Good Day! Thanks for dropping by! Today, I am drinking cold English Breakfast tea, and eating gluten-free crackers, no butter. You might want to bring your own coffee and a piece of cake…
Allergy season (grasses), and both Al and I have been on the sick list. It is for this sort of upper respiratory congestion that I have a nebulizer and refillable Albuterol prescription. I am wondering whether the seasons’ starting with drought conditions contributed to it. I may be spending an extra day in bed on account of going outside, a couple mornings, to see if there were any new flowers. Seems that the rain we did have, one night, washed the daisy seeds into the grass (weeds, actually; the grass mostly died). The best part of the day was when I went along with Al to pick up the Scampers from the groomer’s. Sat in the car for half an hour, talking and watching the clouds drift east across the fields that abut the frontage road at the edge of town.
When I get up and around, again, I must build some sort of wall (assemble the available bricks?) to keep the garden dirt from washing away while the roots grow out and down.
Zen hugs & much love, Lizl
P.S. Natalie the Explorer’s Weekend Coffee Share blog post for this weekend looks interesting (Visiting City Halls and Courthouses in Toronto); here you will find links to other Weekend Coffee Share participants.
Welcome! Choice of hot black tea or Toddy coffee, cold or hotted up. Also, cheese and apples, today. I have already switched from Toddy coffee to my first pot of tea for the day. The sun is shining, again today, and there’s no mention of snow in the weather forecast, now, until the middle of next week. A few photographs from Thursday:
Afternoon rain
This past week has been relaxed. I have spent a lot of time napping between chores. I have not been feeling busy or ambitious. The air quality has not been as good as I would have liked, as the snow has melted and molds become a problem. I keep forgetting to put on a face mask before moving from the air-filtered room—a habit that has faded away over the winter. I did get out to the gazebo, this week, to use the stationary bike. Will take me a while to work up to where I was last autumn. Note: Yesterday (Thursday). I completed .3 mile on the stationary bike, not wearing my face mask; today, wearing the mask, my total was 2.3 miles. Guess I’ll work harder at remembering to take one with me whenever I go outside. 🙂
May I mention that winter is my most favorite season of the year? This past winter was, in terms of snow and cold, quite inadequate. I think that my energy level and enthusiasm, excepting outdoor photography, plummets by ~90% with the arrival of spring. It always takes time to readjust to the relative hot.
No “special” events, this past week, except for the Speculative Poetry Reading, Sunday evening. A new-to-me poet, Jacqueline Johnson. Both engaging and thoughtful. The Wednesday evening Poetry Heals workshop was enjoyable. Good exercises. Especially enjoyed writing to the photo prompts. Thursday noon meeting for worship has been a welcome activity since it was first initiated, this past winter. My highlight for this weekend, I think, will be Saturday’s two-hour co-working/social Zoom meeting. I hope to use at least one of the 40-minute work sessions for physical exercise (dance and hand weights) and for playing the piano.
My “project” for the next while is to do something new and different with my patchworkprose dot com domain, My Notebook, which I lost track of over the past year or so. One of my very first domains. Right now, it’s just housing poems and scribbles that I don’t want to lose track of.
It’s almost time for the Scampers to wake up and ask for their noon yogurt, so I’m going to sign off. Best wishes for your day and week!
Love & hugs,
Lizl
As always, Natalie the Explorer, our current host for Weekend Coffee Share, has an interesting post to share, as well as this week’s InLinkz link party where you will find more participants from this week’s Weekend Coffee Share: How I Enjoy Spring.
I have posted this weekend’s coffee share on a personal blog, this time, and am thinking about doing that on a regular basis. This weekend’s post is here: The Written Word.
Weekend Coffee Share is a time for us to take a break out of our lives and enjoy some time catching up with friends (old and new)!
Grab a cup of coffee and share with us! What’s been going on in your life? What are your weekend plans? Is there a topic you’ve just been ruminating on that you want to talk about?
You will find Allison’s Weekend Coffee Share post here at Eclectic Ali and also the Inlinkz link party with links to other people’s weekend coffee share posts.
Welcome! If we were getting together for coffee, this morning, there would be lunch to go with it. In the meanwhile, I have just finished a snack to tide me over. I have started writing this post during my weekday “Lunchtime Write-In”, which puts aside 75 minutes, Monday through Friday, for nothing but writing and related research. In the kitchen, you can help yourself to some mozzarella cheese, mixed nuts, and a Braeburn apple. Or, we can heat up some Cashew-Carrot-Ginger soup and toast a slice of bread.
I have lost track of days, I think, as winter weather, melting, and then last night’s snowfall, have blurred the hours of the day, activities, and sleep cycle. It is almost like going to sleep in a snowstorm and waking up to spring, green, and waterdrops on new grass.
The Outside Inside
green grass and snowflakes
dry leaves blown against the house
wet leaf on the floor
The framework of my social activities continues to be Zoom meetings and conversations with Al, scattered throughout the day, and curling up with the Scampers when he goes out for volunteer work (he’s taking more shifts, these days), errands, and grocery shopping. And the weekday write-ins and another on Saturdays with connections through Patreon.
The major change in my schedule for November is the National/Global Novel Writing Month. As is our custom, writer friends and I will be writing a poem a day for the month. Prompts are provided by various organizations, which is a kickstart for each day, even if a poem decides to intervene…or wander off on its own. Looks like seven of us are free to take part, this time around. We also do the National Poetry Writing Month activity together during April. I expect that with the pandemic and the winterish weather, I will have fewer distractions, this year.
This week, I wrote five (six?) new poems. Four are posted on my QuiltedPoetry blog on WordPress. One will go to the other members of my speculative fiction poetry critique group, and one—will be pulled apart, reworked, or abandoned. A couple of poetry-writing months, I wrote practically nothing but fragments, sketches, and notes that I referred to in writing many new poems over quite a few years.
Needs Washing
Again, I have spent much time indoors, napping. Towards the end of the week, I have gotten outside with my camera. Mostly earlier in the morning. Love that the wind is melting snow and drying the fallen leaves. I love the shapes and piles and mixtures of species and colors. I love doing different things with the photographs, bringing out colors or shadows or geometric patterns. I could easily become lost in it. But…laundry. Running up and down the basement stairs is exercise, too.
I hate to leave Weekend Coffee Share at this point, but time has slipped away. Perhaps I will make it back here before the end of Monday to add a few notes on the weekend as it happened. Or perhaps not. In either case, I hope you have a marvelous new week, and I look forward to a visit.
Given as a present at Christmastime, many years ago, in 2016 Teddy and his wife were in need of a new home. So Mother gave them back to me to love in her place…and to remember that for a time they were hers and cherished.
Weekend Coffee Share is a time for us to take a break out of our lives and enjoy some time catching up with friends (old and new)!
Grab a cup of coffee and share with us! What’s been going on in your life? What are your weekend plans? Is there a topic you’ve just been ruminating on that you want to talk about?
Hosted by Eclectic Alli, her post and InLinkz link party here.
Flowers, ahead of the expected winds, rain, and thunderstorms. I have so missed taking photographs of large raindrops clinging to branches, leaves, and blades of grass.
Time for a cup of tea, here, and buttered toast or strawberries with milk. This has not been the most coherent week. I feel like I have been doing chores forever, trying to reassemble living spaces. I think that the last of the laundry is in the dryer, now. Finished the kitchen catch-up yesterday with scrubbing out the sinks with baking soda.
At the beginning (on Wednesday, I believe) of the laundry project, my feet tangled in a bedsheet that slipped from my arms on the way downstairs to the laundry room. I have fallen enough in my life, and seen other people fall, that I knew to fall backwards and slid down half a flight, and so, just severe carpet burn, some skin rubbed off, and a couple bumps. Grateful that a couple aspirin evening and the next morning did it for discomfort and swelling, so that’s good.
Also good was that after more than a month and a half, a local store finally got in the one brand of toilet tissue that I am not allergic to. We tried some substitutes in the interim, but…too much blood from open sores. We still haven’t found the safe facial tissue. I used the last of what I had, last night, and am now rummaging in winter pockets and purses for any emergency stashes.
I am quite looking forward to attending worship via Zoom again, this week. And cheerfully anticipating the Artist’s Way workshop via U of Wisconsin Platteville that begins on the twentieth also via Zoom. All my appointments with dentist, doctor, ophthalmologist, labs, &c, will be done with by then. and I will go back to being a hermit. I decided to treat myself to the deluxe edition of The Artist’s Way 25th edition with all three relevant books by Julia Cameron included.
Also, I would let you know that I put my hands on the hitherto unopened box of Hamilton, the Broadway play? musical? I do not remember whether one of us purchased it or it was a birthday or Christmas present. Anyway, I hope to play the disks and look through the printed material during the coming weeks. I may actually count it as a couple “Artist Dates” during the (13) weeks of the AW online workshop.
If we were having coffee/tea together, today, I would lament that my eyes feel strained quite early on in the afternoon. Needing to do something “not sighted” and give them a rest. The letters become blurred on the screen. (Must quit using the “safe” eye drops and try instead the boiled salt water I use to clean the Scampers’ eyes.) I have gotten back to doing more miles on the exercise bike, some days. Only two yesterday, but six miles, a few days before that and four, previous to that. Not so much exercise as I would have liked, but moving around more while doing work around the house. Al got the whole yard, except for the fenced-off portion, mowed and the grass clippings hauled off for city composting. Now, we look to be in for a week of rain and thunderstorms, pretty much. And the grass will grow…and grow…and grow some more! How lovely that it will do that!
And now the Scampers are restless. I do not know what Charlie is doing or where!
I look forward to visiting with you later in the week.
Weekend Coffee Share is a time for us to take a break out of our lives and enjoy some time catching up with friends (old and new)!
Grab a cup of coffee and share with us! What’s been going on in your life? What are your weekend plans? Is there a topic you’ve just been ruminating on that you want to talk about?
Hosted by Eclectic Alli, her post and InLinkz link party here.
Welcome! I don’t know how so much of the day passed without my getting back to the computer. Thank you for stopping in. We have Toddy coffee (made with filtered water or whole milk), hot tea, and broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower to nibble. I am happy that you showed up, this weekend. I have been sleeping long nights, mostly,and getting in a nap during the day. I have looked forward to the weekend and Weekend Coffee Share company.
On Monday, at last, the Scampers met with the groomer in the morning and were returned to us later in the day, looking like someone else’s dogs. Surely, not ours!
Wild Flax
Daisy in Waiting
Wild Flax Close-up
We also got grocery shopping done on Monday, and so we were happy to find the meat counter fitted out with choices, although we did not need lots of stuff. Al was going to do yard work, but there was too much wind (gusts to +30 mph). Now, on a wind-free day, he has decided that there are more important things to do. Both neighbors are mowing their yards, again, and I think rain and winds were mentioned in the forecast for the first part of the week.
In the meanwhile, I did get some photos along the way that I’d like to show you. I’ve enjoyed in particular the blue wild flax and the appearance of a sprinkling of daisies. Most of the tulip varieties have now run their course. I think I have figured out which among the plants in the side garden are going to bloom and which are returning invasive weeds. Within the (unmowed) fenced-in area on the south side of the back yard, there were blue wild violets as well as beautiful dandelions with visiting bees. Nothing has come up in my back wildflower garden but chives for cooking and the occasional dandelion. I am considering late-season alternatives for planting.
Blue Wild Flax
Late Bloomer
If we were visiting together, today, I would tell you that I did enroll for the Artist’s Way workshop offered through the University of Wisconsin system, the instructor is an Internet friend of many years whom I met in an AW group a decade or more ago. There are many activities involved that I can no longer do. And some that I never could. I will make do. I do think it will be good, again, to go through the guided weeks as a member of a group. (When I facilitated {in the ’90s}, I found myself writing essays about each week, and I will be happy to not take on that pressure. So nice, not being in a position of responsibility.)
As far as my health is going, the blood sugar level is coming back to regularity, and I am no longer taking aspirin or antihistamine for neck and back pains. I have gotten into my old dance warm-up routines and seeing improvement in both muscle strength and flexibility. Harder to stay in one place for any length of time. Too much energy, I think. And I more often forget to eat—which is NOT good, but…
Reading continues apace. On the 20th of June, my (revamped) college book club begins reading Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere. I strongly suspect that I have extreme experiential deficits of background, going in, and so I probably will just shut up and read both book and ensuing discussions.
During the week, I wrote two poems that you might enjoy and put on my Quilted Poetry blog: “Closer to the Heavens” and “playing hooky”. The second woke me up as I was drifting off to sleep, so I made a note to finish writing it the next morning.
Again, thank you for stopping in. I’m looking forward to a visit to your blog as I am able. Best wishes for the coming week!
Weekend Coffee Share is a time for us to take a break out of our lives and enjoy some time catching up with friends (old and new)!
Grab a cup of coffee and share with us! What’s been going on in your life? What are your weekend plans? Is there a topic you’ve just been ruminating on that you want to talk about?
Hosted by Eclectic Alli, her post and InLinkz link party here.
Mid afternoon, here, and the cranberry juice is cold, as is the Toddy coffee and filtered water. The tea is hot, black, and strong. Apples, fresh mozzarella cheese, and finger foods (mainly, veggies and hard-boiled eggs). If you were actually here for a visit…I would have to split the last apple with you.
If we were having coffee together, this weekend, I would lament that the Scampers’ appointments for Friday morning at the groomers somehow got changed in the computer (at the time, I assume, that they phoned to reschedule the time for two hours earlier) from this Friday to three days from now: Monday (Memorial Day in the U.S. and supposedly a federal holiday and a special day for our families). When we got back home, I called to double-check, not believing that the appointments would have been moved to a holiday. The Scampers are in sore need of grooming.
I am looking to sign up for an Artist’s Way class/workshop through U of Wisconsin Platteville as my educational “treat” for this year. It’s led by a long-time AW acquaintance. I got involved in The Artist’s Way (Julia Cameron) when the book first caught public attention in the 1990s. I took part in and helped facilitate in some groups. Enjoyed it. I think It’ll be fun.
If we were visiting together, today, I would tell you that my second Meeting for Worship via Zoom was very satisfying. I did transfer to the “after meeting” social gathering. I hope virtual worship sticks around for a while. Tomorrow is my first Zoom meeting with the Women in Ministry Online group (which about dates back to when I was writing articles about The Artist’s Way ~20 years past). I rewrote some of them, and some were accepted by Moondance dot Org, which is no longer maintained on the Internet, far as I know.
If we were having coffee together, this weekend, I think it would be fun to compare memories of times past, since everything seems once again in flux. Things I am happy for! I should make a list. In the meantime, here are a few of the photographs that I took this morning (Friday). We are expecting a stretch of rain and possibly thunderstorms during the coming days.
The Scampers, Oblivious
Rabbit
Wildflowers
I would share that my former “College Alumni” book club has been transferred to Facebook, which is a more suitable site than the commercial outfit that the college first went with. On June 20 (I think) we are to begin reading the first five chapters of Little Fires Everywhere by [not remembering author’s name]. I have great hopes.
Things continue, here, with gradual improvements and accommodations. My eye strain is not going away, but the lubricating ointment helped. Al is now permitted to eat a meal or drink a cup of coffee in his regular daily haunt. That is a great stress reliever for him. The weather is such (and my capabilities, as well) that I can go outside to the gazebo and pedal for at least two miles at a stretch, now. I have yet to order “summer planting for fall blooming” wildflower seeds, which are to be shipped in June, and I have not finished researching candidates for the state elections on the ninth of next month. All are to be voting via absentee ballots, this year, as things now stand.
I am called by the Scampers for important … whatevers. I do look forward to visiting your blog, as I am able. Getting my post written today gives an additional day for reading!
Weekend Coffee Share is a time for us to take a break out of our lives and enjoy some time catching up with friends (old and new)!
Grab a cup of coffee and share with us! What’s been going on in your life? What are your weekend plans? Is there a topic you’ve just been ruminating on that you want to talk about? — Hosted by Eclectic Alli. This week’s post and InLinkz link party.
Welcome! I hope that your weekend has started out well. I’ve tea and Toddy coffee fixings ready, and frozen fruit with Greek yogurt, organic butternut squash or roasted red pepper & tomato soup, gluten-free toast (chunky peanut butter optional), mixed nuts, and very dark chocolate for snacking. There is a bit of a breeze, today, but the woodworking shop does block that while not blocking the noontime sunlight. Lovely views all around!
California Poppy
Coreopsis tinctoria & Bees
Blue Wild Flax & Hoverfly
If we were having coffee together, today, I would show you tulips, dandelions (not pictured), and wild violets that have made a strong appearance, this week. The snapshots above were taken around midmorning, today (Saturday). There has been just enough rain to green up the grass, and I have raked–Oh, yes, I raked!–a lot of last autumn’s straw from the wildflower bed at the back of the lot. The chives are doing well in the wildflower garden, and I’ve been gathering some for my scrambled eggs and omelets, during this week.
If we were visiting together, this morning, I would tell you that my health situation is improving quite a bit. The muscle pains are minimal enough that I’ve only taken morning and evening aspirins, the past few days, and I’ve gotten a lot of uninterrupted sleep for at least four or five days in a row. Neck’s still a bit stiff, but that’s loosening up, also.
The Scampers, looking for the neighbor’s dogThe Scampers, as you can see, are in sore need of haircuts. The first appointment available is three weeks from yesterday, which gives us time to keep a “distanced” wellness exam, testing, and shots at the animal hospital the Friday before. The salons are to begin opening at the end of this next week, I think. My hair has not been cut or trimmed since the day after Christmas. I used to get my hair cut to the length it is now, and I’m rethinking going back to the shorter cut whenever I do get another appointment. I recall getting sunburned on my scalp, last summer. Pretty sure I don’t want it past my waist, again, any time soon.
This week, I have spent less time reading and more time sleeping and keeping active. My front-room book is by a new-to-me author, Sara Fujimura: Every Reason We Shouldn’t. Most lovely! I highly recommend it! And that sent me on to a 2019 TV series, “Normal People”, on Hulu. I liked the (first half of the) first episode. I may spend more than three quarters of an hour on Hulu over the next month (maybe). Even so, I pay extra for ad-free watching on the Basic level. The other book, by L.E. Modesitt, Jr., is The Octagonal Raven. A perennial favorite…a go-to book!
If we were having coffee together, today, I would confess that I find this sequestering to be very restful. Fewer commitments, longer stretches of time for thinking and doing, taking naps when I need them, and space for letting my thoughts wander. It will be interesting to see what comes our way. I do intend to be nonsocial until there’s a clue as to whether or not there is “herd immunity” to any heartening level for the currently circulating virus.
Thank you for dropping by! Again, I hope that your weekend is enjoyable…or at least, successfully navigated. I have enjoyed the prospect of your company and look forward to visiting your blog before the end of the weekend.
Zen hugs & much love,
Lizl
P.S. At least two new poems at QuiltedPoetry (WordPress); although I did not complete thirty poems during April, I do still have some I haven’t posted yet.
The Moments Between 