Author: Rene

One of my favorite books was always the thesaurus we had. As a matter of fact, I “borrowed” the one my mother had when I went to college. Now, I just use the phone and goggle search if I’m at a loss for words – which I’m sure my family would argue is a rare event.

Just strolling through my photos and thought I’d share this gem.

It’s tough to stay ahead of the game and up-to-date. Apparently Barbie can do it though! Good for her – and a reminder for me not to eat the rest of the ice cream which could easily be consumed in one sitting.

Thanks, Barbie. You really have come a long way.

There really should be a photo of the dress my neighbor donated to me – a very bright and happy yellow/white/peach floral number. I decided to wear it for a day and see what happened.

”You look beautiful today!” Husband. “That’s a pretty dress. I like yellow.” Receptionist at church. “Well aren’t you cheerful today?” Gruff grocery stocker-man who proceeded to tell me he was just trying to keep a good attitude on the day. We had a conversation. Comments from girlfriends at bridge. Said dress donator, “Well, look at you!”

Not only is the dress a keeper, but this little number showed up in my feed, prompting me to remember to spread the happiness. Thanks, neighbor, for the happy frock. And remember – just look people in the eye and smile. That’s really a kindness better than a new dress. (although the dress helped a lot!)

Even though I’m on an “Eagles” diet – turning them off or changing the station whenever they are played – I did find this rather funny. And true. Especially when the grandchildren play at talking on the cell phone!!!

Yet, how could we possibly get a ride when we need one that very moment? Or the answer to a question regarding creamed corn? Or the query into the current lightbulb situation at home? Or on a more positive note, chat with our loved ones, share memories, invite friends to join us, remind others of our love?

Yes – I guess prisoners if we choose to be.

This was a fairly generic and semi-inspirational meme I came across in my wanderings. Now, Pluto just does the job and that’s an important thing. Thus, I am going about my job, keeping little old Pluto as my mentor.

Currently, my role in the solar system would be to clean the countertops. Somewhere along the line I have accumulated piles which need tending. (One of the piles is my store of leftover fireworks – they will be at-the-ready for the next celebration!)

Plunging ahead with Pluto in mind.

Looking to the comics, or as my father would say, “the funny pages,” has always been a source of enjoyment and inspiration.

As a child, I religiously read them all. Prince Valiant! Hi and Lois. Li’l Amber. Barney Google. Gasoline Alley. Of course there was always Peanuts. More modern loves – Calvin and Hobbes, The Family Circus, Pearls Before Swine, Zits, Pickles. I still read them – though I have become discriminating and skip some. Especially that stupid “Big Nate.” If you’ve ever had to sell the Lincoln Peirce books you would skip that one, too.

Anyway, I was thinking that I probably learned a bit of history and culture from reading them. The comedic interpretation and story-telling was instilled in me somehow – perhaps it was from reading these hallowed strips?

Nah. It was all genetic. Thanks, ye honored ancestors o’the family tree.

Not only did I laugh, but now I want to visit the store! Of course, I need no goods of any kind, but it is always fun to traipse through and see what you don’t need.

Instead, I’ve been ambling through Home Depot, occasionally kneeling down to get a better look and asking myself, “Why don’t I bring a tape measure on these outings?”

Say a prayer for me!

This popped up and made me shiver a bit. We did get to tempt fate and fingers at a rather young age with … the paper cutter!

It certainly made a nice edge on the projects. Oh the good old days at St. Joe’s.

”The birthday cake is a great success though – a precedent-breaking, shop-bought-one – Bunty always makes our birthday cakes, their defects smothered by buttercream and stuck with candles like martyred hedgehogs.”

What a wonderful line. Sometimes you come across a novel so beautifully written you devour every word, nary skimming a sentence. “Behind the Scenes at the Museum,” kept me spellbound. Kate Atkinson nailed it, and it’s an older tome. I wasn’t familiar with it and am not sure how it came to me. “Ponna” perhaps? My “novel” friend was passing around reads and perhaps this was one? My niece, “Palysun” possibly? (Thank you, whoever gave it to me.)

That beautiful line reminded me of some of my birthday cake creations as I have used frosting to cover many a defect. (I have since learned to freeze the cake before icing to eliminate potential imperfections. Makes it much easier to swiftly frost the baked goods and doesn’t require a trip to the store for an emergency can of frosting.)

Well, there are no birthday cakes necessary for another month in this house, but I will keep that lovely visual of a martyred hedgehog in my thoughts as I bake the next one. Maybe I’ll just do cupcakes?

There is nary a pair in my home, unlike a couple of my gal pals who wear them when gardening. The thought never occurs to me that there might be some slithering friends nearby when I’m outside…and I have had to rescue a snake from the basement window well before, so you’d think I might have that passing notion?

Thus, when we were camping and I walked out to the meadow to capture a photo of the glorious paintbrush in bloom absolutely everywhere!!!!! I happened to think, “There could be snakes out here, I guess?” I was wearing my open-toed slip ons with no heel coverage either. I snapped a few photos and then expertly avoided rocks where some serpents might have thought to be sunning in the early morning dews and damps.

The photo doesn’t capture the riot of color as accurately as my eye, but it does hint at the beauty of the orange dotting the mountains and valleys. Thank you, Mother Nature.