Field Notes- Thursday, August 31st. Sunshine. Blue Moon last night. Raining most of yesterday.

 Ring Nebula.

Is there anything on Earth as beautiful as the stuff in Outer Space????

So.  Rain. Relentless rain yesterday. And last night the Blue Full Moon.  Like daylight in the bedroom all night long. I found it impossible to fall asleep with all that light in the bedroom.  

I am thankful for Rain.  A few Summers ago- we got very very little and the grass went yellow.

So I am tired, my neck aches, my shoulder aches, I'm tired........so tired.

I tried my best to eat actual food yesterday.  The book I am reading is very good but the print is very light. very hard to read.  This is happening more and more- the very pale ink.  And the tiny print. These are books I want to read but probably won't finish........ Ink....saving on ink.  Every so often about ten or so pages will be fully inked......then we return to the barely there ink.  I do not buy these books. Ever.

So...tired, sore neck, tired eyes.  Cranky.  I am like a two year old needing a time out.  Or a nice place to nap with my blanket.  Or just screaming would be nice. But too tired for that.

How are you?  On this final day of August in 2023?  

What are you Doing.  What are you Eating.  Reading?  Watching?  Wanting?

Field Notes- Rain overnight. Visit from a neighbor and a big fluffy white dog. Lunch with my Friend.

 The picture file is getting culled.   I like the poppies in this image.  My grandmother grew poppies. so I have liked them since I was able to walk.

Yesterday I had a delightful lunch and so much conversation.  We had wine.  Another couple came into the restaurant at the same time and the hostess thought we were together.....we said no but then Nancy said- next time we'll sit together..... and I imagined that we would.

After lunch I asked for a favor- to stop - it was on our way back home- at the independent bookstore Gulf of Maine.....I had photocopies of the books I wanted to buy.  I haven't stopped in....since I stopped driving... so well, he had the day off so I explained myself to his wife and showed her the photo copies etc. and she was bemused......I was going to say perplexed...but bemused sounds more what it looked like.

Sometime he gets the books in a week to ten days.....we'll see.  He'll call. Or she will.  these are library books I want to OWN so I can read them any time I want.......in the months and years to come.  Like having a pantry filled with stable food for a pandemic.

We were visited later by the Twin's father and the big (very big) fluffy white dog.  The Twin's dad said the dog stops and begs to go down our driveway to visit us -every time they walk past.  The dog was bred to be a service/therapy dog.  He "feels" the need to come visit us.......... How about that?  Incredible. Husband loves seeing the dog....he sits close to husband while they are here...until he smells chipmunks.......the dog- husband can't smell much of anything and certainly not chipmunks.

We got a call from our sister-in law- widow of husband's younger brother.  She was cleaning her fridge and recalled that it had been quite awhile since she spoke to us.......I was one foot out the door for lunch.....and I knew talking to husband would be a waste of time for her. (if he remembered who she was)....she is going to call back.  I am lucky to have two very thoughtful, kind sisters in law.   My brother and his brother chose wonderful women..  I don't think I qualify...something I need to work on before it's too late. I don't call....I write long letters....which they both love getting.

Field Notes- Tuesday August 29th. Clouds in My Coffee. Rain is Possible. Lunch Date.

 I am tempted to try this again.  Baking a loaf of bread.  Husband won't eat any- says the crust hurts his teeth.  I don't need to be eating bread.

Yesterday, during the North Carolina college shut down news......I sliced zucchini and set the slices and some olive oil in a pan on the stove......let it BE.  It browned nicely over Time and I topped the browned mess with two slices of mozzarella.  Waited for it to melt and then ate it.  Very decent "cooked" lunch.  And I actually used the zucchini I had purchased last week......I had been considering a Zucchini Bread recipe.  Which was, I am remembering, pretty good.  I did not.

I still have two tomatoes to eat.  

There is a large fat BEE that is usually under the protective netting in the morning.  The big planter by the steps.  I uncover the plants and the bee is not amused..........I try and shake him or her off the netting.  Less amused.  Confrontational.  We do this every single day.

I am picking the spent yellow marigold flowers.  Letting them dry a bit in the house and then breaking the bottom of the flower open and exposing the flower seeds.  White and black threads.  then I allow them to dry completely......a few weeks....I intend to grow marigolds next Summer.

I am going to LUNCH with my neighbor today.  We are BOTH very very happy to escape out homes and husbands.  She also has a son in law...from Hell.  So,,,,we talk about him a bit.  While we drink wine.   My new library books have a due date in three weeks- which is my birthdate.......So.  there is that.

Field Notes- Monday, August 28th. Rain overnight. Bees. Low Blood Pressure

 

A great name for a bookstore.  My blood pressure is really low...I am waiting for it to return to semi normal before going anywhere.  I've eaten..that usually helps.  Sugar.  Helps as well. I will ask to have my blood tested in January.  When I have my appointment.  This is "normal" for me on a Monday Morning.

Bees under the netting covering the containers.  Bees who are annoyed.

I heard voices out back.....in the woods by the walking path.  They sounded close.  People have actually walked on the path that leads to our house and emerged from the woods.......UGH!!!  Not today..but in years past......when we had the dog.....and I let him out the back door to chase them, barking.

His Yard......so, it was intense.

They ran. He ran.

The grapes are still not ripe.  September I hope.  I used them one year to make a dye bath for cloth.  The most incredibly wonderful BLUE. I think it was a huge basket from my friend patty- spoiled grapes. I should ask her to bring them again....

That's all.  Jacksonville yesterday.  A messed up kid that no one thought to get to a doctor. I have always thought the parents needed to be charged. When this happens. I would feel responsible if it was my child

Field Notes= Sunday, August 27th- Was hot and humid yesterday- today seems sunny and dry- so far.

 If this has been here before- excuse me. (image is now deleted from the picture file).

Yesterday I read a new book. Do I Know You?  About a married couple who have lost contact with each other.  After only 5 years being married.  They pretend to be other people while at a resort having a Dating Workshop Event.  The book is written by a married couple.  This is their second book- first was the Roughest Draft.  Which I read.  This book is better.

I write that in case you read the Roughest Draft and passed over this second book. (which I was tempted to do)

I baked.  Another Peach Cobbler.  It's fantastic.  I made husband a pizza early in the week.

Strange but True.  I have tons of things in the fridge to eat.....I am not eating anything much.  When I don't have anything in the fridge- I will eat EVERYTHING I can find.  I am not sure how that translates...... but I have pasta and pulled pork and now peach cobbler.  I also have yogurt with fruit. Not hungry.

Husband forgot to eat dinner yesterday.  so...now that is happening.

The Ornamental Planters are getting TIRED.  I try and remove all spent flowers etc.....keep the planters looking "fresh" but it's the end of August....... planters are tired and I am tired.

Sun just broke thru....I have Ac unit on to get rid of moisture in the air.  Makes things more comfortable.  Its a small unit so it really doesn't cool the house much. And husband has two shirts on.......it gets weirder by the day.

Field Notes- Saturday. August 26th. Rain finally stopped- sunshine today.

 Elephants always remind me of my Dad.  In 5th grade he taught me how to draw an elephant.  The teacher didn't believe I had drawn it...so I got a fresh sheet of paper and drew another.

The girl next to me ate paste out of the jar.  Misfits were seated together in those days. Alongside the boys who picked their noses and rubbed the front of their pants..(and later became fascinating because they were coloring so far outside the lines....)

I survived.

But......I never, ever even tried to make friends with those shitty classmates (from 5th to 12th grade).  One weekend at college a bunch of my high school classmate came to my college- several classmates were also going to that college.  One guy- the one who asked me to Prom on the Tuesday (afternoon) before Prom...and I said no.  So he walks over and is again asking me to go out with all of them......and again I looked at him with, bewilderment...and said no. 

I was also totally shaken when the quarterback of our high school team stopped me on campus and wanted to talk to me. To me.  The head cheerleader was my roommate my freshman year.......sigh.  FATE just never never gave me a break.  She never spoke to me unless it was to say excuse me can I get past you..  It's like I did not exist.  Perhaps...I didn't exist in her world.. I was super depressed that year. And lonely.

Very very lonely.  But I was used to being alone.....so nothing new.  Connie who I met thru this blog was on the same campus at the same time...she says we possibly walked past each other several times a week.  We would have been friends......if we had met.  We both wish that had happened.

I'm sad today......but the sun is out and no animals ate my flowers.  It was raining and I didn't cover them last night..... and the peaches are ready to be make into a cobbler....so stuff to look forward to.

Elephant never forget.  I never forget.....

Field Notes- Friday, August 25th. Cooler and Raining- Quite a bit.

 So things are very wet outdoors.   Which is great...as other summers have been exceptionally DRY. I am reminded of the Great Grass Growing Project a few summers ago......having the sprinkler on it even day.

I have the house lights on, a good book to read and lots of fresh Summer Fruits and Vegetables to eat. Cook and Eat.  Today, thin sliced zucchini fried in a pan until "just right".   I ate this during the Elimination Diet when we (doctor and I) were trying to find out what foods I should NOT be eating. I loved the chicken and ginger broth.  With rice noodles.  Cooked on slow for hours and hours. The noodles added at the very end in the bowl of soup.   I had a terrible rash near my eye and was on steroids for weeks.

The beet smoothies were okay but I only made it ONCE.  And then had to really clean out the Vitamix. The Carrot and Raw Cashew Soup was really good...you let the Vitamix run until the soup was smoking hot.  Very creamy and delicious.  The Rice Flour Banana Muffins were gritty, dry and so very weird.  No egg no nothing.  Rice Flour and mashed ripe bananas I think...then baked.  I am not sure I kept the recipe.

You eat like this for three weeks and...trust me...you actually do not want to repeat.  The rash went away. It was moving close to my eyes....so doctor and I were pretty worried as I could have lost the use of that eye.

The only recipe I repeat is the thinly sliced zucchini in the pan with a bit of olive oil.  I also made zucchini noodles.  Thinly sliced in this noodle machine and left to dry for 8 hours or much longer.....then mixed into a stir fry.  Yes...I lost a ton of weight. Most of it was water weight.   I started out ALL bloated and puffy.  I ended up stick thin in less than three weeks.  I was very very sick.  One of many at the greenhouse where I was working.  

Field Notes- Thursday August 24th. Grass Cutting Day. Dentist for me yesterday. We forgot. they called. We zipped over there.

 My image file is cluttered.  This was a group of sculptures made using nails.  Rusty old nails. From Kim's Something Blog.

I like that this one has a tiny door and possibly a heart inside.

We were just sitting around reading the paper  yesterday when the dentist office called and asked "where are you?" I had an appointment- I asked if it was too late to arrive ...they said no.  So we left.  And husband ACTUALLY hasn't a clue where the dentist office is......just so we all know.  I got my teeth cleaned and then we talked about books.  I usually bring a book list for my Tech.  But...as I was running late etc....I gave her a list of my three favorite books for the Summer. verbally  so, it was good.

I am nearing the end of My Heart Will Find You.  Getting ready for the crying (on my part) because...I am that way.  I made pizza yesterday.  Husband wanted pizza so we had pizza.

I did a load of wash and changed the bed sheets.   Before going to bed I noticed a smell.  Skunk.  Possibly sprayed something near the back of the house......entering thru the exhaust vent for the washing machine and dryer.....Ugh!!!  I shut the washing machine room door and added a rolled towel for the small opening at the floor......then went to bed.  I slept.  I was doubtful I would.  I don't like skunk smell. Who does.

After the dentist - since we were very close to grocery store- I went in and bought peaches and soft white bread for Tomato Sandwiches and Another Peach Cobbler.  I also got more pulled pork from the Hot Bar and some leafy greens to add to my BBQ Salad.  Will be eating well, the rest of the week.

Field Notes- Wednesday, August 23rd. sunshine and humidity. An animal took a bite out of the ONE PEACH on my tree.

 Shimmering Destiny.

The Boiler keeps going on.  I am doing a load of wash and I took a long hot shower before even brushing my teeth.  We'll have fresh sheets tonight.  By tonight.  I have clean hair.  All this busy-ness makes me dizzy- I need 20 minutes of quiet sitting on the couch before I make my breakfast.  Blood Sugar is messed up.  I need to eat my breakfast.

I uncovered my ornamental containers.  Watered a few- I have one gallon plastic bottles to fill.  Several. Each planter gets two or three bottles full of water......And as they get used I carry them into the house to fill.  Husband never remembered the outdoor hoses.. and I did NOT remind him.

He went by himself to get his hair cut.  It's nearby.  He got home safely.  I gave him cash.  I thought about giving him one of the new credit cards......then decided No.  I could have given him a check....but that didn't seem like a smart idea either.  October is getting closer but still feels far away.

I am reading My Heart Will Find You- Deveraux.   I think this is the fifth or sixth time.  Could even be more times.  I read the Candidate Boyfriend just as often.   And the Accidental Beauty Queen would be in that read it again line up if my library owned it.....they do not.  I never fell in love like this....so I read about it. Imagine what it must be like..... at my age, I know it will never happen for me.

Yesterday I had a pulled pork salad.  Lettuces, yellow cheese, sour cream and pulled pork.  It was delicious.  Needed more sour cream or perhaps Ranch Dressing.  I have enough for a second salad.

I can make pizza today.  I can also have a tomato sandwich.....no I forgot soft bread.  Whatever,  I definitely have supplies to make a good meal.  I have roasted cherry tomato pasta also.  I am well supplied.

Field Notes- Tuesday, August 22nd. Sunshine.

 Leafy Greens.  Seems like August is a month where I should be having Leafy Greens.

I am reading an older Devereaux.  I had thought it was one I wanted to read- well, it was, sort of but the more things change.........her newer books are better.  I was typing more but way too graphic for an old women's morning blog. The older books.............and everyone is very hairy.

Husband is getting a haircut.  Today.

Neighbor has assorted vehicles in the driveway....August.  The guests come and go and mostly go leaving my neighbor alone in the house till they come back......she's okay with this, I guess. august in Maine is like that......many visitors are from France as France shuts down completely for the entire month of August.

I found this:  Born today (my birthday in 2022) you are friendly, sociable and reliable--but hard to "know".  You like your independence and you also like a comfortable lifestyle that is predictable.  You are an excellent (?) communicator but can be aloof and unavailable to others.

This year 2022, service to others will be the theme for you, perhaps service to family (wow got that right). this means having to take care of yourself so you can be a resource.

I am highly intuitive, helpful, a natural teacher.  I had worry and self doubt issues as a child.  But I get better with age. Am peace loving and hard working. i appreciate the comforts of home and family.  I don't make changes easily.  I have in years past (and even NOW) questioned my life's path.  Feeling like I have no anchor. Confused where I am headed.  The Dreamer and Doer in me are strong.

2023 was a year of Introspection, Self Analysis and Refinement of Talents.  I was supposed to free myself from aspects of Life and Responsibility and develop new talents and refine old ones.

I think, the Washing Machine Pages....was the way in which I was doing just that.  And now I move on. find a new Path......sigh.  I hope you will all help me with this........

Field Notes- Monday August 21st. So far: Paid bills, ate oatmeal, got dressed, did Sudoko Puzzle.

 So.....computer is slowing down......might not make it to the October arrival of Computer Genius Son. I will do my best but the images might have to go walk about.  Not be here.  Just words. I am having difficulty opening any mail that has an image. Even the ones trying to sell me things.

Opening this page takes awhile.  Being here is important to me...something I look forward to.  I have already given up dragging my own drawings here.......they won't transfer from iPhone to computer any more.  I delete everything I can delete to lighten the load.....but still....and the Boiler is going yet again and no one has used any hot water. 

I paid bills.  $442 a year for the daily newspaper.  We would miss it if I stopped getting it. And it's not like we could walk to the corner and buy one.  The Sudoko puzzles and the Jumbles.

I will drop the bills off at postoffice.....we have been warned that "people" are stealing mail from the roadside mailboxes.....getting account numbers, check numbers.... only "safe" place to deposit mail is post office.....I wish that was true. I gave up thinking the post office was a "safe palace" years ago.

Dentist this week for me.....cleaning. Next week husband.

We watched Ice Planets on PBS last night.  The probe sent out to Saturn.  And the probe sent to Pluto that took nine years to get there...but it could have been longer.....the images were fantastic.  I could watch these Planet episodes over and over again.  And was reminded of the Russian crash on the South of the Moon recently.  There is just something so amazing and beautiful about the programs.

Well, that's it for today.  Like actually it for today after Library, Post Office, Grocery.  Today is our most exciting day of the WEEK.

Field Notes- Sunday August 20th. Sunshine and Heat , I think

 Grilled corn.  Not that I would EVER mention the Grill out back (to husband)....but I have discovered a "fondness" for Mexican Street Corn.  Could I rent a guy and a grill (a guy who knows how to cook and make Mexican Street Corn).    Is there an App for that??????

Peaches are on sale tomorrow at Grocery.  More Cobbler?  I ate the last of it yesterday with vanilla ice cream.  Warmed in the microwave just a bit to take the fridge chill off of it.  I might buy cheesecake tomorrow.

Husband ate the last of this week's prepared meals yesterday.  I put frozen Italian meatballs (I smelled garlic) in a container with a lid to thaw out.......He has pasta.  He has cheese.  He has a jar of marinara.  Let's see if he can translate that into a bowl for his dinner TODAY??????  Or I will suggest it.

He mentioned- nope I can't share that.......

The final of the Women's World Cup at 2 am. I'll watch later this afternoon.

The Patriots Pre Season Game and the guy- unconscious on the grass.  The medical unit....the entire team standing watch.  Nothing in the paper this morning.....paper was already printed and bundled by then. I can scope it out on the online news after I press publish.  Truthfully, I don't think it will be good news.  They didn't even show a replay........that says something right there.  I think they did watch the replay in the booth and decided not to show it.  And the silence.  

So.......I have a book to read and return tomorrow at the Library Visit.  I have four waiting for pick up. And I will see what is on the New Book Shelves....I now put a slim date due sticker on each book......so I know which ones to read first........

I am working on the shopping list......Tea Bags for sure.

Field Notes- Saturday August 19th. I had forgotten what day it was.

 Nail Spider.

I forgot what day today was.........I thought it was Sunday.  It's Saturday.

Yesterday it got very dark and rained really really hard.  Pounded down on the roof--which is very likely CLEAN today.  When we lived in Florida and it rained like that-- I pulled my car out and let it get washed.

So....a load of wash is now in the dryer.......comes out of the washer almost dry.  I have the water setting on Optimum so the machine weighs the load and decides on the correct water amount.  

I walk away.  I have done this two or possibly three times now- walk away....Let the machine do it's work with out me standing by.......it was difficult for me to do....but I realized I actually had nothing much to write in the Washing Machine Pages anymore......my life is a Still Life.  Always the same.  Static.

The sun has disappeared....clouds are coming in and I need to turn on the lamps....

I read Silver Girl by Hilderbrand yesterday,  Straight thru start to finish.  I might have another of these Nantucket books.....perhaps a few in the bookcase...   We've never made the trip...it's closer than Florida. I don't think we'd "fit".  We are not "fancy".

Well, I have to select today's book, boil water for pasta for G's dinner, go fold and put away the freshly washed clothes.   I have on faded dark blue cotton pants with the legs rolled up.....I haven't worn these in a long time.  I stood in front of the closet longer than necessary and then put them on  and rolled the pant legs up. They fit.  They aren't tight.  I remember them being tight.....I don't remember the legs being as long....I am getting shorter, I think.  Yes, shorter.....

Field Notes- Friday August 18th. Took four (six) tries to spell Field. Make that seven.

 My picture file has some weird stuff in it.  But I like these.  Ink (water) color drawings (paintings).

I don't recall where or when (I got this image) but......this is actually how I paint.  Not that I painted these....I haven't dipped a brush into water and paint in a very long time......too long.

I finally got out of bed at 11am.  I wasn't sleeping.  I was, in fact, talking to myself out loud.  Crazy people stuff.  Which I do all the time.  It's like writing a few pages of a book out loud and not on paper.  I know some authors who speak the books they write.....not on paper- just out loud. Recording.

I think dialog is easier to write if spoken.

I have't used my spray starch.

Husband left his laptop in the car on Monday- asked where it was at 11pm yesterday.

The memory loss is moving faster.....he's himself most of the time.  Then he isn't. And when he isn't...he really isn't.......

The rain is pouring down right now........I can hear it making contact with the skylight in the kitchen. I should check for leaks. floor is dry...  In winter with snow and ice- I have a large commercial baking tray lined with a bath towel under the left side corner.......and the water gets collected...

In the Roger Stone tape I was watching his aide type........I think perhaps it was transcribing like in court. Any of you out there who type watch that clip.  Was it actual typing????  It seemed odd.

Field Notes- Thursday, August 17th. The Guys have come to cut the grass. Clouds.

 Found this in one of the unwanted emails I get each morning.  Recipe.  I copied onto an index card because I never have flour tortillas when I actually WANT them.  When I buy them--I rarely eat them. So...a recipe.....simple enough....flour salt baking powder olive oil and water.  I have all those things.

Will tape recipe to the cupboard door with all the (five) other IMPORTANT RECIPES.

Son who was (out of the blue) furloughed by his long time employer 9 months ago got a call- ......company has now realized they  "the company" might have made mistake..........reached out to him...... if it wasn't so insulting it would be sad.  But............wow just wow.  Took GUTS to call...must have really been a whopper of a mistake......

Grass Cutting this morning.......even BEFORE I went out to uncover the ornamentals.   A few bees stuck to the netting again. 

I'm re-reading a Susan Mallory book- Two teachers taking a bus full of high school athletes on a college tour on the California coastline.... and another romance between a wealthy business man and a home repair business owner (a woman) with most of her customers in a pricey Senior Citizen Community..   She just found out he "worked" his way thru college as a Vegas Stripper. I'd forgotten that part.  Things are heating up on the bus trip.  The coach and the math teacher.  

I made myself dinner last night.  Kraft Mac and Cheese with frozen green peas.  I have leftovers for today.

I haven't cracked open a fresh can of spray starch YET.  Might need to do a load of wash first.

What are You doing?????

Field Notes- Wednesday, August 16th. Hey! Sam!!!! Cooler, Cloudy with a chance of What?

Well, Things here on the page are a bit wacky.  I had trouble getting the picture where I wanted it and then the margins got screwed......I wanted this image because it has the look of a birthday cake and my daughter is having a birthday this month.....so.  

There's some breeze.  Some clouds.  Humidity is at 80%.  The Sunporch smells like rotting garbage. What has died out there??????

I read a 7 day book yesterday  Prom Mom. Author Laura Lipman.  The book had all the colors (Pink) and title of a Rom Com.  It was NOT.  It was a very very intense book.  No one was  who or what they seemed....turns out the author is known for her tight, intense murder mysteries.  I was up until 2 am.  Tried several times to stop and finish reading today- but...could...not...stop.....  Revenge served ice cold.

Today something ACTUALLY a Rom Com.  The Women's Soccer yesterday- reruns- was intense.  I haven't been reading the sports page so I am always surprised by the outcome.  And not one of the teams I want to win- have won. So there is that.

I need to turn on some lamps.  dark in here.  Big News out of Georgia.  About Time for Trump to crawl into his Safe Room and lock the door.  I sure hope Clarence Thomas and Ginny are next on the Hit List.  Who would have thought an Asshole with Orange Skin and Long Strange Hair would be the one to kill American Democracy ?????? wow. Just wow.

Field Notes- Tuesday, August 15th. Drizzle. Wet Morning. 66 degrees.

 In august, the internet has so many garden vegetable images.   The almost ripe tomatoes going into the paper bag to ripen.   The basil.   Just a sprig picked off the tall plant to add to the tomatoes.

What I would have been doing ......in other distant years.....but not now.

I feel that distance so much these last days and weeks of Summer.  My garden out back is filled with weeds and False Artichoke.   The tall Sunflowerish yellows and under ground the choke.  I watched a cooking show last Saturday and the Italian cook peeled and sliced one of these "chokes" into the vegetable risotto she was making..... I've also read that the "chokes" are very "gassy" when eaten.

I just finished reading a book that made me cry.  Nancy Thayer. Now I am reading Mary Alice Munroe.  Not sure I will finish this book.  It's a book about the virus and how people dealt with it. I've read it before and I think I might let this one go.  Start another.

I need to turn on lights....it's dark in the house.  Seems like evening.  Before 9am.

I uncovered my container plantings....no bees under the netting this morning......the grass was wet. It must have rained during the night.  Not much more to write.  A dark, cool rainy day in August. A good day to sleep late and then take a nap.

Field Notes- A bit Tardy. Monday, August 14th. Sunshine and humidity. Library and grocery

 I bought tomatoes just like these.  Still on their green vine.  One had gotten smushed a bit.  Juicy. I also bought bread and had mayo in the fridge.  I just finished slurping my way thru a Tomato Sandwich. So so delicious........I haven't had a messy juicy tomato (the smushed one) on squishy bread in....what seems like years....but can't possibly be that long......I have four more tomatoes.....four more sandwiches.

So, so delicious.......

I also  found a tub of the chopped vegetable salad I like.  It's been a long time... since I had that.

And I met an interesting woman in the face cream aisle.  She is able to walk to the store.  She had a wheeled cart.....I said I would actually love being able to walk into Town......sigh.  This woman was so happy to meet me and talk to me......in fact, she asked my name several times.  I told her I always shop on Monday at this time......so I might see her again.  I didn't get any stalker vibes off her....but who knows.

My grocery bill was higher than usual.  Almost an extra $100.  I just went to look at it- yep.

I did get some face cream and a huge bottle of mouthwash.  They no longer have the spray I used to sanitize the bed sheets.....There were unmarked spaces on the shelving.....possibly no longer selling the products. And I remembered the spray starch.....happy dance.  (for remembering)

When I uncovered my ornamental flowers this morning bees had gotten under the netting.  Where were they when my Plum tree needed pollination????

Have I said that before? Probably- I say it to myself every morning when I see bees all around the plants.

Well, it's a pleasant August Monday.  Ac unit is running.  My electric bill was $144.-- usually only $60 something.......But I have used the AC units quite a bit.....and the ceiling fans are on 24/7.

Well, Excitement for this week is over......nothing more to look forward to...daughter has birthday this week.  Grass will be cut on Thursday.  I'll be eating Tomato Sandwiches. Lunch Buddy is back from her trip to Rangeley...they had a great time.  Boston family members have joined Brooklyn members across the street......lots of cars.. My neighbor has a full house and she's very happy I think. I have AC unit on and a stack of books..........the one I just finished made me cry......next up one to make me laugh.

Field Notes- (four tries to spell field) Sunday, August 13th. Sunshine. 77 and 81% humidity.

 I'm starting to think all the people I reach out to (not the people like you reading the Field Notes) but generally the (live in person) people I have known for years and /or worked with etc......are trying to re-make me into to someone else or actually Think I am someone else...even though I am actually the same.

Directing me to places I would need to drive to.....meetings to make me a "better caregiver" etc.

I suggested a chat on my front porch or a coffee date....No.  See, that would help. sigh.  but, no.

I have to wait another day to get more spray starch.  I am really invested right now in wanting to starch my linen shirts.  Perhaps even the pillow cases....  

I started reading Island Girls by Nancy Thayer.  I am actually looking for a book about three women by Thayer- not this one.  One is an abused woman who works in a clothing shop., Ione......another has a relationship with a Veterinary Doc.  I don't recall the other woman's situation but there might be a boat going out in a storm and not coming back.  Or that is another book altogether.  Any clues to a title from anyone reading this? Usually there is a crock pot recipe.....but so far no crock pots.  I think this is the reason I own two crock pots......these books.

I am thinking I will write down the stuff they put in the crock pots.....then I forget.

I had ice cold Peach Cobbler for dinner yesterday.  I had prepared two servings of yogurt, bran buds and cherries.  But decided to eat cobbler while watching people on House Hunters.  One woman needed all new tubs, showers, toilets and sinks because of "'previous people's dead skin cells" being on those used surfaces........wow...........just wow.   Makes me feel Very Normal.

Field Notes- Saturday. August 12th. Hey, jolly , jolly!!!! Sunshine. Low humidity- right now.

 Sheet pan grilled vegetables.  My shopping list for Monday.  All these vegetables.

I just took the deer netting off all my ornamental containers.  The leggy, "too small a pot", tomatoes always need water.  The tomato plants are making flowers and the bees are visiting......but I never transplanted them into larger pots......so no tomatoes...not that I was really planning on growing tomatoes....I just lost interest.  It happens.

My daughter got the Friends and Family discount at Goodwill yesterday.  She was thrilled.  Almost 50% off her purchases.  After... she wished she had bought MORE.   She DID buy me a hard cover romance by a favorite author of mine....for one dollar.  Not the Jude Devereaux but the NEW Christina Lauren.  I mean just out.....someone bought it and didn't like it.  It was different.  The last two books have not been what I like about this author.  One was a western and this one is a reality show theme.

I am beginning to think they have a dart board with plot themes on it and take turns throwing a dart and then writing a book.  If this new one is being left at Goodwill for one dollar- well, does not look good. 

Husband had to jog MY Memory as to the name of the store where she shops- Goodwill.

Yesterday, I amazed myself.  I got off the couch- disgusted and bored by MSNBC and Law& Order and went to the sewing room, plugged in the iron and shook the spray starch can to see if there was any starch in it...yep...so I did one item at a time and ironed and starched the clothing I had just gotten out of the dryer and had hanging on hangers on the four post bed frame..  I had done another unmonitored load of wash.....no washing machine pages........where is the Joanne we all know?  Gone. Disappearing.

Daily Notes- Friday, August 11th. Very humid yesterday. Rain overnight. Cloudy right now.

 I SURVIVED the drive to and from the Hair Appointment.  I let them know it would be my LAST visit.  I've been going there since I was working at the Greenhouse and would run over and get my hair cut and then run back to work...... at the point where I stopped coloring my hair and let it just be white.  I never went gray.  Or a mix- it went from dark brown to white.  One day to the next. Just like my mother.

I think my Anxiety (in the car) made husband even more agitated......not a great combo.  We got there.....we are NEVER doing that again.  A REAL wake up.......he kept asking- "where are we going".  Last haircut he just drove right to the place....no questions.  I am shocked that his memory is going so rapidly.   Also it was 12:30 and traffic in our Town is a nightmare at that Time in August. It was bumper to bumper the entire way there.  Like Bumper Cars.

Turns out Dawn is really excellent for washing hair......it is wonderful for getting all the "product" out of your hair.... the gal cutting my hair says she uses Dawn the day after she has put all sorts of product in her hair......gets it all out, softens the hair- is just the perfect thing to use to clean your hair.  There you have it.

I was just thinking, myself, if they can wash baby ducks....why not an old man's greasy hair????

The BIG HUGE GUY (chair next to me) getting A PERM FARTED.....then he fell asleep. Maine!!!

My hair is very short.  Great for August. My Friend here in Town says the place my hairdresser recommended doesn't exist (???)........Park Row- blue house at the end of the street by the big church..... we'll see.  My friend says the places she has found have now all got different cutters and she doesn't like any of them.  Has me wondering........in October SON could drive me.......

I had a big mixed greens salad with olive oil and Balsamic yesterday and finished off the chicken salad.  Today I will have honey yogurt, bran buds and pitted sweet cherries.  If I remember to prepare it ahead of Lunch Time.  Otherwise it's a cheese and pickle on toast or just the remainder of the salad greens minus protein.  I do like salad with protein.  I'll keep you informed on my Lunch Menus.

Field Notes- Thursday, August 10th. Sunshine, Heat and Grass Mowing.

 Helen Geglio.  Apron Strings.

I really like her work.  And her book lists of what she is reading or listening to.  She reuses old clothing etc. in her work.  And it's all hand quilted.

Something has gone wrong with the left side margin but I am going to just keep typing and let it go. Yesterday and today have been emotionally draining. Husband keeps making and losing the appointments for hair cuts on his iPhone.   He deletes important stuff but keeps the garbage- last time I deleted so much crap on his phone- the Cloud stuff which is nearly impossible to EVER get rid of. It came back.  This morning.  I have permanently deleted the iCloud from all my devices- even if that means I have to give up the internet.  My iPhone refuses to work without the Cloud.  So be it. I'll use it just for emergencies.  As a phone.

This is why no cactus drawings on the blog.  The Cloud.  I don't save things ......I actually deleted over 100 things from husband's iPhone and they are all back this morning...it's all crap email from companies.....probably paying the Cloud to keep them on the iPhone for eternity.

I adjusted the margin- it had gotten messed up.  We have a new 'atomic" wall clock for the dining room wall....it's one minute off.  Husband is itching to "fix' it- which would mean the thing never will work correctly again.  I am taking deep cleansing inhales.  We haven't even had the clock for 24 hours. Daughter stopped on the way home from work to buy it for us. Yesterday.

Oh...what I was going to write was that I cut my husband's hair yesterday.  He was looking like a Street Bum.  Well, the beard is still street bum.  After cutting I washed his hair in the kitchen sink with Dawn. He is very "oily" and it was amazing how nice his hair looked.  This morning it's greasy again.

I used the stuff in the little Record Player Suitcase which my dad turned into his Haircut Tool Box.  And now it's my Haircut Toolbox.  When our son arrives I am finding out what he uses to cut his own hair. And buy that and use it on husband's hair.

I have an appointment for a haircut at 12:30.  Parking will be a problem. On a busy road....I might need to find a new place on a quiet street with ample parking to get my haircut....going forward.....I do not want the "street bum" look for myself.

Field Notes- Rained overnight. Container plants very wet. I took a long shower and washed my hair.

 Dreaming of Tomato Sandwiches.  The grocery tomatoes were hard.  But I need to buy some next week and let them ripen on the Sun Porch where it gets hot.  Buy soft bread.  Georgia Tomato Sandwich.  Lots of mayo.

Yesterday I finally ate the pulled pork...in a salad with lettuce, yellow cheese, and Ranch Dressing. It was very very good.   Watched some vintage Law and Order.  I guess we finished the newer stuff and now starting over....  I watched some news......gag.  My eyes were tired so no book.  Today, book. And Chicken Salad.  Tons of mayo and honey.  Maybe.  Well see how the day plays out. 

Tomorrow haircut.

It's August and August is dull.  Talked with daughter- she got stung on her hand and fingers day before at work.  A Bee Nest.  In ground. While weeding.  Yesterday was a Rain Day here in Maine.  It rained. A Lot.  So she stayed home and slept.   Back to work today.  More weeding.   Hopefully no bees.

One year, a homeowner asked to have ALL the blue flowering hydrangea dug up and removed.  Daughter did it late in the day and tucked all the plants into her car...... arrived home and dug holes for them and planted and watered them in.  After a long day of landscaping.  They survived and are happy in the back of the yard in some shade.  Blooming. Usually only at the bottom where the winter snow protects them.  Maine.  I planted two when I first moved here.  they bloomed once or twice- only around the bottom and then died.   My grandmother had them in her garden.  They bloomed top to bottom. Ohio.

As a Master Gardener, I told owners to wrap the plants in burlap over the Winter.  But timing was always a problem.  Too soon or too late.

She and her employer are "testing" two new to them roses.  One shrub and one climbing.  So far they are both outstanding.  I might want to add the climber to one of the fences. In my yard. The roses are fragrant.

Field Notes- Windy, Pouring Rain. Every so often it just pounds down and then stops.

 Stargazer.  More of this on Something blog.

I have all the lights on.  I never wish it wouldn't rain......these global warming days- rain is a gift.

I did remember to buy ice cream to eat with the Peach Cobbler.  The store had plenty of Chicken Parm Dinners.  I bought fresh dark cherries and this time also a quart of honey yogurt to eat with them. I will add Bran Buds.   It's what I usually ate while watching soccer.  Our Team lost.  Trump called them LOSERS.  Which was typically ugly of him.   His heart must be a Septic Tank.

I found one or two books at the library....I had renewed most of the ones I liked reading last week.  I have read a few of them five or more times this Summer so far.......A good book is a good book.   Like an old friend......I am always so happy to find the book again.....and to see (or hear from) an old friend.

My Heart Will Find You- Jude Devereaux.

I watched yesterday's soccer.  I do not like the shoot out.........I feel badly for the Goalie.

I have some mending to do.  Our battery wall clock died.  We need a new one for the dining room where we sit a lot and Wonder What Time It Is..  It seems like nearly everything is expiring as the days, weeks, months and year goes along..........but the replacement washing machine is a 1000% Delight.  Even the Whale Sounds it makes.......everything is so very clean. And almost dry when the washer shuts off and the lock button pops.  I am using the Optimum Water selection. Letting the machine decide.  It weighs the load.  Then fills.  And then makes Whale Noises. I no longer sit with the machine and write in the Washing Machine Pages.  Letting go seemed impossible and now... it was actually easy.

I think it will be like that for everything I hold dear.  Impossible...but eventually..easy.

Field Notes- Monday August 7th. Clerk at Grocery said "Big Storm Coming" OMG.

 Shark Week.   Not.

So shopping is done- Library was a bust......not much to choose from.  Good thing I kept a few at home. People are staying home and reading, I guess.

Have the AC unit in the dining room going.  It feels 'muggy".  The past few days have been dry and cool here in Maine.  Very nice for August......this damp weather isn't going to make the tourists happy.

I am still covering and uncovering the ornamental planters with netting and clothespins.  Deer.  They eat everything.

Watching the final games of the Women's World Cup.  The last two teams had that shoot out thing.  That is so hard to watch... I feel for the Goalie.  Now I am watching Australia and Denmark.

Not much to do today.  I already mixed baked chicken breasts (from deli @ grocery) with mayo and honey.   For later.  And I also got new cherries to add to honey yogurt and Bran buds.  Summer Food. They had chicken Parm dinners for husband and only one meatball dinner.  I have a note on the shelf- I bought frozen meatballs.  Husband "can't see them"....he has selective blindness.  He sees what I buy for myself real good.  Like I have so many things to eat....I don't.  I did NOT buy potato chips.

I am going to read a few favorites today.   From the pile and also from the bookcase.  I remembered to buy a quart of vanilla ice cream for the Peach Cobbler......  (smiling).  I forgot to buy things for husband- he hasn't been eating dessert.....waits too long and it gets late.  I could bake something for him...but I just don't want to.

Field Notes- Sunday August 6th. Rained a bit overnight. Getting hot and humid as I type. Ac unit is on.

 Another Peach Cobbler- this one called a Peach Crisp.  The topping. Crispy.

My own Georgia Peach Deep Dish- is a 1000% Delight.  The Peaches at just the right stage of ripe. Juicy but still firm.  I had a bowl of "almost gone bad" dark cherries while watching a cooking show (before that I watched a Quilting show- Paper Piecing a Mariner's Compass.)  O. M. G. PBS on Saturday Morning.

So many pinned edges.  So much paper.  And they still got one segment wrong way.  I am guessing it was done on purpose......the finished quilt was divine.  But.......who wants a quilt these days???????

I imagined myself sitting down with photocopied paper- and having to do the gauge thing so they were the EXACT SIZE.  And right there I said- no way.

Once upon a time....I might have photocopied and made one block.  Just to say I had tried it.  But that Ship has Sailed.  I still do very very finicky work.  I still hand sew seams.  I still appliqué..  But not often and not much.  Without my Quilting Co Pilot (Riley) it just isn't as much fun.  He had to check my work.  Always looking it over- very seriously.....it meant a lot to both of us.  And he had opinions.  And I did a lot of unsewing if he didn't approve.   I was thinking of him- watching that paper piecing show together.  Then looking at each other- nope...not doing that.....we'd agree.

I read My Heart Will Find You for the 4th or 5th time.  I still cry at the end.

I had a bowl of Peach Cobbler and it was so good......so good.

Husband did a puzzle and was two pieces short.  We both looked. Table, floor etc.  nothing.  Before bed I found one siting on top of the puzzle and the other on the floor......right where I had looked.  Weird.

Next to a dusty box of wine...circa 1980 something.  Germany.  I wonder if any of it is still drinkable. Perhaps Fate wanted me to think about the box of wine????.

Field Notes- Saturday, August 5th. It seems to have rained all night. Which is fine with me.

 I finally peeled the now (finally) ripe and juicy peaches and baked the Southern Peach Cobbler. I don't have ice cream.  I wish I did.   I did have to search for the cinnamon.  It wasn't in the Spice Drawer.

And I hoped my baking powder was still okay.  It's been a very long time since I baked ANYTHING.

I have the Cobbler in the fridge.  It's the season (in the house) for things to get moldy. And no, it doesn't look like this photoshopped one.

I had to boil fresh pasta for husband's Every Single Day Chicken Parm Dinner from the grocery store. As much as it annoys me- it also frees me from having to cook......so I stay calm....as I boil yet another box of pasta to be added to the pasta in the prepared dinner.  "because there just isn't enough"

He's talking a shower.  I asked him to just to see if he still knew how to do it.  Turn on the water, change to shower mode etc.  He hasn't showered lately.  So I thought perhaps it was because he no longer knew how the shower worked.  This is how I have to think about Daily Life these days.

When I was making him Chicken Soup (the only thing he eats during the Winter Months)-- he forgot EVERY time where the strainer was (doesn't like things floating in the broth) where the funnel was to use when filling the jars with broth etc etc.  Every Time.  So, I try to be prepared.....if he forgets how the shower works.  I tried to be the one filling the chicken soup jars but he got really agitated.  So........ Because I wasn't doing it correctly.

The Sun is coming out.  Everything is nice and green outside the front window...... It's been unseasonably cool here in Maine.  We haven't needed the AC units at all.  Which is not "the Way Life is here in Maine in August".   My Lunch Buddy and Family have driven up north to a Lake Side Resort.  Where my friend will sit on the long patio of the hotel and enjoy chilled cocktails and the views.

What will I be doing?  I have thought about my Index Card Art.  Even if I can no longer get the images to transfer to the blog posts........the Computer and I are enjoying the Long Goodbye......I am happy I can still type word and sentences to all of you out there.........enjoy the day.

Field Notes- Friday, August 4th. Oddly cool here in Maine- for August. Low 70's and rain.

 I like the shadow......next to the real object.  Reminds me of problems to be solved in College Art Classes. Long Ago and Far Away....but I still remember them.

Rained overnight.  The netting  I put over the containers at Sunset each day (to protect the flowers from deer) were soaking wet this morning.   I walked down the steep slope to see what was going on with the blackberries.  They had been very pale pink.  Now a more rosy deeper pink.. eventually a deep reddish black.  Unless the deer eat them before they ripen.  (I could cover them with netting)  I need to look at the grapes as well.

One of the hard unripe peaches (being gassed under a microwave plastic cover) was softer and then I noticed brown spots.  So I peeled it and ate chunks off the pit.  While watching MSNBC.   I don't really expect Trump to get what he deserves.  I can see the hesitation of prison for a former President.  But Andrew Jackson.   Citizens destroyed some of the White House and tried to hang him for crimes...... real or imagined.  The Peach was juicy and quite delicious.

I need to turn on lamps.....it's dark in here.  Husband shaved some of the weird beard off his face.  The gal who cuts his hair has not called him back.  I may have to cut his hair.

At lunch yesterday....a story of a man so wrapped up in his own self...at the last moment refused to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.  She had to walk down the aisle alone.

Imagine that.......

Field Notes- Thursday, August 3rd. Grass Cutting....Sunshine.....A Second Lunch Date

 Hibiscus.  I don't have anything like this in my garden.  I think I stopped buying and planting after I retired.  Before that...I was always upgrading the floral landscape.  Trying to have something fresh in bloom all spring and summer.   Which, I admit, is not easy.........but I think, these days I hit 75 to 80%.

Another Lunch Date.  Yesterday was fun and I had a BLT--it's been YEARS since I had one.....and we finished off with Bailey's Cheesecake.  Wonderful.   I didn't have Dinner or even a snack after I got home.

The guys are out cutting the grass.  I have the invoice for one cut in June and four in July.  Well, worth the money.  Grass always looks great and neither G or I are out there getting ready to fall over in the heat and humidity.   Walking behind a slow mower.   It used to take hours......hours.

Oddly enough. until husband retired...I cut the grass.  I also seeded the lawns.  I also shoveled snow. On the really long driveway.  Husband wasn't home. Husband was never home. He never called to see if I was okay after a heavy snow storm....he never called at all.  He was happy to be away. Sad to have to return home.  This is when we should have divorced each other.  Right AFTER the two children graduated from college.  I could have started a brand new Life.  I might even have found someone who loved me.

I didn't.  So I have regrets...and read romance books. 

I am having a Lunch Buddy Lunch in an hour.  I'll wear what I wore to yesterday's lunch.  Nice cherry red linen pants daughter found for me at Goodwill last year.  With a white linen shirt.

The Oil Company- sent an invoice in an email.  I can't print off the computer- I need both a new computer and a new printer.  October.   So I was given an appointment for 8 am to speak to a HUMAN.  And I asked for a mailed paper invoice.......the woman sighed.......and said she would "speak" to the local office. Which is just a hop away from the grocery store where I go every Monday.  Where I dropped off my bill and my checks. Always.  Now....I wait to see if I get a paper copy.  If not I will email to my cross the street neighbor and she will print off the invoice......for me.  The Lawn Service also sent me an email bill- Tru Green tried that (once) and I called them and said "no"- a paper invoice or cancel my service.

I understand that I am being stubborn and "old fashioned"........I will be more open to the new- when I can actually print things off the computer.......I have missed doing that.......husband did something and it stopped working.....that was before I knew he should never touch anything I depended on working....

Field Notes- Wednesday August 2nd. Sigh. The sun is shining.

 Another Cactus Chair or the same one....I just don't care.

It's been.....a day already and its only 11am.  I am at my highest notch.....ready to have my head blow off. Thank goodness I have a lunch date.  And a Lunch Buddy Lunch tomorrow.  Good friends. Helping. Me.

Husband is complaining about the clock.......I checked it yesterday and it was fine.  He says it isn't today. Wants to put in a new battery- we did that yesterday.    He has a pile of batteries on his part of the dining table.......I guess we are going to do this every day?????  I need to buy a new clock.

As I was uncovering the ornamental containers- my first job after getting dressed and combing my hair, brushing my teeth.... each morning...I discovered two dead mice on the driveway.  Intact.  Not eaten.  Not nibbled.  Just dead.  Husband was going out to collect them...but is instead filling the bird feeders....because he can't hold new info........well, info he isn't creating himself. Like the wall clock.

Also he seems to be growing a beard.....to go along with his uncut hair.....he cancelled his hair appointment. .... awhile ago for no reason. He looks like a BUM.  Dressed in layers.....Next thing I expect to see is him wearing a garbage bag over his clothing.  This is a guy who only wore suits and traveled in Business or First Class to and from Europe for years and years.  Now looks like he needs a haircut, shave and a shower.  Looks like someone who would NOT be allowed on a plane.

Has he showered lately????  I guess I am going to have to ask. Nope- would do no good to ask.

Field Notes- Tuesday August 1st. Rained overnight and was cooler. Sunshine now and warming back up.

 Cheese Chair.  Melting a bit?

So, here we are in August.  Aw..goost.  Warm enough to melt a cheese chair.  *might be the last chair image....and I was really loving them..thanks to Kim Carney for finding them......she finds such fantastic images- Something in the side bar is her blog- go visit!!!  she has thousands of daily visitors.

Around here.....we are just getting thru the days.  I watched THREE Women's Soccer matches yesterday. I enjoy the fact there are zero commercials.  I was amazed by the non sportsmanlike conduct of some players.  Two yellow cards....but should have been more.  Yes, I know you want to win......but conduct unbecoming to the sport...not the best way to do that.   I say that as the mother of a college Soccer Player who got a RED card...and was ejected from a game due to her conduct.  Yes,  HER.

The son's sport is on game machines. Good Morning Sweetie.

So.....second night of the bedroom window open.  Very very nice.

I completed that last section of the July desk calendar before writing this post....mostly weather headlines of the heat and global warming.  A nice weather map- mostly colored RED....... August's page is mostly- entirely white.  Just notations of the Grass cuttings on Thursdays and my haircut on the 10th and daughter's birthday mid month.. I have started adding a book list of what I read in a month.  Perhaps in my 80's I will have need of such a listing.

My OFFICIAL Driver's License arrived in the mail.....which must have arrived at midnight.  It's in my wallet now.  I'm legal.  My weight is incorrect but......not going to say anything.

Daughter dropped off containers of Trader Joe's dark chocolate covered caramel squares.  Lots. I will try and do a better job going forward and not eating the entire tub once it is opened. She forgot the New York Cheesecake from the freezer section.......but I am having lunch tomorrow with a former co-worker and the restaurant is known for it's cheesecake........so..bases covered.  Also  Strawberry-Rhubarb soda and Lemon  Elderflower soda. tiny cans.  I drink them straight up but I think both would be happy to partner with ice cold Vodka or Gin.  Very happy.  I need to make room in the freezer of the porch fridge for booze. For August.  Also a lovely linen tunic type top......I need to lose some (lots) of sitting around reading weight. then it will look amazing.... she also left mending.......

Well, I need to see what Women's Soccer there is to watch today...  and get a good idea of what  need to mend.

Daughter found me an old school paperback with the tiniest print......and a magnifier...... Medieval Romance.  No bathrooms or showers.  Horses and swords.-  she's from now...he's from then.  Time travel. Always delightful.  The men go from horses to horsepower in ten seconds flat when they move forward in Time.   In the books....