So do you Pin?  Do you know about this newest way to spend the lion’s share of your computer time?  If you are even just slightly visual, even the tiniest bit prone to magazine inspiration, or otherwise on the hunt for soaking up other people’s great ideas, no matter the subject matter, then you need to join Pinterest.  By that I mean you need to get invited to join Pnterest.  They have a unique system.

   But I should warn you, the site is addictive.  Moreso than Facebook and waaaay moreso than just flipping through print magazines or browsing your fave decorating-gardening blogs, this new internet activity has the uncanny ability to numb your clock-watching senses. 

   Because on this site you get to gather up all the images that groove you and move you.  By clicking on the images you like and organizing them into virtual bulletin (Pin) boards, you can collect, organize, label, and share inspiration to your nest-feathering little heart’s content.  Then you just sit back and enjoy your pinned boards as if you are the magazine editor of all of your own favorite things.

  

   The thing is, on top of reallocating my laptop time to include less People of Wally Marks and more Pinterest, now I also have to reallocate my doing stuff time in order to accomplish some of these fantastic home-worthy ideas.

   Here is a link to my Pinterest page, where I have started with just a few different boards.  As mentioned before, there is no end to the inspriation available on the Web and little end to how much time can be spent looking, drooling, and Pinning.  So browser beware; don’t let any one thing, not even a thing as awesome and cool as this, suck your life away. 

   Gotta go.  My blogger buzzer just sounded and real life awaits.

   Several weeks ago my personal assistant Handsome agreed to bring me some shredded paper from his office.  I requested it on a whim during one of those Hot Tub Summits, thinking it would spread nicely around plants in need of mulch, etc.  I had been experiencing trouble with weedy straw and needed a fresh approach.

   Two unexpected things happened:  First of all, Handsome brought me not just the one bag I mentioned, but four, all crammed in the hatchback of his two door show car.  That was just the first day.  Then he brought me five another day.  Then a week or so later he drove our pickup to the City in order to surprise me with another seven bags. 

   “That is a lot of shredded paper, Sir.”

   “Yes, ma’am.”

   That is just how he rolls.

   The second unexpected event was our gradual discovery of exactly how far one bag of Shred can go.  Ummm, FAR is the precise answer.  And it is extremely versatile around the farm too, making it my second favorite supply to keep on hand now, next to heavy cotton drop cloths.  More on that some other time.  Right now I am pretty jazzed up about Shred.

   I could rattle on for pages about its gardening applications, but your imagination can serve you just fine there.  It works, it is cool and different and environmentally friendly, enough said.  Instead, let me tell you about how good Shred is for chickens…

   Yesterday evening I spent a few hours doing clean-up chores in the front paddocks of our place, including sprucing up the chicken yard, pond, and coop.  Cleaning the chicken coop used to be one of my least favorite chores, but now with Shred in my arsenal it is an enjoyable, rewarding task again.  Incredible!!  I feel like I am living a rural infomercial.

   If you keep chickens you MUST try filling their boxes with Shred instead of hay or straw.  Check it:

   So there you have it, six solid reasons to use Shred in your chicken coop rather than straw or hay.  Chances are you know someone with access to excessive amounts of this office byproduct.  Maybe you have a home shredding machine and a kid laying around with nothing to do; you can keep your kid busy, destroy sensitive financial documents, and keep your flock clean and healthy all in one quick project.

   If you try this, please let me know what you think.  I think it’s jazzy.

   To cap off our tenth anniversary celebrations, Handsome and I are spending the week soaking up some bright skies, saltwater, and a glorious absence of deadlines.  Worthwhile stories abound and a few series finales are in the wings, so once I get back to the keyboard it will be in overdrive!

Taken in Mexico while honeymooning, July 2001

In the mean time, I have some fun to have.  

  

If I am found out, I will try again.

   Just for kicks, a list.  Because in fun conversations lately I have made an accidental collection of stories about why people end romantic relationships.  I use the word romantic pretty generically here, most notably because at least three of the reasons below were offered by junior high students.  I kid you not.  Stop preaching to me about how I too had junior high romances; that was different.  These kids are babies!  I was practically an adult back then.  Right, Mom?  Mom?

   People are funny.  My gorgeous and charming cousin (Hi Jen!) summed it up perfectly:  “If it’s not there, it’s not there.”  Yes, at some point the reason doesn’t really matter. 

   Conversely, if it is there, the reasons may still be elusive to the point of making the people in love seem a bit wacky.  There is no accounting for either taste or love.

   What are some reasons you’ve ended a relationship? 

What crazy Seinfeld-esque stories are you willing to share?