Just a Quick Check-In

We have reached that time of year when everyone except me will start to wax poetic about summer, even though technically it is still spring.  But Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, at least here in the U.S., and the weather forecast is calling for temperatures of and above 80 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend, so what do I know??

I came across a couple of links recently, and thought maybe you might be interested in them too.

Have you ever seen a production of the musical "Carousel"?  There's currently a production on Broadway, and this article is about the woman who knit sweaters for it!

Have you ever thought you looked really nice, or had it all  put together, and then suddenly you see a recent photo of yourself, or see yourself in a window, and suddenly you feel like you look horrible?  I know it's happened to me recently, and it threw me for a loop, to be honest.  Well, Sue had the same thing happen to her, and she writes about much better than I'd be able to.  Reading her blog post made me say, "Yep, that's right!"  I like her phrase "Curating Confidence" - we all need to do that more often.

Other than that, I don't have a lot to report at the moment.  We are heading to WV on Friday morning for a long weekend visit with family and friends.  I'm looking forward to it, though I always miss the kit kats when we are away.  But we'll be home with them on Monday, and can have our own little holiday picnic.

I hope whatever plans you have work out, and that you have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day long weekend!

Linking Up (Which Is Not the Same As Hooking Up)

Well, how are you today?  I will admit to still feeling somewhat discombobulated, frustrated, and depressed, but fortunately my brain is returning to its more active state every day.  It's hard to believe the world changed so much just a week ago.  Feels like years, at least to me.

But I thought I'd share some links that you might find interesting, useful, or just plain enjoyable since I know that I always like to see what others offer for my perusal. Admittedly, there is not a lot of variety here, but I still think it's worth sharing.

This article from New York magazine is well worth your time to read.  It is well-written, and contains some excellent observations.

I know that a lot of us are trying to decide what to do next, who might need our help, or how we can make a difference at even the most basic level since the election.  This list is a good place to start.

Do you occasionally find that you've been led to click on a headline or an article, only to find that it falls into the category of "fake news" or clickbait?  (I think it's safe to say it's happened to all of us at least once.)  Or some are parody/satire sites that seem so "real" they often suck people in - a la The Onion, which I have to say is one of my favorites!  Anyway, here's a list of some of the sites.  It's not comprehensive, but it might keep you from getting sucked in.

Switching gears somewhat, did any of you see the movie "The Goodbye Girl" years ago, with Richard Dreyfus and Marsha Mason?  Do you remember the little girl - Quinn Cummings - who played Marsha Mason's daughter in that movie?  Well, she is an adult now, and I came across her on Twitter, and let me tell you, I love her so much!  She's witty, observant, as well as a person who provides foster homes to kittens!  Her commentary, particularly related to the newly elected person whose name shall not be mentioned (who she calls "Giant Toddler"), as well as comments that are "responses" to beauty magazine headlines ("Five Ways to Look Young Forever"), is so spot on as well as often viscerally bruising, she is one of my new heroes.

On another topic altogether - the holiday season - I found these two pieces that I thought were worth sharing:

First up - a tutorial on how to make a quilted, holiday-themed table runner that is not only pretty straightforward (if you sew, of course!), but great-looking!  I see some of these in my future, both as gifts but also for myself.  Probably not this year, but fortunately Christmastime rolls around each year.

And then, as a way to remind children - and adults - that the Christmas/holiday season is about kindness and happiness for others as well as ourselves, this idea of a type of Advent calendar.  I'm thinking of making it simpler for myself, maybe a decorated jar or box with slips of paper that have something on them for the 24 days leading up to Christmas.  As she suggests, as simple as holding a door for someone, or paying for their coffee.  I love the holiday season so much, but often wish I could think of more ways to help others.  Even if they are small acts, if they are done sincerely, it's a gift to everyone involved.

That's what I've got for you today.  I hope you'll enjoy poking around.

Bits and Bobs

I realized earlier today that I had a bunch of stuff I'd sent to myself with the subject line "For blog."  So I took a look and realized they were things I wanted to share, and I might as well do them all together, so I don't lose track of them.

First of all - Kathy has moved!  Apparently Blogger gave up on her, so she moved and has a brand, spanking new blog - but still with her Monday Q&As.  So go on over and visit her, so she knows that you know where she is now.  :-)

Next up, sprite wants to know if you are interested in joining her on the Virtual Advent Tour.  I can tell you that I participated a couple of years ago, and it was both fun and really interesting.  So if you think you might want to do it, please let her know, so she can decide if/how to proceed.

One of the podcasts I've recently discovered, and truly enjoy is the Grocery Girls Podcast.  They crack me up, and seem like they would be fun to hang out with.  In the most recent episode, one of them mentioned this Afterthought Heel process, where using waste yarn isn't necessary.  I watched the video, and I have questions, but basically, mind = blown.

This map amuses me - and also kind of scares me.  Have you asked the most popular question from your state?  I have to say I've never Googled "How to Defeat Isis."  I should probably hand in my citizenship card, huh?  ;-)

And finally, you may want to consider participating in this study.  It's easy enough to do, and you can drop out at any time - everything is basically still under your control.  The Tim and I have both signed up.

So there you go - maybe not something for *everyone* but some nice variety.  Enjoy exploring!

Some Saturday Stories

Hello and I hope you are having a lovely Saturday!  Mine has been nice so far.  I met up with my friend Andrea this morning for coffee, and we discussed our plans for Maryland Sheep and Wool.  Then The Tim and I went to Ikea and Lowe's to look at various things.  Now we are home and just taking a breather. Today is a lovely day, so that makes it seem even better as well.

I don't have anything much to tell you today, but I did come across some interesting things this week on the interwebs, and thought maybe you would enjoy some/all them as well.

Linda Wells is the former editor-in-chief of Allure magazine, but her day spent at Sephora still surprised her.  (And for the record, I've *never* had anyone in any Sephora call me "hon."

This past week was National Library Week, but this congressperson thought it would be a good time to annoy librarians.

I didn't know anything about this, though I did know that the person was the last one to be executed in Pennsylvania.  The book "Silence of the Lambs was bad enough, but finding this out made me feel itchy all day.  Creepy.

I really liked this local story.

After reading this review, I put myself on the list at the public library for the book.  I think I'll like it - I'll let you know!

I made this recipe for dinner the other night, and can highly recommend it.  Fast, easy, healthy, and defintely yummy (I used a lot less butter, btw).

Did you ever go to a Mary Kay Cosmetics party, or know anyone who was a Mary Kay salesperson?  I had a friend at my first job out of college who sold Mary Kay.  She seemed to do quite well. But this article was pretty interesting.

OK, that's it.  Enjoy your Saturday!

Not Quite Ten on Tuesday

Even though I don't participate every time, I always look forward to the topic for Ten on Tuesday.  The person who coordinates it, Carole, is on vacation for a couple of weeks, and so it is not "officially" happening.  As a result my dears, I fear that you are stuck with thoughts and activities that are going on with me right now.

First of all, thank you so much for your kind and very encouraging comments on the completed back of my Custom Fit Sweater!  I know a lot of you are big-time sweater knitters, and it's not big deal to you, but it feels like a major accomplishment to me.  I'm ready to start on the front, but want to wait until I have a quieter evening, so I can get myself well underway.  But it's definitely gonna happen.

As you may or may not remember, back in May, our Pip kitty had to spend nearly a week at VHUP because he was suffering from a urethral blockage.  He is much better, and fortunately has not had any recurrences, but apparently it traumatized him more than we realized, as he has been spraying.  Ugh.  We are doing pretty well at cleaning up and our house doesn't smell as awful as it could.  The vet had us put him on a special stress-reducing food, and we bought three Feliway diffusers and put one on each floor.   That was a little more than two weeks ago, and he really hasn't improved.  So the vet has now prescribed a relaxer medication in a transdermal gel that we will put inside his ear flap to see if that helps.  I'm just grateful it's a gel, since getting Pip to take a pill was a multi-hour, multi-person operation.  Hopefully this will help.  Poor Pipster - he used to be the most chill of the kitties!

Heat.  Humidity.  They need to leave.

Tomorrow is my last class in my 5-week session of learning how to use Pilates equipment.  I've really enjoyed the class, and even in just these five weeks, have made progress and become more flexible.  There's another 5-week session for the next level, but I don't think I can afford it right now.  I'll try to do my mat Pilates at home regularly, so I don't lose whatever I gained in the class.

I know a few of you appear to be regular readers of my other blog.  Last week, I started what I hope will be a regular Friday or Saturday event, and shared various links with anyone reading.  I know I always enjoy those posts on other blogs, as long as that isn't all that is ever there!  But anyway, here is last week's post, if you care to look.

My great-nieces and great-nephew in Tucson recently had their photograph taken by a professional photographer who is a friend of their mom's, and wanted to build her portfolio.  I love the photo they sent to us, and decided to share.  I don't often have pictures of them, so I feel that they don't get "equal time," as it were.

From right to left:  Jude, Lola, Anya, Omi (Naomi)

They are great kids, and even though we have only seen them in person a few times, we keep in touch via Facebook, Twitter, my sister, and regular old snail mail.  We are hoping to make a trip west to see them, as well as their cousins and my sister and her husband.  Maybe next spring.

That's it for now.  What's new with you?