Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Hanging in There

      We're finally making real progress on everything! Finished the steps on the deck... endured a Sunday church morning where, for most of the activities (except the sermon), we were 'in charge' (with a lot of help)...did the wash, repaired a quilt, put strawberries and apples in the freezer...and finished up the last appraisal reports and requests. Temporarily, at least.

      I may be a bit quiet the next few weeks. I want to practice more on my lock-picking skills. (Got a kit last year for it.) I want to do some research for an upcoming book, play with the dogs, just rest and be with the Brick. Who knows - we may even go swimming!

Meanwhile:

JD Vance admits to one of his most boneheaded political comments.  (He thought he was being funny. Oops.)

What it's like to blow through $108 million, without even trying.  Thanks, Antoine Walker! (And apologies )

I think we have to start teaching our kids about their lifestyle,” Walker added. “Because when you’re making money, … everything is going good — you’re buying cars, you got houses, you got jewelry, you got all these things going on.”

“But at some point, the money’s going to stop coming in the way it came in the beginning. Are you able and are you prepared to maintain that lifestyle? You have to be ready to withstand that storm.”

Chinese Chicken Balls with Sweet and Sour Sauce.  Gentle Readers, I could kill for Orange Chicken...and this recipe sounds a lot like it.  (From Khin's Kitchen)

President Obama's library is about to open -- but has it paid its bills, even to the minority contractors it hired?

Do students entering college know their math and science stuff?  Fourteen hundred professors say no, in a petition they're circulating to require higher standards. I'm wincing a bit at this -- I made it through algebra only because the teacher was the tennis coach -- and we could get him to talk about his latest matches. I almost flunked geometry...which is extra ironic because I use it so much now to design. The only thing that saves our girls from total ignorance was their father, who loved math and physics. 

     So...I might have been the middle-school-math doofus the professors are griping about. 

Is that person lying...or are they fidgeting, even though they're telling the truth? It's multiple 'tells,' not just one, that warn you, this expert says.

Have you seen Mr. Jetpack Man??  He's back again in L.A...

The story behind the most-viewed photo in history.

Just for fun -- yours truly rantings in a previous "Stuff" post.  Sadly, they were warranted, I think. 

Stovies -- a Scottish meat stew. 

A 16-century diamond ring is found in Gloucestershire. There's another important mention in this article, though, about the "Touch of Paris."  Gold appraisers and collectors should take notice.

Readers' comments: what it means to be cheap -- instead of frugal.  Some of these I disagree with -- but they're all thought-provoking. (Thanks, The Frugal Girl)

Have a good week. And yes...

Saw Something Like This At the Louvre

 ...sadly.

Young girls, never looking at the incredible paintings behind them. Just taking selfies, of themselves and each other. Pathetic.

Dog Thoughts

 Something charming just turned up on Quora -- thanks for posting it, Ali. My one question: how do you smell paperwork on a dog? Do Tiger and Bo smell like "coffee and paperwork" sometimes -- like right now? (I'm doing both.)

"Who cares, Mom..."

P.S. Comforting thoughts to Friend Mavis, who just lost her much loved pug, Lucy. Lucy was 13 1/2...but it still hurts, and leaves an empty spot in your home -- and heart. 

Cat lovers... animal dogs (3)

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Posted by 

Ali Khoso

May 11

My dog Moose used to sneak out every day at 1:40 PM at the same time and in the same way.

He would return in the evening, and I could smell coffee and paperwork on him.

I thought someone must have been treating him, but one day, there was a note attached to his collar.

The note said:

"Please keep your dog at home, or he steals my chair and disturbs me in meetings."

An address was written below.

I went there with Moose. I knocked on the door, and as soon as it opened, Moose went inside as if it were his own home.

I found out the man's name is Walter. His wife had left a year ago, and he lives alone.

Moose used to go to him daily and alleviate his loneliness, even disturbing his meetings.

Walter told me that’s when I realized the house had fallen silent since Moose started coming.

After that day, Moose began visiting Walter every day.

The next time, another note came.

It said:

"How does it feel to wait for you every day? Moose taught me."

Dogs never ask for permission to heal someone.

Beware! Well, Be Aware...

 

Been there, done that. Poor Brick.

The heat is starting to press down; we're already in the 80s! A few rainstorms have lessened the load, but it's still so dusty. We leave the windows open for cooling, and a film of dust forms on the dining room table overnight. Eww.

Tidying up and dusting helps. So does homemade iced tea - and finishing a report! At least I'm getting a little sleep.

Gotta Complain About Something!

 

Antique Baby Blocks

 I've made a geometric Baby Blocks by machine, using a 'cheaters' method. (Use the same fabric, more than one seam, and it blends into one diamond.) It wasn't simple, even then. (This method is easier.) The pattern, though a classic, is not for a beginner...unless you're willing to stumble a bit, and learn as you go. 

Now this 19th century photo shows up on Ebay, most probably done by hand. The maker must have pieced this quilt for years! 

No wonder she's so proud of it.

Go here for more.

The photo's pricey...but amazing.

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: June Bugs

     The flies are out...and the moths. They've had a great time flying around our faces. Maybe it's the heat that's brought them out. At any rate, Tiger enjoys snapping at them...the other dogs pay no attention. Our dear Buck, our Weimaraner, used to really go for moths and spiders -- maybe they were "spicy" to him. 

     Still plugging away at various tasks. The lights for the back steps have arrived, and the Brick is busy hanging them up. 

Meanwhile:

A postage increase is on your doorstep! The dears at the U.S. Post Office are planning on a nearly 5% increase for first class, as of July 12 or 13. They already snuck in nearly 9% increase on priority mail back in April, arguing that production and transportation costs had gone up. Well sure, but...we don't get a discount for driving there, or our time spent mailing things. (I know -- picky, picky, picky.)

     The moral: buy your Forever stamps NOW, and save in the future.

How an unusual marketer turned 'ridiculous ventures' into moneymakers. Another lesson in not following (or necessarily believing) the crowd.

An Alice in Wonderland mural is back on display -- a WPA wonder from the Depression era.

People who think they experienced a time warp.

George Washington's "small beer" -- now you can get it (or a version of it) for the Fourth.

A day in the life of a Colorado campground host.

Ten 'hidden' architectural and other gems to see in New York City.

"The Bag Lady of Castle Rock" -- a very odd person that hangs around my old neighborhood. She has her own Youtube page -- not that she appreciates it, I'd guess, because it messes up her scamming abilities. But hey...

A rather funny anniversary of Home Free - and sea shanties!

Butter chicken -- yum. This India dish is a favorite of The Frugal Girl.

Dozens of historical treasures worth admiring. Including, of all things, Greek octopus coins.

The best hot dogs on the market... according to this reviewer, anyway.

What does the Trump family-- especially the President -- love to eat?

Yellowstone Park's "lake music."   No one knows for certain what it is -- and how it's caused.

Queen Elisenda lives!  Well, sort of...

Have a good week. And if you say something -- mean it.