For The Fun Of It

Things I Love Thursday [Spring Edition]

/ Ally Bean / 26 Comments

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the geraniums, ‘ya know?

Lately, I’ve been feeling that I’m missing the simple things in my life.  That I’m focusing only on complex issues and confused people.  That I am way too much in my head and not enough in my heart.

And this behavior is bringing me down.

So, as an antidote to the complexities inherent in my modern life, I’ve decided that once per season I will do my version of a Things I Love Thursday post.  Here is my first edition.

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•  geraniums  •  faded denim  •  truthfulness  •  the sweet scent of the ash trees in bloom  •  tralfaz  •  home decor catalogues  •  income tax refunds  •  herbed chèvre  •  unexpected friendly emails from old friends  •  laughing  •  sauvignon blanc  •  gumption  •  randomness on my car radio  •  tetris  •  walking  •  the united states of tara  •  rhubarb  •  festina lente  •  no gloves, except gardening ones  •  gratitude  •  paper calendars with pretty images  •  sunshine  •    

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And you?  What are you loving right now?

 

I’m Twinkling Here, Said The Crow

/ Ally Bean / 37 Comments

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“Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are!

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.”

~ traditional English lullaby [from a poem by Jane Taylor (1783-1824)]

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“Twinkle, twinkle little bat,

How I wonder what you’re at!

Up above the world you fly,

Like a tea-tray in the sky.”

~ Lewis Carroll [or the Mad Hatter, if you will]

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“Twinkle, twinkle little crow,

How I wonder what you know!

Up above the deck so high,

Like an ominous evil eye.”

~ Ally Bean [blogger extraordinaire who likes to rhyme]

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PLEASE NOTE: It has been brought to my attention that the stupid birds in these photos are not crows.  These birds are something called TURKEY VULTURES.  So, with the help of Zen-Den, I have rewritten my verse to accurately reflect this fact.  Here goes:

“Twinkle, twinkle turkey vulture, 

How I wonder what’s your culture.

Up above the deck so high,

Like an ominous evil eye.”

Power To The Puppy

/ Ally Bean / 12 Comments

I’ve heard people say:

“Just because someone throws you a ball, it doesn’t mean that you have to catch it.”   

I believe that this is good advice.

This video, which is the living embodiment of that advice, makes me laugh out loud EVERY time I view it.

Enjoy!

“Ready.  1… 2… 3…  Catch.”

My 2012 Yearlies List

/ Ally Bean / 14 Comments

[H/T to Chris at the Rude Cactus for this idea.  His list is here.]

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The Yearly Top Gardening Success:  Our in-ground sprinkler system for our lawn.  It took us years to have one installed, but now that we have one our yard remained green all summer– and I didn’t have to drag a hose + oscillating sprinkler anywhere on the property.  Not even once.

The Yearly Top Absurdity of Life:  Even though I didn’t go to Canada, I have a traffic violation from that country with a fine to pay.  I owe the Canadian Dept of Transportation 37¢ Canadian.  You see, Canada has a photo of a vehicle registered to me doing something illegal in their country.  The miscreant in this story is Z-D [or maybe one of his lawyer buddies] who went on his [their] annual camping cabin trip and somehow missed paying a toll along the way.  Because of this, I’m left holding the traffic violation.  And a bottle of maple syrup.

The Yearly Top Duh! Moment:  Cutie oranges.  Who knew these little clementines were so tasty?  Not me.  I thought they were only for kids, but thanks to J at Thinking About… I got some for our party, tried them and am now hooked.

The Yearly Top Annoying Term:  Guru.  If you believe yourself to be one, then you are not one.  This term is trite, hackneyed, pointless, stupid– and most of all, overused.  Don’t be a business guru;  you can do better than that.  Aim to add value, not gibberish, to the conversation.

The Yearly Top YouTube Video, Cat Angst Category:  Henri 5, The Worst Noël.  If you have ever been around a cat, then this series of videos will make you laugh more than you should.  Paws down.

The Yearly Top Expression Of Gratitude:  From a shy 10ish y.o. Boy Scout who came to the front door and sold me caramel corn + cheese corn.  A few weeks later when he delivered the products, he included a typed-out thank you note on a strip of paper, hand signed, which thanked me for helping him achieve his goal.  Very thoughtful kid.

The Yearly Top Home Improvement Project:  New light fixtures in the kitchen above the island & table.  Good-bye large weathered copper light fixtures with dingy uneven glass shades.  Hello sleek antique brushed nickel lights with etched white alabaster glass shades that spread the light evenly across the surface.  Such an improvement.

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So, what are your yearlies?  Care to share?