Where's your energy better spent? Friday PWYC

[Harriet]

That is so DEEP, Twins'. There's a kind of "work smarter, not harder" concept there, and yet a bit of sobering philosophy. We only have so much of ourselves to offer, so how will we choose, and in what ways, to what end?

Ramblin', napping with a little companion, very comforting. Glad you could get out to both a class and a coffee gathering today.

Twins' got in some creative time. Yay for that.

Mystery, it's so nice to hear that the sewn purse came out well and the project was a success, that there could be a loan of the sewing machine to help. Would a purchase of a machine be a good potential gift for DD later? Here, I was actually asked for advice about a machine for dd27, but her hopeful projects have had to be pushed down the calendar road.

Happy Birthday to lucylee's dgs14! I hope the trip is surprisingly interesting for him and the family can make memories.

LadyM, you were awakened with a teenagerism (smile) and I with the distinctive aroma of an indignant skunk. I hope you got a nap, as I absolutely had to have! Yes, there is an energy drag. I think you made the right call with the pepper.

Yes, I was able to have a lot of the morning to myself for the hefting of the large project. A couple times I worried I'd cut wrong, but it turned out I had not. I did have to press the backing. Then big swaths of fabric eventually nestled accurately, and my back didn't protest too much at all the leaning way over to baste. Everything put away and waiting until I can take a deep breath and keep going, lol.

About that skunk and whatever it was fighting -
So, this morning two of my large, nice planters had obviously been disturbed. Part of a tuberous begonia damaged and some broken off, lying underneath - I quickly trimmed and popped that into some water, thinking maybe it will root and not be a loss. Another planter, I hope, is just disheveled and needs some small staking. I think we will go back to keeping the exterior light on in that direction. It's been raining, so I'm not sure this is all the damage - need to get out there and inspect. Although different plantings, and not at all similar above ground, I can't help but remember that both have at least one plant growing from tubers. It was HRH's deduction before that we have varmints who want to get at the well-watered roots of plants in loose soil.

[Harriet]

Alarming thoughts -
Mystery, maybe you need two different alarms, as in two different trusty machines doing it, so you can feel confident going off to sleep without thinking about it. Good old fashioned alarm clock for the one that can be loud?

Maybe I need something beyond a light to alarm outside instead - is there a motion sensor that will play John Phillips Souza? A thought.

[Lady Maverick]

As I'm trying to stay nearby DH to monitor him, I am searching for things to keep me occupied. I decided to order the items on the shopping list that are not fresh/cold/frozen and have them shipped. That lead to a trip down a rabbit hole researching curry powder vs turmeric powders. I was surprised when i looked at the ingredient list of curry powder and the first ingredient was simply "spices". I find that weird to be so general. When I compare that brand with a different one their ingredients list for curry powder is "Coriander, Fenugreek, Turmeric, Cumin, Black Pepper, Bay Leaves, Celery Seed, Nutmeg, Cloves, Onion, Red Pepper, and Ginger."
yes, I know I'm overthinking this.....but it is keeping my mind busy

[lucylee]

I’m feeling kinda sad — kinda jealous I guess that my traveling days are pretty much over. I’d love to be making this trip with ds and family but I do understand that they need time away, on their own. I guess it is kinda sobering to think they probably have the same feelings about traveling with me that I do with my dmom! Or my in-laws, back in the day. But aside from feeling left out, I know I’m going to have more time on my own than I have since dh died and that’s kinda sad too. Oh gosh… I hope I don’t start crying if they call me!!! I’m feeling pretty emotional right now!

Dgs’ birthday has me emotional anyway — I wish dh were here to watch him grow up. They were sooo alike and so close.

I guess I need to start doing some of the things I listed earlier.

Update — they did call and we laughed and had a good conversation.

[Kittykatt]

Harriet, I have a funny skunk story. Some years ago, a couple in our city had a pet skunk called Colin (I think he had some minor disability which meant he couldn't.go to a sanctuary /wildlife.park / zoo). When he reached adolescence, they were advised to have him neutered. So, they booked him in at our vets. However, when the vet had a close look once Colin was asleep, things didn't seem to be quite "right". So, there was an urgent phone call to the zoo, and it turned out that Colin was in fact Coleen, who recovered quickly from her spay surgery!

LucyLee, maybe you could look on this time as time to refresh yourself for when your family return, and also do some things that you want / need to do?

Our heatwave has gone. For now. Yesterday was a beautiful summer day, perfect for working in the garden. Today is cloudy.amdmcooler,.so I'm catching up on indoor tasks