Tag: OLW

Best Laid Plans | 2.20.24…

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“Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist but in the ability to start over.”  This quote, from one of today’s emails, totally resonated with me…fortunately, on the one hand ‘cause I “can” start over – still- not to get too macabre/maudlin but the quote: “Ask not for whom the bell tolls …” does come to mind or my favorite biblical passage from Ecclesiastes : “There is a season…”.

A Twos- Day …

Best laid plans …

Just 9 days are left in this February month of the Leap Year…looking at my calendar, plotted out at the end of January, my intentions and adrenaline and expectations, erroneously high …”this month I WILL:

  • A, B, C… X, Y, Z…
  • 1…2…3…
  • Yes, No, Maybe …”

I debated, revisited, tried this, that, rescheduled … This month I will ( I didn’t) and other plans (dreams?) popped up on my agenda, lists and calendar … some done, most transferred to the next day, week, to “someday maybe”lists unless that particular day was the absolute last day ever to DO THAT THING! And April 15 is still nearly two months away and even that date is flexible, even if “at ruinous costs”…

I tried different calendars and ways to make lists… and I’m reminded of the old saying: “best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft a-gley…”

Fortunately I use pencil…and I have any number of calendars, list- making tools, both analog and digital formats. Perhaps therein lies the problem. Less is More? Hmmm…

Since January 15, we’ve had not one but two “significant” (easily described when winterS come and go with nary a flake seen) snow events. The first, January 15 and several days that week included seeing a fox in the back yard! Yep! A fox!

The second, not quite a month later, another measurable “snow fall”. There are still remnants on the deck and other areas where the sun doesn’t shine … but no further sightings of “the fox”.

Instead, this past week my view has been enhanced by the bloomin’ of this :

My Christmas Cactus Blooms!

Happy Holidays! And here’s to “Best Laid Plans”, Snow, Foxes, Christmas Cactus, and more February happiness surprises.

Cheers~

simply a moment |7.15.23 …

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Yep, it’s a H-O-T one in these parts today. As I type this post, the temperature is currently 89 degrees …

This morning, I got out early, about 10:35 AM, before the heat became totally unbearable. Decided to walk to Zeke’s, – the neighborhood coffee shop, round trip a good 1.5 mile – for a latté and a sit outside. The latter didn’t happen – too hot! But the latté was great and I enjoyed it in the cool of home. Thank goodness the AC is working properly.

On my walk I was greeted with a variety of colorful flowers – on trees, in the ground and in planters. They are all very lovely and …

they reminded me of my colorful new mug that I inaugurated today with my morning cuppa tea…

…and my latté fit inside perfectly! It all made me happier! What small moment or several today made you happier?

Cheers~

May

Published on by Honoré8 Comments

I have had on my daily agenda for days running: publish blog post. That directive presupposes that one has, first of all, written a draft —- or at least made a list of topics I want to share… where are my notes? Can’t say I know! Probably because I’ve not written any…

Last week, in one of my daily de-stashing purges, I ran across the image of the little girl and her shadow in a Charles Schwab advertisement. She’s wearing yellow – my fave color; I was immediately, smitten. I found the background paper among my scrapbooking supplies and added the sticker words. I cut the butterfly from a table paper napkin; I attached it to the paper using a pop dot. And it sits on top my printer, in my direct view as I sit at my computer. And that just makes me happy!

Over the past week and days plus, I’ve spent hours going through my quilting stash and supplies – years accumulation of “someday maybe” projects that are never going to see the “finish line.” Sadly. Best laid plans…

But all is not lost. As I’ve reviewed and touched fabrics and leafed through books and patterns, I feel the stirrings of the desire to spend more time in my quilting space, with my quilting resources: fabrics; books; patterns; my imagination and creativity. And that, well that makes me just plain happier.

What’s making you happier these Spring days?

Cheers~

one little word | 3.28.23 …

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3.26, was Friendstitch Sunday … the six of us always, always look forward to these monthly gatherings, now in the 9th year. This past Sunday, we met at Michelle’s and were greeted with gorgeous spring flowers: daffodils and amaryllis. For Christmas 2019, I gave Michelle (and the others, each) a bulb… Michelle has the magic green thumb. We were delighted to see the amaryllis in full bloom. In addition to being treated to a spectacularly colorful array of flowers, we had an absolutely delicious meal. Yum! The memory of Sunday makes me happier…

My walks, most days, weather permitting, I am greeted by the constant display of signs of Spring: magnolia and cherry blossoms, daffodils, maple trees and forsythia bushes. Delightful.

For the past year, I’ve focused on s-l-o-w-l-y retelling my AmaZe – about me, A-Z – life story that I hope to publish as a memoir style photo album/book. My goal is to have completed this project close to June 1, 2023…If I meet this self imposed deadline, I’m confident I’ll be happier!

The star is a needlepoint I found as I’ve been weeding my stash of projects – a project long overdue but also one that has very tangible results. And this too, makes me happier.

You know, happier is a good place to be! What’s making you happier these days?

Cheers~

simply a moment | 2.15.23 …

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~ 8:28 AM…

Daffodils ! Can Spring be Far Behind?

Slow start to the day; grumpy: Don’t have any decent AM tea! – didn’t like the cup I brewed. My hand hurts when I write – YUK! Grey. Cloudy. 50 F – why is heat pump on? How does one type the“degree” sign? Hmm… look up… Didn’t complete “Ten.10.X” last night – will do next. Agenda created: If I do all the items on the list, I’ll be waaay ahead of the game…

ORGANIZE is a word I have in the index: Spent time last week RE-organizing and it seems that I’m now “back to the future”! What’s needed is a “restructure,” a fresh and different approach. A shakeup. Yeah! Or perhaps acceptance of what is: “I am disorganized!” [deep sigh]. Perhaps I’ll begin my blog post – t’is a Simply A Moment day…why not? …TBC!

Continuing …it’s currently 5:54 PM.

Earlier, during Writers’ Hour, at 8:43 AM, I wrote: I interrupt my daily AmaZe entry into DayONE, my digital journaling tool of choice, to begin my ONE LITTLE WORD – Happier – entry for the month of February. Heart themed of course, since this is the month of Valentine’s Day, just passed yesterday and birthday of a dear -also, passed – friend and today, the anniversary of my Dad’s passing 39 years ago and , and , and. Tho’ sadness describes these feelings, I am eternally grateful that they and many others, graced my life …

As I look out the window, the sky – cloudy and grey. Tho’ the thermometer sez it’s 50 degrees, the heat pump belies, for it busily churns away (adding to the electric bill). I think: As I pass houses on my daily walks through the neighborhood, I see more houses with solar panels on their roofs & I make a mental note to pursue that for this house. And oh yes, I cannot forget the plumbing. Does it ever end? Who indeed said home ownership was a dream. Nightmare perhaps a more accurate descriptor.

8:55 AM – Writers’ Hour is nearing the end – our hosts are reading text comments and preparing to call on two, unsuspecting – always – writers to share a bit of their writing achievements during the past “50 focused minutes.” I was once called and totally surprised. Thankfully, I indeed had the morning’s written words to consult. Somehow, re-reading my words to myself versus aloud to an audience of “writers,” is just not the same… But one survives .

I’m not sure when in the past 10 -12 years I started blogging on a fairly to somewhat regular basis ( minus the past two years or so). I believe 2019 was the year I actually blogged daily, 365 days. I should verify that stat.

Each day, on my list of things to accomplish: “slow stitchin” – my stitching project for 2023. Since mid January, to “prepare” for the project, I’ve read – borrowed and/or bought- at least 8 new books on the subject; written I know not how many notes, capturing inspiration and ideas; created order out of the chaos that lived in my sewing “studio,” barely used during these years of Covid and major disruptions to all our lives, most noticeably, the passing of loved ones.

Writers’ Hour has ended. It appears that the cloudy sky is eventually going to give over to some sunshine; patches of blue begin to peek through. I end the session with this note: “489 words*, thus far…tbc!

PS. And thus were the moments on the 15th day of February… It is now the morning of February 16; Writers’ Hour is underway and my goal is to hit “publish” on this post – now *645 words. This morning, as I was preparing my second cuppa tea before the session began, I saw a flock, albeit a small one of five Canadian Geese flying northwest. The first I’ve seen since the migration season began. My heart was filled…and that makes me happier.

Zibaldone | january 2022 …

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Snow: Today we have S-N-O-W! Easily 5 inches, maybe more.The snow has now stopped; the sun shines; the sky is blue and it’s a tad cold : 28 degrees.  All lovely – a welcome surprise on this 3rd day of the new year! Perhaps this is Mother Nature’s way to curtail the spread of Omicron, at least for a bit here on the east coast. T’is a nice thought… Words: My one little word for 2022 is Zibaldone, Italian for occasional thoughts, notes, quotations, lists, etc ~ all the things we manage to capture in notebooks, journals, on index cards, bits and pieces of whatever piece of paper might be in an arm’s reach or a note, jotted on our smart phones, via type or verbally or photo. All designed to capture a moment, a fleeting thought, idea, quote, task, memory, weather event such as S-N-O-W… Zibaldone: Why? I like the word – it has often intrigued me and has been on my bucket list to explore since 2018. The choice came to me out of the blue, about December 15, 2021. I’d recently ordered and received the book – a mean 2502 pages of tissue thin paper. As I picked up the book and examined some of those 2502 pages, the thought went off like fireworks: “This is it! My word for 2022!”
I have absolutely no idea, preconceived thoughts or expectations as to how the word will show up, shout out, over these next 362 days of 2022… based on my experiences with previous words, there will be all sorts of surprises. Just as today’s snow! In a way, and this may be a stretch, I see Zibaldone as a quilt patchwork, made of bits and pieces of fabrics that hold all sorts of experiences, meaning and  herstory . I look forward to experiencing and sharing my Zibaldone adventures in 2022. Hopefully most will be as surprising as today’s snow. Cheers~

weekending labor day style | 2019 …

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Thursday had to be the perfect- it’s – almost-Fall day. The Thursday  Stitchers had lunch outside and just enjoyed the weather! Brunch:  margherita pizza and fresh watermelon. Yum!

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I have an idea for rearranging the living room. Friday morning I went to IKEA to see if there are any furniture pieces – as in bookshelves and tables – that might fit the bill. I arrived early for their Swedish American breakfast (the restaurant opens 30 minutes before the showrooms). Seated at the window, I  looked up and saw a flock of Canadien Geese, yes – heading south. By the time I got my iPhone on, I was just able to catch the formation – upper left corner…

IMG_9735Saturday was the Library of Congress’  National Book Festival, held in the Washington Convention Center. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was the star attraction – more than 4000 people were in the audience for her segment – some having arrived at 4 a.m to get in line. I opted to watch on TV – at home; best seat in the house. A quick google search will pull up the program, broadcast on C-span2/Book TV, if you want to see it. Later that morning,  I ran errands, finding myself away the balance of the afternoon. T’was a pleasant outing.

IMG_9740Sunday! Welcome September, Fall (meteorological)  and the September prompt  from Ali Edwards for one’s One Little Word. We spent the day relaxing – tho’ I did take a brisk walk. Otherwise, Norman watched TV;  I set up September calendar and plans.

IMG_9749Today, Monday! Labor Day! No work done around here. I toyed with the idea of cleaning out the refrigerator and mopping the kitchen floor but opted instead to take a leisurely walk to the coffee shop and treat myself to an iced caramel  almond milk decaf latté.

And that’s the way it was this Labor Day weekend… a wonderful way to greet the new season! What was the highlight of your weekend?

Cheers~

 

TGIF| welcome March 2019…

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(selfie taken 1 march 2012 ~ pre iPhone days! )*

Thankful: Yesterday, Thursday, the last day of February, I’d fully intended to post…our WIFI had other thoughts. Shortly before noon service was restored, thankfully  – but by then, we had to leave for Norman’s doctors’ appointments.  He was given a clean bill of health – for which we are both thankful and that his next appointment isn’t until April. 

Goodness: It always amuses me that Feb and March calendar days usually follow same pattern, e.g.,

  • Feb began on a Fri and so does March this year;
  • it snowed Feb 1 and it’s snowed today, March 1…

Rumor had it that Phil (as in groundhog) predicted early spring…not if March continues to mimic February, just sayin.’

Inspiration: This morning found me organizing my March life and wrapping up February. My notes and thoughts and to-do lists are all over the place – in this journal, that notebook, those scraps of paper. Been here! Done that! Oh sooooo many times before – grrrr! This month, I.am. DETERMINED. to. ELIMINATE. this. BAD. HABIT! My beacon? Gretchen Rubin! Her new book Outer Order Inner Calm is published on Monday and YES! I have pre-ordered. In 2015, at the end of March I attended her book tour : Better Than Before, a prequel to this newest book. The best thing: She finishes her book tour here in Washington DC, March 28. YES! I have a ticket…

Feeling: Confident; Calm; Productive; Relaxed; Determined; and excited to live the month of March, focusing on my word: Habit. I’ve lots of ideas and incentives. Stay tuned!

Have a good weekend – and hopefully a sunny one! We’re scheduled for rain!

Cheers~

*  I believe then I was thinking about growing my hair; that was short-lived!

habit quest| february 2019…

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(sunrise  ~ 6:36 am)

Today, Morning Solitude and Quiet Time, extended  beyond noon. T’wasn’t in the plan but it just felt like the right thing to do on this last Tuesday of February.  I was busy reading, thinking and plotting –  focused on  my 2018 word: habit … and also becoming acquainted with the latest iOS for my Apple iPhone and iPad. I am not one to rush to install those upgrades…I usually wait til the kinks are worked out. I took several selfies and looking at them using the “LIVE” feature had me howling. Kinda creepy…but fun! That, however, wasn’t contributing to my focus for the day: zeroing in on [those] daily activities that translate into healthy habits that are good for me and help me fulfill creative urges and experiments.

Not that I’ve not known this for probably all my adult, at least, life: habits are hard to make and break! Be that as it may, I shall press on… and one day, someday, I’ll have succeeded in accomplishing my quest. Watch this space. Are you working on making or breaking a habit?

Joining Juliann and others for a monthly word update, here!

Cheers~