Spring Notes- Monday April 29th. Sunshine 63 degrees. Maine Heat Wave.

 

Read Jane by April Lindner.  A modern adaptation of Jane Eyer falling in love with a rock star (with a wife in the attic). I have another adaptation...Jane and Edward which takes place in Canada (and a crazy wife in California).  I also have Jane in Love which is actually about Jane Austen falling in love in a time travel book.  It made me cry.   The first mentioned Jane--- It's a YA (young adult) book.  I like reading YA books. You might love reading this one.  It seems quite adult.

So...what needs doing now..is me actually reading Jane Eyre.  The problem for me-- the tiny tiny print in the one edition of Jane Eyre in the Maine Library System.... I could not manage it for more than a few lines before my eyes begged for mercy.  So...what to do?  The regular book weighed 40 pounds so large print might be too heavy to lift.  sigh.  Delightful if this is the worst of my troubles.

Eye exam day.  There will be no reading after that???

I had to do two catch up drawings in the Daily Art Book yesterday.  I used the pencil thing that make circles. For both.  I don't remember the name for that specific tool....I would ask Son...but-- I know it draws the circumference of a circle shape.  I did several circles within one larger circle.  And then drew lines and spaces and triangles inside.....then colored it all with my colored pencils.  Different but interesting.

That is actually a good description of my personality... Different.  But Interesting.

Not easy for everyone to "read" me.

The two books Deb L recommended are not actually in print as yet.   How strange is that?????

My property is littered (literally) with pieces of trees that are mid way to being cut down.  They keep promising to be finishing up....soon...but then something happens and I don't see them for a few days. Right now they are next door cutting down a tree.  I am the "envy" of all the neighbors as we all have nasty trees on our property... houses were just built in the midst of a modest woods that has now become  quite the mess.  Overly tall and not very healthy at all.  They do NOT want to spend money on trees. Or they can't spend money on trees.  The two doctors on the street have taken down some very very tall (and wide) trees and now have sunshine on their front lawns.  What a delight to actually SEE their houses.

Still Spring Notes- Chill in the Air and Heavy Clouds. 51 degrees.

 Soup.  Minus the stove.  Need to put on the Thinking CAP.   Did "bake" a sweet potato in the microwave yesterday.  Very successfully done.  Excellent.  I have two more.  A fully loaded sweet potato is one of my favorite "meals".  I have also had soft white bread,  juicy tomato, salt and mayo sandwich.  Which was also very very delicious. Also any dry pasta can go in the microwave with less water- but same timing plus an extra minute or two.  I plan and giving that a trial as well.  I found a site called Dorm Cooking.  Entertaining.  I may return and dig deeper.

The Down Pillows in the washing machine ALSO worked out well.  Still have stains on them from husband's oily skin but they are no longer oily to the touch and they smell nice.  So back on the bed. But first I need to find the pillow protectors and wash them.  Possibly with bleach. Bleach was a no no with the Down Pillows.  We don't bleach feathers.

I am starting to go to bed later and waking up earlier.  Getting used to being awake and dressed by 8 am. Certainly not my usual.  Ten hours of sleep a night- approximately.  Was twelve hours.  I must be getting better????  I feel better.  Less "nervy" if that is understandable???  I was using a lot of energy just being "aware" and now I can ignore things....again.

The final book in the Devereaux Series was as wonderful as usual. Today I am reading Jane.  In this adaption Jane's Rochester is a Rock Star.  A YA book by April Lindner.  My Library Friend recommended it highly.  She and I like the same things. We never are disappointed.  DebL also recommended two books and I am going to try and find them after I hit send here.

I still cannot find the pieces of an appliqué quilt-- the blocks and strips were hand appliquéd.  Years of work.  Now missing...no sign of any of it in all the boxes I have emptied. A Great Disappointment.

Spring Notes- Saturday, April 27th. Sunshine and 48 degrees.

 Not mine....a friend who also got bulbs sent this...at the time our two bulbs had only leaves.

So...yesterday I put two more trees on the list and asked to have all the stumps ground down.  One of the guys did an excellent job of pruning my flowing crab tree.  It hadn't had a good hair cut in years...

The new trees are right next to the power line so my guy will need to have a bucket truck with one of those arms that lifts the guy working up and over the lines...so no one gets electrocuted.  Two of the three lines has a protective jacket..one does not...

Also I found out that the new next door neighbor's back yard is an actual LAKE of water...See everyone thinks all the water is coming from the small pond next to the side of my house.....no...just no... I get so tired of the cross the street homeowner and this new one next door-- saying the water in their yards is from my slim and not very deep watery area.   The next door neighbor is actually on higher ground so- it's just crazy talk.  His water is in MY YARD.

That's it for the neighborhood rant.

Car Insurance.  I need to change it all over to my name.  Just when you think all that is over you realize there can still be MORE.

I piled an entire storage tub of pants into the Goodwill Box.  I have two more but they can wait until Son makes a Goodwill Drop Off.  I am actually wearing some of the shirts that have been stored in tubs in the attic for years. Buttoned.  This is a real milestone.  One size smaller pants and buttoned shirts.

I am reading book three in a Deveraux Series that began with Met Her Match.  I believe there is one book before Met Her Match... I need to do some research......then there is...The Girl from Summerhill with the amazing first three pages.....and finally As You Wish. I need to have daughter buy me a copy of As You Wish.  And I need to discover the name of book one.  So a series of four...

I did some coloring yesterday.  I took a shower this morning and washed my hair.  I have my oatmeal in the microwave....grocery shopping went well.....we possibly forgot to buy stuff.....our list had three things on it.  I got oranges.  We had plenty of milk. I forgot to buy oatmeal...but I have a box of Bran Flakes.

Pretty excited about buttoned all the way shirts...even though I probably need to be wearing a sweater.

Spring Notes- A Sunshine Day with temps in the high 40's. Should warm up.

 I thought this was Spring Like.   My teeth are nice and clean and smooth after my dental visit.  I also have a new SONIC toothbrush....electric.  Very buzzy.  Needs time to get used to the sensations.  Buzzy.

My blood pressure was high...usually she takes it at the beginning but this time- having forgotten-- she took it at the end... 140 over 80.  I never like the scrapping and the buzzing and all the rest of it.  So I think the higher numbers were due to that.  Usually I am at 120.  At my doctors visit - they said my blood pressure reading was excellent.

A robo call for my eye exam.  I thought the doctor's name was Mark but the robot thought the name was Marky..... so, we'll see.  On Monday.  Dentist and Eye Doctor back to back.  Then the stove assessment.

I was trolling the internet yesterday to see if there were any ideas about cooking pasta minus the stove. And there was one very interesting one involving hot water, microwave and then a 4 minute resting time. Sounds like it might work.  Son said we could try it with Kraft Mac and Cheese... then I could mix up some of my deluxe "Baked Beans" --also in the microwave....just canned beans with a bunch of extras. Mustard, brown sugar and ketchup.  If I have any (yes, I do) onion powder.  I like to buy the canned beans that have bacon in them already.  He really enjoys this two items.

Son is going to make us some steamed rice in the cute little machine that beeps. 

Today is grocery shopping day.   The fridge is pretty bare.

Spring Notes- Cold over night and Sunshine today-43 degrees.

 The Tree.  That my neighbors suggested (strongly) I have removed. At my expense.

 Lower left you can see the two white propane tanks.  And my neighbor's garage.  The tanks are "right on" the property line.

Son was watching the progress of the guy who climbs the tree and cuts off branches with a chair saw. but lost sight of him as he got ABOVE the roof of our two story house.  I was standing outside with my coffee...watching.  Terrifying and also quite interesting........

Dentist today at 1:10.  Just the Annual Visit......next week the long awaited Eye Exam and New Glasses. And the day after- the "assessment of the space" for the New Stove and Microwave.

In the newspaper, a long missing painting by Gustav Klimt sold in Vienna for 32 Million.  It had "gone missing" during World War Two.  It's Jewish owners leaving Austria and their belongings behind.  No one knows where the painting was from 1925 to 1960's. It's a very beautiful painting of a woman.

"gone missing"--I actually take issue with that wording. It's offensive.

My neighbor has generously allowed the tree workers to park the wood chipper in his driveway.  Otherwise they would have had to drive on my lawn and make serious dents in the grass.  I estimate five truckloads of wood chips- counting the one they are working on now.   Possibly more..so far.  I did not want them. The chips.

Well, the "Fargo" wood chipper is going full speed now.  And I have taken my vitamins. Eaten my oatmeal.  Read the newspaper.  Made my bed. Made an effort- (futile) with my hair.  I still look like a Mad Woman.  I am now going down to the work room and plugging in the iron and ironing the shirt I may or may not wear to the dentist visit....I have 6 shirts I want to spray starch and iron.  Like I used to do all the time....and then I stopped......but want to start again.  Do things, like ironing, that I enjoyed doing. Again.

A Very Cold Spring Note- Wednesday, April 24th. Dentist tomorrow.

 Interesting landscape.

It's a bit dark in the house and there is a chill in the air.   Yesterday my eyes were very dry and made reading and even coloring difficult.....TV was boring...so I snacked round the clock.  I hate when that happens and I can't seem to control it....a sort of depressive behavior.

Snap Out of It.

I need to turn on a few lights.  People are still arriving at my neighbor across the street- Staging her House for Sale.  Not actually bringing in furniture-  so it feels ODD.

Was sorting paper and found a letter from 1988 from my husband's long time college roommate.   Years later Doug visited us in Maine...on the day Gary fell thru the roof and into the kitchen of the McDonalds.. he had been climbing up to try and fix something and missed a step on the ladder......after that...we all went out to dinner.  I think Doug might have been on wife three at that time...in the letter he sent to us in Germany he was on wife two.  By now he must be on wife four or five if he is still alive.

I am reading a British book..started it yesterday... This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs.  They meet on a cross Atlantic flight--seated next to each other in first class.  He's a professor at Oxford and she's an old school Rocker.  Pink hair.  Embarrassing episodes on the iPhone.  She was once pretty famous for singing one song with a very impressive Rocker...naked I think..  They are going to sing that song again--together (in London) for the first time since........ so what about the Oxford Professor after that??????

I have certainly selected a variety of strange stuff this past Library Day.  I stand and just look at the variety of books- one has already gone into the return bag after only one page. and there is another book- nagging at me in the recesses of my brain...I can't recall much about it....

Dentist tomorrow and next week for the "see if the stove fits" visit with the Appliance Guys & Miss Joanne.  Rock On.

Spring Notes- 33 degrees this morning...sigh. will Winter ever give up here in Maine????

 We might have had this image before but it's early and I gave up looking at the tiny pics on the right side of the screen.  And...for the first time...not really interested in pancakes......... who am I????

Yes, 33 degrees at the end of April here in Maine.  So very close to freezing.  The furnace is rumbling. Warming up after I moved the numbers from 60 to 64.  Grass looks frosty.

Slow start to the morning.  And I am usually NEVER awake and dressed at 7:30am. I went to bed at 9pm.

I watched an interesting program on PBS. Tell Me More..On Life. You can get the written info  PBS@KellyCorrigan.com.   Four professionals discussing Life and how we changed over the past century. And what we all actually need more of...sleep.  That came at the very end.  The next episode is about Parenting.  Check your local tv listing.

At 77.7, I can say for sure......sleep is what I am needing.  Sleep is possibly what I have needed for most of my Life.  Because...truth here....I am feeling so much better because I am going to bed early and sleeping. Really sleeping.  Just (my least favorite word) sleeping.  And each day, I feel more creative, happier, more relaxed.  It's a good feeling.

The Tree Guys chipped everything that was chip worthy.  The larger  pieces will be "firewood" and will also be taken away.  I am considering having them grind the stumps.  Make the yard look more like a golf course.  The gigantic monster pine next to the neighbor's propane tanks....hasn't been touched as yet.  Saving the best for last.  Two other trees have rope tied to the top....the tree climber will go back up and cut the tree from the top down.   When he comes back.

Two MORE houses on the street are now listed for sale.  A third sold last Spring and a fourth 6 months before that...the one next door with all the noise.  Three of them are the same style house.  Another belongs to my Lunch Buddy and will be listed as soon as she finds a nice place in one of the retirement communities.  No luck so far.  The remainder of homes on the street are one of a kind custom builds.  So sales comps won't applied to the rest of us.  But we'll get a general idea.

And that's how it's rolling here in Maine on a very cold morning.  I went thru husband's coloring stuff. The books will go to the library-- in the magazine recycling rack......where I took his word search books. I found a few mandala drawings I had made for him...pasted one into the art notebook where I do my daily drawing.....I colored one of them... it looks pretty nice. Well, actually, better than nice.  Surprised myself.

Spring Notes- Monday, April 22nd. Woodchipping- reminds me of Fargo.

 Lovely Salad.  I will be having salads this week minus the red stuff- never included in any of the salad green mixes..  Even though it's still pretty chilly in the house- it's sunny outside.  I am still wearing a sweater over a thermal shirt and wool socks--in the house.  If it stays chilly I will be making Soup in one of the Crock Pots.....(no working stove)

I am enjoying my second Gummy Vitamin... Gummies so I don't choke. On my Vitamin.  Once was enough.

The Tree Guys- a different group- is shoving the cut limbs and branches into the chipper...they brought their lunch coolers so I guess they plan to stay awhile.  The Tree Climber has not returned.

On our drive to Town, we see piles of branches on the front edges of properties....I think they are waiting for the wood chipper fairy.  Laughable.

I watched European Soccer yesterday.....learned about off sides.  I also colored in a drawing I had made for husband - one he refused to color....so I pasted it into my book and colored it....very nice.

Yesterday was a difficult day- the day before also....the right side of my neck and shoulder really ached. Son said I had done too much coloring...(???) . I would have used my heating pad but daughter asked for it for her cat....and now it has cat on it...and I am allergic to cats.  And she hasn't returned it..  Tylenol didn't really seem to work very well without heat.  Sigh.  It feels better right now but as the day goes on....it will bother me.

No newspaper today... the paper takes Monday Off.  I have already gotten the recycling out.  Ready for Tuesday Morning Pickup.  I am actually ahead and not behind.......which is very very different.

Son just reminded me the Appliance Store is supposed to call and come look at our "situation" to see if we can fit the new stove in.   They haven't called as yet.  I have already thought about it.  I have a dentist appointment coming up...so they will come that day......for sure...

Spring Notes- Sunday, April 21st-- 53 degrees and Sunshine

 A lovely yard and path to walk.  Long ago, I wanted this yard to look like that.

My neighbor across the street is packing up all her art.  One piece was a dye on fabric painting I did at the height of my interest in that sort of thing.  And she bought it long ago and had it framed.   And now, I bought it back.  And it's here now.  In my house.

I am not going to take it's picture until I figure out how to do it. But you will see it.

We did go out and look at new handles for the kitchen cupboards and we did select a very plain style in flat black. And my Son did one cupboard and we looked and got to know them and decided...yes...and he went and got enough for the rest of the kitchen.   One small injury during the process- his finger.  So 99% a success story.

Can I just say....those new modern handles on the cabinets- have changed the look and feel of my 1986 kitchen....it looks and feels brand new.  Amazing.

And for your Daily Laugh.....we asked daughter if we could borrow her electric frying pan.....to make things (like bacon and grilled cheese) until the appliance people come decide yes or no on the new stove fitting into the space and them being able to install it in the space (lots of moving parts).  

Daughter dropped off an electric frying pan...it was a wedding gift for me in 1968.  I said I wasn't sure I wanted to plug it in- Son said it would "only" blow the breaker if things weren't right....  He has a coupon for pizza so we are going to have Sunday Pizza as usual.

I don't like the word "just" as a modifier but "only" in regards to electricity might be worse.

Spring Notes- Saturday, April 20th...Raining.and 46 degrees

 This stove came with the house when we bought the house.  I've used it just about every day since.

Yesterday the stove decided to die... while I was trying to make a grilled cheese sandwich. So I pulled the  seldom used Panini maker out and plugged it in and made a damned fine sandwich....a bit messy but very very nice. Crispy edges..bread and cheese.  who knew???? Not me.

 Stove is built in (sort of) to the cabinets etc (as you might be able to see) - the area where it lives (lived) is referred to as the submarine. Because under and around this island are so many outlets and plugs and switches that the last Electrician to work down in the basement- referred to that area as being worse than a submarine.  Most older guys around here were in the Navy.

It didn't die at 9am (though it might have) but the clock has been at 9 am or 9 pm for quite a few years now- possibly decades.  I have a picture of what I want next- but I am not showing it to you until a guy comes out to see if that stove can actually FIT into the space.  We are also going to try and replace the microwave.  I was all for a stand alone on the counter but Son would like to put a new one where the old one is now.... in a little custom space over the counter.

We also decided to replace the cabinet knobs- handles- with something black and modern.  50.  We need 50 of whatever we choose. Perhaps less if we use round knobs for the cupboards like I did here in the living room.  Son would have liked black in the bathrooms also...so we can change those..to black.

Son worked on updating my computer yesterday after we shopped for a new stove.  Finally got rid of the Cloud.  the new computer will have cable from the keyboard and pad so I don't have to put batteries in all the time.....we use a ridiculous amount of batteries.  Right now the mouse is asking for batteries. and acting up...... well, mouse decided to end the post.... so I'll stop now.....

Spring Notes- Friday, April 19th. Cloudy and 55 degrees. No sign of the Tree Guys.

 They had this in the News Feed regarding Ozempic the weight loss drug with the very very high price tag. There must be a very high demand for it and insurance is started to push back.  Can't blame them.  Same with Insulin.  I wonder if Biden will step in?

Well, Grocery was good but I still feel like I forgot to buy something...  I did remember deodorant.  Difficult to find scent free anything....but I did find one.  Scent of any kind gives me a head ache. Even my detergent is scent free.  

I got a load of Jude Devereaux books.  I am reading one- Remembrance- or close enough.  woman goes back in time etc etc.  It's one my daughter got me at a used bookstore.  I also got the book that comes after the two I read last week.....but maybe it doesn't.  And by load--the bag was quite heavy- I made my son carry it.

Son says I bought more of what I already had here in the house....probably as he has a really good memory.  Makes up for my shaky memory.  Sometimes I just remember things that make me smile and have nothing to do with anything....he doesn't like that.  Store didn't have orange cake mix....I have a recipe and wanted to do an orange bundt.  Nope.  So I bought more yogurt based ice cream bars.

I continue to make a drawing a day in my big art book.  I am using husband's pencils and sharpening them...but noticed on the newspaper reading table- a cup of pencils...so I will be grabbing those as well they might even be ones I bought for myself.....which would be great because I bought nicer ones.

I just answered the phone and hung up on the "Pain Management Center".  Endless Phone Crap.

Spring Notes- Thursday, April 18th. sunshine and a bit colder than yesterday. 53 degrees.

 This is titled "All Purpose Biscuit."

I would just name it YUMMY.

Well, lunch was terrific- I had the Eggplant Parm (again) and a Gin and Tonic (for the first time).

It's almost 11am and the tree guys aren't here.  Son said they told him that they had to be somewhere else in the morning yesterday...possibly doing that again.  

I was cold yesterday and could not figure out why......I had on a short sleeved tee shirt under my work shirt... so I quickly went and changed into a thermal undershirt...even at 53 degrees.....it's cold here. I might actually break down and put my sweater back on.  I do have wool socks on. But I wear socks all summer here in Maine.

I finished reading Legend.  Not one of my favorites but it was quite enjoyable.  At the end.

I have a book waiting for me at the Library....tomorrow we go grocery shopping.  And to the Library. It seems like years since we have done that....the fridge is quite empty but we both still find things to eat. I am looking forward to a pan fried "Grilled Cheese" sandwich today.... with lots of cheese slices tucked into it.  All the pizza has been eaten.  I checked the fridge- I have rice I need to eat with some of my frozen vegetables.....I'll skip the cheese sandwich.... it will "keep" another day.

Paid the oil delivery bill. $995.   We were close to bottoming out.  That's with the discount.

I have continued to do a drawing in the art notebook each day...they are all quite different. Then I color them with husband's left over colored pencils...sharpening them until they get quite short. Eventually I will use my own pencils....I did some newspaper collage on one...that was something I used to do .....but then I stopped...I am thinking the notebook drawings are sort of like priming the pump......we'll see how it goes.

Spring in Maine Notes- Sunshine, 49 degrees and no sign of the Tree Guys.

 I don't have any tulips as yet but plenty of the second generation of daffodils.  The first, the ones I took a picture of for the blog- got covered in that last Surprise snowfall and died.   Tulips are iffy in Maine.  Only the first season is for sure.  Like new arrivals to Maine....iffy.

But I like them.  Very much.  (the tulips and the new arrivals)

It's cold in the house this morning ( I just noticed I had forgotten to turn up the thermostat for HEAT).  The Tree Guys haven't shown up.  A very Maine work style.  

I have a lunch date with my neighbor at number one in 30 minutes.  We've both been cooped up for too long without "women chat" so looking forward to it.......and the wine.  I might have a Gin and Tonic. Extra Limes.

I am reading a Devereaux that I sort of remember reading.  Legend.  Cowboy stuff.  Horses. Guns. etc. Cooking rabbits over an open fire...cooking fish over an open fire....bathing in pond water. Stinky.

Tru-Green showed up.  I had to send him away.  With all the branches piles on the grass- he would have gotten himself all tangled up...He said he'd be back in two weeks.  I never actually expect Tru Green to show up or to come back in two weeks...this was a much older man...perhaps he will come back?? Or forget.

I have on a pair of green pants from one of the storage tubs...I've decided the  reason Bean sold employees the pants for 25 cents- is that the tag inside with the size- is NOT the size.........at all. So this is the second pair I tried on.....I will have a Sharpie with me next time and write on the tag what I think the size actually is...for any pants I try on.... at least both legs on the pants I have on- are the same length.  That's a bonus.

Spring Sunshine Notes- Tuesday, April 16th. Guys are here cutting down trees.

 The Sun is Shining here in Maine.  57 degrees.  I have a chair next to the window and stop to sit and watch the guys climbing trees with a running chain saw.  I don't recognize any of them.  They have their blue energy drinks and smokes..  Making very neat piles of fire wood and things for the chipper.  On my neighbor's weedy grass.  Waiting for her to bounce over here to complain.  Make my day.

I think they might try and drop the branchless tree down next to the house....and propane tanks. I hope not.

So...Twins and Dad and Dog stopped by yesterday evening to say hello.  I guess the father visited California and San Fran. recently.  He and son discussed good restaurants.  The Golden Gate Bridge (which I loved crossing all those years we visited California).... 

They haven't chosen a new house in Houston as yet.  Question is- just how many bathrooms do they need?

Always a good question.

I was shocked to hear that almost every house on the street has a flooded basement with sump pumps pumping......Son made a quick visit to our crawl space....dry.  Most neighbors have made their basements into rec rooms, movie theaters, bedrooms etc.  All that is ruined.

I just finished reading Devereaux's  The Girl From Summer Hill...still love the first 3 pages. Met Her Match is second but I am wondering if there is a third book in the series.  Any Readers out there know?

So....I put some of the Attic Clothes in the closet...I am using both closets.  Husband's closet has stacked cloth storage boxes in the hanger part and on the shelves my Attic Storage Box Clothing. Son decided I was right and "I have no business going up and down stairs carrying things".  

I have a Lunch Buddy Lunch on Wednesday.....  can't wait.

Spring Notes- Monday April 15th. A Miracle. And a New Post.

 Yes, Dear Readers- I am back and this is a new post.

Perhaps it was Magical Thinking on my part or the crying......either way, I am getting to write a new post and have a new image here and the Sun is shining and the Lawn Guy and I had a lovely chat.  He is looking for someone to do his billing..book keeping....  I am tempted.

I had also forgotten how handsome he is. And how tall. And young. Very young.

The pond along side the house is still full of water....the daffodils are looking amazing. The Tree Guy is way way behind due to the days of Rain, Wind and Snow.  In April.

The Sun is shining here in Maine and it's 52 degrees.

Yesterday's Pizza was different but delicious with a side of Romaine and Ranch Dressing .  I am eating my way thru a bag of Orange Slice Candy. I wanted it and I am enjoying it but I won't buy anymore....I like wearing loose pants.

Speaking of loose pants....Son brought all the tubs of clothing down from the Attic...I now have a PILE of moss green corduroy pants in my bedroom and need to find a place to put them.  Various sizes.  I did also find some cotton cropped pants for summer (in the tubs) but not the black ones I like very very much.  I did see them at LLBean on a winter shopping trip and they were asking OVER ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for each pair of pants.  I did not buy any.

I am not exaggerating the PILE of pants in my bedroom.  I will be going down later to try pants on and store what I can't wear.....  and wear what I can wear..... and it will all work out.

REALLY HAPPY to be back here....I LOVE A MIRACLE!!!!!

 

Spring Notes- Sunday, April 14th. Deleting old post and writing a new one.

So. the new normal.   Delete and then type.  Yesterday we figured out that blogger had done an overnight upgrade and my old system here didn't support it.  Well, didn't support the New Post button.  I may try and add a different image but right now- why press my LUCK so to speak. And I do love my thread.

The Computer Engineer's laptop can open a new post.  So...there's that.  But he has important stuff on there and an old 77 year old working on a tiny keyboard can do quite a bit of accidental damage.  So I begged off of that.   We could also make a terrifying (for me) drive down I95 to Portland. Just the thought of it makes my stomach cramp up.  I haven't been on I95 in- possibly many years. The Apple store is there.

We could also JUST (I hate that word and I hear it so often these days- Just do this, Just do that)  I can't manage to do JUST anymore.  Anyway...we could JUST order a New Desk Top and have it shipped here.... We could.  We might.

Son carried down over a dozen storage boxes containing clothing... I sorted- stuff I will never wear is going to Goodwill (too small)....husband's stuff that Son doesn't want to wear is going to Goodwill. I did find several pairs of the moss green corduroy LLBean pants in sizes better suited to my 40 pound weight loss.  (which I may not be maintaining)  16 is too small and 20 is too big.  18 is just right??? we'll see.

I sharpened colored pencils from husband's spin around container.  For my notebook Daily Art Project. I drew my desktop computer and keyboard for yesterday's image.  I wish I could show it to you.  I actually think it would be fun to show you the previous day's art up top......someday. Quite a few pencils are watercolor pencils- meaning they are actually MY pencils.... and he took them and used them in his coloring books.  

Water is still collecting in the ditch next to the house- like old times.  And the Peepers are peeping.  My son had some very bad words to express about the noise waking him up very early in the morning.  I did not hear them.  I would have liked to hear them.  No deer in the backyard yet. And none of the fat birds that come each year with their tiny baby birds.  The April Snow might have put them off.

It has been a delight to hear from some of More Whiff's And Glimmer's blog readers.....  Pomegranate - I had lost you for a few years there...but so happy to get your comment!!!!

Spring Notes- Wednesday, April 10th. Clouds and Rain. 44 degrees

 My back garden.  The heavy snow of last week didn't kill them all....the all yellow ones are gone but these sweet cream and yellow daffodils- a long ago gift from my Brother in Law-- are still multiplying.

Yes  I took a picture and sent it ....I am a Rock Star Today!!!!

The taxes are done and gone...and I forgot I signed them almost immediately..so the short term memory is shot.   Which might be why I forget how to take and send photos if I THINK TOO MUCH.  Reflexive DOING is the best way to go......I did manage to transfer the photo and get it to the page...

Anyway.   Son has carried a few Clothing Tubs from the Attic.  Size 14 was first...not happening (laughing) but the size 16 box has a few possibilities. The 14 Box had some additional pairs of the LLBean mossy green corduroy pants that I practically LIVE in.....but I am not a size 14.  But I can work toward it.

Taxes got signed....taken away....and money I get goes back into the accounts....

I stayed up late to read a Jude Devereaux book.  An old one. First Impressions.  As soon as I read the first paragraph I knew it was one I liked....very much.  And it still is...good books are such a comfort to me these days.

Well,  Missing with out a Clue (I know that's not the title) is on in a half hour so I need to do a few things before settling into the couch cushions.  

In a different note: the  House Phone rang with one of those "Hi Grandma" calls... I said I'm not a Grandma and the kid laughs and says "just kidding, it's your nephew" and I said don't have one of those either, asshole and hung up........ what a day so far, huh?

After the Eclipse -- I eventually went out to "see" it. It never really got dark here- but it happened in the Maine Sky.

 This is a different eclipse- Lunar.

So Tuesday, April 9th.  Sunshine and 52 degrees-  3000 Maine homes still without power.  Son and I are thankful it's not the two of us.

In 60 years no one I was sharing the eclipse with will be alive.  Think about that.  Or don't.

Sunshine today.  Rain is expected in the coming days.

My oatmeal has beeped and is now ready to eat...My coffee is also ready....the daily newspaper is waiting on the table for me....the garbage men have come and gone....A very very normal Tuesday.

The dining room radiator thumped.....I think it needs to be burped... but I don't think the plumber ever handed the burp keys over to me....so....I searched the box of papers having to do with the work- nothing for radiators....I know they were ordered from Canada.  Sigh.

It's ALWAYS SOMETHING...it can never just be plain and simple.  sigh.

Spring Notes- Monday April 8th. sunshine and 41 degrees....Morning.

 Haven't been up this early in quite awhile...the 12 hour sleeping pattern is changing......but I needed to recoup the sleep I lost.  And perhaps I am full now.

I dug an old, mostly unused ART notebook out of the cupboard yesterday and started off center with a circle and then another and then another until the page was full and then I added design stuff and colored in the spaces with one of the many sets of colored pens/pencils husband had.....Some are used up and dry... they got tossed......but enough were still usable.

Missing Without a Trace was playing in the background.

I scrubbed the sinks in both bathrooms.... I hadn't done that in awhile....a very very long while.

I set a load of my own laundry on in the washing machine.  I have on clothes and underwear .. new to me sizes....smaller and tighter than the "usual' has been for years.... I feel like I am shedding my old self and have no idea what comes next.... is this how snakes feel?   

I sharpened a pencil with soft warm black color....I like using it.

I am waking up.  

Will Winter EVER End Notes- Sunday, April 7th. 42 degrees Cranky Joanne

 Japanese Maple from somewhere but not my yard.

So, You all will be getting Cranky Joanne for a few posts....what a shit storm- literally and figuratively.  Son and I are getting very very tired of the Off and On Power infrastructure here.  This time it was trees falling on the lines....everywhere.   CUT THE DAMN THINGS DOWN. Daughter lives in Town and she had power.  All the stores and restaurants also had power (no trees)....my street was the last and we only got power because my Master Gardener classmate......has a working land line and she called it in.  None of our  landline phones worked...no way to even call for an emergency or fire. No cell service.

One thing Maine has in abundance is very very old TOP heavy shitty trees growing in sandy soil...alongside power lines...cause why bury them???????  Just wait for trees to tip over and take all the power lines with them- even land on a car with people in it.....or just on people.  That didn't happen this time. But it has. And perhaps they haven't found them yet.

Not that Winter has anything to do with anything as the power goes out in all the other seasons- especially summer.  We are ordering a whole house generator....the wait will be long...

Other News-  while dishing up the delicious Chinese Takeout-- the left lens of my glasses popped out just after the frame cracked.  Yes....three times.  Cause once is never enough...I now have on glasses from 10 to 15 years ago.  A very very nice red frame.  Trifocals.  I used them for about 2 days.  At the time, I never really could judge where the ground was when walking and how far I had to reach before touching anything....  really great prescription....I went to a new doctor and got a new, better prescription and glasses.   .... and I might have written all this yesterday.....so what.

Because Life As I Know It....is actually so crapped up....the old glasses work now.  The sink seems very deep and I feel very tall (it could be true) and .......life is an adventure.  I am using my always reading glasses. And have to wait until tomorrow to watch  Missing with out a Trace.  From 12 to 3 pm. the only thing I actually look forward to each day.....the newspaper Suduko puzzles have disappointed me.  Too often for me to look forward to them anymore.  And the mail......well, it's just bills.  But not very often.

Winter Storm Notes from Fricking Maine- 42 degrees and SNOW covered everything.

 Postcard from Provence 

Hello. working with internet and extension cords....Also a different network.  Computer Engineer finally got fed up.....got creative....we are both typing away.

So.......Nothing is working here...we have the gas generator on the driveway running hot water, some lights, the fridge and microwave.  Basics of Civilization.  Phone Landlines are out so emergency stuff is a no go. Like if your house was on fire or someone needed an ambulance.  I haven't had internet until like 5 minutes ago- via the extension cords.....and haven't been able to do anything but text the neighbors....

And because shit likes to happen all at the same time......the replacement frames on my eyeglasses cracked and my left lens fell into my plate of Chinese Take Out...last night.  I am wearing a pair of glasses with lenses from about 10 years ago- I wore them for like a week back then and threw up...way off... changed eye doctors and got new script.  But this morning- perfection.  So...like a Time Warp- the BAD prescription is now totally (almost) great. My eyes have really taken a turn.  Keyboard looks fantastic.

I woke up that first morning to absolute WHITE outside....then it rained a bit.  Then the WORST thing that could happen - happened....WIND......across the street neighbor watched a tall fat pine tree just fall over- away from her house thank goodness....but it's down and the root ball is out of the ground...and it's not the only one.  My Tree Guy is now coming to see what he can do.....for her.  House goes up for sale in a few weeks....awful timing.

Our Plow Guy plowed our street....not his job and the Town Plow never showed up... and it's Saturday.  Mail is being delivered....Newspapers have arrived.......Town has power.... all the fast food places have power, daughter in Town has power......not my street. And most horribly- our street in not on the list..... which is very very worrying.

So ......we are fine...a bit chilled.  Son has his laptop going and ear buds..possibly watching a movie. He feels like the tv will work- I have recorded things I can watch.......I have a good book going ..Expiration Date by Rebecca Serle.  I enjoyed her Italian Summer and In Five Years..... Enchanted  August was very good as well.    so, reading, staying warm. WAITING.  

But I am fine.....Son is fine.....no trees have landed on the house....or us.  And I have Chinese leftovers for supper.....sigh.

Winter Spring Notes- Wednesday, April 3rd. Noreaster coming in with Wind, Snow ETC.

 Postcard from Provence.

Theres's no Sun today. 39 degrees. (50 yesterday)   Wind hasn't started as yet along with promised (????) snow and whatever.  It's April........ I watched the weather channel and Kentucky and that area- was no picnic for them yesterday........  and now we get to enjoy it.   Very still outside.  

I am so very very tired of it all.  And I am chilled to the bone today....fatigue?  I don't know. I just realized I hadn't turned the furnace up to day time temps.  No wonder I was so cold.

I should make some soup for today......something I can reheat if we have to drag the generator back out onto the driveway. But...I am tired of soup.  I am tired of this damned weather.  It was warmer last October than it is today.

Reading a book I enjoyed very much the first time I read it... Charm City Rocks.  I fell into it like finding a soft cozy sweater in the closet.  It's on my list of books to buy.  Some people stock up on food, alcohol and movies etc-- I stock up on books.  And make sure the book light to clip onto a book is charged up.

I ate a lot of stuff yesterday......sandwich, pistachios, ice cream, potato chips.  Anxiety Eating. I think perhaps I am over it..it happens every so often....hard to control.  I think the weather coming was the cause of it....I know son is very very upset by the fragile power infrastructure in Maine.  The old trees cracking and falling on the power lines.  All these trees should have been cut and chipped 20 years ago.  The lines should have gone underground.  But 20 years ago the water table was pretty close to the surface here...now it isn't.  Maine is beautiful in August.   The rest of the year it sucks.  It is sucking pretty much right now...even for me..after 30 plus years.

Spring Becomes Winter Notes- Tuesday, April 2nd. Sunshine and 45 degrees.

 Postcard from Provence.

I am still having an orange for my Fruit of the Day here......usually mid afternoon.  Getting my dose of vitamin C..... oatmeal was very good today....just right.....my coffee got bit cold as I read the newspaper... but was fine for taking my Morning Pills... all vitamins....

A Nor-ester is supposed to come in tomorrow with WIND and SNOW.   Biggest April Fool's Ever!!! Apple Weather says it's the TRUTH.  

The Garbage Men came and went....I missed it.  Son has bundled up to go get the recycling wheeled thing and whatever else he dragged out there.... we finally had enough recycling to send out the big container. And I even had enough garbage for the small "pay as you throw" bag.  Even this was entertaining....my Life is THAT boring.......which I am okay with as I had enough going on in the last few years....I am enjoying boring.  Very very much.  Son is now enjoying his Morning Shower.  

My hair....very white...and finally it has reached the "weight" it needed to not frighten people.  It has even agreed to curl under at the ends and look "sort of" combed.  I can't say "styled" because that isn't anything my hair is doing.  Semi-controlled is what I am aiming for.  In ALL things. Not FULLY stabilized. Yet.

Yesterday's book was a delight...Just My Type by Ballard.

"sit quietly and listen"

Less Winter and More Spring Notes- Sunshine and 48 degrees.

 Postcard from Provence.

We might have had this one already but I like the blue stripe with the orange of the tangerines. I wish my dishtowels looked like these French ones....but then I would be upset if they got dirty. I don't recall seeing these in any shop....if I had- I would have bought them...a dozen of them.

The Sun is shining.....I had asked son about my "new" habit of going to bed at 9:30 at night and waking up at 9:30 in the morning.  No dreams...just sleep.  He is concerned about depression...a lack of interest.  I can't say that is what it is.....I feel it's more the pleasantness of sleep without worrying about husband getting up and falling etc.   About the constant "alert" of the caregiver role.  But the last few months I was concerned he would leave the house- drive the car alone etc...more worried he would injure someone else. He didn't have a clue where he was....always lost.  

Breaks my heart to think of the terror that might have created in him...being lost with no idea where home was. Even when you were home.

Yesterday we had pizza minus the football.  It was delicious as always.  Son had remembered to buy hot sauce to put on his slices.  Today I have to remind myself to make hotdogs for my mid day meal.

I have given up the search for that fabric.  In the search process I found many more items of interest.  Not the interest I had but new ones....so....I also have been finding and sorting husband's pens and colored pencils. From the "good times" when he spent hours coloring...he really enjoyed the process.  But in the end he told me he had forgotten "how" to color.  Isn't that heartbreaking?  He just sat at the table doing nothing because he didn't know how to color.  So....enough of that.

I haven't forgotten how to color and I need to remove the March desk calendar- very colorful with images and drawing etc...and start in on a new fresh calendar page...April.  Fools Day no less.  Sigh.  Spring has arrived in Maine... won't be long before the trees start to flower.....