Do you suffer from blank page syndrome?

WOW --- Rose didn't even need 20 questions! One guess! I'm impressed and how the heck did she zero in on that? Check out the comments - I won't say here in case you're still guessing. 

It's good that I'm not afraid of a blank page, also known as "blank page syndrome." I face a blank page every morning when I write the blog, and sometimes, it's very early in the morning, and sometimes, it's shortly after getting out of bed. I don't think I was much of a writer when I was younger, but that shows that you have no idea what your talents are or where you want to go when you're young. I didn't know I was a good teacher/communicator either! Wait - I did have a poem published in a book when I was in high school. I must dig that out! 

A blank page

I also have to face a blank page when writing my articles, and I can whip out 1000 words in no time flat. The first draft is horrible - it's filled with garbage, mistakes, and bad grammar, and well, it wouldn't make much sense to anyone but myself. OK - it's not that bad, but still! Did you notice that single line of writing in the photo above? That's not me - that's Microsoft encouraging me to use their AI to help me write. Thanks, but no thanks. I have no idea how to use it, and that's my specialty - writing. I don't need AI to help me. I don't need AI to help generate ideas - my head is filled with them. 

I went for a massage yesterday, and I thought I was going to die. I've been stretching after spin class and probably need to be stretching more, primarily through the shoulders, since I do a lot of sitting. Anyway, Misty says that all that pain is good - it means that the deep issues are working their way out. I don't believe her for a second. She's just going to find another way to torture me. 

I don't understand why I don't get headaches (knock on wood)? She can hold some muscles in my shoulders that make me want to die as the pain shooting through my head is almost unbearable. My shoulders feel tight, but they don't hurt. So why do they hurt during the massage? I don't get it. But I'll add a bit more stretching into the daily routine to try and keep them loose. 

When Murphy and I walked in the forest - the ice on that one section was gone, but the ruts from the water were back! The city just won't get this right! There has to be a different way to deal with that surface. But doesn't Miss Murphy look happy? She is in her glory when she's in the first. 

MOM -- take a picture of me, not the ruts! 

As for the tree in the forest behind our house? They cut the top off and left the rest of the tree. I guess I'd have to study trees to understand why some got chopped at the base, and others were left. I should have asked them the other day when we spotted a gang of them in the forest. But I was more focused on getting past them with Murphy. Of course, all she wanted to do was to play with them all. She's such a friendly girl. She could be a store greeter, and no one would get past the front door!

A tree in the forest

I found more stuffing in the backyard. That must be from the second bear, not the new one, as that is still in the house. At least, I think it is. 

Mom - I have no idea where that came from

OK, so I went to the thrift store yesterday. It was senior's day. I even had my coupon with me in case it wasn't. I took a bag and a credit card, just in case. I spotted this interesting item. Making something from that would blind you! Imagine a sweater in that color?

Now that's bright

But I got a chuckle when I spotted the label. How many years ago did Woolworth/Woolco close? That would be in 1994 in Canada. So this wool has languished in someone's basement for 30 years, and who knows when exactly it was purchased. It's practically an antique!

A label from the past

You'll be happy to know that I did NOT bring anything home. There was a book I had an eye on last week, and it was gone. I had noted some linens as well, and they were gone. I didn't need either, so I'm happy someone rescued them. 

I only wore a vest for the walk. OK - as a jacket - I had clothes on! I had to take the vest off on the walk as it was so hot, and when I got home, I enjoyed my snack in the backyard with a t-shirt on. No sweater required. Of course, I had company. Murphy has to push her way everywhere while Lexi just lays on the floor like a good dog. 

MOM -- you're not touching me! 

And I don't know what they were up to, but they were looking through the fence in the corner and looked pretty guilty when I called them away.

Mom - nothing going on here! 

I did NOT get any sewing done between Zoom calls, a meeting, a massage, and some writing. I have a huge mess to clean up downstairs as I have finished one of the topics for the quilting lectures, and I was rifling through another pile and literally left everything in a heap on the table. A job for later today as I have a meeting first thing. 

And let's not forget the paperwork. I need to get back at that, although it's my least favorite thing to do. Actually, I'm getting much better. I'm a creature of habit and wish I could set my day up to deal with paperwork at a set time, and then it's done for the day. But that doesn't always happen. And we know how much we all like change! It makes me think of the Calvin and Hobbes cartoon above my cutting table. 

Shoot - I thought I had downloaded that photo but did not. Anyway, I enjoy looking through my Calvin and Hobbes books during lunch. I think I have five, but Bill Watterson published a total of NINETEEN books. Who knew? I don't need them all - I wonder if the library has them? I doubt it. 

I'm off to spin class this morning and must get that stretching in. I hope you are all continuing to do the stand-up/sit-down exercise. It's so essential for your balance and your strength. It makes the world so much easier to navigate. Stairs, washroom, sitting at the table --- if you want to stay independent, you better stand up and sit down a few times today!

WAIT --- there's a Virtual Retreat this weekend, which is good. I have all that handwork that needs to be accomplished. 

Here is the link for Saturday - March 22 - starts at 6 PM EST

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82693702241?pwd=QpQkm8Ppppy1XwCPOqva1bcgJCWKdP.1

Meeting ID: 826 9370 2241
Passcode: 795071

And Sunday, March 23 - starts at NOON

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81073536036?pwd=uxRqMnK1aSKrmrcSO78w8QQs5g44eA.1

Meeting ID: 810 7353 6036
Passcode: 596838

On that happy note, I'm out of here! 

Have a super day!

Ciao!