During the Months Without Any Rs

Back in the Day, Backyard Bliss. Following up on yesterday's post:

We did a lot with the kids next door. Most was at this time of the year, during the months without any Rs in their name. These months are: May, June, July, & August. The only other traditional time we really saw our neighbors (other than graduation parties, etc.) was on New Year’s Eve when we’d gather ‘round & grab a pot & spoon minutes before midnight to stand on the front stoop & bang away. Oh yes, good times.

Both yards had a few fun things. Ours, a large grassy area & a jungle gym; theirs, a sandbox with an overhead “non-tree” fort, with a slide attached as well as swings. The whole thing looked rather similar to this one (Amazon link), though their dad had personally designed & built theirs. They also had an above ground swimming pool (Amazon link) that was exactly like this one, sharing the same 4' height, which their dad had also personally installed. Good fences make good neighbors, & our yards were divided by one of the same design as this. Yes, this is the gate, not the fence (link to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left). It was, after all, the gate which allotted us the ability to access each other's yards 😉.

There was a large age divide between us & the kids next door; however, their cousins spent plenty of time with them, especially through these “good weather” months, these months without any Rs, where we can sit outside & it’s not a bad thing for us to do 😉. Our neighbors, having their cousins around, bridged our age gap & provided a few more lucky souls with which we could all hang out.

We mostly swam in the pool. Sometimes a little whiffle ball, or a quick round of basketball. Riding our bikes up & down the driveway provided entertainment too. We had popsicles in the afternoon sun as well as hamburgers & hot dogs in the evenings when the adults gathered ‘round too.

There were large age gaps throughout all our dynamics; somehow, we all managed to intertwine regardless. The dads had a twelve-year age gap’ the kids, the oldest to the youngest, had a ten-year age gap.

Here we are upon us, the first of four months in a row where there’s no R in the month’s name. Here’s to you as you enjoy safely sitting on cement until it’s time to return to the school yard once again.

Backyard Bliss for the Little Ones

The kids want to play in the sandbox. The sun's high in the sky. The cat's outside & is gonna need to take a dump soon. What's an adult to do?

Set up this tent (this is an Amazon link as well as each of the image links). It's advertisement says it's inverted seams help to keep water out. The logo glows in the dark. It's got a 7' x 4' footprint, so plenty of little ones' walking about space while their creativity's churning while inside the tent.

They're staying out of the hot sun; when it's zipped up the cat can't get inside for its own leisure needs. And the rain's gonna stay on the outside. Did I mention it's blue? The little guys aren't going to think it's too girly (cause it's not! 😁😂) The little girls aren't going to consider it's being blue (it is a light blue after all!).

Now all that's left is to fill it with sand (Amazon link), & other items like this, or this, or  even this(Amazon links) to churn & boost each child's imagination.

Putting the "Party" in Lighting While Camping

Back when my family used to camp together we'd hitch a modest sized pop-up to the back of the family minivan & head on out. We traditionally spent the three day weekends of Memorial Day & Fourth of July camping locally, as in, within an hour's drive of home. Otherwise, we'd typically be gone for at least a week.

I can't recall if it was the first year that we had the camper, or if Dad waited another year. I do remember they (Amazon link) were a gift from Mom at Christmas, which was similar in size to a gift I'd considered I might receive, & I thought the packaging was intended for me. Instead I was left to watch Dad literally sing, "party lights, party lights..." with the biggest grin on his face; he was delighted.

Ours were rather colorful, yet basic. The actual globe was basic & they were one color, yet there were four or five colors in the pattern, & the next globe down would be another of the five colors until the pattern repeated itself. Very similar to these (this is an Amazon link as well as the image link in the top left corner). The biggest difference between ours & these is that ours needed to be plugged in; they needed electricity to run. And we didn't have LED light bulbs. This solar powered system & LED lighting were too far into the future at this time.

Dad took pride in these light fixtures &, as Mom & us kids would finalize the inside-the-camper set-up, Dad would make sure everything outside, including these lights, were as they needed to be - especially before sundown - when their illumination would assist us in getting to & from the bathroom, van, & camper.

Oh, & I did get that gift I'd hoped for that same Christmas Dad opened these party lights. I just had to wait another ten to fifteen minutes to find the package & open it. For an adolescent preteen, it might as well have been an eternity. 😂

Clear Plastic Bags for Storage & Recycling

Clear plastic or, "see-through" bags are for recycling. I’ve not researched why, yet when recyclable items are bagged, they’re in a clear plastic, see-through bag. Therefore, manufacturers designed such bags to market; I’m grateful. Here’s why:

Clear bags are convenient. They tell a story just by looking at them & their contents. If you’ve things that need to be bundled up & it’s troublesome to label them, then a clear bag, or container’s see-through abilities become a viable solution. Unlike a box, they’re flexible. They make for great storage &, if taken care of well enough, they’re also reusable.

If you’ve “soft” items, or items which cannot easily be broken, these bags can be the best way to collect them, tie them up, & stow them. They can be stowed in & around actual boxes where the boxes create an organization wall for the clear bags, ultimately saving plenty of space (&, therefore, likely money too).

Soft items could include common “soft lines” from the department stores such as apparel (clothing) including both inside & outerwear, accessories, linens, home fashions (living décor), craft items (cuts of fabric, yarn, felt, etc.), even throw rugs & doormats.

Rather than establish an alternative method & bunch these items up into visually impairing boxes, collect them in these clear bags. Set a stack of boxed items (either plastic bins, totes, or cardboard boxes) 4’ or 5’ high (or, whatever ultimately becomes the stowing solution) & place a similarly set stack caddy-corner, or diagonal from the original stack. Have one, or both of the stacks against a wall, or, have more stacks in similar formation. Ultimately, they’ll be set up in “checkerboard” formation where, say the black squares are the boxes, & the red squares are the clear plastic bags.

Layering, or lowering, these bags into this squared off section establishes a holding space that otherwise wouldn’t exist with the flexibility of the bag’s design (as simply being a bag rather than a box). Thus, much space is saved &, for those who find it difficult to locate something important, the capability of seeing through these bags makes for instant “locating” gratification.

I prefer this "kitchen flap" version (link to Amazon product as well as the image link in the top left) rather than this variety with the drawstring (link to Amazon product). For my needs the flap works best, providing more strength & a sturdier, more reliable top of the bag, though the drawstring could be just right for another user.

Oh, & Hefty has Box Tops for Education on their packages, which includes its own benefits. 😉

Another Pizza, A New Foundation, or "Sauce"

The other day I wrote about my first solo attempt with yeast. I made a pizza that day. Today I made another pizza today. At first I didn’t think it would work out. Then, ultimately, especially upon realizing that I needed to start really small with making changes, making only very minor ones now as I get started.

At first I was trying to thin out the crust too much, which delayed my second attempt by a day as I considered that the dough may need more time to prep; it didn’t really need more time, I needed to stick with what I knew & continue on that path for now. And that’s what I did ultimately do.

One change I did make was my “sauce”. The last time I made it, as well as the time when I was learning a few months ago, a thin layer of ricotta cheese was used for the foundation. I’ve had an open jar of Tahini paste (pure sesame seeds in the form of paste), from which I made beet hummus a few times, waiting to be used again. I found the texture of the paste to be appropriate for the base of a pizza. At the last moment I decided, in continuing with my “small steps” mantra, to only use the Tahini paste (this is an Amazon link) as the foundation layer on one side of the pizza; the other side remained a fine layer of ricotta cheese.

As the baking began & the minutes began adding up, I could clearly identify a unique smell in the oven; though slightly concerned, I prevailed. Last week’s pizza was topped with arugula, diced dried tomatoes, a garlic clove, & diced cremini mushrooms. I’d topped this pizza with diced dried tomatoes, freshly seasoned ground beef, one garlic clove, & plenty of parsley.

When it came out of the oven & I cut into it, it not only smelled heavenly, it looked it as well. Colorful as well as thoughtfully laid out. I think the pizza cutter rolled through this finished product with more ease than the other pizza I made. Then I bit into it. I hadn’t even checked which foundation I’d cut into. It was the one with the Tahini paste. Just a bit or two & I knew I’d be using the Tahini paste again for the foundation of a future pizza; it was divine.

To make the yeast dough I’ve been using 00 flour (this is an Amazon link as is the image in the top left corner). It’s a particular flour especially for pizza dough & it’s been superb for the task. I learned about a few new-to-me flours when I learned how to make the pizza earlier this year. Instead of using an all-purpose flour, it makes a better quality pizza dough, & as it is an intentionally protein rich flour, there’s more protein in it to be consumed.

Ultimately, solo attempt baking with yeast, a.k.a. pizza number two, equals complete success!

A Welcome Sign of Hospitality with Pineapples

At a talk about ten years ago, the speaker, who'd just entered into a position with which they were familiar, yet in a new place; they needed to settle in both to where they were now living, as well as to where they were now working. They explained that they took this time for themselves, &, once finished, or, more at ease, they placed pineapples in their entryway. They'd also received a number of pineapple-related items as welcoming gifts & used these items as decorations in their guest space. I envisioned an item like this, this, or this (links to Amazon) adorning their guest space seat or couch; this (as well as the image link in the top left) I think would nicely decorate an entryway table.

They went on to further explain that the pineapple has served as this symbol for quite some time. When soldiers, who'd been away at war, would return home, after they'd spent the time personal, intimate time with their family & their household, they'd put pineapples, & things with pineapples on them, outside their front door as a sign to friends, neighbors, extended family, etc. that they were ready to welcome everyone now. Another author's writing on the pineapple's symbolism is here.

It was recently, when I happened to meet a young family who'd just purchased some fabric with a pineapple print, that I found myself sharing this story. The family planned to make their children matching pajama pants & had just found that they liked this print the most.

A First: Baking With Yeast

This past year or so has been a huge year of “firsts” for me. Some have been bizarre, some have been average. One of the most recent has been within the past week.

I’ve been into baking & cooking for quite some time. At times, I bake so frequently that I memorize the ingredients & way to properly bake a recipe. Cooking is something I’ve done quite a bit of, yet in this same past year I’ve done even more of it, & plenty has been “for the first time”. Examples are cooking soup from scratch & cooking in a stock pot an entire chicken, which I’ve also made two of in one day.

Something I’ve always found myself backing away from cooking with is yeast. Every time I’ve come across a recipe which calls for yeast, I have basically passed it on by. I’ve also always wanted to learn to make my own pizza from scratch. I’ve further known that learning to make pizza from scratch would require my learning to work with yeast.

I’ve now done so, & I’ve also done it on. my. own. I’m so excited & so proud.

I learned how to work with this kind of yeast (link to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left) originally back at the beginning of the year, in January when a buddy, who’s learned to make several items from scratch, at my request, took the time to walk me through how to work with the yeast, the proper amounts to use (& the flexibilities that exist within the amounts that are used), & the necessary techniques such as with proper kneading.

Knowing it was important to me to retain all of what I learned that day in mid-January, I’d planned to make the pizza again, very soon afterward, yet things just kept on coming up & my intimidations greatly pressed on my psyche, & well, it never happened again until just a few days ago where I got myself to revisit it again; this time on. my. own.

Fortunately, I also happen to own a pizza stone (like this one on Amazon), which made the actual pizza production all that much simpler.

After the dough’s in place on the pizza stone, this pizza was topped with a thin layer of ricotta cheese followed by a sprinkling of arugula pieces & diced cremini  mushroom heads, one (or if those who’ll be enjoying the pizza are ambitious, two) fresh minced garlic cloves, diced dried tomato pieces all topped by fresh mozzarella balls, pressed open into a splatter.

I’d really thought that the yeast wouldn’t form with the flour & the process correctly. I really thought that the dough wouldn’t bake properly in the oven, &, even after putting this all together that I’d cut the slices, bite in, & encounter pure disappointment. As if attempting to eat cardboard or something. This definitely didn’t happen.

Gee whiz, I became a yeast using success story!

Why Not an Umbrella? Here's Why.

Yesterday's post talked about raincoats & keeping one nearby in the backseat of the vehicle or just handy in general. An umbrella can also do the trick, if you prefer them. I cannot attest to being a member of that "club". Here's a little backstory on why:

I used to work in downtown. It's a busy area. With lots of people. Especially at peak hours of the day. That's a lot of people roaming around town. With their umbrellas open when it's raining. That's a lot of space being taken up by people who aren't really paying attention to the person next to them or the person they're working on passing by. That's a lot of people not considering the benefits of moving their arm up or down a foot or so as they move about in order to not basically be bumping into, well, just about everyone nearby them.

This is one reason for a rain jacket versus an umbrella.

Another reason a similar one. Being out & about & having that umbrella go from being an "innie" to being an "outtie". And therefore getting no protection from any precipitation. A slight breeze could come by, or a bigger wind could blow through. Maybe it's because of a rapid pedestrian pace. No matter, that umbrella isn't going to fold back down anymore. Not without an fight, anyway.

Then there is the runner. Or, the jogger. It seems kind of obvious. An umbrella simply isn't practical. That sporty rain jacket (Amazon link) seems pretty nice right about now though.

The best time for an umbrella is when it's super hot in the summertime & the rain's come through basically as a humidity breaker. It's so hazy, hot, & humid that it's great to be in the rain, to feel the chill from it (though it's likely a warmer rain), yet it's way too hot to wear anything beyond a tank top or bathing suit. Well, at least it's definitely too warm to be comfortable wearing a jacket, even if a sleeved top isn't too much.

If an umbrella is the way to go, then one with an auto open & close feature as well as being compact is handy & most convenient. Another feature, which sometimes is difficult to find with a compact umbrella, is one where the fabric curves down over the edge of the frame, & not just straight out.  Like this one (Amazon link) as well as the image link in the top left corner. This umbrella style seems to make the best case for staying the most dry as the raindrops cannot drip onto the user, rather they fall straight down. If it's a compact umbrella, typically there's not as much to the frame & there'd be less fabric coverage as well, which is what provides its ability to be compact.

At least this has been my experience. That is, when I do use an umbrella. In the case of all those emergencies. Of which there are a few from time to time.

On the Importance of a Rain Jacket

In our region the weatherman has a large area wherein to forecast precipitation & whatnot. I typically give favor suggesting that, because it is such a wide & vast metropolitan area, insofar as that it takes a few hours to drive from the upmost north to the furthest south & the same goes for the east to the west. A lot of variables can be different & ever-changing & whatever we're to learn about our area is covering a great deal.

Today might be a bit different. I don't know, maybe it's because I'm caught up in it & affected by it. When I checked the forecast yesterday, it was to be very warm, unseasonably in fact, yet simply cloud. No rain, not even "passing showers" or 5% chance of ☔. (In the weather app it's a raindrop, here it's an umbrella with raindrops above it, not a mushroom with flies roaming above it as it may immediately appear 😂.)

I dressed according to what I knew. It's a good thing I also keep a rain jacket tossed in the back of my vehicle. For these such times. It's a jacket I purchased many moons ago. In fact, it's one which I've considered passing along to another a time or two, yet that's simply not happened. I keep on keeping it around. For these such times. The jacket's rather similar to the Amazon image link in the top left. It's simple, bright, & takes care of the basic needs: Keeping all the important parts dry. And it's not something which I'd feel I'd taken poor care of by not "hanging up in the front closet at night". I'm not talking about a poncho here; those are often best for spectator sports & the like. I'm talking about unforeseen events & running around from A to B. Without getting drenched, that is. Though a perk of my very-bright-jacket is that it is also very light weight. This is a huge perk for when the jacket's use becomes important on the most humid days of summer. When the oncoming precipitation is breaking the humidity, yet it doesn't break it within minutes. And those are the minutes of running from A to B.

There's also this rain jacket, which is also basically the same as the one I've been using for years. Except that it's not nearly as bright & the one who wears it cannot be seen from a block away. This isn't necessary & is a general bargain, or handicap (depending on how one views it) that comes with the rain jacket to which I've become accustomed. This rain jacket is advertised on Amazon as a "Lightweight Waterproof Coat Hooded Outdoor Sport Rain Jacket". That's a lot of good qualities considering it's also available in Dark Blue (hooray for Blue! 😁), Black, & Dark Green. Very fashionable. Very versatile. Very nice. This one could also easily be tossed in the back of the vehicle for "those moments", yet maybe because it would be new, maybe because it comes with so many amenities...I think I'd be trying to keep this one a little nicer &, even if it doesn't make it to a hanger in the front closet at night, I'd hold it in a bit higher regard than I do the one I currently keep stashed in the back.

And as I continue to check back to the internet for the local area, it's telling me to "Stay dry today. Rain is in the forecast." I'll have to go back to being on possibly constant high alert.

Nevertheless, April Showers will be bringing us our May flowers!

Fun Times Wearing Tank Tops & Sunscreen

In yesterday's post I wrote about sunscreen. It was only a small portion of what I could write on the subject. It's been a lifetime long dilemma, or shall it be considered a struggle? Struggle as in with the inevitable Farmer's Tan. I'm a huge fan of tank tops. I've not determined the psychology behind this fandom, just that it exists. Wearing short sleeves, mixed with tank tops, mixed with the accidental Farmer's Tan gets messy, & unfortunately for me, too soon (each & every year) with trying to accomplish my tasks & working around potential clouds & the likelihood of sun.

If I wear a Cami tank top like this (link to Amazon), where I'd be revealing plenty of skin (that is, even more than if I'd be wearing the Cami tank tops in the Amazon image link - top left), then I feel I've done the best I could to avoid any potential Farmer's Tan. This isn't always possible & gets stale rather quickly. I end up thinking, "Oh, I'll be good for the rest of today." or, "I'll be okay for this quick event." I'm typically not.

I've gone so far as to leave plenty of alternative clothing options in my vehicle. This works on occasion. Especially when I'm not cleaning out the vehicle or using the vehicle for general stow space and/or carting items to & fro. That's when I remove the typical "extras" (like a backpack of tank tops) in order to free up the necessary space before hightailing it to wherever the items being carted (store donation center, etc.) are going to. ...And then I have to remember to put that backpack, etc. back into the vehicle...Which, unfortunately, occasionally doesn't happen as it should.

Of course, having the sunscreen available is most important. And all is best when it's applied as it should be, in a timely manner. I always think, "Next year I'll definitely be better at this." Next year comes & goes quite often. There are a lot of events & activities & things which need to be doing that end up being done when the sun is out & it's quite difficult to be "on my game" as far as thinking, "Make sure you lather up." Also, sometimes having the lather on can inhibit what I'm doing (especially if it rubs off & onto something, & even more especially, when that something is something that's kind of important & shouldn't have sunscreen rub on it).

Running is probably the only thing that doesn't fit this definition. I know I'm planning to go running. I know to have my hat ready (to protect my scalp) &, in a sense, I see my sunscreen, as well as my appropriate apparel, as running gear. I'm a morning person, loving it when I can greet the day via the sunrise. And when I'm already out-n-about & on the road (or the sidewalk) running, a pit stop for applying sunscreen at just the right moment - when the sun's rays are suddenly right there, can be quite the complication.

This is another sunscreen season, & I'm doing my absolute best to stay "on game" & aware of when I need to be applying the sunscreen, & judging what I'll be doing, for how long, & when & how the sun's rays are likely to be coming my way. I try to be casual about it; that way I'm enjoying myself too. I try to stay flexible knowing, for the most part, it's all going to work out. And, most of all, I try my best to live life. 😄

Sun on a Sunday - The Mid-April Way

It is sunscreen season, or sunburn/suntan season, depending on how you look at it. With my fair skin, I look at it as sunburn season, less I manage to remember, before April gets too far along, to whip out the sunscreen & manage to actually apply it in relative time to when I spend the time in the sun.

Just days ago, I once again managed to remember I should be wearing sunscreen, & hadn't applied it just yet. Then, once I did, as well as adding my silly hat atop my head (in order to prevent any amount of scalp burn), it turned out to be time to eat, & all who were gathered outside were now headed indoors. I think to myself, "Darn" in these times because I could still see some of the sunscreen (I'd applied as quickly & robustly as possible as to not waste time or take away from our outdoor event.) in my skin's crevasses &, of course, I also had the thoughts in the back of my head, simply hoping that I'd not burned being under the suns rays before realizing that I needed the added protection.

Did I mention I was wearing a short-sleeved shirt? Can anyone say, "Farmer's Tan" with me? Yes, I need to just calm down & relax, & well, not care so dog-gone much. Yet I do. I do care, because I've spent way too many years with an awkward line, or lines, haphazardly spotting my skin. And I truly don't prefer it. At all.

Positive note: It's been pointed out to me that obviously my skin can hold a tan very well. Yes. Yes, it can. Hooray. 😃 I'd just like the tan that my skin can hold to be one without a line that's awkward & obvious, which is how mine typically end up.

Without further ado, there are sunscreens & sun blocks, & suntan lotions. There are sporty versions, & versions in a stick. There are spray-on versions. The most important version: The one that'll protect you properly while also keeping you healthy. Many sunscreens out there cannot properly protect a person from the sun's rays. Two ingredients are vital: Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide. If your sunscreen doesn't contain these two ingredients, you aren't getting proper or adequate protection from the sun; you may not be getting any real protection from the sun. In fact, with many sunscreens out there today, you may be applying cancer causing lotions to your skin.

So if you're going to bother applying sunscreen, get yourself some containing Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide. Both the Sensitive Skin variety from Neutrogena, as well as the variety for Babies from Neutrogena (links here are from Amazon), contain these two vital ingredients.

Get protected properly & have a blast hanging out in the sun. The sun's still got plenty of Vitamin D, a vital nutrient of which we all need plenty.

Relaxing Your Limbs the Salty Way

A bucket or two (the size & shape of this one from Amazon works well when two are lined up vertically alongside one another) & some Epsom Salt. That's what sometimes is needed. That & a few cups of hot water. A comfy seat or chair, & maybe a good book, a favorite in-your-lap hobby such as crocheting, knitting, embroidery, or, well, the listing is quite extensive. 😂

This could be indoors, or outdoors; maybe a dose of good conversation would be best with it. Just take off your shoes (& socks if you've got them on too) & gently lower (especially if the water is really hot) your feet into those buckets (if you're using one for each foot), or bucket (if your bucket is large enough to host both of your feet together).

Stay with your feet like this for a bit of time, maybe until the water cools. This is a great activity if you've just been out for a run & the underside of your feet are sore, or you've developed callouses, as soaking your feet in this way will soften callouses making it possible to destroy & remove them. If you're into adding pleasant smells while soaking, try this product from Amazon.

Your limbs are left feeling relaxed. Soaking limbs is great in general; if you've been out for a run or weight workout beforehand, stretching your muscles in tandem with this soak will enhance the effects.

On Planting: Herbs

In addition to my ambition on growing potatoes this year, I’ve also elected to take a stab at a few herbs. I pondered these options for quite a bit. In fact, originally, I’d planned to grow at least a half dozen. This idea quickly died, especially as I realized I needed to start small & see how things went. I think this mentality will help keep my thumb green & help keep away my black thumb.

I had visions of planting all of my “go-to” herbs: (all are links to seeds on Amazon) parsley, basil, dill weed, oregano … & maybe even go out on the limb of trying to grow things like lavender & aloe & who knows what else.

Then I got a little smarter when I sat back & checked out the “big picture”. Realistically there’d be no way I’d manage to get all these herbs growing & keep ‘em growing. I’d not be able to monitor them properly & would probably break their containers before they’d fully grow or at least make a major enough of a mess to knock the optimistic wind out of me.

No thanks.

I got myself grounded & I’m ambitious enough at this point to grow two different herbs. At Dad’s [brilliant] suggestion, as I’m growing potatoes, I’m also growing chives. And because they’re a basic herb that are great to top just about anything, the other herb I’m growing is parsley.

Two herbs; & in my other ambition, I’ve prepared multiple growing containers in so that I’ll have a few opportunities, between these multiple containers, for herb growing success.

On Planting: Potatoes

It wasn't until this year that I became fascinated with growing potatoes. My intrigue's become, in part, because I've been rather interested in growing my own food, especially those things which are simpler to grow, that don't take up as much space & don't need full sun.

I learned about potatoes growing from the eyes of other potatoes just by using two pots together, with the inner pot having four slats cut into it from where the newly grown potatoes will be reachable upon maturity. This link is to "Grow Your Own Potatoes" pots on Amazon, a 2-piece plastic container combination. This is essentially exactly what I did with the two identical pots which I purchased, then cut slats into - four relatively equal sized slats where the potatoes will be easily retrievable once grown.

This idea, this way of growing these potatoes, meant that it'd be quite possible to put the "double pot" of growing potatoes anywhere. There's no reason for this pot to not be able to move as needed, which is something that's important to me. If I need to tuck it out of the way, I can; if I need to have it nearby, I can. It's a convenient growing option for me & it's food, so it's super practical, which I definitely enjoy.

If I manage to water it as I need to & keep it monitored accordingly, it's going to be pretty exciting to get the results & have them turn out reasonably well. It'll be a true "green thumb" moment.

On Planting: Lily of the Valley

When I first saw them, I saw them as "bending over" & thus immediately nicknamed them the "bend over flowers". It wasn't until years later that I learned [read: decided it was important to find out what] they're really called Lily of the Valley. (Click here for a link to Amazon for 6 plump Lily of the Valley plants.)

A fully grown Lily of the Valley plant looks even more so to be literally "bending over" as the flower turns to face out like a megaphone right as it meets the stem.

We really didn't have these in our yard; there may have been one or two, yet none in much of a purposeful fashion. I always figured this was why I'd seen them, & noticed them, yet wasn't sure much about them, including what their name was. At the same time, Mom & Dad had perennials in purple & yellow, which I always saw as a basic flower, & I never, as in, still don't, knew their name. Incidentally, or ironically, I called them "bend over flowers" not knowing their name was "Lily" & there's a Lillian in our family. Maybe I was meant to subconsciously differentiate this flower from family (who, happenchance, had a sister by the name of Rose). 😮

On Planting: Lamb's Ears

The first plant, or flower, I took notice of when I got my first house is the Lamb's Ear. For its appeal to me, it shares much in common with the Dusty Miller Silverdust. They've both got the same feel to their leaves; I think they even both flower the same: purple! Among the Hostas on my property were plenty of Lamb's Ears, which I quickly learned, grow... & spread... quite quickly... And since I found myself adoring them, I preserved as many as I could. (Click here for a link to the Lamb's Ear plant on Amazon's website.) 

I remember one which began growing about two feet further toward the street from the main planting line beneath the front window that I began trimming the front lawn around. During a visit from Dad he remarked to me, "You know there's a Lamb's Ear growing in the grass." I'm sure he just wanted to hear what I'd say about his comment; he couldn't have possibly not have known what was going on. The only two options were for me to say, "Oh, is that what's growing among the blades of grass? I guess I'll just dig that up as a weed & get rid of it." Or, what I basically did say, "Yeah, I know. I'm cutting around it so I can let it grow a bit & then replant it when it's big & strong enough in a better, more suitable location." Dad nodded affirmatively.

The leaves of the Lamb's Ear are soft & delicate, & do look just as a lamb's ear does. They probably feel just the same as well, although I'm not so familiar with touching actual lamb's ears. I remember being bummed whenever I'd be cutting the front lawn (where most of the Lamb's Ears were growing) & I'd be trying to make trimming more simple, so I'd try & get the mower that much closer to the edge of the grass line. Then I'd get frustrated as I'd watch the tip of a Lamb's Ear leaf get nipped; it wasn't a smooth edge anymore.

I wasn't such a bit fan of the purple flowers, & I'm well aware, had I taken the extra effort to keep at nipping off their tops, then the extensive & the extensive spread of the Lamb's Ears throughout my yard, wouldn't have become nearly so much. Yet, I'd focus most of my outdoor organizing time on things other than de-flowering the Lamb's Ears. Maybe in my subconscious I knew to keep the flowers in order to keep the beautiful leaves, err ears, growing in the yard.

On Planting: Spider Plants

The indoor plant that made me a "grand plant parent" is the Spider Plant (a pack of 6 is at this link from Amazon). I happened upon my first pot from a last minute decision at a flea market. At the time Mom & I would visit most every garage/yard sale & flea market she could find listed in the weekly advertisement magazine. We never knew what bargains we'd find, & as I'd begun to get out on my own, being in an apartment, then having a house of my own, working our way through the listings in the weekly advertisement became our every Saturday morning - oftentimes even into the afternoon.

We did well, both with bonding, as well as bargain hunting. I found many unique things which could help me decorate, or help me be otherwise efficient. And then I came across a pot or two of Spider Plants. I think I initially considered the pot as a decoration & put it in my general living space.

Fortunately, with just some general affection & simple watering, the plant not only didn't die, it grew. I decided to purchase a few pots with drainable bases as the ones I already had were basic black ones where I added a clear plastic base which wasn't attached. Soon I was attaching the growing plants into the new soil & soon after that, it seemed, I was attaching the grown plants from those plants again into the soil. It seems like such a strange statement now, yet I clearly recall exclaiming to my parents, "I'm a grandparent! My Spider Plant children have had children!" They just smiled.

As much as the Spider Plants were such a part of my apartment living, moving them along to my house didn't work out as well as would have been nice. The situation turned out almost the same way as a false alarm when I had them lined up along the mantle, & they seemed to be doing well. It'd been suggested to me to ease them into the new environment, the new air they'd be breathing.

All seemed to be well, then I noticed ten to fourteen days after the move, it hadn't worked out. I had a lot of new things going on, so I was able to move on & focus on these new projects rather than sulk that these plants, which I'd been enjoying for many months now, & that I'd actually gotten to grow, hadn't ultimately survived.

Their remains joined the rest of what was my backyard & I embraced the new opportunities presenting themselves throughout that space as well as my side & front yard. My "indoor green thumb" would have to take a hiatus.

On Planting: Dusty Miller Silverdust

The snowy looking whiteish-gray leaves of the Dusty Miller Silverdust flower (these seed packets), or the Dusty Miller, as our family called it, made it my absolute favorite when I was little. As Mom & Dad were admiring which colorful flowers, between their yellow, & purple, & whatever other colors they'd mixed in, I'd be eyeing up the cotton-likeness of the Dusty Miller plant.

Initially I'd be annoyed that we'd not be headed inside as Mom & Dad most typically decided to admire their work, or make decisions about what planting work lay ahead right after the family had finished being out & about & we'd just pulled in the driveway & gotten out of the vehicle. The front door wouldn't have even been unlocked yet - which is why I'd be frustrated. I'd just want to get inside & get into what I'd planned to do next. I wasn't involved in any of the landscaping decisions, though I'm sure that if I'd taken keen interest in that sort of thing, they'd have involved me to the extent I'd have learned plenty about it, & it would have been fascinating to me to do so. But that wasn't me.

I'd long been admiring the Dusty Miller plants decorating our yard years before we'd had a warm enough winter that the plants continued to grow & quite nearly took over the areas within the yard where they'd been planted. I think that's the year when I really noticed them & considered that, when I'd have a yard, or place to grow my own plants, I'd most likely have the Dusty Miller plants growing there.

Something I've decided now, later in life, it's got to be because the Dusty Miller plant has a "muted" look to it; its colors are neutral & muted, & these are the colors & shades I admire. The vehicle I drive is a muted color, & I've only ever purchased muted or neutral shaded vehicles. And I'm most likely to wear neutrals or muted shades (except if it's blue 😉 ). I've not planted with the Dusty Miller Silverdust since those days, though I've fond memories of them as a first favorite.

On Drying Laundry, Then & Now

Nowadays I’ve turned into a big fan of air drying, yet I use indoor wooden racks. As a child, our family’s yard was setup in such a way that posts were planted in the ground as well as sturdy hooks affixed below the house’s overhang. From these places we’d string clothesline (like this clothesline) in so that there’d be enough space for the breeze to blow through & enough line hung that there’d be enough space to hang up the amount of clothes which’d been washed that day. If there’d be inclement weather (all through the winter & rainy days the rest of the year), we’d stay inside & use the dryer.

I’ve taken to using foldable wooden racks indoors (these are the wooden racks I use) as when my first opportunities came to hang laundry outside to dry, getting posts set & hooks affixed didn’t come so easily. And I’d found a little cove-like spot almost the same size as a drying rack, in an out-of-way place inside, as if it were meant to be that I’d dry my clothes on an inside drying rack rather than on an outside clothesline.

When I remove my cleaned laundry from the machine, getting it back into the pop-up hampers works well just to then get the laundry to the drying racks & hung up. I keep the drying racks nearby my clothes drawers & closet, so once they’ve dried, they simply get put away.

I then fold up these pop-up hampers & slip them into the corner as well as collapse my wooden drying racks & put them away until next time too.

On Mesh Bags for Small & Delicate Garments, Then & Now

We had a mesh bag for smaller items (like this one), which Mom would use for our combined hosiery when necessary. Everything else we’d wash among the family’s combined laundry loads. Back then, the garments we’d wear, we’d typically only have knee highs (like these) in the mesh bag, where Mom would tie a pair together in a knot in order to keep those which matched together more easily.

We’d line dry the bag's contents after the wash load had finished; the hosiery contents were best cared for this way & not by using the dryer. Other delicates that we’d have in the wash didn’t seem to get too mangled too soon (in other words, they seemed to last well through the years), despite all the twists & turns & inner plastic pieces of the washing machine where fabrics easily got tangled.

This, however, isn’t so much the case nowadays & my use of mesh bags has grown quite a bit (I use mesh bags like these & these). Rather than concern myself with the insides of the washing machine, I’ve found it best to use a mesh bag with each of my non-linen loads (those loads full of sheets & towels). If I’ve a white & a dark load, or a white, colors, & a dark load, I have a mesh bag for each with the corresponding hosiery & other, similar, delicate items. This way no fabrics can become stretched or mangled around another garment or a part inside of the machine. The garments I tend to wear often nowadays aren’t so much knee highs, rather most every day I find myself in tights (like these & these) or pantyhose (like these & these). These, along with most every other undergarment, I’ve found, work best for me, to be washed in a mesh bag. It’s also easiest to remove the bag from the machine, get it into the pop-up hamper basket, & onto the drying rack after having been washed in the mesh bag rather than loosely.

In previous experiences I’d feel I was removing large, long strands of spaghetti from the washing machine as I pulled out the loose hosiery as one pair would be wrapped around multiple pairs of hosiery as well as other items such as the torso of a top. It’s kept condensed, contained, & safe within the mesh bag. Fortunately mesh bags are sold in varying shapes, sizes, & shades.

On Laundry Baskets, Then & Now

As a child, our family’s laundry always got carted around the house in a basket, & the baskets were always the same color & style: white & rectangular. I managed alright with them & learned how to pack them well, & how to carry them one handed on my hip (in the days before hip hugging baskets were sold) or with both hands, when the load was larger, right in front of me. I never really even considered there being alternatives to these baskets, I had no reason to.

Then I headed to college. As a going away present, a neighbor filled a square laundry basket (it was a blue basket 😁) with lots of typical college items. I still use that square laundry basket (though not for laundry). It was a great size for me & for the purpose; I've always remembered the gesture & repaid it a few times over.

I’ve considered mesh laundry bags & sort of found my way into a formed mesh basket, or, as they're named, a pop up hamper. I use these, foldable pop-up mesh hampers. They're blue & come with a reinforced carry handle. It’s fabric, not plastic & folds away when not in use, yet can be left open & empty with a garment draped over top in the case that the garment needs to finish drying or needs to be aired out.

These are deep & can easily handle a full load of laundry. I’ve been dragging them around for years & they haven’t lost their shape or broken down. Those plastic baskets from my childhood broke down & apart much more easily & much sooner.

They each hold their purpose & I remember, after the loads would be finished from the dryer, or during those weather days when line drying worked well, after removing the laundry from the line, those plastic baskets worked well at keeping folded laundry folded & neatly stacked.

On Using a Modern Day Fanny Pack a.k.a. a Waist Pack Belt

The fanny pack has come a long way & on days like today, where stretching one's legs outdoors is much more an incentive for staying healthy than inclement weather days, the modern day fanny pack, or any of its cousins, if not a necessity, is at least extremely welcome.

Years ago, as a gift, I received a first generation of the Waist Pack Belt pictured here. The first generation version has only one zippered slot & a looser spandex so as the fabric on mine has more of a sag, especially when phone, keys, etc. are weighing on it.

The improvements made to this one, at least those discussed in its Amazon description touch on those features which I'm aware are keen to be improved upon from the model (not the same brand) as I'd been gifted.

"DUAL EXPANDABLE POCKETS- made of lightweight spandex with a weatherproof liner and zipper to keep your valuables dry while on the run. The dual pocket design allows you to distribute and balance the weight of your waist pack for a BOUNCE FREE and comfortable fit."

The dual pockets I'd especially appreciate as I'm typically concerned that my car key might inhibit some part of my smartphone while resting next to it. Even when I place the phone case side out & then put the key against the case - which is a lot of effort, especially when utilizing my smartphone at the same time - such as using the clock app for the timer & laps feature.

"Each large capacity pocket EXPANDS TO 8" x 6" x 4 to easily accommodate the latest smartphones with screen sizes from 4.3" to 5.5" with enough room left for your keys, money, wallet, inhaler, ID, Credit Cards or other essential items you want to take with you."

"COMFORTABLE Soft elastic belt prevents chaffing and is fully adjustable to ACCOMMODATE WAISTS SIZES OF 24 TO 42 inches."

"Built for FUNCTIONALITY AND CONVENIENCE, running belt features secure inner key clip, built in headphone or ear bud access and elastic accessory holsters for quick access items like gel packs or lip balms."

I like to run in silence or with organic sounds, so this wouldn't be a feature for which I'd take notice, though I'm aware that cords often get in the way (think pumping arms with poor form where the forearm is more across the center of the body rather than straight out), & earbuds are often too big or too small & likely to fall out. (There's been features on how each person's ear is different & therefore, for a true fit, it'd be best for a personal mold to be designed.)

"Accommodates the latest smartphones including iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6, iPhone SE, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, Galaxy Note 5 and All Other Phones less than 8 X 6 inches, even when using bulkier cases from Otterbox, Lifeproof, Supcase, Urban Armor , Etc."

Basically that any "typical" smartphone would be easily accommodated using this running "modern day fanny pack" accessory. And it comes in purple as well as black.