Hats and Politicians – Carl Sandburg
1
02, 2023
30
01, 2023
National Hat Day
Multiple sites mark designated days to celebrate that are off-beat holidays in the U.S. and around the world. NationalDayCalendar is one. NationalDay365 is another.
National days are not truly “National” days. There’s no act of Congress declaring it so. Still, they’re fun and I enjoy seeing posts on FB alerting me to them.
This month January 15th was designated as National Hat Day. To celebrate you are supposed to wear and enjoy a hat of your choice and style. Some hatter wanting to sell his hats probably originated the celebration.
Hats come in all sizes, shapes, colors, and styles. There’s a hat to fit every head size and personality.
Wearing a hat can …
- make a statement.
- identify your occupation or promote a cause or product.
- keep your head warm or the sun from your eyes.
That last reason is why I wear my Irish cap all winter to keep me warm and a sun visor all summer to block the sun.
In the early 19th century, a woman didn’t go out without her hat. Hats have more or less disappeared from everyday fashion attire in the U.S.
On the other hand, if you’re attending the Kentucky Derby a hat is a requirement. The Derby gives a woman the opportunity to express her inner Southern Belle. I’ve even been known to wear a hat while I watch the broadcast on television.
National Hat Day allows us to try out hats. From the fantastic to the sublime, no rules or no limits. Wearing a hat is much like getting into costume, you might be pleasantly surprised to see what type of character you become.
National Hat Day is a fun way to express yourself. Mark your calendar and next year grab YOUR chance to display your favorite headgear.
Or don’t wait until then. Why not wear different hats any day?
27
01, 2023
Safe chickens
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
We are down to two dachshunds now. We have Coco, who is a grumpy old lady and Max who is a handsome young man. Max loves to help me check the chickens. He runs at the fence barking fiercely.
However, some of the hens have started venturing over the fence. Max is not quite sure what to do.
His aunt Bella would have caught those chickens in a heartbeat. In fact, we regularly played “catch the dachshund before it catches the chickens.”
While I miss Bella, I do not miss the extra workout I would get. I need all my energy for Grandma duty!
25
01, 2023
23
01, 2023
Shivering
Another freeze snap came our way in December. What we call a hard freeze in Texas. Three nights of temperatures below freezing. But no precipitation. That was good.
Nothing like the great Ice Apocalypse of 2021 when we had subzero temps for days and ice came down in sheets. Resulting in no power for days.
This time the power grid paid attention to the weather forecasters. Homeowners made ready covering plants and dripping faucets.
Many still lost electricity as dead tree limbs fell.
Attention, people: You have to keep the limbs away from the electric lines. They break transformers and power lines in any weather or wind if you don’t.
Winter ice storms are uncharacteristic for our area and when they happen the whole place shuts down. Severe cold days for long periods can shut things down too. Ice and snow freeze freeway ramps and turn roadways into ice rinks. Most people stay inside trying to stay warm.
Rain can be as bad as ice. Heavy rainfall leads to flooding. That’s why we have flood stages predictions with rain forecasts here. Water has no place to go. It sits on roads and in fields for days.
Problem is, most local drivers don’t manage either ice, snow, or rain very well. Southerners know how to sweat. Not slip, skate, and slide.
But let me tell you, the Gulf Coast Texas can get COLD. Very cold. We’ve lived in the high mountains of Colorado where temperatures drop below zero but the humidity here makes even thirty degrees feel like -30.
I spend every winter cold snap shivering. But I don’t let shivers stop me. I bundle up, grab a mug of hot chocolate, and let the words blaze.
Don’t let cold weather shivers keep you from what you need to do either, hang on Spring will be here in sixty-four days. Click here to check how many days and hours.
20
01, 2023
Chicken Socks
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
My black socks were dirty when I went to find them last week so I pulled out my chicken socks. They are black – with chicken legs and feet on the front. I was wearing pants so I figured no one would notice.
The problem is my shoes have an opening on the top of the foot just big enough to show the chicken feet.
The younger kids sit on the floor right at my feet so in every class at least one student noticed my socks. In fact, one girl told me her grandmother has the same socks. I am glad I am not the only goofy grandma.
The older kids sit in chairs and so they did not see the socks. Or if they did, they didn’t say anything.
The next day the students wanted to know if I was wearing my chicken socks again. I explained they needed to be washed.
Perhaps I need to get another pair.
18
01, 2023
16
01, 2023
The Fitzpatrick Series is finished so why am I sad?
When Love Comes Home, the last of the Fitzpatrick Family Series, released in December 2022. I should be excited and anxious to plunge into a new manuscript, only I’m not.
I do have a sense of relief along with exhaustion considering the amount of energy and focus it took to “birth” Sammy and Tiffany’s story.
But there’s also this lonely feeling that keeps creeping in. I found comfort in knowing I had a Fitzpatrick sibling romance to work on every morning and dream about at night.
I miss the arguments where the siblings tried to persuade me to change my outline. I must admit, sometimes what they came up with was better and more interesting than what I’d planned.
After sharing my feelings with writer friends, I’ve discovered I’m not alone. Sluggishness, a lack of motivation, and energy are common when a writer finishes a book. When an author finishes a series that has taken years to complete the feelings are stronger.
It will subside they assure me. Time for me to move on and do the next thing they advise, reminding me all the Fitzpatrick siblings – Andy and Darcy, Becca and Ethan, Sarah and Nick, Josh and Mara, Faith and Blake, Sammy and Tiffany – have found their soulmate.
And that’s true.
So I’ve started a new manuscript. The new characters and I are doing that first 50- or 60-page dance of discovery. Soon they’ll begin to talk to me, and argue, then I’m sure I’ll be able to bid Sammy and Tiffany and the others farewell.
Want to meet the Fitzpatrick Family? Click the links below. Each novel can be read as a standalone story.
If you have an Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription, you can read all the books for FREE.
13
01, 2023
Counting Fire Hydrants
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
Our daughter brought the boys to see us the week before Christmas while her husband was at work. She wanted to introduce Theo to his great-grandfather, Theodore who lives about two hours away. I went with her to be an extra pair of hands. I mostly entertained Alex while Catherine and Theo stayed and visited with Opa.
Alex loves to be outside and the arctic air had not blown into town yet so we walked around the block. Actually, we ran – Alex doesn’t walk very often.
I must confess, normally when I walk, I focus on where I’m going and don’t pay much attention to what is around me. With Alex, however, we examined the many different Christmas lights and decorations we passed. He gave a running commentary – “Christmas lights, reindeer, Christmas tree, Santa”
The decorations that were not inflated were “sleeping.” They wake up at night. I tried to teach Alex the world ‘nocturnal” but he didn’t quite get it.
We also counted fire hydrants – there are seven fire hydrants around Opa’s block. Alex touched everyone.
For small children, every day is a new adventure. So, the next morning, we walked/ran around the block again. There were still seven fire hydrants.
It is such a joy to be reminded of the wonder in the world as seen through the eyes of a child.
11
01, 2023
