Likes | J.R. Johnson

Archive for the ‘Likes’ Category

There Goes the Day

Posted in Likes, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, Affinity Photo, Bread Monster, Sunday, whales on May 23, 2021| Leave a Comment »

I drafted four possibilities for today’s post and wasn’t quite happy with any of them. I made bread and was distracted by the cat trying to eat said bread (claws were involved), which lead to me doubling the amount of butter. (Still delicious.) We picked up herbs and other plants from a local farm. Then Mr Man asked for a haircut. I do a decent job but it takes me forever. And now it’s time to start thinking about making pizza for dinner and I’m wondering where the day went.

So today, a not terribly original thought about whales. It’s really just an excuse to use the image I spent some time playing with yesterday.

What do whales think of the ridiculousness of humans naming this planet Earth?

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And Isn’t that Actually Kind of Nice?

Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, life, quotes, some days are just like that on May 20, 2021| 1 Comment »

“When you look at yourself from a universal standpoint, something inside always reminds or informs you that there are bigger and better things to worry about.”
— Albert Einstein

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Sun Day

Posted in Likes, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, happiness, in spite of everything, quotes, Sunday on May 16, 2021| Leave a Comment »

“It turns out, somehow, there are a tremendous number of things to be optimistic about.”
― Hank Green

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Are We There Yet?

Posted in Holidays, Likes, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, distance, family, maps, Sweden on May 14, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Thinking about my grandfather yesterday got me thinking about our trip to Sweden. Here’s one of the best souvenirs I brought back, an adjustable driving distance calculator. The sheet inside slides to show distances from a given starting location. I like maps, and this one is particularly well done.

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For fun, here’s one of the first known distance maps, the Tabula Peutingeriana, with measures for (where else?) the center of all things at that time, the Roman Empire. Although at 22 feet long, it’s not exactly portable!

Tabula Peutingeriana map — *Conradi Millieri derivative work: Thecinic, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

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Eleventy-First, with Memories

Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, 111, birthdays, family, how to remember, memories, philosophizing on May 13, 2021| 3 Comments »

Today would have been my grandfather’s eleventy-first birthday.

Paul Johnson loved golf, travel, photography, his Swedish heritage, fishing, the beach in Florida, women, and a good game of bridge, not necessarily in that order. He and my grandmother married in secret for the usual reasons, then again two years later when he was able to support them both. (She wore a light blue dress, again, for the usual reasons.)

One terrific part of life is that you can choose how you want to look back. When I think of my grandfather, I don’t dwell on the Parkinson’s and how it took so much from him before it finally took his life. I think of his smile as he watched a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral, the heart-felt yet hilarious haircuts he used to give my long-suffering brother, and the way he remembered to call me Princess even after he’d forgotten my name.

He saved sand dollars from the beach, enjoyed hot dogs with sauerkraut and introduced us to tomatoes with sugar, always kept a bag of butterscotch for the grandkiddos, tolerated both hijinks and shenanigans with good cheer, and had the best laugh, right from the belly.

He was a wonderful grandfather.

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*Photo by T. Johnson. Location: Pine Grove Mills, PA. Date: Summer 1974. *Probably*.*

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Happy Mothers

Posted in Holidays, Likes, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, family, holidays, Mother's Day on May 9, 2021| Leave a Comment »

I am fortunate enough to have one, two, three mothers! To them, and to you, I send all my very best wishes.

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Saturday Morning Cartoons

Posted in Entertainment, Likes, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, adulthood isn't so bad, cartoons, family, Saturdays on May 8, 2021| Leave a Comment »

I used to love waking up to Saturday morning cartoons at my grandparents’ (no TV at our house, I may have mentioned), but now that I’m an adult I’ve moved beyond such childish things. Right?

This morning Mr. Man turned on the TV and quickly found a station playing Spy, Paul, Battleship and True Lies. Cheers all around!

So, maybe not much has changed:)*

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* Well, except for the fact that now I have a PVR the size of Texas and can record them all!

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Fight a Good Fight

Posted in Likes, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, all fo squirreldom, birds, home, win win on May 3, 2021| Leave a Comment »

I may have mentioned my unspoken, one-sided, possibly small-minded battle with the neighbors for “Favorite Neighborhood Bird Oasis.” For years, our backyard was the place to be, featuring sustainably under-managed undergrowth, a giant tube feeder full of black oil sunflower seeds, a bird bath with water three times a day in summer, and a heated bath in winter. What more could a bird want?

What the neighbors now have, apparently. Feeders that are easier for squirrels and larger birds to break into, a bird bath with a powered fountain, and oh yes, even more feeders (I think they have about a dozen).

So I’m out numbered and outgunned, but not giving up. I’m plotting next steps, including a new feeder with nyjer seed for the finches and more bird-friendly spring plantings.

The bad news is that I’ll probably still lose because I also don’t want to be out there twice a day refilling feeders decimated by all of squirreldom.

The good news? This all spells a net gain for the local wildlife, no matter what.

So, win win. That’s the kind of fight I like.

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Need Unicorns? I Do.

Posted in Likes, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2021, happy, Tuesdays, unicorns on April 27, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Tuesday, you slay me. My mother has tried to elevate my spirits by reminding me of all the nice things in the world, like sunshine and rainbows and unicorns.

…

She has a point.

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