Daily Notes Written Very Early in the Morning. Saturday, November 22nd.

 Alcohol free lemon tonic something or other.  Need a preserved lemon to make it.  And olives. I have it here this morning because I just like the WAY It Looks.!!!!   In an alternative LIFE I would make this. And have one in the late afternoon before thinking about what to have for dinner.  Like people my age do. In An Alternative Life.

1.  I am re-reading  Meg Cabot's No Offense. And now I want to read the previous book. No Judgement. The title was in tiny tiny print on the back cover of this book.  I am going to order it.  Next up for reading is the Little Beach Street Bakery.   In Love with Love this week.

2.   I saw some British Soccer in the tv listing for this afternoon.....so I am set for the afternoon.  I have cloth strips to sew and my down lap blanket to keep me warm.   It's cloudy and looks damp outside. I tried Hallmark yesterday and lasted only 5 minutes.....I want to watch the long  American Revolution series on PBS but...it's too much (sadness) for me right now so it is being recorded..   I had ZERO Law and Order to fall back on...so I set a long list of them to record.  The red light is on so I think they are being recorded.   

(one thing I got right....when I thought for one semester of being a History Major....)

3.  I do LOVE my TiVo. Best investment I ever made.   I did also like Netflix when I had that.... cancelled it when I went back to WORK full time.... the greenhouse job was strenuous.  Lifting carrying etc.  I got home and just wanted a long hot shower and a nap.  I could not stand, walk, carry and lift for 40 hours a week NOW.  NOT AT ALL, if I am honest with my self.

4.  I've hit bottom on my first cup of tea for the day- need a second... My Son is correct- I am much more coherent WHEN I am well hydrated.  4 ounces of water many times thru out the day keeps Joanne from wondering where she left her socks (and she is wearing them). and DID she have breakfast??????  And not forgetting to eat LUNCH.  I need to fill my glass a third time.  Soccer!!!!!!

Daily Notes on a Sunday Friday in November. The 21st.

 Baked Sweet Potato with walnuts.   I should have nuts in the fridge to add to food.... Today is grocery day so why not buy some nuts????   And that might be cheese melting in the center?????  Bake the sweet potatoes with the Sunday Pizza. It worked out last time.

1.  My books are in the Library Return Bag.....I have ordered a few that are ready for pickup. I don't have a good feeling about them.....I might not like them........walking the stacks- is pretty useless. I'll read things in my own bookcase I guess.  Second reading of Every Tom Dick and Harry was even better than the first reading.

2.  My Lunch Buddy and I never did get to have lunch.  She is still driving husband to appointments.

3.  I found a package of Thanksgiving cards in the bottom drawer- was looking for art paper.  Did find a small pad of watercolor paper- postcard sized....good enough.  I do love painting.

4.  Mended the hole in daughter's sweater...I didn't wait- as soon as she walked out of the house with her brother I went looking for black yarn.  She found boots she likes at the store she took her brother to..... and they were her size and on sale....she was very very happy. I think they also had lunch.

5.  Well. I have to get going and eat breakfast so my blood sugar doesn't tank....

Daily Notes- Thursday, November 20th. Sunshine and 42 degrees in Maine.

 I recall making one of these...once. It wasn't fun.

Library tomorrow....hopefully some books....that I actually enjoy reading....the ones I picked last week. were not so great.   I'm not sure it's the books...it could be ME.

1.  Nothing much going on... five flies on Monday but haven't seen any since.

2.  Daughter and Son have gone on a roadtrip.....for something-  would be nice if they brought home cookies.  For me.  I did get a locally famous Jelly Donut earlier in the week ...was fantastic.  Son said it was the last one- the Donut Makers go to Florida for the Winter.  Every Year.  Before Thanksgiving.

3.  I found my scrappy recipe cards for Microwave "cake" made in a coffee cup.  Looking forward to making one. Not today....Today I still have grocery food to eat....before Friday. 

4.  The Comey Comedy Show is a DELIGHT.  Who knew (gasp) Trump "lawyers" would have so much trouble with the LAW.  Understanding it.  Following it....etc.  This is what happens when you surround yourself with butt kissers??????  Who will ever hire any of them after all this is flushed????

5.  I need a scarf- a chill around my neck....I have a sweater to mend...daughter's.  Black yarn... well, best get to it....and then a book???? or some Law and Order (more likely)...the Hallmark is a sad disappointment.  I've outgrown it.....never saw that happening.  Wow....maturity can be a real bummer.

Daily Notes- Wednesday. November 19th. sunshine and 41 degrees

 I lost the name of this pie but-- talk amongst yourselves and give it a title.   Looks like a Brownie base (crust) and then chocolate ganache topped with whipped cream.   Has my name all over it.  Joanne. I wish it was here......

1.  Well, I paid bills this morning...and I have my fingers crossed I got them in the right envelopes.  My attention span is getting so narrow....that it's hardly any attention at all. Perhaps time to hand bill paying over to someone else.  Or have them check things before I seal the envelopes......

2.  Ironed wrinkled fabric and cut strips to add to the rectangle shaped "whatever" I am sewing....by hand... It's here near where I sit and perhaps I will actually add the strips.....it's NOT a tiny 8 inch square.... I thought about using the sewing machine...for about 10 seconds..... I did use the iron, ironing board and the spray starch.  Amazing.  I really do love eight inch squares.  Actually Nine inch ones.

3.  The Soccer players look exhausted.  The fans in the stadiums look exhausted. World Cup.

4.  FINALLY made the next pot of Joanne's Vegetable Bean Soup.....then had a bowl.  And then another. It could use more salt but then....it would be too salty.  I tried explaining that to my son- he said salt was a good thing....we decided to disagree.   I added sliced large Brussels Sprouts this time.. nice addition.  Bit of "cabbage".  I'm thinking some grated Parm in the bowl- would add a salty-ness????

5.   My hair is "doing things"---like making curls.  It's why I skipped my last hair cut appointment.  Curls. When you are born with naturally curly hair- go with it...... I am seeing a number of women on tv- Hallmark-- with naturally curling white hair...NO hot curling iron.- (so Hallmark) and thought "why not me?"  It's still quite short but another few weeks and we'll see how it goes. My Winter Project-- perfect timing if I need to cover the project with a HAT.  (in public) or (in the SNOW)

6.  Library has requested the return of several books....I plan to keep one of them- for another week. The others are already in the return bag- the bag Deb L sent me.  Which goes to the Library with me every week......all year long.  In warm weather I wear the matching work shirt.

Daily Notes for Tuesday, November 18th...Sunshine and 42 degrees today.

 Dairy Fat- Good or Evil??????   My milk is whole milk.  I use Butter and not mechanically made "margarine". My Cheese is not processed hopefully..  I'm Elderly and Disease Free.  Knock Wood.

I prefer less than five items on the ingredient list on ANY food I eat..  Cheese should be cheese.  Butter should be butter and Milk should be milk.  I read the list in the tiny print- if it looks like Chemistry- I TRY NOT to buy it.  Even if I WANT it.  Cookies are an exception. And Dark Chocolate. Very dark.

1.   Now that that is off my To Do List-  I'll get to other stuff.  Why is CNN showing 9-11?  I was changing channels (terrible football game) and there was the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. I wasn't expecting it and ...so I cried.  Recalled the Fall of Marigolds book...And the woman watching the plane hit as her husband waited for her in the restaurant  Windows on the World.  

2.  Five additional black flies yesterday.

3.  Found another fabric to add to the orange square.... it's in the very tiny center square....so a repeat. I always like a repeat.  Connie, if only there was a table in my house that deserved a runner!!!!

4.  The book I opened to the very center and started reading was not the book I thought it was but is a book I have read before...... and I had given up on Hallmark and Law and Order.  And CNN had made me cry.. And I will likely give up on this book as well.  I've read it before- more than once.  Always by mistake.  It's never clear WHY he is attracted to her...so as a Reader I am wondering why????  For the entire book.

5.  Daughter is on repeat with stores selling soup....which I should be buying...I have soup that I make myself.  It's simple and easy and not great.  It's soup.  I'm content.  

6.   Soon I will move on to Toasted Cheese Sandwiches.  With extra pickles.  Toasted and not "fried in butter" Cheese Sandwiches.  And then?  Not a clue....I do have things that I could put in the Air Fryer....and eat those...but easy enough to just fry them up in the frying pan.   Or leave them in the freezer.

7.   And even at that...my Life is MORE interesting than it has been in decades.  REALLY.

Daily Notes for Monday, November 17th. Clouds and temps around 39 degrees.

 I have ALL of these.   I found the Williams Sonoma catalogs on the Internet this morning.  Same block but not the same knives.  I use them all.   My son's knife block sits next to mine.

1.  I made Strawberry Rhubarb Jam yesterday and it needs a bit more thickening...I don't have pectin but information says I can use lemon or the peels from an apple.  To get the mixture thicker.

2.  Watched Curling yesterday the regular, always wins USA team, did not win.  A new team won. And they deserved to win.  Great Job.   I also watched some European Soccer- World Cup.  Norway and Italy. Norway, as one team member said, got fed up with being pushed around and scored two goals. That was that.  Big tall guy with his long white hair in a bun (Manchester United)...  and that happy note ended my day yesterday.  I may or may not have Soccer set to record.  This was a first for Norway in World Cup.

3.  Oatmeal this morning and more recipes from my Master Gardening Partner.  She must have a different system on her computer and phone..  Not MAC.  Nothing translates as being "easy"...she mentions a "jump to recipe" thing I should press...well, I saw nothing like that on my screen.  And, honestly, I don't need the recipes.

4.  I never think cooking with vegetables actually needs a recipe...they all taste great together in my opinion.  I chop and stir in a pan and eat.  Add water if I want soup.  Which reminds me that I have one jar of soup left....for lunch today.  I might be wrong- NO SOUP.   I need to make more. I do have salad greens and grocery store made chicken nuggets- crisp those up in the toaster oven and dinner is served.

5.  While watching American Football (Chiefs and Broncos I think) I sewed strips to a large center square and now have something larger than usual that needs spray starch and a hot iron.  Not a clue as to how to move forward with this cloth...after I iron it.  I don't need potholders.  I don't need placemats. I sure don't need quilts.......and I sure as heck have TONS of fabric......

Daily Notes on a Damp Cloudy 41 Degree Day here in Coastal Maine. House temp is 65. Heating Oil is extremely expensive this year.

 Something colorful.   I noticed the flowers at the grocery store on Friday but nothing as bright as these. And it'a actually pretty dark in my living room right now...I have one lamp turned on and will do another and be right back.  Yes, that's much better.

1.  One black fly and son "reported in" yesterday that he had flattened one on the front door glass...so added that to my totals.  Five yesterday down from a high of 15 on Wednesday.   One so far today.

2.  The numbering helps one reader of this blog post keep track of subject changes. I do what I can to keep the small number of you all happy.

3.   Soccer yesterday and - World Cup behavior (of one game) was unsportsmanlike.  I might have given out a second red card. To the guy who got the first one. And I would have had words with him.... sorry excuse for sports conduct.  The Ref usually refuses to talk to the guys. Just holds the red card in their face. The guy argues and he holds up a second?????  Or just escorts him off the field????

4.  I noticed a missing button on my very old sweater (during the soccer argument)- one of the sweaters rejuvenated by the cold water gentle cycle in my new-ish washing machine.  I went shopping for a button in the button box by the sewing machine. I also had my Grandmother's Button Collection (from after she died).  Could NOT find the same size but did find an almost color match- larger button and it's now on the sweater.  While sewing the button I enjoyed looking at all the variegated colors of the mending....holding the sweater together.  Wondering what "mending" is holding me together.

5.  My daughter has my Grandmother's  Vintage Treadle Sewing Machine at her house...as a table----I doubt she will ever use it to sew anything.. it's a really old Singer and could sew thru layers of wool or leather. What a Machine!!!!!  It could also sew right thru your finger nails...... My Bernina can also do that and I did sew right into my finger nail.  Getting the needle out was worse than it going in.

6.  I need to reheat my coffee and settle into my space on the couch....pull the down lap quilt over myself.

Daily Notes- Saturday. November 15th. Sunshine here and 35 degrees.

Okay, images of Winter Seed Sowing...  top image is of seeds (way more than needed) on top of a nice potting soil mix...second photo is of the MANY seedlings produced over the Winter.  Notice the little weed seedlings between the bricks??????  This might be how the idea was discovered.

NOW...when I was teaching I always suggested using clear plastic milk bottles.  With the top half cut open with a hinge uncut so the top could be folded back giving you space for the seed sprinkling. Also making it easier for snow, rain and sleet to moisten the soil and the seeds.  I'm not even sure those exist in these days of recycling.  But the black plastic pots are just as nice.

You sprinkle the seeds on the soil and then put the pots out on the back deck or the front walkways or up against the house or foundation or where ever they won't get knocked over.... but will get some Sun and will get rained on or snowed on.  No need to check on them.......unless you worry about some animals knocking them over.....????

We usually were growing perennials.  Plants that came back year after year all on their own...  Seeds and seedlings that have more gumption regarding staying alive in unpleasant weather.   Herbs?  Yes.

Okay the Master Gardener in me is finished for the day.....

No British Soccer on USA Today... Gigantic Bummer.  I have books and I once again.....travelled to t the sewing room looking for a certain color of fabric with black dots......as FATE would have it- the light brown with tan dots was actually a much better choice........for ONLY one specific square....but one is better than NONE.

I made Rhubarb Strawberry Jam yesterday using the frozen fruit, sugar and water.  Set it to simmer gently for a long time..... some pectin would have helped but...all fruit has some in its DNA so...it looks and tastes great.
 

Daily Notes from Coastal Maine- sunshine and 42 degrees. All the snow melted.

 I was interested in these small items.  At one time I had a hand carved collection of these...it was fun until I needed stitches.  One knife slip and...well, not fun.  ER visit. Stitches on fingers- very painful.

And I had places and pages to add little stamp images... it's fascinating and sad to see how narrow my Life is now.  And how open and full of things it once was......now everything is boxed up and well, Life goes on.....and then it's over.

Today is Grocery and Library Day.....  I haven't ordered any books...from other Libraries.  I still have some from last week that I haven't read as yet....and the bookcase is full so there is always something. To Read. I am keeping the two Lipman books for another week....like having some extra dark chocolate stashed.

The Black Fly count is diminishing.  I had five or six the day before yesterday and then none (or one) I can't recall.   I watched NEWS....OMG...... I had to stop.....  "hell in an hand basket"...I did LOVE watching him sleep thru a meeting .....on camera.

Daily Notes for Thursday November 13th. Cloudy and Damp here in Maine,

 I think this might be a ZEN FOOD CHART.   Oats, eggplant, beans, and tofu.

It's also the last of the new images in the right hand side of the screen where I keep things..... had a second chance at the one slow moving black fly of the day (so far). Got it.  FIFTEEN YESTERDAY. Yes, 15 flies yesterday - an all time high...

I accidentally watched some news out of Washington DC.  Super big mistake.

1.  I had to wait to see the newspaper to know what day of the week it was.....losing my grip.

2.  No Soccer.....Law and Order episodes get deleted as soon as I recall the episode details.... I've watched them all so many times..... I watched 15 minutes of Karate Kid.  Then moved on to Hallmark and  The Angel Tree- GAG.  And then I turned off the TV and started in on Ms Demeanor by Elinor Lipman.  I was super happy to have two Lipman books back to back.  Every Tom, Dick and Harry was a delight.  And I always love Ms Demeanor.

3.  I went into the mostly destroyed Fabric Room- tubs are everywhere etc.  I can get them off the shelving but no way can I lift them back up..... I was looking for a specific color and pattern ...I knew I had that particular fabric in every color variation it was printed in..... I did find yellow.  And eventually pink. I also have it in pale blue and dark blue... and a very lovely pale green.. and a dark green. If I work hard enough I will just make a pile of this particular fabric on the shelf....not in a tub.... and then in a tub when I finish this project....at the pace I am going..that will be never.  I have to make several of each color....sign... I have already run out of a particular  fabric that looked fantastic in the first square I made.  I have enough to add it to one or possibly two more squares...then I have to find something else.

4.  The  prompt for this project was using up what I have and actually like working with.  Dots.  I was tempted to just make the finished square (3) into potholders....but I noticed the gifted ones- are still in pristine condition in the homes they went to.......not used.  The ones in my house get dirty.   This would all be finished if I used the sewing machine....I am hand sewing because I actually prefer it.

Daily Notes for Wednesday, November 12th,

 No time or patience to add a photo.

1.  The Dead Fly totals... Sunday -Eight   Monday - Thirteen . Tuesday- Eight. Wednesday (today) so far.. Five...day is young.  Son read something about a bowl or cup with apple cider vinegar...the flies are attracted and etc.... so Cold Weather Black Flies in the House is "a thing".  Not just ME.

2.   I have the heat going and warming the large spaces up a bit....I have on a fleece pullover- daughter gave me two- she bought for herself and then didn't like them....not loose enough.  I'm not fond of the colors. (fruit pop)- but they are warm and light weight.  And V-neck collars so nothing tight around my neck. Do not like that.  I read it's a "past life " thing.  Creepy.

3.  I managed to get the recycling collected before going to bed....  For this morning.

4.  I have sorted piles of cloth strips for the making of more squares.....I just NEED something good to watch on TV while I SEW.  The Blue and Purple piles have the most likely probability of a really EXCELLENT SQUARE.  Though the orange pile is looking pretty great also.   The Pink pile needs significant additions- weak as it is now. but I have plenty of magenta in the tubs.

5.  I have over a dozen Law and Order episodes lined up in the TiVo.  I watched 10 minutes of two of them and deleted both. Then stopped as once I get in the delete mode- I am not responsible for my choices. ( I'm in a NEGATIVE MIND SPACE right now) I did watch two Hallmark Christmas Movies....all the way thru....some gagging but not as much as usual.

6.  A CATALOG arrived in the mail yesterday...I was BEYOND EXCITED.  I used to get so many and lots of them were cooking related.....the one I got yesterday was okay...not great...but just getting it was so WOW. LLBean no longer sends me catalogs....which is sad.... I'd like a Cooking Supply Catalog- even though I own so much already.   Well, that it from here in Maine this morning...we had some snow on the ground from overnight. But now the grass is green again.

7. Managed to change channels at the exact right time for the very end of Sixteen Candles.  I love the end of that movie when she points to herself and says "me?" and he nods "yes, you!!!"

Daily Notes- Tuesday November 11. Cold and Damp here in Maine- 39 degrees and the sound of the furnace going here in Maine.

 I went looking for an image of a fat lazy black fly.....because they keep gliding slowly past me to the front window where I use the swatter to kill them.  Eight on Monday and eight more yesterday.

Internet says the flies come into the house as the air outside gets cold and then....when we turn up the heat (furnace) here in the house they decide to fly around......slowly. Until I smash them FLAT. I was going to have an image of a fat black fly up top but couldn't find one that wasn't DISGUSTING.

Better News: invited down the street for Thanksgiving Dinner... always a nice warm welcome.....this will be our third Thanksgiving with this lovely neighborhood family.  Son and I had been giving some thought to what to do for ourselves for that meal.  We might still make a few easy things for leftover meals.  I always want to bake a pie and he always says no.

1.  Yesterday and today's book is Every Tom, Dick and Harry by Elinor Lipman.  It's a new book but my second time checking it out.  If I liked it once I'll like it twice (or more)......I never read this author but now that I am ancient- I like her QUITE a LOT.  Plan to buy the book.  It's light hearted and the romance is between older people who liked each in high school but never dated.... I liked a few guys in high school but way too shy and backward to talk to any of them.   Never asked out on a date.

2.  I think we all know why I read romances...now,

3.  Newspaper is so VERY VERY Disturbing......America needs a HERO.  We should all sing that song. While they are out with their No King's banners.   Sing "We Need a Hero"

4.  That's all I've got.....A Dead Fly Count Down.   Needing a Hero sung really LOUD..  And a Good Romance with a very hilarious but happy ending.  And a Frozen Yogurt Bar in the freezer just in case things go south..  And perhaps some Antiques Roadshow.????   Old Lady Stuff.

Daily Notes- Monday, November 10th. Cloudy 51 degrees and 99% humidity. It's been raining.

 Acorns.  None this year.  

1.   I've written a check for the one bill on my desk..... sorted out my checkbook-  double checking myself.

2.   I'll be finishing off my romance book.... and I am tempted to dig out a few other Sarah Adams books from the bookcase.  The motorcycle riding teacher??????  I do enjoy the Hermit and the country music star one also......

3.   I watched two Hallmark Christmas Movies....old favorites.  The Round and Round one is fun. The same day over and over and over again.  I also watched a really vintage one- Cowboy and Astronomer on a bus to New York City.  I liked the actor /cowboy.

4.   I smashed 8 flies in the living room....that time of year again.  Number eight this morning....asleep on the front window.  Or half dead,  I just wish I knew where they came from.....  my son says they are in the living room because I eat food in the living room.  If that was true the flies would be circling me and not the front window which is no where near me and my food crumbs.  And flies like blood...not cookies.

5.   I'm going to finish reading my book.....watch some Antiques Roadshow and heat up a bowl of soup in the afternoon.  And probably eat it while watching the recorded Soccer.  My cell phone is reminding me to take an umbrella with me if I go outside.  I am not going outside.

Daily Notes for Sunday, November 9th. Clouds, Dampness and 41 degrees here in Maine.

Winter seed planting.  Enlarge the image, print and save... AND get started with Winter Seed Sowing.

I taught classes on this process for most of the 10 years I worked at the Greenhouse.  It works and the resulting seedlings are very very STURDY.  Getting covered in snow does NOT bother them....

1.  I was talking to someone- at the Library--- A well liked former co-worker- and recalled ten years working at the Library and then ten more at the Greenhouse.  Customer Service...Talking all day.  And here I am at home talking to NO ONE  all day.  Well, I admit to talking to myself out loud when no one is around. Do you do that when you are alone??????  That co- worker is now over 100 years old.  Got her Library Science degree in her 80's.....  still working. Never too late to change lanes. Use your blinkers.

2.  Son has killed one large fat black fly and I have flattened a second one.  Just like the past two winters.. they get in here some how.  EIGHT last year.

3.  After the Soccer I could NOT find one decent thing to watch on tv. Old Law and Order  episodes are set to record sometime today or tonight. While I watch Football. And wait to make Pizza.

4.  The Computer Engineer did some changing around of things on my TV and TiVo. Interesting.  I haven't a clue how all this works but my desktop was also switched to fiber optics (???) when I got the new IMac.   Now my TV and Tivo.

5.  Reading a nice romance and the guy just changed the oil in the gal's car.  Yep...that would have won me over. 100%.

Daily Notes on a Chilly, Cloudy Saturday Morning in Maine- Nov 8th.

 Chocolate Pecan Pie. Yes, please.

We are nearing the end of Pie Week.  Unless I find some additional images on the Internet.

1.  English Soccer is on this afternoon...two games back to back.  Life is good.

2.  Yesterday's book- The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams.  I'm still reading it... there were things on tv that caused me to put the book dawn.  And today the Soccer...so I will try and get pages read before the soccer starts.

3.  One was outer space views of Earth...I love that stuff.

4.  The washing machine washed sweaters came out...marvelously clean, soft and the same size as when they went in....no shrink.... this old woman has learned something NEW.

5. Social Security is wanting me to view my 2026 account.......they do what they want to do...I have zero control so why look before I have to???? won't change anything.

6.  Son is trying to switch my internet provider to the Tivo... Already switched my computer when I got the new Mac.  I believe he was successful.

Daily Notes- Friday, November 7th. Mild Sunshine and 41 degrees.

 Titled Junk-Berry Pie.

I like the oozey filling.  And the vanilla ice cream.

1.   Things are moving FASTER around here....today is Library and Grocery Store...I have to work on the shopping list.  I need a new bag of frozen mixed vegetables for my next pot of soup; coffee creamer; I have two apples left from last week's shopping...wasn't in the mood for apples got three bananas.  Husband always liked seedless grapes....I like plums.  No Romaine lettuce...a recall?

2.   The large batch of books from "other libraries" ...not so great.  I might keep the ones I haven't tried for another week...just to see...and in case I don't find anything for this week.  

3.   I was just scouting my bookcase for what I might want to find to day at the Library.

4.  The Sun is shining....

5.  Addendum:  I forgot to pick up two books so Son offered to go back to the Library for them...while I followed daughter's rules and washed sweaters- husband's very. nice ones- cold gentle...my washer had cold and I used delicate.  They look wonderful.  I am going to do my own tomorrow- I have one on right now. Not wanting to take it off. Colder here in Maine. Today.

Daily Notes- Lunch Date got cancelled- Flu or the COVID...New Voting location. Germs.

 Buttermilk Pie Image.  I just like the way it looks... and I bet it's delicious.

1.  Yes, Voting took my Lunch Buddy down.   I always do Absentee (at Town Hall) because there are no crowds and I can use disinfection wipes on my hands after.

2.   I made Vegetable Bean Soup again... made a mistake and opened a can of garbanzo beans.  Instead of white beans,...it will be okay.  I gave it a taste test after it cooled down and before it went into the fridge... Tasty..Good Enough.  I added macaroni....the pasta ....

3.  The book for yesterday and NOT today- Take Me Home....author is Melanie Sweeney.  It has started to DRAG as I near the 3/4 part.  I've started to not really care what happened to these two people.  I even stopped reading and I watched 30 minutes of a Hallmark Christmas Movie.   I've seriously outgrown Hallmark.. and need to delete the movies from the TiVo.  Even Snow Bride made me cringe. And I loved that one. Well, the end was still nice. It was actually a good kiss. Without even being a kiss.

4.  Wrote a check for my "extra" tooth cleaning...insurance only covers two and this was number three. My Dental Gal and I were "seeing what would happen" and now we know....  My next "illegal" dental cleaning (number 4) is on December 15th.  At 79 I'm rather fond of my teeth.  And gums. I come from a long line of old people with false teeth because they didn't go to the dentist.

5.  Well, I need to warm up my coffee and choose a new book for today and put yesterday's book in the bag unfinished.  I checked the sport's page and no soccer today.  So it's Law and Order reruns for the WIN.

6.   Keep thinking  the Garden Fairy will show up to help me empty and haul the planters back to the Compost Bin area.  But MIA.

Daily Notes on Wednesday, November 5th. How many are actually reading this post????

Meyer-Lemon Meringue.  Minus the Meyer when my mom made this pie and she always added coconut to the top.  I NEVER made this pie because husband didn't like it....that says so much about the relationship. 

1.   Lunch Buddy Lunch tomorrow.   We have SO MUCH to talk about....

2.   I finished the Seat Filler and spent some time looking for my "book notebook" filled with book titles I like. I just found it and had to do some clean up and then find a rubber band. Good Times.

3.   I finally realized it was November and changed the desk top calendar.  Five days late.  BUT...I am very very "drifty" these days...just sort of wandering from one thing to another not actually settling down until later in the afternoon.  There is no British Soccer to stabilize the afternoons.  Who knew British Soccer would stabilize my DAYS?????

4.   Have bills to pay today...checks to write.  The Daily Suduko was beyond my capabilities.

5.  The Annual Flower Containers are still on the front sidewalk.... I managed to do all that I am capable of doing at my age.  I did drag them out to the sidewalk in the Spring but they were empty. They are NOT empty so..too heavy for me.

6.  Sidetracked by book lists and Robo calls.   And now to write checks for two bills....and perhaps re-heat my cup of coffee.....again....  I hope you day is more eventful than mine will be- mine is just more of the same- endlessly.

Daily Notes- Tuesday. November 4th. Clouds in My Coffee. Sunshine and 51 degrees.

 Gonna have a series of images of Pie.  This one  Dutch Apple.  Topped with vanilla ice cream.  Images and NO ACTUAL PIES.......

1.  I have apples for my fruit this week but only three and they aren't Pie Apples or Baked Apples..  The Sweet Potatoes are a delightfully filling lunch....with butter and shredded Parm.

2.  I finally have my socks on.. I had to remind myself where I had left them.....sometimes on the table, or the couch or back in the bathroom etc.  I should try stuffing them in my pant's pocket.

3.  I refilled my daily pill dispenser.  Need to order Statin this week. or next. Or right now.

4.  Oil was delivered but no paper bill....so UGH!!!!- I HAD to rethink how to get one printed off on the copier....I did it....and for some reason it did double side which is just so incredible that it can do that. Like it turns itself over all by it self or something.  I know it doesn't turn itself over.....I know.

5.  I remembered to collect and collate the garbage and recycling (yesterday) ready for Tuesday AM pickup. We even had a clear plastic bag of shredded paper.....my daughter's gift of her shredder is on a "learning curve" with both me and my Son.....and it's quite noisy. And if a machine could have an attitude this one DOES.  My son even walked away and looked back over his shoulder at the machine....half expecting it to do something.  

6.  Son has gone out for lunch and is getting his hair cut (shaved) as it got away with itself and I was thinking he was going to revert to long curls yet again.  He's got the most amazing hair.  Mine refuses to curl as much as his does.  I get waves...... 

7.  I am going to dig around in the secondary closet to see if I have any additional fleece or wool sweater/tops.  I'm wearing my 50% patched red wool cardigan today, yesterday and the day before...over a thermal long sleeved shirt.  Still cold....I need something around my neck.  My hands are cold but that has been normal since I was born.  Cold hands and feet... Daughter gave me two fleece pullovers and I wear them most days.  It's enough. But there SHOULD be another sweater.  Grey cowl neck with more patches than sweater.  It's lovely and soft. And Missing.

9.  I recorded some Law and Order for today.   I have books to read so I am planning to do that FIRST.. No Soccer today.  Soccer really helps fill the long afternoons.  Not today.  I have scraps and strips to make a blue square like the orange one.  I could also try and put together...nope- only blue. I had thought I had brought out SOME green.  But it must still be on the cutting table in the Workroom.

Daily Notes for Monday November 3rd. Cloudy and a bit of a chill here in Maine.

 Donuts.  My Grandmother made homemade donuts....even the Jelly Filled ones.  

Yesterday (or the day before) I watched one of the cooking shows and they were making Austrian Strudel. And I recalled stretching the thin see thru dough with my grandmother.   I was TERRIBLE at it.  But I would be so much better now-  I am older and more experienced in cooking but she is long gone-  And I missed her very much while watching that show.... they also made Bread Dumplings- I adored those.

1.  Life is slowing down for me....I've lost interest in quite a lot of things.... I don't feel like this is depression but then most depressed people can't describe what is happening to them...

2.  I opened the door to what used to be husband's closet and found all sorts of nice things- my own clothing. So I pulled out a few items to wear.  Fresh clothing. Almost like "shopping".

3.  It's Monday and I have to collect and get the recycling and garbage ready for Son to haul to the road for pick up tomorrow. 

4.  Football yesterday and after than I went back to trying to finish reading my book...  The Seat Filler by Sariah Wilson.  When I want to read this book I have to order it from another Library.  I'm going to photocopy the cover and try to get  the local bookstore to order it for me.  Last time I asked them to order something I noticed a copy on the bookshelf in the store...they bought a second one for the store.

5.  Well, I need socks and oatmeal....Son is eating LUNCH...I am way off target today.

Daily Notes for Sunday November 2nd.... Dark outside and pretty early for me to be typing this post. 7am

Should have had these Poppies here yesterday for the Day of Remembering.

Furnace is running to warm up the overnight chill here in the house.....I turn the heat down while we sleep under down comforters...I usually also wear socks to bed....for half the night.... and find them on the floor in the morning.  Never recall taking them off.

1.   Pizza today and perhaps a football game. If a team we like is playing.

2.   I'm up very early....not even 7 am.  Not sure what to do with myself.  I need socks as my ankles are cold.

3.   Son did stop at the Library to pick up my books....some really good ones I reserved that arrived from far away libraries.  I'll settle in under my down lap quilt and read until it's time for number 4.

4.   Pizza  and Football.

5.   Heating Oil delivered yesterday...Winter is coming on fast here in Maine.

6.   I tried to stay up to finish my book The Seat Filler but gave up and went to bed...I'll finish reading today and start another book or...and this has been on my mind- work on another small fabric square. Perhaps green fabrics or blue.  No idea what I will choose.

7. Now socks and oatmeal....

 

Daily Notes- Saturday, November First....Sunny off and on and 52 degrees here in Maine.

 Trumpet Honeysuckle.  Never enjoyed this plant in "real" life but it looks quite lovely. Might not survive in Maine.

1.  Sun is shining...

2.  Didn't buy flowers while at the grocery store..

3.  I have the TV set to watch British Soccer at 11am. Arsenal is playing.  November First.  Red Poppies.

4.  I have a notice from the Library of two additional books ready for pickup.  Loans from other Libraries. If today is a "going out to eat day" for Son- he might pick them up....for me. Or not.

5.  I had the porch light OFF yesterday late afternoon and saw no evidence of any children out ... 

6.  I might make Kraft Mac And Cheese today.. it's been quite awhile... that's all...I need to watch as I enjoy Arsenal. They have this large refrigerator sized guy on the field.  And the play by play is by a guy with a strong accent. "who've agin"....

Daily Notes--Friday, October 31st. Sunshine...64 degrees..... Heating Oil Delivery.

 Bird of Paradise...Connie I looked but none of the grocery flowers "spoke to me".

Stopped into the Post Office for "Cute" Stamps....  customers discussing Halloween Candy ...how much they need to have ready.  I'm giving out quarters....last year no one came... Stamps I got are okay but not cute.

1.  I got Apples as my Fruit of the Week.  Baked Sweet Potatoes for Vegetable of the Week. Skipped the Meatloaf Dinners and plan to make another batch of Vegetable Soup.  I have a bag of mixed vegetables in the freezer and two kinds of beans in the pantry. And two small potatoes. Plus celery and carrots.

2.  Library had only two of the books I ordered.....the other 8 are "in transit"

3.  I'm feeling like I need a nap......the muscles in my neck feel tight....hurts.

4.  TiVo....is shutting itself down- a friend in California sent me a newspaper article...Son says not to panic until TiVo sends me notification....and then he says we get the Comcast Version. or one of the others..... TiVo is the only way I watch tv.....record, play, skip all commercials, delete.....some items I've had stored for YEARS...Hallmark Favorites.

5,  Before Tivo I had Netflix....it was great at first and then.....like all shiny objects...it wasn't.

6.  I have more books by Beth Kendrick....I am reading the Week Before the Wedding right now. Wasn't my favorite when I read it years ago..but might be ..now. Book stayed the same but I changed... And four by Elinor Lipman. 

7. I had on my orange fleece pullover. and brown pants....in the Holiday Spirit (Accidentally).

Daily Notes- Thursday, October 30th. 43 degrees, Damp and Cloudy.

 The internet gave me orange flowers.  So I am sharing them with you.

What I miss most about my husband.... the flowers he used to bring me- for no occasion except that he knew they would make me happy.  And they did.  But then he forgot. Along with forgetting everything else.  And then somehow my brother and his wife began sending me flowers.   Each day I changed the water and cleaned up any wilted leaves or petals.... they lasted many many days.  And now...no one sends me flowers....I look at the bouquets they have at the grocery each Friday when Son and I shop...

Just thinking about buying one of them makes me sad.  Flowers should make you happy.

1.  Finding things to watch on tv...difficult these days. My fallback is old vintage Law and Order.

2.  Finished the last of the homemade vegetable bean soup...not enough here in the fridge to make another pot of it.  So I have to add things to the shopping list. (for tomorrow.)   Already the end of the week....how did that happen??????  

3.  Finished reading Put a Ring on It and will search the bookcase for another by the author...the flight attendant and the mayor .....  Cure for the Common Breakup....brand new condition out of my bookcase.-- and never read by me as yet.  I don't even recall when I might have purchased the two books....so I am set for the day...this one is actually my favorite.   And that's a good thing as it's very dark outside and inside the house....no Sun...well, I need breakfast.....and the newspaper...which gets more depressing each day.

4.  And I need socks as it's cold here in the house even with the furnace going.....Oatmeal.  Coffee.  Vitamins.   Inhaler.   Newspaper.... that order every morning.

Daily Notes on a Cloudy 45 degree day in Maine. And just now- The SUN!!!!

 This cloth image reminds me of a bookcase (or bookstore) full of colorful books.

 1.  My Wonderful Son (MWS) raked leaves on the front lawn this morning.....  I used to be able to do this...rake leaves.  But I can't anymore- well, not safely. And not while having trouble breathing.  Getting old is incredibly stressful. No acorns so not a mast year. I know the word not the meaning.  Not a terrible Winter?????

2.  Quite by accident  (or magical thinking) I checked out a favorite book last Friday.  Put a Ring On It.  And just out of curiosity I checked the bookcase.....and there was my very own purchased copy. This book is about the recently dumped Actuary and the very rich reclusive man with a great big dog and an Antiques Roadshow Worthy Watch.   I am very very happy to be reading this book today.  I do like the second book with the Mayor and the Flight Attendant better....but..this one is first up.   

3.  The reclusive man likes buying and putting together IKEA furniture.  My brother likes doing that also...it was beyond my husband's abilities so my brother's surprise visit (Frankfurt Germany) and assembly was appreciated..  I'm pretty sure my Son would absolutely hate doing it but would be very good at IKEA furniture assembly.  Closest IKEA is in Boston somewhere...Patty and I did a road trip.  ONCE. was enough.  My nervous system wasn't prepared for Boston Driving.

4.  One more Prepared Meatloaf Dinner today...I finished the homemade vegetable soup yesterday. I also enjoyed the final yogurt frozen bar and the last of the Swiss cheese.  I have one banana for today or tomorrow and my reserved leftover pizza wedge from Sunday with a salad.. My son got me French Fries when he went out for lunch yesterday.  Quite Wonderful......salty etc...I ate them very very slowly.

5.  So..a book that I love to read....the Sun shining.....the furnace running......a fresh cup of tea..Life is very good today....I've survived the Medicare Cold Call that wakes me up EVERY morning.... I told the woman  (same woman every morning) there was ZERO chance of me EVER buying what she was selling...ZERO...even if she called every single morning.  I'd hang up...every time.

6.   The other  Elinor Lipman book was Every Tom, Dick, And Harry. I ordered it from my Library. Pick up on Friday.  I asked for another but have forgotten the title...Ms Demeaner I think.  I have 7 or 8 reserved for Friday pickup...all coming from different libraries and NOT my own library in Town.

7.  I'm making a list and checking it twice.....thinking about bringing the cabinet my husband made me into the house.... it's on the sunporch right now.---fill it with books. For when I get TOO old to visit the Library.

Daily Notes for Tuesday, October 28th. Sunshine here in Maine - 47 degrees

Auditioning the next border strip.  Brown with black dots.  Halloween colors.

1.   Watched several recorded Law and Order episodes and did ZERO reading yesterday...and had basically forgotten what day it was......

2.   Moved a rolled up small carpet into my bathroom...on the black slate tiles...it's fine since I have forgotten how to turn on the under the slate warming coils.....yes, heated bathroom floors.  If we had ever gotten the kitchen done- would have also had black slate with heating under the tiles.  (warms your entire body from the feet up)

3.  Ordered four books off the book title list I write on the index cards, FROM THE LIBARY.  I got the list off an Amazon site...and then they KICKED me to the curb yet again...before I could get all the titles...

I was making Future Plans to order books from them in my 80's.  Now I won't. Unless they send a nice note and welcome me back. Laughing.

4. I remembered to assemble the garbage and recycling for Son to haul out to the curb...Gold Star for Remembering.  

5.  One more serving of the homemade vegetable soup.....it's actually pretty darn delicious......I have the Meatloaf Dinners to work my way thru first.....And MORE Law and Order has been recorded for today.

6.  I'll be giving out Quarters to any Trick or Treaters...Son said NO to buying candy this year- we had zero  kids ringing the doorbell last year....so we "had" to eat the candy ourselves....he doesn't want a repeat.  The Quarters belonged to my husband... he won't miss them....he was collecting them for something and needed one from each year.   Sigh.

 

Daily Notes for Monday, October 27th. Clouds. Damp. 49 degrees

Well, I give up...some days the starting point WANTS to be in the center of the page..  and now it isn't ....I had to re-learn the little items at the top of the page.  I wanted to have an image of the new Obama building in Chicago here but it refused to come over.

1.  I have a Grocery Store Meatloaf dinner for my main meal today.....does NOT look like this.  The green beans would be welcomed by me.... Sunday Pizza was delicious as usual and the crust was better than it's ever been.  Crisp.  On the bottom.  Like on the PBS Cooking Shows.

2.   Watched two or three British Soccer matches before Formula One racing from Mexico yesterday.  A very "sporty" Sunday.  Way better than watching any "news"........

3.  Reading Rachel to the Rescue by Elinor Lipman.  Trump in the White House and Melania on the run with a huge truck filled with stolen White House items.....  So delightful.  Commentary from FOX.

4.  I've been trying to do "computer things" and having zero happiness.  So I am going to end this post before it even has a chance to be interesting....and find my socks....the air around my bare ankles is chilly. It's dark and dismal here in Maine and will be needing to turn on all the table top lamps.... possibly read all day....well, until I need to take a nap.  You all have a good day, hear?????

Dailey Notes- Sunday, October 26th. Clouds, Moisture and Possibly rain today.

 Well, it seems like the weather has decided to prepare for Winter.  Got the last lawn mowing bill in the email and printed the invoice off.  I should have made two copies- I always forget. One for the bill box.

1.  I did a small art project yesterday....I'll take a picture if the light in the house improves as the day goes on. 

2.  Football today and British soccer yesterday.  I watched some of three or four soccer matches. Might watch the same number of American Football games today.   It's something to do..I hardly pay attention. Law and Order wasn't interesting.... I have possibly seen all the episodes "too many times"...

3.  Son has been taste testing different brands of Sour Dough Bread.......thumbs down on the two he has tested so far....means I get to make TOAST with the loaves..for myself.   I reheated some of my SOUP and ate that for late supper.  Today is PIZZA.

4.  Reading...well nothing so far has held my interest past 20 pages......I skipped ahead to the end of the Danielle Steel- Without a Trace.  Whining Rich People.....gag.  I have some scary Howard books to re-read. If I can't find anything in the bookcase here at home....there are a few new items in the bookcase from a recent shopping trip.  And old favorites.  I moved some books around- I actually have no space left. 

5.  And my eyes are tired....very.  I think my age is creeping up on me---I have seen it happen to friends over the years...like overnight they get old.  Look and act old. Tired, bored, etc.  I get the tired part and I'm starting to notice boredom but I have so many various interests to keep me amused.  I have actually NOT sewn any strips together in the past few days.  I blame it on the lack of the "RIGHT" fabric colors and patterns.  And need to get "over" that.... Also, the house air is DRY and that wrecks the old eyeballs.

6.  Breakfast Oatmeal and the Sunday paper.  Some Coffee....Socks....Suduko....get on with things... World isn't Going To Stop Turning...Yet.

Daily Notes for Saturday, October 25th. Clouds with perhaps some much needed rain.

 Lego for adults...out of all the space ships etc- I chose this one...just for the image...I never was a fan of Lego but my two "kids" did love to build things.

1.  I found an Amazon site with lists of romance novels... four index cards- both sides- plus one card with only one side filled....I got shut out at that point... looking and not ordering....sigh. I had 300 some pages  of lists to go.  I kept writing down titles because so many of the books on the listing were ones I had read and really really liked....so I knew the ones I was writing down were also going to what I liked.

2.  It's too bad they shut me out- I was just about convinced that having an Amazon Book Account was the way to go....in my 80's.  Finding books in the Library with fiction and mystery smushed together in very tight shelving- it isn't fun anymore....and I rarely find more that 2 or 3 books...and that doesn't get me thru the week.  I was thinking an Amazon Package every month was the FUTURE for me.

3.  I stopped here first to write to you....and now I am going to make oatmeal and coffee and read the paper...put on socks. my ankles are getting chilled...  it's dark, damp and cloudy here in Maine.

4.  I have a big container of  homemade vegetable soup in the fridge....Life is Good.

5.  Maid for Each Other by Painter--her newest book...was okay- not great.  It could have used another re-write with perhaps "someone else" adding comments.  The end was hurried and not in any way convincing. And I am left with actually nothing new to read.....I have a Lipman and two Linda Howard's I've read many times already. and one Beth Kendrick, also read many times. But all of them never disappoint.. I have books in the book cupboard with tiny print...light ink.  Sadly, I can't read them. Well, I Can but it's not worth the eye fatigue.  Which lasts for longer than I like.

6.  In answer to the query:  Yes. they do deliver... Pharmacy and the Groceries.  But going to the actual Store and Library is my ONLY "outing" each week.... so I have to wait till someone offers to take me in their car.  And yes, I have heard of a Taxi.   I believe my Town has ONE.  Though I have NOT seen it  recently.

Daily Notes for Friday, October 24th...Sunshine here in Maine...49 degrees and Wool Socks.

 Something colorful and cheerful.  Rarely seen in the newspaper headlines. My husband often came home with flowers like this for me.....and my banker used to send them on my birthday...no one bothers anymore.  

1.  No square was made yesterday....no pages in my book were read........no soup was reheated and eaten... Today I will try and DIG myself out of this murky sadness.  About what has happened here in America.

2.  I don't see myself having any success.

3.  I watched all seven episodes of something  just because the guy walking around and talking was nice to look at.  Six foot seven. He mentioned it in the final episode as he squeezed thru the door of King Tut's tomb... It was a productive way to spend an entire afternoon into evening.   National Geographic.

4.  I also found a site (accidentally) where I read obituaries....some of my own family members.

5.   Library and Grocery Store today....I need to be quick about getting some breakfast into myself.. Before we go.  I have a short list of what we need....I have given up with adding things I want to the list- usually shortbread cookies.  The dog shaped ones.  Thought the ones daughter found in Freeport with the jam in the center- fantastic.

6.  I am having to answer the phone more than I want with Medicare offers.....I hang up before they even get to the end of their first sentence.  Enrollment Month is a real pain in the you know what.   

7. Finally picking up my new inhaler today (if the drug counter people kept it for all this time)....I used the last dose in the inhaler I have about 15 minutes ago. And also have been using the rescue one as it gets cold outside...will need a new rescue inhaler when EVERYONE starts using their fireplaces and the air is full of SMOKE.  Deadly Air for those with Asthma. Like me.

Daily Notes on a Sun filled Thursday in Maine...October the 23rd.

Now doesn't this look fantastic?  I wish....... it was actually here in my house.

1.  I made the soup...and it's delicious......well, one doesn't actually say that about soup????? but I enjoyed making it and eating it....I used things in the pantry, fridge and freezer.....also the onion that had been rolling around here for awhile.....  I have enough soup for MANY days.

2.  The West Wing.   There are no words for this....... that I can type here.

3.   I made an orange dotted square... I had to make several trips to the fabric storage bins and plug in the iron to flatten things and I used the ruler and the rolling sharp blade to even out edges etc....it felt like I had fallen back in Time... 20 years....to when this was a normal regular thing I did....it isn't anymore.... regular or normal or a thing I do.

4.  I have two British Soccer games lined up- not sure what day...and I am nearing the end of season one of Law and Order.......new  major characters will show up in Season Two.  One character already got shot.

5.  I noticed- while looking for SoupThings in the Sparsely Filled Freezer- emptied during the Great Freezer ICE Maker Collapse. -that I might have one more chocolate covered ice cream bar...... I also noticed just now I forgot to put on my wool socks.....Ice cream and wool socks......not two things that go together.

6.  I really am gob smacked by that wedge of cheesecake and cherries.  I have to go sit quietly...and get over it.

Daily Notes. Wednesday. October 22nd. Damp ,Cloudy and Cold. Here in Maine.56 degrees.

Work Shop.

Auditioning fabric for a red square.  This is the portion of my creating where the Virgo Perfectionist clogs up things.  I work better and more creatively when I have the fewest choices available Negating Virgo..  Use what's here. I ran out of the tiny brown dots on black already.  And not a Fabric Shop Left anywhere locally.  Don't send fabric-----I need to use what I have........that was the PLAN for this Project.

THERE IS an entire double shelving unit with huge tubs of cloth down the hall.  I just have to talk myself into a NEW Plan.  The use what's here even if it doesn't match Anything plan.  The Previous Plan was don't go looking in the tubs....didn't last long.

1.  I will be checking the TV to see what's what for the Day's Viewing....then either Make Soup or settle for a Toasted Cheese Sandwich with pickles later in the day.  I'd really like some Sweet Potato Fries with a side of .........I wrote something political and deleted it. 

2.  Here in Maine NO SNAP funds for groceries today.......Starving the POOR. Without Warning.  Nice.  And the President etc sat down to burgers and fries. My Town has a Generous Food Pantry- across the road from the grocery store.... I have always wanted to volunteer to cook a meal there.  Might be time to DO rather than THINK about doing....

3.   I haven't a clue as to what has or has NOT happened to my Medicare Advantage Plan.  My Plan has divested itself of 36,000 plan members......I haven't been notified that I am one of 36,000...as yet.. In a STATE with 1.5 million souls- 36K is a huge amount. Since most of us are OLD.

4.  There was NOTHING WRONG with the TIVo... Operator Error.  It was ME.  It's always ME.

5.   Book Report----Lynn Painter's Maid for Me....different from the others...but I like it.  We have lots of pages before the "misunderstanding" ruins everything......she bakes blueberry muffins.  Now I want one. Gonna check the freezer for berries......never know what's in the freezer....past it's use by date.........

6.  AFTER I make SOUP.
 

Daily Notes- Tuesday, October 21st Sunshine here in Maine. 57 degrees.

 I finished reading Nora Goes Off Script. (love)

1.  Haven't chosen a book for today...I might sew small strips of cloth together into a square.  Find out what has gone wrong with my PBS connection...... I can no longer record episodes of Antiques Roadshow or delete recorded things I no longer want.  It could just be me...but that seems like too positive of a suggestion.

2.  It was bound to happen- the TiVo becoming too old. To function properly.  My Son has a friend with a couple of old TiVo's in a closet-  he keeps them when he has to replace his old TiVo....which is what I am going to have to do....I just hope the Tech Guy who lives upstairs orders and installs a new one.  It's beyond my 79 year old capabilities.  Way Way Beyond.  WAY.  I'll never get to see what's on the TiVo again.  My favorite Christmas Movies....but Hallmark repeats nearly everything so it might be okay.

3.  Or I might just need fresh batteries in the clicker that changes channels.  (head slap)

4.  I still have NOT made the Soup.  But did eat the Meatloaf Prepared Meal.

5.  Today's Book---- Maid For Each Other- Lynn Painter author of my all time favorite book- Mr Wrong Number.  Well, I actually love all her books, but Mr Wrong number is pretty darn great.  This is her newest book.

6.  And that's all the news from here today... no one has gone by to pick up my new inhaler. Or taken me to pick it up.....sigh...I would like to have it....

 

Daily Notes for Monday, October 20th. Dark and Dismal with more than a bit of Chill here in Maine.

 I have the knife...need the bread.   (not really- acid reflux)

There was art...drawing on index cards etc.....but no pictures were taken with the iPhone...it's only real use with me....while watching Soccer and then Football and then Soccer with a palate cleansing Thomas Jefferson. (so not cleansing)......

1.  Heat is on and thermal shirt and fleece pullover....wool socks and corduroy pants-loose for the first time this decade.. Zero Sun makes it feel colder.

2.  Oatmeal and.......crap...I forgot to make myself a cup of instant coffee.  Water is heating up. House lights are on, temp got moved up on the kitchen radiators...remembered to take my pills ( Tylenol, tiny statin and Vitamin)....at 79!!!!!

3.  My black and white squares- four- are done- so I searched the cloth tubs for the same fabric pattern as the black ones- in colors...pink, orange, green and blue. Black dots on white for the center squares in all of them. I'll work while watching vintage Law and Order...just like I worked when Riley was my co-pilot. Throw Back Days.

4.  Hoping the repeat of the pattern (not the color) holds the piece together.  A Virgo Gee's Bend. We just gotta have control....

5.  Today I have Grocery Store Meatloaf Dinner....to heat up in the microwave.

6. Timed it right and saw the last 10 minutes of Sixteen Candles.  Where she comes out of the church, sees him and points to herself and he nods YES.  

Daily Notes for Sunday October 19th. Cloudy with 43 degrees.

 A darker image as I have no lights on as yet.  And no energy to replace the image.

1.  Today we make pizza and watch football..  I didn't make the soup.

2.  I didn't actually do much until later in the afternoon- after the two British Soccer games... then I started reading the hard back library copy of a book I have in Trade Paper in my bookcase.  The larger book is easier to read (and hold)...   I'm getting OLD.  My brain cannot work with Large Print Books so I will need to move to books on tape when I can't read a regular print book.  Getting old is very depressing.

3.  My Medicare Advantage Program seems to be warning me that the "end is near" ....36000 are losing coverage in tiny Maine.  What will I do now???  Along side the eviction notice was a welcome to Martin's Point letter.  My Advantage Program... Up Is Down.

4. I seemed to have erased the Radio Station program ....and can't watch the guy sing about the Rain Storm..  Ever Again.  A devastating loss. Really, I am that sad.

5.  I made a fourth square with the very last bits of matching cloth.  Nothing in the bins..that was it. Four squares of slightly different sizes...... and the sewing room tubs are mostly on the floor.  I can get them down but not a chance of lifting them back on the shelves.  The Shelving Project ...well....I'm too old for it.   I'm feeling too old for almost everything this month.

6. Had to turn on a few lights in the living room....other rooms have sunshine.

7.  Well, I have the Sunday Paper to read, I will be tucking a bowl of water and oats into the microwave to make my breakfast....also a cup of tea.  The Sunday Suduko eventually.  Then the couch and my book.  Sunday Pizza and some football.....then just me and the couch...and the walls. And the Sunshine outside.

Daily Notes- Saturday, October 18th....Sunshine and temps in the low 40's this morning.

 Unfinished art.  Any ideas regarding what I should draw in the open white space????  Roots?

Also could be forecast as SNOW.  42 degrees is cold....and I need to add socks to the daily outfit.  The furnace (boiler) is rumbling.... I set it for 65.  I never get much higher than that.  Bedrooms at 60...why we have down comforters.  One year when we had zero cash-- I got the temp down in the 40's at night.

1.  Soup Making is on the agenda for today....just a simple soup but needs knife work.  Chopping things into soup sized pieces.  And also some pasta pre cooked to add to the soup when served. I have several boxes of pasta shapes to choose from.  BUT...I have A potato so that might preclude the pasta.

2.  Cooking shows on PBS.  I never make anything they make.  But I always want the pots and pans and tools they use.  And I have most of that.......

3.   I pulled 75% of the plant material out of the Annual Planters out front.  I also cut down one more tall green bushy thing.  My Garden Gal pulled them out with her hands- roots and all last year....and they came back even larger this Spring.   The Lawn Guys didn't come yesterday to cut the grass...which is growing and very nice and green these days.

4.  I watched Firing Line last night....retired Supreme Court Justice.  Had some terrifying things to say. About the Present Situation in the Court.  Like that's a surprise.  Trump Appointees.

5. Also on PBS a program on artists and their work...made me want to "make something". Other than my index cards art- something with beads and stitch. Could happen unless there is Soccer game on today-....there should be a second World Cup semi final before the big game.......unless I missed it.

6. I spent yesterday with Vintage Law and Order... A day well spent.

Daily Notes for Friday, October 17th. Chilly with Sunshine...50 degrees

 Another index card... my color choices gave it a vintage look.

I have on a thermal shirt, a fleece shirt, corduroy pants and wool socks....and I still feel cold....

1.  Some items are getting taken care of....daughter will help with putting my annual containers to bed.  My Son also offered to help with them..

2.  Today is Library/Grocery Store Friday.   I have only one book to pick up and I am returning most of my selections from last week-- unread.  I'm reading a Danielle Steel right now and it feels "tedious" so it might go back early.  I think I am at the point I reach every year...when I get so bored that nothing makes me happy.  Even coloring the index cards.  I was briefly interested in the sunken find of Cleopatras's palace..but it didn't last long.

3. My Son surprised me by looking for Mont Blanc pen refills at Staples....he did find a refill with black ink to replace the refill that had blue ink.  I like black...I like black on white. Only two pens have refills... The hunt continues.  I have bold black ink Pilot pens from the Grocery store to keep me happy. To use on my Index Card Art.

4.  Medicare sign up and all the phone calls is wearing on my nerves...as soon as they start talking I hang up.  I tried in past years to ask them to remove my name and number from their lists....it didn't work. I have and have had from the get go--a FANTASTIC Medicare Advantage Plan.  I'm keeping it.

5.  I called the Chimney Doctor and asked him to...someday...come by and clean out my chimney... I  told him about the squirrels carrying branches and leaves into the chimney....setting up Winter Housekeeping. He said he'd never heard of squirrels doing that....I said lots of things happen to me that have never happened to anyone else......I also mention the neighbors had a screen placed on top of their chimney and wondered if that could happen on my chimney to keep the animals OUT... He told me he had met Aerosmith Band Members when he cleaned their chimney.   

This is how Maine Conversations go...... no clue as to whether he's coming to clean out the chimney....no appointment etc. Used to bother me and now after so many decades....I'm as weird as they are.

6. I called in my inhaler prescription..for a refill...it will be ready tomorrow...I still have 7 left on the  inhaler I am using...so no hurry.  And I need to ask my doctor for a script for Rescue Inhalers....since people will be having fires in their fireplaces and...the smoke does very very seriously bad things to my breathing....

Daily notes for Thursday, October 16th. Cloudy with a chance of what????? 52 degrees

 I'm not going to even try to rotate the image.

1.   I drew this and many others the other day and finally colored them yesterday. Have forgotten how to rotate the image so .....

2   Watched the World Cup match last night.  Excellent.  Final is possibly on the weekend.

3.  Ate regular meals yesterday also....Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.  Might be a problem today as I don't actually have much in the fridge to eat.  Possibly a Cheese and Ham sandwich. Leftover pizza.

4.  I could always FINALLY decide to make SOUP.   I have everything that goes into the vegetable bean soup I always make myself.  I just need to peel and chop and sauté and simmer.  Will I????

5.  I tried to make two more of the square I liked...now I have three squares and they are all different sizes. I measured but obviously not well enough and not with a ruler..  I will be adding spray starch and a hot iron to them....possibly adding more strips.   Letting them get as large as they want until I run out of matching fabric- and that is possible with half the fabrics.   One fabric --already used up.

6.  Cloudy this morning...an Oatmeal Breakfast Day.   I'll update if the Soup Gets Made.

Wednesday, October 15th. Cool Sunshine. 47 degrees and 94 percent humidity.

 I colored this index card drawing yesterday.....and a few more...I don't have a great selection of coloring pens...I prefer pastels and husband purchased the LOUD color selection.  They show up....so it's okay even if it hurts my eyes and sensibilities.

1.  Lunch with M was lovely.  She is Such a Great Human Being.  Hard Working also.  There was some  extremely sad news but I am going to put it out of my mind.......

2.  I started the day with a nice hot shower.....most mornings I defer on the shower because falling and hitting my head on hard surfaces etc etc do not interest me.  Today I felt like I could manage a shower. And I did...it must have been the chocolate cake and whipped cream I had at lunch yesterday- and the potato chips.  I had a Lunch Date.  None of that food exists here in my house.

3.  I am faced with the TASK of emptying my two large plant containers out front and hauling dirt and the containers back to their Winter Abode.  I keep hoping for a "hero" but there isn't one coming to help me. I feel like my adult children are trying to teach me a lesson...on what I CAN have going forward and what I have to GIVE UP.   I think I can safely remove the dead (almost dead) plants......and get those dead flowers into the compost bin.  I did get them out there...with a wheeled cart of some sort......oh, getting old is really the crappiest part of Life.  Unless you purchase a cruise on a boat with free cocktails.

4.   I read the morning paper....big mistake.

5.   Well, the TiVo has finished recording one billion Law and Order episodes...no, 20 perhaps. I have what looks like an actual GOOD book to read....my score on book selecting this week is more minus that positive.... and my coffee needs to be reheated...then I will settle on the couch for a few hours (or more).

6. I happened upon a Soccer Game last evening....all the players were absolutely gorgeous. This is not normal.  And, the game itself wasn't very interesting.  So I went to bed early.

7.  I thought about it---nice hot shower this morning and the dirt outside?????  I'll stay clean and do a Scarlett O'Hara and "think about it tomorrow" while watching Antique's Roadshow...