The view never gets old!

 Oh, Elle — yes — a 24-hour backup would be pretty nice about now. However, I am still able to access the data on the FATAL error hard drive, but it's sometimes slow going. I'm not sure, but it appears there are some corrupt cells on the hard disk, and if a file happens to be in one of those cells, it's not available. Other times, it just takes a long time to open. Well, I have time, but more importantly, I have patience. I will not be a victim of this again. Twice is enough!!

So yes --- if your external hard drives have been around for a while, it's not a bad idea to back them up or migrate the data to a new one before they fail. 

I finished reading The Brain at Rest today, and I want to highlight a couple of things the author (Dr. Joseph Jebelli) mentions that are good for your brain. These things help grow your brain, so if you have injuries, you still have lots of brain cells left. It also helps your brain process information faster, reduces the risk of dementia, helps you live longer, and makes you more creative. That is a very quick nutshell, but here are the things he suggests: 

1. Don't Work Too Hard
2. Let Your Mind WANDER
3. Forest Bathing
4. Embrace Solitude
5. Sleep More
6. Play
7. Stay Active
8. Niks (doing absolutely nothing at all!)
9. Just Say NO!!!!!!!

It really is a wonderful list of things to do, and thankfully, I already do most of them. I'm learning to say NO, and I try not to work too hard (now). The rest of the things—I do regularly. I'm not a super social person - wait, I can be a social person when the time calls, but I much prefer to hang out with the girls and DH at home. Yep!!! I love solitude - no music, no audiobook, nothing, but my brain to entertain me. Trust me, when I let it wander, there is no telling where I will end up!

Forest bathing? Oh yes—Murphy and I did that today. She had to go to the vet for her appointment, and she was so excited to go for a walk in the afternoon that we left the house early. We had a few minutes to sit in the forest and contemplate life. It was glorious. It also helped that it was 21°C today. I was only wearing a sweatshirt, and I was sweating! Well, I had pants on, of course! 

MOM -- why aren't we going anywhere?

I don't think Murphy got the concept of STOPPING for a bit. I was sitting on a log, and she was wrapped around a tree, trying to figure out why she couldn't go anywhere, even though she was facing the correct direction to get out of her dilemma. 

Then she figured it was time for a rest. 

MOM -- I'm forest bathing, just like you!

That dog just doesn't get the concept of a leisurely stroll. It's FAST or STOP. Notice how my hand is outstretched! I swear that leash is about 12 inches longer than it was when I started using it a couple of years ago!

MOM -- you are too slow!!!!!

Then it was hard to resist! This view never gets old. I have the musical windchime in front of me, the bamboo one back near the greenhouse, so they don't always ring at the same time, and if a big gust comes by, it rings the cowbell behind my head! The pond isn't open yet, but when it does -- well, I see some big naps coming on. 

The view never gets old.

As a matter of fact, that gazebo is a great place to do almost everything on that list that keeps your brain healthy!!! Solitude, napping, letting your mind wander, etc. 

However, Miss Murphy just can't leave that pond alone. Earlier in the day, when I was sitting out there, she found a ball and stood for the longest time looking at the water and looking at me. I told her numerous times to not drop the ball in the water. 

MOM -- the ball -- it jumped in the water! I swear! 

Then, after we came back from the vet, I was sitting in the gazebo and noticed her hanging on the edge of the pond. WHAT????? 

MOM -- I'm so hot!!!!!

Oh yes --- she was so hot from the walk and the temperature that she was slowly easing herself into the water - right in front of my eyes. Of course, I grabbed the camera to get a picture before I grabbed her!!! There is a ledge in the pond that she is resting her front paws on. 

MOM -- the water is cold!!!!!

I love how she just slides right in. What a nut case!!!! After I got her out, she lay on the side of the pond while she dried off. Sigh...............  It's not even summer hot -- I'm going to have to get her swimming pool ready for her! She just runs HOT!!!! 

I got some samples made for my upcoming Facebook Live on the Husqvarna Viking Large Magnetic Hoop. That was great. I don't think I have any other samples to make, but I have an entire week to consider whether I need anything more. You can see all the details at this link. There are already quite a few people expressing interest in joining the presentation. It just got posted today at lunchtime! 

I'll be discussing the difference between metal and magnetic hoops, so it's going to have some great information. And some cool samples! 

So that was good to get the samples out of the way. I need to find one more sample that is upstairs, and I need to get that done tonight. I'm going to be away for a few days and won't have much time to get set up and make samples when I return. Plus, I have that guild presentation as well. I need to pull the quilts for that show. 

I'm not in a panic, and I have loads of time. All is good. 

I had to make this thing to take with me. It's an absorbent pad to place on a pillow to keep it dry. I bought a towel and some ZORB fabric. I created a backing from flannel. So it's like a quilt with the flannel as the backing, the ZORB as the batting, and the towel on top. The towel has extra length on the two sides to wrap around the pillow. I don't know if it will work, but I'm going to give it a whirl. 

My super absorbent pillow pad

That item has been sitting here for quite a while, and YES - it was on the visual To-Do list. One more thing gone!!! Someone asked me if I ever add things to the list, and the answer is NO. However, I am going to make one exception. 

Every week at Monday sewing, I prepare a presentation for the group. It could be our show-and-tell or other things I've seen out and about. Today was all about postcards, and I was reminded that I still owe someone a postcard. It's only been 22 years since the postcard was promised. I think I should add the postcard to the Visual To-Do list. I remember exactly what I was going to put on it, but where is the project? 

But I might just figure out how to do the concept a different way, and I could make it, pop it in the mail, and see what happens!!!! Yes --- I might just do that!!! She doesn't read my blog, so no danger of her seeing my intentions here. 

Well, I had an amazing sleep last night—just over 8 hours, with almost 2 hours of deep sleep. DH is ready to throw my phone away because he doesn't get much deep sleep, and is tired of me always having more than he does. I typically get more than 1 hour each night. He is the one who started checking the sleep patterns, and I found them on my phone. It was never something I followed. One day, he will face the fact that my health is better than his. That doesn't say I will live longer, but I take better care of myself than he does. 

Anyway, speaking of that, I just heard the beep letting me know my laundry is done, and I need to toss a few clothes into a suitcase! Then I'm ready for my early morning flight. Yes -- the mouse, mouse pad, and the Fitbit charger are already packed. I'm sure I'll have forgotten something else, but all is good!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!