Micropachycephalosaurus

One of the first things Liam and I did when he was he on Saturday was to play a game on my computer, on a website called KidsDinos.com.  You choose a category of dinosaurs and are given a screen that is sort of like Wheel of Fortune.  You see a picture of the dino, and a big square contains blanks for the letters in the dino's name.

When we came to one of the pictures Liam recognized the dino by the picture, and called out "Micropachycephalosaurus"!  I wasn't sure how to spell it but we made our way through it and darned if he wasn't right.  I counted 23 letters and 9 syllables, and the name just rolled off his tongue like it was the easiest word in the language.  All I could do was to shake my head in wonder.

There was a dinosaur that had "raptor" in his name and I commented that a raptor was a bird, whereas the dinosaur was too big and didn't fly, so why the "raptor" part.  He told me in very distinct, quiet tones, "Grandma, he had feathers".  He was correct, and many dinos had feathers even though they weren't bird-like.

We had a great time playing games, watching a dinosaur video, making a trip over to In-N-Out Burger, and so on.  His dad came to get him on Sunday morning, and the house became so quiet it seemed weird.

Joe just stopped by with his two girls for an hour or so.  Alyssa is giving her Ancestor Report on Friday - about me, the oldest ancestor she knows - and needed some pictures.

I am nearly crazy trying to kill and pull the weeds and grass in my yard.  I'm out there every day and it doesn't seem like I've made a difference.  I clean up one area, and by the next day there are more growing.  I've tried vinegar as well as an Ortho weed killer, and hate to go to Roundup but it may come to that.   What I need is a micropachycephalosaurus, which was a fairly small plant eater. 

I thought I was over my spell of "drop-itis", but at lunch I was closing the container of sour cream and it dropped.  Fortunately it hit the side of the cabinet and bounced off, splashing sour cream on the floor in various spots, but the container landed top up.  I figured since the rim never touched the floor meant the sour cream left in the tub was ok to eat.  I used it on my tacos at lunchtime, and will have to splash it all over vegetables & cheese for dinner!  I have tried to be so careful to not drop anything, but here I go again!  

Company coming!

Since I'm having a man sleep over at my house tomorrow night, I've been busy trying to clean the place up a bit.  I don't think he will notice, but his Mom or Dad might.  Grandson Liam is going to spend Saturday night at Grandma's house!

The biggest concern I have is what to feed him.  I cook for myself and it isn't necessarily what a kid might want, but I'll be ok.  There's always Chipotle and In-N-Out Burger nearby!  I kind of like Chipotle myself.

In between the jobs I've been doing, I've either been reading "the Book" or thinking of things to get rid of.  I will go back and follow the routine recommended by the author, but after I finish the entire book.  Right now I may as well discard some things I know I don't need to keep.

I have finished the chapter on clothing, and the next is books.  My main stash of books is in the spare bedroom, but sort of blocked in by camping gear.  I can picture how nice the bookshelf is going to look when I discard a lot of books I bought and never read, or those I just don't want to hang on to any more.  I am already enjoying the concept of tidying up my house and keeping only what I need and what brings me joy.  While I might never achieve the fullest results, I think I'm going to be very happy with what I accomplish.  I am really dreading getting into the photographs though.

The dog park is really getting to be a nuisance.  I was just barely awake this morning when the barking and growling began.  My doors and windows were all closed but it didn't affect the noise.  Having always had fairly quiet dogs (but who could bark when they needed or wanted to), I have no patience with what is going on.  I don't blame the dogs, but their owners could set a level of tolerance and then bring the dogs to order when it is reached. 

I don't know where it came from, but all of the sudden I am craving ice cream.  I don't know if it would be better to buy a small container or just forego it altogether.  I have avoided it for several months now, so maybe the craving will pass.  I may treat myself now and then when the weather gets hot.
 

Miscellaneous

First, an update about using coconut oil as a moisturizer.  After trying it on my face for several days I don't think I'll use it any more.  It didn't do any better than my Vitamin E face cream, and I don't like the coconut smell, even if it doesn't last long.  I hate to throw out the nearly-full jar of coconut oil but don't see any use for it.

I'm starting to clean up and weed out clothing I no longer need, although I haven't done it according to the precepts of the book by Marie Kondo.  I will, but right now I am reading the book and I'll see how I will approach it when I get to the end of the book.

About the book - I'm almost sure Kondo is Japanese, and probably lives in Tokyo or one of the large cities in Japan.  The book is written in meticulous English, and I don't know if it's a translation or if Kondo actually wrote it for the English speaking world.

When reading this book you need to keep in mind that the Japanese live in much smaller spaces than the average American, so you can understand why keeping only those  possessions you actually use is necessary.  I also think any of us who have lived or traveled at length in an RV can grasp the intent of the book very quickly.  If you don't keep possessions to a minimum and only the things you actually use, you will soon be overpowered with "stuff" in every available spot, and that can lead to a "messy" look even when it isn't messy. But to each his or her own, especially where it concerns RV living.

Today I am doing laundry as I decided to change to the summer sheets.  I also rotated the mattress, a very difficult job for 1 person, and am washing the mattress pad as well.  I may as well clean the floor while I'm at it!  All this cleaning might make some folks feel good and sanctified but it just makes me tired!

Later, by 3pm I am worn to a frazzle!  I still have some clothes on the line that didn't seem dry enough to take down yet, but I have made my bed from the skin out and it looks nice.  I got out my summer comforter which has a poly fill, good for chilly Sacramento nights but not as warm as down.  I haven't yet figured out what to do with the down comforter, but I think I saved the large bag it came in, if I could only remember where I stored it last fall.

I'm worried about where the hummingbirds have gone.  About every 2 or 3 days one will come to the feeder and that's the last I'll see of them for another few days.  There have always been quite a few who remain in the area year around, but I wonder if something - biological, seismological, or other "ogical" is affecting their patterns.

I got a notice with my rent bill today that a volunteer will soon be around to explain the evacuation plan for the Park residents.  I guess it depends on what the reason to evacuate will be - if it's an immediate danger then I can just swing over the back fence.  Actually I'd need to take a chair to raise myself up enough to "swing" over.  My main concern has always been earthquake, but I suppose nothing is outside the realm of possibilities these days.  I don't care for myself as I have lived a long and wonderful life, but my children and grandchildren need the chance to do the same.

I think it's time for my afternoon glass of wine, if I can find a wine glass to drink it from!  

New tires from Les Schwab

I needed to go to Home Depot this morning, and since Les Schwab Tires is adjacent to HD I stopped there first to get my tires checked and aired up.  I knew I didn't have many miles left on my front tires, and ended up replacing them. I love the Schwab chain and have used them for tires since I had my RV.  The company is only in the west, and I didn't know much about them when I came out here to do workcamping.  They are a wonderful company, and I have more often been told all I need is air in the tires rather than try to sell me new ones.  The owner of the company (Les Schwab) has always insisted on a policy of honesty and fair treatment, and the price is good too.

While the tires were being installed I walked over to HD to get something to treat the weeds in my yard.  It was pretty heavy and when I was in the checkout line I realized that I didn't have my car available to transfer it from the cart.  I pushed the cart to a collection area and then carried the heavy container on to the tire place.  Fortunately I only bought the one item at HD and not everything on my list.

I've started to read "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" and actually have begun to formulate a plan - at least the beginning of a plan.  The author recommends starting with clothing, and it involves bringing every item of clothing from every room into one place, where you can go through them and discard things you don't wear, are out of date, don't fit, etc.  When that is all finished you move on to another category, saving sentimental items and photographs for last.  I don't know how it will work out especially since I will not be able to finish before I go to NY.  I estimate it will take me four to six months to get everything pared down, but I intend to give it a good try, and will write an update every now and then.  

I did it again!

Last night I poured a glass of wine, using one of my better wine glasses, and damned if I didn't brush my arm against the glass sitting on the countertop and spilled the wine plus broke the glass!

I don't know what it happening to me but I do know that all the litte klutzy things I've done lately are NOT normal.  I think Mercury is in retrograde, but that doesn't affect knocking things over and dropping things as far as I know.

I think the next time I'm in the Dollar Store I will buy myself a few plastic wine glasses.  I don't really like drinking out of plastic so all of my glassware is glass!

I'm working at the library today (and need to get a move on right now), plus a book I have been wait-listed for eons has finally come in.  I had to cancel my hold request the last time I went to NY, and was afraid I might have to do it this time.  At one time I was 267th on the list!  The book is Marie Kondo's "Magic Art of Tidying Up".  I'm either naive enough, or still enough of a kid to believe reading this book is going to stir something up in me that will end in a miracle!

The 15 day weather forecast for Sacramento show temps in the 70's the entire time.  That is the best temperature range of all, from my point of view.  80 is getting to be too hot, and 69 is still just a bit chilly.  The 70's are my "goldilocks zone".

Gotta run now.  Have a great day.

Sunday

I wasn't going to post today but I received comments on my previous blog about the milk/turmeric mixture I used on my skin.  I've been answering comments right on the blog, but will just address the questions in a new post.  I almost wrote a "brief new post", but anyone who knows me realizes I rarely write anything "brief"!  I just can't do it.

byGeorge asked what proportions I used in the mix I put on my face, hands, and arms.  I usually measure by "eyeballing", but this time I poured out about 1/2 tsp of tumeric into a small bowl, and then added milk a few drops at a time.  I would say the milk might have added up to a tsp., but it could have been more or less.  I think the next time I will use a full tsp of turmeric.

The initial video I watched showed "Tina Jones" (whoever she is) using a similar mixture.  It was drippy and she cautions on removing clothing that might be dripped on as the stains will ruin a garment.  I left the mixture on for about 8-10 minutes; I looked at my watch a couple of minutes after I smeared the stuff on, so I'm a little vague about the time and I don't think it matters. 

I've watched another video where someone made a mixture that was more like a stiff paste.  She applied it with the back of a spoon, whereas I just wanted to use my fingers so I went with the less stiff mixture  Yes, it stained my fingers, but as with my face, the stains came off with rinsing.  The Tina Jones video, recommends rinsing with warm water from the tap while leaning over the sink, and then following up with a wet washcloth, which I did.  Since I was getting into the shower anyway, I just briefly rinsed my hands and arms beforehand.

Here is a link to the YouTube video, which is just under 8 minutes long:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igkgk12Vy6Q

Also on YouTube are numerous videos for other uses for turmeric.  One that really surprised me was that it is used for brushing teeth which supposedly whitens them.  The video I watched showed a young guy brushing for 3 minutes and his teeth indeed looked whiter afterward.  I will admit that I tried it this morning, but just sprinkled a small amount of turmeric (dry) into the palm of my hand, wet an older toothbrush (it will get stained) and brushed for 3 minutes.  I prayed the entire time I wouldn't end up with bright yellow teeth!  It worked just as it is supposed to, takes longer to rinse out than you might imagine, and I followed it up with a brushing with my regular toothpaste.  I can't say I notice a remarkable difference, but I will probably try it again in a few days.  It also drips all over the sink and splashes off the brush more than you would imagine.  And I definitely WOULD NOT use it on dentures.

I think I've written enough about this subject that anyone interested in trying it themselves can get the info online.

By the way, I started washing my towels early this morning and they are all on the clothesline drying in this beautiful California sun!

Have a great day! 

What is happening to me?

Every day it seems I'm klutzy and have something happen.  A few days ago I spilled a full glass of water first thing in the morning.  The next day I brushed my arm against a wine glass on the counter and it fell to the floor and shattered (fortunately, I had drained the wine!).  I forget what happened yesterday but I think it was a 2-event day.  This morning I was holding my coffee cup in my hand and the computer on my lap when I must have shifted my position slightly.  I don't think any damage was done - a few drops below the keyboard, but I was worried I might have ruined the touch pad.  Everything I touch seems to fall, break, or be damaged in some way.

This morning I tried the milk-and-tumeric trick before jumping into the shower.  I did my face, hands and arms, and dang, that stuff is messy and definitely stains things you accidently touch, such as the bathroom door!  I left it on for about 10 minutes and jumped into the shower to rinse it all off.  I can't really tell any difference just yet, but I'll give it a few days.  I followed it up with some coconut oil on my face.  Fortunately the smell dissipates quickly.  I think I look lovely, but then you are aware of how bad my eyesight is!

Then I drove to the market because I needed a bottle of olive oil.  I buy it directly from the source (Bariani) even though it is sold in the grocery store.  Just to hear the kindly older Italian gentleman say "Mille grazie" makes my day.  I've been sauteeing mushrooms, onions, and veggies a lot lately, and last night had to add a pat of butter to the last of my olive oil to stretch it.  The result was very tasty!  A big skillet full of stir fry veggies plus a baked filet of beer-battered wild Alaskan cod - heavenly!  (I sprinkle "Santa Maria style" seasoning plus a few others from my spice cabinet on the veggies.  Superb!)

By the way, driving to market in the bright sunlight I detected a slight yellow cast on my hands.  Maybe it's my imagination.  On the way back I noticed that the beautiful flowering trees and bushes are competing with the weeds everywhere for "best in show".  Sacramento spring comes early, and the flowering trees are gorgeous!  I have one in front of my house that I can't stand because when the flowers fall they are accompanied by red seeds about the size of blueberries.  They are a mess and since it doesn't happen all at once it seems I'm cleaning them up for weeks.