melshutterbug

Rainy goes for her haircut soon so I doubt I will get to finish writing up this entry before we need to go. I'll get started anyway...

I was so happy that I could get my full spectrum camera going again. I guess what was wrong with it was every single of the 3 batteries I have for it were dead and that's why it wouldn't work yesterday. Because I kept trying batteries and none worked I was getting bummed thinking the camera was broken. Here's lots of IR Chrome infrared pics from a walk down back this morning with the dogs - all pictures of stuff you've seen before but now with a different camera. The Chrome filter makes everything that is reflecting infrared light look very red/orange:( Read more... )

*****
Later.
When I went to pick up Rainy from the groomer she told me that she found 4 fleas on her! I looked at the calendar and somehow I missed giving the dogs their flea and tick meds last month. Damn. I did the heartworm stuff but not the flea. I bet Andy has some fleas too.

susandennis

This morning, I was in the pool by 5:20 so finished by 6 and it was perfect. I had the pool to myself and while it was light out, the sun hadn't risen enough to really annoy. I'm going to shoot for this time from now on.

My watch battery drained to zero one time about a week ago and then again yesterday. Very weird and very annoying. Usually it has about 40% battery left at night. Anyway, I decided to factory reset it and I'm doing that now. I depend on this watch for notifications and tracking and all kinds of things. If it's going to die, I want a back up and I don't want the next version because they fucked up the charger...

Oh wow. That took maybe 10 mins and restored all my settings. Maybe I should do that more often. Hope it works.

I have a video appointment with my doctor this morning - Wegovy review - at 8. And Mariner game at 3:30. Everything else is up for grabs.

I want to go to the Skechers store which is about 20 minutes from here. I think I may do that next week. Or if I get a wild hair, this week. Bonny came in yesterday to see if I wanted to go to dinner with her and Jackie one night this week. I totally forgot that I vowed not to do that again. Happily, I was saved by early Mariner games all week so said no thanks.

susandennis

So. The Amazon app showed my new address was the next stop so I went down to the car, went to FedEx to drop off a couple of returns then on to Mailbox where Amazon says I am the next stop.

30 mins later, I see the truck. Then 15 mins to unload. Then...

BUT I learned. When Amazon/USPS/FedEx/etc say delivered, don't rush. Mailbox will put it into a locker and send me an email. And then I go pick up.

The whole locker system thing was not explained well but I got it now. And it's a good system and it looks like 2:30/3 is about the time stuff will be ready mostly which is fine.

I did get an email back from the CEO who allowed as how mine was not the first complaint she'd gotten about package delivery.

I found WKRP in Cincinnati and watched episode 1. I loved that show then and, frankly, I love it now. I think I'll watch more.

summersgate

Pictures from today - The Wonders of Rainy card/zine and a bunch of infrared pics from a hike at Two Mile this morning:( Read more... )

susandennis

Ok. Today feels like a new start. Only two more months of sunny and hot and too long days. I think I can make it from here.

The getting up early is working. The staying up past 9, not so much. My eyes were closed before I even turned out the lights. But, that's fine. I'll adjust. I'm up, I've sum, I've breakfasted, I'm dressed and ready for the day and it's just now 7. Feels excellent.

Today is the first day of getting shipments to my new faux address. I have two coming from Amazon. They usually deliver here around lunch time. It will be interesting to see when they deliver there.

I started several books and abandoned. So I went to a sure thing... a Lou Berney. I only have 3 of his that I haven't read yet so I don't want to waste them. But when stuck for a read... this one is as delicious as the rest so far. November Road.

I'm nearly done with season 2 of The Hardacres - It's not my usual TV but I really like the series. BritBox.

No Mariners today but I guess I'm like everyone else - hooked on hockey today.

summersgate

I have only a very few people in my personal circle who are interested when I talk about art stuff. These online journals are the main place I can talk about it. Right now I am so entralled by the little one sheet of paper, messy card/zine art form. Today I am planning to do one on Rainy. Hopefully I will post pics of the finished thing later. I need to let the paper dry for now before I write on it with a pen. In this pic I wanted to include my old most-favorite watercolor set. I'm nearly out of 4 colors so I ordered professional grade tube colors so I can refill with that. They will arrive today and I'm excited about that.

Woke up very not hungry this morning but I know I should eat something because Candy and I are going hiking. At the moment I'm eating vanilla Greek yogurt, walnuts, granola and blueberries. That is what I usually have as a snack at the end of the day but it spoke to me this morning more that my usual breakfast, which is a fried egg on garlic naan bread with mayo. I eat one of those most every day but today I just couldn't do it. I can barely eat the yogurt.

susandennis

I'm in the process of retiring most of my shoes. Now that I have two pair of good, comfortable shoes and one pair of sandals, I'm nearly set and no longer willing to settle for the not-nearly-as-supportive-or-comfortable. For now, I've moved the ones I no longer want to the top shelves. But, that inspired me. I went through the hangers and only found a couple of things to cull. I found lots of maybes but only a couple of for Sures.

So I culled out all the maybes and folded them up carefully and put them into a compression bag. I took some inventory snap shots and then I put the compression bag in the storage locker.

I may well just chuck the whole bag one day but not today. And I have lots of breathing room now in the closet. I feel very accomplished.

summersgate

Chickens. Another little card/pamphlet/zine. Here're upright individual pages:( Read more... )

We had a change of menu for today's dinner. Dave says he would like to grill so now I am making potato salad. I loved my mother's potato salad so much but I can't seem to replicate it. Today will be one more attempt.

susandennis

At 8 pm last night, all my packages were delivered. 9 of them from last Wednesday and Thursday. Whew. That's the end of Timber Ridge deliveries of things I want NOW! I'll still use them for maybe Chewy unless I need it fast and Wegovy since it comes in a box mark URGENT REFRIGERATE IMMEDIATELY. They call me when those come in.

But, Amazon and everyone else now has a new home - at least until I get tired of getting into the car to go get it.

And, while I was assuming the clothes would not fit or I wouldn't like them... ooops. Well, two pieces didn't make the cut but the tops were mostly perfect! And I got my crochet box from the UK which I've been waiting for forever. So all good.

There was a new note on my shelf about volleyball. The one I got Friday was written by the mean school bully who was basically a D student. The one this morning said basically the same thing but was written by an adult who understands how to communicate. There are four people behind this effort and I am SOOOOO glad not to be included. Group gropes are not my jam and especially not this one.

I set up Alexa to play a 2 note chime at 5 and 5:30. Play it once and stop. It worked perfectly. I heard the 5 one and woke up kinda and kept my eyes closed while I decided and then decided to get up. It was lovely and leisurely. I had some coffee and checked some internet and then got my suit on. I was in the pool by 5:45. Perfect timing. AND my favorite security guys had done their job. The water was the perfect temperature.

Sadly the sun was up just as early so I didn't get the lovely dark but it's ok. I think I have found a good system that will either bypass the volleyball situation nicely or include it if they decide to still play early.

Today is afternoon baseball and some tidying up around the house and not much more. This coming week is pretty lightweight, too. Plus the Mariners are playing on the east coast so nice, early games.

susandennis

The pool water was cold but ok after the first lap or two. My swim was perfect.

I stopped by the security office on my way back home to ask them to call maintenance about the pool. Nobody was there so I was writing out a post it note and, of course, nearly done when two security guys showed up - my very favorite and my next favorite one. I know they will see to the pool situation so I also put in a plug for package delivery and Favorite One said he thinks it will happen today.

They are both such good dudes. And respond so perfectly. I nearly did a happy skip coming home.

Linda sent me a reply that she was, indeed, behind the volleyball bullet list and would take my preferences to the meeting. I'm out and fine about it.

I'm actually fine about everything. Getting up before the sun is just my jam. I wish I could set my brain to do that automagically every morning. I think I'll work on it. It gives me energy and good spirits.

Also, passing through the elbow, I see where Jan and Dick worked on the puzzle last night. They found the three edge pieces we couldn't find! We use a system of dollar store plastic plates to kind of sort the pieces and Jan always organizes the plates - that's her specialty. As we were leaving the table yesterday, Bonny said 'now we just need Jan to tidy this up'. AND she did! I actually don't see Dick and Jan very much they are night people and busy but we 'chat' through the puzzle and it's fun.

Now I have internetted, swam, breakfasted and gotten over my volleyball snit and it's only 7:30!! See? This is why I like early mornings. You get nearly a whole day before the day even starts! It's like a bonus.

As I predicted, the Mariners lost to the Blue Jays last night. The Blue Jays just flat played much better than we did. The entire USA soccer team was on the field for the ceremonial first pitch and then was joined by the Mariners for a gynormous selfy. It was fun and cute.

They play the Blue Jays again this afternoon.

And the quote du jour comes from

somedayseattle But is it necessary for a weatherman to say it’s 100° outside but real feel is 125. That’s not weather forecasting. That’s sadism.

summersgate

I enjoyed making the card/zine yesterday so much I thought I'd make another one today. This is the background. I have a few people in my life with summer birthdays and I thought maybe I'd print this off and then fill in the pages with birthday wishes for the individual people. Something like:
1. Happy Birthday ... On this glorious summer day
2. May you walk in the cool dew of morning,
3. Enjoy a sunny breezy afternoon sitting in the shade,
4. And watch for fireflies first lights before you go to bed tonight.
Love,

Another hot day coming up today. I'm ready with my sun dress and sandals. I've invited the usual people to Sunday dinner tomorrow so I must get busy and do some cleaning today. I think I will make a big tofu Pad Thai casserole. Easy to serve.

susandennis

I've seldom had a problem saying no. But, lately, I've gotten very good at it. The head of the food and beverage committee, last week, said she was going to put my name in to take over the leadership next year and I told her no and she was shocked so then I changed it to No Fucking Way (but used different words). She was still shocked but backed off.

Last night I got a piece of paper on my shelf that had no attribution nor any indication of who else might have gotten it. It was about volleyball. It was all - we will meet on Tuesday at 7 pm to decide... and then it went on with many bullet points to lead to changing the play dates and times. We agreed at our last meeting to wait until Steve healed and then get together and decide. Steve has not yet healed. But mainly, fuck it. If they want to change the days and times, great. I'll just continue doing my laps.

I'm pretty sure I know who wrote the thing and put it on my shelf. So I sent her an email telling her that I was not going to be at the meeting and if they kept the days and times we used to have, I'm happy to join, otherwise, count me out. I copied Steve.

This is the same woman who was the reason we went from 2 hours to an hour and a half. She wants her schedule so let her have it. She never does any of the set up or any of the take down. She never ensures we have the equipment we need or coordinates with the pool manager. She just dictates. So let her dictate. And play with a deflated ball. I'm over her.

So no no no fucking way.

I went to sleep mad about this and I woke up at 5 mad about this and now I'm done.

But, I do love waking up before daylight. Really. It's been a couple of months and I'd forgotten how nice it is. The sun is threatening now and it's nearly 6. I think I'll go swim.

summersgate

I made a zine today. It's kind of dumb (more like a card) but I thought I'd just get on with it and see what would happen if I started. I painted the four different background rectangles first. I didn't even know at the time that I was making something that would work as the four seasons. Very serendipitous. The words:

Seasons
WINTER
Even tho it is blazing
hot today (July 3,
2026) 93 degrees I'm still
thinking about how
fast time goes and it
will be the NEXT season
before we know it.
Winter with pearly
ice and fog, starflake
snowflakes will be
back again. I got

the idea to make a zine
while I was watching
"SHRILL" - a character
was talking about making
zines while they were in
school. And I thought,
yeah! I'll make a
ZINE! But what would
the theme be? Since I
was just watching Shrill
I wished I could express
something about bodies
and living in a heavy
SPRING

body and how I am so
sick of feeling like
I'm not good enough
because I have FAT
on my body. But
dammit, what's wrong
with some fat? Yes, I
know, a person
appears healthier if
they are trim and muscular
but that is not a TRUE
sign of health. Thin
people get diseases
too.
SUMMER
So just like loving

AUTUMN
all the seasons even
tho every season and
every DAY is different
I'm going to love my
body as it changes and
is different as I go
through the seasons
of life. Love this
season I am in right
now. BE KIND to
myself and others.

susandennis

I just saw a New Yorker cartoon that expresses my feelings exactly:

It feels wrong to celebrate our nation's birthday when it is on life support.

--------

My TV issue is fixed and hilariously it's the same fix needed for the 2020 Tivo... wait. Let the system catch up with you. It needs time but it's too shy to tell you so you just get errors.

--------

I spent enough time stewing about my stupid packages. So I went out this morning and bought a mail box address that I can use for ordering. I first went to UPS but they pissed me off. So I went to a local franchise and they were fab. PRICEY but fab. I bought the minimum 3 months to try it out.

Then I went through my subscriptions and changed the delivery address.

This may be a bad idea but I need proof so I've got 3 months. And they were very nice. And they are right across the street from the pot shop and Biggie's vet. So handy.

-------

Bonny wants to start the old lady puzzle at noon:30. Fine by me.

susandennis

Package receiving troubles again here at Timber Ridge. Since Tuesday, I've received 8 packages. 7 are still MIA.

When I got the text that my new TV gizmo had been delivered, I raced down to the security office and begged the duty officer to open up the package room so I could get it. But, they rest are ??? And I'm guessing that today is a holiday so nothing will be delivered. Also nothing on the weekend and Mondays are iffy every week so probably I will see nothing until Tuesday - nearly a week after USPS and Amazon said they delivered them. I'm not a happy camper. I wrote to the head of Timber Ridge about it last night. I know she's gone some major fish to fry but my hush puppies need love, too. (weirdest metaphor today but it's early)

Then it was time to take Bonny. They told her to be there by 1:15 and they were running early. So we got there at 1 and they said they were running early and they would be right out to get her. Cut to 3:15. They came out to get her. We got home just before 5. But, it all went well and she was very grateful for my services and it was really absolutely fine.

Then I spent all night with my new TV gizmo. Reminded me of my first TiVo in 2020. 85% of it works wonderfully. One of the top five reasons I wanted it does not work at all. AI can't tell me why. The manufacturer's AT can't tell me why and all say it should work but it does not. I had the same problem with my first TiVo.

I finally went to sleep after the Mariners squeezed out a rather embarrassing win. I woke up - wide awake with not troubleshooting ideas at 4 so I got up and tried 'em. Fail. Finally at 7:30, I went swimming and now here we are. I have laundry laundrying. And nothing that has to be done today. The Mariners game does not start until 7. Which is a half hour later than usual. I think this is to piss off the Toronto fans who will now have to stay up way later to even see the game. They will be happier about it when they win and the next two games are afternoon games.

Time now to get dressed and tidy up the joint, put the laundry away and try a couple of different troubleshooting ideas I thought of while swimming.

summersgate

#14 Creek. I thought today I'd give it a try NOT to draw on the picture first with pen, and just do watercolor all the way.

Another hot day. I went though my back closet (the stuff I haven't worn for many years) and found a bunch of sun dresses. I've been embarrassed to show my upper arms for a number of years now. But I'm thinking today (90F at 10am!), how stupid that is. I had been mistakenly believing that because I don't have a young taut body anymore I should protect the world from being exposed to what I DO look like. I watched an interesting show yesterday that helped me get over that. Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story. I love her enthusiasm and how joyous she is with her body, even as it's aged.

A grackle that was looking accusingly at me just now. Time to fill the feeder.

susandennis

I was walking down the hall yesterday and spied one of my dolls (and a relatively new one) tucked into a MOM sign on one of the housekeeping carts. It tickled me.

I stopped to grab the photo and the housekeeper came up behind me saying "oooooh" and I thought she was going to say something about the doll but she was looking down "I LOVE your shoes!!!" A double win.

Today's a busy day. I've had my swim. I've delivered our floor's Timber Ridge Times. I've had my Wegovy shot (number 24). I'm getting a new TV gizmo in the USPS today and I'm hoping I can snag it as soon as it's delivered instead of waiting for them to bring it up here. I'm still waiting for yesterday's USPS arrivals to be delivered. :( My text said the deliveries were made at 11:20 yesterday so I'm thinking that might be about the time it gets here today.

Then Bonny. She went in this morning to Bellevue to get her cancerous thing cut off her nose. Then she has to call the plastic surgeon when she's done and get a time for the reconstruction bit. She can drive herself to and from Bellevue but needs me to drive her to the reconstruction. Happily, it's in Issaquah so no biggie. She thinks it's going to be 1 pm or after.

Then the Mariners game tonight. Busy busy busy

hahahaha - Just got a BREAKING NEWS alert from the Seattle Times. Neither Trump nor Vance will attend the USA FIFA match in Seattle next Monday - I'm kind of surprised there isn't more wind here what with the massive sigh of relief in Seattle.

Today is supposed to be mostly cloudy instead of all cloudy. This means sun which is trying to come out now. Happily the high is only supposed to be 64 which is very lovely for me.

summersgate

#12 Creek. I didn't say I was going to do 101 GOOD paintings for this project. Just do 101 small paintings outdoors.

#13 Opening. Maybe part of the excuse I will use for why this is not that great is because Rainy had already gone up to the house without me and I could hear her barking at the back door wanting to go in. I wanted to rush though the painting and rescue Princess Rainy. Though I'm not sure what I would do better if I had more time. That's something to think about for the future.

This is the scene that inspired me to try and paint the above pic. I love looking through these trees on this path and I've taken photos of it many times.

IMG_20260701_195545327_HDR~3.jpg

Here's a photo that shows the idea of "opening" to my satisfaction. I took this as the sun was going down last evening from the top of pet cemetery hill and did some filter adjustment to it.

The progress I've made so far with the mosaiced cups. The front two are finished as far as gluing on the stained glass pieces. I still need to grout them. It was hot out in the shed yesterday afternoon. When I first opened the door I felt cooler air coming out of it but because I left the door open while I was in there it got warmer and warmer till I had sweat running off my temples. I called Kathy and reminisced with her for a while about the old shed. It was her shed in the very beginning when Dad first set it up in the backyard. She had stenciled on the door, "E P FANS ONLY". Elvis Presley fans only. I guess I wasn't much of a fan because I don't remember being in there with her. I was very jealous that both John and Kathy had their own sheds and I as the youngest had no club house shed. Dad felt sorry for me and built me a little shed the size of a big dog house that was all mine. Of course because it was so small it had to be all mine, no one else could get in. I wanted some friends in there with me and collected slugs in a cottage cheese container and had them for pets. How pitiful! This will probably be one of those stories I'll be reciting and boring people with as I get older and older. I'm sure I probably already wrote about it here, though it might have been a while ago.

*****
Itchy! I have multiple bug bites now. A bad thing about summer - the stupid biting insects. I'm really trying to not scratch. I usually get much enjoyment from scratching itches but I've heard so many times now that itches go away faster if you don't scratch them that I'm finally willing to give it a try. Blaa.

susandennis

So just after posting that last entry, something clicked in my head and I realized that I had neglected to put the keyboard into the damn Lenovo FedEx box!! Fuck.

I had gotten a email from the GoRooster website saying if I had any questions, reply. So I did. I asked them the best way to remedy the problem.

They actually responded quickly and suggested I call the FedEx shop and see if they still had it. So I did. And they did and said if I got there before 3, I could slip it into the box. It was 1:30.

I grabbed the keyboard, some tape, my swiss army knife and headed out. Happily there were no other customers. I apologized for being an idiot and described the package. Two guys dug around for it for a while and found it!

Then they even opened it, helped me slip the keyboard in, and taped it back up.

They were so very nice and so patient and so gracious that I came home and gave them a 5 star review.

Now, my next chore du jour is to find out who left me 6 mini Krispy Kreme donuts - plain glazed - my favorite kind - on my kitchen counter while I was out. Who who who?!

Edit: Got it in 1. Bonny

susandennis

Just when you thought you were free from the ravings about my new shoes... Besides being gorgeous, they are a delight to walk in. They have a solid grounding and make my feet feel energetic. I kind of wish they had a plain black or brown version.

Last February, I bought a Lenovo tablet mainly to serve as my bedroom TV. I did a lot of research and picked it ignoring the 'it's way too big' complaints. Well, guess what? It's way too big and not at all handy.

Today I saw a review of the Asus CM30 that has a detachable screen and keyboard and stylus. And Amazon listed a 'like new' one for $200. So I bought it.

Then I went to Gemini and asked what was the easiest way to sell my Lenovo. Gemini gave me to links to places that pay cash for shit. The first one offered me $181 and the second one offered me $198. I said great, got a FedEx label and dropped it off. done and dusted.

And, riding on that high, I finally cracked my printer problem. My printer prints out everything a moldy faded shade. Blacks are gray and images are watered down and it drives me nuts. Turns out it's a chrome OS problem. So finally I find a work around that enables me to print black blacks and vibrant pictures. It was not easy but I did it!

My Costco membership renewal is coming up in August. I think I wrestle with this every year. And this year is no exception. I've got six weeks for the wrestling match - although if I do one run at the beginning of August, I could put it off...

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melshutterbug

July 2026

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Page generated Jul. 8th, 2026 04:49 am

Reading

tuesday

Swimming sweet spot

Progress

monday later

Monday

monday

closet reorg

sunday

A new day

Better

saturday

No Thank you. No. Nope. Not going to happen.

friday later

update

Quite a day

friday

(no subject)

thursday

Karen Reporting for Duty

Wednesday Adventures

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July 2026

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