Month: June 2021

Animals, Creativity, Dogs, dreams, Emotions, Gardening, Learning, Life, Nature, Photography, Reading, retail, the World, Thinking, Writing

Creativity Abounds

1972italy

Another late day for me. I seem to have almost completely reverted back to my night owl ways. Then I do these early morning appointments and it really throws me off. Why do I still do them? because then I will still have the rest of the day to myself. I find that as I get older I get impatient for something like that to just be over with. If I do it later in the day it also seems to take longer than it was supposed to. Monday’s appointment is case in point. I ended up having to get x-rays and such so I didn’t leave there until after 10am. If I had a later appointment I would’ve been bemoaning the loss of most of my day.

I may have landed another freelance job last night. I was asked a question about some of our deli food by a customer. It turns out she was the owner of a local (mind you it is read all the way over in Wisconsin and is published form the Upper Peninsula) newspaper. I got a free copy and we had a good chat about what they look for in a story. So. 😁 I don’t know any details (I was alone in the deli with my trainee and I had several people waiting for meat to be sliced when I had finished talking with her…my trainee was a minor so he couldn’t use the slicer) so i don’t know anything past what they look for in a story. Oh and they are bi-monthly.

I am also stepping forward with my photography. I am going to make a serious effort on my web site as well as trying to promote it. (Purchase digital downloads and prints by Jennifer Griffin<BR><BR>https://www.picfair.com/users/JenGriffin). So after I finish this I am going to my site and see what I can to with it. Hopefully I will have time to upload a few photos. That always takes so long to do because I have to go and add search words (atleast five for each photo) as well as name the photo and give a description. When I try to upload a big chunk of photos that takes a mighty long time to do.

Well if I am going to get all this done before work I need to get moving. I hope you all have a great day! Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Aging, anxiety, Books, Creativity, dreams, Emotions, family, Gardening, Learning, Life, Nature, Photography, Reading, Thinking, Writing

Trying to Take Care

1972italy

Dad and I had a good long talk (a little over three hours). I also got to share some cool outside things with him while we chatted. I walked into the gardens and he was able to watch a Monarch butterfly hangout and feed on the milkweed. He had never seen milkweed with the buds or flowering before. So I was pretty proud we could share that moment.

I didn’t do much else yesterday. I spent some quality time in the sun recharging my batteries. I did read on of my research books while I was out there so I didn’t completely slack off. I also got some really cool photos. I was able to get some shots of a morning visitor on the porch before Essie went out. I am very pleased about that one!

Oh, so doctor update. My doctor and I had a good talk (I forgot some of my questions again) and she answered what questions I did remember. We addressed my bruised heel for one. After my appointment with her I went to x-ray and they did two or three views. It sucked because I was laying on a hard surface and my back hated it. Then I had to twist my leg a certain way for a view and that hurt like nobody’s business. I didn’t say anything because it wasn’t for that long (not even five minutes) but it stayed with me the rest of the day. It turns out that I have a good sized bone spur and a bruised Achille’s tendon. Go me! So I am being referred to a podiatrist. (Not sure of the spelling… a foot doctor.)

This is going to be expensive to do all this. But I am trying to do the right thing by me and go to the doctor with my problems (some long term) to see if they can be addressed and (hopefully) fixed. I hope that I am doing the right thing.

Well I guess I should wrap this up. I got my latest issue of Writer’s Digest and I think I will read that a little before work. I also need to send in my word count to the paper. I keep forgetting. I hope you all have a great day! Stay safe and thanks for reading!

Animals, anxiety, Books, Creativity, dreams, Emotions, Gardening, Learning, Life, Nature, Photography, Reading, Travel, Writing

Fuzzy Focus

1972italy

It’s early. Way too early for how late I went to bed. But my body and mind are used to staying up after I get home from work, not going right to bed. And it has been busy don our road too. Busier than normal.

My doctor’s appointment is at 9am. I want to go but I also really want to stay home and get some sleep. I made a physical list of things I want to talk to her about this time. I know that I will forget things when I am tired and just want to get things over with.

I want to keep going with my novel today. Even if it is just to take some more notes about the plot or various characters. I ought to start going through the recent batch of research books too. I am hoping that the girls will let me do my thing when I get home from the doctor. That is also assuming that I don’t just curl up on the couch and sleep.

I was reading over the notes I took about the book I am reviewing for a friend. I think I will just write it as it is. So that is some thing I can do and then it will be off my plate. One less thing to beat myself up about. I think I will also make a master list (if you will) of what I need to be doing. Not just things like bills but also working on my novel, research, writing for various people etc.

I’m sorry this is so short. I am fighting to keep my eyes open. That means I need a way to wake up so I can drive to my appointment. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Aging, Animals, anxiety, Books, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, Reading, retail, Thinking

Sleepy Rain

1972italy

It has been overcast and rainy since yesterday morning. We need the rain but it makes us all very sleepy. The birds seem to be chipper and buzzing around. And that is good. I got both packets of pumpkin seeds and a packet of habanero pepper seeds in the ground before the rain got serious yesterday. So hopefully those will take off.

The family got to spend some quality time together yesterday so that was nice. I got a good chunk of work done on my novel before Chris got up. I am very happy because I made a major breakthrough for my main character. Now I just need to pull it all together. I am hoping to do that (or atleast start) before work today. I may just read some research books instead. I am very sleepy and I worry that I will forget about work. I’m closing manager so I can’t afford to be late. I am glad I am manager tonight so I can sit down. My back and such aren’t very happy today. I go to the doctor tomorrow morning. I need to write down my questions and concerns. Since it is a morning appointment I will be too busy waking up to remember my questions so my goal is to get them written down over the course of the day.

I had a good chat with Mom. She is having problems with her medication. bad problems so I am hoping to get her to go in (or atleast talk) to her doctor. Dad and I still haven’t managed to connect. I am tempted to try to call him. Even if it is $7 a minute. We’ll see how tomorrow goes.

The milkweed was very busy yesterday. I got some decent photos I think. We’ll see once I get them downloaded. I still need to update my photography site. I’ve not added any new photos nor have I done anything to the site itself in terms of making it look good. If I can’t get ahold of Dad tomorrow I may spend a few hours doing that. It needs to be done if I plan to sell any of my work.

The rain is coming down harder. My coffee is almost empty. Essie doesn’t feel very good I don’t think. She can’t seem to settle anywhere and get comfortable. I need to wrap this up so I can try to get stuff done before I have to leave for work. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Aging, Animals, anxiety, Books, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

Planting Little Seeds

1972italy

I am finding my night self coming back. I feel bad for the girls because I have been mostly days for years now. but since I stepped up to manager I have been running on nights and staying up later and later. Which means that I really don’t want to be up at 8am. Our compromise is that I can (usually) sleep until 9am or so.

It is overcast with the promise of rain. Maybe even some storms rolling through. I enjoy the prospect even though the girls are going to be freaked out. I think that is what got a customer and I talking yesterday. Then I said that I had lost Moose in January. It turned out that he had lost his girl (he never gave her name) after 14 years the day before. We talked about the hard decision of letting a beloved furry family member go. Especially when the day before they are going to be let go they are like their old selves and playing like puppies. I guess they took her out on the boat and everything so her last day was a blast. After I finished ringing him up I came around the counter and gave him a big hug. He said thank you for listening. He was a little embarrassed because he was tearing up but I was too so….

With the weather being what it is I think today would be a perfect day to plant some seeds. I have some pumpkin seeds among other stuff to go in the ground. if I find an extra pot the pepper seeds might go in there so the ants don’t eat the plants. I figure with all the rain on the way the next few days I should be good. And this is way early for me to put pumpkin seeds in (the last time it was way late in the season but they did very well until the snow hit so I am excited to see what will happen!).

I also decided to work some on my novel. I got my letters to my penpals written and mailed the other day. I do have other writing projects that I need to do but I told myself that I would give quality time to my novel today. Some other things I need to do are figure out what to what to do for Essie’s birthday (she turns 11 years old on the 3rd) and find a good place for my multitude of rocks. It’s bad enough that I walk through our yard with my head down “looking for toys” and spot some awesome rocks but folks at work bring me rocks as well because they know I love them.

Oh a short update. I finally called the pain clinic about getting an appointment. They have nothing until the first week of August. I am on a list to call if someone cancels but… the gal was very nice at any rate. So August will be a full month for me. I get a colonoscopy three days before my birthday and pain clinic a few weeks before that.

Ok, I need to wrap this up and get the seeds is before this rain starts. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Aging, Animals, anxiety, Dogs, Emotions, family, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, retail, the World, Thinking

Decisions to Be Made

1972italy

This morning is cooler with a touch of fog in the distance. Just enough to give it a soft gauzy effect. I notice that Essie seems to be more reluctant to play. She will just take her frisbee outside and do her thing. She doesn’t want me to throw it. That really bothers me. Stella ate and then curled up on the couch to nap. I can hear Essie breathing deeply as she sleeps in front of the bedroom door. She tried to get on the couch last night and fell. That hurt my heart. I have to help her more and more to get on things. And if she does it herself she just seems to collapse where she ends up.

I have my list of things to do. I think I will add the vet. Nuts. I won’t be able to do anything until the following week. Next week’s schedule for work should be done by now. So do I call for the following week? Or just get the medicine I know that they will give her from Chewy? I think I want to get an actual appointment to take her in. My heart doesn’t want to but I need to for her. She is still busy but like this morning she hasn’t eaten. She wanted me to get up but I have no idea why. She didn’t go outside nor would she eat. She followed me around for a bit while I did laundry and made breakfast. I finally got her out by throwing her frisbee. I had to coax Stella out of the bedroom with a hot dog, lol.

It is the main day of the full moon (I say this because the moon is full for three days and the middle day it is at the strongest) so I wonder what kind of craziness will be going on at work. it was all kinds of crazy yesterday. I almost walked at one point. I got tired of the tourists being (pardon my language) assholes and acting entitled. We don’t have enough help so yes we had to cut our hours. We are doing the best we can with what we have. Yes the lines are longer because we only have on cashier. You can cope or go somewhere else. The gas counter person has two registers to deal with. If I am helping someone at the window you will have to wait until I am done. Yes it might be an older person who is having trouble with their debit card but you will still have to wait or go somewhere else.

I tried to medicate the girls before I left for work yesterday because there was thunder rumbling through before I left for work. Unfortunately it didn’t work so they got Chris up too early. Today I don’t have to be to work until 1pm so I can keep them quiet or atleast occupied so he can get some sleep. I need to wrap this up so I can get to my list of things to do. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Gardening, Learning, Life, Nature, Photography, retail, the World, Thinking, Writing

Rolling In and Out Like a Wave

1972italy

The morning has dawned comfortable and overcast. It looks like we might get rain (which we need). Hopefully no thunderstorms until I can be home with the girls. But truly the weather now is almost perfect. As much as I love the sun I am grateful for this. The girls aren’t too hot and it is good sleeping weather. Which would explain me sleeping in. Lol.

This might get cut short. I’m not sure. I slept in because I was up late. I couldn’t sleep. The girls have been fed and I have read as many of your blogs as I could. I’m sorry I could not comment on them as I am pressed for time this morning.

I managed to get some very cool shots of the moon last night. I will try again tonight. As much as I love the clear nights to see the moon I have to say that cloudy nights are actually better for photography. The cool contrast of the clouds as they cross in front of the moon is one of my favorite things to photograph!

I did get some writing done. Not on what I wanted (or needed) but it was some writing. I need to figure out what I am going to do. Both my writing and my time with the family are suffering. I am working so many hours (and it is our busy season… in contrast with Younker’s where this could’ve been our slow season so we would all take our vacations now) I don’t really want to do anything when I get home. I am just too tired. I guess we’ll see.

I got some more dirt (this time from the dollar store because they seem to have decent dirt) and again with the chunks of stuff. It doesn’t smell like dirt should. I am very frustrated. I used it because I needed to get things repotted and planted but… I guess I will just go to Gilroy’s in Torch Lake from now on to get my Miracle Grow dirt from now on. It is more expensive but I know that my plants will do well. I did think to get some food sticks to put in the plants once they have settled in their new containers.

Ok, I’m going to wrap this up so I can play a little with the girls before work. Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, anxiety, Books, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Friends, Gardening, Life, Nature, Photography, Reading, retail, the World, Thinking, Writing

Planting and Waiting

1972italy

Despite another cold night I think that the plants are ok. I wasn’t able to bring them in due to my back. But I am happy to say that everyone seems ok. The sun is warming everything up. I got a lot of planting, potting and repotting done yesterday afternoon. I will need to water this morning though. Mother Nature watered for me in the form of a thunderstorm yesterday afternoon. This also included quite a bit of hail. The ice bits were small and don’t seem to have done much damage. I am grateful.

I gave some of the potted plants to one of my coworkers. Since I took the last two flats of plants the day before (they were free) and it sounded like they were looking at them as well. It was the same two plants, a type of cilantro and sylvian. I had never heard of sylvian as an herb before. But there was a lot of each. Some are in pots and the rest in the ground. The fire ants were not happy that I not only cleaned up a spot but had the audacity to actually dig holes in my rock garden. Thus I came out of that planting session with a few bites.

I managed to get one letter finished to my British pen pal and I started my letter to my Maryland pen pal. I didn’t get much else down. I had a meeting last night as well. It was my first in person meeting since the pandemic hit. I felt bad because my back was not happy after the first 45 minutes of the meeting, I kept stretching to try to get it to relax but the chairs there don’t agree with my back. But I will make due. That is why I try to sit at the back. That way if I do have issues I can be discreet about it.

Sadly my novel is getting dusty. I haven’t done anything with it in a long time. I find myself doing everything but. The girls are getting more demanding. I understand. I put in a lot of hours last week so we didn’t play near as much as normal. When I was home I was beat. I am hoping to do more with them this week. But then what about my novel? It is hard to find a balance. Then there are all the research books I have that I want to read. I have them sitting in a pile near me.

I need to wrap this up. My leg is starting to hurt from something being pinched. I hope you all have a fab day! Thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, Books, Creativity, Dogs, Emotions, family, Friends, Gardening, Learning, Life, Love, Nature, Photography, Reading, retail, the World, Thinking, Writing

Happiness Is….

1972italy

I finally got to read some of your excellent blogs! Yay! It sounds like someone hit a transformer or something because when I got to work everyone was asking if I had power at home. So losing the internet was the best thing. The girls don’t like it when the power goes out. Essie gets spooked every time the ceiling fan goes off. She starts shaking and we don’t know why.

When I got home yesterday it was to a bunch of goodies. MY BUNNY IS FINALLY HERE!!! He is sooo cute! I named him Harold. Harry for short. No idea why. The name just fits him. I also got a cool bag with a Griffin and a Jabberwocky on it. My books from Amazon arrived (about Michigan rocks and being able to look at things around you on walks and tell things…. like what direction you are headed, looking at the clouds and telling the weather… that sort of thing; I am observant and that kind of thing interests me). AND I also got my cool voodoo doll from Dame of the Dead. But there was a surprise that I got today that made me cry. It happened at work. We have a gal from Georgia (she has the best accent) and she is not only a federal agent but she also rehabs military dogs back form the war and finds them homes. Now this might not sound like much to you but do you know what happens to those dogs? When those dogs come home from serving their country and protecting us…. they get euthanized. I did not know this. It broke my heart when I found out. She and I talk every time she comes in (and she usually has Atlas with her… he is her rehabilitated dog). We have gotten very close over her work. She spent 20 years in the Army before she came home to start this non profit. (Look up “Project K9 Hero” on the internet if you would like more information or would like to support this project.) Well she stopped in yesterday to get some stuff and brought Atlas with. Naturally we chatted. At one point I got to hold on to Atlas while she went back to the car for something (and this is a big deal… to be trusted by both the handler as well as the dog to be asked to hold on to him while she went to the car). When she got back she ended up with a crowd of us all talking. Then she did it. She looked at me and said, “I have something I wanted to give you.” With that she took the bracelet off of her wrist and put it on mine. It is a beautiful piece that she had made for her non profit (she has worn it for a while which makes it all that more special). It is a human hand holding a dog paw. “Hand to Paw” is what she called it. I believe this is another rescue that she is involved with as well. I felt like I was getting some kind of award. Everyone was standing around watching. I’m not gonna lie. It did bring tears to my eyes.

I had to bring all my outside plants in and cover up the memorial garden. Yes it got cold enough that there was a possibility of frost. I had to protect the new plants coming up. I now have three types of beans! So once this is posted I need to uncover the memorial garden and haul all the plants back outside.

Stella has been laying in my lap the whole time I have been writing this. My left leg is falling asleep. Lol. I’m not sure why she is being such a cuddle bug. Usually she will be on the couch or outside. Essie is upset and pouting at the bedroom door. Bless her. I need to get today rolling so thanks for reading and stay safe!

Animals, Creativity, Emotions, family, Friends, Life, Nature, Photography, retail, Thinking, Writing

A Wet and Blustery Day

1972italy

Well my friends we have no internet right now so this post will be extremely late as it will be posted from wi-fi at work. I have reset the system several times with no luck. We had heavy rain this morning and that seems to have done the trick. I will write this on my phone then (hopefully) remember to post it once I get to work.

Some good news though! My horror bunny should be arriving (again) today. I am very hopeful! It has been almost two months now. I ordered back in the beginning of May. I really hope mail gets here before I leave for work. Especially since it is wet outside. If it is one of the fill in mail carriers they will just leave it… even if it is raining. So I may need to devise a place for things to go. I have a good idea though.

In mixed news I got a letter from my American penpal. Sadly by the time the sorting machine was done with my letter to her it was too mangled to read. So I will try to answer the first letter again along with the second letter. I have tomorrow off so that is one of my goals is to answer both my penpals and get their letters out into the mail.

I have a visible knot on the top of my foot now. One of my big tomato plants got blown over (the wind has picked up considerably) to I went down the steps to grab it and put it on the porch with all the other plants. When I turned and went to pick my foot up to put on the step it caught on the step and I started to fall. My hands were full so no help from them. Somehow I caught myself but I racked the top of my foot a good one. Sigh…

Yesterday was so close to a 12 hour day that I am calling it that. But I did have a really good time with Chris and the kids after work.

I’m gonna wrap this up for now. I’ll add some more photos from the other day. Oh! Hang on and I will check my bird book… well as close as I can come is the cardinal. Maybe very young or the crest on the head just wasn’t up? Anyway I hope you all have a great day! Thanks for reading and stay safe!❤️