One of the gifts I received for my birthday recently was this beautiful pot of “Mime” roses with the solar-powered glass hummingbird. I finally was able to get some pics at night to give you an idea of how much fun it is.
It changes color very rapidly, but I tried to show you many of the colors.
I love the way that the hummingbird lights up, and then you can also see the reflection in the window.
Wonderful friend – perfect gift!
Filed under Cause for Celebration, Friendship, giving
So far I’m feeling a bit frazzled today.
We are just back from taking our Honda Ridgeline truck into the dealership because a couple of lights started showing up on the dash this weekend. We looked up the icons and couldn’t make much sense out of them, except one had to do with emissions, so we thought it was important that someone who works with Hondas all the time and knows what they’re doing should look at it. They will call us when they have an estimate on fixing the problem. We have been running from one thing to another lately that needs repair or replacing, so we have had to spray money in all directions – a bit stressful. So I’m hoping that THIS time, we’ll hear some good news. I’ll stay in close proximity to the phone so that I won’t miss the call.
I wasn’t sure where the dealership was. I followed my husband – a nerve-wracking prospect – so the trip seemed to last forever. We’ll go back together to pick up the truck when it is ready, and I won’t have any trouble getting back home.
My husband is building a new welding table out in the shop. He found one online that would allow the table to be tilted and turned, giving him more flexibility and ease of working on his projects. The trouble was, the table cost over $2200! He looked at it, deciding that he could build one. He ordered the table top online. We went to Davis Iron in Fort Smith and bought the heavy square tubular metal he needed, and then went to Harbor Freight to get some really heavy duty wheels. He has been working on the project for several days now, and is at the point where he will paint the metal support for the table.
The bolt at the top (to the left of the table top) can be loosened, and then the table top can be tightened to any angle desired. The top can also be turned so that he can work on long items. He can roll the table around, or store it out of the way. He also MADE a breaking mechanism so that the wheels can be locked so the table doesn’t roll while he’s trying to weld something.
We have a nice, sunny day today (AMAZING!!!!) – so he is trying to get the metal support for the table painted today so it won’t rust.
Once we have paid for whatever the truck needs, I need to call the propane people again for help with the pilot light in the shop’s heater, the Window World people to see if they have been successful on making our replacement windows, the property tax people to see if they have sent out bills yet, and finally (I hope!) a contractor who can help us repair or replace the sheet rock on our porch ceiling…. 2021 seems to be an unending series for us. Our son, who lives in Thailand, said when we chatted briefly this morning, “I hereby declare a moratorium on things developing problems.”
Roberto Rizzo Rock Painting, robertorizzoart.net, Hidreley – BoredPanda.com
Filed under Rock Art, Stone/Pebble Art
I have been an avid reader since I was about 5 years old. My mom started teaching me when I was very young. I had looked around my living room, seeing my dad engrossed in a large book about geology, my mom doing the NY Times Sunday Crossword puzzle, and my brother sitting on the couch devouring a comic book. I got more and more frustrated, finally announcing in a loud voice, “I wish to HELL I could read!” After the shocked and appalled silence, my mom joined me on the floor and began to teach me.
The gift she gave me has only grown. The only time I lost my love for reading was when I was in graduate school, working on my Master’s Degree as a reading specialist. I wanted to share my love for reading and learning, but it’s amazing that anyone could come through that program and still love to read. I studied so hard and long, taking one class each semester and three each summer while teaching full time. I found I had lost the ability to read for pleasure, tensely reading – taking mental notes – as though I would be tested on the material when I finished. After a year or so, I finally gave myself permission to just enjoy – and my love for reading returned.
I finished re-reading the “Spenser” series by Robert B. Parker a couple of days ago. I was a bit sad to finish the last one. The writers who have tried to emulate him and extend the series just don’t capture the flavor for me.
Now I’m re-reading his “Jesse Stone” series. I love the character created here, and it was only enhanced when Tom Selleck was chosen to be Jesse Stone in the movie versions.
I hope a LOT of people are enjoying the work of their favorite authors, plus finding new ones, to help them through these challenging times.
Filed under Favorite Quotes, kindness, Poohisms
Roberto Rizzo Rock Painting, robertorizzoart.net, Hidreley, BoredPanda.com
Filed under Rock Art, Stone/Pebble Art
Filed under Amazing Animals, Awe-Inspiring Photography
Filed under Stone/Pebble Art
Although our last spring frost is technically April 5th here, there are signs of spring everywhere I look outside! I couldn’t be more ready.
Yesterday I planted the elephant ear bulbs I’ve had in our garage in a trash can of Mel’s Mix (soil alternative). The bulbs were ‘slimy’ on the outside (ICK!) but I dug the deepest holes I could in the planter and planted them. I have no clue what will happen – if anything – now. If they DON’T sprout new growth, we’ll look around and see if we can get replacement bulbs. We really enjoyed the display last year.
Our tulip tree is blooming!
It’s hard to be down when Mother Nature’s beauty is blooming its heart out all around you.
Happy Sunday!
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
It’s rainy here, making me glad I have a warm, dry house.
It also makes me want comfort food, and I have trouble staying away from ‘bad’ things.
In general, I do pretty well, but then the gremlin inside my head tells me, “It’s been over a year since you had a ________. It wouldn’t hurt to have just one…” Yeah, right. And then we move on to President’s Day, and National Pickle Week, and the whole thing crashes.
Today I’m trying to distract myself by working in the yard, if Mother Nature will cooperate. It is not raining this very minute, so maybe I can get my elephant ear plants re-planted.
I noticed yesterday that in addition to my daffodils lifting my spirits, our tulip tree is blooming! Talk about signs of hope for the future!
So, I will finish my coffee, keep my mouth firmly shut otherwise, and stay busy.
Wishing myself luck….
Filed under Challenges, DIET!, Gardening
Four years ago Amber was born and soon came to live with us. She is a yellow lab.
We had done some research before getting her, and saw that labs tend to be a bit hyperactive for the first two years, but then they settle down.
Amber did not get the memo.
(I remember my parents, both only children, sitting me down at times for ‘serious discussions.’ They would calmly tell me that they had read the book (probably Dr. Spock) and that they realized that I was apparently going through the ‘terrible two’s.’ They had decided that I would SKIP this stage, moving right on to whatever came next. The talks really didn’t work that well, but I understand their motivation.)
Amber HAS calmed down – to be fair – but still is a maniac. She does pretty well when nothing is happening and we are by ourselves. The minute anyone ELSE comes, she acts as though she has never seen us before. All the time we’ve spent trying to train her goes out the window.
Since she weighs 95 pounds, it isn’t ‘cute’ that she wants to run right up to you, jump up, and lick you in the face. We have baby gates all over the house so that we can contain her. She is sneaky, and very smart, knowing that we can’t pay attention to her every minute. She calmly waits and then goes into the kitchen and eats my husband’s treats off the counter, leaving only the container on the floor, coming in where we are in the living room, smiling and belching. My husband and I try really hard to remember to close the baby gate between the living room and the kitchen, but we’re old and we get busy…
My other worst time is when she is outside and I come out, usually going out to the shop to check on my husband, or out to the garden. When she sees me, her eyes light up and she comes running FULL SPEED. She has knocked me flat onto my back on the ground several times. I now try to hurry to a tree, or at least turn sideways to give her a smaller target. She doesn’t mean to hurt me, but the damage is done before she tries to lick my face.
If I had to describe Amber in one word, it would be ‘EXUBERANT.’ The love for life and wish to experience all there is overflowS in this sweet dog. I wish her parents were smarter…
Filed under Amazing Animals, Challenges, Family
I have had a really nice celebration this year. My husband was raised not making a big deal of birthdays, so he doesn’t do much on anyone’s birthday, his own included. He simply doesn’t think of it. My friends and relatives make up for him, though, making me feel VERY special. I have received cards and texts, phone calls, and TWO Lunch Bunch Fridays where two weeks ago, the waitresses/friends at the Pizza Barn got me some really nice foaming soap and a tall, heavy candle that smells like Cranberry-Mandarin. Heavenly!
My birthday fell exactly between two Fridays this year, so that always complicates things on when we celebrate. Yesterday my Lunch Bunch friends gave me a special birthday lunch. I got some really luxurious hand cream (the foaming soap and the really nice hand cream are wonderful for chapped hands from all the hand washing we do now), and then a gorgeous plant (Mime Rose) with a solar-powered glass hummingbird to put in the pot.
I set things up, putting the flowering plant with hummingbird in the window. Last night when we were taking Amber out for her last outing of the day, I noticed the hummingbird was glowing, changing colors, and reflecting in the window! I’ve taken some pictures this morning, and I’ll try to get some tonight when the hummingbird is changing colors.
You have to look carefully to see the hummingbird up high above the mime roses.
You can see the hummingbird high above the plant in this picture a bit more easily.
Here’s a close up of the glass hummingbird. At night, it turns different colors, simply glowing and reflecting in the glass of the window. It’s stunningly beautiful. Hats off to the people who created this.
I just called my Lunch Bunch friend, thanking her again for such a wonderful gift. I love the mime roses, and I love the hummingbird. I’m a lucky lady. I’ll try to get pics tonight and share them with you tomorrow. :0)
Filed under Friendship, Gardening
Rock Painting – Roberto Rizzo – robertorizzoart.net – Hidreley – BoredPanda.com
Filed under Rock Art, Stone/Pebble Art
Filed under Amazing Animals
Some of my body parts are ripening more than others today.
I had a glorious massage this morning. My massage therapist had surgery early in November, and it was last month before she was able to give massages. The ice and snow made us reschedule, so this morning was my first massage in a LONG time. She told me she didn’t remember me ever being so tight and knotted up, and I’ve been going to her for several years. I knew I had been under some pressure, but as she worked on me, I could feel it. One place in particular, I almost came up off the table. I felt SO much better after she finished.
I came home, fixed us lunch, and then spread out under my throw in my recliner. I slept for 3 hours! I guess this is the first time in awhile I’ve felt really relaxed. I feel almost as if I could simply slither to the floor out of my chair right now. :0)
My husband and I had our first COVID vaccine shot last Monday morning. They are doing a mass injection effort in Fort Smith through Health Depot, one of our local pharmacies. I happened to call at the right time and was able to get an appointment for 11:00 on Monday. We used the GPS to find the church where the injections were being given. I had no idea what to expect, how long we would be there, etc.
What we found was a delight. We went into the church, filled out a two page form and were immediately told to go to one of several stations in another room. I sat down, got my shot, and was asked to go sit in some chairs and wait for them to bring my IDs and a card. We waited maybe 5 minutes. A man came, gave everything back to us, explained that we had an appointment to get the 2nd injection on March 29th at the same time and place. And that was it. We were there maybe 10 minutes total. The shot didn’t even hurt!
For the next couple of days, our arms were sore, but that was it. I feel so lucky to be able to get this protection and that we lucked into a place that was so well organized. We are in the high risk group as far as dying from the virus, so my mind is resting more easily now, too.
Right before I took my nap today, my husband had propped the back door open. Soon after we started eating our lunch, a sound came that was music to my ears – the generator turned on for its weekly test! We now listen each week to make sure it’s working. This probably won’t last forever, but it’s so comforting to know that we have backup power if we need it. AND I don’t take for granted the fact that we had water throughout the ice and snow storms where so many good people around us had pipes that burst or no local water at all. Things are starting to get back to normal now, but it’s another thing for which to be very thankful.
I hope that good things are happening for you, too.
Filed under taking care of yourself, Thoughts on a ________
ROCK PAINTING by Roberto Rizzo, robertorizzoart.net – article on Boredpanda.com by Hidreley.
Filed under Rock Art
Last night I awoke as if someone had nudged me at 1:30. I tried to go back to sleep, but sounds and thoughts surrounded me and I got up to go downstairs a read a bit to get sleepy again.
I ended up eating some turkey. There is something about being awake in the middle of the night that makes me ravenous. I ate and read and then went back up to bed.
Today I feel guilty, but that doesn’t mean I won’t do it again…..
Filed under DIET!
I received this from my SIL yesterday and I’m still smiling. I love it. I had a pretty good, quite birthday yesterday. Apparently I’m a bad one to hold grudges because I still resent being described by ANYONE as “elderly,” no matter how sweetly is it said. If I am with them when they say it, I will bite them in a leg, and I have NOT had my rabies shot.
Our weather is iffy, but I’m trying to replant my elephant ear bulbs. What I’ve read,though, says to wait until all chance of frost is past, and that is April 5th here, so I guess I need to wait a bit longer.
A lot of my daffodils froze, but I have bunches blooming their heads off around the yard. Even my husband remarked about them when we left to go to town yesterday.
This is the group I call “Debbye’s Bouquet.” I had a good friend who died of breast cancer several years ago. True to her nature, at her funeral two barrels were set up at the door of the church. We were asked to grab a handful of daffodil bulbs as we left and to plant them in her memory. I thought that was a truly wonderful idea. Every spring her bouquet comes up, giving me hope.
I’m re-reading “Now and Then” # 35 of 40 in Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series. I have thoroughly enjoyed re-immersing myself in the amazing world he created. I will be a bit sad when I get to the end of the series. Several good, well meaning writers have tried to continue his legacy, but they seem just a shadow, so I don’t try to read them anymore. I’m just feeling very lucky I found the original and have a collection to treasure.
Make your Wednesday a good one.
The above is a quote from Michelle Shocked
I am 74 today – older than dirt – older but not wiser – still ornery and kickin’ .
I have started a petition – in my own mind at least – to obliterate the word, “Elderly.” Supposedly, this includes people 60 and above. Every time I hear the word, realizing that the people uttering it are referring to ME, I get hostile.
“I’ve enjoyed every age I’ve been and each has had its own individual merit. Every laugh line, every scar, is a badge I wear to show I’ve been present, the inner rings of my personal tree trunk that I display proudly for all to see. Nowadays, I don’t want a “perfect” face and body; I want to wear the life I’ve lived.”
— Pat Benatar
I’m just getting a good start now. Right at this moment, I’m feeling a bit older than usual, though. My husband and I got our first shot of the COVID vaccine yesterday. My arm is a bit achy, and I’m not feeling very energetic, but that is a TEMPORARY condition, and this one time I’m glad I’m ‘old enough’ to get something.
I am full of plans for spring. I want to re-plant the elephant ear plant bulbs I’ve been storing in the garage for the winter. I want to repair our irrigation system where the cold weather busted one of the pvc pipes we use to water our plants. I am eager to uncover my raised bed planters so I can get spring veggies started.
I have ideas rattling around in my head for things I can try in my art room. In fact, I’m planning to spend part of my birthday today up there. :0)
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”~ Sophia Loren
It’s a nice day, so I’m going to spend time on my elliptical trainer in the garage, and then do a good, long session of yoga stretches this afternoon.
“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.”
— George Bernard Shaw
I truly love finding things to post on this blog. There is so much to share that is hopeful!
“As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning.” — Criss Jami
Filed under taking care of yourself
Filed under Amazing Animals, paintings I love
We spent from before lunch until 6:30 in the evening, but we got the new garage door opener installed and running yesterday. I am definitely coming back ( in my next life) as a combination weight lifter and basketball player who majored in fixing things.
The main thing that strikes me about the new opener is how QUIET it is compared to the one we replaced. I’m also very grateful we don’t have to manually haul the door up and carefully let it down now. A device that does that at a touch of a button is definitely a good thing. :0) It would be very nice if our garage were as clean as the one shown in the nice image above. No such luck.
We are resting today, still pretty whipped out with all the labor yesterday. The weather is gorgeous with reasonable temperatures and lots of sunshine. I will try to at least walk around the yard awhile before the afternoon is over, just to smile at the sun a bit, if nothing else.
I’m enjoying book # 29 “Widows Walk” by Robert B. Parker. I think there are 40 in the Spenser series, and I am truly enjoying revisiting his wit, sense of humor, wonderfully drawn characters, and clean writing.
I have spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker for dinner tonight. Nice Sunday.
I hope that YOUR Sunday is a good one, too.
Filed under Amazing Animals, paintings I love
My sister-in-law told me this morning that she and her Mah Jongg group helped their friend John celebrate his 80th birthday. She said, “He dressed up with a walker and shawl and scarf to get in the spirit of the moment. Lots of good chatter and neighbors honking as they passed. We think we gave him a “proper” 80th birthday.”
This is a beautiful example of the goodness of people even in the midst of the horrible pandemic, and I’m proud to be on the same planet. John’s wife was in the group originally. She passed away and her husband John was inducted into the group by this caring bunch of people. What a happy way to show John he is valued!
May we add our “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN!” to the celebration.
Filed under Friendship, giving, kindness
There was a sweet red cardinal trapped inside this bottle bird feeder this morning. I think it was the same one that was trapped in there once before, but the last time he freed himself after awhile. This time I decided that maybe he is mentally impaired and I couldn’t just leave him there.
He just walked out when I took the bottle down – meaning that if he hadn’t freaked out, he would have been easily able to extricate himself.
It is my observation over many years that the female cardinals check out feeding areas for the males. They come and see if the food is good and the area is safe. If nothing bad happens to them, the beautiful male red cardinals show up and eat. Maybe the females have spoiled the males so much in the past that they are borderline incapable of fending for themselves…
Now the cardinals – and all the other sweet birds, have two filled bird feeders, plus seeds in the shovel bird on the edge of the deck, plus two containers of suet, plus water ready.
Filed under Amazing Animals
creativeartworksblog 