Author: Rene

Yesterday I spent 45 minutes waiting in line for the 14 patrons in front of me to mail packages with the one civil servant at the Post Office. Actually, attrition took one out of line before I moved a step. And although two more workers came in, the one initially on duty obviously had to go on break. It was a little like a “Laurel and Hardy” episode, though not everyone was amused.

I met the three people around me and we chatted, even getting one woman to put her phone away and stop her gaming. It was also an opportunity to redesign the facility which is definitely in need of renovation. I’ll be submitting my ideas online with the lovely survey at the end of my receipt. And the three self-service stations I was hoping to employ? They were on strike, also.

I stuck it out, working on my “patience is a virtue” practice. When I left, I gave the longer line the ref’s touchdown call, happy to have chatted amicably with people and have one errand under my belt.

Write to someone today and remember, always use commemorative stamps! (Reminder from the philatelically-inclined)

The pitch clock! Major League Baseball’s big change announcement. I don’t know.

First of all, a baseball game attended in person is great. You get to chat with your friends and not pay any attention at all to the field for most of the game. If you miss something – replay on the big screen! No problem. You get outside, enjoy the sun and fresh air, and might be able to snag a few winks in a slow inning. Of course, the crowning glory is the “Rocky Dog.” One delightful piece of some-meat-with-onions-relish-mustard. You can enjoy your treat and still not miss any action.

Timing the seconds between pitches? This could mean a serious need for attention. The game speeds up? The crowd needs to respond. Dogs are going to be sold early, beer consumed speedily, and neighbors elbowing you to watch that last out.

Personally, I’d still go if my friends and I could play bridge during the game. That was a good double dipping day. Oh. Go, Rockies!

The news feed informed us that some two-dollar bills are worth upwards of $4,500. Check your stash.

This is a public service announcement for all grandchildren of my parents. Every time we would visit my father played what we termed “the two-dollar-bill game.” (Imagination runs rampant in our family.) My father would head to the bank and buy a bunch of bills. Then the guessing game would commence. He’d choose a number from the serial code and each kid had a guess. This went around until a winner was announced. Then he’d start on the next bill until each child had one.

We had a big pile of bills upon his passing. I let my kids save or spend them, so who knows if they have one of extreme value? I’ll tell you one thing though. You can’t look at a two-dollar bill and not think of Grandpa!

Yes, you, too, can create a masterpiece to adorn a lonely corner of your world. (That was a fun little comma experience!) All it takes is a modest inheritance of sewing scissors, gifts of sewing scissors, and your own sewing scissors. Oh – and an old glass pickle jar. It’s an easy Pinterest project.

Next, place this lovely display where your eyes will see it every morning before descending the stairs. Perhaps in your entryway? Maybe on the kitchen counter for a week? The possibilities are endless.

Happy Designing!

Yesterday our furnace took a vacation while we babysat and watched the thermostat drop. This morning we’re experiencing a veritable heatwave set in as temps have already risen from -2 to -1. It’s a bit nippy.

My husband coaxed the old mechanism back to life and we were fine by evening. The sun has returned here, hopefully to shed more warmth on those with and without homes. So here’s a beautiful pic for you – the sun dogs over my brother’s home this morning. He is blessed to live on a lake.

Reminding myself to see the beauty through the cold.

Of course my memory is evolving and most likely devolving as I traipse along through the seasons. It just seems colder this year and I am a little annoyed with the snow still hanging around. Even my trees haven’t budded early as they usually do, only to be walloped by Mother Nature a few times before giving a half-hearted bloom.

Moaning? We have more snow on the way this evening and I am thinking of past visits to Hawaiian warmth. Good thing I have my “babushka” hat, as my spouse has termed it. It is serving its purpose.

Maybe I’ll clean the oven tonight? It’s either that or a dance party. It’s getting desperate!

Avocados. It is impossible to have a dish which previously enjoyed an avocado to come out of the dishwasher clean. You might as well cave and wash it yourself.

Just doing a little clean up from the Sunday night gig. A healthy meal filled with lively banter and cheer. On to another lively week of cleaning!

It did occur to me as I was painting my piano room pink that I was channeling my inner Liberace. I am not a prodigy as he was but I do occasionally enjoy a bit of flamboyancy. I truly loved watching him perform – all that glitz and glam.

My neighbor, “Pann,” visited and viewed the progress and new digs yesterday. Apparently she noticed the nod to Liberace, too, suggesting I need a crystal chandelier to add the perfect touch. “Oh.” I already have a chandelier hanging in the corner.

I think the room was always supposed to be pink.

This is what prevents me from returning absolutely everything to its place. A thank you note received from a friend.

I think this is an easy call. Hope your day is full of easy decisions!

Well, the flooring is installed, the house needs recombobulating, and my aching bones crave a vacation. Yesterday was a mere tantalizing prelude to a warm weather tour.

It took twelve full hours – in our home, not including their loading and drive time – for our friends to remove and lay the carpet. They were strong, swift and very careful. They did not shun hard work, that is true. And, they enjoyed their mariachi music.

Music is good for the soul, and all I could think about was going to a nice warm beach and letting the sun radiate throughout my brain and body. We were so blessed to have the warmest day of the week for the endeavor as we opened windows and enjoyed the breezes. With the snow forecast for tonight? Well, I’m considering a short flight to our southern neighbor and a pinã colada. Either that, or I’m busting in on “Pat’s” Hawaiian vacation.

I’ll just dream about that little getaway as I return furniture, touch up paint, and do my early spring cleaning. Where’s Waldo? Can you spot the three benches?