Category Writing

Help – Why do my tools smell so bad?

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There’s nothing worse than opening a tool box to be welcomed by the most horrible smell. I mean horrible. I was ready to give up on my picture hanging project. I quickly closed the tool box lid.

For a while, I’ve known I had to deal with this smell. The funny thing is, these are all the tools I have. Oh, I lied, I do have a hammer and a staple gun, but I knew they were not the smelly culprits.

So, a five minute picture hanging project turned into a two hour long project.

I got my bucket out, I put the tools in it. I added some dishwashing soap, baking soda, water and then some vinegar. Wow – it was a sizzling explosion in the bucket.

After half an hour, I scrubbed my tools in the water they were sitting in. Dumped water, rinsed the tools, put tools back in bucket. Then, added more water, detergent, baking soda and vinegar.

After another half an hour, I decided to add more baking soda and vinegar. Again the sizzle.

Finally, after an hour, I decided I was done. I rinsed the tools, put them on the towel to dry.

RESULT – Only one tool has a very faint smell. The second one from the top. The others, nothing.

BIG QUESTION – Will the smell be gone forever OR will it come back after some time? I’m not sure, but boy is it nice not to have my tools smelling so bad.

How have you dealt with smelly tools?

“Cicada Parade-A 2024” / Sponsor, then decorate your own Cicada!

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What an amazing find! I was on a walk with a friend. She had to tie her shoe. While I was waiting, I looked up and I saw this Cicada art piece. I was intrigued, it had #481 on the sign, which meant there were more to see.

The Insect Asylum (taxidermist & insect museum) and Formstone Castle Art (create art for festivals & events) are promoting this Cicada Parade-A project to anyone who wants to participate. You sponsor a cicada by paying a fee, then you can decorate your cicada and it is put up somewhere in IL. Although, I saw a video that mentioned someone out of state bought a cicada to bring to their home town. So, everyone can participate.

Such a great idea. The artist who created #481 did an amazing job.

Go to The Insect Asylum website, you can see a map of where the cicadas are.

You can still buy one. It’s FUN!

Manufacturing gone wrong…

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Here’s something funny for a Friday. Recently, I’ve had two situations of mistakes in the manufacturing process. No kidding, I scratched my head.

First, there is the paper situation. Is one pad for right handed, the other for left handed?

Second, toilet paper, the one on the right wasn’t crushed, the cardboard inside was mangled.

What do you make of this in a short period of time? I guess I’m supposed to get a good chuckle? Like that hidden camera show where they say, “You’ve been Punk’d.” We need to laugh a little, right.

Actually, my twin brother was good at pulling pranks like this. Maybe I was meant to THINK of him!

Happy Friday!

Chicago… Hot dogs… Heinz Ketchup

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Did you hear this in the news recently? Chicago and Heinz ketchup at war. Well, not really, but here is what is funny. I live in Chicago and I did not know that Chicagoans look down on people who put ketchup on their hot dogs. Yes, once you turn 18, no more ketchup. You are an adult now (so funny).

Recently, Heinz was in town. They put up a ketchup dispensing billboard outside the Weiner stand, allowing people to get ketchup packets for their hot dogs. I “think” people would be too embarrassed to use ketchup on the hot dog, but would use them on the fries. A funny marketing idea and it gets us thinking about Heinz ketchup – Brilliant!

I started to investigate further. Did you know there is site for “Hot Dog Etiquette,” from the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. They teach the Dos/Don’ts of hot dog eating. It’s very amusing. Here are a few to make you chuckle, common sense, you’ll enjoy the video.

Don’t eat hot dog on china, always on paper plate. No wine with a hot dog, only beer. No cloth napkin, only paper one. Only 5 bites to eat your hot dog…. WATCH the video for more tips BEFORE coming to Chicago.

So, the BIG question to ALL of you is this…

Do YOU use ketchup on your hot dog? Shhhh… I do, if there are no other condiments around.

Almost Solar Eclipse time…

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I carefully took this photo, trying not to look at the sun. The sun is bright, it hurts our eyes to look toward it. This was a neat photo between the trees. Looks like a spooky Halloween photo. We just need a witch flying by on her broomstick.

I look forward to seeing what the media shows later today.

Happy viewing, be safe!

Happy Easter!

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Easter is early this year. The cookies in the photo are from “An Italian in my Kitchen.” I’ve been following Rosemary Molley, a Canadian, who married an Italian and has been living in Italy for over 25 years. On her website, she shares so many wonderful recipes she learned from her mother/n/law and just living in Italy.

Here’s a screen shot from her website: www.anitalianinmykitchen.com

She has great cookbooks too.

For Easter, she has a variety of breads, cakes, cookies that you can try out. If you are looking for a good Italian recipe, you’ll find so many great ideas. I like her soups, stews, pasta, pizza and dessert dishes. In fact, there is a lemon mousse I want to try.

Wishing those of you who celebrate this holiday a “HAPPY EASTER!”

Having fun with Canva!

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I was playing around with Canva. Right now, when I look at this image, it’s sparkling. However, when I press publish, I’m not sure if the sparkles will remain. At any rate, it’s nice to try new programs.

For those of you not familiar with Canva, it’s a free graphic design tool allowing you to create graphics for presentations, social media, logos, etc. There is a bit of a learning curve, for me anyhow. I’ve worked a little bit in Photoshop, so I can see it is somewhat similar, just need to get up to speed on how to use the different tools on the dashboard.

What new programs have you learned lately?

Paintings… sisters…

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Recently, I saw these two paintings. I wasn’t looking for paintings, but they caught my attention, because I have two daughters. I thought they depicted their personalities.

The elephants when they are stressed. The giraffes when they are trying to decide what to do.

I find life amusing.

At any given moment in life, we can see, hear, smell something and a vision comes to us or we are transported back in time. For example, recently, I smelled some lilacs and I was brought back to my childhood when they were in bloom.

Have you had a recent memory come to you after seeing “something?”

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Love can be found. I saw this telephone booth in Nashville. Yes, you can try to find a cowboy! I didn’t try to call the number. I wonder if it worked. I’m sure they’d say something amusing, right.

A lady was dressed all in pink. She was with her husband, I saw her by the booth. I asked if she wanted a picture with her husband. She said, “YES,” it was her birthday. So, I took the picture. THEN she pulled me aside. She whispered, “You take picture of me alone, no husband.” 

Laughing, “Ok,” I said.

She was hamming it up for the camera. This pose, that pose. She must have been in her 50s. As I was taking photos, I told her it would be fun if she pretended she was making a phone call. She picked up the phone, more poses. It was fun being the photographer.

Whether you have someone or not, you can still have a heartfelt day! 💕

Wishing you ALL a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!