Shoe Upgrade

It’s impossible to guess when I purchased some very comfortable sandals with adjustable Velcro straps. The soles were charred a few years ago when I carelessly stomped out some burning coals.

My sloppy insole repairs have not aged well...

They still serve a purpose as footwear during brief sojourns outside. I want to keep my cheap new Amazon purchase cleaner and intact.

Socks with Sandals; Classy, eh? Heh...

How ridiculous was it for me to think those rubber soles wouldn’t melt? Letting fire burn out of control is worse, though, isn’t it?

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Crazy “Deals” (?)

I stumbled upon a so-called bargain website months ago and have no recollection how. Considering my husband’s (greatly improving!) health and mobility issues, it’s no wonder I lost track. I did, however, keep an image for the purpose of blogging. Not only did the price make me cringe, as did the use of snake skin, but so did the structure.

I must admit to wearing a similar boot
but mine were of fabric and
had a straight heel...
Yikes!

Beginning in the mid 1980’s and only ending about a decade or so ago I often donned quite high heels, sometimes with very sharp toe points. Running through school halls, dancing well past midnight in steel toed stilettos, and then stubbornly refusing help carrying heavy items at work took their toll. As shared in 2023, I am very fortunate as simple footwear changes have relieved all pain and only my right foot developed a bunionette. Otherwise known as a tailor’s bunion, it’s named after the the tradesmens’ cross-legged posture causing the issue.

Isn’t it fascinating how medical conditions are named? Do you have issues with foot pain?

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Helpful Hints – or – Peculiar Pointers (depending upon your viewpoint)

Almost every day lately I discover tiny, simple tricks to cut down the time and energy spent on mundane tasks. Or preserve items, as it were, such as cilantro. I just love those flavorful leaves on foods like this home cooked Thai style chicken and mushroom soup.

Chicken broth infused with lemongrass,
while a splash of very stinky fish sauce
brings surprisingly great umame!

But I find the delicate herb turns brown fast despite refrigeration. Then it occurred to me that removing the stems, bagging and sealing the brightest greenery, preserves its fresh flavor.

Sorry about the glare...

Overall, my husband and I make a great cooking and gardening team. With chores like laundry I tend to be on my own. And it’s a minor annoying when he becomes impatient to show me something on television while I rush putting away our clothes.

Yesterday, I thought about his occasional aid in hanging shirts. He’ll stand by the bed and toss me individual items. Instead of dragging him off the couch, I brought my T-shirt laden vanity table bench close to the closet. And voila! It went so much faster.

A Temporary Laundry 'Table'

Another pet peeve is biting insects. I know many can relate. Some of us seem to be tastier than others. Years ago I discovered a handy Sportsman’s stick repellent that makes it easy to target my most vulnerable bits of skin (elbows, wrists, calves, knees, and ankles in particular) without inhaling poisonous aerosol sprays.

The only bother with it is the top screws off but the product itself needs to be held in place, which isn’t easy with my small hands. Instead of struggling this past weekend, I tucked a cotton ball in that bottom well. The electrical tape holding the ‘stuffing’ in place is easy to remove if more cotton is needed.

30% Deet!

Are you a popular menu item in the insect world? If you suffer, have you tried a Deet infused product such as I swear by?

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Capitulating, Cracked, & Curious

My husband finally convinced me that wearing some kind of face covering isn’t silly or self centered and fosters community wellness. Of course, conceding to this new reality didn’t stop me putting a personal spin on it. I still felt a bit weird, of course, but with a somewhat bohemian style hiding shaggy hair and graying roots. ~grin~ My mother gave me this quality felt hat with attached scarf decades ago. When I have worn it, the scarf was usually not needed and tucked up into the crown.

I knotted the two ends behind my head
over the wider fabric attachment.

The next little tidbit brought me down a peg, thwarting my aim to be active and upbeat. While loading the dishwasher I cooked a strip of bacon in the microwave. This brand is super thick, so I set the timer for longer than usual. A crackling sound brought me over in a hurry. I turned off the microwave and proceeded to toast a bit of bread. When attempting to retrieve my plate, however, it came out in two pieces. It’s a blessing the remains didn’t fall and shatter, at least, but my mother-in-law helped me pick out this China set for my wedding gift registry about a year before her death.

I debated hiding the pieces, not out of embarrassment or anything but because this seemed another little jab from the universe that might sadden my husband. Fortunately he took the mishap well, stating we could always order more plates and mostly curious as to the cause. Don’t tell him I cried a little afterward. ~sigh~ I am trying (in fact, rather successful to the point these tears surprised me).

My aquarium remains a comforting distraction. Admiring minutia led to a little mystery. I have yet to find any aquarium images with this particular growth pattern. I’ll try another search and reduce the amount of time lighting the tank.

See the fine line of white horizontal
threads at center? They're growing
on a decoration (right) in a line
while bubbles flow behind...

This little development almost makes me think of fairies. ~wink~ That whimsical admiration won’t hold if it grows out of control, though, yet the arched shapes (at back) in this video are particularly interesting.

Can you imagine how a microwave safe plate managed to crack? What do you think about the growth in my aquarium?

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The Bright Side

My typical attire consists of anything black, often with dark gothic themes or fun feline images. For a rare outing, however, I decided to pull out a colorful sweater long stored away. Upon purchase in the mid nineties, this garment was way too large for me.

Colorful enough, you think?

But the steep price had been reduced to a level I couldn’t resist. I always wore another shirt underneath and took great care while eating lunch back in my secretarial days. I believe it’s been washed exactly once, tucked in a drawer but not forgotten. 

Bird of Paradise

The colors seemed an ideal way to light up these dreary times. Sad to say I feel rather like a sack of potatoes in anything nowadays. ~sigh~ However, the garment did fit and its silk embroidery cheered my soul.

A rose by any other name...

Taken off the moment we returned home, in part to keep the fabric clean and also because I overheat so easily, it will be aired out and folded away for another wintry day. My well fitting olive green denim pants enhanced the color pallet, too, another bonus.

My favorite - the butterflies

Can you believe this remained fresh smelling after years folded beneath rotated workout and gardening clothes? Do you store any clothing long term? If so are there sachets, cedar planks, or any such thing that you use to fend off mustiness?

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Another Little Victory

My husband and I shopped our local member’s only box store this week for various essentials like cat litter and laundry detergent. Ultimately, we loaded our sedan with necessities weighing several hundred pounds. The trunk and back seat were so full we came straight home instead of swinging by the grocery store. Once here, I made a deal with him.

While I unloaded the diesel Cruze alone, he drove our Volt to Kroger. Hauling and storing it all took me a solid half hour and constituted a real workout. But the victory is my surprise find.

No, it's not a summer blouse...

This is actually the top portion of a two-piece swimsuit. In a lucky stroke, it fits as well as being a bargain at around $27 (USD).

Can you see the vertical braided detailing?

You see, I dread clothes shopping. But my years old swimwear constituted a true hazard, its flowing midriff so stretched out the fabric began catching on my arms during laps.

These pockets aren't real and, honestly, won't even show (???).

This fun shorts style is a complete departure from my former swim skirts and blousey tops. While the suit looks cuter laid out than stretched over my torso, at least I won’t risk drowning. And that’s what I call a win.

The back pockets do work.

I find the $90 MSRP hard to believe. Meanwhile, someone else had to see...

Swimsuit Inspector Jezebel on the job.

Do you know how to swim? If so, is it something you enjoy?

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A Lucky Gal’s Whiny Post

I have to go clothes shopping today for better fitting, less ratty pants if nothing else. Maybe some shirts.

The hand-me-down oversized Carhart shirts and ancient pair of shorts I wear to the gym are literally rotting off my body. And my cycling/weight lifting slip-on shoes have a hole above the toes. Even my sleepwear is giving out. At least I’m good on undergarments for now! That’s one less necessity to drain my bank account.

I despise clothes shopping and hate crowds. Wouldn’t normally go to the mall at all but plan to today so I can stop at Hot Topic and check for Palaye Royale merch! Doubt they’ll have clothes in my size, but you never know. And another store I like is right next door.

Anyway, wish me luck. What do you have planned for today?

Where Palaye Royale Writes Their Music
Great Place, No?

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Dress for Success

One thing dear friends and co-authors A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder (website is NSFW) taught me about publishing is that you want to have a ‘brand’. And that includes having a certain style for meeting your book fans at conventions.

I remember seeing these ladies get ready for a holiday party with their publisher in my part of the Midwestern United States, how they both regaled me. You see, we usually hang out for a few days out of the year in casual, comfy clothes.

So far I’ve only sold a short story and haven’t had the will to try for more. But my recent online purchase of a butterfly wing patterned dress got me to thinking that it might be the sort of thing I would wear to book signing conventions.

Liz of Laws of Gravity was kind in asking for a photo of me in the dress but I’m still camera shy. So here’s a photograph of the dress after it arrived in the post. It’s hanging over the bathtub because, for some reason, the garment showed up at my house soaking wet.

Garnered Several Compliments
Some From Strangers

Needless to say, I washed the dress before wearing. The fit and length (about mid shin) turned out to be perfect, I’m happy to say.

What do you think of a butterfly themed style for a romance/erotica writer?

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The Impulse Buy

On a normal day I find it quite easy to ignore advertisements online. Then Facebook showed an ad for this dress. I couldn’t resist, and hope the outfit doesn't look too much like a costume.

I Do Need Some New Clothes...

I ordered the dress a size larger than is hopefully (!) needed because I’ll likely need to have it altered for length, anyway, since I’m quite petite. And so I decided to go bigger in case the sizing runs small. Too many times I’ve ordered clothing online and found the fit snug (even shoes!).

The garment also comes in blue, purple, and green in place of the orange. Do you think I made the right choice?

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