Family, Grief, Life, What I Kept

what i kept – september 2025

Kari

i began writing this series in may 2022, not intending to make it a tradition. but it stayed—and so did you. thank you for showing up each month.

my dad planted a branch years ago, just to see if it would grow. it did. my mom remembers the first shadow it cast, and how glad she was he saw it. i love that his little tree keeps living.
that squirrel is $50
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don’t let this cuteness fool you — five hours before this, he pooped in my car.
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i made my own molasses cookie this time. here’s the recipe.
i started coloring my own hair this summer because salon prices are just too high. i also started glossing my hair, and let me tell you, my hair has never looked shinier or healthier.
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we definitely need this
i found this in my comment section from 2022. 💜

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62 thoughts on “what i kept – september 2025”

  1. The $50.00 squirrel makes me ponder. Is there a market for it? What does one do with it after you buy it? Where can I find a pretty sweater in my size like the one it’s wearing? Questions, Kari, I have questions.

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    1. SO MANY QUESTIONS.

      If you’re in the market for an overpriced squirrel, he’s at JCPenney (yes, they still exist—though I’m not sure how much longer if they’re charging fifty bucks for decorative squirrels).

      I could go back and ask the squirrel… maybe he could help. I might just do it to see if he’s on sale.

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  2. So much goodness, beauty, and wisdom here. And those molasses cookies look divine! Though, I’ve got to admit, the first quote got me. I was a kid who did Mensa math workbooks for fun. 🤓 I would take math over this adulting nonsense any day LOL!

    Also, if you’re open, I’d love to share a trick for highlighting in a straight line. (Not a criticism at all, just a discovery that makes me very, very happy as a fellow book highlighter.) My boyfriend is a trained artist and taught me that rather than pivoting your arm out at the elbow like a rainbow, you should drag your full arm as one unit pivoting outwards/upwards from the shoulder. It gives you more control of the movement. ☺️

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    1. I love that you love math! My dad did too- I wish I got that gene. 🤣

      And thank you for the highlighting tip! I actually didn’t use a pen this time—I edited with my iPhone camera tool, which is why the lines aren’t straight. But I love hearing your trick—it sounds like it would make such a difference for actual pen highlighting!💜

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  4. You kept so many good things this month! I love the quotes, especially the one about farting around. It made me laugh out loud! Your hair looks so gorgeous and healthy! And the opposite of the zoomies is the gloomies! That’s a good one! The $50 squirrel is so cute…

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  5. I’ve found things here to keep, too; thank you.

    I will never stop railing against the millennia of mistreatment of women by the medical profession. (For one particularly spectacular case, see First Lady Mary Lincoln.)

    And as I age, I find the company of women more golden, more wise, and more powerful.

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    1. I love that. 💜

      Oh, Nance, you are a woman after my own heart. I remember going to the Abraham Lincoln Museum here in Springfield years ago, and they had a display of one of their bedrooms. Mary had “taken ill” with migraine, and I could put myself in her place right in that moment. The lack of medicine, having to wear all of that heavy clothing, no air conditioning, stress of their lifestyle, death of children then of her husband, I just felt sick. Thanks to you, I’am going to go on a deep dive of Mary Lincoln today.

      I feel this too, my friend. 😘💜

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  8. I love the Ray Bradbury quote. I got to meet him four or five times and listen to him talk. He had such a childlike wonder and enthusiasm about him. His advice was to read the Bible, an essay and a poem every day — and to turn off the TV news.

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  9. Oh it is so true that 99% of the time what I worry about usually turns out to be just fine and my worries for nothing but those things that blindside me were never on my radar to worry about in the first place!

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  10. Beautiful photographs.

    Great Vonnegut quote, as well.

    Plants want to live. I like that about them.

    Yeah, the price of what is essentially crap is out of control. They’re cheap to produce, and not rare, so why the hefty bill?

    “You can make anything sacred. Bedazzle your life.” I’m remembering that.

    The gloomies. How apt as the rains roll in.

    You have beautiful hair. I forgot glosses. I must add to the shopping list.

    You do a great job of creating community 🌺

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    1. Thank you, Michelle. 😘

      I love that too. I like to fart around, so that really made me feel seen.

      Yesterday while watering my plants, I thought about the ones in homes where they’re neglected—what it would be like to write from their perspective. Dying plants. Your “plants want to live” made me think more about that.

      I love that too.

      We need rain! Send it down here!

      Thank you- it’s the gloss! A year ago my hair was struggling. I swear it was Covid and grief.

      This is such a huge compliment. Thank you for saying that. 😘💜

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  11. Math homework…in my nightmares!

    Love that your dad’s planted branch is now a tree. So cool.

    Why is that squirrel $50 and are people really paying that?! What store did you see this in? I mean, it’s cute, but…sheesh.

    Love the quote about the computer being a form of spirit because it’s like a portal.

    Ooh, and the Ray Bradbury quote. I’m going to do his exercise! My friend, Cin, who is a poet, one time gave some of us writers a challenge of writing a poem from the last 10 texts we received.

    Love your vignette on top of my favorite piece of furniture in your home. ;-)

    Biscuits pooping in your car…what the heck?! lol

    Your molasses cookies look yummy. I’m not a fan, but they’re one of Brian’s faves. I made some a couple of weeks ago and still have some dough balls in the freezer. He can pop a couple of cookies in the toaster oven when he’s in the mood for cookies. :-)

    I’m so afraid to even attempt coloring my own hair! I wouldn’t know where to start. What product and what color? How to even do it?! My stylist has been doing my hair for many years. I only get it colored once every few months, so it’s not too bad. And she’s very good on her pricing. However, I know it’d be much cheaper to do it myself. And what’s this about glossing? Never heard of it. Fill me in!

    xoxo

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    1. MINE TOO. 🤣

      I love it too.

      It was in JC Penney! It wasn’t even well-made. Mike and I had a good laugh about it after leaving the store. Who in the hell does JC Penney think they are, charging fifty dollars for a squirrel in this economy. 🤣

      I love it too! It’s so true, isn’t it? So many amazing connections through blogging.

      I love the text poem idea!

      It’s my favorite piece of furniture in my house too!

      It’s really my fault -I decided last minute to take him and Buddy with me to pick up Ella from school. I forgot to put the dogs out before getting them in the car. Buddy didn’t poop in the car, though.

      That’s such a good idea. I made all my dough and only ate a few cookies.

      Long story short- I asked AI to help me, and it told me everything I needed to know. Which colors would be best, which brand, and then to gloss in between coloring fo shine. Glossing actually extends the color, so I don’t need to color as often. It’s similar to coloring but without the harsher chemicals. 😘💜

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      1. Thanks for explaining about glossing! Aagh on AI, ha ha…so far, I have not used AI or ChatGPT and am holding off as long as possible. I might have to sucuumb!

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  12. Kari, that first one made me LOL because I was HORRIBLE at Math in school. So yes, being an adult can be hard. But so was my math homework. VERY hard.

    Being a HUGE tree-lover (and tree hugger), that one about trees hit home for me. Personally, I think trees are one of the most powerful and healing teachers on the planet.

    I adore squirrels. However, not $50.00 worth.

    I freaking LOVE that photo of the interior of the car. Such a COOL capture!

    I smiled when I saw your photo of the Buddha. That whole arrangement looks so peaceful and calming.

    And being someone who was a licensed hairstylist for over 20 years, I APPLAUDE you for the excellent job you did on your hair. The hair color you buy in the stores (such as Target) is just as effective as going to a salon and paying a fortune. I had one of my customers tell me over the summer that she paid over FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS to have her hair colored and cut while on vacation. And what’s really sad is that she didn’t even like it. :(

    Thanks so much for sharing what you saved, my friend! A joy to read! Have a fabulous week!

    X

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    1. I was HORRIBLE at Math too, friend. Sometimes I get overwhelmed in life and then I think – well, at least I don’t have geometry homework.

      We don’t really deserve trees.

      I was going to buy that squirrel and was shocked. NOPE.

      Thank you! We were on our way home from Anna’s house one night, driving the tollway. I’ve always been fascinated by the lights on the highway, so I snapped a picture.

      I knew you’d notice him! I love that we both collect Buddhas. 💜

      RON! I didn’t know you were a hairstylist – that’s so cool! I hate that she paid that much to color her hair, and then she didn’t even like it….that’s so sad.

      Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate you so very much. Have a wonderful week- xoxo

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  13. The thought of doing math homework daunts me more than anything I ever need to do as a current adult.

    I love that little tree, and your parents backyard view is gorgeous.

    What does that fifty-dollar-made-in-China squirrel do? Anything?

    What is it with dogs pooping in cars?

    Your hair looks amazing!!

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  14. -That little sleeping baby pooped in your car? Nah…I can’t believe it!..lol They all are little rascals.

    -That zoomies quote is an absolute classic!

    -Your hair looks fabulous! ..and super healthy!

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    1. He is such a rascal- which is funny, because that’s Buddy’s middle name. 🤣

      I know! I wish I had more zoomies than gloomies!

      Thank you! Much better than before. 💜

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    1. I know…I was just thinking about adding a line at the end of each post: what’s one thing that stuck out to you? Life’s too short to make anyone go back and forth to find it.

      Maybe by the end of fall, the squirrel will be on clearance. 😊

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  17. I love whoever made that comment in 2022! Another thing I love is that single zinnia in the little vase. So sweet. And that tree branch is looking good!

    Homework . . . I often look back and think I’m still recovering from PTSD doing homework every night with Middle Child. It was exhausting and a constant stress. SO glad to be done with all of that.

    Many of us could do a Ted Talk on autoimmune disorders! I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s while my father was on hospice. My bloodwork showed my TSH was over 100, when it’s supposed to be under 4. My doctor said she didn’t know how I was even getting out of bed. I think the stress I was under caused the whole thing. This was in 2018 and I’d like to get off the drug and see if my level remains normal, but doctors don’t seem to truly believe that stress can be a sole factor.

    “Portal to connection and others” SO TRUE! As much as the internet/social media can be damaging, I’ve also found so much good in it. Like meeting you, Kari! XO I’ll be commenting on your previous posts today.

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    1. It was me! 🤣🤣

      My zinnias are still blooming! I just found a new batch in my front garden-the first time they’ve bloomed all season. I absolutely love that they’re still growing.

      Oh LORDDDDT, I hate(d) homework. For myself and for my children.

      I think my cousin has Hashimoto’s….and I’d love to hear your TedTalk on it.

      I feel the same way about you. When I found out Ally was done blogging, I actually teared up. I love the people I’ve connected with here and on yours and others’ blogs. I’m so grateful for all of you.

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  18. Oh my god, math homework. Thank you for that. Sometimes I have a really hard time dealing with things I have to do, but at least I never again have to solve and effing story problem. I’m going to try to remember that the next time it’s all feeling like too much. 

    And I’m going to think about how I might bedazzle my life. Not with $50 fake squirrels. There are so many real ones outside the window where I connect with you through my computer portal. Their movements at the edges of my peripheral vision keep catching my eye. I want more of that kind of bedazzling. 

    There are some things in your collection here that touch on things too personal to write here. But I appreciate them, and I want you to know that. 

    When I was 17, I made my mother take me to a gynecologist because I’d only had about 3 periods (which didn’t start until I was well past 15) and they were excruciating, and she told me that I worried too much and needed to gain weight. Took more than 10 years to be diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS, both of which may have an autoimmune component. Still angry about how that doctor dismissed my pain and, even more, how she made me feel. Ashamed for voicing that something was wrong. Do you know how long it took me to trust myself again? Long past the 10 years. That didn’t end with a diagnosis. Ugh. If I were Bradbury, there would be a place in my story for that kind of medical experience. 

    I love the photo of you, and now I must know:  what is glossing your hair? I want mine to look like yours.

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    1. WORD PROBLEMS- okay, now I feel much better about life. Thank you for the perspective this morning. 🤣

      I found these tree jewelry pieces on Etsy the other day- literal mirror pieces on string that you can hang on a tree outside or really anywhere. Do I need it? No, but man, that could bedazzle the hell out of my life. Oh wait, we aren’t supposed to be using material things.

      I’m glad that they resonated with you. And i understand completely- I can’t alwys write about them either. I see you. 😘

      Oh friend I’m so sorry about all of this. I”ll message you on Instagram in a minute. Thank you for sharing this with me.

      Glossing is like a top coat of nail polish for your hair-except there is a little color added. It’s so good. Trust me.

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      1. Just want to say that if you want little mirrors to bedazzle your tree, GO FOR IT. I know you know that life is too short. We get to make up our own rules. Well, in a lot of ways we don’t, which is why we should where we can, and you get to make your own bedazzling rules. Bedazzle the hell out of your life, Kari. That is my wish for you. 

        xoxo

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  19. The first one made me literally laugh out loud – I am such a maths dunce! But I’m not sure whether the Kurt Vonnegut quote was even better :) The price of that squirrel is absolutely horrifying! Great advice from Ray Bradbury – I’ve snapped that one and will be giving it a try as I really must get back into writing fiction – it’s been way too long.

    It’s probably best I restrain myself on the subject of how women’s health is treated as there would be one very long and very angry rant. I’ll limit it to saying that both the level of ignorance and the dismissive attitude is utterly appalling.

    Lovely pic of you Kari and your hair looks fabulous :) After many years of letting Himself loose on my hair with clippers (it started during the Covid lockdown of course), I went into a local hairdresser and had a professional cut. She’s not quite got the hang of my hair yet, but I am hopeful that she will. Himself is most put out.

    That final comment from your blog chef’s kiss <3 <3

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    1. I hate math- I’m so bad at it. I love that Kurt Vonnegut quote too.

      I loved the little squirrel with the big price tag. I want to go back and see if anyone bought him. I hope he’s still there at the end of the season when they mark down prices.

      That Ray Bradbury quote is a great writing prompt.

      It’s appalling- and it’s just getting worse here in America.

      Thank you, friend! My hairstylist has also become a dear friend, but I can’t afford her coloring prices. She is very talented and her prices are fair considering. But we’re spending 10 dollars on coffee grounds and nine dollars on ground beef…she still cuts my hair every few months. I can’t do that at home. 🤣

      I would’ve loved to see your other half cut your hair! I began cutting my husband’s hair many years ago, but it’s a buzzcut, which takes no training at all.

      This blog has saved my sanity and soul so many times. 💜

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  20. What a beautiful collection, Kari. And yay to not having math homework! I remember one junior high teacher assigned us reams of homework one day and we all were in shock as we wrote his assignments down. It took me about seven hours to do it that night. The next day when we were all bleary eyed in his class, he said, “Oh you did all that? I was just kidding.” What a total prick.

    That’s so amazing about the living branch. Another sign!

    I loved the images and sayings and other bits of niceness. Hope you’re doing well, friend.

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    1. OMG- are you kidding?? What a prick, for real! Our teachers really hated us. 🙄

      Right?! And yes, another sign! I never thought of it that way.

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m doing well, friend. I hope you’re doing well too. 💜🌈

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  22. I love trees. Each has their own personality. I love the sound of their leaves in the wind as much as their silence enjoying the sun on a hot summer’s day. They can let off cool shadows in the day and also have interesting silhouettes at dusk. Trees are really amazing.

    Last weekend I visited my mom. My dad planted a few trees almost fifty years ago and we commented how beautiful, tall and lush they’ve become. These trees remind me of him whenever I come home for a visit. When I saw the tree your dad planted, I thought how wonderful that you also have a remembrance of him. One of my first impressions of your dad’s tree was how strong it was to grow from a small branch and what amazing posture it has. Can trees have good posture? I wonder, but thats what came to mind.

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    1. Trees ARE really amazing. I just started noticing them more since 2020, and I keep finding new and interesting things about them.

      I love that you also have trees that remind you of your dad-what a special legacy they leave. I’m sure they never thought about that when they were planting them.

      Good posture- that’s so funny but true! Knowing my dad, I’m sure he had it braced with a bungee cord so it wouldn’t be crooked. In fact, there is a lilac bush in our yard with a bungee cord he put there a few years back. My husband won’t take it off because my dad put it there. 💜

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