Happy Caturday! Here’s a perfect early morning photo from reader Jessica S., whose cat and tortoise settled down to share a sunbeam.
Weekend Open Thread
48 thoughts on “Weekend Open Thread”
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Happy Caturday! Here’s a perfect early morning photo from reader Jessica S., whose cat and tortoise settled down to share a sunbeam.
Comments are closed.
Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!
This week I started walking in earnest, I started with 3 km a day and finished the week with a 5 km walk! I am determined to loses eight and get in shape, as an incentive my husband and I are talking about a trip to Paris next year!
On Sunday we are going to an Armenian wedding, she’s coworker of my husband. I admit I don’t know much about Armenian customs, all I know is what she told my husband.
– The wedding is at 4pm and the reception starts at 7pm.
– One of the custom is that they throw the bride up in the air (?!?!)
– They start serving food as soon as you sit down but the “main dish” is at 10pm and they serve desert at midnight!
So, other than the fact that it will probably undo all the good I did by walking this week, it should be an interesting evening!
Good for you, GiGi, you’re doing great!
Happy Saturday, folks.
Okay, not totally happy, as today would be my cousin’s 56th birthday. He passed away unexpectedly in May.
But the weather isn’t terrible (yet), and it’s a long weekend, so there’s that. I got out of work at 1:00 yesterday (last week of Summer Friday hours 🙁 ) and went to the park and read for a little bit, met a sweet and very soft beagle mix named Abby, and then went to the bookstore where unfortunately I did not find what I was looking for. Then I went home and took a nap.
Good luck, Gigi! I have a book from the library called Walk Your Butt Off by Runner’s World magazine. They also have one called Run Your Butt Off but I have accepted that running is a little much for me at the moment. My plan for the weekend is to finish reading it and I started walking around my complex for about half an hour after Jeopardy a couple weeks ago. Hasn’t made a difference yet but it’s a start.
I’m also reading Millennium by Ian Mortimer which someone here mentioned a few weeks ago, and last week I finished Year of Wonders which I really liked. (I also just went to renew Millennium on the library’s web site and noticed Year of Wonders is still listed on my account. I dropped it in the outside book return slot last Sunday, when they were closed, so I need to see what’s up with that. But I just renewed it for now so I dont get charged.)
Ah, yes, Allein, I remember when you told us about his passing. That first year with all the benchmarks is especially difficult.
And I agree, walking is really best in the long run (no pun intended) – I walk on an elliptical machine before I give my water class and it’s been great – not so much for weight, but for stability and general fitness/endurance. I water walk, too, partly because I’m so happy to be in the water.
The day before my ear infection hit me I did some running on the treadmill. After that I didn’t trust my balance on a moving belt so I started walking outside instead. I can walk for a while with no problem, so I decided it’s better to build a habit that way rather than trying to run and getting burned out quickly, which has been my pattern in the past. I’ll go back to the gym when the weather gets bad (it’s already getting too dark by 7:30). I also need to work on my eating habits…I’ve started by not buying ice cream to keep in the house in about a month.
The not-terrible weather has passed and now it is raining. But that’s okay. I like listening to the rain.
Also, here’s my funny for the weekend.
Why is there a piece of blueberry pie in the lower right corner?
Looks like it! Strange – perhaps some sort of signature like Nina!
Yes – the artist also often includes an eyeball (in this case, behind the sled driver’s right foot), a flying saucer, a bird, and/or a stick of dynamite in his cartoons.
Yes, there are a bunch of others, too. Wikipedia has a list and what they mean. If you look above his name in the signature, there is a number (2, in this case) that indicates how many hidden items there are.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarro_(comic_strip)#Hidden_symbols
an eyeball (the Eyeball of Observation),
a piece of pie (the Pie of Opportunity),
a rabbit (the Bunny of Exuberance),
an alien in a spaceship (the Flying Saucer of Possibility),
the abbreviation “K2” (referring to his children Krelspeth and Krapuzar),
a crown (the Crown of Power),
a stick of dynamite (the Dynamite of Unintended Consequences),
a shoe (the Lost Loafer),
an arrow (The Arrow of Vulnerability),
a fish tail (The Fish of Humility)
an upside down bird (the Inverted Bird)
Olive Oyl, or the abbreviation “O2” (the Mighty Oyl) (first occurrences in May 2017)
Krelspeth and Krapuzar? Cruel, just cruel. Even worse than Moon Unit and Dweezil.
I know, right? And I thought my name was bad when I was little.
They’re both girls, by the way.
http://bizarrocomic.blogspot.com/2008/05/name-your-poison.html
Not much here today. I have a younger sister with Down syndrome & we had a late night last night – TCM was showing three of her favorite movies (The Incredible Mr. Limpet, and two Frankie and Annette movies) back-to-back-to-back so it was a long evening for her. Cloudy & rainy here so I’m just letting her catch up on
her sleep as kitty and I share our Law & Order
reruns typical Saturday morning. Probably mostly puttering/tidying around the house
today. Rest of weekend to have much nicer weather so likely out and about then. Thoughts, ??, & ♥️ to Texas…..
Good morning, all! I took yesterday off so I could enjoy a 4-day weekend and meant to run errands yesterday to avoid the weekend crowds. That didn’t work out–I spent much of the day playing with yarn instead, while returning to Hogwarts with Chamber of Secrets audiobook. So today come the errands.
Unfortunately, the thing I most want to buy isn’t available in the nearby shops. Last weekend, I got hooked on The Expanse. And I mean hooked–while in the middle of Season 1, I couldn’t wait to finish the second season too, so I could go back and watch the whole thing again.
Between my spinning wheel and my less-than-stellar Internet service, I couldn’t fully enjoy the incredible visuals. Nobody has the blu-ray in stock so I can start rewatching tonight. Waaaahhhh. Ah, well. Started the first (very long) book in the (very long) series, so that should tide me over until Amazon can deliver. Plus I can play my favorite game of “how does the show differ from the book.”
Happy Labor Day week end everyone in the US – and to everyone else who’s a laborer! I’ve had the week off from the Y (which isn’t a big deal since it’s only 2 mornings a week) but it’s allowed me to get so much done! I’ve moved a bunch of stuff around in the garden – including one clump of a pampas type grass that took over an hour to dig out – had to use a mattock and fork and a hand tool. ALMOST defeated me! I think I’ll wait ’til tomorrow to get back outside. I’ve been digging up things to pot up and put on the sidewalk – freebies for passersby since I haven’t anyplace to put them.
Cleaning is on the schedule today – we had a shedding bunny stay for a week and our buns are shedding, too. Trying to get down to doing some painting – have a few designs for frames (gifts) almost ready – one ready to paint, the first color is mixed, dying to get to it.
I’m learning a few songs for various events I’ll be participating in soon – that’s always fun. Haven’t done much in the way of music over the summer. Monday is a music party I’m really looking forward to.
I always love the fall because I get inspired to get stuff done – I guess the cooler weather brings it on! It’s almost too cool today – drizzly – not unpleasant, just not conducive to outdoor pursuits. Have a great day, everybody.
Forgot to mention the beautiful kitty and tortoise! Wonderful picture and very sweet.
Today, I am calm.
Murray, I, too, love fall. The colours, the crisp air, the fresh fruits all pouring into the stores… My year has always begun in the fall. Must be a holdover from childhood school schedules.
I’m still working with the gift boxes I started last week. The frames are all made now, and I’ve started measuring for the covering fabric. I went through my crafting supplies last night, and found a whole bunch of ornamental things to use. Lace, ribbons, beads, etc. I’m taking pictures, and when one box is complete I’ll ask Mike to post the series.
Other fall projects are coming along nicely. I’m making a baby blanket for a soon-to-be young mom, and I have several others going to sell at our church’s fall craft fair. I’ve been looking into beeswax crafts, and I’m going to try one idea: gather a few colourful fall leaves, and dip them in melted beeswax. The wax will preserve the colours, and it will smell heavenly. I’m also going to try making my own beeswax hand lotion.
Hubby is in the process of gathering blackberries, and he and my dad are going to experiment with blackberry wine this fall.
None of the more negative things in my life have gone away. Money is still tight. Hubby’s work contract ends October 31. Grampa is still in the hospital, and it has been suggested by an aunt that we grandchildren might want to consider saying goodbye this coming week. I’m okay with that, and while I will be sad to see him go, I don’t think I’ll be devastated. He’s had a long life, and he misses Gramma terribly.
But in spite of all this, as I said at the beginning, I am calm. I seem to have found a pocket of peace, and I am making the most of it. I’m trying to lose twenty pounds by Christmas. I’ve pulled out my MP3 player and am walking more, and that will probably increase once the heat of next week is finished. I’ve taken some fruit seeds and am going to try to grow trees from them, and I don’t care if they don’t fruit. I’m going through my fabric hoard and actually using it (I have several ideas for it).
Enjoy the long weekend, everyone, and I hope and pray that you find your own pockets of peace, and can make the most of it.
Duckie – I’m so glad to hear you are feeling calm. It warms my heart, I hope that pocket of peace (I love that) stays with you for a while. xo Please let us know how the bees wax hand lotion goes, I’m super interested in all bee things at the moment. Enjoy your crafting day!
Aw, Duckie, that is such a lovely little essay. I’m happy you’re finding ways to keep your chin up (or, as the English say, whether male or female – “keep your pecker up”?)
I was thinking about your gift for words and poetry and wondered if there might be some way that you could combine your poetry with your craft. People love cards and other items with short phrases. Did you ever think about sewing onto cards? They could be very popular. I know how hard it is to latch on to ideas others give you – your ideas have to come from within – but if something helps you come up with a way to implement something, hey, why not try. It does seem you have lots on your plate, so it’s not for want of ideas on your part, but knowing your verbal gifts I thought it’d be a pity not to use them!
The reference in “Keep your pecker up” is to the nose or mouth. A bird’s beak (the pecker) is both, of course. So the expression is really just a variant of “Keep your chin up.”
Oh, darn.?
Murray, hubby and I have been discussing me getting an embroidery sewing machine for just that reason. So much fun I could have!
?
Good Morning all and Happy Labor Day weekend. Sending positive thoughts to all in Houston as I think Labor Day will have a different meaning down there. Where has everyone been donating? Aside from the fabulous pet shelter posted earlier this week? That is one item on my now two-page list of things to do today.
Ah, my list. It is a long one this weekend. I’m trying to balance fun things with “must do” things. I have several “must do” emails to write, and then I can take a mini road trip up to Landsdale to a favorite store I just discovered is now in Pennsylvania! World Market (used to be Cost Plus in CA). Love that store. I’ve drained the honey from the frames which yielded about 6lbs, (about 8 – 10 cups), and I want some pretty jars to put it in for gifts. World Market should have something like that. Plus my upstairs tenants are getting married this weekend so I can leave them a nice little something for when they get back. I’m watching their great big white and grey kitty. He’s a handful but sweet. I will also be able to do some loud power cleaning while their gone! The stairs need it.
Other work things include lesson planning, some official emails to administration, and some other random paperwork. Fun things include melting the beeswax, and learning how to use the propolis. Propolis is bee glue. They use it for all kinds of things that we aren’t 100% sure about. We used to think it was to plug cracks and insulate the hive, but now people think it is to stabilize the hive and keep it from vibrating too much. This would make sense because I found gobs of it between the topmost boxes and not so much at the lower boxes. It is incredibly sticky, almost like sap or tree resin. Apparently it has a lot of health benefits. I wound up with a big ball of it and I think I need to dissolve it in alcohol to be used in tinctures and salves and stuff. I have a salve from ages ago with some propolis in it and it does wonders! So I’m excited about this new project. Oh, and I’m slowly planning all the holiday knitting I need to do. First up is a beautiful pair of cable knit socks for a friend who moved to Buffalo. She needs those good wool socks to keep warm.
Wishing you all a pleasant and relaxing weekend with whatever you are doing.
xotara
Tara! You are a marvel. So interesting about the Propolis.
We gave to Red Cross ( then I learned there were some issues with how they distribute funds but I have a feeling they have their feet to the fire so will do better) also the Humane Society and there was one other animal one that I can’t remember – maybe through Animal Rescue site.
Where do you teach – and what? I’m guessing art of some kind? IS there another handmade book event at the library anytime soon?
My year has always begun in the fall.
I often feel that way, too. Largely because my birthday is in the fall, I think (October 1), so my life began in the fall. It’s my favorite season. Also my time off balance at work resets on October 1, so in a way I look at my year in terms of that.
am walking more
Cutetropolis Walking Club, anyone?
I’m glad you are feeling calm, Duckie. Sometimes I don’t realize how stressed out I get until I get a bit of calm and remember what that feels like. I had a little bit of that at the park yesterday. I didn’t get a lot of reading done but it was nice to just sit in the cool air and not have anything to worry about.
One of the rare weekends when we’re not out of town, so I’m trying to get some things done around the house. I’ve already fed the deer that show up at our house from time to time, and later this morning I’m cleaning up a car we’re planning to sell, and this afternoon I’m going to a local farm and buying a boatload of corn and green beans to freeze. Tomorrow we’re going to an end-of-summer party put on by one of the doctors I work with, and she lives on a lake so it should be a lot of fun.
Hubby and I were both in bed but awake when we heard a loud banging sound at 1 a.m. (almost sounded like someone banging on a pipe, or a metal tank, or something). We spent almost two hours looking through the house and yard to figure out what it was, with no luck. Then another half hour before I was able to get to sleep. I’m just glad it’s Saturday so I can take a nap later if I need to. Zzzzzz….
Happy first September Caturday, everyone! It’s a lovely warm day in Winnipeg, but there’s still that underlying edge to the breeze that reminds one that Fall Is Here. Of course it’s Labour Day weekend, which usually means either going to the lake or watching Sunday’s football game (Go Blue!) But not me – I’m gearing up for a solid week of rehearsal before my dance company opens its season next Saturday! (If you’re in Winnipeg on Sept 9, come watch ‘Sunset Moonrise’ at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre – it’s really good!)
The best part of rehearsals for barefoot classical Indian dance is coming home and placing sore feet against a floofy, warm, purring kitty! Dmitri Purrskavich, you’re better than ibuprofen…
Well, that sounds pretty impressive, Sowmya! I’m not sure this is the best wish, however theatrical, for a dance company, but “Break a Leg”!
Thanks, Murray C!
No breaky legs for dancers. 😉
It is merde. An indelicate French word for shi*.
I thought the story behind it was really interesting. The way I heard it, long ago animals shared the stage in many performances. They would “leave gifts” on the stage. Audience members would yell merde to warn the dancers to watch their step. As wishing performers good luck is bad luck hence break a leg, a dancer is wished merde.
So merde to you SOWMYA for what sounds like something I would enjoy, however I am no where near Winnipeg.
So far everyone’s weekends sound calm and productive. Yay for Cutetropolians!
For some reason, today’s kitty and tortoise friendship and sharing of the sunbeam warmed my heart. Something about being in a sunbeam is such a good feeling on many levels.
I love that story, HaHa! Now wouldn’t you think they’d sweep the stage before the dancers came on. I mean, it’s be easier to clean up then rather than have it stomped on. (I have a strong practical streak)
One of my cats had a similar name – the Grand Duchess Minky Minketskaya, last of the Romanovs, known to her intimates as Minkette.
I am heartened that so many of you who are going through tough times are keeping your peckers up. Sign me up for the Cutetropolis Walking Club, too—I got a Fitbit a couple of days ago, and it’s my new favorite gadget. This past week has been very tough with family business I don’t care to go into further. I do know that many of you are dealing or have dealt with aging relatives, so you can fill in the blanks pretty well yourselves. But it meant a lot of walking, so in the silver lining department, my new toy and I have gotten quite the workout.
My choices for Harvey contributions were: Portlight Strategies, SPCA of Texas, and Texas Diaper Bank. Other good choices, vetted by Charity Navigator, are Houston SPCA, Houston Humane Society, Houston Food Bank, Food Bank of Corpus Christi, and San Antonio Humane Society.
Personally I do not care much for the Red Cross, which has a history of (at best) mismanagement of resources and insensitivity; and, for still more deeply rooted philosophical and political reasons, I cannot support the Salvation Army under any circumstances. I won’t go into detail here because this is not a forum for political debate, but a place to get away from it! Also, others here may have reason to be grateful to one or both of these organizations. But the places I’ve listed above are currently seen to be reliable and helpful.
Walking club sounds great! Not that I can walk very well as yet, but get around the house pretty well with just a cane, with a walker for other locals where there are obstacles and people who might bump me off balance. Pain management has been interesting to say the least, I’m trying to find a good balance between not-too-much-pain and being so sick that I can’t eat. :/
Lily is being very helpful however! Here she is assisting me with my exercises 🙂
Oh, Jan, I’m sorry about your feeling sick – I’m assuming from the meds? That’s tough. I remember my first day after surgery _ which was a YEAR ago on Sept. 1!!!! – I had to take a bunch of stuff and I felt crappy all day. I didn’t fill my prescription – don’t remember what it was – Percocet or some such thing – and just took Celebrex as needed. I didn’t even take it before PT – I’d forget. And, frankly, it didn’t feel like it did much when I remembered. I just kept saying to myself – it’s only pain! I hope you have some help? Wish we could be there to help out – good thing you have Lily. Too bad she doesn’t have opposable thumbs.
Yes, it’s the pain meds that make me sick. I awoke from surgery alert and not sick at all and in little or no pain. The pain kicked in later! And it’s enough pain that I don’t forget to take them either. Especially before PT and sometimes after as well, they work it hard! (Although I have found that a strawberry milkshake from a place on my way home works almost as well…) 🙂
My mom is staying with me to help out, Lily is going to miss her! Another person to fuss over her and play with her and give her treats!
Here she is the night before surgery, utterly unconcerned about my prospects:
I know how hard they work you in PT – it takes a certain kind of person to be able to look beyond the pain they’re inflicting and see the outcome – I think they’re called sadists.?
And that Lily – she’s a little vixen.
Oh my goodness. Snow white beckoning belly!
It’s a trap!
🙂
Everybody’s lives sound either hopeful, peaceful, or downright content. These are great places for us to be in. When things have been tough for some of you, you’ve found ways to self-medicate with kitties, puppies, and art–much better than other medications!
I walked a bit last weekend but yoga has become a bigger part of my routine. Just some workout DVDs I’ve had a for a few years, not real classes. The feeling of calm at the end of a 50-min. session can’t be beat.
Stay strong, all.
I just came across this phrase, in the context of criticizing/judging the various things people do for fun, but it seemed like it fits in around here:
“Don’t harsh my squee.”
🙂
+1
Love it!
Ha! I will remember that one for future use!
That’s kinda mesmerizing…
That has me really belly laughing! I love it.
I love it! I’ve been trying to recall whether ‘squee’ is widespread or specific to the CO/Cutetropolis community, and that answers the question.
I’m pretty sure I first encountered it at CO but I’ve seen it elsewhere.
According to https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/squee it’s fairly old:
Origin
Mid 19th century (representing a high-pitched sound made by an animal or musical instrument): imitative. Compare squeal and squeak.