I'll be Back

 Soon, I will be blogging again on a regular basis.  I haven't been that well, but am bouncing back.  Was gifted many flower pots; plan to do flowers, and maybe some herbs.  I'm trying to re-seed smashed pumpkins, too.

A giant oak fell at my house; thankfully, no property damage and no one hurt.  It knocked out our electrical pole, and my neighbors', who are also close friends.  We all got through it.  It wasn't expected; tree had been trimmed, and checked by at least 4 tree surgeons, including those who work for our city.  It was huge; I could have stood in its trunk.

Here's hoping for violets.  There are more organic cooking shows out there than ever; our favorites are those by Jacques Pepin.  Iowa Ingredient is great for vegetarian ideas.  Lots of shows on organic gardening and farming.  Lots on using spices.

Recycling and upcycling with our nonprofit museum. American Doll and Toy Museum.  We soldier on.

Hope all of you are well; thank you to my followers.

Healthy alternative, yogurt

 If you're tired of oatmeal, try whole milk yogurt, plain or vanilla, with a teaspoon fruit jam .  Sprinkle with oat bran and your favorite dry cereal or nuts.

Original tip 29: Radios

 29. The radio is still a great option, so are cassette players for those of us who still have them, so are records and turntables. Vinyl records can be valuable collectibles, but they are still affordable in various types of conditions. Or, if you play an instrument, get it out and dust it off. Pay attention to the composers, to how things are composed, see what different types of genres and music the composer has written, for what instrument. These are vocations in themselves, and interest nearly everyone. Take a survey and ask friends family, students, etc., what types of music they like, and you will find we are all amateur experts in certain types of music. Sharing that knowledge is one of they joys of everyday living.

I still love listening to the radio, to all kinds of things.  When I had Sirius, I was in heaven, and even got on via an email the Early Morning Live Show on the Martha Stewart channel.

Listening to the news on the way home from work was a great way to unwind.  I used to listen to old radio shows when I worked on miniatures and crafts at my kitchen table.  I could concentrate, but had something fun to listen to.  The classical station saved me during law school.

When my mentor Dr. Tweet was alive, I was privileged to be on his radio show, Scribble, with Senator Don Wooten, the other host. I d id Art Talks with my friend, the late Bruce Carter, read poems, and was a radio guest on the Sean Moncrieff show.  I would gladly do my own radio show.  I love it because I find TV can be distracting.  It demands that you look, when I'd rather listen.

I have a dear friend in his 90s who loves his VCR and videos, and also loves records and music.  He is a talented artist and singer who even sang with Sinatra and who knew many stars through his father, an actor and lawyer to many stars.

When my cousin died last week, I listened to two of her 45s.  She was a budding star when she was young, and sang with a band. It was a comfort to hear her beautiful voice and remember the times she took our her guitar and sang live for me.  I have my old cassettes, and a cassette player at home, and my records and CDs.  

I still play the piano, take lessons, and do music theory.  It relaxes me and grounds me; it is structure that I can count on, and supports everything I do. 

Memories, not!

 A couple hours ago, I had a really great thought for a blog post.  Then it went away.  Too many distractions, I guess.  TVs, cats, people getting up and heading out, worries about the weather, endless snow.  We're all snow blind around here; it creeps into our minds like cotton, swathing and smothering everything.  I've bought tea with tumeric for my every churning stomach, and another so I can sleep at night.

Here's part of my lost thought; don't give up on anything.  If you are on a diet and slip up, start over and keep at it a little at  a time.  If you want to journal every day, but can't, do it when you can.  Same with writing.  If you didn't get all your holiday cards out, send someone you love a note now.  It's ok to put away projects and go back to them, even years later.  My knitting is like that; I love to knit, though I'm not great at it.  But, it helps me to think and relaxes me.  Trouble is my kitty is a yarn freak; she will dig out hidden projects in the middle of night just to unravel them.  She falls asleep after a while, and I find her sleeping on the couch, yarn next to her, knitting needles or crochet hook next to yarn.

Stephen King has said in YouTube lectures that there are ideas you store away because their time comes later.  I'm finding that true with my doll museum.  Dolls and objects that needed finishing or repair are coming out and having their day.  Exhibits I'd had planned are getting organized while  others still wait.  Doll houses that have sat empty are being furnished and doll populated.

I also believe in just taking deep breaths, and getting through each day.  I say two prayers every day; in the morning, "Thank you, Lord, for this day."  At night, "Now I lay me down to sleep . . ."  These, along with crossing myself, are my daily devotions.  When my friends and I meet once a week for breakfast, we say a prayer before we eat, "Bless us O Lord . . ."

My other tip with art and other projects is, don't worry if it isn't perfect.  Life is too short.  I love perfect needlework, but mine is not always so. The process is soothing and at the same time, invigorating.  Believe me, I've designed enough of my own to know this.  I always look for kits, yarn, floss, needlework canvases, weaving supplies for simple looms; I know the day will come when I will use them.

Old doll house being furnished

St. Pat's decor

My nod to an 18th c doll house

My talented, beautiful cousin; we lost her last week

Two precious babies snoozing

Current landscape, but the trees stand tall

It's hard in this frigid weather not to be sad and morbid, especially after the deaths we've suffered this  year.  Yet, I think of what my Uncle Jim used to say to me in bad times, "do your best."  I have done my best, even if others we've had to deal with have not.

See each day as a new canvas as a chance to start over.   Find something each day you enjoy and do it.  I surround myself with my books; I don't have one I haven't used, read for pleasure, studied, or will use in future projects.  

Spring will come, with its flowers and plants.  We'll see green soon, and the world will come alive.  This is a good thing.

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