All posts by verily sherrilee

Directionally challenged, crafty, reading mother of young adult
2025, Family, gardening, Mysteries, Nature

Weed Whacking

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Mothers’ warnings and bits of advice run through my head.  I’m assuming (hoping?) I’m not the only one.

Don’t run with scissors.  You sound like a cow chewing her cud (usually with gum).  You two girls quit fighting – you sound like fishwives.  Close the door – were you raised in a barn?  Money doesn’t grow on trees.  If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?  Your face with freeze that way.  All of these were heard during my childhood.

You’d think that with all these tropes running through my head, that I would be more careful. 

Between YA being out of the country and me having blown my knee out, the grass got out of control.  YA was eager to get to it last Friday and I was happy she wanted to work on it.  Since my knee was tender from going to State Fair the day before, I did the knee-friendly stuff.  Moved the aidirondack chairs and little table, wound up the hose and then the exciting poop patrol.  I headed out in my shorts and zorries.  Easy peasy.

Since it had been so long between mowings, the grass has overgrown the sidewalk so I decided that I would do some trimming.  No knee bending for this.  You’d think that getting an electric edger out of the garage would set off some of my mom’s advice in my head, but…. Nope.  While YA was still mowing, I started on a few edges along the flower gardens.  Almost immediately a piece of cedar mulch whipped up and took a chunk out of my ankle.  I decided to move to the sidewalk at that point.  After I did the sidewalk, I tackled the little patio.  It was then that I twisted a bit and in reacting to the knee objecting to this move, I ran the edger over my toe.  Ouch was an understatement.  Luckily no nearby little children were out in their yards to hear me swearing.  The cut wasn’t deep but was about two inches long, going from the tip of my big toe, diagonally down the length of the whole toe. 

I have two pairs of gardening shoes that live on the back porch.  If a smart person were living at my house, they would have grabbed a pair of those shoes before plugging in the weed whacker.  And if my mother had been around she also would have admonished me to put on a pair of those shoes.  But once again, no Nonny and no smart person either!  I liberally applied antibiotic cream and bandages for the first day or so and both injuries are healing up nicely.  But I feel a little sheepish admitting this. 

Done anything silly/stupid lately that you should have know better about? 

2025, Health, Medicine, Technology

Keeping Occupied

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The orthopedic folks thought that an MRI would be a good idea after my knee injury.   Was expecting to have to wait longer but they do this stuff on the weekends these days, so I was able to score an early Sunday morning appointment.   

I had an MRI years ago so knew a little bit of what to expect.  The last time I was given anti-anxiety meds as I was a bit worried about claustrophobia.  I also made the decision to run through one of my favorite movies in my head, scene by scene; I got almost to the end.  But it kept my brain occupied so I figured I’d do that same this time, although I skipped the meds since it was my knee.

The technician gave me headphones and they were quite loud and I was surprised to realize that when I play the movie in my head, the soundtrack is a big part of that.  I had to consciously block out the headphone music.  I even thought about asking her to remove them but I didn’t want to stop the process or have to start over.

Luckily it was all done in about 15 minutes.  I hardly got through the first part of the movie in my mind – Danielle had just dropped John Robie off at the beach club at Cannes!  Sometimes I worry about how many times I’ve watched “To Catch a Thief” but it sure comes in handy every now and then.

Do you have a favorite Cary Grant movie?  Grace Kelly?

2025, books, Fantasy, Media, Movies, TV

All For One….

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When we talked about esoteric knowledge the other day, I would not have said that The Three Musketeers was a particular interest of mine.  Then I stumbled upon a tv series from 2014-2016, a British production.  Binge-watching is a perfect occupation when you’re nursing a knee. 

This particular series is a little darker than I like, but I realize that I’ve seen quite a few of the musketeer movies over the years, so it’s intriguing to see this one.  The production values are quite good – costumes and dialog seem more realistic than a lot of historical dramas.  Of course, there seems to be at least one nubile young woman each episode who manages to fall for one of the musketeers in just a day or so.  Then there’s the fact that all of the musketeers except D’Artagnan (the only character played by an actor who I recognize – Santiago Cabrera) have old, unhealed loved tragedies in their past.  Athos in particular can’t seem to get over his.

And it’s VERY violent.  I find myself listening more than watching every now and then.  I’m not surprised that there were only three seasons.  I’m about half way through the second season and I’m starting to wonder if Paris is going to run out of population, so many people get murdered each episode.  Last night I actually muted it for about five minutes while Captain Treville was getting operated on.  (Thank goodness I live in an age with anesthetic.)  It’s another show that I can’t watch up until bedtime or I have dreams that are much too intense.

As I’ve been watching the show, it occurs to me that I can’t remember if I ever READ The Three Musketeers.  All the comparisons that I’m making in my mind may be from other movies/series I’ve seen.  And there is still the one big question of why Dumas titled his tome The Three Musketeers when there are clearly four of them?  Maybe the book explains this?  So I put it on hold at the library.  I’ll let you know!

Did you have a play sword as a kid?  Ever taken fencing or shooting lessons?

2025, Art, Kids, Uncategorized

Chalk It Up

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This is a late “tradition” story.

Eight years ago, my new neighbors moved in.  Two parents, one daughter; later a second daughter rounded out the family.  Early on it was clear that Minnie (the older daughter) and I had a clear affinity for chalk.  Often when Minnie was out doing chalk artwork on their driveway, I would go over for a bit and join in. 

When my next birthday rolled around, Minnie and her folks came over and did chalkwork all over my front sidewalk.  It was wonderful – lots of colors, flowers and rainbows.  After that, every year, we would have a chalk party.  A couple of other kids in the neighborhood joined in.  I even found glitter chalk online to add to the festivities.

This summer, the family moved a few blocks away and while I briefly thought about asking if the girls wanted to come over, I let it go as they are so busy with camps until school starts.  On Monday afternoon, YA texted me from downstairs (she was working from home and I was upstairs) that Marie (younger daughter) was at the door.  I hurried down and found the whole family outside, working on a spectacular birthday chalk display, down the whole sidewalk, up and down some of the driveway, even on the steps up to the house.

There is a fun “dance zone”

An exhortation to sing

And the obligatory hopscotch

Marie and I did the hopscotch several times and after some more chat and hugs, they all headed home.  That’s when I teared up a little – it was so special that they came over to do this for me.  Hopefully this tradition can keep going for a few more years.  I’m assuming that once Minnie and Marie hit their teenage years, coming over to do art on their “neighborhood gramma’s” sidewalk won’t be all that appealing!

When was the last time you jumped hopscotch?  Any notable chalk artwork in your  past?

2025, Art, books, Fantasy

Galahad, Gawain and Me!

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The legend of King Arthur has always appealed to me.  From an early age I loved the Prince Valiant comic strip (and Robert Wagner in the movie) and when Camelot came out in 1967 I managed to get my folks to take me a couple of times.  I’ve read Mary Stewart’s Crystal Cave series more than once and while the 2011 series isn’t quite to my taste, I have watched it – Joseph Fiennes playing Merlin was fascinating.

Had I lived in the legend, I could not have been a good Guinevere or lady-in-waiting.  Although I’m not crazy about the violence part, I would have loved to be a knight.  Fancy armor, horses, swords, cool knight friends and quests.

I am all about quests.  Set me a quest and I am all in.  So when the Hennepin County Library debuted their passport this summer, I had to play.  The passport is free for all who want to participate, with a page for each of the 41 libraries in the system.  There is a photo of the library and short description and each library has their own passport stamp.  There is also a few blank lines if you want to add any notes.

You know I had to make a spreadsheet of the libraries that I can sort by how far they from my house and their hours.  Don’t want to show up at a library that isn’t open yet!  And of course once I’ve visited a particular library, I can highlight it!  Quests and spreadsheets – I’m in heaven.

It’s been a joy to visit the various libraries (I’m about half way through).  They are each unique, with so many different programs.  Language classes, Lego Labs, chess tournaments, jigsaw puzzles (yes, every time I found one in progress, I had to find a piece or two), even community seed libraries.  And the artwork is wonderful.  There must certainly at some kind of art curator on the library staff.  Whoever it is has done a masterful job. 

Wall in Children’s section of Champlin Library

There isn’t a timetable on my library quest, although I’d like to be done some time in September.  Once it’s cooler, I have lots of indoor projects.  Also, I like stretching it out a bit!

Any quests that you’ve enjoyed?  Any you’re looking forward to?

2025, Media, Music, Poems, Songs, Words

Tom Lehrer – RIP

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Like many musical artists, Tom Lehrer was introduced to me on the LGMS.  I loved his funny songs and they way he crafted them with language and great satire.  This is probably my favorite:

Sadly, Tom passed away four days ago at the age of 97.  He was born in New York City and began his musical studies when he was seven.  He entered Harvard at the age of 15, studying mathematics as well as entertaining his fellow students with his comic songs.  His mathematics career and his music career existed together for many years.  His last performance was in 1972 and he taught until 2003.

Another of his most popular songs puts the table of elements to a Gilbert & Sullivan tune:

There haven’t been too many artists who can skewer the world quite the way he could.  His voice will be missed.

Do you have a favorite Tom Lehrer song?  Or another satirist?

2025, Automotive, Fantasy, Government, Poems, Words

Mixed Messages

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As bunch of errands had me on the freeway yesterday.  A little congestion slowed everybody down in time for me to look up and see this on the highway signage:

Keep your speed down
Wear your safety gear
Get home in one piece

It was more interesting than the usual signage and as it was three lines, I automatically starting counting the syllables, wondering if it was MNDots idea of highway haiku.  Not haiku.

When I got home, I wondered if I could find any information online about the signage.  I was surprised to find out that there is actually a program called “Message Monday” that encourages safe driving.  You can even submit your own idea for a message on the website.  Some of the messages are actually quite funny:

Fly under
The radar by
Obeying speed limit

Give blood
The right way
Not on the highway

Don we now our
Fastened seatbelt
Fa la la la la la

I’m not sure I want to increase my highway time on Mondays to see more of these messages, but I do find it intriguing that this program exists.   Of course, if I submit something it will have to be

Speedy Gonzalez
You’re not.  Please keep the pedal
Off of the metal

What message would you like to submit?

100 Words, 2025, Fantasy, home, Mysteries, Technology

Random Robot?

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Imagine my surprise as I was heading out to run some errands and discovered the little robot vacuum at the back porch door.

As I carried it back into the house and hit the “dock” button so it would return home, I felt a little bad.  Was I keeping it from its freedom?  Had it been trying to escape from the onerous duty of trying to keep the fur and dust at bay in our house?  Did it hear the clarion call of others of its kind?  Was it a quashed robot uprising? 

What do you think?  Should I have given it its freedom?

2025, Family, gardening, home, Uncategorized

Swing Time

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There has always been a vision in my mind for the backyard.  Over the years we’ve added a patio, then a little bigger patio.  A table and chairs for the patio.  An umbrella for the table.  A friend of mine gave YA a fire pit years ago.  Another friend gave me a swing when they moved to an apartment.  Of course, there are all the flowers and the bales.  About 15 years ago I had enough credits at work to purchase a hammock, which I installed toward the back of the yard.  Over the years I’ve had to replace the fabric several times as well as having to MacGyver the suspension a couple of times when the fabric wasn’t exactly the right size.

YA has always detested the hammock.  First is that it is a collection spot for leaves and twigs that come off the trees.  Then there is the issue of having to mow around it, requiring moving it about.  YA thinks it makes the backyard look “cluttered”.  When I suggested we get right of her Adirondack chairs and little table, she didn’t respond well.  She has a point.  We use the Adirondacks quite a bit and truth be told, I probably only lay in the hammock once or twice a summer.  It’s not actually all that comfortable and I get impatient really fast.

As I’m pursuing my pre-downsizing project, I decided that I really needed to pay attention to the reality of the hammock instead of my emotional attachment to the idea of a hammock.  To that end, YA and I carried it down to the boulevard.  When we got down to the boulevard with it, YA had to shore up my determination.  The miracle of my street worked as usual – within an hour someone was taking it apart to shove in their truck. 

I thought I might be unhappy in the first few days after the hammock was gone but that hasn’t happened.  That says to me that I made the right decision.

Tell me about something you have an emotional attachment to. 

2025, Family, Food, State Fair

Too Soon

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You all know I’m a little obsessed with a certain event each August.  I like to be organized but normally don’t start getting going until a couple of weeks before (athough before retirement I used to request the days off several months in advance).

YA and the State Fair, on the other hand, are rarin’ to go now.  In the past couple of weeks there has been a barrage of emails.  Grandstand announcements and ticket offers. Highlighted fair beverages (of which there seem to be A LOT).  New vendors and new foods. 

YA has definitely inherited some of my love of lists; over the weekend she came into my room with a pad of paper and announced that it was time to make our food list.  She started doing this a few years ago so that we remember what we want to get while we are at the fair.  This list includes our favorites as well as items from the new foods email that look interesting to us.  It looks like a long list but it’s spread out over several days and we don’t always get to everything.  I did notice that nothing from last year’s new items have jumped to our “old favorites” list.

The floodgates are open now.  I printed off all our tickets as well as my fair packing list.  Can’t go off to the fair without all we need in the turtle bag.  We even started a little pool of cash for the big event.

Anything you’re preparing for (or obsessing over) this summer?