This man is a great example of what I’m not, dedicated. Even though I opted not to walk the dog yet again due to the oppressive heat, this ol’ guy toughed it out and actually went for a run. I snapped this while standing out in front of my house, looking for images that were ‘photo worthy’. I also took photos of the flowers in my new/upcycled planter box as well as some of the miniature rose bush and my husband’s flower sculpture in the front garden. However, the image of this guy running when it was 95 degrees outside was the one I found the most intriguing. I wish I was as dedicated as him!
July 10, 2021 – In a funk.
I’ll be honest, I don’t feel much like writing today. If I had my druthers, I’d rather post a picture. But I cannot do that because when I initially started this blog, I made a promise to write every day for a year, a promise I’ve already managed to break. I then made a modified promise (to write every other day and post a photo or original artwork in between for the remainder of the year) and I refuse to go back on my modified promise because it may result in me throwing in the towel altogether. I know my tendencies and when I break a pattern, it’s usually irrevocably broken (unless it involves binge-eating). And when I think about it, most of the time I only break good or healthy patterns permanently. When I break bad or unhealthy patterns, it only seems to be a temporary measure. They never seem too difficult to resurrect. For instance, since my transplant, I had been walking my dog every other day. However, when the last heatwave decided to stick around for a little over a week and kill off the grass and half the plants in our yard, I completely stopped walking her.
Continue reading “July 10, 2021 – In a funk.”July 9, 2021 – Photo
I came up with this composition during our ‘study of glass’ segment in photography class many moons ago. The three glasses were my paternal grandmother’s (the one who I had to ambush in order to visit). I have a few other things that belonged to her (an old vase and a very old set of china), but I’ve always appreciated these more…perhaps because I love colored glass.
July 8, 2021 – Everything happens for a reason.
It is funny what people say in an attempt to provide comfort or reassurance. There are certain ‘favorites’ that I’ve heard more than a time or two, “I’ll pray for you”, “This too shall pass,” “It’ll all work out in the end,” “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and then there’s my all-time favorite, “Everything happens for a reason.” And when I use the descriptive word ‘favorite’, I’m being sarcastic (just to be clear). Apparently, we can thank Marilyn Monroe for coming up with that little gem. My mother used to (and still does on occasion) reference that saying on a regular basis. It made/makes me want to scream! I was just reminded of it this afternoon when my former boss wrote it in a text. Ack! He asked me whether there were any offers on the house and I wrote back, “No. Nothing. Very discouraging.” In an attempt to reassure me, along with a few other words of wisdom, he referenced Marilyn Monroe’s famous quote. I know he meant well but all it does is get me fired up.
Continue reading “July 8, 2021 – Everything happens for a reason.”July 7, 2021 – Photo
I decided to share another photo from ‘the vault’ because even though I need to take some new pictures, it’s much too hot outside! I know I can take photos inside but I cannot think of anything inside that interests me enough to unearth my camera at the moment. I took this photo several years ago while visiting the Tetons. While my husband and youngest son and I were driving along some back roads, we came into rather close contact with a majestic antelope. I had never had an opportunity to come within such close proximity before. Previously, I’d only seen herds of antelope far off in the distance.
July 6, 2021 – Keeping up Appearances
An old British TV show came to mind today when I was sprucing up the front yard. My realtor requested ‘more color’, so my husband built a planter box from some old scrap cedar and rebar, and I filled it with a bunch of clearance plants that I purchased at Lowe’s (see photo). The purpose of the planter box was not only to add color, it was also intended to disguise the busted brick enclosure that was built around the gas meter. The planter box and flowers actually look really good and I don’t know why we’ve only just thought to do it because it really has improved the appearance of the front walkway area. Of course, so has everything else we’ve done to ‘enhance’ our home in order to make it more marketable. After I get done writing tonight, I intend to complete another project I started yesterday with the desired effect of adding even more color and interest to the front of our home.
Continue reading “July 6, 2021 – Keeping up Appearances”July 5, 2021 – Photo
For the first time ever, I tried to take a semi-professional shot of the Fourth of July fireworks show and it appears I failed miserably. On top of not bringing a tripod or the correct lens, I was clueless on which settings on my camera to use. After a quick tutorial in my car (while waiting for the show to start), I figured out that I needed to set my camera to ‘M’, ISO 200, f/11. I couldn’t tell you what any of it means other than ‘M’ stands for ‘Manual’. I probably should get out the actual manual and read it in order to figure out how to properly operate my Nikon. If I did know how to operate my camera the correct way, I would have been able to show you the beautiful buck (male deer) that was standing mere feet away while I was waiting for the fireworks show to start.
July 4, 2021 – Uncertainty
What an unusual week it’s been! Between the historic heatwave in the Northwest, the tragic condo collapse in Miami, the fire in the Gulf of Mexico, and numerous other newsworthy events, I am beginning to wonder if a state of ‘normal’ will ever return. Where we live, I’ve never experienced ongoing hot weather like I’m experiencing now and forecasters are saying this might be an indicator of things to come. That’s not very reassuring. I have a friend who is convinced that the ‘end of times’ is upon us. I cannot say one way or the other. I have very little certainty about anything in my life right now. Whether I work again and where? No idea. Whether our house sells and we move? No clue. Whether I’ll die next week or twenty years from now? You got me. But I imagine most people must feel this way. The pandemic seems to have permanently changed people’s expectations. Personally, I have very few (expectations). I have dreams and desires, but expectations? It seems like developing those only leads to disappointment.
Continue reading “July 4, 2021 – Uncertainty”July 3, 2021 – Photo
I felt compelled to feature this photo today because it makes me smile…and I could use a laugh right about now. As much as my dog drives me nuts, I cannot help but love her. She provides constant entertainment without actually trying. I know I continually complain about the excessive hair and snot and poop that she ‘distributes’ inside and outside of our home, but I cannot imagine my life without this little goofball in it.
July 2, 2021 – Wishy washy.
Our realtor is going to kill us! My husband and I have been going back-and-forth about whether or not to sell our house. Yesterday, he told me to pull the listing. “Why don’t we give it a month and then if it doesn’t sell, we can pull it,” I suggested, “It’s only been six days.” Yes, six days that feels like six months! Oh my goodness, being in this ‘limbo’ really sucks. Each day, we wait around for a call from our realtor, reaching out to ask if we can step out for a few minutes for yet another showing. When she does, we go into full-on ‘recall’ mode. But it’s not like we’ve had a ton of requests for showings. In fact, we’ve only had 4 in six days (and two were with the same people). Our house just isn’t generating the ‘buzz’ we anticipated. We expected a line of people out the door, anxiously waiting for their chance to look at our home and later putting in a padded offer (to beat out all the rest). Ha! No, we’ve had 3 sets of people that came through and put in a total of zero offers. Most sellers would take this as a sign that their home was overpriced and that lowering it would be a good idea. Not us!
Continue reading “July 2, 2021 – Wishy washy.”
