3 rules for life’s troubles

 Hello!

All kaleidoscopes by inkspired and KaleidoCam app

I have been getting notices from google 

that my blog has too many words 

that are too small to read.

Hmmmm.

I think they must be referring to my credit captions at the base of most of my photos.

So!

Today I am trying size huge (but not humongous yet) font and size of everything.

Let me know if you like it, don’t like _______ , etc.

Thanks!

However many of my photos have captions ON THEM, so I can’t really change font/size unless I spend A LOT of time re-doing work.

And I will still not be able to change up a fair share of them.

But then you, dear reader, are very much worth it.

Still. Not going to do it for now. At least not very many.

So, I’ll change what I can and leave what I can’t change.

Fair enough?

I am still struggling with the learning curve of the ‘new’ blogger. 

Seems more like a learning straight down the rabbit hole kind of curve. Instructions would have been nice, instead of this trial & error stuff I have been trying to muddle through.

Ever feel like life is like that?

Instruction manual would be preferred?

Found on Pinterest

When we had our first baby I sure wanted an instruction manual. He was SO tiny!

He only slept for 20 minutes at a time!

The whole burping thing never worked!

He threw up constantly!!

Unknown photo credit

Well, baby’s instruction manual never did arrive and we just had to stumble through it, barf and all!

Found on Pinterest

Fortunately he survived, and even turned into a fine young man. Pretty sure most of the credit goes to God however for that result.

(And Dr. Williams for changing his formula to soy.)

Many of my photos are found on Pinterest and have no credit with them. Sorry.

If you know someone I should give credit to, please let me know.

It’s all part of being responsible with other people’s things.

I am being rather scattered lately.

Is it because I am short on sleep?

The constant headaches?

Fibromyalgia?

Relationship drama?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Could be any, all or a few as I have them all.

Who knows? The thing I keep in mind however is that I have little to no control over any of those things.

So...I just muddle on, with a muddled brain!

BUT

I refuse to give the negativity of pain my main focus.

I will not let pain be the ring leader in my circus!

@littlethingsaboutgod

I exchange my pain for Beauty. Laughter. Moments in nature.

These are far more powerful than anything pain can throw at me.

We are all surrounded by BEAUTY if we learn to look for it -

Photo credit: Ukrop

and there are so many things to make us chuckle, giggle, or laugh out loud -

There is nothing I find as refreshing as a quiet moment outdoors, mostly to just listen. Look. Absorb.

Wood Thrush by Ed Schneider, abcbirds.org

We could all be so much better if we stopped focusing on the negative, the hateful, the ugly things that surround us.

I think pain falls in this category too.

I want to STOP giving pain any more of my attention!

It is difficult to focus on how you have been wronged when you are LAUGHING.

It is difficult to be filled with hate and rage when you are being still, in the quiet of NATURE.

It is difficult to wallow in the ugly, when you see BEAUTY all around you.

Photo credit Jose Pessoa

As I remind myself to not focus on the pain, but instead find something beautiful...something to laugh about...

finding a slice of time to be still and absorb nature...

I challenge you to do the same.

Then maybe, just maybe,

the pain will lessen, and I forget it is there.

Maybe, just maybe,

you forget how you were wronged,

or disrespected,

and instead find something to chuckle at,

or something beautiful you have never seen.

And then, maybe,

we will find we have something in common,

or even find a new friend,

so we can celebrate our differences

and rejoice in our ‘sameness’.

And maybe then we can laugh

together.

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Kaleidoscope by inkspired and KaleidoCam app 

Delightful Daffodils

Welcome!

All kaleidoscopes by inkspired, using an app ‘KaleidaCam’

Daffodils

They bring me happy thoughts

And warm memories of 

past Springs.

Let’s have some daffy fun today!

I did not know that -

Daffodils do NOT play well with other flowers!

When cutting stems for a flower arrangement

daffodils need to soak in water

By themselves

for 24 hours!

Daffodils have a toxic sap which is harmful to other plants.

After soaking daffodils,

you can add in other flowers,

as long as you don’t recut the Daffodil stems.

If you recut the stems,

you have to soak in water for 24 hours again!

Sendflowersandmore.com

Daffodil bulbs contain poisonous crystals;

only certain insects can eat them.

Old House Gardens, from Pinterest

Squirrels will stay away from a garden that

has daffodil bulbs planted.

If a dog digs some bulbs up and eats them,

it will get sick.

Reality in Balance posted this on Pinterest

1913 bulb and seed catalog

BioDivLibrary 

What-about.com

Here are some simple crafts to make

and enjoy the lovely daffodil

even if it’s snowing or raining outside.

Candy/Nut Cups

Martha Stewart Living

Here are the candy cups taken apart for you,

and a nice daffodil petal pattern.

(Cutting paper is a great fine motor activity!)

Martha Stewart Living magazine

A photograph of some cut daffodils from my garden last year.

Then I just had to play with some of my photo apps!

One of my favorite crafts -

Rock Painting!

 Posted on Pinterest from Etsy.com

Rock Painting is so fun, easy, and pretty cheap too!

You need a rock from your garden,

any brand acrylic paint,

and a good spray sealer.

(I prefer Krylon.)

In addition to regular sealer,

they also have an ultraviolet sealer spray.

Optional:

Sharpie brand permanent markers for details,

and Mod Podge,

any brand paint pen/marker, water-based

If you use Sharpies

You must seal with Mod Podge before spray sealer.

Otherwise, I have read, that your permanent markers will ‘melt’ after being sprayed with sealant.

I haven’t wanted to test this myself.

Theresa Lee posted on Pinterest

I have had no problems when I:

*wash rock with water & stiff brush

*paint with acrylics, paint pens and 

detail work with Sharpies permanent markers

*Mod Podge 2-3 coats

*use spray sealer 3-4 coats

*let thoroughly dry between all coats.

Sold on Etsy.com; posted on Pinterest

Murano Glass, by Maestro Gianni Toso

Last craft idea for today:

Beaded flowers

 Bead artist: Lauren Harpster

Biser.info posted on Pinterest

Let’s give some credit to a few wonderful sites 

I have pulled information from:

Southernliving.com (Zoe Gowen)

thedaffodilsociety.com

wideopeneats.com (Jessi Devenyns)

Countryliving.com (Rebecca Shinners)

I hope today’s daffodils have made you smile

and relax, even if just a bit.

We are a nation of strong people.

We will get past these tough times,

together.

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Spring is Yellow

Welcome!

All kaleidoscopes are by inkspired and the KaleidaCam app

Green leaves are peeping out and taking a look around in my garden. Some have already called the flower girls to come out and play.

So far my flower girls have remained too shy,

Or too cozy in their leafy beds to listen.

But soon, I hope!

Memories from last year...

1899 giclee print by C. Wilhelm

Daffodils are one of the first blooms we see in Spring.
There is a legend that says if you are the first
to see a daffodil, your next 12 months 
will be filled with wealth.

Flower Children By Elizabeth Gordon
1866 - 1922
Gallery.oldbookart.com

Daffodils were favorites of the Romans.
Somehow, through time and wars and plagues,
they got ‘lost’.
That is, until the early 17th century
When an Englishman saw one in amongst the weeds!

FamilyHoliday.net, seen on Pinterest

In Classical Greek mythology there was
a beautiful youth
so entranced with his own reflection
that he pined away for 
himself.
(Sound like someone you know?)
As punishment for his extreme vanity
the gods turned him into
a Daffodil!

Daffodil is the common name for any plant
that falls under the genus Narcissus.
This includes jonquils, paper whites and more.
There are at least 23 more different daffodil species.
This does not include the over 12,000
different hybrid species.
Wow.

Design*Sponge, posted on Pinterest

Narcissus Sunny Girlfriend
Offered by Caribbeangardenseed

According to the American Daffodil Society
(Formed in 1954)
Jonquils are daintier than daffodils.
Most daffodils reach 1 - 1 1/2 feet tall.
Daffodils are surprisingly tolerant of cold,
and in fact need a cold frost
for the flower bud to get started.

The Language of Flowers Coloring book
Copyright By John Green

I did not know this:
Daffodils can flower from
6 weeks to 6 months!!!
It depends on the growing conditions.

Daffodils come back every year.
😁
Leave them alone until the leaves start to turn yellow.
This is important!
Daffodils use the after-bloom time
to feed the bulb, in preparation for next year.

Handmade paper flowers, for sale on Etsy.com
Artistically rendered by inkspired & photo apps.

I am trying to make my blog more 
‘Bite size’ than
‘3 course meal size’.

That means I will post more fun daffodil facts
and some fun daffodil crafty ideas
Next time!

Magic_Moments, from Flicker 

‘Til next time,
inkspired