It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

You’ll notice the administration of this blog has introduced an exciting new feature: Earring of the Day. Why? Because poetry doesn’t always cut it.

Sometimes there are interesting stories to go with the adornment. I can always remember where I purchased or received jewelry! It’s much like the way my husband knows every shot he takes on every hole on every golf course in every game at every known destination. Or the way any bridge player remembers the exact card misplayed in a game, whether by their partner or self!

Anyway, these are from the Great Ocean Road in Australia. The little tourist information hut had about ten things for sale. These said, “I am yours, Rene.”

Happy earrings for my walking adventure, along with my waving palm branch! Happy Holy Week.

First of all…if you go to the website you can see the cool video I posted yesterday of me (ahem) doing a wheelie on my Honda 100. It really is my bike, I reiterate. Go to: Heyrenejtoday.com for a riveting clip.

Second…I offer this ode to the one person stuck with all of our computer glitches this past week, particularly one night.

Ode To Thursday Night

Help, Help!  My computer’s died!
I think there is a nasty virus inside.
But first you need to help your dad,
he’s backing-up the files he had.

Why is the wi-fi so darn slow?
Where did all my pictures go?
Someone’s trying to hack my mail.
I’m hoping you can get on that trail.

Change my passwords right this minute.
There’s a project on Pinterest, I want to pin it!
Okay, good, I’m back online.
Things are looking mighty fine.

Where would we be without you, Son?
I know if you weren’t here, 
     you’d be having more fun!

My dirt bike is a little Honda 100. I haven’t been on it for a couple of years because I wasn’t “hip” enough! When the weather was so beautiful – a couple of days ago – I decided I wanted to ride. So, I geared up in my helmet and husband’s crappy jacket just to see if I remembered how to ride.

Of course, I did think that if I happened to fall, break a bone, and had to go to the emergency room, this might not be the best time to do so. Perhaps I should wait to do something stupid until a later date?

I really do ride, and this really is my little bike. And of course, this really is me!!!

It was time. My uniforms were all dirty. You know – the three black pair of stretchy pants and the white over-sized tees and tops that accompany them. I seem to have lost my impetus to dress in anything stylish or fashionable. And I don’t have any old draperies I could repurpose like my idol Julie Andrews did in “The Sound of Music.” However, do not fear!

When I take my daily constitutional, I am cognizant of the need to don lipstick and flashy earrings – a little bright spot for those who spend six feet away from me on our treks. (Thank you, fellow walker, Parsha, for making me aware of this need.) Now, my goal is to wear every pair of earrings in my arsenal by the end of this viral assault. Additionally, when I am on a Zoom call, I aspire to wear a hat. I should make it through all 40 by the end of this, don’t you think?

Really, I’m wearing the hats because my roots are showing and I probably haven’t washed my hair in a few days. Also, when you aren’t using styling products, hats are rather convenient. Maybe this will be a take-away we can all use?

My favorite movie with “Do Re Mi” set to our current environment. Thank you, fellow choir member, for forwarding. Enjoy this one – I can’t top it. (Especially the ideas for staying sane!)

A new bad habit has recently entered my life. I have a bench at the kitchen table which is “mine.” I like it. It came from a thrift store where the owner would not negotiate at all with me. Thus, it was highly unusual for me to even entertain its purchase! However, I really liked it. I probably had “that look” in my eye. Savvy salesman.

The bench has undergone two different transformations since I’ve had it. It’s now a distressed grey look, quite charming. It seats three, so it’s rather long. Friends have squished on there with me and in a united effort, pulled it in for dining. I fit on it lying down and have found it to be quite comfortable. Here’s the problem.

With just me sitting there, I have taken to putting my iPad, journal, noise-canceling headphones, grocery and to-do lists, unread newspapers, clipboard with my poetry, and recipe cards on the right side of the bench. I begin the day there sifting through emails and listening to lectures with the headphones, not subjecting the household to my actions. (Bonus points!) I post my blog. I glance at the to-do list which still only has two things crossed off. I sigh and move on to find something more entertaining to do.

Last night I cleaned “my desk,” but it looked so sad I brought it all back this morning. I guess my new goal will be to tidy the space before retiring for the day. No sense fixing what works?

Yes, I decided to move out of my sewing room. I felt like it was becoming my home within a home. It was either that or move a coffee pot in there.

In my effort to “move,” I walked with friends yesterday who provided cheerful banter and “peppered“ me with culinary questions. The “peppering” friend is destined to write a CoVid19 Cookbook. It will consist of recipes made with miscellaneous ingredients from the pantry, and probably will only result in 19 different dishes. I’m not sure anyone will want to replicate the dishes, but it’s a nice hobby for now, and a clever title.

I can’t comment too much on her attempts as I had a can of Lima beans for dinner. It was a treat, not a punishment, by the way.

I’m turning into my dog. He sleeps a lot, lazes around, and is constantly looking for food. Every now and then he barks to let you know he’s still there.

Yesterday I was trying to clean my messy craft room -(previously featured in its glory) – and I looked enviously at the dog. He was napping so nicely next to my desk. He looked so relaxed. And really, tidying the room would just entail having to re-clean it. End of story.

Who knew they were only three days ago? Nothings says “cabin fever” like a stay-at-home mandate from your governor.

I don’t need to go to the cute little boutiques in Parker, but now I want to! I don’t need to learn swing dancing Sunday night in downtown Denver, but now I want to! I don’t have to buy any more craft supplies at JoAnn’s either. (See photo for unaltered evidence.) But I want to.

Now would be the time to master a new language, or Tae Bo, or the tango. (I’ve learned my husband actually reads my blogs as he told me weren’t cleaning the basement today. Maybe he’ll pick up on that last hint?)

Nothing sparks joy and excitement in my house more than the phrase, “Let’s clean the garage!”

The garage was not even on my initial cleaning list, though it is now because we did it and I amended my list so I could cross it off. I’m avoiding a much bigger issue…the basement storage room.

I love cleaning the garage. It reminds me of Saturdays in the fall when my dad would be out there, radio tuned to the Nebraska Cornhuskers game, not much special happening but tinkering around.

Nothing will get you sneezing more than dusting garage shelves and sweeping leaves out. My husband was so sad when his phone rang and he had to talk to a friend from Australia. I know he wanted to help more.

Now the garage is clean and I’m getting to the bottom of the barrel in cleaning projects. Tomorrow may find me in the basement.