Pretty Phenomenal Art Form

"Taking antique dishes and giving them a new life." 

What others have done is nothing short of amazing. Will I ever do it myself? Probably not. But I adored what I saw in Vietnam not realizing that it was, in fact, a form of Picassiette Mosaics. The mages on the video are terrific.

I'm posting my favorite shots from Vietnam next on Instagram. Whooohooo! Now I have a name for what I loved so much on that trip.

Whoa. Watch.

 Oh dear, I'm still recovering. Very powerful video. Cannot watch again. Ever.

Thank you, Linda, for sharing. 

Can Tick-Removal Tools Top Tweezers?

Thank you, JE, for this link.  Be sure to watch the short video and read the article. No one wants to deal with tickborne illnesses such as Lyme Disease.

Here's the link to the video and story.

Not Just an Ikea Issue!

Please watch and anchor your child's furniture.

What's Up With This App?

Squarespace, the site that hosts Fresh Perspectives, has proved to be a HUGE HEADACHE ever since they've upgraded their platform. There is no possibility of easily transferring the many years of FP posts OR of even trying to edit or insert new bits of information. The site simply freezes. EEEEK. Clearly I'm in over my head and need some technical assistance. Until then, posts will be sporadic.

Enter Instagram! I'm loving it. It gives me a chance to collect some of my favorite images in one spot. This article does a pretty good job of introducing you to this fun app. 

Some use it for documenting and sharing family activities and/or events. I prefer to simply post pictures. And I've chosen to remain private. This requires my approval of requests to follow "loisathome." Easy to do. 

Here's a bit of what I posted from recent trips: India and Svalbard, north of the Arctic Circle.

Clearly I've become addicted! Perhaps you will, too. 

The Best Burgers?

 I always wondered how to improve our hockey pucks. Perhaps you've been doing this all along?

Let's be Smart About Sunscreens.

Read more. 

AND thanks to Connie L. for this excellent bit of info. for ourselves, our children and everyone else we love.

Perfectly Peeled Hard-boiled Eggs

Finally (hopefully) an answer to this age old challenge.

What Makes People Happy?

Photographing Polar Bears in the Wild

Svalbard, north of the Arctic Circle. We're back. And while this clearly was not our experience, we were definitely hoping to see polar bears. And we did. But it was far from this up-close-and-personal encounter.

Constantly buffeted by wind and water, photographing bears from a Zodiac was almost impossible. 

But we were successful. A mom and her two cubs were spotted cozied up in the snow.

I was thrilled to score a few shots in focus. Otherwise, this would have been as close as we would come to seeing bears in the wild.

If you, too, want to see these amazing creatures, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada is apparently the spot.

Who wants to join me on another Polar Bear Adventure?

What’s the Best Reusable Water Bottle?

I thought that this slide show presented excellent alternatives to single-use plastic bottles. Lots of options onAmazon, of course.

Let's get on board, friends, to prevent "the global glut."

Tsunamis? No, Poonamis!

Who would have guessed?

A lovely, informative look at the whale's contriubution to our world.

How Wolves Change Rivers

Fascinating.

Thank you, JE, for sharing this with us.

Pickleball!

Over 100,000 active members! Really? Now to find a Bay Area court! No, wait a sec, we may have space where our lawns used to be, given the drought. I'm thinking Pickleball, putting, etc. This is good. This is really good given the California conditions.

Apps for Emergencies

Best to be prepared. Here are some simple apps to address stressful moments.

Rowing With Esther Lofgren, Olympian

For my future Olympian friends who exercise with me on M,W,F/stop laughing.

Turns out that I am totally incapable of working out by myself. And spending time with friends is so much better than the alternative. This looks like a terrific way to get in shape whether on the water or in your local gym. 

Dogs That Changed the World/The Rise of the Dog

Once wolves. Now our furry friends. The most varied animal on earth.

You, too, may enjoy this full episode. We absolutely did.

Ireland's Wild River

Have you seen this?

Really phenomenal photography.

Here's the link to the full PBS episode we enjoyed last week.

Great Goofy Goats!

If laughter is, in fact, the best medicine, this could push you past whatever's on your plate! 

Lantern Floating Hawaii 2015

Memorial Day in Oahu.  What a lovely tradition. It's not too late to participate in person or online.

"The aim of Lantern Floating Hawaii is to give people a personal moment to remember, reflect, and offer gratitude to those who came before us. It is a chance to be surrounded by the love, understanding, and support of others - even strangers who are experiencing many of the same feelings and emotions. We are strengthened as a community as we reach out to support others and build understanding of our common values and experiences."

Here's the link to remember loved ones.

Thanks Betty (and wonderful family) for sharing this beautiful tradition with us.