Slice of Life Tuesday: Odds and Ends

This morning, already, I worked on creating a new logo for my handmade jewelry line. I created four and put them out for a vote on email and social media. It’s time to order new tags and I like to have them be “branded” but also feel it is time for new look.

Speaking of new looks, my hair is almost grown out and entirely salt and pepper gray. I love it! As my stylist told me at the visit I decided to do this in February of 2020, it has taken over 1.5 years to get rid of any color I had added through processing. Strangely enough (or, not) most the compliments I’ve received have been from men! Women claim they are not “ready” to do it or not patient enough to wait it out. I get it – you have to do what’s right for you. And, so, I did. But, it’s still nice to receive a compliment.

We don’t compliment each other enough! I really feel this is true for women. I am trying to do my part to change it and compliment friends on a variety of things when I see them. One of my favorite compliments to receive is that our yard looks nice. We rarely receive that compliment anymore – I guess it might just not have to be said because our yard usually looks nice. But, still, it is so nice to hear. My husband works hard at it and I try to help with the flower gardens. So, if you see something well maintained or looking especially nice, pay that person a compliment. It will make you both feel good! It was nice to show our youngest son and his girlfriend our new driveway/land with a view, yesterday. They both seemed to like it and didn’t say a word that was questioning, over-stepping, or suggestive of what we should/should not be doing. Let me tell you, it was refreshing! It’s also healthy to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

I’ve been sewing a lot again, too. I’m making more fabric face masks just because it seems like we might need them. And, I started making reusable fabric market bags. I think I like sewing because it keeps my hands busy but lets my mind be somewhere else. My middle son told me that this is what he likes about a new job he has at an electric motor company – he starts full time status today. I am proud of his work ethic!

We won’t have many apples from our home orchard this fall. In fact, the orchard took a hit in August during two nasty rain storms we received. Branches came down, cracking off from the trunks. It’s all been cleaned up by now – but we lost 4-5 trees, including plums, cherries, and apples.

Lastly, the monarch migration season is in full swing in the upper midwest. I’ve been able to tag 8 so far and have raised more than 30 this year. If you’ve followed these posts on my blog, you’ll know that I have been reducing the number of monarchs I raise each year. Still, I enjoy doing it and tagging has become a regular late summer activity for me. I have seven more chrysalises and three caterpillars I hope to tag and release yet this fall.

We are also getting ready for a couple of fall trips in the U.S.. I hope to write about those experiences as they occur. For now, we’re enjoying the fall weather and watching the change in seasons occur right before our eyes!

Today is Slice of Life Tuesday! This forum is hosted by TwoWritingTeachers.org. I’ve been participating in this supportive community since 2017. Thank you for creating this space!