Soooo Pretty!

May your day be blessed with this type of calm and zen. 💙🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/hsYvVX3Zjd

— Noble Ron (@perry_ron) November 30, 2023

Glorious Watercolor

Artmajeur Gallery

Dermot Brennan – “Precious Moments” – @contejour on X

Njui – CHBKN

Yuko Nagayama- @yuko_nagayama on X

Toby Megaw Sculpture 3

Thinker

Thoughtful

Triumph

Spring Girl

Toby Megaw Sculpture

“Splattering of Showers…”

Jack Yeargle – Pinterest

Our weather forecast is for showers this morning, “splattering of showers” this afternoon, and heavy thunderstorms this evening. I’m really glad our plumber and his helper don’t have to get under our house or up on the roof for the ‘chimney’ for the tankless water heater installation today.

It’s 50 degrees F., so not cold, but it seemed like a good idea to start a crock pot full of chili for tonight. I just finished doing that. I only forgot we didn’t have water ONCE – pretty good for me, since I usually clean things as I go, putting the rinsed things in the dishwasher…

I’ve paid bills and gotten organized to balance checkbooks and do my spreadsheet bookkeeping later. I’m going to finish up at the computer and then go up to my art room soon.

I hope the weather isn’t messing up your plans for the day.

And the Water is Off!

Gem Voyager

Our wonderful plumber is here. The installation of our replacement tankless water heater has begun. The water to the house is off until further notice.

I know without a doubt that I wouldn’t be a good burglar. When I get stressed, I need to find a bathroom, and that’s a real problem if you’re trying to get away with something, be quiet, or cooperate when the water is off. The only ‘comfort’ today, since I have no clue how long the water will be off, is that we have two bathrooms upstairs that I can use and leave to flush later.

I guess it is my perverse nature that I react this way. Usually hours and hours can pass and I can easily wait – but turn off the water and tell me I ‘can’t’ and my system goes into ‘high production.’

I’m hoping that this will be a smooth, relatively quick installation. We are so lucky to have Travis Hawkins as our plumber. 479-461-8347. It is beyond price to know that someone knowledgeable will come when needed, and that we’ll get a fair price and can trust the work done.

I’m going to work in our office, write posts for the blog, and then work in my art room to stay out of the way. :0)

Lisa Wellwood Art

Lisa Wellwood – @studio22artz on X

Sarah Eden Portraits 6

Stan

Millie

Mango

Freddi

Nish

Sarah Eden Portraits – @EdenPortraits on X

Wednesday 11-29-2023

“Branch Manager and Assistant Manager” – @Buitengebieden On X

Well, I’m feeling quite happy now.

Our plumber just came to take some measurements for the replacement of our tankless water heater.

I had told my husband that I wanted HIM to handle things, since the two of them speak the same language, and that I would just try to stay out of the way, but available, if needed.

Travis, the plumber, said he would be back tomorrow at 8:30 for the installation.

The best part of the whole thing is the resolution of the question of the chimney for the unit, which has to be vented through the roof. My husband had gone on chat (with me typing) to ask if we could use the stainless steel chimney we already have with the new system. The chat people couldn’t help us and gave us the number of the more technical folks. We talked to them, and they basically said to use the PVC pipe they wanted. My husband wasn’t convinced.

When Travis and he were down in the basement taking measurements and talking details, they talked about the chimney. They have agreed that the stainless steel chimney should be fine for the new system, and that they don’t need to run the PVC pipe. This will save Travis a LOT of time and labor, and should save US some money.

We had agreed that we would do what Travis wanted to do, since HE was the one who was doing the installing, HE was the one who had experience with this new unit, and HE would be the one we would call about any problems.

Since Travis is fine with this, it’s a win/win for everyone. :0)

“Water, Water Everywhere…”

“With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea. No matter where on Earth you live.” ~ Sylvia Earle

Beth Robertson Fiddes – “Last Breath” – @Beth_RobertsonF on X

“Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams – they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do – they all contain truths.” ~
Muhammad Ali

Daniel J Greenwood Photography – @DigitalDanielG on X

“The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire.” ~ Pamela Hansford Johnson

Dylan Biggs – @TKRanch on X

“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” ~
Lao Tzu

Mark Gray Photography – @GrayMarker99 on X

“I got this powdered water – now I don’t know what to add.” ~
Steven Wright”

Joann Pipcinski – @joannpip on X

“Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody.” ~
Mark Twain

Ruth McDonald – @RuthMcDonald1 on X

Toby Megaw Sculpture 2

Bashful

Little Miss

Mother and Child

The Naturalist

Tuesday 11-28-2023

Posted by Ariaa – @AriaaJaeger on X

Just had to share this. This festive mouse made my heart melt.

The sun is shining. It’s supposed to get almost to 60 this afternoon. Nice.

Our wonderful plumber called and said he is planning to come Wednesday or Thursday to install our tankless heater replacement. It’ll be really good to not have to ‘wonder’ if we still have hot water or not, or if the unit will reset or not.

The tankless has been a good thing for us. We used to run out of hot water when we had a regular hot water tank. The tankless takes a bit of time to get hot, but then we have as much as we would like. Luxury!

The old system required that we install a stainless steel chimney. We paid more for that than we did the tankless system. The new unit requires PVC. My husband talked to technical support this morning, trying to get them to okay the stainless we already had, but they wouldn’t. They also didn’t give a reason. I told him that we just needed to suck it up and get it done. The new one is a Navien, which supposedly will last 20 years – probably a lot longer than WE do…

Gift

The Birdhouse Chick

In the space of a 5 minute slice of my day, I was treated to squirrels on our bottle bird feeder and our regular hanging bird feeder on our deck,

Amazon.com

then a roadrunner on the bottle feeder – coming to sit on it twice,

Southwest Desert Gardener

and then the driveway detector going off, telling me there was something in the driveway. It turned out to be several deer toward the bottom.

DarcyinTN on Flickr.com

These photos I found just give you an idea of the gift I received.

I felt rich today.

CyberMonday 11-27-2023

cutigers- @cutigs1 on X

We just got back from taking out trash down, getting our mail and making a grocery run to Walmart. I’m exhausted.

We had TWO Black Fridays this year and NOW it’s CyberMonday, and the crowds are already fearful. In Greenwood. Arkansas. An extremely small town in the middle of the River Valley, ‘small, sweet, but nowhere’ U.S.A. I can only imagine what it’s like in big cities.

I always make a point of either making the Christmas presents I give or shopping the whole year, buying something for someone when I find it and then putting it away until Christmas. This is so I don’t have to fight the crowds. Nothing kills my Christmas spirit more than lots of aggressive folks pushing and shoving their way through shops, stores, parking lots, and streets between me and where I’m trying to go.

Fighting our way through today – just to replenish our groceries – reminded me that I really enjoy people AT A DISTANCE rather than in large menacing groups. We just put our groceries away and are resting before putting our lunch together.

Happy CyberMonday to YOU, too.

Normal – 11-27-2023

Alaska Photography-Getty Images

Cutigers – cutigs1 on X

It’s sunny outside, but it’s 40 degrees F. and we’re due for ‘gusty winds’ soon. Oh, GOOD!

We’re going to go out soon to drive our trash down to the bottom of the driveway, get our mail, and replenish our groceries. That’s it for ‘out’ today.

I have never figured out whether having long weekend holidays makes it easier or more difficult to go back to work. In some of the jobs I’ve had, the work load exploded while I was gone, so it was really hard to face it and I thought it might have been better just to work through the holiday and keep my head above water. Other jobs I had made it so I could really relax and change my focus for several days in a row, a luxury I really loved.

Now that I’m retired, the point is moot. I have the luxury of working like a nut when the mood strikes or lazing like a sloth when it doesn’t. I don’t usually HAVE to be outside when the weather is lousy. I can snuggle between my heat pad and my throw in my recliner and make the world go away for a bit, if needed. How spoiled I am!

I hope that all of you were able to see family and friends during this holiday, get several good hugs, lots of smiles, and some delicious food you don’t normally allow yourself. :0)

Welcome back to ‘normal.’

It’s Sunday 11-26-2023

cutigers – @cutigs1 on X

It’s 36 and cloudy here this morning. A cold front is coming through and it’s a great day to stay inside, warm and dry. It rained lightly earlier, and I’m grateful we didn’t get ice. I’m not ready for this.

Signs By McDougall

I’m going to try to use this inside day to my advantage, working on my glassware etching. I’ve watched a few etching videos on YouTube that really get my juices flowing. They make it look really easy, but it isn’t. The jury is still out on whether what I’m doing will pass muster as Christmas gifts. I’m having a good time trying, though the process gets to my hands (particularly my thumbs for some unknown reason), so my sessions have to be short. Maybe I can get multiple sessions in today.

This is the ‘cup holder’ my husband made in our shop over the last two days. It’s stainless steel and heavy.

It fits the bottom of the glasses he likes to use perfectly. Now, when the TV tray is jostled, the liquid in the glass jostles, but the glass doesn’t fall over, spilling the drink everywhere. So far, so good!

I’ve been re-reading my collection of J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) In Death books in preparation for receiving the latest paperback in the series, Payback in Death, which I’ll get around the end of December or the beginning of January. I’m on book # 50 now, Golden in Death, and am thoroughly enjoying being in Lieutenant Eve Dallas’ world in the future.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your holiday weekend and are home safe and sound now.

The Art of Tony O’Connor

Daingean

3 Little Piggies – 1

3 Little Piggies – 2

3 Little Piggies – 3

I absolutely LOVE this set of 3 Little Piggies!

The Little Donkey

Tony O’Connor Equine Art – @Tonys_Ponies on X

Beautiful Fall Day

“Autumn Glow” – Erika Kocsi – @kocsi_erika on X

I’ve been playing on the computer this afternoon, seeing some beautiful and funny things. I’m planning to go up and spend some time etching the glasses I’m decorating when I finish here.

When I went to our local grocery store, they didn’t have the lunch bowls today. I talked to a lady at the deli, and she said she would make two of them for me while I waited. They have macaroni and cheese at the bottom, then chunks of chicken tenders, then some cheese on the top. We pop them into the microwave to melt the cheese on top. YUM!

My husband finished creating his stainless steel cup holder in the shop. I have to admit it’s quite impressive. It’s heavy and, of course, fits the bottom of the double-walled tall glass perfectly. He showed me by jostling the TV tray the glass usually falls off of. The liquid inside the glass sloshed a bit, but the glass stayed right where it was. There is hope that this is a solution to our problem.

It’s already starting to get dark outside, so no work in the yard today.

I hope your day has been a fun one.

Saturday 11-25-2023

Tenor

A quick “hi” before I leave for a much-needed haircut. After, I’m HOPING to get two macaroni-and-cheese-with-chicken-chunks bowls from the deli/bakery at our local Harps. This is my new favorite thing, so fingers, and all other appendages, are crossed that they have some today.

I’m hoping the stars will align so that I will get outside to do a bit of work this afternoon. A cold front is coming in, so the high will drop about 10 degrees tomorrow.

My husband is making a stainless steel cup holder to go on his TV tray in the living room. This is because he has become a MASTER at spilling whatever drink he has at the time. I warn him – he says he’s being careful – and then down the drink goes – all over the carpet – AGAIN. It’s not cute anymore. He worked most of the afternoon yesterday on it and thinks he can finish it today. I don’t know if the plan is to anchor something to the tray table or just put the glass in it. We’ll see and hope for the best.

I hope that today is a beautiful one for you, too.

Cats, Books, and Love

Gregorio Catarino – @gregcatarino1 on X

Expert Hunter

expert hunter pic.twitter.com/b13a3SEQp7

— Enez Özen (@Enezator) November 24, 2023

Enez Ozen – Enezator on X

The Friday after -2023

Conky Animals-r/midjourney-Reddit

Here I am, up almost 2 lbs since yesterday. UGH. The worst part is that it will take me a week or so to get the regained weight off again. (Sigh. Whine) :0(

That said, we had a really nice dinner and my husband was quite complimentary. He was serious about getting ‘his share’ of the deviled eggs before we were even technically ready to get the plates out. One would think he NEVER gets them. It’s reminiscent of our dog seriously telling everyone who will listen that there has been a HUGE mistake – that she hasn’t been fed in a month!

I was pleased that, when I got up and started to clear, he actually came and helped me put things away and clean up the kitchen – another thing for which I am truly thankful. :0)

I FINALLY got out and weed whacked around the house and under the deck yesterday – something I’ve been flapping my lips about for several days now. I followed that up with the leaf blower, so now we look pretty civilized, for the Lewises. I’ll watch to see if it gets warm enough for me to do some weed whacking in the area behind our shop and beside the garden this afternoon.

Otherwise, I’m planning to just do a bit of this and that today, moving from one thing to the other as the mood moves me. I LOVE days like this, where I don’t have any ‘have-to’s.’ It doesn’t happen often and I cherish them.

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and are enjoying a nice, long weekend off now.

Thankful

Pro Church Media

“Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise… then you will discover the fullness of your life.” ~ Brother David Steindl-Rast

dreamies.de

“Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.” ~Robert Caspar Lintner

Tenor

“The thing I’m most thankful for right now is elastic waistbands.” ~Author Unknown

The Emily Post Institute

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ~William Arthur Ward

Toby Martin Sculpture

Boy with Frog

Cheeky

Free

Tabitha

Toby Megaw Sculpture

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Giphy

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you spend time with people who mean a lot to you this holiday.

We enjoyed a quick message from our son, who lives across the world from us. He is 12 hours ahead of us (or maybe 13 with Daylight Savings), so it’s a bit difficult to actually talk real time. He said he enjoyed a good Thanksgiving dinner with his friends. One of the nannies who takes care of their toddler told him about a place that houses children who need a place to live. He checked it out and decided to sponsor a child there, sending a monthly donation.

I’m thinking I’ll get out and see if I can get some weed whacking done this morning. It’s a bit cool, at 52 degrees, but the sun is shining and I’ll be working hard enough I think I’ll be okay. I would love to get things neatened up around the house and under the deck.

Have a wonderful day, filled with food and family!

Sculpture that Makes My Heart Melt

Philippefaraut.com

Pinterest

Twinkelijintje

Sarah Eden Portraits 5

Don’t Worry, Buddy

Focus

Molly

Sarah Eden Portraits – @EdenPortraits on X

Comfort

Gregorio Catarino – @gregcatarino1 on X

Wednesday 11-22-2023

I’m pleased that a lot of people are getting at least a long weekend, if not even more days off for Thanksgiving. THAT gives folks a good thing for which to be thankful, if nothing else. :0)

We’re having a quiet day today. We go for a routine doctor appointment today, but that’s it for errands. I’m going to work on my Etsy site some more, making what I hope are changes that bring more people, and that they like what they see when they get there.

I’m also still working on the glass etching project in my art room, doing a bit each day. I’m now zeroing in on the ones I need to finish first.

Since my husband and I prefer the leftovers AFTER the main Thanksgiving dinner, and we’re by ourselves this year, I went ahead and cooked our turkey yesterday and served it with corn and homemade macaroni and cheese. I have finally learned to trust the instructions on the turkey, plus using a meat thermometer, so I didn’t overcook it, making it come out too dry. My husband proclaimed it, “perfect.” :0) We have plenty left for the traditional dinner with the fixings tomorrow, plus turkey sandwiches, our favorite thing, for several days.

My husband and I have never ‘fought’ about traditional things that married people do. We ‘fight’ over what design to cut out as a mailbox decoration next, or what colors to use in painting it. Lately, we have been ‘discussing strongly’ whether to have the heat or the air conditioner on upstairs. Right now it’s 43 degrees F. and we have the heat on downstairs. We have had the air conditioning on upstairs since my husband sleeps better when the air temperature is cold. We finally compromised on the upstairs – turning on the heat, but setting the thermostat at 68. We’ll see how that goes.

Hope you get through Hump Day well!

Tuesday 11-21-2023

It’s a great day to stay inside today. It’s 49, cloudy, windy, gray and wet outside. My husband and Amber just left to drive down to the bottom of the driveway to get our mail and hopefully retrieve what is now an empty trash can and drag it back up to where it lives.

I told you I have been working on my Etsy site, basically redoing it from the bottom up.

• I started by lowering my prices as much as I can.
• I’ve been having technical issues on trying to design a banner to go across the top, plus a logo. The last couple of days I painted what I hoped would work as a banner, and then this morning I designed a new logo.

Banner

Handmade Haven By Linda logo

Here’s screen shot – HandmadeHavenByLinda on Etsy

Example of price lowering –

• small wooden post or clip-on hand-painted lightweight wooden earrings are $8.00. All others $10 – all with free shipping to the contiguous U.S.

• Custom Hand-Painted Christmas Cards – Package of 6 with envelopes $19.99 with free shipping to the contiguous U.S.

Next on the list is trying to change the name and position of some of my shop sections, as well as spruce up the listings themselves.

I have my slogging shoes on, and I would like to make it the best website I can, so it’s well worth the effort.

Thunderstorms and Hair Balls

500px.com

It was raining when we got up this morning. Raining when we went out for errands, and raining a bit ago when we drove our trash down to the bottom of the driveway. The forecast is for “Scattered (80%) showers and thunder – the top threats are pockets of damaging hail and gusty winds.” Sounds like the perfect day to stay inside, safe and warm.

Monday 11-20-2023

Facebook

We got up and left this morning – in the cooler, rainy weather we’re having – immediately after feeding animals to get lab work done for our 6 month routine doctor appointment Wednesday afternoon. We like to treat ourselves to a Dari Restaurant breakfast afterwards.

They called us back to the lab part of the clinic, but then told us, after taking some of my blood, that we weren’t due for any more lab tests. I explained that it had been six months since we last saw the doctor and that we ALWAYS got fresh lab work done so that she could see how we were doing and could make recommendations for what we should do until we saw her again. They checked the records again and said it was ‘too soon’ for our lab tests. I was too shocked to ask when we WERE due for the tests, and we left.

We went ahead and enjoyed our breakfast out, but I’m still at a loss. If we don’t have the test results for the doc, all we can tell HER is that we’re still old. All she can tell US is that we seem to still be alive, and then give us another appointment.

It seems like there is a lack of communication somewhere. With my luck, our doc will want us to get lab work some other day after Thanksgiving, and my husband will probably get ugly about having to go to the doc 3 times…