Find the Broom (How Smart are You?)

 

There is a broom hidden in the above picture. I found the broom within 30 seconds. Does this mean I am smarter than average? I doubt it. I have taken aptitude tests over the years, and I usually come out above average, but not genius level. I think my inquisitive and analytical nature is because I loved journalism in high school and learned to question and look for answers. On top of that I was blessed with jobs that gave me the opportunity to learn how to think and how to look for solutions. A year on a Yolo County Grand Jury taught me to triangulate information (three reputable sources) before coming to a conclusion.

I say all of this not to gloat about my intellect that is within the range of normal. I know really smart people who jump to conclusions. It is difficult not to do just that when we might like what we are hearing or want something to be true because it supports our own belief. 

When I worked the sales desk at my last job (during COVID it was all hands-on deck at times) I remember a veterinarian calling to talk to our veterinarian claiming that his dog died from the vaccine we manufactured. Our veterinarian, after expressing condolences on the loss of his pet, said, "Sounds like your pup got into some poison." The veterinarian insisted he had walked his property and there was no poison. We took a report to register the claim with the USDA. About an hour later, the veterinarian called to say he found the poison his dog ate.

This was a great lesson for me on cause and effect. We look for answers and hope to find solutions and it can be easy to get misdirected along the way. It is one reason I read so much; I want to understand. Other people are not necessarily interested in understanding and will take misinformation as gospel. Whatever helps them sleep at night. Not my job to correct them. OH MY GOD, did I just write that? Well, I am trying to only have conversations with people who ask for my opinion or people who send me information in private messenger. I figure if they are sharing with me privately, they are asking for a response. Writing a response on something I posted is permission to respond as well.

I hope you found the broom. I hope you maintain your sanity over the next thirty-one days. VOTE!

My morning was absolutely lovely as I spent almost three hours video chatting with my dear friend, Anne, in Pennsylvania. She brings light to the world.

First Harvest

Pictured is our very first harvest of a fresh vegetable in Minnesota. Joe pulled up two radishes to top our dinner salads last night. We will be eating radishes for weeks! We were both excited to have grown something this year – we had thought it would be late next spring before planting. While visiting Ohio, in early August, my Uncle Dick suggested we grow radishes this year as they have a fast grow time. He was right!

The original owner of our home was in town earlier this week and he dropped by to chat with Joe. Joe gave him a yard tour. Our visitor’s response, “It looks really nice. My wife can never see this – she was after me for years to plant the trees you have here.” He was  referring to the arborvitae we planted in late August that line the back property line.

He also complemented Joe on his mini-retaining wall he built for the terrace that houses two of the raised planter beds. Since the guy used to own a company that manufactures the bricks for walls, Joe was pleased to get positive feedback.

Today, Joe is outside screening rock from the large dirt pile left by the retaining wall contractor last spring. Joe built a simple screen rack to fit over his wheelbarrow. He scoops dirt over the screen and the dirt filters through. The stones/rocks are picked off the top of the screen and put in a bucket. Joe said the soil is rich and beautiful, so that soil is going into his eight planter boxes. The stones/rocks will be saved for footpaths for the wild garden area we plan to complete next year.

My morning was filled with cooking and laundry. I do not mind chores at all. I am happiest when I have order around me. I started cooking before I had breakfast as I wanted to get the recipe into the crockpot early. If I waited until I had my coffee it would be more difficult for me to tear myself away from the internet rabbit hole! This afternoon, I spent an hour reading Pampered Chef’s online new consultant materials. Now I am off to do my daily meditation and to read (aka take a nap). I LOVE RETIREMENT!

Fall Has Arrived!

 

The leaves on our hillside trees are beginning to change colors! The changing colors lift my spirits even further than normal. As we drive around the area there are increasingly more red and orange leaves interspersed with the greenery. It is so beautiful.

The temperature dipped from in the low 80s yesterday to the low 60s today. The sky is grey. It is October 3^rd, and the weather gods have decided it is finally the moment to deliver fall to Saint Michael, Minnesota. 

Growing up in Ohio, Fall was my favorite time of the year, despite my allergy to ragweed. Every year at picture time, usually the end of September, I would cough and sneeze until I had a red nose. The red nose made for lovely school photographs. To this day when my allergies flare the tip of my nose will get bright red (yes, think Rudolph) and itch like crazy.

While I have not been looking for work, and I have plenty to keep me busy, I decided to sign on as a consultant with Pampered Chef. My goal is to fund my own Pampered Chef purchases of the larger appliances I want to add to my kitchen. If I make a little bit of additional money, I can spend more on my grandchildren …

This morning, I did food prep for tomorrows crockpot pork roast with potatoes and carrots. Now, I am off to wash windows.

Voting/Window Cleaner/Nobody Wants This

Joe and I completed our ballots today and turned them in at Saint Michael City Hall. As we drove home Joe remarked, “This is the most consequential election I will ever vote in.” I agree. I am relieved to have voted and to be done with the process. I can’t imagine why people don’t vote. Perhaps growing up around parents who were committed to the work of unions instilled in me that it is both a privilege and a responsibility to vote.

I am relieved to have the Vice-Presidential debate over with as well. I agree with most everyone writing about the debate that most likely it did not change anyone’s opinion on which candidate they will support. I liked Walz’s relatability and authenticity. I am not looking for a debater – I am looking for a collaborator in my choice of candidates. I can relate to Walz and not at all to Vance.

I made homemade window cleaner and tested it out on the windows in the sunroom. It was so much easier to use than Windex! I am delighted with the end result. I only did the inside as I am not climbing a ladder to do the outside. That’s a Joe job.

Since I had to move my desk to clean two of the windows, I decided to make the desk move permanent. My monitor now blocks my view of the neighbors’ backyards. More privacy for them! I can still look out the windows and enjoy the scenery.

I did find time today to watch three episodes of Nobody Wants This on Netflix. This show is a wonderful treat after window washing (or any other chore). I laughed aloud and got teary-eyed at poignant moments as well. The creator of the story is Erin Foster and is loosely based on her own relationship with her now husband. She mentions that some plot points were added for entertainment value. But the “emotional journey” is accurate, Foster says. “It’s not always like tangible things I can point to,” Foster told Today. “The emotional journey, I would say, is very accurate to my experience of meeting my husband.” (source https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2024/10/02/nobody-wants-this-true-story-foster/).

Do we know how to have a fun day at the Coehlo house?

Tuesday's Tangents of a Cat Lady

 

Today was vaccine day. Pneumonia and flu shots get marked off the list of to do items.

We also made a trip to Menard’s (Surprise!!) so Joe could buy a miter saw and workstation for his shop. He plans to build a sifting screen for extra dirt we have left from the backyard. When the largest retaining wall was installed, the company dumped the excess soil they dug up on top of rocks that were in the yard. The result is a mess that we cannot take anywhere to dispose of as it is not soil or rock.

Besides Joe is happier when he has a project. Once he gets the screen made, he can sift the dirt and use it in the raised garden beds. Yesterday I mentioned that he was done with yard projects until next spring. Go ahead, laugh aloud with me. This is the last ‘project’ he says.

Tonight is the Vice-Presidential debate. Part of me is looking forward to watching. Another part of me wants to go to sleep instead. That may be the flu vaccine side-effects, or it may be anxiety over the debate. I tell myself that is silly as it is what it is, and I AM NOT the one debating. I feel compelled to watch as I want to know first-hand what is said and not have to rely on media accounts and memes plastered on Twitter (X) and Facebook. Then again, it seems to me I could bury my head in the sand. I just can’t!

I may need a nap first, though. Well, maybe. I tried to nap when I was finished with chores and Alto wanted pets. We know who won that round. I did not get a nap. Alto is a happy cat. This officially makes me a cat lady.

Alto laying on top of me while I tried to nap ...