Favorite Things, Grief, Life, Tater Tots

screw it, i’m eating tater tots – episode 62

Kari

if you’re new to my blog, welcome! here is an explanation of the tater tot post.

rose, bud, thorn

i read about it here. basically, what is/was the positive aspect of your week, what are you looking forward to, and what is the negative? i felt that this post was the perfect place for this type of question.

rose-my mom, mike, and i spent yesterday getting out and exploring. it filled us up for the week.

a coffee shop/garden center 🖤

bud– getting to plant our zinnias soon.

thorn– i had to buy a new computer mouse (yes, i’m one of those), and it’s very new, so i have to click vigourously to get anything to open, and retype things over and over. it’s annoying.

let me tell you how happy i am that my most negative thing is so frivolous. ❤️

one thing i read

as long as you need: permission to grieve by j.s. park

this book was found on a library shelf (not on my tbr). sychronicity? serendipity? regardless, it’s one of the best books i’ve read in a long time.

one thing i listened to

the living years by mike + the mechanics (definitely read the comments on the youtube video)

and this playlist i created: hammock summer

one thing i watched

apples never fall (peacock)

also, thanks to mark, mike and i are now addicted to top chef.

links i clicked on last month

‘It’s totally unhinged’: is the book world turning against Goodreads?

The habits that have most improved your life

Post # 1,000: The Living Years

Out to get you

Being An Introvert

When It Looks Like the End

My Mental Health Drastically Improved When I Stopped Posting on Social Media

64 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Grief

quotes that had me thinking last month

“a memory is a complicated thing, a relative to truth, but not its twin.” – barbara kingsolver

“if you see beauty in something, don’t wait for others to agree.” – sherihan gamal

“it is better to fail at your own dharma than to succeed at the dharma of someone else.” -Krisna, Bhagavad Gita

this has been making the rounds on the internet. it’s david foster wallace’s 2005 commencement speech at kenyon college in ohio. this is such an excellent speech. if you have not had the pleasure of reading or listening to it, please do.

you can read the full speech here.

here is a great video made to go with it:

here’s to may…

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50 thoughts on “screw it, i’m eating tater tots – episode 62”

  1. I’m someone who never got into Goodreads, so I’ll admit that I feel a bit of schadenfreude about what’s happened to it [not the people to be clear]. It has always seemed a little wacko to me. 

    I don’t know who sherihan gamal is but I like the quote: “if you see beauty in something, don’t wait for others to agree.” 💕

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I’m one of those too, Kari! I use a mouse. I have a desktop, however, I used to also have a laptop. Even with the laptop, I used an external mouse. I can’t stand using a touch pad keypad. No matter how I try, I can’t get used to it.

    “a memory is a complicated thing, a relative to truth, but not its twin.” – barbara kingsolver – LOVE this quote!

    No lie, I came across that video “This Is Water” years ago and thought it was EXCELLENT!

    So happy to read that you got out there and went exploring. It does the mind, body and soul good, doesn’t it?

    Thanks so much for the link, my friend! X

    Have a faaaaaaaabulous week!

    P.S. I watched the fist episode of “Apples Never Fall” and freaking LOVED it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I swear the more I learn about you, the more I realize we’re the same person. I can’t use the touch pad keypad either. I need to use an external mouse. I will go without using my laptop than use the touchpad. 🤣

      Isn’t that a great quote??

      I love that speech. I hate that David is no longer with us.

      It really does the mind and body good. We promised ourselves that we would do this at least bi-weekly this summer, if not more.

      I’m so glad you like Apples Never Fall!

      Have a wonderful week, my friend! 😘❤️

      Like

  4. the goodreads article was interesting. tho, i was not surprised to read that individuals were creating fake accounts and then “bad-bombing” other authors by leaving trashy reviews. what surprises me is that people think goodreads can police this type of action (you’d need a massive staff to keep track of comments). honestly, people need to police themselves– quit being a dick, and doing dick-like things. And, if you’re not sure if you’re doing dick-like things, maybe go read David Foster Wallace’s 2005 commencement speech. … how’s the water, boys?

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I’m familiar with the Rose/Thorn but not the Bud! I like that addition to the ‘game.’ That Coffee/Garden Shop looks AMAZING!

    I read Apples Never Fall and didn’t care for the book, but everyone seems to really like the series. If I can find it for free, I’ll give it a try. I’m currently watching Hacks on MAX and think it’s just okay.

    This is your first season of Top Chef? Welcome! I’ve watched every season. This season is a bit dry, in my opinion, as there’s been no drama/conflict. Nothing beats Top Chef: Desserts where one of the contestants is crying and shouting, “The red hots were for my mommy!” My oldest daughter and I still quote that! Reality GOLD!

    I hope your week is filled with sunshine, flowers, good coffee, and great music! I think of you all the time when I’m listening to First Wave in the car, wondering if Kari is listening to Talk Talk with me :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I could spend my entire savings at a coffee/garden center. I could LIVE inside a coffee/garden center.

      I don’t think I’d like the book, but the show was pretty good. I like Annette Bening, and she did a great job in it.

      This is our first season! We’re watching the Wisconsin episode (season ten). I was wondering where the drama was…we are caught up on season 10 and have gone through the older episodes. We don’t know if we want to go back as far as 2008, but we’re not sure which season to start with.

      I don’t have XM anymore! BUT, I was listening to my New Wave playlist on Spotify in the car this afternoon, when Sparks came on, and I thought of you!

      ❤️😘

      Like

  9. I never heard of the Rose, bud, thorn “game”. What a great conversation starter. I look forward to trying it out.
    That Coffee shop/garden center looks really cool … like some place I’d like to explore.
    I LOVED that Barbara Kingsolver quote – so true!
    As always, thanks Kari. Reading your Monday posts is always such a lovely way to start my week. (still haven’t found the emoji’s on this thing…;-))

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It is an excellent conversation starter! The blog where I found it usually has fun things like that.

      The garden/coffee center was a lot of fun. We’ll definitely be back.

      I’m so glad you feel that way about this post! Sending you a hug! (And emoji’s) 😘❤️💕

      Like

    1. Right?? Coffee and flowers in one place. My kind of heaven.

      It was good. It kind of dragged on a little because each episode was centered around a different character. But I would definitely recommend it.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. What a beautiful post, Kari. There’s so much here to savour.
    Rose: my sweety
    Thorn: some semi-toxic relationships I’m spending wayyyy too much time fretting about.
    Bud: Seeing our youngest grandson this coming Thursday. (Last Friday I looked after him in the evening and after he fell asleep I quietly went in his room and watched him, adoringly. He’s so precious.)

    Thank you for highlighting my post on Mike + The Mechanics’ “The Living Years.” Clearly that song means a lot to you, too. (And yes, so many poignant tales in the comments… a place that is so often to be avoided in social media!)

    Thank you for all the other pieces you placed here. I will go back and check out the “64 things…”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love your Rose and Bud, but I’m sorry about your thorn.

      That was such a lovely post, Steve. I was happy to highlight it. I have listened to that song several times since reading your post, and it has made me cry (both happy and sad tears). Those comments are extremely touching. The internet isn’t all bad, and in certain instances, it shines. If it weren’t for your post, I never would have seen those comments. 🖤

      Enjoy!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks so much, Kari. By coincidence I was able to contribute to resolving a longstanding issue this morning so the thorn’s prickliness is ok now, but thank you!

        I’m glad the song and the YouTube comments came to you through the post as they clearly helped you. That’s awesome. 🙏🏼

        Liked by 1 person

  12. I have heard of that plant/coffee shop but have never been there. What did you think?

    I don’t use a mouse with my laptop but I did with a desktop when I worked in an office.

    More music (playlist) from Kari to listen to, yay!

    Heard that about Goodreads somewhere else. It’s not too surprising, but what a shame.

    Checking out your links!

    xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was good. It was busy because we went on a Sunday afternoon, but we didn’t realize there was also an outdoor patio (headslap). The garden center had lots of very healthy looking plants and flowers. I think you will enjoy it.

      I can’t use a built in mousepad. It’s a sensory thing.

      Yay! I hope you enjoy this playlist!

      😘❤️

      Like

  14. I’ve heard the phrase Rose and Thorn, but never Bud. I like that little addition.

    Love the commencement speech; we never knew what we were getting into being adults, but look at us: we’re doing it!

    I hope you and your family are feeling all the love and taking your time getting back into the daily life stuff. XO

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Wait is there a way to use a computer without a mouse? Why am I always the last to know. ;)

    I look forward to reading that commencement speech when I have a few minutes.

    Great concept for a garden center. Uniting two things that people enjoy. So smart.

    I love that you, Mike, and your mom got out and explored a little. Hope you are feeling good and enjoying May. It is a pretty month. Take care of yourself.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I like this Rose, Bud, Thorn thing! For me:
    Rose: I got my drivers license renewed and passed the eye test! Yay!
    Bud: We’re almost done feeding hay to the cows for the year!They’ll go out to new, green pastures next week.
    Thorn: There’s a skunk living under the shed. We’re trying to trap it, but it won’t fall for our tricks!

    I also must use a mouse! I moved from a USB mouse to a Bluetooth mouse, and I love it!
    That’s just awful about Goodreads!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yay for passing your test!

      Aww, I love that you have cows! My grandfather raised Black Angus cattle!

      LOL Omg. I don’t like skunks. That is definitely a thorn!

      Ooh, a Bluetooth mouse. Why didn’t I think of that…

      It amazes me how devious people can be. Like, why?

      Like

  17. I’d forgotten about the Rose, Bud, Thorn concept which I’ve used with coaching clients as a variation when they find a pure gratitude practice out of alignment for them. I shall sit down with my journal and do some writing, thanks Kari <3

    Oh my goodness, that book surely found you, and I’m so glad that it’s been helpful. This is a tough, tough time to get through.

    I did not realise things at Goodreads had become *quite* so bad. I use it principally to keep a track on my reading. I don’t really use it to connect, although I have followed a couple of people who appear to share my reading taste. I used to leave quite lengthy reviews, but they’ve become shorter & shorter.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oooh, I like how it has been around for a while! I’m sure you have some coaching tricks up your sleeve that you could share with all of us that would make excellent blog/journal prompts!

      It is a tough time to get through. I see everything that comes my way as a gift, and this book has been that and more.

      I hadn’t realized it until I read the article! Geesh. I only use it to keep track of the number of books I read each year. I only recently discovered my love of reading books in my fifties, and I am quite proud of myself for reading even one book per month! I’m satisfying my inner child’s soul by keeping track of my books. I enjoy reading book reviews, though it can be difficult to read negative reviews.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. When I started at my job, I brought in a wireless mouse and keyboard because the profusion of wires at my desk was stressing me out. The added bonus was that I never have to use the stupid touchpad on my laptop. Who can ever get those to work? 

    The number of people who think I’m an extrovert is astounding. Like, of course I can talk to people and be friendly (people are interesting!), but at the end of the day, if I don’t have an hour or two to walk my dog in silence, there will be a huge price to pay. Introvert does not mean social incapable!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Stupid! YES! They are very stupid. 🤣

      I agree. I also think that many people assume that if I appear to be outgoing and sociable online, I must be in person. That’s a big nope.

      Like

  19. Ooo. Never heard of this but I’m game!

    Rose – The positive:
    Rainbow watching. For a good 25 minutes, I watched two rainbows form and dissolve and then reform while the light changed all around. I have never seen anything like what I saw. Nature is amazing.

    Bud – Looking forward to:
    A clip a friend sent me:
    https://youtu.be/szoivPXfpxM?si=-JdtazassXd2Ilvs
    The movie is pretty yargh but Coolidge’s make-over montage and the following song sequence are *chef’s kiss*. The expressions on various faces! Omg. The footmen in partic. And hopefully that song Bette Davis Eyes will follow me around in my head for at least a week. I’m gonna watch the pants offa this clip whenever the thorns get too prickly!

    Thorns – the negative:
    The daily. Dealing with heavy issues made heavier. That’s enough said about that!

    What a cool coffee shop! As a green/plant industry person I’m dying to know the plant angle. The building is gorgeous! But do they actually have plants? That’s so cool!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. OMG, Maddie! That’s amazing! That is something I have never seen before! I’ve had some really cool experiences with clouds lately. Ella and I were driving home from her school the week after my dad died when we noticed one in the sky with a hole in the center. I pointed it out to her, and as we talked about it, it transformed from a cirlcle into a heart! We both yelled loudly! PAPA! IT’S PAPA! 💕

      I’ve never seen this movie, but I love mixing music with an offbeat time period (Hamilton?), so this was lovely. I hope that song stays with me all week, as well.

      I see you dealing with heavy issues. I’m right next to you, even if you can’t see me. 😘

      The nursery is right outside the doors. The coffee shop is open year-round, the nursery is not. But, it offers landscaping services year-round. It’s very cool.

      Like

  21. I don’t really use Goodreads, except to briefly look up plot synopsis occasionally. The thing is, the books I love tend to be totally panned on GR, and then if I read a book I dislike, it’s got like five stars across the board. So I guess I’m just not the right person for it.

    I love rose, bud, thorn. Having just got back from nearly three weeks away, I am very much looking forward to getting into the garden. THE WEEDS, MY GOD, THE WEEDS. But it will get there! A thorn was the super long, construction filled drive to see my parents, but the rose was seeing my parents!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nicole, I am not the right person for it, either. I stopped rating books on there because of this. I just enjoy keeping track of how many books I read each year.

      I’ve really enjoyed following your travels over the past three weeks. It’s helped me heal a little. I cannot imagine three weeks of weeds. Honestly, weeding is why I hate gardening. 🤣

      Like

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