STARGAZER:

A View Into My Universe

When my younger daughter was competing in gymnastics, we spectators had to be careful what we yelled for encouragement. (note: no cheering for beam since we parents were petrified to watch anyway) Because “coaching” from the stands was verboten, we couldn’t call out to the gymnasts to smile, so we devised a code word, “Lettuce.” Why did we pick that particular one? Perhaps because it sounds like Let us…? With that in mind, let us all try to smile, in spite of, you know, the dreck and merde going on right now.

I’m getting my deck stripped and re-done, as well as a couple bad boards replaced. It’s a shame that it couldn’t be finished before Anders’ party; now that the guy is coming back to stain it, we’re expecting thunderstorms. Sigh.

Here it’s been pressure washed and treated. The new color will be a bit browner; I wasn’t a fan of the red. It’s a 30-year-old deck, so I’m not expecting perfection.

My lantana is thriving!

I love this new planting area although I would probably choose taller plants next time.

Sadly, I bought these new leggings specifically to go with this shirt (and another long-sleeved green one) and it’s pretty obvious that I blew it.

Ian thinks I’m hilarious although all I need to do is make a funny face, do a raspberry or click my tongue or even pretend to chew. He’s a good-natured little guy!

After an excellent and impressive evening at swimming lessons (Sharky is aptly named) Older Daughter, the boys and I enjoyed some ice cream. There’s not anything better than sitting outside eating a cold treat on an 80 degree day. By the way, I chose Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookie, and it was amazing.

On a weird and possibly judgmental note, I’ve been noticing lately that many of my friends and my daughters’ friends who have always been, not obese, but chubby are now very thin and svelte. And on Facebook and Instagram, I’m seeing so (too?) many photos of them in bikinis, or skimpy, tight outfits; they are proud of their new figures which is a positive, right? I admit to mixed feelings about GLP-1s. According to what I’ve read, they’re great for the health in many ways and are an extremely effective weight loss tool. As someone who resists putting anything in my body that isn’t required, even Tylenol or Ibuprofen, I would hesitate to use them. I’m not thin anymore after decades of never worrying about my weight, and would like to lose about 15 pounds but I also wonder, “Is the medication too good to be true?” I’m such a cynic!

Even if I did get back to this thinner Margaret, don’t expect to see me in a bikini ever again. Just sayin’…

Comments

24 responses to “Lettuce”

  1. Doug M Avatar
    Doug M

    That’s a nice deck back there… I wasn’t even aware you had one! Loved the photo of Ian and those weight loss drugs are the last thing you need to think about. Margaret you look just right! 🙂

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, Doug! I do enjoy my deck; even on hot days, it’s lovely out there in the afternoon. I don’t like any drug I have to take constantly, and I hear that the weight loss drugs only work when you’re on them and not afterward. And it’s not cheap!

  2. Michael Avatar

    I smiled when you wrote 80 degree day, as that would be considered cool here right now! I have been trying to lose a few pounds myself, but it isn’t easy. I used to be able to make a quick concerted effort and the pounds would come off, now not so much. I guess that comes with age. I have a lantana too that is thriving. I think it likes the heat.

    I like your new planting area. Is that a Japanese maple tree? They are beautiful in the fall.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Same here! I could easily drop 5 pounds but not these days. I’ve had great luck with lantanas in my front yard which gets afternoon sun. So, it must like the heat–not that we’re getting anything extreme right now. Yes, it’s a Japanese lace leaf maple. I’ve had it there for a couple decades. It wasn’t shown off to advantage until I had that planting area improved.

  3. AC Avatar

    I didn’t realize that the ‘diet’ pill (wrong name) is catching on.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      It’s very popular from what I’m seeing!

      1. AC Avatar

        I am not sure that losing weight through a pill should be a matter of pride. I mean, I don’t condemn it and would probably even favour it in circumstances, but I am doubtful that I would take pride in it.

      2. Margaret Avatar

        I understand what you mean. I have mixed feelings about that pill. Is one of my biases that I believe that people should have to work at losing weight? Perhaps they have to with the pill also? I really don’t know.

  4. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Ice cream on a warm summer day is always a great treat. I like mint chocolate chip and have already had a few cones this season. Your butterscotch sounds very good. I’ll try it.
    In about ten years, we will know about any side effects from the GLP drugs. I know they are FDA approved but only time on the market will show full impact.
    I like your Japanese Maple tree. It fills the space quite well. It might get a bit wider but not taller. When the leaves fall, it can be pruned to selectively eliminate branches that cross over another branch. The pruning makes them look more airy/architectural and less dense. The online videos on pruning are good. I’ve done some pruning and like the outcome.
    Ian is always smiling. He loves being with you.

    1. Betty Renfroe Avatar
      Betty Renfroe

      I forgot to mention the deck. You have taken great care of it. Most don’t last nearly as long. I agree the brown will blend better with your house!

      1. Margaret Avatar

        My late husband built it, so it’s sturdy. Wood decks don’t usually do well in our damp weather, so my next one will be a different material.

    2. Margaret Avatar

      I’ve had the lace leaf maple for decades and get it trimmed every year or so. I’m scared to do it myself! I don’t trust the current FDA approval; the lack of safeguards and monitoring is already showing up in other cases. Ian is a charming little guy!

  5. Betty Renfroe Avatar
    Betty Renfroe

    I love the lettuce story. I taught 7th grade gymnastics for about 10 years. It was a class. Our school didn’t compete til junior high. All the spotting was what really damaged my left knee. I really didn’t enjoy the sport. It’s too dangerous.

    I weigh 150 pounds. But I would never take the weight drug. No telling what they will discover it causes. You look very slim to me. I would be healthier with 10 to 20 pounds gone, but I eat too many calories to get there.

    Your baby boy has the most beautiful eyes. His love for you is obvious.

    Hope John will be home soon and you can get out do things together.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Spotting is so hard on every part of the body! I would imagine that gymnastics coaches have the bodies of much older people due to the strain. I don’t trust most medications, especially those that are pushed by the pharmaceutical companies and even the administration. I think too many safeguards have disappeared, and I worry about that a LOT! Ian does have beautiful eyes and a charming smile. I’m one of his special people and I treasure that.

  6. Matt Shifley Avatar

    Oh, the timing with summer deck staining and sudden thunderstorms is a classic homeowner tragedy, isn’t it? Fingers crossed the weather holds out for you! Your lantana is absolutely thriving—it clearly loves this summer heat. I love the gymnastics story, too. “Lettuce” try to keep smiling this week!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      The thunderstorms did arrive as predicted. I’m hoping that the rain will tamp down the wildfires. Eastern WA is so dry though; when we get rain, do they even profit from that? I’ve had good luck with lantanas and love them! Yes, lettuce do that.

  7. Pipe Tobacco Avatar
    Pipe Tobacco

    Oh……

    And, your deck…… very pretty….. AND in AMAZING shape too for being 30 years old!!!!!!

    PipeTobacco

    1. Margaret Avatar

      It’s not stained yet–we’ll see what it looks like then. Thank you! My late husband built it.

  8. Pipe Tobacco Avatar
    Pipe Tobacco

    Oh oh! Did my earlier comment about GLP-1s not get sent correctly?

    1. Margaret Avatar

      It didn’t come through. I wondered about that. I would love to hear your take on the GLP-1s as a scientist and someone whose knowledge and opinions I respect and trust. (if you have time of course)

  9. JT Twissel Avatar

    30 years is pretty good for a wood deck! We replaced on a few years back that was probably 20 years old. Ah, wear the bikini! Personally I never found them very comfortable!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Washington dampness isn’t the greatest for wood, especially horizonal constructions. 🙂 Even if I were thin, I wouldn’t wear a bikini. I find the tanks much more comfortable.

  10. Midwest Mark Avatar

    No such thing as too many bikinis…but that aside, I don’t trust GLP-1s; they aren’t natural, and we really don’t know the long-term side effects. I say be comfortable in your own skin…and if you aren’t, start an exercise program and change your diet, like I did. Too many people like to take the easy way out!

    (Guess I’m judgmental, too.)

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I’m a little envious of how great they look and how quick it was. It probably wasn’t as easy as I think though; I bet they had to change their diet and continue to exercise. I’m just not motivated enough at the moment! I agree that corporations are pushing them as safe with no real idea of the long-term side effects. And having to take them for the rest of our lives feels like an addiction. I take my B/P meds every day too but that’s for an actual medical condition. As I mentioned, these people I know were overweight, not obese.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from STARGAZER:

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading