It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

The conversation last night revolved around me updating some apps on my outdated and yet, still maintaining a two-day charge phone. (The phone is six years old – not really THAT old, but yes, obsolete for most. And apparently most of my apps need a newer phone or some intense hoop-jumping for them to function.)

“Do you have Google Translate?”
”Yes…and this app, too.”
”Good, I used to have GT, let me check.  No….they want me to jump through some hurdles to reestablish my connection.  You have two apps that work?”
“Yes.”

”Good.  Don’t leave me, I’m not doing it.”

Totally “meant for each other” type of communication.  

Where is your driver’s license?

My husband was dragging my satchel upstairs to have me locate said document in order to see how my name is properly registered. Hm. Where was that little piece of plastic? Not in my purse.

Since I had just finished sorting laundry and emptying pockets, I was suddenly dismayed. I knew I had it yesterday! After finding numerous tissues, I thought I had done a thorough job of cleaning out the places that stash all of my necessary items for the day. However, in the most obvious pocket of all, out pops my license. Thankfully I had not done the dark colors first or it would have been cleaned and sanitized, most assuredly rendering it useless at the airport.

Thanks to my spouse for his timely question. The challenge of emptying my pockets more throughly continues. At least I’ve learned to check the sleeves for stashed tissues!

Well, this will not be it!

I do admire the fact that there is an Excel World Championship – and I heartily recognize I would be sitting in front of a screen looking at it for the entire time. How cool though…the chance to show off your skills in this amazing arena with other nerds. It’s just gaming of another sort.

The next adventure will be just as challenging – negotiating foreign lands with no knowledge of local customs. That’s my kind of sport!

Cashing a Benjamin is difficult! I’ve been trotting around with a $100 bill for a couple of months now, deciding to spend it yesterday on a $6.00 purchase. Wrong.

Aside from no cash in the register, the clerk was new, the line behind me impatient, and the woman in charge about to go on break. To be fair, the line wasn’t that long when I started this exchange, it only lengthened as this task presented its challenge.

It wasn’t impossible, and now I have tip money! We’ll see how quickly this new monetary display in my wallet dwindles away.

What did I ever do to receive these gorgeous photos in my Pinterest feed? It would be immensely beautiful to look at these lovely installations daily.

My first question: Would the water stay warm in this glass tub? Second: How would I clean it without scratching it? Third: Where does the fluffy neck pillow go?

The kitchen would definitely be stunning in amethyst, such a beautiful stone.

Once again, “How would I keep the dust out of these little crevices? Or the grease?” “Where would I keep the ample supply of bandaids for when I whack my knee or arm on a sharp piece of beauty?

Still, it would be fun to have these stunning displays surrounding me. Apparently I do love them, as I’ve kept these photos for some time now. It’s fun to dream!

Ambisinister and ambidextrous. Hm. Learning new things every day!

“Ambidextrous,” which we think we know, translates to “both sides right-handed.” Okay – you’re able to do things with both hands and do them equally well. Ambisinister translates to, “both sides left-handed. Clumsy or awkward with both hands.”

It seems that the preference for right over left was a mid-19th century prejudice already. It explains a lot about education and how so many lefties were forced to be righties, thus creating awful penmanship challenges. Sometimes I feel ambisinister as I clumsily work on any sort of sewing challenge or try to operate a teeny, tiny screwdriver, regardless of “which-handed” I am.

So I’ll take my ambisinisterism (if that’s a word?) and sort the laundry. At least I won’t screw up anything too drastically.

This morning I wakened to – not a song – but a poem, a welcome change from the tunes that run through my addled brain.

Thus, to warm your thoughts I offer William Blake’s “The Tyger.” It must have been the “burning bright” line that caught my mind as I woke with cold toes! Regardless, I love the question he poses, reminding me to be grateful for all.

The Tyger

Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp,
Dare its deadly terrors clasp!

When the stars threw down their spears
And water’d heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?^[8][9]

Aside from the potential demise of TikTok, the “Arctic Freeze” is apparently the only news worth reporting.

There were many admonitions given on the news from how to avoid frostbite and for keeping yourself safe in these temps, which apparently we have never ever seen before? (I jest. Yes, it is cold.) Anyway, I thought of a tip that they failed to air yesterday on the Weather Impact high-drama alerts. Perhaps shoveling with wet hair isn’t a great idea?

It’s still damp, but I figured if I waited for it to dry I would lose my motivation. I then promptly came indoors and poured an ice cold beverage, another no-no when it’s this cold outside. (Tea is the better choice.) I wore a hat on top of a hat, had a scarf, and managed to work up a nice sweat. And as I write I am looking at the Google feed above me telling me the temperatures in Thailand in February.

Sending warm wishes to all.

The “Year of the Purse” ended with an appropriate trashing of my favorite over-used and ripped purse, purchased on vacation in Australia. It was a cute little bucket thing which served me well.

Surprisingly, no one has badgered me yet for this year’s theme. My sister and I have been sitting on this highly anticipated announcement, waiting for a query from the masses. Since we have heard nothing from our loyal followers and anticipate we could be waiting until July for a peep out of someone, we are just throwing it out there without fanfare.

Seahorse. Yes, I anticipate finding a seahorse this year and therefore, because we really had no better ideas, it will be the year of the seahorse. So use your myth and imagination this year and enjoy nature!

“Absolutely captivating creatures, seahorses seem like a product of myth and imagination rather than of nature.” Sara A. Laurie

It’s just part of the process for the new year. Decorations are put away, dust removed from places hidden by the decorations, and then the unsubscribing from all of the emails sent throughout the season of decorations. Everything you possibly googled, in some cases just spoke, pops up in the emails sent. Of course, lots of promotions for travel, because, “This will be your year!”

Thus, I’m deleting and cleaning out files and unsubscribing and etc…