Five Simple Things (April 30)

 Hello.

This week we took a few road trips and explored a few areas and places we haven't been to before. We also looked into getting some new mattresses for each of our beds, "Jeff's" bed included. Jeff's bed is one we got before my surgery, so he would have a place to sleep and be able to take care of me. We like to joke that it's like the dressing room bed on Downton Abbey. He does have clothes in that room, too, so it's an ongoing joke with us. Skylar and I also put out a new podcast episode this week about a lady that had a mental illness and took it out on her husbands. We've both been enjoying the history and horror behind out podcast. There is so many serial killers just in the 1800s it's unbelievable. There's so many things we've learned in the last few months that we are in firm belief that the world is full of horrible people. Kind, friendly, and honest people are few and far between. So, as the saying goes, "In a world where you can be anything, be kind." Here are five things this week.

1. This Sky.

A view of the skyline during our road trips this week.

2. These Gangsters. 

We took the gangster and mob quiz at The Mob Museum of L.A. We got some pretty accurate results, but of course, it's all in fun. You can take the quiz here to see what your gangster role would be in the mob. 

3. This Depot.

While we were taking a few day trips this week Skylar wanted to check out a few train depots and along the way we found this lumber mill and with an operating water tower. Sometimes the history behind these places is overlooked and under appreciated. Or, at least we think so.

4. This Wine.

I'm not a wine drinker, but I couldn't help but buy one of these. I'm not sure if I will leave it on display, or possibly use it for cooking, but either way, I'm glad I bought it. 

5. This Episode.

Our newest episode of the podcast is out this week. You can check it out at the podcast link above, or on the Diabolic Evil website here. 

Did you get a chance to see Mercury close to Venus this week, or the Super Pink Full Moon?

Positive affirmations this week: 

Having hard conversations is one thing a lot of people avoid, but at times is necessary. Letting people know if what they've said have affected you, or their actions, is important to discuss. This is especially true for people you're around all the time. Certain family members, relatives, coworkers, bosses, or even employees (if you're the boss). Communication is something that a lot of people aren't good at and a lot of times people like to be "sweepers." Sweeping issues away isn't only damaging to you, but it also sets up your future interactions with said person. The amount of what you tolerate from them allows them the permission to continue to treat you with disrespectful behavior. As hard as the conversation may seem, it will be beneficial for you in the long-term, so have those difficult conversations. The tips below can help guide you in the right direction, if needed. But, difficult conversations have a lot of subcategories, too. My thought is this, give yourself 48 hours. If you are still upset after 48 hours then have that difficult conversation. If not, let it go. Your mental health isn't worth stressing over someone else's short-comings, or misbehavior.

Remember:

Have a nice weekend.

Olsen Honeybees

This time of year, spring, seems to bring out the honeybees. On a small road outside of the city there's fields of turnips, butterweed, and radishes and they're all in bloom right now. I love how the honeybee farms rent out their hives to help pollinate the blooms of the crops. This one in particular is one of our favorites. The honeybees are healthy and thriving, as we enjoy their company. We respect their space and they respect ours. Olsen Honey Farm is based out of Albany, Oregon, and operates out of Olsen’s home in with six to 12 employees. They keep 7,000 bee hives that they rent to about 50 farms around Oregon, Washington and California. They've been operating for approximately 18 years.

Pioneer Cemetery/Pioneer Cemetery Park (Springfield, Oregon)

Pioneer Cemetery has been on our local bucket list for awhile now and this week we finally got to walk through it and tour the grounds. It was established in 1866 officially, but was used by the Elias Briggs and his wife to bury their children in 1852. It's hard sometimes looking at these cemeteries and not feel empathy for these poor families that went through such heartache. I can't imagine burying one child, let alone several. The history behind this cemetery is in the first picture. The family brought forth the idea to make the cemetery official in a way to honor their children. The city of Springfield, Oregon, agreed and made it an official burial spot in 1866. In 1872 they plotted two acres and the cemetery was used as a burial place for the area's loved ones until 1900. The cemetery fell into despair and in 1978, the city cleaned up the cemetery and honored the pioneer families and their loved ones buried at this spot. It's been part of the city's historical places ever since.

Five Simple Things (April 23)

Hello.

Yesterday was Earth Day. Did you hug a tree? We enjoy Earth Day for the simple fact it's like a day to give a thank you to Mother Earth. Sort of like her Mother's Day. 

Some facts about Earth Day:

1. Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970. Organizers thought this date would maximize student participation because it fell between spring break and final exams for children of school age. The more students got involved the more the information would spread of the day's importance. 

2. Earth Day went global in 1990. About 10 years later the United Nations General Assembly designated April 22 as the day of International Mother Earth Day.

3. Today, Earth Day is the largest observance in the world as far as celebrations and is celebrated by over a billion people worldwide.

We didn't plant a tree, but we have this Poplar Tree that sprouted in the backyard that we've been taking care of. We gave it extra love, as well as the other plants, and sat outside enjoying the day. Our poor Crabapple might have become a victim of the wildfires last year. It hasn't bloomed at all yet and we are thinking it may have succumbed to the ash and lack of sun from last summer. We are hoping we can save it, so fingers crossed. We went out to eat for the first time this week since the pandemic started. We went to HUB in Portland, Oregon. And, I'll tell you, it was odd eating out for the first time in awhile. There wasn't any plastic dividers between the tables, but everyone was spaced out and the waiter wore a face mask the entire time. We had to keep our on until our food came. We don't eat out a lot and mostly cook at home, but after this, I'm not sure we'll go out again for awhile. We also spent the weekend at the coast surfing at Devil's Punchbowl/Agate Beach. It was a nice surf trip to be able to practice surfing more. Surfing is an extremely addicting sport. Here are five things this week.

1. This Food.

Although going out to eat this week was odd, HUB's beer cheese and pretzel sticks were great

2. This Strawberry.

We experimented with melted chocolate and ended up creating the cutest heart-shapes inside of strawberries. I may post a tutorial on this later on the blog, but for now, we're going to eat them all.

3. This Snake.

Our yard is a haven, even with our ducks, for all kinds of animals. We seem to find several garden snakes every year. Skylar likes to pick them up and play with them for a bit before letting them go. It's been a great educational tool during our classroom time, too.

4. This Perspective. 

Skylar brought me something to drink and at just the right moment I noticed he was in focus through the ice cube that was sticking over the top of my glass. Little things like this should be important to everyone. Maybe the world would be a better place and have a lot more love in it if people focused on the right things.

5. This Morning.

I've had some bad mental health days this week. Mental health and mental illness are two separate things, but when my mental illness gets too overwhelming, my mental health declines. Jeff and Skylar knew when this happens, and they know exactly what to do to make me feel better and help me through it. I got breakfast in bed this week and a "day off," which I needed. Everything on that plate is organic. Organic hash browns, organic eggs, organic chilies in the eggs, organic sausages. This breakfast we have when we are treating the other person and it's one of the best breakfasts I've ever had. Of course, I didn't cook it, so that's one reason it was delicious.☺ The word searches on the right were ones I got before my surgery last year and I finally got to finish them all. It was a good day.

Did you get a chance to view the Beehive Cluster this week?

Positive affirmations this week:

Take risks is the phrase, but how about taking risks that reap great rewards for you in the end? Jumping from an airplane seems like a risk that would be associated with risk-takers, but what about other risks that most people don't think about. Like, starting a business, starting a blog, taking more pictures and posting them online, putting yourself out there, cutting off people that no longer serve your life, or even taking up a new sport that you didn't think you'd ever try? These are a few risks I've taken in the last two years. Risks fall under a category that is something you wouldn't normally do, if normal even has a definition. Risk-taking is something we should all do and never get comfortable, or settle. Settle for anything and you're doomed. So, make that an affirmation for yourself-risk something in the coming year. It's all or nothing. Start small and see where it takes you and how great it feels.

Have a nice weekend.