For some unknown reason, the top string of lights stopped working. All the connections appeared to be correct and tight, no missing bulbs, no explanation.
Solution? Remove this defective string of lights (which took FOREVER!) and replace them with new ones.
Problem solved ...
... sort of. There are still a few places here and there where portions of other strings of the original lights aren't lit.
My plan is to buy a LOT more new lights, taking advantage of sales after Christmas, and to completely remove and replace all the old lights on the tree. Not a job that I am looking forward to, I assure you.
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When I was at Monticello for the wreath-making workshop, I spent a few minutes in their gift shop. Saw this on the counter by the cash register.
That Ben Franklin sure was a wise one! Just another reminder that it's better to do things today, instead of putting them off till tomorrow. (Speaking of which, I HAVE to finish my Christmas cards this afternoon.)
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Last year, I couldn't resist buying a potted Amaryllis. I do the same thing almost every year. In theory, one can keep an Amaryllis over the spring and summer and have it flower again in the fall/winter. I have never succeeded with this ... until now!
Last year's Amaryllis spent the spring and summer on our deck with some other potted plants. When the weather got cold in October, I brought it inside to my basement workshop grow room, not expecting it to do anything. To my surprise, the a bud began to appear last week and another one sprouted a few days ago. In a few weeks, we should have flowers!
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This meme has been making the rounds on Facebook and via email.
I normally only glance at stuff like this, but this one struck me in the heart.
1. I have been practicing this one for a long while now. Most of what tries to pass as news is actually commentary and opinion for the purpose of influencing viewers, not informing them. Don't even get me started on Presidential debates (which I have completely ignored). I listen to news only for as long as necessary to be informed, then I turn it off.
2. Be positive, in attitude and in your vocabulary. Give compliments whenever you can, to friends, family and strangers.
3. Make sure that your most precious people feel that way. Call someone just to say that you love them.
4. Decluttering and downsizing frees space in your home and your mind and gives us room to breathe. I will talk about this more another time.
5. My break has been to try to think of things differently, react to situations in ways other than I am used to, and to chart a new path whenever I can. At 56 years old, it's easy to fall back on old habits and skate through life.
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Now it's your turn ... what sort of This and That have you been up to?
