Weekly Roll

Long time no weekly roll. Well I am back. I am not quite in  my new honeypot bunker but I am writing from a new state. On our long road trip to our new locale my youngest son liked me to look up fun facts about cities we were passing through.

Fun Facts

Meacham, Oregon was the capital of the United States for one day.

On July 3, 1923, Meacham was declared the capital of the United States for one day when President Warren G. Harding stopped for a day and participated in the exercises commemorating the eightieth anniversary of the covered wagon migration of 1843 (The Oregon Trail). - wikipedia

Linky Love

 Summer Reading Guide - I eagerly await this summer reading guide from Mrs Darcy. If you need some summer reads Modern Mrs Darcy does not disappoint

Inappropriate Thoughts

Currently the honeypot crew is staying at Air BNB at undisclosed location. I was wondering why our kitchen was equipped with margarita glasses but no paring knife. I got questions. My sister pointed out that after drinking margaritas one shouldn't operate a knife. She might be right.

Deep Thoughts

The week has been heavy in every aspect. I don't know the answer to these shootings. 

Weekly Roll - Flood Edition

 

The very minor flooding we had at the top of our hill at the playground.  I live in a county that was heavily flooded this past week.  I did not get any pictures other than around our neighborhood of the flooding.  We have a town in our county that was completely devastated. Our bridge that crosses the Nooksack river was shut down for a day and half.  Leaving very little ways to get into our small town. I didn't live here in 1990 when another historic flood happened.  I am grateful my house is high on a hill and I am heartened that so many people have stepped in to help those deeply effected by the flood. My youngest son helped bag sand on Monday of this past week. 

500 Residents  Displaced

Whatcom County Farmers Hit Hard by Extensive Flooding

Over 1,100 Volunteers Show Up

Aerial Photos of Flooding

Weekly Roll- Need a Light and One Eye Bandit

Linky Love

Best Frozen Ravoli Brands - this is my go to for quick supper. 

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - old post but one of my favorite cookies

Inappropriate Thoughts

I fully intended to share something else in this space but this week has been odd.  So all my inappropriate thoughts are how I am not cut out to be adulting.  

Tuesday we had a power outage. It was in the dark early morning hours. It was not a good way to start our Tuesday parading as a Monday.  I couldn't find our lantern so we were using our phone flashlights. Power outages seem to happen here especially in the fall and winter frequently. We get a lot of rain and wind. I have an emergency radio and usually a lantern as part of our emergency preparedness kit.  Luckily the outage was about 20 minutes. Last week my friend lost her power for 3 days I think.  That is all I could think about is how screwed I would be if  that was the case.  I ask the adult children where the light could be, crickets. So I attempt to buy a light at Walmart.  ALL of the camping gear flashlights included are now in locked glass cases.  Have you ever tried to find a Walmart employee?   Later this week I was at Costco and they had LED lanterns - 2 pack for about $20. I snatched those up. They weren't locked up.

My son told me last week.  I had a headlight out.  I thought he was mistaken.  It was indeed the case so I needed an oil change so I went to a quick lube type place and they offered to put in a new headlight bulb.  Well, apparently in my car you need to unscrew the whole front end . The Quick Lube guys just kept unscrewing stuff and gave up.  Sorry guys, who knew it would be a project.  I did get an oil change so that was a win. So I called a dealership and they asked me if I attempted it myself - ha ha.  I said that is a BIG no thank you.  They can't get me in until next week and apparently it will take a hour to complete the job.  So just call me the one eyed bandit.  That is how I roll. 

I would like to lower the adulting level please.

Sourdough Update

I made the most delicious Pumpkin Sourdough Bread- Taste of Lizzy T.  It made two loaves and I froze one. It was gone in a flash

Weekly Roll

I was gifted a whole lot of dahlia's from my best friends garden and they are HUGE. I practiced taking timed selfie pics cause my kids aren't into my antics. That is how I am rolling up in here.

Binge Watching

LulaRich - All about the Lularoe empire. Oh my gosh. I was influenced by Damask Love and MrDtimes3 to watch this.  Who didn't know someone who was shilling these clothes? Find this on Amazon Prime.

The One Thing That Shocked Me About LulaRoe

Experimental Cooking

Chow Mein - Venison for Dinner - In her recipe reel on Instagram. Thought it was pretty good.

Weekly Roll

Linky Love

#Cleaningarmy Fall Cleaning Challenge - Go Clean Co Love, love their Instagram and totally doing this. Yes, I follow cleaning instagrammers. It is so satisfying to see others clean up. Inspires me to do the same.

Mom Food - Jessica Fisher talks about prepping Mom Food. I just started doing this.  This post is an oldie but a good introduction to Mom Food. Jessica Fisher is hands down one of my favorite food bloggers

 Inappropriate Thoughts

I forgotten how entertaining the airports are at night. Woman carrying giant glass vase. It was the size of an average 3 year old. That is an impressive carry on. I applaud you. Guy with a full on witch's hat with buckskin pants. Just wow! Woman in full on bathrobe, I  see ya. Just trying to stay warm, I get it. Please for the love of God return the Mac Pro to the security check point. I trust you have the person on camera, right? I  You know who took it. Restore my faith in the TSA. Wish they would do a follow-up announcement.

We did a lot of flying last week. We were in 3 airports. We had 2 flights and I thought the passengers were very compliant. People were wearing masks correctly. It can be done. 

Weekly Roll - End of Summer

It is starting to feel like fall here. Our public schools don't start until this coming week. We are always the last to start.  This is my first year with no public school kids.  Both my kids will be attending the local technical college which starts in the middle of  September and pretty much everything is online this quarter. 

Linky Love

12 Simple and Cheap Fall Decor

Inappropriate Thoughts

Yep that is me at basic training. I have a lot of feels about this Afghanistan pull out. SO many feels. I enlisted during Desert Storm.  I was never in combat. I think about those service members who gave their life in Kabul this week. Thank you! I think it is important to know their names - militarytimes

Sgt Nicole L Gee, 23

Staff Sg Darin T Hoover, 31

Cpl Hunter Lopez, 22

Cpl Daegan W Page, 23

Cpl Humberto A Sanchez, 22

Lance Cpl David Espinoza, 20

Lance Cpl Jared M Schmitz, 20

Lance Cpl Rylee J McCollum, 20

Lance Cpl Dylan R Merola, 20

Lance Cpl Kareem m Nikoui, 20

navy Corpsman Maxton W Soviak, 22

Staff Sgt Ryan C Knauss, 23

Sgt Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25

I worry about the human cost of Afghanistan and how many people not just service members who will and have lost their lives. 

Experimental Cooking

Mongolian Beef - this was excellent  I am obviously not a food blogger. 

I want to make Venison for Dinner's Phad Thai

Weekly Roll

Massive and Mysterious,  a 100 pound fish washed ashore - Yes, I have fish story link thing going on. I cannot help myself

Normal Never Worked for Disabled People

Inappropriate Thoughts

I feel like a champion. It took us 2 years to use up this jumbo roll of aluminum foil. Yes, I dated it. (ZOOM IN) Finished this roll 7/18/21. There is something so satisfying about that. 

Weekly Roll

Linky Love

My son's new 20 gallon fish tank is pictured above. It is only appropriate that I share a fish story

 Giant, football-sized Goldfish found in Minnesota Lake 

Wildlife Officers hike to Saint Mary's Lake with backpacks with Trout fingerlings

Flying Fish

Flower Thoughts

I just finished watching the Growing Floret series on Discovery Plus. I am now even a bigger fan of Erin and Floret. She had inspired me to have my own cutting garden. She is amazing and works so hard.  She is pretty local to me as well in the next county over.

How Growing Floret filmed in the Skagit Valley blossomed into a Discovery Plus Series

Weekly Roll

This is such a cool collaboration/story. Check out floret's Instagram post and watch Sunflower Steve below. I believe Floret's show is back on discovery plus on July 15

Inappropriate Thoughts

Who am I? I have actually worn tank tops and not just under something. I am now officially Tank Top Heather. I didn't even know I actually owned that many. Seriously!  I am letting my bat wings fly (flab on arms) 

Weekly Roll

 Linky Love

The Queen Mary Drama - I toured the Queen Mary when I was a teenager and when the Spruce Goose was also located next too it.  My Dad is an aviation nut so we went mainly to see the Spruce Goose

The Abandoned Titanic Manison The mansion is trying to be saved. There is a instagram as well -Lynnwood Hall

Inappropriate Thoughts

IT'S DARN HOT!

I am glad we have AC. That is an investment we made last year.  I am grateful as our 2 story house turns into a furnace.  People in the Pacific Northwest don't usually have air conditioning nor do a lot of businesses have air.  I do not enjoy the heat. 

Weekly Roll - Father's Day Edition

 

My Dad way out on the beach at Semiamhoo in Washington.  The tide was way out. 

My Dad and Mom with the graduate

Happy Father's Day! 

Inappropriate Thoughts

I listen to many crime podcasts. I don't know why I am so interested in crime. I like being an armchair investigator. I literally googled if any cases were solved with the use of Psychics. Below are two cold case podcasts that  I have been listening to 

Your Own Backyard - about Kirsten Smart (spoiler)

Hide and Seek 

Linky Love

The Mystery behind the Photo of the Logged Old Growth Tree

Happy Father's Day to my husband too.  I feel so lucky to have a great partner in parenting. 

My husband's mini me at Whatcom Falls Park.

My husband with my other son.

Weekly Roll

 

I stumbled across this documentary. It is so fascinating. The documentary is about 30 minutes long. Another article - Cave of One's Own

Inappropriate Thoughts

I am a fan of Shannon Martin, Christian writer and thinker. We don't agree on everything but she always makes me think. The following is from her instagram shannonwrites. I thought this is what I exactly what I am feeling as I go out in the world.

Weekly Roll

Linky Love

Border Patrol Agents Considering Early Retirement - totally back the green line - Quote that stands out to me -

 "Over the years many outside forces on both extremes of the political spectrum have intentionally, or unintentionally, politicized our agency and our mission," Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott wrote in the memo to acting Customs and Border Protection

Inappropriate Thoughts

It is hard to believe Hana Williams story ended 10 years ago. Hana was Ethiopian adoptee that died of hypothermia who was also starved to death by her adopted parents. This happened in the county that adjoins the county I live in.  While I have never met the Williams, I attended MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) functions with people who did know the Williams. What is hell is wrong with people?  I am still mad and angry and ultimately so sad about about this 10 years later. Both Carri and Larry Williams are in jail and lost custody of their birth kids. They both got long sentences and their appeal was denied.

Some details here from another blog back in 2013 - Quipshots and a very detailed overview here

Light of Day Stories - remembering Hana 10 years after her death

Weekly Roll - Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Linky Love

Hundreds of People are Section Hiking the AT of Italy Oh you know how I love stories about long distance hiking. This is interesting

Emily Ford Hiked 1,200 miles in dead of winter - This is about hiking the Ice Age Trail during the winter. 

What Works Depends On What is Obstructing Change - interesting read

Experimental Cooking

Strawberry Rhubarb Cake - this was gobbled up pretty quickly. This is a super moist cake

Weekly Roll

 

There is about 5 weeks before my son graduates from High School. Final Countdown seemed like a good theme song. Got to admire their hair in the video.

Why Would You Walk From Washington DC to New York?  Good Read

Podcast Suggestion

Undisclosed - I totally binged the last season(The State vs Jeff Titus). It was So compelling that I discussed it with my husband. The is a series called Killer in Question on ID that one of the episodes covers this case.

Sourdough Update

Still feeding the starter. Tried Vension for Dinner 's Kate's Master Sourdough Recipe. It was delicious. Loaves pictured above not from that recipe.

Weekly Roll

Sometimes your Mom takes a weird picture of you. Picture was taken at Fort Casey.

 Linky Love

The Search For The Only  Ranger Who Was Lost and Not Found - This is quite the tale. Did he walk away or was he killed? This one sticks with you 

How Rotating Your Plate Can Make Your Food Taste Better  Are you a plate rotator?

I now know what caused my autism - I am hearing a lot about this research study called SPARK

The Secret Mission to Unearth part of a 142 year Study - This is really cool and amazing that this experiment has gone on so long.

Weekly Roll - Light it up Blue

 

April is World Autism Month.  I thought I would highlight a few linky's here. I hope to have a couple posts on Autism this month. 

Visit Mesa Autism Geotour - geocaching and autism two things I know a lot about. A geotour is a group of geocaches usually sponsored by a town this one emphasis is on exploring Mesa AZ and is specifically targeted to people with Autism. I think that is cool.

Mesa is the first city be a Autism Certified City.

Inappropriate Thoughts

*** These are thoughts I have as an parent to someone with Autism. These are not all of them and perhaps the most negative ones currently. Thus they are also the most inappropriate and labeled as so.

There is no such thing as a paperwork reduction act when dealing with social security or any other social service agency. 

Why make receiving social services so difficult to receive that even able people have difficulty assisting disabled people navigating the systems. That is insanity.

Parents shouldn't be the only people to come up with the solutions for supports for Autism from housing to therapy but 90% of the time they are. Not government but PARENTS. It has become the norm so government has quit investing in solutions. There is a prevailing attitude that parents will figure out it. It is frustrating. I get tired of figuring stuff out. 

There have been days in the last year where I have wanted to leave my phone at my house and run away. But adults don't get to run away especially responsible adults. When you are a parent caregiver there are literally no boundaries. There also isn't any real respite. 

My son is no Sheldon Cooper or the Good Doctor. If you have met one person with Autism, you have met one person with Autism. The spectrum is wide. 

Weekly Roll - Easter

 Happy Easter!!

I have a few daffodils by my front door. Spring is here.

linky love

Hard Boiled Eggs in the Air Fryer - I haven't tried this but I want to

You Can Still Visit These Six Former National Parks - Oh I want to travel again

7 Gardens to Visit in around Seattle and Tacoma - I love walking a good garden

Weekly Roll

 

The deer in our neighborhood aren't scared of much. 

Inappropriate Thoughts

I am MEH. Had to call the IRS for my son. That was stressful and not fun. Sometimes adulting is not fun.

Experimental Cooking

Tried Jessica at Good Cheap Eats -Grated Carrot Cilantro Salad.  The adults liked it. It was different probably will have it again soon.

Linky Love

What is a Pie Bird?  My Mom has a pie bird collection. 

Weekly Roll - Spring Edition

Link Love

Take a Chance on Me - It is out of the box thinking and that is what adults with autism bring to table 

10 Ways Our Grocery Habits Have Changed - so very true

Spring Cleaning Checklist - Oh I am deep deep in the Spring Cleaning. It is really helpful to have a list. So far cleaned out the garage freezer and really really deep cleaned the master bathroom. 

Why I'll Never Let Go of My Trekking Poles - It is the only way I like to hike anymore. I am more sturdy and a bit faster too.

Inappropriate Thoughts

I started a daily roll last year at this time. It was the beginning of the pandemic. It was just a way to entertain myself and cope with all that was happening.  The world is a different place  - good, bad, or indifferent. Lately I have been struggling the most during the weekends because I have a expectation that it will be fun or the day will be different. I spend A LOT of time at my house because it is where I work from. My husband does not so I think our expectation of the weekend is different. Sometimes the walls seem to be closing in.  I try to keep an upbeat attitude but constant positive cheerleading is wearing. Last Saturday we made a conscious effort to go on an adventure and it was fun. I hope to blog that adventure soon.