Reflection Monday August 2025



 
Old Profile Photo

The profile photograph can be anything you feel represents you.

Reflect on what represents you

Day 213 of Week 31 August 2025

 Welcome August!

A bit of trivia. 

Today is my birth due date, (the day I was due to be born). Instead, to the great displeasure of my mother, I waited a few weeks. 

Have a lovely Earth Weekend!

Skip rocks
Have a hot fudge sundae
with blueberry ice cream
Browse wicker furniture online
Sit & sketch outdoors
Read about sailboats
Update your first aid kits
Dance with your shadow
Attend a county fair



The Thrill of a Butterfly


 A Monarch butterfly was seen at that milkweed plant yesterday, 28 July 2025.

It is good to celebrate the thrill of seeing a butterfly. 

Butterfly day is March 14th. 

For me, Butterfly Thrill Day is 28 July!

Seeing Beyond the Haze

Haze July 2025
Looking east from Rt 7
towards the Green Mountains

The summer haze plus smoke from the wildfires in Canada limits the visibility here in New England. In the photo above, traveling the roads, the farthest are the Green Mountains’ Presidential range about 15 miles away. As the crow flies, maybe 3-4 miles (guessing). 

Prayers for Canada

A blue haze in the distance is normal for hot summer days. Thinking about doing such a landscape painting reminds me of the English landscape artist, J.M.W. Turner. 
The foreground adds a color variety the horizon lacks. What may feel too blah can be beautiful if the composition is done just right. 

Whatever you look at or paint,
Enjoy the last days of July 2025.

Summer Photograph: The Cosmos

Cosmos 2025

 

Brainstorming To Soothe the Soul

It could be that the subject of blog titles, finding good names is becoming tiresome to read about here. So let me splash around in a different brain pool.

Brainstorming is all about a full fluffy easy brain play time vibe. The exercise can be like a good laugh clearing away one’s woes for a moment. Brainstorming, I believe, is healthy. 

Even if you don’t have a core goal in mind, (like creating a blog title), you can brainstorm.

Consider this: Chose a subject to brainstorm each week. Write down and research your ideas in an Idea Notebook. 

Tip: 

Don’t share your ideas if you don’t want somebody to use them instead of you.

If You ever do have an idea you want to go forward with, then lock down the legal matters first. 

Note. July 2025
Made up domain names, the majority with the word salty:
Availability look up results:
Available - 3
Priced over $1000.00 - 3
Make an Offer - 14

As I’m checking another domain name today, there was a rare screen lock. I had to reload and squeeze out of there. 

A Throw Pillow is Not a Throw Pillow Cover

Browsing online for throw pillows should be easy. A stuffed shape covered in fabric is a simple product.

There are filters on search engines as well as websites to make shopping even easier.

Except when you shop for throw pillows.

Using more than one browser and visiting a few websites, throw pillows have been nearly replaced by covers. I have to read the product details to make sure the listing is for a throw pillow and not a cover. There are listings that don’t state up front the product is a throw pillow cover.  

I know that when a product is scarce, search engine results will include similar products. I don’t mind that. What bothers me is when my request is ignored when the product I chose to see is available. It is outrageous for a website filter to have throw pillows checked off, not covers, and then show mainly covers. Somebody is not paying attention. 

Have you found products pushed aside like that when shopping online?



Day 206 of Week 30 July 2025


 
Cumulus clouds
Elevation 1000~ 6500 feet or higher

The weather here in upper northwest New England has been beautiful this week, read under the shade of a tree perfect. So off to the library I go for a good book to read.
For two titles I’m on the waiting list. The third is a charm,  presently waiting for me to go back outside and get it out of my vehicle.  ðŸ¥´ 

I’m writing this post on Wednesday instead of putting it off until Friday.

Start a fun weekend on Friday!

Pack up a picnic Friday night
Picnic on Saturday
Create a unique summer sandwich
Buy a big watermelon
Make herb & lemon ice tea
Re-read your state driver’s manual
Draw horses in a pasture
Listen to songs about summer


Rambling On About Summer

Creativity can be fickle. Just as this artist reaches the exciting almost finished stage, anxiety can be overwhelming. What if I make a mistake!?   

A simple solution is to remind myself, if I did it before, then I can do it again. (I also use that reasoning to help me get to dental appoitments.) Talking through it blazes the trail forward. 

Trail!?

This summer, I feel is peaking. Next Friday, August begins the slow slide into autumn. I have yet to hike or walk anywhere. I also haven’t been to a beach yet. 

Lincoln Vermont


Remember this?




The last half can be a 2nd summer dedicated to creativity. That includes traveling to take photos and see places to blog about. Being out and about learning and experiencing is, I feel, part of being a creative person. 

Today’s local forecast of 90°F or higher means if I am outdoors, then shade, sunscreen and hydrate. It is just after 10 AM EDT here. Time to get out into summer. 

Starting a Blog to Build a Brand


Well now, what will this day bring? 
Thus far, lots of research into new ideas, creative pursuits,  and, embracing possibilities.

My Tips:
  1. Write down favorite words
  2. Create combinations of words for titles
  3. Search the Internet using variations of the title, adding blog, shop, website etc.
  4. Search domain name availability in variations using the, and, and a
  5. Search US Trademark 
  6. If the new title search result on 3-4 pages looks clear of use, is not confusing with another title, is not part of a trademark, and the domain name* is available, then buy the domain name and create a blog.
  7. Create a Logo
  8. Keep the blog private until it is ready to publish. 
  9. Register your brand with the US Trademark Office
  10. Always Regularly search the Internet to protect your brand
Brainstorming is how I came up with this blog’s name using steps 1-8. A light bulb came on when I realize that I can create a solid catchy name today just like I did 13 years ago. 

Daunting it be, Even your own made up word or title can be in use by somebody already. 

The search for an original name you like can take time and be very frustrating. The importance of locking down the legal use of a name you create is number one. 

The days of just creating a fun blog without doing the homework, I believe, are over. The Internet is saturated with people craving for attention , and many for the money ads or fame can bring them.

Think safe and secure with your blog name.

* Update 28 July 2025

20 random made up domain name availability look ups: results:
Make an offer - 14
Priced over $1000.00 - 3
Available - 3

Summer Photograph: The Creamie & Cotton Candy

Addison County Field Days

 A summer creamie brightens the sunshine. 
Cotton candy makes summer sweeter.