Togetherness

I know we're all saying it, but January is nothing but evil from the a-hole running our country. 

Somehow it feels extra evil.

Desperate evil. 

I had coffee with the local women's group. 

Activists.  

Fighters for rights and kindness.

Diversity. 

Standing up and DOING something.

We need this community. I need this community. I don't want to sit around and wring my hands and worry and complain. I'm DOING. I want to be with people who DO. It felt important to be with them yesterday. I'm learning a lot from them, getting inspired to DO in different ways.

And we're adding some fun too. 

Exploring our town.

Going out for Taco Tuesday next week. 

Planning some lunches after coffee. 

I said I wasn't looking to "make friends" as a reason for participating, but I'm finding friendship and community even so -- letting it unfold organically. It might be relationships for a moment, but it's a moment when I need it. 

The conversations are hard, and funny, and interesting, and inspiring, and heartbreaking. 

I like that depth. 

A group that formed from common feelings. 

It's interesting. 

Because that's the connection, the group holds a diversity that I love.

And a bond that holds differently.

I'm grateful for the woman who took the time to say hello at my fence, tell me about the group, and text me an invite while she was finishing her run.

This stormy, heavy rain, warm-as-a-summer-morning day fits my mood.

Sad.

Gloomy.

But serves a purpose. 

A means to an end. 

Metaphor for our society??

Yep.

I'm headed to the Performing Arts Center in my town -- twice. 

This morning is a writers panel.

Nope, not a writer (don't want to be), but endlessly fascinated about the writing process.

Then heading to the book talk this afternoon with a bookclub friend (and a friend from the local group is going too). Good way to spend this day. Stay tuned for the details. 

I read this book yesterday -- it was good. 5/5 good. Liz Moore can weave a story -- holy moly. Even better than God of the Woods. 

I needed to prioritize reading because I have a couple of library books coming up. I'm leaning heavily on good books to get me out of my reading slump. Winners only. Two for two this week. 

The rest of the day is rock painting, prep for tomorrow's game food (although the kids are fighting a cold so might be canceled). 

P.S. Foot is marginally better ... but, as luck would have it, I twinged my back lifting weights yesterday (muscle, not old injury). Couldn't move by the evening. It's improved this morning, but still twinging when I move. No workout until it's completely happy again. Taking ZERO chances. 

Have a good day -- whatever that means for you. Maybe some fun, maybe a good cry, maybe a loud scream. We're together in this awful time and that togetherness is where we start. Later gators.

Aqua Blue to Harvest Gold

Lunch was really good. 

I loved our conversation about the new year and intentions. 

We talked for over 2 hours. 

Look at this beauty.

The rock painting date for next week got messed up though. I invited her and her 6 year old granddaughter. She thought I was inviting the 2 year old (too young for this project). So we pivoted and playdate with 2 year old grandkids for next week and rock painting postponement. I had a feeling ...

Tea pot and tea from Beaufort, SC.

Stop every year.

Earl Gray with Lavender.

The pot is so nice.

Brew a second pot with the same tea and stick it in the refrigerator for iced later.

I picked up the final purchase from my moving neighbor. 

Aqua blue was my obsession last year.

Harvest gold is my obsession this year.

(Maybe, like Pantone, I have a color of the year ... hmmmm.)

Guest room. 

This room is next on my decorating tour. 

Need a bench for putting
on shoes, etc.

Storage!

This morning is my weekly coffee with the women's group. 

We need it this week.

Our hearts break for that young woman.

Criminal, terrorist government. 

They disgust me. 

Do fu8#king SOMETHING to stop him.

Tomorrow's plan is another pivot. My aunt has to go to a funeral so I asked a bookclub friend to take her ticket. We're just doing the author talk, no lunch. I'll go in the morning for the first talk about the writing process and then later with my friend. 

A huge front is moving through -- thank the lord. Seasonal temps back on Sunday, but Saturday will be a weather bust. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, high temps. I PRAY the auditorium puts on the air conditioning or it'll be miserable. No walking ... but worth having winter back.

I finished this book. 

Dang, it was a heartbreaker. 

Cover says it all -- grab tissues. 

4.5/5 for me.

Maybe my reading slump is over.

Hope your week is ending well. Later gators. 

Artsy

The 26 for 2026 list is finished. 

I like it.

I need to do the 25 for 2025 review first though.

Stay tuned ... this week, fingers crossed.

It was very warm yesterday, but screw it, I wore my blazer from eBay. 

Wool, 1970s, men's medium. 

I love it.

Felt artsy to go make pottery.

Pockets and the pattern.
Love both.

I started the pottery. 

Still have double(+) more money to spend. 

I went basic and will jazz up with the glaze. 

3 weeks until I can go back to glaze.

Cup and bowl.
I'll use both for rock painting.

Walked the town and figured out the bookclub meetup restaurant. Phew -- that's finished.

Walked past the "art" LFL and it was full.

Came home with me.

Almost chose the frog.

Home in time to join hubby for lunch at his favorite place in town. Nothing I can eat, but I sat outside with him and had a good conversation.

Worked on the snake tail.

Good day to be me. The day before was a struggle (and a sad day with Monti) -- nothing went smoothly, but yesterday was clockwork. 

I'm meeting my cancel friend for her birthday lunch and a chat about our new year goals, intentions, etc. BTW, she hasn't canceled in quite a bit -- might need to drop that nickname, finally! That would be such a relief. 

Guess what? 

Walking to lunch.

Are you sick of hearing about me walking?

It's a joy to end all joys for me. 

I really can't explain it.

It seems like such an important desire in my life, so I'm not fighting it. 

Sorry for the flex on repeat hah!

Have a great day. I'll try to get the 25 for 2025 list review ready. It seems so daunting, but never takes as long as I think to go over it. Later gators.

List Day

I started a post and then got sidetracked yesterday.

Good morning, a day later.

Let's make a list -- as always, no particular order.

(1) Snake Rock:

I got about 20 rocks from the quarry.

It was more fun than it should be -- this shape, and that shape, a heart, a car, a ladybug. 

Took my time, enjoyed every minute.

I'm working on the tail now. 

(2) Social Calendar:

Another add-on for the month. 

I like this focus of "we" things right now.

(3) Pottery:

That said, I'm doing a solo thing today.

Multiple days, but starting today.

Pottery making with free form clay.

Gift card from my son a year ago.

I thought of inviting a friend, but I want to focus and that's hard to do when I'm talking.

(4) Bookclub:

I didn't go to December's bookclub with any suggestions.

MISTAKE.

We spent so long picking a book and a date, that we deferred the location.

No one will make a suggestion, so I texted a list of options.

No one will make a choice now. 

"Whatever everyone else wants."

SOMEONE HAVE AN OPINION (!!) hah.

We're in limbo and I'll need to make the decision this week.

My pick will always be my town, so I'm giving the group a chance to do something else.

They aren't taking it.

(5) Books:

I'm having a slump.

I have a library non-fiction and the bookclub book that need priority. 

And, yet, both sit unopened. 

(6) 26 for 2026 List:

I wrote the next to last draft. 

The next re-write will be the final list.

I need to do the review of 2025 too.

All will be revealed by the end of January.

(7) Speaking of the list ...

One line item is related to books.

It's a book flight and I needed the last of 3.

Listened to a podcast, and, bam, there it was.

I'm excited to tell you about it.

Last year I did a June of 3 Steven King books.

(8) My foot:

There's improvement. 

But my activity is LOW.

I dropped off an easy hike on Friday with the club.

Don't want to go backwards.

(9) Monti:

Vet visit. 

I thought he had diabetes.

Nope, kidney disease.

Next time we go to the vet it'll be to say good-bye.

Sweet boy isn't living well.

We're trying one more thing.

I'm trying not to think about it.

I love this little guy.

We'll do the right thing for him.

(10) Weather.

Yep, the weather.

It's VERY annoying.

70s next 2 days.

It's in the 60s already and humid this morning. 

WHERE IS WINTER?!?

Hope you have a good (and cold) day. I have things to chat about that I want to take a picture and I can't seem to get my act together to do it. Hello, eBay purchases. 

Yep.

Stay tuned. Later gators.

Social and Space

As I mentioned, I had an extrovert moment or a fill-the-calendar-void moment ... or something. 

Of course, I need to keep quiet time, SPACE on the calendar too. Balance -- which I don't always do well.

What's on the books, you ask?

LOTS of stuff in my town.

A concert.

An author talk x2.

A Black History presentation and lunch.

Rock painting gatherings.

A dinner and local mayor event.

All walking ... all with people. 

And still about 6 social "let's get together in 2026" gatherings that I'll need to be the driver on planning over January and February. I took a breath on those because I felt I was in a kind of "manic" planning mode and that can lead to regret hah!

Plus a couple solo things that need to go on the calendar or they won't happen ... using a pottery gift card (finally) and a local thrift crawl. 

Several January house projects in the works too.

My empty New Year is filling well. As I said, I need to make sure I don't overfill it or rush everything. I heard someone say when planning a commitment down the road ... would you do it if it was NOW. That helps decide if it's a filler, a meh yes, or something you'll be excited to have on the calendar.

That's a little taste of what I've been doing.

This week is a lot of SPACE. 

Again, space doesn't mean sofa slugging. 

It's productive fun stuff and a little socializing too.

Off to work on the 26 for 2026 list (almost ready) and a rock quarry visit.

Have a good Monday. Later gators.

P.S. I did in fact go too hard on the cookies. Dang. But, also, of course I did. Not a shock to anyone (including me). That ends my baking bug for a bit lol. Time to get my pants fitting well again.

Snake Rock and Creativity

Starting this year on a creative note.

Almost anything can be CREATIVE. 

Picking a cool outfit.

Cooking a meal.

Setting a table.

Planning a garden.

Framing pictures. 

Rearranging furniture. 

I don't get hung up needing to have a talent to qualify -- not anymore. Create something and you're a creative. I used to say, "wish I was creative." Now I believe anyone is -- and it all counts. 

Doodle on a napkin -- yep. 

Arrange some flowers -- yep. 

Try new makeup -- yep.

I'm working on prep for the snake rock. I invited a friend and her granddaughter to come and paint next week. Hopefully, bookclub to follow. I have a list of "asks" as we build the snake rock back -- group effort.

I'm base prepping the rocks it simplify the process for everyone. I'm also painting a few myself.

(Took an old frame and added a color wheel print out -- it's a hint for a couple of 26 for 2026 goals.)

Still need to paint the snake tail.

COLOR!!

I'll head to the quarry this week to grab another bag of rocks. 

I'm not sure how far I want to take this ...

Hiking group?

Women's group?

Neighbors?

Family?

I'll start small -- learn as I go. What I need, how to organize, etc. 

I'm kind of excited.

Maybe it will fizzle after a few gatherings ... or not. I'm keeping myself open.

People investing time and putting their unique stamp on a community project. 

I'm working on planning an intentional year too. (See ... it's all creative.)

This week I'm finalizing the 26 for 2026.

(I'll also do a review of 25 for 2025.)

It starts the same way. 

I make a brainstorming list and love it.

Look it over a few weeks later and don't love it.

I start re-thinking.

Nothing inspires me.

Then, ideas slowly come into focus.

Why didn't I think of that, and that, and that?

It's so obvious. 

I'm at that stage now. 

It's not finished, but it's forming.

Lots of inspiration.

Leaning hard into creative ... that big, broad definition of creative. 

I'm curious to see the final list. 

It's always a little bit of a surprise AND not a surprise. 

Kids are coming over for football today. 

Making an oldie but goodie, easy-peasy, hot roast beef sammie. 

Tater tots in the air fryer.

Cookies -- date, almond biscotti and chocolate chip with super fine chopped chocolate. 

(I had a procrastination on chores baking-bug yesterday.)

Next week will be healthy choices.

I'll go another route since I don't have GF bread, but I made the cookies GF. Probably a mistake -- I'll be on a sugar rollercoaster if I'm not careful. Will I be careful? Taking bets. 

I'll chat about social stuff tomorrow. I had an extrovert moment yesterday -- said a few yeses and I have a list of social invites to come. But the chat needs to wait. I got 90% of the chores finished, but tossed a couple to this morning. 90% was outstanding considering my motivation yesterday -- high marks to me, but sitting here right now, I wish I finished hah.

Have a good day. Later gators.

Chore Day -- Bummer

We went to dinner with friends last night to try a new restaurant. 

Absolutely HORRIBLE.

It's on one of the biggest acreage of a regular restaurant (not event space) in our town and nothing sticks.

3rd owners to try -- and 3rd's not a charm. This one's the worst. Probably gone in a year.

But, it was a nice night out and I'm glad we know. I was curious. Also glad we didn't invite other friends to try it with us. We went with a local couple who were on the same page as us -- curious, but not very hopeful. 

Stopped at the local ice cream shop on the walk home. Something fun about walking with an ice cream cone, looking at Christmas lights. (GF cones and DF ice cream -- don't see that combo often.)

The walk was about a mile away. My foot was a mess by the time we got home. This is super frustrating. Rest isn't helping. It's okay during the day, as long as I take it easy ... actually pain-free in the morning. By night, even with full rest, it hurts -- a lot. It's been about 3 weeks with minimum improvement -- no running, no hiking, no long walks.

I wouldn't be as concerned if resting helped and it was on its way to feeling better. I have no idea what's wrong. Best guess is tendonitis. 

Today is a blah day. 

Rain and now hubby is home and bored.

House CHORES galore -- and some of my least favorite ones. 

Grocery store run for football game tomorrow. 

I need to add some fun to the day ... but coming up short so far.

I've been working on the snake rock -- I'll fill you in tomorrow. 

Best get at those chores. 

Eat the frog first.

Later gators.