
This was so amusing. Luckily, I wasn’t in a rush. These geese were taking their time.
Then a deer. I turned the corner and there she was, looking straight at me.

Such a lovely Fall day!

For those of you who follow me, you’ve seen the artistic cicadas I’ve posted. Now, it’s the end of August and the cicadas are in full force. We didn’t hear them in June or July, but now, they’re here.
I was at a friend’s house. I went to open the window and look what I saw… A CICADA.
I stared him straight in the eyes, I thought he might be scared off, but he wasn’t. He held on to the screen. Looking at him up close, I realized this would be a great picture to share with you.
From this photo, he (maybe a she) looks like a good friend stopping by.
Have a lovely day!

It’s all in the mind, isn’t it! Yesterday a friend sent me these lionesses.
I was thinking what perfect timing. I was feeling that way, strong, powerful, unstoppable.
We don’t feel like that every morning, but there are days when our energy is at an ALL TIME HIGH!
I did start taking some vitamins lately. Maybe that’s been helping, making me feel like Superman!
I’m off to go walking. Now, I just need that perfect song that goes with these lions.
How about this. Hats off to the Olympians who are FIGHTING for GOLD! They must have some powerful songs and/or motivational talks they listen to when they need to erase a bad performance, come back the next day and FIGHT to WIN!
Have a great motivational day!

Why did I wait so long to get this? Actually, I didn’t even know this multi-opener existed. For the past few years, I’ve found myself having trouble opening certain jars.
In fact, I was just at my daughter’s house and she could not open a small jar of garlic sauce. If I had known, I would have brought my new multi-purpose gadget. Instead, we spent a good 15 minutes, doing everything possible to get the glass jar open. We did finally do it, but it wasn’t fun!
I found this multi-opener by accident. It was on a sale rack.
My first thought was, “Wow, this is cool!” My second thought was, “Do you need to spend money?” My third thought was, “It’s on SALE, heck yes, opening cans will be easier.”
The red gadget is self explanatory. However, that grey one in the middle was a bit puzzling. I Googled it to see how it worked. Sure enough, there was a video that showed the six different ways to use it. How great!
I tried using it to open a tuna can that had the metal ring on top. You know, where you pull up on the metal ring to open the can. Unfortunately, user error, I ended up pulling the metal tab off. Obviously, I need to practice. So, I had to use a can opener to open the tuna can. I’m determined to do it right next time.
I highly recommend this type of product. I’m sure they have other brands, choose one. It’s for ALL ages. Even my daughter needed it the other day.
Guess what she is getting for her birthday?! She will thank me!

I went walking the other day. It was early in the morning with a bit of rain, just a drizzle.
I came across this group of pigeons eating breakfast.
Then I saw this pipe thing on a tree. What do you think it is for?

Then some flowers.


I enjoy mornings when everything is waking up and coming alive.
Have a great weekend!

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?

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!

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!
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.