Tenor
I feel like this sweet puppy, though not nearly as cute. I couldn’t sleep last night, so was downstairs reading for several hours, then tossed and turned. I’m glad I don’t have this problem often. I predict an unproductive day today…
I wish I felt energetic because the weather is stellar – sunny, bright, happy-looking day with a high this afternoon of around 72 here in Arkansas. In January. Unbelievable. :0)
I hope your day is fun.
Filed under .gifs I Love, Thoughts on a ________
Filed under animal paintings, Dede Gold Art
The News-Press
I planned to go up to my art room yesterday, but got distracted by the big pile of folders with tax receipts on the table beside my computer counter. I did the first go-through of the receipts, emptying the folders and putting them in the drawer for the new year. I feel I have a start on things now.
I did my new 10-minute walk video again yesterday created by yes2next – a mother and daughter duo. I found another one by them – a line dance video, that I’ll try when I feel ready. I did careful yoga yesterday, too, trying to stretch out the soreness I’ve been feeling, plus walked around the yard some in the afternoon, though I felt as if the gusty winds would blow me away.
Between have-to’s or shoulds, I’m enjoying re-reading my In Death series collection by J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts. I received the latest paperback in the collection – Desperation in Death – which came out the last day of last month, so I dived into my collection again, to enjoy the gritty, fascinating world before allowing myself to read the latest addition. The collection now has 55 books. Encore in Death, #56, will come out in hardback in February of this year. I’ll preorder the paperback when I can. I’m enjoying re-reading # 20, Survivor in Death, now.
I hope that things are going well for you. I wish you a calm and joy-filled day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Filed under ceramics, Clay Art, Nastia Calaca Ceramic Art
A hundred years or so ago I played guitar and sang. I wasn’t that great, but I did make some money in college as a part of a group that entertained at corporate events, and there was a place where folk singing was popular. I sang there regularly.
Time Out
I still sing along when I’m listening to music upstairs in my art room. It’s fun because I can really get into the music, bopping around to the beat and humming or singing as I figure out what the next step is in whatever art I’m working on. My husband is downstairs, and is a bit hard of hearing, so he isn’t bothered. :0)
FreePik
It has always amazed me how much POWER music has. It takes you back to where you were, how you felt when you heard it first. It gets inside you and makes you FEEL. Some voices just fill you up and you feel happier. I hear some music and I’m simply unable to sit still. I HAVE to get up and move. I have my MP3 player filled with music that makes me want to move to the beat, so I always take that out with me when I’m exercising on my elliptical trainer.
I have a lot of YouTube videos bookmarked so I can listen to them whenever I would like a boost. Even when the music is sad, I listen and it seems to purge any sadness as I react to the song, so that by the end I feel calmer, more able to deal with any problems or simply enjoy the day.
FreePik
I have CDs to play upstairs. I have Pandora on my phone now with earbuds I can use so I can listen to music if we’re having to wait for an appointment somewhere.
I feel lucky to have so many ways to listen to something that brings me joy.
Filed under music
Filed under animal paintings, Dede Gold Art
I found this and walked with them yesterday. I was reminded how much I need this by my hips talking to me a couple of times, but I think this will do me a lot of good. It’s short, gets me moving, and I like this mother and daughter.
I also did a careful, abbreviated version of my yoga practice yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks. I have no clue why my right upper arm is hurting, but I’ve decided to try to work through it very carefully and see how it goes. ONE DAY AT A TIME.
I’m also being more successful in NOT eating in-between meals. This week has been a good start. If I think I’m hungry, I’m trying to drink some water and see how I feel later. If I’m STILL hungry, I have some dried fruit to eat. 2-1/2 pounds down for the week.
Our weather is nice today, so I’m planning to at least walk around outside this afternoon. It’s hard to believe it’s January. The high will be around 62!
I’m thinking about at least spending some time in my art room today. I have ideas rattling around in my brain during the day, and am dreaming about them at night, so it’s time. :0)
I hope you’re enjoying your Sunday, too.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
I love writing this blog. I’m delighted when I find some someone who is creating something that fills me with awe at their talent and with joy from what they have created, whether it’s in music, or art, or writing, or just making me laugh or cry. One of the things that keeps me from giving up is that there are so MANY creative souls who continue to create something special in the middle of our callousness and stupidity. These people shut out the world and create something that speaks to us, makes us feel our better selves, causes us to keep hope alive. I’m so grateful that I am able to find people from all over the world who fill my heart, making me want to share them with you.
The WordPress people provide graphs and charts showing you how many people are following you, how many people look at your posts, how many ‘likes’ you get, comments, etc., and then compare them to the past. I usually just concentrate on the day, trying to provide a variety of posts, hoping that you feel entertained, glad you spent some time with me. Every once in awhile I look at the past, just to get an idea of what has happened since I started.
People follow for different reasons. When they no longer find it interesting, or I send too many posts, they stop following, so the numbers go up and down. The chart above shows the yearly totals of visitors and views, from 2014 when I started until the year just started, 2023. I found it really encouraging to see the difference last year. It makes me happy, but it also makes me more serious about trying to provide a variety of things that will make you feel you aren’t wasting your time or finding me too annoying.
I so enjoy the ‘likes’ I receive, and particularly the comments, letting me know what you think. Thanks for making 2022 a nice year. I’ll try to do better in 2023.
Filed under Encouragement
Except for enjoying a surprise brunch at The Waffle House when out with my husband, I’ve been good this week. In fact, when my husband said we should go somewhere out to eat when we found out our friends wouldn’t be at Lunch Bunch yesterday, I convinced him to stay home and make our own lunch – even though it was nice of him to suggest it.
I’m hoping that my new “One Day at a Time” affirmation will continue to give me the strength of purpose to keep my mouth shut, not eating in-between meals or in the middle of the night when I am finding it hard to sleep, and getting back into my exercising daily.
So far this week my scales are still laughing at me, but I AM showing about 2 lbs less now. I’m hoping for 2 to 3 pounds per week, or at least that I hold whatever I’ve lost from week to week before showing more loss. Onward and downward.
Filed under DIET!
Filed under animal paintings, Vivi K. Crandall
I discovered Jess Glynne when she pranked The Voice Coaches, supposedly auditioning. She completely blew me away. Since then, I’ve found lots of songs she has recorded. I’ve never heard a voice like hers. I’ve bookmarked several so I can listen over and over again. I hope you enjoy her, too.
I found Emilie Fosshaug yesterday when I was taking a break between chores. Her voice is rich, full, and as smooth as butter. I hope she goes far in the competition.
Filed under music
Filed under ceramics, Clay Art, Nichola Theakston Ceramics
Practical Psychology
I think I’ve finally done it. Oddly enough, I’m convinced I’ve done it because I HAVEN’T been able to exercise lately and I am thinking about it and MISSING it. YES! You read that right. I AM!
In my former life, The fact that I’ve not been able to continue my ‘however-many-days-in-a-row’ streak and continue putting starts on my calendar would have caused me to give it up. My current feelings are more mature (yeah, I know – hard to believe), but I’m simply looking forward to feeling good enough to be able to do a session of yoga. Each day I’ve been closer, and this afternoon might be the time I can do it again. And also, hopefully, when I’m able to do that, I’d like to start with my alternating warm-up and weights videos one day and elliptical trainer the next again.
I’m writing this day down on my calendar because it’s hard to believe that I’m not having an out-of-body experience or something. It doesn’t MATTER that I haven’t been able to keep up my ‘streak.’ I won’t even keep track of it anymore. The IMPORTANT thing is that I’m doing ONE DAY AT A TIME.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE – I just received a text from Patty, Linda’s daughter. She said that Kay had called her and said she was sick and wouldn’t be at Lunch Bunch today. Patty is out of town and said that Linda wouldn’t be there, either. I told my husband that Lunch Bunch was called off for the week. He said, “We could still go to the Waffle House.” I thanked him for the offer, but told him (again) that I was really trying to eat right and that when we had a chance to do that, we should, and that I would rather just stay home today and eat our normal lunch. I managed to NOT eat anything in-between meals yesterday, had bought some dried fruit to eat if I DID eat between meals, and that I was trying to take one day at a time, eating right and doing my exercises.
It’s funny. I’m older than dirt, but am just NOW starting to act a bit more like an adult. :0) The question of how long does it take to build a habit varies a lot from person to person. The answer for ME is around 172 days – at least on exercising. The ‘habit’ of eating right is just in its infancy for me, but I won’t count.
Kris Carr On Twitter
Filed under Attitude, Challenges, Changes, character-building exercises
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, quilts
It’s 28 degrees F. right now – not really that cold, but the wind is blowing and it FEELS really cold, particularly after the springlike weather we’ve been enjoying. The cold front came through and thankfully the storms didn’t cause any damage here. I’m full of gratitude that we’re good here. My heart goes out to the people suffering from the vagaries of the weather.
Source Unknown
I may actually get up to my art room today. I have some ideas rattling around in my head that I’d like to try. :0)
My husband is a happy camper today. Yesterday he was finally able to delete the program he didn’t want on his computer and replace it with a version (after trying 3 different softwares) that does exactly what he wanted it to do. We are both relieved.
jackandfriends.com
I’m starting to think about plans for the square foot garden in the spring. I’ll get out my diagrams of where things were planted last time and start figuring out what I would like to plant, how many plants, and where to put them. A gardener is always plotting the next planting.
Cesar’s Way
We’re due to meet our friends for Lunch Bunch today. Last week my husband and I were stood up. No one came or called to tell us they weren’t coming. It turned out that all were sick. I’m hoping that everyone is feeling good now and that we’ll see them at lunch today. I’ve tried to call both of them, but neither of them is good about checking their phones…
I hope today is a good one for you.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Clipart Library
My husband has been having a computer problem. As I understand it (only a relative term), he wants to delete a program on his computer and replace it with another one. The computer won’t allow him to do this. It says my husband doesn’t have ‘permission.’
He finally got on chat with Microsoft support and wanted me to type for him. (Since his strokes, he really has trouble, so this is an easy thing for me to do. The guy on chat asks a question – my husband dictates an answer – I type it. It becomes more troublesome as we go, though. My husband gets frustrated when the guy asks for something that doesn’t make sense to him. I type whatever my husband answers, and then the guy on chat gets confused. Things escalate. To say this becomes ‘stressful’ is an understatement. My contribution is to keep my mouth firmly shut and do or type what my husband says, trying to remain calm.
We got to the point where the Microsoft guy was saying the problem was beyond his scope, then my husband asked if he could help us add another user. He did that, and we thanked him.
So now my husband is wrestling with another part of the problem intensely, so I’m keeping a low profile at my computer while he mutters at his.
Now I’ll drive down to get the mail and fix us some lunch.
One step at a time…
Filed under Challenges, Changes
“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” ~ Orhan Pamuk
“Did you know that there are over 300 words for love in canine?” – Gabriel Zevin
“You can usually tell that a man is good if he has a dog who loves him.” – W. Bruce Cameron
“When an 85-pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad.” – Kristan Higgins
“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” – Gilda Radner
“A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” – Josh Billings
Filed under Art by Mike Ramshaw, drawings
Women’s Health
SHOUT – OUT – Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Haaaaaapy Birrrrrrthdaaaaaay, Dear Lau-fraaaaaaaa-in. Haaaaapy Birrrrrrrthdaaaaay tooooooo yoooooou!
SHOUT – OUT – Kay and Bud – I hope you’re both feeling sassy now.
SHOUT – OUT – ML – Hope you hear something encouraging in your search for a new furry friend soon.
ArtemisFiberArt-Etsy.com
SHOUT – OUT – To those who could use a big hug this morning.
______________________
It’s 42 and quite dark and grim-looking this morning. The cold front and storm came through, but we seem to have come through fine. We’re supposed to be at our high for the day now.
Stay warm and safe.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Filed under Gill Parker Bronze Sculptor, sculpture
Gifak.net – Giphy
In the middle of the afternoon I could give this sweet rodent a run for his money on eating. If I, like he, could stick to carrots, that would be good….
A storm with a cold front are coming through tonight to take away the happy springtime weather we’ve been enjoying and bringing back more normal temperatures for January in Arkansas – so a high of about 72 this afternoon and a high in the low 50s for tomorrow – still warm but noticeably cooler.
This poor old body is making a bid to be thrown on top of the heap in the salvage yard lately. I won’t give you a long list of woes, but the latest was this morning with the help of Amber, our dog. I was sitting here typing, and she came over to say, ‘hi.’ I stopped, to turn to pet her, and she flipped my arm up with her nose, making the top of my arm hit the bottom of the countertop my computer sits on. I took off my watch to rub my arm and there is already a small knot coming up, with probable colorful bruise to follow. Hahahaahahaha. My warranty is definitely expired, though I’m hoping to do some yoga this afternoon.
I wish you a very happy day.
Filed under .gifs I Love, Thoughts on a ________
Sent by my friend, Marsha
“Put your right foot in,
Take your right foot out,
Put your right foot in,
And you shake it all about….
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
Filed under animal paintings, Vivi K. Crandall
It’s a nice Tuesday here. We’re actually having ‘spring’ this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon before a cold front brings winter back Wednesday night. It’s sunny and 36 now and is supposed to reach 72 this afternoon – in JANUARY! :0)
Since my Lunch Bunch friend Kay hadn’t answered my phone calls, and my email to her was returned, I got concerned and we stopped at her house at the end of our errands yesterday. She answered the door, thank goodness. She and her husband have been sick, but are finally doing better, she said. When I was sure she was all right, I asked her to please check her phone once a day, just in case someone was trying to reach her. She answered that her phone didn’t work right, but didn’t want to take it anywhere to be looked at. She told me she had stopped using her email address. I pointed out that this left carrier pigeons as the only other way to reach her and she smiled. The important thing is that she’s okay. She may, or may not, remember to call me if she’s not coming to Lunch Bunch in the future…
We really enjoyed a brunch/lunch yesterday at The Waffle House. We tried a Sausage, Egg & Cheese Hashbrown Bowl. I enjoyed watching the chef cook our food. I almost felt we were at Benihana. When we were served, I complimented him. The meal was delicious and a real treat. We’ve only eaten there once before since they opened in Greenwood. (They are pretty expensive and we eat too much.)
I’ve been enjoying watching some demonstration videos of various painting techniques. They are getting me excited about trying something new in my art room. Maybe today.
We only have regular stuff to do today. We’ll leave soon to get our mail, get a haircut for my husband, and pick up our trash can on the way back up the driveway.
Have a fun Tuesday!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Sent to me by my friend, Marsha
Two days ago I pulled a couple of salmon fillets out of the freezer. When I thawed them, I discovered I had FOUR, instead of the TWO I had expected. I went ahead and cooked them, serving them with some steamed veggies. I had never had salmon leftovers, so I looked on the net to find suggestions for using them. I hadn’t thought about making a salmon salad, like tuna salad, but I decided to try it. My husband was pleased with both dinners, and I got some other ideas of what can be done with the leftovers, so I’ll probably do it again – on purpose next time. :0)
My husband’s request is for spaghetti tonight. We used to enjoy a large pasta bowl of it with garlic toast. Now we eat in a much more careful manner, trying for moderation, rather than eating what probably amounts to 3 or 4 servings each at one sitting. Now I serve it in small bowls, with a salad on the side and maybe a dinner roll. I divide the leftovers into individual portion freezer containers, ready for us to heat and eat at other times.
I’m building a portion of cashews into my daily calorie count, particularly when MyFitnessPal.com concludes “I’m probably not eating enough” after I list my eating plan for the day.
We’re enjoying our lunches, comprised of fresh fruit, potato salad, a slice of ham or turkey, and maybe some cheese. It’s colorful and delicious.
I’ll get back to my exercising, warm-up and weights exercises online one day and my elliptical trainer on alternate days, plus my session of yoga in the afternoons – once my arm quits complaining.
I’m cooking more, but carefully, and am enjoying the ‘cooking once’ getting several meals out of each session.
And I’m hoping this, along with trying to drink more water, will result in a healthier, sassier me for 2023.
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, quilts
creativeartworksblog 