Waste not. Want not; drying rack

This poem is being written in stages to highlight the things I do toward frugal living.

I looked everywhere for this drying rack.
Paid $15.00 some time back.

It’s paid for itself triple and more.
An electric dryer, I’m yet to score.

Save on electricity aka juice. 😉
Use that money someplace else to spruce.

Waste not. Want not.

Growing up; my daily life was filled with the saying, “waste not, want not.”

When you’re young, what clue do you have in lives dot?

As we grow; we learn, “money doesn’t grow on trees.”

I save the salt from chocolate squeeze.

To my stew you are added.

Flavor has been padded.

Aw sheet!

Blasted hole. This is not a treat.

I’m gonna fix you. I guarantee.

From my needle you need to flee.

More time will be added to your life. Around you I shall mend.

So more dream filled nights, you can tend.

Coffee. Nectar of God. You help me through another day.

Upright and functional, you help me stay.

What about your grounds?

A use for you, I have found.

Nutrients to the soil you will add.

Helping my veggies grow big and strong. Which will make me very glad.

Leftovers are my jam.

From me, they do not scram.

I freeze you to eat you for lunch.

Which helps my overall finances a bunch.

Someday I’d like to retire.

I’m sick of this mire.

Toothpaste: squeeze, squeeze you. But never tease me.

I will cut you open before I let you be.

Give me all your power.

Your contents, I will devour.

Inside I find more paste.

Enough for at lease 5 more brushings. No waste.

Mustard, ketchup, butter, pepper, or salt.

I don’t eat out a lot. Put that spending to a halt.

When I do, those condiment packets will be saved.

Eaten later or added to a recipe, usefulness will be made.

Some restaurants now days are making us pay for those.

Concerning our budgets, we must be on our toes.

I’m doing dishes anyway. No electric dishwasher near.

I pack my lunch almost every day. These sandwich bags here;

I haven’t bought new ones in years.

I wash them out until cracks appear.

Organized in old tissue boxes. Painted and labeled neat.

Baby steps toward my financial goals, meet.

Sincerely, I’m addicted to chap stick.

My lips, I do not lick.

I have it everywhere; on my desk, in my pocket, in the car, on the coffee table, by the night stand.

Use a tube to the nub. Throw it away? No way man.

Use a cosmetic spatula to get every last soothing ounce.

Apply to dry lips, give them bounce.

I got the yummy delicious benefit of the meat.

To my taste buds, it did greet.

Save the left over grease for my dog.

Add it to his kibble. Then share it on my blog.

Cheekie gets more than just grease from the table.

Added treats to his kibble, whenever I’m able.

Being single allows me some latitude.

Some of the things I do, your partner might give you attitude.

With the exception of my kitchen, my trash cans are small.

Even it has been retro fitted so; grocery store bags, I reuse them all.

I even have a cute storage sleeve.

I only buy trash bags if I need them for a specific project. Price too high, peeved.

Homemade things are the best?

I put that theory to the test.

I made all my people birthday signs.

They didn’t seem to mind.

Happy Birthday!

That’s what the signs say.

From old t-shirts as rags.

To making a drop cloth out of a trash bag.

If it can be used til it screams,

I’m gonna make it dream.

Recycle, reduce, reuse –

I’m going to make it produce.

Dust is everywhere. It grows out of the ceiling and the floors.

Think you got it all, WRONG! Here’s some more.

Where does it all come from?

Hum –

I put cheese cloth or chiffon on the back of my fans.

Filter some of that dust out, oh man.

Been to the grocery lately.

Cause you to have heart failure, matey.

My bestie and I eat dinner together almost every night.

Try to ward off some of that cost, plight.

Plus, I get to see my bestie more.

Added value to dinner, score!

There’s an app for that.

I use Fetch Rewards to squeeze out every penny, flat.

Collecting is slow.

But that’s okay, watch my points grow.

I cash points in for gift cards.

Get all the value out of my receipts before I discard.

What do you see in this canister?

There is no parameter.

Cookies? Oh yes.

They are the best.

What else is inside?

Cupcake papers it does hid.

The Richest Man in Babylon

Last night; to help me fall asleep, I decided to listen to my latest audio book. This morning, I woke knowing that I had a crazy dream. Why did I dream about money? And it was a very specific amount; $19,600.

I knew what I wanted to do with the money. In my dream, I felt like I couldn’t tell my fam-ends what I wanted to do. They would make fun of me. In part of my dream, I was in a snow storm. Then a Chinese restaurant. All the while, this very specific amount of money is present. $19,600. I don’t remember getting to eat in my dream, sadly.

What book was I listening to? The Richest Man in Babylon. This is a delightful book full of useful information. Maybe not so simple to implement but easy to understand and learn from. The author ‘George S. Clason’ has used interesting stories about everyday events (from ancient Babylon) to teach the reader/listener how to be wise with your money.

Once there was Darkness

The breakdown, Part 2

“I’m so tired of fighting. That is what I accidentally told Max in the bell tower. Let it be finished.”

Kol’s voice cracked, “you would leave me?”

“It would break my heart..” She couldn’t finish her thought.

“I have forgotten so much. You know this. I remember the moment I fell in love with you. Do you know what that moment was?”

“You told me you would marry me and gave me a grass ring.”

“And you kept it.”

She smile, “nosy.” She teased.

“You and Max; you were on one side of the bed and Max on the other. General Marcus came in and said that someone was being kicked out. You started crying. Marcus asked if you disagreed? You said no, that he made the right decision. It made you sad because you thought he was our friend. And you prayed that God would light a path for him to follow. That was you. You showed compassion for someone who had done a wrong. You prayed for him. That was amazing. That took strength. That is my Kessa. The Kessa I fell in love with. All of the other things, the army, the fighting, drawing, cooking, making medallions,” he smiled. “that’s what you do. That’s not who you are.”

“How did you get so wise?”

“I have amazing teachers.” He smiled. “Your hip doesn’t hurt all the time or your shoulder?”

“No. It takes spells. It’s then that I feel less of a person.”

“I love you. If you will let me, we can do this together. What burdens your heart burdens mine.”

They were still kneeling in the sand. “I know in my heart that you and God are on my side. Satan takes every chance he gets to play with my emotions and sadly, I let him.”

“If you will let me, I will help you figure this out.”

“Will it be enough to say that I will try?”

“Yes. Together.”

Transcendence 2014

Johnny Depp & Rebecca Hall

‘Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp), the world’s foremost authority on artificial intelligence, is conducting highly controversial experiments to create a sentient machine. When extremists try to kill the doctor, they inadvertently become the catalyst for him to succeed. Will’s wife, Evelyn (Rebecca Hall), and best friend, Max (Paul Bettany), can only watch as his thirst for knowledge evolves to an omnipresent quest for power, and his loved ones soon realize that it may be impossible to stop him.’

When I first watched this movie, I was intrigued. I knew a lot of the science existed. I rewatched it a week or so ago and it made me a little uneasy. How far away are we really from something like this happening? I’m not against scientific improvements for the betterment of humanity.

Neuralink has received permission from the FDA to start human trials. “Switzerland has developed a “digital bridge” – a brain-computer interface (BCI) technology – that transforms thoughts into actions.” There is so much human suffering in this world, these advances are appealing. Being able to walk, see, hear again. Or for the first time. In the movie there is a group that opposes this science. Claiming that the scientists are trying to create god.

Where does humanity draw a line? Should we? Is the technology evil or the person dispersing it? If you have a disability; there is a piece of you that says, ‘I would love to try that.’ I know this from my own prospective it is attractive.

If you network it, is it hackable? There are so many things to take into consideration as we travel down this road. Should people who have chips have special abilities that normal humans shouldn’t have? What’s normal?

Maybe the government needs to lay out a framework for what it means to be human? 🤔

https://spectrum.ieee.org/nano-tattoo

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sci-tech/paralysed-man-walks-again-using-thought-controlled-brain-spine-device/48537986

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jun/04/elon-musk-neuralink-approved-human-testing-concern

https://www.google.com/search?q=transcendence&client=safari&channel=iphone_bm&sxsrf=APwXEdenYSKwg3giuPfHAtTfNSjwuAK6Jw%3A1687262689441&source=hp&ei=4ZWRZMaIGfqfkPIP-bOmwAw&gs_ssp=eJzj4tLP1Tcos4hPLzcwYPTiLSlKzCtOTs1LSc1LTgUAdWEJEA&oq=trans&gs_lcp=ChFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocBABGAAyBwguEIoFECcyCwgAEIAEELEDEIMBMg4ILhCDARDUAhCxAxCABDIFCC4QgAQyDgguEIAEELEDEIMBENQCMgUIABCABDILCAAQgAQQsQMQgwEyCwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOgcIIxDqAhAnOgcILhDqAhAnOg0ILhDHARDRAxDqAhAnOgcIIxCKBRAnOhEILhCABBCxAxCDARDHARDRAzoLCC4QgAQQxwEQ0QM6CwgAEIoFELEDEIMBOgsILhCABBCxAxCDAVC_C1ifGGDkMmgBcAB4AIABkQGIAeAEkgEDMC41mAEAoAEBsAEP&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp

Someone stole my lawnmower!

Someone stole my lawnmower!

I worked hard for you.
Now I know you’re blue.

Snatched away too soon.
This is only June.

I was around this morning.
Gone in the evening.

Two legs and stickie fingers took me for a walk.
But no one saw me. No one to bawk.

In broad daylight,
what a sight.

I was broken. They might get a quarter.
For you I had much life; now it’s shorter.

Remember me fondly.
I know you must replace me, oddly.

The cops won’t track me down.
I will never be foun.

😢

The Snake and The Rabbit

The Mass continued:

“With the exception of the jacket, it has been homemade. Our story teller starts writing in it on the day of her wedding, it must have been a wedding present.” Holmes began to read the next page. “Oct. eighth, Father bought an estate I’ve affectionately dubbed ‘purgatory’; though I would never say that to his face. It would break his heart. It is near Caernarfon – Wales. I would have been happier in a room such as I had at university. If I would have had a true opinion in the matter, I would have loved to build near grandmothers home. I have such pleasant memories there. Hmm, do you remember the summer we first met? I have a sketch of that day drawn by your cousin. I remember him always wanting to pull my curls. I laugh at the memory of you hurling that pebble at him. Your father was so distraught. Though, honored at your shivery.” Holmes stopped reading and became lost deep in thought.

“Holmes,” I called. The look upon his face made my skin crawl. I thought for the faintest moment he would cry.

He continued reading, “I digress. Father thought buying a home would be best. A wedding present though it feels more like a joke. Shire is faring as well as I. He cares not for the place either. Nov. sixteenth, ill. Have no means of saying what is wrong with me. I am very tired and have no energy at all. Dec. third, ill again. Symptoms same as the last time, only much worse than before. Was asleep for three days. Or so I was informed.’ The writing on this date is very poor.” Holmes noted; “Though I have no doubt that it is the same person. ‘Jan. sixteenth, ill. Vision blurred. Sweating. Clothing soaked. Must have staggered to barn. Woke with Shire standing over me.” Holmes handed me the book as he lay back down on the floor. He was right. The hand writing on Jan. sixteenth was indeed poor. “Ring for breakfast Watson, you must be starving.” Holmes spoke.

“Only if you will join me.” He moaned as he shook his head no. “Very well,” I opened the book once more. “Feb. third. ill for days now. Woke with Shire at my back in a two room cabin at the back of the property. I have no idea how we got here. I perceive that Shire could have drug me; though my shoes nor legs show signs of being dragged. My hair is falling out.”

Holmes moaned, “no, no, no.” His eyes tightly clasped together.

“Holmes,” I asked. “Is our writer an American?”

“Hmmm,” He moaned. “Good Watson.” 

“March fifth-teenth, father has been here many times to visit me during my times of illness. I think I should have gone mad if he had not. I needed someone to tell me that I dreamt this not. That it was really happening to me. Not one of the learn-ed English doctors can figure out my torment. Perhaps one day you shall befriend a doctor who shall be a true healer? A healer with a kind heart. Everyone that has seen me has been a total buffoon. I was starting to regain some of my strength from my last round when THE MAN informed me that Shire died during the night. I am devastated. For I have lost my greatest worldly possession and at this point in my life, my one friend. Tonight, the world is mine.” ‘The style of writing changes here,” I reported, then continued reading. ‘Through darkness falls and moonlight tears,

Fear, the force that steers

Weeping webs of pain and sorrow

Shall not bare the morrow.”  

I read it again still more confused than before. “It continues not. Where is the rest of the thing? Nothing.” I shook the book to see if anything would knock loose. Nothing! “What the devil is this?”

“The end my friend,” Holmes said dryly.

“No, no. I will not accept that this is the end.” I was amazed and dumbfounded. What ending is this? “What do you make of it?

Holmes was silent for a while. “We have worked on less, if you will be so obliged to assist me?”

“Of course,” said I. “I am always at your service.”

“We must I fear, do this by the book. Nothing must be left to chance.” He sat up.

“Shall I ring for breakfast?” I asked.

Holmes wiggled a finger which I took as a yes; for I was starving.

The Snake and The Rabbit

So, you wanna retire?

How do you want to retire?

I wrote this a while back.

Testimony Tuesday: to share with my prayer group.

I freaked out a little. I’m a year older. My body isn’t in great shape; inside or out. I’m single, no children. Who’s going to take care of me as I age? Or help me for that matter? So yeah, I freaked out a little and gave Satan a foothold. It doesn’t take much for Satan to grab hold. But it takes even less for God to kick his butt.

Growing up any conversation about money was, ‘you either have it or you didn’t.’ We didn’t. I had no concept about saving for my future self.

I’ll share with you a money conversation. When my dad passed, we got a little money. I wanted to pay it on the funeral. But I was overruled with, “the living gotta live.”

Terms like; 401k, IRA’s, money market accounts, C.D.’s (The kind that play in my stereo? No.), or emergency funds, were foreign concepts that made my head hurt. When it comes to managing and planning for my financial future, I’m lost. I also thought things like meeting with financial advisors were only for the super wealthy.

Today (at current rates) I learned that if I retire at 67, I will need $2,334 a month to live. I don’t make that much now. 😳 A lot can happen during that span of time.

Warren Buffett and other financial experts say you need six months of your income in an emergency fund. Whoo! Where is that money coming from?

God has his hands in every aspect of my life. The good things. And the bad things. Living today or planning for my future. My spiritual health as well as my financial. My spiritual future as well as my financial. I wouldn’t have either if not for the glory of God.

I will never be Warren Buffett. I don’t ever see me having $2,334 a month at any point in my life. It may seem stupid to be pushing 50 and just now getting a toe (pinky toe) in the door of my future self realm. But with God at the helm in my life, I will be okay. He will see to all my needs. I just gotta let him. And try to freak out less.

Today: while I’m still not in league with Warren Buffett, I have been making baby steps toward a more stable future. A future where I MIGHT be able to retire.

Lates better than never, right?

https://wraltechwire.com/2023/06/15/broke-generation-64-of-gen-xers-have-stopped-saving-for-retirement/

The article above is troublesome.

Once there was Darkness

The breakdown, Part 1

Kol rolled over but didn’t feel Kessa beside him. As he turned up the light, he saw that she wasn’t in the room. She was not in their chambers. He called for Max.

“My king.” He bowed his head.

“Where is Kessa?”

“Luke is following her. She went toward the river.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“You are my primary concern, my king.”

Kol grabbed his heaviest cape as he made his way to the river. He found her sitting near the spot where she had waited with the children. She jumped as he wrapped the cape around her shoulders.

“Did I wake you, my husband?”

Kol caressed her face, “no.” He sat beside her on a fallen log. In a low voice, he whispered, “Kes?”

“My hip was hurting. It was impossible to get comfortable. You have court tomorrow. I thought I’d walk it off. Looks like I disturbed you anyway.”

“Is that what has been wrong with you lately? Your hip has been hurting?” She said nothing. He knelt in front of her, “please talk to me.”

She shook her head, “I can’t.” In an attempt to hide, she wrapped the cape around her face. “It smells like you.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“I’m right here.”

She fell off the log into his waiting arms, sobbing. He hugged her as tightly as he could. Not since he found her in the memorial garden had she cried this hard.

She sniffed, “Satan uses my weaknesses against me. My feelings of loneliness, emptiness, incompleteness. My failures and my flaws. It’s difficult to tell you these things. They are not things you can fix. You once called yourself a ‘broken king’. I’m just as broken a person as anyone. All of my life, I have been the strong Kessa. The amazing Kessa.” She would not let him go as she spoke, “I dismounted my horse, my hip gave out and I fell to the ground. I could only fight with Max an hour. We used to fight all day. Where did I go?” She cried.

“You are still the strong, amazing woman I married. God has shifted your roll and you haven’t been able to shift with it.”

“I don’t know how.” She sniffed. “I feel so stupid and guilty.”

“You always encourage us to pray.”

“I’ve been praying; what feels like my whole life.”

“Let’s pray together?”

She leaned up wiping desperately at her tears. “I never shared any of this with you because I,” with a gentle finger she caressed his cheek. “I never want to hurt you. This is me. Inside of me.”

Kol was almost knocked backwards. This is what God was trying to show him. He gasped, “this is what the dreams meant. God was trying to tell me you’ve always felt this way.”