It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

The little robin visited the birdbath, reminding me to attend to Mother Nature. A friend gave me tulip bulbs which bloomed and are awaiting resettlement in the earth. The ever-present weeds have begun their sinister invasion of my flower beds. And a lone squirrel has returned to seek his post-winter store under the third tree on the south side of the driveway. I’m itching to garden again.

However, with snow in the forecast and a good two months until my self-imposed planting season, all I can do is buy the fertilizer and prepare as I bide my time. Oh, and remember the robins.

Glorious. It was an evening to sit on the porch the sun was so delightful last night. Mood enhancing ’twas the day with the promise of more for the weekend! Perfect weather for painting a ceiling.

D-Day has arrived. I promised my husband I’d get it done, so I’m on the calendar for it now. At least five times I’ve made this exact statement, ”I am never painting a ceiling again in my life.” My neck hurts just considering the prospect. I’ll open the doors and windows though, and perhaps get a whiff of spring.

I’m grateful I still have a ceiling to paint and a life in which to do it. Saturday Sunshine to you!

Years ago when the Dyson vacuum was first introduced, I purchased one! The salesperson was outstanding. I hadn’t heard of the company. He showed me the features and cinched the deal with a question. ”If your husband wanted a better tool for his work, would he hesitate to buy it?”

That Dyson still runs, with the help of my husband and his tools for fixing things. He refurbished it so that I have a second floor vacuum. He also gifted me with a newer model four years ago. Two months ago, that model began stopping and spitting out metal. Obviously I did not need any new refuse on my carpet, so we dug up records and voila! Their five year warranty held true. Last Saturday, a brand new Dyson was delivered to my humble abode.

Nothing is as satisfying as using a new vacuum for the first time, marveling at the amount of dirt and fluff on which you’ve been crawling with your granddaughter. Nothing is as true as unboxing the tool, vacuuming one hallway, and then letting it sit until you have time to finish. All in the name of babysitting for three days.

As of today, I’m enjoying looking at this cleaning implement, still stuck in the hallway on day four. The sun is shining, the gales have discontinued their wrath of yesterday, and I have a cup of coffee. It may be my new home furnishing for the rest of the week.

Looking for more entertainment, I found ”Absurdle,” the word game where the computer changes the word until it is forced to cave in. It’s mildly amusing. It usually takes six guesses, five being my best.

Get the ”y” out of the way is my first recommendation, as well as two vowels. Out of all the words, I hate it when you get down to ”poppy” or another word with three consonants. Anyway, “Absurdle” is on the way out here.

Just looking for more amusement to supplement my daily ”Wordle” communication. Seven of us give a daily report on our success. The lines of texting, if not riveting, go something like this:

“3”

“4”

“4”

“2. I could have had it in one.”

“5”

“6. Ugh”

Which reminds me, I have yet to log my results! Happy Wednesday.

I’m back. My trusty ipad keyboard pooped out on me, and hunting and pecking for a thought is not my game. Thus, upon my return to “Colorful Colorado,” (cough, sputter) I was able to recharge and charge ahead.

Seeing the mountains upon touchdown is always inspiring and breathtaking. I feel like I can breathe in the openness of the plains and regain my bearings with that westerly line of majesty. However, I always think ”colorful” is not the term I’d use to describe our state for most of the year. Brown. Colorful can be obtained if you are lucky enough to get a reservation in the mountains for a campsite or a drive through the National Park during the months of July or August. Even the Aspen leaves are only one color, albeit beautiful in their massive amounts.

Thus, I’ve decided that ”colorful” only really applies to the people living here. You know who you are, too. Back to regaining combobulation. (This is not a word – yet.)

It was my final attempt. Amazon has a few tubes, but the price is ridiculous. Yes, the manufacturer has discontinued one of my beauty regime staples – Alberto VO5 hair conditioner. Wonder why?

If I was the only holdout using it, they could have at least contacted me. I would have bought a case at the regular $4.00/ tube price. However, I am not paying $27 a tube for the closeout special. My dry hair will have to adjust to another oily, greasy product to slather on. It’s not like anyone ever noticed my shiny locks anyway, with my hair always piled atop my pate.

Farewell, friend. You’re heading down the Phisoderm path. ($30 for a ”vintage” squirt bottle of my former facial cleanser.) I guess I have successfully dated myself in the name of beauty. Off to apply some Pond’s cold cream.

My tongue-in-cheek post of yesterday had me thinking about musical instruments. I always thought playing an accordion would be cool, but I had no such opportunity to learn. A few years back, I decided to broaden my skills with another instrument I considered cool. I rented a harp for six months!

I figured a harp was a piano turned on its side, so I wouldn’t have much trouble learning. That part was true. My goal was to play one Christmas song at my music party. Whew. I played so slowly picking my way through the music that we would have been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day waiting for me to finish. Six months was a long enough experiment.

According to the all-inclusive chart I was supposed to choose guitar, but a piano was the only instrument in our house. Plus, I was going to be a famous singer, I had to know the keys! The famous part certainly didn’t pan out, but the piano part has served me well. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

My APB friend sent this, and I couldn’t stop laughing. Most of us have hobbies we enjoy, but in the event you were considering music for your next act, here’s a helpful chart sure to bring a smile, if nothing else.

Distilled water. Who knew it was so difficult to procure?

I mentioned to a friend I needed a gallon. I was missing my daily dose of the ocean in my nose. Somehow, pouring saline upside down into my nasal passages reminds me of scuba diving, and I like to think about the animals I’ve seen in my swims during this ritual. (I really do need a vacation, don’t I?)

All it took was that one comment and the wheels of friendship kicked into gear. By the next morning I had a gallon on my back porch, obtained from a friend of a friend who knew my plight. Purchased and delivered! Better than Amazon, for sure.

Rubies and emeralds are also scarce. Let’s see where that goes.

All right. ”Explore” was really a code word for ”find a rug for the front door.” Even though Ernest was on my mind as I searched, and it was very cold yesterday, my explorations only took me to one store which was nowhere near the Weddell Sea.

However, a fellow reader and English major from my college days shares the fascination with the discovery of ”Endurance.” Thanks for the link, ”Paroline.” Love it! Passing on the excitement of this feat, which should not be swept under the rug!

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60239105