to say I have a LONG way to go before I get to my goal, but I have started. I’m happy that my scales have finally noticed, and are registering a difference, but they continue to be quite snarky. I’m hoping to squelch the snark with my continued efforts.

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May 27, 2023 · 11:31 am

Cat Math

unknown

This is our Abby. She not only gets along with our dog, Amber, she dominates the 95-pound yellow lab.

This is Amber, the poor bullied dog.

This morning Abby got Amber to bark at the front door so that SHE could come in. When I saw what had occurred, I gave BOTH Amber AND Abby a treat. :0)

Abby is now sleeping in the exact middle of Amber’s huge bed in the living room, daring Amber to try to use it. (Amber is lying down behind my husband’s recliner.)

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May 27, 2023 · 11:23 am

Will Kurtz – Paper Sculpture 2

Einstein

Gomer with Will

Picasso

Will Kurtz Paper Art

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May 27, 2023 · 11:16 am

Adeline Halvorson Fine Art 3

The Gate Crew

Water’s Edge

Wildflower

Adeline Halvorson Fine Art

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May 27, 2023 · 11:11 am

Some of the Laws of Life 3

The Creativity Post – iStock

_______________

13.  Law of Physical Surfaces
– The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.

14. Law of Logical Argument
– Anything is possible IF you don’t know what you are talking about.

15.    Law of Physical Appearance
– If the clothes fit, they’re ugly.

16.  Law of Public Speaking
— A CLOSED MOUTH GATHERS NO FEET!

17.  Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy   
–   As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it OR the store will stop selling it!

18.  Doctors’ Law
– If you don’t feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by
the time you get there, you’ll feel better. But don’t make an appointment and you’ll stay sick.

Here is my Contribution

The Law of Television Entertainment As soon as you find a television program  that you really like, it will be canceled!

________________

sent to me by my friend, Marsha

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May 27, 2023 · 11:04 am

Saturday 5-27-2023

unknown

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 · 10:12 am

Some of the Laws of Life 2

The Creativity Post – iStock

___________________

7. Law of Close Encounters
– The probability of meeting someone you know INCREASES dramatically when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with.

8.  Law of the Result
– When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, IT WILL!!!

AND Visa versa!

9. Law of Biomechanics  
– The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

10 . Law of the Theater & Hockey Arena
– At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last. They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over. The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies and stay to the bitter end of the performance. The aisle people also are very surly folk.

11. The Coffee Law
– As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

12.  Murphy’s Law of Lockers
– If there are only 2 people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

__________________

sent by my friend, Marsha

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May 26, 2023 · 10:05 am

Drawings by Laura Hardie

The Look of Lab

Laura Hardie

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May 26, 2023 · 9:57 am

Sweet, Thoughtful Gift

My husband called me over to his computer last night and showed me what he had just ordered for me –

Brush Rinser, Paint Brush Rinser with Drain

It’s usually $30, but was on sale for Memorial Day weekend for $6! You fill up the ‘tank’ and push the button with the spring to ‘flush’ the water reservoir to get fresh, clean water while you’re painting.

Right now I go to our master bathroom to wash out the small bowl I use, fill it with water, then use it until I need to refresh it, and then do the process over and over as I paint in my art room. It’s no big deal, but this will be wonderful, making it possible to concentrate on what I’m trying to do, rather than the mechanics associated with trying to get my brush clean when changing colors.

I’m amazed that this caught my husband’s eye, or that he realized what a pleasure this would be. What a nice, thoughtful gift!

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May 26, 2023 · 9:42 am

Johan Scherft Birds from Paper

Johan Scherft Realistic Birds from Paper – he creates these birds from paper, then paints them to be as realistic as possible.

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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 · 10:44 am

Some of the Laws of Life

The Creativity Post

_____________

1 . Law of Mechanical  Repair   
–   After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you’ll have to pee.

2. Law of Gravity
– Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least
accessible place in the universe.

3.  Law of Probability
– The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the
stupidity of your act.

4.  Law of Random Numbers
– If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal; someone always answers.

5.  Variation Law
– If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now.

6.  Law of the  Bath  
– When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone will ring. 

_________________

Sent to me by my good friend, Marsha

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May 25, 2023 · 10:11 am

Feast for the Eyes and Heart

Oxford-London-@LouisaTreger on Twitter

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May 25, 2023 · 10:03 am

Vincent Richel Driftwood Sculpture

I love driftwood art. I particularly love to see the different visions the artists have and create. Vincent Richel creates a ‘frame’ or a ‘scene’ also, with the driftwood, not only the wonderful sculpture itself.

Vincent Richel Driftwood Sculptures

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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 25, 2023 · 9:29 am

Thursday’s Hug 5-25-2023

Tiffany White – “Dogs Hugging Humans” – FirstforWomen.com

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May 24, 2023 · 10:52 am

End of Session 1

4Knines

It’s overcast and only 75 degrees outside – perfect for working, BUT it doesn’t make the work any easier.

I’ve just finished session # 1 (of several planned for today – weather permitting). I took a bunch of the worm castings fertilizer I’m using for the first time this year and spread it on the veggies in my square foot garden boxes. Then I started trying to empty the Mel’s Mix from the veggie box whose bottom finally gave up after several years and fell through, dumping about half of the Mel’s Mix in it on the ground below.

I decided the first thing to do on repairing the box is to get the rest of the Mel’s Mix out. I’m putting it in large trash cans. One half of the plywood sheet that made up the bottom of the box gave out, so I’m emptying the mix from the remaining intact bottom. I got one side emptied. I moved another trash can to the other side for another session later today. It looks like it might take 3 large trash cans to hold all the mix. I’m NOT looking forward to getting the stuff up that’s on the ground. We have a flat-bottomed shovel that should help with that after I’ve finished emptying the rest of the box.

I discovered that we have ANOTHER box that is READY to lose its bottom, so I’ll empty that one out, as well, and we’ll repair both of the boxes at the same time. Luckily, these were the two boxes that I had not planted this year, so we’re not under the gun to get them fixed quickly.

This is a large project for me, so I’m trying to pace myself and not ‘hurt anything’ in the process. :0)

Also, later today, I’ll spread the fertilizer in the tomato planters, but those are on the other side of the house. I’ll do that, and then head out to do session 2 in the garden.

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May 24, 2023 · 9:55 am

Adeline Halvorson Fine Art 2

Happiness

Sole-Mate

Wolly Bully

Adeline Halvorson Fine Art

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May 24, 2023 · 9:29 am

Mark Gray Photography

Mark Gray Photography – @GrayMarker99 on Twitter

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May 24, 2023 · 9:26 am

Will Kurtz – Paper Sculpture

Bass Player

Dali Lama

Dali Lama Closeup

Lady

Will Kurtz Paper Sculpture

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May 24, 2023 · 9:19 am

Wednesday 5-24-2023

versaversa.tumblr.com

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 · 11:52 am

“Common Kindness”

Houston Recovery Center

A surprising thing happened at our routine doctor appointment yesterday.

I noticed that the nice lady who updated our information on the computer in the exam room was an RN. Her name was Bailey and the first thing I noticed was her tennis shoes. They had a really sassy leopard print sole. :0) I had never seen ones like this and I thought they were neat. I mentioned them and she said they were new. I asked her how long she had been working with Dr. Hays and she said 6 months. When I asked her how long she had been an RN, she said since 2020. I told her I was impressed that she got her credentials during that period of time and that she must have a lot of grit and stamina to do all of this during the pandemic.

We finished updating my husband’s info and mine, she asked if it were okay that an intern attend our exam and our doctor came in shortly. When the appointment was over and Bailey brought back our paperwork, she suddenly gave me a quick hug. I must have looked surprised because she said that I was the only one in the six months she’s been here who asked about her background and made her feel special. I gave her a quick hug back and thanked her for HER treatment of US.

This shouldn’t be something that makes us notice. Kindness should be as normal as what USED to be known as “common courtesy.”

Strive to promote ‘common kindness.’

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May 23, 2023 · 11:33 am

“Becorns” 4

Winter Chickadee

Winter Titmouse

Winter Titmouse 2

I can’t say enough about the combination of “becorns” (cute acorn and nature critters that David M. Bird creates,) the situation he makes, and the patience and expertise to get the photo in nature to go with his idea. I think his work is stunningly beautiful.

David M. Bird “Becorns”

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