Fun At the Petting Zoo

 

Guess they didn't want to be petted...

No Trespassing -- I Mean It

 

Really???

 Seriously, would you be proud of this?

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Whoo Hoo!

 

     I'm sure some people lead exciting lives -- out there somewhere. But not here. We're watching a friend's house while they're on vacation, finishing up several jobs (including appraisal reports), cleaning out and tidying up, helping out during church -- and in the Brick's case, adding a rubber bottom to the garage doors. We don't get a lot of rain, but when it does, it gushes -- and the garage has flooded before. 

     It's the end of a very hot, dry August...what else would I expect, I guess. On the plus side, it's cool enough in the evenings to sit out back and enjoy the sunset. That's nice.

Meanwhile:

A secret burial cave from the Second Temple Period is discovered in Jerusalem -- under very weird circumstances.

Tim Curry died last week - so did Dolly Parton. Iconic, fascinating characters in their own right. The Butcher of Bosnia also died. 

Crime-fighting rats? Really?? Apparently, yes.

The girl and her brother who found more than 125k of gold -- in an area they used to play in when they were kids.

Interest in pumpkin spice is slowing down, after a double-decade heyday.  Okay by me!  Oh no, wait a minute:  this report says it's starting earlier than ever. 

An intriguing side hustle that many people could take advantage of.   (Thanks, ESI Money!)

"What's your 'go-to' meal when you want something quick, tasty and affordable?" 

The stranded astronaut duo talks about what it was like -- before, during and after. 

And finally, from an interview with Tom Holland:

Have a good week.

Frugal Hits & Misses: August Report

      August 1st marked Colorado's 150th birthday. 

     It has been around much longer than that, of course, but was part of a Territory for decades...after Mexico, Spain and other countries claimed it, that is. Our part of Colorado, Costilla County, still occasionally thinks that Spain still has a foothold. That makes life interesting for gringoes like us -- but we do get wonderful restaurants and some interesting culture out of it. 

     This is my tenth year of posting Frugal Hits & Misses reports! Here's the very first one, back when we still lived on Collins Street in Castle Rock. Now we live 2 1/2 hours south, in our seventh home. (House #6 was a fifth-wheel.) It seems incredible, but that's what nearly 45 years of marriage will get you. This summer has been one of the dryest, dull times I can remember. Fortunately, it rains every now and then, and the air seems to be getting cooler at night. The Brick says it's a sign that fall's coming...but I wonder.

Frugal Hits

(Some of these were from late July) 

Bought two 'Colorado 150th birthday' totebags ($1.99 each). These will eventually go into quilts.

Some initial work on editing a Discipleship book.  This will be a major focus in September.

A quadruple batch of 'Buy 3/Get 1 Free' books.  These came from my favorite Ebay spot, SecondSale. Still free shipping, though I'm not sure how. I split 17 books into three different orders: one with $4 books, and two in the $5-ish category. (The last book was discount priced -- but not offered in the same special.)That way, I save on each order...and still get the 'free' books. These included birthday and Christmas presents. A few were on saving money -- nothing's funnier than paying frugally to buy books on this subject!

Watered regularly, though it didn't seem to matter.  A friend traveled by some of Colorado's biggest reservoirs, and said they were empty -- or nearly so. This drought really has us by the throat.

Church potluck, lunch with friends -- and a birthday supper for Daughter #2 at Chili's. (No cake in the parking lot, though. Eating it outside has become a weird family tradition.) Daughter #1 had a birthday supper at a sushi place...and cheesecake in the parking lot.  Both our daughters have August birthdays. (So did The Mama.) It makes for a busy month, in that respect.

Stopped twice at the St. Ives Grill and their Tuesday Twofers:  two-for-one beers, plus $1.50/$1.75 tacos and chicken wings! (They were delicious.) If you're headed to Alamosa, CO, this is a great place to try. 

Gave a dozen eggs away to friends. With the kids gone, our two-dozen-a-week were starting to pile up. Took supper to a friend who'd had surgery. We were also able to donate a case each of tuna and applesauce to the La Puenta food bank in Alamosa...which felt wonderful. 

Collected hollyhock seeds -- I'll use these for future planting and presents.  Planted spinach seeds; my zucchini seedlings are no more. (Chipmunks, we think.)

       Tiger Brick -- master chipmunk hunter. (Not chipmunk catcher.)

Bought two Red Robin giftcards -- 20% off. 

We took the Blues Train -- and stayed overnight in Durango. The Brick saved $20 by picking the right website to order a hotel stay. (They did promise a pool -- which was closed. Sigh.) Our favorite group on the train: Weary Ramblers. Here they are, at an international blues competition. (They won.)

    After a leisurely lunch, we headed home -- with a stop at Durango's Goodwill, plus groceries in Alamosa. (One trip: multiple errands!) Thanks for the tickets, Daughter #1 and Adopted Son #1! It was hot, sweaty, bumpy -- and quite wonderful.

 

The Brick installed the light fixture purchased at the thrift shop, over our kitchen island. The stronger light makes for easier food prep!

Cut up a bunch of cardboard boxes and tidied up. Emptied two more bins and washed them out. Restocked and inventoried the pantry. Cleaned house because our friend was coming to dogsit -- and we didn't want her seeing it so messy. (This really was the reason, sadly.)

Thrift shop deals:  a Bridgewater mug ($1.50) and a fork for a quarter (Bargain Box, Pueblo). A London-designed custom shirt ($4.99) and half-priced jeans for the Brick (Durango Goodwill). Clive Cussler novels for a buck each; sheets for roughly $3 each (half price), a 9 x 13 pan ($1.75, also half price) and three Blue Blood video sets for $2.50 each -- plus a senior discount. But no free bread! (Treasures in the Park, Castle Rock). We went to thrift shops more this month, mostly because we were in the neighborhood already for other reasons. Ironically, I spent less in total than I normally do!

Used up $9.87 in credit card points - one of our accounts is switching credit card companies, and I had a sneaking feeling these points would disappear. Used a $5 rewards coupon at Michael's; the Brick used up a $25 giftcard from Lowe's.

Grocery deals:  $1 coupon; $5 off produce; $1.94 for 3 pounds of yellow onions; BOGO half-gallons of milk; a huge bin of ice cream, $5.99; 8-pks of chimichangas, $4.49 (City Market). Payday and Mr. Goodbar candy bars -- each 20% off. Coffee beans, 16-17% off. (These factored out to approx. $7.50/lb - a steal for coffee.) Baby Ruth mini candy bars, a stunning 21 cents/oz. Update:  I didn't check the math! They SAID it was 21 cents/oz, but the math said 67 cents/oz. Cancelled the order pronto (Amazon). Brunswick stew and chili, 99 cents each; ice cream cake, $2.99; frozen bulogi dumplings, $1.79; coffee beverages, 3 for $1; dog food (the fancy kind) $21.99  (SLV Grocery). A BIG watermelon ($4.69); blueberry pie ($3.69) and two chocolate croissants, 84 cents each (Walmart).

Free Stuff:  some hamburger patties from Son #1 and Daughter #2 -- thank you, Dears! Also an extra jar of garlic powder mistakenly included in the Amazon order. (They said to keep it.) A big bag of lettuce from friends at church, and zucchini from another friend.  A lovely potted spider plant from Daughter #2's friend. 

Used the Devoted debit cards to buy much of our groceries.  (We each get $54/month.) I did get a few discounted necessaries from Amazon, specifically candy bars, coffee, mixed nuts -- and garlic. (Stocking up for winter.) I also took a business survey for $60 in Amazon credit.

Bought a REALLY rare 19th century handkerchief: 1831, to be exact. It's full of printed homilies -- because it was meant as a school primer. ("Primary Lessons #5") Think Dick and Jane, but in Jane Austen's time.

I also got a Fifties handkerchief baby quilt, and a Seventies one...for very low prices. (All three of these purchases came via Best Offer -- ALWAYS try this, if it's an option. They can only say no!)

A dozen roses from the Brick -- $8!  We bought a dozen for Daughter #2's natal day, too, and a mixed rose bouquet for her sister. 

Some charges for the Brickworks website reduced -- thanks to Daughter #2: from $39 to $9 monthly.

Facebook class action checks -- a bit more than $7 each. Enough for one lunch at Calvillo's, at least.

Did a few appraisals... and finished up more. I often take this month to rest, but it's not happening this year, so far. (Maybe September.) The extra $$ is helping pay off June's trip expenses, though. Picked up another big appraisal job -- and a speaking gig. One more appraisal helped pay for a Denver trip to celebrate Daughter #1's birthday. 

Took care of granddog Freya a LOT. Summer is a very busy time for the kids' business, Phenomenal Gems. (So far, the booth sales are good.) The kids took care of Bo and Tiger several times, too.

Found money:  a dime and four pennies, in the truck. (What the kids leave is fair game, they told me.) Durango finds:  a penny in the hotel room, and a quarter and two pennies at McDonald's. Go figure.

Foods made (besides the usual): apple-cranberry tart, black bean soup, iced tea concentrate, lasagna (for the church potluck), another apple tart (for Daughter #2's birthday), banana bread, various cookies, egg custard, enchiladas...and lots of smoothies. Mostly peach and strawberry.

The Brick replaced the dryer vent at our house, dug a trench for pipe to empty the hot water heater, and did some electrical work for friends. That man-- Husband is incredibly talented in the DIY department, among other things. As a thank you, our friends gave us MEAT -- including hamburger, sausage and a package of t-bones!

The Brick volunteered at a Convention of States booth during the Western Conservative Summit in the Denver area. He saved by staying overnight at our friends' house in the Springs, before heading home the next day. He ran some errands on the way home, including stores we normally can't access. He also dropped off a bagful of birthday presents at Daughter #1 and Adopted Son's house. 

We did a Thursday night concert at Lu's: Lu's Diner in Blanca, that is. The music was mostly country and light rock -- and fun. This is the same band that does worship music on Sundays at Calvary Blanca. But when we play at Lu's, we're known as the Ritardandos. (Music lovers,  you should have no trouble figuring this title out.)

Continued to get 13 cents discount/gallon for gas at Love's. We knew our rewards account got us 10 cents off a gallon -- but it turns out that our AAA membership (a necessary evil) gives us an additional 3 cents off!

Frugal Misses

Paid the final tolls from our June trip. Wasn't cheap, either. We also figured out the final $$ of the June trip with our dear friends. It does help a lot to split expenses down the middle. (See July's Frugal Hits & Misses, if you're curious.)

Forgot our swimsuits in a hotel room...and didn't realize it until early July. At least the suits were old and worn -- and their replacements (Land's End and Walmart) were on sale.

Bought a share of McDonalds stock (MCD). Man, those shares are expensive!! At least it's moderating, and going up. Who knows whether this will be a hit or a miss in the future. I also bought more shares of a silver stock.

Bad mushrooms. (Bad mushrooms...bad!) Also: a moldy loaf of garlic bread. Returned them for credit. Had to make a special trip to use up our Devoted debit cards -- because I forgot to bring them with the first time. (sigh...)

A doctor's visit in Pueblo -- and a stop at a wonderfully scruffy Italian deli. (The food was great -- the prices weren't.)

Got an invite to my 50th school reunion in Michigan.  I can't go  - I have a speaking gig that exact day in Pueblo, CO.

Fought restlessness, a week of flu and the black dog all month.  Not fun. Reading, projects and cold drinks helped some. 

Here's last month's report. (More of same, sadly, in the hot & dry department.)  Here's August 2025, and a year before that.  But life goes on, heat or no...

If You're Thinking About Doing This...

 

Good things come to those who snooze...

For My Family... Who Love Silly Puns

 ... just not mine.

It Would Have Been Tractors For My Dad...

 

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: The Bluuuueeesss Train

      The Brick and I had a sweaty, bumpy and ultimately wonderful experience in Durango this past weekend -- we rode the Blues Train! 

     If you've ever been riding on the Durango-Silverton Railroad, an antique coal-driven train, then you have part of the experience. 

Now add 9 or 10 cars full of people drinking, dancing and grooving to the music in their particular car while the sun goes down. You're seeing Colorado at its best, and listening to some of the best music ever while you do it. 

     There are some weird problems. The groups may be good -- or not. People are constantly walking down the aisles...and since it's bumpy, they may end up in your lap. (Or you will end up in theirs!) And when they pass by, they're going to be staggering (or dancing, as the case may be) in front of the Artist du Jour. If you go see some of the other acts, don't necessarily plan on your seat being there when you get back. Amd by the time the train pulls back into Durango, there are going to be some very 'happy' people on board, if you know what I mean. 

      At least in August, it's hot, even though the windows are open. I suspect September will be better -- but tickets are all sold out for 2026. Next year should be easier.

      We had a wonderful time. P.S. If the Weary Ramblers are playing again, don't hesitate -- they're amazing.

We got back to the hotel about midnight -- sweaty, bemused and our heads full of music. The Brick said, "Boy, that was surreal..." but wonderful!

Back to reality -- and work ahead this week. If you love music too, our band (The Ritardandos) will be singing and playing Thursday night, Aug. 27, at Lue's Diner in Blanca, CO.  The show starts about 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile:

A bear sneaked into a Colorado Springs fire station, grabbed a gear bag -- and took off.  No word on whether this ursine sneak thief has been caught yet. (Ahem.)

A bad coffeeshop review... but the truth is in the photo.

The Noah's Ark speculation continues...

'My apartment gave me something that money can't buy.'  (From Millenial Revolution)

Food gifts for special occasions. And yes, you make them yourself. (From The Frugal Farm Girl)

Unusual ephemera found -- including this piece.

101 odd things found in caves:

The "grifting grandmothers" - who almost got away with millions from farrm aid.

The new homeless shelter on the Aurora regional campus? It's not going so good, even though the directors think they've solved a lot of problems. We'll see...

"What's the best meal you can cook on an extremely tight budget?"  Quora readers hold forth.

An ancient shipwreck in the Mediterranean gives up its treasures. Some of them, at least.

A climber survives a 500 FOOT fall on a Colorado 14er? Amazing.

And finally -- Farm Funnies. 

Have a great week. Fall IS coming... isn't it?

Figures...

 

Here Kitty Kitty...

  This gem is from Bored Panda:

Dolph Volker, a wildlife photographer, woke up from a nap under a tree -- and found a sleeping cheetah snuggled up next to him. 

    "Keep petting me, Buddy...or things could get interesting."

This is billed as a true story! Actually, it is... but Dolph was at a cheetah sanctuary, volunteering at the time. That makes a lot more sense.

Ummm...

 

I guess -- but it's still funny!

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: Eensy (Not so Weensy) Spider

       A huge spider builds a web over the back deck steps -- then it mostly disappears every morning. Turns out she's an 'orb-weaver'...and eats her web, including its victims, every night! 

     Daughter #2 named her Charlotte. She's high enough that the dogs won't bother her, but Son #1 and the Brick have to be careful not to bump her web's bottom edge. 

     I hope she stays into the fall. 

Charlotte, in all her glory --  at least half-dollar size.

 She's having a real impact on the pesky moths that have been hanging around. 

You go, Charlotte!

Meanwhile:

More than 270 Mozart statuettes stolen in Salzburg!  You and I both are wondering- why?? (I would guess tourists and locals are picking them up as 'souvenirs.')

The best deer-resistent perennials that thrive in sun. Which we get plenty of around here! (You'll also see a link for deer-resistant perennials that prefer shade. Thanks, Frugal Farm Girl.

Homemade food gifts for Christmas. Who says these can't be used for birthdays and other holidays??  (Thanks, Frugal Farm Girl.)

One woman's (Ruth Rogers) life collection.

Fifteen treasures that tell the story of America.

How this print swept the world -- and changed views on Japanese art forever.  

(This print, "The Great Wave" by Hokusai, sold as part of a 36-piece set for 1,646,000 pounds in June this year at a Christie's auction in Paris. You read that right -- more than $2,225,000 USD.)

Random ways people made a fortune. 

'Hyperbolic fiction' -- or making up your life, in hopes that no one else finds out. (The ex-Cambridge professor is in this category. (Sadly, he committed suicide recently.) He's not the first, nor the last -- novelist H.G. Carillo, also a professor, made a lot of his Cuban roots in his book, Loosing My Espanish. After his death from cancer, it turns out, among other falsities,  he was Herman Glenn Carroll -- born in Detroit. But hey, a good writer!

A fun interview with Dan Ackroyd.  I really admire this guy.

"Top 10 simple financial tips" -- from Quora readers. 

Massachusetts joins the growing list of states that allow you to kill your baby up to the moment of birth. Sadly, Colorado is also on this list.

Dance for a minute or so -- and get a discount on your gas?  I'd do it!

Deepfaking -- happening to influencers and celebrities alike.

Have a great week. Stay authentic!

Utagawa Hiroshige

 Utagawa Hiroshige -- 1797-1858. This 19th century Japanese artist is considered one of the premiere woodblock printers -- ever. If you're a fan of Japanese art (as I am), you'll recognize his name. 

A collection of Hiroshige's prints sold at Christie's auction some years ago. Why am I telling you this? Because the prints, estimated value $15,000-25,000 each, mostly sold for a stunning $118,000, instead. Or more.

Now THAT'S a markup. 

Why am I also telling you this? Because a 600-piece collection of Hiroshige woodblock prints is set to auction at Christie's soon. It will be interesting to see if the prints hold their value, appraisal-wise. The first installment auction starts September 15.

Take a look for yourself at the 2020-21 auction, including realized prices.  Meanwhile, here are more of his prints for you to admire. Lovely. 

'Nihonbashi Bridge'

'Ryogoku Fireworks'

(a print of this is part of the Sept. 15 auction)

'Shona'

'53 Stations of the Tokaido' -- selected examples

Makes Sense...

 

More kitty comics here.

For All My Earlybird Friends...

 

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Can We Bear It?

     

We've had a visitor stop by the past few weeks. Not that we've seen him, but our trash can has been dumped over and pawed through. And I'm guessing, from the times the dogs have been Very Concerned, that he's stopped by more than that.

     Our neighbor texted -- we've got a black bear in the neighborhood. Maybe two. 

     The Brick notified the neighborhood chain, just in case. One neighbor thinks that the drought has forced these guys down; another neighbor could care less. But I would hate for Bo, Tiger or our granddog Freya to become the next snack. 

      It's still hot and dull. We've gotten a bit of rain, but the forecast suggests we'll get a lot more this week. Dare I hope?

Meanwhile:

What did Pompeii smell like?

"Love Me, Hate Me, Just Don't Ignore Me:"  What Terrell Owens is doing nowadays.

A new website -- for the original Gee's Bend Quilters. Take a look.

A visit to an old friend:  Brin at Messy Thrilling Life. I just wish she'd post more updates...

Making a home out of an abandoned general store.  I'd love to try this, but the Brick is not a fan.

The best free events in New York City.

Thousands of structures are there, hiding under the rainforest in the Amazon. 

Two of Saint Augustine's sermons discovered -- after 1600 years!  (They were written over by another sermonizer.)

Gee's Bend Quilts, reinterpreted by Ralph Lauren?  At least the collaboration is with people associated with the original quiltmakers. 

One of the stranger commercials I've ever seen:  Mikhail Baryshnikov and Lil Buck shill fashion in this 2015 offering.

Cambridge's youngest professor is no more -- he resigned.  Just in time, ironically, for his memoir to hit the bookstands. One review mentioned all the OTHER Great Accomplishments he did (or didn't?) and called it a piece of "mythic proportions." I'm betting it's full of it, all right.

And finally:

Today's basic advice on Bored Panda:

"If you tuck one pant leg into your sock, people stop expecting much from you."

So there you go.

Have a great week.

Weather We Know or Not...

 Here's the latest prediction for 2026-2027's winter, courtesy of the Old Farmer's Almanac:

(Click on the white space, if the image isn't appearing)

It's difficult to even think of cold and snow right now...does that stuff even exist??

What do you think?

Edmund Fitzgerald

     On Nov. 10, 1975, the tanker Edmund Fitzgerald  sank in a nasty winter storm. The "good ship and true" took 29 crewmen with her. 

The Great Lakes have had many other shipwrecks, but this was one of the most mysterious. One minute she was there, communicating with another ship -- then she was gone. Even after the shipwreck was found -- and she was deep -- there are still conjectures why she went down. (Besides the storm, that is, which was one of the worst ever.) Her captain's last message:  

      "We are holding our own."

Gordon Lightfoot's song about the Fitz is just as deep and mysterious. I would often play it right after I crossed the Michigan state line, on my way to see family in Sparta.

Now one of my favorite groups has brought their version of

"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" 

See what you think.

Maybe Knitting Next?

 

Mew!

 

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: A Brief Reprieve

    ...then more of the usual. I'm sweating my brains out while typing this, but didn't know whether I was running a fever again, or truly hot. The Brick brought me an iced tea, and said it was sweltering inside. I've had summer flu most of the week, so it's hard to tell. We did have some rain, and the evenings have been cooler.

     Just not tonight.

Meanwhile:

A professor uses a trick to flush out AI use during a midterm -- 32 out of 35 students fail. Whoa. (One student did get her grade back.)

The tiniest cinema in the world -- playing silent films 24/7!

A visit to Daniel Chester French's studio.  This is the sculptor who 'did' Lincoln for the Memorial. (Thanks, One Hundred Dollars A Month, for the tour.)

What?  Wyoming and "neighboring states" can be trusted to take care of their own wildlife management?  Surely not...after all, we westerners are too busy wearing spurs and sixguns to know what we're up to around here.

A 'time traveller' gives us his predictions for 2028. Check back then to see if he's right -- or just full of...

Gee's Bend Quilts, reinterpreted by Ralph Lauren?  At least the collaboration is with people associated with the original quiltmakers. 

"Soap is cheap..." and so is staying clean and tidy, even in difficult times. (Thanks, Frugal Girl, for the reminder.)

Have a good week. Back to work -- stay cool.

Uh Oh...