I missed the very beginning of it, but Gemini Season is in full swing!
Happy birthday, belated or upcoming, to any other Twins out there.
Last year, I think, I had decided to celebrate the whole way through, and during the entire month of June, for good measure.
Recently, I did treat myself to some indie artists’ CDs they were selling on Instagram, autographed, with a handwritten Thank You note and snippet of Emily Dickinson poetry (which I found very touching).
Valentine Wolfe. Seemed right up my alley. Here’s the swag.
I think all that came yesterday.
Today, I decided to pick myself up another cardigan, because our work dress code technically requires a layer over a t-shirt, even if it’s a t-shirt from our store. Which is fine. I have no problem with that. But I either misplaced most of mine, or they’re dirty. I gotta go through my stuff. Clearly.
It still seemed nonetheless like it would make sense to have one more lightweight sweater option going into spring/summer. I was fully prepared to spend money I do not have (even though in retrospect, I would have had enough to buy it outright, especially after my discount). Then, we discovered I had a reward to spend, bringing the total price down to under $2! So that, I did NOT put on credit.
Before work, we stopped at the chocolatier’s again. I was also planning on treating myself there, but my dad beat me to it, offering to buy me something. Which was very kind. He also gave me one of the long and skinny Tootsie Rolls he’d selected. I selected a Meltaway chocolate bar with crispy bits and peanut butter inside it. That’s what they were offering for samples, and it was REALLY good!
Picked up a copy of a local newsletter they have on hand there, free. There’s a teeny, tiny graphic of a man holding a newspaper hidden in one of the ads, in every issue. I found him pretty quickly this time around. The week they had him tucked into the hubcap of a limo in a black and white photograph, however, I was STUMPED for quite some time!
I’m not entirely sure if my entry went through, but I signed up for their giveaway, for having found the little man. The chocolatier shop used to run drawings for free bags of coffee, but I’m not sure if they still do. I guess not a lot of people entered. My mom won repeatedly, which was pretty delightful.
Still have to read through the newsletter. I did check out the jokes. The horoscopes and fun facts are always interesting, too!
Haven’t added to my most recent artworks yet tonight, but I might still do that, in spite of the lateness of the hour. I think I snuck a little nap in. At least, I was in bed with my eyes closed, and seemed to have lost some time. That seems like solid evidence.
Had the last of the tacos for a semi-lunch (around 3:30 or 4), and along with something that almost qualifies as “girl dinner.” One solitary street taco, and some salad topper stuff that’s kind of like trail mix, and two slices of cheese. But I did follow that up with a humble sandwich. I was hungry! So, still somewhat of a meal-meal, not just a conglomeration of random things out of the fridge.
My taco mix made NINE street tacos, and I am infamous for overpacking tortillas. I maintain, however, that street tacos are magical, and that you can cram more into them percentage-wise, than standard-size soft shell taco tortillas or even burrito wrappers. Maybe that’s all in my head. It makes them feel extra special, though.
There’s a view of the mix. I kept forgetting to get a shot of the tacos actually put together. Finally remembered to take a pic tonight when I ate the last one, but it didn’t turn out well. So, you’ll have to use your imagination.
Maybe less than authentic to put all the add-ons directly in with the meat, but it saves a lot of time, when you’re going back and serving yourself over and over again, for more than one meal. And it makes the skillet look so lively, and adds wonderful fragrances to the kitchen. The taco seasoning combining with the chopped fresh cilantro, etc. Even the smell of the tomato, avocado, and onion, all sizzling together.
I guess since I made a loose reference to astrology here, it might be fun to include my horoscope from the newsletter, for funsies. It only covers this week. But it’s dated for May 26th, Memorial Day, so maybe they put it out in advance? Possibly then, it covers next week.
Gemini: “Last week’s dynamic repeats this week, with a lot of information coming at you quickly. Continue carefully reviewing the pros and cons of your options.”
Then, there’s a list of lucky numbers.
There was also a really interesting factoid about the phenomenon of “petrichor,” or the smell of freshly falling rain. They say it’s the result of plant oils and geosmin, an “earthy-scented compound released by soil bacteria.”
I’d heard the word petrichor before but had never seen a breakdown of its source. I always thought the rain, itself, made the scent, since it seems to pervade the air. Growing up, I loved to open the windows of my room when it rained, and let all that wonderful smell rush inside. It’s not a scent that one expects to find indoors, and all the more enjoyable for it.
So what did I do today, if I didn’t yet spend time painting? I worked in the morning and part of the afternoon, then came home. Had something to eat. Tried REAL hard to work up the energy to do something productive.
I was so tired at work today when a coworker asked me where we put gift cards that were tapped out, I momentarily forgot we accepted gift cards or what they were or something. I was incredibly confused.
Really need to work on getting more sleep. Don’t usually work in the morning. That threw me off my game.
Made the Gemini Season graphic for here and Instagram, napped, ate again, and BAM, here we are.
Yawning wide, like a lion. Oddly, I think the real mental block against painting tonight is that I’d have to change out of my embroidered jeggings. We’ll see. I wouldn’t risk getting paint stains on them.
Another fun fact from the newsletter: “Brontology” is the study of thunder. Lots of fun, stormy stuff, this week. The reference to thunder also puts me in mind of Norse mythology, and Thor. And Marvel Thor. Gosh, is he ever pretty. Then, there was the eventual reference to The Big Lebowski. Classic.
Before hopping on here, I spent a goodly amount of time building another impressive grocery list. There’s a HUGE variety of items from many, many brands that you can save $1 off each one, if you buy at least 5 of anything among them.
I may still add something from Pepperidge Farm (also on the save $1 each list). Cookies, or fancy bread. If I recall correctly, I think I saw some kind of CARAMEL swirled bread?! I know they make cinnamon raisin. But damn! That would take my French toast game to a whole other level!
Haven’t made French toast in a long time. It’s one of my treat-to-myself foods that shows I’m at a higher level of functionality. I suppose Eggs in a Basket would fall in that category, as well. BUT French toast sounds especially yummy!
Oh, would need a liquid. Milk or creamer. Will have to ponder that. I’m not a cereal eater these days, and haven’t been adding any milk to my tea, since the non-dairy milks all seem to come in sizes I can’t finish before they expire. And I don’t even have tea every day.
Flavored creamers can be a lot of fun with French toast. I made some amazing French toast with Pumpkin Spice creamer, once or twice. I also prefer to have cinnamon and sugar to add, and then you need a dash of proper Maple Syrup. Depending on what I use for the liquid base, the cinnamon and sugar might be superfluous. And sometimes, it’s sweet enough without syrup or honey.
There were some cereals on the savings list, too, if I wanted to try adding them back into my diet. One of them might have been Honey Bunches of Oats. Decisions, decisions.
Well, my water bottle is nearly empty once again. I think I stuck to one solitary bottle of soda today, and have otherwise had nothing but water. Had two sodas left, but I left them in the work fridge, for my next shift. Off tomorrow, hence my slight confidence that I can stay up late to paint.
I do still plan to pick up more zero sugar soda… There’s a brand that’s buy two, get two for 12 packs. Their best deal is the buy two, get THREE, but I’ll take it.
For future inspiration:
It was one of the humbler French toast images on Pexels. Many were gourmet-level fancy. But this one looks more achievable!
And it looks like it includes cinnamon and honey. That would be a tasty combo. Nutmeg is good too, in small doses. Oooh or whipped cream.
I may make myself some herbal tea. Craving a hint of something sweet, maybe from looking at French toast photos. But I’ll definitely top off my water bottle again.
Really looking forward to restocking the fridge and freezer again. Will have to check the date on my eggs. I haven’t been doing eggs and bacon in the morning recently, but I probably will tomorrow.
I may even add some tomatoes, onions, and plain lettuce to the list (instead of just chopped salad mix), to “plus up” the burgers. Sometimes, they have burger topping kits in produce just for that.
The moon isn’t full tonight, but this pic really struck me. CAT!!! And moon!!! And vaguely Halloween color scheme! Well, maybe more than vaguely. Orange and black.
Good evening, morning, or afternoon, however this finds you.
All the Bright and Sparkly Things 
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