cheerfulmonk.com

When I was writing Monday’s post I decided I wanted a picture but couldn’t find one that I had permission to use. I didn’t want to spend much time on it, so I turned to ChatGPT and asked for a “happy autumn picture.” It gave me this one:

I said I wanted a more whimsical one and it obliged:

Not bad except for all the orange, so I changed the colors in GraphicConverter, my Mac photo editor.

Not quite what I wanted, but it was good enough. And it hadn’t taken much time. I may try it again if I get stuck sometime — it’s nice to have an assortment of tools at your fingertips.

September 3, 2025

AccuWeather’s forecast for this month:

Is there any wonder why I love September?

September 2, 2025

ChatGPT and Graphic Converter

Yes, I go by the meteorological calendar, and I also think of September as the start of a new year. That no doubt goes back to school days, and I’ve never lost that feeling of excitement. I’m guessing I’m not the only one, given the number of people celebrating the start of the “ber” months.

I’m doing much better in summer now than I used to, but I do sleep better when the temperature in my bedroom gets down to 70°F or lower at night. What about you?

September 1, 2025

Kaitlin sent this picture taken when they were visiting Torben’s mother.

This reminds me of Thursday’s cartoon in the New Yorker calendar. Two dogs and two humans are sitting watching TV. The dogs are on the couch, the humans on the floor. One human asks,

When, exactly, did the balance of power shift?

Some of you may remember that years ago Tempi was not allowed on the couch there except when there was a loophole like the little pink blanket.

Notice the pillows are the same but now the couch is dog friendly.

August 31, 2025

This one cracks me up.

I like my manual NordicTrack treadmill. No danger of going too fast, and it’s good exercise.

August 30, 2025

August 29, 2025

August 28, 2025

August 27, 2025

Ann wrote about growing celery from a stump, so I tried it:

I don’t expect to ever harvest more celery, but it’s fun to watch it grow.

Here’s a video about it:

August 26, 2025

is great! That’s what Andy said yesterday morning when he opened a pickle jar.
 
 

Yes! It works great:

Thank you again, Ginny, for telling us about it!

August 25, 2025