In addition to the props, costumes, and crafting supplies
I included in my (final) in kind donation
to my "phavorite" place
were some of my own costume changes.
Recently it was pointed out that had a t-shirt overload.
I think of shirts as mini billboards.
My mood, mind set, focus, and hopes
can easily be seen blazoned across my chest.
"Life is Good" branded tees have been a standard for me.
My castoffs may walk around
Camp this summer or they may go elsewhere.
Regardless of where they end up,
the Raggers' Creed,
"Be giving and forget the gift,"
resonates in my head.
Also, "out of sight, out of mind."
And closet...
Goodbye old friends.
Thank you JuJu's Vintage for the ga$ money I made for my roamings.
(The wardrobe items shown below were purchased.)
I remember wearing these classics to important events
like weddings, anniversary celebrations, live radio show tapings,
conferences, outdoor concerts, birthday blowouts,
the Art Institute of Chicago, festivals, national holidays,
and good old vintage vibe moments.
Now it's time for someone else to take them for a spin.
So long and thank you for your service!
I cleaned out a few decorating cupboards of
pottery, serving dishes, vases, and trivets etc...
It's nice to rotate things out after awhile.
LPs and CDs are my background soundtrack
as I read, write letters, and do minimal amounts of exercise.
The HUGE selection of burned disks came to me
via an estate sale and are not able to be donated due to
copyright laws. I listened to some,
but it was too overwhelming
for me to feel the need to hear them all.
(This is a sheet of stamps celebrating the U.S. Postal Service!)
The CDs too heavy to mail - even at media rate - but
happily I found a music buddy who wants them.
Earth Day makes me want to keep things out of the landfills.
Nature moments like this one keep me in awe.
(Note: Based upon the line up I will not
be attending Lollapalooza this summer.)
Tasty Treats
Lattes and pastries!
Eggs with a chile oil sauce!
and this bio-pic follows that storyline.
It's so cool Micheal's nephew is depicting him.
My college years were filled with "The Thriller" playing.
I watched a taping of a play performed in London.
It did make me question,
What a sad storyline.
But well portrayed.
I loved this sci-fi flick!It did make me question,
Having leftover PINK strawberry shake
for breakfast was included!
Although I am allergic to cats
these two cuties were worth the trouble.
(See the TV remote between the paws?)
Not pictured are multiple rounds of Candyland,
bottle making, yogurt and oats stirring,
dish washing, crumb picking up,
and Raffi song singing - usually at bath time.
Of course personalized lullabies
and Camp songs were sung at bedtime.
"The Big Green Monster" was read repeatedly as was the
"homework" book -
written by a favorite author - Jane Yolen!
Granny even signed the evidence of said reading worksheet.
We sent postcards to loved ones.
We visited multiple playgrounds and a forest.
A neighborhood cat named Tiger came for a
surprise visit and we watched out the
glassed front door as a refrigerator sat out
in the rain on a sidewalk.
Guess what?
It was gone after naptime!
But most importantly,
I had the challenge of wrestling
very slippery hair
into a braid each morning.
These arthritic hands were tested daily!
Speaking of hands, 
Lots of miles were added to my bumper stickered "office."
It absolutely amazes me that people
sidewalk shadows rock!
Light up monster slippers
are essential for scaring away
unwanted monsters.
Being the "D.J." to change the tune of a dancing
cactus was one of my important roles.
Many a booty bounce accompanied the jaunty jangles.
A concert was performed for an audience of stuffies.
A Hello Kitty guitar was the instrument of choice.
Instead of my usual carwash karaoke
we just giggled and screamed while the octopus arms
swished across the windshield.
I got to go to a preschool classroom art show!
It was so nice to see the different variations
on the theme the teachers proposed.
Afterwards we took a trip to the ZOO
and Granny got to ride on the seahorse
of the carousel with a cutiepatootie
who chose to ride the kitty.
After my week of helping we were gifted some stunning art!
Thank you!
Ga$ was pricey.
This was 50 cents less than at home.
Remember last month's panic about
running into a TRACTOR???
Well, this ENORMOUS machine
was in the MIDDLE of the road
as I SLOWLY took a curve.
I'm sure the driver was baffled
when I snapped the pic.
can drive this fast on a country road.
If you can believe it this is the kitty cat's roomie.
Around the yard we've got little bursts of color too.
There were a lot of tape measures on hips at this joint.
Believe me, I looked both ways multiple times
before peeling across these intersections.
One was right beside a graveyard...
Fortelling.
Have you ever seen a CATio?
What a great way for this feline
to get some fresh air and
terrorize the robins digging for worms.
I had me Peaches' owner in 2021
and on my way back home I swung by to say hello.
Unfortunately my trip included
two traffic jams
due to accidents.
Hope everyone is okay.
One was an entire highway shut down!
But I got to see some heavy metal I'd never seen before.
While I was gone some trees bloomed and lost their blooms!
The tulips were now open at the Chicago Botanical Gardens!
Can you see the two turtles on the rock
at the Japanese Garden?
What WOOD you do with some of these slices of trees?
We had a big tree limb fall after a storm.
I am so thankful for the neighbor who helped me more
the heavy branch out of the sidewalk!
Then I got my day's exercise bagging what parts I could.
Our chainsaw broke awhile back so I couldn't play
Tim the Tool Man Taylor like I have in the past.
Overall it was a month of simple pleasures
and "pruning" of more than foliage.
I hope you were able to enjoy
some laughter,
love, and joy.
Did you let anything go this month?
Peace be with you,
Jen Pen
