Slightly Off KIlter

Normal is overrated

  • Treasures 2004_51

    "Life … is haphazard and full of beauties which I try to catch as they fly by, for who knows whether any of them will ever return?" — Margot Fonteyn Treasures are positive things that strike my fancy, that make me feel happy or thankful or interested. Treasures are memories encapsulated in just a few… Continue reading

  • Winter Solstice

    Today is the day of the winter solstice, the time of year when the sun stands still. The winter solstice, which occurs on either December 21 or 22, marks the shortest period of daylight — and the longest night — of the year. Continue reading

  • Thoughts for the Season

    A thought-provoking sentiment for the year-end season, whatever your religious beliefs. (Original author unknown) If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing… Continue reading

  • Weekly Wrap-up (Mon Dec 13 – Sun Dec 19)

    It's been a pretty week overall, in the high 60s mostly. On Monday I went to the PO to mail some packages. There was an envelope from the second grade class I volunteered with, containing notes from the kids. Awww. I used up the leftover cranberry sauce from our turkey dinners by making my favorite… Continue reading

  • Treasures 2004_50

    These are my treasures for the past week. Honk! Honk! Honk! – A flock of Canadian geese flew over the house as I was filling the bird feeder. A clear start-studded night sky. Orion – my favorite constellation! The woman who got the gift I donated to the Company White Elephant Exchange really likes it.… Continue reading

  • Consider it a Challenge

    I just read an article entitled "How to Work with an Engineer". Rule #2 says " Engineers are natural-born problem-solvers." It's true. Give an engineer a problem (a challenge) and he'll find a way to solve it. You may consider this the Engineer's corollary to the age-old wisdom, "Be Careful What You Wish For". As… Continue reading

  • Awww Inspiring

    When I finished my five weeks of Junior Achievement volunteering, I sent the class a thank you letter, telling them I had enjoyed working with them and thanking them for giving me the opportunity to come to their class. Yesterday in the mail I received a response — 20 handwritten Thank You For Coming letters… Continue reading

  • Weekly Wrap-up (Dec. 6 – 12)

    This week was much warmer and wetter. It started to rain about 5pm on Monday and rained on and off for the next few days. Thursday and Friday we had heavy fog. Saturday and Sunday were mostly grey but neither rain nor fog. The parking lot behind the Company was a real mess on Tuesday… Continue reading

  • Technology Moves Forward at the Grocery Store

    Thirty years and more ago, your local grocery store used cash registers. Prices were marked on all items; the checker punched that price into the cash register and the total was calculated much like a desktop calculator with a paper tape. Although the first patent for a bar code type product was issued in October,… Continue reading

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  • Treasures 2004_49

    Treasures are positive things that strike my fancy, that make me feel happy or thankful or interested. Treasures are memories encapsulated in just a few words. These are my Treasures for the past week. Continue reading