With my kids it was teaching them to separate want from need.

Sadly, many adults seem to never have learned this.

With my kids it was teaching them to separate want from need.

Does anybody want this? I'm pretty sure no one needs a Mobile Watermelon Cooler.

Speaking of wants vs. needs, today I got my tickets to see Cyrano de Bergerac with Placido Domingo. (We weren't sure if we would get them or not because we're new subscribers and they weren't part of our series.)

I think having to move can help clarify the difference (for adults). Having to fit everything in a small place or pay to store it and/or having to hire people to move your stuff because you cannot physically do it yourself can help to make clear what you need vs. what you want. Also - having to sell the stuff you're not taking with you and seeing how little $$ you get for it and how much you need to donate or give away because you can't sell also illustrates how much unnecessary stuff we accumulate.

Predict the Future Using Your Fingernails (and other weird methods)

Another thing cats are good for:

Ailuromancy or felidomancy. Simply observe the way your cat moves or jumps to determine the future – especially weather. A black cat crossing your path being a bad omen is an old piece of ailuromancy. Did your cat lick her ears three times? Company must be on the way. Right ear? It’s a gentleman caller. Left ear? Expect a lady.

...

Onychomancy. Believe it or not, your fingernails are very powerful. Fingernail clippings were once used in spells, healing rituals and superstitions. In fact, many of the superstitions are still floating around out there – Japanese girls are told that biting their fingernails will result in a difficult childbirth later on down the line. The white spots on your fingernails are supposed to be a sign of good fortune – a spot on thumb specifically means that a gift is about to be bestowed upon you. Greedy people are said to have crooked fingernails, and the half-moon shape (“lunula”) at the base of the nail indicates your lifeline – the bigger the lunula, the longer your life will last. Ever bend your nail back? Bad news: not only did it probably make you use a few choice words, it also means there’s a difficult time ahead of you and it could last for a couple of months.

I've heard a white spot on your fingernail means you told a lie....

Yeah, I guess moving about 15 times in the last 20 years has helped me clarify that. Although I'm still finding things to sell via Second Spin and Amazon.

That sounds aggravating, Jen. I have to advice to offer, but I support you in not caring about his hurt feelings in this case.

Oh no, my poor babies. I just got an email from the summer camp saying that the field trip was canceled because the bus broke down on the way there. Second big field trip of the summer to be canceled.

Oh well. Maybe we'll make it a family outing afternoon.

Thanks, -t. It's just so intrusive. I think that's what has my hackles up. Do I have hackles? If I do, they're up.

Speaking of moving, I've been going well beyond my physical limits for more than a month now. Now that I'm here (but not unpacked) it must be unraveling because I'm exhausted and all I've done is read 'net, newspaper and make breakfast. I'mma sleep 'til Farmers Market.