Take Away 99 - Time I Can't Get Back

I attended a 7-hour photography class on Saturday. I've been to it before and the speaker presented pretty much exactly the same material as the last two I've been to. I thought perhaps I would get something from it that maybe I missed the last two classes.  Note to self: don't need to do that again.  While it was exciting the first time I took it, it was hard to sit still through screen after screen of information that really led to the only one take away I was looking for.  White balance.  I still don't understand it but I think I'll do some googling and figure it out. That's 7 hours I can't get back.  The only consolation is that it was raining.

TAKE AWAY: Sometimes I only get one take away and I might 

have to sit quietly for 7 hours to get it.

Take Away 98 - Splitting Up

We are having heavy rain here in the Tri-Cities. If it isn't enough that the skies are gray and I feel like someone has kicked me from head to toe (colder, damp weather does this to me), everyone is saying how bad this is for the cherries. I learned yesterday that when it rains right before cherry picking season, it makes the cherries split.  Who knew????  The farmers' remedy is to fly helicopters over the orchards so the down draft whooshes the water away. They also use large, industrial sized fans to form wind. I am amazed at the lengths they go to for this precious crop.  I do love cherries and will have an even greater appreciation for them now.

TAKE AWAY:  Rain in June = no bueno.

Take Away 97 - A Dog Named "Dumpster"

Our neighbors came over to visit this afternoon to meet "Abbie", the dog we have on a trial basis from the Humane Society. It hasn't been quite the wonderful experience we had hoped for with our dog, "Missy".  Abbie is high energy and not playful with Missy, as we had hoped for.  Our neighbors are dog lovers and they encouraged us to give Abbie and Missy a chance to adjust to one another.  They had 3 dogs but one of them died last year. The two remaining dogs are each very different in personality and it was refreshing to hear them talk about how one of them is a very difficult dog to live with.  I love that they did not give up on that dog.  Her name is "Dumpster".  Because that's where they found her. (gulping the lump in my throat) ....

TAKE AWAY:  I never know where encouragement is going to come from.

It's always at the least likely time and place.

Take Away 96 - Greek Yogurt

I'm a picky eater.  Always have been. Always will be. I'm all about textures. Not sure why. It drives my husband crazy. I don't like to be forced or coerced into eating things I don't like or think I don't like. This, I am quite certain, stems from very old childhood baggage. But, if you let me try things in my own time, I might actually change my mind. 

Take Greek Yogurt, for example. I've tried it before and in the past it just tasted sour and gritty to me. My cousin recently purchased a large container of it and she didn't like it either. She left it in the fridge and I finally decided to give it another chance as I didn't want to waste it. Okay, this is soooooo weird.  I like it now.  What's up with that?  I surmise it is because I quit drinking coffee the first of May and my sugar consumption has dropped drastically. All of a sudden, that Greek Yogurt is not sour and I find it very creamy with no grit. All I can taste is how wonderfully sweet it is. Who knew?

 TAKE AWAY:  I gotta keep an open mind.

Take Away 95 - Rain

The weather has been rainy and windy this week, so far.  A storm is coming through today and we are due for sunny days for the weekend.  I see on my FB all the people who love the rain.  I don't get it. When the skies are gray and the rain starts, I feel blue.

TAKE AWAY: I have had enough rain and gray days to last me the rest of my life.

Give me sunshine any day of the week. I promise you'll never hear me complain 

about blue skies!

Take Away 94 - Pain

On our recent long motorcycle trip, I realized that the pain in my back from sitting in one position too long was responsible for keeping me alert.  Between that stabbing pain and the dull headache I developed from the wind making my bike constantly shake and my teeth rattle, it got me home in one piece. 

TAKE AWAY: I am constantly amazed at the level of

discomfort I can withstand to do the things I love doing.

The fun of being outdoors, the wind in my face and the freedom 

of riding on two wheels outweighed the nagging aches & pains 

sometimes, but not always, associated with it. 

Take Away 93 - My Secret Weapon

I had some friends over to my house last night for an idea-fest. I learned a long time ago that if you want people to get together and you want to guarantee they'll show up, serve food.  So I did. And they did. Show up! I took the easy-peazy route by baking two big containers of frozen lasagna, served salad out of bag and friends brought bread and sherbet for dessert. Every person I invited SHOWED UP!

TAKE AWAY: No matter what the occasion, if you serve food they will come. Love that!