Hurricane Joaquin

Joaquin is a category 1 hurricane, but it may make it up to a cat 3.  Some of the spaghetti models diverge widely, but it's early yet.

10-1-15: Joaquin is already a category 3 (it strengthened Wednesday night) and may be heading for the east coast--and possibly become a cat 4...

(6:15 pm):Well, it's now a cat 4 and is heading SW, but is expected to turn north...

10-2-15: It's begun its northward turn, and we might get some rain from those rotating bands, but so far it's just been sprinkles.

10-4-15: Joaquin is now a cat 2 and is heading NNE and should head away from us.

Literary homes

From Robert Parker's Spenser novel, Back Story:

"Her house was coastal cute, with a hemp rug, lobster pot coffee tables, steering-wheel mirrors, ship's captain lamps, and big scallop shell ashtrays."

"The house in front of us was some sort of glass pyramid... The whole first floor of the pyramid was without walls.  ... In the center of the space was an open fire pit ... There was a big fire in the fireplace and a lot of air-conditioning to overcome it.  ...  The vast space was furnished as a living room, with stainless steel and blue leather furniture, ...  It was bigger than O'Hare Airport, but not as warm."

Decorating ideas and info from HGTV Magazine

Lots of good ideas and advice in the October issue of  HGTV Magazine, including painting your candlesticks to match your candles--really cool--and decorating your pegboards.  You can paint a dog silhouette on a pegboard that holds leashes, collars, etc. Or add stripes, words, different colored squares, a chalk board for schedules, etc.  Btw, some years ago I had a big pegboard hung in our shop, and then I painted it.  I painted it again, and then again.  Those boards really absorb paint!  And I cried once or twice between coats 'cause I wanted to finish it that day!  I don't remember how many coats it took--possibly four or more, and that was a big pegboard!

Finding inexpensive alternatives to expensive furniture and accessories is always a fun section. There's also a piece on decorating with Sharpies; drawing geometric lines on a pillow cover and then blurring the lines with a crafts paintbrush dipped in alcohol creates a lovely effect.  There are home decorating ideas too, though I still don't like open shelves in my kitchen.  Not clean!  Oh, and I learned that WD-40 means "water displacement, 40th formula."  The 39 previous formulas didn't work.

Don't waste your space: video (link)

Create storage and seating areas and use hooks, cubbies, and baskets:  Helpful ideas from HGTV.com

Let's cull (link)

It's time to declutter.  Here are some suggestions from  HGTV.com: 15 Things to Get Rid of Right Now

Eat-In Kitchen Ideas (link)

Banquettes, folding tables, and counters could work: Add Dining Space to a Small Kitchen 

Tropical Storm Grace

TS Grace is heading west and isn't expected to do much, which is good.

9-8-15: Grace is now a tropical depression.

Note: I guess I missed H (Henri?) and Ida.