The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

I’m Not Leaving the Internet. Just the Country!

It’s less than a month until we leave. So… what happens to this blog while we’re living abroad?

Short answer: I’m not disappearing.Slightly longer answer: things might look a little bit different.

A few people…

Happy Things Friday: 6 February

It feels like a relief to officially be into February.

January felt bleak this year, and though I realize the switching of calendar months is a construct, it still feels like a mini-reset.

A friendly…

Never Have I Ever… Part 15

How long can I keep this series going?? Apparently long enough to reach my 150th Never Have I Ever…

Tried caviar.

Taken a hop-on, hop-off tour bus.

Completed an escape room.

Been inside a sensory deprivation tank.

Created something…

On My Shelf: Books Read January 2026

Who’s ready to talk books?? I expected my reading stats to take a nosedive at the start of the new year, but some epic snowstorms (and soccer practices) gave me time to read a…

Reading
Feb, 04, 2026
35 Comments

What in Tarnation Are Fiddleheads??

A few weeks ago I wrote about serving fiddleheads when my sister was visiting, and lots of people told me they had to consult Google to figure out what in Sam Hill I was…

Life
Feb, 03, 2026
35 Comments

My Photo Organization System (From iPhone to Photobook)

Diane recently asked if I use photos John has taken in our photobooks. You know I can take a simple question and turn it into (checks WordPress stats) an 866 word post!

100% yes!!…

Happy Things Friday: 30 January

Well, that was a doozy of a week!

My part of the world (and honestly, most of North America, it seems) got walloped with winter. It was absolutely frigid and, to add insult to injury,…

FIG Collective, Happy Things Friday, Life
Jan, 30, 2026
49 Comments

I’m Not Leaving the Internet. Just the Country!

Happy Things Friday: 6 February

Never Have I Ever… Part 15

On My Shelf: Books Read January 2026

What in Tarnation Are Fiddleheads??

My Photo Organization System (From iPhone to Photobook)

Happy Things Friday: 30 January

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Happy Things Friday: 13 March

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Happy Things Friday: 6 March