Seventeen

Seventeen years ago today I created my first blog post under this banner. Although in those times I was the "perimenopausal goddess". After attaining fully menopausal status a few years later I became the "recalcitrant goddess". I remain recalcitrant to this day. As of this moment I have 826,359 views and this will be my 4203rd post. I still have stuff to say and photos to share, although at this point I do wonder if I am repeating myself. I'm not holding my breath about perhaps getting a book deal. I have blogged and blathered at you from three states I call home and numerous temporary travel locations. Many of the friends and aquaintances who were blogging around the time that I started have long ago stopped posting. I guess I'm in it for the long haul. If anyone is looking for me, I'll be out in the garage finishing up the assemblage of a storage cabinet. Which is what it will contain when it is finished. Thanks for stopping by.

Neighborhood Cat

A Kliban cat lives a block or so away. Look at that attitude! The girth! I really thought he would speak as we walked past! Or pull a tiny guitar out of hammer space and sing the ditty about how he loves to eat mousies. I love this guy!

A Long Time Ago in a Trailer House Far Away

That's me, circa 1984. Short hair phase. I'm wearing the wool sweater that my Norwegian grandparents brought home for me after their first (second?) trip to the homeland. I loved that sweater but I had to wear a long sleeved tee or turtleneck under it to avoid the itchies. Which means that this is during the long and brutal South Dakota winter, making such layering comfortable. I have no recollection as to why my hands are tucked under my thigh in that fashion. These were the early days of the budding romance between me and the man I would eventually marry. So I'm smiling. For a time I think this snapshot was up on his cubicle wall at work. Now I'm in possession of it. It's a picture of myself that I actually like. Probably because I feel comfortable being me at the moment. Plus I'm beginning to realize that I'm in love. That should put a smile on anyone's face.

 

Burnt Toast

This morning I prepared my breakfast as usual. Mostly. The tea was lovely. Somehow I was distracted when I lowered the lever on the toaster. Because I had already done that five or so minutes earlier. Resulting in toasting the toast twice. Rendering it charred. The smoke alarm went off. I disposed of the burnt offering which immediatly made me feel guilty. I started another round of toast which was toasted to perfection. I did eat the second round of toast. Since I like to do new stupid things rather than repeat a stupid thing from the past, toasting the toast twice was a novel thing to do. I hope to never do it again. If I do, perhaps I am embarking down the road to senility. Let's not go there. For a very long time. All I know is, it still smells like burnt toast in the hall.   

It Snowed a Tiny Bit

 

Elvis Would Have Been 89 Yesterday

Christmas is all packed away. Snow is predicted for tomorrow. I have prepared for this stormy weather by stocking up on groceries. Despite the fact that I am an experienced winter weather driver, I will not be leaving the house. Due to the likelihood that I am in the minority here where that particular skill is concerned. I learned my winter driving skills in North Dakota in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. I know how that shit works. In other news, my quest to return my piece of crap refrigerator may finally be resolved today. All I know is, I will never again purchase another LG appliance. Stay tuned. To my great surprise, the little succulent plant that I thought was plastic is not. It is a live thing. It came attached to a stick in a Trader Joe's bouquet of flowers a couple of months ago. So after packing it away with other decor items to make way for holiday things, I found it had dropped some leaves and was growing little hairy roots looking for water! Now I'm trying to not kill it. And finally, nine days into the new year I have not purchased any clothing. Though in Marshall's yesterday I did covet a sweater while shopping for containers to organize my garage. I bought some baskets, not a sweater, and they will work nicely inside the metal cabinet that is waiting to be assembled. I long to have the space to park my lawnmower in the garage. 

Resolute #2

I'm certain everyone is interested in knowing that I have been successful in the second day of my 2024 resolution. I have purchased absolutely no clothing. Pardon me while I wrench my shoulder patting myself on the back.

  

Resolute!

I rarely make a New Year's resolution. But this idea has been percolating through my brain since I moved last year. For months now I have been sorting through things and organizing this house. And despite the fact that I got rid of sooooo much stuff before the move, I am finding that I am donating or selling even more items after moving. Much of this stuff is clothing. So. My resolution is to buy no clothing in 2024. Not a scrap of clothing for myself! None! Zero! Nary a sock or pair of panties or even a hat! While I am resolute to succeed in this mission a mere seventeen hours into this first day, I crumbled just a bit when I saw that $10 in Kohl's cash had arrived in my email. I reminded myself that practical things for the home can be found at Kohl's, not just cute casual wear and comfy sweats and jammies. I will let you know if I should break down and buy something. I know this is an uphill battle. Only 9% of people are able to keep their resolution for the full year. One day down, 365 to go! After all, it is a leap year.