This n that....

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I have little to report on the knitting front. I spent some time working on the Charity Log Cabin blanket, but Youngest Daughter offered to take me to our favorite local sandwhich shop for lunch. This place as the best bread and sandwhiches. I had an Ollie's Original which is basically a Greek Salad on bread! And we got a loaf of Pretzle Bread to go. Yum....

We mailed off the socks to Second Son and Youngest Grandson plus the computer camera BFF, F, gave me for Christmas. He gave me two of them, one for Son and family, and one for us. Soon we'll be seeing and talking in real time. Free. That will be nice! I still need to get a camera for Eldest Daughter and Grandsons in Hawaii.

While doing my knitting in the early evening, I watched the first two episodes of Picket Fences I picked up at the library. I'd forgotten how much I like that show. There are four seasons so it might keep me busy for awhile!

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Keeping the "We" in "Yes, We Can!"

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Joansie, these donuts are for you!

What a great way to hide cords! And one isn't limited to pickets, either. Imagine a parade of elephants. A border of butterflies. Turtles marching to their own drummer!

When choosing food at the market, Cater to the Earth. As a start, give up bottled water. If you don't like or trust you tap water, invest in refillable water bottles and a dispenser. We have three five gallon water bottles and a crock to dispense it from. We fill the bottles up as needed at $.15-.25 a gallon. We have several smaller water bottles we fill for daily use. One gallon one in the refrigerator. When we do buy a bottle of water when out, we save the bottle and refill. We try very hard to remember to take water with us.

And soda. It's just plain not good for you. Too much sugar and/or chemicals that fry your brain. Before you tell me how many lab rats would have to be fed how many pounds of artificial sweetner before cancer occurs, let me challenge you to this.

Stop drinking and using artificial sweetners for a month. Then assess your ability to think, your memory, problem solving abilities for simple math games and exercises. You'll find your brain has more power. And before you say, "But I have diabetes and can't drink sugar sodas," I say, "Stop drinking them all together." They are not needed. Replace the soda with water and see how much better you feel.

Give it a month and see if it doesn't make a difference. Soda is a treat in our family, not a daily food group. OH, and we won't even discuss how much money you'll save.... Getting paid to not do something that is bad for you. Sounds like a good economic move to me.

I think I'm taking great exception to the concept of "Retail Therapy". As I understand it, it means "I spend money so I feel better." Like other kinds of "therapy" I can't afford this one either. And I'm willing to bet most of you can't afford a weekly session of "retail therapy." Personally, I think it's something the retail world came up with to encourage spending. Don't be fooled by it. Crazy Aunt Purl has some ideas about all this, too. I loved her statement, "I needed a break from consumerism."

I'm also a great believer in if one gives a lot of thought and energy to an idea, the idea will manifest. If lots of people give lots of thought and energy to an idea it will manifest faster and in a larger proportion. So, if lots of people are watching the news and give lots of energy to negative news stories (are there any other type?) more of the same is being created. So I'm with Aunt Purl on this, too. I don't watch the news. My life is better for it.

Ben Franklin's Virtues

1. "TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."
2. "SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."
3. "ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."
4. "RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
5. "FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."
6. "INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
7. "SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
8. "JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
9. "MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
10. "CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation."
11. "TRANQUILITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
12. "CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."
13. "HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."