Just Jan

Winter in Wisconsin 2011-2012

2012-02-19T12:50:00.007-06:00

I can honestly say I haven't minded Winter this year! Which is an amazing statement, as I usually hate Winter.But this year, it's been mild. Some people worry about it, but I don't worry about things I have no control over. And I can't control the weather. I can influence the weather. I have Weather Fairy's that will help me from time to time, but I haven't bothered them much lately, as I'm

Pinterest and Social Networking

2012-02-16T12:31:00.017-06:00

My obsession with Pinterest only grows. I used to spend my time on e-mail. I had a long list of people I corresponded with, although the correspondence was largely trading jokes and stories. I loved sitting at my computer and laughing and/or crying over the stories, jokes, and photos that came my way. I loved to be the one to share things first! (Yes, I'm competitive!) I had grasped the

02/02

2012-02-02T13:11:00.005-06:00

When I chose 02/02/02 as our wedding date, it wasn't because it was Groundhog Day! I chose that day because of the symmetry of the numbers. Plus, it would be easy to remember! The fact that our Anniversary always occurs on Groundhog Day has become a excuse to watch "Groundhog Day" and reflect on what it means to love and be in love. Sort of like watching "It's A Wonderful Life" every year at

Caring for Your Introvert

2012-01-28T23:18:00.003-06:00

Caring for Your Introvert - The AtlanticOne of my friends posted this article on her Facebook account. I read it and had an epiphany!I'm an Introvert!This took me back to 10th grade. For our Science Project, our teacher had suggested we test our fellow students to see if we were Introverts or Extroverts. Something to do with squirting lemon juice into people's mouths and watching how they

2012-01-26T22:52:00.002-06:00

Pinterest is my latest love. I spend a great deal of time on their site, pinning like mad. I usually have to quit when my hand are numb from holding the mouse! Sometimes I have to quit because my behind has gone to sleep. Otherwise, I'd pin for hours.When I can't sleep, I sit at the computer to pin. My lunch break is spent pinning. First thing I do when I get home is turn on the computer to

Imagination

2012-01-17T11:49:00.003-06:00

My aunt sent me a link to a site called "DRAW A STICKMAN" I was amazed at what some enterprising person had created! Imagine knowing how to write such a program!I played it once, but didn't get clear through, as my computer is old and balked at the task. So, when I got on my husband's computer and completed the story my appreciation grew.Then, I looked at the gallery pictures. What an amazing

They have HANDS!

2012-01-16T00:41:00.008-06:00

Easter Island. The mysterious statues we all know by sight have been speculated about for centuries. From Wickipedia we learn that the statues, called "mo‘ai, are monolithic human figures carved from rock on the Chilean Polynesian island of Easter Island between the years 1250 and 1500."How they were carved, moved into place and WHY are all questions that have no definite answers. However in

Lightening Strikes!

2012-01-07T14:00:00.006-06:00

Why is Lightening so fascinating? When I was young, it frightened me, mostly because of the thunder that usually follows. But now, as an adult, I love thunder because of the association with lightening, which fascinates me.I can watch storms for hours. If I know a storm is coming in the night, I leave the drapes open so that I'm awakened by the light and sounds. I don't mind being awake if

2012-01-03T12:24:00.003-06:00

Once again I survived the holidays! An accomplishment I'm proud of.There were moments I enjoyed. We did things that were fun. I did not purchase a single present. I sent cards only to the few people I really care about. The food was the center of our celebrations, and that was modest compared to other years. I'm glad it's over and I can forget about it for another year! We did not incur

Christmas Spirit

2011-12-23T13:05:00.004-06:00

I stopped celebrating Christmas several years ago. It just wasn't fun anymore. I still listened to the music, which I enjoy. We went around looking at Christmas lights, which I love. I baked a couple of Christmas treats.Then, we moved to Madison, WI. So far I haven't seen any spectacular displays of Christmas lights. That could partially be due to the fact that I work nights, and am not out

HoliDAZE SALEabrations

2011-12-18T20:31:00.002-06:00

Christmas became a burden for me when I felt I had to purchase gifts for people when 1) I couldn't afford it 2) I had no idea what they wanted and/or needed 3) The pressure to buy something, anything caused so much stress I couldn't enjoy the process.It took YEARS to wean people from the process of buying me gifts. I didn't even want to be included in name drawing gifts. Getting something

I'm Back

2011-12-12T13:11:00.002-06:00

After a hiatus of several years, I've discovered I still have things to say/share, so I'm reactivating my blog.I've discovered a couple of new interests, have experienced a couple of health/lifestyle changes, and just aging has changed my perspective. So, look forward to my rants and raves in the days to come.

Film Festival

2010-04-24T09:25:00.016-06:00

www.2010wifilmfest.orgAll winter we look forward to the Film Festival. Not only do we enjoy the films, but it's the first real event in the Spring.This year we attended 14 films over a four day period.The weather cooperated. No rain, which is nice as we wait in line sometimes for half an hour or more.The UW Campus is connected to Capitol Square by way of State Street. The film venue is

First Farmer's Market

2010-04-17T16:44:00.008-06:00

The first Farmer's Market of the year had nearly perfect weather. It was sunny and cool, but not cold. Throngs of people turned out to walk the Square, buy produce and bakery goods, and enjoy the sunshine.The few days of heat we had made the tulips bloom. Few things make me smile the way tulips do.

Spring...Sprang...Sprung

2010-04-14T11:33:00.000-06:00

We had 2 days of nearly 80 degree weather. It is amazing what a little heat will do for the blooming process. Overnight, the trees put out leaves! We went from small buds to full blooms.Now the weather has cooled again. Perfect, as it will prolong the blooms, which is my favorite part.There are still a few trees that appear bare, though when you really look, you can see the buds beginning to

Squirrel Nests

2010-04-13T09:24:00.007-06:00

My computer is situated under a window with a Great View! I look into a small, wild wooded area that wanders gently downhill into an expanse of manicured lawn with a park in the distance.I see all sort of birds, squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits from my desk.I've been noticing the squirrels busy gathering large mouthfuls of leaves to build nests. I took a couple of photos, as soon they won't be

Sheboygan Community Garden

2010-04-10T10:25:00.001-06:00

Sheboygan Community Garden is one of a variety of Community Gardens located in Madison. I chose this one because it is close. I can walk through the park to the garden. It has nearly 100 gardeners and is an organic garden.Last year was my first year gardening there, and I didn't do a great job. I planted and took care of it in the Spring, but by high Summer, I neglected it. We ate a lot of

Trees in Bud

2010-04-09T09:09:00.008-06:00

There is nothing more promising than seeing Nature renew itself after a long Winter.The trees began to bud this week.At first it was only a little colorful blurring around the edge, then in one day, the buds began to emerge like they meant business.Within a few days, these early bloomers had burst forth in their full glory.Any day now, I won't be able to see the individual branches. The trees

SPRING!

2010-04-02T11:32:00.004-06:00

After a long hibernation, I finally poked my head out and saw that Spring is arriving in glorious fashion. April 1 surprised us with a nice, warm day (77 degrees). Friends in Utah and New Mexico got a snowstorm. For once, I'm glad to be in Wisconsin!Since it was a nice day, I walked to work. A profusion of daffodils were blooming along the way, in more varieties than I've ever seen. Also

Instant Laughter Guaranteed

2009-10-15T11:37:00.002-06:00

Back to School Sale

2009-08-17T20:34:00.002-06:00

Where did the summer go? All of a sudden I hear people are heading back to school! Several of my kin are starting college, returning to college, or getting ready for same.The difference is these kids are going in comfort! Everywhere there are sales of color coordinated decorations, dorm size applicances, and all sorts of things to make you feel like you're at home.Needless to say I didn't have

Food, Inc. the Movie

2009-08-07T15:07:00.010-06:00

Today we saw this movie. I knew it was going to be one of those movies that make you think, but it was more intense than I was prepared for. If this movie is telling the truth (and it FELT like the truth) then things are in a worse state than I'd ever imagined.This movie made me cry. It also made me angry, and fearful, and determined! What do you do after you see this movie? Where do you

Fire the Grid II

2009-07-28T10:10:00.003-06:00

This only came to my attention this morning! This was no accident. I could have missed it altogether, but I've been feeling it on some level. So the information I needed came at the right moment. This may be YOUR invitation too, so I'm posting the event. Fire the Grid II :: Be Presenthttp://www.firethegrid.com/eng09/FTGII.htm

Hot Fun in the Summer Sun

2009-07-09T22:15:00.007-06:00

Summer finally arrived with the summer solstice. It was our first hot weather, in the 80's. Although I'm not really a hot weather person, I was thrilled to have some heat! After a long winter and cool spring, I'm prepared to enjoy warm days.The next week was HOT and HUMID. We had thunder storms and lightening, with some real downpours.We were forced to turn on the air conditioner to get some

Spring, Glorious Spring

2009-04-19T09:44:00.005-06:00

FINALLY, I can feel Spring in the air. It's been a long time coming and some days I nearly gave up on it ever happening. When I realized that it's been six months (SIX MONTHS!!!) since there was living color in the environment I wonder about living in Wisconsin. Can I really survive in this climate?Spring so far is only little bits of green and some crocus and jonquils. But the days are