Changes Are Afoot...

... or maybe not! I bought a new pair of walking shoes. They are exactly like the pair I had before them, and the pair before that, and the pair... well, you get the idea. Change does not come easily to me. I order the same shoes when mine get broken down and worn out not only because they fit my foot perfectly but also because I can. I fear that one day they won't make this particular model of my beloved shoe anymore and I will be forced to make a change. Until that day I gleefully hit the "reset" button and order, for me, what is tried and true. Perhaps I act within my own safe zone, finding comfort in the familiar. Do you do the same thing? I also believe that this act of reordering is a time saver: I know that they fit, I know that they are comfortable and support my foot, there's no risk; there's no time wasted and no surprises. Am I missing out? Is there a better shoe out there, one that might be more exciting or one that would save me money? How will I ever know? Am I alone? Please weigh in, I am eager for input into these questions I have posed. Is this repeat behavior of mine unique?

Life is Good!

Stay tuned for my next post: "Lots of Things are Simmering"

 

Waging War!

So, you'll remember from a couple of days ago, I mentioned the Papa Bluebird who constantly flies into his own reflection in our windows, thinking himself to be a predator. The patience supply I have   for this situation is almost completely depleted, the annoyance level escalating from bad to worse. Mr. Goodneedle hung strips of fabric (luckily that, like patience, is not in short supply) outside the windows in the sewing room. That worked; for one day. We believed that if the strips were moving that, maybe, he would be spooked off. So, today, we took fans outside and pointed them directly at the windows, causing the strips to wave and flutter. That worked; for about 15 seconds. Have a look at the video, you'll see what I am dealing with. It's almost enough to drive me out of the sewing room! Almost.

However, on the things that work front: I placed this Bluebird "decoy" that I had on the patio handrail outside the kitchen; thinking that maybe he would attack it instead of the windows here. He hasn't gone near the decoy-- or the back of the house since I set it there! Give him time. But, for right now, I am celebrating this one victory, albeit small. It's the little things.

  I wonder if I have another one (or twelve!) of those fake Bluebirds somewhere?

Life is Good!

A Cheerful Giver?

Let me share something that I witnessed last week; it's an experience that I wish I hadn't been present for, but certainly it was one hard to ignore and easy to learn from. I had stopped at a big chain fabric/craft store last week, in the early afternoon, for an item that I can't find elsewhere. I encountered an irate customer there who had stopped to buy an advertised sale item only to find that the store had depleted their stock of that item shortly after the doors had opened for business that morning. The clerk was apologetic and offered other, like items, also at a discounted price; but she wouldn't even consider a substitute. She was angry, boisterous and downright rude in her behavior toward the clerk. I was standing in line to be helped, with others; those of us who were waiting exchanged pained glances, it was embarrassing and awkward to be in the presence of this raging customer. But then, she said something that struck me... to the core: "I won't spend a penny more than I need to" she bellowed, "what I am working on is for charity, not for myself, so the cheaper the better!"

"Please, God,"
I prayed to myself on the way home

"show me every day the joy associated 

with giving abundantly and freely to those in need.

Remind me that You love a cheerful giver 

and let me offer my very best at all times 

so that only glory is returned to You." 

Amen.

Life is Good! 

We're Born That Way!

You know the feeling... you've just been fabric shopping and you can't wait to get home to wash it and cut it up. You simply have to slip it out of the sack and hold it, caress it, right there in the car. You'd like to wrap up in it but you're fearful of what passers-by might think. Well, my friends, I now know that it's not a learned behavior; we're born that way! My daughter is in town and we made a quick run to the discount department store today to pick up some long-sleeved T-shirts for Miss Lucy Ann, she wanted to carry "her" bag to the car. On the way home we looked in the back seat and this is what we saw; the shopping bag had long-since been discarded to the floor and she had an armful of her soft new shirts... by the time we made it into the driveway she had draped them around herself like so many long, luxurious scarves. Oh, sweetheart, Nana knows. I had some beautiful Moda yardage that I wanted to "wear" the very same way just a few weeks ago!

Life is Good!

  

Dear Snuggie Wearer,

I saw you, wearing your Snuggie and dashing into Costco the other day. I'm not sure you read the rules when you bought your Snuggie, contrary to what you may think it is NOT outerwear! Do you have any other coats, jackets or wraps that open down the back? No you don't, that ought to tell you something right there. I know it was cold, wet and slushy the day you decided to top off your parka with your Snuggie and go shopping, let me suggest that you add heavier layers underneath your jacket so that your Snuggie won't get all wet and dirty dragging through the puddles in the parking lot. (Which, brings me to another point, but this one isn't your fault: despite the way they're described, one size doesn't fit ALL!) Look at this photo that advertises your beloved Snuggie, they're made to be enjoyed at home, with a date, playing backgammon.

Sincerely,

'Tis the season, and I still have a LOT to do; namely, more correspondence. Next, a letter to the lady who was wearing her flannel Christmas pajamas (albeit cute!) out to shop for groceries at Trader Joe's... seriously, is anyone so busy that they can't pull on a pair of jeans before they leave home?

Life is Good!

Boundaries

It's me-- Hannes! I'm posting for my Mom again today. She cleans our house all bright and shiny-like on Fridays and she has given me permission to use her laptop while she's vacuuming, (that hurts my ears), she says she's too busy to post today. I have a problem and I'm hoping someone can help me. As many of you know, my big human brother moved back home last Spring, that's fine with me! He holds me and pays attention to me, gives me treats, and scratches me behind my ears... just right. That's not the problem, but his cat is! Turbo has taken some getting used to. She has some really annoying habits: she drinks from my water bowl, she jumps up on the back of the sofa (sometimes when I'm napping there), and she hisses at me (that's quite rude in my opinion)! I've adapted, reluctantly, to these irritations but there's one hard and fast rule that I am having serious trouble enforcing: boundaries! This cat is one slow learner. The rules are simple, I've gone over them time and time again... the studio is for me and my Mom. Period. No cats allowed! I've barked her off, chased her away and laid down, flat like a pancake (I'm really good at that) right in the doorway to block her entrance. She still waltzes right on in. "Hello? I'm talking to you!" Does anyone have any suggestions, are all cats a bit "challenged", or is it just mine? I'm seeing some progress... but it's by inches. She has been spending hours lately quietly sitting just outside the doorway and looking in, am I getting through or is she simply taunting me? It's hard to tell, I can't trust her. I long for the return of lazy days spent napping on the sewing chair with no feline interruptions. I shudder to think that they might be gone forever, Mom says we never fully value what we have until it's gone. Thanks for reading and listening. I hope someone can help me with my problem, this is affecting my sleep.

Life is Good!
...it's even better with cat free zones...