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Great butterfly photo on Bing.
Lovely weather and a walk at the park.
Lots to watch on tv tonight!
A staffing agency let me study and retake Excel skills tests. I went from 86% to 100% normal user and 10% to 96% power user. This should help me find work.
Went to a library event with Bill Bryson speaking. He was great, funny, enjoyable. Free.
I went to one of my alma maters to update my last name so it will match what is on my job applications. Spoke with the placement person. She is only supposed to help currently enrolled students but gave me some pointers anyways, told me about a job fair that alumni may also attend, and gave me her business card for follow up next month.
Went to a seminar my ex-employer did not cancel and get a refund on although I no longer work there. I met the CEO of a staffing agency who may be able to find a position for me.
Hooray for aloe vera. A nasty little kitchen burn was greatly helped by an immediate application of cold water and fresh aloe vera juice. Have had my 2 aloe plants for years and never used them until yesterday's incident. Really works!
Central heat as the temperatures dip below zero for the second night in a row. I have cut and split wood by hand before and do not romanticize the olden days of constantly feeding a fireplace or wood stove.
Pi Day aka Pie Day! had both a slice of pizza pie and later a small piece of peach pie. All in. Brought in tiny dessert pies for my co-workers who loved it. Started a new tradition in our office for 3.14 next year.
rosarugosa
3-17-17, 7:04pm
I got outside for a short walk at lunch today after feeling housebound all week. There were a couple of people playing violins in the atrium of my office building as I passed through. I saw Blanco the white squirrel in the park, and a beautiful hawk (fortunately not too close to each other). It was a pleasant little interlude and I really enjoyed it.
For the first time I got called for a second interview, so I guess my self-presentation skills are getting better.
Winter is back here and if it gets up to 50 here, then I am getting outside for a walk. I have bad no sunlight and it is cold cabin fever.
I started lifting weights again after a long break and now every muscle is all sore. That is a feeling I've missed.
I have started going back to the Buddhist temple so Saturdays are always a day of serenity for me.
Mid 40s- warm enough for a park walk today!
BikingLady
3-19-17, 7:33pm
The Moth Radio Hour
Family members who get simple living, and are happy to play table games instead of going out spending money together.
BikingLady
3-20-17, 8:27am
Chavez, I understand the lifting feeling. Being able to run is mine.
A couple of days ago I saw swans first time this year. The spring is coming. Today I'll go skiing for the last time this winter.
The crocuses are in bloom.
Close to 80 degrees today and I am probably sunburned from 2 walks at the park and 1 in my neighborhood - but it was so much fun to get out of the house and into some sunshine!
Free event at the local small airport featuring all kinds of aircraft and dozens of classic cars. Plus perfect weather to enjoy it all - fun morning all around.
Free is the best price there is!
I have found a mentor. She has been laid off from 6 different jobs and even though she is working now she goes to networking groups and helps out unemployed folks.
frugal-one
3-29-17, 6:38pm
Went to see my brothers who live a few hours away and there was a detour. So I plugged in my GPS and it took me to places I haven't visited in MANY years. I had wonderful music on the radio. It was a pleasure! Then got home in time to go for a walk before it started to rain! A great day!
It is a brothers week then frugal one, because I saw mine today. He is a professional photographer who did an up-to-date picture for my LinkedIn profile. Here I was not wanting to change the 15 plus year old photo because of age discrimination and a career counselor, who did not know when it was taken, told me I look younger now due to my haircut which got me moving. I am never going back to long hair again!
Yeah = Aldi actually had most of the veg / fruit that was in their ad for a change- grape tomatoes, asparagus, blackberries and green peppers that were not in the ad. I picked up the wrong flavor of yogurt though but I will eat it anyway. Skipped the oranges that didn't look good and they were out of spinach.
Finding organic vegetables and fruits now close in price to pesticide laden..... potatoes, tomatoes, celery, apples, lettuce. It is a pleasant surprise!
Beginning Yoga and I loved it!
Netted about $325 at our yard sale and met 2 more of the neighbors. Sat outside in the wonderful weather and got to coo at my new grandbaby while we did it. Donated the sale leftovers to the Goodwill. A wonderful morning.
Found a free Mah-Jongg site where you play the traditional American version and they have the new 2017 card ... either with people or with bots. Totally addicting!
A perfect spring day. I was so happy doing yardwork.
IshbelRobertson
4-10-17, 4:14am
We had dinner last night in the Cafe Royal Oyster Bar. Incredible oysters, mussels, langoustine and lobster for husband, pate, steak for me. Simple, but cooked absolutely right!
PS. The Cafe Royal in Edinburgh, not London!
BikingLady
4-10-17, 6:29am
That life changes so often and I can see the positive in that,,, (most the time)
Had my first ever informational interview. Some other things I have learned/done recently are new features in Excel, how to use Skype, networking groups, preparing a portfolio, and asking for LinkedIn recommendations. (I hate to ask for favors.) Losing my job pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me grow. I have learned more these past two months than I did the past four years at my job.
BikingLady
4-14-17, 2:01pm
Ann Arbor, MI Just one of my favorite cities for so many reasons
We are now in my favorite part of the year, April-July. It is glorious. I am free all day, every day. Even though I am old, all of my parts work well and if I do not look in the mirror, I can almost feel like ten year old me at the beginning of summer vacation. Only, I get to drive! An added bonus.
Today my house and dogs are (relatively) clean, everyone is healthy. 9/10 of my gardens are weeded. Iris are just starting to bloom. It is a great time!
I agree IL, you've described my feelings. But only 2/10 of my flower beds are weeded...
Less than a week into my new job and I get a three day weekend. I have never worked someplace before where I got Patriots Day off with pay.
Dropped off a box full of old paint at the city's hazardous waste recycle event. Free and easy, and cleared up space in the garage.
I stand corrected - I just measured and I am living in about 250 sq. ft (plus tiny bathroom), not the 300 sq. ft. I though I had! In this space, I have a soon to be completed kitchen wall (cabinets and stove installed, and am waiting breathlessly for the counter top to be installed on Tuesday and the plumbing hooked up), a studio space and an office corner. The bedroom will soon be just a bedroom with space to store my clothing, shoes, guitars, amplifier, and camping equipment. It's amazing how it all works just so! And now I have a deck off the bedroom which increases my living space by a third!
I will be SO grateful to be able to wash my dishes in a kitchen sink instead of in the bathroom! And so grateful to have an apartment sized stove to cook on too! The electric frying pan has worked fine, and the rice cooker is great, but a real stove where I can boil water for pasta will feel like such a luxury!
IN will post pictures as soon as my kitchenette is done!
A single induction cooktop (portable) would solve the water boiling issue. We used on in a commercial bakery that had them for a cooking class. Amazingly fast and safe. When it is off, it is OFF. We are considering only induction cooktops whenever we need to replace our stove. But for a tiny space, a single portable unit is great.
http://www.magneticcooky.com/best-portable-induction-cooktop/
I stand corrected - I just measured and I am living in about 250 sq. ft (plus tiny bathroom), not the 300 sq. ft. I though I had! In this space, I have a soon to be completed kitchen wall (cabinets and stove installed, and am waiting breathlessly for the counter top to be installed on Tuesday and the plumbing hooked up), a studio space and an office corner. The bedroom will soon be just a bedroom with space to store my clothing, shoes, guitars, amplifier, and camping equipment. It's amazing how it all works just so! And now I have a deck off the bedroom which increases my living space by a third!
I will be SO grateful to be able to wash my dishes in a kitchen sink instead of in the bathroom! And so grateful to have an apartment sized stove to cook on too! The electric frying pan has worked fine, and the rice cooker is great, but a real stove where I can boil water for pasta will feel like such a luxury!
IN will post pictures as soon as my kitchenette is done!
Good, do post photos! Because what I saw was really nice. It's going to be a great little kitchen area!
Home Depot gave me a free gadget for opening paint cans. No more ruining my butter knives.
BikingLady
4-20-17, 4:14pm
Good Health
Being assigned my own branches at work. So I have successfully completed training.
I will be very glad it is all finally done - I have semi-custom cabinets, a beautiful double farmhouse sink, a working stove, and absolutely beautiful Ceasarstone counter top. Today was back-splash tiling day, using an array of Mexican talavera tiles. Tomorrow is grouting day, replacing the bedroom door and adding a screen door screen door off the deck from my bedroom.
It is really, really beautiful and I PROMISE I will take a video to show ya'll soon! It's been fun designing this tiny space on someone else's dime, but I am ready to be finished with it. Every week for at least five or six weeks construction is happening during my days off from the gallery. But I just feel so blessed with abundance to be in this situation!
I love my little 3 branch community bank. Yesterday I arrived at 4:55 and they stayed open until 5:15 to help me renew my Roth IRA. They charge miniscule fees on it. At my last job a new VP of HR came in and switched us to a high fee 401K plan. I was losing instead of making money, and have not signed up for my new company's plan because I fear a repeat of that. But the Roth I control, and can withdraw from in an emergency without a tax penalty. I am so glad Suze Orman recommended it.
Bluebirds looking at the nesting box. Lilies of the valley scenting the sidewalk to the back door. Pinks, purples, whites and a thousand shades of green. Spring in Maryland.
iris lilies
4-29-17, 12:26pm
This may be more of a rant? But--
there is a break in the rain. i could go out for my daily tonic (walk.) but there were about 8 gunshots just now. Go out?Stay in? Miss the rain break? Hmmmm.
Entertainment free except for the gas to get there. I climbed a mountain today that the state has not slapped an admission fee on. Though at one point I thought it would be worth a small charge to not have to pee in the bushes.
BikingLady
4-30-17, 5:22pm
Trail in the the city, I can get 2.25 mile loops done in the wonderful woods and river area.
My first full week post-training and my coworkers are all helpful. Two hours a day commuting is still a drag, but I had an evening interview at an organization in the same city I live in, at a place I applied to before I accepted the new job. I will see if anything comes of it.
We are now in my favorite part of the year, April-July. It is glorious. I am free all day, every day. Even though I am old, all of my parts work well and if I do not look in the mirror, I can almost feel like ten year old me at the beginning of summer vacation. Only, I get to drive! An added bonus.
Today my house and dogs are (relatively) clean, everyone is healthy. 9/10 of my gardens are weeded. Iris are just starting to bloom. It is a great time!
I so agree! Spring is my favorite season. And I also agree with your take on your age. I feel the same way!! I love being older. I tell the kids all the time "I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore" (sometimes I sing it a la Maurice Chevalier). If I could only de-sag myself I think life would be perfect!
Just want to say that I rarely read this thread, but I have thoroughly enjoyed going back several pages to hear everyone's "raves." That gratitude is contagious.
SiouzQ, Yes, please do share your abode re-do! I have loved being on this journey with you.
And in closing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RZEj7t1EaA
Day One of Retirement and the verdict is: It's great!
Sat in the coffee shop early this a.m. watching customers grab their to-go orders and hustle out the door to go to work and thought how grateful I am that it's not me! Did some weeding in the yard this a.m. then realized there's no need to rush, have plenty of time to do all of this stuff tomorrow and tomorrow ..
Lainey, Good for you!! Enjoy as you worked for it! I hope you are like many that can say "I don't know how I had time to work".
Michigan in the spring, a beautiful day for sure.
Have to add one more, our neighborhood as a litter of Fox. SO great to see them.
I just met our new next door neighbors. We won the neighbor lottery. The wife is on the board of our favorite animal charity and has already suggested we swap pet care duties for each other. Quality animal lovers, hooray. They are active and already have plans to make improvements and asked for anyone we could recommend.
Congrats Lainey!!! Welcome to a wonderful world of doing WHAT you want WHEN you want.
Day One of Retirement and the verdict is: It's great!
Sat in the coffee shop early this a.m. watching customers grab their to-go orders and hustle out the door to go to work and thought how grateful I am that it's not me! Did some weeding in the yard this a.m. then realized there's no need to rush, have plenty of time to do all of this stuff tomorrow and tomorrow ..
That is great news! May is such a beautiful month. i remember my first week of retirement in mid April, the westher cooperated beautifully that week and really, the entire summer.
1736There are no flower arrangements better than a spring basket! Every year I forget how perfect they are.I made several May baskets and a couple of "Wild Garden" designs for a fundraiser. I didnt have to buy any plant material, all items are from my garden.
1735
Congratulations, Lainey! Love the arrangements, IL.
Beautiful arrangement IL!!!
I retired in the Spring too--twenty-three years ago. One of the happiest days of my life--congratulations! Enjoy it to the fullest!
A rave from yesterday: the doctor's office called to say the portion of the bill I owed was only $15, not $92, due to another readjustment from my insurance.
I had left my HSA card number with them so they asked permission to run the card for the lower amount. Heck yes. I also thanked her for letting me know, because they could have ran it for the higher amount and it's unlikely I'd have figured that out.
(as everyone knows, even 2-3 office visits can cause multiple billings with Lab, Office visit, Doctor charge, etc.) Thank goodness for honest people.
TooSweetForMe
6-18-17, 8:58am
Lainey, that's a definite rave!
My dad, who has always had my back. We are going to a new nature center for Father's Day.
catherine
6-18-17, 11:24am
A rave from yesterday: the doctor's office called to say the portion of the bill I owed was only $15, not $92, due to another readjustment from my insurance.
I had left my HSA card number with them so they asked permission to run the card for the lower amount. Heck yes. I also thanked her for letting me know, because they could have ran it for the higher amount and it's unlikely I'd have figured that out.
(as everyone knows, even 2-3 office visits can cause multiple billings with Lab, Office visit, Doctor charge, etc.) Thank goodness for honest people.
Gee, yesterday I paid a bill online for the doctor for $813 and then I went to the mailbox and pulled out an insurance-adjusted bill for only $205!! I'm going to call them first thing Monday and hopefully I'll get a refund or a credit without a hassle!!
Gee, yesterday I paid a bill online for the doctor for $813 and then I went to the mailbox and pulled out an insurance-adjusted bill for only $205!! I'm going to call them first thing Monday and hopefully I'll get a refund or a credit without a hassle!!
NEVER pay a healthcare bill until after you have received the EOB AND a new adjusted balance-due from the provider.
TooSweetForMe
6-19-17, 8:51am
Gee, yesterday I paid a bill online for the doctor for $813 and then I went to the mailbox and pulled out an insurance-adjusted bill for only $205!! I'm going to call them first thing Monday and hopefully I'll get a refund or a credit without a hassle!!
Good luck on that, catherine. I would tend to think that they would most likely give you a credit towards that particular doctor's bill instead of a refund, per se. Although if you used a credit card to pay they might credit back the card. Keep us updated on that.
TooSweetForMe
6-19-17, 8:56am
NEVER pay a healthcare bill until after you have received the EOB AND a new adjusted balance-due from the provider.
That's what I do with my Mom - although between Medicare and her MHBP from my stepfather, lots of times she ends up having a zero balance. She has the AARP prescription plan for drugs and since she had to go into rehab with her hip replacement and her aneurysm, she has qualified for Extra Help from SS for her drug co-pays. Medicare covered 100% for the first 21 days o each of her rehab stays, but I had to apply for Medicaid for her to pay for the rest of her rehab costs.
How cool is this!!!??? Below, photos of my 1st place design featuring the lily"Anastasia" at the North American Lily Soceity show.
Guess who is standing by it? Judith Freeman, world class lily hybridizer who created "Anastasia." This makes me verklept, it is so special.
1771
Your second award in a week? Beyond impressive.
freshstart
6-30-17, 7:30pm
that is truly gorgeous
Nice! Meeting Ms. Freeman must be like me meeting Steve Wozniak (one of the founders of Apple; can't meet Steve Jobs anymore). A memorable day...
(ETA upon rereading I've never met Woz. But I imagine the feeling would be the same and it would be a memorable day.)
How cool is this!!!??? Below, photos of my 1st place design featuring the lily"Anastasia" at the North American Lily Soceity show.
Guess who is standing by it? Judith Freeman, world class lily hybridizer who created "Anastasia." This makes me verklept, it is so special.
1771
Retirement has been good for your art. Elegant arrangement; very deserving!
iris lilies
6-30-17, 11:05pm
Your second award in a week? Beyond impressive.
Well, this is prime flower show season. This recent win was just a class win, it was not the best in show. I did get a special award for a species lily I grew and I will post a photo of it tomorrow.
Yesterday I drove home to cut lilies for the horticulture show and I found that someone had reached through our fence and snapped off a lily which I had planned to take to the show. I didnt have another stem of that cultivar. That was a bummer! I do have a plant theft each hear but it has never been a blue ribbon show entry, usually they take items I dont care about.
This is the last image from this current competitive flower show season, I promose!
The photo below show my winnng stem of Lillium henryi cintrinum. It won the Comber award at the North American Lily society show and the prize was $100! While this isnt a rare plant, it IS a bit unusual, and people have asked me for pollen and for buds for tissue culturing.
1774
That's an unusual (to me, at least) balance of bloom and foliage. I can see why it won.
Lillium henryi cintrinum sounds like one of Hogwarts' incantations.
Family drove 16+ hours through Thursday's storms to visit for the holiday weekend.
This morning I unsubscribed from about 25 different political email lists. It's about time; I need to get my life back! I just got so so sick of the "BREAKING NEWS" alerts, the CONSTANT quest for donations, etc that I just couldn't take it ANYMORE!
Sh** is going to happen whether I am aware of it or not. I'll continue to do what I can, where I can, but I am going to concentrate only on my little corner of the universe and the people I know and care about first and foremost. If I can see a way to contribute to the larger picture I will do so, but I just cannot be constantly notified of EVERY LITTLE TRANSGRESSION and UTTERANCE coming from the political arena. So THERE!
Siouz Q, this move will make your life much more peaceful. How is the summer in Santa Fe?
good for you, Siouz Q! Sounds like good advice for me, too.
SteveinMN
7-14-17, 10:16pm
I'll continue to do what I can, where I can, but I am going to concentrate only on my little corner of the universe and the people I know and care about first and foremost. If I can see a way to contribute to the larger picture I will do so, but I just cannot be constantly notified of EVERY LITTLE TRANSGRESSION and UTTERANCE coming from the political arena. So THERE!
Good decision! It is absolutely wearing to try to address everything going on, especially when the "news" is always delivered in that "BREAKING NEWS" doom-is-already-here manner. Maybe that's what those promoting all this believe will break through the clutter, but so many are doing it (on both sides) that it just becomes ... clutter.
I decided early this year that I don't have the energy to fight all the fights which need to be fought, so I've limited myself to a couple of causes for which I have the most passion. Others will have different passions and, together (I hope), we can do what needs to be done.
I hit the 90 day mark at my new job and I have learned the job, am appreciated, and fit in. This is a rare company with many age 50+ employees and no age discrimination that I can see. Due to the good benefits package people tend to stay until they retire.
rosarugosa
7-15-17, 7:06am
Yppej: That is wonderful, and I hope you have found your niche!
It sure is! Very happy for you!
The smell in the air after a desert rain.
Manishewitz wine, which confers the health benefits of Concord grapes.
I just paid off the last $288 from my broken toe medical bill from two summers ago! Can you believe that whole debacle cost me $2,111 for my out-of-pocket expenses??
I just paid off the last $288 from my broken toe medical bill from two summers ago! Can you believe that whole debacle cost me $2,111 for my out-of-pocket expenses??
Good grief that's a lot for a small appendage! I've broken several but have gotten away with just tape. If I remember right your break was pretty severe and behind the knuckle? I'm still paying $25 a month on a hospital stay 3 years ago and have no end in sight as well as another 16 mts of $50 a month for my son's stupid jump off a cliff into the lake over a year ago and DH just told me it'll be over $4000 for his receding gum procedure. Our "need new windows" fund is going in the opposite direction!
SteveinMN
7-24-17, 11:54am
DH just told me it'll be over $4000 for his receding gum procedure. Our "need new windows" fund is going in the opposite direction!
This year's vacation for DW and me magically turned into oral surgery and crowns for both of us. We're starting the retirement countdown (two years plus), so let's get done the stuff we need to while we still have some (in the case of crowns and implants, not much) insurance coverage to do it... :-/
frugal-one
7-24-17, 2:46pm
Wonderful time of year for fresh fruit salads. YUMMMMMMMMM
Good grief that's a lot for a small appendage! I've broken several but have gotten away with just tape. If I remember right your break was pretty severe and behind the knuckle? I'm still paying $25 a month on a hospital stay 3 years ago and have no end in sight as well as another 16 mts of $50 a month for my son's stupid jump off a cliff into the lake over a year ago and DH just told me it'll be over $4000 for his receding gum procedure. Our "need new windows" fund is going in the opposite direction!
Wow. That's a lot for the receding gums. I read somewhere that the procedure is not all that effective.
I just paid off the last $288 from my broken toe medical bill from two summers ago! Can you believe that whole debacle cost me $2,111 for my out-of-pocket expenses??
SiouzQ - When is that update coming? We're all wanting to know how the move to New Mexico has turned out! :)
Because I am busy and too lazy to type, I thought I'd do a big one year anniversary post on August 15 to fill ya'll in on my life in the desert, complete with links to some videos. PS: I have my full kitchen now!
TooSweetForMe
7-25-17, 11:34am
I just paid off the last $288 from my broken toe medical bill from two summers ago! Can you believe that whole debacle cost me $2,111 for my out-of-pocket expenses??
You've GOT to be kidding. That is crazy. I'm just glad that Mom had both Medicare and MHBP when she had her aneurysm. Only thing they didn't cover was her rehab stay (fully). Medicare covered 100% for the first 20 days, then 80% for the rest of the stay. The rehab center recommended that I apply for Medicaid and she was accepted and it covered the rest of her stay.
BikingLady
7-25-17, 11:43am
Hidden Lake Gardens MSU. I broke down and bought a year membership to hike, walk and run in the beauty of nature.
Found out the boss is on vacation next week. I don't mind him, but other people do, so this will make for a very relaxed and happy atmosphere.
Got to go swimming and read in the yard. It's a pleasant sunny day. Also my husband who has congestive heart failure has taken off 37 pounds of water in 3 weeks and feels so much better! I'm so happy for him.
Lazy summer days. It was rainy so I didn't get to do the whole weekend landscape warrior thing today.
Also my husband who has congestive heart failure has taken off 37 pounds of water in 3 weeks and feels so much better! I'm so happy for him.
this is great!
Yppej: Tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful; I really need to get some stuff done around here!
iris lilies
8-25-17, 2:47pm
I got to Level 10 in Bejeweled Classic today. yay, me! (This is an online game, an old one, and addictive.)
I read Bae's post about LGBT rights I am putting my home state of Massachusetts on my rave list.
I read Bae's post about LGBT rights I am putting my home state of Massachusetts on my rave list.
I'm proud of the whole "left coast," for the most part--especially California.
An unexpected bonus of retirement: I picked up a cold last Sunday, but I've been able to rest and recuperate every day since then with no worries.
No more wondering how much work will be at my desk when I return, or calculating how many hours of sick leave I have. Just stay home and take cold meds and hot tea and get better in my own time.
Lainey, Retirement is just great, isn't it?
Lainey, Retirement is just great, isn't it?
Yes, it's a daily Rave all in itself. And ironically, I am getting better faster than I did in previous years "fighting off" colds. I'm doing my regular babysitting gig tomorrow and Friday.
Although I still won't be at 100%, I believe most caretakers around the world are probably working when they're not feeling their absolute best so I'm going ahead with my commitment. Fortunately this baby isn't walking yet so I still have the upper hand there!
Today my neighbors have a tree company taking down the gigantic oak that was leaning ominously in the direction of our houses.
iris lilies
9-23-17, 10:11am
Today my neighbors have a tree company taking down the gigantic oak that was leaning ominously in the direction of our houses.
Tree killer! A Big oak? Who is more important, you or that tree? Think carefully about your answer.
just kidding :~) dead trees, something to celebrate.
We went swimming yesterday--it was 88 degrees. The lake was COLD. But it was wonderful, being in the water, watching the sailboats!
Tree killer! A Big oak? Who is more important, you or that tree? Think carefully about your answer.
just kidding :~) dead trees, something to celebrate.
I am old anyways, but the tree threatened 3 children between the 2 houses, and they have a lot of years ahead of them.
iris lilies
9-23-17, 1:59pm
Fresh beans! OMG! Beans grown from our garden, really really good! Dh has several varieities in our gardens. He sits on the sofa in these hot afternoons and shells them.
edited to say: by "fresh" i mean shelled beans, like black eyed beans, a few red beans, some kind of roundish been.
Fresh beans!
Funny how, even at the farmer's markets, I rarely see fresh beans beyond soybeans (edamame) or garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas). Even bean sprouts aren't hard to find. But fresh non-canned/dried beans? Not so much. I wonder why that is. Are they particularly fragile or short-lived when fresh?
ToomuchStuff
9-24-17, 8:55am
Funny how, even at the farmer's markets, I rarely see fresh beans beyond soybeans (edamame) or garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas). Even bean sprouts aren't hard to find. But fresh non-canned/dried beans? Not so much. I wonder why that is. Are they particularly fragile or short-lived when fresh?
I wonder if it is something my neighbor said, which might be a reason. He was having back issues and the green beans in the garden were ready to be picked. The amount grown, verses the cost at the grocery store, didn't warrant a trip to the chiropractor and those costs.
iris lilies
9-24-17, 10:06am
Funny how, even at the farmer's markets, I rarely see fresh beans beyond soybeans (edamame) or garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas). Even bean sprouts aren't hard to find. But fresh non-canned/dried beans? Not so much. I wonder why that is. Are they particularly fragile or short-lived when fresh?
No actually, they dry nicely and last a long time, but I prefer to cook them when freshly picked. But we will be drying some because they are too much to eat all at once.
I wonder if there is lack of fresh beans because people will not shell them. You have to spend a fair amount of time preparing a cup of uncooked beans.
Same with pitting cherries, that takes time.i do not know where to buy fresh sour cherries other than at the UPick places.
I don't know if other areas have something similar, but we have had an unusually large Painted Lady butterfly migration. They are a common butterfly that looks a little like a Monarch. I have been near fields of blooming Rabbit Brush where there were probably thousands or maybe even tens of thousands. The local news had a feature on an unidentified blob on the weather radar that turned out to be migrating Painted Ladies. Apparently they move north from Mexico in the summer and lay eggs which hatch and develop into butterflies to return south before winter. Conditions were right for a bumper crop this year. I've had a hundred or more in my garden many days in the last couple of weeks.
Butterflies are a nice thing to have around.
catherine
10-4-17, 11:29pm
Here's a rave: I just noticed ILs new avatar! Love it!
I had fantastic customer service from a company that provides digital information for a craft I do. I asked a question and the company owner called me. During the call, she gave me some good info on which file to use since it would be easier to work with than the one I ordered. They accidentally sent the wrong file which I uploaded. When I let them know, they replaced it immediately without fuss and without additional payment. Could not have been easier.
As a result, I am a happy customer and let a huge group on I belong to on Facebook know. Great free good advertising for her due to the personal, informative, and quick service.
Hooray for bulk trash pickup. City provides free curbside pickup of bulk trash items every quarter, and most homeowners use it as an opportunity to clear out landscape and misc. debris. Easy peasy.
It's time again for the annual madrona berry fly-in, wherein birds come to my yard from hither and yon and get drunk on fermented fruit. This year it seems to be mostly robins; one year it was a huge flock of waxwings, and there are always the lone stragglers. They swoop back and forth and into the side of the house and the windows for a few hours before (figuratively) staggering off to sober up. Proof that the impulse toward intoxication is universal.
Lainey, my joy is free yard waste pickup, which starts Monday and runs through the end of November. It is so good to get rid of yard clutter.
iris lilies
10-18-17, 9:33pm
I love Halo Top Vanilla Bean ice cream! One serving is only 60 calories! It is high in protein.
i have tried other low cal ice cream and it is drek. This is the real deal.
Zoe Girl
10-18-17, 10:16pm
We had a family potluck in our program and it was super fun. And people loved my BBQ tempeh!
SteveinMN
10-20-17, 8:48am
I love Halo Top Vanilla Bean ice cream!
I finally tried Halo Top as a dessert for dinner I served to friends (different flavor, though). It was good, without the airiness and gumminess I've come to expect from lower-calorie ice creams. But I thought it was a little grainy. I wonder if our pint had become a little thawed and refrozen at some point. I'll try it again, though.
iris lilies
10-20-17, 10:16am
I finally tried Halo Top as a dessert for dinner I served to friends (different flavor, though). It was good, without the airiness and gumminess I've come to expect from lower-calorie ice creams. But I thought it was a little grainy. I wonder if our pint had become a little thawed and refrozen at some point. I'll try it again, though.
I think
vanilla Bean is their strongest product, and is also the lowest calorie one. I've tried Pistachio and Chocolate and they are OK but not as good.
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1987&stc=1
I caught my first trout today. A Rainbow Trout 12 inches, on Rainbow Lake with Rainbow colored and glittery Power Bait!!!!! I started fishing at 65 when the license is only $5- husband has been a fisherman all his life. He was so excited as we've been doing some fishing together. He wanted me to catch a trout. So he baited the hook because he had the gloves on to keep the smell of the bait off his hands, he took it off the hook and cleaned it! But I cast and caught it!!!
iris lilies
10-29-17, 10:47am
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1987&stc=1
I caught my first trout today. A Rainbow Trout 12 inches, on Rainbow Lake with Rainbow colored and glittery Power Bait!!!!! I started fishing at 65 when the license is only $5- husband has been a fisherman all his life. He was so excited as we've been doing some fishing together. He wanted me to catch a trout. So he baited the hook because he had the gloves on to keep the smell of the bait off his hands, he took it off the hook and cleaned it! But I cast and caught it!!!
Way to go!!!!!!
Williamsmith
10-29-17, 10:48am
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1987&stc=1
I caught my first trout today. A Rainbow Trout 12 inches, on Rainbow Lake with Rainbow colored and glittery Power Bait!!!!! I started fishing at 65 when the license is only $5- husband has been a fisherman all his life. He was so excited as we've been doing some fishing together. He wanted me to catch a trout. So he baited the hook because he had the gloves on to keep the smell of the bait off his hands, he took it off the hook and cleaned it! But I cast and caught it!!!
nswef...that is awesome. I remember the very first rainbow trout I caught as a child. Have to tell the story some time but my excitement couldn’t be shared.....I was somewhere I wasn’t supposed to be. Haha!
SteveinMN
10-29-17, 4:55pm
Neat, nswef! I've only caught one fish in my life (okay, I've gone fishing only three times). But it is a thrill!
rosarugosa
10-29-17, 5:34pm
Congratulations!
Temps in the 70's in November.
I think
vanilla Bean is their strongest product, and is also the lowest calorie one. I've tried Pistachio and Chocolate and they are OK but not as good.
I've had Lemon Cake, and liked it a lot. For "diet" ice cream, it wasn't bad. I admit I made it better by pouring heavy cream over it. :devil:
I revisited this today. I love you, Weird Al.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc
Gardenarian
11-5-17, 2:04am
A falafel place just opened near by! "Happy Falafel" I feel happier already.
Can't wait to try it tomorrow :)
My son, who helps keep me on the straight and narrow by saying things like, "You don't need to spend money on that. I can try to fix it" and who is smart, funny, and compassionate.
Temps in the 70's in November.
It snowed here on Friday...
It snowed here this week, too. Not a rave for me. However, there are music minus one (for those of you who remember those) videos on youtube so I can practice the violin. That is a cool development.
I also splurged and bought a viola.
People who want to talk about mass shootings while at work.
I feel like putting my hands over my ears and screaming, "Shut up! Shut up!"
EDIT: OMG, my jackhole boss is blaming yesterday's event on PROZAC. Because he's such an expert on depression. Direct quote: "People who are really depressed don't have the energy to make a plan to commit suicide and follow through on it. But when they're on a drug like Prozac..."
rosarugosa
11-17-17, 11:47am
OK, this is a rant/rave combo special: There is nothing sweeter than to know my employees were thinking of me on their exotic vacations, but why must they bring me back these little gift-shop bottles of sand that say "Cancun" or wherever? It's hard to imagine a greater waste of money. Pick me up a pebble from the beach for free and I'll put it in my garden.
Williamsmith
11-17-17, 12:38pm
OK, this is a rant/rave combo special: There is nothing sweeter than to know my employees were thinking of me on their exotic vacations, but why must they bring me back these little gift-shop bottles of sand that say "Cancun" or wherever? It's hard to imagine a greater waste of money. Pick me up a pebble from the beach for free and I'll put it in my garden.
If you send out greeting cards for the holidays...tape a few grains of warm Cancun sand onto the card. That way all your friends can go to the beach.
I love that idea, William--very cool, I'd like to get a card like that.
Lowes has tulip bulbs at 75% off!
Just played viola for the first time today--what a wonderful instrument, with such a beautiful range--like having a little cello on my shoulder. I am hooked!!
Now to learn that darned alto cleff.
A young relative recently got an engineering degree and even more recently was hired by Intel. An older relative is recovering from a recent stroke (they run in the family, unfortunately). And a friend's daughter got her home base assignment from Alaska Airlines--Portland, hurray! And everyone is safely at home after snow and ice hit in time for Christmas. I can dial back the worry wheel for a bit.
I moved to a new cubicle today. It is much warmer and I am amongst the higher and not the lowest common denominator crowd now.
iris lilies
12-27-17, 11:19pm
A young relative recently got an engineering degree and even more recently was hired by Intel. An older relative is recovering from a recent stroke (they run in the family, unfortunately). And a friend's daughter got her home base assignment from Alaska Airlines--Portland, hurray! And everyone is safely at home after snow and ice hit in time for Christmas. I can dial back the worry wheel for a bit.
That all sounds good. It is a good thing when those in our sphere are well.
Float On
12-28-17, 11:20am
A young relative recently got an engineering degree and even more recently was hired by Intel. Super! My brother has had a wonderful career with Intel. Which office will he work from? My brother is based outside of Portland but spends a lot of time in AZ and CA and international.
Float On
12-28-17, 11:23am
and not the lowest common denominator crowd now. ;) Is there that much of a dividing line?
JaneV2.0
12-28-17, 11:49am
Super! My brother has had a wonderful career with Intel. Which office will he work from? My brother is based outside of Portland but spends a lot of time in AZ and CA and international.
I'm guessing Beaverton, my erstwhile home. His father retired from Intel a few years back. I like the sound of "wonderful." :)
Float On
12-28-17, 12:31pm
I like the sound of "wonderful." :)
Wonderful but not without stress. I know in some of the departments they work really hard on a new project, the big deciders decide they don't like the direction of the new project, they'll go through and layoff the whole department. Tell him to make as many friends as possible in a variety of departments. Leads will pull who they like to form a new department.
Wonderful but not without stress. I know in some of the departments they work really hard on a new project, the big deciders decide they don't like the direction of the new project, they'll go through and layoff the whole department. Tell him to make as many friends as possible in a variety of departments. Leads will pull who they like to form a new department.
He's inherited the family tendency toward introversion, so probably not likely. He was a contractor in a previous life, so he'll be OK.
;) Is there that much of a dividing line?
Oh yes. There are the professionals who work hard, and then there those who are there because of who they are related to, are parochial in view, make remarks critical of the ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and disabilities of fellow employees, frequently engage in X rated conversations, and practice mobbing.
It was so nice today when the boss went to lunch to be out of earshot. That is when their mean girl behavior really kicks into high gear.
BikingLady
12-28-17, 7:19pm
My son and his wife, they have such a positive outlook on life. So many exciting things they talk about and look forward too. I want some of that 30 year old outlook again!
iris lilies
1-14-18, 12:01am
I hit a million in a video game I play, one of the Diamond Mine games. Yay, me! It was a fast pacd game.
iris lilies
1-14-18, 1:18pm
One of my former foster dogs has moved to London. Her parents sents several photos of her journey on the plane and her new London townhouse and surroundings. She is very happy there. I am tickled that she got such a good home here in Missouri and when the dad was transferred to England they took their dog with them. This dog’s name is Portia.
Portia came into rescue when our rescue director picked her up from rural Missouri where She was tied outdoors to a trailer. They didn’t let her in the house because her tail stunk. She had an ingrown tail pressing on her spine, extremely painful. Her tail was one of the worst our vet had ever seen. After her surgery DH and I took care of her. Her surgical site needed regular flushing and that was kind of a big deal.
But she came out of it ok and was a lovely dog although if I remember correctly she was aggressive toward other dogs.
This is my second foster dog to travel across the pond. The first one was Henry; he went to live in Ireland.
It is so funny to me to see these rural dogs, likely puppy mill products, become jet setters and travelers. These dogs have seen a whole lot more of the world than the local yokels who brought them into the world.
Ok you didnt ask for them, but here are a few photos of the lovely Portia.
205820592060
She looks as happy as a bulldog can look. I love happy endings.
Teacher Terry
1-14-18, 5:21pm
IL: lucky pooch! I love the pics.
ToomuchStuff
1-15-18, 2:22am
This is my second foster dog to travel across the pond. The first one was Henry; he went to live in Ireland.
It is so funny to me to see these rural dogs, likely puppy mill products, become jet setters and travelers. These dogs have seen a whole lot more of the world than the local yokels who brought them into the world.
Did they require any special vetting being from Missouri and having no passports?:~)
Thehttp://www.dceaglecam.org/ is up and running! I was so excited to see the adults in the nest-bringing sticks.
Gardenarian
2-18-18, 2:59am
Dh and I went on a ghost tour of the local university, which has a wide reputation for being haunted. A bit silly, but we picked up a lot of local history and had a good time hanging out with the college kids. It was a perfect starry night, too, not too cold.
iris lilies
2-22-18, 1:39pm
Made the BEST tasting bean soup! It is heavy on fennel. Many people hate fennel. I dislike bland food. I suppose it is a combnation of allergies of my youth and smoking in my youth, but I do not have refined taste buds. Give me heavily flavored food any time which is why I like 3rd world cuisine so much Anyway—here are ingredients of this soup:
beans, several kinds
onions
tomatoes
flavored chicnks of beef
ALL the above from our garden but for the beef which was from two miles from DH’s family farm
Also these ingredients were purchased:
spinach (we didnt have any home grown in our freezer and it is slightly too early to harvest from cold frames
fennel
beef soup base
I could have thrown in home grown okra, But the soup seemed robust enough
the real star of this soup was the beans, I dont even know how many kinds but at least three, that were home grown.
the real star of this soup was the beans, I dont even know how many kinds but at least three, that were home grown.
IL, do you dry the beans yourselves? I think I've only seen fresh beans (garbanzos) a few times. I never see beans like pintos or cranberry beans or Northern beans fresh.
iris lilies
2-22-18, 4:07pm
IL, do you dry the beans yourselves? I think I've only seen fresh beans (garbanzos) a few times. I never see beans like pintos or cranberry beans or Northern beans fresh.
DH shells them and puts them in containers in the cupboard but for limas, which we freeze.
These fresher beans seem to cook faster than ones from the store.
added, here are the seven kinds of dried beans he grew:
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=2089&stc=1
I want to rave about the garage door repairman that came yesterday. He carefully inspected the system (that was not staying down). Clearly explained the reason for the problem, the solution (simple), and answered all the questions my hubby had. He also discussed the door and possible replacement (not necessary but gave us good info), fixed the missing roller, and left us feeling great about the service and knowing more about the whole garage door system.
I wish all interactions were this good.
iris lilies
2-22-18, 6:12pm
On Tuesday I went to an antique mall and found an item for $3.50. This was after I had gone thru every booth with their hundreds of items so I was pretty invested in this piece. I had no cash and the store wouldnt take charges less than $15.
So the nice woman behnd the counter bought it for me.
wow!
of course, I will mail to her money, but wow.
rosarugosa
2-22-18, 8:29pm
IL: Love those random acts of kindness!
Williamsmith
2-22-18, 9:52pm
On Tuesday I went to an antique mall and found an item for $3.50. This was after I had gone thru every booth with their hundreds of items so I was pretty invested in this piece. I had no cash and the store wouldnt take charges less than $15.
So the nice woman behnd the counter bought it for me.
wow!
of course, I will mail to her money, but wow.
Sooooooo.......what was the item?
iris lilies
2-22-18, 11:16pm
Sooooooo.......what was the item?
It was a flower vase or exactly the right scale and color, and while there were others with same color and proportins in the mall, this was the cheapest. I needed one like this for a flower show in April.
DH shells them and puts them in containers in the cupboard but for limas, which we freeze.
Thanks, IL. I've never tried drying/canning my own beans. I'm still surprised there's no "fresh bean" season given how popular they've become.
Williamsmith
2-23-18, 9:00am
Beans are so cheap to purchase. I had a victory garden that was approximately 1/4 acre. It was a lot of work to till, plant, tend, weed, harvest, prepare and store the food. The best Lima’s I ever had came from that garden. I never stored dried beans and am sorry I didn’t. Just never had the time. One year the deer, turkey and raccoons cleaned me out. I sodded it over and never had another garden of that size. I have had raised bed gardens of various sizes and designs. I have the room on my patio for a nice potted garden....just haven’t committed to it. Thanks IL for sharing that.
Beans are so cheap to purchase. I had a victory garden that was approximately 1/4 acre. It was a lot of work to till, plant, tend, weed, harvest, prepare and store the food.
Yeah, the only dryable bean I ever planted was black beans. I was so excited but then I realized all my work in my little raised 4x8 bed was going to be used up in one meal. The output didn't seem worth it.
iris lilies
2-23-18, 12:34pm
Yeah, the only dryable bean I ever planted was black beans. I was so excited but then I realized all my work in my little raised 4x8 bed was going to be used up in one meal. The output didn't seem worth it.
Beans are SO not worth the labor, agreed. The fresh lima beans are pretty spectacular, though.
But that said, we have pounds of dried beans, I didnt have to spend any of my own time growing or shelling them, and they taste good. So, it is fine with me if DH wants to spend his time in service to beans. I wont encourage him in it, however.
Walking today through a huge arts and crafts festival under beautiful blue skies and temps in the 60s.
There was a booth of handicraft items made by refugee girls, and I bought a $5 piece there. Also donated a few dollars to the Marines who had a booth and were handing out red poppies. Had fun people-watching, along with doggie-watching as many attendees brought their pups.
Finished by eating some fresh Indian Fry bread - does anything taste better at an outdoor spring festival?
BikingLady
3-29-18, 4:53am
MY new favorite dream store www.human-electric-hybrids.com I am so thrilled have visited and frame about the great ideas.
Watching DCEaglecam.org The DC eagles have 2 eggs and to watch them turn the eggs and just sit on the nest for now is calming and exciting!
BikingLady
3-30-18, 4:38am
Driving or biking into my neighborhood from a different direction and road. As funny as it seems it feels like a new area. New people to wave too and things to look at, not just a race to get home.
Gardenarian
4-2-18, 10:15am
Bikinglady - my e-bike is my favorite thing ever!
Thanks for posting the link :)
iris lilies
4-23-18, 11:32am
I have Bluebells on the grounds of our new house. Virginia Bluebells! In 35 years of gardening I have tried to get them established a few times, never any luck. But now I’ve got them, and quite a few of them. Gosh they are pretty. Yay!
I saw clumps of this plant springing up and at first thought they were weeds, then thought they were some kind of bluebell but didnt realize until last week they were perfect Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica.
rosarugosa
4-23-18, 5:51pm
Spring at last!
Yes! I got to spend all day in the garden and it was delightful!
frugal-one
4-23-18, 8:12pm
Yes! I got to spend all day in the garden and it was delightful!
Will you hurt tomorrow? Arnica Montana to the rescue!
rosarugosa
4-24-18, 5:48am
Will you hurt tomorrow? Arnica Montana to the rescue!
I am feeling fine this morning, fortunately. :)
iris lilies
4-24-18, 8:34am
Yes! I got to spend all day in the garden and it was delightful!
To be retired in spring! That is the best!
It sure is! I ache but it is so great to be able to be out there, weeding, digging, rearranging. Knowing I can still get up and down from the ground. Knowing the work will be visible to me for a long while and will last...if I get the mulch on soon enough. Glorious.
frugal-one
4-25-18, 9:54pm
Did estate planning myself and went to see the attorney today to verify I did not miss anything. She said I was the most organized person she has ever seen and wanted to know what I did for a living. She was shocked that I completed a form that is normally done by attorneys (????). It was no big deal! The deed to our house will be transferred to our son when we die, thereby, avoiding probate. Paid $30 and an attorney would have charged $200. All it entailed was going to the courthouse and filling out the form and paying the fee???? I am thrilled to have this chore off my list!!!!
frugal-one,
we have the same thing here in AZ. Our state has several different deeds for real estate, and one of them is called a "Beneficiary deed." Easy to file and also inexpensive.
For most people their homes are their biggest asset, so it's great to have that be able to transfer upon death without a court action.
I just submitted my first picture book manuscript! I have been using the 100 day challenge, a writers' group and a new critique partner who helped so much to get this to happen. I'm very pleased! Jumping for joy.
rosarugosa
5-19-18, 10:59am
I just submitted my first picture book manuscript! I have been using the 100 day challenge, a writers' group and a new critique partner who helped so much to get this to happen. I'm very pleased! Jumping for joy.
What a great accomplishment! Good for you!
Thanks Rosa, I didn't even know I wanted this...willing to just write for fun, but my critique partner guided and pushed me along. Now I'm very excited!
Nswef that sounds like a dream come true.
cindycindy
5-19-18, 1:25pm
My daily rave: Purchased vitamins from a mail order vitamin company (not sure if I'm allowed to name). The seal on two of the bottles was broken (with this moldy looking stuff visible on top). Got a replacement within 2 days (and postage paid mailer to mail back defective product). They have earned my loyalty.
freshstart
5-19-18, 2:37pm
Nswef- WTG!!!
"Double down".
I'm really starting to hate that term. Used too often and -- I think -- often inaccurately. I hope it dies soon. In fact, let me double down on that hope.
Gardenarian
6-25-18, 3:31am
A Paris taxi driver thought I was French! He said my accent was excellent :)
Thank you Duolingo!
iris lilies
6-25-18, 8:59am
My wonderful DH cleaned up “my” section of our
Hermann property, removing lots of shrubs, cutting them to below ground. It was a surprise! Now I just have to remove the little stuff.
i was feeling discouraged about getting this land ready to plant by fall, but now I see I can have it ready in three weekends of work. He has one smallish tree to remove from that area, a one day job.
Teacher Terry
6-25-18, 9:11am
Very sweet of him:))
We have bluebirds making a nest in a box right next to the porch where I can watch the progress up close and personally!!! The box is very old, housed bluebirds when it was on another fence that was removed, then sat dormant for a couple of years and we finally put it on a trellis post- I ripped out a sparrow nest earlier and now the bluebirds are there!
We have bluebirds making a nest in a box right next to the porch where I can watch the progress up close and personally!!! The box is very old, housed bluebirds when it was on another fence that was removed, then sat dormant for a couple of years and we finally put it on a trellis post- I ripped out a sparrow nest earlier and now the bluebirds are there!
Wow! that is so great!
Had a nice interaction with a grocery store employee in Calif. We were unfamiliar with the store layout and saw her in the aisle. Asked her where the olives were, and she pointed to her ear and handed my SO her phone. She gestured for him to speak his request into her phone which he did, and then it translated his voice to text so she could read it. She did and nodded her head and led us to the olives. We thanked her.
The best part was that it was effortless, and I left there very happy knowing that, thanks to technology, she had a job she could accomplish and that we as customers could easily interact with her. A simple thing that would have seemed impossible a few short decades ago.
I asked a worker in Home Depot where sonething was. I had the used up package as a sample. He did not know but scanned the SKU with his smart phone and was able to tell me the aisle and bin!
My very fine but straight hair is really struggling with the high humidity. Mousse mixed with sweat is just gummy. I went into a Shoppers Drug Mart looking for an alternative shampoo and conditioner to avoid the mousse. Found Nexxus for fine hair and it doesn't coat the hair shaft. Hair looked so much better today, all day.
The rave is that the staff was very helpful, the (quite pricey) product worked, it was 20% off for Seniors Day and when I went online to price compare, nothing could match the price I paid. Even Amazon was a couple of $$ more. Yay!
I had a nice random interaction shopping, I tend to be so self contained that often people barely notice me. It was nice to have this friendliness in the middle of shopping
Waking up to light rain showers. They're not expected to last, but it's a nice respite from the extreme heat we're getting this week.
A blissful 41 outside cooling the cabin down to 64 inside (no AC here). :cool: It was 76 when I went to bed at 915 last night. Today only going to 84! Wohoo!!!
A wild turkey hen and 4 little ones sauntering up the lane next to my porch this morning delighted me.
iris lilies
7-21-18, 12:20pm
A wild turkey hen and 4 little ones sauntering up the lane next to my porch this morning delighted me.
Awww, I can picture that!
I have been considering different approaches to cleaning my engineered wood flooring. I use Boni cleaner and a swivel type of mop frequently after vacuuming but some spots need more - around the kitchen and dog eating areas and where he snoozes on his mat on the floor at the foot of my bed. The hand and knees approach was not very appealing. I have read about the stream cleaners but it is one more tool to have around and I am not sure if the tool is hard on the flooring.
A brain wave struck - I have a kneeling garden stool https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosmere-24-in-Folding-Kneeler-and-Garden-Seat-N470/205800383?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-202494197-_-205800383-_-N like this. I put some tape on the parts that would rest on the floor and happily cleaned the areas that needed extra attention, getting up and down with ease.
So I got the job done, didn't spend any money and it was easy to do.
A well-made and flattering bathing suit. Finally figured out after all these years that it pays to spend a little extra money to get something like this. I got a one-piece that originally retailed for $89 on sale for half-price. In the past I'd never have spent over $50 on a swimsuit so I never even tried on anything like this but the difference is amazing.
And I'm a 2x/week dog-paddler, not a Serious Swimmer, so I an only imagine what the very expensive bathing suits are like but this is such a step up for me I had to post to recommend it.
I have to ask what brand you got, Lainey? I have trouble keeping a suit - they degrade so quickly in the pool chemicals. And yes, I rinse in clear water, hand wash only and don't dry in the dryer. My last suit - a Longitudes as I'm very long torso'd - was bought in April. Dd told me she could see my freckles through it last week! I asked if you could see my hiney, and she said not yet! I think a suit should last longer than that b
Believe it or not it's a label from Penney's - St. John's Bay. And this is the first season I've had it so I may be reassessing after a year or so, but right now it's a winner.
iris lilies
8-1-18, 10:32am
I went to a visitation for a deceased garden club member. Usually I am alone in my habit of scrutinizing each floral arrangement at the funeral home, it is one thing I do to stay focused and present.
So, this time I was there with a bunch of garden club ladies and they all did the same thing. We yakked about the floral designs, guessed which designer at the florist shop made it, discussed unusual plant material and placement. The deceased person would hsve been right there with us.
Because the deceased was a garden club lady, there were a few creative designs among the usual stuff.
This is a rave, not a rant, because at rhis event I felt truly amoung my peeps.
THe family probably understood and enjoyed having all their relative's friends there.
We are musicians, and we went to a wake of a member of our choir. Someone decided to sing a 4 part choral piece, just off the cuff, which we all knew, gathered around the coffin. Unfortunately, the person who decided to start began the took a weird turn in the intro solo and we all went up about five steps--my husband and I started laughing at that point, and we still can't talk about it without laughing. The deceased, a bass, would have been laughing the hardest.
Love this post. When I do a visitation, I try really hard but so discreetly to see what was included in the arrangements. Hard to do at times.
Heard an interesting point recently about choosing a particular florist who made a special effort to ensure that any arrangements ordered for the same visitation would complement each other but not repeat the arrangements. Is this usual?
I went to a visitation for a deceased garden club member. Usually I am alone in my habit of scrutinizing each floral arrangement at the funeral home, it is one thing I do to stay focused and present.
So, this time I was there with a bunch of garden club ladies and they all did the same thing. We yakked about the floral designs, guessed which designer at the florist shop made it, discussed unusual plant material and placement. The deceased person would hsve been right there with us.
Because the deceased was a garden club lady, there were a few creative designs among the usual stuff.
This is a rave, not a rant, because at rhis event I felt truly amoung my peeps.
iris lilies
8-1-18, 2:19pm
Love this post. When I do a visitation, I try really hard but so discreetly to see what was included in the arrangements. Hard to do at times.
Heard an interesting point recently about choosing a particular florist who made a special effort to ensure that any arrangements ordered for the same visitation would complement each other but not repeat the arrangements. Is this usual?
Hmm, interesting! I would imagine that if one florist had several orders the same funeral, he would do that.
The deceased, a bass, would have been laughing the hardest.
I'm sure that's true. Good for you and your choir for contributing music, however "flawed" to the wake.
When I walked the dog this morning in the shade of our cemetery, I was kept company by 5 beautiful deer, of which 2 were fawns. They are so delicate and delightful. 2420
iris lilies
8-11-18, 4:04pm
When I walked the dog this morning in the shade of our cemetery, I was kept company by 5 beautiful deer, of which 2 were fawns. They are so delicate and delightful. 2420
That line of trees is lovely.
the deer. I guess they are nice since they are hundreds of miles away from my lilies.
iris lilies
9-1-18, 10:53am
When I walked the dog this morning in the shade of our cemetery, I was kept company by 5 beautiful deer, of which 2 were fawns. They are so delicate and delightful. 2420
razz
I forgot to tell ypu that within 20 mi utes of reading this post,
I had my own encounter with fawns in Hermann. There they were, two blocks feom my house. I have a photo, too. But
I dont like the damn deer.2489
iris lilies
9-1-18, 11:04am
Here is my rave for the day:
You know how we sometimes dread events that we have signed up for? Then find them an amazingly good time?
That happened to me. I was dreading, DREADING! being part of the Ikebana group at this year’s Japanese Festival. I hated having to haul in two designs (and actually punted it all into one simple design). It is the end of the flower show season, I still have a huge show to make entries for coming up soon, and I am still lost in the world of Ikebana. And the group meets so freaking often (2-3times per month) I cant keep,up! Wanh wanh wanh, complainy pants.
So I took my sad little design into the show and was blown away by the breadth and depth of the exhibits made by my fellow IKebana designers. They are stunning! They got me so excited about being part of this group! Their work is inspirational!
Now
I am pumped up,again about
Ikebana!
Teacher Terry
9-1-18, 12:52pm
How can anyone hate deer. They are so beautiful. I know they eat people’s gardens but who cares. We had a squirrel eat our entire garden last year. The neighbor asked us if he could poison it and I said no. I used our dogs as a excuse.
One of the mean girls at work, age 30, had her daddy come in to complain to the COO about me. The complaint went nowhere. And my boss was friendlier than usual towards me. I am sure he does not like her going over his head with her petty peeves.
iris lilies
9-1-18, 1:03pm
How can anyone hate deer. They are so beautiful. I know they eat people’s gardens but who cares. We had a squirrel eat our entire garden last year. The neighbor asked us if he could poison it and I said no. I used our dogs as a excuse.
Who cares? Who cares that they “eat my garden?” Ummm, since my garden is my life,
I care.
If deer were rare, it would.be different. But they are invasive pests all over.
iris lilies
9-1-18, 1:03pm
One of the mean girls at work, age 30, had her daddy come in to complain to the COO about me. The complaint went nowhere. And my boss was friendlier than usual towards me. I am sure he does not like her going over his head with her petty peeves.
OMG. That is just. OMG.
Teacher Terry
9-1-18, 1:11pm
Yppej, that’s so bizarre! Deer are gorgeous animals:)). I love them. When we went to northern Wisconsin this summer we saw these beautiful creatures.
In past summers, I would have longed for something to come and eat my yard. This year being so dry, is not nearly so bad. We have the occasional deer family stroll through our hood, but I've never noticed any of them stopping to graze. i wouldn't be inclined to harm anything that was only trying to sustain itself.
iris lilies
9-1-18, 2:49pm
I am not surprised. Deer people and tree people are all probably the same population. I think y’all should go off skipping into the forest where you have lots of trees and lots of deer, tra la tra la. So enjoy your lives with no lilies or iris!
Hahaha:~)
Gardenarian
9-1-18, 2:54pm
The deer here are a bit scary! They will cross busy streets to come after me and my dog, and stalk us down the alleys. Well, the does just dawned, so are being protective.
Still, they are adorable.
Teacher Terry
9-1-18, 4:39pm
IL, yes in general I love trees unless they are making too big of a mess for me to clean up.
Williamsmith
9-1-18, 6:34pm
Some urban residents were loving their cute deer population until they realized it came with a cute deer tick infestation and an ornamental shrubs disappearing program. Suddenly, there was an interest in allowing archery hunters to “harvest” some for “management” reasons. It was a little strange to be in tree stands within no more than fifty yards of houses but he hunter success rate was near 100%. And nobody complained.
iris lilies
9-8-18, 3:04pm
Yesterday, in Hermann, I saw a giant swallowtail butterfly. It was huge! I saw through the window and I wasn’t wearing my glasses, and at first I wasn’t sure what it was because it was fluttering in an odd way. For a moment I thought it might be a small bird. Then I ran to get my glasses and looked at it carefully and it was a big big butterfly.
Later, on the Internet, I saw the video footage of giant swallowtail laying eggs and that’s what this one was doing, so that explained the somewhat odd movement.
iris lilies
9-10-18, 1:07pm
Today I am grateful for all of the wits on internet forums I frequent. Here LDahl is brilliant and Alan makes me laugh.
There is this guy Fredbear on the MMM site, another wordsmith, who I just discovered. Mazel ToffCocktail on a a snark site is so damned funny.
A long time ago I figured out that an important role in life for me was as audience. I am a reader, not a writer. i am the audience. Play to me, I will laugh!
Teacher Terry
9-10-18, 5:34pm
IL: they amuse me also:))
iris lilies
9-13-18, 11:16pm
We had a very positive experience with a neighbor. Our 20’ brick wall was destroyed when one of their contractors ran into it with a dumpster. The neighbor worked with the contractor, putting pressure to fix it. Contractor tried to wiggle a better deal with a wood fence, much cheaper, but our neighbor held firm that no, it must be rebuilt to the standard it had been.
The wall was rebuilt in about three weeks, start to finish of this problem. Yay! Usually these things dont go that well.
We are in Pittsburgh of all places and have found the most wonderful architectural gems. The enormous stained glass windows in the Heinz Chapel that represent world civilization and are 50% women in history are unique. The Cathedral for Learning and its Nationality classrooms are also special. I never thought I would say that I have to come back to Pittsburgh.
Williamsmith
9-14-18, 8:06am
We are in Pittsburgh of all places and have found the most wonderful architectural gems. The enormous stained glass windows in the Heinz Chapel that represent world civilization and are 50% women in history are unique. The Cathedral for Learning and its Nationality classrooms are also special. I never thought I would say that I have to come back to Pittsburgh.
I grew up not far from Pittsburgh. You can read about what my childhood was like in a book by Paul Hertneky called “Rust Belt Boy: Stories of an American Childhood”. My wife grew up in the city of Pittsburgh, her father was a one handed union electrician who worked in almost every one of the downtown buildings. My father worked in a steel mill along the Ohio River. I am proud of my city has become. It came a long way from the dirty, smog working town to a gem of a place to live. I live up in the mountains now but I visit Pittsburgh often and it is a homecoming for me each time. I am glad you are enjoying it.
Williamsmith
9-14-18, 8:12am
Today I am grateful for all of the wits on internet forums I frequent. Here LDahl is brilliant and Alan makes me laugh.
There is this guy Fredbear on the MMM site, another wordsmith, who I just discovered. Mazel ToffCocktail on a a snark site is so damned funny.
A long time ago I figured out that an important role in life for me was as audience. I am a reader, not a writer. i am the audience. Play to me, I will laugh!
I second your thoughts on Alan and LDAHL. I respect their ability to get their point across in a concise manner often with the kind of wit Mark Twain or political satirists use. I often feel outmatched and an underdog......which I enjoy.
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