Monday Magic - Free App for Screenshots

Looking for a better screenshot tool? Flameshot, a free open-source, cross-platform tool to take screenshots with many built-in features, is it. 

Flameshot, for Windows, macOS, and Linux, will save you time.

However, it is crucial to ensure you download Flameshot from a reputable source, like the official Flameshot website.

CAUTION IN DOWNLOADING APPS

Always download an app from the app's official website and keep the app updated from the official website. Like many apps, if you download from a website other than the official website, i.e. Flameshot.org, you run the risk of getting something that may contain a file infected with malicious code. 

Having said that, let me tell you about some of the main benefits of Flameshot.

1. Highly customizable

Set it up the way you want: interface color, button selection, keyboard shortcuts, how images are saved, and more with Flameshot's accessible configuration dialog.

2. In-app screenshot editing

Add an arrow mark, highlight text, blur or pixelate a section, add text, draw something, add a  rectangular/circular shaped border, add a counter number, add a solid color box —all using Flameshot's built-in editing tools.

3. Simple and intuitive to use

Using Flameshot is simple. Launch it, drag the selection box to cover the area you want to capture, make annotations as needed on-screen, save the shot to your computer. All simple and easy with the interface.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

This is easy to use, easy to customize, and free—three of my favorite things. Visit Flameshot today.

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Why Is June The Wedding Month?

Ah, June, when summer eases into our frazzled lives. Somehow, it feels just right to be a little lazy in the summer.

Here are a few facts about this first month of summer when we love to kick back and enjoy those long summer days and nights.

JUNE FUN FACTS

1. This month has 3 birthstones: pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone.

2. The flowers that symbolizes this month are roses and honeysuckle—both highly aromatic. 

When I grew up, we didn't have central air conditioning. In fact, hardly anyone did in our small town. We had attic fans that would draw in the cool night air through open windows.

Yes, small towns felt so safe back then that everyone slept with windows open. The air was perfumed by roses, honeysuckle, and night-blooming jasmine. Oh, my but it smelled wonderful.

3. June was the traditional month of weddings because colleges and schools were out for the summer. 

Those of marriage age and intention would pick June for their weddings. 

Historically, June was named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth, so the tradition of weddings in that month started long ago.

4. June is of course the month of the summer solstice with the longest day of the year and the shortest night.

5. In 1986, the rose, flower for June, was named as the official floral emblem of the United States. The Whitehouse's famous Rose Garden dates back to John Adam’s presidency.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

This is a month to be happy and carefree so try to achieve that. After all, attitude is everything! Happy June.

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Saturday Share Recipe - Blueberry Crumble Bake

I love blueberries, that super fruit that is so good for your brain and other crucial parts of the human body.

I buy a carton of them every time I shop. Mostly I eat them fresh, but sometimes I make a blueberry dessert with them—a take on blueberry pie but instead of a double pie crust, I make a crumble crust.

This is a pie you can easily make if traditional pastry crust frustrates you.

I reduced the amount of sugar that was originally called for in this old recipe because it was too sweet to us.

Actually, I've done this with a lot of old recipes. I guess since we don't eat much sweets many of them taste too sweet when made according to the original recipe.

By the way, if you use AP flour, add 1 tablespoon of baking powder and 3/4 teaspoon salt.

BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE BAKE

Serves 8-10.

Crust Ingredients

2 1/2 cups rolled oats

2 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1 3/4 cups sugar

3 sticks of butter

Filling Ingredients

3 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

2 cups chopped pecans (or your favorite nut or omit completely)

3/4 cup brown sugar (can use white)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176.7°C)

2. Prepare crust by mixing all ingredients together. Mixture will be crumbly.

3. Divide crust dough into 2 pieces. Line bottom and sides of baking dish (either 10 inch pie plate or 9x13 inch dish). Press dough to a quarter inch thickness.

4. Prepare filling by mixing all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into the crust-lined dish.

5. Crumble the remaining dough crust into pieces over the filling.

6. Bake for 15 minutes then raise the temperature to 375°F (190.5°C) and bake for 15 minutes more or until golden brown.

Serve hot or cold.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

If you make this, let me know if you think the sweetness level is good. Leave a comment or email me.

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Language of Medical Prescriptions

Doctors may no longer handwrite prescriptions, but they still use the Latin words in the prescription.

If you've been mystified by obscure abbreviations in prescriptions and wondered why doctors don't write a prescription in plain English, this post if for you.

I blogged about this many years ago so I'm happy to disclose the secret language of prescriptions once again.

No need to be puzzled by the esoteric words any longer. Just print and save the chart below.

Here is the Rx, which, by the way, means recipe in Latin, to understand what your doctor is telling your pharmacist.

PRESCRIPTION TRANSLATIONS FROM LATIN TO ENGLISH

Rx (prescription) = recipe

a.c. = ante cibum = before meals

p.c. = post cibum = after meals

č = cum = with

Ꞩ = sine = without (Symbol is Latin upper case S with line thru it.)

d = dies = day

b.i.d. = bis in die = 2 times a day

t.i.d. = ter in die - 3 times a day

q.i.d. = qauter in die = 4 times a day

p.r.n. = pro re nata = as needed

h.s. = hora somni = bedtime

O.D. = oculo dextro = right eye

O.S. = oculo sinistro = left eye

O.U. = oculo utro = in each eye

p.o. = per os = by mouth

git = gutta = drop

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Seriously, it's to your benefit if you know what those abbreviations in prescriptions mean. I hope this helps.

By the way, laughter is the best medicine. I prescribe a reading of THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE, on sale for only 99¢.

THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE

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Review - The Dry on Tubi

Looking for a movie packed full of surprises? Try THE DRY, an Australian thriller starring Eric Bana, directed by Robert Connolly, with a screenplay by Connolly and Harry Cripps.

The film is based on the novel by Jane Harper and also stars Genevieve O'Reilly, Keir O'Donnell, and John Polson.

It's available on some subscription services, i.e. Acorn, Sundance Now, and AMC+ and for rent on others. Lucky for you, it's available to stream free on my favorite free service, Tubi.

The film was released in Australia in 2021, received positive reviews from critics, and made its way to the U.S. 

Since this is a series of books based on the main character, Aaron Falk, portrayed so well by Bana, that a movie squel also starring Bana was produced and released last year.

I'm looking for it on the streaming services. The sequel, The Dry 2, is based on the second book of the series, Force of Nature.

ABOUT THE DRY

Australian federal agent Aaron Falk returns to his drought-stricken home town to attend a funeral for one of his high school buddies. Falk left the town immediately after high school, under a cloud of suspicion that he had killed a girl who was part of their friends group.

Stalwart and determined, he senses something is wrong with the official verdict of his friend's death. Somehow, his death may be tied to the girl's death years ago. Now in law enforcement, he doggedly pursues the truth.

MY TAKE ON THE MOVIE

The movie has layers that peel away like an onion to reveal the secrets and lies in what seems like a peaceful town. The atmosphere is ike a slow fuse burning that eventually ignites a powder keg of violence. One surprise after another builds the suspense. Just when you think you've got it figured out, you'll learn you're wrong.

Eric Bana is superb in this role.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

If you're looking for an intelligent story with "real" people, not a super hero rehash, watch THE DRY. Leave a comment and let me know how you like it.

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Wasting Time and Wounding Infinity

Lest you think I've been wasting time and shirking my usual tasks, allow me to assure you that Life has been  frantic since late April.

Despite my good intentions—yeah, yeah, I know those are the paving stones on the road to Hell—I've let some important tasks fall by the wayside.

Life got complicated by trying to squeeze in all of our annual doctor appointments, check frequently on property we're selling in another county, line up electricians and painters for our home in Houston, and two out of town high school graduations.

Next on the agenda is my semi-annual sibling reunion in another state. Everything was taking a lot of time, but I had everything scheduled and was crossing each item off the list, but things got a little complicated.

We got home only yesterday, and we're now packing to leave for a funeral in West Texas. When I get home next week, I will immediately pack so I can meet my brothers for our reunion.

TIME IS PRECIOUS

 I kind of feel as if I'm running a marathon. When I have a publishing deadline—yes! I'm trying to finish that book that keeps getting out of reach—and I'm not writing, I get overwhelmed and anxious. I keep chanting my affirmation: "I have all the time I need to do all the things I want." I hope.

I think the next time I buy a laptop I'm going to try to find one that has a daylgiht-readable monitor because I spend so much time traveling by car—the motto for Texas should be "The Road Warrior State"—that I'd like to utilize that time while Darling Hubby drives.

I do have some blogs written and scheduled to entertain you while I'm gone so feel free to drop by SlingWords.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Never say, "I'm just killing time." Wasting time has an impact on the infinite nature of existence. That's what Thoreau meant when he wrote in Walden, "As if you could kill time without injuring eternity."

 

OLD ENOUGH TO BE BOLD

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Review - Nonnas on Netflix

If you're looking for a delightful, heartwarming movie about a man chasing an impossible dream, you need to watch NONNAS, a Netflix exclusive.

First though, pour a glass of good red wine and get some hearty Italian bread and a dish of excellent extra virgin olive oil with some fresh minced herbs like basil, oregano, and rosemary added to it.

The movie is chockablock with mouthwatering Italian pasta dishes, rich red sauce, meatballs, and other Italian dishes that are to die for.

You'll be sipping that wine and dipping the bread in the oil as you watch this delightful movie starring Vince Vaughn, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Cardellini, and Susan Sarandon. 

Based on a the life of Joe Scaravella, the owner of Staten Island (NYC) restaurant Enoteca Maria, the comedy-drama film was directed by Stephen Chbosky and written by Liz Maccie.

The story is how Mr. Scaravella, played by Vaughn, risked everything he had to honor his beloved mother who had passed. His idea was to open an Italian restaurant with actual grandmothers, or nonnas,  as chefs.

He grew up eating his mother's cooking who was using her mother's recipes. Joe thinks grandmothers, the nonnas, were the only ones who could deliver the wonderful food that would honor his mother and grandmother.

The film—rated PG because of suggestive content, language, etc. which is too bad because it would be a great family movie—was released on Netflix on May 9, 2025, Mother's Day weekend in the U.S. and hit No. 1.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Definitely put this on your list to watch. Darling Hubby and I loved the movie. As soon as it was over, we headed to the kitchen for bread, dipping oil, and wine. Deliziosa!

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