Skip to content

7 Things I Learned in August

These abalone shells have nothing to do with this post, in case you were wondering.
  1. “Anon” means soon, shortly, presently. A friend said to me, “See you anon”, and I said, “What does that mean? Never mind, I can figure it out, but never heard it before. Is it French or Latin?” She didn’t know, so I looked it up in the cabin dictionary (from 1936) and learned it is English. Who knew?? It doesn’t seem to be related to “anonymous” in any way other than appearance.
  2. Techno-wizardry in perfect harmony – listen to this song with your best speakers. I sent the link to an acquaintance who told me he doesn’t feel proud to live in the USA right now. I did not want to hear his answer of why that is. But his response made me sad, and my hope is that if you feel sad, this beautiful song will lift your spirits. God Bless The USA
  3. After 33 years, is it unreasonable to expect my washing machine to keep working? I looked up the problem on DuckDuckGo (rather than asking The Google, I ask the Duck) and found out there is something called a lid switch. A replacement doesn’t exist, but a Q-tip dipped in white vinegar can clean it back to working condition. Phew – avoided having to go shopping and make a decision.
  4. Isn’t it interesting how you can “know” someone for 30+ years but not know them? I made a new friend in August, and it was such a privilege. (Yes, a distant shot, because we respect people’s privacy here, “we” being the Royal We, since it is only me, myself and I.)
  5. Some people believe that wearing masks is helpful, some believe it is harmful. Is anything easy to figure out anymore?? I am doing my best to make drawing lessons happen again for my students, but it is tricky business to be able to group people together in classes where Maskers and Non-maskers can work together. I am thankful for a large workshop room in an accommodating gallery along with understanding and gracious students.
  6. Trail Guy and I got 2 census forms. We filled out one and tossed the other. Now it has become our problem to slog through the bureaucracy, notifying them that we have indeed complied with the census. Maybe we should have just gotten counted twice and avoided all the hassle that THEY created. (And we are supposed to trust THEM to do mail-in balloting? I feel tired.)
  7. On my trip to the Central Coast with a lifelong friend, we drove by the weird house in Cambria called Nitt Witt Ridge. What a mess – a historical landmark that cannot be lived in (no water meter any more) nor turned into a place of revenue (wrong zoning). It is privately owned, and the owner took us on a tour. He calls it the “anti Hearst Castle”. Indeed. Fascinating, and truly a peculiar sight.

Did you learn anything new and interesting in August?

4 Comments

    • Thank you, Jennifer! I like it, and time will tell whether it garners any commissioned art jobs. Right now it is just getting spammers to use the contact form!

  2. Wow, is the bottom photo the Nitt Witt house? I’d love to stay there for a few relaxing days.

    I had no idea that anon meant soon. I would never have guessed that.

    How are art classes going again? Here, everything indoors has to be with a mask– which feels wise, so I’m fine with, although it is a strange thing to get accustomed to, of course.

    My wee one just broke his foot this week, so that’s new for us.

    I owe you, and mean to write you a letter, but am not sure when that will be.

    Warmly,
    Jennifer Dougan
    http://www.jenniferdougan.com

    • Great to hear from you, Jennifer! Thank you for checking in. That bottom photo is the Nitt Witt house, and it is a DISASTER both in and out – a fascinating disaster to be sure.

      May Daniel’s foot heal rapidly – yea for youth!

Comments are closed for this article!