I have not been in a while. If you decide to go, consider visiting Vieques. Take a canoe tour of the bioluminescent bay at midnight. It is magical.

ChatGPT summary:

Mosquito Bay, located on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, is recognized as one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world. Its magical blue-green glow is produced by millions of microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates, which absorb energy through photosynthesis during the day and emit light through a chemical reaction when the water is disturbed at night.

As kayaks glide through the water, each paddle stroke creates shimmering trails of light. The phenomenon is especially spectacular on moonless nights. Surrounded by protected mangroves, Mosquito Bay offers one of nature's most extraordinary nighttime experiences.

Photosynthesis:

How this relates to Vieques' bioluminescent bay: The microscopic dinoflagellates responsible for the glowing water use photosynthesis to obtain energy during the day. At night, when the water is disturbed, they produce flashes of blue light through a separate chemical reaction called bioluminescence.

In other words, photosynthesis captures light energy, while bioluminescence produces light.

We were in PR in June for the first time. We went with some friends who have a time-share condo in Dorado. We were there only a few days and spent our last night in Old San Juan. The resorts are very nice but my boyfriend and I really loved Old San Juan. The rest of our group didn't want to explore like we like to -- they stayed in the hotel and we ended up at a Pureto Rican locals place for dinner and had the best time. We will defintely go back (without the other people!)

PR is a convienient island vacation -- many direct flights and it's the US so money, phones and the electrical current are the same as here. The people there are very welcoming and friendly. I hope you get to go there, Sue!

We used to go to PR to catch a boat to St Croix. We'd stay in PR for a few days prior and a few days before our return home. We liked staying in the Fajardo part of PR. We liked hiking El Yunque National Forest. It was a tropical paradise! There's a HUGE cave system that's beautiful to tour(Arecibo). Well worth seeing!

I have them and do change the codes. What I found to be a problem when I first decided on a brand was that not all were compatable with my router. I think I went through a couple of brands before finding one that would work. Mine are old so that may not be a problem now.

I went on vacation a few years ago, in the dead of winter, to a tropical destination. I took no winter clothes, not even a coat. I hate the extra luggage and figure I just needed to jump out of my Uber and into my front door. I found the battery had gone dead on my Eufy and had no way to unlock it. OMG. What a disaster. I learned my lesson. Now I make sure I have some way to charge the battery from outside enough to unlock the door in a pinch. Hopefully technology has improved since then.

Funny story. A few years ago, DD's male 50 yo neighbor commented that he needed to get a new handle for their front door as it wasn't working. 30 yo DD asks if he has checked the battery. He is admant there is no battery, it runs off of electricity implied "you young 30 something female, what do you know". She questions how does electricity get to the handle, he has no answer for that. Fast forward a week or so, he sees her, tells her she was right, thanks for saving me money. It needed a new battery.

Over the years we have used some electronic locks on rental houses/condos that were not very intuitive. We had difficulty getting them to lock and we were used to using an electronic lock. This seems to have improved with time. On our Schlage you just push the lock symbol or the name.

RN, that reminds of the time I went to my local library and the heat wasnt working. They were on the verge of calling the HVAC company , and sure the furnace had failed. I asked if anyone had checked the batteries in the thermostat, and duh, no they didnt even know it used batteries! Problem quickly and cheaply solved.

Your space looks like it came out of a magazine. Stunning!

Won't that be fun there!

For sure❤️

It is so tacky it would make me find a different doctor.

Tacky Tacky Tacky! I agree!

I once had a property manager that for Christmas added a $250 charge, labeled "cost of doing business increase" to my bill I owed her...just for the month of December! That's illegal BTW. I called and told her I did NOT agree to that charge...she said "the charge stays"....I got rid of her.

All industries want tips...but....I'm not going there.

It feels like everytime I make a purchase outside of a grocery store, gas station, or ecommerce there's a default tip set up on the machine. I do typically tip my hair stylist, but thankfully don't need many haircuts per year. I also tip my massage therapist even though it's her own business. I hate tipping on any kind of counter service or takeout, but sometimes feel like I have to if it's a business I frequent.

I just returned from Amsterdam and I was quite surprised to see tip showing up on many of those transactions as well. It wasn't clear what was considered appropriate. I felt comfortable giving cash tips to tour guides who really put their heart into the work, but was surprised to see tip on the machine at cafes and restaurants when I'd always read that tipping was primarily something that was expected in the USA due to below minimum server wages.

Oof! That was one expensive look-see!

I’m another who didn’t know there were physical stores. I looked up locations and it’s a longer drive than I’d want to make, especially with all the nightmare construction going on around here.

I’ve never ordered from the Wayfair side, but have from Perigold. Customer service was top-notch. They sent me the wrong color fabric and told me to keep it, then quickly sent the right one …. with excellent communication in the meantime. I used the first fabric on another project.

Friday, I’d love to see you DIY the sofa table! You’re so creative and talented.

My son-in-law’s birthday is July 4 so this year I made matching fireworks shirts for him, my dtr, and their two little boys. Corny, I know, but they love them.

I make many garments for the family and completed a homecoming dress for my granddaughter. She wore it last night but I don’t have a picture yet.

Wow, everybody. Shout out to all you talented people.

@ilikefriday that lamp is so interesting, and I particularly love that you put it on the piano, both for the contrast and as a practical matter to let the "amulets" fall so nicely.

@kswl, I love the sense of movement you got on your golfer girl! Just charming.

@Sueb20, tell me you have a wall for all your cyanotypes (sp). I think they'd look especially nice massed!

Friday—great job on the vase (I like your’s more!)

Thanks, Fun and Petalique!

Petal, I don’t have directions, I’m self-taught and mine are very amateur. If I make any again, I’d love to send you one! But I haven’t done any beading in a while. Maybe this is the push I need. :D I had a thread here with the beaded jewelry I’ve made, that’s what I started first, then somehow went to snowflakes, hearts, and spiders.

Here’s a thread from when I was making them (you might have to hit the ”see more comments” at the top):

Roxsol shared the lore about Christmas spiders, so I‘ve used the green one above in my Christmas decor since then thanks to her.

I saw Maddielee (RIP, sweet lady) on there, I sure miss her. And saw lots of other posters who haven’t been around that I miss, too. Hope they’re doing well.

This picture makes my fingers hurt in memory. The long wire in the middle is the body, and I wrap eight wire legs around it:

Another one pre-beads:

And one more in the process:

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Sorry for my temporary thread hijack, Carol! 🕷️🕷️🕷️

I think you space looks spectacular. There are so many things to love about your space. What really catches my eye are the curtain and rug patterns. They look great together.

Ha! I recently had to drag, then change to a back and forth rock/spin motion to get a 40" x 18" ish square box from carport into the garage. Luckily our handyman/electrician/friend came to work for us one day this week. We always knock out a Honey Do list in no time.

Don't you just love when a few changes and additions in your home make it feel "new" and more loved?! I don't blame you for not wanting to take up the tile. It is such a loud and messy job. The sisal rug is a good choice.

Your home is so warm and inviting! I love everything about it. I could stare and find so many things to look at in each room! Such chartacter and charm. Perhaps you have a spare room that I could come and live in!