Remember Your Roots and Vote
Charlotte’s Web
My mother's first name was Charlotte. She was never called by this. She was called June.
It seems as if Charlotte has become a popular name these days.
My sister's name is Diane and my daughter's middle name is Diane.
After finding the book about Diana I have been reading a little bit more about the royals.
Prince William and Princess Kate (Catherine)have a daughter named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
Princess Diana's younger brother, Charles Spencer, has a daughter named Charlotte Diana.
Chelsea Clinton's first daughter is named Charlotte.
My name is Katherine, spelled with a K.
The coincidences are weird. I have not decided if it is a good weird or a creepy weird.
It does not really matter because it is what it is, and your perspective depends on your position.
The Year 1981
As I was reading a little news today I had the thought to look up this day, July 29th in history.
As it turns out Princess Diana and Prince Charles (now King Charles) were married on this day in 1981.
This summer a new thrift shop opened up near where I frequently fill up my car’s gas tank, so I went in to check out the store. I headed straight for the books as is my usual routine, and I found this book about Diana. I am not one to spend too much time reading royal news, however, Princess Diana and I were not that far apart in age, and I had admired her.
Another important event during the year of 1981 was my college graduation. During my senior year in college (1981) I was dating a young man who by coincidence looks a little like one of the sons that Princess Diana and Prince Charles would later have. I will post a picture so that you can judge for yourself.
My Married Name in Elements
The heart necklace in my last post was purchased at the Etsy website. I was surprised to find that I still had an account with them from way back in 2015. I had forgotten my password.
I was able to change it so that I can now access it.
I decided I should support the small entrepreneurs that create a variety of things to sell on Etsy.
Since I work in a school, I thought maybe I could find a fun T-shirt to make students think.
I found a vendor located in my state that creates T-shirts using the periodic table of chemical elements.
The T-shirt came today. It is a standard crew neck, so I just pictured the important message on it. It makes me think since I am not trained in chemistry, though I have read a book or two on the subject. I have worked in 8th grade science in the past, so I do know a little about chemistry, at least enough to support the students. I got an A in high school chemistry way back when I was in high school. I took no chemistry classes in college.
The three elements of Potassium, Rhenium, and Indium are useful together only to spell out my last (married) name.
And of course I noticed the numbers, and it made me laugh!
Reminder
Kitten Ears – Somaliensis
I was recently reminded that I started this blog, which I call my tree of thoughts,for myself.
So, here I am adding whatever I choose to document.
I have deleted or moved several of my earlier posts because I am self editing my tree as my mood dictates.
Now, that my focus is more centered on my home, my indoor plants are thriving.
I have added a few new ones this year.
The Kitten Ears pictured above has been with me for a long time now. At one point it almost totally browned with my neglect.
I cut all the brown away, and what was left were a few small strands of green that were falling down. I stuck them back in the pot and started watering it again, and now I have discovered a water mister that it seems to like.
It is thriving now that it has my attention.
Another point of interest in this picture is the solid wooden face sculpture.
It was my parents. They purchased it in the Caribbean when they lived in Cuba. It is as old as I am.
Taking Some Time to Relax
This is an old picture from when my Big Green Egg was newer than it is now.
It has taken me some time to get used to using it regularly.
The recent string of record-breaking heat has encouraged me to use it more. I am using it today.
It still works very well, and the Looftlighter still works well. (This uses hot air to start the fire.)
I know this might seem strange to some. My thinking has been keep the heat outside.
There is a ceiling fan above it so I do get a breeze while using it. Also, I use it like an oven by using a heavy stone shelf accessory which allows me to slow cook in enamel covered cast iron cookware. This way I am not standing out in the heat for very long.
The inside kitchen has been kept cool.
I am now reading my 5th book this summer, and I bought 2 new ones yesterday at an independent bookstore near an appointment. I am still waiting for 2 others to arrive in the mail.
Several of them have been very strange, and definitely challenge traditional thinking.
Garden Update for July: My First Cattail
I had good intentions for garden restoration this summer. So far, I’ve done little, partly due to a bad poison ivy encounter. You would think by now I had learned to avoid it. My last bad encounter was many years ago, so my caution level was low. The summer is not over yet, so possibly I can do more work on it.
Several in home upgrades have been taking my time and attention away from the garden. Also, I am beginning to research retirement since on November 1 this year I will have completed 25 years of service with my school system. This will most likely be my last year (24-25) with this system. This does not mean I will be fully retired from work. I am not ready to do that yet.
I have left the pond alone for the most part since the wildlife has been enjoying it in its current state of human neglect. This has led to the growth of a lone cattail in the middle of the pond. I never planted this. It must be a gift from the wind or a hideaway in the pot of another plant. I read up on preserving these cattails for decorative arrangements. In my younger days I might have pursued this; now, I think I will let it be. The pond is limited and within easy view of my kitchen. Winter will eventually come around, and next spring, hopefully I will be able to start early on a full pond clean-up. Though, you never can know for sure what the future holds.
Not a Cicada in Sight
Now that school is out for the summer I had a chance to start some much needed work outside on Saturday and again this morning.
I had been previously reading about an anticipated double brood of cicadas emerging in my area this summer. I must report that as of today I have seen no cicadas nor have I seen any evidence of them.
What I have seen is an over abundance of birds, so possibly they have been taking care of the cicadas removal.
Today I had my first thought of hiring some help. Normally I have done most of the work myself with some help from my husband. Neither of us is getting any younger. Our daughter cannot help us.
I used to go all day working out in the garden. Now I have to pace myself. The weather early this morning was surprisingly not bad, and even an occasional breeze would cool me down.
The water lilies have been blooming since early May. I made the mistake of putting in another water plant that has been somewhat invasive within the pond. I cut most all the stalks down a week or two ago. The birds are absolutely loving the pond in its current state because it allows them to take baths inside the pond. The pumps are still running and algae is under control. I was going to treat the pond last week when I saw dozens of tadpoles swimming around, so I decided to wait.
I won’t continue my report because I need to get back outside to continue the work of restoration. If the cicadas do ever show up, I will report back.
A Surprise Connection Between an Old Slide and My Father’s Name
This picture was in a slide format found in my father's collection. It was a mystery since it was not labeled.
There were no other slides that seemed related to it. I did not know the location nor the year it was taken. It was mixed in with other old slides. I scanned the slide since the beauty of the location captivated me.
About a month ago I was surprised to see a picture on a co-worker's laptop that looked very similar to this one.
I asked her about it, and she told me that the wallpaper on her laptop changes periodically. I asked her if she knew the location. She said she thought it was Scotland. This information was enough for me to do a search.
As it turns out, there is a Dunnottar Castle located on Scotland's north eastern coast near Stonehaven. The castle is in ruins like the one in my father's picture. I wondered why my father had taken this picture. As it turns out, my father's name, William Keith, is very prominent in this castle's history. The castle is on land that the clan of Keith owned for centuries. Sir William Keith, the 1st Earl Marischal, began constructing this castle at the end of the 14th century.
Keith is the surname of the family that owned this land. Keith is my father's middle name, not his surname, though Keith is what everyone called my father. My father's surname still has a connection to this castle because of the coat of arms of the Earl Marischal.
movingforwardslowly 