Tag Writing

Weather – When the storm comes in…

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We can all sense a storm coming in. The wind starts to change, the clouds come in and THEN our IPhone’s go off. Flash Flood Warning Alert.

That’s what happened this weekend. I was close to Lake Michigan, stopped by the Lake and saw this incredible view of the dark clouds slowly moving in. I had to be quick to get the photo.

The waves were rather calm for the storm that was coming. Even so, I sensed from the dark clouds looming over head and the way the temperature felt that I had to take cover. A tornado could form in this type of storm. While I was mesmerized by the colors of the Lake and the dark clouds, I had to find shelter.

In the end, the storm came, pounding rain, then after a short period the sun came out. Yes, the bright sun as if a storm had never come through our town…

Interesting find at the CAR WASH!

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My car was in desperate need of a car wash. I had parked my car in a nice shady spot. I was so proud of myself for finding such a good parking spot. Well, a few hours later, I was mad and horrified to see these massive bird droppings all over my car. I couldn’t even drive it. I had to clean my windshield off first. So, my great shady spot turned out to be the worst spot ever.

Fast forward to the car wash. My car needed vacuuming. As I got out of my car, I looked down and thought I saw a penny. The car wash is a perfect place to find all sorts of things on the ground. This object was so dark blending in with the pavement that I had to look twice.

Sure enough, it was a penny. Look how interesting though, it had a hole in it. How in the world did that happen? This penny had been through a lot. So old and beat up, I can’t even see the date on it.

My next thought went to, “Find a penny, heads up, you’ll have GOOD LUCK!” I did find a penny, heads up, but it had a hole in it.

Does the hole nix the “Good Luck,” I was supposed to receive? BIG question!

If only pennies could talk! I’d be interested to know what happened to him.

Gardening… The Artichoke!

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I just wrote a lovely post about this beautiful artichoke. Guess what – WP crashed, post GONE! For some reason, the “save draft” wasn’t working well. Early morning tech issues OR the Universe wasn’t keen on the post I had written, wanted me to START OVER! LOL

So, as my creative thought process has now disappeared, I will say… I was in California this past weekend. I went to Half Moon Bay by the ocean. It was wonderful to smell the fishy salty air and hear the fog horn. I used to go there a lot.

While walking on Main Street, I came across a gardening center and saw these artichokes. I don’t eat them much and always wondered how they grew. Now, I know. Seeing them makes me want to give them another try. I was reading that they are a good source of fiber.

Any artichoke lovers out there? What tips do you have to share on peeling / cooking them?

Bad, bad hair day!

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Have you ever gotten up in the morning and looked at yourself in SHOCK? That’s what happened to me this morning.

The night before I had decided that I wanted to go walking at 7 AM. However, I needed to wash my hair. So, I thought I would be proactive and wash my hair last night. Since it is cold outside, I didn’t want to walk with damp hair early in the morning. This seemed like a good plan.

The thing is, after I washed my hair I was SO TIRED that I was TOO LAZY to dry it. I read my book for a little bit and then made the fatal decision NOT to dry my hair. I was just too tired. I went to sleep with wet hair. I figured it couldn’t be that bad… OR COULD IT?!

Well… this morning, instead of being “ahead of the game,” my hair was CRAZY. See the picture, that was the result.

So, I had to re-wash and YES, dry my hair this time.

What a disaster!

AND that meant, I wasn’t able to go on my walk at 7 AM!!

Life is about the decisions we make!

Great show… Oprah’s, “SuperSoul Sunday”

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Have you ever watched, “SuperSoul Sunday?” Oprah Winfrey created this show, it is meant to touch the soul, make us think about life, how we treat others, encourage us to make a difference in this world of ours.

118952A6-80E2-4B7B-BA6F-73109584A9F5This Sunday she interviewed Bryan Stevenson. He’s a public interest lawyer dedicated to helping the poor, the condemned and incarcerated. He’s especially focused on saving the lives of children who are convicted.

He’s written a book called, “Just Mercy: The Story of Justice and Redemption,” which was turned into a film (2019). It’s a true story, I can’t tell you much about it, because I haven’t read it yet, but I just requested it from the library.

 

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Every Sunday, Oprah interviews someone for about 30-40 minutes. Last Sunday (5/31/20), Shaka Senghor was her guest.

Shaka Senghor spoke to us about his life in prison (19 years), his road to redemption and how reading books and writing helped him through solitary confinement. He’s an incredible motivational speaker, very well spoken and well read. It’s hard not to feel sad and think, if his childhood had been different, his path in life would have been different.

So, if you feel a bit low and need some inspiration, visit Oprah’s SuperSoul Facebook page, I promise — you won’t be disappointed. Every Sunday a new thought provoking interview.

Puzzle time… I found a table.

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Remember, I told you, I wanted to make a puzzle, but I didn’t have a table BIG ENOUGH? For weeks now, I kept putting out to the Universe the table I wanted. I thought about the size, the cost (very little) and envisioned my puzzle on the table.

Well, a MIRACLE HAPPENED! My neighbor next door was moving, she had a small kitchen table that she was giving away. A little old, looks like something I might find in my grandmother’s house, but I LOVE IT. Perfect size.

So, I started my puzzle. Gee, it’s a big puzzle — a lot of fun.

While I was working away, I turned on this audio book, “Women of the Silk,” by Gail Tsukiyama. Really good book, so I am enriching my brain in two ways – wonderful!

WordPress Editor – Have you been using it?

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Frustration - Learning something newHave you been using the WordPress Editor? Apparently, June 1st, we all have to use it, like it or not — it seems. If you are like me, I find comfort in having my writing tools the same, i.e. same paper, same journal, same pen/markers, same WordPress…. same everything.

When this is changed and I am “forced” to learn something NEW, there is a “slow down” in my writing process. Suddenly, creativity goes out the window and angst replaces it.

Some of you might say, “I LOVE LEARNING SOMETHING NEW.”

GOOD FOR YOU!

First issue, I want to add a photo — hum, hum, hum. Can’t find where to do that? There must be a place to find/insert my photos, BUT WHERE.

First time in 5 years, no photo in my post?

Ugh… Eureka! I can switch back to Classic Editor. A temporary fix, while I learn WordPress Editor. I’m sure in a month I will say, “I LOVE IT,” but right now, it feels like one more COVID obstacle I need to surpass.

Bear with me… I need to figure this all out.

HELP – Jumping Spider ALERT

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Jumping SpidersThere is a FIRST time for everything. It’s summer, I’ve dealt with centipedes, ants and spiders… BUT NOT tiny little jumping spiders.

Last night, I saw something small and dark on the floor. I thought it was a fuzzle from my sock. When I went to pick it up, imagine my HORROR when it was a tiny spider that jumped. I yelped, as we do, when caught by surprise. Natural instinct had me going after the jumping spider, but he was so tiny and so quick – IMPOSSIBLE TO CATCH HIM.

I know, bug lovers out there are routing for him to LIVE. We are supposed to live in “harmony” with bugs that come into our house.

Now, I don’t know if this picture is the “exact spider” in my house, but he looks very similar. Looking at him up close is a bit scary, which if funny, because he must be terrified of me, the giant human.

Well… last night, he WON, he escaped.

BUT this morning, HE had such NERVE. He came up on my desk. I was innocently doing my work, when he JUMPED by my coffee!  I had resigned myself into “trying” to live in harmony with him last night, since I couldn’t catch him. However, coming on to my desk was a declaration of war.

So — I went after him AGAIN, but he was TOO quick. He jumped from my desk to the window sill, which is white, so I could see him. I went to “get him,” he jumped on the floor, which is dark, impossible to see him. I did smile, very clever tactic. Got away again.

Tell me folks, have you had jumping spiders in the house? What should I  do?