Thursday's This and That

Slowly but surely, the Lost Coast photos from my sons are trickling in. Foodie captured this one of the vibrant California poppies, knowing how much I love them.

This weekend, he and his friend are attending a Reggae concert at Rolling Hills Casino. Instead of booking an expensive hotel, he used his scrapping skills. He called the Chamber of Commerce for a safe overnight parking suggestion and was directed to an RV park. After inquiring about accommodations, the manager surprisingly offered them a 5th-wheel motorhome for free, encouraging them to pay it forward.

Who does that nowadays? 

He was thrilled and called me to share that he had picked up that skill from me back when I was raising my boys as a single parent. Yeah, I had to do that back then... I was completely taken aback! It's astonishing how our children can absorb so much just by watching us over the years. A powerful reminder of parental influence! 

Yesterday, I stumbled upon the most delightful little gnome garden bell that instantly caught my eye. Knowing how much my daughter-in-law, Sara, adores gnomes, I just had to snag it! I rushed over to their house, and I hung the bell on their flagpole. I couldn’t resist snapping a photo and texted it their way. 

It was a splendid morning on the front patio.  Laydee revels in the ambiance, her ears perked and eyes bright as she observes the lively comings and goings of the world around her. Each passerby and rustling leaf captures her attention, keeping her fully engaged in the moment.

Note: The rocky garden is just about done. Need to trim the weed barrier -

Today marked the final day of school. The bus stop sits across the street, a daily gathering spot that buzzes with energy. Laydee loves to observe the children as they wait for their morning bus.

Note: The wheelbarrow will get new soil and plants. 

Oh, if the morning temperatures lingered at that perfect temperature all year long, I would never go inside. 

So the 2nd Cardiologist's office hasn't called, so I plan to visit in person. It's making me angry because I detest office inefficiency.  All I want is the stress test as per the ER visit a month ago. It's maddening...

A Public Service Announcement 📢

Since January, grocery stores in my area have switched to these compostable produce bags  (not grocery bags), which are easier to open but have a downside: you shouldn't store your produce in them. 

So I looked them up:

Compostable produce bags are popular at farmers markets, co-ops, and natural grocery food stores. Made in the USA these biodegradable produce bags are made from a compostable bioplastic, entirely derived from plant materials and vegetable oils. This eco-friendly material allows the produce inside to breathe which prolongs storage life, keeping fruits and veggies fresh longer. 

Reuse these green bags to line your compost bin as Biobags can go right into the backyard compost heap.  They decompose in a composting environment in 10-45 days, leaving no harmful residues behind. The translucent mint green color is an industry standard to show these are compostable.

I have to say, my produce didn't  "keep fresh."  When I mentioned it to the produce guy, he pointed out that you shouldn’t store produce in those bags.

Silly me. 

So, who do I believe? 

I will dig out my mesh produce bags that I used to use and bring them with me to the store. I got lazy and stopped using them because I kept forgetting them. I have noticed that other shoppers, if they don't bring their own produce bag, they simply place the produce in the cart, which I won't do. That sounds gross to me. 

I recall, "back-in-the-day", the produce departments used to use paper sacks. 

However They make excellent doggy poop bags  💩 

I just heard that on July 1, California gas taxes will rise by 0.65 a gallon. With 2 gas refineries closing, they're saying we will be paying $9 a gallon by next year. 

Oh well - that is what happens when you have a one-party rule in the state. 

Okay 'nuff said on that. 

In the afternoon, I'm in that back room, sifting through old decorating items that I’ve grown bored with. These aren’t true treasures, like family heirlooms or keepsakes filled with memories, but rather things I collected over the years because I once liked them.

My style has evolved, shifting toward a minimalist interior and updated exterior decorations. 

I get bored easily displaying the same items year after year. They no longer feel like "old friends"; instead, they have become dreaded dust collectors. 

Why am I still holding onto them?

Yesterday, I bought a cotton/poly flag garland featuring 12 American flags that I can use every year until I tire of it. As for the previous decorations, and the one in this photo, I’m done with them; they’re going into the donate box.

I'm embracing the thrill of change: out with the old and in with the new! I'll no doubt keep these fresh vibes for a decade or two, and just when they start to lose their sparkle, I'll be dead!

 

Alright, it’s time to head back to the back room and dive into some serious sorting. I'll sift through the clutter, keep what truly matters, and toss out the rest!

Take Care

Debby