Marie at 1 Write Way

Five Things on a Thursday Afternoon

Orange cat sleeping on his back on a off-white fleecy blanket.

Living with Nature

Between poison ivy, mosquitoes and gnats, working in our gardens is not for the recklessly unprotected. This summer I suffered through a few run-ins with poison ivy and poured rubbing alcohol on as many mosquito bites before I threw vanity to the wind and accepted my fate: If I want to work outdoors, I better dress appropriately.

Adult woman, standing in front of a tall fence, dressed in long pants, a mesh pullover and wide-brim hat.
Ready for weeding duty!

Genius

Genius is not something I often (if ever) associate with myself, but in this case …

I have a fetish for Baggalini. I have several Baggalini items, from a fanny pack to a backpack and a few bags in-between. I don’t use these bags everywhere, all at once, but I admire their construction, durability, and numerous zippered pockets so much that I can easily rationalize buying another. To wit, the toiletry bag which I did not need. The one I bought from REI about 30 years ago is still my go-to toiletry bag … and it’s purple.

But this toiletry bag was on sale through eBay.

Dark blue Baggalini (brand name) toiletry bag.

I couldn’t resist. But what will I do with it, since I don’t need a second toiletry bag?

Voila! Behold, my knitting tool bag:

Dark blue toiletry bag filled with various tools for crafting.

Another Fashion Statement

It’s a wonder I spend any time outside at all given what I have to do to protect myself. When it comes to bicycling, I need to protect my skin from the sun, from other cyclists who might want to claim they didn’t see me coming, and potential road rash.

Adult woman on a bicycle wearing gray leggings, bright yellow sleeveless top, a bright pink bolero, and a bright yellow helmet with wide brim.

No surprise that hummingbirds and butterflies have found me to be an object of interest.

Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall photographed in London in 2017. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

I was sad to hear of her death. “She was only 91!” Ever since my mom died just 5 weeks shy of turning 100, I’ve set the bar pretty high for when anyone can die from natural causes. This morning I read a brief article in The Guardian about Goodall. It concluded with this:

In 2021, Goodall published The Book of Hope, in which she admitted she sometimes felt she was fighting a losing battle, but explained how she kept going.

Speaking to the Guardian at the time, she said: “You have to feel depressed, but then there’s something that says: ‘There is still an awful lot left and that’s what we’ve got to fight to save.’

“So then you get extra energy. I have days when I feel like not getting up, but it doesn’t last long. I guess because I’m obstinate.

“I’m not going to give in. I’ll die fighting, that’s for sure.”

Cats

Do I need to say anything about this photo?

Orange cat sleeping on his back on a off-white fleecy blanket.
Raji in deep slumber.

Thank you for reading! Tell me if you will:

  1. Do you have to suit up before spending any time outdoors? Do mosquitoes and other biting insects find you especially tasty?
  2. Have you ever repurposed one thing for another, like my toiletry bag for a knitting bag? Do tell because I can always use another excuse to buy another Baggalini bag.
  3. What gets you up in the morning? Are you “obstinate” like Goodall or just naturally optimistic?

Remember: Resistance is not futile.

Marie A Bailey

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28 responses to “Five Things on a Thursday Afternoon”

  4. I put on sunscreen when spending time outside and a bug hat when I’m weeding so the little black flies and gnats don’t fly up my nose. (Ewwww!) I love the revolution by crochet! I might have to brush up on my crochet skills. It’s been a very long time! I love your new knitting bag—its contents are so neat! I was saddened to learn of Jane Goodal’s passing. She was a remarkable woman.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I should put on sunscreen … I found out the hard way that my bug suit doesn’t protect me from the sun. Thank goodness it’s getting cooler down here so the bug suit isn’t as necessary.

      Gnats and midges are so awful. Earlier this year there were swarms of them out in the refuge where we also like to ride. I had to huff like a horse to keep them out of my nose ;-)

      Jane Goodall was so awesome. She did so much good.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Eileen! Yeah, I like to be seen :-) When I used to take early morning walks in my neighborhood, I wore a reflective vest. You can’t be too careful ;-) I just love Aunt Tifa ;-)

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  7. Wonderful post, Marie. Yes, the bugs always find me tasty–that’s why I don’t do the weeding or garden. 😉 I saw several people post that Aunt Tifa photo on FB–clever and funny.

    I’m all for repurposing and being obstinate (when it’s for a good cause). I’m naturally optimistic, but recently not so much.

    Love the cat photo!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, Merril. I do enjoy working outdoors but this summer was brutal. I’m thinking I need to just take the summers off and do yard work in the winter ;-). I love the Aunt Tifa photo. Even thought I’d try and get a t-shirt like that but … people don’t have much of a sense of humor around here.

      Raji cracks me up with how he sleeps sometimes … such abandon! :-)

      Liked by 1 person

      • I have a couple t-shirts that I really only wear to rallies and friends’ houses. But that Aunt Tifa shirt would be so perfect for you!

        It makes me laugh when cats do that. They bring such joy. Ollie turns circles in the bathtub sometimes. . .😂

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  9. Good morning Marie,     Thanks for sharing your fashion choices,made me smile in recognition. Still don’t know what caused the itchy rash on my knee 2 mos ago,had long pants on but arms exposed and also rash but that cleared in a wk. Then a super hatch of mosquitoes…some have white stripes on wings,3 different sizes. Seems safe at 10 am. Idress from the clean basket rather than putting stuff away when MG is flaring…lots lately from emotional stress.   The cdn placed a large male orange cream tabby with me on top of 3other cats,2 dogs. He hides in the house so much goes days not seeing him til go to br at 0300 when he comes to keep me company.    Think will try the dollar tree iron on vinyl(.25) to make antifa t shirt. Have debated publishing any writing even with secure pen name. I want to see pussy hats come back for next protest partly to knit people togethr partly to protect protestor. Found knitting needles at dollartree so want to go to u of i and teach people to knit in public. Kinda want someone with me,not finding anyone. This movement will not televised let alone noticed..   Have you seen the crochet coral project? Have you seen the installation? Have you done any of the patterns? I want to do some in natural homespun wool when this regime ends can dye it and symbolize rebirth. Sigh.    My knitting is in soup pot. Skips need for yarn bowl,dog can’t chew it,don’t have find place to store pot. Combination of disability and laziness.   Have you seen the msnbc interview of Joan Baez? Am watching on YouTube being inspired to stand tall even with cane and weak voice.Onward.Cheryl Carlson

    Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

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    • Cheryl, so good to hear from you! I have found unexplainable rashes and bruises on my skin, and I’m just trying to go with the flow. I’m at that age where just looking at a doorknob will cause a bruise to appear on my hip ;-) I thought I had finally, after over three decades living in north Florida, to have developed an immunity to some insects, but apparently not. This year has been miserable for sure.

      I love your idea of making an Aunt Tifa shirt using iron-ons. That’s so creative! And I haven’t seen the crocheted coral installations or the interview with Joan Baez so thank you for mentioning both of those. I’ll check them out.

      Good luck with organizing a knitting teach-in. I saw a video of a young woman wearing a protest sign she had knitted while also knitting at a protest. I wish I was that ambitious … but I’m not ;-) Be well, my friend.

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  10. Hi Marie, I’m so pleased to let you know that you won a copy of my novel When Things Go Missing. I’ll need your email address to send it to you but couldn’t find it anywhere. I just subscribed to your blog, so now you can email me when you are ready to claim it. BTW, I loved reading about your 5 Things, especially Jane Goodman. She will be dearly missed.

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  11. Love that you turned that bag into a knitting tools bag. I have repurposed many things in order to store and organize yarn and office supplies. 😄

    I’m sorry you’ve had so many attacks of poison ivy! Your outfit is a good solution!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Do you have to suit up before spending any time outdoors? Do mosquitoes and other biting insects find you especially tasty?

    ~ I’ve actually sat at sunset watching clouds of mosquitoes all around me, even lived and slept in a field famous for its ticks for months ~ without getting a single bite. Had a hungry bear refuse to eat me once, too. Strange life I’ve led…

    Have you ever repurposed one thing for another, like my toiletry bag for a knitting bag?

    That would be a yes, yes, and another yes.

    Do tell because I can always use another excuse to buy another Baggalini bag.

    Darlin’, just take up beading.

    What gets you up in the morning? Are you “obstinate” like Goodall or just naturally optimistic?

    I’m a poet, and my Muse won’t let me sleep 😆

    Liked by 2 people