Birds at a favorite birdfeeder

Recorded indoors, no sound

Day 37 of Week 6 February 2026

Lake Champlain February 2026
Photo via phone from a camera 

 Have a Lovely & Warm Weekend

Mix up a nice hot toddie

Whistle to the song, America

Browse snowshoes online

Read about ice fishing

Draw a rocking chair

Write a poem about snowflakes

Search flower websites for blue flowers

Plan for a day-cation in June

Day 4: Time off

 Almost a week into the organizing, down sizing, and declutter project, I've had it! I ache. My hands look and feel like sandpaper. A pinched finger, in something I don't remember what*, really hurt bad. It is funny only remembering the pain. At the time, I was sure it was bleeding.

My shoulders will ache awful when kept in one position too long. My neck is sore on one side, then the back and then the other side. The bad bone-on-bone knee is very sore. Otherwise, I feel all right. The major portion of the clear out is finished. I now will rest, do laundry, and take breaks sitting in my room admiring all the effort I put in to make it look nice. 

Apple leaf on a steel tray circa 2010

* I remember now.

I was fixing a frame that had a corner separated, when my finger got caught between the two pieces I was pushing on to align them. 

Thoughts on the thrift store cycle in life

Why is it so difficult to part with things? 

Easy. Methinks it’s the warmth of the company of things surrounding us, a crew of comfort saying we belong. Out the door with stuff can feel like leaving the team. For where!? Most things were bought at a thrift store. I’ll think of donating as stuff being with the home team.

Gladly, I notice that there are many more things at the thrift store that I will not buy because the prices are above thrift store range. I imagine for resellers, high prices can devour a percentage of their profits. Add higher shipping costs would make reselling online more difficult. 

Times changing doesn’t feel like it use to. Currently it feels to me that it has a no thru-way sign because the change leaves too many of us behind. It’s not worth the time to go along the out of touch highway. 

Going to a thrift store is like attending a community event. Folks are always friendly and engaging. Finding and seeing treasures is a bonus. 

After down sizing, I dread buying stuff. Unless I will use it and it is not on my buying ban list, I will not buy it. All my stuff space is occupied until enough goes out the door. 

A favorite thrift store purchase
Aluminum tray

Day 3: The wall is before me

That’s right, I’m at the wall of down sizing.

 I sat there this morning sorting a basket of junk drawer stuff thinking. Why? How many ballpoint pens does it take for me to face the fact that store sell pens, not refills?

Evidently, that number is 3 dozen give or take, not counting the pens thrown away already. On the good side, I tossed a handful of things saved for a reason I don’t remember. 

A bonus of down sizing and organizing stuff is the mind set. Going along my way, everything I do, make coffee, cook, look for gloves, put away clothes, I reorganize, adjust or add something to the donate pile. A little voice like a Greek chorus sings, When’s the last time you used that?  Give it away, give it away. 🎶

There is rolled up artwork from 2001 that will probably never be framed. I move it from one place to another. One year it was in an old store display I picked up on the side of the road.  I am sure that the pastels I will continue to keep. The quick charcoal drawings will go. Other charcoal drawings I’m keeping. Two pastels are in the pile.

Tomorrow, (today if I push it), the project will be finished. Thursday is a thrift store donation day.  That is my end goal for the touch down.*

Corner clutter in waiting

*Change of plan. Drop off on another day

When projects last longer than planned

Just keep going

I’ve seen stuff I haven’t seen in years. What was planned to be finished yesterday, (I estimate now from a better view), will continue well into tomorrow. 

The donation bags will be fuller. The shredding bag is heavier. Once that shredding is finished, old papers will be cleared out. My sewing supplies will be in one accessible place. My artwork materials are also going to be together. 

Have a Wonderful & Productive Day

or two!

Old craft project circa 2004
uncovered during craft stash sorting

Stashing for Crafting

 Well, hello February!

Before 8 AM today, half of a major chore is finished. After breakfast, I’ll take care of the rest until I break for lunch. Done with a tuna sandwich and hot chocolate, the second decoupage layer goes on the first metal cabinet and the base application goes on the second cabinet to round out the afternoon. 

A happy surprise, the second container I open clearing out stuff earlier, is the very box of old book pages and illustrations I need for the metal cabinets. 

Stashing things, found objects, fabric, paper, wire and such is put to better use when only the best is kept, and kept well organized. Otherwise, it takes on a junky look that lacks inspiration.

 A craft material stash is never junk. It is as good as any brand new art material. 

Reflection Monday February 2026

Where are you going?

Today, tomorrow, next week,

it is always some place 

you will be.

Thinking back about the importance of blogging…

The Internet has replaced a big percentage of personal interaction.

Blogging can create a community that will have a similar vibe to a physical neighborhood. People that don’t blog and/or read blogs regularly, won’t be able to fully understand how that feels. If you are in a blogging community, built by your own efforts over the years, then you are a fortunate person. 👍👏

Birdseed Bags & Package Materials

Birdseed, the Ace Aubuchon’s Hardware Store brand bags of wild birdseed are thick plastic, and some have a handle. I figure using the handles on a canvas tote will be nice. The holes where the closure thread was is a bonus. I plan to weave the plastic bag material into a ground and seat mat that’s easy to clean. 

A recent package is a thick brown paper from Amazon. I don’t have a use in mind, but I know there will be one. First off, thinking its a cool paper for a pinecone bunting. 

Saving package materials happens in waves. Most ends up in the recycle bin. More than once I’ve used a saved weird piece of styrofoam. Ya never know what might come in handy.  

Do you save package materials to repurpose?

Announcing, Time Flies Day February 2026

Anyone can declare a fun off-beat holiday. 

I made up a fun holiday years ago. I’ll have to search my blog because I don’t remember the date. Anyway, I am declaring another fun holiday, Time Flies Day, on the first Friday of February. In 2026, 6 February is the first Time Flies Day!

The day will commemorate all those lost hours we spend on the Internet that fly by so fast it makes the days go by faster as well. 

Mark your calendars for the first Friday in February. There will be a blog party here with refreshments, cold coffee, dry toast and crusty cheese canapés. 🥳

Cold Coffee

Farewell January

Spinnaker is the name of this font. A spinnaker is a type of sail, the one at the front of the bow full of wind/air that resembles a beer belly. If you look at the two ens, then you might feel a sense of billowing. 

Do you feel the puffing out of January 2026 leading us into the next eleven months of adventures? 

If not, then please try. Methinks we can do with glorious wind in our sails. For a few minutes every day, embracing our inner peace can be good.

Then, let’s get onto griping about what needs a good trashing. Shake out the venting you don’t share! If jumping up and down isn’t possible, then wiggle out the debris of what disturbs you. 

February 2026 begins tomorrow.