Monthly Archives: June 2024
Birds That SHOULD Be – 2
Filed under Watercolors I Love
Orange You Glad
These may be ‘real’ playing with your food art, or it has been pointed out to me that it may be A.I. I don’t really care. I think the creativity shown in these is wonderful. I celebrate however it was created and am glad to share it with you. :0)
Filed under playing with your food?
Feeling Lazy and Stupid
I’m feeling lazy and stupid right now.
I just went out to the well house to see when our two irrigation system water timers are set to begin today so I can monitor the watering.
We have two different models of the same brand, so the directions on creating the settings are different. I couldn’t tell when they were set to start, so I came back in, got the the directions for each, plus my glasses, and went out again.
I saw that the two units had two different ‘current times’ on them, so I tackled that first. I looked at the new system, trying to scroll through the different settings, and that was confusing. I then noticed that by scrolling through, some of the settings had changed, so I started over.
I now THINK I have the new system for the back set to start at 3pm. I THINK I have the system in the front set to start at 3:20pm, each of them running for 10 minutes automatically, every day.
I now have an alarm set so I’ll go out to check the watering starting at 3pm. WHEW!
I feel lazy because I have always depended on my husband to install and program stuff around here. Our situation has changed now. He installed the new system yesterday for the back, but didn’t think to check the batteries in the old system. It turns out that the old system was fine and just needed new batteries. So that’s the first lesson for me – check to see if there ARE batteries and see if changing them causes the system to work again.
We put the old unit in the well house on the shelf as a back up if we need it.
If I haven’t programmed the systems right, I’ll find out at 3pm and I can try again. If they DO work, I’ll monitor to make sure the water is going to the right places with no kinks in the hoses, breaks in the system, etc.
I’m feeling humble and stupid because what should probably be intuitive – (our son can look at something and start ‘messing’ with it, figuring how to program it faster than I can find the directions in the file cabinet) – ISN’T intuitive for ME. I have to read the directions carefully, taking them out there with me (remembering my glasses) and then painfully work my way through the settings.
I’m getting quite a few character-building exercises on how to be a functioning adult these past few days. I’m working on my attitude about it, trying to find a ‘can-do’ person in there somewhere, and the determination to make this work as it should. Fingers crossed!
Filed under Challenges, Changes, character-building exercises
Sunday 6-23-2024
Our heat index is forecast to be 104 degrees F. this afternoon. UGH. Yesterday we replaced a water timer in the well house that controls the back yard irrigation system. We THINK all is functional now. I’ll go out in a minute to check what time the two systems are supposed to start and I’ll monitor that today to see if 1) each of the two systems is turning on and 2) if we are, in fact, getting water everywhere we need it. The rest of the day will be spent – I HOPE – inside where it’s cool. :0)
I received my new wood burning kit yesterday. I’m going to clear a space for it upstairs on my drafting table as soon as possible and start playing with it. I’m embarrassed that I’ve been intimidated by the other type of system I have that I’ve had trouble using it, due to its weight and my hand arthritis. I’m hopeful I’ll be more successful with this different style.
On Friday my husband asked me out to lunch. We went to the Pizza Barn, one of our favorite places. My husband had a cheeseburger “with everything,” and I had chicken fingers/strips with honey mustard, eating my fill there and bringing home a box with enough for another lunch for me. All well and good, but that started a ‘binge’ for me. I ended up eating some chips from my husband’s stash for the first time in a year or so, followed by no sugar added ice cream and Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup. Then I had the 2nd half of my chicken fingers/strips as part of my lunch yesterday.
As you can imagine, it was as if I had eaten lead. I gained 2 and a half pounds. I’m back on track today, but it’s a bit sad to have to lose the SAME pounds over and over…
I wish you an enjoyable day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Incredible Wall Hangings
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, quilts
Saturday 6-22-2024
We’re going to buy a new water timer for the irrigation system in the back yard this morning. Hopefully, that will finally get our systems up and running. My husband is happy that we’re not getting all the rain that we’ve had this spring now. He wants our grass to get to the ‘brown and crunchy’ stage so he doesn’t have to mow. I can’t really blame him. I do want our flowers to get water, though, and it’s getting so hot and humid (heat index in the 100s this weekend) that I would like to be able to stop having to water things with the hose and the water sprinkler containers. Fingers crossed.
I got my new wood burning kit yesterday, so I’m hoping to make the time and energy to try it out.
Things are quiet around here today for the most part. I’m hoping they stay that way. I wish you a happy, cool day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Birds That SHOULD Be
I love finding art that makes me smile. These watercolor birds are free, whimsical, and clever. When I grow up, I hope I can paint like this. :0)
Filed under Watercolors I Love
Sleepers
“There is no sunrise so beautiful that it is worth waking me up to see it.” — Mindy Kaling, Is Everybody Hanging Without Me?
“I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything till noon. That’s when it’s time for my nap.” — Bob Hope, British-American Comedian
“I’m so good at sleeping that I can do it with my eyes closed.” — Anonymous
“Happiness is waking up, looking at the clock and finding that you still have two hours left to sleep.” — Charles M. Schulz, American Cartoonist
“Sleep is like a cat: It only comes to you if you ignore it.” -— Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl
Filed under Favorite Quotes
“Just Thread”
Friday 6-21-2024
My husband slept in this morning. He said he had a hard time getting to sleep last night. Once he did fall asleep, though, he slept okay. We’re getting to the point where any time, anywhere, we can get some rest is good, so we don’t worry about having to take naps or keep weird hours.
I finally ordered a different style of wood burning tool, since the equipment I have –
- still intimidates me
- is too heavy and makes my hand arthritis act up quickly
As you can see from the image above, this one has WIRE tips, rather than metal shaped pieces. I’ve read some really good reviews from both beginners, like me, and seasoned pros, who all seem to be happy with this one. Fingers crossed this will get me over the obstacle of intimidation and into trying to actually make something more than the earrings I’ve done so far.
My husband invited me to eat lunch out today! We haven’t been to the Pizza Barn in a long time. My Lunch Bunch group of over 20 years has faded away. One of my friends now lives in a retirement place and is only available when her daughter can bring her. The other has been ‘too busy,’ for a long time and so the group and shared lunches is in the past now. It will be nice to see the owner and our favorite waitress today. We’ll do several quick errands after and then be home for the rest of a hot day.
We’re trying to get our irrigation system going for the flower beds. We got the front working yesterday, though the water pressure is low for some reason. We’ll tweak that, plus test the back one today. THEN I’ll try to program them so that when one stops, the other goes on for a timed period each day. I’m still using hoses and water sprinkler containers right now until we get things going and settled.
Try to stay cool!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Thursday 6-20-2024
I recently bought what is advertised as a ‘barefoot’ tennis shoe. After three full days of wearing them, I’m sold. I’ve been having discomfort, trying different shoes in my closet and then taking them off halfway through the day. I have NO inclination to take these off. They are extra wide, with lots of room for my old toes. I’m not sliding around in them or feeling pinches or wearing on places on my feet. I can really ‘forget’ about my feet!!!!
I have just ordered a second pair as a backup and also a pair of their ‘winter tennis shoes’ which are fur lined for warmth and waterproof.
Both are advertised as ‘barefoot,’ “zero drop,” ‘wide toe box.’ One is under the brand Joomra and the snow boots are under HiGropcore. I read a LOT of reviews before buying the pair I’m wearing now, and read more, particularly for the winter boot design. I feel almost as if I’ve won the lottery. I bought them through Amazon because if I find the new pairs aren’t as advertised, I can return them easily.
I’m going to test our planter box irrigation system today, if I can make myself go out there. I’m not really sure why I’m being so recalcitrant about this. I’ve actually gone out and watered the two tomato planters by hand with the hose, and filled watering cans to water the elephant ear plants in three different places in the yard, but for some reason, I’m putting this off.
I guess I’m afraid we’ll get into a never-ending ‘death struggle’ with the system, not being able to figure out what’s wrong, with my husband refusing to quit, even though we’re about to pass out in the heat.
Maybe I can ‘sneak’ out there, turn it on in the front manually, and see what happens…
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
More Felted Wool Animal Art
Felted Animal Art Article by Kevin Chai, Feltify.com
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art, Felted Wool Art
Wednesday 6-19-2024
Freedom is such a beautiful thing – to be cherished and celebrated every day. Today is Juneteenth, a celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S. The actual Federal holiday was declared in 2021.
My husband ordered this and it was delivered yesterday. He got it ready to put up and we got it up – all but the final wiring detail – yesterday. We finished it up this morning. It’s really bright neon. I think it looks great, and it’s the first thing he’s been really excited about in quite awhile. :0)
I’m going to try to get him to help me test and program our irrigation system this evening. I’ve been watering the tomatoes with a hose, and then taking watering cans around to the elephant ears, but we need to get serious now that the constant rains have stopped and the heat is pouring in.
I harvested a bunch of nice tomatoes yesterday. We’re now enjoying them for lunch AND dinner. They’re a bit difficult to eat because I tend to smile so much as I’m eating them. I love them so much! :0)
This is the planter in front of the garage. The elephant ear plant is doing really well so far.
This is the planter to one side of our front porch. I’m hoping that this plant gets really large, spilling out both sides of the planter.
I’m a bit worried about this one. This planter is on the east end of the house. It’s shaded, but we’ve had elephant ear plants here before and they did well. This one is really growing slowly.
Have a fun day!
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Delightful Surprise
I told you that we recently had trouble with our public power going off and our generator failing to come on automatically as it is supposed to do. We have replaced the starter solenoid and the battery and the generator’s red lights are still on. It started manually when we worked on it, but the problems remain.
I called our electric company, since they are the ones who installed the special electrical hookups to make the generator ‘automatic,’ but they said to call an electrician. Yeah. Thanks.
Today my husband found a number to call for generator repair. It turns out we have a generator repair person in Greenwood! His name is David Freeman, Apex Generator & Electric LLC, 4321 Fawn Trail, Greenwood AR 72936, 479-208-8616. We called, and the guy got my husband’s email address. He’ll contact him about when he can come out and look at things. HOORAAAY! Hopefully, he can help us.
Never Too Many Cats
X
Filed under Amazing Animals
Tuesday 6-18-2024
I had fun creating this new series of handmade greeting cards. The whimsical birds are made of feathers with paint accents and then pastels. 9 cards with different designs and quotes. Blank on the inside for your message.
Since summer is in full swing here now with heat indices in the 100s, I’m just going to check on the tomatoes, do some watering, and call it a day outside. I’m thinking of getting back to my wood burning efforts today.
Yesterday I MADE myself do my yoga practice after only doing yard work for quite awhile now. Our new cat, Jet, noticed me down on my mat in the living room, came over to say “hi,” and pounce on my stomach. I said ‘hi,’ scratched her, and then started to get back to my stretch. She decided that she hadn’t had enough attention and bit me, shattering my ‘calm.’ I hope she loses interest in me.
I bought some new shoes which were delivered yesterday. I’m wearing them for the first time this morning. They are Joomra Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes | Wide Toe Box | Zero Drop. I don’t remember where I got the URL for their website, but actually went to Amazon to purchase them. So far, I love them. They are really comfortable and that’s saying something for someone who feet that are essentially uncomfortable much of the time, regardless of the shoes I wear. It’ll be interesting to see how they do on the driveway, since I have problems with skidding on the gravel, trying to avoid falling on my head. (The problem is much less than it was with the new work and gravel on the driveway).
We will run some errands later, but thankfully we don’t have a bunch.
Have a wonderful, albeit hot, day.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Another Dream Walk
Can you imagine taking a walk and coming upon this gorgeous place? I would have to watch my footing here, but it would be worth it to walk very slowly, looking all around, stopping to dream a bit…
Filed under Dreams
Happy Cat
Jet is feeling more and more at home. She is an extremely curious, active, and determined cat. We may be creating a monster…
I was trying to work on some new greeting cards here at the computer yesterday. Jet decided she wanted to “play” with the cards, the tubes of paint, the feathers, my hands…. I was almost relieved when she decided that whatever she saw in the window was more interesting – until things started falling off the sill.
I had a tall glass of ice water on the table beside my chair a couple of days ago. She has expressed interest in my coffee cup, but has never actually bothered it. Not so with the ice water. I found her with her whole head inside the top of the glass licking an ice cube. Now I have gathered up some heavy coasters I am putting on the top of the glasses.
The cat door latch is one of the best inventions known to man – in my humble opinion. Jet is very happy to be able to go in and out of her bathroom at will – except when anyone is eating, when her door is actually shut for her protection. She seems to be catching on to the pattern now, though, complains less, knowing that as soon as we’re finished, I’ll use the latch again. Best of all, I don’t have to be on guard to keep Amber from going in there and eating her food – and other things. :0(
I got a little card full of small felt mice with catnip. Jet is a FIEND for these. I now have one in her bathroom, and one at the top of the cat tower in the corner of the room. She routinely goes up the tower to play with the mouse.
Jet follows me around quite a bit, and has started sitting with me in my chair. She doesn’t actually sit in my lap, but sits on the arm of the chair or the fold-out stool portion close beside my foot. She is starting to respond and come to me when I bend over and pat my legs.
Another wonderful thing is a loud bell we hung on her collar. It’s really loud, helping me find her if I need to put her in the bathroom quickly for any reason, or at night at bedtime. My husband – who insists he doesn’t have a hearing problem – doesn’t hear it at all… :0)
Jet has gotten so comfortable, curiously exploring every available surface, that I now have to put her in her bathroom with the door closed when I’m trying to get meals together. She knows I’ll let her out soon, so she doesn’t mind the interruption in her travels.
Happy cat.
Filed under Family
Monday 6-17-2024
X on Pinterest
I’m having some difficulty waking up this morning. My husband is sleeping in. I have the morning chores done and the only other thing we have to do today is gather our trash and drive it down. I like unscheduled days like this.
I finished a group of 10 greeting cards this morning that feature a feather as a bird with a bird quote. I’m going to list them on Etsy today.
I hope the day ahead is a wonderful one for you.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Frank Sheppard Portraits
Filed under drawings, Frank Sheppard Portraits
Beautiful 3-D Embroidery
Filed under Embroidery/Sewing Art
“Unfortunate” Name – Great Chicken
I love slow cooker/crockpot recipes because I can get dinner “on” except for mostly last minute additions, before I’m tired from doing other things. I tried this shredded chicken recipe awhile back. We enjoyed it, saving leftovers in the freezer to enjoy a couple of times. My husband asked if I would make it again, so I’m doing that today.
Besides the deliciousness of the chicken, I love that a serving has only 4 carbs. It’s a bit higher in sodium than I would like, but the fact it only has 1 gram of sugar is great, since we’re watching that, too. You can eat it as is, or serve it on a bun (or I use Mission Zero Carb Tortillas). I’m also going to try adding some celery before serving it cold as a variation on tuna salad this time, with some of the leftovers. I already have chicken breasts thawed for this time, but I’m seriously considering doubling the recipe after this. :0)
Filed under Keto Eating Plan and Recipes We Like
Father’s Day 2024
Happy Father’s Day! Being a good dad is a hugely challenging, rewarding role. I hope you are swamped today (if not every day) with love and appreciation for your efforts.
____________
I suddenly had an idea for greeting/note cards and spent part of the afternoon and evening working on them. I’m making cartoony-looking ‘birds’ made from a feather, featuring a quote about birds. The inside of the cards will be blank so people can write what they want for any occasion. It’s been awhile since I wanted to do anything with my art, so it’s nice to be able to focus on something so much fun.
__________
I’m determined to finish spraying with KillzAll today, and I’ll get outside very soon, before the temperature-with-heat-index becomes lethal. It really doesn’t take long for me to get over-heated these days, so I have to be extra careful. I’ll dash outside in a minute and see what I can get accomplished.
________________
Enjoy your Sunday.
Filed under holidays
Books Are a Quality of Life Thing
I’ve slowed down on reading lately, only reading one book at a time now. I’m switching between re-reading some from my collection and reading a new one from my Kindle.
Happily, I’m finding several authors new to me whose work I will see out every time I get the chance.
I found this project idea that I will definitely try at some point when I have time to do some more yard art. I have the leftover bricks. I’d have to figure out a way to display them (maybe on the edge of a brick planter – with ‘bookends’), but I LOVE this idea. :0)
Filed under quality of life, Reading is FUNdamental
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