I hope you’re doing well this morning. It’s cold and a bit windy here today, making it feel a lot colder than the 38 degrees F. that is showing on the thermometer, particularly after the much warmer temperatures we’ve gotten used to lately. 60s yesterday, 44 for a high today. A good wake-up call that winter is coming.
I’m going to add wood-burned and hand-painted bookmarks to Etsy starting next year. This is a sample of one I’ve made for the site –
This one will be an offering for a ‘custom bookmark,’ with a name on one side and initials on the other, with decorations around them on front and back. I’m working on 3 more other designs now, and having SUCH a good time!
AP News – Lake Effect Snow in NY
I’m super glad we aren’t dealing with this. I can’t imagine this much snow, much less having to dig my way out. My heart goes out to the people who are in the middle of this.
I hope the weather where you are is good and that you’re able to make this a great day.
As we age, we find that it’s more difficult to do things we used to do without even having to think about it. Some things we have had to hire out, and other things we’re still struggling with, since our funds are limited.
My fantasy is that
We win the lottery, so that money is not an issue anymore
I can help my friends and relatives who need a boost, too
I can donate to all the causes I care about
We can hire people to do ALL the things we would like, not having to plan it out, budget for it, sacrifice other things for it, etc.
And – as long as this is MY fantasy – I can wish for hunky guys to do all the work needed. :0)
SO – all I need to do is wait for my fantasy to be fulfilled…
I joined BlueSky Social a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve found some very talented people there. As you know, I love to share things I find wonderful with you. Today I want to share some of the photography of Bryn Perrett.
I’m not only in awe of his obvious talent. He is a generous person, as well, giving time in his posts to other people in his field, sharing their photos with his followers.
He lives in Norway, and I’m loving his sharing of beautiful places there.
I look forward to his posts. I hope you’ll check him out.
Bryn Perrett – @brynperretphoto.bsky.social (He’s also on Facebook, Instagram and Cherrydeck.)
Do you realize that Christmas will be here before we know it? As I age, the time whizzes past my head faster and faster. I barely begin the day and it’s gone. Same for the week, month, and year!
I’m spending a lot of time in my art room. I’m having a blast, working on orders from my Etsy site, gathering finished things for orders to mail, making presents for my friends, working on new things to list on my Etsy site, and more. It feels as if I just get started up there and then it’s time to come down and fix lunch, dinner, do errands, etc. I love this time of the year, but I’m a bit concerned that the time is passing SOOOO fast!
ABC News – New York
I was looking at some pictures of lake-effect snow that is happening in some parts of our country now. I’m very thankful I’m not in the middle of that. We would NEVER be able to get down our steep driveway. We would just have to ‘survive’ (hopefully) until the spring thaw…
When we first adopted “Monster Cat,” (aka Jet) I got out a woven ‘bread basket’ and put it on the counter to the left side of my computer monitors so that we could hang out together and she could be comfortable while I worked.
As you can see from the 2nd cat photo above, she sleeps when and wherever she wants to, regardless of my ‘plans.’ I was going to add something to my desk calendar a minute ago, and found her sprawled across the whole thing. I’ve now made my note on a sticky and will transfer it to my calendar when the cat has decided to move on…
The Spruce
Today it may get into the 60s! To celebrate that, I may spend some time this afternoon working in the yard, trying to neaten some things up for the coming winter.
I just love these drawings. It’s difficult to believe that he only uses a pencil, isn’t it?
“Handle every situation like a dog. If you can’t eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away.” – Unknown
“Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul, chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we’re the greatest hunters on earth!” – Anne Tyler
“If you’re uncomfortable around my dog, I’m happy to lock you in the other room when you come over.” – Unknown
“A boy can learn a lot from a dog — obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down. ” – Robert Benchley
Winnie the Pooh – A.A. Milne – illustrated by E.H. Shepard
I’m feeling ‘animal happy’ this morning. We had another deer in the driveway this morning. I went out on the deck and saw a road runner streaking across the yard, and then a rabbit!
Amber came and threw my arm up with her nose while I was trying to type. We looked at each other a minute. I finally said, “What do you want?” “Do you want to go OUT?” She grinned at me and barked, so she’s out now. (It’s cold enough, she just barked to get back IN.)
Monster Cat stole one of my husband’s knot-tying ropes out of the canister on his shelf and was playing with it. It is now becoming HER toy. I threw her pom pom ball and she bounded after it – but didn’t bring it back, of course. Suddenly, she was on the floor behind me, with her pom pom ball! I threw it again. Do you think I might have a cat who likes to play, “Fetch?” ‘Rich in animals,’ for sure.
We have a few errands this morning, but mostly will stay in. I’m spending a lot of time in my art room, having a blast, playing with painting with alcohol ink.
I hope you’re having a fun Tuesday, staying out of trouble, and embracing the new month!
Sure, there are challenges – I have to remind my husband that I have the tractor guy on ‘speed dial,’ ready to dig a hole for me to throw him in when he is being particularly ornery, for example, but mostly all is good.
I usually spend the morning writing posts for this blog and doing exercises with weights in-between posts. This way I don’t have to have a particular time designated for working out with the weights, and it doesn’t seem so bad when I can then enjoy writing another post.
I truly love spending time finding things I find wonderful to share with you. I’ve become friends with some of the readers of this blog – a thing I wouldn’t have had the opportunity for, otherwise. What a gift that is!
I escape from my ‘challenges’ by –
writing the posts or finding wonderful things to include later
listening to music – either upstairs in my art room, or finding new wonderful talent on YouTube
reading – I just can’t get enough of diving into an ‘old friend’ or discovering a new author, learning something new, and more.
playing in my art room – playing at being an ‘artist,’ trying new techniques, using new tools, or old tools in a new way, being inspired by things I see on Pinterest, Etsy, or other places that get my juices flowing.
gardening – spring is my favorite season, with perennials blooming from my efforts in the past, new things to plant, veggie gardens to plan, hacking down all the stuff that tries to recapture the wildness that was here before we came, and more. There are good things to do in ALL the seasons, though, and I love to spend time outside, pruners in my gloved hands, walking around.
My husband and I are reasonably healthy at this point, even though we’re older than dirt. He is still grumbling about turning 81 last month. “80 had panache” he said, but 81 is ‘just old.’ I’m trying to watch what he’s eating, though he thwarts my efforts when he can. He refuses to exercise, but that’s just him being ornery. He’s excited about his new welding table, but doesn’t have a new project yet.
He did say he was proud of me recently about my efforts to lose the lard and make what is left stronger. I’m still happy about his compliment.
So, I’m a happy, spoiled lady, and I love my life now. I’m hoping that Dr. Seuss’ words are true for a good, long time.
I just love this lady’s artwork. She makes me smile from the inside out.
Season Watch – University of Minnesota
Our driveway detector went off this morning while I was sitting at the computer. It only made one sound, an indication of an animal, rather than a vehicle coming up. I grabbed my binoculars on the way to see. A white-tailed deer stood regally toward the bottom of the driveway. (Only one that I could see.) We looked at each other for a minute and then she crossed the driveway and jumped into the wooded area to that side. What a beautiful sight!
Raising Children Network
I’m having a lot of fun spending time in my art room lately, either making things to list on my Etsy site, filling orders from there, or – most recently – making some Christmas presents for my good friends. I lose track of time up there, totally engrossed in the project at hand. I listen to some of my favorite music while I work, grinning happily. Unless life gets in the way today, I’m planning to enjoy time up there this afternoon.
The only things getting us outside today is gathering our trash and driving it down for pickup tomorrow, plus getting our mail. If you’ve been reading my blog, you know our driveway is long and steep (650+feet). We had it worked on recently, both with tractor work and gravel, plus a wonderful guy who cut back trees on either side for us, so it’s about as nice as it gets. I also got some ankle boots with better soles, so I get a bit more traction when I’m trying to drag the humongous trash can from where it lives to where the truck comes to empty it, and then back again the next day. I still have to really concentrate not to slip and fall on my head, but these boots help.
Jet – aka “Monster Cat”
The weather is really changing here the past week or so. We’ve gone from fall to a definite taste of winter. I THINK we’ve done all we can to get ready, but the forecasts are showing that we’ll not only hit freezing, but get down to single digits overnight soon. Then we’ll need to drip water in two of our bathrooms to keep pipes from freezing. (One of those is the cat’s bathroom downstairs. I’m still trying to figure out how to rearrange things in there to leave the cabinet door open under the sink – with an automatic heater in there- and leave water dripping in the sink with the cat in there. We haven’t gone through a winter with her yet, so this may be interesting.)
I hope December is starting off well for you. Things are calm here, and that’s a wonderful thing. Have a fun day.
I’m always reading at least one book for pleasure – not counting those I’m reading to learn skills, make new recipes, directions, manuals, etc. My husband and I spend some time before we go up to sleep reading. I love to escape to well-loved books or find new authors that grab my attention.
I told you I was in withdrawal yesterday having finished The 5th Doctor by R. G. Ryan – his Jake Moriarity series. We follow each other on X, and I complained to him about his not writing fast enough. (I’m old and I won’t last forever.) He answered, saying that there were 5 more in the pipeline for publication (HOOOOOORAAAAAAAY!) with a prequel to what I’ve read coming out next spring. I’ve written it on my calendar to start checking for it around March.
Meanwhile, I’ve downloaded a spate of poorly-written books on my Kindle. I read a few pages and then delete in disgust. I really enjoy finding new authors, but it’s a bit like kissing frogs.
I decided that I’m going to divide my time between two wonderful favorite authors, reading one book by each – rinse – repeat. SO – I’m re-reading the J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) “In Death” Series and the R.G. Ryan “Jake Moriarity” series. I’ll juggle between the two. Two strong main characters with a group of friends and family I love. A really nice way to spend my reading time. :0)
The thing I love about Phyllis Harris’ art work – besides her obvious talent – is that they are deceptively simply designs, and yet make you FEEL. They are simply full of emotion that grabs you and makes you REACT.
I IDENTIFY. I feel the hugs. I grin as I look at the girl and her dog gazing at each other in silent communication.
I feel the horse’s muzzle and the love exchanged between the girl and her horse.
Yesterday my wonderful hair stylist, Michael Remillard from Tangles in Greenwood, performed a miracle and I now look more like someone had a plan. My hair is thin and fine. Michael cuts it so that I can wash it and blow it dry in the mornings, just perfect for our lifestyle.
BoredPanda.com
That took up most of the morning, though, so I missed the time I normally do sessions with weights between blog posts. (I didn’t finish my posts for the day until around 3pm.) I did, however, do 45 minutes of yoga stretches in the afternoon and felt good afterwards. An added bonus was that Monster Cat didn’t attack my feet with teeth and claws as I relaxed and stretched. :0)
Keto Chili – Suzanne Ryan – Simply Keto
Today I’m hoping is a more regular day, with no drama, so I can indulge myself in my routine of blog posts and exercises with weights in the morning, get the makings of keto chili in the crock pot after lunch, spend some good time up in my art room (trying to make Christmas presents for friends) and do a good session of yoga before dinner.
Kiddipedia
I hope that you have a super nice day today and that it’s only the beginning of a stellar month for you.
I’m in the doldrums now because I finished R.G. Ryan’s latest Jake Moriarity series book, The 5th Doctor. I had a pretty stressful day yesterday, so I stayed up late to find out what happened to ‘my people.’
The problem is, I’m finished. Now I have to wait until another one comes out. I’m older than dirt, so I get a bit more impatient than I used to. No pressure, here, R.G…..
I love being able to immerse myself in Jake’s world. He’s always in a nail-biting, tightly-crafted problem in his job of ‘finding missing people.’ The thing I love the most, though, is the characters – and in particular, Jake and his best friend Aaron. Strong friendships like this are rare, and this one is stellar.
Jake is a fascinating character. He’s tough and tenacious. Dedicated to doing whatever needs to be done in order to find the person who is missing. He is fiercely loyal to a very small group of people. He is human, though, and that’s the best part, showing at various times throughout the series. He is the strongest kind of man, not afraid to cry. He’s very honest, showing emotion when it truly matters, to those he values. As I said, fascinating.
This book had a surprising ending that really touched me.
Start at the beginning of the series with Watercolor Dreams so you can enjoy watching the relationships evolve. I repeat my warning that this series can be addictive, and that you may, as I have, fall into withdrawal symptoms when the last word has been read. Luckily, since I have all of them, I can indulge myself and re-read them from time to time. :0)
Hahahahaha. I laughed out loud when I found this. This is so ME many mornings before my coffee.
Imperial College London
My hair looks like a dandelion-gone-to-seed, so I’m off to see if Michael Remillard, the resident miracle worker at “Tangles,” can make it look as if ‘someone-had-a-plan’ by the time I leave. If you are in my area, call him for an appointment. You’ll be glad you did.
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Yesterday my plans were blown to smithereens. I helped my husband finish putting together his birthday/Christmas present, a new welding table, in the shop. It took two of us to get it from its upside-down position on the floor to an upright one. We’re both sore this morning from our efforts to do that.
Sometimes I wonder if we could advertise for a live-in ‘do-everything-guy’ who could help us with heavy lifting, cut up tree limbs that fall in the driveway, change LED fluorescent light bulbs while up on a ladder, and the list is endless. Things we used to do separately or together easily and now are a real problem. Of course, if we could get one, it would be nice if he were eye candy, too… :0)
The rest of the day was either checking to see if my husband was okay and in one piece or helping him with whatever he was doing so he wouldn’t have any accidents. He was having an ‘I’m-still-in-my-20s’ type of day. I was still doing laundry at 10pm last night. I was exhausted.
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I’m determined to do my exercising and play in my art room today. I may have to tie my husband to his chair in order to do this, but… :0)
I have developed yet another Pet Peeve. I KNOW! But I can’t seem to help it.
I download huge numbers of free books from the Kindle Unlimited Book Store. I’m really grateful to get them there because I’m a voracious reader and I simply cannot afford to buy lots of books anymore, have no place to put paperbacks; though, sometimes, I try to stuff JUST ONE MORE into a bookshelf.
The upside is that they are free. The downside is that I end up deleting so many of them – some after reading only a few pages – because of the lack of editing. I have done a bit of writing, though I’ve never had anything published. I’m a bit offbeat about my punctuation, wanting to write as I talk, showing emphasis by commas, semicolons, bold text, parenthetical phrases, quotes, dashes, etc. It is almost like sprinkling seasonings into a dish while I’m cooking. Each of us has our own style, rules or no rules.
But I have very little patience with those who don’t proofread. Misspellings, poor grammar, wrong use of words, etc. becomes so distracting and annoying that I just don’t want to continue. The delete button is a very handy tool on my Kindle, but I would really prefer to be able to finish the book before I use it.
Just wanted to show you bookmarks that make me drool. I would LOVE to be able to create images like this, but will have to content myself with making images that might make people smile or laugh, instead. I think these are incredible. Agni Prasada Burning on Etsy.
I love these mainly because the artist has shaped the wood of the bookmark to be part of the design – in this case, the dragonfly. And the cat tails also ‘spill over’ the rectangular basic shape of the bookmark, so you have a wonderful 3-D image as well as the art work. Just stunning.
WHINE-MOAN SEGMENT – Even though I tried to be quite moderate in our food celebration of Thanksgiving, the scales scoffed at me this morning, starting my morning off with its smirk and my frown. I’m ready to whine and moan over a NEW interim weight loss goal, but the current one isn’t finished with me yet. It would be really NICE to have the new goal for the new month…
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WEATHER –
Screw-on Sytrofoam Faucet Caps
Our weather has changed pretty abruptly. It was 22 this morning! It’s a balmy 29 right now and the high is supposed to be 48 this afternoon. Right after lunch I will go out and unhook our hoses and screw the winter faucet caps on, making sure, also, the house vents are closed. This really snuck up on me this year. I’ll also check the house vents.
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ART –
I’m looking forward to spending time in my art room this afternoon. I’m working on an idea for Christmas presents for my friends, plus I’d like to start on some wood-burned and/or painted bookmarks to add to my Etsy site.
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HOSTILITY –
CROWDS- I think I’m a reasonably nice person – at least most of the time. Crowds, though, make me hostile. There is almost nothing that makes me hostile more than having to fight my way down aisles, squeeze through tiny spaces, crawl over things to get to what I would like to buy. Like today – officially “Black Friday” – I don’t want ANYTHING badly enough to get out today.
And on that happy note, I wish you a happy Friday. :0)
“How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven.” — Robert A. Heinlein
Nasreen Lyana-Pinterest
“You can not look at a sleeping cat and feel tense.” — Jane Pauley
voowow.com – I. WANT. THIS. QUILT! :0)
“A cat purring on your lap is more healing than any drug in the world, as the vibrations you are receiving are of pure love and contentment.” — St. Francis of Assisi
I guess you would call me a voracious reader. I have always loved books, from the time I was a young kid, sitting on the floor, looking around the living room in my parents’ home. My dad was pouring over a book from the library on geology, his secret career wish (though he was a top advertising creator on the radio in Tulsa OK, winning awards.) My mom was working the Sunday New York Times Crossword Puzzle and CryptoQuote. She was actually able to FINISH both most weeks. My older brother was reading one of his treasured comic books. I couldn’t hold it in any longer and said plaintively, “I wish to HELL I could read!” Happily, my parents ignored my language. My mom motioned for me to join her in her chair and proceeded to start teaching me.
I have a group of favorite authors. My home is full of wonderful books, though I try to use my Kindle as much as possible because if I don’t, we’ll have to get a bigger house!
My newest favorite author is R. G. Ryan. He has created a series of books centering around Jake Moriarity, a ‘finder of people.’ I discovered Ryan on X, followed him, and tried the first book in the series, Watercolor Dreams. To say I loved it is a vast understatement. I was sucked into the world he created, really liked the people and wanted more.
I went to Amazon and downloaded it late yesterday evening. When my husband wanted me to come to bed, I was saying, “Just let me finish this chapter!” I finally went up to bed around 2am. I’m still having a bit of trouble getting anything else done today because I’d like to get back into it.
I recommend the whole series of Jake Moriarity books. The characters are people you would want to know, and feel you DO know, with the relationships evolving from book to book. The plots are always interesting with plenty of heart-stopping action, but the thing that draws ME is R.G. Ryan’s sense of humor and humanity. The first makes me snort from time to time as I read and the second make me tear up.
I recommend you start with the first book in the series, Watercolor Dreams and enjoy them in order.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if YOU’LL discover a new favorite author, too.
I hope you’re up to your eyeballs in love today – knee-deep in family and friends sharing a beautiful time and delicious food.
Reader’s Digest – THE Healthy
If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know that our son lives across the world from us. He chose his location very carefully and is very happy. He left us a message on the chat program this morning –
He said, “Happy Thanksgiving, guys. I’m very thankful for all the love and energy and patience and support you have given me and still give me.”It just doesn’t get nicer than that. :0)
We’re having a quiet celebration here, just my husband and me. I’ll cook a turkey breast. Otherwise we’ve pared things down to our favorites – the ones we look forward to all year – cranberry jelly and deviled eggs. We’ll have salad, too.
It’s the coolest day we’ve had in quite a while. The low was 29 and the high will only be 49. With the wind, it will seem quite chilly. BRRRRR!
I’m thankful for so many things –
because I’m losing some of my lard and keeping what’s left moving – my health is improving. I’m getting stronger, more flexible, and able to do what I need to do more easily.
My husband is still with me to share our lives. He just turned 81 and is definitely old and ornery. Stubborn and always right. Self-centered and set in his ways. He says that I am “mean as a snake.” We’ve loved each other for 63 years now. We’ve been married for 55. We have a good start now.
So far we can cover expenses, and that’s a big relief. I hope this continues.
Thankful to be close to our son in all but geography. We talk almost daily. I’m so proud of the man he is and how he’s living his life. My husband keeps telling him he wants ‘Rug Rats,’ but I think it would be good if he got married first, finding a good source for the love inside.
Thankful for two quirky pets – Amber, a 95-pound yellow lab, and Monster Cat (aka Jet), a black cat with a personality that grows daily. Both keep us on our toes while filling us with laughter and joy.
Thankful to be able to write this blog. Finding and sharing things I think are wonderful with you is a big part of my life. Feedback from people who take the time to read it makes my day. Thankful to be able to talk to YOU.
Thankful to be able to create stuff in my art room and post it in my Etsy shop. Even more thankful when someone likes something I’ve done and buys it. There is no greater compliment.
So, a very Happy Thanksgiving.
“What we’re really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?” —Erma Bombeck
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