Little did I know that (a) they hold A TON of groceries, (b) the plastic support in the bottom makes them super easy to fill and stabilize in the trunk of my car, (c) they fold nice and flat for storage, and (d) that I would use them for EVERYTHING, including groceries from other stores when the need arises. I’ve become a walking advertisement for Publix…even at your competitor’s stores!

I’ve done a little research since I bought them, and though I’ve since realized that they are not quite as eco-friendly as I thought (they’re still plastic, of course), I still feel very good about not wasting the 8-12 per-visit single-use bags that I had previously used. From what I’ve read, they do take a smidge longer for a checker/bagger to fill, but I believe that what is lost in time is saved in plastic waste, ease and reusability. My only real criticism is that they aren’t more highly promoted!

So, Kudos to you Publix! My hands-down “Favorite Grocery Store” continues to prove yourself worthy of the title. And now, with my handy-dandy reusable greenbag, shopping is even more of a pleasure. Keep up the good work!

]]> http://cathy.likeafire.net/2008/09/04/love-paper-love-this/feed/ http://cathy.likeafire.net/2008/08/29/back-in-the-saddle-2/ http://cathy.likeafire.net/2008/08/29/back-in-the-saddle-2/#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:19:04 +0000 catbird http://cathy.likeafire.net/2008/08/29/back-in-the-saddle-2/ After an almost 4-month hiatus, I have finally gotten back to making art. And though it has taken me a week or two to get up the nerve to sit down at my desk and make something for the love of God!, I’m pretty pleased with my first attempt.

Presenting… the Cahaba lily. Blurry photos courtesy of Photo Booth.

For a photographic view of the real deal, click here.

That’s Elizabeth.

And this is my experience potty-training her.

Strong-willed? Yeah, that’s an understatement.

(and just for the record, the last time she peed was yesterday at 7:30p.m.)

Or sitting directly on top of your grandmother’s 70-year-old Lane cedar chest, as it were.

[remedial parenting: do not leave opened/unlidded products that spray sitting in reach of a preschooler. Ever.]

The product, in case you were wondering, is Target-brand continuous spray Sport Sunscreen.

When sprayed copiously across the surface of said furniture, and then spread diligently to reach all unsprayed parts [3-year-old hands are particularly effective for this step], the aged varnish begins to bubble and lift off (esp. when rubbed with a wet cloth intended for clean-up) as if one had used a very expensive and very messy paint stripper from a local hardware store.

According to the container, the product has a clear, rub-free formula (check), has fast and easy coverage (check), and is water resistant (check.) And, not that it is necessary or helpful in any way, my Mimi’s hope chest is now protected from both UVA AND UVB rays.

Good to know.

Guess what project we’ll be doing this weekend?

American Captain Nathan Aulgren has gone to Japan to teach Japanese soldiers how to use guns to fight the rebellion that has risen against the Emperor of Japan.

The “rebellion” is actually Samurai, fighting for what they believe is service to the Emperor, and on behalf of The People. Katsumoto is the leader of the Samurai, and the Emperor’s teacher.

The Samurai capture Capt. Aulgren, and during his stay as their prisoner-of-war, he realizes he is on the wrong side.

After a bloody battle between the Japanese Army (superior in man-power and guns) and the Samurai (superior in honor and in the art of war), Katsumoto dies along with virtually all the samurai. Only Aulgren lives.

When he takes Katsumoto’s sword to the Emperor as gift and final reminder of what it symbolizes [read:service to the Emperor], this exchange takes place:

Emperor, urging to Aulgren, “Tell me how he died.”
(pause)
Aulgren, “I will tell you how he lived.”

I think the dark circles under my eyes are especially telling. Still smiling, though.
Despite what the clock says, that’s almost always what I look/feel like after working on cut paper flowers. And that makes me smile even more.

And, in case you haven’t noticed, this is as good as it gets for blogging from me these days. Too busy with the aforementioned daffodils (and gerber daisies, and lilies, and dogwoods, etc.) I would say, “Sorry!” but I wouldn’t really mean it. (grin.)

Hope all of you are sleeping while I’m writing this goofy blog. And I hope I’m sleeping tomorrow when all of you are reading this goofy blog. (Very unlikely, though.)

*this is a relative term, of course, but considering the length of my hair a year ago, I felt it was a fairly accurate description.

Aranciata by San Pellegrino.

It’s not too sweet. It’s got a little zing! to it. It’s orange-flavored sparkling water from Italy.

And it’s non-alcoholic. (i.e., no fear of consuming too much or becoming addicted!)

I love it.

And, possibly best of all, it comes packaged in these darling little glass bottles whose surface is textured like an orange peel. Niiiiice.

I fully intend to use them as vases for cut flowers when I finish off the six pack of them that I just bought. All 6 of them should be ready for flowers by, oh, I don’t know… suppertime tonight? (grin.)

Mmmm…Aranciata! Go try one!

[Photo courtesy Aaron Landry, seen here on Flickr.]

(p.s. IMHO, Miss Virginia should have won, if only for the way she answered her question about religious freedom.)

I am going to bed now.
Carry on.