I'm taking a journey or two or ten or maybe even more, and then throwing in some random thoughts.

After spending hours and hours on youtube, which was very enjoyable I might add; then subscribing to a host of youtubers, watching their tips and tricks on gardening, makeup techniques, makeovers, decluttering, minimizing, cooking, sewing, crafts, and castle renovations; and then reading and/or listening to a few books on these same subjects, I decided to share a few of the journeys they inspired. I just might add, I'm not going to renovate a castle, but I might end up on a tour visiting castles. We'll see. After a long hiatus from a very short period of blogging, I have decided to blog again. I am inexperienced in this blogging thing and not very computer savvy, but I think (I hope) I can figure it out. I do know how to type, I do have a computer and I do know how to take pictures with my iphone, but that's about it. My first task will be learning how to get the pictures from my iphone to my computer, which when you see a picture on my blog you'll know that has been accomplished. I plan on organizing my journeys into topics or categories. I'm not sure what is the right term. So here we go. These are my journeys and sharing whatever comes my way.

Ask Yourself the Question, “Will This Make a Difference?”

I first heard this saying when I was still working in the 1970’s, Then I found it again in a book given to me by my Mom for helping her with her first All-Thomas High School Class Reunion; “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and it’s all small stuff, Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life”, #16, by Richard Carlson. This book has lots more good recommendations, but this is the one that stayed with me.

Take a look at whatever circumstance is upsetting you, then simply ask yourself the question, “Will this make a difference—in an hour, a day, a week, a year, five years, etc.? Choose the best time period that alleviates your anger or frustration. Is there really any long-term effect or value?

This question has made a huge difference in my life. Rather than expending too much unnecessary negative energy on small, unimportant things, I could breeze through those times with a joke and a smile on my face. It made it easier to keep things, which incite stress, anger or even unkind words, in perspective.

Maybe this can help ‘tame the beast’ in you during those more challenging times we all have in our lives.

P.S. You might want to buy this little book. There might be something in it that strikes a more harmonious chord with you that is different from me.

Strawberries are a favorite fruit

Some facts for you about strawberries. Did you know—

1. Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring.
2. Strawberries (as well as many other fruits) are members of the rose family.
3. Strawberries are a symbol of perfection and righteousness and were carved into designs on medieval churches and cathedrals.
4. Strawberries are popular—they're in 94% of households in  the United States, and half of the country's children, ages 7 to 9, say strawberries are their favorite fruit.
5. The world's largest strawberry was the size of a large apple, weighing 8.17 ounces.
6. Belgium has a museum dedicated to strawberries.  

(Source: LDS Living, May/June, p. 9) 

Now you know too!

Plastic Containers and food

Have you heard about the danger of plastic?

Never microwave in plastic containers.

cankers

Try this: If you have cankers in your mouth. Rinse with hydrogen peroxide, or swab the spot with a q-tip.

Let me know if this works, then I will know too. Sorry, I am not sure where I heard this.

ACT ON YOUR GOOD IMPULSES

The great novelist and poet George Eliot remarked, "I not only want to be loved, I want to be told that I am loved . . . ."

The biggest disservice we render to ourselves and to others is when we feel inclined to compliment and encourage someone, and then remain silent.

Give compliments often and encouragement frequently—lift someone's heart and bring a smile to their face. It will make you feel good too.

Here are some hints on how to buy the best fruit.

Hop

• Oranges/grapefruits:  Squish them a little; if they have some give, it means their rind is thick and they've had time to mature. Or, as with grapefruits, weigh them in your hand; if they're comparatively heavy, they're nice and juicy. (Note: contrary to popular belief, the most orange oranges are not necessarily ripe; it only means they were grown in colder temperatures.
• Cherries:  Look for deeply-colored, firm (but not hard) cherries with green stems (as opposed to dark stems which will be old).
• Watermelon:  Look at the discoloration, where the melon has rested on the ground. If it is big, broad discoloration (whitish-yellow) along the bottom of the melon, it's been sitting in the sun a lot, ripening, and it's perfect. If it's just a small spot of discoloration, leave the fruit for someone else. There is also the "lots of bugs bite scarring theory." It goes like this:  If there are lots of bug bite scars on the melon, it will be sweet. (This theory originated when my brother sold watermelons as a scout many years ago.) These are two good methods. To me all watermelons sound the same when thumped, I threw out the thumping method a long time ago.
• Peaches:  First, smell the peach to make sure it smells good; if you can't smell anything, it's not ripe. Then feel it to make sure it is tender (but don't push too hard).
• Grapes:  The best, crisp grapes will be lighter than those that are squishy and old; pinch a few on the bunch to see if they are firm. For ripeness, look for flecks of tough, brown skin, which are signals that the grapes have had enough time to ripen in the sun.

(Sources: LDSLiving, July/August 2010, and me)