Jan 3 thoughts

 Decided this is a good place for my random thoughts. I started in a notebook, but then I don't have the notebook with me when I want to write! 

There are reports of Northern lights possible. I looked, could see a little shinmering at the horizon.  took a couple photos.  

I've got other thoughts, too. 

Today was a good day, I got to help someone with her Gmail/iPhone issue. I like helping! 

Some of the things I gleaned from my scrolling today... To be effective speaking/storytelling, tell one cause, one effect. Have an arc that goes up, peaks with the solution. Not top 7 reasons why....  

Looking forward to print together my "how to crochet" class. Whether I offer it at Winthrop workspace or the other possible location, it will be fun to do.

Craft night coming up, planning to work on a crochet hat. Mostly because s friend wants to make over, well try it together. 

Facebook Challenge (Day 4)

The latest facebook challenge is to post photos - WITH NO EXPLANATION! That's so hard for me.  I want to explain.  So, I'm not cheating - at least not on Facebook :) - but if you're curious WHY these photos bring me joy, feel free to read on!  

Day 4 -- not sure this would mean much to most people...  but this pan brought me a little closer to "normal" when it arrived (and I took the photo!), and it still brings me joy every time I use it!

It is an exact replacement of the Revere pan that I used to have. The pan had a long history. My mother had Revere copper bottom pans, and when she got new pans, she passed them on to my grandmother. They eventually came to me when I got my own place, and they were my favorites.  This size, in particular, was the best.  I used it to make almost everything.  After the fire, I had a couple pans, but NOTHING seemed right.  I learned that I am VINTAGE, and had to search for VINTAGE things - including Revereware!  This particular item was titled "Vintage Pre 1968 REVERE WARE 3 QT COPPER BOTTOM SAUCE Pan Pot & Double Boiler"

One of my favorite things to make in the pan is POPCORN!  It's always an adventure, because it's a 3 quart pan, but I typically get 5-6 quarts of popcorn in a single batch!  I pour some into a bowl AS it is popping, which is quite a feat...  but it means that when I make my caramel popcorn, I can do it with just one batch of popcorn!  

One day, I made popcorn for us just to eat, and had a bunch left over.  The crockpot was clean and on the counter, so I put the extra popcorn in.  It worked well, because I put the lid on, and it didn't get stale.  Adding a little melted butter made it seem like new!  But the concept of popcorn in a crockpot does seem to blow people's minds!!!!  (no, I didn't POP it in the crockpot, I popped it in the magical Revere CopperBottom pan!)

That's the story of what I now call my "popcorn pan".  But it really is my "everything" pan!!!

Facebook Photo Challenge! (Day 3)

The latest facebook challenge is to post photos - WITH NO EXPLANATION! That's so hard for me.  I want to explain.  So, I'm not cheating - at least not on Facebook :) - but if you're curious WHY these photos bring me joy, feel free to read on!  

Today is day __ of the “ My life is good” challenge. I am to post a photo that brings me joy (no explanation) because we all need a little joy right now. Ten days, ten people. Thanks for choosing me Kristen Boucher!! If I choose you, please play along. 

Day 3:  only day 3, and I'm already breaking the rules...  posted TWO pics! But these photos just needed to be posted together.  We had so much fun that day!  July 25, 2002.  Teresa 5 years old, she and I went to visit Aunt Anne in RI, leaving 3 year old Phillip with Grandma and Grandpa.  We took her to the playground behind Anne's house, and it was just a fabulous day!  (Thankful that I backed up photos from 2002-2003 and given to my Mom, although I think Anne may also have had a copy of these!)

The two photos that I posted on Facebook:  Anne and Maggie going down the slide!

Bonus photos of Anne and Maggie...  Such happy smiles!  

I almost posted this one... it's a favorite pose whenever the three of us get together! 

Oh, did you want some pics of Teresa, too?  :)

Facebook Photo Challenge! (Day 1 & 2)

 The latest facebook challenge is to post photos - WITH NO EXPLANATION! That's so hard for me.  I want to explain.  So, I'm not cheating - at least not on Facebook :) - but if you're curious WHY these photos bring me joy, feel free to read on!  

Today is day __ of the “ My life is good” challenge. I am to post a photo that brings me joy (no explanation) because we all need a little joy right now. Ten days, ten people. Thanks for choosing me Kristen Boucher!! If I choose you, please play along. 

Day 1:  I have always loved this pic of Teresa, surrounded by the leaves! Not even a smiling pic, but she looks happy to me. That was the cutest little jacket, denim body but sweatshirt sleeves & hood. I think she must have been about 2 here - before the little brother came along, even!

Day 2: Speaking of the little brother, next I had to put a pic of Phillip! It was fun scrolling through th photos I have, decided to post this one. It brings back great memories of a really fun day! Phillip, Teresa, and I went with Sue & Carmen and TJ, and a friend of theirs, to Boothbay to the Aquarium.  Phillip is holding a BLUE LOBSTER here! We had a picnic outside, got to see and TOUCH critters in the aquarium, learned about horseshoe crabs...  And, I still have photos from it! Here are a few more, too. These are the only photos in my 2006 folder. I have a few years with very few photos, so the ones I do have are definitely treasures! They usually exist because I had shared them with someone else...  honestly, I have felt the karma so strongly, since the fire - so many times I had tried to bless someone else, and it has come back to bless me.  Love these photos!  

Big plans, little steps...

I'm hoping for more big things next year! 

This year has been pretty big,  I did open a business!  I'm very happy with how that is going.  I have some people who really like working here, and I get more and more inquiries! 

For 2023, I plan to continue with Winthrop Workspace, and try to offer those things that people have requested.  I'm also planning to do more with Tech Coach Linda - including making it an official business.   

When Everything Is New

When everything is new, nothing is old.  Nothing is comfortable.  Nothing is familiar.  

When everything is new, you need to be careful.  Don't break that! Don't scratch that!

When everything is new, you should read all the directions.  Except you can't.   There's too much.

When everything is new, you hate to complain.  After all, everyone likes, new things, right?

When everything is new, you need to put it all away.  But where does it belong?  

When everything is new, it needs to be taken care of properly.  

When everything is new, what will be the first to wear out, break, need replacing?

When everything is new, nothing is old.  Nothing is comfortable.  Nothing is familiar.  

It takes time.  

Time to break things in.  

Time to drop a wall hanging, and scuff the baseboard, making it feel more like HOME, like the wall hanging proclaims.

Time to use things and figure out the quirks.  

Time to read directions. 

Time to learn which button DOES add soap automatically to the washer.

Time to settle in.

Time figure out where to store the sheets, so you can find them when you have company.

It takes time.  

Frustration

 ** January 29, 2023...   publishing this just for fun.  It was in my "drafts" with just a title.  Evidently I was frustrated that day!  Feb 17, 2022, 10:30 am.  I wonder what frustrated me?  Oh, well... the world may never know.