At Car
Desinflat
infant
marti-amb-caputxa
Nen
Rainy Thursday 10-26-2023
Maximillian R. – flickr.com
It’s dark, windy, and rainy here today, but not cold. It’s supposed to get up to 80 this afternoon! This looks like the last week we’ll have of the unseasonably warm weather. It may actually freeze here over the weekend, so I’ll get out and get last pictures of our elephant ears.
To give you an idea of size, the “leaf” in the middle lower row is above my head…
Gardening Know How
I need to get serious about starting to ‘put things away’ for the winter with final weeding, trimming, pruning, etc. I’ll cover my raised bed square foot garden planter boxes with tarps for the winter and unhook our watering system for it. I’m not absolutely sure I’ll have a garden out there this coming spring. I’ll make that decision later, but I’ll take care of what I have. We have two planters of the six that need to be rebuilt, but that still leaves four I could plant.
My body is having a pity party this morning because I was scheduled for a massage. My wonderful therapist Lynn Moody 479-629-7601 texted me, saying she had been exposed to Covid and wanting to know if I wanted to reschedule. After waffling for a bit, I decided I didn’t want to expose my husband to whatever I might bring home, so my massage is rescheduled to NEXT week. Even my BODY is having to undergo character-building exercises. :0(
My husband worked hard to change another of our fluorescent fixtures into ones that will accept the new LED tubes. This fixture was 8 feet long, out in the shop. It took him all afternoon to do it, because the gnomes that live with us decided to give him as much trouble as they could devise, but he got it done. I think he has two to go, but those can wait.
He complained of the bedroom being too warm the night before last, so I turned the a/c back on to cool things down before we went up. He took a nice shower and managed to sleep really well last night, catching up for several nights. He just came down, and it’s after 10am. :0)
Enjoy your day!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Wednesday 10-25-2023
Water Works by Sumiyo – Etsy
Good morning! I hope this will be a great day for you.
We’re leaving in just a few minutes for a couple of errands and then plan to have a quiet day after. It rained overnight a bit again and is overcast this morning. The rain is flirting with us so far, rather than giving us the really soaking rain we would welcome, but chances are increasing each day.
Yesterday I thought would be quiet, but we ended up going ahead and shopping at two places for groceries, getting our mail, and then dragging our trash can back up to where it lives after it was EMPTIED by the trash people on the proper day for the first time in three weeks. Being ‘delighted’ that your trash can has been emptied seems like a new low, even for me, but it is what it is. :0) I almost called the nice lady to thank her, but figured she’s probably busy enough without me calling her to waste her time.
I also did a bit of pruning outside, paid our bills, balanced our checkbooks and did a bit of filing. Today I want to do the bookkeeping for September before it’s time for October…
Enjoy your day. I hope the weather is nice where you are and that you have the chance to get outside and enjoy it.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Sea Action Video
Andrii Frolov 4
Chinatown
Night Dene
Andrii Frolov – @kznsq on X
Filed under Andrii Frolov Art, Oil Paintings I Love
Exercise
Deborah Ann – Pinterest
I was SURE I was going to impress my scales this morning with another pound down, but NOOOOOOOO. I held at 13 off. Bah. Humbug. Since I’m being a ‘good girl,’ exercising, drinking water, watching what I’m eating, etc., I’m hopeful that SOON I’ll see some more progress.
0.media.collegehumor.cvcdn.com
The rest of the week is supposed to be rainy here. We can use it. It started overnight, with light rain when my husband took Amber out for her last outing of the day. It’s not actually raining now, but is very overcast. I’ll take whatever we can get.
Since it’s rainy today, I’m going to try to get my office under control – paying bills, bookkeeping, filing, etc. (I know – ‘Be still, my heart.’ :0) )
Maybe I’ll get up to my art room.
I hope that YOU are having a fine day – calm if you need it, fun if you don’t.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
It’s a Dog’s Life
Rebekah Jenkins
“Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift.” ~ Mary Oliver
Nagyon Tetszik
“My dog is half pit bull, half poodle. Not much of a watchdog, but a vicious gossip.” – Craig Shoemaker
“My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet.” ~ Edith Wharton
Ruth Shedrofsky Lax
“It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.” – John Grogan
Tony O’Connor – @Tony’s_Ponies on X
“When an 85-pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad.” – Kristan Higgins
Vicarious Fun
I do a lot of ‘vicarious’ living.
My wonderful sister-in-law allows me to enjoy her trips with friends to the beach from time to time. She sends me pics of the ocean, sunrises, and even sent me a short video of sandpipers playing in the sand. I love it, keeping it close so I can enjoy it over and over.
A good friend of mine enjoys racing with her son.
They have worked together to make this beautiful race car. They designed the graphics and have spent countless hours working to make it the best it can be. Her son drives the car.
They raced it for the first time at a track in Oklahoma October 19th and 20th. They came in 8th. She said they have decided they chose wrong on the tires and will change that.
Fingers crossed they do better and better each time they race. Now I’m a vicarious race car mom!
Filed under vicarious enjoyment
Smiling Sloth 10-23-2023
It looks like we have one more week of unseasonably warm weather before we get more fall-like around here. We’re soaking up the lower humidity and being able to have the doors open and the ceiling fans on – the a/c off – enjoying the breezes. I’m trying to make myself do some clean up in the yard, but the ‘lazies’ have swept me away lately.
Vince, the sign guy – Indian Hills Community Center
Filed under Attitude, Laziness - Sloth
Iridescent Iris
CHBKN-etsy
Dorota Piotrowiak – Imago Space
Filed under Iridescent Art
This and That on Sunday 10-22-2023
“When I offer to wash your back in the shower, all you have to say is ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Not all this “Who are you and how did you get in here?” nonsense.”
Rod Craig – @rodcraigartist on X
I’m really glad I can get on the Internet and find photos and paintings to show how glorious the fall can be. Here, where I am in Arkansas, a lot of the leaves have already fallen off the trees, giving up due to lack of rain and previously scorching temperatures. I can vicariously soak up the beautiful colors and FEELINGS, so I’m not complaining.
“accueil” (welcome) – annelaure-peres.com
I’ve featured this amazing artist on the blog before, but it truly amazes me that instead of simply doing beautiful sculptures of children, she tells a story, makes you react emotionally with just a glance. I just can’t say enough about her.
Angie Wallace Fine Art
I just found this recently and intend to research this artist more and share her work with you. I expect the grass and flowers to move in the breeze or the doggies to move their heads. Just amazing.
And finally this morning, I guess I’ll never really grow up. I’m drawn to handmade dolls of all kinds. I don’t actually BUY them because I don’t have granddaughters, but I WANT to –
life-tumblr.com
I wish you a happy Sunday, filled with laughter and love.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Lighter Attitude
Your e cards – http://www.LaFunny.net – Deborah Ann – Pinterest
A bit more progress this morning – almost 14 pounds off. If I can keep this up, only 6 years or so to go and I’ll be where I would like to be. :0) I just finished getting the ingredients for chili in the crock pot for dinner tonight.
I’ve pared down what I’m eating for lunch and drinking a lot more water during the day. If I eat between lunch and dinner, I’m watching what I eat VERY carefully. I’m watching my portions at dinner and then not eating afterwards until lunch the next day. (Intermittent fasting.)
On day where the weather allows, I’m walking out to the shop and garden a couple of times each day, plus I’m doing careful old lady yoga stretches each afternoon.
The progress is so slow I tend to lose my patience, but I’m looking at this, besides trying to get the lard off, as a character-building exercise, working toward a long-term goal and realizing that if I’m moving in the right direction, no matter how slowly, I’m doing well.
I found this on Pinterest and they didn’t say who this artist is. I LOVE this turtle and will keep it as a symbol of my ‘slow-but-steady’ battle to lose the lard…
Filed under DIET!, getting the lard off
Sunday 10-22-2023
Listening is becoming a lost art. Too many of us listen until we figure out we don’t agree with the ‘side’ the speaker is on and tune him/her out. People gather on the streets to shout over each other, waving signs. We prejudge based on a person’s appearance and our ears shut off.
The evidence is on the news daily. I watch shorter and shorter sessions of the news before becoming totally upset with the state of the world and seeking some way I can ‘escape.’
I have caught MYSELF being surprised when a talking head says something with which I agree after unconsciously deciding he or she represents an opposing view.
I have to tell you I was embarrassed when I caught myself yesterday doing this very thing. I admitted it to my husband, but my admission fell on deaf ears, as he seems to be more guilty of this than I. He will use the ‘fast forward’ on taped programs with our remote to get to the end of what a person is saying, not even giving the person time to make his or her point before writing them off. Knowing I’m not alone doesn’t negate my embarrassment.
Real listening, respecting another’s right to say what he or she thinks, especially when we don’t agree, USED TO BE one of the things that made our country unusual, strong, and special. Re-evaluating our beliefs, based on the latest facts to come out, USED TO BE another thing that could bring opposing sides together. I HOPE that we can get beyond this situation somehow.
Filed under Challenges, communication
Sarah J Evans Art
I have always considered painting water or snow impossible. Sarah J Evans proves me very, very wrong. Here is a sample –
Sorry, I didn’t get the name of this one.
Bognor Regis
Brighton
Devils Dyke – South Downs
Storm on the Seafront
Sarah J. Evans Art (shop on Etsy)
Filed under paintings I love, Sarah J Evans Art
Saturday 10-21-2023
Efraïm Rodríguez Cobos – http://www.efraimrodriguez.net
I love this sculpture. I don’t know what it is about it that makes me want to put a hand on his head or squeeze his shoulder. Just love it.
I just finished a video chat with our son, who lives across the world from us. Before he left several years ago, he set up a secure chat program that he trusts and also a video program where we can see each other while we visit. Between the two, the only thing missing is his truly magnificent hugs. I feel so happy inside right now after getting to see his face – and his smiles. He is doing what he wants to do, living where he is comfortable, happy, and as safe as is possible in our world today. That’s all we can ask.
Open Door Yoga
My renewal of efforts to do my old lady yoga stretches each day are bearing fruit (hold your raspberries, please). :0) I had overdone doing yard work and my back was yelling at me. After coddling myself for several days, I started trying my yoga stretches again. I’m still pretty stiff, but it’s taking me less time to relax and start “breathing-into-the-stretches” each day. I’m adding something new to my stretches, too, so I’m hopeful I’ll be back where I was soon.
It is warmer than usual these days, here. It’s nice and cool at night, and we’ve turned off the a/c, but it’s supposed to get to 87 this afternoon – quite unusual for October here. Since the humidity is down, all we’re doing to be comfortable is opening the doors and using the ceiling fans. I could use a whole bunch of this nice weather! I’m going to try to do a short session of yard work today.
I hope you enjoy your Saturday and are doing something fun.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Blowing My Head Off
Medicine Plus
Yesterday I had what I call, “The Day of the Allergy.”
I’m not allergic to anything. Really. I’ve always been really thankful that I don’t have to spend a lot of time blowing my nose and sneezing my head off, like so many other good people.
Yesterday that changed and I tried to catch up to other allergy sufferers. .
I’m not exaggerating much when I tell you I sneezed so often I simply stopped trying to do anything else but have another kleenex ready. I see on my computer screen all of a sudden that there is ‘high pollen’ today. Maybe that’s my problem, but it’s weird that it would show up NOW, when I’m older than dirt.
I certainly got my exercise with all the sneezing. It stopped long enough in the afternoon that I got my yoga practice in, but I have to admit that all I did yesterday was curse and sneeze – a somewhat ‘colorful’ combination….
Today I’m fine. Or at least I haven’t had any problems yet. I did take two allergy pills last night in desperation.
Anyway, the mystery continues. I hope that you are not suffering from this, or that you handle it with more grace than I.
Filed under taking care of yourself
Ethereal
Headbanger Deb-pinterest
Delicate and ethereal. Mesmerizing.
Filed under Favorite Things
Pumpkin Carving is an Art
I’m in awe of someone who can not only carve a pumpkin, but make something truly unusual. When I was carving pumpkins each year with our son, I really tried my best, but I did little better than the traditional jack-o-lantern, managing not to cut my arm off in the process. We had fun, but it was embarrassing for me, as well.
Look at these –
Bethany Lowe
mbcreativestudio.com
theholidaybarn.com
thisoldhouse.com
Each year I look for new ones, and each year I manage to find what I consider more wonderfully creative pumpkins. I hope you enjoy them, too.
Friends on Fridays 10-20-2023
Marina Blue Studio
Shout-out to Cathy, who is feeling stronger, resting better, and eating better following her radiation and chemo and is getting a chance to catch her breath while the docs decide what they think she should do next. I’m trying to send smiles, strength, and good weather her way so that she can soak them up.
Shout-out to Carla, who has built a race car with her son and is racing last night and tonight. Fingers crossed they do well.
We leave in about an hour to meet our friends (hopefully) for Lunch Bunch, to enjoy a good meal at The Pizza Barn, share news and laughs, and set ourselves up for a nice weekend.
I’m pleased to be able to report that our trash was picked up! This may not seem like an ‘event’ to YOU, but since they’ve missed us two weeks in a row and I had to call, wait on hold for 5 minutes or so, and arrange a work order for pickup, it seems like at least an old-fashioned ‘annoyance’ to me. The lady I talked to was nice, noticed that this was the 2nd time I had had to call, and said she would see if she could figure out what the problem was. Hope springs!
Last call for you to order either of these child-sized Halloween aprons in time for Halloween. One-of-a-kind, hand-painted child’s apron. Size is 2-6 years. The apron is 19″ long and 12.5″ wide, not including neck loop or ties. $19.99 with FREE SHIPPING to the contiguous U.S. HandmadeHavenbyLinda on Etsy
I hope that you are having a really nice morning and that your day will be calm and pleasant.
Wonderful Art With Children
@HBSDesign-Hbstudioart
“Children are like wet cement: whatever falls on them makes an impression.” ~ Haim Ginott
Stormy Leigh Jones
“You have to love your children unselfishly.” ~ Barbara Bush
“The Naughty Step” -Keith Proctor
“Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher
YouTube.com
“Children make your life important.” ~ Erma Bombeck
Yulia Zina
“The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day.” – Orlando Aloysius Battista
Filed under Favorite Quotes, Keith Proctor, paintings of children
Feeling Lazy
“I tried donating blood today…NEVER AGAIN! Too many stupid questions:
Who’s blood is it? Where did you get it from? Why is it in a bucket?”
PsychoBitch – Anne Balaban’s Blog – Page 7 – goodreads.com
Filed under Attitude
Better than Yesterday
taolife.com
As of this morning, I’m down 13.2 pounds. No parades, bands playing, confetti, or celebration, just a small smile that my efforts are paying off a bit.
shutterstock_News Medical
Both my dog and cat – but not my husband – came in to see what was going on with me just now. I’ve spent the last 20 minutes or so sneezing, over and over, saying some bad words – to be honest – as I sneeze AGAIN and have to blow my hose AGAIN. To my knowledge, I’m not allergic to anything. So what’s the DEAL? I just researched a bit, and the culprits may be tree pollen, grass, mold, and ragweed. Since we live on top of a ridge line surrounded by all of these, I don’t see a quick solution – although, since I started griping about my sneezing, it has stopped – just as suddenly as it started… (Almost sounds like something out of the old Twilight Zone TV series…)
I’ve been finding a lot of wonderful things to share with you from “X” (the former Twitter) lately. I’m finding artists, photographers, and funny and/or lovely people to follow. Some people consider ‘social media’ time-wasters. I’m only on X, and I am finding it a wonderful source of interesting people. Of course, each time I’m on, I find some of the opposite, too, so it’s a constant process of following, or UN-following people in order to find the ones who bring me joy. I’m enjoying it. :0)
Have a great Thursday!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
creativeartworksblog 