Happy List: #195
Happy New Year and welcome back to the Happy List.
I finished the Happy List a few days ago and then things spiraled out of control in Washington D.C.
I’ve deleted and rewritten this intro more than once. Words matter and I’m not sure I have words adequate enough to address how I’m feeling. Dismayed, but not surprised is what comes to mind.
This blog is my happy place. I’m pretty fortunate that my job and my happy place are one and the same. It wasn’t that way for many years. I need this outlet to recharge so that I can do my part in other ways to fight for democracy and against abhorrent behavior.
So that’s why I’m doing today, just trying to balance all of the things. And I’m not ready to give up on 2021. There have got to be better days ahead, right?
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
This week on the blog I shared our 2021 House Project Plans list. In true old house fashion, we’ve already had to adjust because of something unexpected that came up.
That unexpected thing would have been a lot cheaper if we had planned ahead. We did not check the bathroom vent situation before we had the new roof on the Carriage House put on. Live and learn! Now we have to ask the roofers to come back and cut a hole in the new roof to install a vent for the bathroom fan. It had never been vented.
On Wednesday I asked the question, “Is everyone selling their house right now?” It sure feels that way in my neighborhood.
Now, here’s the first Happy List of 2021!
THE PRETTIEST TRIVET
I’m in the market to buy or make a new trivet or two.
This juniper wood trivet by Natural Home Treasures on Etsy is the prettiest one I’ve seen.
(image: Natural Home Treasures via Etsy)
POLITE BATHROOM GRAFFITI
I can’t unsee this now. Do you know how many of these hooks I own?
(image: photo credit unknown via Sad and Useless)
WOMEN HIKING PIONEERS
I have certainly taken for granted the fact that I can go on a hike anytime I want.
I never gave much thought to the women who first started hiking and they did it in skirts! Those women in the 19th century helped change perceptions that women were too weak to do such strenuous activity.
This article titled “On the Early Women Pioneers of Trail Hiking“ by Gwenyth Loose was super interesting and a quick read.
Here’s an old picture of me and the kids hiking in Ireland. I wasn’t wearing a skirt, but I was carrying a tired child. Oy!
When we lived in Ireland, we didn’t have a car for two years. You can read about that experience here. In order to go hiking, we had to walk to the trailhead or walk and take a train or bus to the trailhead. That meant when our hike was over, we still had to make the trek home.
Our kids are still very skeptical every time Handy Husband suggests we go on a family hike.
SKI LIFT CHAIR BENCH
This ski lift chair bench in this home in the Berkshires is so fun with that bright pop of color.
More pictures of this home can be found here.
We stayed at a vacation rental in Central Oregon one time that had a ski lift chair on the back patio and it was awesome! It even rocked back and forth.
(image: Shannon Dupre via Cottages and Gardens)
I miss vacationing with friends and can’t wait until we get vaccinated and can do normal things again!
SHRIMP TACOS
Could someone make me these shrimp tacos, pretty please?
Recipe from Gimme Some Oven. (That name always makes me smile.)
(image: Gimme Some Oven)
ROCK PIANO COVER
There are some songs or genres that don’t translate well or easily to a piano solo.
That’s why I am so impressed with the piano covers by Gamazda on YouTube. Even if rock is not your thing, I think you’ll be blown away by how talented this pianist is.
If the YouTube video does not load, here is the direct link.
BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD
A bluetooth keyboard that looks like an old fashioned typewriter?
Yes, please!
This keyboard is made by Elretron and comes in different colors. I have no idea how well it works, but I love how it looks.
(image: Elretron)
POETRY MOMENT
I’d like to think Handy Husband could have written the following poem, but I actually prefer that he wakes up before me and makes coffee instead. That’s far more romantic to me these days!
comparisons.
I compared her to the moon
because even in darkness
she remained beautiful
I compared her to a sunrise
because I’d awake before her
to witness the opening of her eyes
By r.h. Sin from Whiskey, Words and a Shovel II
Here’s one more the same book.
seasoned love.
I don’t want puppy love
I now require something seasoned
something stronger
straight like my favorite liquor
I want something
homegrown from seeds
within my soul
watered with truth
and loyalty
I’m not a child
and I no longer have the need for childish things
give me imperfect
but give me your best
I want your love
in its purest form
I want you
By r.h. Sin from Whiskey, Words and a Shovel II
I’m rereading this book of poetry and the poems are mainly about relationships and are so insightful and poignant. There is also some tough love in the poems about taking care of yourself and your heart.
This concludes another edition of the Happy List!
Thank you for being here. I hope you smiled at least once.
Take care of yourself and be good to others. If we all treated other people the way we wanted to be treated, it would solve a lot of the problems we face today.
I’ll see you back here on Monday.
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