#3040 the start of volunteer season and my art

this month's wee calendar

 Is it possible it's already nearly the middle of April? Sheesh! Those first two weeks flew by!

I officially began the 2026 volunteer season this week when I recorded blooms in the Children's Garden at Red Butte Garden and Arboretum on Thursday. The first entry: wild strawberries. There are lots of plants and trees blooming, so the task took awhile, then I walked around the Garden to check it all out. I hadn't been up there since December. Usually I try to go once a month, but January got away from me, then I fell and didn't feel like doing much of anything while I was healing. I have missed the place. It's really beautiful up there in the spring. The lilacs, viburnum, and wisteria are all beginning to bloom. I think it's going to be a glorious year for the wisteria. It seems to bloom spectacularly every other year. Last year's blooms were kinda meh, but the vines are already beginning to flower and perfume the air. Magical!

The concert schedule was announced on Tuesday. I'd like to have 11 or 12 shows this summer. There are eight shows I'd really like to see including Alabama Shakes, Ray LaMontagne, and Bonnie Raitt. The last time Bonnie Raitt was here, I had Covid and cancelled my assignment. Maybe this year I'll get to hear her play.

Also on Tuesday, MT and I met my friend Liz and her husband for lunch at Emigration Cafe. It was a gorgeous day! We sat out on the patio in the sunshine, chatting and eating. Crabapple trees with pink blooms lined the street and a gentle breeze blew the pink petals toward us. Afterward, we went over to Liz and Chris's house to look at their backyard. They live in a lovely, quiet neighborhood in upper Sugarhouse and the yard is a haven. It was a really nice day all around.

We are getting closer and closer to our big vacation at the end of May. Almost everything is set up and paid for. We still have to choose some tours that we'd like to do, and we will decide on those things this week. There are a few things to buy, like a European power connector for T, a sketchbook/travel journal for me, probably a pair of shoes, and a few other things. Nothing too extreme. This is gonna be a helluva trip.

I haven't been doing as much art as I thought I would, but I do have some things to show you. These are all things I made in March.

made my own little art banner :)

These first nine pieces are from prompts by Jill Badonsky.

"Seems Fishy to Me"

"Sitting"

"Picasso-style Self Portrait"

"The Road to Spring"

"Beware the Cranky Carrot"

"On the Deck"

I didn't give this one a name

This was a single line blind contour of a blooming rose

"Watermelon Butterfly"

The rest of these were inspired by Pinterest and my need to put color on paper.

I made this for my mom.

I like cats looking out windows surrounded by flowers.

I made this one for my mom, too.

I am interested in being able to show a European street.

Thanks for having a look! Have a wonderful week. Be kind and be safe.

xo

#3039 three things: trips and a movie

my three dancing squirrels

Hi! It's been awhile since I've written here. I was visiting Mama and Lizzie for a couple of the writing days, then I was busy adulting and time just slipped by. I'm ready to get back to it, though, so here are three random things.

1. The trip to CA. As I mentioned above, I went to southern California to visit Mama and Lizzie for six nights at the end of March. T came with me, and we had a nice time! Lizzie and I went for walks in the mornings and then to get coffee. The four of us went on a couple of adventures: to Sunset Beach to dip our toes in the ocean and have some lunch, and to the Fullerton Arboretum to look at trees and flowers. It was, once again, a good combination of chilling at home and doing stuff. The weather was really nice, and I think it was a perfect amount of time to be there. We weren't there long enough to be too annoying, but not long enough to be tired of each other. Does that make sense?

2. Easter in Pocatello. On Easter Sunday, MT, T, and I drove to Pocatello to spend Easter with MT's side of the family. I remember some of my childhood Easters when we had to look for eggs inside the house because it was raining or snowing. Not a problem this year, though. The weather in Poky was excellent on Sunday. Linda had tables set out on her back deck so all 19 of us could sit outside. She smoked a pork butt, and we had pulled pork sandwiches and every type of salad. Three of the great-grandkids were there, all under five, (I think) and it was cute to watch them look for the Easter eggs. We came back to SLC late in the afternoon because we had our tax appointment on Monday morning. It's a long way to go for a meal, but it was nice to see the family. 

3. The Drama. No, no family drama; The Drama is a movie starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. T is a Robert Pattinson fan, and who doesn't like Zendaya? T and I went to see the film this afternoon. I had no idea what it was about, but I like hanging out with my son, so why not? The movie starts out cute and sweet: Charlie (RP) and Emma (Z) are going to be married and Charlie is writing his wedding speech with the help of his best friend Mike. Through the speech writing, we learn how Charlie and Emma met and fell in love. Wedding plans are moving along until the night Charlie and Emma go with Mike and his wife Rachel (who is Emma's matron of honor) to dinner to choose the wedding dinner items. Over drinks, the question, "What is the worst thing you've ever done?" is asked, and each of them has to respond. Turns out, Emma had a doozy, and the relationships were put to the test after the revelation. The last half of the movie is uncomfortable to watch, to say the least. No spoilers from me, but damn.   

Enjoy the rest of the week!

#3038 family movie night: Project Hail Mary

 

Back in February 2022, I read the book Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I gave it four stars. Science fiction can be kinda stressful for me to read because situations get precarious, life and death hangs in the balance: is the hero going to figure a way out of this terrifying situation?  That being said, I did enjoy the book, and I have often thought about Grace and Rocky and how it all turned out.

Strangely, my husband didn't even finish this book; he just couldn't get into it, and he loves sci fi. He can talk for a long time about the whole Dune situation - he has read all of those books and seen all the movies. I couldn't get through Dune.

Imagine my delight when I learned that the book Project Hail Mary had been made into a movie starring Ryan Gosling! I was eager to see it. I knew T would come with me because he likes movies, and even MT wanted to see it, so we had family movie matinee this afternoon. 

I loved it. It was pretty long, about two and half hours, but that wasn't a problem for me because watching Ryan Gosling for two and half hours is not a hardship, and I had popcorn and a Diet Coke. Also, the story is good. There's a lot of action. There's science and problem-solving. There's a lot of emotion, too. I cried more than twice. I giggled several times, too. And yes, I clapped at the end. The menfolk liked it, too. 

It might not be for everyone (I'm looking at you, Mamacita), but for a fun adventure, this is a good one.

#3037 Oscar night

 

Have you ever heard the theory that people's interests change about every seven years?  I don't know about the time-frame, for sure, but I do think it's true that things you used to enjoy change over time. When I was a kid, I loved listening to American Top 40 and obsessively writing the complete Top 40 in a notebook every week. I grew out of that although I still love a good list. I used to listen to sports radio all the time and watch The Dan Patrick Show as much as I could. I haven't watched Dan in years now. There was a time when I would not dream of missing a Utah Jazz or Utah football game on TV. I still enjoy watching games, but it isn't something I make a point to do anymore. 

I used to look forward to Oscar night. I would try to watch all the films nominated for Best Picture back when there were just five or six movies on the list. I would plan my day so I knew I could sit on the couch for three or four hours and watch the show from the Red Carpet arrivals and interviews through the award for Best Picture. (I still like the Red Carpet but it's not as much fun without Joan Rivers!) I don't watch as many movies as I used to, though, and I've sort of lost interest in the pop culture of it all. I recognize the big name movie stars, but there are plenty of famous people I see on magazine covers and occasionally on Entertainment Tonight that I have no idea who they are. It's the same with the Grammys. I used to know most of the nominees, and now, not so many. 

Anyway, tonight is Oscar night, and there are ten movies nominated for Best Picture. I have seen three of them: Sinners, Hamnet, and F1. Actually, I have seen Sinners twice. It was good, and I am rooting for that movie to take home the statue. Hamnet was quietly wonderful; the actress who played Agnes, Jessie Buckley, is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and I hope she wins. She was fantastic. The last scene when she is seeing the play Hamlet in the Globe Theater is incredible. She made me feel all the feelings. I was surprised F1 was nominated for Best Picture. I enjoyed the movie, because Brad Pitt, and it's kind of a sports movie and I don't think you can go wrong with a sports movie, but Best Picture? It's kinda like when Maverick was nominated a year or two ago. I just didn't get it. Fun movies, but they don't seem to be in the same level as some of the other nominees. 

I'm planning to watch the last hour or so of the telecast so I can see the awards for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Picture. 

Speaking of movies, there is a film coming out that I will see on the big screen: Project Hail Mary. I totally loved the book, and I'm excited to see the movie. I think we'll be having family movie night next weekend because all of us want to see it!

I do really like to go to the movies. I love seeing a film on a big screen, having some popcorn, and feeling the vibe in the theater with other people. It's just so expensive to go to the theater and I'm already paying for streaming services. Also, I don't go to the movies just to go (anymore.) I have to be really excited about the the film, otherwise, I'll wait for it to stream, although I might not watch it anyway. 

Are you planning to watch The Oscars?

xo

#3036 three things: Harley, a short walk, and Harry Styles

 1. Harley health follow up. I took Harley back to the urgent care vet this morning for a follow up on her appointment last month. Last month she had terrible runny poop, she looked emaciated and uncared for, and her leg was hurting. She had bloodwork, xrays, and got a bunch of medicine out of it (and it was quite expensive.) I'm glad to say that she is feeling much better. She hasn't gained any weight; she's still around 53 lbs and the vet wants her to put on about five more lbs. To do that, I'm going to add puppy food to her regular food because puppy food has more nutrients and fat to help puppies grow. (This is the recommendation from the vet.) Harley had a great time at the vet today. She really loves to go for rides and have new people pet her. She was such a good girl that I got her a pup cup from Starbucks afterward. Now she is sleeping off the doggie downer I have to give her before a vet visit. She is mellow at home but a totally bonkers Lab at the vet.

2. We went for a walk! Since I broke my wrist, I haven't taken the dogs for walks. I did walk Mac a week ago with MT because Mac is a bit easier to walk. She is content to amble along and smell all the smells whereas Harley just likes to walk and pull. Because Harley had some doggie downer on board, I decided to walk them around the block. I held the leashes with my left hand and they were very good girls. I had no problems or worries. My wrist is getting stronger, and I am whittling down the time I have the brace on my arm. I'm still sleeping with it on, but during the day, I have it off for longer periods of time. The wrist doesn't really hurt. It is stiff and doesn't have full mobility, but it's coming along. I can lift and carry stuff that I haven't been able to manage for awhile. I have a follow up with the surgeon on Tuesday, so I'll let you know what he says about my recovery and next steps.

3. All Harry all the time. Maybe you know that Harry Styles released a new album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.  I like the music. On Monday night I watched the album release concert on Netflix, and it was enjoyable. He performed all the songs on the new record top to bottom, then he did a few of his older songs. The first single from the new record, Aperture, is an ear worm. I wake up singing it. If you have five minutes, I highly recommend watching this clip of Harry's performance of Aperture at the BRIT Awards. It looks and sounds amazing, IMO. 

Enjoy the rest of the week!

xo

PS I just noticed there is no mention of Stella in this post. She is absolutely fine and is a happy, noisy terrier. She still loves to catch a frisbee and run around the yard. She is the definition of play hard, rest hard.

#3035 for the women

 

I hope you've all had a great day.

#3034 spring refresh

 

new wee calendar!

Happy March! I feel spring in the air, don't you? The tulips in the dirt/flower patch between our house and the neighbor's house have started to sprout. The leaves on one of the maple trees are budding merrily. The other trees aren't doing anything yet, but they will. I know there is every chance that we will get snow this month, but I appreciate the weather we have had so far. Today was sunny and warm, around 60 degrees. The dogs were outside most of the day and I had the windows open in the house. 

Yesterday I went to get a haircut. I usually have one about every 12 weeks, but this time I went 15 weeks between cuts. Oof...my hair looked rough.

before

The same woman has been cutting my hair for nearly 25 years, and all during that time, she has been in the same salon at the same station. As a long-timer at my job, I can appreciate her longevity. I always like how she cuts my hair. She knows my hair and how to coax it into cuteness that I can not duplicate. 

after

I added the little flower-y frame with my sprocket printer. I am always amazed at how light my hair is getting as I grow older. It used to be so red. Now it is definitely strawberry blond with strips of white.

Wow! It is quite windy out now. I just checked the weather app and the high temperature tomorrow is going to be in the low 40s with a chance of rain. Good thing I haven't put away my sweaters yet.

That's all I've got today. I think I'll do a language lesson and crawl in bed to read for a bit. 

xo