Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Piano and Progress

Still dreary, still cold. And still working. Last month continues to wreak its havoc on me...but not for long. 

Yesterday was a recital for piano students of two teachers: a young friend -- and me. 

    I only have one student right now. He did some years of lessons when he was young; now as an adult, he's resolved to start up again. He's only been playing three months, but is doing a good job. Even better, he's serving as an inspiration for other adults in our group of friends. I've got two guys in the new year who also want to start lessons.
     My student inspired the kids who played yesterday, as well. I'm proud of him. 

From Flourishandknot.com - via Pinterest

Surprising facts gleaned from interviews with 100 millionaires.  (From ESI Money)

Two nuns embezzle $500,000 from the Catholic school they worked for; part of the money went to Las Vegas trips and gambling. But hey, they're sorry...

The Irish lady who 'married' the spirit of an 18th century pirate? Well, they're getting a divorce.

Ten interesting new discoveries connected to ancient Greece -- including the oldest copy of the Odyssey yet, and a huge mosaic in great condition. (From Listverse)

The Nebraska elementary school principal who banned candy canes -- because they're shaped like a 'J,' for Jesus. (Actually, I thought they represented a shepherd's crook.) If it's any comfort, 1) she banned a bunch of other symbols, including Santa Claus, and 2) she's now out on administrative leave. So teachers and students can decorate for the holidays, after all??

Now PETA has a new target: popular sayings. (Guess the animal crackers didn't keep them occupied.)

Price per pound: Civil War cottons.  (From Brackman's Civil War Quilts)

Very funny airport signs. Maybe they should hire:

Emily the singing donkey, though I might disagree that she has a "glorious bray."

Thinking about visiting the Smithsonian? Here's a nice look at some of the earlier quilts in their collection.

"Why we're not getting a big Christmas tree this year." Some practical ideas for celebrating the holidays as a family -- without having to do the same traditions you've 'always' done. (From Moneysaving Mom) In keeping with that:

Christmas on a zero budget.  (From Snail Pace Transformations) She also has an extremely helpful series:

How to plan Christmas on an super tight budget.

A sad story about an elderly mom stranded overnight in her wheelchair at O'Hare Airport...only it's not true. Kudos to American Airlines for keeping careful records of what their employees did -- and they kept track of her until relatives picked her up. (Double oops.)
     Why do people lie about stuff like this? I know, I know... $$$$.

Al Sharpton just sold ten years' worth of rights to his life story -- to his own charity. They paid $531,000; hey, great buy, huh.

Medicare-for-all could be almost funded, just by the errors in Pentagon spending. Or so Rep. Ocasio-Cortez says. (Oops, the numbers don't even remotely add up. But it's the thought that counts, according to her spokesman.)

Blanket stitch binding...pretty and tidy.  (From We All Sew)

Another effective binding method.  (From My Sweet Prairie)

A third binding method - machine sewn from start to finish!  (From Mommy's Naptime)

Santa belly doughnuts -- something new from Krispy Kreme.

Have a good week.