Category: currently

staying connected …

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IMG_0201 Another day @home, Monday, made ever gentle by a spring rain. Sunday was warm, sunny and inviting: I took a walk through the park, enjoying the cherry blossoms and watching the children playing; other walkers were out too. IMG_0204

clearly my screen time has jumped!

My stitching friends and I have been meeting via FaceTime and also doing a lot of texting… some of us are making face masks for health care workers, sharing resources and our “makes” via photo. Almost a “stitch in” taking place… IMG_0206

Five year old Chris has his own iPod so he’s been joining in our family texts and holding his own. He reads quite readily though I’m not sure how the actual texting is accomplished.  Some, I believe he types and the other, perhaps tells his mom who types  We celebrated Dolly’s birthday via FaceTime – what fun. Elias totally enjoyed the cake…yum, yum. We didn’t have that same experience …sadly, tech hasn’t figured that out, yet.

Simple Scrapper.com – my scrapbooking community with members from around the globe – meets via Zoom several times a week, just to chat and document our memories… Clearly “social distancing” is a top topic for each of us. Our sessions are sometimes “formal” and sometimes very informal, just a gathering.

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Patti Callahan, author on Zoom MMD Book Tour

Earlier this month,  I joined author Anne Bogel’s Modern Mrs Darcy’s Book Cub; this past Friday, I attended the book discussion of Anne’s newly released title:  Don’t Overthink It. Scheduled to go on a book tour, cancelled because of the virus, Anne decided to do a “stay-at-home” online book tour this week, also on Zoom. Each day this week, Mon-Fri, an author will be the guest. Monday was the first session and featured Patti Callahan, author of the historical novel, Becoming Mrs.Lewis . Originally published in 2018, the book is being released in paperback. The author shared her very interesting experiences writing the book; I thoroughly enjoyed her presentation, look behind the scenes and have added the title to my TBR list. FaceTime; Skype; Txt; Zoom, and of course, blogging! All are really great ways to stay connected, share ideas, information, inspiration … I see the time is past 2 PM, the day is moving on and I guess I should too… I still have a few items on my daily to do/be list and time marches on. How are you spending your days these days? Cheers~

homebound …

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It’s been not quite 14 days since I’ve been out of the house save for :

  • a one trip to the grocery store …
  • two trips to the drugstore …
  • nearly daily walks for fresh air and my sanity…

I gotta cold right before the #$%* hit the fan (as they say in the old country) …and no, I’ve not been sick with Covid-19 – no fever, thankfully. But I have been careful about my meanderings, even foregoing a walk to my local coffee shop and the library – the latter which is now closed. My Thursday stitching group decided to postpone our weekly gatherings until the all clear sounds; our quilting and knitting groups have cancelled meetings, in line with the cessation of group meetings, events, etc, ordered by local governmental officials. Each hour seemingly produces more closings and advice of precautionary, prudent steps that we are required to take. We’re in for the long haul.

On my walk today, I listened to Gretchen Rubin’s special Happier podcast on coping with Covid-19. If you’ve not listened, I invite you to do so. In Gretchen’s inimitable way, she – and her sister Liz – offer not only reasonable but very doable things we can do to cope with this very different way of life. You can hear this 35 minutes’ podcast here.

I for one am not at all concerned about not having anything to do, a lament I recall saying to my mother when I was a child. Her retort: Nonsense! Then she ticked off any number of things I could and did do to amuse myself. These days, starting with hitting publish on this post, I have more than enough to choose and tackle from my list of many things to do. Next on my list: weed a few files. What are you doing to while away the time in this very different time?

I have confidence as this season in our life moves on, we’ll adjust and cope successfully. Carry on!

Cheers~

currently | 1.31.20 …

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today marked the resumption of the winter session of Journal Club; we’ve been on break since before Christmas and Fridays are just not the same when we don’t meet. each 10 weeks’ session we choose an animal spirit guide; this session’s guide  is turtle.  since I’m  a novice in this arena, I always have to look up the symbolism/meaning.  I think this is possibly a good mascot for my 2020 word habit. time will tell.

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wednesday afternoon, i went to see just mercy, the movie. if you participated in the Read with Us online book discussion, i think you’ll find the movie, as the book, riveting and difficult (emotionally) to watch. i found the movie well done and agree with this Washington Post’s movie critic review.

tomorrow brings

  • february…
  • LOAD 220, 29 days of making a scrapbook layout a day…
  • Porgy and Bess, the Metropolitan Opera’s performance, simulcast in HD around the world. i will be watching at a local movie theater; we truly have the best seats in the house.

have a great weekend.

cheers~

on Christmas morning | 12.25.19…

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I awoke to witness another lovely sunrise following Christmas Eve’s glowing sunset. Quiet as I write; the furnace, chugging along, keeps the house warm. A dog’s bark – that momentarily shattered the peace- has ended. Frost adorns rooftops and grassy surfaces.

~a friend is a present you give yourself~

Arriving just yesterday, a package from friend Kathy; I open this morning and am greeted with a delightful mug and all sorts of Christmas/Holiday themed paraphernalia to include in my Christmas album/journal. I squeal -only to my ears – with delight!

My second cuppa tea, graced by a delicious Christmas cookie made by friend Betsy. Yum! Betcha can’t eat just one! Right. I treat myself to two!

Two new books, under the tree, ahem, await my perusal. Gifts from me for me. Simple Abundance is an updated version marking the 25th anniversary of the original publication. 366 days of reading await! Norman’s gift is in the freezer: steaks; burgers; pork chops…what he requested. In my car, new floor mats…

Today, this morning, will be quiet; we’ll join family mid afternoon. I’m excited to see what Santa brought the little ones: Chris, 5 and Elias, 2. Two Christmases ago, Elias, after a two months’ early arrival and nearly a month in the NICU, was home for Christmas. We are so grateful that both he and his mom are doing well.

gratitude week …

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This week, Michelle GD is inviting us all to take a moment to pause and reflect on our day’s gratitude; you can learn more, here .  Thank you Michelle; I am always grateful for this inspiration and invitation to pause and give gratitude for the moments that make up our lives… Today, for me:

  • a crystal blue sky that provides a backdrop for (what’s left of) the autumn leaves;
  • a gathering with quilting friends and a safe journey home;
  • an update from a friend who had surgery and is recovering very well;
  • an afternoon nap – tho’ I’m not a napper I felt the need today – grateful that I not only could, I did!
  • a brisk walk to and through the park ~ love watching children play … and last but not least,
  • a quiet evening to read, relax …

It is now 6:40 pm EST! The sky is dark. I am delighted that we have turned the clock back to real time and yes, I realize that’s arguable since clocks are man made constructs…

What’s on your gratitude list for today?

Cheers~

odds – n – ends …

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One of my quilting friends made this adorable Christmas Countdown quilted calendar for the little boys; I’m eager to give it to them but probably won’t til Thanksgiving… Elias will be two! the day before! Hardly seems possible.

We’re getting new exterior doors, both front and back – at ruinous cost I might add; hopefully, installed before Christmas and the cold weather.

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We’re all pumped about the Nationals’ playing in the World Series… even Hazel is ready to cheer the team on: Go Nats Go!

I’ve been playin, er uh, practicing the Continental knit stitch… I do like it and may be able to re-program my fingers and my brain.

Norman made chili today; the aroma has been enticing me all afternoon. Time to fix a salad. Hmmm, wonder if we have any Jiffy cornbread mix… that would be good, too.

I am now “real!” My new driver’s license did arrive a couple weeks ago; today I stopped by the library to renew my library card. Showed my real ID/license and library card; a computer key was pushed and voila, my card was renewed. I didn’t have to fill out a single form.

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Fall’s colors are finally showing up in the trees; especially vivid today against grey skies; reminds me of the first autumn I ever spent in Washington DC – I was here for a weekend conference; never then did I think I’d wind up living here. Never.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers~

hello monday |7.8.19 …

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stuff:

Today started with an emergency weather alert : flash flood warning til 11:15 am, accompanied by thunder and lightening …  and the rains came. Then magically, just about 11:15 am, the rains stopped, the sky brightened and all was good.

I spent most of this day – as well as a few last week, purging stuff – mostly paper. Saturday, we took quite a haul, including the stuff that’s been languishing in the garage far too long, to the city’s solid waste and recycling center.  It occurred to me one day last week that most of the stuff in my craft studio is paper:

  • books and magazines;
  • files – some may need weeding;
  • journals – both filled and others, waiting;
  • supplies: memory keeping; office; printer;
  • scrapbook albums (approximately 50 – some completed, most are “in process”);
  • holiday cards and assorted notepapers; just plain stuff.

I  think I should rename my craft studio my stuff studio .

The rain has ended; the sun shines; I do not know if there was any flash flooding. Soon,  Monday will come to a close and I will have all day tomorrow to purge more

stuff!

Cheers~

Currently| 6.28.19

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5:41 pm | 91 degrees |unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups

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Hearing a clap of thunder…

Seeing tree leaves sway a bit more and birds dart across the sky …

Watching the sky change from sunny and blue to grey as rain clouds are ushered in…

Listening to jazz vocal hits …oldies and some new …

Taking a loooong sip of ice cold water …

Laughing at Norman who just suggested that we could “turn the AC off; it’s cold in here.” I responded: “It’s not cold in here. Would you like a blanket?” And we both laughed …

Thinking I’d best wrap this post – the thunder claps are getting louder and closer, the trees swaying even more and the sky, greyer…me thinks the storm’s just moments away!

Enjoy the weekend and the last two days of June!

Cheers~