tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36735582485097536272024-03-19T05:14:39.543-04:00Rambling OnPlaces I go, or things I think, either way, I'll be rambling on.Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.comBlogger423125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-10475874870776250382024-03-11T18:44:00.001-04:002024-03-11T18:44:52.211-04:00Art and Found Day<p>Have you ever found a rock with something painted on it? You know, the ones you are allowed to pick up and take home. They could be anywhere and you just accidentally come across them. </p><p>Years ago, a local lady who made glass beads, decided to leave little necklaces around town for others to find. I found two but, to be fair, I decided to relocate one in another town.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhytg9v01w5d4oWZw6umo3JlY2tSXRuLI0guuhuR6nvLhXg5VjB3csr6pQLWvtYGVkPrB3od_2GXbRhVw-nV6O4wbmLUocwJzvoBt57At_AoxDnWS9xRfFWPGGRbNRIQQWGxo-1s0-aL8nR_En5Wjitp_z4CoYQnADQTW4QT5Lt0e50KRi0Lsj7iyPLSU/s2303/20240310_104044.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2303" data-original-width="1824" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhytg9v01w5d4oWZw6umo3JlY2tSXRuLI0guuhuR6nvLhXg5VjB3csr6pQLWvtYGVkPrB3od_2GXbRhVw-nV6O4wbmLUocwJzvoBt57At_AoxDnWS9xRfFWPGGRbNRIQQWGxo-1s0-aL8nR_En5Wjitp_z4CoYQnADQTW4QT5Lt0e50KRi0Lsj7iyPLSU/s320/20240310_104044.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br />Now I have discovered we are about to celebrate Art and Found Day on March 12. Artists all over the world will leave something they created somewhere for someone else to find and take home. I want to take part and have encouraged some of my friends to get in on the fun too. I have been working on a painting of a friend's horse that I will place where, hopefully, it will be found soon. With any luck, the finder will share it on social media. I may drop more than one. They may be just bookmarks. We'll see....<p></p><p>If this is of interest to you, go to www.artandfoundday.com to learn more.</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-72363720617806721672024-01-24T17:43:00.001-05:002024-01-24T17:56:55.269-05:00Painting Project<p> Our local Ladies Club decided last fall to start creating a rock snake that will be installed near the library, here in our village. We gathered once a month to paint rocks with any design we chose. Three of us actually painted the head of the snake at the first meeting, so it will be interesting to see how those get used. As there were a few rocks left after our last meeting, we were invited to take them home and finish them up there. Well, I have lots of paints so I made off with one.</p><p>I was one of the ones who had previously painted the snake's head. I had found a rock that just told me that was what it was. I put a penguin on another and finally, I painted a face on the last one. So what would I put on the one I brought home? </p><p>I placed it on my desk and waited for it to suggest something. I turned it around and still, it didn't suggest anything in particular. Then I remembered one of the other ladies had stood a rock on its end and I wondered if this one would do that. As soon I placed it on end, I knew immediately, that this rock was a dog! </p><p>I searched internet to see if I could locate a picture similar to what I was imagining on the rock. I found a couple that were very different from one another but had features in the right place to fit on my rock. Even as I started painting I was not sure which way I would go. I decided to place the nose and eyes. The shape of the rock defined the snout and ears. After that, I just let go and let it become whatever dog it wanted to be. The great thing about painting with acrylics is you don't have to worry. You can always paint over anything you don't like.</p><p>I could likely refine this a bit more but hubby says, "Don't touch it!" What do you think?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYwCFlfJE3v0iW7S1OIrjexam6s_Jnc620EAseZsS3w13SDxPpnVbc88gdtL-MxyNFtRHF70NeVEQIlO-AEiQOXxzK6b6_cyl74iRuc-F8nl9UJk25tdcYAaCRXzHS-TfkHl7cotueOsLWnOXaZ4oZ3YDODSu0Yi1ddP_sRY3bEIxcTY0wKlZbTaynIfL/s1164/Screenshot_20240124_175307_Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="1164" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYwCFlfJE3v0iW7S1OIrjexam6s_Jnc620EAseZsS3w13SDxPpnVbc88gdtL-MxyNFtRHF70NeVEQIlO-AEiQOXxzK6b6_cyl74iRuc-F8nl9UJk25tdcYAaCRXzHS-TfkHl7cotueOsLWnOXaZ4oZ3YDODSu0Yi1ddP_sRY3bEIxcTY0wKlZbTaynIfL/s320/Screenshot_20240124_175307_Gallery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-79005457043885705102024-01-21T16:22:00.001-05:002024-01-21T16:27:40.101-05:00Forced Phone Upgrade<p> First, let me assure you, I am not a phone person.</p><p>I hardly ever use a telephone if I can get out of it, so my cell phone is just a tool. I only use it for emergencies or when I need to locate someone I get separated from in a mall or large store, or when I'm at an appointment or meeting and need to be picked up when it's time to go home. Even then, I tend to text, not call. I'm hard of hearing and until just recently my hearing aid wasn't capable of having a Bluetooth connection with a phone. My old phone probably couldn't do that anyway. It had no memory and got so I couldn't even update the software. Then my provider decided it was time to update their network. That means my phone is not going to work at all within the next couple of weeks.</p><p>My old phone was a simple thing. It cost under a hundred dollars when it was new. I have never had a data plan and pay just $10 a month to keep it operational. At one point I had over $600 worth of credit racked up. They let me use that up but I'm not allowed to accumulate it anymore.</p><p>I was shocked by what it would cost me to replace the darn thing. The prices on today's phones are outrageous! Worse than that, my hubby needs to replace his too. He did some research and asked a lot of questions everywhere they sell phones before coming to the conclusion that we would go for the Moto G Stylus 5G. The 5G won't work on my pay as you go plan, but that doesn't mean anything to me anyway.</p><p>It has a lot more memory, a superior camera and even a stylus. I can apparently Bluetooth it to my hearing aids so I might actually be able to hear if someone does call me. (We'll see about that). It also has a virtual assistant. I was about to set that up and got to the part where Google was telling me to say, "Set the timer for two minutes" but before I could speak a voice from the other room was speaking to the cat. He said, "Are you making a mess?" And instantly, Google popped this up as a response.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VGV3k3HdlbQWIkkEVTAGqe5TxSegWdfcB03BJsmvUXziyeuF6tBckoHHm0FZ8Zr4Hx3Bx7n8YOdx9VUdpad46r4EbrOth2zGuVYrQu3kCrl1aLrWZjGmQDG36WLy740llR876wMzExWVBLhXfURtdPAw-SHWhsApq2gMOFQYvTUvhFEvWpKBTgxeN4_k/s1835/Screenshot_20240120-110729.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VGV3k3HdlbQWIkkEVTAGqe5TxSegWdfcB03BJsmvUXziyeuF6tBckoHHm0FZ8Zr4Hx3Bx7n8YOdx9VUdpad46r4EbrOth2zGuVYrQu3kCrl1aLrWZjGmQDG36WLy740llR876wMzExWVBLhXfURtdPAw-SHWhsApq2gMOFQYvTUvhFEvWpKBTgxeN4_k/s320/Screenshot_20240120-110729.png" width="188" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(click to enlarge)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>That definitely gave me a much needed giggle. But then I had to wonder if Google just learned to recognize the wrong voice. It's okay. I just tested it. <div><br /></div><div>I discovered I can make a grocery list right on my phone. Big deal, you may say, but this is all new to me! I also decided to test the stylus since the existing list has little boxes to check. I don't usually draw digitally so excuse the mess while I figure this out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWTnqi6jxaFoDzgWOGdE7vFnyIdjHmop_58s1P00gU99aKU9fULFN1N-AOuFiDtVD9CGmFty7lAn_ZbAfhiOC3GN73GOZvq5IjlfwhZBWOCutR57R6oVpaWJJlpPiOjNv7q87HaTHRkROn8VsKok2ib9YDtuQmEhVt4ImopYxUOUi9hiRBQ7Q7f02QO-l/s2037/IMG_20240121_154837_704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2037" data-original-width="1026" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWTnqi6jxaFoDzgWOGdE7vFnyIdjHmop_58s1P00gU99aKU9fULFN1N-AOuFiDtVD9CGmFty7lAn_ZbAfhiOC3GN73GOZvq5IjlfwhZBWOCutR57R6oVpaWJJlpPiOjNv7q87HaTHRkROn8VsKok2ib9YDtuQmEhVt4ImopYxUOUi9hiRBQ7Q7f02QO-l/s320/IMG_20240121_154837_704.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, maybe Google was right. I might have a bit of fun making messes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-12318837914167164112024-01-01T11:19:00.000-05:002024-01-01T11:19:14.384-05:00Guess What Time of Year It Is<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEfHx6uSMT955qs1wl1pWnLSau0skwL2hitzEK8DWgSUWzKm9I5Ig9eM-umAqAvW2CwnCFYy1vB8aH1NVZu7HNEDFGEe-OiGSke70CNfUQW2mW3YLSc4SeENZiwqR_rJg9u5RDZ_azKnoOs1N3LpTFmrjtjm20CoFX0ONm0-MTjV5aDO_nCUoBQnaEY2u/s2421/20240101_110648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2421" data-original-width="2261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEfHx6uSMT955qs1wl1pWnLSau0skwL2hitzEK8DWgSUWzKm9I5Ig9eM-umAqAvW2CwnCFYy1vB8aH1NVZu7HNEDFGEe-OiGSke70CNfUQW2mW3YLSc4SeENZiwqR_rJg9u5RDZ_azKnoOs1N3LpTFmrjtjm20CoFX0ONm0-MTjV5aDO_nCUoBQnaEY2u/s320/20240101_110648.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /> It's that time of year again. <p></p><p>Many of us are taking stock of our lives, making plans for the coming year and making promises to ourselves that likely won't be kept. It's a time when we traditionally start over and then fizzle out of our new ways long before we should. So is it worth it to even try?</p><p>My main goal for the coming year is to cut down on e-mail. I subscribe to a lot of newsletters but there is no way I have time to read them all, especially if I start watching the art videos that often come attached. I spend more time deleting e-mail than actually reading it each day, and still, it piles up. My current method is to do a search for whatever comes up first and delete all the old stuff. A lot of that may be unread, but it's old now so it can disappear along with the newer editions. My new strategy is to unsubscribe from the ones I find that are mostly unread. I can make a list of who they are from and the subject matter in case I ever want those back. </p><p>If I want to keep up with what certain artists are doing, I can probably just subscribe to their YouTube channel and look to see what's new when I'm in the mood. </p><p>Making a list of authors and unsubscribing from their e-mails for the time being would also be a good idea. Sure they offer me free books to review, but I have several years worth of reading material stacked up waiting for me as it is. I don't really need to add to it, no matter how new it is. The one author whose books I could never pass up past away this year. Rest in peace Matthew Mather. You will be missed.</p><p>Most of what's left would be from retailers, offers for free stuff and samples and of course, surveys. I might as well get rid of the retail e-mails as many of those require apps these days anyway. I'm keeping the surveys and e-mails that offer me free products. I love getting new products in the mail when all I have to do is tell the rest of you what I think of them. I don't even have to pretend to like something. Fot instance, I recently got three products all at once. They are meant to work together but you could use any of them individually. I love one and have no use for another. The third one is okay for this time of year but not something I would ever buy. They are full sized products and I will happily tell the truth about what I think of them when I do my reviews. The surveys provide me with enough mad money to buy things online when I want something. </p><p>This e-mail elimination is going to take longer than many of you imagine, but if I sunsubscribe a few each day I might win this battle eventually.</p><p>The second thing I want to do (the first, actually, but if I do it first, then I'll never get around to the job mentioned above) is to get back to making my own art. I have slipped into learner mode. I have been painting and drawing along with instructors. I must be getting better as I have had several requests from people wanting to buy things. Because they were done as part of a course, I was not at liberty to sell them. Also, I have been working mainly in sketchbooks the past couple of years. I plan to buy a new block of watercolour paper in a size larger than what I have previously used. They are not cheap so I will spend some of my survey money on that. I have already built a file of pictures to inspire me. Wish me luck.</p><p>I think these are worthwhile goals. While I may never totally eliminate the excess e-mail, I can at least put a dent in it so I will have time to paint.</p><p>Oh, and who knows, I might get back to blogging more often too, now that life is a little more normal and I'm back to doing things.</p><p>May you all have a very happy new year.</p><p><br /></p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-65025739336514186042023-09-25T18:20:00.000-04:002023-09-25T18:20:48.565-04:00Tomato Tsunami<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX0i7yDkGWpGPNBZHtH6sM7dS3yGfCne26UEL17Ftf5Ou_EoTkqA8DiDs6YIS5P0YKXnEMmrKmMi9zYlWZCiTJCJS0uMK1LZdlhP0eg0E9L5Fn2QAlLhZx57_IYa3So3M5CG-UwhpXvIr8bl2WV7QgKoghd3m2ZXS9jmmIgyL6B_RD34bSUveaVcQALDA/s640/Heart%20of%20a%20tomato.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX0i7yDkGWpGPNBZHtH6sM7dS3yGfCne26UEL17Ftf5Ou_EoTkqA8DiDs6YIS5P0YKXnEMmrKmMi9zYlWZCiTJCJS0uMK1LZdlhP0eg0E9L5Fn2QAlLhZx57_IYa3So3M5CG-UwhpXvIr8bl2WV7QgKoghd3m2ZXS9jmmIgyL6B_RD34bSUveaVcQALDA/s320/Heart%20of%20a%20tomato.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Usually, at this time of year, I have a lot of green tomatoes. I listen to the forecast every night and when there is even a hint of frost I go out and gather them into cardboard boxes. I put the boxes in the basement and check for ripe ones each week. I generally have fresh tomatoes right up until just before Christmas. I love that. This year, things are different.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55vy1-G2lkGuLd1qB0Frcfxg8DvA-5Iw7IngAhW9qulMkEG2eDecIHs12llgD-fmjlWAX6t9I775l-Zwqf7BN81VzPF06qVUc5AifGGibM2LjmngJr69bPw0YxBYKlTjMLVJKQVSZJk8os74UNAooyEXGyj_uNHE_jx21PO4LrZpiPLQZWUx_3eplLwRW/s640/2%20pounder.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55vy1-G2lkGuLd1qB0Frcfxg8DvA-5Iw7IngAhW9qulMkEG2eDecIHs12llgD-fmjlWAX6t9I775l-Zwqf7BN81VzPF06qVUc5AifGGibM2LjmngJr69bPw0YxBYKlTjMLVJKQVSZJk8os74UNAooyEXGyj_uNHE_jx21PO4LrZpiPLQZWUx_3eplLwRW/s320/2%20pounder.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />I planted seeds I had saved from just two of the four kinds I had previously grown. My heritage Bulls Heart tomatoes are huge while my purple ones are just two or three times the size of cherry tomatoes. I planted three of each, originally, but my purple ones must have crossed with some other variety as each of those three plants grew something different. While one continued to grow purple tomatoes, one grew beautiful, perfectly normal-sized red tomatoes, and the other grew long Roma-shaped ones that were full of seeds.<p></p><p><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt5BGUZZoPt1sYOuRyDjnOEVOwjt9nv8Tf028xvs7BkkaYdrBhZ4f4NGaHzDFBqG8UPxZU2_ItZFjgyzwD8OSjPS0ReX8ZmU0NyNwl5yis0wyuUDK_-I-jnU3sC_bqIXJ1Xx1IKniFbfJR2jU7CMzDcLDxh38LLqq8fLbWI9CtZfBg_ER0Pza4fH2Ma7e/s640/beautiful%20assortment.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt5BGUZZoPt1sYOuRyDjnOEVOwjt9nv8Tf028xvs7BkkaYdrBhZ4f4NGaHzDFBqG8UPxZU2_ItZFjgyzwD8OSjPS0ReX8ZmU0NyNwl5yis0wyuUDK_-I-jnU3sC_bqIXJ1Xx1IKniFbfJR2jU7CMzDcLDxh38LLqq8fLbWI9CtZfBg_ER0Pza4fH2Ma7e/s320/beautiful%20assortment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>I have a second raised garden bed this year but since the earth for it didn't arrive early enough for me to plan properly for the addèd space, I just popped a couple more Bulls Heart seedlings in there when it did come.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivURvYMnEbnDzLMnzEB0vt30BTqgYGq7bfTUy8uMaNCo-wifM8HaDBs4Y5xMFFOVeWPIw-_Y6Lb0FIHFk2GvlQnhqFPuMS1ntpMYJxkinI90vdwoV8vDY9YCwnyy0UuHBPKIIbh3IWi_eOPUckK66ukoaPiolx0h-jAR6vALxxQAMWeWGS0uS2Ir4Ax1XW/s640/Tomato%20Tsumami.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivURvYMnEbnDzLMnzEB0vt30BTqgYGq7bfTUy8uMaNCo-wifM8HaDBs4Y5xMFFOVeWPIw-_Y6Lb0FIHFk2GvlQnhqFPuMS1ntpMYJxkinI90vdwoV8vDY9YCwnyy0UuHBPKIIbh3IWi_eOPUckK66ukoaPiolx0h-jAR6vALxxQAMWeWGS0uS2Ir4Ax1XW/s320/Tomato%20Tsumami.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The Bulls Heart ones are all ripened now and I am pulling out the plants. The others are extremely prolific and have recently been ripening faster than I can keep up with them. I am completely overwhelmed and feel like I am drowning in a tsunami wave of tomatoes.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnesBkt5DdkTCe9m7wzTn_OJ7Sye_fM3W70JjxZ6j8aIJoRn0K7ZVFA2HPyTB605qUYIzmiZMz075T9y7IwgIVjDTENDIXPRWtdcyfh04blV8Mr2KtFb6j2bbIfI4uOfs5MqZjoZHijgP_v3DE7fplI2ZMEldBGeSCovYXfrxTaQl7vzUxAKmh3dzJ5Rd2/s640/cooked%20tomatoes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnesBkt5DdkTCe9m7wzTn_OJ7Sye_fM3W70JjxZ6j8aIJoRn0K7ZVFA2HPyTB605qUYIzmiZMz075T9y7IwgIVjDTENDIXPRWtdcyfh04blV8Mr2KtFb6j2bbIfI4uOfs5MqZjoZHijgP_v3DE7fplI2ZMEldBGeSCovYXfrxTaQl7vzUxAKmh3dzJ5Rd2/s320/cooked%20tomatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Besides eating more tomatoes in the past couple of weeks than most people would eat in a year, I have been processing them in various ways. I have tomatoes frozen in containers and in freezer bags. I have made a couple of batches of slow-cooked spaghetti sauce, which also went into the freezer in mason jars. My freezer is now full but I still have three buckets of tomatoes in the house and more on the plants. I have given away a large number of tomatoes to at least 9 people, most of them, repeatedly.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOXjNnbyEpqm2bbg3qmoARtqxTyQ6nqRDbO99L-7T6gHrtFJtV57Q6oEBKSYe0VEKJ5RibKn5l3Sjv9HVkIug08OlX8b9ScmuIVeWDXG6gB4pWbOgel53iwDZ3M2c6e2_su093GjReJrG_OG7Fksx0o7HvyDhHfYgNQg48hozp-qpeEbsTyD1ahYFhWO4/s2957/20230925_180438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2957" data-original-width="2204" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOXjNnbyEpqm2bbg3qmoARtqxTyQ6nqRDbO99L-7T6gHrtFJtV57Q6oEBKSYe0VEKJ5RibKn5l3Sjv9HVkIug08OlX8b9ScmuIVeWDXG6gB4pWbOgel53iwDZ3M2c6e2_su093GjReJrG_OG7Fksx0o7HvyDhHfYgNQg48hozp-qpeEbsTyD1ahYFhWO4/s320/20230925_180438.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />I gave away my canning kettle earlier this year as I never grow enough in my small garden to can anyway. This year, of course, turned out to be the exception. This week I saw a YouTube video that showed me how to process tomatoes without a canning kettle. It involved putting the jars in the oven and the lids in hot water and getting the tomatoes just to the boiling point without actually cooking them. If all three elements are hot when you put the tomatoes in the jars and the lids on, the jars are supposed to seal. I started out thinking I would fill about 8 jars but then wisely decided to do just two the first time, just to see if it worked. Basically that took long enough to wear me out. And the jars had not sealed even by the next morning. I'm disappointed. I managed to put one of the jars in the freezer. The other is in the fridge. I will use it tomorrow or have to dispose of the contents since there are no preservatives. <p></p><p>I guess I will have to treat most of the remaining tomatoes the way people have always done with their zucchini and sneak around and leave them on people's porches. I'm really tired of dealing with the darn things! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv5KFy8iWS3iF9NAuaoeGxjgDOc137BZj6ezeyhPzlonLL7HbCUrMySrOV90LWSor5PQvVxwbJbqa0i60ZQovLz6b4BO5P9s8GQn3aeDWJvWp3vvYnqxwIFfgebJASyqcfe2ALmWdvk7bx7Cvw92aBQCGHkXJu_4lHMkIz-orHF2IGrwZFy2VRYkQwAOD/s640/buckets%20of%20tomatoes.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv5KFy8iWS3iF9NAuaoeGxjgDOc137BZj6ezeyhPzlonLL7HbCUrMySrOV90LWSor5PQvVxwbJbqa0i60ZQovLz6b4BO5P9s8GQn3aeDWJvWp3vvYnqxwIFfgebJASyqcfe2ALmWdvk7bx7Cvw92aBQCGHkXJu_4lHMkIz-orHF2IGrwZFy2VRYkQwAOD/s320/buckets%20of%20tomatoes.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br />But really, I must admit I will really miss having fresh ones up until Christmas this year. There are not likely to be any green ones in my basement this fall. I have never had so many tomatoes ripen so soon. The overabundance is only partially my own fault. The rest I will blame on climate change and all the heat we had this year. I will not plant more than my usual six plants next year but I am already wondering if I will save seeds of the beautiful normal-sized red ones, and hope they don't grow something else.<p></p><p><br /></p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-40094373193921456362023-08-26T11:17:00.004-04:002023-08-26T11:17:50.324-04:00Found But Not Lost<p> I'm sorry but I just need to rant for a few minutes.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQminnPcBxgqz075gTShgy2Lt2pGw7s2rty47c4A3jvlcswwjTElr0GlSnkT9ZZWMe-XlBJArWyU8L8QXQ1iHp-fMOmxfhuG8wbP5uMe_VwYklmZhifumOPidPuMHSryRlicgpXTUBpukBKf-Zxgc5UMZctPbHdljnUzpEK5VOpUaUqih487jqDZivxDAM/s1024/1693018418543.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQminnPcBxgqz075gTShgy2Lt2pGw7s2rty47c4A3jvlcswwjTElr0GlSnkT9ZZWMe-XlBJArWyU8L8QXQ1iHp-fMOmxfhuG8wbP5uMe_VwYklmZhifumOPidPuMHSryRlicgpXTUBpukBKf-Zxgc5UMZctPbHdljnUzpEK5VOpUaUqih487jqDZivxDAM/s320/1693018418543.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I keep seeing people on my social media posting pictures of cats they found wandering around. They have picked them up and taken them home, or even to a shelter. I really need to know what makes these people think these cats are lost. If it was a dog, I would understand. Dogs are not supposed to be running loose. They are like small children and need supervision. Cats are more like teenagers and need the freedom to explore their world. They go where they go, and will go home again to be fed if nobody locks them in someplace they can't get out of.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeTGwSnZJAuB1u0urbLZtJs7BnVaQBDHhbKzP8VbY4GwMDFfepzsk0Ayc_1ghIgE4LR0QMh7Tq-sKepv5Qc3rAg1mhYoiFaOKqqKxfCi8MKmfZqYmcxkr-ZmJhwW9D_tQNGiQ0aYmxuZdn3CHaeRZTl4_V_z7CMUDlSCTShypAWxlSJKzuc9avQlF1H1g/s1024/1693018835520.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeTGwSnZJAuB1u0urbLZtJs7BnVaQBDHhbKzP8VbY4GwMDFfepzsk0Ayc_1ghIgE4LR0QMh7Tq-sKepv5Qc3rAg1mhYoiFaOKqqKxfCi8MKmfZqYmcxkr-ZmJhwW9D_tQNGiQ0aYmxuZdn3CHaeRZTl4_V_z7CMUDlSCTShypAWxlSJKzuc9avQlF1H1g/s320/1693018835520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now, I will admit that my previous cat became part of our household exactly that way. She was just a tiny kitten who took shelter during a big snowstorm under a pile of Christmas trees that were for sale where my hubby worked. She was brought into the building to warm up for a while but when she was still around the next day someone decided to feed her. Of course, then she was quite happy to stay there. She was brought home to our place and presented to me. I was told she was lost. Well, since we live 12 miles from where she was found, my answer to that was, "Well, she is now!" <p></p><p>My dog adopted her right away. He washed her ears and followed her around the house. He taught her the rules. No pets on the furniture and no claws in the rug. He would pounce at her if she tried. I refused to name her for several weeks. She wasn't mine and I fully expected someone to claim her. I was afraid to get attached. I felt sorry for whoever had lost her. But she did become my cat and I had her for nine years.</p><p>My current cat is very snoopy. Curiosity is generally a sign of intelligence. It's how we learn. It may be true that it can also get you, or your cat, into trouble sometimes. We have alerted our neighbours to please check their garage or shed before closing the door, especially if they are planning to be away for an extended period of time. If my cat goes missing, it will not be because she is lost. She would either be locked in someplace, killed by a preditor, or taken in by some misguided helpful person who thinks she's lost. That has actually happened twice this past year when other people on my block thought she was lost and were determined to rescue her. So please, unless you find a cat that is in obvious distress, do not assume it is lost, it is just exploring its world and knows the way home.</p><p><br /></p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-51977391851956697412023-06-06T21:40:00.001-04:002023-06-06T21:40:13.383-04:00Use It Or Lose It<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDcjvCvtUgU4uh6HXGbB1GoxU6izfbAeSmVAcbK0MlRgygTcrkoq18yg4UL6Xjq7qGl3Z51nd6NFyjS2c7GvleKGvHFjR16VTTsfKcSwkgAS2js8LIyfWyt3QSFlDf8K-szuKfIOHH8eqeo1xOcpmJZ2DxEQTQEP3J1AsFWH5K_guglccfh_CtmL3BA/s1024/1686101936392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDcjvCvtUgU4uh6HXGbB1GoxU6izfbAeSmVAcbK0MlRgygTcrkoq18yg4UL6Xjq7qGl3Z51nd6NFyjS2c7GvleKGvHFjR16VTTsfKcSwkgAS2js8LIyfWyt3QSFlDf8K-szuKfIOHH8eqeo1xOcpmJZ2DxEQTQEP3J1AsFWH5K_guglccfh_CtmL3BA/s320/1686101936392.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I'm sure you have all heard the old adage "use it or lose it" but maybe you didn't realize that it pertains to a lot more things than just muscles. <p></p><p>I have told people who say they are having trouble doing something that used to be easy that they need to practice it more. I started that when I saw an elderly relative who had always been spry and active struggle to get up off the couch. Apparently, she had been sitting too much that winter, and then she thought she was just slowing down because she was getting older. In reality, it was because she had not been using those muscles as much in the past few months and needed to retrain them. We can strengthen our muscles at any age, no matter how old we get, but if we don’t use them they get weak.</p><p>I have glasses for reading. They are prescription glasses with a prism in them, not drugstore reading glasses. I don't always use them. I'm typing on my tablet at the moment and my glasses are not even in the room with me. My hubby cannot read anything without his, and they are not as strong as mine. He has progressive glasses so he wears his all the time. His eyes, or his brain, have gotten used to having assistance. My eyes just see what they see and my brain must fill in the rest.</p><p>Just recently I got new hearing aids. I have worn one for close to twenty years but it was once again time to get a new one. I was losing my word recognition so I needed to upgrade to a stronger model and I finally accepted the fact that maybe I needed two. It did not take a week for my ears and brain to adjust to all this help and suddenly I could no longer hear without the aides in place. I am hearing much better now, while wearing my new hearing aids but without them I am suddenly a lot deafer than I have ever been. Just more proof that if you don’t use it, you lose it. As it was, I wasn't using the part of my brain that could recognize words and I think that's worse. I'm better off needing help to hear properly than I would be if I could not understand what was being said. Even so, I have now turned the volume down three clicks and can still hear just fine with the aids. Maybe that will help me be less deaf without them. One can only hope.....</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-83356714261126622832023-04-30T10:55:00.001-04:002023-06-22T20:57:57.226-04:00Organizing My Priorities<p> I recently won another book from LibraryThing. This one is called The Beginner's Guide to Organize Your Life. Well, at this stage of life, I'm hardly a beginner, and up until not long ago, I was pretty good at organizing things.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQLRG3WNtDGVALmLR7VpD1U8UFgpsXY0KgGDgU-fk3_slnLWckp0xMY6A9asesXVCZe-9e5XzQLJD57i1ptToxI_vLAfqNC4vaHHkmMZIIk5iwxZ50OQ7uVpjWjjDnl-Zo9A_8v4vbzj2gzcH8w56oksxqmL42FhRl5gMVpPYewpPRqv-60hvhsyT6g/s1080/IMG-PHOTO-ART--761461646.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1080" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQLRG3WNtDGVALmLR7VpD1U8UFgpsXY0KgGDgU-fk3_slnLWckp0xMY6A9asesXVCZe-9e5XzQLJD57i1ptToxI_vLAfqNC4vaHHkmMZIIk5iwxZ50OQ7uVpjWjjDnl-Zo9A_8v4vbzj2gzcH8w56oksxqmL42FhRl5gMVpPYewpPRqv-60hvhsyT6g/s320/IMG-PHOTO-ART--761461646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This book seemed to arrive at the most opportune moment. My office/studio has just had a facelift. We had to move everything out of that room in order to repaint the walls and put down a new floor. Let me make this clear. I live in a 900-square-foot home and this was the room with the most stuff in it. The hallway and every other room in the house soon had extra furniture, boxes and other piles of stuff anywhere we could find a place to set it down. Organization went completely out the window. While I will admit that the desks in that room were often cluttered, suddenly my whole house was a complete mess. I felt like I was living in a hoarder's house. Maybe I was, but usually, my hoarding was confined to just one room. And then, to make matters worse, we had a major storm that created a flood in the basement. Where were we supposed to put the things that needed rescuing from down there?<p></p><p>As I began to read this book I found all the normal helpful hints about goal setting, building a routine and being consistent. We are told to plan ahead. I already had a list of things I wanted to get done today. I was ahead of the book on that one. It did mention leaving time for things that might come up unexpectedly. One of my planned tasks did not get done because my hubby had his own agenda as he was reorganizing the contents in the basement now that it had dried out. He presented me with a couple more boxes to go through. That snowballed into making a few more messes than I expected today.</p><p>I am supposed to review the book so I need to read it first. I was trying to fit that in, in between other tasks. I sent an e-mail requesting a Kindle version as this book arrived as a pdf file. Every time I closed it or shut down my tablet the darn thing disappeared. I would hunt it down and find I had to flip through the pages one by one to try to find where I left off. This is not how any previous books I have received in pdf format have behaved and I know the Kindle version is available. I found it on Amazon. I was able to both forward it to my Kindle and open it in my Kindle app on my tablet, but it was basically useless. I am now flipping through more than 40 pages.</p><p>I had received no response to my message and I cannot see myself flipping through the 109 pages to finish reading this book. I could likely have finished reading it by now if I had a proper Kindle version or a pdf file that was not apparently meant to be an audiobook. The audio part is only available in the UK and the US, not here in Canada. I am assuming that's why I'm having problems with the file.</p><p>Then I reached the chapter on time management and prioritizing your tasks. I decided to take my cue from the book and prioritize my time. I have stopped fighting with the file and written a blog instead of a review. I feel like I have accomplished something more worthwhile.</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-56349529923555551902023-04-23T13:32:00.000-04:002023-04-23T13:32:17.418-04:00New Fangled Gadgets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt_armoJsn29EEw6M5U2HNKWHye1xl3jSG6shjFJV71Y3XrAkD0B1XQ3cxt63dYtgmrKpulJ9G7CEc0_od-lDq90PDwg9jWaTU13crYBCyGV_oOaNyrzIAZdPz0vsT6IHeYarnHBSE2iYXRonYeAmL5k7GhUTnOOPsQFM0j-rUPBwpIznO2kM17dCIQ/s3264/20230423_094737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt_armoJsn29EEw6M5U2HNKWHye1xl3jSG6shjFJV71Y3XrAkD0B1XQ3cxt63dYtgmrKpulJ9G7CEc0_od-lDq90PDwg9jWaTU13crYBCyGV_oOaNyrzIAZdPz0vsT6IHeYarnHBSE2iYXRonYeAmL5k7GhUTnOOPsQFM0j-rUPBwpIznO2kM17dCIQ/s320/20230423_094737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Recently I had a discussion with a group of ladies in my own age group about air fryers. While the younger generation seems to love them, most of my group had a different opinion. This kitchen gadget is all hype and not worth the counterspace. In fact mine is so big it took up entirely too much countespace so I found another place to keep it. Now it's even less handy and I maintain that if you can cook something in a frying pan then I don't see the point of using the air fryer. Not only would I have to move it into place but washing that big basket is rather awkward. If I had a split sink, as seems popular these days, it would not even fit in there. Mind you, I do see it as an energy saver if the food would normally go in the oven.<p></p><p>I won a gift certificate for Home Hardware last year and finally decided to spend it on an air fryer. It wasn't something I would have bought for myself but they seem all the rage these days. When I got it I went through a lot of recipies I found online. I love using it to make French toast and apple fritters. Cooking frozen French fries in there somehow stripped the product of any flavour they may have had so I roasted potatoes and made homemade fries. That worked. I am the only one here that eats asparagus and this is a quick and easy way to cook that too but it certainly doesn't work for cauliflower. </p><p>Everyone said the air fryer is great for meat but I was timid when it came to that. I didn't want to ruin something that costs so much these days. I don’t even hesitate to use my Instant Pot. I love that thing! The air fryer was beginning to go the way of my crock pot. That's something else I seldom use but will drag out for only certain things. I always cook beans in there, for instance. </p><p>I finally decided to try it. My large basket has a divider that you can put in when you want to cook two things at the same time. I cooked chicken and potatoes and they turned out well. Then this week I put some honey garlic sausages in there. The air fryer now definitely has a use! I will never cook sausages any other way. You don’t have to watch them, or turn them and they come out beautiful and evenly cooked. I might actually try some other meat now. Perhaps this gadget will grow on me yet.</p><p>What is your favorite thing to use your air fryer for? </p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-76720232489918923922023-02-20T15:09:00.005-05:002023-02-20T15:09:51.161-05:00Artificial intelligence <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN35XiJeJQi9hVRpDIzuKFAhxCyIbpEXb-_y_sl-7XOchAsgIeF52KJU_Kp4kD3hBc4RSSoZd2_m8S7s1vdHnS8cU3rYUvveEkxWbRH95qYeaXos9OV8u3VXvDKgFR32ioBHHJBYBi7lgUOowcYzmRXt7EodXgharaHbkHMiBX36_O_IW5F7iDmsIrQ/s818/Screenshot_20230220_140205_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="566" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN35XiJeJQi9hVRpDIzuKFAhxCyIbpEXb-_y_sl-7XOchAsgIeF52KJU_Kp4kD3hBc4RSSoZd2_m8S7s1vdHnS8cU3rYUvveEkxWbRH95qYeaXos9OV8u3VXvDKgFR32ioBHHJBYBi7lgUOowcYzmRXt7EodXgharaHbkHMiBX36_O_IW5F7iDmsIrQ/s320/Screenshot_20230220_140205_Chrome.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br />I just finished reading a book by JL Lycette called The Algorithm Will See You Now. <p></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">This is a story about allowing artificial intelligence decide who can or cannot receive medical treatment based more on whether the treatment is good for the profit of the health organization than on what is necessarily good for the patient. It is also a book about human nature and the lies we tell ourselves and others. Would we really be any better at making these rational decisions than a machine? Read the book and decide for yourself. It's a good story. </span><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">I received an advance review copy for free, and left this review in various places voluntarily.</span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Artificial intelligence seems to be everywhere these days. </span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">This morning I have already seen an ad for an AI app that will write stories for me. I'm not interested in that as writing is how I like to express myself. It wouldn't be my story if I let a machine make it up. It does prove that the algorithms are at play though. Already my tablet knows I was reading and writing about this subject. Why else would this ad pop up, not once, but three times this morning?</span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">I already have an app with AI doing my bidding. I can say "Hey Google" and have any question answered. It's handy to just be able to check the weather before I get dressed, check for any needed conversions or even find out how to use left over egg yolks without even having to type the questions in. I really should use her more often. I know she's listening because Google will occasionally pop up on her own and ask, "How may I help you?" That normally annoys me but next time I think I will just have her tell me a joke or play a song for me. A little something to brighten my day never hurts.</span></p><p>And, in case you have not noticed, I have been using AI art work on my blog and elsewhere since the beginning of the year. My eldest son has been having a great time with it and since he introduced me to it I have had it generate a few images that were useful to me. Sometimes I use them to illustrate my story and other times I use them as a jumping off spot for my own art. If you look at the AI pictures I have posted so far this year you can tell they are computer generated as they often have obvious flaws in them. Many artists are worried about AI taking over the art world. While it may come in handy for writing factual pieces, and coming up with pictures you cannot find by simply searching I do not believe the human aspect is something that can ever be totally replaced in either the arts or medicine. What do you think?</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-17225799636928763002023-02-18T13:09:00.000-05:002023-02-18T13:09:42.026-05:00Covid Time<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF7-UJpryaeJiI63jxSABZc9Jfz0ngu1gZNscTzIrXXRBUovSWvMk4_jZE2QeklYuG_s4wnoDJVg83UuhBaHrSDbWZ0D2CXMx_K6iTP8DrYfN5iOBE3_NUGehXOVfdgGJ2TgJNdOE-L3ppAhx_r4NHCKr0Ovi9U_EyV5i24R7GD_ejh__sfiAucH-tw/s1536/1676687052158.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF7-UJpryaeJiI63jxSABZc9Jfz0ngu1gZNscTzIrXXRBUovSWvMk4_jZE2QeklYuG_s4wnoDJVg83UuhBaHrSDbWZ0D2CXMx_K6iTP8DrYfN5iOBE3_NUGehXOVfdgGJ2TgJNdOE-L3ppAhx_r4NHCKr0Ovi9U_EyV5i24R7GD_ejh__sfiAucH-tw/s320/1676687052158.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Well, it had to happen eventually, I guess.<p></p><p>I sneeze most mornings due to cat allergies, but the sneezing and snuffing lasted longer than usual Tuesday. My hubby kept asking if I was alright and I assured him I was. We went about business as usual and I picked up my new hearing aid. I get to test it out for a couple of weeks and then go back for adjustments. </p><p>I did a test for Covid that day and I got a negative result.</p><p>The next day I had what I chalked up to be a weather migraine along with my snuffies. But again my hubby was looking at me funny and asking repeatedly if I was okay. I took the covid test again to prove that I was, but this time I got a positive result. Oh, joy. I had several events lined up to give my new hearing aid a good test in various situations before my next appointment but I guess that won't be happening. </p><p>I am isolating in our spare room, trying not to pass this bug on, though in a 900-square-foot bungalow in the dead of winter, I doubt that will do much good. At least I have my tablet, my Kindle, and my sketchbook to keep me occupied. And I am also lucky enough to have a good man who brings me food and lots of treats. I have accused him of trying to fatten me up but he is a Cancer and they tend to show love by feeding you. I have seen lots of evidence of that over the years.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv604CAHS9KhICdY6CkT9tQCz-2N2Sp8OjIqYDmGYow1uGhTncEppUZB6h-rHyE3W-DFKDOrqpcVT5VaqO7RTjOTBX0BleI0Wk-Jt_YxuSAgGo5bQBt38jqu1yWI_8YatzlskGuK0WR3hKi46QbsXNO8VOsMWXE7tlABqxAYWYvYM5O84szcFMMvIZpQ/s462/Cov%20antibodies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="444" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv604CAHS9KhICdY6CkT9tQCz-2N2Sp8OjIqYDmGYow1uGhTncEppUZB6h-rHyE3W-DFKDOrqpcVT5VaqO7RTjOTBX0BleI0Wk-Jt_YxuSAgGo5bQBt38jqu1yWI_8YatzlskGuK0WR3hKi46QbsXNO8VOsMWXE7tlABqxAYWYvYM5O84szcFMMvIZpQ/s320/Cov%20antibodies.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br />I have done my best to avoid Covid up until recently because I am prone to bronchitis. That's scary enough, without Covid. I have gotten a bit lax with the masking lately. And I admit to being slightly overdue for a 5th vaccine. My antibodies are still high, according to the latest Stop-CoV blood sample I sent in. Still, I feel foolish for having let my guard down when I knew there were so many sick people in our area.<p></p><p>Because of my age and history of bronchitis, I was able to get the antiviral, Paxlovid from our pharmacist. Let me say, that stuff works! It got rid of all my symptoms right away. I had a strange little reaction after the first dose but it didn't last long. The next morning, after a wonderful night's sleep I was thinking about how glad I was that I got the antiviral. And then I took my second dose.</p><p>Within minutes I was reminded of the little reaction the day before. Only this time it was much worse and lasted longer. I called the medical center and asked to speak to someone about Paxlovid reactions. I explained the pressure on one side of my head that started with feeling like my brain was swelling and progressed to make my face on that side feel weird....not quite numb but kind of like when the dental freezing is coming out. The nurse had never heard of that side effect before and could find nothing like it on the symptom site they use. She put me on hold while she checked with a doctor. The doctor she consulted was not mine but he told her I could go ahead and continue taking the antiviral since the reaction went away the previous time. I told her it was a much stronger reaction this time and very scary. She said I could quit taking them if I wanted. </p><p>By the time it was time for the next dose I had decided preventing the bronchial condition I didn't have yet was suddenly less important. I figured I would be better off seeking medical assistance with that than if I blew an aneurysm or something. It was probably an allergic reaction but whatever it was, it was so much worse after the second dose, I didn't want to try a third one. So, of course, without the pills, I woke up coughing several times last night and have my other Covid cold-type symptoms back. As I said, the antivirals work. Don't let my experience stop you if you are qualified and may need them.</p><p> </p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-38623484355018324672023-01-30T10:43:00.002-05:002023-01-30T10:43:58.838-05:00Getting My Ears On<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5r0gB5E5ec4m0uwjB72nkqVR2-93cTUBNoIVFCZBYtogYfQoP_Jwxq88S_uwwEpMeGi539PXOw8Krjcq5EId-FuxmrI6ckiQRZ3UkjUniLLYaxtYXExseq35DsHFoZqsgvPcEA4Shbvq8FV_9QrZnsHjeA9ImE7Mrfb9GpvP1FUplFcoNlu8AV0kP0w/s2082/1675093254913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2082" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5r0gB5E5ec4m0uwjB72nkqVR2-93cTUBNoIVFCZBYtogYfQoP_Jwxq88S_uwwEpMeGi539PXOw8Krjcq5EId-FuxmrI6ckiQRZ3UkjUniLLYaxtYXExseq35DsHFoZqsgvPcEA4Shbvq8FV_9QrZnsHjeA9ImE7Mrfb9GpvP1FUplFcoNlu8AV0kP0w/s320/1675093254913.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />My hearing aid is past it's warranty period and basically worn out. I have needed a new one for the past couple of years but I have been putting it off. With Covid-19 restrictions I wasn't going anywhere anyway and really only had one person to annoy by making him repeat eveything. <p></p><p>I found myself tuning into the radio news several times in a day to try to catch what was being said. I'm not sure if that's a hearing problem or if I have just lost my listening skills. I gave in last fall and went for a hearing test. That's when I found out things had changed. Not only had the prices gone up but the warranty period had dropped from five years to just three. You get a trial period with new hearing aids in case that style or model turns out not to be the right one for you. But I still was not getting to places where it could be tested properly so I decided, once again, to wait. I saw no point in wasting my warranty period when there was little to hear anyway.</p><p>But hey people, dispite the fact that there is a new Covid varient speading rapidly normal life seems to be making a comeback. I have been to visit family and friends and attended both the Legion Senior's Lunch and the Ladies Club dinner this past month. I couldn't follow conversations in any of those situations so I went back to the audiologist. </p><p>My last hearing test had apparently expired so I had to do it over again. There was no change and though I felt like I was not hearing as well, I just need to learn to listen again. People think that comes naturally but really, it's a skill. I need to practice.</p><p>I will be getting my new aid just in time for an upcoming event where I may get to talk more than I have to listen. There will be a small crowd there and I expect a lot more noise than at the meals I have attended. This will be an excellent testing ground to see what adjustments will be needed to my new assistive device. I do expect I will still need some people to repeat things but maybe I will at least be able to watch tv without closed captions. One can only hope....</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-85935792600148064612023-01-11T18:38:00.001-05:002023-01-11T19:59:35.192-05:00Busy Ladies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEc-oFpVSqn41MuVBS4DcuSAhF-qup3xm3CqhnqirkZPyB9cBkBZQgWgfhvBE-wjaY195cIoj1GD1Z1Y4yiwnzuxpqZZ38a8j2TJMaER3b-npuE8B1Rzb5DespXrvCn5YBIz4ljhSq-L3xi_YLBGJ-wRS1axiYknErIZw8qd9N4sTD-zWA7BORUDCIA/s1821/1673476090120.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="1106" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEc-oFpVSqn41MuVBS4DcuSAhF-qup3xm3CqhnqirkZPyB9cBkBZQgWgfhvBE-wjaY195cIoj1GD1Z1Y4yiwnzuxpqZZ38a8j2TJMaER3b-npuE8B1Rzb5DespXrvCn5YBIz4ljhSq-L3xi_YLBGJ-wRS1axiYknErIZw8qd9N4sTD-zWA7BORUDCIA/s320/1673476090120.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><br />I told you recently that I had not been blogging much in recent years because the pandemic put an end to my rambles. Well, it looks like things are about to change. This little tiny village now has a very active Ladies Club. Last summer they formed a walking group, a kayaking group and occasionally met for a meal. I joined the group during the summer but failed to take part in anything until now.<div><br /></div><div>This past week I joined them for what will become a monthly dinner at a local restaurant. Fifteen of us gathered and got to know one another a little better by talking about our various hobbies. The group now actually has 279 members (by the latest figures) but even among the small dinner gathering we found several things many of us like to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>In just this one short week, individual groups are currently in the planning stages. There will definitely be a darts group, a knitting group and an art group. Spaces have already been secured at the local Legion and Library. I, of course, will join the art group. I imagine it will be informal but some of the ladies have recently gathered to do a paint along and some paint pouring events that were also organized by members of the Ladies Club. I know there is also a lady among us who teaches card making so maybe there will be some actual lessons of one sort or another over time. I will happily encourage some urban sketching expeditions once the weather is suitable again.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was also some talk of a story telling session, a trail walking group and a visit to a farm to see some mini horses. I think the group is large enough that if there is anything anyone wants to do she will have no trouble finding others who will do it with her.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am already looking forward to next month's meal. Who knows what that may spark.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-81663055520242046762023-01-01T16:08:00.000-05:002023-01-01T16:08:47.145-05:00New Beginnings.....Fresh Start....Again<p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdxxTORRH6dc9OSGq1HTqe-6uBK86gl3fzP-YlHsOLoUWISsBdv6QxU-2a3u0RA3mNZ5or0hGfG0itgxmx1wc5mo8frYpvUdSwMSjgjylRCAnR3UfnU8-kurnERq25GmJIDFuwvuNC3XUS_sNv27VqPudHVCUiHvCrbyEwmjBmJ6QLR7rEVJLzpK6ZA/s2996/20230101_155517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="2270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdxxTORRH6dc9OSGq1HTqe-6uBK86gl3fzP-YlHsOLoUWISsBdv6QxU-2a3u0RA3mNZ5or0hGfG0itgxmx1wc5mo8frYpvUdSwMSjgjylRCAnR3UfnU8-kurnERq25GmJIDFuwvuNC3XUS_sNv27VqPudHVCUiHvCrbyEwmjBmJ6QLR7rEVJLzpK6ZA/s320/20230101_155517.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><p></p></blockquote><p><br />Happy New Year!</p><p>As I turn the page on the calendar to a new year I am also hoping to turn a leaf or two in my life and get some fresh starts. I am not making resolutions but just starting over. There are many things in my life that I have fallen away from during the pandemic, and though that's not over, I have decided that it's time to try a little harder than I have been to get things done.</p><p>I don't tend to walk as much during the winter, but with all the treats over the holiday season, I now suddenly weigh more than I have for the past three months. I don't want to diet but I can pick up the pace with the walking. I am lucky enough to have been gifted a treadmill this past fall by a dear friend who is moving. The main reason I don't walk as much in the winter is that I have this tendency to fall on ice, so I avoid it. Now I don't have that excuse but over the holidays it's been rather hit-and-miss. I will pick a specific time of day, and if I don't go out, I'll hop on there.</p><p>I have not been painting as much in recent years either. I have been trying to learn to draw and I seem to take a lot of online courses. That's good because it actually gets me to practice my art, but I do miss doing my own. Also, when people ask to buy what I've done, I can't sell it because it's not really mine. I did sell a few small paintings this past year and had a commission, so I do think it's time to get back to doing my own thing. Step one is to unsubscribe from some of the artist newsletters I get. I can't even find time to read them all let alone try what they tell me about. I will join a couple of art Zoom groups where they work on their own projects and that will at least give me a scheduled time to paint.</p><p>We are about to put down a new floor in my office/studio so at the moment there are lots of boxes piled up in various rooms. I'm starting to feel like I'm living in a hoarder's house. I need to feel like I have some control over this mess so I have already downloaded a decluttering schedule and will start to tackle the chores on that. It starts in the kitchen, which is good as there are no boxes piled there, but my cupboards certainly do need sorting out.</p><p>I have acquired a large number of unread books over time and though I like to read, I seem to spend more time trying to keep up with my e-mail. Apparently, the art newsletters are not the only things I need to unsubscribe from. My Fitbit tells me when it's time to settle down at night so I'll be ready to go to sleep on time. I will make a point of reading for at least that half hour before I go to sleep. That likely won't dent the book pile much, but it's still worth doing. I especially feel the need to get the books I win read in a timely matter so that I can review them. The latest one that arrived a couple of days ago is called "After Its Over" by Hunter Chadwick. It is an apocalyptic story of what could have happened to our world after Covid if even more people had died and there was an even bigger supply chain problem. It was originally written as a series for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella" target="_blank">Kindle Vella.</a> That's kind of like the old radio shows where you tuned in on a regular basis to hear the next installment. I never knew they were doing that in a written form before Mr. Chadwick released his story in book form.</p><p>Another thing I really need to do is get back to this blog. I miss it. I didn't feel I was out rambling around enough to have anything to say. But hey, I miss just talking to those of you that manage to find me so I'll try to get on here more often this year. I have cat stories to tell you if nothing else. We got a kitten this past summer and she's certainly different from any other cat I've ever had.</p><p>I need to pick up my usual daytimer like planner from Staples so I can schedule things properly. That could hopefully keep me on track, or at least tell me what it is I'm supposed to be doing each day. Wish me luck. </p><p>Nice talking to you.</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-78871634903744620832022-07-18T22:08:00.003-04:002022-07-19T06:22:50.671-04:00Getting Personal<p>While bra shopping in The Bay recently I found myself hunting for the elusive fit. There were a couple of other ladies there doing the same thing. I said something about this being one of the most frustrating things we ever have to do, and they immediately agreed. One said the same thing I always say: if you do find something that fits they quit making it shortly thereafter and that leaves you with this constant problem of not being able to find a good fit. And yes, I have been professionally sized in the past and practically had to mortgage the house to purchase the product I fit into there. The thing is, I know my size. I have three bras from one brand and two from another and though they are all different styles (because, as I said, they keep changing things). Those are all the same size and they fit well. I had no luck on this particular day. I tried on several that day and several a couple of other times. I gave up and left in disgust.</p><p>I like underwire bras but the wires have been replaced in recent years by plastic strips that dry out and break. Warners had one that had a fabric support shaped like an underwire but soft and flexible and best of all, not breakable. It was quite comfortable and fit well. I thought my problem was solved and I could just go get more of those. Nope. I found no sign of such a thing. </p><p>I kept seeing this ad for Shapermint. They make bras, among other things and they guarantee they will fit. I kept ignoring these ads because, if I can't find something that fits when I try it on, how on earth will something that comes in the mail ever going to fit, guarantee or not. The ads looked good. The products looked comfortable. I kept dismissing them. Okay, so I admit I checked out the website after a while, and even got to the point where I put something in my shopping cart before shutting down the website once again. At home, another plastic piece broke and I was down to just two wearable bras and getting rather desperate.</p><p>An interesting thing often happens when you leave a site with something in your shopping basket. They send you an e-mail to remind you and often offer you a discount code if you use it right away. I went back to the site but once I converted the cost plus shipping into Canadian dollars, I backed out again. Then I got an offer for 70% off and free shipping. Well, hey, I have money in my Pay Pal account that I got for doing some surveys. I decided I would take the chance at losing that found money and buy the darn bra I kept looking at. After all, it's guaranteed to fit (meaning you can send it back and try again, probably at your own shipping expense) and by using Pay Pal, if there was a problem dealing with this unknown company, they are supposed to be good at helping you recover your funds. </p><p>The first thing that happened was the free shipping turned out to be for those in the States only so I had another $9.95 USD added to my bill. I left the site again. Then they sent me a discount code to finish the deal that would give me back $7 USD. Okay, so I'm still paying for the shipping but not much. I put the order through. The $7 discount disappeared! I looked around the site for how to reach customer service and found a chat box. The chatter turned out to be the most unintelligent piece of AI I've ever run into so I asked for a human. Oh wow, that worked and I got one!!! She was very nice and once I told her the discount had disappeared, she asked for my e-mail address and checked to see that it was indeed a valid code and applied the discount. But, she said, since it was going through Pay Pal, it could take up to 10 days for the refund to show up. It showed up the very next day and I was pleased with the customer service at Shapermint.</p><p>I discovered they had a page on Facebook but when I got there I saw nothing but complaints. People were complaining about customer service, non-delivery, false advertising, and things that didn't fit but had no way to deal with the problem. I immediately thought that my first instincts were correct and I should never have dealt with a company I didn't know to buy an unknown product I cannot get a decent fit for in person. I got in on one of the discussions and mentioned that I often tend to review products and would do so when this one arrived. Good or bad, I'd have something to say. So, here I am. </p><p>I had a couple of surprises when ordering but customer service (the live person, at least) was good at solving those. The product could have taken a full month to show up but arrived in a timely manner, well ahead of the end date given. And hey, the darn thing not only fits but is comfortable. It doesn't have an underwire, but the soft flexible band at the bottom does tend to roll up and give me the same sort of support the Warners bra had built-in. Shapermint also supplied an extender so I have now added that and found the best fit for comfort that keeps the band from rolling up. I would happily go back and buy a package of three, but now I'm leery about the delivery problems others have had. Looking into it, I see that while this product was designed in the USA, it is manufactured in China, and sometimes even seems to ship from there. That's likely why they are having problems. I see I could become an ambassador for this company and since I am, personally happy with the product, that might be the best way to get more without worrying I'm just throwing cash in the wind. I think I'll look into that a bit more since I'm already hesitating to try getting another successful order through. </p><p>I like the Shapermint product. I like the customer service. Maybe I should not read anything else on the Facebook page and just go put in another order before this style disappears too.</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-23308424707108940272022-05-13T20:15:00.003-04:002022-05-22T09:29:35.192-04:00Nature's Blessings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5ikoRYGbaiUawVgx00d4Yn-BNML4yWZ9Z_4BWzsm3whAODYQWxXM7vU1ESGmTyyPUSokGp41tQv4efydejaLEkNH2-eXMKmH8MnmzSH9hE4RB6Em8lqvPVSGKYAIHDg5r_-ZiN0LJjkKG6qASs-P_dM_yfFIjjarWpxuew_o-aqFfk60mYX3B5pwxA/s640/forest%20shadows%20R.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5ikoRYGbaiUawVgx00d4Yn-BNML4yWZ9Z_4BWzsm3whAODYQWxXM7vU1ESGmTyyPUSokGp41tQv4efydejaLEkNH2-eXMKmH8MnmzSH9hE4RB6Em8lqvPVSGKYAIHDg5r_-ZiN0LJjkKG6qASs-P_dM_yfFIjjarWpxuew_o-aqFfk60mYX3B5pwxA/s320/forest%20shadows%20R.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />There is a trail through a patch of woodland close to my home that I helped create years ago. In more recent years crushed stone has been added to the paths and wooden stairs have been built to ease passage on the steeper slopes. This somehow bothered me when it was done as it took away the wilderness effect.<p></p><p>I love to walk in the woods. It cures my ills and recharges my soul. I forget about my achy joints and just enjoy the sights and smells around me. The play of the shadows on the forest floor and the sight of any animal tracks I come across fill me with delight. </p><p>I live in a tiny village but on the edge so I can see a wide-open field lined by the trees through which this trail passes. My own piece of land, where my house sits, is just an 80 by 120-foot lot. (Excuse me if I don't convert to meters. I have never heard of lot sizes expressed that way). There are no real fences between my property and my neighbours and I enjoy that openness. </p><p>Over the years the town council has downsized the allowable property frontage from 80 to just 55 feet. That put new houses closer together and gave people less breathing room. Now there is a housing development that will contain an apartment building and row houses with less than an 18-foot frontage. That is city living, as far as I'm concerned, and will change the very nature of my village. As this bit of wilderness is destroyed to pack in so many new homes it is displacing the creatures that lived there and driving many of them into town. </p><p>I am currently reading a book called Black Lion by Sicelo Mbatha (with Bridget Pitt) which has the subtitle Alive in the Wilderness. It is an autobiography of a Zulu wilderness tour guide and tells of the life lessons he learned over the years from the animals and from spending so much time in the natural wilderness. This book reminds us of how important the wilderness is to our lives, not only to the plant and animal species that live there but also to our own emotional and spiritual wellbeing. We all need a quiet natural spot where we can find the solace and comfort nature offers us.</p><p>Until I read this book I knew I could never be comfortable living in a city but I had never had the reason why so clearly express to me before. A simple walk in the woods always makes me feel better, renews my energy and fulfills my soul. Sicelo Mbatha spent a lifetime trying to teach others this simple but forgotten lesson. Undisturbed places are important not only to the plants and animals that live there but also to us.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-39786468859669029682022-04-12T18:00:00.000-04:002022-04-12T18:00:09.500-04:00Digital Motivation<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSpBWVCrQ4OhQ-Cdo9FFEo6BJargk_nYEWoUaY6CH5YEMhvk7ICWbrfzovPweNuZ75zQ1FrL9ovM7qzo2HFuctaCVsIsfFP6cXKIWAONqqq3jkBnJ6CL3T9z7sKwA-wvJqQU-fkuoeJoWBJYDImlz8wkEX5MyrNxlaFaQiQKWF9ScbNwc8u_4--cnFw/s2448/20220412_175652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="990" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSpBWVCrQ4OhQ-Cdo9FFEo6BJargk_nYEWoUaY6CH5YEMhvk7ICWbrfzovPweNuZ75zQ1FrL9ovM7qzo2HFuctaCVsIsfFP6cXKIWAONqqq3jkBnJ6CL3T9z7sKwA-wvJqQU-fkuoeJoWBJYDImlz8wkEX5MyrNxlaFaQiQKWF9ScbNwc8u_4--cnFw/s320/20220412_175652.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><br />Anyone who has followed my blog for any length of time knows that my art practice has been motivated by various online seminars, courses, and Facebook pages for quite a while now. All this digital motivation has caused me to see a gradual, but steady improvement in the work I produce. I have recently found that a digital gadget is going to help me be motivated to move more often and improve my well-being as a result.<p></p><p>A couple of years ago I bought my husband a Fitbit and have frequently teased him whenever he decided he needed to go for a walk late in the day because otherwise, he wasn't going to make his goal of 10,000 steps. A couple of weeks ago he gave me an early birthday present and bought me a Fitbit Charge 5.</p><p>I found that I had become less active and spent entirely too much time sitting while using the computer, playing with the tablet, reading, or doing art projects. Sitting too much is not good for me, or anyone else for that matter. The Fitbit has a function that is supposed to warn you to get up and move if you have not managed to put in a minimum of 250 steps by ten minutes before the hour is up. I have not succeeded in getting that function to work yet, so I decided the best thing to do was to make sure I got those steps in at the beginning of the hour as often as I could. Anything after that would be a bonus. </p><p>250 steps are easy enough to accomplish just doing simple housework like making the bed and putting away laundry. But there are times when I hear the words, "Have you got your steps in yet?" from my dear hubby. He's good at noticing when I have become glued to a chair these days.</p><p>It didn't take long before I learned a few tricks. I discovered how I could walk around the inside of my home to gather any remaining needed steps and I can put things away while I'm at it. Or, I could go to the basement and quickly walk from one end to the other a couple of times without anyone noticing and teasing me about it. That being said, my hubby now also suddenly decides it's time for a random stroll from room to room all over the house. He didn't use to worry about the hourly goal as he was more focused on the end target. He likely gets in more steps than ever now that he is following my lead, though he has always been more active than I am anyway. It gets really funny if we both suddenly get up to accomplish those missing steps at the same time and pass each other going in opposite directions. </p><p>Yes, this gadget has provided motivation to move and now it also has me watching the calories I take in compared to how many I burn. I am already starting to lose weight, slowly but surely. Digital motivation is a real thing and it does work. I might just have to get one of those apps that let me go on a virtual tour of some far-off land using the steps I accomplish here at home. That may really get me walking!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-59155558842039289362022-02-24T10:30:00.001-05:002022-02-24T10:30:51.539-05:00I Surrender<p> I am a bookaholic. I have admitted that<a href="http://otherrambles.blogspot.com/2014/11/buried-alivebut-what-way-to-go.html" target="_blank"> before.</a> I love to read and have always preferred physical books over digital ones. At least that was how I felt up until this past week.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggxw1-ljDySUzpRaauFoK6xrX8yTfN13RvJFTiG0AXcqNcx3334YLXTmgH23AUmMl1GCIMG2bo0y82Y-syyCsL5dFfJpZuV_urL_lq2Wulwr53gYNnqBbBESnJigXKwbGOfvemrAjHJoBByJ16YkybCW_-U_bc7mp_MgfFAO7_Shm4WpPmdICOH1DAxQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="640" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggxw1-ljDySUzpRaauFoK6xrX8yTfN13RvJFTiG0AXcqNcx3334YLXTmgH23AUmMl1GCIMG2bo0y82Y-syyCsL5dFfJpZuV_urL_lq2Wulwr53gYNnqBbBESnJigXKwbGOfvemrAjHJoBByJ16YkybCW_-U_bc7mp_MgfFAO7_Shm4WpPmdICOH1DAxQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />There was a little Kindle on sale on Amazon before Christmas. It was calling to me and I was so tempted. I had enough gift cards from the surveys I do to cover the cost but I talked myself out of it. I prefer real books, as I said, and can read Kindle books on my tablet anyway. The problem is, the tablet is not as comfortable to hold as a real book. A bigger problem is that my tablet is already overly full and though I dump the cache and clean it several times a day, it still malfunctions often. Downloading another book would only add to the problem.<p></p><p>It was only after that amazing sale price was gone that I regretted not taking advantage of it. So, last week, when I saw the sale reappear I jumped on it.</p><p>This cute little Kindle arrived at my door a few days later. I wondered at first if I would be able to read such a tiny screen. My tablet is a 10-inch version and actually bigger than some books.</p><p>A friend suddenly sent me a link to a free e-book she thought I would enjoy. I figured it would be a good way to test out this new gadget.</p><p>The text was clear and easy to read with none of the glare a tablet screen produces. This Kindle has a matt screen that doesn't reflect light from my surroundings, and it's not backlit either. It's like reading a regular book page and very easy on the eyes. The Kindle weighs nothing and is easy to hold, even in bed. It is small enough I can easily tuck it in my purse and take it anywhere. I used it while waiting in the car twice already this week. I have already finished reading that first book and written <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/customer-reviews/R3JS1R62T19E0N/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B004VMOANQ" target="_blank">the review</a>. Now I have another one lined up and ready to go. I caught myself saying, "I love this thing!" more than once this week.</p><p>I still have a lot of physical paper books to read. I also realize that they are filling up my house just as apps and files are filling up my tablet. Buying the Kindle was a good decision after all, and I no longer hate e-books.</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-31085195082958362372022-02-15T12:13:00.004-05:002022-02-15T18:56:17.798-05:00Two Years In<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8z8uv1FDSFfZ9W-dIB-NOAHhGbDGYCz6ciEXYi1c0-r9COz56v9fFVWEkhcB2820YKj9l4nVwK8hVSnCi38H5gvwUfKOdi3SM_CZinpeWf60vQS0Hd_pRSrzSpv8jyGLEXdCthURXmOzOjazdSdQgljwQp1w8q4-UCgHBvbnBcdM3nz-wdFwrpWK91g=s2560" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8z8uv1FDSFfZ9W-dIB-NOAHhGbDGYCz6ciEXYi1c0-r9COz56v9fFVWEkhcB2820YKj9l4nVwK8hVSnCi38H5gvwUfKOdi3SM_CZinpeWf60vQS0Hd_pRSrzSpv8jyGLEXdCthURXmOzOjazdSdQgljwQp1w8q4-UCgHBvbnBcdM3nz-wdFwrpWK91g=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Two years ago we went to a new restaurant in a nearby town. It was a really enjoyable event and I remember telling my friends all about this place. I know some of them have been there since, but I never have. Shortly after that dinner out the pandemic changed all our lives.<p></p><p>Not only did I not go back to that restaurant, or any other for that matter, but I didn't go into any stores either. In the beginning, friends picked up what I needed in grocery stores, and if we really needed something else it was ordered online. That first Christmas came and went and was totally ignored by us as we were not comfortable shopping in crowded stores and the lineup outside the post office grew ridiculously long and the weather too cold to stand in it so we were no longer ordering online.</p><p>The grocery stores installed safety measures and I went back to shopping for food myself. We only ventured into a city mall a couple of times this past year to pick up something needed at a specific store so those were just quick in and out experiences. It was not crowded so that made me feel relatively safe. We did not go there during the Christmas season but we did manage to get some gifts bought this year. Most of them have not been delivered yet but we hope to remedy that soon. </p><p>The latest variant is highly contagious so once again I am not shopping in the grocery stores. I now order online and we park in the lot and have the order brought out to us. I tried this in the beginning but there were too many bugs in the system and I gave up. Now it's quick and easy at my chosen store. After only one month I find I have already saved over a hundred dollars on my food budget shopping this way, despite the rapidly rising cost of food and the added convenience charges. It probably saves time too, but I am losing out on the added exercise of walking around the store.</p><p>Yes, I have had both vaccinations and my booster shot and know a lot of you are feeling safe now. But the case numbers were rising again because of that and the extra contagion. Right now, though things are improving, the number of people with Covid-19 is still higher than it was at the beginning of some previous shutdowns. I am a senior who gets bronchitis to the point where I can't catch my breath when I catch the regular flu so I do not want to take chances with this virus. They say this Omicron variant is milder than the previous versions but that is just doctor-speak for "it's not as likely to kill you," but it still could, and has taken many.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkYFtojgFyjYKP8iHe-vmmnHWit3F1wyyikMi7xXhR6IMHgwXuPlRyd3n67rNGAOilvrvk4KZws-Ic0FQY6CwRMQvL39raHNy373TfxJ3OyiFJLsxFR5p7Xu3ImfCk9fjoZ_x0baoaF7pUe9nYMyFhLyVzDe6IsBqcFr3De0HObAuQZVfiEC8RF23dGQ=s1920" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkYFtojgFyjYKP8iHe-vmmnHWit3F1wyyikMi7xXhR6IMHgwXuPlRyd3n67rNGAOilvrvk4KZws-Ic0FQY6CwRMQvL39raHNy373TfxJ3OyiFJLsxFR5p7Xu3ImfCk9fjoZ_x0baoaF7pUe9nYMyFhLyVzDe6IsBqcFr3De0HObAuQZVfiEC8RF23dGQ=s320" width="200" /></a></div><br />I am part of the Stop-Cov Study and routinely send in dried blood samples to check for antibodies. They check my antibody levels against those of other people in my age group and how my group is doing compared with other age groups. My latest report shows that I have had no antibodies and have been basically unprotected from September until my booster shot in January. That's not everyone, but that is the results my tests show. We are all different and I am certainly glad I have remained careful.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlubCfCFOXVIboV_zxzy5i2yg8eR0R42hVegun6TIdO5Cpb25-oYWDMWQNduW4q1m_uA4ZBCFA7PiMLqHrUtYauOc-cHPe2_hkf8kH6dhO1sEi--ZTh6PWZnLIMmF1lwRbbgh82QcH2YAMGX3sx-X8vlbEix-FilDoQ651bEKCxJ-Yt3SX1ep7wR4xzQ=s2560" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlubCfCFOXVIboV_zxzy5i2yg8eR0R42hVegun6TIdO5Cpb25-oYWDMWQNduW4q1m_uA4ZBCFA7PiMLqHrUtYauOc-cHPe2_hkf8kH6dhO1sEi--ZTh6PWZnLIMmF1lwRbbgh82QcH2YAMGX3sx-X8vlbEix-FilDoQ651bEKCxJ-Yt3SX1ep7wR4xzQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br />I had to travel to a city an hour and a half away for a medical test. Since it was Valentine's Day we decided we would venture into a restaurant partway through the afternoon and enjoy a meal out. It wasn't busy at that time and it was great to finally have something other than fast food or takeout in the car. The restrictions are being lifted soon but that does not mean I will jump back into normal life right away. If the trucker convoys and other related demonstrations don't cause a superspreader I will feel more confident that it's time to get back to pre-Covid life. <p></p><p><br /></p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-65451082833656821372022-02-07T15:07:00.004-05:002022-02-07T15:07:30.421-05:00Just Start<p>Is there something you would like to do but think you can't? Have you ever actually tried? Or did you try and not do as well as you had hoped and then just give up?</p><p>I remember seeing a painting of a dalmatian in a how-to magazine once that totally fascinated me. I was learning to paint but I didn't think I could ever do anything like that. I came across that old magazine recently and now that painting doesn't look nearly as intimidating as it once did. I've learned some skills.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSmI4FsRzZCVfDrMa8cGMmhwxoPz7tOO7eAKm321J6ShUMca6yqrQ5ohdY8ThSgsTGvE_l_8XtgSA8SKXwMQAo3hFKx4VYZ2Aa3aaX0EF97UI6sgFyce_V6I_xFUfcA7b2m85I70RHo-ydAOK5jaBRVqCCjChoJKZEVSngm79x86eC9y7Yna3P4EZ36w=s667" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSmI4FsRzZCVfDrMa8cGMmhwxoPz7tOO7eAKm321J6ShUMca6yqrQ5ohdY8ThSgsTGvE_l_8XtgSA8SKXwMQAo3hFKx4VYZ2Aa3aaX0EF97UI6sgFyce_V6I_xFUfcA7b2m85I70RHo-ydAOK5jaBRVqCCjChoJKZEVSngm79x86eC9y7Yna3P4EZ36w=s320" width="235" /></a></div><br />I didn't use to be able to draw a decent stick figure but I have now been commissioned to draw two pet portraits just because I post what I'm learning on social media. If you want to do something you don't think you can do, take steps to learn how. Start today and just keep going. I know you can do it, whatever it is. It might take training. It might just take practice. It might take luck or it could be that even your happy accidents lead to the success you weren't even expecting.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_7rsMChh1h1l-vqDjTPhS5LV242M-Xt-VAbEAIV4WcS9A-EDSjg83aRq3lTDMiegaRQMDyMmfRTN2ZuOJ0rF33I9vveQ_wUpd4tORlvRSG8FNSwwMLU_6qY3fk3DcDpW6dJh97mIOTpk7KhfwNHFJfsAERlDRgDjB4AkS7NsTwhK_C5kT4P46gAIdqg=s733" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_7rsMChh1h1l-vqDjTPhS5LV242M-Xt-VAbEAIV4WcS9A-EDSjg83aRq3lTDMiegaRQMDyMmfRTN2ZuOJ0rF33I9vveQ_wUpd4tORlvRSG8FNSwwMLU_6qY3fk3DcDpW6dJh97mIOTpk7KhfwNHFJfsAERlDRgDjB4AkS7NsTwhK_C5kT4P46gAIdqg=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Sometimes something you do will lead you to do something else you had not thought of before, or it might even inspire others. A new cyber friend of mine went out to take pictures of the new snow clinging to the trees. She was disappointed later when she realized the photos were badly overexposed. We interact on a creativity page and she decided to share those shots after all. She ran them through a filter and was surprised by the truly lovely results. If she had just deleted the pictures without trying something new she would never have discovered how beautiful her mistakes really were. And today, when I tried to take a specific picture, the angle of the sun was making it next to impossible. I was inspired by what this lady had done and decided to see if I could turn an over-exposed picture into something beautiful too. There are no mistakes, there are just opportunities. <p></p><p>Go create some opportunities for yourself. Whatever it is you ever wanted to do, go take that first step. You may really love where it leads you.</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-19555592927349237252022-01-10T11:47:00.005-05:002022-01-10T11:59:03.346-05:00Scribble Art<p> For the past couple of years, I have taken part in Self Portrait Sunday. It is a group on Facebook where the only rules are to only draw yourself from a mirror or another reflective surface (no photos allowed) and you can only post on Sunday. Beyond that, any method or medium is fair game.</p><p>Recently I followed a 30-minute demonstration by Dena Marshall on Etcher about how to draw a dog using a scribbling method. My results turned out better than I expected so I tried another of one of a friend's dogs. I admit I did revert to hatching partway through both drawings because neither of those dogs had curly hair and I didn't want them to look like they did. I decided to try again with my self-portrait this week. I may need a bit more practice with this technique but I find it fun and rather freeing. I like to work with a pen, and if you are scribbling you don't need to worry so much about putting a line in the wrong place because you can just scribble over it anyway. There is a 90-minute workshop on Etchr later this week that I might just have to look into.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKu0mwjJvUW3ChLMAf9esv3yUosR8MatLQVjncd0GLCftql1bEWZaQD3M6NLOejYK4KNQeHs_VlyvEcRCVoGX1qW3wdz3igpGlQohLW2hFg_OF7fpo2CQa59PugvOllA7iUnOc9xVRLF86GuBYWK4bAfc5YV1xKK1Rtyx2Au0FkzVfCVQkwmEKcoSbQQ=s2048" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8A0Xd5qj9gUPuIsWvwen4EQ9P5Ho_9cLb40uuJfjsKpJXknN062kzOtUJW3i779DPidP6Zfd2a140yL7yX2zqlsBnN0-But-dHa-zlsOUVDTYKPorWArY8TM3KtSn67btURM5IkILFmJwOTJzuksed0mrvx0OdQZcnxUm1kNh6crnqGRmGoGkmfrJMA=s2048" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1578" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8A0Xd5qj9gUPuIsWvwen4EQ9P5Ho_9cLb40uuJfjsKpJXknN062kzOtUJW3i779DPidP6Zfd2a140yL7yX2zqlsBnN0-But-dHa-zlsOUVDTYKPorWArY8TM3KtSn67btURM5IkILFmJwOTJzuksed0mrvx0OdQZcnxUm1kNh6crnqGRmGoGkmfrJMA=s320" width="247" /></a></div><div><br />This is the dog I learned how to draw in 30 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQP015tleIrFwq66OdA76wq-NZuhqk17bmTqfvdRGMiok6s-azdo63Qvw7t0quV81zkle3k3vnRlcIGElEhfCdQ8Pm3OG1SEIl7Wkqe4VA4vnU3T4t6eXX3wwawLjzFRJPJ5r-rfai3EkUwwA2-4wemD2lyCEK7asHp12xrpGgPKS7kQR3v4U5T5G3Wg=s2119" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2119" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQP015tleIrFwq66OdA76wq-NZuhqk17bmTqfvdRGMiok6s-azdo63Qvw7t0quV81zkle3k3vnRlcIGElEhfCdQ8Pm3OG1SEIl7Wkqe4VA4vnU3T4t6eXX3wwawLjzFRJPJ5r-rfai3EkUwwA2-4wemD2lyCEK7asHp12xrpGgPKS7kQR3v4U5T5G3Wg=s320" width="228" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7vK1bpa03IGkgLcgtH6mZ9U0ImNjQCPW6QS9f3EFVnUxYF35cvcA4-UYS7xJovLKGXR3MziZLx43VGgovzEojnqTRUo68QU4_ENP00rLjS2TMRIRyFkIzY6UwRT73cAzf383Oc7_JBUN2ysulaDpdvommb94fkrevhMTqIXZ-FVBbHDJCuiPJqCEgKw=s1821" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="1497" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7vK1bpa03IGkgLcgtH6mZ9U0ImNjQCPW6QS9f3EFVnUxYF35cvcA4-UYS7xJovLKGXR3MziZLx43VGgovzEojnqTRUo68QU4_ENP00rLjS2TMRIRyFkIzY6UwRT73cAzf383Oc7_JBUN2ysulaDpdvommb94fkrevhMTqIXZ-FVBbHDJCuiPJqCEgKw=s320" width="263" /></a></div>And these are the drawings I have done on my own since.Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-61605190295763666532022-01-07T13:52:00.019-05:002022-01-08T18:22:15.609-05:00Off to a Good Start<p>Most of the time when I pick a project or challenge to follow, something else I would maybe have preferred comes along and I let it go because I am already involved in something. At this time of year, there is certainly no shortage of such offerings as they know people want something that will give them the needed push in the direction they want to go. I didn't choose one this year. I signed up for several as they came along. In fact, I picked up another one this week.</p><p>So, how am I doing? Ha. Obviously, I'm not committed to any one project but I have managed to do something each day toward two different kinds of challenges.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNQhYeTLJ6A2D1PMOTeSLH90TYryNCi4T__tqxuFsX1XSKgMuWBtOEfnrLN_Wvr66anzRYcf9R2EaSSYY3t9ORH9PUr6q__F3voFBd5S68HpURT1_c9566kU2qrpYihZxb-7I9_fVPc5ArzL_BXWV5d2ewwAJSPuZp-GIWPzO2cOUjTE8aNBD-sdMQiw=s703" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="703" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNQhYeTLJ6A2D1PMOTeSLH90TYryNCi4T__tqxuFsX1XSKgMuWBtOEfnrLN_Wvr66anzRYcf9R2EaSSYY3t9ORH9PUr6q__F3voFBd5S68HpURT1_c9566kU2qrpYihZxb-7I9_fVPc5ArzL_BXWV5d2ewwAJSPuZp-GIWPzO2cOUjTE8aNBD-sdMQiw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />My first project for 2022 was to create 12 bookmarks to exchange with 12 other artists (yes, I am going to start calling myself that now) across North America. I have done greeting card exchanges in the past and traded ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) this past year so I couldn't resist getting in on this. I used four stamps I carved myself to create my bookmarks and sent the results off to one address where they will be redistributed along with other submissions to the various participants. There is only one other Canadian taking part. I can hardly wait to get my package, not that I need more bookmarks, but because I love to get art in the mail. It's a great way to make new friends.<p></p><p>There was a 5-day challenge to draw flowers. I did a quick sketch in my junk journal on day one but the photos of the flowers presented during this particular week didn't inspire me at all. I may look back on that some other day this month when I am even less interested in what is being offered elsewhere. We'll see. The idea, for me, is just to do something artistic each day. The bookmarks kept me busy.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHXCkfIy-8mJIE71u7PcgWaeVOlyqQDqvWgXCOS_cKMrTYV_msimkBnKj15XRLaDQh-rm6eIv3-KvlpYFiQE3nWjf2bvsajT3Sg1HVNZyVvAJNSTQe7-9B3Dz9JtHdTPlo7djANz9wvUHBKsvIrcquXv30hlVv8h2dz8oOFYc3uOvBR1_rOL138RuMgA=s684" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHXCkfIy-8mJIE71u7PcgWaeVOlyqQDqvWgXCOS_cKMrTYV_msimkBnKj15XRLaDQh-rm6eIv3-KvlpYFiQE3nWjf2bvsajT3Sg1HVNZyVvAJNSTQe7-9B3Dz9JtHdTPlo7djANz9wvUHBKsvIrcquXv30hlVv8h2dz8oOFYc3uOvBR1_rOL138RuMgA=s320" width="281" /></a></div><br />Besides the quick flower sketch I did on day one, I was also prompted to draw some of my pens for a month-long challenge. Each day since then it has come up with other simple things like cups, nuts or feathers. I didn't get inspired to do much with those and I was much too busy doing the other type of project I'll tell you about in a moment.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0EcpHbGpk688bpkCXJLmXKQb7ZHAkc8KWrEr0XnD1otpWrTwoWJRu1k28FOtjMMClW5VY76aTchZUpVbfdrrot1PTHFsAR1wk3WMsNb7XLWcyBQkG-cl7qJ_B7hyC9tMp7SojKGKKWG78ED73-5wAWehyKySuj_TT17KVt8A7Wmpm3iUYCjkZO8-NvQ=s702" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0EcpHbGpk688bpkCXJLmXKQb7ZHAkc8KWrEr0XnD1otpWrTwoWJRu1k28FOtjMMClW5VY76aTchZUpVbfdrrot1PTHFsAR1wk3WMsNb7XLWcyBQkG-cl7qJ_B7hyC9tMp7SojKGKKWG78ED73-5wAWehyKySuj_TT17KVt8A7Wmpm3iUYCjkZO8-NvQ=s320" width="219" /></a></div><br />I did get inspired by something I saw on Facebook though. I follow this interesting creativity coach who lives near Paris, France. He is about to put on a <a href="https://infinitecreativitynow.com/5-day-creative-fun/?fbclid=IwAR0vt9oEexetgK95AubAvwSDMWABVZChAJhMZk_3mPLshwCTiabIGOWhCA4" target="_blank">5 Day Creative Challenge</a> and he has been doing the occasional video lately to stir up our creativity and get people interested in the challenge. (Yes, that's the one I picked up this week). In a recent video, he was telling about learning to draw using the blind contour method and mentioned his results looked like monsters. While he was talking about it, he rather looked like a monster himself, since he was shining a light up toward his face. I instantly wanted to see if I could draw him like that. The lighting was so dramatic that I thought it would be fun to try. I dug out my acrylic inks and it turned out better than I expected. Normally I only draw self-portraits. I may have to try a few more people!<p></p><p>Two other challenges I'm working on have more to do with decluttering. I usually do one every year to kick start my spring cleaning. It aims me at places I've forgotten to clean or only do once a year. This year there is a shorter new one as well, that is interesting in that it gets you to declutter just your own stuff, and not worry about the messes others in the house might be making. Between the two of them, so far this week I have cleaned out a drawer, decluttered all my cups or other drinking vessels (how many do you really need?), cleaned up and decluttered my night table and other bedroom surfaces where my own stuff might be, and did the same in the bathroom. Getting rid of old makeup, or good things I don't use is not as easy as it might sound! I also went through all the food cupboards and storage and got rid of anything that had gone past its expiry date. </p><p>I have had a productive week even if I didn't do something for each and every challenge every day. I even got this blog posted so I think this year is off to a good start.</p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-64471626315154858592021-12-29T21:11:00.001-05:002021-12-29T21:11:29.807-05:00Getting On With Blogging<p>I've had just about two years of not writing much in here. I intend to change that. The pandemic is still raging and I will try to not mention that any more often than I have to. I may have been cooped up and kept away from friends and family during those two years, and even immobilized by a health problem since about mid-June, but I have still found things to do and I'm feeling better so I'm going back to telling you about what I'm up to in the new year.</p><p>At the beginning of each year, I am usually signed up for several projects. These are not necessarily tied to any New Year's Resolutions but may be kick-starters, just the same. I have a couple of decluttering challenges to follow and a few art-related projects, workshops, and/or courses lined up. It's all likely more than I can handle all at the beginning of the year, but it gives me things to choose from each day so that I do more than sit around eating leftover baked goods that I would normally be sharing with friends well into the year.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJg8TPontqRcgLSgdApxvYmzs9yX9IQmCc5TqStPAqpagN8zWLzECnqSe7jVtx8N-kLmSOYpaMw3VjN98P8VCdRCqgn1T3A86DwPh_c-QKWXlcLBjF0Z-1WcfRky5zz4osFGqLXniV9tRE_2Ra0Z23lGJ-sEkqYq7Y5O2Q9y_nG8t3bG5oNsXeWa7EYg=s1577" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="1183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJg8TPontqRcgLSgdApxvYmzs9yX9IQmCc5TqStPAqpagN8zWLzECnqSe7jVtx8N-kLmSOYpaMw3VjN98P8VCdRCqgn1T3A86DwPh_c-QKWXlcLBjF0Z-1WcfRky5zz4osFGqLXniV9tRE_2Ra0Z23lGJ-sEkqYq7Y5O2Q9y_nG8t3bG5oNsXeWa7EYg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br />The first thing I will tackle is making 12 hopefully artistic bookmarks that will be mailed off no later than mid-January. I will then happily await the arrival of 12 new ones from other artists scattered across the continent. I've done card exchanges before, and swapped Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) but I have never done bookmarks before. I have no idea if I will make them all similar or extremely different from each other. I do have some new art supplies from ArtSnacks so maybe I'll start with them and see where it takes me.<p></p><p>I hope you will stick around to see what I'm up to in the new year. </p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-89489366280785668732021-09-17T17:28:00.002-04:002021-09-17T17:30:51.181-04:00Caught in the Crossfire<p> I posted several notices on Facebook asking you to sign in support of the optometrist's job action. </p><p> After three decades of being underpaid by the government, the optometrists felt it was time to take a stand. Over the past thirty years, the increase in the payment they receive has only gone up by a total of $5 while the number of seniors needing their services has increased by 70 percent. The average cost for an optometrist to see a patient is $80 and they are getting less than $50 of that from the government for seniors and children. To see all those patients who are covered by OHIP every year at such a loss is just not sustainable. They want that gap filled, and who can blame them. Right now that money is coming out of their own pockets</p><p>When I posted those requests to sign in support of the optometrists, I thought that if I did need to go see one I would just have to pay like all the other adults who have not become seniors yet. Well, it turns out that the government has made it illegal for those who are eligible for OHIP services to pay out of pocket for an eye exam. That means that if we need to see our eye doctor, we simply cannot. As of the beginning of September, the optometrists taking part in this job action are not allowed to see us. That means that all those patients that use over four million services on an annual basis no longer have access to optometry services. </p><p>I recently had cataract surgery and needed new glasses to read with afterward. I got them but I find that they don't work well for me. I took them back to where I got them and the prescription was checked and was correct. I was told to go back to my eye doctor. I did that yesterday. Or tried to. A technician there also checked my glasses against the prescription and once again no problem was found. I explained that when I try to read I keep finding myself closing one eye. She tried to get the optometrist to see me, and was told the doctor was not allowed because I was covered by OHIP. While I totally support her position, I find myself caught in the crossfire. I have read a few stories in the news of others with even worse problems so the sooner this job action is settled, the better. </p><p>I have been put on a list......a very long list, I'm told.....to be called when an appointment can legally be made. But just think of how many people who would normally have regular appointments, let alone ones for problems, will be on this ever-growing list. It's bad enough things have slowed down due to the pandemic, but this is going to create a real bottleneck once the offices are open once again to seniors. </p><p>Please contact your MPP and help get this problem solved. Even if you are not personally affected, I'm sure there is someone in your life who will be. Here's the link you need. <a href="https://www.saveeyecare.ca/">Home - Save Eye Care</a></p><p>Thank you.</p><p><br /></p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3673558248509753627.post-28290061700872896312021-07-23T15:53:00.001-04:002021-07-23T15:53:27.028-04:00The Day I Became "The Karen"<p>My name is Karen, but really, it's not pronounced the way you are reading it. This is a good thing lately because people are making rather derogatory remarks about Karens.</p><p>I recently had my cataracts done, both on the same day. Two days before the surgery I was to start taking two of the three kinds of drops I needed to keep my eyes healthy and heal well after this procedure. The antibiotics drops were fine but another one meant to reduce inflamation made my face itch, my nose bleed, and gave me diarrhea. Worse than that, it made me dizzy. That didn't go away even when I tried to lie down.</p><p>I was actually afraid to take any more of the drop that was causing the problem so first thing in the morning I called the ophthalmologist's office. As expected, I just got an answering machine. This was very worrisome since I had left a question several days before and had still not gotten an answer and my surgery was to be the very next day. My hubby decided to go talk to the pharmacist. They are very helpful at our local drug store and offered to try faxing the ophthalmologist's office as that might get through sooner. The pharmacist also said that of the three drops I would be taking, the one that was causing the problem was the least important. </p><p>Meanwhile, the hospital phoned with the time for me to show up for my surgery and I explained the problem to them too. The lady said she would also try to reach the doctor but that she would be calling the same line as me so suggested I just keep trying. </p><p>I don't know which message the office eventually got but someone finally phoned and told me it was okay to discontinue that particular drop and repeated what the pharmacist said. It was the least important of them all. That was a relief!</p><p>The day after the surgery I had to go for a follow-up appointment at the ophthalmologist's office. I presented my health card, and the receptionist looked at it and said, "Oh, The Karen!" I told her I was sorry if I was coming at her from all directions but timing was of the essence and not knowing what to do was the most nerve-wracking thing about this surgery. </p><p>I have never been so glad that my dad named me after a Norwegian lady he knew. I will definitely be correcting people's pronunciation of my name until all this blows over.</p><p><br /></p>Yabuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15450215380644729572noreply@blogger.com0