Zibaldone | 3.26.22 …

Sunset at 7:34 pm EDT

I found a new app today; it’s called Twos and its function is to simply help someone remember things … a tall order considering the flow and quantity of “things” one encounters on any given day – a lot to remember and a lot more to forget, either deliberately or due to cognitive overload. The creator, Parker Klein, wrote an article (published in Medium) that caught my attention so of course I looked further, thinking what have I got to lose – beyond my keys? I’m forever looking for my keys …. Twos is free and available from both Apple App Store and Google Play; more info at twosapp.com/home. I haven’t used Twos yet – it seems simple enough but …to be continued.

My today started with a two hour FaceTime conversation with a dear friend; always good to catch up and reminisce along the way. We’ve known one another for 22 years – yeah, impossible…but true. After breakfast, I spent the afternoon reviewing scrapbook albums from 2011 to date, looking at and for stories that are incomplete and need to be finished or forgotten as well as those that were done. I have a project in process that I plan to have completed by 31 December 2022, all things considered. If I finish despite prevailing circumstances, hooray! And if I don’t, doesn’t matter – that’ll just be the way the cookie crumbles.

The sky’s a study: huge, ominous looking, roiling clouds, dark grey and tinted by the sunset, hover above. Dramatically beautiful! The weather forecast for tomorrow: windy and an overnight temperature dip from 45 degrees to 27 degrees in the morning. Why am I surprised? March is known for wild weather…

I read an online article headline, in the New York Times, on commonplace books being like a diary. I have tried to subscribe to the Times’ digital version but for some reason, I cannot. I guess the Times doesn’t want my measly dollar …and of course, they have Saturday afternoons off so I can’t get any help <smile>…. If and When I do, I shall share the gist of the article…If and When .

It is past time to have a bite to eat and call this full day a wrap. I’m looking forward to a quiet evening with a good book – not sure which, yet. Or maybe I’ll play with Twos…

Cheers~

make life simple | 8.4.21 …

Sitting on my computer shelf is a quote from Buddha: each morning we are born again; what we do today is what matters most. I’m astonished – too strong a word? – well, maybe amazed – that it is already 4 August. Where does the time go -when you’re having fun … or not? Each day I plan to publish a post and then the next thing I realize, the day is over. So, I tell myself: tomorrow. And here t’is… tomorrow! The question: How did that happen… 24 hours every day, the sun rises/sets … seasons come and go … For sure there is a lovely rhythm to the days of our lives, tho’ sometimes, the days seem to be just one long endless continuum…

Drafting this post has taken me all afternoon – with a few long breaks interspersed: Zoom sessions with storytelling scrapbooking friends and another with a quilting friend – then a walk on a most pleasant afternoon, the last of ? until? The weather forecast for the next nine days and counting: H-O-T! Besides that side activity, I had to connect with Word Press for assistance with the new block editor.  I do not like. Currently I’m reading a few assorted other titles, old and I started Anne Lamott’s newest:  Dusk, Night, Dawn.

So far, I’m enjoying the change of pace. Deep sigh: I’m still aiming to conquer making Confetti Quilt blocks. Daily, I tell myself: “this is the day” and then, “well, there’s tomorrow … fingers crossed, I hope.” Today I found this fabric remnant from a quilt I made for niece Chris when she left for Rutgers in 2010.  I can’t believe it’s been 6 years since she graduated! I think the fabric is a perfect bit of advice for an Unraveled Wednesday. Hope your day’s been less frustrating!

Cheers~

sometimes mondays | 5.10.21 …

today begins Ali Edwards’ (at least annual ) Week in the Life documentation of one’s daily life. the week always starts with a big bang, lots of excitement and determination to see the project through with the same intensity at the end – sunday – as one began the previous monday. this year, I decided to use the DayONE app to document my days; it’s available on all my iTools : Mac; iPhone and iPad … and I really do need to learn the program. with the app, I can write in both type and cursive; the latter using the Apple pencil or my finger to scribble – the software converts to type… that’s pretty cool.

it is now 1:30 pm; I looked at my DayONE notes thus far – I haven’t recorded anything since 10:30 am, +/- when my sister arrived – we started a family text chat with her daughter/granddaughters…and then, life got in the way and then, time to join Daily Pages…

so here I sit, at the Mac; Daily Pages have ended and true to my vow to myself last week, I am drafting a post for today. also on my agenda for the rest of the day:

  • send email re: tomorrow’s Recent Reads Zoom session
  • make today’s LOAD entry
  • take out trash for tomorrow’s weekly collection
  • prepare/eat dinner and
  • settle in with a good book or two…

the day’s turning out to be quite lovely: morning clouds have moved on, the sun shines, the temperature is 64 degrees – a perfect invitation for a walk.

on my way !

Cheers~

wintry morn | 2.18.21 …

…sleet, snow, birds of many feathers, flocking to stay warm, forage, occasionally gang up on one who has a prized gem in its beak.

I sit here at the table, watching Mother Nature; it seems that the sky is brighter – still very much grey – yet brighter. We’ve just finished breakfast – late, today; but that’s OK, we’ve nowhere to go, be. Thankfully.

I check the weather app; yep, precip scheduled to end in the next 4 min – it’s now 11 AM. The birds are resting on tree branches, electric and Fios wires. Perhaps wondering what they’ll do next? As I.

I see a new denizen in the yard – a squirrel …and that reminds me of a project patiently awaiting my attention. Yes, for sure I will stitch a bit … but first, time to wash breakfast dishes and then … so many choices.

I hope you are having a good day.

Cheers~

practicing gratitude |

Sunday: Norman’s birthday. Now, he’s a young 87 years old! We had a quiet celebration with his son … I managed to capture the Oct/Nov full moon …

Monday: New carpet for basement & first floor steps… I love the look, the smell …

Tuesday/Today/Election Day: We voted by mail several weeks ago – the District mailed ballots to all registered voters. .. and here we are on election day! Finally! I guess … I hope.

About mid-day, I took a long walk through our neighborhood park – almost deserted. Probably because the weather’s turned a tad bit chilly. The sun on the changing, colorful leaves left my heart and me warm… and for that, I am always grateful.

Time to hit publish, watch the setting sun, prepare dinner … and wait.

Cheers~

sometimes …

  IMG_1078      monday morphs into tuesday… I had the best intentions, plans and ideas yesterday to post … and somehow for some reason, some way, the day got away from me … as it did over the weekend. Perhaps because I was on Zoom, more than off, it seems – I hasten to add, not a complaint, just a fact. I am grateful for Zoom and other similar technologies; not only are we  able to keep in touch with family,  we’re also enabled to:
  1. connect with friends , including those who perhaps we’ve only met online via our blogs and other social media;
  2. learn new techniques in areas of our own personal interests, etc.
IMG_1064      saturday -the 15th- afternoon, I went to Barnes & Noble and managed to spend more than enough on books to keep me company for a bit…more on them tomorrow.  t’ws my first visit to a bookstore since February! I also stopped at a local office supply  – filled with back to school supplies. In normal times, the inventory would be pretty much decimated. I bought the little guys each their own composition notebook, designed specifically for their ages: 6 and 2 3/4. I know that through the balance of 2020, Chris (6 years) will be doing first grade virtually and Elias, of course, will want to do everything his big bro’ (idol) does. I felt a tinge of sadness as I looked at all the school supplies – memories of back-to-school from my childhood, my nieces, flooded over and floored me as the reality of these times stopped me cold. [deep sigh].   IMG_1088      yesterday it rained off -n-on and then of course stormed – just as Norman was putting the trash out for tuesday’s collection. why not? fortunately, tv reception wasn’t affected so we were able to watch the Democratic National Convention.   IMG_1113      today was nearly perfect – low 80s ! Unheard of in the middle of August in these parts. I do not complain!  Cheers~     PS. A reminder: next Tuesday, August 25 is the monthly one little word linkup on this blog!  

Random thoughts …

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~Fri 7 Aug – 7:36 PM EST~

… last week (as I took my late afternoon walk , alone and slowly, for my aching back pain was then and at times, still attention-gripping), Friday’s sky was indeed a study. I wished I had watercolors and brush to stop and play; instead, I gave thanks for my iPhone camera. I wished also to lay down on the grass and look up at the sky. Ha! Who am I kidding ? I’d probably still be there, unable to get up… still the thought appeals …

… today, the sky poured earlier.  As I pen this post, it appears that the rain is over – an invitation for a walk…

… the grass in the back yard, is overdue for a cut – I can see the blades waving, caressed (?) by a gentle breeze. Our lawn care guy had to postpone the scheduled “cut;” his dad tested positive for Covid-19 …

… leaving you with this link (from the Smithsonian ) to a very different window on the world during these times of Covid-19 … Enjoy!

…and now, I’m off for the walk before the next round of rain comes!

Cheers~

 

july’s new moon | 7.20.20 …

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Today, the hottest day so far this season, is also the new moon.  According to my zodiac sign – Scorpio – travel and books are on my mind . Yep, I have to agree. I’d hoped to be traveling to Sisters OR, early Fall and I’ve two books  – both vying for my time and attention – nearly finished, just in time for tomorrow’s Recent Reads Zoom gathering. I have at least one Zoom session every day this week! To say Zoom has been a lifeline is an understatement. I’d planned to post earlier today but got sidetracked by another project I am resurrecting, starting today.  My plan is to share more about it later this week.

I hope you have a cool(er) week than what we’re having right now- our prospects don’t look too good. Fortunately, we have AC!!! and I’ve plenty of activities to keep me occupied.

Visit this site if you’d like to read your horoscope for July’s New Moon in Cancer … and stay cool.

Cheers~

PS. The moon face is from a Sunrise greeting card  I found in my stash- NA as best I can tell.

begin again*…

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This year, 2020 – 244 years ago – the United States, on July 4, 1776  declared its independence as a nation…

This year, 2020, the United States, is experiencing  a world-wide health pandemic of epic proportions…

This year, 2020, the United States, is at a crossroads, on the threshold of finally living up to the ideals and principles of the Declaration of Independence for all peoples of this country  – or not.

*Begin Again by Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., published just this week: [It ] is at once a searing exploration that lays bare the tangled web of race, trauma, and memory, and a powerful interrogation of what we all must ask of ourselves in order to call forth a new America…  Good Reads

Will we begin again?