Thank you for the information on the app. Will definitley check it out. I am a beginner mahjong player. A friend hosts a group that started over the summer, we are learning Wright-Patterson mahjong. Tomorrow I am starting a class on Cantonese mahjong. It is supposedly quite different. LOL, I really want to learn American mahjong.

Took Mahjong 101 last night. Made my head hurt but was fun. Second class is next week.

I think it would work better in a smaller size but also several inches shorter.

OOTD for men: I grabbed this cotton shirt on a whim for DH at Old Navy and told him he had to wear it to Nantucket this weekend. At LEAST six random strangers came up to him to compliment him and at least a few had to know where he got it. (Maybe the only soul on Nantucket wearing ON.)

My quest for a new wicker/raffia/clutch has been met! This was one of my faves but I was not willing to spend $425 on it. I knew waiting till late summer would help. I found it in like new condition and got it for $125; it is still being sold full retail elsewhere.

Shall I copy the hair?

“Attractive sneakers” is something of an oxymoron for me. I do think they can look great paired with certain outfits but I don’t have them. If I come up with something I will post a picture.

Just heard that sad news.

We had 3 ring binders for school, and I did have this set of little books he illustrated but I'm not sure if they survived the flooding from hurricane Helene

I also have length of vintage fabric in one of his designs.

I was so in love with his style as a kid, I often tried copying it.

A plywood swinging door I painted - ca. early 70s:

I adore everything about your post❤️. It feels like the perfect North Star guide to being a hands-on grandparent Here’s my dgs on his first day of pre-k 4. (I want his mom to replicate this photo yearly with this backpack.)

No grandkids, but some scenes from Vancouver Island. We are at the airport waiting for our flight(s) home.

We had a pool crasher the last two mornings. I removed him again today and took to the beach. Left him with an "enjoy the beach!" He quickly went in the dune lake instead. He is probably safer there!

This was taken of the trespasser yesterday.

Thank you guys! I appreciate your comments and so nice to hear from you all.

Sue, I love the birds nest in a cloche! This one is where I started down the rabbit hole- no pun intended but funny!

Love these, too much fun. i think I need one.

I bought this one from my grandson when he was little.

Not sure it's made an appearance in a decade. Think it got lost in a move. She couldn't find their Easter baskets with their names after her last move.

I love these and can see how useful they can be. My house is illuminated all the time with electric candles at each window. When we have a power outage, it is so scary because this house is never dark, except for the room we're sleeping in.

Love seeing your work!

Have you thought about doing figures positioned to the side with a suggestion of a face? I have three close friends who like to paint and are talented and they never do portrait faces. But they will paint someone from behind or to the side and insert them in a scenery painting.

Example found online, not a friend's painting.

If you want to empty your bank account, go to Clayquot Wilderness Lodge. It is a magical place. No regrets on spending my kids’ inheritance.

In answer to questions: As soon as we got rescue backing (which is pretty straightforward if you can foster), the rescues have taken care of all their medical needs. The rescues also give a first look at the applications and then we face-timed with them. We had the option (and exercised it) to turn down anyone we had reservations about). One of the rescues owns two large charter buses, which are outfitted inside with kennels, all accessible from the inside of the vehicle. They leave Houston with two volunteers on board. one starts driving and the other tends to the animals. So they don’t stay at a hotel or anything. the second person sleeps and then takes over the driving. And they do a big circuit to get everybody to where they belong. The other Rescue has a bit of a smaller transit van, but it’s a similar deal.

I love bookstores for the same reason I love libraries - there's something comforting about being surrounded by all those books and the smell of old paper. Unfortunately, the independent bookstore here in my small city doesn't carry a lot of books other than children's books. There's a small collection of adult books (non-fiction, I think) and a few best sellers, and then lots of book-related gifts. It's very well regarded and patronized, though. I still give them my book business when I buy books - I just have to order them in advance most of the time. Prices are reasonable compared to online mega-stores, and sometimes cheaper.

I mentioned on post several weeks ago that my neice and her DH have an independent book store (actually 2 of them) in NYC

My niece and her DH met each other in a book club. They each had their own successful careers but dreamed of owning an independent book store.

After month and months of research and work they opened their store in Nov. 2019. It is called Book Club Bar at 197 East 3rd Street in NYC.

Several family members thought they were crazy to do so try and open an independent book store and that was before Covid became a factor and getting their liquor license took months. They persevered with their dream and 6 plus years later they are going strong and have opened a second location at 380 Troutman St, Brooklyn, NY 11237.

In addition to books and beverages they have numerous events scheduled throughout the months such as: Meet the Author/Book Launches, Literary Trivia, Creative Writing Workshops, Various Book Club in person Discussion Groups, Adult Spelling Bees, etc, etc.

The Book Club Bar is a book store and much more. Check it out if you are in NYC.

Sadly, we don't have any good indy bookstores, but I have always loved going to the library. I remember the first book I checked out from the adult section, instead of children, and that was some 55 years ago!

I was delighted when our library started using printed receipts, showing what you checked out and the due date. Often folks used them as bookmarks (I did), and I sometimes found one in a book. Suddenly I had a potential list of books/authors that were liked by someone who liked the book I was reading! I discovered a few new authors that way, and I made sure I always left my receipts in my returned books (they just had library card number, not personal info).

Thanks, Ded. I'm back in business! Now to catch up with my Santa list, who has been good and who has been bad!

Oly, it says you are retired and very happy about that! 😆

Agree that many of the answers can go either way depending on the situation. That said I go back and forth between an INFP and INFJ. I did take the really long test during the hiring process for a job many years ago, can not remember which INF I was that day. I do find personality types interesting.