“Yo whassup, fellow Cutropolites or Cutetropoleans or whatever! The Mikester asked me to welcome all of you to the weekend — Paaaaaaaaaaaar-TAY!”
Via Imgur.
Weekend Open Thread
200 thoughts on “Weekend Open Thread”
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“Yo whassup, fellow Cutropolites or Cutetropoleans or whatever! The Mikester asked me to welcome all of you to the weekend — Paaaaaaaaaaaar-TAY!”
Via Imgur.
Comments are closed.
What a picture!
*flicks cat treat into open mouf*
I returned from vacation this week with a souvenir head cold, so I’ve been home recovering from both. It has given me lots of time to go through pictures because as usual I took WAY too many! I had the college age son some of some friends Lily-sit for me and despite her separation issues she handled it just fine. I’m glad that I don’t have to worry about her quite so much now! 🙂
Jan, so sorry about the cold but so happy that Lily didn’t decide to redecorate out of anger or grief!
“Souvenir head cold” LOL! That’s what we say in our house too. 🙂 Hope you’re on the mend soon.
It’s getting better; I can almost breathe now!
Yippee!
Not a lot planned for today, a few errands to run that’s about it.
Ditto. Grocery store at 7am? Check. Good thing too! It was “no tax day” and it was already crawling with people. I was in and out with a week’s worth of stuff in 30 minutes.
Now I’m giving myself permission to surf the web and play video games. 🙂
Good morning everyone. I just finished a week-long raw, vegan cleanse and I’m enjoying some coffee for the first time since I started the cleanse and it tastes GREAT. Looking forward to lunch with my sister today – a rare occurrence. I have a ticket to one final movie at the Toronto International Film Festival tonight but I might not use it – I’ve seen 5 films at TIFF so far and I’m not sure I feel like driving into the city again for this last one. We’ll see how the day unfolds. Right now, this comfy chair and this coffee represent everything that is right in my world.
Good for you! Isn’t coffee marvellous? 😀 Have fun at lunch!
Good morning…
Allein, I love signing in to your morning doggie gifs.
🙂
I had a different one ready on my clipboard but then I saw this one. I love the tail nomming. It’s like, “hmm, what’s this? I think I’ll bite it.”
It’s the BEST!
I just noticed the conveniently placed privacy tail – how funny.
Had to go look!?
Want puppehs.
After an extremely busy week–including my birthday on Wednesday–I’m feeling pretty mellow. Still have a lot to do on the house before my dad visits at the end of the month, but if it doesn’t get done, it doesn’t get done. Also had two separate pieces of extremely sad news: one of my dissertation advisors died on Tuesday, and my bio-father’s health has deteriorated to frightening levels. So a quiet weekend, where I process the grief, will be necessary.
I do plan to finish the Roman shades for my kitchen, and then hang them in said kitchen. They just need velcro strips at the top to attach to boards. Yes, there will be pictures.
DEBG, so sorry about your sad news. And all around your birthday! Well, you know where we are – lots of shoulders ready, willing, and available.
Sorry to hear about your Advisor and I hope your bio-father is comfortable. Quiet puttering weekend to yourself sounds like a good idea.
Aw DebG, sorry to hear about both your diss advisor and your dad. I can relate to both. My diss advisor died of Parkinsons a couple of years after he hooded me. Although I’ve all but given up the academic life, I am proud to have been his student… he was a wacky guy and a brilliant classical scholar. And being an only child 5000 miles from home with aging parents… I dread the heartbreak that will one day come. Wishing you peace and courage!
Yesterday saw “Sully”. Well done and worth seeing.
This morning, grass trimmed by MyMike and sheets
on the line by me. Funny how much I look forward
to climbing into bed between sheets that have that
fresh air fragrance. It truly is the simple pleasures
that gratify. I’d have fresh air-dried sheets every
night if I had the energy or, better yet, the servants!
Tomorrow, the James Michener Art museum again.
There’s a wonderful photography exhibit there with
spectacular and moving shots by Steve McCurry
(NatGeo/Afghanistan girl photographer, who lives
in NYC and suburban Philly. We are members, so
can indulge all we want. Sunday afternoon, a
concert of Arab music, also at the Michener.
Certainly a different day.
Phred’s Mom, that sounds great. I think I mentioned before that my neighbor is friends with Steve McCurry’s sister and knows Steve.
I wish I could hang sheets outside. My husband seems reluctant somehow and he hasn’t replaced our little pulley line since a tree branch took it down. I always loved getting into a freshly made bed with freshly shaved legs!?
. . . and a freshly shaved hubster, um?
Yes, I remember your mentioning your
friend’s connection to Steve McCurry.
MyMike s a photographer also, but of
events. MyMike’s travel shots are great,
with some wonderful ones of scenes in
Morocco and Italy. We’ve done a lot of
travel in many countries, and have so
many great shots, many framed, that
we have a changing exhibition on our
walls. Mostly black and whites. And
stacks leanng against the walls. MyMike
worships Steve McCurry.
I’m totally fangirling over here about McCurry! Would LOVE to see the exhibit. I’ll be there in spirit! <3
How wonderful. I love B&W photography.
Murray, what if, some time when your husband is near by, you start TRYING to put the clothes line back up. Instincts and love should kick in real quick, and he should be doing it for you in no time.
Sounds like a plan.☺️
Duckie is right, The ol’ rescue the little lady impulse can
kick in when he sees you making a valiant effort. Of
course, this will not happen till next Spring, when you
are healed, flexible, and feisty again, and the weather
begs for sheets to be hung out. Lie in wait, Murray, and
go for it in April.
Ooo, beyond a plan. High level tactics! I like it.
OMG, that was my dog this morning. It was like someone gave him an espresso at 5 am. Bouncing all over the bed, licking on me. Finally took he downstairs to my hubby and said he’s all yours then went back to sleep as I had a rough time sleeping last night. Some good thoughts would be appreciated, my 78 yr old mom wasn’t feeling well yesterday and they took her to the hospital. I’m just waiting for my brother to call/text and let me know how she’s doing this morning. Not sure what’s wrong with her but she’s not been herself since my dad passed about 6 months ago. They were together 60 years and I think (despite all her complaining at him) mom’s a little lost without dad. I’ll keep everyone posted.
Not too much planned for today, hubby needs to get his company truck serviced so go get that done then probably relax at home. I’ve actually managed to get my scarf project started so I’ll work on that today. Tried to use a regular peg loom and oh did that NOT work, almost hanged myself. Tried to start it 4 times, looked at Youtube videos and could not figure it out. I am so not a crafty person. Then found something called a Loopdeloom and it’s working! I was going to post a couple of pics but couldn’t get them compress small enough to upload. Guess I’ll have to send them to Mike for posting. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
AJ, sending positive energy and healing thoughts toward you and your family. Keep us posted.
Wishing you the best with that, AJ – it’s tough dealing with an ailing parent and the not knowing makes it worse. I hope it’s resolved soon. so many possibilities from dehydration to depression, vitamin deficiencies or something truly organic. let us know how you’re doing.
And here are three pictures that AJ sent me:
Oh my I love that loom. So compact and logical.
That said: Faye resists yet another craft project not to start!
WOW! That’s so cool. 😀
Very cool.
AJ, I haven’t seen that type of loom since uprights went out of style in the BC era! Where did you find it? How do you keep the warp ends under tension at the non-loom end?
Yes, folks, I’ve got several looms and love to give other people advice.
You can find the Loopdeloom at any craft store like Michael’s or even on line at Amazon. I’m not sure about the mechanics of how it works but so far so good. Per the instructions, to get started you cut yarn for as long as you want it plus 10 inches, ie for a scarf I cut 15 strands about 6 feet long. Then after you weave about 4 to 5 inches (the length of the pegs), you lift the pegs up, move the woven piece down then pull up the strands so you have a whole new section to weave. I think there are Youtube videos that show the process better than I can explain.
Our Art teacher once had kids make that kind of loom out of straws, but not as wide, obviously. There are directions somewhere on the internet.
It’s hard, I know, having been there myself,
to handle the deterioration of a parent.
Depression can debilitate, especially when
one is older. My thoughts are with you.
Sending love and light to your mom!
Sending good thoughts/ condolences to all those dealing with the pasding passing of loves or caring for aging parents. My dad turns 93 next week and he in overall good health and is mentally sharp; I know at hus age, though, that can change quickly. His sister died last fall a month shy of her 98th birthday. She had become frail but was sharp right up to the end!
Beautiful day here. Did my usual Saturday farmer’s market this morning. Met an adorable golden doodle named Bob although I’m not entirely convinced he isn’t actually a Muppet! Later I got an overdue haircut which always gives me a lift, which I know is kind of silly. Started rereading the book ” The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”. Such an amazing and complex story, I know I will discover things in it that missed the first time I read it.
Happy weekend to all!
Nothing silly about a new haircut giving you a lift.
Makes me feel gorgeous again. Well, in fantasy, anyway.
One can pretend.
I always have the sense that a weight is lifted after a hair cut and about 3/4″ has been removed.
I plan to do nothing today. My week was full of appointments. Daughter’s foster baby appointments, niece’s (biological mom of the foster baby) appointments, disabled brother’s (I tend to him) appointments. Yesterday at 10 am, while on the way to Grace’s vet appointment, all 3 of the above called or texted me wanting something. I managed to get Grace to her appointment, and help 2 of the above people. The third had to find her own ride, because while my niece and daughter needed to go to the same place (meeting for the niece to visit her son), she isn’t allowed to see him except for the supervised visits, so they can’t ride together. I hope by Thanksgiving the baby is either home with his mother, or they are allowing her to visit him outside of the mediator. It’d be nice not to have to exclude my niece from Thanksgiving dinner.
Patty, it sounds like you take care of everybody in the family–what a good soul! Remember to take care of yourself too.
Oh, Patty, what a saga and a Gordion Knot of logistics! Bless your little Pea-Pickin’ Heart, as Tennessee Ernie Ford used to say. (dating myself much?)
I’m into the 3rd week of wearing this device which has my lower arm jutting straight out in front of me. There’s a belt around my waist and a strap across my shoulder – you’ve seen them, I’m sure. My husband calls it my Bolster Holster. I have to wear it day and night except when exercising or showering and it’s getting old, let me tell you. I spend a lot of time in the recliner we rented and in which I try to sleep but am not sleeping well. And last night my iPad died. Waaaahhhhh! Couldn’t watch Grace and Frankie! I will be glad when this part of the process is a thing of the past, when I can use both hands. I’ve gotten more independent in some things because I can now take the brace on and off by myself but oy, it’s a pain. (my little diatribe on what are really trivial matters but a little kvetching is good for the soul, I think?)
Kvetch on, Murray! You’ll be out of the iron maiden
before long. gooder than new.
Soon you will be your two armmed wonderful self!
?? Two arms, two arms!
As the middle child, it has always fallen to me to take care of things. The older kids were busy doing teenager things, the younger kids needed tended to and fed. My mother was the single mother of 7 kids, my father was in the Air Force, not around, and no child support. Sibling injured themselves and needed stitches? I stayed home and cleaned up the blood. Truth is, if it weren’t for my daughter taking on raising the baby, the niece would be left on her own to get her stuff together. I feel like I need to help her, to help my own daughter. The sooner the niece gets it together, the sooner she will get her baby back.
Kvetch away, I know how difficult shoulder surgery is as hubby went through 2 of them. The first wasn’t two bad as it was his left, the second was his right and I ended up doing practically everything for him including cutting up his food. LOL, I felt like a mom with a toddler. Keep resting up and doing the exercises and you’ll be back to your old self in no time. Sending (gentle) hugs to help you heal.
Oh, yeah, my husband has to cut up my food and take off twisty caps and put clips on bags-
tho’ it’s much better, It’s just frustrating at this point. I just came in from the garden and it was so warm and everything took me so long to do , I don’t have the strength in my left hand that I do in my right. I packed it in sooner than I would’ve liked. But thanks for the kvetching license – I’ll try not to abuse it.?
Oh, Patty. It all sounds so complicated! Hugs and kudos to you for being the family glue.
Patty, what if you invite the mediator for Thanksgiving? I know it’s not an ideal suggestion, but it would show you are trying to follow the rules, while maintaining your family circle of love. And, it’s a holiday! Family!
The mediator is actually one of several people who work at St Francis, who work with DCF and the kinship foster program. Supervised visits are at the St. Francis building. I am sure by then there will be unsupervised visits, at least that is what the plan calls for. The niece is not actually a danger to her child, but due to her having a drug charge (she was clean throughout her pregnancy) and not having a place to live, the baby was taken from her.
One of the puzzle sites I mentioned a while back lets you use your own photo and turn it into a puzzle, so I am now working on a Pablo (this one is my facebook profile picture)…which I made 600+ pieces and they came out really tiny. It’s a challenge. 😉
Awwwwwwwwww!
More time to gaze at your boy!
I NEED this picture! *Smooch* on da prosh leetle head! Pablo is sooo adorable! (600 pieces is gonna take awhile! The pieces would be so tiny!)
Pablo is now the icon for Cuetropolis on my phone!?
😀
My condolences and consideration to all here who are grieving or worrying. I hope the cute helps a bit today.
I am alone in the house today. I am sitting on the couch with Bucky dog, CNN on in background (can’t miss any live reports of our reality show election), and reading.
Bucky and I are awaiting a food delivery. Then it’s self spa day. A good soak then some tender attention to toes and fingers!
My website is published. I have all of my artwork up on the main page as a portfolio and in a first Gallery. I plan to start blogging on my art process and therapy all focused on my experience of living with PTSD.
Learning to blog is a bit daunting. Format, timing, content, posting, etc. etc. I am so appreciative of NTMTOM and what he does for us at CUTEtropolis. Thank you Mike!?
Want to get formal permission from Mike before I post link to my page here. That’s a big president. What if we all asked to post links. I don’t want to take Mike’s welcoming nature for granted in any way.
I decided to go out for lunch yesterday; got a couple slices of pizza and ate on a bench at the park while watching the water on the lake and listening to “Why Factor” (a BBC podcast) episodes on my ipod. While I was waiting for my pizza I turned to see what was on the TV behind me. It was “Breaking News: Trump finally admits Obama was born in the US.”
Seriously. This is what constitutes “Breaking News” these days.
Yep. I share Picard’s pain.
Hahaha Picard double face palm. Yup, that about sums up the election news.
I agree. “Breaking News” used to scare me. What heading will CNN use if an actual life threatening event unfolds?
Faye, couldn’t you put your website on your ID for Cutetropolis? There are blanks for name, email and website. I think your name will end up highlighted, and anyone who is interested (me! me! me!) can click on it.
Oh! I forgot about that!! Thank you so much N. Fritz. ? Let me give it a shot!!
And thank you for the interest.
I’m not sure where to do this. Can anyone help. Is it on Gravatar???? Or here on CuteTropolis????
It worked! Wowza!
It works. Faye, those are some complex thoughts you are working with in those images!
Faye, the drawings are so beautiful, gorgeous palette _ and, of chief importance, the depths you have explored. I am so, so impressed, not just for all of this and your ability to share it, but by the humanity in your heart despite tough, tough times. We celebrate you and all you are and what you have come through.
Thank you N. Fritz for the help! I didn’t realize it worked.
Thank you Duckie and Murray. I am so lucky to have come so far. I decided to just put my whole journey out there. Everyone involved is d e a d except me. So no feelings to hurt.
My pallet and technique are improving. It’s been 30 years since I drew at all. And I never had access to color.
I expect to add much more written material, and links that might help others. Just finding a glimmer of knowledge sometimes makes such a difference for someone who feels alone.
I have more drawings to come so stop in again. Thank you for understanding even a bit.
Faye I adore your art!!!!!??
Oh thank you Birdcage!
Faye, Wow!
Thank you Phred’s Mom.
I don’t see the link, Faye, or the whatever you call it
to see your work. My IPad mini may not be up to it.
Try tapping this link:
http://twochiwawa.wixsite.com/mysite
Found it, Mike, downstream in the posts.
Now I feel like a ninny.
In relation to “Reality Show Election”…
I am a member of a Canadian Local of an international labour union and we just opted for a 5-year extension of our existing union agreement with our employer (rather than go to negotiations) because of the POSSIBLE outcome of the US ELECTION. It was put to us by the union bargaining committee that we’d be putting our benefits and wages at risk by going to negotiations (our agreement expires Dec 31) because we just don’t know what’s going to be happening in the world and the global economy depending on who is elected the US President.
The above sounds like I’m complaining and I’m really not. Despite global economic downturns, my employment is rock steady and extremely beneficial to my pocketbook and mortgage. I’m stupendously lucky to have the job I do (in spite of the somewhat soul-sucking lack of creative fulfillment) and, frankly, I’m really glad we’re rolling our contract over. I can count on another 5 years of 2.5% wage increases and excellent benefits. I can’t help but chuckle, however, at how far-reaching the effects of this election are. The whole thing has been absolutely LUDICROUS from the get-go.
I sure won’t be sorry to see the backside of 2016. This year has been rife with economic nonsense and global heartache. I’m ready to move on. 🙂
Holy schmoley, Mich! What a horrid outcome, that your life in Canada depends so much on another country’s election. Probably Brexit didn’t help either.
I agree about 2016–awful political/economic news, too many tragedies borne from hate, deaths of great people who made the world a better place, etc. Thank goodness (and Mike) we’ve got this world of cute for a respite.
Agreed!
You people were smart. I’m sure the uncertainty is effecting hundred of thousands of decisions big and small. Business, government and personal.
I have family in Canada. Fantasizing about packing the proverbial “one suitcase “.
However, proud American.
Faye, you are welcomed to Canada anytime.
Thank you Duckie! I’ve been. Many happy trips to Montreal as a child. Now also have family in Toronto.
My father was born in Saskatchewan then the family traveled by train to Montreal. They originally migrated to Canada as Russian Jews.
As I remember Montreal was a cleaner more kind version of NYC. I went on the subway and at the time it was a simple system that went up down or left right. I’m afraid of the subway in NYC.
I have never found the NYC subway to be user-friendly.
Confusing. Once I wanted to go to the Battery, ended up
in Brooklyn. I am a good reader, good with maps, but
the NYC subway flummoxed me every time I tried. Paris
Metro, London Underground, Philly Septa, all pieces of
cake. Not NYC.
I’m chiming in in defense of the NYC subway. I’ve lived here since I was three months old (66 years now) and I’ve taken the subway almost every day since 1963. It works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is cheap and safe and goes pretty much everywhere.
No NYC subway disrespect. It’s just too big for me. I don’t understand its relationship to what’s above. And so many sign and letters. It gave me panic attacks so my vision would blurr which didn’t help at all.
NYC buses are my treat. You have a 360 degree view of thousands of people and can see exactly where you are. And most importantly for clostrophobic or agoraphobic people if you get stuck you can walk right off the bus.
I can see that. I actually find the subway soothing. I found this out some years ago on my way to work by subway. I had been trying to meditate by focusing on sounds so that morning I focused on the sound of the subway. Much to my surprise focusing on the sound of the subway with my eyes closed made me feel really calm and secure.
Some of the deepest best sleeps I have had were on the Long Island Railroad. Thankfully I rarely took trains where I had to switch. Nice waking up in Manhattan or back at home.
I used to ride the DC subway home every day, and the place I got onto the platform was always at the very front of the first car. I soon discovered that I could sit just behind the glass booth the train operator sat in and watch the track ahead. It was entrancing! I’ve often thought that riding in an engine and watching the tracks ahead would be a truly mesmerizing place to be, and this was probably as close to it as I’ll get.
Faye,
I read through your web site. Your drawings are amazing and, together with the text, very insightful. Shows the extreme amount of work it must have taken you to get this far, and the courage it must have taken you to put it all out there. I’m sure the site can benefit folks with long-term issues that seem so daunting to them at present. You certainly have my admiration.
Oh thank you BoosMom! Nice to meet you.
That is my hope. I’m in such a wonderful place now. I’m very glad I can put it out there.
Good Morning Wonderful People of Cutetopia!
I’ve been adding my 2¢ here and there, and while I am normally a bit of an online-recluse, I’d like to do a real post to the Saturday open thread. A few weeks ago one of you Regulars encouraged us Lurkers to please post! and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Today I take the plunge!
To do today: I must clean, do laundry, and get the bicycle fixed. This last is an annoyance because it’s my own fault. I misjudged a ledge and dented my front wheel trying to go over it. Have you ever ridden a bike with a built-in bump? It’s an odd feeling. After those obligations I want to work on art work. I’m editioning an artist book with sun prints. Unfortunately I’ve run out of most of the solution and there seems to be a major shortage of said solution in Philadelphia. It’s been ordered but I have to find other parts of the project to get moving on. Perhaps the box? I also sat up half the night last night with my Night Blooming Cereus.* It’s the first time I’ve had any blooms in almost 7 years. I think the incredibly hot summer this year has encourage the blossoms. The first bloomed last night, four more to go. It was beautiful and the scent! Wow. I took lots of pics and so I will process those at some point today.
And last, I send lots of love to all of you with ailments, grief, and sorrows. I wish you all strength and courage until this too shall pass. For you I post the Cereus in full bloom.
Welcome Tara-sometimes-lurker! Thanks for sharing (good luck with the bike!) and posting your Cereus photo. Soooo pretty! Wish we had smell-o-vision so I had an idea of the scent.
How lovely, Tara, and thank you for sharing the gorgeous image. There’s such an air of romance about a flower that only blooms once a year, – very like a fairy tale.
Welcome to the Saturday Open Thread Tara!
Thank you for the flower photo. I will Google it for more information.
Are you talking about the process where you expose special paper to sunlight to make pictures?
Have you compiled any other books. Please share your art. ?
So glad you’ve decided to post! Sounds like your day is going to be busy. The bloom is beautiful!
Thank you, Tara. Beautiful blossom.
I’ve never seen those flowers before!
I think it’s safe to say that flowers are welcome here, with or without cats.
(And there are most certainly cute flowers out there…
)
These last flowers are totally quackers!
I decided to leave out the “naked man” orchids. 😉
oh, why???? Were they overweight with big pot bellies? Some people like that! Or too skinny? Or in compromising postures???
There are other orchids that look like Yosemite Sam – it’s an amazing species (?)
Speaking of flowers I have to spend time in my brown and crispy garden.
Well, if you insist…
so good. And the Lord God made them all. You’ll notice they’re holding hands – proof positive that nature can be gay!?
I know! I love that they’re holding hands.
I love these orchids so much.
I will laugh every time I see this image. Am saving it
for the next bad news cycle, which is any minute now,
the way this year has been going.
This made me let out a cackle. Oh gosh could these flowers be any more comical. And they are purple too.
I’m saving this for times when people comment that homosexuality goes against nature.
This would make a fine Pride graphic.
great idea – along with those penguins (hee,hee)
Love all the flower pics, nature does have an infinite variety out there. I think my favs are the birds of paradise. The university I work at has them all over the place so it’s always a pleasant stroll when I have to walk across campus.
My college had magnolia trees all over the center of campus. Smelled so good in the spring. (Only downside is the petals get very slippery when they collect on the ground. We had one in the front yard when I was growing up and we always had to rake the front walkway in the spring.)
I love peacocks — the colors are my favorites in the world, and the feathers are so elaborate. I saw a whole collection of peacocks done with quilling, and it made me want to take it up immediately! Some of the best quilling artwork is truly breathtaking.
AJ, where are you that you have birds of paradise locally? That sounds fabulous!
I’m in Southern California where the weather is temperate all year long. So I get to enjoy the flowers most of the year plus in the spring we have star jasmine blooming all over campus too. You can almost get high from the pervasive scent wafting through the air.
Ah, yes. I lived up on the slope facing the ocean in Westminster (just north of Venice) for a few years back in the 90s, and the weather was just amazing. Plus the wonderful fragrances in the air from all the flowers, especially something in a neighbor’s yard that bloomed every night at 10:00. (I could tell because it triggered my allergies a bit, but it still smelled heavenly!) And the hummingbirds that would come visit the birds of paradise flowers right outside our patio door nine months out of the year. And only needing heat for a few short weeks in the winter, and not even *having* AC let alone needing it all but maybe 3-4 days a year….
And I can never, EVER forget the wonderful bottled water we had — Yosemite water, from a mineral spring somewhere in the mountains. That was the best water I have ever had, bar none! I still miss it, especially with the blah water here in FloriDUH. Ah well, at least we have nice flowers year-round here, too.
Amazing. Mother Nature is a comical woman with a sly sense of humor.
Yes she is.
Ah HAHA! Ducky flowers! oh wonderful. 🙂 So cute. Thanks for posting those!
I also just realized that the image I posted is awfully pixellated. Maybe I’ll try plan B… with NTMTOM’s help?
It looks OK on my screen, Tara.
Ok here , too, Tara.
I survived the first week of school, but now I am scrambling to do everything I should have done in the way of preparation this summer (including going through all the papers from last year and putting them where they belong so I can use them again this year). This “massive action” project has resulted in me walking over 5000 steps according to my fitness tracker (just in my apartment!) I put another 3000 on it running to the store for mushrooms so I can treat myself to one of my favorite recipes tonight. I’m not nearly ready for Monday yet, but if I can keep up the momentum, I will have things under control by the time my bf arrives for a 7-10 day visit next Friday. As Captain Picard would say (ref. Allein’s facepalm!) “Make it so!”
N Fritz, you’re logging steps by actually walking. My tracker counts each knit stitch as a step! Since I knit for 2-3 hours each evening while watching TV, that’s a lot of steps. Knitters like to say, “If knitting were exercise, you could bounce a quarter off my a#*.” I’m making it reality. (Except for actually firming up my tocks.)
I believe the expression is ROTFL????
Hahaha (or ROTFL as Murray C. The blue corn chip says)!!! I really try not to cheat on my steps… I know I can shake my wrist and make up steps that weren’t logged. But today for example the tracker only registered the return trip from the grocery store, and that as ‘elliptical trainer’… I guess wearing my wellies confused things!
Oh, don’t rub it in. Where’s my Christmas tree??? I decided I’m just “Blue Chip”, like stocks.?
How about these kinda blue chips?
Looks like the aftermath of Smurf Graduation.
Oh god. It does.
ROFL!
lol
Amen! At the rate I knit, I’d be challenging the world’s best athletes for the most compact body! Alas, it just relaxes my hands while quieting my brain. The last is a lovely side benefit of knitting. Once you get past the beginner phase, of course, where you absolutely Do. Not. Understand. how experienced knitters can *ever* call it “relaxing,” as you throw the yarn tangle against the wall….
Laura, that period was so long ago for me, I can’t even remember it anymore! And my craft became my job, so now I knit “professionally.” In fact, my very first published design just came out in Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts.
Ooo congratulations.
Congratulations! I tried to learn knitting but I never got past the beginner stage. Maybe someday.
Congratulations! I’ve never tried to design. What type of pattern did you create? I realize it’s probably not releasable in advance, but you can at least tell us what it is, can’t you?
I’ve been knitting for 35 years, actually, so I barely remember those earliest days myself. I loved it from the beginning, too. I used to enjoy colorwork, but I can’t do it any more — just a bit too much arthritis in my hands, the motions of dealing with multiple colors somehow aggravates it. I can knit and purl all day with one color, though, so these days I do either lace using very fine yarn or else nice warm socks. My husband wore nothing but handknit socks to work for the last few years before he retired; his coworkers were quite envious. But once you go handknit, you can’t go back, you know?
Beautiful weather this weekend so I fully intend to spend as much time as possible in the hammock in the back yard, finishing up the latest Stephen King Novel “End of Watch” – soooo good! Oh yes and I need to get my hike on at some point and do some painting. And tomorrow the Tolkien group I’m part of is having a (early – it’s actually September 22) birthday party for Bilbo and Frodo Baggins!
I want to see the cake!
I want to go! Send pix!
King is one of the best writers ever. Love his style.
Owie! Mike, that cat made me snort a gummy vitamin out my nose!
Cuties, it has been a crazy, up-and-down week here.
I’m enjoying class more than I expected, but I cannot cope with the stress, so I will not be going back to school after this term. Hubby is trying to encourage me to keep going, but I know my limits.
The lady whose love bird I frequently watch is going to advertise that Cricket is available for breeding, and I am to get one of the babies!
I’m going for surgery on November 7, to deal with scar tissue over growths on an old surgical site. Not sure how I feel about that. The location will look and feel more comfortable, but surgery…
Had a really bad start to my week, but hubby bought me Smarties, and just a few made me feel better! Wondering if I can claim them as a medical expense on taxes, as medication. Pharmacist says a little chocolate can enhance one of my prescriptions, so I should be able to claim it…
Hugs to all who are coping with sadness this weekend. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Oooh, Duckie, keep us posted on that. That’s to have that gummy vite removed, right?? Sorry to hear that the class is causing you stress – you sounded so excited about it.
A baby bird, how over the moon you must be – photos!
Ooo baby bird!
Sorry about school. But I get it. I still have college schedule bad dreams. I dream that I’m going to my classes for a few days. I look down at my schedule and am horrified to see that there is a class I forgot to attend. I freeze up. Should I start to attend the class and try to catch up or go to the bursar and drop the class. I feel so confused and stressed. I always wake up anxious.
I had a real live nightmare at school. I’m terrible at remembering names and at the beginning of the school year I was taking an art history class. One of the first questions the teacher asked was something like “Is there anyone here who doesn’t know who (artist’s name here) is?” I raised my hand and he said “You shouldn’t even be in this class.” So I never went back.
?!?! Did you find out who the artist was? Do you recall?
Oh, I remember – it was David. Once I saw his paintings of course I recognized who he was. I had no art in primary or secondary school to speak of and I’m a slow learner, so I had no context and I also have a terrible memory for anything but song lyrics. In later years I realized what an arrogant so&so the teacher was.
That was an awful thing for a teacher to do. I wouldn’t have gone back. The teacher could have turned that right around and said they were glad to have a student who was in class to learn something.
Faye, that’s what I came to realize and that the teacher’s response said more about him than anything else. He was a young buck, full of himself because he was an artist. We had an overabundance of teachers like that when I went to art school. But we had a few good ones, too, and from them I learned a lot and continued to over the years.
Seriously, what a jerk. It sounds like you pegged him pretty accurately.
Speaking of David, did anyone else read this article? I found it fascinating and equally head-shaking as it was posted about a week before the earthquake in central Italy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/21/magazine/davids-ankles-how-imperfections-could-bring-down-the-worlds-most-perfect-statue.html
I dislike instructors with that kind of attitude.
I took a woodworking class once, the instructor
pointed me to the bench saw, said, “There’s the switch”,
and walked away. No help whatsoever. I truly believe
he resented a woman being in his shop. I never went
back either. Sometimes the continuing ed/evening classes
are “taught” by losers. They can be such a crap shoot.
I’m a teacher at a continuing ed class and I try so hard to teach well. I’d never taught before – I’m teaching water color and the previous teacher asked me to be her successor. I’m not even a proper watercolorist, just an illustrator who uses water color as one of my media. It’s a challenge because people come with so many different levels of skills, expectations and ways of learning. But I love doing it, and have even had some success in improving the work of the few long timers.
I’m sure you are a very good instructor, Murray.
You radiate good sense, intelligence, and communication
skill in your posts here, and you have a great sense of
humour (see what I did there?). How could you not be
good?!?
The English spelling, wow!?
I like what you say about your class. While there’s no denying you’re enjoying it, it may prove to be too much to handle right now. Good for you for knowing your comforts and stress level. I have social anxiety at times and, while I love the loving encouragement and positivity from my spouse, sometimes I just have to acknowledge that what I’m doing is too much for me at that time. I’ve learned I can handle almost anything…I, personally, just need to take it in baby steps.
I recall a funny conversation I had when first dating my now husband (who’s American) about Smarties. What we Canucks call Smarties don’t really exist in the USA. And what we call Rockets, they call Smarties. It was all terribly confusing until we worked out that we were actually discussing two different candies entirely! I ended up having to buy a box of the Canadian Smarties to explain. Then, of course, we ate them. Yum! They should definitely be available by prescription. 🙂
I thought Canadian Smarties were like M&Ms…
I’ve been craving (American) Smarties lately…probably just as well that I haven’t actually been able to find them for some reason, other than the bulk candy at Wegmans and, well, I kinda have issues with those bulk bins.
Yep, Canadian Smarties are close to being M&Ms but ours definitely melt in your hands! So so messy on a warm day.
So I’m listening to more Why Factor episodes, and as I’m listening to the one on violent entertainment, my friend posts this video to my facebook page. I hope no one is disturbed by the viciousness, but I felt I had to share.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF4nbWTwmSA
way too cute. They remind me of the big-headed red queen in the recent version of Alice in Wonderland, their heads are almost too big for them to balance!
Those are squeaky toys, not actual puppies, right? Adorable.
Oh my gosh! I have caught a case of Chihuahua Brain from that video. Arrrrg, so want just one more tiny baby.
Faye: Feel free to post links to your art website as often as you’d like. The advice you got earlier about adding the URL to your profile was good, too.
Thank you Mike. You are so kind to all of us!
Ok: http://twochiwawa.wixsite.com/mysite
That is temporary until IllustratedPatient.com gets linked to Wix.
Hi, all. It sounds like people are dealing with life in all its incarnations, god, bad, and indifferent. It’s too long to list, but just know I’m thinking about you all.
I’m going to try to have a quiet weekend after an *insanely* busy week. Fingers crossed.
The most exciting thing that’s happened so far here today is that the doorbell rang early this morning as the hubs was cleaning the walls of the pool, wearing just his swim trunks and rather wet since he was actually in the pool to do it, and it was a Jehovah’s Witness lady. She took one look at his bare chest, shoved a pamphlet at him, and fled. 🙂 So now we’ve found a good way to deal with them quickly without being rude!
Hubs also takes Melody on a weekly visit to a state veterans retirement home, and a gentleman there who had been a dentist (although now in their memory unit) thought she was a lovely girl but her teeth needed to be brushed. So he took both pups to PetsMart and got toothbrushes for both of them this morning. 🙂 Greyhounds do have a lot of issues with their teeth, so it’s a good idea, but it’ll be interesting to see how they both deal with it! They should both be okay, but YNK.
And now I’m going to go back to my audiobook. Enjoy the weekend, everybody!
My kitty-cat face masks arrived today! I recently discovered the joys of Korean-style face masks, which are a little offputting at first from the cold wetness. Now I’ve got them with CAT FACES.
So this turns you into a human-cat hybrid? And improves your complexion? What will they think of next.
Thanks everyone for the good thoughts and hugs for my mom. Sending right back to everyone else who is having a challenging Saturday. My brother called and let me know that the drs are running tests to figure out what’s going on. He says her speech is slurred so possibly a stroke? It is definitely hard to see your parent(s) getting frail and I’m a 2 hour plane ride away. Good thing my brother is only about 45 minutes away so he’ll go up to see her tonight. Time to start working on the scarf, maybe that will keep my mind occupied instead of thinking too much about what’s going on with her.
AJ I’m so sorry your Mother is ill. I took care of my Mother for 7 years alone and then tried my best while she was in a nursing home for two years.
I’m glad your brother lives close to her and is willing to step up. Sending good thought to all of you.
I rarely post, but I had to say I’m sending prayers, positive thoughts, purry kittens, & snuggly puppies to everyone dealing with aging parent(s) stuff!!! I’m there too (mom with Alzheimers & me the only relative except for far away sibling who’s not really involved. Fun times.). I was sooo glad when this website started- the pics, captions, & wonderful comments give me smiles every day. 🙂 ((hugs to everyone))
Tough. Glad we can help in a small way.
Oh, my heavens, JLAMUSINGS, that is too much for one person to deal with! Please join us whenever you need to blow off steam. I’m sure you don’t have a lot of extra time on your hands, but you know we’re here. Hugs back to you.
Thanks, Faye & Murray! 🙂
Tara asked me to snare a higher-resolution version of the beautiful flower photo she shared earlier, so here’s that:
Lovely. New for me.
Did dishes, then played a game of Super Mario, while listening to episodes of The Infinite Monkey Cage. I should probably find something resembling dinner…
Off to lie in bed listening to the Phillies game.
So relaxing, even these days, when they are
so-o-o-o frustrating for a fan.
Hi Cuties! Last night I went on a wonderful full moon hike (though sadly no werewolves), and today I went to a fiber arts fair with my sister. My sister is the knitter (my crafts of choice are coloring in coloring books and making jewelry), but there were several adorable (and soft!!) wool producing animals for me to pet. The angora rabbits and alpaca were my favs. I’m currently deciding whether I should get another cat or branch out to some other kind of pet. I was thinking maybe a small dog, but now a fluffy bunny is definitely in the running! I always felt bad every time I had to leave my Dr.Acula home alone for weekend trips and such, so it would be nice to have a more portable pet.
Please do your research before getting a bunny – they’re considered exotics, believe it or not. The House Rabbit Society is a fabulous source for all things bunny! They are wonderful pets but not all of them like to be held or cuddled, they can stress easily, so not all of them like to be taken places, tho’ I did hear of a woman who took her rabbit everywhere with her, even in her plane! Good luck on what will be an exciting journey.
How about a moose?
Wait, is this a thing?! Trained moose?!
In my googling of this, I found: http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kostroma-moose-farm!
What a wonderful place.Hopefully one day the dream of moose service animals will come to be!
Well, good night, everyone.
ooooooo, how sweet.
Mornin’ peeps!
Here’s your Sunday morning whack-a-doodle!
Love that little sad eyebrow – very disarming.
And once she’s disarmed you… whammo! 🙂
😀 Plus she is getting all peeper in the bathroom.
She jumped up there once while I was taking a shower and then slipped into the tub getting her tail all wet. Needless to say she waits until I’m done now… 😉
She’s adorable!!!! I love whackadoodle kittehs! Mine all have their moments, but my ginger one is still super crazy even at…what is he? 6 now?
She’s 4 months now and showing no signs of slowing down the crazy!
Even more whack-a-doodle… Lily plays with her new toy! (Yes, she’s spoiled, why do you ask??)
Oh my. That is a wonderful toy! Your girl was having a blast. And her nose is all better.
Too cute and disarming. How do you go out of the house?
It’s difficult when she’s being ultra-cute! But something of a relief when she’s driving me to distraction… Either way, I have to watch out when I come back in, she’s always waiting and ready to pounce!
I’m celebrating the return of binocular vision. Every now and then my persistant double vision is treated with botox injections, and usually this has the effect of making things much worse before they get better. Unfortunately the latest episode happened a few days after I moved house, at a time when I urgently needed to be getting on with decorating and doing minor repairs. After a hair-raising experience involving me, a ladder, a pot of paint and the utility room roof I was forced to admit defeat and wait until I could focus well enough not to risk killing myself in a freak decorating accident. Happily my eyesight is back to normal so I’ll be spending the next couple of weeks covered in paint and wallpaper paste!
Glad you weren’t seriously hurt! Ladders are dangerous, I don’t have good depth perception and have to be extra careful.
Back from the concert of Arab music at the Michener Museum and a post-concert
ice cream. The musicians were phenomenal. It was difficult to stay in my seat
with some of the more rhythmic pieces. I wanted to get up and dance. MyMike
would have died with embarrassment if I had, so I exercised great restraint.
The musicians were/are Palestinian and Syrian and just plain excellent. The
drummer is a percussionist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, so he is no slouch.