Thursday, January 13, 2022

A Thursday Talk - This & That

 Just some odds and ends today.  Nothing much exciting happening around here.  I thought I would share a couple tips with you all and just offer a couple smiles (hopefully!).

I was having trouble for quite a while with someone hacking my FB account.  I was constantly changing my password and apologizing to people for messages I didn't send.  I came up with some really bizarre and convoluted passwords - figuring no one could figure them out and yet they DID!  Being alone, I just jotted them down in a notebook and never said them out loud.
Someone made the comment that it was almost like someone was watching me do this.  HUH?

Well, call me crazy - but my laptop has a camera at the top of the screen frame.  It is ALWAYS off (or is it?).  Well, I covered it with a piece of black electrical tape and BOOM - no more hacks!   Hmmmm - sure makes me wonder.  I find it kind of scary.  Soooo, just to be safe you might cover up that little camera dot on your device.  It can be removed if you need to use the camera.  
Kind of creepy if you ask me.  I don't think we have any idea how often we are watched and listened to.
I just think George Orwell's 1984.

My little bit of sunshine - inside in January.  My plant is just flowering like crazy.  It isn't the prettiest plant, but those little yellow bits sure make me smile every time I walk by.
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A tip for those with air fryers.  I read this tip and decided to try it.  My goodness, it does help with clean-up. When frying anything that may release grease - after your initial preheat - place a couple of flattened coffee filters in the bottom tray and then add meat/whatever.  I did this when heating up some of my homemade pre-fried chicken I had in the freezer.  Not one BIT of grease in the bottom!!!!!!  It was absorbed into the filters.  Amazing!  Yet another use for those filters.

Now this is a quilt!!!  Last month I showed you my little quilty type blankies that I made - but they were so simple.  This is a quilt that was made by G's grandma.  I am using it as a top quilt on my bed this winter.  So warm and so pretty.  I have 2 quilts she made, and they are just so precious.  So much work!!!!!  It always amazes me how ladies had time to do this.  She cared for many children, a disabled husband, gardening and preserving and home and all that goes with it (out in the country) - yet she quilted.  She made bunches of quilts from scraps and whatever she had on hand.   Ladies back in the day sure had a lot of 'grit' in my opinion.

I have to laugh some days watching my outdoor cats.  They do NOT like the hawk coming to our yard.  They chase after it and run it off every time they get a chance.  What is odd is, they don't bother cardinals or blue jays (don't blame them) or doves or even the pigeons.  All are bigger birds - and the cats leave them alone.  Now they do go after little birdies from time to time - but leave the bigger ones alone - that is until the hawk shows up!!!!!  They can be in the greenhouse and supposedly sleeping - yet they come flying out when the hawk shows up and lands on the fence.  I wonder if it puts out some noise or sound that is a frequency that they hear?  I just find it comical and they sure are good watch cats!!!

Coogy, who never gets people food (nor has he ever been interested) has suddenly decided he likes the white meat from chicken!  Not dark - just white!  He came and begged some while I was eating, and I gave him a piece and he just scarfed it down - and wanted more.  He would pat my hand till I gave him another piece!!!   I put a piece of dark meat down and off he walked.  Kind of like his Mommy!!!  LOL.   Dark meat is not my favorite either.

OK, nothing much exciting, just some observations in my little world.  I hope you all have had a good week and wishing you all a safe and warm weekend.  I will be posting again Sunday.
Until then, I will leave with a picture of my sunrise from Monday morning.  What a glorious way to start the week!!!!
Blessings to all and stay safe.


42 comments:

  1. What a beautiful sunrise, Cheryl. Love the quilt. Smiled at those tiny yellow flowers, and laughed at your kitty stories. Nice way to start the day with a cup of coffee. Blessings to you, too! --Elise

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    1. Well then, my post did what I had hoped!!!!!
      Thank you and have a good weekend!

      Delete
  2. I saw a tv show about 4 or 5 years ago where the criminal watched a woman on her computer thru the camera and since then I have had a piece of tape over mine. So if you are crazy, so am I. lol. I admire the quilts created before sewing machines. I love the handquilted ones and wished I had that skill. Love your sunrise...it brightened my day as well.

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    1. It is a scary time with all this tech. Nothing surprises me at all. Glad someone else understands.
      I do too, the quilts were beautiful and took so much time and skill.
      Thank you - have a good one.

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  3. Thank you for the air fryer tip, Cheryl. That’s a great tip! That is scary about the camera on your laptop. I’ve read that before. Yikes!

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    1. It really does help!
      It is scary - there are some crazies out there and you have to be safe.
      Have a good one.

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  4. I taped over the camera lens on my laptop. I tend to be cautious.

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    1. I guess I am not alone. I thought maybe I was just paranoid - and maybe I am - but better safe than sorry.
      Have a good one.

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  5. Wow, The quilt is beautiful. Every time I think of throwing something away, I stop and think how can I repurpose this. I have so much fabric by doing this! Thanks for the tip on the camera on the laptop. Butch wants to borrow your outdoor kitties to chase our hawk away!

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    1. Thank you. I have bunches of fabric too - not like you - but a lot of odds and ends. It kind of takes over!
      Too bad you are so far away the kitties would be glad to help out!!!
      Have a great weekend

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  6. Get a GOOD Antivirus...not a freebie. Do every single update your computer asks you to-for software you have. No password should start with letters that begin a word and a character or # should be in the first 4 characters of your passwords.

    It's not easy living with a cybersecurity officer 🤣🤣

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    1. I have a good anti-virus or so I thought. I have managed to deter new garbage so far. It is a shame we have to be so cautious.
      Thanks for the tips.
      Have a good one

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  7. My husband was in IT for 37 years and he has always had our cameras covered. They give me the creeps.

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    1. Well that is good to know. I have only used it one time to chat with family and never again. Yep, give me the creeps too.
      Have a good weekend

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  8. Love the quilt it is gorgeous. I laughed out loud at the cat, they are so funny sometimes.

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    1. Thank you! Yep our babies can keep us amused!!!!
      Have a good one.

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  9. I think women used to have more time if that makes sense to use wisely. Let me explain. They didn't have social media, youtube and zillions of shows to watch on TV. Heck I didn't even have a phone (landline) probably a good 4 years I was married to my first husband and no computer and only a tv on and off that got 3 local channels. Sometimes no washer and dryer too. I got so much accomplished. Only went to the store once a week at the most. Planned out everything. House was clean and neat, kids taken care of. Garden and fruit trees, tried my hand at canning and couponed like a crazy woman because we had double coupons and very little money for food. Food was cooked from scratch and eating out was very rare. All errand were run in a few house once a week tied in with grocery shopping. The kids were the only interruptions I had to my day and they had set sleep/ rest periods during the day and were happy children who did chores and played and used their imaginations. So even though I did more work I think the difference was the interruptions, distractions and go go go life people lead today. Being pulled in too many directions most of the time. I am looking to simplify and these things are good lessons to look back on. Take care.

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    1. Social media is a huge downfall in everyday life! They were sure organized. I would love to have half as much energy and organization skills as they all did. I think back on my Momma, and it was no wonder the poor woman was so tired. She worked her bum off.
      Have a great one

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  10. Thanks for the tip for the air fryer!! I'm going to have to try it!

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    1. You are welcome. I have done it twice - once chicken and once fish and it worked great. No oil in the bottom!
      Have a good day!

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  11. Replies
    1. I think it is something we all need to think about. I don't know for sure that happened - but it sure would seem so.
      Have a good one

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  12. What a lovely post, and how beautiful is that sunrise.

    Thanks for the hint about using coffee filters.

    God bless.

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    1. It was so gorgeous - I couldn't believe it when I saw it.
      Sure - it really does work!
      Blessings

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  13. The sunrise is gorgeous! Your kitties are funny. They all have different personalities and are just a joy. Coogie knows what he wants and what he doesn't. My daughter's cats are that way.

    We had the camera covered on my computer and I took it off to do a zoom call with Alana. I really need to replace it.

    Had another trip to Carmel to take the Urban Farmer to the eye specialist. The Father is so gracious to move the cars out of my way! We stopped at Trader Joe's on the way back and I went in and picked up a few things.

    Stay warm, enjoy your weekend and will see you on Sunday!

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    1. Yes, our pets have a mind of their own and are just a hoot.
      Goodness, I haven't been to Carmel in a few decades and have no plans to go. That place isn't for me - too many people and too much traffic. Glad you had a good trip. I have never been to a Trader Joe's. I have heard good and bad. I like Fresh Thyme.
      Have a good weekend

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  14. I keep a little, round Bandaid over my camera. It is creepy thinking someone can actually open it without my knowing. I don't share my breast meat.

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    1. It is scary and creepy.
      LOL - It is my favorite meat - but I will let Coogy have some!

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  15. I keep my cameras covered .. don't want anyone seeing into my world without my permission.

    I keep a quilt my mother made on my bed .. it has the leftover bits of the dresses she made for herself, my sisters and me. There are also bits of silk for dresses she made for her friend who was a missionary in Taiwan. So many memories .. every time I crawl under it .. it feels like a hug from Mom!

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    1. It sure seems like I was late in the game to this camera covering!
      Oh how neat is that. I bet that is just gorgeous and it sure would feel like a hug from Mom.
      Blessings

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  16. Well, that is very creepy about being watched. I never thought of it I guess. Creepy/Scary.
    That is a great idea about the coffee filters in the bottom of the air fryer. I will have to try that.
    Your plant is pretty. I look for joy in plants this time of year. Cold and snow is what we are surrounded with. xo Diana

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    1. It is. I really do think people can see things we don't give permission for.
      I love it - it sure has helped on clean up!
      Thanks - just a little bit of sunshine in the winter. Sorry you have so much snow around - it has all missed us. Not complaining one bit!!!!!
      Have a good one

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    2. How do i get my name oncomments
      Please sylvia

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    3. Sylvia - I think you need to go to the follow button and do what it asks. I think it wants an email address - not sure. I think maybe it needs to be through G-mail for blogger. That is crazy that I am not sure. Hopefully one or more of the other gals will chime in here as well.

      Delete
  17. I have my camera on my pc covered, maybe my phone cam should be covered too. I've heard of people's comuputers being used as a host for some very unsavory things too. Not only do we have to be careful of cameras being covered but people can use facial identification and just all kinds of things to find out info on us. I've had to change some things let's say. It's awful really. People are so darned underhanded, at the best like a group of school children male and female alike. It's a wonder I'm blogging still but I just stay close to the Lord and do as He wishes thanking the good Lord for His real children. Thank you for sharing that info, I thought I was being over the top covering my pc cam. Scary.

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    1. It is sad and pitiful we have to be that mindful of everything we do today. I will not have one of those 'Alexa' things either. I do believe they can listen and I keep my TV's as I don't want a 'smart' TV. There is so much corruptness today. If people just did good instead of all the bad - what a world it would be.
      Blessings.

      Delete
  18. Sylvia, the way Cheryl has the comments set up, you need a blogger account to get your name on the comment. I don't have one, so I post as unknown and try to remember to sign my comment! Celie

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    1. Sylvia and Celie - I just went and looked and hopefully changed that feature. Let's see what happens.
      Hopefully that works for you and not 'crazy scammers'!
      We will see.

      Delete
  19. Cheryl, it works now, though you may get crazy scammers! It's easy to do unknown and just sign my name. Your blog is wonderful, I get so much helpful information. Thanks, Celie

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    1. Well good, I am glad it works. I get those people any way and have to delete them to keep things clean. Hopefully it helps others.
      Thank you so much.

      Delete
  20. Loved seeing the quilt mom made. She did a lot of hand piecing while watching TV at night. She was just always busy.

    Talking about cats and table food...Puss has always loved bacon...will snatch it out of your hand if she gets half a chance. Bubbie has always liked it okay, but not crazy over it. Never thought about liking table food till a year or maybe two years ago he decided he likes hamburger. He likes it raw or cooked...and will eat quite a bit of it. He loves cheese. Likes scrambled eggs if he is getting bites of mine, but I scrambled one just for him and he didn't eat but a bite or two. Loves bologna and cheese. Had fried sausage this morn..but that was bites of mine. Not sure how he would do if I fried some for him. I have no idea what brought the change, but it was drastic and sudden. My first Cougar cat came running if there was pizza or spaghetti. And he always came running if I opened hamburger. But that was from young on. And he ate raw tomatoes.

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  21. I've always kept my computer camera covered. I wonder too about my phone camera. I've learned to not say sensative things within range of my phone or turn it off while working on such things. I've mentioned items I want and the next time I'm on-line, there are ads for them. Did not search for them online, just spoke it. Super concerning.

    Thanks for the coffee liner tip. I will use that.

    I love quilts too. I have some my grandma made, and I've made a few. Without electronic time-wasters, we could get so much more done; more reading; more conversations with real people. I would miss my blog friends, but I would get more done.

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