I remember this piece (loved it, and bought a "real" broom after reading it), and cannot believe it was published in 2023. Time. And I feel it in my heart about finding Molly's hair around. Our dogs give us so much and leave such a hole when they are not with us.
I remember this post so well, because I was fascinated by the broom. Being a dog lover, you know why. And I look at brooms differently now, the ones that catch and won't release and the ones that will. It's all in the cut. Enjoy your visits and happy warm, Texas spring.
When we left Alaska in 2011, we had one very full garage sale! This was common in Juneau, as shipping costs on heavy or bulky items is high. So, after 6 months living in our 5th wheel trailer, we figured out 1. We wanted a smaller house, 2. A smaller RV, 3. A home to still host family and friends, as well as garden (burning raised beds that were easier on our backs and knees. We were blessed to find the home on a double lot at the end of a street, only 1 mile to grocery and 2 miles to library, with room for the smaller RV. Every year we sort through stuff and give more away to family and friends. The nephews loved receiving good deer rifles, grand nieces love the books (when I can let go of them), sis-in-law loves the fancy dishes, and my husband and brother now share expensive tools. There is more to eliminate, but at least all the art on walls, native grass baskets, black argilite bowls and cookbooks all have someone’s name in them. Now, if I can just quit bringing home books……
I find that now that I am getting older, & retired my dreams & pleasures are both smaller, For instance sitting here reading your blog with my old cat curled up against me brings me imense pleasure. Listening to the birds chirping at the feeders, sewing a quilt. I'm not in a hurry to get things done or a rush to go places. That is an immense pleasure! Thank you for sharring information about unflagged brooms! With 5 cats & a dog in the house I find I have a lot of hair to chase!
Oh, how close this one hit (literally) to home. I, too, went hunting for an unflagged broom. And since I "retired" in October, I've discovered SO MANY things that I could do better when I looked past what I'd always done. From recipes to photography to house organization and vistas. I have been concerned that I'm looking too "small and close" and felt guilty about finding joy in such simply things as bird antics. As always, you soothed that one, and I'm glad, because I think it's just as important as looking at the whole big wide picture.
There. You see? Mental telegraphy/internet between Ontario and Texas. Maybe even if the grids go down? Bill used to tell me to get out my carding combs and put that fur to work. I tried once, combing it into some fleece from Lake District Herdwicks. Not a smashing success.
I remember this post well, because it was news to me about the different kinds of broom bristles. I LOOOOVE the unflagged bristle broom I subsequently bought!!
Oh, yay! I'm so glad you found one, Mary Beth! Sometimes they're not labeled. (One of the reasons I like to buy online is that there are *real* labels on things.)
Your post inspired me to share my thoughts on weeds - specifically bindweeds.
This morning I looked out at my perennial garden and saw my neighbor's bindweed had climbed to the top of the chain link fence separating our properties. It is sending a long arm out to breach the perimeter and latch on to my plants.
Bindweed is a metaphor. It is invasive and will kill what it smothers. I yank it our with pleasure knowing it will wither and die. For me it is a way to fight back on what invades my thoughts. My neighbor gave up on trying to eradicate it because "you have to get down to the roots." Fortunately I know that a plant needs sun to grow and if it has no leaves it will eventually die, roots and all.
We can do something to take control before we are bound up and smothered. Pulling weeds is very satisfying!
Love the image of you pulling down that bindweed, Judith. Next time I go to fetch the bird feeders, I'll grab a handful and pull, thinking of you. Also love it that you have played the neat trick of turning it into a very handy metaphor! Maybe, if enough of us pull hard enough, we can get rid of some of the invasives currently taking control. ❤️
It sometimes surprises me with stuff I've just learned (at age 76). For example, birds don't actually 'live in nests'. They just lay eggs and raise their young and then abandon the nest. I've seen enough abandoned nests over the years to have figured it out, but no, hadn't really thought it through.
Every day there's something new to understand--just takes a bit of curiosity. I loved the photo of those lion cubs and Mom you posted on FB, Patricia. Your zoo is lucky to have them!
I'll repost more of the cubs from the zoo Facebook. Alas, this, the first week they're on view (off and on), I'm taking my husband in for his last visit with his orthopedic surgeon following his elbow reconstruction. He's not yet able to drive himself.
I shall follow your advice. My flagged broom sweeps up and keeps all the fur and hair, which then I have to pull or comb out. My next purchase, I know what.
I remember this piece (loved it, and bought a "real" broom after reading it), and cannot believe it was published in 2023. Time. And I feel it in my heart about finding Molly's hair around. Our dogs give us so much and leave such a hole when they are not with us.
I hope you enjoy your family visiting!
I remember this post so well, because I was fascinated by the broom. Being a dog lover, you know why. And I look at brooms differently now, the ones that catch and won't release and the ones that will. It's all in the cut. Enjoy your visits and happy warm, Texas spring.
When we left Alaska in 2011, we had one very full garage sale! This was common in Juneau, as shipping costs on heavy or bulky items is high. So, after 6 months living in our 5th wheel trailer, we figured out 1. We wanted a smaller house, 2. A smaller RV, 3. A home to still host family and friends, as well as garden (burning raised beds that were easier on our backs and knees. We were blessed to find the home on a double lot at the end of a street, only 1 mile to grocery and 2 miles to library, with room for the smaller RV. Every year we sort through stuff and give more away to family and friends. The nephews loved receiving good deer rifles, grand nieces love the books (when I can let go of them), sis-in-law loves the fancy dishes, and my husband and brother now share expensive tools. There is more to eliminate, but at least all the art on walls, native grass baskets, black argilite bowls and cookbooks all have someone’s name in them. Now, if I can just quit bringing home books……
I will be checking my brooms tomorrow. 😀
With all those cats, I think an unflagged broom might come in handy, Penny!
It's on my To Do List - buy an unflagged broom ! xoxo
Hope it works for you as well as it's worked for me, Mary Jo!
I find that now that I am getting older, & retired my dreams & pleasures are both smaller, For instance sitting here reading your blog with my old cat curled up against me brings me imense pleasure. Listening to the birds chirping at the feeders, sewing a quilt. I'm not in a hurry to get things done or a rush to go places. That is an immense pleasure! Thank you for sharring information about unflagged brooms! With 5 cats & a dog in the house I find I have a lot of hair to chase!
Oh, how close this one hit (literally) to home. I, too, went hunting for an unflagged broom. And since I "retired" in October, I've discovered SO MANY things that I could do better when I looked past what I'd always done. From recipes to photography to house organization and vistas. I have been concerned that I'm looking too "small and close" and felt guilty about finding joy in such simply things as bird antics. As always, you soothed that one, and I'm glad, because I think it's just as important as looking at the whole big wide picture.
Oddly enough, I was thinking of this post only yesterday, while struggling with (in my case) cat hair - enough to build a small cat. Again.
My hands being as cranky as they are, I’m not going to try 🤣🤣
Yes--afraid my fiber work is finished, too. Loved it while I could do it.
Sounds like entirely too much work 😆 I once tried carding wool, at a spinning and weaving demonstration, and failed miserably 😠
It takes a bit of doing. I was inspired by this book: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/style/dog-hair-knitting.html Didn't help me much, though, at least with that dog.
There. You see? Mental telegraphy/internet between Ontario and Texas. Maybe even if the grids go down? Bill used to tell me to get out my carding combs and put that fur to work. I tried once, combing it into some fleece from Lake District Herdwicks. Not a smashing success.
I remember this post well, because it was news to me about the different kinds of broom bristles. I LOOOOVE the unflagged bristle broom I subsequently bought!!
Oh, yay! I'm so glad you found one, Mary Beth! Sometimes they're not labeled. (One of the reasons I like to buy online is that there are *real* labels on things.)
Your post inspired me to share my thoughts on weeds - specifically bindweeds.
This morning I looked out at my perennial garden and saw my neighbor's bindweed had climbed to the top of the chain link fence separating our properties. It is sending a long arm out to breach the perimeter and latch on to my plants.
Bindweed is a metaphor. It is invasive and will kill what it smothers. I yank it our with pleasure knowing it will wither and die. For me it is a way to fight back on what invades my thoughts. My neighbor gave up on trying to eradicate it because "you have to get down to the roots." Fortunately I know that a plant needs sun to grow and if it has no leaves it will eventually die, roots and all.
We can do something to take control before we are bound up and smothered. Pulling weeds is very satisfying!
Love the image of you pulling down that bindweed, Judith. Next time I go to fetch the bird feeders, I'll grab a handful and pull, thinking of you. Also love it that you have played the neat trick of turning it into a very handy metaphor! Maybe, if enough of us pull hard enough, we can get rid of some of the invasives currently taking control. ❤️
Exactly, Susan!
It sometimes surprises me with stuff I've just learned (at age 76). For example, birds don't actually 'live in nests'. They just lay eggs and raise their young and then abandon the nest. I've seen enough abandoned nests over the years to have figured it out, but no, hadn't really thought it through.
Every day there's something new to understand--just takes a bit of curiosity. I loved the photo of those lion cubs and Mom you posted on FB, Patricia. Your zoo is lucky to have them!
I'll repost more of the cubs from the zoo Facebook. Alas, this, the first week they're on view (off and on), I'm taking my husband in for his last visit with his orthopedic surgeon following his elbow reconstruction. He's not yet able to drive himself.
Hope your husband continues to do well, Patricia. Sound like your zoo needs a cub cam! 🙂🔭
A broom, a magical broom! You can fly with your imagination and sweep with a keen eye, Susan!
We all need a magical broom, don't we, Kate?
What a calming and interesting read. Thank you Susan!
Thank you, Lucinda.
I shall follow your advice. My flagged broom sweeps up and keeps all the fur and hair, which then I have to pull or comb out. My next purchase, I know what.
Sometimes we have to read the fine print to figure out what's really going on! Good luck finding a new broom, Rosa.
Thank you so much for the excellent advice, madame.