Meet the Appennine Colossus.
And we're making progress. Maybe a good share of Americans are headed somewhere for the Fourth -- but not most of the people here in the San Luis Valley. After all, we now have regular parades now of RVs, loaded-down campers and other slow-moving (and gawking) tourists, many of them on their way to campgrounds and the Great Sand Dunes. Why would we want to fight our way through there? Better to stay home, and go after Labor Day, when most people have gone home. It's cooler, anyway.
And now maybe, finally we don't have to hear all the minute details about Jeff Bezos' wedding: who attended, who wore what, etc etc. Enough, already!
Meanwhile:
A surprising number of aircraft crashes have had one person survive...including the survivor of the Air India crash a few weeks ago. Click on the header for the list.
Princess Diana had one request that her designer refused -- shorter skirts! There are a number of costumes in this link well worth reviewing -- she had a flair for clothes.
A top economist admits that Trump might have been right about tariffs, after all. Poor man.
Napoleon relics draw nearly $10 million at auction! Okay, his penis wasn't one of the items offered. (I am not making this up.) But the stuff could have been...
Things found in the attic, walls, outside...and at the thrift shop.
The first dog to lie in state at the Minnesota capital -- along with his master and mistress. He was a Good Boy, and deserves it.
Chinese dynasties, listed in order -- all 18 of them. Learn something new.
'I'll never manage money for anyone for free again.' Understandable, Financial Samurai.
An interesting Quora question: How do wealthy people split the bill when they eat together? Or DO they?
Some very funny celebration pictures. Including this one:
Ten insights into 'alien worlds.' Don't freak out on this -- Listverse means other planets, mostly in our solar system. Not little green men.
New discoveries about the ancient world. Does this mean that 'cave men' were a lot smarter than scientists thought!?
Met Gala costumes... weird, but fascinating.
Is the Duchess of Markle just repackaging Williams Sonoma products for her 'As Ever' line? It's happened many times before...
Lessons learned from working a shift on Christmas Eve. From a doctor who's had to do it -- and more than once. (From the White Coat Investor)
A very interesting Bigfoot video, taken off the Colorado River. No, I'm not sure it's viable. But worth deciding for yourself.
Have a good week.
A quiet month, starting cool with rain, then hot days with hot winds. The plants in the back deck beds have been popping up and growing like crazy. We ate our first spinach omelet on June 3, but the plants are already going to seed. Normal for this time of year.
After the drama of getting the storage trailer home, it was nice to rest. The Brick started clicking things off on his to-do list, and I worked on catching up with appraisal reports. We're headed on a European trip in July, so have been getting ready for that, as well as training our silly half-grown pups and taking care of their aunt Freya.
Not your typical June -- then again, it never is.
FRUGAL HITS
Yes, this is a few days early...but I have reports to concentrate on.
*Sent a goodies box to our favorite kiddoes in Michigan -- including candy and videos I already had. (Plus a thank you note and check, for storing our trailer for so long.)
*Didn't go out to eat much. (We'll make up for it during our upcoming European trip.) We often made do with the dollar pizzas from the Amish grocery store, instead. (Oh, the suffering...) An invite to a Trinidad steakhouse (for an arthritis treatment seminar) netted us two free steak dinners -- and breakfast steak hash next morning. (I dropped off an appraisal report while we were there, saving $2.50 in postage.)
*Watched our granddog Freya.
*Trimmed all three dogs' nails. (They didn't like it -- but it had to be done.) Gave them baths, as well.
*Kept myself from making several business purchases until the end of the month.
*Played and sang on Worship Team. The Brick led music for three of the services.
*Thrift shop buys: a Yellowstone-themed t-shirt ($4), two t-shirt dresses ($6 each), a dinosaur doggie chew toy ($2.50) and several books, ranging from 50 cents - $2 each. Also an old-fashioned meat grinder ($5, marked down from $10). It will come in handy if we get any venison or elk meat this year. (Nazarene and Rainbow's End thrift shops; PALS thrift shop.)
*Made bread. Made it again, after Daughter #2 and Son #1 gobbled it up. (Okay, the Brick and I had some, too.)
*Money Found: Change machine hauls -- two pennies at Walmart; a dime, nickel and penny at Safeway. Plus a bonus washer. The kids found $2 in a Boulder change machine. (Showoffs.)
*A small batch of books: Depression Era glassware, quilting...and the Good Old Days -- for $11 and change. A second batch included a few Good Old Days (including Christmas!) and an important book on textile traditions in NM and CO -- $14 total. All Buy 2, Get 1 Free -- plus free shipping.
*Did a survey for $5.
*Watched over our friends' place while they were on vacation. I got a pretty bouquet of columbines and phlox out of it, too.
*City Market coupons -- including one for a free pound of butter. I was able to combine several of the others with sale prices, making those items even less.
*Grocery Deals: Tubes of tomato paste (29 and 39 cents), Deutscher shortbread cookies ($1.59), and peach nectar (33 cents a can) (SLV Amish Grocery). Fresh from the barnyard eggs, $3.75 a dozen** (Worth the Drive). Four avocados (red-bagged) for a buck (City Market/King Soopers). Gallons of milk, $2.77 each (Safeway). Beef and pork prices have gone up 10-20% in our area, just in the last few months, while egg prices are down...yep, instead of $8.99 a dozen, they're now $4.99-5.99. Generous.
**These were 25 cents cheaper than SLV's prices -- so 75 cents saved! Bragged about it to the Brick, who thought it was hilarious. Hey 75 cents is 75 cents.
*Ran out of eggs periodically -- and just made do without them. Made use of freezer items, especially meat -- I can actually see bare spaces in there! (This is a minor miracle, considering I am usually a stuffer-inner.)
*Bought a few antique quilt photos on Ebay: $5 each, including shipping. (Another Best Offer.) A few more were purchased, as well -- $3.70 - 7.95 each. (These prices are soooo much cheaper than photos used for previous books. Stocking up, when a usable photo appears, really pays off.)
*Bought a windmill quilt top -- Best Offer accepted again.
*Two mini-pizzas ($1 each), cut up and brought for an appetizer: my contribution to a girls' night out. (The Brick got the first bowl of homemade copycat Olive Garden, instead.)
*Started unpacking the storage trailer.
*The state tax refund, including our share of TABOR, finally arrived. (The Federal refund came last month.) Colorado guv'ment people have been very reluctant to give up TABOR funds -- is that why it took so long?
*The Brick installed the Bigfoot weathervane that was my anniversary present. It looks great! He also replaced a screen door, and rewired some electrical outlets for a friend.
The single grapevine cutting that survived -- is growing! At least I got something out of my $29 investment. I persuaded the Ebay seller to send me another batch of cuttings to try -- hopefully these will root.
*The Brick decided not to travel to hunt this year... in protest of some new Colorado gun laws 'protecting' us from ourselves. (Obviously crime will just disappear now.) It saved us money on licenses -- but also means no meat for the freezer.
*Kept errands in a tight mix several times, to save gas and time. We added the $5 McDonald's deal for supper, and shared the chicken nuggets with the doggies.
*Had friends over for Father's Day... the Brick even had to work by grilling his own steak. Poor Baby. At least he got strawberry shortcake to ease his pain.
*Got a few Father's Day presents on discount -- including these beautiful hummingbird feeders. (That's what he asked for!)
FRUGAL MISSES
*Protested the property tax evaluation: $100,000+ increase in one year?!?
*Missed out using the discounted Groupon for the Money Museum in time... but will use it eventually, at full price.
*Lost some seedlings. Not all of the Arbor Day baby trees are going to make it, either. We've had some stifling hot winds that are tough on the plants. At least the puppies kept their grubby paws out of my planting beds...so far.
*Freya's latest snack: a down pillow. (I stitched the torn corner , and we picked up the feathers.) She nibbled the leather strip off on one shoe for dessert, and was planning on the rest of the shoe (which I'd never worn) when I caught her. (sigh)
Not to be outdone, the puppies chewed two large holes in my favorite fur throw, and pulled out a bunch of stuffing. I can stitch these up, as well. But it won't be the same. (double sigh)
*Paid the annual propane tank fee. (Their contract required that we only buy propane from them. The Brick protested -- and we were allowed to cross that requirement out before signing the agreement.) Renewed the truck license, as well.
*Paid the last of the travel fees (plane/hotel, etc.) for the European trip. We also bought tickets to Anne Frank's house (Amsterdam), an all-day tour to Normandy and the Louvre (Paris). More to come.
Last month's report is here. Last year's is here -- and the year before that.
A number of things need to be taken care of in July, including an appraisal gig at the Black Canyon Quilt Show in Montrose, CO July 11-13. This is one of the premiere quilt events in Colorado -- please stop by!
....going to Denver, that is.
The Brick has a fun Convention of the States event this week. However, the friends we normally stay with are not thrilled about three dogs invading their house. Considering how wild the puppies are right now, I don't blame them. So --
He wears the dress, and I stay home. (Oops, that's something else.)
Actually, it's a chance to stay up late, eat strange things (canned ravioli!) and get work done at odd hours. A perfect combination.
Meanwhile:
Historical notes -- but not what you think. (Well worth reading, though.)
A big fight about hotdog toppings...that's more than a little silly. Hey, I'll take a Chicago-style dog any day, but others are good, too.
'Take my inheritance...or I'm giving it to the Hell's Angels!' An interesting proposition to a small New England town.
American presidents' favorite foods.
Some interesting food hacks to help you save. (From Millenial Revolution)
Watched Mr. Majestyk -- then realized this 1974 movie with Charles Bronson was filmed not far from where we live! So-so acting, but good fights. And recognizing the landscape -- including the Manzanola watermelon farm! -- was lots of fun.
The guys who stole Blenheim Palace's famous gold toilet have been caught. Four men were originally charged -- but one was found not guilty. Blenheim Palace will have to go without, though -- apparently the toilet was melted down.
Have a good week. Watch where you sit.
... from more than a thousand years ago.
It's been a peaceful week...which we needed. Freya the granddog went off with her parents, but will be back later this week. The kids had other plans on Father's Day, so we had fellow kid-less friends over for steak and strawberry shortcake, instead. And Tiger had a special gift for the Brick on his special day: a pee puddle. (Sigh)
Otherwise, life goes on.
The Army's 250th anniversary parade was AMAZING. But I was a tad freaked out by the robot dogs.
Historic uniforms from the Army parade -- Revolutionary War through today!
Hikers in the Czech Republic find a WWII stash of coins and jewelry.
Captain Cook's ship The Endeavour is found off Rhode Island. (It was scuttled there in the 1770s.)
"Spontaneous" anti-Trump protests? Sure. You bet. (Oops, they're sponsored by a number of groups, including those with strong Democratic ties. But that has nothing to do with it... right?)
ONE person survives an Air India crash that killed nearly 250 -- including his brother, who was seated in the same row, but on the other side of the plane.
From the "Figures" department -- this sign.
How to dye wool. (Thanks, Mavis from One Hundred Dollars A Month)
Civil War soldiers' remains found -- in Colonial Williamsburg.
A whole bunch of "well, great...now I know" incidents. (Funny, too -- unless they're your kids.)
An 'astronaut' makes a big deal about being accepted by NASA into the space program... only she isn't. (It's another space program.) Oops... guess she didn't know the difference.
The Recovery, an 18th century shipwreck, may have been... well... recovered.
What's your favorite moneysaving idea? (From The Nonconsumer Advocate -- I love this blog. Don't miss the comments.)
Ten odd things Planet Earth has been up to in recent years. Including rotating faster than usual...
Five myths about "expired" food.
Eleven 'controversial teachings' from the White Coat Investor. Some of these are interesting, all right... but controversial???
Poor Greta Thunberg -- 'kidnapped,' treated shamefully... and now deported. I enjoyed finding out who sponsored her sailboat trip, too. (Why would she pay for it?) By the way, if you refuse to watch a video of the Oct. 7 massacre... then it never happened. Right?
Fiesta coleslaw. Yum.
Happy Father's Day to my darling Brick -- who has not only been a great dad to his children, but his puppies, as well.
I love you, Sweet Baby.
I love this smoky, mysterious rendition by the Steeldrivers. Crank your sound system up -- it will be worth it.
Not Cha, Cha, Cha, unfortunately.
The puppies are driving us both crazy with their chew tactics. Not only are all their former chew toys spread in bits and pieces all over the living room... but Bo decided to whet her teeth on the corner of the platform that our woodstove stands on. Now we have a giant 'bite' right out of the wood that looks like monsters visited. She did it while the Brick was absorbed in some paperwork.
The stinker.
Otherwise, it's pretty quiet. This is busy season for Daughter #2 and Son #1, vending at rock shows. Here's where they'll be the next few weeks. Daughter #1 has been on the road for her job, and summer is always busy for Adopted Son #1's renovation company.
So we generally stay home, putter around, take care of the dogs...the Brick works on the trailer, and I work on reports. I am hoping to pretty much clear them out by the end of this week. I have a trip to Denver by the end of the month -- and more reports to start working on.
The Boulder attack was heartbreaking. We met a concentration camp survivor at the Miami airport, and the Brick had a long and nourishing talk with her. We -- especially he -- were amazed at her courage and resiliance. Oh, that we all could be...
A breakthrough for an HIV cure? I sure hope so.
The guy who ran a marathon -- with 24 hours notice. (Okay, he walked part of it, too!)
Yep, this is a "relatively calm" protest...ummm, what's that column of smoke rising behind you -- a barbecue?
Rice paper dumplings... yum. (From Khins Kitchen. These are gluten-free, too.)
Why aren't Jimmy Kimmel and others making a big deal about news of Biden's cognitive decline? Hmmm....'crickets,' my family would say.
The Dead Sea Scrolls may be even older than previously thought.
Sovereignty won the Belmont Stakes. (Journalism, winner of the Preakness, was second.)
Famous body parts -- separated from their original owners. You'd think hearts, but a lot of other pieces were whacked off and distributed, as well. Not just of saints, either.
In keeping with this: 25 death masks of famous people. Incredible.
A two-year-old takes a little ride on a luggage conveyor belt....including a drop into the baggage bin. Why wasn't Mom paying attention??? (Secret confession: I have always wanted to do this.)
An illuminating post on William Morris and his designs.
The kid who worked for Burger King gets a $10K scholarship from them! (...and so does the daughter of the woman who brought him to public attention. Good for Burger King -- I just wish they'd done this sooner.)
Awkward moments on 'Finding Your Roots.' We can try to ignore our past, but we can't make it go away.
A crop pathogen -- brought into the U.S. by Chinese 'researchers.' Fortunately, they were caught.
She's 'no longer a Democrat.' (I'll let you click on this after you guess.)
Did Israeli soldiers really open fire on a Gaza food distribution? The foundation doing the distributing says no. And the Washington Post retracted their accusations. Hmmm.
Finally -- a pennyanny dress. (Ok, a nickley and dimey one, too.)
Have a great week.
Jerry Dunbar makes fascinating quilts.
This Highlands Ranch, CO quiltmaker has won prizes and had his work featured in exhibits. One of his strengths is combining careful hand quilting with strong graphics, machine piecing, in his original designs.
Let me prove it. Here's one of my favorites: a modern sampler called
Ian's Bed Is Broken.
See more of Jerry's work at 2026's Mens Quilts exhibit, featured at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, CO.
(All quilts are original designs by Gerald Dunbar; any of these photos needs permission for use.)
How 'bout dat. The Brick has been putting in hours and hours on the new laptop, loading decades' worth of appraisal reports, plus ...
