Category: 2023

March 15 – Dining Room Woodworking, Part 3

Denise Krebs7 Comments

March 15, 2023 TwoWritingTeachers.org

Today was hinge day on our new storage benches. I laid awake last night from 2-4 a.m. thinking about hinges. Why? Who knows? I wasn’t in charge; I trust my sister to do the thinking and brainwork, so I really didn’t need to worry. It was cold today, so we mostly worked inside.

We put regular hinges on, which we had to Dremel out a half inch section of wood to make them fit. (I would not have known to do that.)

Then we had some special hinges that needed to be added to keep the lid from slamming down. Those were really confusing. It took both of us to watch the video several times, read and reread the confusing instruction book, discuss and figure out how to get a little doo-hickey turned around, and some trial and error.

I don’t even know why we tried to read this! The video was much more helpful.
Success, finally

Now, I was finally able to put these storage benches at my table.

I plan to store tablecloths, placemats, and large serving pieces in one of them, and extra blankets in the other.

That little stink bug was hanging around when we worked outside. It was the third time we’ve seen him lately. I think he’s bored and enjoys the company.

Now about that table. I thought it would be all finished, but after the last sanding and polishing, it was cloudy. My sister suggested one more coat of varnish. Look what I did–gunked it up in too many places. I’ve learned finishing is the hard part of woodwork. I’m now going to take it outside and sand it again, and let my sister add the last coat of varnish.

 

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

March 14 – White Women, Join Me

Denise Krebs12 Comments

March 14, 2023 TwoWritingTeachers.org

Ron Desantis’ General Counsel Ryan Newman gave this description of WOKE: “it would be the belief there are systemic injustices in American society and the need to address them.” And Ron Desantis wants woke-ism to die in Florida (and in the U.S., if God-forbid, he becomes president).

That is the backlash our nation is up against. People, many of them in positions of authority, are denying that there are systemic injustices in America and that we need to address them. It is so frightening. We need to speak up, so our nation becomes more perfect, not less.

I’ve known all along about the powerful book Saira Rao and Regina Jackson wrote and was published by Penguin Books last fall:

White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better

However, it took me until last month to finally purchase it. I don’t know why. Here is a great taste of their book in a Time.com article.

Are you a white woman? I would invite you to buy the book, read it, and discuss it with a small group. You are invited to join in this free Race2Dinner book club. After you access the book club, register, and then RSVP for one of the small groups. The first group met today, and three more are starting this week. Go and check it out. At the first meeting, the group will discuss the preface of the book. Then they will talk about one chapter a month after that.

I hope to see you in the Race2Dinner community. Do let me know if you join, please.

 

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

March 13 – Six-Word Memoirs about Me

Denise Krebs14 Comments

March 13, 2023 TwoWritingTeachers.org

Jennifer Kessler wrote a fun post yesterday called “Six-Word Memoirs About Me.” Now, I’m following her lead and telling you a bit about me in six-word memoirs.

  • Grew up loving and playing softball.
  • I love to eat (and fast).
  • Taught in California, Iowa, Arizona, Bahrain.
  • I’m chief learner in life’s adventure.
  • Two daughters who make me proud.
  • Married for 40 years in June.
  • Hobbies: reading, writing, cooking, crocheting, biking.
  • Good in technology, daring to click.
  • Cook vegan recipes and bake bread.
  • My beloved grandson is almost one.
  • This, first year I’ve enjoyed homeownership.
  • Retired and enjoying every sweet moment.

 

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

March 12 – Dining Room Update

Denise Krebs5 Comments

March 12, 2023 TwoWritingTeachers.org

Today was a beautiful spring day, so we got back to finishing our dining room table and benches after almost three weeks. The delay was due to cold weather and a sweet visit from my daughter and her baby (my grandson!!). Today we were able to begin again. (You can see photos of the beginning of the dining room job here.) The dining room table looks like this now, after three coats of varnish. We aren’t using it yet. I’ll be sanding it and buffing it tomorrow, so then it should be ready for use.

We finished building the sides of the benches, sanded, leveled, oiled and stained them all today.

A stink bug hung around for a while

My sister is such a skilled worker. She measured so carefully and fit the edges together like a jigsaw puzzle.
Seeing if the lid sits on without wobbling (It didn’t yet) The lids were formerly leaves in our dining room table.
Leveling off the corners so the lid will fit (It doesn’t wobble now)
Oil and stain application
Staining finished – Ready for varnish tomorrow

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

March 11 – Disco Dancing

Denise Krebs15 Comments

March 11, 2023 TwoWritingTeachers.org

 

Tonight I did something I haven’t done in 40+ years. Disco danced!

We got a new remote control light for the ceiling, a light to brighten up a dark spot in our living room. I turned it on tonight and found a setting with a flashing rainbow light. I was surprised and then it made me smile. I said, “Oh, it’s like a disco ball! We can have a dance in here.”

 

Within moments, my husband was playing “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees loudly from the speaker. It made me laugh, and then I started dancing!

Next, “Play Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive,'” I said, as I took off my sweater.

I have always loved that song, but it reminds me of one of the first viral videos I ever saw. (In 1999, the only platform we had to share funny videos and other digital material was email. Who else remembers all those FWD:ed emails?)

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

Poetry Friday – ACT now

Denise Krebs17 Comments

Heidi is hosting the Poetry Friday roundup today here at her blog, “my juicy little universe.” Be sure to read her amazing collection of odes to the month of March across the centuries. And a happy birthday to Heidi tomorrow!

I’ve had thoughts of my mortality this week. (No particular reason, except I’ll be 65 this year!) Today I woke up thinking about my one word for 2023–ACT–and wrote this acrostic (with my new Sharpie markers).

A reason to thrive
Cherished time
Ticks on

Last year, my word was PURPOSE. I felt I spent the whole year with vague wonderings like, “Could this be my retirement purpose?” Then in 2023, I thought I just need to ACT on the needs around me. I won’t be here forever.

Last week in the Slice of Life challenge I wrote a golden shovel poem based on a quote from Irene Latham’s Poetry Friday post last week. Read Irene’s post here; it’s beautiful, and she is a good example of someone who acts–making opportunities for living well and doing good. The quote I used is “What if our only purpose really is to be present?”

What can I say except this day is precious and
if it must be my last, I will live it contentedly.
Our world will go on without me, and finally
only LOVE will prevail. But if I get another day, on
purpose I will live it–
really live it. Even if it
is just sitting inside, staying warm,
to read and write, I can still
be here, in this place, fully alive, opening this sweet
present.
~Denise Krebs, after Irene Latham

March 10 – 3, 2, 1 para el #MultiFri

Denise Krebs7 Comments

March 9, 2023 TwoWritingTeachers.org

Ayer leí Tammy Evans’ post. “3,2,1 – tres ideas, dos citas, y una pregunta,” de James Clear y Elizabeth Griffin. Aquí está mi post:

3 ideas

Me encanta aprender.

La vida es tan corta.

Escrito es bueno para mi corazón.

2 citas

“Cambiar el mundo, amigo Sancho, no es locura ni utopía, sino justicia.” ~Miguel de Cervantes (Don Quixote)

“Comer bien. Vivir bien. Que estes bien.” ~bolsa del supermercado Calimax

1 pregunta

¿Alguna vez hablaré español?

 

En marzo, estoy participando en el desafiar del Loncha de Vida. Hoy es el #MultiFri. Gracias, Two Writing Teachers y Jennifer M.

March 9 – A Tiny Slivers Timeline of Yesterday

Denise Krebs4 Comments

March 9, 2023 TwoWritingTeachers.org

Last year I wrote a Slice of Life of my day using some tiny poetry forms. I remembered it this morning, and decided to try it again, so here is a tiny timeline of my day yesterday using septercets–a poetry form of three lines, each with seven syllables.

5:26 a.m.
Alarm rings, but hubby sleeps
Stumble around finding clothes
Make a cup of tea to go

6:00 a.m.
Pick up my sister and dogs
Drop them at the dog-sitters
Head out for her appointments

7:20 a.m.
Read in the parking structure
The Confession by Grisham
A satisfactory end

8:05 a.m.
At last, found Sherman’s Deli
Ordered corned beef hash, eggs, and
bagel with cream cheese to share.

9:00 a.m.
Trader Joe’s, Michael’s, Target
Shopping time before the next
doctor’s appointment for her

10:30 a.m.
No Internet, now no book
Enjoyed the breeze and the birds
and played FreeCell on my phone

11:15 a.m.
Costco — the hundred dollar
store is now, the more-than-a-
hundred store. Samples for lunch.

1:10 p.m.
Keith put the battery in
Lori’s pickup, which is why
she hadn’t driven herself

4:00 p.m.
At last, sanded and added
the first coat of varnish to
my renovated table

7:30 p.m.
Curled up on my half of
loveseat and slept, (rare for me)
Probably snoring occurred

9:00 p.m.
Wrote a post: White Women book
giveaway. (Oh, no!! Too late!!)
Free book club still open, though

9:20 p.m.
Couldn’t think of a new post,
so I doom-scrolled. What is wrong
with our country? Racism!

11:00 p.m.
Went to sleep, thinking too much,
I should have read, not listened
to all the bias out there.

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!