Happier – January 2023 …

What makes me happier?

8:30 AM. Friday, January 27, on my to-do list : “write blog post.” I’ve not started it yet -tho’ I am in Writers’ Hour… *8:50 AM. My watch tells me: “Time to stand and replenish my tea. “ Ah, the wonders of technology!

I spent Thursday afternoon, after Daily Pages (certainly the hi-light of my day and the subject for another post) organizing monthly paper work and getting ready for “tax season.” I am not at all like my father who a) was meticulous in keeping financial records and b) could make sense out of bits-n-pieces of paper, receipts, all gathered in a brown paper bag or a shoebox brought to him by small entrepreneurs. Asking myself: Could that be my answer – a brown paper bag and/or a shoebox? – to a task I don’t especially like? T’would that make me happier? Doubtful…

For sure, one thing I KNOW: my mostly morning – daily walk, at least 23 -30 min per outing – makes me happier. I clock using my Apple Watch. My daily walk is just restorative and exciting to see what I discover as the seasons change. A fave sight is that of preschoolers, tethered by a walking chain, out on their morning walk, too … Several often wave at me; we’ve seen each other before. Tho’today was indeed brisk – frigid – their waves warmed my heart and made me happier.

One of the “things” I often write during morning journaling is the phrase: “birds flocking…” Generally, in the Fall and Winter months, I see any number- 5 to who knows how many – birds flocking and I write myself a note: Answer question: “Why do birds flock?” Yesterday I finally answered the question watching stunning visuals via YouTube and a new word – Murmurations – that somehow escaped my lexicon. Check out this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/DLuEwFblaN4 for more info. I think this is what I like best about the Internet – answers and information about the obscure, mysterious, everyday, wonderment question. Reminds me of the pleasure I got just reading a print dictionary or encyclopedia article that caught my eye as I was looking up something else. In today’s world, I can highlight a word, e.g., wonderment, and in DayONE -the program I use for digital journaling – look up the word’s meaning…

Tiago Forte’s book/concept of a “second brain” appeals to me, to an extent. My preference is to use my own brain – for its better or worse storage/retrieval capabilities. I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t want to learn how someone else thinks – I’m having enough challenge figuring out how (if ?) I think… Guess that’s why I’m not much of an app advocate. A pencil/pen and piece of paper or sticky note (Yes! I know there are apps for them, too!) make me happier… On the other hand, my 8.5 years’ old great grand nephew is a whiz with “second brain” tools and toys. I remember once complaining to my mother about all the graffiti gracing the buildings and street signs and sidewalks and billboards and, and, and… Her response to me: “Remember the cave man!” Perspective! Thinking about that conversation makes me smile, happier

The questions I’m allegedly answering in 2023 with my One Little Word: “ What indeed makes me happpier? Will doing X, Y or Z make me Happier?” I do know it isn’t ‘French Fries … And of course, the answer is: I won’t know until I do!

What is making you happer these days? TBC… to be continued!

Cheers~

 

simply a moment|august 2022 …

 

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On my walk today, I noted more  leaves, in various stages of turning color, on the ground. Autumn, according to the meterological calendar is September 1 – just 16 days away! I feel the excitement building in my mind – despite the fact that I have no special plans on the agenda.

Thus far, weather this week has been ideal and is much appreciated! Today, since Sunday past, I’ve been able to go for a walk to and through the park, just 3 – 4 blocks from my house. Round trip, my walks are at least a mile long, take about 35 minutes and include a few hills to “climb.”  Weekdays are especially fun for the littles – children from a couple local day care centers are in the park: playing on the jungle gyms, swinging; toddlers, practicing their walking and the older ones, learning how to “get along.”  “Oh no, you can’t snatch that toy from someone ‘just ’cause you want it,” or push someone out of the way, just ’cause you can, etc… I smile as I observe these interactions. Ah life!

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I arrive home and note just how lovely is the crepe myrtle – another treat of the summer-to-fall season’s glory. I am ever grateful for these morning walks.

sometimes mondays|1.10.22 …

 

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Progress is slow these days with my stitching projects… The operative word is progress and I am happy to share the needlepoint I’m currently (liberal use of that word) stitching. Yesterday was Friendstitchin’ Sunday and I made considerable progress on the piece. What I discovered when I prepared to pen this post is I did NOT take any photos of the projects my friends were stitching! I don’t even have an idea why.

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As you can see, I’ve a long way to go… my plan is to stitch 22 minutes a day until I’m done, maybe by Spring.

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I took this photo yesterday morning – it definitely reminds me of the needlepoint canvas. The black bar is the window frame – snow still on the deck and it’s just too durn cold to be out these winter mornings, especially with temperatures in the low 30s…

It’s later in this day and I’ve not stitched, yet… I guess I’d better get a moveon if I’m going to stitch or I’ll end up with a one day streak. Hah!

Cheers~

 

on this autumn day |11.12.21 …

sometimes mondays| 7.19.21 …

#blueskyblooms

… Shortly after noon Saturday, about 12:30 pm, I looked out the window (over the kitchen sink) and gasped: I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a cloud such as this! T’was just incredible and made a wonderful backdrop for the crepe myrtle tree in a neighbor’s yard.

…Today we’ve not been gifted with such a lovely and different sky and it’s a tad bit (aka a whole lot) h-o-t! Fortunately there is a bit o’ a breeze that helps a lot. I’m in a lazy + organizing (sort of) mood:

busy one hour sorting papers;

jotting down ideas;

making this week’s daily to do lists;

vacillating between doing a little or nuttin’ much at all;

taking a few moments to chat with my niece about her plans for her last two years of undergraduate school.

It’s nearly 5 PM; guess it’s time to move on and continue with this day’s agenda; soon it’ll be dinnertime. Where does the time go?

Until we meet again, have a good week …

Cheers~

welcome summer 6.21.21 …

Summer arrived with a vengeance ! Temps are in the 90s – even in Washington state! Yesterday, Norman’s son was visiting and as they are wont to do: solved all the world’s problems – I wish – in between watching baseball games and other TV events.

I took my sister to Laurel and decided, since I was near, to make a quick run to Savage Mill. I needed help with a couple fountain pens that were not writing ( probably becuz the ink had dried, duh!). It was very quiet, i.e, I didn’t hear any cicadas; perhaps their time is over – or at least winding down. I was delighted to see my friend Patti, owner of The Queen’s Ink; I’ve know her easily 10 years and last saw her Dec, 2019. She looked great; her hair was especially delightful – you know color – my 2021 word. And the t-shirt she was wearing was stamped with outlines of cicadas – her cicada had a crown! If you look closely, you can see the tips of the crown on her shirt …

In addition to ink, I bought a couple 3.75 x 5.25 sketch book journals – the paper is ideal for drawing, sketching & journaling with pencil, ink, crayon, markers, pastels, etc – and the eight signatures are sewn! I also bought a 3″ x 5″ GELLI printing plate. Playing with it, the sketch journals and my fountain pens is going to be sooo much fun!

I am eager to resume my WANDER journaling/sketching dates to the National Museum of Art’s Sculpture Gardens. When I do, guess what’s coming along with me?

Trust it’s cooler in your part of the country .

Cheers~

tgif | 3.26|21 …

Thinking & Grateful for this truly grand and delightful Spring day! The temperature a delicious 79 degrees; the sun shines and a gentle breeze flows, caresses. Everywhere one looks, trees are budding, blossoming and bright, colorful flowers bring a smile to my face. People, including me, walk slowly, wanting to soak in and prolong this delightful day despite still having to wear face masks…

Inspired by the spring flowers, the sky and clouds, I spent some time pouring over and through my fabrics, ten plus years of accumulation (tho’ no time at all compared to many quilters) selecting colors and designs for my Confetti quilt. Each fabric I select tells a story of my quilting journey. During this pandemic, that journey totally stopped in its tracks; I welcome the rejuvenation of this creative endeavor.

 

IMG_2271Fun: This colorful chair sits outside the library. I believe it’s made of concrete. The next time I walk by,  (the library is open on a limited basis and I always manage to go there when closed ) I’ll touch to see …

Here’s to a gentle and delightful Spring weekend for us all. Enjoy!

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~