https://youtu.be/9Jz706sJMjg?si=TKmISIVahN6JyEJG 2024 is right around the corner!
Encouragement
Less Stuff, Less Guilt
A friend recently used a phrase I'd never heard, "Swedish Death Cleaning." I would share the findings that resulted, but as my research triggered serious computer security system alarms, you might be better off without my help. Bottom line, it's another organizational system, this time from the point of view of those who clean up … Continue reading Less Stuff, Less Guilt
Camping: Heading Out Alone
My friend Francine, in response to how she'd spent her birthday, sent some amazing photos of camping alone. Thank you for the birthday wishes. I spent the weekend camping in the mountains. I stayed at a campground, but was alone at my campsite. Here's my sweet little set-up. Small green tent on the right is … Continue reading Camping: Heading Out Alone
Cookies Tell Stories: Find Your Tribe
I promised you: More Bigfoot, Cookies, and Philosophy. Here we go. Gather round the campfire! As part of my Bigfoot Fun Quest, I arranged a Bigfoot cookie baking day last year with two of my friends, fully intending to post the photos here, and then ruminate a little about Bigfoot. And then I forgot to … Continue reading Cookies Tell Stories: Find Your Tribe
Cookies Tell Stories: Recipe for Life
Previously, on Campfire Tales: Various sources recounted the invention of the prize-winning Starlight Mint Surprise Cookies, sometimes omitting the theft and replacement of the $10,000 prize check. Today, let's consider the real legacy of Laura Rott. Every celebration, article and obituary focuses on the baking contest, mostly through Eleanor Roosevelt's summary, and including Eleanor's "unmarried" … Continue reading Cookies Tell Stories: Recipe for Life
Release, Embrace, Anticipate
I recently announced that "Release, Embrace, Anticipate" would be the theme for this year (referring to the Past, Present, Future) and then... (crickets) What happened? Did I accidentally release the present, embrace the past, and forgot all about the future? Well... maybe something like that. Sorry. Here's the scoop: Right after my last post, I … Continue reading Release, Embrace, Anticipate
Stop (Watching) the Clock!
A few observations: Every year for the past few years I keep hearing most everyone I know express eagerness for the prior/current year to be over, and the next year to begin. The belief/hope seems to be: New Year = Better Year. Every year for the past few years, the current year is rated worse … Continue reading Stop (Watching) the Clock!
Countdown Motivation
Have you heard a parent or teacher start counting down to warn children to do as they are told? Once they reach zero, there will be consequences! Here's my version, to get myself going. "And in tree... two... one..."
The Atom Between Red and Green
Quick! Consume this itty-bitty science-filled quote — like a smart pill! — and then we'll talk about something more fun: goals! (It might help if you hold your breath until it's over; you'll read faster.) All the green in the planted world consists of these whole, rounded chloroplasts wending their way in water. If you … Continue reading The Atom Between Red and Green
Happy New(-ish) Year!
Twenty-Twenty-One: Yay, it's over! Done. Twenty-Twenty-Two: Welcome. Cheers to you! Fingers crossed, the upcoming year goes great. Let's start right — (What? Uh-oh, already late...) ~ Camp Host Chad Didn't we just do this? Oh yeah, it's a tradition!