Filed under mosaic, Solange Piffer Mosaics
“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.”
~Irish Blessing
It’s a cool gray morning here on St. Patrick’s Day. I panicked one St. Patrick’s Day when I was in elementary school a hundred years or so ago. I hadn’t planned ahead. I looked in my closet and didn’t have anything green to wear. I ran into the kitchen, pleading for my mom to help me. She thought I was over-reacting, making me over-react even more when there didn’t seem to be any hope for it. Unless you were wearing SCREAMING green from head to toe, the kids would descend on you, pinching you until you died of it – or wanted to – according to me at whatever age I was.
I immediately became too ill to go to school – or so I said. My acting didn’t reap any good results with my mom. My tears didn’t help, either, as she told me that my fears weren’t logical. THAT fell on my deaf ears. I seriously considered running away, rather than walking to school as usual. I died a thousand deaths that morning.
Thankfully, I ran into one of my teachers in the school parking lot. I tearfully ran to her. She walked me into class, made a humongous four leaf clover for me to pin on my shirt, and thereby saved my life. (I know. I maybe should have tried out for the drama class.)
Ridiculous or not, my fears were real to me. The eight years I taught in elementary school I made SURE I had four leaf clovers ready for anyone coming into school on St. Pat’s Day, just in case someone needed one. I didn’t tolerate anyone threatening anyone else, for the lack of something green, or any other reason.
I STILL found myself looking for something green to wear this morning (I’m wearing a green shirt and I have on green butterfly earrings) even though we’re not even due to go out today. I’m certainly not worried that my husband will pinch me cruelly. He is oblivious to holidays. If anyone DID threaten me, I’m not as helpless as I used to feel…
“There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were.” ~ Unknown
Filed under holidays
I’ve shared some of this artist’s fine work quite a while back. I love driftwood art and Jeffro Uitto is a master. I discovered some new pieces to me, plus some furniture that had me drooling.
Jeffro made this box where he keeps his portfolio images.
Filed under Driftwood Art, Jeffro Uitto
Filed under Renald Pierre, sculpture
I LOVE the kind of mind that thinks to create this AND the creativity and expertise it takes to actually make it happen.
We’re having a beautiful, slightly chilly morning. I haven’t decided if I want to go get veggies to plant today or if I want to wait until Monday.
I have an idea rattling around in my head regarding something I would like to try in the art room – involving a gourd and my wood burning equipment. I have NO idea if it would work or not, but I’ve dreamed about it for 2 nights now…
Animals and people are all doing fine – holding their own – here. It’s a quiet start for the day.
It’s feeling strange to be awake around here right now. I just checked and both Abby and Amber are asleep. My husband is asleep in his chair in the living room. I’m the only one rattling around.
I hope this is a good Saturday for you – that your weather is nice and that you have something fun planned.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Filed under animal paintings, drawings, Julie Pfirsch, Julie Pfirsch Art
We had some wild weather last night with waves of storms coming through. We had the back door open, but we shut the front door and the garage door.
It would rain HARD, with thunder and lightning, and then it would slowly quiet down and stop. And then another wave would come through. This went on for several hours – an unusual thing for us. It was still doing that around midnight when we finally gave up and went to bed.
I didn’t know what we would find when we headed for the store this morning to get food for Amber. Sometimes we get just to the top of the driveway and have to stop, go out to the shop to get our chain saw and lots and lots of extension cords to connect in order to cut our way down our driveway with all the tree branches, and sometimes whole trees (!) that have blown down.
This morning we lucked out. With all the rain we got, NO branches or trees down in the driveway. You could see where it is trying to wash out on one edge, but that’s it. I’ll try again to find someone to help us repair the driveway as much as we can afford soon. We’ve had money flying out in all directions lately, so we’ll have to be careful to make sure we have it all covered before we contract with someone.
I hope that you came through all the bad weather from last night and that you enjoy your day.
Filed under weather
Amber is acting like herself in every way except for food handling. She is eager to eat, playful, energetic, sleeps fine, seems happy, but she is still battling upset stomach.
Because of this we found some dry and canned food that is supposed to be easier on her stomach. We just got back from the store and fed her. We’ll see how she does with this, fingers crossed.
Filed under Amazing Animals, Family
Julie Pfirsch – Julie Pfirsch Studio
Julie creates these animal portraits in several different media. I’ll show you more soon. I think she is wonderful.
Filed under Amazing Animals, animal paintings, Julie Pfirsch Art
Some of you have been asking how our animals are. I told you recently that Abby has been diagnosed with a large tumor on her kidney, probably malignant, inoperable in practical terms, due to her age (14) and other health problems. The vet injected her with antibiotics and a pain shot the last time we were there.
I bought her cat diapers so that I could allow her free reign in the house while I’m otherwise occupied. These are a great idea at best, but haven’t worked well so far. We can’t get them to stay on. At this point, I’m bringing her in at least once a day for a cat-loving session, where we sit in my recliner and purr at each other, cramming as much love into each session as we can. We may still need to use the diapers as her tumor progresses, but so far, no problems. We are both really enjoying this time together. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain.
This is an old picture of Amber. Picture her almost twice as large and she looks the same, otherwise. She weighs 95 pounds or so now. We thought that she was the one leaving the bloody puddle on her bed. Our vet tested the sample we brought in, gave her an antibiotics shot for an infection, and prescribed some meds that would clear the bladder infection. I gave her one pill that night and she had been sick the next morning or overnight when we got up. I called the vet, having caught Abby in the act of making the bloody puddle. We took Abby in, getting anti-nausea pills for Amber while we were at the vet’s.
We are still dealing with an iffy stomach with Amber. I remember that her stomach was really sensitive when she was a young puppy and we had trouble finding food that agreed with her. We thought we had solved the problem this time, after two anti-nausea pills, and then, suddenly, she was sick again. We are keeping her on the tiled area of the house in case she is ill again. She seems to be doing well now. She is a happy, overly playful dog, otherwise, her usual self, so I think we’re almost over the problem.
Filed under Amazing Animals, Family
This is forecast for Oklahoma and Arkansas this afternoon into this evening. I got out and took some pics of our blooms this morning, just in case this is the last we’ll see of them –
Walking around outside lately has really brought my spirits up. There is a LOT to do in the yard, but the first thing – assuming the storms this afternoon and evening leave us intact – is to look for veggie plants to start my spring garden tomorrow. If I do, I’ll take some pics to share.
If the weather allows, I’ll try to work in the yard a bit today. If not, I’m planning to spend some time in my art room. A nice day either way.
I hope the weather is good where you are, OR that you ‘weather it’ well. :0)
Filed under Thoughts on a ________, weather
Sonia Lera Preston – @Sonia_L_Preston on X
Filed under paintings I love, Sonia Lera Preston
Yesterday I got the wood blanks I ordered recently as my birthday present to myself. I’m thrilled, though intimidated, about actually USING the blanks yet. I’ll continue to practice before actually jumping in, but I’m excited. Here they are –
Hopefully today will be a quiet, uneventful day. I’m planning for us to get our mail and grocery shop. We’re forecast for possibly severe weather tomorrow, so I’m waiting to get and plant veggies until next week.
I’ll make another pass through all the paperwork from Password Safe, but I think I’ll be finished. It will be nice to have everything secure and much easier to use than the notebook I’ve been using and entering everything manually.
Have a wonderful hump day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
I’m down 21.6 pounds since my heaviest. One day at a time.
I’m going to get a spaghetti squash today to bake so that I can make the third in my trifecta of substitutes for the ‘white stuff’ I love to serve under sauces – “cauli-rice,” “zoodles,” and “spaghetti squash.” When I finish the prep today, I’ll have a supply of each frozen in individual portions so that I can follow my low carb eating plan while my husband eats whatever pasta and white rice. He has looked quite appalled at my idea that he join me in the change, so this way we can both eat “spaghetti,” for example, with smiles on our faces.
I’ve also discovered Mission Zero Carb Tortillas. They actually have 7 carbs per tortilla, but 7 grams of fiber, so “0” net carbs. I can enjoy one each evening in place of the dinner roll I’ve been eating. Tonight I’m making a large tuna fish salad for our dinner.
I’m happy with progress with my yoga practice. Today is Day 21 of every-afternoon practice. I’m up to 20 reps on my abdominal exercise (started at 5), and 7 reps on each side of my leg lifts (bird dog pose) (started with 3). I’m feeling looser. I won’t say I look forward to my exercise session, but I’m getting ‘used-to-it.’ :0)
I’m hoping I can keep my head on straight with my mouth shut regarding eating or drinking what I shouldn’t so I can continue losing the lard and getting stronger, more flexible, with better balance.
Filed under DIET!, exercise, taking care of yourself
Filed under Watercolors I Love
Wow. Just wow. If Amazon delivered and I could arrange food, I would never leave this place.
Shout-out to ML – who is in the ER with my BIL. Hope all goes smoothly. Love you.
Shout-out to Cathy – New doc. New info. New hope. Please let me know.
My husband was going to drive down to get our mail yesterday and we had a dead battery in the truck. He had decided, unbeknownst to me, to see how long the battery would actually last, rather than changing it out at the 3 year mark at the change of seasons as we usually do. We had trash to drive down, errands to run, and no truck. We could have taken the Vette, but my husband is still a bit challenged on driving and I really didn’t want to try to take the bags of trash down in the Vette.
We put the battery charger on the truck and did other things. After lunch we were able to start the truck, got the trash into the trash can and the can dragged down to the bottom of the driveway, got our mail, and drove into town to get a new battery. I don’t remember more than two batteries back, but the first I remember cost around $70. The one that just died was about $150 and my husband was really angry at the price. The one we bought yesterday was right at $240. The people at the head of our government may be saying that inflation is coming down, but when buying batteries, groceries, or gas, I can’t tell it.
My husband installed the battery in the parking lot at the store. We brought home an engine air filter and a cabin air filter. During the afternoon, he installed both of those. He was really tired after all the work. I monitored his progress, but very quietly. He took a nap before dinner.
My spirits are really being helped by the daffodils blooming and the red bud trees (and tulip tree) blooming now. Every time I go out, no matter what else is happening, I feel a lifting, a brightening, a filling. It’s really nice.
The one tree image above is the best display, but there are other, smaller trees around the yard that pick up the color. It’s nice to be able to let your eyes travel from one to the next.
I am making progress adding data to my Password Safe program. I’m having trouble adding ‘group names,’ such as ‘financial,’ but finally manage it or give up for the night, as I did last night. I WILL get my information in there, but I wish it weren’t such a fight…
I hope the day ahead is a good one for you.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Sonia Lera Preston – @Sonia_L_Preston on X
Filed under paintings I love, Sonia Lera Preston
This glorious color with the addition of water drops really got my attention. Simply stunning.
I hope you’re feeling good this morning.
For several years, my husband and I have used the program Password Safe to securely store all the myriad user names and passwords we use on a day to day basis. Awhile back, my husband decided that MY use of this was somehow messing him up on his computer, so I stopped, writing down all of my most important ones in a notebook. I couldn’t find another program I liked, so have been limping along, having to check my notebook, type in my name and password, etc.
Long story shorter, he decided to change programs recently, agreeing that I would use Password Safe again. We got it installed on my computer again, but had trouble importing the data from his machine to mine. So now I am laboriously rebuilding all the groups and passwords manually. UGH. I’ll be happy when this is finished. I’m only working on it intermittently. The fact that my husband is having trouble getting his new choice installed on his computer makes me smile a bit, if I’m being honest…
Yesterday I weeded the brick planters east of the house that we converted to square foot planters last year. I’ll get lettuce and spinach plants for this one, plus anything else that grabs my attention.
I’ll put tomato plants in this one. You can see the tomato plant supports.
This is the planter we call the ‘niche’ planter, since it is protected from the wind by the back of the house and then the porch on another side. Tomato plants will go in this one, too.
As you can see, one of the next things will be using the weed whacker to clean up the area around the planters. We might look for plants today, after we get the mail and leave our trash at the bottom of the driveway.
Enjoy your day!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“Cats and humans have been partners for over ten thousand years. And what you realize when you’ve lived with a cat for a long time is that we may think we own them, but that’s not the way it is. They simply allow us the pleasure of their company.” ~ Genki Kawamura
“Let us be honest: most of us rather like our cats to have a streak of wickedness. I should not feel quite easy in the company of any cat that walked around the house with a saintly expression.” ~ Beverley Nichols
Gregorio Catarino – @gregcatarino1 on X
Filed under Amazing Animals, Favorite Quotes, Greg Catarino, paintings I love
I have seen the work of several skilled artists who have created beautiful pieces using felted wool, but Miru brings it to a whole new level. I find it hard to believe that these are not real animals. Just jaw-droppingly amazing.
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, Felted Wool Art, Miru Wool Art
I hope you remembered to change your clocks this morning. I keep reminding my husband to change his watch. I don’t know if he’s done it now or not. We are both having trouble changing the clock that lives in our entertainment center in the living room. I looked at it last night, pushed the buttons on its side one at a time, but there was no change. Then started pushing 2 buttons at a time, then got scared I would screw it up so it wouldn’t tell time at all and stopped. My husband doesn’t seem to be much better. We’ll tackle it together later. I got the rest of the clocks changed with the exception of our vehicles. Did I tell you I hate DST?
I read that two people have again created bills in Congress to address the problem and either go to DST or Standard Time. I won’t hold my breath on them even making it out of committee.
UPDATE – My husband woke up from his nap. I watched as he tried to set the clock. He couldn’t remember how to do it, but managed to hit upon it, so that is fixed. HOORAY!
I got a bit more weight off. I’m now down 21.6 pounds from my heaviest. Every little bit counts! :0) If I can just keep moving and keep my mouth shut…
Whereby.com is a nice video conference site that is secure and works well even when people are across the world from each other. Our son and I used it this morning and had a wonderful time. I LOVE being able to see his face.
He laughed when we compared ‘projects’ – he is doing some really technical stuff on the Internet and also making music with gadgets. And we are trying to set our clocks…. Although I’m proud of myself that yesterday when I came downstairs I heard a ‘chirping’ sound. I traced it to one of our smoke detectors. I got a stool, got the detector off the wall, opened it, changed the 9 volt battery, and put it back up on the wall. HOORAY!
No big plans for today. Our weather is nice. It’s 45 and sunny, with a great warm up coming next week. Just wonderful. I’ll try to arrange some time to work outside. There is SO much to do out there! My husband announced that he refuses to mow in March. I can’t blame him at all. I just told him to do what he wanted, but to make sure he was able to use the ride-on mower on the high grass when he was ready.
One of the next things I’ll do is see what veggie plants are available in town for my spring garden. I’m cutting way down on what I’m planting this year. I have three brick planters we converted to square garden planters with Mel’s Mix on the east end of the yard close to the house that I’ll use instead of my larger garden. I’ll plant lettuce and spinach in the 8 foot long planter and tomatoes in the two square ones. I’ll take pics as I get started.
I hope that today is a good one for you.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
“If your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise.” – Unknown
“No home decor is complete without dog hair.” – Unknown
“The best therapist has fur and four legs.” – Unknown
“Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot about puppies.” – Unknown
“Without my dog my wallet would be full my house would be clean but my heart would be empty.” – Unknown
“Nothing in the world is friendlier than a wet dog.” – Unknown
“Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take…I’ll be watching you.” – Unknown
“What I like most about people is their dogs.” – Unknown
Filed under Amazing Animals, Favorite Quotes, sculpture
SPRING FORWARD – This is your watch bird watching you and reminding you that technically, tonight you stay up until 2 am and change all your clocks. Practically, you can wait until tomorrow morning, not forgetting that you’re losing an hour and you don’t want to be late for church services, if you go.
I’ve already whined about DST and our congress critters have apparently tried to change it several times. When I researched the subject, it said various people had introduced bills and then withdrawn them, but no reason given as to why. Makes for an interesting conspiracy theory, if you’re into that. :0)
We tried the cat diaper on Abby yesterday. Years ago when we were grilling on the deck, my husband would take the aluminum foil off the meat, and then from under the meat, tie it together in a long roll and then tie it around the waist of the cat we had at the time. The result was always the same – the cat would simply fall over. It was like the cat had become paralyzed. My husband would laugh like a loon.
Yesterday Abby reacted the same way with the diaper. She acted like her back legs were paralyzed and kept falling or rolling over. Since it’s important that she get used to this if we’re going to be able to allow her in the house with any kind of freedom, I left the diaper on while I did my yoga and then followed that with a cat-loving session. When she jumped down after some time, the diaper came off as she jumped. We’ll have to refine how we put it on her so it will stay on better, but she didn’t freak out. We’ll do it again today.
Last night I used almond flour instead of (SNB) (Shake-n-Bake for Pork) as I usually do when cooking pork chops, trying to lower the carbs. (The Shake-n-Bake is half my day’s worth of carbs.) The result was that the chops didn’t brown as they do with the SNB and they tasted dry. I researched and found a ‘recipe’ to approximate SNG online. I will make this, using the almond flour in place of the bread crumbs called for, and store it in a container for next time. I also found a nice recipe for pork chops at https://healthyrecipesblogs.com/ that I’ll try. (Only 1 gram carb)
Enjoy your Saturday!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Today I am 77. I told my husband this when we were heading up for bed last night just after midnight. He said, “Oh, is it March?” :0) I thanked him this morning for getting to all the birthdays first so that, by the time I hit them, it isn’t anything. :0)
I’m very thankful that I’m still making progress on some of my goals. I’m happy that I’m building my daily yoga practice into a habit (if I live long enough). I’m feeling more flexible and ‘looser,’ if that makes any sense. Yesterday I made it to 16 reps of the abdominal exercise and 7 reps on each side for my leg-straight-out stretch. (I wish I knew what that one was called. I’ll research it and see if I can find out.)
I’m happy I’m finally seeing some progress in my efforts to lose the lard. Between this and the yoga, and generally moving more, I’m hoping to feel better and better as I hopefully continue to age…
Since my husband and my son don’t make a big deal of birthdays, I have long since put away any resentment and used the opportunity to get myself something I really want. I just ordered two things for my wood burning fun –
I think these will both come next week. I WILL get up to my art room, regardless of the other things pulling at me, and PLAY. :0)
Happy Birthday tooo meeeee!!!!!!!
Filed under Cause for Celebration
creativeartworksblog 