Ahh, it's summer!

And it feels like it too!

Hot and Humid
Heavy Rain
Strong Winds
Dangerous Lightning
Hail
Tornadoes
Flooding

For the past week, these words have been in our forecast every day.  We've had it all.  Fortunately, there hasn't been any major damage in my immediate area.

In my tiny village, we don't have a storm siren, but I've heard from friends and family who live in areas that do have a storm siren.  They tell me that their sirens have been activated every day since last Friday.


I watch the sky, listen to a weather radio, have weather apps on my smartphone and get text alerts from the local newspaper.

What do you use to alert you to move to safety during a storm?


USING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR STITCHING?

I've been reading posts on blogs, groups I belong to and various websites regarding digital cross stitch charts and magazines.  Some have subscribed to digital magazine services to receive their favorite stitchy magazine.  A digital magazine is a great idea since it reduces the cost of the subscription, the use of paper and storage space, but some digital magazines don't allow printing.  What good is a digital stitching magazine if you can't print the chart?

So, I've been thinking about using a laptop, tablet or smartphone as my chart instead of paper.  Now, my smartphone is one of the smaller ones, so it would be a last resort to use it for my chart.  However, my daughter has the Samsung Note which is much larger and might work pretty good.

On my daughter's tablet, the cursor is a circle.  So on the above pdf chart, I would be able to touch the screen and place the cursor on the design to keep my place in design.  I did notice that the screen shuts off after 30 seconds, but that is a setting that can be changed.

Here's a pdf chart opened on my laptop.  Again, I can place the cursor where I am working so I can keep my place.

This is an image file opened in a paint program with the cursor placed next to a row. 

Some things to think about when using an electronic device instead of a paper chart:

• Easily able to enlarge or reduce the chart size on screen
• Can use the cursor to keep my place 
• More difficult to make notes and changes on the chart
• Not as portable as a paper chart, although if you always carry your device with you this would not be an issue.

I'm guessing if you're like me, you also have tons of downloaded designs.  I've got pdf, image and document files of freebie designs from all over the internet. 

I'm considering using an electronic device instead of a paper chart.  What about you?  Do you or would you use an electronic device instead of a paper chart?  What do you think are advantages/disadvantages of using an electronic device?

STITCHY STUFF

I've just finished a large model stitching piece for a designer.  Sorry, no pics to share though.

I'm in the mood for some patriotic stitching!  I'll be going through my stash to find a few patriotic smalls to start working on this weekend.

What are you stitching?

HAVE A GREAT, SAFE WEEKEND!

My To-Do List Is Too Long!

And there aren't enough hours in a day.

Do you ever find yourself with an endless To-Do list like I do?  I feel like I'm going backwards and NOTHING is getting done.

Remember back a few months ago when Yahoo changed it's email again?  Ever since Yahoo made those changes, it literally takes me hours to go through my email now.  Between tons of spam in my inbox, messages not sorting to folders any longer and then deleted or moved messages reappearing in my inbox time and time again, it's truly overwhelming!

Changing my email address is not an option, but something has to be done.  I just don't know what.  I can't waste spend hours everyday just going through email so my inbox fills up even more and I put off handling all that email, but that only compounds the problem.

Anyone else having these email issues?  Any suggestions?



I'm still struggling with the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome flare-up so instead of helping Hubby mow the grass, I took a time out over the weekend.  While he pushed the mower back and forth across the yard, I was nature and bird watching at our camper.

This Red-Headed Woodpecker was very active, 

going from tree to tree.

A nest full of baby Robins!

And you thought you were having a bad hair day! 

I just love the fuzzy feathers on the top of their heads.

Not sure what kind of bird this is, but it sure was busy.

A Bluebird watches it's house from a nearby branch.

 

And this couple was busy with their house.

 

Take a time out to enjoy 

the world around you!