I Screen, You Screen?

        We finally got one of those wonderful, retractable screen doors! You’ve probably seen them-- they roll up and stow on the side of the door. It lets you keep the patio door open so you can enjoy the nice breeze without flies or mosquitoes getting in. Here's an example of one: 

          EXCEPT… it’s been way too hot to enjoy a breeze, unless you like the temperatures of an inferno.

         BUT EVEN WORSE… you can’t see the screen. At least I can’t. And our dog can’t. So, possibly similar IQs are in sync here.  We tried to leave just the screen closed on three occasions and here’s what happened.

1.       Joni charges right into the screen and nearly busts through, but luckily doesn’t break it.

2.      St. Bob puts a small 3x5 card in the frame so she’ll notice it.

3.       She doesn’t.  She crashes into the screen anyway.

4.       Now Bob puts a full sheet of paper in the frame and finally she sees it.

5.      But this, like a decal, blocks the lovely view, doesn't it? So Joni takes the paper out.

6.       She crashes into the screen again that evening.

Mind you, our dog is doing the same thing.

Fortunately, we’ve had temperatures over 100 lately, so the screen is rolled up, safe once again.

Avoid similar disasters by sitting still at your computer and watching my Youtube Mom life hack videos!

I Heart You

          This is my kind of heart attack.  In a recent blog I shared with you that I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  That’s never good news, but it elicited some good things.  For one, trials like this bring you closer to those you love.  My husband’s love and support looks magnified right now. My children are awesome, including the one who said, “Maybe the new breast they give you will have some cool smart features. Maybe they can install Alexa.”

          But it also opened up the hearts of my other loved ones, my dear friends.  Flowers, cookies, gifts from the kitchen—I have felt showered with love.  My artist friend, Debbie Johnson, dreamed a painting to give me—and it’s phenomenal—check it out on my Facebook page.

But today I want to share the surprise my neighbor and her kids gave me.  Just minutes after telling her of my diagnosis, my doorbell rang and here’s the “heart attack” she and her children promptly prepared and then left on my door:

I love that one of the hearts states, “You will get better! (that’s a fact)” written by one of her young sons.  Her daughter drew a picture of me with four wonderful strands of hair sticking straight up like pins.  I adore it!  When the wind suggested I take the hearts off my door, I attached them to a long ribbon that hangs in a cheery swag over my desk now.

I am beyond grateful to so many wonderful friends who reached out with exactly what would mean the most, ministering to my soul and giving me the smiles and hugs I need right now.  Is there someone in your life who needs reminding that you care about them?  Can you cut out a heart from paper?  Maybe you can make someone’s day, and make this world a better place.

          And speaking of moms and kids, check out my YouTube mom videos here.

Close That Door!

A girlfriend of mine who subscribes to this blog recently asked how so many funny things keep happening to me. I wish I knew.  All I know is that I will never run out of material, both a blessing and a curse.

Here is the latest one. I had an appointment in an office building, but when I got there, I discovered it was a huge complex of several buildings.  So I parked and then popped into the closest one to get directions.  Hmm.   No reception desk.  So I wandered down a hallway, and saw this sign:

Yes, you cannot make this stuff up. Can you imagine what’s going on behind that door?  I figure all hell has broken loose in a science lab, with monkeys and kangaroos leaping about, smashing beakers, and sending lab-coated scientists under the desks for cover.  Even if it’s just guinea pigs, believe-you-me, they can create a good bit of mayhem.  I (unwisely) allowed our daughter to breed them when she was in junior high, so she could learn about genetics.  Trust me; there’s plenty of genetic info online.

Or perhaps this is the office of a jokester.  I would certainly enjoy posting a sign like that, just for amusement’s sake.  Years ago I heard of a brilliant burglar deterrent.  You post a sign on your front door that says, “Beware of Dangerous Pyracantha.  If confronted, do not try to run, just back away slowly.”  Then you put a big, empty cage on your front porch, with its door open.

Of course, this assumes that burglars don’t know what a pyracantha is.  It’s a plant and it looks like this:

Still, a sign like that on your home would be a great idea.  And the other one is perfect for your office. Or maybe it’s just a preschool.  Either way, you can believe I did not open that door.

Have you checked out my website, lately?  No scary tabs that lead to maniacal creatures, I promise.  Just lots of fun videos to watch and some terrific books to buy!