Saturday 4-20-2024
Hahahahahaha! I don’t really feel like this, but I LOVE the artwork and the sentiment. :0)
It’s dark and rainy here in my part of Arkansas this morning, so I’m switching to inside activities. I was planning to weed at least one flower planter, but Mother Nature has decided that we need rain. And the week ahead looks particularly rainy, with chances for rain starting Wednesday and continuing through the following Monday, the 29th. We may need a boat!
I may spend today with a combination of laundry and wood burning, a nice combination of ‘should’ and ‘want to’ for the day. I have ideas for a couple of plaques I would like to make for some good friends. I’m still experimenting with what tip does what with the wood burning tool, so progress is very slow, but it’s fun to be trying to do something completely out of my comfort zone.
I hope that you have a happy Saturday in store.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
This n That
Filed under Favorite Things
End of our Vicarious Vacation
ML is always up even before the crack of dawn. If sunrise came at around 8am, I would be up to greet the day, too… :0)
She combines love of sunrises with a good walk, a really good thing I would like to emulate, as well, because I know my body would thank me – eventually.
We have received beautiful sunrises and have gotten to watch some sandpipers skittering around on the sand. Life just couldn’t be much better.
A beautiful gift from a very nice lady. I hope it was relaxing to HER, as it was to ME. Thanks, ML.
It’s Friday 4-19-2024
SALE!!!!!!!!! Prices for everything on the site have been lowered until after Mother’s Day, May 12th. Hurry to get the best selection!!!!!
The cold front came through last night. It’s 58 outside and quite overcast right now. I can’t see that we got any rain, though, and the dreaded ‘large hail’ did not materialize, for which I’m very grateful. I’ll be washing sheets today so they’ll be ready if they’re needed again.
I woke this morning to find my husband was up and dressed, but sleeping in his recliner. That means he didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m trying to be as quiet as I can to let him rest as much as he can.
Getting older is the pits – although the alternative is pretty grim. I have two small ouchies from yesterday: one, where I nipped my finger when I was trying to close and over-center glass container, giving me an impressive blood blister and bruise, and two, when a rose bush bit me while I was weeding the planter. We get to the point around here where we have so many ouchies we can have a contest as to who has the “largest,” “most impressive,” or “most numerous,” kind of like the awards given for floats in a parade.
The ‘getting-bitten-by-the-rose-bush’ was in a good cause. I got the weeds out of two of our rose bush planters yesterday, plus pruned the dead stuff off the bushes.
I have several brick planters in serious need of attention around the yard. I’ll try to get at least one under better control today.
I told you I gained two pounds when I ate some potato chips recently. You would have thought I swallowed bricks. I didn’t even eat a LOT of chips, but the damage was done. I got one of the pounds off this morning, and hope to get rid of the 2nd one tomorrow.
I wish you a wonderful day and a great weekend to come.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Thursday Thoughts 4-18-2024
I saw this this morning, loving it. I couldn’t find an artist’s name or other credit – not at all unusual on Pinterest – but there WAS a discussion going on as to whether this was actually created by a person or if it were AI.
I’m kind of ambivalent about the whole question of artificial intelligence. I don’t like that it is being used evil-ly to gain money by duping the ‘audience,’ stealing credit for an artist’s work, being used to manipulate public opinion for nefarious reasons, versus something like this, where I equate it – if it IS, indeed, AI – with the same creativity I give people credit for when they create something on the computer, rather than actually painting on canvas. It’s still very creative, and I still love it for the creativity and skill.
It will be a challenge, increasingly, to determine what is real and what is not – and checking sources will become paramount before we take any action.
I told you a while back that we discovered, after taking our sweet Abby to the vet, that she has a large, inoperable tumor on one kidney, plus numerous other problems due to being 13. Some people have asked how she is.
I’m happy to say she is holding her own. The tumor and the problems resulting from that will only get worse, but so far, she seems to be doing amazingly well. I bring her in daily when I can make time to sit and hold her. This is our ‘cat-loving-time’ and we both enjoy every minute.
It’s amazing that, as much time and love we have shared over the years, Abby has never been a cat who PURRED. She looks very happy when she is petted, but she is silent. Since our new-normal, she has suddenly decided to be a more normal cat. I can FEEL her purring, and sometimes I can even HEAR her. It’s wonderful for both of us. She is still eating fine and doesn’t seem to be in any pain.
My SIL is driving home today from a few well-deserved days at the beach. She’s been kind enough to share some pics of sandpipers and gorgeous sunrises so we can share in her vacation vicariously. I’ll have more to share tomorrow. Safe trip, ML.
Enjoy your day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Garden Harvest 4-18-2024
Things are looking good so far in our garden this year. Yesterday I harvested, cleaned, and packaged spinach and lettuce. I fertilized, then mixed and sprayed EIGHT bug killer to hopefully get rid of whatever is eating the leaves. Finally, I watered.
By the time I came in, even though I hadn’t been out there too long, I was wringing wet – I guess due to the humidity. I took a shower, got a big glass of ice water and did some serious relaxing.
The forecast is for possible severe storms this afternoon and evening – with the threat of large hail – so I’ll cover up the three planters mid afternoon.
Before that today, though, I’ll try to get outside to tend our tomato plants. I’ve read that pinching off – or clipping off – the ‘suckers’ (the little branches that sprout in the middle of the “Y” of two branches) will increase the tomato yield and keep the plant healthier. Also, snipping off any branches or leaves touching the ground, plus any below 12 inches as the plants continue to grow. The plants really grow fast when the temperature, sun, and watering are right, so I’ll need to pay attention to keep up with the 8 plants.
I hope that you’re enjoying some nice weather where you are.
Filed under Gardening, Square Foot Gardening - Raised Beds
Days with Dogs are Priceless
“A dog desires affection more than its dinner. Well – almost.” -Charlotte Gray
“A well trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will just make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it.” – Helen Thomson
“You can trust your dog to guard your house but never trust your dog to guard your sandwich.” – Unknown
“No home decor is complete without dog hair.” – Unknown
“The best therapist has fur and four legs.” – Unknown
“Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take…I’ll be watching you.” – Unknown
A Trip Around the Yard
Rio Samba Roses, various iris, and Mama and Baby Snails we made.
More Rio Samba roses, and the pretty purple perennial I don’t know the name of.
Azaleas and iris
Some of our flowers are blooming nicely now. It makes me happy to walk around the yard and see a lot of blooms, plus buds. Everything needs weeding, pruning, hacking down, etc., all around the yard, so that makes me feel a bit guilty, as well.
I’ll start with my veggie planters this morning, then move to the roses planters, seeing how far I can get before I poop out or it gets too warm.
Filed under Gardening
Veggies, Anyone?
Our veggies are still doing well. I took a gallon bag of lettuce to my hairdresser, Michael, yesterday and he seemed very happy.
I’m going to tend the veggie planters today, weeding, doing any pruning needed, fertilizing, and harvesting some lettuce and spinach.
I’ll get out there this morning because it’s a bit overcast and just almost 70. It’s supposed to get to 88 this afternoon. That may be a record. I hope that it’s not enough fuel for the weather that the rain we’re supposed to get tomorrow afternoon and evening will be severe.
I’ll try to post pics of the harvest later.
Filed under Gardening, Square Foot Gardening - Raised Beds
End of an Era
I just read that he has died at 88. For those of you NOT older than dirt, he and Eydie Gorme were very popular singers for a long time. Their “I Just Want to Stay Here and Love You” is my husband’s and my song, and we played it at our wedding a hundred years or so ago.
“I don’t want to go to the party with you. I don’t want to go to the dance. I don’t want to go anywhere with you. I just want to stay here and love you.”
Creative Furniture that Makes Me Drool
Filed under When Wood Comes Alive
Vicarious Vacation!
“Sunrise at Topsail” – MaryLou Lewis
My sister-in-law is at the beach as I type this, finally getting a much-needed-and-deserved vacation. This was the way the day greeted her this morning.
One of my very favorite things is a memory I cherish from years ago when my husband and I drove up Highway 101 in California. He was in the Marines and trained the the Marine Corp base in San Diego, so he wanted to show me all the Marines exercising in the hot sun and the plaque erected in his honor proclaiming that he trained there. We didn’t see either of those, but I enjoyed a glimpse of the base anyway. :0)
While on the trip we passed the sight of beach after beach area. I made him stop every so often so that I could drink in the feel of the beach, watch the awe-inspiring ocean and people body surfing, etc. I had never seen the sweet little birds on the long long legs that skittered across the sand. I found they were called Sandpipers. They made me laugh as I watched them. It’s a sight I’ll never forget.
MaryLou is nice enough to try to get a picture of one each time she goes, and I truly treasure each one.
I love to share her vacation vicariously, and I hope you enjoy it, too. Right now it’s almost completely dark outside my window – a cold front coming through, whipping the tree branches around. We may or may not get rain with all the drama. Time will tell. I’ll be thinking of a nice beach on the edge of North Carolina and sandpipers and gorgeous sunrises…
Filed under vicarious enjoyment
More String Art
Filed under String Art
Monday 4-15-2024
I hope that you, also, cannot be down after looking at another of Karin de Haas’ pieces. I love the absolute surrender to laughter and love of life shown in her work. I would love to BE the lady here.
I’m leaving soon to meet my miracle-worker-hair-dresser, Michael Remillard, Tangles, Greenwood AR, who will hopefully, once again, be able to bring order out of chaos. :0) I’m taking him a gallon bag of lettuce from our garden, since he’s a salad lover, like me.
I was a good girl yesterday, doing half an hour or so of yoga stretching plus a 10-minute video on general movement, plus another 10-minute video on exercises with weights. That’s pretty good for an old broad like me. I’ll try to do that again today.
When I get home from my haircut, I’ll stop and get the mail and then go up and gather trash to take back down to the bottom of the driveway to put in the trash can I’ll drag down. I’m trying to be proactive about this because I don’t want to even THINK about my husband skidding and falling on the gravel in the driveway.
Not sure what the rest of the day will hold. We’re forecast to get rain late tonight into tomorrow morning. I’m hoping my veggie plants will get a nice soaking rain from it. There is always the possibility of hail, but they are not emphasizing it now, so I’m not planning to cover my planters.
I’m still angry at myself. My husband and I had finished eating dinner in front of the TV and we were still watching a program with Amber on her bed in front of the TV. All of a sudden I heard noise in the kitchen. Amber had oozed her way off her bed and sneaked into the kitchen while I was distracted. She ate half of the roast beef and sauce from the skillet on the stove. She has done this a couple of times before. I KNOW better than to leave the gate to the kitchen open. It’s really hard to take when your dog is smarter and more sneaky than you.
Have a wonderful day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
String Art
I first found string art years ago and was awestruck by the creativity. As in everything else, over the years artists have taken it to a whole new level, almost as if it were a different art form! I love it.
Filed under String Art
The Art of Peter Hogarth
“My little dog — a heartbeat at my feet.” – Edith Wharton (novelist)
“I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person.”― Bill Murray (actor)
“My idea of absolute happiness is to be in bed on a rainy day with my blankie, my cat, and my dog.” – Anne Lamott (novelist)
“Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.” – Emily Dickinson (poet)
The beautiful, distinctive artwork is by Peter Hogarth. @peterhogarth55 on X.
Filed under animal paintings, Peter Hogarth - Artist
Sunday 4-14-2024
I hope this day is starting well for you.
I’ll go out in a bit and harvest some lettuce for my good friend and miracle-worker-hair-stylist, Michael Remillard, Tangles Hair Salon, Greenwood AR (479) 996-6366 to take to him tomorrow when he once again transforms me from looking like a ‘dandelion-gone-to-seed-in-a-storm’ to ‘someone-has-a-plan’ – a difficult feat to be sure.
We’re supposed to have highs in the 80’s here through Thursday and several chances for rain in the coming week, starting today, so that’s good news and bad news for my veggies. The good news is that I should see some good growth in my tomato plants, and I won’t have to water. I’ll need to make sure the tomato supports are adequate or add more, plus prune the plants for the best tomato production I can. The bad news is that these unseasonably warm temperatures in the early spring may cause my lettuce and spinach some grief. I sure don’t want to be faced with them ‘bolting’ at this point!
We’ve enjoyed the first harvest of leaf lettuce in a big chef salad for dinner one night, several other salads, plus some roast beef sandwiches last night. Such a nice luxury. I’m glad to be able to share some with Michael tomorrow.
I’ve done my 10-minute video with weights from Mike, my Australian senior exercise expert, MoreLifeHealth.com, for 2 days now. I can tell you that my arms are ‘feeling’ the exercise, but not so much I can’t do the next day easily. I’m only using 3-pound weights and will do this for the foreseeable future. Then I’ll switch to 5-pound weights. It feels good to be trying to gain strength in my arms. This should help me in getting up off the floor after my yoga stretches, too! :0)
Have some fun today.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Iris for Debra
My iris started about a month ago. The deep purple iris are my favorites, although I love all of them. We have them around the yard, but in particular down the side of the driveway. My intention was to have the deep purple iris and the bright yellow iris blooming at the same time, but Mother Nature knows best, I guess. The purple ones are mostly finished now, and the yellow ones are blooming their heads off right now, all around the yard.
Amber and Abby ‘walked’ in the yard with me this morning. (Abby was less enthusiastic about all the walking around than Amber (who kept running back and forth), but she luxuriated in the warm and the sunshine just off the driveway pad.)
I have these blooming all over the place right now. My ‘fancier’ ones are just starting to bud and bloom.
The rest of the walk around the yard shows how MUCH weeding and pruning I need to do.
Filed under Gardening
Sally Thursby Mosaics 2
Filed under mosaic, Sally Thursby Mosaics
Saturday 4-13-2024
Karin’s work makes a smile start down at my toes and work all the way up until it simply spews out the top of my head. I can’t look at these without smiling and feeling happy. She truly has a gift.
Yesterday I made “Broccoli, Bacon, and Cheese Egg Muffins” from my Simply Keto recipe book by Suzanne Ryan. I ate one this morning. It was really good and is only 2.6 net carbs. :0)
Tonight I’ll fix a roast beef sandwich for my husband and I’ll eat what I call ‘roll-ups’ – with roast beef and cheese rolled up inside Mission Zero Net Carbs Tortillas for me. I’ll finish my ‘splurge’ at lunch with the remaining chicken tender from the deli in town.
We’re due for a really nice weekend weather-wise. I’ll try to spend some time in the yard to celebrate.
Yoga, two 10-minute exercise videos (one with weights and the other stretching) and combo work-in-the-yard and walking around outside will complete my exercise plans for the day.
I’m not sure what else is in store. My husband is trying to write a complicated program on his computer. He finally asked for help from our son via the chat program and then the video conference program. I don’t know whether it helped or not, but he’s busily frowning at his screen. I told him that it was good he reached out because our son really likes to visit with him regardless of the the subject. I was proven right when I read the last line of our son’s reply on chat this morning. “I was happy to see you earlier!”
Make this a wonderful day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Stained Glass Mosaics
These stained glass mosaic pieces were created by Sally Thursby. The only place I’ve been able to find it so far is Pinterest.
Filed under mosaic, Sally Thursby Mosaics
Sonia Lera Preston Fix
Sonia Lera Preston – @Sonia_L_Preston on X
I absolutely love the colors and the FEEL of Sonia Preston’s work. I respond emotionally every time I see one. I think she’s wonderful.
Filed under paintings I love, Sonia Lera Preston
Weighty Friday 4-12-2024
I’m having to shift my exercises once again. My elliptical trainer is flashing a ‘motor error’ message and won’t run, so it’ll have to wait until further notice for me to mention it to my husband. I don’t want him anywhere near heavy, complicated stuff until he’s fully healed. Meanwhile I’m finding some information online that may help when that time comes.
I decided that I would benefit from some guided, timed practice with the weights, so I went back to Mike, a ‘seniors’ exercise specialist online (https://morelifehealth.com/) and found a 10-minute video he leads with exercises with weights and just finished that. I changed from the 5-lb weights I was using to 3-lb for this, since it looked like that was what he was using and I didn’t want to not be able to do it next time due to my arms being too sore. :0)
With that, my 30-minute yoga practice, and either working in the yard or simply walking out to the shop, then back and around the house several times, that will be my exercise for the day.
I’m re-reading Suzanne Ryan’s Simply Keto Recipe Book. I find new information each time I read it, plus renewed motivation to lose the lard. I’m going to fix a chef salad for our dinner tonight with leftover roast beef.
I have also decided that Mission Zero Tortillas may save my life. (Each has 7 carbs. Each also has 7 grams fiber. You start with listed carbs and subtract the fiber count plus alcohol sugars to determine the net carbs. In this case, it’s zero, and there are only 25 calories in each tortilla. I’m using one in place of the dinner roll I used to have with dinner. I use one rolled up to eat a hot dog. I use two for a ‘sandwich.’ Since bread has always been one of my favorite things, I really missed it – so these are a miracle for me.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
creativeartworksblog 