3 Barbies, A Cubist Dream

                                               3 Barbies, A Cubist Dream, 2023

 

     I never had a Barbie doll as a child, though curiously now I have three.  My sister had a Barbie and a a few of the big accessories that went with her, but not the Barbie Dream House, despite asking for it year after year.  As an adult she, when she was buying the second dream house for her granddaughters to play with at her house when she babysat them, she asked our mother why she never got the much coveted dream house, mom said that she had enough Barbie stuff.  

     I wasn't interested in dolls as a child and typically dismembered them and drew on their faces with ball point pen.  And the one time my sister did prevail upon me to play Barbie with her, I put Barbie in our brother's GI Joe Jeep and sent her merrily on her way down a steep hill, and straight into a tree trunk.  Barbie survived, but ever after had a dented boob.

     "She's ruined!" my sister wailed.  Now of course, since the Barbie movie, we now know that she was just played with too hard, and because of it, is impervious to being gaslit by the patriarchy.  All hail the Barbies!  They shall herald the wide-eyed future, and we will be standing by.

 

 
 

Ohio: No on Issue 1

 Ohioans did vote down the GOP attempt to limit their ability to amend their state constitution, particularly in regards to women's access to proper healthcare and abortion.  As climate change becomes more pronounced in how it effects our everyday lives, we need government that works for us, not one that divides us and demonizes our differences and micromanages our biology.  Humanity is on the cusp of the greatest challenge to our survival. 

Helen's Shoes and Handbag

  

When my mother downsized and moved into a condo a few years ago, there was so much STUFF her house that we barely knew what to do with it all.  These shoes and handbag belonged to my grandmother, and mom was just going to toss them, and I saved them from the dumpster.  I didn't want them for myself, but the items were in very good condition, and if ebay has taught me anything, it's that if the price is right, you can sell anything.  I set a low price for the shoes and bag combo, $9.99 + shipping, and sure enough they sold.  I didn't make much money, but my intent was mainly to keep usable things out of the landfill, and I did!

Saline Nasal Spray With Baby Wash and Baking Soda Recipe

 There's growing evidence that baby wash added to saline nasal sprays can help prevent sinusitis, coronaviruses, and even help treat covid-19.  I first stumbled across a study conducted by researchers at the Baylor University School of Medicine on the use of baby wash in neti pots to treat chronic sinus infections during the covid-19 lockdown in the spring of 2020.  I adapted the Baylor neti pot concoction for use in a 1.5oz saline nasal spray bottle.  I added the baking soda after discovering that it helps to break up encrusted mucus.

Things you will need:

1- 1.5oz bottle of saline nasal spray

needle nose pliers

baby wash (I prefer Aldi brand as it seems to have least fragrance in it)

baking soda

antiseptic wipes

eye dropper

small cup to hold baby wash

 Remove the protective tamper-proof cellophane from the saline spray bottle.  Wipe the needle nose pliers down with the disinfectant cloth, remove the cap from the saline spray bottle, and using the pliers, pull the nozzle and stem free from the body of the bottle.  Set aside.  Squirt some baby wash in the small cup.  Fill the eye dropper with the baby wash.  Dispense 6 drops into the 1.5oz saline spray bottle.  Don't worry if you add a bit more that 6 drops.  Then add a pinch, about an 1/8th of a teaspoon or less, of baking soda to the mixture.  Replace the nozzle and cap, shake vigorously, and you are done!  It lasts for two weeks or more.  Spritz your nasal passages 1-2 a day, or as needed.