Annoying Things and Funny and Serious Things

 Self check out. Anyone else never use self check out? I tried it once or twice in a grocery story but needed help so what's the point? Also this trend means some check out clerks will eventually lose their jobs. I think if I do the self check out they should pay me! At least give me 20% off. What do you think? 

Another annoying thing. Some cities are charging a big fee to drive in city centers. Of course this doesn't affect the wealthy, they can easily afford it. Most fees like this hurt the working middle class.  

One thing that made me smile as I drove to work was when I drove the speed limit on a four lane (two lanes in each direction) city street and the person behind me also going to work where I worked tailgated so I would speed. I was in the slow lane of two lanes so they would pass me in the faster lane and rush ahead, but then we stopped at a stop light they would be right next to me. That happened pretty often. All that stress and risk of a speeding ticket for them and they did not save one second of time.

My list of annoying things is rather short. I am pretty easy going. I don't get road rage.

So this turned out to be a rather short list of annoying things. 

Below is cute Mr. Snoopy who is ever lovable and never annoying. 

 

A busy night at Stonehenge when trucks move the stones around for the time change. I have visited Stonehenge but did not know about the trucks moving the stones twice a year for the time change. Ha Ha.

Polish Cavalry Hussars saved Vienna in 1683 when it was almost defeated by Muslim invaders. They were told of the looming catastrophe by a huge signal fire lit in Vienna and the Polish king lit an answering fire meaning help was on the way. Then they arrived on horseback and saved Vienna.

Lilies and Gnome

My sister sent me some money for my April birthday and I treated myself to two garden things.

Above is the photo of the 3 Electric Blue Spider Lily bulbs I bought with birthday money from my sister. I planted them in a very large pot and we will wait and see the results. As of 30 days after planting, the results are disappointing. Just one lily leaf 4 inches tall. I wait in hope.

 My friend and I like gnomes. I bought her this gnome taking a nap for her birthday and I liked it so much cause it makes me smile that I bought myself one too. I spent the birthday money from my sis on the blue lily bulbs and the gnome. 

Here are 4 mixed pink tiger lily bulbs I planted a month ago in a large pot. They all bloomed and are the red color. 

I have so much fun and do quite a bit of work in the garden.  These days at my age I do mainly watering and planting. Zinnias are a favorite seed to plant as they grow readily. If you read my blog a lot you know my favorite is Purple Prince Zinnia. Gardening is good for the soul. You fellow gardeners know what I mean.

 

 

Yes, I had a crush on the Louvre: My 30 visits to the Louvre

 

 

I am 80 now and was very adventurous in my younger years. I did some things that were dangerous, traveling in the Israel and Jordan desert, not on a tour. My friend from college Carol and I traveled on a shoestring budget and had many adventures including spending the night in a desert police fort near Petra. The police were Bedouin and invited us to stay the night in a guard tower, they were great gentlemen. We visited the U.S. consulate and they said it was dangerous for two young girls age 20 to roam the desert not in a tour. More in another post. 

 

 

Yes, I fell in love with the Louvre and the beauties and history it contains. Before my senior year in college I spent two months in the summer in Paris on my own, on a strict budget, mainly soaking up the art and architecture of the city. Later my husband and I spent four months there, two in spring and two in December and January. I saw an excellent documentary on the Louvre today and counted up my visits. Thirty in all. Netsukes captivated me, tiny sculptures the size to hold in the palm of your hand. Many sadly were made of ivory.

 

My most visited areas were the classic Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace, the paintings, the Egyptian treasures and I had a special fondness for the Netsukes, the tiny sculptures you can hold in your hand. After the summer in Paris I completed my major in Art History. 

Below is a beautiful Egyptian art work. I am not sure if it is in the Louvre but they have an extensive Egyptian collection.

 These two photos show the heroic graceful statue The Winged Victory of Samothrace.

 

 My frequent often daily visits were noted by an older guard who stood near exhibits and he started saying Bonjour to me. That was quite a friendly treat. 

In addition to the Louvre a favorite visit was to the old house that had been the studio of Rodin. His sculptures were everywhere, in the studio and out. Another museum I visited several times held the Monet pond and water lily paintings. They were displayed in an oval room in the Jeu de Paumes and went all around the room so it felt like you were surrounded by beauty on all sides, all around. 

What are your favorite museums? 

I Broke a Bone in my Hand

 Have you missed me friends? I had a nasty fall in front of my house on the sidewalk. I hit my forehead and broke a bone in my hand. My face was all bruised and is looking better today. So I will keep this post short.

My hand and the splint.

 One thing to share with you is that if you are 65 plus and hit your head, go to Urgent Care. They can give you CT scans to be sure you aren't having a slow brain bleed. Good thing to know. I waited two days to go in, but happily it was ok. 

Here is a reminder to put out a shallow dish of water in hot weather for the little critters who are thirsty and can't reach the bird bath. Stay cool.

 

Happy 250th Birthday America

 Happy Birthday to America. May God continue to bless and guide us.

 

The photos above and below are of my neighbor's large flag on a pole. The cross is on my living room wall, made by veterans in the USA.

 I hope all my friends around the world in many lands are having a wonderful July 4 too. I appreciate knowing all of you blog friends. 

Short and Sweet

 Short post.

 Aren't these wonderful words to live by? Love More, Worry Less. This is stationery my penpal sent me, from the Philippines.

 Sleep like a baby? Cats have it figured out.

 

May Sarton journals, a new find for me

 

I enjoy seeking out memoirs and journals written by people about my age. Or older! I found this captivating book, "At 82: A Journal" by May Sarton. Wow. I could not stop reading it and only reluctantly put it down to do other things. 

 I learned about how she is aging, which is helpful for me to know. My slowing down is not just me! She celebrates the little things like her adored cat Pierrot, flowers in bloom, her old house in Maine which she has rented for many years, visits from friends and publications of her books. Actually these are Big things.

She is 82 and recovered from a big stroke she had 12 years earlier at age 70. The year before she began this journal she had two small strokes and a TIA when in London. It is desperately hard for her to go ahead with her writing but she does. 

I have not read her poetry, but this journal is perfection. I sort of fell in love with her. She is often depressed because her poetry, while beloved by readers, does not get the awards she feels she deserves. Like me she needs quiet time alone, naps and cheerful visits with friends. 

She mentions her writing colleague and friend, Doris Grumbach, who lives near her in Maine. Sarton praises Grumbach so I bought and am reading now "Coming Into the End Zone" by Doris, written when she was 70. 

 I also bought May Sarton's After the Stroke: A Journal". A point in favor of her journals is they are quick reads, shorter than memoirs. Do you have any favorite journals or memoirs to suggest?