Author: Rene

‘We may not need to pass a penmanship test to get a job today, but it’s still a valuable skill to cultivate outside of school. Research shows that handwriting notes activates multiple brain regions associated with optimal memory, much more so than digital devices. Taking notes by hand or writing a to-do list on paper will preserve that memory a lot longer than typing into a laptop or phone.” Word Daily App Tidbit

It’s Monday – write that list with your best penmanship! I have four things on mine, but I’m thinking of rewriting it so that my exemplary cursive education may be put into practice more fully than the chicken scratch currently on display. Just thinking of Sister Marya and want to make her proud of her “Neatness Queen of the Third Grade.” (Boy, did I rewrite a ton of things to make them perfect in order to win that paper crown!)

Write on!

The hair salon was open for business. Three patrons chose to employ the skills of the highly-trained professional stylist. Things went swimmingly until the last unnamed customer.

The mane of this particular female is so thick, so thick, that my implement broke with the task of trying to trim a few inches. How can you break a pair of hair-cutting scissors? It is that thick and gorgeous, by the way. I understood why she needed inches off – it was too heavy!

Anyway, the aforementioned barber also does hair coloring and permanent waves, although that last offer hasn’t been tested for years. (And she is itching to dye her own hair purple with the coupon she found for some neon -colored dye!) Rumor is she works on the barter system.

“Bottle of wine and your hair will look fine.”

(This post dedicated to “Praft,” who taught me how to cut hair in college as she courageously gave me her locks on which to practice.)

Here in Colorado the dermatology practice is like a factory: detail and precision oriented, swift and overloaded. The waiting room is never unoccupied and apparently my nose is never without needing attention. It is a dermatologist’s bread and butter.

No matter I ‘screen up daily and wear long sleeves. The hat? Half the time I forget it, so there is that little detail. Thankfully this visit was only for freezing some cells, no surgery. And as I always say to whoever is working on my face, “Thank goodness there is make-up.”

Go and get that irritating “thing” looked at, wherever you live, especially if you were raised during the sunscreen-less era, you Cooper-tone baby, you!

This bug is a mere relative of the one I spied on my back deck.

I was standing outside when I saw this rather large insect flying and then spiraling downward in a perfectly gentle and light manner, landing on a chair. I let him be, until I realized I had just witnessed its mid-air death. I meant to take his photo but my attention was swiftly diverted inside and I forgot, until I found his brother stuck to the siding of the house.

It was a rather awe-inspiring and beautiful moment, and a subtle reminder that autumn is here with winter awaiting its turn. “…thou breath of autumn’s being.” – Shelley

This is my morning activity, staring at this gorgeous tree while I drink my coffee. Yesterday the winds provided ample entertainment, blowing the leaves to Kansas and beyond! This morning, barely a whisper.

It’s a lovely respite before I don my “Grandma” costume and head out to tire the two-year old chatelaine. Perhaps a nap under the tree today?

One of the tasks I have already accomplished on this bright Monday morning is that of unsubscribing from junk emails. Sometimes it takes quite a bit of investigation to actually figure out the hoops, though most times it proves to be a single click.

“You are receiving this email because you have requested our newsletter.” Hm. I did not. What did I do to provoke the onslaught of information from you? To which lists was I directed after researching some idiotic thing I wanted to know, thus engaging the unsolicited missives from you?

Alas. It seemed like a providential start to the week – cleaning and taking out the trash. Onward ever, ceasing never. (The motto of the graduating class of ‘55, LHF. Thank you, Mother.)

The band rehearsed and is playing tonight! My music room is storing the instruments and we’re ready for the big concert. Join us if you can.

This cracked me up – and it is a reminder that yes, I will see you later! Taking a few days away and finding a new photo for the Fall publications. Adios!

One day late, but catching up!

I’ve just completed the Sunday puzzles, placing the “w” in the last spot. Monday whizzed by with that minor accomplishment achieved. It just seems to be a necessary duty before the week can properly begin, otherwise it’s a nagging feeling of unfinished business. Now Monday may commence, even though it is six pm.

The ritual of fall planting will find its place on the agenda this week with the procurement of chrysanthemums and tulip bulbs. Flu shots, checking the furnace filter, and tending to the septic field are also on tap.

It’s a glorious week, replete with “abundant” sunshine, as the weatherman predicted. We shall be enjoying it before the hint of winter seeps in, and taking to our tasks in preparation.

My free time has been rather sporadic lately, and happily so.

Perusing my Pinterest feeds and other such wonderful apps during a down time, I came across this useful little tip, which hopefully will never need employing for any of us. Rather than read the tip, I just spent an inordinate amount of time wondering why someone thought to post this? On Pinterest? Maybe it could lead the reader to a possible craft?

Speaking of crafts, it’s Fall, and abundant pumpkin opportunities abound for little pumpkins. Now those I am hoping to employ as soon as possible!