It sold….yippee!!!! What a glorious day it has been! The sale of the boat couldn’t have gone any smoother and we got exactly what we wanted. My husband has mixed feelings about the whole thing but I’m so happy it’s gone. The guy that bought it is an avid fisherman and is so pleased! It’s nice to know that the boat is going to a ‘good home’.
April 21, 2021 – Boating Adventures
Life is full of surprises. My husband and I bought our first boat in 2015. Boy, did we get fleeced! It’s not the first time we’ve been taken advantage of because we didn’t do our homework and were totally unprepared. With most purchases, especially the ‘big ones’, I research the hell out of them before I make a move. Of course, this hasn’t always been the case. I cannot tell you how many cars and motorcycles and houses we have purchased (at full value) and then realized (after the adrenaline rush) that we got snookered! It has happened so many times that I have lost count. The most recent time, 6 years ago, was the last time it happened (unless you count the Harley). You’d think we’d know better by now but I have a suspicion we’re going to get reeled in again (at some point). Anyway, let’s hope not. Aren’t we supposed to ‘grow wiser’ as we grow older?
Continue reading “April 21, 2021 – Boating Adventures”April 20, 2021 – Photo
I took this photo while spending an afternoon at the beach in Italy (if I remember correctly). The gal walking in the sand is one of several vendors that passed by numerous times. It seemed like someone would appear about every 15-30 minutes in an attempt to sell their wares. I don’t think they were too happy with me because I never bought anything. What can I say? I have too many tchotchkes as it is!
P.S. Happy ‘420’ Day!
April 19, 2021 – Hawaiian Adventures
I consider myself very fortunate. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to many places over my lifetime. When I was a kid, I’d heard about Hawaii and yearned to go there someday. I grew up in a location where if you had to place a bet on the weather, if you bet on ‘rain’, you’d usually come out victorious. It rained so much, I’m surprised I didn’t end up with webbed feet. Personally, I’m more a fan of the sun and the warmth it brings. When temperatures range between 70 and 85 degrees, that’s what I consider ‘ideal’. My oldest son enlisted in the military when he was 19 and when he did, I asked what he would like to do and where he’d like to go before he left for bootcamp. He wanted to surf where there were decent waves and it was warm. There weren’t too many places that fit into that category in January in the continental United States; however, there was one place that came to mind that required a rather long flight but fit all of the criteria…Hawaii.
Continue reading “April 19, 2021 – Hawaiian Adventures”April 18, 2021 – Photo
If you ever get an opportunity to visit Yellowstone, don’t hesitate! However, if you choose to go and happen upon a bison (or several), do me a favor and stay in your vehicle. Do not get out of your vehicle and try to pose for a selfie (with the bison). If you do and wind up getting gored (or worse), don’t say I didn’t warn you. This photo was taken in Grand Teton National Park (another beautiful area), about 31 miles from Yellowstone.
April 17, 2021 – Houseguest Etiquette
‘Pack it in, pack it out’ is a term that many people who hike and/or camp are familiar with. In essence, it applies to outdoor spaces and the condition you and I should leave them in when we actually ‘leave’. I interpret it to mean that whatever I bring with me in order to enjoy a couple of nights in the woods should accompany me as I head back home or wherever I choose to go next. The paper and plastic and assortment of items I use while enjoying my outing is my responsibility to properly dispose of and not leave behind for Smoky the Bear and the vast array of woodland creatures that call the woods their ‘home’ to paw through when I tire of being ‘one with nature’ and retreat to my nice heated house with my reliable internet, comfy bed, microwave oven, hot shower, flushable (indoor) toilet, and television with countless shows to binge-watch.
Continue reading “April 17, 2021 – Houseguest Etiquette”April 16, 2021 – Photo
I took this photo of a balsam root flower growing in a nearby field. It reminds me of the warm, sunny days that are yet to come.
April 15, 2021 – Painter’s Cramp
A few days ago, I intended to dedicate several hours towards painting my ‘Dancing Buskers’. After much deliberation, I thought changing the manner in which I was painting might help give me better insight on how to proceed. I know. It was a long shot but I was desperate and figured, “Why not?” The way I had been painting wasn’t working. I had been laying the canvas flat on my art table and applying paint from directly overhead. “Perhaps if I set it up on an easel, it may help me better focus on what I need to do next and get a jump on it,” I thought to myself. Sometimes I have to change things up to get over speed bumps from time to time. My art easel had been stored away in the guest room closet. It was standing upright, directly behind several frames, and just to the left of some shelving. As I worked at lifting it up and towards me (in order to clear the frames), it caught the edge of two metal watercolor palettes that were resting on top of the shelving. No big deal, right?
Continue reading “April 15, 2021 – Painter’s Cramp”April 14, 2021 – Photo
This photo was taken in 2012, when my husband and I went to Europe to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Ireland was one of the places on our itinerary and we couldn’t go all that way without stopping by Blarney. While there, we made a point to visit Blarney Castle as well as Blarney House (pictured). It was built in 1874 and has been restored to its former glory. If you’ve never been to Ireland before, I highly recommend placing it on your ‘bucket list’!
April 13, 2021 – Things that make you go ‘hmmm’.
As much as I enjoyed dancing to C+C Music Factory back in the day, this post is completely unrelated to their hit song. It’s also not about my brother Turtle and how he turned my Hawaiian family vacation (with my husband and children) on its head. I had every intent on writing about it because it’s a crack-up (although it certainly wasn’t at the time); however, between the last time I wrote and today, I had something else happen that I cannot help but share with each of you. It’s so perplexing that I haven’t been able to make heads or tails of it since I became aware of it, neither can my husband. The whole thing is so bizarre and makes no sense whatsoever and I cannot help but admit that I’m rattled over it. What is so ironic is that I just recently blogged about ‘spammers’ (annoying people trying to sell you stuff) and ‘phishers’ (people trying to steal your money by using underhanded tactics to access your accounts).
Continue reading “April 13, 2021 – Things that make you go ‘hmmm’.”
