Category Archives: Life

The Alphabet Life

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A hand holds a small paper note with a motivational message about Plan A and the alphabet, against a softly blurred green‑blue background.

A Slogan That Stuck With Me

I found an old photo today — a slogan I saved back in 2017:

“If Plan A didn’t work. The alphabet has 25 more letters.”

It appealed to me then, and it still does. Maybe because my life has never been a single‑letter plan. It’s been an alphabet — one chapter after another, each one teaching me something, even if it wasn’t “the one.”

My Alphabet Life

Since retirement especially, I’ve lived what I call my alphabet life.

DoorDash was my D‑phase — discovering my limits and my patience for stairs.

Affiliate marketing was my A‑phase — adventurous, experimental, and ultimately a “we’ll see.”

Blogging became my B‑phase — building something steady, creative, and mine.

Etsy printables were my E‑phase — exploring creativity and learning what sparks joy (and what doesn’t).

A yellow background with faint paw prints along the bottom and a small photo of an orange cat in the upper left corner, with the text “Printable by Deborah” centered on the page.

Photography tagging is my P‑phase — preserving memories one image at a time.

Facebook Creator is my F‑phase — fun, chaotic, cat‑powered, and still unfolding.

And then there was Welcoming Haven, my online store — my W‑phase. A dream that didn’t quite land, but still part of the alphabet. Still part of the story. Still something I tried with heart.

A logo featuring a house cradled between two stylized hands, with the text “Home Goods & Decor” above and “Welcoming Haven – Love Where You Live” below.

A black T‑shirt featuring a colorful graphic of a rocket launching over mountains at sunset, with bold text that reads “Aim High Fail Big” and smaller text below that says “Go for it!” alongside a crashed airplane and target illustration.Turning the Next Page

I guess I’ve never been someone who stays stuck on Plan A. I just flip to the next letter and see what’s there. Maybe I’m somewhere around Plan R by now. Maybe Plan S is waiting. Maybe Plan T involves cats, photography, or something I haven’t imagined yet.

My online store didn’t work out, but I still catch myself wondering if there’s a little line of merch somewhere in my future. Maybe. Maybe not. The alphabet is long, and I’m still turning pages.

Where the Road Leads

Who knows where that dusty road will take me next.

An illustrated portrait of Deb sitting at a desk with a mug, notebooks, a camera, a pie, and two cats, surrounded by text banners highlighting traits like creativity, organization, problem‑solving, and kindness.

JUST ANOTHER TRIP ON THE ROAD OF LIFE

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Expansive badlands landscape with layered rock formations, rugged cliffs, and grassy rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky.

🌾 Feeling Philosophical Today

I saw a meme this morning, and it stopped me in my tracks. Now, most memes fall into one of three categories:

  • the ones that make me laugh
  • the ones that make me mad
  • and the ones that don’t deserve a second glance

But this one… this one hit close to home.

Older woman with short white hair riding a bicycle on a gravel path beside a lake, wearing a loose red dress, with the quote “A lot of life is just how you deal with the bumps in the road” and a small “Healing Heart’s” logo beneath it.

🚜 Why Around Dusty Roads Exists

White car driving fast on a winding dirt road, kicking up a large cloud of dust in a dry rural landscape with sparse vegetation.I named my blog Around Dusty Roads because the roads I grew up on really were dusty. Dirt roads everywhere — except during mud season or winter, when they turned into icy slip‑n‑slides. That’s just life in the Adirondacks when you’re a kid.

These days, most of those roads are paved, civilized, and well-behaved. But if you know where to look, you can still find a few honest-to-goodness dirt roads hiding out like old friends.

And that meme made me think of those roads.

🛞 Life’s Bumpy RoadsLong straight dirt road stretching across open grassy plains with scattered muddy potholes under a cloudy sky.

Life is full of bumps, potholes, and mud. You don’t get to choose whether they show up — only how you deal with them when they do.

One of my favorite examples? The day my sister Sandy and I got spectacularly lost in South Dakota.

🤦‍♀️ The Pow Wow That Never Was

Straight dirt road stretching across wide open grassy plains under a cloudy sky, disappearing toward the distant horizon.We were on a Native American reservation, trying to get to a Pow Wow. We pulled out of the parking lot and immediately went right instead of left.

The road was dirt. It had rained the night before. So we had the perfect combination: dry dust on top, mud and puddles underneath. A real adventure starter kit.

About five minutes in, we both started to suspect we had gone the wrong way. The plains stretched out around us, wide and empty, and that dirt road just kept going. And going. And going.

Sandy muttered, “Stupid white women,” imagining exactly what the guy who gave us directions must’ve thought as he watched us confidently head off in the wrong direction.

And that was it. The tone was set. We laughed — oh my, did we laugh.

We laughed like hyenas as we splashed through puddles, slid through mud, and barreled down what felt like the Longest Dirt Road in the World. Every mile made it funnier.

We never found the Pow Wow. But when we finally reached a tiny village and a blessedly paved road, we laughed even harder. Sandy wanted to get out and kiss the asphalt.

🌟 A Memory That Sticks

That muddy detour in South Dakota still stands out as one of those unforgettable moments — not because we were lost, but because we laughed our way through every ridiculous mile.

Life throws mud holes, wrong turns, and endless stretches of uncertainty at all of us. But the journey gets a whole lot lighter when you can find something to smile about while you’re slogging through it.

🚲 Just Keep Pedaling

So, like the lady in the meme: Deal with the bumps in the road. Keep moving forward. And whatever happens… just keep pedaling.

Child riding a bicycle through a small puddle on a dirt path, lifting both legs off the pedals, surrounded by green grass and trees.

 

An Old Fashioned Road Trip

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Enhanced view of the Badlands showing colorful layered rock formations, rugged hills, and a winding road with cars and an RV traveling through the landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

The Lost Art of the Road Trip

Ahh, the road trip. It’s a lost art, and this year it’s been on my mind thanks to the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road. Yes, Route 66 — the ultimate American road trip — is still celebrating, if the headlines can be believed.

Thinking about Route 66 made me remember how different road travel was when I was a kid. So buckle up and let’s take a little drive down memory lane. And by the way… we didn’t have seat belts when I was growing up.

Rule #1: Never Let the Tank Drop Below Half

This was the big one. The rule. The commandment.

Never let the gas tank fall below half. No matter what.

And honestly? I still follow that in winter.

Why it mattered:

  • We didn’t have 24‑hour gas stations
  • Fuel gauges weren’t always reliable
  • Stations could be miles apart
  • You needed enough gas to stay warm if you got stuck
  • A half tank reduced condensation in the fuel line

It wasn’t a suggestion — it was survival. Half a tank or bust.

Rule #2: CB Radios Were Our Lifeline

I bet some of the younger crowd doesn’t even know what a CB radio was. But for road trippers, it was essential.

With a quick “Breaker Breaker 1‑9”, you could:

  • talk to truckers
  • learn about trouble up ahead
  • find out where the “Smokey Bears” (police) were hiding
  • get recommendations for the best cup o’ joe

If you wanted to make time, you found a couple of truckers, slipped into the “rocking chair” between them, and put the pedal to the metal.

Rule #3: Map Reading 101

We weren’t just good at reading maps — we were excellent.

No GPS. No cell phones. Just paper maps that folded into more creases than an origami swan.

It helped to have a passenger who could read the map while you drove, but even kids learned how to follow the lines and symbols.

Rule #4: Scenic Overlooks Were Mandatoryrangeley overlook

“What’s that? A scenic overlook?”

Pull over.

Not slow down. Not glance out the window. Stop the car completely.

Kids tumbled out, parents took pictures, and every stop looked exactly like the last one — except for the sign telling you which overlook you were at. We got very good at photographing signs.

Rule #5: Change in the Cup Holder

Before EZ‑Pass, SunPass, or anything-pass, we had:

  • nickels
  • dimes
  • quarters
  • and whatever random coins lived in the cup holder

If you were on the New Jersey Turnpike, you needed toll money every few miles. The cup holder was basically a portable bank.

Rule #6: The Cooler Was Sacred

You’ve heard “Don’t leave home without it”? For us, that meant the cooler.

It was packed with:

  • ice
  • soda
  • sandwiches
  • snacks
  • and “adult beverages” for the folks

No McDonald’s on the roads we traveled. Lunch was whatever Mom packed, eaten at a rest stop picnic table with ants for company.

Rule #7: Entertainment Was… Minimal

Hang onto your hats, kids — there were:

  • no tablets
  • no built‑in TV screens
  • no cell phones

If you were bored, you looked out the window.

Games included:

  • counting cows
  • spotting license plates from different states
  • singing songs
  • and yes… 99 Bottles of Beer (which felt like it lasted the entire trip)

Road Trips Then and Now

Road trips today are easier, faster, and more comfortable — but they’re missing that old‑school charm. The cooler, the CB radio, the paper maps, the scenic overlooks… they were part of the adventure.

And maybe that’s why Route 66 still captures our imagination. It reminds us of a time when the journey mattered just as much as the destination.

 

Kitty Poo Club Day

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cardboard litter box set up in front of striped curtains and on brown rug

The Usual Morning Routine

Most mornings follow a predictable pattern: feed, scoop, give treats, then retreat for a nap. Zoomies are optional but usually included if someone uses the litter box right after breakfast. Banner and Balboa know this schedule by heart. When I finish scooping, I can always count on them sitting like furry statues in the living room, waiting for their treats.

When the Monthly Routine Changes

Once a month, everything shifts. The Kitty Poo Club box arrives, and I drag it inside (literally — it’s heavy). With three fresh litter boxes, it’s more than just a quick scoop. It’s open the box, assemble the new trays, carry each one to its proper location, pour in the fresh litter, then deal with the old boxes.

My Box‑of‑Poop Phobia

I scoop the poop out before sealing the old boxes with tape and re‑boxing them. That step is just me being phobic. I can carry a bag of poop, but a box of poop? No thank you.

The Cats Know Exactly What’s Happening

Here’s the funny part: Banner and Balboa know exactly what’s happening, and they hold their poop until the new boxes are ready.

As soon as I swap out the first box, there’s a stampede to see who gets to christen it. Whoever wins gets the first poop. The loser trots off to the bedroom and sits politely beside Box #2, waiting his turn. Once Box #2 is set up, he hops in and does his business. I guess it’s their way of marking territory.

Why We Use Three Litter Boxes

The third box is the “extra” box. I’ve always followed the recommendation of one more box than cats: two cats = three boxes. That way there’s no waiting, no fights, and almost never an accident.

A Flashback to My Three‑Cat Household

Years ago, when I had three cats, I used three regular plastic boxes and one automatic litter box a neighbor gave me. My tuxedo cat claimed that automatic box as his personal royal privy. He guarded it and refused to let the others near it. Some cats take their bathroom politics very seriously.

 

A Longer Month Means Grumpy Cats

This month was a long one between checks — five weeks instead of four — so I had to delay the Kitty Poo delivery. Judging from how fast Banner and Balboa raced to the fresh litter, I think they were unimpressed with that extra week. They probably compared it to us using a porta‑potty or a gas station restroom. You all know exactly what I mean.

Back on Track With Kitty Poo Club

But we’re back on track now with a regular four‑week delivery. I do love Kitty Poo Club. Disposable litter boxes are so much easier than stinky plastic ones — and clearly, Banner and Balboa approve

Disclosure

This post includes an affiliate link. If you use it, I may earn a small commission — which Banner and Balboa assure me should go toward maintaining their monthly “fresh box” tradition. Thanks for supporting my little corner of the internet.

 

Are You Older Than Dirt? Then You’re a Limited‑Edition Human

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An older person sits at a desk in front of a computer monitor, holding a bottle of correction fluid and applying it directly onto the screen as if trying to fix a typo. The monitor displays a document with typed text. A keyboard, mouse, rubber band ball, and office supplies sit on the desk. In the background, another person works at a separate desk. The scene is humorous, showing a mix‑up between old‑school office tools and modern technology.

Are You Older Than 65? Then You’re Officially Rare.

Only about 10% of the world’s population is over 65. In the United States, it’s around 18%. In Japan, it’s a whopping 30% — practically a national pastime.

So yes, if you’re over 65, you’re a limited‑edition human. If you’re over 75, like me, you’re practically a collector’s item.

The Keepers of Wisdom

Then you’re part of a very small group — only about 10% of the world. In many cultures throughout history, older adults were the keepers of wisdom, the storytellers, the ones who remembered how things used to be and why it mattered.

People once gathered around fires, in circles, in kitchens, on porches — anywhere stories could be shared — to listen to the elders talk about the world as it was, the lessons learned, and the memories worth carrying forward.

Today, we may not sit around campfires passing down legends, but we still carry decades of lived experience. We’ve seen the world change in ways younger generations can’t imagine — rotary phones to smartphones, handwritten letters to emojis, TV antennas to streaming everything.

Being over 65 means you’ve collected stories, survived trends, and lived through at least three hairstyles you regret. That’s a superpower.

Things We Used That Don’t Exist Anymore

Cursive Writing

We didn’t just sign our names — we wrote entire essays in cursive. Kids today treat it like hieroglyphics.

Rotary Phones

We dialed numbers one… slow… circle… at… a… time. If your friend’s number had a lot of 9s, you needed a snack break.

Rabbit‑Ear Antennas

And yes — the best use for aluminum foil was topping off those rabbit ears to get the picture just clear enough to watch your show.

Rewinding VHS Tapes

And being polite enough to rewind before returning it to Blockbuster — which, by the way, most kids today think is either a myth or a Halloween costume.

Paper Maps

We unfolded them like treasure hunters and refolded them like confused origami students. And as Indiana Jones wisely taught us, X never, ever marks the spot.

Film Cameras

You took 24 pictures, waited a week, and discovered 18 were blurry — or everyone was missing their head.

Party Lines

You picked up the phone and your neighbor was already talking. Privacy was optional.

Typewriters

One typo and you were negotiating with correction tape like a hostage situation.

Defrosting the Freezer

Chipping ice like you were mining for diamonds.

The Funny Part About Aging in America

Here in the U.S., we’re about 18% of the population — still a minority. Depending on who’s talking, we’re either treasured elders or apparently draining Social Security one coffee cake at a time.

Meanwhile, in Japan, 30% of the population is over 65. Over there, being old is practically a group hobby.

The Truth? We’ve Earned Every Bit of This

Across the decades, life has thrown change, innovation, chaos, beauty, heartbreak, joy, and more than a few questionable fashion choices our way.
Through it all, adaptation, resilience, humor, and sheer determination have carried us forward.

So What Does Senior Life Really Mean?

Waking up with an ache or pain just lets me know I’m still alive. I’m old enough to understand there’s less life ahead of me than behind — which only makes every adventure sweeter. Every sunrise, every laugh, every unexpected moment feels like a little bonus round.

So I’m going to keep collecting stories, marveling over the changes, and putting one foot in front of the other. Slow if I must, wobbly if I have to, but forward all the same.

This post is proudly endorsed by me — professional story collector, rabbit‑ear antenna engineer,with the help of two cat editors.

 

Created with Copilot — featuring Deborah and her two cat editors.