Adobe Stock
Colossal-Chinese Dongyang Wood Carving
Grabovetskiy School of Wood Carving
Time to Lighten Up
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
St. Patrick’s Day 3-17-2026
American Greetings
“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t met yet.” — William Butler Yeats
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We have just returned from visiting my husband at the nursing home. Today was a good visit, in that he was calm, comfortable – except for a sore throat – and made sense most of the time. He was happy to see us today, too. We told the manager about the sore throat as we left, so hopefully they have something that will bring him some relief.
An interesting thing – Harvey had a swath of talcum powder in the middle of his forehead and stripes of talcum powder on each cheek. We’re seeing if we can find out what that means, if anything –
We stopped at the chocolate place on the way home, always a nice part of our outing. Brian has hot chocolate – plus they bring him a tiny cup of hot tea. I always have a cold chocolate drink, and they bring me the tiny cup of hot tea, as well. Brian drinks my tea and we share a little cookie. We talk about our visit and then head home.
I picked up my laundry on the way back and now have it put away. SUCH a nice luxury. My laundry is a bit complicated: I do my undies and other incidentals in my bucket in the sink, then hang them on my drying rack on my balcony. I take Brian my sheets and towels on Fridays because he has a washing machine. I take my regular clothes to the laundry. It works for us.
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This is my latest painted sketch.
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Brian found a video about the bird WE call the “Fur Real” bird! It turns out its name is a Koel bird. The people in Singapore describe its sound as “uwu” but we can’t figure out where they get that. I’m including a short video on the bird and its sound and you can decide what sound YOU hear…
NOW we’re trying to find out about a bird WE call the ‘woop woop’ bird…
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I’m hoping that the people who are being buried in this March snow, as well as the people under the threat of severe weather today and tomorrow, come through it well. I’m keeping an eye on all the news I can find and wishing everyone well.
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“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” ―Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Filed under Uncategorized
Nanea Hoffman Wisdom
Seniv Petro – Freepik
“None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after thought. Eat the delicious food. Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean. Say the truth you’re carrying in your heart like hidden treasure. Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There’s no time for anything else.”
― Nanea Hoffman. Sweatpants and Coffee LLC
I love the wisdom of this woman. Her quotes and her drawings really resonate with me, making me nod in agreement, open my mouth in an “Ah hah!” moment, smile with recognition, identify with a kindred soul, and much more. What a wise, delightful woman she is!
This quote describes my life since shortly before we left the States to move to Thailand to be close to our son. I previously spent SO much time missing him. He was SO far away in Thailand. Too far to ask him to come home just for a visit. I was grateful that he was such a good communicator. We used a chat program he set up for us that was secure and we could reach each other quickly, with both of us being conscientious about checking for messages. If we got particularly lonely, we had another program similar to FaceTime, where we could visit in real time, seeing each other. I lived for those times, loving to see him smile, trying to make him laugh.
Now I see him several times each day. We tease each other unmercifully about various things, having inside jokes where we both start laughing with just a look, being able to hold hands when we walk somewhere, sharing meals every day, visiting my husband in the nursing home 3 times a week, giving each other strength when we need it.
I have shed most of our possessions of the last 40 or so years. We could only bring one suitcase each and a backpack when we moved. With the shedding of ‘things,’ I also shed ideas, plans, and lifestyle in the move. Our plans for a future of shared retirement flew out the window with my husband’s stroke 2 weeks after we moved and his subsequent move from the hospital to a nursing home we found. Now our priority is to make sure he knows he is loved in every way we can, make sure he is as calm and comfortable as possible, and make sure he is getting the best care we can provide. All else fades.
I am learning to embrace my new life here in Thailand. I’m making some new friends, learning the customs of the Thai people, slowing learning a few key phrases, learning how to get around, eating new foods, and more. To move from a town of 9000 to a city of 1.2 MILLION is quite a change! New priorities for me personally are to finally get to a weight I want to maintain, be as healthy and strong as possible, and to enjoy the life I have here to the fullest. I am finally less worried about the 4 lbs I have left to lose. No one cares but ME whether I ever get to my goal or not. In the meantime, I’m watching my portions, but I’m no longer putting off drinking the cold chocolate drinks I absolutely love or my iced mochas in the afternoon. When someone wants to eat something not previously on my list, I smile and enjoy every bite, including the pastries my son brought for us to share on my birthday.
I’m trying to reach out to the people who mean something to me and TELL THEM how special they are and how rich my life is because of their presence. It doesn’t matter if they are here in Thailand, across the world in the States, on the Internet – I want them to know how I feel.
I don’t worry about looking silly, being old, looking very similar to a Shar Pei dog with all the wrinkles on top of wrinkles. I embrace the fact that there are now stores I can walk into and find things I can wear for the first time in two years or more! I fill my days with things I love, many times with a big grin across my face. I am retired. I no longer do what I don’t want to do – other than things I might end up in the slammer for…
I’m enjoying being spoiled here. I have massages, have a housekeeper, take my clothes to the laundry, my son orders meals for us delivered here and all I have to do is go up and share them. I get haircuts, mani/pedis, and Brian will take me shopping to find things I need or things that are fun to put in my place. I love my life now, living by myself for the first time EVER. Nanea’s quote describes my new life perfectly. I hope more people take her wise advice.
Filed under Attitude
Chuckle Time – You Know You Need It
Vince, the Sign Guy – Indian Hills Community Signs
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
Monday 3-16-2026
Boo – Hiss – Groan – I love it.
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Windows open, breeze coming through, sun shining – what more could anyone ask? I’ve walked my mile at the gym, increasing my speed a notch this morning; shared breakfast with Brian (breakfast burrito – with scrambled eggs, bacon, and salad wrapped in a tortilla, with a side of some Thai apple slices); and now have a free day – except for taking clothes to the laundry some time this morning. AHHHHH!
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Mid morning yesterday Brian peeled and cut up some of the mayong-chit we received as a gift from one of the building housekeepers. It was a delicious combination of mango/peach/plum and had a slightly sour, but mostly sweet taste. I really liked it, though it was a bit messy to peel and cut up.
Brian has cautioned me not to leave ANY food or any little drips or drops or smells of any food on the counter or elsewhere to avoid being besieged with ants. I got a HINT of that when I didn’t clean out my sink quickly enough, leaving a small drop of olive oil. It took me several days to get rid of them, and I’ve been more careful since. We have no problem at all if we are just super clean. 🧼
Anyway, the gift of the mayong-chit was super nice and we loved it. We’ll probably eat the rest of it today. YUM!
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This is my latest painted sketch.
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Ranger Rick
Today I will do yoga stretches mid morning. To this I have added some stretching standing up, arms together over my head, reaching for the ceiling, and then bending over and reaching toward the floor several times. I’ve also added some leg lifts (although I’m pathetic at this so far) and some abdominal crunches with legs straight and with legs bent. This makes for a good bit of exercise combined with walking the mile at the gym first thing every morning.
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I will get started painting another sketch today, 🎨 and see if I can make some progress on my puzzle. 🧩 My book on my Kindle book 📖 is calling me, as well. And, of course, before any of these, I’ll do my posts ✍🏼 for the blog.
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“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” ―Omar Khayyam
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Watch Out!
“Nothing in the world is as contagious as laughter and good humor.” —Charles Dickens
Canine Journal
“A person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused.” — Shirley MacLaine
Freepik
“If you’re too busy to laugh, you are too busy.” — Proverb
Pexels
“Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on.”— Bob Newhart
StockCake
“You can’t deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants.” — Stephen King
Mieke Campbell-Unsplash
“Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection.” — Jakob Smirnoff
Share a smile and a laugh today with each person you see. You’ll see it IS contagious and it will brighten everyones’ day.
Filed under Laughing Is Essential
Sunday 3-15-2026
I can’t find the artist credit for this, but it made me laugh.
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This is my latest painted sketch, but it didn’t turn out as I envisioned it. I had a good time and I learned a lot.
1) trying to use a real leaf -even one that is freshly fallen – is not necessarily a good idea.
2) trying to write on a real leaf is difficult and hard to read. This one is supposed to say, “Autumn is a gentle reminder that change can be beautiful.” I will try again soon and see if it goes better.
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I had a happy surprise this morning. One of the dear cleaning ladies in the building stopped us as we were headed for the elevator. She gave me this clear bag full of fruit! I gave her the St. Patrick’s Day card I made for her and she hugged me. It was a really nice thing.
Later when we were eating breakfast, Brian said, “Mayongchit.” I replied, “Bless you!” He then told me that is the name of the fruit the cleaning lady gave me.
I looked it up and found –
“Its season lasts only a few weeks from around February – April each year.
Small, oval-shaped fruit, small enough to fit wholly within the palm of your hand, is green when young, but will turn a deep yellow-orange when ripe.
The flesh of the fruit is quite similar in texture to a mango, however, the taste is quite different! It is likened to a cross between mango and plum, with just a hint of sour flavor on the surface right under the skin which gives way to a sweet fruit beneath.
Mayong-chit fruit is also high in Vitamin C, fiber and water content – all reasons to make this great little fruit a part of your diet – while supplies last!”
Brian said we might take a break around noon and have some! 😋
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Freepik
I have my windows open and a delicious breeze is coming through my place. My Chiang Mai Air Pollution Real-Time Index website said ‘good’ this morning, and is still saying ‘moderate’ right now, so I’m soaking it up! I absolutely love they windows in my condo. Since I have the new ones, there seems to be NO leakage when it rains. The big test will be in the rainy season, but we’ve had a couple of rains now where I think the ‘bucket and towel brigade’ would have had to go into action and there was absolutely no problem.
The big thing when I enter my condo is the feeling of light and air. There are windows all the way across my dining/living area, windows in my balcony door, windows in my art alcove, and windows in the bedroom. My spirits lift and a grin plasters itself across my face every time I come in.
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Today is a quiet day. No errands, and the chores are mostly already done, so I’m free to write blog posts, paint, puzzle, read, listen to music, watch a movie, take a walk outside, take a nap… YEAAAAAAAAA!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Paper Art 2
K4 Craft
reposted from @glimpsecraft
Skillshare Blog
Stacy Bettencourt – Strictly paper
The London Printing Company – rustle-of-paper
Filed under paper art
Saturday 3-14-2026
St. Patrick’s Day mailbox decoration
As the holidays come and go, I feel a bit nostalgic about our mailbox decorations. We changed these out twice a month – quite a laborious process. We made a hanging rack that hung near the ceiling in our shop and the decorations had hooks so that regardless of the size of the decoration, it would hang pretty neatly next to the ones on either side so we wouldn’t get clobbered trying to walk under the rack and they could hang without bashing into one another.
We would get out our tall ladder and my husband would climb up and fight to get the decoration off its hook without falling or dropping the decoration. We would have ‘discussions’ every time. I was right there ready to steady him or take the decoration, but he stubbornly wanted to do it himself.
We would put the decoration in the back of the truck and drive down our long STEEP driveway (over 650 feet) down to the road. We always carried the two wrenches needed to get the old decoration off the mailbox and attach the new one. It took two of us, one holding and the other using the wrench to loosen and then tighten nuts and bolts. This was such a fun time in our lives and I miss it now – although I’m not sorry to leave the steep driveway behind.
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We visited Harvey at the nursing home this morning. We weren’t sure which days we’ll visit next week, so I went ahead and brought the two St. Patrick’s Day cards I painted – one for the manager of the nursing home and the other for Harvey’s full time nurse, plus the new addition to Harvey’s ‘Happy Wall’ to put up.
Khun A. Porn, the manager, was delighted with her card. I explained that the shamrock was supposed to bring good luck. She said she actually has a shamrock tattoo! As we were leaving, she thanked me again and gave me a big hug. It was Peem’s (Harvey’s full time nurse) day off, so I left her card propped up on a table.
This is Harvey’s “Happy Wall” in his room at the nursing home. We got the go-ahead at his birthday to put pictures up, so now I’m trying to leave him reminders that he is loved when we can’t be there to tell him ourselves.
Today’s visit was good and bad, as usual. He recognized us today, said, “Hi, Babe” when we came in. He liked the picture I made for his wall and he liked my earrings. Not so good was he still thinks things have disappeared – been lost or stolen – when they haven’t. He also insists there is a shelf on the wall behind his bed on which several things have been placed. Today Brian took a picture of him and the wall behind him, but he wasn’t deterred. He also told me that he ‘talked Peem (his nurse) into sleeping with him last night.’ (Who could resist an 82 year old man, bedridden, frail, with a nasal feeding tube who makes very little sense?) I congratulated him and we talked of other things…
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Freepik
I had a great time sketching at the cafe yesterday. I got my favorite spot (hooraaaaay!) and sat there comfortably sketching while drinking an iced mocha, watching people come in and leave the cafe, and goggled at the insane traffic outside the window.
I’m looking forward to starting to paint at least one of the sketches this afternoon.
“Flowers and colours everywhere, I am so glad that March is here.”
― Anamika Mishra
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Paper Art
Besides drawing or painting ON paper, artists use paper itself in so many wonderfully creative ways to create stories, 3-D effects, humor, and exquisite beauty.
AnnaCookPaperArt.co.uk
BoredPanda.com
bravebirdpaperart.com-KwikKopy
Margaret Scrinki-Design and Paper
Paper Arts by Nir – Etsy
Filed under paper art
Compassion
This is a reblog of an article by Shady –
@shady5 on Substack – “Payin It Forward” on Substack
nomadnebula282 – Freepik
“I was at the funeral of my six-month-old baby, standing at the tiny casket with empty arms and a shattered heart. My husband had left me two weeks earlier, unable to handle the grief, so I was completely alone. The funeral home was nearly empty – just me and a few distant relatives who left immediately after the service. I stood there frozen, unable to leave my baby, knowing once I walked away, it was really over. A woman I’d never seen before approached slowly. She didn’t say anything at first, just stood beside me. After a long silence, she whispered, ‘My son was three months old when he died. That was twelve years ago.’ I turned to look at her, and she continued, ‘I came because I saw the obituary and I remembered standing exactly where you are, feeling like I couldn’t survive another minute.’ She held my hand. ‘You will survive this. Not today, not tomorrow, but eventually. And on the days you can’t get out of bed, that’s surviving too.’ She stayed with me for two hours at that cemetery, this complete stranger, until I was finally ready to leave. She gave me her phone number. ‘Call me at 3 AM if you need to. I mean it. Someone did that for me, and it saved my life.’ For months, I called her in the middle of the night, sobbing, and she always answered. She never made me feel like a burden. She just understood a pain that has no words.”
—Sarah M., Kansas City, MO
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We lost our daughter, Jade, when she was two month old, to SIDS. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) I can honestly say I know of no other pain like that of losing a child. It’s a wound so deep it never heals, particularly when you don’t know the cause, as in SIDS. She was ‘perfect,’ but she was gone.
We lived for each other, my husband and I, and amazingly, this made us stronger as a family. We helped each other survive and we concentrated on raising our son, who now is, ironically, taking care of us.
People who have lost children seem to recognize each other. I’m not sure what it is – an aura people carry with them, a seriousness in the eyes even when smiling, a fierce determination to keep going for the others in your family. You meet, you recognize, and whether anything is said or not, you share.
I’m so glad the woman in the story had the compassionate stranger to help her when she needed it most. I’m sorry that her bond with her husband couldn’t stand the strain and snapped. Each of us is different, reacting in our own way, finding a way to survive, and amazingly, even thrive.
Filed under Family
Friday 3-13-2026
Freedom to fail is a beautiful, freeing thing. Then you can enjoy no pressure, just pleasure, concentrating on what you’re trying to do without inner or outer voices making you doubt.
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MrFunnyMals – YouTube
I had a really nice massage this morning. The lady who works with my therapist told me that my therapist couldn’t be there today, but that she would give me my massage. I was grateful.
I had decided to take the St. Patrick’s Day cards there this morning, since the next time I see them St. Patrick’s Day will be over. Khun Sulee, the other therapist, was delighted that the shamrock meant good luck and put it with the other cards I have given her on the wall of the shop. I also gave her the card for Khun Weaw to give her when she returns.
Every therapist has a different style, a different emphasis. I am very lucky to have two ladies who understand that I’m old and might break if moved too abruptly or they use too much pressure. I am feeling wonderful right now.
Oh, last week Khun Weaw made a motion with her hands after my massage that I didn’t understand. I asked Khun Sulee, hoping that she might be able to explain. It turned out that they had noticed I had lost weight. I got out my calculator and put in 68.3 kgs (150.5 lbs.) (what I weighed when I got my first massage there) and then a subtraction symbol, and then 52.15 kgs (114.9 lbs) (what I weigh this morning) showing a weight loss of 16.15 kgs (35.6 lbs.) She understood the word “doctor” 🩺 and I pantomimed zipping my lips 🤐 and then exaggerated walking motions , followed by 💪🏻. She smiled and gave me a big hug.
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Gleem Cleaning
I’m pretty well ready for my fabulous housekeeper, Khun Nong, to come this afternoon to scrub my place. I’m trying to be neat in my new life here, and I keep things picked up and put away for the most part. I change the sheets, gather and empty the trash, and put out fresh towels before she comes. I feel like a slob because she scrubs everything within an inch of its life and lines everything up. She even washes and dries my bars of soap!
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I’m anxious to go to the cafe this afternoon, where Brian and I go to get out of Khun Nong’s way while she’s working. I started a sketch yesterday with leaves and I want to see what I can do with it. I don’t know if it will turn out somewhat as I envision or will be a mess. It’ll be fun to work on it. PLUS, I’ll be drinking an iced mocha while I draw, or I can switch to reading my book on my Kindle, or – if I get my favorite spot – I can goggle at the incredible traffic going by. Last week a motorcycle went past with a man with his child sitting on his shoulders, 3 kids behind him, and then his wife, who was laden with packages hanging from her arms. Amazing.
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“Despite March’s windy reputation, winter isn’t really blown away; it is washed away. It flows down all the hills, goes swirling down the valleys and spills out to sea. Like so many of this earth’s elements, winter itself is soluble in water…”
― The New York Times
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Comfort
Ram Dass
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My sister-in-law and friend, ML, sent this to me recently. It’s only one example of how she is there for me.
If we are lucky, we may be able to call a very few people friends in our lives. I’m not talking of the many very pleasant people that we may enjoy particular activities or situations with for an amount of time. I’m talking about long term real friends that you love even though you don’t agree on everything, even though a lot of miles may be between you, even though you might not see each other very often – sometimes you might have even ‘met’ on the Internet and have NEVER actually met face to face. The bond is real, strong, and priceless.
It is comforting to realize that you are never really alone. You try to solve day to day problems, annoyances, issues, by yourself. But there are times when you reach out, needing to vent, needing to explain how you feel without having to worry about judgment, needing suggestions for how to deal with something, or even just someone to actually listen and ‘be there’ holding your hand or virtually hugging you to help you.
These friendships are priceless because they go both ways. You are there to listen, to be there for your friends, as well. Knowing this is something you carry with you, that you know you have if you need it.
This quote by Ram Dass reminds us in another way that we are not alone. That we all need help or can give help as needed. That “We are all just walking each other home.”
Filed under Friendship
Daily Dose of Laughter 2
“Daily Dose of Laughter” – BoredPanda.com – Miguel Ordonez and Justinas Keturka.
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
Thursday, 3-12-2026
“Distractions” -@pauljwillson.bsky.social
I love the light in this photo. I think this is stunning.
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I painted 8 cards like this in a St. Patrick’s Day theme to give to people in the coming days who have been especially kind to me.
This is the card I’m leaving for my wonderful housekeeper tomorrow.
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It rained a bit overnight, so the air pollution is back down in the “moderate” range. I’m enjoying a really nice breeze as I type this. 😁 🪟
IB Times India
I was a ‘good girl’ today, doing my yoga stretches this morning instead of waiting until this afternoon, when I might make excuses and not do them. Changing my routine to exercising when I am the most alert is working for me, so I’m going to continue it. (Full Disclosure: I am NOT – I repeat NOT even THINKING about doing THIS pose… ) 🤣
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Women’s Health
Shout out to Cathy, who has undergone surgery this week. She is very dear to me and I’m hoping she will recover soon and be able to go back home to continue her recovery. My prayers are traveling to her as I type.
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Shutterstock
My head is exploding from all the ideas I have for what I would like to try in my art alcove lately. I want to play with leaf designs. I found a beautiful real leaf on the ground and brought it home to see what I could do. I’m also getting ready to try to draw one of the shadow images I talked about earlier. I’m thinking of doing images that relate to words or quotes or parts of songs I like….
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I hope that you are feeling full of energy, full of ideas you’d like to try, full of things you’re learning…
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Daily Dose Of Laughter
“Daily Dose of Laughter”– BoredPanda.com – Miguel Ordonez and Justinas Keturka.
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor
Boxes or Briefs 2
Instructables
“Think outside the box, so that no one can put you in any box. Even if they attempt to do so, you will not fit in when you think and do more.”
― Gift Gugu Mona, The Daily Dose of Motivational Quotes
Japanese Writing Box – The Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Love is like a box of chocolates. Take one bite and the craving lasts long enough for the whole box to be eaten.”
― Dina Husseini
Painted Jewelry Box – The Melrose Family
“To be able to think outside the box, you need to first utilize what is in the box, at every corner and all the sides.”
― Dina Husseini
Filed under Beautiful Boxes
Wednesday 3-11-2026
“Meditative Ghost”- Catherine – @shadowdogdesigns.bsky.social
This is one of my all time favorite photos. I think it’s amazing.
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This is my latest painted sketch.
Today I’m going to start several St. Pat’s Day themed thank you cards.
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I had a visitor to my place this morning. I almost missed him. My window shade was the perfect camouflage for him. If he hadn’t have moved, I wouldn’t have seen him. He was a gecko, little bitty, skinny, body about 2 inches long and longer with his arms, legs, and tail. I watched him, but was too slow and dumb at o-dark-thirty this morning to get a picture of him. I told him that he was free to stay and eat as many bugs as he could find.
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Alamy
We visited my husband this morning at the nursing home. At first we thought he wasn’t going to respond at all, but he got a bit better as the time went on. He was fixated on wanting me to do a “REWARD” sign to hang outside his door, so he could list reward amounts for various things that have gone missing. Who he thinks would see the sign or respond is a mystery. He listed things that we explained had been left for auction in Arkansas when we moved, given to good friends, or we hadn’t had for years and years, but I don’t think we got through. He may be frustrated with me next visit because I don’t have the sign for him… He DID thank us for coming this time!
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My changing my afternoon exercise to morning has helped with me actually DOING it, rather than coming up with my inexhaustible supply of excuses. Today I’m having to do my yoga stretches at the normal afternoon time due to our visiting Harvey, but I have the mat on the rug now, looking at me…
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“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.”
― Lewis Grizzard
Make this a wonderful day!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Dream Patios 2
Moonlit Home
I can imagine all kinds of entertaining here. It looks sturdy enough to withstand rambunctious kids, sprawling teenagers, clusters of adults, a happy couple spending a quiet night together… I love the fireplace and he woods and it looks like water of some kind on out farther.
Siima.hassan
I like the combination of the tile and the brick here. The arbor-like ‘ceiling’ with the greenery brings the outside in.
Vanessa
I think this one is my favorite – with the comfortable protected furniture, rugs, fireplace – and then, of course the pool and the extension of the patio…
Viola Biancain
But this one is a very close second. Just lovely, with the arched windows and greenery ceiling. I love the humongous table amd the cooking area…
Ahhhhhh! Drooling and dreaming are such fun!
Filed under Dreams
Boxes or Briefs?
Dutch Design Brand
Full Disclosure: I am a box freak. I fall in love with them when I don’t have the tiniest excuse for a box. I think they are beautiful decoration pieces throughout your home or office, giving in life and character.
Hajna V. Csorba – Artist – ArtPal
This is a box for treasures for sure. Keepsakes, mementos, pictures, ticket stubs, intineraries, plans, dreams….
Hummingbird Bentwood-Guy Louie Jr
Another decorator piece. I don’t know if this is a sturdy box or if you would need to worry about damaging it. I love the color scheme.
Instructables
And this one jumped out at me as something that would look good in my art alcove. Any excuse will do…
Filed under Beautiful Boxes
Tuesday, 3-10-2026
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The flowers that my son brought me yesterday for my birthday celebration are still smiling at me today. Such happy flowers – gerbera daisies, roses, carnations, and more.
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Earthwise Windows and Doors
I had my windows open for a while this morning. It was lovely. I kept my eye on my air pollution website and closed everything up when the gauge went into the ‘unhealthy’ zone and turned on my air filters and my a/c and fan. It’s much easier to cool off here than it is to warm up!
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(This is the older tote.)
One of the handmade inner bags.
This is the other inner bag. These keep everything from being on the bottom of my carrier for me to have to route through to find things.
I washed my newer tote/carrier in my bucket in the sink this morning. I also washed the little bags that go inside it. All are out on my balcony drying now. I transferred everything to the crocheted bag I had washed several months ago (Pictured) , so everything is cleaned out and organized now. When the carrier and bags I washed dry (it may take a day or two) I’ll put them into plastic bags and put them in my closet to wait for the next switch.
I’m trying to take good care of these because the ladies who made them by hand take pride in their work and I want them to last as long as possible. I turn everything inside out when I put them on the drying rack on my balcony so any fading from the sun will be kept to a minimum.
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boredpanda.com
TeluguOne.com
I have switched my afternoon exercise sessions to the morning because I am making far too many excuses for skipping the sessions in the afternoons. Yesterday I started by doing my old lady yoga stretches mid morning. I felt good about that all day, feeling I was doing something good for myself and I felt good about not procrastinating or being a sloth. Today I did my exercises with water bottles at 9:00. I did a good workout, so I’m patting myself on the head a bit that I know myself well enough to realize how lazy I am and that I needed to change my focus and schedule to get around that.
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I wish you a happy day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Dream Patios
I’ve always dreamed of a gorgeous patio where I wanted to spend a lot of time, with an outdoor kitchen type area, comfortable chairs, some kind of cover to protect you from the too hot sun, maybe some way to stay warm when it’s a bit too cool…
This one hits all my buttons. I love the different TEXTURES in this one. It would be so much fun to create humongous salads, trays of cut up fruit, grilled meat, and more.
Color Harmony Palettes
I was immediately drawn in by the lights on this one, and the fact there is an oven, plus lots of counter space for a crock pot. It looks so comfortable, homey, welcoming. I just love it!
Eudes Sallagan
Oh, my mouth is watering! I love the hanging copper pots and pans. It looks like there is a rotisserie type grill. You could set up a buffet with the nice table close by. Pipe in some music, slow dance around the table…
K & R Companies
I like the combination of the really comfortable looking chairs, the fire pit, the brick on the pillars and the fireplace. The lighting.
My actual balcony here is about a foot and a half – maybe two feet deep by about 6 feet long, but as long as I can dream…. 🤗
Filed under Dreams
Monday 3-9-2026
My latest painted sketch.
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BBC
February 11th I enjoyed a “celebrational 1st birthday” after the kind people in the hospital saved me and gave me a second chance at life with a pacemaker on Feb. 11, 2025.
Today I’m celebrating the fact that I’m still on the planet, living – and loving life – at 79. I no longer regret being “older than dirt.” I pass out little shovels! 🤣
I’ve walked my mile at the gym, showered, shared breakfast with my son, Brian, done a 45 minute session of old lady yoga stretches, and taken my clothes to the laundry this morning. My son gave me a big hug this morning in the elevator and said, “Happy Birthday, Mom” – some of the sweetest words a mom will ever hear. I received a beautiful e-card from a good long-time friend, so I have had a lovely celebration.
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My day will be a quiet one – my favorite choice these days – where I can move from one thing I like to the next at my own speed, depending only on what “I” would like to do. What freedom and joy there is in that!
I will at least get started painting another of my sketches.
I’m in the middle of a good book on my Kindle, have the Sketching Journal book I showed you recently that I’m having touble putting down, and have a book on Thailand I want to start going through.
My turtle puzzle is calling, “Linnnnnnnn-dahhhhhhhh!” from across the room as I type.
I feel so good after doing my yoga stretches early today that I’m thinking of doing a session with the water bottles this afternoon…
Before I do any of that, though, I will enjoy writing at least two more posts here.😁
I hope that you have enjoyed a great weekend and have remembered (in the States) that it’s Daylight Savings Time again, so you should have set your clocks FORWARD an hour.
UPDATE: My son texted me, asking me to unlock my door. He brought me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, an iced mocha, and we each had a really decadent DELICIOUS dessert! I teared up, but manage to hug him several times without crying. He really made me feel special.
Sorry, I would have shared, but “somebody” ate every bite. At least I didn’t lick the container…. 😍
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Nature at its Best
‘Nature at its Best’ – Hidre’le’y – BoredPanda.com
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography
Wholesome-Heart-Melting Animal Moments
“Wholesome and Heart-Melting Animal Moments” – BoredPanda.com –
Kornelija Viecaite and Ilona Baliunaite
Filed under Amazing Animals
Sunday, 3-8-2026
This is a sample of some of the beautiful flowers all over the place in Chiang Mai. Just a FEAST for the eyes and heart!
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Freepik
I walked my mile this morning on the treadmill at the gym, then shared a sumptuous breakfast with Brian of 2 fried eggs cooked together with slice sausage on one part and chicken slivers on the other, with 3 slices of a Thai apple on the side. Chaga mushroom tea with bone broth added. Just the thing after the gym and a shower.
Etsy
We visited my husband at the nursing home this morning. We had to get Harvey’s thumbprints on 30 pages or so of documents (again!) for renewal of his medical visa. We have to do this every 90 days in order for him to be here legally. The government is really picked about how pages are copied and where the thumbprints are, so we had to do it twice this time to get it right. Thankfully, my husband was feeling cooperative.
He knew who we were this morning and was happy that I brought the 2nd book in the Jake Moriarity series for him today. Other than that, he made little sense – he had ordered another phone plus a luxury electric hybrid car, AND he and 20 young women were going to make an x-rated move today….
I am concentrating on him being comfortable and calm, and what I can do to make him glad we came, rather than internalizing what he says or doesn’t say – the key to sanity – at least I HOPE!
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I rested a good while when we got home. I’m planning to paint some this afternoon.
My latest painted sketches.
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I’ve been enjoying doing some research, finding some things I want to share with you here. I’ve also been pouring through the new sketch book getting new ideas about things I want to try. I get started and my day just zips past my head, making my hair blow!
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The severe weather across the U.S. was awful. It’s so sad when lives are cut short like that. I checked on my loved ones, and all were good. I’m very grateful. One of the bad things about the spring is the amount of severe weather as the temperatures change so drastically. Please keep an eye out for what is happening in your area and try to stay safe.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
creativeartworksblog 