since I decided to learn some Spanish.
I’m still using Duolingo a few minutes a day, mostly learning vocabulary, and I’m still watching Netflix videos with Spanish subtitles. As I said in Learning Language Like a Baby, some of it is sticking without much effort on my part. The main thing is it’s fun and it makes me feel good to honor the commitment. That’s my main reward.
November 6, 2024
When I got up yesterday morning the power was out and this was what I saw from my living room window,
I was thinking about the non-internet things I could work/play with, but the power was only out for an hour so things were mostly back to normal for me. Andy decided to wait until today to try going up to the land. The next storm isn’t expected to come in until tomorrow.
Update: the snow has mostly melted down here.
Andy didn’t go up to the land because a water-main leak blocked the way he usually goes. The detour would have taken an extra hour each way. Never a dull moment.
November 5, 2024
November 4, 2024
Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.
—Michel de Montaigne
He also mentions
…the stubborn curiosity of our nature which delights in worrying about the future as if it had not enough to deal with in the present:
I agree with him. The best preparation for an unknown future is to use today’s problems as a chance to develop our skills. I do seem to be getting better at keeping relaxed and constructive instead of agitated and frustrated.
Stay curious and open to life. No matter what happens keep learning and growing. Find what you love and find a way to share it with others.
Yeah, I’ll stick to that motto. And live it the best I can.
November 3, 2024
I’m glad I’m not that kitten! It’s so patient.
November 2, 2024
We have electricity on the land now…the new batteries are working fine. When I was up there Sunday I saw how Andy is insulating them to keep them warm in winter.
November 1, 2024
When I went up to the land Sunday I expected the fall colors to be completely past. But there were still some brilliant trees.
That was a pleasant surprise.
Happy Halloween, everyone!
October 31, 2924
I have a lot of things going on in my life, but I’m being careful to enjoy them and not feel rushed and overloaded. So I’m not making a commitment to spending time on drawing or playing with colors. On the other hand I’m trying to make it easy to do for a few minutes when the mood strikes.
So I took this view of Tempi from this picture taken in their backyard in October, 2021,
and expanded it,
and used it as a model for this picture.
As I’ve said, I really like that picture, but it doesn’t look like Tempi, so I’m still playing around.
I used a photo editor to get rid of the color and details and printed several copies of this out.
Then when the mood strikes I trace the outlines on the pictures and see if I can duplicate it freehand.
Danny Gregory says it doesn’t take talent to draw, it only takes the willingness to slow down and see. He may be right. It’s worth a try.
October 30, 2024
In her comment to yesterday’s post, Jean (Misadventures of Widowhood) said if I had one more animal I would have a collection. In fact, I have a menagerie. Lamb Chop loves the company. He was feeling lonely, and we couldn’t have that.
October 29, 2024
I love hugging and snuggling with Clancy and Pup.
Does that count as a hobby? It doesn’t take long to do, but it awakens the little kid in me and makes me happy.
October 28, 2024
