Battling the #Elements: Side-Effects & #Symptoms of Yardwork #Eczema #Gardening #WeatherGeek

While I appreciate the round of drier weather we've experienced over the last several days; it's been so very dry that my eczema flared. (No doubt exacerbated by all the stress that the recent violent storms created.) I've been working outside clearing storm debris and preparing my garden, but of course this exposes me to the elements and makes my already dry skin worse. I basically need to ladel on moisturizing lotion after every trip outdoors. Pup watches me suspiciously. She thinks all salves should be lickable.

At least it's no longer windy... I'm working on making DIY rain barrels as part of my irrigation system.

FYI #NFBW: #Free #Fishing Days #Hobbies #Anglers #H2O #Freebies

Here's a fun outdoors freebie: Many states offer "Free Fishing Days" during National Fishing and Boating Week (generally in early June) when a person is allowed to fish on public bodies of water without a fishing license.

Visit http://takemefishing.org/nfbw for more information and to plan an outing that the whole family can enjoy. (I have fond childhood memories of tagging along on a few trips with my dad when he went fishing. It was fun to dig for worms.) Some people fish for food (remember to check for mercury contamination warnings depending on the body of water you plan to fish), some for sport, and others for the exercise and ambience. Being out on the water or on a bank near the water can be relaxing. Remember there's always catch and release. (Help prevent overfishing and promote sustainable ecosystems.) Enjoy the Great Outdoors!

Engineered to #Drink: Stainless Steel Insulated #Tumblers Are Nifty #Gifts

For all of about 5 minutes, I "owned" one of those vacuum sealed stainless steel double insulated tumblers that can keep drinks cold for ~16 hours or hot for ~8 hours. (Customized with the sponsoring organization's logo, this Glacier cup was given out as an attendee gift at a Women's History Month program --- and I was handed one.) I love the idea of these things and dig the engineering that created them but of course, I couldn't keep it when I knew that it would be better served elsewhere.

Customizable Glacier Tumbler

Thus, I gave it to someone for whom being able to keep beverages at a set temperature for extended periods is more important, namely my "twin," as he is pretty much in a police car all day on patrol. When it's very hot or very cold out, I worry about him more than I normally would. Knowing that he can fill this tumbler with an appropriate beverage to stay hydrated and either cool off or warm up accordingly will help ease my mind. (It's funny when you think about it. He's the one with a gun strapped to his side, but I'm totally protective of him.) I, on the other hand, telecommute. If I need a hot or a cold beverage, I merely walk into the kitchen. A cup like that is overkill. Still neat though.

#Skywatchers Delight: #Eclipse, #Comet and #FullMoon Last Night #Astronomy #HomeSecurity #StarGazing #SnowMoon #TheGreatOutdoors

I love astronomy. I grew up in a rural area where one could actually see the stars amid the pitch darkness of the night sky away from city lights. I spent countless nights gazing at the sky, with naked eyes, binoculars and telescopes (bought and made), tracking the passages of stars, planets, comets and other space phenomena. It was good fun in the cow pastures and open fields of my childhood! As an adult, I still camp out for celestial events, though my equipment is a bit more advanced. Sometimes, my friends and I will have sky watching parties for big events when visible from our area.

Last night and earlier this morning showcased a triple event for skywatchers like me. At 7:43p Friday evening a "penumbral" eclipse of the moon occurred. (Not as good as a total eclipse ...of the heart... but still neat to witness.) Of necessity, of course, there was also a Full Moon, called the Snow Moon due to its occurrence in the heart of our Winter when there is a high likelihood of powder on the ground --- it was a bright white ball. Then about an hour ago, Comet 45P was visible in the early morning sky streaking through the constellation The Rock Hercules. Beautiful!

It's a brisk morning, and in spite of the thermos of hot cider and the cozy blankets that kept me alert overnight, I am now turning in for a power nap before getting up to seize the (remainder of the) day! I've got more repairs to do from where my property was vandalized by some ignorant punks two weeks ago. I'm still smouldering about it, but am soldering on. (I'm also configuring a state of the art home security system, but more on this later as I test, build and adjust it.)

Though it's starting off cold today, it'll be quite warm by this afternoon, and temps will be back up to 70 over the next few days. (Our Winter/Spring yo-yo weather continues.) Enjoy the weekend!