Inspired by a recent use of my vintage Sunbeam stand mixer.
I’ve written about my Sunbeam collection (hoard) on the Overbooked & Underpaid Substack here.
If you are a long time reader, the phrase in my header “Sometimes funny. Sometimes inspirational. Always true.” might kind of slide through your brain without leaving much impression.
Particularly the “Always true” part.
Whilst I can admit to exaggeration for comedic purposes from time to time, it is a sad fact that, more often than not, such exaggeration is hardly necessary.
Case in point, the above advice.
Inspired by an incident in 2012.
Lest you disbelieve, I have photographic proof.
(You can tell this is from 2012 because the pic is so crappy. As in, taken by one of those quaint old devices we used to call a “digital camera”. In the dark ages before we all had super cameras in our pockets. That can, every so often, be also used to make a phone call…)
In case you can’t tell, we are looking at half a gallon of gray latex paint squidgily working its merry way down into the fibers of my plush carpet and two mixing bowls full of un-squidged (recovered) paint.
Yes.
My first reaction was to try to “clean up” all that paint.
That thing in the yellow mixing bowl that you can’t quite identify is actually a metal bread dough scraper.
It seemed an ideal tool for a sort of scooping and depositing action into said bowls.
Ahem.
After about twenty minutes of this pointless exercise it was time to concede defeat.
And begin the process of cutting out a two foot square section of very expensive carpet and padding.
Ever the optimist, I searched the local home improvement emporium for bit of carpet to insert as a makeshift patch.
Makeshift with the intention of eventually ripping out all the carpet and refinishing the underlying 1928 hardwood floor.
It’s 2026.
Yes, the patch is still there.
Sigh.
Copyright© 2026 Anne Morse Hambrock All rights reserved.
I’m running a harp class in May - details in issue #152 here near end of post.
I’m putting together a summer “Substack” tour of my poetry reading, humorous storytelling and harp music. It’s aimed at small venues like house concerts and book clubs and will rely on YOU, my readers, to tell me where you would like to come.
More background and details can be found by clicking on the Summer Tour menu header or using this button.
Summer "Let's Feel Better" Tour
If you would like me to come to your area, please contact me - either by hitting “reply” to this email or by messaging me here on Substack or posting in the comments.
I’d love to see what we can make together.
If you like my work there are two book collections of the comics/poems for sale. They make great gifts!
If you are just joining us I’m so happy you are here!
You might want to click here to find out what to expect.
And consider poking around the archives - there’s some fun stuff.
Images that make me feel better.
Blooms from inside and out.
A friend gifts me an Amaryllis every year.
It blooms, then dies off and sits on a windowsill looking pitiful.
I continue to water it anyway.
And sometimes, not always, but sometimes, manage to coax it into blooming again…
These were the first two daffodils to grace my yard this Spring.
Thankfully the garden comes through for me each year - providing some comfort and distraction from world events…
Works by other creators (usually) that capture our current moment…
Last week the president of the United States hijacked a religious holiday with both profane language and behavior.
This week he went even further and posted an image of himself as Jesus.
(The image is so objectionable - even to an only vaguely spiritual person such as myself - that I refuse to give it more eyeballs by posting it here.)
Apparently, he has now - FINALLY - gone too far for several folks on the religious right. Folks who are actually calling him a blasphemer.
Having been called a blasphemer myself on occasion for incredibly piffling pokes made in my poems/comics (see above - that one actually ticked off quite a few people), it is interesting to see the term finally used as intended.
To read more about my adventures with the religious folks click here.
I shared this back in October but am posting it again because it just keeps getting more and more true.
John Mulaney is, sadly, a prophetic genius…
(For the part that is eerily applicable to current events skip to 2:50.)
I appreciate the feedback and knowing how often I have struck a chord with your lives.
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