Always Good To Know.

 

...and here's the story behind this saying.

Not That This EVER Happens...

 ...on either side. 

    ( I should behave myself -- the Brick is cooking supper tonight!  Lest you get all impressed, he only does it once a week...and then under duress.)

                                   (titled The Perfect Husband)

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: A New Start?

      Just a day of February left -- and on to a new month.      

Still in Michigan. We have a March 21 appointment in Prescott, AZ to get the fifth-wheel's roof replaced. That has ramped up some of the work we need to do before we go -- including sorting and boxing items for resale, and finding a new place for stuff we have stored in the garage right now. 

     I try to put in at least a few hours every day at sorting through The Mama's house. The family has stopped by to choose out items important to them, as well. More than ever, it doesn't seem like her place anymore. But it's not ours, either.

This wasn't taken in recent weeks..

it's been gloomy and snowy/icy here day after day after day.

UPDATE:  I just found this helpful list -- for people who have been troubled at the invasion of Ukraine and want to help.

The world's best treasures, found at garage sales and thrift shops. Some of these you've seen before -- some are new.

Cheese and pretzel broomsticks. Now there's something you don't see on an appetizer plate every day!  (From One Little Project)

Some very funny photos of animals interrupting the people set out to photograph them.

A Bigfoot sighting report from Wyoming.   The full episode here, in case you're curious.

'Skinny' versions of guilty pleasure dishes. Have your Pasta Alfredo -- and eat it, too!

The U.S. Copyright Office decides -- art created by artificial intelligence cannot be copyrighted. Why? Because it isn't human-made.

And because I can't help myself -- Boogie Nights.  (We've seen this Alexa commercial a million times lately.)

The 'shady past' of one of Hillary Clinton's investigators -- continuing the saga of the effort to prove that Trump was collaborating with the Russians. 

One hundred BILLION of Covid relief funds passed out by our government is thought to have gone to fraudsters. Just makes you trust their conclusions even more, doesn't it...

Brits who purchased those one-Euro properties in Italian villages -- how did it work out?

A DIY peeling mask -- using eggwhite and tissue paper! Also a charcoal blackhead-removal mask.

"Hot Lips" is no more --the original Margaret Houlihan (Sally Kellerman) died last week. She made M*A*S*H a distinctive icon.

Have a good week.

         

Frugal Hits & Misses: February Report

     The Mama's death in late January affected February big-time. Within a few days of her funeral, we both came down with Covid...and lost our darling Charley. It has not been an easy time.

     The rest of the month meant beginning to sort and catalogue The Mama's estate, as well as rest and get better. Things have improved, with an odd twist. We love coffee and generally drink a lot of it. It's starting to taste better -- for quite some time, it was strangely bitter!

FRUGAL HITS

(including some late January items)

Read a year's worth of one of my favorite bloggers, The Prudent Homemaker, instead of buying or ordering books. I also read a number of books from The Mama's estate that we didn't plan on keeping. 

*Sold some Red Robin stock -- at a $57 profit. (I may re-purchase it when the price goes down some more.)

*Thrift shop buys: Several birthday gifts (new or near-new) for The Brick plus a sister-in-law; a beautiful large tapestry ($6.99). If at all possible, I try to shop on Tuesdays, when seniors get 15% off.

*Watched Reacher, series 1 --  and some international flicks. (Kesari was the best.)  All free, thanks to our online apps. This may change -- Amazon just sent notice that its Prime subscription was going to be $20 more soon. Do we want to pay that much more? Naaahhh...

     The Brick is also enjoying a video series I found at the thrift shop: the History Channel's Secrets of the Civil War. 

*Used up a Groupon for gift cards. 

*Sent a check for congratulatory flowers to Daughter #1 -- she has a new job!

*Some of The Mama's things that we gave her in years past are now returning to us -- crafts and quilts I'd made or gotten her; an electric fireplace; dishes, books etc. The girlies are having items come back to them, too.

    We're also finding money -- coins, dollar bills, etc. --hidden here and there. The Mama liked doing this -- it made her feel more secure, even if it was just a few bucks. But it's meant I had to hire our nieces and nephew, some of the most curious people on earth, to help me look. If THEY couldn't find it, it wasn't there. ("Like Mrs. Piggle Wiggle," our nephew says. Mrs. PW, in case you don't know her, lives in an upside-down house and lives on the money and jewels Mr. PW, a pirate captain, hid here and there.)

      The only ones even better at finding money are Daughter #2...and my brother. 

*Valentines specials: chocolate bars -- up to $1.50 each, including a stunning deal on full-sized Toblerone bars -- approx. 75% off!  (Amazon Warehouse). Cards for 50-65 cents each (Dollar Tree), including several Valentine and birthday cards The Mama had asked me to send these for her, plus some dollar boxes of chocolates for our nieces and nephews.

*Half-priced Ferrero Rocher chocolates for my darling Valentine, the Brick. 

*Did more surveys on my health insurance plan -- got a $50 reward, as a result. 

*Grocery deals:  14 oz. packages of baby sausages for $1.29, 25-cent corn dogs, $4.98/lb shrimp meat, chopped salad kits for .99 and $1.49  (Daily Deals); $10/lb 'Death Wish' coffee (Amazon Warehouse). Starting to use up a lot of the canned goods I got on sale earlier via Amazon Warehouse, including beef tamales and beef stew. (Neither of us felt like cooking much for a few weeks.)

     And a loaf of cinnamon-raisin bread for the Brick...who loves it.

*Babysat the 'wild things,' our nieces and nephews, while their dad had outpatient surgery. Brought lunch/supper, as well. I love these rambunctious dears! 

*Cut back on food. Not only did we not feel like eating, but we didn't shop much. Then again, the food in The Mama's pantry and freezer needs to be eaten up.

*Didn't go out to eat much. That's what happens when you're sick, too.

*Free Red Robin birthday burger, for the Brick. And since we both ordered the 'Monster Burger' (and yes, it is), it became three meals, instead of just one. 

*Food from cousins - two loaves of bread, soup, muffins  and cookies, plus a boatload of veggies and fruit. Our cousins are wonderful.

*Seed packets 4 for $1.25 (Dollar Tree), some to be used, some tucked into mail to the girlies.  I also purchased kale, chard, onion, cilantro, a turnip/radish mix and bachelor's button seeds -- much more cheaply in bulk  from Outside Pride, and got a 10% discount. (I hope to have an actual garden this summer. Some of the seeds will also beef up a perennial-bed-in-progress on our friends' ranch. Maybe I can add some tulips, too.)

*We didn't go to Tucson, both to meet Daughter #2 and Son #1, and check out the rock sales in town. -- even though we wanted to.  It saved us money -- not that we had much choice, being so sick.

*Had flowers from The Mama's funeral --  gave two bouquets to Mom's friends.

*Ivermectin, borrowed from a cousin, helped us recover more quickly from Covid. (We'll replace it shortly.)

*Kept temps low inside the house to help out with energy costs. 

*Fifty pounds of birdseed from the elevator -- a lot cheaper per pound than elsewhere. (The birds have already gobbled up at least half of it, the stinkers.)

*Sump pump repair -- it kept running, instead of turning itself off after a while. The Brick fixed it. ("For now," he says.)

*Missed out on three weeks' shopping at the thrift store -- no money spent, although we did swing by to donate clothes and personal gear from The Mama's estate. (182 clothing items, 6 bags of personal care items, so far.)

*Found money!  A penny on the ground at Daily Deals.

FRUGAL MISSES

*Lost a lecture gig. (The group cancelled the series they'd been offering.)

*Lost out on more appraisal work. 

*Paid extra for The Mama's funeral costs. You pay sales tax on labor and services here in Michigan -- that doesn't happen in CO. The funeral was well done and the staff were great...but the bill was very, very expensive for two days' work: more than $12,000. And this with modest purchases, and the headstone and gravesite already paid for.

     We did pay for it via credit cards, to get a little cash back. But still...

*One birthday package had to be mailed-- only about 4 or 5 ounces, but it cost $5.95. Really, U.S. Post Office?!?

*Paid for two shipments of Colorado Curiosities books -- ouch. 

*Ate Valentine's breakfast at a new place (to us): Wolfgang's in Grand Rapids. Delicious -- and no, it wasn't on sale. But we did have enough leftovers for breakfast #2 the next morning, with a few eggs added.

*Had some plants (and potatoes) freeze in the trailer. Poor babies. Also had some greens and other produce spoil before I could finish using them. 

*Heating/electric costs were really high. (Yes, it's been cold.)

Last month's report is here, and last year's February report is here. Please come, Spring -- it can't happen soon enough.

Speechless

 

If You're Pregnant (Or Have Been), You'll Understand

My Husband Found Me Hiding In The Bathroom, Pants Down, Shoveling Cookie Dough Ice Cream In My Mouth And Hiding From Our Kids. This Is Pregnancy (29weeks)

 ...for me, it was KFC coleslaw. Garlic dill pickles ran a close second.

           Guess what food item neither daughter can stand? (They both like pickles, though.)

For more of these, visit Bored Panda.

    and if you're a mate -- you'd better not laugh.

Another Great One Is Gone: Kathy Kansier

     Kathy Kansier died on February 20, 2022. 

     I first met Kathy in 1999, when I took the appraisers test for the American Quilters Society in Paducah, KY. (I passed, by the way.) We were both staying at Barbara Smith's house -- I knew Barbara from working together at Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, and she was kind enough to put Kathy up, too. 

     We became friends then, bonded by our mutual love of textiles, especially quilts...and our faith in Christ. She became an AQS appraiser, as well, and we often bumped into each other at conferences and events over the coming years. 

     She was a wizard teacher -- extremely thorough. Her handouts were so comprehensive that I kept them for reference. She was a very good appraiser. But her Facebook friends knew her best as a kind source of compassion and encouragement.

Here's her obituary:

Kathy Ann Kansier, 71, of Seymour, went to be with the Lord and rejoined her husband in Heaven on Sunday, February 20, 2022. As you all knew, she had many ongoing health concerns. We take peace knowing that she is no longer in pain and can run the streets of Heaven without any assistance from a walker. If she falls down, it will be the Lord himself who will lift her up. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind seven children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She touched so many lives here on earth, and her legacy will live on for many generations to come. She was a very talented quilter and traveled all over the world sharing her expertise with countless people. She spent five years as a missionary in Mexico with her husband David and three of her children. She was wonderful at composing eloquent messages on Facebook which uplifted many people’s spirits. She will then be cremated. Her cremains will be scattered together with her beloved husband, David’s in several of their favorite places here in Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, please share your memories on her online obituary tribute. We would love to hear how she touched each of your lives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David Kansier; her parents, Byron and Edna Jones; and brother, Keith Jones.

Kathy is survived by her children, Perry Kansier (Dawn), Jerry Kansier (Lynette), Joshua Yumibe (Juliet), Chad Kansier (Kimberly), Chasidi Kansier, Sarah Martinez, Matthew Kansier (Anna Marie); 22 grandchildren; great-grandchildren; siblings, Richard Jones (Barbara), Scott Jones (Susie); sisters-in-law, Sue Jones and Betty Schroeder; many nieces and nephews; and a host of extended loving family members and friends.

She will have a private viewing in Seymour, Tennessee for immediate family only per her wishes. Arrangements are in the care of Atchley Funeral Home, Seymour. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com.

Kathy joined her beloved husband David, who preceded her in death six months ago.

        Now you can rest, sweet friend...and stitch up some new quilts for your heavenly home.

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: What's Next?

     We're still here in Michigan, but talking about hitting the road in a few weeks. The trailer roof needs to be repaired. That means a trip to Kansas City -- not an enjoyable spot right now. But we can also head south to Alabama, Florida or Texas for the job. Maybe soak up some precious hours of sunshine while we're at it. 

     Right now, though, we need to continue working on The Mama's estate: sorting out 'the good stuff' from her books, home decor, fabric and furniture for a future estate sale. Her clothes and care items will go to help others this week. I am trying to go from room to room, boxing and sorting as I go...my experience appraising is helping a lot. 

      I keep finding odd little treasures while exploring drawers and opening cupboards. The items are rarely what I was looking for, or expecting. Like my grandpa's auction poster from his farm sale, c.1956 in Corsica, SD. Brother's beekeeping certificates. Memorial folders from Grandma Cumings' 1975 funeral. Scribbled construction paper birthday cards from grandchildren...and beautifully inscribed books, including Longfellow's poems, from the 1870s and 80s. 

     I also found a pile of letters from Daughter #2 and myself; they were mixed in with catalogs and other detritus on the kitchen counter. Plus hundreds of smiley face stickers The Mama loved to use. These will go to grands and great-grands, to remember Grams by. 

      The Brick had a relapse, which cancelled his birthday party. His congestion and fever comes and goes, but as long as he is quiet and resting, he stays reasonably well. I do some work...then get really, really tired. I'm told this is normal for Covid. (Or did we pick up some flu?) We did our music commitments on Sunday -- but paid for it in exhaustion. 

     A friend died yesterday: Kathy Kansier, a fellow appraiser and textile-lover I've known since 1999. More on her tomorrow, as soon as I can process this loss. She was good, kind...and knowledgeable. I found out about others whose deaths slipped through the circuit unrealized. We lost two friends in Colorado whose funerals we were unable to attend...because we were here. 

     And there's February: cold, dreary, slushy, fall-on-your-butt winter.  (Yes, it is -- and yes, I did.)

   

A question to ponder: Queen Elizabeth just tested positive for Covid. Is she relating to her mum, who said, when Buckingham Palace was bombed during WWII:

Rather than flee the city under attack, King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth, remained at Buckingham Palace in solidarity with those living through the Blitz. This was a highly symbolic decision and received much attention in the press. The royal couple visited areas of London which had been devastated by air raids, speaking to residents and members of the local emergency services. The Queen took a keen interest in what was being done to help people who had lost their homes. After Buckingham Palace was bombed, she is reported to have said: "I am glad we have been bombed. Now we can look the East End in the eye."

Does Her Majesty feel the same way about Covid now?  (Like many of us, she probably got it from her family-- Prince Charles is highest on the list.) 

Just wondering.   Meanwhile:

The cat burglar -- who really is.   

Some Starbucks employees take a preemptive approach to protecting their customer. Good for them!

24 discounts for seniors...hey, why not...

One of my very favorite blogger friends, Jeannie from Get Me to the Country, has had a hellish month -- her husband nearly died from pneumonia caused by Covid. Godspeed, Bill -- keep getting better! (And hang in there, Jeannie.)

 Clamco, a new blog to me, mentioned the death last year of a blogger: Tammy, from Living Rich on the Cheap. I felt terrible -- we have been so preoccupied that I'd missed this. A kind and interesting blogger I considered an online friend.

One year of gardening -- in four minutes!

*Daunte Wright -- innocent victim? (The cop who shot him accidentally, instead of tasering him, as she'd planned, is going to jail for two years.)

The 'Jennifer Aniston salad' -- if she ate it everyday for lunch for years, it's got to be good.

Why did the "Birdman" disappear from the Denver Nuggets? I always wondered...turns out he was catfished. Big-time.  (More here.)

Food photography tips. Ever wondered about this?

"Why I like it when things go wrong on vacation."  Sometimes it saves you money in the long run!

Some sterling frugal living tips.  (From A Dime Saved) Also -- some good leftover rotisserie chicken recipes!

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese -- ummmm.  (From Sweet Tea and Thyme) Also: Brioche-style Buns -- homemade.

Dozens of frugal celebrities. Hey, why not...as well as:

Big stars that live like regular people.

The genius Russian kid who says he's a reborn Martian. 

Living in a van. Many of the basic questions answered.

Two days in extreme heat -- and found less than two miles from their car. That's how quickly high temperatures can kill you when you're hiking, even carrying some water.

Tote bags and copyrights -- a revisited classic from yours truly. (It's apparently extra-popular right now.)

'I couldn't afford a big house...so I got a tiny one, instead.'

The story behind some of the world's most iconic celebrity photos -- by the photographer who took them.

A Bigfoot Donuts shop!  P.S. They make little doughnuts, not big ones...

Not. One. Comment. From the Democrats who sat on committees investigating Donald Trump's campaign connection with Russia. And:

What in the world is going on regarding Durham's investigation...and its coverage by mainstream media?

Scholarships are available for students -- through the Horatio Alger Institute. 

Bratty kids who gave their parents no other choice. 

'Little' secrets you really should tell. (Because when others find out, they're not going to be happy.)

A new perfume smells like FRENCH FRIES -- and sells out within hours! No, I am not making this up.

Instant Pot Mongolian Beef. I plan on doing mine via slow cooker.  (From The Kitchen Magpie)

Remember the Dickens code mystery I wrote about a few weeks ago? The Tavistock letter has been solved... but there are still 70 pages of notes waiting to be deciphered. 

Fifty photos you should 'feel terrible' for laughing at. (They are funny!)

A man convicted of executing his sister -- and freed shortly afterwards. What the...?!?

Is Chevy Chase a jerk? More importantly, does he care?

'Open the Books:' a website that looks at public news and dissects it down to the truth. I plan on visiting this more -- you should, too.

Another boo-dee-hoo-hoo 'people are picking on me' interview from Anna Sorokin, the fake heiress. I'd find this person amusing, if she wasn't so clueless about the results of her actions.

An unusual new cat breed -- because a cat in a shelter gave birth to an unusual kitten.

Secretary Granholm may have ethics violations -- but her staff is too busy working on climate change to worry about them. Or so they're saying. 

Mike Pence's former chief of staff, on the 2020 election. (Some interesting comments here.)

Lesser-known ships that sank during their maiden voyages. (Ok, including the Titanic.)

Danielle Miller: Master scammer.   Plus another scammer: 

A 'spiritual conman' who duped clients out of money by pretending to hear from their dead children. He finally admitted it...decades later. 

Have a great week. 

God's Timing

     I am a very impatient person.

     Many times in life, I've wanted God to Hurry Up. After all, I've got 'people to see, things to do, and places to go.'

     Instead, He often slows it down.

     Case in point: The Mama's sickness. She was in and out of hospitals, rehab and care facilities since July 2021...and not in good health for at least a year before that. We relied on family help for much of that time. It became increasingly clear, after I'd spent August and part of September with her in Michigan, that wasn't enough.

      I could have remained here by myself. After all, I'd just done it for a month. But the Brick knew how difficult it had been, and insisted on coming, along with the trailer and the dogs. "After all," he said, "she's my mom, too." And that's where we've been, ever since: parked at the folks' farm. Much of the time, we've been 'camping' in the house, with the trailer in winter mode. 

     Did we choose to do this? Frankly, no. Michigan winters are gray, gloomy, cold and dreary. The Mama was sometimes in pain, short-tempered at times and often restless. But we'd put out some fleeces, and it was clear that we were supposed to be here. Probably just a few weeks.

    That was more than four months ago. We couldn't do our usual jobs, or see our friends in Colorado. I had to give up a number of work opportunities. We missed the holidays with the kids. (Though they came to us for a few days, the dears.) We couldn't go back to volunteer in McNeal, AZ. The trailer took some hits, weatherwise, and now the roof needs replacing. And it meant driving to see The Mama day after day, week after week, month after month....with no clear notion of how long this could go on. I'd made plans, but they didn't really work out. 

Leo Cumings photo - all others Pinterest or Wikipedia

     The Mama died Jan. 22. Two days after her funeral, we both tested positive for Covid. That weekend, we had to put down our beloved Charley. In spite of slowly getting better since then,  the Brick has had a relapse. So we start all over again, sleeping extra and taking things slow.

    Something has become increasingly clear: 

             This was all God's timing. 

    Yes, The Mama needed us. That part is true. She needed someone who could stop by and just sit with her, no matter where she was. 

     But other family members needed us here, too. They were tired --  often dealing with other problems that we could help with. We love our cousins -- and they love us back. A verbal or texted "attaboy/girl" would have been nice, but they needed US.

    Two dear friends were pastoring a small church nearby. They desperately needed someone to start helping with music -- right about the time we showed up. So that's what we've been doing, week by week. We also have helped out at Meadowlark, Mom's former care facility. They needed us, too.

    We were more exhausted than we both realized, trying to take care of matters in Colorado and Michigan at the same time. We weren't giving ourselves a chance to rest or work through issues without diving headlong into the next.

    The Mama's farm needed caring for. The Brick particularly did maintenance and repairs. Some issues, like the plumbing, could have gotten a whole lot worse, had we not been here. Other family members were out of town or didn't have time. But we did. 

    We've been able to babysit, bring meals, help out in so many random places. As co-executor of The Mama's estate, I've been here to help decide on a number of important issues. Some of it could have been -- and was -- done by phone. But other items, no.

    Who am I to say we've been 'wasting' our time here, when it's clear that we've filled in so many empty holes? 

    God's timing.

    Good things have happened. We've strengthened relationships with people we hold very dear here in Michigan. We loved them before -- but that's much deeper now. 

     People have come back into our lives, due to The Mama's passing, that I haven't talked to in years -- decades. I even had an urge to call a cousin who greatly wronged my parents and brother in the past...and heard him come closer to an apology than I have ever thought. (Maybe someday...)

    We've even gotten some extra rest. Enforced, it's true -- but we've been operating on a more limited schedule, commitment-wise.

   God's timing. 

   He doesn't show this kind of attention just for us. One cousin has been seriously ill with blood clots -- in fact, he may have been dealing with this longer than he thought. He and his wife had moved back to this small town not that long ago -- how could anyone do better than the much-larger place they'd moved from?

     Turns out that his doctor in Grand Rapids is one of the very best vein-related specialists in the country. Not just the state -- the country. 

    Another cousin became seriously ill with breathing issues after Covid. He was in the hospital for weeks -- and found out, after his discharge, that he'd been treated  by a doctor who was considered the #2 expert in that field. Just by chance -- the doctor was randomly assigned.

     God's timing. 

     The difficulty lies in reminding myself that I may have ideas for this, or a trip planned for that...but if I'm a daughter of the King, His schedule comes first. And He always makes these changes in our lives for a reason. Even something like the world cruise -- a lifelong dream-- being cancelled, had a reason. (I know some of them, at least.)

    Can I trust Him? 

              Whether it's a small item in our lives... or a really big one?

           Whether it seems the world will blow up or away, any second?

I can still trust Him. 

You can, too.

The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps.                Proverbs 16: 9

But of Course...

 ...Not that I think of myself as either 'sweet' or 'old.'

Valentines Day -- Two Days Later

 If you've been married for a while...or in the same relationship...or liked yesterday's rendition, you'll understand these.

After-work shoppers, February 14

It's heading for the grocery store after a sexy movie, for us...

The Brick 'forgot' about Valentine's Day this year...something that happens now and then. But when 'reminded,' he brought up giving me an anniversary present two years ago -- and I didn't get him one! (Neither of us did this past year...snowstorms, plus preoccupation about The Mama.)

    So what did we do for Valentine's Day? Went out for breakfast...then took a nap. (Forty years of marriage will do that to you.) But you know what? I wouldn't want to 'do it' with anyone else.

For more of these, see here. 

Awwwww....

 

Welcome Home, Mom!

     This, for the cousin who just got home from a conference last week. Who knows what was waiting for you, Dawn! (Don't tell me. I'd rather guess.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Back to 'Normal' -- Whatever That Is

      After a horrendous few months, the haze is finally lifting a bit. One notice: cousins are now saying, 'You told me that already.' And I most probably did! 

      Valentine's Day is tomorrow, which will be nice. The Brick's birthday is in a week, which is even nicer. We'll do our jobs, tidying up and starting to organize The Mama's estate...but we also plan on taking at least one day to run away from home -- and do whatever the heck we want to. 

      That will also be nice.

      We still have some Covid effects, particularly being tired. Very tired. But we're past quarantine -- and the danger of passing it to anyone. So we're safe.

By the way, if you didn't watch the SuperBowl either...

        The L.A. Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20. Hoo-rah.

Eileen Gu may have a a rougher time, thanks to renouncing her U.S. citizenship, than she thinks. It's not exactly reversible -- at least easily.

'Awwww' texts that are downright encouraging.

 Using your 'found money' to fight hunger.  (From Surviving and Thriving)

Is the game show "Wheel of Fortune" rigged? Probably not...but it's interesting that accusation was made after three people won the biggest prize. From Pat Sajak:

"Anyone silly enough to believe in things like that cannot be convinced of anything. It would be a total waste of time. I love how one day we’re “robbing” players of their winnings and then we’re “allowing” them to win. Some folks just have a conspiratorial nature..."

A US submarine -- caught trying to figure out what Russia's up to?    Naah... (wink wink).

Saving money on meat, fish and chicken. (From One Hundred Dollars A Month)

A new, immersive Gustav Klimt exhibit in New York City. 

It's okay to steal from stores -- after all, it's happened before! Advocated by the same person who thought it was just keen to torch businesses...('after all, they've got insurance')...although when it came to burning her house down, it was a different matter. 

The 'crypto geniuses' who went from darlings to arrested...in just a few short years.

Secret confessions...a classic from yours truly.

Just watched an amazing movie called Kesari -- based on the Battle of Saragarhi.

The film is based on the battle from the 19th century when 12,000 Afghans attacked a British Indian Contingent, which also comprised of 21 Sikhs who went on to become the heroes of the mission.

DNA discoveries that change how we view our ties to ancient man. Don't assume that what you were taught as a kid is now considered gospel -- it isn't!

Conrad Anker remembers his friend Alex Lowe...who disappeared during a climb in a avalanche -- in a cloud of snow dust. Anker and Lowe's widow fall in love eventually and he helps raise their kids -- and now, nearly 20 years later, Lowe's body has reemerged from a glacier. 

     (I've been following Anker's career ever since he discovered Mallory's body on Everest. He seems to be a thoughtful and experienced man who has an incredible amount of climbing experience. Unfortunately, after a heart attack, he is no longer actively climbing.)

Twenty best travel tips -- gathered over two decades of traveling.

Paraplegics that can walk and even bicycle...thanks to a spinal cord implant!

Has Captain Cook's ship been found??

Beans carried from the Mayflower -- you can grow them, as well!

John Wayne casserole. Beefy and filling!  (From The Kitchen Magpie)

Ray Stevens' quarantine song:

Have a great week. 

Happy Birthday, Abraham Lincoln!

 Barbara Brackman's latest Civil War Quilts column celebrates some quilts connected to our 16th President. Look here for more.

Here's a Lincolnesque mix for you to ponder, including Himself, Herself (Lincoln's wife Mary), ribbons, the log cabin he was supposed to have been born in...and more.

c.1850 'Abolition' quilt

Mary Lincoln, his wife

Matthew Brady 1860 campaign ribbon

Lincoln's dog Fido (1861)

Lincoln, after the Battle of Antietam

The poster advertising a reward for John Wilkes Booth

1865 mourning ribbon

Another mourning ribbon

'The' Cabin -- maybe, maybe not

The handkerchief in Lincoln's pocket the night he was assassinated

thought to be the last photo ever taken of him

I'm a big fan of ribbons and other woven textiles connected with Mr. Lincoln. The mourning ribbons regularly go for $100 -- $250. Each. They sometimes show up in Crazy quilts, which automatically boosts the value of that piece, depending on which ribbon is used. 

He was an amazing man, aware of both his faults and his gifts -- and surprisingly humble about both. 

Like anyone, he wasn't perfect -- but one wonders what would have happened, had he lived past 1865. Would it have changed the Reconstruction...and the future of the South?

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

(Antiques Trade Gazette)