PS…
Jul. 6th, 2025 12:09 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
post_secret_feed
Dear Frank-
My wife found my PostSecret that you put up this Sunday and I was a little scared. She cried and told me it was the sweetest thing she has ever been a part of.
I sent it before we got married.
The young woman I speak of on the cards and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary last October and have an amazing 4-year-old that completes our beautiful family.
PS. . . I’m no longer scared that she knows all my secrets.
The post PS… appeared first on PostSecret.
52/154: Respite's End
Jul. 5th, 2025 09:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rejectomorphSo I noticed I didn't actually write anything about most of Friday, so I should note that it turned out to be comparatively cool and pleasant for a central valley July, and thus a good day to mourn the death of the American empire, the first in history to die in a clown car crash. Now that it has been consigned to the dustbin of history, I suppose the impending demise of it's parent will be a bit anticlimactic, but the fact that its death warrant was signed on that famous anniversary is interesting nonetheless. Reminded me of that old curse which may or may not be apocryphal, may you die in interesting times. Looks like I'll get to do that.
But Friday evening I didn't need the air conditioner, as the outdoors got cool enough by nine o'clock to allow the fan to be turned on and the windows opened, an event which was repeated this evening. Summers here would be less hellish if we could get a couple of days like this every couple of weeks. I doubt we will though, at least not this year. I was sufficiently energized by Friday's coolth to fix an actual meal, though I haven't done so tonight. I'm thinking I might open a tuna packet and have some crackers. I'd like to get to sleep fairly soon, even though I got up fairly late today. The heat is returning tomorrow, and starting Wednesday there will be a string of ten triple-digit days with nocturnal lows in the seventies. In short, sheer hell. I hope to enjoy this last night of good sleep, as I might not get another until autumn. And maybe not even then. It's the fire this time, you know.
But Friday evening I didn't need the air conditioner, as the outdoors got cool enough by nine o'clock to allow the fan to be turned on and the windows opened, an event which was repeated this evening. Summers here would be less hellish if we could get a couple of days like this every couple of weeks. I doubt we will though, at least not this year. I was sufficiently energized by Friday's coolth to fix an actual meal, though I haven't done so tonight. I'm thinking I might open a tuna packet and have some crackers. I'd like to get to sleep fairly soon, even though I got up fairly late today. The heat is returning tomorrow, and starting Wednesday there will be a string of ten triple-digit days with nocturnal lows in the seventies. In short, sheer hell. I hope to enjoy this last night of good sleep, as I might not get another until autumn. And maybe not even then. It's the fire this time, you know.
Errand Day
Jul. 5th, 2025 07:40 pmdays_unfoldingI got a face full of dog when they decided that I should get up. Gracie needed to pee but used the litter box in there. That works.
Well crap. The return label for the laptop isn’t printing. I just ordered new ink. Maybe I should stop at Staples today and also get more and return it tomorrow.
Gracie has figured out how to go upstairs! But she hasn’t figured out how to get downstairs, so I had to carry her downstairs. She and Bella swapped food again. Oh hell, she went upstairs again. I think that I’ll wait until after my shower to bring her down because Bella scratched my legs when I brought her down. But wait, I was going to wear shorts. Hmm. I threw some jeans in the wash. Oliver stuck his claw in my leg, so I removed him.
Whenever I go to South Carolina, I’d also like to go to Asheville in North Carolina. I found a senior living place that I’d like to check out.
Nap time. Woke up a little before my alarm. Gracie figured out how to get downstairs.
My massage was very nice (hot stone this time, which helps unlock my muscles). Whatever part she hadn’t rubbed yet felt tense. I was good and relaxed when she was done. She invited me to use the new sauna, but I said that I had errands to run. I forgot that it was 1.5 hours, so I didn’t make it to the UPS store. Plus, I was very hungry. I’ll go tomorrow. Stopped at Steak and Shake for a bite to eat. Got printer’s ink at Best Buy. Bought two more lamb toys at PetSmart so that Bella and Gracie each can have one (although I could see Bella trying to take them both). I also bought cat ball toys that probably will get stepped on. Went to Prairie Gardens and bought a Boston Fern for my porch, two enormous spider plants for the kitchen, and two more coneflowers. All were on sale.
Bella and Gracie were thrilled that I came home. Gracie is now taking the stairs upstairs and downstairs like a champ.
Fed us all. I have the shakes. Placed a grocery order for tomorrow.
Oh hell. I didn’t get the mail, which has Bella and Gracie’s new collars, but I don’t want to go back out in the heat.
I’m thinking of going to bed REALLY early to get up in the cool morning. I really want to weed and plant tomorrow. And drop my returns off in the afternoon. And maybe go to the other garden shop.
I don't know why Semagic keeps saying that my DW password is invalid.
What a good day
Jul. 5th, 2025 11:37 pmcosmolinguistD came along to lift club this morning! It's so much more fun when he's there.
This afternoon we had a snuggly nap.
When I woke up this evening, angelofthenorth was making amazing delicious food. It smelled so good. What a treat.
This evening, D and I had a couple beers and watched the Twins actually win a game! And explained things to angelofthenorth as they came up.
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July Fic Day 5 - When the Lights Go Off, I Still See You - Fall Out Boy, Pete/Patrick
Jul. 5th, 2025 08:55 pm
looking for a link/website
Jul. 5th, 2025 02:43 pmredbirdSometime in the last couple of months, someone posted a link to a site that had interesting looking shirts made of linen, for lower prices than most places charge. I forgot to bookmark it. Can anyone point me to it? or to something else that fits that description, even if you didn't see it here?
Edited to add: A the shirts were less expensive than I expected, which is a large part of why I'm interested. Those may have been sale prices, I don't remember.
Also, the were made of either linen or a linen blend, not "line".
Edited to add: A the shirts were less expensive than I expected, which is a large part of why I'm interested. Those may have been sale prices, I don't remember.
Also, the were made of either linen or a linen blend, not "line".
(no subject)
Jul. 5th, 2025 02:06 pmmajuI did another stupid thing yesterday evening; I remembered to put my loaf of sourdough bread in the fridge before it rose too much, but when I got up this morning I discovered I hadn't closed the fridge door properly (it doesn't close all the way by itself, you have to make sure you push it fully closed yourself) and the dough had risen too much and then deflated anyway. It will still make good toast but it isn't a pretty sight. Plus now I'm worried the milk will go off before it's use by date.
I walked to parkrun this morning (and then of course had to walk home an hour or two later when the temperature was higher). I managed to run the 5 km course but I kept to a slow and steady pace. It was hard work and of course I ended up very sweaty but I was satisfied that I'd done it. I walked home the slightly shorter way on the trail (rather than on the road) where it's mostly shaded, and the walk was quite pleasant.
I decided to order a new phone instead of trying to use one of the ones already in the house, because I suddenly remembered while I was trying to get to sleep last night (while loud fireworks were going off in the neighbourhood keeping me awake) that there might be a problem with the size of the SIM card. I think the very old RCA phone uses a bigger SIM card so I won't be able to put the very small card from my broken phone into it. I took the SIM card out of S's old phone and discovered it is the very small size and the phone could therefore take the small SIM from my Pixel phone, but I'm really reluctant to use that phone. I've ordered a Pixel 7. The latest version is Pixel 9, but I never order the latest model as older models are cheaper and I can't see any benefit to paying more for the latest model.
My sister has been discharged from hospital and seems to be doing very well in spite of an incision running for about 7 inches/18 cm down over her stomach. She is not allowed to lift anything heavier than 2 kg for six weeks (and she has two small grandchildren she babysits frequently), and was told she should work up to walking for about 30 minutes in one to two weeks - at which she quietly snickered, as she normally runs every day for a couple of hours, and longer on weekends. She won't be running for six weeks, but she will definitely be walking for more than 30 minutes very soon.
I walked to parkrun this morning (and then of course had to walk home an hour or two later when the temperature was higher). I managed to run the 5 km course but I kept to a slow and steady pace. It was hard work and of course I ended up very sweaty but I was satisfied that I'd done it. I walked home the slightly shorter way on the trail (rather than on the road) where it's mostly shaded, and the walk was quite pleasant.
I decided to order a new phone instead of trying to use one of the ones already in the house, because I suddenly remembered while I was trying to get to sleep last night (while loud fireworks were going off in the neighbourhood keeping me awake) that there might be a problem with the size of the SIM card. I think the very old RCA phone uses a bigger SIM card so I won't be able to put the very small card from my broken phone into it. I took the SIM card out of S's old phone and discovered it is the very small size and the phone could therefore take the small SIM from my Pixel phone, but I'm really reluctant to use that phone. I've ordered a Pixel 7. The latest version is Pixel 9, but I never order the latest model as older models are cheaper and I can't see any benefit to paying more for the latest model.
My sister has been discharged from hospital and seems to be doing very well in spite of an incision running for about 7 inches/18 cm down over her stomach. She is not allowed to lift anything heavier than 2 kg for six weeks (and she has two small grandchildren she babysits frequently), and was told she should work up to walking for about 30 minutes in one to two weeks - at which she quietly snickered, as she normally runs every day for a couple of hours, and longer on weekends. She won't be running for six weeks, but she will definitely be walking for more than 30 minutes very soon.
saturday
Jul. 5th, 2025 12:41 pmsummersgate
Card stock. Tried something different this morning. Sprayed it down good and had it saturated with water before I put any paint to it. I scribbled with watercolor pencils on a couple and then painted with gouache. Then I sprayed them with water again. Very wet stuff going on. Tomorrow when I get the watercolor paper that I ordered I can start to use that instead of this cardstock. That will be a whole new adventure of learning. I don't think I have ever spent so many days painting so loosely. It's very addictive because it's so easy and quick and it's not meant to look like anything. Backgrounds. How easy can you get?
Today is my cleaning day of the week - vacuuming and sweeping. And I want to boil potatoes ahead of time for tomorrow's potato salad and bake a frozen pie too. Onward to that...
(no subject)
Jul. 5th, 2025 01:05 pmangrbodaIt's Book Swap Day* at the library. Last time I was lucky and found both volumes of a book by one of my favourite authors. This time I came out with almost the whole Masters of Rome series plus a bonus one about Troy, all by Colleen McCullough. Only the last one is missing from the Masters of Rome series. I'm sure I can source that some other how when I get that far. There's a lot of text to get through first. I have never actually read anything by this author before, but hey, there's literally nothing to lose by not trying and if I don't like them, they can just go back again.
*This is awesome. They do it I think once a month. You can donate books you don't want anymore (there are a few exceptions that they don't want) and you can take any books that seem interesting to you. It doesn't cost anything and you don't have to bring a book to take a book. I've found some gold nuggets there! (And a few regrets. Last time I stupidly didn't take the full set of 1001 Nights. 16 volumes. I think they were even illustrated. I don't know what I was thinking)
*This is awesome. They do it I think once a month. You can donate books you don't want anymore (there are a few exceptions that they don't want) and you can take any books that seem interesting to you. It doesn't cost anything and you don't have to bring a book to take a book. I've found some gold nuggets there! (And a few regrets. Last time I stupidly didn't take the full set of 1001 Nights. 16 volumes. I think they were even illustrated. I don't know what I was thinking)
Random Doctor Who Picture
Jul. 5th, 2025 08:42 ampurplecat
I've no memory of reading this at all. The back makes it sound both interesting and memorable - a retired brigadier stumbling upon shenanigans from WW2 recruiting the sixth Doctor for help. Richards and Cole are both solid Doctor Who authors who I rate but none of it stirs a memory.
To-read pile, 2025, June
Jul. 5th, 2025 08:00 amrmc28Books on pre-order:
- Queen Demon (Rising World 2) by Martha Wells (7 Oct 2025)
Books acquired in June:
- and read:
- Playing for Keeps by K A Findlay (Kim Findlay) [7]
- The Charlie Method (Campus Diaries 3) by Elle Kennedy
- and unread:
- Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen
- Sort Your Head Out by Sam Delaney
- The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
Borrowed books read in June:
- Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
- The Domino Pattern (Quadrail 4) by Timothy Zahn [8]
- Judgment at Proteus (Quadrail 5) by Timothy Zahn [8]
Annoyingly, when I thought I'd cancelled my KU subscription in May, Amazon thought I'd suspended it for a month, so I got charged again in June. And as the above makes clear, I didn't really get my value for the month of it. The Timothy Zahn Quadrail series is really fun (Trains! In Space! And also galaxy-spanning conspiracy and action adventure with really interesting aliens!) and I'm glad I got to finish it, but I have now definitely and for real cancelled the subscription until further notice.
I don't expect to read much this month either, with the women's football Euros running most of the month. Farocation is running again and I didn't yet get through all the books from last summer, so I'm being even pickier about which ones I decide to pick up this summer.
[1] Pre-order
[2] Audiobook
[3] Physical book
[4] Crowdfunding
[5] Goodbye read
[6] Cambridgeshire Reads/Listens
[7] FaRoFeb / FaRoCation / Bookmas / HRBC
[8] Prime Reading / Kindle Unlimited
July 4th Holiday
Jul. 4th, 2025 08:53 pmdays_unfoldingSome idiot was setting off loud fireworks at midnight. The dogs took it surprisingly calmly. They were barking at something though.
Woke up at 7 AM. I stayed up late reading a book about The Big Bang Theory.
Hmm. It’s supposed to be really hot today. Not sure what to do. Sunday, it’ll be cooler but it’s going to rain.
Nap time. Gracie is barking at nothing in particular. The dog waste people are here. Bella, Gracie, and Oliver are all snoozing.
Had a nice nap and then ate lunch. Shower time. I’m getting a headache though, so maybe I need to lie down? Bella and Gracie were wrestling, so I escorted Gracie out.
My headache is gone and I want to get up, but Oliver is sleeping in the crook of my legs. Now he’s awake.
I ordered some Blue Sage and purple Coneflowers. I need to remember to pick them up on campus on Wednesday.
I started cleaning off my old laptop by copying files to a hard drive. Salt and Light refurbishes old computers and gives them to people in need, so I’ll donate this one.
Showered. I have Lily on my lap. I explained to her that it’s too early to eat, and she left.
Ugh. 92F/33C, feels like 97F/36C. No. I need to get to bed early (no reading!) and get outside early tomorrow and Sunday. Though I was going to go to the Unitarian church on Sunday. Took the dogs out and yes, it’s hot.
Got my new cool sheets on the bed, with a lot of hassle from two dogs and a cat. I lost my temper a little bit. But the duvet cover has beige stripes rather than gray ones, so I want to exchange it for one that matches the sheets. Contacted them.
My new laptop is updating. However, I accidentally bought two of them, so I'm returning the other one. I need to package it up tonight to drop at the UPS store tomorrow.
What now. I need to feed the critters and myself (done). Watered the garden.
Bella chewed up my external hard drive. I love that dog, but damn. I ordered a new one. Meanwhile, I'm recovering my files and downloading them.
I have Semagic installed on the new computer, but I'm having problems getting it to work with DW. I'm going to give up for tonight. I'm tired.
Friday five
Jul. 4th, 2025 02:24 pmglacier_kitty1. What drink wakes you up best in the morning? Vanilla bean frappuccinos (drinking one right now haha). Probably all the sugar that's in it lol
2. During the day, what do you drink to keep going? Water, Vitamin Water, apple juice, etc
3. Do you drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day? Why/why not? Probably not, I don't want to go to the bathroom every five minutes LOL, but I do drink a bunch, especially if it's hot out
4. What are the ingredients of your favorite mixed drink? (Doesn't have to be alcoholic!) Vanilla beans, milk, rum, coconut juice, etc
5. Are you a coffee drinker? How do you take your coffee, if so? No
It got hot again this week, and it was super windy on Wednesday, so the forest fires exploded and got bad again. It can't be healthy breathing in all that smoke. D: Luckily by Monday it'll cool off and rain for a couple days. I always want to go watch the fire from a safe distance, but I don't think the firefighters would appreciate that lol
Mom said dad had to go to the ER again yesterday, and then ended up at the VA clinic on base, who then called his doctor (who's on the East Coast right now), who finally prescribed him some Clonazepam (sitting in a chair and staring for hours is no way to live!). They want to do more tests I think, so hopefully the Clonazepam will help him until then. He seems SO much better today, which is nice..I hated seeing him so miserable :(
( some pics of curti! )
2. Your favorite season: Summer, before it gets too hot. Fall is nice when all the leaves change color too
3. When was the last time you cried? *shrugs*
4. What is the best birthday present you ever received? A trip to London, the "junk journal" mom made me, cake haha, etc
2. During the day, what do you drink to keep going? Water, Vitamin Water, apple juice, etc
3. Do you drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day? Why/why not? Probably not, I don't want to go to the bathroom every five minutes LOL, but I do drink a bunch, especially if it's hot out
4. What are the ingredients of your favorite mixed drink? (Doesn't have to be alcoholic!) Vanilla beans, milk, rum, coconut juice, etc
5. Are you a coffee drinker? How do you take your coffee, if so? No
It got hot again this week, and it was super windy on Wednesday, so the forest fires exploded and got bad again. It can't be healthy breathing in all that smoke. D: Luckily by Monday it'll cool off and rain for a couple days. I always want to go watch the fire from a safe distance, but I don't think the firefighters would appreciate that lol
Mom said dad had to go to the ER again yesterday, and then ended up at the VA clinic on base, who then called his doctor (who's on the East Coast right now), who finally prescribed him some Clonazepam (sitting in a chair and staring for hours is no way to live!). They want to do more tests I think, so hopefully the Clonazepam will help him until then. He seems SO much better today, which is nice..I hated seeing him so miserable :(
( some pics of curti! )
2. Your favorite season: Summer, before it gets too hot. Fall is nice when all the leaves change color too
3. When was the last time you cried? *shrugs*
4. What is the best birthday present you ever received? A trip to London, the "junk journal" mom made me, cake haha, etc