Chinese Watercolor Update...

I am not showing you my learning brushstrokes.  I use the term learning quite loosely.  Practicing is probably a more appropriate word, as I did not do pages and pages of practice as they recommended.  Here is lesson two, which is using black ink to make a Chinese Orchid.  The idea is to get the application shades etc.  I was hesitant to start, but now I am anxious to actually try it with colors.  I will be a bit less bold...try to be a bit softer.  This may be a reflection of life?

Also, I am on day 20 without games on my computer.  The first few days I had a lot of nervousness about them being gone.  Now, less so, but I recognize I was using games at times for more than just unwinding.  There is something about the mindlessness that also seemed to help anxiety /stress.  I don't have a lot of either in my life, but the few times over the last 20 days that these came up was when I most noticed the absence of games. So question for you.  What do you use to help you process life when anxious or stressed.  I know there are a lot of things that help, and was thinking rather than going back to computer games, I'd try something new and different.  Maybe Chinese Watercolor, but that is something that requires some time...looking for something that I can do for 5 minutes... or 10 minutes... any ideas?  I do have some thoughts, but figured input from others is a good thing.

Chinese Watercolor, Part 1 and other stuff too.

I bought this kit 10 or so years ago at Christmastime.  In the midst of shopping for smaller grandchildren than we have now.  I thought it would be fun, and couldn't bear to gift it.  I wanted to try it.  Fast forward 10 years and I still want to try it.  It comes with a LONG instruction booklet...which I have been hesitant to read.  I am going to read it.  This week... yep, going to do that.

By the way, "Trying Things" is not just the doing of things, but being intentional in my retirement about keeping my brain engaged and finding those things that bring joy.  Spring is peaking out.  I have a friend that has offered some cement blocking for the yard.  Gardening... not something new, but something that brings joy is on the horizon.  Did you know hands in the soil is good for depression?  Something about the microbes in the soil having something that increases serotonin.  For a more technical and more complete explanation, read this:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/antidepressant-microbes-soil.htm

My theory is that "the winter blues" may be directly related to lack of contact with the soil... My only research on my theories is me.  I know when I bundle up, go out, and turn the compost and get my hands dirty I feel better.  I do not have depression, and know it is different and more serious- sometimes requiring medication.  All I am saying is that dirt makes me feel good and I am looking forward to getting dirty more often in retirement.

Trying Things: The unplanned, along with the planned.

Sometimes, things don't go quite as planned.  I am intent on making sure I am trying things...all about keeping the brain young, yada, yada.  So, Dog training.  Well we are doing that, and Billy is a star pupil.  It is not going quite as planned, but we are adapting and it is going pretty well.  In the midst of it, I realize that he has been learning things all along, and I am now less inclined to take his peeing on command for granted.  Also, the memories of him bolting out the gate (which aren't ancient memories) are replaced by him holding back...every time the gate is opened.  Progress is being made.

Well, the electronic aspect of all of this "Trying Things" keeps coming to the forefront.  First, actually getting it set up so I can blog.  Then, the Ipod incident which was quickly solved.  Remember my joy!

What you are not aware of is Ken got a smart phone (upgrade from previous flip phone) in December.  I have been his primary trainer...and to train, I must actually know how to do something, not just play with the phone until I figure it out. They do say, the way to learn something well is to teach it, so there is that -whoever they are.  I can say that doing something is not the same as knowing how to do it: being able to explain to someone how to do it.

So, the unplanned part...We got a new car last week.  It is a 2017 Lincoln MKZ.  It does things like turn on with the push of a button, have mood lighting, Navigation and side mirrors that fold in.  It is a lot to learn: trying new things.  I think I am up to this challenge, but I did spend two plus hours in the car today reading the owners manual and playing.  Playing is learning.  I anticipate this will be the same as the phone.  It will take both of us.  We will learn things well enough to share them.  In the meantime, by the time we got everything else done, Billy didn't get much training today.  Flexibility is important too.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Dog Training Part One

We got a dog.  December 13th.  At that time, the estimate was 6 months old, so figure him to be about 8 months now... Billy.  Cute and full of Piss and Vinegar.

My plan was to do things differently: brush him daily, so he gets used to it.  Handle his feet and rub his nails with the clippers, clip now and then so he is mellow (ha) and unafraid.  Having two pups in our marriage, and being consistently inconsistent with both of them, I know that this early conditioning is pretty important.

Billy came home, Chirstmas happened, a few trips, life - and here it is past the middle of February.  Billy had integrated himself into all our hearts, but has received very little training.  I feel this is a disservice to him.  He is smart, and training will keep him occupied.  He has a relative that recognizes letters for gosh sake.

My dog training is limited to the six week "puppy kindergarten" type class where the owner is as much the trainee as the pet.  So, here is the deal.  I think I can do this... and he is too "old" for the traditional puppy kindergarten.

I will watch videos on dog training.  I will work with him daily.  And, in 6 weeks, ok, give me 7 cuz watching videos will take some time... I plan on having a pup that can:

Sit, down, stay, up, off, (I learned that- training up makes it easier to train off 😉) Drop it, leave it, porch, come and whatever I may have forgotten that I determine is important.

I figure a few things.  This may keep Billy out of some trouble he has been managing to get into.  It may provide bonding moments.  It may make him the star of dog training if we then decide to do it or it may make the additional training unnecessary.  it may drive us both crazy, but it is only 7 weeks... we will survive!

Recognize this is not just a post about dog training, but a post about me committing to do something EVERY DAY for the next 7 weeks.  I was going to say at least twice a day for two 15 minute increments... but I'm giving myself a bit more leeway...

I'll let you know how I'm doing along the way.  Any you tube videos I should be watching before I start?

PS in case you missed it, Billy is Miniature Schnauzer, Boston Terrier, Siberian Husky, Pomeranian, Shitzu, Akita and Bulldog... primarily the first two, but obviously, a Super Mutt.

Necessity is the mother of...trying things.

I have an Ipod.  I have used it to listen to books on tape for years while I am exercising, cleaning house, gardening; you get the idea.  I am on my second one, as the first ended up going through the washing machine. When I was complaining about that (likely on facebook or some such) my brother offered to send me one he had won at some affair.

So, it quit.  I am lost. I am grumpy.  I feel incomplete.  I know I can do the same things with my phone, but I don't know how.  and, the learning curve for me on techy things is pretty high.  My first posts were going to be about stuff I am somewhat familiar with so I can concentrate more on the thinking about feelings aspect. (thus the canning post).  Now, here I am NEEDING to do something I haven't done before, and it is what this blog is about, so here it is.  PS It quit yesterday morning.  I have been without it about a day, so this is super serious.  (another thing I will need to examine, but for another time 😀)

I woke up this morning and thought of first steps.  My first step would have been to go to my phone's owner's manual and see what it has to say (yes it is on line, and I know where to find it).  That would have been my first step.  However, I am around enough "techies" often enough that I actually thought to think of what THEIR first step would be.  And I decided to Google it.   "Ipod won't turn on."  Oh my goodness... let's suffice it to say, I have my iPod back and it took me less than 30 seconds.  My day has started well.  Someday, I may post about how to transfer stuff to my phone, but I got my IPOD working, so I'm going to go work out now.  Yippee!

Pressure Canning Soup Part Two

It is done.  14 quarts of chicken soup mix ready for noodles, rice or whatever.  

Now, will I use it?  In canning, I tend to think my "hard work" should be saved.  When, in fact, using it is more a bow to the hard work than saving it.  I am writing it here so I will remember.  We'll see how that works.  

Also, when canning 14 quarts, one does not really need 14 quarts, especially pressure canning, where the 1 inch headspace is REALLY important.  So, I have enough broth to make wonton soup tonight, and put a couple of quarts in the freezer for future batches.  So, really, 16 quick dinners.  I will take it.  I'll let ya kow how the various renditions turn out .  That's all for now.

Pressure Canning Soup Part One

So, I have done a lot of Hot Water Bath Canning, and a little Pressure Canning.  I got the idea to make my own chicken soup base.  It is healthier.  One does not add the starch (think noodles, rice, beans, dumplings) until you go to cook it, so it is a good base for many different kinds of soupish dishes.

I got the idea that making these things will make it easier to put dinners together on those days that little is planned, or plans change.  I also think the "trying things" scenario with something I am somewhat familiar with is a good place to start.  Those who know me know I do big batches of soup- but generally freeze, so this is a good addition- leaving freezer space for cool stuff, like shredded zuchinni  and chopped rhubarb 😁.

A couple if things come up.  First, the pictures on line of people working in their kitchens are not exactly truthful.  Or, I don't think so anyway.  Here's mine part way through the process (and the jars, just cuz they look cool):

 

I have the first batch in the canner.  It isn't even up to pressure yet, and I have already heard a BIG pop... afraid that means one quart has already bit the dust.  I will provide the cool pictures of finished canned soup, all in a pretty row, with sunlight shining through the jars, but to be truthful- this is the part that I want to share, as it is the part that doesn't always get shared:  the process, the doubt, the waiting...

I just heard another pop.  Yikes.  Failure may be imminent.  I know I said the doing is what counts, but it will suck to lose many quarts...  That said, think of the conversations.  "why yes, I do can my own soups, doesn't everyone?"  Failure need not be part of polite conversation,  I'll save that to share here 👍.  Wish me luck.

Time Suckers

So, to make time for the "Things to Try, I need to get rid of the "Time Suckers."  you know what I am talking about, right?  We all have them, or maybe I am delusional, and it is just me, but I chose to believe we all have them. The things that are just fine, until they aren't.  For me, it is computer games - not fancy schmancy ones.  I'm talking solitaire type, strategy games or mindless blech- depending on whether they are currently a bit of wind down entertainment or time suckers.  In any event, I have wiped all games off my computer.  This is probably not a forever thing, but a for now thing.  I don't seem to be able to say only 5 minutes... or only five games.  I do not want to use my "Trying Things" time playing solitaire.  Now, I have not been playing so much solitaire that I will have time to do new things, but it will probably free up enough time to write a quick story, or post a few pictures which is a more creative use of my time.  So one of the things I am trying is no computer games.  Aren't I clever?

So far, I have learned how to create a blog, how to get a domain name, how to format the page (kind of- still a work in progress), how to add a "follow" button (thanks Michaline), and that the whole thing ties my stomach in knots.  This lets people in... a glimpse into my brain. Sometimes, how I think scares me and I am projecting in my mind how people will react.  Please don't run away.  I promise, not all my thoughts are scary and... I bet some of yours are too.  (I had said, go ahead, tell me about them...but I am deleting that, as I am really not sure if I want to hear your scary thoughts - mine are enough for me  AND this is all in fun.  IF you really do have REAL scary thoughts, call me and I will try to help you find help, this isn't the spot ❤).

Trying Things...

I have been going to set up a blog for about 10 years...or more.   I have posts on facebook about it, have questioned friends, and noodled it to death.  Now, being relatively newly retired, I have decided it is time. 

While being the sole blogger, I reserve the right to blog on any subject.  That said,  I have many things I have wanted to try, but "not had the time" while working.  I  know that there is a positive psychology to being ok with trying new things and not necessarily being good at them.  The challenge in doing sometimes has to be it's own reward.  I also know, from personal experience, that the quest for perfection can create action paralysis, and am thinking reporting on the new stuff I try will help me overcome this.

The goals of this blog:

1.  give me the impetus to try new things.

2.  report on these new things tried or to be tried.

3.  entertain family and friends with the experiences.

4.  inspire others to try things...just because.

Hang out with me during this journey, and let's see what happens.  Woot!