I don't know if this has been posted here already, but you can keep widgets on your desktop.
1. click the dashboard icon in the dock
2. click on the circle with the plus sign that appears to the lower left. Your tray of widgets should open in the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose the widget you want, click and drag it to the desktop. Do not drop it yet.
4. Press and hold F12 before you drop the widget. Release your click and it will drop to your desktop, splash and stay there.
1. click the dashboard icon in the dock
2. click on the circle with the plus sign that appears to the lower left. Your tray of widgets should open in the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose the widget you want, click and drag it to the desktop. Do not drop it yet.
4. Press and hold F12 before you drop the widget. Release your click and it will drop to your desktop, splash and stay there.