It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Apparently you have to pay your bill for your site to be active. I’ve missed a few days as I assumed auto-pay was still working its magic. Additionally, I learned the credit card was expired, so it was an educational morning.

Aside from that, I have absconded my friend, “Pristina’s”, idea of repurposing former dog items.

It looks like nasty weather could descend again and I will be enjoying bridge, unable to properly protect my gorgeous flowers. Thus, I rummaged through the attic and found the old dog gate we had – a metal contraption for containing puppies in a small space. With it separated in half it has made a lovely cage around two of my larger containers. Covered with old fitted sheets makes it look perfectly white trashy enough to work.

The key to hail protection is to anticipate it and assume the worst. If all goes well, I’ll return home with the sun shining and no torrential rain or hail decimating the things I cannot protect.

Exciting times in this ‘hood!

Remember the journey from yesterday to the Rescue Mission? It is a bit of a hike and the facility has terrible parking. I was just praying no one was there so I could maneuver safely in their limited area with the truck. Imagine my delight when I was rewarded with an empty lot and this gift!

Apparently a florist delivers “leftover” bouquets to the Mission on occasion. These are just beautiful though, not wilted or droopy. What a lovely way to start a day. (And I was able to safely back in and get out of the lot with nary a scratch!)

Since I was making a run for the Rescue Mission’s warehouse site, I decided to clean the oft-forgotten linen closet.

There is no order in there, other than a small pile of pillow cases which are easy to identify. Sheets of varying sizes? Who or what was stuffing them in there?

It’s my own fault, and my own far-sighted thinking that maybe I’ll need a flat sheet from an XL twin sized bed one day, sans the fitted mate. I used to use worn sheets for painting purposes, but did you know that paint can seep through them? Surprise!

Anyway, my day began with a much needed clean out. Toodling along…

Okay – not my title, so clever, and not my idea, genius! “Pristina,” pissed at the amount of money a “cone of shame” cost her when the dogs were gracing her yard, decided to prevent hail damage with this absolutely brilliant idea! A second life for these plastic wonders.

My cone is the size of a cereal bowl since we had small dogs. I could possibly prevent hail on one marigold? Regardless, with permission I am sharing this inventor’s idea. (She has a patent, by the way, for another amazing idea.)

“MacGyvering” at its finest.

My Pinterest page thought I might just “vibe with this.” I didn’t read the suggestion, but considered the statement worthy of a topic heading.

Many vibes these past few days of travel to the “Good Life.” My aunt turned 85 and we celebrated, the slew of cousins commenting on how nice it was to see each other at a non-funereal event. Once again I relished the resort-like feel of my brother’s home on the lake, even taking a spin in the boat one late evening. We enjoyed a stogie, my new consideration for a retirement hobby. I was able to do a little mending for my SIL, always a joy when the needle and thread can be of service. The uneventful drive (a blessing, though boring) did bring a smile when a field with goats and adorable kids came into view. I wanted to stop on the interstate and watch them, they were so darn cute. (!) My acquired habit of not listening to the radio on my drive home continued. I’m not sure why, but the quiet and calm do more for me on my returns than any song. Me, myself and I have lovely conversations in this manner.

So, I return to an overgrown yard with the promise of three days of mowing and trimming. It’s a great and satisfying workout, which will commence in 35 minutes, at the appropriate time for all to rise and greet the day. Just enough time for one more cup of joe.

Sending good vibes out to the world…

…yesterday at bridge. The sun did pop out for a bit, and perhaps that was when “Pristina” decided to follow the suggested rules of the game and “pull trump.”

Yes, we rib each other about our playing and yes, I criticize sometimes. Some times. Not all the time. Just some times. And it’s not like I don’t criticize myself – I made a stupid move and didn’t make our bid. Did my partner jump all over me? Yes? No. She did not. She is a civil participant. Thank you, “Ponna.”

Anyway, our entire table was joshing our friend when she actually did pull trump and got the upper hand on the round. Now, some suggestions don’t always pan out, but this one normally does. We all had a hearty chuckle, a bright spot in the clouds and gloom of the day.

Tuesday bridge is fun.

…of Instagram. It does have some darn funny posts, and this one made me chuckle with my morning cup of coffee, in part because it embodied my childhood experience of all local city parks.

Number one – the merry-go-round business. I slid off that sucker so badly I had severe road rash on my tiny little possibly six-year old behind and right leg. It was a mashed mess and required my parents to leave the wedding reception for my cousin and head home with the crew. It was a painful 15 minute drive with me wailing as I had to selfishly take up half of the back seat lying on my tummy. (I do not recall any sympathy, the recovery, the bandaging, or anything else, just that early memory of being whipped around and finding the concrete less than accommodating on my tender skin. We did not see a doctor. I wasn’t dying.)

Anyway, there were many butt-burners in the days of yore. Enjoy a few of these memorable antiquated playground structures.

This lovely photo appeared in the Pinterest feed.

Growing up I had too many “sunshine” salads, though they were called something else. I detested any “salad” which had marshmallows, pineapple, maraschino cherries, or jello mixed in. I never understood how these lovely creations were salad, though they were honest attempts to get us to eat fruit. Always canned fruits, too. Maybe that was my real aversion?

Now, a plain jello salad with whipped cream? That I could do! I did have my preferences, even as a child. Thus, no surprises here when the grands come over and have their own opinions on my gourmet lunch service.

Maybe I should try a Jello salad with them?

We’re pushing for summer over here, wearing shorts and skorts, thinking we don’t need a jacket at all times, opting for shorts sleeves, etc…

Yet, we have our blankets wrapped around us as we sit on the front porch discussing the weighty events of the world and prospects for the day ahead. And when I step outside to water the plants, my legs give off a bright white glare from their lack of sun exposure for seven months. Thank goodness I don’t have a serious beach vacation planned!

I’m hanging on to the promise of an 80 degree day ahead as I sit in my lily-whiteness with a jacket at the kitchen table. Time to shock the world and head out to hydrate the flowers!

The word is, “bedraggled.”

Remember the old television game show, “Password?” You gave hints up to ten times – something like that. Well, my hints would be, “petunias, ferns, impatiens, roses, me…” The weather has certainly done a number this past week. Some sunshine would be nice to perk things up a bit and allow the effort of potting plants and bringing color to the yard to shine forth. Also, it’d be lovely to not feel like I’m slogging through every afternoon with the cloudy, grey skies. Just saying. Not complaining about the moisture, but it sure would be welcome to get gentle spurts and serious sun in between.

Here’s hoping tomorrow’s forecast is true. I need a burst of Vitamin D.