Sorry about that...

Well---that was an unexpected six week absence from here!

Nothing's wrong & no real excuses, 

except that sometimes life just gets unpredictable, doesn't it?!

I should be back on track here--and will try to fill in some of the gaps, while I'm at it...

Four...

Well... Untamed Threads is four years today & counting.

This is post number 300--funny how that worked out to such a tidy number (not a plan, I assure you!). Seems like it should be more, mostly when I think about all of the important things that go by in our lives that I never take time to address. But that's okay... some thoughts are best left unsaid, right?!
There have been 70 Wednesday on Whidbey posts so far--again, funny how that worked out to a tidy, round number. Are you tired of the island, yet?

I've had many visits from the 'usual suspects' & for that I say 'thank you for hanging in there with me'! There are also visitors from locations I can only dream of visiting--'thank you' to you, as well! Unless you're selling some modern day snake-oil, come back anytime... & leave me a comment now & then!
(it's not hard--and any suggestions are always welcome!)

Anyway, thanks for stopping by...lift a glass or sing a song: celebrate the day! It's a good as any other, right?!
(oh, and Snoopy happy-dances are always in order!!)
Cheers!  8-)

Please Stand By...

Sorry for the brief drop from sight--and missing last week's Wednesday on Whidbey (maybe you didn't even notice!). 

Nothing serious--just chalk it up to 'technical difficulties'... plus an almost honest arrival of summer! (Also throw in the start of a jam-packed eight week summer quarter!)
For a moment of brief entertainment, though, visit a fun list of test pattern 'stuff' at Lists Galore.
Meanwhile, I'll be back at the keyboard tomorrow... and remember, this is only a test!

Three...

Today marks the end of year three for the Untamed Threads blog--although I'm not sure if that's worth a demarcation in time.  Somehow it seemed worth mentioning--if only to myself! 8-) 

I've been inconsistent at best--averaging about 60 posts a year--although since leaving the-job-that-ate-my-life, the inconsistency has become less consistent (is that a double negative or something?!) There are things I enjoy about posting --but the old familiar doubts crop up from time to time.  (It obviously provides something or I wouldn't keep pursuing it, right?) I try not to get too hung up at those moments--just learn from the bump in the road & move on...
I've enjoyed the addition of 'Wednesday on Whidbey' this year, how about you?  For me, it's caused me to be more attentive to a wonderful environment that  surrounds me.  It's so easy to take it for granted after all of these years--but I am truly lucky to live where I do.

Anyway, I have no plans to stop as yet--so here goes another year.  

I appreciate all of the visitors that drop in--just drop me a comment from time to time & tell me what you like (or what you don't). 

Thanks for being along for the drive!

Just When You Think It's Safe...

...something changes in the inner workings of Blogger, and there goes the blog format.
Easy come, easy go I guess!
So here we are with a new, although similar, layout that all of us need to adjust to.
Sorry.
And hopefully the tiny, unreadable color of 'Whidbey Island, Washington' will get corrected (or set free) soon. 
Carry on...

Knowing Just Enough to be Dangerous

One of the things I've missed during this last 9 months of non-blogging, is the whole conversation going on in Blogger/Blogspot about custom domain vs FTP--and the fact that Blogger will no longer support FTP blogs after March.
So far I've visited 4 different locations & in none is there the key Q&A: how do you know if you are an FTP blog? I'm gleening that FTP is 'older' language--and therefore a little geekier oriented? (No offense intended to anyone with that remark--I'm in awe of geeks most of the time!). Based on that I'm thinking I'm NOT an FTP blog, but how would I know that? (Doubt that Blogger tells you directly that you're an affected party...)
Anyone able to point my in the right direction for info (or just tell me not to worry...)? Jim sez: well if your blog doesn't work in March, you'll know! (thanks!)

I'm Back!

Can't believe that nine months later I'm returning to the blog--with a bit of trepidation along with some hopefulness. Thought that I needed a new look to pay tribute to a new beginning. Whadya think?

This will be a month of changes--brief as it may be. Last Friday was my last day of work at a job of nearly 27 years--not sure what comes next but work will still be involved. Muddling that one over...

So bear with the new start-up and stay tuned. Oh--and Happy Groundhog Day, all!

"I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster, drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters. That was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get that day over and over and over?" Phil Conners

Returned From the Abyss!

Wow! Yes I did fall off the face of the earth . . .and hopefully am now returning.

The day BEFORE the Inauguration, my work partner was heading out of the house on one of our many icy mornings, and fell--breaking her arm (and we all know that we try to break a fall with our dominant arm, right?!).

Anyway, the world went tilt on Inauguration Day, but not for all the reasons I expected! My partner-in-crime was in surgery as Obama was sharing his thoughts on what lay ahead--and was out for some time after. I was more than happy to pick up the pace to try filling in the gaps, but it has left me little time for much else beyond laundry & sleeping!

She is coming along well--now has the pins out, the cast off, and is actually starting to write with her dominant hand again! Yeah!! I'm beginning to see the end in sight of this siege--looking forward to a day off sometime soon. The auto-pilot mentality will likely start wearing off in the near future--and I'm thankful that I work with a great group of people (even more than usual!).

It was the day before the 'new era' when I posted last, and so much has happened. I am still in awe of my new President--and the fact that he can be articulate, energized, and a leader in such a dark time. Many of my first wins have happened--Guantanamo, CIA renditions, stem-cell prohibitions, gag-rules on birth control counseling . . . may it continue.

Caught an interview with a Obama staff member recently & when asked about health care he actually responded that there is another approach beyond either cutting benefits or raising taxes to pay for the existing (broken) system. I still have hope . .

I also still have hope that spring will come--which is has not, despite the calendar's version. This has been the coldest, darkest, dreariest winter for a very long time--and I am truly ready for it to be OVER!

So--I will try anew to be regular with some posts. Hope the last two months have treated you all well.

Anniversary Post: Blog On?!

Today marks one year of blogging. Gotta say, I've not been very disciplined about it--averaging about one a week, although not on a consistent basis--as this is post #48.

Pros: I've learned a fair amount about blogland--how blogs work, potential power in the connection, communication; I've been able to keep in touch with people I care about. the big surprise at the end of the year is how many new 'connections' I've found--not people I've met or know, but I truly am glad to have found other's blogs that inspire, encourage, educate me, and make me feel a stronger kinship as I find folks of like-mindedness; they are like new friends.

Cons: hard to stay focused sometimes; staying inspired & not embarrassed in sharing; one more thing to feel badly about if I miss for awhile; sometimes wondering how best to proceed--or do I?
Overall it's felt more positive than negative--it's certainly been an adventure.
So: whadya think?! on to year two? Just was reading another blog that identified 'adopting a blogger'--more experienced bloggers with a similar interest mentored newer bloggers--trialing it for about 3 months & then re-evaluate. Seems like a good idea (in hindsight). But I certainly have had help, suggestions along the way from others with more experience--when I've asked 8-) and that's certainly been appreciated!
In any case, here's hoping we all find more encouragement in coming weeks! And yes, I do hope for world peace...

Early Resolution

A month since my last post--a MONTH! One way to ensure a fading following--do nothing, right?

A memorable month sans post:
a(nother) birthday, an anniversary (24 & counting), a demotion in the workplace (not to be confused with a demolition still in progress--offering 'end-of-life care' to exiting positions/people & crisis intervention upon request or as witnessed), a great Thanksgiving, Cassie's first groomer visit, some of the coldest weather for this little island paradise, and not enough daily discipline on my part to keep all of the balls in the air at once.

I'm taking lessons from many bloggers extroidinaire--but most especially Joe: wow! Every day & such a treat to read. We could all do as well...
So--I begin again. As the month of 'lasts' continues (many 'last' meetings, last hand-offs, last of the year, etc.), I'm commited to not just starting--but continuing, finishing, sticking with it. Small bites. So here's to some 'firsts'--and some 'stills' as life continues on.

Congratulations due to all of the end-of-term folks--you hung in there! Great job!! (Loud applause with hats off!) Take a bow: Joe, Devin, Nick, Zack, Ted--Mike & Lynn, too! Let the holiday breaks begin!
Cheers!

Your Daily Dose

In case you need a momentary break away, here are two blogs I like to visit periodically:

http://jerryandmartha.com/yourdailyart/ for your daily art &

http://www.duanekeiser.blogspot.com/ a painting a day

Not something I like each time--but it's a peaceful respite often, and on good days cause for innovation. I always learn something, too.

Procrastination--to put off or defer

Okay, okay...I've been poised on the brink of how to start: what's the first, most important thing to say?!

But (thank you, Joe!) I've been 'outed' so I must stop messing around and START. I think in the end that's the hardest part, at least for me. Procrastination can attain a level near that of art form for truly experienced people (such as myself)--I can find all kinds of things that need to be accomplished before _____ (fill in the blank with any goal, milestone, assignment, etc. large or small). The greater or more significant the task, the greater number of things to be accomplished in the 'before' phase! Starting a blog--changing careers--planning a trip, you name it! Procrastination, interestingly enough in my dictionary, comes just ahead of procreate...

And so, then, it's begun. Hopefully it will be easier after this (and truly, thanks Joe!)

Observations of the week:
Steven Colbert for President...should add to the year's entertainment; stay tuned.
Michael Clayton was well worth the box office price (thank you, Devin!)
Robot Sex was an interesting thought for the week (thank you, Nick!)