Daily Notes- Monday, December 20th-- Snow Day!!!!!

 Snow yesterday- G and I got to clear the drive and walkways.  He used the snowblower and I used a shovel.  I had started to think we wouldn't get snow this year.  It's VERY bright outside with sun shine and temps going to the high 30's and even into the 40's.  Snow will become ice overnight.

Football.  I stayed up late last night and alone- the snow removal tired husband out--and watched the Saints take Brady and Tampa apart.  

One part of me felt bad- the other part just thought it was wonderful.  Brady can be beaten. And at the very end- 9 to zero- Brady smashed his Microsoft tablet and then threw it in the dumpster behind him.  And to add more battery acid to the burn- the coach that brought him down was the Saints practice team coach, I think------- everyone else had COVID. The Saints real Q-back has something wrong with his foot and he was on the sidelines screaming and yelling and so so proud of his TEAM.

Today (I think, but this week for sure) the Patriot's Practice Squad Quarterback is heading up the Washington Team. COVID is making opportunities for some bench players to SHINE. We'll see what this guy is made of.....And I like the Washington Team.  The resemble old school Patriots from years ago. Just get the job done guys.

Today the Sports shows have plenty to chew.  The Patriots epic mess of a loss and then Brady"s REALLY EPIC MESS.......I have cloth chosen, thread and a needle- ready to listen and hand sew.  Let the good times roll.......Soup is ready to eat when I get hungry.  Nothing to do but enjoy the day.  Sigh.  Happy Me!

Daily Notes- December 19th- Snow overnight. Possibly 3 inches.

Well, inserting the picture a new way and now all sentences begin in the middle of the page. It's always something.  You get this image because I made soup for myself yesterday while it snowed. And my soup looks very much like this image of vegetable soup off the internet. 

Cabbage, carrot, onion, tomatoes, white beans and two potatoes. Pantry Soup - Covid 2020.

It's very tasty and good to have in the fridge.  I added a handful of small pasta shapes.

We couldn't SEE the Patriots game yesterday as it was on a streaming service and nothing we have  "streams" and especially nothing that streams FOX. But I got updates of the score as it was happening on my phone.  We lost. I will need to wait until Monday's Sports TV to find out how and why.

Instead of Football I watched a very good interpretation of A Christmas Carol. And I enjoyed it very much. And before that a Lifetime movie which was pretty interesting.  We got to see the guy naked from the waist up several times which I didn't mind in the least- he's very good looking..  I was thinking the director was just inserting that footage at random times to keep viewers interested in a rather "nothing" plot.  And the guy brought the girl the same fake Irises, twice.  One flower bent to the side.

I'm going to put on my boots and heavy black wool coat and shovel the front steps and sidewalks. Husband is out with the snowblower doing the driveway in from to of the garage. A very large space that takes forever to clear.  We have done it with shovels before- when we could breathe.

 

Daily Notes- December 18th. Snow is promised by 5 pm. No sunshine. 45 degrees.

 Not Christmas but it's a tree and there is snow.  We are promised snow, bad traffic (roads) etc etc. (power outage is standard here in Maine) Husband is filling the bird feeders so the birds will be able to eat if it snows..  I have emptied the paper shredder into the compost bin.  The coming rain or snow will get it wet.  Decompose all the shredded junk mail.  For awhile there I even shredded the daily newspaper.  

Last night NOVA and the Milky Way.  And the Big Bang.  And in billions of years- the end of all this. So enjoy what you can.  It's not forever.  This Glorious Galaxy.  The Boston Public channel has an entire evening of the Great British Baking Show.  Our cheap ass station does not and will possibly do Fund Raising instead.  

 I made Confetti Cookies for husband yesterday afternoon.  I had to do so much clutter clean up to get open space for the Kitchen Aid Mixer.  And the cookie sheets and then the cooling racks.  I had to dig around for all the items that go into the cookies.  He forgot to eat them.......

I haven't written Neighborhood Cards yet.  Last year they all got a set of two handmade potholders.  But not this year.  And I am not feeling like I want to make more cookies.  I do intend to bake another Pumpkin Pie.  I enjoyed that.  Football Game tonight so we'll have Pizza.

Husband did a Word Jumble puzzle this morning.  He used to do one everyday and then they got difficult and he stopped.  Today...he unjumbled all five words.  Has the limited screen time been a factor???

Daily Notes- Good Morning. Promised snowstorm can't actually happen at 50 degrees.

 This small simple kitchen reminds me of my grandmother's small house.  Just enough room for a small table-my daughter has it in her house- and a few mismatched chairs.   On one visit we made strudel. And stretched the dough so thin with the backs of our hands- you could read through it.  Lovely apple strudel.

The weather was supposed to be wintery but I went out to get the morning paper and it's very warm- no coat or jacket needed.  And the driveway was wet- overnight rain. Global Warming is real in 2021 here in Maine where we used to get 48 inches of snow overnight- many times in each Winter.  No more of that.

Terrible Thursday Football.  The early injury.  We watched even though I have no interest in either team. The game was sloppy. Mismanaged.

I have a new 500 piece puzzle on the table.  We are picking out the outside edges.  To get started. Husband finished up the 100 piece children's puzzle.  I didn't get to do much beyond the edge pieces.  It's like that here.  Disinterest in something until I show interest and then-  the puzzle I  had hoped to add to my activities- no longer mine.  Perhaps that is how I should go forward with this memory loss thing.  Show interest in my own activities to get him to lessen the use of screens and then he'll take over my projects.  Screens which impair his cognitive skills and short term memory.   No new memories- so long term is wasted as well.

Let's imagine what the iPad is doing to young children. And their attention spans. What will their adult lives be like.  Who will change their diapers?

Daily Notes- December 16th- Haircut Day- Dark with Rainshowers

 I think these are chocolate ganache balls with additions of sprinkles and pretzels.

I got my haircut and was the only person in the shop wearing a mask. And I said "I wear it to protect every one I love".  Period.  Full Stop. And everyone went back to minding their own business. And not making eye contact.

Dee was right.  Hallmark 2021 is different.  Kissing.  Lots of it. And well done.  Public displays of Affection.  I'm happy.  Each new movie I have watched has been a delight and my old favorites are showing up and I enjoy those as well.  It's a Great Holiday Season.--even without a decorated tree etc.

I am liking this "easy Christmas".

I finally got a cabbage for Dee's Pandemic Pantry Soup.  Which I make all the time with the addition of a large squirt of Heinz ketchup. Last time I made it- I subbed Brussel sprouts for cabbage as the cabbages were HUGE at the supermarket.  Today- still big but not huge. So, let the good times roll....I am having SOUP.

I bought a few things for Christmas Holiday Meal Prep.  Not as much.  Daughter is still on the Leaky Gut Protocol and is now re- introducing food (very slowly) into her diet to see which re-ignite the inflamation. She has lost all the pre protocol swelling.  Can wear clothing a few sizes smaller now. So will not be having the regular Christmas Eve Food- possibly not ever again.  Reminds me of my brother. Allergic to everything.

I need to turn on my Sports Show- Urban Meyer got fired overnight.  

Daily Notes- December 15th. Hospitals here in Maine are overwhelmed. Unvaccinated people.

 My picture file situation continues to.....morph as the days go by.  Let's hope I can make it to the end of 2021.  That, I think is possibly doable.

After that...it will most likely just be word pictures here- Like the Washing Machine Pages.  And..well, that will have to be fine. I don't actually know, anymore, how many of you read these Notes.  At one Time I had "stats" and the numbers were quite astonishing.  But that was before everyone had a blog.

I removed images from the files yesterday or the day before- tidy work- ones I had already used and added a few more to the desktop.  This one just "showed up" and I had not seen it in the file before.  But I like it very much.  I like saturated color.  

I actually did some really good work when we had the Collage Challenge everyday before COVID- so more than 2 years ago..  Really good work.  It was an incentive to make ART each day.  And it felt so so GOOD.  

An extension catalog came in the mail last week.  Art classes the next Town over. Brand new high school just opened and it seems they included a fully functional Art Studio.  Printmaking. Painting, Pottery wheels.  Kiln.  These are things I had in college but wasn't mature enough to make proper use of.  I had too many mental health issues (severe depression). I couldn't get past my own problems to see any Future.

So that booklet sits.  And I am looking at it each day. MECA- Maine College of Art is in Portland. I don't know how I would get there. I actually would like to enroll.  And the local private college here in my Town has a well put together Art Program with Studio Art- I have been tempted to ask......they sometimes allow local residents to audit classes.

I'm not who I was back in my college days.  So afraid. So unsure.  Now...I guess I just have to spread my wings and give flying a try out...for the first time.

Daily Notes- December 14th- Sunshine, Cold- People are dying.

 Chocolate Shortbread Dog Cookies (for people to eat). An Early Christmas Present so I can eat them now.  And  you can see there are also chips of chocolate in the cookies.  Spotted Dog. Thank you, Sam.

I have been having fun with the half page listing a car dealership puts into the daily paper.  Listing the selling high points of the cars on offer.  Mostly used.  For some, it's that they are "clean" or have "recent oil".  Today it was that the car came with "records" ..of what?  Accidents? Owners? Parking Tickets? 

It's fun to circle all the ones with "recent oil" or "slightly used tires".   It's nice to find this amusement in otherwise pages of not so great news.  Maine is in the dark blue of High Numbers of RECENT CASES of COVID.  Mostly North. Non-Vaccinination people who won't wear masks.  Even vaccinated people are testing positive with Delta up there. What was that great Republican Quote? "I just don't care"?

Watched an excellent Hallmark movie  yesterday after Sports and then turned to more football.  Arizona v. the Raiders. Odell had a catch.  I was wanting Arizona to win. They didn't.

No reading yesterday.  Not all that much TV either.  Mostly just sitting.  Just sitting.  Reflecting on my Life as it's been lived.  How it could have been different.  Difficult to know if ANY difference would have been better or worse.  I think I will be thinking about that for the rest of my Time Here on Earth.

Daily Notes- December 13th- Not much going on.

 I ran out of Christmas Pictures so you get a  Christmas Dessert. Raspberry swirl cheesecake. Good!

I wore myself out with three and possibly four footballs game yesterday plus a Hallmark Christmas Movie.  It wasn't all that great until during the Green Bay game the camera found this guy in the stands- doppelgänger of Rogers.  The two live images next to each other just as the guy in the stands looked up right at the camera people.  Eyes, expression etc. I have Tivo so I can go back and forth with anything on tv- called husband over and ran it for him a couple times.  It was amazing.

Today the library and I checked out two puzzles ( I finished up the squirrel puzzle last night before bed) one puzzle is from the children's area (100 pieces) and the other the adult section (500) but images that are very bright and colorful.

Dropped off my Christmas Cards at the post office.  It was super busy- long lines.  And then to the Grocery Store because we needed Kleenex and milk and orange juice.  Again, very busy.  Now, I'm home and have the weekend book which I intend to read again.  I tried getting new books but none I wanted on the shelves. So I am going to have to request them from other libraries. And I do have a big book to read.  Serious. I have been putting it off.  I am not in a serious frame of mind.

I am going to be doing "not much of anything" for the rest of the day.

Daily Notes- December 12th- Yesterday it rained and today the Sun is out and it's in the mid 40's/

 Bad lighting but it's just to let you know I have a puzzle on the table that I am working on.  For some reason husband counted the pieces and found around 15 to 20 are missing.  So....makes it more interesting. This is a small 115 piece puzzle of a squirrel.  I thought it would be a good "memory exercise" for husband- time not spent on a tablet or phone. He doesn't agree. So...in the Spirit of Old Age- I will exercise my own brain.

Power went off at some point last night (as the storms passed thru Maine) and the computer- well, I think it might have LIKED being off and dead.  It has sluggishly returned to life-- the typing letters are appearing in a "current fashion rather than a delayed one" but it was a slog to get it going.

In reply to Connie- my daughter makes "quite a few odd recipes" (an understatement).  The Frito Bark has hot stuff in it so I didn't get any.  Melted dark chocolate, Fritos and the hot ingredient.  It's a "thing" I guess.  She is still On the Leaky Gut Protocol and is not eating any of the bark so I was gifted with left over supplies like Fritos and little square pretzels. She made something else with the pretzels. 

Snacks to fill my little one cup snack bowl.

She did stop somewhere in Portland on the way home to buy vegetable based pasta.  Lentil, Bean etc. And she ate dinner (with two friends) in a Mexican restaurant and had a big bowl of Guacamole.  That restaurant makes AMAZING Guac at table side. She's careful not to come in the house after seeing "people".

When I went out to get the Sunday Paper I found a Christmas Card from a friend I went to school with from 5th grade to high school graduation.  We still saw each other on college vacations.  Her parents wouldn't allow her to go to college. She went to work instead and lived at home.  Her father monitored our visits when I would be home for breaks and summer.  Like I was a "bad influence". I think he opened letters she wrote to me- often I never got them and she probably didn't get the ones I wrote to her.. 

I saw her many years ago- she came by my parents house to meet my 3 month old baby and bring me a gift.  I was living in Georgia she was still living at home. We did meet again- when my children were 6 and 4, I think, and she was married.  She is the caregiver for her younger sister who has had a stroke.  Her parents have passed as have mine.  I offer her my email address every year and the house phone number.  Sigh. She never uses it. She wants me to call her- I have given her my phone number many many times.  She hasn't called. I have never been a "phone caller" because I -100%- always choose a bad time and the call lasts 2 or 3 minutes and the person I call has "somewhere to be".

I have begun to suspect this is just something to say- "call me" and no one actually wants to get a phone call from me. I will WRITE, (and many women I have met on the internet thru this blog know this)- long emails and long handwritten letters. I will always WRITE to you.

Daily Notes- December 11th. Raining Quite Hard- Instead if Snow- which is fine with me. 35 degrees

 

Having a bit of trouble tossing photos.  They keep coming back.  Especially the soap image.  We might have had this one already but we won't again as I tossed it off the desktop.  Sorry about repeated pictures.

As I mentioned  in the header- RAIN.  Which in any other December here in Maine would be three feet of heavy wet snow.  But not in the Globally Warm Maine of 2021.

We set another daily record amount of new COVID cases- 1245.  One day. New Hampshire is SO MUCH WORSE.  Way low percentage vaccinated.  Merry Christmas ICU/Ventilators.  I was going to go political but no...don't/can't change minds.

I am going to suggest that every child bearing aged woman go to PP or their clinic and protect yourselves from ANY pregnancy.  Double up if you have to. Two different methods.  Of course that leaves rape- either by strangers or people you know. Is there somewhere to donate bus tickets???? to another State?

My arm started to hurt at around 8pm.  When all the resident internal bits and pieces noticed an invader. Sleep was difficult bu I don't feel sleep deprived so I guess I slept.  I never remember sleeping.  It's not like those pleasant commercials selling sheets. Waking up so damned happy.

I don't wake up happy.

Watched One Strange Rock.  I was reminded of it by a Hulu advertisement with Will Smith.  And then was all " why did I deleted them from the TiVo files?????"- I missed the first 4 episodes but I have the rest.  They put BBC stuff to shame.  And no animal eats, hunts or kills another.  Which I appreciate. No- one animal did get chased by huge hawks and eaten.  

I have a book to read and daughter has been sending images of the snacks she has made for a social gathering this evening.  Frito Hot Dark Chocolate Bark.  The Candy Factory where she works makes it every so often. So she made some homemade version. I didn't get any Bark- just the leftover bag of Fritos. I'm good. the Party Bark will be too hot (spicy) for me to enjoy.

Daily Notes- December tenth. Christmas Cards are written and addressed- just need the Post Office now.

 Remember--in the Beginning --when we desperately thought we needed more soap??? to wash things. To wash our hands 20 times a day.  I still love soap.  I love French soap.  Uneven chunky cakes of it. Some place used to sell it and I bought it...but I can't remember where or if it was even Maine.  Could have been Chicago.

Several Bullet Points :

Roethlisberger is 39.  I've spelled his name wrong (then went to look for correct spelling) but the point here is- 39.  How on Earth is he only 39??? How on Earth is he playing football as a Quarterback. Looking like he's 50 on a good day. Thursday Night Football he hit the ground, sprawled on his back, and none of his teammates pulled him up. He sneered something to the coach as he walked past- wow. Has he always been that guy??? Attitude is fine when you aren't losing the game.

My Sports TV Shows say the Steelers needed to draft a fresh new Quarterback last year. If they did- put him out on the field --can't be worse than Ben.

Snow last night- about a quarter inch of hard crunchy stuff. Snow Beads.  The plow came. We think to spread dissolver chemicals- which are very bad for the Earth..  So it would't ice up after dusk.

When I go have my COVID BOOSTER shot and buy Boozy Cake to celebrate.

Kim (most of the artist work here comes from her blog) made an interesting comment on yesterday's post.  Not being interested in doing things.  The COVID thing.  Disconnecting and then, now, thinking why bother to re-connect.  I get it.  And with me- there are some people- COVID brought out a side of them I don't like- so those people- not going to make any effort to re-connect. I'll make new friends. Or not.

And other things- ....maybe less in the fridge on a regular basis now..... Maybe...always having bread in the fridge for a sandwich is a Great Thing.  Toaster or Pan.  Because a sandwich is always doable with what you have around. And Oatmeal.  And Cheese.  And Carrots, Onions and Celery as staples forever in the vegetable bin. And Soup.  I also like having macaroni to add to soup.  

I was going to do Washing Machine Pages- but I "just don't want to".

Daily Notes- December 9th. Sunshine but 25 degrees. 1265 COVID cases in one day. One county. Unvaccinated.

 My Avocado Tree.  It's now 32 inches tall (includes the pot) and has quite a few leaves.  Every so often a few turn brown (which I don't understand).  And then it makes more new ones.  In the mid to upper right of the background is my other green houseplant.  A hot pepper plant I think.  It has gotten quite leafy but I can see it's veins- so something is not quite right.

Husband is still sleeping.  His arm hurts from his high dose flu shot yesterday morning.  He did not use his iPad all day yesterday.  I know that can't last but I think the "memory loss" wake up call made a dent in his enjoyment.

I am trying to think of a dessert item I can make for myself today.  I like cookies.  But I don't really like the mess of making cookies.  I might make pancakes.  It's not a dessert but it sort of fulfills the "want to eat something sweet" desire I have between breakfast and supper.  We're down to two meals here.  Works best for us.  Well actually, I think it's breakfast, lunch and dessert for husband but I don't buy dessert for myself.

I have this quote on my desktop "without the cacophony, the balance of the past and all it contained seemed to outweigh the future, my mind full of the things said and not said, done and not done.  I no longer understand how to move forward."

Spring will arrive.  I am counting the days.

Daily Notes- December 8th- Windy, cold, icy snow.

A late start here.  I went with husband to his annual doctor's visit.  Discussing memory loss is difficult. We will be trying a new medication going forward.  And we will TRY limiting screen time.  Husband can spend hours on the iPad or iPhone and turns out- these screens decrease husband's ability to remember. He is usually very very confused after the iPad. An angry confused.

But he is addicted to the screens.

I had to insert the photo in this post in a new way.  Last night I changed the batteries in the keyboard which caused the entire system to collapse and I had to do a manual shut down.  I am guessing certain functions might have eliminated themselves in the re-boot.  Like moving photos off the desktop.

I managed to snag myself a COVID Booster shot on Friday, the 10th at 5:15 pm BEFORE the malfunction..  Happy Dance.

I had been visiting the site (online) as suggested after 9 pm.  I did get the appointment by visiting at 6 pm. At my local grocery/pharmacy.  I can buy myself a celebratory piece of Tiramisu cake afterward.  The lines and congestion at the Pharmacy are now...complicating many Lives.  The store might need a security person. I have heard the f word used pretty often in the last few weeks in the line which snakes into Produce.

The Big Truck backed into our driveway yesterday with a Fruit Gift Basket from our Bankers.  I have already eaten the nuts and one orange.  The Big Truck has been delivering packages at a daily rate to the doctor and lawyer living next door.  Other houses on the street also are getting Big Truck visits.  

I don't know if it will actually snow today.  It's those tiny hard particles and not fluffy white flakes. Not Snow Globe Snow.

Daily Notes- December 7th- Pearl Harbor Day. I think.

 Reminds me of Christmas in Germany.  Bees Wax candles.  

So...The Patriots Won.  In 50 mile per hour wind.  At the very end of the game- with a chance the Bills might score- our power went off. Yep- you can't even know how that is here in Maine- Total darkness and then pop it all came back on.  I told husband to go turn on the non TiVo tv in the dining room.  See what happened as I waited for the TiVo to reassemble itself- it takes longer and longer or I am getting to be less patient.

We WON!!!!  Life is Good.

Also in the Life Is Good Column- daughter got her COVID Booster shot this morning at a Walgreens the next Town over. (where no masks are worn and no vaccine is needed)  I am now the only family member with No Booster Shot.  

I am not that worried.  I am ALWAYS MASKED and washing my hands etc.  I also do not go into any stores other than the grocery.  Which is large enough that I can maintain distances. I back up a lot. Leaving aisles that seem too crowded etc. My grocery has alcohol wipes available and I wipe down my cart.  My hands.  I do not wipe down my groceries.  I know several people who blog that did that.  I touch everything and then wash my hands really well.  No face touching.  Ever.

So.....I have written checks for the two bills that arrived.  I set myself up to do the Christmas Cards but then decided I wanted to continue reading a very good book by a Rom Com author named Sara Desai. In this one the love interest guy is a combat veteran with emotional problems and the gal is a lawyer with a very WILD streak.  This is book three.  Marriage Game, Dating Plan and last Singles Table.  

All the same extended family and friends. This book begins with a wedding party paint ball outing and our girl shoots the veteran in the ass with the paint ball gun- up close and personal- because she wanted to get the flag...... before he did. He's been seated (not comfortably)  next to her at the Singles Table at the wedding and she's spilled food and drink on him...of course- this being a Desai Rom Com- this guy hasn't a chance in Hell.  Read them in Order.  Or it ruins the Fun- not much but in order works better.  Didn't and was confused by the multitude of Aunties.

Daily Notes- December 6th. Monday, Monday. Rain here in Maine.

 This clipping holds an idea for a Christmas Ornament.  Over the years I handmade all my cards. At first from watercolor paper and scraps of silk etc.  Trees.  And then sewn on the card stock with the sewing machine --- straight and zigzag-- using gold and silver thread.  My neighbor across the street has her cards framed. They look amazing.  I wish I had sent one to myself.

In answer to your question- I used up all the small scraps of silks and velvet and bits of great old men's  silk ties over a period of three years.. some of the fabric went into the abstract art pieces I was making during this same time period.

And then I drew trees on smooth watercolor paper. Using my colored pencils- brown for the stems and branches and every shade of green pencil for the pine needles.  The trees were drawn into clay pots. One tiny red heart hanging from a branch.  Japanese simplicity.  Perhaps three or four Christmases.

After that, I bought brown cardstock and white ink pens.  I drew White Christmas trees and added  one little red heart to the branches like an ornament.  Those cards were achingly beautiful. I don't have one of those either. The making of the cards was very Zen. Another three or four Christmases.

The past four or more Christmases have been very nice commercially made cards.  Not "making" cards should have warned me that "danger was lurking ahead".  Not making Art.  That is never a good sign.

This idea in the picture.  Some stiff paper/board. Cut with mat knife into a tall triangle. Wrapped (around glue covered surface) in white yarn.  A small stick- (I like the idea of an unpainted twig) for the stem. I would need to find round wooden circles- perhaps something in the Tinker Toy container. And some fake moss. 

These couldn't be mailed... but for the neighbors???  Yes. Hand delivery. Sort of. Just to the Doors. Like last year's potholders. Drop off, ring the Doorbell and down the driveway I go.  Sewing the yard to cardstock would be very messy on the backside.  I thought of that.

Daily Notes- December 5th. Cold with Surprises

 A package arrived either late yesterday evening or early this morning.  Postal Service is Strange.  From Gretchen. In New York State.  Gretchen- thank you so much for this lovely surprise.

This is the empty box (and the stacks of 1.5 inch squares) and the lovely Japanese notebook and pink pen with glitter inside.  For the Washing Machine Pages.  Special Holiday Washing Machine Pages. And into the New Year as well.

The box also contained 6 inch squares of fabric.  Instead of eating my breakfast or reading the Sunday Paper- things I look forward to....I sorted cloth.  Into piles and projects.  A very neat and tidy selection of items  -that I am sure were cluttering up my friend's sewing room.  I don't know how we started writing to each other...but I sure am glad we did start that first email conversation.  Very very glad.   

A few years ago- Connie in Cincinnati sent me a charm pack to make potholders like the ones I had admired on her blog.  I have never allowed those potholders I made --- get dirty in use- instead they keep the stacked pans from scratching each other.  I see them each time I reach for a pot or pan.

Gretchen's stacks will be welcome additions to the (unused) potholder family-- laughing.

Last December I made potholders for the neighbors on my street and friends.  As a gift that I left in their mailboxes as COVID kept us from seeing each other.  I have no ideas about this year ...yet... but the COVID this December is more deadly.  Population reduction.  The Earth tries to save itself if we won't do it ourselves. 

I watched the news conference regarding the Michigan school shooting.  Your child is having thoughts about hurting himself or others and you go out and buy a gun? And let him have it- because- no bullets????? What could possibly go wrong, huh?

Daily Notes- Saturday December 4th. It's COLD but Sunny.

 I took a picture!!!!!  This is my homemade Advent Calendar.  I bought Dark Chocolate Squares to put in the pockets but haven't done it yet.  The weight of the candy will possibly- probably- make the calendar fall off the wall.  It's already number 4.  I'm Late. Already Late.

I made Stanley Tucci's family vegetable pasta sauce yesterday.  Husband was standing by the stove with his bowl and then I explained what it was I had cooked.  And he walked away.  Vegetables.  He doesn't eat them.  Mushrooms on Pizza sometimes.  Onions.  Carrots in Chicken Soup.  That's it.

I had about two small handfuls of chocolate animal crackers left in a bag and half a small tub of Cool Whip in the fridge not used on the Pumpkin Pie - so I dumped the cookies into the Cool Whip, stirred them around and in a day or two- the time it will take for the Cool Whip to soften the cookies- I will have dessert.

I am trying a new routine here. Titled ::: Feeding Myself.  Remember I made Pantry Soup before Thanksgiving--Twice. And then for Thanksgiving all the Vegetable Side Dishes But No Turkey.  Now Vegetable Pasta Sauce.  I should call it Vegetable Drawer Pasta.  I used two organic fat carrots, celery with leaves and a nice onion plus a large can of crushed Italian tomatoes (from Germany) Read the cans- so much strange info.. All the vegetables were finely diced using one of my less used but very sharp German knives.  tiny cubes.  Very precise. I enjoy food prep.  Occasionally.

I am re-reading Shipped.  Angie Hockman.  While trying on wet suits on the Cruise Ship for the afternoon outing in the ocean-  the two travel executives (main characters trying to get the same new job) eye each other.  The young woman has on a bikini and the guy is looking at her and she mouths "human resources".  So he pulls off his tee shirt and while she looks he also mouths "human resources". I laughed out loud.  The young woman has already puked on one of the passengers.  Food poisoning.  Airplane sandwich. 

 Next up, I think the woman actually drowns while snorkeling in her wet suit.  Panic Attack. She's saved but....just. Her sister had a milk shake with local ice cubes and is now recovering from - unclean water used to make the ice. Puking and Pooping.

And, as a person who has BEEN on a cruise ship for a week.......so true.  So true. That week seemed like a ETERNITY and I will NEVER do it again unless I bring a second suitcase FULL of books.  And cloth to sew. People are actually drawn to someone sewing--like moths to a flame.  Especially appliqué. And they always want to touch the cloth.  Especially...men.

Daily Notes- Number 3708. Really, I have written to you three thousand seven hundred and eight times.

 I asked husband to drive me to the library and the grocery store.  Hoping to get him to forget what he was attempting to do in the garage.  It didn't work.  He's out there losing things he won't be able to find as I type. I usually stand next to him with my hand out for the items.  I've tried not finding them but then he drives to the local big store and buys more.... but never what he went to buy.

I  hope I die first. I was looking forward to living alone. But by the Time it happens- I will be too exhausted (and angry) to care.

The Library and Grocery Store with mask was difficult.  I could feel the veins in my neck struggling with not enough oxygen.. I could also acknowledge that I wasn't really thinking as well as usual.  I had to backtrack a few times.  I had a list but kept feeling like I had gotten something I didn't need and had forgotten things I did need.  I did get two cartons of light cream for my coffee and another large container of oatmeal.  My breakfast. The Store shelves for the two things are more often than not.... bare. 

Having extras is like money in the bank so that was fine.  I got three yogurts for me.  In the event of not having anything else to eat for supper- I do get tired of grilled cheese.  Husband got a new stack of Chicken Parm dinners, yogurts with candy, bagels.  Healthy Eating.  He also got a new snack cake.  

His birthday cake was getting "boring". Oddly enough, my birthday cake never bored him and he asked for a piece every night till it was gone. 

I have a stack of books I have read in the past that have entertained me more than once and will again this week..  I have the new Nigella cookbook.  What I would like is a new Nigella cooking series on PBS.  I think Amazon bought all of the PBS back stock of cooking shows.  Prime.  I don't have it.  Because I don't know how to have it. I would like Netflix also.  But the how of it escapes me, also.  I amaze myself doing this blog each day.   

Our PBS station is fund raising selling boxed sets of tapes and discs.  Of moldy old programs. Until December 12th.  An ENTIRE MONTH. You get a free PBS Mug.

Gosh this was a depressing post.  The Heart yesterday did belong to Dee.  

And Dee has had a "worse than me day" if we are comparing.  Sitting in her sewing chair only to discover the dog had vomited on it. 

Daily Notes- December 2nd- Cold and Wet as it is raining today.

 I think this might be Dee?  I don't know where it came from but I liked the image. Let me know if it's yours?  I like it very very much which is why it's in the picture file.

I spent some of the day doing Not Much (other than laundry).  I did enjoy the Sports Shows.  They were discussing the Buffalo Stadium and the Fans.   The fact that the people in the stands actually have sex right there in the seats-- making the TV cameramen's job both fun and not fun, I guess.  And throw sex toys onto the field.  And throw cans of beer and garbage at the Patriots Bus when it arrives.  So.....all that was news to me. Buffalo.  We drove thru Buffalo once. Or around it. Once.

I worked on the December desk calendar a bit.  Most of this first week is actually under the Mac's stand. So, hard to get at and even harder to see.  And it's also pretty dark in the house right now.  I have the lights by the front window on but not over here by the desk.

I baked potatoes.  Yesterday.  They weren't very good.  I was so looking forward to them with butter chives and sour cream...but they were just blah.  A great disappointment.

I do have one interesting thing to tell you.  I was channel surfing past the Naughty Lifetime Channel and my eyes caught on an actress who looked familiar.  Yes.  She is in the Signed Sealed and Delivered Post Office series.  They get engaged and barely are able to brush their lips together in an awkward kiss that makes me cringe on the Post Office Series. 

Well....not on Naughty Lifetime.  So NOT!!!!! Not on Naughty Lifetime.  So the Hallmark Actors actually do know how to KISS on a bed with hands all over..  They just are not allowed to on Hallmark. 

And NOW I won't almost spill or spit up my coffee when I see them on Naughty Lifetime "going at it". Because Naughty Lifetime is Really Nasty.  The Other Lifetime is somewhere between Hallmark and Nasty.  And they kiss but they don't Murder, Rape, Kidnap or Terrorize. Like I said- Nasty.

The Kiss in the Elevator Movie recorded yesterday..  On Regular Lifetime.  And, it's a great kiss. I am going to watch it today.  And some one does gets punched in the nose- twice.  

Daily Notes- December first- Sunshine and 30 degrees

 I think I took this images to remind me of the book.  In case, I wanted to make Calligraphy Animals.

Last night's sleep was awful.  I was in a car with people, going somewhere.  We stopped at a nearly deserted gas station and I got out to pee and when I returned- the car was gone, the gas station was closed and empty, there was no traffic.  My belongings were in the car.  I decided to call someone- but I had no phone numbers, no money and I believe the time of this dream was before the internet and cell phones.

Sigh.  I didn't fall back to sleep. Abandonment is a real issue in my dreams.

Now, I am worried about having phone numbers.  I have already written down the important info for finding blogs if this computer dies.  But what of email addresses????  I am going to see if I can start a new list in my notebook for email addresses.  Some of this info transplants itself into my phone without my doing it.  They are somehow linked.  Not my doing.

Is that why I had this dream??? Because I need to be prepared???

Note: I went back to check and I have ALREADY written down all the email addresses.

I have one more Thanksgiving leftover meal (husband thought having vegetables once was enough so it's just me).  The Pumpkin Pie is finished.  Husband has eaten half of his Birthday Cake Assortment. He isn't sharing.  Which is fine as I don't mind if he eats it all as the cakes are very very sweet. I shared my birthday cake with him. Just saying........

I started reading a book quite late yesterday ...after two Christmas Movies.  I will finish it after I hit publish here.  Then I have one load of washing and a very dusty bedroom floor to Swiffer.  I dusted the Buddha on my dresser.  And the dresser.  I think all my corduroy pants are in the wash basket right now. I may toss the ones I have on in the washer also.  Then all my pants will be clean. But what will I wear while the washer is washing and the dryer drying????

Daily Notes- November 30th.-- sunny but cold.

 I like this piece of art very much.  I'd love for the Postal Service to choose this for stamps. I would buy sheets and sheets of these images if they were stamps.

We have cold sunshine here in Maine.  The upper reaches of America. More Canadian in weather than the rest of the "lower states'. 30 degrees and sunshine at 11am.  Husband went out early for a haircut.  Now he's back working on his coloring book page to be followed by a nap.  I am not certain what I will be doing today. Always wish I could nap.  But I can't. Genetically or Emotionally Impossible.

I keep thinking it's Friday but it's only Tuesday.

I was going to tell you about something interesting that has happened around here...but I can't remember what that was...and actually...nothing interesting or exciting comes to mind.  So..

We watched the nameless Washington Team play the Seahawks last night.  The Washington Team has no name (having been forced to no longer be the Redskins- a good decision) and the announcers said their quarterback wasn't a "franchise quarterback" so........he's not a quarterback?  Because he wasn't drafted????  This guy who isn't a franchise quarterback was like 150% determined to win the game- no matter what. And he did.  The look on his face on the sidelines- We rarely see the Washington Team.  It's not on the New England radar.  The Seahawks will certainly remember this game.

The Twins down the street are going to have their hockey rink again this Winter.  Dad (a lawyer working from home- the street has a high percentage of lawyers for 11 houses) is getting ready to start construction of a larger rink for the 2021 hockey season on our street. Larger twins. Larger rink.  It's lovely to see the boys and their friends out there on "the ice" in the late mornings early afternoons and then under lights after dark. He does all the work himself (on his work breaks).  I was happy to learn we'd have hockey again this Winter.  I love the sound of it on quiet winter afternoons.

My desk calendar (November) is full.  I worked on it yesterday to get ready to tear it off and start in on December.  The garbage truck just drove past.  A Wonderful Day in The Neighborhood.

Daily Notes- November 29th. Sunshine, ice on the sidewalks.

 Not my birthday yesterday- husband's.  

Football Pizza and I had no pizza cheese--which surprised the hell out of me after all these months and even years of Football  Pizza..  So I had to go out to the grocery to buy cheese and everyone must have been coming home on Sunday from Thanksgiving Family Trips or had run out of FOOD so the store was crowded. 

Got home and no pizza sauce in fridge.....I was sort of speechless at that point but did find a bottle in the pantry.  So, all the items for pizza making are now on the grocery list for later in the week.  Or next week.

I did manage to buy more chicken Parm prepared meals for husband.  He loved his cake.  Had difficulty choosing which of the four wedges of cake to eat first.  He went with Red Velvet.  I had Pumpkin Pie.

I finished up my November calendar.  I asked daughter to buy me a new one just like this one for my Christmas Present.  I have enjoyed finding and pasting art on the blocks and then going back and adding colored crayon or inked in designs.  I had all the finished calendars on the floor and will attempt- at the end of December to get a picture of them all.  I am going to need a tall ladder.

I did not read yesterday.  We watched Football.

Today I managed to corral myself into writing checks for the bills. Most difficult part--just getting started. Once I get going it's fine.  And then I walked out to the mailbox by the road-twice. I found more bills.  I was not in the "mood" to write my Christmas Cards today.  I'm not jolly.  But I did snag the christmas Stamps I wanted to match my cards on a visit to the library- I walked across the street and into the post office and it was quite empty.  I may have already written about the stamps.  Probably.  Not that much happens here.  Any excitement- it's in the books I am reading.

I had an idea for a short story today.  Even a title- The Runner. Woman comes to town to settle estate she has inherited from her great uncle as quickly, as quietly as possible..  But first she stops in to the police station- haven't figured out why- keys?- and the Police Chief takes one look at her and promptly drops to the floor, unconscious.  Everyone stands around until the ambulance arrives discussing the Chief's low blood pressure (??) and she makes a run for it.  It's not going to be a "serious" work of fiction.

Daily Notes- November 28th. Snow melting in the cold Sunshine

 Good Afternoon.  Too many things going on here- scattering my thoughts.  Good things.  Phone calls. Emails.  Things I need to attend to.  Listen. Process. Write down book titles.

So......today is a Football Day.  Patriots and Titans.  Two coaches who know each other very very well. History there.  It will be a Battle.  Begins NOW.  

Today is also a Birthday.   Football Pizza and then Birthday Cake.

It's cold.  I did Washing Machine Pages and one load of Wash yesterday.  It was cold where the washing machine lives (dryer vent open to the outdoors) and my handwriting was scribbly.  When I am out of sorts or someplace in my head that isn't great...I see it in the handwriting. And I saw it there yesterday.  So, I settled down and got out a fresh new book and read until my eyes said it was time for sleep.  

I've watched a few Christmas Movies. I've gotten to a place with Hallmark  (not so much Lifetime) where in the first 15 minutes I know.......I know I will like it or I know I won't.  Yesterday it was mostly won't.  Some of my favorites have been on Lifetime.  These movies are less......I don't know how to say this- false? preachy? stupid?  Hallmark has changed in the last two or three seasons.  And not in a good way. But..most of the "good stuff" hasn't been shown as yet.  We'll see.  The Magical Christmas Shoes turned out to be a Lifetime Movie and it's now recorded.  The other one I love- The kiss in the elevator movie has also been recorded- also Lifetime.  I have movies now that I can "medicate" myself with when I am feeling sad or lonely. Movies that make me laugh or just make me happy.

I have to get husband in here to watch the game.  I have the pizza dough out getting to room temp.  I have the cake in the fridge.  It's going to be okay.  A good day.

Daily Notes- November 27th- Snow overnight- melting right now.

 An image of an After Thanksgiving Sandwich. I am not sure what the pink marbled stuff is. Cranberry mayo????  I had another plate of all the sides yesterday for supper.  So good. Husband reverted to the Chicken Parm prepared meal- who is surprised????.  And didn't remember there was pumpkin pie.  He wanted packaged treats.

There is very little impetus for me to do home cooking.  I might bake cookies.  As a Birthday Gift.

I went out today to get his inhaler prescription.  I also got him a Variety Cake. Four different quarters of cake- Caramel, Carrot, Red Velvet and Chocolate for his Birthday tomorrow.  I forgot ice cream but he really won't miss it.  I'm not sure he will like the Red Velvet but he does eat a Red Velvet yogurt. So..... and I have the cookies I "might" bake as backup.  The cake is in the garage fridge.  It'll be a surprise.

I read a book yesterday.  The Dating Plan by Sara Desai.  I have asked for her first book The Marriage Game and it should be in next week.  These are books my library hasn't purchased for the collection but I think they should as it was quite good for a rom-com.  Some names and locations (bridal shop) seemed to overlap with another author so for awhile I was confused.  

Today I am re-reading Shipped.  A rom com that takes place on a cruise ship.  I will skip the first 30 or more pages.  Tedious. Where was the Editor????  And I think I will be making myself a Thanksgiving Sandwich today. Minus the drippy stuff.  I will use the last of the Boozy Cranberries.

Daughter came over yesterday (in the cold rain) and hauled the 48 inch (heavy) round wreaths from the Attic and got them up on the front porch.  We switched them on yesterday when it got dark.  One wreath had a section of lights out so she had to go into the Attic ...again...to get the fourth one.  Thankfully all it's lights worked.  I was pretty happy I had tucked the cord and timer into my underwear drawer after last Christmas.  But need to tuck the light sparker gun in with the wreath timer next time and the box of extra lights.  I think in the next few months that drawer will be full of things that "get lost" and I will need a new space for my underwear.  I just hope I don't forget where the underwear ends up????

Laundry today.  Washing Machine Pages.  Highlights of the Day.  Which is so very very sad.

Daily Notes- November 26th. And Rain is forecast.

 In Progress. As I clear off the things piled on the ottoman- I find stuff.  And some of it gets stuck or pinned onto the work pinned to the wall opposite my dining room table.  Try outs.  Or just stuff that sort of was made at the same Time.  So they have a certain "family" feeling.

My menu yesterday was very simple but took TIME.  I had forgotten that about cooking.  TIME. I started with the PIE as it had more steps and needed a long baking time.  Then I baked sweet potatoes and moved on from there.  It all got done at the same time which, because I am out of practice...was a Big Surprise.

Son and his long time computing friend Edward had no where else to go- so they went out together to have Chinese.  I'm sure they went to the really really great Chinese place son took us on one of our visits to California.  Which reminded me that he (son but also Edward) have been out there since before son turned 21.  With a master's degree.  20. So long ago.

Daughter ate her garlic enhanced food in the company of her two cats.  Eating the last of their Science Diet food.  The COVID problems have reduced shipments of cat food especially Science Diet for cats. So.....things will be rocky over there for the next few weeks.  Those two kitties are spoiled rotten.

We watched football.  Terrible games.  Hardly looked professional.

By the end of the evening I was watching possibly the last filmed work of the chef who committed suicide in a Paris hotel.  He looked bad.  He reminded me of my dad when he was drinking himself to death. Before AA.  Anthony was traveling along the border between the US and Mexico in this film on CNN. I read his first book long ago, about being a chef, very young, and using cocaine.  Addicted from the very beginning.  I wondered if he had ever tried to find out the"why" of it all.  I think my Dad did.  The why of his addiction. Faced it. Owned it. But not until he was old and I was old. Very unpleasant way to grow up.  It might be why I am the way I am. Collateral Damage. and on that note: I turned off the tv and went to bed.

Daily Notes- A bit Late- Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 None of these were used by me for the Thanksgiving Meal.

I prepared a lovely Pumpkin Pie. Then I moved onto Baked Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Mashed Potatoes (something that goes well with gravy), Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole.  And the gravy.  

I enjoyed my meal very much.  Husband had a spoon of each item.

Lifetime Channels dished up two really great movies- one with a really dishy "ghost" who comes back to life for 12 days every December. He's been dead 95 years.  It was well done.  And now the Magical Christmas Shoes.  My best favorite movie.  It's recording.

That about it.  I just finished washing all the pots and pans.  I'm glad it's over.

CNN has the entire Stanley Tucci "Eating Italy"-- watch or record it.  If you enjoy cooking. Or just sightseeing in Italy.  Six episodes. Lovely.  Happy Evening of Thanksgiving to All of You!!!!!

Daily Notes- November 24th- Last Shopping Day Before Thanksgiving.

 I know they are referencing this as "Leftover Loaf" but I think it's a Perfect Meal to make for those of us with only one or two eating.   Deli turkey.  Ask for a half inch thick slice and chunk that up for the turkey layer.  The recipe calls for the British hot water crust.  Pour on the gravy!!!!!!

Yesterday I got off the couch (impressive!!!!) and searched the fridge produce drawer and vegetable basket and made myself some Pantry Soup.  I had purchased huge fat carrots.  Farm Carrots. One was enough.  Onion.  Used a few of the mashed potato potatoes.  Cut up five of the Brussels sprouts meant for tomorrow as I had no cabbage.  Added the dry pasta to the soup and let them cook together. From the beginning.  Threw in a few bits of rind from Parmesan cheese I have in the freezer.  The last few shakes of the Sweet Soy Sauce. A squirt of ketchup.  I did have the can of white beans and the diced tomatoes the recipe called for and the bouillon cubes. And the tap water.  Let it cook.  Ate two bowls.  Two more for today's luncheon.  Yum.

I had books (unread) to return and one to pickup at the library.  So I ran into the grocery (next door) to get more prepared chicken dinners for husband. He had only three in a short stack in the fridge and I could feel his anxiety building. It was our Lucky Day as they had SIX!!!!  I also got Cool Whip.  Just in case. Emergency Cool Whip.  Just a small one.   I FINALLY remembered to buy baking potatoes and sour cream for my own "dreams and wishes".  Baked Potatoes.   All is right with the World.

We have had over 1800 positive COVID tests yesterday.  Vaccinated people are reporting strong "cold/flu type" symptoms. Others (no vaccine) are in ICU and on Ventilators.This in a State with 1.2 million people spread over a state large enough in land mass to cover three adjoining States.  So we aren't "packed" together or anything. Just stupid. The line at the grocery pharmacy was long enough to wrap around the floral display and into the fruits and vegetables. I wondered how many were getting their COVID shot.

Daily Notes- November 23rd- Rained but is Sunny and cold.

 I haven't been reading.  I have been watching Christmas Movies.  Ones I never would have selected in any other year but this ONE.  Silly ones.  Which is fine with me..... Barbie is in her snack closet looking for something to eat.

Last night we tried to watch the Tampa Bay/Giants game.  And we got bored just after the second half began....

I read the last 20 pages in the book I was trying to read from the beginning.  It wasn't worth slogging thru. Kinsella's the Party Crasher.  Don't waste your time on it. A real DUD.  Not sure why it got published.

I can't quite wrap my head around it being TUESDAY before the BIG THURSDAY.

Nothing more to write.  I  have a good book to re-read- Shipped.  Or one of the others on the double stack.  And..I might actually make myself a meal.  Yesterday I had the very last of the Romaine and Swiss with mayo on white bread.  A Lovely Sandwich better suited to July and August and not late November. The Bacon had all passed it's use by date so I couldn't add that.  And eating pancakes, while quite lovely in the moment, is not worth the aggravation of wanting additional carbs later and I have emptied the goldfish cracker container.  I'm left with the chocolate animal crackers but.....they are not that great.  And I don't have any potato chips or Cheetos (things I am actually wanting) and I forgot AGAIN to buy baking potatoes and sour cream.  AGAIN.  It's been on the list three weeks now. And there is no ice cream. 

Soon there will be Pumpkin Pie and Spice Bundt Cake with Rum.  Or homemade cheesecake.  I am definitely thinking cheesecake.  I can top husband's cheesecake with a big handful of m&m's for his birthday.  Let the Eating of C A R B S begin.

Daily Notes- November 22nd- Rain, Confusion, Exasperation

 Spent time trying to get an appointment for a Booster Shot.  Exasperation.

Also daughter keeps bring plants and sticking them into the bathtub in the Attic.  Not individual pots. Tubs. Stacked up.  I am not happy.  I didn't mind watering individual pots but these heavy tubs are balanced on each other and kind of tippy...well, they will be here for months and will eventually sag.  And then I will have a bathtub full of DIRT.  Wet Dirt. Clogged drain.  Plumbing Troubles.

She never seems to understand that I am doing her a "favor" and she seems to always think I am required to do these things for her.  I actually want her to repot all these plants.  Individually.  

Instead she brought over more....... we had words and she left MAD AT ME.  Priceless.

A bad day all around.  Already and it's just begun, sort of.  I haven't even eaten my oatmeal so my blood sugar levels are possibly way out of norms.

I watched parts of the games yesterday.  Football.  Something was off.  Seemed more mean spirited than usual.  It's like the Universe is out of line or something.  So I switched to  Storybook Movies on CW???? I had seen the first one before.  Sort of Cinderella with only one nasty sister.  Then second one was Snow White with black Jazz Musicians sitting in for the Seven Dwarfs. Later there was a couple of influencers pretending to be together for Instagram posts  Which was weird.  The girl was a ditz always celebrating Christmas  365 and the guy was supposed to be a real "bad boy".  He was a skateboarder.  What?????  I left that one pretty fast.   Moved on to Vienna and a waltz contest with Christmas Trees on the Sanitizied Lifetime Channel.  It was dreadful.  Sunday was dreadful.  Monday isn't looking much better.

Daily Notes- November 21st- Chilly and Damp--

 So.....Thanksgiving Week.  Pie Baking.  I still need to buy a few items for the meal on Thursday. And I really want to have some potatoes handy for a vegetable soup.  And a small cabbage.  The cabbages here in Maine are enormous.  Way too large for just me. Daughter suggests I buy a bag of coleslaw mix.  And baking potatoes.  So many commercials for sour cream topped baked potatoes.  Now I want one.

Daughter will not be eating with us on Thursday.  She's on this Leaky Gut diet and the only seasoning she is allowed is garlic so she is having quite a bit.  I don't like the odor.  So she will eat at home.  It's fine.

I watched tv most of yesterday.  The day before I sorted and carried cloth back to the Small Sewing Room Closet.  The day before I stitched an additional border all around a small square cloth- now it's about 8 inches square.  A good potholder but a bit too fancy.  No one would use it if I gave it to them finished.

I enjoyed the hand sewing.  There are a few more 4 inch and 6 inch square projects here.  None that could be combined.  So, I can add additional borders.  Or an appliqué.  Just to keep busy.  

I haven't been reading. I think the book I started is not actually something I want to read.  Posh Brit Rom Com.  Gets a bit tedious with the pub, clothes buying, job worries, parents wanting the girls to marry, and good guys tossed because they don't make good money or live in a good neighborhood. The good guy in this book lives in a "tip" which I guess we Americans would call a dump.  I need to just return it to the library and move on.  Another book- a reread- isn't making me feel like I want to read it either.

During my viewing of Holiday Rom Com's on TV, many commercials.  One, especially got me texting with my son.  Woman making dinner with baby strapped to her chest and baby spits up into her blouse. My son was a champ at spitting up ALL OVER his mom. So we had a tiny (text) chat.  And a laugh.

I watched the Bookstore Christmas Movie.  As usual, it was really really lovely.  I usually watch it 3 or 4 times during the Holidays.  TiVo keeps it for me.  When the Magic Christmas Shoes movie records, I plan on keeping that one as well.  And hopefully, there will be a new (to me) movie to keep in the TiVo vault for December watching.  The new movies haven't been very good so far so I am now recording older 2013- 2016 movies. Less flash and more grit. The Toy Store movie was pretty decent. These are not the titles just the plot lines. I'll mention I'm watching the Magic Shoes and enough said.......

Daily Notes- November 20th- Sunshine. Chill.

So....sunshine outside but not in the darkness of my heart. I read the entire newspaper today.  UGH.

I also paid the one bill the Post Office....has delivered.  Junk mail arrives in abundance.  And that's how the Mail is being Sorted....... by Oh Joy.  Which reminds me to try and buy Christmas Stamps so I can mail cards so they arrive before New Year's Day.  We did receive a Thanksgiving card from our Bankers in a Timely Fashion as it must have been mistaken for Banking Mail..

Something happened to TiVo in the middle of my sports show and I couldn't watch anything.  I let the tv rest for awhile and then tried again.  Nope.  The regular (non TiVo) tv was working so there WAS tv.  It just was having trouble getting past Tivo.  Later I wiggled the connecting cords- didn't unplug as I KNOW THAT IS NEVER A GOOD MOVE......EVER .......and regular tv program resumed and I was VERY VERY Thankful.  And watched NOVA and then two holiday movies.

I watched the NOVA program on Black Holes yesterday.  As BEAUTIFUL as ever.  The Milky Way. Dark Matter and Einstein's Theory of Negative Matter.  Which is interesting in that Einstein didn't do very well at University with Mathematics.  It has been suggested that his wife sat in on his Math classes and took his exams. Yes, the same wife he said was "crazy".  It could be fiction--The Other Einstein is the book.  Not relevant as I am only commenting here on the visual beauty not the Math. Or the Physics.

Satellites are being created and sent out into the Cosmos.  Taking millions and millions of beautiful pictures of what is Unseen.  Unimagined.  Eventually our little solar system will be sucked into a black hole in a hydrogen fueled explosion. along with the entire Milky Way.  And everything we are or were or could have been...poof.

But while the ride lasts....we have these beautiful images of what's "out there".  I think I will request NOVA programs on Space, Planets and the Milky Way be shown in my last days and hours alive. I will write that in the Estate Planning Book.  Yes...that's an excellent plan.  But far into the Future.  Unless I get hit by a Bus.  And, Brunswick, where I live, has only one very slow moving senior citizen bus with maybe 12 seats. We're a One Bus Town.  

Daily Notes- November 19th-

 So...things working today.  But got interrupted yesterday and didn't hit publish.  Another Mouse.

So you get two new posts today.  18 and 19.

This image reminds me of the Lincoln logs we had as children and the simple rectangular houses we built. We never did build a tall square based house.  I have a can of logs here somewhere.  I could try and build a little something. Square.

I am still on the fence as they say regarding  the "ornament" I want to make for the tree this year.  Felt I think.  A snowman with carrot nose or ...my daughter suggested a star.  I had wanted, years ago....to make stars from twigs.  Layered into shape with hot glue.  But then I realized they would be seen.  They would melt into the green of the tree and why have an invisible ornament?  So daughter is all for yellow felt stars.  I have a multitude of star shaped ornaments.  Sparkly.

We watched the Patriots play football in Atlanta.  We lived in and around Atlanta for the first 6 years of our married life.  So....a slight connection but I have never liked the Atlanta football team.  They are a mean spirited group no matter who their coach is.  Well, last night........we beat them.  And, while it wasn't the greatest game ever played.....we beat them.  And husband and I felt pretty good about it.

My oatmeal is ready -- the microwave dinged.  And I am hungry so I will end this post.  I might add something later or just wait for tomorrow.  The days go by.....nothing happening.  I imagine in the years ahead these two or three years will be called the "Lost Years" in more ways than just the COVID.  What's happening in Washington- well, who could have imagined it?????  And what if the Great American Experiment is actually ending?  It feels strange.  Husband I read parts of the news aloud to each other and then just look at each other......it's hard to believe.

Daily Notes- November 18- Errands Done. Gas in the Car.

 Well, no images will post on the blog.  My friend Connie had the same thing happen to her a few weeks ago and stopped writing posts.  I'll keep writing.  It's a blogger.com problem.

So..we got gas in the car but didn't go to the Post Office to get Christmas Card Stamps.  Not sure we can even go inside the Post Office these days with the rising COVID numbers.  The local Bank has now reverted to only drive thru service. Total Lock Down seems likely by Christmas. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

And still so many will NOT got vaccinated. Will NOT wear a mask.

I am going to carry the fabric and box of thread to the sewing room today. The stuff piled on the ottoman next to where I sit and read and sew and watch tv. Sort of my Work Plan For The Day. 

And sort the fabric by color and set it on the shelves.  I think there may be an extra shelf unit in the guest room closet- from the days when that closet was a Sewing Room Closet.  When the guest bedroom was my Sewing Room.  With a large work table and the sewing machine by the window.  All my fabric in the closet.

The Good Old Days.  I had music in there as well.  And listened to books on tape or CD.

Now it's the guest bedroom (no guests) and where husband occasionally does his floor exercises on the large foam mat that takes up all the floor space that the king bed doesn't take. Difficult to open the closet doors with the foam thing on the floor.  But I often do open the door.

I was interrupted and didn't press publish.

Daily Notes- November 17th. Sunshine and A Chill in the Air

 More delightful art from the "littlesomethings" blog.  Check the sidebar.  Or click on the art.  these are folded paper people.  

It's sort of dull here at home.  Husband has gone to the dentist to have a cavity taken care of.  This is the first of three appointments he has with the dentist.  I didn't have any cavities which was happy news.

I was up in the 40 degree Attic again looking for a large plastic tub.  I have quite a bit of thread, cloth and projects piled to my left as I sit on the couch reading or watching tv.  It looks like I have Hoarder Tendencies.  I really don't.   I just have a Tendency "not to return things to where I found them".  I could lift it all and carry the pile down to the Little Sewing Room.  Put it all on sorted by color shelving.  Find it later when I am actually sewing.   

Or just leave it all where it is.  Sigh. The leave it where is isn't working that well for me this week..

Alexa from Bank of America just called.  Robo calling is very very busy this week.

I finished All The Boys I Have Loved-- they had a messy but great Christmas at the end. I started and finished (2am) jemima j by Jane Green.  Fat girl gets fit and thin and finds love but not really....... until the last 20 pages.  This was a one dollar Goodwill find by daughter.  I read it straight thru so that is some sort of review......right?  British.  And the story was told three or four ways.  Depending on who was speaking at the time.  The author was speaking directly to the Reader quite often. "you and I might have been suspicious??? but our girl was not" "don't you find his behavior odd?"  An interesting way to go about things.  I didn't mind.  She has other books I might go looking for.  

I have a book to return to library.  My car needs gas.  I need more dark chocolate candy and milk for my oatmeal.  I might buy a few prepared meatloaf meals...you know...an actual meal. I said last month I wouldn't be doing that anymore.  I could also look at the frozen dinners.  Could be interesting.  Husband just offered to take me and then go get me gas.  I said yes.

Daily Notes- I forgot what the title is supposed to be!!! November 16th

 Cleaning out the desktop picture file.  This one showed up.  I don't think they are my daughter's two cats? But I am using them today and deleting the file.  sigh.

Another mouse.  I am recording their deaths on my desktop calendar.  

Football was interesting for the Monday Night Football.   Terrible game.  We watched at the start because our son lives "in the area" and it sort of felt like we were "visiting".  I don't think he watches football. At the end, the "losing" LA quarterback was seen in a silent long shot, no commentary, talking to Odell Beckman.  And Odell had this look in his  eyes- like- "what the hell have I got myself into?'. Signing with a quarterback that could NOT connect with anyone for all four quarters.  Wow.

Sunshine but chilly.  Garbage got collected.  Newspaper arrived.  Breakfast was nice.  Good oatmeal. Not much else going on.  Scheduled a pickup for the Snow Blower.  A second time.  They forgot the last appointment.

Not much going on.  I have a book to finish.  I cooked some Jasmine rice and green peas for my supper last night. It was good to have something to eat.  I need to do more of that.  I checked the freezer and I have more frozen peas.  They were hidden. I also have some vegetarian meatballs.  I could have them. I just am not motivated to actually COOK.  I have to get over that.  Or start ordering food.  But we don't live where restaurants with tv commercials actually do business.  Maine is the actual Butt Edge of Earth.

Today I will worry about the Space Station getting hit by pieces of Chinese Garbage up there in Space.  I guess the Chinese were shooting down their own satellites up there in Space.  Military Activities. Practicing for the "Real Thing".

Daily Notes- Monday (no newspaper) November 15th

 I'm thinking about this.  Now is the new later.

The Chicken Soup turned out great.  Soup Noodles a problem as when I went into the closet- I found the one soup needle package nibbled open and over half of the dry noodles eaten- by the mouse.  Now...I am concerned that this is "another" mouse and not one of the "already caught and dead" mice.  The closet now seems icky.

My book on the Boys I've Loved.    Not as advertised but different and still very readable.  Girl loves the boy next door- they hang out all the time and have forever.  He falls in love with her older sister who leaves for college in Scotland (I don't know why) and kid sister sends all the letters in the mail.  One of the guys who gets a letter asks the girl to pretend to be his girlfriend (wants his ex to leave him alone). One of the most popular guys.  She is not.  It's complicated and interesting.

I've lost a button on my favorite buttoned cardigan. Just looked down and noticed.  Got to find a new one in the button jar.  Also a hole in the sweater next to where the button is missing.  A tragic mystery.

My friend is texting for us to come lift, carry, lift and then drive home with a large old heavy mahogany table and then try and carry it up stairs into the house...and then what??????  She will find someone else to take it.  She says two people can lift it. Not two 75 year old people.  I never could think where I would put it.

Grocery was intense today.  I managed to get more chicken dinners.  Even with the homemade soup- husband asked for chicken dinners.  So much for being happy about soup. I got him more cake. It's incredible that his blood work is always excellent..unless it's the meds he takes????

I also got a few items for the Holiday.  Pie crusts, whipped cream, pumpkin.  Green beans and French Fried Onions. Canned mushroom soup.  Sweet Potatoes.  I have gravy mix and Stove Top.  You can see it'll be a "real home cooked meal".  I'll buy an already cooked half turkey breast from the deli.  Mostly I like the vegetables, Stove Top and the gravy.  I don't eat the turkey.  This has been the usual for years now.

I'm still not sure about Christmas Eve Pierogi.  Don't have to make daughter's special ones she's on special diet.  Might not make ours.  Last year the making, cooking, standing nearly killed me.  My back was really knotted up. And my legs felt like lead.  I enjoy eating them for  a bunch of days after Christmas.  That I would miss.

Getting old is a tough nut.  Letting go of stuff.  Stuff you really enjoy.  sigh........