Shortcut Decluttering

There might come a time in my life where I'm into KonMari or one of the other decluttering trends sweeping the nation. Until then, here's a simpler approach. Pretend it's a flowchart, OK?

Does it have dust on it? If so, you haven't been using it much. Dust it.

Do you want to dust it again in two weeks? If yes, put it back where it was.

If no, do you actually need to keep it? 
        If yes, find a different way to store it.
        If no, get rid of it. (If possible, donate/sell, but trash needs the trash can.)

Which Side of the Road?

Growing up in Wisconsin, I'm used to gravel on the side of the road--all the glaciers that once covered the state left us with plentiful rocks of all sizes from the gravel to potato-sized to giant erratics spotting farmers' fields.

The first time I visited my spouse's old stomping grounds in Massachusetts, I was surprised to see granite curbing. It's durable and interesting, and seemed quite posh, even if it is a local resource.

In Houston we pay big bucks for gravel and rocks of any size. Our geology is more about being river/ocean bed not so long ago. Lots of clay, expanding and contracting with the rain, a royal pain to dig. And I'm still startled and amazed when I come across an oyster shell just lying about.

Vice Loss

May was a bit of a rough health month, when swollen tonsils went to strep and then I found that I couldn't swallow very well. It was not so much painful as uncomfortable. And worrisome.

At its worst, I spent a week or so living on smoothies, pureed soups, ice cream, and when I was feeling wild, completely smashed guacamole with goat cheese.

By the time I could get an appointment at an ENT clinic, I needed answers badly enough that I was looking forward to someone sticking a scope up my nose and down my throat. 

The findings were not the worst case scenarios I'd been imagining, but now I have daily meds. And vast dietary restrictions.

• No caffeine (coffee, tea... even chocolate*)
• No carbonated beverages
• No citrus, tomato, or other acidic foods
• No spicy food
• No fried or greasy food, and watch fat consumption (even avocados*)
• No mint
• No alcohol

I like to think that I have not been whining too much. Definitely not as much as I could be, but honestly, too much talking leaves me hoarse.

*I can be strict on most things, but when it comes to chocolate and avocado, I'm going with a steadfast attitude of moderation.

Accidental Blessings

I did not mean to take this picture.

I was stuck three miles behind a wreck (auto accident) that had shut down all but a single lane of a six-lane freeway. I snapped a picture of the "energy trees" on my dashboard, and put my phone in the hidey hole of the car door. 

Apparently I took this picture in the process.

It's of better quality and far more compelling than the pic of the dashboard. 

Sometimes we get lucky. It's important to say thanks, however the joy and the beauty come.

Summer Projects

The last day of school here was May 28th. 

My teen sons settle into new routines easily, and they're happily considering what they'd like to do this summer.
Beyond playing video games until their eyes bleed...

Rumor has it that firstborn will be making the squid body pillow and using his Raspberry Pi for a project I have yet to comprehend.

Secondborn has been going through his science lab kits, making note of the dangerous chemicals. He'd really like to work on fire starting, but not when there's no adult at home. 

So his project today was a first attempt at a flower press. The wood is plaques they made years ago when we were studying the Jewish and Christian Bibles. Both boys chose Judge Not for their enscription, not as a grand theological statement, but because it was the shortest option available. 

Chumbawamba Sunflower

 A couple of months ago my son brought home a sad little sunflower seedling in a busted bucket. He cleared space in the front garden and planted the sucker.

I was dubious. Sunflowers are not generally transplanted, but he made it happen with daily watering and care. The plant is at least six feet tall.

We've just had the wettest May on record, including several punishing storms. The night we got eight inches of rain also featured winds and hail--the spindly plant was bent and barely hanging on.

A week later it's mostly upright again and has put forth more blossoms. 

May we all be so resilient.

Before Summer Begins In Earnest

Today I had to be a grown-up.

Phone calls to make appointments
So many arrangements.

I needed to be steadfast.
Calm but firm.

Important things to be done
or delegated.

And yet it was my day off...
so I did what I could from the patio.
Wearing shorts and a tank top, 
no shoes.

I give thanks for a dry day,
not too hot yet.

Soon enough we'll lock ourselves indoors
sunrise to sunset.